Transcript for “Creatures of the Dark” Episode 1x11 Originally Aired: 11/27/99 Writer: Gilbert Shilton Director: Colin Budds Transcribed by Carol Murdock for TWIZ TV.com [Scene: Veronica, Marguerite, Malone and Challenger are walking in the jungle.] Marguerite: I’m done. Malone: I think we’ve tracked this stream as far as it goes. Challenger: One of these will lead to a larger river. Marguerite: And a way off the plateau; but not this one and not the three before. [Veronica puts her hand over Marguerites mouth. They hear mumbles voices in the distance.] Veronica: Shh Marguerite: Oh what now? [They come across a post with skull bones on them] Marguerite: Charming anyone you know? Veronica: Vantus Challenger: Headhunters I thought we’d left their territory. Marguerite: Perhaps they’re extending their real estate holdings. Veronica: Get down. Vantus too many of them. Malone: I think we should be somewhere else. Challenger: Right [Scene: The Treehouse – Roxton is making bullets. Summerlee is painting.] Roxton: Careful Roxton - soup of the day hot lead. [He pours lead in the mold] There we go. Well these should see us through another few weeks [He walks over to Summerlee admiring his paintings] You should have been an artist Summerlee. Summerlee: For one brief glorious moment I was. Roxton: Really what happened? Summerlee: Parents, friends - I allowed them to convince me that I wasn’t brave enough for the adventure. An artist’s life was filled with dangers and insecurities - science was safe. Roxton: And here we are. [Scene: The jungle - The four are trying to find a place to avoid the Vantu. They duck into a cave.] Veronica: This way. Malone: They’re right behind us. Veronica: Stay here. [Veronica runs back outside] Marguerite: What is this place? Malone: This looks like it used to be a mine. Challenger: Spanish from the looks of those support work; probably conquistadors looking for gold. Marguerite: Gold? Challenger: It must be three, four hundred years old. Marguerite: I need more light. [They look at the veins running through the cave walls] Malone: This looks like. Challenger: It is - it’s incredible. Malone: All of it. Marguerite: The mother lode – gold. [Veronica watches the Vantu pass by along the trail unaware. She goes back inside.] Veronica: All clear. Challenger: Let’s get out of here. [Veronica is outside the cave - the others are still inside. The ground begins to shake.] Malone: What the hell’s happening? Challenger: Run! Earthquake! [The cave entrance is blocked by rubble. Marguerite, Challenger and Malone are trapped. Veronica stands outside the entrance.] Veronica: Malone, Challenger……can you hear me? Marguerite! Hello? Are you alright? **** Begin Intro**** At the dawn of the century A band of adventures set out to prove the impossible The existence of a prehistoric world The Visionary The Heiress The Hunter The Scientist and The Reporter All chasing the story of a lifetime Stranded in a savage land Befriended by an untamed beauty Together they fight to survive In this amazing world of lost civilizations and terrifying creatures Always searching for a way home A way out of……the Lost World ****End Intro**** [Scene: The cave - Challenger lights a torch.] Challenger: Are you alright? Malone: Where’s Marguerite? [Marguerite is not far, lying on the ground, with a beam lying over her arm.] Marguerite: Somebody get this off me to. Challenger: Are you in one piece? Marguerite: Just barely, what happened? Challenger: Earthquake. Marguerite: Let me guess we’re trapped. How much air? Challenger: From the looks and the size of our prison. I’d say six or seven hours and that’s without the torch. Malone: Great Challenger: Maybe five with the torch. [Challenger puts out the torch leaving them in total darkness.] Marguerite: Challenger? Challenger: It has to be unanimous. Malone: I never did like the dark very much. [Challenger relights the torch.] [Scene: Veronica is to sprinting back to the treehouse for help. She is ambushed by Vantu, she tussles with them then speeds on her way. Some of the Vantu give chase. Roxton hears Veronica shouting and steps to the balcony. He shoots the Vantu following her. Veronica fights off two others. Roxton takes aim and hits the spear of another Vantu who promptly runs off.] Summerlee: Hitting that spearheaded was the finest example of marksmanship and I have ever witnessed. Roxton: I was aiming right between his eyes. Veronica: We’ve got trouble. [Scene: The cave - Marguerite and Malone are removing some of the rubble from the entrance.] Malone: I hate rocks. Challenger: It’s no good we should stop. Marguerite: What do you mean stop? Challenger: It’s the least a thousand cubic yards of rock and dirt between us and the entrance. Marguerite: So? Challenger: We can’t move it all. Marguerite: We can damn well try. Challenger: Marguerite the harder you work the more oxygen we use. Marguerite: You can do what you want. Challenger: Veronica will bring the others. Marguerite: If she’s not crushed by ten ton of rock; if the Vantu’s don’t get her. [Malone is watching the two and starts to chuckle.] Marguerite: You find this amusing? Malone1: Sorry Marguerite: No I’d like to find out what’s so humorous about suffocating in the dark. Malone: Gladys Marguerite: I beg your pardon. Malone: The reason I’m here, my publishers daughter. I asked her to marry me and she said I wasn’t a big enough adventurer for her. Her man would have to blaze trails, leave a mark. The only mark I’m going to leave is a pile of bones in this god forsaken tomb. [They all three start to laugh.] Marguerite: Nobody’s dying in here Malone. Now get off your ass and help me with this. Malone: He’s right Marguerite - Challengers right. Marguerite: Not by me he isn’t. Challenger: Then you will work harder and die sooner - we all will. Rest…rest. [An aftershock hits.] [Scene: The treehouse - supplies are being readied.] Veronica: Is something wrong? Summerlee: No I’m fine. I just think it would be better if I stayed here. Veronica: At the treehouse? Roxton: Alone, waiting for the Vantu’s too return? Summerlee: Logically I’d just slow you down. Roxton: Logically you’d be lunch Professor - grab your pack. Summerlee: I think not. Veronica: Professor please. Summerlee: Please don’t ask me again Veronica; I’m not brave enough to decline twice. Roxton: I’m asking you; we’re all in this together Summerlee. [Scene: The cave – Challenger mumbles.] Marguerite: Did you say something? Challenger: I’m sorry. Marguerite: Really? Sorry that we’re all gonna die in here, or sorry that you lost your chance of glory? Malone: That’s enough. Challenger: No she’s right. It was my vanity that brought us here. My quest for a scientific triumph that’s killed us. Marguerite: It’s a little late for Mea Culpa Challenger…Challenger…Challenger? [Challenger is unconscious, another aftershock hits.] [Scene: The trail to the cave. Summerlee is out of breath.] Veronica: Let’s stop here. Summerlee: No Veronica: We’re losing light. Summerlee: We’ve got to continue. [Summerlee steps in the imprint of a dinosaur hoof] Summerlee: Good lord look! Roxton: Well we don’t want to run into this fellow in the dark; we’ll make camp continue at dawn. Summerlee: They mustn’t die because of me. Roxton: Don’t flatter yourself Summerlee, stumbling through the jungle at night is an easy way to get killed. Veronica: And we won’t be saving anyone if we’re dead. Roxton: First thing we need to do is build a fire. [Scene: Nighttime - Summerlee is collection fire wood.] Veronica: No not that, it will smoke too much. We don’t want to advertise our location. Summerlee: Of course. Veronica: Let’s get back to the fire. [Scene: Veronica and Summerlee are sleeping Roxton is keeping watch - he nods off.] Veronica: Roxton Roxton: I fell asleep. Veronica: That’s okay - it’s good to know you’re human after all. I’ll keep watch. Roxton: Two hours no more. [Scene: The cave – Marguerite crawls to where Malone is resting. She puts her hand over his.] Malone: Still here. Marguerite: I’m not sorry for anything. [Marguerite falls unconscious. Malone closes his eyes. A cave wall opens up and cave dwellers in robes step through. Malone opens his eyes.] Malone: God? [Malone falls unconscious and the cave dwellers watch them.] [Fade Out] [Scene: Inside the cave - Challenger regains consciousness. Through his blurred vision he sees the cave dwellers surrounding him. A hears singing - a Gregorian chant. Marguerite awakens - she is lying beside a bolder of gold. She touches it.] Marguerite: Heaven Challenger: I’m not so sure. Marguerite: Challenger [Malone awakens] Challenger: Take it easy lad. Marguerite: Slowly - breathe slowly. Malone: Oh my god. [A woman in robes steps forward. She has silver hair and her eyes are crystal blue.] Garza: Trespassers Challenger: There was an earthquake we were trapped – dying. Garza: How many more wait on the outside? Malone: Our friends will come to look for us if that’s what you’re talking about. Marguerite: We mean you no harm. Challenger: In fact we thank you, all of you, for saving their lives. Garza: Your lives are not yet your own. Marguerite: It’s gonna be one of those days. Challenger: Surely madam there’s been some misunderstanding. Garza: No our history is quite clear. You are outsiders and outsiders bring death. [Scene: Daytime the jungle – Summerlee and Veronica are sleeping. Veronica slowly reaches for her knife as she hears something approach. Roxton stills her hand.] Roxton: We’ve got company. Veronica: Vantu? Roxton: Not that lucky. [Veronica takes a sniff in the air] Veronica: Raptors Roxton: Two maybe three. [Veronica awakens Summerlee. Roxton is looking around the perimeter. A raptor jumps from the bush. Roxton fires and kills it.] Summerlee: Talk about your rude awakening. [Another Raptor approaches. Roxton pulls the trigger on his rifle but he is out of bullets. Veronica steps forward and throws her knife hitting the raptor in the throat. Roxton pulls out his pistol and fires a few shots killing it.] Roxton: So far so good. Summerlee: Yes, but let’s not tempt providence shall we. Veronica: Time to move. [Scene: The cave - Malone and Marguerite are locked up in a cell.] Malone: This is incredible. These people living underground for over three hundred years. Marguerite: The fortune in gold and silver all around them. Malone: They don’t seem to care about that. Marguerite: No accounting for taste. I wonder what would take to mine all this. Malone: Getting out of here alive. Marguerite: Point taken - let’s just hope Challenger’s a smooth talker. [Scene: The cave - Challenger is with Garza in a chamber.] Challenger: How can I convince you that we’re not a threat? Garza: That’s what they said at first. Challenger: They? Garza: The conquistadores - this is what they were after. Challenger: Gold and silver. Garza: Blood - the blood of my ancestors. The invaders made us slaves of their greed; forced my people to dig these mines. Challenger: And used the profits to finance their expedition. Garza: But the earth would not be robbed and the rock does not forget. It struck back. Challenger: How? Garza: With sickness and death. Their bodies became covered in blisters; twisting in fevered agony. Challenger: Smallpox Garza: Some of my people manage to escape deep within these caves. Soon all the rest were dead. Challenger: And you’ve lived underground ever since? Garza: This is the way we stay safe. No one ever leaves. [Scene: The cell - Marguerite is pacing, Malone is writing in his journal] Malone: You’re making it hard to concentrate. Marguerite: The possibility of an imminent death always makes me restless. What the hell is keeping Challenger? [A robed man approaches with food and drink] Marguerite: Well it’s about time. Man: Please keep your distance. Marguerite: I beg your pardon? Man: You’re outsiders you carry disease. Marguerite: Flattery will get you nowhere. What have we here? There’s nothing like a lovely Margot, rich full bouquet. Man: It’s only water. Marguerite: Then why is it red? Take a look. [The man approaches the cup warily. When he gets close enough Marguerite kicks him in the face.] Marguerite: Grab his sword. Malone: Well done. [They pick the man up.] Marguerite: Now - our friend’s going to show us the way out of here. [Scene: The chamber.] Challenger: In all the year’s - why has no one here wanted to explore beyond the caves? Garza: Our bodies have adapted to this environment. The healing springs sustains us. Without it we would wither and die; blinded by the harsh glare of your world. Challenger: Garza - my world is not so harsh as you imagine. My friends and I have no interest in your precious metals. Your secret will be our secret. You have saved our lives once - you can do it again. [Marguerite and Malone enter with the hostage.] Garza: What is this? Marguerite: Come on Challenger we’re getting out of here. Challenger: You damn fools. Malone: We thought you’d be glad to see us. Garza: Where do you think you’re going? Marguerite: As far away from here as possible. Garza: The rock knows your treachery it will not allow you to escape. Marguerite: Whatever you say. Now! [The three make their escape.] Garza: The rock knows. [Scene: The trail to the cave – Summerlee is out of breath.] Roxton: We’ll stop here. I’ll scout ahead. Veronica: I’ll stay here with him. Summerlee: I did suggest I’d might be a burden. [Roxton hears a grunt from Veronica and turns back. He sees Veronica and Summerlee lying unconscious on the ground. He checks for a pulse on Veronica and is hit from behind by a Vantu.] [Fade Out] [Scene: The tunnels of the cave.] Malone: We only have a few minutes of light left. Challenger: I could’ve sworn we’ve been this way before. Marguerite: Nobody ever listens to me. Take the left tunnel I said, but no what did you two do. Malone: Okay okay you were right are you happy now? Challenger: It looks like it’s time for another decision. Malone: Apparently you’re the expert. Marguerite: The right one. [They start to take the tunnel to the right but are ambushed by the cave dwellers.] Man: Don’t bother to run there is no escape. Marguerite: You certainly picked a fine time to start listening to me. [They are taken to Garza.] Garza: The rock has returned you to us. Challenger: Garza please listen we have no designs on your riches. Garza: Your fate is not up to me. Malone: Who then? Garza: One much wiser than I - The Oracle. Marguerite: The Oracle - that’s a person? Garza: The shining light of truth and wisdom. [She points to a bald blind boy sitting on a throne] He will determine your fate. [Scene: The trail - Roxton, Veronica and Summerlee are being led by the Vantu] Summerlee: Cannibals hey; my one consolation is that these tough old bones will probably give them indigestion. Roxton: We’re not cooked yet Professor. Veronica: Have you got any bright ideas; now’s the time to share them. [The Vantu motion the three to take a rest.] Summerlee: Well at least they didn’t kill us outright. Roxton: Carry us on their backs all the way home; they might be wild Professor but they’re not stupid. Summerlee: What does it matter, they must all be dead by now. [The Vantu are fascinated by Summerlee’s pipe.] Roxton: That’s right Professor show them how the pipe works. [The Vantu watch as Summerlee puts the tobacco in the pipe and lights it. A Vantu takes it from him and drops it because it’s hot. He picks it back up and motions for Summerlee to light it back up.] Summerlee: I’m terribly sorry but I’m afraid I’m out of tobacco. Veronica: I’m not. [Veronica takes a pouch out of her knapsack.] Summerlee: But that’s… Veronica: Gunpowder [She puts the gunpowder in the pipe. A Vantu starts to pack it in] Roxton: There you go my friend. You pack as much in there as you can. [Scene: The cave throne chamber - Garza points to Challenger.] Garza: Approach the throne and kneel. [Challenger approaches the blind boy who puts his hands under his chin.] Garza: Will you tell world about us? Sell our survival for the gold and precious stones embedded in these cave walls? Challenger: No on my word I will not. Oracle: He speaks the truth. He will not betray us. Garza: You will answer the same question. [Malone approaches The Oracle.] Malone: I will not betray your people. Oracle: This one is noble a better man then he knows he is; he speaks the truth. Garza: Answer the question woman. [Marguerite approaches The Oracle.] Marguerite: Two down one to go. [As Marguerite kneels Garza forces her head forward. The Oracle touches her hair then her chin.] Marguerite: I will not betray you. [The Oracle releases her as if he was burned by touching her.] Oracle: This one. Marguerite: What’s the matter? Oracle: This one lies. She will betray us. Marguerite: Why you little pipsqueak. Garza: Silence - The Oracle has spoken you must all die. [Scene: The trail - The Vantu are packing gunpowder into the pipe] Veronica: Yes that’s it. Roxton: More - you need more. [Roxton pours more into the pipe. He gives the pouch back to Veronica. Summerlee hands Roxton a box of matches.] Summerlee: Roxton Roxton: Thank you Summerlee. [Roxton lights a match to show them how. He gives the box to the Vantu.] Roxton: Good enjoy the flavor. [The three step away from the Vantu and watch them light the pipe. The pipe explodes and a fight starts. The Vantu run off into the jungle; Roxton starts to pursue but is stopped by Summerlee.] Summerlee: Let him go! Roxton: If he gets back to his village he’ll will be back with reinforcements. Veronica: There’s no time. If the others aren’t dead yet, they soon will be [Scene: The cell] Marguerite: Who are you going to believe me or that twelve year old troll? [Silence] Thanks for nothing. Challenger: Do you hear that? Listen Marguerite: Excuse me we have just been sentenced to death. Challenger: Did you feel that? Marguerite: No [the cave shakes] That one I felt. Malone: Another earthquake? [Challenger puts his hands along the cave walls] Have you lost your mind? Challenger: I hope so. Marguerite: What the hell are you doing? Challenger: Feel that. Malone: Warm Challenger: And that. Malone: Hot Marguerite: Am I missing something. Challenger: Live volcano. Malone: You can’t be serious. Challenger: I’m afraid so and we’re sitting right on top of it. [The cave dwellers come for the prisoners.] Man: It is time Challenger: Wait I must talk to Garza. Man: You will; she is your executioner. [Scene: The cave throne chamber] Garza: Men say strange things when they are faced with death. Challenger: It’s just not my life or the lives of my friends. Your whole world is in danger. Let me talk to The Oracle and if he is truly as wise as you say than he will confirm my warning. [Silence] Time is running out for all of us. Garza: You’ve heard his claims Oracle. Oracle: How much time before this happens? Challenger: I don’t know hours minutes I can’t be certain. Oracle: Never? Challenger: It’s possible, but remote. Oracle: Approach and kneel. [Challenger kneels before The Oracle; the boy puts his hand under Challenger’s chin then quickly screams releasing him.] Garza: What is it? Oracle: He lies. Challenger: No Oracle: He wants to destroy us all. Challenger: I’m telling the truth. Garza: The execution will take place as planned. [Challenger is led away] Challenger: Why are you doing this? You know it’s true; I am not lying; this is death for all of us [Fade Out] [Scene: Outside the entrance to the cave.] Roxton: That’s it - my last charge. Summerlee: I believe I’m just about done here as well. Veronica: Just enough left for the fuse line. Roxton: Let’s do it. [Roxton is making a trail of gunpowder leading from the entrance.] Summerlee: I assume you know what you’re doing? Roxton: My father once had a saying Professor - never assume anything. Summerlee: You mean you never? Roxton: Blown up a hillside; first time for everything. Summerlee: But my dear boy the whole hillside could collapse; we could be killing them. Roxton: Let’s hope there’s still something to be worried about. [Scene: The cave dwellers are chanting. Malone, Challenger and Marguerite are being led to where they will be executed. They walk by a stream] Challenger: Look even the stream is heating up; it’s boiling. I’m right - I know I am. [They stop before Garza who has a plate of mushrooms in front of her.] Challenger: Garza you don’t have to do this. Garza: The poison mushrooms are quick there will be no pain. Marguerite: How comforting. Malone: You’re murdering us on the word of a child. Garza: He is The Oracle. Challenger: He is a boy. Now look at me. Do you believe I lied to you? Garza: Take the mushrooms. Challenger: Feel the walls around us; the steam rising; fish dying. All the signs are here. Garza: Why would The Oracle lie to us? Malone: Maybe he’s afraid. Challenger: Yes of course. If you left these caves you wouldn’t be The Oracle any longer; just a blind child in a world of light. Garza: Is this true? Oracle is this true? [The cave shakes] [Scene: Outside the cave] Veronica: Another earthquake. Summerlee: Maybe it will shake some of the rocks lose. Roxton: With our luck I don’t think so. Find some cover. Let’s hope this works. [Roxton lights the fuse. Vantus attack - a fight ensues. The fuse goes out.] Veronica: Professor the fuse! [Summerlee takes aim with his pistol at the trail of gunpowder; he shoots and causes it to ignite. The entrance explodes.] [Scene: Inside the cave - The cave dwellers scatter after the explosion; it’s chaos.] Challenger: We must get everyone out of here now. Garza: The entrance is blocked by the cave in there is no way out. Malone: Maybe we can dig through it. Marguerite: There’s no time. Challenger: It’s our only chance; gather your people together. Garza: No - The Oracle was right; we’d never survive in the outside. Challenger: Well you’re certainly not going to survive here. Marguerite: Their lives Challenger - their choice. Not mine however, now show us the way out of here. Garza: This way. [Scene: Outside the cave] Roxton: Well I guess we did it - for better or for worse. [Scene: Inside the cave.] Marguerite: Daylight Malone: Come on. Challenger: Garza come with us. Garza: The rock will protect us. Malone: Challenger hurry up. [Scene: Outside the cave – The three make their way our] Marguerite: Any chance of a hand over here? Roxton: I should have known it would take more than a few rocks to kill you off. Marguerite: Bite your tongue. Malone: It’s the volcano it’s gonna blow. Challenger: Quickly everyone. [Everyone runs from the volcano. The entrance is sealed off by boulders. The group stop once they get to a clearing] Challenger: My god you did it. Summerlee: Did What? Challenger: The explosions redirected the lava flow away from the entrance to the cave. They’re safe; Garza - they’re all safe. [Scene: Inside the cave - The cave dwellers begin to chant.] [Epilogue] [Scene: Nighttime the treehouse.] Challenger: And that’s when you and the dynamite came in. Summerlee: You know Challenger oxygen deprivation can do strange things to the brain. Challenger: I beg your pardon? Summerlee: Impair your faculties induce all sorts of hallucinations. Challenger: Are you suggesting I dreamt it? Marguerite: That we all dreamt it. Summerlee: Listen to how it sounds; an underground culture of the cave dwellers singing Gregorian chants. Walls streaked with silver and gold; a blind boy who can read minds. I mean really. Veronica: You were trapped for a long time. Roxton: That’s right - completely isolated from everyone and everything. Marguerite: Know what Challenger, come to think of it, they may be right. Malone: I guess it does sound pretty unbelievable. Challenger: Very well then a dream it is. [Scene: The full moon has a reflection of The Oracle in it; he is chanting] [End of episode]