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Hardly a fair trade--two for one.
REGGIE
Neither is allowing you to paw me. The choice is yours.
Koon and Reggie stare at one another in silence for a long, tense moment. Neither flinches. Koon's fingers begin to tap on his throne, indicating some tension. His fingers stop.
KOON
Done.
Koon quickly stands from his chair and points to her wrist. The elegant watch again appears. The digital numbers are set at twenty-three hours with zero minutes and zero seconds.
KOON
You have ten minutes to prepare before the countdown begins.
Koon suddenly vanishes, which startles Reggie. Dylan Creature slowly peers from behind the chair. Reggie looks to Dylan Creature and appears suspicious. Reggie uncertainly stands and looks around the room. She looks back to Dylan Creature.
REGGIE
I think he's nervous. We may really have a shot at this.
INT. GRAND HALLWAY
Reggie and Dylan Creature hurry along the grand hallway and approach the front doors to the castle. Belamy stands near the front doors. He watches her approach and offers a tiny, sly smile.
BELAMY
Good luck to you, Madam.
Reggie returns the smile.
REGGIE
Thanks, Belamy.
Belamy turns and heads back down the hallway. Reggie waits by the main doors and watches the counter on her challenge watch. She appears to fidget. Reggie takes a deep breath and attempts to collect herself. She looks up to see Raven casually leaning against the front doors.
RAVEN
Going through with it, huh?
REGGIE
I do what I must.
Raven straightens and takes a step closer. Reggie watches him with noted concern. He takes her hand with Dylan's gift ring and studies the stone. His thumb casually brushes past the opal. The colors in the stone begin to swirl. Raven releases her hand. Reggie eyes him with a bewildered look. Raven offers a tiny, sly smile.
RAVEN
Consider it a mood ring. Black indicates something dangerous ahead. White indicates non-dangerous
territory.
Reggie smiles and appears grateful.
REGGIE
I can't thank you enough.
RAVEN
all the help you'll get from me.
Reggie suddenly throws her arms around his neck and kisses him quickly but passionately on the lips. Raven appears surprised and tenses. Reggie pulls back almost as quickly as she had moved in and smiles with embarrassment.
REGGIE
Sorry. I got a little carried away.
Raven stares at her and remains frozen with surprise. He suddenly vanishes. Reggie appears startled then looks to Dylan Creature with some embarrassment.
REGGIE
I hope I didn't scar him for life.
Dylan Creature has the appearance of disapproval. His long tail vigorously swishes back and forth. The counter on her watch suddenly flashes. The front doors unlock and slowly open inward. Reggie looks to Dylan Creature, takes a deep breath, and sighs.
REGGIE
This is it. Let's temp fate one last time.
Reggie steps through the doorway. Dylan Creature hurries after her.
