THE KRONOS PROJECT: CHALLENGED
FADE IN:
EXT. - ARRIVALS,
The doors slide open and six people emerge talking animatedly amongst themselves. They are all dressed very much alike in black leather pants and leather vests, resembling a performance group.
TITLE OVER:
A mini van cab pulls up and they get in, still talking.
INT. - CAB - DAY
In far back are Anait, Joss, and Ciara. Rey is in the passenger seat and Warren and Perry are in the seats in the middle row. Everyone is twisted towards the back to enable conversation.
The DRIVER interupts them.
DRIVER
Yo. Where am I taking youse?
All conversation stops and everyone looks at Anait.
ANAIT
(beat)
Take us to a real estate agent who specializes in house rentals. We can make our way from there, thank you.
The driver makes a disgusted sound and passes Rey a thick phone book.
DRIVER
You. Pick out a real estate agent and give me the address. Before we get downtown, if ya don’t miind.
CIARA
But we don’t know where he got the dagger, it doesn’t mean he was Jack the Ripper.
DRIVER
(interested)
Jack the Ripper? Hey I read everything about him, whatcha talking about?
JOSS
Do we know when he got the dagger?
PERRY
(to Driver)
We are discussing possible identities of the murderer.
We saw...
(glances at Driver)
He was seen at the Pomeroy masquerade with the dagger on November 1.
DRIVER
(helpfully)
The last murder was November 9.
Perry and Ciara look at each other, disbelief, horror.
CIARA
But he was such a nice guy!
(snort)
Oh yeah, a real sweetheart, sleeping with every man’s wife.
PERRY
Maybe someone he knew took the dagger and committed the crimes and then returned the dagger to the chest.
DRIVER
(still helpful)
There’s a theory that it was a woman did it, so if your guy was a womanizer...hey wait, what dagger?
REY
ANAIT
We can drive ourselves crazy asking was he or wasn’t he; the FACT is, we don’t know and won’t ever know. Why don’t we just drop it? We’ll have enough to occupy us here.
There is a silence, broken by the driver.
DRIVER
Youse got a gig at the Mouse House?
PERRY
(muttering)
Please, not.
EXT. - PROJECT HOUSE,
A rental van pulls into the driveway of the rental house, a modest and relatively private dwelling.
Joss is behind the wheel, Rey shotgun, Warren and Anait behind them, Ciara and Perry in the back seat.
They get out and take a look at their new temporary home.
JOSS
Nice score on the double bed, creampuff.
PERRY
(unperturbed)
Just because you wouldn’t share.
JOSS
(leer)
And will you share?
PERRY
(husky)
I could be persuaded.
Joss is taken aback and speechless.
Perry turns away, stifling a laugh, only to see Ciara smirking, too.
INT. - PROJECT HOUSE - DAY
Inside is a great room, with a wall of windows, a 36” TV (bulky, big for the time), and simple, modern style furniture.
JOSS
(looking around)
We don’t need to decorate this one, right?
ANAIT
Sit down everyone. We can take in the amenities and scenery later.
CIARA
Mmmm. Amenities.
Perry smiles involuntarily, and as Rey takes a chair, Perry sits on the arm of it.
Anait stands in front of the television set, waiting for them to arrange themselves.
ANAIT
There’s no slack time for anyone. Perette, how familiar are you with maritime salvage laws?
PERRY
(somewhat taken aback)
Not very.
ANAIT
Bone up.
JOSS
(snickering)
Like she needs help with that.
Perry decides to test her ability to leave Joss speechless by giving him a sultry suggestive look. He shuts right up.
ANAIT
Warren, Rey, have either of you diving experience? Underwater?
Sure. You can’t look for underwater civilizations without going underwater.
REY
No. Why?
ANAIT
That shouldn’t be a problem, since they’re looking for a doctor.
“They”?
ANAIT
(smiling)
Earlier this year a fifteenth century Spanish ship was found
off
JOSS
(complaining)
Why don’t I get to dive for treasure? That doesn’t seem fair.
ANAIT
Because you and Ciara are going to be working for NASA at
the
Joss’s eyes widen in disbelief.
CIARA
(surprised)
Sweet!
REY
(curiously)
What are you going to do?
ANAIT
I am going to co-ordinate everything...from the hot tub in the master suite.
(grins)
Poor me.
JOSS
Yeah...but... What’s the mission?
INT. -
A library like any other, except palm trees and blue sky are glimpsed through the windows. Ciara is working at a computer with a clunky 14” CRT monitor. Perry is at a table nearby with some law books open around her.
Ciara curses, causing Perry to look up.
CIARA
(frustrated)
It looks so modern out there, compared to...well, you know. But damn! The Internet was just invented and nobody’s out there.
PERRY
(smiles)
Books always work. You’re lucky the library is letting you use their system.
CIARA
(snorts)
System? What system? I got a modem and a phone line. I had write an interface program myself!
PERRY
(mildly)
Just remember to erase it when you’re done.
CIARA
I dunno - we could make a lot of money on it.
PERRY
We have a lot of money. We are not here to make money, we are here to set up fake credentials for you and Joss, while I “bone up” as Anait put it.
Ciara flips open a book, we may or may not see it is a directory of American Universities. She runs a finger down a list, not looking at Perry.
CIARA
Speaking of, would you really fuck Joss?
PERRY
I would not put it so crudely. You already know I think all our men are...how would you put it? Do-able.
CIARA
(using a pencil to underline)
Yeah, well thinking someone’s hot and having sex with him isn’t exactly the same thing.
Perry pushes aside her book, runs a hand through her hair.
PERRY
All things being equal - which they are not! But if they were, then yes, I would have sex with Joss.
CIARA
Huh.
(types on keyboard)
I’m going to seduce him, first.
PERRY
(amused)
Jealous?
CIARA
(looking at Perry)
Are you kidding You’d rather do Joss, who’s mean and hateful to you, than me? Sure I’m jealous! What does he have that I don’t?
PERRY
(wryly)
Apart from the obvious?
CIARA
(dismissive)
I can buy a rubber dick and you’d never know the difference....
PERRY
(sighs)
It isn’t personal, Ciara.
CIARA
(sighs)
I know. The men standing around with their jaws hanging open is your only clue there’s a pretty girl nearby.
Perry laughs, and pulls the book back under her face. Ciara frowns at the computer.
CIARA
(muttering)
Come on...yes, oh baby...
There is a silence, broken only by the clicking of the keyboard and Perry’s turning of pages. Perry, engrossed in a particular passage rises, book under her nose and makes her way like a blind woman toward the photocopier, conveniently close to the computer. She lifts the lid and puts the book down to make a copy.
CIARA
What about Rey?
PERRY
(startled)
Hmm? Rey? What about Rey?
CIARA
Would you have sex with him?
PERRY
(patiently)
Yes, Ciara.
CIARA
Just checking.
The photocopy comes out. Perry lifts the lid, flips a page on the book, puts it back down, lowers the lid.
PERRY
You aren’t going to ask about Warren?
CIARA
Nope. You two got a thing going, answer’s obvious.
PERRY
(miffed)
We do not have a “thing”.
The photocopy comes out. Perry takes the book and copies back to her seat.
CIARA
(smugly)
Done. Know anyone with some desktop publishing software I can borrow to print off a couple of phony degrees?
PERRY
(absently)
Non.
CIARA
If cellphones had been invented, I’d call Rey and see if the salvage yard has any.
(beat)
But I guess I’ll have to go down to the docks myself.
Perry is still reading, a slight furrow in her brow.
PERRY
Mmm.
CIARA
Wanna come with me?
PERRY
(looks up)
Where?
CIARA
(patiently)
The salvage docks.
PERRY
Why would I want to do that? I have to study.
CIARA
(slyly)
You might have a chance to see Warren in one of those skin tight diving suits.
PERRY
(smiles)
Tempting. But I can’t.
EXT. - BRODY DAWSON SALVAGE & MOORING - DAY
There are only two narrow docks, and the salvage company uses one full side. There are salvage boats docked, and a few fishing boats that have seen better days. At the end of the dock, on the same side as the tie ups, is a low stucco building, with a deep overhanging roof. On the sign in large, hand-painted letters are the business’s initials - BDSM
Perry and Ciara look more than a little out of place - these are working boats not pleasure boats. Ciara’s wearing a white tank top and shorts, and tennis shoes; Perry is wearing a sun dress and high heels.
Perry looks at the signage and her eyes widen before she smirks. They go inside the building.
INT. - BDSM - DAY
The interior is white-washed bead board that hasn’t been white in a long time. Bits and pieces of “artistic” salvage decorate the space and there is a counter top seperates the customers from the employees.
BRODY, a 50-somthing man with shoulder-length bleach blonde hair, weathered face and a body younger men would kill for, is behind the counter. He smiles wolfishly when he sees the women.
BRODY
What can I do for the loveliest ladies I’ve seen in a long time?
Ciara stares in unabashed appreciation.
CIARA
Take off your clothes?
PERRY
Ciara!
CIARA
He asked!
BRODY
(grinning)
I’ll take off my shirt if you take off yours.
Ciara eyes Brody’s chest. He’s wearing t-shirt that could use a wash, but it’s tight enough to make her think his offer might be fair.
CIARA
(regretfully)
Maybe later.
BRODY
(to Perry)
I like her. But surely you two pretty things didn’t come down here to tease me.
(smiles)
I’m Brody Dawson, by the way.
PERRY
(lips twitching)
What does the SM stand for?
BRODY
(wide eyed innocence)
Salvage and Mooring.
Ciara pushes forward.
CIARA
This might sound strange, but we, I, was wondering if you had any desktop publishing software.
BRODY
(looking sideways at Ciara)
Desktop publishing?
CIARA
Like what you’d use to make flyers and stuff. Greeting cards for your family.
BRODY
(frowning)
I do. Don’t know how to use it myself.
(eyes Ciara)
You want a job?
CIARA
(smiling)
Tempting. But I have one. I just need to borrow the software and I thought, since my friend Dr. Arden is working for you, you might see your way clear to let me use it.
BRODY
It’ll cost you dinner.
CIARA
(grinning)
Done!
BRODY
Come with me...
(looks at Perry, yells into back room)
I got a lady out here needs some attention! Send the pretty boy out, she might as well enjoy the view.
Warren comes through the door scowling. Perry’s mouth twitches in amusement.
WARREN
(to Brody)
I am not pretty.
BRODY
Sure you are. If I didn’t like women son much, I’d suck...
(cuts his eyes to the women)
You’re just lucky.
Perry’s eyes gleam at the unfinished crudity, laughing as Warren’s scowl gets deeper.
BRODY
(putting an arm around Ciara’s shoulders)
This one’s mine. The other one’s yours, if you can handle her.
PERRY
(wry amusement)
Gee, thank you.
Warren actually sees the women, and his scowl clears.
WARREN
Perry! What are you doing here?
CIARA
She was hoping to see your ass in one of those skin tight suits.
PERRY
Thank you, Ciara.
Brody, surprised to find they know each other, looks from Ciara, to Perry to Warren
BRODY
(to Ciara)
I thought you were friends of Dr. Arden?
CIARA
(amused, looking at Warren)
Yeah. But we know...Dr. Masterson, too.
WARREN
(leering, to Perry)
Sweetheart, any time you want to see my ass...
Perry rolls her eyes, even as she smiles.
INT. - JODREY’S BAR, MERRICK BEACH - EVENING
Joss is at the bar, sucking back tequila shots. There are half a dozen empty shot glasses in front of him, as well as two full ones.
Ciara comes into the bar with a briefcase. She is still wearing a white tank top, but with calf-length leggings and a sweater across her shoulders. She looks more 60s Mod than 80s, but between the fickleness of fashion and the fact that Ciara doesn’t give a damn...
She sits beside Joss and eyes his stash.
CIARA
Better than opium, I guess.
JOSS
(curtly)
Much.
CIARA
(holding up a hand)
I know, none of my business.
(sets briefcase on bar and opens it)
This, however...
Joss’s interest perks up, and he pushes aside his empties. Ciara smiles.
CIARA
This is your resume,
(sliding him a large manila inter-office envelope)
Your aeronautical engineering degree from MIT will check out, and I've created some verifiable previous employment experience for you, too.
Joss opens the envelope and carefully slides out his resume.
JOSS
Just like that?
CIARA
(wryly)
A little more involved than just like that.
JOSS
(skimming the paper)
I can live up to all these claims... why only one previous employer?
CIARA
(frowning)
Because we both need references as well and we only have so many people who can answer the phone. Perry sweet-talked the phone company into helping us out with the numbers without costing us the earth.
JOSS
Yeah, I imagine she’s good at sweet talk.
Ciara closes the briefcase, leans toward Joss in an interested fashion.
CIARA
What else do you imagine?
(grins)
She’s your previous employer, so be nice to her. You owe her big time.
JOSS
(snorts)
For being a reference? That’s just part of the job. I don’t owe her a damn thing.
CIARA
Oh come on, you don’t honestly think Warren could have pulled your ‘nads out of the fire in London? She was the only thing between you and a necktie party. So grow up, why don’t you.
Joss gets a stubborn look on his face and tips another tequila down his throat.
CIARA
(shrugs)
Whatever.
She slides off the stool she’d been sitting on, and before she picks up the briefcase, she grabs Joss’s head and kisses him - a short but intense kiss - and then takes the briefcase and leaves without a backwards glance.
Joss turns to stare after her. He slowly turns back to the bar and motions to the bartender.
JOSS
Two more.
(looks at resume, and slides it safely into envelope)
Weird.
INT. - SALVAGE DOCK - DAY
Brody is up front, leaning over the counter, as he signs some documents.
BRODY
Hey, pretty boy!
Warren hops one footed through the back door, half in - or half out of - a wetsuit. He is scowling.
WARREN
My own mother doesn’t think I’m pretty.
BRODY
If it didn’t bother you so much, I’d have stopped already.
(grins)
Your girlfriend thinks you’re pretty enough.
WARREN
She thinks you’re pretty, too, and she’s not my girlfriend.
BRODY
You can work on that. Meanwhile, you being low man on the totem pole, I want you to run into Orlando for me. These papers have to be delivered to Kinley and Richards before five tonight, clearing us to sell those doubloons we salvaged.
WARREN
You know I don’t have a car.
BRODY
(generously)
Take the company vehicle. I tell you, boy, we get this legal all worked out, you’ll be driving a Jag in no time.
WARREN
(wryly)
I’m more of a Jeep guy.
BRODY
For today you’ll have to be a rusty piece of shit guy.
EXT. - KINLEY & RICHARDS, ORLANDO - DAY
The law office is small, outside of the madhouse of metro Orlando, close to the road that runs through to Merrick Beach.
A large mostly white rusty piece of crap van pulls up in front, parks in the no parking zone. The letters BDSM are painted on the sides in marine blue. The four ways begin to blink.
Warren gets out carrying a manila envelope.
INT. - KINLEY & RICHARDS, ORLANDO - DAY
Perry looks up from her desk as the door opens. Her hair is tied into a professional looking knot at her nape, she is wearing a short, tight grey skirt and a loose silky grey tank top. A boxy jacket is draped on her chair.
She is as surprised to see Warren as he is to see her.
WARREN
Small world.
PERRY
Sneaky Anait.
Perry tilts her head and her mouth twitches as she reads the van’s lettering. She looks at Warren.
PERRY
BDSM, hmm?
Warren looks back at the van, then to Perry, puzzled.
WARREN
My boss wants your boss to have this.
He gives her the envelope. She picks up the handset and presses a button, pulling out the contents just far enough to read the full name of the company.
PERRY
Mr. Kinley? Brody Dawson Salvage and Mooring just dropped off an envelope. Is there anything to go back?
(beat)
Very well.
WARREN
Kind of a step down, for you, huh?
PERRY
(scowls)
It wouldn’t be so bad if he weren’t so condescending.
WARREN
In some ways it was easier being in 1889. At least we had a better idea of what had and hadn’t been invented. I almost told my boss I wanted a Hummer.
PERRY
(grins)
Really. That, I would like to watch.
WARREN
(annoyed)
Not that kind of hummer.
(leer)
Not from him, anyway.
Perry gives him an enigmatic smile.
WARREN
Tease. But the other Hummer won’t be around for another ten years.
Perry reaches under the desk and pulls out a vintage (from our perspective) mobile phone - larger than a regular handset from a land line.
PERRY
Check out the boss’s new mobile phone. Cost him a fortune.
Perry’s boss comes out of his office. He is short, round and balding, but his eyes are surrounded by laugh lines and he looks pleasantly content.
WARREN
(quietly)
My boss is prettier than yours.
PERRY
Very true. I’m going to complain to Anait.
KINLEY
Please be careful with that, Ms. Delarue.
(to Warren)
You’re from Dawson Salvage? I was expecting Mr. Dawson himself.
WARREN
(holding out his hand)
Warren Masterson. I’m the new archaeologist.
KINLEY
(shaking hands)
Robert Kinley. I suppose I am supposed to be impressed that he’s hired an archaeologist.
WARREN
We do work to certain standards, Mr. Kinley.
KINLEY
(wry smile)
And I suppose there are no unethical archaeologists.
WARREN
Nor any unethical lawyers.
Kinley’s full grin comes out, and he looks at Perry, who hands him the envelope.
KINLEY
(to Warren)
Would you mind waiting until I take a look at these? I may need to send some back.
Warren slides a look a Perry.
WARREN
Not at all.
Kinley goes back into his office.
WARREN
What about the partner, any eye candy there for you?
PERRY
(shakes her head)
Mr. Richards quit a week before I started. Kinley’s son is taking his bar exam next week and the plan is for him to start here. He, the son, that is, has a fellow legal friend who may also be interested.
(makes face)
Kinley was supposed to have lunch with them tomorrow, but he can’t make it, so I’m supposed to go in his place.
WARREN
(grins)
Lunch with two college boys, hmm? Tough break. Or would you rather have lunch with Brody Dawson?
PERRY
(teasing)
I’d rather have Brody Dawson for lunch.
Warren leans closer, his eyes going automatically to the neckline of her tank.
WARREN
You can have me for lunch.
The look Perry gives him suggests she’s tempted. Before the banter can continue, Kinley re-emerges from his office, a thinner envelope in one hand and a sheaf of paper in the other.
Warren stands up straight immediately and Perry ducks her head to hide a smile, neither of which is missed by Kinley.
Kinley passes the loose papers to Perry and the envelope to Warren.
KINLEY
Thank you for waiting, Mr. Masterson. Mr. Dawson needs to review these papers. Ms. Delarue, I’d like you to read these forms before filing them.
(smiles)
We might make a lawyer out of you yet.
Perry’s expression sets into one of patience, causing Warren to stifle a snicker.
PERRY
Yes, Mr. Kinley.
KINLEY
(to Warren)
Don’t laugh, Mr. Masterson. She’s a very intelligent young lady.
Warren sobers quickly.
WARREN
I’m sure she is. I better get these to Brody.
(to Perry, with a wink)
Later.
Kinley watches Warren leave, but not until the rusty BDSM van pulls away from the curb does he turn to Perry. She is frowning at the top paper he passed her.
PERRY
Mr. Kinley? Wouldn’t this be covered...
INT. - JOSS’S CUBE, KSC - DAY
The NASA logo is visible on one wall, opposite wall is glass and overlooks the area where things are put together in prep for launch. This is a proto-cube farm, still quite open with lots of room for individuals.
Joss is alternately typing and making notes on a large sheet of paper with a pencil, which he sticks behind his ear when he’s not using it.
Suddenly he frowns at the green code scrolling onto his screen.
JOSS
(softly)
Ciara?
Ciara’s head pops up over a wall of his cube. She looks inquiring.
JOSS
What do you make of this?
She comes into his cube and looks intently at the screen. She frowns, then her expression clears.
CIARA
You made a keying error.
She pushes across him in order to touch type with both hands.
Joss is trying not to stare at the curve of Ciara’s breast as she frowns at his monitor. Of course, he could push his chair back...but he doesn’t.
Ciara curses under her breath, and Joss blinks, refocusing his attention.
CIARA
There. Did you see that?
JOSS
Uh...I think so. I’m not used to working with antiques like these.
Ciara shifts so she’s half sitting on his desk. She smiles at him.
CIARA
Me neither. I find it helps if you think of it as trying to communicate with an idiot savant.
JOSS
It’s amazing they get these shuttles off the ground, using technology like this...
Ciara looks past him, through the window.
CIARA
You know, a few days ago in Kyoto, I celebrated my fourth birthday. I don’t even remember it. It was my last birthday with both my parents. All this -
(she gestures)
All this I grew up taking for granted, and by the time I was paying attention, this -
(points to moniter)
Was all but forgotten.
Joss clears his throat.
JOSS
(softly)
I won’t be born for sixty years.
Ciara hunches her shoulders, shivers.
CIARA
That’s creepy.
JOSS
(grins)
Don’t worry, I like older women.
CIARA
Perv. See you at lunch.