Ghost Signals, Episode 7: Part 1.1
INT. WHAT WAS FORMERLY A JACK IN THE BOX- A Pleasant Conversation Later
We open on Raiven and Jaryd seated on one of the few upright tables in the restaurant, watching a series of Signals saved from the good Doctor's comm. They watches the section of an AHL hockey game play out on the 3-D holographic screen.
JARYD (surprised, to Raiven) And you...followed these Signals through the ether to our planet?
RAIVEN (nods, to Jaryd) In essence, yes. Though where I come from, there was great doubt this place existed.
JARYD Really? That explains why aliens never visited centuries back. I'm flattered that you--
RAIVEN (interjecting) Actually, there have been myths of peeps from where we came from-
JARYD - The Tristellar Alliance.
RAIVEN - Right. There were myths of peeps who would dash past our established boundaries for shelter on a... (struggling for the word) There's a phrase that I heard that's evading me at the moment. It's a negative one, has to do with something decrepit and ill-kempt...
JARYD (long thinking pause) I think I know what you refer to. My great-great-great-great grandfather wrote in his diary that his husband's cooking smelled worse than a "bathroom gas station."
RAIVEN That's the phrase! Though the word
"haunted" is more prevalent, depending
on the language.
JARYD (chuckles) So much History now makes perfect sense! (stops laughing 3 beats later) So, now that you're here, what is your main purpose?
RAIVEN Map out a sketch of what your species culture was and is like using cultural artifacts and a layout of the planet's terrain.
JARYD Fascinating. I fancy myself a scientist (albeit of the alchemical sense) as well as an aficionado of old tales. I'd be happy to show you around my library if you have time.
RAIVEN That'd be fantastic! I'd love to learn a little more about your... what was it that you call your species?
JARYD Humans.
RAIVEN Hew-minns? Peculiar name... (back to business) Anyway, I still have subjects that I discovered yesterdat I wish to search through. I'd be open afterwards to visiting your home, searching through your library.
JARYD Completely understandable, Dr. Raiven. My schedule is mostly open the remainder of the... (Captain Riggs clears her throat off-screen)
CUT TO:
A shot of Ms. Riggs standing six feet behind the two of them as all this had happened. Her gaze is split evenly between Raiven and Jaryd and the look from the window outside.
CAPTAIN RIGGS (steady, to Jaryd) Mayor, I don't think this is a great idea. We've got another three hours before the heat starts to become an issue.
Suddenly, you can hear the sound of chirping emanating from inside her coat. She reaches inside and pulls out her communication device that's about the size of a Galaxy smartphone. She looks over the map image that pops up from the center of the screen.
CAPTAIN RIGGS (Cont.) Not to mention Intel spotted a Sand Flood bearing down at us from the hills. We wait on 10 more minutes, and we're toast.
JARYD Alright. (reaches to shake Raiven's hand) You can reach our base via your fascinating comm by typing in 041.559 by 131.448. When you're ready..or are in desperate need of assistance.
RAIVEN (grabs Jaryd's hand, shakes it) I'll keep it on file. Blessed fortune to you.
The phrase confuses them for a brief moment; their hands letting go.
RAIVEN (corrective) It's similar in terminology to your "Good Luck." Or so I understand it.
JARYD (understanding) Ah...and to you as well.
CUT TO:
EXT. FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE USC CAMPUS- A Few Hours Later
A profile shot of Raiven and the AC Second Class standing side-by-side as they trudge on through mud and broken concrete pillars in front of them; the former fast food restaurant a distance speck in the background of the morning sun.
Things are silent between the two of them for a total of five beats. Then, Mz. de Caar breaks the proverbial ice.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (to Raiven) Those hew-minns were much less fatter than I believed they'd be.