DUNE Page #20

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EXTERIOR. ROCKY WALL RUNNING ALONG THE DESERT.

There are two moons in the sky. A hurricane is starting. The wind is blowing strongly, raising waves of sand in the dunes.

A scaled hare crosses the desert, afraid, and looking for shelter. A laser beam coming out of the sky disintegrates it.

The sky is filled with Harkonnen space-ships sweeping the desert with laser beams.

Paul and Jessica, carrying the packet containing their tent, walk along the rocky wall, hiding.

Rabban the Beast, together with a group of Harkonnens and Sardaukar, is leading a pack of hairy mutants with violet skin, long teeth, and hands and feet ending in claws. They move forward on all fours, sniffing the ground, with metal rings around their necks, chained like animals.

A group of pursuers appears behind Paul and Jessica. A long way in front, another group is cutting off their path. Paul and Jessica stop in front of a smooth wall. Although they have not been spotted, Paul draws his sword, ready to face the army.

PAUL:

No future shows that they’ve taken us.

The two groups have seen them. Rabban the Beast, who is travelling in a chair on a steel carrier borne by four solid-looking men, grips the arm of his slaves and, with ferocious roars, makes them run towards Jessica and Paul. The soldiers free the mutants who, thirsty for blood, rush towards the fugitives, letting off screams.

A rock moves apart from the wall revealing the entrance of a tunnel. Kynes and Farok appear. They help Paul and Jessica to enter the opening. The rock moves back into place, closing off the tunnel.

The powerless mutants yell and persist in scratching the rock with their claws. The soldiers come together to try and loosen the heavy rock. The wind is blowing more and more powerfully.

INTERIOR:
A CAVE IN THE ROCKS.

An average-sized cave lit up. In the middle there is a large packet covered with cloths. Also a curtain, some cases with cielagos (bats), instruments, vases with cactuses and plants, and two chests.

Kynes, Farok, Jessica and Paul run out of a tunnel. Kynes opens the chests, takes out two distilling appliances and two garments, which he gives to Jessica and Paul, who immediately begin to dress like Fremen.

Meanwhile, Kynes and Farok uncover the packet which fills the room. It’s an ornithopter. Jessica and Paul, wearing the appliances, get ready to board the machine. Kynes stops them:

KYNES:

I’m risking my life for you, and I don’t even know why?

Paul replies with calm and certainty.

PAUL:

For three reasons: because I am the legitimate Duke, Lord of Dune and you are to obey me, because I’m Lisan Al Gaib: the Voice of the other world, he who will fulfil your dream; fill this planet with water; and because you know that my mother is the only woman you have ever loved in your life!

Jessica makes a gesture of surprise. Kynes falls to his knees in front of her and kisses the hem of her cape.

KYNES:

Holy woman, I’ve waited four centuries for you!

Emotion strangles his voice. Jessica, tears falling from her eyes, maternally kisses the old man who is weeping with happiness like a child.

An explosion can be heard. A whirl of dust blows into the tunnel. Kynes tells them to board the ornithopter. He hands an automatic hammer to Paul; it is a tool made by the Fremen. Farok moves a lever. A large stone rolls aside, revealing a hole: the exit for the orni. A very strong wind blows in, bringing clouds of sand. Farok gives a bat to Kynes. At its neck a tiny distrans has been hung. Kynes says a few words into the device and throws the cielago out of the cave.

KYNES:

(to Paul)

I hope they’ll receive my message. In the desert strangers are killed so that their water can be extracted.

They push the orni in front of the opening. The wind is now of hurricane force. Everything in the cave flies into the air.

KYNES:

(to Paul)

Don’t fly away from the hurricane. Enter it and let it carry you until it peters out. Always stay at the same height. Look for the center and you’ll be saved.

Paul presses his hands to say goodbye. Kynes (kissing the ducal ring) “Duke” (kissing the top of his hand) “holy child” (kissing his palm, fervently) “Prophet”. He runs over to Jessica, who takes his head.

JESSICA:

“For the son” (she kisses his forehead). For the man” (she kisses his cheek). For the lover “(she kisses his lips passionately).

Growling, chases and shouting in the tunnel...

They push out the orni which becomes invisible in the storm. Kynes draws his krys and stands in the middle of the room devastated by the hurricane.

Farok takes off his cape and his turban, draws his Krys and goes over to Kynes.

FAROK:

You give your life for them and I give mine for you, old holy man.

The gallery fills with soldiers, and mutants foaming at the mouth, all led by Rabban the Beast who roars and laughs like a madman.

A brutal battle begins.

EXTERIOR:
CENTRE OF THE TEMPEST.

A large black pillar marks the center of the cyclone. The Fremen orni carrying Jessica and Paul is flying towards it, pursued by three Harkonnen aircraft. The Harkonnens try to shoot them down with laser beams, but the whirlwinds prevent them.

The orni enters the cyclone. The aircraft turn around and fly away.

INTERIOR:
CABIN OF THE FREMEN ORNI IN THE STORM.

The hurricane batters the cabin. Paul is fighting with the controls. Through the windows, the wings can be seen retracting. The faces of Paul and Jessica became drawn under the effect of acceleration. They enter a cloud of dust which becomes progressively thicker. The moons and the desert disappear. Darkness. The machine turns round. Paul struggles to try and stabilize it. The wings, straight and rigid, can be seen extending. Then they crack.

The orni leans to its left, and drops. Paul fights to put it back in an upright position. He finally succeeds.

JESSICA:

We’re going at 500 miles an hour!

PAUL:

We can’t go down, nor go up, nor leave. We have to wait!

PAUL AND JESSICA:

(eyes shut, they intone)

Fear is the assassin of the mind. It is the little death which leads to annihilation. I shall confront my fear. I shall permit it to submerge me and pass through me and, after its passing, my inner eye will find its way again. From whence the fear will have come, nothing will remain of it. I alone shall be there.

EXTERIOR:
ORNI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLONE.

The cyclone moves towards the desert interior with the orni still inside it. The litany of Fear comes to an end.

INTERIOR:
HALL AT THE GOVERNMENT PALACE.

The hall has been redecorated. The walls are covered with Harkonnen flags and emblems.

A huge bed stands in the center of the room. The bed looks like an elephant skin split into two: two hooves lie one side, and two the other. The frame, five square meters in area, features an elephants head, cut widthwise. The upper part of the skull, the forehead and ears, forms the back of the bed, the lower part, the eyes, trunks, jaws and tusks, are the bed itself. The enormous, sculptured skull is covered with grey, velvet and satin. On the bed, there are baskets filled with fruit and sausage. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen uses Feyd Rautha’s stomach as a pillow. He is dressed, like a courtesan, in glittering negligées. Feyd Rautha is holding a large gold phallus giving forth a stream of wine which the Baron collects in a glass and drinks.

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