9. Siddhatta / Ruchi / Mara
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Siddhatta marches along at a determined pace. Ruchi appears, hurries to keep up with Siddhatta. A storm brews.
RUCHI
Siddhatta, I feel you aren't paying any attention to my advice, and we've been such good friends for many years.
SIDDHATTA
You haven't been helping me. You're trying to get me to give up my quest and go back to the Palace.
RUCHI
I'm just so worried about you. This isn't safe.
SIDDHATTA
I'm wondering if you're safe.
RUCHI
Siddhatta, please!
SIDDHATTA
I even defeated Bari's priest and you didn't like that.
Siddhatta halts.
SIDDHATTA
Don't you realize I now have a method to defeat the priests as an ascetic?
Siddhatta strides off. A light rain falls.
RUCHI
I'm sorry, I didn't realize --
SIDDHATTA
You're Mara.
RUCHI
Siddhatta!
Ruchi stumbles. Siddhatta stops.
SIDDHATTA
Prove to me that you're not Mara.
RUCHI
You're going mad, like that dog-man!
SIDDHATTA
Prove it!
Lightning rips across the sky with a huge thunder roll.
MARA (O.S.)
How can he be me?
Siddhatta spins around. Nothing. A glow. Shimmering in the mist, Mara manifests, his face hard.
