SUPPORT STRUCTURE – SOMEWHERE UNDER THE FORT
Ben and Riley wend their way through a vast network of wooden beams, all braced together, arranged around a central cylinder and attached at regular intervals to huge barrels. Ahead, Ben keeps in view, glimpses of a section of wall studded with iron ladder rungs.
BEN
Not long, now.
RILEY
Where are we?
(he stubs a toe on one of the barrels)
And what is this monstrosity?
BEN
A slightly larger version of what Lon used to float that ironclad over the shallows.
(smiles)
Our ticket to riches if we can figure out how it works.
They arrive at the ladder, but the lights on the ceiling continue on down another passage.
RILEY
What now, boss?
BEN
I’ll take the ladder, if it’s a dead-end I’ll come looking for you. And vice-versa.
THE FORT AREA
Morgan prods Abigail along, while Horatio leads the way through the gates and into the compound.
HORATIO
Welcome to New El Dorado, Mrs. Gates.
ABIGAIL
Where the skies are not gloomy all day.
HORATIO
I’m serious, we owe you a debt of gratitude.
ABIGAIL
Call me a skeptic, but somehow I don’t think you’re going to repay my “good deed” in kind.
HORATIO
Sarcasm is hardly becoming, Mrs. Gates.
Mrs. Slidell comes up from behind them, and reaches up to kiss Horatio on his forehead, much to Abigail’s horror.
MRS. SLIDELL
Do I get things done, or do I get things done?
Horatio draws her into a bear-hug and lifting her off her feet, swings her in a circle.
HORATIO
Yes, Momma, and all our dreams are becoming reality.
Morgan looks on, wishing he were a part of the celebration.
MORGAN
The South shall rise again!
HORATIO
Once we’ve set up our empire, nothing will stop us.
ABIGAIL
Spare me your nutjob rantings. I don’t see you in the vault yet. Or are you setting up this empire on credit?
Mrs. Slidell spins around and slaps her, then turns back to her less favored son.
MRS. SLIDELL
And what are you doing about this?
MORGAN
My men are on the way.
A CLOSET OFF OF THE GUARD HOUSE OF THE FORT
Ben emerges out of a trapdoor in the floor of the closet. He looks through the loophole toward the parked artillery. Some of Horatio’s men are packing explosives down through the avenue of cannons.
He walks to the door, and freezes when he sees Abigail in Morgan’s clutches.
THE FORT AREA
As Horatio directs the positioning of the explosive charges, Morgan guards Abigail. Ben saunters up.
BEN
(to Morgan)
I’ll thank you to take your hands off of my wife.
ABIGAIL
(excited)
Ben!
(then sputtering)
You idiot!
BEN
(to Horatio)
No, darling, the prize idiots are our friends here. They’ve just set charges on top of the largest deposit of gunpowder in the Western Hemisphere. And I don’t want you in the same state when it goes off.
MORGAN
You’re bluffing!
BEN
And I suppose you thought those cannons out there were just for show?
A confused Morgan looks to his brother. Horatio beckons to one of the soldiers.
It is Rance, all spit and polish in his combat fatigues.
HORATIO
What do you think, Rance, could this place be mined?
RANCE
Probably.
(looks at Ben)
But I’m willing to bet that he knows another way in. We just got to make him talk.
MORGAN
My thought exactly. We’ve got the leverage.
Morgan tightens his grip on Abigail.
HORATIO
We needn’t do anything rash…yet. Perhaps we can strike a deal.
BEN
Right! How about first of all you return that NSA museum gold…
HORATIO
Ah? You figured that one out?
BEN
And while you’re at it you can cough up that stolen shipment that I was blamed for.
HORATIO
Ever the smart one.
RANCE
Sure. And why not the French treasure trove?
(Ben’s turn to be surprised)
I see you didn’t know about that one.
MRS. SLIDELL
As you see we have a corner on the market, and you cornered. How about you keep your lives and join us?
Hesitation and a moment of decision.
BEN
Sure. Why not?
ABIGAIL
Ben! How could you?
Ben turns to Mrs. Slidell.
BEN
The way I see it, you owe me. Seeing how your carcasses could just as easily have been decorating the walls right now. And I do admit to being a little curious.
MRS. SLIDELL
Then you’ll help us?
BEN
Let me just get the lay of the land.
Though Mrs. Slidell beams with pleasure, Morgan and Rance look none too happy.
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