Part 69 (1/2)

CALISTADerek, listen to me...please. Right now, on the other side ofthat door they're deciding your fate.

FLINTWho is the Chairman of the Board?

CALISTA.

(desperate)Please, listen! I'm only an agent. The Gunsmiths will stop atnothing to get the black diamond. I'm telling you the truth.

FLINTWhy, Miss Griffen, without your gla.s.ses and gas maskyou're...you're... (beat)...underwhelming.

CALISTAYou fool, can't you see I'm trying to help you!

FLINTI'm trying to be gallant, but frankly, Calista, you help theway Torquemada helped at the Spanish Inquisition.

CALISTA(dead serious)But...I've come to care for you.

FLINT(looks to heaven)Forgive her, she didn't mean that.

At that moment, the door opens and the two Blacksuits come in, dragFlint out of the chair and pull him into the next room.

CUT TO:.

49 INT. THE COURTROOM.

Where a Tribunal has been set up. The 1st Vice President is thejudge, and in a tiny jury box there are a group of Blacksuits.Barmeier stands near the judge's bench as Calista comes through thedoorway. Ist V.P. places black cloth on his head in the manner of English courts. The VOICE of the CHAIRMAN erupts from a speaker grille on the wall.

CHAIRMAN.

Mr. Flint, this organization has spent thirteen hours trying

to get you to cooperate. Time-motion studies and psychological

a.n.a.lyses indicate we've wasted our time. The Gunsmiths operate

on a simple profit-and-loss basis. At this point you cost more

than you're worth. Mr. 1st Vice-President, have you reached a

decision?

1st V.P.(gleeful)We have, Mr. Chairman.

(beat)Liquidation of the property.

CHAIRMANCarry out the sentence.

Two Blacksuits come to Flint. One throws a hemp rope over a beam inthe tribunal hall, the other lifts Flint onto a short footstool.They string the rope around his neck and pull it tight.

1st V.P.I think Miss Griffen should have the pleasure.

Calista registers horror.

CALISTAI wasn't hired to- CHAIRMANMiss Griffen! Your employment can be terminated at ourdiscretion.

Calista's shoulders sag. She walks to Flint slowly. She reaches him,raises up on toes and CAMERA COMES IN SMOOTHLY TO EXTREME CLOSEUP ofher face near his ear, as she pretends to kiss him. She speaks loudenough to carry to 1st V.P.

CALISTAOne last kiss for the road, Derek, dear?

(then, whispers)Here...this will make it easier...no pain...

And she breaks an ampoule of pink mist under his nose, her bodys.h.i.+elding her actions from the rest of the room. Then she kisses.h.i.+m, long and lingering.

CAMERA PULLS BACK. Flint shakes his head very slightly, as if tryingto clear his senses.

1st V.P.(screams)Hang him!

Calista kicks out the footstool as CAMERA WHIPS UP AND AROUND ANDTILTS DOWN to show us Flint's legs hanging above the floor as theeerie, mechanical voice of the Chairman booms out and reverberatesover and over- CHAIRMANFlint is deaddddddddd...!

FADE TO BLACKandFADE OUT.

END ACT ONE.

ACT TWO.