0
1FADE IN
2
3EXT. VENICE, ITALY - MORNING
4
5On the Via Bazzerea, two Yellow Cabs drive listlessly toward
6the Aero Porto Marco Polo, where they will enact their daily
7morning ritual of vying for the lucrative tourist fares.
8
9The drivers are YELLING at one another over a minor offense.
10
11One brandishes a Toscanello cigar, extending it far out his
12open window.
13
14TIGHT ZOOM on the cigar's dimly-lit tip.
15
16A long finger of ash dangles from its end as a fine thread
17of Armangnac-scented smoke swirls toward the sky.
18
19A vintage Alfa Romeo in Sicilian Plum Red CLIPS the ash with
20its side mirror as it passes rapidly between the two taxis.
21
22The hand-stenciled logo of "Valentino's Taxi Servicio"
23adorns its somewhat inartfully restored side door panel.
24
25EXT. VENICE AIRPORT
26
27The ambitious VALENTINO pilots the auto straight into the
28International Arrivals Gate of the bustling airport.
29
30Other waiting operators shout at him for jumping the queue,
31but Valentino has already spotted his target.
32
33As he pinions flush against the curb, the screeching brakes
34get the attention of LISE FORTUNADO.
35
36She smiles behind enormous designer sunglasses.
37
38VALENTINO
39Signora! Benarrivato a Venetia!
40How does a quick tour around
41the Lido sound? Before I take you
42to your hotel, Signora!
43
44LISE FORTUNADO
45No. I need to get to Il Archivi
46Nationale immediately. Do yo know
47the way?
48
49VALENTINO
50Five minutes! Presto! Entra!
51
52EXT. VIA DI MESTRE
53
54Minor traffic as Valentino and Lise sit side-by-side.
55
56LISE FORTUNADO
57Alfa Classico. Molto bella!
58
59VALENTINO
60I fixed it up myself. Found it in
61a junk yard when it called out to
62me: "Valentino, Salva Mia!"
63
64LISE FORTUNADO
65And the color? It matches your
66sharpa.
67
68VALENTINO
69Tourists come to Venice looking
70for life and love and fun and
71adventure. I want to remind them
72they are someplace special, not
73back home in...
74
75LISE FORTUNADO
76New York.
77
78VALENTINO
79Ah, well, New York is special.
80Like Venice.
81
82LISE FORTUNADO
83Ever been?
84
85VALENTINO
86I have never been outside of
87Venice, Signora...
88
89LISE FORTUNADO
90Signorina. Lise Fortunado.
91
92VALENTINO
93Italiano!
94
95LISE FORTUNADO
96American. But my ancestori.
97An old Venitian family.
98(inquisitive)
99Perhaps the name Fortunado is
100familiar to your ears?
101
102EXT. ARCHIVIO STORICO
103
104Valentino WHIPS the car through three lanes of traffic and
105halts, brakes screeching again, flush against the curb.
106
107The Beaux-Arts entrance is abuzz as scholars begin their day.
108
109VALENTINO
110When I was little. Mia Nonna.
111She had a map she used to show
112us! No, not a map...
113
114LISE FORTUNADO
115A family tree!
116
117VALENTINO
118Si. "Family tree." At the top,
119you know, it said "Adamo et Eva!"
120But somewhere in there...
121That name. I remember. Fortunado!
122
123LISE FORTUNADO
124And was there a crest? Attached
125to the name?
126
127VALENTINO
128A crest? Yes! A golden heel!
129
130LISE FORTUNADO
131Crushing a serpent?
132
133VALENTINO
134Mio Dio! What does it mean?
135
136LISE FORTUNADO
137Now, Valentino. Let me ask about
138another name. Montresor! Have
139you heard it?
140
141VALENTINO
142You jest!
143
144LISE FORTUNADO
145You know it well, I presume.
146
147VALENTINO
148Il Titani del Venetia! Although
149few remain. The company moved
150to America.
151
152LISE FORTUNADO
153(sotto voce)
154Titans! How they will suffer
155like Prometheus!
156
157VALENTINO
158Did you know they started as wine
159traders? Right in the Piazza di
160Commedia. And now...
161
162LISE FORTUNADO
163Titans of industry. Their fame
164as resplendant as Fortunado
165lies forgotten.
166
167VALENTINO
168You did not come to Venetia to
169see the Doges. Or to ride in the
170gondola. Or meet a lover.
171
172LISE FORTUNADO
173That is right, Valentino!
174Revanchi! For my family!
175And yours!
176
177Lise EXITS the Alfa Romeo and spots DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI who
178wheels a large metal Tumi case.
179
180LISE FORTUNADO
181(to Valentino)
182Viva Fortunado!
183
184VALENTINO
185(unsettled)
186Viva...
187
188Valentino PEELS away from the curb. Pronto.
189
190Lise turns and gives a triumphant wave to her friend.
191
192EXT. MONTRESOR SHAREHOLDERS PARTY
193
194The central campus of Montresor's global headquarters has been
195transformed into the stage of a colossal company celebration.
196
197One part Ringling Bros. Circus, one part Iowa State Fair.
198Brushed with a subtle veneer of Carnevale di Venetia motifs.
199
200A mass of executives, family members and public shareholders
201revel in the performances and diversions.
202
203The games of chance that ring the arena are all themed on
204the different industrial divisions of the Montresor
205conglomerate: chemical, defense, agricultural, telecom, etc.
206
207Off to one side is the giant white Executive Pavillion where the
208Montresor Empire's High Command enjoy their just fruits.
209
210Topping the tent, a 50 foot white banner UNFURLS in the breeze,
211revealing the Montresor Company Logo: the unique curvilinear
212bottle shape that for centuries was used to store that rarest
213of vintages.
214
215Amontillado!
216
217INT. MONTRESOR EXECUTIVE BIG TENT
218
219KATY WO, in waitstaff uniform, serves canapes with a giant
220fake smile. A ring of tipsy and famished executives pick at the
221tray as it is offered before them.
222
223KATY WO
224The pink ones are smoked salmon
225mousse with a sesame sriracha
226glaze. And the green ones are
227Basque-inspired chive and
228potato pintxos.
229
230A random MONTRESOR EXECUTIVE grabs a pink one and sniffs.
231
232MONTRESOR EXECUTIVE
233Are they vegan?
234
235KATY WO
236Absolutely. Chef Grafite jetted in
237from Venice last night and brought
238most of his own ingredients with
239him on the Gulfstream. Including
240a special "vegan" lega salmon.
241
242The executive shovels several into her mouth. She washes the
243contents down with a mammoth tankard overflowing with Rose.
244
245She hands the empty chalice to Katy.
246
247MONTRESOR EXECUTIVE
248Next year darling, try serving
249wine in something larger than
250a mere thimble!
251
252And begins walking away.
253
254MONTRESOR EXECUTIVE
255(fist pump, stumble)
256Viva Montresor!
257
258KATY WO
259(to herself)
260She that killeth whilst drunk...
261
262The manicured fingers of Sales Executive ROSS MINNOW intrude
263unwantedly on the small of Katy's back.
264
265ROSS MINNOW
266(overhearing)
267...will be hanged once she's sober.
268
269KATY WO
270Potato mousse? Or, rather...
271
272As she moves to escape Ross' clutch, the cup COLLIDES with the
273tray. Ross is showered with fluffy salmon. Potatos saturated
274with Provencal butter cling to his crisp Thomas Pink shirt.
275
276In the background, inebriated executives watching this
277spectacle howl with glee and commence their own FOOD FIGHT.
278
279Some of the collateral bits of the melee reach the pair.
280
281Ross grabs Katy's arm, and LEADS her out of the tent.
282
283ROSS MINNOW
284Come on! Let's see if we can't
285rustle up something fizzy to
286rid us of these stains.
287
288EXT. BIG LAWN BEHIND EXECUTIVE TENT
289
290ANA MONTRESOR, dressed in waitstaff uniform, is serving
291the final drink from her tray to a group of debauchees.
292
293She spots Ross pulling Katy into the make-shift caterer's
294compound where food prep and staging take place.
295
296And BOLTS after them.
297
298INT. CATERING STATION
299
300As they enter a dimly-lit storage unit in the back, Ross
301begins to UNBUTTON his shirt.
302
303Katy realizes they are alone.
304
305Ross begins to sidle up to her.
306
307ROSS MINNOW
308Noblesse oblige...
309
310Ana BURSTS upon the scene.
311
312ROSS MINNOW
313Well! If it isn't the scion
314herself.
315
316ANA MONTRESOR
317Mr. Hernish is it? Chief of
318Fertilizer Sales for
319Europe and the Middle East?
320
321ROSS MINNOW
322Minnow. Aquacultural Equipment.
323The Americas.
324
325ANA MONTRESOR
326Such a lot of names I'll have
327to to remember once I'm
328running this show. Fortunately,
329yours is one of the easier ones.
330
331ROSS MINNOW
332If you ever make it out of
333Hospitality! I do hope you
334find yourself in Fisheries.
335Under me and some of my boys.
336
337Ross now turns his attention to Ana, his shirt half open.
338
339ANA MONTRESOR
340When you sober up in the morning...
341
342ROSS MINNOW
343Let the Montresors hang me!
344
345Ross pounces as Ana delivers a swift ROUND-HOUSE kick to his bare
346sternum.
347
348He JOLTS backward into a wall of cooking crates as a maelstrom of
349heavy pots and pans cascade down onto his head.
350
351ROSS MINNOW
352"No one provokes me..."
353
354Ross PASSES OUT.
355
356ANA MONTRESOR
357C'mon Katy. They need you upstairs.
358
359KATY WO
360Me? Why?
361
362ANA MONTRESOR
363Dunno. But Ort-Fiend asked for you.
364(thick transylvanian accent)
365"Bring the little maus"
366They need someone to serve
367drinks to The Board.
368
369KATY WO
370But I'm covered in salmon!
371She will have me buried alive!
372
373Ana grabs a bottle of seltzer and bar rag from the shelf.
374
375INT. CONFERENCE ROOM ATRIUM
376
377Katy looking like new holds a tray of silver goblets.
378While FRAU ORTSTIEN, Director of Hospitality, pours
379a thick, sweet-looking dessert wine into each one.
380
381FRAU ORTSTIEN
382Gespenstlichkeit!
383
384KATY WO
385Looks rather treacly for my
386taste. I prefer a lite Sancerre.
387
388FRAU ORTSTIEN
389Not the wine dumbkopf!
390It means "like a ghost!"
391You are to enter, serve the
392wine and glide out as if
393you never existed.
394
395KATY WO
396(hypnotized)
397"ghost-like"
398
399Frau Ortstien finishes pouring and begins stroking Katy's
400face and hair with her long bejeweled fingers.
401
402As Frau Ortstien bends down to whisper her final instructions,
403Katy's eyes fix SPELLBOUND on the dangling necklace which
404swings pendulum-like from the neck of Frau Ortstien.
405
406ZOOM IN to its pendant symbol, a long isoceles triangle
407with a blood-red sapphire crescent inlaid into its base.
408
409FRAU ORTSTIEN
410A little mouse. Blind, deaf
411and insensible to anything
412they may be discussing in there.
413
414KATY WO
415"mouse-ghost"
416
417The broad wooden doors of the conference room BURST open flooding
418the darkened atrium with bright light.
419
420INT. ANTIQUATED MAPS ROOM, ARCHIVI NATIONALE
421
422Dr. Gotfrundi removes a HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION UNIT from her case.
423
424She places it on the Mapreading Table and flicks a switch.
425
426She hands Lise an AUGMENTED REALITY VISOR and dons an additional
427pair herself.
428
429The ancient catacombs that lie buried beneath the Old City!
430Reconstructed into a three-dimensional image and suspended
431as if by witchcraft in the space between Lise and Dr. Gotfrundi.
432
433INT. HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION, CATACOMBS
434
435Lise and Dr. Gotfrundi walk into a magnificent antechamber, its
436walls rendered in a glitchy, vectorized phosphorescent red.
437
438DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
439This is the latest Lidar infrared data.
440
441Lise's attention turns to a smaller closet-like space near one
442of the back walls. A pixelated blob lies inside.
443
444LISE FORTUNADO
445Mio dio! The walled up tomb!
446
447DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
448I knew you would be thrilled.
449Congratulations my old friend.
450
451LISE FORTUNADO
452Is there any way? I mean, can
453it be enhanced?
454
455DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
456Not without a sub-micron probe.
457But if you look closely...
458
459LISE FORTUNADO
460His arms! So he must have been...
461
462DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
463Chained to the wall. Insanity
464would have set in. Then,
465slow death by asphyxiation. Even
466today it remains nitrogenated.
467
468LISE FORTUNADO
469Don't go in again.
470
471DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
472But Lise, the excavation begins
473after Michelmas.
474
475LISE FORTUNADO
476Let him sleep. Let this vital
477taint remain as it has been
478these last four centuries.
479Forgotten!
480
481INT. MAP ROOM
482
483They remove their headsets and stare hypnotically at the light
484projection as it SPINS between them.
485
486GRADUAL ZOOM right into that infernal Chamber of Death.
487
488The blurry image of ancient Fortunado chained to the wall grows
489ever larger as we hear Lise's cry of revenge:
490
491LISE FORTUNADO
492It is time to hasten
493the inevitable!
494
495DR. ANTONA GOTFRUNDI
496(unsure)
497Vital...taint?
498
499INT. BOARD ROOM, MONTRESOR EMPIRE
500
501There are no outside members on the Montresor Board of Directors.
502It is all family.
503
504Several generations sit around the large oak table in the center.
505
506At the two far ends are the reigning King and Queen: BELLATOR
507MONTRESOR, currently serving as Chairman, and his wife, SINCERA
508MONTRESOR, CEO of the corporation.
509
510On the walls, a gallery of contemporary paintings of immense
511power. Represented by the likes of such artists as:
512Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud, the Chapman Brothers and other
513masters of the grotesque and grim.
514
515Katy Wo glides in soundlessly with her tray of goblets.
516
517SINCERA MONTRESOR
518(in mid discussion)
519...And he is at it again!
520Blocking our acquisition of
521Mongolia Copper at the
522Pan-Asian Eco Forum.
523
524BELLATOR MONTRESOR
525It's an oversight committee.
526They can't actually stop us.
527
528SINCERA MONTRESOR
529That's not the point! His
530Lordship, The Illustrious Khan
531of Garika has been a thorn in
532the side of the Montresor's
533interests for far too long!
534
535BELLATOR MONTRESOR
536I'm having brunch with Mac Bobbi
537at the Croquet Club next Sunday.
538He plays Polo with the Khan!
539Why don't we...
540
541SINCERA MONTRESOR
542I think it's too late for that.
543We can't afford another failure
544like with FlanBev.
545
546BELLATOR MONTRESOR
547And why is it my fault we didn't
548add a Trappist Ale House to
549your burgeoning collection?
550
551SINCERA MONTRESOR
552Because now the House of Garika
553owns 80% of global brewery
554and spirit distribution! That
555by all rights should be ours!
556
557BELLATOR MONTRESOR
558My dear beloved betrothed,
559the Montresor family has not
560sold a drop of spirits since...
561
562SINCERA MONTRESOR
563It's not the beer! My cherished
564soul mate. It's the channel, the
565partnerships, the customers, the
566network and on and on! Just
567because I was not born into this
568family...
569
570BELLATOR MONTRESOR
571Doesn't mean you have not earned
572the name of Montresor!
573
574SINCERA MONTRESOR
575Viva Montresor!
576
577MONTRESOR BOARD MEMBERS
578Viva Montresor!
579
580The shout breaks Katy's spell and she begins to notice her
581bizarre surroundings.
582
583Most prominently, an unusual looking DEVICE on the far table.
584A tall tower of glass and steel with a giant chamber and
585pump system surrounded by rubber tubes and capillaries.
586
587KATY WO
588(to herself)
589Sweet hookah! Perhaps they'll
590permit me to stoke the brazier!
591
592SINCERA MONTRESOR
593How this noble family can suffer
594the thousand slights provocated
595upon us by the Khan? Now with
596this final insult, I have but one
597final recommendation!
598
599BELLATOR MONTRESOR
600No.
601
602SINCERA MONTRESOR
603Yes! The Assassination List!
604
605The collective shock of the other members wakes those whose
606attention had been only perfunctory up until this moment.
607
608MADGER MONTRESOR, the grand ancient patriarch of the clan,
609and keeper of its institutional history and wisdom, clears
610his throat to address the assembled Board.
611
612MADGER MONTRESOR
613Let's consult The Book. If
614memory serves the last time
615we needed to resort to that
616illimitable dominion, was more
617than a decade ago. My father
618still held the Chair then.
619American Aquaculture CEO I
620believe was the unfortunate.
621
622Madger gets up to fetch the large leather bound folio that
623contains the littany of secrets regarding Montresor's rise
624to infamy and power.
625
626On his way toward the shelf, he comes FACE-TO-FACE with Katy.
627
628MADGER MONTRESOR
629Are you the virgin?
630
631The rest of the assembled Board members find this uproarious.
632
633SINCERA MONTRESOR
634It looks like the Grauburgunder
635Frau Ort-Demon has chosen as
636our palate cleanser.
637(sniffs the air)
638A sickly sweet vintage from
639the Lower Palatinate,
640Rhienpfalz, Germany.
641
642BELLATOR MONTRESOR
643That should pair nicely with tart
644virgin blood.
645(addressing Katy)
646And are you from Germany as well?
647
648KATY WO
649Calif--
650
651SINCERA MONTRESOR
652Silence my mate! She's just
653the server. I've picked an
654exquisite French-Moroccan specimen
655for the ceremony.
656
657MADGER MONTRESOR
658Moroccan! A hint of Saffron
659no doubt! Well let's get on
660with it then.
661
662BELLATOR MONTRESOR
663Yes, a magnificent thirst is
664upon me! We will consult
665The List while toasting with
666fresh virgin blood!
667
668SINCERA MONTRESOR
669Very well!
670(to Katy)
671After you finish serving tell
672Frau Ortstien to send in The
673Curates with The Virgin.
674
675KATY WO
676Very well, Madame Montresor.
677
678SINCERA MONTRESOR
679Did you hear, she called me
680Madame!
681
682The entire table finds this new gag just as raucous.
683
684Katy finishes placing a goblet in front of each member while
685trying to avoid eye contact and be as INVISIBLE as possible.
686
687BELLATOR MONTRESOR
688Something tells me the little
689mouse's blood would go well...
690
691SINCERA MONTRESOR
692Enough! She's already heard.
693
694Sincera grabs Katy's arm as she is exiting with the empty tray.
695
696SINCERA MONTRESOR
697(staring deep into Katy's eyes)
698Not a word, dear.
699You are a ghost.
700(putting a finger to her lips)
701Shhhhhhhh.
702
703Katy opens the gigantic doors and is greeted by two tall CURATES
704in priestly dress. Standing between them is a YOUNG VIRGIN decked
705in a white silk robe. A heavy lustrous necklace dangles from her
706neck with the symbol of the Montresors:
707
708The Amontillado Bottle!
709
710Frau Ortstien ushers Katy out and the Ceremonial Party in.
711
712FRAU ORTSTIEN
713(to Katy)
714Leave.
715
716Frau Ortstien begins closing the heavy doors behind her.
717
718Sincera initiates the formalities of the ceremony.
719
720A distracted Frau Ortstien accidentally leaves the door open a
721tiny crack.
722
723Affording Katy a hidden view of the ritual!
724
725Frau Ortstien helps the Curates hook the young woman up to an
726intraveneous tube on the transfusion device. They pull up
727the sleeve of her robe and tie off her arm with one of the
728rubber hoses. As they search for a vein...
729
730Katy stealthily removes a Samsung X phone from her back pocket.
731
732She FILMS the proceedings through the tiny gap.
733
734KATY WO
735(whispering)
736For the love of God, Montresor!
737
738EXT. EDEN RESORT, SRI LANKA
739
740Tropical heaven. Oceanfront bungalows shimmer in the heat
741as the trade winds massage 30 meter tall coconut trees.
742
743Along the shallows, verteran fisherman cast hand made nets
744from dugout wooden outrigger canoes. This is the Lanka of two
745millenia ago.
746
747On the beach in front of them is a pastel pink stilt house
748suspended high over the crystal azure waters.
749
750Its roof is a jumble of antennae, wires and satellite dishes.
751
752The PURR of an alternating current transformer that supplies
753power to the inhabitants of the house from a solar array and
754hydrogen fuel cell energy unit signals its uniqueness in the
755unchanging landscape.
756
757A tiny motor boat approaches the house and spins at its ladder
758which descends from the grand veranda, right into the water.
759
760Lise Fortunado expertly pilots the skiff adjacent to the house's
761empty docking station and ties her main line onto a waiting
762shiny metal cleat.
763
764LISE FORTUNADO
765Permission to come ashore!
766
767INT. EDEN BUNGALOW - AFTERNOON
768
769The Hacker Haus of the notorious elite Swedish programmer known
770only as PIM. But rather than a den of empty soda cans and dvds,
771it is appointed in minimalist white Nordic Modern furniture, with
772distinctive Colombine flourishes: a basket of papayas, batik silks.
773
774In the center is a 14-seat Finn Juhl glass dining table. On top
775of which sits a black robotic drone hooked up to an oscilloscope.
776
777Two long work tables hold single high powered gaming laptops each.
778
779Twin giant 30-inch monitors display running streams of
780financial, network, social media and military data.
781
782At one table sits Pim's colleague, PEPE. He is typing Assembly
783code into a keyboard as fast as he can mentally design it.
784
785From his giant Sennheiser headphones, the faint sounds of an
786atonal Pierre Boulez cantata bleed into the room.
787
788LISE FORTUNADO
789It's amazing Pim! Full 3D
790holographic reconstruction.
791And with the augmented reality
792system it's like...the metaverse.
793
794PIM
795You're amazing, Lise. I won't
796ask what you had to do.
797
798LISE FORTUNADO
799Nothing really. An old friend
800owed me a favor.
801
802PIM
803The critical first step of my
804magnum opus! We still have to get
805the sub-micron Lidar probe to
806the team in Mayadun. Then get the
807data back out once its captured...
808
809LISE FORTUNADO
810Well if anyone can, it's you Pim!
811Should you be revealing all this
812in front of him? Or me for that
813matter?
814
815PIM
816Don't worry about Pepe. He's
817jacked in. And you? I know you
818can keep secrets down through
819the centuries!
820
821LISE FORTUNADO
822(mesmerized by the code)
823Just for lulz?
824
825PIM
826Stux Net. Part Deux.
827You don't want to know who the
828target is this time.
829
830LISE FORTUNADO
831I'll use my imagination.
832
833PIM
834All I can say is our benefactor
835desires neither security, nor
836justice. But Revenge!
837
838LISE FORTUNADO
839My favorite! Who's the client?
840
841PIM
842Unit Eighty Six Hundred.
843
844LISE FORTUNADO
845Pity it's not our friends on
846the Garikan Peninsula. We could
847kill two birds...
848
849PIM
850Yes. About that. The details of
851your meeting have been changed.
852
853LISE FORTUNADO
854Pim. If you...
855
856PIM
857Relax. It's good news, Lise! The
858Khan of Garika himself has
859sanctioned you an upgrade.
860
861LISE FORTUNADO
862I'm listening.
863
864PIM
865Dr. Lung.
866
867LISE FORTUNADO
868Minister of Security?
869
870PIM
871That was his old job. He's now
872running Garikan cyber command.
873Very few outside the regime
874are aware they even have such
875a unit. But, it's reputation...
876
877LISE FORTUNADO
878Capable?
879
880PIM
881Dark. Unfathomed.
882
883LISE FORTUNADO
884Good.
885
886INT. EDEN BUNGALOW - SUNSET
887
888The oscilloscope has been unplugged and put away, but the blinking
889red lights of the black spherical drone keep continual watch over
890the dining table.
891
892It has been pushed to the far side as a grand Lankan feast has been
893laid out: whole rock lobsters, fish and egg curry, veggie
894fritters and tempura seaweed.
895
896Lise, Pepe and Pim are sopping up the last remnants of sambai
897and coconut chutney with bits of roast paan bread.
898
899PEPE
900(telling his tale)
901...After Goldamort was caught,
902Secret Service began to hone in
903on our location. If it wasn't
904for Pim's Army extracting me
905I'd probably be in a windowless
906basement at Fort Meade right
907about now, instead of Eden!
908
909PIM
910Purely selfish on my part.
911It was during the Franco
912Bank raid. And I needed an
913accomplice. You know, Lise?
914The ability in this world,
915to be able to spot raw talent.
916
917LISE FORTUNADO
918Is that what you were Pepe? Raw?
919
920PEPE
921I don't know about the
922talent part. But I lacked polish
923and sophistication. I was a
924cyber pirate, sailing the binary
925seas for anarchy and digital booty.
926Pim taught me to be proud of my
927work. He showed me its importance
928in the sweep of history.
929
930LISE FORTUNADO
931From what insane root have you
932been feeding this poor lad, Pim?
933
934PIM
935Just the finest fresh ceylon
936ginger paste. Our fish curry
937tonite is saturated with it.
938
939LISE FORTUNADO
940It's phenomenal! Local? I mean
941is it indigenous to this Bay?
942
943PIM
944Caught about forty meters outside
945our dock. The resort uses only
946sustainable resources.
947
948PEPE
949Now they do.
950
951PIM
952In the course of our research
953into Montresor we discovered an
954enormous hatchery operation that
955was disrupting the local fish
956market ecosystem.
957
958PEPE
959And suddenly there was a glitch
960in their cage door controller.
961Some unseen hand caused it to
962swing wide open around 4:20 A.M!
963
964PIM
965Mother ocean wants you back
966little fiskas!
967
968LISE FORTUNADO
969Down with Montresor.
970
971PEPE
972Lise, do you mind me asking?
973
974LISE FORTUNADO
975You want to know the root of my
976obsession with the Montresor
977Empire, Pepe?
978
979PEPE
980It's just...our inquiries have
981been exhaustive. Our GCHQ work isn't
982even this rigorous.
983
984PIM
985I remember, that bleak December.
986The El Dorado Casino and Hotel.
987Las Vegas.
988
989LISE FORTUNADO
990Pepe does not need to hear that.
991
992PIM
993Why ever not? One of your
994proudest moments Mata Hari!
995
996LISE FORTUNADO
997Assignment: Infiltrate DEFCON!
998
999PEPE
1000Sweet.
1001
1002PIM
1003I was presenting that oblong box
1004thing.
1005
1006LISE FORTUNADO
1007The "Re-Gurgitator!"
1008
1009PIM
1010"De-Intermediator." Still doesn't
1011work quite right. I was nervous
1012the night before. Pacing the
1013hallways outside my room.
1014Weak and weary. When out of
1015the blue pops this insane Kandi
1016Raver Kid!
1017
1018LISE FORTUNADO
1019My sources said you were Absolut
1020into electronic music at the time.
1021
1022PIM
1023Swedish electro house is very
1024different than that PLUR...
1025
1026LISE FORTUNADO
1027Whatever! Armed with my six inch
1028platforms and fishnets I wasn't
1029gonna be ignored!
1030
1031PIM
1032She asked me to be a gentleman.
1033And help her "remove her boots!"
1034
1035PEPE
1036And that worked? She could have
1037been NSA!
1038
1039PIM
1040I knew all along what she was.
1041
1042LISE FORTUNADO
1043Yeah right! It was only the next
1044morning when you accessed my
1045Gmail and found the fat dossier
1046I had on Pim, The Shadow. Most
1047ungentlemanly like!
1048
1049PIM
1050Still. You were impressed.
1051
1052LISE FORTUNADO
1053When I saw how easily you got
1054into my ahem, folders. I knew
1055I had found the one.
1056
1057PEPE
1058Are we still talking about
1059hacking here?
1060
1061PIM
1062Turned out she's layers more
1063insidious than NSA. Absolut!
1064
1065LISE FORTUNADO
1066What can I say? I was selfish.
1067I needed a member of the elite.
1068
1069INT. MONTRESOR BOARD ROOM
1070
1071The transfusion machine is now brimming with several pints of
1072freshly harvested virgin blood.
1073
1074Frau Ortstien removes a long needle from the arm of the virgin
1075who COLLAPSES into the attending Curates. She is weak from
1076her ample donations.
1077
1078POV SHOT through Katy's phone screen of the ritual.
1079
1080Frau Ortstien decants glasses of the frothy red liquid.
1081
1082Sincera Montresor serves each member while invoking a mysterious
1083and haunting incantation.
1084
1085Toasts are made. Short passages of Medieval Italian verse are
1086recited from The Book.
1087
1088SHOUTS of "Viva Montresor!" resound from the room into the
1089atrium where Katy remains silently filming.
1090
1091SINCERA MONTRESOR
1092(interrupting loudly)
1093What's the matter with her!
1094
1095The virgin CONVULSES and slips through the arms of the Curates.
1096
1097She lands on the floor HARD. Then after a final twitch, lies
1098utterly still.
1099
1100Madger RISES to investigate.
1101
1102MADGER MONTRESOR
1103Ah. Looks like we've taken too
1104much. Make a note of it. Next
1105time we'll need two virgins.
1106
1107KATY WO
1108(whispers)
1109There won't be a next time.
1110
1111BELLATOR MONTRESOR
1112Is she?
1113
1114MADGER MONTRESOR
1115"To the kingdom, by the sea."
1116
1117SINCERA MONTRESOR
1118Perhaps this gives us an
1119opportunity. Shall we invoke
1120the Rites of Nero?
1121
1122The mention of a so dark and ancient a custom sends a SHUDDER
1123through the assembled congregation.
1124
1125Yet still, a slow chant begins to emerge:
1126
1127MONTRESOR BOARD MEMBERS
1128Nero. Nero. Nero.
1129
1130The chants grow louder gradually as the board members begin to
1131rise from their seats around the conference table.
1132
1133Katy steels herself to keep filming, despite the preponderance of
1134terror that is now coursing through her veins.
1135
1136SINCERA MONTRESOR
1137Bring her into...
1138The Amorata Chamber!
1139
1140Madger walks to a bookcase lining the far wall and runs his hand
1141over the top row of tomes. He pauses at a slim, red volume near
1142the center and pulls it out abruptly.
1143
1144A wall panel slides open to reveal a large bedroom inside. The
1145furnishings and linens are all black. And in its center lies a
1146mammoth iron-wrought four-poster bed.
1147
1148The Curates, with the help of the other family members, carry the
1149insensible virgin into the inner chamber which shuts behind them.
1150
1151As Katy stops filming, every instinct tells her to flee. But
1152her curiosty beckons her to cross the Board Room and press her
1153ear against the sealed-in hidden wall.
1154
1155CLOSE UP look of sheer DREAD as she listens to the silent but
1156dreadful proceedings within. It is left to the imagination
1157what particular iniquities the "Rites of Nero" may entail!
1158
1159After a BEAT, Katy remembers herself and her surroundings and
1160begins a zombiesque walk back toward the Atrium.
1161
1162When suddenly an entrancing object lying on the conference room
1163table catches her attention.
1164
1165She GRABS hold of The Montresor Book, containing the vast history
1166of the family's secrets and transgressions.
1167
1168Katy RUNS out the door with The Book tucked under her arm.
1169
1170INT. EDEN BUNGALOW, SRI LANKA - NIGHT
1171
1172The dishes have all been cleared from the table. As well as the
1173drone. Its only occupant is the silver metal Tumi case that
1174previously belonged to Dr. Gotfrundi in Venice.
1175
1176Although not privy to the post-prandial tales Lise has been
1177spinning regarding her fixation with the Montresor Empire,
1178their effects may be gleaned from the current scene.
1179
1180Pepe sits back at his workstation, typing much SLOWER now.
1181He peers over his shoulder at frequent intervals.
1182
1183The veranda double doors are all wide open. As are all the windows.
1184Pim and Lise SLOW DANCE on the porch outside. Not to music, but
1185the tidal rhythm of cresting waves washing ashore.
1186
1187LISE FORTUNADO
1188Is this a dream,
1189within a dream?
1190
1191PIM
1192El Dorado. Part deux.
1193
1194LISE FORTUNADO
1195I almost wish...
1196
1197PIM
1198Si, caro...
1199
1200LISE FORTUNADO
1201I know if I asked. Just remained
1202here with you forever. We could
1203forget about the world...
1204
1205PIM
1206The world has a habit of
1207intruding. Even here.
1208
1209An ALARM on Pim's workstation begins flashing.
1210
1211PIM
1212Especially here.
1213
1214He unlocks from Lise and runs over. A few clicks and up pops an
1215aerial view rendered in high resolution infrared night vision.
1216
1217PEPE
1218Is it the Crimean recon thing?
1219
1220PIM
1221Nope. Stunning Octagon.
1222
1223PEPE
1224Who comes up with these code
1225names?
1226
1227PIM
1228(looking out at Lise)
1229A lonely man. In a windowless
1230sub-basement. Surrounded by
1231six foot thick concrete walls.
1232
1233PEPE
1234You need me to...
1235
1236PIM
1237I've got this.
1238
1239Pim grabs a military-grade joystick and headset unit.
1240
1241Lise walks over and sees the screen.
1242
1243LISE FORTUNADO
1244I'll just get ready for bed.
1245Take your time.
1246
1247Lise kisses the seated Pim on the head and exits.
1248
1249PIM
1250This should be over in a flash.
1251
1252PEPE
1253(whispering)
1254How well do you really know her?
1255
1256PIM
1257She is exactly who she says she
1258is. One of the few that do.
1259
1260PEPE
1261But you heard what she was
1262saying. "Long bouts of
1263horrible sanity!"
1264
1265PIM
1266When I met you Pepe, you were
1267trashing the reputations of
1268model citizens. Just for laughs.
1269
1270PEPE
1271Yes! Anarchy for anarchy's sake.
1272But this...
1273
1274PIM
1275What then?
1276
1277PEPE
1278El diablo.
1279
1280Lise GLIDES back in wearing a black gossamer robe.
1281
1282LISE FORTUNADO
1283I changed my mind, Sotnos.
1284(lit. "sweetnose," in Swedish)
1285I want to watch.
1286
1287Pim looks at Pepe. But addresses Lise as she climbs into his lap.
1288
1289PIM
1290Before I forget.
1291
1292He loops a lanyard around her neck. Attached is a THUMB DRIVE
1293with a secure hardware encryption fob at one end.
1294
1295PIM
1296It's set to your iris scan
1297Only your all seeing eye
1298can unlock it.
1299
1300LISE FORTUNADO
1301The Montresor Smorgasbord!
1302
1303PIM
1304The crown jewels. The Sun.
1305The Moon...
1306
1307LISE FORTUNADO
1308And The Stars!
1309
1310Lise expresses her gratitude with a SHOWER of affection.
1311
1312In bright phosphorescent green, Pim's screen flashes with the
1313message: "TARGET LOCK ACQUIRED."
1314
1315EXT. EDEN BAY INLET, SRI LANKA - DAWN
1316
1317Lise is standing in her small speed boat, piloting the skiff away
1318from the shore and out into the open waters.
1319
1320In the fore section, the black spherical drone from Pim's lair
1321sits well secured with elastic cords and a tarp.
1322
1323PAN UP to reveal Lise's destination: an anchored MEGA YACHT.
1324It commands an intimidating presence amongst the traditional
1325square-sailed catamarans that criss-cross the bay.
1326
1327As she approaches, a single armed GUARD appears on deck and speaks
1328into a walkie-talkie while waving her in.
1329
1330INT. ANA MONTRESOR'S APARTMENT
1331
1332KATY WO
1333I had no where else...
1334
1335ANA MONTRESOR
1336Katy, I grew up in this psycho
1337family. Since I was a baby my
1338parents spoke of my
1339"initiation" into its rites.
1340
1341KATY WO
1342(shaking)
1343Desolation! And dimmest night!
1344
1345ANA MONTRESOR
1346Please. Calm down. You can trust
1347me Katy.
1348
1349KATY WO
1350Can I? Your blood is their blood.
1351
1352ANA MONTRESOR
1353Why do you think I work my way
1354up from the bottom, rather than
1355taking the gilded path they
1356dangle before me?
1357
1358KATY WO
1359I know, you've said it before.
1360You want to change things at
1361Montresor. Change the world.
1362
1363ANA MONTRESOR
1364And once the world bears witness
1365to their unholy machinations!
1366
1367KATY WO
1368But this Ana! Atrocities!
1369
1370ANA MONTRESOR
1371Show me. The Book. Is it in
1372your bag?
1373
1374KATY WO
1375Yes.
1376
1377Ana removes the folio from Katy's oversized handbag.
1378
1379KATY WO
1380Until you see, you won't believe.
1381
1382Katy pulls her phone from her back pocket and PLAYS the video she
1383recorded earlier.
1384
1385Ana watches in a trance of curiosity mixed with revulsion.
1386
1387She stops it within seconds. Then runs to her bathroom to be sick.
1388
1389After, they sit huddled together on the sofa. Survivors of a
1390shared trauma.
1391
1392Ana leafs through the leather bound codex page by page.
1393
1394She lets every morbid detail of her family history sink in.
1395
1396ANA MONTRESOR
1397When we were young Madger would
1398scold us at family get-togethers.
1399"If you don't straighten up.
1400You're name will wind up in The
1401Book!" I was too frightened to
1402ask what it possibly meant.
1403
1404KATY WO
1405Do you remember any of the
1406language? From your summers
1407in Venice?
1408
1409ANA MONTRESOR
1410It's not modern. It's a mix
1411of Latin and Renaissance words.
1412
1413KATY WO
1414The drawings suffice.
1415
1416ANA MONTRESOR
1417And something else. Mumbo-jumbo,
1418gobbledeygook, nonsense phrases.
1419Almost like...
1420
1421KATY WO
1422Spells?
1423
1424ANA MONTRESOR
1425Incantations, perhaps.
1426
1427KATY WO
1428I heard Sincera utter something.
1429Whle she was serving.
1430
1431ANA MONTRESOR
1432Did you get it on tape?
1433
1434KATY WO
1435Yeah, baby. So what's next?
1436
1437ANA MONTRESOR
1438Next? We need to get this
1439translated.
1440
1441KATY WO
1442Do you remember that site Prof.
1443Annabelli showed us? During our
1444Early French Lit class?
1445
1446ANA MONTRESOR
1447The Digital Rabelais Project?
1448
1449KATY WO
1450Yup. Distributed crowd
1451translation. Courtesy of the
1452cloud.
1453
1454ANA MONTRESOR
1455You didn't happen to bring a
1456scanner with you by chance?
1457
1458KATY WO
1459(thinking)
1460FedEx Office Store?
1461
1462INT. 24HR FEDEX OFFICE STORE - NIGHT
1463
1464Ana runs interference, expertly distracting two graveyard
1465shift EMPLOYEES.
1466
1467Meanwhile, Katy multitasks:
1468
1469She OPERATES the flat bed scanner, capturing each infernal page.
1470
1471CLEANS up the scanned pages using bitmap enchancing software.
1472
1473RUNS the post-processed images through a state-of-the-art optical
1474character recognition program.
1475
1476FEEDS the resulting text into an Italian-English machine
1477translation interface.
1478
1479And POLISHES the output text into something humans can decipher.
1480
1481All while simultaneously UPLOADING the secret video from her
1482phone's SD card to a public video hosting site where it is
1483TRANSCODED to common mobile web viewable formats.
1484
1485Glimpses of The Book's pages flash on screen.
1486
1487From the Renaissance through the 21st Century, the secrets of the
1488Montresors at long last: digitized for posterity!
1489
1490INT. NARITA AIRPORT V.I.P. LOUNGE, TOKYO, JAPAN
1491
1492Lise bows upon meeting DELEGATES from the Republic of Garika.
1493
1494She inspects a buffet of congealed miso soup, sickly-looking sushi,
1495tepid green tea and chilled off-brand saki. She grabs a plate.
1496
1497Lise eats cautiously, attempting to fill heself. Unsure of what
1498the Garikan food situation will be like, she secrets a few packets
1499of oyster crackers into her carry-on.
1500
1501IVOR introduces himself as Lise's security escort.
1502
1503EXT. RUNWAY, NARITA AIRPORT - NIGHT
1504
1505The Garikan Welcome Commitee walks Lise briskly onto the chilly
1506tarmac, where a BOEING BUSINESS CLASS JET is finishing its
1507refueling and pilot check procedures.
1508
1509Two awaiting FLIGHT ATTENDANTS bow as Lise steps onto the ladder.
1510
1511They exchange a wicked smirk as Lise disappears into the cabin.
1512
1513INT. HOTEL SOFITEL, AMSTERDAM
1514
1515Katy and Ana have fled the country and set up a temporary Black
1516Ops HQ in the Schermerhorn Suite.
1517
1518SCREEN POV of them registering the domain name "montresor.wtf"
1519and HIGH-FIVING.
1520
1521They don GUY FAWKES' MASKS as they set up a camera and prepare
1522to record an anonymous video statement.
1523
1524EXT. K-101 MOTORWAY, GARIKAN CAPITOL - MORNING
1525
1526Ivor drives a black Mercedes G-85 Jeep. Lise sits by his side,
1527staring mesmerized out her window.
1528
1529The cityscape of the isolated authoritarian regime is as foreign
1530to Lise as the moonscape of Mare Tranquilium.
1531
1532Centuries of sustainable cultural development mixed with abundant
1533natural resource wealth and a persistent, xenophobic disdain of
1534outside influence has resulted in a civil architecture at once
1535disorienting yet seductive.
1536
1537And yet, oddly familiar too. Certain motifs begin to stand out:
1538
1539An ongoing Art Festival that resembles the Biennale.
1540
1541A Lido-like beach promenade.
1542
1543Elements of Moorish, Gothic, and Byzantine architecture
1544swirling together.
1545
1546And as they stop at an intersection, an ELECTRIC GONDOLA with
1547an elegant aristocratic couple in its basket speeds past.
1548
1549Lise follows the conveyance with her eyes and spots a restaurant
1550across the avenue with a curious name: Fortuna's Grille.
1551
1552Even more beguiling to her sight is its insignia above the
1553awning. A golden heel crushing a well-fanged serpent!
1554
1555Could it be? The final sanctuary of those noble families of
1556Venice who fled the rise of Montresor?
1557
1558Out of pure habit, Lise lifts her camera phone to take a SNAPSHOT.
1559
1560Ivor quickly confiscates the phone while shaking his head.
1561
1562INT. CYBER COMMAND, GARIKAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
1563
1564Lise is the first foreigner ever to step foot in the digital
1565War Room, as impressive as anything one would find at
1566Langley or the River House.
1567
1568Although the cadre of busy analysts eye Lise wearily, she is
1569greeted with enthusiasm by the esteemed DR. LUNG, Director.
1570
1571Lise takes the lanyard with encrypted thumb drive from around her
1572neck as Dr. Lung BEAMS with triumph.
1573
1574INT. FREEWORLD INTERNET CAFE, AMSTERDAM
1575
1576Ana and Katy use the busy cafe's Wifi to conduct their first
1577voice-scrambled telephone interview with the media.
1578
1579As they congratulate themselves on a job well done, Katy
1580excuses herself and walks to the restroom.
1581
1582From her bag she pulls out a phone. Different from the one she
1583used before.
1584
1585She initiates a VIDEO CHAT. The recipiant at the other end of
1586the call is none other than Ivor, the Garkian Security Agent!
1587
1588INT. NEURO-OPTOGENICS LAB, GARIKAN CYBER COMMAND
1589
1590The human brain is the ultimate information processing machine.
1591
1592An array of genetically modified super-soldiers with elongated
1593skulls lie in shallow vats of translucent warm bubbling goo.
1594
1595Hair thin fibre optic cables attachted directly to their frontal
1596neo-cortical lobes pulsate with neural activity.
1597
1598Monitors display the velocity and economy of their computing
1599capabilities.
1600
1601Dr. Lung looks on with pride.
1602
1603Lise expresses a mixture of wonder and fright.
1604
1605Dr. Lung opens the encrypted thumb drive's security bracket as
1606Lise bends down to let its red laser SCAN her pupil.
1607
1608It glows green with recognition as it is unlocked.
1609
1610INT. CYBERSPACE
1611
1612The Garikan-flavored, human-machine hybrid super-intelligence
1613begins DISSECTING the labyrinth of Montresor's capital holdings.
1614
1615A convolution of off-shore accounts, synthetic corporations and
1616dark pools of financial assets is probed to find vulnerabilities.
1617
1618Bit by infinitesimal bit, The Agent begins placing market orders
1619against Montresor's interests.
1620
1621With every high frequency trade executed, the share price of
1622publicly traded Montresor stock decreases by a slight tick.
1623
1624The profits generated by the trades are siphoned into a single
1625brokerage account at the Swiss-based Bank of Helvetica.
1626
1627INT. KHAN ROYAL HOTEL, GURIKAN CAPITOL CITY
1628
1629Lise is exhausted as she jams the key card into the outer door
1630of her hotel suite.
1631
1632She is SHOCKED as she opens the door and sees Pim and Pepe inside.
1633
1634They nod nonchalantly and continue typing away at their laptops.
1635
1636Lise drops her bags and runs over to embrace Pim.
1637
1638She stops short when she notices the images displayed on a
1639television newscast: "BLOOD OF THE MONTRESORS!"
1640
1641EXT. HELVETICA BANK, ZURICH
1642
1643Ivor exits the bank's main doors and climbs into the back seat
1644of a Maybach limo idling at the curb.
1645
1646Group video chat using the car's built in electronic dash. Among
1647the faces present are Dr. Lung and Katy Wo.
1648
1649Ivor gives them all a big double thumbs up!
1650
1651INT. MONTRESOR BOARD ROOM
1652
1653Madger SHOUTS into a Polycom VoiceStation audio conferencing unit
1654that lies silent on the heavy table. Whomever it was he was
1655speaking to, has hung up.
1656
1657Sincera and Bellator look on in bewilderment and horror.
1658
1659Madger steps over to the bookshelf and unlocks the mechanism
1660opening the secret chamber within.
1661
1662He enters and pulls a Venetian-crafted antique Astra A-80
1663semi-automatic pistol from the bedside drawer.
1664
1665Bellator RUNS in his direction shouting while Sincera buries
1666her face in her hands.
1667
1668EXT. MONTRESOR MANOR
1669
1670CLOSE UP on the blood-drained faces of Sincera and Bellator
1671Montresor locked in a deep final kiss.
1672
1673They pull apart. Bellator gives a signal to someone waiting
1674offscreen.
1675
1676Frau Ortstien nods and pulls a lever.
1677
1678A gigantic SCYTHE attached to a PENDULUM swings downward!
1679
1680CUT TO BLACK
1681
1682The faint sounds of strained, phlegmatic coughing echo in the
1683darkness.
1684
1685INT. CATACOMBS, VENICE
1686
1687FORTUNADO, riven with insanity, choking on the nitre fumes that
1688emanate from the damp, ancient walls, slowly SUFFOCATES to death.
1689
1690He knows he is near the end. The words "Amontillado" and
1691"Montresor" escape from his lips in the faintest of whispers.
1692
1693A light BREEZE hits his face and ruffles his hair.
1694
1695With the last of his strength he lifts his head to see the mason
1696wall that had sealed him in is GONE!
1697
1698In the antechanber, standing before him, is the immense figure of
1699an imposing giant clad in Imperial Roman armor.
1700
1701This is HADES, God of the Underworld.
1702
1703In his colossal right hand he wields the divine Spear of Triam.
1704
1705He points it at the quivering Fortunado and BELLOWS:
1706
1707HADES
1708Awaken mortal!
1709
1710FORTUNADO
1711Death? Is that you?
1712
1713HADES
1714The Shades and Demons inhabiting
1715my Underworld feed on the
1716rancor hidden in the hearts of
1717men such as you. Come!
1718
1719Fortunado's chains dissolve into thin air as he DROPS to his
1720knees. He stands up cautiously and approaches, still not quite
1721believing the incredible sight before him.
1722
1723FORTUNADO
1724Toward that villain Montresor!
1725There is enough enmity in my
1726soul for your legion to feast
1727for a thousand centuries!
1728
1729HADES
1730You need not wait so long.
1731
1732FORTUNADO
1733How?
1734
1735HADES
1736I will grant you a vision.
1737The House of Montresor will
1738enjoy a brief respite before
1739Fortunado rises again.
1740
1741FORTUNADO
1742(gaining in strength)
1743Viva. Fortunado.
1744
1745HADES
1746Now follow me. Torrents of
1747Amontillado await you in the
1748cellars of my Kingdom! Come and
1749slake your unholy and bottomless
1750thirst for Eternity!
1751
1752FORTUNADO
1753Amontillado!
1754
1755HADES
1756Amontillado!
1757
1758Laughing, they DESCEND together through the floor and into the
1759depths of the Underworld.
1760
1761FADE OUT
1762
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Contact: Gushi Tang <gushitang@gmail.com>