EARTH FORCE

A TELEPLAY CREATED AND WRITTEN BY PHIL SILBERMAN

805 S. Jersey St. Denver, CO 80224 1

303.3205880 Registration #: 553039 EARTH FORCE ACT ONE FADE IN, black and white: Wide view, desert vista, dawn. LONG ZOOM TO:

A SOLITARY WOMAN DANCER wearing a flowing skirt, leotard and scarf. She is dancing with the rising sun among the rocks and desert vegetation. MULTIPLE DISSOLVES: Scenes of Environmental degradation; oil soaked birds, dead fish on the shore line. DISSOLVE TO: DANCER entering the Oasis at the foot the of mountains. The organic architecture of the Oasis blends into the boulders of the desert. Ponds and waterfalls are seen in the courtyard. MULTIPLE DISSOLVES: Environmental degradation; smoke spewing factory, traffic, polluted river. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. OASIS COURTYARD Back view of TWO WOMEN wearing white "ethnically inspired" gowns walking down the peristyle. They approach a large wooden door at the end of the corridor and enter a sacred round room. A 10' diameter globe sits in the middle of the room.

COLORIZE The globe spins slowly. Weather patterns, ocean currents, deserts and vegetation can be seen. The two women contemplatively orbit the globe. PAN explores room further. Four, comfortable, high tech chairs with built in monitors and keyboards are facing the globe. The two women sit down and gaze at the earth. We see their faces; late 50s to 70ish, gray haired, still retaining an elegant beauty. One is of European descent, the other African. THREE OTHER WOMEN enter; one is in a motorized wheel chair version of the other chairs. One of them is blind. They too, orbit silently around the globe then take their seats. The five women are: OSTARA; European, 50ish, KALI; Asian Indian, blind, EAGLE WOMAN; Native American, 90ish, in wheel chair, DEMETER; Latina, 50ish, ISIS; African tribal, 60ish The Five gaze at the earth. ANGLE ON ISIS ISIS (concerned) Good morning. We have a situation that deserves our attention. A village in Costa Rica has been struggling for some time towards self-sufficiency. However, they are running into some intense opposition. P.O.V.- DEMETER watching the monitor while pushing keys on her keyboard. CLOSE IN on monitor showing region, zoom to large area map, slow zoom to 3

specific parcel. BACK TO: WHOLE ROOM as each of the women look at aspects of the report; maps and overlays, graphs, numbers, etc. We see and hear pieces of the report. (FAST CUTS, MULTIPLE VIEWPORTS, OVERLAYS, etc.) CUT TO: Village; farmers trying to raise crops, children chasing a dog, women working. We can see signs of hard, diligent work; struggling against the odds. A Mercedes escorted by two motorcycles emerges from jungle. The villagers stop their activities and stare in fear as the COMMANDANT drives by. BACK TO: OASIS COUNCIL ROOM, FAVOR ISIS ISIS They need the power of The Earth Force. The Global Chemical Corporation is planning a new factory in this area... It appears as if the intense opposition is being funded by them and their allies in the national and local governments. Ostara, before you came to us you worked for Global Chemical.... OSTARA Perhaps my experiences could be of some assistance. ISIS Your old boss, Jerry Burke, is now the company's major shareholder and CEO. OSTARA I knew him, er, pretty well. I believe he actually has a good heart... he's just blinded by 4

ambition and success... The Five scan various Bio-Data files on potential team members. Faces and resumes scan across their VDTs as skills and availabilities are cross referenced. The team is quickly selected and displayed on multi-port screens. ANGLE ON MONITOR SCREEN PORT 1: BILL and TERRI REED, Hawaii; Bill; Waste water treatment, alternative energy technologies, 50 year old surfer; Terri; project management, coordination and support SCREEN PORT 2: "BEAR", Australia; permaculture and security specialist, --LARGE aboriginal Aussie, lives on a remote self sufficient homestead in the outback. SCREEN PORT 3: CARLA RUIZ, Los Angeles; legal specialist, environmental law--fiery, beautiful latina lawyer, drives an electric Porsche speedster EXPAND SCREENPORT 1 and DISSOLVE TO: EXT. REMOTE BEACH, SUNSET a lone surfer catches a spectacular wave. CUT TO: INT. SMALL, CONTEMPORARY SOLAR HOUSE, nicely furnished, deck over looking beach. Telephone rings. TERRI answers it. TERRI (attractive, 35ish) Aloha! OASIS (VO) Hi, Terri! How are you? This is MJ at the Oasis, Is the Big Kahuna around? Terri walks with the portable phone out onto the deck. She waves a towel and yells for BILL. Bill looks up just as he catches another wave and rides it into shore. He runs across the beach and up the stairs, he is an attractive and in shape 45-50. 5

TERRI We've been cookin' here! We just completed another golf course remediation wetlands. The project will catch and filter the chemicals that run off of the golf course and foul up the ocean. The coral reef off an installation we completed three months ago is already showing signs of improvement. OASIS Wow, that's great! Listen, we've got a project that we want you both in on. What does your availability look like? TERRI Hey, we're there! (Bill gets to the top of the stairs) Here's Billy, (hands him the phone and puts the towel around his shoulders) Its the Oasis, I'll grab the other phone... BILL Alright!.... Yo! whats happening? Where we going this time? OASIS Hi Bill, we've got a project in Central America and the Council wanted to know if you were ready to go back out. BILL Wow man! sounds incredible. FAX us all the particulars... We'll let you know tomorrow when we can get a flight off the Island... Thanks... Aloha!

TERRI Aloha! CUT TO: EXT. Pre-Dawn, on a funky but productive homestead in the Australian outback. Chickens mill about, a rooster crows, baby goats nursing. A wind generator whirs and a satellite dish serves up the morning news. The farm house is an agglomeration of building technologies; part adobe with sod roof, part trailer, part geodesic dome, a greenhouse flanks one end of a trellised front porch. A large man with a wearing cut off fatigues, a large sheathed knife, and jungle boots emerges holding a cup of coffee. BEAR opens the garden gate and checks on a predator bug eating aphids. He swigs down the last gulp of coffee and spits the dregs out on the garden. While peeking at various squashes and picking weeds he stretches his limbs and continues his inspection of the garden. He checks the pre-dawn sky, leaps over the garden fence then runs down a long dirt road toward a rock promontory. He approaches the rock out-cropping then artfully picks his way up the crag. With his careful observations and stealthy moves he appears to be hunting. Muscles ripple on his back as he pulls himself up to the peak. He stands; fierce, intent, looking ready for the kill. An orange glow washes over his face as the sun rises, he stretches his arms high to greet the sun, does an Akido kata, then sits down cross legged and closes his eyes. An eagle soars above him and calls out. He slowly opens his eyes and rapturously watches her glide. Another bird call is heard, this one strange, electronic sounding. He ignores it, then again:..."bereep....bereep....bereep". He reaches into his deep front pocket and pulls out a beeper with a message scrolling across the LCD: Oasis ASAP.... CUT TO: EXT. MID-DAY, LA FREEWAY, SLOW ZOOM TO: a Red Porsche speedster, glides around a freeway transition. The personalized license plate says "SHOCKING".

CUT TO: A residential neighborhood. Overscaled condominiums shadow the remaining quaint bungalows, CARLA notices a "Notice of Property Improvement" sign at a boarded up bungalow. The car is totally silent and as it comes to a stop, we can see that it is an electric vehicle. She drives down the street and into the driveway of a well kept bungalow. She parks the car in the Photo-Voltaic covered carport, plugs the car in, and walks up the back steps into the house. She lays her brief case on the kitchen table, presses the play button on her answering machine, kicks off her high-heeled shoes and takes off her business suit coat all in one continuous motion. A man sounding like a used car salesman attempts to ask her out but his request is met by a swift finger to the fast forward button. CARLA gets herself a large glass of filtered water while listening to the subsequent message for her son Tony from a girl named Jeanie in Tucson he met at camp. The next message, is from the Oasis: ANS. MACHINE -- (OASIS) Hello Carla, this is the Oasis, We have a project for you. Please call in. She is interested and excited about being on another Earth Force mission. She takes a couple of long drinks of water; contemplating possibilities, then picks up the phone. One button of her speed dial feature activates the numerous beeps of a long distance call. OASIS Oasis. CARLA Hello, this is Carla Ruiz. I have a message here that seems to indicate my services might be of some use to you? OASIS (V.O.) Oh yes, Ms. Ruiz, they are expecting your call. Let me 8

connect you. ISIS Hello, Carla, this is Isis. How soon can you be ready to head up a legal team for a new Eco-Village in Central America? Some heavy hitters are less than pleased with the project but the local people are excited about the economic and environmental possibilities. CARLA As a matter of fact, I just finished up a case in court today... we nailed the bastard! I was thinking of taking some time off, but participating in Earth Force projects re-energize me.

ISIS Good! Is your modem on line? I'll down-load all the pertinent data right away. Why don't you go over it and give me a call tomorrow. CUT TO: INT. OF A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Carla and her son board a plane for San Jose, CR. CUT TO: Bill coming out of the shower, Terri packing, looking at watch, nagging Bill. CUT TO:

EXT. DAY. FUNKY AIRSTRIP ON THE ISLAND. Terri and Bill arrive to a waiting small plane; board, taxi down the airstrip, and take off for the "big island" CUT TO: EXT. DAY- HONOLULU AIRPORT. The small plane lands. They deplane, meeting Bear on the tarmac then walk together to the terminal for the plane to Costa Rica. CUT TO: EXT.- SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. up into a caravan of Jungle Jeeps. The team meets and loads

CUT TO: EXT.-curvy mountainous road, Jeeps making their way to the settlement P.O.V. BEAR notices ominous men with binoculars in the jungle. CUT TO: EXT. VILLAGE SETTLEMENT BY RIVER,

The Jeeps coming out of the Jungle are greeted by the friendly smiles of curious villagers. The children excitedly crowd around the Jeeps. Some women drawing water at the village well look up to watch the commotion. BILL notices the open sewer which leads directly from the back of the dwellings into the river and shakes his head. A smiling VILLAGE WOMAN approaches the team. VILLAGE WOMAN (in Spanish, subtitled in English) Welcome, welcome!! Thank you so much for coming to our humble village. We have be looking forward to your arrival with great hopes. Please, please come in and relax. You must be very tired 10

after your journeys. (to a teenage girl) Jaunita, go get our friends some coffee to drink. I'll make some warm tortillas. Come, come. CUT TO: EXT. small adobe house with covered patio. The TEAM, lead by the Village Woman and followed by what seems to be half the village, walk towards the house. Everyone carrying a piece of baggage or equipment. PEDRO, about nine years old, stands staring at BEAR, quite in awe of BEAR's size and strength. Bear notices him, smiles and pulls a very large bag off the Jeep. He motions to Pedro to come and help him. Pedro gladly obliges, "carrying" an end while Bear carries the handle. His "help" obviously makes Bear's task more difficult. CUT TO: EXT. OF HOUSE On the patio, the Hostess makes tortillas and stirs a pot on an open fire. In the yard, an older man and a couple of kids chase down a chicken. INT. OF HOUSE The team gets to work setting up the office.

PATIO The Village Woman places a of plate tortillas, several plates of assorted foods and a pitcher on the table. FAVOR VILLAGE WOMAN VILLAGE WOMAN Please, please, my friends come... eat! Relax awhile... The TEAM gathers around the table oohing and ahhing at the feast 11

set before them CARLA'S SON Wow! Not bad for tortillas and coffee! The TEAM feasts, talking about possibilities and hopes for the project. CUT TO: EXT. OASIS PERRISTYLE. OSTARA SITTING ON A CHAIR LOOKING OFF INTO SPACE, THINKING. She closes her eyes. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DREAMY BIRDS EYE VIEW OF DERELICT FACTORY. SEPIA. river, open rusty barrels, etc.. Polluted CUT TO: INT. OFFICE AT FACTORY CIRCA EARLY 60'S, dusty files open, cob webs, etc. MORPH AND COLOR TO INT. OF SAME OFFICE CIRCA EARLY 60'S, CLEAN. A pretty, young secretary stands in front of an executive, JERRY BURKE, sitting at a large desk.

BURKE Listen Sweetie, I don't really know, or, for that matter, care what you're thinking and feeling. I'm not paying you to be sensitive. Your job is to screen my calls, type my letters, and be a pretty face in the front office! You just can't let a few panicky 12

housewives yappin' about their sick babies get in the way of your job or the success of this company. YOUNG OSTARA (now a secretary) Mr. Burke, more than 50 families near the Clear Creek Plant have reported.... BURKE (disdainfully) Yeah, yeah, I've heard about their so called reports. And let me tell you they don't mean nothin'! See this? (takes out a 3" thick document and slams it on the desk) This report done by the finest scientists concludes that all air and water emissions from that plant are within acceptable levels and that your concerned citizens are just a bunch of environmental extremists. OSTARA (shocked by his callousness) But what about the children, Jerry, er Sir? I mean, I know that you do have a very sensitive and caring side....

BURKE Listen, as far as I'm concerned those couple of weekends were part of your job description. Whatever you read into the little fun and games we had is your business. 13

This is my business!

You got it?

Ostara, hurt and teary eyed walks out. DISSOLVE BACK TO: OSTARA SITTING ON THE CHAIR AT THE OASIS, EYES CLOSED. She pops her eyes open, and shakes her head quickly as if shaking out the memories. She watches the orange glow of dusk over the mountains. An "aha!" smile comes to her face. CUT TO: EXT. VILLAGE TEAM working at their respective tasks. Bear looks carefully at local plants both in gardens and the wild. Bill, Terri and Carla walk down to the river. Bill stops to check the water quality looking at the flow of the river, the open sewers pouring into it, and the garbage strewn along its banks. Carla and Terri continue walking up stream and just around a bend notice a sign: FUTURE SITE OF GLOBAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION. (fade in traditional tribal music) CUT TO:

VILLAGE, EXT. NIGHT. A CAMP FIRE CRACKLES AND POPS, sending sparks into the night sky CUT TO: MUSICIANS playing by the fire light MULTIPLE DISSOLVES: attentive faces of the team members and villagers illuminated by the dancing fire,. FAVOR THE VILLAGE WOMAN (music fades down, a powerful percussion rhythm continues) VILLAGE WOMAN stands up to address the crowd. VILLAGE WOMAN Good evening friends! Tonight, my 14

heart is filled with great joy and through these tired eyes, I can, for the first time since I was a child, see hope. Our people have a long and sacred tradition of living in harmony with nature. Our Shamans knew both the spirit and use of the plants in the jungle; our women were intimate with the energies of earth, wind, fire, and water; our men walked with the wisdom of their grandfathers and the power of the jaguar. And now...this once proud people, after years of abuse, are left, with polluted rivers, barren soil, and hungry children. Still, remnants of our stories remain. Tonight we would like to present to you the enactment, in story and dance, the Story of Humana del Nebla, the Mist Being, the woman who lived forever. (music up) dancers file in front of fire. A narrative VO can be heard as the performance ensues. Quick cut to audience faces, ominous faces in back of crowd. FADE TO: EXT. DAY. A LARGE GROUP VILLAGE MEETING, CHALK BOARD AT FRONT VILLAGE WOMAN Good Morning friends, thank you all for coming this morning. On behalf of the entire village, I would like to extend our warm welcome to the Ministers of Housing and Tourism. Thank you for coming here today and for lending your support to this project. With out further ado I would now like to introduce Terri 15

from the Earth Force, Terri.... TERRI Good morning! First of all, I would like to thank you all for welcoming us into your hearts and homes with last night's most beautiful expression of your lives. What we hope to do here is translate your ancient Tribal wisdom into technologies that are simple, easy to construct and sustainable. CUT TO: Bear standing back on the sidelines, watching. CUT TO: MEETING OLD MAN Gringos always pretend to offer hope and prosperity but in the end our situation gets only worse. They bring their factories, and all their development, with promises of a better life for us poor people but they take all the money and leave us with only broken promises. VOICE IN THE CROWD Yeah, and poisoned water and polluted land. VOICE IN THE CROWD If that's what you call progress, you can keep it. TERRI This problem is common all over the world. Corporations come marching into town with the intention of exploiting the people and the land but put on a face of We're 16

helping you poor, poor people to get rich". But time quickly reveals their motives and they leave their trails of poverty and (MORE) pollution. What we would like to do here is development which fits your environment and culture. The small scale industries will be clean, your food production will be higher, healthier and less expensive, your water can be cleaned up and people will want to come here to visit, enjoy the nature of this valley and the warm hospitality of your people. CUT TO: BEAR STANDING AT THE PERIMETER OF THE MEETINGS noticing some SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS talking to a small group of people. They have rolls of cash and are giving a few bills out. Bear approaches the gathering, taking careful notice of the people there, particularly the young boy who had helped him with the bag the previous day. The men with the money notice Bear and quickly drive away. The village people also quickly disperse. The look in the young boy's face as his eyes meet Bear's exposes both his admiration for the huge man and, as he looks at the money in his hand, a knowing that he has betrayed his new friend. Pedro looks up again at Bear then scampers away. BACK TO: MEETING MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (an old woman stands beside her) We need to find a way to honor the ancient ways but still move ahead. There is still much wisdom in the Grandmothers and Grandfathers but no one will listen to them anymore because they are old. When new ways come the old are left behind, yet I feel that we somehow need 17

their wisdom if we are going to survive.

TERRI Absolutely! We are looking forward to working with your elders very much. Perhaps we can team up an elder, a local youth and an Oasis staff member so that some of their knowledge can be not only passed on to the next generation but also added to the data base of indigenous knowledge we have at the Oasis. CUT TO: Bear tracks down his young friend and "coincidentally" walks across his path. Pedro looks up, happy to see Bear but then, guilt ridden, turns his face away. Bear is very friendly with him. BEAR Hey man whats happenin'? PEDRO Not much today... just playing.... BEAR Well would you like to help me do some work at the farm? You are very good helper and I could sure use some help. PEDRO Will you pay me? BEAR Pay you? Now way man... I don't got any money to pay you. But if 18

you, and your family and your friends, and all the people in the village work together, soon there will be lots of real good food, and a better school for you kids, and jobs for the adults. You wanna help?

PEDRO The other men. They promised all that too but they paid me lots of money to help them...see (holds up his Peso Bill) BEAR Whoa... that is a lot of money... how do you help them... PEDRO Uh... well.. .I do stuff... hey I gotta go now.... Pedro runs off. Bear's concerned eyes follow him. CUT TO: Bill, Carla take a Jeep into town. Bill checks out supplies CUT TO: EXT. Large government building CUT TO: INT. LAW LIBRARY, CARLA

surrounded by piles of books on a large table, three or four of the books lay open, she is busily typing notes into her power book and scanning pages of information. She is studying land reform laws and indigenous peoples land rights. She notices that prior to land reform, a certain prominent politician, A.W. Alfonzo held title to the property. Cross referencing she 19

finds that the Global Chemical Corporation has been consistently providing large donations to Alfonzo's political party and major support to the A. W. Alfonzo Cultural Center in San Jose. She then investigates an existing Global Chemical factory in the country and finds that all issues of pollution and worker health and safety have been summarily ignored by company and government officials, most notably Alfonzo who is governor where the factory is. CUT TO: EXT. VILLAGE SITE FARM AREA. Bear and farmers putting final touches on the composting operation, people are bring wheelbarrows and buckets of manure and food scraps. Pedro is still watching and Bear is still aware of his presence. BEAR Wow, this is great! Not only are going to completely revitalize the soil... but look at all the material that's being kept out of the dump! Lots of stuff that people think is trash, if dealt with smartly can really be very beneficial..... OK, keep it coming! As the final buckets of manure are thrown on the pile, slips away to catch up with his young friend. P.O.V. - PEDRO From his hiding place looking for Bear. ANGLE ON BEAR As he carefully approaches Pedro from behind then as he gets nearer, feigns a nonchalance, carrying a bucket of manure and walks past him. BEAR Oh, g'day Pedro! Que Pasa? What cha doin'? Hey, this bucket is 20 Bear

gettin kind of heavy. You wanna help me carry it down to the farm? PEDRO well... OK.... hey what are you guys doin' down there any way? The two walk slowly to the compost area. BEAR Have you been watching us? PEDRO Oh, uh, no... I just kind of noticed... BEAR Uh, uh...Well we're making compost. PEDRO What's compost? BEAR well... we take manure, leaves, all sorts of plants that used to get thrown away and we put it in special piles. After some time it turns into very healthy soil to put in the garden. PEDRO Why you wanna do that? BEAR If the soil is healthy, the fruits and vegetables will be more plentiful, healthy and tasty. Also, we won't need to use chemicals so the farmers will save lots of money, grow food that is much better for you and not harm the water and soil.

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PEDRO (confused) But the chemicals help the plants... don't they? BEAR Well they seem to for a while, but after a few years you gotta put more and more chemicals on the farm to get the same results. It's kind of like an addiction to drugs... you know? Every time an addict needs just a little more. PEDRO So the men that sell the chemicals to the farmers... they're like drug dealers? BEAR Well, maybe not my friend. I think that they just don't know any better and are trying to help as best they can. PEDRO Boy, well they sure are mad at you for coming here to help us! BEAR Oh really? How do you know this? PEDRO Oh.. uh.. I just kind a hear stuff, you know. BEAR yeah... Listen next time you "hear something" you let them know that we are here to help and that moving us is a great power- the power of the Earth Force.

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CUT TO: DISSOLVES AND INTERCUTS Bill and Carla return from town with trucks following; people, supplies, excitement. The work on the villages intensifies.

ACT TWO FADE IN: EXT. BLACK GLASS CORPORATE TOWER. CUT TO: INT. LAVISH, YET CONSERVATIVE OFFICE V.P. (on the phone, back to camera, smoking) I don't care what it takes. We've got to stop this damn village before it all gets completely out of control. (pauses, listening, takes long drag on cigarette) Listen, the company's resources are at your disposal. Buy 'em out or burn 'em out, they've got to have breaking point and I'm counting on you to find it.

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PHONE VOICE (Commandant VO) These new people, helping, they're smart! They're really teaching the villagers and working with them.... V.P. (perturbed) Listen!, you've got a job to do. I've made myself clear: its they must be stopped! Its gotta be clean, no tracks- make it an accident...do what needs to be done.. CUT TO: EXT. NIGHT; VILLAGE SEWAGE POND / METHANE DIGESTER, Men in black, obvious saboteurs.

SABOTEUR #1 By jamming the relief valve and using this small detonator to set off the methane, it'll look like the damn thing malfunctioned SABOTEUR #2 (looking at the gauges) Jeez, this thing is really gonna blow! SABOTEUR #1 Exactly...! ANGLE ON: SABOTEUR #1 opening up hatch to drop charge into the soup. SABOTEUR #2 24

(OS "loud" whisper) Someone is coming! Startled, Saboteur #1 drops charge without activating it and reaching for it falls into muck, chokes, gags, and drowns. ANGLE ON: Saboteur #2 notices a mid-size mutt approaching. It is the same village dog who had earlier peed on the Commandant's Mercedes. Upon seeing the Saboteur the dog growls angrily. Saboteur #2 looks up and sees that his accomplice is gone. As Saboteur #2 tries to slowly back away from the menacing dog, the dog directs him toward the sludge pond. The Saboteur falls into the muck. With the saboteur in sludge up to his chin, the dog lies down and stares at the guy, growling fiercely whenever he attempts to get out. DISSOLVE TO: EARLY AM, EXT. DOG STILL GUARDING SABOTEUR Two VILLAGE WORKERS #2.

come upon the scene and crack up laughing.

VILLAGER #1 You better go get Bear and Billy, Fido here and I will keep an eye on our guest. (petting dog who is excitedly wagging his tail) Good boy!...good dog.... ANGLE ON: Bill and Bear come running. Bill immediately begins inspecting the digester, discovering body of Saboteur #1. Bear runs to the edge of the sludge pond. BEAR G'day Mate! That's a heck of a place to take your mornin' bath! 25

Why don't you crawl on out of there... though I have a strong feelin' it fits you as a place of residence. Villager brings Bear a hose, as Saboteur #2 crawls out. BEAR OK, Mate turn it on! Let's wash this slime dog down! Bear hoses down Saboteur #2 and takes him into custody. CUT TO: EXT.-OASIS SUNSET Ostara is

Ostara and Isis sit on a verandah by a waterfall. talking into a portable phone laughing. OSTARA A fitting end, I must say! and the other one, uh, finally came clean? (laughs even harder) good! Well at least none of the Villagers were injured and the digester is intact. Make sure Fido gets some kind of reward!

SPLIT SCREEN EXT. VILLAGE FIELD HEADQUARTERS CARLA sitting in an old wooden chair in front of the Field Headquarters, talking on a portable phone CARLA Seriously, things are getting out of control here. OSTARA Not to worry dear. I believe that that there might just be a different approach to the 26

situation. ... CUT TO: OASIS PERISTYLE The Women walking toward council room. INT. COUNCIL ROOM the FIVE are talking, laughing. KALI Please do be careful dear. INT. SYSTEMS ROOM like a high tech "war room", arrangements are being made. CUT TO: AIRPORT Ostara deplanes and hails a cab. CUT TO: EXT. FANCY HOTEL Cab pulls up and drops off Ostara. CUT TO: INT. HOTEL LOBBY NEAR BAR BURKE walks out of the bar with two associates and the V.P. Ostara, dressed to kill, walks passed him and down the corridor. She slips and falls to the floor. Burke, genuinely concerned, rushes to assist her as his associates, including the V.P., laugh at her. CLOSE-ON OSTARA AND BURKE

as their eyes meet, a hint of recognition. Are you OK? BURKE That was quite some 27

fall. OSTARA (rubbing her ankle and wincing) Ooh... uh, yeah I think so. BURKE This is insane... but do I know you? OSTARA you may... BURKE Here, let me help you up. OSTARA ...but from where? BURKE May I buy you a drink? (to the others) You guys go on. We'll talk later. Whew, OSTARA I think I could use one. looks from the other men. Burke and

Angry, somewhat disgusted, Ostara walk to the bar.

CUT TO: INT. BAR; bartender, Ostara, Burke OSTARA Brandy, please

BURKE Make it your best, I'll have a Martini, dry. I know we've met! OSTARA Really?

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BURKE Have you ever worked for the Global Chemical Corporation? OSTARA Mr. Burke? BURKE Sharon? OSTARA Oh my, I didn't recognize you at all. BURKE (coughing painfully) The years have been kind to you. You are as beautiful as ever. OSTARA And you Mr. Burke... BURKE Please, call me Jerry. OSTARA ...Jerry - did you retire from Global Chemical? BURKE (rubbing his throat) Well, uh, as a matter of fact I own it now. Bought out the old man in the 80s. What brings you to here? Do you live in town?

OSTARA No, well actually I'm here on business. I run a spa and retreat in the desert and came here to do a couple of presentations. (gives 29

him a "business card") I head back tomorrow. It's beautiful out. Care to escort a lady on an evening stroll? I need to work out this cramp. BURKE I've got a better idea... OSTARA What's that? Burke gets up, pays for the drinks. BURKE Come with me... He puts out his arm, Ostara wraps hers through it. They walk out of the bar, through the Lobby, and into a private elevator. INT. OF ELEVATOR The two exchange glances. ELEVATOR DOOR OPENS revealing spacious, luxurious penthouse suite. Hot tub bubbling and steaming, city lights beyond. They walk in. SLOW PAN across Suite shows the two men from the lobby at the wet bar. P.O.V. - MEN AT BAR BURKE Well, Gentlemen, it seems as if our meeting will have to wait. V.P. But J.B., ...

BURKE (disturbed) 30

Will you please excuse me for just a moment? Please, make yourself at home. Ostara smiles, nods and walks towards the balcony and hot tub. Burke angrily motions to the open office. The three men enter, Burke slams the door behind him. V.P. Listen, J.B., we've got to stop that damn village! If we don't control them now we'll never be able to open the new factory. BURKE Can't we just buy them out? V.P. They won't sell, at any price. They claim to have a right to the land through the new land reform laws. BURKE Alfonzo, told us that we could put a factory there without any opposition. What the hell is going on? V.P. They are better organized than we expected. And all this outside money and personnel are being brought in. BURKE Can't we just force 'em out? V.P. We lost one guy already trying to take out some sort of methane energy thing...

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BURKE We can cut off their power and water. THUG That's the hell of it, Boss. That might slow them down but it won't stop them. They're getting it all rigged up so they don't need anything from anybody. Burke looks out the window. P.O.V. - BURKE OSTARA SLIPS INTO THE HOT TUB, her clothes are draped over a chair. BURKE OK, ok, I pay you guys good money to figure this crap out. Now get out of here- as you can see, I've got company. THUG 1 But Boss... V.P. (disgusted) C'mon, lets go The two men leave, the V.P. casts a suspicious glance at Ostara, then an "affirming" look to Thug 1. HOT TUB, overlooking city Ostara is immersed in steam from the tub. P.O.V. - OSTARA Burke comes out in a robe, carrying towels and a robe for Ostara. He takes off his robe and enters the tub. BURKE 32

Sorry for the delay... business...

OSTARA No apology necessary. I hope I'm not keeping you from something important... I mean I couldn't help but notice it seemed a bit heavy in there. BURKE (with resignation) Oh...just business OSTARA (arranging herself so she can massage his shoulders) Come here, young man let me help you work out some of that tension. (starts massaging his shoulders) TIGHT ON OSTARA'S HANDS healing, pulling, opening. BURKE (enjoying the massage) wow... you're quite talented... but I invited you up here to soothe your ankle from that fall. OSTARA Not to worry... I feel fine. Silence, as Ostara works on his shoulders. Burke bites his lip. Remembering ...wants to say something. Finally he break the silence as we DISSOLVE TO MULTIPLE IMAGES, DREAM-LIKE, the thick report, sick children, condemned neighborhood BURKE (VO) I remember well your concern for those families. And,... you were 33

right. The report by our scientists was bogus. We finance a study, and surprise, surprise the scientists provide us with the results we need. (MORE) BACK TO OSTARAS HANDS (Ostara remains silent, keeps working) BURKE (continued) All of these years, your voice has been echoing in my head: "What about the children?... What about the children?" I've muffled it with excuses of jobs and the free market, but I know what's been done; just so that we can make products a little cheaper. Now I'm in too deep to turn back. Thousands of people depend upon the company for jobs and millions of people want our products. OSTARA (now very sensually working on his head, eyes, and temples. The steam from the tub mixing with the light creates a mystical ambiance.) You've only done what you and those around you considered correct and reasonable. Unfortunately, we live and work within a world view in which life is really not the priority. Perhaps, the time has come to examine what's important to you. BURKE I'm in too deep. OSTARA It's your life Jerry.

34

BURKE Not anymore... OSTARA (embracing him from behind, speaking quietly but forcefully into his ear) Then take it back!

BURKE (with bitter cynicism) yeah right. CUT TO: INT. OF PENTHOUSE Burke walking Ostara to the door CUT TO: EXT. DAY; VILLAGE Various quick cuts and dissolves show the continuing development of the village. Work continues on digester / power station, power comes on through-out the village, people reading at night. Laundromat is set up, hot water for washing. Housing is being built. Tours are being given. EXT. DAY; The Mercedes escorted by two motorcycles again emerges from jungle. The busy villagers stop and stare in fear as the COMMANDANT drives by. Bear picks his head up out of some gardening. The visitors come to a dusty stop in front of the HQ. The body guards jump off their bikes brandishing uzis. A couple of village men come running and are quickly stopped in their tracks by the sight of the guns. The COMMANDANT gets out and walks into the office with his chauffeur following. One of the men with guns guards the front door, the other walks around the HQ. CUT TO: INT. FIELD HEADQUARTERS, Carla working at a desk. A woman is drawing at a drafting table 35

as young child plays happily beside her on the floor. P.O.V. - CARLA The two women stop what they are doing and stand up. Maria picks the child up in her arms. COMMANDANT (disdainfully) Are you in charge here? CARLA Who, may I inquire is asking? COMMANDANT Don't be smart! You are in charge here, are you not? CARLA Well, I am part of a team that is doing its best to... COMMANDANT Enough! I am here to inform you that all building activity will stop immediately or... CARLA ...or what?...What on Earth are you talking about?...I can assure you sir that we have the full permission and support of the proper local and national authorities... COMMANDANT Do not interrupt me you insolent Woman! There are powers that operate beyond your "local and national authorities" and WE are not pleased with those who had the audacity to give you permission to help these pathetic creatures.

36

P.O.V. -BEAR Bear stalking BODY GUARD 1 behind the Headquarters. BACK TO: COMMANDANT (continued) You are a threat to the countrys economic system. Many powerful men like the way things are and plan to keep them that way. Do you understand me, Woman? P.O.V. -BEAR BEAR silently dispenses BODY GUARD 1. Picks up uzi, removes the cartridge and drops the gun in the rain barrel. He spies on the guard at the front door and, through the window, catches the eye of Carla. CARLA The situation is clearer to me than you may realize. And we do intend, Sir, to provide these people with options. PEDRO, playing with the village dog notices the shiny Mercedes and excitedly runs over to look at it. Bear ducks out of Pedro's view. Pedro looks at the distorted image of himself in the car's reflective bumper, making faces, then walks around to the side visible to the guard. Pedro runs his dirty hand across the smooth white fender GUARD (shaking his gun) Hey, you filthy Kid get outta here! Pedro looks up and sees his "friend" who gave him money. He looks confused but says "hi" to him and begins to approach. The guard shakes his gun at him. GUARD Vaminos! go on get!

37

Confused and hurt he walks away, toward Bear. The dog lifts his leg and once again, claims the car as his own. P.O.V. - BEAR, THROUGH WINDOW. COMMANDANT You are trying my patience Woman! Commandant motions to the chauffeur with his eyes and a nod at Maria. The chauffeur laughs menacingly, pulls out a very large knife and approaches the woman and child. Maria and the child scream and hold each other closer. CARLA on the other side of the desk is stunned. COMMANDANT Perhaps a little bit of persuasion is in order... Pedro walks near Bear, not noticing him BEAR (quietly) psst... hey Pedro...que pasa? man why so sad? Pedro shrugs his shoulders BEAR Hey, friends don't point guns at you do they? Pedro shakes his head BEAR That guy isn't gonna shoot you but they do seem to be causing some trouble in there... You wanna really help me out here? PEDRO sure, man BEAR (picking up a sharp rock) 38

hey

OK, take this rock and scratch that old car there. When the guard comes after you just run like the dickens around to the other side... got it mate? PEDRO nods his head, and takes off running, the dog happily at his heals. The chauffeur has Maria by the hair, his knife at her cheek, the baby is wailing. CARLA OK, OK... please calm down... you really don't need to hurt anyone. Please sit down we can talk, may be there is a way you can profit from our enterprise. Commandant motions to chauffeur to hold back

COMMANDANT I thought you would begin to understand. The way we profit, however, is the way we run things now... Pedro starts scratching the car. The guard freaks out and gives chase. As the men inside get distracted by the commotion, Bear leaps in through the window, disarms and disables the chauffeur and instantly has the knife at the neck of the Commandant. The guard is chasing Pedro around the car as Pedro continues to hold the rock to its surface and the dog nips at the guard's heals. Bear steps out on the porch with the knife at the Commandant's neck. Pedro sees the situation and rolls under the car. The body guard pulls up and points his gun at the two on the porch. COMMANDANT Put it down you fool! Pedro snatches the gun under the car. The other guard comes around the corner of the building, rubbing his head.

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BEAR Playtime is over boys. OK, you (to Guard #1) go in there and drag out your friend. Please don't do any thing to alarm me as I might slip and nick your boss's useless neck! Now, take the keys and open the trunk, good. Now give the keys to my young friend here. Thank you. Now climb in. You heard me mates... climb in. COMMANDANT Do it you fools, this man is crazy! BEAR Very good. Now you...(to Guard #2) You should be ashamed of yourself... playing tag with children when you should be working.... get in with your friends there...slowly...face down... put your hands on your (MORE) head... that's right mate... I do hope you all are ...er... friendly with each other. (Bear quickly reaches out and slams the trunk shut, giving one of the men a loud clunk on the head. He escorts the Commandant to the driver door and delivers a swift kick to his right knee leaving him writhing in pain on the ground.) Pedro, can I have the keys please? Thank you mate... Bear turns on the ignition. He picks the Commandant up by the scruff of the shirt shoves him in the car, "accidentally" banging his head on the door jamb, then reaches inside and puts the car in drive. The car speeds and swerves down the road in a cloud of dust. The crowd that has gathered cheers wildly.

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CARLA Quite impressive Bear, but you didn't really need to break the poor man's leg did you? BEAR Ah, its not broken CARLA. Its just a slightly dislocated knee cap is all.... CUT TO: INT. OSTARA'S ROOM AM.

She gets out of bed opens the curtains and longingly touches the unopenable window. Does some Tai Chi in the morning light. After a few moments in the shower, she is startled by the security alarm going off. Ostara gets out of the shower, ready and alert. She rounds the corner in a martial arts stance to confront a startled maid. MAID I'm so sorry m'am OSTARA (still ready, cautious) What do you want? MAID To change your sheets M'am, but I'll come back. OSTARA Yeah, good idea... The two thugs dressed in hotel service uniforms barge in. She manages to Tai Chi her first attacker (Thug 1) into a vase of flowers on a table in the corner. The second (Thug 2) whacks her on the head, knocking her out. Thug 1 shakes the flowers out of his hair, Thug 2 gets a laundry cart. They put Ostara in it and take her out the service elevator to a waiting van CUT TO: 41

EXT. DAY, VAN HEADING DOWN FREEWAY INT. VAN, two thugs, Ostara tied up, blindfolded and gagged

EXT. DAY, VAN HEADS OFF FREEWAY EXT. DAY, VAN HEADS DOWN DIRT ROAD TO DERELICT FACTORY Cautiously looking around for witnesses, Thug 1 unlocks gate, the van drives through. The van pulls up to door, thugs jump out slide open door and pull Ostara out of vehicle. INT. FACTORY. A third thug is waiting for them. The men shove Ostara into a chair and tie her into it. THUG 2 Who the hell are you and what do you want with Burke? They dump the out the contents of her purse on the floor. 3 picks up one of her "business cards" THUG 3 What is this crap?... Healing arts center... THUG 1 (rubbing his still wet head) And I never met no lady doctor who had the moves of Jackie Chan. OSTARA I am not a doctor... I operate a health spa out in the Desert... I used to work for your boss years ago... THUG 1 yeah, yeah but who do you work for 42 Thug

now? OSTARA I told you where I work. THUG 3 Hey, why don't we call this so called Spa of hers... THUG 1 Good idea, get me the phone. THUG 3 picks up a portable phone, checks the number on the card, punches it in and hands the phone to THUG 1. CUT TO: OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM OASIS OPERATOR Code 3 call coming in! Hello, Oasis Healing Arts Center, may I help you?

BACK TO: INT. FACTORY THUG 1 Sharon Bright please. OASIS OPERATOR I'm sorry sir she's not in right now, may I take a message? THUG 1 Uh... I'd like to give my wife a gift. Can you tell me about your place there? OASIS OPERATOR Yes, the Oasis is a Healing Retreat and Spa. We deal with everything from terminal illnesses 43

to relaxing weekend getaways. THUG 1 (under his breath) Yeah, my wife is a terminal illness maybe you can help me... OASIS OPERATOR sorry? BACK TO: OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM; Isis and Kali come in. ISIS Did we get the trace? OASIS OPERATOR It was a cell phone. We have a fix on the repeater but that only gives us a 25 mile radius. In a moment we'll get a billing address. KALI What about the audio analysis, anything there? OASIS OPERATOR Let's listen to the tape and take a look at it. Tape is played back, slowed down etc. various scopes and instruments show wave form patterns, voice pitch etc. Kali puts on headphones.

OASIS OPERATOR Reverb indicates that the call took place in an industrial building...a hangar or factory...lots of echo...concrete floors...metal walls.

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KALI Run the tape again... yes... there it is. A train! A train went by when he was talking. All we need to do is cross reference the train schedule with the time of the call and we've got the place. OASIS OPERATOR The billing address is coming through now... no surprise...it's our friends at Global Chemical. OK, now lets call up the train schedule. According to the map that's gotta be a Santa Fe freight line. So... according to the schedule our building is within this block right here. KALI Good! Now just for fun let's find out if Global Chemicals owns any property within that block. OASIS OPERATOR Bingo! They own the whole block. ISIS Great, we know where she is but I don't believe we have anyone near there to get her out. OASIS OPERATOR What about the FBI? ISIS I think we should wait on that. With these guys you never know how far their tentacles reach. BACK TO: INT. FACTORY

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OSTARA Let me go! V.P. I don't think so sweetheart... All you've told us so far is lies and your not going anywhere! V.P. takes an impatient, long drag on his cigarette, yanks her head back by her hair and puts his smoky face right into hers. V.P. (smoke billowing out of his mouth and nose) Are you sure you have nothing more to say? OSTARA (choking, seething with anger) No. CUT TO: INT. VILLAGE HEADQUARTERS, NIGHT. TONY, Carla's son, is at Carla's computer studying the information that has just been downlinked from the Oasis. The TEAM is sitting around looking glum. CARLA (perturbed with Tony) Tony, what are you doing over there!?... (then to no one in particular) Maybe we should pack it in... it just not worth people getting hurt. PEDRO No, no we can't stop now. We get hurt every day by those stupid men and the way they make us live... I'd rather have a black eye than get sick from all those chemicals.

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Tony smiles slyly and picks up the phone. CUT TO: INT. TEENAGER GIRL'S BEDROOM. The phone rings, JEANI puts down her environmental magazine and answers it. JEANI Hello?....(excited) Tony? Hi how are you? Wow... What up? You're calling from where? Really? Wow... Yeah...uh, uh sure... I'm pretty sure I can grab a couple of friends. Yeah man, we'll ride tonight! OK, bye...Thanks Tony this'll be awesome! CUT TO: OASIS COUNCIL ROOM. Four women sit in their chairs, a simple bouquet of flowers occupies Ostara's place. They are obviously concerned. ISIS Any suggestions? EAGLE WOMAN Perhaps we should abandon this project. There are other places to build a village. DEMETER Forget the village! What about Ostara? KALI We have put a bulletin out on EarthLink. Maybe someone near there can help us out. DEMETER There's thousands of people on line now, perhaps someone spotted her.. 47

CUT TO: INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE, X-rays on wall, Burke meeting with doctor DOCTOR I'm sorry Jerry, it doesn't look good. I'll do what I can to help ease the pain... PAN TO: Stunned, Burke sitting in a swivel chair puts his face in his hands and sobs CUT TO: EXT. BURKE SLOWLY WALKING TO HIS CAR CUT TO: EXT. BURKE DRIVING VERY FAST ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. He comes to a stop at the edge of a cliff. Gets out of the car and stares into the distance. Putting his hands in his coat pockets, he discovers a business card and takes it out to see: Oasis healing arts center Sharon Bright 602.555.2222 "You are the cure" He looks at the card and at the setting sun. The sun slips through the smog. He crumples the card and puts it back in his pocket. Burke gets into the car with a heavy sigh, beats and shakes the steering wheel while sobbing. He looks at the card again then picks up car phone and calls. CUT TO: INT. OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM- call comes in OASIS OPERATOR Code 3! (pushes some buttons) Oasis Healing Arts 48

Center, may I help you? BACK TO: Burke on car phone BURKE (obviously very distraught) Is... is Sharon Bright in? OASIS OPERATOR (O.S.) No sir, I'm sorry she's not in at the moment, may I take a message please? BURKE Is there any way I can reach her? OASIS OPERATOR (O.S.) No sir, I'm afraid not, but ... BURKE (very irritated) Well, when will she be in? OASIS OPERATOR (O.S.) I don't know Sir, but if you leave a message and I'll get it to her as soon as possible. BURKE Damn,...OK, I'll call back. BURKE clicks off and stares blankly into space.

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ACT THREE CUT TO: OASIS TECHNICIAN (looking at Burke's voice on a series of scopes and meters) Someone else must have Ostara. Look at his voice patterns. Hes freaked out about something major! KALI I can't hear a trace of lying in his voice. EAGLE WOMAN Then who has Ostara? CUT TO: INT. FACTORY Ostara is still bound. OSTARA (distraught) I...I give up...Listen you boys play much too rough for this old lady. All we wanted to do is give some poor, suffering people a chance, just a chance, at a better life,...but if your factory is so bloody important to you... go ahead...there are other places we 50

can build a village. Please...I would like to go home now... CUT TO: INT. JEANIE'S BEDROOM Three teens excitedly talking, looking at photos of factory. Music playing.

MAX Wow... li'l' Miss Greenie Jeanie here been talkin' all this eco stuff... but check this out this be some serious action goin' down! EXT. NIGHT. MINI-MART Jeanie, sitting on her bike, impatiently looks at her watch. Rap music can be heard down the block. In a few moments Max rolls up with a blaring boom box attached to the front of his bike. Sam peddles up a few seconds later. CUT TO: EXT. NIGHT; DERELICT FACTORY The three teens on bikes approach the factory. EXT. NIGHT; PERIMETER OF FACTORY Sam gets of his bike and undoes the chain. Max pops a tape in his boom box. A large dog comes running toward them barking, Sam drops the chain and whips a steak out from his pack. Sam lets him smell it then opens the gate and heaves the steak as far as he can, the dog happily bounds after it. The kids go through the gate then split up. Jeanie goes around to the back. Max, with the boom box, rides into the shadows in front of the main door. Sam rides up to a side door, peers inside then gives a thumbs-up sign. Max gets off his bike, pushes "play" on the boom box and runs to the side of the main door. The tape kicks in as Max is tying one end of a rope on the opposite side of the 51

door for a trip line. Sam is ready at the other door, Jeanie squeezes though a jagged hole in the back. TAPE (OS) Sirens, cars screeching, doors opening. "This is the FBI! you are completely surrounded! Come out with your hands up." The three thugs rush to the windows. Jeanie runs in and unties Ostara. One guard runs out the main door getting caught in Max's trip line. Another pokes his head out the door calling for his partner. Sam kicks the door, smacking the guard in the head. Sam jumps on his bike as the guard gets up to run after him. With the guard giving chase, Sam jumps over a puddle of toxic ooze. Leaving the guard slipping and falling in the muck, Sam circles back around to the building. The third guard (the same one she sent flying into the vase of flowers) sees Ostara and Jeanie and runs toward them attempting to grab Ostara. Ostara executes a akido move and sends him flying into leaking, rusty barrels of glue. MAX (wide-eyed after seeing Ostara's moves) Wo! I'm not so sure this lady needed our help! OSTARA I certainly did! You were marvelous! Did the Oasis send you? JEANIE (just slightly chagrined) Well....not exactly. The call actually came in from Tony Ruiz, he's a friend of mine out there at the village. OSTARA (surprised) Tony? Carla's kid? Sure, I know him. A wonderful boy.

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JEANIE (blushing slightly) I think so too... we met at Earth camp last summer. Anyway, he had been tracking your situation and remembered that I live out here so he called to see if I could help and... well here we are. OSTARA Well... good work... all of you. Let me make a quick call and then I'll give you a ride home. Please, will you ...uh...make sure my hosts are comfortably secure. The teenagers tie up the thugs. CUT TO: INT. OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM Faces full of anticipation OSTARA (VO) Hello Oasis, this is Ostara. Cheers from everyone in the room EAGLE WOMAN Are you alright dear? SPLIT SCREEN OSTARA Yes, thanks to my young friends here. I should have seen this whole thing coming, I just didn't expect him to go this far. EAGLE WOMAN Don't feel too bad about it... it doesn't appear as if it was Burke 53

who was responsible. OSTARA What?... EAGLE WOMAN He has been calling the "Spa" number wanting to speak to you. All voice analyses indicate extreme stress and depression. OSTARA (concerned) Can I contact him? OASIS OPERATOR He wouldn't leave a number. KALI He was deeply troubled about something. OSTARA Mmm... OK I'll try to get to him. Perhaps our Earth Force team here will help me out once again. KALI Please, do be careful! end SPLIT screen Ostara and kids at van OSTARA It appears as if we need to make a slight detour on the way back. Do any of you know how to get to the Hotel Global? JEANIE I'm pretty sure its near downtown. We'll find it!

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Good!

OSTARA Now let's get out of here.

The kids get in the van with their bikes. The van heads out the gate, passing the dog on the side of the road chewing on a bone. CUT TO: (slo-mo and fuzzy) PATIO, Night. BURKE'S PENTHOUSE. Burke slams down another glass of whiskey, handles a bottle of valium. CUT TO: EXT. NIGHT; Van speeding down the freeway. INT. OF VAN; "Old Lady" at wheel, gray hair flying, appearing somewhat crazed, kids (seat belts on) a bit scared but digging it. JEANIE Take the next exit! CUT TO: (slo-mo and fuzzy) INT. BURKE'S PENTHOUSE CLOSE ON BURKE opening pill bottle. BACK TO: Van pulling off freeway, making sharp turn heading down road to hotel in the distance. Van screeches to a stop about a block away from the hotel. Back door of the van flies open, the two boys ride out holding Jeanie's bike between them. Jeanie hugs Ostara and jumps out of the van and on to her bike. OSTARA You kids got it? Thanks! I hope to 55

have the pleasure of seeing all of you again soon. All give thumbs up. Max hits the play button on his boom box and cranks up the volume. (a la Apocalypse Now attack scene) Rap Music with environmental \ activist message blares as they descend onto the hotel. QUICK INTERCUTS TO: Burke, pills, booze, hot tub, etc. Ostara is driving behind the kids with the van lights on very bright. They get to the hotel and ride inside. The three ride around the lobby doing tricks and stunts then split up with security men in vain pursuit. Ostara runs into the lobby, then to the private elevator, and up to the penthouse, turning off the elevator upon arrival. CUT TO: INT. OF PENTHOUSE, NIGHT. Burke in Hot Tub just about to ingest the whole bottle of pills. Ostara sees him and makes a flying leap to kick the bottle out of his hand. Burke, totally surprised looks at Ostara and breaks down sobbing. Ostara swims through the lighted mist and embraces him. (music down) BURKE I'm dying... OSTARA I know...but there is no need to speed up the process BURKE I...I can't face it. I just can't bear to wither away to nothing OSTARA Let's get you out of the water... She helps him out and into the living room, where he collapses 56

on the couch. She helps him take off his wet shirt. She gets towels and robes for the two of them, dries him off etc. Noticing the video surveillance camera she picks up his boxers and throws them over it. She goes into the kitchen and starts a pot of hot water. OSTARA (from the kitchen) Why did you call me? BURKE desperation...fear OSTARA You called me because you want help...Are you willing to help yourself? BURKE Why did have to stop me? OSTARA You called me... BURKE It would have been so much easier... OSTARA And so much emptier. Listen to me Jerry: Yes you are going to die, that is something we all must face. We can only choose how our hearts greet that eventuality-Take back your life Jerry. Spend your last days and moments in dignity, living your life. BURKE You don't understand, a man can't just walk away from his life and maintain his dignity. OSTARA 57

Seems to me that that's what you were just about to attempt. BURKE Yeah, but that would be final, I wouldn't have to face anyone... or myself. You see, there is a big project in the works but I just don't have what it takes any more for our old tactics. The boys want me to play hardball against a community that will be severely affected by a new factory. OSTARA What do you want to do? BURKE I... I don't know...dying would just be so easy. OSTARA You don't know that, now, do you? CUT TO: INT. HOTEL LOBBY Security and front desk personnel getting back from chase, very out of breath. SECURITY 1 What the hell is going on here? SECURITY 2 (looking at elevator lights) Someone went up to the penthouse! SECURITY 1 (looking at Burke's shorts on the video monitor; total frustration) Oh no...

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They run to the elevator, put the key in and impatiently waitfinally they run to the other elevator go up, then out a hallway window and up the fire escape to the penthouse patio, then through the door with guns drawn. Ostara has a blanket around Burke and is bringing him a pot of hot tea. SECURITY 1 (pointing his gun at Ostara) Don't move Lady! SECURITY 2 Watch it boss she's dangerous! Burke grabs a gun from the drawer in the end table and, standing up with the blanket wrapped around himself, points it at Ostara. He is quite confused by the situation BURKE What are you goons talking about? She just saved my life. SECURITY 1 She's a spy for those Eco-freaks we've been having trouble with. You've been set up. She probably already killed three of our guys at the old factory. BURKE Now, wait a minute... what was she doing with our guys at the old factory, I was trying to reach her all day at her Spa. The two guys look at each other OSTARA (very motherly) Tell him, boys... SECURITY 1 We were, uh, holding her protective custody. in

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SECURITY 2 Yeah, yeah, that's right boss. OSTARA They kidnapped me Jerry. BURKE What?...why? OSTARA I am , in fact, a spy for those eco-freaks who are causing you so much trouble, but I'm not dangerous and I haven't killed anyone. BURKE (still pointing his gun at her) You deceived me?! OSTARA Yes. BURKE you lied to me... OSTARA Lie is such an ugly word... I did uh, stretch the truth a bit. BURKE (turning and pointing the gun at the two men) And I, dear Woman, am not sure I'll ever be able to truly thank you.---Now get out of here boys!! SECURITY 1 But ... BURKE GO!!! SECURITY 1 60

(pointing his gun now at Burke) We can't let you do this. BURKE You can't let me do this? Since when do you control me? Now get out. SECURITY 1 (pointing his gun at Ostara ) Don't be a fool... Its two guns against one. At best, only one of you lives. BURKE How did you put it Sharon, dying is the only thing we can be sure of? Well I'm damn sure I'm going to die, and I've never felt more ready, how about you boys? You ready? huh?... now put your guns down and get out! The men drop their guns and head for the elevator. SECURITY 1 (looking back) It ain't over... BURKE (to Ostara) It is for me.....So you want to clue me in here. What the hell is going on? OSTARA I'd be happy to... as long as you put away that horrid gun first... BURKE (looking at the gun in his hand and putting it away) Don't worry, it's not loaded... Now...talk to me... no wait...I 61

think I have a few things I should tell you. Our company has been opposing your village. Through the years Ive cared for nothing except profits... But now, facing my mortality, I can see that the profit motive can get out of control. This latest situation ...I told my people to stop the village but believe me, I had no idea that they had gone to the extremes they did. I was kept out of the loop because the boys knew that I was, in their eyes, weakening. I...I'm so tired of the lies,... the corruption... the stench of greed. I don't know... I guess, somehow I would like to live these last... few, well... moments really, in way that's true to me... I think I'd just like to help out with your project any way I can and live out the rest of my life with as much dignity as I can muster. Do you suppose they'd have any use for a dying old chemist down there at your village. Perhaps I could teach ..I don't know, with my background in chemistry, maybe some of my knowledge could help develop products which can be made from plants found there. OSTARA Well, it's up to you, Jerry. If you are really interested I'm sure somthing can be arranged.

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BURKE And, you know, uh... actually, I'd be interested in learning what their medicine people know... I've heard some amazing stories about the secrets of the Jungle. OSTARA Who knows, perhaps the secrets of the Jungle might even keep you going a bit longer. You know, only two percent of the world's plants have been classified by science... something in that other 98% might just be of some use to you and a few other people on the planet. CUT TO: OASIS, COUNCIL ROOM Ostara silently, peacefully walking around the Earth Sphere. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DAY ECOVILLAGE 3 BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT AND ACTIVITY. Working example of sustainable development. Farming, human powered vehicles, etc. PAN TO: BURKE, LOCAL MEDICINE MAN AND APPRENTICE IN AN THATCH COVERED OPEN CABAA The three are looking at plant specimens. The medicine man is explaining, the apprentice translating while typing into a laptop computer. Burke is listening intently. Burke cuts of a small piece of the plant and puts it under a large microscope to show to the astonished medicine man. Villagers walk by smiling. BACK TO: INT. OF COUNCIL ROOM

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FAVOR OSTARA She sits in her chair gazing at the Earth Sphere. P.O.V. - OSTARA SLOW ZOOM TO EARTH SPHERE CLOSE ON white Clouds over the Caribbean region, FADE to black and DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DESERT, DUSK A solitary female dancer outside the Oasis compound. credits FADE OUT

THE END

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