![]() The Serpent CurseA Screenplay by R-Gii![]() 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
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Added on October 23, 2023 Last Updated on October 23, 2023 Tags: Snake, Serpent, Kiah, Death Adder, Bearded Dragon Author
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