Transcript for “Tribute” Episode 1x12 Originally Aired: 01/15/00 Writer: Michael Teversham Director: Colin Budds Transcribed by Carol Murdock for TWIZ TV.com Feedback: murdockcarol@twiztv.com [Scene: The trail] Roxton: How much farther do you intend to take this? Challenger: Another day maybe two. Roxton: Well we’re running low on ammo and patience. Challenger: I’m certain we’ll find them. Veronica: No offence Professor but that’s what you said three days ago. Challenger: This scrimshaw we found in the belly of the raptor is carved out of whale bone. It stands to reason there’s gotta be seagoing people near by. Roxton: In theory. [The three discover the inland sea] Challenger: I knew we’d find an ocean. Roxton: Well congratulations Challenger. Now where are your sailors? Challenger: Oh we’ll find them and when we do we’ll find a water route off the plateau. [Tarya comes running down the beach screaming. Two Hikari henchmen on horseback are chasing her. She falls down and Roxton springs into action. He grabs one of the Hikari pulling him to the ground while Challenger goes to the girl.] Challenger: Are you injured? Tarya: You must stop him. [Roxton is fighting one Hikari and the other comes up behind him with a sword. Veronica hits the Hikari from behind with a piece of wood. Roxton kills one the Hikari. Tarya runs to the dead man screaming.] Tarya: He can’t be dead he can’t be. Roxton: It’s over your safe now. Tarya: What have you done my God what have I done? **** 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**** Tarya: You killed him. Roxton: He didn’t give me much choice. Tarya: This is all my fault. Challenger: I may have missed something but it didn’t look that way to me. Veronica: Those men were hunting you. Tarya: Because I ran. Veronica: What else could you have done? Tarya: I could’ve died. Challenger: That’s an interesting alternative. Tarya: Don’t you understand I was the chosen one; the Hikari will seek retribution. I must go back and warn my people. Roxton: Didn’t I just save her life? Challenger: Did you see that necklace? The shells - I think we found the source of our scrimshaw and our way of the plateau. [Scene: Outside the treehouse - Summerlee and Malone are hard at work.] Malone: Weren’t we all supposed to be digging this irrigation channel? Summerlee:: I really wonder what’s keeping Marguerite. Malone: What’s always keeping Marguerite away when there’s manual labor to be done? Marguerite: In this case Mr. Malone it’s prudence. Malone: I’m waiting. Marguerite: It’s just simple logic one of us should always remain fresh - in case of an emergency. Malone: Gardening can be treacherous. Marguerite: So glad you understand. [A buzzing sound interrupts the men’s work.] Malone: Did you hear that? Summerlee: Bees oh not again. Marguerite: Whatever it is it’s getting closer. Malone: Back to the treehouse now. [Summerlee points to a plane in the air.] Summerlee: Look we’re saved. Malone: Here we’re down here. Summerlee: Come on this could be our salvation. Malone: Our salvation’s gonna crash. [Scene: The Tinta village – Kayla kneels before three Hikari on horseback.] Hikari Leader: You have defied the sacred covenant; broken the ancient pact. Kayla: But you said the attack was by strangers. Hikari Leader: She ran; as leader of the Tintas you know what must be done. Kayla: Is there no other way. Hikari Leader: So it is written; so it must be. Kayla: I understand. Hikari Leader: We will return when the tide is high. I expect our covenant to be honored. [Three Tinta men are tied to a pole in the lake. Challenger, Roxton and Tarya enter the village.] Roxton: What’s happening? Tarya: Were too late. Wait……wait please. [Tarya rushes to Kayla who promptly smacks Tarya across the face.] Kayla: You have betrayed your people and spit on the honor of the village. Tarya: I can explain. Kayla: Explain to them. Explain your cowardice to their wives and children. Challenger: Excuse me, there was a misunderstanding. Whatever happened was our fault not hers. Roxton: We had no choice. Kayla: There is always a choice. Veronica: She was being hunted like an animal. Challenger: There must be something we can do to help. Kayla: You have brought shame, disgrace and death to our people. I think you have done enough. Tarya: Mother please. Kayla: I have no daughter. [Kayla storms off] [Scene: The plane.] Marguerite: So much for staying fresh. Summerlee: Hallelujah Malone: Unbelievable Summerlee: It seems to be all in one piece. Malone: It’s German - could be an Albatross D-1-A: 160 horsepower; 17,000 foot ceiling; capable of 120 miles per hour. Marguerite: And I thought you were a reporter. Malone: I covered the war. I’ve even been up in a few of these. Summerlee: What’s a German aircraft doing up here? Malone: Crashed remember. Summerlee: No…no…no I mean what’s it doing on the plateau? Malone: Well, there were always rumors about a secret German base in the Azores; must have gotten lost. Marguerite: Malone the war’s been over for months. Summerlee: This plane didn’t land itself; where’s the pilot? Marguerite: Who cares; just tell me if this heap can still fly. Malone: Well I used to tinker with a few Model-T’s at my uncles garage. Marguerite: So what are you waiting for? How hard can it be? An engine’s an engine. [The pilot is watching them from the bushes with a gun.] [Scene: The Tinta village – Kayla’s hut. Challenger is showing Kayla the scrimshaw] Kayla: You found it where? Challenger: In the belly of a beast. Kayla: It was my husband’s; he went hunting six weeks ago. I never gave up hope until now. Challenger: I am sorry. Kayla: Today I lost a husband and a daughter. Thank you for returning this. I think it would be best if you left our village. Challenger: One question first if I may? My companions and I are not from this place. Kayla: I could tell. Challenger: We have been searching for way home for many months. We hoped that one of your ships may have discovered an ocean route between our worlds. Kayla: Our ocean is a lake bounded on all sides by our trading partners. There is no other world. Challenger: I see, these men they’ve done nothing. Kayla: But they will be remembered for giving everything. Challenger: Including their lives. Kayla: The Tinta’s are surrounded by a dozen powerful tribes. We are traders and sailors not warriors. The Hikari protect us. Challenger: You pay for your trading routes with the lives of your people. Kayla: Better one than a hundred. Challenger: Tarya is your daughter, how can you give her life so easily? Kayla: As the leader, all the Tintas are my children. Do not ever think that what I do is easy. [Scene: The plane] Malone: Henry Ford did not build this plane. Marguerite: Spare me the history lesson. Can you fix it? Malone: Well the instrument panel’s shot, it’s got a ruptured fuel line and the valves probably clatter like hell. Marguerite: Will it fly? Malone: Have I mentioned the starter is kaput. Summerlee: Look what I found, not exactly a full mechanics kit. Marguerite: Malone I need an answer. Malone: Maybe Marguerite: It’s not an answer. [The pilot approaches with a gun] Dieter: Im namen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - nehme ich sie hiermit gefangen. [Loose Translation - In the name of the Federal Republic of Germany - I take you herewith captives.] [Dieter faints face down on the ground] Malone: What the hell’s was that all about? [Marguerite walks over to the unconscious pilot and removes the clip from his gun] Marguerite: I believe he said we were his prisoners. [Scene: The Tinta village] Cassius: It’s not your fault. Tarya: Isn’t it? Cassius: Our ancestors made this deal with the Hikari long before we were born. Tarya: We swore an oath. Cassius: We were children. We can run away. Tarya: Where Cassius - tell me where will I be able to hide from myself? [Three Hikari men enter the village. The lake is up to the chins of the Tinta men tied to the post] Roxton: This is insane. Veronica: The Tinta’s don’t think so. Cassius: Who says we don’t. [The Hikari men stand on the beach ready to witness the Tinta men dying] Roxton: Dammit……excuse me! [Roxton punches on of the Hikari and jumps on a horse and gallops to the men who are about to drown in the lake. Roxton cuts them loose. The Tinta cheer that the men are spared. Kayla approaches Roxton] Kayla: You…you’ve just destroyed us all. [Fade Out] [Scene: The Tinta village – Kayla’s hut.] Tarya: Mother where are you going? Look at me - I am your daughter. Kayla: I have no daughter. Tarya: Don’t I’m here - I live. If you wish me dead then kill me now. Kayla: I do not wish you dead. I go to the Hikari to beg for forgiveness. Tarya: For what? Telling them that you’ll no longer allow them to kill your children? Mother the people are ready for a change. If only you would lead them. Kayla: Where - to their deaths? They’re all fools they don’t remember the stories before the covenant the raids, the murders, the wars. Tarya: They’re not forgotten. We’re different people now. Kayla: No we’re the same. It’s you who are different. Tarya: We need you - I need you. [Scene: The treehouse - The men are carrying Dieter to a cot.] Summerlee: Check his legs. Good. He seems to have lost a lot of blood. Marguerite: It’s just a scratch. Malone: I guess we should stay. Marguerite: No……no go fix the plane [Marguerite looks at his papers] Dieter and I will get to know each other. Wanna go home are not? Summerlee: He thinks we’re still at war. If he recovers consciousness he could be dangerous. Marguerite: I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you……the plane gentlemen. [Scene: The Tinta village] Veronica: How are you? Tarya: Never better. Veronica: What is this? [Tarya is looking at a tablet placed in the ground with symbols written on it] Tarya: The pact my ancestors made with the Hikari. We give them virgins to sacrifice to their gods. They let us trade; a simple business transaction. Veronica: Only it’s not so simple. Tarya: As children we used to play Tinta and Hikari. Everyone always wanted to be Hikari; it would drive my mother crazy. We saw them armed for battle; swords raised. We thought they were heroes. Veronica: Why haven’t you told her? Tarya: What are you talking about? Veronica: Your eyes, your hair - you’re pregnant. Tarya: The women offered in tribute have to be virgins. Veronica: Cassius? He doesn’t know either does he? Tarya: No Veronica: Is that why you ran? Tarya: I could give my life for the village but not my child’s. Veronica: You should have told her mother she would’ve understood. Tarya: How can you be so sure? Veronica: Because she’s a mother too. Challenger: There’s no waterway out of here; jungle to the north and west desert to the east. Roxton: Well it was always a long shot. I guess we head out in the morning. [Cassius and some of the other Tinta men approach] Challenger: Can we help you gentlemen. Roxton: Cassius what is it? Cassius: The Hikari will retaliate. They will ride in here and they will kill us. Challenger: Perhaps you should evacuate the village. Cassius: You want us to run? Challenger: It doesn’t matter what we want. Roxton: What do you want? Cassius: To stay to fight. Roxton: Sounds like a plan. Cassius: But we don’t know how. Help us to finish what you started. [Hikari men enter the village.] Roxton: Can I talk to you? Hikari Leader: You live only because you are strangers and are ignorant of our ways. Roxton: They seem pretty clear to me. Challenger: What my friend means is that man of good will can always discuss. Hikari Leader: There is no discussion. For your latest transgression we demand twelve of your strongest sacrificed to the sea. You have two days to comply. Tarya: And if we refuse. Hikari Leader: Your mother. [A Hikari rider approaches on horseback dragging a body rapped in burlap. Roxton opens the sack to reveal Kayla.] Roxton: Oh my God Tarya: Mother…no! Hikari Leader: For their defiance means only one thing - total destruction. [The Hikari riders leave] [Fade Out] [Scene: Nighttime the Tinta village - The villagers give Kayla a Viking burial. Sending her floating off in the lake ablaze] Tarya: To the sea that nurtures and feeds us we return Kayla to your womb. Cherish her spirit; praise her honor; fill her as she has filled us. Give her blessing; gentle slumber and peace. Roxton: I’m sorry. Tarya: Everything end is a new beginning. I’m the leader - now the Tinta are my children. Roxton: What will you do? Tarya: The elders want me to give into the Hikari. They think that freedom is dangerous. Roxton: What do you think? Tarya: My mother’s life will be the last we sacrifice to the Hikari. [Scene: The treehouse - Marguerite is looking through Dieters things.] Dieter: Liebchen – you are still the curious one I see. Marguerite: Hello there, so you finally decided to join us in the land of the living. Dieter: You’re not too disappointed I hope. Marguerite: You’re still feverish. [Dieter grabs Marguerite’s arm] Dieter: Where am I? Marguerite: Not far from where you crashed. Don’t you remember? Dieter: I remember Berlin summer of 1916 - a red dress. Marguerite: My friends and I carried you here. Dieter: It was an officer’s banquet to celebrate our victory at Jutland. Marguerite: You were unconscious from loss of blood. Dieter: And you were on the arm of a certain general; the head of the secret service. Marguerite: You’re delusional. Dieter: No. The people who trust you they are delusional. I wonder what they would think if they knew who you really are. [Marguerite takes a gun and puts it behind her back and approaches Dieter] Marguerite: Well I guess we’ll never find out. [Marguerite points the gun at Dieter] Auf wiedersehen. [Marguerite hears Malone call her name from the other room; she knocks Dieter out with the handle of the gun] Malone: I thought I heard voices. Marguerite: Just me and my bedside manner; what’s up? Malone: Well we got the fuel line patched. Marguerite: It’s ready to fly? Malone: I’ve got Summerlee working on the starter right now; a couple maybe three hours. How’s the patient. Marguerite: Nothing I can’t handle. Malone: You and Florence Nightingale. [Scene: The Tinta village – Challenger approaches Roxton and Veronica by the campfire] Challenger: Tarya has arrested the council of elders and locked them up. Roxton: It’s for their own safety. Challenger: You’ve convinced the Tinta to fight. Veronica: Tarya’s orders - she’s their new leader now. Challenger: These people know nothing of war. They’ll be annihilated. Roxton: Not if we can help it. Challenger: What do you know about doing battle? Veronica: I know how to stay alive. Challenger: Oh I have a bad feeling about this. Roxton: If we don’t fight a dozen of their people will die. Challenger: And if we hadn’t of interfered in the first place none of this would’ve happened. Veronica: Tarya would be dead. Challenger: Exactly, one death - one tribune. What you’re readying for is wholesale slaughter. Roxton: You’re wrong. Challenger: This is what the elders feared - war. This is what they’ve been trying to avoid for generations and now we just walk in and upset the status quo. Veronica: This is the jungle. There is no status quo here - everything changes. Roxton: The Tinta’s would have revolted sooner or later. Veronica: If we stay and train them at least they stand a chance of surviving. Challenger: And what will happen the next time. Or do you intend to take the place of the Hikari and become their great protector? Roxton: No one’s holding a gun to your head Challenger. You can leave anytime. [Scene: Morning the Tinta village - Veronica is teaching the Tinta to use slingshots. Roxton is helping dig trenches. Challenger is helping set traps.] [Scene: Nighttime the Tinta village - Tarya’s hut] Tarya: How goes the training? Veronica: They’re smart - strong. Tarya: And if you had three months you can make them warriors. Veronica: They’ll be fine. Have you told Cassius yet? Tarya: We’re going to war. Veronica: All the more reason to tell him. Cassius: Tell him what? Veronica: I’ll see you later. Cassius: What? Tarya: Nothing Cassius: Even as a child I could always tell when you were lying. Tarya: I’m going to have a child……our child. Cassius: This is wonderful. [Cassius holds her and spins her around] Tarya: Put me down. Cassius: I’m sorry I didn’t hurt you did I? Tarya: No I’m fine. How can this be wonderful our world may end tomorrow? Cassius: It doesn’t matter now that I know. A part of me will always be alive and with you. [Scene: The Tinta are gathered around Roxton who is drawing strategies in the sand] Roxton: The Hikari have three means of possible approach. Each part will be patrolled - Veronica and her team over here; Challenger here and I’ll be positioned here. You’ve all trained hard you know your jobs - any questions? [A boy steps forward] Yes? Boy: Am I going to die? Tarya: He’s afraid they’re all afraid. Challenger: Perhaps you could talk to them. Roxton: War is dangerous. I won’t lie to them. Challenger: Perhaps you’d like me to take the floor Roxton: Be my guest Challenger. Challenger: Let us call this day the feast of the Tintas He that lives this day and sees old age Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars and say These wounds I had on Tintas day >From now until the ending of the world We will be remembered We few we happy few we band of brothers We band of Tinta [The Tinta cheer.] Roxton: Henry V yeah well if you’re gonna steal Shakespeare’s a good choice. Challenger: Never underestimate the value of a classical education Roxton. [Scene: The treehouse – Summerlee is serving dinner] Summerlee: He’s still unconscious. Doesn’t that seem a bit odd? Marguerite: His fevers dropping he’ll be fine. What’s keeping Malone? Summerlee: Can’t tear him away from that plane; lad finally seems to be enjoying himself. Malone: With good reason. Marguerite: Success? Malone: Close I am starving. Summerlee: Just as well our pilots still grounded. Malone: I thought he was getting better. Summerlee: Apparently there’s been some, how would you put it Marguerite, complications. Marguerite: Mysteries of medical science Professor - you’d know better than I. Summerlee: Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I should stick my head and check on the poor fellow. Marguerite: No I’ll go. Finish your dinner. Summerlee: All right. [Marguerite walks into Dieter’s room and finds the cot empty. Dieter grabs Marguerite from behind and puts a knife to her throat] Marguerite: Now…now…now you know you shouldn’t be on your feet. Dieter: Leibshen if you had your way I would not be breathing. Malone: What the hell do you want from me? Dieter: I want you…I want you to feel what it’s like to be balanced on the knife edge between life and death. How many solders how many hundreds of men? Marguerite: I had my orders, as did you Herr Dieter. It’s a little late to grow a conscience now - for both of us. You’re not the only one with the good memory. I remember a certain village in Belgium. A young girl lies in the street; looks up at the handsome young officer. Begging - pleading for help, for mercy. Dieter: Enough Marguerite: Then a gunshot - then silence. Dieter: As you said it is a little late to grow a conscience. Summerlee: She’s been in there for quite awhile. Malone: All go check on her. Dieter: Which one is the mechanic? Summerlee: Good lord. Marguerite: Relax hopefully it won’t come to that. Malone: I’m the mechanic. Dieter: Then you must go we have a plane to fix. [Scene: The Tinta village] Roxton: Trouble sleeping? Challenger: A little. Roxton: I don’t think anyone is sleeping too well tonight. Challenger: I’m frightened. Roxton: You’d be a fool not to be. Challenger: Oh I’ve faced death before; just never convinced so many other people to do it with me. Roxton: It’s what they want. Challenger: You really think so? Roxton: People have died for a lot worse reasons then freedom. Challenger: You’ve faced battle before these people have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Roxton: Perhaps it’s better that way. Maybe we’ll get lucky, maybe we’ll throw a war and nobody will come. Challenger: Oh the Hikari will come; they have to. Fear is the way they stay in power. And if we lose they have to make an example of the Tinta. They won’t leave many alive. Roxton: I have no intentions of losing. Challenger: No you don’t do you? Roxton: No. There’s something else? Challenger: How many men will I have to kill tomorrow? Roxton: Challenger, they have no mothers; no lovers; no children; they’re not men. Challenger: Then what are they? Roxton: The enemy - get some sleep. [Scene: Morning the Tinta village.] Roxton: Four bullets left. Challenger: And I’ve got three. Roxton: Let’s make them count. [Someone yells “Hikari”] Roxton: Positions! This is it. Challenger: God help us [The Tinta prepare for battle. Cassius stops Tarya] Cassius: Whatever happens. [Cassius and Tarya kiss.] Tarya: I love you too. [Fade Out] [Scene: Veronica leads the first wave on the beach – The Hikari gallop along the beach] Veronica: Patience [The Hikari get closer.] Veronica: Patience…wait…move! [The battle begins. The Hikari are attacked by the Tinta who are using slingshots. The young boy is struck down Veronica runs to him.] Boy: I’m not afraid anymore [he dies] [Roxton leads the second wave they fight hand to hand. The leader of the Hikari approaches with more men.] Roxton: Fall back! [The Hikari enter the Tinta village, following the retreating Tinta - it is empty. Roxton runs up with a torch and lights the pits surrounding the Hikari within the firewall. More hand to hand combat ensues. Challenger leads the third wave. Hikari riders approach along the trail. The Tinta spring the traps. Tinta come out of hiding fighting the trapped Hikari. Challenger is hit from behind he drops to the ground. He turns around and shoots the Hikari rider. Challenger checks his gun for bullets.] Challenger: One to go. [Cassius is killed. Roxton takes on the Hikari leader in a sword fight. Roxton punches the Hikari leader knocking him down when another Hikari comes at Roxton from behind. Challenger shoots the ambusher. The Hikari leader comes at Roxton again.] Challenger: Behind you! [Roxton runs the Hikari leader through with his sword. The fighting stops.] Challenger: They did it – they won. [Veronica sees Tarya kneeling beside Cassius’ body.] Veronica: Is this what victory looks like? Roxton: No this is what the price of victory looks like. [Scene: The plane - Summerlee and Malone are positioning the plane for takeoff. Dieter approaches with Marguerite as his hostage] Malone: All set. Dieter: It had better work. Summerlee: I must reiterate how unnecessary this is we’re not even armed. Dieter: Silence Marguerite: The war is over Dieter that little piece of paper at Versailles. Dieter: A treaty signed at gun point. The war is not over - merely postponed. Summerlee: Will you send help back for us? Dieter: What do you think Leibshen? Would you like me to tell people where you are? Marguerite: I think you’d like nothing better. Malone: Of course we want people to know. Dieter: Poor Marguerite stranded in the middle and no man’s land. Hundreds of miles from civilization; prey to the dangers of the jungle. [Dieter releases Marguerite pushing her to where Summerlee and Malone are standing] Perhaps hell has a way of claiming it’s own. [Dieter points his gun at Marguerite, Summerlee stands in the path of the shot.] Marguerite: What are you doing? Summerlee: You can’t shoot her. Dieter: Step aside. Summerlee: I think you’re overlooking a critical point officer. It takes two people to get the plane off the ground. Malone: Somebody’s got to spin the prop. Summerlee: If you kill her I won’t start the plane. Marguerite: Boys Malone: Neither will I. Marguerite: Arthur don’t. Summerlee: I refuse to spin the props so you may as well shoot me now. Marguerite: Arthur Dieter: Very well. Summerlee: Fire away. [Dieter aims and shoots. He hits the tree behind Marguerite.] Dieter: I wonder if you know the kind of woman who you gentlemen are so gallantly defending. [Dieter gets in the plane.] Dieter: Until we meet again. Marguerite: Oh I’m counting the days. [Malone spins the prop. Dieter takes off.] Summerlee: I think I need a drink. Marguerite: I think you deserve one; you both do. [Scene: The Tinta village] Challenger: Not an end a beginning. Tarya: I understand there’ll be more battles ahead if that is what you mean. Roxton: Yes that’s what he means. Tarya: Our destiny is our own now. No one can ask for more than that. Roxton: Was it worth it? Tarya: It must be - to be otherwise would be to dishonor those who died. And those not yet born. [Veronica gives Tarya a hug.] Veronica: Your mother would be very proud of you. Tarya: Thank you [Challenger hands Tarya a book.] Challenger: Well we have a long trip ahead of us. Tarya: May you find what you’re searching for. [The three leave the Tinta village.] Challenger: What kind of chance do you think they have? Roxton: Honestly I don’t know Challenger. What kind of chance do any of us have? [Scene: Nighttime the treehouse – Summerlee joins Marguerite on the balcony] Summerlee: Nothing a little Amontillado won’t cure I warrant. Marguerite: Never got used to the quiet; night; darkness - sometimes it’s almost. Summerlee: Palpable Marguerite: Yeah Summerlee: You wonder if it will ever be daylight again. Sometimes you pray it won’t. You lose yourself in flowers and trees. Looking at life under a microscope instead of living it in the world; cowardly perhaps but much easier on the heart. Marguerite: You did a very brave thing today. Summerlee: Nature nurture my dear. Marguerite: I don’t follow. Summerlee: When we crashed on this blasted plateau I left more than London behind. Marguerite: Care to elaborate Professor? Summerlee: The people we were or thought we were. Things we did - what do they matter here? Marvelous opportunity really; how many people get the chance to recreate themselves? Here’s to new beginnings. Marguerite: I’ll drink to that. [End of episode]