"The Beautiful People: Part IV"


INT. THE KING'S DUNGEON.

Dolph moans as he comes to.  He hangs from a wall.

Adomass' laboratory is filled with cages of mutants.  

A massive central table holds bubbling beakers.  Flames set magical ichor to movement.  A snake guards 
a discarded wand.  A silver framed mirror lies unattended.

Adomass detaches from the shadows.  He cradles Dolph's chin in his hand and studies Dolph's face.

                           ADOMASS
          You are a great disappointment to 
          me.  I was sure one so large could 
          fulfill my requirements.
          
                           DOLPH
          It takes more than size to murder 
          a man.
          
                           ADOMASS
          Yes, one does need a certain amount 
          of skill.
          
                           DOLPH
          And a black heart.
          
The Wizard chuckles.

                           ADOMASS
          My kind of man...  Of which you are 
          not, evidently...  Pity.
          
                           DOLPH
          I'm happy to disappoint you.
          
                           ADOMASS
          Oh, you won't be, Dolph...  You will be 
          very difficult to work with due to your 
          natural immunity to the magics of this 
          world, but eventually I think I can change 
          you.
          
                           DOLPH
          Change me?
          
                           ADOMASS
          Look around you, Dolt, er, I mean 
          Dolph.  

The caged creatures surrounding Dolph give him Bambi-like stares.
          
                           ADOMASS
          They were all once men like you.  
          Actually It's only a hobby of mine.
          
                           DOLPH
          Corwin's people!  You did that to 
          them!
          
                           ADOMASS
          We've found it an effective way 
          to enforce the kings law.
          
                           DOLPH
          You sick bastard!!!!
          
                           ADOMASS
          Come now, Dolph, how is justice 
          administered on your world?
          
                           DOLPH
          As justice, not as torture!
          
Adomass picks up a knife from the table.
          
                           ADOMASS
          Well, justice is in the eye of the 
          beholder, eh?
          
Adomass lashes out and cuts Dolph's chest.  Dolph flinches.  Adomass snatches up some 
blood with the edge of the knife.  He licks the end of the blade.

                           ADOMASS
          Hmmmmm, a bit salty, but it will do.
          
Adomass returns to the central table.  He mixes a potion with the blood.

                           ADOMASS
          As I discovered with Corwin, the 
          more one of your world becomes 
          suffused with the magic of our world, 
          the more they become subject to our powers.
          
Dolph looks around desperately.

                           ADOMASS
          Magnus taught Corwin well, and quickly.  
          I was unable to respond before Corwin raised 
          his defenses.  Otherwise I could have changed 
          him too.
          
                           DOLPH
          I thought Corwin killed Magnus?
          
Adomass returns to Dolph.

                           ADOMASS
          Corwin defeated Magnus, but as 
          you are about to find out, there are 
          worse things than being killed.
          
Adomass throws the contents of the cup at the wound on Dolph's chest.  

The slimy liquid races into Dolph's wound as if it were alive.  Black misty tendrils connect 
Adomass' fingers to the liquid

Dolph screams. 

He contorts to Adomass gestures; Adomass the evil puppet master.  Dolph's entire body 
glows the evil black glow.  

Dolph's fingernails sharpen and grow a half inch.  

Dolph sags in the chains.  Adomass staggers from his efforts.

A worn Adomass picks up a ruler from his bench.  He measures Dolph's fingernails.

                           ADOMASS
          Hmmmm, it's not much, but it's a 
          beginning.
          
With an insane cackle, Adomass leaves Dolph with the rest of the mutants.

INT. THE KING'S DUNGEON. - A FEW DAYS LATTER

Dolph hangs.  

He is much wilder looking, almost animalistic.  His ears have lengthened and are pointed.  His brow 
is more pronounced.  His fingernails have turned to steel.  His hair is down to his shoulders.
Lucinda enters the room.  She grabs a nearby rag and soaks it.

                           LUCINDA
          My poor, Brave Knight, what has 
          Adomass done to you?
          
She touches the rag to Dolph's brow.  Dolph's eyes open.

                           DOLPH
          He's been having fun.  At least I've 
          been wearing the bastard out.
          
                           LUCINDA
          Yes, he has looked quite tired these 
          past few days...  I like the ears.
          
                           DOLPH
          Will you like them as much when they 
          belong to a pig?
          
                           LUCINDA
          Is that what he is going to turn you into?
          
                           DOLPH
          A dog, a snake, a pig.  It changes daily...  
          You can help me out of here.
          
Lucinda laughs sweetly.

                           LUCINDA
          Oh, but could I My Love, but that would 
          anger Father most grievously and I would 
          be chained besides you.
          
                           DOLPH
          How romantic.
          
Dolph stands and yanks at the chains.  Blood oozes from the manacles on his wrists.  
Dolph spies the ring Corwin gave him.

                           LUCINDA
          Romantic yes, but foolish also...  If 
          only you had brought Corwin's head, 
          we would be horizontal now instead 
          of vertical.
          
                           DOLPH
          Lucy.

                           LUCINDA
          Yes, My Dearest Love?
          
                           DOLPH
          Before I am too far gone I want 
          to give you something to remember 
          me by.
          
                           LUCINDA
          A gift!
          
                           DOLPH
          It is all that I have.
          
                           LUCINDA
          What is it?
          
                           DOLPH
          This gold ring on my finger.  Please 
          take it.
          
Lucinda skips over to Dolph.  She twists the ring off.  Dolph grimaces in pain.

                           LUCINDA
          Plain, but tasteful.  I'll treasure it always.
          
                           DOLPH
          Read the inscription inside.
          
Lucinda reads.  She looks at Dolph confused.

                           LUCINDA
          My ass?  I don't understand.
          
                           DOLPH
                   (under his breath)
          Corwin, you wise ass.
          Bring it closer so that I may kiss it.
          
Lucinda smiles and starts to hike up her skirt.

                           LUCINDA
          If you wish, My Dear, you may 
          have the real thing.
          
                           DOLPH
          No! No! Lucy, I'm, uh, chained.  I 
          know it's but a gesture, a symbol, but
          it is the best I can do.

Drops her skirt.  She approaches with Dolph's ring outstretched.

                           LUCINDA
          Oh, all right.  Prove thy love.
          
She holds the ring to Dolph's lips.  He kisses it.

The ring shakes violently.  Lucinda drops it with a shriek.

The ring rolls several feet away from Dolph.  Lucinda backs away from the ring.

There is a flash of light.  Lucinda is thrown into the central table and knocked to the floor.  

She passes out.  The hand mirror on the table bounces off her stomach and lands next 
to her hand.

A cloud of purple smoke conceals two red serpentine eyes.  An anxious Dolph tries to discern 
what is in there.

                           FROM THE SMOKE
          Moooooooo!
          
                           DOLPH
          Moo?
          
                           FROM THE SMOKE
          Yes, moo.  What are you, a parrot?
          
The smoke clears.  Two massive batlike wings frame a creature that is a conglomeration of cow and dragon.

                           DOLPH
          What are you?
          
                           ELSIE
          What am I?  How demeaning!  
          Who am I? I am Elsie the cow-dragon.
          
                           DOLPH
          Cow-dragon?
          
Elsie heaves a laborious sigh.

                           ELSIE
          Yes, cow-dragon.  My father was 
          Balrog the Randy, and I am the 
          progeny of one of his many couplings.
                       (sigh)
          And the butt of many a joke.
          
                           DOLPH
          Jokes?
          
                           ELSIE
          Oh look!  Here comes Elsie!  The 
          serpentine bovine!  Want some warm 
          milk and dragon eggs?  When she 
          dies should we make her into a wallet 
          or pair of snakeskin boots?  
          
                           DOLPH
          That's terrible!
          
                           ELSIE
          Oh you get used to it...  So why 
          did you summon me?
          
Dolph holds up his chained hands.

                           DOLPH
          I'm having some trouble with the 
          locals.
          
Elsie trundles over to the wall.  

With a wicked looking foreclaw she effortlessly pulls the chains from the wall.  She pulls 
Dolph closer and pries apart the manacles.

                           DOLPH
          Thanks.
          
                           ELSIE
          Oh, no problem.  At least I'm good 
          for something.  Sigh.....
          
Dolph runs over to Lucy.  She's alive, but unconscious.  

Dolph notices the cracked mirror by her hand.  The reflection of her hand illustrates a demonic 
claw.  Dolph starts.

He snatches up the mirror and follows Lucy's arm to her face.  Her reflection is that of a 
grotesque demon.  Dolph drops the mirror with a crash.

                           ELSIE
          What's the matter?  You've never 
          seen a demon before?
          
                           DOLPH
          You can see her?  I mean it?
          
                           ELSIE
          Of course.  Dragons can always see  
          the truth.
                          (sigh)
          Even cow-dragons.
          
                           DOLPH
          She's not human.
          
                           ELSIE
          Hardly.
          
                           DOLPH
          I don't understand.
          
                           ELSIE
          Sorcery, Dear Boy.  You're not from 
          around here, are you?
          
                           DOLPH
          No...  I've, we've got to get out of here.  
          
                           ELSIE
          I suppose you'll want me to lead 
          the way?
          
                           DOLPH
          If you don't mind.  You are so big 
          and strong.
          
                           ELSIE
          Fine flattery for a dragon.  Terrible 
          for a cow.
          
Dolph thinks a moment.
          
                           DOLPH
          I'm sorry, it's just that in the presence 
          of such a sensitive personality, I'm 
          bound to say the wrong thing.
          Elsie gives him a sideways glance and 
          moves closer.

                           ELSIE
          Are you just saying that or are you 
          trying to appeal to my feminine ego?
          
                           DOLPH
                        (abashed)
          Elsie, I am destined to speak only 
          the truth.
          
Elsie loosens up and becomes coy.

                           ELSIE
          Oh, I think you're just trying to butter 
          me up... so to speak.
          
Dolph looks deep into her eyes.

                           DOLPH
          You are so fortunate.
          
                           ELSIE
          How's that?
          
                           DOLPH
          You've got the best aspects of both 
          your parents' eyes.  Passionate, but 
          wise, sensitive, yet strong.  Your parents 
          must be so proud.
          
                           ELSIE
          Moooohhhhhh, I like you.  
          
They hear the clang of weapons down a distant corridor.

                           DOLPH
          We'd best get moving.
          
                           ELSIE
          Anywhere you say, er,
          
                           DOLPH
          Dolph.  Dolph Newhause.
          
                           ELSIE
          Dolph.  Dolph, I like that it sounds very, er, ah, bullish.
          
Dolph coughs nervously and makes for the door.  Elsie follows.

INT. CASTLE CORRIDOR - SAME

Dolph exits the dungeon right into the midst of three of the king's guard.

Dolph launches a barrage of kicks before they can draw their swords.  All three go 
down.  

Dolph takes one of the warrior's swords.

INT. ANOTHER CASTLE CORRIDOR - SAME

Dolph crosses into another corridor.  A squad of warriors is waiting.  Dolph dispatches 
them in martial splendor.  Elsie watches. 

Dolph is out of breath.

                           DOLPH
          Feel free to jump in at any time.
          
                           ELSIE
          I'm enjoying watching you cavort 
          about.  You have such nice legs.
          
Dolph snorts and takes off down the corridor.

INT. A DOORWAY TO THE MAIN COURTYARD - SAME

Dolph starts to run into the main courtyard.  A fusillade of arrows drives him back into the 
corridor.

Many warriors begin to rush the portal.

An arrow flies by Dolph.  

It breaks one of the nails on Elsie's foreclaw.  Elsie holds it up and looks at it enraged.

                           ELSIE
          They broke a nail!!  Mooooh, that really 
          makes me mad!  Out of my way, handsome.
          
Elsie brushes Dolph aside with one massive foreclaw.  She steps into the courtyard.  

The warriors halt their assault at the sight of this cow-eyed monster.

Elsie stands on her hind legs and snaps her udder into position.  Each teat comes on-line 
like the barrel of a pompom gun.  She shoots burst of fireballs, gatling style at the warriors.

Warriors are knocked off their feet and consumed.  Screams of pain rage across the courtyard.  
In seconds the courtyard is clear.  

Elsie looks at Dolph.

                           ELSIE
                        (defensive)
          Well?  Aren't you going to say it?
          
                           DOLPH
          What?
          
                           ELSIE
          That was udderly ridiculous?
          
Dolph smiles.

                           DOLPH
          Actually I was thinking that was the 
          first time I've ever seen a fire milkin' 
          dragon.
          
Elsie smiles and then giggles.

                           ELSIE
          That's a new one.  Come on, we'd 
          better hoof and claw it out of here.
          
                           DOLPH
          Can't we fly out?
          
                           ELSIE
          I'm afraid the delicate bovine form 
          is not aerodynamically efficient.  Unfortunately 
          these 
                    (flaps her wings)
          aren't good for much more than keeping 
          the sun off of my head.
          
                           DOLPH
          Sorry to hear that.
          
The two dash across the courtyard.  Elsie bulldozes through the main gate.

EXT. ON TOP OF THE MAIN GATE - SAME

King Malvalle and five of his men storm to the ramparts at the main gate.  The King slams the stone 
in front of him.

                           KING MALVALLE
          Now there are two loose in my world!!!!
          
Adomass joins them.

                           KING MALVALLE
          This is your fault, Magician!!!
          
                           ADOMASS
          This is Corwin's doing.
          
                           KING MALVALLE
          I don't care whose magic it is!  I now have 
          another powerful enemy that is free to 
          oppose me.
          
                           ADOMASS
          I will summon a storm.
          
                           KING MALVALLE
          No!!!  Enough of your vile magic.  We will 
          do this my way.
          
Malvalle turns to his men.

                           KING MALVALLE
          Take three dragons and go to the pit.
          
                           WARRIOR
          Yes, My Lord.
          
Malvalle watches the distant figures of Dolph and Elsie fade away.  An evil red glow 
pulses behind his false human eyes.

EXT. CANYON - MIDDAY

Dolph and Elsie wearily make their way through a rocky canyon.

                           ELSIE
          What I wouldn't give for a nice 
          green field and a cool spring 
          fed pond.          
          
                           DOLPH
          I could go for a Big Mac myself.
          
                           ELSIE
          What's a Big Mac?
          
                           DOLPH
          Ah, er, a kind of food back on my world.
          
                           ELSIE
          What's it made of?
          
                           DOLPH
          Ah, ah, it's got, bread and, er
          
Dolph pulls up short.  They have reached a dead end.

                           DOLPH
          Damn.
          
A hundred foot cliff faces them.

                           ELSIE
          I get the distinct impression 
          you don't know where you're 
          going.
          
                           DOLPH
          I thought I did.  We must have 
          taken a wrong turn.
          
They hear the scream of a large animal.

The two turn.  Three black dragons carrying baskets of demons fly towards them.  A dozen 
flying demons dart in and out of the dragons.

                           ELSIE
          Uh-oh.
          
                           DOLPH
          Take cover in those rocks!
          
Dolph and Elsie make for some boulders.

As the dragons come within range, Elsie hops up on a boulder.  She lets loose with 
her fire milking apparatus.

Several demons are knocked out of the air.

A basket of demons catches on fire.
Two black dragons return fire with meteor sized fire balls.

A nearby explosion  knocks Elsie from her perch.

The bottom of the basket falls out.  Several demons fall to their death.

Elsie takes cover next to Dolph.  She returns fire when she can.

The remaining Dragons do a touch and go landing with their baskets.

A dozen armed demons move on Dolph's and Elsie's position.

The demons swarm the rocks.  Dolph battles desperately, sword to sword and hand to hand.  
Elsie flails about with hoof, claw, wing and tail.

Dolph is knocked down.  A demon stands over him for the killing blow.

A rock the size of basketball caves in the demons face.  It goes over backwards.

The demons are falling back from a fusillade of various projectiles.

There is a scream from above.

A black dragon is being torn apart by a red dragon perched on its back.

                           ELSIE
          Daddy!
          
The distorted notes of a heavily amped Fender guitar scream out over the canyon.  

Corwin stands on the cliff behind the two, silhouetted, singing Willie Dixon's "I'm Ready".

The other black dragon is being worried by several of Corwin's flying mutants.

The Thin Man pitches a small boulder to Hewey.  Hewey slams it with a tree trunk.

The boulder hits a black dragon in the head.  It tumbles over backward and is crushed on the 
rocks, a couple hundred feet below.

A dazed Dolph steps out from the rocks.  Elsie watches her father do battle.

A large demon looms out from behind a boulder.  It lofts a battle ax over Dolph's head.

Serena flashes into the side of the demon with a sidekick.
Before Dolph realizes it, she has sliced and diced the would be assassin.

                           DOLPH
          Thanks.
          
                           SERENA
          My pleasure Large One.
          
Corwin finishes his song.  The mutants have finished off the demons.  The last dragon 
flies off, wounded.

Corwin nonchalantly jumps off of the cliff to land next to Dolph.

Dolph stares in disbelief.

                           CORWIN
          Nice hair.  I see Adomass has been 
          busy.
          
Dolph holds up his hands.  He shows his steel fingernails.  He is choked up.

                           DOLPH
          He changed me.
          
                           CORWIN
          Now you're really a big dumb animal.
          
                           SERENA
                      (admonishing)
          Corwin!
          
Dolph is enraged.  He grabs Corwin by the tunic and lofts him up into the air.

                           DOLPH
          You call me big and dumb one more 
          time and I'm gonna rip your lungs out!  
          I've spent twenty five years of listening to, 
          "How's the air up there", "Meet tall, dark 
          and stupid!",  "Do you play for the 
          varsity football team!?".
          
Serena and Corwin's mutants are anxious.

                           DOLPH
          I graduated first in my class in high 
          school!  I went to Yale,  was a Rhodes 
          scholar and graduated with an electrical 
          engineering degree!  I got my PHD in 
          two years at Cal-Tech and my Doctoral 
          thesis was accepted for publication by 
          the magazine "Science"!
          
Corwin is obviously impressed.

                           DOLPH
          So, if you call me big dumb one 
          more time, I don't give a shit if 
          you've got an army of dragons 
          behind you, I'll kick your ass from 
          here to Los Angeles!!!!!!
          
Corwin is silent as Dolph fumes in his face.  Someone taps Dolph on the shoulder.  Dolph 
drops Corwin and spins.

                           DOLPH
          What!!!!
          
Balrog, the red dragon, is in Dolph's face.  Dolph chills.

                           BALROG
          I see you've met my daughter.  I 
          hope you've been taking very good 
          care of her.
          
                           DOLPH
          Ye- ye- yes, Sir.
          
Balrog leans forward,  and whispers.

                           BALROG
          She's very self conscious about 
          her figure.
          
                           DOLPH
          She's very sensitive.
          
                           BALROG
          I don't' know why.  I've never met 
          a more beautiful dragon.
          
Elsie joins her father.
          
                           ELSIE
          Oh Daddy, you're blinded by 
          fatherly love!
          
                           BALROG
          Bull! Er, I mean, garbage!
          
                           SERENA
          We'd best leave, Corwin,  Malvalle 
          will be sending reinforcements.
          
Corwin sheepishly picks himself up.  He extends a hand to Dolph.

                           CORWIN
          I'm sorry, Dolph.  Of all people 
          I should know better.
          
Dolph takes his hand.

                           DOLPH
          Us Americans have to stick together.

Dolph looks at his hands.

                           DOLPH
          Can you change me back?
          
Corwin shakes his head.

                           CORWIN
          I'm sorry, Dolph.  It's Adomass' magic.  
          Even if that weren't the case, I don't know how.
          
                           DOLPH
          How about Magnus?
          
                           CORWIN
          Magnus!?          
          
                           DOLPH
          Adomass said you didn't kill him.
          
                           SERENA
          Death would have been kinder.
          
Corwin shoots her a dirty look.  Corwin turns to his troop of mutants.

                           CORWIN
          Back to the castle!  Balrog, cover our rear!
          
Corwin turns to Dolph.

                           CORWIN
          You're coming with me.  
      
EXT. ALONG SIDE A STREAM - TOWARD EVENING

Corwin leads Dolph beside a small stream at the bottom of a large, rocky crevice.

                           DOLPH
          Are they all demons?
          
Corwin chuckles.

                           CORWIN
          Found out their secret, did you?
          
                           DOLPH
          I saw Lucy in a mirror.  She was-
          
                           CORWIN
          Fucking ugly, huh?
          
                           DOLPH
          You didn't answer my question.
          
                           CORWIN
          If they're one of the beautiful people, 
          they're probably a demon.  They stole 
          their looks from the people of Le Beau Valle.
          
                           DOLPH
          Where's that?
          
                           CORWIN
          They call it Malvalle now.

                           DOLPH
          Oh.
          
                           CORWIN
          Dru and Lucy have Serena's face.
          
                           DOLPH
          My God!
          
                           CORWIN
          He doesn't do much work around here.  We're 
          on our own.
          
                           DOLPH
          Where did they come from?  How did all of 
          this happen?
          
                           CORWIN
          It's Adomass' doing.  He was losing a sorceres' 
          battle against Magnus, so he summoned up some 
          help.  They drove Magnus back to the wasted lands 
          where we live, and then Adomass set Malvalle up as 
          king.
          
                           DOLPH
          King of the demons.
          
                           CORWIN
          There's still a lot of regular folk who live 
          in the valley.  Someone's gotta' do the real 
          work... Here we are.
          
The stream opens onto a small lake filled with a flesh colored, Jell-O like substance.

                           DOLPH
          What is it?  Polluted?
          
                           CORWIN
          Put your foot in it.
          
Dolph looks at Corwin in disbelief.

                           DOLPH
          I don't think so.
          
                           CORWIN
          Come on, it won't hurt you.  I give you 
          my word.  Dolph hesitates.  He walks over 
          to the edge of the lake and sticks his foot 
          in.

The lake races away from him.  Dolph starts and falls on his butt.  Corwin laughs.

Dolph picks himself up.

                           DOLPH
          What is it?
          
                           CORWIN
          Dolph, meet Magnus.  Magnus, meet Dolph.
          
A hand coalesces out of the slime and waves to Dolph.  Dolph is in shock.

                           DOLPH
          Magnus?
          
Three cartoon-like heads form in the goo and nod yes.

                           DOLPH
          You turned him into this?
          
                           CORWIN
          Actually, he was more of a puddle when I did him.  
          
                           DOLPH
          He got bigger.
          
                           CORWIN
          No shit.  He was a vegetarian before I 
          changed him.  Now anything that strays 
          into the lake without an IQ is lunch.
          
Corwin sits down at the edge.  He lovingly shakes a hand that forms there.

                           CORWIN
          You see, I bought Adomass' story.  He 
          told me that Magnus was making all the 
          mutants.  Adomass taught me the spell 
          and gave me the magic that turned Magnus 
          into this.
          
                           DOLPH
          He can still think?
          
A torso forms in the goo and puts its hands on its hips.  It wags an admonishing finger at Dolph.

                           CORWIN
          Of course.
          
                           DOLPH
          Than he can still do magic?
          
A headless torso shrugs.

                           CORWIN
          I'm afraid not.  When I took all of 
          his magic from him, he turned into this.
          
                           DOLPH
          He seems to be taking it pretty well.
          
                           CORWIN
          Magnus knows what a liar Adomass is.  We're 
          good friends now.
          
                           DOLPH
          Serena told you the truth after you did this 
          to Magnus?
          
The torso melds back to the lake.
          
                           CORWIN
          Yeah.  When I returned the conquering hero...  
          What a schmuck.  They were going to do me like 
          they started to do you.
          
                           DOLPH
          Why didn't you just tell me all of this  up front?  
          I would have helped you.
          
Corwin gives him a sideways glance.  

                           CORWIN
          Would you have?  After being in the company 
          of the gentle folk of Malvalle?  After 
          meeting Corwin, King of the Mutants?
          
                           DOLPH
          Maybe.
          
                           CORWIN
          Bullshit.
          
                           DOLPH
          You should have given me a chance.
          
                           CORWIN
          I did.  I gave you Elsie and let you 
          find the truth on your own.
          
Dolph holds up his hands.

                           DOLPH
          And now I'm changed into this!
          
                           CORWIN
          Now you're one of us.
          
                           DOLPH
          I don't see that you've suffered too much.
          
Corwin smiles and pulls back his long black hair.  Long pointed ears are revealed.

                           CORWIN
          I escaped for Adomass' dungeon too.  I 
          rather like them.  Makes me feel like Mr. 
          Spock, although that's not very logical.
          
The two start laughing.
          
                           DOLPH
          What are we going to do now?
          
                           CORWIN
          We're gonna take it to Adomass and Malvalle.
          
Several hands form in the lake.  They wave admonishing fingers at Corwin.

                           CORWIN
          I don't have a choice, Magnus.  Malvalle 
          is really pissed off now.  I'll bet he'll 
          throw the pit wide open.
          
                           DOLPH
          The pit?
          
                           CORWIN
          Adamoss conjured a pit straight to the 
          first level of hell for Malvalle.  It's 
          chock full of demons.
          
                           DOLPH
          Why hasn't he opened it before?
          
                           CORWIN
          I suppose he's afraid of some competition 
          coming out of the hole.  A demon bigger 
          and nastier than him.
          
                           DOLPH
          And now we've backed him into a corner.
          
                           CORWIN
          That's my guess...  Come on let's get 
          back to the castle.  We've got some work to do.
          
Corwin slaps one of the hands a high five.

                           CORWIN
          See you later, Magnus.
          
Magnus gives him a thumbs up.

                           CORWIN
          Engineering degree, huh?
          
                           DOLPH
          That's right.
          
                           CORWIN
          How are you at catapults?  A couple of 
          mine are throwing slow balls.
          
                           DOLPH
          No problem.  We'll turn 'em into fire balls.    

Click here for PART V of "The Beautiful People"