INT. VERONICA'S HOUSE, HALLWAY - NIGHT
The light from the kitchen casts a shadow on the hallway wall. We see a giant shadow of a snake like creature, but with legs and a dragon's head and wings.
As the creature gets closer, the shadow gets smaller until it enters the frame. It's just a few inches long. Almost a cute creature.
Veronica walks after it. She's in her pajamas. As she takes a step the floor creeks.
The dragon creature turns to Veronica and shushes her.
DRAGON
Shuuu
They remain still for a moment and when they are sure that no one noticed them, they continue on.
INT. VERONICA'S HOUSE, GARAGE - NIGHT
Veronica flicks on the light, and we're greeted by a cool looking quadcopter drone on a work bench, beside the family car.
The dragon jumps on the work bench and stands beside the drone
DRAGON
Voilà.
Veronica stands there unsure of what she's doing.
VERONICA
This isn't a good idea.
DRAGON
What are you talking about? Are you
worried about your dad?
VERONICA
Well yes. He told me not to play with
it.
DRAGON
Eh, he probably didn't mean it.
Veronica walks closer to the quadcopter. We can see the reflection of the drone in her eyes. Then we see the dragon walk into the reflection.
DRAGON (cont'd)
Listen, if your dad really didn't want
you to play with it, wouldn't he have
locked it up or something?
VERONICA
Well...
DRAGON
Ok, I didn't want to say this, but
he's probably just afraid that you'll
be better than him at flying it.
VERONICA
I don't know.
The dragon walks to a box beside the drone and flips it open. It contains the remote control for the copter. It sparkles under the light of the garage.
Veronica reaches for it and touches it, but then pulls her hand back
DRAGON
Five directions of obstacle sensing.
Remote controller with built-in
screen, HD video. Twenty mega pixels
sensors. This thing practically flies
itself. All you have to do, is press
the takeoff button and landing button,
that's it. What do you say? Let's have
us some fun.
Veronica's hesitation only lasts an extra moment, then she grabs the remote control and the drone and walks out of the house. The dragon smiles.
Veronica looks back.
VERONICA
You comin'?
DRAGON
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
EXT. PARK - NIGHT
Veronica flies the quadcopter.
VERONICA
Wohooo.
Veronica flies the drone erratically.
DRAGON
You're flying it like a pro... Hey,
hey, do a flip.
DRAGON (cont'd)
(chants)
Flip. Flip.
VERONICA
Hold on to your pants. Veronica tries
to flip the drone, but she loses
control over it and it crashes with a
loud bang.
VERONICA (cont'd)
Oh, no.
Veronica runs to it.
VERONICA (cont'd)
Oh no, oh no, oh no.
Veronica kneels beside the damaged drone.
Dragon catches up.
DRAGON
Think fast. Think fast. Ok. We gotta
hide it quickly before your dad sees
it. He'll just think it slipped from
the table. Hurry.
Veronica picks up the drone and runs back into the house. The top floor of the house lights up.
INT. VERONICA'S HOUSE, GARAGE - NIGHT
Veronica puts the drone back. A piece of the drone falls. She tries to put it back, but can't.
DRAGON
Forget about it. Hurry. Veronica puts
the remote back into the box and runs
through the doors.
INT. VERONICA'S HOUSE, HALLWAY - NIGHT
As Veronica gets closer to the stairs, she hears creaking upstairs.
VERONICA
Oh man, dad's up.
DRAGON
Hide. Here. Dragon and Veronica hide
in the darkness of the living room.
Veronica's Dad walks down the stairs, then disappears in the garage.
Veronica and the dragon run upstairs.
INT. VERONICA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Veronica runs into her room and grabs the ancient book from her dresser table.
DRAGON
You don't need that.
Veronica gets into the bed, covers herself and turns off the light. Dragon hides behind the dresser.
A moment passes in silence, then she hears footsteps outside her room. Moments later her door opens and the light from outside casts a shadow of her dad standing at the entrance of the door. He turns on the room lights.
DAD
Veronica.
Veronica sits up in the bed lazily and pretends to yawn and stretch. She rubs her eyes.
VERONICA
Yeah, dad.
DAD
Did you fly the drone when I told you
not to?
VERONICA
Umm..
DAD
Veronica, please tell the truth.
VERONICA
(signs of sleepiness
gone)
It wasn't my fault. If you didn't want
me to fly it, you should've locked it
up or something.
Her dad looks at her a bit disappointed.
DAD
Veronica, I bought the drone for you.
Now you can't go into the garage while
I fix it. Is that clear. Veronica
nods.
VERONICA
I'm sorry.
Her dad looks at her for a moment and then walks to her and kisses her head.
DAD
I love you.
Her dad walks out and closes the door behind him. Veronica sits on the bed, head draped down.
Dragon walks from behind the dresser
DRAGON
Phew. I thought he'll never leave.
VERONICA
(angry)
You! I should've never listened to
you. Veronica takes out the book.
DRAGON
No, no. Don't send me back.
VERONICA
Back in the book you lying serpent,
Cursed from the beginning of time, all
who listen to you lack discernment,
but to those who open their eyes hope
will continue to shine.
The dragon starts to disintegrate and get sucked into the book. Veronica closes the book.