Step Outline – Westbound on The 10 (Two Hour – Buddy Comedy/Sci-Fi Western Film)

By Jesse Ransom

ACT I
INT. TRAILER/MOBILE-HOME - NIGHT
The moon is centered through skylight in SEAN’s (31) trailer. Lying awake, Sean looks up
through at the moon from his bedroom in the trailer. Sean goes about getting ready for his day
and feeding his pet dog SIMON. As he moves through the trailer, diplomas and science awards
are seen intermingled with video game controllers, comics, soda cans and old pizza boxes. A
card referencing his High School Reunion the night before is visible. He receives a message from
PROFESSOR C asking what he thought of the offer from last night. Sean swipes it away in
frustration. As he goes to leave another text comes, this time from LUNA asking why he got so
drunk before his speech the night before, he shakes his head texts that he will talk at work and
flips back to the text message from Professor C and thinks about it for a moment.

INT. TRAILER – NIGHT

LUNA (32) looks at his phone and sees Sean’s response and sighs. He reaches over and takes the
partially smoked cigarette out of the naked ENRIQUE’s mouth next to him and lights it. After
doing some drugs, he arises and begins having a coughing fit. Enrique mumbles that that he
needs to see a doctor. Luna tells Enrique to get dressed and that last night was one time situation.
Luna proceeds to the bathroom to shower.

EXT. MASSIVE OFFICE TOWER – NIGHT

CEO (55) smokes a cigarette on a balcony surveying the other skyscrapers in the distant night. A
secretary drone floats next to him detailing the losses of a corporate war in a distant system
between his company, SURECOM, and their rival, VORTEC. They are losing but the secretary
mentions that their losses will be recouped in tax breaks that will result in an overall profit
increase. CEO flicks the cigarette and asks the drone if the package has been delivered yet. It
informs that the package is enroute to the rendezvous and he tells it to let him know once their
people have it. CEO returns inside to a massive and ornate office decorated in shimmering metal
and deep red oak wood.

EXT. TRAILER WEDGED BETWEEN TWO BILLBOARDS – NIGHT

Luna exits the trailer and looks out over the massive, underground highway his home hangs from
the ceiling of. Enrique is upset with Luna’s treatment of him and how he does not take care of
himself. Luna ignores Enrique and admires the off-color billboards that adorn the sides of his
home. While Enrique yells at Luna a giant rat drops from the ceiling and attempts to attack Luna
who kills it with a powerful pistol his produces from his waist. After this Enrique insults him one
last time and they both leave by making their way up a ladder.

EXT. DILAPIDATED CITY – NIGHT

Sean is making his way down the giant vent that his small-town lines the inside of. During his
decent avoids dog size rats with athletic ease. His dog comes along for the ride via a backpack
jumping out periodically to sniff and pee but having trouble keeping up with Sean’s fast-paced
decent and quickly jumping back in the pack. The giant metallic iris begins to close over the
mile-wide vent and its parasite community to protect them both from the radiation of the coming
day. Far below are the sounds of the underground superhighway that the city perches above.

EXT. GAS STATION REAR TRUCK STOP AREA - DAWN

Sean descends into the rear parking lot of his work: a gas station carved into the bedrock walls of
the superhighway that looks out onto the 175 laned river of vehicles. The rear of the station is
carved deeper into the stone and is for trucker parking. As Sean makes his way through the maze
of machinery, he shoes away some local kids trying to steal parts off the rigs. Walking up to the
entrance of the store, he speaks kindly to the two lurker prostitutes working the parking lot. They
treat him as part of the scenery.

INT. GAS STATION MAIN STORE - DAWN

Sean enters and asks the night-shift employee, BILL (77), where his partner is, and Bill tells him
to look out the window where they both laugh at Luna and Enrique arguing in the visitor area out
front. Bill mentions that the boss, MARVIN, is actually coming by this morning and that two
angry lurkers (mutated humans) have been skulking around the parking lot all morning. Sean
tells Bill to put the security bots out and Bill reminds him that Luna still hasn’t fixed them from
the last time. Sean heads to the stairs that lead to the office to start his morning paperwork.
Simon howls and Sean tells the computer to get Simon some food as he walks out of the room.
Simon runs behind the counter and through the door to the service area.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR AREA - DAWN

Simon runs to the back and barks at a service bot that is pouring his dog food in a bowl. It places
it on the ground and Simon licks its hand and gets to work on the food.

INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - DAWN

Luna comes in and Sean gives him some flak for getting back with his crazy ex-boyfriend. Luna
responds that it was just a one-time occurrence. Sean reiterates how crazy Enrique can be,
mentioning he’s shot Luna twice. They laugh and Sean reminds him to fix the security bots.
Luna says he will but first he wants to smoke one in the back and talk about the night before.
They head downstairs. Through the convenience section and into the Robot repair area.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR AREA – DAWN - CONTINUED

Luna and Sean enter the back room and Luna begins rolling a joint. Luna is lightly making fun of
Sean for the night before. He got too drunk before a speech he was supposed to do as the
school’s former whiz kid chemistry prodigy.

INT. SCHOOL GYNASIUM – NIGHT - FLASHBACK

Sean gets on stage and confesses his love profusely for a woman he mistakes as his ex (with the
crowd vibrantly trying to correct him), makes disparaging remarks about his former classmates,
vomits, and then proceeds to fall off the stage.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR AREA – DAWN - CONTINUED

Luna laughs and finishes rolling the joint and lights it. Luna asks why Sean got so drunk and
Sean deflects saying it just brought up High-School memories. The pair muse on their lives and
the mistakes they made cooking drugs after high school. Luna comments that its lucky that when
they got busted, that Sean did not have to enlist like they made Luna do. Sean changes the
subject telling Luna to fix the bots because Marvin is actually coming by today.

EXT. DESERT (ABOVE GROUND) - DAY

The Sun rises over the giant, metal plate that now covers the vent that is their town. Two
LIZARDS frantically run across its surface as the sun direct rays begin to visibly heat the metal
behind them. As they get to the edge the first one jumps down and gets to the shade made by the
massive metal cover. The second one is slower and does not make the edge before the sun
catches up with it, instantly crisping into a dehydrated skeleton. The other lizard skitters into a
burrow at the base of the metal wall.

EXT. GAS STATION – DAY

The owner of the gas station, MARVIN (55), shows up outside in a nice car, though it is making
funny noises. A robot, TAC BOT 069, exits the car and tactically surveys the parking lot before
it opens the door for Marvin to step out of the car. He speaks with someone over the phone and
threatens them over an unpaid debt. He hangs up and a BEGGAR lurker approaches and pleads
with him for her water ration. Marvin refuses citing that she is behind on her payments and that
she is lucky that he doesn’t throw her and her PARTNER lurker out of their parking space. The
beggar curses at Marvin and feebly attempts to strike him. TAC BOT 067 Steps in the way to
block the attempt while Marvin laughs. Behind them, the woman’s partner steps out of the
shadows with shotgun and moves to fire. The tactical bot senses the situation and pushes Marvin
and the beggar lurker out of the way and absorbs the shotgun blast, taking some slight damage. It
then pulls a high-powered revolver and kills the shotgun-wielding partner with three precise
shots to vitals. Marvin scolds 069 for not using the beggar as shield instead and orders her to be
killed as well. The machine hesitates for a moment than aims at the dilapidated woman’s head.
Marvin raises his hand and changes his mind upon inspecting the robots damage, deciding to
spare her and adds the expenses to her tab. Marvin then walks inside the gas station leaving the
beggar to go running into the shadows.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Marvin comes in and begins yelling for Luna who emerges from the rear room. He scolds Luna
for the security bots not being at the ready and says that he is going to take the damages to 069
out of his check. After an argument Marven Consents, as no one can fix the bots, and just asks
Luna to fix the bots before his meeting for a bonus. Luna agrees and takes 069 to the back room
and Sean comes out. Marvin lets Sean know that someone important is coming by and that he
will be in his office. Marvin then leaves upstairs to the office.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR ROOM – DAY

Luna shuts 069 down. But, noticing that the joint from before is still half-smoked, leaves the job
half-finished and the robot only partially secure to the engine lift that suspends it for
maintenance. While smoking a joint Luna receives a angry call from Enrique. Before the
message can finish Sean comes in to get the cleaning bots ready to clean the store. Bill steps in
with his bag to leave for the day and mentions that JANYNE is out in the store getting her coffee
and that he thinks she stayed extra-long this time to make sure she saw Sean. Luna and Bill tease
him as Sean brushes them off and goes out to the convenience store section. Bill stays a moment
longer and gives Luna some guff for hooking up with Enrique again, echoing the observation
everyone makes about Enrique: that he is crazy. Simon is still licking the bowl in the corner.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Sean has conversation with his friend and cross-continental truck shepherd JANYNE (40). He
explains an offer to go work in astrochemistry from Professor C, his embarrassing and very
public sexual solicitation of an ex at the reunion the night before, and his general hopelessness
with his situation. She offers to take him to the city and get him through the checkpoints but the
lack of money for a space-shuttle pass and the that he lost his citizenship and would have to
sneak into CAL-1 lead Sean to decline. Janyne shrugs it off but leaves Sean with the notion the
help is hard to come by and he should take it where he can get it. Enrique comes in brandishing a
firearm and yelling for Luna. Sean tries to calm him down and asks him not to shoot anyone
again.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR ROOM – DAY - CONTINUED

Luna is working on 069 and hears the commotion. As he gets up to leave, he jostles the heavy
bot slightly and walks out. Simon is still licking the bowl. The bot falls over and its head slams
against the ground. Simon is startled by the noise and goes to investigate. A reset protocol is
activated and it asks for user to imprint upon. Simon barks at 069 and it says user accepted and
stands up.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - CONTINUED

Luna calmly exits the back room and talks Enrique down, relieving him of his pistol and taking
him outback to the truck lot to console him. Sean apologizes to Janyne who lets him know she’ll
be leaving Sector 7 city (the next rest stop) the next morning. He can meet her there if he
changes his mind. He thanks her but declines again and she leaves.

EXT. GAS STATION VISISTOR PARKING LOT - DAY

Two android cleaning Bots pick up the body outside with smaller mopping bots scrubbing the
blood. Two Sleek, black, expensive looking cars arrive and One all black Tactical droid get out
of each with automatic weapons drawn. They corral the lurkers scattered throughout the parking
lot into a corner next to the station window and one holds them there.

INT. MARVIN’S OFFICE - DAY

Marvin is watching on security monitors and sees the scene outside. Marvin calls Luna on
handheld device saying to get his security bots upstairs to him.

EXT. REAR TRUCKER PARKING LOT – DAY

Luna is having sex with Enrique between two trailers and ignores his device.

INT. MARVIN’S OFFICE – DAY

Marvin calls Sean and tells him to get the droids upstairs. Sean tells him he does not think they
are fixed yet and Marvin says he just needs them to stand there.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR ROOM – DAY

Sean enters the room to find 069 carrying Simon and gently petting him. Simon jumps down to
get pet by Sean, who complies while calling Luna. Luna answers this time and Sean asks if the
bots are ready, noting that 069 is up and standing. Confused Luna lets Sean know the other 2
need to be re-imprinted but if 069 is standing just set them to follow its lead. Sean does so and
sends them upstairs to Marvin’s office. 069 hesitates till Simon howls and starts to leave the
room. 069 and the other two security bots follow.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE

Sean follows the bots out of the back room and heads behind the register, sighs, and starts going
through the stacked receipts next to it. He fails to notice Simon leading the robots upstairs.

EXT. FRONT GAS STATION VISITOR LOT - DAY

With the lurkers corralled in a corner the bot signals the cars and two more tactical bots get out
of the front car and a MALE EXECUTIVE (27) and FEMALE EXECUTIVE (27) get out of the
back vehicle with the male one carrying a black duffle bag. The pair are escorted toward the
door.

INT. MARVIN’S OFFICE – DAY

069, the Security Bots, and Simon enter and Marvin is visibly nervous and does not notice
Simon. Marvin takes a snort of pink powder off his desk and puts the substance away.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE – DAY

The executives and their security enter and take no notice of Sean as they walk straight through
to the stairs and up to the office.

INT. MARVIN’S OFFICE - DAY

The Executives enter and place a black duffle bag on the table. The Female Executive and
Marvin discuss the package that they are carrying. It is stated to be important and that it must
stay there, at that rest area, till picked up by another party. During the conversation Simon
urinates on Male Executives leg. The man kicks at the dog and 069 grabs for its revolver but
does not draw. All the other bots in the room do the same. The humans attempt to calm the
machines but before they can, Simon growls at Male Executive. 069 draws his revolver and
shoots Male Executive through the left eye. The robots all draw, and a short but brutal gunfight
ensues and leaves everyone except 069 and Simon dead or decommissioned on the floor.

EXT. REAR TRUCK STOP PARKING LOT – DAY

Luna and Enrique hear the shots and see them piercing the exterior of the upper floor of the
station. Their training kicks in and they stop having sex and draw their weapons making their
way slowly back to the station. They get to the entrance on the convenience store and Luna starts
calling for Sean. With no answer they make entry, Luna first with Enrique covering.

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE – DAY

Sean is still sitting at the desk with bullet holes from the shootout above all around him. He is
attempting to light a joint when Luna and Enrique find him. After a quick argument, the three of
them head upstairs.
INT. MARVIN’S OFFICE - DAY
Luna, Sean, and Enrique enter and survey the wreckage. 069 is holding Simon who is
whimpering in his arms. Sean runs to check on him and 069 reaches for its pistol. Simon makes a
light bark and 069 goes back to petting him. Unsure of what to do next the three notice the bag at
on the table that is now covered in the blood of Marvin and the executives. Luna opens and
discovers it filled with money and a mysterious black box the size of a hard drive. While Luna
investigates the package, Enrique goes through the pockets of the executives. Their IDs have
them working for the opposing companies of Surecom and Vortec, who are supposed to be at
war in the Alpha Centauri System. The realization of large-scale corporate conspiracies sends
Enrique over the edge and he begins to freak out. Luna, seeing this, takes a huge wad of cash
from the bag and tells Enrique to head East till he hits Bayou Sewage Channel and he’ll meet
him there. In a stupor and unsure, Enrique agrees and promises to kill Luna if he is lying, even if
he is already dead. Enrique leaves the room and Luna makes sure he has left on the security
monitors. Luna turns to Sean and admits that he knows about the job-offer off-world. Luna
convinces Sean that this money is his ticket. Sean agrees but only if they figure out a way for
Luna to go too. Luna agrees but says they need to leave now. When Sean questions why Luna
sent Enrique in the other direction Luna mentions that he is crazy and unpredictable. With this
they high-five and celebrate before realizing they are in a room full of bodies. Luna takes all the
guns and the duffle, and they all leave the room downstairs

Act II
INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE – DAY
Luna and Sean run straight through and head through he backdoor to the repair room. Simon
takes his time in the store and, while being carried, uses 069 to grab everything he thinks is
essential.

INT. ROBOT REPAIR ROOM – DAY

Luna takes the guns, cash, and black box downstairs out to the repair room and tries to scan the
contents. Unsuccessful in what the black box is, he opts to take it but transfer everything to a
backpack to avoid the trackers in the duffle. Sean continues through the room to rear door and
say he’ll get the car ready.

INT. GAS STATION GARAGE - DAY

Sean enters and punches a few buttons on the wall. Lights turn on to reveal a beat-up but sporty
& futuristic car. He jumps in, flips some switches, and pulls it out of the garage with a squeal.

EXT. VISITOR PARKING LOT CHARGING STATION

Sean pulls the car around to charging station and plugs in. 069 and Simon come running out of
the store with multiple bags of gas station food. Quickly the pair throw it in the trunk and quickly
get in the back seat. Sean sighs, closes the trunk as Luna comes running out the car, clutching a
bong in one hand and the backpack in the other. He gets in and says head west and they will get
off before the checkpoint to stop at his UNCLE’s house. When Sean asks why, Luna mentions
that they are nearly out of weed. They crank the radio a peal out of the parking lot.

INT. SKYSCRAPER OFFICE- DAY

CEO slams down a phone and yells for his secretary droid. It informs him it is odd the package
handlers have not checked in yet. He orders it to have people track it down at the next checkpoint
and to recover or destroy the package and whoever has it before it ever finds its way to the city.
The secretary droid complies.

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