Phoebe Roberts

A very rough, very unmoored scene coming from imagining for the Adonis sequels. I am very interested in exploring this idea that Pavilla, one of the villain characters, represents the damage caused by entitlement and dehumanizing other people, through giving her an obsession with Aidan. I’m trying to figure out how to create interaction between the two of them. I’m a little torn as to how it comes about. Bernie thinks she shouldn’t encounter him until she gets captured temporarily in a skirmish early in the second film. I have a been in my bonnet that they have a previous history, but he’s got me afraid that’s too coincidental. I don’t know. I should probably sketch scenes out for both possibilities and just see which I like better. I have a hard time making myself work on something I’m afraid I won’t be able to use at all though.

Day #26 – “A Small Thing”
From Adonis sequels
By Phoebe Roberts

INT. CELLS – DAY

Pavilla peers out of her cell at Morna, unimpressed by her tiny figure and walking stick.

PAVILLA
And who are you?

MORNA
An emissary from the general. She has terms for you.

PAVILLA
If you refer to the traitor Diana Aurelia, she forfeited generalship when she took arms against the empire. And the right to dictate terms with it.

MORNA
She still holds you prisoner, Pavo Minor. Her terms are all you have.

Pavilla bangs her fist against the wall of her cell.

PAVILLA
Then what are they?

MORNA
She is willing to release you to your company in exchange for certain intelligence about the state of the senate and the provinces.

PAVILLA
No ransom? No exchange?

MORNA
The general sees other things as worth more.

Pavilla turns away, considering.

MORNA
Well?

PAVILLA
I want to see him.

Morna presses her lips together.

MORNA
What?

Pavilla barks out a laugh.

PAVILLA
What game do you mean to play? The only him. There is no other.

MORNA
What about him?

PAVILLA
I want to see the boy. Bring him with your questions, and I’ll tell him what you want to know.

Morna glares.

PAVILLA
It’s a small thing, isn’t it? A small price for the intelligence you need.

Beat.

PAVILLA
Now. The boy.