RESONANCE
A Screenplay 
by
J. Nathaniel Berke & R. David Ludwig

WHITE
Pull back to reveal the bright, white morning sunlight streaming in through the window of
INT. SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - SMILJAN, YUGO. -- MORNING
NIKOLA TESLA, 5, sketches a large mushroom-shaped tower in his hymnal.  The detailed drawing belies his age;  his grave expression and piercing blue eyes belie a much older soul.
Tesla's father, MILUTIN, stands at the pulpit and notices his son's latest "blasphemy".
Milutin casts a glance to Tesla's mother, DJUKA, strangely, the only woman in the entirely male congregation.  Djuka gently takes Tesla's hand in hers.
As the young Tesla stares at the stained window to his father's left, the light outside quickly fades.  A distant RUMBLE of thunder.  
A FLASH of lightning.  Tesla jumps in his seat.
Milutin, unaware of the storm, continues his sermon as a fine powder of dust falls on his shoulder from the ceiling.
Then a BOOM that is less thunder than an explosion.
Tesla looks over at his mother, but she too seems unaware.  Tesla squeezes her hand tightly, but she simply hushes him and continues singing.
Another EXPLOSION.  This one louder and closer.
Right outside.
A chunk of ceiling lands directly next to Milutin, almost smashing him.
There is a CRACK -- as the back wall splits!
Another chunk of ceiling falls, this one strikes Milutin down.  Tesla SCREAMS and pulls his hand from his mother's.  The church bell RINGS. 
Finally an acknowledgement of the terror fills Djuka's face.
Followed by that of the other PARISHIONERS.  All scramble to escape the destruction of their sanctuary.
The panic-stricken parishioners drive a wedge between Tesla and his mother.
The shaking is terrible, the bell RINGING WILDLY.  Tesla manages to crawl his way to the entrance just as a large wooden cross CRASHES down.
EXT. SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - SMILJAN, YUGO. -- CONTINUOUS
The sky is an unearthly black.  Thick and swollen clouds launch jagged bolts of lighting like cracks in the heavens.
Tesla's blue eyes are wide and filled with tears.
A troop of heavily armed SOLDIERS wearing helmets and facemasks stand in formation.  A horrible vision that even Hitler's SS will never hope to achieve.
A similarly dressed COMMANDER holds both his bare hands on the outside wall of the church.
A low frequency HUM emanates from the Commander -- as if a force within his very being is destroying the church -- a slight reddish aura glows around him.  The HUM gets louder as the shaking increases to an almost unbearable level.
Tesla falls to his knees and clasps his hands to his ears and the four walls of the church crumble, the church bells RING, as if in mockery, as it IMPLODES.  Within seconds, the church is nothing but rubble.
Tesla lies prone on the ground.  A shadow falls over him.  Tesla slowly looks up.
The Commander stands over him.  His bare hands are palms up in front of him, almost in the pose of a saint.
Tesla slowly stands.  The Commander removes his helmet.
A flash of lightning behind the Commander silhouettes his face for a second.
The piercing blue eyes of the thin-faced, high-cheekboned old man beneath the mask return Tesla's stare.
INT. HOTEL ROOM -- NIGHT
A thin, frail old man bolts upright in bed -- it is the same face as the man beneath the Commander's mask, the face of the now 55 year old NIKOLA TESLA.  His chest heaves and his pajamas are covered in perspiration.
Tesla slowly stands and shuffles to the window of his room and opens it.  SOUNDS from the street below now intrude.
Several birds appear and roost on the sill.  Tesla picks up a small bag of feed and begins to feed them:  Mostly pigeons, but among them is a single white dove.
FADE TO BLACK
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
It was the calm before the tempest. We were so entranced by the wonders of our modern age, that we failed to pay heed to the storm warnings.  Perhaps it is the weakness of an old man that causes me to reveal these truths.  Perhaps it is the vanity of a writer of mysteries that causes me to set down these truths that we lived through this adventure greater than any fiction I have written.
FADE IN:
SEPIA TONE PHOTOGRAPHS
Accompany each of the things Conan Doyle describes: 
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
1894, France's President Carnot.  1897, Empress Elizabeth of Austria.  1900, Italy's King Umberto.  1901, President McKinley of the United States.  All dead.  Victims of the bullet and the bomb:  The tools of the disaffected anarchist.  In 1911 we all cheered when dynastic rule fell in China and we all cried the following April, when the unsinkable sank.  While science girdled the globe with telegraph and telephone -- while the prospect of wireless promised to shrink the Earth even more, European powers fortified against their neighbors in preparation for a war that each assumed was inevitable, that each assumed they would win -- quickly and easily.
Exotic, pseudo-Eastern MUSIC, begins faintly, in the b.g., as the photos catch fire.
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
The world was a powder-keg and every day it seemed the fuse burned shorter.  This is the stage upon which we few, we who are bound by secrecy, faced  an even greater calamity.  But what I may not speak of, I may set down for the future.  It began, innocently enough, in the latter half of 1912, at a party in Marseilles, and with a dancer named Lady MacLeod.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXTREME CLOSE-UP OF LADY MACLEOD'S FACE
Adorned with a bangled headdress, and heavy gilded stage make-up that mostly accentuates her pores.  CREDITS BEGIN.
CUT TO:
INT. VILLA SALON, MARSEILLES, FR. -- CONTINUOUS
A white, almost ghostly veil floats through the frame, beginning a montage of LADY MACLEOD performing her ritualistic dance in slow motion.  
Swirling diaphanous veils obscure and reveal the soft white flesh of the dancer.  
CREDITS END as Lady MacLeod -- clad only in a bejeweled brassiere -- ends her dance in a crouch.  The lights go out.
ANGLE REVERSES and we see her from behind, curled up on the floor of a make-shift stage in a private salon, as the audience -- richly dressed men and women alike -- applaud. 
INT. VILLA SALON, MARSEILLES, FR. - BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
Lady MacLeod's lady maid, WHITE LOTUS, a pretty, frail-looking young Asian woman drapes a gown over her shoulders.
LADY MACLEOD
Who is that virile man in front?
White Lotus peeks through the curtain at
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE and JULES HENRI POINCARÉ
A burly Englishman with a "walrus" mustache who looks somewhat uncomfortable and an older Frenchman with spectacles as well as a full mustache and long beard sit at a front table.
WHITE LOTUS (O.S.)
The man with the beard is Jules Henri Poincaré, the mathematician.
LADY MACLEOD (O.S.)
No, no, the one sitting with him.
Conan Doyle pulls a pocket watch from his weskit and, with a heavy sigh, consults the time as the two men chat amiably.
WHITE LOTUS
Pulls her head back.
WHITE LOTUS
I believe his name is Doyle, Madame.
LADY MACLEOD
He would look most handsome in a uniform... Did you say Doyle?  Do you mean Conan Doyle?
White Lotus nods.
LADY MACLEOD
Oh, I simply must make his acquaintance!
White Lotus gently tugs on her mistress' arm.
WHITE LOTUS
Lady, you must hurry if you want to make the séance.
LADY MACLEOD
Fiddlesticks to the séance.
WHITE LOTUS
M. Conan Doyle will be attending.
Lady MacLeod smiles, quickly turns and hurries off, White Lotus close on her heels.
As she hurries along, Lady MacLeod holds up two fingers behind her head.  Without breaking stride, White Lotus places a lit cigarette between them.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SOLARIUM -- NIGHT
The octagon-shaped room is lit with candles.  The walls and domed roof are all glass.
A MANSERVANT unlocks the door and the participants file in and sit around a large, round mahogany table.  Conan Doyle sits next to Poincaré who looks around skeptically.
POINCAR…
These silly séances have become quite the parlour game, M. Conan Doyle.
The medium, MADAME LECOMTE, an old gypsy-looking woman enters the room and sits down.
CONAN DOYLE
Mediums are said to be "sympathetic" to the vibrations of another plane, M. Poincaré.  Perhaps this "supernatural" phenomenon has a scientific explanation. 
Madame LeComte nods to the manservant who extinguishes the candles in the room, save for the one in front of her.  
The Manservant then turns, leaves, and starts to close the door when Lady MacLeod hurries into the room.
LADY MACLEOD
(in French)
My apologies for being late!
Lady MacLeod quickly takes her seat, which to her disappointment is far from Conan Doyle.   
The Manservant bows and closes the door.  One of the male participants locks the door after him, leaving the key in the lock, then takes his seat at the table.
MADAME LECOMTE
(in French)
Please join hands.
Everyone joins hands.  Madame Lecomte leans forward and blows out the candle plunging the room into darkness.
MADAME LECOMTE
(in French)
Our hearts are pure and our intentions honorable.  Let the dead come freely and of their own accord.
A slight flicker behind Poincaré, a glimmer of something.
MADAME LECOMTE
(in French)
I sense the unseen in this room.
Another flicker, then another, then an eerie bluish glow, slowly coalesces into a roughly human shape and approaches Poincaré, who raises his eyes nervously.
FLASH
The form sharpens into that of a malevolent Skeletal Demon.
There is a SCREAM and as the Demon vanishes, the room is plunged into total darkness.  The participants ad-lib their terror in their native tongues.
CONAN DOYLE (O.S.)
The lights!
The manservant cannot get past the locked door.  Lady MacLeod produces a match to relight the candle.
Conan Doyle turns to Poincaré who is slumped forward.
CONAN DOYLE
Too much for you, monsieur?
Conan Doyle touches Poincaré -- who crumples to the floor.
Conan Doyle quickly checks for a pulse.  
CONAN DOYLE
Poincaré is dead.
Conan Doyle quickly assesses the room.
Lady MacLeod covers her mouth in horror.
LADY MACLEOD
Oh dear God, not again.
Behind her, the key can be seen still in the lock as the manservant, still helplessly locked out, RAPS at the door.
Conan Doyle's eyes then turn to the glass panels above the room.  About ten feet up a single transom is open, but it's far too high for someone to escape through.  The RAPPING SOUND changes into the CLOP-CLOPS OF HORSE HOOVES.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ADMIRALTY -- DAY
Conan Doyle weaves his way through the mixture of horse-drawn and horseless carriages on his Roc motor-cycle.
He draws the vehicle up to the curb and removes his goggles.
CHURCHILL (O.S.)
Is that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey!?
WINSTON CHURCHILL, 38, comes out of the Admiralty.  In deference to his position, the only nautical touch to his wardrobe is a naval cap.  He lights a cigar.
CONAN DOYLE
And do I have the pleasure of addressing the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty?
Churchill stares at Conan Doyle long enough that we wonder if he's going to wave out the match before it burns his fingers.  He does.  Then he extends his hand.
CHURCHILL
Amazing we could both get those out in one breath, Arthur.
CONAN DOYLE
It seems my timing is fortuitous, Winston, a few more minutes and I may have missed you.
CHURCHILL
I was just about to stretch my legs in the park.  
(as they walk)
Oh, congratulations on the Oscar Slater case.  Because of your investigations a truly innocent man has gone free.
CONAN DOYLE
Slater was innocent of the murder only.  To call a man like that truly innocent is--
CHURCHILL
I certainly hope you have not left fiction behind, Arthur.  Please tell me there is some arcane mote of knowledge I can help you put in the mouth of Holmes.
CONAN DOYLE
As a matter of fact I am currently struggling with the first draft of an adventure tale.  Dinosaurs.  Lost tribesman.  A Rider Haggardy sort of thing.
CHURCHILL
Splendid.  But the only dinosaurs I can advise you on are those in Whitehall.  I say, would you care to sit?  These constitutionals can be exhausting.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ST. JAMES PARK -- DAY
Conan Doyle and Churchill sit in the park.  Churchill puffs on his cigar, Conan Doyle on a clay pipe.
CHURCHILL
I've been preoccupied of late, but his death was brought to my attention.  Poincaré died of an embolism, I was given to understand?
CONAN DOYLE
Hardly surprising, given the circumstances of his death.  Winston, he did not leave this world naturally -- he was pushed.
CHURCHILL
Murdered?
CONAN DOYLE
Most decidedly so.  And there is the matter of the other deaths. 
CHURCHILL
Other deaths?
CONAN DOYLE
The rash of scientists who have died recently by "natural causes" cannot have escaped your notice.  You know me well enough, Winston, to know I am of sound mind.  Something is...
CHURCHILL
Afoot?
Conan Doyle winces.
Churchill suddenly stands.
CHURCHILL
Come.
CONAN DOYLE
Where are we going?
CHURCHILL
There is someone I would like you to meet.  Who knows?  Perhaps he will inspire your Rider Haggardy.
INT. GOVERNMENT OFFICES - DOWNING STREET -- DAY
No daylight impinges within the narrow, deeply inclined stairwell Churchill and Conan Doyle ascend.  They arrive at an equally narrow hallway, with many doors on both sides.  
CONAN DOYLE
Where the devil are we?
The frosted glass of the office doors are blank except for numbers.  Churchill pauses before the door marked "6".
CHURCHILL
Ministry Number 6.
Churchill looks up and down the hall before producing a large key with which he unlocks the door.
CHURCHILL
You are about to enter a place that does not exist.  It has no official sanction, and when you and I leave, the most you will get from me in reference to it will be a blank stare. 
Churchill moves forward.  He stops for a second and whispers.
CHURCHILL
Get quickly out of the room if he seems inclined to become violent.  And don't argue with him, no matter what he says.  Several people have been injured through doing that.
INT. MINISTRY 6 -- DAY
A windowless artificially lit office.  HEAVY MACHINE NOISES are present throughout this scene.  The walls are high and lined with shelves overflowing with binders, charts, maps and globes.  The air thick with dust.  
MAJ. HALDANE, a bearded, bull-dogged face man at his desk which towers over Conan Doyle and Churchill.  His head is down and he mutters to himself.
Churchill clears his throat.  Haldane looks up with annoyance until he realizes who it is that stands before him.
HALDANE
Sir -- !
CHURCHILL
Please do not rouse yourself.  And we have already had a round of dueling honorifics.  Major, this is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Arthur, Maj. George Haldane.
Conan Doyle reaches up and shakes Haldane's hand.
CHURCHILL
You are wondering why I have brought an outsider to your sanctum sanctorum.  Arthur has many contacts within the spiritualism community.
Haldane seems unimpressed.
CHURCHILL
He has of late been in Marseilles.  
HALDANE
Has he now?
CONAN DOYLE
I attended M. Poincaré's first and last séance.
HALDANE
In that case, if you would care to shift some of the detritus in front of you, you may find chairs beneath -- though I make no promises!
Churchill and Conan Doyle sit.
HALDANE
Allow me a surmise!  In attendance at this séance was a kind of exotic dancer.
CONAN DOYLE
You might call what Lady MacLeod did exotic.  I would call it unseemly.  You don't suppose she --
Haldane BANGS his fist on his desk.
HALDANE
I do not make suppositions, sir!  I merely observe and chronicle!
Churchill raises his eyebrows at Conan Doyle.
CHURCHILL
Are you familiar with a Sir Guy Battle?
CONAN DOYLE
The name is familiar.  I seem to connect it with an invitation, another gathering of spiritualists, perhaps?
HALDANE
We have observed that Lady MacLeod is the only name that appears on the guest list of all the parties wherein a séance was held and a death occurred!  It has also not escaped our attention that she has been asked to perform at the autumnal ball Battle throws at his townhouse in Milan! 
CHURCHILL
If you could see your way clear to allowing the Major's adjutant to accompany you to Milan, you would be doing us an invaluable favor.
HALDANE
Just the man to uncover any fakery --
Haldane steps down from what we realize is his perch -- his desk is on a platform.  He is a short, stocky man after all.
CONAN DOYLE
I think I may know of someone better qualified.
A pit orchestra's rendition of "Beautiful Dreamer" (O.S.) begins and plays over the following scene:
INT. HIPPODROME THEATRE - BOX 5 -- NIGHT
In box seats, Conan Doyle converses with Haldane, a scowl on the latter man's face.  Below them, a performance of the Needle and Thread Trick comes to its conclusion.
CONAN DOYLE
You certainly don't bear the man a grudge, Major?  After all, it's been how long since he escaped from your custody at Scotland Yard? -- 12 years?
HALDANE
Thirteen!  I was against the whole Yard business from the very beginning.  Furthering his career by disgracing the finest constabulary in the world through nothing but bloody trickery!  No, no grudges, sir.
The audience bursts into APPLAUSE.
INT. HIPPODROME THEATRE - STAGE -- NIGHT
Center stage spotlight stands HARRY HOUDINI, 38, a squat, husky man with fine, almost feminine facial features.  He holds up his hands to silence the audience.
HOUDINI
And now, ladies and gentlemen, the latest and the most fantastic of my physical challenges!  The Fabulous Milk Can Escape!
Houdini's two assistants, the burly German FRANZ and smaller COLLINS bring out the apparatus for his "Milk Can" escape.
HOUDINI
But before I attempt this terribly dangerous and life threatening escape, it has been brought to my attention that we have a great celebrity in the  audience!  If we could have a light on Box 5, please!
A circle of light moves across the theatre to Box 5.
HOUDINI (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, one of our finest minds and greatest writers, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!
A slightly reluctant Conan Doyle stands and slightly bows.
HOUDINI (O.S.)
And who is that next to you, sir?  Could it be... my word, it is!  My old friend, Superintendent Haldane from the great Scotland Yard!
Haldane crosses his arms and shifts back out of the spotlight.
HOUDINI
Gentlemen, it would be a great honor if the two of you would assist me!
(to the audience)
Perhaps they need a little encouragement, ladies and gentlemen?
HOUDINI
Applauds until the reluctant Conan Doyle and Haldane make their way to the stage.
Houdini moves to Haldane.
HOUDINI
Superintendent, I hope you bear me no hard feelings!  After all, it's been twelve years since my escape!
HALDANE
Thirteen!  And it's Major Haldane now, sir!  Retired!
HOUDINI
Ah, congratulations on your promotion, Major, but what a disappointment you are no longer at the Yard!  I was hoping for another challenge!  I see I shall have to use my own manacles --
A Cheshire Cat grin spreads across Haldane's face as he produces a heavy set of iron manacles from his coat.  
HALDANE
Not so fast!  I took the liberty of bringing a pair of the Yard's finest with me just in case!  One of a kind they are, sir -- you've not seen their like before!
Houdini is a bit suspicious, but he plays it well.
HOUDINI
The Major has thrown down the gauntlet, ladies and gentlemen!  Shall I accept?!
At Houdini's supplication, the audience erupts into thunderous applause.  Houdini turns to Haldane and Conan Doyle:
HOUDINI
Yes, the Great Houdini accepts your challenge!  Gentlemen!  If you would be so kind as to thoroughly examine this milk can!  You'll find no traps, no trickery!
Conan Doyle raps on the MILK CAN in an obligatory fashion, but Haldane is much more thorough.
HOUDINI
Satisfied?
HALDANE
She seems solid enough! 
HOUDINI
Fine!  Now, if you will excuse me for one moment, I shall change into more appropriate attire while my assistants fill the can with sixty gallons of ice cold water!  Maestro!
The CONDUCTOR of the pit orchestra raises his baton as Houdini dashes off stage.
MUSIC plays as Houdini's assistants begin passing twenty-two pails of water to Conan Doyle and Haldane in a makeshift bucket brigade to fill up the MILK CAN.
As they fill up the can, Conan Doyle whispers to Haldane:
CONAN DOYLE
Now you shall see what wondrous powers Houdini possesses, Major.
HALDANE
He'll need 'em, sir!  Fight trickery with trickery, I say!  None of his picklocks will work on these bracelets!  Heh, filled with lead they are!  If he can escape them, Sir Arthur, then you can take him with you!  With my blessing!
A nervous look crosses Conan Doyle's face as Houdini, in a green swimsuit, struts back onto the stage and looks approvingly at the now full MILK CAN.
HOUDINI
And now ladies and gentlemen, I shall require the prayers of each and every one of you, but in the event that I fail in this attempt...
Franz walks onstage with a large axe.  Collins wheels out a rack with a black curtain hanging from it.
HOUDINI
...Franz here, more than able-bodied, with this trusty axe shall free me alive or dead as I may be, from this steel prison!  Major Haldane! -- The manacles! 
Houdini thrusts out his wrists; Haldane slaps on the manacles.
HOUDINI
A man can live only a short time without life sustaining air!  Let every member of this fine audience take a deep breath as I submerge into this can that has no room for me to move!  As each of you hold your breath, ladies and gentlemen, think of me locked inside this deadly prison of cold steel!  So please, in a moment, join me in taking a deep breath.  It may be my last!
(to Haldane)
Are you satisfied, sir?
HALDANE
Thoroughly!  Good luck, Mr Houdini!  You'll need more than that this time!
Houdini steps into the MILK CAN.  Conan Doyle casts a concerned look at Haldane, who shrugs smugly.
HOUDINI
Indeed I shall!  I shall require a kiss from a most lovely lady!
BESS HOUDINI, a lovely, if childlike woman walks out onstage.
HOUDINI
I'm sure you all remember Mrs. Houdini!
APPLAUSE as Bess wraps her arms around her husband and plants a deep kiss on his mouth.  Then she skips offstage.  Houdini nods to the Conductor, who strikes up "Sailor Beware."
Conan Doyle looks extremely worried and moves forward slightly.  Haldane grabs his arm.
HALDANE
Don't want to ruin the act do you? 
Houdini fills his lungs with air and plunges into the can.  
VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE
Take a deep breath
CONAN DOYLE AND HALDANE 
Each involuntarily take a deep breath.
WATER
Washes over the sides of the can, Franz and Collins pour pails of water to fill it to the brim then they quickly  slam on the lid and lock on the six padlocks around it
Conan Doyle and Haldane move aside as the assistants wheel over the curtained rack and whip the curtain around the can.  
Franz picks up the axe and Collins stands at his side, his eye on his pocket-watch.
COLLINS
Thirty seconds!
SEVERAL AUDIENCE MEMBERS
Expel their breaths.
CONAN DOYLE'S
Mustache bristles.  He glances at Haldane, whose eyes almost bulge.  His face is red.  Conan Doyle too succumbs.
COLLINS
One minute!
Concern begins to course through the audience like a wave.  Nervous LAUGHTER.  A few unnecessary COUGHS.
COLLINS
Two minutes!
Haldane, concerned and perhaps a bit guilt-ridden, exhales.
HALDANE
All right!  He can damn well hold his breath -- I'll give him that!
COLLINS
Two minutes, thirty seconds!
HALDANE
(to Franz)
You ever had to use that axe?
Franz shakes his head.
CONAN DOYLE
Perhaps we shall meet Houdini at the séance in Milan, then.
Haldane give him a dirty look. 
COLLINS
Three minutes!
HALDANE
Maybe you ought to take a look inside!  You know, just see if he's all right!
Franz just stands there.
HALDANE
You're not just going to stand there like a statue, man!
FRANZ
Herr Houdini says five minutes is the limit.
HALDANE
Five minutes!  No one can stand that!
FRANZ
Those are my instructions.
Sweat beads on the Conductor's forehead as "Sailor Beware" comes to an end.  There is a brief second of silence then he leads the band to begin the song again.
Collins glances at Franz.  Franz remains motionless.
HALDANE 
Tugs at his celluloid collar.
COLLINS (O.S.)
Four minutes thirty seconds!
A WOMAN IN THE AUDIENCE
Faints dead away.
HALDANE
Leaps at Franz.
HALDANE
That's bloody it!  Give me that axe, man!
He attempts to wrest the axe away from the much larger German.
HALDANE
I'm not going to let him die in that bloody can!  Let go!
Franz complies and Haldane, axe in hand, falls back on his keester, just as Houdini bursts from behind the curtain.
The audience leaps to their feet in APPLAUSE and CHEERS.
Haldane jumps up and down as he too applauds.
Houdini triumphantly -- and somewhat contemptuously -- throws the open manacles on the stage.  He bows repeatedly.
INT. OUTSIDE HOUDINI'S DRESSING ROOM, BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT
Conan Doyle and Haldane wait anxiously outside Houdini's dressing room as various theatricals rush to and fro.  From amidst this rabble, Houdini, clad in an elaborately-embroidered green silk dressing gown, emerges.
HOUDINI
Gentlemen!  Thank you so much for all your help with my escape.
Houdini shakes Conan Doyle's hand vigorously;  when he turns to Haldane, who outstretches his hand, he dumps the broken bracelets in them.
HOUDINI
And don't ever do that again!
Haldane looks down at the mangled manacles.
HALDANE
I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me how --
HOUDINI
No.
Houdini opens the door.
HOUDINI
My man says you wanted a private word with me, gentlemen.  Please come in.
INT. HOUDINI'S DRESSING ROOM, BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT
Haldane shuts the door as Houdini removes the dressing gown;  underneath is the still-wet bathing costume.
CONAN DOYLE
I'm told you and Mrs. Houdini used to perform a type of spiritualism act --
Houdini strips off the wet suit and begins toweling off, unaware of Conan Doyle's and Haldane's sudden discomfiture and attempts to look anywhere but directly at him. 
HOUDINI
Yes, Bess and I sought to educate audiences that there were fraudulent mediums out there.  You may not be aware of it, but I have made an extensive study of the criminal mind --
Any further conceit is cut-off by a KNOCK at the door.
Houdini puts on his dressing gown, then sits down.
HOUDINI
Enter!
Bess enters, carrying a linen-covered tray of food.  She takes her husband's visitors in her stride.
HOUDINI
Speak an angel's name and she appears!
BESS
Excuse me, gentlemen.  If I did not feed 'Ery after every performance, he would waste away.
Bess puts the tray on the make-up table in front of Houdini.
HOUDINI
I was a good boy, tonight, wasn't I?
Bess takes linen from the tray and fastens it about his neck.
BESS
You were a very good boy.  So good that I made your favorites:  Chicken paprika and, if you eat all that, for dessert, bread pudding.
Bess kisses him on the forehead, and starts out.
BESS
Gentlemen.
(pausing at the door)
Don't keep Ehrich too late.  He needs his rest.
Once his wife departs, Houdini removes the dressing gown again, but not the makeshift bib.  Off their look:
HOUDINI
Chung Ling Soo gave me that robe.
(he eats)
Spiritualism, gentlemen?
CONAN DOYLE
What?  Oh, yes -- Do you consider yourself a believer, sir?  Or a cynic?
HOUDINI
I am an agnostic.  I continue to look for proof of contact between spiritual planes, gentlemen.
HALDANE
And a lethal spirit, sir?!  What would you say of that?!
HOUDINI
It has been my experience, gentlemen, that murder is exclusively the province of the human mind.
CONAN DOYLE
You see, Major, we have found our man!
Conan Doyle rushes forward, takes Houdini's hand, and pumps it enthusiastically.
CONAN DOYLE
There is a fiend abroad who is using spiritualism as a blind, and I call upon the generosity of spirit that I see in you, Mr. Houdini, to bring all your shrewdness to bear upon the problem!
Houdini is caught up in Conan Doyle's enthusiasm.
HOUDINI
Sir Arthur, I am your man!  How can I help?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT.  BATTLE'S MILANESE TOWNHOUSE -- EVENING
Four stories with tall chimneys, the Townhouse is almost castle-like.  New electric street-lamps line the avenue in front, casting fireballs of light in the gloom.  A small side-street runs along the left side of the building, to a retaining wall, high above the Po River.
A huge MAJOR-DOMO, outfitted in a powdered wig, greets guests, who arrive in both carriages and motorcars.
INT.  TOWNHOUSE GRAND FOYER / MAIN STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS
On the white ground floor, a string quartet -- in impeccable Venetian costumes, to match the décor, plays CHAMBER MUSIC.  
We ascend the staircase, to the grey marble second floor:  A bevy of gaily-dressed young WOMEN surround
LT. GUY BATTLE
A magnetic figure dressed in black, clean-shaven, handsome with a small dueling scar, a mane of black hair he keeps in a pony-tail and carrying a gold-topped walking stick.
He glances down and sees Conan Doyle, Haldane's adjutant HEATH, Houdini and Franz enter through the double, cut-glass doors.
Battle descends the staircase, charming guests in their own native language, as he does.
Battle approaches Conan Doyle, hand outstretched.
BATTLE
I will be bitterly disappointed if you are not Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his companions.
Conan Doyle shakes Battle's hand.
CONAN DOYLE
And you must be Sir Guy.
Battle almost pulls his hand back.
BATTLE
I am simply Guy Battle or lieutenant, if you must seek some kind of rank.
CONAN DOYLE
I do beg your pardon, I am sure I heard someone so refer to you--
BATTLE
A bias of the European mind. To them, every Britisher is titled, just as every Yank is a millionaire.
CONAN DOYLE
Just as the title I value most is Doctor, which was conferred by self- sacrifice and determination.  Your allowing my traveling companions to accompany me was uncommonly kind.  This is Mr. Heath, Mr. Kukol, and...
Houdini is no longer standing next to him.
BATTLE
Mr. Houdini seems to have vanished.
FRANZ
Ja, he does that.
CONAN DOYLE
Undoubtedly in search of a friendly w.c.
BATTLE
Undoubtedly.  I have long wanted to meet you, Sir Arthur.  Though I was deeply impressed by your recent successes in the Slater and Edalji cases, few men have won a war single-handedly -- I refer, of course, to your treatise on the Boer War.
CONAN DOYLE
Oh no, you give me far too much credit -- I sought only to set the record straight!
BATTLE
And by setting the record straight, you disarmed the Boers of their greatest weapon:  Public opinion.  You deprived them of the will to fight.  "Give me a place to stand and rest my lever on, and I can move the Earth."
CONAN DOYLE
Archimedes.
BATTLE
Never underestimate the power of the common man... when he moves in unison.
A SERVANT comes up with a tray of canapés, halting the forward momentum of the conversation.  Franz grabs a handful.
INT. TOWNHOUSE FIRST FLOOR SALON -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini approaches a MAID, who turns and offers him a glass of champagne.  Houdini asks a question instead and she points to a back staircase.  Houdini nods and continues up.
INT. TOWNHOUSE GRAND FOYER / MAIN STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS
HEATH
Do I detect a certain disdain for nobility, Lt. Battle?
BATTLE
What you detect, Mr. Heath, is my disdain for any monarchy's habit of bestowing titles like gratuities.  The passing down of a meaningless rank from one age to the next, as some sort of a congenital defect.  Every generation must have it's moron child.
HEATH
Sir, you speak sedition!
BATTLE
Eloquently.
Heath steps forward but Conan Doyle steps between them.
CONAN DOYLE
Is it true that Lady MacLeod will be performing tonight?  I should very much like to renew our acquaintance.
BATTLE
Yes, sir, I believe I saw her last in the second floor salon.
CONAN DOYLE
Well, it's been most interesting meeting you.  Please excuse us.
Conan Doyle starts off, but when Heath doesn't immediately follow, Conan Doyle grabs his arm and pulls him off as well.
BATTLE
Sir Arthur, I look forward to discussing "Home Rule" with you later.  I suspect that we will be of like mind on the Irish's right to govern themselves.  And Mr Heath, I am sure there is some other subject over which we may later "cross swords."
Conan Doyle glares at the brash Heath as he pulls him away, leaving Battle with the silently munching Franz.
INT.  TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini enters from the back staircase, when an OLD COUPLE, who obviously recognize him, inadvertently bar his way.
INT.  TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR SALON -- CONTINUOUS
Lady MacLeod, wearing a gaudy evening gown capped off by an ornate jade necklace, stands surrounded by OLD MILITARY types.  A SOCIETY PHOTOGRAPHER snaps a picture as White Lotus approaches her.  
SOCIETY PHOTOGRAPHER
Thank you very much.  Look in next Sunday's supplement in The World.
White Lotus, visibly agitated, whispers something in her mistress' ear.
Lady MacLeod nods and White Lotus retreats deferentially;  then Lady MacLeod addresses the German officer to her left in his native language:
LADY MACLEOD
Remind me, Colonel, is it Chinese or Red Indians who believe photographers steal people's souls?
COLONEL
It is Red Indians, I believe.
Lady MacLeod and the German contingent laugh.  Her attention is caught by the sight of Conan Doyle approaching.
LADY MACLEOD
I know you, sir -- you watched me disrobe!
CONAN DOYLE
Well, that is --
LADY MACLEOD
You witnessed my ceremonial shedding of the vestments in -- in --
CONAN DOYLE
In Marseilles, lady.
LADY MACLEOD
Yes, that terrible night!  That poor, poor man, and that, that hideous, glowing thing!
She swoons a bit, perfectly falling against Conan Doyle.
LADY MACLEOD
Such a firm grip, sir.  I feel so safe in you hands.
CONAN DOYLE
Ahem.  Regretfully, we were not formally introduced in Marseilles.  We shall rectify that immediately.  I am Arthur Conan Doyle.  If you could spare a few moments --
Lady MacLeod holds out her arm.
LADY MACLEOD
Of course.  You gentlemen will excuse me, won't you?
All of the uniformed men nod a slightly jealous assent.  Conan Doyle takes Lady MacLeod's arm and they walk out.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle escorts Lady MacLeod;  at the far end of the hallway, Houdini is still button-holed by the old couple.  Conan Doyle is turned so that he doesn't see Houdini.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR PARLOR -- CONTINUOUS
Heath enters and looks around the room, which is decorated with a large collection of Roman weapons and armor.  From an inside pocket he removes a small faded photograph.
CLOSE ON the photograph.  Among a group in the background is the clean-shaven man in the photograph:  GUGLIELMO MARCONI. 
Heath moves across the room.
HEATH
(in very bad Italian)
Do I have the pleasure of addressing Signóre Marconi?
MARCONI
Your accent is atrocious, young man.
HEATH
And your English smacks of... of... 
MARCONI
Of County Wexford, Ireland, where my mother was born.
HEATH
Wexford?!  I was born in Waterford!
Marconi clasps Heath by the shoulders, kissing the embarrassed man on both cheeks. 
MARCONI
Come!  Let us get ourselves a drink and swap stories of the little people!
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle stands with his back to the wall, Lady MacLeod holding a cigarette practically in his face as he lights it.
LADY MACLEOD
Grazie.
CONAN DOYLE
That is quite a striking necklace, madame.
LADY MACLEOD
It was a gift from an admirer.
CONAN DOYLE
He must have admired you greatly.
LADY MACLEOD
Well, more so than his wife.
CONAN DOYLE
The, ah, events in Marseilles were quite troubling.  Ghastly.  But I understand you had a similar experience several weeks previous.  In Berlin?
Lady MacLeod presses her body into Conan Doyle's.
LADY MACLEOD
Well, not directly.  But I heard the rumors.
CONAN DOYLE
The rumors?
LADY MACLEOD
They said a man died at that séance too.  But the next day, the newspapers, they said it was a hunting accident.
CONAN DOYLE
A hunting accident at a party off the Gleimstraße -- yes, and Poincaré died of natural causes in Paris.  So you did not attend the séance is Berlin?
LADY MACLEOD
No, and if what they say is true, I am glad I did not!
She buries her face into Conan Doyle's lapel.  As Conan Doyle hesitantly raises his hand to pat Lady MacLeod's back, he looks around -- and sees Houdini at the far end of the hall.
CONAN DOYLE
I say!
(waves)
Harry!
Houdini, with great exertion, extricates himself from the old couple and makes it the rest of the way down the hall.
HOUDINI
Fans are far harder to escape from than manacles.  Buy me fifteen minutes if you can.
CONAN DOYLE
I will try.
And Houdini keeps moving.  Lady MacLeod is in complete befuddlement at this exchange.
INT.  TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- MOMENTS LATER
The mezzanine -- walls and ceiling -- is all black marble trimmed with gilt.  This floor has an Egyptian motif, including the SERVANTS' dress.  EIGHT GUESTS have ventured this far, waiting for the séance.
Houdini's footsteps CLICK on the floor as he enters, hands clasped behind his back and nodding a few greetings to those who meet his eye and touch the brims of their silk top hats.  
A bank of large windows line the long back wall.  Houdini approaches the only open one, on the far right.  He leans his head out the window.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Iron bars cover the bottom half of the windows, the part that can be opened, so that Houdini, at the far left window, can only get his head out a few inches.  On the far right lies a crumbling slate section of roof where the second story protrudes.  Houdini reaches out and tests the bar strength.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini closes the window and turns back.
Black velvet ropes with gold metal ends block off a room hidden by heavy black curtains embroidered with gold hieroglyphics.  Houdini approaches nonchalantly.
With a practiced eye, Houdini waits until he is sure that no one is watching him and slips behind the curtain.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Battle, accompanied by a tall, thin MAN in a turban, enter the hallway and march towards Conan Doyle and Lady MacLeod. 
BATTLE
I see you have found your dancer, Sir Arthur.
LADY MACLEOD
Sir Arthur and I have been having the most stimulating intercourse, haven't we, Arthur?
Battle gestures toward the tall man.
BATTLE
Sir Arthur, may I present our medium, Professor Adb Al'alim.
Conan Doyle holds out his hand, but when Professor Abd Al'alim salaams, he improvises a return greeting.
CONAN DOYLE
Your reputation precedes you, sir, I am honored to make your acquaintance.
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
I am humbled by your esteem.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini finds himself in a rectangular room with a raised dark wood floor.  The walls and ceiling are black marble.  The room is lit by the electric sconces dotting the walls.
The eye of Osiris is deeply carved in the center of the long oval table surrounded by thirteen chairs.
Two sarcophagi bookend the far corners of the room, another set of black drapes between them.  Houdini whips these open -- revealing a brick wall.  He presses the wall in several places.  It is solid.
Houdini raps his knuckles on the sarcophagus, then raises his pant leg and pulls out a thin strip of metal that he wedges into the sarcophagus which CREAKS as he pries it open.
Houdini replaces his tool and slips his fingers into the open space and peers inside.
The gaping maw of a mummy greets Houdini as it falls forward against the opening, with a small burst of ancient dust.
Houdini covers his mouth and nose with the sleeve of his tuxedo and raps on the case behind the corpse.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY -- NIGHT
BATTLE
Allow me to escort you to the séance.
Lady MacLeod allows Conan Doyle to escort her to the staircase, Battle and Professor Abd Al'alim close on her heels.  Conan Doyle walks as slow as he possibly can.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- NIGHT
Houdini emerges from beneath the table.
As he paces back and forth between the sarcophagi, Houdini's feet makes a DULL SOUND on the wooden floor.  He stops and taps his foot again.
Houdini crouches down, running his hand along the brick at the bottom of the wall;  there is a slight gap between the wall and the floor.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR STAIRCASE -- NIGHT
Conan Doyle slows his pace even more.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- NIGHT
Houdini pushes his jimmy into the crevice beneath the wall until it meets a slight resistance.  With just the slightest CLICK, a three foot section of the floor tilts downward.
INT. HIDDEN ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini peers up from the floor, into the pitch blackness.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
As the foursome reaches the third floor, Conan Doyle speaks louder than necessary:
CONAN DOYLE
Lt. Battle, this is a most remarkable edifice!
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
BATTLE (O.S.)
Thank you, Sir Arthur.
Houdini reaches into the cubby hole created by the lowered section of floor, clicks the mechanism, and whisks his hand out just as the section raises.  
CONAN DOYLE (O.S.)
I say, do you think we might have a drink before we go in?
Houdini shoots a look at the drapes.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Battle smiles.  His hand is on the drape.
BATTLE
Really, Sir Arthur, one would think you were hesitant about what awaits us on the other side of this curtain.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini dives for the opposite end of the drapes.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
The other eight guests have queued up behind our quartet.
Battle gestures at a SERVING GIRL. 
BATTLE
Girl!  Sir Arthur is thirsty.
Battle throws back the curtains and --
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
He enters, warily looking around.  The only thing amiss is the quivering of the drapes on the far side.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- SIMULTANEOUS
Houdini comes out from behind the drapes, spins around the far end of the velvet ropes, and ends up at the far end of the queue, just as --
Heath, Marconi and Franz arrive at the mezzanine from the staircase.  Marconi is taken aback by Houdini's quick move.
HEATH
Ah, Signóre Marconi, have you met Mr. Houdini?
Battle pulls the drapes back and his eyes immediately go beyond the group assembled behind him to Houdini.  Who shakes Marconi's hand.  Battle ushers the guests into the room.
HOUDINI
Signóre Marconi, my pleasure.
The SERVING GIRL approaches Conan Doyle.
CONAN DOYLE
Just a glass of water, thank you.
BATTLE
It seems, Mr. Houdini, you can appear with the same proficiency that you vanish.  I am sorry to disappoint you, but I hadn't provided for any of Sir Arthur's guests attending the séance.
FRANZ
I just wait outside and eat?  Okay?
HEATH
Don't worry about me either.  I wanted a better look at your ancient weapons collection, anyway.
Battle turns to Professor Abd Al'alim.
BATTLE
Prof Adb al'alim, is it true these experiments are best conducted with true believers?
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
Yes, that is so.
BATTLE
Then perhaps in the best interests of my guests, I should abdicate my seat.  I am still of an unsure mind on these matters.  Mr. Houdini, would you care to take my place?
HOUDINI
You are a gentleman and a scholar and there are darn few of us left --
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle holds the chair for Lady MacLeod, the others are already seated.  Houdini heads straight for the far end, shifting around a seat so that it is opposite the trick floor. 
HOUDINI
-- I am honored to take the host's seat at the head of the table.
Battle brushes off Houdini's shoulder.  Houdini stiffens.
BATTLE
Somewhere you seem to have come into contact with some dust.  I will, of course, chasten my servants. 
Battle looks down at a spot of dust before the sarcophagus.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Battle exits and looks over at Heath, who descends the second floor staircase, whistling jauntily.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The Serving Girl enters with a large goblet of water and sets it in front of Conan Doyle.
CONAN DOYLE
Oh, thank you.
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
Please lower the lights.
The Serving Girl turns the knob, plunging the room into semi-darkness.
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
Connect the circle.
They join hands as Professor Abd Al'alim closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, the room settling into momentary silence.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Battle quickly heads to the back staircase.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SECOND FLOOR STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS
Heath leans against the banister, grinning as he hears Battle's FOOTSTEPS passing.  He waits a second, then stealthily climbs up the few steps back into the --
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Heath glances at Franz who points toward the back staircase.  Heath winks at him and follows in Battle's footsteps.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Abd Al'alim's eyes are closed, as he goes into a trance.
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
... only darkness.  It is the tunnel between the planes.  Let go of your doubt.  Open your hearts, truly, in order to part the veil.
INT. TOWNHOUSE GRAND FOYER / MAIN STAIRCASE -- NIGHT
The Major-domo snaps to attention as Battle approaches.  He opens the door for Battle
BATTLE
Let no one in or out.
The Major-domo nods and shuts the door behind him.
HEATH
Hidden in the shadows of the staircase, scowls.
EXT. BATTLE'S MILANESE TOWNHOUSE -- NIGHT
Battle walks down the steps of the townhouse.  He takes out his pocket watch and stares into the mist of the street.
In moments two immense, black horses emerge from out of the fog, pulling a huge wooden lorry.
Battle meets the lorry.  He pats one of the horses on its flank.  The driver's face (MARCELLO) is terribly scarred.
BATTLE
Back it up down the alley, Marcello.  I fear a hasty exit may be in order.
Marcello GRUNTS a reply, spurs the horses forward a bit, then carefully backs them into the side-street.  
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Battle squeezes between the lorry and the wall.  When he gets to the rear, he leans his walking stick against the wall and quickly opens the doors.
Inside the lorry is a turbine.  Two large levers clearly labeled "amplitude" and "frequency" are at the bottom, above them are gauges measuring the level of each.
Marcello brings a large metal crank that he inserts into the bottom of the turbine.  Battle and Marcello crank up the machine and the gauges flicker to light.
Marcello pulls out the crank and goes back to the front of the lorry.  Battle checks his watch.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SÉANCE ROOM -- NIGHT
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
... a vibration from the darkness.  A presence is among us...right on the cusp of our world.  We welcome you, spirit, you have nothing to fear here.  Show yourself to us.
Slowly, a familiar faint blue glow begins to take form.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Battle slowly raises the frequency lever.  The needle rises.
HEATH (O.S.)
Shut it down.  Whatever it is.
Battle spins around to see a grinning Heath holding a pistol.  Battle smiles and spreads his hands out.
BATTLE
That weapon is hardly what I would call ancient.
Heath moves toward the machine.
HEATH
Shut up.  How do you shut this damn thing down?
INT. TOWNHOUSE SéANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The Demon moves through the room, toward Marconi.  Its glow enables Houdini and Conan Doyle to make eye contact.
PROFESSOR ABD AL'ALIM
Do not break the circle!
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
With lightning fast precision, Battle flips his wrist and slams his walking stick into Heath's ribs.  The pistol CLATTERS to the pavement.
Battle twists the pommel of his walking stick, and the bottom quarter of it slides away, revealing a stiletto blade.
Heath raises his hands in surrender.  His bravado gone.
HEATH
Please...
BATTLE
Do not abase yourself, boy.
Heath breathes a sigh of relief.
Battle plunges the blade into his heart.
Incredulous, Heath CHOKES and falls backward into the turbine.  His head hits the frequency lever, breaking it off.  The frequency needle drops.
A low frequency HUM emanates from the turbine and it begins to vibrate.  Battle leaps to the broken lever, but there is nothing he can do.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SÉANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The low HUM drops in pitch.  The séance guests let go of each other's hands as the Demon turns from blue to red.
The Demon stumbles back from Marconi, trembling as the form brightens from skeletal to a more human shape.  It backs toward the back drapes.
MARCONI
That is not ectoplasm -- 
Houdini tips over one of the sarcophagi so that it CRASHES to the floor, covering the trap door.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Marcello clasps his hands to his head and writhes in agony as Battle struggles to turn the turbine off.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Franz dashes through the drapes, colliding with most of the séance participants as they flee.  
Red light fills the room as violent sparks crisscross the Demon.
MARCONI
-- that is electricity!
Marconi hurls the goblet of water at it.  The glass EXPLODES upon contact and Marconi is hit full in the face with a shower of glass shards.  SHRIEKING, he falls to the floor.
The Demon is thrown back against the marble wall, its palms coming in direct contact with the marble --
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- SIMULTANEOUS
Every window in the townhouse BLOWS OUTWARD!
INT. TOWNHOUSE GRAND FOYER / MAIN STAIRCASE -- SIMULTANEOUS
The guests are thrown off their feet as the building shakes.
INT. TOWNHOUSE SÉANCE ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The room is silent, save for a faint HISS.
Franz turns on the lights.  
LADY MACLEOD
What happened?
The "Demon" is on the floor:  A figure covered in a black rubber suit crisscrossed with a "skeleton" of metal strips. Black lenses cover the eyes.  Smoke wafts from the two large, round, metal discs attached to the palms of the thick gloves.  
FRANZ
Was ist das?
CONAN DOYLE
Something of this world, I am sure, not the next.
Marconi MOANS.
CONAN DOYLE
Marconi!
Conan Doyle and Lady MacLeod rush to Marconi and help him to his feet.
Marconi's eyes are covered with black smudges and his face is speckled with blood from the shattered glass.
CONAN DOYLE
Lady MacLeod, help me take Signóre Marconi out into the light so I can examine his wounds.
Lady MacLeod and Conan Doyle walk Marconi out.
Houdini reaches out to touch the Assassin when suddenly it strikes his hand away, leaps to its feet and spins around to hit him in the cheek, stunning him for a moment.
The Assassin comes to an abrupt halt when it sees the sarcophagus blocking the trap door.  
HOUDINI
Sorry!  Dead end.
The Assassin GROWLS and lunges at Houdini.
Houdini flips out of the way, but the Assassin bounces off the wall, colliding with him and sending him into the chairs.
The Assassin jumps onto the table and toward the drapes.
Franz catches the Assassin by the throat in mid-air and SLAMS it down on the table.
It struggles to escape Franz's iron grip, as he reaches for the mask.
FRANZ
Let's have a look at you, geist!
The Assassin head-butts Franz spattering his face with blood, then kicks him in the stomach.
Franz doubles over and the Assassin spins around with a roundhouse kick that sends him through the curtains and --
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Franz comes flying backward through the curtains as Conan Doyle is on one knee, examining Marconi.
CONAN DOYLE
Good Lord!
(to Lady MacLeod)
Stay here, please.
The Assassin dashes out.  Conan Doyle leaps to his feet and strikes a boxing pose, launching a few powerful punches that the Assassin blocks and dodges expertly.
Houdini dashes through the curtains and grabs the distracted Assassin from behind in a bear hug.
HOUDINI
Hit 'im, Arthur!
CONAN DOYLE
Terribly unsporting, isn't it?
HOUDINI
He tried to kill us!
Conan Doyle lands two solid punches to the Assassin's face, who collapses in Houdini's arms.
Conan Doyle pulls off the mask.  Lady MacLeod GASPS.
Beneath the mask is the face of her servant, White Lotus.  An ugly bruise on her cheek is already beginning to form. 
CONAN DOYLE
I hit a lady?
White Lotus' eyes suddenly open and she spits at Conan Doyle.
She flips Houdini over onto Conan Doyle -- turns to the windows, stops, then steps to the quivering Lady MacLeod.  White Lotus' face returns to that of the demure servant girl.  She bows her head a bit and raises her eyes.
WHITE LOTUS
(heavily accented)
So sorry, madame.
A mischievous grin spreads across White Lotus' face as she snatches the jade necklace from Lady MacLeod's throat and she suddenly speaks in perfect English:
WHITE LOTUS
You may keep your diamond earrings -- consider them a gift for your many kindnesses.
White Lotus dashes to the divan on the far left, runs along it and dives out the broken window, above the bars.
Houdini gets to his feet and follows her out the window, though with far less grace.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Battle's eyes widen as White Lotus lands on the projecting second floor roof, then narrow when he spots Houdini.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- CONTINUOUS
Battle (O.S.) GASPS as part of the slate roofing breaks off beneath White Lotus, causing her to lose her footing.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
BATTLE
Marcello!
Marcello pulls a pistol from his coat.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SLATE PLATFORM -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini steps carefully as he approaches White Lotus.
HOUDINI
There's nowhere to go but down.
Houdini steps toward her.  White Lotus takes a step back.
Houdini takes another step, when White Lotus bounds toward him, using him as a boost to leap over top of him and onto the roof of the townhouse eight feet above them.
Houdini, astonished, climbs up the brick wall after her.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Marcello FIRES some shots at Houdini.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- CONTINUOUS
A brick explodes in Houdini's face.  Undaunted, he continues across the roof.  White Lotus is several paces ahead of him.
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR MEZZANINE -- CONTINUOUS
Marconi holds a bandage to his eyes.
FRANZ
Shots!
Conan Doyle, Franz and Lady MacLeod rush through the arch on the left side into the third floor parlour...
INT. TOWNHOUSE THIRD FLOOR PARLOUR -- CONTINUOUS
... from where they see Battle and Marcello as Marcello takes another pot-shot above them, at the roof.
Conan Doyle turns to Franz.
CONAN DOYLE
Franz, come with me. 
MARCONI
I go with you.
CONAN DOYLE
Easy, old boy.
Conan Doyle puts his hand on his shoulder.  Marconi's bandage is now bloody on the right side.
MARCONI
That thing tried to kill me!
CONAN DOYLE
Someone needs to stay to protect Lady MacLeod.
MARCONI
Sì, sì.  Of course.
Marconi sits next to Lady MacLeod, taking one of her hands in one of his as Franz follows Conan Doyle out of the room.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Battle wrenches the pistol away from Marcello, turns, and points the gun skyward, only to find --
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- CONTINUOUS
That Houdini has gone behind one of the high chimneys.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE SIDE-STREET -- CONTINUOUS
BATTLE
Bring the rig around to the front!
Marcello SNAPS the reigns as Battle sits next to him.
MARCELLO
Ya!
The horses start forward.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- CONTINUOUS
White Lotus easily runs across the roof, never missing a step.  Houdini stumbles a few times.
EXT. FRONT OF TOWNHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
Battle, on top of the lorry, looks up and WHISTLES.
INT. TOWNHOUSE GRAND FOYER / MAIN STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle and Franz push their way through the guests only to come face-to-face with the Major-domo.  He stands guard with a pair of scimitars.
Franz looks at him, and crouches down slightly with an unnerving grin.  The Major-domo raises his swords.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- CONTINUOUS
White Lotus runs to the edge of the roof in front of the entrance.  Houdini attempts to follow, slips, regains his balance when the slate gives way beneath him and he SLIDES ALONG THE ROOFTOP and is PROPELLED over the back edge.
EXT. PO RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini's body twists into a dive before hitting the river.
EXT. BATTLE'S MILANESE TOWNHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
The glass front doors SHATTER as the Major-domo is hurled through them by Franz.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE ROOF -- SIMULTANEOUS
White Lotus dives off the roof, tucks and rolls and...
EXT. BACK OF LORRY -- CONTINUOUS
...lands in a perfect crouch.  Battle turns to Marcello.
BATTLE
You're discharged, Marcello.
And shoots him with his own gun.  A boot to the chest, and Battle takes Marcello's place in the driver's seat.
White Lotus flips over and comes to rest next to him.  Battle SNAPS the reigns.
EXT. BATTLE'S MILANESE TOWNHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle and Franz come out through the broken doors, into the street. Conan Doyle goes after the lorry, Franz runs into the side-street, looking for Houdini.  Conan Doyle gets as far as Heath's body;  he looks up and locks eyes with Battle.  Behind him, the Major-domo approaches.
Battle hefts the gun in his hand, from which he can surmise:
BATTLE
A single cartridge left.
He aims the pistol and FIRES!
Behind Conan Doyle, the Major-domo is shot between the eyes.
Battle tosses the pistol aside as the lorry flies off.
BATTLE
The Milan Office of the Consortium is now officially closed. 
Conan Doyle goes to the curb and picks up Heath's pistol.  
Conan Doyle fires off a couple of rounds which impact the back of the lorry.  He drops the gun to his side.
CONAN DOYLE
Blast.
Conan Doyle reaches down to Heath's body.  He hesitates just a moment before closing Heath's eyes.
EXT. PO RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini breaks the surface of the water.
EXT. LORRY -- MOMENTS LATER
Seeing the bruise on White Lotus' cheek, Battle gingerly touches the injury.
White Lotus smiles tenderly, holds up her hand, and lets Lady MacLeod's necklace unfurl itself.
WHITE LOTUS
A parting gift.  We now have funds for a speedy passage.
BATTLE
A good thing too.  The final payment is due shortly.
White Lotus smiles, leans in and kisses Battle passionately.
DISSOLVE TO:
NT. MINISTRY 6 -- LATER
Churchill consults a newspaper as Conan Doyle and Houdini pour over a photograph.  The HEAVY MACHINE NOISES, faint, are still present throughout this scene.
CHURCHILL
"Mysterious Explosion..." "The handiwork of anarchists" --
Churchill slams the newspaper down.
CHURCHILL
May as well blame it on suffragettes! 
CLOSE ON PHOTOGRAPH
A group of soldiers, one is circled in grease pencil.
CHURCHILL (O.S.)
Lt. Guy Oliver Battle, circa 1899.
CONAN DOYLE
You knew about Battle the whole time?
CHURCHILL
Not entirely.  He is on a very special list.  His anti-monarchist colors are bright, but until now we did not associate him with The Consortium.
HOUDINI
The Consortium?
CHURCHILL
It is a perfectly legal American company, though one might best describe it as a corsair full of patent pirates.  The men whose deaths so alarmed Conan Doyle were those who would not sell them their patents.
HOUDINI
I don't understand.  What connection is there between Battle's hatred for royalty and patent pirates?
CHURCHILL
There may be none.  Nothing in Battle's background prepares him for being such a monopolist.  Undoubtedly he works for someone who could put such knowledge to good use.
CONAN DOYLE
What is Battle's background?
CHURCHILL
He is, by several years, the younger brother of Lord Marbury.  His military career was distinguished by an incredible facility for both languages and marksmanship -- which fed his propensity for dueling... until his stay in Peking anyway.  He came away from that with a Victoria Cross.  And something more.
HOUDINI
Something more?
CHURCHILL
Well, it is a curious thing.  The final year of the last century and he is in China, destitute except for what he earns as a soldier.  1901 comes around, he is mustered out of the army, and he faces the brave new century with greater finances than even his elder brother.
HALDANE
Among the casualties of the Siege of Peking, was the Library of the Hanlin Yuan, considered by some to be the oldest and richest library in the world!  This was among the volumes presumed lost!
Haldane produces a handwritten, hand-crafted folio about four inches thick, with Chinese characters on the cover.
HALDANE
This is a single volume in an encyclopedia called the Yung Lo Ta Tien, which ran to over 11,000 of these!  We came across this unexpected survivor almost by accident!
CONAN DOYLE
You suspect Battle of trading in stolen books?
Haldane opens the volume to reveal it's been gutted.
HALDANE
We suspect Battle of trading in whatever he used hundreds of such volumes to smuggle out of China!
HOUDINI
Perhaps he smuggled out the girl, as well.
CONAN DOYLE
Yes, the girl Lady MacLeod called White Lotus.
Churchill and Haldane exchange chagrined looks.
CHURCHILL
You're convinced she was operating without the knowledge of Lady MacLeod?
CONAN DOYLE
You may take my word for it:  Lady MacLeod is incapable of that kind of duplicity.  Having seen her dance, I can safely say her only talent is in flattering male admirers.
HALDANE
Aye, but tracing one Chinese --
Conan Doyle produces a photograph from an inner pocket.
CONAN DOYLE
Will this help?
CLOSE ON THIS PHOTOGRAPH
It's the picture taken by the Society Photographer.
CHURCHILL and HALDANE
Beam at each other.
CHURCHILL
We have a line on Battle, now perhaps we can trace the girl as well. 
HOUDINI
You know where Battle is now?
CHURCHILL
A man fitting his description has booked passage on the Campania, which left Southampton for New York City three days ago.  He is traveling with a young male ward under the pseudonym of...
(consulting a paper)
Hastings.
CONAN DOYLE
I do not suppose he is booked into stateroom 1066, is he?
This gets past Churchill's normally unflappable demeanor.
CHURCHILL
Good God!  He is!
HALDANE
Sir!?  Let me see that!
Churchill passes the ship's manifest to Haldane.
CONAN DOYLE
Well, at least that proves he has a sense of humor.
HALDANE
Thumbin' his nose at us, is what he's doing!
HOUDINI
What are you talking about?
CONAN DOYLE
The Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066.
HOUDINI
Oh yes, yes of course it was!  So what is our next step?
CHURCHILL
This is ministry business, Mr. Houdini.
HOUDINI
Yes, and I thought you'd pressed us into service in your ministry of... of challenges!
CHURCHILL
You go back to your music halls, Mr. Houdini, and Arthur can return to his dinosaurs.  This is best left to professionals, don't you think, Major?
Haldane, nose in a binder, grunts his assent.
Houdini is obviously crushed.
HOUDINI
But I'm between engagements.  I had anticipated assisting Sir Arthur -- I even sent Bess to accompany Franz on a visit to his people in Germany.
CONAN DOYLE
How is his nose, by the way?
HALDANE
Thunderation!
CHURCHILL
What is it, Major?
Haldane thrusts a binder in front of Churchill.
CHURCHILL
Holy God!
White, Churchill pushes the binder back at Haldane -- as if he can't stand to look at it -- and stands.
CONAN DOYLE
What is it?  What have you found?
HALDANE
When you said Battle of Hastings -- it rang a bell!  Another ship's manifest -- from this April!  I remembered the name -- Agincourt!  It's the sort of thing that stood out, even on -- that list!
Conan Doyle takes the binder.
CLOSE ON THE PAGE
Conan Doyle's finger runs down a list of names and staterooms, coming to rest at:
CONAN DOYLE (O.S.)
"Madame Agincourt, 1415."
ANGLE TILTS UP, at the top of the page:  S.S. TITANIC.
CONAN DOYLE AND CHURCHILL
Conan Doyle looks up, at Churchill.
CHURCHILL
Remember when you asked about my taking a position at the Admiralty?  I was overseeing a joint operation with our friends, the Americans.  We gave military blueprints to an American agent who sailed on the Titanic, a gentleman by the name of Jacques Futrelle.
CONAN DOYLE
An American agent?
CHURCHILL
Well, conscripted by the United States government to do us this little service.  He did not survive and the plans were presumed lost.
HOUDINI
What kind of plans?  Some kind of submersible?  Dirigible?
CHURCHILL
A sort of -- abacus.
HOUDINI
An abacus!
CHURCHILL
A steam-driven calculating machine called an Analytical Engine.  The American navy is currently constructing the world's most powerful wireless station in Fort Myer, Virginia.  Although our communications would be almost instantaneous, the drawback to wireless is that any such message may be intercepted.  What we needed was a cypher than could not be broken.
CONAN DOYLE
Which this machine would give you.  
(off Churchill's nod)
But what would this Consortium want with such a machine?
CHURCHILL
Isn't it obvious?  Up till now, we thought this raiding of patents was purely for financial gain.  But when they all deal with electricity and wireless, doesn't it suggest The Consortium is trying to create exactly the sort of impregnable military interchange that we are?  Can you imagine, gentlemen, an army of these electrical assassins, scattered throughout the globe, in instantaneous communications with each other?
INT. GOVERNMENT OFFICES - DOWNING STREET -- MOMENTS LATER
THE DOOR SHUTS behind them, and Conan Doyle and Houdini stand  in the narrow hallway.  They give each other a look.
CONAN DOYLE
Like knights of old, the gauntlet has been thrown down.  Is the Great Houdini up for this challenge?
Houdini smiles. 
HOUDINI
Call me Harry. 
INT. MINISTRY 6 -- CONTINUOUS
Haldane's hand holds a lit match to Churchill's cigar.
HALDANE (O.S.)
Took me awhile, it did, to understand why you brought the both of them here, telling them everything!
Churchill blows out smoke, the cloud giving him a rather Machiavellian expression.
CHURCHILL
When one's resources are severely constrained, one must fall back on guile.  I just hope I did not send two extraordinary men to their deaths.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LIVERPOOL QUAY -- MORNING
A thin cold rain falls on a wet, foggy morning.  Houdini, in a dark Inverness, blows into his hands for warmth.  Conan Doyle walks up to him.
A FIGURE in a heavy red riding coat watches from the shadows.
CONAN DOYLE
I found a tramp steamer.  A bit spotty but--  
HOUDINI
Aren't they a bit on the small side?
CONAN DOYLE
Oh it will be a rough ride, but the captain promised to get us to New York in seven days.  You all right?
Houdini is a bit pale.
HOUDINI
Swell.
EXT. ESMERALDA -- DAY
GUT-WRENCHING RETCHING NOISES, as Houdini, leans over the side of the tiny boat.
Conan Doyle walks up.  He smokes his pipe upwind of Houdini.
CONAN DOYLE
Feeling any better?
Houdini wipes his mouth and nods.  Just as the pipe smoke hits him, he starts retching again.
LADY MACLEOD (O.S.)
You know, ginger is an excellent cure for seasickness.
Conan Doyle's head snaps around and Houdini pops up at the same time.
Lady MacLeod, wearing a heavy red riding coat against the sea-spray, stands in the doorway.  A piece of ginger root is in one hand, a cigarette in the other.
LADY MACLEOD
Please don't act so surprised, gentlemen!  You surely did not expect me to stand idly by after that little servant girl stole my necklace, did you?  Your friend has a little...
She motions to the corner of her mouth.  Houdini has a bit of vomit there.  He quickly realizes and wipes it off.
LADY MACLEOD
I am quite serious about the ginger.  
Houdini gags and snatches the ginger from Lady MacLeod's hand and pops it in his mouth.
INT. ESMERALDA CABIN -- NIGHT
Conan Doyle and Houdini lie on the bunks in the tiny, dark cabin.  Houdini is on the top bunk.  Both men are in the exact same position with their arms behind their heads, except that Conan Doyle smokes his pipe.  Unsatisfied, he TAPS the ash into a tray and begins refilling the bowl.
HOUDINI
Can't sleep?
CONAN DOYLE
No.
HOUDINI
Me neither.  Where is our new friend?
CONAN DOYLE
She said she was going to retire for the night, but I'm not sure she meant to her own cabin.  In any case, thankfully, she seems to given us a brief respite from her presence.  Smokes like a chimney that one.
Conan Doyle lights his pipe.
Houdini looks through the rising smokes, and coughs a bit.
HOUDINI
Yes... she does.
Houdini turns on his side. 
HOUDINI
So what is the plan once we get to New York?
CONAN DOYLE
Contrary to popular notion, Sherlock Holmes is only my character, not my alter ego.
HOUDINI
And if Battle were your character?
CONAN DOYLE
Let me see... he failed to kill Marconi.
HOUDINI
But he did succeed in killing two others.
CONAN DOYLE
That we know of.  There may have been others.  As if eliminating pieces from a chess board.  Bishops perhaps, perhaps knights.
Houdini turns on his side, head in hand.
HOUDINI
And the king?  Who is the king?
CONAN DOYLE
I don't know.  Someone he failed to eliminate in Europe, or...
(sits up)
Or someone he intends to eliminate in the United States?
HOUDINI
In New York?
Conan Doyle stands and clicks on the electric light in the cabin, filling it with illumination.  Pointing at the light:
CONAN DOYLE
The King of Inventors, perhaps?
INT. THOMAS EDISON'S WEST ORANGE LABORATORY LIBRARY -- DAY
THOMAS ALVA EDISON, 65, leads Conan Doyle and Houdini into the room.  Both men still wear their heavy coats and remove their headgear.
CONAN DOYLE
It was kind of you, sir, to meet us at the gate.
Having only 20% hearing in his right ear, Edison habitually cups his hand to that ear and listens intently.  He smiles.
EDISON
Oh, no kindness involved, gentlemen.  I was out there to fire my gatekeeper.
Edison indicates a pair of wooden chairs facing a third chair in front of Edison's cluttered roll-top desk.  They all sit.
HOUDINI
Fire your gatekeeper? 
EDISON
When he rings me up and tells me Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini are here to see me -- well, I don't like practical jokes -- unless, o' course, I'm the one pullin' 'em.  
CONAN DOYLE
Are you aware of the recent death of Jules Poincaré?
EDISON
No, can't say I am.  Who was he?
CONAN DOYLE
A French mathematician.  I'm surprised you haven't heard of him.  He contributed greatly to several applied fields, including mechanics, optics, electricity, and thermodynamics.
EDISON
Can't know everybody!
CONAN DOYLE
M. Poincaré died at a séance I attended in Marseilles.
EDISON
A séance.
CONAN DOYLE
Yes, that's right.  And then, just before Mr. Houdini and I left Europe, Guglielmo Marconi was attacked at a séance we attended in Milan. 
EXT. NEW YORK DOCKS, CAMPANIA -- DAY
Battle and White Lotus, disguised as a boy, watch as the back of the lorry is lowered to the dock before them.
WHITE LOTUS
Who gets to tell him?
BATTLE
You seem to have a soothing effect on him.
WHITE LOTUS
I do not think Tee would find me quite so soothing in these garments.
BATTLE
Yes, you need to go to our suite this instant and change back into a woman. If I have to spend another instant with you that I cannot take you in my arms, I shall go mad.  I will wait here for Graunch.
WHITE LOTUS
And if the American police should suddenly show up?
BATTLE
I would gladly fight the American police, if I had to -- those not on our payroll, I mean.  But even that will not be necessary so long as fearful family members and unquestioning newspapers are our unwitting accomplices. 
INT. THOMAS EDISON'S WEST ORANGE LABORATORY LIBRARY -- DAY
Edison consults a newspaper.
EDISON
Says here Marconi lost an eye in an automobile accident.  Not the victim of -- what'd you call it -- "an electrified assassin"?
CONAN DOYLE
One that was powered wirelessly. 
Edison leans forward, first to Conan Doyle, then to Houdini, sniffing each of them.  His face is inches from Houdini's.
EDISON
Get out.
HOUDINI
Sir?!
EDISON
You're not drunk, so you must be crazy!
HOUDINI
I assure you, sir, we are in earnest.  I know how incredible it sounds, but everything transpired just as Sir Arthur and I described it.
Edison gets on his feet.
EDISON
Wireless power don't exist!  Your song and dance started off like one of your dee-tective stories.  But wireless power!  You've gone beyond Jules Verne now, boy, you've entered the fantasy world of Nikola Tesla!  
EXT. THOMAS EDISON'S WEST ORANGE LABORATORY GATEHOUSE -- DAY
They stand there a further moment, considering their options.  Then Houdini looks up at Conan Doyle.
HOUDINI
Tesla?
Conan Doyle looks down at Houdini.
CONAN DOYLE
First, I think we need to see to Lady MacLeod. 
INT. RITZ HOTEL LOBBY -- AFTERNOON
White Lotus, still disguised as a boy and carrying a lawyers case, enters, followed by PORTERS carrying her and Battle's huge retinue of luggage.    
The Concierge, a bespectacled man who appears too young for the job, looks up.
CONCIERGE
Stop right there, would you, boy?
White Lotus stops in her tracks, annoyed.
WHITE LOTUS
Please kind sir, I am to escort Mr. Battle's things to his room.
The Concierge immediately changes his tone.
CONCIERGE
Oh I see.  Mr. Battle is--
WHITE LOTUS
Otherwise occupied, sir.  He asked me to take care of his arrangements.
CONCIERGE
Well I hardly think a Chinaman --
White Lotus' jaw tightens, but she bows her head.
WHITE LOTUS
Begging you pardon, sir.  Mr. Battle assured me that you personally would see to his affairs and that you personally would be responsible if anything was not as he asked.
CONCIERGE
Well if he feels confident in leaving his affairs to a Chinaman, then who am I to criticize?
(to the porters)
Take Mr. Battle's things to room 318.
White Lotus follows the porters.  The Concierge sniffs and shakes his head.
EXT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE -- AFTERNOON
Houdini removes his slouch hat and gestures dramatically with it toward his abode.
HOUDINI
Welcome to the home of the Great Houdini!
Houdini jogs jauntily up the steps.
Conan Doyle escorts Lady MacLeod out of an automobile.
LADY MACLEOD
I admire his boundless energy, but does he ever dispense with the "Great Houdini" routine?
CONAN DOYLE
He wouldn't be half as charming if he did.
Houdini BUZZES the bell.
Houdini's butler, AUSTIN opens the door.  He has the bearing of an ex-military man.
AUSTIN
Master Harry!  We were not expecting you back so soon.  Shall I send for your mother?  She is still in New Jersey with Master Theodore.
CONAN DOYLE
Master Theodore?
HOUDINI
My brother, Dash.  He performs under the name of Hardeen.
(to Austin)
As far as mama's concerned, I am still in Europe.  Austin, this is my good friend, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Houdini puts his arm around Conan Doyle and pats him heartily.  Austin peers over Conan Doyle's shoulder at Lady MacLeod.
AUSTIN
And the lady?
Houdini looks uncomfortably back at Lady MacLeod. 
INT. RITZ HOTEL LOBBY -- AFTERNOON
A WOMAN, dressed to the nines and hurrying through the lobby, catches the eye of the Concierge.  He pops up from behind the desk and follows her out the front door.
EXT. RITZ HOTEL LOBBY -- CONTINUOUS
The Woman hails a cab as the Concierge runs out.  His smile disappears when he sees the cigarette in her hand.
CONCIERGE
Ahem, girl!  We frown on our female guests smoking.
The Woman turns.  It is White Lotus.  She contemptuously takes a puff from the cigarette.
WHITE LOTUS
I have smoked since I was sixteen years old.  It was the best way to hide the smell of decomposing bodies.
CONCIERGE
(recoiling)
May I ask your business, girl?
WHITE LOTUS
I beg your pardon, sir?
CONCIERGE
This is a respectable establishment.  We do not allow unescorted females.
WHITE LOTUS
I am a guest of Mr. Guy Battle.
CONCIERGE
He seems quite fond of you people.  I'm afraid I cannot let you leave without his confirmation.  We can't have professional women of your type gallivanting around our guest's rooms with sticky fingers, now can we?
The Concierge gets the attention of a nearby beat cop.
WHITE LOTUS
Mr. Battle will be very unhappy that you have detained me.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - LIBRARY -- AFTERNOON
Houdini exults in a library filled with volumes of haphazardly stacked books.  Conan Doyle peruses;  Lady MacLeod yawns.
HOUDINI
... my collection of magic books, pamphlets and treatises is the largest in the world!
AGNES, Houdini's maid enters.  Her maid's outfit is entirely black, and she wears a black veil.  She curtsies demurely.
HOUDINI
Lady MacLeod, Agnes will take care of all your needs while Arthur and I discuss business.
Lady MacLeod takes a hard look at Agnes, who hangs her head.
LADY MACLEOD
I suppose I shall have to lock up my diamond earrings.
Houdini grabs Lady MacLeod by the elbow and moves her to one corner.  Lady MacLeod seems impressed by this manhandling.
HOUDINI
Madam, I don't know how you're accustomed to dealing with servants, but you'll treat mine with the utmost respect.  Agnes lost her husband and child earlier this year, and I will not have you questioning her honesty.
He moves away from her;  she looks after him with a newfound respect.
LADY MACLEOD
Yes, of course.
INT. TESLA'S LABORATORY -- AFTERNOON
The lab is dark as White Lotus enters, closing the door behind her.  A very loud SPUTTERING is heard.  She looks around.
WHITE LOTUS
Tee?
White Lotus' voice is barely audible over the noise.  There is a sudden illumination -- jagged, white light.
Tesla pours over notes on a clipboard as, JUST INCHES ABOVE HIS HEAD, BOLTS OF ELECTRICITY ARC from the copper orbs of a Tesla Coil to some receptors on the wall behind him.
Tesla looks up at the gauges, makes an adjustment, and the ARTIFICIAL LIGHTNING INCREASES ITS FURY.  The receptors begin to glow CHERRY RED which, as he glances in their direction, seems to please him:  A small smile plays over his features.  As he turns back to his notes, he sees White Lotus.
Tesla reaches out, depresses a hand grip, unlocking and pulling down a lever.  The lightning and the CRACKLING NOISE instantly cease, plunging the room into darkness.
There is another ELECTRICAL NOISE, and instantly all the conventional lighting in the room goes on.
TESLA
The board of education wants me to electrify schoolchildren.
White Lotus looks around, not sure he's talking to her.  The lab is large for being in an office building, cluttered with incomprehensible machinery.
TESLA
Just the mentally defective ones, you understand.  You look markedly beautiful, madame, but there are an even number of people in the room.  The triad is incomplete without Guy.
EXT. NEW YORK DOCKS, CAMPANIA -- EVENING
A hired motorcar arrives and White Lotus steps out.  She pays the driver, waits patiently a moment, then puts her head inside the motorcar.
INT. MOTORCAR -- CONTINUOUS
Tesla sits in the back, staring off into space.
WHITE LOTUS
Are you prepared, Tee?
Tesla nods his head almost imperceptibly.
EXT. NEW YORK DOCKS, CAMPANIA -- CONTINUOUS
Tesla steps out from the motorcar.  White Lotus moves off slowly, and a look of crisis passes over his face, as if grappling with a question of relative safety between the motorcar and White Lotus' company.  With an almost palpable summoning of willpower, he follows White Lotus.
Battle, waiting at the crate with a very large man, GRAUNCH, drops a cigarette and stamps it out as they approach.
White Lotus comes up to Battle, and in what looks like a moment of public intimacy, slips something inside his coat.  They speak together in low tones:
BATTLE
That kindles old memories.  What have you taken now?
WHITE LOTUS
Tesla's passport.  Just in case.
Battle kisses her -- lightly, as they're in public. 
BATTLE
You think of everything.
They move apart.  Tesla's eyes are on the cigarette butt.
TESLA
Were the European backers impressed with the Tesla Resonator?
Tesla carefully circles around the cigarette butt.
BATTLE
We acquired most of the patents, but there were one or two holdouts --
Tesla looks up, perhaps the most lucid we've seen him. 
TESLA
Marconi?
WHITE LOTUS
Sorry, Tee, but he was unreceptive.
TESLA
There is no such thing as unreceptive... there is only a failure to find the sympathetic resonance.  But the financial backers, they were --
BATTLE
All those who experienced it first hand were suitably dazzled.
Battle opens the crate revealing the burned out Resonator.
Tesla's hands quiver as climbs into the crate.
INT. DOOR OUTSIDE TESLA'S LABORATORY -- EVENING
Houdini and Conan Doyle approach the locked door.  Houdini squats down and unwraps his leather lockpick case.  He makes quick work of the lock.  
INT. TESLA'S LABORATORY -- EVENING
Moonlight from the skylights wash over the great machines. 
Tables and cabinets are filled with incomprehensible devices: motors, turbines, glass tubes, coils, etc. 
Conan Doyle points to a loft high above the floor of the lab:  Tesla's office.
INT. OUTSIDE TESLA'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
The duo climb stairs which lack a banister and are open on both sides.  At the top, Houdini again picks the lock.
INT. TESLA'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle sits down at the desk to go through the papers scattered on top of it.  He picks up an article entitled "Westinghouse Abandons Wardenclyffe Project".  There is a photo of the tower.  
Conan Doyle puts the paper aside and looks at some carefully preserved clippings that have been mounted on heavier stock.  Several pertain to outbreaks of various kinds of infections.
Another stack relates to the SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE OF 1906 and, digging down, to the TUNGUSKA EARTHQUAKE OF 1908.  Conan Doyle looks them over.
CONAN DOYLE
Germs and earthquakes!  Why in the world would Tesla clip stories about germs and earthquakes?
An elaborate envelope with one torn end catches Conan Doyle's eye.  He blows it open and shakes out the letter.
At the top of the letter is a dramatic logo of a hand enveloping a globe; typography below reads "The Consortium".
CONAN DOYLE
It seems that Mr. Tesla has already been contacted by the Consortium.  Do you know where this address is?
Conan Doyle hands Houdini the envelope, who in turn...
HOUDINI
This is the far end of Chinatown, down by the docks.  Tesla could be dead already!
CONAN DOYLE
I fear you may be correct.  What's this?
... hands Conan Doyle a large paper, which he unfurls.
HOUDINI
A patent blueprint for something he calls a tele-mechanical vessel.  This tiny thing is powerful enough to replace several tug boats.
Conan Doyle's features darken. 
CONAN DOYLE
And it's controlled by wireless.  I pray this isn't a patent Battle stole.
HOUDINI
Afraid he might move boats around?
CONAN DOYLE
I'm afraid he moved an iceberg around. 
HOUDINI
You think he had something to do with the Titanic--
A sudden sharp CRACK of electricity cause both men to jump.
HOUDINI
Now what!?
EXT. NEW YORK DOCKS, CAMPANIA -- EVENING
TESLA
You broke it!  I trusted you with the Tesla Resonator and you broke it!
BATTLE
White Lotus was in the process of demonstrating your Tesla Resonator when one of the levers was accidentally moved --
TESLA
You changed the settings!?
BATTLE
Not intentionally, I assure you.
TESLA
Do you have any idea what damage you might have caused?
Battle pulls Tesla out of the crate by the lapels.
BATTLE
Our not knowing the full capabilities of the machine could have killed White Lotus!
Tesla stares at Battle, his blue eyes cold and unfeeling.  
BATTLE
I beg your pardon, Nikola.  You know I feel passionately where White --
TESLA
You were lucky the elements burned themselves out when they did, or she might have toppled the building.
Battle carefully smoothes down Tesla's lapels.
BATTLE
Nikola, you must never hold back crucial information from us.  I came to you when no one else would.  I -- we believe in you, Nikola.  
WHITE LOTUS
We are just as anxious as you to bring about a new world, Tee.  Let us not allow the loss of the prototype to stop us now.
TESLA
Prototype?  This is not the prototype -- this is merely a portable version.  The original Tesla Resonator was much too inconvenient to move --
BATTLE
Really?  And where is the original?
TESLA
At my laboratory.
BATTLE
In the Metropolitan Building?
Tesla shakes his head.
INT. TESLA'S LABORATORY -- EVENING
Conan Doyle and Houdini burst out of the office.  
The lab is filled with the blue glow of crackling electricity that emanates from the giant Tesla Coil.  Lady MacLeod has fallen on the floor at the foot of the machine.
Houdini and Conan Doyle run down the staircase.  
Conan Doyle helps up Lady MacLeod as Houdini searches for a switch.
HOUDINI
How do I turn it off?!
CONAN DOYLE
I don't know!  Try anything!  
(to Lady MacLeod)
How did you turn it on?!
LADY MACLEOD
I don't know!  It just went on!
Houdini probes the machine frantically and finally locates a switch.  He turns it off and the lightning dissipates. 
Houdini glares at Lady MacLeod.
LADY MACLEOD
I just wanted my necklace back!
HOUDINI
Well, I don't think you're going to find it here!  Why can't you stay where we tell you?!
LADY MACLEOD
Just because you have a great build doesn't mean I have to do everything you tell me!
Houdini blushes beet red.  He turns to Conan Doyle.
HOUDINI
What do you suppose this thing is?
CONAN DOYLE
Whatever it is, I'd hate to see it in the hands of someone like Battle.  What we need is someone who can keep an eye on that Consortium address.
Neither man notices Lady MacLeod wander off.
HOUDINI
Someone who would not stand out in Chinatown.
CONAN DOYLE
What about that Chung Ling Soo friend of yours?
HOUDINI
Chung Ling Soo is no more Chinese than you are;  besides, magicians don't have friends, they have rivals. 
LADY MACLEOD (O.S.)
Tesla looks a bit like a magician, doesn't he?
Conan Doyle walks over to where Lady MacLeod studies a series of framed daguerreotypes lining the wall.  
Images of Tesla holding glowing tubes and such, Tesla at the Niagara Falls and, lastly, Wardenclyffe Tower, next to a board of keys.
CLOSE ON THE NIAGARA FALLS DAGUERREOTYPE
Tesla in the foreground, a large RESONATOR in the background.
CONAN DOYLE (O.S.)
I don't think Mr. Tesla is in any danger from Mr. Battle at all.
INT. RITZ HOTEL LOBBY -- NIGHT
The Concierge is at the front-desk of the empty lobby, head in hand, barely able to keep his eyes open.  
A weary Battle enters.  The Concierge immediately perks up.
CONCIERGE
Ah, Mr. Battle!  Everything is set per your requests, though I took the liberty of making sure your boy was supervised at all times while unpacking your luggage.  I know he is under your employ but you can't be too careful with those Chinese.
Battle's eyes narrow as he hands the Concierge a folded bill.  
CONCIERGE
Oh!  One other thing.
BATTLE
Yes.  What is it, man?
CONCIERGE
There was a girl.  An unescorted girl, if you know what I mean, sir.
BATTLE
No.  I am not sure what you mean, sir.  Get to the point.
The Concierge LAUGHS nervously.
CONCIERGE
Well, I just wanted to assure you that I personally escorted her out.  And just to make sure she got the message, I called over our local constable and told him that if he ever saw that chink--
The Concierge suddenly finds his Adam's apple at the point of Battle's walking-stick stiletto.
BATTLE
You will never utter that vile word again in or out of my presence.  My wife's ancestors enjoyed a civilized culture while yours were still huddled in stone warrens, painting themselves blue.  If it ever comes to my ears that you showed Mrs. Battle anything less than your utmost respect...
Battle pushes the blade into the Concierge's skin.  A trickle of blood runs down and stains the white collar.
BATTLE
...then you will find yourself breathing out your throat -- that is, if you are still breathing at all.  Have I made myself clear?
Battle pulls back the blade, wipes it clean with his kerchief, and re-sheaths the weapon.  The Concierge holds the skin of his neck to staunch the bleeding;  his hand shakes terribly. 
BATTLE
Our breakfast is to be served at seven A.M. precisely.  And my wife prefers orange marmalade on her toast.
CONCIERGE
Y-yes.  Yes sir, Mr. Battle.
Battle grins tightly, patting the man on the cheek.
BATTLE
Good man.
Battle leaves the trembling Concierge.
INT. BATTLE'S SUITE AT THE RITZ -- NIGHT
Battle unlocks, opens the door and enters.
EDISON (O.S.)
You keep the Goddamnedest hours.  I been sittin' here in the dark since sundown.
Thomas Edison sits on a chair by the window.
Battle closes the door.
BATTLE
There was no need, Tommy -- you could have partaken of your own invention.
Battle switches on the light, then moves to the bar to pour himself a drink.
BATTLE
Brandy?
EDISON
Nope.
BATTLE
May I ask who let you in?  No wait.  Let me guess.
Edison pulls out a handkerchief and noisily blows his nose.
EDISON
Doesn't matter who let me in, man.  I'm Thomas Goddamn Edison!  I go where I please.  How was Europe?
BATTLE
Is that to what I owe this singular honor?  Yes, by all means, let's get this over with.
Battle goes into the next room, continuing to speak.
BATTLE
I was able to acquire a majority of the patents!  Marconi was a bit of a stickler though!
EDISON
Heard he was in some kind of accident!  Lost an eye!  And Poincaré?  Did you get his research on thermodynamics before he kicked the bucket?
Battle returns, the LAWYERS CASE in hand.
BATTLE
Yes.  As a matter of fact we did.
Battle holds it out to Edison, who does not take it.  Battle puts the case down at Edison's feet.
EDISON
Convenient.
BATTLE
Such an accusatory tone, Tommy.
EDISON
Cut the crap, Guy.  Who the hell do you think you're dealin' with here?  I'm Thomas --
BATTLE
Goddamn Edison.  Yes.  Yes, we've covered that ground.
EDISON
Now looky here, son, we had a simple business arrangement --
BATTLE
Quid pro quo, sir.  You supply me with the names of researchers whose work interferes with yours, and I buy up their patents to quash them.  For a time, anyway.
Edison's jaw quivers.
EDISON
Yeah, but I never signed on for anything underhanded!
Battle returns to the bar and his drink. 
BATTLE
You signed on without the slightest interest in our methods.  Let us not have any misunderstanding between us, sir.  We are thieves, you and I:  I steal patents, you steal ideas -- such as those of Nikola Tesla.
Edison shoots to his feet.
EDISON
Don't you go tellin' me about Tesla, you son of a bitch!
BATTLE
Then I doubt you will enjoy the irony that much of the money from the patents will go to finance Tesla.
EDISON
You are a common criminal, sir!
Battle's hand tightens on the pommel of his walking stick.
BATTLE
You never questioned my methods before.  Why the sudden concern?
Battle moves closer to Edison.
BATTLE
Are you an aficionado of detective stories, Tommy?
EDISON
I don't know what the hell you're talking 'bout.
BATTLE
I think we both know who the hell I'm talking about.
EDISON
Whatcha gonna do, Guy.  Heh.  Kill me?  You'd never get away with it.
BATTLE
I am an honorable man, sir.  I never kill any man who remains useful.  
Edison kicks the bag with his foot, spilling out some wads of bills.  Battle involuntarily flinches.
EDISON
Keep your goddamn blood money!
Battle takes a large swig of brandy.
BATTLE
Go to hell.
Edison storms to the door -- it opens just as he reaches it.
White Lotus stands in the threshold.  She smiles at Edison, who scowls at her, snorting derisively.  She moves aside as he rages out.  Then she enters, closes the door, and flies toward Battle, knocking him backward onto the ample sofa.  
There is heavy osculation before she notices the lawyers case and the wads of money.
WHITE LOTUS
He did not take the money?
Battle shakes his head.  He reaches into the bag, takes out an alarm-activated time bomb and deactivates it.
WHITE LOTUS
And you let him leave alive?
BATTLE
I didn't feel like changing hotel rooms.  Edison's pride will keep his mouth shut until he can be dealt with.  First things first.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Agnes comes out of one room and moves down the hall.  It's amazing she can see in the gloom -- her veil completely obscures her face.  Lady MacLeod comes out of the bathroom, passes Agnes, and goes into the room Agnes has just left.
Agnes puts out the gaslight sconces as she walks down the stairs toward the kitchen.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - CONAN DOYLE'S BEDROOM -- EVENING
Conan Doyle tosses fitfully in his sleep.  There is a strange HISSING SOUND, barely discernable, in the background.
BATTLE (O.S.)
Time to wake up.
Conan Doyle coughs, opens his eyes.  He looks down the barrel of a pistol.  Battle hands the disorientated Conan Doyle a wet kerchief.
BATTLE
Clamp this over your nose.  It will filter out some of the gas.  
Conan Doyle glances over at the HISSING gas valve.  
Battle motions with his pistol.
BATTLE
Time to discuss "home rule," Sir Arthur.  Now get dressed.  Have no doubt that I will kill you if you make the slightest noise.
Conan Doyle gets out of bed.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - LADY MACLEOD'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Lady MacLeod sits on the edge of her bed, smoking.  She looks at the nightstand next to her bed.  There is a vase of flowers, but no ashtray, so she tosses the cigarette butt on the hardwood floor.  She is about to stamp it out when she sees it has landed in the palm of a woman's hand that protrudes from beneath her bed.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle, followed by Battle, comes out of his room.  Conan Doyle is none-too-steady on his feet;  he hugs the banister as they make their way along the balcony.
The door directly behind Battle opens and Lady MacLeod SMASHES the vase from her nightstand on Battle's head.
CONAN DOYLE
Well done, madame.  Well done.
He coughs as he kneels and takes Battle's pistol.
LADY MACLEOD
What is that dreadful smell?
CONAN DOYLE
The gas taps.  'Pears Battle doesn't need electricity to be deadly.
Suddenly the sound of a terrible COMMOTION echoes through the Brownstone.
CONAN DOYLE
Quickly, madame -- downstairs! 
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - ENTRY HALL -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle reels from the effects of the gas.  Lady MacLeod, on the other hand, comes flying down around him.
She stops, looks somewhat pityingly at him, then grabs the gun from his hand and continues sprinting down. 
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
The kitchen is a battle-zone.  Knives protrude from the walls.
Houdini and White Lotus are in the midst of a heated battle.  Houdini utilizes every bit of his acrobatic ability as he ducks and dodges White Lotus' blows.
White Lotus is clearly the better fighter -- the only thing preventing her from kicking Houdini's butt is being hampered by wearing Agnes' maid outfit.
White Lotus has backed up into the narrow end of the kitchen, between two doors (one closed, and one ajar).
Houdini makes a move toward White Lotus --
White Lotus yanks a knife from the wall and brandishes it at Houdini --
Houdini jumps back --
White Lotus turns the knife toward herself --
The world seems to come to a stop for just an instant --
She RIPS the knife through her long skirt on one side;  in the dining room beyond, Austin sneaks up behind her.
Houdini's eyes make just the barest movement in his direction.
White Lotus notices the slight glance;  she looks up at
A SILVER TRAY ON A SIDEBOARD
Which reflects Austin as he sneaks up behind her.
HOUDINI
Makes another move toward White Lotus --
Who kicks the ajar door so that it SMACKS Austin in the face;  at the same time, she throws the knife at Houdini.
Houdini catches it in mid-air, wincing as the blade slices his palm --
White Lotus pulls the stunned Austin forward, pushes him through the open doorway into what turns out to be a broom closet, grabs a broom -- 
Houdini flips the knife around --
White Lotus snaps the broom in half, slams the door, uses the handle to jam it closed --
Houdini throws the knife --
White Lotus holds up the bristle end of the broom into which the knife embeds.  She spins around and kicks Houdini in the chest with her foot, knocking him back into the china cabinet, which teeters as Houdini slides to the floor.
White Lotus pulls the knife from the broom and straddles Houdini.  As she lifts the knife, a SHOT rings out.  White Lotus, surprised, flinches as the bullet grazes her shoulder, tearing away part of the sleeve and the skin beneath.
White Lotus raises her gaze and comes eye-to-eye with --
LADY MACLEOD
Trains a gun on her in her shaking hands.
Houdini uses his legs to catapult White Lotus off of him.
White Lotus lands with a bone-jarring THUD on her back, the knife SKITTERING across the tile floor.  She looks up, to see Lady MacLeod standing over her, the still shaking gun pointed directly at her face. 
LADY MACLEOD
Where is my necklace, you little bitch!?
White Lotus, disheveled, bleeding, smiles up at Lady MacLeod.
WHITE LOTUS
Converted into gold, dear lady.  First class passage on the Campania.  Now, be wise and put down that silly gun before you hurt someone.
HOUDINI
Oh just shoot her!
Conan Doyle comes through the door.  White Lotus kicks the gun from Lady MacLeod's hand, then kicks up from her back.
She backhands Lady MacLeod hard enough that she crashes into the china cabinet.  White Lotus then turns to Conan Doyle.
WHITE LOTUS
You have a very powerful left jab, Sir Arthur.
CONAN DOYLE
Had I known you were a woman I --
White Lotus wallops Conan Doyle exactly the same way he hit her, knocking him back into the closed door.
WHITE LOTUS
Apology accepted.
White Lotus' face suddenly tightens.  She reaches over her shoulder and pulls a playing card from the back of her neck.  The corner is stained with her blood.
White Lotus turns around.  
Houdini stands at the door to the exterior.  He holds out his empty hands, makes a quick movement, producing cards in each hand and flings them both at White Lotus.  Just as White Lotus bats them out of the way, Houdini produces two more.  They both embed themselves in White Lotus' legs.
HOUDINI
Arthur, guard the door!  The basement's the only other exit!  She's trapped!
White Lotus spins around and lands a roundhouse kick to Conan Doyle.  As he falls face forward, she ducks through the door.
CONAN DOYLE
Heavens, Harry, why did you tell her the only way out?
Houdini has to jump over Conan Doyle to get through the door.
HOUDINI
Don't fret, Sir Arthur -- I lied!
And with that, Houdini, is through the door and --
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - BASEMENT WORKSHOP -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini runs down the stairs.  
White Lotus reaches the bottom of the stairs.  Just as she squints to try to see in the darkness, the lights SNAP on.
Houdini's workshop is an immense collection of stage illusions, fun house mirrors, wax figures, etc.
Along one side are a series of power tools:  a band saw, drill press, saw table -- interconnected by an overhead pulley system, powered by a single gasoline-powered engine.
Houdini leaps off the steps and knocks her to the floor.
She flips him over her head and leaps to her feet.
White Lotus runs over to the circular saw table;  she grabs and throws blades at Houdini.  One grazes his shoulder.
Houdini grins and throws something on the ground causing a large puff of smoke.  White Lotus dives into the smoke, but Houdini is nowhere to be found.
HOUDINI (O.S.)
Over here.
White Lotus spins around.  An arm comes out of the smoke and clocks her but good.  The smoke clears slightly --
She sees Houdini.  Her fist jabs out at Houdini's face --
Which SMASHES into pieces.  It isn't Houdini, but his reflection in a mirror.  White Lotus' hand is cut to ribbons.
HOUDINI
Abracadabra.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle is only partly to his feet, trying to shake off the effects of both the gas and the roundhouse kick.  His eyes go to the pistol on the floor, then to Lady MacLeod beneath the china cabinet.
Conan Doyle moves toward the china cabinet.  He kneels down to lift it off Lady MacLeod when --
Battle's walking-stick CRACKS against his skull.  He collapses 
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - BASEMENT WORKSHOP -- CONTINUOUS
White Lotus wipes her bloody hand on her skirt.  She slowly turns around.
Houdini stands there with his hands on his hips.  White Lotus makes sure it's really him before kicking him in the stomach.
She is startled when it doesn't faze him.  He pats his belly.
HOUDINI
Muscle control.  Takes months of practice.
White Lotus topples a huge papiermâché devil's head into Houdini, which he easily deflects, but as he does so, White Lotus slides to the floor and uses the momentary distraction to kick Houdini's feet out from under him.
Houdini goes down, lands on his back on what seems to be a bench, his head between upright wooden columns.
Before he can recover, White Lotus appears above him -- again, straddling his body.  She brings down some kind of crossbar over his head and --
From another angle, we see that she's pinned Houdini in a guillotine.  She clamps his head into the stockade-like neck restraint.  She picks up a hammer and SLAMS it into the locking mechanism, breaking it.
WHITE LOTUS
I hate magicians.
She drops the hammer to the floor and stands up.  Houdini's legs flail helplessly as she unties the rope at the side of the guillotine.  She regards him for only an instant before she lets go, the blade RAMMING DOWN the vertical guides and hitting its target with a BANG followed by rattling sound in the wicker basket at the end of the guillotine.
Houdini's legs go slack and the arms fall to the sides. 
She turns when she hears Battle CLAPPING for her at the top of the stairs. White Lotus curtsies, picks up her skirt and hurries up the stairs, meeting Battle at the top with a kiss.
BATTLE
Have I told you recently how much I love you?  Especially when you eliminate the little annoyances from my life.  But I'm afraid we must take our English knight to more appropriate territory.
Battle escorts White Lotus out.
Houdini's body is inert, until the door SLAMS (O.S.), then one of his feet twitches.  Then twitches again.  On the third try, he manages to use the edge of the bench to dislodge his shoe.  Then he does the other shoe.  Using the big toe of one foot, he removes the sock from one foot.
Houdini stretches out his foot until he can grasp the hammer with his toes.
With practiced flexibility, he brings the hammer up, flips it in the air and catches it with his hand.
He SMASHES the locking mechanism and releases the restraining panel revealing the trick blade.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER
Houdini comes through the door.  He removes the broom handle from the door opposite, then pulls out Austin.  Then he sees Lady MacLeod, still pinned beneath the toppled china cabinet.
HOUDINI
Austin!  Give me a hand! 
Between the two of them, they're able to right the heavy cabinet.  Lady MacLeod is dazed but alive:
HOUDINI
Are you all right?
Lady MacLeod chokes;  the air is still thick with gas:
LADY MACLEOD
I think so.  Yes.
They help her to her feet.
HOUDINI
I suppose they took Arthur.  
Lady MacLeod nods, then realizes:
LADY MACLEOD
Your maid.  They killed her.
HOUDINI
Damn them!  Forgive my vulgarity, madam.
LADY MACLEOD
My god, they're going to kill Arthur.
HOUDINI
No, they would not have taken him then.  Battle wants something from Arthur.  Let us hope we have time before they get whatever it is.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - ENTRY HALL -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini and Austin get as far as the bottom of the stairs supporting Lady MacLeod, then Houdini lets go.
HOUDINI
Austin, for heaven's sake turn off the gas jets!
Houdini grabs his inverness and slouch hat from a peg on the hall tree.
AUSTIN
But you, sir, where are you going?
But Houdini is already gone. 
EXT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING -- NIGHT
The building has only one visible entrance and it is guarded by two large Chinese SENTRIES.
A DARK FIGURE watches from the shadows across the street as a motorcar pulls up and three figures alight:  A man and a woman helping a larger man between them.  As they take him inside, the DARK FIGURE turns slightly:  A very malevolent-looking Asian man dressed in florid MANDARIN clothes.
INT. HOUDINI'S BROWNSTONE - ENTRY HALL -- SUNRISE
Houdini enters.  Austin is up in a flash, out from the parlor.
AUSTIN
Master Harry!
This is a different Houdini than we've seen before;  someone grim and determined.
HOUDINI
Where is Lady MacLeod?
AUSTIN
I put her to bed.  Not without some difficulty, I assure you. 
HOUDINI
One of us may as well get some rest.  I want you to leave this instant for New Jersey.  Wake Dash.  I know it won't be easy, but I want you to do so without alerting mama.
Houdini pulls a slip of paper from his coat pocket.
HOUDINI
Tell Dash he's to have his crew at this address in four hours.  And to bring all the equipment for the underwater box escape.  Tell him I need to use the third variation, is that clear?
AUSTIN
Yes, sir, but why -- ?
Houdini removes his inverness and slouch hat and returns them to the peg on the hall tree.  He bounds up the stairs.
HOUDINI
Brook no excuses!  If Dash has any performance scheduled that might interfere, tell him to cancel it.  Tell him the Great Houdini said so! 
INT. UNDERGROUND CELL -- MORNING
Conan Doyle, bruised and disheveled, has his hands tied behind him to a chair.  Faintly, in the background, are HEAVY MACHINE NOISES.  He opens his eyes.
Steam wafts up from several plates of Chinese food arranged on a table in front of him, as are a pair of ivory chopsticks.
CONAN DOYLE
All right, Arthur, what would the Great Houdini do in your place?
Conan Doyle looks down at the chopsticks.  With great effort, he manages to turn the chair around until the table is behind him.  He then strains to reach the chopsticks, first knocking one to the floor, then, with Herculean effort, he grabs onto the other one.
He manipulates the chop stick around, blindly groping with the point of the chop stick, until he is able to wedge it into the knot.
Again, Conan Doyle takes a deep breath.  Beads of sweat trickle down his forehead.
He applies pressure with the chop stick, the loop in the knot loosens, just slightly, then CRACK! The chop stick breaks, one half falling to the floor.
BATTLE (O.S.)
Sir Arthur!
Battle enters the room.  He approaches the table, surveying what progress Conan Doyle has made with his bonds:
BATTLE
An admirable first effort, Sir Arthur, but such feeble restraints would have been child's play for your late friend.
Battle grabs the back of the chair and wheels it around so that Conan Doyle again faces the table.  Battle reaches over Conan Doyle for his walking stick.  He removes the bottom quarter of the stick, revealing the stiletto blade, which he gives a quarter turn to, to remove.
This much Conan Doyle sees;  he cannot see what Battle intends on doing with it behind his back.  
Battle makes a pair of slashing movements.  Then Conan Doyle brings his hands around in front of him.  
Battle circles around the table once again, and sits in the chair opposite Doyle, putting his walking stick back together and leaning forward on it.
CONAN DOYLE
You killed Harry didn't you?  And Lady MacLeod.
BATTLE
Casualties of war, I'm afraid.  
CONAN DOYLE
War with whom, Guy?
BATTLE
Everyone.
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
Two men, in heavy overcoats, elbows on the dock railing.  NEWSMAN #1 blows out a breath;  it mists.
NEWSMAN #1
Damn cold for this sort thing, don't you think?
NEWSMAN #2 turns around and leans back against the railing.  He shrugs.
NEWSMAN #2
This has gotta be it.
Two motorcars and a truck pull up.  Houdini is the first one out of the motorcar.
Their arrival has also gotten the attention of some of the Chinese locals, who start to congregate out of curiosity.
INT. UNDERGROUND CELL -- MORNING
BATTLE
Do you know why, Sir Arthur, an army does not march in step as it crosses a bridge?
CONAN DOYLE
For fear the vibration will topple the bridge.
BATTLE
Precisely!  No guns, no bombs, simply a large group of men marching in unison.  Archimedes sought his lever;  all I need is a large enough mass of men moving simultaneously!
CONAN DOYLE
But not to destroy bridges.
BATTLE
No, to thin the herd.
CONAN DOYLE
And these culls, they will be the kings and queens?
BATTLE
And despots and dictators.  All those who stole their position in life, rather than earned it.  Damn it, Arthur, eat something.  You must be famished.
Conan Doyle pragmatically decides that whatever lies ahead, he's going to need his strength.  So he eats with his hands.  
BATTLE
Very good.  A practical choice.
The door CREAKS open and Tesla enters.  His eyes are on the food.
TESLA
I smelled food.
Battle looks none to thrilled to have Tesla in the room at this particular moment, but decides to roll with it.
BATTLE
May I present Nikola Tesla.  Nikola, this is my good friend, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  I know you have little time for literature, but his work, especially his non-fiction, may be very important to our cause.
Conan Doyle extends his hand.  Tesla simply bows his head slightly then goes off to one side and drags a chair to the opposite side of the table and sits down.  
He reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a white handkerchief wrapped around a set of brand new silver utensils.  He unwraps the fork and spoon and places the handkerchief neatly on the table in front of him.
Conan Doyle glances at Battle.  Battle shrugs.  Tesla picks up the fork and is about to eat, when the handle of the fork touches the table.  There is the slightest NOISE as the fork catches the vibration of the table, caused by the nearby machinery.  Tesla closes his eyes, breathing deeply.
TESLA
Can you hear it?
CONAN DOYLE
Hear what?  The machinery?
Tesla nods, half-smiling.
TESLA
Vox stellarum.  Resonances.  All the universe sings, sir.
BATTLE
Nikola has an almost preternatural instinct for the resonance of the cosmos.  Much of his machinery is based on this overlooked power source.  Morgan and Westinghouse were fools to abandon him.  Nikola's science shall usher in an entire "new age."
TESLA
An age of light and enlightenment.  The Teslasphere shall be a constantly renewing source of power for a medium of intelligent interchange.
Battle does his best to explain: 
BATTLE
I am unlettered in these matters, but my understanding is that only a small portion of the sun's energy ever reaches the Earth.  Most of it is trapped in a layer above the air that we breathe.  This virtually inexhaustible source of energy -- which Nikola says he can tap like a wine cask -- he calls the Teslasphere.  You saw -- in Milan -- the broken wreck of what we hope will be the first of many such transformers for this energy;  you saw the Dynamic Armor White Lotus wore.  Surely two and two equal four in the mind of the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
CONAN DOYLE
It is beginning to.  You plan an army of electrified soldiers.
TESLA
You misunderstand.
Battle's jaw tightens a bit.
BATTLE
We shall end war, not propagate it.
Tesla nods.
BATTLE
Obviously, Arthur needs a primer in our facilities here before he'll choose to throw his lot in with us.
Battle stands, and motions for Sir Arthur to follow.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL THREE -- MORNING
Battle and Conan Doyle exit the cell.  The door is numbered 13, of 15 such doors.  The HEAVY MACHINE NOISES are louder.
BATTLE
Our problem has always been one of proximity.  A throat is a relatively easy thing to cut.  Ah, but getting to that throat, that's something else again.  How do you gain access to all the world's illegitimate leaders, simultaneously?  Your Mr. Heath, in his ineptitude, solved this problem for us.  We learned in Milan how to bring down whole buildings, destroy the very edifices built with the sweat and blood of the oppressed.  
CONAN DOYLE
And now you have everything you need to bring this new world order to life, eh.
BATTLE
Everything except you, Arthur, your gift of eloquence, the ease in which you can convince the masses to see the truth that the powers that be would hide from them...this is why I want you, need you, on our side.  New world order...yes I like the sound of that very much.
Graunch approaches.
BATTLE
Ah, Graunch!
EXT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING -- MORNING
Several Chinese people hurry by.  They speak in CANTONESE but one word can be understood:  Houdini.
The Sentries look at one another;  with a sort of conspiratorial shrug to one another, they follow the others. 
The Mandarin steps from the shadows;  he crosses the street, followed by a small CHINESE BOY.  Both go to the entrance and enter, as more locals walk by. 
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
A large crowd now surrounds a crate that is partially covered in chains.  A makeshift dressing room of pipes and drape is behind it.  A WORKMAN lowers a hook overhead from a crane.
The drapes part and out steps Newsman #3.
NEWSMAN #3
I've examined him -- no tricks up his sleeve -- in fact, no sleeves!
Houdini steps from behind the drapes wearing a white swimsuit, cap and goggles and bows to the applause.
A LOCAL MAN, pushes his way back from the front of the crowd.
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - ANTEROOM -- MORNING
The dark and dirty anteroom is deserted as the Mandarin and the Chinese Boy come inside.  They both look around;  the Mandarin points to a table in a corner, and uses sign language:  "Stay put, keep an eye out and I'll be right back."
The Chinese Boy clambers under the table.  The Mandarin continues through a beaded curtain to
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - OPIUM DEN -- MORNING
Bunks line the walls in which men lay, smoking pipes.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL THREE -- MORNING
White Lotus leads an army of MEN, all wearing Dynamic Armor in a series of drills.
A pile of cots in one corner, amid folding chairs and tables, mark this as a military bivouac.
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - OPIUM DEN -- MORNING
The Local Man, who was watching Houdini, comes through the beaded curtain.  He looks around at the insensate occupants of the room, then causes a hidden door to open.  Beyond is the top of an elevator shaft, blocked by a metal scissor gate.
He turns a dial on the wall to G, summoning the elevator.
A man on a bunk turns his head to watch -- the Mandarin.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL THREE -- MORNING
CONAN DOYLE
May I ask where we are?
BATTLE
When the good Mr. Edison tried to sell the public a bill of goods in the form of direct current, it was his intention to bury power cables under the streets and build power stations like this every few blocks.  Direct current, you see, is useless over long distance.  We are also close to the river here -- the water is necessary for both steam power and for purposes of cooling.
White Lotus nods to her second-in-command, who takes over the drilling, freeing her up to accompany them as they make their way across the room.  She takes Conan Doyle's arm.
WHITE LOTUS
As you can see, Sir Arthur, we are a very cosmopolitan group -- our world travels served a dual purpose:  While my husband met with the high and mighty, I recruited members from anarchist groups worldwide...
They arrive at a doorway in one corner of the room:  A metal scissor gate beyond which is obviously the bottom of the elevator shaft we saw earlier.  MECHANICAL NOISES indicate the elevator cage's descent -- it arrives and the Local Man emerges.  He speaks in Battle's ear.
BATTLE
It seems your friend, Mr. Houdini, yet lives.  I ask you:  How can we mourn him when he refuses to die?
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - OPIUM DEN -- MORNING
The Mandarin has opened the secret door, but not the metal scissor gate.  He tugs again.  Then he sees a button on the wall;  he presses it, there is a slight electrical buzz and the gate unlocks.  Now he opens it and looks down the shaft.
The openings to three levels are far below.  The cage is at the bottom;  its roof and floor are metal gratings, so he can see right through it.  In the few inches of space between the cage and the wall opposite is a metal ladder that runs the length of the shaft. 
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Tesla approaches, in the company of PRINCIP, a dark, 17 year old boy with thick, black hair and mustache.
BATTLE
Sir Arthur, this is Gavrilo Princip.  He and Mr. Tesla share a country of origin.  Shall we ascend?
Tesla reacts;  White Lotus touches Battle's arm.
WHITE LOTUS
Guy.
She nods at the Local Man and Princip.
WHITE LOTUS
I think Tee would prefer to travel with just the two of you.
Tesla smiles and enters the elevator, Princip at his heels.  Battle holds the Local Man back a moment, speaking low:
BATTLE
Get back up there.  Keep an eye on Houdini.  Make sure he leaves.
The Local Man nods and joins the other two in the elevator.
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
Houdini gets into the box.  Austin brings Newsman #3 over to the box and from the inside, lifts some chains and padlocks.  He gives these to Newsman #3 who binds Houdini in the chains.
Once in place, Newspaper #3 appraises his work:
NEWSMAN #3
You'll need more than luck to get out of those.
HOUDINI
Indeed I shall!  I shall require a kiss from a most lovely lady!
From out of the first automobile steps Lady MacLeod disguised as Houdini's wife.  
HOUDINI
My wife, Mrs. Houdini!
APPLAUSE as Lady MacLeod wraps her arms around Houdini and plants a deep kiss on his mouth.  
Houdini's eyes go wide.  She's got her hands on his head holding him in place;  he puts his hands on the sides of her face, giving the impression he has to pry her loose.
When Lady MacLeod backs off, Houdini gives her as much of a glare as he can in front of an audience.  He rubs her rouge from his lips, then lowers the goggles in place.
Austin directs Newsman #3 to bind Houdini's hands with cuffs attached to the chains.  He can no longer lift his hands.
AUSTIN
And now, to make sure the box goes straight to the bottom!
At a signal from Austin, the crane lifts a sack and puts it in the box next to Houdini.  As this is going on, two men come forward and, with hand-drills, make holes in the box.  Once the sack has been set inside, Houdini crouches down.  Austin shuts the lid .  Newsman #3 takes the chains that remains outside and finishes binding the box.  Austin then attaches the crane hook to the chains and, at his gesture, the box is lifted into the air --
As a POLICEMAN pushes his way into the midst of the crowd.
POLICEMAN
Hold it!  Hold it, I say!
The crane swings the box far out over the water, and stops.  The Policeman comes out of the crowd and goes to the crane operator as Austin comes up.
POLICEMAN
Just what do you think you're doing?!
AUSTIN
Houdini is about to go into the East River, constable.
POLICEMAN
Not on my beat, he ain't!
In the background, Newsman #1 and #2 talk:
NEWSMAN #2
Aw, I've seen this act before.
NEWSMAN #1
What happens next?
Austin still argues with the Policeman:
AUSTIN
But I can't get him out, sir, he's locked in.
POLICEMAN
We'll see about that -- how do you swing that thing back in here!? 
AUSTIN
That lever there --
The Policeman pulls the lever;  it releases the hook.
AUSTIN
-- releases the hook.
The box plummets -- SPLASH -- into the river.
EXT. UNDERWATER -- MORNING
The box sinks like a stone.
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
Lady MacLeod, slightly disgusted, turns to Austin.
LADY MACLEOD
I've had my tongue in many a man's mouth but --
She removes a small piece of metal from her mouth.
LADY MACLEOD
You should dip these things in sugar first, or something.
Austin's eyes go wide at this:
AUSTIN
Oh -- good -- God -- madam!
LADY MACLEOD
Why?  What is it?
Austin looks around to make sure no one can hear.
AUSTIN
He can work the box from the inside, but without the picklock, how do you expect him to open the manacles?!
LADY MACLEOD
Magic?
Austin restrains himself from strangling her.  He rushes to the railing.  Lady MacLeod, with much less urgency, follows.
LADY MACLEOD
I told him we needed more practice.  You try it if you think it's easy.
As Austin searches the water, her hand flies up to one ear.
LADY MACLEOD
Austin!  Don't move!
AUSTIN
What is it now, madam? 
LADY MACLEOD
One of my earrings is missing!
EXT. UNDERWATER -- MORNING
Houdini has liberated himself from the box.
CLOSE ON HOUDINI'S MOUTH
As Lady MacLeod's diamond earring appears between his lips, the wire portion protruding.
Houdini uses this to pick the manacles, which he then tucks into his bathing costume.  Next he extricates himself from the chains and continues swimming up at an angle.
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
Houdini breaks the surface of the water.
The people on the dock applaud thunderously.
Houdini swims toward a ladder connected to the dock.
Austin breathes free.  He escorts Lady MacLeod back to the motorcar.
LADY MACLEOD
What good this did do?  I understand his need to be the center of attention, but what did he hope to accomplish with this stunt of his?
Austin gestures to the building next to the dock.
EXT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING -- CONTINUOUS
Our first good shot of the building, several stories high, no signs, one door, everything else bricked closed.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Master Harry spent the predawn hours reconnoitering.  There is no back entrance -- not even roof access.
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Lady MacLeod looks back to Austin from looking at the building.  He opens the door to the automobile for her.
LADY MACLEOD
And the swimming?
AUSTIN
Master Harry heard machinery.  And detected bubbles.  This was the only way he could investigate without rousing suspicion.
Glowering, she gets in the automobile.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
As Conan Doyle, Battle, White Lotus, and Graunch ascend, the HEAVY MACHINE NOISES increase in the background.
BATTLE
Princip is member of the Black Hand.  He has his heart set on eliminating the Austrian heir apparent.
CONAN DOYLE
Archduke Ferdinand.
Battle smiles, nodding proudly.  He presses a button and the metal scissor gate unlocks.  He opens it and the group alight.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
At a crook in the wall in one corner, are three pipes, about two feet wide, running from the ceiling to mid-wall height, where all three make abrupt left turns, feeding into machinery;  the outer two pipes are metal, the inner pipe is glass filled with stagnant water.
The bulk of Level Two is filled with a steam generator and, lining one wall are furnaces, with a man stoking the fires.
After their look around, our group re-boards the elevator. 
EXT. CHINATOWN DOCKS -- MORNING
The platform and the cage have been broken down and removed.  Houdini, still in his costume with the cap and goggles, soaks up the applause as he approaches the motorcar he came in.  Newsmen interview the Policeman, who stands with one foot on a crate, like a big game hunter.
INT. HOUDINI'S MOTORCAR -- MORNING
Lady MacLeod is in the back of the motorcar as Houdini steps in and sits down.  She is livid.
LADY MACLEOD
Is that it?  Is that all you're going to do?
Houdini removes the goggles and bathing cap.  Despite a strong resemblance, this is not Houdini.  He puts out his hand.
HARDEEN
Theodore Weiss.  Who the hell are you?
INT. UNDERWATER -- MORNING
Houdini swims to an underwater wall, toward two vents.  Both are covered with a wire screen;  air bubbles burst from one.  He puts his head into the outflow from this one in order to get a gulp of air.  Then he goes to the other, and pulls the screen free.  Houdini peers in.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
In the ceiling above our quartet is a trapdoor;  there is none in the floor.  More importantly, the Mandarin stands on the roof of the cage;  no one looks up and sees him.  
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
The quartet alight, passing a series of gauges on the wall near the corner of the room, then past another trio of pipes, running floor-to-ceiling.  Level One is structurally identical to both the other levels -- except that where a steam generator sat on the floor below, here a vast MACHINE of brass and wood covers most of the floor:  Babbage's Analytic Engine.  A rectangular box, about the size of a refrigerator on it side, is on the floor as well.  Conan Doyle is awed:
CONAN DOYLE
The Analytical Engine.  You've built it.
Battle looks at Conan Doyle sharply.
BATTLE
We must discuss how you knew that name, Sir Arthur.
Two older men, VON BORK and ALTAMONT, run up at Battle's arrival -- VON BORK even CLICKS his heels like a good Prussian should.  Battle addresses the two men:
BATTLE
Von Bork.  Altamont.  Please be so kind as to start up the machine.  Let us show off for Sir Arthur.
Von Bork starts the machine -- which is even LOUDER in actual operation.  The increased drain on the generator causes the lighting to flicker.  Altamont, meanwhile, goes to where the pipes run from the level above, to a large valve wheel and turns it.  Water begins streaming through that center pipe.
INT. UNDERWATER -- MORNING
Houdini tries to swim from the sudden tremendous in-flow, but it's too strong;  he is drawn, head-first, into the pipe.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
Battle has to shout over the SOUND OF THE MACHINE:
BATTLE
We have shipped two others overseas!  To China!  And Ireland!
Battle whips the cover off the other object, revealing a compact version of the Analytical Machine -- about 500 lbs.
BATTLE
Those will be breaches whereby we gain Asia and England!  And from England, all of Europe!
An upside-down Houdini reaches this level inside the pipe, traveling downward, disappearing to the level below.
BATTLE (O.S.)
There will be so-equipped wireless stations in every country!  All of them directing soldiers wearing our Dynamic Armor!
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
The flow is terrific, but Houdini uses his powerful thighs to wedge himself, halting for a moment his downward progress.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
Battle gestures to his two men, who shut the thing down, and the noise level drops to merely annoying.
BATTLE
You could be the voice of the new Ireland, Sir Arthur.  Your powers of persuasion could avert any sort of civil disobedience.  You can prevent the death of millions!
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
CLOSE ON Houdini, air bubbles crawling over his skin, as he removes Lady MacLeod's earring from his mouth.
He uses the diamond to cut the glass pipe.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
Conan Doyle looks at the miniature Analytical Engine.
CONAN DOYLE
And this is bound where?
BATTLE
Long Island.  Nothing so conventional as the steam generator you saw below shall power it there, I assure you.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
The glass in front of Houdini begins to CRACK --
The stoker looks up at the unexpected noise --
The section EXPLODES outward -- water WHOOSHING OUT, taking Houdini with it -- 
The jet of water SLAMS the stoker against the far wall, killing him instantly.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
Von Bork makes a beeline for a series of gauges as -- 
BATTLE
Well, Sir Arthur, what do you say?
CONAN DOYLE
What do I say?  That every villain is the hero of his own life story.  You're living proof of that, Guy.  But I'm afraid it doesn't make you any less of a villain.
VON BORK
Herr Battle!
The lights begin to flicker, and the MECHANICAL NOISES become irregular.  Von Bork points at the gauges.
CLOSE ON GAUGES
The needle shoots into the red zone.
BATTLE
Wheels around to Conan Doyle, his back to the elevator.
BATTLE
It's that blasted magician again, isn't it?!
Battle twists the pommel on his walking stick;  the bottom sheath slides away, revealing the stiletto.
BATTLE
It pains me, but the possibility of our alliance is at an end, Sir Arthur.
Conan Doyle looks around, for some way out of this dilemma.  Battle takes a step forward -- when the Mandarin swings from the trapdoor in the ceiling of the elevator, catching Battle in the back with his feet.  
Battle lunges forward, caught sufficiently off guard that his thrust goes wild, and Conan Doyle knocks aside the walking stick -- skewering Von Bork.
Graunch grabs the Mandarin and throws him forward -- he hits Conan Doyle like a bowling ball hits a pin.
Battle looks up from the floor.  The lights are increasingly erratic.  His sense of danger peaks.  He leaps to his feet.
White Lotus, meanwhile, is at the body of Von Bork.  She pulls the walking stick out, and picks up the sheath.
BATTLE
Quickly!
Battle motions for Altamont and White Lotus to get into the elevator;  Graunch moves toward Conan Doyle and the Mandarin.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
The MACHINERY NOISES sputter -- the sound of RUSHING WATER is much louder. 
BATTLE
Now, man! -- Before the generator gives out!
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
Graunch reluctantly steps back toward the elevator.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
Graunch steps in and Battle slams the scissor gate shut.  He starts the elevator, which begins to rise.  Slowly.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL THREE -- MORNING
Water pours through the ceiling onto the heads of the stupefied troops.  The lights are dangerously low.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Water gushes in from the river, into the generator, which is obviously faltering.  Houdini's still body is on the floor.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
Battle looks down between his feet at the shouting men at the metal gate of Level Three, water pouring down over them. 
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Houdini lies still as the generator grinds to a halt.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
There is one last flicker of lights and, as the MECHANICAL NOISES cease, the elevator JERKS to a halt.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
In darkness, Conan Doyle runs to the elevator.  He pulls on the metal scissor gate, but it won't budge.
THE MANDARIN (O.S.)
Forget it -- it's electrical too.
The Mandarin speaks without a trace of an Asian accent.
CONAN DOYLE
Who are you?
THE MANDARIN
No time for that now!  We need to find something we can pry it open with.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR -- MORNING
Battle unscrews the pommel of his walking stick at the equator, revealing a pocket torch.  He points it up at the roof of the cage.  The trapdoor is still open.  Graunch lifts White Lotus, as if she were a doll, up through the opening.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL ONE -- MORNING
It's dark as Conan Doyle and the Mandarin use one of the wood and brass pistons they've pried loose to break the gate.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR SHAFT -- MORNING
From above, we see the four villains climb up the ladder.
From below, Conan Doyle and the Mandarin look up -- at the bottom of the elevator cage, which blocks any upward progress.  Conan Doyle has to shout over the sound of RUSHING WATER:
CONAN DOYLE
Any ideas?!
HOUDINI (O.S.)
Sir Arthur?!  Is that you?!
THE MANDARIN
Houdini?!
They look down.  Even in the darkness, it's apparent the bottom level is flooded.  Houdini leans in, peering up.
CONAN DOYLE
We're trapped!  We can't go up!
HOUDINI
Climb down to me!
THE MANDARIN
Down?
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - ELEVATOR SHAFT -- MORNING
White Lotus is at the top of the shaft.  She moves aside so Battle can overtake her.  He hands her his walking stick, then jumps across, grabbing onto the cables.  He shifts around to the far side, then makes the jump to the topmost gate.
White Lotus unscrews the top quarter of the walking stick -- removing the pocket torch -- which she turns toward Battle.  She throws the remaining three-quarters to him.
Meanwhile, below the elevator cage, where it's much darker, Conan Doyle followed by the Mandarin, climb down.
At the top, unstable and with one arm hooked through the metal gate, Battle unscrews the ferrule of his stick, pivots it 45°, and tightens it down again.  Once unscrewed from the remainder of the stick, it becomes a hammer.
The stiletto blade goes into the receptacle at what is now the top of the stick, to be replaced with a chisel which he retrieves from the same place.  Battle uses this hammer and chisel on the gate.  
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Houdini helps Conan Doyle, then the Mandarin, out of the shaft.  The RUSHING WATER has reached their feet.
THE MANDARIN
Now what?!
HOUDINI
I hope you two can tread water!
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - OPIUM DEN -- MORNING
Battle breaks the gate.
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - ANTEROOM -- MORNING
Our four villains -- clothes torn, wet, and covered in grease from the elevator cables -- walk through the room toward the exit.  Battle and White Lotus speak animatedly, then Battle barks order at Altamont -- none of which we hear, because we're too far back, beneath the table with the Chinese Boy.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
The Mandarin removes his florid robe -- revealing rather pedestrian trousers beneath.
Houdini removes his belt as he approaches Conan Doyle.
HOUDINI
How big around are you?!
INT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING - OPIUM DEN -- MORNING
The Chinese Boy goes to what is no longer a hidden door.  He looks down the shaft.  His eyes go wide in horror.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
The RUSHING WATER is above their chins.
EXT. CONSORTIUM BUILDING -- MORNING
The Chinese Boy stumbles out, weeping.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Our protagonists tread water, their heads bumping the ceiling.
EXT. CHINATOWN ALLEY -- MORNING
The Chinese Boy stumbles into the alley, the docks in the background.  He falls into a sitting position, sobbing.
INT. UNDERGROUND POWER STATION - LEVEL TWO -- MORNING
Our trio swim underwater.  It's so dark, they use two of their belts as guide ropes to follow one another.  Houdini leads them toward the pipe he came down through and, one by one, they swim back into it.
EXT. CHINATOWN ALLEY -- MORNING
The Chinese Boy is griefstricken -- when a hand touches him on the shoulder.  He looks up at
THE MANDARIN
Conan Doyle and Houdini are behind him.  All three are soiled and dripping wet -- Houdini bleeding -- but they're alive.
THE MANDARIN
You okay?
The Chinese Boy hugs the Mandarin's legs.
Conan Doyle takes another look at the Mandarin.  A portion of his brow seems to have shifted.  Conan Doyle reaches out and pulls away a chunk of what looks like loose skin.  One of the Mandarin's eyes no longer looks Asian.
Both his and the Chinese Boy start pulling make-up and wax from their faces, revealing very Occidental faces beneath.
HOUDINI
Sir Arthur, may I present Alonzo Chaney and his son, Creighton.
Chaney and Conan Doyle shake hands.
CHANEY
Lon.
Creighton tugs at his father's sleeve.
CHANEY
What is it?
Creighton signs to his father.
CONAN DOYLE
The poor boy's deaf?
Creighton kicks Conan Doyle in the shin.
CREIGHTON
I ain't deef!
CHANEY
His grandparents are deaf.  We practice so he can speak with them.
Creighton continues signing.
CHANEY
He saw three men and an oriental woman.  They got out of the building.  Creighton saw them speaking, but he wasn't close enough to hear.
CONAN DOYLE
Damn!  If only he'd overheard!
CHANEY
We both read lips, Mr. Doyle.  The man with the walking stick said they needed to get the other... something.  Some word Creighton couldn't read.
Conan Doyle crouches so he's at a level with the boy.
CONAN DOYLE
The word you couldn't read.  Was it "Resonator"?
CREIGHTON
Yeah -- that was it!
Conan Doyle straightens up and speaks to Houdini: 
CONAN DOYLE
We need to get to Niagara Falls, immediately, Harry.  What's the quickest way?
HOUDINI
I've got just the ticket. 
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- AFTERNOON
Houdini shifts around uncomfortably.  Conan Doyle shouts over the sound of the engine:
CONAN DOYLE
What's the matter?!
Houdini produces a pair of manacles from what is obviously an inconvenient location.  He hands them back to Conan Doyle.
HOUDINI
Take these things, will you?!  Geez!  -- They've been sticking me since the East River!  Now can you explain the rush to Niagara Falls?!
CONAN DOYLE
Because that's where Battle and White Lotus are headed!
HOUDINI
How can you be sure?!
CONAN DOYLE
The Resonator!  -- That machine that broadcasts wireless power!  Battle let it slip that the one I saw in Milan was destroyed!  But there's another one!  We saw it in that picture of Niagara in Tesla's office!
INT. NIAGARA FALLS POWER CO. TURBINE BUILDING -- AFTERNOON
Battle and White Lotus stand back as Tesla slowly approaches the Resonator, which is twice the size of the one in Milan.  Judging by the amount of dust, it is only stored here.
Tesla takes off his glove and places his bare palm upon it.
TESLA
Such a waste.  Such a terrible waste.
Battle smiles at White Lotus, who walks up to Tesla.
WHITE LOTUS
We shall see to it, Tee, that your genius is never wasted again.  
Tesla nods and withdraws his palm.
BATTLE
Are you sure this machine will be able to transmit much further than the portable version?
TESLA
That is the beauty of utilizing oscillation as a motive force, Guy.  It is simply a matter of scaling up or scaling down to the desired effect.  That, and knowing the sympathetic vibration.
BATTLE
All the people here know the Nobel went to the wrong person, Nikola.
TESLA
(flaring)
Do not mention that thief to me!  Someday I shall crush Marconi in court!  Until that happy day, we must console ourselves with the thought that he is backing the wrong horse!  He followed my lead and stole the principles of radio!  But he shall not follow me into the Earth!
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS -- AFTERNOON
The sun is low in the sky, gleaming over the majestic white water as the Blériot Xi2 dips under the suspension bridge.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- AFTERNOON
Conan Doyle holds on for dear life.
EXT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE UNDERCARRIAGE -- AFTERNOON
Conan's Doyle's foot goes through the bottom of the aeroplane.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- AFTERNOON
Conan Doyle shouts over the sound of the engine:
CONAN DOYLE
My foot just went though the floor!
Houdini looks down over his shoulder.
HOUDINI
Yeah.  Try not to do that!
CONAN DOYLE
How it is that flying doesn't make you ill?!
HOUDINI
Too busy trying to keep this thing in the air!  Don't worry!  I flew six miles over Digger's Rest two years ago!
Houdini just grins.
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS POWER CO. DOCK - ESTABLISHING SHOT -- AFTERNOON
A long brick quay creates a block-long canal.  On this canal is a large, flat barge, attached by tow-line to a tug boat.
Tesla and Altamont supervise the final loading of the Resonator.  The Policeman we saw in Chinatown smokes a cigar.
On the dock, Battle stares at the Resonator;  White Lotus stares at her husband.
WHITE LOTUS
Darling, why are men cursed with such a love for machinery?
He turns his head and kisses her.
BATTLE
I rather thought the male ability to appreciate beauty in its many forms was a gift, not a curse, my love.
WHITE LOTUS
Very quick of you, darling.  Would you think less of me if I said all Tee's machines look alike to me?  They're just different scales.
Battle looks out, regarding the Resonator again.
BATTLE
There is good reason for that:  As I told Sir Arthur, most of his machines are based on the same principle.
(suddenly, to White Lotus:)
All his machines look alike!  They're just different scales!
WHITE LOTUS
Did I not just say that?
Battle kisses her then drags her off -- 
BATTLE
Darling, you are a genius!
Tesla stands by watching the Resonator like a mother hen.  He winces as it THUDS into place.  He directs dock workers to lay heavy blankets over the top before cables are thrown across, caught by the dock workers and maneuvered into place with grappling hooks, then fastened down.  As this is going on, on the far side of the frame, Battle and White Lotus approach Graunch.  Battle speaks animatedly.
The WHIR of Houdini's aeroplane interrupts Battle.  He shields his eyes as he looks skyward.
BATTLE
Damn!
(to Graunch)
It is up to you to see to it that Nikola renders us this final service.
Battle motions toward the crooked Chinatown Policeman.
BATTLE
And tell that idiot to bring his men back here.  Leave nothing to chance.
Nodding, Graunch approaches Tesla and steers him -- unwillingly -- toward the tug.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini points down at the barge and tug.
HOUDINI
There she is!
CONAN DOYLE
Thank Christ!
HOUDINI
Yeah -- now we get to see if I can land this thing!
CONAN DOYLE
What does that mean?!
HOUDINI
Means you're making history!  The Great Houdini's first flight in a Bleriot!  Now his first landing!
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS POWER CO DOCK -- AFTERNOON
Battle approaches Altamont.  He puts out his hand.
BATTLE
Lend me your gun.
Altamont pauses just a moment before producing a pistol.  Battle takes it and crosses back to the dock railing where he was just standing, Altamont following.
Battle drops to one knee, resting the pistol against the railing.  Altamont looks up, at the monoplane.
ALTAMONT
Are you mad?
(off Battle's look)
I mean, you'd have to be the best shot in the world.  Do you have any idea how strong the air currents are above the falls?  And their altitude --
Battle unscrews the only portion of his walking stick we haven't seen him use before, its third quarter.
Once the cap (the female part of the tool holder) is removed, it becomes a spyglass.  He holds this above the pistol -- Battle has just created a telescopic site.
Battle takes careful aim and squeezes off a single SHOT.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- CONTINUOUS
Though the ENGINE NOISES are so loud as to mask the gunshot, Battle's aim is true. A hole appears in an appropriate part of the engine to cause it to sputter -- and then catch fire!  The plane dips down as Houdini struggles with the controls, trying to maintain control.  Conan Doyle's eyes go wide.
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS POWER CO DOCK -- CONTINUOUS
Battle smiles as the crippled plane wildly careens past them, toward the falls.  He tosses Altamont his gun and walks off.
He joins White Lotus at the side of a limousine.
ALTAMONT (O.S.)
Where are you going?
Battle turns.
A BEWILDERED ALTAMONT
Stands there.  Behind him, the tug and barge begin to launch.
BATTLE (O.S.)
Stay with Graunch!
BATTLE AND WHITE LOTUS
White Lotus gets in the cage as Battle calls back. 
BATTLE
He knows what to do!  We will meet you in Long Island!
INT. LIMOUSINE -- CONTINUOUS
As Battle sits down next to White Lotus.
WHITE LOTUS
If they survive.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle gazes at the crashing falls as Houdini manages to pull the plane back up, making a wide, banking turn.
EXT. TUG AND BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
From above as they enter the fierce current above the falls.
INT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- CONTINUOUS
The engine is a wall of flame.  Houdini yells to Conan Doyle over his shoulder:
HOUDINI
Kick out the floor!
CONAN DOYLE
What?!
HOUDINI
I'm dropping you off first!
EXT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini aims the aeroplane for the barge.
The barge approaches fast.  Conan Doyle kicks out the floor.
INT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Graunch, Altamont and Tesla look back at the flaming missile headed their way. 
EXT. BANKS OF THE NIAGARA RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
A dozen uniformed COPS follow the Policeman.
EXT. BLÉRIOT XI2 MONOPLANE AND BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle drops through the floor of the aeroplane just as Houdini loses control and it veers off sharply to the left.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle lands on top of the Resonator.  He flails at the retaining cables.
INT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Graunch pushes Altamont to the helm and grabs a fire axe from the wall.
EXT. BANKS OF THE NIAGARA RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
The cops scramble in all directions as the aeroplane CRASHES into the river bank between the canals and EXPLODES.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle shuts his eyes, but his grief is cut short as Graunch jumps from the tug to the barge.
Conan Doyle scrambles into a crouch, looking around for anything with which he might fend off Graunch's axe.
EXT. BANKS OF THE NIAGARA RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
As the box-kite like aeroplane burns, Houdini raises his head from the water.
As he takes a breath the muzzles of a couple of dozen guns come into frame, pointed at his head.
EXT. BARGE -- SIMULTANEOUS
The barge rocks as it is buffeted by the choppy waters just above the falls.  Conan Doyle drops off the Resonator and grabs a grappling hook.
Graunch brings the axe down.  Conan Doyle holds up the grappling hook, but the axe just cleaves it in two!
Graunch takes another swing -- with unsteady feet -- and his blow comes the closest yet, SLAMMING down onto the Resonator.
TESLA
Don't injure my Resonator!
Graunch looks up, and Conan Doyle takes advantage of the distraction, throwing his body at Graunch as the boat pitches.
Both men are thrown off their feet.  The axe goes wild, hitting the connecting rope between the tug and barge.
Conan Doyle gets to his feet first.  He strikes a classic pugilist's pose as Graunch stands.  A look of respect crosses Graunch's face as he, too, takes a fighter's stance.
EXT. BANKS OF THE NIAGARA RIVER -- CONTINUOUS
Houdini, now draped in a wool blanket watches helplessly from the bank as Conan Doyle and Graunch pummel each other.  All the cops are transfixed as well.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle lands one good one on Graunch, who staggers back, rights himself and fires a haymaker on Conan Doyle.
Conan Doyle staggers back to the edge of the boat and Graunch is on him in a heartbeat, one massive hand around his throat, about to pound him in the face, when a GUNSHOT goes off.
EXT. TUG BOAT -- CONTINUOUS
Altamont stands at the back of the tug, his revolver smoking.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
A bloodstain spreads on Graunch's back.  Conan Doyle SLAMS his fist into Graunch's face.
Conan Doyle hits him again.  And again.  And again.
Graunch backs towards the Resonator.
EXT. TUG AND BARGE -- SIMULTANEOUS
The rope breaks!  The tug shoots forward against the current.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle lands one more blow -- though it's more likely the sudden pitch of the barge that throws the big man back.
Graunch lands on his back, one arm raised, with Conan Doyle on his chest.  Conan Doyle falls back, leaving the big man, who tries to rise, but his upraised arm isn't cooperating.
Conan Doyle had manacled it to the Resonator.
INT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Altamont pushes Tesla out of the way, so he can reverse the tug's course.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle skitters forward on the barge, even though the tug and barge are rapidly parting.
EXT. TUG AND BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
The tug reverses course and begins to close the distance, chasing the barge to its doom. 
EXT. TUG BOAT -- CONTINUOUS
Altamont, at the back of the tug boat, unfurls a rope and throws it back, toward the barge.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle uses what's left of the grappling hook, once, twice, till he manages to snag the rope.  He goes into the water and pulls himself toward the tug.
Graunch frees himself with a mighty yank as he breaks off a piece of the Resonator assembly.  He heads forward.
EXT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Altamont looks up as
GRAUNCH 
Picks up the grapple.  With his unencumbered hand, he commits one final, defiant act, and throws the grapple at Altamont.
EXT. TUG BOAT -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle climbs out of the water.  He looks back at Graunch and the barge with horror.
EXT. BARGE -- CONTINUOUS
Receding as the tug pulls away.  The barge careens down the white water, Graunch boldly riding it down to his death.
EXT. TUG BOAT -- CONTINUOUS
Conan Doyle closes his eyes as it goes over the falls.
INT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER
Conan Doyle puts a hand on Tesla's shoulder.  Tesla looks up, eyes red.
TESLA
My Resonator.
EXT. TUG BOAT CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER
The tug returns to its point of origin, in the canal.
Conan Doyle and Altamont escort Tesla from the tug, when: 
POLICEMAN (O.S.)
Okay fellas, up with your hands!
The Policeman is flanked by the rest of the cops.  Houdini stands among them.  He shrugs.
POLICEMAN
You're all under arrest!
CONAN DOYLE
For what, precisely?
POLICEMAN
Well, how 'bout trespassin' on Mr. Westinghouse's property!  Destruction of Mr. Westinghouse's possessions --
Houdini looks back at the smoldering remnants of the plane.
HOUDINI
Littering on Mr. Westinghouse's lawn.
A cop turns and punches him in the stomach.  Houdini smiles to the cops' reaction when he does not fold.
HOUDINI
Better do as he says, Arthur.
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS CANAL BRIDGE -- AFTERNOON
Altamont is in a paddy wagon next to Tesla as Houdini steps in, a handcuffed Conan Doyle behind him.
INT. PADDY WAGON -- MOMENTS LATER
Conan Doyle is shoved inside, next to Houdini.  The door SLAMS shut.  Houdini reaches behind Conan Doyle and removes the manacles.  Conan Doyle rubs his wrists.
CONAN DOYLE
Second time I've been bound up today.
HOUDINI
You get used to it.
Houdini sits back, putting his hands behind his head.
CONAN DOYLE
I must say, you're taking this with uncharacteristic equanimity.  Do you have any idea what Battle is up to -- where he's headed right now?
ALTAMONT
Do you?
Houdini scoots over so he can look out the back window.
CONAN DOYLE
Who are you?
At the sound of the SMOOTH PURR of a well-tuned engine, Houdini raises a hand to quiet Conan Doyle.
EXT. NIAGARA FALLS POWER CO DOCK -- CONTINUOUS
A Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce, followed by a touring car, pull up behind the paddy wagon -- before the cars can even come to a complete stop, a large man in a heavy wool coat with fur collar and top hat jumps out of the first.
This is GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE.  A well dressed WOMAN can be seen inside the motorcar before he SLAMS the door shut behind him.
WESTINGHOUSE
Who the hell is in charge here?!
POLICEMAN
I-I am!
WESTINGHOUSE
Then just what in the hell do you think you're doing?! 
POLICEMAN
Who the hell are you, bub?! 
TESLA (O.S.)
Mr. Westinghouse!
Both men look over at the back of the paddy wagon -- next to Houdini, Tesla's face is pressed against the dirty back window.  The Policeman turns back to Westinghouse: 
POLICEMAN
You're George Westinghouse?  Ah, sir, we apprehended several trespassers--
WESTINGHOUSE
Let me see these trespassers.
The Policeman addresses one of the cops.
POLICEMAN
You heard the man!  Open it up!
WESTINGHOUSE
Do you realize how important the engagement was that my wife and I were at?  No.  I'm sure you do not.  For if you did, you would --
The cop nods and opens the back of the paddy wagon.
WESTINGHOUSE
Do you have any idea who these men are?
POLICEMAN
Well, the short one is Houdini and --
WESTINGHOUSE
I know who they are, you cretin!  You called me and my wife away from a formal dinner for this?!
Tesla strains to get a better look at Westinghouse.
POLICEMAN
I-I didn't call.  None of my men called... it's our job to --
WESTINGHOUSE
To arrest my friends?! 
POLICEMAN
F-friends, sir?
WESTINGHOUSE
Release them at once!
POLICEMAN
Ah, yes sir!  
(looking around)
Keys!  Keys!  Who has the keys?
Houdini tosses the manacles at the Policeman's feet.
WESTINGHOUSE
I don't suppose I can trust this moron to escort you home, so it's a lucky thing I thought to bring another motorcar with me.
TESLA
But you're not --
WESTINGHOUSE
Supposed to be out here?  Yes, Mr. Tesla, it was quite an inconvenience!
Before Tesla can utter another word, Westinghouse takes Tesla by the shoulder and practically pushes him toward the cars.  
Houdini hands his blanket to the much confused Conan Doyle.  He takes Conan Doyle's arm and leads him, along with Altamont to Westinghouse's motorcar.  The CHAUFFEUR opens the door and Westinghouse pushes Tesla inside.
WESTINGHOUSE
Scootch over a bit, darling.  We've got a little company.
Conan Doyle does a bit of a double-take when he realizes that the Chauffeur is actually Austin.
INT. WESTINGHOUSE'S SILVER GHOST ROLLS-ROYCE -- CONTINUOUS
As Conan Doyle gets in, he is met by the relieved grin of Lady MacLeod.  He hesitates a moment, but Houdini pushes him forward and sits down across from him.
Westinghouse and Altamont get in.  A broad smile crosses Westinghouse's face.  He holds out his hand to Conan Doyle.
WESTINGHOUSE/CHANEY
Glad to see you survived Harry's flying, Mr. Doyle.
TESLA
You are an impostor, sir!
CONAN DOYLE
Chaney?  Chaney!
Chaney cocks an eyebrow.
CHANEY
'Sallright.  I fool myself sometimes!  I've got hundreds of faces.
HOUDINI
Lon, you'll never get anywhere being modest -- you've got a million of 'em!
Conan Doyle turns to Altamont.
CONAN DOYLE
That just leaves you.  Would you care to unmask now, as well?
Altamont looks around at the faces in the back of the automobile, before making his decision.
ALTAMONT
My real name is Thomas Revell.  I infiltrated the Consortium months ago on behalf of a branch of the U.S. Secret Service.
HOUDINI
Branch?  What branch?
ALTAMONT
We have no official designation.  We're known simply as Office 6.  Your interference not only cost us the machine, but now we have no idea of what Battle's next move is now that he has escaped.
CONAN DOYLE
He didn't escape -- he simply realized this was a wild goose chase -- as did I.
ALTAMONT
What are you talking about?
EXT. WESTINGHOUSE'S SILVER GHOST ROLLS-ROYCE -- EVENING
Lady MacLeod, Altamont, Chaney and Austin watch as the touring car, now facing the other direction, speeds off.
ALTAMONT
I should have gone with them.
LADY MACLEOD
Nonsense.  They're quite capable.
Austin opens the door for Lady MacLeod.  As she gets in, Chaney touches Altamont's shoulder as starts to follow:
CHANEY
Besides, you heard that strange little man:  For some reason it had to be just three of them.
Chaney follows them into the Rolls and Austin shuts the door.
INT. WESTINGHOUSE'S SILVER GHOST ROLLS-ROYCE -- EVENING
Chaney sits opposite Lady MacLeod and Altamont as Austin gets in and starts the motorcar.
LADY MACLEOD
So the whole time you were pretending to work for Battle, you were really working for this Office Number 6?
Altamont is clearly not comfortable talking about this.
ALTAMONT
Yes, madame.
Lady MacLeod takes Altamont's arm.
LADY MACLEOD
Does this mean both of them paid you?
INT. HOUDINI'S MOTORCAR -- EVENING
Houdini drives while Conan Doyle sits in the back with a still somewhat dazed Tesla.
CONAN DOYLE
Battle meant to send an Analytical Engine to Long Island.
Tesla pales.
TESLA
Wardenclyffe?
CONAN DOYLE
Yes.  And Battle doesn't need to power your communications tower with a separate Resonator, does he? 
TESLA
No.  It sends its resonance waves through the Earth.
HOUDINI
Is that why you were studying earthquakes?
TESLA
I was not studying earthquakes.  I caused them.
Tesla buries his face in his hands.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE -- NIGHT
The twelve story tower from Tesla's childhood drawing stands upon a triangular base with a huge gold and silver dome atop it.  Battle's limo is parked in front. 
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE - BASE ENTRANCE -- NIGHT
Battle and White Lotus stand in front of the entrance to the tower.  Battle reaches out and pushes open the unlocked door.
BATTLE
So much for security.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- NIGHT
All of the lights go on at their entrance, revealing an interior which is best described as a Victorian Railway station upended.  A web of steel girders spiders all around to the top.  
White Lotus immediately crouches in fighting position.
Battle simply smiles.
BATTLE
Relax, darling.  It seems we have the right vibrations after all.
Battle points his walking stick to a platform attached to a single girder that runs all the way to the top of the tower.
Battle leads White Lotus over to the platform.
WHITE LOTUS
Some sort of lift?  Where is the switch?
BATTLE
I don't think there is one.
Battle smiles once again and snakes out his hand around White Lotus' waist as the platform suddenly jerks upwards.  White Lotus GASPS.  Battle LAUGHS.
BATTLE
He thought of everything.  That crazy Serb thought of everything!
As they ascend Battle and White Lotus pass bits and pieces of the greater creation that is Wardenclyffe:  coils, wires, neon tubes -- a thing of great beauty.  A true work of art.  
WHITE LOTUS
Buddha!  This is a giant Resonator, isn't it?
BATTLE
As you said, my dear, it is all a matter of scale.
As Battle says this, the platform approaches an opening in the ceiling, and the two disappear into the ceiling --
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT
-- up through the floor, where the platform jerks to a halt. 
BATTLE
But this clockwork is powered not by steam or gas or turbine, but by the very heavens themselves!
Again, their presence triggers the illumination -- only here it is a ruddy glow.  Tesla and White Lotus look up:
THE TESLA GLOBE
Suspended from the ceiling, in its own spider-web cradle of iron, is a huge world globe, wrought in crystal.  It is a geologist's view of the earth, with no political demarcations.  The glow that begins to fill the room is that of its representation of the earth's churning, rotating core.
Directly on top of Long Island, where Wardenclyffe is, is a throbbing, white, starlike point. 
BATTLE
The earth as seen by its engineer. 
A ruddy glow begins to fill the room.
INT. HOUDINI'S MOTORCAR -- EVENING
TESLA
In Colorado Springs I first experimented with using the Earth as a conducting medium.  Morgan financed a series of communications towers.
Tesla looks up.
TESLA
Can you imagine a network linking the entire world powering everything wirelessly.
CONAN DOYLE
I'm afraid that is beyond the scope of my imagination.
TESLA
Morgan's as well. He lost faith before the facility had a complete testing.  He closed it down.  But I went back, secretly.  After months I had an extensive mapping of the United State's geologic resonances.  I felt ready for a small test.  I knew they had fairly sensitive seismic devices on the west coast.  I delighted in imagining their surprise when their seismographs would spell out "Tesla" in Morse code.  Then I read of the San Francisco earthquake.  I was terrified that I was to blame.  I spent two years mapping the rest of the Earth.  Finally, I felt ready to make another test -- only this time, just to be safe, I directed my resonance waves toward a remote, uninhabited section of Siberia.
HOUDINI
Tunguska!
TESLA
The devastation was unbelievable.  Scientists claimed it was caused by a meteor.  A meteor!  With no impact crater?  That they believed!  I have not been back to Wardenclyffe since.
CONAN DOYLE
And that power is in the hands of a butcher like Battle?
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT
Three of the four compass points of the room are square openings for other platforms;  Battle and White Lotus stand on the fourth.
As their heels touch the floor, they are startled by both ELECTRICAL and GRATING MECHANICAL NOISES.
The ELECTRICAL NOISES are the arc-lights, attached to the inner latticework of the dome.  THE GRATING MECHANICAL NOISES are the dome itself, as it slowly begins to EXPAND.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE - DOME -- NIGHT
The seemingly solid dome is, in fact, a huge Hoberman Sphere, studded with silver and gold conducting orbs.
The cloudy skies illuminate with what appears to be lightning. 
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT
Battle and White Lotus are dwarfed in the mostly empty expanse of the huge control room.  Other than two huge cranks off to one side, and two pillars -- like miniature Wardenclyffe Towers themselves -- directly in the center of the chamber, beneath the globe, the room is empty.
WHITE LOTUS
All this, just to send messages?
BATTLE
And send a message is exactly what we're going to do.
Battle hands his walking stick to White Lotus and jogs over to the first crank and turns it.  The metal CREAKS and GROANS as the cross-haired circle moves around the equator.  Once he has set it into place.  Battle snaps a locking mechanism.  He then moves to the second crank and moves the cross-hair longitudinally until the it rests on top of London.  When Battle locks this one the cross-hair snaps up and an arc of electricity takes a circuitous route through the globe to link to the starlike Wardenclyffe.
White Lotus is at one side of the dome, looking up through the open roof structure, at the sky.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE - DOME -- NIGHT
As the clouds dissipate, a false dawn begins to cause the sky behind and above Wardenclyffe to glow -- an aurora borealis is coalescing in the atmosphere, LIGHTNING STRIKES hitting the silver-and-gold orbs of the dome.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT
Battle repeats the aiming sequence until he has a triptych connecting a point in England with two points on the Eastern seaboard of the United States.  A portion of the metal grid is already alive with electricity, feeding into one of the pillars beneath the globe -- one glass sphere glows brightly.
WHITE LOTUS
And your targets? 
Battle stands back for a moment then looks toward the pillars.
BATTLE
Buckingham Palace and the White House... in case our English and American friends survived and need further convincing.
(off her look)
Come now, love, you know what a good shot I am.  I'm just firing a much larger gun.
Battle kisses his two fingers and puts them on White Lotus' lips.  He then walks slowly in between the two pillars.  He takes a deep breath and reaches out.
Battle looks back at White Lotus and winks.
BATTLE
Now is a moment for faith, my love.
With that Battle thrusts his hands on top of the orbs and the power that seems to be funneling into him seems to increase his own natural malevolence.
The triptych glows brighter for a moment and an ear splitting hum fills the air...
WHITE LOTUS
Guy!
... Battle, countenance aglow, looks down at his left hand, but the sphere his hand rests on, remains dark.
TESLA (O.S.)
Guy!
Battle's head snaps up.
At the far side from where Battle and White Lotus rode a platform into the room, stands Tesla, Houdini and Conan Doyle, on that platform.  Conan Doyle trains Altamont's gun on Battle.  Tesla steps down off the platform, towards Battle.
TESLA
You were not entirely truthful with me, Guy.
BATTLE
A habit it seems we share.
CONAN DOYLE
Stand down, Guy!  Move aside! 
Tesla continues walking.
TESLA
Did you really think you could do this without me?
CONAN DOYLE
I said to stand down, Battle!
Battle lifts his hands from the spheres. 
Tesla is now halfway between Conan Doyle and Battle.
Battle looks down at the sphere to his left -- it has begun to glow!  Battle looks up at Tesla, then steps back.
BATTLE
As you wish, Sir Arthur!
CONAN DOYLE
Mr. Tesla!  Please step back here to us!
Tesla snaps out of it.  He does as he asks, taking a step or two backward.  As he does, that left sphere darkens again.
BATTLE
Yes, Nikola!  I should have known!  The machinery is keyed to your unique frequency!
White Lotus brings Battle's stick down on Conan Doyle's wrist, knocking the gun from his hand.  Both he and Houdini scramble for the gun, but White Lotus kicks it with all her might --
Right to the feet of her husband, who stoops to pick it up.
BATTLE
Thank you, Sir Arthur, for following in the footsteps of Mr. Heath.  I honestly do not know what I would have done without such providential interference.  Nikola, if you would please be so kind as to take the position of honor?
CONAN DOYLE
Tesla!  You can't!  You mustn't!  You can't possibly give him this kind of power!
BATTLE
And who should wield it?  The king of England?  The president of the United States of America?
CONAN DOYLE
This is power no man should have!
BATTLE
An overwrought cliché!  Nikola -- you have it within your power to bend the leaders of the world to your vision of the future!
CONAN DOYLE
At the cost of how many lives?
Battle trains his gun on Conan Doyle.
BATTLE
That's up to Nikola.
Battle cocks the gun, Conan Doyle braces for impact, and Battle moves it aside just enough to shoot Houdini.
Houdini slams into the wall behind him, and slides to the floor.  Conan Doyle makes a move toward him, but Battle trains the gun on him.
BATTLE
My proposition is a simple one, Nikola:  Take your place, and I will allow the good doctor to tend to the magician's wound!  I missed all of his major arteries this time, my next shot will be equally accurate.
Tesla nods and steps forward, the sphere glowing even before he can touch it and leaps in intensity the instant he does.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
The huge tower is dwarfed by the fury of the heavens as electrical discharges funnel from the sky to the individual receptor points on the dome, which also begin to glow hotly.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
The huge Resonator comes to life, its various machinery churning with sudden vigor.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Tesla, aglow, stands between the two pillars.  Battle and White Lotus stand, looking upward, almost hypnotized by the interplay of electrical discharges above their heads.  Conan Doyle, now that Battle's eyes are not on him, kneels next to Houdini.  Houdini smiles bravely.
HOUDINI
Kellar warned me never to try the bullet catch.
Conan Doyle staunches the wound with his handkerchief.
CONAN DOYLE
Can you stand?
Houdini nods and allows himself to be helped to his feet.  Both men look to Tesla who is now enveloped completely in a white glow.  The horrible HUM, however, is absent and instead there is a perfectly pitched, awe-inspiring TONE.
Tesla's eyes close and his head tilts back, as if giving into the incredible current passing through his body.  Almost imperceptibly, his feet rise off the floor.  
The orbs detach from their bases as Tesla slowly rises into the air, his arms still outstretched. Tesla's glow increases so much that White Lotus averts her eyes with her arm.
BATTLE
Spectacular.
Then the SOUND of creaking metal.  Battle looks to the globe.  The two points of the triptych move slowly toward the starlight over Wardenclyffe as the giant cranks move by themselves.  Battle realizes what is happening.
The tower begins to shudder. 
BATTLE
No!
Battle empties the gun into the glowing Tesla.  The bullets strike him harmlessly.
The melting bullets appear on the floor beneath Tesla like globs of hot solder. 
Tesla opens his eyes and looks directly at Battle.
And smiles.
Both points move to Wardenclyffe until there is no longer a triangle on the globe, just a single, hotly glowing star.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
The angry sky calms into an aurora, then a brilliant flash of silent light.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Tesla glows like a super nova when the silence ends.  Blue lightning shoots wildly inside the dome, scorching the walls in place, and CATCHING FIRE in others.  One of the orbs EXPLODES, loosening from its support, and CRASHES DOWN, taking out a good portion of the floor as it does so.
Tesla descends, both spheres returning to their pillars, as the dome continues to tear itself apart.
White Lotus huddles next to Battle.
Conan Doyle and Houdini approach Tesla, who has never appeared older or more frail.  They carry him toward their platform, as a huge section of the dome CRASHES down upon it, blocking their escape. 
Battle herds White Lotus toward the platform they rode up into this nightmare, but have only taken a step or two toward it when a lightening strike hits a support strut above them. 
In the millisecond before it falls, White Lotus senses the danger, and shoves her beloved husband out of the way.
As White Lotus goes down, a metal spike on the support strut hits her first and is driven through her into the floor by a ton of smoking metal.
Battle spins around to see his wife pinned to the floor.    If it weren't for a bend in the strut, she would have been instantly crushed.
White Lotus looks up at her husband. 
WHITE LOTUS
Get out of here!
Blood oozes out her mouth.  With what little strength she has left, she tosses the walking stick --
Which rolls to Battle's feet.
Battle slowly crouches down and grabs his battered stick. 
He looks up, to see that his three foes have gotten to the one available platform.
Battle regards his walking-stick for a moment.  The bottom quarter has fallen away, revealing the stiletto. 
Another girder from the dome comes loose, CRASHING THROUGH THE FLOOR.
The lightning is almost gone, but all the woodwork beneath the dome is ablaze.
Battle, with the only weapon, stands between our three heroes  and the lever that controls their only escape.  A look of helplessness crosses their expressions.  Battle regards them one last time, moves forward, and tosses his walking stick to Conan Doyle.
Conan Doyle catches it, incredulously.  Battle releases the lever and the platform drops.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
The three men -- clothes torn, skin smudged with dirt and soot -- make their way across the darkened landscape.  The light of the aurora borealis is gone, replaced by the firelight from the inferno of the tower, burning down to its metal infrastructure.
INT. WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Battle lays on the floor next to White Lotus.  They look in each other's eyes.  As fiery debris CRASHES all around them, he reaches out and brushes hair away from her eyes.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
There is a RENDING NOISE and the ground shakes, causing them to turn and look, one last time at the conflagration, just in time to see the massive Resonator, in the base of the tower, sink into the ground.
As the flames from the burning Wardenclyffe reflect on the faces of Conan Doyle, Tesla and Houdini, Conan Doyle's VOICE-OVER..
CLOSE ON TESLA
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
Knowing the potential devastation of his genius, Tesla buried it forever that day at Wardenclyffe.  I often speculate on the wonders he could have given the world had things been different.  As it was most of his work was later attributed to Edison.
CAMERA MOVES TO HOUDINI
CONAN DOYLE
It was the death of Harry's mother, that following year that brought us to the penultimate in our friendship and ultimately to it's irrevocable dissolution.  You see after my experiences and some terrible personal losses, I fully embraced spiritualism.  It has become my passion and that passion grows each day.  It was this that caused the gulf between myself and my great friend.  However not a moment goes by that I do not think of my friend the magician and the great power that beat within his breast.  He died in 1926, but I am certain his power did not.  I am certain with all of my heart that he will return and bridge the gulf of his disbelief and say, "you were right, old friend, you were right."
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE IN:
INT. CONAN DOYLE'S STUDY -- NIGHT
Conan Doyle, 71, writes at a desk in his study.  He wears a thick dressing gown and smokes a clay pipe as he works.  A huge fire blazes in his fireplace.
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
Lady MacLeod's interest in adventure was whetted during our few weeks together, much to tragic end.  Mr. Revell served as her introduction to espionage, and it seems that she followed his example too closely.  When they executed her by firing squad, they called her Mata Hari.
Conan Doyle stands and walks to the corner of his study.  Battle's walking stick is leaning against the wall.  He reaches for it and bounces it in his hand.
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
Battle's impact on the world did not end that day at Wardenclyffe.
EXT. WARDENCLYFFE -- DAY
Several FIRE CREWS and POLICE comb the wreckage of Wardenclyffe.  It soon becomes clear that we are watching though the eyes of someone.  Someone who is breathing heavily.
We switch perspective as two WORKERS move still smoking debris around and a FIGURE limps away in the background.  No one notices as the FIGURE leaves the scene.
We follow the figure and move in as a badly burned hand puts a Yugoslavian passport in his pocket.
CUT TO:
INT. SARAJEVO IMMIGRATION STATION -- DAY
The same passport handed to the OFFICER by a gloved hand.
<NOTE ALL DIALOGUE IS IN SUBTITLED YUGOSLAVIAN>
We move up and see that the FIGURE'S FACE is heavily bandaged.  He is a tall man with long black hair that is obviously a wig.  You see, despite his defeat, BATTLE'S vanity cannot be daunted.
The immigration looks at the passport then back up to Battle's bandaged face.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Had quite an accident eh?
BATTLE
My loss was terrible.
The Officer stares at him for a moment then back at the passport which he stamps.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Welcome home, Gavrilo Princip.
Battle takes the passport and moves through the gate.
BATTLE
Thank you.
EXT. SARAJEVO STREETS -- DAY
B&W GRAINY NEWSREEL FOOTAGE:
The ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND's motorcar, containing the Archduke and his wife, SOFIA  crosses a bridge over the River Nilgacka and slows down slightly.  As it does, it seems, time slows as well.
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
He took the name and passport of one of his anarchists.  Gavrilo Princip.
Battle steps from the curb as the Archduke's car approaches.
He raises an Automatic pistol from his coat and fires two shots.  One into the stomach of the Archduchess and one into the heart of the Archduke.
BLACK:
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
It was with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife that Battle set the wheels into motion that changed the world forever.  The archduke's murder was the spark that lit the fire of the Great War, a war that forever changed the fate and the philosophy of our modern times.
INT. CONAN DOYLE'S STUDY -- NIGHT
Conan Doyle continues to write.
CONAN DOYLE (V.O.)
We all swore never to tell the tale of those few weeks, but since I am very close to following the path that my companions in that great adventure followed, I complete this particular tale in preparation for a new adventure.  For I truly believe that death is not the end of us.  That our life is only a preparation for a great journey and that all the evil and good in the world are simply two forces that must exist to keep the corporal world in balance and when we close our eyes to that world all becomes one harmonious resonance.  A single song.
Conan Doyle arranges the pages into a neat stack.  He stares at them.
And CHUCKLES.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CONAN DOYLE'S STUDY -- LATER
Conan Doyle is asleep in his chair.  We move past him, across the desk and into the fireplace, where the pages he was working on curl and blacken.
FADE TO WHITE
THE END
Possible - Houdini in hospital with Conan Doyle - Churchill shows up and tells them this all must remain mum.  Also Altamont, Woodrow Wilson, Taft, Roosevelt and Churchill visit the Wardenclyffe site and/or Tesla's lab and take all the plans and blueprints or it could be Altamont.