~ ~ ~
BLACK SCREEN.
ELISH (O.S.)
Isaiah! Isaiah!
FADE IN on the deck of the Ping On just as morning is breaking. The storm has cleared, but the parts of the ship we can see are clearly damaged. Crew members are moving about, but we can't make out what they're saying.
ELISH (O.S.)
Isaiah!
Elish's face leans into the shot.
ELISH
Isaiah!
MEDIUM SHOT: Isaiah lies on the deck where he fell and hit his head the night before. Elish is next to him, trying to help.
Isaiah sits up, uneasy.
ISAIAH
(rubbing his head)
What happened?
ELISH
We have run aground.
Isaiah looks around, and as he does, the scene comes into focus. The boat's crew are repairing damage and generally taking care of the boat. There's a small spit of sand where the boat sits, and a short distance away there's what looks like a volcanic island populated with palm trees.
We notice a group on the sandbar, shouting amongst themselves. From here we can just make out Lady Adelaide, Shui-lin, Cornelius, Sawada, and Ostap.
ISAIAH
Oh no.
ELISH
What is it?
ISAIAH
Trouble.
ELISH
(straining his eyes toward the sandbar)
Is that the woman you saw when we set sail?
ISAIAH
Lady Adelaide, our benefactor, and probably the reason we're all going to end up dead.
Isaiah rushes to a ladder hung off the side of the boat. Elish follows.
Lady Adelaide and Cornelius are in an argument with Shui-lin and her BOSUN, the crewmate who drew a knife during the storm. Ostap and Sawada are off to the side staying out of it.
SHUI-LIN
You owe me a ship!
ADELAIDE
It is hardly my fault that you were not able to chart a course to avoid us running aground, after I paid you to guide us in these waters. Waters that you said you knew.
SHUI-LIN
You were at the tiller. Your fault!
ADELAIDE
I was at the tiller because you intended to double-cross us, take our money, and not take us where you were supposed to.
SHUI-LIN
You're crazy. The storm would have wrecked us.
ADELAIDE
And yet here we stand. The island I seek is right there, now—
SHUI-LIN
(interrupting)
We are wrecked!
(beat)
You owe me a ship!
Isaiah approaches, Elish right on his heels.
ISAIAH
Now what is all the fuss about!?
SHUI-LIN
(turning to Isaiah and pointing at Adelaide)
She wrecked us. She owes me a ship!
Isaiah turns to assess the damage to the Ping On. It's not as bad as it sounded: she's run aground on a sandbar, and the sails are in rough shape, but the hull seems sound.
ISAIAH
Well...
Isaiah pauses as if in thought, but Elish answers.
ELISH
The spring tide will free her.
Everyone looks to Elish.
ELISH (CONT'D)
The dark-moon tide comes in two nights. Too soon; she must be lightened and anchors laid out first. The next spring tide comes with the full moon, after seventeen nights. Then the water will rise, and she will be free.
Shui-lin confers with her bosun, keeping her voice low.
SHUI-LIN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
How bad?
BOSUN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
Sails torn, two battens gone, the rudder's cracked. The hull held.
SHUI-LIN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
Ready by the big tide?
BOSUN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
Easily.
SHUI-LIN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
Then look worried while they're watching.
The bosun arranges his face into a grim frown.
SHUI-LIN (CONT'D)
(addressing the group)
We will need repairs.
(addressing Adelaide)
They will not be cheap.
ADELAIDE
(annoyed)
Well, you have seventeen days to fix the ship. Meanwhile we will find what we've come here for, and when we're successful the reward will more than cover the cost of your repairs. Do we have a deal?
SHUI-LIN
Deal.
ADELAIDE
Good.
Adelaide seems happy the matter is settled. She turns her attention to Isaiah and Elish.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
I'm glad you two could join us.
(addressing Shui-lin)
Now, Captain, it seems as though we'll need a small boat to get to the main island where we will begin our research.
Shui-lin nods, and her bosun gives a shout and a hand gesture.
From the deck of the Ping On, a small rowboat is lowered to the sand. It's already loaded with a few harpoons.
As the boat is lowered, Ostap pulls Isaiah aside.
OSTAP
(gesturing to Adelaide)
You know this woman, cowboy?
ISAIAH
We've met.
OSTAP
And you didn't think to tell us it was a woman paying our wages?
ISAIAH
Didn't think it much mattered as long as her coin was good.
Ostap spits in the sand and walks to the rowboat. Sawada follows, stopping to talk to Isaiah.
SAWADA
A woman at the tiller is bad luck.
Sawada walks off without waiting for a reply.
ISAIAH
(to himself, eyeing the Ping On)
Doubt luck had much to do with it.
The bosun holds the rowboat steady while Sawada, Ostap, Cornelius, Adelaide, Isaiah, and Elish climb in. Shui-lin climbs in next and Adelaide gives her a look.
ADELAIDE
Excuse me, Captain, but aren't you staying with your ship?
SHUI-LIN
Your expedition is paying to fix my ship. I stay with your expedition.
CORNELIUS
Look, this isn't some pleasure trip. This is a serious hunt. We'll have to—
SHUI-LIN
(cutting him off)
All my life I sail these waters, Mr. Hatch. You? Two weeks.
Shui-lin smiles as Adelaide waves off Cornelius.
ADELAIDE
(feigning happiness)
You are, of course, welcome on the expedition.
As the others settle in, Shui-lin leans over the gunwale to her bosun and speaks low and quick. Adelaide watches, but can't follow.
SHUI-LIN
(in Cantonese, subtitled)
When she floats, wait two days. If I'm not back, sail.
The bosun nods and pushes the rowboat off the sand.
Shui-lin waves goodbye to her bosun as he rows back to the stranded Ping On; we can see in the distance the repairs are already well under way. On the beach Shui-lin joins Ostap, Sawada, Isaiah, and Elish. Elish is holding a harpoon like a walking stick, and has another slung on his back. They look on as Cornelius probes the edge of the tree line, his four-bore ahead of him. Adelaide is a step back, drawing a quick pencil sketch of the tree line with various height references.
CORNELIUS
(pointing into a less dense bit of jungle)
This way.
Cornelius gestures forward and then steps into the trees. Adelaide enters the forest following him.
Ostap, Sawada, Elish, Isaiah, and Shui-lin approach the tree line.
Ostap shakes his head in disbelief.
OSTAP
What does the fool think he's hunting?
Ostap steps into the tree line, followed by Sawada.
ISAIAH
Whatever it is, he thinks it's big.
Isaiah enters the jungle, followed by Elish and Shui-lin.
Cornelius leads them through dense jungle, careful with each step. The others follow somewhat haphazardly behind.
Cornelius stops all of a sudden, putting his hand up in the air. It's quiet; then we hear a rustling sound. Cornelius turns and readies his gun. Adelaide approaches him.
ADELAIDE
Careful, best to observe the animals in their natural habitat if we can before getting a specimen.
Cornelius nods but keeps the gun ready. Ostap readies his shashka and Elish his harpoon; Sawada's hands reach for his swords, and Isaiah's go to the handles of his guns.
The rustling gets louder, and now we see the trees shaking. Something is coming through them, moving quickly towards the group.
All of a sudden, a small dinosaur (Enigmacursor or similar) emerges from the underbrush. It's not much bigger than a medium-sized dog and doesn't seem dangerous. It looks at the assembled group, gives a little chattering call, and runs off into the jungle.
OSTAP
(laughing)
Clearly a dangerous beast, Mr. Hatch.
ISAIAH
(turning to Elish)
What was that?
ELISH
I have not seen this animal before on my travels.
ADELAIDE
That, gentlemen, was, as I expected, one of the Dinosauria.
ISAIAH
(incredulous)
That's the monster we're here for?
ADELAIDE
I did expect them to be bigger, but even at this size, this animal has been thought extinct for millions of years. It will be the scientific find of the century to return with one and prove that they were not all wiped out. And did you see it move? Walking on two legs, almost bird-like, this will be a revelation to the scientific community. Professor Huxley will be insufferable.
Before Adelaide can go any further, we hear more rustling, louder this time, and more trees are shaking. Then dozens of Enigmacursor burst from the trees, running in a pack after the first one. The rustling gets louder and starts to give way to splintering sounds and thunder.
ISAIAH
I know that sound.
(taking a breath)
That's a stampede. We need to get out of here.
Before anyone can move, a herd of Stegosaurus smash through the trees and run towards the group.
CORNELIUS
(shouting)
Run!
It's everyone for themselves as they run to avoid getting trampled by the Stegosaurus.
The camera pans up to reveal the lay of the jungle. Ostap is the first to push through a thicket onto a more open, well-trodden path. The Stegosaurus are right behind him, but behind them we see what they're all running from: a lumbering stampede of sauropods. Brontosaurus. These animals don't move fast, but every step shakes the ground and it seems like there's no escape.
Sawada, Isaiah, Elish, Cornelius, and Adelaide join Ostap and see the brontosaurus bearing down on them. They run the only way they can.
As they run, they're nearly run down by Stegosaurus, but it's really the brontosaurs gaining on them that seems to be the danger.
SHUI-LIN (O.S.)
("Gweilo" not subtitled)
Gweilo! Up here!
The camera pans up to show Shui-lin, who has managed to make her way to the top of a rocky wall overlooking the well-worn path. It doesn't look straightforward, but it seems like there's a chance to climb it.
Ostap is fastest, first to climb. Sawada gets there second but stays to make sure Adelaide, Cornelius, and Elish make it to the rocky wall. Isaiah arrives last.
ISAIAH
(gesturing to the rock)
After you.
Sawada hesitates briefly and then starts climbing, leaving Isaiah to follow.
Everyone reaches the top of the rocky wall just as the brontosaurs pass. They're huge, even taller than the wall.
CORNELIUS
(slapping Elish on the back)
These ones are yours.
Elish looks at Cornelius with a judgemental eye. Nevertheless, he takes the harpoon in his hand and prepares to throw it at a brontosaurus.
Elish hesitates for a moment, and a brontosaurus leans its head down and blinks once. Elish makes eye contact, and then lowers his harpoon.
ELISH
This creature is gentle. It does not mean us harm.
Cornelius is clearly frustrated.
CORNELIUS
I don't damn well care what it is. If you want to get your share you'll kill the damn thing.
Elish looks to Cornelius with a burning glare.
CORNELIUS (CONT'D)
(grudgingly)
Very well. I'll do it myself.
Cornelius pulls up his four-bore and, barely aiming, takes a shot at a brontosaurus. It's comically loud and ineffective; the brontosaurus shrugs off the shot like it's nothing.
But it's not nothing. The shot has angered the dinosaur, which swings its lumbering neck at the group. It's Sawada's reflexes that save Adelaide and Isaiah as he pulls them to the ground. Cornelius for his part manages to get out of the way of the swing and looks on in terror as it finishes and seems to be coming back the other way.
Cornelius aims and fires the second barrel. Again the shot strikes the brontosaurus's long neck to no effect, and the neck swings back again. This time the group is safe, except for Cornelius, who has had to stand his ground to take his shot. He tries to move at the last second, but he's clipped and thrown hard to the ground.
The brontosaurus isn't quite done yet. It lets out a loud call and seems to be preparing to swing its neck again. Before it can, its call is answered, but not by another brontosaurus: by a deep, horn-like sound. The brontosaurus trumpets back and is again met by the horn. Finally, it lumbers off, following the rest of the herd.
ISAIAH
(looking around for the source of the horn)
What was that?
CORNELIUS
(getting to his feet, and clutching his side)
What was that indeed.
(turning to Elish)
What good are you to us if you won't bring down those beasts!?
ELISH
Mr. Hatch, those creatures mean us no harm. I cannot harm them.
CORNELIUS
(incensed)
No harm! They nearly killed us, nearly trampled us. Why, if it hadn't been for—
SAWADA (O.S.)
Mr. Hatch!
The camera turns and we see KIRRA, a lithe woman with very dark skin and tightly curled hair, closer in look to the peoples of New Guinea or Aboriginal Australia than to any Polynesian. She wears traditional woven fabrics. She carries at her side a large horn made from bone.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Ka mai koe i hea?
ISAIAH
(looking to the group but stopping on Adelaide)
What did she say?
SHUI-LIN
She wants to know where we came from.
ADELAIDE
You speak her language?
SHUI-LIN
No, but others like it.
Shui-lin attempts to answer Kirra's question.
SHUI-LIN (CONT'D)
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
Kami... mai i lau. Kapal...
Kirra looks blank. Shui-lin mimes a boat crashing into a sandbar.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Ka mai tau-lau i mua.
SHUI-LIN
She says others have come before. I don't really understand.
ADELAIDE
How long before?
Shui-lin attempts to ask the question.
SHUI-LIN
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
I mua... berapa lama?
Kirra responds rapidly.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
I mua loa, loa. Tupuna na tupuna na au.
SHUI-LIN
I do not know these words.
Kirra seems confused, then gestures for them to follow her into the jungle. She disappears between the trees, and the group follows, Shui-lin in the lead.
We follow Kirra and emerge from the jungle into a clearing. A warning horn sounds from somewhere ahead, and heads turn toward the strangers. Kirra lifts her own bone horn and answers it with two short notes. The heads turn away again.
There is a lively village filled with people who look a bit like Kirra. All throughout the village we see people working with dinosaurs big and small. Dinosaurs are effectively the farm animals of this village. People are cleaning them, inspecting their feet, and generally tending to them. Across the clearing, a pair of beasts in wooden harness haul a sledge piled with timber.
ADELAIDE
(to no one in particular)
This is amazing, they've domesticated them. Harnessing them for work and training them to pull. It's absolutely amazing.
As they pass close to an enclosure, Isaiah stops and lets the rest of the group move ahead of him. He watches a villager, who seems oblivious to Isaiah's presence, putting a wooden harness on a Chasmosaurus, a horned beast about the size of a large ox. It's docile but clearly strong, and the man's care shows how dangerous it is.
Cornelius, seeing Isaiah has stopped, steps back to join him.
CORNELIUS
(half-jokingly)
Think you could ride one?
Isaiah shrugs off the comment and rejoins the group. Cornelius stays a minute, watching the man and the dinosaur.
The villager looks up as Isaiah leaves, his eyes following him, ignoring Cornelius.
Cornelius shakes his head, rubs his side where the brontosaurus hurt him, and gives a little jog to catch up with the group.
Kirra leads the group through the village to a central building and they all step inside.
Seated in the center of the building around a wood fire are three elders in more elaborate robes: TAVIRA, the village matriarch, grey-haired and unhurried; MAKOA, broad-shouldered, his arms scarred from handling beasts; and HUIANA, who watches the strangers with open suspicion. They nod in acknowledgement to the group as it enters.
Kirra has a rapid back-and-forth with the three in the island tongue.
ADELAIDE
(to Shui-lin)
What are they saying?
SHUI-LIN
I'm not sure, but they speak of us, and treasure.
Kirra turns to the group and gives a nod.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
Mai mai, tau-lau.
SHUI-LIN
(unsure of herself)
She gives us welcome.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
E tulu koe i kami, i tau-hara.
SHUI-LIN
She asks help with mistake.
ADELAIDE
(impatiently)
What mistake?
Shui-lin motions for Adelaide to calm down.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
E lako mai tau-hara i tasikoa na kami. Tulu, noka tasikoa.
SHUI-LIN
They need help... keeping? ... their treasure.
ADELAIDE
What will they give us?
Shui-lin thinks about it and is about to say something when Adelaide interrupts.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
Could we have one of their dinosaurs?
Shui-lin looks at Adelaide, confused. Adelaide just gestures that Shui-lin heard her correctly.
Shui-lin starts to ask the question, pointing out the door toward the beasts.
SHUI-LIN
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
Kami mahu... satu...
Adelaide gets impatient and starts talking over her, using hand gestures.
ADELAIDE
Your dinosaurs, the big ones. We will help you for one.
The elders exchange looks. Huiana speaks first, sharp.
HUIANA
(in the island tongue)
Sie! Tau-lau, tau-hara.
ADELAIDE
What did she say?
SHUI-LIN
(beat)
She is happy we are here.
Isaiah catches Huiana's glare and raises an eyebrow at Shui-lin. Shui-lin ignores him.
Makoa leans forward, points at Adelaide, then out the door toward the beasts.
MAKOA
(in the island tongue)
Moko-nui? Sie. Moko-iti, io.
SHUI-LIN
Not the big one. A small one.
ADELAIDE
We have come halfway round the world—
SHUI-LIN
(cutting her off)
Big one not fit on my ship.
Adelaide opens her mouth, then closes it.
ADELAIDE
Then the largest that will fit.
Shui-lin turns back to the elders and holds her hands apart, then a little wider, haggling.
SHUI-LIN
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
Moko... besar sedikit.
Makoa, amused, holds his own hands a little wider still.
MAKOA
(in the island tongue)
Io.
Tavira raises a hand, and the hut goes quiet.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
Tulu kami, noka tasikoa. Tau-hara ka lako, e tuku kami sa moko.
Huiana starts to object. Tavira silences her with a look.
SHUI-LIN
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
Tasikoa... di mana?
Tavira studies Shui-lin for a long moment and doesn't answer. Huiana's eyes narrow.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
Vinasa, tau-lau.
Tavira smiles and nods to the group. The deal is done.
SHUI-LIN
We have agreed, we will keep their treasure, and we will have a dinosaur.
ADELAIDE
Excellent. Now, how do we fix this mistake?
Almost as if in answer, the village's warning horns sound from outside the hut.
Our group exits the hut, led by Cornelius.
Outside, the villagers are standing nervously still, having stopped whatever tasks they were in the middle of but not abandoning them. Three men ride in through the entrance to the village: the bandit leader, TOA-NUI, and two BANDITS. They look native to these islands, not unlike the villagers. Toa-nui wears a necklace of great curved teeth, and he sits his mount like a king. At his hip hangs a huge spiral conch shell, bound in more teeth, nothing like the villagers' smooth bone horns. Each rides a raptor (Utahraptor or similar) about the size of a horse. The beasts are clearly vicious, scanning the villagers hungrily.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue, indicating the bandits)
Tau-hara.
Shui-lin looks at Kirra and then to the bandits.
SHUI-LIN
(pointing to the bandits)
Tau-hara?
KIRRA
(in the island tongue, nodding)
Io.
Adelaide, having understood the confusion, addresses Shui-lin.
ADELAIDE
These men are the mistake?
SHUI-LIN
The word is "wrong." I think maybe it means bandit.
Adelaide looks knowingly at the men on raptors, then approaches Cornelius.
ADELAIDE
Is your gun loaded, Mr. Hatch?
Cornelius nods.
Adelaide looks to Isaiah, whose hands rest gently on the handles of his pistols.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
And you, Mr. Ward?
ISAIAH
Always.
TOA-NUI
(in the island tongue, thumping his chest, addressing the village)
Au Toa-nui! Ka mai kami i mea-tuku. Tuku rei: kai, vai. Ka lako loa kami.
Kirra looks incensed and goes to speak, but Tavira places a hand on her shoulder and steps forward.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
Sie mea-tuku, sie kai, tau-hara.
(gesturing to our assembled cast)
Tau-lau e noka ma kami. E riri ratou i koe, ma rako.
Toa-nui looks over the group, really noticing the outsiders for the first time. He sees the swords and harpoon, and his eyes pause on Cornelius' gun with a knowing look.
TOA-NUI
(in the island tongue)
Poro. Ka mai kami i mea-tuku, e riri koe? Vula-tonu, e hoki kami, kami tini. E tuku koe mea-tuku.
(to Shui-lin, in broken Cantonese, subtitled)
Full moon. We come back.
Toa-nui turns his mount around, lifts the conch, and blows: a harsh, brassy blare that falls away at the end, nothing like the low hum of the village horns. All three raptors wheel as one and follow him out of the village.
ISAIAH
Well, that wasn't so bad.
ADELAIDE
(to Shui-lin)
What did they say?
SHUI-LIN
They come back at the full moon.
ISAIAH
He said something to you, Captain. Just you.
Before Shui-lin can answer, Adelaide cuts in lightly.
ADELAIDE
I'm sure the captain would tell us if it concerned us.
She catches Isaiah's eye: not here.
SHUI-LIN
(evenly)
Same thing. Full moon.
Adelaide turns to Ostap and Sawada.
ADELAIDE
What do you think? Sixteen days to prepare and hold the line against these bandits?
OSTAP
(smiling)
This I will do with pleasure.
(slapping Sawada on the back)
And you, my friend?
SAWADA
This is an honorable fight.
OSTAP
First I will need a horse, like the ones the bandits ride.
Ostap looks to Kirra, mimes riding, and points after the bandits.
Kirra doesn't answer. It's Makoa who comes forward.
MAKOA
(in the island tongue, gesturing)
Mai ma au.
Makoa leads Ostap and Sawada off.
ADELAIDE
(turning to Isaiah and Elish)
What of you two? Will you help this village?
ISAIAH
So you can get your dinosaur and earn your fame?
ADELAIDE
One living dinosaur. Back in London, it will be the most fascinating scientific find of the age, and you'll be paid handsomely for your assistance.
(pausing to look at Isaiah specifically)
With a living specimen, no one will need to come here to study them.
Isaiah seems skeptical, but understands.
ELISH
I will not kill these animals for you. If you plan to take one alive, I will help you.
ISAIAH
I suppose it's not so bad. After all, we have the villagers to help us out, right?
Isaiah turns with the last question to Kirra, who doesn't understand.
SHUI-LIN
(in broken island tongue and Malay)
Kamu tulu? Lawan?
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Sie riri kami. Sie hara kami mea ora.
Shui-lin looks confused, and Kirra tries to simplify.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, miming; the words cost her)
Kami. Sie. Riri.
Isaiah understands without the translation.
ISAIAH
Well then, I suppose it falls to us.
(looking to Cornelius on "us")
Cornelius nods his acknowledgement. He's positioned himself by Adelaide.
ADELAIDE
(turning to Cornelius)
Can you prepare their defenses, Mr. Hatch?
CORNELIUS
(surveying the village)
We can fortify.
ADELAIDE
(lightly, watching Shui-lin closely)
Well then, it's settled. Captain Ng, will your crew be leaving us behind if we stay past the full moon?
SHUI-LIN
My crew stay till I come back, or two days after ship floats. They do not leave early.
ADELAIDE
Good. Then we'll hold the line, get our dinosaur, sail on the spring tide, and be in Yokohama by the next new moon.
Isaiah stands at the side of an enclosure, watching a young Gallimimus flit around it, uneasy.
Kirra approaches.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Rere ia.
Isaiah's eyes track the dinosaur as it moves about. He turns his head to Kirra.
ISAIAH
May I?
(he gestures climbing into the enclosure)
KIRRA
(nodding)
Io.
Isaiah climbs over the fence and approaches the dinosaur like he would a horse: low and slow, careful of his body language.
As Isaiah approaches, the dinosaur regards him apprehensively. It stops pacing and stands still. Isaiah gets close, and just before he touches her, she nips at him with her beak, drawing a little blood from his arm. He jumps back.
ISAIAH
Ow!
The dinosaur goes back to pacing.
KIRRA
(laughing, in the island tongue)
Aha koe? Pu, pu!
(she holds up the bone horn she wears at her side)
ISAIAH
Pu?
KIRRA
(holding up the horn)
Pu.
Kirra climbs over the fence and joins Isaiah in the enclosure. She holds the horn to her lips and blows gently. It gives a low hum.
The dinosaur calms almost instantly and stops pacing.
Kirra gives Isaiah a nod toward the dinosaur. He approaches it carefully.
Kirra blows the horn again: two short bursts, low and slow.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, gesturing)
Malie, malie.
ISAIAH
Slow.
(mimicking Kirra)
Malie, malie.
The dinosaur lets Isaiah approach and touch her back. Once Isaiah has made contact, he seems right at home with the animal. He strokes her in a way that makes her fold her legs and lie down on the ground.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Rei, rei.
ISAIAH
(pointing at the dinosaur)
Dinosaur?
KIRRA
(understanding the question)
Moko.
ISAIAH
(mimicking)
Moko.
(beat)
Can I ride her?
KIRRA
(trying the English word uneasily)
Ride?
Isaiah mimes riding the dinosaur.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue)
Kake.
ISAIAH
Kake.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Sie kake tau i ia.
Isaiah looks confused.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, shaking her head)
Sie.
ISAIAH
(shaking his head too)
No.
KIRRA
(trying the English word)
No.
(in awkward English)
No ride.
Isaiah keeps stroking the animal. He places his head on her side and listens to her breath and her heartbeat. He starts to hum "Amazing Grace."
The dinosaur stirs. Her head comes up, her tail twitches, and she lets out an irritated chirr. Her heart quickens under his ear. Isaiah stops, listens a moment, then shifts to something softer and slower: "All the Pretty Little Horses," the lullaby his grandmother sang.
Her breathing slows to match the tune. She settles.
Kirra listens, head tilted, watching the animal go still.
ISAIAH
Does she have a name?
Kirra looks at him inquisitively. He thinks for a moment.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
(placing his hand on his chest)
I'm Isaiah.
(beat)
Isaiah.
Isaiah gestures to Kirra, who thinks for a moment.
KIRRA
(placing her hand on her chest)
Kirra.
Isaiah gestures to her, "Kirra," then himself, "Isaiah."
Kirra nods to him and tries his name.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
Isaiah. Kirra.
Isaiah nods, then gestures to the dinosaur.
ISAIAH
Her name?
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Rere.
ISAIAH
(mimicking)
Rere.
The dinosaur seems to respond to her name. Isaiah is pleased.
Kirra looks impressed by Isaiah's understanding of the animal. She reaches into a pouch she carries, takes out a pinch of salt, and lets the dinosaur lick it off her fingers.
Isaiah watches, then points at the pouch.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
What is it?
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Tasikoa.
Isaiah offers his open hand to Kirra.
Kirra puts a small pinch of salt into his hand. To her disgust, he touches his tongue to it.
ISAIAH
Salt.
KIRRA
Salt.
Isaiah lets the dinosaur lick the salt from his hand. She seems happy.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue)
Ka ako koe i hea pese na moko?
ISAIAH
Pese?
Kirra hums a few bars of "All the Pretty Little Horses," a little off, but close.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
Song.
(mimicking)
Pese.
KIRRA
Song.
ISAIAH
My grandmother sang it to me when I was a baby.
KIRRA
Grandmother?
ISAIAH
Ah...
Kirra thinks for a moment.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Tupuna?
(noticing Isaiah doesn't understand)
Tina na tina.
ISAIAH
Io. Tina na tina. Grandmother.
Kirra nods, glad that they're understanding each other. Then she looks uneasily at the guns on his belt.
Isaiah notices her glance.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
They're not for you.
Kirra doesn't really understand, but she doesn't press.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Mai, kai.
(she mimes eating)
Kai.
Isaiah understands, and gives the dinosaur one last pat before standing.
ISAIAH
(mimicking)
Kai.
KIRRA
(awkwardly)
Eat.
ISAIAH
(inquisitively)
Kai... moko?
KIRRA
No. No eat moko.
(in the island tongue)
Sie kai kami moko. Kai kami rau.
Kirra leads Isaiah out of the enclosure. Adelaide is standing at the edge with her notebook out. She has filled several pages with sketches of the dinosaur, with height references pencilled in beside them.
ADELAIDE
(with a teasing tone)
Any observations, Mr. Ward?
ISAIAH
Just that it's time for grub.
ADELAIDE
Ah, grub. How very frontier. I don't suppose they have tea on this island, do you?
ISAIAH
Not sure. They don't eat the dinosaurs, the moko, but she said something about rau.
ADELAIDE
Rau?
Kirra nods and gestures at the jungle around them.
KIRRA
Rau.
ADELAIDE
The plants.
Kirra nods and tries the foreign word.
KIRRA
Plants.
Kirra glances from Adelaide to Isaiah, and back again.
ADELAIDE
They won't harm others, and they don't eat the animals. They're like the Jains.
ISAIAH
Jains? Some kind of Baptist?
ADELAIDE
Not quite. They're in India. They eat only fruit and plants, and they won't harm any living thing, even when they are harmed. The most devout sweep the path ahead of them so they won't tread on an insect.
ISAIAH
Seems a good way to let people walk all over you.
ADELAIDE
They believe every living thing has a soul, and that harming one binds your own soul to this world. Only by harming nothing can it go free when they die.
ISAIAH
Count me out. I'm planning on being free while I'm alive.
Kirra has gotten ahead of Adelaide and Isaiah, but she turns back to them now.
KIRRA
Free?
ISAIAH
It's... well, it's hard to describe.
Kirra looks at him inquisitively. Isaiah thinks for a moment.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
Sie...
(he grips one wrist with his other hand, then lets go)
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Sie noka.
(she nods in understanding)
They head off toward a communal dining area.
Adelaide, Isaiah, and Kirra approach a large communal dining area. People sit in groups around food laid out on a large raised platform. They're talking and generally seem good-natured.
The food is heavy on fruit, with lots of starchy yams and taro mixed in.
Cornelius sits surrounded by a group of village men. We see him gesturing broadly and drawing shapes with his fingers in the dirt.
ADELAIDE
I should probably go help Mr. Hatch with the defense planning.
Adelaide drifts away from Isaiah and Kirra toward Cornelius. When she gets there, she places a hand on his back in a friendly gesture and joins the circle.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
E rua ratou?
Isaiah doesn't understand the question, so Kirra clasps her hands together.
ISAIAH
Oh... No.
But Isaiah looks at Cornelius and Adelaide as he says it. Maybe he's not sure now.
Kirra nods, understanding, then beckons for Isaiah to join her.
KIRRA
Kai.
Isaiah examines the food, picking out a mix of fruits and starches. He and Kirra are just starting to eat when Ostap and Sawada arrive.
OSTAP (O.S.)
Cowboy!
Ostap sinks to the ground to join Isaiah and Kirra.
OSTAP (CONT'D)
(nodding to Kirra, with a flourish)
My lady! A man could cross an ocean for a face like yours.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue, sweetly, to Isaiah)
Poro ia. Reo nui, roro iti.
OSTAP
(grinning, hand on his heart)
Does that mean "I love you"?
ISAIAH
(peeved)
What do you want?
OSTAP
The same as all men: to eat, to spend the evening with a fine lady
(he looks at Kirra, who glares back)
and to earn glory in battle!
(he laughs)
Come, cowboy, have you ridden one of those dinosaurs yet?
Isaiah shakes his head.
OSTAP (CONT'D)
Well, maybe you're just running with the wrong crowd. My friend over there
(he gestures to the head of the platform, where Makoa sits)
gave Sawada and me two of their finest beasts. Amazing animals they are, too, big and strong. It will take a while to learn to ride them, but already I feel like I could survive anything.
(pausing for a second)
He would give you one if you asked.
At the name "Makoa," Kirra's eyes follow Ostap's gesture to the head of the platform.
ISAIAH
I'd prefer to find one myself. After all, they say it's as much about the horse's connection with the rider as the rider's connection to the horse.
OSTAP
You know they're not horses, right, cowboy? Even the ones Makoa's people ride would take your arm off if you gave them the chance.
ISAIAH
We'll see.
OSTAP
Indeed we will.
(pauses)
Care to wager some of your share on that?
ISAIAH
What do you have in mind?
Ostap thinks for a minute.
OSTAP
In four days' time. There is a large pen down by the swamps. Two circuits at full gallop, and halfway round, each of us snatches a cap off the ground without slowing. First across the line wins.
ISAIAH
I've watched vaqueros do that back in California. All it proves is you can pick up a hat.
OSTAP
(amused)
And what would the cowboy prove?
ISAIAH
Whether a man can work one. We each ride into Makoa's herd, pick out one beast, and drive it into the pen. Fastest man wins.
Kirra catches "Makoa" again, and Isaiah's gesture toward the beasts. Her attention sharpens: whatever this is, it's about the moko.
OSTAP
(considering, then grinning)
Your game and mine. Two contests.
ISAIAH
And if we each take one?
OSTAP
Then Makoa decides who rode better.
Isaiah thinks for a minute.
ISAIAH
Give me a week and you have a bet.
OSTAP
(excitedly)
Agreed! Now, the stakes. Two sovereigns?
Isaiah nods and offers Ostap his hand.
Ostap takes his hand and shakes it.
OSTAP (CONT'D)
(standing to leave)
Good luck, cowboy. You'll need it.
Ostap leaves. As he goes, Sawada approaches Isaiah.
SAWADA
You saved my life. So I tell you: that is a foolish bet.
ISAIAH
What makes you think that?
SAWADA
I have ridden all my life. I would not race Ostap.
ISAIAH
I've spent my life around all sorts of beasts. I know how to read one.
SAWADA
Yokohama was clever. It will not work twice.
ISAIAH
I don't plan to.
Sawada bows and departs, following Ostap.
Kirra has been sitting quietly by the whole time. She's trying to follow the conversation, but her few words of English aren't enough.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Aha ka ki ratou?
ISAIAH
(understanding her meaning, not the words)
Don't pay attention to Ostap. He's a fool looking for a fight. For a riri.
At "riri," Kirra's eyes go to Ostap and stay there a beat too long. It isn't disapproval. It's something closer to interest.
Isaiah and Kirra's next exchange isn't subtitled yet. It plays on plenty of hand gestures so the audience can follow it.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
(pointing toward the pens, then miming riding)
Rere... kake?
Kirra looks at him for a long moment, then shakes her head.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue)
Sie kake tau i ia.
ISAIAH
(shaking his head, then tapping his own chest)
Sie tau. Isaiah.
Kirra laughs despite herself, then nods.
KIRRA
Io.
Across the meal, Cornelius is still laying out his plan in the dirt for the village men. Adelaide isn't listening. She rubs a pinch of the pale, crusted earth at the edge of the old pens between her fingers, sniffs it, and touches it to her tongue. A small, private smile.
CORNELIUS
...pull the fence line back to here, and they'll have to come through the gap one at a time. Lady Adelaide?
ADELAIDE
(brushing her fingers clean, looking around)
Where's Captain Ng?
Cornelius looks up. Shui-lin is nowhere to be seen.
Shui-lin is alone again, poking around. It looks more than a little suspicious.
Tavira rounds the corner of a building and catches sight of Shui-lin.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
Aha e kimi koe?
SHUI-LIN
(struggling with the island tongue, miming)
Kimi...? Sie. Sie aha.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue)
E kimi koe tasikoa.
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue, shaking her head)
Sie.
Tavira laughs and gestures her inside.
We enter the canoe hut with Tavira and Shui-lin. The hut is large, built beneath the upturned hull of a great ocean-going canoe. It's dim at first, but Tavira puts some reeds on a smoldering fire and the room brightens. The underside of the hull is covered with painted scenes.
In the center of the room is a stack of six stones.
Shui-lin looks up and knows at once what she's looking at: the hull, the lashings, the lines of an ocean-going outrigger canoe, like the ones the Malay and Bajau sailors have raced past her all her life. She reaches up and touches an old lashing.
Shui-lin turns to Tavira and speaks slowly, putting a gesture to every word.
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue)
Koe...
(she points at Tavira)
...ka mai...
(she sweeps her arm from the open doorway, from the sea, toward the two of them)
...i nei?
(she lays her palm flat against the hull above her)
Tavira looks at her with new interest.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You are a traveler?
Shui-lin is almost surprised that she understood the question clearly.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
Our words are your words.
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
My mother's words.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
We were travelers too.
(she gestures up at the hull)
Tavira moves to the stack of stones and touches the one at the top.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
I am the sixth mother to place a stone.
(pause)
One day, another stone will go here.
Shui-lin looks at the stones. They're large and seem precariously stacked, but they stand firm when Tavira places her hands on them.
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
This is treasure?
Tavira laughs and shakes her head.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You ask for treasure. I show you our story.
Shui-lin seems to understand. She nods, but her eyes still move about the room, as if something could be hidden.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You are a mother.
Shui-lin shakes her head, but Tavira waves her off.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You are a mother to your people. To your boat. A mother keeps her children safe. She lifts them up.
(pause)
Your boat. What is it?
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
Big. Many people.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled, nodding)
Then you carry much.
Shui-lin nods.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
The other woman came to take.
(pause)
What did you come for?
Shui-lin is quiet for a moment.
SHUI-LIN
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
I am still learning.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You can take. You can go. Or you can be home.
(pause)
You choose.
Tavira gives Shui-lin a knowing look and leaves the hut.
Left alone, Shui-lin touches the top stone and thinks for a moment. Then she reaches up to the hull and follows the painted story with her fingers: people in a canoe; a storm overtaking them; landing on the island; meeting the dinosaurs; and people and beasts kneeling to each other.
It's time for the riding contest, and the whole village has turned out. The crowd is excited. Bamboo obstacles stand around the pen.
The crowd cheers as Makoa appears on a raised platform.
MAKOA
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Now we watch the contest between two of the sea-people.
(he pauses for breath)
The man of the north, Ostap Kravets!
(the English name is awkward on his tongue)
The crowd cheers, and Ostap rides into the pen on a sturdy Thescelosaurus, one of the village's own trained mounts. He rides to the center of the pen and dismounts cleanly. Along with his usual gear, he has a bone horn slung over one shoulder.
Makoa gestures for the crowd to settle.
MAKOA (CONT'D)
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
And the man of the west, Isaiah Ward!
(again, the English is rough)
The crowd gives a more muted cheer as Isaiah enters, leading Rere with a gentle hand. He isn't mounted, but she's fitted with a saddle. Like Ostap, he carries a bone horn. He leads Rere to the center of the pen and stands beside Ostap.
OSTAP
(quietly, to Isaiah)
You know this is a riding contest, cowboy?
Isaiah gives a nervous nod.
ON THE SIDELINES, Kirra joins Sawada, Elish, Shui-lin, Adelaide, and Cornelius, who stand together. Adelaide's fingertips are stained dark.
ADELAIDE
(to Kirra)
Can he ride her?
KIRRA
(struggling for the word)
Maybe.
WIDE ON THE PEN.
MAKOA
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
The sea-people have chosen two contests. But first, we must see them ride as we ride.
The crowd cheers.
CLOSE ON Isaiah and Ostap.
ISAIAH
What does that mean?
OSTAP
(laughing)
Good luck with that beast, cowboy.
Ostap gives an almost silent blow on his horn and swings up onto his mount. With his hands off its neck, he uses a mix of horn signals and heel taps to get it moving.
Isaiah sighs, looks Rere in the eye, and gives his horn a soft blow before pulling himself into the saddle. Rere shifts under him and he nearly goes over backward, but he recovers.
ON THE SIDELINES.
ELISH
What must they do?
KIRRA
(miming a blow on her horn)
Ride with pu...
(remembering the English word)
...horn. Only horn.
Sawada, who has ridden these beasts himself, gives a little laugh. He knows how hard this will be. The others are riveted.
WIDE ON THE PEN. Several villagers run out and move the bamboo obstacles, setting up two parallel courses. As they clear the pen, Makoa blows a large horn, and Ostap's mount starts toward the first obstacle.
Ostap works his heels and horn smoothly, taking his mount through each obstacle: stopping, starting, climbing, and finally a running leap, before bringing it to a halt and having it lie down.
Isaiah tries to follow on Rere, but she's uncooperative. He misses one obstacle entirely. She runs fast and leaps well, and he gets her to lie down at the end, but it's all very messy.
MAKOA
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Ostap rides like one of us. Isaiah rides like a child!
The crowd laughs. On the sidelines, Kirra doesn't. She sets her jaw.
MEDIUM SHOT: Isaiah and Ostap. Ostap is clearly thrilled. This event was a surprise to Isaiah, but Ostap knew it was coming, and he's sure now that the contest is his.
MAKOA (CONT'D)
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
The next contest comes from the lands of the west.
Village men clear away the bamboo obstacles. Then a herd of Chasmosaurus is brought in. As they're led through, two are hurriedly daubed with color: one red, one white.
MAKOA (CONT'D)
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Red.
(he gestures at Isaiah)
White.
(he gestures at Ostap)
Makoa blows his horn again, and the challenge begins.
Ostap goes at once, driving his mount into the herd to split off the white-marked beast. It's no use. The herd holds together and lets him pass straight through.
Isaiah hangs back. Rere is still unsteady, but she's starting to settle. Isaiah watches the herd closely.
ON THE SIDELINES.
SAWADA
This contest is for Isaiah.
KIRRA
(nervously, to the group)
Ride Rere slowly. Malie, malie.
BACK IN THE PEN, Ostap makes another pass at the herd and this time peels off a small group that includes his white-marked beast. If he can cut it from the rest, he wins the challenge.
He makes his move, but he misjudges it, and his group rejoins the herd.
Suddenly Isaiah circles the herd, using Rere's speed. The herd bunches tight. Then he pivots her sharply and eases forward slowly, and the herd starts to shuffle. He works his legs and the horn, now and then touching Rere with his hands. In seconds he has drawn just his red-marked beast out of the herd and brought it to a gate, where a village man is waiting for it.
The crowd cheers. Ostap looks disgusted.
ON THE SIDELINES. Kirra isn't cheering. She's watching the herd, how it shifted and flowed around Rere, and her eyes narrow as a thought takes shape.
CORNELIUS
Impressive riding. His people always did have a way with animals. It's in the blood.
ADELAIDE
Did you see how he read their movements? He learned their patterns before he made a move.
KIRRA
Io. Good eyes.
WIDE ON THE PEN. Village men drive the herd out, but the beasts are clearly agitated. Finally they're all back behind a gate.
MAKOA
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
The last challenge, from the north!
Isaiah and Ostap ride slowly once around the pen, each dropping his hat at one of the long ends. They carry on around to the far side of the pen from their hats, and stop.
ON THE SIDELINES.
KIRRA
Rere fast, fast.
SHUI-LIN
But too tall. He must lean further.
Makoa blows his horn once again.
They're off. Both mounts are quick off the line, but Rere is faster by a wide margin. Both riders pass their hats at a full run and come around for another pass.
Rere's speed means Isaiah gets the first chance. He swings his body off the side of the saddle, holds himself above the ground for a moment, then at the last second swings almost fully upside down and reaches for his hat. He grabs a handful of dirt and just misses it. He struggles to haul himself back up into the saddle.
Ostap makes his pass. His technique is similar: half off the saddle, then swinging low at the last moment. His shorter, slower mount means he doesn't have to reach as far, but this is not horseback riding. He misses too, and pulls himself back up.
Rere's speed is incredible. Isaiah laps Ostap and makes another pass at his hat before Ostap is halfway around again.
This time Isaiah gets his fingers on the hat and lifts it off the ground for a moment, but he doesn't have a proper grip, and it drops back into the dirt.
Ostap sees how close Isaiah is and knows he may get only one more try before Isaiah makes a third. He blows his horn, and his mount picks up speed, carrying him to his hat. He leans hard and snatches it off the ground, and keeps hold of it. He's got it, but he's struggling to pull himself upright.
Isaiah is coming around toward his own hat. Before he reaches it, Ostap falls from the saddle.
Ostap rolls clear, but his mount is running too fast and crashes into the side of the pen, right by a gate. The impact knocks the gate open, and one of the agitated Chasmosaurus from the cutting contest barges into the pen.
Ostap pulls on his hat and stares down the horned beast. He reaches for his horn, but it isn't at his side. It has fallen into the dirt between him and the angry animal.
The moment is tense. Ostap's hand goes to his shashka, ready to cut the beast down if it charges. The Chasmosaurus paws the ground and tosses its head, about to charge.
A horn blows. Isaiah, hatless, rides in on Rere, sounding his horn, and puts himself between the Chasmosaurus and Ostap.
Carefully, using Rere, Isaiah eases the upset beast back to the side of the pen. A village man quickly opens another gate and guides the animal through.
The crowd goes from silence to cheers.
Isaiah rides back to Ostap and dismounts.
ISAIAH
(to Ostap)
Good match.
Isaiah takes two gold sovereigns from his pocket and hands them to Ostap.
OSTAP
You should have won.
ISAIAH
I didn't manage to pick up my hat.
Ostap laughs and smiles.
OSTAP
You are a funny man, cowboy.
ON THE SIDELINES.
CORNELIUS
He could have won.
SAWADA
There is no honor in that.
ELISH
(matter-of-factly)
There are things worth more than money, Mr. Hatch.
Adelaide gives a little laugh at Cornelius' expense.
BACK IN THE PEN, Ostap tends to his mount, which seems shaken but unhurt. Makoa enters the pen and approaches Isaiah and Ostap.
MAKOA
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Today, two sea-people were tested.
The rowdy crowd quiets.
MAKOA (CONT'D)
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Ostap Kravets of the north has won!
The crowd cheers, but Makoa quickly waves them quiet.
MAKOA (CONT'D)
(shouting, in the island tongue, subtitled)
But Isaiah Ward of the west has shown great skill. Among us, he is Moko-soa!
The crowd cheers.
Makoa hands Isaiah his hat. Isaiah takes it and puts it on. Then Makoa clasps Isaiah's forearms, a kind of handshake.
ON THE SIDELINES.
ADELAIDE
What does it mean, "Moko-soa"?
KIRRA
Moko... friend.
Adelaide nods.
The crowd has taken up a chant of "Moko-soa!" and Adelaide joins in. Kirra doesn't chant but has a huge beaming smile on her face.
Elish sits alone at the edge of a swampy marsh. In front of him, brontosaurus wade into a deep pool, their bodies mostly submerged, their long necks holding their heads high above the water.
Adelaide enters and sees Elish watching the brontosaurus.
ADELAIDE
Amazing creatures, aren't they?
ELISH
They are.
ADELAIDE
Look at the way they sit in the water. It would explain some of the sea-serpent sightings that were reported.
Elish nods and keeps watching the herd.
Isaiah enters alone. He's weary and dusty from work on the barricades.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
(seeing Isaiah)
Ah, look, it's Moko-soa!
Isaiah laughs.
ELISH
Ostap has not forgiven you for saving his life.
ISAIAH
Can't see why he's sore. He'd have been fine without me.
ELISH
He would have cut the creature down, and been driven from this village.
ADELAIDE
You've seen the arms of the men who work with the dinosaurs. The scars. They won't harm the animals, even when it costs them.
ISAIAH
That's their way. The moko belong to the whole village. No one man gets to decide to harm them.
ELISH
It is the same with these creatures. See their young ones.
(he points out a small pod of young brontosaurus)
They are nurtured by the whole family.
ISAIAH
I understand why you wouldn't want to hurt one.
ELISH
(nodding)
I worry our presence here has already hurt them.
While Isaiah and Elish have been talking, Adelaide has wandered closer to the water. She's cutting willow switches and knocking on bamboo stalks, as if collecting samples. Elish's comment gets her attention.
ADELAIDE
(rejoining the conversation)
What do you mean?
Elish thinks for a moment.
ELISH
This village has been here for generations, and yet they have had no contact with the world. In ten days, we have agreed to fight the bandits they would not fight, and Isaiah has taught Kirra English—
ISAIAH
(interrupting)
She asked me to teach her.
ELISH
(nodding)
She is curious, and clever. This village kept its ways for generations. We may leave, but our ways will stay.
ADELAIDE
Is that so bad? We leave them knowledge they can use.
ELISH
Last year, Lady Adelaide, Massachusetts made my people citizens. Now our land can be sold. And we find work on ships owned by men whose fathers came from your country.
ADELAIDE
Has this not made you wealthier?
ELISH
I have more coins. That is not all of wealth.
Adelaide considers this. It isn't a new idea to her, but she comes from a world where money buys everything else worth having. As she thinks, she eyes a patch of bamboo growing nearby.
ADELAIDE
(turning to Isaiah)
What about you, Mr. Ward? Do you believe the knowledge we leave here could do harm?
Isaiah thinks for a moment.
ISAIAH
I'm more worried about what we take away than what we leave behind.
ADELAIDE
(disappointed)
Our dinosaur?
Isaiah nods.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
You've worked with these dinosaurs, Mr. Ward. They're livestock here. They belong to the whole village, and it was the village that offered us one.
ISAIAH
To take home in chains?
ADELAIDE
Mr. Kravets and yourself seem capable enough that I doubt that will be necessary.
ISAIAH
That's not what I mean, and you know it.
ADELAIDE
(defensively)
I do know, Mr. Ward. And honestly, I'm disappointed.
(lecturing)
I'm sorry for the slights inflicted on your ancestors when they were carried across the Atlantic, but Britain abolished that trade more than sixty years ago. One tame dinosaur is hardly the same.
ISAIAH
That's how it starts.
ADELAIDE
(upset)
No. I'm sorry, but even if—if—other ships make their way to this lost island and manage to strike a deal for a dinosaur, it's no different from your cattle drives.
Isaiah is quiet.
Adelaide fumes for a second, then turns to go.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
I have observations to make.
Adelaide leaves.
For a moment, Isaiah and Elish sit quietly.
ISAIAH
Do you really think it was a mistake, teaching Kirra English?
Elish considers the question.
ELISH
We are not the first ship to reach this island.
ISAIAH
The bandit who could speak Shui-lin's language?
ELISH
Yes. Ships must have come before, from that part of the world.
ISAIAH
You think Shui-lin's been here before?
ELISH
No. But others like her.
ISAIAH
You think that's why the village keeps to itself?
ELISH
I think someone may have taught the others to be bandits.
Isaiah chews over this for a moment.
ISAIAH
Well, we're in it now. Those bandits will be back in six days' time.
(teasingly)
Lots to do, you know, now that I'm Moko-soa.
ELISH
(laughing)
Yes. You are very important now.
Isaiah leaves. Elish stays, watching the brontosaurus.
The village is asleep. Isaiah dozes against the fence of Rere's pen, his hat pulled over his face, just as he slept on the deck of the Ping On.
Rere's head snaps up. She chirrs and starts to pace. Isaiah tips back his hat.
Somewhere past the half-built outer fence, a village warning horn sounds, then cuts off.
Isaiah is on his feet and running.
Moonlight. There's a gap in the unfinished fence where the last stakes haven't yet gone in. Three bandits on raptors are already through it. Villagers with torches scatter from the pens. One raptor has a young Chasmosaurus by the frill and is dragging it, bawling, toward the gap.
Makoa steps into its path. He raises his horn and blows the low, calm note that settles every beast in the village.
The raptor doesn't even turn its head.
Its rider answers with a harsh blast on a conch of his own, and the raptor drives forward. Makoa is knocked into the dirt.
Isaiah arrives, Colt drawn. He sights on the rider, but the raptor's body is between them, twisting and lunging. There's no shot at the man that doesn't go through the animal. His finger comes off the trigger.
Kirra is right behind him. She sees him lower the gun.
BOOM.
The raptor drops, dead before it hits the ground. The young Chasmosaurus stumbles free.
Cornelius stands twenty yards back, the four-bore at his shoulder, smoke curling from one barrel.
The rider scrambles out from under his dead mount and runs for the gap. At the fence he turns and blows his conch: the long, falling blare. The other two raptors wheel at once and follow him into the dark.
Isaiah watches them go, listening. A villager's torch catches them for a moment, and then they're gone.
Cornelius lowers the gun and reloads, very pleased with himself.
CORNELIUS
That's the lesson, you see. One shot, and they run.
(snapping the gun closed, to Isaiah)
Keeping those toys holstered, Mr. Ward?
ISAIAH
(holstering his Colt)
Wasn't the rider I'd have hit.
Cornelius snorts, but he looks at Isaiah a moment longer than he means to.
Makoa gets up slowly. He walks past the rescued Chasmosaurus to the dead raptor, kneels, and lays a scarred hand on its side. He says nothing.
Villagers gather at the edge of the torchlight, Tavira among them. Her face is cold as she looks at Cornelius' gun.
Kirra is looking at the gun too, but not the way Tavira is.
Adelaide arrives, a shawl over her shoulders, and takes it all in: the gap in the fence, the dark beyond it.
ADELAIDE
How many were there?
CORNELIUS
Three.
ADELAIDE
(looking into the dark)
Three tonight.
The village's fortifications are almost done. Cornelius, sweating through his shirt in the heat, is leading a team of villagers to set the last large bamboo stake into the gap the raiders came through.
Sawada stands back, surveying the work. He holds two bamboo cups.
CORNELIUS
(to the men, loudly and slowly, as if volume will carry the meaning)
No, no, together. TOGETHER. Honestly, it's like herding sheep.
(he claps his hands)
One last push. Heave...
Everyone pushes.
CORNELIUS (CONT'D)
...ho!
The giant bamboo stalk slides into place. Its top has been cut to a sharp point.
CORNELIUS (CONT'D)
(jovially)
There. Done.
Cornelius joins Sawada.
SAWADA
(offering a cup to Cornelius)
Well done, Mr. Hatch.
CORNELIUS
A firm hand and a clear order, Mr. Sawada. They're like children, but they'll work.
Sawada says nothing.
Cornelius takes a deep drink of the brown liquid in his cup, and shakes his head.
CORNELIUS (CONT'D)
I do wish we had some gin.
SAWADA
(chuckling)
A few more days, Mr. Hatch, and you go home.
Cornelius nods, looking around at the villagers.
CORNELIUS
(turning to Sawada)
And what of your home, Mr. Sawada?
SAWADA
(mournfully)
I carry shame for my master. And I owe the cowboy a life.
CORNELIUS
(thoughtfully)
I know a place where money can pay a debt and drown a shame.
SAWADA
(shaking his head)
No. I walk my path, until the cowboy frees me, or death finds me.
Cornelius sits with that for a moment, until Ostap, Isaiah, Elish, and Shui-lin arrive.
OSTAP
(eyeing the barricades)
Very impressive, Mr. Hatch.
(teasingly)
Now tell me, where will you be when the fighting starts?
Ignoring the tease, Cornelius shifts into military mode.
CORNELIUS
We'll all be behind the barricades. When they arrive, they'll be funneled in here.
(gesturing along the path)
Isaiah and I will be up there.
(he points to two bamboo towers)
We'll catch them in a crossfire and break their lines.
ISAIAH
I've got twelve shots in my pistols, Mr. Hatch. You've got two in your four-bore. What happens after we've fired them?
CORNELIUS
Hopefully, they turn and flee.
Ostap laughs.
CORNELIUS (CONT'D)
But failing that, we'll have thrown them into chaos. We reload and keep firing.
Isaiah nods. His hand rests on one of his Colts. He knows how long a cap-and-ball revolver takes to reload in a fight, but he keeps that to himself.
OSTAP
(impatiently)
When do I ride at them?
CORNELIUS
(frustrated)
Hopefully never. We stay behind the walls, and we stay safe.
OSTAP
(grinning)
How about this: when you and the cowboy have finished with your guns, Sawada and I ride out and cut these bandits down.
SAWADA
Yes. This is honorable. Not hiding.
CORNELIUS
It's an honorable way to get yourself killed.
(frustrated)
Look, the bandits have dinosaurs; we have dinosaurs. They have pointed sticks; we have eastern steel and western lead. We'll cut them to pieces, and they won't know what's coming.
ELISH
Do not be so sure, Mr. Hatch.
ISAIAH
When the bandits came, they knew your gun on sight, Mr. Hatch. And they spoke Shui-lin's language. They know more about eastern steel and western lead than you think.
Shui-lin shoots Isaiah a hard look.
CORNELIUS
(confidently)
Then they know what's coming.
Before Isaiah can protest, Adelaide and Kirra arrive.
SHUI-LIN
Good. Listen, English lady. This man gets us killed.
Adelaide takes a second to understand what Shui-lin is saying, then inspects the barricades.
ADELAIDE
This will do nicely.
Shui-lin throws up her hands in disgust.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
May I suggest a scouting party?
CORNELIUS
Excellent suggestion.
ELISH
(to Cornelius)
Do you know where they are camped?
ISAIAH
I can find it. Those moko they rode left a strong trail.
CORNELIUS
Very well, then. Isaiah will go.
OSTAP
I will join him.
Ostap looks to Isaiah, his gaze showing respect. Isaiah nods back.
ISAIAH
We'll need someone who knows their language. Kirra, you should come.
KIRRA
I stay with my people.
SHUI-LIN
I go.
For a moment Adelaide looks worried. She glances at Isaiah, but he doesn't look her way.
ISAIAH
I'll need a bigger moko to carry the two of us.
Kirra nods.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
Then it's settled. The three of us will go and see what we're dealing with. We ride at first light, and we'll be back the day after tomorrow.
A Thescelosaurus and a larger Tenontosaurus stand saddled. Ostap climbs onto the Thescelosaurus, and Isaiah onto the Tenontosaurus. Shui-lin climbs up behind Isaiah.
Once all three are mounted, they ride out past the inner barricades that have been put up inside the village, past the outer barricades, and out of the village altogether. On the outskirts the track narrows, with a sheer drop to one side and a steep mountainside to the other.
After a hard day's ride to the far side of the island, Ostap, Isaiah, and Shui-lin have left their dinosaurs to rest in a clearing in the jungle. They climb to the top of a rise and look down on the firelit bandit camp.
The camp is large: well over a hundred bandits. They sit around a number of fires, talking and drinking. Off to the sides, makeshift pens hold raptors fighting over food.
ISAIAH
There must be more than a hundred of them.
OSTAP
(gesturing to the edge of the camp)
Look.
Isaiah follows his gaze. A huge carnosaur (Allosaurus or similar) lies on the ground, clearly tied down.
OSTAP (CONT'D)
They have a monster. Mr. Hatch's barricades will not be strong enough.
The three climb back down to the clearing and their dinosaurs.
SHUI-LIN
What we do?
OSTAP
We should strike now, while we have surprise.
ISAIAH
(upset)
No.
(he takes a beat, worried)
There are enough men down there to take the village even if we gave every man, woman, and child a spear. You said it yourself: the barricades won't hold against that monster. We need a new plan. And if we get ourselves killed here, no one back at the village will know what's coming.
Ostap softens, seeming to understand.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
It's too dark to ride back now. We set a watch, see if we learn anything more, and first thing in the morning we head back to the village to warn them.
Shui-lin nods.
OSTAP
I will take the first watch.
Ostap crouches over the sleeping Isaiah and touches his shoulder.
OSTAP
(whispering)
Isaiah.
Isaiah wakes suddenly, reaching for a pistol. Ostap puts a finger to his lips, then gestures to an empty bedroll. Shui-lin is missing.
ISAIAH
(whispering)
Where is she?
OSTAP
(whispering)
She was supposed to wake you for your watch.
A rustling in the trees. Ostap and Isaiah ready their weapons.
Shui-lin emerges. She sees the weapons and startles.
ISAIAH
(whispering)
Where were you?
SHUI-LIN
(whispering)
Woman business.
ISAIAH
(relieved)
All right. We should go.
The three get their dinosaurs up, mount, and quietly ride out.
Ostap, Isaiah, and Shui-lin approach the village on their mounts. Cornelius, Sawada, and Makoa are waiting for them. Once they dismount, Makoa leads the animals away.
CORNELIUS
How does it look?
ISAIAH
Not good. Come on, I'll tell you.
Isaiah leads the way past the barricades, and the others follow him beyond a second set of barricades to the council hut.
Inside, Adelaide, Kirra, Elish, Tavira, and Huiana are waiting. Cornelius, Sawada, Isaiah, Ostap, and Shui-lin come in, with Makoa at the end.
TAVIRA
(to Isaiah, in the island tongue, subtitled)
What have you seen?
ISAIAH
(stumbling over the island tongue, subtitled)
It is many, many bad ones.
(frustrated that he doesn't have the words, he switches to English)
A hundred and fifty, and they have a monster they're bringing with them.
Ostap steps forward.
OSTAP
I have seen the same. The barricades will not stop this monster.
The group looks disheartened, all except Adelaide.
Kirra looks confused.
KIRRA
Monster?
ISAIAH
(showing the size with his hands)
Moko-nui-nui.
Kirra's eyes fill with concern.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
The village must flee if you're to survive this attack.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
No! We will not leave our home. The bandits demanded gifts, and you promised to defend us. Will you now break that promise?
Kirra goes to translate, but Isaiah stops her.
ISAIAH
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
We cannot win.
SHUI-LIN
(desperately, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Tavira, your people were travelers once. Travel again. There is room on my boat. Your village is welcome.
TAVIRA
(stubbornly, in the island tongue, subtitled)
We have placed our stones here. We will stay.
MAKOA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
When a moko charges, you do not flee. You stand, or you step aside.
(looking at the group)
If you will not stand, then we will step aside. We will not flee.
ISAIAH
(frustrated, in English)
They'll kill you all.
ADELAIDE
I have an idea.
Isaiah shoots her a scornful look. She ignores him and fishes a small wrapped bundle of leaf from her pocket.
ADELAIDE (CONT'D)
I noticed the soil in the dinosaur pens is rich in nitre. There's good charcoal to be had from the willow by the marsh, and sulphur from the vents on the mountain. And when they're mixed together...
She touches the leaf to one of the small fires in the room and waits a second for it to catch, then tosses it into the air.
BANG. The leaf explodes. It's loud and smoky, but more show than anything.
Tavira, Makoa, and Huiana are shocked. Kirra isn't, but no one really notices.
CORNELIUS
(hungrily)
Gunpowder!
ADELAIDE
Yes. And packed into lengths of bamboo, set with a fuse—
SHUI-LIN
(interrupting)
You make bomb.
ADELAIDE
(nodding)
Yes. Bombs.
OSTAP
The bandits arrive tomorrow. How many bombs can you make?
ADELAIDE
I had a feeling we might need some extra firepower, so I took the liberty of starting already. I have a few dozen ready, of different sizes.
Ostap laughs. Shui-lin's eyes narrow.
TAVIRA
(confused, in the island tongue, subtitled)
What makes this?
KIRRA
(translating, in the island tongue, subtitled)
The earth beneath the pens, the trees of the marsh, and the breath of the mountain.
TAVIRA
(furious, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Our ground has been used to make this weapon!
ADELAIDE
(to Kirra)
What is she saying?
KIRRA
(uneasily)
She is mad. Ground used for weapon.
TAVIRA
(standing, addressing the group, in the island tongue, subtitled)
You have come to us from the sea. You do not know our ways. But we will not kill. Our moko will not kill, and our earth will not be used to kill.
ADELAIDE
(frustrated)
This is a solution to your problem. Blow them up, and they will never come back.
Elish watches Adelaide, saying nothing.
ISAIAH
(to Adelaide, upset)
That's not their way. That's your way, and you didn't think about it for a second before you dug up their ground and built enough bombs to blow the whole village sky-high!
Cornelius steps to Adelaide's side.
ADELAIDE
(to Isaiah)
This is how we save them.
ISAIAH
Maybe they don't need saving. I think you're so blinded by wanting to take home a dinosaur that you can't see clearly.
KIRRA
(scolding)
Isaiah!
(turning to the elders, switching to the island tongue, subtitled)
The land has given us these gifts to protect ourselves. We should welcome them.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
No. This is for killing, and our land does not kill. Kirra, you have lost your way.
Kirra looks hurt.
TAVIRA (CONT'D)
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
You brought these outsiders to us, so that they may do harm. You speak their language. You take up their ways. Now you wish to do harm, like them.
KIRRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
I only wish to protect us.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
No. You will leave this village.
ISAIAH
(loudly, in halting island tongue, subtitled)
No. I go. I taught her my ways. The fault is mine. I go, and she stays with her family.
Tavira nods.
TAVIRA
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
Very well. Go.
Isaiah storms out of the hut.
Sawada rises, as if to follow.
CORNELIUS
Let him go. We've guns enough without him.
Sawada sits.
Adelaide watches the empty doorway, less certain than she was.
Isaiah comes out, visibly upset. Kirra is right on his heels.
ISAIAH
(to Kirra, in the island tongue, subtitled)
No. You stay with your family. I must go.
KIRRA
I go with you.
ISAIAH
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
Where I go, there is no place for you. You stay in this place.
(switching to English)
You have to convince Tavira to move the villagers. The bandits are too strong, and Adelaide's plan will get you all killed.
KIRRA
(upset, in the island tongue, subtitled)
Adelaide has a plan to save us. You want us to run.
ISAIAH
Oh, you're on her side now. You don't understand the bombs she made—
KIRRA
We make.
Isaiah looks confused for a moment.
KIRRA (CONT'D)
I make with Adelaide. We save village.
ISAIAH
You'll blow everything to hell. There won't be a village left to save.
KIRRA
Village is people. People saved.
ISAIAH
(defeated)
At what cost?
Kirra looks at him mournfully.
ISAIAH (CONT'D)
I must go.
(in the island tongue, subtitled)
If you walk this path, you must stay, and lead Tavira.
Kirra nods.
Isaiah turns to go. He slips past the barricades and into the jungle.
Kirra watches him go.
~ ~ ~