Reptile Wildlife Reserve, Chicago Il 1990 9:30 A.M.
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The scene opens with view of a wildlife reserve of some kind. Most of what you see are reptiles though and as we start in one room we see that it was some sort of incubation chamber for reptiles and that what were hatching at the moment were baby alligators. We see what was a man dressed in what was a khaki colored uniform overlooking everything as he explained the process to two little kids that seemed to be paying close attention to what was going on. There was a young white boy and a a girl of oriental, most likely Chinese decent, hanging on every word and wearing what was even their own little uniforms of the people that actually worked in the reserve. The man even held out a baby alligator so that they could pet it. We hear the loud sounds of all the baby alligators calling out for their mom. Of course these particular alligators were being bred to try and save the alligator population as keep them from going extinct , so there was not going to be any mother alligator coming to the rescue though they were in good hands. The two kids continued to watch everything going on, taking in everything themselves as you see a few people just outside the room begin to run around frantically. The man that was overseeing everything had his attention on the kids and didn't notice that everything was in an uproar. It took the little girl to look out the door an say "Something's wrong" for the man to finally look. He tells the kids to stay there and then heads out of the room. Of course the little boy and girl, being the curious type looked at each other and then followed the man anyway. They get to what was the room full of cages where the the snakes were kept to find one of the cage doors open and one of their largest cobra's gone. The man was now yelling at everyone trying to find the answers.

Man: How could a snake that size get away. Can anyone answer me that? Do any of you know the danger that poses *the man slams his hand down on a chair and looks around* We have to get that snake back.

The man grabs a tranquilizing gun and a few tranquilizers as another man does the same. The second man who was dressed in camouflaged gear turns and looks at the two kids and then back toward the man in charge.

Man: *looking back at the other man with a concerned look on his face before looking back at the little boy and girl* What about these two?

Man: *looking down at the little boy and girl before looking around a bit* Drake and Catalina will have to come with us.

Man: You sure that's such a good idea? *you can see by his eyes he hated that idea as it was very dangerous to take the kids when hunting something in the forest area* They be out in the open and we won't be able to look for Abe and watch them as well.

Man: *as he once again looked around. He was looking for any other option but couldn't find any as his eyes fell upon Drake and Catalina once more* We have no choice. They'll have to stay in the jeep. Every second we sit here, Abe may be getting closer to general population.

They gather the kids up and head out as the scene starts to fade. A few minutes pass and you see what was a jeep containing the two men, as well as Drake and Catalina was now seen speeding over rough terrain. They had mapped out the terrain to where the snake would be able to move best and were heading to the most likey place for the snake to be hiding. They finally reach a clearing and the two men begin unloading equipment including the tranquilizing gun. Drake and Catalina go to exit the jeep when they are stopped by the man obviously in charge of their well being. He was not about to let them out of the jeep and actually had some strong words for them both about staying put.

Man: Listen you two. It is very important that you do not leave this jeep. There're many dangerous and poisonous creatures out here. Now I'm leaving you this whistle *The man hands the whistle to Catalina and then pats them both on the head* If you see anything...anything at all or feel you are in danger, blow the whistle and we'll come back. Understand?

Catalina and Drake both nod before sitting back down. The two men head off tracking the huge cobra, leaving the kids in the jeep. Drake and Catalina being kids, of course, begin playing without a care in the world and thinking nothing about any danger or any creatures that may be around including the huge cobra that had escaped

Drake: *though far more adanaced than normal kids , they were still kids and acted as such* Wanna play tag?

Catalina: *setting the whistle down and punching Drake* Sure. Tag. You're it.

Forgetting what they were told. Catalina jumped from the jeep. Drake followed and both began running around the jeep and playing. It was what kids did and they were no different. They were having fun and that is all that mattered. Soon Catalina ran into the thick forest with Drake soon following after her . It wasn't long before Catalina looked around and found herself alone. Everything looked alike no matter which way she looked and suddenly Catalina didn't want to play. She froze in place wondering where Drake was.

Catalina: *still looking around and getting more frightened by the moment* Dr...Dr..ake...

Of course, at the moment, Drake was no where to be found. Something else has found Catalina, however, as the very cobra that everyone was looking for was very close. Catalina didn't realize how much danger she was in as with every step she took, she was closer to being seriously injured or dying. Elsewhere we see Drake, searching for Catalina while being totally lost himself. He calls out to Catalina but gets no answer then heads off not realizing he was heading in the wrong direction. We now see the the snake closing in on Catalina and as she turns the snake slowly raises up, meeting her eye to eye. Catalina stands frozen with a look of fear on her face as she hears Drake in the distance.

Catalina: Drake *she called out but it was barely a whisper though inside she was screaming* Drake! *She whispered out again, still thinking she was screaming as every motion she made the snake tried to follow* DRAKE!

That was it. Finally Catalina managed to scream and closed her eyes as the snake lunged forward to strike. Slowly Catalina opened her eyes and what she saw was Drake holding the snakes head before throwing the snake away. The scene faded to much later and we see ourselves back at the main building for the reserve. Catalina and Drake were both seated outside the office and you could hear the man inside arguing with someone. Obviously the snake had been caught and all was well but the person inside didn't see it that way as she continued to yell at the man.

Woman's Voice: How dare you Tom. How dare you put those babies lives in danger. Have you lost all control of your senses.

Tom's Voice: If they had just stayed in the jeep.

Woman's Voice: They are kids Tom. Kids. That's it. We are done. I'm taking my son home and I'm taking Catalina home to her parents and they are not to be brought back here understood?

The woman now known to be that of Drake's mother, storms out of the office. She take's both Drake and Catalina by the hands and starts to lead them away. The man known as Tom tries to protest but Drake's mother would have none of his apologies or explanations and kept walking as the scene slowly faded.

Reptile Wildlife Reserve Present Day 10:30A.M.

The Scene fades in and we see what was the same Reptile Reserve as before. Not much had changed over the years and seemed to still be going strong. Even the vehicles had been kept around though they had more modern vehicles added to them. We now see Drake Benjamin standing, looking around before walking toward the entrance to the building. He was a far cry from the little kid that had saved Catalina from the snake and was now dressed all in black consisting of black slacks and a black dress shirt. A bit of strong wind blew up dust from the ground; some you could see landed in Drake's face though his only reaction was a slight blink as he continued to look at the entrance. You could see his mind was heavy with thoughts as he finally reached for the door and walked inside. Once inside, many memories flooded back to Drake about the time he did spend there. There was an uneasy feeling about being there but still Drake pushed on slowly making his way further down the hall. He is spotted by the man he knew to be the one that warned the other that it may have been dangerous to take Drake and Catalina along when they searched for the cobra. He looked much older than he was and had a slight limp. Drake wondered if it was all the snake venom as well as venom from other reptiles and also wondered how the other man probably looked. After a few moments of staring at Drake the man made his way over to Drake, limping heavily along the way.

Man: It can't be *The man began to walk around Drake who stood in one place and watched him closely. You see the man's eyes grow big as he once again gets face to face with Drake* Drake? Drake Benjamin? *looking Drake up and down, you could see the look of shock forming on his face* It is you isn't it?

Drake nodded and then quickly hugged Drake though Drake's only response was a strange look. Last he knew of the man, he didn't like having him and Catalina around the reptile reserve and said it was really no place for them. Could he have changed so much over the years?

Man: As I live and Breath...*still looking Drake up and Down as he couldn't believe it was him* How have you been?

Drake: *offering a smile. Time and most likely injuries had softened one heart but he couldn't help but wonder what effect it had on someone else* Life couldn't be better. I felt it was time to return, to offer my apologize for that day all those years ago.

Man: Nonsense *The man said as he patted Drake on the back. Drake knew for sure he had changed now* You were kids, doing what kids do. A place like this, what kid wouldn't want to explore. Listen.*The man looked off down the hallway before looking back toward Drake* Why don't I take you to the old man. He's out working with The son of old Abe.

Drake actually smiled, more so, from remembering his encounter with Abe the cobra.. An encounter that certainly changed his life. The two men head off down the hallway and soon walk through two double doors. We see the head man in charge actually doing some snake charming techniques in front of a crowd but the moment he sees Drake, he looses concentration and the snake bites him. The people gasp as the man drops and other workers rush to his side.

Man: The *he grabs his arm where he was bitten and then looks at the snake making a b line toward two kids* Kids...

Before anyone else could react Drake was already in front of the kids, allowing them as well as the other spectators to exit safely. The snake rose up almost looking Drake in the eye and for a moment the past flashes through Drake's mind. The snake stares Drake down as if waiting for Drake to make the first move before turning and trying to crawl away. Drake quickly moves in front of the Cobra and yet again the cobra raises up, staring at Drake. You could almost feel the annoyance in the snake but also see the focus in Drake's eyes. Suddenly Drake reaches around and grabs the snake before the snake could react and the rest of the workers move in to gather the snake up. Drake turns and walks out of the room and into the room where they were locking the snake away. It wasn't long before Drake was joined by the man that had been bitten.

Man: Dammit Drake. What the hell are you doing here? *Drake turns around and stared at the man's bandaged arm and saw the pain etched on the man's face. It was lucky they kept a supply of anti venom* Is it your mission in life to try and ruin me.

Drake: *recognizing the bitterness in the old man's eyes for what happened all those years ago* Oddly enough I came to apologize

The man gave Drake a cold stare. He blamed Drake and Catalina for what happened all those years ago. He held on to a grudge that two little kids had sent his life into a downward spiral and Drake standing in front of him was a reminder. Furthermore , Drake had caused him more embarrassment and that just seemed to make the hatred grow.

Man: Apologize. I don't give a damn about your apology Drake. You and that little brat Catalina ruined me and now all these years later you've done it again. You're bad luck is what you are Drake. No. *the man shakes his head in disgust. The very sight of Drake seem to to make the man sick* You are a disease. What you heard I was in good health so came to finish the job. Is that it? Leave. just leave.

Drake: *turning to walk away without a second thought. The man's words were just words and it was not Drake's problem if he couldn't take responsibility for his own actions after all these years* As you wish.

Drake left the room but oddly enough, he was calm. He had gotten the answers he came for in a way and now had made up his mind about many things. It looked as though he was going to leave but stopped to admire a picture of a younger version of the man he had just talked to. It was the man before bitterness and hatred took over. You hear the sound of someone whistling , trying to get Drake's attention Drake turns and see the other man from before now approaching him.

Man: Meet me at this address *The man handed Drake a piece of paper and then looked around to make sure he wasn't seen by anyone* bring Catalina if you can. She will want to hear what I have to say.

The man limped away without saying another word. Drake watched him and then looked down at the piece of paper. You could say Drake walked away, wondering what he had stumbled upon as the scene slowly began to fade