Chapter II

DISSOLVE TO:

THE SAILBOAT RACING ACROSS THE DARK WATERS

Aladdin is at the helm, Hercules stands near the body of the princess, whose eyelids flutter slightly -- or do they? Gaston sits motionless. The waves are higher; there are only occasional flashes of moon slanting down between clouds.

Gaston: (to Aladdin) We'll reach the Cliffs by dawn.

Aladdin nods, glances back.

Gaston: Why are you doing that?

Aladdin: Making sure nobody's following us.

Gaston: That would be inconceivable.

Aurora: Despite what you think, you will be caught. And when you are, the Emperor will see you all hanged.

Gaston turns a cold eye on the Princess.

Gaston: Of all the necks on this boat, Highness, the one you should be worrying about is your own.

Aurora: Hmph!

Aladdin keeps staring behind them.

Gaston: Stop doing that. We can all relax, it's almost over-

Aladdin: You're sure nobody's following us?

Gaston: As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable. Boy, I love saying that word No one in Guilder knows what we've done. And no one in Florin could have gotten here so fast! … Out of curiosity, why do you ask?

Aladdin: No reason. It's only, I just happened to look behind us, and something is there.

Gaston: What!

And suddenly the three whirl, stare back and as they do --

CUT TO:

Aladdin was right -- something is very much there. The sea was calm, and sky is dark. The only light that is reflecting on the calm waves came from the moon. The three men saw nothing, until… a sailboat appears. Black. With a great billowing sail. Black. It's a good distance behind them, but it's coming like hell (Disney characters: "Gasp! Bad word!"), closing the gap.

CUT TO:

Gaston, Aladdin, and Hercules staring at the other boat.

Gaston: (explaining with as much logic as he can muster) Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise… at night… through eel-infested waters.

And now as a sound comes from their boat they turn as we saw Aurora, diving into the water, starting to swim away.

Aurora: Go in, get after her!

Aladdin: But… I don't swim.

Gaston: Herc?

Hercules: (making flapping gestures with his hands) I only dog paddle.

Gaston: (groans) Veer left! Left! LEFT!

CUT TO:

Aurorastill close to the boat, switching from a crawl to a silent breast stroke. The wind dies and as it does, something new is heard. A not-too-distant, high-pitched (and pathetic) shrieking (which reminds you of a dying turkey) sound. Aurora stops suddenly, treads water.

Gaston: Do you know what that sound is, Highness? That is the Shrieking Kaa (Kaa: "Hee hee.") -- if you doubt me, just wait. He always grow louder when he's about to feed on human flesh.

Aurora, treading water, still not far from the boat. The shrieking sound is getting louder and more terrifying. She stays silent.

Gaston: If you swim back now, I promise, no harm will come to you. I doubt you will get such an offer from Kaa… (Insane laughing) Hahahahahahaha!

The shrieking sound is louder still, but she doesn't make a sound. Behind her now, something dark and gigantic slithers past.

She's scared, sure, petrified, who wouldn't be, but she makes no reply --

-- and now Kaa has zeroed in on her --

-- and now she sees him, a short distance away, circling, starting to close --

-- and Aurora is frozen, trying not to make a movement of any kind --

-- and Kaa slithers closer, closer --

Kaa: (chuckles menacingly) Mmmm… food!

Aurora: Help me.

-- and Aurora knows it now, there's nothing she can do, it's over, all over --

-- and now Kaa opens his mouth wide, and he has never made such a noise, and as his great jaws are about to clamp down –

Geppetto: (off-screen) She doesn't get eaten by Kaa at this time.

CUT TO:

THE PINNY'S ROOM

Pinocchio looks the same, pale and weak, but maybe he's gripping the sheets a little too tightly with his hands.

Pinocchio: What?

Geppetto: Kaa doesn't get her. I'm explaining to you because you looked nervous.

Pinocchio: I wasn't nervous! Really!

Geppetto: …You sure?

Pinocchio: Well, maybe I was a little bit concerned. But that's not the same thing.

Geppetto: Because I can stop now if you want.

Pinocchio: No. You could read a little bit more ... if you want. (He grips the sheets again, as Geppetto picks up the book)

Geppetto: (reading) "Do you know what that sound is, Highness?"

CUT TO:

Gaston: That is the Shrieking Kaa.

Pinocchio: (off-screen) We've past that, father – I mean, Grandpa.

CUT TO:

THE SICK KID'S ROOM

Pinocchio: You read it already.

Geppetto: Oh. Oh my goodness, I did. I'm sorry. Beg your pardon.

CUT TO:

Aurora treading water.

Geppetto: (off-screen) All right, all right, let's see. Uh, she was in the water, Kaa was coming after her. She was frightened. Kaa started to charge her. And then -

And we're back where we were at the last moment we saw her, Aurora frozen, Kaa, jaws wide, about to clamp down as we

CUT TO:

Hercules' hand pounding Kaa (Kaa: "That hurts!") unconscious in one move, and then easily lifting Aurora.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

The boat and Hercules, Aurora being deposited on the deck.

Gaston: Put her down. Just put her down!

Aladdin: (pointing behind them) I think he's getting closer.

Gaston: (tying Aurora's hands) He's no concern of ours. Sail on! (To her) I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?

Aurora: (staring deeply at him) Only compared to some.

DISSOLVE TO:

The boat at dawn, being followed closely by the black sailboat, which we can see for the first time, is being sailed by a Man in Black (or MIB), and his boat almost seems to be flying.

Aladdin: Look! He's right on top of us! I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using.

Gaston: Whoever he is, he's too late -- (pointing ahead of them) -- see? The Cliffs of Insanity!

Isla the Director: Hehe, nice name.

CUT TO:

THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY AT DAWN

They rise straight up, sheer from the water, impossibly high.

CUT TO:

The TWO SAILBOATS

in a wild race for the Cliffs and the MIB is closing faster than ever, but not fast enough, the lead was too great to overcome, and as Aladdin sails with great precision straight at the Cliffs.

Gaston: Hurry up. Move the thing! Um ... that other thing. Move it! (Staring back now)

We're safe -- only Hercules is strong enough to go up our way -- he'll have to sail around for hours 'til he finds a harbor.

There is much activity going on, all of it swift, expert, economical. Hercules reaches up along the Cliff face, grabs a jutting rock, and reaches behind it. Suddenly there is a thick rope in his hands. He drops back to the boat, gives the rope a freeing swing and the rope goes all the way to the top.

Aladdinhurries to Hercules. He straps a harness to him, and then lifts Aurora and Gaston in the harness. Finally, he himself gets in the harness. All three are strapped to Hercules like papooses.

And Herc starts to ascend the rope, carrying them all along with him as he goes.

CUT TO:

MIB, sailing in toward the Cliffs of Insanity, watching as Hercules rises swiftly through the first moments of dawn.

CUT TO:

THE TOP OF THE CLIFFS, LOOKING DOWN

Herc's group is only faintly visible far below. This is the first time we've gotten the real vertigo feeling and it's a gasper. Hercules climbing on. Aurora is almost out of her mind with fear.

CUT TO:

THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE CLIFFS.

Hercules is moving right along; however high they are, he's already over a third of the way done.

CUT TO:

The MIB leaping from his ship to the rope, starting to climb. He's impossibly far behind, but the way he goes you'd think he didn't know that because he is flying up the rope, hand over hand like lightning.

CUT TO:

Aladdin: (looking down) He's climbing the rope. And he's gaining on us.

Gaston: (with horror) It can't be. Inconceivable! (He prods Hercules, who nods, increases his pace)

CUT TO:

LONG SHOT - THE CLIFFS

-- and the Man In Black is cutting deeply into Herc's lead.

Gaston: (shrieking) Faster! FASTER!

Hercules: I thought I was going faster.

Gaston: I thought you were Hercules. You were supposed to be this colossus. You were this great, legendary thing. And yet he gains!

Hercules: Well, I'm carrying three people...

Gaston: (cutting through) -- I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find myself a new strongman, that's all.

Hercules: (hurt) Don't say that, Gaston. Please… (Mutters) I now where you sleep.

CUT TO:

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE CLIFFS

Maybe a hundred feet for Hercules to go. Maybe more. The MIB is less than a hundred feet behind them. And gaining.

Gaston: Did I make it clear that your job is at stake!

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK.

CUT TO:

THE CLIFF TOP AS HERC MAKES IT!

Gaston leaps off and takes out a knife, begins to cut the rope which is tied around a great rock while Aladdin helps the Princess to her feet and Hercules just stands around, waiting for someone to tell him to do something. Nearby are some stone ruins. Once they might have been a fort, now the kind of resemble Stonehenge.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK.

75 feet from the top now, maybe less -- maybe only 50 -- and his pace is as dazzling as before, and

CUT TO:

Gaston cutting through the last of the rope and

CUT TO:

The rope slithering across the ground and out of sight toward the Channel, like some great serpent at last going home.

CUT TO:

Hercules standing with Aladdin and Buttercup by the cliff edge.

Hercules: (to Aladdin -- impressed) He has very good arms.

CUT TO:

The Man In Blackhanging suspended hundreds of feet in the air, holding to the jagged rocks, desperately trying to cling to life.

CUT TO:

Gaston, stunned, turning to the others, looking down.

Gaston: He didn't fall? Inconceivable!

Aladdin: (whirling on him) You keep using that word -- I do not think it means what you think it means. (Looks down again) My gosh! He's climbing.

CUT TO:

The MIB, very slowly, he is picking his way upwards, sometimes a foot at a time, sometimes an inch.

CUT TO:

The group at the top, staring down.

Gaston: Whoever he is, he's obviously seen us with the Princess, and must therefore die. (to Herc) You, carry her. (to Aladdin) We'll head straight for the Guilder frontier. Catch up when he's dead. If he falls, fine. If not, the sword!

Aladdin: I want to duel him left-handed.

Gaston: Left, right, doesn't matter. You know what a hurry we're in!

Aladdin: Well, it's the only way I can be satisfied. If I use my right… it'll over too quickly.

Gaston: (turns abruptly, starts off-screen) Oh, have it your way.

Hercules: You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted.

Gaston: (calling out) I'm waiting!

Hercules nods, hurries after Gaston.

CUT TO:

Aladdin watches them depart, then turns, peers down over the Cliffs. He watches a moment, then paces, shaking his hands loose. He practices a few of his honed fencing skills. He is a taut and nervous fellow, and has never been one for waiting around. The he starts walking away. Finally he goes back to cliff edge, starts to talk. It's instant death if the Man In Black falls, but neither gives that possibility much credence.

Aladdin: (hollering down) Hello there. Slow going?

MIB: Look, I don't mean to be rude, but this is not as easy as it looks. So I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me.

Aladdin: Sorry.

MIB: Thank you.

Aladdin steps away, draws his sword, and loosens up with a few perfect thrusts. Then re-sheathes and looks eagerly over the edge again.

Aladdin: I do not suppose you could speed things up?

MIB: If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope, or a tree branch, or find something useful to do.

Aladdin: I could do that. In fact, I've got some rope up here. But I do not think that you will accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you.

MIB: That does put a damper on our relationship.

Aladdin: But I promise I will not kill you until you reach the top.

MIB: That's very comforting. But I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.

Aladdin: I hate waiting… I could give you my word as an Arabian.

MIB: No good. I've known too many Arabians.

Aladdin: You don't know any way you'll trust me?

MIB: Nothing comes to mind.

Aladdin: (in a strange tone) I swear on the soul of my father, Cassim the King of Thieves, you will reach the top alive.

There is a pause. Then, quietly:

MIB: Throw me the rope.

Aladdin dashes to the giant rock the rope was originally tied to. With a small coil of rope, hurries back to the edge and hurls it over --

It hangs close to the Man In Black. He releases the rocks, grabs the rope, hangs helplessly in space a moment, then looks up at Aladdin and -- the Arabian straining, forcing his body away from the cliff edge and --

CUT TO:

The MIB rising through the early morning light, slowly, steadily, and as the cliff top at last comes within reach --

Aladdin watches as the Man In Black crawls to safety, then looks to Aladdin.

MIB: Thank you. (pulling his sword)

Aladdin: We'll wait until you're ready.

MIB: Again. Thank you.

The Man In Black sits to rest on the boulder that once held the rope. He tugs off his leather boots and is amazed to see several large rocks tumble out. The Man In Black wears gloves. Aladdin stares at them.

Aladdin: I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have a hook on your left hand?

MIB: (he glances up -- the question clearly baffles him) Do you always begin conversations this way?

Aladdin: My father was slaughtered by a hook-handed man.

The MIB was quiet. Then he raises his left hand. No hook.

Aladdin: He was a great sword maker, my father. And when the hook-handed man appeared and requested a special sword, my father took the job. He slaved a year before he was done.

He hands his sword to the Man In Black.

MIB: (fondling it-impressed) I have never seen its equal. (gives the sword back to him)

Aladdin: (gravely) The hook-handed man returned and demanded it, but at one-tenth his promised price. My father refused. Without a word, the hook-handed man slashed him through the heart. I loved my father. So, naturally, challenged his murderer to a duel ... I failed ... the hook-handed man made me live, but he gave me these.

(He touches the scars on the sides of his face)

MIB: How old were you?

Aladdin: I was eleven years old. When I was strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of fencing. So the next time we meet, I will not fail. I will go up to the hook-handed man and say, "Hello, my name is Aladdin the Prince of Thieves. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

MIB: … You've done nothing but study swordplay?

MIB: More pursuit than study lately. You see, I cannot find him. It's been twenty years now. I am starting to lose confidence. I just work for Gaston to pay the bills. There's not a lot of money in revenge.

MIB: Well, I certainly hope you find him, someday.

Aladdin: You are ready, then?

MIB: Whether I am or not, you've been more than fair.

Aladdin: You seem a decent fellow… I hate to kill you.

MIB: (walking away a few paces, unsheathing his sword) You seem a decent fellow… I hate to die.

Aladdin: Begin!

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