You can’t leave me here, you blighter.[2] I’m a British subject!
We meet Alexander P. Lovett.
24. MEDIUM SHOT
Conway looks his surprise and lifts
him off the ground.
25. CLOSE SHOT – A CHINAMAN
Glaring off toward Conway, picks up
a board and starts toward Conway.
26. MED. CLOSE SHOT ENTRANCE TO SHIP
George emerges in time to see the Chinese
lift the board and about to clout Conway
on the head. George moves quickly, puts
out his left hand, wards off the blow
and with his right he punches the Chinese,
who reels out of the scene.
GEORGE
Look out, Bob!
27. MEDIUM SHOT
A shadowy figure materializes in the
cockpit, and clubs Fenner from behind.
He shoves Fenner aside and takes his
place.
28. MEDIUM SHOT
Conway pushes George up and starts to
mount himself. He looks off – and what
he sees startles him.
CONWAY
(yells off)
All right, Fenner! Go ahead!
? 477 ?
29. LONG SHOT
Of what Conway sees. Several trucks
loaded with bandits – in makeshift uniforms
– come tearing up the road – come to
a stop. Some fire toward plane – others
are setting up machine guns. Droves
of refugees scramble to cover.
INT. PLANE
30. FULL SHOT
Already present are Barnard, an American;
Gloria Stone, the prostitute; and Lovett,
whom we saw dressed as a Chinese. Conway
slams the door shut – looks off – then
cries:
CONWAY
Get down on the floor, everybody. Go
ahead, Fenner!
They all fall on their faces.
GEORGE
Fenner, let’s go!
31. MED. CLOSE SHOT
Of the new pilot setting the controls
and lifting the plane into flight.
EXT. FIELD
32. LONG SHOT
As the plane swings around – taxies
crazily – and leaves the ground, accompanied
by gunfire of the bandits.
INT. PLANE
33. FULL SHOT
The occupants are still on the floor.
Conway rises and glances out of a window,
warily.
CONWAY
(mumbling)
Well, I guess we’re out of range.
(to others)
Everybody all right?
There are murmurs of “Yes” – “I’m all
right” – as they raise themselves.
GEORGE
Whew! That was close.
34. MEDIUM SHOT
Conway starts for the back seat and
suddenly sees Lovett.
CONWAY
Where did you come from?
LOVETT
I’m Alexander P. Lovett, sir.
CONWAY
Why aren’t you registered through our
office?
? 478 ?
GEORGE
(chiming in)
It would serve you right if you were
left behind.
LOVETT
(high-pitched voice)
How could I know that a war was going
to break out right over my head!
(a grave injustice)
Right over my head. Oh, my word! I tell
you, those Chinese were pouncing on
me from every direction. I had to get
into these ridiculous clothes in order
to escape.
CONWAY
Where were you hiding?
LOVETT
Hiding? Oh, no. Hunting – I was in the
interior – hunting fossils. This morning
I looked up suddenly—
CONWAY
I know – and a war broke out right over
your head.
GEORGE
The next time you’re in wild country
like this, keep in touch with the British
Consul.
CONWAY
Aha – very good, Freshie.[3] Very good.
You’d better put his name on the list
and make out a report later.
He proceeds to the back seat. Barnard,
the American, who is in front of Lovett,
leans over toward him.
35. MED. CLOSE SHOT – THE TWO
Barnard and Lovett.
BARNARD
I beg your pardon, brother. What did
you say you were hunting?
LOVETT
Fossils.
BARNARD
Fossils, huh?
LOVETT
I’m a paleontologist.
BARNARD
(blankly)
A what?
LOVETT
A paleontologist.
? 479 ?
BARNARD
Oh, I see.
Lovett produces a small box clutched
under his arm.
LOVETT
I have here a discovery that will startle
the world. It’s the vertebrae from the
lumbar of a Megatherium,[4] found in
Asia.
BARNARD
Well, what do you know about that!
LOVETT
Found in Asia!
BARNARD
Uh-huh.
LOVETT
When I get home I shall probably be
knighted for it.
BARNARD
Knighted! You don’t say. Do you mind
if I take a look at it?
LOVETT
(proudly)
Not at all.
He lifts the lid and Barnard peeks inside.
INSERT: OF BOX
Wrapped carefully in absorbent cotton
is something that resembles a dry chicken
bone.
BACK TO SCENE:
Barnard reaches for the box, but Lovett
pulls it away from him.
BARNARD
Sorry.
LOVETT
