What shall we do? : Part 4

TAYO
I have another suggestion. I believe the first thing we should focus on, before anything else, even before the portal and the key, is finding Ea.

Murmurs stir up in the audience. The person with the cloak looks at Tayo. It's Naori without a scar and with a thick beard.

MARIE
Ea, as in the AI that welcomed us?
TAYO
Yes
MARIE
That's a bad idea.
TAYO
She may know things that might help us.
MARIE
She was an artificial intelligence. We have to assume all of them are dangerous. We should strengthen ourselves before approaching any of them.

Tayo sits down.

EXT. MEETING VENUE, MONSRA - LATER
One of the attendees who just finished speaking sits down.

MARIE
Thanks for all your comments. We will now be moving over to another venue for the second part of this meeting. Those who would like to join us, please follow and to the rest, we thank you for showing up.

The attendees begin to disperse. Naori approaches Tayo.

NAORI
Hi
TAYO
Hello.
NAORI
My name is Nathan. I wanted to say I agree with your suggestion and if you need any help, I'm available.
TAYO
Thanks. Thanks. I think I'll speak to the general again.
NAORI
Let me know what he decides. Like I said I'm willing to help.
TAYO
Sure.

Naori leaves.

Near the stage, the general says something to Hiro. Then Hiro runs over to Marie and whispers something to her.

MARIE
A moment please. Everyone can come with me regardless of whether or not you are joining .

Frank, Evan and a few others leave while Tayo and Henry, who were about to leave decide to follow Marie and the soldiers instead.

INT. GUILD ROOM, MONSRA - LATER
The room is big with statues dotted around. There are seats and a table is at the center, on which there is a box. Charles steps forward, opens the box and reveals a glass knife inside.

CHARLES
What we are about to do here is determine which of the five magical nature each of you possess. As I call your names please step forward and pick up the knife.

He picks up a scroll and begins to recite the names on it.

CHARLES
First up Frank. Frank?

No response. Frank has already left.

CHARLES
Next, Ray.

Tayo gets up and approaches. He then picks up the knife with his bare hand... nothing happens. Charles looks confused.

CHARLES
Please have a seat.

Tayo drops the knife.
He motions over to Hiro and converses with her in whispers.

CHARLES
Is this the correct knife?
HIRO
Yes. I tested it.

Then she picks up the knife and slowly it turns red. Charles removes his glove, collects it and it turns silver.

HIRO
Maybe you should skip him. Try the next person.

Charles returns to Ray.

CHARLES
You may have a seat sir.

INT. GUILD ROOM, MONSRA - LATER
The next person picks up the knife and it turns yellow.
Henry comes up and the knife turns red. He returns to his seat next to Tayo.

HENRY
(to Tayo)
It turned red.

INT. GUILD ROOM, MONSRA - LATER
After everyone had been called Charles closes the box.

CHARLES
Each color represents a nature of magic. Red means you are Fire natured, Yellow means wind, Blue means water, Green means Earth and Silver means Lightning.

A number of people erupt with a "yes" including Henry.
Tayo looks worried.

CHARLES
With this information you can choose magic items that are compatible with you. For those who didn't get a color, you might need to raise your level some more and check at a later date.
MARIE
Thank you all for coming once again. For those who'd like to join our guild please wait behind.

Tayo goes to meet Charles while people begin to leave once more. Charles is jotting down something on a scroll.

TAYO
Excuse me.

Charles, without looking up or stopping replies.

CHARLES
Meet Marie. It's three hundred.
TAYO
No, I want to try the knife again.

Charles looks up this time.

CHARLES
It's with Hiro.

Tayo approaches Hiro, who is holding the box.

TAYO
Hi. We meet again.
HIRO
Hi. Ray right?
TAYO
Yes, and you're Hiro.
HIRO
Correct. Were you able to say everything you wanted?
TAYO
Yes, I was. I'd like to try the knife again. If you don't mind.
HIRO
Sure.

She begins to unlock the box.

TAYO
May I ask what was up with that guy?
HIRO
Frank? There's bad blood between him and the soldiers. He almost sabotaged the journey from Remoni.

Hiro opens it and Tayo picks the knife.

TAYO
What nature did you get?
HIRO
Fire.
TAYO
Nice. Same as Henry.

Tayo's eyes are focused on the knife.

HIRO
And wind I think.
TAYO
Oh.

After what seemed like an eternity, the knife glows a pale blue. Tayo lets out a sigh of relief and returns the knife.

HIRO
Good for you. So, will you join us or go after this Ea yourself?
TAYO
I haven't decided yet. I'd prefer a team but most of all I'd like to take a break first.
CHARLES (O.S.)
Hiro!
HIRO
Duty calls.

Hiro rushes off.

HENRY
BOO!

Tayo is startled.

HENRY
You were staring.
TAYO
I wasn't, I was thinking.
HENRY
About what?
TAYO
On one hand I'm glad I have a nature but that means I won't have any excuse not to fight. Are you joining them?
HENRY
No, I'm joining you.
TAYO
(surprised)
Why?
HENRY
Because you were a tester.
TAYO
(shocked)
No, I... wasn't. How did you--
HENRY
(whisper)
I can read minds.
TAYO
(scared)
That's not possible. It's a privacy breach. It's not, it's not...

Henry bursts out laughing. Tayo is confused.

HENRY
I'm joking. Do you take everything so seriously? I guessed you were a tester because you wanted to raise your hand when the general asked.

Tayo calms down and smiles.

EXT. RANDOM ROOFTOP, MONSRA - NIGHT
Naori sits on the rooftop. He touches his neck and the tattoo on it disappears. A goblin climbs into view.

GOBLIN
(beast speech)
Should we attack?

Naori ponders a little while then he touches his neck again and the tattoo on it reappears.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, MONSRA - NIGHT
The room is brightly lit now. Marie passes a scroll to the general.

MARIE
57 gamers registered. I also spoke to some afterwards. No one knows anything of value.
HIRO
What about that guy, Ray? Did you speak to him?
MARIE
The one fixated on the AI?
HIRO
(thoughtfully)
Yes, I think he knows something.
ROWEN
After the meeting he tried to persuade me to find her.

General Rowen places the scroll on the table.

HIRO
If it's okay with you sir, I think someone should monitor him.

Everyone in the room looks at her.

ROWEN
Can you do it?
HIRO
I can.

EXT. LOUNGE, MONSRA CITY HALL - NIGHT
Fewer people are moving about now. Tayo and Henry are seated outside.

HENRY
Why do you want to find this AI?
TAYO
She was the professor's assistant. She might know how to stop all this.
HENRY
If that's true why hasn't she done so already?
TAYO
No idea. Marie is probably right. We should just stick to finding the portal and key.
HENRY
No, I think finding this AI is worth the shot. If we find her and she's good, we can end this nightmare. If she isn't... we're screwed. We're screwed right now, so we take the chance.

He extends his hand and Tayo shakes it.

TAYO
Alright, but you should know, you're bank rolling this mission.
HENRY
All covered.
TAYO
Do you know if anyone else would be interested in coming with us?
HENRY
No, Jim and Brando didn't turn up. Do you?
TAYO
Yes. I know one.