In the Nile

FADE IN:

EXT. NILE RIVER - DAY

Somewhere floating along the Nile in a luxury boat.

WRITTEN: EGYPT 1886

A SERVANT walking along the deck carrying a tray of drinks. Sitting underneath a canopy are PROFESSOR ALLAN TURBUCK and a young woman, MAGGIE. She has a large sketchpad in her hands. Off to one side we see WILLIAM BONNEY.

PROFESSOR:
... and then the tomb was discovered only a few days ago.

His fingers are working on a pipe as he refills it. The SERVANT hands him a drink; he takes it and places it down.

PROFESSOR:
What do you two expect to find there?

WILLIAM:
I reckon I don't know, but she does.

The PROFESSOR looks at MAGGIE who is sketching in the book.

PROFESSOR:
Well Milady? What is so important for you and this gentlemen to risk your life to seek?

He waits. WILLIAM sits there twiddling his thumbs. The SERVANT hands WILLIAM a drink; he accepts it and takes a sip.

PROFESSOR: (To William)
Is she always like this?

WILLIAM:
Let me tell you one thing. I wouldn't press the issue with her.

WILLIAM taps the pad. MAGGIE looks up and then smiles.

ANGLE ON: Over MAGGIE's shoulder. We see that she has been drawing three artifacts on the body of a woman that looks strikingly like her.

MAGGIE:
Sorry Professor. My mind was drifting there.

ANGELE ON: The PROFESSOR lights up his pipe.

PROFESSOR:
You must know some influential people to get you this far from the safety of your home?

The PROFESSOR takes a long puff from his pipe.

PROFESSOR:
A pretty waif such as yourself is very uncommon in these parts.

ANGLE ON: WILLIAM throws a glance at MAGGIE but she doesn't stir at all. She just cracks a huge smile and tussles her hair. WILLIAM lets out a huge sigh of relief.

ANGLE ON: PROFESSOR studies MAGGIE.

PROFESSOR:
So why are you here?