Scene 5.09 - Temple Restored
EST: Palace Temple - Night.
(They surface to a more-vibrant temple interior -- lamps lit, incense burning, offerings to the Goddess, acolytes meditating, etc.)
MARY
Ah! (She coughs, water having gone-up the wrong pipe. She breathes heavily.) It seemed we were underwater forever! Bud?
BUD
Donlemme dwown.
MARY
Feels better, huh? More-awake now? Here, lets go to the shallows, where- (Sees lamps, acolytes, statue with regalia, etc. Inhales swiftly. Nearly breathless:) Great Goddess!
TERRI
Mistress Mary!
LO
General Jane has returned!
MARY
(Gestures with her head, pulls BUD from the water.) Lo, get the antidote for the DEA’s poison arrows from the apothecary in the healing gardens. Yin, go to the Empress, tell her I have returned, Terri, help me lift him from this pool. He is full of fever and can’t fall asleep or all is lost!
(They respectfully do as told.)
YIN
(While exiting:) General Jane returns with a warrior at the Holy Temple!
TERRI
What a strange looking man. (Touches his face. Then, softly:) Refined. Nothing like the DEA barbarians.
MARY
(Also stroking his face, dipping her hand into the pool every few strokes.) Strange, but handsome.
TERRI
He has grown quite pale. Will he live, Mistress?
MARY
(She looks.) That is up to the Goddess. Men have died here before.
TERRI
Surely the Goddess would not bring a savior to us only to let him die at her feet.
MARY
One cannot question the Goddess’ actions, Terri. Moments ago, this temple was in ruins, there were traps set by the DEA. Now it is as it was before. This is all quite strange. The Goddess is surely testing me. It seems unreal; as if this were all a dream. (Looks down at BUD, sees him drifting off with her soft strokes, slaps him, his eyes dart open.) Hey! Wake up!
BUD
Huh?
MARY
What am I going to say to the Empress if you die on me, huh?
BUD
I thing I’m seein’ dubble.
TERRI
Where did you find him, Mary?
MARY
He was at the Temple Of The Virgin on Dragonback Mountain. I fear for the others at Painter’s Pass.
TERRI
Others? There are others at Painter’s Pass? The DEA know about Painter’s Pass?
MARY
Wake up! No, Terri, the DEA know nothing new. We covered our tracks.
TERRI
But these others you speak of-
MARY
Relax, our secrets are safe. I trust those men as much as I do my sisters. (TERRI nods, MARY slaps BUD awake again.) Verily, I say to you, I have never met more civilized, charming, good-natured, mature and responsible men as this man and his friends.
TERRI
But leaving men to be alone with the Goddess at the Temple of The Virgin? Do you think that is wise?
MARY
These men are different than others. They are an example of how all men of the world should be.
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