Daylight - First Draft

Act I - Scene 2: An Eventful Morning

SC02 - An Eventful Morning

TEN YEARS LATER

EXT. ST. NERO CHAPEL COURTYARD. MORNING.

Eleanor is doing the gardening. She plants a flower and reaches for her watering can but hesitates. Instead of picking it up, she raises her hand and takes a deep breath. Water rises from the can, hanging in mid-air for a moment before Eleanor directs it onto the soil with another gesture. She smiles, then picks up the can and heads towards the back door. As she reaches it, she hears a voice.

YOUNG MAN: Excuse me!

Eleanor turns to see the young man jogging towards her from the other side of the courtyard. She glances nervously at the flower she planted before replying.

ELEANOR: Yes?

YOUNG MAN: Does an Eleanor Mayne live here?

ELEANOR: That's me. Can I help you?

The young man extends his hand.

ZAVIER: The name's Zavier. I'm here on behalf of Admiral Balfor, of the Mayagarde senate. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions.

ELEANOR: Uh... sure. Did you say Admiral?

ZAVIER: Can we talk inside? I'd like to sit down, been on my feet all day...

ELEANOR: Um... Do you have anything... you know, like identification or something?

ZAVIER: Oh right... hold on.

As he pulls a letter out of his belt, Eleanor notices he also has a shiethed sword and pistol.

ZAVIER: Here you go.

Zavier hands Eleanor the letter and she skims it. After a few moments, she points to the envelope.

ELEANOR: Isn't this the Emperor's seal?

ZAVIER: Oh that's just a formality. Do you mind if we...? (He gestures toward the door)

ELEANOR: Oh, of course. Where are my manners?

Zavier follows Eleanor inside and she leads him down a corridoor then into the kitchen. She pulls up a chair by the table and gestures for him to sit, before heading to the sink to wash her hands.

ZAVIER: (Sitting) Thanks. Now... Admiral Balfor believes you have some valuable information. I wasn't told the specifics but he did say you'd know what this is.

Zavier places a purple shard of rock on the table. Eleanor dries her hands and approaches the table.

ELEANOR: I've never seen that before. Are you sure you have the right person?

ZAVIER: Positive. The Admiral made it clear exactly where to find you.

ELEANOR: Look, I'm sorry but none of this makes any sense. What information could I possibly have for this Balfor guy? I've barely even heard of him and this... I mean, this is just a piece of rock.

Eleanor grabs the stone and it bursts into white light, filling the whole room. They cover their eyes and Eleanor stumbles, falling to the ground. The stone flies out of her hand and the light recedes. Zavier rushes to help her up.

ZAVIER: Are you alright?

ELEANOR: (Dazed) What was that?

ZAVIER: I dunno but... I'm pretty sure it's not just a piece of rock.

Zavier pulls Eleanor to her feet and they look at the rock. Zavier touches

it gently as a test and then picks it up and examines it.

ZAVIER: Well it seems normal enough. What did you do to it?

Zavier shakes the stone, trying to force a reaction. Eleanor looks on with uncertainty.

ZAVIER: Wait... it only started glowing when you picked it up. Maybe if you try it again?

Zavier offers her the stone but Eleanor takes a step backwards.

ELEANOR: Are you kidding? We don't even know what it is. For all we know it could be dangerous.

ZAVIER: Well... I guess so.

Zavier thinks for a moment.

ZAVIER: I suppose the Admiral might know more about this. I'll have to ask him when I give him my report.

ELEANOR: Sorry I can't be of any more help. Now I really should get back to my chores.

Eleanor opens the door for Zavier but he stays put, frowning at her.

ZAVIER: Hold on, aren't you curious about what just happened?

ELEANOR: (Thoughtful) Well... sure. But there's nothing I can do about it, right?

ZAVIER: Sure there is! You could come to the city and find out for yourself.

Eleanor laughs under her breath and raises an eyebrow at him, as though he were joking.

ELEANOR: That's a little far. Besides I can't just leave.

ZAVIER: Why not? It wouldn't take long. I'm catching an airship from Whitecrest tomorrow morning. If you joined me, you'd be in the city by sundown and back here in less than three days.

ELEANOR: Look, I can't... I mean, I don't know...

ZAVIER: Listen, this is your only chance. If it were me, I'd want some answers. (Thinks for a moment) Tell you what, since I'm such a nice guy I will personally accompany you there and back so as nothing can go wrong. How about it?

Zavier extends his hand. Eleanor hesitates for a moment.

ELEANOR: No offense but we only just met. How do I know I can trust you?

ZAVIER: You have the letter. Signed and sealed by Admiral Balfor himself. And come on, it's not like I could have set this up.

Eleanor continues to hesitate. Zavier lowers his hand.

ZAVIER: Look, I'm not leaving until tomorrow. Sleep on it. I'll swing by tomorrow before I go and if you're not up for it I'll be on my way and you can get back to the gardening.

Eleanor hesitates for another moment and then nods.

ELEANOR: Alright.

Zavier picks up the stone and puts it back in his belt. Eleanor shows him out of building but stops him as he steps outside.

ELEANOR: Oh, the letter!

She turns to collect the letter from the kitchen but Zavier shakes his head.

ZAVIER: You hold onto it. You can give it back to me tomorrow anyway. Besides, it might help you make up your mind.

Zavier smiles and leaves the courtyard. Eleanor stands in the doorway for a moment. She looks at the flower she planted earlier and then back to the letter in her hands, before closing the door.