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The Other Project

T.O.P. C E
E R S
A Feature Film Script 2007 Steve Kube

! T

Evolution held back, leads to revolution. The Other Project , has been kept above topsecret for over fifty years, and the world has never known such a force.

The Other Project By Steve Kube

A campfire story told to 5 boys in Red Rock Canyon the night of the Northridge Earthquake

Copyright Steve Kube 2014

Steve Kube stevekube@gmail.com 704-651-8078

PRELUDE SFX: DRONE OF B-29 SUPERFORTRESS BOMBER, Sub title: August 6, 1945, 26,000 feet over Hiroshima Japan FADE IN: INT. B-29 SUPERFORTRESS CABIN - DAY COLONEL PAUL TIBBETS, JR., looking out the windows of the Superfortress to the city of Hiroshima below, turns to his co-pilot, pushes a microphone to his throat before speaking to the mission bombardier, MAJOR THOMAS FEREBEE. COLONEL TIBBETS Open bomb-bay doors. Roger. Ferebee flips a switch opening bomb-bay doors. Daylight pours into the belly of the plane illuminating an over sized, odd looking bomb poised above the opening. COLONEL TIBBETS(V.O.) On your mark. Ferebee looks down through sights, then looks at a black and white aerial photo of target area, looks back into the sights, pauses, then presses the bomb release button. EXT. SKY - DAY The bomb drops from the belly of the plane. A rising whistling sound ensues as it falls to the city below. ANGLE ON: NOSE OF B-29 - DAY Move in on the name "ENOLA GAY" painted on the side of the craft as the whistling of the bomb fades into silence and a slow motion blinding white flash dissolves the scene. Thunder rumbles low, dissolving into the radio broadcast sounds of crowds cheering, replete with static common to radio of that time. Sub-Title: "August 14, 1945 V.J. Day" RADIO ANNOUNCER(V.O.) "The Japanese have surrendered! The Japanese have surrendered! World War II is over! 2 MAJOR FEREBEE (V.O.) 1

2.

Happy Pandemonium! The V-J Day ticker-tape parade in New York City, as ticker tape, and confetti is falling into the streets. Hats are thrown in the air, civilians cheering, people kissing almost randomly. INT. PENTAGON CORRIDOR - DAY 3

People make way for GENERAL LESLIE R. GROVES who moves purposefully down a corridor. Groves approaches a conference room and two guards open double doors and we enter the room. Seated at a large table are military and civilians. The atmosphere is tense. Groves approaches the podium and bangs a gavel to bring the meeting to order. GENERAL GROVES (With stern authority) Gentlemen, the Manhattan project unlocked the atom and with it weve put an end to the war. (The group applauds.) We now hold a terrible power. We are obligated to do everything reasonable, and unreasonable, to keep it out of the wrong hands. One reason for this meeting is to inform you of the decision to end The Other Project so we can focus all of our efforts on further development of what the Manhattan Project has given us. Some civilians present begin to voice objections. GENERAL GROVES (CONTD) (Adamantly!) I understand your passion for your work, but The Other Project is cancelled! However, it is still above-top-secret! You will mention your work to no-one! You will be re-assigned or released to your civilian occupations. As far as each of you is concerned, from this moment forward The Other Project never existed! Muted grumbling from the civilians communicates extreme dissatisfaction with the decision.

3. INT. TOP SECRET DESERT FACILITY - DAY 4

Banks of electronics with old-timey dials, toggle switches, meters, and harnesses of wires sitting on massive wooden tables in a large room. A young CARL SONTAGG, walking with a limp, moves alongside one bank of equipment. He picks up a nondescript object, looks at it then distractedly puts it down and moves on. Sontagg reaches to a power switch on an instrument panel, hesitates, then flips the switch to the "ON" position. The switch clicks but nothing happens. There is no power to the equipment. He flips it back off. The door opens and another young man, PETER MARTIN, hefting a backpack, enters. PETER MARTIN (pleasantly) Hey, Carl! I thought Id catch you here. Peter puts his backpack on a workbench and looks to Carl. PETER MARTIN(CONTD) How about that ride up to the foothills? CARL SONTAGG (disappointed) Theyve already taken the generators. (Sontagg clenches a fist.) This project shouldnt have been canceled. The new science should be put to better use than building bombs. PETER MARTIN Yeah, well. The bombs did end the war. Peter looks distractedly away from Carl, not wanting to discuss the cancellation of the project yet again. CARL SONTAGG Do you realize how close we were to cracking this thing? PETER MARTIN Well get there yet, Carl. Itll happen. CARL SONTAGG We cant even discuss the project. They dont want anyone to know it ever existed! (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: PETER MARTIN Well, we both know it existed. In time it will resurface. The work will be done. A low ranking military official enters the room. LOW RANKING FIGURE Were ready to crate this equipment. PETER MARTIN Come on, Carl, lets go. Peter slings his backpack over a shoulder and leaves. EXT. SECRET DESERT BASE - DAY

4.

In the background, work crews load crates of stuff into trucks. Peters backpack has been gone through and he re packs the last item and straps a buckle, then slings it over his shoulder as he turns away from the MPs. Carl limps alongside Peter as they make their way to the car. CARL SONTAGG Its sloppy. Ripping atoms apart to destroy things. It doesnt have to be this way. Just a little more work on field control and we wouldve cracked it. Peter looks away in exasperated avoidance of the subject. He puts his backpack in the backseat, shuts the door and opens the front door to get in before acknowledging Carl. PETER MARTIN We made good progress, Carl. Just a few more pieces of the puzzle and the whole world wouldve been changed in a completely different way. INT. CAR - DAY Carl Sontagg reaches through the open car window and retrieves pass papers from a gate guard and drives away. CARL SONTAGG (Rubbing his bad knee) Whats it like, Peter? Hiking through wilderness for a week at a time? (CONTINUED) 6

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PETER MARTIN Its great. Life is bigger than the problems we come up with. When I get out there I get a new angle on things. CARL SONTAGG Is that how you came up with the reciprocity principle? PETER MARTIN Yeah. That puzzle had me in knots. When I took a hike and forgot about it the solution was just there. I was too focused on the problem to see the answer. I was just gazing into a campfire when it all unfolded. Peter gazes out the window with a far-away look in his eyes, then continues. PETER MARTIN (CONTD) When we finally learn exactly what these energy fields are and how to control them, things really will change. CARL SONTAGG (with passion) When you start teaching, go after those missing pieces. Promise you wont forget. PETER MARTIN I couldnt forget if I tried, Carl. Its in my blood now. But you know its all above top secret. The bomb and the need for secrecy has everyone spooked. CARL SONTAGG (low, with determination) I wont let our work die like this. Im sticking with it no matter what! PETER MARTIN Take it easy, Carl. Let things settle down and the secrecy orders will be lifted. This stuff is too good to keep under wraps. Ten years from now, instead of bumping along (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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PETER MARTIN (contd) this dusty road, we could be hovering over it, and thats just a piece of what the new science will unlock. Trust me, Carl, this stuff is too good to keep secret for very long. CARL SONTAGG (relaxing slightly) I guess youre right. This stuff is too good to keep secret. The dreams are too close to coming true to be stopped. Sontagg visibly relaxes and sighs deeply through a smile. CARL SONTAGG (CONTD) So I drop you off this side of the mountains and two weeks later you walk out the other side? PETER MARTIN Something like that. Yosemite is spectacular. You should come camping with me some time. CARL SONTAGG Ive gotta get to New Mexico and get myself attached to whatever research is still there. Maybe eventually convince them to re-open this project. But I hope well work together again someday. Like you said, its in our blood now. EXT. NEVADA DESERT - DAY Sontaggs car proceeds down a lonely Nevada desert highway toward the mountains in the West. A dust rooster rises in the wake of the old car. The entire scene conveys the feeling of wide open space and indeterminate destiny. EXT. VINEYARD - DAY 8 7

A crop dusting helicopter is spraying crops on hillsides. It has a large plexi-glass canopy ala M.A.S.H copters.

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EXT. INSIDE CROP DUSTER - DAY - MOVING A middle aged BUZZ THOMPSON and his college-aged son, CODY, spraying crops. Buzz spots something, points downward and turns to Cody. BUZZ (gruff) Those leaves are damaged from smog and excess UV sunlight. Watch for that discoloration and make sure they get a good dose of the nutrients. Cody gives a thumbs up and nods. BUZZ(CONTD) (shaking his head) As if air pollution wasnt a big enough problem... If global warming continues, and the ozone layer gets any thinner, well be spraying sunscreen on the crops! EXT. VINEYARD - DAY MOVING The chopper maneuvers smartly and continues spraying. EXT. INSIDE CROP DUSTER - DAY MOVING

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Almond trees roll beneath the chopper as it follows the contour of the land. In the distance the sky is filled with a smoggy haze. A gauge indicates the tank of nutrient solution is running out. EXT. VINEYARD - DAY MOVING The spray of nutrient solution quits. EXT. INSIDE CROP DUSTER - DAY MOVING BUZZ Were empty. You want to take us home? CODY (With boyish enthusiasm) Oh yeah! 13 12

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EXT. VINEYARD - DAY

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Cody flies the chopper into a tight turn, tilts forward and accelerates quickly, rising sharply at a hill. INT. CROP DUSTER - DAY 15

The orchard falls away, sky and clouds fill the scene, the chopper crests its ascent, curls into a graceful turn, points toward a ranch-house and outbuilding nearby and dives towards them. Buzz reacts! BUZZ (Angry) Damn it, Cody you dont have to fly like youre being shot at every time you take the stick. Codys smile, and enthusiasm quickly fades and the chopper settles down and continues to fly towards home. BUZZ (CONTD) This isnt one of your models. You crack this up and were out of business, or dead! Treat machines with respect. Below, two young boys behind the barn are fiddling with some contraption as the chopper overflies and passes it. The helipad approaches as we come in for a landing. EXT. BEHIND THE BARN - DAY 16

DILLAN and RALPH, are working to bring a rattletrap of a go-cart to life. One boy holds a baby food jar as the other fills it with gas from a gas can. The jar is overfilled and gas spills over the boys hands. DILLAN Whoa, Ralph. Thats enough. Sorry. Dillan takes the jar of gas and screws it onto a lid attached to the underside of the carburetor. When the jar of gas is in place, Dillan wipes his hands on his shorts and the boys start to put on the drive-belt. RALPH

(CONTINUED)

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DILLAN (looking around) Wheres that fan-belt? RALPH (looking, then reaching down) Here it is. Dillan puts the belt first on the pulley on the drive shaft of the engine, then groans as he forces it onto the pulley on the axle. RALPH (CONTD) (concerned) No clutch? DILLAN (dismissive) No. No clutch. RALPH (still concerned) No gas pedal either. DILLAN (semi-thoughtful) No. No gas pedal either. But the throttle is held open with this rubber band here. Dillan reaches down and tugs on the throttle, showing how the rubber band is holding it wide open. RALPH (even more concern) Yeah, wide open! DILLAN (dismissive) Yeah. RALPH (insistent with concern) No brakes either. DILLAN (aggravated) Oh come on, Ralph. We dont even know if this thing will go. If the engine starts then we can worry about brakes. Theres no point in trying to stop if it wont go! (CONTINUED)

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Dillan leans down to push the go-cart forward, inviting Ralph to climb on. RALPH Since its your brothers go-cart, why dont you go first? DILLAN Sounds good to me! I was being nice. RALPH Whatever happens, Dillan, dont lean back okay? Dillan looks behind him at the exposed flywheel and stiffens up, pulling himself forward a little. He grabs the steering wheel which is attached to an unsupported shaft, and he poises himself for start-up. EXT. HELIPAD - DAY Buzz and Cody are tieing down the helicopter, Buzz still chastising Cody for his irresponsible ways. BUZZ Respect machines. Dont abuse them. CODY I know Dad, but you dont have to be so serious all the time. BUZZ When lives are at stake you better be serious! Buzz finishes his tie down and walks away. Cody walks towards the barn and sees Ralph starting to push the go cart and realizes whats about to happen. He pulls off his sunglasses and starts moving quickly toward them. EXT. RANCH - DAY 18 17

Ralph strains pushing the go-cart with Dillan on it. The engine turns over several times before it starts up. The un-muffled engine roars to life, sending Dillan racing away just before Cody reaches the scene. Cody grabs a nearby bicycle and chases his little brother who is on a very dangerous machine that Cody built many years before. Dillan is seated on a flat sheet of metal with no back support, no seat belt. The driveway is partially paved, with potholes (CONTINUED)

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and gravel fills. When he hits gravel the cart vibrates horribly. He veers off the driveway to dodge potholes, and has to dodge shrubs and trees and Cody chases after. Reaching the end of the driveway, Dillan slides into a U-turn, flings stones across the street and raises a dust cloud. He heads back up the driveway and Cody veers out of the way to avoid a head-on collision, then turns and resumes the chase. Dillans shirt-tails, flapping in the breeze, get caught in the exposed flywheel which rips the shirt, tearing it neatly across at breast level, and proceeds to slap him in the back with the rags. Dillan REACTS! hollering exaggerated shock. Dillan hits a couple smaller potholes which loosen the baby-food jar gas tank. The baby-food jar is now vibrating and turning slightly loose. Dillan gets back on smooth pavement and the cart accelerates rapidly, the sound of the engine screams a louder, higher pitched whine. Dillan turns right at a turn off to the main house, again flinging gravel. In an experimental garden to one side of the driveway are scarecrows made from mannequins. The expression on the mannequins face is "Scared!". (Edward Munch, "The Scream" is one expression. Another is throwing up its hands!) Approaching the main house Dillan again does a U-turn which causes the go-cart to rise up on two wheels and threaten to overturn. Dillan puts his foot out to prevent the roll-over, the cart slams back to the ground, and Dillan goes back the way he came. Again Cody veers and misses a collision. Dillan speeds up too fast to make the turn at the end of the drive and jumps a bump at the side of the driveway sending the cart into the air. It lands with a rattley-whump, the baby-food jar gas tank falls off and the engine quits just as the go-cart rams a mannequin scarecrow which then falls on Dillan then to the ground, and Dillan slumps over the floppy steering wheel, totally spent. Cody races up, drops the bike and runs to Dillan. CODY Dillan! Are you okay? Dillan lifts his head and smiles broad and ecstatic in his adrenaline soaked exhaustion. DILLAN Gaaah! That was so much fun! CODY Whats the matter with you? You couldve gotten killed on that thing! It couldve torn you to pieces! You should treat machines with more respect! (CONTINUED)

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DILLAN What are you gettin so worked up about, Cody? You built it and rode it just like it is.... Mostly... Cody puts the scarecrow back upright. CODY That was a long time ago. Besides, if I thought anyone else was stupid enough to ride this I wouldve gotten rid of it. SFX: Rumble of Jets getting louder in approach and passing thunderously fast and low overhead. A formation of three military jets streak very low overhead, quickly disappearing in the distance. Cody and Dillan whip around and watch them with rapt attention. DILLAN Cool! What kind of jets were those, Cody? CODY Awesome jets... Id love to fly one of those babies some day. Ralph jogs up filled with excitement and joins them. RALPH Oh man that was cool! Its my turn next! CODY There arent any more turns! RALPH Oh man! Thats not fair. DILLAN Come on, Cody! CODY Im serious. This things too dangerous. DILLAN Oh man, this thing is way cool. RALPH Oh man, I didnt even get a turn. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CODY Look, if you guys promise to leave this thing alone, you can fly my R/C planes. DILLAN Oh man, this thing is way cool. RALPH Maybe it is too dangerous. Look what it did to your shirt.

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Dillan looks at the remains of his shirt wrapped around the flywheel and slumps, recognizing finally that the cart is in fact too dangerous. RALPH(CONTD) Lets do it, Dillan. Codys R/C airplanes are way cool! DILLAN (begrudgingly) All right. CODY Dad would kill me if you got hurt on this rattletrap. Cody pulls the fan-belt off the axle pulley, lifts the front end and begins pulling the cart. Ralph walks the bike beside Dillan and they head towards the barn. As they proceed we see several scarecrow mannequins in the experimental gardens, each with exaggerated expressions and poses. RALPH (renewed excitement) Did you guys see those jets? They were way cool! I bet they were heading to that secret base in the desert. DILLAN Gaaah! They were awesome! Hey Cody, Jimmy up the street says they have top secret aircraft at that military base in the desert. Is that true? CODY (distracted) I guess if I had secret aircraft, that would be a good place to keep em. (CONTINUED)

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RALPH If Jimmy knows about a top secret base in the desert it cant be very top secret. EXT. DESERT - DUSK 19

The formation of three jets approach in the sky over the Nevada desert. The sun is below and behind the mountain ridge to the west. The jets pass low overhead and proceed to a secret military base beyond a perimeter fence with a sign reading "U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING, USE OF DEADLY FORCE AUTHORIZED". EXT. AREA 51 - TWILIGHT 20

The jets parked on tarmac, canopies raised, refuelling truck on the scene. Walking tall, the pilots head toward a ground vehicle to take them to the base. Doors on a hangar begin to open and the pilots slow their pace then stop to watch. A black disc shaped craft emerges. The peculiar craft hovers, tilts slightly, then takes off in a fast, silent, steep climb eastward. Without slowing, the craft changes direction by ninety degrees, still climbing, still accelerating, still silent. The pilots stand motionless and watch in awe as the craft disappears into the darkening sky. Suddenly they dont appear to be the Top Guns they were a moment before. Their shoulders appear a bit rounded, they seem a bit obsolete. INT. AREA 51 - FURTHER TWILIGHT Another black disc shaped craft hovers over a test bed. A harness of wires is attached to the craft. A console of equipment, computers, and monitors manned by a row of technicians in white coats, is over to one side. A technician goes from monitor to monitor taking notes. Carl Sontagg and Rykoff watch from behind. DR. SONTAGG General, the anomaly that caused the crash is directly attributable to the on board particle-beam weaponry. The laser beams dont disrupt the energy fields enough to cause the problem but, particle beams do! RYKOFF So what are the options, Professor? (CONTINUED) 21

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DR. SONTAGG Leave the beam weapons off! RYKOFF You arent giving up, are you, Carl? DR. SONTAGG Its clear to me the particle beams arent necessary for the world to benefit from this technology. RYKOFF Professor. Its clear to me this technology is too significant to simply release it to the world. The Professor glares angrily at the General. RYKOFF(CONTD) I for one do not intend to start another arms race. Besides, do you fully understand the economic upheaval releasing this technology would cause? DR. SONTAGG This planet is in trouble! Global warming threatens all of us. The world needs this technology! RYKOFF We are not having this conversation. Rykoff turns from Sontagg and walks through a door heading deeper into the underground hangar. DR. SONTAGG It doesnt have to be this way. SFX: Quiet night sounds in the country are broken by the sound of squeaky hinges and a screen door banging shut. EXT. RANCH HOUSE - NIGHT Stars fill the night sky over the Thompson home. A gentle breeze blows a decorative illuminated windsock hanging off the side of the barn, silhouetting Cody moving. A light comes on in the barn and Cody enters through a side door. SFX: Telephone rings. 22

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INT. RANCH HOUSE - NIGHT SFX: Evening news on television in background. Reporter discussing recent effects of yet another oil tanker spill. Telephone rings again.

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Buzz Thompson enters the kitchen and answers the phone as it begins to ring yet again. INSERT: A framed photo of Buzz as a young M.A.S.H. pilot, with his co-pilot in Vietnam hanging on the wall. Also on the wall, a framed newspaper article "Thompson Team Spraying Micro nutrients For Bigger & Better Yields" Subtitled: "Depleted Soils Lack Trace Minerals Necessary for Healthy Plants". BUZZ Hello? Hi Mr. Beringer. Yes, the foliar feed fights the effects of smog, among other things. (pause) Thats right, no petrochemicals. Yes, we replace depleted trace minerals too. Healthier plants fight disease better. (pause) I can have an estimate for you by tomorrow. Ill call you in the afternoon. Buzz hangs up the phone and heads out the back door. EXT. BARN - NIGHT Buzz walking to the barn doesnt notice the beauty of the night-sky. The illuminated windsock dances in the gentle breeze. INT. BARN - NIGHT 25 24

Buzz enters the open side door. INSERT: Well lit workbenches with projects in various stages of completion. Hanging from the rafters and pegboards are R/C airplanes and helicopters. Some of the models are badly smashed. More mannequins are off in a corner. Music playing softly through big outdoor megaphone style speakers hanging on a structural post. Shelves hold boxes of interesting stuff; A case of flares, gallon cans of automotive paint. A wide assortment of tools here and there. On another side are fertilizers and tanks. A lot of fairly organized stuff. Cody is sitting in the open side door of a highly modified VW camping bus. (license plate:FREEDOM) Cody is holding a high tech lithium ion battery in his hand, getting ready to install it alongside a bank of them in the bus. The bus (CONTINUED)

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looks rough, with patches of bondo and primer coat on it, but mechanically its better than new. BUZZ (trying to make nice) When are you going to paint it? CODY (not yet ready to be friends) When I get the final design locked down. I may have to do more welds. BUZZ Uh-huh... What time are you heading back to school in the morning? Cody pushes the battery in place and shuts the access panel and moves to the engine compartment. Inside the engine compartment everything is altered. It is now a very high mileage electric-hybrid-plug-in vehicle. Theres an electric motor in it instead of a gas engine. CODY Around seven. I have plenty time to get there. My first class isnt until ten. BUZZ You better head out early in case the generator gives you more trouble. CODY I allowed for that! Why do you always have to tell me what to do? Father and son are in a standoff. Neither one knowing what to say or do next. Codys father looks away before continuing. BUZZ Its part of being a dad. Its what we do. Hard to stop. Buzzs explanation seems to resolve the matter for the moment and they both relax a little. BUZZ (CONTD) Howre your classes coming along? CODY Okay, except for math. Im not much of a number-cruncher. (CONTINUED)

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BUZZ Dont be afraid to ask for help when you need it. See if you can find a tutor. CODY I guess I should. BUZZ While youre at school take time to get out some. Have a little adventure. CODY I dont exactly live in a closet here. BUZZ (grinning and looking around) No, I guess not. CODY Yeah-well, whatd ya think? 100+ Miles per gallon on a hybrid plug-in camper sound like a good thesis paper? BUZZ Youll do alright. Id rather instead of on it. Let read about CODY just show off the bus writing a stupid paper em see it instead of it.

BUZZ Get the systems locked down and paint it. Youll do fine. INT. AREA 51 - NIGHT 26

Testing is over, the hangar is quiet. Sontagg enters the now dimly lit cavernous space, goes to the test bed console, and inserts a thumb drive into the computer. INSERT: CLOCK ON COMPUTER SCREEN READS 8:17 P.M. Sontagg drags files to the drive. While the computer is copying the files he crosses the hangar to a parts cabinet, unlocks it, opens a strong box inside and withdraws a component,(roughly the size of a tomato paste can). He slips (CONTINUED)

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it in his coat pocket and reaches into the box for two more. He then removes a circuit board about 4" X 6" and slips that in his other pocket. He locks the strong box, closes the parts cabinet and returns to the test platform. He takes the thumb drive out of the computer and slips it into another pocket. He inserts another thumb drive and starts to copy more files when Rykoff enters from a side door and hails him. RYKOFF Doctor Sontagg. Burning the midnight oil again tonight? DR. SONTAGG (Startled, almost found out.) Huh? Oh, no, not tonight. I was just leaving. I saw the monitor on and was just turning it off before I leave. Sontagg quickly grabs the thumb drive even though its not finished being loaded with the data and turns the monitor off, Rykoff approaches Sontagg and they walk together towards the exit. RYKOFF Carl, your work needs to be introduced to the world properly, in the right way, at the right time. After all, field control is quite a step forward. We dont want to start any revolutions do we? DR. SONTAGG (uncomfortable) No, no. No revolutions. Field control is a big thing, isnt it, General. Extremely. They leave through a side door and approach a black helicopter with its rotor turning at idle. The chopper is surprisingly quiet. Rykoff stops just outside the diameter of the rotor and looks at the craft. Rykoff then looks at Sontagg with concern. RYKOFF (CONTD) Carl, we had a long day today. Why dont you sleep in tomorrow? Take the day off. (CONTINUED) RYKOFF

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DR. SONTAGG Maybe I should. Let me see how I feel in the morning. RYKOFF Carl, just take the day off and get some rest. I insist. Its an order. DR. SONTAGG (distracted and confused) Yes, yes. Okay, I could use a day off. RYKOFF There you go. Youll feel better. Go on now, your taxi is waiting. Rykoff sends Sontagg towards the waiting helicopter. EXT. REMOTE AIRPORT PARKING LOT - NIGHT 27

Sontagg walking towards his car pulls keys from his pocket. Behind him the black helicopter lifts off and disappears into the night. Sontagg gets in his car, pulls the stolen devices out of his pockets and puts them on the seat beside him. He leaves his hand on them a moment then mutters: DR. SONTAGG Now what are you going to do, Sontagg? Sontagg sighs heavily and starts his car. ECU: DIGITAL CLOCK IN CAR, FAST FORWARD TO 11:17 SFX: An 18 wheeler passes in the opposite direction. Sontagg looks tired and worn. He rubs his forehead. DR. SONTAGG Damn you, Rykoff! Why did you have to walk in just then? Sontagg sighs again as he approaches a roadside cafe. He slows his car and pulls into the parking lot.

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INT. ROADSIDE CAFE - NIGHT

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One armed bandits near the front door and a large television hangs on one wall. An old woman shoves a coin into a slot machine and pulls the handle. Sontagg seats himself as a waitress brings him a menu. On the table with the condiments are Keno slips ready for play. DR. SONTAGG (declining the menu) Thats okay. I just want coffee. WAITRESS (putting a menu on the table) Let me just leave it here in case you change your mind. Sontagg nods and rubs his eyes. The old woman at the slot machine shoves in another coin and pulls on the handle. On television is a repeat of "The Cutting Edge". CLOSE ON: TELEVISION A commercial ends and the show returns. The reporter STEVE SYKES fills the screen. STEVE SYKES The Cutting Edge explores how the future may unfold. Today were at the University of California at Berkeley where Professor Paul Martin is researching what could revolutionize transportation. Sykes holds up a demo of two doughnut shaped magnets with a pencil through the center holes of each. One magnet floats above the other. STEVE SYKES(CONTD) We all know how similar poles of magnets repel one another. The magnet on top floats above the other because of this force. Mag-Lev trains use this principle and travel at very high speeds, floating over the track. INSERT: FOOTAGE OF THE MAG-LEV TRAIN ON THE T.V. STEVE SYKES (CONTD) Without that special track the train would fall away from the magnetic field beneath it, just (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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STEVE SYKES (CONTD) (contd) like when I pull this pencil out from the center of these two doughnut shaped magnets. Sykes pulls the pencil through the bottom magnet and the magnet on top falls away. The waitress serves coffee and blocks Sontaggs view of the television. He tries to see around her. WAITRESS Oh, I didnt mean to block your view. DR. SONTAGG Thats all right. I dont see much television. Is this a popular show? WAITRESS Yes. My son watches whenever its on. But hes a nerd. Can I get you anything else? DR. SONTAGG No. Coffees fine thanks. Sontagg turns his attention back to the television. CLOSE ON: TELEVISION STEVE SYKES Professor Martin and his students are working on a way to control magnetic fields so a truck, or car, could float above a special road. Professor, why dont you tell us about it. PROFESSOR MARTIN Well, the research could lead to automated roadways. For example if you had a car equipped with this technology you could drive on this special road and turn control of the car over to the computer systems. When you got as far as you wanted to go on that road you would get off and go back to driving the way you do now. Advantages include very safe high speed driving and much better fuel efficiency. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

23.

STEVE SYKES Gives a new meaning to the term cruise control, doesnt it? Sure does. STEVE SYKES (To the TV camera) The student project here is a mock-up of what might propel our cars one day. Sykes turns to a table with a crude set-up. PROFESSOR MARTIN The mock-up is to investigate the principles. These large discs arranged like petals of a flower (motioning to six objects the size of small spare tires arranged in a circle), each create a powerful electromagnetic field that we can control, somewhat... The Professor picks up what looks like a basketball. PROFESSOR MARTIN (CONTD) In this ball is a magnet and the goal is to balance this magnet over the test bed. With better computers we are getting closer to being able to do it. So far we can only balance for short periods. Professor Martin turns to CHERYL GAINER. PROFESSOR MARTIN (CONTD) Cheryl? Would you like to demonstrate? CHERYL Absolutely! Cheryl opens a laptop computer on the table and a digital version of the test bed with pods comes up onscreen. She moves the cursor to an "activate" option and selects it. CHERYL (CONTD) Okay, Professor. PROFESSOR MARTIN

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

24.

PROFESSOR MARTIN Right then. Professor Martin lifts the prop over the array of field control pods and lets go of it. The prop floats two feet over the "flower". It begins to wobble slightly then wobbles more and more and the computer beeps faster and faster. Shortly the prop flips off to one side and falls to the floor. Martin reaches for it but it bounces beyond him and rolls away. PROFESSOR MARTIN (CONTD) Oops! Well, it is a work in progress but it shows great promise. STEVE SYKES That was wonderful Professor! We all wish you best of luck in your work and look forward to the day when we can get in our cars and put them on automatic. Sit tight and well be right back to tell you whats up next on The Cutting Edge. ON TELEVISION: TV NEWS REPORTER Coming up at the top of the hour on ZNN news; Severe droughts and dramatic flooding conditions around the world are all tied to global warming. (scenes of drought and flooding side by side.) INT. CAFE - NIGHT 29

Sontagg writes on his napkin, "Paul Martin, U.C. Berkeley". The waitress returns with the coffee pot and Sontagg looks up at her and asks; DR. SONTAGG How do I get to Berkeley from here? WAITRESS Berkeley, California? Thats over by San Francisco isnt it? DR. SONTAGG Yes. Thats right.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: WAITRESS Hang on a sec. Ill ask one of those truck drivers. But I hope youre going to get a room for the night. You look worn out if you dont mind me saying so. Sontagg nods while pouring cream into his coffee. EXT. U.C.B. - DAY

25.

30

The bus is running erratically, surging forward with fits and starts as Cody drives into the parking lot and pulls into an empty space. He taps at a gauge on the custom instrument panel then taps again and shuts it off. INT. U.C.B. - DAY 31

The hallways are jammed with students bustling to and from classes. Cody passes a bulletin board, stops and turns back to look at it more closely. CHERYL GAINER standing on the other side of the hallway talking to another student notices Cody and watches him. CLOSE ON BULLETIN BOARD: Various notices, items for sale, vehicles, books, computers, rooms, room-mates wanted, etc. Various tutors available. CLOSE ON NOTICE OF MATH TUTOR AVAILABLE: Math Tutoring available, all levels, various hours. (This on an 8-1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. The bottom edge of the notice is cut into strips with a phone number on each strip.) Cheryl notices Cody looking intently at her notice and watches as Cody tugs at one of the tabs but inadvertently pulls the whole notice off the bulletin board. He stuffs it in his pocket and starts to walk away. Cheryl REACTS! CHERYL (loud!) Hey! Cody doesnt hear her and continues to walk away. Cheryl plunges into the current of young bodies and makes her way quickly to grab Cody by the arm and spin him around. Wha.. Huh? CHERYL Who do you think you are? You cant take my notice off the bulletin board like that! You jerk! (CONTINUED) CODY

CONTINUED:

26.

CODY (innocent) Oh. Is this yours? Cody pulls the crumpled notice from his pocket and holds it up for inspection and Cheryl grabs it from him. CHERYL Yes, it is. You see these little tabs here? Thats so you can take one! ONE! Youre not supposed to take the whole thing, you bird brain! CODY Sorry, I didnt mean, ah, um, uh, but I need some tutoring. CHERYL You need manners! If I didnt need the money Id tell you to take a flying leap! Cheryl returns to the bulletin board and Cody follows. She starts to put the badly crumpled notice back up and gives up on it. The thing is ruined. CHERYL (CONTD) This sucks! CODY Hey, I said I was sorry. You want me to make another one for you? CHERYL No. Ill do it myself. CODY When can you start tutoring? CHERYL (looking hard at Cody) Meet me at the physics workshop at three thirty. And dont be late! Cheryl turns and walks away in a huff. CODY Ill be there. Cheryl turns back to add:

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CHERYL Bring cash! And be ready to learn something! EXT. U.C.B. - DAY

27.

32

Sun Dial time lapse to three thirty-ish. Sontagg drives into the parking lot, stops and gets out of his car, stretching and looking around. INT. U.C.B. PHYSICS SHOP - DAY Cody enters against a stream of students leaving. ANGLE ON: The mock-up, Cheryl closing her laptop computer and unplugging it from the setup. Professor Martin picks up a pile papers. Cheryl looks up and sees Cody. She turns to Professor Martin to speak. CHERYL If you dont need me Ive got a student to tutor. Professor Martin, looking through the papers mutters; PROFESSOR MARTIN No, go ahead. I need to scare up some research funding. P.O.V. OVER CODYS SHOULDER Cheryl, laptop computer under her arm, heads toward Cody with a terse, business-like demeanor. Cody stops, smiles sheepishly and looks down at the floor a moment. Cheryl comes closer, stops and looking past his shoulder asks: CHERYL Can I help you? Sontagg is behind Cody. Cody begins to speak. CODY Well, yeah, about that tutoring.. Not you. She turns back toward Sontagg. Cody somewhat confused, looks behind him, sees Sontagg and steps aside. (CONTINUED) CHERYL 33

CONTINUED:

28.

DR. SONTAGG Is a Professor Paul Martin here? CHERYL Thats him right there. Thank you. Sontagg moves toward Paul Martin still at his desk scanning papers. Cheryls watches him and as Sontagg passes the mock-up he stops to admire it. Cheryl steps up beside him and Cody drifts along with her. DR. SONTAGG (CONTD) I believe I saw this on television. CHERYL Oh, you saw that did you? If anything the device is over-engineered. Its very solidly made, heavy bolts and heavy wires. Kinda crude. DR. SONTAGG It appears to be very solid. CHERYL Yes, but its surprisingly efficient. it doesnt take much energy to operate. Professor Martin, sensing a potential benefactor, approaches and introduces himself, extending his hand to Sontagg. Cody remains an outsider. PROFESSOR MARTIN Hello. Im Professor Martin. DR. SONTAGG Im very pleased to meet you, Professor. I saw a demonstration of your device on television. It was very exciting. Perhaps I may be able to contribute to your work. PROFESSOR MARTIN Oh? Would you like a demonstration? Martin is hoping this is a potential benefactor! PROFESSOR MARTIN (CONTD) Cheryl has been working out the computer controls. Of course (MORE) (CONTINUED) DR. SONTAGG

CONTINUED:

29.

PROFESSOR MARTIN (CONTD) (contd) adequate research funding is always a challenge. CODY (quetly to Cheryl) Hey, about that tutoring... CHERYL (quietly to Cody:) Pay attention. You might accidentally learn something. (then to Professor Martin.) Id be happy to give a demonstration. Cheryl opens her laptop computer, and plugs in a cable leading to the mock-up. She puts on an air of importance in order to impress the barbarian at the gate (Cody). PROFESSOR MARTIN Some students tried an analog control. Its that joystick there but no one could keep the ball up so to speak. Beside Cheryls laptop is a joystick, or collective from a helicopter simulation system mounted on the table. The wires from the collective merge with the harness of wires coming from Cheryls computer and lead to the device. CHERYL Okay, Professor. Im all set here. Okay then. Cheryl flips a switch and Professor Martin positions the object over the device, lets go of it and it floats. The same thing happens as on television; it starts to wobble. CLOSE ON THE LAPTOP SCREEN: Activity on the display picks up as the computer tries to compensate and correct for the wobble. A beeping noise speeds up and rises in tone. The object wobbles faster and faster. The beeping noise reaches a fevered crescendo and the object is tossed off the device. Paul Martin and Sontagg turn to retrieve it. Cody moves closer to Cheryl and looks over her shoulder. DR. SONTAGG Ahh, a wonderful demonstration. (CONTINUED) PROFESSOR MARTIN

CONTINUED:

30.

Paul Martin returns with the object and sets it down in a cradle on the table beside the device. PROFESSOR MARTIN Im glad you liked it. What kind of work do you do? DR. SONTAGG Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself properly. My name is Dr. Carl Sontagg. I too have been researching the phenomenon we call the field. Paul Martin furrows his brow trying to bring forth a distant memory. He scrutinizes Sontagg a little closer. Cheryl turns her back to Cody and moves to the opposite side of the table to listen closer as the two men quietly get acquainted. Cody picks up the object that had just been floating, hefts it and looks it over. Cody holds the object over the petal device with one hand and grabs the joystick with his other hand. He lets go of the object and it floats. Cody casually, and effortlessly, keeps the ball levitating. Professor Martin sees him first and stares in amazement at what Cody is able to do. Sontagg then turns and watches as well. Cheryl whips around to see Cody effortlessly floating the ball over the device for much longer than her computer program was able to. Its obviously no trouble at all for Cody to do this. CHERYL Oh, my gosh! Cody is suddenly aware that he is being watched and maneuvers the object so it is tossed from over the device towards him and he catches it deftly, and quickly puts it back into its cradle. CODY Sorry. I didnt think youd mind. PROFESSOR MARTIN No, no. Not at all. We didnt think anyone could do that. CODY Its not as tricky as flying a helicopter. No wind in here and.. DR. SONTAGG You fly helicopters? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

31.

CODY Every chance I get. Maybe we can do this again sometime but I need to figure out whats wrong with my project bus. The generator was acting up again when I drove in this morning. Cody starts to leave the room, and Cheryl looks at the device then at Cody and then at the device again. PROFESSOR MARTIN Dr. Sontagg? You mentioned a possible contribution. We can step into my office if youd like to discuss it. DR. SONTAGG (watching Cody leave) Yes, lets. The two men turn to leave. Cheryl is alone looking at her computer, then at the door where Cody just left. EXT. U.C.B. - LATE AFTERNOON 34

Cody, at the back of his bus stands up from the engine compartment, wipes his hands on a red grease rag, climbs in and starts the small generator with some difficulty. Its running rough, then stalls. Cheryl approaches on the sidewalk. She sees Cody, stops and glances at the laptop computer at her side then approaches him as he reaches into the engine compartment. CHERYL So, whered you learn to fly helicopters? CODY Oh, hi. My dad taught me. He has a crop dusting business. Cody continues to fiddle in the engine compartment. CHERYL Crop dusting huh? Whats your mom think about you playing with toxic chemicals?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CODY Mom passed seven years ago and we spray foliar nutrients with trace minerals that have been depleted from the soil. CHERYL (chagrined yet again) Oh.

32.

Cody goes to the front of the bus and gets in. Cheryl walks to the open side door. Cody presses a button to start the generator which now runs smooth as silk. He shakes his head and holds his palms up not knowing what was wrong or how it was fixed, then he turns it off. A few well dressed students are getting in an expensive, gas guzzling, SUV one parking spot over from the bus and one of them comments snidely to Cody; AFFLUENT STUDENT Does that thing run as bad as it looks? Cody bristles and the other affluent students laugh. CODY Think your guzzler can outrun me? AFFLUENT STUDENT You gotta be kidding. CODY Say when and where. The affluent students arent believing this challenge. CODY (CONTD) Smatter? Afraid of losing? AFFLUENT STUDENT Right here, right now, to the end of the parking lot. The student starts his engine and guns it. Exhaust fumes pour out the tail-pipe, the body of the SUV vibrates with the torque of the oversized engine. In stark contrast the VW bus is totally silent, totally still. Cheryl stands on the sidewalk with a very puzzled look on her face. 2ND AFFLUENT STUDENT (from front passenger window) Come on dude, start your engine. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

33.

CODY Im ready when you are. The 2nd student waves his arm down to signal the start of the race. Both vehicles surge forward with squealing tires and smoke. The VW bus zooms ahead and handily wins the race. The SUV catches up at the end of the parking lot and pulls up beside Cody, the passenger window down. AFFLUENT STUDENT How the hell did you do that? CODY (A LITTLE SMUG) Its electric. AFFLUENT STUDENT You cheated. You shoulda told us it was electric. He turns to his passengers and says. AFFLUENT STUDENT (CONTD) Lets get outta here. The SUV burns rubber and blows more fumes as they leave. Cheryl approaches the bus again, eyes wide. CHERYL Howd you beat them? Cody climbs out the side door where Cheryl is, wiping his hands in the red rag and says: CODY The low end torque of electric motors usually beats gas engines in drag races. Really? CODY Yeah, check YouTube if you want. Cheryl looks on with a hint of admiration as Cody tosses the rag inside and shuts the side door. CHERYL Uh, about that tutoring... When do you want to start? CHERYL

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

34.

CODY How about now? CHERYL I can be spontaneous if I think about it. Professor Martin rushes up to them. PROFESSOR MARTIN Cheryl, Cody, come back in! Both of you! Something came up! Come, come. Cody and Cheryl look at one another, then hurry to follow Professor Martin back to the lab. INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT Professor Martin, then Cody and Cheryl come into the shop where Sontagg is modifying the demo unit. PROFESSOR MARTIN (excited) I thought Dr. Sontagg wanted to help fund our research, but hes done much more. Let me explain... (waving hands in the air) Everything is in motion, if it exists it has mass and momentum. Its energy, and has a dynamic field that interacts with everything else that exists... Bottom line is we dont need a magnetic field! With proper field generation and manipulation of the resulting dynamic vectors... Well, in a nutshell we get anti-gravity. CHERYL Anti-gravity? PROFESSOR MARTIN Yes! Create an energy field like gravity, but with an opposite vector! CHERYL Frequencies like that are impossible to generate, much less control! And the vectors! 35

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

35.

PROFESSOR MARTIN Thats what I said, but Dr. Sontagg has made some advances. Hes adding components he brought with him to our field control circuit. The three stolen Sontagg valves, now mounted on the stolen circuit board, is wired into the circuitry of the mock-up. Sontagg stands up and turns to them. DR. SONTAGG Your drivers are different, but they should work. Now, instead of floating a magnet above the mock-up we can turn the mock-up over and float it over the floor, or more accurately, over the Earth. If you would... Sontagg motions with a hand and Professor Martin and Cody grab the demo unit and turn it upside down on the floor. A wire harness runs to modified circuitry still on the table where Cheryl is opening her laptop again. DR. SONTAGG (CONTD) To keep it from getting out of hand Ive limited the output levels. Okay, were ready to test. Martin flips the switch and Cheryl taps at the keyboard, pauses for a second, taps another key and the device begins to float. It rises a foot in the air, hovers, wobbles, then begins to go out of control. It scoots away from her and the cables get unplugged and the device falls to the floor with a clatter. Peter and Cody quickly drag it back and reconnect the cable. PROFESSOR MARTIN Cody, would you try this time? Cody takes the joystick and the device floats again, this time more steadily, and continuously. CODY This is amazing! It actually works! PROFESSOR MARTIN You should get a patent right away! DR. SONTAGG NO! No patents, no secrets, no hidden agendas. Its too important for that. It is my intention to (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DR. SONTAGG (contd) openly share this development with all of mankind just as soon as I can arrange a suitable demonstration. If you have objections say so now and I will find another venue. PROFESSOR MARTIN Oh, uh, no... its just that I... CHERYL I think we are all in accord with your intentions Dr. Sontagg. CODY This is great! What if we used something heavier? You know, put something on top of it? DR. SONTAGG Once an object is within the generated field, increased weight is of little consequence. CHERYL You mean we could get on top of it and it would still hover? DR. SONTAGG Yes, yes, of course. Go ahead, the both of you. Get on top of it.

36.

Cheryl and Professor Martin sit on the device as Cody hovers the machine just as before. DR. SONTAGG(CONTD) Ten times your combined weight would have negligible effect. Cody lowers the demo to the floor, the riders stand up. CODY How soon do you want to show it off? DR. SONTAGG I would do it yesterday, if I could. CODY I cant do that but I have an idea for a demo that might be pretty good. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

37.

They all turn to Cody and wait for him to continue. CODY(CONTD) We stick this thing under my project bus and levitate that! Its hybrid electric so we can plug into the onboard power. Theres plenty room underneath for these pods, and we can even get inside during the demo. Itd give people a good idea of what this can be used for. DR. SONTAGG That sounds like a good idea. Would it be possible to get it on that television program so everyone can see it? PROFESSOR MARTIN I can call Steve Sykes. Hes always looking for something exciting, and this is certainly exciting! DR. SONTAGG How soon can we be ready to give this demonstration? They look at one another for an answer then turn to Cody. CODY With the right tools and everyone helping, Im guessing a few hours. Why the rush? DR. SONTAGG There comes a time when things have to be pushed through without further delay. I promise you, this is one of those times. EXT. U.C.B. SHOP - DUSK Cody and Cheryl approach the bus. Cody gets in but Cheryl stops after opening the passenger door and notices for the first time just how low the bus is to to ground. CHERYL You said there was plenty of room under this thing! You couldnt drive this over a speed bump! 36

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

38.

Cody flips a switch and suspension hydraulics raise the micro bus up to normal attitude. Cheryl smiles weakly and shakes her head. CHERYL Youre just full of surprises. Cheryl climbs in and Cody starts to back out of the parking spot, the motor almost silent. INT. U.C.B. SHOP OFFICE - NIGHT Paul Martin hangs up a phone in his office and enters the shop. He shouts to the others who are bringing Codys bus into the shop through the roll-up door. PROFESSOR MARTIN Steve Sykes says he can be here in the morning. DR. SONTAGG Excellent. Thank you, Professor. You dont know what this means to me. A public demonstration. An irrefutable public demonstration is crucial. No more delay. No more delay! Right! Cheryl closes the roll-up door to the shop, Cody gets out of the bus and pushes a workbench out of the way. CODY I know it doesnt look like much on the outside, but it gets good mileage. Cody opens the engine hatch and shows his handywork. CODY I got rid of the original engine, put in an army surplus jet engine starter motor and a bank of lithium ion batteries. Plug it in to charge batteries for short trips, and (he touches a small, common gas powered emergency generator) this generator keeps the batteries topped up on long hauls. The controller is home brew and needs improving, I think itll work for us though. (CONTINUED) PROFESSOR MARTIN 37

CONTINUED: The four of them eye the bus with gleams in their eyes. PROFESSOR MARTIN What kind of gas mileage do you get? CODY Right around a hundred miles per gallon. They all look at the shabby vehicle and raise their eyebrows. They appear to have much more respect for it. CODY When the regenerative braking is working. CHERYL This is crazy. CODY Yeah... Its great isnt it? The four of them get busy. INT. AREA 51 - DAY Cummings knocks then enters Rykoffs office. CUMMINGS Sir, three Sontagg Valves are missing, along with a driver board. Rykoff looks up from his desk with a fierce look. CUMMINGS (CONTD) A technician discovered them missing about an hour ago. Also, someone made an unauthorized copy of some of the data last night, but not all of it. Sontagg. Sir? RYKOFF Find Sontagg. Rykoff stands, starts to leave then further instructs Cummings before returning to his desk. CUMMINGS RYKOFF

39.

38

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

40.

RYKOFF(CONTD) Check his home, Cummings. If hes not there put out an A.P.B. Find him. Yes, sir. INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT Cummings knocks then enters Rykoffs office. CUMMINGS Sir, three Sontagg Valves are missing, along with a driver board. Rykoff looks up from his desk with a fierce look. DR. SONTAGG Pimping? What is pimping? CHERYL Modifying something, hopefully in a good way, but sometimes it turns out to be not so good. DR. SONTAGG (nodding with understanding) Ahhh... I see. INT. AREA 51 - NIGHT Cummings knocks as he enters Rykoffs office. CUMMINGS Sir, the GPS tracking device has located Sontaggs car in Berkeley, California. RYKOFF How long will it take to get there? CUMMINGS A few hours. RYKOFF Keep me posted. Does Sontagg have relatives in that area? 40 39 CUMMINGS

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

41.

CUMMINGS Sontagg doesnt have relatives anywhere, sir. RYKOFF I didnt think so. CUMMINGS General, well be in the Bay Area and well locate his car but that doesnt mean well have located Sontagg. RYKOFF Are you telling me, of all the people working on this project, Sontagg doesnt have an implant? Yes, sir. RYKOFF How the hell did that happen? CUMMINGS Thats not known. Hes been with the project from the start. Im pretty sure hes the one who started it. We didnt have implants until recently. RYKOFF Dr. Carl Sontagg is the project, let him loose and you let the project loose. CUMMINGS Yes, sir. I see what you mean. RYKOFF When you locate his car be discreet. Find Sontagg and monitor him, see who hes with. Find out what hes up to before picking him up. Hes been getting sanctimonious lately. Lets make a clean recovery here. Ill be coming right behind you. Stay out of sight and observe. Yes, sir. CUMMINGS CUMMINGS

42.

INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT Codys legs are sticking out from under the bus and the blue-white light of arc welding flashes as he installs the last of the six pods. One is situated near each wheel and two under the middle of the bus. All doors of the bus are open and the others are busy readying for a public demonstration. EXT. SKY - NIGHT A black, unmarked helicopter rushes toward the sprawl of lights of the San Francisco Bay Area, still a ways off. INT. BLACK CHOPPER - NIGHT Green lights from the instrument panel give a sinister hue to the black garb of the pilot and copilot. In back Cummings cell phone rings and he presses it to his ear. Cummings. RYKOFF(V.O.) Are you there yet? CUMMINGS Were on approach. RYKOFF (V.O.) Let me know as soon as you spot his car. Yes, sir. INT. NEWSROOM - NIGHT Steve Sykes, shirtsleeves rolled up, pushing papers around on a desk, grabs a phone and jabs a button. STEVE SYKES Hey, Oscar, Professor Martin over at Berkeley has something for us to video in the a.m. (Pause) The appointment is for ten. (Pause) Yeah, hes usually got some good stuff. I dont know what it is, well find out when we get there. CUMMINGS CUMMINGS

41

42

43

44

43.

EXT. SKY - NIGHT The black unmarked helicopter circles over Carl Sontaggs car in the parking lot of U.C.Berkeley. INT. BLACK CHOPPER - NIGHT

45

46

Cummings finishes pushing the buttons on his cell phone and puts it to his ear. CUMMINGS General. Weve located the car. RYKOFF Get on the ground and see if you can find him without being spotted yourself. Keep it in stealth mode, Cummings. Yes, sir. INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT 47 CUMMINGS

Inside the bus Cody finishes mounting the collective on the drivers seat armrest and Sontagg and Martin are in the back of the bus locking down the electronics. CODY Ready for a test? Everyone but Cody gets out for the initial test flight. The bus lifts unceremoniously off the floor as if it always had this capability. However, it only rises a foot off the floor. DR. SONTAGG Oh, let me remove the limiter so it can go higher. Sontagg reaches into the control circuitry and removes a jumper. He steps back and the bus lifts up a couple of feet off the floor. They all smile from ear to ear. CHERYL Oh my God! This is so awesome! DR. SONTAGG It is very nice. Very nice indeed!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

44.

PROFESSOR MARTIN The world is about to change! EXT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT 48

Cummings peers through the shop window and sees Sontagg. He withdraws and opens his cell phone. INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT Cody sets the bus back down. They get back inside very excited, beaming with the progress. CHERYL Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how fast this came together? I noticed. PROFESSOR MARTIN Me too. As if time stood still. DR. SONTAGG Like it was all meant to be? Through the shop window Cummings head goes unnoticed. CODY Okay, dress rehearsal time. Everyone buckle in and lets do a test hover. Cody buckles his seat belt, Dr. Sontagg and Professor Martin sit in the back and begin to buckle in and Cheryl starts to get in the bus when Rykoff bursts through the door along with a soldier who has his weapon cocked and ready. Cheryl turns to Rykoff. RYKOFF Everyone get off the bus! The civilians are quite startled. CHERYL Who are you and what right do you have to come in here and tell us what to do? CODY 49

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

45.

RYKOFF My name is General John Rykoff, United States Air Force. I am acting under the authority vested in me to defend our nations interests and I hereby order you, AGAIN, to get out of that vehicle! CHERYL What are you going to do if we dont? Shoot us? Rykoff looks at the soldier and moves his head in a quick gesture and the soldier fires a round into the ceiling. Cheryl freaks out, screams and dives into the bus. Cody REACTS by turning the collective very sharply which causes the bus to leap upward rapidly. Cody barely manages to direct the vehicle to and through the skylight. Glass and bits of the frame come crashing down into the lab and Rykoff raises his arms to shield himself from the falling debris. EXT. U.C.B. ABOVE SHOP - NIGHT 50

The bus crashes through the skylight sending glass flying up and out all around. The bus rapidly ascends a hundred yards or so then hovers, tilts and sways. The side door of the bus is open and Cheryl is practically falling out. Cody cant leave the pilot seat to help. Martin and Sontagg grab Cheryl to keep her from falling out, and she climbs breathlessly into the passenger seat. The bus hovers and sways and when Cheryl is secured in her seat and the side door is closed, their attention goes out the windshield just as they sway and rotate to face a black unmarked helicopter directly in front of them. The crew REACT! INT. U.C.B. SHOP - NIGHT Rykoff and the soldier rush out the door and look up into the sky. Rykoff gets on a com-link to the chopper. RYKOFF Take that vehicle down! PILOT (V.O.) Our guns arent armed, sir. RYKOFF Then use your side arms! Sit on it if you have to! Just bring it down! 51

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

46.

Yes, sir. INT. BUS - NIGHT HOVERING The crew on the bus are shaken up. The black chopper directly out the windshield poses a threatening sight. CODY Okay, okay... were out in the open now. They wont try to shoot us down. A soldier leans out the side of the chopper and fires a shot at them with his sidearm. The group REACTS again! Cody turns the bus around and flees. INT. BLACK CHOPPER - NIGHT 53 52

PILOT (V.O.)

Very serious looking pilot and serious looking helicopter contrasts sharply with thrown together equipment of the bus. The soldier has difficulty taking aim while leaning out the side of the chopper. He squeezes off another shot at the bus. Sparks fly as a bullet hits the bus. INT. BUS - NIGHT MOVING 54

REACT! To getting hit again. Cody flies faster and takes evasive maneuvers. He banks in a high arc, doubling back and flies mad-dash towards the San Francisco Bay. EXT. SKY - NIGHT 55

The bus describes a wild course before bee-lining it out over the bay. As it flies away the wheels retract up into the wheel wells. The chopper gives chase. INT. BUS - NIGHT They speed past ships in the bay, on a direct course for downtown San Francisco. Cody sways the bus side to side to evade gunfire. CODY They must not be armed or they couldve taken us out right off the bat. (CONTINUED) 56

CONTINUED:

47.

CHERYL They wouldnt do that. Would they? DR. SONTAGG Im afraid they would. INT. OAKLAND INTL AIRPORT TOWER - NIGHT Wild blips on radar, a flurry of questions, controllers gather, one demands aircraft to identify themselves. EXT. BAY AREA - NIGHT Bus and chopper race wildly into San Francisco. INT. BUS - NIGHT 59 58 57

Rushing towards skyscrapers. Cheryl gasps! Oh God! Were not going in there! (Skyscrapers loom large and Cody flies between them.) Chopper is seen in side view mirror. CLOSE IN ON SIDE-VIEW MIRROR ON BUS. Chopper is following close. INT. CHOPPER - NIGHT Follow bus into downtown S.F. skyscrapers then rise above them to avoid hitting them with the rotors. Chopper loses sight of the bus as it maneuvers closer to the ground and among the buildings, then regains, and loses sight again. INT. BUS - NIGHT 61 60

Wild dodgy maneuvers through a maze of buildings. Speed too great for one turn and they smack sideways into a glass building. Glass from the building shatters and falls all over the bus making a horrendous sound. EXT. SKY - NIGHT MOVING Bus looks as though its falling out of the building with broken glass cascading over and around the bus. The bus rolls over and drops towards the street and ducks around another building and enters a dimly lit parking structure. 62

48.

INT CHOPPER - NIGHT Catching up to where the bus hit the building we see the hole in the side of building and remaining glass falling out. Pilot pulls up over the damaged building and hovers. CHOPPER PILOT Theyve crashed into a building here. It appears they are inside. INT. PARKING STRUCTURE - NIGHT The bus hovers inches above the ground and the wheels descend from the wheel wells and touch the ground. The vehicle then ventures deeper into the nearly empty parking structure, hiding. INT. BUS - NIGHT MOVING Cruising deeper into the nearly empty parking structure. PROFESSOR MARTIN I dont think well be able to hide in here very long. Wed better come up with an idea pretty fast. CHERYL They were trying to shoot us! Whats up with that? DR. SONTAGG Some interests dont want this technology released to the world. Who? DR. SONTAGG Powerful people. Very powerful people. CHERYL

63

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65

Ahead of them in the parking structure are two pest control vans decorated with huge rubbery bugs on top. CODY Hang on a sec.

49.

EXT. BUS - NIGHT Cody pulls up next to the pair of pest control vans and stops. Cody jumps out and approaches one of the vans. EXT. DAMAGED BUILDING - NIGHT Rykoff and Cummings step out of another black unmarked helicopter onto the roof of the tall building that was damaged and they enter the building through a now guarded door. INT. DAMAGED BUILDING - NIGHT

66

67

68

Rykoff and Cummings, followed by two soldiers enter through a door at the stair-well and stride down the hall, and enters the damaged room. Rykoff turns on lights and curses. RYKOFF Son of a... Theyre not here. Lets go find them, Cummings! They rush out of the room and run down the hallway, followed by the two soldiers. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - NIGHT 69

The bus now camouflaged with two huge rubbery bugs on the roof, pulls out of the parking structure and heads off on surface streets. The bus passes the field of vision and we see mannequins in a storefront window on the opposite side of the street looking for all the world as if they are reacting to the sight, (A jewelry store, a woman having a huge diamond ring on her finger is "fainting" into the arms of the mannequin that just "gave it to her?). Pan up the street to see the bus continuing on, with the rubbery bug wings flapping gently. INT. BUS - NIGHT Bus going down the street now, Cheryl explodes mildly; CHERYL This is insane! Weve been shot at! Weve been chased across the San Francisco Bay by a helicopter shooting at us! Whats gonna go wrong next? (CONTINUED) 70

CONTINUED:

50.

The generator starts running erratically as it did earlier in the parking lot, and the motor starts jerking forward. Cheryl REACTS. Oh My God! CODY (irritated) Maybe instead of asking whats gonna go wrong, you should ask whats gonna go right! Cody rolls in to a gas station. CODY (CONTD) (explaining) The generator acts up and whacks out the controller and everything goes wonky. I think its a loose connection. The bus stops beside a gas pump. Might aught to get some gas too. Whoo-boy that stuffs spensive! Care to donate? Sontagg looks at the gas pumps with disdain and they all fish in their pockets for cash. DR. SONTAGG (muttering) Gasoline. Humph. INT. PARKED CHOPPER - NIGHT Rykoff reviews a video tape of the chase and hold sequence shot by the chase copter. RYKOFF Thats the most unlikely flying vehicle Ive ever seen. It looks like a damn loaf of bread! The tape rolls on, then Rykoff stops and rewinds a moment and moves forward and spots what looks like the bus on surface streets with bugs on top. RYKOFF (CONTD) Cummings, put an A.P.B. on that VW bus. 71 CHERYL (CONTD)

51.

INT. BUS - NIGHT The bus leaves the gas station and heads slowly down the surface streets, moving towards darker side streets. CODY I think the electrics are okay now. CHERYL Dr. Sontagg, who are you and why are these people after us? DR. SONTAGG I spent my life developing this technology. I started more than fifty years ago. I just want to see it released to the world before I die. The people after us want to control the world. They have too many secrets. CODY What will they do to us if were caught? DR. SONTAGG It wont be good. PROFESSOR MARTIN They wouldnt execute us, would they? DR. SONTAGG I cant say for sure, but they might. CODY To hell with that! INT. POLICE CAR - NIGHT The and Bus the

72

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bus drives past, the cop recognizes it from the A.P.B. pulls out after them, turning his flashing lights on. slows down and pulls over, and the cop pulls over behind bus.

52.

INT. BUS - NIGHT Cody looks in the side view mirror and watches the cop get out and approach them. CHERYL You cant let them arrest us. I wont. EXT. SIDE-STREET - NIGHT CODY

74

75

The policeman is out of his car and half-way to the bus just as it lifts off and flies away. The cop REACTS! and hurries back to his patrol car. INT. BUS - NIGHT 76

Cody laughs nervously as he flies the bus away from the scene. As they gain altitude we see runway lights from a large airport close by. An airplane approaching San Francisco International flies nearby which startles them and Cody takes the bus down to the surface again. INT. S.F. INTL AIRPORT CONNING TOWER - NIGHT Theres been another anomalous radar blip! This time its right beside the airport! AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Damn! What the hell was that? Controller looks up and out the window but only sees the usual lights. EXT. BUS - NIGHT The bus stops in a darkened parking lot. A jet from the nearby airport passes over them. INT. BUS - NIGHT Theyve been spotted, they need a way out. Police, and military will be all over them in minutes. 79 78 77

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CHERYL Howre we going to get out of here? Whats the worse thing that could happen if they catch us? DR. SONTAGG Id rather not think about that. PROFESSOR MARTIN The question still remains, "How are we going to get out of here? CODY Hold on to your seats. Im going to do something I once saw in a movie.

53.

Cody looks out the side window and puts his hand firmly on the control stick. Everyone braces themselves. A large four engine propeller driven plane lifting off from the airport climbs on a path over them. Cody twists the control stick just as the airplane approaches. EXT. BUS - NIGHT 80

Just as the airplane flies over them the bus lifts off and "hugs under the aircraft, riding in the planes radar image. Cody flies fast to keep up with the plane and the wind tears the rubbery bugs off the roof of the bus. The plane is large above them. Landing lights are on, the city spreads out below as they gain altitude. The landing gear on the plane go up and the wheels on the bus get retracted into the wheel wells. The planes landing lights go off and they head out over the Pacific Ocean. INT. BUS - NIGHT The noise is great, the wind fierce. The crew shouts to be heard. CHERYL Oh my god! This thing could be going to China! What have you gotten us into? CODY I dont hear you coming up with any bright ideas! And it wouldnt hurt if youd start thinking about good things happening! The airplane banks and turns to head southeast. (CONTINUED) 81

CONTINUED: PROFESSOR MARTIN This is better. It looks like were heading southeast. At least well come down on solid ground when we finally do come down. I hope its a soft landing. INT. NEWSROOM - NIGHT

54.

82

Steve Sykes is with a small crowd listening to strange reports coming in on the police band scanner. A fishing boat captain telling of UFOs sighted earlier streaking toward downtown, chased by a helicopter. Also, weird reports of glass being blown out of several floors of a building downtown shortly after the UFO sighting. STEVE SYKES Man! This is one strange night! Is there a full moon or something? A woman nearby grins at Sykes and jokes. NEARBY WOMAN Yeah, really. Is Mercury going retrograde or something? Several people in the group chuckle. EXT. BUS UNDER PLANE - NIGHT 83

The plane is rising through a storm to get above it. The bus is buffeting and lights on the wingtips of the plane blink eerily. The engine noises are loud. The faces of the Cody and the crew alike show stress and concern. EXT. GRAND CANYON - NIGHT 84

Storm clouds have gathered and threaten to burst any minute. A lone figure walks through the campground as the wind begins to whip up. Gravel crunches under foot as the figure passes under a light revealing her as a female park ranger. DIANA LEE heads towards her Airstream trailer for the night, passing a young couple on the way. YOUNG MAN Think well get some rain tonight? DIANA LEE May be. Ive seen hail this time of year. You never know what a storm might bring.

55.

Diana Lee opens the door to her trailer/home, turns on the lights and closes the door. INT. BUS UNDER PLANE - NIGHT 85

Much buffeting of the bus, loud wind and engine noises, Cody strains to maintain control, the temperature is dropping with altitude gain. The crew shivers. CODY The storms getting rough. It looks like the planes gonna fly above it. Its too cold up here for us. We have to go down. EXT. BUS UNDER PLANE - NIGHT 86

The bus falls away from the plane in a manner similar to the way the atomic bomb fell away from the Enola Gay and a faint whistling sound follows it down. A slow motion blinding white flash of lightning like a nearby atomic bomb blast, dissolves the scene. Thunder rolls deep and long and fades into the static sound of rain pelting the roof of a vehicle. INT. BUS IN STORM - NIGHT The bus is thrown around and the storm shows them no particular mercy, but they manage to get through in one piece. Lightning pulses bright, thunder rumbles, and rain pelts them. Cheryl turns on interior lights, and darkness outside presses on the windows as they slowly descend. CHERYL I cant see anything down there! CODY Grab that spotlight in the back! Professor Martin reaches behind his seat and pulls up a hand-held spot light and passes it to Cheryl. CODY(CONTD) Help me out. I need some landing light. Cheryl opens her window, switches on the spotlight, holds it out and aims it downward. Cheryls obviously not comfortable with this. Cody looks downward through his side window. As they close in on the ground they see a patch of barren, rain washed dirt and land on it. 87

56. EXT. BUS - NIGHT The bus has landed on a patch of rain soaked ground somewhere in the Southwest. The searchlight is turned off, windows closed, and a flash of lightning illuminates the area around them but all they see is very heavy rain. CHERYL (V.O.) Where are we? CODY (V.O.) Planet Earth. INT. BUS - NIGHT Cody and crew unbuckle their seatbelts. Cody rotates his chair to face the rear and Cheryl follows suit. CODY Thank you for choosing Fly By Night airlines. We hope you enjoyed the flight. Cody reaches into a cubby and pulls out bottled water and passes some around. CODY I think theres some peanuts in here somewhere. PROFESSOR MARTIN We should get some rest and wait out the storm. DR. SONTAGG Yes, I agree. I imagine that flight was a bit stressful on all of us. CODY Gimme a minute and Ill open the beds. INT. S.F. INTL AIRPORT CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT Rykoff paces as he interrogates air traffic controllers about the anomalies they saw. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER There were some wild blips over the bay. Thats all I saw. It looked like small craft but they were erratic and fast. (CONTINUED) 90 89 88

CONTINUED:

57.

RYKOFF Did you see anything in the next hour or so? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Im not sure. RYKOFF Anything at all? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER There was a very short blip. RYKOFF What about the very short blip? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER It happened just as a Guppy was taking off. I thought it would hit the plane. But nothing happened. It just seemed to merge with it. RYKOFF Where was that plane going? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Albuquerque, I believe. RYKOFF Can you check that and get back to me? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Sure. I can do that. Good. The air traffic controller leaves the room. RYKOFF (CONTD) Cummings, I believe they flew out in that planes radar image. As soon as its destination is confirmed I want the route it followed scoured. CUMMINGS Yes sir. Ill get right on it. RYKOFF Youre a good man, Cummings. Dont let me down. Lets get this candy (MORE) (CONTINUED) RYKOFF

CONTINUED:

58.

RYKOFF (contd) back in the wrapper before its too late. EXT. GRAND CANYON - VERY EARLY DAWN Diana Lee, with a mug of coffee walks to the rim of the canyon, sits to watch the spectacular sunrise and takes a sip of coffee. INT./EXT. BUS GRAND CANYON - SUNRISE 92 91

Professor Martin wakes and lifts his head to see out the window. He sits up then quietly slips out of the bus and walks to where Sontagg is standing. The two scientists gaze in wonder at the beauty of the sight. They are on an impossibly remote promontory in the Grand Canyon. DR. SONTAGG Its beautiful. I can see why your father loved the outdoors so much. PROFESSOR MARTIN I thought I recognized your name. You worked together during WWII didnt you? DR. SONTAGG (nodding) Your father and I were a good team. We made a lot of progress on field control. As I recall, he enjoyed camping. PROFESSOR MARTIN He loved the outdoors. Used to take me camping, before the cancer took him. I dont recall ever reaching a spot quite like this though. Cheryl descends from the upper bunk, looks out the window and gasps in amazement. She nudges Cody who also descends from the upper bunk and they step out of the bus and join the others. A 360 degree pan around the bus on the promontory shows just how impossible the spot theyve landed on is. The scene is expansive and impressive. They are delighted and amazed. Its intoxicating.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

59.

CODY Come on. Lets look around. The four of them get back on the bus, the pop-top comes down and the beds folded up into seats and everyone straps in. Cody turns on his iPod and turns up the volume on some expansive music. The bus lifts off and they take a very awesome tour of the Grand Canyon. The tour with the soundtrack lasts for several exhilarating minutes. As the uplifting tour comes close to an end, Cody flies up a steep side of the canyon, passes the edge and proceeds away from the canyon about seven or eight feet from the ground. As he passes over a copse of tall shrubs the electrical system flickers and fails and the bus falls. The foliage cushions their landing. Cheryl screams and the rest of them are quite startled as they drop into the greenery. The generator is quiet and the bus winds up at a crazy angle. CHERYL What happened? CODY That connection in the generator again. Cody climbs out to check on the system. CHERYL Oh My God! If that happened five seconds earlier wed be dead! We need to be more careful! PROFESSOR SONTAGG Yes. Youre quite right. We shouldnt be taking unnecessary chances. CODY I hope nothing broke when we fell. PROFESSOR MARTIN I believe were on the South rim of the Grand Canyon. When we get out of these bushes maybe we should drive on the surface roads until we figure out what to do next.

60.

EXT. UCB CAMPUS - DAY Sykes and Oscar drive up in a news van, park and get out. Oscar goes to the back of the van and Sykes heads for the lab. He passes a parked glass repair truck and enters the physics lab/shop where he sees the glass repair man taking measurements. STEVE SYKES You seen Professor Martin around here? GLASS REPAIR MAN Wouldnt know him if I did. Im just here to fix the skylight. STEVE SYKES What happened to the skylight? GLASS REPAIR MAN I dont know. Theres glass all over the roof up there. Good bit on the floor too.

93

Sykes looks around, sees a passing student and calls out to him. STEVE SYKES Do you know where Professor Martin is? PASSING STUDENT No. He missed class this morning. I dont know if anyone knows where he is. STEVE SYKES Do you know what happened here? PASSING STUDENT Some kind of explosion or something? STEVE SYKES Explosion? Damn. Where are you, Professor?

61.

INT. BUS - DAY The bus is driving slow across the ground. PROFESSOR MARTIN Where to next? CHERYL I dont know about you guys but I need a rest room! There must be a civilized camping area around here somewhere. EXT. GRAND CANYON CAMPGROUND - EARLY MORNING

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The bus, windows open and windshields up for maximum ventilation, toodles in to the campground, pulling to a stop in a parking space not far from the restrooms. Nearby, Diana Lee watches their arrival with interest. INT. TOP SECRET MILITARY BASE - EARLY MORNING Rykoff standing behind his desk leaning forward, almost standing on his fingers as Cummings briefs him. CUMMINGS Okay, Weve got positive I.D. on all occupants of the bus. Weve got men tracking down and covering all past and present known contacts of the two students, Cheryl Gainer and Cody Thompson, as well as Professor Paul Martin in case they show up. Our primary focus is on locations along the path of that airplane. We have an A.P.B. out on all VW micro busses even remotely fitting their description. RYKOFF Keep me posted Cummings. Cummings leaves as Rykoff stabs a speed dial button on his phone. A moment later he begins speaking. RYKOFF (CONTD) Rykoff here. The Sontagg device is loose but we are on it. 96

62. EXT. PENTAGON - DAY Familiar aerial view of the Pentagon INT. PENTAGON - DAY A shadowy military figure on the phone. SHADOWY FIGURE Get it back, Rykoff. Keep me posted. Yes, sir. Shadowy figure hangs up, and presses a speed dial button. AERIAL VIEW OF NEW YORK CITY - DAY SUBTITLE "NEW YORK CITY" INT. FANCY RESTAURANT - DAY A well dressed executive at a table lifts a cell-phone, looks at the caller I.D., and immediately answers. Yes? SHADOWY FIGURE (V.O.) The Sontagg device may be loose. NEW YORK BANKER What are the chances of recovery? SHADOWY FIGURE (V.O.) We assume they are good but you asked to be notified should this happen. NEW YORK BANKER Yes. Thank you. Keep me posted as the situation unfolds. Right. The executive hangs up and presses a speed dial button. AERIAL VIEW OF LONDON - LATE AFTERNOON SUBTITLE: "LONDON" SHADOWY FIGURE(V.O.) NEW YORK BANKER 99 RYKOFF (V.O.) 98 97

63. INT. CHAUFFEURED CAR - LATE AFTERNOON Another finely dressed executive answers a ringing phone. LONDON BANKER (concerned tone) Yes? NEW YORK BANKER(V.O.) The Sontagg technology may be out of the bag. Were tracking it with good prospects of recovery. LONDON BANKER I see. We should review the contingency plans and notify our colleagues. NEW YORK BANKER(V.O.) Ill keep you posted on any developments at this end. The executive in the limo hangs up and speed dials. AERIAL VIEW OF ZURICH SUBTITLE; "ZURICH" INT. THIRD LUXURIOUS OFFICE - EVENING An impeccably attired executive answers a phone at home. Yes? LONDON BANKER (V.O.) The technology might be coming out a bit prematurely. The Yanks hope to recover the loss, but it seems prudent to review contingency plans. SWISS BANKER I see. Yes, I agree. LONDON BANKER (V.O.) Lets coordinate with The Vatican, and Tokyo shall we? SWISS BANKER Of course. Ill contact them right away. Perhaps we should plan a meeting? (CONTINUED) SWISS BANKER 101 100

CONTINUED: LONDON BANKER (V.O.) Perhaps. For now lets stay in close contact. Very well. EXT. GRAND CANYON CONCESSIONS- FURTHER DAY SWISS BANKER

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The crew leaves a concession building with bags of food and paper cups of coffee. Diana Lee watches from the side. She gives them a lead then follows. EXT. GRAND CANYON CAMPGROUND - FURTHER DAY Prof. Martin and Sontagg sitting in the open side door of the bus. Cody and Cheryl are cross legged on the ground a few feet away, eating their breakfast. CODY My confidence in that generator isnt what it used to be. CHERYL (around a mouthful of muffin) Tell me about it! DR. SONTAGG We didnt have time earlier but theres something I should have told you. Cheryl, Cody, & Paul Martin glance towards Sontagg. DR. SONTAGG (CONTD) We dont really need the generator. They stop eating and look at Sontagg expectantly. DR. SONTAGG (CONTD) With field control we only need a small energy reserve, like a car battery, to drive a resonant feedback loop in the pods to draw in virtually unlimited energy from the surrounding medium, without a prime mover. CODY (confused) What does that mean in English? (CONTINUED) 103

CONTINUED:

65.

CHERYL A prime mover would be gas or oil or coal or even nuclear or solar energy. Sontagg just said with this device we dont need any of those. CODY We dont need gasoline? No. Way Cool! PROFESSOR MARTIN I was just getting my brains wrapped around the idea of anti-gravity! The implications are astounding! No wonder were being chased! The entire geopolitical structure of the world will change overnight! DR. SONTAGG Yes. Permanently changed. CODY No more smog? DR. SONTAGG No more smog. CHERYL No more nuclear waste? DR. SONTAGG No more nuclear waste. PROFESSOR MARTIN No more greenhouse gases. CODY And flying CARS! PROFESSOR MARTIN What would it take to make this work in the equipment we have? DR. SONTAGG Very little. Some wire to make some jumpers to the pods, the circuit is on board already. Some (MORE) (CONTINUED) CODY DR. SONTAGG

CONTINUED:

66.

DR. SONTAGG (contd) instrumentation would be good, but its not necessary. Its self regulating for the most part. CHERYL What kind of wire? DR. SONTAGG Nothing special. Extension cord wire would work. We just need enough wire to make the connections to each pod. Cody pops open a hatch on the side of the bus and pulls out a retractable extension cord. Like this? Diana Lee steps forward from around the back of the bus. DIANA LEE Good Morning. May I see your camp site registration? Have you checked in yet? PROFESSOR MARTIN No, not yet. Where do we do that? DIANA LEE You could go to the Visitors Center, or I could take care of it for you. I think I have a registration card. Diana Lee pats her pockets looking for a registration card and comes up empty handed. DIANA LEE (CONTD) Oh, Im out of cards. If you come with me We can take care of it. They close up the bus and follow her to her Trailer. DIANA LEE (CONTD) I normally carry plenty of registration cards. I guess I didnt have enough coffee this morning. Come on in. She opens the door and they all enter. CODY

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INT. AIRSTREAM TRAILER - DAY

104

Its nice inside, considering its a trailer. Diana goes to a desk area, turns away from the others, opens a drawer, then reaches into a pocket and pulls out the registration cards shes been carrying all along. She takes them to the table, puts the cards down and looks Cody directly in the eye before she hands him a pen. DIANA LEE Have a seat. Itll only take a minute, but you can be comfortable. Thanks. They all have a seat as Cody takes the pen and looks at the simple form. Diana Lee stands in front of the door. DIANA LEE First time to the Grand Canyon? No. Yes. Uh-huh. PROFESSOR SONTAGG I hope its not my last. DIANA LEE (CONTD) Its beautiful at sunrise isnt it? PAUL MARTIN Its gorgeous! CHERYL GAINER Breath taking! Awesome! PROFESSOR SONTAGG Spectacular! DIANA LEE (CONTD) I like to get up early, make coffee and go to the rim and watch the sunrise. (CONTINUED) CODY THOMPSON CODY THOMPSON CHERYL GAINER PAUL MARTIN CODY

CONTINUED:

68.

Cody stops filling out the form and they all look sheepishly at her. DIANA LEE (CONTD) Your camper flies real nice. I wondered if I was dreaming. But then I watched you tool in here nice and pretty. They all look nervously at one another and at Diana Lee. DIANA LEE (CONTD) While you were in line to get breakfast I checked the police reports. Theres an A.P.B. for beat up VW campers. That covers just about all of em. Never heard of an A.P.B that broad. Someone is itchy to find you. Very itchy. Diana Lee grabs a short stool, sits on it, still blocking the door, and leans forward in a conspiratorial fashion. DIANA LEE (CONTD) I overheard you talking while you ate breakfast. You have something thats going to change the world. I cant let you screw up and get caught. Not on my watch. Besides, I want a camper that can fly the way yours does. How can I help? DR. SONTAGG Its very dangerous. DIANA LEE Crossing the street can be dangerous. CHERYL We were shot at. DIANA LEE You must be doing something right. I like that. Whats your plan? They all look towards Sontagg. DR. SONTAGG The only way we can ever hope to be safe again is to make a full public disclosure of all the information. I was only able to get out with (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DR. SONTAGG (contd) half the plans and I dont have enough years left in me to re create the rest of them, and we dont have the team or the resources. CODY So, we need to get the rest of the plans. Where are they? DR. SONTAGG Oh dear. It will be very dangerous. DIANA LEE Yeah, well, its dangerous to stay here. State Police patrol the park. Not to mention the other rangers. PROFESSOR MARTIN How are we going to get out of here without being seen? They all look to one another, fresh out of ideas. DIANA LEE Let me check something. I have an idea. She pulls a cell phone from her pocket and dials. DIANA LEE (CONTD) Hi Kathy. Did Jerry show up yet? Great, thanks. No, I want to catch him before he leaves. Okay, see-ya.

69.

She folds the phone, put it in her pocket and continues. DIANA LEE (CONTD) Which one of you is the driver, or should I say pilot? Cody raises his hand. DIANA LEE (CONTD) I need you to come see if you think my idea will work. Just to be on the safe side, the rest of you should stay close by. Oh, if you need more wire, theres an extension cord in that closet. Cody puts the registration card in his pocket as he follows Diana Lee out the door.

70.

EXT. REAR OF VISITORS CENTER - DAY

105

A dolly-load of canned food and other supplies is being carted into the concession building. JERRY the truck driver checks off a list on a clipboard and looks up to see Diana Lee approaching with arms open for a hug. Cody is following behind. Hi, Jerry! Jerry drops his clipboard and pen on the ground and receives the hug. JERRY Hey girlfriend! DIANA LEE Jerry, meet Cody. Cody, Jerry. Could I ask a tremendous favor of you? Ask away! Jerry picks up the clipboard and pen and Diana puts a conspiratorial arm around Jerrys shoulder and takes him away from the door to the concession building. Cody moves to the rear of the truck and looks into the open doors. INT. AIRSTREAM TRAILER - DAY Cheryl steps out of the bathroom, showered, dressed and towelling her hair. Diana Lee comes in the front door. DIANA LEE Hurry, we dont have much time. Cheryl grabs her laptop computer and heads out the front door with Diana Lee. EXT. GRAND CANYON CAMPGROUND - DAY 107 106 JERRY DIANA LEE

Sontagg and Paul Martin are finishing up re-wiring the field control system. Cody is in the drivers seat, going over the controls and systems checks. Cheryl and Diana Lee climb in and doors are closed. Cody turns the bus on and they drive away with as much sound as a golf cart.

71.

INT. VW BUS - DAY Cody looks back to Sontagg and Martin sitting in the back seat with Diana Lee. CODY You got the pods modified okay? DR. SONTAGG Yes, we dont need gasoline or the generator anymore. Lets hope that takes care of the problem with your controller. CODY Awesome! This just gets better and better! CHERYL I wish we had a chance to test it first. CODY Lets just stay positive okay? DIANA LEE That works for me! EXT. ON ROAD INTO GRAND CANYON PARK - DAY

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The supply truck is pulled over at a turn-out, waiting with back doors open. Jerry stands by as the bus pulls up and Diana and the rest get out. JERRY So, what do you want me to haul for you? DIANA LEE Jerry, why dont you and I walk to the front of your truck for a moment? Jerry gives a suspicious look as Diana puts her arm around him and heads to the front of the truck. Prof. Martin looks up and down the road then gives a high sign.

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EXT. ON ROAD INTO GRAND CANYON PARK - DAY

110

Prof Martin and Sontagg close and latch the back doors to the trailer and head to the front of the truck. Diana sees them coming and leads Jerry in their direction. They meet and Jerry shakes hands with the men. JERRY I suppose your luggage has been loaded. (looking around) Huh? I didnt see the microbus leave. Jerry scratches his head and looks up and down the road. JERRY (CONTD) Oh well, pile in guys. We need to get on with it. I have a schedule to keep. Jerry opens the drivers door and helps Diana get in, followed by Paul Martin and Sontagg. INT. INSIDE TRAILER - DAY 111

A translucent plastic top allows diffused daylight in the trailer. The bus is facing forward towards boxes of concession supplies. Cody in the drivers seat turns on an iPod and soft music starts playing. He then flips a switch and the pop top starts rising. (The bus/camper is very nicely tricked out inside but it is still a work in progress). Cheryl in the passenger seat raises her eyebrows. CHERYL Slow down there, Ace. Just because youve got me alone in your mobile love shack doesnt mean youre gonna get lucky. CODY Wha? Look, I could use some sleep. I didnt rest much last night. You snore. Cheryl shows indignation, then pouts. Cody climbs up to the bunk. Cheryl watches him disappear upward and sighs.

73.

EXT. NEWS-VAN - DAY The news-van pulls out of a gas station. Oscar tosses a receipt on the dashboard as he drives away. OSCAR Good lord the price of gas has gone way past insane! And this van is a real pig! STEVE SYKES I wonder what happened to Professor Martin? I hope hes okay. Im really worried. OSCAR What could have happened? STEVE SYKES I have no idea. No one seems to know anything. I hope hes not in a hospital somewhere on some sort of life support. EXT. HIGHWAY INSIDE BIG RIG - DAY

112

113

Jerry the truck driver has lively music playing on the radio, Diana Lee pours coffee from a thermos and hands it to Professor Martin who smiles broadly. She holds up a sandwich in a bag then gives half to each of the men in the bunk area behind the cab. DIANA LEE Here you go. (then turning to the driver) Jerry? Would you like another sandwich? Jerry smiles and lifts a hand to ward off more food. JERRY Im good. Thanks. EXT. TRAILER ON HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS TIME LAPSE TO EVENING. 114

74. INT. INSIDE TRAILER ON HIGHWAY - DUSK 115

Inside the trailer is now dark except for the cabin lighting of the micro bus. Cheryl has her laptop open and taps idly at the keyboard as a fractal pattern plays out on the screen. Shes finished programing the fractal. Cody is still in the pop up resting. Cheryl looks up to where Cody is and smiles. CHERYL (Alluring) Cody. (pause) (Louder) CODY! (pause) Cheryl Stands up on the seat and pokes her head into the pop up camper area where Cody is still sleeping. CHERYL (CONTD) (Alluring again) Cody. Cody snores, which pisses her off. She jumps down & quickly goes to the iPod, switches to some Rock & Roll, and turns the volume full on and the music blares. Cheryl turns and looks into the upper bunk area to see Cody wake with a jolt and bang his head with a loud thud on the roof of the pop-up camper. He falls back down, having nearly knocked himself out. Cheryl suppresses laughter and quickly turns the music back down. CODY (painfully) Ohh... CHERYL Did I wake you? Im sorry. I turned the volume up by mistake. (pause) (alluring) Cody? CODY (Sleepy) Yeah? Awake now, Cody climbs down, opens a small cooler, takes out a soda, pops the top and flops onto the back seat. He rubs his head and takes a long pull on the cold drink. CHERYL Whatre your plans after college? CODY Id like to fly. I was thinking maybe coast guard rescue choppers, but now... who knows? You? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

75.

CHERYL I dunno, maybe teach, whatever. Cody sees the pattern taking form on the laptop monitor and points at it. CODY Thats a nice screen saver. CHERYL Its a fractal pattern. Its a hobby. CODY Whoa. You made that? CHERYL Yeah, its nothing. CODY (very appreciative.) Its very pretty. CHERYL (coy) You think so? Sontagg said we might be able to use a fractal program to jam a system or something. So I made it for him while you were sleeping. I can make one for you if you like. Cheryl is warming up to Cody. As she looks to him admiringly for his reply Cody takes a long swig of the soda then belches profusely, ruining the moment. Cheryl grimaces. CHERYL (CONTD) Ewwww! Gross! Did you have to do that? CODY Oh, sorry. I dont normally drink this stuff. It gives me gas. Makes me burp. CHERYL You can say that again. The big rig slows to a stop.

76. EXT. SIDE OF ROAD - NIGHT 116

Jerry and his passengers get out of the now parked truck. Diana Lee takes Jerry around to the front of the truck again as Paul Martin and Sontagg go back and open the doors to let the bus out. Near the front of the tractor-trailer rig Diana Lee gives Jerry a hug as the bus floats out the back of the trailer and lands on the ground. Sontagg and Martin begin to close the doors of the trailer and Diana Lee walks with Jerry to the back of the truck. Diana gets in the bus with the rest of the others and Jerry looks on in amazement. JERRY How did you get here? I didnt see you behind me! CHERYL Trust me, you dont want to know. Cheryl waves to Jerry as the bus turns down a side road in the middle of the desert. Their tail-lights fade in the distance. INT. VW BUS - NIGHT 117

The bus is stopped and Cheryl has her laptop open. On the screen is Google Maps. In the search field is "Area 51" An arrow points to their destination in the middle of a big greyed out chunk of the map. Las Vegas is 100 miles South, Death Valley is Southwest 150 miles away. The crew is examining the map over Cheryls shoulder. CHERYL Thats a mighty big chunk of Nevada thats blacked out. CODY Its huge. Its bigger than Grand Canyon National Park! Look! Its 2 or 3 times the size of Yosemite! Is it like the 51st State of the Union or something? DR. SONTAGG Just head for the GPS coordinates I gave you and stay low. Be very careful. There are remote sensors all around here. Dont touch the ground until we get there. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

77.

CODY Roger that. EXT. VW BUS - NIGHT 118

The bus is on the ground in front of a chain link fence having a sign on it that reads: "U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING, USE OF DEADLY FORCE AUTHORIZED" CHERYL (V.O.) Turn off the headlights. I think the moon and stars are bright enough to see by. Good idea. The headlights are turned off, then the bus rises, clears the fence as the wheels retract, and it proceeds very low to the ground and ever deeper into very, dangerous territory. INT. AREA 51 - NIGHT 119 CODY (V.O.)

Inside the hangar with the test bed is a large rack holding 5 experimental flying saucers, and space for one more. Lighting low. A guard enters a side door. The side door, on a hydraulic closer shuts with a distinct audible click that echoes slightly in the cavernous structure. The guard moves to where a second guard is sitting. FIRST GUARD Things are kind of edgy around here. Whats going on? SECOND GUARD I dont know. Somebody gave somebody a wedgie or something. Dont worry about it. Stay here while I go out for a smoke. EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT In the distance we see the structures of Area 51. The bus floats silently into the picture, stops and hovers. 120

78.

INT. VW BUS - NIGHT Out the windshield we see Area 51. It looks ominous. CHERYL Oh my God! Were going in there? DR. SONTAGG Only Cody and myself. Its too dangerous. Cody, take us a little closer. Cheryl do you have your program ready? Cheryl hands a small thumb drive to Sontagg. EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT

121

122

The bus floats to within fifty yards of the side of the hangar and settles to the ground with wheels still up. Cody gets out and starts to go around to the other side of the bus as a coyote howls in the distance. It startles him and he accidentally bumps the side-view mirror to face almost sideways to the bus. Cody doesnt notice and he joins Sontagg and they proceed to the hangar. EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT 123

Cody and Sontagg sneak along the hangar. Cody peeks around a corner and sees a guard stubbing out a cigarette. Cody pulls back quick, motioning Sontagg to stop, then carefully watches as the guard turns, opens the door and enters the hangar. The automatic door closer moves slowly and Cody rushes forward, reaches in his pocket, then slips the campground registration card in the doorjamb at the strike to prevent the door from locking. INT. AREA 51 - NIGHT The door closes with a soft without the echo. The guard his pace, turns his head up what hes just become aware other guard is stationed. 124 thud without the click sound, walking across the room slows to the right a moment, not sure of, then continues to where the

FIRST GUARD Lets check the lower levels. The guards head into a corridor off the main hanger.

79.

EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT

125

Cody opens the door a crack and looks in, then opens it further, puts his head in, then opens the door wide enough to enter and Sontagg goes through the door then motions Cody to follow. INT. AREA 51 - NIGHT 126

The intruders cross the hangar to the test platform where they can see the black flying saucers in the racks. Cody is awestruck. CODY Holy schlamoly! Look at those things! Sontagg turns on a monitor and sticks the thumb drive into a USB port. Sontagg navigates screens on the monitor. One screen shows an image of the rack with the saucers. Blinking lights show they are disconnected from the system. DR. SONTAGG (CONTD) Cody, we need to pimp those saucers. In back of each one youll find a wire harness with a FireWire plug on the end of it. Youll find a small hatch on each saucer. Open the hatch and plug in the wire. Cody nods and slips off towards the parked saucers. Sontagg begins downloading data into the thumbdrive. Cody slips behind the row of three saucers on the bottom level. He finds a wire and feels around on the surface of the saucer, finds the hatch, pops it open, plugs in the wire and moves to the next saucer. Meanwhile, an indicator on the monitor shows the download to the thumbdrive in progress. SFX: A DOOR OPENING AND FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING. Sontagg ducks down under the desk. The guards pass within a few feet of Sontagg, and continue toward a door. One goes through the door and the other turns and walks toward the rack of saucers. The main computer screen shows the window with the rack of saucers and indicates all saucers are now connected. Cody hears the guard approaching and quickly ducks down. In his haste he doesnt notice he accidentally tugs the wire (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

80.

from the last saucer and it comes loose and dangles. Cody hides and the guard passes him. The guard leaves through a door at the opposite end of the hangar. Cody moves silently back towards the platform. Sontagg looks up to see the download of The Other Project files to the thumbdrive is done and he quickly uploads a small fractal file into the saucers. Cody sprints to meet Sontagg and they leave the platform. They head out the door they came in. As the door shuts the second guard comes out of a corridor on the level of the platform, hears the door click, moves quickly across the platform, sees the monitor is on and rushes to the door. EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT 127

Cody and Sontagg are running to the bus when the side door to the hangar opens and the guard comes out with his sidearm drawn. He shoots at them, then fires again. Sontagg is closest to the bus with Cody close behind. A third shot rings out and Sontagg falls. Cody comes to his side and kneels down beside him. Sontagg gives the thumb drive to Cody. DR. SONTAGG Full disclosure. Let everyone know all of it. No delay. Do not wait. Go! Go! Another shot rings out and hits the desert sand beside Cody. Sontagg goes limp and Cody fights back emotion as he leaps towards the bus, and gets in. INT. VW BUS - PRE-DAWN 128

Cody begins flying to get away even before the side door is shut. Yet another shot rings out and Diana Lee takes a bullet in her right arm and screams. CHERYL Fly Cody! Fly! Get us out of here now! The bus streaks out of there as fast as it can go.

81.

INT. AREA 51 - PRE-DAWN

129

Klaxons ringing, soldiers scrambling from deep in the base. Technicians, pilots, soldiers are pouring out of the main corridor. Rykoff and Cummings step forward onto the platform as the hangar doors begin to open. They approach the guard who fired the shots, who starts to explain what happened. GUARD I shot at intruders as they left. One was killed. The others got away in what looked like a... (with disbelief) an old microbus, but I cant be sure. Im pretty sure I hit someone in the vehicle too. RYKOFF Dont they have brass balls! Cummings, get pilots in those saucers. And make sure the lasers are armed and ready! Rykoff starts toward the door, then turns back to say: RYKOFF (CONTD) No particle-beam weapons. Got that? Yes sir! EXT. AREA 51 - DAWN 130 CUMMINGS

Rykoff approaches Sontaggs body and gets down on one knee. He checks his pulse, then lowers his head. RYKOFF It didnt have to be like this. Behind Rykoff, five black, very ominous looking flying saucers emerge from the hangar one after the other and streak off west-northwest after the bus. INT. VW BUS - FURTHER DAWN The bus is flying very fast over the desert, entering a mountainous area. The sun is rising behind them and Cody flies into canyons and tries to stay low. Paul Martin is tying a tourniquet around Dianas arm. 131

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

82.

CODY Is anyone following us? Cheryl, and Peter look behind them. CHERYL No, were good. PROFESSOR MARTIN I dont see anything, but its hard to see in the sunrise. Cheryl and Peter turn to face forward, then Diana Lee, holding her injured arm, looks back. DIANA LEE Uh, oh. I think we have company. Cheryl and Peter look back again. CHERYL I see it. Its gaining fast Cody. PROFESSOR MARTIN Theres more than one Cody! Five black flying saucers surround the bus as it crests a low ridge and the ground drops away. The saucers appear to be playing now. They form a pattern with one above, one below, one to the left and one to the right with the last remaining right behind. The saucers start rotating around the bus, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. CODY I thought your program was supposed to jam those saucers or something! CHERYL Sontagg had me put a delay on it so they wouldnt find it before they took off. I didnt think theyd catch up to us so fast! It should kick in any second now. (pause) Hold on... Hold on... CODY Im holding! Im holding! CHERYL Well, dont wet yourself! I cant make it go any faster!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

83.

Arrrgghh! INT. TOP SECRET MILITARY BASE - DAY Rykoff is standing beside Cummings on the test platform watching live video feed from each of the saucers. EXT. VW BUS IN FLIGHT - DAY 133 132

CODY

The saucers switch to flying single file right behind the bus. Cody takes an evasive maneuver, going up into a loop and the saucers follow. Cody goes into a corkscrew, and the saucers look like a string of roller-coaster cars as they follow right behind. CODY Arrrgghhh! When?!! CHERYL (being positive, affirming!) Now!, Now!,... NOW!!! With the last, and very clear affirmation, four of the saucers spin out of control, each forming a fractal pattern as they flip rapidly away from the bus. They crash into the mountains in turns. The rear saucer falls back with caution at first, then resumes the chase unfazed. The bus flies very close to the sides of mountains, taking more evasive maneuvers. A laser beam fires at them from the disc still giving chase, misses the bus and blows a chunk out of the side of a nearby mountain-face. CODY Why is that one still trying to crawl up my tail-pipe? CHERYL It shouldve gone down too! Are you sure you plugged them all in? CODY Yes! Im sure! CHERYL Well, you must have missed that one!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

84.

Cody flies over, then in, and through a forest trying to lose the disc. Another laser beam cuts through trees that almost hit the bus when they topple. Cody turns to follow a river with the disc right behind. CHERYL (CONTD) Whatre we are we going to do? PROFESSOR MARTIN What can we do? Diana Lee closes her eyes and takes a deep cleansing breath, as if entering meditation. DIANA LEE (calmly, confident, no fear) If the world is ready for this, we will prevail. Everything is in divine order. INT. BLACK SAUCER - DAY 134

Cross-hairs on a monitor show the weapon system locks on the bus. The system beeps and flashes "locked on". The pilots thumb presses the fire button. EXT. VW BUS IN FLIGHT - DAY 135

A laser beam flashes from the disc to the flying bus and hits the out of angle side-view mirror Cody had bumped earlier and is reflected directly back at the disc. The laser penetrates the disc and shoots the pilot directly through his heart. The pilot stiffens, groans, then dies just before the disc plows into the side of a mountain. The bus streaks away. INT. TOP SECRET MILITARY BASE - DAY Rykoff stands in front of the monitor that is now filled with static. Damn! (resigned) Somedays youre the windshield, some days youre the bug. We just got splattered! RYKOFF 136

85.

EXT. VW BUS IN FLIGHT - DAY Diana Lee is in pain and the tourniquet is quite bloody. Cody is flying very fast, close to the treetops. CODY Hold on, Diana. Were going for help. EXT. VW BUS IN FLIGHT - DAY

137

138

Flying just over treetop level, the bus turns from its Northward flight to head West, following a wilderness river valley. INT. VW BUS IN FLIGHT - DAY 139

Diana Lee is in pain and has lost much blood. Cheryl turns to look at Diana Lee and Martin, and then to Cody. CHERYL Please hurry Cody. CODY Hold on Diana. Well be there soon! Dad was a M.A.S.H. pilot he knows what to do. Cody slows then turns up a narrow path into the forest. EXT. FOREST PATH - DAY 140

The bus continues to the end of the path. In the clearing ahead is Codys fathers home. The bus stops and settles to the ground. Cody gets out and turns to the others. CODY Okay, wait here. Ill make sure the coast is clear. Cody crouch runs to the house and slips in the back door. INT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY Cody startles his dad who throws a pile of papers in the air. They both REACT! Then start picking up the papers. 141

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

86.

BUZZ What the blue blazes are you doing here? People are looking for you! And they arent friendly people either! CODY I have some friends out back Dad. One got shot in the arm. We need your help. Buzz stops picking up papers and looks at his son. EXT. FOREST PATH - DAY Cody returns to the bus and gets in, the bus lifts up and proceeds slowly towards the barn. EXT. BARN - DAY 143 142

Buzz opens the barn door and holds it as the bus enters then closes the door. INT. BARN - DAY They get out of the bus. Paul Martin helping Diana Lee. BUZZ Theres an unmarked car at the road so we have to be discrete. Buzz looks directly at Diana Lee, and continues: BUZZ (CONTD) We need to get you in the house so I can take a look at that.(her wound) INT. RYKOFFS OFFICE - DAY 145 144

Rykoff standing behind his desk leaning forward as he presses the speed-dial on his phone and lifts the receiver to his ear. He shifts his weight from one leg to the other then starts speaking into the phone. RYKOFF The device, along with the plans are loose. (pause) Yes, all the information. Yes, they have one (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

87.

RYKOFF (contd) working device. (pause). We are doing all we can to make a full recovery. I will keep you posted. INT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY 146

Buzz, sleeves rolled up, exits a bedroom with a large bowl of bloody rags and heads for the kitchen. Cheryl and Professor Martin come to the kitchen from the den. BUZZ Shell be okay. Ive given her something for pain. Shell sleep awhile. Buzz disposes of the mess in the trash and cleans up. PROFESSOR MARTIN Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Were very grateful to you. CHERYL Yes, thank you. Buzz looks around the room and into the living room. BUZZ Wheres Cody? PROFESSOR MARTIN He went back to the barn. Buzz looks around the room in awkward silence for a moment then speaks. BUZZ When did you eat last? Can I fix you something? PROFESSOR MARTIN Its been awhile, thank you. Let me help. Its this nervous energy. It would be good to do something beside sit around. BUZZ I understand. Ill get you started and let you take over. Buzz pulls things from cabinets and opens the fridge.

88.

INT. BARN - DAY

147

Windows on the bus are masked off, tires are coverd with paper. Cody opens a can of paint and starts stirring it when Buzz enters through the side door. BUZZ What are you doing? CODY The only thing I can think to do now. Cody has changed, matured rapidly in the past several days. He even looks more mature. BUZZ How about telling me whats going on? Cody quietly stirs the can of paint, then stops. CODY I dont know where to begin. He starts stirring the paint again. Buzz senses his difficulty so he gives his son a starting point. BUZZ What are those things under the bus? CODY Antigravity pods. BUZZ (looking closely at Cody) Go on. Cody is in a near daze and continues to stir as he pours out a stream of consciousness in hopes it will explain. Buzz listens without interrupting. CODY Dr. Sontagg created this field control technology. I think he started when he was about my age. The military has been keeping it secret for a long time. So he took it from them, but it was really his anyway so we put it under the bus, and now the bus flies. We were going to give a public (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

89.

CODY (contd) demonstration but we got shot at and I flew us out of there. But then we had to go to the secret base to get the rest of the data. We got it, but Dr. Sontagg died, and Diana Lee got shot. Cody pours some paint into a sprayer as he goes on. CODY (CONTD) They chased us and shot lasers at us. We got lucky and got away, but Diana had been shot, like I said, so we came here. I didnt know what else to do. Oh yeah, we dont need gasoline anymore. Its like free energy now. Cody puts the top on the sprayer and connects the air hose. He puts a respirator on and Buzz continues to listen. He sees Cody stressed and realizes a lot has transpired since he saw his son last. CODY (CONTD) It flies real sweet, Dad. Silent too. At first we used the generator, but it was noisy. Then the Professor showed us how to do it without the generator. Its real nice Dad. Youll like it. Cody starts spraying a bright coat of paint on the bus. CODY (CONTD) A clean paint job would look good for a public demo, dont you think? BUZZ You still want to give a public demonstration? Cody stops spraying paint for a moment. CODY Yeah. Its the only way. Cody looks at his father, and they see each other in an entirely different light. Man to man now. BUZZ How can I help? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

90.

CODY I have some ideas. Can we brainstorm together a little while I paint? Cody pauses a moment, Buzz puts on a respirator, then Cody continues painting the bus. MONTAGE: SEQUENCE OF BUS GETTING WORKED ON. Cody, respirator still on, flips his hand upward, mimicking the motion of the bus flying through the skylight, then makes motions of glass falling all around. (Its obviously easier for Cody to speak with his father when they are working together.) Buzz brings heat lamps to bear on the fresh paint. Masking coming off windows, door handles, etc. Cody waving a hand in the air in front of him, mimicking the bus in flight. What looks like some sort of luggage rack being mounted on the back of the bus. Cody holds hands up describing how they escaped from the city under the airplane. Buzz fills a smaller, detail paint sprayer with a different color. Cody waving both hands in the air in front of him describing the fractal pattern the saucers went in. Paul Martin and Cheryl bring food and drinks. Cheryl and Peter are helping now. Working while eating. Stuff being wired into the new rack on back. Things being worked on inside the bus. A box of things stuffed into the back. Mannequins moved around in the barn. Other stuff loaded on the bus.

91. INT. LUXURIOUS OFFICE - DAY 148

Close on a large flast screen computer monitor with a video conference in session. On screen are live images of the previously introduced bankers and the shadowy figure. SHADOWY FIGURE So, now you know. The technology is loose with one working device, along with someone who can fly it. We might not be able to make a clean recovery. NEW YORK BANKER Right. Are we ready to adjust international banking systems to survive a sudden release of this technology? BANKER FROM THE VATICAN We have no choice. I suggest we begin shifting our holdings out of the energy sector. LONDON BANKER Well want to step up our plans for a new world currency. Lets hope it wont be as arduous as the change from the Pound Sterling to the US Dollar, and that global depression it took to get everyone on board. SWISS BANKER Yes, well want to move to a world currency right away. Start contracting the money supply immediately in case the technology gets out prematurely. NEW YORK BANKER This could get bumpy. BANKER FROM TOKYO We need to be orderly about dumping energy stocks. And we need to work together to contract money supplies. SHADOWY FIGURE With this one world currency, we will have a one world military to help us keep our agreements. The others stiffen slightly then begin to nod. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

92.

VATICAN BANKER We havent crossed the threshold just yet. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. INT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY 149

Buzz in the kitchen packing a brown bag with sandwiches and snacks. Diana Lee comes in, arm in a sling, rubbing her head. DIANA LEE Whatever you gave me sure knocked me out. How long have I been sleeping? BUZZ Five hours or so. How do you feel? DIANA LEE My arm hurts pretty bad. Got anything I can take that wont knock me out? BUZZ Yeah, hang on a sec. Buzz reaches into a cabinet and takes out a pill bottle. DIANA LEE Where is everyone? BUZZ In the barn. Getting ready to finish whats been started. Buzz opens the pill bottle and gives a capsule to Diana. DIANA LEE What can I do to help? BUZZ Seems to me its all good to go. Can I see? BUZZ I was just going to take this bag of snacks out there. Let me just check on our watchers in the car out front. (CONTINUED) DIANA LEE

CONTINUED:

93.

Buzz pulls back the drapes at the front window and peaks out. CLOSE ON: THE TWO GUYS IN THE CAR OUT FRONT LOOK TO BE READING A NEWSPAPER. BUZZ (CONTD) Okay, we go out the back door, but stay low. INT. BARN - DAY 150

Buzz and Diana Lee enter through the side door. The bus is freshly painted and looks fantastic. Cody is airbrushing on some details. EXT. RANCH HOUSE - AFTERNOON 151

A school bus stops at driveway and Dillan gets out. He waves at kids waving to him from the windows as the bus drives off. Dillan stops to look at the unmarked car just up the road, then makes his way to the house. As Dillan gets closer to the house he hears something in the barn and goes to investigate. Dillan opens the side door and pokes his head in. He sees the freshly painted bus along with Cody and his dad. He drops his book bag and rushes in. DILLAN Hey, Cody! Whoa! Nice paint job! Did you get kicked out of school or something? CODY Hey Dillan! Dont bag on me! Come and meet some good people. Dillan goes to meet the strangers. EXT. ROAD IN FRONT OF RANCH HOUSE - DAY 152

Two guys in an unmarked car watching the Thompson home. Their view of the barn is not clear. Theyve got newspapers and styrofoam cups in the backseat. Gary, in the drivers seat, is doing a crossword puzzle. Gene, in the passenger seat, grabs binoculars and peers towards the house. GENE Hey, Gary, that kid went straight to the barn. Isnt that a little odd? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

94.

No. GENE I think it is. Hes been in there a half hour now. If it was me, Id go in the kitchen for a snack. GARY Dont be so suspicious. GENE Its our job to be suspicious. Besides, Im bored shitless. Im gonna stretch my legs and look around. Gene opens the door and starts to get out. GARY Dont step in anything. EXT. BARN - DAY Gene sneaks to the barn and looks for a crack to peek in. SFX: ACTIVITY INSIDE THE BARN, VOICES. Gene finds a crack and peeks in the barn and sees the micro-bus and people. Dillan is sitting on a stool holding a remote control for R-C airplanes, waving the antenna around and smiling and having an animated discussion with someone off screen. Dillan collapses the antenna and gets in the bus still holding the transmitter. Gene pulls out a service revolver and starts to enter the barn through the side door. INT. BARN - DAY 154 153

GARY (not looking up)

Buzz sees the door opening and hides nearby. Gene enters holding his pistol forward. Buzz swings down with a piece of 2 X 4 and hits Genes forearm, possibly breaking it, and sending the pistol flying across the floor. Buzz grabs the gun and aims it at Gene who holds his arm and winces with pain. GENE You broke my arm! (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

95.

BUZZ Ill break your neck you come on my property with a gun! Get over there. Buzz waves Gene over in front of the main doors where everyone can see him. BUZZ (CONTD) Everybody get on the bus. You cant stay here any longer. Gene puts his hand in his pocket and presses a speed dial on his cell phone. Buzz looks at his son as if he may never see him again. Cody gets everyone in the bus, gets in himself and flips the ON switch as everyone straps in. CODY You have to come with us Dad. EXT. ROAD IN FRONT OF RANCH HOUSE - DAY 155

Garys phone rings. Caller I.D. shows the caller to be Gene, but theres no one there. He puts down the crossword puzzle, starts the car and starts driving forward slowly. INT. BARN - DAY 156

Buzz opens the big barn doors for the bus to leave when Gary starts down the driveway. BUZZ Hurry, Cody. The other guy is coming. EXT. BARN - DAY 157

Gary drives down the driveway as the barn doors open and the bus floats out and stops with the side door of the bus open. Gary stops the car, gets out and aims his weapon. Buzz starts to get in the bus when Gary opens fire. Three rapid shots ring out and Buzz Thompson is fatally shot and falls to the ground. Dillan REACTS! and tries to jump out of the bus, but Paul Martin and Diana Lee hold him tightly.

96.

INT. VW BUS - DAY

158

Diana Lee holds Dillan a moment and then Dillan buries his face into her good arm. Codys face shows disbelief and shock. CHERYL (very serious, very sober) Fly, Cody. Fly. Cody is stunned motionless. CHERYL (CONTD) (Now louder, more serious) FLY, CODY! NOW!!! The way she says NOW! Has absolute authority like when she said it when the fractal program kicked in. Cody snaps out of his shock and starts to fly. The freshly painted bus streaks out of sight as Gary rushes to Gene who is holding his broken arm, and Buzz lies motionless on the ground. EXT. WUNDERKIND VIDEO GAMES - NIGHT The bus enters the parking lot, pulls up in front, Cheryl gets out and heads to the building and enters as the bus moves quietly into the shadows. INT. WUNDERKIND VIDEO GAMES - NIGHT 160 159

Cheryl meets her friend Terrence, running the DVD duplicating equipment making copies of the latest version of a popular video game. TERRENCE Whereve you been? People have been looking for you. Spooky people. CHERYL (dismissive) Flitting around here and there. When are you putting out that new video game? TERRENCE Its in process! Were making 36,000 copies an hour for the worldwide release next week. The 3D graphics are the best ever. Itll (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: TERRENCE (contd) blow you away. People are gonna levitate to the store to buy it when they find out how good it is. CHERYL Cool. Hey, you got anything to drink here? A soda or something? TERRENCE Yeah, hang on a sec. Ill get you one.

97.

When he leaves the room she swaps the data in the duplicator with data of her own - it is now making 36,000 copies an hour of the secret data and packing it in a video game package to be shipped around the world. The friend returns with the soda and give it to Cheryl. CHERYL Thanks Terrence, I just remembered something I have to do. Ill catch you later. TERRENCE You just got here! Hang out and Ill show you the game. CHERYL Id like that. Maybe next time. Cheryl leaves abruptly. Terrence looks disappointed. EXT. WUNDERKIND VIDEO GAMES - NIGHT 161

Cheryl gets into the waiting bus and it drives away into the night. EXT. PHONE BOOTH - PRE DAWN Professor Martin enters a phone booth, deposits coins and punches buttons. INT. STEVE SYKES HOME - PRE DAWN A phone on a nightstand rings and a sleepy Sykes answers. PROFESSOR MARTIN (V.O.) Steve, its Paul Martin. Sykes becomes alert and sits up in bed. (CONTINUED) 163 162

CONTINUED:

98.

PROFESSOR MARTIN (V.O.) Go to the vista point just north of the Golden Gate bridge as soon as you can. STEVE SYKES Whats going on? PROFESSOR MARTIN Bring your newsvan and your good camera. Professor Martin hangs up. Sykes throws the covers off and gets up. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO AREA - EARLY A.M. 164

Typical heavy morning traffic. Lines of cars waiting to pay tolls, bumper to bumper cars backed up for a mile in just about every direction. EXT. NORTH OF GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE - EARLY A.M. 165

The freshly painted micro bus, now sporting a couple of attachments, pulls up from a side street and pauses for a gap in traffic. Drivers dont give an opening. The bus lifts up, turns right and flies over the line of cars toward the bridge. Cars screech to a halt. People gape and watch. The bus flies over the toll booth and continues across the bridge. More cars stop. People get out and look. The bus crosses the bridge, turns left & flies toward Fishermans Wharf and all those tourists. EXT. PARKING LOT/VISTA - EARLY MORNING 166

Excited tourists bunch together to better see the bus. Pictures and videos are shot. The bus flies out over the bay, over Alcatraz and red, white and blue smoke streamers start pouring from flares on the rear of the bus. From the outdoor megaphone style speakers mounted on top of the bus comes very loud very brassy, uplifting music. The bus flies aerobatics over the water, then over the crowds, drawing even more attention. The streets fill up with people pouring out of every nearby building.

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EXT. S.F. BAY AREA - EARLY MORNING Sykes and Oscar with the news van hurry to set up, raise antennae, roll cameras and transmit pictures. SYKES Oh my God, Oscar! This is incredible! Get the transmitter going right away! INT. LUXURIOUS OFFICE - DAY Shadowy figure presses a button on a phone to speed dial. INT. LUXURIOUS OFFICE - DAY New York Banker answers phone. SHADOWY FIGURE V.O. Turn on your TV. Looks like weve crossed that threshold we were discussing.

167

168

169

New York Banker uses a remote to turn on a TV and sees the action in San Francisco and speaks into his phone. NEW YORK BANKER Yes. I suppose we have crossed the threshold. Thank you for the heads up. Oh, as a token of our appreciation, I suggest you short sell energy stocks. SHADOWY FIGURE V.O. Thank you, I will do that. NEW YORK BANKER Right then. EXT. FISHERMANS WHARF - MORNING 170

Tourists pointing at the bus flying over and around the bay. The bus is doing loop-de-loops, figure eights, and other tricks when in the East six unmarked black helicopters appear. The music comes to an end, the bus turns to face them, then dips and sways very playfully as if taunting. As the choppers get close the bus flies backward then turns and flees on a path travelling under the Golden Gate bridge. Spectators on the bridge cheer as the bus passes under them. They turn and run to the other side of the bridge to watch (CONTINUED)

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the bus head out toward the clouds sitting heavy just beyond the mouth of the bay. The black choppers follow the bus into the clouds where they all disappear from sight. The sound of an air-to-air missile launch, the flash of an explosion and flaming wreckage falling to the water below, signal the end of the magic bus. EXT. S.F. SECLUDED VANTAGE - MORNING 171

Cody in aviator glasses and a baseball cap, holding a radio control transmitter, pushes the antennae down, and turns to Dillan, Cheryl, Diana Lee and Martin. CODY That should get them off our butts for awhile. Cheryls laptop computer is open, on and connected wirelessly to the internet. Its uploading the information to a list of websites. Cheryl partially closes the laptop and continues to hold it open as much as needed to keep it on and they walk away from it all. EPILOG SUBTITLE: FIVE YEARS LATER... SFX: EXPANSIVE MUSIC INT. FLYING CAR OVER JUNGLE - DAY MOVING 172

Moving swiftly and gracefully over a beautiful jungle scene. Angle back to inside a "Ford" of tomorrow. Angle on an LCD computer touch-screen with icons in the dashboard. A hand reaches to it, finger pointing. We see a sequence of interactions lowers the sound level of the music, switches the craft from auto pilot to manual control, and shows a beacon flashing with an arrow pointing to it. EXT. JUNGLE TREETOPS - DAY 173

The Flying Ford slows then hovers above the treetops. It nudges branches and slips between the boughs on its way to a landing below.

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INT. FLYING FORD OF TOMORROW - DAY Steve Sykes grimaces as branches touch and scrape against his vehicle. EXT. BENEATH JUNGLE CANOPY - DAY

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Diana Lee and Cheryl turn to watch the Ford landing next to their campsite. Behind them is an Airstream trailer and a micro-bus of tomorrow. Sykes lands, gets out and greets the campers. STEVE SYKES I got a message to meet Paul Martin here. Cody, wiping his hands on a red grease rag steps from behind the Volkswagen Camper. CODY Hes down at the water, fishing. Ill take you there. Cody motions to the micro bus and opens the drivers door. STEVE SYKES Ive been trying to catch up with Professor Martin for five years now. No sense waiting any longer. Sykes goes around to the passenger side, gets in and the camper starts to fly out before he can buckle up. EXT. JUNGLE CAMPSITE - DAY 176

The Camper blasts up through the trees and arcs away like a Frisbee tossed by some powerful arm and Sykes REACTS! Whoaa! EXT. ABOVE JUNGLE CANOPY - DAY 177 STEVE SYKES (V.O.)

Leaves swirl up behind the bus as it arcs high over the rim of an expansive gorge then rockets down into it, heading toward a spectacular waterfall.

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INT. MODERN MICRO BUS - DAY

178

Sykes REACTS, grips the arm rest and braces himself against the dash. Cody grins and nonchalantly flies his course. The waterfall looms ahead. EXT. GORGE IN JUNGLE - DAY 179

The camper slows then flies behind the falls, emerges on the other side and sets down on an impossible spot on a cliff next to the pool at the bottom where Professor Martin and Dillan are fishing. Professor Martin and Dillan grab their gear, climb in, and the camper lifts off. INT. MODERN MICRO BUS - DAY 180

Cody flies them out of the gorge. Martin and Dillan hold up their catch as Sykes introduces himself to Dillan. We cant help but notice the spectacular scenery outside the windows. EXT. CAMPSITE IN FOREST - NIGHT 181

Cody, Cheryl, Professor Martin, Diana Lee, Dillan and Steve Sykes finish their meal of fresh fish underneath the canopy of trees with stars above. A comfortable campfire lights up the area. A very nice camp scene. STEVE SYKES Im telling you, you guys can come out of hiding. What youve given the world is incredible! Anti-Gravity, Free energy! And we have a grip on Global Warming now! You guys are major heros! DIANA LEE If you need a hero let it be Sontagg. He devoted his life to this technology. In the end he gave his life for it. CODY We didnt invite you here to make us famous. We asked you here so we could give the world a little something more.

(CONTINUED)

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Cody hands Sykes a package. Dillan tosses another log on the campfire sending a plume of sparks swirling upward. Sykes looks at the package hes just been given. STEVE SYKES Something more? What more could one man possibly give to the world? CODY Sontagg cracked light speed. Were going to the stars. Sykes jaw drops and he looks up. Through an opening in a canopy of trees the hard light of stars penetrates the inky black of space. A meteorite shoots across the star-field and burns out in the upper atmosphere. The underside of the branches glow yellow from the campfire below. Another plume of sparks swirls upward, lifting our awareness that something is happening here. FADE TO BLACK. ROLL CREDITS With credits roll inset pictures and footage of purported anti-gravity and free energy experiments from present day back to the early 1900s. We can probably come up with a few dozen good ones. Let the images and footage float in, then off screen. Also have a close up on the illuminated windsock and we see the lettering on it says: Imagine ala John Lennons song and request.