Scene 5.19 - Time-share
EST: INT. Royal Dressing Closet
(The entire interior of the spire is visible. Stained glass walls, mostly clear, reveal the spacious room. In one area near the stairs, affording more privacy, is the Royal Dressing Closet, which is hardly a closet, being the size of a small barn. The stained glass is a geometric wonder. Silver and crystal mobiles, art sculptures and chandeliers dance above. Showcase opulence.)
KIM
Listen.
BUD
Like I told you last night, it's been a while. I don't want to rush into-
KIM
(She kisses him.) Oh, silly. It's about something else. We don't know what Mary may have told you about the DEA.
BUD
Just a little.
KIM
What did she tell you?
BUD
She said the DEA used to be men in your village that took your children and that they desecrate your temples.
(Acolytes enter and position a half-wall partition between the two, where they may speak, but not entirely see. The acolytes give a sponge bath and dress both KIM and BUD throughout the scene.)
KIM
True. Bud, We've been around a while. A long while.
BUD
I'm not following you.
KIM
About fifty-thousand years ago, after a time when humans became self-aware of their existence, the Goddess took human form. She chose to be female because she found Our nature to be in accordance with her own. Our people thrived and multiplied.
BUD
Okay.
KIM
(The silhouette of KIM slowly being undressed and dressed after her bath is dominant throughout.) Well, as it turns out, about fifteen thousand years ago, during my childhood, We learned that the men in Our village didn't really find her nature appealing at all and they all got together and attempted to subjugate Us. But that didn’t work, because the Goddess would always intervene. And as the centuries passed, and the men realized that none of Us were getting any older, and that senseless fighting got none of Us anywhere, the men and even Our children began to resent Us. All in one night, they moved away from Us so they could all grow old and die. And they did. We did not follow, as We are loyal to Our Goddess. Many, many generations later, We were attacked, for their descendants had longed to return to Us and be immortal, like their ancestors once were. They've been trying to get back in the Goddess' favor ever since, and We've been fighting them off and confusing them nearly every day for the last seven thousand years. They're shirt-tail relatives at best, and We don't want anything to do with them. Until you, the Goddess hasn't shown any favor to a human of your gender for over three millennium. Do you understand?
(The partition slides away.)
BUD
I'm still trying to get past the fact that you say you're fifteen thousand years old. You sure don't look it.
KIM
Fifteen thousand, five hundred and twenty-five, and thank you. Only those fallen from the Goddess' favor, get sick, die, and grow old. Such a time is this, where my sisters have been captured and I am unsure of how to free them without losing something greater -- our secret of immortal youth.
BUD
Let's say I believe you, strange as it is. Why are you telling me all this? How can I help?
KIM
I believe you share in our Goddess' favor, which means as long as you are here, no harm will come to you. (Pause, splashes rose water on her face.) Over the last three thousand years, We've developed a custom among Us. On nights when we are not under attack, we celebrate. (She smiles and takes his hand.) Of these peaceful days, We allow pairings to occur, where people can choose to be alone, or with another, at night. After three such days of pairing, our women may choose to be alone for one or two days, or join other groupings of people without regard to rank, occupation or previous pairings. (Shrugs, eyes looking-away, reflective:) It seems to work. (Pause, looks down, in awe, to a degree.) As the only men in our village, you will be quite popular. I am quite jealous, for if I were a man... I never would consider leaving this paradise, let’s leave it at that. (Takes other hand, like a schoolgirl who wants to get pinned.) If it is decreed that you are to be accepted by the Goddess and included in the pairings, We would like to be your first day.
BUD
Okay. That's a little confusing to me, but I think I get the gist of what you're saying. By we, you mean you.
KIM
(BUD has only pants on. The acolytes have been taking their time. They put a tunic over him.) Okay, okay! We're glad you see it Our way. Really, it's in your own best interest. It's settled, then. We will be your first day. In the future, be a doll, and help your friends sort out their schedules, too. Attend me presently, We shouldn't let them reach court before We do!
(She starts to exit.)
BUD
I don't know if I-
KIM
Ready the throne room!
BUD
This isn't like marriage, is it?
KIM
(She stops at doorway and smiles.) No silly, it's a girl thing.
BUD
(As acolytes adeptly put an incredibly cool earring into his old-school, closed-up socket in his left ear:) It sounds like I'm being traded like a time-share.
KIM
A time-share? Why yes, that's a wonderful term for it. That's exactly what it is. Yes. A time-share!
(She exits.)
DISSOLVE TO: