The Serpent Curse

An Australian Death Adder sets out to find the Tree of Knowledge in hopes of making amends for the Serpent's deception of Adam and Eve, and prove there is more to a snake than just a crafty creature.

FADE IN:

ADVISORY CARD:

This film is a work of fiction. The interpretations and

speculations presented herein are merely a creative take on

Biblical events, and is in no way intended to be substituted

for Gospel Truth. Thank You.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAY

A DUNNART scampers its way through the Australian growth.

A RUSTLE of movement in the grass to the right. Unblinking

eyes. Something watches, the DISTORTED COLORS OF SNAKE

VISION.

More RUSTLING, the dunnart looks in the direction of the

movement. Cautiously, it steps forward.

Another RUSTLE, another STEP... The dunnart reaches the site

of the rustling... And SNAP!

KIAH the Common Death Adder SPRINGS out at her prey!

EXT. PROLOGUE

Tales GHOST across the screen, the stories throughout the

ages, getting older and older, NARRATORS OF ALL CULTURES

TELLING TALES OF THE DARK DEEDS OF SNAKES.

Finally, we rest upon a Hebrew Old Testament scroll. It

unravels and the story unfolds upon its length.

SERPENT (V.O.)

In the Beginning, God created the

Heavens and the Earth.

The early Solar System... CRASH! BANG! Giant pieces of space

rock CRASH TOGETHER, forming to create Earth.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

From the land to the sea, to plants

and birds and fish, to all the

creatures that walk upon the Earth,

God created them all.

We pan across a wide landscape, the creations of the world

coming into being as they're spoken.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

Finally, when he saw all this was

good, he created mankind.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam is formed from the dust of the

Earth. Adam examines his hands in wonder, and shakily stands

to his feet.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

Man and woman, Adam and Eve, he

placed in the Garden of Eden...

Adam is joined by Eve in the Garden of Eden.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

...where they were free to enjoy all

it had to offer. With one exception.

We see the seedlings of the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE TREE

OF LIFE sprouting from the ground, beginning to grow, their

trunks spiraling around each other, STRENGTHENING as they

gain height as one.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

They could not eat the fruit from the

Tree of Knowledge.

Adam and Eve stand before the Trees, staring in awe.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

But then came the most crafty of the

creatures God had created. The

serpent.

...And among the leaves of the Tree emerges a legged

Serpent, twined around the branches, facing Adam and Eve.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

In their innocence, Man and Woman

could not discern right from the

Serpent's deception...

Eve plucks a fruit from the Tree and takes a bite. She hands

it over to Adam, and he takes a bite as well.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

...And thus they were cursed.

Suddenly the world flashes dark around them.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

Immediately, they were expelled from

the Garden of Eden...

2.

The light of God FLASHES through the sky. Adam, Eve, and the

Serpent flee from the Garden. And then world falls to

darkness.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

...And humankind was forced to live

out their lives in a fallen world for

the rest of all time.

Men work in a field. One man looks enviously at another,

picks up his pitchfork and hurtles it at the other.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

But mankind wasn’t the only one lost

to the fall...

We move back in time to the Tree of Knowledge, the Serpent

still twined around its branches.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

For on the serpent, God bestowed this

curse:

The glory of the Lord shines upon the Serpent.

THE LORD (V.O.)

Cursed are you above all the

livestock and all the wild animals!

You will crawl on your belly and you

will eat dust all the days of your

life...

The Serpent squirms as its legs shrivel up into it's body

until they are nothing more.

THE LORD (V.O.) (cont'd)

And I will put enmity between you and

the woman, and between your offspring

and hers; he will crush your head,

and you will strike his heel.

A snake sits in wait by a desert road. A traveler passes by

and the snake leaps out at it. The traveler pulls back, a

fresh snake-bite at his heel. He looks at the snake in

shock. Weakly, he raises his staff, and brings it down on

it.

SERPENT (V.O.)

And while mankind was eventually

reconciled through the sacrifice of

God's Son...

A Cross is risen on a hill, Jesus hanging on it.

3.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

...The serpent’s tale has been left

forgotten.

The screen goes dark.

SERPENT (V.O.) (cont'd)

Or has it? Because while mankind has

forgotten the Serpent Curse, the

creature sentenced to crawl on its

belly for eternity never will.

And out of the void of darkness the Serpent appears, eyes of

hatred staring forward, awaiting the moment to strike.

TITLE CARD: THE SERPENT CURSE

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAY

Scales shifting through the dirt, brush parting around her,

a twig SNAPS. Kiah emerges, jaws yawning, belly bloated from

a meal well devoured.

Suddenly, vibrations radiating from the side. Kiah turns

her head to a RUSTLE of movement in the bushes, SNAKE

VISION. Cautiously, Kiah makes her way toward it--

And another death adder SPRINGS out at her.

Kiah leaps out of the way, curving around to the side,

wrapping the threat up with herself. She strangles him to

the ground, hovers over him. FANGS EXPOSED, she prepares to

strike--

And then she stops.

KIAH

Birrani. Trying to eat your sister

again aren't we? Just so desperate

for a tiny little morsel, you're

willing to consume your own kin. Very

courteous of you if I do say so

myself.

BIRRANI

Wha- Kiah? I didn’t know it was you,

I thought you were some funny looking

lizard or something.

4.

KIAH

Yeah, I can see the resemblance.

Except... I don’t have any legs.

BIRRANI

Well, you never know. Maybe another

death adder went around just eating

the legs, leaving the rest for me.

Suddenly, a third death adder, female and somewhat older

(MUM), passes through. Spotting them, she stops.

MUM

Hunting's going well, I suppose?

Kiah untangles herself from Birrani as she addresses her

Mum.

KIAH

Excellent! I just devoured a

wonderful dunnart. Birrani here

otherwise...

BIRRANI

Was perfect. I caught something

small, but... I could have had a

whole Death Adder as well, if Kiah

here hadn't gotten in the way.

MUM

Hmm, I don’t recommend cannibalism,

but since she’s your sister, I can

understand. Well, I'm headed back to

the den if anyone wants to come with

me.

KIAH

Well, I’m stuffed for today. You

coming Bro?

But Birrani just stares into the distance, eyes narrowed.

BIRRANI

No. I’m staying out 'til I catch

something big.

KIAH

Well, good luck with that. Just don’t

try to eat any other death adders

while you’re at it.

5.

Birrani HUFFS and Kiah turns to follow her Mum away. Looking

back, Kiah notices Birrani violently swishing his tail

through the brush, trying to duck out of sight.

KIAH (cont'd)

Welp, he's gonna starve.

MUM

He'll learn.

Mum looks up at the Sun, slipping toward the cloudy horizon.

MUM (cont'd)

But it’ll have to be soon. I'm not

sure the weather'll hold out.

Kiah tastes the air, taking in the atmosphere with a flick

of her tongue.

KIAH

You think it's gonna storm tonight?

MUM

Nah, probably will go around us. But

still, never hurts to keep watch.

They reach their burrow, a wide opening in the ground, and

crawl in, side by side.

INT. DEATH ADDER BURROW - CONTINUOUS

They head down the tunnel in silence. Abruptly, Kiah pulls

back an inch, giving a CRY.

MUM

Kiah?

Kiah looks at the ground to see a shard of a beer bottle in

front of her.

KIAH

Yeah, it’s just one of those glass

bottles. Those party weirdos from

that pickup earlier, probably.

Kiah backs up with a wince to look at her belly. A bit of

blood comes from a scratch where the bottle had scraped her.

She suppresses her frustration.

6.

KIAH (cont'd)

Great, there's carnage.

(To shard)

Better taste as good as it looks.

MUM

I'm sure it does. Though I doubt the

bottle has the taste buds to

appreciate it.

(pause)

That'll be okay, right?

Kiah tries to readjust herself to put pressure on the wound,

but is unsuccessful.

KIAH

Yeah, just... let's get back to the

hollow, I'll pressure it tonight.

Mum nods, and they continue down the tunnel.

And pull to a stop.

The tunnel ahead of them has collapsed, dirt and rubble

obstructing their path.

KIAH (cont'd)

And a landslide too. Brilliant! Help

me clear this so we can get past.

Kiah goes up to the rubble and starts burrowing with her

head, it's shape barely able to make a dent in the dirt.

KIAH (cont'd)

Man, if only we had claws for this.

MUM

Sadly we don’t. That was the curse

after all.

Mum moves past Kiah and nudges a loose patch of dirt. It

collapses, leaving a small opening.

MUM (cont'd)

Here, this looks like a way forward.

Mum squeezes through the opening and Kiah follows behind.

KIAH

It doesn’t seem fair, does it? It’s

not our fault Satan took on the form

of a snake when he decided to deceive

Adam and Eve.

7.

As the tunnel opens back up again, Mum stops to face Kiah.

MUM

I don’t understand it either, but

that’s just the way it is. I don’t

see how it matters.

Kiah joins her Mum side by side as they continue down the

tunnel.

KIAH

I guess not, but it's hard not to

wonder what we could be if we weren't

so cursed.

MUM

Yeah, but I don’t think it’s best to

dwell on such things.

As they reach a small hollow, Kiah enters and curls up in a

coil inside, using her own body to stop the blood flow. She

turns back to Mum.

MUM (cont'd)

You're okay right?

KIAH

Yeah. I'll be fine.

MUM

Okay. Well then, see you on the up-

and-up.

With that, Mum heads back down the tunnel. Kiah sighs and

rests her head on her coiled self and sleeps.

INT. DEATH ADDER BURROW - LATER

Kiah's unblinking eyes come into focus. All is dark and

quiet in her hollow. She looks down at her cut, now no more

than a slight scar along her body.

Uncurling herself, Kiah leaves her hollow and heads down the

tunnel. She makes a turn and a few feet later, and soon

approaches another hollow.

KIAH

Birrani?

Inside the hollow's empty and untouched.

8.

Brow furrowed, Kiah turns back around and makes her way out

of the burrow.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - CONTINUOUS

Out in the night air, the Full Moon shines bright in the

star glittered sky. Kiah pauses at the edge of the burrow

and looks around.

KIAH

I hope he’s alright.

As Kiah heads out into the night, her brother’s FURIOUS CRY

bursts through the outback.

KIAH (cont'd)

Birrani!

She picks up her pace and reaches the source of the cry. Up

in a tree, Birrani is being tied to a branch like a rope, a

group of angry lizards standing over him, his head jammed

right at the edge of the knot, jamming him into the wood.

BIRRANI

No! Stop! Please! You're going to

squeeze my vital organs out of me!

KIAH

Birrani?

Birrani turns his jammed head toward Kiah as she slithers

up. She looks at the lizards making the final touches to

their knot.

KIAH (cont'd)

What in food's name is going on?

Lizard 1 leaps from the tree to confront Kiah.

LIZARD 1

"What in food's name"? This cursed

creature just tried to murder us!

BIRRANI

I was hungry. I just wanted someone

to eat.

LIZARD 2

Well, you had no right to try to eat

me.

9.

KIAH

You're the guy's food, what'you

expect him to do?

LIZARD 3

Stay hungry.

KIAH

Oh yeah, and I’m sure the bugs are

anymore inspired to hop inside your

mouths everyday.

LIZARD 2

Actually, that did happen once. It

was really quite nice.

KIAH

It’s the food chain guys, you gotta

understand how tasty you all are.

LIZARD 1

We do. He tried to eat us, we tried

to defend ourselves. Doesn't get

fairer than that.

BIRRANI

Fine, sounds fair. Let me go and I’ll

let you go. Fair? Fair.

Lizard 1 inspects the knot proudly.

LIZARD 1

I’m afraid not. You'll just eat us

the moment you’re free.

Birrani gives a SIGH. Their work done, the lizards hop down

from the tree, shying away from Kiah as they make their way

for the brush.

LIZARD 2

Snakes. What horrible creatures. They

deserve to be tied to trees more

often.

And with that, they're gone. Kiah turns her attention to

Birrani.

KIAH

Hold on Birrani, I’m coming.

BIRRANI

Don't bother. I got this.

10.

Birrani tries to move forward, but only manages to tighten

the knot. He CRIES OUT.

KIAH

Yeah, so good.

Kiah reaches the tree ad makes her way up it -- spiraling,

spiraling -- and reaching the branch, slithers up to

Birrani. She examines the knot and tries to untie it with

her head and tip of her tail. There is no way to get a good

grip in.

KIAH (cont'd)

This isn't working.

Kiah tries for a few more seconds, but to no avail.

Stopping, she looks at her brother.

KIAH (cont'd)

You really are a terrible hunter,

aren’t you?

BIRRANI

I know.

Kiah scans the moonlit ground, and spots a fallen branch

laying in the dirt.

Kiah makes her way down from the tree, and over to the

branch. Reaching it, she tries to nudge it, but finds it is

stuck slightly in the dirt.

KIAH

More digging, great.

Kiah uses her head to dig into the dirt around the branch,

but her head just slides across hard dirt, barely making a

mark. GRUMBLING, she digs harder.

Finally, with the branch free, Kiah tries to nudge it with

her sides in the direction of the tree, but it is too

uneven, and rough edges dig into the dirt throwing it off

track. Frustrated, she gives up.

KIAH (cont'd)

So unsanitary.

Kiah picks up the branch with her mouth, and tries to drag

it toward the tree. Unfortunately, the branch snags on the

ground, and the branch is yanked free from her mouth. Kiah

gives a HUFF of anger.

11.

Trying again, she finally makes it to the tree with the

branch. But the branch protruding from her mouth messes with

her positioning with the tree, and Kiah has a hard time

maneuvering herself so she can climb. But finally, she works

out a rhythm and spirals up the tree.

Kiah once again reaches Birrani and tries wedging the branch

into Birrani’s knot to pry him free. She pokes Birrani

accidentally.

BIRRANI

Ow! What are you doing to me?

Kiah doesn't respond as she continues trying. She

accidentally pokes him again.

BIRRANI (cont'd)

Kiah! Ow! Am I bleeding?

Kiah doesn't respond, and Birrani starts to panic.

BIRRANI (cont'd)

Can't you just tell me what's

happening? Don't I have the right to

know what's happening with my body.

Kiah grows irritable with her situation.

KIAH

(Through stick)

This stick prevents blabbering-

Suddenly, the branch snaps. Kiah reflexively leaps out to

catch the falling pieces with her mouth, but the remaining

stick slips out in the meantime, and falls to the ground.

Kiah gives a CRY of frustration.

KIAH (cont'd)

Okay, I'm about ready to use my

mouth!

Kiah opens her mouth, about to wrap it around Birrani's

body.

BIRRANI

No! Not that!

Kiah stops, tapping her exposed fangs with her tongue.

KIAH

Why not? Death Adder venom can't hurt

you.

12.

BIRRANI

Well, I still don't love the idea of

being chewed in half.

KIAH

I wasn't going to-

(Growl)

Okay. Fine. Whatever.

Kiah takes one last look at the knot.

KIAH (cont'd)

Well, if I'm gonna get you untied,

I'm not going to do it without limbs.

I’m going to get help, okay?

BIRRANI

Fine. Leave me here hanging. It's

fine.

INT. DEATH ADDER BURROW - NIGHT

Kiah finds her Mum laying asleep in a coil in her hollow.

KIAH

Mum? I need some help getting Birrani

out of a tree.

Mum's eye's slip into weak focus.

MUM

Wonderful.

Mum slowly uncoils herself, and sleepily follows Kiah out of

the burrow.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - NIGHT

Finding a Critter in the brush, they go up to it.

KIAH

Excuse me, can you help us-?

The Critter YELPS as it skitters away for its life.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - NIGHT - MONTAGE

Kiah and Mum approach another critter.

13.

KIAH

G'day, li'l morsel, could you--

Critter flees in terror.

They find another.

MUM

My son is-

And it's gone.

...And another critter.

KIAH

So, hey, my bro is stuck in a tr-

Well, hoo-roo to you...

Kiah sits in the brush watching it flee.

KIAH (cont'd)

I love how this is working.

As Kiah and Mum set out once again in search of aid, THUNDER

rolls in the sky miles to the north, slightly west.

INT. WALLABY CAVE - NIGHT

A family of Yellow-Footed Rock wallabies sleeps peacefully

in their cave.

Suddenly, lightning FLASHES across the walls of their cave,

and ZOE, the youngest of the young-at-foot joeys, startles

awake with a CRY.

Zoe rushes to her Mum, and tries to clamber into her pouch

head first. WALLABY MUM wakes up.

WALLABY MUM

Zoe?

Zoe tries to crawl further in, but Wallaby Mum pulls her out

and sets her on the floor. Holding her gently, she looks her

in the eyes.

WALLABY MUM (cont'd)

Zoe. I love you, but you have to stay

out of the pouch now babe. You can

get a drink, but you need to make

room for your sister now, okay?

14.

By now, the other three joeys (LISA, OLIVIA, and JOEY) are

awake, glancing about the cave sleepily.

ZOE

But mum, the storm.

JOEY

(Coming up)

Don't worry Zoe, the storm's outside,

it's not going to get us.

OLIVIA

Yeah, a little lightning never killed

anyone.

Zoe gives Olivia a look, but nods anyway. Zoe rubs her face.

Joey heads over to the entrance to watch the storm quietly.

WALLABY MUM

Joey, what are you doing?

OLIVIA

He’s just jealous that he doesn’t

have a pouch like us girls.

LISA

Or the brains.

Lisa and Olivia GIGGLE.

WALLABY MUM

Don’t say that, your brother is just

as smart as the rest of you.

ZOE

What does not having a pouch have to

do with watching the storm?

Suddenly, Joey's fur starts to stand up with electricity.

Joey looks at his arm.

JOEY

Uh, guys.

Suddenly there's a great flash, and the lightning STRIKES.

It crashes into the clifftops above their home, and Joey

looks up just in time to see rocks start to tumble.

JOEY (cont'd)

Everybody, out!

The family stares as the rocks begin to fall.

15.

OLIVIA

Shouldn't we be getting further in!

JOEY

Not unless you want to be trapped!

WALLABY MUM

Hurry up! Everybody out!

They burst their way out of the cave, dodging falling

boulders...

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - CONTINUOUS

...And BAM! Make it out into the open, just as the entrance

collapses.

The wallabies stand looking at their former home for a

moment in shock.

LISA

Joey! What did you do?

They are silent a moment, when finally-

WALLABY MUM

We'll have to find a new cave.

ZOE

But mum, what about the lightning?

The sky flashes in the distance, and there's the roll of

THUNDER, but after a moment, nothing else happens.

WALLABY MUM

Perhaps it's moving on.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - NIGHT - LATER

The wallaby family hops cautiously through the outback in

the darkness of night. The sky is beginning to clear, and

the full moon is starting to shine through.

LISA

I'm hungry. Oh wait, look what I got.

Lisa reaches into her pouch and withdraws a fruit.

LISA (cont'd)

A fruit. Good thing I thought ahead

and had a pouch, unlike Joey.

16.

Olivia withdraws a fruit from her pouch too.

OLIVIA

Me too. Girls are so smart.

Lisa and Olivia look at Joey, LAUGHING at their own "secret"

joke. Joey glances at them, but says nothing before

continuing onward. Zoe walking close to Wallaby Mum hears

her sisters' jab, and taking note of the calming storm

above, looks back at Joey. After a quick drink from Wallaby

Mum's pouch, she goes to walk alongside him, glancing around

nervously.

ZOE

Joey.

JOEY

Yes?

ZOE

Here. I can just get some milk from

mum if I need to.

Zoe withdraws a fruit from her pouch as well. Joey takes it

uncertainly.

JOEY

Thank you.

ZOE

You know about what Lisa and Olivia

say? Well, I don't think you're any

less smart than us girls.

Joey gives a grateful nod of acknowledgment.

ZOE (cont'd)

Joey? I'm scared. I miss Mum's pouch.

JOEY

I know. I remember how I felt when I

first had to move from the pouch too.

But then it turned out it was you,

and that made it worth it.

Zoe smiles at Joey for a moment, and he smiles back.

Suddenly, there's a RUSTLING in the brush, and Joey comes to

a stop.

JOEY (cont'd)

What's that?

17.

The RUSTLING continues, and Joey catches a glint of green in

the moonlight. He focuses, and makes out the shape of a

snake slithering toward them.

JOEY (cont'd)

Snake!

Everybody dives out of the way, but Zoe's not quick enough.

Joey looks back to see the Serpent spring at Zoe, an amulet

of green glinting on its neck. Suddenly, the amulet flashes

a bright light that totally blocks out all vision.

The light clears away, and Joey looks back at the spot where

Zoe and the Serpent were. There is no movement. Joey looks

back at the rest of his family.

JOEY (cont'd)

Guys.

Joey regains himself, and cautiously makes his way in the

direction where his sister was. His family slowly follows.

Reaching the spot, Joey stops cold. At his feet lays the

limp body of Zoe.

Mum gives out a CRY of anguish, and the wallabies rush

toward Zoe's body in mourning.

TILT DOWN:

ON THE SERPENT'S AMULET, LYING ABANDONED IN THE BRUSH.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - TWILIGHT

In the wee hours of the morning, all tired and droopy, Kiah

approaches another Lizard, female.

KIAH

Excuse me ma'am. Can you help us

untie my brother from a tree?

FEMALE LIZARD

Can’t you do it yourself?

KIAH

Because... Because we don’t have any

arms.

FEMALE LIZARD

Why don’t you have arms?

KIAH

Because...

18.

FEMALE LIZARD

Because you were cursed. Now, why

were you cursed?

Before Kiah can answer--

FEMALE LIZARD (cont'd)

Because you are the craftiest of

creatures. If I help you, your

brother will probably eat me

afterwards. Humans have already

suffered their downfalls because of

you, I’m not going to join them.

Never trust a snake, they always say.

With that, the Lizard heads off.

KIAH

That serpent wasn’t me, you know. Not

even a real snake, just Satan in

disguise?

FEMALE LIZARD

(Turning back)

I know sweetie. But why did Satan

take the form of a snake in the first

place? Because snakes are the

craftiest and most evil of all

creatures. I'm sorry honey, but it’s

part of who you are. The only shame

is that you're not tied up there with

him.

With that, the Female Lizard leaves Kiah in defeat.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAWN

Kiah returns to Birrani. Mum is there as well, struggling

with the knot.

KIAH

Any luck.

MUM

No.

BIRRANI

I’m so hungry.

Kiah looks at Mum.

19.

KIAH

Could you continue with the knot? I’m

going to fetch Birrani something to

eat.

MUM

Alright.

Kiah slithers off into the brush. Finding a spot, she curls

up in wait. She adjusts her tail above her head as a lure

and gives it a little test wriggle.

Silence, the sound of the night outback.

Kiah waits a few moments, trying to stay awake. But finally,

her breathing begins to slow; her facial features begin to

relax; her eyes begin to drift, dilating into sleep...

DOLLY ZOOM TO:

INT. KIAH’S DREAM - PERPETUAL NIGHT

An eerie light through Kiah's eye, illuminates her in a void

of darkness. From within the blackness emerges a voice,

rough and hardened with age. Kiah stirs to awareness.

SERPENT (V.O.)

Mankind sinned at the Tree of

Knowledge. That sin was reconciled at

the cross. The time is coming for

snake to be reconciled for its

deception at the Tree of Knowledge as

well.

KIAH

What is this? Am I dreaming? No, I

need to be awake. I need to get food

for my brother.

SERPENT (V.O.)

This is more important than just a

dream. Meet me at my cave beyond the

Flinders Ranges and your journey will

begin.

KIAH

Flinders Ranges? Where beyond the

Flinders Ranges?

SERPENT (V.O.)

The call is inside you. You'll know

where to go.

20.

DOLLY ZOOM OUT

TO:

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAWN

Kiah's pupils shrink into focus as a sudden RUSTLE from the

brush pulls her awake.

Snake vision. A BEARDED DRAGON steps out, looking around

aimlessly, completely at a loss of where to go.

Kiah looks from the lizard, she brings her tail up to her

head. She wiggles it, the brush VIBRATES around her.

The Bearded Dragon stops, his attention drawn to the

movement, curiosity lighting his face.

Slowly the Bearded Dragon makes its way toward Kiah, a

satisfied look on its face. Kiah prepares to spring.

Another step from the Bearded Dragon, VIBRATING through the

ground to Kiah-

Kiah launches, ready to bite. Beard expands, the lizard

HISSES!

Pause.

Kiah stares into the Bearded Dragon's face. He shakes her

loose, and backs up in victory.

BEARDED DRAGON

See, I told them I was fierce. You

were going to eat me, but because of

my fierceness, you were too afraid.

KIAH

Oh my goodness, you’re so adorable.

BEARDED DRAGON

I’m... What?

Kiah loops around, surrounding the Bearded Dragon with her

long body, staring at him, enamored by his cuteness.

KIAH

You’re so cute. I think I’m going to

keep you as a pet.

Kiah reaches with her tail and--

21.

KIAH (cont'd)

Boop.

Right on Critter's nose. Critter stumbles back.

BEARDED DRAGON

What!? No!

KIAH

Oh. Well... My brother needs to eat.

That'll work too.

Kiah readies her body to strike again--

BEARDED DRAGON

I mean no. I’m all for you not eating

me and all, but... A pet? Do I look

like a pet type? Don’t you think I’d

be a great body guard type or

something instead?

KIAH

Nah. You're not intimidating enough.

BEARDED DRAGON

But... my fierceness, remember? My

fierceness stopped you from eating

me.

KIAH

Uh, No, you’re too cute to eat.

(Beat)

Well, at least, not unless absolutely

necessary. Now come on.

Kiah starts to slither away, but the Bearded Dragon

hesitates uncomfortably.

KIAH (cont'd)

You know, it’s absolutely necessary

that I have a pet at the moment.

Without any further hesitation, the Bearded Dragon follows

after Kiah.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - MOMENTS LATER

Kiah and the Bearded Dragon reach the tree where Birrani is

still tied up.

KIAH

I think I found some help.

22.

The Bearded Dragon looks up at the other two snakes.

BEARDED DRAGON

Oh, I see what you did. You were all

full, so you decided to feed me to

your friends instead. Well, I got one

thing for you, I'm not a "to-go"

order!

KIAH

Don’t be silly. My brother needs help

out of that tree, and you’re the one

for the job.

BEARDED DRAGON

Oh, and then you'll eat me when I’m

done, makes sense.

KIAH

Do we look like we would do that.

Bearded Dragon looks at their expectant faces.

BEARDED DRAGON

Well...

KIAH

Okay, here's the deal, free my

brother, and I’ll make sure my family

doesn’t eat you. On purpose. Now

about your family and friends... I’m

not going to make any guarantees.

BEARDED DRAGON

Hm, I don’t have any family and

friends here. I’m off on my own to

see the world and become independent.

KIAH

You’re my pet. Obviously, your plan

is going better than expected.

The Bearded Dragon goes silent as they climb the tree. Kiah

looks at her family.

KIAH (cont'd)

Just so you know, I declared this

adorable thing as my pet, so there

will be no eating him when he’s done.

BIRRANI

Oh man, but I’m so hungry.

23.

Kiah looks at him.

BIRRANI (cont'd)

Okay.

Kiah turns to the Bearded Dragon

KIAH

Now, to give you a name.

BEARDED DRAGON

I already have a name.

BIRRANI

Seriously, we're doing this now?

KIAH

How about Critter.

BEARDED DRAGON

My name’s Kyle.

KIAH

I like Critter better.

Critter SIGHS. He turns his attention to Birrani’s knot, and

starts to fumble with it, struggling to get a good grip.

CRITTER

You know, my Bearded Dragon limbs

really weren't made for this sort of

thing.

Kiah flicks her tongue tastefully.

KIAH

I could give you no limbs? See you

make do like us.

CRITTER

Uh, no thank you.

At first, Critter's unsuccessful, fumbling at the knot with

his feeble paws, but after a tiny bit, he finds an opening

in the knot to put his paw through. He pulls. The knot

loosens. Readjusting for a better grip. PULL.

The knot SLIDES loose. Birrani is finally able to untangle

the rest of himself, and he UNCOILS free with a SIGH.

And then he SPRINGS at Critter.

24.

INSTANTLY, KIAH IS WRAPPED AROUND BIRRANI, holding him back

from Critter. Critter, just registering, gives a CRY of

horror, BEARD EXPANDING, HISSING in "warning".

KIAH

Are you mad? We promised not to eat

him if he helped you free.

BIRRANI

But I’m so hungry. I thought not

eating him was just a joke.

KIAH

Well, as fun as that sounds, no.

CRITTER

Yeah, she promised to let me free.

Kiah turns to look at him.

KIAH

No, I think you got your information

wrong. I promised not to eat you.

You’re my pet now, you’re coming with

me.

Kiah turns to slither away--

MUM

Wait, where are you going?

Kiah turns to look at her.

KIAH

I can no longer be defined by the

curse that was placed on my

ancestors. I’m going to make amends.

MUM

What? How?

KIAH

A dream. I had a dream. Something's

calling me. It'll show me where I

need to go.

MUM

A dream? What do you even hope to

accomplish? Our lives are reasonable

for a snake.

25.

KIAH

Every time someone sees us, they only

see the craftiness of the Serpent. If

I can make right nothing else, then

perhaps that is enough.

Mum lowers her head in acceptance.

MUM

If that is what you must do, then I

wish you luck.

Kiah turns back to slither away. She glances at Critter as

she passes him.

KIAH

You wanted to see the world, right?

CRITTER

Yes, but not as a protein bar that

gets eaten after the long day on the

trail.

KIAH

At least it’s better than being the

left at home food.

Critter looks at Kiah’s expectantly hungry family, and

SIGHS. He raises a paw in submission.

CRITTER

Coming.

And with that, Kiah and Critter head out into the morning

sun, Birrani and Mum watching them go.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - MOMENTS LATER

Kiah has made some ground, when Critter rushes to catch up,

a few steps behind. As his paws hit the ground, vibrations

enter into the Earth and radiate toward Kiah.

CRITTER

So what is this? Some sort of

majestic voice on the wind, telling

you where to go or something?

KIAH

Something like that.

(Beat)

Oh, by the way, Death Adders don't

hear voices. We're Deaf Adders.

(MORE)

26.

We feel the vibrations through the

KIAH (cont'd)

ground.

CRITTER

So wait, the majestic voice is a

metaphor...

AS HE SPEAKS, THE VIBRATIONS RADIATE FROM HIS THROAT, INTO

THE GROUND, AND TOWARD KIAH.

Not responding AS THE VIBRATIONS RADIATE FROM HIS THROAT,

THROUGH HIS BODY, INTO THE GROUND AND TOWARD KIAH, Kiah

moves on. Suddenly, Critter's eyes light up.

CRITTER (cont'd)

So you can't here me when I do th-

Critter jumps, and his dialogue CUTS OUT as the vibrations

are ripped away.

CRITTER (cont'd)

(Landing)

-s?

And KIAH'S ON HIM, a stern look on her face.

KIAH

Careful. I might think you’re calling

for help. I just might have to think

about chowing down early before my

protein bar makes a break for it.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAY

Kiah and Critter make their way across the Australian

landscape.

They come to a stop on a ridge, overlooking the Flinder's

Ranges just beyond.

CRITTER

Wow, it's a nice view, isn't it? All

the blues and the browns, merging

together on the horizon.

Kiah is looking ahead in her snake vision, unimpressed with

Critter's observation.

KIAH

(Absently)

Yeah... Blues and browns... Neat.

27.

Critter stops, noticing Kiah's tone.

CRITTER

Oh yeah. You can't see colors right

either, can you?

KIAH

Can't see colors right? Snakes see

colors perfectly. Maybe it's you who

can't see colors right.

CRITTER

I mean, we do get bright blues and

reds over here. Seeing in only orange

and purple and stuff... Sounds kind

of creepy.

KIAH

Well maybe it's your vision that's

creepy. Seeing everything in all

those extra colors... Bright blues.

Yep, I'm going to have PTSD. Now come

on.

With that, Kiah continues her way toward the ranges.

CRITTER

Yeah, I guess only seeing in creepy

colors would make one assume all

colors are creepy I guess.

Quickly, Critter follows to catch up.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES ROUGH TERRAIN AREA - DAY

They are traveling over rough ground, while Kiah struggles

along, Critter skips from rock to rock, trying to maintain

his speech for when he's down so Kiah can hear.

CRITTER

So... You can't hear, you can't see

right-

KIAH

It's you who can't see right.

CRITTER

Okay, still... No arms, no legs...

Wow, being a snake sounds like no

fun.

28.

KIAH

Being a snake is great. Or at least

it will be. Soon.

Kiah pushes past one final rock, and the ground opens up,

giving somewhat easier access here on out. Kiah SIGHS.

KIAH (cont'd)

There.

CRITTER

You know, if you're wanting to prove

you're good and everything, you're

not off to a good start, holding me

off like some sort of protein bar

hostage or something.

KIAH

There's nothing wrong with having a

pet that you threaten to eat.

Everyone does that.

Critter suddenly stops, his attention on a cricket sitting

upon a branch, his eyes lighting up with bearded dragon

excitement.

CRITTER

Wait, stop! I have to get this.

Critter steps toward the branch flicking his tongue in

anticipation.

KIAH

What are you doing?

CRITTER

I’m getting something to eat.

Kiah looks from the Cricket to Critter.

KIAH

What? You’re going to murder that

poor innocent creature?

CRITTER

It’s a cricket.

KIAH

(Flicking tongue)

And you’re a critter.

29.

CRITTER

I’m hungry. You know it's not the

same.

KIAH

I suppose. Well then, just... be

careful. That cricket looks mighty

fierce.

Critter turns to glare at her, but before he can say

anything, the cricket makes a move. Critter spins back on

it, shooting out his tongue to catch it. An instant later,

it's gone. Critter looks back at Kiah who has put on her

most shocked expression.

KIAH (cont'd)

Wow! The violence of that scene... I

just can’t even.

Critter turns to move off the branch.

CRITTER

Let’s go.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - MONTAGE

Kiah and Critter continue through the ranges, past towering

bluffs, and into rocky ravines.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES FLATLANDS - SUNSET?

They are traveling through the grasslands close to where Zoe

had died, when Kiah suddenly stops, caught off by a glint of

green just beyond Critter's branch.

KIAH

What's that?

CRITTER

What's what?

Without answering, Kiah moves toward the glint. Stopping

before it, she discovers it's an amulet. Critter joins her a

moment later.

CRITTER (cont'd)

What is it?

KIAH

I don't know, but it looks pretty

cool.

30.

CRITTER

Kiah, I wouldn't-

But before he can finish, Kiah maneuvers herself, fitting

the amulet over her head. It slides to her neck, and holds

perfectly into place.

KIAH

Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Critter shrugs.

CRITTER

Your fashion.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES VALLEY - NIGHT

Kiah and Critter are laying in a valley, the Moon a weak

crescent overhead. All is silent. Then-

CRITTER

You know, in these kinds of settings,

humans will sit around fires and tell

stories, and I could play the banjo

or something.

KIAH

Really? Well, we don’t have anything

to start a fire, unless you have a

way to ignite yourself. But I do have

a funny story to tell. Want to hear

it?

CRITTER

Sure.

KIAH

Okay. Once there was an adorable

bearded dragon named Critter-

CRITTER

Kyle.

KIAH

And there was a beautiful, amazing

death adder named Kiah.

CRITTER

Oh great, it’s a love story.

31.

KIAH

Well, one day, they both thought to

themselves, “I’m hungry.” So, out

hunting, Critter saw a worm in the

brush, and was like, it looked “yum.”

Turns out, the worm was Kiah’s tail,

and Kiah ate him instead.

CRITTER

Okay, definitely not a love story.

KIAH

So, while Kiah was bloated for life,

Critter starved to death in her

tummy. The End.

CRITTER

You know, that wasn't really funny.

Kind of insulting actually.

KIAH

Good. It’s not real humor unless

somebody feels insulted.

CRITTER

More like a horror story if you ask

me.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY

Kiah and Critter make their way through the Flinders Ranges

again, the heat of the Sun blaring down on them.

CRITTER

Can we stop? I need to find a nice

cool patch of dirt to bury myself in.

KIAH

No, we’re almost there. I can feel

it.

Critter SIGHS, and follows Kiah through the brush.

The Family of Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies is traveling

through deep grasses nearby. The baby (Lucy) now has her

head out of the pouch, while Wallaby Mum leads. Lisa and

Olivia follow beside, while Joey trails behind, searching

the area cautiously.

OLIVIA

Why does he keep staring off into

space like that?

32.

LISA

I don't know. Probably some dumb male

instinct or something.

Wallaby Mum stops and looks back at him.

WALLABY MUM

Come on Joey babe. We don’t want you

getting left behind. I don't want you

turning up like...

Wallaby Mum trails off with sadness in her voice.

JOEY

Yeah. I got you.

Lisa looks back at Olivia.

LISA

If only he would have got Zoe in

time.

OLIVIA

Yeah, it should have been him who

died instead of her.

WALLABY MUM

Olivia! Don't talk like that about

your brother.

JOEY

No. She's right. It should have been

me. At least Zoe had something to

offer.

Wallaby Mum looks at Joey with pity before moving onward.

OLIVIA

I still don't think my question was

answered.

JOEY

(To himself)

I’m keeping an eye out for danger.

Wallaby Mum notices her kids are still stopped.

WALLABY MUM

Hurry along babes, we should keep

moving. I don’t like being in the

tall grass like this.

They continue.

33.

Kiah and Critter are still traveling, when suddenly Kiah

spots the wallaby family through the brush. She stops,

flicking her tongue in hunger.

KIAH

Wait. I want to try this. Do you

think they're too big? Oh, who cares.

As Kiah gets into position, Critter sits himself down,

looking thoroughly unimpressed. Kiah starts wagging her

tail, RUSTLING the brush. Lucy looks up from the pouch at

the sight of it.

LUCY

Ooh, worm.

Catching Wallaby Mum by surprise, Lucy scrambles out of her

pouch, and starts heading for Kiah. Joey suddenly spots the

sunlight glinting off Kiah's amulet.

JOEY

Wait! Stop!

At his cry, the other Wallabies stop to look at him. Just

before Lucy grabs Kiah's tail, Joey leaps in Lucy's way and

snatches Kiah up from the ground. He holds her up by the

neck, and Lucy dives back into her mother's pouch in terror.

Kiah struggles Joey in Joey's grasp, trying to bite back,

but Joey holds her in just a way that she can hardly move.

LISA

A snake!

LUCY

Oh no, it ate me.

KIAH

Let me go! Or I will eat you whole!

OLIVIA

You can’t do that. As you know,

Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies are

endangered.

KIAH

I don’t care! They’re going to be

even more endangered when I’m done

with you! And the rest of you will be

completely mortified.

Critter remains in the brush, watching this confrontation.

34.

WALLABY MUM

Joey, put that thing down before it

bites you.

KIAH

Joey? Seriously? Was that the first

name you thought of?

But Joey doesn't answer, captivated by the amulet on Kiah’s

neck.

Suddenly, Joey has a flashback of the Serpent leaping at

Zoe, the flash of the amulet, and Zoe's limp body.

JOEY

This is the... The amulet. You...

OLIVIA

The one that killed our sister! Our

baby sister!

KIAH

What are you talking about? I did

nothing of the sort. Though with how

you're treating me, I certainly

wouldn't mind doing so to you.

As she says this, the amulet FLASHES. Joey gives a CRY as

ENERGY IS PULLED OUT OF HIS BODY AND INTO THE AMULET,

transferring into Kiah. His fur begins to pale, his skin

begins to sag.

And Joey drops Kiah to the ground before more harm can be

done, weakened. Kiah, startled by the amulet's power,

recovers quickly, and starts to slither away in a rush. But

before she can get anywhere, Lisa picks her up.

OLIVIA

What was that?

LUCY

It be all whooshy and... wowwy.

Joey struggles to his feet, Wallaby Mum rushing to his

support.

WALLABY MUM

Are you okay?

JOEY

Yeah. Whatever she did, she didn't

take much.

(MORE)

35.

(Snapping at Kiah)

JOEY (cont'd)

Was that what you did to my sister?

KIAH

I did nothing to your sister!

JOEY

Don’t give me that! Some snake used

whatever that thing is to kill my

sister, and given that you're the

snake wearing it, it must have been

you!

Kiah looks down at the amulet in shock, then back up at

Joey, regaining herself.

KIAH

Let me go! Just because I’m a snake

doesn’t mean I'm a monster! I found

this amulet, and it’s mine to keep.

If you have a problem with that, then

too bad!

Critter looks away from the confrontation, and sees the

Outback stretching before him. He is about to step away to

freedom when-

LISA

We have to murder it before it does

any more harm.

Critter comes to a stop.

Olivia picks up a rock.

OLIVIA

Here, we can smash its head in with

this.

Critter looks back at the situation and SIGHS.

Lisa takes the rock, but as she does, Critter leaps onto

Lisa’s face, expanding his beard with a HISS before she can

react. Lisa gives a cry and drops Kiah.

CRITTER

Kiah, run!

Before the wallabies can recover from their shock, Kiah

dashes away into the growth. Critter jumps off Lisa's face

and scrambles after her.

Joey makes a move to follow, but his Mum holds him back.

36.

WALLABY MUM

Leave it. At least no one was hurt.

What we need to do is get out of this

grass before anything else comes out

at us.

Wallaby Mum starts to lead them away, but Joey takes one

last look in the direction that Kiah and Critter took.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY

Kiah and Critter continue moving until they’ve made a good

distance, and then they begin to slow down.

CRITTER

Oh yeah, I'm so fierce. You saw me

you know.

Finally, they come to a stop, and Kiah turns to face

Critter.

KIAH

Run?! Seriously?

CRITTER

Yeah. What else would I...Oh.

Critter turns his attention the Amulet around Kiah's neck.

CRITTER (cont'd)

So... That thing... Why did it do

that?

KIAH

I don’t know. I just... When it did

what it did, I felt stronger, almost

as if... I was getting younger.

Kiah turns away and continues moving, deep in thought.

Critter stays where he is.

CRITTER

You owe me, you know.

Kiah turns around.

KIAH

What?

CRITTER

A life debt. I saved your life, so

you serve me now.

37.

KIAH

Sorry to inform you, but snakes don’t

do life debts.

CRITTER

They- You don’t?

KIAH

Nope. By saving me, you just proved

how loyal of a pet you really are.

And now that I’m still alive, you’re

doomed to follow me forever. Now,

let's go or I’ll assume we stopped

for a lunch break, and I think loyal

pet sounds like a really good

substitute for homicidal wallaby.

CRITTER

Homicidal yourself. Fine, I'm coming.

With that, they continue onward.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY

Joey and his family continue through the grass until they

come out onto harder ground and stop.

WALLABY MUM

Rocks. We should be safe from that

thing here. Let's look for a cave.

JOEY

We might be safe, but that doesn’t

mean everybody is.

OLIVIA

What are you saying?

JOEY

That snake should not be allowed to

roam free and cause more harm. I’m

going after it.

WALLABY MUM

What!?

Before anyone can stop him, Joey takes a step back toward

the edge of the rocks, and looking off into the distance,

hops back into the grass.

WALLABY MUM (cont'd)

Joey! Come back here!

38.

But Joey ignores her, continuing back the way they came.

WALLABY MUM (cont'd)

Joey!

She hops forward, but stops at the edge of the grass,

looking down at her daughter in her pouch. Joey turns back

to face them.

JOEY

I’m only the dumb male anyway.

And with that, he turns away heading into the distance, his

family YELLING after him.

EXT. BEYOND FLINDERS RANGES, VARIOUS LOCATIONS - MONTAGE

As they continue to travel, the path for Kiah and Critter

becomes more dangerous.

A Wedge-Tailed Eagle swoops down from the sky to scoop up

Kiah and Critter in its talons.

Joey wanders aimlessly through the Outback, looking for

signs of Kiah, but finding nothing.

As the Wedge-Tailed Eagle flies through the sky toward its

nest, Kiah swings herself around in an attempt to strike at

the predator. She misses, but the Eagle, taken completely

off guard by her attack, drops its prey with a SHRIEK, and

Kiah and Critter CRASH down in a nearby tree.

Shaken and bruised, but unharmed, Kiah watches the eagle fly

away, flicking her tongue at the disappointment of a lost

dinner.

Joey is hopping along some rocks when he spots a Wedge-

Tailed Eagle in the sky. He runs for cover under an

overhanging cliff.

On a cliff side trail, barely wide enough for their bodies,

Kiah and Critter have to leap over a gap bridged by two tree

branches. Critter misses on the jump to the second branch,

and Kiah has to drop down, catching him in a loop of her

body as he plummets past. She releases him at the apex of

the reverse swing, and throws him onto the other side of the

trail. She lets go of the branch herself and flies forward

to join him.

Joey hops aimlessly along some cliffs. He stops to look

around, but finds no Kiah.

39.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - DAY

Finally, Kiah and Critter approach a cliff with a small

gaping hole in its the wall.

KIAH

We’re here.

CRITTER

You're sure? This place looks sort of

creepy.

Kiah looks at the cave entrance, and a WHISTLING WIND comes

out of it.

KIAH

I'm pretty sure being creepy is the

point here.

CRITTER

You snakes and your creepiness. Well,

have fun in there, I’m staying right

here.

KIAH

Good, this is something personal.

Critters eyes light up.

CRITTER

Really? Is it really that easy?

Kiah faces him.

KIAH

You better not try to escape.

CRITTER

Fine.

With that, Critter plops into a sitting position, and Kiah

turns her attention to the cave.

KIAH

Here goes something.

With that, Kiah slithers her way up to the cave. Reaching

the entrance, Kiah takes one last glance back at Critter

before heading into the darkness.

40.

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR - DAY

As she continues along, Kiah notices aboriginal pictographs

engraved in the walls, each giving off a mysterious glow,

lighting the way ahead in UNNATURAL LIGHT.

Finally, Kiah comes out into a small cave with a couple of

tunnels branching out into the far wall.

KIAH

Weird.

(Pause)

Hello? Is anyone home?

A moment's silence.

And then the sound of CLICKING as a frail, nearly skeletal

snake emerges from one of the tunnels, it's joints CRACKLING

with age. Kiah is taken aback.

SERPENT

Welcome Kiah, it’s nice to finally

meet you.

KIAH

Who are you, how do you know me?

The pictographs flash. THE SERPENT IS RIGHT BEFORE HER.

SERPENT

I have my ways.

Kiah's unimpressed.

KIAH

That’s not exactly comfort...ing.

Kiah notices a pictograph of a snake on the wall, moving

slightly. With a shudder, she turns her attention back to

the Serpent.

KIAH (cont'd)

How do I know I can trust you?

SERPENT

My appearance unsettles you, doesn't

it? But why than did you come here if

you yourself hold on to the biases

you seek to overcome?

As he speaks, Kiah sees reflected in his eyes, something

glowing on the wall behind her.

41.

She turns to look at it, a pictograph of Birrani tied to the

tree, the three Lizards standing over him. Kiah turns to the

Serpent and bows her head.

KIAH

You said that the time for snakes to

be reconciled has finally come. What

exactly are you planning?

SERPENT

That will all come in time. I see

you’ve come alone. Where is the

bearded dragon you were towing along

behind you?

Kiah furrows her eyes, then notices an engraving of a

Bearded Dragon on the wall, sitting obediently. It puffs out

its neck proudly, then stops letting it deflate, looking

around self consciously. Kiah turns back to the Serpent.

KIAH

I had a feeling he wouldn’t be taken

to the idea of this meeting. I didn’t

want him to complicate things.

SERPENT

Shame. I could have used this meat-

ing to fatten myself up.

KIAH

Well, I hate to inform you, but I’m

saving him for a special occasion.

SERPENT

Of course. But nothing is for free...

The Serpent moves aside revealing a pictograph of Jesus on a

Cross beneath him.

SERPENT (cont'd)

What occasion is more important than

the reconciliation of the entirety of

snake-kind?

Kiah is silent for a moment. Then-

KIAH

Here, I found this amulet on the way

here, but it’s caused me nothing but

trouble. Maybe you can find a better

use for it than I could.

42.

As Kiah says this, she slips out from the amulet so it’s

before the serpent. The serpent goes up to it to inspect it,

his eyes glowing. Kiah catches his look--

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY/FLASHBACK

The amulet absorbs Joey's energy.

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR - DAY

Kiah hesitates, coiling her body closer to the amulet

protectively.

KIAH

That joey... How can I trust this

won't fall into the wrong hands?

SERPENT

Trust me, it's not going to fall into

any hands, paws, talons, or otherwise

with me.

KIAH

I mean into the wrong...

Kiah takes in the Serpent's limbless body as he SLITHERS

past her coil, and into the necklace. It falls around his

shoulderless neck perfectly. Kiah pauses, deciding whether

to accept this.

Finally--

KIAH (cont'd)

So, what do you know about the

reconciliation of snakes?

The Serpent slithers past an intricate painting of a Rainbow

Serpent flowing across the land.

SERPENT

In days long forgotten, a Rainbow

Serpent flowed across these lands

bringing water and life with it.

The painting leads to another of another Serpent, strangling

the Rainbow Serpent with his body.

43.

SERPENT (cont'd)

But with the fall, this Rainbow

Serpent eventually began to fade from

memory to be replaced by a Serpent

much more ominous.

KIAH

All snakes eventually fell because of

the actions of the one who was Satan

in disguise.

SERPENT

Serpent sinned when it tempted woman

into eating from the fruit from the

Tree of Knowledge. In punishment, the

Lord gave the curse of enmity between

serpent and woman. Mend the ties

between serpent and woman, and return

to the Tree the sin from her

knowledge, and snake-kind will be

reconciled.

KIAH

What? So you expect me to... Find the

Tree of Knowledge and... Somehow

transfer the sin from some lady into

it? That doesn't make any sense.

SERPENT

Just follow the path before you, and

things will become clear in time.

With that, the Serpent starts to slither back into the

darkness.

KIAH

But wait, the Garden of Eden isn't

even... It doesn't even exist

anymore.

SERPENT

You'll find the way.

And then he's gone, disappearing into the tunnel. The

engravings on the wall blink out to a dull white glow.

Kiah hesitates, about to follow, but then stops with a SIGH.

Taking one last frustrated glance around the cave, she turns

around, and slithers back the way she came.

KIAH

He's crazy. It was all just a waste

of time. There’s nothing here for me.

44.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - CONTINUOUS

Kiah passes Critter without looking back. Critter quickly

hurries to follow.

CRITTER

What was a waste of time? What were

you expecting?

KIAH

Nothing.

CRITTER

Well, if you were expecting nothing,

and you got nothing, then you got

what you wanted, right? I mean, I do

agree that it sort of sounds like a

waste of time, but-

Kiah spins on him.

KIAH

Go find somebody else to eat you for

now, okay!

With that, Kiah slithers away again. Critter is about to

follow, then stops. There is a RUSTLING in the bushes.

Critter looks at Kiah, but she continues moving, oblivious

to the movement.

CRITTER

Kiah?

Kiah just keeps going. Suddenly, a tranquilizer dart bursts

out from the bushes, and hits Kiah. Kiah gives a start, and

then faints.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Kiah!

Critter is about to rush forward when a man wielding a

blowgun steps out from the bushes. Critter steps back,

expanding his beard in a HISS, but the hunter doesn’t even

notice him. Instead, he steps up to Kiah, picks her up, and

inspects her.

HUNTER

Hmm, this one will do.

With that, the hunter walks away, carrying Kiah with him.

Critter rushes to follow.

45.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES - DAY

The Hunter makes his way out of the brush, where an open-

bedded Jeep awaits, parked on a dusty dirt road. Critter

scurries behind keeping him in sight. The Hunter opens the

trunk and throws the unconscious Kiah into a cage inside. As

he goes to lock it, Critter jumps in the trunk unnoticed.

The Hunter closes the trunk, and everything goes dark.

INT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - DAY

Kiah begins to wake up, her snake vision taking in her

surroundings. She’s in a cluttered Outback Shack with two

humans standing over her cage, one the hunter, and the other

a young, Middle-Eastern woman (HABIBAH). Australian-themed

MUSIC is playing on a radio nearby

HABIBAH

A snake? No, no, no, no, no.

HUNTER

You want the job, or not?

HABIBAH

I want the job, but I don’t see why I

have to work with...

Habibah’s face grows sickly.

HUNTER

Because, it’s the only way that my

plan will work. What is it with women

and snakes?

HABIBAH

Women and snakes? It’s common

knowledge that snakes are creepy

disgusting creatures. Now if you’ll

excuse me, I’m going to puke.

With that, Habibah rushes out the door of the shack. As the

door SLAMS shut behind her, the Hunter looks at Kiah.

HUNTER

That was Habibah. Don't worry, she’ll

get used to you. Or else she’s fired.

Then he heads out the door after Habibah.

Kiah looks around the room nervously.

46.

KIAH

This isn’t right, I’m not supposed to

be here.

(Pause)

But then again, I guess there's

nowhere I'm supposed to be now.

Kiah lays down her head on herself in depression.

Suddenly Critter climbs over the edge of the table, and

rushes to Kiah’s cage.

CRITTER

Kiah! You’re alive!

Kiah looks up, startled.

KIAH

Critter? You followed me?

CRITTER

I followed the hunter to his Jeep. I

thought they killed you and were

going to hang your corpse.

KIAH

Why would they do that? Not

everyone’s as morbid as me.

Critter examines the built in lock to the cage.

CRITTER

Hmm, locked. Where do you think this

guy hides his keys.

KIAH

You think you can get me out?

Before Critter can answer the front door opens, and Habibah

comes in followed by the Hunter. Critter ducks into the

shadows.

HUNTER

C'mon Habibah mate. A snake can get

into places a human can't, get past

alarms. With your pungi, you can lead

him right past the alarms, and where

he needs to go.

Habibah spins on him.

47.

HABIBAH

Just because I know how to play the

pungi you think I know how to charm a

snake?

HUNTER

Here, I have a music sheet.

As he says this, he withdraws a music sheet from his jacket

pocket.

HABIBAH

Fine. Here.

Habibah snatches the sheets away from him, and goes to an

instrument box laying on the floor, she opens it up and

withdraws an old beaten up pungi. Kiah instantly rears up,

HISSING in defense.

KIAH

What is that thing? Don't you dare

shoot me again.

CRITTER

It’s a pungi I think.

KIAH

Well, whatever it is, they better not

use it.

Habibah moves the pungi back and forth in front of Kiah, and

Kiah defensively sways her head with it.

HABIBAH

See, he doesn’t even care about the

music, it’s the instrument he’s

interested in.

HUNTER

Just try it. Snakes are very

sensitive to vibrations. It might

have some effect on him.

HABIBAH

Fine, whatever.

Taking the pungi, she steps up to Kiah’s cage, and lays the

music sheet on the table before her.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

There’s no telling this will even

work on... whatever this species of

snake is.

48.

HUNTER

Death Adder.

HABIBAH

Death Adders.

With that, Habibah lifts the pungi to her mouth and starts

to play the charmer tune from the paper. Kiah flinches, but

looking down and seeing no dart, she looks back up at

Habibah, confused. The music seems to have the effect of

relaxing her. Kiah glances at Critter quizzically.

CRITTER

They’re trying to charm you.

Kiah looks at Habibah skeptically, but as the vibrations of

the music radiate from the instrument, through Habibah, into

the floor, and back up again through the table, and up to

Kiah's cage, surrounding her, Kiah softens.

KIAH

Well, the music is kind of nice, I’ll

give her that.

CRITTER

How? You can’t even hear it.

Without responding Kiah slowly starts swaying to the music.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Stop it. You’re letting it hypnotize

you.

KIAH

Oh, you just don’t have a good taste

in music.

CRITTER

And you do? You don’t even have ears.

KIAH

Well, you don’t have a good taste in

vibrations.

CRITTER

Whatever.

With that, Critter withdraws back into hiding, and Kiah lets

herself get caught up in the music. Images of her family

swirl around her and she rises higher with confidence.

Then, the music takes a darker turn, the images of her

family become more dramatic.

49.

Birrani caught in the tree, everybody refusing to help. The

image of the serpent who deceived Adam and Eve receiving his

curse, and then the serpent morphing into a demon, LAUGHING

as he kicks a snake aside.

Kiah’s eyes snap open, and she lunges at the cage door in a

strike. Habibah leaps backward with a sudden CRY, the music

forgotten.

HABIBAH

No! I’m done! I am not working with

that... Creature!

As she says this, she SLAMS her pungi onto the table, and

STOMPS out the door, SLAMMING it behind her. Kiah, having

recovered from her outburst, watches her go with regret. The

hunter looks at Kiah.

HUNTER

She’ll get over it.

(Pause)

At least, she better.

With that, he turns away from the cage, and entertains

himself with his own devices. Kiah rests her head again.

INT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - SUNSET

Kiah lays in the cage, head down, and the Hunter is asleep

on a chair. Critter scrambles onto the table, struggling

with a key-ring behind him.

CRITTER

These look like the right keys. Like

I said, my paws aren’t really good at

this stuff, but I’ll do my best.

With that, Critter fumbles with the keys, trying to work

them into the lock.

CRITTER (cont'd)

So, what did the... your contact say?

KIAH

Nothing helpful.

CRITTER

I gathered that.

50.

KIAH

Said I had to mend the bond between

snake and women, or something like

that. No real help at all.

CRITTER

Well, you messed that up.

Kiah raises her head quizzically.

KIAH

Messed up what?

CRITTER

Mending the bond. You scared off that

woman pretty well.

KIAH

So you think...?

CRITTER

That maybe you’re meant to be here?

Maybe.

The... Hunter, or whatever he is,

does seem to want you to work with

that woman after all, Habibah, I

think she is.

KIAH

Well, that's working out great.

Kiah goes silent, watching Critter work on the lock.

KIAH (cont'd)

You know you're not going to squeeze

a life debt out of me for this,

right?

CRITTER

Yeah.

KIAH

Then why are you here? You could just

leave me and you’d be free.

CRITTER

I know. But then you wouldn’t be.

As he says this, the lock CLICKS, and the door swings open.

KIAH

Come on. Let’s just go.

51.

Kiah slithers out of the cage, off the table, and onto the

floor. She heads to the front door, Critter following.

CRITTER

To be honest, while it was always my

dream to travel, when I finally got

to do it... Traveling by oneself

isn’t very fun. Kind of aimless. Then

I started following you, and I...

found a sense of purpose, I suppose.

Kiah slows down, and slowly turns to look at Critter. It's

her turn for an honest, heart-filled confession.

KIAH

The truth is, it's not really to

insult you that I tease you. I tease

you because when I do, your reactions

are just so adorable, I'm reminded of

why you're such a lovable pet.

Kiah turns back and continues for the door, leaving Critter

unable to express how he feels by this. Reaching the door,

Kiah stops, Habibah's voice comes from just beyond.

HABIBAH (O.S.)

I’m trying um, but I don’t know what

to do.

CUT TO:

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS

Kiah slithers out the door to find Habibah sitting on a

porch bench, halfheartedly in traditional Iraqi headdress,

talking on her flip phone in the setting Sun.

HABIBAH

It’s just... This job... I don’t think I

can do it.

(Listening)

I know you don’t like my methods, but

we need this money.

(Listening)

I know um, I love you too. Bye.

As she’s talking, Kiah’s face softens with understanding.

Critter comes out to stand by Kiah in the shadows. Finishing

the phone call, Habibah hangs up and puts her phone in her

pocket looking downcast.

52.

Suddenly, Habibah looks over at Kiah. After a second to

process, she gives a SCREAM, and scrambles fully onto the

bench. Kiah looks at Habibah for a moment.

CRITTER

Kiah, this is your chance.

Kiah looks back at Critter confused, then back to Habibah,

understanding dawning on her face. Slowly, Kiah starts to

slither toward the bench.

HABIBAH

No! Get away! Get away!

Kiah ignores her, and reaching the bench, begins to make her

way onto it. Habibah, with nowhere to turn, SCREAMS in

terror. Kiah reaches Habibah’s leg, and looks her in the

eyes.

And then Kiah's climbing, SPIRALING, SPIRALING up Habibah’s

terror-stricken body.

Then Kiah stops, head reared back, inches from Habibah’s

face, looking her in the eyes.

Holding, holding, Kiah just stays there, looking Habibah in

the eyes, Habibah staring back, silent.

Then finally, Kiah's making her way back down, stopping at

her feet to look back up. Habibah is trembling, but starts

to regain herself. Kiah returns victoriously down to

Critter.

KIAH

That’s how you gain someone’s trust.

Let them know that if you wanted them

dead, you could just kill them then

and there. And then you don’t. There,

instant trust.

CRITTER

Sounds pretty messed up to me.

HABIBAH

You don’t plan to hurt me, do you?

Kiah gives Critter a "told-you-so" look.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Well, you’re still the most

disgusting and creepy creature on the

planet.

(MORE)

53.

(Sigh)

HABIBAH (cont'd)

But, I suppose if I’m going to do

this, I need to learn to work with

you. Well then, you’ll need a name.

(Pause)

How about... Creature.

Kiah pulls back in shock. Critter gives a burst of LAUGHTER

and Kiah spins her head back to give him a glare. Critter

tries to stifle his laughter, while Kiah turns her attention

back to Habibah.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Well, I’m not planning on catching

you myself.

(Calling to Hunter)

Hey, your disgusting snake escaped!

There is the sound of RUSTLING inside the cottage, and a

tranquilizer dart bursts out the crack in the door. It hits

Kiah, and she gives an irritated SIGH as she passes out.

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - DAY

Habibah stands outside wearing heavy, snake-proof material,

while the Hunter stands beside Kiah's cage with a dead mouse

gripped in some tongs.

HUNTER

The problem with Death Adders is that

they lie in wait for their prey. That

means they don’t chase their prey

down, and normally won’t associate

their own movement with reward.

The Hunter holds the dead rat in front of the cage, and Kiah

looks at it expectantly.

HUNTER (cont'd)

But if I do this...

The Hunter unlatches the cage, and Kiah immediately strikes

at the rat. But before she can reach it the Hunter yanks it

out of her path. Unbalanced from missing her target, Kiah

tumbles over onto the ground.

KIAH

Hey!

Recovering quickly, Kiah strikes again, the Hunter once

again whisking her prey away. Kiah begins to give chase, and

the Hunter leads her across the yard, chasing her prey.

54.

Finally, the Hunter comes to a stop, and releases the rat

before her. Kiah grabs the rat in her mouth and begins to

eat. Habibah makes her way to the Hunter.

HUNTER

Wah-lah, he now knows how to chase

down his food.

Kiah glares up at him.

KIAH

What? You're gonna make me chase my

food now? Some death adder.

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - MONTAGE

Hunter puts Kiah in a box-maze that gradually is made more

advanced as Kiah advances in training. While the Hunter

stands at one end holding Kiah's reward of prey, Habibah

stands at the starting end with her pungi. As Kiah proceeds

through the maze, Habibah plays a steady rhythm. At corners,

as Kiah tastes the air for her prey, Habibah, using a sheet

as a guide, blows a high note to signal the prey's left, and

a low note for right. Kiah takes the direction, eventually

reaching the exit, where the hunter provides her with her

food.

The Hunter teaches Habibah how to feed Kiah using the tongs,

and eventually, Habibah is there to feed Kiah when she

reaches the end of the maze.

An exhausted looking Joey approaches the cottage from the

brush. Suddenly, he stops, noticing Habibah and the Hunter

training Kiah outside. Joey's eyes fill with vengeance as he

lies in wait.

INT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT

Kiah sits in her cage, the radio on STATIC. Critter comes

up, not a care in the world.

CRITTER

Hey... Creature, how ya' doin'.

Kiah snaps to face him.

KIAH

Don't ever call me that again.

55.

CRITTER

Okay, fine, whatever. Nice night,

huh?

Suddenly, voices break through the STATIC on the radio.

RADIO

...The Cross of Salvation is

currently on loan at the Australian

Museum in Sydney, and will be on

display starting this week. This

Cross was discovered in the 2011

expedition led by the late

archaeologist David Miller and ...

sure to bring in a crowd among his

followers.

Critter's interest is turned to the radio.

CRITTER

Cool, that sounds neat. That's the

same cross where they say Jesus died

to bring reconciliation to humanity,

isn't it? I saw a documentary once.

Kiah turns away from Critter, fresh hurt on her face.

KIAH

At least humanity had reconciliation.

INT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - DAY

Habibah and the Hunter stand next to Kiah's cage.

HABIBAH

The question is, once Creature's in

the vents, how will I be able to know

where he is?

Hunter takes out a small camera-necklace.

HUNTER

Here, use this.

The Hunter opens Kiah's door and grabs her. He holds her

down and tries attaching the camera around her neck. Kiah

struggles, but his grip is just so that she can't bite him.

KIAH

Let me go.

56.

Hunter finally latches the necklace around Kiah's neck and

releases her. Kiah looks down at the necklace.

KIAH (cont'd)

Great, what does this amulet do?

INT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT

Critter sits next to Kiah's cage.

CRITTER

It looks like a camera. They can

watch everything you do now.

KIAH

And how do you know so much about

human things.

(Pause)

You were a pet, weren’t you? A human

pet.

CRITTER

What? No.

KIAH

Really?

CRITTER

Yes. I mean, the nest in which I

hatched was near a place where humans

lived, so, sure, I've picked up a

thing or two in my life by, you know,

sitting on the windowsill, but no,

that doesn't make me a pet.

KIAH

Um, excuse me?

CRITTER

Okay. Well I suppose I am now.

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - DAY

While Kiah's swallowing her prey from another trial run in

the box maze, the Hunter stands next to Habibah, showing her

a tablet. On it is a blueprint of the ventilation system at

the Australian Museum opened under an app, "Musical Tables".

57.

HUNTER

It's programmed to rotate the map

left and right at the sound of

certain musical notes, so it keeps

facing the same direction as

Creature.

Habibah nods and raises the pungi to her lips. She blows a

high note, and the blueprint rotates clockwise. She blows

low note, and it turns counter-clockwise.

HABIBAH

Neat.

While Habibah practices with the system, Kiah spots some

rustling in the brush. She heads out to investigate.

Upon getting closer, Kiah, in snake-vision catches sight of

Joey, hiding in the bushes.

KIAH

Joey?

Joey stands up, holding a heavy rock over his head.

JOEY

You killed my sister, you evil beast,

and I'm here to avenge her!

Joey is about to smash the rock down when-

KIAH

Wait! Suppose I did use the amulet to

take your sister's life-force and

extend my own. How's that any

different than hunting? I don't have

time for this.

Joey is silent for a moment, and Kiah takes the moment to

leave, slithering back toward the cottage. Joey regains his

anger.

JOEY

Well maybe hunting's evil too. Ever

thought of that. You killed my

sister, and I will avenge her!

Critter comes out of the cottage, and seeing Kiah, rushes to

join her.

CRITTER

Is something wrong?

58.

KIAH

That Joey followed us. He wants to

kill me I think.

Critter looks back at Joey, and Joey stares at them with

hate.

Kiah slithers back to her cage without another glance back.

The Hunter looks down at her, latches the cage, and carries

her back into the cottage, Habibah trailing behind.

As the door shuts, Joey SIGHS. Cautiously, he approaches the

cottage. Reaches the porch, Joey looks around. He spots a

backpack left unattended on the bench.

Going up to the bag, Joey opens it, and digs through it.

Finding nothing of interest, he dumps the contents on the

porch, and puts the bag over his shoulders, and on his back.

JOEY

Perhaps I don't need a pouch?

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - MONTAGE

As time advances Kiah becomes more fluent in navigating the

box maze with musical directions. Though Habibah never fully

outgrows her revulsion to Kiah, she becomes more accustomed

to working with her, so that they can handle her task

without too much of a problem. Joey, meanwhile, continues to

watch from the brush, never finding another chance to get

back at Kiah.

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - AFTERNOON

Finally, Habibah sits on the porch steps beside Kiah's cage.

HABIBAH

You know what? I think we’re ready.

Kiah moves toward her in acknowledgment, and Habibah

SCREAMS.

EXT. HUNTER'S COTTAGE - MORNING

The Hunter carries Kiah’s cage out to the truck, and puts it

in the Jeep's trunk, while Habibah puts in her pungi case.

As they pull on the tarp, Critter slips into the trunk

unnoticed. Critter peaks out as the Hunter turns to Habibah.

59.

HUNTER

Now remember what you’ve taught

Creature. If you do everything

correctly, you should be just fine.

HABIBAH

Got it.

Habibah climbs into the vehicle.

HUNTER

You got this?

HABIBAH

Well if I don’t, you better keep your

end of the bargain by bailing me out

of jail.

Hunter gives a laugh.

HUNTER

Of course, even a crook needs some

sort of credibility. And if this all

goes according to plan, this will

gain us more publicity than we can

imagine.

HABIBAH

I don’t want the publicity. I just

want my share, and then I’ll leave.

HUNTER

Of course. I’ll write you a reference

if you need one though. You’ve come a

long way with that snake-o-phobia of

yours. Good luck to ya' mate.

HABIBAH

Whatever.

With that, she CLOSES the door and STARTS the engine. Joey

watches them from the brush as the truck pulls out,

frustration on his face.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN COUNTRYSIDE - TIME-LAPSE

The truck drives through the Australian countryside, east,

towards Sydney.

60.

EXT. SYDNEY STREETS - DAY

The truck is driving through the streets of Sydney, and

Critter takes out a map of the city. He looks at it.

CRITTER

I can’t seem to find Wallaby Way

anywhere.

KIAH

Wallaby Way? Is that important? Even

if there’s a street named that, it

doesn’t mean that Joey is going to

follow us all the way out here.

CRITTER

I know. It’s just... Personal.

(Under Breath)

You don't watch enough movies.

Suddenly, Critter stops, catching sight of something out the

window. He rushes to the window and looks at the building

passing by in excitement.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Hey look! A movie theater now. That's

where all the good movies go they

say.

Kiah just roles her eyes as the car passes the theater, and

continues on through Sydney.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM PARKINGLOT - DAY

The Jeep pulls up at the Museum and Critter looks out of the

trunk at it.

CRITTER

Oh wow, this is the museum that's

displaying the Cross.

Habibah gets out of the Jeep and looks around.

CRITTER (cont'd)

I got to check this out.

Before Kiah can respond, Critter leaps out of the trunk, and

climbs unnoticed into Habibah’s handbag.

KIAH

Hey! I didn't say you could go!

61.

But it’s too late, Habibah reaches the doors of the museum

and disappears inside.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - DAY

Habibah walks through the museum. She passes an exhibit

hosting a display of some snake skeletons. Critter looks out

at them and shivers.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - MINUTES LATER

Habibah stands before the Cross, examining the room, from

the alarm sensors on the wall, to the doors and security

panel. She spots a vent and nods.

Critter peaks out of the handbag at the Cross.

CRITTER

Wow, it's even better than in the

movie.

But as Habibah stands there, inspecting the room, Critter

looks up at Habibah's expression, and starts to look uneasy.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM PARKINGLOT - DAY

Habibah comes out to the truck, gets in, and starts the

engine.

EXT. SYDNEY HOTEL - DAY

The truck pulls up outside of a hotel.

Habibah carries Kiah’s cage in, covered with a blanket.

INT. SYDNEY HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Entering her room, she places the cage on the table beside

her bed, and pulls off the blanket.

HABIBAH

Well, we probably should get some

rest before tonight.

As Habibah lays back on her bed, Critter approaches Kiah’s

cage.

62.

CRITTER

So I've been looking into it, and

this whole operation, it seems a bit

sketchy.

KIAH

Hmm, you're a lovable pet, what would

you know about sketchy?

CRITTER

I don't know, but usually operations

involving museums are.

KIAH

Listen, this is my one chance to

amend myself with womankind. And what

better way than through the Cross,

which amended humans? This has to be

destiny, right?

CRITTER

Yeah, leave it to you to have a

sketchy destiny.

Kiah looks over at Habibah, affection showing on her face.

KIAH

Well maybe if things go well tonight,

we won't have to rely on destiny.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - EVENING

Dressed in black, Habibah approaches the museum under the

darkening sky, carrying Kiah’s covered cage and pungi box in

her hands. Reaching the other side of the street, she

pauses, taking in the city past College Street.

Moving around the side of the building, she puts the cage

down near a vent and pulls off the sheet. As Kiah takes in

her surroundings, Habibah goes to unscrewing the vent.

As she does so, there is a RUSTLING in the bushes behind

her, startled, Habibah looks back to see an "anonymous"

bearded dragon (Critter), sitting on a branch, casually

watching. Turning around, she continues her task.

When she’s done, she removes the vent cover, and unlocks

Kiah’s door.

HABIBAH

Okay, you got to promise not to bite

me, okay Creature?

63.

Kiah just looks at her. Habibah looks uneasy.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Okay.

Habibah opens the cage door, and quickly slips a board over

it. She slides the cage up to the vent, door-first, and lays

the tablet on top of it, app opened up with a split screen

of "Musical Tables" and Kiah's cam. Habibah takes out her

pungi, and slowly raises it to her mouth. With a SIGH, she

removes the cardboard from the cage door.

Habibah begins to play, and Kiah slithers into the vent.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM VENTILATION SHAFT - NIGHT

Kiah journeys into the vent, the pungi music being amplified

by the metal around her. Kiah comes to a T-turn and pauses.

Habibah plays a low note, and Kiah turns right, Habibah's

blueprints rotating counter-clockwise.

A HIGH NOTE, Kiah turns left; Another LOW, Kiah turns right.

Kiah uses the musical code of Habibah's Pungi to travel

further into the vents.

Finally, Kiah reaches a grate opening into the Museum's

Security Room. Habibah stops playing.

HABIBAH

Great. Now how am I supposed to get

these vents open?

But then Habibah looks back at her tablet, and realizes...

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM SECURITY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Kiah’s camera reveals a good view of the room. Two Security

Guards stand over the monitors.

SECURITY GUARD 1

The museum is now closing. Activate

all security systems.

SECURITY GUARD 2

Got it.

64.

Security Guard 2 glances at a piece of paper with security

codes on it.

SECURITY GUARD 2 (cont'd)

Is this it?

SECURITY GUARD 1

Yes, that’s the one.

Security Guard 2 types in a command on the keypad, and

suddenly, all the lasers alarms throughout the museum turn

on.

HABIBAH

Now if only I could see what they

were typing.

Kiah looks at the grate, and starts pushing. Sure enough, it

loosens.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Oh, must not be screwed in after all.

Kiah finishes pushing out the grate, and it falls off the

wall, CLATTERING to the floor. The Security Guards turn to

the vent and spot Kiah. She opens her mouth, showing her

fangs.

SECURITY GUARD 1

It’s a snake. Get back.

Kiah slithers into the room toward the security panel,

flicking her tongue in warning. The Guards back away.

HABIBAH

See, I'm not the only one scared of

snakes.

Kiah makes it to the panel, and climbs up as the Guards

watch in alarm. Reaching the paper with the Security

passwords, Kiah looks down so the camera picks it up for the

tablet.

Habibah takes a snapshot on the tablet.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

There, got it.

Habibah starts playing the pungi again, and Kiah retreats,

bumping the camera controls before slithering off the panel

and heading back into the vent.

65.

SECURITY GUARD 2

Is it just me, or do I hear music?

SECURITY GUARD 1

Go, check the perimeter.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM VENTILATION SHAFT - NIGHT

FOLLOWING THE THE MUSICAL CODE, Kiah continues along the

ventilation shaft toward the exhibit containing the Cross of

Salvation.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - NIGHT

Meanwhile, Security Guard 2 walks around the building's

perimeter, shining his flashlight around.

Kiah reaches the end of the vent where it looks out at the

room containing the Cross.

KIAH

That must be the Cross... But why did

they bring me here?

Habibah blows ANOTHER NOTE ON THE PUNGI. SIGHING, Kiah

pushes on the grate, causing it fall out of the wall. It

CLATTERS to the floor, and Kiah looks around cautiously.

Seeing no movement, she slithers out of the vent...

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - CONTINUOUS

...And onto the floor, just below the laser grid. The Pungi

music continues emanating from the vent, and Kiah glances

back at it before making her way over to a keyboard on the

wall beside the Cross.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - NIGHT

Suddenly, there is the sound of Footsteps, and Habibah looks

up to see the Security Guard 2's flashlight shining from

around the corner at the back of the building.

HABIBAH

That’s my cue.

Habibah quickly grabs her things and runs the opposite

direction, toward the front of the museum.

66.

Rounding the corner, she rushes to the front door. She

reaches for the handle, and pushes it open. Critter slips

inside past her.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

They can’t come out without unlocking

the way in, I suppose.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM ENTRY - NIGHT

Habibah takes a quick glance around for Guards. Looking up,

she sees the cameras turned away from her, due to Kiah

bumping the controls.

Habibah rushes across the hallway toward the exhibit with

the cross. With her back to the door, she takes back out her

tablet, and examines it.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - NIGHT

Kiah's below the keypad. She raises up to look at it.

HABIBAH

Great, now how do I make him type in

the password.

Kiah examines the keypad, and--

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT/FLASHBACK

The Security Password sheet in the security room.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - NIGHT

Without hesitation, Kiah types in the code using her face.

The Laser Grid goes dark.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM ENTRY - NIGHT

HABIBAH

Okay, that snake is too smart for

anyone's good.

67.

Habibah opens the door, and heads in toward the Cross, Kiah

looking at her. Suddenly, Critter rushes in, past Habibah,

and up to Kiah.

CRITTER

Kiah, we have to stop this.

KIAH

What? But I'm so close to amending

serpent's relationship with woman.

CRITTER

But Kiah, don’t you see? They’re

trying to steal the Cross.

Kiah looks at Habibah, just as she reaches the Cross. She

stands before it, examining it.

KIAH

But-

SERPENT (V.O.)

Mend the ties between serpent and

woman, and return to the Tree the sin

from her knowledge.

KIAH

(In realization)

Return to the Tree the sin of her...

This is her sin! We have to...!

Without another moment's hesitation, Kiah shoots for the

Cross.

Scales coming into contact with wood, a FLASH, a BURST OF

ENERGY from Kiah to the cross overlaid with JOEY'S CRY, and

the beginnings of a vision starting to form, a vision of the

Tree of Knowledge.

And FLASH, it's gone, and Kiah, leaping out of her momentary

confusion, is SPIRALING, SPIRALING up the Cross.

And then she's face to face with Habibah just as she reaches

out to grab the cross. HISSING, Kiah SHOWS HER FANGS.

Habibah pulls away in shock.

HABIBAH

Creature? What are you doing?

KIAH

Get back! I can’t let you do this.

68.

HABIBAH

Creature, listen. I know you can’t

understand me, but I need you to

move.

KIAH

I won't let you take the Cross.

HABIBAH

I need to do this Creature.

KIAH

Please don’t make me do this.

Kiah and Habibah, eye to eye, stare at each other for a long

moment.

And Habibah takes the Cross, and yanks it from its stand.

And KIAH STRIKES.

Habibah takes a step back, letting the cross fall back into

place, CRYING OUT as she grabs hold of her arm.

And then she removes her hand, A FRESH SNAKE BITE IGNITING

HER SKIN.

Habibah looks back at Kiah, disbelief in her eyes.

HABIBAH

How could you...?

With that, HABIBAH COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR.

Kiah hurries down from the Cross, and to Habibah's side, but

Habibah doesn't respond. Kiah spins on Critter.

KIAH

Get help. Now!

CRITTER

But what about you? You got to get

out of here.

KIAH

Just go!

Critter backs up and rushes out of the room.

Kiah looks at Habibah, guilt written on her face. But after

a moment, she turns her attention to the Cross.

69.

Kiah goes up to the Cross, and once again, winds herself

around it. She tightens herself, and once again, energy

seeps out of her and into the Cross. Energy that carries THE

ECHO OF JOEY CRYING OUT.

INT. KIAH'S VISION - NIGHT

Energy ERUPTS from the Cross, darkness like shards piercing

into the Earth, forming into tree-roots under the Cross.

The roots spiral and spiral through the Earth until we

penetrate out to an empty plot of ground, imploding into a

double-twined Tree. A lush garden forming around it, as if

disintegrating in reverse.

A man and woman stand, the woman holding a golden fruit. And

onto the Tree, the woman puts back the fruit.

Kiah squeezes the Cross tighter, and the image plays in

reverse, or rather, forward, leading right back to herself,

twined around the Cross.

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - NIGHT

Kiah’s eyes snap open.

KIAH

That's- it's- I know where it is!

Critter bursts into the room, the Security Guards right

behind him.

CRITTER

Kiah! What are you doing? You need to

get out of here!

Suddenly, the Security Guard’s look past Critter, and to

Habibah on the floor. They follow Critters movement to see

Kiah around the Cross. Kiah slides down to the floor.

SECURITY GUARD 2

What on-

Security Guard 1 takes out his walkie-talkie.

SECURITY GUARD 2 (cont'd)

Get emergency personnel here

immediately. We have a Snake-Bite. I

repeat, send emergency personnel here

immediately.

70.

Kiah pauses for one last look at Habibah, the sounds of

support coming. Then, strengthening her resolve, she quickly

retreats back into the darkness of the vent, Critter

following behind.

INT. SYDNEY AIRPORT - MORNING

Critter chases Kiah as she slips through the airport,

weaving and winding under chairs, avoiding human detection.

KIAH

Come on, hurry, we gotta find the

next plane.

CRITTER

Kiah, wait, up. What are you talking

about? Kiah!

Kiah bursts ahead under the chairs and he scrambles to catch

up.

KIAH

The Tree, I know where the Tree is, I

thought my contact was crazy, but as

things begin to uncoil... that joey's

energy... and the cross... it's

somehow connected, like it's leading

me back to its roots.

CRITTER

Kiah, stop. What about Habibah?

Kiah stops, her eyes going dark

CRITTER (cont'd)

Last night... You were supposed to

reconcile with her not... we don't

even know if she's...

Kiah's expression hardens.

KIAH

I saved her from doing a great wrong.

The doctors will take care of her.

She'll survive.

CRITTER

Yeah, I know but... Maybe we're coming

at this all wrong.

71.

KIAH

And how would you would know right

from wrong. Only humans took from the

Tree of Knowledge.

CRITTER

I, uh... I've seen a few movies.

Kiah is again about to head out when a sudden wave of heavy

foot traffic comes through.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Just... Your contact. How're you sure

we can trust the guy?

KIAH

My... contact? What? Do you think

it's fair that we distrust him just

because he's a snake?

CRITTER

No, I mean--

KIAH

You spend too much time on the

windowsill.

Kiah turns away in frustration, but as she does so,

uncertainty shows up on her face.

CRITTER

(Under breath)

Nobody ever said he was a snake.

Suddenly, an opening in the path--

KIAH

Let's go!

With that, she dashes out across the opening to another set

of chairs, Critter delays--

CRITTER

Or even a "he" for that matter...

Then, Critter quickly races out to follow Kiah.

He comes to a stop beside Kiah who has come to a standstill

under some seats looking out at some destination boards. He

looks at the boards carefully.

72.

CRITTER (cont'd)

So this Tree... Where do you think it

is?

Kiah looks at the boards and inspects them with her snake

vision.

KIAH

Well, letters on a board aren't

exactly helping. I need an actual

line, a clear direction to follow it

in.

CRITTER

But surely the Tree must be over in

the Middle East or Africa or

something. There are whole Oceans

between us and there.

KIAH

I know. Why do you think we're here?

But I have no idea which destinations

are in the Middle-East, you know.

Kiah looks again at the board, about to head out--

When out of nowhere a foot comes down in front of them Kiah

has to spring back an inch to avoid being crushed.

More cautiously this time, Kiah looks out from under again,

examining the passerby's in her snake vision. She stops--

A group of Guards appear from the crowd, and Kiah looks up

past the bench to see them leading Habibah to Security.

Habibah weakly holds a bandage to her wound, the Guards

carry her luggage. At the sight of Habibah, a brief look of

relief crosses Kiah's face before she shakes it off.

AIRPORT GUARD 1

You're lucky your boss came through

on his bail, most in that business

would have left you to rot. Your arm

treating you good?

HABIBAH

I’ll live.

GUARD 2

Your flight back to your country

leaves at ten o’clock. Get on it, and

remember, you are no longer welcome

in Australia.

73.

CRITTER

Wow! I don't think you're amending

with her anytime soon.

KIAH

Yes, but I gave her what she needed.

A chance to not go through with her

sin.

(Beat)

Wait, where do you think she's

headed?

Kiah and Critter exchange glances.

KIAH (cont'd)

Come on! I told you it's destiny.

Kiah rushes out from under the bench after Habibah.

CRITTER

Wait? Isn’t it illegal to smuggle a

Bearded Dragon out of Australia?

KIAH

It’s probably illegal to smuggle a

highly venomous snake out of

Australia too. Now come on, let’s go.

Critter SIGHS and scrambles after her. A woman lets out a

SHRIEK as she almost steps on Kiah, pulling her foot away

just in time. Kiah glances back as if to say "oh, come on."

They reach the Security Checkpoint as Habibah puts her bag

on the conveyor belt. While the Guards are distracted Kiah

and Critter slip unnoticed under the bag scanner.

EXT. SYDNEY AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

The Airplane takes off into the air.

INT. AIRPLANE LUGGAGE AREA - DAY

Kiah peaks her head out from Habibah’s handbag to look

around.

KIAH

Well, we’re on our way.

Critter’s head comes out beside hers as he takes in the

plane.

74.

CRITTER

What if somebody finds us and Habibah

gets in trouble?

KIAH

It’s not like she can get in any more

trouble than she’s already in...

Kiah stops, a look of instant regret on her face.

KIAH (cont'd)

I mean, it’s not like she’s smuggling

us out; we’re leaving by choice.

CRITTER

What? Not my choice. I’m your

prisoner, remember?

KIAH

Well then, we’ll just say I’m

smuggling you out of Australia.

CRITTER

Yeah, I'm sure that's going to go

over well with the authorities.

(Sigh)

I'm going to have a look around.

With that, Critter climbs from the bag, and heads out into

the luggage area.

INT. AIRPLANE LUGGAGE AREA - LATER

Critter comes back dragging a Study Bible over to Habibah’s

bag. Kiah peeks out to look at him.

CRITTER

I found some Study Bible in

somebody’s luggage, and given that

we’re trying to find the Tree of

Knowledge, I figured that we should

try to learn as much about it as we

can.

KIAH

Wait. You think it's safe bringing a

Bible into the Middle-East these

days?

75.

CRITTER

There's a transfer I think. I don't

think there are any direct flights

from Australia to...

(Looks at baggage tag)

Erbil, it looks like? Besides, I hear

things are supposed to be calming

down over there anyway. I hope...

Critter opens the Bible and starts paging through it.

CRITTER (cont'd)

La de dah dee doh dah da...

(beat)

There's something I don't understand,

if that joey's energy...

(shiver)

Helped you find the location of the

Tree through the Cross, how did that

happen? It's hardly like the two

would be made out of the same wood.

Kiah tilts her head in a shrug.

KIAH

Still, the two are connected, at

least symbolically. Sin was released

onto the world through the Tree, the

Cross reconciled it, see? Somehow

when I touched the Cross, the

connection was opened showing the way

back to the source.

Critter shrugs.

Finally, he opens to a page in Genesis, a study note map

shows some possible locations for the Garden of Eden.

CRITTER

Okay, so this map shows a few ideas

on where the Garden of Eden might be.

The problem is, when we land, how

will we know where we should check

out?

KIAH

I don’t need a map to find it. I can

feel the direction just fine.

CRITTER

(Turning page)

Okay. Well... The Bible also tells of

a few hazards guarding the Garden.

(MORE)

76.

We’ll have to find a way to overcome

CRITTER (cont'd)

them if we want to make it there

alive.

KIAH

Like traps?

CRITTER

Here, listen to this.

(Reading)

“After sending them out,” Adam and

Eve that is, “the Lord God stationed

mighty cherubim to the east of the

Garden of Eden. And he placed a

flaming sword that flashed back and

forth to guard the way to the Tree of

Life.”

KIAH

Cherubim?

CRITTER

They're like little baby Angels or

something.

KIAH

Well, it says they're mighty, so we

probably shouldn't antagonize them.

That's to the east of the Garden,

right. If we come in from the west...

CRITTER

But what of this flaming sword

flashing it mentions?

KIAH

Sounds dangerous. We'll work our way

around it.

CRITTER

Sure.

KIAH

Here, let me see that. Perhaps we can

find something in here that will come

in handy.

Kiah moves in alongside Critter to look at the Bible. She

starts FLIPPING through the pages with her tail.

77.

EXT. IRAQ: ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

A different plane comes to a landing on the runway.

INT. ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

Habibah, now in full head-coverings, retrieves her bag from

the conveyor belt and heads out.

EXT. ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PARKING-LOT - DAY

Habibah reaches the parking lot. She finds a bench and sit

down, taking out her phone, and dialing her Um. After a few

RINGS, it answers.

UM

Habibah? Are you okay?

HABIBAH

I’m at the airport. The job didn’t go

as I hoped... I’m sorry Um.

UM

I know. I saw the news.

HABIBAH

I was just trying to help. I didn't

mean to...

Habibah breaks down CRYING. Kiah looks up at her from within

the bag.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

I didn’t want to... I tried...

UM

I know. I’ll send someone to pick you

up.

HABIBAH

Yeah.

UM

I’ll see you soon. Love you. Bye.

HABIBAH

Love you.

With that Habibah hangs up. Putting away her phone, she

looks at the parking lot, tears drying on her face.

78.

She reaches down to open her bag, and sees Kiah looking up

at her from within.

Habibah SCREAMS, throwing her bag off her lap, and onto the

ground. Kiah and Critter tumble out, Habibah's few

belongings scattering across the parkinglot.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

It’s you! What are you doing here?

Finishing the job?

Kiah looks at Habibah. Habibah picks up an item from the

bag, and throws it at Kiah.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Get away from me you nasty beast!

Kiah flinches, but doesn’t move. Habibah picks up more

things, throwing them in unison.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

You tricked me into trusting you, and

then you nearly killed me. You ruined

my life, and now you followed me

home! Get out of here you evil thing!

I never want to see you again!

Habibah throws the Pungi at Kiah, and the instrument

CLATTERS to the ground. As it falls still, the echo of the

notes to which the two of had bonded to EMANATES.

Habibah and Kiah both look at the instrument, then Habibah

looks back up at Kiah.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

Go ahead, take it. I never want to

use it again anyway.

Kiah backs away, following Critter out of the airport. Kiah

looks back.

HABIBAH (cont'd)

You are a snake, the most evil

creature in the world! You ruined my

life, and I hate you!

Critter nudges Kiah.

CRITTER

Let’s go.

Kiah follows Critter away. After making a reasonable

distance from Habibah-

79.

CRITTER (cont'd)

I'm sorry Kiah-

Kiah spins on Critter.

KIAH

What was I supposed to do? Let her

steal the Cross?

CRITTER

I... I don’t know.

Kiah takes a few calming breathes, then, with one last

regretful look in Habibah's direction, retreats from the

airport with Critter.

EXT. ERBIL CITY STREETS - DAY

Kiah and Critter make their way through the city, past

street vendors and performers. Kiah passes a snake charmer

charming a cobra and shakes her head.

Critter falls behind, and catches up a moment later,

carrying a ripped piece of cloth.

CRITTER

Here, I got you something.

Kiah looks at it.

KIAH

What is it?

CRITTER

Here. Let me...

Critter quickly ties the piece of cloth around Kiah like a

sling, and looks at it to examine his work. Kiah looks at it

thoughtfully.

CRITTER (cont'd)

There. So, when you find what you're

looking for, you’ll have something to

carry it in.

KIAH

You've become handy with your limbs.

Thank you. Given that I don't have

any of my own, I'll feel a lot more

comfortable not having to carry it in

my mouth.

80.

Critter shrugs, and with that, they head out again.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY

Kiah and Critter leave the city behind and head into the

Arabian Desert. They travel over rocky landscapes and over

sandy dunes. The hot sand burns into Kiah's belly and

Critter's paws, causing them great discomfort.

Critter comes to a stop.

CRITTER

I know you know where we’re going,

but I need a break. I need to bury

myself under some sand, and we don’t

have any water.

KIAH

We don't have time. We have to keep

going.

CRITTER

But the sand is scorching my paws.

KIAH

And the sand is scorching my whole

paw-less belly. Why don't you try

having no paws for once.

Critter's taken aback, but then the words settle and he

looks away.

CRITTER

Do you think it'd be better if I was

born with no paws like you?

Kiah looks at Critter and her face softens with guilt.

KIAH

It wasn't you who chose the curse. I-

Just... Come on.

Exhausted, Critter SIGHS, then follows Kiah deeper into the

Sun-drenched desert.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - NIGHT

Critter and Kiah are buried under sand, shivering in the

night air as the stars shine overhead. Critter looks at

Kiah, lost in her dark thoughts.

81.

CRITTER

You're sure you're good to keep

going?

KIAH

I have to find the Tree. I have to

make everything right.

Kiah curls up further under her pile of sand, and Critter

looks over at her, pity on his face.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY

They continue through the desert under the heavy sun.

Suddenly, Kiah stops.

CRITTER

What is it?

KIAH

We’re close.

Kiah looks into the distance and finds rocky, barren

mountains ahead.

KIAH (cont'd)

It must be over there.

CRITTER

What? It's too desolate here. This

cannot be the place where the Garden

of Eden is.

KIAH

Well, at least the entrance is over

there.

CRITTER

Entrance?

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT HILLS - DAY

Kiah leads the way as they enter the rocky hills, a few

shrubs dotting the area. Kiah looks around in snake vision.

CRITTER

I’m still not sure this is the

Garden. I mean, not anymore at least.

KIAH

Come on.

82.

Kiah moves to a rock wall, and stops before a hole. Critter

follows, and they look into the darkness together.

KIAH (cont'd)

It’s in there. I know it.

CRITTER

It’s underground? Like all those

hidden kingdoms in the movies.

KIAH

Yeah, I think that’s the case.

CRITTER

Well, the entrance is sort of small.

It would make sense why no one has

stumbled upon it yet.

KIAH

Yeah, but what about to the East?

CRITTER

Maybe it's just as small over there.

Critter looks into the darkness.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Are you sure it’s safe, there could

be a snake living in there.

KIAH

You don't say?

CRITTER

Well, you go first. Watch out for

flaming swords and cherubim and

stuff.

Kiah SIGHS and heads into the darkness.

INT. GARDEN OF EDEN ENTRANCE TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

A few feet into the darkness. Kiah looks back to see Critter

anxiously following her. Suddenly, the ground falls out from

under her, and Kiah gives a CRY as she plummets. Critter,

inches behind her, loses his footing at the edge and

plummets down after her.

Kiah hits a slope, and slides down a long, steep, tunnel.

Her momentum carries her sideways, and she starts tumbling

in a roll. She CRIES OUT, and just then comes falling out of

a hole in the ceiling of a wider tunnel.

83.

Critter comes landing beside her, regaining himself. Kiah

looks up the way they had come.

KIAH

Well, it'll be fun getting back out

that way. Come on, the Garden's this

way.

Kiah starts down the tunnel. A few feet later it opens

into--

INT. COBRA PIT - DAY

SLITHERING within the darkness. Critter YELPS, and leaps

behind Kiah.

Out of the darkness emerges a COBRA, then another, followed

by another, A WHOLE HORDE, ALL MOVING AS ONE, eyes GLEAMING

in the dim light.

CRITTER

There are snakes in this hole!

KIAH

Cobras? Here? Is this not the way to

the Garden of Eden.

COBRAS

We here lie between the boundary of

the Earth above and the pathway to

the Garden of Eden.

Kiah glances to the opposite edge of the pit. Through the

ever-shifting mass of snakes, she spots another opening.

KIAH

Then why are you here, not further

in?

COBRAS

We exist here, we live here, but we

do not go beyond the boundaries of

our pit.

KIAH

Why not? Out of all the snakes here

over the period of thousands of

years, not one of you has ever tried

to reconcile snakes with the Tree of

Knowledge?

84.

COBRAS

Why should we? This is our lot, our

place in life, why should we seek out

that which we do not need?

KIAH

It may not seem important to you, but

it's important for me. I am Kiah the

Death Adder, and I was sent here to

find the Tree of Knowledge and make

amends for the Serpent's deception of

Adam and Eve.

The cobras move in front Kiah, blocking her path to the

tunnel beyond, rising up above Kiah, their HOODS unfolding.

Critter once again ducks behind Kiah.

CRITTER

Look at those hoods. You need to get

yourself one of those.

COBRAS

Death Adder you say. If this calling

is true, then why for so long must we

have waited, from so far must you

have traveled, for serpent to be

reconciled with good?

KIAH

I don't have all the answers, but

what I do know is this, for too long

have snakes been looked down upon

just for being the way they are. Now

let move aside!

The Cobras looks at Kiah with those unblinking eyes.

COBRAS

We're afraid not. We rest here, we

seal the way. It is our nature to be

feared; is it not necessary for

serpent to be hated? For is it not

our design to ward of, to strike

down, those who wander where they

shouldn't?

Kiah goes still--

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - NIGHT/FLASHBACK

Kiah STRIKES at Habibah--

85.

INT. COBRA PIT - DAY

The cobras see the look in Kiah's eyes.

COBRAS

Yes, you know what we mean. You're no

different then us. What makes you

think that you are any more worthy

for this task than the rest of us?

Just another crafty creature...

All deathly eyes turn on her and Critter, their bodies start

swarming around them.

CRITTER

Uh, Kiah, we probably shouldn't die.

COBRAS

And for that, you too have wandered

where you shouldn't.

With that, a cobra STRIKES! Kiah swerves out of the way just

as another comes in. The Serpents are swarming all around

them. Kiah dodges their strikes, chaotically weaving her way

throw the swarming mass.

Critter expands hiss beard, HISSING at the snakes, barely

scrambling out of the way as they strike.

A Cobra has Kiah cornered. The Cobra leaps at Kiah, and she

ducks out of the way. She spins around him to get at his

back, but before she can bite him, he spins around to face

her. They throw themselves at each other, rolling around the

ground in a fierce battle. Rearing back up, they HISS at

each other.

Another snake comes at Kiah, and she rolls out of the way

and back into the main mass.

Critter gives a cry, and she turns her gaze to where he's

standing on a rock, just out of the cobras' reach. But they

are swarming together, rising up to meet him.

Kiah dashes across the ground for Critter, and using the

other snakes as a ramp, pulls herself in for a strike, and

UNLEASHES, launching through the air for him, wrapping him

in her body, landing on the far side of the chamber.

Kiah spins to face the snakes, once again gathering toward

her, shielding Critter with her body. She looks and notices

the far tunnel is now right behind her, now unprotected.

Kiah looks at the Cobras, defiance on her face.

86.

KIAH

You're right, I'm not any different

than you. That's why I have to do

this. For all of us. To prove that

maybe we don't have to be different.

And with that, Kiah leaps for the exit, wrapping herself

around him, dragging him behind her as she tumbles in.

There is another slope and they tumble down it at top

speeds, entering into--

INT. CHAMBER OF THE FLAMING SWORD - DAY

They once again fall through the ceiling of another tunnel.

Kiah unravels herself from Critter and looks ahead. The

tunnel continues a few feet before curving around out of

sight. A sound of HEATED, SLASHING METAL can be heard just

ahead. Kiah looks up seeing no cobras coming down after

them.

KIAH

Must be they don't dare come down

here after us.

CRITTER

You know how you said we should enter

the garden from the west?

Kiah pauses.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Well, I think we're now coming in

from the east. We just passed right

over the Garden.

KIAH

Well, then I guess we're just going

to have to deal with that sword.

Critter nods, and they continue down the tunnel. As they

move forward the sound of heated, clanking metal, becomes

more apparent.

And then they round the corner, and there it is, a glorious

Sword, lit with flame, swinging back and forth, blocking the

path forward.

CRITTER

Well there it is. How are we going to

get around it?

87.

Kiah watches it in her snake vision for a moment, swinging

back and forth.

KIAH

Well, the sword isn’t everywhere at

once, but it’s movement looks pretty

unpredictable. But if I can maneuver

myself just right...

Kiah goes back to watching.

CRITTER

Well, if it slices and dices you, I

will finally get to try Australian

Death Adder.

Kiah looks at Critter.

CRITTER (cont'd)

What? You always want to eat me. It's

only natural I return the favor.

KIAH

Great, a relationship built on the

mutual desire to eat each other. Very

healthy.

CRITTER

Yep, lots of protein.

(Cringing)

Wow, that... Was a little dark for

me.

KIAH

Yeah, it's the company you keep.

Kiah turns back to the Sword, inspecting it for another

moment, following its movements in snake vision.

KIAH (cont'd)

Okay, get in my pouch.

CRITTER

What?

KIAH

I think I might be able to make it,

but I need to make sure you make it

as well. Now get in my pouch.

CRITTER

Okay...

88.

Critter climbs into the sling he made for Kiah, and presses

close to her body for protection.

CRITTER (cont'd)

I feel like I'm a joey right now.

KIAH

Ready?

CRITTER

I don't know-

Before he can finish, Kiah charges toward the sword. A split

second before reaching the opening, Kiah rears back...

And she STRIKES, the force of her momentum pulling her

through the opening, just as the sword swings past.

But as her body soars through, the Sword switches back,

heading STRAIGHT FOR HER STOMACH...

Kiah looks back and sees the Sword pulling closer, closer to

her.

GASPING, Kiah swings her body up the wall, curving with the

movement of the Sword...

And she's through, the Sword missing her by inches.

Sliding into the tunnel beyond, Kiah looks back at Sword,

once again swinging about freely, and SIGHS.

KIAH

We made it.

Critter slides out of the sling, staring blankly.

CRITTER

Yeah, but I don't think I have it in

me to do that again.

KIAH

You're traveling with somebody

directly above you on the food chain.

What could be scarier than that?

With that, Kiah and Critter continue through the tunnel. As

they proceed, the tunnel begins to open up, the space

widening into a large tunnel. Ahead of them, a gate looms,

light shining in from beyond. As they make their way toward

it, statues of mighty angels begin to line the path on

either side. Kiah and Critter stop to look at them.

89.

CRITTER

Are these Cherubim the Bible was

talking about? Not very cute babies.

KIAH

Well, I suppose somebody got their

sources wrong. Handsome maybe, but

definitely not cute. At least they're

not one of those four-headed guys in

Ezekiel.

CRITTER

I think they're guarding the way. Do

you think they'll let us pass?

KIAH

Don't worry. They're just statues.

Come on.

With that, Critter nods, and they continue toward the gate.

Suddenly, one of the Cherubim's eyes light up, and it

watches over it's shoulder at the retreating duo, entering

into the Garden.

OPEN INTO:

INT. GARDEN OF EDEN - CONTINUOUS

Kiah and Critter pause at the gate, looking out in awe at

the lush Garden looming before them, filled with plants and

trees and rivers, the sky above them radiates the purest

blue.

KIAH

We're here. The Garden of Eden.

Kiah looks up at the sky, the Sun shines bright over the

Garden.

KIAH (cont'd)

How's this even possible? are we even

still in our own world?

CRITTER

We probably are. I saw a YouTube

video on it once, I think we are in a

pocket of space. Reality folds around

the area so it can only be accessed

by a specific point, anywhere else,

and you’ll just go right around it.

(MORE)

90.

It’s like the idea of having things

CRITTER (cont'd)

bigger on the inside than on the

outside, except here, on the outside,

it takes up no space.

Kiah looks at Critter.

KIAH

How have you even been alive long

enough to watch all this stuff?

Critter just shrugs.

They take in the Garden for another moment, then-

CRITTER

What now?

KIAH

We find the Tree.

INT. GARDEN OF EDEN - LATER

They make their way further into the Garden, looking up at

the giant plants in wonder.

Finally they come upon a clearing in the center of the

Garden, and towering before them are the Tree of Knowledge

and the Tree of Life, their trunks twined around each other,

melded together over the centuries.

KIAH

There it is. The Tree of Knowledge

and the Tree of Life.

CRITTER

Wait, there are two Trees? But it

looks like one almost. Do you suppose

that they have merged together to

become one over the eons?

Kiah and Critter continue up to the Tree, and come to a stop

beneath it, glancing up at the looming branches. Golden

Fruit hangs from the Tree of Knowledge, and Silver Fruit

from the Tree of Life.

CRITTER (cont'd)

There are two types of fruit. How

will we know which is which?

KIAH

We'll have to take one of each.

91.

With a SIGH, Kiah moves forward to touch the Tree. She wraps

around the trunk and starts spiraling up it. Critter stops

before the Tree, suddenly uncomfortable, then shaking his

head, jumps up as well, and starts climbing after her.

Kiah reaches the lower level of branches, and spots a Golden

Fruit on one of the branches. She makes her way toward it.

Reaching the fruit, Kiah lowers herself down to it and

starts to nudge it with her head. It sways, but doesn't come

loose. Critter stops.

CRITTER

Kiah, maybe we should... I don't

know, this feels sorta forbidden.

Kiah looks at Critter.

KIAH

Don't worry, we'll all make sense of

this, we'll make sure God

understands.

Critter shakes his head to clear it. Kiah looks at the fruit

tries to gently wrap herself around it and pull it loose,

but her body slips, and the fruit remains stubbornly on the

branch. Critter comes up beside her.

KIAH (cont'd)

I don't want to grab the thing in my

mouth. I fear what could happen if I

were to taste the Fruit of the Tree.

Kiah tries wrapping around it again, tighter this time, and

the fruit explodes from the pressure. Critter and Kiah look

at the fruit splatter all over themselves.

CRITTER

Next time, let me. Lucky we didn't

get any in our mouths.

They approach another Golden Fruit, and Critter prepares to

reach for it when-

CHERUBIM (O.S.)

Hold!

Kiah and Critter both go still, Kiah pulling into a defense

striking position, Critter's beard expanding, and the

CHERUBIM who watched them enter, now in full form, and

radiating with power, comes from around the Tree to face

them. Kiah and Critter cower before him.

92.

CRITTER

See, it is the Cherubim. It's alive.

KIAH

Well, still incredibly handsome, but

nope, definitely not a statue.

CHERUBIM

Why, serpent, have you come upon the

Garden of Eden and the Trees of Life

and Knowledge?

Kiah is taken aback on the term “serpent”, but recovers

herself quickly. She gestures to Critter at the Fruit and

moves forward to confront the Cherubim.

KIAH

My name is Kiah, I am a Death Adder

from Australia, and I have come to

undo that which the Serpent had done

during the Fall.

CHERUBIM

The Garden of Eden has been removed

from the Earth so that no man can eat

from the fruit of the Tree of Life.

As they speak, Kiah swerves through the tree via the

branches, leading the Cherubim away from Critter. Critter

pauses for a moment, considering the Cherubim, then moves to

do his task.

KIAH

Well, I am not from man so that

removal does not apply to me.

CHERUBIM

It applies to any who may use the

fruit of the Tree to once again bring

sin into the world.

Kiah stops before a fruit and inspects it before moving on

to another, looking straight at the Cherubim as she moves.

KIAH

As reconciliation was once brought to

mankind through Jesus and the Cross,

so I seek to bring reconciliation,

not sin, to snake-kind.

CHERUBIM

I fear you do not know that which you

are getting yourself into.

(MORE)

93.

The Lord never foretold of a snake

CHERUBIM (cont'd)

coming to accomplish such a task.

KIAH

Nor did the Lord foretell that a

snake would not. In fact, The Lord

promises, “The baby will play safely

near the hole of a cobra... a little

child will put its hand in a nest of

deadly snakes without harm.” And I

believe the time for that is now.

CHERUBIM

That is a promise for the new Heaven

and the new Earth, for which the time

has not yet come for that to be

brought about. And when it does, it

will be not through your power, but

through God’s.

Kiah looks over at Critter who is still sitting on the

branch with the fruit watching. Kiah gestures at the Fruit,

and Critter, glancing at the Cherubim uncertainly, nods. He

reaches down to pluck it, and Kiah turns back and spirals

closer to the Cherubim.

KIAH

I wasn't even involved in the

deception of Adam and Eve, why should

I suffer the punishment for a sin I

didn't commit? “The child will not be

punished for the parent's sin.”

CHERUBIM

Yes, but the consequences of sin

still carry through the generations,

even if not in direct punishment. The

whole world suffers to this day from

the sins of Adam and Eve, even after

they have passed on. Man seeks

wealth; woman seeks control; even

now, serpent uses its craftiness to

bring down those who surround it.

The Cherubim's eyes seems to go to Critter, who has loosened

the Golden Fruit with his paws, and Critter goes still.

Critter looks over at Kiah. Kiah looks at him, worry in her

expression, is she actually bringing him down?

No. Critter turns his head, squeezing his eyes shut, the

Cherubim is wrong. Right? Critter looks again at the

Cherubim, then back at the fruit.

94.

Kiah again turns her own gaze, newly determined, back on the

Cherubim as his focus falls back on her.

KIAH

Yet Adam and Eve were able to

reconcile their shortcomings through

the Cross. Serpent was not.

And cautiously, unable to look at his own paws, Critter

gives the fruit a final tug. It falls loose from the Tree,

landing in the grass below with a gentle THUD.

SPIRALING, SPIRALING. Kiah is before a silver fruit, fresh

and GLITTERING in the light. Glancing at Critter, she

gestures at it, and Critter again nods, he can't look at the

Cherubim. Kiah moves on.

CHERUBIM

It's as you've stated. Man and woman

were cast from the Garden of Eden,

not beast. So it is with the promises

of the Bible.

Kiah looks a little downcast at this. As she's looking down,

she sees that Critter is scurrying to the branch she was

just on, the one containing the Silver Fruit she'd just

indicated. Kiah turns back to the Cherubim.

KIAH

Even so, the Bible declares, “The

godly care for their animals.” So God

must value animals to some degree.

CHERUBIM

The Lord cares for all living

creatures, but the Bible was not

written for the beasts of the Earth,

and you must live your life in

accordance to your design. Now go

from the Garden and live the life the

Lord has given you. The fruit from

the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of

Life is too powerful for any mortal,

man or beast.

Critter, now on a branch over the Silver Fruit, stops upon

hearing these words. Critter looks at his paws, what is he

doing? Then he looks up at Kiah, her eyes filled with a

desperate plea. Critter closes his eyes with regret, and

PLUCKS the second fruit. Kiah watches as it falls to the

ground, her face falling as it lands with a THUD, the moment

of victory riddled with guilt.

95.

Kiah covers her expression and slowly looks back up at the

Cherubim.

KIAH

I see. So while mankind can live,

blessed in their salvation, the time

for snake to be reconciled is never

to be. Perhaps it was me being too

anthropomorphic for caring, but you

know how society views equal

treatment nowadays. Well, I apologize

for the trouble I have caused, and

will now be leaving.

With that, Kiah turns back, and spirals back down the Tree.

Critter is already on the ground by the fallen Fruit, and as

Kiah slithers past, she pauses to glance back up at the

Cherubim, Critter discreetly slips the fruit into Kiah's

sling.

As they head out, the Cherubim raises a hand.

CHERUBIM

A final warning, Kiah of the Death

Adders. If further you eat from the

Fruit of the Tree, you will be cursed

twice-fold, even beyond your own

kind. Your bones will lock, and your

every move will be a struggle, from

that day, for as long as you may

live.

Kiah hesitates for a moment, but then Kiah continues

forward, toward the gates of the Garden, the Cherubim

watching with a knowing expression of disappointment.

Critter looks back at the Cherubim apologetically, then at

Kiah with a growing sense of guilt.

Kiah and Critter reach the gate of the Garden, and with a

quick glance up at it, pass through...

CUT TO:

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY - CONTINUOUS

...Suddenly appearing in the desert near the cave from which

they had entered. They look back, but see the Garden of Eden

nowhere.

Kiah looks into her pouch at the two fruit from the Tree,

then back at the empty horizon behind her, begging it for

forgiveness.

96.

Then finally, Kiah turns back to face the way they're going.

KIAH

I guess that's it, the Fruit of the

Tree of Knowledge.

Critter looks at Kiah, his face full of conflict.

CRITTER

Kiah, I know you'd never try to bring

me down a path that's wrong... right?

KIAH

Of course. I'd never... I couldn't...

How could I...

(Breath)

My contact, perhaps he'll be able to

clear things up this time.

Kiah heads off, and Critter stands behind watching her go.

He takes one last glance in the former direction of the

garden, and with that, he continues into the desert into the

desert after her.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - MONTAGE

A montage as they make their way back through the desert,

traveling during the scorching daytime Sun, pausing on sandy

dunes under the nightfall sky, ect.

EXT. SYDNEY AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

A plane comes in for a landing on the runway.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - TIME-LAPSE

Kiah and Critter once again make their way back through the

Australian Outback, across barren plains, past towering

bluffs, jostling along in the back of an old pickup down a

dusty road. Weariness, the silence of unspoken thoughts

weighs heavy between them.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES - DAY

In the rocky terrain of the Vulkathuna-Gammon Ranges Critter

trails slowly behind. He looks at the pouch hanging from

Kiah's side, and his gaze falls down to his own paws,

following step by step after her. He hesitates, takes

another step, and comes to a complete stop.

97.

Kiah, noticing the stillness behind her, stops and turns to

look at him.

KIAH

Critter? Are you... Is everything...?

CRITTER

Yeah. It’s just... Kiah, I can't keep

going like this anymore.

Kiah's face softens.

KIAH

Do need a break, we could stop

here...

CRITTER

No, it's not... Kiah, this isn't...

(Beat)

This isn't right.

Kiah takes in the words, her gaze sharpens.

KIAH

Listen, we've traveled far, we just

need to rest. To get our minds back

on track.

Critter fidgets uncomfortably.

CRITTER

No Kiah, we can't... We have to stop

this. Right now. Everything about

this... It's just...

Critter takes a heavy breath.

CRITTER (cont'd)

We lied to an Angel of God, Kiah.

KIAH

Well, that "lie"...

(Firmly)

That lie will redeem my kind.

Critter looks Kiah straight on.

CRITTER

You can’t lie to God.

Kiah turns back to Critter.

98.

KIAH

God could have just struck me down

then and there. But he didn't. He let

me take the fruit. So, it must have

been his will.

CRITTER

I don't think... Do you think God

wanted Adam and Eve to eat from the

Tree? Yet he let it happen. You did

this... But at what cost?

KIAH

The cost was the curse. And that's

something I can live without.

Critter doesn't meet her eyes.

KIAH (cont'd)

What am I supposed to do? Just let my

kind continue like this? Continue to

be cursed and hated forever?

Kiah tail flicks; pebbles go CLATTERING away. Kiah looks

away.

KIAH (cont'd)

Are you saying that you're supposed

to hate me too?

Critter looks at Kiah for a long moment. Finally--

CRITTER

I’m saying... that maybe you’re

focusing on the wrong things.

KIAH

Like what? Is it wrong to not want to

be hated? Wrong to show the world

that I don’t have to be evil because

I’m a snake?

CRITTER

Have you really shown the world you

don’t have to be evil?

Kiah goes still. Quickly, she turns her head away from him.

Critter instantly looks regretful of what he just said.

CRITTER (cont'd)

(Extending a paw)

I’m just saying maybe you should take

a step back before it’s too late-

99.

KIAH

No! I’m done!

CRITTER

Done?

KIAH

Done. I don't want you as my pet any

longer.

CRITTER

But Kiah-

Abruptly, Kiah spins on him, bearing him down.

KIAH

You’re free to go Kyle, okay! Have a

nice life!

Critter is taken aback by the outburst, by the sound of his

real name. Kiah takes in his expanded beard; for a moment

her expression wavers. But then she hardens her resolve.

KIAH (cont'd)

Go. I’ll finish my journey on my own.

With that, Kiah spins back around and heads for the hills.

Kyle stands looking after Kiah for a moment, then with a

heartbroken look, turns and heads off in his own direction.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES - AFTERNOON

Kiah travels alone through the brush, nearly at the

Serpent’s Cave.

KIAH

He's wrong. I'm not evil. I did what

I had to to make amends. I will make

amends.

Nearby Joey stands, looking around hopelessly. Suddenly, he

notices the RUSTLING in the grass. He looks closer and makes

out Kiah’s slithering form.

JOEY

The snake!

Joey quickly picks up a rock and hurls it at Kiah with all

his might. Kiah reflexively pulls out of its path, in time

and the rock hits a boulder behind her with a sharp SPARK,

ricocheting back, and BASHING Joey right in the weak spot

near where his legs connect.

100.

With a GASP Joey folds over in absolute agony.

JOEY (cont'd)

Like not having a pouch is really the

worst of it.

KIAH

Well, that's, uh, interesting...

So... Cya.

Kiah waves her tail end jeeringly, and -- not wasting

another moment -- makes a dash for it, heading in the

direction of the Serpent’s Cave.

Through bleary eyes, Joey looks up and sees Kiah fleeing,

already with a huge head start.

JOEY

No! I won’t let you escape. You

killed my sister!

Joey scrambles upright with a struggle, and hops after Kiah.

He CRIES out as the landing jars his injury, causing him to

fold over again, and nearly sending him into a roll. But

using his front paws to regain himself, he flings himself

forward in pursuit, using all fours to alleviate the impact

of landing.

They reach the entrance to the Serpent's Lair, Kiah slipping

in a moment before Joey catches up. Joey tries to follow her

in, but he’s too small to make it through the opening.

Reaching in, he tries to grab her but she's already out of

reach.

JOEY (cont'd)

Come back here! I won't let you

escape like this! You will not get

away for killing my sister!

(Breaking down)

She was too sweet and innocent for

that. I was just the dumb male... But

she saw something in me anyway. She

saw something in me, because that was

what was in herself.

Kiah turns to face Joey.

KIAH

I'm sorry about your sister, I really

am. But right now I have my own

problems to worry about.

Kiah turns to go-

101.

JOEY

You’re evil, you know that?

KIAH

I’m not evil, I’m just a snake. And

pretty soon you’ll see that maybe

that’s not a bad thing.

Kiah starts out again...

JOEY

And what with your Bearded Dragon

“friend” of yours? Don't tell me, you

ate him.

Kiah stops, regret filling her face.

KIAH

Yes. Yes, I did.

With that, Kiah heads deeper into the cave. Joey glares

after her as she disappears into the darkness. Once she’s

gone, Joey SIGHS and lets himself drop down from the cave

entrance. Giving a MOAN, he folds back over in pain.

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR - AFTERNOON

Kiah reaches the Serpent’s Cave, and waits solemnly.

After a moment, the Serpent slithers out of his tunnel.

SERPENT

Kiah, you have returned.

Kiah takes the Fruits out of the sling with her tail.

KIAH

Yes. I found the Tree of Knowledge,

but it was tied to the Tree of Life.

I wasn't sure which tree was which,

so I took a fruit from each. But I

wasn't sure on what to do next, and

was hoping you would have some

insight.

The Serpent inspects the Fruits, pleased by what he sees.

102.

SERPENT

Yes. Two may complicate the process,

but given my experience on the

subject, it will take but a moment to

determine which fruit is from the

Tree of Knowledge and which is from

the Tree of Life.

With that, the Serpent slides the fruit into a sling of his

own, which Kiah notices with interest.

SERPENT (cont'd)

Your journey must have been hard, but

now is the time to make things right.

KIAH

I’m not so sure anymore. It doesn’t

feel like I’ve really done the right

thing.

SERPENT

And why wouldn't you have? You spared

Habibah a terrible sin, and you’ve

retrieved the fruit from the Tree.

All in an act to redeem your own

kind. What could be more noble that?

KIAH

Okay. I got the Fruit. Now what?

SERPENT

Return to the Tree the sin from her

knowledge. Return Habibah's sin back

into the Fruit from which it came.

KIAH

Okay. And that means...

SERPENT

To bite Habibah to prevent her from

stealing the Cross, her potential for

that sin was removed from her life.

Now it has transferred to you as it's

unaffected carrier, until the time

when you bite the fruit and release

Habibah's sin back into it.

At the word "bite", the world begins to shift around Kiah as

if she’s seeing the situation in a new light.

103.

KIAH

No. No. I won’t do this. I will not

eat the fruit of the Tree. It’s

forbidden.

SERPENT

It is forbidden to eat the fruit from

the Tree, but did the Lord ever say

you could not bite into it? To inject

your venom and release the sin of

another?

KIAH

No, but...

SERPENT

Kiah, this is the only way to undo

what was done during the Fall. Did

you really go to such lengths just to

turn back now?

KIAH

No, I... No, I didn’t.

SERPENT

Then you must finish your quest.

With that, the Serpent holds the Silver Fruit out before

Kiah. Cautiously, Kiah raises her head, moving toward it.

She opens her mouth and prepares her fangs. A moment’s

hesitation. Then she sinks her teeth in. Glowing venom

transfers from Kiah’s fangs and into the fruit, causing it

to light up.

For a moment, nothing happens, then suddenly, there is the

sound of CRACKLING. Kiah instantly jerks away from the fruit

with a CRY of pain as all her muscles begin to contract,

withering her into a coil.

And the Serpent has an ominous look of victory on his face.

KIAH

What’s happening?

Kiah tries to move, but her muscles lock her in place.

Horrified, she tries again, harder. Her MUSCLES CRACKLE as

they snap out of place, and Kiah CRIES OUT as she falls back

down.

KIAH (cont'd)

What did you do to me?

104.

SERPENT

The question is, what did you do to

yourself?

The Serpent pauses to let that sink in.

KIAH

But the curse... You said if I didn't

eat... If I only bit into it--

SERPENT

You really believed there was a

loophole in God's word? No, you bit

into the Fruit, so the consequences

are the same. With eating the Fruit

also comes a curse.

KIAH

You tricked me!

SERPENT

Yes. But think about what you've

gained because of it. For, “if they

reach out, take fruit from the Tree

of Life, and eat it, then they will

live forever.” Kiah, you have now

become immortal.

KIAH

But... You switched out the Fruit on

me? Why? What could you be trying to

accomplish?

SERPENT

Simple. I want immortality.

KIAH

Well, too bad. Then you should of ate

the fruit yourself, instead of giving

it to me.

SERPENT

I said I want immortality, not the

curse.

With that the amulet on the Serpent’s neck lights up, and

Kiah gives a CRY, CRACKLING as she unsuccessfully tries to

pull away. Energy flows out of her and into the Serpent

through the amulet.

The Serpent begins to rejuvenate, his weakened flesh filling

with new strength, his dull eyes filling with new malicious

light.

105.

Then it's over, the amulet blinks dark once more. Kiah

slumps back to the floor exhausted.

SERPENT (cont'd)

Don’t worry, I only took your

immortality. I’ve left you with your

mortal life, whatever that means now.

KIAH

That joey's sister... That was you,

wasn't it?

SERPENT

Yes. For years I’ve been living off

the life force of others as my only

means of survival. But though the

prey may have many years left to

live, it never sustains the predator

quite so long, and the inevitable

still lingers. Immortality, no matter

how you divide it is still infinity.

KIAH

But the amulet... I found it. I traded

it...

SERPENT

I left it for you to find. Honestly,

if you saw me with it, wouldn't you

at least be a little suspicious of my

motives? Simply act like it's not

mine, get you to trade it back for my

guidance... In the end, I sacrificed

nothing, and you don't suspect a

thing.

KIAH

And how did you know I would do what

you wanted?

SERPENT

Simple. I already had you following

my will. I told you to come find me

and you did. How much harder would it

be to make you pick up a beautiful

amulet off the road?

KIAH

So you just used me so I could take

the fall you weren't willing to take.

106.

SERPENT

Cursed for the deception of Adam and

Eve, I realized I could no longer

attain my plans myself. To accomplish

my goals unhindered, I needed another

to take the next curse for me.

Kiah goes still.

KIAH

You’re the Serpent, aren't you?

SERPENT

Yes. I am thee who deceived Adam and

Eve.

KIAH

But that’s not... That's not

possible. The Serpent that deceived

Adam and Eve... That was Satan.

SERPENT

According to classic interpretation.

But perhaps Satan deceived Adam and

Eve not as Serpent, but through

Serpent. Perhaps we weren't unjustly

cursed for a deception we didn't

commit, but as a willing participant

in Satan’s plan. Just as you were a

participant in mine.

KIAH

You used me. I would never have

willingly followed you if I had known

what you were planning.

SERPENT

Maybe. But you're not entirely

innocent either, are you? Biting

Habibah, deceiving the Cherubim; In

your desperation to show the world

that you were more than everyone

believed you to be, you ultimately

proved you were just that. Someone

who deserved to be cursed.

KIAH

How... How could you be so evil?

SERPENT

Hasn’t anybody ever told you? Never

trust a snake.

107.

At these words, Kiah's world collapses around her. The

Serpent takes one last victorious look at her and retreats

through the tunnel to the outside world, fruit in his pouch.

Kiah lays left behind, slumped on the floor, SOBBING in

defeat.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - SUNSET

Joey awaits outside of the cave, still squinting through his

easing pain, holding a rock, ready to throw.

JOEY

You have to come out eventually.

Suddenly, a snake head appears from the cave entrance. Joey

prepares his throw, when he suddenly stops himself, taken

aback. The snake isn’t Kiah, but the Serpent.

JOEY (cont'd)

You’re not- What happened to the

other snake?

SERPENT

Not who you were expecting, am I?

Joey stops as he notices light glinting off the amulet

around the Serpent’s neck.

JOEY

The amulet- But that girl snake... How

did you?

The Serpent looks at Joey and moves toward him. Joey takes a

step back.

SERPENT

Yes, your sister. What an evil act to

kill her for no other purpose than to

leave her body abandoned. All along

you were so sure that Kiah was

responsible for her death, but now

you see another serpent arrive in her

place, wearing the same amulet she

did.

JOEY

Were you the one to kill her then?

What about the other snake?

108.

SERPENT

Yes, I see you’re confused. You seek

revenge on the one who killed your

sister, and now you find you may have

almost killed a snake who was not

responsible. But then again, why

didn't she exit that cave instead?

Maybe she did kill your sister, and I

avenged it for you. But how would you

know? How would you know who’s good

and who’s evil if you don’t know the

difference between good and evil

yourself?

JOEY

What are you saying? I know the

difference between good and evil.

Whoever killed my sister is evil, and

I will have revenge!

SERPENT

Really? But may it be that it's

revenge that's actually evil? And to

shorten the life of another to ensure

the survival of one's own may

actually may be permissible, given

they are of another species? But only

those who’ve eaten from the Tree of

Good and Evil have the Knowledge to

discern these things.

Upon these words, the Serpent withdraws the Golden Fruit

from his sling.

SERPENT (cont'd)

Eat from the Tree of Knowledge of

good and evil, and all will be known

to you.

JOEY

Why would I do that? How do I know

it's not some trick?

SERPENT

You wouldn't, would you. Not without

the knowledge that this fruit will

bring you?

The Serpent holds the fruit before Joey, and Joey looks at

it.

109.

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR �" SAME

Kiah is laying on the cave floor SOBBING gently. Weakly, she

tries to raise her head.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - SAME

Joey takes the Fruit from the Serpent and looks at it.

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR - SAME

Kiah attempts to slither toward the cave exit, but this

causes her joints to CRACKLE, and she falls back with a CRY

of pain.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - SAME

SERPENT

Don’t you want to be as wise as your

sisters.

Closing his eyes, Joey raises the fruit to his lips...

INT. SERPENT'S LAIR - SAME

Kiah, desperation on her face, looks toward the exit, and

cautiously, starts to move toward it once more.

CRACKLE, CRACK, CRACK! Kiah CRIES OUT with each move, but

slowly, through gritted teeth, she’s able to make her way

forward toward the exit.

EXT. VULKATHUNHA-GAMMON RANGES CLIFFS - SAME

...And Joey TAKES A BITE OF THE FRUIT.

And the world goes still.

In an instant, Joey drops the fruit, stunned. The fruit

roles over to the Serpent, who puts it back into the sling.

Joey inspects himself full of horror.

JOEY

What did you make me do? You are the

evil one who killed my sister! And

you made me eat... That fruit was

forbidden, wasn't it? You cursed me.

110.

SERPENT

Welcome to our fallen world.

With that, the Serpent heads into the brush.

JOEY

No! You will not escape!

SERPENT

Oh but I will. Don't you see it, the

evil of revenge?

Joey picks up a rock.

JOEY

I don’t care.

Joey throws the rock, but the Serpent moves out of the way

and the rock misses, landing in the dirt with a soft THUD.

The Serpent looks at Joey.

SERPENT

You have a really bad aim, you know

that?

Joey glares back with hatred in his eyes. Turning away the

Serpent retreats into the brush. Joey stands there stunned.

Suddenly, there is a CLATTER of rocks and CRACKLING joints.

Joey looks over his shoulder to see Kiah struggling her way

out of the cave. Kiah stops when she sees him. Joey turns

away and looks at the ground.

JOEY

You didn't kill my sister, did you?

Kiah reaches the edge of the cave, and slides down to the

ground with a shaky HUFF of impact.

KIAH

No, I didn't.

JOEY

But you helped the Serpent get the

fruit, didn’t you? The fruit that

I’ve now ate, that's made me as

cursed as the world.

KIAH

I’m sorry. But the Serpent... He'll

get away if we don't... He'll...

111.

JOEY

How do I know I could ever trust you?

How do I know you're not working with

him, that even now you're leading me

into a deeper trap than I'm already

in?

(Looking away)

Of course I couldn't. You're a snake.

It's in your nature to be deceitful.

KIAH

Yes, I've done terrible. But it's not

the fault of other snakes I did what

I did. My Mum... Birrani... You can't

hate them because of what I've

become.

JOEY

No? Then tell me, who was it who

brought you up to be capable of such

evil?

With that, Joey leaves the speechless Kiah behind as he

heads off into the outback.

In the light of the darkening sky, Kiah begins to WEEP.

KIAH

I’m sorry mum, I’m sorry Birrani... I

didn’t want it to turn out this way.

After a moment, her crying softens, and she looks into the

distance. Slowly, joints CRACKLING, and SOBBING through

exertion, Kiah makes her way forward.

EXT. ROADSIDE - EVENING

Kiah reaches the dirt road as the stars are beginning to

speckle the dark evening sky. Kiah looks down the road and

sees a truck pulled over. A father and son sit on lawn

chairs beside it, looking up at the stars.

EXT. B83 - NIGHT

The truck drives down the road with Kiah coiled up in the

truck bed. Kiah looks up at the stars in the sky.

KIAH

I’m sorry Joey, I’m sorry Habibah,

I’m sorry Kyle...

112.

With that she trails off into SOBBING.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - TWILIGHT

In the Twilight air, Kiah drops out the back of the truck

near her home. There her family, alerted by the sound of her

CRACKLING joints rushes to meet her, concern on their faces.

Kiah sees them coming, and upon reaching her, she looks at

them with guilt on her face.

KIAH

I’m sorry mum.

And with that, Kiah collapses into the dust, breathing hard

with exhaustion.

FADE TO BLACK

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK �" TIME-LAPSE.

Time passes over the Outback, near the burrow Kiah calls

home. The Sun and Moon travel through the Sky as the days

pass by.

INT. DEATH ADDER BURROW - DAY

Kiah lies in her hollow quietly.

Suddenly, there is the sound of SLITHERING and Kiah looks

up. Birrani enters, carrying a dead rat in his mouth.

BIRRANI

Here Kiah, I brought you something.

He tosses the rat to her, and Kiah examines it.

KIAH

Thank you. You’ve gotten good at

hunting, haven’t you?

BIRRANI

I sort of had to. Would have starved

otherwise.

Kiah nods and picks up the food in her mouth. After a

moment, Mum comes up beside Birrani.

MUM

How are you doing? Are you okay?

113.

Kiah swallows with a weak nod, her joints CRACKLING

slightly.

KIAH

It’s not as bad as it was, but I

don’t think that I’ll be able to move

like I used to again.

MUM

Well, whatever you need, we’ll be

here for you.

She turns to leave when-

KIAH

I'm sorry Mum. I know you said it

didn't matter that we didn't have

limbs... I just didn't want to accept

it. And now...

MUM

I know.

(Beat)

Oh, by the way, you have someone here

for you. Do you want me to send him

in, or should I bring him to you

fresh?

KIAH

Who?

Without answering, Mum heads from the room, Birrani

following. With a SIGH, Kiah rests her head.

A moment later, there is the sound of CLATTERING rock, and

Kiah raises her head to see Critter step into the room.

KIAH (cont'd)

Critter-? I mean, Kyle? What are you

doing here?

CRITTER

I heard about what happened. I wanted

to be here for you.

KIAH

But you don’t have to. You’re not my

pet anymore.

CRITTER

That doesn’t mean I don’t care for

you.

114.

Kiah’s face goes distressed.

KIAH

Why? You’re not supposed to care for

me. I held you captive, threatened to

eat you. For all my insecurities of

being... me, I made you into nothing

more than a snack.

CRITTER

No you didn't. You may have always

threatened to eat me, but I knew you

saw me as more. I was your companion.

KIAH

Why would you want to be my

companion? I’m a snake, cursed above

all other creatures. Made to be

hated.

CRITTER

Maybe you are the most cursed among

all creatures, but you are certainly

not the most hated.

Critter humbly raises a paw to Kiah, taken by surprise by

his own next words.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Because you’re my best friend.

Kiah raises her head and looks Critter in the eyes, the two

sharing eye contact for one long moment.

KIAH

Don’t you understand? You can’t have

me as your friend.

(Deflated)

Never trust a snake.

CRITTER

Yes, you are a snake, and you always

will be Kiah. But it’s not what you

are that matters, it’s who you are.

KIAH

And who am I Kyle? Who is it that you

think you see in me?

115.

CRITTER

I see somebody who traveled to the

ends of the Earth to make amends,

somebody who just wants to make

everything right, but only made

things worse. You're lost, seeking

for what's right, you just don't know

what path to walk.

KIAH

Well, I can’t walk. I can hardly even

slither anymore.

CRITTER

I know. But I’ll still be here for

you.

Kiah turns to Critter.

KIAH

Thank you Kyle.

Critter flinches at the name.

CRITTER

You know, you can call me Critter.

KIAH

But... You’re not my pet anymore.

CRITTER

I know. But the nickname’s really

grown on me.

(Pause)

So what will you do now?

KIAH

I want to stop the Serpent from doing

whatever he plans on doing. But like

I said, I can hardly move anymore.

CRITTER

Perhaps you don’t need to.

Kiah looks at him confused.

CRITTER (cont'd)

Follow me.

Critter retreats back out of the cave, and wearily, Kiah

struggles to follow.

CUT TO:

116.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - CONTINUOUS

They come out into the sunlight, and Kiah comes to a stop,

taken aback to find Joey waiting for her. Mum and Birrani

are off to the side watching.

KIAH

Joey? What are you doing-

CRITTER

I convinced him to come and help us.

I figured we would need his help.

JOEY

You said you ate him!

KIAH

He didn’t sit well in my tummy. I

regurgitated him back up.

(Pause)

So you came to help us stop the

Serpent? But how do you know you can

trust me?

JOEY

I don’t. But I’m giving you the

benefit of the doubt that you want to

bring the Serpent to justice just as

much as I do.

KIAH

Justice? Are you sure revenge is the

answer.

JOEY

Before eating the fruit, I thought

knowledge of good and evil would make

the world more black and white. Now I

see there’s much more gray. The

Serpent killed Zoe and deceived me. I

don't want revenge, he needs to be

stopped before he can hurt anybody

else.

Kiah nods.

KIAH

So, what’s the plan?

JOEY

I’ll carry you where you need to go.

What you do from there is up to you.

117.

KIAH

Not to be... offensive or anything, but

you don’t have a pouch.

Joey turns so Kiah can see the bag on his back.

JOEY

I picked up something that should

serve just as well.

Joey takes off the pack, and opens it, extracting a fruit to

make room for Kiah. As Kiah slithers in, Joey turns to Mum.

JOEY (cont'd)

Just so you know, you brought up

quite a daughter.

MUM

Oh, I’m not claiming her.

Kiah looks taken aback. Joey realizes this is probably a

good time to turn his attention to his fruit in paw, and

cautiously examines it before taking a bite.

MUM (cont'd)

I’m a snake. The only reason she

lives here is because she chose to.

As far as what she does with her

life, that’s on her.

KIAH

Oh.

At her disappointed expression, Mum moves to the bag to look

Kiah in the eyes.

MUM

But still, after all our time

together, I've learned something.

Even though snakes don't tend to see

their children as other animals do,

I've come to see you for who you are

deep inside. And I love you for that

Kiah.

Kiah and Mum press their heads together.

KIAH

Thank you.

His fruit finished, Joey picks up the bag with Kiah in it,

and puts it on his back.

118.

MUM

Please be careful Kiah.

KIAH

I’ll try. But this is the Serpent who

deceived Adam and Eve. I can only do

so much.

MUM

I know.

With that Joey starts to hop away. Kiah continues to watch

her family in snake vision as they move away.

KIAH

I love you guys.

When they've left them behind, Critter turns to Kiah.

CRITTER

Do you think you can find where the

Serpent took the fruit? Like you did

when finding the Tree of Knowledge?

KIAH

I don't know. But we have to try

anyway.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - TIME-LAPSE

Joey travels across the Outback, Critter scurrying alongside

him.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE - DAY

The Serpent is inside of the Jungle. He withdraws the Fruits

from their sling and splits them open with a sharp swing of

his tail.

He looks at the seeds within, and takes them out with his

tail. He drops them into a fresh hole in the ground, and

covers them back up with dirt.

SERPENT

You may be immortal Trees of

Knowledge and Life, but by taking

from your years, I can increase the

rate of your growth.

119.

With that, the Serpent’s Amulet lights up, and a group of

seedlings bursts from the ground. They wind around each

other, as a new Tree of Knowledge and Tree of Life begins to

grow.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAY

Joey continues with Kiah across the Outback toward the East.

Kiah peaks out of the bag with a CRACKLE, and looks at Joey

over his shoulder.

KIAH

You smell good.

Joey looks uncomfortable, Critter has an amused look of

understanding on his face.

JOEY

You better not think about eating me.

KIAH

No, you’re too big to fit down my

throat.

(Beat)

I could inject my venom into your

veins though, just for fun; To see

how you react.

Joey turns to Critter.

JOEY

Are you sure it's safe to be carrying

this thing?

CRITTER

Don’t worry, she does this a lot.

You’ll get used to it.

JOEY

Wonderful.

Kiah, looking exhausted from her position, sinks back into

the bag, wincing at the CRACKLING of her joints. Critter

watches with sympathy.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - EVENING

Eventually, Joey comes to a stop. He turns to Kiah and

removes the bag from his back.

120.

JOEY

Okay, it's time to get out and

stretch.

Joey puts the bag on the ground, and Kiah slides out, CRYING

OUT as her joints CRACKLE. Critter rushes to her side.

CRITTER

Kiah?

KIAH

It's okay, just a little stiff.

Joey's been through worse.

Critter gives a quizzical glance at Joey, who shifts

uncomfortably on his feet. Then Critter turns his attention

back toward Kiah and notices the sickened expression on her

face, and he once more fills up with pity.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - TIME-LAPSE

Joey, Kiah, and Critter are once again traveling across the

Australian Outback.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK - DAWN

Kiah, Critter, and Joey are all curled up on the ground

asleep.

Suddenly, a family of hikers passes along a nearby trail. A

little kid, trailing in the back, spots Joey, and in

fascination, leaves the trail to get closer.

Suddenly, the kid trips on a rock and falls over on top of

Kiah. Kiah snaps awake instantly and reflexively springs

into striking position. The kid gives a CRY, and Kiah stops,

taking in the innocent child's expression of terror in

snake vision.

The Parents, alerted by the noise, come running to the kid,

and Kiah pulls back. Spotting Kiah, the family cries out.

They help the kid to his feet, and drag him away in horror,

inspecting him for snake-bites.

As they go, the child looks back at Kiah, and she watches

him with compassion. Critter and Joey, awake now, watch too.

KIAH

"A little child will put its hand in

a nest of deadly snakes without

harm."

121.

CRITTER

Huh? But I thought the Cherubim said

the time for that to be brought about

has not yet come.

KIAH

I may not be able to bring it about

for the world, but I can bring it

about for myself.

EXT. RAINFOREST OVERLOOK - DAY

They continue to travel, finally reaching a ridge

overlooking the rainforest. Two twin trees, twined around

each other tower above all the others. The Trees of

Knowledge and Life.

CRITTER

It’s so big.

KIAH

The Serpent must somehow be using the

amulet to increase their age. They

must be way older than even the Trees

in the Garden by now.

CRITTER

What could the Serpent possibly want

with a new Tree of Knowledge?

JOEY

He wants to trick others into eating

the fruit, like with Adam and Eve.

Like with me.

KIAH

Outside of the Garden he can use the

fruit on others, unhindered.

EXT. AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE - DAY

Joey heads through the jungle, Critter trailing behind. It

is overcast with a slight drizzle.

They come to the foot of the Tree of Knowledge and Life, and

Kiah looks up the massive trunk, into the branches with

snake vision.

KIAH

He’s somewhere in the Tree.

122.

JOEY

You'll have to go on without me. I

don’t think I can get up there.

KIAH

I don’t expect you to. Thank you for

bringing me this far. Are you coming

Critter?

CRITTER

Yes. I’ve been with you this far.

Kiah moves her way out of the bag, and over Joey’s shoulder,

toward the Tree’s trunk. Her joints CRACKLE, and she gives a

MOAN, but continues. Reaching the trunk, she turns back to

face Joey.

KIAH

One last thing Joey, you are not

lesser than your sisters. In fact,

your dedication to the one you

lost... You truly are a loving

brother. Remember that.

JOEY

I still shouldn’t have let that lead

me to doing what I did.

KIAH

We’ve all made mistakes. Now it’s

time to make amends.

EXT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE - CONTINUOUS

With that, Kiah begins to wind her way up the Tree's massive

trunk, using the knots for platforms. Critter climbs using

his claws beside her.

As Kiah heaves and struggles her way up, she looks at

Critter.

KIAH

Everything that's about to happen, I

know it's my doing. All I've done...

I've known a snake's a dangerous

creature... That I'm a dangerous

creature... I just didn't want to be

a bad one.

Critter looks at her.

123.

CRITTER

And I don't believe you have to.

Reaching the first level of branches, they come to a stop to

rest, Kiah is breathing heavily.

KIAH

Do you... Think we’re... close.

Critter looks up to the higher branches as Kiah momentarily

rests her head.

SERPENT (O.S.)

Kiah. I see you’ve made it.

Kiah looks up to see the Serpent a few branches higher up.

SERPENT

Do you really still think you can

undo the curse? Who are you to lift a

curse that the Lord of the Universe

declared?

KIAH

I didn’t come here to break the

curse, I came here to make amends.

With that, Kiah starts making her way back up the branches

toward the Serpent, CRACKLING as she goes. The Serpent turns

away and starts heading up the trunk as well. It quickly

becomes apparent that Kiah is losing ground.

SERPENT

Look at you, hardly able to move. Do

you think that’s a fair punishment

for letting yourself be deceived?

Kiah ignores him, and continues up after him. Finally, near

the top of the Tree, the Serpent disappears into a hole in

the trunk. Kiah reaches it PANTING, and Critter comes up

alongside her.

KIAH

He’s in there.

Critter nods, and together, they make their way into the

opening.

INT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE HOLLOW - CONTINUOUS

Kiah glances around the hollow in snake vision, startled to

find several Australian Jungle animals, fretting in horror.

124.

ANIMAL 1

What did I do? How could I have done

that?

ANIMAL 2

Please take this away from me.

ANIMAL 3

I'm sorry. I didn’t know what I was

doing.

CRITTER

What happened here?

SERPENT (O.S.)

They ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

Now they are cursed to live with

regret for the rest of their lives.

Kiah looks up toward a knot in the wood--

The Serpent springs. Kiah narrowly dodges with her joints;

Critter expands his beard in terror. The Serpent turns back,

glares them down, Critter's beard falters and deflates.

KIAH

This is your plan? What could you

hope to gain from all this?

The Serpent coils around Kiah, Kiah keeps her head toward

him, joints crackling with the motion.

SERPENT

What wouldn’t I want to gain? After

this, we will no longer be the most

cursed among all the creatures,

because all the other creatures will

be cursed alongside us. Don’t you

want that? Don’t you want to claim

equality with the other animals?

Kiah looks over at Critter who is cowering in fear, but

bravely remains standing beside her anyway.

KIAH

Not if it means dragging the other

creatures down with us.

SERPENT

I see.

125.

With that, the Serpent leaps at Kiah. Kiah dives out of the

way of his fangs, but he catches his tail around her, and

drags her after him as he plunges out through the opening.

Critter cries out after her.

EXT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE - CONTINUOUS

Kiah and the Serpent plummet down through the branches of

the Tree, CRASHING on a branch a few layers down. The

Serpent, poised over Kiah, rears back, and STRIKES!

Kiah dodges out of the way just in time, the Serpent's fangs

CHIPPING AT THE BARK INSTEAD. Pulling back, he STRIKES

again. Kiah once again dodges--

And all goes still, the Serpent fangs have SUNK RIGHT INTO A

FRUIT FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE, dangling right past where

Kiah's head just was.

In the stillness, Kiah slips free from the Serpents grasp,

looking at him.

Slowly, the Serpent raises his head, JOINTS SLIDING SMOOTHLY

WITH THE CURVE OF HIS BODY. He turns to face Kiah, a devious

look on his face as he lets the fruit fall free from in his

jaws. Kiah stares at him in shock.

KIAH

You're... The fruit...

(Quoting)

"If further you eat from the fruit of

the Tree..."

SERPENT

But the fruit only holds any power

over the first bite.

Realization crosses Kiah's face.

KIAH

The fruit of Knowledge...

SERPENT

Where else did you think our craft to

twist right and wrong came from?

Before Adam and Eve ate from the

Tree, I was the first. Before the

fall of man, the first to fall was

the Father of all Serpents.

Kiah has no time to react--

126.

The Serpent STRIKES!

Kiah CRIES OUT, pulling away, a fresh wound on her neck.

Kiah looks at the Serpent, weakened. In an instant, Kiah

topples backward, falling off the branch.

CRACK! She its another branch below, causing her to CRY out.

SPIRALING, SPIRALING, the Serpent weaves his way down the

Tree, getting closer, closer.

Kiah struggles, lifting her head, looking at him.

KIAH

If you know right from wrong, how can

you do all this? How could you do

something so clearly wrong?

SERPENT

I never wanted to eat the fruit.

Satan forced me to. He possessed me,

made me eat the fruit against my

will, made me deceive Adam and Eve. I

never wanted to do evil, but as a

weak, worthless animal, I had no

choice. But who took the curse? Me!

Me, the side character. Made to

suffer the curse of a sin that I

didn’t choose. Just to benefit the

story. Do you think that’s justice?

Do you?

Kiah rests her head, weak from the poison, as the Serpent

reaches the branch Kiah's on and begins making his way over

to her.

KIAH

I don’t know. I don’t know. But that

doesn't make it right to cause the

suffering of others just because of

our own.

SERPENT

Ah, conscience. I see it has passed

down to you much stronger than other

snakes.

The Serpent reaches Kiah and looks at her weakening body,

her scales growing dull, her eyes glassing over.

127.

SERPENT (cont'd)

I see the poison’s got to you. You

don’t have much longer. Maybe it’s

for the best. Perhaps its best you

don’t have to see what will become of

the world when I'm done with this

Tree.

The Serpent raises up over Kiah for another strike.

With the last of her remaining strength, through her

weakening snake vision, Kiah eyes wander up the tree to

where Critter is, scrambling desperately down toward Kiah.

Kiah struggles to refocus her unsteady gaze on the Serpent

before he can follow it to Critter, joints CRACKLING as her

neck realigns itself.

KIAH

Maybe you're right, maybe I am just a

crafty creature.

The Serpent narrows his eyes.

SERPENT

Your craftiness won't stall for time.

Critter reaches a branch only a few layers above them.

KIAH

Of course, but those few seconds was

all I needed.

Instantly, the Serpents eyes go alert.

And just then, Critter leaps. The Serpent reacts a second

too late as Critter lands on his head. Critter tries to pull

the amulet free, but the Serpent struggles beneath him.

CRITTER

You had to warn him you were

distracting him! What is it with you

snakes always having to reveal your

clever plans too early!

Unable to free the amulet, Critter abruptly expands his

beard, SLAMMING the Serpents face into the branch underneath

it. While the Serpent is stunned, Critter yanks the amulet

free, and throws it to Kiah.

Kiah reaches forward, toward the amulet. Almost has it...

And misses, knocking it away with the force of her own body,

sending it falling toward the ground.

128.

The last of her strength used, Kiah lets herself slump over

her head drooping just below the amulet as it falls,

catching it around her neck.

With a slight burst of energy flowing into her, Kiah

finishes the loop around the branch, the amulet falling

perfectly against her "chest".

CRITTER (cont'd)

Kiah use the amulet. Save yourself.

Kiah looks at the Serpent weakly.

KIAH

I can’t let you succeed in your plan.

SERPENT

Yes. My plan to right the wrong. To

make other animals suffer only as we

have ourselves. But perhaps you're

right. Perhaps snakes do deserve to

remain the only creature cursed

without reconciliation? Perhaps the

reason Satan chose us for his plan is

because we really are the most crafty

and wicked of all creatures.

KIAH

No. Snakes can’t be that bad, because

that's what I am. And I choose to be

good.

With that, Kiah flashes the amulet at the Serpent.

Light.

The light fades, and Kiah, stronger and more full of health

than before, looks down at the Serpent. The Serpent lays on

the branch deflated.

KIAH (cont'd)

I only took your immortality. I’ve

left you with your mortal life,

whatever you choose that to mean.

SERPENT

It doesn’t matter. I’m already living

on borrowed time. That immortality

was all I had left.

With that, the Serpent’s scales start to FLAKE OFF, blown

away by the wind. His skeleton, unable to hold its own

weight, collapses in on itself.

129.

Then finally, there's left only the remains of the Serpent

that once was. Gravity takes over, and the Serpent slides

off the tree branch, and falls toward the Earth below.

CRITTER

Now that we've firmly established

that you're good, could you maybe try

a different type of humor, so I don't

feel so... edible around you?

Kiah looks at Critter for a long moment.

KIAH

No!

EXT. AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE - DAY

LONG SHOT:

Kiah leads the deceived animals down from the Tree, where

Joey awaits. He gives them aid and comfort, sharing in their

loss.

KIAH (V.O.)

Animals were never separated from God

the same way humans were. The Serpent

may have been cursed, but it wasn't a

personal attack to our character. It

was just something that was,

something used to emphasis the

consequences of eating from the Tree.

EXT. GARDEN OF EDEN OLD - DAY

A realistic view of the Serpent hanging from the Tree,

speaking to Eve.

KIAH (V.O.)

The Serpent was just a tool in

Satan's game, and didn't sin

willingly as Adam and Eve did.

A limbed female snake watches from the distance.

Disappointment on her face, she turns to leave deeper into

the Garden.

KIAH (V.O.) (cont'd)

And we don't really know what became

of the Mother of all Snakes...

130.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT OLD - DAY

The Limbed Snake watches over a nest of eggs as they hatch.

KIAH (V.O.)

Perhaps the effects of the Tree of

Knowledge didn't carry over to the

next generations of snakes as fully

as the Curse.

As they come out, it quickly becomes apparent that none of

them have limbs either. The Mother of All Snakes watches

them move about, heartbroken. She turns to see her husband,

The Serpent, laying off to the side, his face filled with

regret.

INT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE HOLLOW - DAY

Kiah enters the hollow. Critter stands and watches from the

outside.

KIAH (V.O.)

But I fear it's no longer that

simple. Satan may have made the

Serpent deceive Adam and Eve, but the

Serpent chose to do wrong as well.

Kiah slips out of the amulet, letting it lie on the floor of

the hollow. She backs out, and watches as the amulet lights

up and starts to pull energy from the Tree. New growth

begins to spiral out, filling in the hollow, sealing up the

amulet forever.

EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY

Joey approaches the place where he last saw his family,

looking around cautiously.

KIAH (V.O.)

Many other animals have now eaten

from the fruit of the Tree, and the

beasts of the Earth may no longer be

as pure as they once were.

Joey sees his Mum standing on the rocks in the distance, and

rushes up to her. Reaching her, he hugs her, pressing his

face into her fur in tears. Wallaby Mum looks down at him

with love, and holds him tight.

131.

INT. PORTLAND: MILLER MUSEUM - DAY

The Cross is on its pedestal at the museum.

KIAH (V.O.)

But if Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross

was good enough for mankind, perhaps

it's good enough for beast as well.

INT. HABIBAH'S HOUSE - DAY

Habibah steps through the door of her family's house, bags

in hand.

KIAH (V.O.)

I still wish I could have done better

for Habibah, but I wouldn't know how.

I guess she has her own things to

work through, and I don't think

there's any more I could've done.

Habibah's Um comes into the room, and Habibah drops her bags

as Um hugs her tight.

INT. FLASHBACKS

Various moments of Kiah's Adventure.

KIAH (V.O.)

Looking back, I think I may have

taken the Serpent Curse too

personally. Maybe I should have seen

my lack of limbs as a limitation in

my design rather than an insult to

who I am.

EXT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE - DAY

The Sun shines brightly in the sky.

KIAH (V.O.)

Unfortunately, even the way I used to

be is gone. I may not be able to move

the way I used to, but I have become

immortal. Immortality I probably

shouldn't have.

Kiah spirals her way up the Tree of Knowledge, and the Tree

of Life, her joints still CRACKLING, but looking more

comfortable with it than before.

132.

KIAH (V.O.) (cont'd)

So I'm taking it upon myself to

protect the Tree, to use the caution

reserved for those of my kind to make

sure no one else falls because of its

fruit.

Critter joins Kiah, and scrambles up the tree after her.

KIAH (V.O.) (cont'd)

To many, I may remain as feared above

all creatures, but now there are

those who know that is not my true

worth, I can still do good.

Critter stops to take in the view, and we move in on him as

he watches Kiah continue to make her way up the tree.

SPIRALING, SPIRALING, Kiah reaches the highest branches of

the Tree. Critter holds back as she stops, overlooking the

wide view of the Australian landscape.

KIAH (V.O.) (cont'd)

Ironic how as Serpent used the Tree

to deceive Adam and Eve, so Serpent

has become its Guardian. And perhaps

that's reconciliation enough.

And we CLOSE ON KIAH, a look of contentment on her face.

FADE OUT