THE KEEPER OF 221B BAKER STREET

SCENE 10: INT. FIVE-STAR ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT – BELIZE – QUIET PIANO LOUNGE

MAE is sitting on a cushioned armchair enjoying the piano player in the other corner and the relaxed, easy, atmosphere of the dimly lighted lounge. She is dressed in a tropical, full-length, sarong lounger dress. A waiter stops by, picks up her empty cocktail glass, and replaces it with a full one.

She is reading her e-reader. The screen fades in and out and blinks black and back in again. MAE frowns and turns the reader off and then on again. Still the reader is acting choppy. A look of frustration and disappointment crosses her face and she shuts of cover to put it into sleep mode.

From the corner of her eye, she sees a young man eyeballing her. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, carrying a backpack. Obviously, he is a NERD or computer geek (or both)—totally out of place in the tropical paradise. The type that would still be living at home with the parents.

The NERD downs a glass of liquid courage and nervously starts to come towards MAE.

NERD
(nervously)
Hello, I couldn't help notice that you're having problems with your android. Can I possibly help?

MAE
(smiling sweetly)
How nice. I dropped it at the beach earlier, but I didn't think it was harmed. (handing over the reader) It seems to be cutting in and out on me.

The NERD is mesmerized, not by MAE but her cleavage.

MAE
My name is Mae, and you are. . .? Excuse me. Hello. (waving hand in front of his face) You're not going to have any luck with any nice girls if you only set your sights on that area.

The NERD blinks and goes red.

NERD
(embarrassed)
Oh, no. . .I was just admiring your dress. . .

MAE
(laughing)
I know exactly what you were admiring, but don't worry about it. So, what is your name?

NERD
Rob.

MAE
(holding out her hand)
Nice to meet you, Rob.

The ROB takes her hand and heartily shakes it. His hand is cold and clammy. MAE slowly pulls her hand away and gives him a reassuring smile.

MAE
(nodding at the reader he was holding)
So, can you tell me what is wrong with it?

ROB
Oh, yeah. . . let's see.

ROB opens the lid and taps on the screen. MAE looks on patiently. ROB becomes completely engrossed with the reader. He pulls it out of the case and turns it over. After a few moments, he frowns.

ROB
It's new but looks like the back has been opened. It's not a model I know of. It looks to be a special issue. Where did you get it?

MAE
A friend, why?

Pulling out a mini tool set from his backpack, ROB looks at MAE for permission. MAE nods and moves in closer to ROB to get a closer look at what he was doing to the reader.

ROB works the back off and examines the components. His eyes grow wide. He flips the reader over and turns it on. The screen lights up and he taps on the screen then flips it over to the back again. He looks up at MAE with mouth hanging open.

MAE
What is it?

ROB
(stammering with excitement)
No way! For real? (looking at Mae) Are you from a secret agency?

MAE
(not taken aback by the strange question)
Yes, I'm a Bond girl.

ROB
Really!

MAE
(light laugh)
No, I'm just kidding. What's up, Rob?

ROB, going red again, points to a tiny pill-like black component within the reader. It is half the size of a watch battery, and has a red groove running in the middle.

ROB
This here. . . it is a reverse transmitter of sorts. (breathless with awe) I've only heard rumors of this technology on the high tech forums. It's not even supposed to exist yet. Probably worth thousands of dollars. Other countries would probably kill to have it!

MAE
(pointing)
That itty, bitty, thing? Thousands?

ROB
(nodding)
And worth it! You can put this in anything with a screen and wireless or satellite connections . . .computers, smart phones, (sucking in breath) TVs! It replaces the normal incoming receiver. Here I'll show you.

ROB grabs his backpack and pulls out his larger android, quickly removing the cover and then the back. He points to the little disk, almost identical only with a grey groove running in the middle. He takes a little Philips flat head and carefully snaps it out.

ROB
See, it comes out easily. (looking back at the disk in Mae's reader) It must have loosened when you dropped it. See. (presses down on it with the tip of finger) That's why you were having interference.

MAE
What does it do?

ROB, doesn't hear her and is holding her reader like it was the most precious thing on earth.

ROB
(bug-eyed)
Somewhere is someone with the same pill in their computer acting as receiver. Only it should have a different color line. Probably green.

MAE grabs his chin with her hand and draws his attention from the guts of the reader to her face.

MAE
(slowly)
What. . .does. . . it . . .do?

ROB
You are being watched in real time, lady. Every time you have this thing on, you are sending a live stream video back to a computer or android. It's I-spy-you, but you don't know it reality TV! Imagine, being able to watch a person unnoticed, wherever they go. In their homes, at work. . .thousands could be sold to unsuspecting people. You could be naked on the beach, reading in the bathtub. . .

MAE
(red faced, trying to stay calm)
Enough, Rob. I get the picture. Put it back together for me.

ROB
Can I buy it from you?

MAE
No.

ROB
(desperate)
Ah, come on. I'll pay anything. My dad is here, I can get some money from him and send more. . .

MAE
Sorry, I need it.

ROB
What for! I can sell my Star Wars collection. (begging) Please! You don't need it!

MAE
Oh, but I do. I'm going to smash it over a certain person's head.

MAE takes the reader from his hand and tiny tool and starts to put the back cover on herself. Securing the back, she hands him back his tool. Standing MAE looks down at the crestfallen ROB. Bending, she pecks him on the cheek.

MAE
Thank you, Rob.

MAE turns and walks purposefully away.

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