EXT CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT – NIGHT
The airport tug tows the 757 to a halt at its parking bay and immediately SECURITY OPERATIVES swarm in from all points of the compass, covering each section of the plane and all the hatches or possible means of egress.
INT CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT – RAMP
Uniformed and plainsclothes SECURITY PERSONNEL fill the ramp forming a gauntlet through which the passengers of the flight from Dulles are forced to pass one by one.
With the final passenger departing, HENRI LAZCAR, an officer from Interpol, speaks into his phone.
HENRI LAZCAR
Peter, your package did not arrive.
EXT NATIONAL ARCHIVES – WASHINGTON DC – DAY
An agitated Peter Sadusky holds the door for Agent Dawes and passes it off to the next two agents in line.
ABIGAIL’S SECRETARY’S OFFICE
The SECRETARY, on her feet, faces down the four FBI agents ringing her desk.
SECRETARY
I am sorry, Mr. Sadusky, but Mrs. Gates has left on a trip.
SADUSKY
How long ago?
SECRETARY
Is this official business?
Agent Dawes’ cell phone rings and she steps away from the group.
SADUSKY
Seriously official. We’re at the point of issuing a fugitive warrant for Mrs Gates too.
SECRETARY
Oh, dear. But I’m sure she’s in the air by now. Her flight was scheduled to leave ten minutes ago.
SADUSKY
Where to?
SECRETARY
Canada. She’s scheduled to speak tonight at a symposium.
Agent Dawes rejoins the group.
AGENT DAWES
That was Sileski in the office. Benjamin Gates’ name has just come up as a “person of interest” in the case of a body discovered in Oklahoma.
SADUSKY
So we add murder to the mix. I tell you all hell is breaking loose in this case.
(to a YOUNG AGENT)
Take her statement.
Unceremoniously, Sadusky, Dawes and the third agent take their leave, leaving their comrade talking to the secretary.
INT COACH OF AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT – NIGHT
Ben, laptop open, plays a game of solitaire.
PILOT (O.S.)
The seat belt sign is now lit. Please buckle up and return your trays and seats to the upright positions. We are on approach to Bern Airport, Switzerland, and about ten minutes out.
Ben obeys the order and pokes Riley awake.
BEN
Your program really delivered the goods.
RILEY
Good. Where to next?
BEN
To Paris by train where we’ll pick up a car. Then Nantes.
EXT PARIS – GARE DE LYONS – DAY
Ben and Riley gawk in amazement at the miniscule car they’ve just rented.
RILEY
What a cute little French car! Where do we put the luggage?
BEN
I think we’re supposed to sit on it.
ACROSS THE STREET
Rance has angled his rearview mirror so he can keep watch as they fold themselves into the tiny vehicle.
INT THE CUTE LITTLE FRENCH CAR
With a TOOT of his horn and a GNASHING of gears, Ben pulls away from the curb and speeds away from the station.
RILEY
Let’s see what’s on the radio.
BEN
You sure? I wonder if this car has the power to run both the engine and the radio.
Riley punches the button and Ben backs off on the gas, resulting in an immediate slowdown. He gets the look he wants from his friend and with a laugh stomps on the accelerator.
EXT THE CUTE LITTLE FRENCH CAR
As the car picks up speed and pulls away, we hear their radio blaring the traditional French ACCORDION MUSIC.
Then, a button is punched, changing the channel and FRENCH RAP pulsates, as we fall behind the cute little car.
BEN (O.S.)
I don’t think so!
Another button is punched and COOL JAZZ, French-style, issues forth, as we fall further and further behind.
Until we are in the front seat with Rance who has them in view, traveling in DEAD SILENCE. He is a dark shadow passing through the French countryside.
INT. THE CUTE LITTLE FRENCH CAR – LATER
Ben looks up to the rearview mirror and the road behind them is completely empty.
RILEY
Nantes, next exit.
A sign also appears for Mont St Michel. Riley longingly stares at it as it passes by.
RILEY (CONT’D)
Ben?
BEN
No. No time. Now we need to find a cemetery, somewhere to the south. But let’s look for an internet cafe first and check in with Abby.
Watch This Space 