Richard walks quietly across the courtyard. The dark, dingy antique shop shows no sign of life. Richard moves to the far end of the mall finding himself a hiding place, where he can see the shop undetected.
EXT. ALL SAINTS MALL PONSONBY -- LATER
As early evening approaches Richard checks his watch and quietly adjusts his position as the meeting time draws near.
RICHARD
(whispering)
Damn!
Samantha and Bryce are sneaking into the mall. As they come out of the entrance way and into the open courtyard they scour the area looking for Richard.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Psst!......Psst!
The kids are looking for the noise. They can make out Richard in the far corner, hiding in the shadows and partially hidden behind some plants.
They quickly run over to him.
Richard roughly pulls them into him.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
(whispering)
What do you think you're doing?
BRYCE
We're your backup.
SAMANTHA
We thought that we might be able to help.
RICHARD
Thanks but I'll manage. You to better get home.
The kids look hurt all the work they've put into getting the swords back and they're being dismissed.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
I'm sorry. But it's just too risky.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Go on, best you head home.
The kids slowly start to move away, when a cautious antique dealer enters the courtyard.
Richard quickly pulls them into the shadows with him.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Sssh.
The Proprietor nervously looking around crosses to the shop and lets himself in.
Richard turns to Samantha and Bryce.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Wait here. Don't move.
Richard cautiously crosses to the shop. Occasionally checking behind him, to see if the kids are still waiting in the shadows.
INT. ALL SAINTS ANTIQUE SHOP -- MOMENTS LATER
The doorbell over the entrance rings as Richard enters and a smiling proprietor comes out from between the shelves. The proprietor's face drops when he sees Richard.
Still unaware of the ruse he tries to act as though nothing has happened.
PROPRIETOR
Ah, Mr Dennison. We're having a little trouble authenticating your swords.
RICHARD
That's alright. I'll take them back anyway.
PROPRIETOR
What? Why? What are you going to do with them? Have you had another offer? I'm sure that you'll find that I can get you just as good a price as anyone else can.
Richard shakes his head.
RICHARD
No, it's not that. They’re not mine to sell.
The proprietor stutters and splutters.
PROPRIETOR
Mr Dennison, I don't think you realise what you are throwing away. My initial price may have been a..ah.. little misleading. Upon further research, my sources are telling me that you could ask upwards of a million dollars.
RICHARD
I'm sure Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will pay handsomely.
The proprietors face shows the shock.
Richard turns as the doorbell sounds, both Bryce and Samantha stand in the doorway.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Come here.
The kids flank either side of Richard as he puts his arms around them both.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Your greed was outsmarted by these two.
The proprietor looks shocked
PROPRIETOR
How? I mean... What about the money? We had a deal.
RICHARD
The money is irrelevant. I am going to return them to who they rightfully belong. Can I have them, please?
The proprietor tries a stalling technique
PROPRIETOR
Well, that may be a little difficult. As I said the authentication process is quite complicated and I have sent them away so it can be completed.
A distant roll of thunder.
The shop owner hasn't heard it. Richard without being scared takes note of the distant rumbling.
RICHARD
Is your insurance up to date?
The proprietor looks at Richard trying to see where the statement is leading.
PROPRIETOR
Eh?
RICHARD
Do you have a back window?
PROPRIETOR
Yes.
Richard walks along the counter, leading the kids, between the shelves.
RICHARD
Come and have a look at this.
Richard gestures for the proprietor to lead the way to the back of the shop. The window that has large flags, diminishing the light and helping give the shop it's dark crusty atmosphere. Richard pulls back a flag allowing the sunlight to burst in making everyone squint for a while.
The view from the window takes in Auckland from the top of College Hill across Victoria Park, with the CBD on the right, down over the America's Cup Village, over the inner harbour to Devonport. The Devonport headland obstructs the view to the outer gulf, where the Yamashiro is steaming along behind. Slowly the sea fog rolls around Mt Victoria and into the harbour. The fog rolls to a stop at the harbour mouth and at seven kilometres away the storm builds in strength.
The Admiral then opens up with the big gun batteries and marches the volleys across Auckland's skyline. Bolts of lightning strike and light up prominent landmarks, as Admiral Nishimura finds his range on the antique shop. Firstly the lightening illuminates; Mt Victoria, then the huge container cranes on Ferguson Wharf, next a number of hits on the tall sky tower.
The proprietor stands dumbfounded beside a smiling, calm, Richard.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
I believe the Admiral would like his swords returned. Localised storms?
The sleazy shopkeeper turns his head quickly to look at Richard then snaps it back to see the Admiral get closer, as he lights up the Victoria Park Market chimney. Out at the harbour mouth lightening illuminates the cloud showing the Yamashiro in all her glory and the Rising Sun flying large and proud from the top mast.
The proprietor makes no gesture towards getting the swords returned.
The next volley of thunder and lightning rattles some of the antiques in the shop and sends the shop owner running for cover.
A few seconds later another volley sends medieval armour and display cases crashing to the floor.
Richard calmly moves himself and the kids to the side out of harm's way. His back against a solid wall he calmly holds the kids against him, their faces hidden in his chest. The window they were standing in front of moments before, explodes and the rain comes pelting in with the next volley of thunder and lightening.
Richard leaves the kids with the protection of the wall and covers the distance, getting soaking wet, to where the shop keeper is cowering, behind the counter. Richard looks down at him.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
(yelling)
You seem to have riled the Admiral. And he now has found the range on your shop.
Another volley of thunder and lightening rocks the shop, sending more antiques and display cases crashing to the floor.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Where are the swords?
The terrified shopkeeper crawls along between the shelving until he reaches a long strong box. He drags the old ammunition box out from under the shelves and opens it. Timidly he takes the rolled blanket out and hunched over he nervously returns to the counter. The store is eerily quiet. The storm has stopped, as though the Admiral awaits the proprietor's next move. Laying the swords on the counter top he unrolls the blanket so Richard can inspect them.
Richard looks down at the swords and carefully rolls them back up. Lifting them off the counte
r...
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Thank You.
The storm abates. The kids clamber across the debris to join their uncle.
As the triumphant trio leave the shop, the tinkling of the door bell resounds in the quiet. As the door finishes it's slow travel back and hits the door jam, the admiral lets one last volley of thunder go, startling the shopkeeper again.
EXT. ALL SAINTS MALL PONSONBY -- CONTINUOUS
As Richard leads the kids away, the wrecked shop behind him, the sun starts to break through the clouds.
INT. AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- EVENING
The Dennisons are all gathered around the departure gate and in turn Jack and Marie hug Richard, Samantha and Bryce.
Bryce still looking worse for wear, his bruising yellowing, his leg in plaster and being supported by crutches, is Marie's main concern.
MARIE
I'm still not convinced that you should be going.
BRYCE
Oh Mum. Uncle Richard will look after me.
Marie smiles
MARIE
Yes, yes he will.
The travellers then exit through the gate disappearing from view.
As they proceed through the security Richard's homemade scabbard has the officers anxious.
SECURITY OFFICER
You'll have to hand that over to the flight crew for safe keeping.
Richard smiles and nods in agreement. The pair walk down the tunnel and onto the Japan Airlines plane.
INT. JAPAN AIRLINES 747 -- MOMENTS LATER
The pretty flight attendant asks to see their boarding pass and with Bryce leading the way she escorts them to their seats. Richard places their hand luggage in the overhead compartment then turns to the flight attendant.
RICHARD
I need to hand these over for safe keeping.
Richard offers the rolled up blanket, secured by a string at either end, acting as a shoulder strap. Curiously the attendant takes the package, bows and walks off. Richard bows in return, now settles himself