Quest Page #5

Kofi hugs the tree.

FOZ:

(looks at him confused) Are you sure YOU’RE not on something?

KOFI:

I’m fine, just trying to see if mother nature talks to me.

A sudden gust of wind sweeps through the forest, causing the leaves of every tree to rustle and sway in unison.

However, amidst the symphony of sound, one tree stands eerily silent, its leaves unmoved by the passing breeze. Foz and Kofi exchange a knowing glance.

FOZ:

That tree is very still.

(she points to one of the trees)

Oh, now I get it, “the one you hear” as in we’re looking for a tree that doesn’t make a sound.

Noise from the wind.

KOFI:

Oh, I see. This tree is silent.

This is the one.

FOZ:

It doesn’t look mystical.

And there’s no fruit on it. But then again, it does say to wait for midnight.

KOFI:

Yep, we’ll wait and hope for the best.

A second gust of wind catches them off guard, prompting them to turn around in surprise. As they do, they notice another tree standing motionless amidst the swirling breeze, its branches unaffected by the powerful currents.

FOZ:

(shocked)

That tree is not moving either.

KOFI:

(tired) Oh My God.

So, which of the two is the tree.

What else was in the book?

FOZ:

Yes, thank you. I need to look in the papers.

As she unfolds the weathered parchment, her eyes fall upon a footnote at the bottom of the page, which reads: "Seek the gold and you'll find what sprouts from old."

KOFI Seek the gold?

Also… both these trees look old, which one would it be.

FOZ:

This one has red leaves, and the other has green. (confused)

I’m going to take a closer look.

Kofi plucks a leaf from the enigmatic tree and holds it delicately in his hand. With a thoughtful expression, he gently rubs the leaf between his fingers, feeling its

texture.

KOFI It stains red. (sniffs) It has no scent.

FOZ:

Nothing in the book.

(sighs)

We’re actually stuck, and it’s getting late.

Tonight is the only chance we have to find the yi’ib fruit. Under the full moon, all was leading to this night. If we

can’t figure it out, then that’s it.

EXT. - DEEP IN THE WOODS - SUNSET

Worried, Foz walks from tree to tree, her gaze shifting between the pages and the surrounding woodland. Each tree stands before her, a silent sentinel in the forest.

KOFI:

Definitely one of these is the tree, seek the gold it said.

As the sun sinks lower on the horizon, its golden rays cast long shadows through the dense foliage of the forest. A sense of urgency grips Foz and Kofi as they realize the impending darkness.

FOZ:

(looks in the pages again) There are no other clues, just a silhouette of the tree.

How’s this helping?

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and a dark silhouette

emerges. Foz spots Amon approaching, his sharp axe gleaming.

AMON:

I told you not to come here.

KOFI Who’s this?

FOZ:

He wants to destroy the tree. (whispers) Can you grab his axe?

AMON:

Don’t try it, you can’t defeat me!

Foz and Kofi sprint toward the large, green-leafed tree. But Amon, with a firm grip on his axe, strides after them. With two powerful swings, he chops down the tree.

FOZ Nooo! Why?

AMON:

I told you not to come! Now go home!

Amon walks off into the deep woods. With despair in their

faces, Foz and Kofi run off to the remaining tree.

FOZ:

(shouts)

What are we going to do?

That could be the hareeri tree that he just chopped down.

KOFI:

It’s about to get dark, I’ve looked around the tree.

I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.

FOZ:

(with sadness)

Let’s keep looking.

As the last rays of sunlight trickle through, Kofi's eyes

widen with realisation as he reads the clue on the page.

KOFI:

(gasps)

The sunset must be the gold we seek!

Hold up the paper to the sunset!

Foz seizes the paper and holds it aloft, the silhouette of the tree outlined against the fading light of the setting sun. The leaves of the silhouette on the paper begin to glow with a vibrant red hue.

KOFI (CONT'D)

The Hareeri tree is the red leafed one!

FOZ:

(with glee)

Yes, we did it.

That was so close, my heart is beating out of my chest.

KOFI:

I’m so glad we did it in time.

(nervous laughter)

FOZ:

(tearful) We did it!

Beneath the crimson canopy of the tree, Foz and Kofi stand in awe, surrounded by the fiery glow of the red leaves. Their eyes widen as they notice small clusters of berries nestled

among the foliage.

FOZ (CONT'D)

Will the fruit sprout from these tiny, brown cherries?

So fascinating. And a little crazy!

Kofi lowers himself to the ground, his fingers threading

through his hair.

EXT. - UNDER THE HAREERI TREE - NIGHT

In the shelter of the tall and expansive Hareeri tree. They settle against the rough, scaly bark of the tree, its grey hue detailed with intricate horizontal ridges. Fireflies flit among the treetops, meanwhile, the chorus of crickets fills the air with a lively symphony.

KOFI:

When do we see the fruit?

There’s the full moon.

FOZ:

Sometime soon, I hope.

But it could also be just before dawn. We need to take turns sleeping, so not to miss anything.

KOFI:

That’s a good idea, you can go to sleep first. I’ll keep watch.

FOZ:

Okay, don’t go anywhere. (nervous chuckle)

Not that I’m scared or anything.

Just be careful.

Foz retrieves a blanket from her backpack, spreading it out on the forest floor. She settles down, using the backpack as a makeshift pillow. Kofi's keen ears detect a faint

fluttering sound.

KOFI:

(whispers) What is that noise?

Kofi walks off. Guided by the faint fluttering sound, he ventures toward the convergence of trees. A cluster of bats hang upside down. The fluttering intensifies, swarms of them descending upon the Hareeri tree. With a voracious appetite, they begin to devour the leaves and fruit buds.

Foz wakes up.

FOZ:

(confused) What happened?

(shouts) KOFI! Where are you?

With a sense of urgency, Foz leaps to her feet and begins to jump up and down, waving her arms in a frantic attempt to shoo the bats away from the Hareeri tree.

TREES WITH FIREFLIES

KOFI:

I’m here. I was a little suspicious of these fireflies.

You know, where were they going?

UNDER THE HAREERI TREE

FOZ:

(shouting) Come here!

Did I not say don’t wonder off?

They’re eating the fruit.

Go away (she screams).

As Foz's frustration mounts. With a final wave, the bats flutter away, their presence fading into the darkness as they disappear into the night.

TREES WITH FIREFLIES

Kofi hurries back to Foz and the Hareeri tree.

KOFI:

(yells)

I’m here, sorry I didn’t mean to wonder off.

UNDER THE HAREERI TREE

FOZ:

Wow, it’s so dark here.

You should’ve woken me up.

KOFI:

It is dark here.

So creepy. What shall we do now, stay awake?

Foz gathers twigs, arranging them carefully to ignite a small fire. She and Kofi huddle close.

FOZ:

Let’s play a game to pass time.

The crackling of the fire fades. Foz and Kofi exchange a puzzled glance. Startled by the sudden burst of light, a series of pops echo through the air. The little berries begin to grow and open, emitting a brilliant blue glow that illuminates the surrounding forest.

KOFI Whoa!

FOZ:

(with glee) Yes! Wow.

As the glow intensifies, bathing the Hareeri tree in a radiant sapphire light, they watch in admiration as the yi’ib fruit begins to sprout from its branches.

FOZ (CONT'D)

(stunned)

It looks like a blue artichoke.

KOFI:

Yeah. Shall we touch it?

Is it ok to pick now?

FOZ:

Let’s take a few of them.

With gentle hands, Foz plucks the glowing yi’ib fruit from the branches of the Hareeri tree. Cradling the fruit in her palm, she turns to Kofi with a smile of pure joy.

KOFI:

How much can we take?

Shall I pick more?

FOZ:

I think just two are enough.

You can pick one.

With a determined grip, Kofi reaches for the yi’ib fruit and gently tugs it out.

KOFI Okay, I’ve got it.

Kofi passes the yi’ib fruit to Foz, who carefully places the two pieces into her backpack. They begin to pack their belongings, as the night gradually yields to the approaching dawn.

FOZ:

You want to sleep?

I’m good, I can stay awake and keep watch.

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