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PART FOUR:INT. LULU'S ALEHOUSE - LATE NIGHTSame setting as the end of the last episode, except now there's probably a fireplace lit.NARRATORWe now rejoin Queen Regan's court in the barroom where we left them. They were scheming, you'll recall, on how to remove the town's two bosses, sever the loyalty of their men, and install Regan in their place. And the hour was already quite late.BILLYWhat about a pizza party? BRENNENA...pizza party?BILLYRemember when they took us on a field trip to that state park to see the big hole in the ground? JENOh yeah! And they forgot Joey Cannavale and left him behind at the park until after dark.BILLYYeah and then they threw us a pizza party and told us not to tell our parents. Nobody snitched. So maybe that's the move.LULUCoffee? Anyone for coffee?REGANWhat the fuck is coffee?JENExtremely diuretic is what it is. Maybe you should skip it.JANEY(stunned out of concentration)Oh, gally! How long has it been dark out?LULUCoupla hours now.JANEYDamn! My rabbits need to eat. Do you...I hate to ask, but do you think one of your men might walk me home? Bill’s probably waiting for me.REGANI’ll walk you home.O'ANYou might wanna take your men too. Bill’s a horse’s ass, but you can get your skull kicked open crossing a horse’s ass.REGANSends the wrong message if a bunch of us go. Besides, I watched Bill try to draw on Vanderberg. If both my arms were broken I could still take him.JANEY(considers...)All right then.EXT. STREET IN PACIFIC RIDGE - NIGHTREGAN AND JANEY ARE WALKING ALONG TOGETHER.JANEY(rambling)A dog or a cat can miss a meal here or there and it’s no harm done. But a rabbit’s more like a horse, they need to graze all the time or they can get really sick. They’re also prey, not hunters, which a lot of people don’t understand. You try to play with them or pet them like you would with a dog, you’ll scare the sweet things half to death.(gets self-conscious)I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m talking so much.REGANI think you’re nervous.JANEY...Reckon I am.REGANLook, you hardly know me, so there’s no harm if I just say this. Bill sounds like a real piece of shit. All offense.JANEYLulu’s been trying to get me to leave him for years, but...I don’t know. He can be so sweet sometimes too.REGANAnyone can be sweet when they want something from you.JANEY(a little testy)And I guess all your sweethearts have all been saints, that right?NARRATORThis flicker of an outburst prompted a turned head and cocked eyebrow from Regan.JANEYSorry...Sorry, it just gets tiring sometimes, everyone talking like they know what's good for you.REGANYeah, well...that we agree about. I'll leave it be. Tell me more about your rabbits.JANEY...It gets tiring to cry all the time too. To be scared in your own home. (beat)But I don't know. My daddy had a temper too. And him and my momma made it work. Besides, you seen the other fellas in this town?REGANYou mean you're not gonna strike silver digging in shit?THAT GETS A BELLY LAUGH OUT OF JANEY.JANEYGood Gally, you said it.JANEY CONTINUES TO GIGGLE FOR A BIT.JANEYYou're fun. I'm glad you're here.REGANI've been called a lot of things, but fun is new.JANEYWell...goes to show what passes for fun around here I guess.REGANYou could leave, you know. JANEYPff. Where would I go?REGANThis world's fulla towns that aren't this one.JANEYMaybe. But I reckon it's also full of Bills. At least this one, I know.BILL(several yards away)--Janey?They stop walking.BILLJaney, honey, I'm sorry.REGAN(sotto voce)You don't have to cry tonight. Or be scared.JANEY(meek)I don’t wanna talk to you right now.BILLThat’s all right, I just want you to listen. Now I know I ain't perfect and I know I ain't always treat you how you deserve.REGAN(sotto voce)Stop me if you heard this one before.BILLBut you know how folks around here is. I think I just get so scared sometimes of someone else mistreating you. NARRATORBut Janey could not quite meet Regan's eyes.BILLIt's about the only thing I am scared of. And I let it spin me all up 'til I can't even think straight. And then I--JANEY(stronger this time)--I just wanna be left alone, Bill.BILLNow Janey, listen. I don't work my ass off keeping you safe just for you to be so gods damned stubborn.REGANYou got your answer. Now step away from the door.BILLYeah, and who the fuck are you?REGAN(almost jovial)Me? I’m nobody. I just gave this nice lady my word I'd see her safe to feed her rabbits. And she said she wants to be left alone. So you're gonna do the gentlemanly thing and step aside.BILLOr what, you're gonna make me?REGANIf I have to.BILL LAUGHS UPROARIOUSLY.REGAN(okay, now she’s out for blood)I don't know what the fuck you're laughing at.BILL SUDDENLY STOPS LAUGHING.A high dissonant orchestral note starts building.NARRATORWith a flare for the dramatic that I did not know she possessed, Regan chose this moment to flip open her cloak and reveal the truly staggering number of armaments concealed within.A cloak flips open. There are two short footsteps as Regan squares up.REGAN‘Cause I didn’t tell any fucking jokes. See when people laugh, and I don’t know what the joke is, I start to get the crazy idea that maybe they think I’m a joke. And where I grew up, if someone thinks you’re a joke, then someone’s gonna rob and kill you. Which means I treat being laughed at like it’s a threat on my life. So now you have ten seconds to tell me that you just...thought of a funny thing that happened last week or something. Like I dunno, maybe you got mule shit on your cock and it wouldn’t wash off. Is that what it was? Five seconds now, mule fucker.BILLYou fixin' to draw on me with that busted-ass arm?REGANYou got a busted arm too. And mine’s getting better. Yours is swollen and you’re sweating like a pig. Three. Two.BILLFffffffuck!The orchestra cuts out.NARRATORBill held up his empty hands.BILLYou got lucky this time, caught me while I'm ailing. But this shit ain't over.He starts to walk away.BILL(under his breath)Crazy fucking bitch.JANEY(genuine)You really should get that arm looked at Bill. You don’t look well.NARRATOROnly once Bill was out of sight did Regan relax her free arm and close her cloak.JANEYGods, you really are something else. Thank you - again.REGANBelieve me, pleasure was mine on that one.JANEYI’m shaking.REGANCome on. We’ll walk it off.They start walking again.JANEYLook at you. You’re steady as a seamstress’ hands. I wish I could be like you.REGANI actually don’t recommend it. But sometimes it comes in handy.The footsteps stop.JANEY(shaky, but...a different type)Here she is. My humble abode.REGANI can keep watch while you feed the rabbits.A moment of decision for Janey.JANEYI think...maybe I was hoping you'd come inside.REGANMeaning?...Yeahhhh thought as much. Look, you've VERY fucking cute but I don't think I'm good for you right--JANEY--Thought I already told you. (walks closer while talking until she's right up on the mic)Stop talking like you know what's good for me.INT. JANEY’S BEDROOM - LATERJANEY LETS OUT A VERY CONTENTED SIGH.JANEYGood Gally in Selbirin, I needed that.REGANLike any good Queen, I live to serve.JANEYOh, right, did you...want me to--REGAN--Get me back another time.(quietly to herself)Once I stop with that damn stew.JANEYGuess that’s three I owe you.REGANWell I always try to be a magnanimous leader.(beat)You should feed your pets, and we should get back before my knight starts to panic.Sounds of Regan standing and getting dressed.JANEYRight. I should show you something before we do. Tell you something, really.REGAN(ready for anything)Okay...JANEYSee those two big books on the desk over yonder? Take a look inside.We hear Regan walk across the room.REGANI uh...Reading's never been my strong suit but I think this is a book full of numbers.JANEYThose are the ledgers for the Rosebuds and the Mulberrys. REGANThey're what?JANEYThat's how I make a living. Not many people good with sums in a town full of bowslingers it turns out.REGANRight. And I'm guessing there's numbers in there that'd be very embarrassing to Misters Weston and Vanderberg.JANEYYou guess right.REGANHm.(Processing)I know why you didn't tell me before, and I don't blame you. Why are you telling me now?JANEY'Cause I decided I can trust you.REGANPff. Look, I got no plans to double-cross you. But free advice for this shitheap world - one good lay is no guarantee of anything.JANEY(that's not what she meant)I decided I can trust you to keep Bill away from me.REGANWell, yeah...that you can.JANEYThat's my offer to you then. You keep him away from me and my babies.REGANWe're talking rabbit babies, right? Just checking I know what I'm agreeing to.JANEYYes, my beautiful little bun-buns. And I'll tell you everything you need to know from those there books.REGAN...I got a counter-offer. And I think it's better for everybody.INT. LULU’S ALEHOUSE - A LITTLE LATERBatwing doors fly open.REGANAll right, listen up, new plan!NARRATOR...Bellowed Regan, into the barroom of Lulu's inn. And then, upon seeing the faces looking back at her, particularly Nia's raised eyebrow and Jen's eye patch...REGAN(saving face with a dash of sass)Which I submit to my council. For approval.NARRATORAnd right behind her was Janey of course, carrying a blanketed basket containing four rabbits. She and Lulu nodded an unspoken understanding to each other.JENTell us.REGANWe're putting Janey in charge. Or more like making people realize she's been in charge.BRENNENEr...she has?REGAN(to Janey)May I?LULU(knows what's coming)Janey. You sure you're willing to burn Les and Cliff?JANEYThey've been in charge since I was a little girl. And aren't things just dandy on account of it? No, I figure this town could use a change.O'ANI'm...lost, I think.JANEYI've been keeping the books for both gangs, going on ten years now. I know everything they don't want each other to know.REGANAnd no matter how you shake it, you two were right. Nobody knows me here. But Janey - everyone seems to know her. Everyone seems to trust her. And nobody else can do what she does for the town.NARRATORConsideration crossed the faces of Regan’s co-conspirators.O'ANAnd where would your crew fit into this new order?REGANAt first, we’re putting up funds. That statue we’ve got could be a real juicy sign-on bonus for anyone on the fence about the transfer of power. And it’ll fill the town’s larders while we ride out the winter. We’ll take some contracts in the spring, and come summer we collect; Janey gives me leave to take any Rangers who’ll come on a damn fool suicide mission across the mountains. We all good with that?BRENNENAye. A just bargain if ever I’ve heard one.NELSONGood deal.YLLOWYYNI’ll abide by it.O'ANI want a say on the contracts.A beat - of something like surprise.JANEYNo offense, Henry, but I’m not really sure that’s yours to claim.O'ANI think my help’s been valuable and I didn’t have to give it. Don’t have to keep giving it, in fact. I think some stake in the outcome is only fair.REGANI’m open to it, but why that? Why not just some of the money?O'ANBecause not a few of the contracts that come through this town are to kill people like me. Nelson here said you all aren’t fond of Elves and their lap dogs, led me to believe things would be different with you in charge. I helped you because I believed him. So I’d appreciate you not making a liar of him or a fool of me.REGANDid Nelson tell you why we’re not fond of Elves?O'ANA bit of it.REGANIt's kind of a long story. We can fill you in later. But if we valued Elf-gold more than your people's lives I promise we wouldn't be here.NELSON(to O'an)She ain't lying, bro.(To the rest)And I don’t wanna take any contracts he doesn’t like anyway. I trust him to know who’s on the level around here.JANEYIf you all think it’s a good idea, then we'll ask Henry before we take any contracts. That sound fair?NARRATORThere were nods of agreement all around. REGANSo that’s settled then. Now we just gotta take what Janey knows and use it against Vanderberg and Weston.LULURight, that’s what we were talking about when you came in. Henry had a good idea, didn't you?O'ANI figure the whole town hates at least one of them already, and there’s a lot of blood been spilt defending one or the other. If you make it seem like they’ve been working together, that’d be an unforgivable betrayal to both their gangs.REGANOh, that is good.LULUAnd mine's the only watering hole in the whole town, so if there's gossip, it's gonna come through here.REGANI knew I liked you guys.FADE OUT.:INT. HORSE'S HEAD INN - EVENINGIt's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday.NARRATORI take you now back East, to another tavern. Maeve Bailey's establishment - where we've already spent quite a bit of time - was bustling this evening. But the proprietor's mind was not on business.A door opens to the outside, and footsteps approach the bar.In her current state, she was quite relieved to see the soldier you know as The Professor darken her doorway.(They speak in hushed tones throughout this scene.)BAILEYThank you for coming.THE PROFESSORI told you you need only call, Maeve. Am I to understand that your suspicious guest is of The Forest?BAILEYAye. She took pains to cover her ears but I caught a glimpse. And here's what struck me even more. She came in, sat where you're set right now and asked for a private room. Then she took out the biggest sapphire I've ever fecking seen and put it on the bar like it was a few coppers. Asked if it would be enough for a fortnight! Enough for a fortnight! It'd probably pay for fourteen years if she found an inn-keep fool enough to take it. I just pray nobody saw it before I shoved it back in her purse. THE PROFESSORGauging your reaction, perhaps?BAILEYI've a decent nose for guile and I didn't get a whiff. She's either got the mind of a child or she's very good at pretending.THE PROFESSOROr, she's never left The Forest before.BAILEYSo why leave now and why come here of all places?THE PROFESSORMm. Is she in a room now? BAILEYAye. End of the hall on the right when you go up the stairs. Here's the key.A key clinks onto the bar.THE PROFESSORI'll ring the service bell if I need you.INT. PRIVATE ROOM IN THE INN - CONTINUOUSYllodyk is writing on a small escritoire. YLLODYK (V.O.)I fear this must all sound like the ravings of a lunatic. But if you've ever believed me about anything, believe me about the contents of this letter. For reasons which I hope are obvious, I cannot tell you where I am or how to contact me. But know that I miss you terribly. You must admit it's dreadfully romantic for us to be separated by circumstance such as we are. It reminds me of Lady Greenwich and her Mathias from Duel of Crones. My...(feels weird even as she says it)...my loins ache for you?She stops writing.YLLODYK (DIAGETIC, OUT-LOUD)Euchk. They say that all the time in Duel of Crones but does anyone alive actually find it appealing? She crosses that out and resumes writing.YLLODYK (V.O.)You are...in my thoughts?Writing stops...YLLODYK (OUT-LOUD)No, that's too chaste. Hmm.(thinks for a moment)Ah, yes....Writing resumes quickly.YLLODYK (V.O.)You are in my thoughts, some but not all of which are sexual in nature.She stops writing and puts her quill down.A beat...(We're diagetic for the rest of the scene, no more VO.)YLLODYKWell...it's factually accurate. (one more moment of reflection)You know, I'm resolved to choose gratitude they've finished as many Duel of Crones books as they have. Writing is difficult!There's a KNOCK at the door.YLLODYK(blurts out in a panic)WHO'S THERE?!THE PROFESSOR(through door)I'm a friend of the inn-keepers. Are you decent?YLLODYKWhat do you want? Go away! I requested privacy!THE PROFESSOR(through door)I know, but we must speak. I'm coming in.YLLODYKI'll scream!The Professor opens the door and shuts it behind him.THE PROFESSORBut that wouldn't be very private, now would it? I do regret the terribly rude intrusion, but there's nothing for it you see.YLLODYKWho are you? Can I pay you to go away?THE PROFESSOR(a dry chuckle)I'd have a much more comfortable life if you could. But sadly for me, I've learned that I'm quite a loyal friend.YLLODYK...Friend to whom?THE PROFESSORWell the inn-keeper, for one. A bit of a bind an inn-keeper finds herself in, wouldn't you agree? Discretion is essential if they're to attract and retain a clientele. Yet these total strangers are literally sleeping in her home. There comes a point when her need for safety must come before her patrons' need for privacy. Do you see what I mean?YLLODYKNo. Well--yes, but not what it has to do with me.THE PROFESSORHere's the crux of it - I need to know whether any trouble is liable to come following you.YLLODYK(unnerved)Why would trouble come following me?THE PROFESSORI don't know. But it's hard to imagine you left the White Forest to come here because things were going well for you. YLLODYK(scrambling)I've always been fond of Memyet music. I wanted to hear it in an authentic setting.THE PROFESSORAnd that's why you've secluded yourself up here demanding privacy, is it? Instead of downstairs in the barroom where music is played?A long beat. She's busted.YLLODYKI...just need to be somewhere that no one will think to look for me for a while, all right? I don't want any trouble. I apologize for the deceit but - how did you say? - there's nothing for it I'm afraid.THE PROFESSORAnd why is it so important that you not be found?YLLODYKIf I respectfully refuse to say any more, you'll throw me out in the middle of the night to freeze to death, will you? To say nothing of refusing my money.THE PROFESSORThere's a crisp breeze tonight at worst. And the kind of money you're carrying is far more trouble than it's worth. Gods, you've really never left the Forest before, have you?(more serious)And yes. This may shock someone of your background but I would gladly inconvenience you to protect my friend's life. So tell me a story that makes some sense, or else gather your things.A loonnnng beat...YLLODYK...As you wish. My parents are dead. All evidence points to murder. And until I know more, I can't very well hang around the Forest waiting for the murderers to find me too.THE PROFESSORI'm terribly sorry for your loss.YLLODYKPeople with duplicitous motives keep saying that to me. THE PROFESSORAs I said, I've no motive beyond protecting my friend. And suffice it to say, there's reason to believe someone in the White Forest might bear you ill will.YLLODYKI suppose I can't deny it.(vulnerable)Are you going to kick me out?THE PROFESSORNot my decision.The Professor rings a service bell installed in the room.They wait for an uncomfortable moment.YLLODYKI imagine there's no point in my asking. But why is your friend the inn-keeper's safety in question?THE PROFESSORShe can tell you herself if she chooses.The door opens, and then quickly shuts.BAILEYSo. What have we learned?THE PROFESSORYour guest here believes her parents were murdered.BAILEY(to herself)Gods.(to Yllodyk - detached but courteous)I am sorry to hear that, dear.THE PROFESSORShe came here to hide from the murderers. Whoever those might be.BAILEYI see. So all's to say, there are some Elves who bear you ill will and might come looking for you.YLLODYKWhat would you like me to say? I'm doing all I can think to do to steer clear of them.A beat - Bailey considering her next play.BAILEYYou got a fella? Back in the forest?YLLODYKA what?BAILEYA beau, a boyfriend, a paramour. YLLODYKOh. ...Yes?BAILEYWhat's the worst he's ever let you down?YLLODYK(knee-jerk)He hasn't let me down!BAILEYGood. You're as shitty a liar as I'd hoped. So here's a few of the cards I'm holding.(beat)You see, me and him? We lost someone very dear to us, not too long ago. And we think the White Forest had something to do with him as well. We don't know much more than that, but we're trying to figure it out. So here's the deal I'll make you. First - and this should go without saying, but I find those are the first things you ought to say - if we're all alive long enough for you to get some actual, spendable coin together, I expect to be paid a fair market rate for your room and board.YLLODYK(genuine and confident)Of course.BAILEYPlus interest. For the back pay and the risk I'm taking.YLLODYK(a little less confident)That's...only fair.BAILEYAnd don't even think of waving that sapphire around my barroom. You'll need to find some other way.YLLODYK(the least confident yet)Right.BAILEYSecond - and this one I have to insist on receiving immediately - you're going to tell my friend and I everything you know about the inner workings of the Forest. Until something gets us closer to our friend's killer. YLLODYKYou shouldn't overestimate my station within the Forest. There's much I don't know. But I'll answer you honestly and as best I can. BAILEYThen I think we've reached a deal. Roy?THE PROFESSORSeems reasonable to me. Shall we get right to it?YLLODYKWhere would you like to start?BAILEYSorry for starting indelicately. But might you know the means of your parents' murder?YLLODYKI should say so. They died of poison before my very eyes.NARRATORMaeve and Royne made no effort to conceal the widening of their eyes, or the look that passed between them.THE PROFESSORPoison, you say.YLLODYKYes.(figures it out)Oh. Your friend as well.BAILEYAlready getting somewhere. Roy, fetch us a few cups of cider.EXT. STREET OUTSIDE LULU'S ALEHOUSE - EARLY MORNINGNARRATORAnd back West, the sun was just cresting the horizon as Weston and Vanderberg approached Lulu's Alehouse. Regan leaned against a post, looking alert and on edge in spite of her bloodshot eyes. Billy sat on a step, leaning on the opposite post, and lightly snored. As the gang leaders drew near, Regan prodded Billy with the toe of her boot.BILLY(shooting awake)I didn't do it!REGANWake up, kid. It's showtime. Hope you got enough sleep.BILLY(yawning and stretching)Oh yeah. I'll be good.REGANMorning.NARRATORVanderberg and Weston simply spat on the dirt as a greeting.REGANOkay. One last item to address - you'll both be leaving your crossbows here for this trip.WESTONHa. And why would we do that?REGANI'm sending you with my unarmed squire. I saw how fast one of you can draw on a man, I'd rather Billy here have a chance on the trip back.VANDERBERGI don't like it, but she's right. Might make the trip a bit more comfortable if I'm not watching my back all the time.NARRATORVanderberg began unbuckling his crossbow holster but stopped short when he realized Weston hadn't moved.REGAN(after a beat)You wanna get with the show here? You're burning daylight and you've got a long trip ahead of you.NARRATORAt that prompt and with a sigh, Weston began working the buckle on his holster.REGANGood. Now Billy here is your guide-NARRATORAs Vanderberg's holster came fully free and hung loose at his side, Weston drew on him in a flash. As he leveled on his rival, an arrow hit his crossbow, throwing the weapon from his grip and its shot well wide.WESTONGah!NARRATORRealizing what just happened, Vanderberg reached for the crossbow sitting in his now limp holster, but the leather was cut by another arrow, causing the crossbow and holster to fall on the ground. As Vanderberg reached down for the weapon, Regan placed her foot on the crossbow, as Billy retrieved Weston's empty crossbow from the street.REGANWell that could've gone better for the two of you. I know you're fast, but I doubt either of you could outdraw an Elf.NARRATORRegan nodded toward a window on the second floor of Lulu's, where all but the hands and bow of Yllowyyn were obscured by the reflection of the rising sun. Billy deposited Weston's crossbow in Regan's hand.REGANAnyways, now that you've got that out of your system, you ready to start the trip? Billy'll be your guide, I'd prefer you don't kill him in the process. Do what you will to each other for all I care.NARRATORVanderberg and Weston sneered at each other until Billy awkwardly walked between the two of them.BILLYHey dudes. We're heading that way, and if it's alright with you, I think I'd prefer if you two walked in front of me.NARRATORThe two gang bosses stood awkwardly, neither wanting to make the first move after the attempts both had made just moments before.BILLYOh my god, we get it! You guys hate each other! You're definitely gonna try some shit on the trip! We all know how this goes, no one is impressed or surprised so let's gooooooooooooooowah!NARRATORFinally, at Billy's outburst, Vanderberg and Weston seemed to relax a little bit, at least enough to start walking in the way Billy indicated.REGANGet back quick as you can once you've made the pick up!NARRATORBilly as a reply turned back to Regan with a wink and what I believe are referred to as "finger guns"....before nearly tripping over his own feet.REGAN(under her breath)This is who I’m supposed to lean on.NARRATORJust then, Jen and Nia emerged from the ale house, each with a pack on their back.JENThat seemed to go alright, yeah?NIAWhile I don't think it was necessarily the ideal departure, all three of them are still alive...for now.JENIs he gonna be safe?REGANLook. You know I’m not Iorden’s biggest Billy fan. But I wouldn’t have given him this job if he wasn’t very well suited to it. You two work out a signal like I said?JENKind of.NARRATORRegan looked at Jen with exasperation.JENWhat? He said to be on the look out for "when I come running like I'm being chased by a zombie bull or some shit."REGAN(sigh)Sure. You two ready?NIAWe have the necessary provisions and should be able to follow stealthily enough to avoid detection.REGANGood. I'd wait until they get a bit further along to set out. You'll have the advantage of the sun at your back so they probably won't be looking too closely behind them. Yllowyyn will cover your ass and make sure no one else is trying to tail them, but we'll need him back here before too long.JENGot it.REGANAll right, now we just gotta do our part.END OF PART FOUR.