A man is walking. In the building behind him, there are strange flashes of light. The man walkes toward the building. Cut to inside. Jules is there with a strange device on his head. There is also a shadowed figure (Count Gregory) wearing a copy of the device. Gregory speaks: "I have waited a long time for this moment. With your help, I shall soon have all the power I need and that meddling fool Arago will no longer be able to protect you. _______ Monsieur Verne. The future, Monsieur Verne. Open your mind and show me the future." As Jules screams, it cuts to the opening credits.

Rebecca, armed with a sword, in a room that appears to have columns made of blocks of ice, is fighting with a figure reminiscent of a mongolian warrior. The fight ends when he throws a small knife into the block beside her. As she looks shocked, a gunshot from above hits the knife. Rebecca says, "Very good, Phileas, but since when did we start using real ammunition?" Phileas, descending to where Rebecca is, replies, "As you know, dear cousin, you don't encounter blanks on missions for the British secret service."

Rebecca's opponent, Rodney, leaves. Rebecca observes, "These exercises are just a game for you now that you've left the service, aren't they?"

Phileas: Game of chance, the rules of which I'm perfectly familiar with.

Rebecca: Yes. And if I'd moved the other way?

Phileas: Your life is always at risk, Rebecca. And if it's blanks you want, then perhaps you should change professions.

Rebecca: Like you?

Phileas: Uh-huh.

They are interrupted by another man, Harry, telling Phileas his father is dead.

Cut to Sorbonne University, where a professor (de Morissy) is lecturing about King Philippe IV. One of the students is Jules, who's working on a dwg. In his mind, he sees the "mole" machine we saw in Queen Victoria and the giant mole coming thru the blackboard. He blinks and things are back to normal.

Cut to exterior of chapel with mourners milling around, including the Queen and the Prime Minister. The PM tells Phileas there will always be a place for him, and Phileas thanks him and replies: "But I believe you already know that, um." (he's distracted momentarily) "I could never again be part of the secret service."

PM: Should you ever reconsider.

Phileas: I'm afraid that I share none of my father's ambitions.

And he walks away.

Cut to office of Sir Jonathan Chatsworth, Head of the British Secret Service in Whitehall.

Sir Jonathan to Rebecca: Now that I'm head of the Service, I shan't be running things in the same manner as your guardian. But I expect you to...

Rebecca: Oh yes, I'll shall carry on as I always have, Sir Jonathan.

Sir J: Good. Now, your assignment. Not a difficult one. An invention known as an encryptor has gone missing from the Royal Academy of Physics along with its inventor, a certain John Dickens. (He shows her a drawing of part of the strange machinery we've seen in the tease)

Rebecca: And what does the encryptor do?

Sir J: Nothing terribly remarkable. But placed in or sold to the wrong hands it could be helpful in decrypting.

Rebecca: So, it's a matter of national security.

Sir J: No, it's a matter of theft, Miss Fogg, petty theft at that. Nothing more. Dickens is the most junior of technicians at the Academy. We've traced him to Paris where he knows exactly one person of any consequence, a law professor at the Sorbonne, called de Morancy. I suspect you'll find him there. You will of course be incognito. (He hands her a paper) You're Constance Knight. The law department's new assistant.

He offers condolences on the loss of her guardian. She promises a report in a week's time.

Cut to city street. Jules drops a book and picks it up. A strange airship goes overhead.

Cut to a room. DeMorancy and another man (Dickens) enter.

Count Gregory: Do you have it?

de Morancy: Count Gregory, I - I...

Count: Do_You_Have_It?

Dickens: Yes, Count.

Count: Let me see it. (They show him the encryptor). Ah beauty. The beauty of it.

de Morancy: Yes, Count, I was sure you'd find it ...

Count: Silence! Does it ...

Dickens: Work? Oh yes, Count, it most certainly does.

Count: Excellent. Are you prepared, Professor Dickens? Dickens: When the power mechanism is perfected, we'll be ready for Mr. Verne.

Count: Good.

Cut to a room with a man sitting by a small table. He looks up and around as Count Gregory's voice is heard: Feel my presence, Arago. I was condemned to a living hell, but now I shall have my revenge.

* * * * * (commercial break) * * * * *

Act 2 begins in Phileas' London home. Several gentlemen are playing cards.

Phileas: Eighty.

Player 1: You certainly increase the stakes, Phileas.

Phileas flashes back to he and another man struggling across snow covered ground, stained by blood from the man he's helping. Soldiers (?) chasing them
Back to the present.

Cut to some drawings. Pull back to Arago looking at them. The door opens and Jules enters.

Jules: Arago?

Arago: It's been a long time, Jules.

Jules: What are you doing here?

Arago: How's the studying?

Jules: I try to stop drawing. I'm trying to get myself to stop writing my plays. But I can't. My hand... it's... it's.. My hand has a life of its own. Just today, I was designing. Drawing in class. (shows him the drawing) It was imaginary. And then suddenly it just tunnelled into the room. I could see it! I could hear it! I could feel it! And then it was gone. It seemed so real.

Arago: It was real.

Jules: Real? How could it have been real? I just meant that . . .

Arago: You saw it, you heard it, you could feel it.

Jules: Well, yes, but

Arago: You posess a rare gift, Jules. There are some who would kill for it.

Jules: What?

Arago: Your play. What's it about?

Cut to Count Gregory's lair. Dickens is working on the power supply and things are almost ready.

Cut to an office in the Sorbonne.

de Morancy: May I help you?

Rebecca: Professor de Morancy?

de Morancy: Yes. Who are you?

Rebecca: My name is Constance Knight. I'm your new legal assistant.
I'm so sorry. I let myself in. The door was unlocked.

de Morancy: Miss Knight. So, Oxford Law, was it? Impressive. Although I'm not precisely sure why we need another legal assistant. What is your area of expertise?

Rebecca: Civil law.

de Morancy: Civil, huh? Lecturing experience?

Rebecca: Limited, I must admit.

Another woman enters: Professor, how would you like... (She breaks off when she sees Rebecca)

de Morancy: This is Miss Knight. The department's new assistant.

Woman: Jeanne de Fortenay

Rebecca: How do you do?

de Morancy: Perhaps you should show Miss Knight around... the university.

Jeanne: Of course.

de Morancy: And if you'd care to meet with me at the cafe when you're finished (Jeanne smiles until he continues) Miss Knight, we can review your, um, responsibilities.

Rebecca: Oh, I should be delighted.

de Morancy: And Mlle de Fortenay, please see to it that Monsieur Verne's notes are on my desk this evening.

The women leave and we cut back to the poker game. As the game goes on, Phileas has another flashback.

(Voice-overs while showing similar scenes to the previous flashback, only more of them)

Phileas: Why did you send Erasmus as well?

other: Your brother was an agent too. It was my duty.

Phileas: We walked into an ambush.

other: I had been given false intelligence.

Phileas' voice: That is not good enough. You were responsible, Father.

(back to the game).

Cut to university library area. Jules at a desk or small table working. Mlle de Fortenay approaches. He's mumbling to himself as he works on a dwg.

Jules: This is something... But what?

Jeanne: Yes, what. That is the question.

Jules: Jeanne

Jeanne: Jule.

Jules: I didn't know ...

Jeanne: Didn't know anyone was watching? Obviously. Are you actually trying to get expelled? (She takes the paper with the drawing of the mole on it)

Jules: No. No, of course not.

Jeanne: What is this exactly?

Jules: I'm not sure yet.

Jeanne: You shouldn't get so attached to things you're not sure about. (She looks past him at another student. When Jules turns to see what she's looking at, she slips the paper under a book. Professor de Morissy is also in the library) After all you have to think about your future. (she leaves).

Scene shifts to cafe. Jules and some other students are there, as are Arago and Rebecca.

Student1: 15th of April, 1961, a second train line of 40km now links the suburbs to Paris. What an imagination, Verne.

Student 2: Imagine if it were true. Just think how much Ludo here could drink if he didn't have to walk home.

Jules: It will be true.

Student 1: Steam trains crossing Paris. No.

Student 3: How are you going to set this on stage Jules?

Jules: There'll be no steam. It'll be powered by a box with metal wires woven like a tiny city itself.

Student 2: So it's true then. What they say... Verne is insane!

Cut to Phileas' card game. He's lost in a flashback again, similar scenes as to before with voiceovers.

Phileas: Aren't you even sorry?

Father: Oh, but I am sorry Phileas. I am sorry I ever put you in charge of that mission.

* * * * *(commercial break)* * * * *

Rebecca is in de Morency's office. She finds Jules' drawings and puts it in her case.

Cut to Jules and Arago

Jules: I don't understand you, Arago. You told me before to nurture my ideas. Now you tell me to hide them. And I. . .

Arago: You must trust me.

Jules: I do trust you. But can't I question you the way you question me?

Arago: You speak too freely. There are those who. . .

Jules: Who would what?

Arago: Now listen to me. Listen to me. In this world, there are those who would stop at nothing.

Jules: Oh please.

Arago: Listen to me.

Jules: No this time, I'm gonna take my own advice!

Back to Phileas' flashback. He and Erasmus are crouched by a tree, exchanging gunfire with the soldiers. As the scene fades back to the card game:

Father's voice: I did everything I could.

Passpartout: Mr. Fogg.

Phileas knocks his arm away: Leave me alone. Just leave me alone!

Baron: Perhaps we should call it a night.

Passpartout: And a day. And another night. Soon a week.

Phileas: Nonsense.

Passpartout: Maybe not.

Back to de Morenay's office

de Morenay: It's not here. Nothing.

Jeanne: I don't understand. I threw it in there this morning.

de Morenay: What?

Jeanne: It was nothing worth keeping.

de Morenay: I will decide which of Monsier Verne's notes are worth keeping. Is that perfectly clear?

(Rebecca pushes open the door. de Morenay & Jeanne are crouched down searching thru crumpled bits of trash)

Rebecca: Hello.

(de Morenay and Jeanne stand up)

de Morenay: Mlle de Fortenay, you will ensure that Monsier Verne keeps his appointment with me. That will be all.
(She exits)

Rebecca: May I speak freely?

de Morenay: By all means.

Rebecca: I'm in agreement with you. I don't think the law department needs another assistant.

de Morenay: I was just getting used to you.

Rebecca: Mlle de Fortenay seems to have things very much under control. She mentioned that one of your colleagues, Mr Dickens, might need some assistance.

de Morenay: Mr Dickens has nothing whatsoever to do with this law department.

Rebecca: Oh. What does he do?

de Morenay: I suggest while you are here you refrain from seeking other employment and from gossiping with Mlle de Fonternay.

Cut to Rebecca entering Jules' room and looking thru his papers.

Cut to Count Gregory's lair.

de Morency: So, are we making any progress?

(Dickens ignores him)

de Morency: Don't forget who brought you here.

(Dickens throws a switch and a man wearing the strange headgear we saw on Jules and the Count in the tease screams in agony)

Dickens: Perfect. Altho it's a pity cerebral nerves are so sensitive.

Back to Rebecca in Jules' room. She hears or senses something and leaves. Arago enters, picks up one of the papers and rolls it up.

Back to de Morency and Dickens.

de Morency: We may have a small problem.

Dickens: What? The sight of pain bothers you?

de Morency: I have a new assistant.

Dickens: Female I presume.

de Morency: She has an enquiring mind.

Dickens: Undoubtedly another problem.

de Morency: And she's curious about you.

Dickens: What about me? I know no one in Paris, and no one should know of me. Unless you've been talking.

de Morency: Of course not. She's English.

Dickens: What did you tell her?

de Morency: Nothing. I sent her to the library to get rid of her. She should be there at least until tonight.

Dickens: I shouldn't worry about it. I'm sure it's nothing.

de Morency: Yes, but isn't it wise . . .

Dickens: Time for you to began to prepare for Monsier Verne's arrival. Count Gregory will be here soon.

de Morency leaves. Dickens summons an assistant and tells him: Elimate the problem.

Cut to dark street, with a drunk Jules mumbling. He sees Jeanne who runs away. He follows.

Cut to Rebecca, studying something. Dickens assistant comes up behind her and grabs her by the hair. She grabs a pen and stabs him. Fight ensues.

Cut to cafe with Arago looking for Jules, but he's not there.

Back to the fight. Rebecca's getting the best of her assailant until a 2nd man appears. She finally topples a bookcase on him.

Jules catches up with Jeanne.

Jeanne: Jules?

Jules: Yes.

Jeanne: Do you like what you see?

Jules: Yes.

Jeanne: How much?

Jules: A lot.

Jeanne: What's on your mind exactly?
Thought so. Jules?

Jules: Yes?

Jeanne: Would you do something for me?

Jules: Yes, I would.

Jeanne: Anything?

Jules: Yes.

(He moves in, thinking they're going to kiss, when she opens a door and he falls into a brightly lit room)

* * * * * (commercial) * * * * *

Rebecca enters de Morency's office.

de Morency: What are you doing here.

(She walks up to him.)

de Morency: Oh. My. Gaw  (She knees him)

Rebecca: I want some answers please, and rather quickly. Who were those men?

de Morency: What men? I don't know what you're talking about.

Rebecca: Well someone sent them. Presumably somebody with rather more intelligence than you? That was a question.

de Morency: Dickens.

Cut to Gregory's lair.

Dickens: Jules Verne is secured and ready for you, Count.

Gregory: Good. Good.

Cut to Phileas' home. The Baron and Phileas are the only players left.
Phileas' flashes back to another scene in the mission. Phileas is trying to pull Erasmus on top of a cliff when Erasmus lets go and falls to the water far below.

Cut to Jules in the chair in Gregory's lair. Rebecca enters with de Morency.

Dickens: I suggest you kill him and save me the trouble.

An assistant slips up behind Rebecca and knocks her out, then de Morency.

Back to the card game, which the Baron seems to be winning.

Flashback to Phileas reporting to his father after the mission.

Phileas: I did everything I that could and I had to look into his eyes as he gave himself up to that river for me because of your mistake. I want no part of you. I want no part of the service. I never, ever want to see you again. You are no longer my father. Erasmus was my brother.

Father: He was my son, too, Phileas.

Phileas: And so was I. Now get out.

Baron (brings Phileas back to the present): Phileas. Sorry. It would appear that our game is at an end.

Phileas bets his family home and suggests the Baron do the same.

Cut to de Morency and Rebecca with electrical devices on their heads.

Dickens: What a clever notion they donate their brain cells to power the future.

Back to Phileas' where the cards are dealt. Phileas takes 3; the Baron takes one.

Back to the scene that was used in the tease, as the man pauses outside the house. .

* * * * *(commercial) * * * * *

Gregory: That's it, Monsieur Verne. Think. The future, Monsieur Verne, show me the future.

Jules screams.

Gregory: Yes, more. Brilliant.
Aaah, Arago.

Arago: You will not win this battle, Count.

Gregory: This battle? You wish to speak of battles? Look at me.

Arago: I have no need. I remember. You are lost. Lost in your world of darkness.

Gregory: My world will become the world once I have extracted what I need. The wonders of the future will be mine.

Jules screams.

Gregory: Careful, Arago, lest you destroy his mind forever.

Back to the card game.

Phileas: Pair of tens.

Baron: My luck has apparently changed.
Passpartout, attend to Mr Fogg, he's your master now. Good luck, Phileas.

Phileas: Thank you, my friend.

Baron: And thank you Passpartout, for everything.

Back to Count Gregory's.

Arago: No one can fight this battle for you, Jules.

Gregory: Increase the power.

Arago: Only you can defeat him. You must not show him your mind. Close it off. Block out your thoughts.

Gregory: No, you will not do this.

Arago: You must stifle your ideas. Your imagination. It is your mind he wants.

Gregory: His mind I shall have.

Arago: Think of yourself.

Gregory: No, no. The future, Jules Verne, the future. You will not trick me, Arago. More! More power!

(The encryptor spins as images flash on a screen behind Jules)

Gregory: You are too late, Arago. The images have been recorded with the encryptor.

Arago: It's much more than encryption, Count.

Gregory: The future is mine.

Arago: The future will never be yours.

Back to Phileas'. Passpartout checks out the Baron's hand.

Phileas: Passpartout?

Passpartout: Yes, Master?

(close up on the Baron's *winning* hand 3 sevens and 2 fours)

Cut to the airship taking off. The Baron is nearby.

The Baron: Goodbye, my faithful friend.

The Baron gets into a carriage.

Queen: We feel comfort in the knowledge that Phileas Fogg can still be counted on.

Baron: If discretely, Your Majesty.

Queen: Of course. T'was a worthwhile sacrifice, Baron.

Baron: Yes, Your Majesty. Coachman!

Coachman: Yes, Sir.

(They drive off)

Cut to Phileas and Passpartout in the Aurora.

Phileas: So, you really do know how to fly this thing.

Passpartout: Oh yes, Master.

Phileas: Is it necessary to remain at the controls all the time?

Passpartout: No, Master.

Phileas: Excellent. In that case, would you be so kind as to bring me a glass of claret?

Passpartout: Of course, Master.

Back to Gregory's lair.

Gregory: You are a fool, Arago.

Arago: He will rip apart the fabric of the universe. You must find your strength. The future is yours, Jules Verne. You must not let him see it.

Gregory: Nooo!

(Rebecca has managed to loosen the rope binding her hands, and she dives thru the window into the control room)

Gregory: Stop her! Stop her!

(She knocks out Dickens and cuts off the power)

Gregory: The lot of you will burn in Hell.

Aragon: No, Count, you have been denied. You must face your own truth.

Gregory: Stop her.

(Rebecca removes the encryptor from the console.)

Gregory: You have not seen the last of me.

Cut to Rebecca getting up off the floor of an empty room and exiting.

Cut to Jules, lying on a bed.

Jules: Was it a nightmare Arago? I can't ...

Arago: Yes, it was a nightmare, but it's over now.

Jules: I want to continue with my plays, Arago. Think nothing of the future.

Arago: Sleep, Jules. (Jules closes his eyes.) You will need your rest. For you, that was just the beginning. And for now, my time here is finished.

Gregory's voice: I shall possess his mind, Arago.

Cut to:

Rebecca, wandering the street as the airship goes over. She watches it, then mutters to herself: Not a difficult assignment, Miss Fogg. A matter of petty theft.

Cut to shot of Aurora going away from the camera.

Cut to interior of the ship.

Phileas: You know what, Passpartout?

Passpartout: What, Master?

Phileas: I have a feeling that our adventures are only just beginning.

As he sips his wine, it cuts to an shot of the ship moving away from the camera, and then we go to THE END credits.

- - - - -

So that's it. There's a lot of things that are difficult to convey with just dialog and the little bits of description I've put here. I didn't describe Count Gregory to you, but he's not a normal looking man. And he has a raspy voice that made some of his dialog particularly difficult to understand.

But at least you have an idea of how it really started. :)

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© 2001 Please me your comments! Lindy