VERITAS:  THE QUEST
1X12:  UNTITLED (SIBERIA)
[UNAIRED IN U.S.]
AIR DATE IN SOUTH AFRICA:  07/18/2003
TRANSCRIBED FROM SABC-1

Written by THANIA ST. JOHN
Directed by CHAD HODGE

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 travels to Siberia when one of Haley's diaries has 
been discovered in a trunk of her old belongings.  The diary specifically 
chronicled a time in Haley's life when she went missing in the Siberian Forests 
and stumbled upon the Secret Cave of Eternal Water:  A cave many would kill to 
discover.  Oh, and learn about the origins of that necklace that Nikko wears 
around his neck.
==========================
VERITAS:  THE QUEST
1X12:  UNTITLED (SIBERIA) [UNAIRED IN US]
==========================



COLD OPEN:

[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN HALL -- NIGHT]

LEGEND:  
TUNGUS VILLAGE
SIBERIA, 1788

[CAMERA FAST-BLURRY MOTION]

(Two Tungus Males are fighting in the center of a crowd in the large tent next 
to a large fire.)

(Cut to:  Close up of a Large White Dog Barking.)

(The crowd gets into the fight.  Drummers sit on the side beating their hide-
covered drums in a fast, pulsating rhythm.)

(The Two Tungus Men continue to fight in front of a young tribal woman sitting 
very close to the sidelines.)

(The larger, younger of the two with a large headset of feathers, attacks, hits 
his opponent, uses his foot, plants it in the center of his opponent's chest and 
pushes him backward to the ground.  The opponent falls to the floor.)

(The younger man beats his chest and turns his back as his opponent gets to his 
feet.  He charges the young man and hits in the back of his side.  The young man 
turns around and blocks the second blow with a knife carved from the antlers of 
a native forest animal.  He tangles his opponent's weapon in the antlers and 
tugs the weapon free from his grip.)

(He turns, grabs his opponent around his waist and pushes him backward.  The two 
fall to the ground in front of the roaring fire.)

(The young man holds the antler knife next to his opponent's neck.  The young 
woman watches from the side and gasps in terror.)

(The opponent grabs a sharpened knife out from the sheath at his waist.  He 
stabs the young man in the gut.)

(The young man roars in pain.

[CAMERA SLOW MOTION AND BLURRY]

DISSOLVE TO:



[INT. SIBERIAN BAR -- NIGHT]  

(Camera opens on a display of a Tungus head hanging on the wall.  The head is 
weathered, its skin is leathery and it's wearing the same headgear as the young 
man in the story.)  

(One of the bar's patrons, a man with a thick Australian accent and hat rimmed 
with strung crocodile teeth recounts the tale for his new audience.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (o.s.)  (Australian accent)  A long and bloody history with 
these chaps.  It's the god's truth, sir.  You put your head at risk the minute 
you put it in the bush up to here.  

(He turns and raises his drink at NIKKO who just so happens to be next to him at 
that moment.  NIKKO motions to the bartender that he wants two drinks.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (Australian Accent)  Not a bit of nice, those Tungus.  He 
came back to his mom with nothing ... (beat) ... above the shoulders.

(He finishes his drink and puts the empty shot glass down on the counter.  NIKKO 
silently watches him and nods.)  

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Yeah.  

(He looks at NIKKO.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Buy me a drink, I'll tell you all about the, eh, hospitality 
of the native girls.  

(He winks at NIKKO as if they're sharing some sort of male secret.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  They're crazy about Americans, you know?  Especially tall 
ones like you.

NIKKO:  Really?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Be more than willing to put in a good word on your behalf.

NIKKO:  Thanks, but ... uh ... I'll be all right on my own.

(NIKKO steps away from the bar.  The Australian MAN calls out to NIKKO'S 
retreating back.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Suit yourself, mate.

CUT TO:

[VINCENT]

(At another table in the same bar, the old white-haired man moves his piece on 
the board and removes one of VINCENT'S pieces from the board.  He holds it up to 
show VINCENT before putting it on the side.)  

(On the table between them is what appears to be an oriental chess board which 
black and white circular stone pieces.)

VINCENT:  You're very good.  

(The white-haired old man reaches out his hand to grab the stack of money on the 
side of the board.  But before he can touch it, VINCENT grabs his hand and halts 
him.)  

VINCENT:  But I actually know the rules.

(The white-haired old man looks at VINCENT and slowly sits back down.  Now 
VINCENT moves and clears the entire board.)  

(VINCENT picks up the cash on the side of the board.)

VINCENT:  I believe this belongs to me.

(The White-haired old man grabs VINCENT'S wrist to stop him.  Two of his 
younger, fighters take a threatening step closer to the board.  VINCENT eyes the 
two men.)

VINCENT:  Best two out of three?

CUT TO:

[SOLOMON and MAGGIE]

(MAGGIE, SOLOMON and NIKKO are sitting at a small table.  In the middle of the 
table is a plate of local finger foods.  SOLOMON takes a bite of the food.)  

SOLOMON:  hmm.  

(SOLOMON nods his head.)

SOLOMON:  It's very good.  

(NIKKO watches, his curiosity getting the better of him.)

SOLOMON:  (murmurs)  Delicious.

NIKKO:  Really?

SOLOMON:  (nods)  mm-hmmm.

(SOLOMON takes another scrumptious bite.  Giving in, NIKKO reaches out and picks 
up one of the finger foods on the plate and takes a bite.)

(His face immediately sours at the taste.  He freezes and yet, he can't insult 
their host by spitting it out.)

(SOLOMON chews, nods and looks at NIKKO.  NIKKO starts to chew, too, his face 
souring even more with every bite.)

NIKKO:  Oh, yeah.  That is delicious.  What is it?

(NIKKO eyes the food in his hand warily.)

SOLOMON:  When you are in a place like this, there are no good answers to any 
questions.

(MAGGIE leans forward and offers some sage advice to NIKKO.)

MAGGIE:  Never eat what he eats.

NIKKO:  (bursts out)  I can't believe mom lived here.

MAGGIE:  It's a vacation spot now compared to what it was like during the cold 
war.

NIKKO:  So, is grandpa ... was he ... insane or what?

SOLOMON:  (smiles)  He was here to design Siberian pipelines for the oil company 
he worked for.

NIKKO:  Yeah, but c'mon dad.  Three years?  I mean, that's a lot of eating ... 
fried ... whatever that is.

(He looks back down at the plate of finger foods.)

BATU:  (o.s.)  Your mother never liked those either.

(SOLOMON stands up in friendly greeting to the middle-aged Siberian Man.)

SOLOMON:  Batu.

(They shake hands.)

BATU:  Solomon.  Thank you for coming.

SOLOMON:  We came here as fast as we could.  This is Nikko and Maggie.

(BATU takes the empty seat.)

BATU:  And, the gentleman at the bar making our local crime boss happy?

(SOLOMON glances over at VINCENT.)

SOLOMON:  Vincent, Security Expert.  By the sound of it, I thought we might need 
him here.

BATU:  Yes, yes.  I'm afraid this is my fault.

SOLOMON:  Now, you said that you have a trunk full of Haley's old things.

BATU:  I live in the house she grew up in.  The Cayce's left it to my father 
when they were forced to leave.

SOLOMON:  But, you said that you were threatened?  

(Sitting within hearing shot of them is a dark-haired, big burley bearded man. 
hunched over his table listening intently to their conversation.)

SOLOMON:  (o.s.)  What exactly did you find in the trunk that anyone would want?

BATU:  A diary written by Haley when she was just a girl.

(SOLOMON doesn't say anything.)

NIKKO:  You mean, mom wrote a journal we've never seen?

BATU:  I should not have told anyone about it, but it brought back so many 
memories for me.  

(SOLOMON smiles as just the mere mention of another diary brought back memories 
for him.  He knows exactly what he means.)

BATU:  (continues)  That night, someone broke into my house, but I had already 
hidden the diary in a place.  That is when I contacted you.

SOLOMON:  No, you did the right thing.  But what did she write down that was so 
important?

BATU:  Did she ever tell you the story about being lost in the forest as a girl?

MAGGIE/SOLOMON:  Yes.
NIKKO:  No.

(NIKKO looks at them, being that he doesn't know the story.)

NIKKO:  What are you talking about?

MAGGIE:  She was thirteen, if I remember correctly.

NIKKO:  Am I the only one who doesn't know about this?

SOLOMON:  She was lost for about a month.

BATU:  (taking over) ... given up for dead.  And when she was found, she told a 
remarkable story about an ancient Tungus tribesman who saved her life in the 
Secret Cave of Eternal Water.

(NIKKO gasps, his eyes grow wide.)

NIKKO:  Wow.  

(He smiles.)  

NIKKO:  (unbelieving)  That's a good one.

(He looks around thinking that the story is too unbelievable to be true, but 
BATU doesn't crack a smile.  It's no joke.)

NIKKO:  Are you serious?

BATU:  Your mother found proof of a legend that dates back thousands of years.  
A hidden wellspring that offers everlasting life.

(SOLOMON doesn't say anything.)

NIKKO:  C'mon.  Like some Fountain of Youth?

BATU:  No one else believed her either, but she wrote the whole story down.  She 
is the only person to have ever seen this secret place.

SOLOMON:  And now someone thinks that they can find it again by reading her 
diary.

BATU:  Yes.  That is why I trust only you.  

(NIKKO turns to look at SOLOMON.  BATU excuses himself to get the diary.)

BATU:  Excuse me.

(BATU walks over the bar and takes something out of his pocket that he hands to 
the bartender.  The bartender turns around and unlocks the cash box.)

(VINCENT turns his head and notices the dark-haired man sitting in the side.)

(The bartender reaches under the cash box and takes out the diary.)

(He hands the diary over to BATU.  BATU turns around and heads back to the 
table.)

(The dark-haired man stands up, takes out a large hunting knife and ...

[CAMERA SLOW MOTION]

( ... he throws the knife at BATU.  The knife turns over as it hurls straight 
toward BATU ... )

( ... VINCENT stands up and grabs the checker board off of the table.  He holds 
it up in front of BATU ... )

( ... and the knife embeds itself into the board.)

[RESUME MOTION]

(SOLOMON stands up and grabs the dark-haired man.  They fight. Bigger than 
SOLOMON, the dark-haired man swings SOLOMON around and throws him back against 
the table.  He pulls out another knife and holds it above SOLOMON who has both 
his hands wrapped around the man's wrist to stop that knife from hitting him.)

(VINCENT grabs the dark-haired man and twists his arm around him.  He flips the 
man over and down onto the ground.)

(The man gets up and runs out the bar door.)

(NIKKO runs up to his dad to help him stand up.)

NIKKO:  (to SOLOMON)  You all right?  You okay?

SOLOMON:  Yeah.  Yeah.  That guy had one hell of a dentist.

VINCENT:  (to the bartender)  Diamond teeth?  You seen him before?

(The BARTENDER doesn't say anything.  He turns away.  Another Australian 
Accented voice pipes up.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  He's Tungus.  The nasty blokes who collects those heads.  

(He indicates the head on the shelf.  He shakes his head and puts on his hat.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  It's not good being on the wrong end of their blade.

(Camera moves from NIKKO ... to VINCENT ... to SOLOMON.)

(Camera holds on the Tungus head on the shelf.)

HARD CUT TO:
END OF TEASER
ROLL TITLE CREDITS

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[EXT. SIBERIAN WINTER WOODS - DAY]

(In a fast forward time lapse camera, day turns into night.)



[INT. BATU'S RESIDENCE -- NIGHT]  

(BATU stands in front of an old trunk.  SOLOMON and NIKKO stand behind him, 
MAGGIE and VINCENT stand in the back of the room near the door.)

BATU:  I found the diary in this trunk.  

(BATU opens the trunk.)

BATU:  This is all that was left of Haley's things.  Mostly old clothes, but I 
thought you might want to look through them.

(BATU stands up.  NIKKO sits down on the sofa.)

SOLOMON:  Thanks.

(BATU turns to leave them alone to look through the trunk.  He sees VINCENT and 
MAGGIE.)

BATU:  Come.  I'll make tea.

(They all leave the room and close the door behind them.)

(SOLOMON kneels in front of the trunk to look through it.  For one brief moment, 
he's overwhelmed with the memories and looks around the room.  NIKKO looks at 
his father, flustered, and watches him with concern.  He puts a hand on his 
arm.)

NIKKO:  Dad?

SOLOMON:  Yeah.  Uh.  

(SOLOMON stops and tries again.)

SOLOMON:  (swallows)  That's funny.  I thought I was done going through your 
mother's things, you know?

NIKKO:  (sighs)  Yeah.  

(SOLOMON picks up an old tennis shoe and spies the still tied knots.)

SOLOMON:  (smiles)  Oh, god.  Triple knots.

(NIKKO nods.)

BOTH:  For good luck.

(NIKKO smiles as they share a moment.)

NIKKO:  (confesses)  I still do that.

(SOLOMON looks down at the shoe in his hand.)

SOLOMON:  Yeah, me too.

(NIKKO flips through the thick book in his hand and finds an old folded-up 
newspaper clipping hidden in the pages.  He takes it out and looks at it.)

NIKKO:  (whispers)  Dad?  

(He closes the book and puts it aside.  He shows the article to SOLOMON.)

NIKKO:  Look, it's mom.

(He unfolds the old clipping.  There's a large headline in Russian on the top 
with a photo of HALEY on the bottom next to an article.)

(SOLOMON looks at the clipping.)

SOLOMON:  It's the article from when your mother was lost.  You know, she was 
just a few years younger than you are.

(The door opens and BATU walks in carrying cups in his hands.  He hears the last 
half of NIKKO'S statement.)

NIKKO:  So, you really think that this Cave of Eternity thing is true?

(BATU closes the door.)

SOLOMON:  I mean, something kept her alive in the Siberian wilderness for a 
month.

NIKKO:  Yeah.

(BATU hands NIKKO and SOLOMON each a cup.)

BATU:  The Eternal Waters are the cornerstone of the Tungus religion.

SOLOMON:  Thank you.

(BATU sits down.)

BATU:  Legend says that they were entrusted by the great Sky god to be keepers 
of the secret to prevent the cave from ever being found.

NIKKO:  Wow.  And knocking people's heads off pretty much blows a big no 
trespassing sign.

BATU;  Yes, until the Communists came with guns.  The Forest people are no match 
for revolutionary zealots.  The tribal people were all killed and with them died 
the location of the cave.  Today, they still live in the wild, no better than a 
band of thieves.

SOLOMON:  ... and murderers?

BATU:  The power of the cave has led men to kill before.

NIKKO:  I see you believe it too.

(BATU pauses.  He stops and considers even showing it to them.)

BATU:  There's one more thing I think you should see.

(He looks at both NIKKO and SOLOMON.)

CUT TO:



[NEXT ROOM -- CONTINUOUS]  

(Camera opens on a green plant with red flowers thriving.)

(NIKKO walks into the room and sees the large plant the size of a small potted 
bush.  It's covered with red flowers.  SOLOMON walks in after him, followed by 
BATU.)

NIKKO:  Wow.

(NIKKO steps up to the plant.)

NIKKO:  (joking)  Save me Seymore.

BATU:  This was your mother's plant.

SOLOMON:  Green thumb, huh?  You've kept it alive all these years?

BATU:  It is called a fire flower.  It grows and blooms only once a year during 
our short summer season.  Then dies away.

NIKKO:  But I thought you said it ...

(NIKKO stops and turns to look at BATU.  BATU glances sideways at NIKKO, waiting 
for him to make the connection.  He does.)

NIKKO:  This one never died.

(BATU nods.)

BATU:  A miracle perhaps.  Like when your mother walked out of the forest by 
herself as if coming back from the dead.  She carried a tiny sprig of this plant 
in her hand, brought it home, placed it water and all I've done for twenty-five 
years is buy bigger vases.

CUT TO:



[INT. BATU'S RESIDENCE]  

(MAGGIE sits in the living room scanning the diary into the computer.  SOLOMON 
enters the room and sees her.)  

SOLOMON:  I've read that diary cover to cover and there's no map, no mention of 
an exact location.  

(He sits down.)

SOLOMON:  Now, I want Calvin and Juliet to turn it inside out.  Check for 
topographical references, check for codes ... anything that might point us in 
the right direction.

MAGGIE:  They're receiving it right now.

(SOLOMON tucks a spring of the fire flower plant into a plastic bag.)

SOLOMON:  Good.  Is the jet ready to go?

MAGGIE:  It's scheduled for a morning departure.

SOLOMON:  Make it tonight.  And change the passenger list, you're staying.  

(He holds out the baggie to MAGGIE and she takes it.)

SOLOMON:  But this gets flown to New York as soon as possible.  Where's Vincent?

(MAGGIE stands up and heads toward the door.  She knows her answer is going to 
get a reaction from SOLOMON.  She turns around.)

MAGGIE:  Back at the bar.

SOLOMON:  What?

MAGGIE:  Lining up a guide and a crew.  We figured you'd want to start looking 
for the cave as soon as the deal was right.

(She's got him.  She taps him on the head with the baggie.)

MAGGIE:  Ah-ha!  

SOLOMON:  (smiles)  Thank you!

MAGGIE:  You're welcome.

(MAGGIE leaves the room. SOLOMON picks up a book from the table in front of him 
and leafs through it.)

CUT TO:



[INT. BEDROOM -- LATER]  

(NIKKO lounges on the bed in the bedroom reading a book and waiting.  SOLOMON 
walks in and sees him.)  

SOLOMON:  Hey, you all set?

NIKKO:  Yeah, yeah.  

(SOLOMON walks into the room and looks at the fire flower plant.)

NIKKO:  (continuing)  I was just reading some fables.  So ...

(SOLOMON holds out HALEY'S diary.)

SOLOMON:  Try this.  

(NIKKO takes the diary.)

SOLOMON:  Pretty good story.  You'll like the writer.

(NIKKO opens the book and sees that it's the diary.  He flips through the pages.  
SOLOMON watches him, smiles, then turns and leaves.)

(NIKKO opens the diary to the first page and starts to read.)

NIKKO:  (reading)  My name is Haley Cayce.  I'm thirteen years old and this is 
what I experienced in the Siberian wilderness in the Spring [June] of 1975.  No 
one I have told believes me.  I'm not sure if I believe it myself.  But, if I 
write it down, I won't have to trust my memory.  And maybe one day, I'll find an 
explanation.

[WHITE FLASH TO 
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE]



[SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - DAY]

(YOUNG HALEY is running and skipping through the snow. YOUNG BATU is with her 
and they play with each other.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  It was the first survey of the season.  Daddy let me 
and Batu come along for the camp out.  

(The camera moves down to the snow where among the white, there's several sprigs 
of green with bright red fire flower clusters.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Fire flower were in bloom, but Winter was still 
around.  

(YOUNG HALEY and YOUNG BATU continue to play in the snow.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  We took a hike.  I wanted to follow a trail into the 
woods even though Daddy told us never to go by ourselves.  Batu says, "no"; but 
I knew he'd follow me.  

(YOUNG HALEY and YOUNG BATU run in a direction away from the camera.)

[END OF DIARY FLASHBACK]



(Cut to:  A top view of the Siberian Wilderness; white snow on one side, sparse 
trees on the other.  In the distance, the Veritas team rides their horses in a 
single file as they go looking for the cave.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  He loves adventures almost as much as I do.  Daddy 
taught us all about the woods.  They're beauty and they're danger, but beauty 
was all I saw.

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS]  

(NIKKO is riding a horse, following the other members of the team out in front 
of him also on their horses.)

(He pushes the horse into a light trot as he passes SOLOMON, VINCENT and MAGGIE 
to settle at the front of the group.)

NIKKO:  (looking around at the scenery in front of them)  Ugh.  Well, she did 
say they're beautiful didn't she?

(A fifth member of the group, the Australian GUIDE, rides on his horse.)

MAGGIE:  How much time till camp?

NIKKO:  I don't know.  Why don't you ask our guide back there.

SOLOMON:  C'mon guys.  He knows the area and he'll steer us clear of the Tungus' 
villages.  

(The GUIDE takes a deep drink from his flask.)

NIKKO:  Yeah, maybe when he finishes his breakfast.

CUT TO:



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

(CALVIN looks down at the baggied fire flower in his hand as he makes his way 
around the table toward the laptop monitor that SOLOMON'S calling on.  In the 
back of the room at another portion of the office, JULIET sits at her own desk.)  

CALVIN:  Flowers.  Solomon, you shouldn't have.  This is ...

SOLOMON:  (from monitor)  Carbon test them full DNA panel.  She says that 
they're twenty-five years old and I want confirmation.

INTERCUT WITH

[INT. TENT - SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - NIGHT]

CALVIN:  (from monitor)  Consider it done.  You got yourself a bad connection.

SOLOMON:  Well, considering we're in a tent in the middle of Siberia, I'd say 
it's pretty good.  

(SOLOMON turns to NIKKO who is sitting close to the fire warming up.)

SOLOMON:  Nikko, check the dish, will you?  

NIKKO:  (complaining)  Dad, I just got warm.

SOLOMON:  Could be blocked.  

(SOLOMON turns back to the monitor.)

NIKKO:  (mutters back)  Could be frozen.

SOLOMON:  (from monitor)  How's Juliet doing with the diary?

(JULIET stands up and makes her way to the laptop when CALVIN takes the 
liberties to answer for her.)

CALVIN:  Uh, nothing solid yet.  But, I'll stay on it.

(JULIET stops and stares at CALVIN.)

SOLOMON:  (from monitor)  Uh, you do that.

CALVIN:  Don't worry, Dr. Zond, I've got everything under control while you're 
gone.  Business as usual.

(JULIET can't believe that CALVIN'S playing this game.  The laptop connection 
disconnects.  JULIET hands CALVIN the files.)

CALVIN:  Thanks.

JULIET:  Yeah.

(JULIET turns and heads back to her desk.  She'll deal with it later.)

CUT TO:



[INT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - TENT -- NIGHT]  

(Camera opens on the AUSTRALIAN GUIDE.  He's fast asleep, his hat tilted forward 
to cover his eyes.  Light from a flashlight shines down on his face as NIKKO 
makes his way toward the tent door.)

(He unzips the tent and gasps.)

(Stuck on a stick in front of the tent is an old head, weather-beaten, dried.  
It's message is clear.  It's a warning.)

NIKKO:  (gasps)  Dad!  

(SOLOMON turns around.  NIKKO turns to look at the guys in the tent.)

NIKKO:  Somebody might want to tell our guide, we're a little off course.

(Camera cuts to VINCENT, to SOLOMON, then back to NIKKO.  Camera finally holds 
on the head.)

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[INT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - TENT -- NIGHT]  

(SOLOMON examines the head.  He hands it to MAGGIE.)  

SOLOMON:  This head has been very dead for a while.

MAGGIE:  I'd say at least for a hundred years, by the leathering of the skin.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  No worries.  It's only a warning.  They could be skewering us 
right now if they really wanted us.

VINCENT:  I'll take first watch.  We leave at dawn.

(VINCENT steps out of the tent.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Too bad, we don't know where the hell we're going.

MAGGIE:  (to SOLOMON)  We should reach the area where Haley got lost in a few 
hours.  

(The AUSTRALIAN GUIDE kneels in front of his pack looking at his drinking tin.  
It's obvious that he's paying very close attention to what MAGGIE'S saying.)

MAGGIE:  We've got a few specific landmarks so we're confident of the diary 
entry.  We'll retrace her steps and hope she leads us to the cave.

SOLOMON:  She will.

(SOLOMON stands up and heads out of the tent.  He passes NIKKO on the way out.  
NIKKO watches his dad.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (snidely)  It gives me a lot of comfort to know that I've 
been retained by a highly professional expedition.

(He tilts his head back and takes a deep drink from his flask.)

NIKKO:  Oh, well, you're one to talk.  I thought you were supposed to keep us 
off their turf.

(The AUSTRALIAN GUIDE stands up and walks over to NIKKO ending up in NIKKO'S 
face.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (smiling)  We're miles from those buggers.  I can't help it 
if they've managed to, uh, sniff us out now, can I?

NIKKO:  (disgusted)  (Australian Accent)  Well, it's kinda hard not to smell you 
... mate.

(The GUIDE laughs and looks around to whomever is in the tent with them.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Good.  Very good.

(The GUIDE straightens and backs away.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. VERITAS FOUNDATION - EVENING]



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- EVENING]  

(JULIET is working on the computer.  CALVIN stands leaning on the counter behind 
her, watching her work.)  

CALVIN:  You need to run a gram sequencing test for cyanide.

JULIET:  (irritated)  Really, like the ones I ran this morning?  

(JULIET grabs the stack of papers on the desk and hands it to CALVIN.)

JULIET:  You know, Cal, maybe you'd like to double-check my data on the numeric 
displacement count.  Or the multi-sync valve matrix I've spent two hours on 
already.

(She smiles at him, then turns back to her computer.  CALVIN takes the papers 
and chuckles, too.  But he has to push it.)

CALVIN:  Uhm.  I think you have a problem with authority.

JULIET:  (counters)  No, the problem is that you have no authority.

CALVIN:  Well.

(The phone rings.  Both of them dive for the phone, but JULIET'S closer and she 
reaches it first.  CALVIN'S hand lands on top of hers.  She smiles at him.)

JULIET:  (chuckles)  Uh-hmmm.  I've got it Cal.

CALVIN:  No, I've got it.

(JULIET picks up the phone and answers it.)

JULIET:  (to phone)  (she looks at CALVIN to make sure he gets what she's 
saying.)  Hello.  Oh, sure, I can take those results.  I'm on the authorization 
list.  Yeah.  Juliet Droil.  D-R-O-I-L.

(CALVIN turns and walks away.)

CALVIN:  (mocking)  I'm on the authorization list.

JULIET:  (to phone)  Thank you.

(She smiles smugly at him.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]  

(SOLOMON is walking and talking on the phone.)  

SOLOMON:  (to phone)  How old?

[INTERCUT WITH THE VERITAS FOUNDATION]

JULIET:  They were traced as a carbon particles in the cellular structure dating 
back at least ten thousand years, maybe longer.

SOLOMON:  Did you have the lab run it twice?

JULIET:  Three times.

SOLOMON:  Unbelievable.  What have you got on the diary?

(JULIET looks up at CALVIN who is standing right in front of him.)

JULIET:  Oh, Calvin's working on it now.  I'll stay on him.

(CALVIN glances up at JULIET and smiles at her clever use of his words.  She 
smiles smugly back at him.)

SOLOMON:  All right.  Well, we've just reached the beginning of the trail.

JULIET:  That's the first landmark.  Call us when you've found the second one 
and we'll map you on the computer.

(SOLOMON turns the phone off.)

(JULIET looks up at CALVIN in triumph.  CALVIN can't help but comment.)

CALVIN:  There is no "I" in TEAM.

JULIET:  (counters)  But there is a "ME".

CALVIN:  (good one)  Hmm.

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]  

(NIKKO walks a little away from everyone looking for one of the animals carrying 
their packs.  He sees the creature standing off to the side in the trees.)

NIKKO:  There you are.  You don't want to go wandering off my yourself, you'll 
get lost.  

(He walks up to the animal and grabs his reins.)  

NIKKO:  Hey buddy.  How're you doing?  What are you doing out here?  Huh?  Where 
do you think you're going?  Huh?

(NIKKO looks up and sees something.  His face freezes.)

NIKKO:  (under his breath)  Flat rocks.

(In front of him is a pile of large black-colored stones.)

NIKKO:  Just like in mom's diary.

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]  

(MAGGIE stands near the pack horse looking at the diary, VINCENT stands in front 
of her looking around.  In the back of them, the GUIDE is sitting on a log.)

MAGGIE:  And then she talks about the path.  About Batu wanting to go back.  

(She flips the page.)

MAGGIE:  Here we go.  (reading)  "The further into the forest we went, the more 
snow we found."

WHITE FLASH TO:
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE



[YOUNG HALEY'S DIARY]

(In a black and white view, YOUNG HALEY and YOUNG BATU run and play in the snow.  
They're having a blast.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Spring hadn't even come yet.  And then, on the right 
side of the path, there was a large group of flat rocks.  

(YOUNG Haley turns and sees something red in the black flat rocks.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  I saw a flash of red.  

(Without much thought of what she's doing, she heads for the stones.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  I knew it wasn't a bird or an animal, so, of course, 
my curiosity forced me to follow.  

(YOUNG HALEY reaches the stones and smiles up at the red.  She continues.  
Camera cuts to a view of Haley's feet walking along the top of the black rocks.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  That's when I stepped off the path and changed my 
life.

(End of Diary Sequence.  Resume to MAGGIE.)

MAGGIE:  (thinking)  So, we follow the trail deep enough to find the old Gross 
Shade.  That would have prevented the snow from melting in the sun.

VINCENT:  Then we look to the right of the path for a group of black rocks.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (mocking)  Then we follow the bread crumbs all the way to the 
gingerbread house.

(VINCENT turns to look at the GUIDE.  SOLOMON walks up to the group.)

SOLOMON:  You guys ready to go?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Why not?  Before my life starts to mean more to me than the 
pittance that you're paying.

(SOLOMON looks around the area.)

SOLOMON:  Where's Nikko?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (retorts)  I'm the guide, not the babysitter.

(Not caring, the GUIDE walks past SOLOMON.)

VINCENT:  (calls out)  Nikko!

(He looks around the area, listening.  SOLOMON, too.  SOLOMON turns around and 
looks in the other direction.  He's starting to get worried.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]

(NIKKO walks a little bit past the pack animal toward the flat black rocks as he 
recalls the entry in the diary.)  

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  I don't remember how it happened, but I suddenly 
realized that I had become separated from Batu.  I was alone.  

(NIKKO steps forward toward the rocks.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Sometimes, the little choices we make that don't 
mean anything by themselves, turn out meaning something important.  

(NIKKO jumps onto the rocks and starts walking along the top of the stones just 
as YOUNG HALEY did.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  But I think all things happen for a reason.  

WHITE FLASH TO:
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE



[YOUNG HALEY'S DIARY]

(YOUNG HALEY runs along the snow.  She pauses and keeps going forward.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  ... Even bad things.  I step back for a second, but 
it was getting dark ... another little choice.  Right instead of left.  North 
instead of south and then I was lost.

(YOUNG HALEY pauses and looks up at the sky.)

WHITE FLASH TO:
END OF DIARY SEQUENCE



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]

(Camera opens on the Bright Siberian sky, the same one Haley looked at so long 
ago.  The camera moves downward to show NIKKO climbing along side the stone 
mountain.)  

(NIKKO walks slowly over the snow-covered hillside, his eyes squinting in the 
brightness of the snow.  He looks around.  Birds cry out and circle above him.  
He turns and looks up at them.)

[SLOW MOTION CAMERA]

(From the right of the camera screen, a huge, long spear flies downward at an 
angle.  It penetrates the ground in front of him.)

(NIKKO turns and looks.)

(Standing in front of him is a man with a rifle.  He cocks it.  NIKKO turns to 
his other side, there's another man with a rifle pointed at him.)

(NIKKO turns around and finds himself surrounded.  He puts his hands up in 
surrender.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - DAY]

(Camera opens on a shoe print in the snow.  Next to the shoe print is a piece of 
black spear tip.  VINCENT picks it up and looks at it.)

VINCENT:  Solomon, look at this.  Nikko was here.  These boot marks.

(He hands the tip to SOLOMON.  SOLOMON takes it and turns to the AUSTRALIAN 
GUIDE.)

SOLOMON:  Shawn (?), look at this.  Is it Tungus?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  'Fraid so.

VINCENT:  There's no blood on that tip.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Hate to break it to you, mate, but they have more than one 
spear in the tribe.

(VINCENT stares back hard at the GUIDE.  SOLOMON turns to look at the GUIDE.)

SOLOMON:  But you said it yesterday, that if they wanted to kill us, they 
would've done it right here.  He's still alive.  Maggie, I want you to ride back 
into town and head up a search from there.  We're going to need backup.

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN CABIN]

(The crowd cheers at the impending man-to-man fight.  Two men hold each of 
NIKKO'S arms, forcing him to stay put.)  

NIKKO:  What are you doing?  (motions with his head to something in front of 
them)  Look, I've got nothing against this guy.

(The camera swings around to the other end of the cabin to show the large Tungus 
man just walking through the crowd and into the center of the cabin cleared for 
the event.  He nods to the crowd, smiling and anticipating the upcoming win.)

NIKKO:  (panicking and trying again)  I've got nothing against this guy, all 
right?  There's no reason to fight.

(The opponent raises his arms high and wide in the air and cries out into the 
crowd furthering enticing them to cheer even louder.)

(The two men holding NIKKO'S arms, throw him into the center of the clearing 
where the fight will be taking place.  NIKKO stumbles to the ground and falls to 
his knees.  On his hands, he wears mittens.  NIKKO looks up from the ground at 
his opponent.)

MAN:  (o.s.)  You must fight.  It is our way.

(Two weapons, something that looks like a mace and a club, are thrown into the 
center of the ring.  It falls to the floor in front of NIKKO.)

(He looks at them and picks them up.)

(At the other end of the clearing, on the other side of the fire, is his 
opponent whose focus is now on NIKKO and the fight.  He swings his own weapons, 
growls at NIKKO and starts advancing slowly toward him.)

OPPONENT:  Hiya!

(NIKKO starts to back away from the large man.)

NIKKO:  (under his breath)  Oh, holy mother of god.

(Using the ax in his hand, the OPPONENT swings.  Twice.  NIKKO dodges both 
swings.  The OPPONENT swings three more times.  Again, NIKKO dodges all of them, 
avoiding any contact at all.  He quickly brushes past the OPPONENT to the other 
side of him.  He gets in a hit to the OPPONENT as he passes by him.)

(The OPPONENT quickly turns around and attacks again.  He swings three times.  
NIKKO dodges them all.  He then swings downward.  NIKKO brings up his own club 
to stop the swing.  The weapons clash.  He holds him there.  The OPPONENT brings 
up his foot and kicks NIKKO in the center of his chest.  NIKKO falls down 
backward into the cheering crowd.)

(The OPPONENT turns around, raises his arms high and wide and roars into the 
crowd with triumph.  The crowd cheers.)

(NIKKO struggles to disentangle himself from the crowd of people he fell back 
into.  They push him back into the ring.)

NIKKO:  Get off!

(NIKKO starts to circle the OPPONENT on the opposite side of the fire.  He's 
going to have to fight.)

(The OPPONENT swings his ax down at NIKKO.  NIKKO lifts his weapon and blocks 
the blow.  Their weapons tangle for a moment.  NIKKO kicks the weapons apart, 
then turns around and swing-kicks the OPPONENT in the face.  The OPPONENT is 
momentarily stunned by the force of the aggressive attack.)

(NIKKO bounces on his feet, more focused on the fight, and waits for the 
OPPONENT'S next attack.)

(The OPPONENT turns around and tackles NIKKO in the chest.  The drummers on the 
side of the ring entice the cheering crowd with their beating.)

(NIKKO and the OPPONENT fall to the ground.  The OPPONENT is bigger and uses his 
brute strength to keep NIKKO down.  He takes out a dagger and pulls his arm back 
to stab him.)

(He strikes.)

(NIKKKO moves his head to the side and avoids getting hit.  The OPPONENT pulls 
back to strike again.)

(NIKKO again moves aside to avoid getting hit.)

(The OPPONENT strikes again.  NIKKO raises his hands and grabs the OPPONENT'S 
hands holding the knife, stopping him.)

(The cheering crowd moves in closer, converging on the fighters.)

(NIKKO wiggles the knife aside and uses his own strength to push the OPPONENT 
off of him.  Using his legs, he traps the OPPONENT in a neck hold.)

(The OPPONENT bites down hard on NIKKO'S calf.)

(NIKKO cries out in pain.)

(The OPPONENT hits NIKKO.  NIKKO rolls over.  The OPPONENT gets up and straddles 
NIKKO over his chest.  He grabs NIKKO'S shirt, ripping it, exposing his next 
target.)

(NIKKO starts to really panic.  The OPPONENT pulls back his dagger to strike.)

(Then stops cold.)

(The OPPONENT'S eyes widen in fear as he sees something on NIKKO.  The entire 
crowd grows silent at the sudden behavior of the OPPONENT.)

(Around NIKKO'S neck is the familiar symbol-shaped ivory piece that he's always 
worn.  This symbol means something to this man.  Something very significant.)

(The OPPONENT freezes, then slowly, every so slowly backs away from NIKKO.)

(NIKKO remains on the ground, panting from exertion.)

THE OPPONENT:  {murmurs something in foreign language}

(He moves off and away from NIKKO.)

(NIKKO slowly raises his head.)

(All around him, starting with the OPPONENT, the people in the crowd get down on 
their knees, their hands outstretched toward the heavens, then down to NIKKO as 
they bow before him.)

THE CROWD:  {murmurs in foreign language}

(NIKKO gets to his feet, surprised that all the people in the entire room has 
gotten down on their knees and was now bowing to him, their murmurs filling the 
silence.)

(Camera holds on NIKKO.)

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]

(SOLOMON makes his way through the woods as he's talking on the radio.)  

SOLOMON:  (impatient)  (on radio)  I don't want to hear, "no"; I want to hear 
choppers.

[INTERCUT WITH THE VERITAS FOUNDATION]

CALVIN:  We've notified the American Embassy in Moscow.  They go back and forth 
over with the Russians over air space clearance.

(JULIET steps up behind CALVIN.)

JULIET:  Negotiations could take at least a day.

(SOLOMON continues to move forward.)

SOLOMON:  We don't have that kind of time.  He's lost.  He won't survive in 
these weather conditions.  And if the Tungus have him.  (fades out & sighs)  
Look, we're pushing onto their camp.  It's the only option we have right now.

CALVIN:  So, we'll keep tracking you.  As soon as someone gives us the okay for 
a rescue team, we'll give you new GPS coordinates.

SOLOMON:  Well, hurry up.  God knows what they're doing to him.

CUT TO:



[EXT. TUNGUS VILLAGE -- DAY]  

(NIKKO is covered with the finest furs and pelts the villagers have to offer.  
He's sitting on top of a chair on a platform carried by the Tungus Men.  They're 
having a little parade in his honor with him at their head.  The people follow 
him, marching behind the platform, drummers marching along side beating their 
drums.  The people sing and chant as they follow.)

(They slowly make their way across the snow toward a small hut with a fire 
burning inside.)

(When they reach the hut, the men put the platform down on the ground.  NIKKO 
stands up and steps off of the platform.)

(ATEEVAN, the Tungus Leader, pushes his way past the people toward NIKKO.  He 
beckons NIKKO to follow him into the small hut.  He holds the leather covering 
over the door open for NIKKO to go inside.)

(NIKKO ducks inside the small hut.  ATEEVAN looks around at his people and the 
affect the symbol has had on them.)

[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - LEADER'S HUT - DAY]

(Once inside the small hut, NIKKO removes the heavy pelts and furs.  ATEEVAN 
steps forward and lightly touches the symbol carved in ivory around NIKKO'S 
neck.)

ATEEVAN:  Where did you get that?

NIKKO:  (smartly)  Home Shopping Network.

(ATEEVAN pulls on the leather around NIKKO'S neck and puts his knife up against 
him.)

ATEEVAN:  False prophets don't live long around here.

(NIKKO swallows.)

NIKKO:  It's okay.  My mom gave it to me, all right?  What is it with you head 
people, anyways?

(ATEEVAN removes his knife.)

ATEEVAN:  I'm Ateevan, their leader.  And they think you are a god.

NIKKO:  (laughs)  Well, buddy, So did the girls at St. Cecilia Prep, but they 
never gave me a parade.

(NIKKO sits down.  ATEEVAN points to the amulet.)

ATEEVAN:  That is the symbol of the cave.  It's keeping you alive.

NIKKO:  The Cave of Eternal Waters?

ATEEVAN:  Our legend says that if we ever lost our way, the great sky god would 
give us a sign to lead us back.  When I heard of the diary being found again, I 
thought it was a sign, but I was wrong.  You are the son of the lost girl.  You 
were sent to lead us there.

NIKKO:  You know what?  I'm more of a support crew.  I mean, my dad.  He's the 
guy you should talk to.  In fact, I'll go get him.

(NIKKO makes his way back toward the front door of the tent.)

ATEEVAN:  (firmly)  You are the one.  You will lead us there, or you will die.

(NIKKO stops and sighs.  And gives in.)

NIKKO:  All righty.

(ATEEVAN goes to the door.)

ATEEVAN:  But first, we honour you.

(He pushes the leather flap aside and three giggling young women walk into the 
tent.  They're dressed in leather and pelts.  They grab NIKKO and pull him 
toward the center of the tent.)

NIKKO:  Uh, excuse me.  Excuse me, miss.

ATEEVAN:  Tungus women are excellent at massage.  Our version of sports 
trainers.

(They push him down into the seat and surround him, their hands already removing 
his shirt.  NIKKO is more than flattered and thoroughly enjoying himself.)

NIKKO:  You know what?  Three is my favorite number.  It is.  Isn't that funny?  
Oh, wow.

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- DAY]

(CALVIN faces the monitor with the map of the entire Siberian area on it.  He 
stretches his back, hands clasped up around the back of his head.  Thinking.)  

CALVIN:  Is there a possibly a more remote place on earth to go missing?

(JULIET moves toward the desk to the laptop.)

JULIET:  You know what we really need?  We need someone with a plane.  A low-
altitude search.

CALVIN:  No, top is better.  Private wing.

(She starts working on the laptop.)

JULIET:  Well, most countries have a database of registered aircraft.  I'll 
check with the Russian Ministry of Transport.

CALVIN:  No, wait.  If we go small, we find a local air strip, we get ...  ah 
... right here.  Nor-vos-ka-bursk.

JULIET:  (corrects his pronunciation)  Nor-vos-ka-biersk?

(CALVIN throws a glance at JULIET.  Sort of a "not right now" look.)

CUT TO:



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- DAY]

(The GUIDE leads SOLOMON and VINCENT over to the top of the hill.  He looks down 
at the village in front of them.)  

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  There it is.  Not exactly a destination resort.  There's no 
four-star dining, not a golf-course in sight.  Just one big, nasty, stinking 
divot.

VINCENT:  Do they have guns?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Maybe one or two old rifles.  But they can't even shoot 
straight.  They prefer to kill people with their hands.  You know?

SOLOMON:  Good.  Then we'll have the advantage.

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- DAY]

(CALVIN is on the radio with the Russian Government Department trying to get the 
necessary clearances.  JULIET is on the computer working on getting the 
information.)  

JULIET:  Well, tell them to go slowly staring with the whole number. 

(CALVIN talks into the radio handset battling language, communication and a bad 
connection.)

CALVIN:  (loudly to radio)  {foreign language}  Uh, hold on.  (to JULIET) How do 
you say "salt"?

JULIET:  (under her breath)  Do I have to do everything?

CALVIN:  (to radio)  Uh, hold on.

(JULIET puts a slip of paper in front of CALVIN and points to something that she 
wants him to see or to say.)

CALVIN:  (loudly to radio)  Sir?  Por Millenne.  Por Millenne.

(He waits as the voice over the radio gives the necessary information.  JULIET 
takes it down.)

VOICE:  (from radio)  {in foreign language}

JULIET:  Got it.  Registration number 3-8-5-0-2.  Norvoskabiersk Air Strip.

CALVIN:  (to radio)  Thank you very much.  Ah ... Doc ... Gracias ... whatever.  
(to JULIET)  I told you this would work.  You put me under pressure and I will 
give you another million dollar idea.

JULIET:  hm-mmm.  Yes, but we still need a name.  

(JULIET looks at the laptop.  CALVIN moves to stand behind JULIET looking at the 
laptop over her shoulder.)

JULIET:  The pilot.  You know, Mengo poppa dee.

(CALVIN glances sideways at JULIET.)

CALVIN:  (correcting her pronunciation)  Poppa dai.

JULIET:  (smiles)  hmm.

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN TENT -- NIGHT]

(It's dinner time.  NIKKO and the ATEEVAN sit in front of the fire in the middle 
of the tent.  The people of the tribe seem much happier now than they did when 
NIKKO first arrived.)

NIKKO:  Was your tribe always this happy?

ATEEVAN:  There was no tribe for many years.  Our purpose has always been to 
protect The Eternal Waters.  When they were lost to us, our spirit died.  I saw 
what was left of our people, brought them together.  I promised them that we 
would find the cave and reclaim our heritage.

NIKKO:  All right, so what if it turns out that it is just spring water.

ATEEVAN:  But you're living proof that it's not.  Everyone in the village 
believes that The Eternal Waters saved your mother's life.  She should have 
died, but she didn't.  She was spared to show us the way back.

NIKKO:  (softly)  And then she did die.  Ten years ago.

ATEEVAN:  No one ever really dies once they have a child.  A part of them lives 
on.  Our legend says that whoever wears that necklace has the knowledge and that 
is why we are happy tonight.

(Camera hold on NIKKO.  The weight of responsibility, the anticipated 
disappointment on behalf of these people, or maybe just the thought of him mom 
not being alive anymore ... in any case, NIKKO doesn't appear too happy.)

CUT TO:



[INT. BAR]  

(MAGGIE sits at the bar counter looking around the bar.  She's on the radio with 
SOLOMON.)  

MAGGIE:  Well, forget the local police.  They're worthless.  But Calvin and 
Juliet are giving me a contact for a helicopter.  I'm waiting for him now.

INTERCUT WITH:

[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS -- NIGHT]

SOLOMON:  Well, we can't.  We've got to get Nikko now and once we go in all hell 
is going to break loose, so get here as fast as you can.

MAGGIE:  I've got your coordinators.

SOLOMON:  All right, we'll be checking the sky for you.

(SOLOMON hangs up.  The GUIDE checks his gun and nods to VINCENT.  VINCENT hands 
SOLOMON his gun.)

VINCENT:  Let's get our boy.

(VINCENT and SOLOMON head out.)

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN HALL -- NIGHT]

(VINCENT and SOLOMON walk into the main hall.  Several Tungus men eye the 
strangers.  They head toward the center of the room where they see NIKKO sitting 
down in front of the fire.)

(NIKKO stands up when he sees them.  ATEEVAN also stands up.)

NIKKO:  Dad.

(SOLOMON holds out HALEY'S diary.)

SOLOMON:  Here's what you want, isn't it?  I'll take my son now.

ATEEVAN:  Your son is ours now.  The gods have brought him to us.

(He points from NIKKO to SOLOMON and says something.)

ATEEVAN:  (to the Tungus Men) {foreign language}

(One of the Tungus Men steps forward.  SOLOMON pulls out his gun and points it 
at the man.)

SOLOMON:  You want to test your belief in the afterlife?  Go ahead.

(And with that, all the Tungus Men surrounding them pull out their guns and 
rifles.  They point it at the two men.  SOLOMON looks around, surprised.)  

SOLOMON:  "One or two old rifles"

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (loudly)  Stay right where you are and drop your weapons.  

(SOLOMON smirks at the Tungus Men.  The GUIDE steps forward and addresses 
SOLOMON.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Dr. Zond, I know that my friend, the T-man speaks english.  I 
was talking to you chaps.

(He steps up past the ATEEVAN and points his weapon at SOLOMON.)

NIKKO:  (to the ATEEVAN)  You know this guy?  

(ATEEVAN doesn't say anything.  He lifts his chin up a little higher unwilling 
to admit that he works for anyone.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  He works for me.  Actually, they all do.  So, let's have the 
guns, shall we lads?

(SOLOMON glances over at VINCENT.  Then, he surrenders his gun to the GUIDE.)  

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Ah, I'll have that delicious treasure there?  

(He holds out his hand for the diary and takes it from SOLOMON.  SOLOMON is 
reluctant to give the diary to him.  The GUIDE takes the diary and looks at the 
book.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Well, it seems that you're working for me, too, now doc.  
You're going to help me figure out his little here puzzle.  Find me a cave.

(SOLOMON looks over at NIKKO, who turns and looks at the ATEEVAN.)

(ATEEVAN refuses to look at NIKKO.  After a moment, NIKKO turns away and shakes 
his head in disappointment.

FADE OUT.

(COMMERCIAL SET)



FADE IN.

[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN HUT -- NIGHT]  

(Camera opens on a basket full of black scorpions.  The AUSTRALIAN GUIDE holds 
the basket at the far end of the room.)  

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Laughing Scorpions.  Brought up to these parts by Ghengis 
Khan himself.  

(He walks over slowly toward VINCENT.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (continues)  Now, they hiss like this when they get to 
dinner.  Who knows why? 

(He tips the basket so that VINCENT can see the scorpions inside.  He points to 
a particularly large scorpion in the middle of the basket.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (continues)  Maybe it's because this naughty boy here is 
telling jokes, yeah?

(VINCENT doesn't comment.  He simply looks from the basket, then over to the 
GUIDE.  The GUIDE moves on.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (continues)  Now, most people go into a coma within twenty-
four hours of being bitten.  

(He walks past SOLOMON who sits next to VINCENT on the floor, both of them have 
their hands bound behind their backs.  The GUIDE glances back into the basket of 
scorpions.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (continues)  Then, if there's no miracle, of course, you die 
a few days later.  If not, then the victim rots in a coma.  Hopeless vegetable 
for, I suppose, what must seem like an eternity.

SOLOMON:  (insistent)  There is no hidden map in that diary.  I've been over 
every page.  So, whatever you're going to do to me is just a waste of time.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Oh, let me assure you straight away, you're in no danger, 
mate.  I never jeopardize my expedition by harming my key man.

(The GUIDE walks over to NIKKO who sits on the bed on the side watching.  
ATEEVAN steps up threateningly in front of the GUIDE between him and NIKKO.)  

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE: It's good to test your gods every once in a while.  Keeps them 
honest.

(ATEEVAN steps aside.  A couple of young Tungus Men grab NIKKO.)

(NIKKO struggles against them.  SOLOMON gets to his feet.)

SOLOMON:  Hey, what are you doing?  What are you doing?  Stop!

(The Tungus Guards stop SOLOMON and hold him back.)

VINCENT:  No!  

(VINCENT surges to his feet.  The guard standing behind him hits him on the back 
of his head with the butt of his rifle.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  C'mon old boy.  Take me to the cave.

SOLOMON:  You think I'd let my son die if I had what you wanted?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  We're wasting time here!

(The two Tungus Men holding NIKKO slowly force his hand into the basket full of 
scorpions.  SOLOMON'S struggles fiercely against the men holding him.)  

SOLOMON:  Stop!  Stop!

NIKKO  No.!  No!

(NIKKO cries out in pain.)

CUT TO:



[INT. BAR]

(MAGGIE is sitting in front of her laptop at the bar.  She keeps her eyes on the 
screen monitoring the team's movement.)  

MENGO:  (o.s.)  Hello sexy.

MAGGIE:  (sighs)  I'm sorry.

(She turns around and sees a man in a leather jacket and dark glasses.)

MAGGIE:  Mengo?

MENGO:  That be all?

MAGGIE:  (she smiles hopeful)  You speak English.

(The man leans forward.)

MENGO:  Hello sexy!

(MAGGIE'S smile freezes.  Perhaps that's the only english the man knows.)

MAGGIE:  (quietly)  Great.

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION]

(Inside the office, JULIET talks with MAGGIE on the phone.  CALVIN paces the 
floor off to the side.)

JULIET:  The air strip says the Mengo's plane's all fueled up and ready to go.

INTERCUT WITH THE BAR

(MAGGIE turns away from MENGO who sits next to her on the bar counter.  He has a 
pink colored drink in front of him with a small umbrella inside and sucks on a 
piece of fruit while looking at MAGGIE.)

MAGGIE:  (quietly to phone)  You can say that again.

CALVIN:  Maggie, just do whatever you have to and get in the air as fast as you 
can.

(MAGGIE hangs up the phone.  Looks back at MENGO who sucks on the piece of 
fruit.  She turns away and sighs.)

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN HUT -- NIGHT]  

(NIKKO is well and truly bitten.  He lies back down on the bed and groans in 
pain.  He coughs as the poison takes ahold of his system.  Sitting on the floor 
next to him with his eyes on his son, is SOLOMON.)  

(The GUIDE shuts the book and stands up.  He walks over slowly toward SOLOMON.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  You know?  Something has to have been done to fight off the 
poison.  Your boy's big, strong ... he just might pull through on his own.  

(He takes out a small glass vial.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Or you could have this.  That's anti-venom mate.  One shot of 
this and your boy'll be as good as new.

(SOLOMON nods.)

SOLOMON:  All right.  Give it to him.  Give it to him.  I'll tell you 
everything.

(SOLOMON looks at the GUIDE, then looks down.  He looks over at VINCENT who 
watches SOLOMON carefully.  He doesn't buy it.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  That's a good bluff, mate.  Almost had me there.  It's all 
yours after we get to the cave.

SOLOMON:  Look, I can't help you like this.  Untie me.  I need to look at the 
diary again.  Untie me.  Come on.

(He motions to the Tungus man standing beside them.  He moves forward and cuts 
SOLOMON'S ropes.  The GUIDE slaps the diary against SOLOMON'S chest, but hangs 
on to the vial of anti-venom.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  After we get to the cave.

(He takes the vial and walks away.)

(SOLOMON turns around and grabs NIKKO'S hand.  He brushes the hair from NIKKO'S 
forehead.)

SOLOMON:  Hey.  Hey, it's me.  You all right?  You okay?  

(Across the room, tied to a wooden pole, is VINCENT.)

SOLOMON:  We'll find it, Nikko.

(SOLOMON starts leafing through the diary's pages.  NIKKO, in his delirium, 
hears the words.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  It's so cold.  I felt I was burning up.  My strength 
had left me.  

WHITE FLASH TO
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - DAY]

(YOUNG HALEY lies on the snow covered ground, weak and tired.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  It had been weeks since I had been separated from 
Batu.  The only thing keeping me from slipping away was watching those beautiful 
birds.  

(She looks up into the sky and sees the birds flying up above.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Listening to the flutter of their wings high above.  
Fluttering back and forth.  Sending me a message.

END OF DIARY SEQUENCE
RESUME TO PRESENT



(NIKKO flutters in and out of consciousness.)

WHITE FLASH TO:
BEGIN NIKKO'S MEMORY



[INT. HOME]

(NIKKO sits on HALEY'S lap.  She smiles at him as she opens a diary in front of 
her.  In the old fashioned moving pictures in the corner of the book, she flips 
the pages for NIKKO to show him the drawing of the birds in the corner that when 
flipped rapidly shows the bird flying.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Fluttering back and forth.  Sending me a message.

END OF NIKKO'S MEMORY
RESUME TO PRESENT



(NIKKO gasps for air, his eyes wide open.)  

NIKKO:  Dad.  

(SOLOMON looks at NIKKO.)

NIKKO:  Dad.  Bring the diary.  Please!

(SOLOMON hands the diary to NIKKO.)  

(NIKKO grabs the pages and flips through them.  Not enough.  He grabs more pages 
and flips through them again.  Looking for something.)

(SOLOMON watches what NIKKO'S doing.)

CUT TO:



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION]  

(Camera opens on the computer monitor.  The diary pages are up on screen.  The 
monitor zooms into the small markings in the top right hand corner of the 
pages.)  

SOLOMON:  (from radio)  What does it look like?  I can't see it clearly enough 
on the actual pages.

CALVIN:  Yeah, I know, the marks are faded, but we've enhanced them.

(They flip through the images on the screen.)

JULIET:  (to CALVIN)  You'll have to look faster.  Faster.  (to SOLOMON)  Dr. 
Zond, it's just dots and lines.

CALVIN:  (countering)  No, look.  There's a pattern here.  Look.

JULIET:  (insistent)  Dots ...

CALVIN:  (insistent)  ... and lines.  No. ... Dashes.  Dots and Dashes.

TOGETHER:  (realizing)  Morse code!

CALVIN:  That's it!

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE - MAIN HALL -- DAY]  

(SOLOMON is on the phone.  ATEEVAN stands quietly a distance behind him.)  

JULIET:  That's the exact interpretation, Dr. Zond.  There's no more.  Hope it 
helps.

SOLOMON:  Yeah, me too.  

(Camera shot of NIKKO who appears to be getting worse.  He hangs up the phone.  
He turns around to the GUIDE.)

SOLOMON:  Eagle's Peak, West Eggshell wall.  Haley wrote in Morse Code.  That 
has to be the location.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (pleased)  Oh, do I know how to motivate people or what?

VINCENT:  We did what you asked for.  Give him the anti-venom now.

(The GUIDE turns around to face VINCENT.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  You're scary.  I don't like you.  You're not coming on our 
trip.  All right.  Let's move out.  Times a'wasting for the young man.

(Angry, VINCENT shifts his eyes and looks over at SOLOMON.)

VINCENT:  Find that cave.

(SOLOMON walks over to NIKKO to check on him.  He gently pulls up the blanket to 
cover him.  NIKKO continues to get worse.)  

SOLOMON:  C'mon, Nikko.  C'mon.

(NIKKO moves to get up.  SOLOMON helps him.)

(NIKKO continues to drift in his delirium.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Felt like I was floating ... 

WHITE FLASH TO
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE



[EXT. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS - DAY]

(Opens on the Siberian sky.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  ... sailing on the wings ... like the birds.  

(Cut to:  The view of an older Tungus Tribesman with traditional garb, head gear 
and facial markings.  He looks down at YOUNG HALEY.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  And then I realized that I was being carried.  

(Dissolve to:  The Tungus Tribesman carries YOUNG HALEY into a cave.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  And when I finally found the strength to open my 
eyes, I was in a cave.  

(The Tribesman walks up to the edge of the cave overlooking a pool of water 
inside.  The water is moving, the reflection disturbed.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  There was a small pool of water with the surface as 
smooth as glass.  

(Cut to:  A close up of a fire flower plant in bloom.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  And growing with its roots in the pool was a fire 
flower plant.  

(Cut to:  The Tribesman puts Haley down on the rocks close to the edge of the 
water.  Haley crawls over to the side and looks in to the water.  The reflection 
staring back at her is the Older Haley.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  The one who carried me brought me over to the water 
and helped me gently over it so that I could see my own reflection.  I saw a 
woman's face and then I realized that it was my own.  And in that moment, I knew 
that everything was going to be fine.

(The Tribesman reaches down past Haley and scoops up a handful of water for her 
to drink from.  She drinks.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  He gave me a drink of the water and then I slept.

(Cut to:  The Siberian Sky moving in fast forward-time lapse motion.)  

CUT TO:



[INT. SECRET CAVE OF ETERNAL WATER]  

(The group walks into the cave.  SOLOMON helps settle NIKKO down on the cave 
floor making sure that the blankets are secure around him.)  

(The AUSTRALIAN GUIDE sits down on the rock and looks at the dried pool bed.  He 
picks up some of the dirt with his fingers.  ATEEVAN quietly examines the cave.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  All dried up.  What a place.

SOLOMON:  There are thousands of hot springs in these mountains.  They come and 
go with volcanic activity.

(ATEEVAN climbs up further into the cave.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  That's fair enough.  Guess the waters run south.  Eternal, 
after all.

SOLOMON:  (suddenly very angry)  I've got you here.  Water or no water.  Now, 
give me the vial.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Hey, I may have a drinking jones, mate.  But I'm no bloody 
fool, huh?

(The GUIDE gets to his feet, the gun on SOLOMON.  He takes a pick from his pack 
and breaks off a piece of the rock inside the dried pool bed.  The rock breaks 
off exposing raw diamonds.)  

SOLOMON:  This is all about diamonds?

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Nobody's leaving this place except for me and my very native 
business partner, Ateevan.

(ATEEVAN quietly finds something on the walls of the cave.  He silently gasps at 
the discovery, his face pained with the cost of his betrayal.)

(The GUIDE tosses the rock over to SOLOMON who catches it.  He looks down at the 
piece of rock.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  We knew the eternal waters would get the Tribe to work for 
ya.  

(ATEEVAN gets to his feet.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  So, it's been our commitment to search for the waters all 
right, but there were a lot of diamonds out here.  

(SOLOMON shakes his head at the GUIDE.  The GUIDE turns and cracks open more 
rock inside the cave.  He laughs with glee and picks up the diamond-encrusted 
rock.)

AUSTRLAIAN GUIDE:  Ah.  It's like a candy store in here.

SOLOMON:   (to the ATEEVAN)  He sold your people out.  He doesn't care about 
your legend.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Hey.  Those of us poor slobs who came up here to work the 
pipeline.  Well, we have a legend of our own.  You see, it seems the rocks and 
minerals in these parts are perfect to spitting out these little beauties and 
the Tungus tribes is sitting on the biggest lot of them all.  

(ATEEVAN turns around and looks at the symbol painted on the side of the wall.  
It's the same symbol shape as NIKKO'S amulet.  The leader reaches out and 
touches the symbol.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Now, T-Man, he's smarter than your average savage.  He's got 
sense.  War comes and goes, but diamonds are forever.  Right mate?

(For a moment, there's no answer.  ATEEVAN steps down from the high ledge and 
points to NIKKO.)

ATEEVAN:  Our legend is true.  He was send by the great sky god to lead us here 
again.  He cannot die.

(The GUIDE turns around to look at the ATEEVAN.  He can't believe what he just 
heard.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  Are you out of your freaking Siberian-Tungus mind?  This is 
the pay day.  

(He tosses the piece of rock he's carrying to the ATEEVAN who catches it.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  We are going sky gods.  I've got news for ya, mate.  There's 
no such thing as eternal life.

(He turns back and looks over at SOLOMON and NIKKO.  He puts a bullet in the 
chamber and steps forward.  SOLOMON glances over at NIKKO who is not looking 
good, then turns back to the GUIDE.)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE:  (to SOLOMON)  Now, if I were you, I'd make my peace with god 
now.  This is the last piece of his green earth that you're ever going to - 

(SOLOMON throws the rock over toward the ATEEVAN.  The GUIDE watches the rock 
fly up in the air past him.  While his eyes are on the rock, SOLOMON grabs the 
end of the gun and pushes it aside while he hits the GUIDE in the chest.)  

(Gunfire hits the roof of the cave.  ATEEVAN dives to the side to avoid the 
bulletfire.)

[SLOW MOTION CAMERA]

(SOLOMON punches the GUIDE in the stomach.  The GUIDE drops the vial onto the 
cave floor.)  

(SOLOMON pushes the GUIDE back up against the cave wall.  The GUIDE drops his 
weapon.)

[RESUME MOTION]

(The GUIDE swings the pick in his hand at SOLOMON, but SOLOMON grabs his hand to 
block the blow.  The GUIDE grabs SOLOMON'S face.  The two struggle and fight.)  

(SOLOMON pushes the GUIDE off to the side.  ATEEVAN looks up from the ground.)  

(The GUIDE kicks SOLOMON, sending SOLOMON backward on his back to the floor.  He 
lands with a thud, then scrambles to his feet.  The GUIDE gets to his feet and 
charges at SOLOMON, swinging the pick ax ... once ... twice.  SOLOMON dodges 
both blows.  He hits the GUIDE in the stomach, then twists his arm behind his 
back, pushing him down to the floor.)

(ATEEVAN gets to his feet and makes his way slowly toward the fight.)

(SOLOMON now has the GUIDE on his back on the floor.  The GUIDE kicks out 
SOLOMON'S legs out from underneath him.  SOLOMON falls back to the floor 
grunting in pain.  SOLOMON takes a breather.  He turns his head and sees the 
anti-venom vial a short distance away.  Suddenly, his priorities change.  
SOLOMON reaches for the vial.)

(The GUIDE gives a yell and jumps on top of SOLOMON, stopping him.  SOLOMON has 
his hand outstretched toward the vial, his eyes on the little glass container.  
The GUIDE pushes SOLOMON'S head back, grabbing him by the neck, pushing him down 
the deep hole where the water used to come from.)

(SOLOMON reaches up and tries to push the GUIDE off of him.)

(ATEEVAN slowly unsheathes his knife, then throws it at the GUIDE.  The knife 
hits the GUIDE square in his back.  The GUIDE lets go of SOLOMON, then falls 
forward over SOLOMON and into the hole.)

(SOLOMON turns around and looks down into the hole.)

(NIKKO'S eyes slowly open.)

WHITE FLASH TO
BEGIN DIARY SEQUENCE



[INT. SECRET CAVE OF ETERNAL WATERS]  

(The Tungus Tribesman walks toward the entrance of the cave.  HALEY is standing 
next to him.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  When I was strong enough, I was dressed in warm 
skins and told the way home.  It seemed so simple now that I was better.  

(The Tribesman removes the amulet necklace from around his neck and puts it on 
HALEY.

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.)  Then, the one that saved me, gave me something that 
he said would always keep me safe as long as I believed ...  

(Quick cut back to NIKKO staring out in front of him.  End of quick cut.  Resume 
to Diary Sequence.)

(The Tribesman reaches out and takes a small sprig off of the fire flower.  He 
hands it to Haley.  She takes it and looks up at the Tribesman.)

YOUNG HALEY CAYCE:  (v.o.) ... Believed in things there were no explanation for.  
Kept my mind open to the unknown.  Because miracles and mysteries can sometimes 
keep us alive.

(The Tribesman leaves the cave.)

(Resume to NIKKO.)

(NIKKO looks up and sees the Ancient Tungus Tribesman holding a cup above his 
lips.  He pours the liquid from the cup and drips it onto him.)  

WHITE FLASH TO:
END OF DIARY SEQUENCE



[NIKKO]

(NIKKO stares up at the roof of the cave where water drips down from the bullet 
holes in the ceiling.  The drops of water fall on his lips and into his mouth.)

(NIKKO shifts a bit and opens his mouth to drink in the dripping water.)

WHITE FLASH TO:



[ANCIENT TUNGUS TRIBESMAN]

(The Ancient Tungus Tribesman finishes pouring the drops of water on NIKKO and 
moves the cup away.  He looks down at NIKKO.)

WHITE FLASH TO:



[SOLOMON]

(SOLOMON looks down at NIKKO, watching him carefully.  NIKKO'S eyes flutter 
open.)

SOLOMON:  Thank god, he's coming around.

NIKKO:  He did it.  He saved my life.

(SOLOMON turns around to look at the ATEEVAN who stands proudly behind them, a 
respectful distance away.)

SOLOMON:  No, he saved my life.  

(SOLOMON leans forward and fingers the amulet around NIKKO'S neck.)

SOLOMON:  You pulled through on your own.

NIKKO:  He said it would keep me safe.  (smiles)  And it did.

(NIKKO reaches for SOLOMON'S hand.  SOLOMON grasps it.  The camera holds on the 
ATEEVAN who watches the father and son, together, his own eyes filling with 
tears.)  

CUT TO:



[INT. TUNGUS VILLAGE -- DAY]

ATEEVAN:  I never had a son.  No one to pass this on to.  Please, accept this 
with my thanks.  

(He turns around to NIKKO while holding out a basket.  Inside the basket, he 
pulls out something furry with red feathers coming out of it.)

ATEEVAN:  You will always be a member of my tribe.

(NIKKO takes it.)

NIKKO:  Thank you.

(NIKKO looks down at the amulet around his neck and takes it off.)

NIKKO:  Look, this really belongs to you ...

(NIKKO holds out the necklace to the LEADER.)

NIKKO:  Take it.

ATEEVAN:  No.  No.  No.  You have it for a reason.  It's not for us to change 
that.

(NIKKO looks at him.  He looks at the amulet, then puts the amulet back around 
his neck.)

(ATEEVAN puts a hand on NIKKO'S shoulder and guides him back to the group.)

(Cut to:  VINCENT holds out his cup while a TUNGUS WOMAN fills it with something 
hot to drink.)

(NIKKO and the LEADER walk back into the main cabin.)

ATEEVAN:  You're welcome to stay the night.

VINCENT:  I could be persuaded.

(VINCENT glances up at the WOMAN and smiles.)

SOLOMON:  No, no.  We have a chopper coming, thank you.

(NIKKO puts a hand on his oh, so tired shoulder and exhales.)

NIKKO:  Ah.  You know, dad ... I could ... I could really use a massage before 
we head out.  

(The young woman sitting a seat away from SOLOMON glances up at NIKKO, smiles 
and winks at him.)

NIKKO:  You know ... just to rejuvenate.

(The other young woman sitting next to VINCENT also turns to look at NIKKO.  She 
smiles.)

NIKKO:  You know, weed out the toxins.  I mean, dad ... besides these ladies, 
they have magic hands.  They do.

(The women sitting and standing near the men smile and grin.)

(SOLOMON turns to look at VINCENT.  They share a smile.  VINCENT shakes his head 
and chuckles softly.)

NIKKO:  Hey, I don't want to be rude, all right?

SOLOMON:  Oh, no.

NIKKO:  I mean, It is their tribal custom.  What's a boy to do?

(SOLOMON gives in and laughs.)

CUT TO:



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

(Camera holds on the city skyline while time lapse motion has the clouds moving 
rapidly across the sky.)



[INT. VERITAS FOUNDATION -- NIGHT]  

(NIKKO holds on to the fire flower sprig.)  

MAGGIE:  There's no reason for this flower to be thriving.  

(NIKKO brings the flower to his nose and smells it.  MAGGIE and SOLOMON sit 
looking at the computer monitor.)

MAGGIE:  Over ten thousand years.  Just a freak of nature.  Until, you examine 
it's DNA code.

(MAGGIE hits some keys on the keyboard.)  

MAGGIE:  You see this gene sequence here?  

(She points to the monitor.)

MAGGIE:  It controls the production of an enzyme called. Telomerase.  It's found 
in all embryos and it allows the cells to grow to survive with no deterioration.  
As the organisms mature, the gene that produces Telomerase is turned off.  
Giving us a finite life span.

SOLOMON:  Are you saying that the gene in the fire flower is permanently turned 
on?

MAGGIE:  As we know it.

NIKKO:  So, if this stuff is turned on in you ...

SOLOMON:  ... you'd never die.

MAGGIE:  Not of natural causes, anyway.

NIKKO:  (quietly)  Immortality.

SOLOMON:  Most cultures have legends about life-giving waters.  I mean, Achilles 
got his strength from a River in Greece.  Ponce de Leon was said to come to the 
new world to find the Fountain of Youth.  

NIKKO:  Well, maybe they're not just legends.

(SOLOMON glances at NIKKO, his eyes smiling at the conclusion his son just 
reached.  NIKKO smiles back.  He gives the fire flower back to MAGGIE and leaves 
the room.)  

(MAGGIE takes the flower and looks at SOLOMON.)

MAGGIE:  (quietly)  Like mother, like son.

(This, for some reason, really pleases SOLOMON.  He smiles.)

(MAGGIE looks back down at the fire flower in her hand.  Camera holds on the 
fire flower.)

CUT TO:



[INT. ROOM - DAY]

(The fire flower sprig is on the table in front of a framed picture of HALEY 
CAYCE.  SOLOMON reaches for the flower, picks it up and looks at it closely.)

(He gently tucks the sprig into a small glass vase full of water and puts the 
vase back on the table next to HALEY'S picture.)

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
1X12:  UNTITLED (SIBERIA)
[UNAIRED IN U.S.]
AIR DATE IN SOUTH AFRICA:  07/18/2003
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
MARYBETH CAMERON as Haley Cayce

RUSSELL YUEN
MICHAEL RHORDES

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 CHAD HODGE

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

Massett/Zinman Productions
Storyline Entertainment
Touchstone Television

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

Co-Starring
PAULA BRANCATI as Young Hayley (Haley)
JOVANN SY as Ateevan
TIG FOND as Diamond Tooth
SERGEI NIHOUCHI as Mengo

EDDIE TRI  WONG as Urban Warlord
JODY FERRER as Young Batu
GREGORY MISUMI as Ancient Tungus
TOMMY CHANG as Tungus Warrior
JAMES KONG as Tungus Warrior


(c) 2003 Touchstone Television.  All Rights Reserved.

Dated:09/14/2003~lky
http://www.webphilia.com/~anthology/wnp.html