480 YEARS LATER...

"WILL BE WAITING ON THAT WATCHTOWER

UNTIL I SEE YOU COMING BACK TO ME

EVEN IF MY HEART STOPS BEATING

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR LOVE

THE ONE I MISS, THE ONE I SEEK

TELL ME THAT YOU ALWAYS NEEDED ME...

WOULD YOU...PLEASE!"

HAVANA CUBA, MAY 1539

Hernando DeSoto finally gets his ships together; a pause of 6 weeks are finally over. He left Spain in April and wanted to make history with the Gold the earned after his adventure in Inca Peru. King Charles V from Spain made him Governor of Cuba an whatever land he could claim up north for the Throne... and for Christendom.

Isabela de Bobadilla, daughter of Pedro de Arias de Avila, was married to him for 3 years and came to Cuba with Hernando and 600 people from Iberia with the purpose of Colonizing the southern most tip of North America. Isabela stayed in Havana as a Governoress in charge, until Hernando would come back from his first trip to today's Florida.

ON THE HARBOUR

AN AERAIL VIEW....

Six6 ships and four Caravels are being loaded with swines, dry beans, salt, goats and grains and young spaniards eager for adventure. Isabella is looking for her husband who supposedly is around somwhere. She is a 24 years old brunette, medium size and dressed fashionable. "Andres, have you seen my husband?" asks the new Governess.

" Doña Isabella, I think he is aboard his own Galeon... and maybe he is with his second in command," replies Andres Triana, one of the new sailors from Extremadura Spain.

Suddenly, Hernando grabbing a rope, swings himself away from the top of his ship and lands close to her. As always, he made her smile with that romantic surprise. "Woah!... Señora mia! Were you looking for me your 'queeness'?" replies Hernando as he catches his breath after his fearless deed.

"Happy for you, but sad for your departure 'mi amado'."



A far away approaching storm gives them a bad sign, but after a few showers and drizzling on the crew and the bay, they manage to see a rainbow.

"Promise me that you will come back to me Hernando; I want to hear it from your own mouth," says Isabela in a desperate move. Hernando gets closer and holding her chin, rubs her lips softly, ending in a kiss...

"I promise you my lady, my wife, my lover! I have been doing these enterprises for our Crown and our King for more than 25 years and I know the risks and I promise to come back Isabela mia."



FAST FORWARD....

MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WESTERN BANKS

MAY 21, 1542

9 P.M.

Hernando Desoto succumbs to subtropical fever and gets a quick burial, so the Indiand will believe in his inmortality. Sadly he is sank with rocks and sand in the middle of the river . His commander of field, Moscoso de Alvarado waves good bye to his Chief. "Was a pleasure Señor de Badajoz. Your death was not in vain and your name will survive centuries... I'll make sure it will. Long live our King Carlos!"

SAME DAY, SAME NIGHT

Isabela is on the watchtower looking into a starry sky. It's been almost 36 six months since her Husband left. Bad news came to her through secondary sources. She knew that her Hernando was in trouble but deep in her heart there was hope.

"You did promise me... that you'd come back and I'm still waiting my dearest Husband. Is so painful at times this loneliness...and I wish we would've stayed In Spain, but I married my Conquistador and I couldn't change his passion. My love was, and still is unconditional. I know you can feel my pain wherever you are..."

BETHLEHEM PENSYLVANIA

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

THE PRESENT

Anne Marie Lopez parks near the Faculty of Humanities. She applied for a job on the University's website and came for an interview. She is dressed casually; her stunning sunglasses and her cell bring the attention of the Campus students. Next to her parks Timothy Crawford, A History Teacher as well, who by accident lost his wallet in the area the day before.

"Hi, new in here right?" asks Timothy without wasting time.

" Hi, there! How did you know? Are you a psychic," replies Anne Marie.

"Not really. This a small place, and basically we know newcomers by sight," assures Morgan studying her body and moves unconsciously.

" Have we met before?" asks Anne Marie out of curiosity.

"Maybe, how about...probably 3 minutes ago. Does that sound right?"

Anne Marie cannot hold it, and breaks the ice with a wide smile and with no more words they shake hands.

" Welcome to our Staff Ms. Lopez," says Crawford.

"You are funny. I'm still an applicant and who knows, I might not even get this Job"

"I think you will get it Ann Marie"

3 MONTHS LATER...

8 P.M.

Anne Marie finally invites Timothy to her Condo. He was right, she got her job as a History Teacher and for some reason they got along so well from the very first day.

She is in her kitchen and is about to make some coffee, but she spills her coffee pot, and Timothy, who was waiting in her living room, that the noise. He stands up and rushes to her. "Oh God! What a mess Anne Marie... let me help you, don't..!"

"I've got it Timothy, you are my guest, I only have... Would you be kind enough to pass me more paper towels, since you insist in helping me! Gosh, this way we can save time, don't you think so?" asks Anne Marie, who is already kneeled down and trying to get the spill under control.

Timothy gets some paper towels with rose decorations on it, and gets on his knees to wipe the mess.

"Let me finish Anne Marie, you did enough"

Suddenly the makes 'eye contact,' and with no question...

he gets closer to her and she... closes her eyes.

"Hernando?" is all she can say Softly. He answers smoothly, "Yes... Isabela!"

A baseball hits her living room window.... and both open their eyes and stand up quickly. Anne Marie gets blushed and Timothy feeling embarrassed and uneasy, turns around and walks away.

"I feel like a ladies man, I was about to kiss you Anne Marie. You might think I'm the worst man on earth," admits Timothy leaving by the door.

She grabs her head and reacts. "Wait Timothy, Don't Worry. It was mutual and we... Would you like to try my Lasagna? Is in the oven and I did it for you. The coffee incident messed me all up. I'm a woman...and we really worry too much"

"Oh! perfect. Like my mom's I guess... can you forgive my...?" insists Morgan

Anne Marie, gets bolder. "You know what? Lets see if a History professors can really kiss like the Kings!"

"Anne Marie, What are you talking about?"

"You started it! Now, you just say it : I will be a good boy from now on"

After the sweetest smile they grab hands and walk to the kitchen from the living room, and we hear Timothy say, "Oh my god! Long live the King!"