Scene 8.04 - A Cryptic Summons / The Evil Aye
EST: EXT. Hell's Island, June 3, 1815 - Early Evening
(SADIE runs toward the castle.)
CAMPY
What is it now?
EXT. Hell's Island. Bat-Balloon.
(CAMPY, OLAF and two-year-old EMERALD are at the basket of the large balloon. She walks and talks and wears a diaper.)
SADIE
Oh! I just gotta make sure that everything's locked!
OLAF
It's all locked, I checked it one, two, three times now.
SADIE
I might have left the oven on-
CAMPY
The oven ain't on! You ain't never even touched it since I got here! Hurry back! We got to catch this trade-wind or we'll-
SADIE
(At door, getting out her keys.) I'll be right back!
OLAF
No one else around for fifty miles and she thinks someone's gonna rob the place while we're away.
CAMPY
(Gets prone on grass and props on one elbow. His Shower-Lynn burn marks are plain to see. He holds a hand forward and EMERALD bows. He nods a bow and EMERALD proceeds to school CAMPY with a series of slaps and kicks to his head, only occasionally blocked by CAMPY'S moving hand. Eventually, CAMPY puts forth a second hand.) Who'd wanna rob a dungeon?
SADIE
(Applying lipstick as she's locking the door.) My lipstick! I knew I was forgetting something. One hand only, Kong.
CAMPY
She's too fast for one hand -- her kicks are getting harder to block and they sure hurt more than they used- ow!
EMERALD
(Laughs. Goes up and hugs his face.) Cam-pee!
(CAMPY smooches her belly and blows, making the tot squeal.)
EMERALD (Cont'd)
(Laughing:) Unco Kong!
SADIE
That's right, sweetie, Uncle Kong! Ready to go see Daddy, honey? I bet my little Emerald wants to meet her Daddy.
OLAF
(Frowns a little:) I'm going to miss this place.
SADIE
Nonsense. All the patients are long gone, it's too lonely now. Kong, why didn't you tell me when you got here that Bureaucrat already bought this island lock, stock and barrel? Why didn't I know that he wanted us to meet him up North until this summons?
(Shows a very strange, inked scrawling in an ancient language written on folded paper.)
CAMPY
I myself did not know these things, Mistress. The Master is a mysterious man and keeps many secrets, even from me. Only his pigeons or his hawks reveal his wishes while I am here, and his birds always tell me very little.
SADIE
Gotta point there. All those years, I didn't know his name was Casino. Doesn't ring a bell, anyway. Here, get Emerald into her child-seat and Olaf, you gotta sit on that side with Emerald to balance it. Kong and I will fly it from this side. You sure this thing is safe for all of us?
CAMPY
The papyrus leaves that had the design for this showed twenty guys with rocks aboard it getting shot at. I figger it's plenty safe.
SADIE
When was the last time you took this thing out?
CAMPY
Not since the time I got lost and was gone for a day and a half. Had to land onshore. Almost went out East! I'd a been screwed!
SADIE
Oh, you had me so worried, that was a while back -- how long ago was that?
CAMPY
That was right after you and I came up here for our special anniversary- celebration. Oh, last Spring thaw, I imagine.
SADIE
It was before everyone got transferred out. A year, at least... This thing still gonna fly?
CAMPY
We're flying now, ain't we?
SADIE
Yes, but will it get us there? There ain't nothing but head-hunters between here and there.
CAMPY
We'll get there, Mistress.
SADIE
I've always wanted to see Roxanopolis. Poke spoke of it many times and his stories were more astonishing every time he mentioned it. What is Bureaucrat up to now? Why does he want all of us to come? Why was his message to us so cryptic?
CAMPY
Mistress, your guess is as good as mine. Tonight, when the sun stops telling this craft to fly, one way or another, we shall know.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT: Honest Jack's Dairy Farm - Outskirts of Havana, Cuba
(CAPTAIN MORGAN [three-cornered hat] and FIRST MATE FREEMAN [Captain Hook-lookin' preggo python folded hat] and MONTY [sans mask, dark hood] all stagger down a dark, wind-swept street through sheets of pouring rain. All three struggle to keep their wet clothes from whipping them and keep a hand to their heads as they lean into the gales and sway down the muddy, puddle-filled path, leading to a solid farmhouse and a well-built barn. They reach the stoop of the farmhouse with a small lamp illuminated inside. Lighting flashes as they rap upon the door under a sturdy awning. BENNIE opens the door, holding a pistol. He has the long, grey beard of a pious man and is wearing suspenders over an undershirt. His elbow holds his place in the Bible he was reading.)
BENNIE
Yes? What is it, Friend?
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
Are you the man they call Honest Jack?
BENNIE
I am; state your business, Friend.
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
We are businessmen, we come in peace.
BENNIE
I'm not interested, Friend. (Bookmarks Bible. Looks outward.) Best be on your way home, the wind is picking up. Good tidings...
(Begins to close the door.)
MONTY
We're not salesmen, we're but, Samaritans, who have traveled thus far only to speak with you. Will you not invite us in, Friend?
BENNIE
Come in, hang your coats on this rack. Please, sit down. I was heating some water to soak my feet -- I'll make you coffee.
(The cabin is modest. A small, unlit fireplace and mantle. A front window, a small round table, four chairs, three racks [a coat rack, a hat rack, a gun rack] a small bed, a small wood-stove, a counter-top, a Bible stand, cabinets, a footlocker and four houseplants. Still in the days of the outhouse, it is a quaint, but meager living space. BENNIE'S office in 7.03 was larger than the entire farmhouse. The cows have more space in their stalls in the barn. Everyone is close to one another. Timing an opportunity, MONTY removes his hood as BENNIE is moving by him and their faces are very close. MONTY, upon revealing his face, looks BENNIE straight in the eye and smiles a bit, expecting-)
BENNIE (Cont'd)
I've seen this one before.
MONTY
Yes?
BENNIE
Dem Olmec kids down in Columbia marked you up real good, fella -- this one means, "Plays with his sword while sleeping."
MONTY
Oh.
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Columbia? That's a mighty-far ways off. You're well-traveled, then?
BENNIE
(Measured breath.) I was once a man of the sea. (Turns, smiles.) I am just a man serving the Lord now.
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
Weren't you once the proprietor of Honest Jack's Trading Company, the largest shipping company in Havana?
(Teapot whistles. BENNIE holsters his gun near the door on an isolated hat rack, topped with a Quaker-style hat.)
BENNIE
(Turning:) What is this about, gentlemen?
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
(Removes his hat, holds it in front of his belly, nods to BENNIE, in respect.) We wish to pay you, for information.
BENNIE
I have no need for material things, Brother. My soul is at peace with the Lord. He knows all I know, and loves me; that is enough.
MONTY
(Sparks a blunt. Passes.) Did not your company fall into financial ruin? Were you not bought-out by Larry Bling? Is not the Bling-Bling shipping company now the largest shipping company in Havana? What did he do to you to cause you to lose everything?
BENNIE
I haven't lost everything, young man. I've gained peace. I worry not about the sins of others, only my own. Coffee, gentlemen. (Refuses blunt.) I have no need to indulge in human vices, yet feel free to smoke since you were so nice to ask first. (Sips hot water.) I have forgiven Larry Bling for all he has done, I don't wish to recall those times, nor associate with those kind of folk.
MONTY
You profess to be a servant of God, do you not see God's desire for justice?
BENNIE
God is justice. Who are you men, and why do you concern yourself with these events from so long ago? Those transgressions were but acts that led me to a better life; my salvation. I'm afraid I cannot assist you in your task to discredit my former partner-
MONTY
Good sir, I'm not asking you to bear witness, false or otherwise. I was a friend of Monty Bizkit, a man who was wronged by Monsieur Bling, and I intend to learn the truth about him and his associates, whether it takes gold or a blade to accomplish this.
BENNIE
Monty Bizkit. (Sits.) They say he drowned while trying to escape police custody. Cremated him at St. Benedict's monastery. I liked him plenty -- he was to marry my dearest-departed sister's only child. You say were a friend of his? Eh? Did you meet him when you were at sea? Did he owe you money? Monty was an honest man, a score better than the looks of you folk, if ye don't mind my observation of seeing how the devil is set upon all three of ye. I'll settle up with ye, on his behalf, if it's within my means-
CAPTAIN MORGAN
(Still wearing his hat; slowly dripping, he doesn't care. Studies BENNIE, finger to lips.) No. If anything, we are indebted to him.
MONTY
(Quick:) Your niece, what of her? How does she fare? Does she reside with you?
BENNIE
No. She's with her young daughter; near-spittin' image of her mother; at Beau Monde. I gave her girl my boat; it's her doll-house now. Look, men, those times are long-past. Monty had no family; only a few, close friends; the Baron, Misty, myself, Greenback, and even Larry Bling -- we were all friends of his. He just made a decision to stop at an island once to help a sick man and it got him in hot water and he got scared and I don't blame him. It was truly unfortunate, but it was long ago. We all must move on. There is only tomorrow. I'm afraid I can't show you gentlemen out; once I've sat down, it takes a spell for me to get going again...
CAPTAIN MORGAN
I bet! The only thing lame in here is your act, Honest Jack! Don't try to fool me with all that "I've found religion" nonsense. I knew it was you. I knew it was you when I first laid eyes on you. We ain't leavin' until you answer a few more questions that I got for you.
MONTY
Captain, I think we've taken up enough of this kind man's time-
CAPTAIN MORGAN
(Removes his three-cornered hat.) Kind man my ass, you know who I am, look at me, look at my face, look in my eyes, Jack...
BENNIE
Well, I'll be... Morgan.
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Aye.
MONTY
You two know each other?
BENNIE
I thought you were dead.
CAPTAIN MORGAN
I thought you were dead.
BENNIE
(Beat.) Fair enough. (Pause.) How's my old girl, Morgan?
CAPTAIN MORGAN
(Smiles.) Beautiful. Refitted: She's the fastest and deadliest ship afloat. No one will engage her. You should see her.
MONTY
Can someone clue me in here?
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
Yeah, what's this about?
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Men, this is the original captain of The Jolie Rouge, Red-Flag himself, Captain Black Jack: Most-feared pirate West of Europe. I was his first mate.
BENNIE
I retired before they found reason to hang me or before I really did something I'd regret. Those days are long gone, Morgan. I'm a servant of the Lord now. (Beat.) Strange: Three cut-throat pirates risking the noose to visit me, speaking about seeking justice.
CAPTAIN MORGAN
We're risking more than the noose, seeing you like this... When you got the pirate's curse as a lad, before -- how did you beat it?
BENNIE
Why? You got the curse? Ha! I warned you; couldn't resist, could you? I told you. Leave all o' that treasure alone. Did I lie? Didn't I tell you? Huh? Huh? Ha!
CAPTAIN MORGAN
That- That's beside the point, how did you beat the curse, Blackjack?
BENNIE
Wanna know the secret? (Beat:) I work. (Silence.) Plus, I changed my diet. I only eat cabbage and I only drink mineral water.
FIRST MATE FREEMAN
We've tried that-
CAPTAIN MORGAN
He was being a smart-ass, Freeman. He ain't gonna tell us. Go on. You keep playin' like you've got yourself all reformed now, Jack, we'll come back sometime and iron this out one-on-one when you might feel a little more Christian about it... God help you.
BENNIE
I'll be here waiting for you. I have no fear, I have God in my heart. Come back with more guys next time, one-on-one is too easy.
(They exit. MONTY and FIRST MATE FREEMAN have to coax CAPTAIN MORGAN away. We follow.)
MONTY
Really Captain, I didn't know that Uncle Jack was someone you-
CAPTAIN MORGAN
(Gives in, shrugs them off, boldly leads:) Forget it, let's get back to the boat. The sun is going down. Let's hurry...
BENNIE
(Alone. Curious and pensive; something on the tip o' the tongue almost materializing:) Uncle Jack?
FTB