Scene 6 – “What People Want.”

INT. PANTHEON BAR – RECREATION SATELLITE – ORBIT OF ROGIA

MURPHY (smiling, half-joking):

“Very astute—and yes, you are correct.”

In a sweeping motion of both legs he rises and returns the fruit to the bowl. With an outstretched hand he approaches the figure and greets them. MURPHY:

“Name’s Murphy Mutable, and since you’re surely wondering what I do, here’s my brief and modest explanation: I give people what they want. Unlike myself, there’s no need to introduce you—your reputation precedes you. I have big plans for you, and a key to making them happen is this.”

He now holds the mysterious matter between them at chest height, and it begins to change. MURPHY:

“It’s called a Skyrmion and is blessed with incredible properties. Its origin is still unclear, but concentration is particularly high on the stormy planet Rogia.”

The skyrmion lights up and takes the shape of a jade dagger, which Murphy immediately hurls behind him to the other side of the room, hitting the bull’s-eye on the dartboard with the photo! (At throat height.) A brief murmur ripples through the room, while Murphy never breaks his eye contact with the figure. Now he takes the jacket from the table and they step out of the bar together. MURPHY:

“It’s time to transmutate!”

The scene ends in the doorway at Murphy’s eye level. He steps closer and closer to the viewer until the black of his pupil swallows the image entirely.