I have no idea what exactly changed between 1.0 and 1.1 – likely spelling and the removal of any fart jokes. Already we have our hero (TR) entering the scene from a train car. This was due to the fact that we felt we needed to introduce our hero first…and the fact that we found a location willing to let us shoot a period train station.
Steampunk Short Draft 1.1
EXT. MAP - DAY
A WORLD MAP depicting the STEAMPUNK EARTH in the 1890’s.
We spiral down across the Mississippi to a railroad line.
We follow the line past the Iron Belt and come to rest
over the great metropolis of Vulcandale Sandwiched
between Bessemer and Birmingham.
FADE TO:
TRAIN STATION: DAY
A spectacled man in his late thirties dressed in western
military-esque garb, carrying a WALKING STICK exits a
rail car and takes his Bering amid a bustling rail
station. Airships loiter overhead and travellers in
complex and unlikely steam-assisted garb mill about.
MAN
Bully!
He exits the boarding platform area. A SHADY FIGURE steps
into view, watching THE MAN egress.
CAMERA SCANS ACROSS PLATFORM TO REVEAL
Two guards, festooed in English looking steam garb step
off the first class travelling coach and scan the crowd
for potential threats. LADY VICTORIA NOBLE, a beautiful
woman in her twenties steps off the coach with the
assitance of the guards. She is dressed in an elegant
gown, hat and parasol.
The exit the platform and passing the station ladie’s
facilities, Lady Victoria pauses.
LADY VICTORIA
(looking at the retrooms)
excuse me for a moment gentlemen.
Lady Victora steps into restroom dorway. Without
hesitation, the guards follow in step.
LADY VICTORIA (cont’d)
Gentlemen, I realize my father is
concerned for my safety and well being
but I think even he would prefer you
not accompany me into the loo.
The guards break their single-minded tance, look up at
the sign.
VICTORIA’S GUARD 1
(embarrassed)
Yes my lady.
Lady Victoria proceeds into the restroom.
VICTORIA’S GUARD 2
Bloody div..
Guard 1 gives guard 2 the two finger salute.
WOMAN’S RESTROOM: DAY
Lady Victoria quickly disposes of her dress and veil and
with a few adjustemnts becomes a lady about town with
riding goggles, goves and apropriate attire. Her
discarded gown dumped uncerimoniously into the dust bin.
At that moment, two other women are heading back out the
doorway. Lady Victory falls in step.
TRAIN STAION: DAY
The two women and the now disguised Lady Victoria exit
the restroom and walk away. The guards take no notice.
Guard 2 pulls out a fob wach and checks the time.
EXT. CITY STREET: DAY
THE MAN saunters down the busy street. All manner of
trade and negotiation transpire around him.
MAN
From the jungles of vine and tree to
the jungles of brick and cobblestone.
WE SEE The Peanut Trading Company.
MAN
Peanuts! Bully!
THE MAN quickly enters the Peanut Trading Company and
partakes of its wares.The SHADY FIGURE moves into view,
watching.
Some time later, THE MAN returns to the busy street with
a bag of fresh, hot peanuts. He eats them
enthusiastically. From across the street, we see the
SHADY FIGURE steady himself and take at at THE MAN
apparently. The SHADY FIGURE takes his shot.
The bag of peanuts in THE MAN’s hands exlodes only to be
replaced by a cylindrical message tube.
THE MAN is confused and amazed. He looks across the
street to find the SHADY FIGURE inexplicably still
standing there. The SHADY FIGURE realizes that THE MAN
sees him and quickly runs off down the street.
MAN (cont’d)
You owe me a bag of peanuts you
vagabond!
(mutters)
This city has no end of bizarre
characters.
THE MAN opens the cannister and retrieves a piece of
paper. He reads it and then frantically looks around. He
sees a small boy offering hot steam recharging to the
various mechanicals along the street.
MAN (cont’d)
Lad, could you direct me to the
Hamilton Ship works?
STEAM BOY
Yessir. It’s just down Tessla Avenue
past the post office. You’ll see the
air-docks from there, sir.
THE MAN looks up to see the air docks towering in the
distance.
EXT. AIRSHIP YARD - DAY
The complex buzzes with activity. Every port has an
AIRSHIP tethered to it, with the conspicuous exception of
the absence of a ship at the MAIN PORT.
SUBTITLE
Hamilton Shipworks 1891
INT. WORKSHOP
The room contains CALIBRATION DEVICES and INDUSTRIAL
MACHINES. There is a TABLE stacked with SCHEMATICS and
NOTEBOOKS. Professor Deter Metz (PROFESSOR), a disheveled
Germanic man in his late fifties/early sixties dressed in
laboratory garb, frantically grabs and hordes the
schematics and notebooks, along with an odd, apple-sized
METAL BALL. He turns to leave and we see:
TWO ARMED SOLDIERS
THUG 1 (OC)
Goin’ somewhere, Professor?
PROFESSOR
(German accent,) smiles
nervously)
Gentlemen, I was just...
Professor looks at the THUGS looking at his hand full of
booty, and resigns to his fate. THUG 1 lifts a PHONE off
of the wall, and speaks into it.
THUG 1
We have ‘em Commodore. Looks like we
arrived just in time to interrupt some
overoptimistic travel plans.
INT. OFFICE
Fashionably decorated with a nice DESK full of BRIC-A-
BRAC, a plush RUG, and some SHELVES with BOOKS. There is
a row of PHONES. COMMODORE TERRENCE HAMILTON
(COMMODORE), a dapper southern gentleman in his late
thirties, is scrutinizing a large set of drafting papers.
There is a knock.
COMMODORE
Gentlemen. How uncharacteristically
timely. Do enter.
THE DOOR OPENS.
Commodore stands with his back to the door. He hears it
open. He draws his sword.
COMMODORE
Bring me that thieving rat so that I
may personally cut off his...
FEMALE VOICE (OC)
Vermin trouble dear?
Commodore whirls around to see Lady VICTORIA NOBLE (Lady)
now in her street garb.
COMMODORE
My, who is this strange and sensual
flower bathing my eyes in beauty.
FEMALE VOICE
Perhapse a wily theif come to releave
you of your fortune?
COMMODORE
In that case I would referr you to my
able body guard. Should I have him
search you?
FEMALE VOICE
I preferr you did that yourself.
Thai takes this exchange as his cue to leave. He gives a
nod to the Commodore and exits through the door.
COMMODORE
Well then I had better get started
before my ladyfriend arrives.
Lady Victoria removes her hat and goggles. Commodore
bows, sheathes his sword.
COMMODORE (cont’d)
Oh. Imagine my surprise as it turns
out indeed to be my ladyfriend!
LADY VICTORIA
Oh, I don’t think you are too terribly
surprised...
(they kiss)
...yet.
COMMODORE
I had not expected you until next
week.
LADY VICTORIA (cont’d)
You aren’t happy to see me?
COMMODORE
Of course, I just have some pressing
matters that...need my personal
attention.
LADY VICTORIA
What could be more pressing than me?
The office door flies open and Thugs with Professor in
tow appear.
THUG 1
Commodore, we...
(noticing Lady Victoria)
...Oh, hello Ma’am!
Thugs all tip their hat, Thug 2 looks menacingly at
Professor who gets the hint and does the same. Lady
Victoria curtsies in response.
COMMODORE
Ah Professor. Good of you to join us.
Feel free to place all of my property
on my desk there.
PROFESSOR
I do not feel free.
COMMODORE
Then feel compelled.
Devices of all sorts flow from the Professor’s coat and
are placed on the desk. After a time, the flow ebbs.
COMMODORE (CONT’D)
All of it, Professor!
More devices, papers and weapons appear...
LADY VICTORIA
Darling, are these long arms
necessary? This gentleman does not
appear dangerous.
Objects continue to trickle from the pockets, hem and
longcoat of the professor.
COMMODORE
Looks may be deceivin’, dahlin’! For
example...
Commodore approaches Professor, reaches into his coat and
after some searching pulls out a STEAM PISTOL, that has a
DIAL on the side.
COMMODORE (CONT’D)
...this...clever device is as
potentially powerful as all three of
those rifles.
(to Professor)
And it is my property.
LADY VICTORIA
What is this all about, Terrence?
COMMODORE
A minor contract dispute, my dove.
Britain and France want their weapons
From the Germanic Confederation.
And the Germanic Confederation wants
me to fill a little production
shortfall. All just good
business...except that my technical
liaison wants to scamper off with some
of my trade secrets...
The Commodore mocks shame...
Forgive me dear. I would ask that you
say, “hello” to my back-stabbin’
technological liaison!
PROFESSOR
That is not true! I have taken
nothing! All this...
(indicates the pile on the
desk)
...work...is mine!
COMMODORE
I beg to differ professor. I have a
stack of invoices that state
emphatically otherwise.
PROFESSOR
You have no right to my designs! They
belong to–-
THUG 2 hits Professor in the stomach, causing the
Professor to double over. The Commodore reaches over and
removes yet ANOTHER scroll from the Professor’s coat.
COMMODORE
...Me I’m afraid. Including this
airship which you insist is unfinished
despite all evidence to the contrary.
(indicating scroll)
Now, should you agree to simply...
LADY VICTORIA
I am sure this is not necessary!
(to Commodore)
Darling, are you condoning this
brutality?
COMMODORE
Of course not, dahlin’!
(points at Thug 2)
Gentlemen! You were trained better
than that. You know I expect fair
treatment and civility from all in my
charge.
Professor looks up in disbelief.
PROFESSOR
Are you entirely well, Commodore?
The smile of the Commodore’s lips quavers.
COMMODORE
Capital, Professor. I offer you this.
As forgiveness is a fundamental part
of my character, you may show me how
to start my ship and I’ll let you
linger and enjoy its inaugural flight
before...letting you go.
(to Professor and Thugs)
Gentlemen!
Commodore motions them to the exit. Thugs lead Professor
out.
COMMODORE (CONT’D)
(to Lady Victoria)
Now, dahlin’, you probably prefer to
remain here whilest I...
LADY VICTORIA
Nonsense! I wish to see this little
drama to its conclusion, and I would
very much like to see this new ship!
COMMODORE
But, dahlin’...
LADY VICTORIA
Let’s go, then!
Lady Victoria exits. The Commodore, quickly defeated,
follows with guards and the Professor.
EXT. WALKWAY
Professor leads the group followed closely by Thugs and
Lady Victoria and Commodore bringing up the rear.
MAN (OC)
Afternoon, gentleman!
They all whirl about to see the source of the voice, who
is THE MAN from the rail station. Sensing that this man
is a threat, the thugs turn their steam rifles on him.
There is some confusion about which Thug threatens which
interloper with which rifle.
After some switching back and fourth, Thug 1 keeps his
rifle on Professor, while Commodore (with pistol) and
Thug 2 & 3 aim at TR.
MAN (cont’d)
Afternoon gentlmen.
COMMODORE
Stand aside Sir, you are inpeeding
private busines.
MAN
I’m afraid I cannot do that.
(indicates note)
For I am here to negotiate the release
the of this lovely young lady and that
fine gentleman.
LADY VICTORIA
Excuse me.
PROFESSOR
Indeed?
COMMODORE
Excellent! Gentlemen, prepare to open
fire.
MAN
Everyone remain calm, I am dropping my
stick...
(drops stick)
...and thus, I am completely disarmed!
COMMODORE
As you can see, we are quite heavily
armed!
MAN
(smiles)
And, so you are!
COMMODORE
I believe our impetuous stranger has
the advantage of us, gentlemen!
MAN
You may call me “TR!”
THUG 2
Who is this clown?
COMMODORE
The only TR of which I am aware is
decidedly no clown.
(simmers)
LADY VICTORIA
...indeed.
(seems irritated as well)
TR
You flatter me sir. And you honor me
with your presence, Ma’am.
TR reaches for the hand of the Lady Victoria but again,
after some switching between the Professor and TR, the
thugs cut the action short by menacing TR with the
barrels of their rifles.
Lady Victoria smiles, but then stops when she notices
Commodore who is glaring at her.
TR
Well Ma’am, help is at hand!
COMMODORE
Look here, sir, I...
TR
So, why not avoid an unnecessary mess
by handing the Lady and older
gentleman over into my custody?
COMMODORE
...because I have have three marksmen
with powerful long arms?
The Commodore turns his pistol on TR. As does the Thug
pointing his rifle at the Professor. The Commodore gives
that Thug an angry glare. Another exchange of rifle
barrels ends with a different Thug aimed at the Professor
and all other guns leveled at TR.
TR
Let me suggest this.
FIRST FIGHT SEQUENCE
Suudeny, with a few, swift moves, TR takes out the
Commodore (acquiring the steam pistol in the process) and
all three Thugs.
The Commodore, recovering from the ground, takes out a
WHISTLE and blows it. The shrill noise echoes through the
cramped complex.
TR
(wiggling a finger in his
ear)
Oww?
From far down the piped passageway, THAI, an athletic
Asian in his late 30’s and THUG 4 appear from around a
bend. Immediately, they start firing at TR.
LADY VICTORIA
(to Commodore)
The very...how dare you?
TR
Madam, Sir...this way I believe.
LADY VICTORIA
But...
A hail of steamy bullets strikes the beam very near the
Lady Victoria. TR grabs Lady Victoria and Professor and
leads them into the cover of the steam stacks. Thai and
Thug 4 join and help to their feet their fallen comrades.
COMMODORE
Shoot them!
The Thugs look at each other then back to the Commmodor
withtrepidation.
THUG 1
Even Lady Victoria, sir?
COMMODORE (cont’d)
Well, shoot...carefully.
Thai, and thugs 3 and 4 give chase. Thug 1 and 2 run a
different route.
EXT. BOILER ROOM
TR leads Lady Victoria and Professor inside.
INT. BOILER ROOM
LARGE ENGINE with accompanying PANEL of dials and
instruments. The three enter the room.
TR
(to Professor)
Do you have a way to get out of here?
PROFESSOR
Absolutely! Everything is already set!
LADY VICTORIA
(to TR)
TR, there is something you need to
know...
A STEAM BLAST slams close to TR’s head.
TR
In a moment it, Ma’am! We need to go!
The three of them break for cover.
INT. BOILER ROOM
TR, Lady Victoria, and Professor run through the boiler
room. Pursued by firing guards.
PROFESSOR
That way!
The gang reaches what would be the entrance to the
tunnels only to find it blocked by a metal gate. Armed
guards take cover and continue at our heroes. TR, using
the STAEM PISTOL returns fire knocking each of them back
the way they came.
TR
Professor, we need to get through that
door. Sugestions?
PROFESSOR
Turn the dial on the side of the
pistol for more power, ja?
TR cranks the dial on the side to the highest number, and
points the gun at the gate.
PROFESSOR (cont’d)
Not so close!
TR fires, the gate blows open. TR flies back landing on
hs rear.
TR
(recovering)
Bully!
PROFESSOR
This way!
Professor runs as TR and Lady Victoria follow. They go
down some stairs into,
INT. TUNNEL
It is dark and damp with entrances at either end. Thai
and Thug 4 drop down the entrance at the end of tunnel
where TR, Lady Victoria, and Professor head. TR turns
and starts toward the way the came in, only to see
Commodore with Thug 3 sealing off the other end.
Commodore and all Thugs move in, weapons pointed and
poised to fire. TR raises the pistol and fires, but it
is out of power. TR drops the weapon, and all the bad
guys move in close. Commodore sees TR eying the thug’s
weapon, for he has moved in close to TR. Commodore moves
the thug back a little while looking warily at TR.
TR
Nobody panic, we’re not finished, yet!
LADY VICTORIA
Actually, I am finished. This has
been...exhilarating...but as I was
trying to tell you earlier TR, I did
not send that note.
TR
What? So...he is not your father?
(points at Professor)
LADY VICTORIA
Hardly.
(Slaps TR)
I met that man only a few minutes ago.
And, in fact, this gentleman is a very
close friend of mine.
She moves over beside Commodore, who smiles
smugly...until the Lady Victoria hammers his jaw with a
short, right-cross.
COMMODORE
...Oww?
LADY VICTORIA
Why in good grace were your goons
firing at me...ME...your betroved?
COMMODORE
(recovering)
I told them to be careful?
LADY VICTORIA
And what care were they exercising
when they pierced my hat with one of
their projectiles?
COMMODORE
The ut-most, dahlin’. I assure you...
TR
(to Professor)
So, your daughter did not send the
note?
PROFESSOR
I do not have a daughter that I am
aware of.
TR
Criminey! I must be slipping.
PROFESSOR
There there...we all have bad days
from time to time.
COMMODORE
You seem like an educated man, TR.
Which makes me wonder why you would
put so much stock in a hand written
note from an anonymous source.
TR
If you must know, sir, I once ignored
such a note. Many good men died.
COMMODORE
Well, just so you know, I caught this
vermin...
(nods at Professor)
...stealing things I paid him to
design and build.
TR
Is this true?
PROFESSOR
No...yes...not exactly!
(points to COMMODORE)
Your money financed the construction
of my experimental weapon designs. But
I discovered that we were constructing
them off-book. You had no intention of
shipping them to the Confederation!
For whom are we actually working?
PROFESSOR (cont’d)
(to TR)
What I do know is that one of these
designs...the one most closely
guarded...could shift the balance of
power for the whole world!
LADY VICTORIA
(whirls around to stare at
Commodore)
Is that true?
COMMODORE
Dahlin’, it’s all just good business.
I merely rearranged the original terms
to terms more favorable...for me.
LADY VICTORIA
Well if any of these terms were with
Great Britain, my father will be
informed!
COMMODORE
I’m afraid I cannot allow that,
dahlin’. Besides, it’s easier to ask
for forgiveness than permission. In
the end, I believe they will be asking
for forgiveness from me...
LADY VICTORIA
(suddenly grim)
My father would never beg from anyone.
Not even you.
COMMODORE
Give him time.
Commodore turns the gun on her and motions her to stand
with the other two.
COMMODORE
Dahlin’, your fate I fear remains with
your new friends.
LADY VICTORIA
But..you said you loved me!
COMMODORE
I said a lot of things, dear. There’s
always another train coming in.
LADY VICTORIA
You are a bastard!
Commodore shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
PROFESSOR
(whispers to TR)
So now you wave your hands about so
the bad guys will fly around and we
will run, ja?
TR
I already played that hand. We need
another distraction.
The Lady Victoria hears TR.
LADY VICTORIA
Not a problem.
Lady Victoria fiddles with an attachment on her back and
her corset flies off. We see the present company look
into her corset with some confusion.
ANGLE CORSET
Under her clothing is an expertly crafted breastplate of
brass and copper.
LADY VICTORIA (cont’d)
Oh, silly me...
The Lady Victoria turns a clasp. FROM BEHIND we see the
breast plate hinge out and up over he shoulders. THIS
garners the sudden and undivided attention of all
present.
COMMODORE
(wide-eyed)
I’m sure going to miss that.
The Lady Victoria prods TR in the ribs. She nods her
head at the Thugs.
TR
Uh, yes, of course.
TR flies into action, stunning Commodore and the Thugs
and then leads Lady Victoria (who covers herself up) and
Professor down the tunnel to a blast door. TR and Lady
Victoria rush through but the Professor has an idea.
PROFESSOR
One second!
The Professor pulls a lever and a solid, steel blast door
drops from the ceilng closing off the tunnels for the
Commodore and thugs.
INT. TUNNEL
Thai, the Commodore and the thugs reach the closed blast
doors.
COMMODORE
Dammit to hell!
(to his men)
Back to the junction. We’ll go around.
EXT. WATER TOWER
TR, Lady Victoria and the Professor move toward the
mooring towers. Halfway to their goal, a group of workers
in dirty technician’s coveralls stop the fleeing heroes.
TECH #1
That’s far enough trespassers.
LADY VICTORIA
I beg your pardon.
TECH #2
Oh, not you ma’am.
TECH #1
That’s far enough...Uh...trespassers
and ma’am.
LADY VICTORIA
Thank you.
TR
Gentlemen. Please do not be offended.
But we are bereft of time. So I ask
you to understand when I inquire - who
is going to stop me?
The group points.
An extremely large and lethal looking steam mech clanks
up to the group. The driver can be seen protruding from
its mechanical neck.
STEAM MECH DRIVER
That would be me, sir.
TR looks to the Professor and the Lady Victoria.
PROFESSOR
This is being your area of expertise I
think.
The Professor and Lady Victoria back away.
TR
(sighs)
Fine. Let’s have it.
The Mech moves to TR with surprising speed and grace. TR
is grasped and thrown. Landing on the Bricks, TR recovers
and raises a fist.
TR (cont’d)
Now see h...
Again the Mech tosses TR. TR lands and regains his
bearing. TR spies a nearby wrench and quickly grabs then
hurls it at the driver but finds the Mech all too capable
of defecting the projectile. TR then rushes the Mech only
to be thrown to the ground. The Mech steps back to look
at TR who recovers the discarded wrench a second time. TR
thrusts the wrench up into the body of the mech jamming
two interlocked cogs. The mech freezes.
TR stands again then casts a murderous glance back at the
dirty technicians. They lower their wrenches and make
apologetic gestures.
TR (cont’d)
Very well.
TR and the gang make for the stairs across the shipyard.
EXT. MAIN PORT
The three are at the base of the stairs leading up to the
main sport, where there is no ship docked.
PROFESSOR
Up here. Hurry!
TR
There?
(looks)
What is the matter with you? There is
nothing up there but a dead end and
us!
PROFESSOR
No, trust me!
Professor climbs the stairs, TR and Lady Victoria
reluctantly follow.
GANTRY ABOVE SHIPYARDS
The professor, breathing hard, reaches the top of the
gantry. The runs directly to an isolated podium standing
up from the otherwise featureless deck. He begins to
fumble with a large ring of keys. TR looks back down the
ladder.
At the base of the ladder, an exhausted Commodore and his
thugs mount the rungs.
TR
They are still coming!
Professor tosses TR the metal ball. At that moment, Thai
and the soldiers approach the top of the ladder.
PROFESSOR
Turn the dial and throw it in front of
them!
TR does so, as the metal ball clanks to the deck at the
top of the ladder, it issues a powerful jet of steam. As
the steam escapes, a MOUND OF ICE begins to grow and
engulf the ladder encasing the first soldiers just now
arriving, with the exception of Thai who evades the
deadly trap and now lunges at TR!
On the ladder and just below the ice wall, the Commodore
and his men reach the platform but are blocked by the
ice.
COMMODORE
Rifles! Empty breaches!
Commodore and the other Thugs can be seen blasting
through the ice with the steam guns. Meanwhile TR meets
Thai head on.
TR
Lady Victoria, run!
PROFESSOR
No, stay! It’s here, somewhere...
there!
The last key fits. The Professor pulls a lever. One by
one, GIANT MIRRORED PANELS each clank ninety degrees
revealing a CUTTING EDGE AIRSHIP. Professor takes Lady
Victoria and runs toward the airship and begins to open a
BAY DOOR. TR manages to defeat Thai and runs to the bay
door, where Professor and Lady Victoria await with
outstretched arms.
INT. WHEELHOUSE
An ornate interior with STEERING WHEEL and a CONSOLE with
other GUIDANCE EQUIPMENT. PILOT, a strapping African
American man in his early thirties dressed in pilot’s
garb, turns to look at the three.
PROFESSOR
You can fly us out of here, ja?
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
I gather that you are responsible
for my ship being fired upon?
PROFESSOR
My ship!
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
I'm the captain of this ship!
PROFESSOR
I BUILT IT!
TR
(labored breath)
Shut up, the both of you! We are
taking fire so get us out of here!
The hull rings as its hit with steam rifles from outside.
COMMODORE
My dear Captain LaPiere, unless you
want to be fired and have at least
two nations chasing you, you will
open the door and relinquish my
property!
LADY VICTORIA
I am not your property!
TR
I believe he means the ship.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
If there is a good reason why I
souldn’t open that atch and let the
Commodore aboard, I need to hear it
right now.
TR
Because that man is a murderous
basterd who plans to start a war!
LADY VICTORIA
(pulling a paper from her
vest)
I have a blank note from the Bank of
England with my father’s signature on
it.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
(smiles)
That works.
LADY VICTORIA
(to TR)
A woman’s wiles can only get a Lady so
far.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Now which of you has the key?
TR and Lady Victoria both look at the Professor.
PROFESSOR
Right here.
Professor runs up to a console and presses his hand on a
blank panel. When he does so, gears and levers surround
his hand, then when all of them lock into place, the
ships engine starts up.
TR
Bully!
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Grab something solid!
LaPiere engages the engine.
PROFESSOR
The...the moorings!
EXT. AIRSHIP
The mooring cable grow taut then rip the mooring rings
right off the surface of the deck.
PROFESSOR
...were obviously inadequate.
EXT. MAIN PORT
The ship takes off as Commodore watches the Thugs fire
their steam weapons. The ship recedes unfettered.
COMMODORE
Gentlemen, please tell me what you
hope to achieve by shooting little
balls at an aluminium airship?
The Thugs look at one another. Commodore’s expression
lightens from furious, to almost pleased.
As the Commodore watches the airship recede, two other
ships rise from the shipyards and glide toward the
escaping vessel over the watching Commodore.
EXT. SHIPYARD - OPEN SKY.
The airship continues to gain altitude. From behind its
gasbags, two other sleek and military airships rise above
the towers of the shipyard.
INT. WHEELHOUSE
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
(checks a periscope)
We have company.
At that moment, Thai explodes from the doorway and
tackles TR.
PROFESSOR
Indeed but I believe that our rough
riding friend will take care of him.
PILOT
I was referring to the company aft.
The pilot indicates the rear of the ship. The Lady
Victoria and Professor run to the nearest porthole or
window.
EXT. SHIPYARD - OPEN SKY.
The other airships open fire.
INT. WHEELHOUSE
PROFESSOR
We’re cooked!
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Cooked? No. A little braised maybe.
The pilot pulls levers and throws the wheel hard to port.
The tilting of the deck forces the battling TR and Thai
to roll across the wheelhouse.
TR
(to Thai)
How did you even get up here?
The Lady Victoria sidesteps the combat. The Airship
climbs and reaches a thick bank of clouds. Firing, the
military airships follow into the cotton white quagmire.
INT. WHEELHOUSE
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Professor, if you have not already
done so, now may be a good time to
test the new equipment you installed.
PROFESSOR
What? Oh! Quite!
The professor throws levers. Noises emanate from the
airship. The hair on the Lady Victoria’s head begins to
stand on end. Thai delivers a devistating blow to TR
which knocks him out of the cabin. Thai follows...
EXT. AIRSHIP WALKWAY.
The Airship rises through dark clowds.
Thai lunges after TR. There is a brief struggle resulting
in TR being thrown over the low railing. He catches a
lower wrung and is hanging by one hand over a cloudy
oblivion. Thai smiles and directs a heel smash at TR’s
fingers. In that instant, TR snaps his grasp from the
rail to Thai’s leg. He pulls himself up and with one move
pulls Thai off the walkway and secures a grasp on the
railing.
EXT. CLOUDS - DAY
We see Thai plummeting toward the clouds below.
INT. WHEELHOUSE
A frazzled TR enters the cabin.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
You may want to hang onto something.
TR
You have no idea.
EXT. AIRSHIP - CLOUDS
The military airships are gaining on the Professor’s
airship, firing. Suddenly, lightning arcs from the clouds
to the Professor’s airship. It bounces between the gas
bags of the Professor’s airship gaining potential.
Finally, it leaps back toward the lead military airship
which EXPLODES and wounded, gyrates back the way it came.
The second military airship, unable to avoid the sinking
first, STRIKES the wounded ship and itself decomposes in
a boiling ball of fire.
The Professor’s airship finally rises out of the clouds.
A clear blue sky stretches before us.
INT. SHIP - WHEELHOUSE
A new, unfiltered sunlight fills the cabin. La Piere
flies along, the others squint in the virgin sunlight.
TR
Bully!
La Piere is struck by TR’s turn of phrase.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
I thought you looked familiar!
TR
Pardon? You have me at a disadvantage,
sir!
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
You are the hero of Chanselor Ville,
yes?
TR
There were many heroes that day sir.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
But only one crazy enough to take on
two cannon batteries with a repeating
rifle and a pitard, sir.
TR
(suspiciously)
A pitard auspiciously air dropped by
the most fearless dirigible captain I
have ever served with...
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Captain Jon LaPiere at your service,
sir!
(snaps a salute)
TR
My God man. If there is a devil in the
sky he fears your name!
TR grabs LaPiere’s hand and gives it a vigorous shake.
CAPTAIN LAPIERE
Just doing what I can to save the men
on the ground. So, destination?
PROFESSOR
Why, Germany! I must let the
Confederation know that the device
works...and that it may now be a
bigger threat than the one it was
designed to combat!
LADY VICTORIA
No! England! My father and the other
powers to be must be alerted to the
Commodore’s attempt to proliferate
these weapons throughout the Americas.
(thinks)
And, that I now have an ex-fiancé.
TR
Just set course for the nearest free
port until we can sort this all out.
We can wire both the German
Confederation and your father from
there. Anyway, we have a more pressing
question.
LADY VICTORIA
What?
TR
Who sent me that note?
EXT. THE GREAT BLUE SKY
The airship flies away into adventure.
EXT. CLOUDS - SUNSET
We see Thai still falling to the ground. Streets and
airships can be seen below him. Thai sets his teeth to a
determined grin. He pulls his goggles over his eyes.
EXT. CLOUDS - SUNSET
Thai plummets to the ground below...
BLACK
END