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| [Act II opens in the X-Mansion's formal sitting room, home of the Mighty X-Men. Logan is sitting on a couch USR with a coffee table pulled up in front of him. His feet are on the table. Sitting backwards in a fold up chair opposite Logan is the Cajun Remy who is slightly more DS. A love seat off to the right is where the lone female figure of Jean Grey is seated, curled up reading a book. Logan and Remy are engaged in a tense game of poker. Logan puffs away at a cigar constantly, while Remy has a pack of cigarettes handy on the table] |
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| Logan: [with a cigar in his mouth] How many, Cajun? [eyes on his cards] |
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| Remy: Gimme deux, mon ami. [throws out two of his cards] |
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| Logan: [hands over two cards to Remy] Dealer takes three. [eye his cards and picks up some chips upping the ante as he throws them in the pile] |
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| Remy: [throws some chips in the pile and grins folding his cards on the table] I match you an' up it by cinq. [holds up 5 fingers] |
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| Logan: [chews on his cigar and matches Remy's stakes] I call... whatcha got? |
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| Remy: Full 'ouse, mon ami. [smiles and lays down a full house as he reaches for the pot] |
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| Logan: [grins and lays down 4 aces] Gotcha, Cajun. Four aces takes all, bub. [slides the pot back over his way] |
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| Remy: Mon Dieu, Wolvie! And dey say Gambit has all de luck! |
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| Jean: [laughs softly, looking up from her book] Just who says you have all the luck, Remy? |
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| Logan: [takes the cigar out of his mouth long enough to say a few words, a sly grin on his face] Been wonderin' that m'self. |
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| Remy: [devilish grin, looking back over his shoulder] Everyone do, chere, or 'aven't you noticed? |
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| Jean: [smiles warmly] Not tonight you don't. |
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| Remy: [laughs] Oui. 'Nother game, mon ami? |
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| Jean: [puts the book down in her lap] You just don't stop do you, Gambit? |
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| Remy: Not when Gambit behind, chere. [grins] Not when Gambit behind. [takes a cigarette from his pack and sticks it in his mouth] |
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| Jean: [yawns, putting a hand over her mouth] Mm, excuse me. What time is it anyway? |
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| Logan: Late. |
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| Jean: I see that. I wonder where Arianna is... |
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| Remy: Arri's fine, she take care of 'erself, neh? |
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| Logan: Ditto. [hands him the cards] Now get dealin'. [Jean goes back to her book] |
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| Remy: [deals the cards and looks at his own] Ante up. |
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| Logan: [tosses some chips into the pile] I'll take two. [throws two cards on the table and takes the 2 new ones from Remy] |
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| Remy: [smiles] I t'ink I stand. |
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| Logan: [smiles and lays down a royal flush] |
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| Remy: [chuckles and lays down the same thing] I t'ink Lady Luck be fickle tonight. |
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| Jean: [eyes both sets of cards from behind her book] Now that doesn't happen every day, two royal flushes. If I didn't know any better, Gambit, I might think - |
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| Remy: [stops Jean before she can finish] Gambit have a few tricks left up his sleeve, petite. [grins] High card win, mon ami? |
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| Logan: [nods] |
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| Remy: [deals the top card and lays it face up in front of Logan] King. [deals the next card and lays it in front of himself, grinning and then looks down at his card] ...A DEUCE?! Sacre bleu!! |
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| Logan: [smirks] Why don't y'quit while y'can still afford t'lose? |
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| Remy: C'mon, best five outta seven? |
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| Logan: [blows smoke out of his mouth lazily before responding] It's yer funeral, Gumbo. |
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| Jean: Actually... [closes the book] |
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| Logan: [deals the 5 cards to each player] Suicide Kings're wild. |
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| Jean: Speaking of kings and such, I still think we need to move. I mentioned it to Scott and the Professor and they share my thoughts, but they don't want to alert the rest of the team. If the Hellfire Club keeps growing we won't be safe here for much longer. Something just doesn't feel right, especially with Arianna not back from her mission yet. |
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| Remy: [looks at his cards] Gimme two. [tosses two cards into the center of the table and takes the new ones from Logan] |
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| Logan: Dealer takes one. [exchanges his card] |
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| Jean: What do you think? Logan? Remy? |
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| Remy: [tosses a few chips in the pile raising the stakes] |
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| Jean: [calls to them wondering if they heard her] Guys? |
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| Logan: [matches his ante] Call. |
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| Remy: [spreads his cards unveiling a flush, grinning] Your turn, Wolvie. |
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| Logan: [reveals a straight] Looks like Lady Luck might smile on ya yet, Cajun. Flush beats a straight. |
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| Remy: [rakes in the chips] O' course, mon ami. She never leave Gambit for long. |
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| Jean: [sighs and gets up, moving to stand behind Remy] Did either of you hear a word I just said? |
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| Logan: [glances in Jean's direction] Hm? Sorry Jeannie, you say somethin'? |
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| Jean: [sigh] Logan... We need to move. We're not safe here. |
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| Logan: [his mind is still on cards] Not safe from what? |
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| Jean: Selene... The Hellfire Club. Professor Xavier and Cyclops both agree we're not safe where we are. |
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| Logan: Don't get yer shorts in a wad. Ain't nothin' that can harm us here. |
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| Remy: Maybe she right, mon ami. Selene, she find us here easy if she want it bad enough. |
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| Jean: And don't think we can just keep spying on them whenever our security is in question. If they catch Arianna in there just once she won't be reporting home. Selene is powerful, Logan. Don't forget that. |
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| Logan: Yeah, but Arri's been doin' this a long time an' Selene ain't found her yet. |
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| Remy: Logan do got a point, chere. |
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| Jean: And what? When Selene finally does catch her and our ranks are thinned out even more, then we're gonna move? Is that your logic? We can't just sit by and wait for them to find us. |
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| Logan: [takes a big puff of his cigar and pulls it back out of his mouth] Maybe not, but who said they're even gonna find us, red? |
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| Remy: [finally lights his cigarette] We be safest here, he right. Dis is de X-Men's territ'ry. If de Professor t'ink we need t' move so badly, then we will. Relax, cherie. |
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| Jean: [sighs] I just... |
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| Remy: Don' worry, non. Ain't nobody gonna find us. We X-Men take care o' ourselves. [turns his attention to Logan] You up for 'nother one? |
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| Logan: [quirks a brow] Sure. Ya dealin'? |
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| Remy: [takes the deck] Sure t'ing, Wolvie. [shuffles the cards in a fancy manner, then starts to deal] |
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| Logan: If I run an' grab another beer, ya ain't gonna cheat again, are ya, cajun? |
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| Remy: [grins] O' course, not. Whadda you take Gambit for, eh? A t'ief? |
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| Logan: [gets up from the couch] That's what ya are, Gumbo. [heads off SL] |
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| Jean: [moves to the couch, taking Logan's spot] Remy? |
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| Remy: [looks up as he finishes dealing] Yeah, chere? |
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| Jean: I really hope you and Logan are right. |
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| Remy: [cocks his head, putting out the cigarette] About...? |
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| Jean: Being safe here. I don't want anyone to get hurt. [sighs softly] |
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| Remy: [reaches over the table and puts a hand on her cheek] Relax, Jean. I know you don' want no one hurtin'. |
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| Jean: [shakes her head] It just doesn't make sense, Gambit. You said it yourself, if Selene really wanted to find us she could. And easily. Why hasn't she? The X-Men were created to stop the oppression that the Hellfire Club is enforcing. Xavier created us so that normal humans and mutants could live together peacefully, not so that one mutant could become a dictator over the human race. |
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| Remy: We don' know dat's what she after, Jean. Dat's just what we t'ink. |
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| Jean: I know, but something just doesn't fit. Something just isn't right. The X-Men and the Hellfire Club have never been on the best of terms and after Sebastian Shaw died, after Selene's take over - I mean, shouldn't we be more cautious? Selene hates anyone who gets in her way, especially the X-Men. [sighs] Something just isn't adding up, Gambit. I can feel it. |
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| Remy: No, chere. We gonna be fine. Dis Gambit promise you, eh? [smiles and the lights fade] |
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| Scene Two |
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| [Scene two opens in the X-Mansion hallway between the Formal Sitting Room (slightly USR) and the kitchen (DSL). The central action takes place in the hallway, with the entrance to the mansion being extreme USL. As it is a "foyer" type area, there may be a desk off to the left side in between the "kitchen" and "entrance", or a statue and/or a tall plant. The stage is empty at the start of the scene, the voices of Arianna and Tristan heard in the "distance". After a few seconds the pair enters hand and hand from USL, Arianna on the right, Tristan on the left.] |
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| Tristan: [looking to Arianna] Do you really think it is wise bringing me here into enemy territory, Arianna? |
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| Arianna: [smiles warmly, the pair stopping briefly somewhere between CS and CSL] If it weren't safe, I'd have left you out at the car. I'll only be a minute. Besides, most of the X-Men are out on a mission. And those that are here are probably asleep. Don't worry so much. [kisses his cheek softly] |
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| Tristan: [touches her cheek gently] Make it quick if they are awake. I do not like this. |
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| Arianna: [sighing quietly, she takes his hand and they take a few steps foward, more towards center stage, before Arianna stops abruptly] You don't trust me, do you, Tristan? [turns her head to stare at him] |
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| Tristan: I did not say that, Arianna. |
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| Arianna: [narrows her eyes] No, but you implied it. |
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| Tristan: [folds his arms over his chest] You are the one bringing the enemy into your home. I did not ask that of you. |
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| Arianna: And you followed. [pauses for a moment, just staring at him] If Selene knew you were here, she'd kill you for not telling her our location. Then she'd kill the X-Men for trying to stop her from controlling the world. I just... [sighs] I just don't understand why you're always against leaving the Hellfire Club, but yet you continuously go behind Selene's back to help us. |
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| Tristan: Then perhaps it is you who does not trust me. |
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| Arianna: [looks quizzically at him] Should I? |
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| Tristan: [cocks his head gently, staring Arianna square in the face] I have not given you reason to distrust me, have I? |
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| Arianna: [shakes her head softly] I just don't want anyone hurt. |
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| Tristan: [uncrossing his arms, he lifts Arianna's chin gently] You worry too much, my love. I would never let anyone harm you. Ever. |
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| Arianna: I'm holding you to your word, Tristan. Don't ever for- [her head suddenly jerks to the side at the sound of someone coming] |
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| Tristan: Wha- |
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| Arianna: Shh! [puts a finger to her lips, listening intently for just a moment. Her eyes go wide with horror, just as Logan emerges from DSL] |
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| Tristan: [seeing Logan, he quickly scrambles behind a plant or statue] |
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| Logan: [Enters carrying a bag of chips and two beers] Evenin'. |
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| Arianna: [a little too perky] Logan! I didn't expect to see you still up. |
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| Logan: Me an' the cajun're playin' a few rounds o'poker... Swamp Rat style. [sniffs the air] |
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| Arianna: Swamp Rat style, indeed. . . |
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| Logan: Smell funny in here t'you? |
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| Arianna: [very nervous] No... [eager to change the subject] So, why keep playin' with Remy if he's gonna cheat? |
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| Logan: [ignores her question, setting the drinks and chips down on a table] Anythin' t' report back? Jeannie's worried 'bout our safety here. She got any reason t'be? [sniffs the air again, moving closer to Arianna] |
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| Arianna: [steps further away from Logan cautiously] ...Not really. |
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| Logan: There somethin' you ain't tellin' me Arri? [continues his advance, though shifts more towards the plant/statue] |
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| Arianna: [with false confidence] Of course not, Logan. We're all family here. Families don't keep secrets from each other. |
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| Logan: [snorts, taking a big wiff of the air as he steps right by Arianna, in front of the plant] |
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| Arianna: [scared for Tristan and herself] Logan. . . [steps forward just a bit] |
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| Logan: ["falls" smoothly around the plant, picking Tristan up by the lapels of his shirt, shoving him out of hiding and into the open. He gets real close and growls lowly] I know what yer hidin', boy... You got no business bein' here. Now I'm gonna give you three seconds t'get the hell out before I make you regret ever comin'. An' I count real fast... |
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| Tristan: [shrugs Logan off, preceeding to dust off his shirt and straighten it. He merely stares back at Logan] Your first mistake was grabbing me and your second mistake old man, is underestimating me. Do you honestly believe you can count to three before I have you on the floor screaming? Would you rather we try it? |
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| Arianna: Trist - |
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| Logan: [growls] Let's dance. [pops his claws, moving into an attack stance] |
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| Arianna: Now Logan. . .[steps forward, reaching out her arm] Just wait - |
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| Tristan: [taking Arianna's arm out of the way] Your concern is appreciated, Arianna but misplaced. If Wolverine cares t- |
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| Logan: [launches himself forward, knocking Tristan to the ground] Hands off the lady. |
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| Arianna: TRISTAN! |
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| Logan: [turns his head towards Arianna, just as he raises his claws] Eh? |
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| Tristan: [using his legs, he pushes Wolverine off of him, sending him flying. He simply stands there, smirking at the irate Wolverine] |
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| Logan: [flips back to his feet, growling and steps forward, glaring] You're mine, bub... [leaps at Tristan] |
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| Tristan: I don't think so, old man. [steps to the side, Logan just barely missing him and elbows him in the back of the head. Just before Tristan is able to turn, however, Logan sweeps a leg underneath Tristan and knocks him to the ground] |
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| Logan: I know so. [proceeds to plunge his claws into Tristan's back] |
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| Arianna: NO!!! GAMBIT! JEAN! |
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| Tristan: [lifting up on his elbows, he looks back at Wolverine and squints, his power activating] Oh, really? |
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| Logan: [his claws stop only inches above Tristan's back] Wha -? What's happening to me? [frozen in place] Can't ... move ... |
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| Tristan: [rolls up to his feet] You're paralyzed... with fear. [clenches his fist] |
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| Logan: ARRrRrRRRGHHHH! [begins screaming, his body now able to move] GET THEM OFF ME! THE SCORPIONS! GET THEM OFF! NO! [repeats these lines as he tries to "get the scorpions off"] |
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| Arianna: Tristan STOP IT! JEAN!!! REMY!! [Tristan only ignores Arianna, staring down Wolverine] |
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| Logan: [slowly Logan is brought to his knees, screaming still] NO!! GET THEM OFF! GET THE SCORPIONS OFF ME! |
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| [At this point Jean Grey and Remy rush on from USR, heeding Arianna's call] |
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| Remy: [comes to a screeching halt in shock just behind Arianna] MON DIEU! WOLVIE! |
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| Jean: Oh my God, LOGAN! [crosses behind Arianna and Remy, coming just behind Logan. She kneels and outstreches her arms] |
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| Logan: [screams in agony and fighting against Tristan's power] |
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| Arianna: [in anticipation] LOGAN, DON'T! |
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| Logan: [growls angrily and lurches forward to plunge his claws into Tristan's gut] |
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| Tristan: [cries out in sudden pain, clenching his stomach, he doubles over] |
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| Jean: [in disbelief] Oh my God... |
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| Logan: [grunts, retracting his claws and passes out] |
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| Arianna: Oh, Goddess, no. [skirts around Remy, Jean and Logan, kneeling at Tristan's side to look him over for vital signs, almost in tears] |
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| Jean: [moves next to Logan and feels for a pulse, checking his vital signs] He's still breathing... We need to get them to the infirmary, now. |
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| Remy: [moves over to Logan] Consider it done, chere. [Picks him up, grunting underneath the weight] Ugh, perhaps Logan needs t' lay off de sweets, no? [drags him off CSL] |
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| Arianna: Help me, Jean... |
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| Jean: We won't let him die, Arianna. I promise. Here, get his arms, I'll take his legs. [proceeds to take his legs in her arms] |
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| Arianna: [nods, standing to lift his upper body] I'm sorry... |
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| Jean: We'll talk later. Let's get them taken care of first. [starts moving off towards CSL] |
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| Arianna: [exiting CSL with Tristan and Jean] I'm so sorry... Hang in there, Tristan... [lights fade and end of Scene Two] |
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| Playwright's Note: When harnessing Tristan's power, a special spotlighting effect could be used. Some form of blinking black light could be centered on Logan when Tristan's power is activated (See line: "Logan: Can't... move..." for insertion possibilities.) |
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| SCENE THREE |
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| [The majority of scene three takes place in the X-Mansion's infirmary, which is located primarily on the greater part of stage left. Preferably there would be some sort of makeshift wall dividing the stage, 2/3s set aside for the infirmary. In the infirmary there are two beds and various medical equipment. A video screen is mounted in the wall dividing. This is the video-communications system (vid-com). As the scene opens Logan is sitting on the bed closest to the "wall", with a chair between his bed and Tristan's. Tristan is still unconscious with his shirt off, hooked up to a heart monitor, Arianna standing at his side. Remy stands at the foot of Logan's bed.] |
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| Logan: [grunting] Are you meanin' t'tell me that yer in love with Tristan Lehnsherr? That all this time we're sendin' you over t'spy on the Hellfire Club an' yer just shackin' it up with one of their own?! |
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| Arianna: It's not like that, Wolverine, you know me better than that! |
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| Logan: Not well enough. [growls, eyeing Tristan] |
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| Arianna: [looking down at Tristan, she runs a hand over his forehead] You didn't have to hurt him like this, Logan. |
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| Logan: Like hell I didn't! [stands groggily] Yer forgettin' Rhapsody that he's the enemy, he's the one we're supposed t' be fightin'. An' here we are nursin' him back t' health. |
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| Jean: [enters SL] Enemy or not, Logan, you could've killed him. |
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| Logan: I'll aim higher next time. [sits and growls angrily] |
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| Jean: Logan! |
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| Logan: What, Jeannie! If Arri over there hadn't invited him in, none o'this woulda happened. So instead'a blamin' me, why not blame her! |
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| Jean: Regardless of whose fault it was, Wolverine, we can't just let a man die. [goes over to tend to Tristan, maybe placing a cloth over his forehead] |
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| Logan: Fine! I'll tell ya what. As long as he's here, I'm gonna be some place else. [stands, ready to leave] |
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| Remy: [puts hand out to stop him] Hol'on there mes ami. You not goin' nowhere. |
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| Logan: [shoves him to side with some effort and stumbles a little] Outta the way, Gumbo. |
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| Remy: Look't you, Wolverine! You c'n hardly walk! |
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| Logan: I heal fast, r'member? [Remy opens his mouth to protest, Logan exiting] |
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| Jean: Let him go, Remy. He'll be back. Right now we've got Tristan's injuries to deal with. What exactly happened, Arianna? |
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| Arianna: You saw it yourself, Jean. Logan attacked Tristan, Tristan defended himself, then Logan went berserk. |
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| Remy: I t'ink she means why Tristan even here, chere? |
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| Arianna: It's not what you think. |
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| Jean: Then what is it? |
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| Arianna: Tristan... He's not what you think. He's not with the Hellfire Club. |
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| Jean: He's not? |
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| Arianna: Well, he is. But he doesn't like it. Tristan is the Black Bishop of the Hellfire Club, yes, but he doesn't like Selene's doings anymore than we do. Tonight, at the Hellfire Mansion, I was almost discovered, but Tristan said I was simply his personal servant, he saved me. |
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| Jean: Go on. |
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| Arianna: Tristan and I... we're... [Tristan groans quietly] Tristan! [Tristan groans again, then quiets] |
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| Jean: [eyeing the monitors, then Tristan and finally Arianna] His vitals look fine, but if you could, please continue. |
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| Arianna: We... Selene almost discovered me tonight. But thanks to Tristan, she didn't and neither did Emma. The Hellfire Club is unsettled, they're fighting each other from the inside. That may be the key to their downfall. Selene murdered one of their own tonight, Marcus Hendrickson. Emma was none too happy about it. Selene will let nothing stop her, not the X-Men, not a fellow Hellfire member, nothing. Her thirst for power- [suddenly a "telephone" rings, it is the video-communications unit. All eyes snap in it's direction] |
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| Jean: Video-com link on. [the screen blips to life] |
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| Lily: Jean, it's Raven. |
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| Jean: Lily! It's good to see a friendly face. Are things ok in Genosha? |
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| Lily: Depends on your definition of ok. We're still tryin' to see Magneto, he's got guards and protection out the wazoo. Xavier just wanted to check in with you guys. He said he felt something was wrong. |
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| Remy: No use hidin' nothin' from a psychic, eh? |
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| Lily: Something is wrong then? Wait, Gambit, why are you in the infirmary? Where's Wolverine? |
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| Arianna: Logan... stepped out for the moment, Lils. |
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| Lily: Arianna, I almost didn't see ya, gal! But why are you in the infirmary? [Arianna, Jean and Remy look at each other, quietly] What happened, gal? You can tell me. |
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| Jean: Lily, your brother, Tristan, he's been hurt. |
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| Lily: Serves him right, runnin' around with the Hellfire Club like that. Just like Dad, they don't know when to quit. |
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| Arianna: Logan went berserk on him, Lils. I brought Tristan here and they fought. Tristan's ... unconscious right now. Lily, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen. |
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| Lily: I know, gal, I know. This just means we've gotta try harder at convincing Magneto to help us out. Selene's bound to find the X-Men now. I'll do what I can to convince Dad, but I don't know that I'll be coming back. Look, I've gotta go and let the Professor know what's goin' on. [Tristan groans again, stirring] Take care of Tristan, will ya? He is my brother, after all. [Arianna only nods] |
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| Jean: Of course we will. |
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| Lily: Raven out. [The vid-com link blips off] |
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| Tristan: [coughs violently, waking, he sits up] Lilian... [spits up blood] |
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| Arianna: Tristan! [wiping his mouth] Remy, can you get some clean cloths, please? [Remy exits the side of the stage] You're ok. |
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| Tristan: I do not need to be babied, Arianna. [coughs] I am quite well. |
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| Arianna: For a dead man, perhaps. |
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| Remy: [enters caring wet cloths] Gambit t'ink maybe it better dat way. Wolverine gonna be none too happy when he hear. [hands the cloths to Jean] |
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| Jean: [takes the cloths, handing one to Arianna] Here. You're lucky to be alive, you know. |
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| Tristan: Perhaps... [coughs again] Tell me something. Was that my sister's voice I heard while I was coming around? |
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| Arianna: [wiping Tristan's forehead] Lily's in Genosha, Tristan. The rest of the X-Men are trying to convince your father, Magneto, to help us bring down Selene. |
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| Tristan: [chuckles, pulling Arianna's hand down] He won't help you, you know. And even if he did, what could the Master of Magnetism do against Selene? You X-Men bide your time carelessly, that is why Selene will triumph if you continue on. |
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| Logan: [stalking back in] That don't sound much like he's helpin' us t'me, Arri. If I didn' know better, I'd say those're fightin' words. Now, we gonna go peacefully or'm I gonna have t'drag yer dirty carcass outta here by force? An' I hope ya wanna be forced. |
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| Arianna: Logan, now just wait a minute, damnit! I know what this looks like, I know what you're feeling. I'm an Empath, remember? If you'll just shut up and listen for a moment instead of stalking off everytime someone says or does something you don't like, maybe you'd understand! |
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| Logan: [his anger is rising] If you think I'm just gonna stand here an' - |
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| Remy: Let 'er talk, mes ami. Jus' let 'er talk. |
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| Logan: [turns his head to Gambit, opening his mouth to say something] |
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| Jean: [calm] Wolverine... |
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| Logan: [turns to stare at Jean. For a moment everyone is silent] Ya got three minutes, Rhapsody. Start talkin'. [folds his arms] |
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| Arianna: Tristan saved my life tonight, Logan. Selene could have discovered me, but Tristan prevented that from happening. If he was really the enemy, why would he have bothered? Why would he have lied to Selene if he didn't want to protect me? Believe it or not, Wolverine, he doesn't like what she's done either. Look, you may not trust Tristan or his motives for anything... |
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| Tristan: As well he shouldn't. |
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| Arianna: [continues as if he hadn't interrupted] But I do trust him, with my life. If you can't trust him, Logan, at least trust me. Can you do that? Please? With my power I could feel if Tristan were going to betray me, betray us. Trust me on this, Wolverine. Please? |
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| Logan: [fishes a cigar out of his shirt pocket, popping it in his mouth] Tell me this then. Just how d'ya plan on keepin' Tristan's whereabouts a secret from Selene? |
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| Tristan: I'm immune to telepaths, Wolverine. Selene cannot touch my mind no matter how hard she tries and neither can Xavier. [Logan just eyes Tristan] |
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| Jean: It's true. I tried to probe his mind earlier, just after... I could not even begin to breach it. But if it's just Selene finding Tristan that you're worried about, I think I have an idea. |
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| Remy: Do tell, ma chere. |
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| Jean: If Tristan can and will, perhaps I can spy on Selene and her activities. If Tristan could somehow shield my mind from Selene and Emma Frost, make me immune to their detection, maybe then I could find out just how much they know of Tristan's condition and his location. Can you help me Tristan? |
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| Tristan: If only for a few moments, yes, I can shield your prescense from The Black Bitch and The Ice Queen. But make it quick. If Selene detects even the slightest prescense in her mind or in the mansion at all, she'll realize she's been double-crossed. |
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| Jean: I understand. [moves over to stand beside Tristan, Arianna moving to stand beside Logan] Whenever you're ready. [places one hand on Tristan's forehead, closing her eyes and tilting her head upwards as her other hand presses against her own forehead] |
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| Tristan: [closes his eyes] Now. |
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| Playwright's Note: When harnessing Jean Grey's power, preferably some form of red or pink spotlighting effect would be used. Tristan, again, could have some form of black light spotlight. With Tristan's last line, all lights on the stage should be out, save the severely dimmed spotlights on Jean Grey and Tristan. The only lights that are to come up are on the opposite side of the stage and those are in a light pink hue, symbolizing Jean Grey's telepathic powers. Also, as the scene changes all figures should be frozen on the left side of the stage. |
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| [The lights are brought up on the right side of the stage. We are back in the Hellfire Club Mansion, most likely a small office. A desk and chair are against the wall dividing the sets. There are probably a pair of leather chairs or other comfort chairs, one of which Emma Frost is seated in. There may be a plant or two also. Selene stands tall and proud by the desk] |
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| Selene: You're hiding something from me, Emma dear and I would like to know what. I will not ask you again. What is it that you are not telling me? |
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| Emma: We've been through this already, Selene. I will not repeat myself again. |
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| Selene: [narrows her eyes] You test my patience, Miss Frost. Tristan has all but vanished from the Mansion's grounds and despite the fact he is immune to telepathic contact, he is nowhere to be found. His servant, Ms. Daniels, has also vanished without a trace. Moreover, Marcus Hendrickson's plan to dethrone me was not devulged to me by you as it should have been, but rather by Tristan Lehnsherr who has now mysteriously vanished! We've already found one skeleton in your closet, Miss Frost, do we need to dig deeper? |
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| Emma: I have already told you what I know. Perhaps you are simply looking for something that is not there, Selene. I hide nothing from you. Tristan has vanished and I haven't a clue where Ms. Daniels has gone. Perhaps when he returns it is he you should question rather than myself. |
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| Selene: Mayhap I inquire of your impression regarding Ms. Daniels then? |
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| Emma: [stifles a chuckle] I beg your pardon? |
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| Selene: Did you not find something odd about the young woman? Something extra special about her? Dare I say it, it seemed that we'd met before. Did she not leave you with such the impression? |
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| Emma: [a smile creeps across her face] Oh, Selene. Are you implying that Tristan's maid is superior in her charges? |
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| Selene: Oh, dear, sweet Emma. It seems that you've read my mind. |
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| Emma: [her temperment changes, sensing something or someone] Or someone else... |
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| Selene: [nods, understanding] Perhaps our attack cannot wait any longer. If the X-Men honestly believe they are invincible, I plan to enjoy the look on their faces as I rip their world apart. If Tristan Lehnsherr has betrayed us to the X-Men, he will suffer the same fate. His father was not immune to my power and neither is he. [exits USR] |
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| Emma: So be it. [standing from her chair, she raises a hand to her temple, pressing her eyes tightly shut blasting her with psychic force. The light's flash brightly at this point, followed by an instant black out all over the stage.] |
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| [Jean Grey screams in horror at the force of the attack when the lights flash and the lights come back on with Logan kneeling by Jean who has collapsed to the floor. Arianna is close by Tristan's side, holding his hand, Remy on the other side of Jean Grey] |
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| Logan: [holding her] Jeannie! Come on, Jean, wake up. [growls, looking towards Tristan] If Jeannie doesn't wake up in about 3.5 seconds I'm gonna enjoy rippin' ya a new navel. |
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| Jean: [moans, coming around] I felt it. Emma, Selene... They know. They know Arianna was there tonight. They felt my prescense. They... [moans, holding her head] |
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| Remy: [holds her up] Easy, chere, easy. |
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| Tristan: Selene knows. She will not wait any longer. I'd advise you to leave while you still can. |
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| Logan: The X-Men don' cut an' run, bub. I don't care who's comin' after us. |
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| Tristan: [shrugs his sheets off, slipping his bloodied dark blue silken shirt on] Suit yourself. [slides off the bed, heading off stage] But I would not be here... [pauses turning to look at the X-Men] ...if I were you. [exits] |
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| Jean: [still in pain] We must get ready, in case the others are not here in time. [begins to stand with Logan and Remy's help] Will you be with us, Arianna? |
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| Arianna: [offers a soft smile] Always. If you'll excuse me. [exits, following Tristan] |
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| Jean: [moves to sit on a bed] Selene is truly mad. I felt her power, hers and Emma's. I just have this feeling, Logan... I just have this feeling... Something's going to happen, Logan, and we're not all going to be around to see the end of it. |
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| Logan: [wraps his arms around her, sitting beside her, Remy on her other side] We're gonna make it through this, Jeannie. I promise. [lights fade, end of Act II] |
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