EXT. WICKED CITY. DAY
LOKIA is seated on a bench against a stone-and-mortar wall. LOKIA wears heavy plate armor and a cape. His elbows rest on his knees and he stares at the ground. Dirt and litter are everywhere. Dust blows in the wind. TEPPINS enters. He also wears heavy plate armor and a crimson cape. He is angry.
Fade to...
HOOK sitting on the river bank dangling his toes in the river. He wears ragged robes. Pan out to reveal TREMONT running at him. He wears heavy plate armor with a blue cape billowing out behind him.
HOOK points past Tremont. TREMONT’s POV as he turns to see the felucca leaving the dock.
TREMONT stumbles toward the beach.
Cut to...
EXT. FELUCCA. LATE AFTERNOON.
VALENTINE is laying on a wooden bench on the starboard side of the boat with his arms over his eyes. CHLOE ISIS is on the other side of the vessel, running her hands in the water. ERBY sits in the back and steers.
VALENTINE sits up.
Wide shot of the riverbank. The sun barely sets on the top of the riverbank and in it silhouetted is a tall, shaggy camel. The camel beats its tail against flies.
Dissolve to...
EXT. RIVERBANK. LATE AFTERNOON.
The camel stands atop the ridge, chewing its cud. TREMONT approaches, stops near the camel. HOOK joins Tremont.
TREMONT backhands HOOK, knocking him into the mud.
TREMONT
If Mallik moves to attack, I will stop him. You’re little girlfriend won’t get roped up in those tentacles.
HOOK
I plan to have a serious talk with the people who consider you a hero.
TREMONT
Pushing you in the mud won’t sway their opinion, I promise. Get up, we need to keep moving.
Dissolve to...
EXT. FELUCCA. EVENING
VALENTINE crawls under the bench.
Cut to...
Closeup of TREMONT.
Zoom out to TREMONT already running down the muddy bank, moving quickly even though he sinks almost to his knee with each step in his heavy armor. HOOK struggles behind him.
TREMONT stops and turns.
Fade to...
EXT. BANANA ISLAND SHORE. EARLY EVENING
Wide shot of an island lush with vegetation. The felucca floats into the shot as ERBY hops out into the water.
Exit ERBY via the trail into the woods.
Enter ERBY carrying a huge pod of bananas over his shoulder.
ERBY reaches them and drops the pod at their feet.
VALENTINE and CHLOE ISIS take individual bananas from the bunches and peel them open. Closeup of CHLOE ISIS holding the banana in front of her face with a slightly disgusted look on her face.
VALENTINE bites half the banana at once and chews slowly at first.
CHLOE ISIS runs to the cage and looks in. Med shot looking up as her smile turns to a frown.
ERBY joins her, followed by VALENTINE
Insert of a small, skinny alligator perched on a rock in the thin beam of sun.
FADE OUT on MALLIK laughing.
LOKIA is seated on a bench against a stone-and-mortar wall. LOKIA wears heavy plate armor and a cape. His elbows rest on his knees and he stares at the ground. Dirt and litter are everywhere. Dust blows in the wind. TEPPINS enters. He also wears heavy plate armor and a crimson cape. He is angry.
TEPPINS
Lieutenent Ayers let them get away!
LOKIA
Did he go to the dockhouse?
TEPPINS
Mallik was already gone, and the trolls were dead. When Tremont found no one living, he retreated to collect the little old man he’s been dragging around.
LOKIA
Did Mallik take the children?
TEPPINS
They took a boat from the dock and sailed down river. Mallik is following, but at a distance. He wants to know what they’re after.
LOKIA
So let Mallik collect the children. Then we’ll take them from him.
TEPPINS
If Mallik finds Bandyboo we may never get our hands on the Witch King’s Sword.
LOKIA
Mallik could never beat Grent!
TEPPINS
But Mallik could send Ophalius off in a whole new direction we don’t want him to go.
Lieutenent Ayers let them get away!
LOKIA
Did he go to the dockhouse?
TEPPINS
Mallik was already gone, and the trolls were dead. When Tremont found no one living, he retreated to collect the little old man he’s been dragging around.
LOKIA
Did Mallik take the children?
TEPPINS
They took a boat from the dock and sailed down river. Mallik is following, but at a distance. He wants to know what they’re after.
LOKIA
So let Mallik collect the children. Then we’ll take them from him.
TEPPINS
If Mallik finds Bandyboo we may never get our hands on the Witch King’s Sword.
LOKIA
Mallik could never beat Grent!
TEPPINS
But Mallik could send Ophalius off in a whole new direction we don’t want him to go.
Fade to...
HOOK sitting on the river bank dangling his toes in the river. He wears ragged robes. Pan out to reveal TREMONT running at him. He wears heavy plate armor with a blue cape billowing out behind him.
TREMONT
It was a trap!
HOOK
What happened?
TREMONT
The Marshal set me up. Our friend, Mallik was there.
HOOK
You saw him?
TREMONT
Everyone in the boat house was dead. Now the Teppins won’t answer my calls.
HOOK
Did Mallik attack you?
TREMONT
Don’t you listen? Everyone there was dead. Mallik already escaped.
HOOK
Where did he go?
TREMONT
How should I know? We’re not exactly on speaking terms. When I get my hands on Teppins, I’m going to tear his head from his body.
HOOK
Relax.
TREMONT
Don’t tell me to relax!
HOOK
Maybe the Marshal had a plan. Maybe you were supposed to stay at the dockhouse.
TREMONT
My skills are as a warrior. I should be tracking Mallik, not sitting in some dank hole with a pile of dead trolls. Why would anyone have me wasting away for a message.
It was a trap!
HOOK
What happened?
TREMONT
The Marshal set me up. Our friend, Mallik was there.
HOOK
You saw him?
TREMONT
Everyone in the boat house was dead. Now the Teppins won’t answer my calls.
HOOK
Did Mallik attack you?
TREMONT
Don’t you listen? Everyone there was dead. Mallik already escaped.
HOOK
Where did he go?
TREMONT
How should I know? We’re not exactly on speaking terms. When I get my hands on Teppins, I’m going to tear his head from his body.
HOOK
Relax.
TREMONT
Don’t tell me to relax!
HOOK
Maybe the Marshal had a plan. Maybe you were supposed to stay at the dockhouse.
TREMONT
My skills are as a warrior. I should be tracking Mallik, not sitting in some dank hole with a pile of dead trolls. Why would anyone have me wasting away for a message.
HOOK points past Tremont. TREMONT’s POV as he turns to see the felucca leaving the dock.
HOOK
There go the kids.
There go the kids.
TREMONT stumbles toward the beach.
HOOK
I didn’t think the boy would have made it this far without getting himself skewered.
I didn’t think the boy would have made it this far without getting himself skewered.
Cut to...
EXT. FELUCCA. LATE AFTERNOON.
VALENTINE is laying on a wooden bench on the starboard side of the boat with his arms over his eyes. CHLOE ISIS is on the other side of the vessel, running her hands in the water. ERBY sits in the back and steers.
ERBY
Mr. Rubin, do you know why this is called a felucca and not a sailboat.
VALENTINE
(muffled by his arm) No idea.
ERBY
The sailboat you know in your homeland only have three corners on the sail, while our feluccas have four corners. Can you see this on my sail.
CHLOE ISIS
Does it give you more control, or make the boat go faster?
ERBY
Our boats do not move very fast, but they are very stable. That is because they are very wide and reasonably flat on the bottom. The Great River is the deepest river in the world, and I will surely keep us alive in this trip.
CHLOE ISIS
Will this take us to the Ox Ford?
ERBY
I expect we should be there not much after dark. I believe we will have time to stop at Banana Island. Would you like that, Mr. Rubin?
CHLOE ISIS
I love bananas!
VALENTINE
If we’re in such a hurry, why would we stop?
ERBY
We have not eaten since breakfast, Mr. Rubin. Even tour guides are given breaks for food, my friends.
CHLOE ISIS
Have a heart, Rubin!
Mr. Rubin, do you know why this is called a felucca and not a sailboat.
VALENTINE
(muffled by his arm) No idea.
ERBY
The sailboat you know in your homeland only have three corners on the sail, while our feluccas have four corners. Can you see this on my sail.
CHLOE ISIS
Does it give you more control, or make the boat go faster?
ERBY
Our boats do not move very fast, but they are very stable. That is because they are very wide and reasonably flat on the bottom. The Great River is the deepest river in the world, and I will surely keep us alive in this trip.
CHLOE ISIS
Will this take us to the Ox Ford?
ERBY
I expect we should be there not much after dark. I believe we will have time to stop at Banana Island. Would you like that, Mr. Rubin?
CHLOE ISIS
I love bananas!
VALENTINE
If we’re in such a hurry, why would we stop?
ERBY
We have not eaten since breakfast, Mr. Rubin. Even tour guides are given breaks for food, my friends.
CHLOE ISIS
Have a heart, Rubin!
VALENTINE sits up.
VALENTINE
My name is Valent...
CHLOE ISIS
Look there!
My name is Valent...
CHLOE ISIS
Look there!
Wide shot of the riverbank. The sun barely sets on the top of the riverbank and in it silhouetted is a tall, shaggy camel. The camel beats its tail against flies.
VALENTINE
So what, I’ve seen a hundred camels.
CHLOE ISIS
You’ve never seen a camel.
VALENTINE
Haven’t you ever been to the zoo?
CHLOE ISIS
Well, I’ve never seen one.
ERBY
In my land the camels walk freely and are used to plow fields and haul carts. We are still too close to the city for that camel to be wild.
NARRATOR
Erby was quiet a few minutes, watching down the river as Chloe and Valentine took a moment to relax.
ERBY
Mr. Rubin, do you want to know why it is called Banana island? I will give you three guesses.
VALENTINE
Bananas grow there?
ERBY
I’m afraid that is not the answer.
VALENTINE
It’s shaped like a banana?
ERBY
That is not correct either.
CHLOE ISIS
Does it look like a banana?
VALENTINE
I just asked that!
CHLOE ISIS
No you did not. The island can look like a banana in a lot of ways. Maybe it’s yellow. Maybe it’s rounded.
VALENTINE
When was the last time you saw a yellow island.
ERBY
Mister. Miss, please. I’m afraid that answer is not correct either. Miss Chloe would you mind saving your guesses until after Mister Rubin makes his final guess.
VALENTINE
I give up.
ERBY
I’m afraid you can’t give up.
CHLOE ISIS
Why are you so afraid?
ERBY
Can you think of a reason, Mr. Rubin, that we would call it Banana Island?
VALENTINE
I can’t think of any reason why it would be called Banana Island if it’s not shaped like a banana and bananas don’t grow there. Tell me if you want me to know, otherwise, let me sleep!
ERBY
I’m sorry Mister Rubin. I will let you sleep.
NARRATOR
Erby kept his eyes on the water, but sat a little lower in his seat, his frown barely perceptible if not for his eyes.
So what, I’ve seen a hundred camels.
CHLOE ISIS
You’ve never seen a camel.
VALENTINE
Haven’t you ever been to the zoo?
CHLOE ISIS
Well, I’ve never seen one.
ERBY
In my land the camels walk freely and are used to plow fields and haul carts. We are still too close to the city for that camel to be wild.
NARRATOR
Erby was quiet a few minutes, watching down the river as Chloe and Valentine took a moment to relax.
ERBY
Mr. Rubin, do you want to know why it is called Banana island? I will give you three guesses.
VALENTINE
Bananas grow there?
ERBY
I’m afraid that is not the answer.
VALENTINE
It’s shaped like a banana?
ERBY
That is not correct either.
CHLOE ISIS
Does it look like a banana?
VALENTINE
I just asked that!
CHLOE ISIS
No you did not. The island can look like a banana in a lot of ways. Maybe it’s yellow. Maybe it’s rounded.
VALENTINE
When was the last time you saw a yellow island.
ERBY
Mister. Miss, please. I’m afraid that answer is not correct either. Miss Chloe would you mind saving your guesses until after Mister Rubin makes his final guess.
VALENTINE
I give up.
ERBY
I’m afraid you can’t give up.
CHLOE ISIS
Why are you so afraid?
ERBY
Can you think of a reason, Mr. Rubin, that we would call it Banana Island?
VALENTINE
I can’t think of any reason why it would be called Banana Island if it’s not shaped like a banana and bananas don’t grow there. Tell me if you want me to know, otherwise, let me sleep!
ERBY
I’m sorry Mister Rubin. I will let you sleep.
NARRATOR
Erby kept his eyes on the water, but sat a little lower in his seat, his frown barely perceptible if not for his eyes.
Dissolve to...
EXT. RIVERBANK. LATE AFTERNOON.
The camel stands atop the ridge, chewing its cud. TREMONT approaches, stops near the camel. HOOK joins Tremont.
HOOK
Is it them?
TREMONT
I told you it was them.
HOOK
Nobody’s hurt? What about Mallik? Can you hear Mallik?
TREMONT
He is like a smudge in my mind.
HOOK
Do you know where he is or not?
TREMONT
You’re a wizard. You tell me.
HOOK
CHLOE! CHLOE! Over here!
TREMONT
Shut up.
Is it them?
TREMONT
I told you it was them.
HOOK
Nobody’s hurt? What about Mallik? Can you hear Mallik?
TREMONT
He is like a smudge in my mind.
HOOK
Do you know where he is or not?
TREMONT
You’re a wizard. You tell me.
HOOK
CHLOE! CHLOE! Over here!
TREMONT
Shut up.
TREMONT backhands HOOK, knocking him into the mud.
TREMONT
If Mallik moves to attack, I will stop him. You’re little girlfriend won’t get roped up in those tentacles.
HOOK
I plan to have a serious talk with the people who consider you a hero.
TREMONT
Pushing you in the mud won’t sway their opinion, I promise. Get up, we need to keep moving.
Dissolve to...
EXT. FELUCCA. EVENING
ERBY
I’m wondering what you think will happen when you meet the Dark Man.
VALENTINE
He’ll give us the coat and we’ll go back to what we were doing a week ago.
ERBY
This coat sounds like it will cost much more than six dollars.
CHLOE ISIS
It’ll work itself out.
ERBY
This man, he sells these things? Your money is not worth very much in this place, he may not think that is enough.
VALENTINE
What do you mean, my money isn’t worth much? Do you even know where I’m from?
ERBY
I would just like to know how you plan to procure the services of this man with no money. These Glithvals try to kill you for this thing, and you tell me it is worth no money?
CHLOE ISIS
Things like this are beyond money.
ERBY
Mr. Rubin, have you guessed why this is called Banana Island?
VALENTINE
Will you just knock it off with the quizzing.
ERBY
Ah, you must answer, for I have a great surprise once we are done.
VALENTINE
Well skip the surprises. I just want to get to this shop so I can go home.
CHLOE ISIS
Rubin, you’re being rude.
VALENTINE
I’m not being rude! I thought I’d be home for dinner!
ERBY
You are not ready then.
CHLOE ISIS
Bird!
NARRATOR
Valentine ducked for cover right away before looking up.
ERBY
Get down! Get down!
CHLOE ISIS
Do you think that’s our bird?
ERBY
The wingspan is like that of an ibis. Did you say that is the bird who followed you?
CHLOE ISIS
He said he was an ibis.
VALENTINE
That’s him. That’s got to be him.
ERBY
There are many birds like that in this place, Mister Rubin. Some grow very large. One can even devour a man, but that has been nearly wiped out.
VALENTINE
Is that Dahooty?
ERBY
Yes, I believe that is him.
I’m wondering what you think will happen when you meet the Dark Man.
VALENTINE
He’ll give us the coat and we’ll go back to what we were doing a week ago.
ERBY
This coat sounds like it will cost much more than six dollars.
CHLOE ISIS
It’ll work itself out.
ERBY
This man, he sells these things? Your money is not worth very much in this place, he may not think that is enough.
VALENTINE
What do you mean, my money isn’t worth much? Do you even know where I’m from?
ERBY
I would just like to know how you plan to procure the services of this man with no money. These Glithvals try to kill you for this thing, and you tell me it is worth no money?
CHLOE ISIS
Things like this are beyond money.
ERBY
Mr. Rubin, have you guessed why this is called Banana Island?
VALENTINE
Will you just knock it off with the quizzing.
ERBY
Ah, you must answer, for I have a great surprise once we are done.
VALENTINE
Well skip the surprises. I just want to get to this shop so I can go home.
CHLOE ISIS
Rubin, you’re being rude.
VALENTINE
I’m not being rude! I thought I’d be home for dinner!
ERBY
You are not ready then.
CHLOE ISIS
Bird!
NARRATOR
Valentine ducked for cover right away before looking up.
ERBY
Get down! Get down!
CHLOE ISIS
Do you think that’s our bird?
ERBY
The wingspan is like that of an ibis. Did you say that is the bird who followed you?
CHLOE ISIS
He said he was an ibis.
VALENTINE
That’s him. That’s got to be him.
ERBY
There are many birds like that in this place, Mister Rubin. Some grow very large. One can even devour a man, but that has been nearly wiped out.
VALENTINE
Is that Dahooty?
ERBY
Yes, I believe that is him.
VALENTINE crawls under the bench.
VALENTINE
Chloe! Get into cover.
ERBY
If the bird recognizes our boat, it will not matter if he sees you. I’ve suspected he’s been following us for some time.
CHLOE ISIS
Why didn’t you tell us?
ERBY
I wanted to avoid making our awareness obvious. By now, the bird will know you know he’s there.
CHLOE ISIS
Good job, Rubin, you messed this all up.
ERBY
I have a cousin on Banana Island who will help disguise us. Maybe we can even lose your bird.
VALENTINE
Why do you want us going to Banana Island so bad?
ERBY
It is a wonderful place that I think you may enjoy Mr. Rubin.
CHLOE ISIS
Have you always been this suspicious, Rubin?
VALENTINE
We’ll stop wherever you please. I have no say.
CHLOE ISIS
Don’t be like that, Rubin.
ERBY
Maybe we should let him rest a minute, Miss Chloe. We’re almost to the island.
Chloe! Get into cover.
ERBY
If the bird recognizes our boat, it will not matter if he sees you. I’ve suspected he’s been following us for some time.
CHLOE ISIS
Why didn’t you tell us?
ERBY
I wanted to avoid making our awareness obvious. By now, the bird will know you know he’s there.
CHLOE ISIS
Good job, Rubin, you messed this all up.
ERBY
I have a cousin on Banana Island who will help disguise us. Maybe we can even lose your bird.
VALENTINE
Why do you want us going to Banana Island so bad?
ERBY
It is a wonderful place that I think you may enjoy Mr. Rubin.
CHLOE ISIS
Have you always been this suspicious, Rubin?
VALENTINE
We’ll stop wherever you please. I have no say.
CHLOE ISIS
Don’t be like that, Rubin.
ERBY
Maybe we should let him rest a minute, Miss Chloe. We’re almost to the island.
Cut to...
Closeup of TREMONT.
TREMONT
Mallik is moving.
Mallik is moving.
Zoom out to TREMONT already running down the muddy bank, moving quickly even though he sinks almost to his knee with each step in his heavy armor. HOOK struggles behind him.
HOOK
If those kids are hurt...
If those kids are hurt...
TREMONT stops and turns.
TREMONT
You’ll do what?
HOOK
What are you stopping for? Get moving!
You’ll do what?
HOOK
What are you stopping for? Get moving!
Fade to...
EXT. BANANA ISLAND SHORE. EARLY EVENING
Wide shot of an island lush with vegetation. The felucca floats into the shot as ERBY hops out into the water.
CHLOE ISIS
Watch out for those fish.
ERBY
(laughs)
They are not fish, my lady. More like snakes, but with legs. They are too big to come in water this shallow. At least not without me seeing them.
VALENTINE
You’re sure we’re safe?
CHLOE ISIS
Rubin’s afraid.
VALENTINE
I’m not afraid!
ERBY
My cousin’s house is just up this trail into the woods.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s some thick jungle.
VALENTINE
I’d rather not go into the jungle. Why don’t we wait on the shore.
ERBY
Yes of course, sir. It would be impolite of me bringing you into my cousin’s house without his permission. I was going to ask you wait a few minutes before joining me, but if you’d prefer, I’ll have my cousin come here.
CHLOE ISIS
Thank you, Erby. We appreciate it.
ERBY
Mister Rubin, have you figured out why this place is called Banana Island yet?
VALENTINE
I haven’t figured it out.
ERBY
You will see soon, sir. Wait here, please.
Watch out for those fish.
ERBY
(laughs)
They are not fish, my lady. More like snakes, but with legs. They are too big to come in water this shallow. At least not without me seeing them.
VALENTINE
You’re sure we’re safe?
CHLOE ISIS
Rubin’s afraid.
VALENTINE
I’m not afraid!
ERBY
My cousin’s house is just up this trail into the woods.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s some thick jungle.
VALENTINE
I’d rather not go into the jungle. Why don’t we wait on the shore.
ERBY
Yes of course, sir. It would be impolite of me bringing you into my cousin’s house without his permission. I was going to ask you wait a few minutes before joining me, but if you’d prefer, I’ll have my cousin come here.
CHLOE ISIS
Thank you, Erby. We appreciate it.
ERBY
Mister Rubin, have you figured out why this place is called Banana Island yet?
VALENTINE
I haven’t figured it out.
ERBY
You will see soon, sir. Wait here, please.
Exit ERBY via the trail into the woods.
VALENTINE
You nervous yet?
CHLOE ISIS
Not at all.
VALENTINE
I’ve got a bad feeling about this guy, Chloe. Why did he want us to come here so bad, and why is he so insistent I know the name of this island.
CHLOE ISIS
You’re paranoid.
VALENTINE
I can see in your eyes you don’t believe that’s true anymore.
CHLOE ISIS
Well what are we supposed to do now? We’re on an island with only his boat to escape on.
VALENTINE
Maybe we should steal his boat.
CHLOE ISIS
And do what with it? Do you know how to be a captain?
VALENTINE
It’s called piloting.
CHLOE ISIS
I don’t care what it’s called! Do you know how to do it?
VALENTINE
Hey, sorry. Relax.
CHLOE ISIS
Don’t tell me to relax! I’m scared. How will we even know this Ox Ford when we reach it? This was a stupid idea.
VALENTINE
I’ll get us out of this. Everything will work itself out.
CHLOE ISIS
What are you going to do?
VALENTINE
I don’t know yet, but it will be spectacular.
You nervous yet?
CHLOE ISIS
Not at all.
VALENTINE
I’ve got a bad feeling about this guy, Chloe. Why did he want us to come here so bad, and why is he so insistent I know the name of this island.
CHLOE ISIS
You’re paranoid.
VALENTINE
I can see in your eyes you don’t believe that’s true anymore.
CHLOE ISIS
Well what are we supposed to do now? We’re on an island with only his boat to escape on.
VALENTINE
Maybe we should steal his boat.
CHLOE ISIS
And do what with it? Do you know how to be a captain?
VALENTINE
It’s called piloting.
CHLOE ISIS
I don’t care what it’s called! Do you know how to do it?
VALENTINE
Hey, sorry. Relax.
CHLOE ISIS
Don’t tell me to relax! I’m scared. How will we even know this Ox Ford when we reach it? This was a stupid idea.
VALENTINE
I’ll get us out of this. Everything will work itself out.
CHLOE ISIS
What are you going to do?
VALENTINE
I don’t know yet, but it will be spectacular.
Enter ERBY carrying a huge pod of bananas over his shoulder.
ERBY
Mister Rubin! Miss Chloe! I bring a present for you.
VALENTINE
What does he have there?
CHLOE ISIS
I don’t know, but I bet it’s delicious.
Mister Rubin! Miss Chloe! I bring a present for you.
VALENTINE
What does he have there?
CHLOE ISIS
I don’t know, but I bet it’s delicious.
ERBY reaches them and drops the pod at their feet.
ERBY
Go ahead. Take one.
VALENTINE
What is it?
ERBY
It is bananas.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s not a banana.
ERBY
Not like any banana you’ve ever seen. Your bananas have large black seeds that jumble in your mouth while you suck at the little bit of meat inside. My people have made your fruit better. It’s long and slim and fits in your hands. The seams split in convenient strips, with the stem as a tab at the top to help open the fruit. Our banana is even sweeter than your banana. Go ahead, try one.
Go ahead. Take one.
VALENTINE
What is it?
ERBY
It is bananas.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s not a banana.
ERBY
Not like any banana you’ve ever seen. Your bananas have large black seeds that jumble in your mouth while you suck at the little bit of meat inside. My people have made your fruit better. It’s long and slim and fits in your hands. The seams split in convenient strips, with the stem as a tab at the top to help open the fruit. Our banana is even sweeter than your banana. Go ahead, try one.
VALENTINE and CHLOE ISIS take individual bananas from the bunches and peel them open. Closeup of CHLOE ISIS holding the banana in front of her face with a slightly disgusted look on her face.
ERBY
I beg of you, my lady, you won’t regret.
I beg of you, my lady, you won’t regret.
VALENTINE bites half the banana at once and chews slowly at first.
ERBY
Our banana doesn’t have even one seed.
CHLOE ISIS
How do you grow more?
NARRATOR
Valentine was pleased.
ERBY
You like it, Mister. Now you see why this place is called Banana Island.
VALENTINE
Because you grow bananas here?
ERBY
Special bananas.
VALENTINE
(To CHLOE)
That was my first guess.
ERBY
My cousin fries these at her house down the trail. She would like you to try some. Then her son will help us sail on to the Ox Ford.
VALENTINE
We don’t have time for dinner! We have to get moving. It’s half-way dark already.
ERBY
Mister, I must confess, the man you seek is very dangerous, and I am not quick to go there alone.
VALENTINE
What do you mean, dangerous? It’s a junk shop.
ERBY
Mister, this man was the Dark Man.
CHLOE ISIS
What does that mean?
ERBY
The Emperor’s most trusted general. Grent Ophalius. If this man is who we think he may be, I do not know why he now lives in the company of my people in the land we control. I want to see this for myself before I notify Lord Altemont.
CHLOE ISIS
You can’t tell anyone about him! This is a secret mission.
VALENTINE
I won’t answer questions.
ERBY
If this man is the Dark Man, there will be none asked. Come this way up to the house. Take a banana.
CHLOE ISIS
What did he do? Is the Dark Man dangerous?
ERBY
Even without an army behind him he could sweep away his enemies like so much chaff. It was the Dark Man who broke the yolk of the Illithred, though Konakarse took the credit. He was not afraid to kill and destroy what stood between his troops and his goals. When captured residence went into uprising, the Dark Man flattened entire neighborhoods with his mind and ordered his troops to burn whatever remained standing. You can understand my surprise that you seek to visit him, and the reasoning for my secrecy.
NARRATOR
The jungle pressed close on both sides near the entrance, but the path was cleared out not much further in, mud stamped thick for many generations. Voices and banging came from ahead, and a clearing opened in the jungle barely large enough for a small, ramshackle house and a tiny bit of sunshine to look through the canopy on a wrought iron fence holding in a small pond. A thin, wiry troll had folded himself in a broken chair on the porch.
CHLOE ISIS
What’s in the cage?
Our banana doesn’t have even one seed.
CHLOE ISIS
How do you grow more?
NARRATOR
Valentine was pleased.
ERBY
You like it, Mister. Now you see why this place is called Banana Island.
VALENTINE
Because you grow bananas here?
ERBY
Special bananas.
VALENTINE
(To CHLOE)
That was my first guess.
ERBY
My cousin fries these at her house down the trail. She would like you to try some. Then her son will help us sail on to the Ox Ford.
VALENTINE
We don’t have time for dinner! We have to get moving. It’s half-way dark already.
ERBY
Mister, I must confess, the man you seek is very dangerous, and I am not quick to go there alone.
VALENTINE
What do you mean, dangerous? It’s a junk shop.
ERBY
Mister, this man was the Dark Man.
CHLOE ISIS
What does that mean?
ERBY
The Emperor’s most trusted general. Grent Ophalius. If this man is who we think he may be, I do not know why he now lives in the company of my people in the land we control. I want to see this for myself before I notify Lord Altemont.
CHLOE ISIS
You can’t tell anyone about him! This is a secret mission.
VALENTINE
I won’t answer questions.
ERBY
If this man is the Dark Man, there will be none asked. Come this way up to the house. Take a banana.
CHLOE ISIS
What did he do? Is the Dark Man dangerous?
ERBY
Even without an army behind him he could sweep away his enemies like so much chaff. It was the Dark Man who broke the yolk of the Illithred, though Konakarse took the credit. He was not afraid to kill and destroy what stood between his troops and his goals. When captured residence went into uprising, the Dark Man flattened entire neighborhoods with his mind and ordered his troops to burn whatever remained standing. You can understand my surprise that you seek to visit him, and the reasoning for my secrecy.
NARRATOR
The jungle pressed close on both sides near the entrance, but the path was cleared out not much further in, mud stamped thick for many generations. Voices and banging came from ahead, and a clearing opened in the jungle barely large enough for a small, ramshackle house and a tiny bit of sunshine to look through the canopy on a wrought iron fence holding in a small pond. A thin, wiry troll had folded himself in a broken chair on the porch.
CHLOE ISIS
What’s in the cage?
CHLOE ISIS runs to the cage and looks in. Med shot looking up as her smile turns to a frown.
CHLOE ISIS
What a poor little guy.
What a poor little guy.
ERBY joins her, followed by VALENTINE
ERBY
That, Mister Rubin, is the creature I told you of.
That, Mister Rubin, is the creature I told you of.
Insert of a small, skinny alligator perched on a rock in the thin beam of sun.
VALENTINE
We were supposed to be scared of that?
ERBY
Oh no, the creatures that live in the river are much bigger than you. This is only a baby, maybe a year old.
CHLOE ISIS
Do you ever let it out?
ERBY
They cannot let it out, or it would run away. These creatures do not enjoy the company of men.
VALENTINE
What does it eat?
ERBY
The children on the island feed it fish and lizards. If you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s so sad.
ERBY
This way, please.
NARRATOR
On the front porch, the wiry troll had stood up to shake their hands.
ERBY
This is my cousin Stefan. He does not speak your language, but he is pleased to meet you. He will be accompanying us down the river after dinner.
CHLOE ISIS
Does Stefan fry the Bananas?
ERBY
No, that is my cousin Sala. She is inside right now. Let us go eat.
MALLIK (OS)
You ain’t eating anything, so why don’t you come over here.
NARRATOR
That is when Chloe and Valentine first met Mallik. The fan of tentacles beneath his long brown cloak undulated like a mass of worms moving him along. Neither could see his face.
CHLOE ISIS
Who are you?
MALLIK
I’m the guy whose gonna take you back to Altemont. Then we’ll figger out exactly what these Glithvals are looking for in our fair city.
ERBY
He is Mallik.
MALLIK
I thought I told you to be quiet. That’s really only got one meaning where I come from. Now, if you don’t mind, kiddies. We’re gonna start walking back to the river and hope to attract some attention.
NARRATOR
With two wet tentacles, Mallik prodded Chloe and Valentine back to the trail. Chloe winced at Mallik’s touch. Erby and Stefan followed.
We were supposed to be scared of that?
ERBY
Oh no, the creatures that live in the river are much bigger than you. This is only a baby, maybe a year old.
CHLOE ISIS
Do you ever let it out?
ERBY
They cannot let it out, or it would run away. These creatures do not enjoy the company of men.
VALENTINE
What does it eat?
ERBY
The children on the island feed it fish and lizards. If you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin.
CHLOE ISIS
That’s so sad.
ERBY
This way, please.
NARRATOR
On the front porch, the wiry troll had stood up to shake their hands.
ERBY
This is my cousin Stefan. He does not speak your language, but he is pleased to meet you. He will be accompanying us down the river after dinner.
CHLOE ISIS
Does Stefan fry the Bananas?
ERBY
No, that is my cousin Sala. She is inside right now. Let us go eat.
MALLIK (OS)
You ain’t eating anything, so why don’t you come over here.
NARRATOR
That is when Chloe and Valentine first met Mallik. The fan of tentacles beneath his long brown cloak undulated like a mass of worms moving him along. Neither could see his face.
CHLOE ISIS
Who are you?
MALLIK
I’m the guy whose gonna take you back to Altemont. Then we’ll figger out exactly what these Glithvals are looking for in our fair city.
ERBY
He is Mallik.
MALLIK
I thought I told you to be quiet. That’s really only got one meaning where I come from. Now, if you don’t mind, kiddies. We’re gonna start walking back to the river and hope to attract some attention.
NARRATOR
With two wet tentacles, Mallik prodded Chloe and Valentine back to the trail. Chloe winced at Mallik’s touch. Erby and Stefan followed.
FADE OUT on MALLIK laughing.
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