- FADE IN:
- EXT. TAXIWAY - F-23 IDLING READY - BARELY DAWN NEXT DAY
- Son, Copilot, Waitress, in thick white-gold spacesuits, with personal gear, climb aboard; Flagger with lantern, guide-light-cone, waits, watching…
- INT. F-23
- POV: Son waves: Flagger backs-- clearing them for flight…
- F-23 REVS UP… Turns,-- and taxies out to the runway …
- EXT. RUNWAY START END, F-23 hot to trot
- F-23 taxis-up … turns, REVS HARD and accelerates quickly … Down-runway passes the lake … Takes-off fast-up and away …
- CUT TO:
- EXT. HIGH OPEN SKY - F-23 COMES - A GLINT AMID DARK BLUE
- Rushes-in silent before its exhaust plume… 3 sec./1.4 mi.
- EXT. F-23 CANOPY (CLOSE)
- ONE-SHOT: Son, Copilot, Waitress, intent ready, She's eyes-wide sitting on the big-grinning Copilot's lap.
- FLASHES BY-- SONIC BOOM, and ROARS ahead, AFTERBURNER PLUMES BILLOWING… 3 sec./1.4 mi.
- And slowly ARCS UP for outer space …
- CUT TO:
- EXT. HOTEL MEO FINISHED OUTSIDE, ROLLING IN SPACE ORBIT
- Earth looms 106 deg. at 1000 mi. altitude. The 100 m dia. 20 m wide space-station casino-roulettish plate-wheel with panel-lighted red and black sectors and moss-green annulus rolls upright 30 sec./rotation edge-on, orbiting the Earth dayside and nightside in 2 hours. F-23 arrives outside the wheel-center … pauses … and disconnects the elevator car …
- VERNIER SPURTS to synchronous roll… And proceeds to the 20 m dia. central corridor (like 2001: A Space Odyssey) …
- INT. F-23, ROLLING SYNCHRONIZED - APPROACHING HOTEL SHINE
- HUD: BLEEPING IMAGES scoping on the hotel dock, guide them… Faceplates dark chic black-gold, faces just discernible;
WAITRESS
- (exults)
- It's gorgeous!-- Who'd have thought of building a casino-royale in outer space?!
COPILOT
- The professor did.
WAITRESS
- Figures, It'd take one to calculate the risks involved…!- But, Who can afford to gamble, after buying passage to outer space?!
COPILOT
- (nonchalant)
- Kings … presidents … billionaires … multi-millionaires … politicians … It's really quite inexpensive once you get the hang of it…. Professor figures that space-tourists will go home and tell their friends how risky it was,- But it's not really… so we add a little to exaggerate their conversation: It gives them something Earthy exciting to talk about, in dull moments…
WAITRESS
- (inserts emphasis)
- When they can tear themselves away from the view!
COPILOT
- (cozies a story-example)
- They'll say to their millionaire friends, I lost fifteen-thousand dollars but that's piddly compared to the fifty-thousand for my month stay; And their friends will marvel at the price, and say, Wasn't that risking your life? And they'll say, What's life, if I didn't go there and do that?- Life is the big-fish-story sea-monster that got away….
WAITRESS
- (detects)
- Yeah… And I could have been Captain of a Starship but for this…!
COPILOT
- That's the spirit!
WAITRESS
- That sounds so commercial.
COPILOT
- That's the idea!
WAITRESS
- That's not the way I meant it--
- (invents)
- Why don't you provide them deep-space bungee-jumping?!
COPILOT
- (marvels for all)
- Now there's a thought…!
- Sunlight DIMS and FACEPLATES CLEAR-UP as the F-23 nudges into the darker station main-axle docking corridor…
WAITRESS
- How many rooms does the hotel have?
COPILOT
- (commercial)
- … Fifty, Royal Suites, One,-hundred Presidential Suites, Three,-hundred Astronomial Suites occupying twelve lower floors: All with bubble views of the Earth, moon and outer space: North-or-southside…. Three more top floors hold Administrative, Central Air Conditioning, and Security. Two luxury dining and show rooms on the outer perimeter… are for the guests to eat-and-swallow in comfort … The Casino-Royale, is topless…
WAITRESS (CU)
- (clips incredulous)
- Topless--!?!
COPILOT
- (honest)
- The walls rise all fifteen… floors, converging at the core,-- without a ceiling: It lets Security watch the gambling and do dazzling drop-ins.
WAITRESS
- (slightly persuaded)
- Yeeah-- you, and the Internet!
COPILOT
- We have, T-3 Internet connectivity, by satellite-- but we block-out the gambling websites for the guests.
WAITRESS
- (re-interested)
- Yeah…?
- INT. F-23 / EXT. AIR-LOCK IN VISI-SHROUD - (CONTINUOUS)
- With gear ready, Copilot prepares to open the canopy,
- Final-checks all faces--
- Waitress is holding a faceful of breath tightly…
COPILOT
- You don't have to hold your breath: That's only in American movies.
- The CANOPY UNLOCKS AND OPENS…
WAITRESS (CU)
- (face deflates WITH HISS)
- Pffffssss.
- (recovers)
- Oh,-- I didn't know that!
- They exeunt via the--
- INT. DOCKING AIR-LOCK - STRIP-LIGHTS (NEAR CONTINUOUS)
- Bracing tottering, each footing a different sidewall-floor of stickum strips running the short narrow length;
- Son enters last … And reactivates the air-lock:--
- EXTERIOR HATCH CLOSES….
- LOCK LATCHES,-- pressure-refilling HISS … and stops.
- Copilot opens the inner Portal…
- Tottering, They exeunt inward…
- EXT. EXTERIOR ELEVATOR, GONDOLA DESCENDING (OUTWARD) - STARS
- They marvel the universe from the 40 m gondola ride …
- Stop at the perimeter … and turn and enter the portal …
- INT. SUIT-CHANGE ROOM, PERIMETER - (NEAR CONTINUOUS)
- Prograde arrows spot the walls. Son seals the hatch….
- They hang helmets and unsuit to work-jumpsuits, except Waitress only starts unzipping:
WAITRESS
- (shakes coif from helmet)
- Well, that was a blast all the way!
- The guys smile mutual agreement.
- She test-straightens hair, and nods at new advisements:
COPILOT
- Just be careful of the artificial gravity around the hotel: It's only one-quarter gee out-here on the perimeter, and gets down to zero-gee uup-elevator where we were at top-dead-center:- which is really the middlest of all.
- POV: Copilot: SHE EYES HIM in her pocket mirror…
COPILOT (CONT'D POV)
- You won't notice much difference unless you jump or run around,-- Which necessitates one more word of
- (points)
- advisement: The arrows on the wall:
- FOLLOW: HER EYES (REFL)-- to the ARROWS on the wall:
COPILOT (POV CONT'D)
- That's called, Station-prograde: Never run, against, the arrows!-- That's called, Station-retrograde: You'll lose your balance and fly into a wall;-- Walk, instead!
WAITRESS (REFL)
- (looks askance)
- Curious rules of the road scholar…?
COPILOT
- We use artificial gravity created by spinning the hotel around its main axle: Run with, the arrows!- You'll feel heavier: It's safer: You'll get used to it.
WAITRESS
- (to him; slowly unzips)
- Why do they call this a, station,
- (nonstop slowly)
- if we are never standing still…?!
COPILOT
- (diverting shrugs: edgy)
- Habit, I guess: They do it, say it, in all the, American, movies, in space.
WAITRESS
- (holds up outfit bag)
- Speaking of, habits: I'm three-eighths prude, and I didn't bring my jumpsuit: Just my wait-dress: And I need a loo, and a change.
SON
- (points to corridor)
- The second door on the left: It's designated, Women's; but there's no tub: only a shower…. Your own room is number W-double-Oh-4 this level.
WAITRESS
- (puzzles decorum, exits)
- Thank you;- I thought you were more down-homey British, if not American camp-y: That was thoughtful of you:
- (out, considering)
- The second, door: On, the left…
- (receding, EXITS)
- Double-U… Double-Oh… Four…
COPILOT
- (puzzling to Son)
- Second door?- Not the first?
SON
- (counters to Copilot)
- On the left?- Not the right?
- Mutual shrug,- and exeunt a different direction.
- INT. WAITRESS' BEDROOM "W004" - FULL SOFT LIT
- 10x25 ft. French Provincial motif pastel-blue. Black-lined white-carpet (like 2001: A Space Odyssey), Sidewall closet, Balloon furniture (like Space 1999). Waitress in her outfit adds spacer extras: jeweled Hotel-emblem-embroidered halter (dexter-orbited red janus-bird set in roulette wheel), Gran Fenwijk gold shirt-pin, soft sticky-bottom shoes;
- As she finishes … a man-SHADOW crosses side-ground fore and back to exit.
WAITRESS
- (notices a beat)
- Hello-- What…?!
- (checks to CLOSET-LIGHT)
- Who's there?
- (and heads into closet)
- Answer me!
- Room door soft-CLICKS CLOSED… She gives chase, and out--
- EXT. EMPTY HALL - nobody there
- She steps around the door to see all-- and circumspectly…
WAITRESS
- (looking, sotto voce)
- Major, -peeping,- Toms…!
- (then--the door sign)
- Woofer…!
- ON: Her door number "W004"-- as the DOOR SOFT-SLAMS shut… She's already quick-back-inside…
- CUT TO:
- INT. A CORRIDOR - WELL LIT
- Waitress, Son, Copilot, stroll-- passing various WORKERS, whose space-work-suits bulge around a diaper;
- A CD PLAYS Dance Music in a doorway ahead (Ooh Ahh, Just A Little Bit, with Gina G);
- They near and pass 2 ELECTRICIANS testing wall circuitry:
ELECTRICIAN-1
- (paused probing)
- I keep forgetting: Red is,…
ELECTRICIAN-2
- Red is positive-- like sweet red raspberries;…
ELECTRICIAN-1
- And black, is negative,…
ELECTRICIAN-2
- (nods)
- … like a dark, and stormy night.
ELECTRICIAN-1
- That's more confusing than reversing charges on the books: Positive is charcoal black, and negative is blood red.
ELECTRICIAN-2
- Well, yeah: Accounting is the flip side of electrical engineering.
ELECTRICIAN-1
- Oh. That helps.
WAITRESS
- (restrained to Son)
- Do you have ghosts on this space platform?
SON
- Television signal ghosts?
WAITRESS
- I was thinking more of the shadowy scary kind: As in, 'Boooo'!
SON
- I don't think we have either: It's not on the guest entertainment selector. Try the Shore Movies index: there might be something on one of the English channels; We have Satellite TV, --which I might add, took a lot of work, because we're faster than most TV satellite orbits;-- Do you think it's important?
WAITRESS
- Well, It might be: I thought I saw one in my bedroom: I couldn't find a reason for it…. And by the way, I really like the decor: Did you hire a decorator?
COPILOT
- We copied all the space-movies from America and England.
WAITRESS
- (amused)
- Oh.
- CD BLEATS ANEW-- energy (L.O.V.E., by E-rotic, unto talk 0:00-55 PG-13-lyrics-redubbed: "[fun] on the beach")--
- Waitress gives Son an I-like-your-kingdom foreshadowy look…
- AT THE DOORWAY:
- They stop and look-in on the busy CARPENTRY CREW: one wears his diaper outside his suit, dance-wiggling to the tune;
- FOREMAN BALZAC at the back, Alerts, Turns and approaches;
- A DRILLER poised balanced over his level table-piece, loses his footing-- slowly rotating 360's…
WAITRESS
- (amused)
- What's with him?
COPILOT
- (grins)
- He dotes on the younger Madonna-- but he is, a good worker.
WAITRESS
- We have those in America, too.
FOREMAN
- (approaches, reports)
- Master: The work goes well: The men have but one gripe.
SON
- Speak, Balzac.
FOREMAN
- Someone among us is stealing food from our plates: We have enough to eat, but this sows distrust: We do not know which one of us is the thief.
COPILOT
- (lows)
- A ghooost…
SON
- (overrides, directs)
- Balzac: This is your head-Waitress: She will make sure that you all get enough to eat,-- and maybe she can find your thief.
FOREMAN
- Very good, master.
- (returns to work)
COPILOT
- A ghost of a chance.
SON
- When the ghost shows, it'll be to her credit; and they'll watch after her and help if she needs it.
- (to Copilot)
- And we've got to get back to Earth before party-time curfew.
- (to Waitress)
- Sorry, we couldn't have you at the Duchess' birthday party tonight, but it's strictly Royal flush; Will you be all right?
WAITRESS
- (tentative nods)
- Yes;-- I'll watch for the gobblin' thief; Your men are reliable?
SON
- Yes… not accounting for a spook.
- Son and Copilot walk-on quickly … and exeunt…
WAITRESS
- (cheerily)
- And, Happy Birthday!
- She strolls-on … passing guestrooms … Stops, northside…
- Looks about, checks the door to a guestroom, and enters--
- INT. FURNISHED GUESTROOM - DIM, BUBBLE WINDOWS EARTH LIT
- Earth loops afar. She cell-radios via [SULTRY] female voice to [Senator] Daddy audible in the extremely-quiet room:
- RADIO CONNECTS:
[SULTRY] (FILTERED)
- Hello!
WAITRESS
- (quiet to radio)
- Senator Rebush, please-- Xanadu, calling.
[SULTRY] (FILTERED)
- One moment, please!
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Hello, Dolly?
WAITRESS
- (works-up)
- Daddy: I'm on-board: This is real: This is really here: They're really building it: Daddy: I'm scared!
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- It's all right, baby doll-- I've been scared, too: You're alive and well: That's important to me.
WAITRESS
- Yes, Daddy: But this place has ghosts-- that eat people's dinners: I'm scared.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Now, baby-doll: This is a man's world: You stay calm, And let the men be scared!
WAITRESS
- (and calms)
- Yes, Daddy,-- okay.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Any idea what the ghost looks like?
WAITRESS
- No: Nobody has seen the ghost yet;- I saw a shadow; But the men suspect each other: And none has confessed.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Okay: Sounds like the Sports Club on hearing the first cuckoo vote in Spring. What-about your hosts?
WAITRESS
- They're both nice: the Duchess' son and his copilot; --a little funny too;-- and their workers seem okay.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Is that funny, hah-hah-- or funny, strange?!
WAITRESS
- (smiles at last)
- Funny like, British humor:- they're both sincere.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- (a beat)
- British, hungh?! This'll drum-up percussions at NATO round-table: I'll shoe-up for tap-dancing to keep the U-N out-of their snare-- symbolically, of course.
WAITRESS
- (worries)
- Do you think I can handle this alone: Maybe I need a busboy? Or maybe I should quit this new waitress job, and come right home.
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Stick with your job commitment, honey-doll: This is good work experience for you: And you'll never match it in the States: especially for WEMA wage on 24-hour standby overtime instead of sub-min and tips. And, I might come up and join you.
WAITRESS
- (hope relives)
- Is that a promise, Daddy? Are you really coming up to visit?!
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Wellll-- I do have to look after my constituents-- and I can stretch that a little to include multi-national business contract sites on foreign territory-- and since I had you S-corporated before hiring your services as my part-time secretary, I think, I can card it through the Budget Office;-- I'll check my current bipartisan voter-swing rating with the President: I should be able to hitch-up and hey-ride with the premier band-wagon to the International Space Station,- then privilege an Orbit Transfer Vehicle for a couple days broken-arrow at your Hotel: They won't miss the tug: That's really what it's for … Well, We'll see, sugar-top.
WAITRESS
- (all smiles again)
- Okay, Daddy-- over and out.
- (giggles)
- Wayyy-out!
[SENATOR] (FILTERED)
- Roger, Dolly-- errr, Xanadu.
[SULTRY] (FILTERED)
- You have heard from, your-Senator A. Kenneth Rebush at work for you on Capitol Hill. Thank you, for calling.
- RADIO DISCONNECTS.
- Turning from the window in time to notice--
- THE DOOR CREAKS slightly, shut;--
WAITRESS
- (notices)
- What do you want?!
- Quick to the door… And opens it to --
- INT./EXT. GUESTROOM - (CONTINUOUS)
- A stark empty corridor; No sound; None.
- CUT TO:
- EXT. F-23 - PARKED OFF RUNWAY - MIDMORNING, DAYS LATER
- Flagger awaits below; Son seated, checks controls; Duchess, then Copilot, fit in the seat behind: he on a seatboard just over her lap, thence eliciting her squirming gasps AD LIB:--
DUCHESS
- (plop-sits)
- Umph!
COPILOT
- (steps-in to sit over)
- I don't really see the difference whether I sit in front of you, or you sit behind me: They're pretty much the same order.
DUCHESS
- (deflects)
- Children, these days--! You take your own mother to outer-space!?
COPILOT
- (squirms-in)
- This would've been easier if they'd configured more seats in the F-23.
SON
- It's only, one: of two-of-a-kind.
COPILOT
- (holds a beat)
- Frankly, that sounds gay.
- (relaxed-cramped fit)
- Ungh!
- (settles a beat)
- All in!
- (Frenchly commits)
- Allohn!
- Son waves-out Ready to fly,--
- Flagger withdraws the ladder, and flags them to move out…
- ENGINES REV UP, F-23 forwards, Turns: taxies to the runway…
- CUT TO:
- EXT. HIGH OPEN SKY - F-23 COMES
- (00:59 -begin late- after key step down)
- Rushes-in silent before its exhaust plume… 5 sec./2.3 mi.
- (01:02 snare loud)
COPILOT (VO)
- (1 sec. pace)
- One hesit…
- Point-five…
- INT. F-23 - (AS CONTINUOUS)
- Three ready: Son, Copilot cramped-in, Duchess pensive,
COPILOT
+SON
- Ro-Torbit…!
- Son pulls stick gently;--
- (01:05 descender)
- F-23 LEANS BACK slowly for the sky …
DUCHESS
- (sotto voce)
- Children's games…
- (01:07 clashes)
DUCHESS
- (gasps)
- 'Ohhh'-- Goodness!
- EXT. F-23 - GOING RO-TORBIT FOR SPACE
- FLASHES BY-- SONIC BOOM, and ROARS …
- (01:09 clear exhilaration)
- AFTERBURNERS PLUMING … far ahead, climbs for outer space …
- (01:16 -quick fade-)
- CUT TO:
- EXT. NASA WHITE SHUTTLE BAY - LEO ORBIT - NIGHTSIDE
- SHUTTLE ARM grapples a shiny-hot-white … hotel-ensigned …
- PASSENGER CANISTER … out … in stark-black-cold space …
- IN TINY WINDOWS: PRESIDENTS, PRIME MINISTERS, AMBASSADORS, ATTACHES, ENTOURAGES, various State business formal suits, packed in chairs, peering out … RUBUS' gladiator-breasting under patent-leather, BUJO's quilted-B&W coat … MAD SURFER in palm-fronds-camouflage coat, fruity-sheen shirt, white pants; Giddy-dressed Astro-stewardesses behind them all …
- JERK … JERK … indicates the Canister is now coupled onto--
- A CHAIN OF CANISTERS, American … Russian … Chinese … train pulled by an Orbital Transfer Vehicle OTV … GLIDE … JERK …
- ZOOM OUT: OTV thrusts-away officially slowly …
- Bay Doors close…
- NOW, SUNLIGHT as they exeunt the nightside terminator …
- DISSOLVE TO:
- INT. HOTEL GRAN MEO - KITCHEN; THE BIG DAY - WELL LIT
- Spaceage-glass: refrigerators, microwave-ovens, pots, pans, service, IR-auto-lamp-range-elements; 2 WAITERS load carts; 3 CHEFS, 7 SOUS; Son, Copilot, in maitre-d' hotel-emblemed formal whites, sample foods and advise Waitress of guests:
SON
- (new business demeanor)
- Okay-- now: The Duchess is aboard:- She's first priority:-- Everything, revolves around the Duchess: games, guests, dinners, shows, television-PIPs, channels, options, restroom vacancies … Clocks--!
WAITRESS
- Got it: Duchess replaces main axle.
SON
- (incredulous to Waitress)
- Nnngh?
WAITRESS
- (shirks No)
- Humor,-- just humor.
COPILOT
- (finger-demonstrates, and laughs-it-up to TEARS…)
- Re-volves…!
- B.G. GATED ELEVATOR: 2 Waiters come up with 2 empty carts…
SON
- (watches a beat)
- The last guests are arriving within the half hour:-- the Russian Prime Minister Pudin and the American President Butch are already here.
WAITRESS
- (brightens quietly)
- Daddy!
SON
- (to Waitress)
- Hungh?
WAITRESS
- (repairs)
- Just thinking menus out-loud….
SON
- (business quick)
- Kitchen-event begins with the Grand Uupinning gathering in the Grand Bouffe Lobby: You have one minute for the major Presidents to be introduced: They wander-in and talk … Then the Duchess is ushered away from the lesser Presidents and Pre-freshments are announced; She meets them all for fifteen minutes. Then we seat them at the banquet tables… She stands and welcomes them, -that is her prerogative,- And sits.
- B.G. 2 Waiters take their 2 ready carts down the Elevator; Copilot wiping smiley tears, Finger-up on "my assistant":
SON (CONT'D)
- Then, her personal First Waitor takes the first sample bite, Smiles and exults. Then you Head Waitress, take the second bite, -Smile!- And pronounce the excellence of your Chef: He will be standing with you, And takes his honorary dip. Then my assistant, takes a bite, smiles and extols the virtue of the harvest of the Duchy of Gran Fenwijk in its splendor and glory. Then, I explain and take last-bite, and extol the Duchess and her reign. Then, She, samples her own and ponders it and either nods or digs-in, if you know what I mean. Then-- everyone eats; and the waiters roll-on the first course.
- (direct)
- Is your kitchen ready?
WAITRESS
- (astro-talk)
- Roger: Kitchen is go-for-go.
SON
- (a beat)
- Okay.
- (hushes to Copilot)
- Let's get out there, now: We've got twenty minutes to find the Duchess, first:
- (to Waitress)
- She tends to wander the palace too… Good woman.
- He EXITS… Copilot still wiping, smiles, and EXITS…
- Waitress check-tidies ready trays … and exits too--
- INT. VACANT CORRIDOR - WARM DECOR, WARMLY LIT
- Waitress STROLLS PROGRADE; Duchess in space-regalia, coming retrograde, recognizes her only from the Senator's Office--
DUCHESS
- (strolling, halts)
- You!
WAITRESS
- (halts, equals)
- Me!
DUCHESS
- (scrutinizing)
- You look like the secret-airy of the States!
WAITRESS
- (imitative self-inspects)
- Oh: Do I look like I'm airing State secrets?
- (flat-hand on belly)
- I suppose I do at that….
DUCHESS
- (imitative enunciation)
- The United, States, of America.
WAITRESS
- (still to belly)
- Mostly, yes.
DUCHESS
- (walks-on; to self)
- I ponder how this is all going to work out.
- HOLD CU: Waitress puzzled, eyes quarter-following, as--
DUCHESS (OC)
- (beyond view)
- Oh: I feel so light-headed!
- Waitress' eyes widened, and to--
- INCLUDE: PROGRADE ARROW,
WAITRESS
- (turns full, worried)
- No…!?!
DUCHESS
- (flap-wave-waddles)
- … Quack … Quack-quack … Quack …
WAITRESS
- (shakes No, sotto voce)
- Couldn't be….
- She turns forward again and walks-on …
- NEXT MOMENT: Son and Copilot approach retrograde, seeking Duchess with quick urgence:
COPILOT
- (to Son)
- How many floors could she be, on, at the same time…?--
- (gradually to forward)
- Maybe we should split-up:
- (slows-up; puzzles)
- If it doesn't … hurt … ?
- Waitress imitating flap-wave-waddle, hand-motions rearward.
- Son, Copilot, nod Understood;- and hurry-on past;
- Waitress bemused that it's all so normal, walks-on …
- NEXT MOMENT: Approaching retrograde are Presidents BOKOR of Hungary and KRZAK of Poland, in perukes, strolling, AD LIB; Military Attache Entourage, HIGH-TECH AK's drawn, grunting, slinking, leapfrogging along the walls, scanning walls and doors, scan-probing openings … she halts and watches…
- A GUNNER checks her with a handheld 'nude'-scanner (PG-13):
- SCANNER CHIRPS at her sub-decolletage-jewel, and--
- READS: "$2499.95"
WAITRESS
- (shakes-mouthes-smiles)
- No.
- Gunner scans to belly, legs, feet … and leaves… catching-up with his team: She watches them disappear,- and walks-on …
- NEXT MOMENT: She comes upon the ANGEL-in-whites, furtively trying his tokens on a door: Not dangerous nor wanted, he's a wiry dark-tanned corporate executive rather stressed-cool believing he's still playing Capitol-eXtremes Games. Other peruked presidents and entourages meander past AD LIB.
ANGEL
- (notices, turns abruptly)
- You!
WAITRESS
- (not-surprised)
- Me.
ANGEL
- (stands warily)
- I know, you: I've seen you: You're that, secretary-- in the United States of America.
WAITRESS
- (conceits)
- Yes: I am that Secretary in the United States of America…
- (retones)
- Are you one of the guests…?!
ANGEL
- (prioritizes)
- Your people have abducted me: You're the invasion lead-in force!
WAITRESS
- (put off)
- Meee? Nooo: Do I look like I would be doing abductions? Are you sure,
- (KEYS HIP CELLPHONE)
- you're supposed, to be here…?!
ANGEL
- (eyeing her finger)
- Your Senior Guide at the Capitol, gave me some of your token-coins:
- (shows bag)
- He said, these will be useful when your-people take-over all the games in the world:-- He said these are self-appreciating…!
WAITRESS
- (concerned)
- My senior, guide;- I don't believe we've met….
ANGEL
- He said, I should find you again, before you return to your home-planet.
WAITRESS
- (plays along)
- Ahhh-- that, senior guide: Well, we aren't going just yet: Perhaps you would make yourself at ease while you are here; Do you have a name…?
ANGEL
- A name-- do I have a name: Earth-people have names-- and living up here has been anything but easy: There's utterly nothing to do, but eat and sleep-- and spin these token-coins.
WAITRESS
- Where are you getting food?
ANGEL
- Someone makes dinner for me; I don't know who.
WAITRESS
- I seeee; And how did you get here? Did you come up with one of the presidential entourages…?
ANGEL
- I-- don't remember-- I was playing a video-computer game with a chance date at Capitol-eXtremes Games-- in the Pennsylvania Arcade, one stop down from the White House,-- and woke-up here … I was sipping an
- (reason slowly returning)
- icy cider, last I recall….
WAITRESS
- There's no Arcade games room on that end of Pennsylvania Avenue….
- Son, Copilot, return retrograde; and connive to hide him:
SON
+COPILOT
- (arriving)
- What's up?
WAITRESS
- I've found our dinner-ghost, the eater….
SON
- Does look like it.
- (direct to her)
- The Duchess is pacing the Reception Hall; the last of the Presidents have arrived in central docking; and we'll be starting momentarily: If she paces too long she may spill into the corridors again: We need to find something for her to do, to keep her occupied.
- (re: him)
- Is he, any trouble?
WAITRESS
- I don't know: I don't think so: He seems to be following events from a different point of view-- talks too much: a bank-executive-on-leave I'd guess: He seems, harmless.
SON
- He must have stowed-away on the OSHA Hotel-Inspection Sign-Off Shuttle-mission two days before we brought you.
- (direct)
- You'd best get the kitchen on Standby; We'll be along in a moment.
WAITRESS
- (alien-salutes and EXITS)
- Yes-- Commander Grok-nic!
SON
- (puzzles at Copilot)
- Commander…? Grok-nic…?
COPILOT
- (plays along)
- I think-- she is too intelligent a species for this job, Grok-nic: The translation, is-- Know-it-all of Internet-domains.
ANGEL
- (reason regained!)
- Yes! That's it!- You've infiltrated the worldwide Internet through its games!-- You're taking-over the entire financial institution of the globe: That's what's going-on here: You're a satellite control outpost: You've captured Earth's presidents and brought them up here for your monetary stratagems;-- Which sides are you scheming-with?!- Russian…?
SON
- (interrupts)
- Would you like to see the games?
ANGEL
- (2 beat calms, devises)
- I suppose, I would… Yes: I might thereby figure out your fiscal gambit, and win back the world governments from ultimate pecuniary domination: Where are your games? Are they on this base?
SON
- (hand-guides his elbow and leads away)
- Yes: Come this way.
ANGEL
- (goes confidently)
- Yes, sir, Commander Grok-nic; And you'll never get away with your schemes: America will resist your efforts to the end, sir.
- Copilot with the cock of an eyebrow, and a shrug, follows…
SON
- Do you have a name?
ANGEL
- (captured-proud)
- Yes: The name, is, Notro, van Salochin-- from the United States of America;-- The rank is Colonel, Retired-- Fourteen years in the U.S. Army: Serial Number-5-1-2-2-…
- (a distant beat, loud)
- The Chinese!…? Indians…? Off-shore Investors…? The Committee of Three Hundred…? The Board of Directors…? Ohhh-- You people arrre, clever--!
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