Part 14
Elgin's Enigma ✔
INT. "CURIO SHOP" RUN DOWN STOREâNIGHT
QUIET MYSTIC stands in front of the shop door. The SHOP KEEPER is at the counter writing notes into a book. He stops writing and looks up to see the woman. The shop is silent.
QUIET MYSTIC: Hello...old friend.
She approaches the old man and pulls out a key from her sleeve.
SHOP KEEPER: Hello again, friend. What brings you to this humble shop?
QUIET MYSTIC: I wish to return the key.
SHOP KEEPER: How come?
QUIET MYSTIC: It did nothing. Are you sure it's real?
SHOP KEEPER: I can assure you, everything here is real.
QUIET MYSTIC: But the vault could not be opened.
SHOP KEEPER: Nature can't lead you astray. You would have to drift from the path your own way.
QUIET MYSTIC: I went to the catacombs but it did not work. The book talked about a place of worship so I tried the old church. None of them worked. I'm beginning to think this only leads to nowhere.
SHOP KEEPER: It is unfortunate that you have experienced this but a return seems unwise.
The woman takes the man's hands and clutches them. Her hands are shaky and her shoulders slump forward.
QUIET MYSTIC: Please, take the key. It feels like more a curse than a treasure.
SHOP KEEPER (hesitant): It's...not every day we get a return. Then again, these sorts of things always find a way back to me.
QUIET MYSTIC: Please.
SHOP KEEPER: I can take it back if you really don't want it. Maybe... some other wandering soul will find it valuable.
QUIET MYSTIC (whispers): Thank you.
The shop keeper takes the key and puts it into his pocket. Quiet Mystic walks away and opens the door to exit.
SHOP KEEPER (calls out): I wish you luck.
The woman smiles to herself before she closes the door behind her.
RANDI's head peaks out from behind the couch tentatively.