The Great Carbuncle
By Justin Blasdel
Adapted from the short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Justin Blasdel
12/12/09
Version 4
[email protected]
Characters
Matthew Robin; 20's, fervid military man
Hannah Robin; 20's, needy little homemaker
Bill Seeker; 50's, the self-centered hillbilly
Dr. Antigonus Cacaphodel; Late 40's, pre-geriatric coward
Icabod Piggnsnorto; 30's, hot-headed "family man"
Roger Chillingworth; 50's, a dream-shattering cynic
John Winthrop; 20's, naive poet
Lord Edward de Vere; 30's, grounded aristocracy
Time
Early Fall, 1968
Location
Ozark Mountains, Arkansas
Prologue
From the peak of a mountain, a red glow slowly becomes brighter and brighter. The sun dims as if in an eclipse and thunder can be heard in the distance. As the glow increases, so do these other natural phenomena until a large, inexplicable crackle of power reverberates throughout the mountains. Then, the glow fades away and all returns to normal.
ACT I, SCENE I
The "Beaten Path Camping" station. It's early morning, and the yellow sun hasn't yet crawled over every mountain top. The flora is still green and lustrous, but the air has chilled and foretells another wet and freezing Winter on its way.
MATTHEW and HANNAH ROBIN enter, holding bags over their shoulders.
MATTHEW is an army man on leave, and anyone can see HE's not yet comfortable in civilian clothing. HE still has a good, generous smile, but it can disappear in a moment's notice.
HANNAH is the high school sweetheart all grown up. SHE's the perfect little housewife; obedient, loving, and knows how to get what SHE wants from the well-trained significant other.
MATTHEW and HANNAH put down their bags.
MATTHEW
If I've said this once about a Ford, I'll say it again: it'll get you where you need to go, but never on time. Well...here we are. Happy Honeymoon, Hannah.
HANNAH
Thanks, Matthew. It's just what I wanted.
MATTHEW
No it ain't, but thanks for lying.
HANNAH
It's...fine. It's perfect.
MATTHEW
It's cheap.
HANNAH
And that's just what I wanted. A good ole' fashioned camping trip with my new husband.
MATTHEW
A camping trip with a bunch of strangers, but...anything to make you happy.
HANNAH
I am happy. I have my husband, and he’s safe and alive and back home with me where he should be. And who knows? We might get lucky and find the Great Carbuncle.
MATTHEW
Make a good story to tell the folks back home.
HANNAH
Honey, if we found the Great Carbuncle, everyone would hear about us.
MATTHEW
Guess we could make a new wedding ring out of it. Replace the little thing I gave you.
HANNAH
It'd be too big for a ring. My wrist would break off.
MATTHEW
How do you know how big it is? You seen it before?
HANNAH
No...but if we're lucky, we'll be the first ones to find it.
MATTHEW
Then I guess it's a good thing I brought my good luck charm with me.
HANNAH kisses MATTHEW.
HANNAH
Be weird if you didn't take me to our honeymoon.
ROGER CHILLINGWORTH enters as HE surveys the area.
CHILLINGWORTH is an extreme realist who thinks anything considered to be "magic" should be relabeled "illusionary". Only Darwinists survive evolution, and HE intends to spread the good word, even if no one wants to believe HIM.
CHILLINGWORTH
Hello. Am I to assume that you are the newlyweds?
MATTHEW
Sure are, sir. Name's Matthew Robin.
MATTHEW holds out HIS hand to be shook. CHILLINGWORTH assesses MATTHEW's appearance and then shakes HIS hand.
CHILLINGWORTH
Professor Chillingworth.
MATTHEW
Professor? A teacher out here? That's kind of funny.
CHILLINGWORTH
Possibly. I'm probably the only qualified educator in the county. And your wife?
HANNAH
Hannah Robin. Glad to meet you.
CHILLINGWORTH
Likewise. If you don't mind me asking, aren't honeymoons usually spent secluded from the public eye?
MATTHEW
Yes, but--
HANNAH
We just bought a new house. There's still a few payments left.
MATTHEW
Army don't pay like it use to.
CHILLINGWORTH
You're a military officer? Have you ever experienced hand-to-hand combat or survived any other threats to your life?
MATTHEW
Sure. I was a sniper in Khe Sanh, and a damn good one too. Killed me a lot of VC 'till some shrapnel cut up my trigger finger. See?
MATTHEW holds up HIS trigger finger and CHILLINGWORTH makes a distant inspection.
CHILLINGWORTH
I do. Although I'm quite sure you and your wife could have selected a more romantic location to honeymoon, I'm happy to know that a survivalist such as yourself will be joining this escapade with me.
HANNAH
What do you teach?
CHILLINGWORTH
Anthropology. The study of man.
HANNAH
Oh, kind of like a doctor...but not medicine.
CHILLINGWORTH
Correct. Have either of you checked in with our tour guide yet?
MATTHEW
Nah. He looked kind of busy. Had three men talking in his ear all at once.
CHLLINGWORTH looks back at the office.
CHILLINGWORTH
I'll acquire his attention.
HANNAH
Oh, there's no need.
CHILLINGWORTH
I insist. The sooner chores are allocated amongst the group, the sooner we can begin. Excuse me.
MATTHEW
Okay. If you have to.
CHILLINGWORTH exits.
MATTHEW
He's kind of funny.
HANNAH
It must be his education. You know, it might be a good thing to have someone smart go with us, in case we get into trouble.
MATTHEW
Smart? If that all it takes, then you can talk us out of every danger out there, 'cause there's no one else with a smarter mouth than yours.
HANNAH
Matthew Eric Robin!
MATTHEW salutes HANNAH.
MATTHEW
Sir, here, sir!
HANNAH
That's better.
BILL SEEKER enters.
BILL SEEKER is a ragged, weather-worn mountaineer who's survived all that nature has to throw at one man. HIS wit and determination have carried HIM this far in life, but something seems to be giving away with old age.
SEEKER patiently waits until MATTHEW notices HIM.
MATTHEW
Sorry, sir. Didn't see you there.
SEEKER
You two the newlyweds?
MATTHEW
Matthew and Hannah Robin, and yes we are.
SEEKER
I'm Seeker. Nice to meet you. Got your money in the mail...and spent it...so you two are good to go.
HANNAH
We brought what you said to; clothes, blankets, and such. Oh, my camera! My camera!
HANNAH immed
iately goes to HER bag and digs for the new 8mm camera.
SEEKER
Yeah, you'll get some nice pictures out there. That's what "Beaten Path Camping" is all about; pictures, swimmin', and huntin'. There ain't another place on Earth like the Ozarks. It's got to be a big change from out there in Russellville.
MATTHEW
Sure is, but--
HANNAH points the camera at MATTHEW.
HANNAH
Hey, sweetie. Wave "hello" to the camera.
MATTHEW waves.
SEEKER
That's a nice toy you got there.
HANNAH
Thank you. (to MATTHEW) Say something, Matthew. Like, how fun our trip's going to be.
MATTHEW
It won't hear me. It doesn't take sound.
HANNAH
Say it anyway. It'll be fun.
MATTHEW
I'm trying to talk, Hannah. Maybe later.
HANNAH
Spoilsport.
HANNAH turns the camera off.
MATTHEW
(To SEEKER) I got family near here.
SEEKER
You do? What town?
MATTHEW
Yellville.
SEEKER
Small town. Good folk, I hear. Anyway, we got the food and tents ready, but everyone's gonna take turns carryin' it. (to HANNAH) Everyone except you, ma'am.
HANNAH
Thank you.
SEEKER
No problem. I need to go back inside and check on the--
PIGGSNORTO (OS)
Mr. Seeker, I got some business to speak with you.
SEEKER
(Whispered) Sure you do.
PIGGSNORTO enters with a map in hand.
PIGGSNORTO is a hefty, overbearing man with the sort of hunger in the eyes that means business. Control and Respect are HIS bread and butter, and HE'll take it wherever HE can.
PIGGSNORTO
Look.
PIGGSNORTO holds up the map and points.
SEEKER
Where?
PIGGSNORTO
Here!
SEEKER looks at the map.
PIGGSNORTO
(to HANNAH and MATTHEW) Hey.
MATTHEW
Sir.
HANNAH
Hi. We're the Robins. Hannah and Matthew.
PIGGSNORTO
Icabod Piggsnorto, owner and manager of "Piggsnorto Crystal Quartz Mines" in Hot Springs. You've heard of me.
MATTHEW
Nope. 'Fraid not.
PIGGSNORTO
Your fault. Not mine.
SEEKER
(to PIGGSNORTO) Yeah, I see your line. What of it?
PIGGSNORTO
What of it? It misses that one mine you told me we'd take a look at.
SEEKER
And the way you want is gonna miss Dr. Cacaphodel's spring.
PIGGSNORTO
He won't mind.
SEEKER
No? (to CACAPHODEL) Doctor. Doctor!
CACAPHODEL enters from the office while arranging glass containers into a bag.
CACAPHODEL is a scientist who traded HIS youth for knowledge. Although HE's no more than fifty, HE looks to have aged too fast and too harshly, as if by some sort of laboratory accident. It hasn't damaged HIS pleasant attitude, though.
CACAPHODEL
Yes, Mr. Seeker, I'm coming. So what's the hubbub about?
PIGGSNORTO
You don't mind if we skip one of your springs to check out one of my mines, do ya?
CACAPHODEL
I'm not sure we have to skip either. Mind if I examine the map for a moment?
SEEKER hands the map over to CACAPHODEL.
SEEKER
There. You two figure it out.
CACAPHODEL
Don't mind if I do.
CACAPHODEL and PIGGSNORTO debate as to the specifics of the trail as SEEKER goes back to MATTHEW and HANNAH.
SEEKER
There's two more of our pack.
HANNAH
We have a doctor going with us?
SEEKER
Yeah, Dr. Cacaphodel. What kind of doctor he is a mystery to me. Wants to test the springs out here for magic water.
MATTHEW
Like the waters out in Hot Springs.
SEEKER
Yeah. That's where those two met. When he finds out where you two are from, he'll ask you questions about your health, your parents' health, and your grandparents' health, but at least he's nice about it.
MATTHEW
And Piggsnorto?
SEEKER
Well...there's always one, ain't there? Now, I think you've met everyone here. Everyone except that long-hair.
HANNAH
Another woman?
SEEKER
Heh. No, ma'am, though you'll think he's one.
MATTHEW
Oh. A hippie.
SEEKER
Yeah, one of those. Would'a refused service, but...money's money. Hard times and all.
MATTHEW
I understand that.
SEEKER
I'm gonna go back inside and check on the radio for the weather, and then we'll get goin'. It's gonna be a great trip.
HANNAH
Well good! I haven't had one of those in years.
MATTHEW
Outside of the bedroom, she means.
HANNAH
Matthew!
SEEKER
I hear that.
SEEKER exits.
HANNAH
Can you behave just a little? On our special trip?
MATTHEW
Fine. I'll be good.
HANNAH
Thank you.
PIGGSNORTO
So if we go this way, across this bridge, you get your spring and I get my mine. That fair to you?
CACAPHODEL
Definitely.
PIGGSNORTO
Good. I'll tell Seeker what way we're going.
PIGGSNORTO leaves. CACAPHODEL observes the ROBINS.
HANNAH
Hello, Dr. Cacaphodel.
CACAPHODEL
Hello. You're the young married couple?
MATTHEW
Guilty as charged, sir. Matthew and Hannah Robin.
CACAPHODEL and MATTHEW shake hands.
CACAPHODEL
You're a strong one, aren't you? Or it might be my withered hand.
MATTHEW
You're not that old. What are you, sixty?
CACAPHODEL
Actually, I'm not a day older than fifty.
HANNAH
I'm sure Matthew didn't mean to insult you.
CACAPHODEL
It's quite alright. Many mistake my skin condition as old age.
MATTHEW
What happened to you?
HANNAH
Matthew!
CACAPHODEL
It's fine. (to MATTHEW) A scientific disaster of my own making. I thought I had concocted a wrinkle-reducing cream, but instead created the opposite.
MATTHEW
Sorry to hear about that. I lost my job in the Army, because of my damaged trigger finger.
MATTHEW shows HIS finger to CACAPHODEL who takes a very close look.
CACAPHODEL
I see. Permanent damage. Sorry for your misfortune.
MATTHEW
I'm fine. Got me back home just in time to marry Hannah here. So, are we the youngest two here?
HANNAH
He means it's neat to see...older people out here too, not just us young'uns.
CACAPHODEL
I believe there is one younger than you two. Mr. John Winthrop, a poet, is around here somewhere.
MATTHEW
The hippie?
CACAPHODEL
I didn't notice.
HANNAH
There he is.
Enter CHILLINGWORTH and JOHN.
JOHN is part of the new generation of peace seekers and mind
expansionists. HE sees all forms of life as gifts from the Earth, and pain is simply misunderstanding the nature of the universe.
CHILLINGWORTH, carrying a large backpack over HIS shoulder, is still trying to write in HIS journal as JOHN spouts HIS philosophy.
JOHN
Hey, if you open your mind to what I'm saying, then maybe you'll see through my perception.
CHILLINGWORTH
Exactly how developed could your uneducated perception be on the topic of survival of the fittest?
JOHN
That's...so wrong.
CHILLINGWORTH
Is that really your rebuttal?
JOHN
No, you say "survival of the fittest", but who says what's fit to live and die?
CHILLINGWORTH
I believe evolution does. Dr. Cacaphodel, your opinion on the matter? You are a scientific doctor, after all.
CACAPHODEL
I'd...better check on Mr. Piggsnorto and Mr. Seeker.
CACAPHODEL exits.
JOHN
No, man. Evolution doesn't mean kill or be killed. It means to move beyond. That's what we have to do. We have to evolve our spirits and move past the need to destroy. I wrote a haiku about it if.
Beat.
CHILLINGWORTH
I still don't agree with your protest against hunting. It was in the brochure. You should have known better. (to MATTHEW) Matthew, you're second on the list to carry our food supplies. I'll be first.
MATTHEW helps CHILLINGWORTH lay down the bag.
MATTHEW
No, that's alright. I'll carry it first.
CHILLINGWORTH
Are you sure?
MATTHEW
Yeah. Wasn't much good to grow these muscles if I ain't going to use them.
CHILLINGWORTH
Thank you.
JOHN
You're cool.
MATTHEW
What'd you call me?
JOHN
Helping others with strength instead of hurting. You're cool, man.
MATTHEW
Sure.
CHILLINGWORTH
He was a soldier who fought in the war your culture is so determined to stop.
JOHN
Really?
MATTHEW
Uh-huh.
JOHN backs away from MATTHEW.
JOHN
You...no judgment from me. Everyone's got a chance to move beyond their past. No reason to bring the war with you.
MATTHEW
I'm not going to hurt you.
JOHN
No?
MATTHEW
Nah. I got some service buddies who turned hippy too. It doesn't bother me anymore.
JOHN
Cool. Cool.
MATTHEW
Yeah, me and them were all in the Fourth Division, or the "Ivy League" as we called it.
JOHN
Plants. Awesome.
CHILLINGWORTH
It's a pun on the Roman numeral four. "I...V". Even the militia is beyond your intellect.
JOHN
Or I'm too wise for them.
HANNAH
(to JOHN) Hi. I'm Hannah. We're the Robins.
JOHN
My parents call me John.
CHILLINGWORTH
As opposed to what you call yourself?
JOHN
There you go again. You don't get it.
CHILLINGWORTH
And hopefully I never will.
SEEKER (OS)
Okay! We'll go your way! Last time I'm doing this anyway.
PIGGSNORTO (OS)
What?
SEEKER (OS)
Get your stuff and move it on over to the circle!
MATTHEW
Are we suppose'd to be in a circle?
HANNAH
He probably means to get ready to go, honey. Grab our stuff.
MATTHEW picks up the bag of food and HIS clothes bag. HANNAH, CHILLINGWORTH, and JOHN, holding onto THEIR bags, form a shoulder-to-shoulder line starting with MATTHEW.
PIGGSNORTO and CACAPHODEL, already carrying THEIR bags, enter with the map in hand and double-checking the new path. SEEKER enters, almost ready to chew off HIS arm from having to talk at length to PIGGSNORTO.
HANNAH turns the camera on and points it at SEEKER.
HANNAH
Oh, Mr. Seeker, could you wave to--
SEEKER
First, let's get this straight. I'm not Mister Seeker. I'm just plain ole' Seeker. Y'all start callin' me that from now on. Second, put your bags down. I've got some news to share.
HANNAH
What kind of news?
PIGGSNORTO
For the price of this walk in the woods, it better not be bad news.
SEEKER
It'll be whatever it--
SFX: A truck coming to a halt.
DE VERE (OS)
I thank you, madam! You're a saint amongst barbarians, I assure you!
Enter DE VERE, carrying a small bag over the shoulder.
DE VERE is a blue-blood Englishman who takes far too much pride in HIMSELF and HIS crumbling family estate. No matter how low HE must stoop, DE VERE will always be
next to royalty in HIS mind.
DE VERE
To believe there's no taxi service in this wilderness. Why, even the Isalo Park has it's mules. Madagascar? Africa? Well, not really Africa, but you get the general idea.
SEEKER
I'm guessin' you're Vere, ain't you?
DE VERE
Lord Edward de Vere, at your service. Well, let's be honest. You're at my service, aren't you? Hello, everyone.
ALL greet DE VERE.
SEEKER
Yeah, let me introduce you to everyone. Mr. Piggsnorto, Dr.Cacaphodel, John, Professor Chillingworth, and Matthew and Hannah Robin.
HANNAH
Hi!
HANNAH waves at DE VERE.
DE VERE
How lovely! I'm being filmed already.
DE VERE gives HANNAH a gracious bow.
DE VERE
Pleased to meet you too. So which one of you will be carrying my luggage for me?
PIGGSNORTO
Hah!
SEEKER
Everyone's carrying their own load and then-some.
DE VERE
Really? Couldn't I pay you a few American dollars and have you carry it for me?
SEEKER
Hell no!
DE VERE
You don't have to be so bloody rude about it.
SEEKER
Movin' on...first, welcome to the "Beaten Path Camping" tour, where you and nature can't get no closer anywhere else in the whole world. You folks are in for three whole days of hikin', fishin', and if you're a good shot, huntin' too.
CHILLINGWORTH
Well fortunately, I'm an excellent marksman.
SEEKER
Good! Maybe you'll shoot a big ole' buck for us to eat.
DE VERE
Ooh, local delicacies.
JOHN
That's so wrong.
SEEKER
I've been givin' this tour for thirty years...thirty long years...and it keeps gettin' better and better every time. And I happen to believe that this new path I wrote up special for you all--
PIGGSNORTO
He had some help.
Beat.
SEEKER
This new path, not the best path, happens to go over an old bridge, but this new path, I feel...I know, is our way to the legendary, magnificent, biggest gem known to the Ozarks, the Great Carbuncle!
ALL cheer, except for CHILLINGWORTH.
CHILLINGWORTH
We won't find it.
HANNAH
Why's that, Professor?
CHILLINGWORTH
It doesn't exist. The myth of the Great Carbuncle is an old wives' tale meant to give hope to a rather hopeless area. This whole trip is a sham!
DE VERE
&n
bsp; It is?
PIGGSNORTO
You didn't figure that out already?
SEEKER
Hey! (To CHILLINGWORTH) If that's what you believe, then why you here?
CHILLINGWORTH
As part of my anthropological research. It is my duty to disprove this ridiculous myth once and for all, and when I've done so, this experience will be the final chapter in my book Mythstaken: Realizing the Difference Between Imaginings and Reality.
Beat.
SEEKER
Whatever gets you through the day. (to ALL) So the rest of you ready to go find that Great Carbuncle!
ALL (except CHILLINGWORTH)
Yeah!
SEEKER
That's good to know, 'cause my bit of bad news is the weatherman says there's a storm comin' through here. One of the earliest and biggest winter storms they've ever seen.
HANNAH
Will it ruin the trip?
SEEKER
Can't say.
CACAPHODEL
Exactly what dangers are we facing...Seeker?
SEEKER
Freezin' rains, freezin' winds, freezin' temperatures...pretty much everythin' freezin'.
DE VERE
That settles it. We'll have to postpone the hike until the weather has cleared.
EVERYONE voices mixed opinions. HANNAH turns the camera off.
SEEKER
Afraid you can't do that.
DE VERE
And why not?
SEEKER
I've got to close shop. Goin' out of business. Seems like no one's got the money for an adventure these days. After this trip, I'm goin' to work in my cousin's lumber yard.
HANNAH
What?!?
JOHN
This is bumming me out.
CACAPHODEL
Then shall we expect full refunds?
SEEKER
Sorry, no refunds.
ALL are very upset by this.
SEEKER
Look, I don't have your money anymore. I'm broke as hell and about to lose my livelihood. However, I was never the kind of man to steal from another, and I'm willin' to give you folks my last tour... that is if none of you are afraid of gettin' a little wet
Beat.
SEEKER
What do you say?
HANNAH
Matthew, let's go with him.
MATTHEW
What? He says the weather's going to freeze us like popsicles.
HANNAH
We can't afford another trip. We spent all our free money to find the Great Carbuncle and camp.
JOHN
Me too, brothers. I'm totally broke.
PIGGSNORTO
There's nothing nature has that can stop me from getting what I want. I paid for a trip, and I'm getting one.
DE VERE
I'm not poor. I'm not, but I don't see a problem with continuing, so long as we have our guide to protect us.
CHILLINGWORTH
...and a medical doctor.
CACAPHODEL
I suppose I should go. If any of you were harmed and I could have aided you, I'd never forgive myself.
SEEKER
So...we all agree on this?
MATTHEW
Yeah, let's go.
SEEKER
Good! Good. Everyone go to the office so you can get your tents and sleepin' bags.
SEEKER exits. ALL pick up THEIR bags.
DE VERE
Will we have to carry those, too?
SEEKER (OS)
Yeah!
DE VERE
(muttered) Bloody hell.
DE VERE, CACAPHODEL, and PIGGSNORTO exit.
JOHN
You see? When people work together, anything is possible.
CHILLINGWORTH
Never underestimate the power of idiocy in numbers, or greed for that matter.
JOHN and CHILLINGWORTH exit.
HANNAH
Matthew.
MATTHEW
Huh?
HANNAH
Thank you for the honeymoon.
MATTHEW
Wish it could've been in a fancy hotel in a warm bed.
HANNAH
I don't need those things. Not really. All I need is you.
MATTHEW
You telling the truth?
HANNAH
You know I am. Thank you for this.
MATTHEW
It was nothing, but if that storm blows in, we better find that Great Carbuncle, or I'll be mad as hell.
HANNAH
Matthew!
HANNAH and MATTHEW exit.
MATTHEW (OS)
I'm just kidding.
END ACT I, SCENE I
ACT I, SCENE II
A clearing in the forest. It's nearing dusk; the point where the sky is still lit but barely changing colors. The weather is starting to get worse as the clouds collect and the temperature drops.
JOHN and SEEKER are sitting on the ground looking up at the sky and laughing at apparently nothing. There is a Coleman Sportser Stove (propane cooker) that's turned on and is set upon the ground nearby.
JOHN
Yeah, like...all those stars, they got worlds spinning around them...and they can see our sun like we can see their suns...but our sun looks like a star to them, like...their sun looks like a star to us. You see?
SEEKER
Never quite thought of it like that. So those other worlds have things looking back at us too, so we're never really alone at night, long as we can see the stars.
JOHN
Yeah, if they're not getting rain or anything. Man, what kind of clouds do you think they have?
SEEKER
Probably same as us, but not as pretty.
JOHN
You think so?
SEEKER
Mm-hmm.
MATTHEW and HANNAH enter.
HANNAH
It's getting chilly.
MATTHEW
Don't worry about it. I'll warm you up soon.
MATTHEW playfully nudges HANNAH.
HANNAH
Matthew! Can it. Public places.
MATTHEW
Yeah, yeah. Seeker, we got our tent up and everything. We're ready to...what's that smell?
JOHN and SEEEKER laugh.
HANNAH
Smells like herbs. Are you cooking something?
SEEKER
Not yet. Got to let that thing warm up first. I prefer the old fashioned camp fire, but that Eng-lander insisted on using his new fancy toy.
JOHN
Eng-lander.
JOHN and SEEKER laugh.
MATTHEW
You two been smoking wacky-tobaccey?
HANNAH
Wacky-what?
JOHN and SEEKER laugh.
HANNAH
You two should be ashamed. You know it's...(whispered) illegal.
SEEKER
Then turn me in. My cousin's the sheriff.
JOHN
He is?
SEEKER
Nothing to worry about it.
HANNAH
Matthew.
MATTHEW
We'll be okay, (to JOHN and SEEKER) so long as they don't smoke any more. You understand me?
JOHN
I'm good.
SEEKER
I hear ya.
MATTHEW
Good. Now Seeker, I believe you have some dinner for us.
SEEKER
I do! I got hotdogs.
JOHN
None for me. I'll eat the buns, but no butchered animals on my conscience.
MATTHEW
No meat? You're kind'a odd, aren't you?
SEEKER
I'll go get 'em. Here, help me up.
SEEKER holds out HIS hand and MATTHEW pulls SEEKER up. SEEKER loses his balance from the quick change from sitting to standing.
MATTHEW
You okay?
SEEKER
Yeah, I'
m good. Goin' to get me a hotdog!
SEEKER exits.
HANNAH
Is it okay to leave him alone?
MATTHEW
I'm more worried about leaving him alone with the food.
JOHN
Hey, Hannah.
HANNAH
Yes?
JOHN
Why aren't you filming? The setting sun's painting you an awesome view.
HANNAH
It's the cold. I don't want to break my new camera. It cost a lot, you know.
MATTHEW
And she didn't bring as much film as she thought.
HANNAH
Hey.
MATTHEW
I told you.
HANNAH
I know, but it's not your job to rub it in.
MATTHEW
Here, I can make it up to you.
MATTHEW takes off HIS jacket and lets HANNAH sit down on it before HE sits down too.
HANNAH
Thanks, honey.
MATTHEW
Anything for my woman.
MATTHEW and HANNAH kiss.
DE VERE (OS)
I thank you again, doctor. Without your brilliance, we might of never had our tent up in time for dinner.
CHILLINGWORTH and DE VERE enter.
The Great Carbuncle Page 1