The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box Page #3

is because of something

called the Midas Box.

It's somewhere in or around

the Prince Regent Hotel.

I don't know what it's got

to do with my family,

but there must be a connection.

Some fanciful stories you've

been telling yourself.

Sounds like a lot of nonsense.

What if it's not?

A creation so powerful that it

can turn any object to gold.

SACHA'S FATHER:
Where

are you, girl?

It's time you left.

I'm sorry, I can't help

with whatever row you have.

Just...

Don't stray from the path.

(THUDDING IN DISTANCE)

(METAL CLANKING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Faithfulness will be your shield,

as a thousand may fall and hide,

but no evil shall ever come near

you with gold at your side.

(TREES CRACKING)

(GROWLING)

Stop bringing that up, would ya?

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take care!

Coming, start now. Let

my friend here...

Finally, something we can work with.

The very best.

Brought in special from Switzerland.

We need to double the excavation

efforts and get that box

so we can get off this

godforsaken island.

Excuse me, sir. I'm very sorry.

(IN RUSSIAN ACCENT)

Never be sorry, my boy.

It will only force you into debt.

Well, we've arranged

the best room for you.

On a clear day, you can see

the windmills of Holland.

Holland.

The land of tulips, clogs and cheese.

All things that terrify me.

Especially cheese.

LUGER:
The Great Bizmillah.

So glad you finally

decided to show up.

We were expecting you, um...

Oh! (LAUGHING) A week ago.

I was delayed by the

Emperor of China.

Well, your reputation

certainly precedes you,

let us hope that you're as

good as they say you are.

And what do they say?

That few magicians are your better.

(CHUCKLES) As magicians go.

That depends on how

well you pay, sir.

If you give me a show

I won't ever forget,

you will be amply rewarded.

That I can do.

I can't express what a challenge

it will be for you to amaze me.

I'm addicted to the magical arts.

It's my religion.

Well, then, let us pray together.

Addictions can be a

very corruptive path.

A man can lose his soul.

Or gain it.

Depends on your point of view.

Hmm.

Mariah.

Where have you been, boy?

Bags! Bags! Bags!

I'll take that.

Thank you.

Has anyone seen the new Porter boy?

Mariah. Quickly, this way.

Sacha, are you all right?

Shh!

I knew if they saw you

you'd be in great peril.

Then you believe me?

I believe that ever since Mr.

Luger bought this hotel

there's been horrible

and strange happenings.

Does this mean you're

going to help me?

SACHA:
You see how the water

comes up from underground.

The stream had run

dry many years ago,

until Mr. Luger bought the

hotel and reopened the baths.

(MAN COUGHING)

Are you all right, sir?

SACHA:
He's been making a mint.

Charging folks a small

fortune for the favor.

What's this?

Your Midas Box.

Where does the water come from?

(WHIRRING)

Mr. Luger put this in

when he bought the hotel.

Top of the line. Very expensive.

It runs the water and

powers the elevator.

Pretty large engine.

What else does it power?

Is there a way down?

Through there. That's

strictly forbidden.

Are you coming?

(DOOR OPENING)

SACHA:
What is this?

MARIAH:
I think it's

an old Roman bath.

SACHA:
Look here.

It's some kind of an inscription.

This says auri.

It's Latin for gold.

So you can read Latin, Mariah Mundi?

I can do a lot more

than just carry bags.

What else does it say?

"This is the place"

"of the water of the Gods."

"Sacred spring of healing gold."

Alchemists through time believed that

gold could heal all kinds of ailments.

What if the underground stream was

running over the box somewhere?

- You said that the box turns...

- To gold. I know.

What if they're wrong and the box

doesn't turn things to gold?

It does something far more powerful.

BOTH:
It heals people.

(DOOR OPENING)

(WHISPERING) Quickly.

(KEYS JANGLING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(WOMAN SIGHS)

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

SACHA:
She's locked us in.

- How are we gonna get out of here?

- Shh!

Can you hear that?

(WAVES CRASHING)

SACHA:
It's the sea.

(BOTH SCREAMING)

Do you recognize him?

Recognize? What's left to recognize?

Looks like he was stabbed.

- (SCREAMING)

- (GASPING)

You fool! Don't you think

we've had enough scares?

"Charles Pinworth, Owner and Manager

of the Prince Regent Hotel."

I knew it.

When Luger bought the hotel

we were told that Mr. Pinworth

went to Africa to retire.

But he left without

saying goodbye to anyone.

Some thought it was because he was too

sad, but this means that he was...

Murdered.

(SACHA GASPING)

This is horrible.

I can't breathe. I have

to get out of here.

- Sacha, no!

- (BOTH SCREAMING)

(COUGHING)

- SACHA:
That's just great.

- MARIAH:
So, it's my fault, is it?

SACHA:
I knew I shouldn't

have come with you.

MARIAH:
You're the

one who panicked!

SACHA:
You're the one digging

into things you shouldn't be.

Bringing all kinds of

pandemonium our way.

This is murder we're

talking about, Sacha!

I know that.

And I want nothing to do with it.

Nothing at all!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

What is the meaning of this, boy?

I, uh... I think...

BIZMILLAH:
I think the tank

is holding, boy!

Oh!

(LAUGHING)

Excuse me.

You must be the mistress

of this domicile.

I am the Great Bizmillah.

I know who you are.

Why a man such as Luger would waste

time on such infantile trickery

is beside me.

You don't believe in magic, hmm?

I make my own magic.

Mr. Luger is simply a man obsessed.

(GRUNTING) Who knows

the dark secrets

of a man's cravings, hmm?

(WHISPERING) Who cares?

Ha...

Apologies for the mess.

The lad and I were practicing

my escape from the water

chamber of death.

Well, then, back to the

thaumaturgy and ensorcellment.

Let the show begin!

Salt.

Ladies and gentlemen,

it is with great pleasure

the Prince Regent presents

the Great Bizmillah!

Welcome,

to this night of magic

and prestidigitation.

Some of you will be horrified,

some mesmerized, and

some simply astounded!

Now, as you see,

chains are hard enough to escape

and water (GASPS)

suffocates the breath.

And from this chamber

there is no escape.

Now, I need an able volunteer

to count my time in this chamber.

You, sir, please.

Take hold of this pocket watch.

I am unable to hold my breath

for longer than two minutes.

Is that understood, sir?

Very well.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(WATER SPLASHING)

Thirty seconds.

Sixty.

Ninety.

Good God, man, let him out

or he'll surely drown!

MAN:
Don't just stand there, boy.

Let him out!

(ALL GASPING)

MAN 2:
That was a close call.

Close indeed!

- (CROWD MURMURING)

- (APPLAUSE)

Impressive show you give, sir.

The pleasure is yours.

What intriguing puzzles

you've created.

My mind simply cannot figure out

how you endured the swords of destiny

and I'm a very smart man.

(LAUGHING)

Something wrong, boy?

BIZMILLAH:
Sir,

have some respect.

You know very well a magician

is sworn to secrecy.

I will get it out of you somehow.

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