The Lost World (1999) s02e17 Episode Script

Mark of the Beast

Well you don't get fruit like this back in jolly old London, I’ll say that.
Yes, a veritable Garden of Eden complete with an enticing Eve.
Care for a bite? What was that? It's too early for the others to be back - Hello anybody here? - Shhh.
Oh! a monkey! - Shoot it! - What? That necklace belongs to me! Why you little thief! Come back here! Marguerite wait up! At the dawn of the last century A band of explorers searched for a prehistoric world Driven by ambition Secret desires A thirst for adventure And seeking the ultimate story They are befriended by an untamed beauty Stranded in a strange and savage land Each day is a desperate search for a way out of the Lost World.
You've eaten your last banana, you little wretch.
No Marguerite! Don't shoot! Don't shoot? Do you know how much that necklace is worth.
Do you know the bad luck that will follow you around if you kill a monkey.
Well it’s still got my necklace and it’s not getting away.
Here it is.
- What the - Oh! Huh, monkey business has been good.
Oh you’re a pretty one.
Well he got away.
Strange looking piece.
In your hand the origin of all humanity.
It worked.
Oh yes it worked! Yahooooooo! Oh, Oh.
Yes, I feel good! Someone sounds happy.
Or crazy.
And I will never have to eat another termite as long as I live.
Oh Billy.
Yes of course Billy.
It must be too late for you, I’m sorry Billy.
Who are you? Who me? What she means to say is we heard you shouting.
Are you all right? Oh yeah, I’m fine.
Why shouldn’t I be? Never better.
Were you chasing that thieving little monkey too? Monkey? What monkey? I wasn’t chasing any monkey.
Oh you mean, I was chasing my pet parrot Billy, beautiful precious Billy.
Anyhow I gotta go.
Adios.
Hey wait, who are you? How’d you get on the plateau? I’ve had enough running around the jungle for one day.
Umm, what an odd little man.
Looks like we’ve been robbed.
Yeah, a monkey did it.
- A monkey? - Yeah.
Anything else missing besides Marguerite’s priceless necklace? Not so far as I can tell, but he sure made a hell of a mess.
When I catch that pilfering primate I’ll have his guts for garters.
Charming.
This was the Moriarty of all monkeys.
He had a stack of trinkets like you’ve never seen.
All of which you, reclaimed I’m sure? Don’t be cheeky.
Most of it was junk, except for this.
Is that a real emerald? Yes but it doesn’t even come close to the value of the diamonds he stole from me.
Still it’s striking.
What’s this inscription say? Something about someone’s hand and origin of all humanity.
From dinosaurs we come.
I sure had a few in my family.
I wonder where it came from.
Who cares? It’s mine now.
What if it belongs to one of the tribes who share this small piece of paradise with us? Would you look at that, it stained my hand.
- Did the same to me.
- I wonder what could have caused that, maybe an oil or chemical in the rock? Branded? Will you look at that, just as I left it, a sight for sore eyes.
trouble trouble Terrific, what the hell do you guys want? You know what we want Jack Keller.
What have you done with it? Okay, I lost it.
Well somebody stole it.
It’s, it's gone.
Just as your friend stole it from us? Yes, well Billy didn’t know it belonged to you, how was anyone supposed to know? It was stolen from the spirit hut, you knew it didn’t belong to you.
Okay, okay.
Yeah well maybe we, maybe we never should have taken it but what can you do? You live and you learn.
Anyhow it was very nice to see you again Eba.
You’re looking very good by the way.
Come on Billy lets go.
Right behind ya.
You will take us to whoever has the stone or I will bury you in that little hole you’ve dug.
Don’t be silly.
I would never fit in there.
You will if I slice you into tiny little pieces.
Okay well yes that would definitely solve that problem but I still don’t know who took the stone.
Okay let me rephrase that I don’t know their names.
But sure I can show you which way they went.
In fact I can point you in the right direction from here.
You will take us to them now.
Isn’t that what I just said? The origin of all humanity.
I wonder what that could mean.
What it means, is a stain I can’t get off my hand.
Neither can Malone.
Marguerite you might have warned me about this.
I’m sorry George I’m a little preoccupied with the loss of my necklace, my exceedingly valuable diamond necklace.
Yes, yes as you’ve said, repeatedly.
It is a fascinating effect though.
The mark seems to be the result of ink or dye.
But the etching on the stone, it's colorless and dry to the touch.
Someone’s idea of a practical joke.
I’m sure there’s something in the lab I can get this off with.
Preferably something that will leave the skin intact.
- Do you find it cold in here? - No! Not at all.
Perhaps you’re coming down with something.
Wonderful.
Nothing, it’s either here to stay or wear itself off.
That could take forever.
It’s not that unattractive, is it? If you don’t mind looking like a jungle savage.
Are those mice you have in there? Technically speaking they’re a dwarf species of the indigenous South American Hydrochoerus.
But as Shakespeare might say a Rodentia by any other name Yes, well, I was planning to test a vaccine based on a Zanga remedy a cure for the common cold I hope.
They’re very glossy looking.
They should be, I found them in our food supply.
Tsk tsk tsk, those naughty little rodents so round and plump.
You sure you’re okay Marguerite? Yeah, I’m still a little chilly.
Where’s the stone that marked Malone’s hand? I just saw him down by the river trying to wash it off.
Got me.
Care to join the club? - Where is it? - Upstairs.
Why? What’s bothering her today? I'd better go and find out.
Do you know where this came from? Yes, we found that in the monkey’s cave part of its ill-gotten gains.
This isn’t a joke Roxton.
I think you should put it back where you found it.
No argument from me.
Marguerite has claimed it for her own though in that certain way she does.
Listen to me, this stone is cursed.
I beg you pardon? Cursed, in what way? I’m not sure but I remember my parents warning me about a stone like this.
That when you touched it, it left a permanent stain on you hand.
And it made you very sick.
It’s nothing, I’m just a little chilled is all.
Malone doesn’t feel well either.
What about you, how do you feel? I feel fine, perhaps just a little light-headed.
Don’t tell me we’re all going to get sick because of a little stain.
It is possible there are toxic substances in the stone.
This is one of those things Science cannot explain, put it back.
- Oh, alright! - I’ll take it back.
- I’ll come with you.
- I’ll come too.
I want to see exactly where that came from.
Then I’ll stay here, I could use a nap.
Well isn’t that nice.
Looks like I’m part of the club now too.
I’m sorry old fellow.
So do you remember anything else your parents said about this sort of thing? I’m trying to think.
I remember them meeting a woman with a mark on her hand but I can’t remember what happened to her.
Very encouraging.
What did I tell you there go your thieves’ right there.
Take them.
Maybe we should go to the Zanga village.
Assai might know more about this.
That’s not a bad idea.
The Zanga legends have often proven true.
This way.
- Where the hell did that come from? - I don’t know.
I don’t see anyone.
They're all around us.
Take cover! - What do they want with us? - Certainly not a peaceful dialog.
There! - That’s the man with the parrot.
- What parrot? Follow me! Who are these savages? Well, I’ve got a train to catch.
Hey, hey, hey easy guys put me down I’m not going anywhere.
You will stay with us until we recover the stone.
Pray that we do.
That’s using your head Challenger.
I must try and remember that one.
- I believe they’re after this.
- How can you tell that? Because that’s the man Marguerite and I saw at the cave.
He obviously has something to do with this.
What man at the cave.
Well after we found the stone that man was screaming like an idiot and babbling to his parrot.
- You didn’t tell us about that.
- Sorry - other things to think about.
- Babbling to his parrot? Right, after he saw us he just took off.
- Well he may have some answers.
- We can talk about this later.
- We’re not safe here.
- Right.
Whoa! Thanks.
It seems I’m beginning to suffer the same ill effects from this cursed stain as Marguerite and Malone.
I must be lucky I’ve never felt better.
- How are you feeling? - Mmmmm, weird but warm, you? Well I was feeling dizzy and light headed but now I just have this energy surging through me like the urge to run and jump.
Sounds like cabin fever.
What on earth are you doing? There! It’s a parrot.
I don’t see anything.
It’s right there.
Well your eyes are much better than mine.
Marguerite what are you doing? Hanging on to you so you don’t fall.
I’m all right.
Oh, your heart’s beating a mile a minute.
It is? I wonder why? Isn’t it obvious? Marguerite I think this fever is really starting to affect you.
That’s funny, I’ve never felt so normal in my life.
Okay well why don’t you sit down and when Roxton comes home you can tell him all about it.
Roxton oh yes I hope he’s soon.
I’m famished.
I’m feeling a bit peckish myself.
Isn’t this fun? Fun? What are you doing Challenger? Just taking a moment to smell the roses, well the clover actually.
Smell it grrr sweet aroma.
I don’t smell such a sweet aroma.
I think your senses are playing tricks on you.
Oh nonsense, my faculties have never been keener.
- Which faculties are those? - I’ve got such boundless energy I could leap up that hill just for the sheer hell of it.
In case you’ve forgotten were headed for the Zanga village and we have some very unfriendly creatures tracking us.
We do? Can’t you hear them? They’re only a few hundred yards behind us.
- I don’t hear anything.
- Nor I.
- It’s just your imagination John.
- It’s not my bloody imagination.
Oh you are mine.
- What are you doing? - Stop it! What are you doing? John! I’m tired of being hunted like an animal.
I say we kill them all.
No, the fever’s obviously got a grip of you.
Keep your hands off me.
Now let’s get these wretched cowards.
Hey, hey, snap out of it! The Zanga village is that way.
Fine by me Goldilocks.
Now let’s get going.
I’ve never seen him like this.
It’s baaad baaad behavior.
So, you silly little rodents how would you like to come out and play? Marguerite where are you? Jack.
Trouble trouble.
Now where did you come from my fine feathered friend? Pretty.
Oh very pretty, very pretty indeed.
Trouble, trouble, Jack, trouble.
Don’t be a stranger.
Nothing to be afraid of.
We all have our place in the food chain.
Marguerite? Delicious.
Would you like one? Well now that you mention it they do look rather juicy.
Very juicy.
Not unlike you in fact.
Now Marguerite lets not start that again.
You have nothing to be afraid of my sweet little journalist.
You’re so very warm and cozy.
Maybe we could curl up together some place.
You’re really starting to scare me Marguerite.
You smell so succulent and savory.
Marguerite! I don’t know what has gotten into you but stay away from me.
Stay away.
But you’re just so irresistible.
Will you stop picking berries and try to keep up.
Not berries, leaves.
You know it really is incredible how much of this environment is edible.
That’s a thistle you’re eating.
The more we eat the better prepared we are to fight our enemies.
Fight them? Why not eat them.
Blood soup and leg of savage would certainly cure my hunger pangs.
Listen to yourselves can you hear what you’re saying? You two sound like animals.
Oh Veronica don’t be ridiculous.
In my mind that’s a very tasty arm you have.
Oh no don’t put me on your menu.
Let’s just get to the Zanga village okay.
Those savages are on our trail again.
Take this, I’ll hold them off.
Let’s go! Move it! This is maaaagnificent.
This is no time to stop and admire the scenery.
But the view is incredible.
Forget the view! Run! Challenger.
Get them.
What do you want? Where are you taking us?, ah.
Let me go.
Let me go.
Can’t you see she’s wounded? Where is it? I don’t know.
What is ‘it’? The sacred stone belongs to us.
- Who are you? - We are the Kanu the origin of all humanity.
In that case madam on the evolutionary scale you’re about one step ahead of pond scum.
- Search him.
- We don’t have the stone! Jack Keller you have deceived me for the last Where did he go? Find him.
Look Marguerite I’m sorry I ran away from you before.
I know you’re not feeling so well.
I’m not feeling so great myself.
What the hell’s wrong with me? Feathers.
Stay away! Marguerite? Is that you? Whoa, whoa.
You can’t hide with a stink like that.
- Billy, - Jack.
oh Billy I thought I lost you.
Look out look out.
You should have listened to the bird.
No please, don’t hurt me.
Okay.
I never did anything.
I’m innocent.
Where are my friends? That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.
Eba has them.
- Keep talking.
- Well, like I said I was trying to warn you but Eba and her savages kidnapped me.
Tried to kill me, in fact.
One more lie and I’ll rip your throat out.
Of course, you’re angry.
I mean who wouldn’t be.
But believe me you gotta try to calm yourself because getting all upset is only gonna speed things up.
Speed what up? This is very baaad.
Very baaad indeed.
Challenger do you realize what’s happening to you? I’m transforming into some kind of animal, aren’t I? We’ll find a way to stop it.
If this is the result of a curse then we have to give the stone back to these people.
It is getting so difficult to think straight but that inscription ‘The origins of all humanity’ it must meeeean something.
These people are evolving while I am going back to the beginning, back to the beginning.
Back to where we all began.
Marguerite? Are you in here? ready our not? We all have our place in the food chain.
Where’d you get this? Billy found it, I mean stole it, from the Kanu and gave it to me.
I didn’t know it was cursed.
How could I? How does it work? Everyone who touches the damn thing turns into an animal.
Then why doesn’t it work on the Kanu? I don’t know, maybe they’re savage enough already maybe they’re immune to it.
All I know is Billy turned into a parrot, I turned into a I turned into a monkey.
Ah yes, the monkey that robbed the treehouse.
Exactly, you see I thought if I could get someone dumb, I mean someone else, to take back the cursed rock Billy and me would be cured.
So you turned into the miscreant you are when we took the stone.
Yeah right.
I mean I do have some redeeming qualities but yes that is the gist of it.
Then why didn’t the bird turn back? I don’t know, it doesn’t make sense.
Except that well maybe - Maybe what? - Well like I said, Billy stole it but your friend stole it from me.
So maybe only one of us could be saved the last to touch it.
Shut up! Shut up! Sorry Billy, I didn’t know you were listening.
Yeah yeah.
So if I give this back to you I can save myself.
Whoa whoa hey hey hey.
I didn’t make these rules okay? Me and Billy were just prospectors.
We came here looking for gold and couldn’t find our way home again.
I mean, now look at me, I got no treasure, I got a parrot for a mate What am I? some kind of pirate? Then take back your treasure.
This emerald must be worth something? Well thanks but what about your friends.
You give it back to me and your friends will still be animals.
Just like Billy.
Mayday.
If I lose them because of you.
Now now remember what I said.
Getting angry only makes it worse.
Challenger you’re a man of science.
You have to fight this.
I can’t think.
Your friend is almost gone.
You have to stop this.
You stole our stone.
This is the price you pay.
The pain.
Where did you people come from? and where did you get that stone? From the hand who stole it from the Gods we killed him for his efforts.
And all who tried to put it back must die as well.
Challenger what’s happening to you? I can’t help myself.
Challenger? Challenger do you understand me? I didn’t think so.
Great Spirit of the water hear our cries.
We are your creatures.
We have to find out where these savages came from.
The origin of all humanity, lead us from the mire of oblivion.
to the apex of enlightenment.
Before the caves of darkness as the light spreads across the savage waters.
- guide souls - Caves of darkness, savage waters I know where that is.
Return it to our hands.
Now you do exactly as I told you.
Go! Hey Eba look what I’ve got.
- Get him! - Now I wish I was a monkey.
Roxton thank God.
I thought I'd lost all of you.
Where’s Challenger? You’re looking at him.
I haven’t eaten in so long.
Listen! I know what we have to do.
Do you have the stone? - Yes! - Oh! Good! Come on, we have to hurry.
Hey! That’s Challenger you’re looking at.
Remember? The man you swore to protect with your life.
- That was before.
- No! No! No! Stop it! Do you hear me? - Challenger no! - The Kanu are coming back - time for them to die.
- Listen no! You’re going to help me save our friends Roxton.
Come on.
What is it? Blood.
Your arm.
Oh you are so beautiful.
Skin so smooth.
Flesh so tender.
You stay away from me, you understand? Veronica I’m sorry, I’m losing the fight to understand.
I can only feel like a and it feels wonderful.
Roxton No! John! No! Come on! They’re headed for the savage waters, for our birth place.
Get them! There it is.
- The place where it all began.
- These savages came from a swamp? That evil stone should have never been taken from here.
That must be the place.
Crocodiles.
I wonder what else is in there.
Drive them into the savage waters.
I guess I’m gonna find out.
I’ll entertain our friends.
Ah! No! Roxton! What, toads? The Kanu all turned into toads.
It must have been what they were to begin with.
The power of the stone worked in both ways.
Your arm? What about it? Nothing.
I justit looks as if it’s hurt that’s all.
I’ll be fine.
- Hi ho! - It’s you again.
Well all’s well that ends Oh.
I hope that wasn’t Eba.
What, so now all the dangers past I guess you’re on your way, is that it? Who wants to leave? I’ve got my jewels back.
I’d say there’s quite a ot more up there too.
What about your parrot? Funny you should ask.
Hey Billy come on out.
I want you to meet my friends.
Say hello to Billy guys.
Oh who’s my pretty baby? Grrrr.
Malone, Marguerite? Challenger, when did you get back? I’m not quite sure.
I remember being captured by the Kanu.
The next thing I remember I was waking up down in our compost heap with the most disturbing taste in my mouth and slivers.
Ned? It’s a long story.
I could use a rope.
And you might want to check on Marguerite, she’s in the lab.
Good heavens my Hydrochoerus.
Excuse me? Well don’t just stand there! Get me out! Well let’s not be too hasty.
After all it’s not often one sees such a rare species in captivity.
Roxton! - Sorry, can’t hear you.
- Get me out! It’s not funny!
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