SCENES I NEED:
REY
Perette...
PERRY
Perry, please.
REY
Perry.
Rey pauses, obviously struggling for the right words.
PERRY
What is it, Reynard?
REY
Joss has a low tolerance for people in general, it seems. But particularly for you. Why might that be?
PERRY
(irritated)
You would have to ask Joss.
REY
(hesitantly)
Is it sexual?
PERRY
(startled)
What?!
REY
Does he resent you because he’s sexually attracted to you?
PERRY
He is? I hadn’t thought of that.
(frowns)
Did he tell you that?
REY
(patiently)
If he had, I wouldn’t be asking.
PERRY
Then my guess would be he resents me because I’m smarter than I look and undeservingly, in his opinion, wealthy. But only Joss knows the truth.
REY
(sighs)
What exactly are we supposed to be looking for?
----
INT. - COSTUME SHOP - DAY
The costumes look...costume-y.
JOSS
I suppose we can make them pass - it will be dark, after all. But...it would be nice to compare to a real uniform.
PERRY
(decisively)
Follow me.
She heads towards the door, but Joss merely gives her back a contemptuous look. She stops and turns around, irritation evident on her face. She grabs his arm and pulls him OUT THE DOOR.
EXT. - COSTUME SHOP - DAY
The street has moderate pedestrian traffic, moderate car traffic. Perry, dragging an angry Joss, looks around for a BEAT COP, spotting one at the intersection.
JOSS
(angry)
Let go of me, you crazy bitch!
Perry spins around and slaps his face.
PERRY
(loudly)
How dare you, you bastard!
She starts walking towards the intersection. Joss, his face smarting, is really angry now. A few short strides catches him up and he grabs her arm. She spins around.
JOSS
(raised voice)
What the fuck has gotten into you?!
PERRY
Get your hands off me!
(yelling)
Help!
The beat cop, already alerted by Perry’s loud exclamation, is making his way to them.
JOSS
(dangerously quiet)
You dragged me out here to slap me? Are you fucking insane?
PERRY
(quietly)
You wanted a close-up look of a uniforme, n’est-ce pas?
(louder)
You don’t own me!
COP
Is there a problem, miss?
JOSS
(letting her arm go)
Jesus Christ.
COP
(ignoring Joss)
Is this man bothering you?
PERRY
Yes! But it’s alright, officer.
(glares at Joss)
He bothers me all the time.
Joss has clued in, and is studying the cop’s shirt surrpetitiously as closely as possible, given he’s wearing a jacket.
JOSS
(leering at Perry)
Hot and bothered is more like it.
(to cop, with a smile)
Ours is a tempestuous relationship.
PERRY
(furiously)
You’re so arrogant.
Joss has seen all he needs to see. He gives Perry a quick look to see how she’s going to get rid of the cop, but decides to handle the problem himself.
JOSS
And you love it.
He snatches her into a tight hug and kisses her, a hard, cruel kiss. Perry stiffly resists, then plays along, letting her body curve into his, running her fingers through his hair.
Joss releases her. They are both somewhat more breathless than a play kiss might make them.
PERRY
Yes.
COP
(wryly)
Well, try to keep your personal life personal, not a street show, okay?
PERRY
(eyes downcast)
Yes, officer.
Joss is staring at her, remains so as the cop carries on his beat.
PERRY
What?
JOSS
You...you hit me!
A sultry smile crosses her face. She strokes his jaw with two fingers as she brushes by him.
PERRY
I made up for it.
Her walk is one of a woman in full confidence of her power, and Joss watches until she goes back inside the costume shop. He rubs the back of his hand across his mouth.
JOSS
(muttering)
I’ll say.
INT. -
Warren and Perry are giving the museum a walk-through, an
orientation for
As they stroll around, their conversation is quiet, even when there aren’t any other patrons obviously near.
That was one helluva performance on the street.
PERRY
(smug)
Thank you.
The look on Joss’s face...
(chuckles)
I don’t remember your kiss being that startling.
PERRY
Oh really? You jerked away so fast you nearly gave Ciara a concussion.
(lamely)
I just...you surprised me. I never got a chance to really know what it was like.
PERRY
(amused)
Poor dear. Am I supposed to take pity on you and kiss you again?
You wouldn’t want to be accused of playing favourites?
His self-serving argument startles a laugh from Perry, and she claps a hand to her mouth to smother the sound.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Joss and
REY
(hesitantly)
Anait...you said once that if anything came up related to, er...
ANAIT
Yes?
REY
I’m having difficulty understanding the interaction between genders.
ANAIT
In what way?
REY
There seem to be complex sexual behaviours that are contradictory, and I cannot understand them.
ANAIT
Maybe you’re imagining it?
REY
I can smell it!
ANAIT
(awkward pause)
I am not perhaps the best person to discuss this with. Different people cloak sex with different taboos, fears, or other ideas. For me...sex was a failed experiment in my youth.
REY
But whom can I ask? Without seeming...less than human myself?
ANAIT
You’re from the future, say you were raised in a cult. Between the two that should cover all oddities. Which of the team do you suppose is most sexually aware?
Rey puts his hand to his chin, thinking carefully.
REY
I would say Perry.
ANAIT
(curious)
Are you attracted to her?
REY
(startled)
No.
ANAIT
Then why did you choose her?
REY
She knows she can to some extent control other’s desires.
ANAIT
(calmly, analytically)
Because you are fully, physically human. It wouldn’t be surprising if your body reacted to whatever it is you’re smelling.
REY
(dryly)
It would surprise me. I am simply trying to understand a formerly unseen complexity of interrelationships.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Perry is walking behind the rest of the team. In her mind, they are already forming a “team” to which she does not belong. They, of course, feel no such thing. Rey glances back, sees her. To her surprise, he slows, and begins to walk with her.
Without preamble, he begins a conversation.
REY
Do you know what empathy is?
PERRY
(hesitantly)
The ability to feel what another person feels.
REY
I do not know the name of what you are feeling, but I recognize it.
Perry says nothing. Perhaps she knows it is loneliness, perhaps not.
REY
I grew up in what Anait calls a cult. I do not understand a number of conventions I have observed. I wonder if you might help me understand.
PERRY
(wryly)
I can try, though I do not know that I am the best person to ask.
REY
The social behaviour of kissing. It seems to have many meanings, the subtlties of which are lost on me.
Perry stops walking and stares at Rey.
PERRY
You don’t know what kissing is for?
He shakes his head in the negative.
PERRY
That was quite the cult you grew up in, then.
She begins to walk again, Rey beside her.
PERRY
It is primarily a mark of affection. Parents kiss their children...
REY
Mine didn’t.
PERRY
(dryly)
Now that you mention it, I do not remember mine ever doing so, either. But most parents do. Lovers kiss one another, too.
REY
As a sign of affection?
PERRY
Like any method of communication, it has been modified to mean other things. A kiss can betray, a kiss can be cruel.
REY
How do you know which is which?
Perry gives him a bemused glance.
PERRY
Are you asking me to kiss you?
REY
What kind of kiss would it be? Affectionate? Betrayal? Cruelty? The man you kissed in the restaurant the other night, what kind of kiss was that?
PERRY
Ah. That was, shall we say, an experimental kiss. Kissing is an intimate gesture, which usually implies a kind of trust. But kissing is also strongly related to sexual desire, which seldom has anything to do with affection.
REY
You felt sexual desire for the man in the restaurant, not affection or cruelty?
PERRY
(blushes)
Er, yes. Are you telling me you have never kissed or been kissed? By anyone?
REY
(astonished)
No, of course not.
PERRY
But you want me to explain all the subtleties of kissing?
She abruptly stops walking, grabs his wrist and drags him into the bushes.
REY
What are you doing?
PERRY
This particular kiss is, for you, the first kiss. It is often the most memorable kiss in a person’s life.
Before he can protest, if he wanted to protest, she lightly brushes her lips against his, once, twice, before pressing more firmly. It takes Rey a minute to understand that kissing is a two-way thing, but he gets it.
Perry draws her head back slightly, parting her lips to lick his bottom lip. His mouth opens slightly, perhaps he means to speak, but she does not give him a chance, pressing her mouth against his again.
Finally she draws away, her voice husky when she speaks, her accent more prominent.
PERRY
Do I need to explain what kind of kiss that was?
He shakes his head negative.
PERRY
Then lets catch up with the others.
Rey says nothing further, but his expression is thoughtful.
EXT. SOMEWHERE - LATER
Rey and Anait, alone for a moment.
REY
Anait, do you remember your first kiss?
ANAIT
(wry grin)
Vividly!
Her eyes get that faraway look of someone looking inside rather than outside.
ANAIT
I was fifteen years old and incredibly shy.
She pauses, deciding what to leave in - and out - of the story.
ANAIT
I felt a curious mix of anticipation and dread. I don’t think it helped that the boy didn’t have much more experience than I.
(grins)
We bumped noses, very awkward, and finally our lips touched. My first impression was that kissing was over-rated, but at the same time it was incredibly exhilarating!
(pause)
Did Perry tell you to ask?
REY
(hesitantly)
She said a person’s first kiss is one they never forget.
ANAIT
(wry)
That’s true.
INT. - ELSEWHERE - LATER
Rey approaches Warren curious to know if men remember their first kiss differently than women.
WARREN
Oh yeah. She was an older woman, experienced, and I was just fourteen, barely old enough to know anything. Her lips were so soft, I thought I’d climb out of my skin. I was excited beyond belief and scared shitless all at the same time.
INT. - ELSEWHERE - LATER
Rey returns after his researches to consult with Perry.
REY
Were you afraid, your first kiss?
PERRY
I didn’t have time. I was at a party and a cute guy came up to me. I had a split second to realize he was going to kiss me, then he did - a brief press of his lips to mine, nothing at all really. But it seems I floated for days afterwards.
----------
EXT. - WESTMONT, MONTREAL, 2018 - DAY
A mini-van pulls into the driveway of a large, expensive, well-manicured home. The engine dies, Warren gets out from behind the wheel as the front door opens, revealing his MOTHER, Clarissa Masterson. Although she hasn’t seen her son in over ten years, she waits calmly in the doorway as the Kronos Foundation emerges from the rest of the van. Warren, smiling, approaches his mother, intending a hug, but her demeanor stops him. Not his smile though.
WARREN
Mom!
(concerned)
You did say it was okay to bring my friends.
MOTHER
Yes, dear, but they’re...well, they are a motley bunch, aren’t they?
The women are dressed in variations of Chanel style suits, Perry more 40s, Ciara with elegant brown slacks, Anait more current. Joss is wearing neutral pleated pants with a white shirt and patterned vest, while Rey is wearing black jeans with a black t-shirt under a perfectly fitted sportcoat. Warren himself is wearing a light v-neck sweater with black plants.
Warren thinks they look terrific.
WARREN
I suppose.
Perry leads the way towards the door, a smile on her face.
WARREN
Mom, this is Perette Delarue. Perry, my mother, Clarissa Masterson. Perry is the Foundation’s legal expert.
(proudly)
And she is the woman who agreed to be my wife.
PERRY
Bon jour, Madame. A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Masterson.
Mrs. Masterson takes Perry’s hand and smiles an acknowledgement, but it is a formal smile, not personal.
WARREN
Dr. Reynard Arthan, Ciara Kamiya, Joss Cracker, and Anait Roma. This, Mom, is the Kronos Foundation.
MOTHER
(graciously)
I’m pleased to meet everyone of you.
(briskly)
Lets not stand in the doorway; do come in!
INT. MASTERSON HOME - DAY
MOTHER
(conversationally, mostly to Perry)
I must say I had given up hope of Warren bringing a girl home. He’s never seemed to have dated one for more than a few days. You’re French, my dear?
PERRY
Oui. My family is from Marseilles.
MOTHER
And how did you two meet?
CIARA
(murmuring)
Now that is an interesting story.
Warren gives Ciara a warning look.
WARREN
She did some work for me...overseas.
PERRY
(grinning)
Now that I think of it, you still owe me money for that.
MOTHER
(to Perry)
Are your parents paying for the wedding?
PERRY
(grimacing)
Non, we are not on speaking terms.
MOTHER
(stiffly)
Do they not approve of my son?
PERRY
(gently)
What my family thinks is of no relevance.
MOTHER
(sniff)
Europeans. So, Dr. Arthan, what kind of medicine do you specialize in?
REY
I’m just a general practitioner, Ma’am. Fortunately the Foundation has more need of a GP than a specialist.
MOTHER
I see. And Ms. Roma? You are an historian?
ANAIT
Yes, that’s correct. I look for patterns in history that might lead to archaeological discoveries. In that sense, I am something of a mathematician as well, though in a very limited way.
CIARA
I’m the computer hacker.
(smiles)
I suppose “hacker” isn’t the right word since what I do is perfectly legal. Right now I’m working on a database that will enable us to catalogue our finds better as well as provide information that Anait can use.
MOTHER
That’s fascinating. I’ve never had much use for computers, myself. And what is it exactly that you do, Mr. Cracker.
JOSS
(easily)
It’s my job to reduce the risks, preferably to zero.
MOTHER
What risks would those be?
JOSS
(grins)
All of them, ma’am.
--------------------
CHALLENGED
KINLEY
Ms. Delarue, would you mind running this envelope over to Mr. Dawson’s after work? I know I’ve asked a lot of you today...
PERRY
Of course.
KINLEY
(looking at watch)
It’s four...why don’t you go now before they close?
PERRY
(nods)
Certainly.
Perry puts away the items on her desk, slides in her chair and picks up her jacket, putting it over her arm.
KINLEY
(speculatively)
You’ve studied law, haven’t you?
Perry stands still, then picks up the envelope as she speaks
PERRY
Yes. Criminal law.
KINLEY
In France?
PERRY
Non, here in America. I passed the bar, but found I did not have the right...temperament for crime.
She pushes a pair of sun glasses on her face, and smiles.
PERRY
Have a nice evening, Mr. Kinley.
KINLEY
Ms. Delarue...why are you here?
Perry smiles at him, then pulls her keys out of her purse. She works the farthest from the project house, she gets the to drive the rental.
PERRY
See you tomorrow, Mr. Kinley.
INT. - BDSM - EVENING
Brody is behind the counter, using a tape calculator to total some receipts. He looks up when the door opens, a wide smile crossing his face as he sees Perry.
Perry smiles in return.
PERRY
Mr. Dawson.
BRODY
(charmingly)
Brody.
PERRY
(smiles)
Brody. Mr. Kinley asked me to deliver this, as you are on my way home.
BRODY
Thank you.
He takes the envelope, intentionally brushing her hand with his. He puts the envelope down, stands up. He subtly gives her a full body scan.
BRODY
Do you have dinner plans, pretty Miss Perry?
Perry pulls her sunglasses down her nose, looking at him over the rims. Her tongue flicks over her bottom lip.
PERRY
I’m open to suggestions.
INT. - RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Making their way to the door after a delightful dinner of unpretentious but delicious food, are Brody and Perry.
Brody is wearing a clean white t-shirt under a sports coat, with clean denims. Perry is wearing a very little black dress, bare legs and black stiletto heels.
Perry, laughing softly, is ahead of Brody, who reaches around her to push open the door. His other hand snakes around her waist, his hand underneath her breast. His head close to hers, he catches her eyes in their reflection of the glass door.
BRODY
My place?
Perry shifts her weight back into him, her lips parted in breathless anticipation. She nods.
INT. BRODY’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
A small bedside lamp casts a yellow glow over a room that is surprisingly tidy given it belongs to a confirmed bachelor. The furnishings are spare and plain, the curtains a heavy dark colour. The bedding is similarly plain, in taupe/beige neutrals. There is a photo montage on one wall - all shipwrecks.
The only clothes on the floor are the ones Perry and Brody were wearing at the restaurant. The bed clothes are rumpled, and a sheet is pulled up modestly around Perry, lying on her back. Brody is beside her, propped up on one elbow.
BRODY
I don’t run across girls like you often.
PERRY
(contentedly)
Where are you looking?
BRODY
The usual places.
She opens one eye.
PERRY
Bars? You pick up women in bars?
BRODY
(mildly)
Where do you cock-hunt? Tell me where you’ve met the last...five men you’ve slept with.
PERRY
(thoughtful)
A library. On the street. At a dinner party.
(pause)
At a costume party.
(grin)
At a salvage dock.
BRODY
(grin)
Fair enough. But it’s different for men.
PERRY
A man like you? I should think not.
BRODY
(wryly)
Maybe. But generally speaking, women half my age don’t normally appeal to me. Speaking of Ciara...does she know where you are tonight?
PERRY
(amused)
Of course.
BRODY
(gaze sharpening)
What about Pretty Boy?
PERRY
(still amused)
They both know I went to dinner with you and were it was likely to end.
BRODY
(amused)
All your dinner dates end in bed?
PERRY
I’m not husband hunting, Brody. If I go out with a man, it’s because I want one thing...
Brody laughs.
PERRY
So how do you get away with driving all over this bit of Florida with BDSM painted on your van?
BRODY
Well, believe it or not, not too many people get it. And I’m in the phone book under Brody Dawson Salvage & Mooring, to avoid any difficult phone calls. How, may I ask, do you know about BDSM?
PERRY
Many pretty girls pay their way through university by dancing on the pole. I, however, was a dominatrix.
BRODY
(curious)
Did you have sex with your clientele?
PERRY
Seldom. Most didn’t want it, some who did simply didn’t beg hard enough. Others...well, there’s always one or two who are simply irresistable.
BRODY
But you’re not lifestyle.
PERRY
It was just a job. What about you?
BRODY
I dated a girl into it, when I was younger and experimental and had more stamina. She’s the one got me to try playing on the other team, which I gotta confess was fun, in that context.
PERRY
Bi-men are so sexy.
BRODY
Yeah, she thought so, too. I never took to men like I take to women, though.
(grin)
Gotta be a woman involved, you know what I mean.
-------------
Another scene, another place
Ciara and Perry walk into a sex shop. Ciara calls Perry over to look at a strap-on.
CIARA
What do you think of that?
PERRY
Wow, that brings back fond memories.
CIARA
I thought you didn’t do girls?
PERRY
(smiling)
Who said anything about girls?
Perry walks away as a puzzled expression crosses Ciara’s face.
CIARA
How do you use a strap-on dildo with a ... Oh! You are one perverted lawyer!
------------------------
Plot? What plot?
EXT. - BDSM - AFTERNOON
Perry has come looking for Warren, Brody directs her to the end of the dock
BRODY
He’s at the back, washing the salt out of his hair.
Perry walks past a boat that has recently put in, which partially blocks Brody’s view. Warren is bent over a wide sink more commonly used to wash large items.
Perry opens her mouth to speak and is struck dumb when Warren tosses his head back, wiping water from his eyes. The sun glistens on the water drops on his bare torso, and the skin suit is hanging off his hips.
He puts his head under the tap again. The sound of running water blocks any sound of Perry’s heels on the dock.
She runs her hand across his back, startling him so that he jerks his head into the tap.
WARREN
Jesus H!
He stands up, rubbing water out of his eyes and pushing his hair out of his eyes. He stares at Perry, oblivious to the dripping of his hair.
Perry, however, finds her gaze drawn to the zipper of his suit, which is quite far below his navel. She drags her gaze upwards.
WARREN
(uncertainly)
Perry?
Heedless of getting wet, Perry snakes a hand through his damp hair, and kisses him, letting her other hand slide slowly down his chest.
WARREN
(hoarsely)
Why are you doing this?
PERRY
You know why.
Her hand is moving lower, she runs a finger from his side along the edge of the wet suit, to it’s lowest point.
WARREN
(desperately)
I’m at work!
PERRY
(softly)
Then I guess it’ll have to be quick and dirty.
She moves, hiding what her hand does next, but Warren’s reaction gives us a pretty good idea. He grasps her visible arm.
WARREN
(strangled voice)
I guess.
Perry smiles.
WARREN
But.
(squeezes her arm)
Slow and sensual tonight. My room.
She nods without hesitation, does something that brings an involuntary sound from him.
He half carries, half drags her onto the boat, and pushes her against the wheelhouse, out of sight of the shore, at least.
At the shack, Brody sighs as his voyeurism ends.
INT. - PROJECT HOUSE, WARREN’S ROOM - NIGHT
An elegant lamp casts the golden bedroom glow that is so flattering. In the rumpled sheets of a small twin bed pushed up against a wall papered in delicate gold scrollwork, Warren traces patterns on Perry’s bare back.
WARREN
So. What took you so long.
PERRY
(beat)
Doesn’t this...whatever it is, frighten you?
Surprised by such an honest answer, he grows serious, but keeps running his fingers in patterns on her back.
WARREN
Yeah. But I look at it this way. Supposing this has the worst possible outcome, I’d still rather do it than not.
(softly, leaning closer)
I’d like to think you’ve come to the same conclusion.
Perry rolls over to meet his eyes better.
PERRY
(softly)
More or less. The result is the same.
He lays down, pulls her on top of him.
WARREN
Works for me.
She kisses him, her hair falling in a dark curtain obscuring their faces.
--------------
INT. - JODREY’S BAR - NIGHT
This would be earlier than the last scene between Perry and Warren. Joss is at his spot at the bar, the usual collection of empty and full shot glasses in front of him.
Perry sits down beside him.
JOSS
(sneering)
What are you doing here?
She gives him a cold look, chin lifted, then takes his last full shots and tips it down her throat. She closes her eyes as the tequila burns it’s way to her stomach.
JOSS
Rough day at work?
PERRY
Yes.
Joss looks curious, but won’t let himself ask. The bartender makes a fly by and Joss holds up four fingers. Perry’s eyes are still closed. Joss shrugs - if she wants a drink, she can flag the tender herself.
------------------------
EXT. - A PARK IN DETROIT - DAY
Rey, Warren, Perry, and Ciara are sitting at picnic table under a gazebo. They are dressed in Project leathers.
PERRY
(urgently)
I’m worried about Anait.
REY
Anait? Shouldn’t we be worried about Joss?
PERRY
(surprised)
Why should we be worried about Joss?
REY
(raising an eyebrow)
Someone’s trying to kill him?
PERRY
Oh that. I’m sure we can all empathize - who among us hasn’t wanted to kill Joss at one time or another. Or to look at it another way, lately it seems that someone wants to kill at least one of us where ever we go.
CIARA
Forget it, we all know how it’s going to play out with Joss.
Warren, Perry, and Rey look at her, curious.
CIARA
Look, he told us to stay low, keep a low profile, keep out of sight. We are not going to do that because we are his friends and we have his back. We will save his sorry ass, and he will then tell us that if we had done what he told us in the first place, it wouldn’t have needed saving.
WARREN
(bemused)
Are we so predictable?
CIARA
If going out to save a friend is predictable, I want to be predictable.
PERRY
Yes, well we can put off saving Joss’s ass for a little while; this is important.
Warren leans forward, steepling his fingers.
WARREN
She still holds us at a distance, yes, we’ve noticed.
PERRY
Rey, I know that she thinks having computer chips in her head makes her less than human, so I think you’re the one who can best fix this.
Rey gives her an inquiring look.
PERRY
You are alien enough to be more believable.
Perry stands up, gesturing the others to join her in a corner of the gazebo.
PERRY
Here is what I suggest. When you are talking to her, you know how her hair slips into her face? Before she can brush it away, you should casually push it behind her ear, like so.
Perry brushes Ciara’s hair off her cheek and behind her ear. Ciara’s eyes close and she sighs.
PERRY
Do this as if you are not thinking about it, and ignore her reaction.
REY
Like this?
Rey does the same thing to Perry.
PERRY
Yes, but don’t watch what you’re doing, make it seem like an unconscious gesture.
Rey performs the motion again, slower, tracing the outline of her ear, and briefly cupping her chin before removing his hand.
PERRY
(breathless)
Rey...
Rey smiles, winks at Warren, who is grinning broadly.
EXT. - RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY
This is an older section of the city. Buildings nearly two hundred years old have fallen into disrepair, been gentrified and are now on the downward slide again. It is as spotlessly clean as the rest of the city, but the poverty of the residents is evident in the lack of upkeep of the properties.
Joss and Anait are walking down the street in project leathers, not out of place here, trying to project confidence and belonging while at the same time blending in.
ANAIT
(quietly)
We’re being followed.
JOSS
(smiling)
I know. We’re going to turn at the light, then follow me close...we’re going to run, and fast.
ANAIT
(smiles back)
Got it.
They turn the corner and as soon as they’re out of sight of their tail, Joss breaks into a mad dash run, Anait hot on his heels. He turns down an alleyway, which consists of fences enclosing who knows what. Not too far along, he forces open a gate in a fence and pulls Anait through, pushing the gate closed behind her.
EXT. - ALLY’S GARDEN - DAY
A woman, on her knees in a surprisingly verdant garden, looks up in shocked surprise. Joss puts a finger to his lips and nods towards the back door, which has a stained glass window and sits in a vintage red brick house.
The woman, ALLY, nods back.
Joss, pulling Anait ungracefully after him, goes through the door, closing it behind them.
Ally goes back to her gardening. From the street WE HEAR the sound of shoes slapping concrete - definitely not joggers, yet eerily silent. There is a knock on the gate.
ALLY
(calls)
It’s open!
The gate opens and two men look through, one examines Ally closely, the other scans the garden and house with a keen eye. Both men are dressed in dark clothing with shiny black government shoes.
ALLY
Can I help you?
MIB 1
Miss, sorry to disturb you, miss. Did you see this man go by?
Ally pointedly looks at her fence, which is barely visible for the plant growth and tall enough to effectively obscure the alley before taking the photograph he shows her.
ALLY
(angrily)
This is Joss Cracker and I’ve already told you people he hasn’t been here in months. I took your god-damned truth test and everything! You don’t really expect me to believe that just because the obvious surveillance van is gone you’re not watching my house? Now get the hell out of my garden!
MIB 1 looks at MIB 2.
MIB 1
You know him?
ALLY
Knew him, of course. What are you, new guys on the case?
MIB 1
We saw him run down this alley.
ALLY
(sceptical)
Are you sure?
MIB 1
(coldly)
Of course. And how coincidental that it should be this alley.
ALLY
(exasperated)
Oh for chrissakes! If Joss Cracker leaped into my garden, do you really think I’d have just invited you in without even knowing who you were? Cash your reality check! You all know I’m his friend, which is why he didn’t tell me anything when he left, and why if really is back, this is the last place he’d come!
MIB 2 hands her a card.
MIB 2
It would be in your best interests to call us if he contacts you.
Ally rolls her eyes, but takes the card.
ALLY
I’m sure you’ll know it as soon I do. Now get out, please, you’re making me nauseous.
The two MIB leave and Ally begins to tidy up her garden equipment, knowing they’re listening outside the gate to see if her following actions are in any way suspicious.
INT. - ALLY’S HOUSE - DAY
Ally walks inside the house, to her kitchen. Joss and Anait are there, drinking glasses of water. Ally gives Joss a sour look and washes her hands in the sink.
ALLY
They’re gone.
JOSS
Thanks, Ally. I owe you one.
ALLY
(snorts)
One? Who’s your girlfriend?
JOSS
Anait, this is my friend Ally. Ally, Anait.
Ally sits down, with a glass of water for herself.
ALLY
I think it’s so cute when couples dress alike.
ANAIT
I’m not -
JOSS
(taking Anait’s hand)
Is your house really under random surveillance?
ALLY
(shaking her head)
Nah, I don’t think so. But if they think I think so, it’ll make ‘em feel better.
ANAIT
There’s no mechanical listening or watching devices within this house.
ALLY
How can you know that for sure?
JOSS
She has a gift. Ally, we need your help?
ALLY
Helping you is very dangerous, Joss. It’s much safer if you tell me about your girlfriend, and how you managed to unbend long enough to find one. And why you were stupid enough to bring her to Detroit.
JOSS
Ah. Well, you see. There’s a child...
ALLY
(wide eyed, to Anait)
He knocked you up?!
ANAIT
(unfamiliar with the phrase)
I don’t think so.
JOSS
She’s an orphan. We need to find a home for her.
ALLY
(staring)
You’re drinking water.