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Jungle Life
by Trenton Harbour
copyright (c) 2002 Trenton Harbour
FADE IN:
EXT. SMALL ISLAND OFF OF OAHU -- DAY
The jungle is thick, heavily wooded, almost dark... illuminated by streaks of light.
O.S. we here GIGGLES. Two mischievous BOYS no older than, 10, race across the dense jungle.
RICHARD
You're gonna trip, Bobby.
BOBBY
Last one down has to row back to shore.
RICHARD
No way. I rowed once already.
Bobby races behind a tree cluster, out of sight.
RICHARD
Last one down has to...
An overhanging tree limb see's Richard before he does... Slamming him to the jungle's floor.
RICHARD
Ouch.
Disoriented, Richard touches his lacerated forehead then discovers an old bone next to him, he grabs it, stands to his quivering feet.
RICHARD
(eyeing the bone, inspired)
Cannibals.
Streaming rays of light intensify, blinding him. A ghostly image of an ANCIENT HAWAIIAN WARRIOR forms before his eyes.
WARRIOR GHOST
Dickey.
RICHARD
What's going on?
WARRIOR GHOST
I am Molokai. Great leader, powerful warrior, handsome...
RICHARD
Am I dreaming?
WARRIOR GHOST
No. You are interrupting. I'm flattering myself.
From the look on Richard's face we wonder if he's hallucinating.
WARRIOR GHOST
Very well. Richard Renae Fossil...
This gets his attention.
WARRIOR GHOST
..there is no other like you. It is your duty..
RICHARD
..my duty?
WARRIOR GHOST
...Your mission in life is to find the Sorcerer's Cup and summon me into existence.
RICHARD
A treasure?
WARRIOR GHOST
More than a treasure, Dickey. You must find it and you will have more power than the God you pray to on your knees every night.
RICHARD
(stepping forward)
Powers? But where do I..
WARRIOR GHOST
Follow your instincts, Dickey.
The Ghost slowly fizzles away.
RICHARD
Quit calling me Dickey.
WARRIOR GHOST
And put down my leg.
Richard gazes to the bone in his hand, gross, tosses it.
WARRIOR GHOST
Go, Richard. Discover.
Slowly turning his head down hill, a courageous gleam in his eyes.
RICHARD
(hand to his wound, realizing)
Powers... Bobby!
FADE OUT:
45 YEARS LATER
INT. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - ANTHROPOLOGY CLASS -- DAY
Professor Richard Fossil, 54, grown up. Still baring the scare on his forehead. Teaching... to a group of thirty plus students. A projector shoots an image of an artifact cup on the wall.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
In Ancient Hawaii, sorcery was one of the strongest forces in shaping the life and character of the Hawaiian people.
(pointing out the cup)
Sorcery was commonly practiced through the use of a Sacred Cup. This cup was believed to be possessed by the spirit of powerful ancestors.
An oversized HAWAIIAN MAN raises his hand.
HAWAIIAN MAN
Does this cup have a name?
Professor Fossil turns to the class. Beat.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
The Sorcerer's Cup. Although some say it's merely a legend. Which we assume is true. Many have journeyed to Coco Mountain only to come back empty handed. Or with no hand at all.
We see a long table with a variety of artifacts about it. Pictures around the table show us how these artifacts were used in ancient Hawaiian times.
Professor Fossil steps to his lectern... the lights go up.
Two students, a cute GUY and cute GIRL, in the seats, break from a partial cuddle.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Which brings us to your final projects..
(looks to the artifacts)
Your artifacts. Most of your digs were a success. Some baring significant value.
We cut to the two cute students: meet BEN GOODFELLOW, 22, handsome yet filled with ambition. He smiles and we see SUZIE FOSSIL, attractive, 22, staring up at him with puppy dog eyes.
BEN
This final is so in the bag. Your smile makes me melt.
Now at the artifact table is JAY BOOKER also 22, black, dressing perfect with a sparkling smile, a lady's man. He hands a pot to PAT CARVER aka GAY, 21 and a genius... his clothes are so bright he glows. Oh, he also talks very fast.
JAY
No, dog, this one's yours. I'm sure of it.
Gay hands him back the pot. He talks with his hands, idiosyncrasies of a female.
GAY
No,'dog', I know this is yours because I like saw you make it in pottery class.
The class SNICKERS. Jay looks to Gay as if he really did make it.
JAY
Yo, man. Shut up.
GAY
I'm only kidding.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Of course.
Professor Fossil looks to BEN AND SUZIE, noticeably flirting.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Why don't you boys take a seat and figure it out.
Gay and Jay make their way to the seats, Jay trips Gay.
JAY
Watch your step.
GAY
Jerk off.
More SNICKERS.
BEN AND SUZIE
SUZIE
I don't have any plans for spring break either.
BEN
Well, I can take care of that.
Together they smile... growing interest for each other.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Ben Goodfellow.
BEN
But you are the professor's daughter.
Suzie's dims. Ben gazes up to the professor.
BEN
But I like it.
Suzie radiates.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Why don't you bring your artifact up. I fail to see it before me. Or do you plan on failing?...again.
Ben stands with a box, one last smile to Suzie. Professor Fossil shifts uncomfortably. Ben makes his way to the table.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Look, class, Mr. Goodfellow found a box.
Class GIGGLES. Suzie SIGHS at her father.
BEN
(sets in on the table)
Yeah, how much do you think it's worth? It's a mango box. I hear they go for more than a pineapple box.
Class GIGGLES... So does Suzie.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Alright, just open the box!
BEN
Irritated are we?
Ben opens the box.
BEN
(to class)
Class are you ready?
Nothing.
BEN
I said, are you ready?
Jay leads them in cheer.
CLASS
Yes! Yeah! Hoots!
Professor Fossil looks on in nervous anticipation.
Ben pulls out a vase. Not just any vase. It's a delicate and beauteous artifact. Professor Fossil's eyes bug out... it couldn't be!
BEN
I don't know a whole lot about it, but I know it was once used by the ancient Hawaiians.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It's... may I?
Professor Fossil grabs it, inspects it carefully. Ben mocks him from behind, inspecting it. Class CHUCKLES some more. They love this guy.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Very unique. I wouldn't mind taking it off your hands.
BEN
What about my grade?
Professor Fossil brushes his fingers over an oddly shaped DESIGN on the bottom of it.
BEN
(the vase)
How much is it worth, anyway?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Oh, a few dollars.
BEN
It's an old family heirloom. I can't just sell it.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Better yet, maybe your parents wouldn't mind donating it to the Bishop museum. For the whole world to see.
BEN
Well, I doubt that, Fossil, it's...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It's Professor Fossil, Ben. Now Listen..
Professor Fossil quickly turns to his class.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Talk amongst yourselves. Give me a minute.
HUBBUBS.
INT. BEN'S HOUSE -- DAY
An APPRAISER holds some pictures of the vase, hands it to Ben's parents, BOB and LINDA, 50's.
APPRAISER
You sure that's it?
Bob scans the picture.
BOB
Well, yes, it's right here in the living room.
They all cross to the living room.
APPRAISER
It's value is at minimum fifty grand.
Linda leans to Bob and mouths, "fifty-thousand-dollars."
APPRAISER
Fifty grand is short for fifty-thousand dollars.
He CHUCKLES.
LINDA
(whispering to Bob)
We could save the house.
They all stop.
BOB
(to appraiser)
Fifty-thousand dollars. Are you sure?
Bob leads them on a walk to the cabinet.
APPRAISER
I'm as sure as I know Elvis is dead. You wouldn't have any problem selling it. I have a buyer through the gallery.
Bob looks to Linda, thrilled. Slowly but anxiously opens the cabinet but....
IT'S GONE!
BOB
Oh, God.
Bob GROANS. A long beat.
LINDA
What is it?
Bob's eyeing a paper on the floor next to the cabinet that tells of Ben's Anthropology "Show And Tell" Final.
BOB
We got a problem.
Bob picks up the paper turns to Linda, she reads.
LINDA
Oh, God. Mr. Butterfingers has our future.
EXT. BEN'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY
AN OLD BLUE 60'S MUSTANG
Peels backwards out of the driveway with Bob and Linda inside.
INT. MUSTANG
BOB
That useless fragile vase is the only precious thing that will save our decaying house from that greedy bank.
LINDA
Then step on it, Bobby!
They're off, burning rubber.
INT. ANTHROPOLOGY CLASS -- DAY
The Hawaiian Man from before from his seat.
HAWAIIAN MAN
If it was in the gallery you could charge people to see it. You know, Bro?
BACK TO Professor Fossil AND BEN
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I'll talk to your parents. Bob and I were childhood friends.
Ben takes it from Professor Fossil, who grips it harder.
BEN
I don't think so. Please let go.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You don't just pull it out of my hands.
BEN
It's my vase. Let go, Fossil!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It's Professor Fossil I said! You're making a scene young man.
The class CACKLES the last time.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to class)
Enough!
As they struggle for the vase BEN'S DAD BARGES IN, immediately spots them in the vase tug-of-war... darts to them, nudges Professor Fossil from the vase, giving him a look.
BEN
Dad!
Bob and Ben now grasp it firmly. Bob pulls it to him.
BOB
What are you doing with this?
BEN
(pulling it back)
I'm doing my project.
Bob pulls it back again.
BOB
Oh, no you're not. Let go immediately!
BEN
No!
Ben yanks it out of his hands, it goes flying through the air.
BOB
Noooooooooooooo!
CRASHING TO THE FLOOR, it crumbles into a million pieces. Dreams shattered.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Class evacuates. Suzie, Jay and Gay are motionless, jaw-dropped.
BOB
Do you know the value of that vase?
Ben looks to Professor Fossil then to his dad.
BEN
A few dollars?
BOB
Maybe a few thousand! Try fifty!
BEN
It's your fault for barging in!
BOB
The bank has got a lean on our house. We don't have more than a week to come up with the money. Do you understand!
Ben stumbles to find some words.
BOB
I'm going to kill you. Right after I shoot myself.
BACK TO JAY AND THE GANG
JAY
(standing)
Yo, I'm out of here.
GAY
Me too.
They escape before Suzie can call them back. Professor Fossil, staring Suzie down like prey. Her mug turns to a frown. She exits.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
A long time, Bobby?
BOB
Still chasing your "vision"?
(to Ben)
You let us down, son.
Ben's mom pops into view. Ben saddens.
BOB
You better get used to living like a bum.
Bob takes one last pathetic look at Professor Fossil and exits to Linda. Leaving Ben alone with Professor Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(arrogantly)
Look who doesn't have a project now. But you have a, mango box was it?
Ben is more than dejected, eyes the box.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You'd better find one, Benjamin. Idiot.
Ben looks to him, irritated. Fed up.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Or you are flunking.
(beat)
Irritated are we?
Ben goes into a gaze, possessed by failure. Now in another world, Professor Fossil's words seem so distant, echoing.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(pointing his finger at him)
You have one week. You hear me. After spring break. One week!
INT. BEN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
Partially filled boxes line the hallway. We get the feeling someone's moving out.
Linda disappears into a back room as Bob walks in with a box filled with items.
BOB
(to Linda)
Don't forget the small safety deposit box.
LINDA
Where is it?
Ben makes his appearance.
BEN
Why didn't you tell me about this? I am, your son.
BOB
(to Linda)
Above in the closet.
(to Ben, set's down the box)
Well, it really doesn't matter now does it, Ben?
Bob walks outside. Ben follows him to the...
EXT. POOL
BEN
What the hell happened? Are you a closet gambler? Did you lose your job? If you would have told me about the vase...
Bob starts folding up chairs.
BOB
Don't even mention, the-vase!
BEN
If you wouldn't of barged in!
Bob stops from what he's doing, all attention to Ben.
BOB
You have no idea what it takes to raise two children, put clothes on them, feed them and send them to college!
BEN
Well, I didn't ask to be born. I didn't ask you to buy a two-story house... with a pool!
BOB
I'm not going there with you, Ben.
Bob paces back in to the KITCHEN. Ben follows.
BEN
Dad!?
Bob ignores him, scanning for something.
BOB
Where's is it?
BEN
Dad, I'm talking to you.
Bob spots his briefcase next to the couch.
BOB
Ah ha.
He goes for it.
BEN
Listen to me!!
Linda pops in.
LINDA
I can't find it.
BOB
I said it's in the damn closet!
Ben grows angrier. Picks up a glass, throws it to the floor, finally getting their attention.
BOB
You done with breaking things?
(points to the couch)
Have a seat.
Bob, Linda and Ben take a seat with a view that overlooks the mountains.
LINDA
(looking out the window)
A million dollar view.
BOB
Ben. Let me try and explain this so you'll understand.
Ben listens intently. His parents clasp hands.
BEN
Are we gonna be okay?
BOB
No, Ben.
Bob gazes out the window looking for an answer.
BOB
Maybe it's my fault. Maybe my dream was to raise my kids and give them all that they wanted. Something I never had.
BEN
Dad?
BOB
Maybe I was living a dream too long and now I'm going to pay for it.
BEN
Can't you get a loan or maybe a better paying job?
BOB
We're leveraged at the bank, Ben. They'd laugh at us and no job can save us from the doom we're in now.
Beat. Ben ponders.
BOB
We have a week and we're going to have to move in with your aunt. And that's final.
(to Linda)
What's her name again?
LINDA
Aunt Yvonne.
Ben's eyes light up.
BEN
Aunt Yvonne? No way! I'm not living with her.
They miserably nod, yes. Ben ponders. Beat.
BEN
One week.
Ben stands.
BEN
Just promise me. Promise me you won't move for one week. Promise me.
They say nothing, just frown.
Ben runs to the door.
LINDA
Ben?
Ben turns. His parents stand.
BOB
Where are you going, son?
BEN
I'm going to get your dreams back.
Ben exits. His parents look to each other, puzzled.
LINDA
We promise, Ben.
EXT. OUTDOOR SUSHI BAR - BEACH -- DAY
It's a sushi bar, on the beach, with a great view of the shimmering turquoise bay and BEACH-GOERS. Ben, Jay and Gay chew on some sushi as a SWIMMER swims out.
Ben stares at a HOMELESS BUM in a mango box, shakes his head.
BEN
(to Jay)
Yeah, can you believe it? Right to my face.
JAY
Man, that dude's hurtin' for certain.
GAY
Important thing here is, you stood up to the professor. The look on his face. Humiliation.
BEN
Yeah, well my face and my dad's wasn't too terrific either. Damn it! What am I gonna do?
JAY
Point is, Benji. Our prof's a bigot. Nuttin' else I can say 'bout that.
BEN
I know what the point is. If I don't come up with the money my parents lose everything. And it's all my fault.
In the foreground, a SWIMMER is pulled under... shark attack, she waves her arms and sinks under.
JAY
Maybe nice dip in the bay would cool you off, boy.
BEN
I haven't swam since I rented JAWS.
Jay looks out to the beach, Beach-Goers scuffle from the shore. A look of surprise overcomes him.
GAY
(to Ben)
I have a solution.
BEN
You have a solution? Of course mister 4.0 honor student with an IQ over 180, working on his Masters, has a solution. No offense.
GAY
Actually my IQ is 190 and that was a run-on sentence. Have some faith in your friends would you?
BEN
I do. And your solution is...
GAY
The Sorcerer's Cup.
This grabs Ben's attention.
GAY
You need money, right?
JAY
What about money?
BEN
Of course I need money. Where are you going with this? I thought it was "legend."
GAY
Legend, maybe. Professor Fossil never said it didn't exist and quite frankly I've read nothing proving it didn't? Just long tales.
Just behind them is a MAN in a straw hat and glasses, he turns and we recognize his scare. It's Professor Fossil, eaves dropping.
JAY
No doubt. With his collection of goods, no tellin' he's checkin' out this cup.
BEN
The Sorcerer's Cup. Might be worth a few bucks.
GAY
Try thousands. This cup was supposedly used thousands of years ago in ritualistic ceremonies to summon gods or something. You can bet it holds value.
JAY
You believe that shit?
Ben's face lights up. Could it work?
BEN
Hardly.
(to Gay)
But if you say so. And if it's nothing but a tall tale. I'm sorry, Gay. I'll really have to kill you. Seriously.
GAY
Then rob a bank.
Beat. Ben gazes out to the beach, squinting his eyes. We see a GIRL his age with sun glasses and a fancy hat.
BEN
Is that, Suzie?
The Boys look to each other, file out, passing Professor Fossil who tips up his hat, takes a sip, then slams down his drink, races off.
EXT. BEACH
The Boys make their way towards this Girl they assume is Suzie. Gay has his anthropology book open, eyeing it. Professor Fossil follows behind.
GAY
I came across these pictographs in our books, they're on Coco mountain. Maybe they have something to do with the cup.
Professor Fossil's eyes light up, grits his teeth.
BEN
(stops)
Maybe, but if Fossil's in those hills looking for that cup, Suzie must know something.
GAY
Stellar point.
Jay pans out to all the Beach-Goers, clad in risque swim suits.
JAY
We definitely in paradise.
BEN
(sarcastically)
Is that right? Let me know how it feels.
Professor Fossil, still incognito, breaks through the Boys.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(disguised voice)
Excuse me.
GAY
How rude.
A KID in the b.g. picks up the Dead Swimmers arm from the shore. Ben gives Suzie one more look.
BEN
Yeah, it is her... Suzie!
She looks up, but before she realizes who it is, Professor Fossil grabs her arm, takes her away.
BEN
Maybe not.
(they stop)
Alright guys. I got one week. That's it.
GAY
I'm feeling good about these pictographs. I'll bring the book.
BEN
Perfect. That may be key.
(to Jay)
Borrow your ride?
JAY
What's in it for me?
Ben gives him a look.
JAY
I just kiddin'. You my man. I help you out. Let's cruise.
EXT. JAY'S HOUSE -- DAY
This place is a mansion and a brand new black Jeep Cherokee rests on a marble driveway. Jay and Gay load it with camping goods.
JAY
Not that I wouldn't help you out, bro, you say there's really descendants of a nude Hawaiian tribe in those hills?
(chuckles)
I'm all in.
Ben picks up a golf putter from the lawn, lines up a golf ball.
BEN
Yeah.
(to himself)
I love golf.
GAY
It's conceivable they know about the cup or at least it's legend.
(to Jay)
Are scantily dressed women all you think about?
JAY
Pretty much. Chicks dig me, white boy.
Ben readies a swing. From a window, JAY'S MOTHER washes dishes, waves out to the Boys.
GAY
If they're indeed descendants of the legendary Wakea tribe, you won't be getting any tail.
Ben pulls back for his swing.
BEN
I tried Suzie's cell and got no answer.
He swings, but along with the ball goes the club. Ben reaches out for the putter as if he can somehow magically stop it.
Jay fixes his small afro in the Jeep side mirror.
BEN
Son-of-a-bitch.
GAY
Don't freak. She's probably at the mall or something.
JAY
Women be shoppin'.
The putter saucers it's way to the window at Jay's mom. CRASH. It shatters. Gay and Jay look to Ben.
BEN
It slipped.
JAY
Oh, no. Get in the Jeep. You don't wanna see momma upset.
Mrs. Booker rushes out.
They're packed. Gay and Jay jump in. Ben jumps in the drivers seat, pushes Jay to the passenger side.
MRS. BOOKER
(irate)
What in heavens! My window..
BEN
(to Mrs. Booker)
It was a big bird. They never see those windows.
(rolling window up, driving away)
See you, Mrs. Booker
JAY
You lied to my momma.
BEN
You lie to women all the time.
JAY
But not to my momma.
She picks up the club, looks to the sky for birds.
JAY
(to his mom)
See you in a week, momma.
INT. BOY'S JEEP - STOP SIGN -- DAY
Ben gazes to the hills and we see Coco Mt. Jay and Gay follow his gaze.
BEN
Sorcerer's Cup here we come.
JAY
Neckid' females...
Ben tosses a look at Jay.
JAY
...and the Sorcerer's Cup. Of course, foo's. Down with Fossil.
They put their hands together, CHEER... they peel away.
INT. BOY'S JEEP -- MINUTES LATER
JAY
I mean no disrespectin', but what you see in Suzie Fossil besides her jugs?
Ben gives him a look.
JAY
I mean, she's the daughter of dick head Professor Fossil. He got her on a leash, man.
BEN
(cell to his ear)
That's what I'm afraid of. The first girl I've ever really liked and her father's a self-rightious jerk. Does she even see it?
GAY
Maybe you need to open her eyes.
JAY
She's a chic'. Probably has no courage to stand up to him.
Gay SIGHS at this.
BEN
It's spring break. She said she would be home.
Ben tosses down his cell.
GAY
So swing by her place.
BEN
She does live at the base of Coco Mountain.
JAY
How convenient, my brothas'.
Ben looks to Jay and Gay. They grow suspicious mugs. Just then a WHITE CADDY with a group of THREE BLACK GANG-BANGERS, sunglasses, speed up next to them BLARING RAP MUSIC.
EXT. PROFESSOR FOSSIL'S ESTATE -- DAY
With Coco Mt. in the background this Spanish style house is a perfect headquarters for a quick journey to the mountain.
A 4x4 stands ready in the gated driveway.
INT. GARAGE
Suzie exits the house with a scowl, keys in hand, ready to jump into her yellow VW bug convertible. Professor Fossil's right after her.
SUZIE
I have plans. I'm not going!
He grabs her fiercely by the arm.
SUZIE
Owe, you're hurting me.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You stay away from that boy. He's nothing but trouble.
SUZIE
You're the one being a jerk. I like him, dad.
Professor Fossil lets go of her arm, gathers himself. A new approach. Beat.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You called me dad.
SUZIE
Yeah, so I did.
Steps to her.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(parting her hair)
It wasn't all my fault it didn't work out with me and your mom. I still love her.
SUZIE
I know, but..
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
...I just don't want to lose you too.
Beat. She melts with his words.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Look, you've been waiting for his call all day. He's probably out chasing... It's spring break, sweet pea. That's what guys do.
She gives a little.
SUZIE
I guess.. so.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It would mean a lot. It's a special weekend for me, you know that.
She ponders. Beat.
SUZIE
Ok, but I'm bringing my cell. 'Case Ben calls.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Whatever you like.
She grows a smile, but it seems incomplete.
SUZIE
Be right back. Bathroom.
She races back inside.
INT. BOY'S JEEP - INTERSECTION
GAY
I'm not being the pessimist, but please consider this. Coco mountain covers thousands of acres.
JAY
No doubt. Id' take a million prairie doggies digging for ten decades to find that thing.
BEN
C'mon guys. This was your idea, Gay. It's not like Professor Fossil's going to just call me out of the blue and give me a map.
Ben's cell phone rings. Jaw-dropped. They all lock eyes. He answers.
BEN
Olleh.
INT. SUZIE'S ROOM
Speaking softly from her blue colored closet.
SUZIE
Backwards for hello?
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
BEN
Damn, you're good. I've tried calling, what's up?
SUZIE
My cell was mysteriously turned off. Listen, I have to go but...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Suzie!
BEN
We're going on a hunt for some cup...
SUZIE
..Wait, my dads up to something. He won't let me contact you. I found this map where we've been going the last few weekends. It's in the mountains.
BEN
A map?!
(to the Boys)
She has a map.
Gay and Jay, "No Way."
SUZIE
I'll leave it under my soft-pink- silk-pillow. There's a spare key under the dog house mat.
BEN
Wait, Suzie...
SUZIE
Ouy ekil I.
BEN
I hear your dog is vicious.
Suzie hangs up, races out of the room.
INT. BEN'S CAR
BEN
Ouy ekil I.
(smiles)
She likes me.
JAY
What?
BEN
Who likes dogs?
EXT. PROFESSOR FOSSIL'S ESTATE - WALL
It's Gay, hanging from the wall, feet dangling just feet from the ground.
GAY
I can't see the ground.
Jay and Ben patiently wait for Gay in the distance.
JAY
Damn, foo', would you just let go, freak. Fool freak. Freaky fool.
BEN
You're twelve inches from the ground, Gay. Take a risk. We don't have all day.
Gay gathers his strength and courage. He releases and dramatically falls to the soft green lawn and springs to his feet, celebrating. Something grabs his attention.
GAY
What in heavens is it?
Gay gazes to the Boys, his face turns serious. He joins them. They stare straight ahead.
JAY
Man, I ain't flyin' with this.
GAY
Look at the size of that beast.
BEN
The key's under the mat.
We now see, a small perfectly white JACK RUSSELL TERRIER, laying comfortable on a mat that spells out his name, "Flake."
JAY
He looks pretty vicious to me.
Gay steps to the dog, befriending it. In a mad charge Flake bolts to the end of his chain, SNARLING like a beast. Gay retreats with a SCREAM. The Boys scatter around the dog.
BEN
Distract him while I go for the key.
Flake BARKS continuously.
JAY
(waving at Flake)
Yo, like I said. He looks vicious to me.
Flake snaps at him. Ben races to the mat, grabs the key.
BEN
Got it!
Flake turns chasing after Ben.
GAY
Watch out!
Gay races after the dog to get his attention, meanwhile Ben races away but drops the key.
BEN
Crap!
Ben steps in dog crap.
GAY STOPS, realizes he's too close. Ben gathers with Jay as Flake seems to turn towards Gay in SLOW-MO.
BEN
Grab the key!
Flake starts his charge.
BEN/JAY
Run!
Gay starts to run, but his legs are weak and heavy, just like running in a scary dream.
Flake pounces on Gay as he SCREAMS once more. Ben and Jay can't help but turn away.
Flake tears his pants half off, exposing his rear.
JAY
Look, it's the Coppertone baby.
Ben rescues Gay, pulling him away. They stand staring at the key, covered in dust. Beat.
BEN
(to Flake, pointing)
Look, a hot bitch in heat.
Flake pans around and Ben quickly steps in, grabbing the key before Flake can get at him. Ben and Jay high-five as the Boys regroup and walk to the house.
JAY
Man, that was off the hook.
BEN
Off the hook?
GAY
(rubbing his rear)
I need a doctor.
BEN
It's a little scratch.
GAY
He could have rabies.
JAY
That would be a blessing.
AT THE FRONT DOOR
Ben inserts the key, turns the nob and the door swiftly swings open. They smile.
JAY
You got one cool girl.
BEN
She isn't mine yet.
Ben hands the key to Jay.
GAY
Let's just get in and out. We're kind of breaking the law here. Wait, we are breaking the law here.
BEN
Soft-silk-pink-pillow.
JAY
(off that)
I was gonna say, "what" but I'll just give you this look.
Jay flashes Ben a contorted look, "what"? The Boys don't see it, but at the corner behind the door, a small white meeter begins to flash. SILENT ALARM.
INT. SUZIE'S ROOM - PINK SILK PILLOW
BEN
(staring down)
Soft-silk-pink-pillow.
It's a silk pink pillow, fresh. Suzie's sweet smell gushes from the seams. Ben breathes it in.
BEN
(orgasmic)
Yes, oh yes.
Jay looks through Suzie's drawers. Gay's checking out Suzie's apparel, admiring it.
BEN
Here we go, boys. The map of destiny.
Ben grabs for the pillow.
BEN
Guys?
Ben looks up. The Boys still rummaging through her stuff.
BEN
For shit sakes, guys!
Jay puts down a pair of panties he had to his nose. Gay holds up a blouse.
GAY
She has such great taste.
BEN
Have a little respect.
(to Jay)
You sicko.
Jay twiddles this thumbs, whistles and stares at the ceiling. Ben flips over the pillow. THE MAP. He picks it up.
BEN
This here boys is going to change our lives forever. At least mine.
GAY
She really left a map.
JAY
What was that?
O.S. WE HEAR a low key, pulsating BEEPING SOUND. The Boys turn to each other.
BEN/JAY/GAY
Alarm!
They dart out, Gay falls into the blue closet. Ben grabs Suzie's underwear, considers, then throws them down.
GAY
Wait for me!
EXT. PROFESSOR FOSSIL'S ESTATE
The Boys run past Flake to the Jeep. Jay gives Flake the finger, tosses the key to him, Flake downs it in one bite.
EXT. 7-11 - PARKING LOT -- DAY
A Channel 00 News Van is parked amongst other cars.
INT. OO NEWS VAN
TWO NEWS REPORTERS anxiously listen to a call coming over a police radio.
NEWS REPORTER
You smell that?
Other Reporter smells, nothing.
NEWS REPORTER
I smell a story.
DISPATCHER
Paul one, we have a report of a triggered alarm at the Fossil residence. Witness reporting a black Wrangler Jeep leaving the premises.
MAGNUM
Copy that, Paul One in route. Standby one.
The Two Reporters look to each other. One of the guys grabs his camera. Other guy throws his Spam Musubi out the window and peels away.
INT. BOY'S JEEP
They're passing around the map, admiring it as gold as they SING "On The Road Again"..."I just can't wait to get on the road again...."
BEN
That was too close, guys.
JAY
To infinity and beyond!
GAY
You are so lame.
EXT. ROAD
A POLICE CAR with LIGHTS FLASHING rushes around a bend in the road, passing a WHITE CADDY on the shoulder.
INT. POLICE CAR
A COP that looks like he could double for Magnum PI handles the mic, spots a Black Jeep going out of sight.
MAGNUM
Paul One, premises looks vacant, I have the Jeep in sight. Standby one.
DISPATCHER
Copy, Paul One, standing by.
INT. CADDY - SHOULDER OF ROAD
The THREE BLACK GANG-BANGERS from before, one big, medium and small. All wearing baseball caps and eating candy. Also listening to the police radio, which seems to now be silent.
BIG GUY
You stupid, you just made us a witness.
SMALL GUY
(putting his cell away)
Chill, Big Guy, I ain`t that stupid. I didn't tell them we were thieves.
MEDIUM GUY
We're not thieves, Small Guy! We're professional.. merchandise borrowers.
SMALL GUY
You didn't have to snap at me, Medium Guy.
BIG GUY
You two done? Now listen quick. We ain't goin' in there now.
MEDIUM GUY
What?
BIG GUY
We ain't got time. Odds are those white boys came fo' the same thing we want.
SMALL GUY
That would be da map, Big Guy.
BIG GUY
That's right. Now 'dat professor's workin' some big deal with little Ribeye from the black market... pushin' us out. We get 'dat map, we be Ribeye's number one man again. And rich as Snoop Dog.
SMALL GUY
How much this treasure be worth?
BIG GUY
It's a cup. Big money, Small Guy.
MEDIUM GUY
Let's get 'dem white boys!
Big Guy floors it, kicking up dirt. Blaring gangster rap MUSIC.
INT. BOY'S JEEP
Their SINGING comes to an end. Jay eyes the map.
JAY
I can't read maps.
Jay scans the map. Gay points out the window. Two large mountains, side by side. Volcanic looking.
GAY
Look, the one on the left has a crater. The one on the right doesn't.
BEN
I can see, Gay.
(to Jay)
What's it say?
INSERT MAP
The crater mountain says Coco Crater, the dome mountain says Coco Head Mountain.
BACK TO SCENE
JAY
They both say Coco mountain? Coco crater, Coco Mountain.
BEN
What?
Ben grabs the map, reads.
BEN
Great we got two Coco's.
Gay twiddles his thumbs as if he knows the answer.
JAY
(to Gay)
You the scholar dude here. Where Fossil say this cup was?
BEN
Coco something, right? Was it the crater or the mountain?
JAY
I ain't hiking two mountains in one week. You don't even know where this cup is. Funk that.
BEN
Would you relax?
(to Gay)
Gay!
GAY
That volcano on the left blew up thousands of years ago. The Polynesians were here around two thousand years ago. So what does that tell you, smart ass.
Ben and Jay start thinking for themselves, but Ben notices a COP CAR coming at them in his rear view, LIGHTS FLASHING.
BEN
Uh, guys?
JAY
I don't get it.
GAY
Figures. Thousands of years later the volcano that erupted on the left fostered a variety of species caused by the eruption, creating a better ecosystem opposed to the volcano that you see on the right that didn't erupt.
The cop car, right on them.
BEN
Shit, the map, we have the map in our hands.
JAY
You just noticing that?
BEN
(throws map to Jay)
Hide it!
Jay and Gay finally spot the cop car.
GAY
I'm gonna pee my pants.
BEN
I'll handle this and don't say anything.
Ben pulls to the shoulder.
JAY
(the map)
Where do I put it?!
Jay opens the glove compartment, just as the Magnum look-alike steps to their window. Jay shuts the compartment and sits on the map.
MAGNUM
(to radio mic)
Standby one.
(to Boys)
Boys. A jeep not too unlike this one was spotted around the premises of Professor Fossil's residence.
BEN
Uh, uh, it was?
Beat.
MAGNUM
That's correct.
BEN
Was it?
JAY
(best attempt at proper English)
Excuse me, sir. We did not break into Professor Fossil's estate. We are his best and most favorable students.
GAY
Without question, we're actually...
BEN
..On a trip, a dig so to speak. A very important one.
Ben smiles.
MAGNUM
You wanna step outside here, boys? That wasn't a question.
JAY
Then why you ask?
Jay shuffles in his seat, smiles, trying to hide the map. Leaves it behind.
EXT. ROADSIDE - BOYS
The Boys, lined up, positioned for interrogation.
MAGNUM
I never mentioned a burglary at Professor Fossil's place.
Gay rolls his eyes. "Thanks Jay."
BEN
Officer Sir, my friend was merely assuming that there was a break-in.
Gay spots the map fluttering, lifting off from the seat, he nudges Ben, then Jay.
JAY
Did I mention you look like that Magnum guy on the reruns. Man he's dope.
MAGNUM
(pulls out his gun)
Dope? Did you say you're in possession of dope?
The map floats over, lands right in front of Magnum.
JAY
(off that)
Yo, man!
BEN
No, he didn't mean that, magnum..
(holds a CHUCKLE)
Sir! Listen, if you will...
Magnum puts his gun away... spotting the map. Picks it up, reads. Ben loses focus.
JAY
What you have there? Map or somethin'?
Off that... Gay and Ben toss him another look. Magnum reads on. Magnum's face changes reactions, trying to figure out what he's looking at.
BEN
(panicking)
She gave us the key. We were just borrowing it.
Magnum looks to them, confused.
MAGNUM
Excuse me? What key? You borrowed what?
Ben snatches the map from his hands.
BEN
This!
The Boys dart for the Jeep and peel away. Magnum, bolts to his car.
MAGNUM
(to dispatch)
I'm in pursuit. Black Jeep. BLOW ME.
DISPATCHER
Excuse me?
Magnum focuses in on the Jeep's plate "BLOW ME" as it goes out of sight. He floors it, after them.
MAGNUM
Blow me I said!
INT. COP SHOP - DISPATCHER BOOTH
A beautiful MIDGET OF A LADY in her 40's dispatches from her small stool.
MIDGET OF A LADY
Oh my, Magnum. I will consider. Shall I standby?
She CHUCKLES goes red, rips open her blouse. Fans herself.
EXT. ROAD - BOY'S JEEP
The Jeep speeds past the wooded jungle. A white BANGLED TIGER parts from two palm leaves. ROARS.
INT. BOY'S JEEP
JAY
Why are you always driving MY car? At least drive like a black man.
BEN
Did you guys see that? The map, it's like it had a mind of its own. A magical wind came upon us.
GAY
Whatever. My bladder is now officially empty.
JAY
No, not in my ride. Not in my ride!
BEN
It's a sign. Maybe the gods are helping us. The wind goddess.
Jay SCOFFS at both of them.
JAY
Yo, the map's what got us on the run in the first place.
BEN
You don't understand.
GAY
And I don't wish to understand under these precarious circumstances.
Ahead we see two roads. One that goes to the left and one to the right.
BEN
I can't read the sign. We're going to fast.
GAY
Coco Crater. Take the crater road.
BEN
What does the map say?
JAY
Turn man!
Ben turns hard to the right.
GAY
To the left!
Gay spies the sign but all we can read is "Coco." They pull into a inlet and stop.
Magnum's car flies right by, not noticing them.
MAGNUM
Shit.
EXT. SOME ROAD - SHOULDER
Magnum sits in his car disheveled. Mic to his mouth.
MAGNUM
(to Dispatcher)
I lost them. Don't standby.
DISPATCHER
Are you available tonight?
MAGNUM
Not this night nor the next.
Magnum looks to the hills. Pondering, idea.
MAGNUM
There's a tour chopper just up hill. I'm going there. Alert the captain.
DISPATCHER
Will do, sweetheart.
INT. BOY'S JEEP - INLET -- MOMENTS LATER
BEN
Too close. This trip is either cursed or the Gods keep sparing our asses at the last second.
They unload and strap on their backpacks.
BEN
Do you realize what we've been through?
GAY
Clearly.
Gay eyes his pee stained crotch.
BEN
I screwed over my parents, dropped the vase and put my final in jeopardy, we broke into Professor Fossil's place...
GAY
Breaking the law.
JAY
We had a key.
BEN
...the cops are after us.
JAY
And you ain't got no idea where the cup is.
GAY
We have ideas.
BEN
And every second that goes by, Fossil's that much closer to the cup than me.
Ben stops, as if something has his attention.
GAY
But we have a map. And don't forget the anthropology book.
BEN
...and now three intimidating black men are approaching us.
JAY/GAY
What?
We now see, THE THREE BLACK MEN, The Big Guy, Medium Guy and the Small Guy. Standing, glaring at us as if we have something they want.
BIG GUY
Hand it over.
JAY
Brotha, we ain't got anything you want.
MEDIUM GUY
We saw you leave the Professor's place.
SMALL GUY
And we sure you wouldn't just leave empty handed, ain't that right, Biggy?
BIG GUY
That's right. We been checkin' the place for days, weeks, months.
MEDIUM GUY
Yeah, and you white boys messed it up fer' us.
JAY
Uh, excuse me, dog. If you haven't noticed, my skin is black, dog.
MEDIUM GUY
If you noticed I ain't no, dog.
BEN
I'm sure you guys are mistaken.
Big Guy pulls out a gun, pulls back the hammer... points it at them.
BEN
Mistaken nothing at all.
(puts out the map)
Here you go.
GAY
No!
BIG GUY
(snatching the map)
Gimmie that.
The Boys run like hell, to the hills, not really knowing where they're going. Ben points to a TRAIL HEAD.
BEN
This way!
They follow. Big Guy scans the map with his partners.
SMALL GUY
What is it?
MEDIUM GUY
Must be somethin' worth a little somethin' somethin'.
BIG GUY
It's the map, you dumb foo's! I can't read this.
The three Black Guys look to each other, and take off for...
OUR BOYS
Who find themselves at a TRAIL HEAD. Two paths leading to two different mountains.
BEN
Shit.
JAY
What one.
GAY
(bites his nails)
Go left.. or right.
They go left, running, the Three Black Men on their heals.
BEN
I think we took the wrong path. Professor Fossil marked the other mountain.
JAY
Well, I THINK, it's the wrong time be argue'n.
GAY
That guy had a very impressive gun.
AT THE TRAIL HEAD
The Three Black Men quickly eye the map.
INSERT MAP
The mountain on the right is circled.
BIG GUY
(looking to the right path)
They must of went this way. X marks the spot.
They take off down the right path.
AWHILE LATER
The Boys end up at a cliff, panting. LOUD FURIOUS WINDS meet them, nearly knocking them over.
BEN
Dead end.
JAY
Now where the hell we go? I can't stand up.
BEN
I can't hear you!
Ben points to a cement bench dug into the side of a rock mountain. Goes to it.
GAY
(to Jay)
He said...
Jay slaps him away.
JAY
Oudda my way.
BENCH
The Boys rest, disheveled. Ben's obviously the most upset.
BEN
I'm an idiot! I handed over my life to those guys.
GAY
As much as I didn't want you to give them the map, they would have filled us with led. You saved our lives, Ben.
Ben stands. Irritated.
BEN
That was our only hope to find the Sorcerer's Cup. My parents, they worked hard all their life. I can't let them down, guys!
Frustrated, Ben saunters to the cliffs edge, a lookout. Mulls over. Gay and Jay gaze out to him with sympathy.
EXT. PROFESSOR FOSSIL'S ESTATE - FRONT GATE -- DAY
Channel 00 News Reporter broadcasts a LIVE UPDATE while the other operates the camera.
REPORTER
Just moments ago a black Jeep was seen fleeing the scene here at the estate of world renowned anthropologist, Professor Richard Fossil. Personally, I think he's a dick.
Flake the dog, stretches full length his chain, we see him in the b.g. as he poops out the key he swallowed.
REPORTER
Cloe from the psychic hot line tells us it was one black man, a gay genius and a kid named Ben Goodfellow from the local college. Just how good is he? Did I mention I was single?
The Camera Operator FARTS o.s.
REPORTER
That was the camera man.
INT. BEN'S HOUSE
Bob and Linda turn from the TV, look to each other. We see the house is nearly cleaned out.
LINDA
Ben wouldn't do such a thing.
THE TV - 00 NEWS REPORTER
REPORTER
This just in. The family dog, Flake, just informed us Ben Goodfellow stole a map that may lead to an ancient artifact hidden in the hills. And the black man gave Flake The Dog, the finger. I am still single.
BOB AND LINDA
BOB
Damn, that kid. Did you try his cell?
LINDA
You know the news, honey. They stretch the truth.
EXT. THE OTHER MOUNTAIN - CLEARING
The Three Black Men have their heads between their legs, out of breath.
This place looks as if someone has been there before, rusted tin cans, a few rotting huts.
BIG GUY
This must be it.
SMALL GUY
This place look like someone's already been here, Big Guy.
MEDIUM GUY
Look around, fellas.
SMALL GUY
There ain`t nothin' here.
Big Guy scans the map once more. Throws it to the ground.
BIG GUY
(livid)
They gone fooled us!
We pan across through the woods, to a different cliff that overlooks a valley which greets another mountain on the other side. A long cable comes into view, stretching to the other mountain.
Professor Fossil steps into frame with a harness, locks it to the cable.
SUZIE
Daddy, where are we going?
We now see Suzie, harnessed on his back, set to glide across the valley that our Boys ended up on.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Soon enough, sweet pea. You're going to love it.
SUZIE
But, wait, I thought we were staying here...
Professor Fossil pushes off.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Hold on!
Suzie SCREAMS.
We glide with them down the cable, leaving them... We continue through the woods, finding ourselves back with the Boys, on the other side of the mountain.
Ben stands cliff side, away from the Boys. He raises his head for a moment to the sound of scream, but disregards it after he spots two birds swimming in the wind.
Jay and Gay remain at the bench, sharing Ben's sorrow.
JAY
Man, this is all whacked out.
GAY
So we're on the wrong mountain, we can find our way out.
JAY
Look at him, man.
BEN
Drowned in failure, his head hung low, he hears nothing but the roar of the wind.
JAY
I'm feelin' for him.
GAY
(determined, turns to Jay)
We can only do our best to help him. And we will.
Ben, frazzled by the wind.. Lifts his head, notices a ILLUSTRATED MEMORIAL right in front of his eyes. It reads, "Nuuanu Pail Lookout." Shows an image of two Tribes in a battle, one forcing the other off the razor edge cliff. We see a spark of hope in Ben's eyes.
BEN
Guys! We found it!
Ben spins, his arms to the sky, wind gusting, nearly knocking him over. LAUGHING uncontrollably. Gay and Jay race to him. They yell through the loud wind.
GAY
You found what?
BEN
The Pail Lookout! We're here.
JAY
And that means?
GAY
You're not kidding. I thought this place looked familiar. I came here as a kid.
Jay still looks confused. Ben turns to the memorial, reads.
BEN
It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands.
They lookout towards the mountains. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine.
GAY
Epic rivalry. So you do listen in class.
BEN
No, I just read it.
GAY
This is getting freaky.
BEN
That's not all.
Ben rips off his shirt.
JAY
Yo yo, what is he doing?
GAY
He is, a yo-yo.
BEN
Maybe they weren't just fighting for land.
GAY
It looks like he took off his shirt.
Ben holds it to the wind.
JAY
Then what were they fightin' for?
BEN
They were fighting for the Sorcerer's Cup.
GAY
That's possible. The Sorcerer's Cup was said to hold many powers, but I'm not following with your shirt.
BEN
This quest is no longer in our hands, my friends. We must let the wind guide us.
JAY
Hey, even I can make a decision better then the wind can.
GAY
I'll have to go with Jay on this one.
BEN
You idiots! The wind goddess.
GAY
Pele's sister.
BEN
Hi'iaka. The goddess of wind. I'll throw up my shirt, wherever the wind takes it, we'll go.
Ben throws it to the wind, taking the shirt, sending it over the 500 foot cliffs. Beat.
JAY
Darks creepin' on us and you want be goin' that way? No can do.
Gay turns away, takes a seat.
BEN
Hey, it was just a thought. We'll camp here tonight and by tomorrow we'll be on our way to discovery.
Jay and Gay look doubtful. Gay turns to Jay.
GAY
It's time for the book.
BEN
Trust me. Everything will work out. I can just feel it now!
EXT. BOY'S CAMP -- NIGHT (RAINING)
A smoldering fire, feet from their tent. Only thing awake is the sound of the jungle and...
GAY
Somebody hold me.
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE -- NIGHT (RAINING)
Magnum sits back to a coconut tree that drops coconuts. With every coconut, Magnum flinches... looks to the jungle.
EXT. JUNGLE - TRAIL -- DAY
Professor Fossil leads Suzie through this vastly overgrown trail, ducking under limbs, skipping over rocks and boulders.
SUZIE
Why do you always make me come?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Because I'm a mean crazy professor.
SUZIE
I mean it. What is this all about?
They stop at a rock. Sit. Professor Fossil reaches up, grabs two mangos from a tree. Hands one to Suzie. They eat.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(with his mouth full)
There's something very important in these hills.
With the look on her face we know she's turned off with him eating and talking the same time.
SUZIE
You and your artifacts.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
One day I stumbled upon a special dig site... by the ruins.
The rock they sit on begins to slowly sink into the ground.
SUZIE
Daddy...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
But these ruins were already occupied by some nudist colony. More like poor mountain bums...
Suzie's inspects the sand around her.
SUZIE
..Nude people?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
...I couldn't kick them out. Too many of them. I made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
The rock is nearly sunk in. Professor Fossil tosses his mango, stands... pulling Suzie to her feet.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Quick sand.
The rock disappears into the sand. A SKULL pops from the sand, but it it goes unnoticed. They proceed down trail.
SUZIE
You offered them quick sand? Wow, daddy. You're generous.
Professor Fossil stops. Stares her in the eyes. She starts shifting uncomfortably.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
There's big money in artifacts. Even more when you find the big prize.
(beat)
But if those mountain bums were going to get half of what I'm looking for. I made sure they'd do things my way.
SUZIE
Daddy, this is sounding weird.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Shall I retell it then?
They continue down trail which takes a turn into an open plateau, revealing...
A COLONY
This is a working nudist colony of MEN dressed in loin cloths and the WOMEN nearly the same. Bamboo huts and all.
They're all busily working, digging into the side of a rock cliff... Men, Women and CHILDREN... Pushing wheel barrels of dirt to and fro, dumping them into a machine that sifts through the dirt carefully.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Welcome, sweet pea.
Suzie just stands, jaw-dropped. We notice a tall LOOK-OUT TOWER, made from the jungle's best.
FROM THE TOWER
A skinny dork kind of a guy, 30's, with a goatee... Draws his binoculars from his scrawny face. We shall call him SKINNY. His mug turns to a smile of joy.
SKINNY
Professor.
(to the colony)
Professor Fossil has arrived!
Skinny brings a shell-horn to his lips, SOUNDS it.
The colony gathers... surrounding Professor Fossil and Suzie, who's a bit intimidated. A HUBBUB begins.
A HIPPY WOMAN, 40's, who we will call, STAR, plays with a lock of Suzie's hair.
SUZIE
(annoyed)
Please!
Star sticks her tongue out at Suzie, backs off.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
That's Star, sweet pea. She'll be your chaperone.
SUZIE
Thrilled.
Star steps forward once more, taking Suzie kindly by the arm. Suzie resists.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to Suzie)
Honey.. it will be alright.
SUZIE
(indignant)
How do you know?
They exit o.s. Professor Fossil turns to his colony as Skinny and another man named CHUBBY, 30's, steps forth.
SKINNY
Back so soon, sir?
CHUBBY
Boss.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to Skinny)
I thought I told you the shell horn was for emergencies only? Don't answer, because I did tell you it was for emergencies only.
CHUBBY
(to Skinny)
You mongoose.
A WORKMAN steps forward.
WORKMAN #1
Sir, we've been at it for hours. Can we break?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Remember what we're working for here, people.
(claps his hands)
Back to work! We have a long way to go.
The WORKMEN throw some looks then slowly saunter away back to work. A MAN with a pony-tail and tattoo, 50's, turns from the crowd back to Professor Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Problem, Sky?
The Man, SKY, blank-faced, says nothing and turns away. We pull away to reveal a...
A GIGANTIC STONE GODDESS
A ruin, carved from stone. Its eyes of BLACK ROCK stare at us... emanating a sense of mystery and history. Water pours from its mouth to a large pool of fresh water below.
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE -- DAY
Magnum climbs a hill, muddied. He spots the tour helicopter. It's, MR. T, loading PASSENGERS in. Magnum races to them, but is too late. The chopper takes flight.
MAGNUM
(furious)
When I get my hands on those boys. Oow, that didn't sound good.
Magnum looks up. Across the way the three Black Men stare him down. Beat.
BIG GUY
That him?
Off that, Magnum runs into the thick jungle. They're after him.
EXT. JUNGLE - PATH -- DAY
The Boys walk down a path that takes them deep down into the jungle where the warriors from years ago met their death after falling from the cliffs.
BEN
Did anyone sleep last night?
Jay/Gay, shake their heads, no. Gay reads from the anthropology book.
BEN
Me neither.
(to Gay)
What do you got?
GAY
Says the pictographs were from a thousand year old tribe named the Wakea who's spirits still watch over them. I know this.
JAY
Ooow, sounds scary. Where we goin'?
GAY
A waterfall. Warrior Falls. We should find it. It's all here in the book.
A SPIDER falls from a tree, landing on the book. Ben SCREAMS, tosses the book that washes away in a stream.
BEN
I'm glad you're excited. Just don't lose that book.
Gay digs in his backpack, panic.
EXT. THE COLONY - EXCAVATION SITE -- DAY
A SMALL CRANE... Lifting a huge bolder from the earth. Workmen, busily digging around an old stone foundation. Skinny steps to the crane. It stops, Professor Fossil exits.
SKINNY
It's Chubby, he found something.
Professor Fossil looks at him with a gleam of excitement in his eye. The same look when he met the ghost of Molokai for the first time.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It better be good.
EXT. ANOTHER EXCAVATION SITE - MUD PIT
Chubby tries to escape from a wild spring bursting water he just dug into, green muddy water squirts everywhere, Chubby manages to escape. Skinny pulls him to his feet. Fossil turns to Skinny.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You brought me out here for this!? Is this some kind of joke?
CHUBBY
I dug real hard boss.
SKINNY
I thought the water would be useful to the colony.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
This dirty water!?
He splashes it in Skinny's face, Skinny licks his lips. Beat. A thought catches Professor Fossil's face. He inspected the pastel green-like substance on his hands.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Run-off from green clay.
Professor Fossil ponders, thinking back.
INT. ANTHROPOLOGY CLASS - FLASHBACK
Professor Fossil inspects the pastel green colored vase, his fingers BRUSH OVER A DESIGN on the bottom of it.
BEN
How much is it worth anyway?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Oh, A few dollars.
BACK TO SCENE
CHUBBY
What is it, boss?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I don't know yet, but we'll soon find out. Gather your stuff, we're going on a little trip.
SKINNY
Over the hills and through the woods?
Professor Fossil looks to the setting sun, night on the horizon. Marches off.
SKINNY
(to Chubby)
Where's he going?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
To get my daughter.
INT. SUZIE'S HUT -- NIGHT
Star braids Suzie's hair as Suzie looks into a mirror.
SUZIE
He won't let me see guys. Particularly, Ben.
STAR
There's a boy, is there?
Suzie GIGGLES.
SUZIE
Ben. Ben Goodfellow.
STAR
Sounds like a good fellow to me.
EXT. SUZIE'S HUT
Professor Fossil stops outside her hut, hearing Suzie's voice. He leans closer. A young boy, 5, steps to Professor Fossil, mocking his every move.
STAR
You should tell this Ben you like him. Or show him.
The Young Boy now has his ear up to the hut.
YOUNG BOY
(whispering)
I can hear them.
Professor Fossil kicks him away.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Get out of here you little rat.
Boy runs off, sticking out his tongue.
SUZIE
His family is in trouble. I feel so bad.
STAR
Trouble?
Professor Fossil smiles at this.
INT. SUZIE'S HUT
SUZIE
Promise you won't tell my father.
She nods.
SUZIE
Ben. I gave him a map I stole from my father. I hope he finds me.
EXT. SUZIE'S HUT
Professor Fossil's eyes light up, anger.
INT. SUZIE'S HUT
Professor Fossil steps in, the girls freeze. Turns to Star, a tad bitter.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Leave us.
Star stands and leaves.
SUZIE
What do you want? I want to go home now. I'm sick of being cooped up in here.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(cheerful)
I know it's hard being away from your cd's and Mtv.
Professor Fossil takes a seat by her. She glares.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I'm only kidding. I want to be honest with you. I feel bad for your Ben friend, losing his parents valuable vase.
SUZIE
Well, don't. It'll work out for him.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You seem optimistic.
(beat)
Listen, you remember that thing you drew for me in art class?
SUZIE
You mean that silly design?
Professor Fossil stands.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I liked it very much. That "design" was on Ben's vase, I saw it before it broke.
(Suzie bites her lip)
Maybe if you draw that for the old wise man he can tell us what it means. Then we can find another vase for Ben.
She stands with joy.
SUZIE
You mean it? You would do that for him?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Ben's not a bad, kid. I just want the best for you.
Together they smile. A new trust.
EXT. SUZIE'S HUT
Waiting is Chubby and Skinny, with their make-shift back packs. Professor Fossil and Suzie stop at them.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to Suzie)
Say, did you ever get a hold of Ben?
SUZIE
He's at his grandma's for the week. She's deathly ill, but his car broke down so he had to walk ten miles to her house in his sandals.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(probing her lies)
I thought Ben's grandparents were no longer living.
SUZIE
(covering quickly)
It's not really his grandma, it's like a family friend.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(staring her in the eyes, beat)
I see.
Suzie suspects he sees through her lies.
EXT. JUNGLE - TRAIL -- NIGHT
Professor Fossil, Suzie, Chubby and Skinny make their way up a hill, at the end of the hill we see a small tree house surrounded by fog and beams of light.
They stop.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
There it is?
(to Suzie)
You ready?
She nods apprehensively. They drive forth.
SUZIE
Wait!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
What is it?
SUZIE
I'm nervous. I don't know if I remember the...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
...Just relax. Old wise man will help you remember.
INT. OLD WISE MAN'S QUARTERS -- NIGHT
In the corner in Indian style, sits an Old Wise Man, no older than 10. At least we think. He drinks a Pepsi and plays with a GameBoy.
Professor Fossil and the group surround him. He sets down the GameBoy.
SUZIE
This is the old wise man?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Every good adventure needs an old wise man, doesn't it?
The Old Wise Man salutes them with his Pepsi.
SUZIE
What is your name, little boy?
OLD WISE MAN
Won hung lo. Hey, what do you call a constipated Chinese boy?
Suzie shrugs.
OLD WISE MAN
Hung chow.
He CHUCKLES, takes another drink.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Enough. You better be recycling that.
SKINNY
(to Professor Fossil)
You don't let us drink pop.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It's bad for your teeth
Fossil smiles. We see his ugly yellowish teeth. He gives a look to Old Wise Man, who stands.
OLD WISE MAN
Follow me.
(to Chubby and Skinny)
You stay here.
Professor Fossil and Suzie follow him into the...
BACK ROOM
Old Wise Man stirs a brown powder into a cup of water. Suzie sits at a table... A pencil and paper at her finger tips.
SUZIE
What is that stuff? Gross.
OLD WISE MAN
(lifting the cup)
Maybe you try it later? Maybe.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Honey, think. Draw it for the old wise man.
SUZIE
I can't remember! He hasn't done anything wise yet.
OLD WISE MAN
Oh, yeah?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Are you hiding something from me, Suzie? If you are tell me.
SUZIE
No, it's nothing like that. I just..
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Are you positive?
SUZIE
I just can't remember, okay!
Professor Fossil grabs the cup filled with the brown water from Old Wise Man.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Drink this!
SUZIE
No!
Professor Fossil puts it to her lips, she pushes it away.
SUZIE
I'll never give in!
Old wise man, grabs her hands, pins them to the table.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Drink it, it's for your own good!
SUZIE
Never!
Suzie struggles with the Old Wise Man, smacking him to the ground. Finally Professor Fossil holds her arms down, Old Wise Man gets up and sloppily forces it down Suzie.
OLD WISE MAN
This will make you draw.
She spits it out.
SUZIE
Okay, okay, I'll draw it.
They release, she grabs the pen.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Then what's with all that fuss?
SUZIE
It's like going to the bathroom. I can't do it in front of people.
Professor Fossil SCOFFS.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Then say so.
Beat. They turn away.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
If she doesn't draw, there will be no more Pepsi for you, young dumb son.
A look of complete shock fills the boy's face.
OLD WISE MAN
But two more cases and I win free Pepsi.
Suzie scans the room, looks to the corner, she spots a design on a cloak that resembles a square maze made of solid lines with a circle in the middle. She draws. Finished.
SUZIE
Okay. I'm done.
They turn. Professor Fossil grabs it. Shows it to Old Wise Man.
OLD WISE MAN
Oh, yes.
(he double takes)
Looks familiar.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
What?
OLD WISE MAN
I mean, oh yes. Yes.
He's struggling between losing his Pepsi or interpreting this bogus design.
OLD WISE MAN
It is a map to a story of... symbols.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Hieroglyphics. Pictographs?
OLD WISE MAN
(struggling to get it out)
Yes?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Where are they?
OLD WISE MAN
Down the gorge, by Warrior Falls, you will find a place where the sun shines through the eye of a needle...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Enough, enough.. Warrior Falls it is.
Suzie slams her head to the table, CRIES, peeks her eye out, smiles. Professor Fossil grabs them and they leave. Old Wise Man winks to Suzie.
OLD WISE MAN
(to Fossil)
What about my Pepsi?
EXT. MOUNTAINS - ESTABLISHING
The sun rises from behind a mountain, taking over darkness.
EXT. A DIFFERENT TRAIL TO WARRIOR FALLS -- DAY
The Boys stroll the trail, fatigue in their walk.
BEN
Two days on the same trail! Now where?
Gay reads from a book, pretending he never lost the real book.
GAY
You remember that big painting of that big fat Chief in Professor Fossil's class?
JAY
The one with the naked female with big boobs.
GAY
Yeah, that one. That's the Chief of the Wakea tribe. They left these messages on the rocks so only their tribe could read it, but why?
JAY
We need get someone read it for us.
BEN
Duh. That's what we have to find out. We have to find them first.
GAY
Or they'll find us.
Gay accidentally drops the book. Ben picks it up. Realizes it's a fake.
BEN
Where's the book?
GAY
(beat)
I lost it?
JAY
Man, you useless then a boar with tits.
BEN
You've been making this all up?
GAY
We're bound to run into something.
JAY
We got no idea where we goin'.7 You gonna kill him or should I?
EXT. TRAIL TO WARRIOR FALLS -- DAY
Suzie rides backwards on a pony, blindfolded. Chubby leads her down the hill. In front is Professor Fossil and Skinny.
SUZIE
This is ridiculous. Is it day yet?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(pulls off her blind fold)
Too bad you gave Ben the wrong map. I have a reputation at steak. Can you imagine if that Ben kid found the cup before me?
SUZIE
You're the liar. Ben WILL find it before you and when he does..
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
...And if he does, he won't be around to kiss you any more.
SUZIE
He hasn't kissed me yet.
She's somewhat saddened, folds her arms, then spots a row of flowery bushes path side. Idea.
Professor Fossil and his crew suddenly stop. The sky's light begins to fade, darker... slowly. Moon invading the sun.
CHUBBY
(pointing to the sun)
Look! Eclipse.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Don't look at it! It's getting darker, we must hurry.
Suzie reaches over to the bush, grabbing some flowers from it. Hides them behind her back.
SKINNY
If we can't look at it, then why are they having it?
CHUBBY
Must we go now, sir. When night falls I must sleep.
Professor Fossil flashes them a pathetic look.
SUZIE
Idiots! Great, I'm sounding like my father.
They charge their way down this thin winding path as Suzie pulls pedals from the flowers, leaving a trail.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WARRIOR FALLS
Arriving at the end of the trail sits huge boulders with the visible PICTOGRAPHS, they don't look authentic. A river runs through it over a steep waterfall that mocks Niagara.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Bingo!
(taken aback)
Odd looking, aren't they?
ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE
Overlooking Warrior Falls. Two sandled feet step into screen. We pan up to reveal a large HAWAIIAN WARRIOR, late 30's. Buff... staring at us with keen eyes.
INT. THE JUNGLE -- DAY
The Boys make their way through this thick and eerie jungle.
BEN
It's getting dark.
JAY
Yo, man, it's the jungle. I'm dark, that scare you too?
A CRACK in the woods o.s.
GAY
What was that?
JAY
That be a big wild pussycat. Stalking you and at anytime, meow. You be kitty food.
BEN
(stops)
How many miles are we going to walk until we figure out that there is no Warrior Falls?
GAY
What ever happened to "The Gods" leading us?
BEN
I'm starting to think they're leading us straight to hell.
O.S. ROAR.
JAY
I think I ain't likin' the sound of that.
BEN
Neither do I.
They all turn. Right behind them is a HUGE WHITE BANGLED TIGER. Staring them down, salivating.
GAY
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't bangled tigers native of India. Yes, they are.
BEN
(whispering)
Nobody move. I saw this on crock hunter. Don't run. Fake dead.
JAY
Funk that.
GAY
I don't watch TV.
The tiger ROARS and licks his lips.
GAY
He's hungry. I do that when I'm hungry.
BEN
Okay, we're running. Count of four.
JAY
Why four?
BEN
Why three?
JAY
I didn't say three.
They all snuggle their packs on their backs, readied.
BEN
Four, three, two, run!!
They charge down the path, frantically. Gay SCREAMS! They look back, nothing, it's still there staring at them.
GAY
It's not moving!
JAY
Man, even I watch animal planet. It's the thrill of the hunt, cheese whiz.
Ben, stops, pulls out his running shoes from his backpack and changes from his hiking boots. They stop.
JAY
And then they kill you.
GAY
(to Ben)
What are you doing? It's useless, we can't outrun a tiger!
BEN
I don't need to outrun the tiger. I just need to outrun you.
The Tiger charges.
GAY
Oh my god!
So do they, Ben quickly passes Gay as does Jay. Gay falls to the ground, fakes dead. The Tiger stops smells him and keeps on for the Boys.
Around a bend the Boys approach a cliff.
JAY
I won't miss him.
BEN
You thinking what I am?
Ahead we see a cliff. Jay nods with a grin. Tiger, just a paw swipe away, it swipes.
BEN
I just hope there's water on the other side.
Off that, they jump... in the air, they turn to each other. Hoping there's water.
BEN/JAY
Aaaah!
The tiger retreats back into the woods.
SPLASH
The Boys land with force, but are thrilled to see they are finally at Warrior Falls, they look to the huge boulders above the waterfall.
BEN
There it is! We're here! We really made it!
JAY
Yo, check out the sun. It's one of those planet moon things.
BEN
Eclipse.
(ponders)
It's a sign from the Gods. It has to be.
Suddenly the Boys notice they can't swim. As they're being sucked into an approaching gloomy cave.
JAY
Yo, this ain't normal. What's going on?
BEN
Don't fight it.
GAY
Hey! Up here!
Gay stands at cliffs edge. They pan up to him, wide-eyed.
BEN
Jump!
GAY
No way! There is nothing in the world that will make me do that.
Just then we see the Bangled Tiger appear behind Gay, it rises up on it's hind legs.
JAY
That boy's toast. Jump fool!
GAY
No, I'm not going anywhere. I'll die before I jump.
BEN
Then look behind you.
Gay turns, his mouth drops.
GAY
Meow. Nice, kitty.
In an instant Gay pivots, leaping from the cliff, SCREAMING all the way down. A belly flop landing. Gay moans in pain, floating over to the Boys on his back.
JAY
(to Ben, realizing)
I thought you couldn't swim.
Ben remembers he can't swim, begins to drown. Jay holds him up.
Slowly they are sucked closer into this dark and gloomy cave.
EXT. WARRIOR FALLS - ECLIPSE
Chubby sits on a rock and yawns. Skinny tries to look at the eclipse through his fingers. Both hold flashlights.
SKINNY
Find the eye of the needle yet, boss?
Professor Fossil inspects the pictographs with his flashlight.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
There is no needle, idiots. I saw Indiana Jones.
Suzie sits on a rock, finally without a blindfold.
SUZIE
The name of the movie was Raiders of the Lost Arc, not Indiana Jones. Dork.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I don't care. It's the pictographs I want.
SUZIE
You call those pictographs? Looks like child doodle.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to Chubby and Skinny)
Get down here and help me before I sacrifice you to the Gods.
Skinny, Chubby make their way over. A needle sticks from Chubby's ass. He itches it.
SUZIE
You've gone mad, father. You have all the artifacts in the world. What is this all about?
He says nothing.
SUZIE
(off that)
Fine. I'm sure Ben already has the cup.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(irritated, turns to her)
Zip it! That idiot couldn't save the world if it meant lighting a match.
Suzie frowns and turns away from him. Her eyes conspire, panning the area.
INT. CAVE -- DARKNESS
Ben lights a match. Instantly A WIND distinguishes it. Gay is the last to crawl from the water to the muddy shore. They're all covered in mud. They smash their backpacks, emptying water. The Boys start to itch frantically.
JAY
(the matches)
Where you get those?
BEN
My butt. The store, where do you think? One match can save your life.
GAY
We can't get out of here, through that current.
(off his itch)
Major case of pruritus.
JAY
(sarcastically)
Why worry, the gods be leading us, right boy scout Ben?
(itch)
Somethin' in that mud.
BEN
You guys didn't have to come. I know that cup doesn't mean a lot to you, but it does to me.
(itch)
What is that?
They all look up to see thousands of bats. Bat droppings. With a look on their faces, now they know. The bats flood out, revealing...
GAY
Wow.
Ben and Jay look up in awe and continue to itch. A high canopy PAINTED WITH PICTOGRAPHS. Near it, a hole of DAYLIGHT shining through.
BEN
That's it.
JAY
You can read that?
GAY
We need to find those descendent to interpret them.
BEN
That's the next step.
(pictographs)
Lets get a better look first.
Ben spots a stick on the ground.
BEN
Jay, if you're in. Give me your shirt.
Jay pulls off his Puff-daddy t-shirt.
JAY
See ya, puff-daddy. Just don't get it dirty?
Off that, they smile. Ben wraps it around the stick and lights the shirt. They make their way up a treacherous path closer to the pictographs.
BEN
Anybody have a camera?
EXT. SOMEWHERE ON THE SAME MOUNTAIN -- ECLIPSE
Sitting indian style with a pipe in his hands in front of a smoking Tee-pee is a Chief. He looks to the heavens.
CHIEF
(clearly stoned)
A clear sign. The vision is true.
The Warrior from before steps to us. The same tiger from before, at his side.
PO
Chief?
CHIEF
Po, you need not call me Chief, you are my son.
Chief starts LAUGHING, looks to the pipe.
PO
Father, you are not seeing visions. You are hallucinating. It is only a temporary blockage of the sun.
CHIEF
Then what did you see?
PO
(patting the tiger)
Zima done good. The zoo teach him well. He chase three men to Warrior Falls, I think.
Chief stands.
CHIEF
Warrior falls! Then it is a vision. They are looking for it. White men?
PO
Yes, and one colored. And more men on the waterfall.
CHIEF
By my drawings, on the big rocks.
(Po nods)
Bring them to me.
PO
The drawings or the rocks?
CHIEF
No, son, the white men. Bring them to Big Kahuna. I must see them.
PO
That would be the group with the man with skin the color of night. How do you know they can help us?
CHIEF
First find them, before our people return for ceremony tonight.
PO
I will use my excellent skill of tracking.
(to Zima)
What way, Zima?
Chief, SCREAMS, looks to the pipe, throws it down and runs into his tee-pee.
PO
Father?
(beat)
What did you draw on those rocks?
Chief peers from his tee-pee. Another pipe in his hands.
CHIEF
(looks to his pipe)
I was just doodling, my son. Bring in tourism.
Chief's eyes widen.
CHIEF
Go now! Before I eat you.
Chief falls back into his tee-pee.
PO
I was going to say something, but now I will say nothing.
Po turns with Zima, the tiger. They journey onward.
EXT. WARRIOR FALLS - PICTOGRAPHS
They're still busy, looking through rocks and pictographs. The eclipse slowly passing.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Couldn't get more authentic. They are a tad jumbled.
Professor Fossil looks to the eclipse. At last, more light. Spots his satchel, steps to it.
SKINNY
What's our share in this secret cup? What's it do anyway?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You'll get your share, alright.
CHUBBY
It has a big blue genie in it, when summoned, will give you your hearts desires.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(sarcastic)
How did you guess? Stand back.
Professor Fossil pulls out his Polaroid camera, takes multiple shots of the pictographs. Stuffing them away in his satchel. He CHUCKLES.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
So terribly unfortunate I'll be the last to see these pictographs.
Suzie secretly eyeing Professor Fossil.
She sneaks a few feet away from them towards a FLICKERING LIGHT, coming from the ground, she looks down the opening.
SUZIE
Hello?
INT. CAVE
With every step, guided by torch light, they get closer to these authentic looking pictographs. More authentic then the ones Professor Fossil has found.
JAY
Did you hear that?
GAY
Please. Don't start. You're in a cave, okay. There are noises.
BEN
Guys, check it out.
Ben eyes these pictographs intensively.
EXT. BOY'S OLD CAMP -- PARTIAL ECLIPSE
Po kneels to the smoked out fire with Zima. Tracking the Boys, he feels the wind with his hands then grabs some ashes, smells them... smells them again, but ends up inhaling them. Bursting into an uncontrollable COUGH.
INT. CAVE
POV BEN
We see HUMAN STICK FIGURES, surrounded by a GIANT ONE, SHOOTING FIRE from its fingers. Above this we see a gigantic pictograph of the FACE OF A GODDESS, with water pouring from its mouth. Yes, the same actual one located at the ruins, at Professor Fossil's headquarters. Then we notice...
THE EYES OF THE GODDESS
Are drawn in the shape of a cup.. the Sorcerer's Cup.
BEN
You guys see what I see?
GAY
Looks like some ancient goddess.
BACK TO SCENE
BEN
(to Gay)
Draw it on your stomach with that mud on your face.
GAY
Hey, I'm not itching anymore.
BEN
Me neither. Odd.
The mud on them is now dry like leather.
SUZIE
(long shallow echo)
Hello.
JAY
I'm hearing somethin'. I swear.
Jay pans around, then looks up to the hole in the canopy. We see someone, but can't make it out.
JAY
You boys see that?
Ben and Gay still eyeing the pictographs. The eyes of this goddess pictograph resemble the cup.
BEN
The cup's in the eye of the goddess?
Gay shrugs.
BACK TO SUZIE
Leaning farther into the hole. In the b.g. Chubby and Skinny spray over the pictographs with spray paint. Professor Fossil, now packed, putting the photos in his pouch, looks to Suzie.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Suzie!
She looks up to her father, who gives her a, "fed up" look. He races towards her... Suzie leans farther in.
INT. CAVE
Suzie's head is all we see, surrounded by daylight trying to peak through.
POV SUZIE
Ben and the Boys make their way up this path, just yards from her. Ben trips. The Boys catch him.
BACK TO SUZIE
SUZIE
(to herself)
Ben? Ben!!
Ben looks to her call.
JAY
Ha! See. I told you I be hearing something.
BEN
Suzie!
She reaches out... slips and falls... grabbing a root at the last minute.. she dangles.
BEN
Suzie! Hold on!
The Boys find themselves now at the top at a ridge, but just out of reach of Suzie. Ben throws down the torch... it tumbles down, way down to the bottom, meeting the water with a splash... darkness again.
GAY
Was that necessary? Where's Jay?
Jay turns, his glowing white smile. Gay SCREAMS, startled. Ben puts out his arm to the Boys.
BEN
Hold tight. I'm gonna lean out to her.
They grab his arm as Ben reaches out to her. She stretches but can't reach.
Suzie dangles, losing grip.
SUZIE
I can't hold on!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Meets Suzie with Chubby and Skinny. She looks up to her father.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
What are you doing in there?
SUZIE
Dangling, father.
Professor Fossil peers in the hole and we see...
INT. CAVE
Ben now leaning out, as Jay and Gay still gripping to his other arm with all they got. Ben looks up to Suzie, but Professor Fossil catches his eye.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Well well, Mr. Goodfellow.
BEN
Professor Fossil.
Suzie let's out a SCREAM, she lets go, but in the nick of time Professor Fossil grabs her arm... Ben grabs her leg... She stretches between their two grips.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You weren't going to let my Suzie fall.. were you? Now let go! Now!
Ben holds on to her with dear life, the Boys still grabbing him, losing strength.
BEN
You let go!... Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It's, Professor Fossil!
SUZIE
Would the both of you shut up! Sorry, Ben... and do something!
BEN
I'm not letting go of you, Suzie.
JAY
Yeah, that's right!
Gay struggles turning RED.
GAY
My nails are cracking!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
So be it.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Leans over this shoulder to Chubby and Skinny, motions to them. They grab his legs.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
No! My waist you idiots!
SKINNY
Of course.
CHUBBY
Sorry, boss.
With Chubby as their anchor, they form a chain of strength and...
INT. CAVE
Ben grins at Jay and Gay.
BEN
He'll let go.
...like nothing, the Boys along with Suzie are pulled right out of the hole.... landing at the feet of...
Professor Fossil
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(holding out the photos)
You know what these are, Benny boy?
GAY
You won't get away with this Professor Fossil.
JAY
Yo yo. You ain't got nothin' on us.. We found the picto...
Ben slams Jay's mouth shut with his hand. Professor Fossil grabs Suzie, pulling her to him.
SUZIE
You're hurting me.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You mean to tell me you think you can find the cup?
He CACKLES.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
In your dreams.
Ben looks at him with anger yet determination.
BEN
We know where the cup is. We found the pictographs! And you'll never know.
Suzie struggles with her father... slipping from him.
SUZIE
Let me go!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(points to the rocks)
You mean those... pictographs? The ones I just painted over.
The Boys turn, all they see is painted over rocks. Could they have been the real ones? Ben turns back to Professor Fossil.
BEN
Bluffer.
Professor Fossil smiles. Ben's curious. Looks to the boys... uncertain. Ben turns back to Professor Fossil then...
Charges at him for the photos... Gay and Jay join in, a fight ensues but then...
AN EARTHQUAKE
Disrupts the quarrel. The sun escapes the moon, ending the eclipse. Everyone tumbles to the...
Ground, which starts to lose shape and caves in, before any of them can realize it, they're already falling into the...
CAVE with rock and debris tumbling upon them.
THE PICTOGRAPHS
On the canopy of the cave start to crumble. A large part of them plunge to the small pond below... Landing between the Boys, separating them from Professor Fossil, Suzie, Chubby and Skinny.
Clinging on an old log, the Boys float out to the water, half conscious... realizing the loss of the pictographs. Now free from mud, their body's covered in red rash.
BEN
(reaching to the sunken cave)
Suzie.
INT. CAVE
Professor Fossil, lying on debris and next to him is Suzie and his two Men, they rustle from the mess to their feet. Professor Fossil stares up at the remaining canopy. All that is left is the...
PICTOGRAPH OF THE STONE GODDESS
A grin on Professor Fossil's face tells us he now knows where the cup is hidden... INSIDE THE STONE GODDESS. With the walls of the cave now collapsed, they have an easy way out. Fossil takes out the photos of the other pictographs and tosses them.
EXT. SHORE
The cool drift brings the Boys to the shore of the jungle on their knees. Waterlogged and their mouths stuffed with sand. Ben coughs out a load of sand, as does Gay and Jay. Gay SCREAMS.
GAY
My skin!
The Boys, except for Jay, check out their pathetically rashed out skin... red.
JAY
(checking out his black skin)
I don't see no rash.
GAY
What just happened?
BEN
Earthquake. We pissed someone off.
GAY
You think they made it out?
BEN
(thinking of Suzie)
I hope so.
Frustrated, Ben collapses to the ground.
JAY
Man, now what?
The Boys join him.. all staring up at the sky.
GAY
The, the descendants, we have to find them. I'm sure they know what those pictographs mean.
BEN
(sitting up)
Look! Can you not see? They're destroyed. The only tribe that could tell us what those pictographs mean would be that Wakea Tribe from our books and they've been dead thousands of years.
Ben lays back down.
BEN
I'm toast.
The Boys look more defeated than ever. Pondering the sky.
BEN
Say this tribe did exist, it's not like some Hawaiian warrior's going to pop out of nowhere and say "here I am."
Invading their view of the sky, pops in Po.. smiling.
PO
Here I am...
The Boys faces light up like Time Square at night time.
Po reaches down, pulls them to their feet with ease.
EXT. THE COLONY - RUINS -- NIGHT
This place is lit up by generated powered lights. All shinning at the...
STONE GODDESS
The Workmen of this colony are busy flogging into the base of the stone face, knocking out one rock at a time and carrying them away. THE EYES OF THE GODDESS are covered in BLACK STONE, different from the pictographs.
A LINE OF WORKMEN
On the side of the Stone Goddess, pull on a long rope that's wrapped around a large boulder resembling the ear of this Stone Goddess. Professor Fossil leads them at the front of the line.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Heave men! Time is of the essence! You and your families will all have a share of the cups worth.
Sky, at the front of this line, pulling the rope... stops and steps to Professor Fossil..
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Sky. What are you doing? Pull!
SKY
We've been working weeks for you and still no cup! You treat us like slaves.
The rest of the Workmen put down the rope, listen in.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Oh, but that is untrue.
SKY
How do we know this "artifact" even exists?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You don't. But I know it does and you soon will see. And you and your families will be filthy rich.
SKY
And you run away with it, leaving us with nothing.
Beat. Sky gives him an angry look over.
SKY
I hope you're right, Professor. For your sake that is.
Sky turns back to the rope, picks it up, the Workmen follow his lead.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Alright men! Back to work! Pull!
INT. COLONY - SUZIE'S HUT
Nestled in her hut, next to her bed, she looks out through the bamboo bars, gripping them like a caged monkey. Star, steps to her with a plate of fruits and nuts.
SUZIE
I feel like a monkey.
STAR
I'm so sorry, doll. Want a banana?
SUZIE
I'm not hungry. What's going on out there?
STAR
It's your father. They're excavating the Goddess ruin.
SUZIE
(realizing)
The cup.
STAR
Yes. People are saying your father has different intentions.
SUZIE
What do you mean?
STAR
Old man Ka'ai, one of your father's workers, tell my Sky the cup has hidden energies.
Suzie stares at her... baffled.
EXT. STONE GODDESS
The Workmen, still heaving. In one last heave, the giant bolder breaks from the Stone Goddess tumbling to the edge of the jungle. The Workmen respond with a LOUD CHEER.
SKY
Looks back with an eye of concern to the this old man KA'AI, A native.
We now see a partial access into the Goddess' head. One layer of rock wall remaining. Closer to the eye of the goddess where the cup is supposedly hidden.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Alright. I want a latter on that wall.
Two Workmen grab a latter, climb it and start whacking into the wall with picks. Professor Fossil takes one last look at Sky then turns from him to Skinny and Chubby.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Don't just stand there! Our future is behind that wall!
EXT. WAKEA TRIBE - CAMP -- NIGHT
A group of HAWAIIAN WARRIORS do a ceremonial dance in a circle, TWO WARRIORS, inside the circle fight each other. The FAT WARRIOR of the two is victorious. He stands and is rewarded with a victory ring, they pierce his nipple.
We now see Po, watching all of this, he turns and enters a...
SWEAT HOUSE
This isn't too unlike a tee-pee. In the center are glowing hot rocks. A arm comes into frame with a bowl of water which is poured onto the rocks, filling this hut with steam. COUGHING o.s. we pull away to reveal...
Ben, Gay, Jay... gagging from the steam and finally the Chief, our leader of this tribe holding a peace pipe which dribbles with smoke.
PO
The ceremonies have begun.
Po stands, we now see him in a different light and realize he is the leader of the Warriors... bigger and stronger than anyone else.
JAY
Yo.. the ceremonies?
Po sits. Zima joins him.
GAY
If you have been waiting for us, couldn't you have found us a little earlier?
PO
Zima fault.
Zima ROARS.
BEN
Chief. I saw them. Huge pictographs. What do they mean?
CHIEF
(hands the pipe to Ben)
They mean nothing. Now breathe in pipe.
BEN
How can they mean nothing?
(beat, he ponders)
You sure this is going to work?
Ben hesitates, inhales.. passes it to Jay.
JAY
Now we talkin'. This is your brain on drugs, boys.
Ben starts to look as if he's slipped into another world. Jay inhales, passes to Gay.
GAY
Uh, no thank you. I don't do...
Po gives him a look that could kill a dozen warriors.
GAY
Forgive me, mother.
He inhales and instantly starts to sway. Po grabs, inhales, passes to Chief.
CHIEF
What's one more.
Chief inhales.
CHIEF
Yes, now we ready.
BEN
I don't see anything.
CHIEF
Close eyes. All of you.
Together they all close their eyes, except for Po who grabs a small drum and a special stick to hit it. He begins a slow rhythmic drum, and begins SINGING a song we can not understand but its sounds kind of eerie... a chant.
In an instant, a gust a wind invades the hut, hitting them farther, deeper into an unknown world. The Boys react with a jolt as if something has gone through them. With their eyes still closed...
CHIEF
Many many moons ago, there was a great warrior...
Ben starts to shake and we zoom into his world...
INT. BEN'S VISION
We careen down a GREEN GLOWING TUNNEL, ending up at daylight, THOUSANDS OF YEARS ago at A...
SMALL HAWAIIAN VILLAGE
CHIEF
Did I yet say, "many many moons ago"?
BEN
Where are we?
The following takes place as Chief narrates:
CHIEF
It was horrible sight, sound of men dyeing, children screaming, a man named, Molokai, was lucky. He escape with his family, saving their lives.
A group of WARRIORS descend upon this village, raiding it, killing all the MEN with swords and arrows, while seizing the WOMEN and CHILDREN. A man with piercing eyes named MOLOKAI, gathers his two CHILDREN and WIFE, running away from these fierce Warriors... hiding in a SMALL DARK CAVE nearby.
CHIEF
But terror would not end here. Slaughter of his people anger him. Revenge was on the forefront. You could see in his eyes... evil.
After the dust settles and the Warriors leave, Molokai and his family depart from the cave, only to see the death and destruction that remains. Molokai bites his lip out of anger, a look in his eyes seek revenge.
EXT. SAME VILLAGE - CAMP FIRE -- NIGHT
CHIEF
Molokai, was gentle spirit. He had no choice. He sacrifice his family to the Gods. What he was about to do would bring horrible evil to the lands.
His Wife and Children lay fast asleep next to a small fire. Molokai steps to them... SWORD IN HAND... looking down to them and in three swipes of the sword, he kills them.
MOUNTAIN RIDGE
CHIEF
A dangerous act of Sorcery, usually done by Kahuna... High priest. Molokai was tapping into the unknown.
A roaring circular fire. Inside lay his family, dead. Molokai raises a cup to the heavens, filled with their blood, CHANTING to the GOD OF EVIL.
CHIEF
Then it happen. The power of Sorcerer's Cup be born. He pleased Gods by his offering. Molokai now have power he never could imagine. The idea of it grew in his mind, turn him into fierce animal, with one object, objector? Ob-jec-tive in mind...
LIGHTENING BOLT
Strikes him, igniting the cup with a GREEN GLOW. He drinks. Molokai, convulses, his eyes turning RED... The earth begins to quake. Fire balls begin shooting from his palms, burning everything it touches. Molokai raises his arms to the sky with a sinister LAUGH that echoes throughout the valley. The fire spreads, burning the remains of his family, setting the jungle afire.
EXT. ANOTHER SMALL VILLAGE
CHIEF
...Revenge. He use his powers from cup to find men, desperate men. Men that help him avenge those who murdered his tribe.
Molokai, comes upon a village who fall to their knees in mercy after he raises the green glowing Sorcerer's Cup to the heavens, fearing this powerful Warrior and his legend. The MEN of this village join him, leaving their families behind.
EXT. O'AHU SHORE -- NIGHT
CHIEF
Before every battle, summoning his evil power with the Cup.
Molokai stands in his canoe, holding the Sorcerer's Cup to the Gods, it glows GREEN.
CHIEF
He conquer tribe after tribe. Now getting revenge from these spiritless warriors.
With his powers, Molokai and his tribe of Warriors come ashore on double-canoes, engaging in a fierce battle, conquering the local tribe of Warriors who slaughtered his village just months ago. Molokai, stands atop a dead body, his nose high, chest puffed out.
CHIEF
Evil and greed consume him, the cup bring him power and he wanted more.
A bright circulate of light... On a hilltop, miles away, from that of one remaining village. Molokai stares it down with eyes of fiery. One last battle.
EXT. NU'UANU VALLEY -- DAY
CHIEF
With one last tribe to slaughter, Molokai and the Sorcerer's Cup, would soon meet their match.
Molokai and his Warriors charge up the hillside of the Koolau Mountain range, on foot and horse... weapons drawn.
EXT. CLIFFS OF KOOLAU MOUNTAIN RANGE
Molokai and his Warriors invade this last tribal village only to see it desolate... only smoldering fire pits. They throw down their weapons, dumfounded.
BEN
There's nobody here.
JAY
Yeah, you sure you got this story right?
CHIEF
May I finish?
Then out from the...
BUSHES AND TREES
CHARGE AN ARMY of hundreds of ARMORED MEN, lead by a powerful and very fat
CHIEF.
BEN
Chief, is that you?
This Chief looks like our Chief, only more elaborate dress and war paint. Beat.
CHIEF
He was -great- Chief. He knew dangers of this cup. His men would be no match.
It's an equal bloody battle, until Molokai raises his cup to the heavens, summoning his power, he begins to shoot fire from his palms... burning Man after Man...
CHIEF
The Chief was more than what he seem. He was high priest...
BEN
Kahuna!
THE CHIEF, having enough, jumps from his horse, coolly extending his arm to the sky a...
CHIEF
Yes, very powerful sorcerer too. His powers were stronger, he overpower the spell of the Sorcerer's Cup. And his men did rest, defeating these band of warriors, sending them over cliffs.
GREAT WIND, sweeps over the rival tribe, arresting Molokai's power. The Chief and his Men regain control, driving Molokai and his weaker army off the cliffs to their death.
CHIEF
And so legend of Molokai was hanging by a root, it was a weak root.
Molokai hangs on to a root at the edge of the cliff. Finally, the root breaks and he falls to his death.
CHIEF
Victory was theirs. The Chief make sure the cup would never fall into the wrong hands again.
BEN
What did he do with it?!
The Chief and the rest of his tribe raise their arms to the Gods, claiming victory and restoring peace. Chief picks up the cup, puts it into a satchel.
BACK TO SCENE
Ben, Jay and Gay awake, rubbing their eyes. They're clearly normal now. Gay touches himself, making sure he's really here.
JAY
What kind of weed is that? I had some whacked out dream.
CHIEF
The cup was taken away.
BEN
Why didn't he just destroy it?
CHIEF
No. The cup must not be broken. Ever.
BEN
Chief, what happens if this cup gets in the wrong hands?
CHIEF
You already see what happen.
Ben turns to Gay... Now realizes the real danger he is in. Chief stands.
GAY
(to himself)
Fossil.
BEN
(to Chief)
And why do you need me to find the Sorcerer's Cup?
CHIEF
(stands, to Po)
Show him.
EXT. SWEAT HUT -- DAY
They emerge from the tent.. a little stiff. Po leads them out.
PO
Follow me.
Ben stops at Chief.
BEN
You're a Chief. You got powers, right?
GAY
I'm finding it hard to believe.
JAY
Yeah, what up?
Suddenly, Ben realizes.
BEN
Wait a second. You're "the Chief"? Kahuna. You have real powers, don't you?
CHIEF
I am a Chief, yes. Your friend is right. I have powers, no.
BEN
Then why us?
CHIEF
It is your destiny. Yours alone.
Chief looks to Po who stares up at a RIDGE TOP. The Boys follow Po's eyes.
EXT. RIDGE TOP - CLIFF SIDE
Ben, Jay, Gay, Po. Staring down a steep valley, filled with fog.
JAY
I'm sorry to break the news, but that ain't no spirits. That's fog.
Po gazes over to Jay, gives him a raised eyebrow. More of a threat.
GAY
Ground fog. Generated as the earth's surface cools by radiation loss at night. I can go on.
PO
This valley will take you. Men have taken over our land, by the ruins. Many of them. My father fears they find the cup.
BEN
Wait. The cup's down there...?
(to himself)
Suzie.
GAY
(to Ben)
Fossil.
Po turns to him with a dubious grin.
BEN
Nothing.
PO
We cannot go yet. Not until spirits clear.
JAY
You mean da fog.
Po gives him another look.
BEN
But we have to go now! They could find the cup at anytime. You have to help us find it or Suzie will be in danger.
PO
We all be in danger. Who is this Suzie?
BEN
A girl who needs me right now.
PO
We cannot fight on holy land! It is a sacred weekend, in honor of the gods. That is why you must do it. You must find it.
JAY
I'm ready. Let's kick some ass.
BEN
And where down there is it?
PO
It is there. Staring at you.
GAY
If you say so. What do we have to lose?
BEN
Our lives. Let's get out of here.
PO
(holds them back)
Not yet. First you must fight, while spirits leave.
BEN
Fight?
Ben gazes over to Jay, perplexed.
EXT. WAKEA TRIBE - FIGHT PIT -- NIGHT
The whole tribe is gathered in a large circle lit by torch light, around...
JAY
Who is in a sparring match with a tribe member. We will call her, KAMIRA, 20's... beautiful. She's clad in a loincloth and leather bra. Her braided hair serves as whips, when used correctly. She lands a swift blow to Jay's chin.
JAY
Was that for real?
Jay touches his lip. It bleeds. She winks.
JAY
Alright, lady. You just messin' with me.
BEN AND GAY
Sit fight side, next to Po, Zima and Chief. The tribe roots on as Kamira has the best of him.
GAY
I don't see a point.
BEN
The point is, Jay's getting his ass kicked by a girl.
PO
(to Ben)
My sister. You're next.
CHIEF
Every warrior must first be tested. It is custom. You must pass.
BEN
Initiation?
GAY
Like a fraternity.
CHIEF
Tomorrow you enter holy land. You must be suitable to Gods. Must prove to them your respect or be rejected.
Gay looks out towards...
KAMIRA AND JAY
Jay swaggers, more bruised and bloodied.
JAY
Okay, okay, that all you got?
Kamira, turns around with her rear facing Jay... she puts her head between her legs... staring at Jay... taunting him. He steps to her, drooling.
BEN
(stands)
Stop! It's a trap!
Po yanks him to the ground, glares at him.
KAMIRA
Motions for him to come closer. Googly eyed, he does.
Ben covers his eyes. Po and Chief look on with pride.
JAY
Okay, baby. What you doin'?
Jay smiles wide, about to smack her rear. Kamira flips her leg over his head, comes down on him, straddling his neck, does a roll, sending him to the ground with force, half conscious, right in front of Chief and Po. Gay faints.
KAMIRA
You're kinda cute, but you lose.
She steps back, raises her hands to the stars. The Natives celebrate. CHANT her name.
Ben fans Gay, still out cold. Chief shakes his head in disappointment.
Kamira steps to a lit torch. The Fat Warrior puts out the torch with a rock.
FAT WARRIOR
The tribe has spoken.
PO AND BEN.
PO
(stands)
Your turn.
BEN
Me? Wait a minute here. I wanna fight the girl.
Ben looks to the Chief. He must pass the test.
Ben wobbles out to the fight pit with Po. Jay crawls on his knees next to Chief. Gay awakes, rises.
GAY
What happened?
(looks out to Ben)
Not again.
Ben and Po circle, dukes are up. Jay turns to Chief.
JAY
(to Chief)
That your daughter? I can't say she resemble you, Chief.
Kamira flashes a smile to Jay from across the fight pit.
PO AND BEN
PO
You ready? Monkey boy?
BEN
Did you just call me a monkey?
PO
Your candy ass is mine.
BEN
Alright then.
Po lunges at Ben who turns to the side, lands a swift kick to Po where it counts. Po falls to the ground in pain.
Ben raises his hands.
BEN
I win!
Po moans in pain. The Fat Warrior extinguishes the torch. Says nothing. Walks away.
BEN
You're supposed to say, "the tribe has spoken." Right?
The rest of tribe stands, walks away.
BEN
Hey, I get my nipple pierced.
(looking around)
I won. I don't have time for this.
Po manages to his feet.
PO
(raises a finger to Ben)
You disrespect the Gods and my.. my...
Po looks down his loincloth to his family jewels...
PO
Tomorrow, is pay back.
BEN
You talkiing to them or me?
Po smacks his fists, gives Ben the eye. Walks off shaking his head.
Kamira and Chief stand.
JAY
Yo, Chief. I get another chance, right? A brotha can't be hittin' a female.
(he thinks)
Well, some do.
CHIEF
(shakes his head in disappointment)
I do not know.
Chief walks toward a small fire as the rest of the tribe make their way to their huts for the night. Jay joins Kamira, she welcomes him with a smile.
JAY
That move... was pretty good.
KAMIRA
Sorry.
She smiles. They go arm and arm, join Chief fireside.
Ben finds a rock, sits on it... alone. Watching the stars. Gay joins him.
GAY
So bright, yet so far away. What are you doing?
BEN
Wishing upon a star.
GAY
We'll stop Professor Fossil. You heard the Chief, it's your destiny. Hey, you won the fight.
BEN
I don't think they liked that, but fog or no fog. I'm leaving tonight.
GAY
You can't go alone.
(second thought)
Then I'm coming.
BEN
(stands)
No. Tell them I went to bed. I have to stop this and find Suzie.
Ben walks away, stops.. turns to Gay.
GAY
Good luck.
Ben just gives us a serious grin, turns and fades into the dark.
INT. THE COLONY - STONE GODDESS -- NIGHT
The Workmen on the latter have now made a wide hole into this last wall, but its not nearly big enough. A group of Workmen push up a large log mounted on swinging ropes...
Together they pull on one end of the log by ropes, releasing it as it swings at full power into the wall, the Workmen jump from the latter, just in time.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
That's more like it.
A DIM GREEN GLOW now emanates from the broken wall.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
God, I'm brilliant.
SKINNY
Is that it, boss?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
That's it alright. Follow me.
Professor Fossil smiles wide and a small group of them including Chubby and Skinny accompany him inside.
INT. STONE GODDESS - DARKNESS
Now behind the face of this Goddess, Professor Fossil has his hands around the black rock the resembles the eye, he can't budge it. It's surrounded by other stones imbedded in the structure. The GREEN GLOW still seeps from cracks in the rocks.
Skinny points his flashlight at Professor Fossil.
SKINNY
We can dig around it can't we?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Give me that!
(taking the flashlight)
We're gonna need a pulley or lift. If that black rock falls, it could destroy the cup.
Professor Fossil turns to some of his Workmen.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I want everyone on high alert tonight. I want daylight for this. At dawn, we'll finish this up.
Some of the Workmen, hustle off. Professor Fossil turns to Chubby and Skinny.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I want you two guarding the entrance. And no sleeping! I have to go think.
Professor Fossil marches off with the other Workmen who follow.
CHUBBY
Will do, boss.
SKINNY
You hear that? He said no sleeping.
EXT. VALLEY OF FOG -- NIGHT
Ben races down a small hill, finding himself immersed in fog, suddenly the fog comes to life... dozens of
GHOSTS
With a dozen different faces... chasing him away, suddenly Ben has no idea which way to run. He stops.
BEN
Help! Chief!
Ben takes a swing at one of the ghosts, misses, falls to the ground. He turns, hears something.
Ben jumps to his feet... Starts running again, he's finally able to escape to a tall tree, a light in the near distance catches his eye...
BEN
Peers from behind the tree and finally he sees something, his mouth drops open...
THE STONE GODDESS
Chubby and Skinny, guard the entrance in chairs, we hear them mumble, slugging each other in the arm, back in forth.
BEN
(staring at the Goddess, realizing)
Staring right at me.
Ben focuses in on the eye of the Stone Goddess, then pans the small colony surrounding it.
BEN
I'm coming, Suzie.
Ben softly races into the colony.
INT. SUZIE'S HUT -- NIGHT
Suzie leans her head against the bamboo wall.. listening.
SKY
Magical powers?
KA'AI
It is old legend. My people fear this for many moons. Only now I sense it is the power of the Sorcerer's Cup coming from stone goddess.
SKY
The professor has been using us. He doesn't plan on reaping profits from it.
KA'AI
We must stop it. Somehow.
Sounds of PEOPLE running by. Suzie jumps into her bed.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Princess?
Suzie turns to his voice... Professor Fossil now staring at her look... "How dare you call me princess" Professor Fossil looks as if he's about to say something, then walks away. Beat.
Suzie sits up in her bed, spots an empty coffee container that would make a great digging device.
SUZIE
(to herself)
Ben.
EXT. WAKEA TRIBE - CAMPFIRE
Gay, Jay, Kamira and Chief sit fireside.
CHIEF
(to Jay)
I see you make friends with my daughter.
KAMIRA
I don't know, father. He is yet to prove himself. We may have to leave him behind tomorrow.
Kamira tosses a growing smile back to Jay.
CHIEF
Where is Mr. Ben?
GAY
Where is he? Um, he, he had a headache. Went to bed.
Gay and Jay exchange some looks.
CHIEF
Mr. Ben think too much.
Chief turns, looks towards the hills as if he knows something.
INT. THE COLONY
Ben carefully makes his way from hut to hut, looking for Suzie.
BEN
(whispering)
Suzie.
He stops, listens... then he hears VOICES of MEN approaching, he runs behind a LARGE HUT... avoiding them, but then a LOUD snore get's his attention... coming from inside the Large Hut... he peers in to see...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
SNORING and turning in his sleep.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(in his sleep)
Suzie, sweet pea, Suzie... I'm sorry.
Ben steps on a twig. He looks to the Stone Goddess... yards away, bolts over and behind it... he pans up the long backside of this Stone Goddess.
INT. PROFESSOR FOSSIL'S HUT
Professor Fossil opens one eye, suspicious. Did he hear something?
EXT. STONE GODDESS - ENTRANCE
In their chairs on guard. Skinny slugs Chubby.
SKINNY
Stay awake.
Chubby slugs Skinny in the arm.
CHUBBY
You stay awake.
They continue.
INT. DOG HOUSE - COLONY
Sky and Ka'ai wait for Chubby and Skinny to fall asleep... eyeing them.
SKY
Those idiots.
KA'AI
We go around them.
Sky and Ka'ai, sneak up to them, Chubby turns towards them, they duck away, just feet from the entrance.
EXT. SUZIE'S HUT
Professor Fossil approaches her hut, then stops. Trying to figure out what to say to her. He continues..
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(to Suzie)
So I haven't been a good father...
He turns the corner to her hut.
INT. SUZIE'S HUT
Her bed is empty. Professor Fossil spots a mound of dirt next to a hole under the bamboo wall. Professor Fossil's lip begins to twitch.
BEN
Now atop the Stone Goddess, one careful step at a time, he crawls over to the edge, sees Chubby and Skinny.. sleeping.
CHUBBY
(to himself in sleep)
You.. stay.. awake.
Sky and Ka'ai are gone. Ben puts his ear to the Goddess... listens. We hear only MUFFLED SOUNDS, then a clink or two... Ben jumps to his feet, taking small steps across the head...
INT. STONE GODDESS
FLASHLIGHTS
Sky and Ka'ai make their way around, locating the GREEN GLOW of the cup, but now they hear footsteps, dusts falls from the ceiling...
SKY
What is that?
KA'AI
Guards?
They look to each other and race over to the black rock vault that holds the Sorcerer's Cup, Sky pulls out a drill and hammer from his pouch, lays the pouch on a small PILLAR.
BACK TO BEN
Now he hears drilling, lights flash from between the rocks. Ben stops, ponders.
BEN
Shit!
Begins to turn and run, then...
SUZIE
Ben!
BEN
Suzie?
Ben turns, Suzie appears from the huts, it starts to RAIN.
SUZIE
Ben!
Suzie runs for him, towards the Stone Goddess.
BEN
Suzie!
Ben takes a step. His foot falls through the rock, sending him through the rock surface inside the...
STONE GODDESS
Landing hard on the ground, right next to Sky and Ka'ai. Rocks from the ceiling begin to fall. Ka'ai pulls Ben under a small lip in the wall, but Ben's foot gets stuck between a rock and the...
PILLAR
Ben, takes his other leg, kicking around, trying to shake lose, he finally kicks at the pillar, one of the bricks in the pillar swings open as the pillar shrinks into the ground....
THE BLACK ROCK
Falls out of the wall, which triggers the wall to separate, opening up to a... SMALL ROOM where we see the...
SORCERER'S CUP... For the first time... GLOWING GREEN... In the palms of two clay crafted hands. The falling rocks subside, Suzie races in as Ben, Sky and Ka'ai make their way over to the cup.
BEN
The Sorcerer's Cup.
Suzie races to Ben, they embrace.
SUZIE
I knew you would find me.
(looks to the cup)
Is that it?
BEN
We have to get out of here, Suzie.
SUZIE
What's going on?
SKY
(to Ben)
And you are?
BEN
I'm Ben and I'm getting this cup out of here before Professor Fossil destroys us all.
KA'AI
(to Ben)
You know.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
...Maybe too much.
They all turn, there's Professor Fossil, with a few Workmen, Chubby and Skinny race in.
SKINNY
I heard somethin'...
(spotting Professor Fossil and the others)
Sir?
Professor Fossil gives him a look.
SUZIE
Daddy? You lied to me.
SKY
He lied to all of us!
(to Workmen)
You guys too!
Professor Fossil's Workmen look to each other, then to Professor Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Get him out of here!
The Workmen race to Sky and Ka'ai pulling them away. Sky rants and raves on his way out.
SKY
Stop him! He's gonna kill us all!
Ka'ai is silent, only making eye contact with Ben as if only Ben can save us.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(stepping to Ben and Suzie)
So. Mr. Goodfellow. You just can't stay away from my daughter, can you?
BEN
I know what you're up to, Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Why don't you take Suzie and leave. I'll forget about everything.
BEN
Not a chance.
SUZIE
I know too, daddy. You're evil. What happened to you?
Beat. Professor Fossil feels the hurt from her words, he pans over to Ben with a deadly grin.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Boys. Prepare Mr.Goodfellow for sacrifice.
SUZIE
Daddy, no!
Professor Fossil grabs Suzie gives her to Skinny who takes her away. Chubby steps to Ben.
SUZIE
No! Ben!
Ben darts to the cup. Picks it up... the clay hands releasing it... the room slowly fills with daylight...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(noticing daylight)
You've activated the cup.
Ben stares deep into the glowing Sorcerer's Cup in his hands, mesmerized.
EXT. WAKEA TRIBE - CAMP
The whole tribe, parting from their tents, including Chief... stand, eyes to the sky as the...
MOON RACES BACKWARDS across the atmosphere CHASED BY THE SUN that freezes in mid sky, shining brightly down upon them.
CHIEF
Turns to Po with a look of horror, as if he knows what has happened, they turn to Gay and Jay. A group of corralled boisterous HORSES sense a disturbance in the force.
INT. STONE GODDESS -- DAY
Still holding tight to the Sorcerer's Cup.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Aren't we in familiar circumstances.
BEN
I'll drop it. I swear.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Go ahead. Drop it.
BEN
I know what will happen, but I don't give a shit.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Bluffer. Now, give me the cup and I'll pass you so you can graduate. Or would you rather fail?
BEN
Nice try.
Ben maneuvers around Professor Fossil, throughout the Goddess.
BEN
I'm going to leave. And you're not going to follow.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
And where are you going, idiot! You can't stop me.
BEN
Don't call me an idiot.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!
BEN
When I get out of here, you're gonna be in a lot of trouble, Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Who's gonna believe a defiant flunker!? There's no way out of this, boy.
Ben paces backwards behind him an overhanging ledge. Professor Fossil eyes the ledge.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Why don't we just take this out side and talk about it?
BEN
No deal. You're toast, Fossil. Soon everyone's going to know what a creep you are.
Ben takes one last step backwards... Professor Fossil lunges for the cup, Ben pulls back, RAMMING HIS HEAD on the ledge... Ben plummets to the ground. As does the cup.
Professor Fossil reaches out, snags the cup. SIGHS in relief.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(beat. Ben moans.)
You are the clumsiest loser I've ever met.
Ben gathers from his pain, rubbing his head. He looks up to Professor Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
It will all be over soon. I have the cup and you shall be my precious offering to the Gods.
Professor Fossil begins a long sinister LAUGH. Chubby tries to laugh sinister like Professor Fossil, but fails miserably.
EXT. COLONY SQUARE -- DAY
Skinny blows from the shell horn. The whole colony gathers around colony square... escaping from their huts. Chubby walks to the middle of the cobble stone square.
CHUBBY
Settle down. Everybody! The professor has found an intruder.
The people of the colony respond with awe. A hubbub begins.
CHUBBY
We have gathered here today to witness, for he in uncleanly.
Off this... Hubbubs and ooh's.
CHUBBY
And now... the ritual will begin.
They CHEER and clap. Professor Fossil wheels Ben out to center square, tied to a make-shift hand truck. Professor Fossil raises his hand to the crowd, then bends down to Ben's ear.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You are circumcised... aren't you?
BEN
What?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Well... if I'm going to gut you, you need first be circumcised. It's customary.
BEN
Gut me?
Ben thinks back to his vision of Molokai sacrificing his family to the Gods in exchange for power.
BEN
Sacrifice.
Professor Fossil tapes Ben's mouth shut, raises from him, unstraps a satchel from his waste, we see inside is the Sorcerer's Cup.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Our intruder has agreed to our ritual and exchange for residency among us.
More CHEERS.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Today also brings goods news. We have located the cup.
More CHEERS.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You have all been working hard and soon you will be rewarded.
More CHEERS.
EXT. SKY OVER OAHU -- SOME VALLEY
The helicopter swings into view, entering a lush green valley cornered by waterfalls.
INT. HELICOPTER
Magnum and Mr.T search with eagle eyes for any sign of the Boys.
MAGNUM
Thanks for the help. I didn't get your name.
MR.T
I tell ya, there ain't nothin' out here, foo!
Magnum spots smoke streaming behind a hillside.
MAGNUM
(pointing)
Over there!
MR.T
(looking behind them)
Who's that?
MAGNUM
It's smoke.
Mr. T motions to him. Magnum turns, we now see it's the Channel 00 New Chopper.
MAGNUM
The news. Step on it.
MR.T
I tell you there be somethin' goin' on out here, foo!
EXT. COLONY SQUARE
Fossil bends down, slowly removes the Sorcerer's Cup from the satchel, he winks at...
BEN
Laying on his back, strapped onto the hand-truck that is now flat, making a table, he squirms.. eyeing his crotch, his eyes dart back to...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(eyeing his man hood)
Mr. Goodfellow. A little up tight, are we?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Pivots to the colony, Sorcerer's Cup in hand, now displaying it to the colony, they responds in awe.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Yes indeed. This is the Sorcerer's Cup and now it is time to honor our fortune.
Professor Fossil raises the cup to the heavens. THUNDER ROLLS. It RAINS. A Workman from the crowd steps forward.
WORKMAN #1
Why's the intruder's mouth taped? What's this cup have to do with his passage?
Professor Fossil draws back the cup, the rain and thunder subside. Now a Workwoman steps forth.
WORKWOMAN
Yeah, something feels eerie, professor. It's getting cold out here.
Skinny steps from the colony with Chubby.
SKINNY
Does seem bit odd, boss. Night just turned into day.
Professor Fossil bites his lip, livid. Chubby punches him in the arm.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Shut up you, idiot. Get up to your lookout tower!
Skinny weaves his way back to the lookout tower. Ben squiggles his tape loose.
BEN
It's a trick! It's a...
In a swift move Professor Fossil slaps his mouth shut with the tape and raises the cup.
It begins to THUNDER and RAIN once more. The Colony displays a sudden show of fear from the abrupt storm. STAR emerges from the colony, running.
STAR
He had my Sky and Old man Ka'ai thrown down the rapids!
(she points to him)
Deceiver!
Ben shifts restlessly, eyes bulging. The Colony exchange looks... is this true? They toss their reaction back to...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL who begins MUMBLING, then...
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(summoning)
Oh great warrior Molokai, handsome, bright and strong, release the powers to make the world go wrong!
STAR
Get him!
Professor Fossil shakes the cup... it isn't working.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
C'mon. Give me the power!
Ben wiggles, almost lose! The colony charges at Professor Fossil knocking Ben over, still strapped in. Professor Fossil ducks under the swarming crowd with the Sorcerer's Cup.
STAR
Reaches for Ben, quickly unties him.
BEN
(rips off the tape)
Where'd he go?
Star looks around. He's gone. Ben stands, pans around... nothing.
THE COLONY
Still wrestling about, thinking he's on the bottom of the pile.
SKINNY
Atop the LOOK-OUT TOWER, gazes up to a hilltop, raises binoculars to his face.
POV - SKINNY
Jay, on top a white horse, giving us the finger. Riding with him is Kamira. We pan across to reveal the gigantic army of the Wakea Tribe on horseback, including Po and Chief.
BACK TO SCENE
Skinny drops the binoculars.
SKINNY
Oh.. my.. god.
Skinny grabs the Shell horn.. SOUNDS it.
SKINNY
Intruders!
BEN
Races through the scrambling colony... he stops. Looks to the hilltop... smiles after seeing his tribe of friends.
BEN
Chief.
Chubby races through with a wooden sword.
CHUBBY
After them!
The colony regroups, grabbing any item they can to fight off the intruders. They charge after them.
Ben stands, not knowing what to do, then..
SUZIE
Help!
Ben pivots to her voice.
Spots Professor Fossil with the Sorcerer's Cup and Suzie... Running towards THE RIDGE, the old dig site.
BEN
(as if he had forgotten about her)
Suzie!
BEN scrambles across the colony eyeing Professor Fossil and Suzie, weaving past hut after hut, but finally losing site of her, finally he retains a clear view... nothing.
BEN
Damn it!
Beat. He spots them again, just over the ridge, Suzie struggles more with Professor Fossil.
By a smoldering campfire, Ben notices a porcelain cup not too unlike the Sorcerer's Cup.
BEN
(realizing, Professor Fossil)
He needs her blood.
Ben sets his eyes on them. The colony is well on their way charging for the...
WAKEA TRIBE
All lined in a row, like in the stand-off in Braveheart. Jay steps his horse in front of the line of Tribe Warriors, raises his hand.
JAY
Ready, men. Charge!
Nothing happens, until Po marches his horse forward, joining Jay on his horse.
PO
I'm the great warrior here, monkey boy!
On his horse, Po turns to face his fellow Warriors and raises his hand.
PO
Onward!
The line of warriors charge forward, then...
CHIEF
Halt!
The Warriors halt on command.
CHIEF
I am Chief, great Chief... and I say...
Chief looks to Jay, nods his head. Jay raises his hand.
JAY
Charge!
Po gives us a look, bitter. The tribe of Warriors charge on, meshing with the colony in a battle, no blood is shed, just big time wrestling and John Wayne punches. Po and Chief remain behind.
PO
Father, you let them fight? Holy ground.
Chief shrugs.
RIDGE TOP
Professor Fossil has Suzie in a bear hug from behind, SMALL NEEDLE in hand... Inching it to her finger. They struggle.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Just one drop!
SUZIE
Get your own blood! Let me go!
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I can't use my own blood, now stay still!
SUZIE
No!
She sends him a swift kick to the shins, but not before he gets one prick at her finger, sending one small drop falling into the cup with a splat!
BEN
No!
Ben gets to his feet, making it over the ridge. Professor Fossil lifts the Sorcerer's Cup to the sky once more, a...
LIGHTENING BOLT
Crashes to the earth, igniting a fire around Professor Fossil, an immediate glow engulfs the cup... BRIGHT GREEN. Ben turns to Suzie.
BEN
Get out of here!
SUZIE
I'm not leaving you!
She stays.. weeps. Ben races for Professor Fossil, grabbing him. Turning him... Professor Fossil's eyes light up with the color of fire... RED AND PIERCING! Professor Fossil let's out a evil sinister LAUGH, not too unlike Molokai did.
Ben... Staring him in the eyes.
BEN
It's too late.
Professor Fossil continues his evil LAUGH.. raises his palms, readied to shoot fire from his hands.
A fierce storm over comes them, GREAT WINDS, THUNDER, LIGHTENING, a...
VOLCANO in the distance begins to erupt.
Ben takes this all in, unsure of what to do, he spots the Sorcerer's Cup placed on the ground... Grabs it... raises it in the air... looks over the ridge... a steep cliff, he closes his eyes and...
TOSSES THE CUP high into the air and over the cliff.
Professor Fossil turns to him, a devilish ROAR.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Nooo!
Professor Fossil's palms SHOOT FIRE at Ben, but Ben dives behind a boulder... missing the flames, just as...
The Sorcerer's Cup.. FALLS WITH A CRASH, breaking into a million pieces.
Beat. Nothing happens. Suzie races to Ben, they embrace. The Red in Professor Fossil's eyes goes out and he falls to his knees.. weak.
PO AND CHIEF
Ride up on horse back, joined by a few Warriors and Jay. Po looks to Chief.
PO
He break the cup.
Chief shrugs. Jay joins them on horseback with Kamira.
Ben and Suzie look over to Professor Fossil... defeated, then smile back to Chief and the others who do the same.
Professor Fossil picks up a rock, takes aim at Ben.. pulls back..
JAY
Watch out!
Ben turns, by now the rock is well on its way... headed right for his forehead.. certain death.
CHIEF
Coolly extends his arm. A WAVE OF ENERGY radiates from his hand across the area... parting trees.
EXT. THE SKY
Channel 00 flies right into this radiating wave of energy, exploding.
BACK TO THE ROCK
As this wave of energy hits it, redirecting it back to Professor Fossil's head...
JAY
I knew you got powers. You big Kahuna.
FROM THE CLIFF
MOLOKAI APPEARS, extends his hand to the rock... it FREEZES in mid air, just before Professor Fossil's head. Professor Fossil looks to Molokai, jaw-dropped. Ben is breathless.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
You? It's really you.
Molokai and Chief eye each other, both of their hands extended to the rock... Two super powers affront.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I summoned you into existence now give the powers to me.
MOLOKAI
Why would I do that? Knot-head. At last, I shall overcome.
Molokai lets out a sinister laugh. Professor Fossil sinks in defeat.
BEN
Chief, you are the Kahuna. Do something!
Chief looks to Po. Po picks up a rock, throws it through Molokai. It goes right through his Ghostly body. Po looks back to Chief, shrugs.
MOLOKAI
Surrender to me. I am Molokai, great warrior, handsome...
With that, Chief inhales, a great vacuum of wind overcomes them, Suzie and Ben crouch to the ground, as do the rest.
Molokai's hollow body begins to bend, changing forms... Molokai ROARS.. And in an instant.. His Ghostly body is sucked into Chief's mouth. Chief's cheeks begin to bulge, kicking and punching from inside.
MOLOKAI
(muffled)
Let me out of here.
Chief swallows. Everyone stands is awe. HOORAYS. Chief smiles... BURPS.
We pan over to see the Tribe and the Colony, making friends... hugging each other, gabbing... smiling. Professor Fossil falls to the ground.
Ben steps to Chief and grows a smile.
BEN
I'm sorry for leaving early, Kahuna.
CHIEF
(he winks)
You hero now, save the day, Mr. Ben.
Ben gives Chief a smile of gratitude.
BEN
(to Jay)
Where's Gay?
JAY
He's bit held up.
EXT. A VALLEY
Gay flops around on top of a slow moving Pony, exhausted.
BACK TO SCENE
BEN
(off that)
Oh.
PO
What shall I do with him?
They all turn. Po holds up Professor Fossil by the shirt.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
(weeping)
It was all a joke. I was only playing.
(to Suzie)
Suzie tell them.
Suzie embraces with Ben, scared. Po brings Professor Fossil to Ben who stares down Professor Fossil. Ben looks for forgiveness in his eyes.
BEN
I can put you in a great deal of trouble, Fossil.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Please... forgive me. I know I did wrong. I just...
Professor Fossil searches for sympathy, humiliated. Desperate.
SUZIE
You promise no more artifacts?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I promise, sweet pea.
BEN
You did some evil things. Why should I forgive you?
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Maybe it was the rock to my head, I don't know, but only now I realize your love for my daughter.
Ben stares Suzie in the eyes, they lean in to kiss, but then Ben turns to everyone there.
BEN
(off Fossil's comments)
Everyone fine with this?
Just HUBBUBS, nobody speaks up.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I would beg on my knees for you to forgive me... son.
Beat.
BEN
(off that)
Okay.
Professor Fossil falls to his knees, begins to beg.
BEN
I said, okay. Get up, old man.
Ben pulls him to his feet. Beat. They shake hands.
SUZIE
Does this mean you'll pass Ben now?
Beat. Professor Fossil smiles. They all embrace. O.S. the sound of a helicopter. We turn to it as Mr. T and Magnum emerge. Magnum runs up to them. Jay moves behind the Chief, taps him on the shoulder.
JAY
Dude, looks like Mr. T.
Chief ignores him.
MAGNUM
You boys are in some deep crap. You hear me.
(to Professor Fossil)
Why, Dr. Fossil. Surprised to see you here. These boys were seen snooping around your place.
Magnum pulls out his handcuffs. Professor Fossil waves him off.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
No. It's okay. Just a misunderstanding.
BEN
That's right. Everything's fine here, right Professor Fossil?
Professor Fossil nods. Magnum and Mr. T turn to leave.
MAGNUM
Well then, good day. I'm retiring.
MR.T
I told you you there ain't nothin' going on up here. And I wanted to knock some heads, foo's.
They turn, walk o.s.
JAY
Yo, that was Mr. T.
(to anyone)
Anybody?
Suzie and Professor Fossil go arm and arm, making up.
WORKMAN #1
Well, I've had enough of this. I'm going home, money or not.
WORKWOMAN
Count me in. This is too weird for me.
The colony separates, disappearing into the woods. Ben shakes hands with Po.
PO
I still owe you pay back.
BEN
Can we just forget about that?
PO
You're still a monkey boy.
BEN
Have you ever considered big time wrestling? There's good money in it.
Together they smile. Then Ben remembers something. He checks his watch.
BEN
Oh no!
CHIEF
What is it, Mr. Ben?
BEN
The cup! I needed the cup to save the house! I don't have time.
Chief stands content as if he knows everything about Ben.
CHIEF
Good luck, Mr. Ben.
Suzie and Professor Fossil turn towards the cliff...
SUZIE
Ben!
Ben spins, Suzie points out over the ridge, he follows that to a...
A GREEN GLOW
Coming from beyond the ridge.
PO
Well, go get it monkey boy.
Chief agrees with a smile.
JAY
You heard the man.
Ben races over, looks over the cliff. There sits...
THE SORCERER'S CUP
Shining back at Ben, a friendly glow. Ben looks back to Chief...
BEN
How did you...
But Chief is gone and so is Po and the rest of the Wakea Tribe.
BEN
...do that?
Ben looks to Suzie and Professor Fossil, panning the area. Only two horses meandering around.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Well, they were just here.
Ben grabs the cup... races to Suzie and Professor Fossil.
BEN
I have to get this back to the bank.
(to Professor Fossil)
You're the expert. Will you validate it?
Professor Fossil eyes the Sorcerer's Cup as Ben fits it in his backpack.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
Grab a horse.
GAY
Finally rides up on his slow walking pony. He falls from the horse, worn-out. They race away on horseback as Gay notices the glowing cup in Ben's backpack.
GAY
(standing)
You got the Cup!
(to pony)
He found the cup!
(to Ben)
Wait for me!
BEN
Come on, Gay!
Star steps from the woods.
GAY
Can I help you?
STAR
I had to pee. I'm a friend of Ben's. Now get on.
She boosts Gay onto the pony then manages to maneuver herself on. She slaps it's ass.
INT. THE BANK -- DAY
Linda and Bob sit opposite a COLLECTIONS AGENT at a desk. Linda rubs a last tear from her eye. Bob finishes signing a paper then turns to Linda, rubs her back.
BOB
It's going to be alright.
Collections Agent shuffles the papers. Smiles.
COLLECTIONS AGENT
Good luck.
He gives them an arrogant grin, turns from them and leaves.
Bob stares Linda deep into her eyes.
BOB
Let's go.
They embrace.
EXT. TRAIL - COCO MOUNTAIN
Suzie and Professor Fossil race by on one horse, followed by Ben.. careening down this semi-steep trail. Suzie spots three baseball caps on top of a some sand just off trial.
SUZIE
Look, someone lost their hat.
The hats obviously belong to the Three Black Guys.
BEN
They lost more than that.
We now realize it's quicksand that the Three Black Men succumbed to. They race on, reaching the bottom of the hill. They stop at Professor Fossil's 4x4.
PROFESSOR FOSSIL
I'll need my kit to verify the cup.
Beat. Ben thinks.
BEN
I'm out. Meet me there.
Ben takes one last look at Suzie. Throws a smile at her. She returns fire, sends him one back.
BEN
I'll see you around.
Ben races away.
EXT. CITY STREETS
Ben weaves around HONKING cars and trucks. Greeted by angry HOWLS from pedestrians.
BEN
Sorry! Excuse me! Sorry!
EXT. BANK
Ben brings his horse to a sudden stop, sending him over the saddle onto the...
GRASS. Ben shakes it off and makes his way to the Bank's entrance... leaving the cup and his backpack behind.
A SECURITY GUARD tries to stop him.
SECURITY GUARD
Hey, get back here!
INT. BANK
Ben pans around for his parents. Spots a sign that reads, "COLLECTIONS" then races over to the Collections Agent.
BEN
Hi. I'm Ben Longfellow. I got...
Ben searches for the cup, realizing he doesn't have it.
COLLECTIONS AGENT
Yes, I'm sorry. You just missed them. Things are all settled now.
BEN
Wait a second.
COLLECTIONS AGENT
Good-day, sir!
Collections Agent gives him the same arrogant grin, walks off.
BEN
You... you...
Ben looks for a word, but can't find one. He turns with heavy shoulders, exits.
EXT. BEN'S HOUSE - STREET
Ben strolls his neighborhood street, head down, with only his cup.
BEN
Some good this will do me.
He stops at his house, pans up to it, sullen.
BEN'S HOUSE
Front doors locked shut. The front lawn is overgrown. His frown says it all.
BEN
Sorry, mom... Dad.
He holds back his emotions, bits his cheeks and turns.
BOB
Benny boy!
Still with his back to the house. He freezes.
BEN
Dad?
(to us)
Every time I turn my back something happens... why?
He turns.
Bob sticks his head from the kitchen window.
BEN
Dad!
Linda joins him from the window.
BEN
Mom?
LINDA
It's okay, Ben. They gave us a stay of sale. We saw the news. You got the cup, right?
EXT. COCO MOUNTAIN -- TRAIL HEAD
The Two 00 Reporters from before, stand at the base of the mountain, black, dirty and half burnt. News Vans of all channels pull onto the scene... racing over to...
Gay
Who's being interviewed by a FEMALE REPORTER. Star joins him.
FEMALE REPORTER #1
Did you know you're a hero?
FEMALE REPORTER #2
You uncovered thousands of years of history. How do you feel?
STAR
He feels great.
Other REPORTERS charge up, sticking microphones in his face.
FEMALE REPORTER #1
And where is the cup now?
GAY
The cup is safe.
(crosses his fingers behind his back)
I'm not the hero, but I know who is.
Gay smiles into the cameras, a smile for Ben. Gay and Star face each other, as if they're about to kiss.
The Two unlucky Reporters barge in. Who are these guys?
REPORTER #1
We're from channel double zero. This is our story!
A verbal tug-go-war begins amongst the reporters.
FEMALE REPORTER #2
Will somebody call the police?
INT. BEN'S HOUSE -- DAY
Ben and his parents turn from the TV, turn it off. In the b.g. from the window we see Professor Fossil and Suzie scramble from their vehicle. Suzie runs to the door.
BOB
How did you do it?
BEN
With a little help from my friends.
LINDA
But the sticky jungle, honey?
She shimmers. Suzie races in, slowly followed by Professor Fossil.
Ben and Suzie embrace.
BEN
I kinda like jungle life.
SUZIE
Shut up and kiss me, tarzan boy.
She lean in for a kiss.
BEN
Wait a minute. Has anybody seen, Jay?
Suzie frowns. No kiss.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HILLS OF OAHU - WATERFALL POOL
Ka'ai and Sky make their way from the water on their knees.
SKY
Fossil will pay for this.
ABOVE THE WATERFALL
It's Jay and Kamira on horse back looking over the city of Honolulu from this incredible view.
KAMIRA
If you come, you can never go back.
Po and Chief wait in the distance with Zima.
JAY
(still looking out)
What you talkin' about? I come back if I want.
(turns to Kamira, smiles)
Let's cruise. My fine Hawaiian, lady.
They smile, Jay's horse rears up on its back feet.
JAY
Always wanted to do that.
They saunter away to Chief, Po and Zima, who slowly stroll away as they disappear, almost magically, into an unknown world.
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE
INT. BISHOP MUSEUM
Media, cameras flashing. At the front of this small crowd is Ben and Professor Fossil. Ben hands the Sorcerer's Cup to a MAN we assume is the Museum Manager. They shake hands and they turn to the clapping crowd where we see Bob, Linda, Gay and Star. Fossil grabs Ben's arm, raises in the air.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - CAMPUS -- DAY
The class of graduating seniors rise from their seats in their cap and gowns, throwing their caps to the sky. Among them is...
BEN AND SUZIE
They turn to each other, smiles of joy. Ben leans closer to her face, stops. Stares her in the eyes. Beat. He finally kisses her.
FADE OUT:
THE END
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