The nefarious planet in still there, immobile, even larger now, writhing like a serpent. Circular glowing ripples cover the planet. In General Tudor's starship, a technician confirms their sensors are picking up activity from the dark globe. In the president's office, the Head Scientist stands facing the President, who is looking more tired than ever.
He reports to the president the thing is sending out radio wavelengths. Lindbergh is puzzled, "What does it want with radio waves?" Another scientist approaches and suggests maybe it wants to make a call. The Head Scientist looks at him in astonishment just as we hear a phone ring. . . . .
. . . However, it's a phone ringing in the Zorg lobby. Zorg's secretary answers, she sends the call to Zorg announcing it is "Mr. Shadow." Zorg abruptly turns and stiffens when he hears Shadow's name. Zorg picks up the phone, both excited and uneasy. Mr. Shadow's voice is nearly inhuman. It comes from the far reaches of time, from the bowels of the universe. The surreal voice inquires about the Stones.
Zorg feels ill at ease, but assures him he'll have the Stones any time now. A black slimy liquid starts to ooze from the top of Zorg's head. Zorg is shaking so bad, he can barely hold the phone. Mr. Shadow emphasizes he wants the Stones. Zorg now near a catatonic state, can barely push out words, but manages to tell Shadow that he will see to it personally. Mr. Shadow, "I will be among you, soon."
The call ends, and the evil globe solidifies to a dark gray. In Tudor's starship, the mechanic reports they lost the signal, Tudor relays the message to the president. In the president's office, Lindberg is furious. Back at Zorg's office, Zorg slumps in his chair, wiping away the slimy black liquid. He looks like he has been raked through the coals.
Fhloston Paradise orbit: The space shuttle fills the screen. It banks left and Fhloston Paradise looms into view. The shuttle begins its approach toward the cruise ship, or floating hotel, as it glides above the vast ocean of Fhloston, the turquoise planet. Crystal blue water, perfect white sand beaches. A true paradise.
Inside the shuttle, a stewardess announces to the passengers they have begun their descent toward Fhloston Paradise. Stewardesses walk down the aisles waking the passengers one by one. They press a button on the door of each box.
The hotel is a massive vessel, a futuristic looking Titanic with the signature three stacks. It's covering is all polished metal from bow to stern. The shuttle draws near, looking ridiculously small next to the monster. Like a sardine next to a whale.
The huge vacation ship blares out a deep rumbling horn blast just like Earth's ocean ship air horns. From inside the cruise ship, we see the shuttle approaching to dock through a solar panel in one of the ship's liesure plazas. A cockpit view shows the pilot maneuvering the shuttle into it's docking area. Korben wakes up, still heavy with sleep. He looks over at Leeloo. She's not there.
He makes his way out of the box, the aisle is cramped with waking passengers. The passengers exit the shuttle and into the entrance hall, the view that unfolds is a site to behold, filled with Hawaiian dancers and musicians. Leeloo is among them. She appears quite impressed by the beauty and luxury of the 19th century decoration. Korben attempts to make his way up the shuttle's aisle.
A hefty man wearing a sarong, drapes some flowers around Leloo's neck. As she moves further in, Korben is just now reaching the entrance looking for Leeloo. A gorgeous hostess comes up to him, drapes a lei around his neck and plants a kiss on his cheek in welcome. Another hostess approaches and repeats the same welcome.
Back in the shuttle cockpit, a blinking light goes on. The co-pilot reports there are parasites in main ventilation. The mechanic replies he will get it and heads off. In the area where the parasites were detected, the mechanic punches a code on a keypad that opens the door to an overhead panel. Cornelius falls out, hanging in a jumble of wires.
Later, Korben's Stateroom: The door opens. The hostess turns on the light and enters. Korben follows her, gaping at all the luxury. Trailing behind them is the baggage boy, both arms filled with suitcases. The hostess describes the attractions of Fhloston Paradise - twelve swimming pools and two on the roof top. The planet Fhloston has 400 beaches, all accessible until five PM.
Then the air ship goes higher, to offer a better view during dinner. Korben grabs the notice announcing Diva Plavalaguna's concert at 5:30 that evening. Dress: formal attire. Korben asks the hostess about show details. She answer that he has reserved front row tickets next to Ruby Rod. She obviously has a fan girl adulation for Ruby, Korben scowls at her as she gushes on about Ruby.
When asks about getting proper attire, the hostess pulls back the closet door revealing a row of tuxedos. She gives him a smile and closes the door. Just at that moment, the phone rings, snapping him out of his reverie. It's his mother and she launches another one of her scathing attacks on her son, rappng off insults like an Oozi. Korben sinks onto his bed and sighs.
Fhloston Paradise corridor: we see Diva Plavalaguna, her manager, her bodyguards, and a gaggle of porters carrying trunks. A chiffon veil covers the face of the Diva. A security member by the name of Fog, waits at the entrance of the Diva's suite. He's practicing his welcome speech, obviously very nervous. He sees the entourage turn the corner and now in his view. He swings the suite double doors open.
The Diva approaches him, towering over Fog. His focus unravels from the jitters, he spits out a slew of half coherent words. His practiced welcome speech come unglued, "ulo . . my nam-uh . . . Fog . . . welcome to the uh . . . I'm a . . . security . . . I have uh . . . welcome to the . . . tall." The Diva looks at Fog in silence, then looks beyond him down the hall, she senses something.
The Diva turns to whisper something to her assistant and retires in her suite. The Diva's manager slaps Fog on the shoulder, startling him, requesting a word with him, they move on into the suite. The Diva's Assistant strolls down the hall within earshot of Leeloo tucked away in a corner. She informs Leloo that the Diva will give her what she came for after the concert and to remain there.
Fhloston Paradise control room: The cruise ship's commander checks his watch and orders instructions to the captain, "Helm to 108." The captain relays the order, actually shouts it to the Helmsman, despite being just a few inches from his face. The Helmsman repeats the order to confirm and complies.
The Helmsman station is a mixture of futuristic and yesteryear visuals. The Helmsan faces a flourescent digital screen displaying a virtual grid of the planet's horizon. But his hands rest on a steering wheel that is an ornate wood spoke often seen in old Cutter or sailing ships. The Helmsman gives the wheel a brisk spin.
We hear a radio announcer broadcasting Ruby's live show at the opera as the ship cruises high in planet Fhloston's orbit. The vessel is teeming with lights in the night sky. In the president's office, Lindberg, joined by his staff, takes a seat to monitor the mission, speakers placed in front of him.
Fhloston Paradise Opera: Ruby Rhod pops up in full view shouting a loud welcome. The opera house is an extravaganza of ornate architecture designed as a replica of the Garnier Opera in Paris. Korben, now in a tuxedo, is being pushed along behind Ruby by his doting assistants.
Ruby goes into another one of his rhythmic, poetic announcements describing this and that as he works his way through the opera house. A hostess escorts them, carrying a box of Gemini Croquettes for marketing presence. They enter the auditorium seating area as Ruby points out a list of who's who celebrities attending the concert:
A row of ministers, more sinister than minister. Baby Ray, star of stage and screen, drowning in a sea of nymphets. He's not going to get much out of this concert, because he's stone-deaf. Baby Ray is bending his ear to a girl asking for an autograph. Roy Von Bacon, the king of laserball. Ruby gives him a high five as he goes by. Emperor Kodar Japhet and his lovely daughter who loves to sing.
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