FADE IN:

12. EXT. AIRPORT - NIGHT

Clive Thomas has just made it to the airport and sees the craft on the runway building up speed. With his bag in one hand and his shield in the other, he rushes through the small airport to the gate and is stopped by several security men.

I've got to get on that plane! They told me they'd hold it for me!

May I see some identification, please.

Yes. Yes. What are you, blind, man! Thomas, Clive. British Intelligence! Now you've got to stop that plane!

Excuse me. Did you say you are Clive Thomas of British Intelligence?

Yes. Yes I am. And I must get on that plane.

I'm sorry Mister Thomas, but I'm afraid that you are under arrest.

The second security guard puts handcuffs on the stunned Intelligence Agent.

WHAT!? Under arrest! What's the meaning of this!? I demand an explanation!

We were informed that a man fitting your description might show up claiming to be from British Intelligence and demand to board that plane. That you are, instead, a spy with a list of top secret Swiss bank account numbers that you stole.

That's preposterous! I insist on seeing your supervisor!

Search his luggage.

CUT TO:

13. TROPICAL ISLAND - 48 HOURS LATER

Janice and Mel are sitting on a large veranda in front of a luxurious hotel. Booted feet propped up on the railing, Janice is in a cream camp shirt and khaki shorts with her inevitable fedora perched on the back of her head. Mel is dressed in a light gauzy cotton dress, bare feet in low heel sandals and gently waving a fan under her face.

Land's sakes Janice, must you always look like a ruffian?

Hmmm, what do you mean?

I mean you are sitting there with your feet on the railing in a position no lady would ever assume!

I think better with my feet up. Makes the blood flow to my brain.

Yes, if your brains are where you sit.

Janice arches an eyebrow and gives a long sigh.

Yeah, well it's better than dressing up in those prissy frocks you are always wearing. At least my clothes won't rip to pieces on a dig.

There's a time and a place to wear work clothes and a time and a place to look civilized. In case you hadn't noticed, this IS a civilized place.

Yeah, well remember, this is not a vacation and a lot's at stake here!

Mel looks soberly at Janice.

Yes, I know. So, what's our next step? I imagine Mister Thomas is going to be showing up mighty soon. An' I don't think he's goin' to be a gentleman and a scholar when he arrives.

That was a dirty trick we played on him in Switzerland.

Yeah, well, all's fair in love and war. And we're at war!

Janice takes a cigar out of her breast pocket and lights it.

Okay, here's the plan. I've been asking around and it seems that there are two sets of archaeologists that have arrived recently on the island. One group is from America. They have been coming here since before the war to investigate native ruins from pre-Colombian times. I think we can rule them out.

What about the other group?

Janice sits up, puts her feet on the ground and leans closer to Mel.

They are much more interesting. They arrived about a day before we did. Very demanding and rude. Act like they own the island. My native friend said they seem to be in a big hurry. They are chartering a boat and going out early tomorrow morning.

So, we are going to do a little midnight scouting. Hope you have something to wear for a little cat burgling.

You insist on my doin' very unladylike things, Janice Covington!

And you love every minute of it, Melinda Pappas, and you know it!

CUT TO:

14. EXT - HOTEL VERANDA

Two men are sitting at a small table sipping cooling drinks. They are wearing lightweight tropical suits and appear not to have a care in the world.

Our spies were right. That is Doctor Covington and Doctor Pappas sitting over there.

Ja, I guess we will have to keep an eye on them. Find out why they are here. Perhaps pay them a little visit tonight.

Perhaps...

CUT TO:

15. EXT - NIGHT - SMALL BUNGALOW

Two figures dressed all in black are crouched under a window. The bungalow is dark and silent.

Okay, you keep a lookout while I do a little investigating.

All right, but hurry. The night porter said the occupants would be back in an hour.

I told you it pays to get in good with the help.

Besides, I'm sure you can keep a couple of guys distracted with your southern, feminine wiles.

I do declare, Janice, you are incorrigible!

Now go on! Git! Do what you've gotta do! GO!!!

CUT TO:

16. INTERIOR - HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Two well-dressed men are standing in front of a door. The taller of the two looks up and down the corridor while the shorter one removes a small lock pick from his pocket and deftly opens the door.

That's does it. Smart idea to ring their room before we came up. Makes searching it a lot easier.

Yes, but I sure wouldn't have minded spending a little time with the brunette. She's one good- looking fraulein.

Keep your mind on the job, Franz. We don't have much time.

Then quit talking and start searching, Erich.

CUT TO:

17. INT. - BUNGALOW - NIGHT

Janice has opened the window and climbed in. Mel can hear the sounds of drawers being opened and closed, papers rustling, and the occasional curse word from Janice as she bumps into a piece of furniture. A small light flickers and moves around the rooms as Janice searches. For the next half-hour, Mel peers anxiously around the surrounding grounds, looking for any sign of the returning guests.

Suddenly, Mel feels something tap her on the shoulder.

Mel lets out a small squeak and turns around.

My goodness Janice, don't do that!

Do what Miss Mouse?

Janice climbs out the window, switching off her small flashlight.

Scare me like that!

You should be used to this by now!

I don't think I'll every get used to your unladylike behavior and antics!

Smiling knowingly, Janice puts her arm through Mel's and leads her away from the bungalow.

CUT TO:

18. INTERIOR - HOTEL ROOM

The room is a shambles, clothing tossed everywhere, mattress slashed, drawers and their contents on the floor.

Nothing, absolutely nothing!

Yeah, except for some very nice lingerie and some pretty good cigars, you're right.

He takes a handful of cigars and puts them in his jacket pocket. Franz looks at his watch and notes they've been searching for about 45 minutes.

We better get out of here. They could return at any time.

Erich moves to the bedside to turn out the light and trips. Looking down, he sees a small piece of carpet sticking up slightly. Kneeling down, he feels around and finds a place where the carpet has been cut. Moving the nightstand, he folds it back and sees a floorboard that looks out of line. He pulls out a pocketknife and pries it open. Underneath it are two small journals.

I think I've found something!

CUT TO:

19. EXTERIOR - NIGHT

Janice and Mel are walking toward their hotel.

Ya know, we're getting pretty good at this cat burglar stuff. We might have a future in this racket.

Yes, well, I'd just as soon not. My mama would die if she knew what I'd been up to.

Your mama would be proud of you.

The result yes, the means, no. So, what did you find?

I haven't had a chance to read all of it, but the Nazis are definitely planning to smuggle Hitler out of Germany. And guess how they are going to accomplish that!

Change him into a boy using the water?

Your mama didn't raise no stupid children!

CUT TO:

20. INTERIOR - HOTEL CORRIDOR

Janice and Mel are walking down the corridor to their room as two well dressed gentlemen come toward them down the hall. The two men bow politely, smile and raise their hats to the ladies as they continue down the hall.

My, those men have such nice manners. Wonder if they're from the South?

Nah, they look European. Probably Nordic with that blond hair and blue eyes. I think the tall one likes you. Did you see the way he eyed you?

Janice! You are terrible! No lady notices things like that, or at least she doesn't admit it.

Ah, then you did notice.

Stopping in front of their room, Janice takes out the key to unlock the door. The door opens as she puts the key in the keyhole.

That's odd... could have sworn I locked the door.

She reaches in and turns on the light. Mel screams.

CUT TO:

21. INT - HOTEL ROOM - LATE NIGHT

Janice grimly surveys the room. The sheer savagery displayed worries her deeply.

She locates her duffle bag. Her whip, gun and holster are still in one piece, but her clothes have been shredded and left for rags on the floor along with Mel's clothing.

She looks around for her fedora but doesn't see it until she turns toward the door to close it. There it is. Stuck to the back of the door with a dagger through the top.

She yanks the dagger out and puts her finger through the hole, and wiggles it, and turns to Mel.

Okay, first thing tomorrow morning, I'm getting us some help.

Help? From whom?

Our "friends" in the State Department. Whoever did this isn't playing around. They weren't just searching, they were sending us a message.

A message, what kind of a message?

That they mean business and anyone that gets in their way is history.

Look at this mess, they destroyed everything they could. They meant to scare us.

As far as I'm concerned, they've succeeded.

I'm going to go down and get us another room. In the meantime, see if you can find if anything is missing.

Okay. But you be careful, whoever did this could still be around.

Don't worry. I intend on being very careful.

CUT TO:

22. INT - HOTEL FRONT DESK

Janice and the manager appear to be in an animated discussion while the front desk clerk wrings his hands in dismay. A large beefy man listens in. He has an air that screams cop.

That's right, our room was broken into. Now, we need another one.

Certainly, Madame. I assure you this in not the sort of thing that happens here.

He hands her a key.

I will send someone up to help you move your things.

Well, we won't need much help, there not much left of our things but rags.

I will have some things sent up to your new room.

And don't think we're payin' for any of it either! Where's your security? Why aren't they monitoring the corridors?

We have but two house detectives, and they can only be in one place at a time. Unfortunately, this must have occurred either before or after their rounds. I do apologize. And of course, you will not be expected to pay for anything.

He glances over at the beefy man who squirms.

Good.

She heads back to their room where she finds Mel with a distraught look on her face.

What's wrong?

They found my journals and took them!

And they contain your notes about the fountain of youth?

Yes, but they won't find them easy to read.

I wrote them in an ancient Greek dialect. There are only maybe three people in the world who could read it. Me, my papa, and Professor Herakolitos. My father is gone and the professor is retired and living on an obscure Greek isle.

Well, guess that gives us some time then.

Yes, but not all of the entries are in that language. And, well, some of the things in it are.. .

uhmmm, personal.

Janice raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment.

Okay, I told the hotel manager what happened. He is giving us another room, on the top floor. So, let's get our stuff together, or at least what's left of it.

Mel has put anything that is still usable on the bed. The two friends quickly stuff their belongings into Janice's duffle bag.

There is a knock at the door.

Who is it?

Bellhop ma'am.

Janice opens the door. The bellhop stares in disbelief at the chaos in the room. Janice hands the shocked bellhop her duffle bag.

Here, take this to our room.

A bemused bellhop takes the bag.

Follow me please.

CUT TO:

23. INT - HOTEL SUITE - MORNING

Mel and Janice are sitting at a small table. Mel is wearing a silk, floor length dressing gown while Janice is sitting in boxer shorts and an undershirt.

Okay, here's the plan, I will send a telegram to our buddies in Washington and then I'll get us a boat to follow after this so called "archaeological" expedition.

You get us some new stuff. Oh, and don't forget the cigars. I can't believe they took my cigars! Oh, and not the island specials! They've gotta be Havana cigars.

Okay. Wasn't it nice of the management to put us in this beautiful suite and send up these clothes?

Janice stands and grabs the trousers that she had resting over the backrest of her chair.

Yeah, well, they're probably afraid the other guests will find out what happened so they're bribing us to keep quiet.

Let's get going. Meet you back here around noon.

FADE OUT: