The Shield of Athena by David Scoville and R.J. Nestor

8/7/2019 The Shield of Athena by David Scoville and R.J. Nestor

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THE SHIELD OF ATHENA

by

David Scoville and R.J. Nestor

Contact:

David M. Scoville

84 Colorado Ave.

Morgantown, WV 26501

304-685-6038

[email protected]


2/112

THE SHIELD OF ATHENA 1.

FADE IN:

EXT. AEGEAN SEA - 1753 NIGHT

A storm rages across the sea. The waves toss a small boat

dangerously close to a rocky, inhospitable island. In theboat a RAIN-SOAKED MAN clings to a broken mast, his clothes

in tatters. He is tossed overboard. The man struggles onto

a stone pier, half drowned.

EXT. MONASTERY - NIGHT

The man stumbles along a stone road lined with olive trees.

He comes an to ancient temple built into the hill. A newly-

mounted cross soars high over the roof.

A CLOAKED FIGURE bearing a crossbow emerges from the

entrance. The man collapses. The figure rushes to his side.

They speak in Greek.

CLOAKED FIGURE

You have it?

RAIN-SOAKED MAN

Here.

The man holds out a small pouch.

CLOAKED FIGURE

Is she far behind?

RAIN-SOAKED MAN

The storm keeps her at bay.

CLOAKED FIGURE

We must hurry.

The man rolls over revealing a gaping wound in his belly.

He grabs the figure's hand and places the pouch in it.

RAIN-SOAKED MAN

Too late for me. Hide it. Quickly!


3/112


The man dies. The figure stands. He empties the pouch into

his hand. Inside is a bronze disk, a small plate or a large

coin. Etched on the disk is a hideous woman: massive fangs

and snakes for hair.

EXT. AEGEAN SEA - 2010 MORNING

The face blends into a similar image on a stoneware plate.

PORTIA (O.S.)

Pull!

A hand grabs the plate and hurls it out over the ocean. A

gunshot. The plate explodes.

EXT. SEAHORSE MORNING

A moderate-sized sailing yacht anchored in a small, sleepy

town somewhere along the Aegean Sea. A young British woman,

PORTIA, reloads a long barreled shotgun. A swarthy young

man, Dimitri, lounges like a cat against a table piled with

pottery, a drink in one hand. With his free hand he grabs a

large vase as Portia snaps the shotgun closed.

PORTIA

Pull!

Dimitri hurls the vase out over the sea. Portia fires. The

vase explodes. A few feet away, a small, nervous young man,

SAM, sits on the deck with a computer in his lap examining

one of the pots.

SAM

Okay, I'm pretty sure none of

these are authentic.

PORTIA

They're just cheap knockoffs for

naive tourists. They deserve their

fate. Pull!

Dimitri tosses a plate into the air. Portia fires. The

plate explodes. Sam flinches at the gunfire.


4/112


PORTIA

You're on Spring Break Samuel. You

really should relax.

She offers the shotgun.

PORTIA

Try a round.

SAM

Are you kidding? I mean...no

thanks.

A beautiful young woman resembling Dimitri, OLYMPIA, looks

timidly up from a large book.

OLYMPIA

Shouldn't you wait to fire that

until we are at sea?

Portia snaps the gun closed in response.

DIMITRI

Sis has a point, lover.

PORTIA

We can't leave without Jay now canwe? I'm hoping that the one gun

salute will get his lackadaisical

derrire back here. Pull!

Dimitri tosses a huge vase into the air. Portia hits it

close to the deck. Terracotta shards shower them. Sam

huddles over his computer. Dimitri doesn't flinch but

covers his drink as the shrapnel assaults him.

DIMITRI

And just where is Jay?

SAM

Don't know.


5/112


DIMITRI

Aren't you college buddies

supposed to watch out for each

other when abroad?

SAMCome on dude, I'm not his mom.

Besides, he was dragged away by

some hot local. Was I supposed to,

like, follow him and make a porno?

Olympia looks up from her book, disgusted.

SAM

He's probably face down in an

alley, with no money, a missing

kidney, and a big fat Greekhangover.

PORTIA

One can only hope. Pull!

INT. SIRENA'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Close up of a disheveled young American lying face down in

bed: JAY. A gun blasts in the distance. Jay's eyes snap

open in response. He mumbles into his pillow.

SIRENA (O.S.)

What was that?

Jay rolls over.

JAY

Are we being attacked?

The view widens to reveal a striking woman, SIRENA, on the

bed next to Jay. They both wear only sheets. The rustic

bedroom is in total disarray. Sunlight streams through an

open doorway leading to a balcony.

Another gunshot.


6/112


SIRENA

It's pretty far off. Probably at

the harbor.

JAY

Portia.

Jay sits up quickly, clutches his head and collapses back

onto his pillow.

SIRENA

A jealous lover?

JAY

Worse. Family.

Jay hunts for his pants.

SIRENA

You're leaving?

JAY

It's my cousin's boat. And she

will leave without me.

SIRENA

Let her leave! You are mine now.

JAY

Look, last night was really...

(Confused)

it was, right? I mean I was...we

were...weren't we? Wait, who are

you again?

SIRENA

Sirena.

JAY

Right, Sirena.

SIRENA

But you must not leave. I am not

yet done with you.


7/112


Sirena pulls Jay down. She presses close to him.

JAY

You aren't?

SIRENABut if your heart says go...

She gently caresses his chest. Her hand slides down his

torso. Lower, lower...

JAY

My heart says...I guess I could

stay a while longer...

A loud crash outside the bedroom. A man shouts in Greek.

SIRENA

(annoyed)

Oh no.

JAY

Oh no what!?

SIRENA

It's Eduardo.

JAY

Who's Eduardo?

Someone bangs on the door. More shouting.

JAY

You never told me you had an

Eduardo!

The bedroom door bursts open revealing EDUARDO, amusclebound man wielding a baseball bat. He bellows and

flails his arms. Sirena shouts back. They argue in Greek.

Jay dives for his pants.

JAY

Hey look man, I didn't even know

you existed. Can't we just...


8/112


Eduardo rushes Jay. Jay manages to grab his pants before

running out to the balcony. He trips on the bed sheets and

falls over the edge.

EXT. VILLAGE MORNING

A family of three having breakfast on their terrace. Jay

falls from above and smashes onto the table. The family

stares in shock. TWO MEN run around the building shouting.

Jay rolls off the ruined table.

JAY

Aw come on! More Eduardos?!

He takes off running, pants in hand.

EXT. SEAHORSE MORNING - VIEWED THROUGH CAMCORDER

Close up of Sam's face.

SAM

Okay guys. In-your-face Spring

Break journal entry number three.

Here is irrefutable proof that I

am spending spring break on the

Aegean Sea with extremely hot

women.

Close up of Portia on the deck, cleaning her shotgun.

SAM (O.S.)

Case in point: Portia Branston...

Portia hefts her shotgun, and gives the camera a

threatening look.

The camera moves abruptly to Olympia in a deckchair.

SAM

Second case in point: Olympia, the

beautiful stow-away...

Dimitri takes a protective stance, blocking Olympia form

the camera.


9/112


JAY (O.S.)

Portia!!!!!!

The camera swivels towards town, and zooms in on Jay,

pantless, sprinting down the street.

PORTIA (O.S.)

About bloody time.

Three men emerge behind Jay, in hot pursuit.

JAY

Staaaaart The Boooooaaaat!!!

EXT. SEAHORSE - CONTINUOUS

SAM

Um, maybe you should start up the

Seahorse?

PORTIA

One thing at a time Samuel. Let me

just put old Percival away and

then...

Jay leaps up on deck.

JAY

Portia, we need to leave right now!

PORTIA

Well it'll take a few moments but

we'll be off as s..

JAY

No time! Hold these!

Jay throws his pants at Portia and runs to the far side of

the ship.

JAY

Catch up!


10/112


VIEWED THROUGH CAMCORDER

Jay dives overboard.

PORTIA (O.S.)

Where are you going?

Jay swims out to sea.

JAY

That way!

DIMITRI (O.S.)

Portia, dear, the locals are

approaching.

EXT. SEAHORSE - CONTINUOUS

Portia looks where Dimitri is pointing. Three angry men

stand on the dock hollering.

PORTIA

What are they saying?

OLYMPIA

They aren't making much sense.

They keep going on about curses.

PORTIA

Tell them they will have their own

curse to deal with if they don't

back away from my boat!

Portia raises the shotgun. Before Olympia can explain, the

men back off.

PORTIAI suppose it is about time we

shoved off.


11/112


EXT. SEAHORSE LATER

The Seahorse at sea, Dimitri at the helm, Portia lounges

next to him. Jay emerges from below.

JAYSo, what's it going to take for

you to forget this little

adventure?

PORTIA

O, it's not me you need to worry

about.

Portia gestures to Sam and Olympia huddled around Sam's

computer.

JAY

Oh, Crap!

PORTIA

I believe he's making you quite

the celebrity. Up and running are

we Sam!

Jay marches to the computer. Olympia casts him a disgusted

glance and returns to her deck chair.

JAY

Sam! You Tube!? Really!?

PORTIA

You can give him a good thrashing

later. We've a storm coming. A

bad one, from the looks of it.

A dark, ominous cloud stretches out at the horizon.

PORTIA

Dimitri, how much farther until

the next stop?

Dimitri stares off past her, hypnotized.


12/112


PORTIA

Darling? Hello?

Dimitri shakes himself back to reality.

DIMITRII see an island right there. That

could be our next stop.

Dimitri points to a rocky, inhospitable Island.

PORTIA

I should never have chosen my tour

guide based on looks.

(To the group)

Ladies and Gentlemen, it looks

like we're going to make an

unexpected stop! Jay, do try to

keep your clothes on this time.

EXT. MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - EVENING

Storm clouds cover the sky. The Seahorse, secured to the

stone remnants of a pier, is tossed by the waves.

The crew exits a lifeboat. Jay drags the boat onto the

beach. An ancient stone road leads into the hills.

Olympia notices a vulture in a tree, watching.

Flash of lightning. For a split second the vulture has a

weathered human face.

Olympia freaks. She screams and backs away from it.

Dimitri catches her. She points to the vulture.

OLYMPIAWHAT IS THAT THING?

Jay, Portia and Sam spot the vulture and relax.

JAY

We call them buzzards in normal

land.


13/112


OLYMPIA

But its face!?

JAY

They ain't purty, but they ain't

THAT bad.

OLYMPIA

Dimi?

Dimitri watches the vulture, a guarded look on his face.

Does he see something? Is he just worried about his sister?

DIMITRI

Just a vulture. Come on.

Dimitri wraps his arm around Olympia and steers her up the

path. The others follow, disturbed. Jay makes a cuckoo sign

to Sam. Portia slaps Jays hand.

The vulture watches the crew disappear into the foliage.

EXT. MONASTERY EVENING

The crew follows a worn stone path through an olive grove.

Olympia is still clearly distraught.

OLYMPIA

...it was not a vulture! Its

face...like an old woman...

JAY

Alright Loopy Limpy, it's time to

get off the acid trip.

Dimitri whirls on Jay.

DIMITRI

Leave my sister alone!

Portia jumps between the two.


14/112


PORTIA

Enough of this nonsense.

SAM

Check it out.

Sam Points to an ancient temple built into the hillside.

The wind rocks a weathered cross on the roof.

PORTIA

Well, that's a might bit better

than burnt out ruins.

Olympia rushes to the heavy wooden door. She lifts the

brass knocker and knocks. The door creaks open to reveal a

displeased and suspicious Monk.

The monk speaks curtly in Greek and begins to shut the

door. Olympia steps forward and puts her hand on the door.

She looks the monk directly in the eyes. He pauses. She

says breathless words in Greek. The monk hesitates, then

opens the door. He speaks, again in Greek.

DIMITRI

He says we may enter.

JAY(to Olympia)

What did you say to him?

OLYMPIA

I asked for sanctuary.

INT. MONASTERY HALLWAY - EVENING

The monk leads the crew down a winding stone hallway. Wall

sconces illuminate the way. He continues to speak.

DIMITRI

He says this place used to be a

temple of Athena. But it is now a

monastery. He is the only monk

left to care for it.


15/112


INT. MONASTIC CELL NIGHT

Jay stands just inside a small monastic cell. There is a

tiny window, a cot, and a chamber pot. The storm rages

outside. The monk and the rest of the crew are just outside

the cell.

DIMITRI

He reminds you not to leave your

cell under any circumstances and

bids you good night.

JAY

Well tell Saint Grumpy thank...

The monk shuts the door.

JAY

...you for your hospitality.

Man, I'm giving this guy the worst

possible rating on Hotels Dot Com.

Jay flings himself on the cot. He winces in discomfort.

LATER

Jay, asleep. The wind howls outside his window. Thundercrashes. He startles awake. He has to pee. He spots the

chamberpot.

LATER

Jay, looking quite disgusted, holds a full chamberpot. He

tries to open the ancient window, it's jammed shut.

JAY

You've got to be kidding.

INT. MONASTERY HALLWAYS NIGHT

Jay creeps into the hall, chamberpot in hand. The door next

to him opens. Olympia backs out with a flashlight. She

whirls, spotting him.


16/112


OLYMPIA

What are you doing out here?

Jay glances at Olympia, at his chamberpot. He shoves the

chamberpot back in his cell.

JAY

I need some air. What are YOU

doing?

OLYMPIA

I...the same as you. I...don't

like enclosed spaces.

JAY

Well then, we can find some air

together.

OLYMPIA

I'll be fine on my own.

Olympia starts down the hallway. Jay hustles next to her.

OLYMPIA

Do you mind?

JAYWho else in gonna protect me from

the creeeepy vultures.

Olympia huffs and ups her pace. Jay keeps in step.

Jay pulls a flask from his pocket. He takes a sip and

offers it to Olympia.

JAY

Ouzo?

OLYMPIA

You are just like the boys Dimitri

warned me about: lazy, rude, with

only one thing on your mind.


17/112


JAY

Come on, if you think I'm bad you

need to get out more.

OLYMPIA

I...have been ill. For a very longtime. This is my first vacation.

Olympia halts, staring at an ornate door. Jay continues

past, oblivious. He takes another sip.

JAY

Well then you really need to make

up for lost time.

(apologetic)

And by the way, about that

vulture...

Jay backsteps to Olympia. Olympia tries the door: locked.

She pulls two pins from her pocket and kneels by the lock.

JAY

...but you can pick locks?

OLYMPIA

My foster parents used to lock me

in my suite. To keep me safe.Dimitri taught me to pick the lock

so I could go to the garden and

watch the stars at night.

JAY

They used to...that's messed up.

A soft Click Olympia pushes the door open.

INT. SAM'S CELL NIGHT

Sam lies restless on the cot. Fluttering outside his

window. He goes to the window and opens the shutters.

Lightning illuminates the vulture in a nearby tree,

watching.


18/112


INT. STUDY NIGHT

The walls are lined with old books. Thick carpets cover the

floor. Olympia gazes around the room, searching.

OLYMPIACan you feel it?

Jay wanders the room. His foot catches. He trips loudly.

OLYMPIA

How much ouzo have you had?

JAY

'M not drunk. There's something

under this rug.

Jay lifts up the rug to reveal a trap door. The latch is

covered with a wax seal. Olympia stares at it, hypnotized.


Sam watches as a second vulture lands on the tree. He

fumbles for his camcorder. He switches on nightvision.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

Olympia breaks the seal.

INT. DARKENED ROOM NIGHT

A woman, EURYALE, lies in a massive bed, obscured by the

shadows. In the grips of a violent dream, she calls out.

INT. TREASURE CHAMBER NIGHT

Olympia climbs down a ladder. The room is littered with

ancient Greek artifacts: pottery, bronze weapons and

shields, even clothing. There are several statues. The

largest is of Athena.

Jay stumbles down the ladder, landing in a heap.


19/112


JAY

Okay maybe a little drunk.

Jay gazes in awe at the artifacts.

JAYThis is wild! These monks sure

know how to hoard their treasure.

Olympia goes straight for the Athena statue, searching. She

notices an alcove in the back. She reaches in and draws out

a small, metal box. It has a similar wax seal. She opens it.


Euryale bolts upright in bed, her eyes wide with shock. Sheis drenched in sweat.


Sam raises the camcorder to the window.


Two harpies sit in the tree, glaring at Sam. They are

haggard beasts, with the heads and torsos of ancient women,

and the wings and lower bodies of vultures.

INT. SAM'S CELL CONTINUOUS

Sam drops his Camcorder, and shouts in shock.

INT. TREASURE CHAMBER NIGHT

Olympia reaches inside the box. She pulls out a bronze

disk. The grotesque face of a woman is etched upon it.

Olympia stares at it, captivated. Jay looks over her

shoulder.

JAY

Whoa. Aren't you nasty.


20/112


Footsteps from above. Olympia tries to replace the coin.

She fumbles, dropping them both. Jay grabs them. He quickly

pockets the coin, then closes and replaces the box just as

the monk appears in the trap door holding a shotgun.

INT. STUDY NIGHT

The monk lines Jay and Olympia up against the wall. He

raves at them. Jay sways, his face a greenish hue.

OLYMPIA

He wants to know if we have taken

anything.

Olympia addresses the monk in Greek.

JAY

What are you saying saying?

OLYMPIA

I'm asking him not to kill us.

JAY

...Right...good.

The monk pats down Olympia. Jay looks more and more ill. As

the monk reaches him, he vomits on the monk's feet.

EXT. MONASTERY NIGHT

The door to the monastery opens. The monk tosses Olympia

and Jay out. Jay trips over a metal seal similar to the wax

ones in the treasure room.


Euryale lunges out of bed. She rushes to a pair of Frenchdoors and throws them open, to stare out at the night sky.


The vultures/harpies erupt into flight. The door bursts

open. Lightning flashes. The monks stands in the doorway.


21/112


EXT. MONASTERY - NIGHT

The Monk shoves Portia, Dimitri, and Sam out the door.

Olympia rushes to Dimitri. He glares at Jay over her

shoulder, angry and confused. The wind is deafening.

PORTIA

Just what the hell did you two do!?

SAM

(panicked)

They're out here! They're...

they're...

PORTIA

Calm Down Samuel!

SAM

Olympia was right! They're not

birds. They're not vultures!

They're like...women...freaking

bird women!

PORTIA

I'm sure it was just the storm!

A hideous shriek rings on the howling winds. The clouds

burst. A torrential downpour. The wind picks up even more.

PORTIA

To the Seahorse! Quickly now!

The drenched crew stumbles down the road, as fast as they

can travel in the heavy winds.


A MAN next to Euryale.

EURYALE

Ready my boat at once.


22/112


EXT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

The ship tossed mercilessly by the storm.

EXT. SEAHORSE MORNING

Beautiful, sunny. The Seahorse is littered with debris from

the storm. Portia examines the torn mainsail. Sam lunges

across the deck to vomit over the railing. Jay sprawls on

the deck, a hand over his throbbing head.

OLYMPIA (O.S.)

You saw it too Dimi, I know you

did!

Dimitri storms on deck, Olympia hot on his heels.

PORTIA

O bloody hell.

Olympia rushes to Sam's side.

OLYMPIA

Sam, when we left the monastery,

you said you saw it, the

bird...thing. Tell them.

Sam fumbles with his camcorder.

SAM

...I...I s...saw...

Sam vomits over the railing again. Portia wheels on Olympia.

PORTIA

If you can't keep your delusions

to yourself, kindly go below.You're giving us all a headache.

OLYMPIA

I am trying to warn you!


23/112


Jay sighs and sits up, rubbing his head. He glances out

toward the island.

PORTIA

A monk with a shotgun is enough of

a monster. We don't need anyillusory ones to worry about!

Jay stands, his eyes fixed on the sky. Dimitri stares at

Jay, distracted, confused.

OLYMPIA

You feel it don't you?

Dimitri jerks his head back to Olympia.

DIMITRI

What? I feel nothing.

OLYMPIA

You DO feel it, in your HEART.

Dimitri looks back at Jay, a hand to his heart. Jay

snatches Sam's camcorder.


Three specks in the sky.

SEAHORSE

PORTIA

I'm the captain of a bloody

floating asylum.

OLYMPIA

When we were in the monas..

PORTIA

Oh shut up!

DIMITRI

Don't speak to my sister like that!


24/112



The view zooms in on the specks: three hideous harpies.

Getting closer.

JAY (O.S.)Guys?

SEAHORSE

Jay slams the camcorder in Sam's hands.

PORTIA

Seeing as how she wasn't even

invited on this trip I can speak

to her however I bloody wellplease.

JAY

Guys!?

DIMITRI

You invite me, you invite my

sister.

PORTIA

Shall I invite her into my bed aswell?

JAY

GUYS!

Furious, Dimitri snatches a bottle of ouzo from a deck

table. He takes a long drink.

PORTIA

O brilliant! Let's all have around of drinks.

Dimitri raises the bottle in mock salute to Portia.

JAY

INCOMING!!!


25/112


Jay drops to the ground. A harpy swoops past Dimitri,

grabbing his ouzo. The other two dive-bomb the deck.

One harpy pounces on Jay, searching for something.

JAYWhat the...!

The harpy with the ouzo pauses to chug the bottle. Olympia

and Dimitri make for the cabin. A harpy lands in their path

and shrieks. Sam dives into the lifeboat and hides under

the boat cover. His arm pops out, holding the camcorder.

JAY

Get off! Get off! Get off!

Jay grabs a corner of the sail and wraps it around the

harpy. The harpy facing Olympia and Dimitri leaps into the

air. It grabs Olympia by the hair and drags her away from

the cabin. Olympia screams. Portia dives past them to go

below.

DIMITRI

Olympia!

Dimitri runs after his sister. The first harpy finishes the

ouzo. She takes to the air and tackles Jay. The harpy hetrapped frees herself from the sail. Both harpies grab Jay.

They pull at him and search his clothes, lifting him off

the ground. Jay headbutts one of the harpies. It drops him.

Gunshot.

The harpies scream. Portia stands by the cabin entrance

with her shotgun. All three harpies take flight. Portia

gets off a second shot, grazing one of the them. They

disappear over the island.

PORTIA

Is everyone all right?

JAY

No! We aren't all right! What the

hell were those...?


26/112


Jay staggers to his feet only to double over and vomit over

the ship's railing. Olympia is in tears. Dimitri is with

her, stunned. Sam pokes his head out of the lifeboat.

SAM

Is it safe?

PORTIA

Come on out, Samuel.

Sam climbs out of the lifeboat.

OLYMPIA

Now do you believe?

DIMITRIIt was some type of vulture.

OLYMPIA

Did you see their faces? How many

vultures have human faces? Not to

mention their...

JAY

Boobs! They had boobs.

DIMITRIYou are delusional.

JAY

Dude, they were right in my face!

The vultures had saggy old boobs!

DIMITRI

We were panicked.

SAMI have proof.

Sam holds up his Camcorder.

CUT TO:


27/112



A jumbled view of the attack. The harpies are a blur of

motion. Finally one comes into clear view. The image pauses.

SAM (O.S.)There!

EXT. SEAHORSE CONTINUOUS

The crew gathered around Sam's camcorder.

JAY

See, I told you it had boobs!

DIMITRIIt's just not possible.

JAY

It is freakin' possible! It's

right there.

PORTIA

Jay is right. We all saw them. Sam

has them on camera. We better

start believing in them.

JAY

Yeah!...so what the hell were they?

SAM

Harpies...At least I think they

were harpies. Weren't harpies like

nasty bird women sent by Zeus to

steal some guy's food.

JAYOkay, so they're Herpes.

SAM

Harpies.

JAY

Harpies. Where did they come from?


28/112


They all look toward the Island.

JAY

Great. Psycho monk has herpes.

SAMHarpies.

JAY

Whatever.

PORTIA

We need to fix the sail in case

they return.

SAM(terrified)

They're gonna come back?

PORTIA

They were looking for something.

Portia looks at Jay. Olympia looks at Jay. Dimitri looks at

Jay. Sam, confused looks at Jay.

JAY

What?

PORTIA

They were quite taken with you

weren't they?

JAY

Must be my cologne.

PORTIA

What were they looking for?

Jay starts to say something, then shrugs in guilty defeat.


29/112


EXT. EURYALE'S YACHT DAY

Euryale at the railing of a large yacht. A dangerous

looking man, GREGOR, approaches her.

EURYALEWe are close Gregor. Very close.

GREGOR

Shall I wake your sister?

EURYALE

No, I will handle this. I know

where she is, should I need her

talents.

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

The crew in the main cabin. The coin sits on a small desk.

SAM

You robbed psycho-monk?

JAY

I guess I did. I was kinda drunk.

PORTIA

No doubt.

SAM

Who is she supposed to be?

DIMITRI AND OLYMPIA

(simultaneously)

Medusa.

SAMYou're sure?

DIMITRI

Pretty sure.


30/112


Olympia, entranced, reaches for the coin. Portia stands up

and snatches it.

PORTIA

I don't care if it's Queen

Victoria. We have to return it.

OLYMPIA

What? Why?

PORTIA

Well, the Harpies are three very

good reasons.

SAM

Yeah, take it back. Let the monk

deal with the harpies.

DIMITRI

Maybe the monk sent the harpies.

PORTIA

All the more reason to return the

it. Now I need to stay here and

oversee the repairs to the sail.

JAYI'll go.

PORTIA

Quite fitting, since you got us

into this mess.

OLYMPIA

(abruptly)

Me too.

Portia looks at Olympia suspiciously.

OLYMPIA

He'll need a translator.

PORTIA

Well that settles it.


31/112


Olympia reaches for the coin. Jay pockets it before she can

reach it. They head for the deck. Jay stops in the doorway.

JAY

Here's hoping the monk is in the

mood to talk. I don't feel likegetting shot today.

EXT. MYSTERIOUS ISLAND DAY

Jay and Olympia hike up the road to the monastery. Jay

sets the pace, Olympia drags behind.

OLYMPIA

Why are you so certain the monk

should have this coin?

JAY

Why are you so certain he

shouldn't?

OLYMPIA

We don't know who he is. How is it

he came by all that treasure?

JAY

He's a monk. I'm sure it's alllegit.

OLYMPIA

What kind of monk pulls a gun on a

bunch of kids? He could be a

smuggler. Perhaps he deals on the

black market in antiquities. Do

you really want to return to him

more stolen goods?

Jay stops walking. He turns to face Olympia.


32/112


JAY

I don't care if he's the son of

Lucifer, and he's selling treasure

so he can buy orphans to fuel his

death furnace. All I know is that

freaking bird-women came out of

the sky and attacked us because we

had a tiny metal portrait of the

ugliest woman I have ever seen.

If he wants miss beauty's happy

coin, he is welcome to it! I for

one would like to go the rest of

my life without worrying if saggy

chested hag-turkeys are going to

dive bomb my face!

Jay turns on his heel and stalks up the road.

OLYMPIA

Coward!

Jay spins around.

JAY

I prefer Survivalist. It sounds a

lot cooler.

Olympia huffs and hurries to catch up.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

The remainder of the crew are busy repairing the ship. Sam

looks up from his work for a moment. Something catches his

eye. He grabs his camcorder.

EXT. SEA DAY - VIEWED THROUGH CAMCORDER

A modern yacht anchored off the coast of the Island,several figures on deck.

SAM (O.S.)

Guys. We have company.


33/112


EXT. SEAHORSE - CONTINUOUS.

Portia grabs camcorder.

PORTIA

Another ship. What are the odds?

DIMITRI

More Harpies?

PORTIA

No. More humans.

EXT. SEA DAY - VIEWED THROUGH CAMCORDER

Several people get onto a lifeboat. A flash of metal underone's arm: a gun.

EXT. SEAHORSE CONTINUOUS

Portia snaps into action. She disappears below. She emerges

on deck with her shotgun.

PORTIA

Let's take a walk, Samuel.

DIMITRI

I will go as well.

PORTIA

No, no. I need someone here who

knows how to sail. We might need

to leave in a hurry.

SAM

But..

PORTIA

We'll be fine. And bring your

camera, just in case.


34/112


EXT. MONASTERY - DAY

Jay and Olympia reach the monastery, EURYALE steps out from

the olive trees. Mature but ageless, she radiates strength

and confidence.

EURYALE

Good day, children.

JAY

Um..Hi?

EURYALE

I believe you have something of

mine.

JAY

We do?

OLYMPIA

Who the hell are you?

Gregor steps out of the olive trees to stand behind

Euryale. He has bodyguard/thug written all over him.

EURYALE

You may call me Euryale. You havesomething that does not belong to

you. A large coin perhaps?

JAY

We just happen to have...

Jay reaches for the coin. Olympia grabs his arm.

OLYMPIA

What we have belongs to the monkand this monastery.

JAY

It does?

OLYMPIA

Yes.


35/112


EURYALE

Ah, but I have already discussed

the matter with the kind monk. He

saw fit to return the heirloom to

me.

OLYMPIA

We came to give the coin to the

monk and that is what we are going

to do.

JAY

Olympia...

EURYALE

Is that so?

JAY

If the nice lady wants the coin,

she can have it.

Jay pulls out the coin and holds it up.

JAY

Is this the c...

Olympia grabs the coin from Jay's hand.

OLYMPIA

Where is the monk?

EURYALE

What?

OLYMPIA

If the monk is so willing to give

you the coin, then where is he?

Let him tell us to give you the

coin.

EURYALE

You are getting tiresome, child.


36/112


Euryale snaps her fingers and nods back toward the

monastery. Gregor goes inside. He and another THUG drag the

monk out at gunpoint.

JAY

Oh, Crap.

EXT. ISLAND CONTINUOUS

Portia and Sam creep through the olive trees to a rocky

outcropping above the monastery. They watch as the monk is

dragged out.

SAM

O man! This is not good. This is

so not good.

PORTIA

Keep you wits about you Samuel.

SAM

They've got a gun to that guy's

head!

PORTIA

If they meant to kill him, they

would have already.

SAM

You don't know that!

PORTIA

Samuel!

SAM

Okay. I'm calm.

PORTIA

Good. Take this.

Portia hands Sam the shotgun. He recoils from it.


37/112


SAM

Are you crazy? I can't shoot that

thing.

PORTIA

Sure you can. You just squeeze thetrigger, it does the rest.

Portia stalks down toward the monastery.

SAM

Where are you going?

PORTIA

I am going to get our friends out

of this if things turn ugly.

SAM

What do you want me to do.

PORTIA

Create a distraction. But only

when you see me act. And Samuel?

SAM

Yes?

PORTIA

For God's sake, don't actually

point that at anyone.

EXT. MONASTERY CONTINUOUS

EURYALE

I am running out of patience,

child.

JAY

Olympia, this isn't funny. Give

her the coin.

EURYALE

Gregor, shoot the monk in the foot.


38/112


Gregor pulls a pistol from a shoulder holster. He aims it

at the monk's foot.

OLYMPIA

Wait!!

Gregor hesitates.

EURYALE

Ah, so you can be reasonable.

OLYMPIA

Take your filthy coin!

Olympia hurls the coin right into Euryale's face. Euryale

recoils. The coin bounces to the ground. The monk dives,snatching it. Portia erupts from the olive trees, holding a

piece of firewood. She clubs Gregor in the head. He drops

to the ground.

PORTIA

Run!

Thug takes aim on Portia. The monk shoves him. The gun goes

off, but misses. Euryale kicks the monk over and stares

into his eyes. He drops the coin. Euryale's eyes glow a

deep green.

The Monk turns to stone.

Olympia screams. Thug points the gun at Jay and Olympia.

Euryale grabs Portia and stares into her eyes.

SAM

No!!!!!

The shotgun fires. Sam comes screaming from his hidingplace. Thug tries to take cover. Sam fires a second time.

The shot misses Thug, but grazes Jay's leg.

JAY

Aaaah! Sam?!


39/112


Jay grabs the empty shotgun from Sam and clubs Thug. He

shoves Euryale, breaking the spell. Jay grabs Portia.

JAY

Sam, Help!

Jay and Sam pull a stunned Portia away. Olympia grabs the

coin before running down the road with the others.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Dimitri lounges on the deck with a bottle of ouzo. The sail

is mended.

JAY (O.S.)

Dimitri!

OLYMPIA (O.S.)

Dimi!

Dimitri looks to the shore.

EXT. ISLAND DAY

Jay, Olympia, Sam, and Portia hobble to the boat in a panic.

JAY

Start the boat!

OLYMPIA

Start the boat!

SAM

Hurry!

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Dimitri helps the crew aboard. Portia is still stunned.

DIMITRI

What happened?


40/112


SAM

Bad! Eyes! Monk! Stone!

DIMITRI

What?

JAY

Later. Let's just get the hell out

of here.

DIMITRI

You've been shot!

JAY

Friendly fire. Now come on!

Dimitri examines Portia. Sam and Olympia stand stunned by

the railing.

DIMITRI

What is wrong with her.

JAY

Later. Come on guys, move it!

SAM

What should we...

JAY

You and Olympia take Portia below.

Dimitri, raise the mainsail!

They all hesitate.

JAY

Now guys! Go!

They scramble to action. Jay secures the lifeboat and limps

to the wheel. The Seahorse backs away from the Island.

Olympia emerges from below. She stares out at the receding

Island. Dimitri joins her.

DIMITRI

What happened?


41/112


Olympia starts to speak, but is unable.

DIMITRI

At least you got rid of the coin.

Olympia doesn't answer.

DIMITRI

You still have it don't you?

Olympia looks at Dimitri guiltily.

JAY

(calling from the wheel)

Guys! We need to talk.

EXT. SEAHORSE LATER

Jay, Dimitri, and Olympia at the wheel. Olympia tends Jay's

wounded leg.

JAY

Ouch! Careful!

DIMITRI

She just turned him to stone?

Like..magic? Poof! A statue?

JAY

I know, it's a little crazy.

DIMITRI

A little?

OLYMPIA

But it's true, Dimi. It happened.

Just as the harpies happened.

Sam quietly emerges from below, unnoticed.


42/112


JAY

There's only one thing I wanna

know. What the hell is going on,

and who is this crazy old chick?

SAMI have a theory.

All heads turn to Sam.

SAM

You said her name was Euryale.

That's the name of one the Gorgons

in ancient mythology. They were

great beast-women with fangs and

brass hands. They could turn

people to stone. The most famousone, Medusa was beheaded by

Perseus. Her head was given to

Athena, who placed it on a shield.

I think the coin is the shield of

Athena, or part of it. Euryale

wants her sister's head back.

Dimitri whistles. Jay gapes.

JAY

Uh, hello professor. Who are you

and what are you doing in Sam's

body?

DIMITRI

How do you know all this?

SAM

Well...you know...I was gonna

minor in ancient....I've been

studying....I just googled thename Euryale.

JAY

What about the Herpes?

SAM

Harpies.


43/112


JAY

Whatever.

SAM

I don't know where they fit in.

DIMITRI

But why do we still have the coin?

OLYMPIA

I...It..She was so wicked, Dimi!

She would have turned us all to

stone the second she had it!

DIMITRI

If it is the head of her sister,

she has reason to claim it. If it

were my head, wouldn't you want it

returned?

OLYMPIA

I..

JAY

Well, its too late for that. Big

mama Gorgon will probably shoot

first the next time she sees us.We need to figure out what to do

with this thing.

SAM

Toss it overboard.

OLYMPIA

No!

JAY

She's right. If we do get caught,I want something to keep us alive.

We need answers...


44/112


INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Jay and Sam huddle around Sam's computer. Portia is asleep

on the bed, Olympia sits next to her.

OLYMPIAShe sleeps so heavily.

JAY

So long as she's breathing.

SAM

Well, there isn't much more info

on the shield of Athena.

OLYMPIAPerhaps we can find an expert,

someone who might know what isn't

on the Internet.

Sam types intently.

SAM

We have experts all over the

globe; Cambridge, Harvard,

Stanford. How far do we want to

travel?

JAY

Local. As local as possible. Like

a couple hundred yards local.

SAM

Well, there is this guy. Doctor

Theophilus. It says he lives on

Syros. Is that close by?

Olympia walks over to a table loaded with charts. She

consults the top one for a moment.

OLYMPIA

Quite close. If we had some wind

we could be there by the morning.


45/112


JAY

Well then, Dr. Cacophonous...

SAM

...Theophilus.

JAY

...Thubopalus it is.

SAM

But this guy looks like real nut.

He's written a bunch of books

about real life origins of myths.

The academic community thinks he's

a joke.

OLYMPIA

Why? Many legends start out as

actual events, then get

exaggerated over time.

SAM

Yeah, but this guy doesn't think

there's been much exaggerating.

Apparently he thinks the gods were

real, and walked around messing

with mortals. A real wacko.

JAY

Sam, an ancient mythological she-

monster is after us because we

have the severed head of Medusa. I

think this guy is just the kind of

wacko we need.

Dimitri appears in the doorway.

DIMITRIWe have company.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

The crew on deck. There is no wind. Euryale's yacht

approaches in the distance.


46/112


JAY

Crap!

SAM

That's a bit of an understatement.

OLYMPIA

What do we do?

JAY

Crap!

DIMITRI

I'll start the engine, but without

the wind, we won't be able to keep

ahead of them for long.

JAY

Son of a....Crap!

Dimitri runs to the wheel.

OLYMPIA

She's catching up!

JAY

Okay, Okay...uh, Sam. go plot outa course to Professors Island.

SAM

But I don't know how...

JAY

Figure it out! We need to know how

to get there, and we need to know

now. You can do this Sam.

Sam runs below deck. Jay turns to Olympia.

JAY

Go see if you can wake Portia. We

need to get into her safe.


47/112


OLYMPIA

But why?

JAY

That's where she keeps her shotgun

shells.

Olympia turns to leave.

JAY

Olympia!

Jay steps close to her. He gently holds her shoulders.

JAY

Do you still have the coin?

Olympia shrugs him off.

OLYMPIA

She can't have it!

JAY

I just need to use it to get them

off our ass. I won't give it to

them. Trust me.

Olympia hesitates, then hands Jay the coin. She heads to

the main cabin. At the door she stops and turns to Jay.

OLYMPIA

You promise?

JAY

Trust me.

Olympia disappears into the cabin. Jay joins Dimitri by thewheel.

DIMITRI

You're going to give them the coin

aren't you.


48/112


JAY

Damn right I am.

Euryale's yacht is now close enough that figures can be

seen on the deck. Jay steps out from the wheel house and

holds the coin out over the sea.

JAY

(shouting to the other boat)

Slow down or I'll drop your little

coin in......

Gunshots ring out. Bullets smash into the deck at Jay's

feet. He kicks over a deck table and ducks behind it.

JAY

Are they crazy!?

DIMITRI

Perhaps they have scuba gear?

OLYMPIA

(from the cabin doorway)

She won't wake up!

JAY

Crap!

DIMITRI

Plan B?

JAY

I'm thinking!

Jay scans the deck for ideas. He spots a bottle of ouzo. He

lunges for it. More gunfire. He dives behind the table.

JAY

What's the proof on this crap?

DIMITRI

Around 80 proof...wait! No! Not

the ouzo!


49/112


JAY

Sorry man. Olympia! Tell Sam to

look up Molotov Cocktails!

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Sam is at the desk, rifling through the pile of charts.

Olympia is in the doorway.

OLYMPIA

Jay wants you to..

SAM

I heard, I heard! Gimme a sec!

Sam turns to the computer, muttering to himself.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Euryale's yacht is closing in. More gunfire. Jay is pinned

behind the table.

DIMITRI

We are running out of gas!

JAY

Shut up and drive! Olympia, tell

Sam to hurry!

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

OLYMPIA

Sam, Jay says to..

SAM

I can hear him just fine. Okay, I

got it.(Shouting)

How many do you need!?


50/112


EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

JAY

As many as you can make! Hell, use

all of it!

DIMITRI

What!?

JAY

It's hard to get drunk when you're

dead.

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Olympia pulls out a case of ouzo. She opens the bottlesfrantically. Sam tears the bedsheets into strips of fabric.

He shoves them into several bottles. Olympia puts the

bottles into a crate and runs to the cabin door.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Olympia emerges in the cabin doorway.

OLYMPIA

Incoming!

She slides the crate of cocktails across the deck to Jay.

Jay picks up the first bottle and stares at it.

JAY

Uh...Crap! Fire! We need Fire!!

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Olympia lunges back into the cabin.

OLYMPIA

We need fire!

Sam searches the room. He finds a lighter.


51/112


SAM

Ha! Fire!

He tosses the lighter to Olympia. She runs out the door.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Olympia tosses the lighter at Jay.

OLYMPIA

Fire!

JAY

Wha...ah!

The lighter hits Jay. He fumbles to catch it. It hits thedeck and slides out past the table. He dives out and grabs

it. Bullets tear into the deck, just missing him. Jay takes

cover behind the table.

JAY

A little warning next time!

OLYMPIA

Sorry!

Dimitri dives behind the table to join Jay.

JAY

Whoa? Who's steering the boat?

DIMITRI

I lashed the wheel. We'll be out

of gas soon anyway. The faster we

light these bombs the better.

Dimitri and Jay each grab a cocktail. Dimitri lights thefuse on each.

JAY

On three.

Dimitri pets the bottle lovingly.


52/112


DIMITRI

Farewell, my dear.

JAY

One. Two. Three!

Jay and Dimitri stand and hurl their cocktails at Euryale's

yacht. Jay's cocktail smashes on the side of the boat.

Dimitri's lands on the deck. The thugs take cover before

firing again. Jay and Dimitri duck down.

JAY

Nice shot!

Jay reaches for another cocktail.

JAY

Barkeep, another round please!

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Olympia pulls out another crate of Ouzo. Sam is at his

computer.

SAM

Wait!

Sam rushes to the refrigerator.

OLYMPIA

What are you doing?

Sam pulls out a dozen eggs.

SAM

Making these bombs a lot worse.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

OLYMPIA

Incoming!

She slides the next batch to Jay.


53/112


JAY

Keep 'em coming!

DIMITRI

They are catching us!

Jay peeks over the table. Euryale's yacht is almost right

next to the Seahorse. There are three GUNMEN on the deck.

Two of them prepare to board.

JAY

No, no, no, no!

Dimitri lights two more cocktails. They hurl them at the

gunmen. Jay's flies wide. Dimitri's bursts right at the

thugs' feet. Fire and putrid gas explode around them.

DIMITRI

What was in those?

JAY

Who cares! Light some more!

Dimitri shoves the lighter in Jay's hand.

DIMITRI

Your aim is appalling. You light,I'll throw.

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Sam jumps up from his computer. He searches around the room.

SAM

Ah....we need...ah..turpentine,

paint thinner...Motor oil! Motor

oil! Go, go!

Olympia runs farther below.

SAM

And tar, if you can find it!


54/112


EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Euryale's yacht has closed with the Seahorse. One of the

thugs leaps over onto the Seahorse. Jay runs out of hiding

and clubs him with an unlit cocktail. The thug falls

overboard. Dimitri hurls another cocktail at the gunmen asthey open fire on Jay. Jay dives back behind the table.

DIMITRI

We're running out!

JAY

Sam! Olympia! We need more

goodies! Now!

Olympia appears in the doorway with a crate of cocktails.

She slides them to Jay. Jay grabs and lights one. He hands

it to Dimitri. Dimitri stands and hurls the cocktail. It

erupts as a viscous flaming ooze. One of the gunmen is

caught on fire. He leaps overboard.

Jay stands up.

JAY

What was in that one?

DIMITRIWho cares. Light another.

Jay and Dimitri both hurl a cocktail. They cover a large

portion of the yacht in flame and choking smoke. They toss

another round. The gunfire stops. The remaining gunman is

choking.

DIMITRI

Well done. But without any wind,

we can only stay ahead of them

while we still have gas.

JAY

How much gas do we have left.

The engine sputters and dies.


55/112


Jay looks around and picks the untainted bottle of ouzo. He

runs to the railing away from Euryale's yacht.

DIMITRI

Just what are you doing?

JAY

I'm gonna try to buy us some wind.

DIMITRI

Ah, yes you're....wait, what?

JAY

(to the sea)

Poseidon! I...ah..offer you this

most fine bottle of spirits.

Please grant us wind to fill our

sails....oh great...Steward of the

Sea!

Jay hurls the ouzo out into the sea.

DIMITRI

Have you gone mad?! That was the

last bottle. Ah!

Dimitri lights another cocktail. He hurls it at the yacht.

DIMITRI

Ridiculous American! Our last

bottle, and you threw it out to

sea? How is that supposed to help

us?

The wind suddenly fills the Seahorse's sails. The Seahorse

pulls away from the flaming, smoke-ridden yacht. Dimitri

stands, stunned.

JAY

Ha, ha! Adios you old hag!


56/112


Jay is answered by a few more gunshots. They take cover.

Euryale is visible from the top of the yacht. Dimitri hurls

one last cocktail. It smashes against the bow. Sam and

Olympia emerge from below.

SAMIs it over?

JAY

It's over my boy! Plot a course

for...err...whatchamacallit Island.

SAM

Syros.

JAY

Sosos! Here we go!

DIMITRI

Unbelievable.

SAM

What?

DIMITRI

The wind...it...

OLYMPIA

Yes, very fortunate.

JAY

Let's get this ship back in one

piece guys. If Portia wakes up to

this mess, we won't have to worry

about any angry demigods.

Sam goes below. Jay and Olympia start cleaning up. Dimitri

just stands still.

DIMITRI

We've all gone mad.


57/112


INT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

Portia and Dimitri sitting up in bed. Jay enters from above.

JAY

Well it's about time you woke up.I'm sick of being in charge.

PORTIA

Seems you did well, from what

Dimitri tells me.

JAY

It was a group effort. How are you

feeling?

PORTIA

Like I imagine you feel after a

night of binge drinking.

DIMITRI

Hungry?

PORTIA

Ravenous.

Dimitri rummages through the fridge.

JAY

Do you remember what happened?

PORTIA

Only too well. When she looked at

me...I could hear her in my head,

laughing. Then she...spread,

everywhere. My whole body cramped

up. My God, it hurt like bloody

hell. Then everything went black.

I woke up here. I trust there were

no embarrassing photos taken of me

while I was out.

JAY

Not a one...unfortunately.


58/112


PORTIA

Good then. Ah!

Dimitri hands her a plate with sandwiches and chips.

DIMITRII'll make some tea.

PORTIA

Darling, I rescind every coarse

word I've ever uttered about you.

Portia devours the food. Jay puts a hand on her shoulder

and steps out of the cabin.

EXT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

Jay exits the cabin, sees Olympia at the bow, and joins her.

OLYMPIA

Is she alright?

JAY

Seems to be. She's a little more

subdued than usual, but I'm sure

she'll be feeling all prim and

superior by morning.

OLYMPIA

She will. Dimi will take good care

of her.

JAY

I don't think she needs a Don Juan

right now. She needs a nurse.

OLYMPIADimi takes good care of what is

important to him.

JAY

Like you?


59/112


OLYMPIA

Like me.

JAY

You two are pretty close. I guess

that's usual for twins.

OLYMPIA

We are closer than most. When we

were born there were...

complications. I should not have

lived.

JAY

But here you are.

OLYMPIA

It was Dimi, somehow. Even as an

infant he gave me strength. He

still does. I always feel stronger

when he is near. You must think I

am mad.

JAY

After the past few days? I saw a

guy get turned into a lawn

ornament. I'll believe just about

anything now.

OLYMPIA

I believe I owe you an apology.

JAY

You do?

OLYMPIA

When I called you a coward, I was..

JAY

Correct. Though I still prefer

survivalist.

OLYMPIA

I was angry. But, you surprised me.


60/112


JAY

I am full of surprises.

OLYMPIA

Oh are you. How intriguing.

JAY

You can never tell what I might do

next.

OLYMPIA

I think I have a pretty good idea.

JAY

Oh? Well then...

As Jay leans in to kiss Olympia, Sam suddenly appears

between them.

SAM

Its midnight. Your turn to steer.

JAY

You. Must. Be. Joking.

SAM

Look, Cap, I'm just following yourorders. You said you'd take the

wheel at midnight. Here it is way

past midnight.

Jay looks at his watch.

JAY

It twelve 'o three.

SAMIt's your turn.

Jay glances at Olympia, then stalks off to the wheel. Sam

leans towards Olympia.


61/112


SAM

(as awkwardly as possible)

...so...here we...you know

it's...really...night...time...

stars...us...

OLYMPIA

I need to sleep.

Olympia leaves Sam for the cabin. Sam, crestfallen, turns

to the sea.

EXT. SEA NIGHT

The Seahorse from a few hundred yards away. The moonlight

dimly illuminates a woman in the water. She watches the

ship sail by. She dives, disappearing into the depths. A

serpentine tail splashes out of the water.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

The Seahorse harbored at a small port town. The crew

gather on deck, preparing to disembark. Dimitri and Jay are

already off the ship.

PORTIA

You boys know where you're going?

DIMITRI

More or less. We'll ask for

directions.

PORTIA

Do be careful.

JAY

Yes, old professors are such a

dangerous breed.

PORTIA

You never know.

JAY

I guess you don't.


62/112


Jay and Dimitri walk to town. Olympia begins to follow.

Portia stops her.

PORTIA

Not so fast.

OLYMPIA

Excuse me?

PORTIA

You and Sam need to stay on the

boat while I get supplies.

OLYMPIA

I am not some simpleton crew

member, and you are not my captain.

PORTIA

Until this is mess is dealt with I

most certainly am. I want you safe

and out of trouble. Now are you

going to stay here willingly or do

I have to tie you up?

OLYMPIA

You wouldn't dare!

Portia glares at Olympia. Olympia glares back. Something in

here eyes? Portia breaks the stare, unnerved.

PORTIA

Just...stay put. And stay sharp. I

have a feeling we may need yet

another hasty departure.

EXT. SYROS DAY

Jay and Dimitri maneuver a winding city street. They come

to a dilapidated old building. Jay knocks on the door. It

opens just enough for the occupant to peek out.

DIMITRI

Doctor Theophilus?


63/112


The door slams shut. Dimitri knocks on the door again. It

opens a little further, revealing DR. THEOPHILUS, a wizened

old man. He gazes suspiciously at Dimitri, growls something

in Greek, and slams the door.

JAYNice fellow. What did he say?

DIMITRI

That he would have no visitors.

JAY

I thought that was what he said.

Jay knocks on the door more aggressively.

JAY

Doctor, we need to talk to you.

It's urgent! Ah..how do you say

urgent in Greek?

Dimitri opens his mouth to speak when the door cracks open

again. The old man glares at Jay.

THEOPHILUS

I don't care how urgent your

business is!

JAY

Oh good, you speak English.

THEOPHILUS

Leave me and my door alone!

Theophilus tries to shut the door again. Jay shoves his

foot in the way. The door slams on Jay's foot.

JAY

Agh!

Theophilus slams the door on Jay's foot repeatedly.


64/112


THEOPHILUS

Would you get your wretched foot

out of my door!

JAY

Doctor, we really need to talk toyou.

THEOPHILUS

No! No autographs! No quotes for

your intertubeweb video mockeries!

Leave me be!

Dimitri, kicks the door in, knocking Theophilus back.

DIMITRI

Doctor, we have the Shield of

Athena.

THEOPHILUS

You what?

Jay limps into the room, and pulls the coin out of his

pocket. Theophilus stares at it in amazement.

THEOPHILUS

Great Zeus! Why didn't you say soin the first place? Come in come

in. Would you like some tea?

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Sam lounges on deck. Olympia paces impatiently.

OLYMPIA

I am going to shore!

SAM

But Portia..

OLYMPIA

Is not my captain. Nor is she my

mother. I wish to go ashore, and I

will do so!


65/112


SAM

But...

OLYMPIA

Besides, Portia's Greek is

appalling. She will need atranslator.

SAM

Well, maybe I should..

OLYMPIA

No. Stay with the boat. I can find

my way.

Olympia exits the boat. Sam is left alone.

INT. THEOPHILUS'S HOUSE DAY

Jay and Dimitri are at an ancient table, each with a cup of

tea. The table is loaded with old tomes. There are shelves

all about the room overloaded with ancient books and

artifacts. Theophilus examines the coin.

THEOPHILUS

Unbelievable! And you say you

actually saw a living Gorgon. Whatdid she look like?

JAY

Like a pissed off old woman. Look

Doc we need answers, and fast.

I'll bet that lady is still

looking for us.

THEOPHILUS

Oh, I am quite sure she is.

DIMITRI

But why? If this is Medusa's head

then she is clearly dead.


66/112


JAY

Maybe old Euryale's crazy

sentimental.

THEOPHILUS

Or perhaps Medusa is not as deadas we think.

Theophilus goes to a bookshelf, scans the titles.

THEOPHILUS

The common myths say that of the

three sisters, only Medusa was

mortal.

He pulls an old tome from the wall and flops it down on the

table. He thumbs through the pages.

JAY

Wait. There are three of them?

THEOPHILUS

Indeed. Medusa, Euryale, Stheno.

He opens the book to a picture of three wicked monsters.

THEOPHILUSAs I was saying, only Medusa was

mortal. It was Perseus who

beheaded..

JAY

Killed her and gave the head to

Athena. Yeah we know.


67/112


THEOPHILUS

Beheaded yes, killed...perhaps

not. I have found an account

claiming that the three sisters

shared a single mortal heart. Only

by destroying the heart could the

sisters be slain. If Medusa did

not possess the heart, perhaps

Euryale believes her sister can be

revived.

DIMITRI

But how would we know if Medusa

had this mortal heart or not?

JAY

Because Euryale is still up andkicking. Right Doc? If you get the

heart, all three would be dead.

THEOPHILUS

That seems to be the most logical

assumption, yes.

DIMITRI

So if one is alive, then her

sister, this Stheno would be alive

as well. But we have seen no signof her.

EXT. SYROS DAY

Olympia walks along a deserted street. The buildings lining

the street are closed up, the windows shuttered. A small

pack of children rushes past her. They knock feverishly at

one of the doors. The door opens, the children rush inside.

A frightened woman glances out. Olympia calls to her in

Greek. The woman slams the door.

An OLD WOMAN approaches Olympia from behind.

OLD WOMAN

Are you lost, my child?

Olympia startles, and turns around.


68/112


OLYMPIA

What? Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I am

looking for my friends. A young..

OLD WOMAN

English girl, yes?

OLYMPIA

Yes..how did you...

OLD WOMAN

She just came past this way.

Follow me.

The old woman leads Olympia down a dark, dead-end alley.

OLYMPIA

Are you sure she went this way?

The old woman laughs quietly. Her hair writhes. Snakes

sprout from her head. She turns a haggard reptilian face

toward Olympia and lunges. Olympia screams.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Sam on deck. He looks up at a large flock of birds coming

ashore from the sea. One of them dips down far enough toreveal itself to be a harpy.

SAM

Oh man, not good.

EXT. MARKETPLACE DAY

Portia at a small kiosk in a back alley of the marketplace,

a crate of supplies at her feet. She holds an ancient

revolver, and shakes her head at the man in the kiosk.

PORTIA

No, no. That price is

unacceptable. Look at this thing.

It must be from World War One.

I'll give you....


69/112


A harpy's scream interrupts her. She looks to the sky.

PORTIA

I'll take it!

She slams some bills into the merchant's hands.

INT. THEOPHILUS'S HOUSE DAY

A knock at the door.

THEOPHILUS

Eh? More visitors? I will send

them away at once.

Theophilus heads to the door.

JAY

Wait Doc, maybe you should...

Theophilus opens the door a crack. A cloaked and hunched

old woman is visible in the doorway. Theophilus addresses

her in Greek. She answers in a squawky voice.

DIMITRI

That voice sounds familiar.

THEOPHILUS

Eh? She says she knows you two.

JAY

Wait! Doc shut the door! Now!

The old lady bursts into the room. She sheds the cloak,

revealing the wings of a harpy. She leaps for the coin.

JAY

No!

Jay grabs the teapot from the table and smashes it into the

harpy, stunning it. Dimitri grabs the coin. Another harpy

leaps into the room.


70/112


DIMITRI

Doctor. You should come with us!

Jay grabs a fire poker. He uses it to keep the other harpy

at bay.

JAY

Dimitri?

DIMITRI

Now, Doctor!

THEOPHILUS

One moment!

Theophilus grabs a bag from behind his door. He shovesbooks from his table into the bag.

THEOPHILUS

We may need these.

JAY

Guys?

Dimitri grabs a chair. He slams the harpy back into a

corner. It lets out an ear piercing shriek. More shrieks

answer in the distance.

JAY

Must go now!

DIMITRI

Doctor?

THEOPHILUS

Yes, yes!

Dimitri grabs the doctor's arm and leads him out of the

house. Jay swats at the harpy and follows them out,

slamming the door shut.


71/112


EXT. SYROS DAY

Jay, Dimitri, and Theophilus run through the streets.

THEOPHILUS

But what were...

DIMITRI

Harpies!

THEOPHILUS

You never said anything about

harpies! Fascinating!

JAY

Yeah, they're just swell! Let'sjust hope they can't open doors.

DIMITRI

We have more to worry about than

the two in the house!

Dimitri points to the sky. An entire flock of harpies

heads straight for them.

THEOPHILUS

Great Zeus!

JAY

Run! Now!

The three take off running.

THEOPHILUS

But they were never so numerous in

the legends.

JAY

Well, now you know what they've

been doing over the past

millennium. Come on!


72/112


The three round a corner. The road opens into a large,

crowded square. In the square are Euryale and two of her

thugs.

JAY

Whoa!

Jay slams to a halt. Dimitri and Theophilus run into him,

almost knocking him over. Jay shoves them back around the

corner before they are spotted.

JAY

You've gotta be kidding me!

DIMITRI

Jay, What...

JAY

Big momma Gorgon.

Dimitri peers around the corner. He quickly turns back.

THEOPHILUS

Euryale? Here? I must...

Theophilus tries to look around the corner. Jay and Dimitri

both restrain him.

JAY

Easy, Doc. You'll get your chance

soon enough. Dimitri, the coin.

DIMITRI

What are you planning?

Dimitri hands Jay the coin.

JAY

I'm gonna kill two birds with

one...coin. Just get ready to run.

Jay holds the coin up and runs back up the road toward the

harpies. He starts waving his arms.


73/112


JAY

Hey! Hag-turkeys! I've got your

lovely Precious! Come and get it!

The lead harpy spots Jay and dives in his direction. The

entire flock follows with alarming speed.

JAY

Uh...

Jay runs back to Dimitri and the Doctor.

DIMITRI

Did it work?

JAYToo good. Run.

Jay runs past them, straight for Euryale.

THEOPHILUS

Is he mad?

DIMITRI

Most certainly.

Jay screams and rushes Euryale and her thugs, waving the

fire poker over his head. The thugs hesitate before drawing

their guns. Jay shoves past them.

The harpies, in hot pursuit, slam into the thugs. Euryale,

enraged, turns one of the lead harpies to stone. It

plummets to the ground and shatters.

Dimitri and Theophilus give the entire scene a wide berth.

They catch up to Jay on the far side of the square.

THEOPHILUS

Well done!

DIMITRI

It is not done yet. Keep moving.


74/112


The center of the square is pure chaos. The thugs open fire

on the flock. The majority continue their pursuit of Jay

and the coin. Villagers run screaming in every direction.

EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Portia climbs aboard. Sam takes the crate from her.

PORTIA

Where is Olympia?

SAM

She didn't find you?

PORTIA

She left the boat?

SAM

She went to help..

PORTIA

I told her to stay on board.

SAM

Yeah well..

PORTIA

Bloody hell! Are we at least ready

to leave?

SAM

Yup!

PORTIA

Good. We'll make a mariner of you

yet. Here.

Portia hands him the old revolver, and a box of ammo.

PORTIA

The best I could do.


75/112


76/112


OLYMPIA

Ah, Dimitri. I was looking for

you.

Jay grabs Olympia's hand and starts pulling her toward the

Seahorse.

JAY

Let's save the touching family

reunion for later.

Olympia lets Jay lead her on. Dimitri stands stunned for a

second before following, Theophilus is at his side. Jay

reaches the Seahorse and pushes Olympia up ahead of him. A

harpy swoops down and grabs her. Sam appears over the

railing and fires the revolver point blank into the harpy's

chest. It screams and splashes into the sea.

SAM

Yeah! Take that you...thing! O

wow, I just did that!

JAY

Take the bucket!

Jay hands the bucket to Sam and shoves Olympia onto the

boat.

JAY

Get it below!

SAM

Aye aye!

A harpy swoops at Theophilus as he climbs aboard. Jay swats

it with the fire poker. Theophilus and Sam run to the

cabin. Another harpy flies at Olympia. She catches it by

the throat, crushes its windpipe, and hurls it into thesea. The others are too occupied to notice. Finally,

Dimitri flops on deck.

JAY

All Aboard!


77/112


PORTIA

Here we go!

Portia backs the boat out of the harbor. Dimitri rushes to

Olympia.

DIMITRI

Are you all right?

OLYMPIA

Of course I'm...

Another Harpy dive-bombs the siblings, knocking them apart.

Dimitri wrestles with it. Jay hands him the poker. Dimitri

skewers the harpy. Sam emerges from below.

SAM

Jay! The Doctor needs lead!

JAY

What?

Sam pauses to shoot an approaching harpy.

SAM

(to harpy)

SHAZAAAM!(to Jay)

To hide the coin in. He says he

needs to surround it in lead!

JAY

The safe!

Jay runs to Portia at the wheel.

JAYPortia! I need the combination for

your safe!

PORTIA

Whatever for. I have all the

ammunition out of it. One moment.


78/112


Portia grabs the shotgun one-handed. She fires twice,

hitting each time, all the while steering the boat. Both

harpies fall into the sea. She sets the gun down.

JAY

We need to hide the coin in it.

PORTIA

Very well. Thirteen, twenty-six,

three, forty-five.

Jay runs to the cabin.

INT. SEAHORSE DAY

Jay enters the cabin to find Theophilus cornered by aHarpy. Jay tackles the harpy.

JAY

There's a safe beside the fridge!

The doctor fumbles about and finds the safe. Jay wraps his

legs around the harpy to pin its wings.

JAY

The combo is thirteen, twenty six,

three, yagh!

The harpy shoves a crooked claw in Jay's mouth.

THEOPHILUS

Thirteen, twenty six, three....it

isn't opening!

JAY

One more......Forty Five!

THEOPHILUS

Ha! It opens!

Theophilus crams the bucket into the safe and slams the

door shut. He grabs a blanket and covers the Harpy. The two

wrestle it outside.


79/112


EXT. SEAHORSE DAY

Jay and Theophilus toss the ensnared harpy out to sea. The

battle on the deck has come to a close. Harpies still

shriek in the distance. Sam empties his pistol at the

closest ones.

SAM

Yeah, you flying hoes! Come on

back! I'll pump your saggy tits so

full of lead you'll sink to the

sea floor!

Jay puts a hand on Sam's shoulder.

JAY

Whoa Sam. Down a notch or two.

PORTIA

Is everyone alright?

DIMITRI

More or less.

PORTIA

Very good. Then I believe

introductions are in order.

JAY

Ah, yes. Ladies and Gentlemen, may

I present the renowned Doctor

Theophilus.

PORTIA

Doctor welcome to the Seahorse.

THEOPHILUS

Ah, thank you?

JAY

Good call on the sea water.

DIMITRI

Yes, how did you know?


80/112


THEOPHILUS

Well, the harpies are creatures of

air...I supposed that the sea

water would diffuse their

connection to the artifact.

SAM

Maybe that's why they didn't

attack us until after the storm.

THEOPHILUS

I also guessed that, since you

were mariners, Poseidon might

favor you over the Harpies.

PORTIA

So you just guessed.

THEOPHILUS

An educated guess, but yes.

PORTIA

Touch.

DIMITRI

Jay, How did you know the harpies

weren't working for the Gorgon?

JAY

An educated guess?

SAM

You have to be educated for that.

DIMITRI

But if the Harpies are not with

the Gorgons, why are they so

interested in the coin.

THEOPHILUS

Perhaps they are the coin's

guardians.


81/112


JAY

Fine, fine. So long as the Bucket

o' Sea keeps them away, I don't

care what their intentions are.

Now what's the safe for?

THEOPHILUS

You have two creatures tracking

your coin. The water is to

befuddle the harpies, the lead is

to confuse the Gorgon.

PORTIA

Will it work?

THEOPHILUS

Only temporarily. It will onlydull the pull of the coin. We must

take it to a place of power.

DIMITRI

Such as?

THEOPHILUS

I believe I know of a place, in

Athens. Yes, Athens.

PORTIA

Athens it is. Sam be so kind to

show the good doctor to the spare

cabin.

As the crew disperses, Dimitri slides up next to Olympia.

DIMITRI

It was lucky you rejoined us when

you did.

OLYMPIA

Quite.

DIMITRI

Where had you gone?


82/112


OLYMPIA

I...went to join...Sam. I got

lost. When I heard those awful

creatures screaming, I retraced my

steps to the harbor.

DIMITRI

And that is all?

OLYMPIA

That is all. What is wrong with

you Dimitri? Were you harmed by

the Harpies? A blow to the head?

Dimitri stares at Olympia for a long moment.

OLYMPIA

Dimi?

Dimitri snaps out of his daze.

DIMITRI

No, I am fine. I'll go take the

wheel. Portia needs to plot our

course.

OLYMPIAOf course.

Dimitri goes to the wheel, glancing back at Olympia.

Olympia gazes out across the sea. A brief malevolent smile

crosses her face.

EXT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

Jay is alone at the wheel. Sam comes up from the cabin.

JAY

It's about time. I hate steering

this thing.

SAM

Jay, can you keep steering for a

while?


83/112


JAY

What? No, man. It's your turn.

SAM

Well...it's Olympia's turn to

guard the safe. This is my chance.

JAY

She is so not in to you.

SAM

That was before I saved her life

today.

JAY

So you think one brief moment of

playing Dirty Harry versus the

Death Pigeons is going to make

her jump into your pants.

SAM

Well, yeah. Maybe. I have to try.

JAY

What about Portia? You've wanted

to be stranded on a boat with her

since sixth grade.

SAM

She's with Dimitri, the Greek God

of Pleasing-the-Ladies. I can't

compete with that.

JAY

So Olympia is the next best thing?

SAM

The past two days I have neverbeen more scared. And I've never

felt more alive...life's too short

ya know...It's time I took a

chance on something... Besides,

it's not like YOU'RE into her.


84/112


Jay pauses, thinking.

JAY

Half of your watch. Any longer and

I'm gonna bust in on you two love

birds with your camcorder.

SAM

You wouldn't!

JAY

Go on, get wooing.

INT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

Sam steps into the dimly lit cabin. Olympia huddles overthe safe, trying the combination.

SAM

Ah...hey.

Olympia whirls, her eyes wide. She sees Sam, and relaxes.

OLYMPIA

Sam, you startled me.

SAM

What were you doing?

OLYMPIA

Just making sure it is secure.

SAM

Shouldn't mess with it.

OLYMPIA

I just wanted to take a look.

SAM

With Euryale still hunting us...

OLYMPIA

What are YOU doing here?


85/112


Olympia takes a slow step towards Sam.

SAM

Well..I..just..

OLYMPIAThought you might help me endure

the long hours of my watch?

A few steps closer, Olympia exaggerates each step, swaying

her hips.

OLYMPIA

I saw how you battled the harpies

today. So brave. So noble.

Olympia presses her body up against Sam, her face an inch

from his.

OLYMPIA

So hot.

SAM

Yeah?

OLYMPIA

Oh yes. With you so close, it'shard to keep my mind on guarding

that old trinket.

SAM

I'm sure it's safe.

OLYMPIA

Just one peek to make sure. Then

you will have my undivided

attention. Only, I don't remember

the combo. Do you?

SAM

I don't think we should..

Olympia presses even closer. She whispers into Sam's ear.


86/112


OLYMPIA

One peek, then I am yours.

SAM

thirteentwentysixthreefortyfive.

OLYMPIA

Well done.

Olympia pulls back to look into Sam's eyes. Her eyes take

on an eerie green glow.

EXT. SEAHORSE NIGHT

Olympia emerges on deck. She stretches, satisfied.

JAY

Where's Sam?

Olympia walks slowly toward Jay.

OLYMPIA

He is sleeping.

JAY

Well wake his ass up. He's

supposed to be steering.

OLYMPIA

I offered to finish his watch.

JAY

Then who's guarding the safe?

OLYMPIA

Sam is of course.

JAY

But you said he..

OLYMPIA

...is sleeping right next to it.


87/112


Olympia is only a few feet from Jay. He eyes her

suspiciously.

JAY

What's in your hand?

OLYMPIA

The truth is that I wanted to be

alone with you.

JAY

To finish our conversation?

OLYMPIA

To...yes.

JAY

About our engagement?

OLYMPIA

Of course, my love.

Olympia leans in to kiss him. He shoves her, looking away.

JAY

Everybody on Deck! Back off

Euryale!

OLYMPIA

Oh, I am not Euryale.

Olympia's hair writhes. Snakes sprout from her head.

OLYMPIA

I am much worse than my sister!

JAYGuys!!!

OLYMPIA/STHENO

I was going to let you go so

peacefully. Now I'm going to pull

your guts out through your mouth!


88/112


DIMITRI

Sister?

Olympia/Stheno whirls to find Dimitri standing behind her.

OLYMPIA/STHENOHello, dear brother.

DIMITRI

WHAT

The Shield of Athena by David Scoville and R.J. Nestor

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Transcript of The Shield of Athena by David Scoville and R.J. Nestor