MUSIC CUE: "Dark" by Thomas Regin, Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device soundtrack.
Anthea and Joon arrive at the Cross Cottage, looking out at Mason Pond from a small area of forest between the Pond and the Student Apartments.
They are "met" by a young woman, about as tall as Anthea, a grad student in her mid- to late-twenties with dark blond hair. She's wearing a jacket, even though it's still technically the end of summer. This is the same mysterious woman who had previously called Joon's cell phone.
As Joon and Anthea approach the mysterious woman from behind, they notice she's standing in between the two benches outside the cabin, staring out at the pond, propped up by a large, black umbrella.
Anthea nudges Joon forwards, and then leaves Joon alone with the mysterious woman, though in all actuality, Anthea hasn't strayed too far - hiding just on the edge of the trees. The mysterious woman turns to Joon.
Mysterious Woman: Have a seat, Joon.
She indicates one of the benches by using her umbrella as a pointer.
Joon: Why did you call me? I mean, it was very clever and all that, but, uh... You could've just skipped all that and let me meet Anthea at Southside for lunch like the two of us were planning anyway.
Mysterious Woman: When one is avoiding the attention of Sherlock Holmes, one learns to be discreet. Hence this place. Sherlock was originally supposed to go to Southside for lunch today, too. Or am I wrong? Go on. Sit down.
She umbrella-points towards the bench again.
Joon: I don't wanna sit down.
Mysterious Woman: Alright, fine. You don't seem very afraid.
Joon: You don't seem very frightening.
Mysterious Woman: (Chuckling:) Yes... The bravery of the undergrad. Bravery is by far the kindest word for stupidity, don't you think, Joon? (Becoming more serious:) What is your connection to Sherlock Holmes?
Joon: I don't... have one. I barely know her. I only just met her... Over the weekend. Sunday.
Mysterious Woman: And since Sunday, you've moved in with her, and now you're solving crimes together. Might we expect a happy announcement by the end of the week?
Joon: The "moving in together" was the housing department's idea. Wait, who are you?
Mysterious Woman: An interested party.
Joon: You're interested in Sherlock? Why? I'm... guessing you're not friends?
Mysterious Woman: You've met her. How many friends do you imagine she has? I am the closest thing to a friend Sherlock Holmes is capable of having.
Joon: And what's that?
Mysterious Woman: An enemy.
Joon: An enemy?
Mysterious Woman: In her mind, certainly. If you were to ask her, she'd probably say archenemy. She does love to be dramatic.
Joon: (Vaguely sarcastically:) Well, thank God you're above all that!
A text message alert goes off on Joon's phone. She pulls it out of her pocket.
As we see her reading the message, we see what was written, floating out of her phone as a small title. The message says: "Baker Street. Come at once, if convenient. SH." Each fractured sentence is on its own separate line. The title fades out.
Mysterious Woman: (As Joon looks away:) I hope I'm not distracting you.
Joon puts her phone back in her pocket.
Joon: You're not distracting me at all.
Mysterious Woman: Do you plan to continue your association with Sherlock Holmes?
Joon: Isn't it a bit too late to ask the housing department if I can get a new roommate, now that the school year has started?
Mysterious Woman: There are ways to get it changed...
Joon: Anyway, I could be wrong... but, I think that's really none of your business...
Mysterious Woman: It could be.
Joon: It really couldn't.
Mysterious Woman: If you do decide to stay at...
She pulls a small notebook out of her jacket pocket and reads:
Mysterious Woman: ...Two-hundred-twenty-one-B Baker Street, I'd be happy to pay you a meaningful sum of money on a regular basis to ease your way.
She puts the notebook back in her pocket.
Joon: Why?
Mysterious Woman: Because you're a college student. You have no money.
Joon: You're a college student, too, right? How do you have money?
Mysterious Woman: I'm a grad student, actually, so I get your point... very much.
Joon: You'll give me money... in exchange for what?
Mysterious Woman: Information. Nothing indiscreet. Nothing you'd feel... uncomfortable with. Just tell me what she's up to.
Joon: Why?
Mysterious Woman: I worry about her. Constantly.
Joon: That's nice of you. Maybe?
Mysterious Woman: But I would prefer for various reasons that my concern go unmentioned. We have what you call a... difficult relationship.
Joon: Hence the "archenemy?"
A text message alert goes off on Joon's phone. She pulls it out of her pocket.
As we see her reading the message, we see what was written, floating out of her phone as a small title. The message says: "If inconvenient, come anyway. SH." Each fractured sentence is on its own separate line. The title fades out.
Joon puts her phone back in her pocket, but doesn't remove her hand.
Joon: Um... No thanks. I'll pass on your offer.
Mysterious Woman: But I haven't even mentioned a figure yet...
Joon: Don't bother with one.
Mysterious Woman: You're very loyal, very quickly.
Joon: No, I'm not. I'm just not interested. I can pay my own way through school, thanks. And I have been.
Mysterious Woman: (Pulling the notebook out of her jacket pocket again:) "Trust issues," your blog says.
Joon: What's that?
Mysterious Woman: Could it be that you've decided to trust Sherlock Holmes, of all people?
Joon: Who says I trust her?
Mysterious Woman: You don't seem the kind to make friends easily.
Joon: Are we done?
Mysterious Woman: You tell me.
Joon starts to walk away, and the mysterious woman puts the notebook back in her pocket.
Mysterious Woman: I imagine certain people have already warned you to stay away from her, but I can tell from your right hand that you're not going to.
Joon: My what?
Mysterious Woman: Show me.
Joon takes her hand out of her pocket, still holding the phone.
Mysterious Woman: Oh, come on. You can't even put your phone away.
The mysterious woman leans in closer to the phone.
Mysterious Woman: And you haven't exited out of the message you got... And it's from Sherlock, isn't it? It's remarkable, isn't it?
Joon: What is?
Mysterious Woman: Most people blunder around this school, and all they see are classroom buildings, student centers, and dorms. When you walk with Sherlock Holmes, you see the battlefield. You've seen it already at your old school, haven't you?
Joon: What are you talking about?
Mysterious Woman: You've been told that you get overly stressed about school, enough to give you panic attacks.
Joon: Who the hell are you? How do you know that?
Mysterious Woman: They've gotten it backwards. You're under stress right now, and you're fine. You're not haunted by the "battlefield" of school, Joon Watson. You love it. Welcome back.
The mysterious woman walks away, twirling her umbrella.
A text message alert goes off on Joon's phone. She elects to ignore it.
Mysterious Woman: (As she walks, without looking back:) Time to choose a side, Joon Watson.
She disappears from view as Anthea returns, still with her backpack.
Anthea: I'm to show you back to Baker Street, new girl.
Joon finally looks at her new text message.
As we see her reading the message, we see what was written, floating out of her phone as a small title. The message says: "Could be dangerous. SH." Each fractured sentence is on its own separate line. The title fades out.
Joon puts her phone back in her pocket.
Joon: Alright. Let's go.
Joon follows Anthea as she starts towards Baker Street.
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