CRYPTIC MOUNTAIN S1/E6

ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES

Cryptic Mountain

Created by MARK ZION

“THINK ABOUT IT”

Previously on Cryptic Mountain

Melvin planned on visiting his childhood home in Johannesburg. Chloe accepted Hildegarde’s high profile job offer. Meanwhile, her parents came to visit. A confused Lindani faced some stern confrontation from Deidre, who suspects that he is the mysterious occupant of the storeroom in the parking lot. Lance suggested that he and Chloe elope. Why the sudden spontaneity?

[Opening Scene: Lance’s Loft] [Scene 2: The Gradient Hotel]

The lights are dimmed. Lance’s face lit up with nerves. Chloe feels as It’s a gusty night in Wharflock. Deidre’s hotel suite is warm and bright. though she’s having some warped dream. She has been doubting Lance’s After having a warm shower, she gets ready to glide into bed with a good intentions with her. Has he finally grown up? Is he ready to make this very book. Lance’s latest best seller. As she continues to read, she comes across serious commitment? Or have they been wasting each other’s time? a chapter titled “A blended man.” The portion she reads talks about Lance’s personal research on how the issues that so often come up about LANCE: We’ve wasted enough time, don’t you think? careers or relationships could often be traced back, sooner or later, to the CHLOE: (flinching) Lance… I don’t- I don’t know lack of relationship with their fathers. Suddenly, how to- what to say. Deidre thinks about Lindani. Where does he LANCE: Say yes. come from? And what about Lance? Is success CHLOE: Yes to what? We’ve been together for almost 3 years. You were so present in the beginning. You’ve been fading towards the …issues that could trace back to the lack enough for him to be content with himself? Deidre feels guilty for not telling Lance what she knows about his father. Is it time for her to give middle. And then I just started to know you as Lance the writer and my so-called boyfriend. of relationship with him some answers? Is it her responsibility? LANCE: I understand. And it’s important that you give me those hard words. Let me make it up to their fathers… [Scene 3: Lance’s Loft] CHLOE: So what are you gonna do about it? you. I know I’ve been distant. I’ve been travelling LANCE: Chloe, I tried. I tried praying and down this winding road of trying to make peace asking… God… to give me clarity. with the fact that my life is “going as planned.” Not that there ever was a CHLOE: I hear you. But have you asked God for God to reveal Himself to specific plan… Growing up with just uncle Mel, my mother being a mere you, before giving you clarity or answers? You see, babe, our relationship friction of my imagination… Being a product of an interracial affair. I’ve is a pretty unsatisfying example of how disconnected you are from your been questioning my identity and trying to find answers that I probably Creator. don’t really need to lead a truly successful life. LANCE: I don’t understand. What does that have to do with my love for CHLOE: Lance, your birthday is in a few hours. Don’t you think it’s time you? you find answers from someone other than yourself? CHLOE: Everything. Absolutely everything. When we first met, I was still a LANCE: What do you mean? bit clueless as to what I desired in a man. But then it hit me. When I was in CHLOE: The One who created you. He knows you better than anybody high school, I wrote a letter to my husband to be. In there, I expressed the else ever will. He loves you more than anyone ever will. most basic characteristics I’d be looking for in a life partner. A partner LANCE: You’ve told me that before. anchored in Christ. A man who’d walk in authority and boldness. A CHLOE: This is not about me, Lance. This is about God and you. husband who would love me like Christ loves the church.

Cryptic Mountain

[Scene 4: The Gradient Hotel]

There’s a time and a place for everything, Deidre thinks to herself. She decides to write a letter. As she picks up the pen and paper, she hears a knock on her hotel room door. It’s Zaida.

DEIDRE: (opening the door) Zaida, I thought you’re long gone home by now? ZAIDA: Aunty D, there’s someone who urgently needs to see you. DEIDRE: Don’t be silly, Zaida. Since when? And this time of the night nogal. ZAIDA: It’s Mister Melvin. DEIDRE: Oh, why didn’t you say so? Let him in. MELVIN: (appearing in the doorway) Hey Didi, do you have some cherry liqueur in there? (grinning) DEIDRE: Just a little. Come inside. Welcome. MELVIN: Just a little? (chuckles) DEIDRE: (greets Zaida) Thank you, Zaida. How are you getting home? ZAIDA: Don’t worry, Aunty D. Quinton is taking me home. DEIDRE: Let me know if he gives you any trouble. I’ll sort him out. ZAIDA: Lol, Aunty D. Don’t worry. See you tomorrow. Bye… (exits into the passage) MELVIN: I thought you lived in a suburb? DEIDRE: I do. My house is being renovated. (takes a seat on the couch) How are you doing, my brother? What brings you here at this hour? MELVIN: I’m in serious trouble, Deidre. I don’t know who else to talk to.

S1 E6

[Scene 5: Lance’s Loft]

LANCE: Babe, why are you only telling me this now? CHLOE: I don’t know, Lance. I guess I was just focussed on getting to know you better. And then we just went with the flow and drifted in different directions, down the same stream… or whatever… Lance, I really need to go right now. My parents are waiting. LANCE: Wait, before for you go…

Lance turns around to pick up the engagement ring. He holds it up for Chloe’s glistening eyes to see.

LANCE: Chloe… I admit that I’m not the greatest when it comes to relationships. You’ve given me so many chances, and I took them without truly looking deeper. Without really learning how to appreciate you or our time together. But you must know, that everything I’ve put my mind to, everything I do has your name written all over it… I know you have to go right now. But I should be going with you. I should be waking up next to you. Whip up your favourite smoothie in the morning. Go to church with you. Ditch my friends for you. Run away with you…

CHLOE: (misty-eyed) Lance… I love you so much. And I didn’t plan on coming here tonight. And I am leaving in the next 2 minutes. But I’ve prayed about this. And I think God has told me ‘No’ a long time ago. I have to go… (exits the loft in a hurry)

[Scene 6: The Gradient Hotel]

DEIDRE: (astonished) Melvin, what have you done?? MELVIN: (terrified) I didn’t know what to do, Deidre. I still don’t know. I tried praying but it’s as though I’ve lost my faith over the last couple of years. DEIDRE: You lied to Lance about being seriously ill. You left Fiona in Switzerland to fend for herself just because she has memory loss. And now you’re here in South Africa on a joyride? What happened to you, Melvin? Dawn and I have always looked up to you. Have you forgotten the first commandment? Your promise at the altar, for the the third time? MELVIN: Deidre, I shared this with you because I want to make things right. Please don’t judge me. I took a wrong turn. And now I want to fix things while I still can. But you have to understand my affliction. I’ve lost two wives in the pastDEIDRE: I know, Mel. But your third and current wife is still alive. She just needs you now more than ever? Who is taking care of her right now? Where is she? MELVIN: You don’t have to worry about that. She’s very well taken care of. But she’s become a stranger to me. Honestly, it’s been so hard getting up each morning. I never thought I’d have to deal with issues like this at such an old age. DEIDRE: You have to be honest with Lance, Melvin. That kid loves you like you gave birth to him. He’ll be disappointed, but he’ll get over it. He’s a grown man. MELVIN: He loves you too, Deidre. You were his mom’s best friend. You’ve been actively present in his life, like a second mom. Have you been honest with him? With me? DEIDRE: What do you mean? MELVIN: You know what I’m talking about, Deidre.

Suddenly, there’s another knock on Deidre’s hotel room door.

DEIDRE: (feeling challenged) Excuse me… (opening the door) Lindani? LINDANI: (eyes full of tears) Miss Dee… please help me… please.

Episode Ends Here | NEW EPISODE NEXT WEEK

Psalm 119:105