Rise of The Kek Screenplay
PARTMENT - DAWN
Jeremy is sitting on the living room couch, staring at the printout.
Tara comes up behind him.
TARA
Have you been up all night?
She grips the back of the couch. Leans down. Starts to read aloud from the printout.
TARA (CONT’D)
From the desk of C. Edward Millikan,
President, Microcore Space Systems
Management Corp. Subject: ARCUS LUNAR
LANDING SHELL. Having a little fantasy
are we?
JEREMY
Keep reading.
She sighs loudly before joining Jeremy on the couch.
She takes the printout, reads it completely, then hands it back to Jeremy.
She gets up and grabs her purse.
TARA
This is getting weird. I don't know what
you're involved in, I'm just glad it's
not the police or the FBI who are showing
such an interest in you.
JEREMY
Believe me, it's scarier than that.
Jeremy turns on the news.
FLORIDA NEWSCASTER
The search continues for fifteen year old
Billy Faylan who went missing yesterday
during a family camping trip in Northern
Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Faylan, along with
their ten year old daughter, claim to
have encountered a Super Spider that
stalked them before attacking, and then
dragging off the boy. Illinois State
Police are not convinced...
TARA
I'm off to work. Have a good day at the
library. I'll see you around six.
Tara exits. Jeremy moves into the bedroom.
The sound of a shower can be heard.
INT. MELBOURNE RAILCAR STATION - DAY
The station buzzes with activity.
Jeremy boards a single occupant railcar: a SINGLECAR.
INT. SINGLECAR - DAY
He programs a northbound route to the library.
The singlecar debarks the station.
The small display screen indicates that it has merged onto a southbound track.
Jeremy tries, unsuccessfully, to override the computer.
He cannot make contact with the rail station.
The car speeds down the coast.
INT. MICROCORE NORTH ENTRANCE - DAY
The car enters, then stops at a checkpoint.
A FEMALE SECURITY GUARD enters its serial number into a palm unit.
The car then continues into the high security complex.
INT. MICROCORE MAIN HANGAR - DAY
The car glides into the hangar. Slowly rides its periphery.
Dozens of technicians are present. They fill the tiers that wrap up and around a Blaster Nine Rocket.
The rocket's nose cone is opened up. A circle of seats are visible within.
The car exits the building.
EXT. MICROCORE MAIN TARMAC - DAY
The car rides high above a sea of cement.
Ground vehicles move freely beneath the track.
The car heads toward a Blaster Nine Rocket readied on the launchpad.
It arcs in a wide loop around the rocket.
The car descends toward a small stretch of beach.
It merges onto another track and stops. Engages in reverse.
It moves backward along a quarter mile long stretch of track leading out into the ocean.
It reaches the end.
INT. SINGLECAR - DAY
The rocket is directly ahead.
Showers of sparks cross beneath its engines.
The engines ignite.
Thick steam mushrooms out from two sides.
The docking tower disengages and falls away.
The track shakes violently.
Jeremy grips the dashboard nervously.
The rocket clears the launchpad.
Jeremy arches backward, watching it until it disappears into a high cloud.
The steam cloud washes over the car.
THUNDER echoes off into the distance.
EXT. MICROCORE MAIN TARMAC - DAY
The car moves forward, past the soaking wet launchpad and into the base of a high observation tower.
The tower is topped by an ovoid shell surrounded by tinted windows.
INT. BASE OF CECIL'S OFFICE TOWER - DAY
The car enters, then stops.
A MALE SECURITY OFFICER approaches. Pops open the car's door.
MALE SECURITY OFFICER
Ambassador Ash, I presume?
JEREMY
Ambassador? If you say so.
SECURITY OFFICER
Mr. Millikan is waiting for you in his
office. Please follow me.
They enter an elevator.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
The office is oval shaped with a high arched ceiling.
A large glass top table centers the room. The glass is supported by a very realistic slice of planet Earth.
An elevator door opens.
Jeremy steps out into the office.
The elevator door closes with the security guard still inside.
Cecil Millikan is sitting in a leather chair behind a Mahogany desk.
He looks up at Jeremy and lights a cigar.
CECIL
My employees wait months to view a launch
from the track. I hope you enjoyed it.
JEREMY
Are you kidding? That was probably the
coolest thing I've ever seen.
CECIL
I'm glad to hear that. Please sit. I hope
my tactics are not too overbearing.
JEREMY
(sitting down)
Your tactics both refresh and inspire me,
sir.
A woman enters from an adjacent room. She is in her late forties. Streaks of gray highlight her hair. She is GWEN.
She sits down beside Cecil and squeezes his hand.
GWEN
Hi. I'm Cecil's wife, Gwen.
JEREMY
It's nice to meet you. I'm Jeremy, but
you probably already know that.
GWEN
Indeed I do.
JEREMY
I don't mean to sound ungrateful, sir,
but I'm supposed to be at work right now.
I would have gladly accepted your
invitation had you extended one.
CECIL
I wanted it to be surprise. I've already
informed the library that you won't be
coming in today.
JEREMY
Really.
CECIL
They didn't seem to mind because I made a
$10,000 donation on the very same call.
Have you had a chance to look over my
proposal?
JEREMY
I have. Are you aware that I've already
accepted the government's proposal?
CECIL
Have you signed anything?
JEREMY
Now that you mention it, no. And I must
admit, you've certainly succeeded in
demonstrating your superior style over
those stiffs at the Pentagon.
CECIL
I like you, Jeremy.
JEREMY
Thank you, Mr. Millikan.
CECIL
Please, call me Cecil.
JEREMY
Okay Cecil.
CECIL
There will be A HALF DOZEN PROMINENT
SCIENTISTS aboard THE ARCUS in addition
to FOUR OF MY BEST SPACERS. Did you get a
look at the LANDING SHELL when you rode
through the main hangar?
JEREMY
That was The Arcus landing shell? I never
even made the connection.
CECIL
I need you on that ship, Jeremy.
I want
to show up NASA with my own average
American.
JEREMY
You obviously know the details of my
meeting at the Pentagon. I take it you
also received the equation I sent.
CECIL
I did indeed. Can you tell me where it
came from?
JEREMY
Very far away.
CECIL
(looking at Gwen)
Didn't I tell you?
Jeremy fidgets uncomfortably.
GWEN
We read your brother's article. It's a
very creative, almost prophetic
accounting of the events surrounding your
friend's encounter. It's already gone
viral on the internet.
JEREMY
I didn't know that. How is it that an
article published by a no name machinist
from Wisconsin has stirred the attention
of both you and the Pentagon? Not to
mention the internet community.
CECIL
Actually, it was pretty hard to miss when
that no name guy from Wisconsin had the
same last name and address as the man who
can apparently train neutrinos.
JEREMY
It was just a simple equation. I can't
believe everyone's making such a big deal
about it.
CECIL
Just a simple equation? This formula of
yours assumes a number of subatomic
constants that have yet to be determined.
JEREMY
Lucky guess.
CECIL
A lucky guess from very far away?
JEREMY
I was just kidding about the very far
away part.
CECIL
Too late.
Cecil smiles broadly as if he knows everything.
CECIL (CONT’D)
Tell him about the LEM, honey.
GWEN
(smiling proudly)
We made a cardboard mock-up of an old
Apollo Lunar Module. We plan to unfold it
at the landing site for the Apollogize
crew to photograph as they pass overhead.
She covers her mouth. Laughter slips through.
CECIL
We've timed the mission to coincide with
the Apollo Eighteen fly-by. We should be
able to see it as it passes overhead.
GWEN
They're going to be Apollo-gizing to the
Senate Appropriations Committee when it
appears that we've stolen one of their
Lunar Modules.
Gwen laughs loudly.
Jeremy starts laughing too.
Cecil stands up. Pops a silly, left handed salute.
CECIL
It looks as if they're planning to
reverse engineer the Lunar Module
technology, sir.
Gwen bursts into hysterics, nearly choking as she fights for air.
Cecil gets her a bottle of water.
She drinks, collects herself. Then enters an adjacent room.
O.S. - Sound of opening and closing drawers.
CECIL (CONT’D)
What do you say, Jeremy? It's going to be
a lot of fun. Are you in?
JEREMY
What about the Pentagon? I already told
some Four-Star General that I would go on
the NASA flight.
CECIL
You haven't signed anything and I've got
some of the best lawyers money can buy.
Gwen returns.
She hands Jeremy a stack of twenty dollar bills. A paper band around the bills reads "$1,000."
GWEN
This is for dragging you away from your
job today. It's all I could find. We have
little need for cash these days. I hope
it's enough.
JEREMY
This really isn't necessary.
CECIL
Just take it. Consider it hazard pay for
being out on the track during the launch.
JEREMY
Since you're admitting that the track was
hazardous, I accept. Thank you.
CECIL
How about we go get some barbeque down in
one of the hangars?
JEREMY
Sounds great.
GWEN
I've got some things to take care of.
Gwen moves back into the adjacent room.
INT. TWO OCCUPANT DOUBLECAR - DAY
Cecil is driving the DOUBLECAR.
They travel across an area littered with hangars.
CECIL
Are you in possession of any more data
besides the one equation?
JEREMY
I've got about eighty pages of what
appears to be engineering schematics.
Everything's on a data crystal.
CECIL
Schematics? Is this information for sale?
JEREMY
You know the old saying, everything's for
sale at the right price.
CECIL
How much is a trip to the moon worth?
JEREMY
Quite a bit, actually.
CECIL
Did I tell you that I'll be commanding
The Arcus mission? It'll be my first trip
into space.
JEREMY
I didn't know that. Now that I do, I
definitely want in.
CECIL
I prefer that my spacers remain at the
complex during training to minimize the
possibility of injury or illness. I don't
like the idea of replacing members of my
crew at the last minute.
JEREMY
I can live with that.
CECIL
Pack some clothes and be here tomorrow
morning at seven. Don't worry about the
government. I'll send out a press release
announcing your appointment to The Arcus
crew. That should dissuade them from
pressing the issue.
The doublecar stops at the mouth of a large hangar.
INT. BARBEQUE HANGAR - DAY
A zigzag of picnic tables surround a dozen active grills.
Over a hundred employees are eating.
Jeremy feasts.
Cecil drinks bottled water.
Several employees wander by to casually greet Cecil.
They eye Jeremy curiously.
Jeremy's cell phone rings. He answers.
JEREMY
Oh, hi General Hayes.
Cecil signals Jeremy to hand him the phone.
Jeremy complies.
CECIL
General Hayes, I've heard so much about
you. I wanted to thank you and your
friends for the NASA space shuttles. The
redesign went swimmingly...What's that?
Cecil holds the phone out so Jeremy can hear the General.
CECIL (CONT’D)
...It's Cecil Millikan, of course...That
should be obvious. You know the old
saying, everything's for sale at the
right price.
Cecil winks at Jeremy.
CECIL (CONT’D)
I'm actually able to squeeze an Asteroid
Crusher into the tip of the main liquid
fuel tank which now reaches orbit.
A few nearby employees listen covertly to Cecil's conversation.
CECIL (CONT’D)
I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment
but I'll tell him you called. By the way,
Mr. Ash works for me now so you may want
to take him off your speed dial...What's
th
at, General? I'm sorry, you're breaking
up.
Cecil disconnects. He hands the phone back to Jeremy.
INT. ARCUS SPACECRAFT - DAY
The fully suited crew sits in a circle.
A hexagonal console centers them.
Windows surround the cabin.
Cecil sits directly across from Jeremy.
They stare excitedly through their faceplates at each other.
EXT. ARCUS LAUNCHPAD - DAY
A powerful hurricane brews offshore.
A Blaster Nine Rocket carries The Arcus aloft.
It ascends above the clouds.
CONTINUOUS HIGH ANGLE on ascending rocket.
Its stages separate until only The Arcus spacecraft remains.
The entire hurricane shrinks into view below The Arcus.
The hurricane moves off as the west coast of Africa slips into view.
The Earth's terminator divides Africa in half.
The terminator moves past as the planet goes dark.
REAR ANGLE on Arcus.
The darkened edge of Earth is barely discernible from the star speckled black of space directly ahead.
Reflected sunlight glints off The Arcus.
The sun bursts into view.
Central America rolls beneath The Arcus.
The hurricane, now a small white spiral, moves past.
THRUSTERS FIRE.
The edge of Earth drops out of view as the moon moves into view.
The Arcus heads toward the moon.
EXT. ARCUS SPACECRAFT - LUNAR ORBIT
The Arcus landing shell disengages from the orbiter.
It descends.
Retro-rockets fire.
It sets down near the inner edge of Aristarchus Crater.
INT. ARCUS LANDING SHELL - LUNAR SURFACE - DAY
THE PILOT releases his safety harness.
He backflips out of his seat.
The rest of the crew prepares for debarkation.
EXT. LUNAR SURFACE - DAY
A horseshoe-shaped six-wheeled vehicle approaches The Arcus landing shell. Long benches cross through its middle.
Its DRIVER leans exhaustively on the roll bar, seemingly weary from the vehicle's lack of speed.
He parks beside the landing shell.
The Arcus crew cycles through the airlock.
They secure equipment and storage bins to the vehicle, then climb onto its benches.
They travel over a long gradual rise and down toward Site M-X a quarter mile away.
EXT. MICROCORE SITE M-X - DAY
A variety of supply pods and soil processing modules litter the site.
A huge boring machine sits near a large tunnel entrance which is sealed by an airlock.
Two of The Arcus crewmembers retrieve a storage bin from the vehicle.
They drag it out to an open area. Unfold its contents.
It is a full size facsimile of a NASA Lunar Module.
DRIVER
Look directly overhead, everyone.
They struggle in their bulky suits to look up.
The driver points out a bright object moving slowly across the sky.
DRIVER (CONT’D)
That's the NASA fly-by. Smile for the
cameras.
CLOSE UP on Jeremy. He flashes the speck of light a victorious grin.
A small object falls towards them.
It lands just beyond the site, burying itself into the dust.
THREE SPACERS emerge from the tunnel's airlock.
They climb into a vehicle and head toward the unidentified object.
They return with a damaged electronic device. It bears a NASA logo.
They promptly destroy it.
The Arcus crew begins cycling through the tunnel's airlock.
INT. MAIN INTERSECTION - LUNAR TUNNEL COMPLEX - DAY
The airlock opens into the main intersection.
Three tunnels snake away from the intersection.
The entire Arcus crew is present.
A thick carpet of algae covers the walls.
Life Support equipment is operating.
Bundles of cable run along the walls and ceiling.
Power and light in abundance.
Cecil leads Jeremy into one of the tunnels.
They pass several small accessways.
Jeremy follows Cecil through one of them. It zigzags twice before opening into a room the size of an efficiency apartment.
The room contains a bed and several storage bins.
Jeremy retrieves an XXL tee shirt from one of the bins and holds it up toward Cecil.
Cecil shrugs, then zigzags back through the accessway.
Jeremy begins rummaging through the other bins.
INT. MAIN INTERSECTION - LUNAR TUNNEL COMPLEX - NIGHT
Six video cameras, SIX CAMERA OPERATORS, and several production lights are set up.
The entire Arcus crew is sitting in a semicircle facing the cameras. They are all still in their spacesuits.
One of the camera operators points at Cecil.
Red lights illuminate atop each camera.
CECIL
Greetings to all the people of Earth.
Greetings from the moon. As many of you
know, my name is Cecil Millikan,
President and CEO of Microcore Space
Systems. For centuries, humans have
dreamed of one day colonizing the moon.
Today, that dream has come true.
Cecil releases the seal on his helmet. Air HISSES out.
He removes the helmet and takes a long deep breath.
He nods to the rest of The Arcus crew who follow suit.
CECIL (CONT’D)
Four years ago, Microcore established
Site M-X at Aristarchus Crater to mine
valuable resources from the lunar
regolith.
Cecil lights a cigar.
Many of the spacers are visibly appalled, but no one speaks up.
CECIL (CONT’D)
In the process, we've managed to excavate
over thirty thousand square meters of
habitable living space within the
crater's rim. Today, I officially rename
this site UNDERWORLD.
Cecil produces a case of champagne and a crate of champagne glasses.
He fills all the glasses and distributes them to The Arcus crewmembers and the resident spacers.
They toast.
Three camera operators begin interviewing the scientist crewmembers.
A fourth camera operator follows a resident spacer into one of the tunnels for a tour of the facility.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN to main intersection in disarray.
Several folding tables are littered with empty champagne bottles and half-eaten trays of appetizers.
Spacesuits and helmets are scattered along the walls.
Two of the Arcus scientists are passed out in their chairs.
Cecil enters from one of the tunnels. He claps his hands.
CECIL (CONT’D)
Time to suit up, gentlemen. Our ride
leaves in two hours.
The two scientists begin shuffling around, looking for their spacesuits.
Another scientist enters and quickly locates his suit and helmet.
INT. ARCUS LANDING SHELL - DAY
The crew are all aboard, fully suited, and strapped in.
The pilot flips switches, then presses a button.
A jolt.
The lunar surface drops out of view through the windows.
EXT. ARCUS LANDING SHELL - LUNAR ORBIT
The landing shell approaches and docks with the orbiter.
EXT. ARCUS SPACECRAFT - EARTH ORBIT
The landing shell disengages from the orbiter. Then plunges into the atmosphere.
LOW ANGLE on descending landing shell.
Its red hot surface cools to white.
Wings sprout from either side.
&n
bsp; It banks.
REAR ANGLE on landing shell as it heads toward Microcore off in the distance.
EXT. AGRESSION THERAPY CAMP ENTRANCE - DAY
A high wall composed of crushed cars surround the camp. The main entrance is a grandiose padded archway leading to huge wooden doors.
A sign above the doors reads:
AGGRESSION THERAPY CAMP MICROCORE.
IF YOU LEFT YOUR PROBLEMS AT HOME, GO BACK AND GET THEM!
Jeremy and Tara are there waiting.
TARA
Remind me why we came here.
JEREMY
Because Cecil invited us. I know that his
people have been taking good care of you
since I've been gone.
TARA
I know, but an Aggression Therapy Camp? I
don't have any aggressions to take out.
JEREMY
Give it a chance. It might be fun.
Besides, Cecil said this is a great way
for he and I to re-acclimate our bodies
after nearly a week of weightlessness.
TARA
I'll try to keep an open mind.
JEREMY
By the way, why did you quit your job at
the Ozone Repair Project?
TARA
I got bored with it. Besides, I got
another job offer.
Cecil arrives. They all enter the camp.
INT. AGGRESSION THERAPY CAMP - DAY
The camp is filled with climbing cages, battered buildings, huge slingshots, and heavy duty catapults.
Large steel frames with hundreds of glass windows, many of them broken, sit on small islands within several large ponds.
Ropes hang from trees.
Balls, bricks, and boulders are scattered all over the place.
They come upon a climbing cage.
It extends a hundred yards skyward.
Its broad base angles outward.
Huge metal supports snake up through its interior.
CECIL
My employees love this place. Do you like
to climb, Tara?
TARA
Not really.
CECIL
Come on, it'll be good for you.
TARA
(surrendering with raised arms)
Lead the way.
CECIL
I like to call these Rage Cages.
He points to a short steel beam.
It rests upright in a secure slot marked with black and yellow caution stripes.
A cement block, gouged and cracked from repeated impacts, supports the beam.
Two ropes are attached to either side of the beam, with loops at their ends.
The loops are hooked around upward bent nubs of malleable metal.
Multitudes of these nubs are present all the way to the top of the cage.
Jeremy eyes Cecil to verify that he's serious.
CECIL (CONT’D)
The idea is to haul the beam up to the
top, and then release it.
Cecil wraps a loop around his shoulder.
Jeremy reluctantly does the same.
They begin to climb, sharing the brunt of the beam's weight.
JEREMY
Why don't you go on ahead of us, Tara?
Tara begins climbing up through the center of the cage.
Jeremy looks over at Cecil.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Plan on launching any more civilians in
the near future?
CECIL
Was the moon not enough for you?
JEREMY
I must admit, the thought of going back
up has a certain appeal.
CECIL
The Arcus was a special case. The whole
idea of that flight was to send
civilians. I need trained professionals
from here on out.
JEREMY
What if I was to become a trained
professional? I've already passed
spacesuit training and have a week's
experience offworld.
CECIL
Are we negotiating? Because I was
thinking more along the lines of a cash
transaction for the crystal.
JEREMY
I've decided that I can't part with the
crystal, but I'll give you all eighty
pages of data for the right price.
CECIL
What's the right price?
JEREMY
I don't know...
CECIL
I'll give you ten million for the
information. You keep the crystal.
JEREMY
Make it twenty.
CECIL
Done.
Tara is waiting for them at the first tier, eighty feet up.
Jeremy bends one of the nubs upward. He hooks his rope around it.
Cecil does the same.
JEREMY
Are you sure this is good for us? Because
I think it's killing me.
TARA
Why are you guys dragging that thing up
behind you?
Tara stretches. Breathes deeply.
TARA (CONT’D)
This is actually a lot of fun, Mr.
Millikan. Thanks for inviting me.
CECIL
Please, call me Cecil. And you're
welcome, Tara. I'm glad you're enjoying
yourself.
TARA
So Cecil, what is it that you find so
irresistible about Jeremy?
CECIL
What do you mean?
TARA
Well, for starters, you just took him to
the moon. That's not exactly an everyday
gesture for someone you just met.
CECIL
When I heard that the National Security
Agency had contacted Jeremy, I assumed
that they had good reason for it. I
looked into the matter and found that he
had some pretty impressive time logged on
a NASA spacecraft simulator.
(lights a cigar)
It just so happened that I had a last
minute cancellation for the Arcus flight
and Jeremy was the right size and weight
to fill the spot. It's very important to
properly balance a payload bound for
orbit, you know.
TARA
He's got you plugging that story, too?
A beam comes barreling down toward them.
It passes visibly through a nearby slot.
The projectile hits the block below.
An ECHO crackles off into the distance.
Satisfied SCREAMS and YELLS follow.
CECIL
Do you think we can get our beam to the
top before it gets dark?
JEREMY
I don't know. Do you?
CECIL
There's only one way to find out.
Cecil secures the cigar in his mouth.
They both grab their ropes. Continue climbing.
Tara quickly ascends ahead of them.
TARA
I'll meet you at the top.
JEREMY
If we get to the top.
(to Cecil)
How about if I swing by tomorrow
afternoon with the crystal? I'll upload
the data to your computer.
CECIL
That'll be fine.
JEREMY
Can we make it twenty five million?
Cecil looks hard at Jeremy.
They take turns bearing the brunt of the beam.
Tara greets them at the top.
In B.G. Three cows are grazing in a field just outside the camp's perimeter wall. A grove of trees borders the field.
Fifteen Kek emerge from the grove and take down all three cows.
They quic
kly dismember the animals and then carry their body parts back into the grove.
No one seems to notice.
Cecil motions for Jeremy to unhook his rope from the beam. He is poised and ready to do the same.
They count down from three. Unhook both ropes. Let loose the projectile.
Jeremy's eyes wander over to Cecil's.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Well?
Tara catches the comment.
CECIL
Agreed.
The beam hits bottom with a CRASH.
THUNDER echoes outward.
CHEERS carry throughout the cage. But this time, they all come from below.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
Cecil is sitting at his desk.
Jeremy enters. He produces the data crystal from his pocket.
JEREMY
Well, here it is. I have only one
condition. You can't ask where I got it.
CECIL
I already know where you got it. Is there
anything else on it other than the eighty
pages of schematics?
JEREMY
There is a file that wasn't hidden. I'll
include it if you want.
CECIL
You're kidding, right? Tell me about the schematics.
JEREMY
I ran an anomaly scan and found about two
thousand data fragments scattered
throughout the crystal. I copied all the
fragments into one file and it ended up
being about eighty pages long.
CECIL
Fascinating.
JEREMY
But I have no way of knowing what order
they should be in.
CECIL
Are you're sure there aren't any more
data fragments that you might've missed?
I've got some of the best scanning
equipment in the world right here. It
never hurts to double check.
JEREMY
I can't let you study it. If there was
something else there, you would have full
access to it. It's not that I don't trust
you, it's just that I need to hold on to
at least one bargaining chip.
Jeremy plugs the crystal into the drive on Cecil's computer.
He quickly locates an anomaly scanning program. Isolates the data fragments. Copies them into a file on Cecil's hard drive.
CECIL
If I didn't know better, I'd think that
you had used my computer before.
JEREMY
A computer's a computer.
Jeremy locates and copies the non-hidden file onto Cecil's computer. He then opens the non-hidden file.
CECIL
Are these the instructions Alec used to
attach the alien engine to his solo
submarine?
JEREMY
How do you know that?
CECIL
Your brother's article. Or should I say
THE BOOK OF ALEC.
JEREMY
Right. I've heard that some religious
wackos have actually turned the article
into a chapter and verse religious text.
CECIL
Refresh me. How was the engine activated?
JEREMY
There was a tab that Steve pulled out.
CECIL
What then?
JEREMY
The sub just shot into the sky.
CECIL
When Alec returned home after his first
encounter, how much time had passed?
JEREMY
Three and a half years. But he said the
actual trip only felt like a few minutes.
CECIL
Time dilation?
JEREMY
That was our guess.
Jeremy opens the schematics file.
Cecil views the first few pages in awe.
He activates the intercom on his desk.
CECIL
DORIS, will you please transfer thirty
million dollars into the account I've set
up for Mr. Ash?
DORIS (V.O.)
Right away, sir.
Jeremy's eyes light up.
Cecil accesses the account on his computer. Waits for the transfer to clear. Then shows it to Jeremy.
CECIL
You never know. Even an anomaly scan can
miss things. I'll put my best man on it.
What do you say?
JEREMY
(handing him the crystal)
Okay, but we share the findings together.
CECIL
Of course.
CECIL (CONT’D)
(into the intercom)
Doris, please contact PROFESSOR KLEIN.
Tell him to drop whatever he's doing and
come to my office as soon as possible.
DORIS (V.O.)
Right away, sir.
Klein arrives. His thick glasses magnify his eyes.
Cecil hands him the crystal.
The professor looks at it, insulted.
KLEIN
What am I supposed to do with this?
CECIL
I want you to stop whatever you're
working on and run a complete analysis on
it at a secure terminal.
KLEIN
Is there something in particular that I
should be looking for?
CECIL
There are about two thousand data
fragments that have already been
identified with an anomaly scan. See if
you can make some sense of them.
Klein sighs loudly.
Cecil notices, but doesn't seem to care.
CECIL (CONT’D)
But what I'm really looking for at the
moment is anything that an anomaly scan
might've missed. There's a ten thousand
dollar bonus in it if you find something
new before noon today.
KLEIN
No problem.
CECIL
The sooner the better.
Klein nods. Exits.
A clock on the wall reads 9:05.
DISSOLVE TO:
The clock reads 11:15.
Cecil and Jeremy are running around the office lofting model spacecraft above their heads.
Klein enters.
Cecil and Jeremy quickly regain their composure and put down the models as if nothing was happening.
KLEIN
I'm still working on the data fragments
but you're going to love this.
Klein routes an image to the wall screen from his handheld computer.
KLEIN (CONT’D)
This is an atomic micrograph that I took
of the crystal.
A portion of the image is magnified in the lower corner of the screen. Tiny deviations are visible along the otherwise perfectly crystalline structure.
KLEIN (CONT’D)
Look closely at the magnified portion. Do
you see anything unusual?
Cecil and Jeremy examine the image.
JEREMY
I see some minor deviations. It almost
looks like a deliberate alteration.
CECIL
Those are just imperfections in the
crystalline structure.
KLEIN
Actually, the boy is correct.
Jeremy raises his arms in victory.
Cecil sticks his tongue out at him.
CECIL
What are you saying, Professor?
KLEIN
The deviations are far too precise to be
naturally occurring. The ones I've seen
so far are in groups of eight. I'm
guessing that it's binary code.
CECIL
Binary code? Are you saying that there
's
information stored there?
KLEIN
There may be vast amounts of information
stored there. My initial estimate puts
the number of groupings at somewhere
between five and six trillion.
CECIL
How could that much information be hidden
from an anomaly scan?
KLEIN
Because an anomaly scan doesn't analyze
the crystal's physical structure.
CECIL
Of course.
KLEIN
It seems as if the crystal was actually
designed around the information it
contains. It's a pretty ingenious way to
hide information. I can't even begin to
imagine who could conceal data in such a
sophisticated way, or why they would want
to.
CECIL
Can you translate it?
KLEIN
If it's binary, it shouldn't be a
problem. It'll take the computer some
time to scan and document each deviation.
CECIL
Whatever it takes.
KLEIN
The technology to achieve this level of
information storage is far beyond
anything that I'm aware of. In fact, the
crystal itself is composed of an alloy
that I've never seen before. Where did it
come from?
CECIL
A competitor. Consider the translation of
this information your first priority.
When the scan is complete, I want
detailed copies of the results for both
Mr. Ash and myself.
Klein eyes Jeremy with disdain. Then forces a smile.
KLEIN
Understood.
CECIL
Good work, Professor. There's another ten
thousand dollar bonus in it if you
complete the scan by the end of the day.
Put as many men as you need on it.
KLEIN
I'll get started right away.
Klein exits.
CECIL
Looks like you got more than you
bargained for.
JEREMY
And you as well. This could be the
beginning of a stellar partnership.
CECIL
You want it all don't you, kid? It looks
to me like you're the one holding all the
cards.
JEREMY
How do you figure? One of your men has
possession of my crystal.
CECIL
Your crystal is secure. All that's left
is for you to trust me.
JEREMY
I trust you.
The clock reads 11:45.
DISSOLVE TO:
The clock reads 4:45.
Cecil and Professor Klein are waiting.
KLEIN
Is it really necessary to wait for-
The elevator door opens. Jeremy steps out.
JEREMY
What's up?
CECIL
The professor has finished his analysis.
He forgot to print you a copy of the
report. Sit over here, you can look at
mine.
Jeremy sits down next to Cecil.
Cecil looks at Klein with disappointment.
Klein eyes Jeremy with contempt.
KLEIN
Now that we're all here. I've completed
my analysis of the mystery crystal.
Klein activates the wall screen. Letters scroll down it. They are all grouped as A-T, T-A, C-G and G-C.
CECIL
Is that what I think it is?
JEREMY
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine.
DNA. The crystal contains genetic
information?
KLEIN
It appears to be the genetic code for an
organism.
CECIL
What kind of organism?
KLEIN
A section of data was encoded as a
grayscale image.
CECIL
Put it on screen.
The professor displays an image of an unfamiliar organism. It is football shaped. Wings of cilia extend from both sides. Its head looks like a tiny satellite dish. Its posterior contains a small orifice.
Several equations appear beside the image.
KLEIN
According to the data provided, this
microbe utilizes high energy radiation to
break down complex carbon and hydrogen
compounds. Molecular oxygen and water are
among the by-products created.
CECIL
Sounds a little like photosynthesis.
KLEIN
It's much more complicated than that.
According to these equations, the
organism a very robust extremophile, able
to survive temperatures of about three
hundred degrees Celsius, and withstand
pressures fifty times that of Earth's
atmosphere.
CECIL
Do those temperature and pressure
thresholds exist anywhere on Earth? Maybe
the bottom of the ocean, near a volcanic
vent?
KLEIN
It also needs high energy radiation.
JEREMY
How about Venus?
CECIL
I actually thought of that. But both the
temperature and atmospheric pressure on
Venus are nearly twice those limits. They
couldn't survive there either.
JEREMY
How about the upper atmosphere of Venus?
CECIL
That's a possibility. Whatever the case,
this is a job for a genetics lab, not a
space agency.
JEREMY
You should create a new department, one
dedicated solely to the creation of this
organism.
CECIL
Do you have any idea what an undertaking
of that magnitude would cost?
JEREMY
No. But I'll bet the returns would be
greater. Think about it. This lifeform is
completely unknown to science. I'll bet
there's a zone in the Venusian atmosphere
where these things would thrive. It could
be a real kick-start for the terraforming
of Venus.
Klein is astounded by the conversation.
CECIL
What makes you think this organism would
have any measurable effect on the
Venusian atmosphere?
JEREMY
It might not. But unlike Mars, Venus
already has a substantial atmosphere, one
rich in complex carbon and hydrogen
compounds. This little guy might be just
the ticket to turn that to your
advantage.
CECIL
I'm not about to introduce an unknown
biological agent into a planetary
environment. This organism could create
some kind of cascade effect that we would
be powerless to stop.
The professor's awe increases with each statement.
JEREMY
Powerless? You, Cecil?
KLEIN
May I remind you that the ability to
create a lifeform solely from its genetic
code hasn't even been developed yet. The
technology would have to be developed as
meticulously as the organism itself.
JEREMY
It's just a matter of time before someone
develops the technology. Why not you?
CECIL
That's a good point.
KLEIN
I suppose the process of dissoluting and
reorganizing the genetic fragments
necessary to carry out this task would
fall upon me and my team.
JEREMY
(ignoring the comment)
Think about the patent rights. The
medical applications alone could change
the face of modern medicine.
CECIL
I'll bet Tara would be a valuable member
of the team.
JEREMY
The last thing I need is Tara hanging
around. She's very inquisitive.
Klein raises an eyebrow.
CECIL
I understand. Besides, I've already
offered her another position.
JEREMY
You have?
CECIL
She didn't tell you?
JEREMY
Refresh me.
CECIL
I offered her a position as a creative
consultant.
JEREMY
You, of all people, should understand how
awkward it would be if she were to start
working here. She still thinks I'm here
because of the Apollo simulator.
Klein leans back. Folds his arms.
CECIL
Don't worry. This place is so big that
you probably wouldn't even see each other
during the course of the day. Unless you
wanted to, of course.
KLEIN
Gentlemen, I hate to break up this cozy
conversation, but-
CECIL
Of course, professor. Assemble a team,
from whatever departments you deem
necessary, to design a laboratory for the
creation of this organism. I expect a
rough draft and a ballpark cost analysis
by the end of the week. Then I'll
determine the next course of action.
Cecil deactivates the wall screen.
He begins fiddling with the buttons on his chair's armrest.
KLEIN
If there's nothing else, sir...
CECIL
Do you have anything to add, Jeremy?
JEREMY
Nope.
Klein is visibly perturbed that Jeremy was offered the last word. He nods and exits.
Cecil removes a small interface from the armrest.
CECIL
It's been a really long day. Do you want
to get out of here?
JEREMY
I thought you'd never ask.
Jeremy follows Cecil into the elevator.
Two railcars wait for them at the bottom.
Jeremy climbs into the singlecar.
Cecil climbs into a customized doublecar.
They debark in opposite directions.
INT. VENUS PROJECT LABORATORY - DAY
An array of high tech equipment is scattered among dozens of workstations.
A large, three dimensional model of the microbe hangs from the ceiling.
TEN SCIENTISTS, including Klein, Jeremy, and Tara are operating centrifuges, peering into microscopes, and working on computers.
Klein removes a vial from a centrifuge. Draws the vial's contents into a syringe.
MONTAGE - MICROSCOPIC VIEW:
A syringe needle pierces an empty cell. Unloads its contents.
A second injection into the cell causes strands of DNA to begin zipping together.
More injections into the cell.
More DNA combines.
The cell begins dividing.
A microbe forms.
Nutrients are injected into the microbe's environment.
The microbe feeds, then secretes complex soccer ball-shaped molecules along with a variety of simpler molecules.
The microbe divides, essentially cloning itself.
The clones feed, secrete, and divide until a colony forms.
INT. VENUS PROJECT LABORATORY - NIGHT
A monitor indicates that the soccer ball-shaped molecules are pure carbon.
The symbols for water, molecular oxygen, and other simple molecules surround the carbon.
PULL BACK from monitor. The lab is filled with pressurized tanks displaying the microbe's image.
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE OF VENUS
The pressurized tanks are released by a probe plunging through the atmosphere.
The tanks spray out their contents which is swept away by fast moving clouds.
EXT. BEACHFRONT MANSION - DAY
MONTAGE:
Wedding decorations fill the backyard.
A small group, including Cecil and Gwen, are seated.
Jeremy and Tara are at the altar.
Jeremy slides a large diamond ring onto Tara's finger.
They kiss.
Cecil unveils a fancy mailbox out front.
The lettering on it reads "Jeremy and Tara Ash."
Cecil tosses Jeremy a set of keys.
He shakes Jeremy's hand with congratulations.
INT. STUDY - BEACHFRONT MANSION - DAY
Jeremy shows Tara the alien data crystal.
He plugs it into the computer and displays its contents.
Tara smiles and shakes her head in disbelief.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - BEACHFRONT MANSION - NIGHT
Jeremy and Tara are lying in bed.
TARA
I've been accepted for a six month tour
on The Sahara Project. They want me on
site in Africa.
JEREMY
Congratulations.
TARA
If you don't want me to go-
JEREMY
I want what you want, Tara. Besides, I
was thinking about visiting Steve in
Southern Illinois.
TARA
Just so you're okay with it.
JEREMY
If you're happy, then so am I.
They kiss, then go to sleep.
INT. MIAMI AIRPORT - NIGHT
Jeremy kisses Tara goodbye before she boards a flight to Chad, Africa.
Jeremy then boards a flight to St. Louis, Missouri.
INT. ST. LOUIS AIRPORT - NIGHT
Jeremy steps off an escalator and heads toward the baggage claim area.
Steve is already heading toward him when they spot each other.
STEVE
If it isn't my long lost little brother.
Jeremy maneuvers around a very fat man wearing a computer headset. Its tiny screen appears dangerously close to his eye. He is oblivious to the many people inconvenienced by his slow, swaying gait.
JEREMY
Who you calling little?
Jeremy reaches out to shake Steve's hand.
Steve grabs it and pulls him into a hug.
STEVE
One sec.
Steve slips into an airport bar.
Downs a shot of whiskey.
He comes circling back out as if their pace to baggage claim had been uninterrupted.
They retrieve Jeremy's bag. Steve picks up the pace.
STEVE (CONT’D)
There's a bunch of construction going on
in the main terminal. People were
actually waiting in line for available
railcars when I came in.
JEREMY
You took a railcar here? I figured you'd
pick me up in some cool new car.
STEVE
Traffic is a nightmare. I can't take it
anymore. Railcars are great. I'm not as
dumb as everyone thinks I am. It just
takes me a little longer to catch up.
INT. DOUBLECAR - NIGHT
The doublecar speeds toward a bridge spanning The Mississippi River.
STEVE
Have you really been working for
Microcore al
l this time?
JEREMY
Yep. I have a mansion on the beach and
thirty million dollars in the bank. Also,
Tara and I are married.
STEVE
You married Tara? Congratulations! I
guess sending her down to Florida wasn't
such a bad idea after all.
(his smile turns to a frown)
And you didn't invite me to the wedding?
JEREMY
It was a last minute thing and we didn't
want to make a big deal out of it. Did
you hear what I said before I mentioned
being married to Tara?
STEVE
You mean about the beach house and the
millions of dollars? Yeah, right.
JEREMY
It's true. Cecil and I are buds.
STEVE
Who the hell is Cecil?
JEREMY
Cecil Millikan, the President of
Microcore. Dude, we aired live from the
moon to thirty two countries. Did you not
see that?
STEVE
I remember there was some surprise
broadcast by Microcore, but all the hype
turned me off so I didn't watch it.
JEREMY
I could probably get you a job there if
you're interested. The Asteroid Crusher
shop would be right up your alley. I
might even be able to get you into spacer
training.
STEVE
I'd jump on a plane tomorrow if I could
get into spacer training. I hate my job
at that crappy machine shop. You want to
convince me that you're a millionaire and
Cecil Millikan's bud? Take me to your
leader.
EXT. BRIDGE LEADING TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - NIGHT
The doublecar reaches the bridge.
The St. Louis Arch is visible just to the north.
A sign that reads "WELCOME TO ILLINOIS" can be seen ahead.
PAN DOWN. The glow of a bonfire emanates from the shoreline beneath the St. Louis side of the bridge.
EXT. BENEATH BRIDGE - NIGHT
Three homeless men are sitting around a bonfire, sharing a bottle of cheap wine.
The firelight reflects off the steel framework of the bridge's underside.
Movement can be seen within the framework.
Three Kek burst from the shadows.
The Kek quickly subdue the men before slashing their throats.
They slice up the men as other Kek scramble in and out, one by one, to retrieve various portions of the mens' bodies.
PAN OVER to an old, abandoned building in St. Louis.
Military trucks are surrounding the building.
Dozens of heavily armed, camouflaged soldiers take up positions outside.
All at once, the soldiers storm in.
Yelling and gunfire and squealing Kek can be heard from inside.
The soldiers bring out Kek corpses and pile them into the trucks.
A Kek escapes from the building. It is quickly gunned down and its body retrieved.
INT. ASTEROID CRUSHER MACHINE SHOP - DAY
Steve and Jeremy wait while Penny reviews Steve's job application.
PENNY
Everything looks in order. In short, we
machine out all the mechanical components
of the Asteroid Crushers. We produce
everything from the grinding gears to the
nuts and bolts in here.
STEVE
I have over three years experience as a
machinist, as you can see.
PENNY
You're hired. Be here Monday at seven.
I'd give you a tour but I'm in a hurry.
Jeremy can show you around. Lord knows
that he spends enough time here.
JEREMY
What's that supposed to mean?