​

1b) In which we continue to operate as if in a sci-fi movie from the 90s (and the guy chases after the girl)

 

(The front of the house.  BEAN’S walking down the driveway, with her suitcase in tow.  SY chases after her.)

 

SY

Bean.  Bean.
Just.

Just hold on for a minute.
Jesus…

 

BEAN
What?

 

SY

You can’t go.

(She goes anyways.)

Bean: listen.  I know it’s your dad, but--

 

BEAN
No.  No “but’s”.  This is a NO “BUT’S” situation.

It’s my Dad.  And I’m going.

If you were in my shoes, you’d go. 

 

SY

It’s admirable, Bean. 

But the risk is too high.

 

BEAN

Fine: I’ll sit on my ass until I get an alert that says he’s been found in two piece in some official’s garbage bin on the other side of town on Tuesday Trash Day.

(She starts off again.  She has difficulty getting the suitcase moving.)

Can I take one of your cars?

 

SY
Bean, really…?

 

BEAN
Yes, really. 

 

SY

No.

…

Is this about what Dad said to you?

 

BEAN

Sy: my father has been working at The Encyclopedia since before I was born.

You know that that’s the most dangerous place to be right now.

People from your dad’s office have Secret Service breathing down his neck— 

 

SY

I know, Bean.  I just…

 

BEAN
I have to do this.

 

SY

But what about the rules.

 

BEAN
Fuck the rules.

(She heaves the suitcase, it moves.)

 

//

 

SY
Do you love me?

 

BEAN

…

 

SY
‘Til Death Do Us Part.

 

BEAN
Give me a break—

 

SY
No.  I want you to answer.

Do you love me or not? 

 

BEAN
Yes.  I love you, Sy. 

 

SY

…Then you can’t go. 

 

BEAN
…

 

SY

Because if you do: it’s over.

You can’t expect any protection from me.

…Or from my dad.

 

BEAN
…You’re joking, right?

 

SY

No.  I’m not.

(BEAN sighs, lights a cigarette, avoids eye contact.)

 

BEAN
…

 

SY

He probably is just…I don’t know…went for a run, missed curfew, and is being detained.

 

BEAN
My dad doesn’t run.

 

SY
Okay.  Maybe he was taking your dog for a walk?

 

BEAN
My dog died in June.

 

SY
OKAY.  BUT.

My dad will find him.  Wherever he is. 

And he’ll explain he’s one of us and it will all be okay. 

There’s nothing for you to worry about. 

He’s on the right side. 

 

BEAN
…

 

SY
Come on.  Let’s bring your stuff inside.

 

BEAN

…

 

SY
Okay… 

Well… 

 

BEAN
…

 

SY

I love you…?

 

BEAN

…

(SY walks back into the house.  BEAN is there by  herself for a while.  She bites down on her jaw, clenches her fists, takes a big drag, begins to tear up.  After a moment, she pushes the suitcase over and turns away from the house to wipe her eyes.  The suitcase rips open.  A hand appears, then an arm, then a torso, a body steps out.  It’s PRINCESS DIANA.  BEAN throws away her cigarette butt.  PRINCESS DIANA sneaks up behind BEAN and jabs a pistol into her side.)

 

PRINCESS DIANA

Caught you.   Red handed.  Littering.

That’s a [five-hundred dollar] fine, my friend.

 

BEAN
Then I’ll need to collect on that loan I gave you.

With 7 years worth of interest…  And penalty fees.[1]

 

PRINCESS DIANA

We’ll call it even.

(BEAN spins around and throws her arms around PRINCESS DIANA.  They both laugh.  They kiss.)

 

BEAN
You’re back.

 

PRINCESS DIANA
Yeah.

 

BEAN
I missed you.

 

PRINCESS DIANA
I missed you, too.

(PRINCESS DIANA grabs BEAN’S hand and examines it.)

Did you…  Get married???

I leave you alone for a few months…

And you’re MARRIED now?

 

BEAN
Shut up. 

 

PRINCESS DIANA
Who is it?

 

BEAN
…Sy.

 

PRINCESS DIANA
Sy?  Sy Siegel?  The Senator’s kid?

 

BEAN
Shut up.

 

PRINCESS DIANA

Sy Siegel?  Son of:
Senator Peter "The Seagull" Siegel? 

​

BEAN
Shut up. 

​

PRINCESS DIANA

Jesus. 

You want to get me killed?

 

BEAN
His house is the last place they’d think to look. 

Really, you’re safer here than anywhere else.

Although…they did kill their gardener last night.  Mr. McGregor.

 

PRINCESS DIANA
Jesus, Bean.

 

BEAN
I need your help.

 

PRINCESS DIANA
You seem to be doing just fine without me.

Why don’t you ask your husband for help?

 

BEAN
Di—
My Dad’s missing.

(Smash into: 2)

 

 

[1] Cowboy Bebop, Episode 16, “Black Dog Serenade”