Kemp and Jack stand on the top floor catwalk. They look out
to a beautiful, moonlit, snowy mountain range.
KEMP
The human story began in those
mountains 30,000 years ago.
JACK
Humans are from Serbia 30,000 years
ago, never heard that theory in
class.
KEMP
Lot's of theories, but none right.
Funny huh? Your species was born in
one night, thanks to three aliens
sitting by a campfire. We called
them the Primigenial. The first
generation?
JACK
Who were the three? Guessing you,
Enki and...
KEMP
My beautiful wife, Ninsaba.
JACK
Oh, I see, she is no longer with
us?
KEMP
She died many years later. Her
story is one of a fearless hero who
sacrificed herself so that we could
live. But it is a story for another
time.
Kemp points out to the mountains.
KEMP (CONT’D)
See those mountains? Those are the
Accursed Mountains. It's where it
all began. Where you began.
JACK
The Cursed Mountains. Cool.
2.
KEMP
I still believe they are cursed.
A blizzard suddenly appears, outside the window. It moves
toward the Accursed Mountains. NOW-- a bird’s eye view of the
blizzard -- a complete white out. A slow descent -- figures
take shape — maybe thousands, all trudging through feet of
snow.
END TEASER
3.
ACT I
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
The Watchers of the Ice Age
EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAINS - DAY
SUPER: 30,000 YEARS AGO -- THE ICE AGE -- SERBIAN ACCURSED
MOUNTAINS
Thousands of humans migrate through a mountain pass in
freezing conditions. All are dressed in furs and handmade
clothes. Three individuals lead. They wear manufactured,
modern-appearing winter gear. Their faces are covered.
One pulls down his cover to speak. It is ENKI (20s),in his
vessel, his true form. He has gold skin and green eyes, but
otherwise appears human.
Enki begins to speak in an alien language (subtitled), but it
quickly morphs into English.
ENKI
Look at them.
(Re: humans)
We will be lucky if they survive
the night. We lost 30 this last
hour alone.
Another pulls down her mask. She is NINSABA (40), Enlil's
wife. She has beautiful gold skin and she is perfection
personified.
NINSABA
ENKI is right, will you be a dear
and find us a campsite ENLIL.
ENLIL (40) pulls his mask down. He has a warrior's face and
likely does in any vessel he inhabits. He is around 6'4, a
good 4 inches taller than Enki.
ENLIL
Of course.
Enlil begins a slow jog - long strides - feet --POUND-- the
snow at steady pace -- THEN -- he accelerates and... SWOOSH -
he is gone in a blur.
Enki and Ninsaba look out at the humans. Pitiful souls, their
dead eyes staring into the void. They do not appear to be in
pain, only flat affects exuding pure apathy. They are the
faces of a species reserved to extinction. They have already
accepted their fate.
One drops dead into the snow -- nobody notices or cares.
4.
A mother breastfeeding her tightly swaddled baby looks down,
examines the infant, and drops it in the snow before moving
on. Not one tear shed. Heinous.
Enki observes this.
ENKI
NINSABA, they aren't going to make
it, are they?
NINSABA
Let us focus on getting them
through this mountain pass before
predicting their fate, shall we? We
have a job to do, we can't be
speculating.
Ninsaba is obviously the leader and is calling the shots.
The fancy insignia on her coat corroborates this.
ENKI
We could be helping them more. This
is nothing more than a death march.
NINSABA
Minimal intervention, those are the
rules.
We guide but we do not help.
SWOOSH -- Enlil appears, unwinded like he just took a stroll.
ENLIL
Three miles ahead.
NINSABA
Let's get going before we lose
more.
She lets out a deafening whistle. The people look to her. She
raises her arm and gestures forward. The humans gather their
things, get their sled dogs ready, and continue the migration
through the soul-shattering cold.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Awakening Hope
EXT. CAMP - NIGHT
The humans prepare for the night while the others make camp
nearby. The three sit around a FIRE.
5.
ENKI
This species is doomed unless we
intervene. Can't we do something
more?
ENLIL
The rules are the rules. Don't you
listen to father? We guide, we
protect, and sometimes nudge, but
we never help.
ENKI
I understand the rules. But not
everything is black and white; this
is gray. If they continue like
this, we all know they will be
extinct within a thousand years.
NINSABA
Okay, Enki, let's do a thought
experiment. Let's say you help them
in a small way. Hmm. You give them
an ignitor to make fires. It makes
their lives a bit easier—no more
rocks and flints. How will they
react?
ENKI
I think they would be very grateful
and it would be a good start.
NINSABA
Ok, how would it make you feel?
ENKI
I would feel great that I was doing
something, even if it a little
thing.
Ninsaba makes a snowball while listening to Enki.
NINSABA
Have your ever eaten Tanosh Enki?
(Enki nods yes)
It is my favorite dessert.
She holds up a little snowball. Enki and Enlil smile.
NINSABA (CONT’D)
It looks like Tanosh, doesn't it?
We are just missing the big brown
bag now. What happens after eating
the first one? Always in one bite,
mind you.
6.
ENKI
Usually, I will grab 3 more and
stuff them in my mouth.
NINSABA
Yes... Yes... Then maybe 5 just to
see if it can be done. It can, by
the way. Before you know it, the
tall bag has only 2 left at the
bottom. You say to yourself, "I
will save those for later."
They laugh.
NINSABA (CONT’D)
You know it's a lie and then, no
more Tanosh.
ENKI
All very true. I still don't
understand what this has to do with
these people.
NINSABA
Helping them with the ignitor is
like eating that first Tanosh. It
makes you feel good. You get a rush
of Dopamine. Then maybe you
restrain a bit, but not for long;
it's Tanosh, and that next bite is
even bigger. Now... you are so very
happy with yourself; You keep
going, building for them, giving
them new technology, teaching them
skills they are not supposed to
learn for millenia. But it makes
you feel good, so you keep going.
ENKI
I understand the risk in helping
them. But this... this is
different.
NINSABA
I disagree. Let's say we continue
helping them for 1000 years, deem
them ready for the TRANSMIGRATION,
and leave with the archive. What
happens to them when ... say the
Taheen pay them a visit and turn
the skies blood red? They won't be
prepared. They will try to fight
but ultimately lose. Why? They
never thought for themselves.
(MORE)
7.
NINSABA (CONT’D)
The most important variable in
learning is struggle. They never
struggled.
Enki nods in agreement, but not happily.
NINSABA (CONT’D)
The universe is a cruel place Enki,
and that is exactly why we are
here, to ensure this species has
the knowledge and skill to survive
on its own. It's simple. Helping
them is easy and it makes you feel
good. Guiding them from a distance
is much harder, but it is the only
way to truly help them.
ENKI
I get it, but this feels different.
They never had a chance; this Ice
Age has gone on much longer than
predicted. Most, if not all other
species we have encountered would
be extinct at this point. There is
great potential in humans. But it
will never come to be.
NINSABA
Enki, I have a project for you.
ENKI
Please, I am eager to help them.
NINSABA
No helping, Enki. I want you to
create a spark in them. Show them
something that ignites their
capacity for empathy, joy, grief,
pride, anything that can get them
to feel again. Be careful with
pride now.
ENKI
I can try; not the easiest task;
just look at them.
NINSABA
You are the most creative of us
all. I am sure you will think of
something.
ENKI
Ok, I will try.
8.
NINSABA
(direct and forceful)
We nudge, we point, we ignite, but
we never -- ever help. Got it?
He nods in affirmation. Young Enki looks excited about his
new assignment; he has a new purpose. He walks into the
darkness toward the human camp to get started.
THE HUMAN CAMP -- from above, hundreds of campfires. Humans
huddle around fires. Some set up camp. No energy, no spark...
just people going through the motions.
Enki enters the CAMP.
ENKI's POV -- The humans look utterly defeated, apathetic,
Zombies on autopilot. It's all quite depressing. Enki does
not draw anyone's attention, which in itself is strange,
considering the gold-skin, green-eye stuff. The humans could
care less. Enki clocks a group of about 20 people who sit
around a campfire.
END POV
Enki speaks in some ancient lost language for a monet before
is morphs into English.
ENKI
Hello, how are you tonight?
WOMAN
(direct without emotion)
Good... cold... now warm... fire
She points at the fire.
ENKI
Yes... fire is good. Warm. May I
sit with you?
WOMAN
Yes... warm.
ENKI
Thank you.
An older MAN sits across from Enki. With a sharp stone, he
etches something into a flat piece of shale. Enki looks
intrigued and surprised.
9.
ENKI (CONT’D)
What are you making?
MAN
Deer.... Look...
The man turns the shale for Enki to see. The man etched
images of deer. Enki looks relieved. There is something still
in these people.
Everyone else is making practical items—arrowheads and
clothing—but this old man, facing certain death, draws.
Enki smiles.
ENKI
Good... very good. Yes, deer are
good.
The old man smiles.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Do you have more rocks for drawing?
Can I draw something?
The old man nods and gets a stone and shale for Enki. Enki
accepts these items and begins to etch into the stone.
Everyone watches.
He quickly finishes, and turns the shale toward the group to
see. The etching cannot be seen, but the reaction it provokes
can.
The humans point to Enki, and then point up to the stars.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Yes... good, very good.
Enki points at himself and then to the night sky.
The people appear confused and talk amongst themselves in
their rudimentary language. Some smile, others look confused,
and some are even frustrated by this. Enki looks very happy;
this is the most emotion they have shown.
ENKI (CONT’D)
(pointing up)
Stars, yes. I come from the stars.
I am here as a guide to ensure your
development and eventually find new
homes, to put it simply.
MAN
Home? Home is where the hunt is.
10.
Enki looks confused for a moment, then seems to understand.
ENKI
True. But, what if the hunt wasn't
ever far away? What if home could
be in one place where you could
acquire all you need?
They laugh; this is a new concept for them, obviously. These
are nomads, not many other choices during the Ice Age. The
concept of living in one place is preposterous to them.
MAN
One home? The hunt stays? Good.
Good.
ENKI
Yes, we are leading you to a home.
Another MAN has been listening from a distance. He decides to
speak.
MAN #2
Home is where the hunt is. Home
moves, home always moves. You lie.
The group grunts in agreement with Man #2. There is a bit of
controversy here. Enki observes as they argue, smiling. Then
hears something that gives him more hope: laughter.
ENKI
(to himself)
They still have something in there.
We can't let them die like this.
Enki walks away. He shifts his eyes and looks down, no doubt
planning something mischievous. He walks away from the group,
spots a small CAVE, and crawls inside.
ENKI (CONT’D)
(to himself)
Ok, well... I have 100 of these
bodies left, no big deal. Easy....
Enki seals himself inside with rocks.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Ok.. Here it goes.
In the darkness, his silhouette goes limp and falls to the
ground, dead. Enki's body radiates a green light, and his
UMBRA exits. It darts upright through the cave's roof into
the night air. It hovers above the group.
11.
ENKI'S UMBRA POV -- From above, it seems the humans are back
into Zombie mode, the smiles and laughter have already
stopped. Again, just "beaten dogs" reserved to whatever fate
awaits.
END ACT I
12.
ACT II
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Revelations Under the Moonlight
INT. ENKI'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
Kemp and Jack are still on the catwalk looking out at the
moonlit Accursed Mountains.
JACK
Enki decided to do something to
save the humans. He is a sneaky
dude.
KEMP
Yes, and he was right. Ninsaba and
I already knew humans were doomed.
In fact, there were talks of
accelerating the extinction.
JACK
Accelerate our extinction? Like
kill us?
KEMP
Yes. We didn't have the heart to
tell Enki. Enki knew time was
short, though. He sensed it as he
always does. So he acted rashly,
with no plan and no forethought,
and hours later, he turned it all
upside down. He did have some help
though.
JACK
Ok, what happened next? How did he
save them?
KEMP
He didn't just save them. He gave
them something truly remarkable,
something every human still holds
inside of them to this day.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Desperate Measures in Utu's Eden
EXT. EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE - NIGHT
Enki's Umbra shoots up toward space and exits the atmosphere.
It accelerates toward the Moon.
It zooms around the Moon, in low-orbit, to the dark side --
REVEALING -- the petrous, cigar-shaped ship. Enki's Umbra
flys to the top and ENTERS THE SHIP through its massive
sunroof thing above UTU’s EDEN.
13.
UTU’s EDEN is beyond beautiful. Green and lush. Herds of
buffalo-like animals run the plains. From above -- endless
terrain -- mountains, rivers, plains... It's a perfect
preserve.
Enki’s Umbra descends and... THE BIG GREEN BEATING HEART --
UTU awaits. Enki is headed right for him, not slowing.... he
is... going to crash into him -- wohh -- still not slowing --
THEN -- GALLUMP-- the Umbra flies into Utu.
INSIDE UTU is NOT green goo or weird organs, none of that.
Instead, Enki finds himself in bright white-walled CORRIDOR --
and Enki is enki in here, not an umbra. This must be a
matrix of some sort, it doesn’t feel real.
UTU (O.C.)
Hello friend. What are you doing
flying up here au naturale? Did you
just leave your body on the planet?
Enki, what are you up to?
A humanoid begins to take shape. A MAN emerges from the
bright white light.
ENKI
Hello to you too UTU. Yes I did,
because I need your help.
Utu is also gold skinned. He wears a red almost wizardly
robe with alien insignia all over it. He is kinda short
compared to the others, but does not lack energy, he gives
off a bit of a smarmy vibe; like a gameshow host. Endearing
in a way.
UTU
This is going to get me in trouble,
isn't it?
ENKI
Yes, a lot of trouble. What do you
see down there Utu? You have to
know. Some migration isn't going to
save them.
Utu looks down and sighs.
UTU
You are correct. Simulations
calculate nothing above a 2% chance
the species will survive the next
200 years.
14.
ENKI
So we never had a chance here. It
was doomed from the start.
UTU
The ebbs and flows of glacial
events are impossible to predict
Enki. Do you know how many
variables are at play here?
ENKI
No, but I am positive I am about to
find out.
UTU
I have identified 8.4 Million
variables and counting. Sea level,
planetary orbit, solar activity...
light reflecting into the
atmosphere off of a fly's ass. Too
many. Add in human behavior,
mutation rates, and adaptation...
It is just a shitshow.
Utu is worked up and very passionate in his smarmy way.
UTU (CONT’D)
When we were activated, 4 years
ago, it was already a thousand
years too late. The monitoring
system didn't even see it coming. I
didn't see it. Tragic.
ENKI
So, you have known for 4 years that
these people are doomed. Is that
what you are telling me?
UTU
Well, that is simplifying it a tad,
but yes, kind of...
ENKI
Who else knows this?
UTU
I was told not to divulge any of
this, but at this point, it doesn't
matter. Enlil, Ninsaba, your
father, your uncle, and me—yup,
that is everyone who knows.
Enki, looks devastated as he puts this all together.
15.
ENKI
This migration., it's not a
migration at all, is it? It's a
culling. Wipe the slate clean, we
go back to sleep and wait another
50 million years or so for the next
candidate species.
Enki is angry but also reeks of disappointment. He is ashamed
of his family.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Utu, my friend, we can't let this
happen. Someone has to have the
courage to break the rules. Those
people down there, they still have
a spark. It is just waiting to
shine. They deserve a chance.
UTU
I agree, but the Benefactors, Enki,
they will know.
ENKI
Fuck the Benefactors. Have you ever
met one? I haven't.
Enki is fired up.
ENKI (CONT’D)
We are out here all alone. This Ice
Age is a freak event; there is no
protocol for this scenario. We go
off book, do the right thing.
UTU
You're right about the Benefactors.
We have been waiting for a message
to guide us, but nothing; we are
alone. What do you have in mind?
ENKI
Okay, hear me out first before
saying no.
Utu’s face slouches, as if he has heard Enki say this before.
ENKI (CONT’D)
There is only one option here, and
it is drastic, sure, but we are
past that. We need to modify the
genome in live subjects,
specifically their neurochemistry.
(MORE)
16.
ENKI (CONT’D)
And... these changes need to be
inheritable.
UTU
Oh, so you want to genetically
modify the species, forever?
Fuck... that is drastic. How many
will it take? Let me run the sim.
Utu makes silly --BEEP-- BEEP -- noises for effect. Enki
smiles, but he is too serious to laugh.
ENKI
What did you get?
UTU
1000 should do it. With moderate
modification, they should survive
the remainder of the Ice Age. By
spreading their genes and boosting
their progeny, they have a 67%
chance of Transmigration in 6000
years. Right on schedule. They will
survive and thrive.
ENKI
There are about 2000 in the
vicinity of our camp.
UTU
Great. Question now is. What do you
have in mind for immediate
modifications?
ENKI
I have some ideas. First, their
sympathetic nervous system needs to
wake up. I could stab one in the
belly and it wouldn’t fight. They
need fight!
UTU
Oh yeah, I like this. Make um
pissed off.
ENKI
No, Utu don’t make them pissed off,
make them fight to survive.
Enki shakes his head.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Last, they need a complete overhaul
of the cerebral cortex.
(MORE)
17.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Cognitive abilities have regressed
since this Ice Age. Let’s say the
gene pool has drastically decreased
during this Ice Age.
Utu looks kinda grossed out.
UTU
Ohhh. I didn’t think about that.
Their uh family tree needs more
branches, is what you are telling
me?
ENKI
Yes, it has no branches right now.
Utu looks down and shakes his head.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Also, with the brain modifications,
they need something to pep them up.
Their sadness is demoralizing. Can
you make them happy?
UTU
Once we fire up those neurons and
they have new purpose that will
change.
ENKI
Good.
Enki’s eyes shift around like he is thinking steps ahead.
UTU
Ok, they need a kickstart,
something to wake them up,
something to make them fight like
hell. Ok... Right on! And a touch
smarter and happier. Anything else.
ENKI
That should do it. Now, be careful
not to create a psychotic warring
species with superintelligence.
UTU
I will. The fight or flight part is
easy; just soop up those adrenal
glands all. No psychos, promise.
However, messing with the frontal
cortex is a crapshoot.
18.
ENKI
When will it be ready?
UTU
It's Utu you are talking to. Give
me an hour, and I will have them
dancing the happy dance.
ENKI
Okay, I will get down there. I am
going to drop three beacons 50
meters apart. One at a time. Make
it rain as soon as one is
activated, and then wait for the
next. Got it?
UTU
Yup. One, two, three.
Enki's umbra exits Utu's body and darts deeper into the ship.
It navigates a maze of corridors —-THEN—- someone is
approaching. The Umbra hides in the bulkhead as two men have
a conversation. ANU (50s) and his brother HANBI (40s) talk
while Enki hides. Anu is Enki and Enlil's father.
ANU
How is Pazazu doing with his
training?
HANBI
My son is not a soldier; let's just
leave it at that. He can fight,
sure, but his mind is always on
science and technology. He was
never good at taking orders, that's
for sure. He is best suited for
Research and Development, but I
will let him play commando a bit
longer. Build some character.
ANU
HAAA. He and Enki have a lot in
common. They are dreamers and both
so smart.
HANBI
Oh, yes Enki is a smart one, I have
never seen anyone do what he can do
with such ease.
ANU
What is that?
19.
HANBI
You don't know. I swear, as
fathers, we fail to see our own
children's gifts while it's so easy
to see it in others. What I am
referring to is his abilities as a
strategist.
ANU
Oh yes, he always won at Cliston;
Enlil refused to play with him. And
also, Markira and Putem, now that
you mention it, yes any game of
strategy he mastered. I just saw it
as intelligence.
HANBI
It is intelligence yes, but more
than that. When Zaz and Enki were
5, they would play at the old farm
back home. Do you remember
housekeeper Barta?
ANU
Oh, yes, a most unpleasant woman,
always defiant.
Hanbi laughs.
HANBI
That is her. She used to torment
those poor boys. They would ask her
for something to drink, and she
made it a point to bring something
they didn't like.
ANU
Exactly, she never brought what you
asked for and then she expected a
thank you. Just awkward.
HANBI
Yes, she loved doing that. It gave
her a sense of control. While all
of us were just accepting drinks
and snacks we didn't like. I would
look out and sitting on that wooden
fence was Enki. Quietly but
obviously enjoying his refreshments
more than anyone else.
Hanbi chuckles.
20.
HANBI (CONT’D)
He was at the house alot that
summer so I decided to study him a
bit, to see how he was getting what
he wanted from Barta?
Anu seems to be enjoying the story about old times and his
son being a matermind.
HANBI (CONT’D)
I would walk by and listen while
Barta took Enki’s snack order and
what I heard was amazing, a battle
of wits every time. No two
interactions were the same. She
even knew what he liked and he
somehow managed to get it.
ANU
How did he defeat evil Barta?
I must know.
HANBI
Your kid wss only 5 then, remember.
But I swear to you he would study
her face as she approached and she
would do the same. And then the
battle was on. If she looked tired,
he would use confusion as his
weapon, changing his request 3 or 4
times, and as she turned away, he
would say, "Remember anything but
Moralte and Capans." Then he would
repeat it again when she was 10
yards away. And what did she come
back with, Moralte and Capans. She
caught onto this when he made the
mistake of revealing a bit too
much, enjoying the snack and
taunting her over it. So the next
time he had a new strategy. He
recruited Zaz, and together, they
would both get what they wanted.
Enki would ask for Moralte and
Capans and do the same subliminal
"anything but trick" just now with
what Zaz liked. And Zaz always got
Moralte and Capans, because he
hated them. They would secretly
swap, but now act like they didn't
like the snack. That made her so
happy. Next Enki recruits me.
(MORE)
21.
HANBI (CONT’D)
He asked, "Uncle, what is your
favorite snack, honestly?" I told
him, and he coached me on what to
ask Barta for, and all of a sudden,
we are all getting what we like. 5
years old brother and your son spun
that woman in circles until she
finally quit. I am still in his
debt to this day.
ANU
Oh yes, he can manipulate when he
needs to. It scared me because he
could spin me, I tell ya. But note
that what he did to Barta was for
the greater good. I didn't see that
until he was 14 and Enlil wanted to
run off with some girl and become a
mechanic. It was the girl who
wanted this. His whole life was
about becoming a soldier until he
met that one. Enki watched from
afar but never said anything to
Enlil. He and I knew it would be a
terrible mistake if he followed
this girl. So Enki took matters
into his own hands. And what he did
was just preposterous.
HANBI
What did he do?
ANU
Whenever this girl would come by,
he would make it a point to
sunbathe nude. It shocked her, of
course, but worse, Enki would
approach her to give her a hug; she
would run away. That was phase 1.
Phase 2 was all about planting
seeds of doubt in this poor girl's
head. He would say she was Enlil's
5th girlfriend this year but soften
it with a "But he really likes
you." Then, to finish her off,
Phase 3 was an elaborate endeavor
where he manipulated Enlil. He told
him he saw her with Jordo Pickt at
the Soory Doory. Underhanded, yes,
but Enki will fight dirty when he
has to. It would have wrecked
Enlil’s life.
(MORE)
22.
ANU (CONT’D)
The point is he will use his skills
to help the ones he loves even if
they don't want him to. To me, that
is the best kind of friend, the
best kind of son, and the best kind
of brother. He watches our backs
Hanbi. It's just the fact he is
always right that annoys the shit
out of me.
HANBI
Agreed, but every family could use
an Enki. He keeps us on track from
the shadows, I think. He is
probably here right now listening
in.
They laugh. But as Hanbi says this, he looks directly at the
bulkhead Enki's Umbra hidden within. Did he know Enki was
there? Maybe? Hmmmm.
ANU
Well, brother, I love sharing
stories about home, but let's talk
about the problem we have now. Are
you ok with what we have to do
here?
HANBI
Honestly, no I am not. But I trust
in the Benefactor's decisions and I
trust in you.
ANU
It's unfortunate we must start over
with a new species, but there is no
hope for those poor souls. If we
had been activated a few thousand
years earlier, then maybe we could
have done more.
HANBI
Why can't we do more? I am not ok
with letting them die. And now we
are what? Assisting in the
extinction. Brother, I understand
we are just clearing the path for
the next candidates, but this is
terrible. I didn't sign on to aid
in genocide. We have to be better
than this.
23.
Anu seems to be the "Play it by the rules" brother, while
Hanbi's mannerisms are more relaxed and more spontaneous.
Very much like Enlil and Enki.
ANU
I don't see any other option. They
are going to die; there is no
stopping it. This Ice Age could go
on for another 5000 years. Even if
we were able to somehow change the
climate, the damage is already
done.
Hanbi listens but doesn’t look convinced.
ANU (CONT’D)
Their brain development is stunted.
They will never become a candidate
species. They will only fall short
in the end. It's tragic, yes, but
it has to be done.
HANBI
I just don't like it. I understand,
and I have no answers either. We
would have to change the species,
and that is a no-no. I get it.
Hanbi sounds like he is testing his brother's reaction to
this statement.
ANU
Yes, that would be breaking rule
#1. Genetic modification of a
species is a messy endeavor, and it
does not end well. It is too
unpredictable.
HANBI
If they are already doomed, what's
the harm? Worst case, it fails, we
extend our stay a bit, but we are
already adding 50,000 years in
hibernation as is. Why not try?
ANU
We follow the rules. And, like I
said, it's messy; the Benefactors
do not like messy.
The brothers move on. Enki's umbra floats down the corridor
to an area full of unanimated vessels.
24.
The Umbra interacts with a console and a conveyor mechanism
is triggered. The bodies shuffle in and out of a storage
apparatus until Enki's is brought forward. The pod opens and
the umbra goes in. Enki comes alive.
He gives his sneaky smile and heads out. He navigates the
corridors and slyly glances down as he passes someone. He
stops at large entry door, touches a a sensor and it opens.
Enki enters a SHUTTLE BAY.
INSIDE are seven egg-shaped white-alloy shuttles. Their hulls
are flawless and shiny, no seams to mark an entrance and no
viewport either.
Enki goes to a SIDE ROOM, a small ARMORY. Here he grabs three
rod-shaped BEACONS. He checks them over as they light up and
beep. He seems satisfied. He walks toward a shuttle and goes
right through the hull. The shuttle quivers like jello as he
passes through.
INSIDE it’s pretty swank like a luxury vehicle. The floor is
gold carpet, and the consoles are bordered by glossy stained
wood. Decorative molding surrounds a large viewport. Fancy.
FROM OUTSIDE the shuttle darts out into space as the bulkhead
becomes transparent.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Tension in the Shadows
EXT. ACCURSED MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
Enki lands the ship a distance from the camp. He removes a
small communications device from a console slot and speaks
into it.
ENKI
UTU, you almost ready?
UTU
Oh yes. It is going to be a
whopper, Enki. There is no turning
back from this.
ENKI
A whopper?
UTU
The compounds just latched onto the
delivery nano-particles better than
expected. Everything is fine.
Promise.
25.
ENKI
Good, their brains need a jump
start.
UTU
Oh, this isn't some jump-start.
This is rocket fuel!!
Utu sounds rock n roll.
ENKI
Okay, then, you are excited; that's
good. Once you send down the first
zap, we will have an Enlil problem.
I should be able to drop the second
one, but no guarantees on the
third. He is faster than me.
UTU
No shit. A lot faster. I can't
send the third without the beacon
Enki. I could fry your umbra, and
Enlil's.
ENKI
I will figure it out.
Behind Enki -- FOOTSTEPS -- someone comes out of the
darkness.
ENLIL
Figure what out exactly?
END ACT II
26.
ACT III
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Moonlit Reflections
INT. ENKI’S COMPOUND - NIGHT
Kemp and Jack still looking out at the moonlit mountains.
Jack looks enthralled by the story.
JACK
Rocket fuel, Fuck yeah. I like this
Utu dude. Can I meet him?
KEMP
Maybe, he is still up there on the
ship. We haven’t talked in years.
He is much different now; he blames
himself for what happened long
after this chapter. But again,
another story for another time.
But sure, we can contact him
sometime, just don’t expect the Utu
from this story.
JACK
Ok. So you busted Enki. Then what,
you kick his scrawny ass?
KEMP
Now that would be too easy. I can
kick his ass with a look Jack.
Like this one.
Kemp gives him a Hulk Hogan stare. Jack actually looks
scared. Kemp laughs.
KEMP (CONT’D)
No kicking his ass. I decided to
listen. Warning, if you decide to
listen to Enki, you better be
prepared to join whatever crackpot
plan he has. He could talk a
runaway train into not crashing.
Very convincing. But he was right
in this case. It was killing us
knowing we were just leading these
people like cattle to slaughter.
Anything would be better than that.
JACK
What about your wife, was she there
with you.
27.
KEMP
We will get there. Almost done.
They stare out the window. The mountains come closer, the
campfires appear and in the darkness beyond camp two figures
having a conversation take shape - Enki and Enlil.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Spark of Hope
EXT. ACCURSED MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
Enlil looks at Enki, full of disappointment. Enki just looks
busted and a bit angry.
ENLIL
You realize you left tracks over to
this cave here? You know, where
your dead vessel is...
Enlil gestures toward the cave. The rocks have been moved
from the entrance.
ENLIL (CONT’D)
So, little brother, where did you
go? The brand new vessel answers my
question. Better question. What did
you do?
ENKI
Enlil, please. Will you take a
walk with me. 10 minutes is all I
ask. Bring Ninsabe too. I have
something to tell you both.
Enlil nods. He contacts his wife through a communicator and
asks her to meet them by the human camp.
Enki activates his communicator.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Utu, give me a bit, I have to
deliberate with my brother before
we start. Just hang on.
UTU (O.C.)
Holy shit, we are so busted. I am
denying everything, so you know.
Enlil laughs.
UTU (O.C.) (CONT’D)
He is standing right next to you,
isn’t he?
28.
ENLIL
Yes, Utu, I am.
UTU (O.C.)
So, for the record, this was your
brother’s idea, he may or may not
have forced me to be a part of his
evil plan. The threats he made...
oh my.
ENLIL
Shut up Utu. I know why you two are
doing whatever this is. I
understand completely. Ok. Don’t be
a pussy and sell Enki out like
that.
ENKI
Ya, Utu, that was pretty shitty,
Mr. Rocket Fuel.
ENLIL
Rocket fuel? Ok, I am dying to
know what you two mad scientists
have cooked up here.
Footsteps from behind, Ninsabe joins them.
ENLIL (CONT’D)
As expected, my little brother
devised a plan of some sort. He
only asks we talk a walk and hear
him out. I think he deserves that.
ENKI
Look, I know what we are doing
here, and I know I was being kept
in the dark. I even understand why
my father chose to do this. But I
also know both of you have doubts
and remorse that must be eating you
up inside.
Ninsabe and Enlil look down in shame.
ENKI (CONT’D)
When I was up there just now, I
listened in on a conversation my
father and Hanbi were having. Hanbi
basically had the same solution for
the human problem that I have. He
was all but asking my father to
reconsider.
(MORE)
29.
ENKI (CONT’D)
That means, if we do this, Hanbi
will have our backs, there is no
doubt about it. Any repercussions
will be minimal, Father won’t want
a family feud on his hands.
Rnlil nods.
ENLIL
True, Father would relent. But
before anything, let’s go on your
walk and see what you plan exactly.
All I have heard so far is “Rocket
Fuel.”
Enki leads them into the human camp. Around the fire, the
same old man is etching on his shale rock. Enki, looks to
him.
ENKI
Deer?
OLD MAN
Deer yes, yes.
He smiles and points up.
OLD MAN (CONT’D)
Stars? You from stars?
The old man looks excited and it appears he believes him.
Then another younger man walks over and belly laughs.
MAN
Stars man again. HAHAHAHAH. Funny.
Enki looks to Ninsaba.
ENKI
A spark. But I didn’t ignite it; it
is still in them. Do you know what
Utu told me earlier? He said any
other species would have been long
extinct by now. This species has
survived millennia of absurd cold
through grit alone.
Ninsabe smiles.
ENKI (CONT’D)
I can’t imagine the absolute
despair these people have felt,
watching their entire bloodline
froze away by the cold.
(MORE)
30.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Their entire mythology is about
death. It is about a page long, and
it reads, “We die, and we move on.”
If that were my bedtime story, I
would be depressed. I want to
change that.
Enlil looks intrigued. Ninsaba has tears in her eyes.
ENLIL
How? You said Hanbi had the same
idea. What idea?
ENKI
Ok, hear me out first before
jumping to conclusions and locking
me up, please.
Enlil now looks skeptical but nods.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Utu and I.
Utu is still listening in.
UTU (O.C.)
(through the communicator)
You mean you Enki. You came to me,
remember? I am just a mere pawn in
your game.
NINSABA
Utu, you are such a pussy, my god.
Grow a pair.
UTU (O.C.)
Umm, ok, I will be quiet now.
Enlil and Enki laugh.
ENKI
Ok then. So I devised a plan and
presented it to a reluctant and
most scared Utu. I even threatened
him with banishment if he didn’t
help me.
Enki waits for a response from Utu.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Nothing Utu? Is that what we go
with when this is over?
Enki smiles at Ninsaba and Enlil waiting for his response.
31.
UTU (O.C.)
Yes, that sounds good.
ENLIL
(whispers smiling)
He is such a coward. Unbelievable.
UTU (O.C.)
I heard that.
ENKI
Ok, ok. So Hanbi strongly hinted to
my father that the only way to save
them is to subtly, again I say
subtly...
Then Enki says these next words fast and garbled.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Modify them genetically.
Enlil and Ninsaba sigh and look down.
ENLIL
If we do that, the Benefactors will
archive us forever. And the
Delfians? We will never hear the
end of it; they might even use it
to provoke a coup against Father.
ENKI
I have a plan for the Delfians;
don’t you worry about that. They
won’t say a word. As for the
Benefactors. I overheard Hanbi say
they are not responding to
communications; they haven’t
responded since we were activated.
Strange, huh? We are alone out
here. So it is our call.
NINSABA
You mean Anu’s call and he has
already decided.
ENKI
That is where your wonderful
husband and Anu’s favorite son come
in. Enlil, you will handle that,
won’t you?
32.
ENLIL
I can, yes, if we decide to help
you. What is Utu going to do
exactly to modify humans?
ENKI
Send down Nano to do a complete
overhaul of their sympathetic
nervous system, as he says. What
did you say, Utu? Oh yes, he said
he would make them “fight like
hell” with his special rocket fuel.
They laugh.
UTU (O.C.)
I may or may not have used those
words.
ENLIL
Ok I get it. What else?
ENKI
You are right; that alone won’t do
it. One more modification needs to
be done...
Now Ninsabe seems skeptical.
NINSABA
What modification, Enki?
Again Enki fast and garbled.
ENKI
Their neurochemistry and repair of
the cerebral cortex.
NINSABE
Repair the cerebral cortex. My
god, do you know how risky that is?
You could end up with... I don’t
know super-beings, or you just kill
them all right here and now.
ENKI
Desperate times Ninsaba. It is a
crapshoot as Utu said.
UTU (O.C.)
I may or may not have used those
words.
33.
NINSABA ENLIL
Shut it Utu! Shut up Utu!
UTU (O.C.)
No need to get cross with me.
ENKI
Their cognitive development has
been stunted for at least 10,000
years; this would just get them
where they should be. Right now,
they have the intelligence of a
toddler. 10,000 years ago, these
same people were making beautiful
art and designing tools for
hunting; they were progressing
faster than any species ever has.
Enki is passionate, he believes humans a special.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Then an Ice Age hits that would
wipe out any other species, but
here they are, 10,000 years later,
still alive, still a spark.
He looks Enlil in the eyes.
ENKI (CONT’D)
The Benefactors want an Alpha
species most. I am certain humans
are, just that, if given the
chance.
ENLIL
No team has located an Alpha
species in eons.
Enlil looks to Ninsaba.
ENLIL (CONT’D)
Honey, you are not going to like
this, but Enki is always right. It
is annoying for sure, but if he
says they are an Alpha species,
they are.
NINSABA
And you have determined this after
spending a half hour with them?
ENKI
Yes.
34.
Enlil looks to his wife. His face says he wants to do this,
but not unless she approves.
NINSABA
Enki, you are a sneaky weasel. But
you are the most convincing entity
I have ever known. This is just a
terrible situation we find
ourselves in. And I don’t think
anyone would be too upset if we did
this. Nobody wants to see them all
die, let alone kill them. Our
choices are limited. As the highest-
ranking syndicate here, I order you
to complete Enki’s plan. Let’s save
them. Saving and helping, two
different things, just to be clear
Enki. You win.
END ACT III
35.
ACT IV
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
The Subtle Influence of Utu
INT. ENKI'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
They remain on the catwalk. Jack is sitting now, taking this
all in.
JACK
So without you and Enki, I wouldn’t
be here today would I?
KEMP
Nope. And I would be in hibernation
still waiting for whatever
intelligent species arose. Guessing
it would be an evolved cockroach of
some kind.
JACK
God, that would be fucking
disgusting.
KEMP
It is; we have guided big fuckin
cockroaches before; very
uncomfortable, but a nice species.
Just don’t eat with them. Nasty.
JACK
So this Utu guy is really a green
monster thing up on the ship,
right?
KEMP
Not a monster, but he is big and
green.
JACK
What is he? How does he send down
the rain stuff?
KEMP
Utu is an organic quantum AI. He
has many jobs; his most important
job is running simulations to
determine the best way to reach a
goal. His other function is what we
call “intervention,” and we use
this only when necessary. He can
send down a been of light to a
planet with great precision.
(MORE)
36.
KEMP (CONT’D)
In that light he can deliver lots
of things, like in this case he
sent a nano delivery system to
modify a species genetics, a big no
no. But what he most commonly
sends are what we call
transmissions.
JACK
Transmissions? Like cars? Or like
transmitting?
KEMP
Transmitting. He can send a
message to any human to manipulate
a specific behavior.
JACK
Ohh, like subliminal message stuff.
Creepy. Like he could make us fight
for no reason or make me dance like
an asshole or whatever? Shit, he
could probably make me strike out,
too, huh?
KEMP
Yeah, he could. But he focuses on
things like ending a war or
stopping an apocalypse, that kind
of stuff.
JACK
So like, he could make the
president of Russia walk into their
senate or whatever and say, “Look
bitches, we are ending this war,
and we are not going to nuke
anybody.
KEMP
He could, but that would be too
drastic and raise too many
questions. He uses simulations to
find the most subtle ways. He may
have someone turn left instead of
right when driving to work. Then
they miss a meeting with someone,
which would cause something else to
happen, and so on— it’s like
stopping one domino in the chain so
the whole thing doesn’t topple.
Tricky stuff really.
37.
JACK
Sounds like it. Tell him to make my
manager bat me 4th when I get to
the bigs. Deal?
KEMP
Deal. Batting 4th, is that a good
thing.
Jack sighs.
JACK
I know you play cricket over there,
but here in the greatest country on
Earth, we play baseball, and
batting fourth is good. Yes, it’s
the clean-up spot.
KEMP
Ok. Time to finish.
JACK
Oh, I forgot. Alright, so what
happened next? You saved us all,
right?
KEMP
What happened next was not what any
of us expected, and it would change
our mission forever.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
The Awakening of Creativity
EXT. ACCURSED MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
Enki is showing Ninsaba and Enlil the Beacons.
ENKI
Utu, you there?
UTU (O.C.)
Yes, haven’t moved. I never move.
Enki laughs.
ENKI
Funny. Ok, change of plans. Much
simpler. Each of us will place a
beacon. Wait 5 minutes, then just
rain down your magic dust on all of
them.
UTU (O.C.)
Easy enough.
38.
Ninsaba takes a beacon. And looks to both of them.
NINSABA
If I order this, it will take the
heat off of your father, which will
help with the Delfians. I don’t
know what your plan is with them.
But if you and Enlil say you did
this willingly, I don’t see how
they won’t implicate your father.
ENKI
You are right, and that is most of
my plan; I just wanted to wait
until you brought it up.
Ninsabe looks shocked, then nods her head in an “oh, I get it
now” manner.
Awkward silence. Ninsaba looks to Enlil.
NINSABA
I get it. I always thought he was
frightened of you, his big bad
brother. But it’s the other way
around, isn’t it? You are more
frightened of him, and I see why.
Question Enki, how far ahead do you
think when you plan something like
this?
ENKI
I don’t know, maybe 50,000 years.
Depends.
Now she looks frightened.
NINSABA
And how many people will you have
to manipulate along the way? I
think you are worse than Utu. He
has orders, but you do this alone,
without consequence.
ENKI
I am truly sorry, Ninsaba. I am,
and we will make sure the
punishment is mild. I also have
something that will distract the
Delfians, and they will be focused
on that instead of you, okay? I
wouldn’t just leave my sister-in-
law to rot in an archive module,
okay? I am not evil.
(MORE)
39.
ENKI (CONT’D)
I am practical. It will all go away
after a few days. Then we will do
what we came here to do.
Enlil holds her hand.
ENLIL
You know this is the right thing to
do. And yes, my brother is a scary,
sneaky bastard, but I trust him,
and if he says he will figure it
out, believe me, he will.
NINSABA
I was ready to take whatever
reprimand Anu saw fit; I am not
afraid of that at all because, yes,
this is what is right. I am upset
your brother here knew exactly what
he was doing the whole time. You
haven’t gotten it yet, have you?
Enlil looks confused.
ENLIL
Gotten what?
NINSABA
An hour ago, what happened that
made us go looking for Enki?
Enki looks up with a grin.
ENKI
You did good, brother; she is a
smart one. I am impressed.
ENLIL
I don’t understand.
NINSABA
Of course you don’t, you big oafe.
I love you, sorry. Think what got
our attention to come over to this
exact spot in the camp.
ENLIL
The light you mean.
NINSABA
Yes, the light. Don’t you see? He
flashed the beacon light quickly
over here on purpose.
(MORE)
40.
NINSABA (CONT’D)
He wanted us to come over here and
have this conversation. And he
damn well knew we would follow him,
because he is right. That makes me
so angry.
ENLIL
See, that is what I told you. It
is annoying, but you just have to
trust in him, he has never let me
down.
She looks to Enki.
NINSABA
You knew you would never be able to
activate all three beacons before
Enlil tackled your ass. You knew
the only way this would work is if
you recruited us.
ENKI
Yes.
NINSABA
Ohhh that is so so frustrating. All
I need to know now is, can I trust
you Enki.
Enki looks down for a moment.
ENKI
That is not an easy question to
answer. You can trust me now, for
what we are about to do. But I
can’t honestly say you can trust me
in all things, because you can’t.
Ninsaba smiles.
NINSABA
That was the right answer. Thank
you for your honesty.
Now, silence, the look to one another-- an unsaid agreement
of culpability.
They each walk toward a cluster of humans and find a center.
In unison, they steak their beacon into the icy ground. And
return to where they were to watch the show.
Three huge beams of green light engulf the area around each
beacon. They saturate everyone, bathing them in Utu’s rocket
fuel. The light begins to sparkle and becomes very bright.
41.
Only golden auras around each person can be seen as they
bathe in the particles. After just a few seconds, the light
is gone, and the people look unchanged.
In fact, they go back to what they were doing, very strange.
Enlil looks at Enki, confused. Enki shrugs his shoulders.
ENKI
Ok, not what I was expecting
either. Let’s go see what we have
here.
They make there way toward the human camp.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Utu, so they just went back to what
they were doing as if nothing
happened. Is that normal?
UTU (O.C.)
Shit if I know, never done brain
surgery on a thousand people like
that before. Go check them out.
As they head into camp, the first thing they notice is a
subtle golden glow in the people’s eyes. Next, their faces
are different; they are full of vitality. A MAN approaches
Enki.
ENKI
Hello. How are you feeling?
In an eloquent voice.
MAN
Feeling quite well Enki, thank you.
They are shocked.
MAN (CONT’D)
Are we going to continue this
migration? If so I have some ideas
on some equipment design that might
make the journey much shorter. We
can talk later if you like.
ENKI
That would be great. I will find
you in the morning, it’s getting
late.
42.
MAN
Yes, it is, but I don’t feel like
sleeping.
He smiles and pats Enki on the back.
ENKI
Ok, that was odd.
Enki talks into the communicator.
ENKI (CONT’D)
Utu, ya it worked. No doubt about
it.
UTU (O.C.)
Excellent. See. Ro-cket fuel!!!
They venture further into the camp. Everyone has new energy,
no flat effects, no staring into the void. Mothers show
affection toward their children. It is a most refreshing
sight.
Music... a MAN is banging sticks on rocks in rhythm, and a
WOMAN hums to the beat. Pretty good for rocks and humming.
NINSABA
That is a sound for sore ears. It’s
beautiful, and that alone makes it
worth the risk.
Ninsaba looks relieved and smiles.
The MAN designing equipment is back with something.
MAN
I have one quick question, Enki. I
want to make this part slippery so
it doesn’t get hot and break as it
spins. Do we have anything
slippery?
The man is holding a wood fucking wheel. A fucking wheel,in
30,000 BCE. He just made the thing in his tent. My god. There
is a tree he chopped up by the tent. Ridiculous.
Enki’s jaw drops.
ENKI
You just made that now?... From
wood? Just now? How?
43.
MAN
I used my hatchet.
ENKI
It’s a perfect circle.
MAN
I don’t know; that is the best for
it to work, right?
ENKI
Yes, that is right. We will get you
something to lubricate the axle in
the morning.
MAN
This is the axel?
He points to the center of the wheel. Enki nods.
MAN (CONT’D)
Does lubricate mean the slippery
stuff?
Enki nods in shock. The man smiles and runs back to his
project.
ENLIL
Oh lord, he will have a combustion
engine by morning watch?
They laugh anxiously as if to say, “he really might have an
engine in the morning.”
They continue on. Three children sit playing a game with
rocks. The kids toss the rocks to one another.
Now, they must be bored because they add a second rock and
toss one to the right and one to the left. It looks
challenging. Um... okay, a third rock now, left to right,
then across the middle. They got it, keeping a rhythm to the
tosses. Oh, now a fourth. This will be over soon. Nope, a
fifth rock, a sixth..... 12 fucking rocks now, zooming
through this three-person circle. A complete blur. Their
arms are moving so fast it appears they have three on each
side.
They laugh and laugh like it’s nothing, hucking 12 rocks at
each other, traveling 70 kpm, standing maybe 7 meters apart.
Who knows? They aren’t breaking a sweat, that is for sure.
-- THEN -- the rocks -- STOP -- and hover in the center of
the circle. The children giggle. A GIRL drops her hands,
and the rocks fall to the ground. They run off.
44.
Enlil stares at Enki, eyes open wide wide.
ENLIL (CONT’D)
What... the... fuck did you do
Enki!
END ACT IV
45.
ACT V
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Awakening in Shadows
INT. ENKI’S COMPOUND - NIGHT
Jack bolts up from sitting. He has the same look on his face
Enlil had.
JACK
What the fuck did he do?
ENLIL
He gave an Alpha Species steroids
is what he did.
JACK
Steroids, what are those?
ENLIL
You know, they make you stronger.
Jack cracks up.
JACK
I know what steroids are dude.
Playin. But steroids don’t make
you a superhero.
ENLIL
Well, whatever Utu boiled up, it
gave them other abilities. It
wasn’t just making shit float. Some
could read your thoughts. Some
could move things with their minds.
And some were just geniuses.
Smarter than Enki and Zaz combined.
JACK
But you saved them still, right?
ENLIL
Oh yes of course we did. You
wouldn’t be here if we didn’t. And
oh did they need us. They were like
children at first; dangerous. It
took us two generations to wrangle
them. Those were the kindergarten
years.
JACK
So why can’t I move shit with my
mind, huh?
46.
ENLIL
Whose to say you can’t?
JACK
Uhhh science.
ENLIL
Smartass. Those abilities are still
in your genome. When it all went to
hell, we made sure those wouldn’t
be lost forever. But another story -
-
JACK
For another time. Ya ya ya. So is
that it for tonight? You’re not
gonna tell me the bad shit. The
reason you are all stuck here body
snatching like fiends.
KEMP
Not tonight Jack. Someone else will
tell you that story. Ask Enki; he
will tell it better than me.
Enlil says this with deep sadness.
JACK
Oh, that’s when Ninsaba died huh?
KEMP
Yes.
JACK
Ok, I am sorry Uncle Kemp.
Kemp seemed to like Jack calling him uncle. Kemp pats him on
the back.
KEMP
I like that, Uncle Kemp. Good.
Alright, off to bed, nephew. Get
some rest. Tomorrow you start
training with Grandad Enki, and
it’s not going to be pleasant. Get
some rest.
JACK
One last question. When Ninsaba
asked Enki if she could trust him,
he basically said no. Can I trust
him?
47.
KEMP
Yes, absolutely, with your life.
JACK
Ok, cool.
They head off to their bunks.
BELOW -- 3 levels down -- the door to JOHN’S OFFICE.
INSIDE JOHN’S OFFICE --
John/Enki still asleep at his desk, right where he was at the
end of episode 2. The drug powder is smeared around, and an
empty syringe lies on the desk. Easing back -- The TV -- the
news is still on at low volume. General Lowell is in an
interview. He looks at the screen as if to talk to the
American people. CLOSER on the screen -- Lowell gives a shit-
eating-grin.
END ACT V
48.
TAG
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
The Singularity Experiment
INT. - LAB - UNKNOWN
The Reactor Lab from episode 2. The dreaming engineer is
awake and working on the reactor. General Lowell enters in
uniform and approaches the engineer.
GENERAL LOWELL
DR. MALLORY, how is it coming
along?
DR. MALLORY
Good. The baby singularity is
stable.
The reactor is not powered on, but there is a large black
sphere on a pedestal in the center.
Dr. Mallory goes to a smaller apparatus and gestures for
General Lowell to follow. The pebble hovers about 6 inches
above a vibrating metal plate. A transparent globe about the
size of a basketball surrounds the apparatus. A metal duct,
about a foot long, leads into the globe and ends above a
drawer, presumably used to safely put objects inside.
Dr. Mallory fires the thing up, and the pebble grows
immediately to the size of a golf ball. A blue halo speaks
and ignites at its center is the tiny singularity only a few
centimeters in diameter.
GENERAL LOWELL
So, what applications can we show
off tomorrow? I hope something
shocking. I want people to fear
this thing.
DR. MALLORY
Ok... Let’s start small first.
General Lowell smiles, and Dr. Mallory gets excited. To the
right is a cage full of mice. Dr. Mallory removes one.
DR. MALLORY (CONT’D)
Should we give it a name?
Before... you know...
GENERAL LOWELL
Go ahead, doctor. I could give 2
fucks if it has a name or not.
49.
DR. MALLORY
How about... Hawking?
GENERAL LOWELL
That’s kinda fucked up. But ok.
Sure, why the fuck not.
DR. MALLORY
Ok, Hawking, off you go to explore
the mysteries of the universe.
Dr. Mallory acts a bit eccentric and gives a bit of a
sociopath vibe. On top of that, he just seems like he has no
idea what he is doing. A goofy clueless sociopathic vibe
here. Not good.
Dr. Mallory places the mouse in the small metal drawer and
shuts it -- THEN --
BRRRANNNGHH-- The poor mouse’s nose is pinned to the blue
sphere. It’s frozen.... Frozen in time. No squeak or
anything; it just appeared on the singularity -- It is quite
the sight; the poor little thing is just stuck with its butt
pointed toward the ceiling, arms out, nose on singularity.
Terrible.
-- THEN -- the mouse glows red -- and slowly dims away until
it is no more.
DR. MALLORY (CONT’D)
Cool.. Huh? I wish Einstein could
see this. Relativity in action.
See the mouse reached the event
horizon, a point where gravity is
so strong it distorts space-time.
Time is slowed down for us, the
observers and the little guy seems
just frozen.
GENERAL LOWELL
The mouse is dead, I assume.
DR. MALLORY
Yes, time for the mouse didn’t
change. He was spaghettified
immediately, every atom in his body
ripped apart in an instant.
Dr. Mallory says this with such excitement...
GENERAL LOWELL
So the big one, can we use it
tomorrow for our show?
50.
DR. MALLORY
I’m working on it, but it’s not as
stable. I would prefer to
demonstrate on the small one. We
can bring the big one out for the
show and fire it up so it’s blue,
but initiating the bigger
singularity isn’t safe yet.
GENERAL LOWELL
Well, I sure as shit am not going
to put a fucking mouse in this
thing to show the world. That’s
nothing more than a fingerbang.
(points to little
singularity)
Commies will choke on their borscht
laughing at this. We need to scare,
um. I want the big fucker burning
blue then we throw ahh.. throw
ahhh... a...
(thinking)
fucking Tiger in it.
DR. MALLORY
Killing an endangered species for a
demonstration? I’m in.
GENERAL LOWELL
Just spitballing here. We need to
scare the Russkys, Mallory. We want
them to shit their collective
commie panties. I want the big
fucker working by tomorrow morning.
Dr. Mallory thinks for a moment. Oh my, this guy looks more
and more like an idiot; he has no idea what he is doing; it’s
obvious. He is a child playing with the most dangerous toy in
the entire universe, a black hole.
DR. MALLORY
We could throw a car in it?
GENERAL LOWELL
Oh.... Now we are talking, ok. How
about...
(thinking)
a Russian truck, a Ural? Big
fucking military truck, will it
work?
DR. MALLORY
Ya, it will.
51.
GENERAL LOWELL
Okay, I will work on getting the
truck. You just have to make sure
you don’t kill everybody. Got it?
DR. MALLORY
Yes sir.
Dr. Mallory gives a creepo smile.
General Lowell stops before exiting and turns back to Dr.
Mallory.
GENERAL LOWELL
(points to the big
singularity in the
reactor)
Fat Man.
(points to the baby
singularity)
Little Boy.