The Relic Page #28

---

JONATHAN:

Hurry up!

CUTHBERT:

Just a minute. I'm shaking! Take the

gun.

Cuthbert fumbles to hand over the Ruger. As he does, something drops.

CUTHBERT:

Oh God! I dropped my rabbit's foot!

Cuthbert drops to his knees, groping in the darkness.

JONATHAN:

For Chrissake, I'll do it. What's

the combination?!

CUTHBERT:

To the left twice then five no...

sorry... I think it's fifteen... it's

been a while...

JONATHAN:

Oh Jesus...

Jonathan starts again, sweating. The tumblers fall with agonizing

slowness. Cuthbert continues groping frantically for his good luck

charm. Meanwhile, unnoticed by Jonathan, the dog is staring at the oak

doors. We see the HAIR ON HIS BACK rise!

JONATHAN:

Fifteen... what's next?

CUTHBERT:

Eight to the right! Look! I found

it!

Clutching the rabbit's foot like a talisman, Cuthbert leaps up just as

the last tumbler falls.

At this the oak doors behind them CRASH OPEN, splintering like so many

match sticks.

Cuthbert SCREAMS in a high pitch whine at the sight of the beast. The

dog barks wildly at Mbwun! Jonathan lifts his shot gun. But the

monster barrels past him and zeros in on Cuthbert!

A HUGE RED TONGUE LICKS OUT and encircles Cuthbert's waist! It

squeezes him horribly, drags him towards the open jaws! Cuthbert

bellows like a lamb being led to the slaughter. He opens his hand and

the rabbit's foot drops! The last Jonathan sees of Cuthbert is his

head disappearing down Mbwun's throat.

Hobbes barks and whines in terror. Jonathan takes the leash and drags

the animal out.

INT. MUSEUM HALLWAYS - NIGHT

Jonathan and Hobbes tear down the hallway and disappear. Behind them

comes a roar so loud it rattles the walls.

INT. HALLWAYS - SECURE STORAGE AREA - NIGHT

The door opens slowly and Pendergast appears. He shines his beam in

both directions.

PENDERGAST:

All clear.

Margo and Frock quickly come out. Margo holds the crate. Frock tries

to follow in his wheelchair.

FROCK:

I'm coming with you.

MARGO:

No, Dr. Frock. You can't.

PENDERGAST:

You'd slow us down and put Margo in

danger.

MARGO:

Unlock one of the other storage

rooms. We're going upstairs. We'll

leave a trail back to 1012 and try

to trap the monster in here.

FROCK:

Margo, this is too dangerous. You

always think you can solve

everything. This time you don't have

enough information. The animal might

behave in unexpected ways.

(to Pendergast)

Leave her here with me. Don't put

her in danger.

PENDERGAST:

He's right.

MARGO:

No. You'll need me --

At this a LOUD SOUND comes from upstairs!

FROCK:

What's that?

PENDERGAST:

Footsteps!

MARGO:

No, not footsteps! People running

for their lives!

All three know this ends the discussion. Frock opens the door to room

1010. Inside are shelves of priceless ivory tusks. Margo takes

Pendergast's handkerchief and wraps her hand. She quickly sprinkles

some of the fibers inside the door to room 1012. Before Dr. Frock

disappears into room 1010, he looks back to Margo one last time.

FROCK:

Come back and get me.

MARGO:

We will.

FROCK:

Remember, it has poor eyesight. It

hunts with its sense of smell. So

for God's sake, Margo, don't get

those fibers on your clothes!

INT. OSTEO PREP - NIGHT

Margo and Pendergast emerge from the hall to the storage rooms and run

for the far stairs. From somewhere above the sound of running is

louder now.

INT. PLANETARIUM - NIGHT

D'Agosta and his group enter the large domed space in disarray.

They're spread out and panicked, the young helping the old. Dr. Pound

is finding it hard to keep up. Frank and his daughter Lauren bring him

along. The Mayor quietly urges people forward. His wife's face is

streaked with tears. Kawakita runs with D'Agosta.

KAWAKITA:

It's still back there!

D'AGOSTA

I know.

Now a voice is heard in the distance.

PENDERGAST (OS)

Where are you? Who's there?

Everyone stops. D'Agosta shines his light into the large space. Above

them constellations glow. D'Agosta calls out...

D'AGOSTA

Pendergast!

INT. HALL OF NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS - NIGHT

Margo and Pendergast run. Margo carries the crate carefully wrapped in

Pendergast's jacket.

PENDERGAST:

That was D'Agosta.

MARGO:

The planetarium!

PENDERGAST:

(calls out)

Vince!

D'AGOSTA (OS)

Over here!

There's a double steel fire door at the end of the hallway. Pendergast

and Margo run for it. Pendergast shoves at the door. It won't budge.

There's a small glass window. In it, D'Agosta's face appears.

D'AGOSTA

(through the window)

Pendergast! Help! It's right behind

us!

PENDERGAST:

This door's locked. Try shooting the

hinges off.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes