The Relic Page #30

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PENDERGAST:

What happened?

MARGO:

Its eyesight is worse than I

thought. It couldn't see us. And it

couldn't smell us through the glass.

PENDERGAST:

It didn't want the fibers. What does

that mean?

MARGO:

I think... it means it's full.

PENDERGAST:

Then it won't go after the others?

MARGO:

No. It's still hunting, but not for

the hormones.

PENDERGAST:

For what?

MARGO:

I think... for the pleasure of the

kill.

INT. HALLWAY - MUSEUM - NIGHT

Greg, the Mayor, D'Agosta and the others are in a hallway lined with

at least a dozen vases. A GREEK VASE has been shoved aside revealing

the outlines of a door. Behind is a sloping dark corridor. The last of

the thirty-five people pack in. Greg and D'Agosta cover the corridor.

D'AGOSTA

That's it, let's go!

Grim-faced, D'Agosta follows Kawakita as they duck through the

doorway, shutting it behind them. The impact rattles the wall and the

Greek vase falls.

INT. SUB-BASEMENT - NIGHT

Kawakita and D'Agosta reach the bottom and turn to see the Mayor, his

wife, Dr. Pound and their whole group standing in several feet of

rushing water. Lauren is shivering. Her father has his arm around her

tight. Behind them are two corridors, one forking left and the other

straight. D'Agosta gets out the walkie talkie, clicks it on.

D'AGOSTA

(into walkie talkie)

Pendergast. We made it. You all

right?

INT. DIORAMA - NIGHT

Pendergast has the plans open as he studies them. He speaks into the

walkie talkie. Margo paces behind him, thinking hard.

PENDERGAST:

We're fine. Take the left fork

behind you. You'll be in a straight

passage. When the hall forks again

in fifty yards go right. Then radio

back.

INT. SUB-BASEMENT - NIGHT

D'Agosta shuts off his walkie talkie. Everyone's staring at him.

D'AGOSTA

All right. Kawakita, cover the rear.

KAWAKITA:

Oh sh*t.

FRANK:

No, Lieutenant. He's not a good

enough shot. I'll do it if you take

care of my daughter.

D'Agosta nods. Frank expertly reloads. D'Agosta holsters the walkie

talkie and they plunge down the left hand passage. Kawakita takes

charge of Lauren, who is confused and terrified. The tunnel has a

slight downhill grade, and the water begins to move faster, tugging at

everyone's legs. People slip and slide as they half make their way

down the hill. D'Agosta calls behind them.

D'AGOSTA

Damn. It's getting deep. See

anything?

ON FRANK... back not far from the first fork. He looks towards the head

of the tunnel, calls out...

FRANK:

You'll be the first to know.

Frank turns and plunges after the others. But then suddenly, he stops.

ON D'AGOSTA... he reaches the second fork and takes a right. This

tunnel is narrower and consequently the water is even deeper. Slimy

plants hang down and slap at their faces as they push on. D'Agosta

pulls out his walkie talkie.

D'AGOSTA

Pendergast? I made the right hand

fork. We're already in about three

feet of water. Where should we go?

But before Pendergast can answer, D'Agosta hears the loud report of

Frank's gun! Everyone freezes in the darkness. The walkie talkie

cackles and D'Agosta shouts!

D'AGOSTA

Hello!

FRANK (OS)

Sweet Jesus, help!

They hear SPLASHING in the water. Lauren SCREAMS, tries to run back.

Kawakita grabs her. There's more thrashing water and then silence.

D'AGOSTA

Frank! Are you all right!

D'Agosta starts for Frank but the Mayor catches his arm and holds him.

MAYOR:

It's too late!

Everyone waits, staring into the darkness. Still no answer. Lauren

SCREAMS AGAIN.

LAUREN:

Dad!

D'Agosta turns his flashlight on the water. It's running red! He spins

to the Mayor, points down the tunnel.

D'AGOSTA

Run!

People start to cry and whimper as the Mayor urges them on. He takes

charge of Lauren. Only Greg Kawakita stays with D'Agosta. They stand

shoulder to shoulder and completely alone. Thrashing in the water can

be heard as the beast comes closer. There's a low, pleasurable growl!

Both men lift their guns.

D'AGOSTA

On three.

Kawakita nods. Behind them in the tunnel is total blackness. Ahead is

equally dark. The noise of their friends gets ever fainter. The water

now rushes half way up their thighs. Kawakita's teeth start to

chatter. He bites them shut, steadies his gun.

D'AGOSTA

One... two...

Silence as the water murmurs. D'Agosta holds the count. A long,

agonizing moment. Kawakita takes his eyes away from the tunnel.

KAWAKITA:

I think it's gone.

Suddenly a HUGE CLAW snakes out of the water right in front of them

and the beast roars up! It was beneath the surface, directly before

them! The claw closes on D'Agosta and his shot gun goes off. D'Agosta

screams as the beast lifts him towards its mouth!

For one horrible moment, Kawakita is frozen. Then he leaps forward,

shoves the barrel of his gun behind D'Agosta, right in the beast's

open jaws! He pulls the trigger and the shotgun explodes, the recoil

throwing him back, ass over tea cups in the water. With a roar of pain

the monster drops D'Agosta and retreats in the dark. D'Agosta grabs

Kawakita.

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