Moonspender (5) you a cup of coffee? PRIEST No, thank you, I just thought we might as well start the day by blessing your room, maybe it will change your luck. 60 BETTY (shrugs) Couldn't hurt. She gathers her things and joins him outside as he goes through the ritual blessing ceremony. As soon as he is done, they together toward the kafeneon to gather the workers before they head up the mountain. CUT TO: EXT> THE MOUNTAIN (MORNING) The sun is already up by the time they reach the summit. Betty is almost afraid to look around when they arrive, fearing some new token might have been left for them overnight, but is quickly relieved when all seems to be just as they left it. She points out to the Priest exactly where they found the lamb and then shows him the pentagram on the altar site. He solemnly goes about his task of driving off evil spirits, covering the whole area on foot swinging his incense burner and flicking holy water. The workers stand in a huddle watching him. Once he's done, he makes the sign of the cross over them 3 times and splashes them with holy water. (Greek) PRIEST I wish you all a fulfilling days work. The men cross themselves and go about their various tasks. Betty approaches the Priest. BETTY Thank you so much, Father, what can I do to repay you? PRIEST (smiles) Just have Grigoris' daughter bring me some of their good oil and wine and we'll call it even. 61 BETTY With pleasure, would you like one of the men to take you back down? PRIEST That isn't necessary, it's a pleasant walk, down hill most of the way. Betty looks after him as he begins his descent, then turns and looks over the site with a sigh. BETTY Let's see what else that bastard can think of. She laughs with satisfaction then marches off toward the men at work. FADE TO: INT> DIROS CAVES Betty and the Professor are paddled through the cave's waterways by a guide. The lights under crystal clear water create mysterious reflections on the stalactites and stalagmites, the air is cold and damp. Betty shivers and the Professor puts his arm around her. PROF The entrance to the underworld. The myth says that Hercules always took coins so the ferryman would take him back. It's interesting how different races have different traditions in relation to their dead, for instance, the Gypsies put 2 coins over the eyes of the deceased, while the Orthodox place one coin under the tongue. BETTY The Gypsies dont believe in property, I cant speak for the Orthodox, but the tombstones are to keep the dead from the coming back to dispute the inheritance. PROF Every archeologist's favorite nightmare. CUT TO: 62 EXT> CANTINA (SUNSET) Betty and the Professor sit overlooking the sea. PROF So you called in the big guns, huh? Well done, little one, I think you're finally catching on. BETTY Touch wood and Loki too, things have been going smoothly and all it took was a couple of kilos of wine and oil to have a little peace of mind. PROF You see, that's the trick. It doesn't matter what you believe, it matters what they believe. That will help you no matter what corner of the earth you're digging in or what society you have to deal with. BETTY I dont know if I've ever expressed how much I appreciate the time you spend with me. You taught me so much, believe it or not I'm learning, at least as fast as my thick head and stubborn pride will let me. I just wanted to say thank you. The Professor is touched by her candor, embarrassed by her clumsy language and feels a pang of guilt. PROF I should be thanking you. You dont know how much it means to an old man to know that someone is listening. FADE TO: EXT> MONEMVASIA (NIGHT) Betty looks excitedly in shop windows as she and the Professor stroll through the castle's narrow pathways. they enter a pub with a roof garden over looking the sea and sit down to have a night cap. (English) BETTY It feels good, thank you for dragging me out of my routine, sometimes I forget how beautiful my country is. 63 PROF That's how I got here. I have an 'idear'. He pronounces it with a hard R. BETTY An 'idear'? PROF Yeah and I'd like to hear what you think about it. BETTY About what? PROF I am invited to address the 20th annual congress of Archeology in Helsinki next week. I would very much like you to accompany me. It's only 6 days, all expenses paid and I think i could arrange for you to deliver a small paper on your work if you so desire. BETTY (staring open mouthed) Wow...I dont know...it would be great just to audit, I dont think I could possibly prepare a paper that I would feel confident about in so little time...though. of course, that may be a cheap excuse because the thought of it scares me shitless. (laughs) I'm getting so close to completion, though, things are going so well now, I dont think I should press my luck. PROF Luck runs in streaks, plunge when you're winning and hedge when you're losing. BETTY (bats her eyelashes at him) Yes. PROF You dont have to tell me right this minute, sleep on it for a few days if you like. 64 BETTY I will, but I have the feeling that it will remain just a lovely dream. PROF Betty, you are a colossal pain in the ass. and she laughs. CUT TO: EXT> MOUNTAIN (NIGHT) Dark figures move about quickly, tearing out Betty's survey markers, they break open the shed and throw the equipment out, they have painted 666 on the wall of the little church. CUT TO: INT> SHERIFF'S OFFICE (MORNING) Betty sits with her elbows on the Sheriff's desk, head in her hands. (Greek) SHERIFF Will this set you back? BETTY It's not that, the serious work has pretty much been completed, it's all this spite and sick hate, it's disgusting as well as scary. What is it about my work that threatens them so much? SHERIFF When you're sure you can get away with it, you dont need reasons. Most analysis of motivation is science fiction anyway. Just finish up and put some distance between you and them before they think of something else. BETTY (looks at him) You keep telling me that, what is it exactly? Do you know something else? 65 SHERIFF (averts his eyes) No, let's just say I have a bad feeling. CUT TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (EVENING) Betty is in bed staring at the ceiling. There's a postcard from the Professor in Helsinki. There's another one from Martha who's gone to visit her sister in Corinth. Betty makes a decision, gets up and pulls on her jeans. CUT TO: EXT> VILLAGE (NIGHT) Betty tentatively taps on the window of the general store. The shopkeeper opens (Greek) SHOPKEEPER Grigoris is sick. BETTY I know. I am sorry to disturb you, but I have to make a phone call. SHOPKEEPER Is everything alright? BETTY (embarrassed) Oh, yes, it's just...well, I almost forgot someone's birthday. SHOPKEEPER (smiles) I understand. You can pay me tomorrow, just write down how many units the counter says and close the door when you leave. BETTY Thank you. She takes a deep breath and dials, almost chickens out at the last moment, but someone answers. Stamatis... 66 SPLIT SCREEN Stamatis sits down when he hears her voice. STAMATIS Surprise...are you alright? BETTY (making an effort not to cry) OK, working hard... STAMATIS You always do...is anything wrong? BETTY NO! No, I'm just tired I...I miss you (rushes on) I was thinking maybe you could come down for a couple of days. I'm almost done, we could... STAMATIS Yes. BETTY What? STAMATIS I'll be there Saturday morning, is that alright? BETTY (cant help herself, cries) That's perfect. FADE TO: EXT> BIG TOWN (AM) Betty sits on the hood of her car anxiously waiting for Stamatis' arrival. She's a little frantic considering how bored and pissed she was the last time he was there. She hops down and takes a walk around the square. She wears a light summer dress that leaves her shoulders bare. Her slim tan arms have become muscular from working on the site. She turns back toward her car for a moment. Stamatis is leaning against it watching her. 67 Her first impulse is to run to him, she takes a few steps then stops herself. He smiles at her and she decides. She runs to him and jumps into his arms. BETTY I cant tell you how glad I am you came. STAMATIS I cant tell you how glad I am you called. He breaks the embrace and steps back. Let me look at you. You're brown as an Indian. BETTY (laughs) Mountain air. I think you could use a little yourself, they must be working you to death, you're so pale. STAMATIS It's been pretty stressful the last couple of weeks, but we've got things pretty well underway now. This probably isn't the best time for me to take my vacation, but my supervisor is pretty understanding. When I heard your voice, I knew I had to come. (she kisses him) Now, tell me what's wrong? BETTY (avoids his gaze by hugging him) Now, that you're here, things couldn't be better...I'm just tired and sometimes the bastards can really grind you down. Just ten more days to complete my ground work. That's all I need. I never thought I'd actually do it. STAMATIS I knew you would. BETTY (looks up at him hopefully) Can you stay till I finish. We could go back together. 68 STAMATIS (looks at her skeptically) Ten days? BETTY (crosses herself) Ten days, I swear. STAMATIS Oh, alright. She jumps into his arms with a squeal of delight CUT TO: EXT> VILLAGE (DAY) Betty and Stamatis pull up to the general store. The village is deserted except for two teens who call out to Betty. They are holding three mules and waiting impatiently. (Greek) STAMATIS No what? BETTY (smiles sheepishly) Weell, I did kind of tell everyone within 20 miles that you were coming. I have a sneaking suspicion they may have taken it on themselves to prepare some kind of welcome. STAMATIS You dont say... BETTY And, well, I kind of told them that we were engaged. You know it is a small town. I didn't want them to get the wrong idea. (worried) You dont mind, do you? STAMATIS (kisses her forehead) No, I dont mind. CUT TO: EXT> THE MOUNTAIN (DAY) 69 As Betty and Stamatis reach the summit they stop in shock. Nearly the whole village has gathered in the meadow. The men sing songs as they turn the spits on which a lamb and a pig are roasting. Tables have been set up on which women lay out bread, salads, cheese, olives fruit. The children running around happily on some secret mission of their own. Blankets have been spread out with umbrellas and makeshift canopied to shield them from the noonday sun. Betty and Stamatis dismount and their donkeys trot off to join the others which are grazing placidly on the sweet grass and wild flowers. (Greek) STAMATIS Good thing I showed up, if they love you this much, they'd have married you off to some local boy. Betty is near tears when Martha comes up to greet them. MARTHA (kisses him) So you are Stamatis (looks him over, approvingly) Everyone is dying to meet you. Betty and Martha lead an overwhelmed Stamatis from group to group, all greet him warmly. He seems to meet with their general approval. At one point, Betty leaves Stamatis with Grigoris, going off to help Martha and Aphrodite. GRIGORIS She's a good kid, that one, hard working, considerate, (he winks) and she's cute too. You are a lucky fellow. STAMATIS (troubled) A little more luck wouldn't hurt. CUT TO: MCU: THE MONK 70 POV pulls back as the Monk appears over the ridge. An awkward silence settles over the gathering. CU: his eyes flash disapproval at the festivities. Betty approaches him with a glass of wine. BETTY Good afternoon, Father. Please join us, as you can see, there is plenty and it would be my pleasure. It is clear that he would love to spit on her, but (monk or not) it is also clear that the men would tear his head off. MONK I must return to the monastery. He refuses the wine and turns without another word and rides back down the hill. The whole gathering let's out a sigh of relief when he is gone. Stamatis walks up behind Betty. STAMATIS Who was all that? BETTY It's a long story, let's just say that I'm not his favorite person. STAMATIS Well, men are good for something. If he's been bothering you, tell me about it. BETTY (smiles at his concern) He bothers everybody, he's living in the wrong century, there aren't any witches to burn anymore. CUT TO: THE SAME All are seated and either eating or digesting and talking, in general enjoying a perfect day. Betty takes Stamatis by the hand to show him around her little kingdom, explaining the significance of each pile of rocks. 71 He has learned his lesson, taking care not to make light of her enthusiasm, listening intently lest he be tested later. She stops him in front of one very unassuming square foundation. She steps inside. BETTY Now, this is one of the most significant structures on the sight. The initiation center. Stamatis steps toward her, but she bounds out and stops him. You mustn't enter here! STAMATIS Why on earth not? BETTY It's a temple of Artemis, you know, the huntress with the hounds and another good man gone to the dogs. STAMATIS But you entered. BETTY I'm a woman, besides, I'm an archeologist, I have time travel diplomatic immunity. He pulls her to him, looking into her eyes. STAMATIS Tell me something else. BETTY Anything. STAMATIS Will you? BETTY Will I what? STAMATIS Marry me? Betty stares at him wide eyed, as though it were a surprise. 72 Stamatis extracts a small box from his pocket. He places he ring on her finger. STAMATIS Of course, now that you've gotten so skinny this might fall off. Betty stares from her hand to his face, back and forth. BETTY I...I...You...Yes! She kisses him and he picks her up in a tight embrace. Then he carries her across the threshold into the temple. STAMATIS Well, we're getting married so, I have diplomatic immunity too. And they laugh. POV pulls back to a general shot of the summit with them in the background. MONTAGE A series of takes showing them working at the site FADE TO: INT> PROFESSOR'S VILLA (NIGHT) The Professor enters. He has just returned from Helsinki. He leaves his luggage in the entrance for his man to take care of in the morning. He moves through the house opening windows to air out the place. In his study, he puts Vivaldi on the CD player. It's Winter from the 4 Seasons. He pours himself a drink before sitting down to check his messages. BETTY (filtered) Hi...I know you aren't there, wish you were. I wish I would have gone with you. I'll call when you're back. VITTORIO (filtered) My guests are getting impatient, I must know how the situation is developing. Call me at once. 73 REG (filtered) It's Papas. Vittorio's people have been calling, they're driving me crazy. We have to move on this thing soon, immediately, at once. BETTY (filtered) Professor, you aren't going to believe it, but I'm getting married. Stamatis is here, you have to meet him. I'm almost done, call soon so we can all have dinner before I leave. Kisses! The machine signals that there are no more messages. The Professor hits the erase and sits back. PROF Jesus, yet more trouble. CUT TO: EXT> VITTORIO'S VILLA (DAY) Vittorio and the Professor sit on the veranda. PROF Let's solve our problems one at time. We have to get the articles out of there before we can have him put away. VITTORIO And how do you intend to do that? PROF Not by reasoning with him, we'll have to steal them out from under him. That is simple enough, complications might arise from his reaction, that is the only danger. VITTORIO Let's get on with it. Is the girl ready? PROF A new problem. Just when I was ready to put forth the proposition, she decides that she's going to return to her home town and get married. 74 VITTORIO (cool) A disappointment, no doubt. PROF Not yet, but it is a problem. I had hopes for her, I still do, but her boyfriend showed up and proposed. VITTORIO Sounds serious. PROF Not really, she drives him crazy, he doesn't want to marry her, he just doesn't know how to avoid it. Vittorio laughs, the sound is scary. VITTORIO You convinced me. How much does she know? PROF About us?, nothing. All my preparations were theoretical, an introduction to the way business is actually done. She was getting the message too. Now I have to start over.
Copyright © 1999 Victoria King |