FADE IN. INT. EARLY MORNING. EGG ROOM. ALEK is sitting on one of the crates looking sleepily at the eggs. DERYN is sleeping with her head resting on ALEK's shoulder. BOVRIL is curled up on DERYN's lap There is a knock at the door, and it opens to reveal NEWKIRK. ALEK looks up in surprise and begins to try to shake DERYN awake.
DERYN (mumbles, still half asleep)
Five more minutes.
NEWKIRK walks up to them carrying a breakfast tray and a newspaper under his arm. He takes the newspaper and swats DERYN over the head with it. She immediately wakes up
DERYN (shouting)
Barking spiders! What was that for?
NEWKIRK
I brought you breakfast. (He sets the tray and newspaper down.)
ALEK
Thank you, Mr. Newkirk. (he reaches over, grabs the paper, and begins to read it.)
DERYN grabs a plate of potatoes and begins to eat.
DERYN
So, Newkirk, what have you been up to?
NEWKIRK
We've visited a few ports in the Mediterranean, but I've had
twice the work and half the fun. You haven't missed much
excitement over the past year.
DERYN
Twice the work? Haven't they gotten any new middies yet?
NEWKIRK
We've been too busy with the war going on that I guess we
Haven't had the time to officially go back to England just yet.
Anyway, I kind of hoped you would pitch in and help, Dylan,
you know, It'd be just like old times, when you were still a middie.
DERYN
Only if it means that I can climb the ratlines. I don't want to
get too soft. What do you say Alek, feel like helping out on
this ship again?
ALEK
I would love to Mr. Newkirk, but it seems we have landed
ourselves with egg duty.
DERYN (punches ALEK in the shoulder)
Oh come on, you're princeliness. Where has your sense of
adventure gone?
ALEK
My 'sense of adventure' still right where it used to be, but
I would rather not taste the lady boffin's rage if one of the
eggs, um, dies.
DERYN (mumbles)
It's not like it's her mission.
There is an awkward silence followed by NEWKIRK clearing his throat.
NEWKIRK
I'm sure there will be other times that you can be free to
wander the ship. (Looking towards the door)I have to get
back to my duties. Mr. Rigby will have my head if I stay and
chat any longer.
NEWKIRK stand and picks his way around the crates to the door. Once he is gone, ALEK turns to DERYN, who is staring longingly out the open door into the hall.
ALEK
I'll stay and watch the eggs. You can go with Newkirk.
DERYN
Are you sure?
ALEK
You've missed being on the Leviathan more than I have.
DERYN smiles and plants a quick kiss on ALEK's cheek, before running out the door. ALEK watches her leave, then turns back to the eggs.
BOVRIL
Sense of adventure. Gone.
FADE OUT.