DISCLAIMERS
What follows are scenes 12-16 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--'Carrotsticks' (scene 16).
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 12*
(Monday evening/11 pm)
KERRY'S living room. It's still paper-cluttered; the stacks higher than we saw in scene 10. Even the PANDA has papers next to HER. KERRY'S typing away with a bottle of lemon-taste water and an open bag of carrots on either side of HER.
KERRY (speaks to PANDA)
Be nice...be snippy...be formal. Mother always said that's how to treat arrogant people.
(finishes typing)
After all, that's how she treats father. Now to see if this works with *Ms.* Roberts...
(proofreads; grins every so often)
I got her here...let's see how she responds to that...stuck-up princess...think I'll passively accept your words...Achilles died too, you know, you're not invincible.
(saves the message; then sends it)
Nice surprise for her in the morning, eh, Teresita?
KERRY rises. Hugs TERESITA as the camera dissolves.
*Scene 13*
(Tuesday morning/midnight-1:30 am)
The facilities room. Two TECHNICIANS are finishing installing five punch-down panels, two are placing ten spare panels in a storage cabinet, one is testing the air conditioning hardware. DAR watches THEM like a wolf stalking sheep.
There are grumbles and mutterings. The TECHNICIANS are experienced ones who rarely do emergency calls anymore. Tonight's an exception and THEY don't like it.
ALL are sweating, despite the open door, but only DAR keeps HER jacket/coat on. Then a low shudder passes through the room as the air conditioner comes to life. The TECHNICIANS start moving a little faster, though the panels are correctly placed, there's an aura around DAR that gives THEM pause: a throat-clearing, a glare, a raised eyebrow are enough to keep THEM from making mistakes.
When the last panel is in its proper spot, the TECHNICIANS make ready to leave; making sure THEIR work areas are clean. The lead TECHNICIAN, who tested the air conditioning, approaches DAR.
LEAD TECHNICIAN
All done, Ms. Roberts, you shouldn't have any problems.
(places purchase order on the table;
does *not* give it to DAR who sits in the chair behind it)
Our bill.
(turns to go; the other TECHNICIANS are at the door)
Good night.
DAR
(picks up the form; studies it for a moment)
This seems to be in order; I'll pass it on to our Disbursements Officer. She'll cover it.
(pause; places form in coat/jacket pocket)
Meanwhile, gentlemen, why the rush? Surely, a few minutes isn't enough time to ensure a system's running properly.
LEAD TECHNICIAN
(taken aback--as are HIS fellow TECHNICIANS)
It's late...
DAR (rises from the chair)
Better to spend time here with me now than return tomorrow and spend it with many others.
(pause)
Besides, you wouldn't want Mr. Dierhdohl to know of your sudden departure. His contract with us depends on how well you do.
LEAD TECHNICIAN
No ma'am. We wouldn't.
DAR
(looks directly into the LEAD TECHNICIAN'S eyes)
Then you'll stay an hour?
LEAD TECHNICIAN
(looks at HIS fellows; ALL are resigned to THEIR fate)
Yes.
THEY drop THEIR equipment bags, etc. and find places on the floor to sit. When THEY are settled, DAR sits down.
DAR
Thank you.
SHE leans back in the chair; then straightens up as SHE hears a knock. A HOUSEKEEPER hesitantly walks in.
HOUSEKEEPER ONE (timid voice)
Ms. Roberts...
DAR
(looks at the HOUSEKEEPER'S id badge; caring voice)
Mrs. Evaline...
MRS. EVALINE
We brought something for you...
(motions SECOND HOUSEKEEPER, bringing a cup, and a GUARD bringing a pitcher to join HER)
For what you've done tonight.
DAR is speechless but smiles. The GUARD sets the pitcher on the table; HOUSEKEEPER TWO fills the cup and gives it to DAR. SHE gratefully accepts (in a respectful manner).
DAR
Thank you.
(takes a swallow)
Cold, sweet, tea.
(pause)
Home-brewed?
MRS. EVALINE
Yes. I made it before coming in.
DAR
(gently pushes the pitcher towards MRS. EVALINE)
Then you and your friends must share it with me.
(pause)
Better still, have supper here.
(ALL are surprised by DAR'S words)
We won't object...
(looks at the TECHNICIANS)
Will we?
(THEY, striving not to offend, nod "no")
Good. Grab your meals, some chairs, and come.
MRS. EVALINE
Yes ma'am.
THEY depart. DAR again looks at the TECHNICIANS.
You agree with me, gentlemen, that loyalty should be recognized...
(pause)
Both by its giver and by its receiver.
(THEY nod)
Thus, you won't cause trouble while they dine.
(Another set of nods)
Thank you.
The GUARD and HOUSEKEEPRS return; the HOUSEKEEPERS with carts of prepared food, drinks, and two microwaves; the GUARD with a cart containing four tables and eight chairs. THEY set up the tables at either side of DAR'S, forming a "U" shape, placing table cloths and items--food, drinks, microwaves, and plastic utensils (cups, plates, silverware)--on top. DAR is surprised but hides it under a questioning tone.
Mrs. Evaline, all this for three people?
MRS. EVALINE
No...No...No...for us, yes, but for you...
(gestures towards the TECHNICIANS)
and these good men as well.
DAR
(humbled; does HER best not to blush)
Then we accept your gracious hospitality.
SHE motions to the TECHNICIANS who join THEM. Camera dissolves showing DAR in the center with the TECHNICIANS on HER right and the HOUSEKEEPRERS and GUARD on HER left. SOME are eating, SOME are talking, DAR sips tea and eats little (due to HER headache). SHE is ignored by ALL.
*Scene 14*
(Tuesday morning/midnight)
KERRY'S living room. We see HER logging off of, and shutting down, HER computer.
KERRY (to TERESITA the panada)
A good night's work, Teresita, now to bed.
(stifles a yawn)
Good night dear friend.
SHE hugs the PANDA once more. Then puts up HER water and carrots. SHE returns to the living room; gazes over the mountains of papers strewn about.
Later. I'll sort you out later.
SHE goes to the front door; checks the lock. Cuts off the lights as SHE goes to HER bedroom.
While SHE prepares for bed, humming several songs in the process, we see the room. It features a neatly made double-sized bed against one wall under the small window. The bed's covered with a striped comforter in southwestern colors.
Along the wall opposite from the bed is a long three drawer dresser with a half-height mirror. Along the wall opposite the door is a five drawer dresser. Both dressers are made from white wood.
When SHE'S dressed, we see KERRY put away HER other clothes and layout the outfit SHE'LL wear Tuesday. Still humming, SHE wiggles HER toes into the room's pale blue carpet, pauses, and sighs.
(soft plea; forlorn look)
Why us, Lord, why us?
SHE climbs into bed; pulls the comforter over HER. SHE glances around the room, gathers reassurance from its neatness, then turns off the light. Camera dissolves as we look at the stars through KERRY'S window.
*Scene 15*
(Tuesday morning/1:30-3 am)
Camera starts with an overhead view showing the TECHNICIANS being escorted to THEIR van by the GUARD. It then goes inside to show the facilities room: clean and empty. Next it shows the HOUSEKEEPERS cleaning various offices (*not* DAR'S).
We find DAR--tired but not sleepy; HER head less affected by the headache than before--in Operations' computer room. SHE walks the boards, flips the power switches, the hardware (six IBM mainframes, two AS400's, twenty-seven NT servers) starts warming up. SHE takes off HER suit coat/jacket, arranges it on a chair, and sits at the console operators' desk.
It's a long arced wooden desk--covered with eight different monitors and four keyboards--attached to a cybex autoswitcher. SHE flips their switches on.
While waiting, SHE looks at staff items left on the desk. HER attention is drawn to the Dilbert cartoons; particularly those where the names of upper management are written in to match the cartoon characters.
SHE bends close to read the captions. An amused grin appears on HER face.
DAR (wry chuckle)
So I'm Catbert...
(takes a cartoon from a monitor)
better than Ratbert...
(picks up a felt-tip pen)
definitely better than Dilbert...
(writes in the margin)
woulda liked Dogbert though.
(replaces the cartoon on the monitor; chuckles)
This oughta get their attention...just like their finding out who restarted things here.
Close-up of the cartoon and the words: "Thanks guys...Haven't hacked up a furball in a long time...DR". Noticing that the hardware is warmed up, SHE logs in and enters the servers' operational commands.
They forget who designed this place.
(laughs, dials a number on the speaker phone, drums HER fingers lightly on the desk. On the fifth ring, the phone's picked up...)
Good morning Mark.
MARK
What the...Dar...do you ever sleep?
DAR
Not when I have things to do.
(pause)
You're up.
MARK
Of course I'm up...you're talking to me...oh...
(clears HIS throat)
You mean we're up? Thought air was down until noon at least.
DAR (snorts)
Nope...new switching panels are in, Plano's security software is operational, and the servers are running.
(checks an activity monitor; puzzled)
Where am I receiving a personal file from? You downloading pink rabbits again?
MARK (sighs)
Get outta there Dar...it's two am...I'll check it when I come in.
DAR (rubs HER eyes)
Fine. See you then. Good night.
SHE disconnects. Calls up the new file. The security
program scans it. No virus. Clicks the inbox line, sees the notation, murmurs softly.
Kerry Stuart...
(clicks on the message; an eyebrow rises)
Well what do you know...
KERRY (voice-over; formal tone)
I need some details clarified. Due to your deadline, please forward this information as soon as possible.
DAR (reads; smiles)
I'll be...
(finishes reading)
Good questions...a touch naive...like herself perhaps.
(writes HER response)
This will have to do...
(studies what SHE wrote; adds one paragraph and HER initials)
for now.
(saves and sends message, begins a message regarding the housekeepers' "feast," feels HER headache increase in strength once more)
You can wait.
(saves the fragment, secures her account, and logs off)
Time for bed.
DAR puts on HER coat/jacket, locks the door, and leaves. Camera sees HER being escorted by the GUARD to HER Lexus.
It next shows the SUV, alone, on the ferry to Fisher Island. Jethro Tull's instrumental song "Elegy" is on the CD (as background music).
DAR sees the Atlantic Ocean at night: black water illuminated by moonlight and the colored lights of sea buoys. Camera shows HER face before dissolving when the song ends; HER features wish THEY were on the ship.
*Scene 16*
(Tuesday morning/3 am)
KERRY'S apartment. Darkness. Silence. Until...
KERRY (shouts)
Carrotsticks!!!
(lights turn on as SHE makes HER way to the computer; muttering)
Can't believe I forgot...
(flips on the computer switch, flops down in the chair, pulls one leg up under HER)
Can't expect the group to remember what I said after *her* visit...
(computer announces its readiness)
Not sure *I* remember what I said...
(clicks to 'compose mail' section)
Let's see...
(starts typing; naming the high points out loud)
Merwolf team is coming...be nice...cooperate...
(reads, saves, sends; sees message in HER inbox)
What idiot sends mail at this hour?
(clicks 'inbox'; sees the notation)
Oh...that idiot.
(clicks open the message)
Well...
(hesitates; takes a breath)
Ok...
(starts reading)
I think she's wrong here...
(continues reading)
Oh...I hadn't thought of that there.
(HER eyes drop to the last paragraph)
What garbage is this?
DAR (voice-over)
Merwolf Systems corporate policy states that all personnel shall achieve a reasonable amount of sleep in every twenty-four hour time period. Please adhere to this regulation. DR
KERRY (furious)
SHE gives me a deadline of Friday to submit a proposal...
(angry sigh)
then says how often I should sleep?
(clicks 'reply,' cuts out DAR'S message, leaving only the time header and the final paragraph)
Ok, *Ms.* Roberts...
(highlights and boldfaces the time header and types "I'll keep that in mind." under DAR'S initials; smirks)
Take that.
KERRY saves and sends the message, shuts down the computer, and returns to bed; turning off lights as SHE goes. Camera dissolves.
NOTES:
Written during 1999 and 2000. An earlier version was posted and later deleted.
'Elegy' was written by, and belongs to, David Palmer. It's on Jethro Tull's *Stormwatch* album/cassette/compact disc.
