TRIUMVIRATE SE Deleted Scene 1
By The Host
This scene was replaced by the scene between Davies and
Dawson in the Pleasure Gardens at the beginning of the
chapter entitled ‘Faith’. The function of the scenes – to
reveal character and backstory, establish the bonds between
Davies and Dawson, and set the scene for Jack’s entry into
the Black Aces, remain the same. This version is longer,
though, and wordy. Also, Dawson comes off as kind of self-
centered here, and much more talkative than he normally is.
Davies, on the other hand, is a bit too familiar with Dawson
– Jack kind of sucks up to the Admiral and thus wouldn’t
really describe the Admiral’s profession by saying, ‘It
sucks.’
EXT. THE UNDERGROUND CITY
Transports and shuttles move between the buildings of the
spectacular underground city.
INT. GAULEIUS BASE -- DINING ROOM -- DIM
Jack Davies now finds himself inside a dark dining room with
Admiral Dawson. Their table, polished black, is lit; the
rest of the room is engulfed in darkness. A variety of foods
expertly arranged lie between the two men, and as they eat –
taking a plate at a time and finishing its meager contents –
SERVERS appear to remove their cleaned dishes and replace
them with new foods before melting back into the shadows.
DAWSON
So, Mr. Davies, tell me about
yourself.
Davies stammers a bit, smiling, as he answers.
DAVIES
I – well, what is it you’d like to
know?
DAWSON
I’d like to know about your life.
I suppose to begin with you can
tell me why you joined the Fleets.
Davies plays with his food, now a small pasta dish, twirling
the noodles with his fork.
DAVIES
Well, sir . . . I guess for
financial reasons. I’d like to go
to university, study
psychohistory, and that takes
money. But, also, well, a very
good friend of mine joined up and
I figured I would too.
Dawson nods. Davies eats in silence for a moment, then puts
down his fork. Immediately a server comes and removes his
plate, startling him, and another server leaves a shrimp
dish in the middle of the table.
DAWSON
And what do you think of military
life?
DAVIES
Actually, sir, I think it kind of
sucks, with all due respect. I
didn’t think we’d go to war, but
here I am, risking my life for the
USS.
DAWSON
I’ve been in the military as long
as I can remember, Mr. Davies, and
even before that. I can’t imagine
a life out there, outside of the
Fleets. But I have watched in my
years – which are considerable,
but how considerable I’ll never
tell – I have watched this
government slowly rot and wither.
Or perhaps it has long been rotten
and withered and I’ve only
gradually become aware of it.
DAVIES
I understand; I mean, for a
government with no enemies to
manufacture a biological
weapon.... That is what they’re
doing, right? Why?
DAWSON
Not the United government, not
that Corporate Punch and Judy
show. The cult of money strangles
our government. The Senate pushes
and pouts and demands higher
salaries and blocks attempts to
reform at every turn. Thus the
Senators convince themselves that
they still matter, they’re still
vital cogs in the great machine.
But they’re not. They simply
legitimate the actions of the
Corporation, the CEO, and his
Presidential marionette.
DAVIES
Then the Corporation. What’s in it
for them? They already control the
government of the mightiest nation
of men in the universe; what else
do they want?
DAWSON
Lust for power, Mr. Davies, is a
beast not so easily tamed, and
rarely rational. I can’t
understand what they could hope to
gain by conquering barbarians. But
whatever their intentions may be,
they shall be foiled by what you
have brought here with you.
Dawson’s plate is removed from under his nose and a sponge
cake is added to the orgy of food. Davies thinks for a
moment before speaking.
DAVIES
About that. I was going to ask you
about that. Um . . . What -- what
should I do with it?
DAWSON
Hold on to it tightly. Hide it.
Keep it safe. In time you can give
it to me for safer keeping, and I
will see to it that it is
replicated and distributed at
need. But grant it to me only when
you are ready – when you trust
that I will use it justly. Time is
pressing, and I urge you not to
tarry too long with your doubts.
But until such time as you feel
it’s safe to pass it on you shall
have it for yourself.
Davies nods and takes a tentative bite out of the strange
black substance now on his plate. Stifling a look of disgust
he puts down his fork and pushes the plate away.
DAVIES
Well, sir, I think I’m done. Thank
you so much for the meal. But
what’s next, if I may ask?
DAWSON
Dessert.
DAVIES
(Chuckling)
No, I mean, uh, more broadly.
What’s next for me here?
DAWSON
Oh. Well, Mr. Davies, I’ve read
your dossier.
The attendants, who have quickly cleared the table, now
place a rather disgusting-looking dish before each of the
men at the table. Davies doesn’t notice; he looks keenly at
Dawson.
DAWSON (CONT'D)
I must say that I was very
impressed. You’re an intelligent
man, Jack. Very intelligent.
Jack smiles at this, his cheeks shading subtle scarlet.
DAWSON (CONT'D)
A little inexperienced. But you
could be a very valuable resource
for our rebellion. Leadership
qualities, amiable – all of this I
could have guessed without looking
it up, just from our conversation
– and an incredible drive to
achieve. The last surprised me, I
admit. So many men are drawn to
the Fleets by the promise of
power; they’re barely able to
restrain their ambition and they
have no ability to hide it. In my
experience these men are usually
failures. Your determination,
however, is well hidden by
humility. You are a subtle man,
Jack. I admire that.
DAVIES
(Smiling coyly)
Thank you, sir. But I’m not in the
Fleets for the long haul and I’m
really not that ambitious.
DAWSON
Exactly. I’m assigning you to
Flight Wing eleven, the so-called
Black Aces. They’re good, Jack,
very good. You’ll thrive.
Dawson brings a forkful of his dessert to his mouth and
chews it slowly, savoring the taste.
DAWSON (CONT'D)
It’s very good, Jack. An imported
delicacy. We’ll be wanting for
such things in the dark days
before us.
Jack takes a bite, failing to hide his reluctance, and chews
with a half-smile half-grimace plastered across his face.
SCENE ACCESS
MAIN MENU
4/12/2003 3:12:44 AM
(Updated: 4/12/2003 3:16:35 AM)
(Updated: 4/12/2003 6:08:51 PM)
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