[1:1] My name is Charles Augery. I have three bullets. The last is for me.
[1:4] The Orushi. They’re finally coming.
[1:5] Three.

[[2:1] Two.
[2:2] The last.
[2:3] Arrogant, isn’t it, to throw one’s fate to the Lord. Wanting to speak eternally.
[2:5] Words are only good for the fire.
[2:6] To the sky with it.

[3:1] My fate was that my final bullet grazed my hard head. Only grazed! When I wanted to blow my brains out. I must live on.
[3:2] For how long? And how?
[3:3] Are they leading me like cattle to the slaughterhouse? Through the sultry jungle.
[3:4] Deadly for any white who wanders in.
[3:5] We reached the river in the morning where the town was. I couldn’t have walked another step.
[3:6] My feet were bleeding, I had a strong fever… Had they just thrown me in the river I couldn’t have stood up on my own.

[4:1] Along the way I fell unconscious. I only recall the burning sun on my face and the compassionless way it parched me.
[4:2] I came too in a hut, tied to a post…
[4:3] …eye to eye with Anaktu.
[4:4] Do you know me?
[4:5] You’re the Goddess of fever and illness worshipped by the Orushi.
[4:6] The chose me as their embodiment. I embody them. Am I that for you as well?
[4:7] If you are her, you’re the one I’m looking for. Do you know a blonde woman named Lady Nelson?
[4:8] Lady Nelson? Yes. I know the name, presumably from another life. Goddesses have many lives.

[5:1] Charles: Lady Nelson’s husband was abducted by the Orushi along with you, when they attacked your boat on the river. You must still remember that.
Jade: Her husband? A plaything for bored women? Yes, there was a husband.
[5:2] You’ll soon see.
[5:4] If you’ve survive the Piriki I’ll see you again.
[5:5] Your name is Jade. Jade. Remember.
[5:7] Let me go. Leave me alone.

[6:1] The drums are beating throughout the land. What’s happening?
[6:2] I can tell you about the uprising that nothing and no-one can repress.
[6:3] Jade: So?
Tribesman: Since Goddess Anaktu has returned, none of us fear the white man.
[6:4] Our country will soon be free from their unholy ways. The tribes in the North, those from the great sea, and those from the red earth are meeting.
[6:5] Tribesman: They’re bringing the Goddess flesh and blood of our enemies as a sacrifice.
Jade: I won’t eat human flesh. I’ll leave that for your warriors. Who leads the Northern tribe?
[6:6] Kemono. The whites fear him. He has the power over illness.

[7:1] Stop. What are you doing? You have no right.
[7:5] Lord Nelson: Are you okay?
Charles: I don’t know. There’s not a feeling in my body.
[7:6] Charles: Who are you?
Lord Nelson: My name is Nelson.
Charles: Lord Nelson?
Lord Nelson: Yes. Has someone mentioned my name?
[7:7] Charles: Yes, your wife.
Lord Nelson: Miranda! How is she?
Charles: She set out with an expedition looking for you. I was with then. We stopped at Father Anselm’s sick-bay.

[8:1] We hoped to find a guide to the Orushi there. Father Anselm cared for all neighbouring tribes without prejudice.
[8:2] He was one of the few whites the blacks trusted. The dead and dying came to him.
[8:3] Even Father Anselm had noticed times had changed, though.

[9:1] Anselm: Is that you Ngonko? What have you got there? Why the tattoos?
Ngonko: I wanted to warn you.
[9:2] Ngonko: You must flee at once. Tomorrow all my tribesmen will have these tattoos.
Anselm: What do they mean?
[9:3] That the black man is taking back his dignity. You have nothing more to find here. You must go… as you came, like thieves in the night.
[9:4] Anselm: You think I’m a thief Ngonko?
Ngonko: No, your heart is clean. That’s why I’m here. Nut tomorrow…
[9:5] I’ll only see your white skin.
[9:6] He came embarrassed. The Northern tribes are rising up. The Bimbadi. The Nsapo-Nsapo, the Luba-Luba-Lashi and…
[9:7] Charles: The Orushi
Anselm: I fear it’s a mass uprising.
[9:8] Anselm: I was worried enough about the massacre on your boat, miss, but I hoped feelings would calm down again afterwards. There’s obviously been another development.

[10:1] Goddess Anaktu has appeared. The sick talk of nothing else.
[10:2] Is this Goddess perhaps…
[10:3] Jade.
[10:4] It wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve lived like the Orushi, revering her.
[10:5] And you’re looking for this Jade?
[10:6] Yes, and my husband Lord Nelson.
[10:7] Well, as things are, we’ll have to evacuate the sick bay. You should get some rest. I fear it’s going to be a short night.
[10:8] Anselm: I’ll do what I can for you Lady Nelson.
Lady Nelson: Thank you Father Anselm.

[11:2] Thank You. I’ll manage the remainder myself.
[11:3] Does your husband really exist?
[11:4] Oh, it’s you. What does that stupid question mean?
[11:5] Why stupid? You don’t speak of him fondly, but Jade on the other hand, you openly like her a lot.
[11:6] Lady Nelson: Jade? Yes, I like her a lot.
Charles: More than your husband?
[11:7] Don’t you care for men Lady Nelson?

[12:1] You lout!
[12:2] Lady Nelson: You… you…
Charles: Man, yes. Sorry.
[12:3] You don’t seem to care for much for men. They shabby, insensitive and rude.
[12:4] That’s the way it is. I’ve found out what I wanted. Good night.
[12:6] No, a man can’t understand.
[12:7] Oh Jade, why have you left me alone?

[13:1] I belong to you.
[13:2] I only lust for your mouth….
[13:3] …your hands
[13:4] Jade.
[13:5] Jade! Jade!
[13:7] Nurse: Quick, get up.
Charles: What’s happening?
Nurese: See for yourself.

[14:1] On the mountain… last night.
[14:2] They’re all armed. They’re waiting.
[14:3] Charles; For what?
Nurse: Until we leave, I think.

[15:1] That’s right, and we should thank God for the reprieve. They could have slaughtered us all in our sleep.
[15:2] Anselm: I fear we must return to Manokko. Your expedition has reached an early end Augery.
Charles: So it has. We’ve got enough space in our boat if you’d like.
[15:3] I won’t refuse. We have a paddle steamer, but it’s not enough. We need to transport equipment and the sick.
[15:4] Anselm: Some can return to their villages. Others I can bring to safety.
Charles: How?
[15:5] Anselm: Don’t worry. I know King Kavi Mabo. Perhaps we can still stop this stupidity.
Charles: It’s stupid to believe he’ll listen to you. This uprising is more than the whim of a few tribesmen.
[15:6] Anselm: Maybe, but I must seize every chance. Even the smallest.
[15:7] We’re not going back to Manokko.

[16:1] I’m not leaving my husband in peril. We’ve come this far.,.
[16:2] Lady Nelson: .. to find someone who’ll lead us to the Orushi. I’m not going to give this plan up.
Anselm: The Orushi are leading the war. No-one can get to them.
[16:3] Lady Nelson: Not you, but perhaps this King?
Anselm: Kavi Mobo.
[16:4] Anselm: His people constantly fight the Orushi. He doesn’t fear them in any case.
Lady Nelson: Then he’s our man.
[16:5] So it was that against Father Anselm’s advice, we boarded the paddle steamer, not to return to Manokko…
[16:6] …but to the bending rivers near Mella-Lunga.

[17:1] The Orushi.
[17:2] They’ve burned the sick bay down.
[17:3] We can’t waste any time. Behind me!
[17:4] Charles: Still certain?
Lady Nelson: You don’t have to come with me.
[17:5] She had courage, I had to give her that. She never fell into self-pity. Nevertheless…

[18:1] One boy fell up to his neck into a piriki-hole.
[18:2] He screamed and tried to pull free in vain. In seconds the pirikti crawled up his legs and entered his anus.
[18:3]] The crawled further into his guts, their jaws working like drills boring through his flesh. It’s a grisly and miserable death.
[18:4] There’s only one relief.
[18:5] Pirikis. That’s what she said.
[18:6] Lord Nelson: Which she?
Charles: The Goddess. Jade. Are there piriki in this pool?
[18:7] Not so far, but they could come. Most likely when they throw their rubbish down.
[18:8] Like now.

[19:1] Manake.
[19:3] Careful.
[19:5] Charles: Shit. What was that?
Lord Nelson: Rotting meat. The pirikis like that best of all.
[19:6] Lord Nelson: This is lunacy. She wouldn’t put us in this hellhole.
Charles: Who? Jade?
[19:7] Right. She’s discarded every human emotion. Such is the way of a Goddess.
[19:8] Jade is the genie once again. Her heart is cold.

[20:1] Every night the witch doctor mixes her a drink that drains away all feelings from her old life.
[20:2] Then she submits to the witch doctor. Then she’s the earth, taking the seed, the magical African female.
[20:3] Her people are the finest warriors. They spill their blood for the holy freedom of Shango, the God of thunder and lightning.
[20:4] Come.
[20:7] Finally. Show yourself to me that I may see the strength of your desire.

[21:1] That’s good. Come.
[21:8] The Goddess drains the man…
[21:9] …to the last drop.

[22:1] Charles: And you love this woman?
Lord Nelson: Yes, but without illusions. My wife notwithstanding.
[22:2] She’s burned her fingers. The genie has drilled through her. The wound will never heal.
[22:3] Tell me about yourself. Are you well?
[22:4] With King Kavi Mobo it was complicated.
[22:5] His warriors were armed as he met us. There was bad news. The call of the Goddess could not be resisted, The newly united claimed that all black people should unite against the white colonisers.. The king hesitated. The Orushi had ever been his enemies. But he obviously feared Anaktu, Goddess of fever and sickness.

[23:1] Father Anselm talked well with the king, but to no avail. Then Lady Nelson took over.
[23:2] Stop. You’re all under an illusion.
[23:3] There aren’t any Goddesses. She’s only a woman who had a black pearl on her earring, and so they thought she was Anaktu. But Anaktu is a legend, a myth.
[23:4] Anaktu is a legend? That’s what you claim in front of my people?
[23:5] She didn’t mean that your highness. We have the greatest respect for Anaktu.
[23:6] Her name is Jade. Jade! And she’s a genie.
[23:7] Mokne sha tou.

[24:2] Augery.
[24:4] Anselm: Your highness. I ask you. Listen to the white woman. She will explain everything.
Kavi Mobo: In English? The king of this land should cast aside his English.
[24:5] Go. And don’t return.
[25:6] Take the white with you. I don’t want him.
[25:7] Anselm: And the woman?
Kavi Mobo: She has offended the Goddess. She does not fear Anaktu.
[25:8] I need her strength. I’m taking her.

[25:1] Lord Nelson: ‘’Taking her?
Charles: Yes.
[25:2] I should shut up now.
[25:3] Go on.
[25:4] Really?
[25:5] Yes.
[25:6] The whole village was in uproar. When I came round, the ceremony had just begun. What a ceremony it was.
[25:7] The offering was drugged and naked.
[25:8] The butcher was masked.

[26:4] Jade
[26:5] Likembo.
[26:6] Likembo.

[27:1] A scream rose to the heavens. The minotaurus slit Lady Nelson’s throat. She was a red flack in the jungle, surrounded by hungry deities demanding blood, always more blood.
[27:2] They caught the blood in a shield…
[27:3] … and brought it to Kavi Mobo.
[27:6] They showered him with the blood of the white woman. That’s how he took her.

[28:1] The king arose, wearing the bloody shirt in which he would confront Anaktu.
[28:3] In the jungle there’s a holy tree. On it a young English woman was tied and sacrificed. Blood still sticks to the trunk. The spot has never been eroded.
[28:4] The descendents still live. Miranda Neuville spent her youth in Hatwich castle in Scotland. She was an unremarkable girl and fell in love with a good for nothing painter. The man was additionally married with two children. The stupidity was not to make good again. Luckily, the parents stepped in.

[29:1] The miss needed to be matched with someone suitable as quickly as possible. They invited a young man, heir of an old name and future diplomat, to the castle.
[29:2] Harold Nelson made a good impression. He worked in Lord Balfour’s cabinet, was a member of assorted clubs, and was a first class tennis player. He read Gibbons, appreciated Dante Gabriel Rosetti and was going to grow a moustache as stiff as the tablecloth from which they ate.
[29:3] Naturally, he’d change over the years, but Miranda’s parents couldn’t know that. Lady Neuville found him enchanting.
[29:4] Lord Neuville gave him a grin. He was enormously relieved. The young man would give his daughter what in better circles was inevitable – a good dash of boredom.
[29:5] Miranda, though, seemed preoccupied. Was she still thinking of her painter, the coward, who wouldn’t leave his wife for a forbidden way. And
doing forbidden things like forming breadcrumbs into little balls.
[29:6] Harold Nelson gave his best. Not that he fell in love, but she was good company and from the right people. Although he wasn’t stupid, did he really see that the heart of the lovely Miranda belonged to another?

[30:1] Lord Nelson: Have you planned your future Lady Neuville?
Lady Nelson: Yes, and I won’t deceive you.
[30:2] I want to travel and die a dramatic death.
[30:3] If you want my favour, keep me from convention and compromise. I don’t want to become like my mother.
[30:4] It didn’t sink in. I spared her neither convention nor compromise. This delightful, rebellious being wasted away slowly in diplomatic postings where protocol was essential.

[31:1] Until we met Jade.
[31:2] From that point there were no more conventions. The harem setting changed Miranda.
[31:3] And she found her death far too soon. I couldn’t save her.
[31:4] Sorry.
[31:5] This Jade…
[31:6] …is the type of woman for whom men die.
[31:7] The North tribe.

[32:1] Jade: The one with the bound arm, is he Kemono?
Tribesman: Yes. He’ll become one of your strongest fighters.
[32:3] Kemono: Anaktu, I greet you. I place my people at your command. With this the large ancient stem of the Orushi is once again ascendant.
Jade: I thank you Kemono.
[32:4] Only king Kavi Mobo is still missing.
He’s coming with his men and will arrive in two days.
[32:5] Do you have a wish for me Kemono?
[32:6] The Goddess prefers to bless the begging.
[32:7] Begging isn’t Kemono’s way. But I know Anaktu’s power is great. The plague gave Kemono a dead hand. Can you restore it to life?
[32:8] Jade: No, only Pipktu can do that.
Kemono: Who is Pipiktu?
[32:9] A power that will kill me tonight.

[33:1] Shall we end this?
[33:2] Lord Nelson: How?
Charles: We’ll kill the Goddess. That will end the tribal revolution and restore order.
[33:3] Kill Jade? No. I can’t.
[33:4] Then I’ll do it. Until this point I’ve had my share of luck.
[33:5] I’ve escaped Kavi Mobo.
[33:6] In the jungle on the way back
[33:7] Then I split from Father Anselm.

[34:1] With a pair of boys I tried to get back to Manokko…
[34:2] …but we walked into an ambush.
[34:3] The boys were massacred. I was going to be next.
[34:4] But I came through again. Do you know why?
[34:5] Charles: Because I’ve a mission to see through here.
Lord Nelson: And that mission included festering in this hole?
[34:6] Haven’t you noticed that at night they rarely come near this hole?

[35:1] Lord Nelson: Even so, they won’t…
Charles: He who doesn’t dare, won’t win, old man. And if it’s that deep you should stand on my shoulders as quickly as you can.
[35:3] Ho! You up there.
[35:6] Over here sweetie.
[

[36:1] Go!
[36:3] Lord Nelson: Unbelievable.
Charles: What?
Lord Nelson: With a single stone.
Charles: Wrong. With a single idea. And I wouldn’t have managed it alone.
[36:4] Charles: So, make your way. I’ll head to her hut.
Lord Nelson: To Jade?
[36:5] Charles: Wrong again. We’re talking about Anaktu. Everyone here follows her will.
Lord Nelson: I understand.
[36:6] But I can’t permit it.
[36:7] Sorry my friend, but I must do the dirty job.

[37:1] Anaktu
[37:2] I’m taking the black pearl back…
[37:3] …before it’s too late. Before I forget that I’m a genie.
[37:4] Let’s see which of us the stronger.
[37:5] And it’s only a pearl.
[37:6] I want… I want the pearl.
[37:9] No! I am Anaktu.

[38:1] Jade.
[38:2] Lord Nelson: You know me again.
Jade: Oh yes.
[38:3] Lord Nelson: Think back. How you were a genie.
Jade: I only remember how cold my heart was.
[38:4] Like that of the Goddess Anaktu.
[38:5] Lord Nelson: Your name’s not Anaktu. It’s Jade.
Jade: Nothing shines like Anaktu’s gaze.
[38:6] Wait. You should know. The woman we both loved, Miranda, she’s dead.
[38:7] Miranda? Yes, I remember the steps of a slave, the ring of bells.
[38:8] Jade, please. Let us flee. It’s still possible. I haven’t forgotten anything.

[39:1] I? I should leave my country? Now I know who you are.
[39:2] Pipiktu!
[39:3] Pipiktu lives. Anaktu punishes Pipiktu.
[39:4] Ashavi.
[39:7] You only called us at the last moment. You risked your life at a game.

[40:1] You think so? I don’t.
[40:2] The men of his race are weak. Instead of acting, they embrace us and talk of love when they should be singing war songs.
[40:3] Kemono is useful to me, but he’s missing something.
[40:4] Your hand.
[40:5] Give him the potion for fever and illness.
[40:6] No! No! Jade! Jade!
[40:7] Jade!
[40:8] You’ve raised your hand to the Goddess, therefore you die.

[41:1] Stop. I’ll give him a chance. He knows what I want.
[42:2] Give him this weapon. He can use it if he wishes.
[42:3] Understand?
[42:5] Good. Your silence signifies your subservience. Give him the potion.
[42:7] He’s drunk it all. Put him in the circle.
[42:8] We’re waiting

[42:2] Warriors awaited you. I’ve chased them off.
[42:3] Good. Come in.
[42:5] Kemalo: You caught another one. He’s fled.
Jade: Don’t worry. My warriors will find him.
[42:6] What are you looking for?
[42:7] Jade: This. You must drink it.
Kemalo: I can give you my strength without that.
[42:8] I don’t give myself to cripples, Kemono.

[43:1] You mean my hand. There is nothing that can be done.
[43:2] There is. Drink.
[43:3] I obey the Goddess.
[43:4] And I’m waiting as well.
[43:5] I’m waiting.
[43:6] The ache becomes ever more unbearable.
[43:7] And then gathers in one spot.
[43:8] My hand.

[44:1] My hand. It’s burning.
[44:2] What are you doing. What are you doing to me?
[44:3] The illness will pass Kemono.
[44:5] My hand.I can’t feel it any more.
[44:6] The machete.
[44:7] Gangrene. It’s like gangrene. I have no choice.
[44:8] Soon I’ll no longer be able to move.

[45:1] Jade. Did you want this?
[45:3] My hand…
[45:4] ..it’s burning.
[45:5] Now you’re the man who’s mastered illness Kemono.
[45:6] My hands! I’ve got two healthy hands again.
[45:7] You’ll use them for me. I’ll want a lot from you. First, though…
[45:8] ...free me from the witch doctor that would have me permanently under his control.
[45:9] No-one, do you hear, no-one…

[46:1] ...dictates to a Goddess.
[46:3] Anaktu.
[46:5] Away from here. Too dangerous.
[46:6] And Anaktu closed her eyes. A distance away in the village, the drums began again. King Kavi Moto approached. His warriors were already silhouetted against the steppes.

[47:1] Go Master Shango. Pipiktu loves Anaktu. Pipiktu punished.