Apocalyptic Symphony -...

Apocalyptic Symphony

byAlex Saveliev

Alex Saveliev1350 N. Wells StreetUnit E300Chicago, IL [email protected] REG. #: 1508680

CUE SYMPHONY.

FADE IN

In the midst of a vacuous blackness, there is a TELEVISION. CREDITS RUN as ANCHORS report news (inaudibly) about various CATACLYSMS all over the world. As we ZOOM IN on the screen, we see SHOTS of: A MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE IN TOKYO; A TSUNAMI SWALLOWING MADAGASCAR; A GROWING HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER OVER NORTHERN AUSTRALIA; CHARTS OF INCREASED SUN FLARE ACTIVITY; HARSH CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WORLDWIDE.

ZOOM IN until images get distilled into PIXELS, which then MORPH into CROWDS OF PEOPLE walking through the streets of BANGKOK, BOSTON, WASHINGTON, D.C., PARIS, NEW YORK - and it seems as if they are moving in tune to the SYMPHONY, and it’s a sadly lyrical sight.

FADE TO BLACK (MUSIC CALMS)

FADE IN

OUTER SPACE. Behold THE EARTH, glorious, majestic, as it rotates in vacuum. PAN OUT, away from THE EARTH, past THE MOON, until a variety of shifting fluorescent colors - green, yellow, eye-scorching red - dilute the darkness of space. Everything turns a GLARING WHITE -

CUT TO:

EXT. BANGKOK, LARGE FLOATING MARKET - TWILIGHT

FLASH!

A TOURIST takes a PHOTO of SUCHIN, 41, and her bulky friend NONGNOOCH, 36.

TITLE CARD: CHAPTER ONE: THE FRUIT SELLER

SUBTITLE CARD: 2 Days Until The End

It’s been a busy day at the MARKET, but things are wrapping up. It’s humid; as the sun sets, perspiring travellers and locals linger in-between GONDOLAS, eyeing the varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Suchin wears her blue shirt (Mor Hom) and a flat-topped hat.

FLASH!

Nongnooch giggles at a young man with a Kodak camera, passes him a bag of veggies. (Note: characters in this chapter speak in Thai, with English subtitles, unless otherwise mentioned.)

NONGNOOCH You should take a photo of Suchin over there! Maybe that’ll get her to say something.

The tourist doesn’t understand but complies hesitantly. Nongnooch now addresses another nearby seller, her friend.

NONGNOOCH (CONT’D)She is so immersed in her own world, as if she were contemplating death itself. It’s been over a week since Ming-Ho’s... accident, and yet she hasn’t snapped out of it at all!

Her expression now serious, Nongnooch turns to face Suchin, who’s looking away from the nosy tourist, quietly irritated.

NONGNOOCH (CONT’D)(Under her breath.) She worries me.

CLOSE-UP of SUCHIN’S FACE, as the aggravating tourist’s camera goes FLASH!

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN BANGKOK - EVENING

Suchin’s husband, MING-HO, 43, a construction worker, sits up high on a railing of a TALL SKYSCRAPER with his friends. It’s only partially finished, a shell of a tower, its bottom third covered in shiny black glass.


Ming-Ho’s legs dangle dangerously over the edge of the railing – he doesn’t care, eating his sandwich and laughing.

MING-HOWe stuff this already over-populated city with redundant skyscrapers. Yes, they are majestic pieces of art - because we make them - but are they necessary? I mean, look at it! Bangkok... The effervescent city that never sleeps... So much history! I feel like those buildings we’re constructing scar our city’s very soul...

2.

FRIEND #1(Laughs.) Look at you, Ming-Ho, all lyrical.

He punches Ming-Ho in the shoulder, who pretends to fall off.

FRIEND #2Okay, guys, finish your food. We can sit here all day moaning about bullshit. Back to work!

They all get up, except Ming-Ho, who eats the last bite of his sandwich, looking at the city. The sun has begun to set, basking Bangkok in an otherworldly orange. In the distance, a few golden Buddha temples catch the light, and they shimmer along with the hum of traffic and people. He sighs.

MING-HOTiny little dust particles, that’s all we are.

He watches the napkin from his sandwich fall 36 unfinished stories down. Then he gets up and walks along the railing.

FRIEND #2Ming-Ho - watch out!!!

Before Ming-Ho has a chance to react, a LARGE RAIL, suspended by a metal wire, SMACKS him in the side and, without so much as a muffled gasp, Ming-Ho is gone.

FLASH!

CUT: INT. SUCHIN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Suchin’s 18-year-old daughter, SAENGDAO, takes a photo of her mother, bent and still over a boiling pot of noodles on the stove.


They both wear black, having just returned from Ming-Ho’s funeral.

Saengdao smirks at the photo, then walks over to Suchin with the camera, sticks it in her face.

SAENGDAOHere. Take a look. This is how I will remember you, mother.

Suchin reluctantly raises her eyes at the photo, then lowers them back down to the pot of noodles.

3.

SAENGDAO (CONT’D)I ordered tickets. My flight to Boston leaves in three days. I will not turn down an opportunity of a lifetime to spend my lifetime with a depressed old woman.

Saengdao tenses and waits for the sharp reaction to come. Suchin says nothing, methodically stirring her noodles.

SAENGDAO (CONT’D)Well then. Nice talk.

She strides out of the kitchen. ZOOM IN on Suchin’s face - a spark of grief momentarily traces her defined features.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. FLOATING MARKET - TWILIGHT - PRESENT

Suchin’s face is frozen with the same shades of sorrow.

LOW VOICE (O.S.)Excuse me? Miss?

She looks up to see a TALL BRITISH MAN, 54, in an expensive beige suit and a cobalt-blue shirt. Suchin gestures at the vegetables.

STRANGERNo, no...

He takes a couple of steps back and smiles.

STRANGER (CONT’D)I want to take your photo.

Suchin rolls her eyes – another one of those – then gives him a nod. As the Stranger clicks away, Suchin finds herself affected by his mannerisms; he is treating her not like she’s some tourist attraction, but as if he were genuinely fascinated with her.

STRANGER (CONT’D)You’re something else, you know that?

Suchin finds herself smiling, and - oh, God! - blushing. The Stranger approaches her, looking her straight in the eyes. She looks away, then back at him, not knowing where to land her gaze. He stretches out his hand.

4.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Pleased to meet you...

After a moment she realizes he’s waiting for her to tell him her name.

SUCHIN(Meows quietly.) Suchin...

STRANGERSuchin, what a name! It means, erm, beautiful thought! That is, if I’m not mistaken.

She understands “beautiful thought” – she must have heard it somewhere before – and nods. The crowd behind the Stranger is getting irritated, exchanging comments about how he’s holding up the line. He ignores them entirely.

Nongnooch nudges the other fruit-seller and points at the Stranger and Suchin.

STRANGER (CONT’D)I want to say something frank, so please don’t be offended. There is a sadness in your eyes and it is only apparent to those who look.

She doesn’t understand his words, but is mesmerized but his serious tone and dreamy expression.

CHUBBY AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE CROWDHey, buddy, you gonna buy something or you gonna chat all day?

The Stranger turns to face the frustrated group of tourists.

STRANGERI’m gonna chat all day.

His declaration causes a ripple effect of disbelief and anger at the sheer audacity. Nongnooch and the other seller glare on.

The Stranger turns back to Suchin.

STRANGER (CONT’D)As you may know, Suchin, according to the news, some global cataclysm is on the way. It’s rather obvious; one can feel the intensity in the air -

5.

He rubs his fingers together while inhaling to accentuate his point.

STRANGER (CONT’D)- as if it were gradually filled with static. The airports are closed. I am stuck here. So I would like you (he points at her) to show me (he points at himself) Bangkok... I will pay you, of course.

He reaches for his wallet and pulls out a stack of bills, places them on a pile of lychees. Nongnooch and her friend gasp excitedly.

STRANGER (CONT’D)You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. I’d still like you to keep this money. In fact -

He begins to fill a bag with mangoes from Suchin’s counter.

STRANGER (CONT’D)- I’ll take those mangoes, just so you don’t feel completely wretched if you decide not to do it.

Suchin observes him in stunned silence. He twists the top of the clear plastic bag close.

STRANGER (CONT’D)I am simply looking for a local to show me around, you understand? I want to… feel… or, you know, at least get a glimpse of this city’s soul. Do you understand me? None of this tourist crap.

He waves dismissively at the crowd behind him, who all gasp in fury, then grins at her goofily and shrugs, and she laughs. Nongnooch and friend exchange looks.

Before he leaves, the Stranger hands Suchin a card.

STRANGER (CONT’D)My hotel. I’m in Room 123. Easy to remember. If you decide to show me around, call me.

As he walks away, he turns and flashes her a smile.

6.

STRANGER (CONT’D)See you soon, I hope, Beautiful Thought!

With that, he disappears in the crowd. Suchin is still dazed by what just happened, his card in her hand.

SUCHIN(Mumbles.) I didn’t even get his name...

In the meantime, the chubby American lady tourist spots the bills on top of the lychees. Her eyes go up to Suchin. She snaps her fingers in front of Suchin’s face.

CHUBBY AMERICAN WOMAN Tsk-tsk! You shouldn’t leave all that money lyin’ ‘round like that, young lady, not with them savages out here. C’mon now – you’re a local! Y’all should know this!

She shakes her head in disapproval. Suchin stashes away the cash in her purse, then helps the woman pack her fruit, but her thoughts are elsewhere. She glances over at Nongnooch, who is giving her a knowing look, along with a thumbs-up and a wise-ass grin.

CUT TO:

EXT. BANGKOK - LATER THIS EVENING

The sun sets over Bangkok; the sky over the city heavy with pollution and dread.

CUT TO:

INT. SUCHIN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Suchin gets home from work to find her daughter, Saengdao, packing bags in her bedroom. Saengdao notices her mother watching, falters for a minute, then continues to fold clothes and put them in the suitcase. Suchin leans against the door-frame.

SUCHINWhy are you doing this, Saengdao?

Saengdao avoids her gaze.

SAENGDAOI need to get out of here, mother.

7.

Suchin sighs, clears her throat.

SUCHINThe airport is closed. There is too much turbulence in the sky. Saengdao, you know this. We don’t have much time left. I cannot figure out whether you have consciously submerged yourself into this world of delusion - you seem sane to me. The only other explanation for your behavior would be that you’re doing this to spite me, in which case, let’s get to the bottom of the issue instead of acting like children.

SAENGDAOChildren? You have been treating me like a little child my whole life, mother! And now that I’ve made the most important – and adult! - decision of my life, you deride me for acting like one! You... my life... it just doesn’t make sense!

SUCHINYou’re not making any sense, you confused little girl! (Gestures wildly.) Nothing is. The world is crumbling apart! No airplanes are leaving Bangkok. You couldn’t get down to Phuket, much less Boston. Case closed. If you want to go – go. No one is stopping you. If your intention is to get me to plead and beg for you to stay – then you can forget it, Saengdao.

SAENGDAOGood! Great!

She jumps up from her bed and pushes Suchin out of the room.

SAENGDAO (CONT’D)Now leave my room and let me finish packing!

She slams the door in her mother’s face. Suchin takes a deep breath.

8.

CUT: INT. SUCHIN’S BEDROOM - 5 MINS LATER

Suchin looks through her thick family album. Behind her, BREAKING NEWS of the U.S. PRESIDENT’S SUICIDE can be seen on her small TV, but Suchin ignores it.

She begins to undress; the Stranger’s HOTEL CARD falls out of her purse. Suchin spots it on the floor, picks it up, remembers his face and smiles. She then dials the number, biting her lower lip nervously, still half-undressed.

CUT TO:

INT. LYCHEE HOTEL LOBBY

RECEPTIONISTHotel Lychee Bangkok reception, how may I help you?

CUT BACK TO:

INT. SUCHIN’S BEDROOM

SUCHIN(Falters.) Can you connect me to room 123 please?

CUT: LYCHEE HOTEL LOBBY

RECEPTIONISTCertainly. Please hold.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOM 123

The Stranger is lying on his bed, dressed, staring at the ceiling fan above him blankly. The room is dark. His SUITCASE is fully packed next to the bed.

The phone rings. He glances over at it for a while, as if not having the energy to answer it. Finally he reaches over, picks it up, clears his throat.

STRANGERHello?

9.

CUT: SUCHIN’S BEDROOM

She seems taken aback by his voice, lips parted, petrified.

CUT: ROOM 123

STRANGERHello-o? Speak!

He is about to hang up when he hears a soft:

SUCHIN (O.S.)Hello?

He hesitates, then brings the receiver back up to his ear.

STRANGERHello?


SUCHIN(In Thai.) We... met earlier. You bought my (in English) mangoes. You... took photos of me. And gave me money.

STRANGER (O.S.)Mangoes? Wait - who is this?

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

SUCHIN(In English) Suchin. My name - Suchin. You say, Beautiful Thought.

CUT: ROOM 123

His expression relaxes; he settles back in the bed.

STRANGERAahh, Suchin! Of course I remember you, Beautiful Thought! I’m so pleased that you called!


Suchin spots her reflection in the bedroom mirror, the strap of her gown half-fallen over her bare shoulder.

10.

She sits up straight and confident. Inspired by her posture and surprised by her own grace, the woman then speaks.

SUCHIN (In Thai.) If your offer still stands, I would like to show you Bangkok. It is a magnificent city, and it would be a pleasure and honor for me to be your guide.

She smiles at her reflection, and then her eyes fall on the FRAMED PHOTO of her and MING-HO, holding hands by a picturesque lake.

CUT: HALLWAY, OUTSIDE SUCHIN’S BEDROOM

As SAENGDAO walks past, she hears her mother and pauses, then presses her ear against the door.


SUCHINI don’t know how much I will actually get to show you... Or how much of what you see or hear you will actually understand...

CUT: ROOM 123

ZOOM IN on the Stranger’s face as she talks.

SUCHIN (O.S.)...but I will do my best, to not only honor the memory of my husband and the tremendous love he had for the city, but also... There was something about you I glimpsed, mere traces, and yet so clear to me... An aura of melancholy, vulnerability, an urge to divulge your thoughts...


She sighs.

SUCHINI tend to overanalyze people sometimes, I confess... Judging books by their covers.

11.

(MORE)

I don’t even know your name, and I go off on this rhetoric... How typical!

She grows quiet.

CUT: OUTSIDE SUCHIN’S BEDROOM

Saengdao listens, ear pressed against the door, frowning.

CUT: ROOM 123

The Stranger lets Suchin’s speech sink in.

STRANGERSuchin, I may not understand your words, but I do understand – or at least hope that I do – your voice... Argh! (Laughs in frustration.) What I’m trying to say is – I assume you wouldn’t be calling me if you didn’t want to hang out.

He takes a deep breath and sits up.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Will you meet me? Here, at Hotel Lychee...

As he holds up his watch, we CUT TO:


CLOSE-UP of SUCHIN’S WATCH.

STRANGER (O.S.)...say, in two hours?

Suchin looks back up at her reflection.

SUCHIN(In English.) Two hours. I be there.

CUT: OUTSIDE SUCHIN’S BEDROOM

Saengdao storms off angrily.

12.

SUCHIN (CONT'D)


She hangs up the phone. A sly and somewhat gleeful smile spreads across her face.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE HOTEL LYCHEE - DOWNTOWN BANGKOK

Suchin rushes across the busy street towards the hotel entrance. TUK-TUKS and cars and trucks honk at her, but she dismisses them with an atypically rascal laugh. She wears a pretty short dress that accentuates her surprisingly fit physique. She also applied make-up to her face, but not too much - delicate shades of azure outline her almond eyes and a hint of rouge accentuates her high cheekbones.

CUT: INT. LYCHEE HOTEL LOBBY

The Stranger stands in the lobby, looking nervous; he wears a blazer over a light blue Polo shirt and freshly ironed khaki pants. He checks his watch, then looks up and grins, as he sees Suchin walk through the revolving doors and look around, until she spots him. He motions for her excitedly, then tones down on the excitement, somewhat embarrassed by it.

She approaches him.

SUCHINHi.

STRANGERWow. You... I apologize if I’m out of line, but you truly are the most beautiful thought I’ve had today!

She blushes, waves him off, then reaches into her purse and pulls out her wallet.

SUCHIN(In English) Here... Please - take!

The Stranger looks down at the money, then back at her.

STRANGERBut... this is for you, for the Bangkok tour. Unless... you’ve come to tell me you don’t want to do this after all...

She squints, struggling to understand what he’s saying, then, seeming to get the idea, shakes her head.

13.

SUCHINNo, no! (In Thai.) I don’t want your money. I don’t need money. (In English.) Please - take!

She forcefully shoves the cash into his hands, and he has no choice but to accept it.

STRANGERAll right. But lunch is on me.

Suchin nods, once again blushing, then gestures towards the lobby entrance. She stretches out her hand towards his.

SUCHINLet’s go?

CUE SYMPHONY / MONTAGE STARTS:

CUT: Suchin and the Stranger are riding on a TUK-TUK through an INSANELY BUSY BANGKOK STREET. He is terrified, eyes wide, gripping the flimsy handles. Suchin tilts her head back, laughing heartily. He notices and hesitantly joins in, but his eyes remain on the hazardous road ahead. With a swerve, the Tuk-Tuk driver barely avoids an incoming vehicle, cutting both their laughter short.

CUT: Suchin leads the Stranger into an ANCIENT BUDDHIST TEMPLE, gleaming gold and overfilled with monks. They walk across to the SHRINE, kneel in front of it. She looks over at him; he looks back at her; she quickly looks away, cheeks reddening. He smiles, then turns contemplative, mesmerized by the temple’s surreal aura.

CUT: Suchin and the Stranger are in a TINY FOOD JOINT in a Bangkok side alley – an authentic “hole-in-the-wall” spot. A large steaming bowl of spicy TOM-YAM stands between them. While she is enjoying her bowl, The Stranger is having a hard time “conquering” the soup – beads of sweat stream down his flushed face, his blazer off, damp Polo shirt unbuttoned almost to the waist. Suchin giggles at his misfortune, then grows concerned, leans forward; we see her mouth (INAUDIBLE): “You okay?” The Stranger nods, raising his hand while grimacing in pain.

Finally, we CUT TO:

EXT. A BEAUTIFUL PARK - BANGKOK - EVENING

Suchin and The Stranger walk through an empty ALLEY, surrounded by a variety of colorful flora. They are both laughing, but then Suchin spots a BENCH in the distance, half-covered by dangling vines.

14.

She grows stiff, halts in her tracks, staring at the bench. The Stranger puts his hand on her shoulder, confused.

STRANGERSuchin?

She snaps back to reality, forces a smile, then proceeds towards the bench. He follows her. They both sit there quietly for a while.

SUCHIN(In Thai.) My husband and I met here, in this park, twenty years ago. His name was Ming-Ho. He was a great father and loyal husband. And he loved and respected this city.

Suchin’s face twists in disgust when she mention the city, but then quickly softens. She looks over at The Stranger.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)I never knew it would be possible to experience true loss, until he died. I sit here, in this park, as the world crumbles to dust around me – and I am utterly numb, as if all the nerve endings have been wiped clean off my body, as if my mind were glazed by a thick crust of gelatin. My daughter is acting nonsensical, and I reprimand her – but what makes sense anymore, really?

Her eyes tear up.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)We all die at some point – so we may as well die collectively, now. I sure can’t wait to see this city burn. Because, despite my deep love for Bangkok, I loathe it just as deeply.

Suchin is surprised to see that The Stranger’s eyes are moist with tears. Confused by how touched he is by her soliloquy, she then realizes that her palpable sorrow must have touched a nerve. She cups her hand over his, and they sit there, on the park bench, enjoying each other’s quiet company.

FADE TO:

15.

EXT. OUTSIDE HOTEL LYCHEE - LATER THIS EVENING

The Stranger turns to face Suchin, hands in the pockets of his blazer.

STRANGERI guess this is where we part.

She gives him a slight nod, looking down. He falters.

STRANGER (CONT’D)How about dinner tomorrow night?

She looks up at him, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

STRANGER (CONT’D)You know... dinner?

He bites an invisible sandwich.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Maybe something less spicy this time? Yes? No?

SUCHINNo.

Before he can succumb to disappointment:

SUCHIN (CONT’D)(In English.) I invite you! Tomorrow. I call you, tell you address.

She smiles at him coyly and wags her finger at him.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)Bangkok tour – not over!

Impressed by the unanticipated outburst of audacity on her behalf, the Stranger grins.

STRANGERWell, all right, then! Dinner at Suchin’s place it is!

He watches her walk away, then giggles happily and proceeds back into his hotel.

CUT TO:

EXT. FLOATING MARKET - NEXT MORNING

16.

We see Suchin go about her day: She loads up her BOAT, unraveling fruits and vegetables, as the morning sun vibrates eerily in the polluted, purple horizon.

SUBTITLE CARD: 1 Day Until The End

CUT (AFTERNOON): Suchin sells her fruit and veggies, photographed by nosy tourists. Her mind is elsewhere, expression dreamy. NONGNOOCH gives her friend a nudge in the side, pointing at Suchin.

CUT: (EVENING) Suchin finishes her day; as she wraps and covers everything up, she notices Nongnooch, along with several other folks, pointing upwards in awe. Suchin glances up; her lips part in amazement, as she observes an enormous, half-translucent vapor HALO form in the darkening sky above her.

CUT TO:

INT. SUCHIN’S APARTMENT - LATER THIS EVENING

As Suchin enters with huge bags in her hands, exhausted from a hard day at work, she is startled to see SAENGDAO, standing in the HALLWAY, arms crossed over her chest.

SUCHINSaengdao - you frightened me!

SAENGDAOWhere were you last night, mother?

Suchin hesitates, then places her bags down on the floor and begins to take off her shoes. Matter-of-factly:

SUCHINOut.

SAENGDAOOut where?

SUCHINStrolling around Bangkok, why do you care?

SAENGDAOYeah, strolling around with that man! Why are you lying to me, mother?

Suchin narrows her eyes at her daughter.

17.

SUCHINHow do you know about him?

SAENGDAOIt doesn’t matter! How could you do that?

SUCHINDo what? Besides – I repeat, why do you suddenly seem so concerned about my life? I thought you were flying to Boston today?

Saengdao purses her lips.

SAENGDAOI am. I just think it’s... wrong. Dad just died, and you’re already out and about with some strangers.

Suchin interrupts, walking past her:

SUCHINI invited him over for dinner tonight. So, if you don’t mind, I have some cooking to do. But please – keep talking.

SAENGDAOYou did what?!

She follows her mother into the KITCHEN. On the small TELEVISION, a RERUN OF AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is on, with Tyra Banks speaking in dubbed Thai.

SAENGDAO (CONT’D)Some random man is coming over to have dinner with us tonight? Is he going to sit in dad’s seat? Is he?!

Suchin unpacks her grocery bags calmly.

SUCHINHe can sit in your seat if you want. It’s just dinner, Saengdao.

SAENGDAOYeah right! You’re going to fuck him, aren’t you!

Suchin gasps and smacks her hand against the table.

18.

SUCHINI am still your mother, Saengdao! You cannot speak to me that way!

Saengdao’s eyes well up.

SAENGDAOWell, I am not coming to this stupid dinner! I am not going to welcome some random man into my home!

Suchin’s expression softens. She walks around the table and faces her daughter, placing her hands on the young woman’s shoulders.

SUCHINWhen you were a kid, your father and I used to tell you the story of the stubborn child, remember? She refused to leave her village home. Her parents succumbed. Soon the war came, and they had to escape immediately, but the girl wouldn’t budge. Despite her parents’ desperate pleas, the stubborn child refused to leave. She chose to perish instead of acquiesce.

Her daughter smirks sarcastically.

SAENGDAOSo what – I’m supposed to learn some invaluable lesson from this fable? Mom, I’m not a child, remember? There’s another way of looking at that story. The stubborn child preferred to stick to her values, rather than betray herself. She died proudly.

SUCHINWhat were her values, Saengdao? More importantly - what are yours?

Suchin looks down and sighs.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)Fables aren’t just meant for children. True fables are timeless, and what’s seemingly obvious is in fact a universal truth that most of us tend to ignore, dismiss or forget.

19.

She lets go off her daughter’s shoulders, approaches the window and looks out.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)My mother used to tell me a fable about a creature deep in the core of our Earth that’s remained dormant for millions of years. To the mighty beast, it’s simply a nap. If we make enough noise, my mother used to say, we will awaken the beast, and Earth will crack in half. (Pause.) Seems like we’ve awakened the beast.

She turns to face her daughter.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)That man, he is no replacement for your father, no one could ever be. We don’t even speak the same language. And yet, I feel his heartbeat, as if it were forming a perfect symphony with mine. I am drawn to him in an inexplicable way. Please understand – and stay for dinner.

CLOSE-UP of Saengao’s tear-smeared face, torn up and lost. CLOSE-UP of America’s Next Top Model rerun on the TV being interrupted by an URGENT UPDATE.

CUT TO:

INT. SUCHIN’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER THIS EVENING

Saengdao and the Stranger sit across from each other at the dinner table, while Suchin prepares a steaming pot of soup in the tiny kitchen. The TV is on, news anchors all over the world shouting about the need to hide, sun flare activity causing plane engines to shut down mid-air, etc. The Stranger reaches over, picks up the remote control and turns the TV off.

SAENGDAO(In perfect English.) You didn’t have to do that.

STRANGERPardon me?

20.

SAENGDAOI know what’s coming. I can face it. I’m still getting the fuck out of here.

He raises his eyebrows at her, surprised at her language proficiency.

STRANGERGetting out of here? May I ask where you’re going, Saengdao?

The young woman glances back in the direction of the kitchen, where her mother can be seen, stirring the soup. She then looks back at the Stranger.

SAENGDAO(Quietly.) Boston. I got accepted to Emerson College.

STRANGERCongratulations are in order! That is a huge achievement.

SAENGDAOThanks...

STRANGERYou don’t seem too enthusiastic.

When Saengdao doesn’t reply, sullenly staring down at the empty soup bowl in front of her, the Stranger shakes his head.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Regardless, it doesn’t really seem like any of us are leaving. Airports are all shut down. Perhaps you should feel lucky to spend this time with your mother.

Saengdao lets out a groan, rolling her eyes. The Stranger notes the exasperation, thinks for a while.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Are you frightened?

As he asks this, Suchin walks in with the steaming pot of soup.

SAENGDAOFrightened?

She motions towards the TV.

21.

SAENGDAO (CONT’D)Of that, you mean? What’s the point? Whatever it is, it’s meant to be. We’ve awakened the creature, right, mother?

STRANGERThe creature?

SAENGDAODoesn’t matter. It is what it is.

STRANGERThat is a wise and mature observation. So by that rationale, you have to also accept the fact that you will be here, with your mother - to witness it.

Suchin pauses, soup spoon in mid-air, glancing up at him, then her daughter.

SUCHIN(In Thai.) What did he say?

SAENGDAO(In Thai.) He says I sound like a wise girl. And therefore I should embrace the fact that I’m stuck here, with you.

Suchin hesitates, then finishes pouring the soup and sits down.

SUCHIN(In Thai.) You don’t have to be stuck here with me, Saengdao.

SAENGDAO(In English.) See! She says it herself! She doesn’t want me here!

STRANGERDoesn’t seem like that to me. In fact, I get the impression that your mother loves you very much. Why are you so upset at her, if you don’t mind me asking?

SAENGDAOI do mind you asking, actually.

Pause.

22.

STRANGEROkay then.

He puts a spoonful of soup in his mouth. His eyes widen, as his face pales.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Oh, Lord have mercy...

He chokes and grabs the water.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Please - don’t take offense, Suchin, the soup is deli - cough - cious!

As he gulps down the whole glass, Saengdao can’t help but be amused, translating to her mother.

SAENGDAOHe says the soup is delicious.

Suchin smiles.

SUCHINHe had Tom Yam earlier. He said he could handle it again...

The Stranger pours himself another glass, wipes his forehead, then pauses, notices their amusement. The three of them giggle, but then – CRACK! – the special moment is interrupted by a thundering ROAR overhead, and the whole house trembles, electricity flickering on and off. Saengdao screams out; the Stranger and Suchin grab hold of the shaking soup bowls, eyes darting at the ceiling as if expecting it to shatter. Everything gradually calms, except for the howling wind outside.

CUT: EXT. BANGKOK

The heavens darken over Bangkok, pulsating lilac thunder. The usual commotion – busy honking traffic, crowds of tourists and locals – seems to freeze. The normally vigorously active streets are now stunned and still.

CUT: INT. SUCHIN’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Suchin and the Stranger resume eating, as Saengdao glares at them, her expression growing increasingly anxious. Finally, she slides her chair back with a loud scraping sound:

23.

SAENGDAO(In Thai.) Fuck that! I am not spending my last few hours in the company of this absolute stranger!

SUCHINSaengdao – sit down and eat your soup!

SAENGDAONo - I’m done! (To him, in English.) And who the fuck are you, giving me advice, what I should or shouldn’t do?! You’re not my father! You’re not my friend! I don’t even know you! I would tell you to get the fuck out of my house, but I think it’s finally time for me to leave!

With a last scornful look at her mother, Saengdao storms out of the kitchen.

Suchin and The Stranger sit there in silence for a while. She looks at him apologetically, takes his hand. Instead of replying, The Stranger picks up his soup bowl and, to Suchin’s horror and amusement, proceeds to finish all of its contents in one massive gulp. He slams the empty plate down, face red and sweaty, and gives Suchin a little victorious wink. She has her hand cupped over her face, stunned by his sudden deed.

Then she grabs his hand and leads him out of the apartment.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN BANGKOK - LATER THIS EVENING

It’s dark, Bangkok’s streets barely illuminated. Suchin leads the Stranger through dank alleys and hidden paths, until they reach a wide clearing in front of a HALF-FINISHED SKYSCRAPER. It looms over them threateningly. The sky above it turns bright green, its fluorescent colors begin to shift and morph.

The clock strikes TWELVE.

SUBTITLE CARD: The Day of The End.

SUCHINThis... This is where Ming-Ho, my husband, died. Right here.

24.

Suchin looks down at the asphalt, as if expecting to see her husband’s limp and broken body there.

SUCHIN (CONT’D)The city that he loved so much killed him.

They hug under the apocalyptic sky.

STRANGERSuchin... I have something to tell you.

Their eyes meet.

STRANGER (CONT’D)I don’t know why I came here. This place – Bangkok – was the first place I chose. Completely randomly, it would seem – and yet, some subliminal force drew me here. I felt it, Suchin. In a soulless world, I craved a soul – and you... you became my Beautiful Thought.

Thunder explodes overhead, and the ground shakes.

STRANGER (CONT’D)I know it sounds crazy, but I love you, Suchin. Right now, right here, I truly love you, more than I have ever loved anyone before.

Suchin’s expression darkens when she hears - and understands - his confession. She looks at him as if he were a complete... Stranger. Without a word, she darts off into the distance.

STRANGER (CONT’D)Suchin - wait!

He starts after her, but then halts and watches her disappear around the corner.

CUT TO:

EXT. BANGKOK STREETS - LATER

CUE SYMPHONY

The weather is worsening; it’s SNOWING in Bangkok! A riot is out on the streets. Suchin walks through the angry crowd, carrying a TANK OF FUEL.

25.

She strolls all the way to her GONDOLA, filled with snow-covered fruits and vegetables. She kneels over and pours fuel all over her possessions. With a single strike of a match, Suchin sets it all ablaze. The flames burn bright red against the pale white snowflakes. Suchin stands back, watching them blankly. Above her a THUNDEROUS SHATTER rips the sky in half.

A HAND lands on her shoulder – it’s SAENGDAO!

SAENGDAOI... I had nowhere to go.

SUCHINI know.

Saengdao begins to weep; she falls into her mother’s comforting arms.

SAENGDAOI’m sorry, mom! I’m so stupid! I am that stubborn girl from your fairy-tale...

SUCHINShh, no you’re not, honey. You’re here, aren’t you?

SAENGDAOI miss dad.

They hug each other fiercely. PAN OUT, as the two of them watch Suchin’s possessions deteriorate with the flames.

CUT: EXT. BANGKOK PARK - LATER

THE APOCALYPSE has begun, as mother and daughter make their way through Suchin’s favorite PARK, the park where she and her husband used to hang out. She spots the STRANGER in the distance, sitting on her favorite bench.

He gets up, waving his arms excitedly. Relief washes over Suchin’s face; she exchanges looks with her daughter - but then the ground begins to tremble violently, and Suchin points in horror at something huge behind the Stranger, coming right at him - CRACK! –

FADE OUT: A MOMENT OF STILL BLACKNESS

FADE IN

26.

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - EVENING

EVE, 36, lies in bed next to her husband, LAURENCE, 38. CLOSE-UP of their faces, studying each other’s naked bodies lovingly, tenderly.


LAURENCESo... you’re feeling all right?

EVEWould you... (taps his nose)...stop worrying already? I’m feeling excellent. Today was the best day of my life, Laurence.

Content with her response, he smiles mischievously.

LAURENCEEve? I wrote you a poem.

EVEWhat?

She watches her husband reach over and grab a sheet of paper off the bedside table.

EVE (CONT’D)Are you serious right now? You? Wrote a poem?

He settles back next to her, poem in hand.

LAURENCEYep. I called it Lovesick. It’s about us... well, our love... well, hm, sort of...

EVEGo on then! (Nudges him in the ribs.) Read the damn thing!

LAURENCE(Coughs theatrically.) Ahem! All right, here we go. Part one of Lovesick...

FADE TO:

EXT. GARDEN LABYRINTH - AFTERNOON

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: We see a GARDEN LABYRINTH.

27.

TITLE CARD: PART I: HE

(PART I is accompanied by EUPHORIC, UPLIFTING SYMPHONY to represent the ecstasy of falling in love.)

A YOUNG LAURENCE walks through the labyrinth, dressed casually but stylishly, hands in pockets. We follow him through the BUSHY MAZE until he stops abruptly at a corner. His expression changes.

LAURENCE (V.O.)He caught a glimpse, a twinkling dimple.

CLOSE-UP of YOUNG EVE’S LIPS in a half-smile, dimples in her cheeks. Laurence is completely smitten.

She sits on a bench, reading a book. She notices him, frowns a little, looks back down at her book.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She saw him too, her forehead wrinkled.

Laurence is frozen cold by Eve’s beauty. Eve pretends to read, now intrigued, glancing up at him now and then.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A simple gesture, eyelash flutter; his breath was caught - could only stutter.

Eve closes her book, gets up determinedly and walks through the labyrinth. He follows her. This turns into a playful game of HIDE-AND-SEEK, until the labyrinth’s BUSHES MORPH INTO MIRRORS, and their shimmering REFLECTIONS are bathed in a SAPPHIRE LIGHT. They run into each other. He touches her face.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)He touched her skin, out of the blue.

As Eve glances at Laurence coyly, their reflections merge into one.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She did not cringe; his mind askew...

28.

The reflections of their lips melt into each other. FRAGMENTS of their INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE flow through the screen in form of wispy, evaporating TITLES that tangle in each other – “…your name…?”, “…Eve…”, “…Laurence…”, “…you’re stunning…”, “howperfumeliliesmesmerizzzzzzzzzzed…”

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A few brief words, the letters fused.

She leaves; her reflections blur and fade - and Laurence is left there, stunned and elated.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She left him rapt, confused, amused.

The images on screen blur and merge with each other in tender, silky colors, which slowly take shape into a BOUQUET OF LILIES.

FADE TO:

EXT. VAST COLORFUL FIELD - BRIGHT AFTERNOON

Eve and Laurence are in a seemingly endless, multicolored FIELD. He presents her with a bizarrely arranged BOUQUET OF LILIES; she smiles.

LAURENCE (V.O.)He brought her lilies, bright and gentle.

She accepts the bouquet and breathes in deeply, which evokes a VISUAL RAINBOW OF SENSES that envelops her mind.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She breathed in deeply, sentimental.

The field’s flowers and greens fuse together all around the couple, as if they were strolling through a pastel painting. Suddenly the world DARKENS AND SHRINKS around them, until it’s just the two of them, in a PASTEL-COLORED LITTLE SPOT.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A stroll through fields, away from home. He shrunk the world - just they, alone.

FADE OUT TO:

29.

EXT. A POND - NIGHT

The BLACKNESS MORPHS into the dark surface of a POND, bobbing and swaying. Laurence emerges from underwater, breaking through the surface in slow motion.

LAURENCE (V.O.)He basked in love, a viscous pool.

Eve sits by the water, nude, one of her feet dipped in the liquid, splashing around playfully. She smiles at him lovingly, but there’s also a shadow of concern on her face.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She deemed him ludicrous, a fool.

He pulls himself out of the water towards her. They kiss; the water streams down his back, and it seems as though the dark liquid CONNECTS their skins.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A silly dupe, sucked in by fancy; he felt entranced, each mind-cell dancing.

FADE OUT

TITLE CARD: PART II: SHE

(PART II is accompanied by an INCREASINGLY TRAGIC SYMPHONY, personifying a growing sense of desperation and isolation, grief and melancholy.)

FADE IN

INT. BATHROOM - EVENING

Eve stands naked in front of a mirror, fresh out of the shower. Her toweled head is slightly tilted to the side; calm but concerned, Eve looks directly into her own eyes.

LAURENCE (V.O.)She stood by mirror, naked, thinking.

An image of Laurence FLICKERS in her reflection, FUSING with it until she has to look away.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)He wasn’t there, his image blinking.

30.

Eve looks down at her toes, WEBBED TOGETHER, MOLTEN into each other, NAILS MISSING.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A distant warmth, besieged by dread; her toenails melted, cheese on bread.

Eve squats down, brushes her fingertips against her skin; it gets stuck to them, stretching like glue. She looks back up at herself in the mirror, disturbingly calm.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She leaned and touched her nail-less toes. He would explain perhaps, who knows?

CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS EARLIER

While in the shower, Eve notices a bruise on her thigh. She touches it, and the skin comes off as if shaven.

LAURENCE (V.O.)At first a bruise that spread, soft butter.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. BATHROOM - PRESENT

Eve turns to see her half-molten, darkly bruised thigh.

LAURENCE (V.O.)Her skin now blue, elastic, cluttered.

Eve picks up a pair of COSMETIC SCISSORS off a counter. Wincing, she slices off the TIP OF HER PINKIE and watches it thump lifelessly against the floor.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She raised the scissors, took a snip.

Eve holds her fingertip-less hand up to her face - this was her last one.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)He’d analyze the fingertip.

31.

She shuts her eyes tightly; her lips tremble.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A painless cut that drew no blood; her psyche aching for a flood.

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT

Eve stumbles through her apartment, naked, webbed feet squishing against the floor. She reaches her BEDROOM and lies down, covers herself.

LAURENCE (V.O.)She lay on bed and shut her eyes.

She imagines LAURENCE, in a bright ray of misty sunlight.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)He’d have to witness her demise!

Laurence’s angelic image begins to change; his body MELTS like a candle, face twisting in agony.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)A shared finale, how disgusting; her thawing body in his trusting.

Laurence then melts completely into a viscous pool of GOO, HAIR AND EYES.

FADE OUT

TITLE CARD: PART III: THEY

(PART III is accompanied by a TRAGIC SYMPHONY THAT - very subtly - turns TRIUMPHANT as it proceeds.)

Eve and her husband enter numerous DOCTORS’ OFFICES. Molten spots of skin on Eve’s face are peeling through the powder she’d applied, which is cracked and crusty.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)They went to doctors, bravely dealing with hopeless sympathy, no feeling.

A SERIES OF CUTS that MERGE into each other:

CUT: A DOCTOR shakes his head dismissively.

CUT: ANOTHER DOCTOR points to a CHART OF A MELTING BODY.

32.

CUT: A FEMALE DOCTOR touches Eve’s forehead; when she pulls away, Eve’s skin STRETCHES from her hand like VISCOUS MAPLE SYRUP.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)All they said was -

CUT: SPLIT-SCREEN: TWO DOCTORS MOUTH THE FOLLOWING IN UNISON:

DOCTORSYou’re contagious. To be together’d be outrageous!

CUT: Eve squeezes Laurence’s hand; her jelly-like palm squishes against his. FALLING SNOW blurs the image.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN BOSTON - EVENING

Eve and Laurence face each other in the middle of a BLIZZARD.

LAURENCE (V.O.)They stood outside, numbed by the freeze.

Despite the molten features, Eve’s eyes are dry and alive.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Her mind was not on her disease.

CLOSE UP of Laurence’s face, looking down at her lovingly.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She thought of him, naive and pure.

Eve touches his cheek, then looks down, and finally a single tear streams down her face - or is it a strip of her skin, or maybe her eye is melting?

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)No point searching for a cure.

The SYMPHONY thundering away, Eve turns and runs. He doesn’t run after her, left there, alone and stranded.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)She turned and ran, the blizzard blinding.

Eve’s lips bite into each other through the membrane, drawing no blood, teeth sinking into cotton-like dry flesh.

33.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Her gum-less teeth violently grinding.

MASCARA streams down Eve’s face, melting together with her facial features. The world begins to SPIN around her...

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Face melting tears in aquarelle; existence spinning carousel!

Everything spins faster, faster! – until:

DARKNESS. The SYMPHONY calms.

FADE IN:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM

From the darkness we see Laurence emerge, naked; he gets in bed next to Eve’s molten body. They look at each other. He smiles and takes her hand.

LAURENCE (V.O.)He comes to her tonight, they blend.

Laurence lies on top of her, their bodies squishing against each other. He kisses her, and their lips get entangled; as they separate, the lips stretch but don’t tear, connecting them.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Skins fuse like letters, mental dent.

Eyes filled with love and madness, they melt into each other.

LAURENCE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Frenzied gurgled gasps,; they melt. And that’s the closest that they’ve felt.

Their dark shapes, steel-blue in the moonlight, become one BOBBING, FLUCTUATING MASS.

FADE OUT.

FADE BACK TO:

34.

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - PRESENT

Eve smiles - she liked the poem. She rolls onto her back and looks up at the ceiling dreamily.

EVEIt’s turbulent and sad and angry and fragile and complex and intriguing and lovely...

LAURENCELike you.

He leans in for a SENSUAL KISS.

LAURENCE (CONT’D)Like us.

ZOOM OUT to reveal that EVE is VERY PREGNANT.

CUT TO:

INT. OPERATING ROOM - PRESENT

As Eve narrates, we see her in the operating room, working on a DYING PATIENT with TWO ASSISTANTS. Throughout this SEQUENCE, we hear the patient’s SLOWING HEART BEAT, until it slows to a FLAT-LINE.

TITLE CARD: CHAPTER TWO: THE SURGEON


CLOSE UPS of the operation: the dying patient’s face; the assistants’ faces; the surgeon’s - Eve’s - glazed eyes.

EVE (V.O.)Life after forty can be a cumbersome ordeal. You start thinking too much. Life’s fragility really sinks in. You contemplate the meaning of it all. Are we an accident? Our lifespan – is this all we get?

Patient dies. Eve abruptly runs off; her assistants exchange glances.

CUT: INT. HOSPITAL BATHROOM

Eve washes her face, lips trembling. Her vision doubles, and she grips the sink to prevent herself from falling.

35.

She slowly lowers herself on the dirty tile floor next to the sink and buries her face in her hands. A MOURNFUL PIANO SYMPHHONY STARTS TO PLAY.

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - LATER THIS NIGHT

Eve is slouched on her bed, hair wet from the shower, talking on the phone with her MOTHER – we only hear FRAGMENTS of what she is saying over the PIANO SOLO:

EVEMom, I can’t do this anymore... Oh God, I wish you’d understand...

As she talks, we ZOOM IN on a framed photo of Eve’s DEAD CHILD on the bedside table behind her.

CUT TO:

INT. BOSTON MORGUE - EVENING - NEXT DAY

CLOSE-UP OF OLD DEAD WOMAN’S PALE FACE.


EVE (V.O.)My grandmother died today. She was 86 years old.

We see Eve standing next to the old woman’s body; next to her is her QUIRKY FRIEND DEREK, 37 – a mortician, whose dyed blonde Mohawk and a variety of tribal tattoos and piercings almost mask his surprising handsomeness.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)I did not know her well. I do know that she led a long, fruitful life – and it’s for the best she won’t be here to witness what lies ahead.

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - SCULPTING ROOM - EARLIER TODAY

Eve stands with her apron on, stained with CLAY from head to toe, INSTRUMENTS in hands, admiring her SCULPTURES. There are over a DOZEN of them – some completed, some half-finished – but all of them uncanny, twisted, somewhat perverted and very sexual.

36.

ONE STATUE in particular catches Eve’s attention: a nearly finished one of a MAN’ AND A WOMAN’S NAKED BODIES, fusing together, reminiscent of LOVESICK. Eve walks over and, grunting, picks up the statue. She smirks at it.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. BOSTON MORGUE - PRESENT

Eve and Derek loom over the dead grandmother.

EVEShe donated her organs, bless her heart.

DEREKThe ones that were still functioning... I mean - bless her heart. Sorry, Eve, but she was old...

EVENo, you’re right, Derek. Listen, speaking of organ donations...

FADE TO:

EXT. BEACON HILL - BOSTON - LATER THIS EVENING

As Eve narrates, we see her walking through GUSTS OF LEAVES blown at her feet by sporadic eruptions of violent gale.

EVE (V.O.)Is this it? Is this all about to end? Why am I not afraid? I’m strangely aroused by the thought of humanity being wiped away, as if someone were to press a big red “restart” button. Does that make me evil?

She stops in her tracks, looking worried, leaves swirling all around her, then resumes her walking.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)Looking back at my life, what have I truly given? By what parameters does one judge the value of one’s life? Are we even meant to comprehend it?

37.

(MORE)

I’ve seen so many human beings die, young, old, male, female –

CUT TO:

A SERIES OF FAST CUTS: DYING PEOPLE’S FACES.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. BEACON HILL - BOSTON

EVE (V.O.) – and it’s not the matter of whether or not I could have helped them… It’s my role in the bigger scheme of things. Was I meant to do this? Could I have contributed more if I followed my passion, and – who knows? – perhaps my true calling, and spent my life sculpting away in my basement? Thus, someone else, a more experienced surgeon perhaps, could have hypothetically saved more lives...

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER

Upon her arrival home, Eve takes off her coat, hangs it, and clicks a button on her phone. As her MOTHER’S VOICE MESSAGE starts, Eve walks over to the computer and does research about organ donations.

MOM’S MESSAGEEve, I’ve been thinking about what you said. What you consider failures may actually be blessings.

Eve rolls her eyes. To her surprise, she finds WEBSITES demonstrating that one can potentially donate any organs that are of use and in working order such as liver, kidney(s), lung(s), eye(s), heart, skin...

MOM’S MESSAGE (CONT’D)You don’t want people to be in pain. Sometimes it’s just meant to be. There are forces outside our control, but you are, in our eyes, a celestial being. Dad and I love you very much.

38.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)

CLICK! - message ends. Eve’s narration continues as she is doing her research.

EVE (V.O.)I’ve chosen to help people. With each surgery I leave a little of myself with the patient.

CUT TO:

INT. OPERATING ROOM

CLOSE-UP OF EVE’S FALLEN EXPRESSION as one of her patients – a WOMAN with grey hair – dies under her scalpel.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT

Eve continues her research.

EVE (V.O.)There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the faces of the families whose loved ones I’ve managed to resurrect back to life.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM

A TERRIFIED FAMILY watches Eve walk out of the operating room... And then, upon hearing the good news, their expressions turn gleeful and ecstatic.

EVE (V.O.)Each breath of air after a successful surgery tastes sweet and fresh, and suddenly there’s hope, and the products at the supermarket look colorful and delicious, and the trees in my alley evoke nostalgia, and a stupid Hollywood comedy makes me laugh…

Throughout that narration, we see:

CUT: Eve waltzing out of the hospital, purse in hand. She stops and takes a deep breath of air.

39.

CUT: She’s at the supermarket, overfilling her cart, the products looking colorful and appealing.

CUT: Eve takes a happy little spin in her alley on BEACON HILL.

CUT: Eve is laughing over popcorn and a giant soda in an EMPTY MOVIE THEATER.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)The euphoric state lasts for a while – sometimes a few days, sometimes a week, but then reality settles in...

CUT TO:

EXT. BEACON HILL ALLEY - LATE AFTERNOON

Eve’s alley darkens, along with the doom-ridden sky; her nightmares start.

EVE (V.O.)The heavy feeling creeps in...

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Eve is wide awake, breathing hard, covered in sweat.

EVE (V.O.)...and it becomes clear that the woman, or the man, or the grandmother, or the child...

When she mentions the CHILD, we CUT to:

INT. OPERATING ROOM - MONTHS EARLIER

Eve’s eyes widen; her SON is cut open underneath her. Horror seeps into her eyes, as she realizes her efforts were futile, and her son is going to die. She looks back helplessly at her HUSBAND, who stares back at her blankly from the other side of the shielded glass.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)...it becomes clear that the patient isn’t going to make it.

40.

(MORE)

That last weak heartbeat echoes in my mind for days.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - PRESENT

Eve clicks “submit” on her computer and smiles, somewhat victoriously. SYMPHONY ends.

EVE (V.O.)I’ve chosen to help people. This is my path. I may as well go all the way.

CUT TO:

INT. OPERATING ROOM

Surgeons are operating on Eve – she donated a kidney.


EVE (V.O.)I donate my kidney first. The kidney removal process is really quite a simple surgical procedure. I could do it in my sleep. Heh. And yet – darkly ironic role reversal – here I am, being put under the scalpel.

We see a step-by-step depiction of a kidney removal process. It’s clinically silent, except for Eve’s steady heartbeat; from time to time the surgeon asks for an instrument. ZOOM IN on Eve’s expression. Her eyes are closed, but her lips are curved in a EUPHORIC SMILE.

CUT TO:

INT. PATIENT ROOM - HOSPITAL - AFTERNOON

Eve is in a hospital bed, dressed in a white gown. She is surrounded by her MOM, 62 and DAD, 66, sister and aunt, her friend Susie, and DEREK - as well as a variety of floral arrangements and balloons. They all flock and chatter like birds.


Derek leans over and puts his hand on her shoulder.

41.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)

DEREKWhat you did was courageous. And kind.

Everyone behind him quiets down, nodding in agreement.

DEREK (CONT’D)We’re all super fuckin’ proud of you, kid.

Eve’s FATHER, whose bushy moustache covers the majority of his mouth, coughs, shooting Derek, and his tattoos particularly, a disapproving look.

EVE’S DADAhem – yes, we all think that was a very brave thing you did, sweetheart.

Eve smiles tiredly, then sits up a little.

EVE(Weakly.) Mom?

Her MOTHER rushes forward and sits by her side.

EVE’S MOMYes, dear?

EVE(Quietly.) I transferred the money to your account...

The crowd politely resumes talking – except Eve’s father, who listens in, looking down somewhat in shame.

EVE (CONT’D)...the money I got for the kidney, I mean. All of it. It’s yours.

EVE’S MOM Oh, Eve, you really shouldn’t have gone to such extremes -

EVEShush. No, listen. You and dad can finally pay off your mortgage. I have plenty of money. And dad...

She turns to look at her father, who peeks up at her from underneath the mask of shame.

42.

EVE (CONT’D)...please don’t feel like you let us down. You really didn’t. You are the best father I could wish for. We are family. This is just money.

CUT: INT. PATIENT ROOM - HOSPITAL - A BIT LATER

Everyone is on their way out, saying bye to Eve, wishing her well. Her mother halts in the doorway, staring at her daughter nervously. Eve stares back; after a moment, she cracks up laughing.

EVEMom, you okay?

EVE’S MOMPlease don’t take this too far, angel.

EVEI’ve never felt better, mommy.

Eve’s enthusiasm doesn’t seem to convince her mother. She stays frozen in the doorway for a while, biting her lower lip, then leaves the room. CLOSE UP of Eve, who stops grinning, affected by her mother’s concern.

CUT TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Eve is sitting on her couch, cross-legged, her WHITE LAPTOP open on her lap.


Eve is reading a thank you e-mail from one of the donors to whom she has donated her BONE MARROW. She is sick, BANDAGED UP, blue in the face, but happy – tears well up in her eyes.

She gets up, visibly in pain, and limps over to the KITCHEN. In the back, the TV ANCHORMAN is quietly reporting that the REST OF VENICE HAS SUNK UNDERWATER - Eve doesn’t seem to register, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

43.

EVE (V.O.)I saved someone’s life this week. Am I getting some sort of perverse pleasure out of this, keeping a complete stranger alive, deciding someone’s fate, playing God, if only briefly? Truth is, that total stranger, whoever it may be, is keeping me alive. Despite my perhaps selfish intentions, we have a symbiotic relationship going, undeterred by distance or familiarity.

FADE TO:

INT. EVE’S APARTMENT - EVENING - FLASHBACK

Laurence stands by the front door, his BAGS packed by his feet. He holds a small TURQUOISE MITTEN.


Eve is lying on the bed in her nightgown, mascara running down her face, looking at him bitterly.

EVESo that’s it? You’re just going to leave me here, alone?

He says nothing. She nods bitterly.

EVE (CONT’D)I thought so. You coward. You’re supposed to be the strong one. Can’t handle it? Go stay with your mother, seek some psychological assistance, but know this – nothing you do is going to bring our son back!

LAURENCEI know that... I just need some time by myself. It’s selfish. I don’t feel good about it.

He halts in the doorway.

LAURENCE (CONT’D)You were always the strong one. You can deal with this better by yourself. I know you can.

44.

He places the MITTEN by the door and begins to step out.

EVEFrenzied gurgled gasps, they melt. And that’s the closest that they’ve felt.

He hesitates, clenching his teeth. His eyes well up, and he leaves. Behind him, the door shuts on her, alone on the bed.

CUT TO:

INT. BOSTON MORGUE - EVENING

Eve is hanging out with Derek; they sit on an EMPTY COFFIN, their feet dangling over its edge.

Title Card: 8 Days Until The End

Eve pats her chest proudly. Derek raises his pierced eyebrows, aghast. His voice echoes in the empty dark morgue.

DEREKFor real?

EVEYep. Right lung - gone.

DEREKSo what happens if you get lung cancer?

EVEI don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I exercise – and the end of the world is coming. So I think this scenario is highly unlikely.

DEREKYou look very thin and frail and ghostly. But... I hate to admit, you also look strangely... happier.

EVEThanks!

She hops off the coffin.

EVE (CONT’D)Gotta run. Dinner at my folks’.

45.

DEREKHave you thought about finding shelter? That’s what everyone seems to be talking about these days. The Tee stopped running – the tunnels are fuckin’ overflowing with people, surrounded by rats and shit...

Eve looks at Derek blankly as he talks. She slowly seems to realize that she’s been so preoccupied with her own ordeal that she’s failed to notice the global cataclysms occurring around her.

DEREK (CONT’D)I mean, I personally have a friend over at UMass. He says I can come with him and his family tomorrow to Atlanta or something, they have a cabin in the woods... Like that’s gonna protect us from a fuckin’ global hurricane! What about you, Eve?

He jumps off the coffin and approaches her.

DEREK (CONT’D)What’s your plan, apart from, ya know, donating the last of what’s left of you?

Eve shrugs.

EVEI haven’t thought this far ahead.

CUT: INT. EVE’S PARENTS’ HOUSE - LATER THIS EVENING

Eve and her folks are having a silent dinner in their DININGG ROOM. It’s tense; Eve’s mom and dad keep looking up at her frail body anxiously. Eve can’t take it anymore – she slams down her fork against the plate, making her parents jump.

EVEI’m fine! Okay? Now would you two please stop glaring at me like I’m some circus freak?

Her father puts down his utensils and takes a large swig from his wine glass.

46.

EVE’S DADLook... Your life is your life – you live however you want to. Who are we to judge at this point? You’re an adult. All we can do is advise, look out for you. If you want to go though with this operation tomorrow – go right ahead...

EVEIt’s the last one, Dad, I promise…

EVE’S DADShush. Right now there are more pressing issues at hand. Did you see it on the television? NASA scientists confirmed it. There are all sorts of global catastrophes going on, simultaneously, all of a sudden. The coincidences are bizarre, to say the least – it’s almost like...

He finishes the wine, wipes his bushy moustache.

EVE’S DAD (CONT’D)...like Mother Earth has finally had enough of us. Eve...

He leans forward and takes his daughter’s hand, motioning to his wife, who promptly gets up and rushes out of the room.

EVE’S DAD (CONT’D)There is a cabin out in Northern Massachusetts we want you to hide in. We don’t know if it’ll do much, but at least you’ll have a chance.

Eve’s mom comes back with TRAIN TICKETS in her hand. She smiles at Eve reassuringly, handing the tickets over to her husband. Eve stares at them, bewildered.

EVEWhat about you? You’re coming with me - right?

EVE’S DADNo, sweetheart. Your mother and I – we have lived here for over 40 years... This here is our home. This...

47.

(MORE)

(he gestures) ...is where I proposed to your mother, this is where you were born, this is where we made – and lost! – our fortune, and this, my dear Eve, is where your mother and I shall perish, if that is what is meant to be.

Eve’s eyes well up. Her mother puts her arm over her husband’s back, a tear streaming down her cheek. Eve’s dad hands his daughter the tickets.

EVE’S DAD (CONT’D)Please, take those. You know better than anyone else about the meaninglessness of physical presence. What are our bodies but bags of organs? In soul and spirit, you will be here, with us... That’s what your grandmother would have wanted you to do, Eve.

Eve reluctantly succumbs.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE BOSTON HOSPITAL - AFTERNOON

CUE SYMPHONY.

Eve wheels herself out of the hospital in a wheel-chair after another ORGAN DONATION.


As PANIC spreads through BOSTON COMMON, Eve is immersed in her own world, drugged up on bliss, calmly wheeling herself through the HAVOC.

CUT TO:

INT. MASSACHUSETS CABIN - MORNING

CLOSE-UP OF TV: CNN is on, with the words “BREAKING NEWS: U.S. PRESIDENT THEODORE WOLFE PRONOUNCED DEAD THIS MORNING” blinking underneath. ZOOM OUT to see Eve in her parents’ rustic cabin, sitting in front of the TV. A dark wool blanket covers her lap and most of her legs. She wears a knit scarf over her head.


48.

EVE’S DAD (CONT'D)

CUE SYMPHONY. As Eve’s NARRATION starts, she wheels herself out of the cabin, down a narrow PATH through the woods, onto a tall GRASSY HILL, where she faces a beautiful MASSACHUSETTS LANDSCAPE.

EVE (V.O.)All my vitals are still intact. I can still see, though I only have one eye. I can still breathe, though I only have one lung. I cannot walk, but I am mobile. I can still make love, but I wish I couldn’t, because I have no one to love... Time is running out.

The giant HALO begins to form overhead. Eve gazes at it wondrously, the wind blowing the scarf off her head; Eve’s long brown hair flutters in the wind.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)I can still feel, for my heart still beats, loud and clear and strong, and it pumps rich blood through my system, and I feel more alive than ever, as if the weight of those organs has been lifted off my chest. This is it. I am ready.

She looks up to see a FLOCK OF BIRDS flying south, forming a spectacular TRIANGULAR PATTERN against the HALO and the fluorescent sky. To Eve’s shock, the flock somehow REVERSES the direction of its flight, as if Earth itself shifted polarity within a fraction of a second.

CLOSE-UP of EVE’S TROUBLED FACE.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)So why do I feel regret?

She bites her lower lip and stares up at the sky.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)I’ve given so much of myself to people... So why do I feel alone?

CUT TO:

INT. BOSTON - EVE’S APARTMENT - SCULPTING ROOM

SMASH! - CLOSE UP: Eve smashes through her half-finished SCULPTURE OF MORPHING LOVERS.

SUBTITLE CARD: The Day of The End

49.

Eve is in the basement of her home, laughing gleefully as she methodically destroys her life’s work, spinning around in her wheelchair.

CUT: INT. EVE’S PARENTS’ HOUSE - EARLY MORNING

As everything shakes, and the end of the world begins, Eve’s mother buries her face in her husband’s wool sweater, and he grips her tightly.

EVE (V.O.)Life after forty can be a cumbersome ordeal. You start thinking too much... about the meaning of it all.

The door opens – and Eve wheels herself in. She faces her father; a smile spreads across both of their faces. She wheels herself to her parents, then falls off the wheelchair, right into their arms.

EVE (V.O.) (CONT’D)If this, our lifespan, is all we get, then at this point in time, crucially, I want to hold on to it, if only just for a minute longer...

The house around Eve and her parents begins to shake; the living-room CRACKS into two halves violently –

CUT TO:

DARKNESS

In the center of the darkness, a tiny TV screen appears, displaying a variety of NEWS ANCHORS; it gradually grows in size as it comes closer. Each anchor speaks in their native language.

JAPANESE ANCHORThe U.S. President, Theodore Wolfe, was pronounced dead this morning at 7:13 AM U.S. Eastern Time on his way to the hospital.

We see the WHITE HOUSE, surrounded by ambulances, police cars, dark security limos and a mass of reporters. There’s a glimpse of a COVERED BODY on a stretcher being towed, right into an ambulance car.

50.

INDIAN ANCHORA series of self-inflicted wounds by a straight razor was the determined cause of death. The US president still gripped the sharp object tightly in his hand upon discovery by his wife, Michelle Wolfe, and advisor, Stanley Hudson.

STANLEY HUDSON, bald head and thick glasses, face paled by exhaustion, addresses a crowd of reporters.

STANLEY HUDSONThere is absolutely no way to convey the absurdity and enormity of this highly unanticipated tragedy. At this point in time, our thoughts are with the president’s family: his wife Michelle and daughter Margarita. I have no further comments – not until things quiet down.

RUSSIAN ANCHORThings are definitely not “quieting down”. Despite the global cataclysms that many believe signify the beginning of the apocalypse – or perhaps because of those cataclysms – U.S. vice-president Marsha Paline has not yet publicly addressed the nation.

We see the MARSHA PALINE, 39, walk past the reporters, half-covering her face with her gloved hand. She’s bathed in a sea of security that blocks the ravenous journalists.

AUSTRALIAN ANCHORThe need for reassurance from a non-responsive government is evident not only in America, but in most other countries, no matter how civilized or broken by war they are. Afghani troops have laid down their weapons to face what many call the “arrival of Allah.”

We see a massive crowd of Afghani troops, praying in unison.

SOUTH AFRICAN ANCHORMillions of people have gathered in Mecca to welcome and embrace The End...

51.

We see the awesome gathering of praying believers in Mecca.

SOUTH AFRICAN ANCHOR (CONT’D)...and yet, aside from a trance-like acceptance that unites certain nations, panic is prevalent, a desperate need for answers. European cities like –

SERIES OF CUTS OF PANICKING CITIES: GENEVA, MADRID, STOCKHOLM, MUNICH.

SOUTH AFRICAN ANCHOR (CONT’D)- have been evacuated completely.

He puts away his papers and looks straight into the camera with a grave expression.

SOUTH AFRICAN ANCHOR (CONT’D)It seems like the governments, from whom we, the citizens, have always expected answers and comfort, are, like the rest of us, at a loss of words.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKIES OVER TEXAS - TWILIGHT

A luxurious JET pierces the tremulous apocalyptic horizon. The sky is split into two halves: the shimmering violet dusk, and the cancerous, violent, pulsating blackness, towards which the airplane flies.

TITLE CARD (underneath the jet): CHAPTER THREE: THE PRESIDENT

SUBTITLE CARD (underneath TITLE CARD): 2 Days Until The End

CUT TO:

INT. PILOT’S CABIN

The two PILOTS, DOMINGO and JACK, exchange nervous looks, as the all-encompassing vortex-like darkness creeps towards them.

DOMINGOI am going to tell him.

He gets up determinedly, brushes his hand over the wrinkles in his uniform, tightens his tie.

52.

DOMINGO (CONT’D)This is suicide.

Jack stares at him hesitantly.

JACKGood luck.

DOMINGOSlow it down a notch, will ya?

He proceeds out of the cabin; we follow him through the jet.

INT. AIRPLANE CABIN

As Domingo approaches in the background, the PRESIDENT, THEODORE WOLFE, 34, leans over his wife, MELISSA, 30, and grasps his daughter’s, MARGARITA’s, 6, small hand. Melissa stares ahead, avoiding her husband’s touch, lips tight.

THEODORE...just like birds. We are free to go wherever we want. But – we have to go somewhere safe now. Just like birds, we are migrating. Until it is okay to come back. Do you understand?

Margarita has a half-finished ice-cream cone in her hands. The chocolate is smeared all over her pudgy cheeks and fingers. She nods her head, though her expression reads clueless.

Domingo, who now stands over the president, coughs pointedly. Theodore gestures to wait a moment.

THEODORE (CONT’D)We are going to have a biig television, and hundreds of games for you to play...

His wife rolls her eyes, but he ignores the gesture.

THEODORE (CONT’D)...and thousands of books for us to read, and we are going to have delicious food, and a swimming pool!

Margarita’s ice-cream-smeared lips part in awe.

MARGARITAWhoa!

53.

THEODOREExactly. Whoa. We - as in: you, mommy and I - are safe. I promise you that.

Margarita thinks about it for a minute, licking her ice-cream, then frowns and looks up at dad.

MARGARITAWhat about Stanley?

Melissa glares at her husband coldly.

THEODOREStanley also. Everyone will be okay Rita - um, everyone on this plane... What is it, Domingo?

The pilot motions for him to come over to the other side of the plane. The president leans and gives his daughter a kiss, smearing his own nose and cheek with creamy chocolate goo.

THEODORE (CONT’D)I love you.

He glances at his wife.

THEODORE (CONT’D)Both.

Melissa looks away.

Theodore then walks with Domingo to the back of the plane.

THEODORE (CONT’D)All right, tell me what’s going on.

DOMINGOWell, sir... It seems like we are approaching a rather ominous dark cloud of unknown origin. It’s magnetic, which could affect the airplane’s electronic systems. Either way, it’s bound to get turbulent – and I mean really turbulent – if we proceed ahead.

The president’s advisor, Stanley, joins them in the COCKPIT, where Jack promptly gets up. Theodore motions for him to sit back down, staring through the glass at the darkness ahead.

THEODOREWhat’s your suggestion?

54.

DOMINGOWith all due respect, I, um, strongly urge you to reevaluate your decision, Mr. President. By staying on course, we are endangering not only your life, but your wife’ and daughter’s as well. I have over twenty years of flying experience, yet I have never encountered anything that would even resemble... (he points) ...this. We don’t want to put your family at risk... sir.

Theodore looks at Stanley, who raises his eyebrows at him, then nods, concurring with the pilot.

THEODOREIs there any way to avoid it? You know, fly around it? Or underneath it?

DOMINGOI mean...

He trails off, eyeing the approaching black inferno.

DOMINGO (CONT’D)It depends, really... I have no way of knowing how fast this thing is growing. We can try taking the long route – but I still strongly advise you to at least temporarily land in Fort Worth and wait this over. Perhaps that... cloud of unknown origin will dissipate with time, clearing our path.

THEODORETime is an issue. Do we have the luxury of waiting this over? The way it’s looking, this thing will just keep spreading, enveloping everything in its way, and in the meantime, we’re all going to be stuck in Dallas. We need to get to safety.

He gives Stanley a look as he starts to walk out of the cabin.

DOMINGOYes, sir.

55.

He and Jack stare at Stanley, who gives them a brief faint smile, then shakes his head and walks out after the president. The pilots exchange worried glances, then Domingo gives Jack a slight nod.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE OF AIRPLANE

The AIRCRAFT tilts to the left, now flying parallel to the turbulent dark cloud.

CUT: INT. AIRPLANE CABIN

As the plane tilts, the president grabs a hold of a seat. Stanley quickly straps himself in one and urges Theodore to do the same. The president addresses his family:

THEODOREEverything is okay, we are right on path, getting close to safety; we just need to stay fastened in our seats.

Melissa ignores him, while Margarita giggles, pointing.

MARGARITADaddy, you have ice-cream on your face!

THEODOREJeez, you’re right! Your daddy’s a klutz!

He sits next to Stanley, wiping his face with a handkerchief.

THEODORE (CONT’D)You could have told me about the ice-cream. Before we talked to the pilots, I mean. Made me look unprofessional.

STANLEY HUDSONPardon?

THEODOREForget it.

He sits back and closes his eyes. After a moment of silence:

THEODORE (CONT’D)You think we should have landed in Dallas, Stanley?

56.

Stanley opens his mouth to say something, then stays quiet.

THEODORE (CONT’D)Your advice is normally based on a variety of factors, but now is the time to put bias aside and tell me what you honestly think. From now on, I want your opinion, unaffected by politics or public expectations.

STANLEY HUDSONI can do that, sir.

THEODOREAnd enough with that “sir” crap. Call me Theodore. Technically, I am not the president anymore. It was jarring when Domingo addressed me as such earlier, but I figured I could use this authority to my advantage – I need to get my family to safety. Which, again, brings me to my question: do you think the smart choice would have been for us to land in Fort Worth and ‘wait out the storm’, per Domingo’s suggestion?

Stanley considers this for a second.

STANLEY HUDSONNot necessarily. I think you were right in assuming that circumstances aren’t looking good, and the faster we get to safety the better. At this point, we may as well go all the way. It’s worth the risk, considering the alternative. That’s my honest thought... Theodore.

The president smiles, his eyes still closed.

THEODOREAt this point, we may as well... You sound bitter. Like you’re implying that, if it were up to you, things would not have ended up as absurd and hopeless. (Pause.) Tell me the truth, Stanley. You think this is all a big mistake. Let’s hear it. You think I’m disloyal;

57.

(MORE)

you think I abandoned my country, the country I pledged to protect, represent, love... You think I should have gone down with my ship.

Stanley takes off his glasses and rubs the lenses with his tie. He sighs.

STANLEY HUDSONThe reasoning behind your actions is clear to me. It’s inevitable - the world is about to literally crack in half. Telling people the truth would only create a mass panic, a ripple effect of global insanity. At a time like this, I understand your choice to try and save your family. You prioritized. You are loyal to your wife and child.

THEODOREBut I swore loyalty to the people of the Unites States. How is that different? Should I have addressed the nation? They would deem me a coward that fled. Would that have created any less of a panic? Everyone knows it’s all over anyway. God, do any of those things – loyalty, honor, responsibility, humiliation, betrayal – mean anything anymore? What are human values worth, when the end is inevitable?

The plane shakes violently, and Margarita lets out a scream. Melissa comforts her, as the president leans over and shouts back to them.

THEODORE (CONT’D)Everything’s all right! It’s just a little turbulence!

When he turns back, Stanley has his glasses off, studying him. Then he readjusts the glasses on his face and speaks.

STANLEY HUDSONI don’t have any direct answers to your questions, Theodore. To be perfectly honest, my current thought process resembles a bouncing pinball, unable to halt and stay put, even for a moment.

58.

THEODORE (CONT'D)

(MORE)

Earlier, I thought I’d lose it. I did my best to maintain my composure. How does one maintain his composure under the circumstances? I turned to the bittersweet nostalgia of my past, and immediately, this one childhood incident, like that ricocheting pinball, sprung up in my mind. Now that I think of it, perhaps it may address some of your inquiries, or at least the way I feel about the choices you’ve made.

The president leans forward.

THEODOREI’m all ears.

As Stanley begins to speak, CUE SYMPHONY.

FADE OUT.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)When I was kid growing up in downtown Chicago, I had it all given to me on a silver platter, so to speak.

FADE IN TO:

INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - 1956 - FLASHBACK

Little Stanley is at the dinner table. His folks present him with a large SILVER PLATE, on top of which rests a giant pile of ice-cream.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)I was doing well in class, and my parents barely ever raised their voices at me – they were a source of tranquility, stability, and love.

CUT: Stanley gets an “A+” on his test in 2nd grade class.

CUT: Stanley shows it off to his parents, who give him a hug.

CUT: Stanley and his folks cuddle happily on the couch, their faces illuminated by the black-and-white glow of the TV.

CUT BACK TO:

59.

STANLEY HUDSON (CONT'D)

INT. AIRPLANE CABIN - PRESENT

The dark cloud casts a circular shadow on Stanley’s face through the window as he talks.

STANLEY HUDSONOf course, all that bliss had to come to an end, as everything must. One Christmas, my parents surprised me, you see.

CUT TO:

INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - 1958 - EVENING

Little Stanley and his GRANDMOTHER, 64, sit by the Christmas tree, when the door opens, and his folks rush in, holding a LARGE BOX. They unravel a Bloodhound puppy! Everyone oohs and aahs.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)He was the sweetest little dog...

CUT: We see the puppy tripping over his ears.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.) (CONT’D)Little Dumbo, that’s what we called him, because of his resemblance to the, you know, the Disney character... I watched that film religiously.

CUT: Little Stanley is at the MOVIES, mesmerized by Dumbo’s Dream Sequence.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - 1958

Dumbo tears up shoes, then pees on dad’s newspapers.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)At first, things went well. He would chew up our shoes and pee on the floor from time to time, sure - but that was to be expected, and plus, how can you be angry at such an adorable, wrinkly rascal?

Dad discovers the mess, gets ready to yell, but the dog looks so damn cute... it’s treated with a snack instead.

60.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE LITTLE STANLEY’S SCHOOL - 1958 - AFTERNOON

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)I’d show him off to my friends, and he would sleep with me in the bed, even though I knew he wasn’t allowed to.

Little Stanley holds a slightly older and bigger Dumbo proudly in his arms, surrounded by his crowd of friends.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - NIGHT

Dumbo sleeps in bed with little Stanley, paw draped over the boy’s torso.

CUT BACK TO:


STANLEY HUDSONThen he grew up, and things changed. Bloodhounds, you see, were bred in the American South to track down escaped prisoners – the dogs’ acute sense of smell would pick up a scent and they’d follow it relentlessly, until the convict was caught.

Stanley sighs heavily.

STANLEY HUDSON (CONT’D)Genes are genes. Dumbo happened to be no different. He grew up into a strong, 90-pound mutt.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHICAGO PARK - FLASHBACK - 1959

Little Stanley is walking Dumbo in the park.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)I couldn’t walk him anymore – if he’d see a neighborhood Rottweiler or Doberman, I would fly through the air behind him, until I’d have no choice but to let go off the leash and witness another bloodbath.

61.

Dumbo spots the Rottweiler; Stanley’s getting helplessly dragged behind him, scraping up his knees and stomach until he has no choice but to let go and observe the BATTLE.

CUT: EXT. DIFFERENT PARK - 1959

With a practiced move, Stanley’s grandmother slings Dumbo’s leash around a tree trunk, as Dumbo roars and howls at a Pit-Bull.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)If, God forbid, we happened to let Dumbo off the leash - poof! - he’d be gone in a minute, galloping away after some scent he’d picked up.

Dumbo rips the leash in two, but instead of going after the other dog, storms off into the distance.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - KITCHEN - 1960

Stanley’s family sits around the table in cold silence. A RED LANTERN casts the kitchen in an eerie crimson glow.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)It was the wrong dog for the city. He’d disappear for days. Those restless nights of sitting around the kitchen table in tense silence brought out the worst in us. We got snappy with each other...

CUT: Stanley’s mom accidentally drops a plate – her husband snaps, grabs her arms violently.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.) (CONT’D)I wouldn’t be able to sit still at school, calling home between classes, each time expecting tragic news...

CUT: Little Stanley’s fidgeting in class, unable to focus. He runs out into the HALLWAY and calls home, while IMAGINING Dumbo’s CARCASS being hauled away by an ambulance.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Casting twisted crimson shadows, Stanley’s family wait for their dog, and then tense up...

62.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)...but then came the familiar howl...

CUT TO:


STANLEY HUDSONBecause, you see, bloodhounds don’t bark - they howl, like this -

He tilts his head back, to the president’s amusement, and lets out a LOUD HOWL.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - KITCHEN

Stanley’s entire family jumps up and rushes to the windows, to see DUMBO, howling a few stories down, while the building’s DOORMAN and NEIGHBORS look up at them with a mixture of expectation and irritation.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - MOMENTS LATER

The front door is kicked in, and Stanley’s father drags Dumbo through it.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)My father would drag him into the kitchen. I never saw what happened in there. I heard it though. My fantasies probably made it worse.

The kitchen door slams shut behind Stanley’s father and Dumbo. Through the door’s matted glass, Stanley observes the dark GRAINY OUTLINE of his father raising the belt, and then bringing it down forcefully against Dumbo’s whimpering frame.

CUT BACK TO:


Stanley smiles at Theodore, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

63.

STANLEY HUDSONI still loved Dumbo. The way I saw it, he was just a dog, an animal with instincts it simply couldn’t suppress. But my father had issues at his job; he and my mother grew more and more apart, and the dog was nothing but a nuisance to him.

CUT TO:

INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - 1961 - DAY

Stanley’s parents come home without the dog.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)Without telling me a thing, my father gave Dumbo away one day. Folks simply said something in the vein of -

The boy’s face is puffy and smeared with tears, as his mother confronts him:

STANLEY’S MOM- it’s for the better. Dumbo has a big house, and a nice owner - who happens to be a vet! - and also owns a Bloodhound, so he will lead a long, happy life.

CUT: INT. VET’S HOME - 1961

Dumbo huddles in the corner, next to a full bowl of food, baring his teeth at the other BLOODHOUND who tries to initiate interaction.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)The picture they painted was far from the truth. Dumbo missed us so much, he refused to eat or go out, and would stay in the corner of the hallway, growling at the other dog whenever it would attempt contact.

The VET dials a telephone number...

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.) (CONT’D)Eventually, the vet had to ask us to take Dumbo back.

64.

CUT: INT. STANLEY’S PARENTS’ CAR - AFTERNOON

The family’s on the way home, with Dumbo in the back.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)I think my mother was happy, but she didn’t show it.

Dad is scowling away, while Stanley’s mom has a barely perceptible smile on her face.

FADE TO:

EXT. CHICAGO PARK - 1963 - LATE EVENING

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)One night, my mother was walking Dumbo in the park. There was a pool of water with an exposed electrical wire in it. Somehow, Dumbo sensed danger.

Stanley’s mother and Dumbo walk towards the pool, the exposed wire cracking and fizzing in the water. When she’s a few feet away, the dog tenses up and refuses to go further.

STANLEY’S MOMC’mon now, Dumbo! I do not have time for your games right now, honestly!

The dog whimpers and pulls back even harder.

STANLEY’S MOM (CONT’D)Fine.

She lets go off the leash.

STANLEY’S MOM (CONT’D)Go!

With that, she turns and continues to approach the water.

CUT TO:


CLOSE UP of advisor’s face.

65.

STANLEY HUDSONBefore my mother could step in the water, Dumbo jumped in front of her.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. CHICAGO PARK

Dumbo leaps into the pool of water, startling Stanley’s mother, who stumbles away from it.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)He got electrocuted right in front of my mother’s eyes, a lengthy and torturous death. She couldn’t touch him, so in panic she grabbed a wooden log, but by that time, she was just poking his limp body...

Stanley’s mom breaks up crying next to DUMBO’S CORPSE.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - LATER THIS EVENING

Little Stanley’s expression breaks at the sight of his torn-up mother.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)When she returned home, face smeared with mascara, I could immediately tell something dreadful had happened.

CUT: EXT. CHICAGO BACKYARD - FALL OF 1963

DUMBO’S FUNERAL. Little Stanley, along with his family and friends, stand around the dog’s coffin.

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)We had a funeral for Dumbo. I think my father was secretly happy. I swear I saw a hint of a smile trace his features when we bid our good-byes.

Little Stanley glares at his father, who seems to have an almost-indistinguishable smirk on his face.

66.

CUT: INT. LITTLE STANLEY’S CHICAGO HOME - 1965

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.)A couple of years went by.

We see Little Stanley by himself at the dinner table, with a PLASTIC PLATE of steaming MICROWAVEABLE DINNER in front of him (as opposed to the elegant silver plate earlier).

STANLEY HUDSON (V.O.) (CONT’D)A lingering sense of dread built steadily since Dumbo’s death. Dinners were filled with silences. I’d listen to my parents fight every other night. Until, eventually...

CUT TO:


Stanley sighs, finishes his drink.

STANLEY HUDSON...he left us. With a young woman.

He sits back and stares at his own reflection in the airplane window, outlined against the darkness of doom’s first traces.

STANLEY HUDSON (CONT’D)It makes me wonder sometimes, this inherent loyalty. Tell me this, sir: who do you think you resemble more at this point: my father, who fled from responsibility when faced with inevitability – or Dumbo, a simple mutt, who, despite his disobedience, despite his inherent lack of values that shape us human beings, didn’t hesitate for a second to step into the deadly pool of water in order to save my mother? He went against his own instinct of self-preservation to protect his owner.

Theodore nods slowly, his eyes meeting Stanley’s.

THEODOREThe ultimate sacrifice.

The jet shakes violently again.

67.

CUT: PILOT’S CABIN

Domingo gasps, staring at the control board, while Jack struggles to regain control of the shuddering plane. One by one, the DASHBOARD’S LIGHTS go off. The sweating pilots glare in disbelief, as all the electronics shut down in a sequence. The airplane stops shuddering - and next thing they know, everything is completely still and quiet: no sound of the engines, or any machinery functioning - SILENCE. The pilots exchange stunned looks.

CUT: AIRPLANE CABIN

The president and his advisor are leaning forward, looking out the window. Theodore looks back at his wife and daughter. Melissa is biting her lower lip; she turns to face her husband.

MELISSATheo? What is happening?

CUT: EXT. HIGH IN THE TREMULOUS SKY

The jet glides through the air silently, all engines off.


The president’s staff are beginning to chatter nervously. Theodore starts to get up, but Stanley halts him.

THEODOREDomingo! Domingo, what the hell is going on?

Domingo steps out of the cockpit. He looks shocked, face white. He gulps down a lump in his throat.

DOMINGOWe seem to have, umm, an engine malfunction. It may get a little bumpy... Please, um, remain calm, Mr. President; I need you all to stay in your seats and fasten your seat belts-

Before he can finish, Theodore unstraps himself and runs over to his wife and daughter. He gives them both a hug, then sits next to them, fastens his seat-belt.

THEODOREStay calm. It’s going to be okay.

68.

ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS(Yells.) What do you mean, engine malfunction?

STANLEY HUDSONWhy is it so quiet? This doesn’t feel right.

DOMINGOWhat seems to have happened is that... Well, we had a complete engine shutdown. All power is off. (He snaps his fingers.) Just like that. And yet – somehow, miraculously - we are still gliding through the air, as if buoyed by an invisible -

He stumbles back and SMACKS against the cabin door violently, as the airplane takes a rapid NOSEDIVE and plunges straight down.

PANIC ensues. ONE OF THE MEN somehow gets unstrapped and is flung up against the plane’s ceiling, then thrown down the aisle, past the president and his family. Margarita screams; her father clutches her small knees in his hands.

THEODORELook at me! Rita – look at me, honey! I’m right here! I’m right here with you!

Everything is shrieking and whistling as the plane accelerates, faster and faster, plummeting towards Earth.


Jack is fruitlessly struggling to maintain control of the blinking dashboard. He watches the ground rapidly approach.

CUT: AIRPLANE CABIN

The president looks at his wife, and mouths “I love you” to her, and they both shut their eyes tight, and he leans forward, covering his daughter’s legs with his chest...


In the last split of a second, Jack manages to stabilize the plane...

69.

CUT: EXT. DESERT

We see the jet flying a few hundred feet above a THORNY DESERT.


CLOSE-UP of the president’s eyes opening slowly, then focusing on his wife and daughter, who look up at him in terror, then out of the window, at the shrinking ground underneath.

The pilot’s cabin’s door opens, and Jack comes out. He leans next to Domingo, whose forehead is bleeding, and makes sure he’s all right, then gets back up and addresses the petrified passengers, some of whom are taking care of the INJURED GENTLEMAN that got unstrapped.

JACKEveryone all right? We seemed to have regained control of the aircraft. I... wish I could explain what just happened, but... There was some sort of magnetic interference, as far as I could tell, and that’s all I know. It’s gone now. Seeing how the closest place where we can land at this point happens to be our destination, I suggest we go ahead and stay on course. Mr. President?

The president nods, trembling wife and crying daughter tight in his arms. His eyes then go to STANLEY, who is wiping the sweat off his forehead with his white handkerchief.

THEODOREAnd it’s Theodore, Jack. Please – no more ‘Mr. President.’

Jack bows obediently, then goes back into the cabin after Domingo. Theodore’s gaze remains locked on Stanley’s.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXT. GIANT ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOMEWHERE IN MEXICO - TWILIGHT

A giant cave resembles a gaping mouth in the brown rocky surface of the mountain. The airplane runway leads right into the opening; the president’s JET taxis into the mountain.

70.

CUT: INT. CAVE

The president and his family are being led out by a group of SECURITY MEN. Behind them, another group of BODYGUARDS accompanies Stanley and the rest of the airplane crew.

A man in a suit approaches a KEYPAD next to a giant metal gate and punches in a code. Everyone watches the gate slide open, revealing a large hallway. Theodore and his family get escorted inside first. The president watches the gates slide close behind him, until the last ray of sunshine is sliced off and gone.

FADE TO:

INT. PRESIDENTIAL BUNKER - DINING ROOM - LATER THIS EVENING

The president and his family are having dinner in a seemingly normal, if a bit old-fashioned, dining-room. They are quiet. In the corner, a small flat-screen TV is on, with an AMERICAN JOURNALIST in Seoul reporting excitedly as chaos unravels behind him.

JOURNALISTAs you can see behind me, the majority of the city’s downtown population has been evacuated. Some of the remaining citizens can be seen in the windows, observing the sky...

The cameraman zooms in on a Korean family, huddled by the window in one of the buildings, glaring at the sky in fascination.

JOURNALIST (CONT’D)...others can be seen out on the streets - some looting, others fleeing hastily, while a selected few...

A group of HALF-NAKED PEOPLE across the street from him laugh joyfully, their exposed upper bodies splattered with different colors of paint.

JOURNALIST (CONT’D)...seem to have embraced the cataclysm, and even welcomed it. While their impromptu ritual may normally seem absurd, under the current circumstances, in contrast to all the panic, it has a strangely tranquilizing effect.

71.

(MORE)

To me, at least, it’s refreshing to see a little optimism in the midst of a hopelessly decaying world. Arnold Whiteman, reporting live from Seoul. Back to you, Shaina...

Theodore turns the television off. Silverware clanks, as the Wolfe family eats. Margarita looks up at her father, dips her spoon into a bowl of tomato soup. He smiles at her, and she grins back at him tooth-lessly.

THEODOREYou like your dinner?

She nods coyly, spoon in hand, then looks around the room. Theodore smiles, watching his daughter’s curious expression.

THEODORE (CONT’D)How about your new place? You like it?

She nods again, continuing to slurp her soup. Theodore glances over at his wife, seeking approval, but she is not even looking at him. He sighs, then keeps eating.

MARGARITAHow long are we staying here?

THEODOREAs long as we have to, honey. Don’t you like your room? And the pool?

MARGARITAYeah... But we can’t go outside...

THEODORENo we can’t, Rita.

She thinks about it for a moment.

MARGARITAWhat about the rest of the world? What about Aunt Robin or Jellybean or Mr. Santiago? Are they also in cool caves like this?

THEODORESome of them are, I’m sure.

MARGARITAWill I see them soon? Why couldn’t you save more people? Aren’t you the president?

72.

JOURNALIST (CONT’D)

She drops her spoon and makes a grumpy face.

MARGARITA (CONT’D)I don’t wanna be here for that long!

Theodore puts his utensils down.

THEODOREMargarita, sweetheart, what I’m about to tell you will be hard to hear. But I think you are old enough to understand what is happening. As you and mommy and I sit here, eating our tomato cream basil soup, the world is steadily coming to an end. Because your daddy is the president, he was one of the first people to know that for sure. So he made the decision to use his available resources to get you and mommy to safety as soon as possible. Not everyone has resources like daddy, unfortunately. In fact, the majority of the Earth’s population – I’m talking 99.9% - is highly likely to be annihilated within the next 48 hours...

MELISSATheo!

She looks over at Margarita’s increasingly worried expression.

THEODORE...so daddy abandoned the people he swore to lead, daddy lied to them and left them to be burned to a crisp...

MELISSATheo, that’s enough!

THEODORE...so that you and mommy, and everyone else that could fit on that goddamn plane, could have a measly little chance of survival in this insulated hellhole. So I don’t want to hear any more complaining, do you understand?

73.

Tears run down his daughter’s face. She nods. Melissa rushes over and hugs her tightly, scowling at Theodore.

MELISSAAre you happy? Because that harsh slice of reality is exactly what our child needed, expressed so eloquently.

She hurries out of the room with Margarita, leaving him there by himself.

CUT: INT. PRESIDENTIAL BUNKER - BEDROOM - LATER THIS NIGHT

Theodore lies with his eyes open, then leans over and makes sure Melissa is asleep. He then gets up and quickly dresses, scribbles a NOTE. He leaves the note on his pillow, then leans over and kisses his wife, waking her up.

MELISSA(Groggily) Theo...? Where are you going?

He curses under his breath.

THEODOREGo back to sleep, Melissa.

MELISSAGo back to - what? You’re fully dressed... Are you leaving?

THEODOREI... I left you a note.

She glances over at the folded sheet of paper on the pillow next to her, then back at him.

MELISSAA note? Are you out of your mind?

She gets up, walks up to him.

MELISSA (CONT’D)You tear us away from our friends and relatives last-minute, and now you’re leaving us? You’re leaving Margarita? Just like that?

THEODOREThis is the safest place for you to be. I had to make sure you’re safe.

74.

(MORE)

I thought I could stay here with you – but I can’t. I made a promise. My whole life, its very essence and meaning, is based on that promise. That sort of betrayal is a burden I refuse to carry.

MELISSAWhat about us, the promise you made to us? What do you call this, sneaking away in the middle of the night, abandoning family – is that not betrayal?

THEODOREI’m sorry. I love you.

He walks towards the exit, but his wife runs ahead and blocks his path. She pounds his chest and cries.

MELISSANo! No, you son of a bitch, you can’t do this, you coward, you -

He grabs hold of her shoulders and throws her on the bed. There is a knock on the door; the bodyguard can be heard:

BODYGUARDEverything all right, sir?

THEODOREYes Matthew, everything is...

Melissa jumps back up from the bed and runs to the door.

MELISSADon’t let him leave! Matthew, please – don’t let my husband leave, I beg you!

CUT: INT. PRESIDENTIAL BUNKER - HALLWAY

Theodore walks past Matthew, who looks concerned.

THEODORE(Quietly.) Don’t let her follow me.

Matthew hesitates, then give a slight nod and stretches out his muscular arm, blocking Melissa’s exit. She claws and bites and punches his arm.

75.

THEODORE (CONT'D)

MELISSANo! Let me go! Theo, please, don’t leave us! Come back! Damn it, Matthew, let me go!

Fighting back tears, the president proceeds down the hallway, two other bodyguards close by, his wife’s screaming fading behind him.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE - NIGHT

Theodore, Stanley, Jack and Domingo stand by the plane. The wind howls and shrieks; the sky seems about to rupture into pieces.

They look up at the HALO descending over the mountain, illuminating it in a steel-blue glow.

Domingo turns to face the president, arms crossed tightly on his chest.

DOMINGOYou sure you want to do this, Theodore?

The president nods.

DOMINGO (CONT’D)Okay then. (Grins at Jack.) You don’t have to come, you know that, Jack. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

JACKNo, I’m coming. I pledged to provide air transportation to my president, and I will remain loyal to my pledge.

THEODOREThat’s funny. A remarkably intact sense of humor. Get in the plane.

He gives Stanley a look, and follows the rest of the crew into the jet.

CUT: EXT. HIGH UP IN A THUNDEROUS SKY - LATER

It is, like Domingo predicted, a bumpy ride.

76.

CUT: INT. PILOT’S CABIN

Domingo and Jack are struggling to guide the airplane through A SERIES OF VORTEXES in a chaotic, stormy sky.


As the plane gets tossed around like a dust speck, we ZOOM IN on the president, hanging on to dear life.

CUT TO:

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT

Outside the WHITE HOUSE, thunder roars, and the sky begins to fluctuate and light up in different colors.

TITLE CARD: The Day of The End

CUT: INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM

The President gets ready to make it public that he is alive, and that the end of the world is coming. He exchanges a few words with a STAFF MEMBER -

STAFF MEMBERDon’t be nervous, Mr. President, your nation will understand – we’re all human, after all...

- then gets placed on the chair in front of the camera, about to address the nation. STANLEY walks up to him and gives him a reassuring little nudge.

STANLEY HUDSONWelcome back, Mr. President. The speech is brilliant. You are doing the right thing.

Theodore nods at him uncertainly, then focuses on the camera. Stanley gives him a thumbs-up as he walks away. CUE SYMPHONY.

CAMERA OPERATORAnd, Mr. President, you are on in five... four...

ZOOM IN on Theodore’s face, spaced out, blank.

CAMERA OPERATOR (CONT’D)...three...two...one...

77.

The camera starts rolling - but Theodore is at a complete loss of words. ZOOM IN on his speechless, helpless face.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHICAGO PARK - 1963

DUMBO’S LIMP BODY, a personification of UTTER FUTILITY, floats in the pool of water, next to the exposed wire.

FADE OUT

Against the QUIET PITCH-BLACKNESS, TITLE CARD appears: CHAPTER FOUR: THE CHEF

FADE IN TO A SERIES OF CUTS:

CUT: LONG, WIDE SHOT: PARIS, FRANCE at night, devastated by REVOLTS AND PROTESTS.

CUT: A PROTEST outside the EIFFEL TOWER - people are demanding that the government tells them the truth.

CUT: CHAMPS ELYSEES is completely shut down due to protests.

CUT: similar, WIDE CITY SHOTS, of devastated MONACO, NIECE, LYON, STRASBOURG...

CUT TO:

EXT. APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER - FRANCE - EARLY MORNING

The sun shines brightly down on the picturesque village.


Villagers bike through the Parc Floral in pairs, enjoying the beautiful gardens. Children are playing outside the golden remains of the Chateau d'Apremont.

CUT: INT. LECONTE BISTRO

It’s early morning as the restaurant opens and the usual customers pour in. ETIENNE, a middle-aged farmer in overalls, MRS. SAUVIGNON, 63, plump, in thick glasses, and PATRICE, 37, the co-manager, are hanging out with the CHEF AND OWNER OF THE BISTRO, FRANCOIS LECONTE, 51.

The radio blasts news of Paris falling apart from all the riots; Francois switches it off. (All characters speak in French.)

78.

ETIENNEI tell you, Francois, she works for a newspaper or something. I know the type. Mark my words.

MRS. SAUVIGNONI personally think someone close to her just died. She seems sad, the poor thing.

FRANCOISAnd you’re basing this assumption on... what exactly, Mrs. Sauvignon?

MRS. SAUVIGNONMultiple factors. Her posture, her expressions, the way she scribbles in her notebook – a memoir is what it is, or a diary! Trust me, I am clairvoyant and telepathic.

ETIENNEWhat’s that have to do with anything? I’m telling you, Francois, she’s a journalist.

PATRICEA writer, perhaps – but not a journalist. Her features are too soft.

ETIENNEOh shit - here she comes!

The bistro’s doors open and a SONJA, 49, walks in, wearing all gray in contrast to the bright colors of the inhabitants. The place grows quiet for a second. She hesitates, then proceeds to her spot in the corner. Etienne leans over and whispers excitedly.

ETIENNE (CONT’D)Francois, I bet you fifty Euroes I’m right.

FRANCOISFifty? You’re that confident?

Etienne pulls out his wallet, gets a few bills out and lays them on the table.

Francois approaches the young woman awkwardly, glancing back at his friends, who give him thumbs-ups, encouraging him to proceed. He startles her from her writing.

79.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Did you smell it?

SONJAPardon?

FRANCOISOn the way here, did you smell it?

He gestures toward the window.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Outside? That pungent, mouth-watering aroma? Is that what brought you here?

She doesn’t understand.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Let me guess. You’re from Paris.

SONJAUm... Yes, actually, I am...

FRANCOISThat explains it. People from Paris have an atrophied sense of smell. It’s due to the abundance of bakeries, cafes, fast food junk and whatnot. All those smells, mixing together – your nose gets used to them. They numb it.

He extends his hand.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Francois Leconte, at your service this beautiful morning.

She forces a smile, shakes his hand.

SONJAPleased, I’m sure.

FRANCOISI’ve noticed you here, at this table, the past couple of days. If you don’t mind me asking...

He shoots a look at his friends.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)What brings you here, to our quaint little village?

80.

She lets out an exasperated sigh and closes her pocket book.

SONJAI’m a reporter for Paris Daily. I stumbled upon your quaint little village. Took the train from Paris, with no particular destination in mind.

Francois gives Etienne the finger behind his back. We see Etienne laugh gleefully and sock Patrice in the shoulder. The reporter notices it too.

FRANCOISI’m not surprised. Apremont is a slice of paradise, let me tell you. Many folks come here to escape, or just to take a breather. Are you... writing a story?

SONJANo.

FRANCOISAre you here to... interview someone?

SONJAWho would I interview here?

FRANCOISOur town is actually known as one of France’s top secret celebrity hide-outs. I saw Johnny Depp here once, with Vanessa Paradis. Must’ve been, what, not four years ago!

SONJA(Pause.) Well all right then. I will have the fresh fruit salad. And coffee. Black.

Francois gives her a disappointed look. He shakes his head.

FRANCOISI’m afraid I can’t let you do that, miss. Not again.

SONJAIt’s Mrs... And why not?

FRANCOISBecause you see -

81.

He leans over, as if revealing to her a great secret.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)I am the chef at this restaurant. I basically run this place. I know it may not seem like much, especially to a hotshot reporter like you, but the least I can do is offer you my signature breakfast dish...

He pauses, letting the suspense build up.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)...the chocolate truffle crepes!

She hesitates.

SONJAI really rather prefer savory dishes. But thank you.

FRANCOISIn that case, may I offer you the cilantro chicken filet crepes? It comes with a side-dish of savory spinach.

SONJA(Smirks.) So I take it you specialize in crepes.

SERIES OF CUTS of HAPPY FOLKS in the BISTRO, digging into their CREPES.

SONJA (CONT’D)Everyone in this place seems to have some variety of crepes.

FRANCOISAre you kidding me - I am the crepes connoisseur ! Consider this: banana pudding crepes, maracuja pulp crepes, goat cheese and sardines crepes, customized crepes... That smell I was talking about? When I cook my crepes, it does miracles to people. I swear, I could lead them all... (waves at the visitors) ...off a cliff, just by holding a giant plate of steaming crepes in front of them. Intoxicated by the smell, they’d be swallowed by the sea, one by one. Trick is...

82.

(MORE)

(he grins slyly) ...well, I can’t reveal it to you, I’m afraid. It’s a recipe that’s been passed along in my family across generations. How silly would it be of me, to reveal it to a reporter from Paris?

SONJAI wouldn’t -

FRANCOISThe best chefs from Paris would kill to make a crepes that’s half as good as any of Leconte’s crepes!

SONJA(Sighs.) There’s no way you’re going to let me have my fruit salad, is there...

FRANCOISRhetorical question?

SONJAFine.

She skims through the menu.

SONJA (CONT’D)I’ll have the salmon crepes.

He bows.

FRANCOISGood choice, Mrs...

SONJABonnaire. Sonja Bonnaire.

She grabs his arm before he can leave.

SONJA (CONT’D)Let me make something clear, Chef Leconte: I am not here to report anything, or investigate anything, or interview anyone, or anything of that sort. I am simply taking a break from all this madness out there. I am not here on business, but even if I were, your family’s crepes recipe would honestly be the last thing on my mind.

83.

FRANCOIS (CONT'D)

She smiles, an uncanny contrast to her harsh monologue. After a moment, a goofy grin spreads across Francois’ plump face.

FRANCOISWait till you try it!

CUT: INT. BISTRO - MOMENTS LATER

While Francois makes the pancakes, Sonja observes the visitors, an expression of disbelief on her face.

CUT: BISTRO - MOMENTS LATER

Francois returns and places the crepes in front of her.

FRANCOISFrash as can be! Slaughtered the chicken myself about ten minutes ago... Kiddin’! We’re not that provincial. Also...

He hands her a GIANT BLOOD-RED TOMATO.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)...you have to try this later. Homegrown in our own little garden. It’s the sweetest, juiciest tomato in the whole of France, I guarantee it. Eat it like an apple – just bite into it.

As Sonja speaks, she absentmindedly puts the tomato in her purse.

SONJATell me, Francois - how come everyone is so damn happy here? Don’t you people realize what’s going on? Or are you just so – I don’t want to say sheltered – but maybe ignorant, or quirky, that you’re unaware of the little news circulating about the end of the fucking world?

His eyebrows furrow; he thinks for a moment.

FRANCOISWe realize... It’s just that - well, Mr. Barnier over there, he normally reads the paper every morning.

84.

(MORE)

This morning, he’d rather just look out the window and enjoy his cup of coffee, you know, savor its bitter taste. Madame Richard, by the window, always fusses about taxes and cleanliness, etcetera, yet today she is quite and contemplative. I don’t think that we’re sheltered, or ignorant, Mrs. Bonnaire. At peace. Tranquil.

SONJAGiven up.

FRANCOIS(Grins.) Come to the bar tonight.

CUT TO:

INT. SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - LATER THIS MORNING

She closes the door behind her as she comes in, and checks the messages on her phone: 34 missed phone calls, 18 new messages. She lets out an exasperated moan, throws the phone down on the bed and runs a bath.

CUT: SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Sonja is in the tub, remembering Francois’s chubby jolly face.

CUT TO:

INT. BISTRO - FLASHBACK

FRANCOISCome to the bar tonight.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. BATHROOM

She smiles, then gets out of the bath, picks up her voice-recorder, falters momentarily, spotting the tomato in her open bag...

CLOSE UP: she clicks “Record”.

CUT TO:

85.

FRANCOIS (CONT'D)

INT. BAR - APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER - LATER THIS EVENING

Seems like half the village is there; most folks are either tipsy or drunk. Francois gets up on the bar and clinks some forks against a beer glass.

FRANCOISAttention please! I would like to say something, if you don’t mind.

PERSON IN THE CROWDUnless you’re revealing one of your secret recipes, we don’t want to hear it!

FRANCOISThe world will end before that happens! But seriously, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you kind folks for voting for me in last week’s Chef De’Jour contest. I feel very proud of my trophy. It’s right up there on my shelf, next to the Oscar. (Giggles in the crowd.) Your spirit is ceaseless, and your friendship means a lot to me. If I were to relive my life, I would not change a thing about it, and that’s mostly due to you, my friends, my family. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at Leconte Bistro...

He sees SONJA enter the bar; she spots him, the center of attention, looks startled, then amused. He smiles.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)So I proclaim: screw the end of the world! We’re going to live out the rest of our days like kings! We’re going to eat the most scrumptious food, and we’re going to truly taste the variety of flavors. We are going to drink the most aromatic wine, stored in Apremont’s basements for years. We are going to make amazing love – and no, Jean-Pierre, I’m not talking about an orgy (laughter) - and, oh hell, we’re going to party like it’s 1999!

Everyone cheers. Francois hops off the bar and joins Sonja.

86.

SONJAThat was quite a speech.

FRANCOIS(Waves.) Hardly. (Points to table.) You hungry?

CUT: INT. BAR - LATER

They get their drinks.

SONJASo if you’re a chef, do you have a su-chef, chopping up artichoke hearts, or whatever it is you do?

FRANCOIS(Laughs.) I have three of my close friends running the kitchen. As you could probably tell, Leconte Bistro is not exactly a high-end restaurant. For now, that’s the closest I can get to my dream. Put it this way...

As he speaks, ZOOM IN on her face, both bitter and fascinated.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)...I live in a beautiful village. I bask in its splendor every day...

CUT TO:

INT. SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - LATER THIS NIGHT

She speaks into her voice recorder, pacing in her night gown.

SONJAHe lives in a dream world, spewing out pretentious sentimental bullshit...

CUT BACK TO:

INT. BAR - PRESENT

FRANCOISI am surrounded by my close friends, whom I consider my family...

87.

CUT: SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - LATER

She grabs a toothbrush, squeezes paste on it.

SONJA...illusions of grandeur and a complete lack of awareness...

CUT: BAR - PRESENT

FRANCOISI do what I love, and I do it well. I really have nothing to complain about.

CUT: HOTEL ROOM - BATHROOM - LATER

Sonja stops brushing, stares in the mirror, then sits down on the closed toilet lid, recorder in hand.

SONJAWhat gets me the most is how naïve he must be, so distanced from reality and content in that little bubble he’s created for himself. This place is eerily reminiscent of the stories my grandmother used to tell me about communism, the robot-like behavior of society, the uncannily blissful unawareness... This place, this village, is the apex of forced complacency, of fake beauty, the nuclear family... I have to get out of here.

CUT: BAR - PRESENT

Francois and Sonja get their meals. She studies him.

SONJAYou mentioned a dream?

Francois wipes chicken grease off his chin.

FRANCOISPardon?

SONJAEarlier. You said this bistro is the closest you’ve come to achieving your dream.

88.

He thinks for a moment, then grins at her, wags his finger.

FRANCOISThere’s the reporter in you! Never missing the details. What’s it called, erm, photographic memory?

When she sighs in exasperation, he gets serious.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Ultimately, I’d love to have a restaurant. You know, a proper one.

He sits back in his chair, winks at someone behind Sonja.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Imagine a giant bag full of kittens that some asshole just threw into the lake. As the bag begins to sink, the kittens are all struggling to claw their way out. Sometimes I feel as if my head were that sinking bag, filled with ideas – unique recipes that would put to shame Lyon’s most elite chefs. They’re all just struggling to get out. I have faith in the strength of my kittens though, you know.

SONJAThat is by far the single most bizarre analogy I have ever heard!

He shrugs, smiles at her. She smiles back.

SONJA (CONT’D)Must be one huge bag, to fill all those kittens.

FRANCOISHundreds, if not thousands.

She regards him with fascination, then shakes her head in disbelief.

SONJAWell, my friend, you have about two days left. Better get those kittens clawing!

FRANCOISAha, is that sarcasm?

89.

SONJANo. Just logic.

Her lips tighten, and she folds her napkin as she speaks.

SONJA (CONT’D)I prefer to be realistic. Grounded in reality. Lately -

FEMALE VOICEHey, Francois, nice speech earlier!

A young couple, LUCIEN, 33, AND MARIE, 28, approaches the table, arms wrapped around each other. They both hold glasses of wine. Francois gets up, shakes Lucien’s hand.

FRANCOISThank you, Marie. (In a bad Humphrey Bogart voice.) I was just improvising.

MARIEA chef, a writer, an actor... What other secrets do you have stashed away there, eh?

LUCIENWe’re still on for tomorrow, Chef Leconte? Everyone is really looking forward to it. Is your... friend going to come?

FRANCOISI’m so sorry, I didn’t even introduce you. Lucien, Sonja. Sonja, Lucien – and Marie.

SONJAPleasure. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it though.

Everyone groans; Sonja nods sadly.

SONJA (CONT’D)Unfortunately, yes, I have to leave tomorrow night. I have things waiting for me at home in Paris.

Marie puts her hand on Sonja’s shoulder understandingly.

MARIEClose friends, relatives, sure...

Sonja tenses up a little.

90.

FRANCOISAw, I’m sure you can at least drop by and have a drink before you leave? Or is duty calling, Mrs. Pragmatic Reporter?

SONJA(Hesitates.) Well, okay then, I will try.

MARIEHooray! Brilliant. We will see you both tomorrow then.

Marie gives Francois an obvious wink as they stroll away. Francois blushes and looks down. At first, a hint of a frown traces Sonja’s expression, but then she relaxes and smiles. Francois also relaxes and keeps eating, though the redness still accentuates his cheeks.

SONJAI am not as pragmatic as I may seem, by the way.

FRANCOISSure not. Sorry, I forgot: grounded in reality and realistic, was that it?

SONJAI’m not saying you don’t have potential to be a great cook. I don’t know you enough to make that judgment. I always wanted to go paragliding, for example. Granted, it’s not as far-fetched a dream as yours, no offense, dear chef -

FRANCOISNone taken. You have tried my crepes, right -

SONJA-but I never had the chance. I gave up on that dream. And that’s okay. Francois, shit is hitting the fan, and it’s not some threat of war, or a nuclear attack, or an assertion made by a group of scientists... It’s the end of the world as we know it. We cannot hide from it. It’s inevitable.

91.

(MORE)

I’m not going paragliding, and you’re not going to compete with Lyon’s elite chefs. Not in this lifetime.

FRANCOISNever say never.

SONJAOkay.

They eat quietly for a moment.

SONJA (CONT’D)Marie mentioned something about you being a writer?

FRANCOISJust another passion of mine... You see -

He finishes his meal and sits back.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)- to address the statement you made this morning about us being ignorant or something... The way I see it... What I love about writing was how empowered it makes me feel; it fills me with this God-like sensation: I’m creating whole worlds, with living, breathing people, and large cities, and cars and airplanes, and monsters in the closet... I can do anything I want – the possibilities are limitless, because the human imagination is limitless, like space. Good stories live on forever, you see. Human beings come and go, but our Tale remains.

He pauses, sparks a cigarette and looks up at her.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Who’s to say we’re not just a cautionary fable told by a parent to their child at bedtime? Like every story, like every dream, it has its end. But it’s a pretty damn good one, don’t you think?

He grins and toasts her with his beer glass.

92.

SONJA (CONT'D)

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)So tell me, what’s the point of panicking, of being afraid? I have embraced the truth. Everyone here has. In fact, I feel privileged to be part of...

He raises his arms eccentrically; in an opera tenor voice:

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)...the Grande Finale!

She regards him with a mixture of awe and disdain. He frowns.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Do you think that’s silly?

SONJASomewhat naïve and childish - yes. But also quite lyrical, especially for a wannabe writer-slash-chef.

He grins, cheeks flushing. As he continues to speak, his voice is tuned out, replaced by Sonja’s narration:

SONJA (V.O.) (CONT’D)And yet, despite his child-like naivety, despite the blatant ignorance and the twisted perspective on life, despite...

FADE TO:

INT. SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - BEDROOM - LATER THIS NIGHT

She lies on her stomach, speaking into the voice recorder.

SONJA...despite the fact that his head is far up in the clouds, there’s something... real about him. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I want to hate him and his sentimental soliloquy, but I can’t help but... envy him.

With that, she clicks “Stop” and lowers her arm, letting the voice recorder drop to the floor. For a while, she just lies there, staring into nowhere.

FADE TO:

93.

INT. SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - NEXT MORNING

A loud knock on the door wakes Sonja up.

SUBTITLE CARD: 1 Day Until The End

She walks over groggily, opens it, to see Francois in the hallway, MAP in hands. He grins and holds it up.

FRANCOISI’m not going to lie. It wasn’t easy to arrange. We are going paragliding in two hours.

He walks through the door into her hotel room and looks around, hands in pockets.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Seeing how the drive is going to take at least an hour and a half, we need to get moving.

He turns to look at her. She’s utterly stunned.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)What are you doing still standing there? Dress up and let’s go!

CUT TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS - FRANCE - A BIT LATER

CUE SYMPHONY.

They are driving in his car; he looks blissful, while she seems frazzled, nervous, frustrated.

CUT: EXT. HIGH UP ON A CLIFF - LATER THIS AFTERNOON

They meet with the instructors, Francois shaking hands with them excitedly. They put on all the EQUIPMENT -

- and take off the edge of the cliff, and she screams, and he laughs, as they soar under the eerily lilac sky, a perfect obourobos circle – the HALO – gradually forming over their two bird-like figures.

FADE TO:

94.

EXT. ABANDONED FRENCH GAS STATION - LATER THIS AFTERNOON

They stop for gas on the way back, chattering and laughing.

SONJAI’m still curious how the hell you managed to arrange it all so quickly...

FRANCOIS(Grins slyly.) Sky’s the limit, Mrs. Bonnaire. You can only -

There is a rumble overhead, cutting him off, and then the ground shakes, making them gasp. The sky begins to turn a fluorescent green.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)I’ll be right back.

He leaves Sonja in the car. She stares up at the breathing sky. When he returns, he hands her a Red Bull.

FRANCOIS (CONT’D)Here. It’s not technically stealing, right?

SONJAI bet the owner’s at home, with his family.

Francois doesn’t reply, giving Sonja a quick glance. She seems zoned out. They drive off.

CUT TO:

INT. SONJA’S HOTEL ROOM - A BIT LATER

She walks in, he is in the doorway.

SONJAWell, I hate to admit it, but that was fun. Do you... want to come inside for a drink?

FRANCOISI assume that’s a rhetorical question? For there is nothing more in the world I want right now, melady.

SONJAUh, yeah...

95.

She widens her eyes at his lame remark and lets him in.

SONJA (CONT’D)...all right then.

She pours him a drink, then herself one, as he sits on the couch behind her. She sits next to him. He moves in for a KISS, but she promptly moves away from him.

SONJA (CONT’D)Francois - no.

FRANCOIS(Blushes.) I’m- I’m sorry, I just thought we... I’m sorry.

She pats his back.

SONJAIt’s okay. It really is. Excuse me.

She gets up and walks into the BATHROOM, where she washes her face, stares at her reflection. Then her eyes widen, as she hears her VOICE-RECORDER playback in the living-room:

SONJA (O.S.) (CONT’D)What gets me the most is how naïve he must be, so distanced from reality and content in that little bubble he’s created for himself...

Sonja rushes out of the bathroom, but Francois is on his way out.

SONJA (CONT’D)Francois - wait!

He stops in the doorway without turning.

SONJA (CONT’D)Dammit! You had no right to listen to this. Do you people share everything in this Looney Tunes village? Do you even know the meaning of privacy?

FRANCOIS(Quietly.) I was just curious to see what kind of work you did. I didn’t expect to hear a thorough psycho-analysis of my insecurities.

96.

SONJAWell, tough! Because I don’t buy into this whole glorified, nuclear-family shithole!

FRANCOISThen why are you still here?

And then he leaves.

Sonja stands there for a moment, then angrily stomps her foot, begins to pack her suitcase, as her phone beeps and beeps on the bed. She spots the TOMATO, still in her open purse from the previous morning. She approaches it, takes a big bite of it, tears running down her face.

SONJAThat’s a - sob - fuckin’ good tomato!

Notting Hill is on television, Julia Roberts proclaiming her love to Hugh Grant at the bookstore, as the music swells. Sonja angrily throws the tomato against the screen – SPLAT!

CUT TO:

INT. LECONTE BISTRO - LATE EVENING

SURPRISE!

The whole village greets Francois in his own bistro. People clap, and welcome him, and chant:

VILLAGE FOLKSWe’re hungry! We’re hungry!

Francois smiles and thanks people distractedly, all distant and blank. Finally he has no choice but to bow and abscond to the kitchen, where he begins to prepare his ultimate meal.

He is living out his dream, and yet he does not seem happy. As he rolls out the dough, his loyal friends cooking up a storm around him, ZOOM IN on Francois’s face, staring into the distance, deep in thought.

The clock strikes MIDNIGHT.


CUT TO:

97.

EXT. OUTSIDE LECONTE BISTRO

A FIERY DOT appears in the sky above the restaurant. It grows bigger as it rapidly comes closer.

Next to the restaurant is a pool. In the pool’s reflection, the METEOR can be seen, fast-approaching -

QUICK FADE OUT TO A RUMBLING BLACKNESS. RUMBLE FADES, REPLACED BY RESTAURANT NOISES.

FADE IN TO:

INT. NEW YORK RESTAURANT - EVENING

JACOB, 34, his wife ELIZABETH, 32, and son RICHIE, 8, are all dressed up, sitting at a large table with their friends/associates GERRY, 35, MELANIE, 27, and BASIL, 30.


Jacob places the order, then grins at Melanie. He raises a glass of wine and winks at his son.

JACOBI would like to propose a toast. Melanie, your ability to keep going for a straight week without so much as an hour of sleep would put the most advanced Energizer Bunny to shame.

Melanie waves it off, oh stop!

JACOB (CONT’D)Add to that her adorable shyness and soft whisper of a voice, and you’ve got this delicate balancing act of a woman, who, akin to a butterfly’s wing, is both fragile and tough as hell, able to cause storms with a mere flutter.

GERRY(Nudges him.) Watch out now, Jacob. You’re going to make your wife jealous.

ELIZABETH(Pouts.) Yeah, you never speak like that about me.

98.

JACOBOnly because mere words cannot express how I feel about you, Elizabeth.

She rolls her eyes; everyone giggles.

BASILSmart move, Jake.

JACOBAnyway, I attribute the success of this case to Melanie Theroux – she is the driving force behind this team.

With that, Jacob makes a toasting gesture with his glass. Melanie mouths him a thank you, and everyone drinks.

JACOB (CONT’D)May oil be spilt into oceans for decades to come!

BASILAmen. That way we can keep suing those bastards forever.

GERRYSpeaking of which... (clears his throat) ...I, um, have some news to reveal.

BASILYou’re coming out of the closet?

JACOBFinally!

GERRYJacob, you and I have been partners for, what, over ten years now? The courtroom is our second home. We’ve been through a lot together buddy, and I just want you to know, I will never forget all the good times, all the cases we’ve won -

JACOBWhoa, hold up. Are you terminally ill, Gerry?

GERRYUm, no, I’m not, actually -

99.

JACOBWhew! That would’ve put a damper on the evening!

GERRYI quit, Jacob.

Everyone quiets down and stares at him.

JACOBExcuse me?

GERRYYep. I am moving on, so to speak.

BASILHave you been offered a position?

Gerry doesn’t take his eyes off Jacob.

GERRYYeah, well, that’s the crazy part. I am now an attorney at William Sanders.

JACOBWilliam Sanders?! We just won a case against those guys! Now you want to work for them?

GERRYThey gave me an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. (Shrugs.) Apparently, they were impressed by my style -

JACOBBut... but they’re the “devils that destroy our world”! Your words, Gerry, not mine. You represent those assholes now?

His wife gently touches his shoulder, reminding him their child’s still there.

GERRYI knew you’d start with the guilt trip, man. At the end of the day, we humans are an arrogant, selfish species. We only get one life, and we’ll seize any opportunity we can get, even if that means putting our own values aside.

100.

(MORE)

All that rhetoric we spit about preserving the world, making it a better place – it’s all bullshit, Jacob - sorry, Liz. We’re lawyers man. We’re no better. Some of the sh- stuff we’ve done...

He finishes his drink.

GERRY (CONT’D)I got a call two hours ago. I start next week.

MELANIEWell, well, well! Our little boy is all grown up! It must not have been easy, but, long-term, I’m sure this will prove to be the right choice.

BASILYes, congrats, Gerry. This is huge.

Elizabeth nods, placing her hand over Gerry’s.

ELIZABETHI’m very happy for you, Gerry.

GERRYThank you, guys. And let me just say that it tears up my heart to think about leaving you. Obviously, drinks are on me tonight...

As he talks, ZOOM IN on Jacob, scowling, evidently pissed. When his wife looks at him questioningly, he pushes his chair back hastily, gets up and walks off. Gerry seems upset. Elizabeth smiles at him reassuringly.

ELIZABETHYou said it yourself, Gerry: ten years together, side by side. Give him some time. He’ll get over it.

Gerry nods.

MELANIESo! Details, please!

Gerry smiles and leans forward -

101.

GERRY (CONT'D)

CUT: INT. NEW YORK RESTAURANT - BATHROOM

Jacob stares at his own reflection, scowling away, then PUNCHES one of the bathroom stalls, frightening someone inside.

FADE OUT

TITLE CARD: CHAPTER FIVE: THE MADMAN

FADE IN

INT. ATTORNEY OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Jacob straightens his tie in front of a mirror in his office and looks at Melanie and Basil, both of them ready by the entrance to their large office.


Jacob takes a deep breath.

JACOBOkay, team, ready?

Melanie and Basil nod, and the three of them proceed out of the office.

CUT TO:

INT. COURTROOM - LATER THIS AFTERNOON

PAN over the courtroom, where Melanie and Basil sit, to the JUDGE, and then a SMALL OLD LADY in the witness seat.

JACOBI am obliged to base my conclusions on what I consider facts. We have a...(holds up photo) ...three-story brownstone building, with two businesses running. One of them, a local jewelry shop, has kindly accepted my client’s generous offer and vacated the premises. The second one, however, a small fortune-teller shop established by Ms. Tatjana Vodjakova three years ago, proved to be more... difficult to negotiate, which led to an investigation regarding the nature of her establishment.

102.

(MORE)

(Holds up documents.) These here are facts, proving the legitimacy, or lack of thereof, of the so-called “sessions” Ms. Vodjakova conducts with her clients. We went over those facts, your honor, and every single one of those sessions can be simply summarized as nothing more but a scam. Now, my clients here have a lucrative, efficient business running that would not only benefit the neighborhood community by providing jobs and implementing sustainable practices in the area, but also turn the building into an exemplary piece of architecture that would become a shining beacon of that community.

The old lady leans forward and snarls, in a broken Russian accent:

FORTUNE-TELLERShining beacon? Pfeh! Those corporate monsters want to destroy my home!

The judge slams down his gavel.

JUDGESilence in the courtroom!

Jacob turns to resume his seat, flashing a smile at Melanie.

JACOBI’m done anyway, your honor.

CUT: INT. COURTROOM - LATER THIS EVENING

JUDGEMs. Vodjakova, you have chosen not to have a lawyer represent you. Now is the time to make your statement.

The old lady gets up shakily. She looks at Jacob the entire time she speaks, making him uncomfortable.

FORTUNE-TELLERWhat I do... You cannot investigate it. Some things... cannot be explained. I help people. People say it’s gift, but I prefer the term “curse”.

103.

JACOB (CONT'D)

(MORE)

I see bit and pieces of future. And I tell you, future looks grim. Not just for me. For us all. Soon, the end will come. Soon, this will all be over. And you...

She points at Jacob with her crooked finger.

FORTUNE-TELLER (CONT’D)...you will fall gravely ill, the heavy burden of all the things you have done will, how you say it, pressure you, put you through meat-grinder of misery and pain, nightmarish visions of the past and prophetic traces of the future. But then – then you will redeem yourself. As for me... (she faces the judge.) ...the money they offer to me means nothing. Their “shining beacon” will mean nothing. I just pray, please, give me chance to spend last days on this planet in the security and comfort of my own home.

She sits down. A silence follows her speech, and then everyone starts talking. The old lady stares at Jacob gravely. He shakes away the heavy feeling and shoots the judge a “come on, she is certifiably nuts, let’s get this over with” look. The judge gives him a barely perceptible nod.

CLOSE-UP of Jacob’s face, momentarily victorious, but then he looks back at the old lady, and the disturbing tremors return, masking his face with worry.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - LATER THIS EVENING

Jacob is watching TV with Elizabeth and Richie. He seems preoccupied in his own thoughts. His wife notices.

ELIZABETHHoney, you okay?

JACOBHuh?

ELIZABETHYou’ve been distant all day.

104.

FORTUNE-TELLER (CONT'D)

Jacob leans forward and grabs Richie’s shoulders.

JACOBC’mon. It’s bedtime, little man. Go brush your teeth.

Elizabeth turns off the TV, looks at him expectantly. He sighs.

JACOB (CONT’D)I evicted an old lady today from that brownstone building in Queens, you know, the one I’ve been telling you about? Well, my client, a pharmaceutical company, pledged to enliven the neighborhood with opportunity. They are even going to hire a team to clean up all the surrounding waste. The old lady got a nice deal out of this. It’s just... I can’t help but feel uneasy about this...

ELIZABETHDo you feel guilty?

JACOBShe mentioned something about the end of the world, and how we’re all doomed anyway, and all she wanted was to spend the last days in the comfort of her home. And, you know, with all the things that’s been happening on television...

ELIZABETHHoney, I’m sure it will all blow over -

JACOB...but it’s not just that. She said that I was the one, or something like that. She said...

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. COURTROOM - EARLIER

The fortune-teller points her crooked finger at Jacob.

105.

FORTUNE-TELLER...you will fall gravely ill...

CUT BACK TO:

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - PRESENT

Jacob shakes his head.

JACOBDoesn’t matter. it’s been a long day. (Kisses her.) Let’s go to bed.

ELIZABETHYou’re a good man, Jacob. You really are.

He stares at her for a while.

JACOBThanks.

FADE TO:

EXT. SURREAL LAKE - JACOB’S DREAM

Jacob sits on a bench next to a CRYSTAL-CLEAR LAKE, the bright shining sun and cloudless sky reflecting in its surface. Beyond the lake, snowy peaks of a MOUNTAIN ALLEY grace the misty lilac horizon. People walk by the side of the lake: snuggling couples, children licking ice-creams, joggers and dog-walkers… The atmosphere is seemingly pleasant, but something’s not quite right about it, as if all this pleasantness were a façade, a snow-globe impersonation of reality.

A woman sits next to Jacob – it’s EVE, THE SURGEON. He looks over at her briefly – she doesn’t react, staring ahead blankly.

JACOBDo I know you?

Eve turns her head to face him, and smiles eerily. Her blank eyes penetrate right through his skull. Everything darkens. The crowds of people halt; everyone looks up at the sky. A thunderous shriek begins to rise. Jacob finally tears his gaze away from the woman, to see a giant COMET lurching down towards the lake, blocking the sun, leaving behind itself a fiery streak that spreads through the sky.

106.

The world begins to shake, and everyone panics – yet Eve is calm, her gaze still on Jacob. He looks back at her helplessly, as – BAM! – with a ravenous roar, the comet smacks into the lake.

CUT: INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Jacob leaps up in his bed at home, screaming, bathed in sweat, as his wife calms him in her arms.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREETS OF SOHO - NEW YORK - DAY

Jacob walks with Melanie through the streets of New York.


They stop at an intersection.

MELANIEAre you sure you’re all right, Jacob? You’ve been acting strange lately. Are you getting enough sleep? (She grins.) Am I too much for you?

JACOBMelanie, this is actually why I needed to talk to you. This... what we have... it can’t go on anymore. I have a family. I love them. I have responsibilities.

Melanie’s expression darkens; she looks away, scowling.

MELANIEI see.

Jacob reaches out to her, but she avoids his touch.

MELANIE (CONT’D)No, it’s fine. I knew this was temporary. You had your fun.

She then crosses the street. He watches her go, hands in pockets, then resumes his walk, deep in contemplation.

The street noises – the honking cars and chattering people – FADE TO MUTE. He looks up to see the world gone all of a sudden – everyone is missing, the street empty.

107.

Jacob is stunned; he stumbles back against a shop-window in shock, looking left and right for signs of life. Nothing. Just abandoned skyscrapers, changing streetlights, and bare, deserted New York streets.

High up on one of the buildings, Jacob spots a tall thin outline of a HUMAN BEING-LIKE CREATURE, standing on the building’s very edge, with what looks like LARGE BLACK WINGS gradually spreading behind it. Jacob shuts his eyes tight, whispering something incomprehensible under his breath, and when he opens them –

- the honking and the chattering and the blaring comes back, and the world resumes functioning, with Jacob leaning against the shop-window, breathing hard.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - NIGHT

Jacob wakes up from another NIGHTMARE. His wife makes a move to comfort him, but quickly falls back asleep.


Jacob gets up and goes to the KITCHEN, where he pours himself a glass of milk. Out of the corner of his eye he catches a reflection of the TALL, SKELETAL FORM WITH LARGE BLACK WINGS - standing next to him, by the kitchen counter! Jacob gasps and drops his glass, but when he twists around there’s no one there. The reflection is also gone.

Jacob cleans up the mess with shaky hands, glancing up at the window from time to time, just to make sure.

CUT TO:

INT. ATTORNEY OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Jacob is at his extremely messy desk, mumbling something under his breath, shuffling through papers. The radio plays a NEWS REPORT quietly about the worsening worldwide weather conditions.


Behind him, Melanie and Basil exchange nervous looks. Jacob wipes sweat off his forehead, unbuttons his wrinkled shirt.

JACOBI’m, um, gonna youtube Kroft, see if we can dig up some dirt on him.

108.

Basil chews on his pencil, shoots Melanie a look.

BASILOkay then, Jake.

A window comes up on Jacob’s screen – but instead of his research subject, SUCHIN pops up in the little frame. She bows to Jacob, and begins to perform some form of a Thai dance. Confused, Jacob retypes his search and clicks “enter”, but the same image of Suchin comes up, dancing on the screen. He casts a nervous look back at his team, who are hard at work, then stares back at the computer. As she dances, Suchin motions to him, as if calling him, or trying to hypnotize him.

Jacob jumps up from his seat - and Suchin’s image gets eaten away by STATIC. Basil and Melanie look up at him, startled. He shoots them a crazed look, then escapes from the office.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - KITCHEN - EVENING

Jacob and Elizabeth sit at the table, facing each other.


JACOBI’m telling you, Liz, it’s just like that fortune-teller said!

His wife shushes him, pointing - Richie is asleep upstairs.

JACOB (CONT’D)(In a heated whisper.) I tried to track her down...

ELIZABETHYou tried to what?

This time, he shushes her.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)Jacob, do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

JACOBSomething’s happening to me, Liz. I’m afraid to go to bed at night. I just lie there next to you until the morning. I watch the sun come up, but then the daytime haunts me...

109.

(MORE)

I don’t know if the fortune-teller caused this, or maybe she triggered something that was already there, or maybe this has absolutely nothing to do with the fucking fortune-teller – I don’t know. But Liz – it’s like I’m there, living through the apocalypse each time, and those people - I’m talking African, Asian, Australian – are reassured by my presence! I... I don’t know what to do.

She thinks for a moment.

ELIZABETHWe can always call Dr. Crow.

He stares back at her hesitantly.

CUT TO:

INT. DR. CROW’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Jacob lies in front of Dr. Crow, 58, in a stereotypical leathery-cushiony patient cot. Jacob’s hands are crossed over his chest, as if he were praying.

DR. CROWSo the reoccurring nightmares started soon after the prosecution?

JACOB(Nods.) Rationally, my mind tells me it’s impossible – her putting a curse on me, or some bullshit like that – but how can I deny the incredible timing? What is it, a coincidence?

DR. CROWLike you mentioned earlier, perhaps what the fortune-teller said, and the way she said it, affected you on a subconscious level, triggering a sequence of responses from your mind. (Scribbles in his notebook.) Have you tried melatonin? To sleep, I mean?

JACOBYeah - in addition to valium, clonazepam and diazepam.

110.

JACOB (CONT'D)

(MORE)

It’s not falling asleep I have trouble with – it’s the actual sleeping I can’t handle.

DR. CROWYou mentioned that people seem comfortable in your nightmares, despite the ongoing apocalypse. They seem to think you will protect them. Do you have feelings of guilt that could cause you to seek redemption?

JACOB (Sneers.) Are we going to examine my past to find deep-rooted psychological traumas, doctor? Because there are plenty. Let’s see: All I ever wanted to be was my father, so I spent the past eleven years defending scum. Knowingly so, too. I’ve set murderers free. Child molesters. Rapists. Even worse, I defended companies, evil conglomerates, fucking corporate robots, manufactured to profit on destruction. From time to time I’d take a case to sue one of those companies, to make myself feel better about what I do. (Sighs.) A man that used to be my best friend works for one of those companies now. We don’t speak anymore, because I deemed him hypocritical, but you know what? I think he was right. I am the hypocritical one. So, to address your question, Doctor, yes, I do have guilty feelings, but I would have to be out of my mind to think that I could ever atone for them.

DR. CROWWhat you just said – being out of your mind - pretty much describes what may be happening to you. Not so blatantly, of course – but your mind has a mind of its own, so to speak. It could seek atonement despite your lack of awareness of its vigorous attempts.

Jacob looks up at the ceiling dreamily.

111.

JACOB (CONT'D)

JACOBMy mind has a mind of its own... Huh. What a concept. Tell me this, Doctor: how much do we really understand the human mind? If it has the capacity to, as you so eloquently phrased it, “have a mind of its own”, then how are we supposed to control it, or know the extent of its true capabilities? All those displays of inter-connectedness between us – and by “us” I mean humans, humanity, people – the feelings of, say, premonition, or déjà vu, or what we call the “sixth sense” – what if those incidents are really our minds just gracing the outer surface of their vast worlds? Doctor, what if that outer shell has melted – in my own mind, I mean? What if I am experiencing a case of what you would call telepathy, a sort of calling, my mind connecting with all those people... (Sits up excitedly.) Doctor, what if my ultimate redemption involves living through ultimate hell – the apocalypse itself? What if the burden of leading those people lies upon me? Tell me, Doctor, what then?

Dr. Crow puts his notebook aside, takes off his glasses and squints at Jacob.

DR. CROWWell, in that case, accept the task. Seems like you have no other choice.

JACOBI’m going mad, aren’t I? All the symptoms are there.

The doctor leans forward and grins, placing his hand on Jacob’s shoulder.

DR. CROWCrazy people don’t know they’re crazy, remember?

CUT TO:

112.

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - DINING ROOM

The family’s having dinner.


JACOBI quit my job today.

Elizabeth drops her fork.

ELIZABETHWhat?

JACOBYep. Done! Over with. This was an evil profession, and now is time for us to start over.

ELIZABETHAnd you drop this bomb on us, just like that (snaps her fingers), without even consulting me.

JACOBConsulting you? What are you, my lawyer?

ELIZABETH(Through gritted teeth.) Discussing it with me. Please tell me you have a plan.

JACOBYou betcha. Those nightmares I’ve been having? I am beginning to make sense of them all. You’ll see. It’s a big surprise.

ELIZABETHI think this “surprise” will do for a while.

She gets up and leaves. Jacob doesn’t seem to mind, adding more salt to his dinner. Richie, stares at him.

JACOBDon’t worry, Richie. I’ll take care of everything. Do you trust me?

The boy nods uncertainly.

113.

JACOB (CONT’D)Well, there you go. Now finish your mashed potatoes.

CUT TO:

EXT. PIER - JACOB’S DREAM

Jacob stands on a pier; underneath him the OCEAN violently splashes, dangerously close to his feet. He observes a NAMELESS CITY being steadily devoured by three GARGANTUAN VORTEX-LIKE TORNADOES - dark phantasmagoric forces spinning down from an oscillating sky.

Jacob hears an engine revving up; he turns to see an OLD PICK-UP TRUCK start down the pier, toward the city. He begins to run after the accelerating truck, waving his arms and shouting. The car doesn’t slow, so Jacob speeds up, grabs the back of the truck and hauls himself onto the vehicle. He can see the back of the driver’s head inside, spinning the wheel, as they swerve off the pier and head away from the tornadoes.

A sudden realization seems to engulf Jacob: his eyes widen and he begins to bang on the back window.

JACOBHey! Stop the car! My wife and kid – they’re still in the city! I have to go get them! Stop the car, damn it, or I will -

The driver finally turns his head, and Jacob recognizes the U.S. President, Theodore Wolfe. The president gives him a thumbs-up, then slows the car to a stop and gets out, walks around and stretches out his hand.

THEODORETheodore Wolfe, President of the United States of America. Pleased to meet you. You must be... Just kiddin’. Like I wouldn’t know who you are. Go on. Save your family. We’ll meet again.

He gets back in his truck and drives off. Jacob turns to see the three vortexes join forces and smash through what’s left of the city, hurdling directly at him.

JACOBGod, Richie, please, no...

114.

...is all he manages to utter before getting swept away.

CUT TO:

INT. NEW YORK ZOO - TERRARIUM - AFTERNOON

The world is still spinning - POV of a PENGUIN plunging down into crystal-clear water from an icy slide.

Jacob, Elizabeth and Richie stand glaring at it behind the glass.


Jacob looks halfway insane by now, unshaven and wild-eyed, lower lip trembling. He gestures wildly as he talks.

JACOBI dreamed of the president - the president! - can you believe that? I am meant to save the president! As my dear father would say, who woulda thunk, eh? But I couldn’t save you and Richie in that dream – and I am not going to let that happen in reality, do you hear me, Elizabeth? I want you to trust me. I... I formed a little online forum. I know that’s far-fetched, but perhaps I’ll stumble across another prophet – or even better, one of the actual people from my dreams.

ELIZABETHJacob, have you looked in the mirror lately? Here...

She leads towards the glass until they see their reflections.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)Take a look.

Jacob leans forward, puts his hand on his cheek – he seems genuinely startled by the sight of his own altered body.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)If you want to take care of us, if you want me to trust you, then you have to get back in shape. Get some rest.

Jacob turns to face her, expression desperate.

115.

JACOBHaven’t you been listening to a word I said, Liz? I’ve long since given up on rest.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - STUDY

Jacob is at home in his office. He is surrounded by a mess of scattered papers – RESEARCH ON ARMAGEDDON. PAN over the variety of printed material – from Mayan predictions to recent alarming scientific discoveries.


CLOSE-UP of computer screen: Jacob is on his ONLINE “END IS NIGH” FORUM, chatting.

JACOB: By now we have over 300 members. Off to a good start!

MERCILESS69: Agreed. We should meet. Soon.

Jacob hesitates.

JACOB: And do what...?

MERCILESS69: You’re the leader. You tell us. (Pause.) William Sanders is in downtown Manhattan, correct?

JACOB: Yes it is...

MERCILESS69: Organize a meeting, a week or so from now, and those of us close enough can get together and protest. If nothing else, it will get the public’s attention.

JACOB: I could do that.

MERCILESS69: Good.

Jacob sits back and shuts down his computer.

JACOB(Whispers.) Maybe, just maybe one of you folks from my dreams will be there...

CUT TO:

116.

INT. DR. CROW’S OFFICE - EVENING

CLOSE-UP of the shrink’s – Dr. Crowe’s – concerned face, as he listens to Jacob rave aggressively on the cushion cot.


JACOBMerciless69 may, just may, be the Asian woman from my dreams, for example. Or it may turn out to be that pudgy French chef. I don’t even know this person’s fucking gender.

DR. CROWYou don’t think this protest could get you in trouble?

Jacob gets up determinedly, looms over the doctor.

JACOBYou know, you have no idea what I’m going through, no clue what it’s like to relive the end of the world, over and over and over again, night after night. You sit here in your chair, offering me guidance, when I’m supposedly the one who should guide you to safety. See the irony? Ha!

Dr. Crow stares back at him nervously.

JACOB (CONT’D)Wise up, old man.

He pats the doctor on the shoulder.

JACOB (CONT’D)The world will need people like you. You are a smart, sensitive man. If I were you, I’d get to safety - and fast.

With that, Jacob exits the room leaving a confused and worried Dr. Crow in his office.

CUT TO:

117.

INT. JACOB’S NEW YORK HOME - LIVING ROOM

Jacob paces back and forth excitedly in front of Elizabeth and Richie, who huddle together on the couch. He holds a YELLOW FOLDER, with which he gestures as he speaks.


JACOBWe have photographs, videos and a variety of memorabilia, all of which will be our source of nostalgia, once everything dissipates and becomes rubble. Those memories will be the only traces of civilizations left.

He pulls up the armchair and sits in front of his wife and son, placing the yellow folder on his lap. Elizabeth and Richie exchange nervous looks.

JACOB (CONT’D)I don’t mean to sound harsh, but it’s the inevitable truth. You can see it on TV, you can feel it in the air – the end is coming. But I will keep this family safe. You see, last night I made what is perhaps the biggest and most important purchase of our lives.

He finally unravels the yellow folder he’s been holding; inside there are PHOTOS and BLUEPRINTS.

JACOB (CONT’D)It’s where we’re going to hide out, until the storms blows over, so to speak.

ELIZABETHA... nuclear bunker?

JACOBA facility. Insulated by a quadruple set of solid-steel latches, a decontamination chamber, and extra insulation, just to be safe. We have a dozen years’ supply worth of oxygen... This is real stuff, Liz. Presidential level.

She looks shocked. Richie bites his lower lip, looking from his mom to his dad.

118.

ELIZABETHHow much... did this cost?

JACOBWell... With the ten-year supply of canned food and water, and the gas for the electrical generator, and if you add in the gym, and the library of DVDs and books... Most of our savings... But – and it’s a big ‘but’, you have to concede – it will save our lives. Can’t put a price on that!

Liz sits back, massaging her temples.

ELIZABETHOh, Jake...

JACOBI know, I know - it’s scary! But just wait until you see it.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEAR PRESCOTT, ARIZONA - DAY

Jacob’s rented Hummer pulls up next to a CAVE OPENING, located on top of a SMALL HILL, which in itself is part of a bigger ROCKY MOUNTAIN.


Jacob jogs to the edge of the cliff, overlooking PRESCOTT. He spreads his arms, expecting his wife and son to join in on the excitement of observing the distant town-scape, but Lisa just stands there next to the car, arms crossed over her chest, hair tossed by the wind, while Richie is more entranced by the LARGE METAL GATE that can be glimpsed in the cave’s opening, his lips parted in awe. Not letting the disappointment affect his mood, Jacob proceeds past his wife towards the cave. He puts his hand on his son’s shoulder, takes in a lungful of air. He notices his son’s fascination with the gate.

JACOBImpressive, right? That’s the front door to our new home, son. Watch this.

He types in a combination on a small KEYPAD, something beeps, and the gate slides open. Richie is absolutely enthralled.

119.

JACOB (CONT’D)Want to know what the combination is?

He leans over and whispers it into his son’s ear.

JACOB (CONT’D)Remember that day?

Richie nods, grinning.

JACOB (CONT’D)Good. This is our little secret. Mommy can’t know – not until the grumpy face is gone.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes and follows them inside the bunker.

CUT: INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR FACILITY - A LITTLE LATER

Jacob leads them through oval-shaped rooms, and then gestures wildly when they come up to the LIBRARY.

JACOBAnd if what I’ve shown you so far has failed to impress you - behold, our amazing library! We have literature from all over the world: Tolstoy, Updike, Joyce, Williams, Bradbury, Lovecraft, Hugo - you name it, we have it! As for music, I’ve compiled a wide mix of genres, from classical Tchaikovsky to AC/DC and Dr. Dre. Oh, and of course...

He stands next to a LP PLAYER, holing up a SINATRA LP.

JACOB (CONT’D)...we can’t live without the good ol’ crackin’ sound of needle scratching vinyl!

His wife seems lost in her own thoughts, eyebrows furrowed, while Richie runs around, wildly whoa-ing at everything in sight. Jacob then opens a door in the back of the library.

JACOB (CONT’D)Back here is the control panel that manages the entire facility, from temperature to the level of circulating oxygen.

120.

He shows them a cereal-box-sized flat TOUCH SCREEN on the wall, with flashing lights, charts, graphs and dials.

JACOB (CONT’D)In time, I’ll teach you how to use it. So... what do you think?

His wife sighs, hesitates, biting her lower lip.

ELIZABETHJacob, I have to tell you something... I guess I just wanted to actually witness all this with my own eyes, it was so hard to believe... But Richie and I - we won’t be joining you in your bunker. I’m sorry.

Jacob seems startled, looking from her to his worried son.

JACOBWhat? Wait - Liz, what are you saying?

ELIZABETHI’m saying - I know, Jacob. About you and Melanie. I’d rather not discuss it now, in front of Richie - and regardless, what’s the point of discussing it?

Jacob opens his mouth to say something, caught off-guard.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)But even if you didn’t do what you did - I hardly recognize you anymore. You are not the man I married, and you are rapidly morphing into this delusional maniac. Seeing your craze manifest itself with such vehemence makes me wish for the lying, cheating Jacob of the past, the Jacob I know... Is that insane or what? Why would I want to spend the rest of my life holed up in a... in a bunker with such a man? (She gestures.) You did all this, bought all this food, prepared all this without saying a word to me or your son, my God! –

121.

(MORE)

you spent all our funds behind our backs, while having borderline-schizophrenic episodes, and now - now you expect us to just move in here with you? I had doubts till the last moments, but I am sure of it now.

Tears stream down her cheeks, as she turns to leave.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)Come on, Richie. The world may be coming to an end tomorrow, but this ends now. We’ll stay at my parents’ cabin and hope for the best.

Jacob finally snaps out of his shock.

JACOBWait - Lisa, you can’t leave, it’s not safe! Lisa? Lisa, wait! Bring your parents! We can all stay here! Lisa!

On their way out, Richie breaks into hysterics.

RICHIEMommy, I don’t wanna leave daddy, let’s stay here with him, please, mommy, please!

Elizabeth falters for a second, then continues walking, half-dragging Richie behind her.

RICHIE (CONT’D)Can’t we just talk, the three of us, please mommy...

They leave Jacob next to the control panel of flashing lights, staring into nowhere. His expression doesn’t change, as their voices fade in the distance.

FADE TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN - DAY

The clouds hang low, immersing New York towers in their damp electrical mass. Jacob stands outside a tall SKYSCRAPER with a GROUP OF PROTESTORS.


122.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

His crazed eyes peer out from underneath shaggy, unwashed hair at the group, searching for a familiar face. He wears a beige cashmere coat over a sweat-suit; the clothes seem too large for his frail body.

A MIDDLE-AGED BLACK WOMAN with long dreadlocks holds a POSTER that says: SHAME ON YOU! Signed: The People of The World. Another individual, a YOUNG PAKISTANI GUY, has a sign proclaiming: YOU WILL PERISH WITH THE WORLD YOU DESTROYED.

PAN OUT: they are outside the WILLIAM SANDERS HEADQUARTERS.

JACOB(Into the loudspeaker.) Alright, here we all are. We all know that we are helpless against The Imminent End and thus our purpose here today is to display our disgust for the corporate monsters that helped bring about this planet’s collapse. What we want is to humiliate them publicly, and remind the good people of this city that corporations such as William Sanders are responsible. I have flown here today all the way from Prescott, Arizona to basically say one thing, but say it loud and clear, for the people of New York to hear: William Sanders - shame on you! Shame on you!

Everyone begins to chant with him. William Sanders’ associates’ FACES appear in the lower windows, gazing out curiously at the unraveling protest below. A small CROWD OF PEOPLE forms next to his group; after a little while, a few of them join in on the chanting.

The front door opens, and half a dozen WS ASSOCIATES step out, accompanied by FOUR BULKY SECURITY GUARDS.

One of those associates is GERRY, Jacob’s friend. He wears an expensive black suit; a cashmere scarf coils over his neck. Jacob is stunned with recognition; their eyes meet; Gerry’s expression grows similarly shocked. He approaches Jacob slowly.

GERRYJacob? (Gestures.) Jacob - what is this?

123.

JACOBHow times have changed, eh, Gerry? This is what I call a dose of reality.

One of the security guards steps up.

SECURITY GUARDOkay, ya’ll need to clear this area immediately. This square here is William Sanders property. The police are on the way. Clear this area now, or you will be arrested for trespassing.

Gerry spreads his arms, eyes fixed on Jacob’s.

GERRYJake, man, why are you doing this? To get back at me? Look at you - what happened to you man?

JACOBDon’t worry about me, Gerry. Reality is what happened. I had the guts to face it, and now my conscience is clear - how about yours?

Gerry’s eyes travel from Jacob’s worn sneakers, to his jumpsuit, to his beard and ruffled hair and crazy eyes.

GERRYBy the looks of it, your conscience is all over the place.

JACOBFuck you, Gerry! You traitor, I -

Before he can finish, someone in the crowd behind him yells out “GUN!!!” PANIC spreads rapidly, people scattering everywhere. POLICE SIRENS can be heard. Gerry casts one last look at Jacob, then lets the guard escort him back into the building.

The crazy man with the gun – the PAKISTANI GUY – runs up to Jacob.

PAKISTANI GUYPleased to meet you. I am Merciless69. Are you ready for atonement?

124.

Before Jacob can react, he is tackled to the ground by several large policemen.

CUT TO:

INT. JAIL CELL - EVENING

Jacob wakes up from another horrid NIGHTMARE in his jail cell.


There are THREE OTHER CONVICTS in the cell with Jacob, one of them the YOUNG PAKISTANI GUY. He shakes his head at Jacob.

PAKISTANI GUYAnother nightmare?

Jacob ignores him, sits up, rubs his dirty long hair with his hands. He then gets up and begins to pace back and forward.

JACOBMy own fault... Pointless, pointless! God, what was I thinking? Now I’m trapped with this scum...

A large, bald man covered from head to toe in tattoos straightens up, cracking his neck.

BALD SADISTWho you callin’ scum, you lil’ bitch? I’m gonna take that filthy jumpsuit of yours and shove it so deep up your ass, it’ll come outta your mouth.

JACOBGo ahead. I got nothing to lose. Just kill me and spare me the misery, you overweight brainless fuck.

The bald sadist punches his palm with his fist.

BALD SADISTDon’t think I’m gonna be quite so forgivin’...

The Pakistani guy quickly gets between them.

125.

PAKISTANI GUYPlease, no! You don’t understand – this here is the Prophet! You cannot hurt him! He is the leader of the New World!

BALD SADISTLeader my ass.

Before he can strike, the locks turn, the gates slide open, and a JAIL GUARD walks in.

JAIL GUARDJacob Kassovitz?

JACOBYes?

JAIL GUARDFollow me. You’ve been bailed out.

Jacob follows her out. They walk down past ROWS OF CELLS.

JACOBCan I ask who bailed me out?

JAIL GUARDA Mr. Gerry Fellows. Ring a bell?

Jacob doesn’t respond, deep in thought.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRESCOTT, ARIZONA - TWILIGHT

CUE SYMPHONY. As the sky changes color overhead, Jacob stumbles through the PRESCOTT STREETS, hair shaggy, clothes torn.


CHAOS is in progress, some people looting, some running down streets, some mesmerized by the shifting tones of the sky. Jacob spots a PHONE BOOTH, dials with trembling fingers.

CUT TO:

INT. ELIZABETH’S PARENTS’ CABIN - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Elizabeth picks up the phone; the rest of the family is gathered by the windows, observing the apocalyptic sky.

126.

ELIZABETHHello?

CUT BACK TO:

INT. PHONE BOOTH - PRESCOTT

Jacob strains to speak over the rumble of the heavens and the crowd noises, cupping his hand over his ear.

JACOBLiz? Liz, can you hear me?

CUT: INT. CABIN

ELIZABETH(Pause.) Yes, Jacob, I can hear you.

JACOB (O.S.)Oh, thank God! I’m in a phone booth in Prescott, I couldn’t reach you, all signals are down... Are you okay? Is Richie okay?

She glances back at her son, then wipes away a tear from her face.

ELIZABETHYes, we’re both fine. I’m... I’m scared, Jake...

CUT: PHONE BOOTH

JACOBThe come back to me! Liz, please, listen to me! Bring your folks, we’ll manage – just come back to – Hello?

Jacob hears the beeping sound of a dead tone. He bangs the receiver angrily against the phone booth, cracking its glass.

OVER the PHONE BOOTH, the HALO gradually forms in the sky.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR FACILITY - BEDROOM - NIGHT

A LOW RUMBLING SOUND wakes Jacob up.

127.


He gets up quickly, pulling on a pair of slacks, goes out the bedroom, into the bunker’s LIVING ROOM. Everything rumbles again, and he grabs on to the wall, gasping.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEAR PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Outside, the METAL GATES slide open, and Jacob steps out in the CAVE’S OPENING. The sky is wild with uncanny movement, shifting and churning like black milk. In the distance, Prescott’s lights glimmer, then FADE, one by one, in a rapid sequence. Cracked lips parted in awe, Jacob raises his eyes towards the sky, which is ruptured by the most intense BOLT OF PURPLE LIGHTNING he’s ever seen, supplemented with a head-splitting roar. It briefly illuminates a series of GIANT VORTEXES, similar to the ones in Jacob’s nightmare, but now there are DOZENS of them, raging towards the town.

JACOBOh, Jesus... It’s happening...

He bolts back towards the gates, types in the code, then looks back one more time at the DOOM-STRICKEN VIEW. Without further hesitation, he disappears inside.

CUT TO:

INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR FACILITY

Jacob screws the GIANT LATCH behind him, as everything shakes and rumbles again. Breathing hard, he leans back against the latch and squeezes his eyes shut. A deep, resounding HOWL envelops the nuclear chamber.

CUT TO:

OUTER SPACE: THE EARTH fills the screen, grand, majestic, but also tumultuous, angry, dark and heaving.

TITLE CARD: INTERLUDE: THE END

CUE APOCALYPTIC SYMPHONY. Its intensity grows to a SERIES OF CUTS:

CUT: BANGKOK: A pre-storm silence hangs low over the normally busy city, its sky’s fluorescence reflecting off the shrines’ and temples’ golden domes.

128.

CUT: BOSTON: The Boston Common is filled with what seems like the entire city’s population, everyone staring in terrified awe at the sky above them.

CUT: WASHINGTON, D.C.: The White House is surrounded by people, all still, waiting for The End to begin.

CUT: APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER: The ASTEROID rapidly approaches the pond next to LECONTE BISTRO, a few folks outside the bar frozen in their steps, glaring up at it.

THE CUTS SPEED UP: we see citizens of MOSCOW, NEW YORK, TOKYO, SYDNEY, MADRID, AMSTERDAM, LOS ANGELES - all awaiting their doom.

SYMPHONY reaches its CLIMAX, as THE END BEGINS.

CUT: BANGKOK

Crack! The heavens part rapidly, and a SERIES OF GIANT VORTEXES descend upon the city from the ruptured sky. The falling snow turns them a DIRTY WHITE – all-encompassing swirling BLIZZARDS, eating their way through the metropolis. Bangkok trembles, and buildings begin to collapse, while a giant CRACK in the Earth SPLITS the city in half, tearing it to shreds.

In the PARK, SUCHIN watches in horror as her daughter, SAENGDAO, gets sucked into the blizzard. The ground splits between her and THE STRANGER, and then a giant SIGN smashes him flat.

CUT: BOSTON - EVE’S PARENTS’ HOUSE

EVE screams, as the building shatters around her. LOGS and BRICKS from the ceiling come tumbling down. Through the now torn-off roof, she witnesses the VORTEXES, along with a SHOWER of ASTEROIDS, plummeting down towards her.

CUT: WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE WHITE HOUSE gets annihilated by an enormous VORTEX. The ASTEROID SHOWER rapidly turns the city into RUBBLE.

Inside the White House’s SECURE BASEMENT AREA, THEODORE WOLFE shuts his eyes, walls shaking and crumbling around him.

CUT: APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER

With a rip-roaring shriek, the asteroid SMACKS into the pool by LECONTE BISTRO, creating an instant giant tidal wave that engulfs the restaurant.

129.

Inside the bistro, FRANCOIS sits still as CHAOS erupts around him. The restaurant’s windows shatter and the tidal wave bursts in with brutal force.

CUT: PARIS: The EIFFEL TOWER gets torn out of the ground by a VORTEX, half-collapsing, and, along with the city’s INHABITANTS, BUILDINGS, PARKS, ANIMALS, ETC, gets sucked into space, the uncanny incident caused by a sudden LOSS OF GRAVITY.

CUT: MOSCOW: THE KREMLIN is wiped off by a VORTEX, bits and pieces of the RED WALL catapulting through a ravenous crowd.

THE CUTS SPEED UP: RAPID SHOTS of CITIES being torn apart: NEW YORK, TOKYO, SYDNEY, MADRID, AMSTERDAM, LOS ANGELES -

CUT TO:

OUTER SPACE: THE EARTH looks scarred, cancerous, black. Then everything gets swiftly ILLUMINATED by a BRIGHT GLOW.

FADE OUT, SYMPHONY CALMS.

HEAVY RASPING gradually stabilizes into breathing. CLICK! - the light comes on -

INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR FACILITY

JACOB’S POV: Having flicked the light on, he looks at his reflection in the mirror. He is wearing a GAS MASK and a RADIOACTIVE SUIT. An OXYGEN TANK is strapped to his back.

SUBTITLE CARD: 246 Days After The End

JACOB’S POV CONTINUES: as he turns, we see scattered magazines, empty snack bags, crushed soda cans... He proceeds to the MAIN LATCH and twists it open.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE - DAY

The FRONT GATES rumble and slide open. Underneath a gently pulsating, heartbeat-like lilac sky, Jacob emerges out of the tunnel and approaches the edge of the hill. FROM INSIDE HIS POV we see the REMAINS OF PRESCOTT in the distance. Jacob then checks his OXYGEN LEVEL – 96% - and proceeds towards the city.

130.

CUT: EXT. WHAT USED TO BE PRESCOTT, ARIZONA - A BIT LATER

JACOB’S POV (we hear his footsteps and his shallow breathing): Barely anything is left: jagged, rusted yellow-green REMAINS OF CARS and protruding broken SPINES OF BUILDINGS; a shell of a BABY TROLLEY, charcoal-black and molten into the cracked asphalt; STREETLIGHTS tangled in each other as if a giant twisted them with enormous hands; a shattered BOOM-BOX; a BICYCLE WHEEL, bent and corroded... Jacob spots a PILE OF RUBBLE in the distance, jogs over to it. After a while of digging, he discovers a rusty and bent - but seemingly intact - CAN OF TUNA. Satisfied with the treasure, he checks his oxygen level - 43% - and proceeds back home.

On the way back, he comes across an OLD DOG. The mutt pushes itself across the street with its two functioning hind legs, the front two dragging lifelessly underneath its jutting ribs. The dog is covered from head to toe with dark-gray and purple patches of phlegm; its right eye is missing, and a dried trail of beige liquid crusts its cheek. It whimpers and grunts and wheezes as it resolutely pushes its own decaying carcass with its hind legs.

Jacob stares at the dog in disbelief – it’s a miracle the thing’s alive. He then spots a rock with a sharp edge, and walks over to it, his eyes on the dog, who in turn has spotted him and paused in its tracks. From the way it looks in his general direction but not at him directly, Jacob realizes the dog is completely blind, its left eye glazed over, useless. He approaches the dog cautiously, then stands over it, takes a deep breath and raises the rock above his head. The dog tenses up, sensing death. With a scream that echoes over the demolished city, Jacob brings the rock down hard against the dog’s skull.

Breathing hard, Jacob checks his oxygen level - 21%. He drops the rock next to the dog’s limp body and walks off.

CUT: INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR BUNKER - DECONTAMINATION CHAMBER - LATER

Behind the glass of the chamber, Jacob is being disinfected by several VIOLENT STREAMS OF VAPOR.

CUT: INT. JACOB’S NUCLEAR BUNKER - MOMENTS LATER

Jacob takes off his gas mask – 6% remaining oxygen - and stares in the mirror for a while. His face is thin and pale; dark creases deepen his eyes. He looks at his LAST THREE OXYGEN TANKS, and then at the rusty can of tuna.

131.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXT. WHAT USED TO BE PRESCOTT, ARIZONA - DAY

Jacob is going through rubble. The sky shimmers above him, as he stands up straight and checks his oxygen level – 43%.


He spots a little NICHE in the rubble. After a bit of digging, Jacob reveals a DOOR, leading into the ground. He hesitates, then pulls it open. Pale lilac light penetrates the basement’s pitch-blackness. He pokes his head in, but doesn’t see much. He looks around, then lowers himself inside.

He feels around for a while, then lets more light in, revealing a FAMILY OF CORPSES, all leaning against the door, their clothes draped over their skeletal bones. Jacob gasps. His breathing increases heavily; he checks his meter - 36%. Before he leaves, he spots a BROWN PAPER BAG next to one of the skeletons. He grabs the bag and escapes.

CUT: EXT. PRESCOTT - MOMENTS LATER

Jacob half-stumbles through the city’s ruins, BROWN BAG in hand. He seems agitated, jumpy.

JACOB (His POV.) I just gotta home, my warm, comfy bunker, yes, that’s all I gotta do...

REALITY twists out of proportion, the surroundings shimmer. Jacob trips and falls and yelps out in pain. While lying on his back, he checks his oxygen level – 21%. He promptly gets up, clutching the brown bag, and keeps going.

At what used to be an INTERSECTION, Jacob stops. He looks left. He looks right.

JACOB (CONT’D)(His POV.) Come on, Jacob. You’ve walked this way a dozen times before. What’s wrong with you?

The world blinks and flashes around him. Jacob squeezes his eyes shut, then determinedly proceeds to the right.

132.

When he finally recognizes the familiar HILL with the TUNNEL, there is only 12% oxygen left. He smiles triumphantly, walks a few more steps, then stops in his tracks. His lips tighten; panic creeps into his eyes.

JACOB (CONT’D)(Under his breath.) The combination... What’s the damn combination code...?

He takes a deep breath, collects himself, then keeps walking, as he thinks out-loud. (Sequence is supplemented by CLOSE-UP VISUALIZATIONS of the items his lists.)

JACOB (CONT’D)My credit card number? The pin-code? Or my phone number? My social security number? My old street address? My wife’s phone number? My son’s? His birthday? Her birthday? Our wedding date? What’s wrong with me?

Jacob approaches the GATES, checks his oxygen level – 4%. After looking blankly at the pad of numbers, he sits back against the wall, glances inside the brown paper bag. His features light up. He pulls out a large green perfectly preserved GRANNY SMITH APPLE and gazes at it in awe.

Gasping for air, Jacob pulls off the gas mask, takes a crunchy juicy bite off the apple, then coughs, wheezes, throws up blood and dies in his own vomit – but with a smile on his face.

We see that it was him IMAGINING what would happen if he were to take the mask off. He gazes at the apple longingly, as if ready to act upon his fantasy.

The oxygen level is at 3%. Jacob feels faint. Everything around him spins, then slows down. Beads of sweat shine on his pale blue skin inside the gas mask. He blinks several times, then gets on his knees in front of the bunker.

JACOB (CONT’D)Okay. It’s 4 digits. I know that. Let’s start there. My work address. My mother’s birthday. My Facebook password. My wife’s email. My son’s graduation date...

Oxygen level: 2%. He lets out a moan of frustration, then bangs on the pad’s keyboard mindlessly, and it beeps and flashes the red light, over and over again. He gives up and slides down to the floor. He begins to cry.

133.

Oxygen level: 1%. In the distant horizon, Jacob sees a FORM appear. As he squints, Jacob realizes the form is the dark ANGEL-LIKE CREATURE WITH BLACK WINGS from his nightmares; it now floats through the viscous, hazy landscape towards him. Jacob can barely start to distinguish its facial features, when the creature spreads its giant black wings suddenly and DISAPPEARS.

Jacob sits by the apples and screams inside the gas mask. Oxygen level is 0%. SPINNING VISIONS OF ELIZABETH AND RICHIE blur Jacob’s sight. Through his hallucinations, he sees the hazy outline of the CREATURE approach the keypad. Jacob’s eyes roll up in his head.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE - FLASHBACK

Jacob stands by the keypad with Richie, his wife a few feet away.

JACOBWant to know what the combination is?

He leans over and whispers it into his son’s ear.

JACOB (CONT’D)Remember that day?

Richie nods, grinning.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE - PRESENT

Jacob opens his eyes, to see the GATES slide open. The CREATURE stands to the side, letting a heaving, rasping Jacob crawl in.

CUT: INT. JACOB’S BUNKER - MOMENTS LATER

Jacob rips off his gas mask, breathes heavily for a while. He then pulls out the APPLE and takes the best bite of any fruit he’s ever had.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

134.

INT. JACOB’S BUNKER

Skeletal-thin, unshaven, naked, with long greasy hair and sunken eyes, he watches an OLD NEWS REPORT for what must be the 100th time. The place is an ABSOLUTE MESS.


CUT: Jacob is dancing to an upbeat electro tune. He is naked and delirious.

CUT: He writes pages and pages of gibberish.

CUT: He mouths words at himself in the mirror.

CUT: He is masturbating to porn.

All the CUTS begin to fuse and spin, until Jacob watches in horror, as one of the PORN STARS on TV meows seductively, lusciously licks her lips, motioning to him with her finger, and then her face begins to change into Elizabeth’s. He turns the TV off and leaps up, starts to pace, pulling his hair.

JACONNo! This can’t be happening. Crazy people don’t know they’re crazy, remember? I have to... do something, do something now!

He rushes into the CONTROL ROOM, where he grabs a hold of a DISCONNECTED PHONE and hastily dials a number, breathing hard. To his surprise, the phone rings on the other end of the line, and then someone picks up.

ELIZABETH (O.S.)Hello?

For a moment, Jacob is too overwhelmed to speak.

JACOBLiz? Is that you, sweetheart?

ELIZABETH (O.S.)Jacob? Jacob, are you all right?

Jacob sits back against the wall, the control buttons blinking on the screen above him. He closes his eyes, tears streaming down his face.

JACOBYes... Yes, I’m all right, angel. I’m just... I’m just so happy to hear your voice.

135.

ELIZABETHAww, come on, Jake, don’t cry. Why don’t you come home? Richie misses you, you know.

JACOBRichie! How is he doing?

ELIZABETHHe’s good; here - you want to talk to him?

Jacob’s lips part; he remains frozen for a moment.

JACOBOf course! Of course I want to talk to him. Put him on!

Silence.

JACOB (CONT’D)Hello? Elizabeth? Richie? Hellooo!

He begins to slam the receiver furiously against the wall.

JACOB (CONT’D)No! No! No! No! No!

The receiver now nothing but a mere stump, Jacob lets it drop and passes out into a tear-smeared oblivion.

CUT: JACOB’S DREAM: SERIES OF CUTS: CLOSE-UPS OF PLEADING FACES, AMONG THEM: SUCHIN, THEODORE, FRANCOIS AND EVE.

SEQUENCE OF FACES begins to speed up, faces blur -

CUT: INT. JACOB’S BUNKER - CONTROL ROOM

Jacob blinks and wakes up. Everything is quiet – except for the humming and beeping of the control board over Jacob’s head.

A FIGURE stands in the doorway.

Jacob squints and recognizes the CREATURE. Its black wings spread, exuding CHARCOAL FUMES, the flames licking at the wings’ thick black feathers. In the glow of the wings’ fire, the creature’s FACE finally becomes clear; to Jacob’s horror, he recognizes HIS OWN. With a yelp, he falls to his knees in front of the creature, his voice raspy from months of crying and madness.

136.

JACOBTake me with you, please! End this madness, I beg you!

The angel vanishes, leaving a desperate Jacob on the floor, arms stretched out. He gets up determinedly, walks through the LIVING ROOM, to the MAIN LATCH. He notes the ABSENCE OF OXYGEN TANKS, then proceeds outside.

CUT: EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE

The gates slide open, revealing a cautious Jacob. Taking a deep breath, he steps outside... To his surprise, he can breathe! He lets the air out of his lungs and takes a few deep ones. Oxygen!

He lets it sink in for a while, looking around at the wounded grey landscape. He approaches the edge of the cliff and sits down, closes his eyes. A BUZZING SOUND – barely audible – penetrates the toxic quiet. Jacob’s eyes flash open, startled by the unexpected noise. The man’s shock triples when he sees the source of the sound – A BEE!

The little creature buzzes around Jacob’s amazed frozen face.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE

Jacob sits on the edge of the hill, looking at the empty virgin planes, immersed in fog.


He squints.

CUE SYMPHONY. In the distance, FOUR BARELY DISCERNIBLE FIGURES emerge: the tiny FRUIT-SELLER, the SURGEON in her wheel-chair, the PRESIDENT in his uniform, and the chubby CHEF...

Or is it them? Just a vision? The MADMAN rubs his eyes, as the FOG envelops the figures, and then swallows Jacob along with them.

CREDITS RUN

137.

Apocalyptic Symphony -...

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