Champagne Beads

ACT III, Scene 5

Under a Palm Tree

[IDA stands over JAMES who is digging in the sand with a rusty shovel. She points at a crumpled treasure map.]

IDA
Three paces to the left of the coconut tree. Dig there.

JAMES
(grinning)
Left of which coconut tree, Ida? There’s an entire forest of them.

IDA
The one next to the big rock! Honestly, how are you this bad at directions?

[James rolls his eyes but starts digging again. A few scoops later, his shovel catches on something. He drops to his knees, brushing sand aside with his hands.]

JAMES
Wait a second...

[James pulls up a tangled strand of champagne, blush and sand-colored sapphires, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. He stares at it, dumbfounded.]

IDA
Is that—?

JAMES
The Sapphires. 80 carats. Buried. Directly in the sand.

IDA
What kind of pirate does that?

JAMES
A genius one… or a drunk one.

[They both laugh as Ida gently takes the strand, letting the sapphires catch the light. They share a quiet moment of wonder before James speaks again.]

JAMES
I’m leaning toward drunk.

CURTAIN.