ID4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Dean Devlin & Roland Emmerich
AN AMERICAN FLAG
Oddly still, posted in gray dusty sand.
WIDEN TO REVEAL:
EXT. LUNAR SURFACE - THE MOON
One small step for man, one large pile of garbage for moon-
kind. Untouched for years, the flag stands next to the
castoff remains of the Apollo mission. Slowly the discarded
equipment begins to RATTLE and SHAKE.
AN ENORMOUS SHADOW creeps towards us blotting out the horizon,
a loud RUMBLE is heard.
Suddenly we are covered in DARKNESS as the SHADOW engulfs us.
Only the lonely image of our EARTH hangs in the air, until a
huge silhouetted OBJECT suddenly blocks our view.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW MEXICO - RADIO TELESCOPE VALLEY - NIGHT
A field of large satellite dishes scan the skies.
Super up: S.E.T.I. INSTITUTE, NEW MEXICO
INT. INSTITUTE - MONITORING CONTROL CENTER - SAME
A lone TECHNICIAN works on his putting skills. Behind him,
wall to wall technical equipment quietly sifts through data.
A RED LIGHT begins to flash.
The Technician turns and slowly walks towards the source. One
by one a series of LIGHTS turn on. The Technician (TECH ONE)
grabs a pair of headphones. His eyes widen.
INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS - SAME
Sleepily a SUPERVISOR picks up the phone.
SUPERVISOR
If this isn't an insanely
beautiful woman, I'm hanging up.
INT. CONTROL CENTER - SAME
TECH ONE
Shut up and listen.
He holds the phone up to a speaker, increases the volume. A
strange FLUCTUATING TONE plays out in sequential patterns.
INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS - SAME
HEARING it, the Supervisor BOLTS UP, banging his head on the
bunk above him.
INT. CONTROL CENTER - MOMENTS LATER
A pajama party on acid. Five other technicians, in various
states of undress, hover anxiously around the main console.
The Supervisor enters, tying his robe.
SUPERVISOR
God, I hope it's not just another
damned Russian spy job.
TECH THREE
(overlapping)
Negative. Computer affirms the
signal is unidentified.
TECH TWO
(hanging up the phone)
The boy from Air Res Traffic say the
skies are clear. No terrestrial
launches.
TECH ONE
It's the real thing. A radio
signal from another world.
The room becomes quiet as they realize that after years of
searching the heavens, they might have finally found
something.
SUPERVISOR
Let's not jump the gun. Run a
trajectory source computation.
Tech Three slides over to another computer.
SUPERVISOR (cont'd)
I want to know exactly where it's
coming from.
TECH THREE
This can't be right.
Tech Three just stares at his screen in disbelief.
SUPERVISOR
What's wrong?
TECH THREE
Calculated distance from source is
at three hundred and eight five
thousand kilometers.
(turning to Supervisor)
It's coming from the moon.
The Supervisor reaches over and turns up the volume on the
speaker. As they listen to the strange TONES we...
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - PENTAGON - SAME
Elevator doors OPENS revealing four star GENERAL GREY,
Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command. Understandably
nervous, the COMMANDING OFFICER escorts him down the hall.
GENERAL GREY
Who else knows about this?
COMMANDING OFFICER
S.E.T.I. in New Mexico identified a
signal but they're even more
confused than we are.
The General shoots him a disapproving glance.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Excuse me, Sir.
He slides his security card through the lock and the doors fly
open.
INT. SPACE COMMAND - THE PENTAGON - CONTINUOUS
Banks of computers, Technicians and assistants working
feverishly through the night. The Officers cross the room.
Super: SPACE COMMAND - THE PENTAGON
COMMANDING OFFICER
Satellite reception has been
impaired but we were able to get
these.
They arrive at a glass table. The surrounding officers snap
to attention as a SECOND OFFICER quickly brings over a large
transparency. We SEE a grainy image of a large vague OBJECT.
GENERAL GREY
Looks like a big turd.
The two Officers exchange a glance.
COMMANDING OFFICER
We estimate it has a diameter of
over five hundred and fifty
kilometers and a mass roughly one
fourth the size of our moon.
The General turns to the Second Officer, concerned.
GENERAL GREY
A meteor?
SECOND OFFICER
No Sir. Definitely not.
GENERAL GREY
How do you know?
SECOND OFFICER
Well, er... it's slowing down.
GENERAL GREY
It's doing what?
SECOND OFFICER
It's... slowing down, Sir.
The General walks over to a phone, picks it up.
GENERAL GREY
Get me the Secretary of Defense.
(pause)
Then wake him up.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITMORE'S BEDROOM - FRE-DAWN
Laying in bed THOMAS J. WHITMORE reads a stack of papers. The
phone RINGS.
WOMAN'S VOICE
(filtering through phone)
Hi. It's me.
The warm look on Whitmore's face tells us everything about how
he feels about the woman on the other end.
WHITMORE
Hi honey. What time is it there?
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Dressed in a night gown, MRS. MARGARET WHITMORE unpacks her
briefing papers lays them out on a small desk as she talks.
Through the window we SEE Los Angeles at night.
MARGARET
Two in the morning. I know I
didn't wake you?
WHITMORE
(filtered)
As a matter of fact you did.
MARGARET
(smiles)
Liar.
INT. WHITMORE BEDROOM - SAME
Whitmore sits up.
WHITMORE
I have a confession to make.
There's a beautiful young blonde
sleeping next to me.
Sleeping next to him, his six-year-old daughter, PATRICIA.
MARGARET
(filtered)
You didn't let her stay up
watching T.V. all night?
WHITMORE
Of course not.
The little girl stirs awake, looks up.
PATRICIA
Mommy?
WHITMORE
You're flying back right after the
luncheon? Okay, here she is.
Whitmore hands her the phone and gets out of bed. Habitably
he turns on the television.
T.V. - NEWS PROGRAM
Several "Pundits" sit around a MaLaughlin-type news discussion
program. The picture quality is snowy, static ridden.
PUNDIT #1
... the inexperience in public
office was inevitably going to
catch up with him. He's
scarified his ideals for
"politics as usual."
Whitmore ties on his robe as he adjusts the picture quality.
PUNDIT #2
...I said this during the
campaign. Leadership as a pilot
in the Gulf War has no
relationship to political
leadership. It's a different
animal...
Suddenly the channel changes. A cartoon comes on. Whitmore
turns to his daughter who holds he remote.
PATRICIA
(into phone)
Daddy let me watch Letterman.
WHITMORE
Traitor.
Whitmore exits the room.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
As Whitmore steps out of his bedroom, a Security guard snaps
to attention. Someone hidden behind a newspaper, sits on a
bench.
SECURITY GUARD
Good morning, Mr. President.
WHITMORE
Good morning, George.
The paper is dropped revealing CONSTANCE HALBROOK, mid-
thirties, aggressive, sharp, the President's communications
director. Quickly she gathers her things and follows
Whitmore.
INT. BREAKFAST TABLE - CONTINUOUS
Two servants are preparing breakfast as Whitmore and Constance
enter. Whitmore sits down, grabs a coffee.
WHITMORE
You're up early this morning,
Connie.
She tosses him one of the many newspapers in her hands.
CONSTANCE
They're not attacking your
policies, they're attacking your
age.
(another paper; reading)
"...addressing Congress, Whitmore
seems less like the President and
more like the orphan child Oliver
asking, 'please sir, I'd like some
more.'"
WHITMORE
Clever.
CONSTANCE
Age was never an issue when you
stuck to your gun. You were
thought of as young and
idealistic. But the message has
gotten lost. There's too much
compromise, too much politics.
WHITMORE
(pointedly)
Isn't it amazing how fast everyone
can turn against you.
Realizing she may be pushing him too far, she hands him
another paper.
CONSTANCE
Well, the Orange County Register
has named you one of the ten
sexiest men of the year.
WHITMORE
You see, substance at last.
An AIDE appears at the doorway.
CONSTANCE
Excuse me, Mr. President. It's
the Secretary of Defense.
Whitmore goes to the phone, picks it up.
WHITMORE
Yes? Say that again?
CUT TO:
AN OLD RUSSIAN SATELLITE
Drifting away from us the old Russian satellite becomes
smaller and smaller. We PAN with it as we SEE it's on a
collision course with something huge.
Suddenly the satellite EXPLODES on IMPACT with the much larger
object that dwarfs the puny piece of hardware. As huge as it
is, we get the feeling we've only seen a portion of the total.
NEW YORK SKYLINE - EARLY MORNING
A slow crane down from the Manhattan skyline, revealing...
EXT. CLIFFSIDE PARK - NEW JERSEY - MORNING
With the New York skyline across the Hudson behind them, old
men sit in this small park playing chess. Unlike the others,
DAVID MARTIN is in his early thirties, sixties hippie meets
nineties yuppie nerd.
He concentrates intensely on his next move. MOISHE. sixties.
smokes a cigar impatiently.
MOISHE
What are you waiting? My social
security will expire, you'll still
be sitting there.
DAVID
I'm thinking.
MOISHE
So think already.
David makes a move. Instantly Moishe counters his move.
David furls his brow in thought.
MOISHE
Again he's thinking.
Moishe reaches into a paper bag and retrieves a coffee in a
Styrofoam cup.
DAVID
You have any idea how long it
takes for those things to
decompose?
MOISHE
You don't move soon. I'll begin to
decompose.
Just as David finally makes his move, Moishe counters again.
David shoots him a look and stares back down to the board.
MOISHE (cont'd)
David, I've been meaning to talk
with you. It's nice you've been
spending so much time with me,
but...
DAVID
Dad, don't start.
MOISHE
I'm only saying, it's been what?
Four years, you still haven't
signed your divorce papers.
DAVID
Three years.
MOISHE
Three, four. Move on. It's not
healthy.
Moishe takes a big puff on the cigar and coughs.
DAVID
Look who's talking healthy.
Suddenly David's beeper goes off.
MOISHE
How many times is that now? You
trying to get fired?
David moves his queen.
DAVID
Checkmate. See you tomorrow, Dad.
He gives his father a quick kiss and hurries away.
MOISHE
That's not checkmate I can
still... Oh.
(yelling after him)
You could let an old man win once
in a while, it wouldn't kill you.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - MINUTES LATER
David pedals his bike through mid-town Manhattan. He arrives
at COMPACT CABLE SYSTEMS.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES - LATER
His bike hoisted on his shoulder, David squeezes through the
revolving doors. MARTY GILBERT, short, nervous and harried,
comes rushing over.
MARTY
What the hell is the point of
having a beeper if you don't turn
it on?
DAVID
It was turned on. I was ignoring
you. What's the big emergency?
MARTY
Started this morning. Every
channel is making like it's
nineteen fifty. Snow, static, all
kinds of distortions. No one
knows what the hell is going on.
David deposits his bike in the kitchenette as Marty tosses his
coke bottle in the trash. David retrieves it.
DAVID
Damn it, Marty. There's a reason
we have bins labeled "recycle."
Finding more bottles in the trash, David turns to Marty
accusingly.
DAVID
What the hell is this?
MARTY
So sue me.
Before David can say anything, Marty ushers him out of the
room.
INT. TRANSMISSION FEED - CONTINUOUS
Technicians are working feverishly. Clearly every monitor is
experiencing varying degrees of signal disruption. David
moves over to the main console.
DAVID
Did you try to switch to
transponder channels?
MARTY
Please, would I be this panicked
if it was that simple?
David examines the readouts, puzzled.
DAVID
Let's retrofit the dish to another
satellite.
MARTY
We've tried. It's not working.
It's almost as though they
weren't even there.
David looks up, puzzled.
DAVID
That's impossible.
CUT TO:
A TELEVISION SET
Bad reception. A hand SMOCKS the side of it. No use.
WIDEN TO REVEAL:
INT. MOBILE HOME - DAY
Eleven-year-old TROY BRENNON tries to fix the television.
His older brother MIGUEL, seventeen, cooks breakfast.
MIGUEL
Stop it.
TROY
It's all fuzzy.
MIGUEL
You're gonna break it. Just leave
it alone. Here, take your
medicine.
Miguel sits a small bottle of medicine and a spoon down in
front of Troy. Troy pushes the bottle away.
TROY
I don't need it.
MIGUEL
(pushing it back)
Just take it, dick head.
(turning to his sister)
Alicia! Make sure he takes his
medicine.
His sister, ALICIA, fourteen, hormones kicking in, testing
boundaries, listens to her walkman while putting on too much
makeup. Miguel throws a dish towel to get her as Troy hits
the television again.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - SAME - MORNING
A beat up pick-up truck comes down a dirt road and skids to a
halt on the gravel next to the Brennon Mobile Home at this
small shabby countryside trailer park. An angry FARMER jumps
out, slamming his door.
INT. BRENNON MOBILE HOME - SAME
Alicia opens the front door and smiles flirtatiously at the
angry farmers, LUCAS, who marches over. Miguel edges her out
of the doorway, wanting to handle this himself.
MIGUEL
Morning, Lucas.
Lucas holds a bowl full of rotted vegetables.
LUCAS
You like these! I've got a whole
goddamned crop full!
Unceremoniously, he dumps them at Miguel's feet.
LUCAS (cont'd)
Where the hell is your father?
You know what time it is?
MIGUEL
He had to re-fuel. There musta
been a problem.
LUCAS
We both know what the problem is.
He's a damned nut case, is what he
is. I musta been out of my mind.
Troy SMACKS the television again.
MIGUEL
Troy, stop it! I swear to God!
LUCAS
Miguel, if he's not in the air in
twenty minutes, that's it. I'm
getting someone else.
Lucas storms away. Again, Troy whacks at the television.
MIGUEL
Stop it, Troy! I swear to God!
Determined, Troy HITS the television again. This time the
picture goes out completely.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - THE ORBIT - SAME
Rolling over us, the immense under-belly of this enormous
craft obliterates our view. A loud SCREECH. Suddenly the
bottom begins to SEGMENT.
Dozens of large sections begins to DISENGAGE, extracting
themselves, twisting away from the larger bilge.
The separated SEGMENTS themselves are enormous. Slowly they
twist downwards on a collision course to the blue planet
below... Earth.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - BASEMENT CORRIDORS - DAY
Under a barrage of questions from her own staff, Constance
hurries down the corridor.
AIDE #1
CNN is running a story that we're
covering up some kind of nuclear
testing experiments...
CONSTANCE
Tell them to run with it if they
want to embarrass themselves.
AIDE #2
NASA has been up my butt all
morning. They want to know our
position.
CONSTANCE
Our official position is we don't
have an official position.
AIDE #3
Connie, what the hell is going on?
Constance escapes into the elevator, turns around.
CONSTANCE
(smiles confidently)
Come on, people. Would I keep you
guys out of the loop?
AIDE #1
In a second!
AIDE #2
Absolutely.
Before she can retort, the elevator doors close.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - WIDE SHOT - SAME
The President, General Grey, the SECRETARY OF DEFENSE and
White House Chief of Staff ALBERT NIMZIKI are gathered around
the couch.
SEC. OF DEFENSE
At the moment, our satellites are
somewhat unreliable. Isn't it
possible that thing may just pass
us by?
NIMZIKI
What if it doesn't "pass us by?"
Let's retarget some ICBMs to blow
it out of the sky...
GENERAL GREY
Forgive me, but with the little
information we do have, the only
thing that would accomplish is
turn one dangerous falling object
into many.
Just then the door opens and Constance enters.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
What's the damage?
CONSTANCE
The press is making up their own
stories at this point.
NIMZIKI
(to General Grey)
Get on the horn with Atlantic
Command. Let's upgrade the
situation to DEFCON 3.
GENERAL GREY
That's not your call to make, Mr.
Nimziki.
CONSTANCE
Isn't that a little premature?
NIMZIKI
I don't think so.
SEC OF DEFENSE
We're two days away from the fourth
of July. We have over fifty percent
of our armed forces on weekend leave,
not to mention the troops and
commanders we have in town for the
Fourth of July parade. We call them
back now, we're sending up a major red
flag.
They go quiet as Commanding Officer from Space Command dashes
into the room.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Our intelligence tells us the
object has settled into a
stationary orbit.
NIMZIKI
Well that's good news.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Not really.
He lays out the diagrams and photos on the table. Everyone
gathers around.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Part of it has broken off into
nearly three dozen other pieces.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
Pieces?
COMMANDING OFFICER
Smaller than the whole, yet over
fifteen miles in width themselves.
NIMZIKI
Where are they heading?
COMMANDING OFFICER
They should be entering our
atmosphere within the next twenty-
five minutes.
The room is silenced. All eyes turn to the President who says
nothing. Nimziki leans in close to him.
NIMZIKI
Like it or not, we're at DEFCON 3.
Recall the troops and put them on
yellow alert.
CUT TO:
YELLOW LIGHTS FLASHING ON
as an ALARM quickly BUZZES. David leans into frame and opens
the door to the microwave. We WIDEN to reveal...
INT. DAVID'S CUBICLE - COMPACT CABLE - DAY
David retrieves his home-make cup-a-soup. We SEE this cubicle
clearly has the David touch; ecology posters, plants, tons of
computers and electronic gizmos.
MARTY
Please, tell me you're getting
something.
Marty enters, looking over David's shoulder as he eats.
DAVID
There's good news and bad news.
MARTY
What's the bad news?
DAVID
You're in meal penalty for
disturbing my lunch.
MARTY
And the good news is you won't
charge me.
DAVID
No. The good news is I found the
problem and it's not our
equipment. There's some weird
signal embedded within the
satellite feed.
MARTY
That's the good news?
David slides over to another computer and turns on an
intricate computation program.
DAVID
Yes, because the analog signal has
a definite sequential digital
patterns embedded within it. When
I find the exact binary sequence
and I apply a phase reversed
signal to that calculated spectra
analyzer I built you last
Christmas, we should be able to
block out the overlay completely...
MARTY
...and we'll be the only guys in
town with a clear picture? That's
my man.
CUT TO:
EXT. CALIFORNIA FARMLANDS, IMPERIAL VALLEY - DAY
Racing over back roads behind a long open field, Miguel rides
his beat-up motor bike, searching. Looking up he SEES
something in the air.
MIGUEL'S POV - AN OLD BI-WING AIRPLANE
converted into a crop-duster, BUZZES overhead. Spraying
insecticide wildly, the plane zigzags over the field.
MIGUEL
(yelling)
Russell! God damn it, Russell!
Looking down from the cockpit, RUSSELL BRENNON waves stupidly.
Shaggy blonde hair and two days' growth, Russell is the image
of a fifty-one-year-old little boy.
Miguel follows him below, screaming at him. Russell, flying
recklessly, looks down at Miguel not understanding. By the
time he looks back he SEES...
A LINE OF TREES
at the edge of the field, nearly on top of him. In a trick
move, Russell turns the plane on ITS SIDE, and SLICES through
the narrow gap between the trees.
Miguel screams with delight at his prowess. Miguel looks
pissed.
ANGLE - OTHER SIDE OF TREES - MOMENTS LATER
Miguel races over, skidding to a halt next to the landed Bi-
with plane.
MIGUEL
Just what the hell do you think
you're doing?
RUSSELL
(climbing down)
I'm bringing home the bacon.
Earning my keep. And doing a fine
job if I do say so myself.
MIGUEL
It's the wrong field, you idiot!
Lucas' farm is on the other side
of town.
RUSSELL
You sure?
MIGUEL
Damn it, he was doing you a favor.
You know how hard it is to find
someone who doesn't think you're
completely crazy?
(MORE)
What are we supposed to do now?
Huh? Where are we supposed to go
now?
Pissed, Miguel peels away, kicking gravel back at Russell.
Pathetically, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a
bottle of Jack Daniels. He takes a healthy swig.
CUT TO:
EXT. IRAQI DESERT - REFUGEE CAMP - NIGHT
A tent city. Ubiquitous overcrowding and poverty. Several
hundred refugees settle down for the night.
Super: Northern Desert, Iraq
A BEDOUIN stokes a small fire besides his family's tent.
Suddenly a group of shouting SCREAMING TRIBES PEOPLE come
rushing past him.
The Bedouin watches them with confusion. Overcome with
curiosity he goes against the tide of people, up the hillside.
As the Bedouin reaches the top of the hillside, his mouth
falls open, aghast as he SEES...
THE SKIES - THE PHENOMENON
Creeping from across the horizon above the rocky mountain
terrain, a wide FIREBALL high in the sky, flaring and
exploding. A terrifying sight.
CUT TO:
EXT. USS EISENHOWER - AIR CARRIER - ESTABLISHING - DAWN
Super: Battle Carrier, USS Eisenhower - Persian Gulf
INT. USS EISENHOWER - RADAR ROOM - DAY
A loud KLAXON ALARM is ringing out. The FIRST LIEUTENANT
comes rushing in.
LIEUTENANT
Ensign, status?
SAILOR #1
We have a total radar black out
over a thirteen kilometer area.
The Lieutenant moves over to the main radar screen. The
entire upper portion of the screen is BLANK. And the blank
area is MOVING.
LIEUTENANT
Have a complete diagnostic run...
SAILOR #1
Excuse me sir, radar may be
malfunctioning but infrared is off
the map!
He diverts the Lieutenant's attention to another screen; A
BRIGHT SEA OF RED light bleeds off the map.
LIEUTENANT
Get the CINC Atlantic Command on
the line.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - COMMANDING CENTER - DAY
A technical OFFICER rips off a data sheet as it shoots out of
the printer and rushes over to the Commanding Officer.
OFFICER
Sir, we now have visual range with
incoming over Iraqi airspace.
COMMANDING OFFICER
A second sighting?
OFFICER
Yes Sir, this just came in from
the Eisenhower.
The Commanding Officer grabs a phone laying off the hook.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Correction, we have two confirmed
visual contacts. One over Iraq,
one over the Pacific.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY
The room is packed. The President and his chief advisors are
there along with the Joint Chief of Staff. Representatives
from the Atlantic Command and U.S. Space Command have formed
small clusters around telephones.
GENERAL GREY
Where in the Pacific?
(turning to the President)
They've spotted one off the
California coast line.
Surrounded by the Secret Service, the President is speechless.
Constance Halbrook comes rushing into the room and whispers to
the President.
PRESIDENT
Put it on.
Constance moves over to a cabinet and turns on the T.V. (the
reception is still fuzzy, picture "rolling"). The CNN News
broadcast shows the phenomenon over Novosibirsk, Russia.
There is mass hysteria behind the reporter.
NEWSCASTER
(filtered)
...sightings of this atmospheric
phenomenon have been reported here
in Novosibirsk, Russia and other
parts of Siberia. Moving too
slowly to be a comet or meteor,
astronomers are baffled as to its
origin...
Everyone is locked onto the television, mesmerized.
NEWSCASTERS (cont'd)
(filtered)
...Widespread panic has gripped
the countryside as thousands have
taken to the streets and clogged
the highways. Hundreds have been
injured...
General Grey confers with the Atlantic command CINC. He nods,
turns to the President and whispers.
GENERAL GREY
Mr. President, we have an AWAC on
the west coast. E.T.A. with
contact point, three minutes.
INT. AWAC AIRPLANE - DAY
Wall to wall computer, radar and intelligence gathering
equipment. Technicians frantically try to adjust as the
system goes hay wire.
RADAR TECH #1
(reporting into radio)
It's no use. Side radar doesn't
see a thing!
RADAR TECH #2
(reporting)
That's correct. We're IMC blind,
sir.
We TRACK across them over to the pilots and into the cockpit.
Cloudy skies. The PILOT squints out the window as he speaks.
PILOT
Negative. We still have zero
visibility.
EXT. AWAC AIRPLANE - CLOUDY SKIES - DAY
ZOOMING overhead as we SEE the AWAC sailing through a thick
cloudy sky.
Super: Pacific Coastline, California
The AWAC disappears from view into the clouds.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - SAME
The President and his top advisors are gathered around a
speaker phone listening to the pilot of the AWAC.
PILOT
(filtered)
Instrumentation is malfunctioning.
We can't get any kind of reading
on what's in front of us.
INT. AWAC - SAME
The Pilot squints as he tries to see through the clouds.
PILOT
Wait a minute, it may be clearing.
Suddenly the clouds part before us and we're face to face with
a WALL OF FLAMES.
INT. AWAC - SAME
The speaker phone cracks and distorts.
PILOT
(filtered)
Jesus God! The sky's on fire!
EXT. AWAC AND PHENOMENON - SAME
The AWAC attempts to climb sharply as we get our first real
look at the atmospheric phenomenon. Majestic and monstrous.
The AWAC is not going to be able to make it.
Quickly it is ENGULFED in the flames.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - SAME
The phone line goes dead. General Grey spins to an AIDE.
GENERAL GREY
Get them back on line.
AIDE #1
(on other phone)
Line's gone, sir.
The ATLANTIC COMMAND CINC, turns from a different phone.
AAC CINC
Two more have been spotted over
the Atlantic. One is moving
toward New York, the other is
headed this direction.
CHIEF OF STAFF
How much time do we have?
AAC CINC
Less than ten minutes.
NIMZIKI
(turning to aid)
Organize a military escort to
Crystal Mountain.
GENERAL GREY
(to President)
Sir, I strongly recommend we
move you to a secured location
immediately.
... The President hesitates, he turns to Constance.
PRESIDENT
Can we expect the same kid of
panic here as in Russia?
CONSTANCE
More than likely.
NIMZIKI
Mr. President, you can discuss
this on the way.
Torn, the President grapples with a decision. Finally...
PRESIDENT
I'm not leaving.
NIMZIKI
We must maintain a working
government in a time of crisis...
PRESIDENT
I want the Vice President,
Secretary of Defense, the whole
Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs taken
to a secured location.
I'm staying here. I am not going
to add to a public hysteria that
could cost lives.
NIMZIKI
But, Mr. President...
PRESIDENT
So far these things have not
become hostile. For the moment
let's assume they won't.
(to Constance)
Connie, let's issue statements
advising people not to panic, to
stay home and take cover.
Constance issues commands to her staff as they quickly
exit along with most people in the room. General Grey goes
over to the President.
GENERAL GREY
With your permission, Mr.
President, I'd like to remain my
your side.
PRESIDENT
I had a feeling you would.
GENERAL GREY
Sir, what happens if they do
become hostile?
PRESIDENT
Then God help us.
CUT TO:
INT. DAVID'S CUBICLE - DAY
On the T.V. behind David, news footage of the phenomenon in
Russia plays silently. Oblivious, David works his computers.
FEMALE CO-WORKER
(stopping in doorway)
David, are you watching this?
David waves her away, deep in concentration. Suddenly a
computer BEEPS. Excitedly David prints out his finding. He
grabs it and exits.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Engrossed in his printout, David walks past his co-workers who
are glued to the distorted picture on the television, watching
the phenomenon.
INT. MARTY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Marty stares at his television watching General Grey
addressing the press. David enters, staring at his reading.
DAVID
I've got a lock on the signal
pattern. We can filter it out.
MARTY
(distracted)
Huh? Oh, good, hood.
DAVID
Strange thing is, if my
calculations are right it'll be
gone in approximately seven hours
anyway. The signal reduces itself
every time it recycles.
Eventually it will disappear. Are
you listening?
MARTY
(still glued to T.V.)
Can you believe this?
DAVID
What re you talking about?
MARTY
Haven't you been watching?
David turns for the first time to the television and sees the
phenomenon. Constance comes on addressing the press.
CONSTANCE
(filtered)
...so far the phenomenon has not
caused any damage. In all
likelihood it won't...
INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM - SAME
More reporters rush in from the back quickly setting up as
this hastily called press conference continues.
CONSTANCE
...everyone should remain calm.
Take cover where you can but the
important thing is not to panic.
INT. BRENNON MOBILE HOME - SAME
Miguel, Alicia and Troy watch the static riddled T.V.
CONSTANCE
(filtered)
...we have a fix on three
different occurrences about to
appear over American cities. One
is headed toward Los Angeles...
INT. MARTY'S OFFICE - SAME
CONSTANCE
(filtered)
...the other two are on our
Eastern seaboard headed towards
New York and Washington, D.C...
Suddenly hectic CO-WORKER #2 appear at the door.
CO-WORKER #2
Jamie says this building has an
old bomb shelter. We're heading
down there now.
MARTY
(dry; to David)
Feel no shame in hiding.
INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
A crowd of people head down the hall for the shelter while
others stay glued to the set. There is a mix of fascination
and panic. David watches the commotion, dumb struck.
MARTY
Oh shit, I better call my wife.
INT. AIRPORT DINER - LATE MORNING
Depressed Russell nurses a beer at the counter. Three FLIGHT
MECHANICS walk in, having a good laugh. One of them spots
Russell and moves over to him.
MECHANIC #1
Hey, Russ, heard you had a little
trouble this morning. Dusted the
wrong field?
The Mechanics laugh. Russell tries to ignore them.
MECHANIC #2
I know, you're probably still a
little confused from your hostage
experience.
MECHANIC #2
Hostage experience? Something
happen to you, Russ?
MECHANIC #1
He ain't never told you!? Seems
years back our boy here had been
kidnapped by aliens. Did all
kinds of experiments on him and
such. Tell him, Russ.
RUSSELL
Not today, guys. Okay.
Russell gets up and heads for the door.
MECHANIC #1
You just gotta get a couple more
beers in him, he'll tell you all
about it. Crazy stuff. Won't
you, Russ?
EXT. SMALL AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS
The Mechanic follows Russell outside, his buddies in tow.
MECHANIC #1
Hey, Russ, when they took you up
in their space ship, they do any
sexual things to you?
The mechanics crack up laughing. Suddenly the things around
them begin to RUMBLE. The SHADOW engulfs them, silencing the
Mechanics.
Panicked they turn and RUN AWAY. Russell just looks up at the
sky, grabs his Jack Daniels and takes another swig.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - SAME
Dogs bark and people stumble out of their trailers as an
enormous SHADOW creeps over them.
INT. BRENNON MOBILE HOME - CONTINUOUS
The windows grow DARK and the room begins to RUMBLE. Miguel
rushes to the door, ushering his siblings out.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - CONTINUOUS
Alicia and Troy step out the door, stopping dead in their
tracks. Miguel follows them only to look up and SEE...
THE PHENOMENON - DARK CLOUDS
The flames are burning out, replaced by huge plumes of dark
smoke billowing around the edges of the phenomena. Only small
traces of extinguishing flames illuminate it.
INT. COMPACT CABLE - STAIRWELL - SAME
David pushes past the people making their way down, fighting
against the tide. Another CO-WORKER (#3) stops halfway.
CO-WORKER #3
Aren't you coming, David?
DAVID
No way, I've got to see this.
EXT. WASHINGTON MONUMENT - SAME
Frightened tourists run for cover as the colossal SHADOW
approaches. Reflected in the water below we SEE the fiery
apparition transfigure into the dark foreboding clouds.
THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL - WASHINGTON, D.C. - SAME
The SHADOW writhes up the detailed statue of Lincoln,
devouring him completely until we are left in total darkness.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAYS - SAME
People are being evacuated from their offices. Patricia, the
President's daughter, breaks away from her nanny.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - SAME
The President talks on the phone. Constance waits nearby.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(into phone)
Of course, Russia and the United
States are in this together. Yes,
Mr. President, you have my word.
Yes, Das Vedanya.
The President hangs up.
CONSTANCE
What is their position?
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
I think he was drunk.
Patricia bursts through the door and runs into her father's
arms, terrified. A SECRET SERVICE man appears.
SECRET SERVICE GUY
Mr. President, we have to go.
Abruptly, the room DARKENS as it begins to RUMBLE.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - SAME
The long, dark SHADOW moves across the entire White House,
engulfing it in darkness.
EXT. HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK - STATUE OF LIBERTY - SAME
In the distance we SEE the mutated phenomenon's dark gray
clouds nearing Miss. Liberty. As it approaches we SEE the New
York skyline begin to darken.
EXT. BLACK TOP BASKET BALL COURT, NEW YORK - SAME
Kids playing basket ball. A young BOY stops playing, staring
skyward. One by one, they all look upwards, stunned as a long
dark SHADOW creeps over them.
With a loud CRASH, several New York Cabs SLAM into one another
in the street. Two more cars crash into them. A pile up
ensues.
EXT. WALL STREET - SECOND LATER
Foot traffic stops as the long SHADOW crawls over the entire
area.
EXT. ROOFTOP - COMPACT CABLE - SAME
Large satellite dishes beset a doorway to the roof which flies
open. David steps out just as a long, dark SHADOW covers over
him, sending the city into darkness. David looks up to SEE...
SKYLINE AND ALIEN CRAFT
Protruding through the dark clouds we get a glimpse of the
underbelly of a colossal ALIEN CRAFT, its outer veneer of
smoke and clouds beginning to fade away.
Below we see PANIC, cabs SLAMMING into one another, people
staring, people screaming. No one knows how to react.
David runs to the other side of the rooftop, overlooking
Central Park, to get a better look.
DAVID'S POV - CENTRAL PARK - SAME
The entire park is plunged into darkness as the craft above
blots out of the sun. Amazing as it may seem, the hovering craft
BLANKETS THE ENTIRE PARK and BEYOND. We still have NOT seen
an entire craft.
DAVID
(realizing)
My God. The signal.
EXT. LOS ANGELES BASIN - WIDE ANGLE - LATER MORNING
A panoramic view of the Los Angeles basin. Slowly filling the
screen, we SEE a portion of the enormous space craft as it
creeps towards the city, obliterating our view.
EXT. HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL AREA - SAME
A station wagon, filled with kids and a harried HOUSEWIFE,
comes to a stop. The passenger door opens and a young six-
year-old boy, DYLAN steps out.
HOUSEWIFE
Dylan, tell your mom you can stay
overnight again Thursday.
Suddenly a car SAILS over a nearby hill in front of them,
hitting the ground with a BANG. Two more cars follows, air
bound. As the Housewife turns she SEES...
SPACE SHIP - SAME
Rising over the mountain we SEE the Space Ship as it nears the
city, blocking out the sunshine.
Panicked, the Housewife hits the gas and peels out, leaving a
confused Dylan staring skyward.
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Two people sleep as Dylan runs into the room.
DYLAN
Mommy, look at!
He rushes away. The SHADOW moves past the window, darkening
the room. His mother, JASMINE DUBROW, stirs.
JASMINE
(re: darkness)
It's too early, baby.
She turns back over. Suddenly the room briefly RUMBLES.
MAN
Earthquake?
JASMINE
Not even a four pointer. Go back
to sleep.
Shrugging, the man does.
HOLLYWOOD SIGN (FORMERLY SC. 72) - SAME
In Los Angeles. The SHADOW slowly covers the sign.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - WINDOW - SAME
The President and his daughter cautiously approach the window
staring in awe at the amazing sight above them. Several
others approach from behind.
Cautiously some people begin to walk outside, staring up at
the leviathan, mouths agape.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - SAME
Slowly staff members approach, gazing out the window.
Constance steps up behind the President.
CONSTANCE
What do we do now?
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
Address the nation. There are a
lot of very frightened people out
there right now.
CONSTANCE
Yeah. I'm one of them.
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - ALIEN CRAFT - SAME
All of Washington is under the shadow of this gargantuan alien
craft. A stunning tableau.
CUT TO:
INT. JASMINE'S DEBROW'S BEDROOM - SAME
The man sleeping next to Jasmine's beagle BOOMER drops
Steven's tennis shoes on top of him, waking him.
JASMINE
He's trying to impress you.
STEVE
He's doing a good job.
He pats the dog on the head and takes the shoes. Steven gets
up and makes his way to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
As Steve takes a pee, he SEES out the window a family packing
up their car, others standing around staring at something in
the distance. A HELICOPTER flies overhead.
STEVE
Neighbors are moving. I think
they're tired of earthquakes.
He finished and flushes.
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Steve enters the living room. The television is playing a
news broadcast.
NEWSCASTER
...with little damage reported to
the southland area. People are
advised not to panic...
STEVE
Hon, something's on the table 'bout
the quake.
Jasmine sits up in bed, yelling out to Steve.
JASMINE
Dylan out there?
Steve turns, looking for Dylan when the doggie door pops open
and Dylan crawls through.
STEVE
What have you been up to, Sport?
DYLAN
(holding his gun)
Shooting aliens.
Steve musses up the boy's hair, smiling.
JASMINE
(entering)
Coffee?
Steve mumbles an affirmative as he exits.
EXT. JASMINE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Steve picks up the morning paper and opens it. He doesn't
notice the DOZENS of neighbors quickly packing up and rushing
to get away as he reads the paper oblivious.
JASMINE (O.S.)
You want milk with your coffee?
Jasmine appears behind him, her view, too, obscured by the
open newspaper. Suddenly another HELICOPTER room overhead.
Annoyed, Steve lowers his paper.
STEVE AND JASMINE'S POV
As the paper is lowered we SEE the helicopter SWOOP down. As
it flies away we SEE...
THE ALIEN CRAFT
Covering all of Los Angeles. This is the first time we see
the entire craft. It is stupendous. Steve's jaw hits the
floor. The milk goes CRASHING as Jasmine SCREAMS.
CUT TO:
INT. STAIRWELL - DAY
Running for all he's worth, David sprints down the stairs.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Dashing off the stairs, David stops seeing that the room is
now completely empty. The wall of monitors play for no one.
David walks up to one, adjusting the volume.
T.V. - CNN BROADCAST - (DISTORTED BROADCAST SIGNAL)
A space ship logo spins next to the words VISITORS: CONTACT OR
CRISIS. Wolf Blitzer comes on screen live from the Pentagon.
WOLF BLITZER
Pentagon officials are reporting
more ships have just arrived over
the capitals of India, England and
Germany.
As he speaks we get quick glimpses of the other ships.
MARTY (O.S.)
I know, babycakes. Calm down.
David spins around at the sound of the voice but the room is
still empty. David leans down and looks under a desk where he
finds Marty still on the phone with his wife.
DAVID
Tell her to get the kids and leave
town.
MARTY
What happened?
DAVID
(yells)
Just do it!
Marty realizes David is dead serious.
MARTY
Babycakes, pack the kids up and
take them to your mother's. Don't
ask. Go.
Mary hangs up, crawls out from under the table.
MARTY (cont'd)
Okay, why did I just send my
family to Atlanta?
DAVID
Remember I told you that the
signal hidden within our satellite
signal is slowly recycling down to
extinction.
MARTY
Not really...
DAVID
That signal. It's a countdown.
MARTY
(confused)
A countdown to what?
DAVID
Think. It's like in chess. First
you strategically position your
pieces. Then, when the timing's
right. You strike.
David motions to the television.
BLITZER
...there are additional
unconfirmed sightings over Japan,
the Mediterranean, and China...
DAVID
They are positioning themselves
all over the world and using this
one signal to synchronize their
efforts. In approximately six
hours the signal will disappear
and the countdown will be over.
MARTY
Then what?
DAVID
Checkmate.
Marty takes a beat to digest. Then, grabbing the phone....
MARTY
I gotta call my brother, my
bookie, my lawyer... fuck my
lawyer...
David also grabs a phone. Suddenly the bank of monitors
synchronize into one enormous image across the entire video
wall; the President addressing the nation.
INT. PRESS ROOM, WHITE HOUSE - SAME
The President stands at the podium giving his address.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
My fellow Americans, a historic
and unprecedented event has taken
place. The question as to whether
or not we are alone in the
universe has been answered...
ANGLE - SIDE ENTRANCE TO PRESS ROOM
As Constance watches the President, she unconsciously mouths
the words of his speech, after all, she did write them. A
PRESS AIDE tugs on her sleeve. She tries to wave her off.
PRESS AIDE
He says he's your husband.
Her expression drops. She takes the phone from her.
CONSTANCE
What do you want?
DAVID
(filtered)
You have to leave the White House.
CONSTANCE
This is not the time or the place
to have this same old discussion.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES - SAME
DAVID
You don't understand. You have to
leave Washington.
INT. SIDE OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Impatient, Constance tries to get off the phone.
CONSTANCE
In case you haven't noticed, we're
in a little bit of a crisis here.
DAVID
(filtered)
I've worked with embedded loading.
They're communicating with a
hidden signal. They're going to
attack...
CONSTANCE
You're being paranoid.
DAVID
(filtered)
It's not paranoia. The embedding
is very subtle. It's probably
been overlooked...
Constance hangs up. Her face betrays mixed emotions.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES - SAME
David stares at the phone, pissed. Something on T.V.
catches his attention. Through the snowy image he SEES...
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered)
...My staff and I are remaining
here at the White House while we
attempt to establish
communication...
Hanging up the phone, David sprints for the exit.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE (cont'd)
...so remain calm. If you are
compelled to leave these cities,
please do so in a safe and orderly
fashion.
SMASH CUT TO:
CABS SLAMMING TOGETHER - NEW YORK CITY STREETS
The rush to get away creeps slowly as cars jam the streets in
total grid-lock. David pedals his bike furiously through
traffic.
EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE - NEW YORK - DAY
The mass exodus has reached the bridge. Total congestion.
David fights his way through.
EXT. CLIFFSIDE, NEW JERSEY - LATER
The New York skyline behind him across the Hudson, David jumps
off his bike, and races towards a row of tract houses.
EXT. MOISHE'S TRACT HOUSE - SECONDS LATER
David BANGS on the door. It flies open. Moishe is holding a
hunting rifle, pointing it at David.
DAVID
Pops!
MOISHE
The television said they've
started with the looting already
Vultures.
DAVID
You still got the Olds?
MOISHE
You want to borrow the car? You
don't have a license.
DAVID
That's okay. You're driving.
CUT TO:
INT. JASMINE'S HOUSE - DAY
Steve, wearing his Marine flight officer uniform, shoves the
last of his things into his duffel bag. We notice there are
small figurines of dolphins everywhere. Jasmine hovers
nervously behind him.
JASMINE
You can't go. Call them back.
STEVE
Baby, you know how it is. I have
to report to El Toro right away.
JASMINE
You said you were on leave for the
Fourth.
STEVE
They cancelled it. Why are you
acting like this?
Jasmine grabs the blinds and yanks them away. We SEE the
alien craft through the window.
JASMINE
Why? That's why. That thing
scares the piss out of me.
EXT. DEBROW HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Dylan sits behind the wheel pretending to drive. Steve grabs
him, pulling him out. He reaches into his duffel, grabs a small
brown paper bag.
STEVE
Here. I got these for you. Be
careful with them.
Dylan opens the bag; fireworks. Jasmine walks over.
DYLAN
Cool.
Steve tosses his gear into the back, opens his door.
JASMINE
Wait. I have to tell you
something.
STEVE
What?
JASMINE
(loses her nerve)
Be careful.
STEVE
Look, after your shift tonight,
why don't you grab Dylan and come
stay with me on base.
JASMINE
Really? You don't mind?
STEVE
(smiling)
Naw. I'll just tell my other
girlfriends they can't come over
tonight.
Pissed, she hits him. He loves it.
JASMINE
You know, you're not as charming
as you think you are.
STEVE
Yes, I am.
JASMINE
Dick-weed!
STEVE
Butt-munch.
They kiss. Steve hops into his car and peels out. Jasmine
takes the bag from Dylan.
JASMINE
I'll take these.
DYLAN
Mommmmmm...
CUT TO:
EXT. JERSEY - HIGHWAY - LATER THAT DAY
A perfectly preserved '68 Olds drives cautiously down the
highway. Around him we see other cars packed to the gills as
they make their escape from New York.
INT. OLDS - SAME
Not the most confident driver, Moishe holds the steering wheel
close to his chest.
MOISHE
It's the White House, for crying
out loud. You can't just drive up
and ring the bell.
DAVID
Can't this thing go any faster?
MOISHE
You think they don't know what you
know? Believe me, they know. She
works for the President. They
know everything.
DAVID
They don't know this.
MOISHE
And you're going to educate them?
Tell me something, you're so smart
how come you spent eight years at
M.I.T. to become a cable
repairman?
DAVID
Dad...
MOISHE
All I'm saying is they've got
people who handle these things,
David. They want HBO, they'll
call you.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOUNGE, LOS ANGELES - LATE AFTERNOON
Mrs. Whitmore is at a house phone. Behind her we see several
news crews waiting for interviews.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered through phone)
I want you out of there.
MARGARET
You're staying there to keep
people calm. It's the right thing
to do. I'm not going to let them
criticize you for it.
INT. WHITMORE BEDROOM - WHITE HOUSE - SAME
The President sits on his bed, his daughter lays next to him,
watching T.V. The signal distortion is getting worse.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
Okay, fine but the second your
interviews are done, I have a
helicopter ready to take you to
Nellis Air Force...
MARGARET
(filtered)
How's the munchkin?
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
She's glued to the T.V., just like
the rest of the world. I love you
too. Here she is...
He hands Patty the phone as General Grey and Nimziki appear in
the doorway. The President walks over to them.
GENERAL GREY
More ships keep arriving, fifteen
in total so far.
NIMZIKI
This is crazy. We're loosing our
first strike capabilities!
GENERAL GREY
We're trying to communicate with
them on all frequencies but we're
getting nowhere. Atlantic Command
is working on a type of visual
communication.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
What the hell are they up to?
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT
A long crowded highway of people trying to escape from Los
Angeles can be seen in the distance. The huge space craft
hovering behind them.
Miguel is on the roof of the trailer, adjusting the T.V.
antenna trying to get a picture. Suddenly the image clears
and we SEE a group of people in a crowded hallway.
REPORTER
(filtered)
...a local crop duster was
arrested today attempting to land
at Edwards Air Force Base...
On the T.V. we SEE Russell being escorted to a police car.
Mortified, Miguel can't believe what he's seeing.
RUSSELL
They've got to do something.
I was abducted by space aliens ten
years ago. They did all kinds of
experiments on me. They've been
studying us for years, learning
our weakness. We've go to do
something before they kill us all!
TROY (O.S.)
Just as Troy starts to climb up, Miguel changes the channel to
Mrs. Whitmore. Troy sits down next to Miguel.
MRS. WHITMORE
(filtered)
...we need to remain calm. As
more people decide to leave the
cities, safety is key...
MIGUEL
Troy, you remember Uncle Hector,
from Tucson?
TROY
He's got that SEGA Saturn CD, 64
bit, right?
MIGUEL
Yeah. What would you think if we
went there to live for a while?
TROY
That'd be cool!
Miguel thinks for a second, makes a decision.
MIGUEL
Pack up, we're going.
Miguel jumps down from the roof. Troy climbs down the ladder.
TROY
(yelling after him)
What about Dad?
ALICIA AND OLDER BOY
Kissing. It's getting hot. Alicia laughs, pushes him away.
OLDER BOY
This could be our last night on
Earth. You don't want to die a
virgin, do you?
ALICIA
What makes you think I'm a virgin?
The Older Boy is taken off guard. Before he can answer the
tarp they were hiding under is ripped away. Miguel stands
there.
MIGUEL
Come on, we're going.
ALICIA
I'm not going anywhere...
Miguel grabs her by the wrist and pulls her away.
EXT. FREEWAY - OUTSIDE WASHINGTON - NIGHT
We see the long highway leading to Washington, the space ship
hovering above it. One side of the freeway is packed solid,
the other completely empty, save for one car...
INT. MOISHE'S OLDS - NIGHT
Moishe looks to the other side of the freeway, jam packed. On
his side, they are the only car for miles.
MOISHE
The whole world is trying to get
out of Washington and we're the
only schmucks trying to get in.
As Moishe drives, David distracts him as he unpacks his
backpack unloading his laptop. He grabs a CD.
MOISHE (cont'd)
What the hell is that?
DAVID
This, pops, is every phone book in
America.
MOISHE
You think an important person like
Constance is going to be listed?
DAVID
She always keeps her portable
phone listed, for emergencies.
Sometimes it's just her first
initial, sometime her nickname...
David starts to look it up. Suddenly...
DOZENS OF CARS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THEM
In the attempt to get out, hundreds of cars have been re-
directed by the military to use the opposite side of the
highway.
MOISHE
Oh my God!
Moishe SWERVES violently to avoid collision, barely missing
the oncoming traffic. Dodging right to left, Moishe hangs on
for dear life.
A Military Office, assisting in diverting the cars turns just
in time to see the Olds whiz by.
David and Moishe are bounded around the inside of the car as
Moishe tries to veer through traffic.
Suddenly A TRUCK blocks off their only escape route.
Moishe turns HARD and drives up onto the right shoulder.
OVERHEAD ANGLE - OLDS AND TRAFFIC
The Olds is the only car in headed that direction. Using the
shoulder, swerving to miss barricades, they drives off an exit
ramp.
DAVID
Nice driving, pops!
Dangerously close to a heart attack, Moishe is, for once, at a
loss for words. Over their adrenaline pumped faces...
MALE VOICE (V.O.)
...put your hands together for
Sabrina!
CUT TO:
INT. STRIP CLUB - LOS ANGELES - NIGHT
A bikini-clad Sabrina twirls gracefully on the stage. As she
comes to a stop we reveal Sabrina is actually Jasmine. She
looks out into the audience and her expression DROPS.
REVERSE ANGLE - JASMINE'S POV - EMPTY CLUB
Five strippers and eight customers. All crowded near the
television watching the news.
ANGLE T.V. - ROOFTOP - LOS ANGELES
Helicopter footage of people gathered on the rooftops of
downtown Los Angeles holding up drawings of space aliens.
NEWSCASTERS
(filtered)
...from the "it could only happen
in California" file, hundreds of
UFO fanatics have gathered on the
rooftops of downtown Los Angeles,
welcoming the new arrivals...
INT. DRESSING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jasmine storms into the dressing room. Wiping off her makeup,
she sits down next to TIFFANY who watches the same report on a
small b&w.
JASMINE
I can't believe I even came in
tonight. What was I thinking?
TIFFANY
(re: T.V.)
Isn't this cool? And you thought
I was nuts. Oh, look, I brought
mine with me.
Tiffany holds up a drawing of a space alien.
JASMINE
You're not thinking of joining
those idiots?
TIFFANY
I'm going over there soon as I'm
off. Wanna come?
Jasmine turns to Tiffany, dead serious.
JASMINE
Tiffany, I don't want you to go up
there. Promise me you won't.
(Tiffany pouts)
Promise!
TIFFANY
I promise.
JASMINE
Okay. I'm gone. I'm outta town
for a while.
Her boss MARIO enters and walks over to his private office in
back. He opens the door and finds Dylan playing with his dog,
Boomer.
MARIO
What the hell's your kid doing
here?
Jasmine rushes past picking up Dylan and carrying him away as
she heads for the exit. Boomer follows.
JASMINE
You try to find a sitter today.
MARIO
Where do you think you're going?
You leave, you're fired.
JASMINE
(out the door)
Nice working with you, Mario.
CUT TO:
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT
The streets are nearly deserted. Millions of small lights on
the underbelly of the craft cast strange reflections on the
streets below. The Olds drives on its way towards the Capitol
building.
INT. OLDS - CONTINUOUS
David types frustratedly on his laptop.
MOISHE
Not listed, huh?
DAVID
I just haven't found it yet. I
tried C. Halbrook, Connie
Halbrook, Spunky Halbrook...
MOISHE
Spunky?
DAVID
College nickname.
MOISHE
You try Martin?
DAVID
She didn't take my name when we
were married.
Moishe shrugs. David gives it a shot. Finds it. The machine
BEEPS.
MOISHE
(sarcastic)
So what do I know?
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - EL TORO MARINE CORPS STATION - NIGHT
A crowded locker room. Steve enters.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Where the hell've you been?
STEVE
Ah, were you guys waiting for me?
Several Marines throws towels at Steve as he makes his way to
his locker. His best friend, JIMMY, sits next to him.
JIMMY
Can you believe it? This is
serious shit, Stevie. They've
recalled everyone!
As Steve sits he SEES some envelops stuck into the side of his
locker.
STEVE
Well, the mail's still working.
He flips through the envelops and FREEZES when he sees one
with the NASA insignia on it. Jimmy snatches it away from
him.
JIMMY
Junk mail. You don't want this.
Steve quickly snatches it back, right it open and reads. From
the disappointment on his face we can tell it's bad news.
Realizing, Jimmy puts a hand on Steve's shoulder.
JIMMY
I don't believe it. They make you
learn how to fly everything from
an Apache to a Harrier and still
they turn you down? What else do
they want you to learn?
STEVE
How to kiss ass.
Steve crumples at the letter and tosses it. Angrily he opens his
locker. Pasted on the locker door we see photos of Jasmine
next to the photos of the space shuttle, Apollo Missions, and a
NASA insignia bumper sticker.
As Steve stuffs his jacket into the locker, something falls
out. Before Steve can grab it, Jimmy snatches it up first.
JIMMY
(embarrassed)
Jasmine has this thing for
dolphins. I had them make it...
STEVE
I thought you said you were doing
to break it off.
Steve snatches it back, embarrassed.
JIMMY (cont'd)
Steve, listen to me, you're never
gonna get to fly the space shuttle
if you marry a stripper.
Steve knows he's right. He's torn.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
The Olds stops near the White House. From here we can SEE
tanks and armed patrols. A small group of protesters have
gathered, upset about the military hardware. Signs: "Don't
provoke" "Violence begets Violence."
INT. ODS - CONTINUOUS
David adjusts a small portable satellite, connecting it to his
phon and laptop computer.
MOISHE
So, you want to ring the bell or
should I?
David flips open the phone, dials the number on the screen.
DAVID
Perfect, she's using it.
MOISHE
It's perfect the line is busy?
DAVID
Yes. I can use he signal to
triangulate her exact position in
the White House.
MOISHE
You can do that?
Shooting his father a look.
DAVID
(sarcastic)
All cable repairmen can.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Constance is just finishing a call on her cellular phone.
CONSTANCE
...Sally, take my cat with when
you leave. No I'm staying here at
the White House. Take care.
The moment she hangs up, it RINGS. Surprised, she answers.
CONSTANCE
What?
DAVID
(filtered)
Connie, don't hang up.
CONSTANCE
David? How'd you get this number?
DAVID
Walk to the window. Right in
front of you.
Constance looks up to the large glass windows. She walks over
to it, looking out.
CONSTANCE
What am I looking for?
CONSTANCE'S POV - STREET - OLDS - DAVID
Between two of the tanks outside, Constance can SEE David
standing on top of the Olds across the street. Moishe steps
out, waves. Constance is stunned.
CONSTANCE
(to herself)
How does he do that?
CUT TO:
INT. BRENNON TRAILER - NIGHT
Sulking, Alicia sits in back with he walkman on. Troy sleeps
while Miguel drives. Suddenly Miguel his the brakes, as
something comes SAILING DOWN FROM THE SKY.
We realize it's the B-WING PLANE landing on the stretch of
roadway directly in front of them.
EXT. ROADWAY - CONTINUOUS
The plane lands, skids into a turn. Russell jumps out, walks
over to the trailer. We can tell he's drunk again.
MIGUEL
They let you out?
RUSSELL
Just what the hell do you think
you're doing?
Miguel moves to meet Russell away from the trailer, not
wanting the others to hear.
MIGUEL
We're leaving, don't try and stop
us.
RUSSELL
You're not going anywhere. You
hear me? I'm still your father.
Miguel explodes, this has been building up for some time.
MIGUEL
No, you're not! You're just the man
who married my mother. You're
nothing to me!
Russell is momentarily silent, stunned. Recovering...
RUSSELL
Troy's still my son no matter how
you feel about me.
MIGUEL
For once in your life think about
what's best for Troy. Who has to
beg for money to buy him medicine
when you screw up? Who?
Suddenly we hear glass CRASHING. Both men spin to find Troy
standing behind them.
TROY
Stop it! I'm not a baby! I don't
need your stupid medicine. I
don't need anyone to take care of
me!
Miguel leans down to see the broken MEDICINE BOTTLE on the
floor. Miguel rushes over to him, furious.
MIGUEL
You know what this stuff costs?
Do you want to get sick again!?
Do you!?
Frustrated, Miguel shoves Troy aside and heads back into the
trailer. Wobbly from the drinking, Russell stands there
pathetically, watching.
EXT. ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE - NIGHT
A large group of press rush over toward FOUR APACHE
HELICOPTERS, each refitted with a large LIGHT BOARDS, as they
slowly lift off the ground. Cameras flash, reporters yell
questions to the Officers assigned to keep them at bay.
Several news organizations do stand up remotes. We TRACK past
them to the CNN crew.
CNN REPORTER
What you see behind me are four
Apache helicopters...
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - SAME
On the television plays the CNN broadcast. The reception is
intermittently disrupted.
CNN REPORTER
(filtered through T.V.)
...each has been refitted with
what Pentagon officially hope will
be our first step in communicating
with the alien craft...
We WIDEN to reveal a large contingent of military personnel
along with the President's chief advisors gathered around
several monitors, (the center monitors are momentarily blank).
Suddenly everyone snaps to attention as the President enters.
PRESIDENT
Where are we?
GENERAL GRAY
They're in the air.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - SAME
Moishe inspects a photo of Constance with the President,
impressed he nods with approval.
MOISHE
(to himself)
Very nice.
Constance is looking at David's laptop displaying the
breakdown of the alien signal.
CONSTANCE
And when is the countdown supposed
to expire?
DAVID
(checking)
Fifty six minutes, forty five
seconds.
Constance runs her fingers through her hair, exasperated.
Moishe turns, listens.
CONSTANCE
What do you want me to do?
DAVID
I want you to leave with us.
Right now.
CONSTANCE
I can't leave. We have to tell
this to the President.
DAVID
He's not going to listen to me.
Surprised at his son, Moishe steps forward.
MOISHE
Sure he'll listen. Why wouldn't
he?
DAVID
Because last time I saw him I
punched him in the face.
MOISHE
You punched the President in the
face?
DAVID
He wasn't the President then.
CONSTANCE
David thought I was having an
affair, which I wasn't.
MOISHE
Punched the President? Oh my god.
APACHE HELICOPTERS
ZOOM by overhead. In the distance we see they are headed for
the enormous alien craft.
INT. HELICOPTER - PILOT - CONTINUOUS
The PILOT adjusts his radio.
PILOT
Echo one, we are closing in.
EXT. SKIES - CONTINUOUS
The choppers alter their formation, aligning themselves
alongside one another. As the helicopters near the craft, we
see how tiny they appear against the gargantuan space ship.
INT. HALLWAY - ELEVATORS - WHITE HOUSE - MINUTES LATER
The elevator doors open and Moishe steps out, overwhelmed and
impressed. Constance leads them down the hall. Moishe turns
to David, whispers.
MOISHE
If I had known I was going to meet
the President, I'd a worn a tie.
Look at me, I look like a
schlemiel.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
The Office is empty as the trio walks in. Moishe can't
believe he's in there. He straightens himself up, combs his
hair.
CONSTANCE
Wait here. I'll be right back.
David sets up his laptop.
MOISHE
Not on his desk.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - NIGHT
The middle monitors are now on. They show the night vision
P.O.V. of the helicopters as they approach. On the side
monitors we SEE the various news broadcast of this event.
NEWSCASTER
(filtered)
...the helicopters are making
their final approach...
On the middle monitor, through the night vision camera on the
lead helicopter we SEE the side of the craft as the
helicopters near. Everyone in the room watches, tense.
Constance enters and kneels down next to the President,
whispering in his ear. The President gets up and follows
Constance. Chief of Staff Nimziki objects.
NIMZIKI
You're leaving now?
The President silences him with a look. As they exit.
CONSTANCE
I don't know how you put up with
him.
PRESIDENT
He used to run the NASA. He knows
where all the bones are buried.
Comes in handy.
CONSTANCE
I'll bet.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - SAME
The door flies open and Constance and the President enter.
The moment President Whitmore sees David, he freezes.
PRESIDENT
What the hell's he doing here?
Moishe, bursting, steps forward.
MOISHE
Moishe Martinsburg, Mr. President.
CONSTANCE
My ex-husband works in satellite
communications.
PRESIDENT
I don't have time for this...
With a BANG, David suddenly KNOCKS everything off the
President's desk and starts to draw on the ink blotter.
DAVID
It's about "Line o sight," Mr.
President...
David draws a circle representing Earth and a smaller circle
just away from it. The President reluctantly nears.
DAVID
...If you wanted t coordinate
with ships all over the world, you
couldn't send one signal to every
place at the same time. That's
called line of sight...
Drawing a line from the ship of either side of the Earth, we
SEE that you could not send a signal to the other side.
DAVID (cont'd)
...you'd need to relay your signal
using satellites...
David draws small satellites surrounding Earth.
DAVID (cont'd)
...to reach each ship. I have
found a signal hidden inside our
own satellite network.
Suddenly an aide, ALEX, appears in the doorway.
ALEX
Excuse me, Mr. President. They're
starting.
The President turns to the monitor in his office. We SEE the
helicopters turning on the light boards affixed to the front
of their cockpits. He turns back to David.
DAVID
Mr. President, they are using our
own satellites against us and the
clock is ticking.
EXT. HELICOPTERS - SAME - NIGHT
The large light panels TURN ON, multi-colored lights slowly
begins to flash in a repeating sequential patterns.
REVERE ANGLE - HELICOPTERS AND SPACE CRAFT
The helicopters are puny little specs next to this Goliath.
The light boards continues to FLASH but there is no reaction
from the ship.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - SECONDS LATER
Everyone is glued to the monitors as the President storms in.
PRESIDENT
General Grey, co-ordinate with
Atlantic Command. Tell them they
have twenty five minutes to get as
many people out of the cities as
they can.
GENERAL GREY
But Mr. President...
PRESIDENT
And get those helicopters away
from the ship. Call them back
immediately.
General Grey obeys, turning to an assistant who quickly grabs
a phone. Nimziki steps up to the President.
NIMZIKI
What the hell's going on?
PRESIDENT
We're leaving.
An AIDE motions to the monitors.
AIDE
They're responding.
The room goes silent, everyone turns to the monitors.
MONITOR - NEWS PROGRAM & NIGHT VISION VIDEO
On all screens we SEE the space ship as a long thin line of
WHITE LIGHT suddenly emits from the side of the craft,
illuminating the four Apache Helicopters.
EXT. APACHE HELICOPTERS - SAME
The light boards are overpowered by the bright light coming
from the space craft. Suddenly with a loud SCREECHING NOISE,
the white light spills out as the huge OPENING unfolds at the
side of the craft.
The four helicopters have to flight to hold their positions, as
something powerful emits from the schism in the ship.
Then like a gigantic bug-zapper, the four pesky little Apache
Helicopters are BLOWN OUT OF THE SKY, one by one. They leave
no time to retreat.
INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT
Mrs. Whitmore packs her bag, as the horrifying image of the
destruction of the helicopter replays on the T.V.
SECRET SERVICEMAN
Mrs. Whitmore? The President has
ordered the evacuation. We have
to leave, now.
She slams her valise SHUT and quickly exits.
POLICE HELICOPTER
SOARS over us, headed directly for downtown Los Angeles.
EXT. ROOFTOP - SAME
The UFO true believers are still there, holding up their
signs. Making her way through several of them we see Tiffany.
She looks up to the spacecraft above.
TIFFANY
(awed)
It's beautiful.
She digs her drawing of an alien out of her purse as she
excitedly rushes up to the others. She holds it up to the
sky, proudly.
POLICE HELICOPTER
From out of nowhere the helicopter LIFTS up over the side of
the building, shining its spotlight down the believers
below.
POLICE (P.A.)
...we are evacuating the city.
Please leave the building at once.
The sign holders begin to "boo" the police, ignoring them.
EXT. CITY STREET - PASADENA THROUGHWAY - SAME
The freeway is packed on both sides, every car headed out of
town. There is no opposing traffic.
INT. JASMINE'S CAR - SAME
Dylan holds Boomers as Jasmine drives. The news plays over her
car radio.
RADIO VOICE
...authorities have called for a
complete evacuation of Los Angeles
County. People are advised to
avoid the highways whenever
possible.
JASMINE
Now he tells me.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - SAME
The President stops on his way to the Presidential helicopter
as an aide brings his daughter outside. The President ushers
her into the helicopter. He turns back and see a military
guard holding back Moishe and David.
PRESIDENT
They're okay. Let them on!
INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS
The President steps inside, turns to General Grey.
PRESIDENT
Is my wife in the air?
GENERAL GREY
She should be shortly.
David flips open his laptop which reads: 09:07. 09:96...
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS
The Presidential helicopter lifts off as several other
helicopters wait behind, people filing into them.
EXT. ROOFTOPS - LOS ANGELES - SAME
The Police helicopter is still flashing their lights at the
UFO believers who refuse to budge. Suddenly the entire
rooftop is BATHED IN WHITE LIGHT. They all grow silent
staring up at the craft.
Above them another SCHISM has opened at the bottom of the
craft, the white light spilling out.
As though the heavens had opened, the UFO believers lift their
arms, waiting to be taken.
BELIEVERS
Take me! No, take me! Take me!
Slowly, this beam of light from the base of the ship
INTENSIFIES directly on the top of this building.
EXT. HELIPORT - SAME
Standing on this rooftop heliport directly across from the UFO
believers, the First Lady watches them, concerned.
SECRET SERVICEMAN
(yelling over helicopter)
Mrs. Whitmore!
Reluctantly, the First Lady turns and runs for the helicopter.
The door is shut and the helicopter takes off.
EXT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING - SAME
With a ROAR, the Presidential helicopter ZOOMS past, behind it
we see an enormous SCHISM opening beneath the space craft.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - SAME
Alex is helping people get onto the remaining helicopters.
Suddenly he is bathed in WHITE LIGHT. He looks up and sees
the SCHISM, its WHITE BEAM coming directly down upon the White
House.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - SAME
The pinnacle of this landmark is abruptly illuminated in WHITE
LIGHT. We PAN UP to the space craft above, the beam
intensifying from the SCHISM below the ship.
EXT. ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE - SAME
The Presidential helicopter lands. The President and his
group are ushered over to AIR FORCE ONE which stands only
hundred yard away.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
The door OPENS and the President and his advisors rush in.
David flops down into a seat, quickly flips open his laptop
which reads: 00:05, 00:04...
EXT. ROOFTOP - LOS ANGELES - SAME
As the light amplifies, the believers chant, louder and
louder. Suddenly the white light DISAPPEARS. The believers
are stunned. In a brief moment it is replaced with a BLAST.
A DESTRUCTION BEAM BLASTS down onto the rooftop, splintering
everything there, Police helicopter included, into a billion
tiny particles.
Tiffany is he epicenter, from here the WALL OF DESTRUCTION GROWS
outwardly, destroying everything in its path.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - SAME
Just as the BLAST HITS, the historic building is DECIMATED.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - SAME
Alex shuts the door on a helicopter. As he steps back the
white light VANISHES. He looks up as the BLAST replaces the
beam.
ANGLE - WHITE HOUSE
Just as one of the helicopters pass us, the White House
SPLINTERS BEFORE OUR EYES.
EXT. ANDREWS - RUNWAY - AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
Air Force One quickly taxis down the runway toward us.
Behind them in the distance we can SEE the DESTRUCTIVE beam
GROWING OUTWARDLY from the epicenter.
THE CAPITOL BUILDING
The WALL OF DESTRUCTION reaches the Capitol Building,
fragmenting into a trillion particles.
THE PENTAGON
Washed under the WALL OF DESTRUCTION, the Pentagon, too, is
blown to smithereens.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
Thick with tension. Everyone is white-knuckled, anxious for
take off as they taxi quicky down the runway.
EXT. ANDREWS - RUNWAY - AIR FORCE ONE
Air Force one, full throttle. It LIFTS OFF just in time to
miss the WALL OF DESTRUCTION as it rips apart the airport
behind them, dangerously close.
WIDE ANGLES - WASHINGTON, D.C.
We SEE the WAVE OF DESTRUCTION growing outwardly from the
epicenter, ENGULFING ALL OF WASHINGTON.
Air Force One is just barely making it out in time.
EXT. PASADENA FREEWAY - SAME
Jasmine's car is caught in traffic just outside the tunneled
underpass at the Griffith Park Mountains.
RADIO NEWSMAN
(filtered)
...My God. It's destroying
everything in its path.
Widening...
Suddenly the radio CUTS OUT. Jasmine turns around and SEES...
JASMINE'S POV - FREEWAY & DOWNTOWN
Far off the devastation of downtown can be seen. The WALL OF
DESTRUCTION growing towards us.
Reacting, Jasmine grabs Dylan and dashes out of the car.
Boomer follows. Every drivers who can, jumps out of their
cars, running in all directions.
Jasmine heads for the tunnel.
ANGLE - FREEWAY
The grid-locked cars have nowhere to run as the WALL OF
DESTRUCTION grows out from downtown. All the cars are WIPED
OUT in a row, sitting ducks.
ANGLE - OVERPASS - BRIDGES
Packed with cars. They're quickly demolished as the WALL OF
DESTRUCTION blasts by.
INT. TUNNEL - SAME
Jasmine turns back from the tunnel entrance.
JASMINE'S POV - WALL OF DESTRUCTION
Ever nearing, only moments away.
Jasmine spots an open MAINTENANCE ALCOVE deep within the
tunnel. She runs to it, puts Dylan inside and climbs in after
him.
Leaning back out, Jasmine looks for Boomer who stares at her,
wagging his tail.
JASMINE
Boomer, come. Come boy!
Boomer LEAPS inside and Jasmine ducks to the side of the WALL
OF DESTRUCTION hits the tunnel entrance, cars are JAMMED
TOGETHER, SMASHING into one another.
Suddenly the car ARE BLOWN CLEAR THROUGH THE TUNNEL like so
many toy Hot Wheel cars.
Inside the Maintenance alcove, Jasmine shields Dylan and
Boomer with her body.
EXT. MANHATTAN - WIDE ANGLE - SAME
From a distance we WATCH as all of Manhattan is consumed from
its center outwardly by the growing WALL OF DESTRUCTION.
Within seconds all of Manhattan is gone.
The WALL OF DESTRUCTION reaches its outer most edges and fades
away.
The SCHISM under the craft slowly CLOSES. The ship now hovers
over a completely wiped out Manhattan.
SLOW DISSOLVE:
INT. BRENNON TRAILER - PRE-DAWN
A hand adjusts the trailer radio.
RADIO
(filtered)
...reports are unclear as to the
extent of the devastation, but
from all accounts, Los Angeles,
Washington and New York have been
left in ruins...
Russell shoots a worried look over to Miguel. Suddenly Troy
moves up to the front on wobbly legs.
TROY
Guys, I don't feel so good.
RUSSELL
When was the last time you had
your medicine?
TROY
Four days... five?
Troy looks really sick. Miguel is shocked.
MIGUEL
But I gave you some this morning.
TROY
I didn't take it. I thought I
didn't need it anymore.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - SAME
The trailer, with Russell's Bi-wing in tow, pulls over. Troy
rushes out, vomiting on the side of the road. Miguel comes to
his aide. Russell steps out and walks to the curve in the
highway.
RUSSELL
Miguel? Come take a look at this.
Reluctantly Miguel leaves his brother's side.
POV - RUSSELL AND MIGUEL
Below an entire valley filled with campers, trailers and
busses. An instant refugee city, if you will, for as far as
the eye can see. Spectacular.
CUT TO:
INT. EL TORO - BRIEFING ROOM - MORNING
Thirty-five pilots are being briefed by their Commanding
Office, CAPTAIN WATSON who points to a fuzzy photograph of
the craft over Los Angeles.
WATSON
You will be the first wave in our
counter attack. Though
surveillance satellite
reconnaissance has been impaired,
we have a fix on our primary
target.
Steve and Jimmy sit next to each other near the back of the
room
STEVE
(whispered)
You won't exactly need radar to
find it.
Jimmy chuckles. Watson is annoyed.
WATSON
You want to add something to this
briefing, Lt. Hill?
Steve smiles confidently.
STEVE
Sorry, Sir. Just real anxious to
kick some alien ass.
Everyone chuckles, including Captain Watson.
EXT. EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION - MOMENTS LATER
Huge hangar doors open revealing an F/A-18 HORNET, one of the
U.S.A.F.'s elite.
TARMAC - OVERHEAD SHOT
Thirty F/A-18s await take off on the tarmac as Technicians and
Flight Crews race for position.
ENGINE BLAST
The heat waves momentarily obscure our view as the F/A-18s
take to the air.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
The President is deeply contemplative. Constance sits down
next to him. She knows what he's thinking.
CONSTANCE
You saved a lot of lives.
PRESIDENT
I could have evacuated the cities
hours ago.
(beat)
You know, when I flew in the Gulf
War everything is simple. We
knew what we had to do. It's not
simple anymore, Connie. A lot of
people died today. How many
didn't have to?
Constance realizes there's no comforting him. She supports
him silently by being there. General Grey comes over.
PRESIDENT
Any news on my wife?
GENERAL GREY
The helicopter never arrived at
Nellis and there's been no radio
contact.
The news rocks the President. They both know what that means.
GENERAL GREY (cont'd)
The fighters are in the air.
Whitmore nods and follows the General to the back of the
plane.
COMMAND CENTER - AIR FORCE ONE
Military Command has been set up on Air Force One, a kind of
flying NORAD. Military and technical crew are seated at the
controls. Nimziki is already there.
GENERAL GREY
All satellites, microwave and
ground communications with the
cities are gone. We believe we're
looking at a total loss.
Maintaining his composure, the President looks up at the many
tracking screens.
PRESIDENT
Where are they?
GENERAL GREY
(pointing)
ETA with target; four minutes.
EXT. BLUE SKIES - TACTICAL FIGHTERS - SAME
Five F/A-18 fighters move into frame. As we WIDEN we REVEAL a
total of 30 F/A-18s in attack formation, destination Los
Angeles.
INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME
Steve pulls a long cigar out of his breast pocket.
STEVE
(into radio)
Jimmy crack corn, do you have
victory dance?
INT. JIMMY'S FIGHTER - SAME
Jimmy pulls his cigar out. Examines it.
JIMMY
(into radio)
That is an affirmative. I have
victory dance. Mmmmmmm.
STEVE
(filtered)
Don't get premature on me, Jimmy.
We don't light up 'til the Fat
Lady sings.
JIMMY
I hear you.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - PASSENGER SECTION - SAME
Air sick, David holds a "barf bag" as Moishe talks.
MOISHE
It's Air Force One for crying out
loud. Still he gets sick?
DAVID
Moishe, please, don't talk.
Moishe pats his belly.
MOISHE
Look at me, like a rock. Good
weather, bad, doesn't matter.
(motions with his hands)
We can go up and down, back and
forth, side to side...
David can't take any more of this story and takes off running
for the bathroom.
MOISHE
What I say?
Constance comes over, sits next to Moishe.
CONSTANCE
He still gets air sick, huh? In
all of this I didn't get the
chance to thank you two.
MOISHE
Think nothing of it, Spanky.
Constance smiles, corrects him.
CONSTANCE
Spunky. He told you about that?
MOISHE
(nods)
All he could think about was
getting to you. There's still
love there I think.
CONSTANCE
(sadly)
Love was never our problem.
MOISHE
All you need is love. John
Lennon. Smart man. Shot in the
back, very sad.
EXT. SKIES - SAME
In the distance we can see the devastated Los Angeles, the
space craft still hovering above it. The Fighters zoom into
frame.
INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME
Steve looks down, becomes worried.
STEVE
I shouldn't have left her.
JIMMY
(filtered)
Don't worry, big guy. I'm sure
she got out of here before it
happened.
Steve nods absently.
STEVE
Let's lock and load.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
The center F/A-18 on the radar map begins to FLASH yellow,
just under its image. We SEE a video display of its FLIR
(forward-looking infrared) targeting system, locked on.
TECHNICIAN
Los Angeles attack squadron has
AMRAAM missiles locked on target.
TECHNICIAN #2
Washington and New York squadrons,
reporting lock on.
GENERAL GREY
Fire at will.
EXT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME
An Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) DROPS
down from the underbelly of the fighter, DARTING OFF.
Radar targeted, the missile BANKS hard, adjusting. We SEE it
is joined by FOURTEEN other missiles, all rocketing towards
their target.
EXT. ALIEN SHIP - SECONDS LATER
The missiles are headed straight for the alien ship.
Suddenly about a quarter mile before they reach it, they
EXPLODE, as though blown out of the sky.
When the smoke clears we see there has been zero damage.
INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME
STEVE
Damn it!
JIMMY
(filtered)
I didn't even see them fire!
STEVE
Command, Eagle One. Switching to
"sidewinders." We're moving in.
EXT. SKIES - SAME
In unison these amazing birds DIVE together, realigning
themselves into six groups of five, spreading out to attack
different areas of the ship.
STEVE'S GROUP
The first attack group, Steve's, are the first to near the
colossal alien craft. Simultaneously they drop their AIM-9
sidewinder missiles.
PACK OF AIM-9 SIDEWINDER MISSILES
They reach the same quarter-mile proximity and EXPLODE.
INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME
STEVE
They must have some kind of
protective shield surrounding
their hull. Pull up.
Most of the fighters do, but one is too late and SMASHES into
the ship's protective shield.
EXT. SKIES - SAME
Steve's squadron BANKS hard, skirting the edge of the ship's
protective shield.
As the fighters approach, the alien ship's enormous ATTACK BAY
doors OPEN. Suddenly DOZENS OF ALIEN ATTACKERS dart out
towards our fighters.
STEVE
(filtered)
Evasive maneuvers! Check Six!
Just moving away in time, our Fighters barely dodge the
oncoming enemy Attackers as they FIRE a HAILSTORM of FIREPOWER
(tracker bullet-like lasers) showering the sky.
As Steve's plane DIVES, an Attacker follows. Jimmy's plane
pulls up behind the attacker.
HEADS UP DISPLAY - HUD
Jimmy's HUD has the alien attacker in his sights.
JIMMY
(filtered)
Got you covered, Stevie.
Jimmy FIRES, another AIM-9 Sidewinder TAKES OFF.
ALIEN ATTACKER
The Sidewinder overtakes the attacker as Steve ROLLS AWAY out
of position. Five yards before the sidewinder can get to the
Attacker, it EXPLODES.
JIMMY
Shit! They've got shield too.
STEVE'S FIGHTER
Banks back around to get a shot. Just as he turns, three
American Fighters are BLOWN TO RIBBONS from Attacker tracer
fire.
The Attackers are in hot pursuit of Jimmy's fighter. The
Fighter flying next to Jimmy is DEMOLISHED.
STEVE
Jimmy, roll right. I'll cover.
Jimmy's fighter narrowly rolls away from the tracer fire as
Steve fires another Sidewinder, momentarily distracting the
Attacker.
Jimmy falls in line with Steve as the attackers turn on them.
Both fighters jerk downwards at a ninety degree angle at MACH
ONE. Narrowly missing the ground, they bank away. The
Attackers can't follow.
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
Fighter after fighter begin to disappear from the display
screens.
CONSTANCE
We're losing them.
PRESIDENT
Then get them out of there.
Suddenly one of the large radar display maps FIZZLES OUT.
TECHNICIAN
We've lost the satellite.
Before he can adjust, another monitor FIZZLES AWAY.
EXT. LOS ANGELES - SAME
One by one we SEE the fighters getting TAKEN OUT. Fireballs
litter the laser-tracer fire covered skies.
STEVE
Maybe we can out run them. Follow
my lead.
Jimmy and Steve bank away from the craft, hit the supercruise,
BOLTING AWAY at Mach 2.
Both Jimmy and Steve are held tight against their seats,
straining against the G-Force.
Two Attackers spot them and follow in hot pursuit.
Steve and Jimmy are flying at breakneck speeds, the attackers
slowly gaining on them.
STEVE
Jimmy, kick it! They're gaining.
JIMMY
We're already over Mach 2!
STEVE
So push it!
Readouts show the planes flying beyond measurement.
INT. JIMMY'S FIGHTER - SAME
As the planes accelerate, Jimmy fights to remain conscious.
JIMMY
Stevie... I can't...
STEVE
Jimmy, stay with me.
Jimmy slowly loses consciousness. His fighter slows, drifting
off to the right.
STEVE
JIMMY!
ALIEN ATTACKERS
gain on them. One catches up with Jimmy's fighter and FIRES.
JIMMY'S FIGHTER
Laser-tracers SHOWER the Fighter. It EXPLODES. Job done, his
Attacker banks away, returning to Los Angeles.
STEVE
No!!!!
Steve's Attacker stays right with him, slowly gaining. Steve
kicks his harder, keeping the distance.
CUT TO:
INT. EL TORO - AIR TOWER - SAME
A radar OPERATOR spots something on his screens. He turns to
Captain Watson.
OPERATOR
We have incoming.
WATSON
Friendly?
OPERATOR
I don't think so.
Watson hits an alarm which ROARS.
EXT. EL TORO - TARMAC - SECOND LATER
A dozen PILOTS race out onto the field, running for their
planes. Before anyone can reach them, the sky darkens with
ALIEN ATTACKERS who STRAFE the runway.
INT. TOWER - SAME
Through the front glass of the tower we SEE the Attackers
firing. One fires directly at the tower. Watson DIVES for
cover as everything around him erupts into a gigantic
FIREBALL.
WIDE ANGLE - EL TORO
The entire base goes up in flames.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKIES - FIGHTER & ATTACKER - SAME
Steve looks down over the side of his fighter.
STEVE'S POV - THE GRAND CANYON - SAME
Steve HITS THE BRAKES. Surprised, the Attacker SAILS PAST.
Taking the moment, Steve DIVES down INTO THE GRAND CANYON.
STEVE
(to himself)
Okay, jerk-off. Let's have some
fun.
The Attacker recovers, dives after Steve who flies dangerously
close to the canyon walls. The Attacker has trouble keeping
up with him but does.
Steve puts on a clinic in advanced aerobatics, banking,
diving, swerving.
The Attacker seems to be improving, following closer and
closer.
Steve ducks into smaller canyons, twisting sideways. Still
the Attacker follows close.
FUEL GAUGE - RUNNING LOW
Near empty. Frustrated, Steve gets pissed.
STEVE
Damn it!
Steve turns down a dead and side canyon. The Attacker is
right on his tail.
STEVE
Let's see if you're fully
equipped.
The Fighter is on a collision course with the end of the
canyon wall. Suddenly Steve yanks his ACES II - EJECTION
SEAT.
Stave SAILS UPWARDS into the air.
The Fighter CRASHES into the canyon wall.
The Attacker can't turn in time. He tries to pull up, over
it, just misses the top of the canyon wall.
As the nose of the Attacker hits the tip of the canyon wall
the Attacker is FLIPPED OVER, ROLLING END OVER END over the
top of the canyon.
The parachute on Steve's ejection seat pops OPEN.
EXT. TOP OF CANYON - CONTINUOUS
Rolling end over end, the Attacker is banged up BADLY as it
finally comes to a stop.
Not far away, Steve has a quick, hard, landing. Rolling over,
Steve quickly pops the buckles on the chute and frees himself.
He stands and looks around. Spotting the beat up and
incapacitated alien Attacker, Steve gets an angry resolved
look. He marches over to the fallen alien Attacker. He scans
it quickly, spots a type of door that has been knocked ajar.
With all his might, Steve YANKS the door OPEN.
AN ALIEN
For the first time we get a quick glance at these aliens, an
odd hybrid creature with fluctuating skeletal structure.
The reason we only get a quick glance is because the moment it
turns woozily towards us, Steve rears back and SLUGS HIM IN
THE FACE, knocking the alien totally unconscious.
His anger finally subsiding, exhaustion taking over, Steve
stands over the craft, slowly withdrawing the prized Victory
Dance cigar. He lights it and takes a long angry puff.
STEVE
Now that's a close encounter.
CUT TO:
INT. TUNNEL - PASADENA FREEWAY - ALCOVE - SAME
It's dark. The hole Jasmine had entered is now blocked. She
pushes but it won't budge. Exhausted, she ignites her lighter
to get a better look around.
As it lights we SEE that we are inside a maintenance garage.
Jasmine rushes over to a phone but the line is dead. Taking
Dylan by the hand she moves to the large garage doors but she
can't open them.
She turns around and see a large maintenance truck, a huge
land-mover shovel attached to the front. She smiles.
EXT. GARAGE DOORS - SECONDS LATER
With a ROAR the large door BLAST APART as the maintenance
truck SMASHES through. Once out, Jasmine hits the brakes.
REVERSE ANGLE - JASMINE'S POV - DEVASTATED L.A.
Total devastation. Remnants of cars and buildings smoldering.
Three scattered survivors crawl from the wreckage. A
nightmare of destruction. The space craft above, slowly
leaving.
DYLAN
Mommy, what happened?
JASMINE
(astonished)
I don't know, badly.
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - REFUGEE TRAILER CAMP - DAY
We see dozens of trailers packing up their gear, some already
on the road. Miguel talks with one of the drivers, then
hurries away, running.
INT. BRENNON TRAILER - SAME
Russell wipes down Troy's forehead, he's burning up. Alicia
brings over a cold compress.
RUSSELL
You know, you're just like your
mother. She was stubborn too. I
had to twist her arm to get her to
take her medicine.
TROY
I'm sorry, Dad.
(beat; scared)
I'm not goin to die like mom, am
I?
ALICIA
You're going to be fine.
Miguel comes rushing in, pulls Russell aside.
MIGUEL
I couldn't find anything.
Everyone is packing up, they're
leaving. Word is a space ship is
heading this way.
RUSSELL
We should leave too.
MIGUEL
There's a group heading south,
they said there's a hospital just
a couple hours away. I think we
should follow them.
Russell nods in agreement. A knock on the door. Alicia turns
to find a handsome young boy, PHILIP in the doorway holding a
bottle of pills.
PHILIP
Penicillin. At least it will help
keep his fever down.
ALICIA
It's really nice of you to help
us.
PHILIP
I wish I could do more but we're
moving out.
ALICIA
(too eager)
We're going with you. I mean,
we're going too.
PHILIP
Cool.
Alicia nods, smitten. Philip smiles charmingly and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME
Back in the passenger section, the President sits with General
Grey and Chief of Staff Nimziki. The Technician from the
command module is briefing them.
TECHNICIAN
They must be targeting our
satellites. We've lost all
satellite communication, tracking
and mapping.
GENERAL GREY
Have NORAD relay intelligence to
our on board computers?
The Technician nods and exits. Defeated, the President slumps
sullenly.
GENERAL GREY
We've moved as many of our forces
away from the bases as possible
but we've already sustained heavy
losses.
The President nods his approval absently. Coming out of the
bathroom, David overhears.
NIMZIKI
I spoke with the Joint Chief when
they arrived at NORAD. They
agree, we must launch a counter
offensive with a full nuclear
strike. Hit 'em with everything
we've got.
PRESIDENT
Above American soil?
NIMZIKI
If we don't strike soon, there may
not be much of an America left to
defend.
The Technician returns, his face is white with fear.
GENERAL GREY
What's the latest from NORAD?
OFFICER
It's gone, sir. They've taken out
NORAD.
NIMZIKI
That's impossible...
GENERAL GREY
My God, the Vice President and the
Joint Chiefs...
NIMZIKI
Mr. President, we must launch. A
delay now would be more costly
than when you waited to evacuate
the cities!
That stings the President. He considers the option. David is
shocked.
DAVID
You can't be seriously considering
firing nuclear weapons?
CONSTANCE
David, don't...
David pushes past her.
DAVID
If you fire nukes, so will the
rest of the world. Do you know
what that kind of fall out will
do? How many innocent people...
The General gets up running interference. Constance tries to
pull David back.
GENERAL GREY
(stern)
Sir, i remind you that you are
just a guest here...
CONSTANCE
(overlapping)
David, please...
DAVID
This is insanity! You'll kill us
and them at the same time.
There'll be nothing left!
NIMZIKI
(interrupting)
Sit down and shut up!
Suddenly Moishe is on his feet, interrupting.
MOISHE
Don't tell him to shut up! You'd
all be dead, were it not for my
David. You didn't do anything to
prevent this!
As everyone is about to besiege Moishe, the President tries to
calm him down.
PRESIDENT
Sir, there wasn't much more we
could have done. We were totally
unprepared for this.
MOISHE
Don't give me unprepared! Since
nineteen fifty whatever you guys
have had that space ship, the
thing you found in New Mexico.
DAVID
(embarrassed)
Dad, please...
MOISHE
What was it, Roswell? You had the
space ship, the bodies, everything
locked up in a bunker, the what is
it, Area fifty one. That's it!
Area fifty one. You knew and you
didn't do nothing!
For the first time in along time, President Whitmore smiles.
PRESIDENT
Regardless of what the tabloids
have said, there were never any
space crafts recovered by the
government. Take my word for it,
there is no Area 51 and no
recovered space ship.
Chief of Staff Nimziki suddenly clears his throat.
NIMZIKI
Uh, excuse me, Mr. President, but
that's not entirely accurate.
The President and General Grey turn to Nimziki, shocked.
SMASHED AND BURNED OUT CARS
laying across the roadway. Suddenly SMASH, Jasmine's
maintenance truck BLASTS through.
EXT. HIGHWAY - CITY LIMITS - SAME
With the massive devastation in the b.g., Jasmine drives the
maintenance truck down the highway. In the back, the few
survivors she's found.
In the back, four INJURED PASSENGERS lay across the flatbed as
a thin, older man, TEDDY tends to them.
INT. MAINTENANCE TRUCK - SAME
Jasmine spots a TALL MAN, his closes in tatters RUNNING down
the highway, his arms in the air.
TALL MAN
The end has come! He speaketh
his word and the end hast come!
Jasmine pulls up along side him.
JASMINE
Hop on. We're heading out to El
Toro.
TALL MAN
You cannot defy what has come, it
is the end!
The tall man moves off, screaming to the heavens. As Jasmine
watches him drift away she SEES...
OVERTURNED MILITARY HELICOPTER
Still smoldering from the crash. A woman can be seen inside,
still alive. Jasmine jumps out.
JASMINE
Give me a hand.
Teddy joins Jasmine as they pry open the door. Inside, the
pilots have been killed, but Mrs. Whitmore, THE FIRST LADY,
lays there in great pain, blood across her blouse.
JASMINE
Let's get her out of here.
They erase her from the wreckage, laying her on the
ground. Dylan comes over, standing next to his mother.
TEDDY
She's bleeding pretty bad.
Suddenly we HEAR the CLICKING of a rifle COCKING.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Who's got the key?
Jasmine turns and see a REDNECK leveling his rifle at her.
Behind him a small damaged sports car pulls up, packed to the
gills with stolen, looted appliances.
REDNECK
(yelling to pals)
Looks like I've solved our
transportation problem.
JASMINE
Hey, you're welcome to come with
us. We're leaving here anyway...
REDNECK
We're not. Give me the key.
(yelling back)
Get 'em off.
Two GUYS rush from their vehicle over to the maintenance
truck, pulling the injured off the tailback.
TALL MAN (O.S.)
Repent! Sinners! Repent! The
end hast come!
Running up from behind, the Tall Man comes over screaming.
The Redneck turns his gun on him.
REDNECK
Back off. This ain't your
business.
As the Redneck is distracted, Jasmine spots the bag of
fireworks protruding out of Dylan's back pocket.
TALL MAN
You cannot go against the word,
brother.
REDNECK
Sure I can.
The Redneck SHOOTS the Tall Man. His buddies laugh.
REDNECK (cont'd)
Now give me that key, bitch.
As he turns back to Jasmine, Boomer starts BARKING wildly.
Just as he turns to shoot the dog, Jasmine lights a key ROCKET
from the fireworks bag. The rocket BLASTS into the Redneck,
his shirt IGNITING ON FIRE.
The Redneck drops the rifle, attempting to put out the flames,
his cronies rush to his aid. Jasmine picks up the gun, moves
in on them.
JASMINE
This "bitch" was born in Alabama
with a Daddy who loved to hunt.
(cocking the weapon)
So don't think for one second that
I don't know how to use this.
She FIRES the rifle. Quickly the rednecks scamper away.
CUT TO:
EXT. DRY LAKE - DESERT - LATER
Dragging a heavy bundle wrapped in his parachute, Steve
marches across the desert floor. The alien ARM/TENTACLE
dangles out of the parachute.
Exhausted, Steve stops to wipe his brow. He hears something,
turns around.
STEVE'S POV - THE TRAILER ARMADA
Several hundred of the trailers from the refugee camp are
headed en mass towards him. Smiling, Steve signals them.
The trailers pull up on either side, surrounding him. Miguel
leans out of his trailer.
MIGUEL
(sarcastic)
Need a lift?
STEVE
When I flew overhead, I saw some
kind of base, not far.
Confused, Miguel checks his map.
MIGUEL
It's not on the map.
STEVE
Trust me, it's there.
EXT. AIR FORCE ONE - LATER
Flying over the desert, Air Force One sails over an immense
valley, Area 51 below - hangars, a few buildings, a small air
strip, not much.
Super: N.I.A. Base - "Area 51", Nevada
EXT. RUNWAY - LATER
Air Force One lands. Wheels touch down, skid.
INT. HANGAR - LATER
The large hangar doors open and Air Force One is rolled
inside. The President and his entourage are met by a
contingent of base personnel led by field operative, LT.
MITCHELL. He escorts them to a side hallway.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Lt. Mitchell walks over to an odd wall switch as the President
and his entourage wait in the center of the hall. With a loud
hydraulic HUM, the entire hallway begins to SINK DOWN, an
enormous ELEVATOR.
PRESIDENT
Why the hell wasn't I told about
this place?
NIMZIKI
Two words, Mr. President.
Plausible deniability.
General Grey shoots Nimziki a pissed off look. When the
elevator stops, a door SLIDES open.
INT. RESEARCH FACILITIES - CONTINUOUS
Stepping out of the elevator, they walk into a large state of
the art, sterile clean research facility. It is amazingly
well staffed and organized.
PRESIDENT
I don't understand. Where did all
this come from? How did this get
funded?
MOISHE
You didn't think they actually
spent ten thousand dollars for a
hammer and thirty thousand for a
toilet seat, did you?
The President shoots him a look. They are greeted by a group
of SCIENTISTS in whit coats led by, DR. OKUN.
MITCHELL
Mr. President, I'd like to
introduce you to Dr. Okun. He's
been heading up our research here
for the last fifteen years.
Dr. Okun is an odd, hyper-energetic man who's spent too much
time in isolation.
OKUN
Mr. President, a real pleasure.
They don't let us out much, you
you.
PRESIDENT
(uncomfortable)
Yes.
OKUN
Well, I guess you'd like to see
the big tamale? Follow me.
They walk up a ramp at the end of the room. Large heavily
enforced doors SLIDE open.
INT. STORAGE LAB - CONTINUOUS
The group steps inside and nearly gasps at...
THE ALIEN ATTACKER
Just like the one that chased Steve. The entourage stares in
horror and wonder. We can SEE the patch-work repairs they've
made on the ship over the years.
OKUN
She's a beaut, ain't she?
Moishe leans close to David and Constance.
MOISHE
(smug)
Never any space ships recovered by
the government, huh?
PRESIDENT
We've had this for forty years and
you don't know anything about
them?
OKUN
Hell no, we know tons about them.
The nearest stuff has only
happened in the last few days.
The President slowly walks around the ship as Okun talks.
David, mouth agape, just stares at it.
OKUN (cont'd)
See, we can't duplicate their type
of power so we've never been able
to experiment. But since these
guys started showing up, all the
gizmos inside turned on. The last
twenty four hours have been really
exciting!
PRESIDENT
(exploding)
People are dying out there. I
don't think "exciting" is the word
I'd choose to describe it!
The room goes silent, letting the President blow off steam.
PRESIDENT
(calming)
What can you tell us about the
enemy we're facing?
OKUN
Not all too dissimilar to us.
Breathes oxygen, comparable
tolerances to heat,
cold...probably why they're
interested in our planet.
(suddenly excited)
Hey, you wanna see them?
INT. MEDICAL RESEARCH VAULT - MOMENTS LATER
The lights slowly TURN ON, illuminated the vault. Okun leads
the group to a sealed partition.
OKUN
This is vault, or as some of us
have come to call it, the "freak
show."
Okun hits a switch and the sealed partition lifts revealing...
FORMALDEHYDE TANKS - ALIENS
Three dead aliens float in the milky formaldehyde tanks. The
murky fluid and condensation obstructs our view. What we do
see is not pretty.
OKUN
When we found them they were
wearing bio-mechanical suits.
Once we got them off, we were able
to learn a great deal about their
anatomy; eyes, ears, bipolar
digestive system... no vocal cords
though. We're assuming they
communicate with each other
through other means.
David cannot contain his fascination. He steps forward.
DAVID
What kind of other means? Hand
signals, body language?
OKUN
Some kind of extra sensory
perception. Telepathy.
PRESIDENT
Can they be killed?
OKUN
These three died in the crash.
Their bodies are as frail as our
own. You just have to get past
their technology, which is, I'm
sorry to say, far more advanced.
The President turns to David.
PRESIDENT
You unlocked a part of that
technology. You cracked their
code.
DAVID
All I did was stumble onto their
signal. I don't know how helpful
I can be...
PRESIDENT
Show them what you've discovered.
Work together. We've got to find
a way to beat them.
EXT. SECURITY GATE - SAME
Four armed GUARDS watch the gate. An armada of trucks and
trailers heads right for them. They move into position to
block their entrance as a blue pick-up skids to a halt before
them. Steve stands up from the back of the pick up.
GUARD
Sorry, Lt. Colonel, I can't open
the gates without clearance.
STEVE
You want to see my clearance?
Impatiently Steve grabs the Guard by the collar, pulling him
over the side of the truck putting him face to face with the
bundled parachute in the flatbed. Steve rips the fabric aside
revealing...
THE ALIEN CREATURE
Still unconscious, the alien stirs. The Guard JUMPS BACK,
shitting in his pants. Quickly he signals for the other to
open the gate.
The armada quickly drives past.
BLACKNESS
Total darkness. Suddenly light pours in as a door is open.
We see the faces of Okun, David and three technicians all
peering at us with inquisitive expressions.
OKUN
See the gizmos flashing?
REVERSE - INSIDE ALIEN CRAFT
Sure enough, tons of gizmos with lights flashing. High tech
meets organic organisms. This alien ship looks familiar to
our own technology and completely different at the same time.
OKUN (cont'd)
We've been working around the
clock trying to get a fix on all
this crap. Some stuff we figured
out right away.
David climbs in, fascinated. He touches everything. Okun
points to everything as he describes it.
OKUN (cont'd)
This thing we're pretty sure is
the life support for the cabin,
this do-hickey over here is
connected with the engines, this
crap...we have no idea what that
stuff is for.
David is transfixed by it. He stares at the small screens
with flashing light patterns on them.
OKUN (cont'd)
But this over here is clearly what
they use to navigate and guide the
craft.
But David still stares at the small screens.
DAVID
Someone grab my laptop for me?
One of the technicians rushes off as Okun leans close.
OKUN
Find something interesting?
DAVID
Maybe.
The technician hands David his retrieved laptop which he
quickly flips open and turns on.
DAVID
These patterns here, they're
repeating sequentially, just
like...
David turns his laptop around for Okun to see. The pattern on
David's laptop flashes identically as the alien screen.
DAVID (cont'd)
...their countdown signal. Their
using this frequency for computer
communications. It's how they co-
ordinate their ships.
OKUN
You know, you're really starting
to make us look bad.
The two men exchange a smile. Another TECHY pops his head
inside.
TECHY
(out of breath)
They got one! They got one,
alive!
INT. HALLWAY OFF MAIN HANGAR - AREA 51 - SAME
The bundled alien lays on a stretcher that's wheeled quickly
into the hall. Okun and his staff surround it. Trailing
behind them is Steve, Russell and Miguel.
OKUN
How long has it been unconscious?
RUSSELL
Excuse me Doctor...
STEVE
Three hours.
OKUN
Get him into containment, stat.
RUSSELL
My boy is very sick, he needs
immediate attention.
Okun ignores Russell, hitting the elevator switch on the wall,
the room begins its hydraulic HUM.
OKUN
He's dying out. I want him
sprayed down with saline.
Russell SLAMS his fist against the switch, the room stops. He
GRABS a doctor nearby, gets in his face.
RUSSELL
My boys is slipping into a diabetic
coma. If you don't do something
about it right now he will die.
Miguel is surprised and proud of Russell as he holds DOCTOR
ISAACS, meaning business.
DR. ISAACS
O'Haver, Miller, come with me.
(to Russell)
Take us to him.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROAD - MAINTENANCE TRUCK - NIGHT
Headlights pierce the darkness as the maintenance truck rolls
to a stop. Jasmine climbs down out of the truck, her face
ashen.
She walks past a sign reading: El Toro Marine Corps Air
Station. Tears begin to roll from her eyes. We follow her
gaze to see...
EXT. EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION - CONTINUOUS
The entire facility is smoldering, the last remnants of the
fire burning itself to extinction. Jasmine is devastated.
CUT TO:
INT. AREA 51 COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT
General Grey and Nimziki are in a heated argument.
GENERAL GREY
You were the head of the National
Intelligence Agency! You knew all
about this. When were you
planning on informing the rest of
us!?
NIMZIKI
It had been deemed classified.
GENERAL GREY
Christ, why didn't you say
anything about this when they
first arrived? You could have
warned us before we launched a
counter attack that cost us
hundreds of American pilots!
Just then the President enters along with Constance and some
other ADVISORS. He examines a paper map of the United States,
tacked to the wall, each major city circled in black.
PRESIDENT
Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia,
destroyed?
GENERAL GREY
(composing himself)
And there are scattered reports of
sightings over Miami, Ft. Worth,
And Memphis.
The President and his team take seats at the large conference
table.
GENERAL GREY (cont'd)
We've learned that NATO and
western allied installations were
the firs to be taken out. We
were next. They knew exactly where
and how to hit us.
Grey sneaks an accusatory glare at Nimziki.
PRESIDENT
And our forces?
GENERAL GREY
We're down to approximately
fifteen percent, Sir.
(beat)
If you calculate the time it takes
them to destroy a city and move
on, we're looking at world wide
destruction of every major city
within the next thirty six hours.
PRESIDENT
We're being exterminated.
The room is quiet. Constance runs her fingers through her
hair. The door to the room opens and Lt. Mitchell enters with
Steve.
MITCHELL
Mr. President, this is Lt.
Colonel Steven Hill.
The President quickly gets to his feet, anxiously shaking
Steve's hand.
PRESIDENT
Lieutenant, congratulations.
STEVE
Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT
Where is the prisoner now?
MITCHELL
We have him in isolation. The
doctors are very hopeful he will
survive.
PRESIDENT
I'd like to see him.
MITCHELL
Yes, sir.
The General is concerned but the President is determined.
They head for the door.
STEVE
(to General Grey)
General, I'm anxious to get back
to El Toro.
GENERAL GREY
Didn't anyone tell you? I'm
sorry. El Toro was destroyed in
the attack.
Steve is shattered, he had no idea.
CUT TO:
EXT. EL TORO BASE - NIGHT
The injured are gathered around a small camp fire. Jasmine
walks up, dumping a box full of charred can goods.
JASMINE
These should last us a while.
As Margaret tries to move, she winces in pain. Jasmine rushes
to her aid. The color from her face drained, Margaret looks
like she's taking a turn for the worse.
JASMINE
Don't move. Stay still.
Jasmine adjusts the bandages as Margaret turns and see Dylan
curled up next to Boomer, too adorable. Slowly he starts to
wake up.
MARGARET
Your son.
JASMINE
He's my angel.
MARGARET
Was his father stationed here?
JASMINE
He wasn't his father. I was kinda
hoping he'd want the job, though.
Jasmine becomes sad, remembering. Margaret changes the
subject.
MARGARET
So, what do yo do for a living?
JASMINE
I'm a dancer.
MARGARET
Really? Ballet?
JASMINE
(laughs)
No. Exotic.
MARGARET
Oh. Sorry.
JASMINE
Don't be. I'm not. It's good
money.
(re: Dylan)
'Side, he's worth it.
The bandages changed, Jasmine sits down next to Margaret.
MARGARET
And when the dancing's over? What
about your future?
JASMINE
Funny, it used to scare me when I
thought about the future.
(looking around)
Guess it doesn't really matter
anymore.
Dylan comes walking over.
JASMINE
Dylan, come here. I want you to
meet the First Lady.
MARGARET
(surprised)
I thought you didn't recognize me.
JASMINE
Didn't want to say anything. I
voted for the other guy.
CUT TO:
INT. CONTAINMENT LAB - NIGHT
Okun and two Medical assistants examine the alien creature.
His arms and chest have been strapped down to the examining
table.
For the first time we get a good look at the head of this
creature, long tentacled-type cords interlocked, covering the
face. The doctors attach clamps to each of the cords.
OKUN
Everyone ready?
The doctors exchange nervous glances, nod to each other. At
the same moment all they pull on the clamps, unraveling the
interlocked cords. As the cords unravel, we SEE that this is
in fact a bio-mechanical SUIT as we REVEAL...
THE ALIEN
Beneath the cords lay the unconscious face of the alien, his
skin translucent, his body fluids, capillaries, muscle tissue,
alien's skin.
OKUN
Do we have life support monitors
recording?
MED ASSIST #2
Yes. If we fuck up it'll all be
on tape.
OKUN
Can we get some ventilation in
here? I can't take this smell.
MED ASSIST #2
They've conquered space travel but
not b.o.
As Okun begins to put on a pair of surgical gloves he suddenly
grabs his forehead.
MED ASSIST #1
You all right?
OKUN
Yeah. It's just that stink gives
me a headache.
MED ASSIST #2
He's moving!
Instantly everyone's attention is riveted to the arm of the
alien as it moves beneath the sheet. Unseen by the others the
alien creature's EYES OPEN.
Another SHARP PAIN hits Okun who SCREAMS, stumbling backwards
grabbing his head. The others turn in surprise.
THE ALIEN
Suddenly SPRINGS up, the restraining straps SNAPPING. Before
Med #2 can react, one of the alien's tentacles SMASHES her
across the face. She is sent sprawling backwards.
LOW ANGLE - THE ALIEN
Standing before her. In a wink of an eye, he ATTACKS, leaping
on her.
Together they TUMBLE back into a formaldehyde tank. Hoses
are ripped from their sides and STEAM pours out. We get quick
glimpse of their struggle as the steam engulfs them.
INT. HALLWAY - SAME
Mitchell leads the Presidential party down the hall. They
turn and enter the Medical lab.
INT. CONTAINMENT LAB - CONTINUOUS
The group slows as they enter the room. They see the
containment room through the glass is covered with white
steam. Nothing can be seen. It's eerily quiet.
Cautiously they approach. Suddenly Okun is SLAMMED AGAINST
the glass partition, the creature's tentacles wrapped around
him. Pressed firmly to the glass, his eyes are shut, his
expression pained, but when he speaks the voice is angry.
OKUN/ALIEN
Release...me.
MITCHELL
Open the door. Get him out of
there.
Suspicious, General Grey stops him.
GENERAL GREY
Wait.
(to Okun)
Can you hear me?
OKUN/ALIEN
Will kill...release me. Now!
They follow the tentacles with their eyes, up to the ceiling
of the containment tank. Suddenly the alien LEAPS DOWN,
startling them, landing before them behind the glass.
We see he's holding Okun against the glass, speaking THROUGH
HIM. This is the first real good look we get at the this bizarre
creature. Everyone in the room is repulsed and compelled by
it at the same time.
EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT
Through the hundreds of campers and trailers parked outside,
Steve runs past until he reaches the open tarmac.
A transport helicopter sits on the edge of the landing area.
Steve runs up to it and climbs inside.
INT. TRANSPORT HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS
Steve quickly starts it engines, preparing to take off. A
SOLDIER rushes over to the cockpit.
SOLIDER
(yelling)
What the hell are you doing? Get
out of there!
STEVE
I'm just going to borrow it.
The Soldier pulls out his pistol, taking aim.
SOLIDER
No you're not, sir.
STEVE
You really want to shoot me?
Steve stares the Soldier down. Reluctantly he lowers his gun.
SOLDIER
Shit. I'm gonna catch the hell for
this.
Steve smiles and gives him a quick salute then TAKES OFF.
Quickly the bird RISES UP and darts off into the night.
INT. MEDICAL LAB - SAME
The President has moved closer to the glass and is talking
with the alien. The alien uses Okun like a ventriloquist's
dummy.
PRESIDENT
Why did you people come here?
OKUN/ALIEN
Air...water...your "sun."
PRESIDENT
Where do your people come from?
(no answer)
Where is your home?
OKUN/ALIEN
Here...now.
PRESIDENT
And before here?
OKUN/ALIEN
Many worlds...
PRESIDENT
Can we negotiate a truce? is
there room for co-existance?
(no answer)
Can there be peace between us?
OKUN/ALIEN
Peace? No peace.
PRESIDENT
What do you want us to do?
OKUN/ALIEN
Die.
The Alien moves closer to the glass staring at the President.
Suddenly the President clutches his head in pain.
NIMZIKI
Mr. President?
OKUN/ALIEN
We kill you...all.
The pain becomes more severe and the President SCREAM OUT.
There is general panic as people rush to the President's side.
GENERAL GREY
(to Mitchell)
Is that glass bullet proof?
MITCHELL
No sir.
The General draws his pistol. Mitchell and the other military
officers follow his lead. Simultaneously they all begin to
FIRE!
The glass SHATTERS into a billion pieces. The Alien is cut to
ribbons, falling backwards.
The President collapses. So does Okun. A STAFFER rushes over
to Okun, checks his pulse.
STAFFER
He's dead.
General Grey moves to the President who slowly recovers.
GENERAL GREY
Mr. President, are you okay?
Woozily the President sits up, a strange look in his eye.
PRESIDENT
He wanted me to understand. He
communicated with me.
(turning to Grey)
They're like locusts. They travel
from planet to planet, their whole
civilization. After they've
consumed every natural resource
they move on. And we're next.
The President stands with a new resolve. He stares at the
dead alien on the floor.
PRESIDENT
(cold)
Prepare a nuclear strike.
INT. STORAGE LAB - MINUTES LATER
The research staff are working near the recovered alien
attacker. Constance comes rushing in. She looks around for
David. Through the glass of one of the offices she sees him.
INT. OFFICES - CONTINUOUS
Holding a bottle of Jack Daniels, David fishes through a small
refrigerator as Constance enters.
DAVID
Just my luck, no ice.
CONSTANCE
I take it you've heard.
DAVID
A toast to the end of the world.
David toasts her with the bottle, takes a swig.
CONSTANCE
He didn't come to this decision
lightly.
David nods, he doesn't want to argue. He smiles cynically.
DAVID
You still believe in him.
CONSTANCE
He's a good man.
DAVID
Better be. You left me for him.
CONSTANCE
I wanted a career. Didn't you
ever want to be part of something
special?
David stares daggers at her.
DAVID
I was part of something special.
Constance realizes he means their marriage. She's hurt him
and can see it. She turns and leaves.
CUT TO:
EXT. DARK SKIES - NIGHT
A black shadow is vaguely seen in the dark night. As we pass
some moonlit clouds we recognize the shadow is, in fact, a B-2
STEALTH BOMBER.
As we WIDEN, we see that the bomber is part of a squadron of
eight. These mighty winged giants fly together in attack
formation.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - ARE 51 - SAME
A tracking screen comes to life, eight blips flashing.
TECHNICIAN #1
We've got the AWAC on line.
Signals coming in low.
The President's group takes their position behind the
technicians.
EXT. BLACK SKIES - NIGHT
The eight B-2 Stealth Bombers break formation, each heading
off to their different target destinations.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
On a large map, we see the eight target destinations and the
planes heading for them.
PRESIDENT
Who will we reach first?
COMMANDER
Houston, Texas. Intercept ETA,
six minutes and counting down.
PRESIDENT
Oh my God, Houston.
GENERAL GREY
The major cities have been
deserted. Civilian casualties
should be at a minimum, sir.
One map screen, ENLARGES, tracking the bomber on route to
Houston.
EXT. LIQUOR STORE - OUTSIDE HOUSTON - NIGHT
Looters take all they can carry through the broken glass store
front. A large heavily armored TANK rolls up front.
INT. ARMORED TANK - SAME
Nervous military technicians work equipment as their TANK
COMMANDER pulls down a periscope.
TANK COMMANDER POV - SPACE SHIP OVER HOUSTON
Through the periscopes cross-hairs we SEE downtown Houston,
the City Destroyer space ships settling in above it.
EXT. B-2 STEALTH BOMBER - SAME
Silhouetted against the shimmering waters on the bay, they
Stealth Bomber can be seen as it approaches Houston.
INT. B-2 STEALTH BOMBER - COCKPIT - SAME
The flight crew works their computers (similar readouts are
seen at command center). The Multi-Function Display (MFD)
flashing before each crew member.
PILOT
We have laser targeting locked.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
TECHNICIAN #1
Target is locked, sir. Do you
wish to deploy?
Everyone turns to the President who does not answer.
GENERAL GREY
Mr. President, do you wish to
deploy.
Still there is no answer.
NIMZIKI
Mr. President?
PRESIDENT
(softly)
Deploy.
EXT. B-2 STEALTH BOMBER - WEAPONS BAY - SAME
The bay doors open and a large Tactical Nuclear Cruise Missile
drops down, flies parallel with the bomber as it adjusts its
radar and laser tracking. Suddenly it SHOOTS OFF.
The bomber BANKS AWAY.
INT. B-2 STEALTH BOMBER - SAME
We see the horizon twisting away as we bank off from target.
PILOT
She's away.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
On the big map we see one FLASHING target line tracking the
missile as it approaches Houston.
PRESIDENT
(to himself)
May our children forgive us.
INT. ARMORED TANK - OUTSIDE HOUSTON - NIGHT
The Tank Commander readjusts the periscope.
TANK COMMANDER POV - SPACE SHIP & B-2 STEALTH BOMBER
We follow the Cruise Missile as it guides itself on a direct
collision course with the space craft.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
The targeting map shows how close the missile is, nearly on
top of the target. Everyone in the room holds their breath.
EXT. SPACE CRAFT - SAME
The nuke speeds closer. It HITS the protective shield and
DETONATES. A FLASH OF LIGHT.
WIDE ANGLE - HOUSTON
With the B-2 Stealth Bomber in the foreground, the city behind
it vanishes in a FLASH OF LIGHT, blinding us.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
We can see the extent of the explosion on the targeting map,
tracking it -- an expanding ring around Houston.
NIMZIKI
(excited)
It's a hit!
The others are still waiting. The monitor shows the night
vision picture of the growing MUSHROOM CLOUD rising above the
city.
EXT. HOUSTON - WIDE - SAME
The MUSHROOM CLOUD engulfs the horizon.
EXT. ARMORED TANK - SAME
Rocked by the massive explosion, the shock wave ROCKS the
armored tank but doesn't destroy it.
INT. ARMORED TANK - SAME
The men inside are KNOCKED around, hard from the explosion.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
NIMZIKI
We got the bastards!
General Grey shoots Nimziki a look. The President holds up a
hand, silencing the room.
PRESIDENT
Can they see it? Did it destroy
the target?
TANK COMMANDER'S POV THROUGH PERISCOPE - SAME
As the cloud begins to dissipate we see THE SPACE CRAFT IS
STILL THERE, completely unharmed.
INT. ARMORED TANK - SAME
TANK COMMANDER
Negative. Target remains.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - SAME
On the monitors as well, we can see the target remain. The
air is let out of the room, everyone deflated.
PRESIDENT
Call them back.
NIMZIKI
The other bombers might have more
luck. We shouldn't just give
up...
PRESIDENT
I said call them back.
As the technicians call the bombers away, the President sinks
into a depression. His last hope of survival gone.
CUT TO:
EXT. EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION - NIGHT
Jasmine keeps Margaret company as the rest sleep around the
last flames of their campfire. From the worried expression on
Jasmine's face we can tell that Margaret has gotten worse, her
wounds bleeding badly.
A WIND kicks up, the sound of an ENGINE approaching. Jasmine
squints her eyes looking up into the wind when a BRIGHT LIGHT
engulfs her.
JASMINE'S POV - LIGHTS - NIGHT
Bright lights in the sky growing nearer. Slowly the others
begin to wake up, frightened as the lights INTENSIFY.
The others slowly begin to retreat but Jasmine stands, staring
defiantly. A smile creeps across her face as she sees that
the lights belong to...
TRANSPORT HELICOPTER
The Transport Helicopter touches down and Steve leaps out,
racing towards Jasmine. Overwhelmed, Jasmine jumps into his
arms.
JASMINE
You're late.
STEVE
You know how I like to make a big
entrance.
They kiss.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
The double doors burst open as the President carrying his
young daughter marches through. Doctor ISAACS comes over to
them.
PRESIDENT
How is she?
ISAACS
I'm sorry, Mr. President. If only
we could have gotten to her
sooner.
The President puts his daughter down as he sees...
PRESIDENT'S POV - MARGARET
Margaret lays in bed, doctors and nurses surrounding her.
Patricia rushes over.
ISAACS
She's bleeding internally.
There's nothing else we can do.
Stunned, the President watches as Patricia hugs her mother.
MARGARET
Hiya Munchkin.
PATRICIA
Mommy, we were worried. We didn't
know where you were.
MARGARET
I'm right here, baby.
Recovering, the President nods for the doctors to leave the
room. As they begin to march out, he makes his way over to
his wife and daughter.
PRESIDENT
Honey, why don't you wait outside
so Mommy can get some rest.
Patricia kisses her mother, says goodbye and leaves. Out of
sight, Margaret winces, fading away. The President grabs her
hand for support. She squeezes tightly.
MARGARET
(through tears)
I'm scared, Tom.
PRESIDENT
It's okay. The doctors said
you're going to be just fine.
Margaret smiles at the man she knows all too well.
MARGARET
Liar.
The look between them says more than any words.
INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE MARGARET'S ROOM - LATER
The President exits the room, overcome with emotion.
Constance, the doctors and some medical crew move to comfort
him. He holds them off with a gesture.
He looks up and sees Jasmine, Steve and Dylan down the hall.
He pushes through the crowd and makes his way over to them.
JASMINE
I'm so sorry.
PRESIDENT
I just wanted to thank you.
You're a very brave woman.
Across the hall, Patricia sits in a chair, waiting. Whitmore
walks over to her and kneels down next to his small child.
PATRICIA
Is Mommy sleeping now?
PRESIDENT
Yes, baby. Mommy's sleeping.
FADE OUT:
A GARBAGE CAN
Topples over with a BANG! A foot steps in and starts kicking
trash all over.
EXT. AREA 51 - NIGHT
David is drunkenly knocking everything over, making a gigantic
mess. Moishe comes up behind, restraining him.
MOISHE
David, David! What the hell are
you doing!?
DAVID
I'm making a mess.
MOISHE
This I can see.
DAVID
We've gotta burn the rain forest,
Pops. Dump toxic waste, pollute
the air, rip up the ozone. Maybe
if we screw this planet up enough
they won't want it anymore.
MOISHE
David, you're drunk.
David slips, falls on his ass, hard. Moishe helps him back up
on his feet.
MOISHE
I think you better sleep this off.
Go back inside before you catch a
cold.
Slowly David looks up towards Moishe, an idea.
DAVID
Pops, you're a genius!
MOISHE
What'd I say?
DAVID
A cold? Of course.
Sobered, David jumps kisses his father and bolts inside.
CUT TO:
INT. STORAGE LAB - DAY
A large crowd has been gathered here at the lab. General Grey
and Nimziki walk up to Constance.
NIMZIKI
All right, Connie, we're here.
What's this all about?
CONSTANCE
I really have no idea. He just
said to bring everyone down here.
Steve shows Dylan the alien space craft.
DYLAN
Does that thing fly in outer
space?
Steve loos up at the craft admiringly.
STEVE
It certainly does.
When the President enters a technician rushes over and knocks
on the hatch door on the alien attacker. The door swings open
and David climbs down.
Grabbing a coke can from the "recycle" trash bin, David places
the empty can on top of the alien attacker. David turns and
faces the gathering.
DAVID
Could anyone please step back
away from the craft?
They do and David nods to a Technician inside the craft. The
Technician disappears inside, closing the door behind him. A
loud HUM emits from the craft. David has to yell over it.
DAVID
Lt. Mitchell, would you mind
drawing your pistol?
MITCHELL
What?
DAVID
From where you're standing, do you
think you could shoot that can off
the alien craft?
Mitchell shrugs affirmatively. David gestures for him to try.
Taking aim, Mitchell SHOOTS.
The bullet RICOCHETS off the attacker's protective shield.
Several people in the crowd dock, afraid of being hit by the
errant bullet.
DAVID
Sorry 'bout that. You see, it's
protected by the craft's shields.
We can't penetrate their defenses.
NIMZIKI
We know that already. What's your
point?
David walks over to his laptop, now connected directly to the
craft by cables and starts typing furiously.
DAVID
My point is if we can't beat their
defenses, then we must get around
them.
David stops typing and stares at his wrist watch, silently
counting down.
DAVID
Lt. Mitchell, would you please try
to shoot it again?
Reluctantly Mitchell obliges. This time the can is BLOWN OFF
THE CRAFT. Everyone in the room is shocked. The Technician
re-opens the craft's door and the loud HUM disappears.
GENERAL GREY
How did you do that?
DAVID
I gave it a cold.
The President is fascinated, he steps closer. Moishe beams
proudly at his smart son. Constance is amazed.
DAVID (cont'd)
More accurately, I gave it a
virus. A computer virus.
David turns his laptop around for the President to see.
GENERAL GREY
Are you telling us you can send
out a signal that will disable all
their shields?
DAVID
Just as they used our satellites
against us, we can use their own
signal against them.
David walks over to a diagram he's made showing the
relationship between the Mother Ship, the Space Crafts and the
smaller alien attackers.
DAVID (cont'd)
If we plant the virus directly
into the mother ship, it would
then filter down into all the
corresponding ships below.
NIMZIKI
And just how do we infect the
"Mother Ship" with a virus?
David gestures to the alien attacker behind him.
DAVID
We'll have to fly their craft out
of our atmosphere and dock with
the mother ship.
Intrigued Steve turns and looks back at the alien attacker,
sizing it up. David points to a satellite photo of the
underbelly of the Mother Ship.
DAVID (cont'd)
We can enter here, upload the
virus and set off an explosion
that could disable it. This would
disorient the smaller ship below
and buy you some time to take them
out.
Constance reacts, realizing David's participation in the plan.
NIMZIKI
This is ridiculous.
GENERAL GREY
How long would their shields be
down?
DAVID
Once they discover the virus it
could be a matter of minutes.
NIMZIKI
You want us to co-ordinate a
massive world wide counter strike
with a window of only a few
minutes?
GENERAL GREY
With their shields down it might
be possible.
NIMZIKI
Please, you're not buying into any
of this nonsense, are you? We
don't have the manpower or the
resources to launch that kind of a
campaign.
(gesturing to the alien
ship)
Not to mention that this whole
cockamamie plan is dependent on a
machine that no one in the world
is qualified to operate.
STEVE (O.S.)
I wouldn't say that, sir.
Everyone turns to Steve who steps through the crowd.
STEVE
I've seen them in action. I've
watched their maneuvers. With
your permission, sir, I'd like the
opportunity to try.
NIMZIKI
That thing's a wreck. It crash
landed back in the fifties! We
don't even know if it's capable of
flying.
David turns to the Technicians.
DAVID
Remove the clamps!
Technicians move to the large holding clamps on either side of
the craft. With a loud CLANK, the clamps are pulled away.
For a moment the hulking craft TEETERS unevenly, but quickly
stabilizes, FLOATING ABOVE THEM.
DAVID
Any other questions?
Everyone stares at the floating ship with wonder.
PRESIDENT
Let's do it.
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Constance, General Grey and the President are walking down the
hall. Nimziki rushes to catch up.
NIMZIKI
I understand that you're upset
over the death of your wife but
that's no excuse for making
another fatal mistake...
The President whirls, grabs Nimziki and SLAMS him against the
wall. Holding him tight, the President gets in his face.
PRESIDENT
The only mistake I made was
appointing a sniveling little
weasel like you Chief of Staff.
Constance is about to intervene when General Grey stops her.
PRESIDENT (cont'd)
But this is a mistake, I am
thankful to say, I do not have to
live with. Mr. Nimziki, you're
fired.
The President releases him and turns to General Grey.
PRESIDENT (cont'd)
Organize every plane you can find
and get some Goddamned pilots
to fly them.
GENERAL GREY
Yes, Sir.
He storms off leaving everyone stunned.
NIMZIKI
He can't do that.
CONSTANCE
(amazed)
He just did.
CUT TO:
INT. MILITARY TENT - CONTINUOUS
Four BRITISH AIR PILOTS are gathered around a table going over
a map. One pilot, REGINALD, is in charge.
REGINALD
...we've been told that there may
be additional re-enforcement in
hiding near the Golan Straights...
Suddenly the flap to the tent opens. All the pilots draw
their pistols frightening the ARAB PILOT who stands in the
doorway. The Arab Pilot speaks quickly in Arabic.
REGINALD
What the hell's he saying?
THOMSON
(explaining)
Seems they're getting a signal.
One Morse code.
EXT. DRY LAKE - SECONDS LATER
As they step out of the tent we SEE more than a HUNDRED
FIGHTERS PLANES from different nations parked around them.
They've all gone into hiding out here in the desert, divided
into many smaller camps.
Reginald and Thomson follow their Arab cohort, walking through
the many other campsites. Thomson gets some stares from the
IRAQI PILOTS.
REGINALD
I still get believe this.
THOMSON
The Iraqis don't appear altogether
too pleased with this arrangement.
REGINALD
How do you think the Israelis
feel?
Sure enough a campsite of ISRAELI PILOTS sits very near by.
ANGLE - ARABIAN AIR FORCE CAMP
Dozens of Arab pilots are gathered around a large radio as the
Morse code comes through. Thomson quickly kneels down, taking
notes.
THOMSON
It's from the Americans. They
want to organize a counter
offensive.
REGINALD
It's about bloody time. What do
they plan to do?
EXT. ICE PLATEAU - SIBERIA - DAY
Several Russian Pilots are gathered around a radio, their
dozen MIG FIGHTERS standing behind them.
RUSSIAN #1
(subtitled)
They claims to be able to bring
down their shields.
RUSSIAN #2
When do they want to attack?
EXT. VOLCANO BASE - FUJI - DAY
At the base of a large Volcano in Fuji, several Japanese
attack helicopters stand near their pilots, gathered around a
radio.
JAPANESE PILOT
(subtitled)
The attack begins in thirteen
hours.
CUT TO:
INT. AREA 51 - WAR ROOM - DAY
A large world map has been constructed. Several sites are
marked with stickers reading: COMBAT READY. Another sticker
is put onto Mr. Fuji.
Striding in, the President surveys the war room. General Grey
rushes over to meet him.
PRESIDENT
How're we doing?
GENERAL GREY
Better than we thought.
General Grey leads the President over to the wall map.
GENERAL GREY
We have confirmed divisions of
troops from different armies all
around the world. Most of Europe,
the Middle East and Asia are
battle ready.
PRESIDENT
And our troops here?
GENERALE GREY
We've been collecting planes from
all over but...
PRESIDENT
But what, General?
GENERAL GREY
Pilots, sir. We don't have enough
people to get them in the air.
PRESIDENT
Then find them.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENNON TRAILER - NIGHT
Troy is sleeping peacefully in his bed. Russell sits at the
kitchen table as Miguel enters.
MIGUEL
How' he doing?
RUSSELL
Just fell asleep. He's gonna be
just fine. Join me in a little
celebration?
Russell holds up his bottle of Jack Daniels. Clearly he's
been drinking again. Miguel is crestfallen. Pissed he turns
and storms out.
RUSSELL
Miguel. Don't be mad. Miguel!
Drunkenly, Russell chases after him.
INT. AREA 51 - REFUGEE CAMP - CONTINUOUS
Making his way through the campers, Russell SEES a group of
refugees around some MILITARY OFFICERS who addresses them.
OFFICER
(through megaphone)
...We're planning to launch a
counter offensive...
Russell wanders over towards them.
OFFICER (cont'd)
...with our depleted manpower we
must ask that anyone with any
flight experience come forward.
Military training is preferable
but anyone who can fly a plane
could be useful...
Russell pushes his way through the crowd.
RUSSELL
(slurred)
I can fly, I mean, I'm a pilot.
The officer just stares at the bottle of Jack Daniels still in
his hand.
OFFICER
Sorry, sir.
Russell gets into his face, desperate.
RUSSELL
You don't understand. I've gotta
be part of this. This is
important to me. They ruined my
life.
OFFICER
Why don't you go somewhere and
sleep it off.
The Officers move on, taking a few volunteers with them.
Russell watches them go, dejected. Angrily, he throws the
bottle of Jack, SMASHING it.
INT. STORAGE LAB - NIGHT
A large MISSILE slides back into a LAUNCHER that has been
attached to the top of the alien attacker. Some workers PAINT
over the patch-work repairs. Below, Mitchell briefs Steve and
David.
MITCHELL
We've hid the launcher in the
ship's manifold.
Mitchell takes a small black box from a table near by.
MITCHELL (cont'd)
This will be attached to the ships
main console.
STEVE
It's just like an AMRAAM launch
pad on the stealths.
MITCHELL
Exactly. Use it the same way.
Only the nuke won't detonate on
impact. You'll have another
thirty seconds to get as far away
as you can.
DAVID
I'll see how they're doing with
the radio transmitter.
STEVE
(checking his watch)
Oh shit, we're late.
DAVID
We'll meet you there.
Steve dashes off as David moves toward the attacker.
Constance has been eavesdropping. She walks to David.
CONSTANCE
Thirty seconds? Isn't that
cutting it a little too close?
DAVID
We'll be well on our way out of
there before we shoot that thing
off.
David leans under the attacker where a TECHNICIAN is attaching
another device.
TECHNICIAN
It's the strongest SHF transmitter
we could get. It'll tell us when
you've uploaded the virus.
DAVID
Then cross your fingers the
shields go down.
David turns and walks away, Constance following.
CONSTANCE
With you? I don't understand why
you can't just show someone how to
plant the virus, somebody trained
for this kind of mission?
DAVID
If anything goes wrong I'll have
to think quickly, adjust the
signal, who knows?
David stops, picking up a small trash can labelled "recycle."
DAVID
(smiling)
You know how I'm always trying to
save the planet. This is my
chance.
David rushes off. Constance watches him leave.
CONSTANCE
(to herself)
Now he gets ambitious.
INT. SMALL GATHERING HALL - SAME
Jasmine is kneeling as Dylan tries to zip up the back of her
dress.
DYLAN
It's too tight.
JASMINE
I had to borrow it. I guess
that's good enough.
Jasmine stands, turns to Dylan.
JASMINE
How do I look?
She looks great. But Dylan only gives her the "so-so" hand
gesture.
JASMINE
You're a lot of help.
The door behind her flies open and Steve marches in.
JASMINE
You're late.
STEVE
You know me...
JASMINE
I know, you like to make a big
entrance.
Steve moves next to Jasmine, takes her hand.
STEVE
Before we do this, I want you to
know I'm sorry.
JASMINE
Sorry for what?
STEVE
(serious)
I should have done this a long
long time ago.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Do you have the ring?
As we REVERSE ANGLE we see that we are in a military CHAPEL, a
large crucifix on the wall. A CHAPLAIN stands by the altar.
STEVE
You bet.
Steve pulls out the famous "dolphin" ring.
CHAPLAIN
Witnesses?
Just then the doors open and David and Constance enter taking
seats on opposing sides of the aisle.
CHAPLAIN
Then let's get this show on the
road.
Steve and Jasmine take their places at the altar. Jasmine is
radiant. Dylan rushes up and joins them.
As the ceremony begins, David and Constance share a pregnant
glance. Slowly they reach across the aisle and hold hands as
Steve and Jasmine exchange their vows.
CUT TO:
HANGAR DOORS - PRE-DAWN
Slowly spread apart revealing the myriad of different planes
that have been gathered. Pilots, flights crews and refugees
prepare for the battle.
EXT. AREA 51 - TARMAC - PRE-DAWN
Walking out the President scans the motley collection of
planes; old, new, high-tech, low-tech.
GENERAL GREY
Beggars can't be choosers, sir.
Nodding in agreement, the President walks among the rank and
file. Slowly they turn their attention to the President.
PRESIDENT
Good morning. In less than one
hour planes from here and all
around the world will launch the
largest aerial battle in the
history of mankind...
(beat)
Mankind. The word has new meaning
for all of us now. We are
reminded not of our petty
differences but of our common
interests.
Constance, David and Moishe join the group, listening. Even
David is moved.
PRESIDENT (cont'd)
Perhaps it's fate that today, July
the Fourth, we will once again
fight for our freedom. Not from
tyranny, persecution or
oppression. But from
annihilation. We're fighting for
our right to live, to exit. From
this day on, the fourth day of
July will no longer be remembered
as an American holiday but as the
day that all of mankind declared
we will not go quietly into the
night. We will not vanish without
a fight. We will live on. We
will survive.
The crowd erupts into applause and cheers. The President
turns and walks over to an Officer holding a bundle of
clothes. General Grey confronts the President as he begins to
disrobe.
GENERAL GREY
Mr. President, just what do you
think you're doing?
PRESIDENT
I'm a pilot, Will. This is where
I belong.
General Grey wants to argue but can't.
INT. STORAGE LAB - SAME
Constance and David embrace as Steve turns to Dylan.
STEVE
When I'm back we'll light those
fireworks.
Jasmine hugs them both as Moishe walks over to David.
MOISHE
David, take these.
David looks down at the "barf bags" in Moishe's hand.
DAVID
Thanks, Pops.
MOISHE
I want you should know, I'm very
proud of you, son.
That means more to David than Moishe could have known.
CONSTANCE
Be careful.
Constance hugs David as Steve suddenly freaks out.
STEVE
Damn it. We can't go yet. I
gotta find some cigars.
Steve is about to bolt when Moishe grabs him, retrieving two
cigars from his coat pocket.
MOISHE
My last two. With my blessings.
STEVE
You're a lifesaver.
Steve grabs them and climbs inside. David smiles awkwardly,
then follows Steve.
INT. ALIEN ATTACKER - CONTINUOUS
The hatch shuts and David takes a seat next to Steve who hands
him one of the cigars.
STEVE
Hang on to this. For our victory
dance. But not 'til we hear the
fat lady sing.
Reluctantly David takes it. As he does Steve notices the
"barf bag" on David's lap. Off Steve's look...
DAVID
I have a confession to make. I'm
not real big on flying.
STEVE
Great.
INT. STORAGE LAB - SAME
Constance and Jasmine join the others behind the observation
glass outside the room as the Attacker prepares for lift off.
Part of the ceiling suddenly PEELS AWAY, revealing an enormous
SHAFT leading topside.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
Strapping in and securing their equipment, Steve grabs hold of
the throttle.
STEVE
You ready? Let' rock and roll.
Steve pulls back on the throttle but the attacker swings
BACKWARDS.
INT. STORAGE LAB - SAME
The Alien Attacker SMASHES BACKWARD into the rear of the lab.
Moishe winces as the others react fearfully.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
Embarrassed, Steve adjusts the throttle.
STEVE
Oops.
Like a stick shift diagram of a car, a small hand written
"post it" card is pasted onto the dash. Steve reaches over
and turns it upside down, righting the problem.
STEVE
Let's try that again.
This time he pushes the throttle forward and the Attacker
JERKS ahead.
INT. STORAGE LAB - CONTINUOUS
Shooting up into the ceiling shaft above, the Attacker ZOOMS
out of the underground laboratory.
EXT. AREA 51 - SHAFT - SAME
With a WHOOSH the Alien Attacker ZOOMS out of the underground
shaft and SOARS into the sky. Once high enough it goes into a
wild barrel roll.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
Just as it comes out of the roll.
DAVID
What the hell are you doing?
STEVE
Just getting a feel for her.
EXT. MORNING SKIES - CLOUD BANK - SAME
The Attacker arcs upward and disappears into the clouds.
EXT. AREA 51 - THE PRESIDENT'S PLANE - SAME
The President watches the Attacker flying away. His canopy
locks down as he adjusts his helmet.
PRESIDENT
Grey, you read me?
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
Roger, Eagle One, our primary
target has shifted course.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
General Grey is standing by the large map tracking the alien
ships over the United States.
PRESIDENT
(filtered)
Where's it headed?
GENERAL GREY
I think our secret is out.
They're headed right for us.
INT. PRESIDENT'S PLANE - SAME
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
ETA thirty six minutes.
The President gets a determined look in his eye. He FIRES UP
his engine. Following his lead, engines ignite, canopies lock
down and planes taxi to position.
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE - ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
The captured alien attacker soars higher and higher.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Slowly getting sick, David holds onto his "barf bag."
STEVE
You still with me?
David nods sheepishly. Steve's eyes go wide with wonder as
the ship climbs to the edge of our atmosphere.
STEVE
(to himself)
I've waited a long time for this.
The ship begins to SHAKE, rattling harshly as it climbs.
Through the window we SEE the blue sky EVAPORATE. Slowly a
field of STARS take its place.
This is the moment Steve had wished for all his life. He's
not disappointed. David, however, is not so thrilled.
EXT. SPACE - STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Heading further into space, ZOOMING overhead.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Through the windshield we see a huge OBJECT floating in
the distance, the moon behind it.
DAVID
That's it. Head straight for it.
But Steve gets distracted, something wrong with the controls.
STEVE
Something's happening. It's not
responding.
David looks over at his laptop, connected to the ship's on
board computers. Th signal is ADJUSTING.
DAVID
(thrilled)
I was counting on that. They're
bringing us in.
EXT. BLUE SKIES - MORNING
The President's plane leads thirty fighters in attack
formation.
PRESIDENT
We have visual.
RESERVE ANGLE - ALIEN SPACE CRAFT
The fifteen mile wide space craft peeks over a mountain range
headed straight for us.
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
Do not engage until we've
confirmed the package has been
delivered.
PRESIDENT
Roger.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Constance is standing by Lt. Mitchell behind the Military
cadre coordinating the battle.
CONSTANCE
What if that thing gets here
before we can plant the virus?
MITCHELL
The entire compound is buried deep
within the mountain. It should
give us some protection.
CONSTANCE
But what about all the people
outside?
Mitchell shoots her a worried look. Quickly they both dash
outside.
EXT. MOTHER SHIP - SAME
Steve and David's attacker flies towards the gigantic Mother
Ship. Hundreds of other attackers flow in and out of the
Mother Ship through the many triangular portals. Steve and
David's attacker's drawn into one of them.
INT. PORTAL SHAFT - MOTHER SHIP - SAME
Caught in a stream of attackers, they flow through the portal
shaft leading into this planet sized space craft. They pass
by enormous windows revealing the HUNDREDS OF ALIENS working
within the Mother Ship.
We spill out of the shaft and into a gigantic cavity
stretching out beyond visibility. Enormous TOWERS are
scattered throughout.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - CONTINUOUS
Neither can believe their eyes. Staring out the front window
they SEES...
STEVE AND DAVID'S POV ALIEN TROOP PARADE GROUND
Below them THOUSANDS OF ALIENS can be seen as they are marched
into dozens of enormous TROOP CONTAINERS docked at the edges
of the parade grounds.
DAVID
Must be thousands of them. What
are they doing?
STEVE
Looks like they're preparing the
invasion.
INT. DOCKING STATIONS - MOTHER SHIP - CONTINUOUS
They pass the parade ground and head into the middle of this
huge cavernous sphere, closing in on the many LANDINGS.
Hundreds of attackers are docked at each one.
In the center of the Landing are large BAY WINDOWS, inside is
a kind of control tower. We can SEE several ALIEN WORKERS
through the glass. Steve and David's attacker is heading
straight towards them.
STEVE
This won't work. They'll see
before we can do anything.
Lifting up another hand written card labeled "window," David
pushes the button underneath.
DAVID
These things are fully equipped.
Reclining bucket seats, power
windows...
A BLAST SHIELD lowers covering the window.
Slowly Steve and David's attacker lowers onto large docking
CLAMPS which LOCK ON, holding it in place.
DAVID
We're in!
David starts typing frantically.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Mitchell turns from one of the consoles to General Grey.
MITCHELL
He's uploading the virus.
GENERAL GREY
(into mic)
Eagle One...
EXT. BLUE SKIES - SAME
The Presidential attack squadron zeroing in on target.
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
...the package is being delivered.
Stand by to engage.
PRESIDENT
Roger.
EXT. AREA 51 - BRENNON TRAILER - SAME
Alicia struggles to drag out a large duffle bag. Philip (the
boy who brought the penicillin earlier) rushes over.
PHILIP
Let me get that.
He grabs the bag for her. Alicia smiles. Miguel helps Troy
down from the trailer. As they rush away, Miguel turns to
Philip.
MIGUEL
Where's Russell?
ANGLE - HANGAR - ENTRANCE TO COMPOUND
Constance, Jasmine and Mitchell are helping to usher the
refugees into the compound.
CONSTANCE
Hurry, we've got to get everyone
inside.
Constance looks up and SEES off in the distance...
THE ALIEN SPACE CRAFT
Piercing the horizon, coming over the top of a distant
mountain. Headed this way.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
David finishes typing. The screen on his laptop flashes:
UPLOAD COMPLETE.
DAVID
The virus is in. All we can do
now is pray.
EXT. BLUE SKIES - AMERICAN FIGHTERS - SAME
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
Delivery complete. Engage.
PRESIDENT
Roger.
The fighter jets GUN IT and overtake the smaller planes in
front of them.
Below the President's plane the weapons bay door opens and a
long range AMRAAM Missile DROPS DOWN, computes its target and
DARTS OFF.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Mitchell and General Grey move over to a monitor showing
visual from the Present's Plane. They SEE the missile
moving towards target.
GENERAL GREY
Keep your fingers crossed.
EXT. AMERICAN FIGHTERS - SAME
The pilots watch nervously as the missile nears its target.
PRESIDENT
Come on, baby.
ANGLE - AMRAAM MISSILE
Just as it gets to the shield perimeter, the missile EXPLODES.
The shields are still up.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
They watch the missile blow up harmlessly. Deflated, General
Grey grabs his mic.
GENERAL GREY
It didn't work. Disengage. Sir,
get your people out of there.
EXT. PRESIDENT'S PLANE - SAME
The President is not ready to give up.
PRESIDENT
Not yet!
Below his plane another MISSILE drops down, and DARTS OFF.
ANGLE - MISSILE
This one goes past the point of the previous explosion. It
moves in closer and closer. Suddenly it HITS THE SIDE OF THE
SHIP. A HUGE EXPLOSION, rips off a part of the side of this
immense ship.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
We SEE the explosion on the monitor. Everyone in the room
CHEERS.
GENERAL GREY
You did it! A direct hit!
EXT. BLUE SKIES - AMERICAN FIGHTERS - SAME
The pilots are thrilled.
PRESIDENT
We're going in! Squadron leaders,
take point.
The fighters break off into six group of five. One by one,
each fighter DROPS A MISSILE. We follow DOZENS OF MISSILES on
their way to the space craft.
ANGLE - SPACE CRAFT
The Attacker Bay doors open and DOZENS OF ALIEN ATTACKERS
shoot out. Spreading wide.
Guided missiles EXPLODES as they hit the City Destroyer,
damaging the outer hull. The Attackers go after the American
fighters. The six groups split wide. An aerial dog fight
ensues.
EXT. AREA 51 - REFUGEE CAMP - SAME
Miguel searches for Russell as the refugees run for the
hangar.
MIGUEL
Russell!
Miguel gets swept up in the tide. As the last of them enter
the hangar, TWO ALIEN ATTACKERS arrive behind them, STRAFING
the ground. The rows of trailers homes EXPLODE one after
another.
ANGLE - ELEVATOR HALLWAY - BACK OF HANGAR
Constance ushers the crowd into the elevator hallway. Packed
into the hallway together, they are panicked at the sound of
the nearby explosions. As the last one is safely inside,
Constance turns back and SEES...
CONSTANCE'S POV - HANGAR AND ATTACKERS
The attackers FIRE and the front half of the hangar EXPLODES.
Constance is KNOCKED back against the wall. She activates the
elevator and the room begins to SINK.
As the hallway submerges, the entire hangar comes CRASHING
DOWN behind them.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Over monitors the General observes the aerial battle. This
room, too, ROCKS from the explosions. The monitors FLICKER.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Steve struggles with the controls but is getting no where.
DAVID
Get us out of here!
STEVE
I can't shake her free.
EXT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Though the attacker guns its engine, the CLAMPS below HOLD
TIGHT.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
David moves over to the computer to see if he can help.
Suddenly the large window slowly begins to DROP DOWN.
STEVE
What're you doing?
DAVID
It's not me. They're overriding
the system.
The blast shield continues to peel away. David and Steve drop
down below the dash, hiding from view. As the view becomes
unobstructed we SEE...
POV - THROUGH WINDOW - THE LANDING
Several Alien's looking across at us from the large bay
window of the Landing's control tower.
STEVE
Damn!
David leans from his hiding position and SEES several other
alien attackers are moving in on them. They are surrounded.
DAVID
Check and mate.
INT. AREA 51 - RESEARCH FACILITY - SAME
Like images from England during the blitzkrieg, the refugees
are huddled on the floor, the lights FLICKERING and the muted
sounds of distant EXPLOSIONS. Miguel moves through the
refugees, searching for Russell.
A Yarmulke is unfolded. As it is lifted we realize Moishe is
putting it on. He holds the hands with the people around him
and begins to pray. Nimziki moves next to Moishe. Moishe
takes his hand.
NIMZIKI
I'm not Jewish.
MOISHE
It's okay.
ANGLE - PHILIP AND ALICIA
As another bomb rocks the room, Alicia moves closer to Philip.
ALICIA
This could be our last night on
Earth. I don't want to die a
virgin.
PHILIP
If we do, we'll both die virgins.
But at last we'll be together.
Alicia smiles, a nice guy at last.
EXT. AREA 51 - SPACE SHIP - SAME
The City Destroyer space ship is settling just above the
compound as the American fighters circle it, chased by the
attackers. Below the SCHISM begins to open!
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
In all the commotion, no one notices as Miguel sneaks inside.
OFFICER
We're running out of missiles,
Sir. We're just not causing
enough damage.
EXT. PRESIDENT'S PLANE - SAME
GENERAL GREY
(filtered)
They're getting ready to fire the
big gun. You're going to have to
find a vulnerable spot, fast.
PRESIDENT
I've got an idea. Keep 'em off my
tail.
Taking the advice, the President DIVES. He's met by two
flanking Fighters (EAGLES 9 & 2) as they cruise the underbelly
of the City Destroyer. Sure enough, the SCHISM is opening,
preparing to fire the WALL OF DESTRUCTION.
PRESIDENT
Let's take 'em out before they
take us out.
The President locks the SCHISM hatchway into the center of his
HUD (heads up display). Just as he FIRES, Eagle 9 is BLOWN
OUT OF THE SKY. It rocks the President, sending his missile
off target.
Off balance, the missile hits just wide of the hatchway and
EXPLODES, rocking the entire ship.
PRESIDENT
I'm out of missiles! Eagle 2?
EAGLE #2 PILOT
I'm on it.
But before he can target, his fighter EXPLODES.
INT. HALLWAY - SAME
The lights continue to flicker. Jasmine grabs onto Dylan and
Patricia, holding them tight.
INT. WAR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
On the monitor we SEE the SCHISM, and BRIGHT LIGHTS as several
fighters fly past.
GENERAL GREY
We're out of time. Get out of
there! Get as far away as you
can.
EXT. PRESIDENT'S FIGHTER - SAME
Pissed, the President refuses to give up.
PRESIDENT
Doesn't anyone have any damned
missiles left?!
RUSSELL (O.S.)
Sorry I'm late, Mr. President.
The President spins and SEES darting out of the clouds...
RUSSELL'S OLD BI-PLANE
Russell ZOOMS past the President and alien attackers, barely
missing their FIRE.
PRESIDENT
(filtered)
Who is that? What are you doing?
RUSSELL
(into mic)
It's okay, Sir. I'm packin'.
We SEE he has a large MISSILES propped up in the seat behind
him. A light on it flashes ARMED.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
RUSSELL
(filtered)
Just keep those guys off me for a
few more seconds.
Hearing his voice, Miguel is shocked. He moves closer towards
the monitors.
EXT. CITY DESTROYER - SAME
The remaining fighters lay down COVER FIRE for Russell's old
bi-wing. Russell heads directly TOWARDS THE SCHISM.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Everyone is gripped to the screen as we see it get closer and
closer to the closing bay doors. Miguel is aghast.
RUSSELL
(filtered)
Do me one favor...
OFFICER
Who is that guy?
MIGUEL
Russell!
Miguel races over to the microphone, attempts to grab it.
RUSSELL
(filtered)
...tell my children I love them
very much.
EXT. CITY DESTROYER - SCHISM - SAME
Russell nears the SCHISM, a hail of alien firepower erupting
around him.
MIGUEL
(filtered)
Dad! No!
Russell smiles at b being called "Dad."
RUSSELL
I've got to, kid. You were always
better at taking care of them than
I was anyways.
Russell turns off his radio as he banks UPWARD towards the
open SCHISM. The climb is steep, and the bi-wing nearly
stalls out.
Suddenly the bright lights VANISH and the beam begins to form.
Russell's bi-wing just makes it INSIDE THE OPEN SCHISM and
disappears from view.
The President and remaining fighters BANK AWAY, clearing.
Suddenly, A GIGANTIC EXPLOSION, RIPS THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE
SPACE CRAFT. It's causing a CHAIN REACTION of explosion.
Teetering, the entire space ship, turns away out of control.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
The room erupts in CHEERS. Everyone, that is, except Miguel.
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - SAME
Not far away from Area 51, the enormous craft is burning from
the center outwards. Suddenly it DROPS and COLLIDES with the
mountain range, EXPLODING ON IMPACT.
INT. WAR ROOM - SAME
Intercepting the celebration, General Grey moves over to a
radio technician.
GENERAL GREY
Let's get on the wire. Tell every
squadron around the world how to
shoot those fuckers down.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
Sitting below the dash, Steve takes out the cigars, hands one
to David.
STEVE
I guess there's nothing left to
do. Let's nuke 'em.
David realizes they're both about to die. He stares at the
cigar.
DAVID
(re: cigar)
Funny, I always thought things
like these would kill me.
They share a quick sober laugh.
STEVE
Nice meeting you.
DAVID
You as well.
Steve lights his cigar, then lights David's.
STEVE
Ready?
EXT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ALIEN ATTACKER - SAME
Popping up from behind the dash, cigars in their mouths, Steve
and David start waving "good-bye" like idiots.
The Aliens in the tower don't know how to react. The
attackers move in for the kill.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
STEVE
Think they know what's coming?
He reaches down to the black box we saw before and enters the
launch code.
DAVID
(still waving)
Not a chance in hell.
EXT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Suddenly the missile ERUPTS from behind the manifold and
BLASTS into the control tower, SHATTERING THE GLASS WINDOW.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The missile SMASHES through the glass. The atmosphere
impeached, the aliens quickly succumb to the elements, chocking
and dying.
The missile BLASTS by WRECKING equipment until it LODGES into
the back wall of the Landing tower.
A small counter on the missile begins to count down 30:00,
29:00, 28:00...
EXT. DOCKING CLAMPS - SAME
Rocked from the explosions, the docking clamps RELEASES and the
ships jostles free.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER - SAME
Steve grabs the controls.
STEVE
We're loose!
DAVID
Doesn't matter. Game's over.
STEVE
I don't hear no fat lady.
Steve THROTTLES IT. The craft JOLTS AWAY.
EXT. DOCKING STATION - SAME
Steve and David's attacker BLAST away, the other alien
attackers follow in hot pursuit.
The attackers FIRE. Steve SWERVES avoiding the blasts as they
race for the exit.
INT. LANDING - CONTROL TOWER - SAME
Grasping for breath, a dying Alien looks up at the wedged in
nuclear missile. The counter reads: 00:04, 00:03, 00:02.
We get the feeling the Alien knows what's coming.
INT. DOCKING BAY - SAME
Steve and David's attacker just reaches the doorway as the
center of the landing EXPLODES behind them.
The enormous impact, rocks some of the lagging attackers off
track.
EXT. MOTHER SHIP - SAME
Steve DARTS his attacker out from underneath the Mother Ship's
belly. A group of attackers FOLLOW.
Just as the last of them exit the docking bay, a HUGE FIREBALL
erupts behind them ripping through the Mother Ship.
ANGLE - FARTHER AWAY
ZOOMING towards us, Steve guides his ship away. The Alien
attackers in hot pursuit. Behind them we SEE the ENTIRE
MOTHER SHIP EXPLODE.
The immense EXPLOSION GROWS OUTWARDS coming right at us. The
ATTACKERS are GOBBLED UP as the EXPLOSION WIDENS. Quickly the
explosion gains ground on Steve and David.
ANGLE - STEVE AND DAVID'S SHIP
Like a loose board caught in the surf, Steve and David's ship
rides the edge of the explosion, getting knocked END OVER END.
INT. STEVE AND DAVID'S ATTACKER
Tumbling ass over tea kettle, David and Steve are ROCKED in
their seats. Steve battles to regain control of the ship.
EXT. STEVE AND DAVID'S SHIP
The mammoth fireball reaches the outer edge of its zenith.
Steve and David's ship is SPIT OUT, tumbling down towards
EARTH.
EXT. AREA 51 - TARMAC - SAME
The fighters are returning home. Crowd RACE out of the ruins
of the smoldering compound to greet them, cheering their
arrival.
THE PRESIDENT'S PLANE
The President is climbing out as General Grey rushes to his
aid. Behind him, Jasmine leads Dylan and Patricia, who breaks
free and RUSHES to her father. The President sweeps her up in
his arms as Jasmine approaches.
JASMINE
(to General Grey)
Any word from Steve?
Behind her, Constance rushes over, the same thing on her mind.
Before he can answer they HEAR a ROAR above. They all become
silent as they turn and look to the skies.
ANGLE - BLUE SKIES - FIREBALL
The FIREBALL COMET is rapidly shooting down towards us.
Suddenly BURSTING OUT OF THE FLAMES, Steve and David's ship
DARTS DOWN.
Just over the heads of the cheering crowds, Steve and David's
ship ZOOMS overhead, disappearing out of sight.
EXT. DRY LAKE - DESERT - MINUTES LATER
Several army JEEPS race across the arid desert floor. As they
WHIP past we see they are headed towards a gigantic BLACK
PLUME OF SMOKE in the distance.
ANGLE PLUME OF SMOKE
The Jeeps SKID to a halt. Jasmine and Constance are the first
to leap off the Jeeps.
Steve and David walk towards us, cigars in their mouths.
Jasmine races over to him.
JASMINE
You scared the hell out of me.
STEVE
Yeah, but what an entrance!
JASMINE
Dick-weed.
STEVE
Butt-munch.
Constance comes running up to David, hugs him tightly.
CONSTANCE
Are you all right?
DAVID
Did it work?
CONSTANCE
You bet it did.
She hugs him. They kiss.
ANGLE - STEVE AND JASMINE
Behind them Dylan, Patricia, the President and General Grey
come walking over. The President and General Grey approach.
PRESIDENT
We're getting reports from all
over. Their ships are going down!
As they begin to celebrate, they look up to the sky.
GROUP POV - BRILLIANT LIGHTS IN THE SKIES
The debris from the Mother Ship explosion enters the
atmosphere like thousands of SHOOTING STARS. It's an
incredible sight.
The group stares happily at the show in the sky. Steve takes
Dylan by the hand.
STEVE
Didn't I promise you fireworks?
Everyone stares in wonder at the beautiful lights.
THE END
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