VERITAS:  THE QUEST
1X09:  DEVIL CHILD
[UNAIRED IN U.S.]
AIR DATE IN SOUTH AFRICA:  06/27/2003
TRANSCRIBED FROM SABC-1

Written by THANIA ST. JOHN
Directed by TOM WRIGHT

Transcript by Intrepid
Courtesy of http://www.webphilia.com/~anthology/wnp.html

Please do not archive this transcript without permission from the 
Transcriptionist
==========================
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==========================
SUMMARY:  The Veritas Team meets a little boy who can understand every language 
ever spoken throughout time.
==========================
VERITAS:  THE QUEST
1X09:  DEVIL CHILD [UNAIRED IN US]
==========================



COLD OPEN:

[INT. MOSCOW -- STATE PSYCHIATRIC BUILDING -- INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT]

LEGEND:
STATE PSYCHIATRIC BUILDING -- MOSCOW

(Camera close up of sensitive pads being placed along ALEXI'S temples to monitor 
his brain patterns.  Another is placed on his body.)

(The slide projector is turned on and the ancient writings are projected on the 
wall.  The runic writing is projected on ALEXI'S face.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  (untranslated in Russian)

(They turn ALEXI around so that he's facing the ancient writing projected on the 
wall.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  (untranslated in Russian) 

(He leans in close to the little boy.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  Can you read this language?  

(He indicates the ancient language that he wants ALEXI to translate for him.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  I know that you can.  You must tell us what you know.

(Cut to:  The monitor takes down ALEXI'S brain wave pattern.)

GOVERNMENT MAN: (untranslated in foreign language.)

(The boy doesn't answer.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  (persists) (untranslated in foreign language)

GOVERNMENT MAN: (untranslated in foreign language)

(The GOVERNMENT MAN steps away from the boy and stands in front of a GOVERNMENT 
WOMAN watching nearby.)

GOVERNMENT MAN:  (confidentially)  (in foreign language) [subtitled:  He's lying 
isn't he?]

(The GOVERNMENT WOMAN glances at ALEXI.)

GOVERNMENT WOMAN: (in foreign language) [subtitled:  Read outs show he 
comprehends every language.  He chooses not to understand.]

(The little boy doesn't move from his position facing the wall.  He listens in 
on their conversation.)

GOVERNMENT MAN: (in foreign language) [subtitled:  Then we will keep him here 
until he changes his mind.]

(The little boy appears scared by the mere thought.)

CUT TO:



[INT. -- NIGHT]  

(On the monitor, MAGGIE scrolls through several screens of various ancient 
languages.  The first screen appears to be in Greek, an Asian language, and 
other various written languages.  MAGGIE is sufficiently impressed.)  

MAGGIE:  He wrote all of these?  That's incredible.  How old is he?

CALVIN:  Eleven.  You know, I could barely work a pez dispenser when I was 
eleven.

(CALVIN takes a seat.  SOLOMON walks into the room.)

SOLOMON:  Okay.  What do we have?

MAGGIE:  Papers from the people at the orphanage.

SOLOMON:  Let me see.  

(CALVIN turns around to get the papers.)

CALVIN:  Fluent French, Russian, Greek, 

(CALVIN hands the papers to SOLOMON who looks through pages and pages of 
comprehensive writing in various languages, each page a different language.)

CALVIN:  Everything you'd expect from a linguistic savant from this region.  
Then he can speak Japanese, Mandarin, Sanskrit.  It goes on and on.  This kid is 
a freak of burlesque nature.

MAGGIE:  His teacher said that he could master any language after a matter of 
days ... sometimes even hours.  She knew he was special, so she took him to the 
University to be tested.  Within the week, the state doctor took him away.

CALVIN:  All because of these.  Amazing, huh?

(CALVIN shows SOLOMON the pages of ancient runic glyphs.  Pages and pages of 
them written in a coherent manner.)

SOLOMON:  The glyphs?

MAGGIE: I scanned them for clarity.  

SOLOMON:  And?

MAGGIE:  They're the real deal.  Just like the glyphs found in Antarctica.

(MAGGIE turns to the monitor to compare the glyphs taken from the pyramid found 
in Antarctica to compare them piece by piece to the language written by ALEXI.  
The matches are incredible.)

CALVIN:  The oldest written language ever unearthed, yet never translated.  

SOLOMON:  Haley decoded a few of the symbols, but never enough to crack the 
entire language.  

CALVIN:  If this kid really can understand this, we make history.  

SOLOMON:  We have to take that boy.

CUT TO:



[INT. MOSCOW -- STATE PSYCHIATRIC BUILDING -- INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT]

(ALEXI sits alone on his bed in his room.  His arms are clasped around his 
knees.  He sits there unmoving afraid of everything.)

(The doorknob rattles and ALEXI jumps.)

(The door bursts open and a masked man dressed in black enters the room.  ALEXI 
doesn't move.)

(Alarms go off.)

MASKED MAN:  Come on!

(Cut to:  The SECURITY GUARDS run past the ward desk, through the hallway toward 
the room.)

(Back in ALEXI'S room, ALEXI tries to avoid the MASKED MAN'S grasp.  He reaches 
for ALEXI, but ALEXI scampers away from him.)

MASKED MAN:  Come on!  Come with me
MASKED MAN:  Come on!  Come with me

(Finally, the MASKED MAN pulls off his mask.  It's SOLOMON.  He looks directly 
at ALEXI and speaks to him in a quiet, calm voice.)

SOLOMON:  It's okay.  I'm here to help you.

(ALEXI looks into SOLOMON'S eyes trying to discern whether he's telling him the 
truth.)  

(Cut to:  SECURITY GUARDS arrive just outside the room door, their guns out and 
in their hands.  The lead SECURITY GUARD opens the door and enters the room.  He 
checks it out only to find that it's empty.)

(The GOVERNMENT MAN and GOVERNMENT WOMAN walk into the room after the SECURITY 
GUARDS while hospital personnel look on in the hallway.)

(They check the room out and it is definitely empty.)

GOVERNMENT WOMAN:  (in foreign language)  (She murmurs an expletive.

(She turns and leaves the room.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. MOSCOW -- STATE PSYCHIATRIC BUILDING --- NIGHT]

(SOLOMON holds on tightly to ALEXI’S hand while they run across the lawn outside 
away from everyone inside.  They turn the corner of the building as they 
escape.)

FADE TO
END OF TEASER
ROLL TITLE CREDITS

(COMMERCIAL SET)




FADE IN.

[EXT. MOSCOW]

[INT. - DAY]

(VINCENT is sitting in front of a monitor watching SOLOMON and ALEXI in the next 
room.  ALEXI is sitting on the bed and SOLOMON is helping to settle him in.)

SOLOMON:  (from camera)  (to ALEXI)  You rest now.  This is a safe house, Alexi.  
You'll be protected here.

(On the monitor, SOLOMON stands up and leaves the room, closing the door behind 
him.)

(In the next room, SOLOMON walks in and closes the door behind him.  He walks 
over to VINCENT.)

SOLOMON: He's scared.

VINCENT:  He's just spent quality time with ex-KGB.  How would you feel?  

(VINCENT turns to look at ALEXI on the surveillance monitor.)

SOLOMON:  How long do you think we have?

(VINCENT looks up at SOLOMON standing nearby.)

VINCENT:  Probably a day or two before they can trace us.  

SOLOMON:  Hopefully, that will be enough.  Once he translates the glyphs for us, 
the secrets are out, they'll belong to the world.  They won't touch him once we 
go public.  We'll all be safe.

VINCENT:  Or we could all be sharing a cell in Lubianka.  Unless he talks to us.

(VINCENT looks at the monitor where ALEXI is lying on the bed in the next room.)

CUT TO:



[INT. ROOM -- DAY]  

(Out on the table is the brown leather bound HALEY CAYCE'S journal.  SOLOMON 
takes another journal out and opens it to a page with runic glyphs written on 
the top halves of both pages.)  

(SOLOMON looks at the pages as he speaks with ALEXI who sits on the other side 
of the table from him.)

SOLOMON:  There are my wife's notes.  She knew this language was important.  She 
spent her life trying to unlock the mystery.

(SOLOMON turns the journal around and puts it down on the table in front of 
ALEXI over other pages of ancient writings littered on the table top.  He looks 
at ALEXI.)

SOLOMON:  Tell me what it says.  Please?

(ALEXI says nothing.)

(Misinterpreting the child's silence, SOLOMON looks around for other 
alternatives.)

SOLOMON:  Here.  Here you, uhm ... 

(SOLOMON stands up and gets the paper and pens off of a nearby counter.  He puts 
them in front of ALEXI.  He uncaps the pan for ALEXI and holds it out to him.)

SOLOMON:  You know what?  You can ... write it down.  Okay?  

(ALEXI doesn't say anything.  He looks at SOLOMON, terrified of him.)

(SOLOMON tries again to convince ALEXI to talk with him.)

SOLOMON:  Look Alexi, the only way that I can help you is if you tell me your 
secret.  If we gave this language to the world, to get it out into the open ... 

(SOLOMON looks at ALEXI.  The little boy is crying silently, tears falling from 
his eyes.)

(SOLOMON stands up and stops pushing.)

SOLOMON:  (sighs) ... I'm sorry.

(Camera holds on ALEXI.)

CUT TO:



[INT. STUDY ROOM -- DAY]  

(NIKKO sits on the sofa bored to tears.  He leans back, slouched, nearly 
horizontal while he throws a hackysack ball up into the air repetitively with 
his right hand as he listens to JULIET'S boring lesson.)

(Unperturbed, JULIET sits on the opposite end of the sofa with her notepad open 
on her lap, quizzing NIKKO.)

JULIET:  Hyp-nom-ker-bi-pho-lium. (?)

NIKKO:  Mold.

JULIET:  Moss.  Pro-si-dia-mai-ko-da. (?)  

NIKKO:  Moss.

JULIET:  Fungus.  Ol-mai-ko-dah (?)

NIKKO:  Fungus.

(She looks up from her notepad, pointedly at the hackysack.)

JULIET:  Well, that is really distracting.

(NIKKO looks at JULIET.)

NIKKO:  (counters)  Well, so are you.  That's why I need this.

JULIET:  Come on.  You've got to learn this stuff for your Bio-Quarterly.

NIKKO:  Okay.

(NIKKO sits up on the sofa.)

NIKKO:  (sighs)  Mold grows on cheese. Uh, fungus grows on feet and moss only 
grows to the north side of things.  What more do I need to know?

(NIKKO leans back on the sofa to resume throwing the hackysack ball up into the 
air.)

(The door opens.  SOLOMON and ALEXI walk into the room.  He motions to JULIET.)

SOLOMON:  (to JULIET)  Hey, can I see you for a minute?

(JULIET gets up.  NIKKO takes the opportunity to get his dad's attention.)

NIKKO:  Dad.  Tell me everything that you know about moss.

SOLOMON:  (without missing a beat)  It's soft, it's green and it only grows 
north.

(JULIET turns around to look at NIKKO.  He smirks at her.)

NIKKO:  See?  Highly educated man.

JULIET:  Hmm.

(SOLOMON turns to JULIET and speaks softly to her.  NIKKO and ALEXI eye each 
other while listening in.)

SOLOMON:  (quietly)  I want you to accept this little boy schooling.  He reads 
and writes all the languages, but maybe he doesn't know how to speak it.

JULIET:  All right.

(She steps away from SOLOMON and steps toward ALEXI.)

JULIET:  Hi.  I'm Juliet.  Would you like to join us?

(ALEXI doesn't say anything.)

SOLOMON:  (to JULIET)  All right.  I'll be back later.

JULIET:  (welcoming)  (to ALEXI)  C'mon.

(She puts a hand on his shoulder and leads him over to the sofa to take the 
space next to NIKKO.  NIKKO sits up to make room for the little boy.)

NIKKO:  Well, just in time for the contagious airborne spores unit.

(SOLOMON rolls his eyes, turns and leaves the room.  He shuts the door behind 
him.)

CUT TO:



[INT. STUDY ROOM -- DAY]  

(JULIET holds out a picture card of a tree.)  

JULIET:  Habla?  Parlay vous Francais?

(ALEXI glances at the childish card, rolls his eyes, and looks away from JULIET.  
He doesn't say anything.)

(JULIET doesn't miss anything.  She looks up at NIKKO.)

JULIET:  Together.  All of us.

NIKKO/JULIET:  {repeats}

(ALEXI doesn't say anything.  He glances warily at NIKKO.  He doesn't look at 
JULIET.)

JULIET:  Okay.  

(She looks at ALEXI and tries another language.)  

JULIET:  Uh, {in another language}.  

(NIKKO starts to fidget as it's getting rather uncomfortable because of its 
obviousness.)

(She repeats the word in the other language all while watching ALEXI'S 
response.)

JULIET:  Let's try another one.

(NIKKO can't take it anymore.  He looks at JULIET and interrupts her.)

NIKKO:  (bursts out)  Why don't you try leaving the kid alone.

(ALEXI looks at NIKKO, surprised that he's even defending him.  JULIET looks up 
at NIKKO, surprised at the outburst.)

NIKKO:  He's been at this for like thirty minutes.  Maybe he just doesn't want 
to talk.  

(JULIET looks down at ALEXI who stares at NIKKO.)

NIKKO:  Look, when I was in seventh grade, I got sent to a new boarding school?  
I didn't say anything for the first three weeks.  I just didn't feel like it.  
That's all.

(The door opens and CALVIN walks into the room. He motions to JULIET.)

CLAVIN:  Hey.  We need you for a sec.

(JULIET stands up and leaves.  She walks past CALVIN and out the door.  CALVIN 
looks at NIKKO and points to him.)

CALVIN:  You boys play nice now.

(He closes the door behind them.  NIKKO gets up from his seat and takes the 
space on the couch next to ALEXI that JULIET had just vacated, the one directly 
in front of the television set.  He grabs the remote off of the table in front 
of them fully intending to relax and take a break.)

NIKKO:  (sighs)  Ah.  Recess.

(ALEXI doesn't say anything, but he looks at NIKKO.  NIKKO turns on the 
television set and glances at ALEXI.  ALEXI looks away, then stands up, quietly 
moving away from NIKKO.)

(NIKKO watches him move away from him.)

CUT TO:



[INT. MAIN ROOM -- DAY]  

(Camera opens on the computer monitor.  On the screen, the computer runs the 
various glyph symbols through the database trying to match what ALEXI had 
written to anything on file.)  

MAGGIE:  We've been studying Alexi’s papers and the symbols he's written.

SOLOMON:  He repeats this one several times.  It's a glyph for a place called 
Dahshur.

(Standing off to the side, slightly behind MAGGIE so that he can see the monitor 
is SOLOMON.  JULIET appears next to him.)

JULIET:  The pyramid site?

VINCENT:  (smugly to CALVIN)  Told you she'd know.

(CALVIN looks over his shoulder at VINCENT.)

JULIET:  (teacher mode)  They were discovered by an Egyptian Archaeologist named 
Zahari in 1884.  They've been closed to the public since the end of World War I.  
Officially, it's because they're crumbling.  Unofficially, they say that Zahari 
found a secret chamber covered with hieroglyphic panels completely in tact.  But 
no one has ever been allowed to see them.

VINCENT:  Why hide something for a hundred years if it's not important?

SOLOMON:  You said Zahari was Egyptian, well, then his papers would be stored in 
the Museum of Cairo.  He'll have notes, maybe etchings ... 

(SOLOMON turns around and pats CALVIN on his shoulder.)

SOLOMON:  Calvin!  You'll go.

CALVIN:  (nodding, not really paying attention)  Yeah.  (Then it sinks in.)  
Well, no.

SOLOMON:  (shrugs)  Well, I need everyone else here.

CALVIN:  Yeah, but if the pyramids were closed, then the files will be 
restricted.

VINCENT:  Not if you know the right people.

CALVIN:  What people?  Your people?

(VINCENT levels CALVIN another smug look.  CALVIN turns to look at SOLOMON.)

CALVIN:  (mumbles)  Great.

CUT TO:



[INT. STUDY ROOM -- DAY]  

(NIKKO is watching a B-rated horror flick complete with screaming woman.  It's 
in black and white and utterly horrible.  NIKKO'S having a blast.  He laughs to 
himself while watching the television set.)  

(NIKKO turns and glances over at ALEXI who sits quietly at the table over by the 
window.  Though he tries to stay by himself, he can't help but watch the show, 
too.)

NIKKO:  (to ALEXI)  You've ever seen this before?  It's freaking funny.  Whoever 
thought this was scary?

(ALEXI stands up and walks slowly over toward NIKKO.)

ALEXI:  Monsters in the 1950's American cinema symbolize the collective fear of 
the unknown.

(He looks sheepishly at NIKKO and takes the seat he had just abandoned before 
next to him on the couch.  NIKKO stares at him, surprised that he's talking to 
soon.)

NIKKO:  Well, so, you do talk.

ALEXI:  (shrugs)  Only when there's someone worth talking to.

(They both laugh.)

NIKKO:  Yeah.  Well, there's definitely nothing wrong with you that's for sure.  
Huh.

(NIKKO grabs something off of the table.  Well, that's that.)

CUT TO:



[INT. STUDY ROOM - DAY -- SHORT TIME LATER]  

(In front of a video game, the two boys are playing each other. We see their 
reflection off of the monitor.  ALEXI is thoroughly enjoying himself.)  

ALEXI:  No, no!  You are so toast!

("GAME OVER")

(NIKKO turns to ALEXI immediately.)

NIKKO:  All right.  It's okay.  All right.  Rematch that's for sure.  Let's go.

ALEXI:  I beat you twice.

NIKKO:  I don't care, you're going down.

ALEXI:  Yeah, you wish.

(They start another game:  BATTLE ONE.  The game begins.)

NIKKO:  So, uh.  How do you speak english so well?

ALEXI:  Tv.  Radio.  Stuff

NIKKO:  You know other ones, too, right?  I mean, how many languages can you 
speak?

ALEXI:  Uh ... I don't keep track.

(Something happens on the game.  The two boys pull back on the couch in reaction 
to the game.)

NIKKO:  (to ALEXI)  Oh, yeah.  You deserved that.  

(ALEXI smiles.  They resume the game.  After a brief pause, NIKKO glances over 
at ALEXI.0

NIKKO:  You know, uh ... my dad ... he's okay.  You don't have to be scared of 
him.

(ALEXI looks away from NIKKO.)

ALEXI:  (mutters)  Yes, I do.

NIKKO:  Why?  He's not a bad guy ... and plus, he wouldn't have rescued you if 
he didn't want to help you.

ALEXI:  Then, why am I a prisoner here till he gets what he wants?

NIKKO:  I mean, it's just another language, right?

(ALEXI doesn't say anything.)

NIKKO:  What are you hiding?

CUT TO:



[INT. CAMERA ROOM -- NIGHT]

(SOLOMON is sitting in the chair looking through HALEY'S journal and ALEXI'S 
writings.  He puts the paper with ALEXI'S writings on the table in front of him 
and glances at the monitor with the surveillance feed from ALEXI'S room.  It 
shows ALEXI on the bed sleeping.)

INTERCUT WITH:

[INT. ALEXI'S ROOM - NIGHT -- CONTINUOUS]  

(While he sleeps, ALEXI starts to twitch and move.  We hear various sounds as if 
something or someone it talking to him.  He gets agitated and his eyes under his 
closed eyelids move rapidly.)  

(Back in the CAMERA ROOM, SOLOMON pushes his chair toward the coffee machine to 
refill his cup.  His back is momentarily turned away from the monitor.)

[ALEXI'S ROOM]

(ALEXI sits up abruptly in bed, his eyes open.  It is unknown whether he's 
really asleep or awake.  The various sounds of something whispering to him 
continues.)

[CAMERA ROOM]

(SOLOMON casually gets his cup of coffee.)

[ALEXI'S ROOM]

(ALEXI is now speaking slowly in an ancient language.  His eyes are wide open 
and staring blankly out in front of him.  He starts twitching and blinking and 
rocking to and fro in his seat on the bed.  We can hear the whispering sounds 
speaking with him.)

[CAMERA ROOM]

(SOLOMON takes a sip of coffee and feels something's off.  He turns around to 
look at the monitor, but all he sees is static.)

(He turns and looks at the bedroom.)

(He puts his cup down and heads for the room.)

[ALEXI'S ROOM]

(Inside the room, ALEXI is standing up against the wall.  He's still in his 
trance and vigorously writing on the wall, different glyphs and symbols.  All 
the while, the whispering sounds speaking to him continues.)

(SOLOMON walks into the room and sees ALEXI in his trance writing on the wall.  
The entire wall as far as the little boy could reach is covered with glyphs and 
symbols.)

SOLOMON:  ALEXI?  

(ALEXI doesn't stop and he doesn't acknowledge SOLOMON'S presence.)

(SOLOMON walks into the room.  He grabs ALEXI boy the shoulders to stop him and 
to get him out of his trance.)

SOLOMON: ALEXI!  Stop!  Stop!  It's okay.

(He wraps his arms around the little boy to stop him.)

(NIKKO appears in the doorway.  He looks around the room and finds that all the 
walls are covered with the strange glyphs and symbols.)

NIKKO:  Oh, my god.  Is he okay, dad?

(NIKKO looks at SOLOMON who still has his arms around the little boy.)

(Camera holds on NIKKO.)

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[INT. CAMERA ROOM]  

(On the monitor, ALEXI is standing in front of the wall busy writing while in a 
trance.)  

MAGGIE:  I went through the tapes over and over and you were right.  

(In the camera room, SOLOMON sits in front of the monitor, MAGGIE stands next to 
him.  Behind them, sitting at the desk is VINCENT.)

MAGGIE:  Each time he writes a specific glyph, he makes the same sound.

SOLOMON:  (shakes his head in awe)  Incredible.  He's speaking a language that 
hasn't been heard in five thousand years.

(On the monitors, ALEXI is on the bed

MAGGIE:  Thirteen thousand if Haley is right.  If only we knew what it meant.

SOLOMON:  (to VINCENT)  What do you think?

(VINCENT watches the monitors of the night before.)

VINCENT:  Well, it's definitely trance-like.  I've seen it certain advanced 
stages of meditation.  Also in some somnambulistic possession.

SOLOMON:  Not voo-doo, physiological.  We'll bring in a neurologist, maybe even 
a psychiatrist.

(MAGGIE'S headset beeps.  She turns around to take her seat in front of the 
computers.)

MAGGIE:  I've got Cal of the feed from the hotel in Cairo.

(MAGGIE starts to access the feed on the computers.)

SOLOMON:  I hope he can tell us what's written inside that pyramid.

CUT TO:



[EXT. OUTSIDE BUILDING -- DAY]  

(NIKKO and ALEXI stand just outside the front of the building.  NIKKO is showing 
ALEXI how to play hackysack.)  

NIKKO:  All right.  Show me what you've got.  Your face is anything like the 
boys at school, hackysack, it's pretty much the highlight of my day.

(Together, the two of them kick the hackysack bag around.  The bag falls to the 
ground.  NIKKO picks it up and tosses it to ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  Here you go.  You're getting the hang of it.  All right.  One more time.

(ALEXI doesn't catch it.  It falls to the ground.  He turns and takes a seat on 
the concrete step in front of the building.)

ALEXI:  I'm kinda tired.

(NIKKO picks up the hacysack bag and takes the seat next to ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  Yeah.  You had a rough night?  Guess your dreams can get pretty out of 
control, huh?  Any idea what they mean?

ALEXI:  I don't think I should be talking about them.

(NIKKO drops the subject and tries another.)

NIKKO:  So, uh ... your parents, how did they ... you know ... 

(ALEXI turns away.)

NIKKO:  It's okay if you don't want to talk about it.  I still have dreams about 
my mom dying.

ALEXI:  (shakes his head)  She didn't die.

NIKKO:  (surprised)  What?

ALEXI:  My mom.  She's still alive.

NIKKO:  Well, where is she?

ALEXI:  Home.

(The front door opens and JULIET bursts out of the building, angry.  NIKKO turns 
around.)

JULIET:  (to NIKKO)  What are you doing out here?

NIKKO:  Playing.

JULIET:  You know we're not supposed to be outside.

NIKKO:  The kid looked like he needed some air.

(They both stand up to get into the building.  JULIET looks at NIKKO.)

JULIET:  Did he say anything to you?

NIKKO:  (shakes his head)  No.  (turns to look at ALEXI)  Not a word.

(NIKKO and ALEXI walk into the building.  JULIET nervously glances about the 
street before following them inside.  She doesn't see the black vehicle across 
the street with the two GOVERNMENT MEN inside watching them.)

(The vehicle drives off.)

CUT TO:



[INT. CAMERA ROOM - DAY]

(On the monitor, they watch the feed.  CALVIN fills them in on what he's 
discovered.)  

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  Gone.  Every paper, every note.  All of it confiscated 
in 1943 and eventually destroyed by Alfred Rosenberg.  Ring a bell.

SOLOMON:  Not the Minster of Antiquities.  Hitler was obsessed with ancient 
prophecies that might bring him even more power.

CALVIN:  Yeah.  Well, apparently this was high on his list.  Look, it's a dead 
end here.  Although your guy at the museum was shockingly pleasant and helpful, 
Vincent.

(VINCENT watches the monitors, a slight grin crossing his face at CALVIN'S 
understatement.)

MAGGIE:  We need those panels, Cal.  I've been working on something all morning.  
I think whatever was written in that chamber is what ALEXI has been saying.  
Hitler wouldn't have been after it if it wasn't important.

CALVIN:  I told you, there's nothing left here at the museum.  Unless you want 
me to sneak into the pyramids myself, I ...

(CALVIN stops.  SOLOMON suddenly turns around to look at VINCENT, a hopeful look 
on his face at the possibility.)

(VINCENT shrugs.)

VINCENT:  I know another guy.

(VINCENT smiles.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. CAIRO - DAY]

LEGEND:  CAIRO



[INT. -- DAY]  

(CALVIN walks up to the beads covering the door to the inner quarters.  The MAN 
outside angrily tries to stop CALVIN from entering.)  

MAN OUTSIDE:  (o.s.)  Mr. Nashib is a very important and busy man!

(CALVIN points to him and tries to placate him, while he has no intention of 
leaving without talking with NASHIB.)

CALVIN:  (to the man outside)  He's very lucky to have smart guys like you 
looking out for him.

(CALVIN pushes the beads aside and enters the inner quarters.  He stands just in 
front of the doorway while facing NASHIB who is inside.  Near CALVIN facing 
NASHIB, is a television set playing an old ABC daytime soap.  The reception on 
the television set is awful and static-y.)

CALVIN:  Uh, excuse me.  Sorry to interrupt.  You're Mr. Nashib ...

(NASHIB sits in the chair facing the television set and watches the old daytime 
soap like a true addict.  He puts a hand up to shush CALVIN up while he 
watches.)

NASHIB:  Wait.

(CALVIN glances at the show and discounting its importance to NASHIB, he 
continues.)

CALVIN:  You know, I'm sorry, but Vincent said that you would be able to help me 
get into the pyramid.  Okay?  I brought money.  Like, for the bribe.

(CALVIN takes out a thick money clip of folded bills to show NASHIB.)

(Without taking his eyes off of the television set, NASHIB pulls out a gun from 
his side and points it at CALVIN.  He cocks the gun.)

NASHIB:  I said you ... wait.

(CALVIN smiles and holds up his hands in surrender.)

CALVIN:  It's no problem.  I'll wait right here.

(CALVIN swallows and shuts up.)

NASHIB:  (mutters)  Raven is about to tell him that the baby is not his.

(CALVIN'S lost.  He stares at NASHIB for a beat, then realizes that he's 
standing next to the television set.  He turns to look at the set and instantly 
recognizes the program.)

(NASHIB hasn't moved.  His eyes are glued to the set while his gun is pointed at 
CALVIN.)

(CALVIN puts his hands down when he sees that NASHIB'S attention isn't really on 
him, but on the show.)

CALVIN:  Oh, right.  Yeah.  (clears throat)

(CALVIN crosses his arms across his chest, turns to watch the show with NASHIB 
and to wait it out.)

(It only takes less than a second.  CALVIN, apparently, watches the daytime soap 
and instantly gets into it.)

CALVIN:  (points to the set and looks over at NASHIB)  Oh, you know, she is 
totally lying.  It is his baby.

(NASHIB gets to his feet, the gun still on CALVIN.)

NASHIB:  (offended)  Raven doesn't lie!

(CALVIN stops and tries another tactic.)

CALVIN:  No, of course not, you're absolutely right.  She doesn't.

(CALVIN nods as if he's about to drop a big bombshell.  He patiently explains it 
to NASHIB.)

CALVIN:  But that's not Raven, okay?  That's Robin.  

(NASHIB is now looking at CALVIN.  CALVIN looks back at NASHIB and points at the 
television set behind him.)

CALVIN:  And in six months from now, she's going to get diagnosed with a split 
personality disorder and leave the show with a daytime Emmy in per pocket, all 
right?

(CALVIN nods when he's done.  NASHIB shakes his head, confused.)

NASHIB:  How do you know?

CALVIN:  How do I ... ?  Because, this is a five-year old re-run, man.  Look, I 
used to watch this all the time in college.  (rambles)  I had this girlfriend 
who was in love with the show and I used to watch it with her.

(NASHIB raises the gun at CALVIN.  CALVIN stops rambling.)

CALVIN:  I'll save this conversation for another time.

(He clears his throat.)

CALVIN:  Let me ask you one last question, all right?  Why are you wasting this
lovely brand new television on government channels when there's a whole new 
broadband out there?

(CALVIN raises his eyebrows at NASHIB ... who is suddenly interested in the turn 
of conversation.)

CUT TO:



[INT. (MOSCOW) CAMERA ROOM -- DAY]  

MAGGIE:  You need ... what?

(MAGGIE is on the computer with CALVIN.)  

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  A satellite dish.  

(MAGGIE sits back in her chair while CALVIN explains over the monitor.)

CALVIN:  It has to be DVD compliant with 5.1 channel Dolby.  And if you dump in 
a digital recorder, I can probably bring back the whole damn pyramid.

MAGGIE:  We just need the glyphs.

CALVIN:  Well, send it express, and I'll be in there by tomorrow night.

CUT TO:



[INT. (MOSCOW) CAMERA ROOM -- NIGHT]  

(SOLOMON sits in front of the monitor watching the tapes of ALEXI'S trance from 
the night before.)  

(NIKKO walks by the room and sees the tapes of the night before.  He's appalled 
by what he thinks is happening.)

NIKKO:  You've got spy cams in his room?

(SOLOMON sits up, interrupted from his thoughts.  He reaches out and turns the 
monitor off.  He closes the laptop and looks at NIKKO.)

SOLOMON:  I thought I told you not to leave the safe house?

NIKKO:  Is the whole place wired, dad?  I mean, should I shower with my boxers 
on?

(SOLOMON turns his back on NIKKO and opens the laptop.  He turns the tapes of 
ALEXI from the night before back on.)

SOLOMON:  (to NIKKO)  Don't leave the house again without permission.

(NIKKO stares at SOLOMON'S back, then mutters.)

NIKKO:  Well, great.  So, I guess I'm a prisoner, too, huh?

(Angry, SOLOMON turns around.)

SOLOMON:  No, you know what?  You, can always go back to school whatever you 
like.

NIKKO:  Just leave him alone!  

(The doorbell rings.)

NIKKO:  Okay?  It's just a stupid nightmare.  He doesn't even know what it 
means!

(NIKKO realizes his slip and turns away.  SOLOMON looks at NIKKO, puzzled as he 
puts it together.  SOLOMON stands up.  NIKKO can't look at SOLOMON.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko?  Has ALEXI talked to you?

(NIKKO looks at SOLOMON.  He doesn't say anything.  VINCENT rushes around the 
corner into the room.)

VINCENT:  (to SOLOMON)  It's State Security.  They have a warrant.  And they 
want the boy.

(VINCENT glances back at the door.  SOLOMON looks down, thinking about what 
they're going to do.  NIKKO looks at SOLOMON, pleading.)

NIKKO:  You can't let them take him.  

(VINCENT turns to look at NIKKO.)

NIKKO:  Look, he's not an orphan, okay?  They're lying.

(SOLOMON looks as if this is news to him.)

SOLOMON:  What?

(NIKKO swallows.)

VINCENT:  (quietly)  We've broken every law in their books.  Either we turn him 
over, or we get out.

(It's SOLOMON'S decision.  NIKKO looks at him.)

NIKKO:  Dad.  They'll hurt him.  You know it.

(SOLOMON looks at NIKKO wondering how much they've talked.)

SOLOMON:  What do you know?  I mean, how much has he told you?

NIKKO:  How much more do you need?  He just wants to be with his parents.

(VINCENT glances back at the other room, then to SOLOMON.  SOLOMON sighs and 
rubs a hand across his face.  He thinks for a moment, then makes the call.)

SOLOMON:  All right.  Get everyone out.  Use the panel.  Go!  Go!

(And with that, VINCENT and NIKKO head into the other room.  SOLOMON turns 
around to get the data they've collected.)

CUT TO:



[INT. BASEMENT - DAY -- CONTINUOUS]

(VINCENT leads everyone down the stairs.  SOLOMON, MAGGIE, ALEXI, JULIET and 
NIKKO all follow quickly.)  

[EXT. BACKDOOR TO OUTSIDE - DAY - CONTINUOUS]

(The backdoor opens and VINCENT peers outside.  He steps out cautiously.  
SOLOMON steps outside after him.  Around the building, they see the various 
GOVERNMENT PEOPLE standing outside waiting to take ALEXI from them.)

VINCENT:  I'll take Maggie and lose the van.  We'll meet you at the jet.

(Everyone slowly gets out of the building.  VINCENT and MAGGIE head for the 
van.)

(NIKKO closes the door behind him.)

NIKKO:  The jet?  Where are we taking him?

(VINCENT reaches the van and opens the door.  He slips inside and closes the 
door.  MAGGIE climbs in on the other side.  He glances back at the crowd of 
GOVERNMENT PEOPLE standing outside the building.  They haven't noticed them ... 
yet.)

(Cut to:  SOLOMON turns to the rest of them.)

SOLOMON:  Juliet, you come last with ALEXI.  Just act normal.  On my signal.  
Nice and slow.

(SOLOMON steps out.)

(NIKKO turns back and looks at ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  They won't get you again.  I promise.

(They watch as SOLOMON walks casually over past the van and toward one of the 
other cars.  He keeps his eyes on the GOVERNMENT PEOPLE in front of the 
building.  They still haven't noticed them.)

(SOLOMON reaches the car and opens the door.  He climbs inside and shuts the 
door.  He signals for the next person to go.)

(NIKKO, who is busy looking at ALEXI, misses the signal.  JULIET sees it.)

JULIET:  Nikko, go!  Go!

(SOLOMON turns again and signals with his hand.  NIKKO starts to go toward the 
car.)

(JULIET turns to ALEXI who is starting to panic.)

JULIET:  (quietly)  Okay.

(Together they head out after NIKKO.)

(NIKKO reaches the van and continues to walk past it.  VINCENT starts the van 
and moves out.)

(NIKKO continues to walk toward the car.  One of the GOVERNMENT MEN sees the van 
move and looks up.  He sees NIKKO and recognizes him instantly as the boy with 
ALEXI.  He points at him and starts shouting to the other OFFICERS there.)

(NIKKO sees them and jumps around one of the parked cars to the other side of 
the sidewalk.)

(SOLOMON starts the car and puts it between the GOVERNMENT OFFICERS and NIKKO.)

(By this time, JULIET and ALEXI have joined NIKKO behind the parked car.)

(SOLOMON reverses the car and drives backward to pick up the rest of the team.)

(NIKKO anticipates his dad's intentions and grabs ALEXI.  The three of them run 
out to meet the car.)

NIKKO:  Go, go, go!  Go!

(One of the GOVERNMENT OFFICERS rush down the fire escape to head them off.  
ALEXI sees the man coming and panics.  He pulls back.)

ALEXI:  They're going to get me!

NIKKO:  No they won't!  Go ahead, get down!

ALEXI:  You promised you wouldn't let them take me!  

(NIKKO pulls his eyes off of the man coming down from the fire escape to look at 
the scared little boy.  He sees his dad's car backing up toward them as fast as 
he can go.  He gages how fast the other GOVERNMENT OFFICERS are running across 
the street toward them.)

(He looks at ALEXI.)

ALEXI:  You promised!

(NIKKO steps forward and grabs ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  All right!  Come on!  Come on!

(They head off in another direction and disappear around the building.)

(SOLOMON reaches them first.  The tires of the car screech as he comes to a 
halt.  The back door opens and JULIET jumps inside.)

(SOLOMON sees NIKKO and ALEXI running off across the way.  NIKKO pulls down a 
stack of crates to block their path.))

SOLOMON:  Nicholas?!  What are you doing!

(The GOVERNMENT MAN jumps down from the fire escape onto SOLOMON'S car.  He hits 
the roof of the car with a thud.  Still, SOLOMON doesn't move, his gaze across 
the way at his son.)

(Finally, he backs up the car.  Tires screeching as the GOVERNAMENT MAN falls to 
the ground.)

(SOLOMON pulls the car back out of the alley and turns it around.)

(He starts driving off looking for NIKKO and ALEXI.)

SOLOMON:  (to JULIET)  Where'd they go?

(The GOVERNMENT OFFICERS stop running.)

(SOLOMON continues to drive while looking for the two kids.)

FADE OUT

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[EXT. JET (MOVING) - DAY]

MAGGIE:  (v.o.)  If Nikko is trying to take ALEXI back to his mother, then, 
there's only so many ways they can go.  There's a regular shuttle flight between 
Moscow and Odessa.



[INT. JET (MOVING) -- DAY]  

(Inside the plane, SOLOMON paces the aisle while MAGGIE offers her analysis of 
the situation.  Sitting nearby is VINCENT with a map in his hands.)  

MAGGIE:  But, they don't have money.  That leaves ground transport.  Buses, 
trains, trucks.

SOLOMON:  We can beat them there if we can land relatively close.  Where ALEXI's 
village.

MAGGIE:  The orphanage said it was Vasilivka.  That's halfway between Odessa and 
the Moldovian border.

(VINCENT looks at the map.)

VINCENT: Shushonova airfield.  The Russians have no jurisdiction in Moldova.  
We'll only be a few hours away by car.

SOLOMON:  Okay.  Set a new flight plan.  We have to find them before anyone else 
does.

CUT TO:



[EXT. - DAY]

LEGEND:  ODES'KA PROVINCE, UKRAINE



[EXT. ROADWAY -- DAY]  

(A truck drives along the roadway.  NIKKO and ALEXI are in the back of the 
canvas covered truck.)

NIKKO:  You'll be back with your mom before you know it.  Okay?  Don't worry.

(NIKKO absently holds on to the hackysack ball.)

ALEXI:  Thank you for taking me home.  No one has ever done anything to help me 
before.  Unless they're trying to help themselves, too.

NIKKO:  Like my dad?

ALEXI:  I know your father and the others aren't bad people, but what I know is 
very bad.  And it is better for everyone if I hide it.

NIKKO:  Everyone, but you?

ALEXI:  Sometimes, I see a blackness and it scares me and I know that if I let 
it out of my mind, it will spread.  And no one will be able to stop it.

(Camera holds on NIKKO.)

(The truck continues to drive along the roadway.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. CAIRO -- DAY]  

(NASHIB signs the receipt and hands the clipboard to the delivery person.  The 
Delivery person hands the new boxed satellite dish to NASHIB.  He laughs with 
glee and goes back into this establishment to set up his new toy.)  

NASHIB:  That's great!

CUT TO:



[INT. JET -- DAY]  

(CALVIN is reporting back to JULIET.)  

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  I'm in tonight, if I can tear Nashib away from "Trading 
Spaces".

JULIET:  Did you get the schematics I uplinked you?

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  Yeah.  I'm looking at them now.  Walk me through this.

(JULIET hits a couple of keys on the keyboard and the schematics appear on the 
monitor.)

JULIET:  There's a smaller pyramid about five hundred meters to the right of the 
main field.

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  I see that.

JULIET:  Legend is, it's not a tomb, but a well hidden temple set aside for 
human sacrifices and ancient rites.

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  Okay.  When I make it out of this alive, I expect a 
big-wife kiss when I get back.

JULIET:  (smoothly)  I'll let Vincent know.  

CUT TO:



[EXT. PYRAMIDS - LATE DAY]  

JULIET:  (v.o.)  There's a secret language locked in that pyramid.  Go get it, 
Indiana.



[INT. PYRAMID - LATE DAY]

(Inside the tunnels, the roof at the end of the tunnel breaks raining wood 
pieces, sand and dust down on the floor.  CALVIN and NASHIB enter the tunnel.)  

(CALVIN turns his flashlight on and looks down the tunnel.)

CALVIN:  Okay.  Come on.

NASHIB:  (nervous)  No, I stop right here.

CALVIN:  What are you talking about?  I need you for extra light.

NASHIB:  It's wrong to disturb this place.

(CALVIN leans back against the wall, looking up and thinking.)

CALVIN:  I see.  

(He looks at NASHIB.)

CALVIN:  Come on.  How many kazbahs do you think we can open with the treasures 
you find in there?  

(NASHIB doesn't say anything.  CALVIN takes it as agreement.)

CALVIN:  Right?  Come on.  It's time to crawl.

(CALVIN heads into the tunnel; NASHIB follows close behind him.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. ROADWAY -- DAY]

(NIKKO and ALEXI walk side by side down the roadway.)  

(They pass by a group of men and women walking in the other direction.)

NIKKO:  Oh, god.

ALEXI:  We're almost there.

(They hear a car horn beep.  NIKKO turns around and sees a jeep carrying some 
armed GUARDS driving in the same direction they're walking.)

(He grabs ALEXI and they turn around, adding themselves to the group of people 
they just passed.)

NIKKO:  Come on.  Come on!

(They casually walk at the end of the group.)

(The jeep passes them by.  NIKKO looks back over at the jeep driving away on the 
road.)

NIKKO:  They might be here for us.  Come on.  We've got to find a place to crash 
until it gets dark.

(He and ALEXI both run off of the road.)

CUT TO:



[INT. JET -- DAY]

(MAGGIE is on the computers.)  

SOLOMON:  (from radio)  Maggie!  We're on the road and headed East.  

INTERCUT WITH:

[INT. TRUCK (MOVING) - DAY]

SOLOMON:  I've just activated the GPS.  You got it there?

MAGGIE:  Confirmed.  How's the road?

SOLOMON:  No winters state.  We're averaging about forty.

MAGGIE:  You should cross the Ukraine border in approximately two hours.  
That'll be the hard part.

SOLOMON:  Yeah.  Let's just hope that our pictures aren't up in the guard shack 
yet.

CUT TO:



[INT. PYRAMIDS -- NIGHT]

(CALVIN continues to walk through the tunnel headed for the hidden chamber.)  

NASHIB:  Sometimes these places are cursed.  I have heard things that have 
happened to people who have entered sacred grounds.

(In the small tunnel that they're crouched inside, they pass pictures drawn on 
the tunnel walls.)

CALVIN:  Do we have to talk about this right now?

NASHIB:  Sudden death.  Life-long insanity.  Body parts just falling off ...

(CALVIN stops in front of the wall with particular gruesome pictures on it of 
people bloodied and torn in two.)

CALVIN:  Okay.  Okay.  I get it.

(NASHIB sees the pictures.)

NASHIB:  See?  I told you!

CALVIN:  (sarcastic)  Well that'll put a warm and fuzzy feeling in your stomach.

NASHIB:  It's a warning!  

(CALVIN continues on.  NASHIB continues to follow him.)

NASHIB:  We shouldn't be here!

CALVIN:  Well, no guts, no glory.

NASHIB:  Oh!  

(NASHIB stops when he sees the ancient skeleton of a person who died there.  
CALVIN shines a light on it and a black scorpion comes out of the skull's eye 
socket.  NASHIB starts panicking.)

NASHIB:  Oh-oh-oh!

CALVIN:  Look.  Just calm down, all right?

NASHIB:  I'm finished now.  You wanted in, but that's all you asked!

(NASHIB turns around and heads out, leaving CALVIN behind.)

CALVIN:  Great!  (shouts)  Yeah, well you can just forget all about the DVD 
player, buddy!

(CALVIN sits there a moment, then looks at the skeleton, his only companion.)

CALVIN:  Okay, you wait here, I'll be right back.

(CALVIN grabs his backpack and continues forward.)

CUT TO:



[INT. CHURCH - SANCTUARY -- NIGHT]  

(The church bell tolls.  The priest of the church walks down the aisle looking 
at the pews.)

(He sees NIKKO lying down on one church pew.  He looks down at NIKKO, looking 
him over carefully.)

(The church bell tolls.)

(He takes a few steps over and sees something that makes his jaw drop.)

(ALEXI is sleeping in the pew.)

PRIEST:  (in foreign language)  [Translation:  Alexi ... not again.]

(He looks down at ALEXI to make sure it is him.  He turns around and heads out 
the sanctuary, his black robes flying behind him.)

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[INT. PYRAMIDS -- NIGHT]  

(CALVIN continues to trudge through the tunnels.  He turns the corner, looks 
around at the walls, then sees the opening.  He looks through the opening and 
hits pay dirt.)

CALVIN:  Bingo.

(In the very next room is a chamber with panels of in tact glyph writing on 
every wall.  The panel runs horizontally continuously through the center of the 
four walls.  He looks around inside satisfied that it is the room that he's 
looking for.)

(He puts his things down and calmly squeezes in through the opening and in to 
the secret chamber.)

CALVIN:  I'll take secret glyphs for a thousand, please?

(Once inside, CALVIN again looks up at the panels covering the room.  He sees a 
second line of panels running vertically continuously through the ceiling cris-
crossing with the horizontal panels at the far wall in front of him.)

(He reaches into his bag and takes out a black light (or fluorescent light).  He 
switches it on and lights up the room.)

CALVIN:  There.  

(CALVIN is sufficiently awed.  The chamber is huge.  The panels run not only 
along the four walls, but up into the ceiling as well.)

CALVIN:  Man, what is this place?

(CALVIN takes out a digital camera and starts to take pictures of the walls in 
the chamber.)

(In a series of camera flashes, the camera zooms in to the far panel, closer and 
closer till it magnifies one particular glyph:  the same glyph that ALEXI wrote 
on his papers.)

CUT TO:



[INT. CHURCH - SANCTUARY -- NIGHT]  

(NIKKO slowly regains consciousness.  He hears men's voices.  These voices sound 
panicked.  NIKKO suddenly gets up and looks around.  At the front of the church, 
the two priests talk with each other.)  

(The one PRIEST who had found them earlier, leads a second PRIEST to where they 
are.)

(NIKKO doesn't like the looks of it.  He goes to get ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  Come on, ALEXI.  We've gotta go.  Let's go.  Come on!

(He pulls ALEXI up from his sleep and rushes him toward the door.  NIKKO looks 
around, gaging whether they'd be able to escape or not.)

NIKKO:  Oh, this is not good.  We've gotta go.  Come on!  

(The two PRIESTS rush forward toward them.  NIKKO looks at them trying to make 
them understand.  He holds out his hands to show them he means no harm.)

NIKKO:  Hey, we're leaving.

(But the two PRIESTS continue to rush forward.  They separate trying to surround 
them.)

NIKKO:  What do they want?  

(NIKKO turns and reaches for ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  Hey ALEXI.  What do they want?  Tell them we're leaving.  Tell them 
we're leaving!

ALEXI:  (scared)  They're here for me!

NIKKO:  What?

(The younger of the two priests reach NIKKO first.  He punches him in the 
stomach and reaches for ALEXI.  He pushes ALEXI toward the old PRIEST standing 
on the side.  The older PRIEST pushes the little boy to the floor trying to 
subdue him.)

NIKKO:  Let him go!

(NIKKO pushes the younger PRIEST aside and reaches for ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  ALEXI, move now!  Come on!  Let's move.  Fast!  Half-time!

(He pushes the old PRIEST aside and pulls ALEXI to his feet.  They both head for 
the front door.)

(They jump down and find the door locked.)

(The two PRIESTS get up and chase after them.  NIKKO starts to kick the door 
out.  ALEXI watches, earnestly.)

(NIKKO gets the door open and waits for ALEXI to leave first.)

NIKKO:  Go, go!  Go, go!

(ALEXI runs out of the church.)

(The old PRIEST stares at NIKKO.  NIKKO stares back at the old PRIEST.  NIKKO 
turns and runs out of the church.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. BORDER GUARD STATION -- NIGHT]  

(VINCENT and SOLOMON reach the border.  They stop the car.  The GUARD walks up 
to the driver's window and peers inside at VINCENT.)  

GUARD:  {untranslated foreign language}

(VINCENT takes out his papers and shows it to the GUARD.  The GUARD looks at 
it.)

GUARD:  (in english)  What business here?

VINCENT:  (shrugs)  Holiday.

(The GUARD looks at the second passport and shines his light at SOLOMON.  
SOLOMON averts his face slightly to avoid the light shining in his eyes.  He 
doesn't say anything.)

(The GUARD calls over another GUARD.  They both look at the papers.  He hands 
them to the second GUARD who runs off.  The first GUARD stands by the driver's 
side and shines the flashlight inside.)

(A second GUARD appears on the other side of the vehicle.  They both look in the 
back seat of the car from both sides.)

VINCENT:  (quietly)  Off road?

SOLOMON:  No, not yet.  not yet.

(The GUARD continues to inspect the back of the vehicle.  They both make their 
way back to the front of the car.)

(The second GUARD returns with the passports.  He hands them to the first GUARD 
who in turn returns them to VINCENT.)

GUARD:  Welcome to Ukraine.

(SOLOMON smiles a bit and nods.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. ALEXI'S HOME - FRONT -- NIGHT]  

(NIKKO and ALEXI walk up to the front gate of ALEXI'S home.)  

NIKKO:  This is your village?

ALEXI:  Yeah.  I never thought I'd see this again.  

(In the house in front of them, a WOMAN appears in the window.  She's looking at 
something off to the side.  ALEXI'S face lights up with recognition.)

ALEXI:  Momma?

(NIKKO slows down when he hears ALEXI.)

(He looks at the window at the WOMAN.  She turns around and a PRIEST walks into 
view, blocking her from the window.)

(NIKKO grabs ALEXI and runs forward toward the house.  He presses their backs 
against the wall next to the window just as the PRIEST turns to look outside.)

NIKKO:  Come on!

(Satisfied that he sees nothing, the PRIEST turns back into the room.)

(NIKKO pulls ALEXI down to the ground next to him.)

NIKKO:  They're the same priests who were in the church were after you.  Now, 
when are you going to tell me what this is all about?

(ALEXI looks at NIKKO and doesn't say anything.  NIKKO tries again to convince 
him to own up.)

NIKKO:  Look, I'm the only one you have right now.  Okay?  And I really would 
like to know what we're going up against.

(ALEXI looks away.  He knows that NIKKO is right and starts talking.)

ALEXI:  Ever since I was a boy, bad things happened in my village.  animals 
would die for no reason.  Crops failed.

NIKKO:  They blamed all that on you?

ALEXI:  I spoke when I was six months old.  I knew eight languages by the time I 
was four.  The village priests said I had a Serpent's Tongue.

NIKKO:  They thought you were possessed?

ALEXI:  They tried to burn my house down.  My mother wanted to move away to keep 
me safe.  But, two days later, the men from Moscow came and took me to the 
orphanage.  It was my father who called them.  Momma didn't know.  I don't want 
to be without her anymore.

(NIKKO stands up and peers around the window blind into the house.  He sees 
ALEXI'S MOTHER take her wrap off of the hook and put it on.  She opens the front 
door and walks outside.)

(NIKKO pulls back.  He pushes ALEXI toward the back of the house.)

(They run around the corner.  NIKKO runs out first.  ALEXI'S MOTHER looks up 
from the water pump and sees him.)

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  {untranslated foreign language}

(She takes a step back and looks at NIKKO.  She says something longer at him, 
expecting an answer.)

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  {untranslated foreign language}

(NIKKO puts a finger across his lips in a motion for her to be silent.  He looks 
behind him where ALEXI slowly walks out from around the corner of the house.)

(ALEXI'S MOTHER looks at him and her face melts.  ALEXI runs up to her.  She 
calls him.)

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  {untranslated foreign language}

(She steps forward and wraps her arms around him.  They both start to cry, happy 
just to see each other.  She pulls back a bit to talk with ALEXI.)

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  {untranslated foreign language}

ALEXI:  She says I'm in danger.  We have to leave.  She says the villagers will 
kill me this time if they knew I am back.  

MAN'S VOICE:  (off screen)

(ALEXI'S MOTHER and NIKKO look up at the sound of the voice.  ALEXI gasps, steps 
back and presses his back to the side of the house.  ALEXI'S MOTHER shouts out a 
response.)

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  (shouts)  {untranslated foreign language}

(She turns and grabs NIKKO by the front of his jacket.

ALEXI'S MOTHER:  (pleading and crying)  {untranslated foreign language}

(NIKKO has no clue what she's saying to him.  He looks up at the front door and 
sees it open.  The old PRIEST looks up and sees NIKKO.  NIKKO wastes no time, he 
rushes past ALEXI'S MOTHER over toward ALEXI to get him out of there.)

(The old PRIEST turns around and motions for the others inside the house.)

NIKKO:  Go.  Go!

(NIKKO grabs ALEXI and pulls him toward the back of the house.  ALEXI, however, 
has no intention of losing his mother.  He grabs her and resists NIKKO'S tugs.)

ALEXI:  No! NO!  Not this time!  Not again!

NIKKO:  Come on.  Come on  Let's go

(NIKKO turns back and pulls them both toward the back of the house.)

(The PRIESTS and the other men rush forward to chase after them.)

(Again, the old PRIEST stares at NIKKO as he leads them away and around the 
corner of the house.)

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[EXT. VILLAGE -- NIGHT]  

(VINCENT and SOLOMON drive up into the village.  Gathered in front of ALEXI'S 
home is a group of men with dogs on leashes.  They carry their flashlights 
intending to go hunting in the dark.)

(The car parks and SOLOMON gets out.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko!

(He slams his door shut.  VINCENT also gets out of the car.  They head toward 
the group of men trying to find out what's going on.)

(SOLOMON reaches a young man upset.)

SOLOMON:  What's wrong?  What's going on?

YOUNG MAN:  {in foreign language} [Translation:  Alexi.  He's back, the Devil 
Boy.

(The man points in the direction.)

SOLOMON:  Alexi?  Here?

YOUNG MAN: {in foreign language} [Translation:  Ya, he's back, come, come.]

(He motions for SOLOMON to follow them.)

SOLOMON:  Was there another boy?  Another boy?

MAN: {in foreign language} [Translation:  Comeon, split up.  We're only a few 
minutes behind them.]

(The men gather and head off in the general direction taking their barking dogs 
with them.)

(SOLOMON looks around and heads back toward VINCENT.)

VINCENT:  This isn't a search party, it's a lynch mob.  

SOLOMON:  We've got to find him.

(SOLOMON opens the car door.)

(Coming up the drive is another vehicle.  They beep their horn trying to get 
attention.  VINCENT turns around and sees them coming.)

VINCENT:  We've got company.

(SOLOMON walks around the front of the car toward VINCENT.)

SOLOMON:  All right, here's your chance to go off roading.  

(VINCENT gets into the car.  SOLOMON pulls out his radio and checks it.  He 
takes a step backward toward the back of the house.)

SOLOMON:  All right.  I'll call you when I've got him.

(VINCENT closes the car door.  The GOVERNMENT vehicles are nearly there.  He 
starts the engine and backs the car out of the drive.  SOLOMON steps away.)

(VINCENT drives off.)

CUT TO:



[INT. PYRAMIDS -- NIGHT]  

(CALVIN aims his flashlight up into the tunnels.)

CALVIN:  Oh!  We're out of here.

(He turns to get his things when a PRIEST appears crawling through the tunnels.)

OLD PRIEST:  How did you get here?

(CALVIN is startled.)

CALVIN:  Whaaa-?

OLD PRIEST:  ... and what did you see?

(CALVIN stares at the OLD PRIEST.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. WOODS -- NIGHT]  

(NIKKO urges ALEXI and his MOTHER forward.  They climb over a wooden fence and 
stop.)  

NIKKO:  No, no, no!  We can't stop.

(NIKKO checks on them.)

NIKKO:  You okay?  You all right?

(In the darkness to the side of them, they hear MEN'S VOICES calling out to each 
other and dogs barking.)

(Cut to:  Inside the group of men looking for the fugitives, SOLOMON also looks 
around with them.)

SOLOMON:  Alexi!

(In a series of Dissolves:  The men continue to search the woods.)

(The men reach the same wooden fence that NIKKO and the others climbed over.  
They climb over the fence and continue the search.)

(SOLOMON reaches the wooden fence and climbs over it.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko?!

(He looks down on the other side and sees a familiar green hackysack ball 
resting in the cluster of rocks.)

(SOLOMON waits for the last SEARCHER to climb over the wooden fence.)

(After the MAN passes him, SOLOMON kneels down and looks at the hackysack ball.)

SOLOMON:  (softly)  Nikko.

(SOLOMON looks around and sees a rock in the middle of the ground.  The moss on 
the rock is facing him.  The two lining up in a single direction.)

SOLOMON:  Soft, green, and it only grows north.  

(SOLOMON shines the flashlight from the rock with the moss back to the 
hackysack.  He picks the hackysack ball up and looks in the direction it's 
pointing to.)

SOLOMON:  I'm right behind you.

(SOLOMON follows the trail.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. WOODS -- NIGHT]  

(The search party's flashlights skim the trees near where NIKKO, ALEXI and his 
MOTHER sit huddled close to the ground.)  

NIKKO:  Okay.  Now stay put.  If he's out there, he'll find us.

ALEXI:  He'll have to find you.  We'll go alone from here.  If we go with you, 
we will never have our own lives.  It's our only chance we have to be free.

NIKKO:  Are you sure?

(ALEXI'S MOTHER reaches out a hand and lightly touches NIKKO'S cheek.  She says 
something to him.)

ALEXI:  She says, your mother raised a good son.

(A beam of light shines on them.  A dark figure of a man has found them.  ALEXI 
and his MOTHER shy away from the light.  NIKKO gazes up at the figure.)

NIKKO:  Dad?

(The MAN from the search party has found them.  He cocks his rifle and lifts it, 
pointed directly at NIKKO.  He shouts something to him.)

(NIKKO raises his hand in surrender when he realizes that it's not him.)

(SOLOMON steps out from behind the MAN from the search party.  The MAN turns 
around and SOLOMON punches him in the face.  The MAN goes down.)

NIKKO:  Dad!

(SOLOMON rushes over to check on NIKKO.)

SOLOMON:  You all right?  Are you hurt?

NIKKO:  No, I'm okay.  This is Alexi and his mom.

(SOLOMON stands up and moves to kneel in front of them.)

SOLOMON:  Everyone okay?  Okay.  Stay low.  We might have to cross the border on 
foot.

(SOLOMON moves to leave.  ALEXI stops him.)

ALEXI:  No, we're not going.

SOLOMON:  You've got no choice.

(ALEXI struggles to stand up.)

ALEXI:  Yes, we do.

SOLOMON:  Listen to me.  

(ALEXI and his mom push past SOLOMON.  He tries to stop them.)

SOLOMON:  Alexi stop.  You'll never make it out of here alive.  You've got your 
mother back.  That's all that matters, isn't it?  Come with me.  I'll keep you 
safe.  If you run, they'll find you and this time, you will never see each other 
again.  Please.  

(Desperate to make them listen, SOLOMON turns to look at NIKKO.)

SOLOMON:  (to NIKKO)  Tell them.

(NIKKO looks at the two of them and tells them what he knows.)

NIKKO:  (softly)  (to ALEXI)  Don't let her go.  You'll never get her back.  
Trust me, I know.

(SOLOMON away from ALEXI to look at NIKKO.  NIKKO stares at ALEXI.)

NIKKO:  Okay?

(After a moment, ALEXI moves toward SOLOMON.  They're going with them.)

SOLOMON:  Okay.  Come on.

(Together, they get up to leave.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE (STOCK) - NIGHT]



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- NIGHT]  

(SOLOMON walks up the steps in the main room toward NIKKO who is standing in 
front of the desk near the windows.)

SOLOMON:  Hey.  

(NIKKO turns to look at SOLOMON who throws him his hackysack ball.)

SOLOMON:  Thought you might want that back.  

(SOLOMON moves to get behind his desk.  NIKKO glances down at the ball, then 
quietly mutters to SOLOMON.)

NIKKO:  Sorry.  I'll get out of your way, if you're going to work late.

(SOLOMON shakes his head.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko.  You're never in my way.  You just ... You can't interfere like 
that again.  You put the whole team in jeopardy.  ALEXI too.

NIKKO:  You know, every-everything you said to him out there.  I really thought 
you understood.  Dad, he just wanted a normal life with his mom.  Is that wrong?

(SOLOMON puts a hand on NIKKO'S shoulder, trying to make him understand.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko.  I miss your mother, too, you know?  And if ALEXI can help me 
figure out what happened to her, I don't want to lose him.

NIKKO:  Even if you wreck his life trying?

(Someone clears her throat.  They both look up to see MAGGIE standing in the 
office.)

MAGGIE:  Cal's on his way up.  With quite an escort.

(SOLOMON and NIKKO look at each other.  This disagreement isn't over.  Not by a 
long shot.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION - ROOM -- NIGHT]

(The "escort" is a group of PRIESTS of varying ages, the oldest of them sits in 
the front center of the group.)  

SOLOMON:  Gentlemen: You have been guarding the Chamber of Dahshur for the last 
hundred years and we have a boy who might be able to read what's inside of it.  
All I want to do is translate the glyphs.  Why is that a problem?

OLD PRIEST:  There are things that even a seeker of the truth like yourself 
should not be allowed to see.

SOLOMON:  With all due respect ... wait.  What are you not telling me?

OLD PRIEST:  When Zahari excavated the Chamber of Dahshur, he unearthed the 
ancient words of the devil.  These words were locked away for a millennia.  The 
ancient language they were written in became forbidden to be learned, and in 
time, it was lost to man forever.

SOLOMON:  And you want it to stay lost?

OLD PRIEST:  In many holy books, there is the same prophecy.  One day a person 
will be born able to speak all the languages man has ever known -- even the 
ancient ones.  And it is believed that when the words of the devil are spoken 
aloud, a terrible evil will be unleashed -- marking the beginning of the 
Apocalypse.  

NIKKO:  (scoffs)  And you think that Alexi is going to do this, right?

(The OLD PRIEST turns his steely gaze on NIKKO.  SOLOMON turns to look at 
NIKKO.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko.

NIKKO:  C'mon dad, you don't really believe this?  He's just a kid.

OLD PRIEST:  There are often things we must do for the good of the many at the 
expense of the few.

SOLOMON:  And the church condones this?

OLD PRIEST:  Some things are beyond the church.  Powerful men have kept this 
secret for thousands of years.

(SOLOMON nods.  He turns and looks at VINCENT.)

SOLOMON:  What powerful men?

OLD PRIEST:  Even the Vatican is fully aware -

SOLOMON:  What powerful men, sir?

(SOLOMON looks at the OLD PRIEST.  The OLD PRIEST looks at SOLOMON knowing full 
well that no amount of talking will ever get them to agreement.)

OLD PRIEST:  (firmly)  We will take the boy now, doctor.

NIKKO: Take him where?

SOLOMON:  Nikko ... 

(SOLOMON turns to look at NIKKO.  He takes a step forward toward him.)

SOLOMON:  I want you to go into the office and I want you to stay there until 
our guests are gone.

(Thinking he's being dismissed as he usually is, NIKKO starts to protest.)

NIKKO:  Dad ... th-- !

(SOLOMON cuts him off and looks directly at NIKKO.)

SOLOMON:  (steadily)  Until our guests are gone.  Do you understand?

(NIKKO looks at SOLOMON, then at the OLD PRIESTS.  Then his eyes return to his 
dad's.  He understands.)

(NIKKO moves to leave the room.)

NIKKO:  All right.

(SOLOMON watches NIKKO leave, then turns back to face the OLD PRIESTS.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- ANOTHER ROOM -- NIGHT]  

(Inside the room, JULIET sits with ALEXI and his MOTHER.  The door opens and 
NIKKO rushes to give them instructions.)  

NIKKO:  Out the back.  Take the service elevator to the basement and hide there.  
Then someone will come and get you when the coast is clear.

ALEXI:  Momma ... {untranslated foreign language}

(They both stand up.  NIKKO urges them to the next door.)

NIKKO:  Go on!  You've just got your shot at freedom.

(When they reach the door, ALEXI stops.  He looks at his mother, then gives 
NIKKO a hug.)  

NIKKO:  Don't give up on hackysack.  (smiling)  Promise?

ALEXI:  I promise.

(Camera holds on JULIET as she smiles at them.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION - MAIN OFFICE -- NIGHT]  

(SOLOMON paces the floor as he stalls for more time.)  

SOLOMON:  All right.  I'll give you the boy.  If you tell me who wants him.

OLD PRIEST:  There can be no mistakes made now, doctor.  Even by good men.

(SOLOMON steps forward and looks at the OLD PRIEST.)

SOLOMON:  Who do you answer to?  I know it isn't God.

(The OLD PRIEST has had it.  He gets to his feet, his eyes hard on SOLOMON.)

OLD PRIEST:  Search the entire floor.  

(The other PRIESTS move out of the room.)

SOLOMON:  Fine.  Search the place.

(SOLOMON and VINCENT immediately follow after them.  CALVIN and MAGGIE stay in 
the room with the OLD PRIEST.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION - ANOTHER ROOM - NIGHT]

(The door to the room opens.  A young Priest and SOLOMON walk into the room.  
Inside, NIKKO and JULIET are reading books quietly.  They look up at the 
interruption.)

NIKKO:  I thought they'd be gone by now.

SOLOMON:  (nods)  I was hoping they would be.

(The Young PRIEST leaves the room.  JULIET smiles at NIKKO.  NIKKO smiles at 
SOLOMON.  SOLOMON smiles back at both of them, then turns and leaves the room.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION - NIGHT - SOMETIME LATER]  

(NIKKO appears in the open doorway to his father's office.  He looks inside.  He 
walks in and up the stairs toward SOLOMON who is sitting behind his desk looking 
at something.)  

(NIKKO walks up and takes the seat facing his father's desk.)

NIKKO:  Yo.  

(SOLOMON puts what he's looking at down and exhales.  He fills NIKKO in on 
ALEXI.)

SOLOMON:  They made it out of the city.  With new ID's, they'll have that normal 
life they've always wanted.

NIKKO:  You know, they're wrong about him.  He never used that language to hurt 
anyone.

SOLOMON:  Well, Alexi's not the devil, Nikko.  But that doesn't mean that what 
he knows isn't power.  I believe that its what people do with power that makes 
it good or evil.  As long as the people who are after Alexi never get him and 
whatever knowledge he has is just information, then he has no power.

NIKKO:  Well, his mom will keep him safer than anyone else.

SOLOMON:  That's what parents do.

(He looks at SOLOMON and smiles.)

NIKKO:  Yeah.

(NIKKO sighs.)

NIKKO:  Well, don't work too late.

(NIKKO gets up and leaves the room.  SOLOMON watches him go.)

(SOLOMON gets up and walks over to the table where the metal briefcase is.  He 
opens it and takes out one of Haley's journals.  He flips it open to a 
particular passage, then moves back toward his desk.)

HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Peru, October 21.  Inscription on Altar to Viracocha at 
the Temple of Akkra.  

(SOLOMON takes his seat.  He continues to read.)

HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  "And in the end, a voice will come that speaks the truth 
in all the ways of man.  And in the hands of light, this truth shall lead the 
way.  

(In front of SOLOMON are the surveillance tapes of ALEXI'S trance-like state.)

HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  But if the darkness speaks, the tongues of Man will fall 
forever silent, and the Earth and Heaven will come undone."

(SOLOMON puts the journal aside and looks at the monitor.  The camera zooms in 
close to show ALEXI sitting cross-legged on the bed, rocking back and forth and 
muttering to himself.)

FADE OUT.

========================
THE END
========================

Courtesy of http://www.webphilia.com/~anthology/wnp.html

Contact the Transcriptionist at (intrepidly002@yahoo.com)

Please do not archive this transcript without permission from the 
Transcriptionist.

========================
BEGINNING/TITLE CREDITS
========================
VERITAS:  THE QUEST
1X09:  DEVIL CHILD
[UNAIRED IN U.S.]
AIR DATE IN SOUTH AFRICA:  07/25/2003
TRANSCRIBED FROM SABC-1 

Starring
ALEX CARTER as Dr. Solomon Zond
RYAN MERRIMAN as Nicholas "Nikko" Zond
COBIE SMULDERS as Juliet Droil

ERIC BALFOUR as Calvin Banks
CYNTHIA MARTELLS as Maggie (Hayes)

and
ARNOLD VOSLOO as Vincent Siminou

Created by:  PATRICK MASSETT & JOHN ZINMAN

Guest Starring
MICHAEL KANEV
JOHN GILBERT

Producer:  I.C. RAPOPORT

Co-Executive Producer:  THANIA ST. JOHN
Co-Executive Producer:  RICK KELLARD

Produced by:  IAIN PATERSON

Executive Producer:  CRAIG ZADAN
Executive Producer:  NEIL MERON
Executive Producer:  PATRICK MASSETT
Executive Producer:  JOHN ZINMAN

Written by THANIA ST. JOHN
Directed by TOM WRIGHT

========================
END CREDITS 
========================

Massett/Zinman Productions
Storyline Entertainment
Touchstone Television

Consulting Producer:  BRYAN SPEER
Co-Producers:  GABRIELLE STANTON
Co-Producers:  HARRY WERKSMAN, JR.

Co-Starring
MARYBETH CAMERON as Haley (Cayce)
SERGEI NIHOUCHI as The Interrogator
DEANNA DIZADJI as Female Technician
FARZAD SADRIAN as Nashib
ENIS ESMEA as Egyptian Guard
JON CRANIM as Old Priest

STEFAN HAYES as Border Guard
ANNA SOLO as Irma
VLADMIR RADAN as Bishop
RAFAL SOHDLOWKI as Villager
DEREK BUDALHI as Urkranian Soldier

(c) 2003 Touchstone Television.  All Rights Reserved.

Dated:09/07/03~lky
http://www.webphilia.com/~anthology/wnp.html