273. The Kingdom - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. THE KING'S HIGHWAY - DAY


• Travelers make their way up the dusty road, a walled city standing in the distance.


• TALIB walks with the gait of a man who has traveled for a long time.


• He is focused, keeping his movements efficient and powerful.


• He approaches a GROUP OF TRAVELERS.


• TALIB
• Excuse me friends, is that the Kingdom?


• The LEADER of the group scoffs.


• LEADER
• That's the city of Aran; there is no Kingdom, friend. It's just a fairy tale.


• Talib nods politely and continues; it's an answer he's heard many times before.


• EXT. CITY OF ARAN: SHEPHERD'S GATE - DAY


• Talib arrives at the gates and is pulled through with a wave of merchants and travelers pouring into Aran.


• Talib pulls one of the GUARDS aside.


• TALIB
• Sir, I'm searching for the Kingdom, do you know which road I must take?


• The guard laughs and pushes Talib past him.


• GUARD
• Don't waste my time.


• Talib bows politely and continues into the city.


• EXT. CITY OF ARAN: MARKET STREET - DAY


• Talib wanders through the market, looking for someone to help him.


• He passes IDRIS, a dignified man with an ancient face, and spins around.


• He runs back to catch up with him.


• TALIB
• Sir, sir. You appear to be wise and well-traveled.


• IDRIS
• You are correct as to the extent of my travels, the wisdom bit, I suppose we shall have to see.


• TALIB
• Please, could you tell me which road I must take to find the Kingdom?


• Idris smiles.


• IDRIS
• Child, the Kingdom is all around you.


• For the first time, Talib's face falls.


• TALIB
• How can that be? I've searched all these years. That sounds like the fable everyone believes it to be.


• He rushes away.


• EXT. CITY OF ARAN:INN STREET - NIGHT


• Talib walks along the street, his gait slower, weariness etched on his face as he looks for an inn.


• A BEGGAR at the side of the street holds out his hand.


• BEGGAR
• Alms, sir, alms? Alms for the poor.


• Talib pauses, then sits beside the man and pulls a loaf a flatbread from his pouch.


• TALIB
• Here, friend.


• The beggar takes the bread thankfully and stands, scooting away.


• He turns.


• BEGGAR
• The Kingdom is all around you.


• And then he is gone.


• Talib stares after him in surprise, then feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to see Idris towering above him.


• IDRIS
• I see you understand the Kingdom more than you realize.


• TALIB
• But, I don't understand.


• IDRIS
• Good, that's an excellent place to begin.


• He holds out his hand, revealing a royal signet ring with the seal of the Kingdom.


• IDRIS
• Follow me.


• Idris turns and strides away.


• Talib stares for a moment, then rushes after him and as he catches up with him, for a moment, he sees the building washed in a glow of gold and jewels scattered along the street and a palace larger than he could ever have imagined stretching out before him.


• It disappears and he throws his head back, laughing so hard he shakes,and Idris joins him.


• FADE TO BLACK.