THE AMELIA PROJECT - SEASON 5 PART 3 - EPILGOUE
MONMARTRE CEMETERY.
THE INTERVIEWER AND ALVINA ON A BENCH.
(BOTH SIGHS)
ALVINA
A few more hours and the sun will rise.
INTERVIEWER
Yes.
BEAT.
This is the final stretch. My last stories.
ALVINA
Hm.
INTERVIEWER
Hm?
ALVINA
I don't know. Part of me is so curious to get to the end... I mean... the beginning... I mean- You know what I mean... and part of me never wants this night to end.
INTERVIEWER
(A GENTLE CHUCKLE) Don't worry. There's still a very long way to go... we've only got to - what? 1630s? That's not even halfway!
ALVINA
But it will end eventually, won't it? All stories have to end at some point, don't they?
INTERVIEWER
Why?
ALVINA
What?
INTERVIEWER
Well, I'm not good with endings. I prefer beginnings. Which is what we're all about. Turning endings into new beginnings.
ALVINA
But even those new beginnings lead to another end, I mean - eventually, no?
INTERVIEWER
(WELSH ACCENT) You're right Alvina.
ALVINA
Excuse me?
INTERVIEWER
I said you're right, Alvina.
ALVINA
No, I mean, that accent...
INTERVIEWER
What accent?
ALVINA
You said "You're right Alvina" in a Welsh accent!
INTERVIEWER
Oh, did I? Well it's an accent I enjoy greatly.
ALVINA
I’ve gathered.
INTERVIEWER
Really?
ALVINA
Well, you've slipped into it to tell the last few stories.
INTERVIEWER
Have I? Huh. I've adopted so many different names, voices and languages over the years it's hard to keep track... But I remember I fell in love with Welsh after meeting Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.
ALVINA
Who?
INTERVIEWER
We'll get to that.
ALVINA
Right. In the meantime maybe stick to -
(PHONE BUZZES, TAKING BOTH ALVINA AND THE INTERVIEWER BY SURPRISE)
ALVINA
Oh- Oh that's... Your phone!
INTERVIEWER
My phone...
ALVINA
Is this the call you've been waiting for?
INTERVIEWER
I... (EXCITED) It might be...
ALVINA
I'll give you some space.
INTERVIEWER
Thank you, Alvina.
(ALVINA GETS UP FROM THE BENCH AND MOVES AWAY. THE INTERVIEWER TAKES THE CALL)
INTERVIEWER
Lorraine? Lorraine?
BEAT.
AMELIA
(THROUGH THE PHONE) Uhm, no. Amelia.
INTERVIEWER
Oh.
(PAUSE)
AMELIA
You were expecting Lorraine?
INTERVIEWER
I was hoping... Yes.
AMELIA
But, you haven't spoken to Lorraine for... Well...
INTERVIEWER
One year, two months, three weeks and five days.
AMELIA
Right.
INTERVIEWER (CON’T)
-Two hours, eight minutes and thirty-six seconds.
BEAT.
Approximately.
AMELIA
Lorraine has every reason to be angry with us.
INTERVIEWER
I know. I just thought... I just hoped...
AMELIA
I know.
(PAUSE)
Interviewer
So, uhm, why did you call?
AMELIA
Just because I can't sleep and I'm worried about you. You've been out for, what, eight hours?
INTERVIEWER
You know it's a long story.
AMELIA
How far have you got?
INTERVIEWER
1632.
AMELIA
What? You've barely started!
INTERVIEWER
Well, I might have digressed a bit, but Alvina is such a good listener you know? And I'm really enjoying delving back into all those stories... Moliere, Marie Antoinette, Granville, Thuggy -
AMELIA
Granville? I don't think you told me that one.
INTERVIEWER
Didn't I?
AMELIA
You're going into too much detail.
INTERVIEWER
Like cocoa -
AMELIA (CON’T FOR HIM)
-A good story should never be rushed. I know.
INTERVIEWER
Hm. Yes. And my next story is very good.
AMELIA
You think all your stories are very good.
INTERVIEWER
I'm about to tell her about Will.
AMELIA
(CHUCKLES) That one. You did tell me that one. And be sure to tell her about Tomoe Gozen. That's one of my favourites.
(HE CHUCKLES)
Still, if you want to reach Maine Moepirt Arthur, Son of Athramail by daybreak, you're going to have to go faster.
INTERVIEWER
You think she's ready for Maine Moepirt Arthur, Son of Athramail?
AMELIA
You'll tell me how she reacts over breakfast, yes?
INTERVIEWER
Yes.
AMELIA
Yes.
BEAT.
I'll be waiting for you Arthur.
WE FADE TO A SHORE IN SCOTLAND.
(LAPPING OF WAVES. MIA, JACKIE AND KOZLOWSKI, KNEE DEEP IN WATER)
MIA
Ouch! I stepped on a rock.
JACKIE
Can't we wait until the tide has fully retreated?
KOZLOWSKI
Ah, if I remember correctly, you wanted to get to the end of this by dawn, did you not?
JACKIE
Yes.
KOZLOWSKI
Then there is no time to lose!
MIA
So where are you taking us exactly?
KOZLOWSKI
A cave…
MIA
Yes, I know, but what's in this cave?
KOZLOWSKI
The implements we need for our little ritual.
JACKIE
The tea... Baldur's root...
KOZLOWSKI
Preparing the tea will take time, effort, and certain tools...
MIA
(SCEPTICALLY) Tools. And you've stashed them in this cave?
KOZLOWSKI
Yes. Many years ago.
MIA
How many?
KOZLOWSKI
Many.
JACKIE
What makes you think they're still there?
KOZLOWSKI
(LAUGHS) I would be very surprised if anybody has ventured out here.
MIA
Ouch!
JACKIE
This is –
MIA (CON’T)
I stepped on another... rock... ouch.
JACKIE (CON’T)
I mean, we can barely see out here! How are we going to see inside the cave? Without moonlight?
MIA
Yeah, no more flashlight batteries, remember?
KOZLOWSKI
Old school.
(KOZLOWSKI LIGHTS A MATCH)
JACKIE
(SHUDDERS)
MIA
So, this tea... How long will it take to prepare? You said it was difficult.
KOZLOWSKI
Not difficult exactly... But it requires patience.
JACKIE
(EXCITEDLY UNDER HER BREATH) Patience...
MIA
Ok, but while we prepare this tea, you will -
KOZLOWSKI
I will keep telling you my stories, yes, of course.
MIA
Good.
JACKIE
Good.
MIA
And what story is next?
KOZLOWSKI
I was thinking I would tell you a story that spans several years...
JACKIE
Okay…
KOZLOWSKI
It is the story of a man named Will.
FADE OUT.
END.