Mona and Bill walk down the hallway towards…
Mona pulls up her shirt and looks in the mirror. Her skin is fiery red. She walks out to –
Mona meets Bill out in the hallway.
BILL
Are you okay?
MONA
Yes, but now my shirt is ruined.
Mona sees Richard walking to his office, and follows him. Bill’s eyes open with realisation.
BILL
You are a palaeo?
MONA
Yes, in fact, I am.
BILL
Should have guessed it. Always looking for something.
MONA
Why are you here anyway?
BILL
I am a planner.
MONA
What, a day planner?
BILL
No, an urban planner.
MONA
Ugh, is that even a degree?
BILL
Is looking at fossilised shit all day a degree?
They argue and Richard turns around.
RICHARD
What is going on?
MONA
This idiot is undermining the field of palaeontology.
RICHARD
Are you a student here?
BILL
Yes.
RICHARD
I haven’t seen you before.
BILL
Dr. Perkins.
Mona cuts in –
MONA
He did this to me.
She shows Richard her shirt.
RICHARD
Hmm, I want to speak to Dr Simmons.
BILL
How do you all know each other, seriously?
Dr. Simmons is seated. Bill looks at the wall of fossils, then up at the ceiling. There’s one there, too.
RICHARD
Simmo.
BILL
(mimes) Simmo?
Richard closes the door. Mona suddenly feels uncomfortable.
RICHARD
This is my star student, Mona.
Mona smiles awkwardly.
RICHARD
He ruined Mona’s shirt and started an argument.
BILL
It was an accident!
RICHARD
(to Dr. Simmons) Is this your student?
RICHARD
(to Mona) Meet your new assistant.
MONA
Oh hell no /
BILL
/ There is no way I am travelling to the outback with her.
MONA
No-one will ever fund a joint project between these companies.
They can and will, to cut costs.
RICHARD
Exactly.
MONA
Don’t we at least get to choose how we get there?
RICHARD
You will have to drive. A flight is too expensive.
Mona and Bill look at each other with distain.