ABOVE THE IRONCLAD
With a final teeter, the ship falls forward onto the catwalk and begins to skid down this “track” straight for the swirling water.
BEN (O.S.)
Hang on! It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The ironclad picks up speed and from the moment it impacts the water, the current takes hold and sucks her down and through the hole.
Her forward momentum puts her sideways to the current in the river tunnel, which proceeds to roll her over on her side.
FORWARD DECK
Bodies tumble en masse as the ship heels over. Only two manage to grab onto something solid. Ben and Rance have hooked onto the capstan and are now being hoisted in the air as they hang on.
Water gushes in from every crevice and gap in the outer shield, which drenches the two and threatens to wash them from their perch. Rance, having lost his handgun, tries to maul Ben and loosen his hold. But the steepening pitch of the ship carries Ben away from his reach.
But as the ship rights itself, Ben lets go with one hand, and strikes Rance full force in the face. And as the stunned Rance looses his grip, Ben retrieves the map-case and Rance bounces from the capstan.
THE ANTE-CHAMBER TO THE CAVERN
Is now smaller, the opening having been sealed by the bunker buster bombs. And a sea of water now covers the railroad tracks.
Out from the tunnel the ironclad serenely and regally floats on the smooth surface.
FORWARD DECK
Sadusky’s agents have things well in hand with agent Howie brandishing the Navy Colt revolver over the prisoners.
TOPSIDE OF THE IRONCLAD
Ben and Abigail, Riley and Sadusky check out the destruction from this higher vantage point.
Riley looks back from whence they came, and calls his companions’ attention to the golden hue of the water.
RILEY
I think I’ll take up panning for gold.
Ben looks off into the distance.
Final Jeopardy music.
INT JEOPARDY GAME SHOW SET
Applause. Ben smiles.
ALEX TREBEK
Ladies and gentlemen, we have with us today, Mr Benjamin Franklin Gates of Baltimore, Maryland.
More applause. Ben humbly lowers his gaze.
Abigail blows him a kiss. Riley, Sadusky and Dean Cargile join in the applause.
ALEX TREBEK (CONT’D)
Mr. Gates, we have you here today to offer our apology. We were wrong and you were right. We are going to reinstate your winnings and by so doing, we hope, your reputation.
From the back of the auditorium, the Pompadou sisters emerge. Marguerite holds up a salvage document and waves.
CECI
Riley Poo!
FADE OUT.
THE END
[PS – alternate beginning]
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