Ghost Signals, Episode 7: Part 2.1
MINA (quickly confused, then understands; to Cashier, lovingly) A year and four months next week.
CASHIER That's darling! Nice to see little flickers of love still burning, especially with the sorry state we left this world for ya.
The Cashier takes the tool she brought out, and clicks it onto a lock on the side of the display. A second later, it opens. She then reaches over and picks up the wedding band with the opal gem at the center of it.
CASHIER (Cont.) Good choice- she's a very lucky girl. Fun fact- not many Opal rings were made after the second half of the century, when the government started cracking down on mineral production. Probably a couple dozen are left globally, give or take.
MINA (nods) I'd argue I'm the lucky one...! (to the Cashier, remembering something) I read that Opal rings had extra audio and visual properties you could access via voice. Are they accessible with this ring?
CASHIER Recording audio might be a bit tricky, even with my maintenance skills. On the visual side though, it should be handy depending on whatever you might be planning.
MINA Even 3-D holographic flash mob level stuff?
CASHIER (smiles, chuckles) Yes, most definitely. All you need is the key phrase to activate once you're finished.
MINA What's the phrase?
She raises the ring up in front of her mouth to speak it.
CASHIER ...Kaleidoscope.
A holographic image emerges from the center of the ring a second later, showing a beautiful rainbow swirl of color in the air above them as she speaks.
MINA (mouth agape) I--I'll take it!
CASHIER I have a USB-cable that connects on the bottom of the ring. I'll throw it in for free, just 'cause I'm an old softie romantic.
MINA Thank you... (as the Cashier says Kaleidoscope) This is gonna be so--amazing!
The camera focuses on the two of them briefly as the Cashier closes the ring box. As they're about to leave, the scene pauses again.
RAIVEN (V.O.) Shift 10 segundos back from this.
The scene follows the good Doctor's command, stopping upon the reappearance of the engagement ring.
RAIVEN (V.O.) Stop!
CUT TO:
INT. REMAINS OF THE ANTIQUE SHOP
Dr. O'Ozahl a few moments later, walking through the center of the shot, and standing in front of the ring carefully examining it. You can see beams of light from the frozen characters bounce off her into all different directions of the barren area.
RAIVEN (Cont., examining the ring) They have jewelry on Titan that resembles this ring. Surprising a copy of it would be on display here. (to AC Second Class Dez-Lei) I wonder if it was left by one of those "secrofiegs" that came to this planet, and one of the hue-minns just took advantage.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (doubtful, to Raiven) Possible, but more likely a coincidence. I've been wrong before.
RAIVEN (snarky) That must have been a cold day in the pits.
The soldier chuckles and rolls her eyes, walking away toward the back of the former store to start searching. We move back to Raiven a few moments later, taking the image of the ring and making a copy of it for herself.
STEGGY (from the speaker, to Raiven) Something for the personal ARCO, Doc?
RAIVEN It's a gorgeous piece of art, Steggy. It'd be a fool's run leaving it to the mists.
STEGGY (from the speaker) No judgment...I wrapped up work on that bone sample.
RAIVEN Why didn't you tell me?!
STEGGY I did. Left ten messages you happened to ignore while you were zoning out.
RAIVEN Ah, right. Anything useful or fascinating?
CUT TO:
INT. RAIVEN'S LABORATORY
The CGAI in Raiven's laboratory, looking at a 3-D image of a beluga whale that hovers on the right of the screen with a degree of fascination at the creature's layout.
STEGGY Not sure how useful, but I'd definitely classify it as fascinating. And a wee bit disgusting, if I'm honest.
RAIVEN (from the speaker) Cheers, Steggy...superb work as always, mi compadre.
BACK TO:
INT. REMNANTS OF AN ANTIQUE STORE
The good Doctor a few moments later, walking away from the scene back to the console preparing to fire up the Jahukagonis once more.