58

NICK
What's your name?

PEARL looks up at him, smooths the stray strands of hair from her brow.

PEARL
(pathetically hopeful)
Pearl.

NICK nods, unsmiling. CHESTER hands him a set of keys.

NICK
You hold on to them.  You're running
the Hideaway now.  
 
CHESTER
(pockets the keys)
Yes, sir.  You can count on me.   
Thank you, sir.
 
NICK
Don’t thank me.  Thank Mr. Stefano. 

He extends a hand to PEARL.

NICK
Pearl?

PEARL, grateful to be alive, takes his hand eagerly. And NICK leads PEARL into the darkness from whence he first appeared.