Electric Current p13-23

INT. FRANK’S CAR – DAY

There is complete silence in the vehicle except for the thrumming of the engine. Allison is staring out the window, but then turns towards her father.

ALLISON

Did you get your ability from one of your parents?

FRANK

Yeah, my dad. He got it from his dad, who got it from his mother, back quite a ways, I think.

ALLISON

How far?

FRANK

I dunno. Maybe a mutation or something.

ALLISON

Nah. Couldn’t have been a mutation.

FRANK

Why not?

ALLISON

Mutations only lose information. The only ‘beneficial’ mutation in humans is sickle cell anemia, and that’s only if you’re stuck in a place with malaria.

FRANK

Where’d you come up with that?

ALLISON

Read it somewhere, I guess.

FRANK

Then what’s your theory?

ALLISON

Okay. I’ve been thinking. Maybe, some really smart guy figured out how to add the information to somebody’s DNA that’d let him transfer electricity throughout his body.

FRANK

I don’t know about that.

ALLISON

Well the information had to come from somewhere. What do you is more likely? Some random mutation, or some intelligent manipulation?

FRANK

You a fundamental or something?

Allison shrugs.

FRANK

Well it doesn’t matter how we got it. Just that we got it.

ALLISON

I guess.

EXT. FRANK’S MANSION – DAY

Several hours later, Frank pulls to the gate of his huge mansion. As the gate recedes and car goes up the long winded driveway, Allison can’t help but stare at the elaborate gardens, fountains, and especially the house itself.

ALLISON

Whoa! I had no idea you were this rich! How come you’re driving a Pontiac?

FRANK

I had to keep a low profile. Don’t worry; I’ve got tons of better cars than this one. A Lexus, a limousine…

Frank parks inside his garage, filled with twenty or thirty vehicles.

FRANK

By the way. I’ll give you any car you want for your sixteenth birthday.

ALLISON

Really? Cool!

They get out of the car, bringing their suitcases with them.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION – DAY

As they enter inside the mansion, a servant meets them at the door, and takes their suitcases.

Allison gazes around her surroundings, feasting her eyes on the elegant statues, paintings, marble floors, a mahogany staircase, velvet drapes, and hired servants bustling around.

One man in particular, the butler, SAM, comes up and greets them.

SAM

Glad you’ve returned, Mr. Steel. And who might this young lady be?

FRANK

My daughter—

ALLISON

Allison.

They shake hands.

FRANK

Have my guests arrived, yet, Sam?

SAM

Yes, sir, they have.

FRANK

Good. Why don’t you show her the bedrooms upstairs and let her pick one. (to Allison) When you’re all set, why don’t you join me in the parlor. It’s right over there.

He points her towards the room at the end of the hall. Then Frank heads towards the room, while the butler indicates to the stairway.

SAM

This way.

Frank stops, and turns around.

FRANK

Oh, and Sam, do make sure to have a servant bring her suitcase up. (to Allison) If you need anything, just ask Sam.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION, UPSTAIRS – DAY

Sam leads Allison up the stairway and shows her the room. She picks on and after the butler takes his leave, she shuts the door behind her.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION, ALLISON’S BEDROOM – DAY

Then Allison goes over to one of the outlets, and holds her hand against it. Electricity flows into her body, causing her to relax.

When the servant brings up her suitcase, she unpacks her belonging, and then brushes her hair, placing it back into a neater ponytail.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION, PARLOR – DAY

Allison quietly approaches the parlor doors. She can only hear faint muttering sounds as she peeks into the door. Her father notices her presence right away, and his face brightens.

FRANK

Allison! Come in, come in. I’d like you to meet some friends of mine.

Allison sets herself down on the couch, and facet he three strangers sitting on the couch opposite her: two men and a woman.

FRANK

This is Niro, Ivy, and James. They’re working on a dig in Egypt, and I am their sole sponsor. James is the main archaeologist on this dig.

(MORE)

FRANK (CONT’D)

Niro is the head of security, and Ivy… well… Ivy, she’s… I believe she’s James’s assistant, yes. (He turns to his colleagues) Gentlemen, and lady, this is my daughter, Allison. (to Allison) Now Allie, they have invited me to fly out to their dig and view their findings. Would you like to come with me?

ALLISON

To Egypt?

FRANK

Yes.

ALLISON

Umm… I don’t know… I mean…

FRANK

Think about it. But let me know soon. I’m leaving tomorrow morning. (to his guests) I’ll see you then.

Frank’s guests take their leave.

FRANK

I really would like it if you’d come.

ALLSION

What about— you know?

FRANK

That? Oh Allie, it’s no big deal. They have generators there. We’ll be fine.

ALLISON

But what would Mom say? She might not like the idea of me flying to a foreign country on another continent.

FRANK

She doesn’t have to know, if you don’t want her to, Allie. We’ll only be in Egypt for a few weeks at the most, and then we’ll come here. I’ll have you home before the summer’s over, I promise.

ALLISON

All right! I’ll come with you.

FRANK

That’s my girl. Now dinner’s gonna be ready in ten minutes. You want some?

He tilts his head towards a lamp sitting on a table next to him.

ALLISON

No, I already took some.

FRANK

Well, then let’s head to the dining room. And then we’ll go to bed early, for tomorrow, we go to Egypt.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION, FRANK’S OFFICE – NIGHT

Frank is sitting in his office chair, reviewing some files when Sam knocks on the door.

SAM

Mr. Steel? I thought you wanted to go to bed early.

FRANK

I did. But something came up.

SAM

Well, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment.

FRANK

Sure.

SAM

I don’t think it’s right what you’re doing. She could get hurt, or worse, get killed.

FRANK

It’s none of your business, Sam.

SAM

I bet your pardon, Mr. Steel, but it is. You may be rich, but you are legally responsible for the well-being of your daughter.

FRANK

That’s quite enough, Sam. Don’t lecture me on my priorities.

SAM

Very well, sir. But I thought it was prudent to give you a warning.

FRANK

Yes, yes, fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important work I need to finish up.

Sam turns around and leaves Franks office.

INT. FRANK’S MANSION, SAM’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Sam picks up the phone and dials a number.

SAM

(on the phone)

Is this Edna? This is Sam. I don’t know if you remember me, but I have reason to believe your daughter may be in danger.

EXT. AIRPLANE – DAY

As Frank and Allison step off the plane, an ATTENDANT, greets them.

ATTENDANT

(in Arabic)

Welcome to Egypt.

Once they collected their luggage, climb into a rental with Niro driving, and Ivy in the front seat besides him.

EXT. EGYPT, ARCHAELOGICAL DIG - NIGHT

It takes nearly an hour to reach the dig site, and Allison is worn out by the eighteen-hour trip. Niro goes straight to the trunk and starts unloaded the suitcases. They each carry their own belongings to their respective tents.

NIRO

Mr. Steel, you too tired to take a look at it?

FRANK

Yeah. It’s too dark. Tomorrow.

ALLISON

Look at what?

FRANK

Tomorrow. Let’s get unpacked and get some sleep.

EXT. EGYPT, ARCHAELOGICAL DIG – DAY

Allison wakes up around seven-thirty to find her father’s already gone. She hurriedly gets dressed and rushes outside to look for him. She spots a man working nearby, and approaches him.

ALLISON

Hey, do you know where my dad is? Frank Steel?

The MAN#1 looks at her uncomprehendly. The MAN#2 notices and steps in.

MAN #2

He doesn’t speak English.

ALLISON

Oh. (to Man #1) Sorry. (back to MAN #1) Do you know where my dad is?

MAN #2

No. (He turns to Man #1 and speaks to him in Arabic, subtitled) Do you know where Franklin Steel is?

The man#2 replies in Arabic, not subtitled.

MAN #2

In the southwest group of tents over there.

ALLISON

Oh. How do you say “thank you” in Arabic?

MAN #2

Shukran.

ALLISON

(to man #1)

Shukran

Then Allison dashes off toward the tents the man had pointed out to her. She reaches the cluster of tents, but isn’t sure which one it is.

ALLISON

Dad! Dad!

Frank appears from one of the tents.

ALLISON

Hey, Dad. Can I see it?

Frank hesitates, then nods.

FRANK

Sure, Allie.

She follows him inside the tent where there is a large scroll rolled out on the table.

ALLISON

What is it?

IVY

Proof that the Jewel exists.

ALLISON

The Jewel? What are you talking about?

JAMES

According the legend passed down by Ivy’s people, there is a jewel hidden in a cave made of an element found nowhere else on Earth. According to this scroll, the cave is located in a region not far from here.

IVY

Right where I said it’d be.

JAMES

Which, unfortunately, is a piece of land privately owned.

ALLISON

Why’s that a problem? Just ask them if you can look for it.

JAMES

It’s located on property owned by a fanatical religious sect that outlaws technology. These people are basically a primitive society… by choice.

ALLISON

And why’s that a problem?

IVY

Because the jewel is protected by thunderbolts that strike any who approach.

ALLISON

Huh?

IVY

It’s why we need you.

ALLISON

What? No.

NIRO

That’s right, young lady. We know who you are; what you can do.

ALLISON

No. You’re all crazy. (She looks at her father) Tell them!

Frank sighs and pulls his daughter aside, outside the tent.

FRANK

I told them about your gift.

ALLISON

Why? Why did you tell them? It’s just a legend. Probably not even real.

FRANK

It is.

ALLISON

This doesn’t have anything to do with me.

FRANK

On the contrary, it has everything to do with you. Allie, listen to me. The maps also describe in detail, the ‘legend’ of mysterious warriors with the ability to ‘conduct bolts of lightning’ through their bodies. Sound familiar? They say that the caves where the jewel is located products bolts of lightning every time a person comes near. If they can reflect it back to its source, the jewel is theirs, if not, they die.

ALLISON

Why can’t you just get the jewel?

FRANK

Because the warriors are all female.

ALLISON

So? You think the cave’s gonna know the difference?

FRANK

I don’t know, but I’d rather be on the safe side. After all, if the caves got motion sensors and electricity generators, maybe it can tell the difference between a man and a woman. Either way, I don’t want to risk my life, but you’d be safe for sure.

ALLISON

Is that why you showed up at my house and convinced me to stay with you for the summer? So I could fly to Egypt and retrieve some jewel for you based on a legend? I don’t think so. For once I thought maybe you were trying to be a better father and get more involved in my life, but you’re just using me.

FRANK

I am trying to get more involved, but it just so happens I need your help, too.

ALLISON

Yeah, right. You’re pathetic. Do they know you can do it, too?

FRANK

No. They don’t know. They can’t know.

ALLISON

Why not?

FRANK

I told you, the warriors were all female. The others believe you got it from your mother. They wouldn’t believe me if I told them otherwise. And they wouldn’t believe you either. Just play along, okay? Allie, you’ve got to help me. You might as well since you’re here. At least think about it, won’t you?

ALLISON

No! I’m not helping you. Buy me a ticket and send me home!

Niro pushes open the tent flap and steps outside.

NIRO

Is there a problem?

ALLISON

He’s the problem.

NIRO

So… you ain’t gonna help us?

ALLISON

No.

NIRO

Ivy! James! Get out here! (to Allison) You sure you don’t want to help us?

ALLISON

I told you already. No!

NIRO

Sure we can’t change your mind?

Allison shakes her head. Niro, draws out his gun, and aims it at her. Her mouth drops open.

NIRO

Now do you change your mind?

ALLISON

Dad!

FRANK

Just help us, honey, that’s all we’re asking.

ALLISON

He’s pointing a gun at my head!

FRANK

Well Niro, she’s got a point. You needn’t go to such drastic extremes.

NIRO

You want the jewel or not?

FRANK

Well of course I do, but…

NIRO

Then let me handle this. (to Allison) Young lady, you either help us, or I pull the trigger.

ALLISON

Dad, do something.

FRANK

Allie, stop this. If you refuse to cooperate, they’ll kill you.

ALLISON

What?

FRANK

You heard what I said. They’ll kill you. And I can’t do anything to stop them.

ALLISON

I thought you were their ‘sole sponsor’.

FRANK

I am. But things are more complicated than this. I want the jewel, too, and I’m not going to tell them no.

ALLISON

You’d let them kill me to get your hands on a stupid trinket!

Allison lunges at her father, and starts pounding her hands on his chest. As he tries to defend himself, a gunshot rings in the air, causing Frank to gasp, and clutch his leg.

Allison immediately stops her attack, and backs away, stunned.

FRANK

You idiot! Look what you did to my leg. You could have killed me! Now put that gun away!

He falls to the ground.

FRANK

(weakly)

Somebody get a bandage.