Alexandra Syrah

This is actually the third scene, occurring after a montage of the city of Bologna (scene 1) and several women hobnobbing in 1300 AD about the exhumation and burning of Saint Guglielma. (This is a dual timeline narrative) This third scene introduces the relationship between the modern-day protagonist and her lover in Bologna; establishes basic character outlines/occupations -- “Congratulations,” Amanda said, lifting a glass of the house red wine to Serafina. "On booking your first ever event. May there be many more to come." The remaining liter of wine sat, mostly full, on their small, square table. They were seated outdoors, and the evening October air was just beginning to chill. To Amanda’s back, a violinist was busking alongside the brick walls of the Basilica San Petorino. Serafina lifted her glass and tapped it to Amanda’s. “Salute!” “Salute!” They both drank. “So, when is the bachelorette party?” Amanda asked. “Next week. There are three bridesmaids plus the bride. They want to do a group reading.” Serafina took another sip of wine and chuckled. “The thing I’m really curious about,” she said slyly, “is that the mother of the bride asked to be included.” “What? Really? At the bachelorette party?” “Surprising, right? Apparently she had no interest until she heard the bride was hiring a tarot reader.” Amanda snickered. “So she’s into tarot then?” “Apparently!” Serafina laughed, topping up her wine glass from the carafe. “How does the bride feel about that?” “I have no idea. But it seems that her mother is bankrolling most of this, so I suppose there’s no way of keeping her out if she’s very determined to go.” “Sounds like you’re going to have a good time,” Amanda said. “I fully intend to,” Serafina laughed again. A gust of wind threatened the violinist’s sheet music. Serafina watched him snatch a sheet out of the air and return it to its stand. Then he pinned them against the stand with his cell phone. “How did the bride find out about you, anyway?” Amanda continued. “One of my regular clients is a friend of hers. Apparently the bride remembered seeing my table when I used to do reading in the piazza. She’d never been into tarot herself. But when my client mentioned that I had expanded into team building at corporate events and parties, she thought it would be a good way to build get the bridesmaids to know each other better.” “Oh, are they not already friends?” “One of them is the bride’s sister and the other one lives in the States, so while they all know the bride well, they don’t know each well at all. I think this might be the first time the sister is meeting them.” “Plus the mother-of-the-bride,” Amanda snickered. “I think there’s going to be a lot of bubbly.” “Do you think that’s likely to make it better?” “Well—that’s a fair point. But they don’t seem like the group to get in a drunken brawl!” “Where in the States does her friend live?” “I didn’t ask,” Serafina said. “Probably not wherever you’re from that’s 25 minutes from Canada.” Amanda rolled her eyes. “Probably not,” she said. “I guess most Italians living in the States end up in New York City. Maybe she’s there.” The waiter arrived with their pizza. “I love the crust at this place,” Serafina said, cutting herself a slice. “Anyway, enough about me. How is everything going with you? More importantly, do you have an early start tomorrow, or are you able to spend the night? This will influence how much wine I drink,” Serafina said with her characteristic sideways smile, her head slightly tilted. “I’m supposed to be on-site at 10:00. We’re still working on cataloguing what’s in the ossuary before we move everything out. But they don’t want us back there until they’ve finished morning mass in the chapel.” “Does anyone even go to that?” Serafina asked, well into her first slice of pizza. “I don’t know. I’m never there that early. Probably a few people? Maybe some tourists?” “Anyway, you didn’t answer my question,” Serafina said, her eye twinkling. Amanda reached across the table, twined her fingers into Serafina’s, and lifted the delicate hand to her lips. “Let us eat, drink, and be merry,” Amanda said, planting a half dozen kisses on Serafina’s hand and onto her wrist before her lover, laughing, squirmed her arm away. \“You’re so over the top, Mandy.” “Isn’t that what you like?” Just then a mime darted up to their table, offering her hand to each of the women in turn. They both laughed and waved her off.

#1 Story Statement: In this dual timeline narrative, American graduate student Amanda must identify an extra body in an ossuary, before a rising cult steals the body and leads to Amanda’s academic ruin #2 Antagonist: In medieval Italy, a number of women were recognized as prophets or incarnations of the Holy Spirit, whose resurrected bodies would usher in a new era of the church led by women. One, Saint Na Prous Boneta, was burned at the stake by the male religious leaders whose power she threatened. Another, Saint Guglielma, was declared a heretic after her death, exhumed, and her body burnt to ashes. In modern-day Bologna, The Immaculate Spirit of Saint Agnese – known as “The Immaculate Spirit” – is a radical religious cult led by Mother Chiara and her son Dario. The Immaculate Spirit believes that there remain hidden the bones of another medieval Saint, the virgin Agnese, who like the others was to herald in a new era of the church. Though no historical evidence for this saint exists, the Immaculate Spirit becomes convinced that the bones discovered in the ossuary are the relics of Saint Agnese, stashed there by her followers to prevent them being destroyed. The Immaculate Spirit launch a plot to steal the bones in order to establish them in a church dedicated to Saint Agnese, which they believe will supernaturally invoke the long-awaited age of the Holy Spirit. After an initial break-in and near theft of the bones, Amanda and the University of Bologna face increasing pressure to secure the bones and provide a suitable explanation, before Amanda’s academic career is ruined. #3 Titles: One Too Many Bones The Mystery of the Ossuary #4 Comps: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – This is a medieval murder mystery set in Italy, but taking place in a monastery rather than in secular society. Eco’s work is slightly more upmarket than One Too Many Bones. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse – This is another dual timeline narrative that involves present-day archaeologists attempting to solve an ancient mystery. #5 Logline: An American graduate student seeks to unravel an 800-year-old murder before a rising cult steals the body and topples her academic career #6 Two More Levels of Conflict: Inner conflict – trigger and reaction Amanda is initially delighted by the find and thinks it may propel her into a successful career in archaeology. However, as the activities of the Immaculate Spirit heat up, her reputation and future are increasingly jeopardized. Social conflict – family / friends / associates Amanda’s thesis advisor initially encourages her research, but then suggests she abandon it as the Immaculate Spirit’s activities increase, and eventually attempts to sabotage Amanda’s work. Meanwhile, Amanda has become romantically entangled with Serafina, a secret member of the Immaculate Spirit. Serafina is willing to use any means necessary to get the bones of Saint Agnese. Amanda’s best friend and colleague, Gabriele, becomes of aware of Amanda’s danger, and resolves to save both her career and her life. This triangle forms a foil with the other dual timeline narrative, in which Maria's friend, a silk weaver, tries to save her and Alessandro from social ruin. #7 Setting: The city of Bologna is a character in-and-of-itself. The San Petronio Basilica where Charles V was anointed Holy Roman Emperor in 1530 today witnesses pro-Palestinian protests. Two leaning towers, the last freestanding of hundreds that once existed, have for centuries symbolized Bologna in art and literature. Canals which once powered silk mills still wind behind colorful homes. While the world turns around it, the University and the City of Bologna witness the rise and fall of governments, social movements, generational wealth, and the march of technology. Even as many of the externalities change, the intrinsic relationship dynamics among people - love, betrayal, and honor - persist and drive the course of history.