(Carissa knocked on the wooden door at the far end of the mansion. it took some time before someone opened it)
CARISSA:(smiled nervously) Hello sir. I'm really sorry to be a bother. is your son in?
HENRY: (spoke gently) which one of them lads?
CARISSA: (tongue-tied) he is um... huge, tall, a bit nice looking...
HENRY: (surprised) um, he must be Josie. beautiful woman like you look for Josie?
CARISSA: Yeah. I had something to ask him..
HENRY: well, he's asleep. but I'll wake him up for you. give me a moment dear... (returned in)
CHRISTOPHER:(walked right in then. stopped when he saw her) Lady Carissa?
CARISSA: (elated) glad to have found you. may I have some minutes?
CHRISTOPHER: all yours. (led her away from the house.)
CARISSA: (nudged at the jungle) Let's take a walk along that path. do you know where that leads?
CHRISTOPHER: A place you don't want to go.
CARISSA: I'm not alone.
CHRISTOPHER: (teased)what makes you think I'm not scared of going down there myself?
CARISSA: I just trust you.
CHRISTOPHER: (smiled. stretched his hand) May I? (she gave him a thoughtful look) just so you don't get lost.
CARISSA: you think the likes of you are allowed to touch me?
CHRISTOPHER: suit yourself. (they walked in silence) don't you think you came back too quickly for someone who promised not to return anytime soon?
CARISSA: (snubbed) you have no idea.
CHRISTOPHER: Excuse me my lady, mind to make it clear? you saw me that first time and couldn't get over it, could you?
CARISSA: (chuckled) why do you think everything is about you?
CHRISTOPHER: I know you won't admit it. I got you, nevermind.
CARISSA: (stopped walking) what exactly are you talking about?
CHRISTOPHER: you've been wishing since that day we first saw each other, that we become friends.
CARISSA: oh.... I thought you were saying something else.
CHRISTOPHER: what else could I possibly mean?
CARISSA: I don't have to say it.
CHRISTOPHER: oh, you mean lovers? my lady, I don't know about you but I don't live that way.
CARISSA: (defending) I don't love easily too.
CHRISTOPHER: this is about loving strangers, seeing you don't still even know my name. but love easily? that's kinda hard to believe.
CARISSA: you think I'm the kind to fall in love with any dick and harry?
CHRISTOPHER: (chuckled) of course not. but loving don't seem to be the problem with you.
CARISSA: you underestimate me.
CHRISTOPHER: you overestimate yourself.
CARISSA: what is this? Think you can make a headway through me?
CHRISTOPHER: I can but I won't.
CARISSA: (scoffed) You're insufferable. (they stared for a while) what about you? you easily fall in love? with friends and strangers alike?
CHRISTOPHER: (without breaking contact) I'm in the process of one. (she looked amused. they continued walking) am I right though? about you needing a friend?
CARISSA: it depends. who is asking and what for?
CHRISTOPHER: I saw you two on that day when you spoke on my behalf. there was nothing friendly about your exchange.
CARISSA: if I say yes, what solution can you offer?
CHRISTOPHER: have me. I'm a pretty loyal guy.
CARISSA: (sarcastic) would you take a look at that? (laughed) whatever makes you think you could become so special to a lady like myself?
CHRISTOPHER: then what are we?
CARISSA: (surprised) what do you mean?
CHRISTOPHER: you've met this stranger at least three times. are we going to remain strangers forever?
CARISSA: you seem keen on establishing a connection. the very opposite of what I desire. (glanced at him , and then behind him. her whole face lit up in surprise)Is that... (walking towards it) is that a monashwood?
CHRISTOPHER: (watched her cautiously) how do you know that?
CARISSA: I... I'm interested in plants and nature.
CHRISTOPHER: Then you must know you cannot just approach it.
CARISSA: oh, do I need to write a letter first? (stretched her hand to touch it)
CHRISTOPHER: (yelled) Don't!! (she turned back) do not take another step!
CARISSA: (looked around) why should I obey you?
CHRISTOPHER: for your life. it could cost you. (she stopped, moved for him to approach) You know what this is right? you don't want to touch it wrongly or you could end up dead.
CARISSA: Okay.
CHRISTOPHER: (paused) why do you wanna pluck it by the way?
CARISSA: (rolled her eyes) stand back.
CHRISTOPHER: (held her hands) you're not gonna stop till you get it, let me do it. (drop it gently)
CARISSA: (folded her arms) Get to it then. (as he picked up a stone, she followed behind. she was too close so that when he stopped to throw the stone suddenly, she bumped into him. the stone went the wrong way, waking a pack of stinger birds. She screamed. he pushed her down and covered her as the birds flew above, looking for the assailant. after a while he picked got up, picked the plant and they hasted away.)
CHRISTOPHER: (stopped to examine her when they got to a safe distance) are you okay?
CARISSA: (breathing heavily) I got scared for a while there. (looked at him) you have the plant? (he handed it to her) Thank you. I owe you one.
CHRISTOPHER: forget it, let's call it even. (she nodded) you haven't told me what you need such a dangerous plant for.
CARISSA: I want to destroy a species. (he is curious) it's just... some plants that have been suffering. I told you I'm interested in plants.
CHRISTOPHER: okay. glad you got what you want.
CARISSA: over there..... thank you for saving me.
CHRISTOPHER: (shrugged) I couldn't have your death on my hands.
CARISSA: (smiled) I'll leave you alone. (turned to go)
CHRISTOPHER: (bellowed) when will I see you again?
CARISSA: When we need to. (exit)