'Within Five Days'/Act 2...
--Robert Dubh Nianque

(c) The Waterbearing Fish

DISCLAIMERS

What follows are scenes 7-8 for the pilot/first episode of a "Pupsical Storm" series, either tv or movie, based on Melissa Good's Dar and Kerry stories. This work was prepared from the posted version of 'Tropical Storm'--I've *NOT* read either the published version or the movie screenplay.

'Tropical Storm'--characters, story, settings--belong to Melissa Good and Ladyhawke Productions. Xena and Gabrielle, Dar and Kerry's spiritual (and actual?) ancestors, belong to Reniassance Pictures.

Violence--none.

Cursing--none.

Subtext--none.

Comments are appreciated; insults are not. With many thanks to Eleanor and CC for their thoughts and impressions...

Robert Dubh Nianque
waterbearingfish@lycos.com



Based on the book 'Tropical Storm' by Melissa Good


*Scene 7*
(Monday afternoon/4-5 pm)

Camera is inside DAR'S Toyota SUV as SHE returns to Merwolf Systems' corporate office. The afternoon traffic on route 826 is getting heavier as "quitting time" approaches. The way back is easy enough, several turns and there, but DAR remains alert. SHE'S listening to a cd of instrumental music from Jethro Tull, *Flute Player's Revenge* it's called, Roland Kirk's "Seranade to a Cuckoo" is playing. The rhythm is slow; the flute pleasing.

With the music in the background, and other vehicles all around, we hear HER impressions of the visit.


DAR (voice-over)

Very hostile, understandable, of course. Felt the same way when Merwolf acquired Cybertech. Fired everybody except me. For months I thought I would be let go...but I perservered. Why can't they?

The head programmer, Susan, has possibilities--if you can break through her attitude. The support and information managers, Ray and Alex, are useless. Capable supervisors could have at least delayed Mark breaking in and/or stop employees from lying to customers and using company time for personal business. Stuart deserves better than them.

(pauses; SHE'S approaching HER exit and needs to get into the correct lane. When SHE does, the voice-over continues...)

Kerry Stuart...smart, gutsy, innocent. She wasn't ready to hear her and Associated's future. Still, she accepted my challenge, showed me everything, and answered my questions. All without losing face. Very commendable.


HER car phone 'meeps' softly. SHE glances at its message screen, scowls, punches in the displayed number. MARIA answers on the first ring.


MARIA

Dar Roberts' office, how may I help you?


DAR

Hello Maria.


MARIA (lowers voice)

Dar...where are you?


DAR (puzzled)

In the SUV, on the way back from Associated, why?


MARIA (groans)

Stay away...stay far, far away. A man backed his truck into the facilities room. Took out the air conditioning.


DAR (concerned)

It must be like an oven in there. Did they down the servers...

(winces; mentally slaps HERSELF)

What am I thinking...

(decisive voice)

Maria, get out of there before you pass out.


MARIA (relieved)

Thank you. I'll pack up my things and be on my way.


DAR
(sighs; turns onto State Route 836 which will take HER to the office)

Any ETA for restoral?


MARIA (disgusted tone)

No...no...they're arguing. Who's to blame, aie, that's first priority.


DAR
(feeling a headache approach; partly due to the situation and partly due to HER not eating since breakfast)

All right...

(pulls off the highway and stops on the shoulder)

Go Maria, call in first tomorrow, I don't want you there if it's still out.


MARIA (warm tone)

Aie...I have my fan but it's like I'm cooking...

(pause)

Dar, you're an angel, I don't care what anyone says.

(DAR smiles; MARIA continues)

They can all kiss my...how you say it...grits.


DAR (rubs HER temples)

Thanks, Maria, nice to hear that...


MARIA (reminding tone)

Dar, please, drive carefully. There are crazies out there.


DAR (smiles; rubs HER neck)

I will. Good night Maria.


MARIA

Good night...


DAR disconnects the phone; maneuvers back onto the highway. Camera dissolves to the sound of "Bouree."



*Scene 8*
(Monday afternoon/4-5 pm)

Camera focuses on KERRY'S office. SHE stands silently in the middle of the room; then looks around.

KERRY (whispers)

I worked so hard for this.

(sits down in the visitor's chair, lets HER head sink into HER hands, braces HER elbows on the chair's arms)

It isn't fair.


A knock, SHE doesn't move, door opens.


RAY (softly)

Ker?


KERRY (despairing tone)

Yeah?


RAY slips an arm around HER shoulders; SHE looks up.


RAY (concerned)

Don't let that she-wolf get to you...

(rubs HER neck)

I think she's related to Cruella DeWhatever from the Dalmations movies.


KERRY (small laugh; then turns serious)

Charlie was right, Ray, Merwolf Systems wants to let us go.

(looks up at HIM)

She's given me a chance to come up with an alternative. If I can cut the budget in half, some folks may keep their jobs...


RAY (surprised)

She's giving you a chance?

(puts hands on hips)

That's unheard of...

(lowers HIS voice)

How did you get her to do that?


KERRY (brow creased in thought)

I don't know...I just...

(pauses)

I guess I wasn't very nice to her. You'd think that would make her mad...

(makes a wry look)

But I think she liked it.


RAY (snorts)

Oh yes...she seems the type.

(sarcastic tone)

The leather...the whip...


KERRY (sighs)

I don't know if I can come up with anything, Ray, but I'm going to try.

(tight smile)

Still, I think you better give Mona at Alternative Resources a call. Tell her we might have some prospects for her soon.


RAY (pats HER on the shoulder)

Manana.

(a knock; HE ignores it)

Come mi amiga...we'll go down to Fat Tuesdays for happy hour...


ANITA (politely haughty)

Ms. Stuart?


KERRY (looks up)

Come in Anita.

(watches ANITA, arms filled with fanfold printouts, scurry in)

That the stuff?


ANITA (sets the printouts on KERRY'S desk)

Yes ma'am.

(pushes up HER glasses)

The budget, payroll, receivables, accounts payable...

(sniffs)

Anything else you need? I have to reload the lineprinter if you do...


KERRY (weary smile)

No, thanks, that'll keep me busy for a while.

(looks at RAY; Anita leaves)

Go on Ray. Let me get started on this stuff.


RAY (blinks)

You can't do this tonight. Why don't you get a fresh start in the morning?


KERRY (kind and playful tone)

Go on, go on, get out of here.

(SHE rises, goes to HER desk, starts pulling the reports apart)

Ray...wait.

(HE stops in the doorway; wondering)

Can you get me some printer paper boxes?


RAY grins and leaves. Camera dissolves.



NOTES:

Written during 1999 and 2000. An earlier version was posted and later deleted.

While Jethro Tull has released over twenty albums, *Flute Player's Revenge* isn't one of them. The songs named, though, are Tull instrumentals.



'Tropical Storm'

Part 1 (posted version)

Annotations

'Seranade to a Cuckoo'
'Bouree'

References

'Within Five Days'/Act 2
'Within Five Days'/Act 3