INT. THE IRONCLAD BRIDGE
Two more SHOTS RING out. Abigail looks at Ben.
ABIGAIL
Think they all committed suicide?
BEN
No. I’ve a feeling the certified monster has taken over. We had better arm ourselves.
ABIGAIL
There was a fire ax below.
She turns to go, but Ben stops her.
BEN
Sorry, you’re not leaving my sight. We’ll stick here for now. There should be an arms chest around here somewhere.
They begin to scour the cabin. Ben crosses to the back bulkhead and raps on the wall. Hearing a HOLLOW sound, he moves to the moulding and feels around the edges. He presses against the panel, it depresses and slides to the side, revealing a large safe with three large dials.
BEN (CONT’D)
Jackpot!
ABIGAIL
The missing archives of the KGC?
BEN
A weapon or a bartering chip. I don’t care. Let’s find out.
He examines the dials. They are marked with letters rather than numbers. He takes the first and lines up the “J” with the other “J.” Then on the second, a “B” with a “P.” He tries the handle, but nothing.
BEN (CONT’D)
I just can’t remember any other letter combos that he used.
He takes a closer look.
At the bottom of the first dial an “R” has lined up with an “O.” On the second an “M” is over an “E.”
A grin splits his face from ear to ear.
BEN (CONT’D)
Lon. You left Romeo on guard!
He twists the third dial to line up the “O” with another “O.” He tries the handle again. This time the door moves, SCREECHING open on unoiled hinges.
A loud BANGING on the outside of the lower encasement echoes up from below. But Ben stares entranced by the sight of a red Morocco leather map-case.
ABIGAIL
What have we here?
He reaches in and removes the mapcase, while Abigail lifts out a Navy Colt revolver.
ABIGAIL (CONT’D)
John Wayne, eat your heart out!
BEN
I guess that leaves me with the ax.
The deck under their feet shudders and GROANS; and the ship commences to ascend. Ben checks his watch.
BEN (CONT’D)
This had better be a quick trip.
Watch This Space 