Eloise & Athina

Pilot 

By Tom Damoth

©2025

PAGE 1

PANEL 1

A spring morning INSIDE A SMALL APARTMENT. It's a compact space, tidy, very European. There's a small kitchen with a sink and tiny stove to one side. In the foreground is a small kitchen table where an open backpack, a pair of attractive women's dress shoes, two apples in a plastic bag, and some scientific notebooks are piled. An empty vase occupies the center of the table.

Beyond the kitchen table, there's a small living room with just enough space for a couch, coffee table, and lamp. Framing the back wall is a wide patio door open to a balcony.

PANEL 2

Warm, early morning light softly bathes a young woman standing on the balcony. She's dressed smartly in a snug-fitting pastel blue skirt and white shirt. Her back is to us, and she's holding a smartphone to her ear.

ELOISE

1. Yes Mother, I'm dressed up.

2. But -- this isn't really me.

3. I know, I know, Mother. First impressions are important.

PAGE 2

PANEL 1

Still on the balcony, Eloise has moved to one side and turned. She's still holding the smartphone to her ear. By turning, she's revealed the mountainous Acropolis with the Parthenon perched on its flattened summit. Perhaps a half mile away, the ancient marble columns of the Parthenon glow gold against the clear blue sky.

ELOISE

1. It's not far -- I can see it from here. I'll walk.

2. Oh mother, I don't need to take a cab, I won't be late.

PAGE 3

PANEL 1

A few minutes later, in an ESTABLISHING SHOT, everyday street life passes the steps of Eloise's arched entranceway. It's a cool morning, and people have jackets or coats on. An elderly man taps along the tiled sidewalk with his cane; a delivery man steps from his parked truck carrying a package; a mother scurries along with two children in tow. It's how this sleepy city neighborhood has woken up every day, forever.

PANEL 2

Stepping out of the archway is Eloise. She's added a pink spring jacket and pink running shoes to her ensemble.

PANEL 3

Eloise walking along a wide, tree-lined sidewalk. Four and five-story apartment buildings line both sides of the street. The first floor of each building houses different kinds of businesses. She's passing a cafe with tables nestled around the doorway. Two elderly ladies are chatting, enjoying coffee. At another table, a young couple sips espresso from tiny bone-colored cups.

PANEL 4

Eloise smiles as she passes a butcher shop -- a display of exotic-looking bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar fills the window. Eloise's long auburn hair tosses from side to side as she waltzes along.

PANEL 5

At the end of the street, Eloise is turning the corner.

PAGE 4

PANEL 1

From Eloise's POV, we see a crowd of slow-moving shoppers. They fill the street to infinity. Both sidewalks are lined with vendors selling fruit, vegetables, fish, and other everyday items. 

ELOISE

(muttering to herself)

1. What's going on? These people weren't here yesterday.

PANEL 2

Ahead of Eloise are an old man and woman. They both are using walkers and take up half the street. The oncoming mob of shoppers makes it impossible for Eloise to get by.

PANEL 3

To Eloise's right is a flower stand. The vendor is calling out to her, and Eloise has turned to look at him. He's smiling and holding up a bouquet of Daffodil.

FLOWER VENDOR

2. Hey pretty lady.

3. A pretty lady deserves pretty flowers.

4. I have nice flowers for you.

ELOISE

5. Another time.

PANEL 4

Now ahead of Eloise is a mother pushing a stroller with one hand and guiding a six-year-old boy with the other.

PANEL 5

There's a gap in the crowd, and Eloise veers off down a side street.

PAGE 5

PANEL 1

Eloise standing in a park. Ahead of her, the stone path she's on forks off in two different directions.

PANEL 2

Eloise standing near a garden pool, the Arch of Hadrain visible through the treetops. Eloise is looking down at her smartphone. In the background, coming toward her is a man dressed as an ancient Athenian warrior.

ELOISE

1. Come on, Google!

PANEL 3

The Greek Warrior is close now. He's wearing a helmet and a colorful uniform, and he holds a long spear and shield. Eloise holds out her arm, motioning for him to stop.

ELOISE

2. Boreíte na me voithísete?

(Bor-eat-ta-na me voi-the-sha-ta)

WARRIOR

3. You don't look Greek, but you speak very well.

ELOISE

4. Studied for six years.

Do you know where the Acropolis Museum is? I'm lost.

WARRIOR

5. You're very close. This way.

PANEL 4

THREE SHOT of Eloise and the Warrior walking up a short driveway. The early morning light is gone, replaced by bright sunshine. They're approaching a large gate with an open door. Standing near the gate door is a woman in her early fifties. The woman, Mrs. Marki, is smirking.

MRS. MARKI

6. Eloise? And with an armed escort? I'm Dr Venetis's assistant Mrs. Marki.

PANEL 5

A two shot of Eloise and the Warrior.

ELOISE

7. Thank you for helping me.

WARRIOR

8. Best of luck.

PAGE 6

PANEL 1

A WIDE PANEL showing a large, expensive-looking office. The room is bathed in north light from unseen windows; accentuating the rooms privileged atmosphere. A middle-aged man stands in front of a beautiful wooden desk. Behind him are bookshelves. On each side of the shelves are ornate tables holding two busts, one of Seneca, the other of Epictetus.

MRS. MARKI

1. Dr. Venetis, this is Eloise. She had a little trouble finding us.

ELOISE

2. Hello Dr. I walked the route Sunday. But now there's a street market -- and hordes of tourists. I was caught off guard.

DR. VENETIS

3. Understandable. The cruise ships test us all. We're short on time. Let's go meet your co-workers.

PANEL 2

A WIDE PANEL showing a lab with desks, benches, and a large chalk board. Standing inside the doorway, from left to right are Mrs. Marki, Eloise, and Dr. Venetis. Mrs. Marki has a small box under her arm.

Two women and a man are in various stages of joining them. Katana, and Florin are walking, and Lara is rising from her desk.

PANEL 3

A WIDE PANEL of the group forming a rough arc around Dr. Venetis. From left-to-right are Mrs. Marki, Eloise, Dr. Venetis, Katana (smirking), Florin, and Lara.

DR. VENETIS

4. Good morning. This is our new Curator Professor Eloise Lejoli from the University of Montreal.

5. Eloise, this is Dr. Katana Pappas; Katana is our team lead, she did her post-grad at University of Crete.

6. She's busy on several boards including The Archaeological Society of Athens.

KATANA

7. Yes, there is plenty to do.

DR. VENETIS

8. This is Professor Florin Bonamy. Florin is on sabbatical from Leiden University. He's researching obscure, ancient cults.

FLORIN

9. Bonjour Eloise!

DR. VENETIS

10. And this is Lara Leifsson, our Ph.D. Student from The University of Copenhagen.

LARA

11. I'm here if you need anything.

PANEL 4

Medium shot of Eloise, Dr. Venetis, Katana, and Florin. Eloise has her head bowed, and Florin is standing a little behind Katana texting on his smartphone.

DR. VENETIS

12. Eloise -- do you have a change of clothes? We're opening a plaster mold at the Parthenon today.

ELOISE

13. This is it.

14. Il manque des nouilles à soupe.

DR. VENETIS

15. I thought you were Canadian?

ELOISE

16. Oui. Québec. My first language is French.

DR. VENETIS

17. I see -- well, don't be too disappointed. Stay here and settle in.

18. In the meantime, Mrs. Marki will work on your badge.

19. So, have you read the stoics? They thought deeply about disappointment.

PANEL 5

MEDIUM SHOT of Lara looking at her smartphone. Florin is in the background holding his smartphone.

The message on Lara's phone reads, "Not all noodles are in the soup:))"

PAGE 7

PANEL 1

FULL PAGE, ANGLE DOWN. Everyone has gone leaving Eloise alone. Eloise's sitting at her desk. She's looking down at the contents of the box Mrs. Marki had under her arm. There are pencils, staples, a stapler, a staple puller, pens, and paper clips. Eloise is small in comparison to the room and looks forlorn.

PAGE 8

PANEL 1

POV Eloise looking down at a huge bench of artifacts with her hands clasp behind her back. Broken pottery, parts of a small statute, fragments of a vase.

PANEL 2

CLOSE UP of a broken vase that's been partially reassembled.

PAGE 9

PANEL 1

A WIDE SHOT of Eloise standing in front of a floor to ceiling bookshelf. Her desk and office supplies are in the foreground.

PAGE 10

PANEL 1

A CLOSE UP of Eloise running her finger along the book spines.

PANEL 2

ANGLE UP showing Eloise removing a book from a shelf. We can read the title. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

PAGE 11

PANEL 1

Medium shot of Eloise sitting at her desk reading Meditations.

PANEL 2

On the desk next to her arm is a half-eaten apple sitting on a paper towel.

PAGE 12

PANEL 1

The book Meditations is on the desk held open by the stapler. Beneath the stapler at the bottom of the page we can read.

"Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty. For what task, then, were you yourself created? A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for."

PAGE 13

PANEL 1

WIDE SHOT of the Lab looking toward the entrance door. Eloise is leaving and all we see is her leg in the doorway.

PANEL 2

ESTABLISHING SHOT of Eloise walking away carrying her backpack. She is approaching the Vasilissis Amalias Avenue packed with traffic. The Arch of Hadrian is across the street in the background.

PAGE 14

PANEL 1

ESTABLISHING SHOT of Eloise leaving her apartment. It's the familiar scene of Eloise's street with shoppers, and the Cafe in the background. Eloise's dressed in casual work clothes and work boots this time. She is not carrying her backpack.

PAGE 15

PANEL 1

An ESTABLISHING SHOT in brighter midday sunshine with Eloise on the plaza near her office building. Some tourists are walking along eating ice cream, others are eating Fast Food.

PANEL 2

A WIDE SHOT of Eloise passing the warrior with the Acropolis in the background. He's posing with some children while their parents take a photograph. She waves to him, but he doesn't recognize her and looks confused.

PANEL 3

Eloise's POV showing an upcoming path with people funneling in.

PANEL 4

Eloise on the path. Ahead is a long stairway full of tourists.

PANEL 5

Eloise hurrying up the stairs.

PAGE 16

PANEL 1

An ESTABLISHING SHOT from the top of the stairs, showing Eloise, the entrance to the Acropolis, and a long, long line of tourists.

PANEL 2

Eloise cuts in front of a short pudgy woman and her tall, skinny husband. The husband is wearing a flat cap on his bald head. They look a little befuddled.

ELOISE

1. I'm sorry.

2. I'm an Archaeologist and late for a meeting.

PANEL 3

Eloise has stopped at the TICKET TAKER who's wearing an official looking uniform with military style beret. He's holding a ticket scanner.

ELOISE

3. Hi, I'm part of Dr. Venetis's team.

PAGE 17

PANEL 1

The crowd of tourists has bunched up behind Eloise. The short pudgy woman with gray hair peeks around Eloise's side with a grumpy expression. Her tall husband towers over Eloise and scowls from over her shoulder. The TICKET TAKER does not look up from his scanner.

TICKET TAKER

1. Badge please.

ELOISE

2. I don't have it yet. Today's my first day.

3. Please... I have to catch up with my team.

TICKET TAKER

4. Entry requires a badge or ticket. No exceptions.

5. Please step aside.

PANEL 2

Eloise at the back of a long line leading to the Ticket Booth. Perhaps twenty people stand between her and the ticket window.

PANEL 3

A medium shot of Eloise touching her shoulder where her backpack should be.

PANEL 4

ANGLE UP showing Eloise with an expression of disbelief on her face.

ELOISE

6. Tu m'niaises-tu!

PANEL 5

A medium shot from a different angle so we can see that three people have turned around and are looking at her. Eloise repeats herself but louder this time and in English.

ELOISE

7. Are you kidding me!

PAGE 18

PANEL 1

ANGLE UP, ESTABLISHING SHOT of the plaza with the Parthenon high above. High noon has passed, and shadows are growing. Eloise is watching the warrior talk to a small crowd of tourists. With one arm he's pointing to the Acropolis. One of the tourists is taking a picture of the group.

PANEL 2

A TWO SHOT of Eloise frowning and the warrior smiling.

WARRIOR

1. Hello again -- You've changed. Are you a magician?

PANEL 3

The Warrior and Eloise talking with a plaza full of tourists in the background.

ELOISE

2. An Archaeologist. Today's been one problem after another. Now, I left my wallet at home. Maybe it's a Greek god teaching me a lesson.

3. I don't even know your name -- but will you loan me money for a ticket?

PANEL 4

Having pulled a wallet from somewhere under his bulky uniform, the warrior is handing Eloise some money.

WARRIOR

(from now on the WARRIOR is called Petros)

4. My name is Petros.

5. You promise to repay me? I'm at the plaza every day.

ELOISE

6. Nice to meet you Petros. I'm Eloise.

7. I promise. I'll repay you tomorrow.

PAGE 19

PANEL 1

A tall, ANGLE UP ESTABLISHING SHOT showing a long winding stairway with the Propylaea at the top. Some of the Propylaea's shadows drape across the front columns.

There are no handrails, and the stairs are packed with tourists.  It's a messy mass of humans inching forward. Eloise is at the bottom of the stairs entering the crowd.

PANEL 2

About halfway up the stairway, Eloise approaches a tourist helping an elderly woman up the stair by holding her arm. They look like a rock in a river with people bunched up behind them or flowing around each side.

ELOISE

(Mutters to herself)

1. Were you made to just pass by?

PANEL 3

Eloise has taken the elderly woman's other arm and the three women are moving up the stairs together.

PANEL 4

The three women under the Propylaea hugging in the middle of the crowd.

PAGE 20

PANEL 1

A POV, ESTABLISHING SHOT of a huge crowd of people between Eloise and the Parthenon. Long shadows are evident on the Parthenon.

PANEL 2

Eloise and a security guard talking. The security guard's hat casts a shadow across his face.

ELOISE

1. Have you seen Dr. Venetis? He's here with his team.

SECURITY GUARD

2. I do not know him.

PANEL 3

Eloise walking through the crowd, approaching the Belvedere, a round, raised patio on edge of the Acropolis. A flagpole flying the Greek flag fluttering above.

PANEL 4

Eloise standing behind the short stone wall of the Belvedere. Shielding her eyes from the low sun, she scans the area for her team.

PAGE 21

PANEL 1

A WIDE SHOT stretching across the top of pages 21 and 22. The panel shows Dr. Venetis's team standing around a huge wooden form that's been removed from a section of the Parthenon. We see the cast in the wooden form, the original art on the Parthenon, and Eloise peeking around a marble column in the background.

Katana is standing next to Dr. Venetis.

PANEL 2

Eloise has joined the group standing around the cast. From left to right is Katana (frowning), Eloise, Dr. Venetis, Florin. Lara is in the foreground in profile.

KATANA

1. We're getting ready to go. You missed everything.

ELOISE

2. Tu as besoin de glace.

PANEL 3

REVERSE SHOT of Florin texting on his smartphone, and Lara looking at her smartphone screen.

Lara's screen reads, "you need ice cream."

PAGE 22

PANEL 1

The right half of a WIDE SHOT that started on page 21.

PANEL 2

TWO SHOT of Dr. Venetis and Eloise. Dr. Venetis is smiling.

DR. VENETIS

1. My-- You've changed.

ELOISE

2. I took your advice and did some reading.

3. Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty. It's a true delight doing what you're made for.

DR. VENETIS

4. Marcus Aurelius. Very fitting!

PAGE 23

PANEL 1

An overcast day on the plaza. The Parthenon is high above in the background shown against a flat, almost gray sky. It's the next day and Eloise is wearing casual office attire and PETROS is in his uniform.

PANEL 2

Eloise and Petros in a TWO SHOT. Eloise is wearing her backpack, and is handing Petros some money. Eloise has an expression of disbelief.

ELOISE

1. Thank you for helping me yesterday.

PETROS

2. I've been thinking about you. We didn't talk about interest.

ELOISE

3. You want interest?

PANEL 3

TWO SHOT of Eloise and Petros. Petros has a sly, amused expression. Eloise's expression is one of questioning puzzlement.

PETROS

4. A different kind of interest.

5. Will you join me Sunday for coffee?

ELOISE

6. être vite sur ses patins

(e-tre-veet sur-see pa-taun)

PANEL 4

TWO SHOT of Petros and Eloise. But Petros looks puzzled this time, and Eloise is wearing his sly, amused expression.

PETROS

7. You speak Greek, English, and... French? What did you say?

ELOISE

8. Your fast on your skates!

9. You beat me to the question.

10 Here's a French word you'll know.

11. Oui.