Mosiah's Moon (1) MOSIAH'S MOON FADE IN: EXT. DEEP SPACE Garbled radio and TV transmissions are being pursued past thousands of stars and hundreds of planets. EXT. MARS Upon entering the Martian atmosphere, a group of PYRAMID-LIKE STRUCTURES appear on the horizon. From the floor of a plateau, the raised features of a NEANDERTHAL become visible. EXT. MOON The moon begins to move between the earth and the sun. EXT. GIZA, EGYPT PYRAMID OF KHAFRE DAY On the eastern edge of the Sahara, during a solar eclipse, a mirage in the form of a GARDEN PARADISE appears. Once the eclipse ends and the mirage fades, the transmissions clear. EXT. LUNAR SURFACE Ice-filled craters reflect PYRAMID-SHAPED HILLS. TRANSMISSION I NASA officials announced today they have discovered water at the South Pole of the moon. Data collected from the Lunar Prospector and Hubbell tele- scope have provided scientists with conclusive evidence that mass quantities of ice exist within moon craters . . . A landing strip lies amid a group of communication towers. TRANSMISSION II The IRO announced completion of it�s lunar surveillance base. The new moon outpost will also serve as a refueling depot for all future shuttle flights . . . A plaque, left by Apollo 11, gleams in the distance. The initial words, lie hidden in the shadows; the remaining words, shine brightly in the sun: INSCRIPTION WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND Above the moon, just outside the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, diplomats and VIP�s can be seen celebrating inside. TRANSMISSION III With the last cargo block in place, earth�s longest and most expensive construction project has come to an end. In spite of an ongoing investigation into cost overruns, inauguration of the Federation�s Space Station, proceeded as planned. VIP�s and officials from around the world arrived to commence the stations first global business day. Cur- rently, over five billion dollars in supplementary funds can not be accounted for. Newly-elected In- dependent Council, John McCurry, is heading up the investigation. EXT. LUNAR SURFACE DARK SIDE Cracks begin to form inside one of the craters and its center begins to rise. As the ice and crater separate, the top of an elevator is revealed. Once it has fully risen, the doors open. After a few moments, the doors close and the elevator plunges. When it disappears below the surface, the crater and ice rejoin together as before. INT. ELEVATOR On an overhead screen, a meter rapidly digitizes the depth in kilometers. When it stops, it reads 869. The doors open and a large side-room is revealed. Inside, a high-tech water/air facility is running. From the entrance of a subterranean security prison, three-dimensional cells can be viewed. EXT. LUNAR SURFACE From the Moon, Earth seems like a distant planet. TRANSMISSION IV Amnesty International has revealed that inmates of Negro, Mongolian and Hispanic descent, make up over 85% of Earth�s prison population. The annual expose� on human rights violations has fueled protests and refusals by kindred countries to join the United World Federation. Attempting to promote more equitable treatment by current member nations, the Fed has announced it will initiate a prisoner-exchange program. A spokes- person for Amnesty International said they will closely monitor Fed progress. FADE OUT: FADE IN: EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY 2010 CAPTAIN PHILLIP is conversing with GENERAL BRIGS as they gaze across a runway at a shuttle plane. ENDEAVOR II is written along its side. Brigs is tossing his English accent around. BRIGS Now you're sure it's ready for occupancy? PHILLIP Absolutely, General. Everything's been checked in triplicate. BRIGS I understand they're going to be kept quite busy. PHILLIP Isotope samples indicate a mother Lode. Accelerated mining should save the Federation, billions. BRIGS Plutonium-powered ships are a a God-awful expense; but we'll never leave home without them. Now, what about protection? PHILLIP Protection, sir? BRIGS The ore, it's radioactive, right? PHILLIP Radiation suites are at maximum. BRIGS Double them. PHILLIP These are career criminals, sir; those suits can be used for escape. BRIGS Escape? Don�t be ridiculous, it's 540 miles to the surface. This prison is foolproof. PHILLIP We need to maintain security, sir. GENERAL That's exactly why you're going to provide each and every man up there with two radiation suits. You have no doctor, Captain. In the event of exposure, what did you plan to do, bring them back? We're on the dark side of the moon here and these inmates have one-way tickets. We�ve got to be extremely careful, at least for now. Expose them. . . and you expose us. Brigs pulls out a cigar and Phillip lights it for him. He puffs on it a moment. Once he�s sure it�s lit, he blows out a large puff, then waves his cigar amid the smoke. BRIGS We�re stirring up one helluva shit storm here, Phillip. This shell game won�t last for long. Our pool is limited. Once the media gets wind, supply ships will be restricted; re-staffing will be impossible. Unfortunately, even cretins have mothers. We�ve got to hunker down and ride out their rage as it is. Until this exchange program returns to normal, this is a standing order: �Don�t take anyone that might otherwise be missed, personnel included.� Are we clear? PHILLIP Yes sir! Several yards away, a limo pod and driver are waiting. They begin walking toward the limo. BRIGS I assume you're aware of the historic implications here? PHILLIP Implications, sir? BRIGS Your ship, Captain? PHILLIP I'm aware it was named after an earlier Space Shuttle. The two pause in front of the pod as Brigs takes a bite out of the end of his cigar, then throws the rest on the ground. The driver quickly picks it up and field strips it. BRIGS I mean . . . originally? PHILLIP (annoyed) I really can't recall, sir. BRIGS In 1770, James Cook and the first Endeavor landed on Botany Bay. Later, your namesake, established a penal colony there for the Old World Empire. He nods to the driver. The driver pushes a button on the sleeve of his coat and the pod door opens. Brigs waits for Phillip to response. PHILLIP Yes sir? BRIGS (spitting) Good lord man! Must I spell it out for you? Exactly 222 years to the day, you are about to repeat history; only this time, for the New World Empire! Don't you find that just a tad ironic? Frustrated, Brigs gets in and the door closes. The driver hurries to get behind the wheel. Suddenly the pod window slides back and Phillip hurries his response. PHILLIP Yes sir, I do. I guess I just never thought of it like that. BRIGS The Federation has. We're in the history-making-business, Phillip. This new fuel source will allow us to reinvent the frontier; and it's got to be done right. To do that young Captain, fear must be instilled inside the criminal mind. (beat) This person you chose to be warden, does he have a fierce reputation? PHILLIP Yes sir, I believe he does. BRIGS You believe? That doesn't inspire me, Captain! PHILLIP YES SIR! THE MAN IS FIERCE! BRIGS Its Botany Bay again, Phillip. Once they realize they�ve been shanghaied, every inmate up there is going to be extremely pissed off. It would be helpful to have a warden whose name strikes bloody terror into the hearts of men. PHILLIP Well, I mean, what's in a name, sir? I know some real mean sons of bitches . . . BRIGS What the hell is his name, Captain? Phillip is embarrassed and begins to squirm. PHILLIP Rogers. His name is Mr. Rogers. Brigs stares disbelieving into Phillip�s face. INT. FEDERATION PENITENTIARY DAY Inmates are rioting on the prison�s main floor. Above, on a catwalk, WARDEN ROGERS converses with CAPTAIN WALKER as they look down on the melee. ROGERS They've ruined my neighborhood, Mr. Walker! Why must they send every degenerate low-life to my house? This was an orderly block once, where inmates knew how to do their time. This exchange pro- gram has turned my prison into a . . . WALKER A swap meet? Get it? Swap-meat? Rogers is not in the mood. WALKER Well, we could reinstate your "castration rotation"; that al- ways calmed 'em down. ROGERS In due time, Mr. Walker. I can- not afford to have that animal rights group on my ass again. Walker stares at Rogers for a moment, then smiles. WALKER Amnesty International? ROGERS That's what I said. WALKER Well, we�re going to have to do something soon. The prison was already overcrowded; now they're coming in from all over the world. They breed like rabbits on the outside. We get geldings in all the time. Why can't we send a few out? I mean, it is an exchange program, . . .isn�t it? ROGERS I'm glad you find that amusing. They closed me down, just when I was beginning to communicate. No surgeon worth his salt will come near this place now. �Castration is restricted to serial rapists and pedophiles.� Sexual deviance haunts all men. �To erase it, we must embrace it.� Haven�t they learned that much yet? WALKER They must have. Why else would they call it the penal system? Walker chuckles to himself as Rogers continues his rant. ROGERS I take their concept to the next level, and I�m accused of abuse? (beat) Say, you don�t think that�s why they hung this dreadful program on me, . . . do you? Walker looks away and rolls his eyes. WALKER No, not at all, sir. They gaze down on the riot and watch as Asian, Latino and Negro inmates, assault one another. WALKER In any event, it isn't working. Hell, the incoming numbers are so high, they�re all beginning to look alike to me. Walker points to an area where inmates are fighting. WALKER I could swear I shipped those two monkeys out last week. Why send them here? We�ve got no place to put them. They�re un- wanted, excess baggage, sir. ROGERS Society may have finally found a use for them. WALKER The humane society wouldn�t take these animals. ROGERS Ah, but a plutonian society would. WALKER A what? Guards shoot teargas canisters onto the main floor. ROGERS Plutonian society. A society ruled by the rich. It's the wave of the future. WALKER The future? What about your motto, "Warehouse the wicked, bulwark the wealthy"? ROGERS Warehousing alone is a complete waste of resources. In ancient Egypt, when the Israelites became persona non grata, that issue was resolved with foresight. In order to control the numbers, pharaohs had specific work projects designed to take the Jews a thousand years to complete. Rogers squints his eyes; teargas has begun to waft its way toward them. They begin a casual stroll down the catwalk. ROGERS A few years ago, I submitted an extensive report, assessing the system's inefficiencies. Seems as though my initiative is about to reap it�s reward. WALKER They want the inmates to build pyramids? Rogers pulls Walker close and speaks in a low tone. ROGERS I've gotten word that a new prison is about to go online. WALKER Why haven't I heard about it? ROGERS It's a sphinx, Mr. Walker, and it shall remain so. However, it is it need of a pharaoh. WALKER That�s why the numbers are off? ROGERS Look, I know you want to get out of here as badly as I do; there's nothing holding either of us here. What I'm about to say must remain top secret, until further notice. Am-nasty has been turning up the heat again. WALKER What do they want this time, day- care centers? ROGERS They forced the Federation into ordering reductions in minority inventories. Since, as you say, there�s been no place to put them, prisoners have been living in virtual transit . . . until now. WALKER I knew I�d seen those mutts before. I hate that. I don�t even recycle at home. As they turn back to the melee, they watch as several inmates set mattresses on fire. Rogers slaps the railing. ROGERS You may begin tagging your excess baggage, Mr. Walker; transfers commence within the month. WALKER So, . . . where do we fit in? ROGERS I'm to be the new pharaoh; and like Moses, I get to bring my own staff. WALKER Good one, sir. So, where is this place? ROGERS You will be illuminated at the proper time. WALKER Sir, was that another joke? ROGERS Why yes, I guess it was. Why? WALKER I don�t know; for some reason, I feel a little . . .nervous. ROGERS Given the nature of our cargo, a bill of lading will not be needed. WALKER How do we get through customs? ROGERS Where we are going, there are no . . . customs. They both turn back to the riot and observe the guards. Equipped with gas masks and electric sticks, they form a line. Suddenly a bald black inmate dressed in a white robe, steps into view. He moves to the center of the prison and holds up his hands. The fighting stops immediately. ROGERS Mr. Walker, is that who I think it is? WALKER Yes sir. It�s Garvey. The inmates begin quietly dispersing to their areas. ROGERS Late again. Why does he always wait until the last minute? Doesn�t he know that lethargy begets fatuity? Or perhaps he�s trying to tell me something? MARCUS stands in the center of the floor and stares up at Rogers. Rogers steps close to the rail and stares down. ROGERS Will you look at that? Marcus is trying to tell me something! You see? If he�d just been on time for my little project, we�d already be communicating. Still, leadership abilities should not go to waste. Include Mr. Garvey with the rest of your cargo. WALKER That could cause a problem. The prisoners think he�s divinity incarnate. They call him, Messiah. ROGERS Are the inmates running our asylum Mr. Walker? Please, say its not so. WALKER I just meant he has a following . . . ROGERS . . . one that can be used to our advantage. Messiahs render a rather calming influence over their flock, . . . once they�re fixed. � . . . and the lion shall lie down with the lamb.� WALKER (frustrated) He has people on the outside, sir. ROGERS Mr. Walker? WALKER Yes, Mr. Rogers? ROGERS You've just been chosen to become part of a unique and challenging experience. Can you say thank-you? WALKER Thank-you, sir. ROGERS I thought you could. Walker turns abruptly away and shouts to one of his guards. WALKER LEUTENANT, YOU WANNA GET THEIR ASSES MOVING! Sir, word is that Garvey�s got connections with . . . When he turns back, he watches as Rogers sashays away. WALKER . . . Amnesty International. INT. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS In a spacious office, computer operators are working from small cubicles. A large globe atlas with rotating sections, hangs from the center of the roof. Suddenly an alarm goes off and the atlas freezes on sections of India and China. From a side office, an unshaven young man wearing rumpled clothing enters. DAVID GUTIERREZ approaches the screen. DAVID SARI, report please. A young Indian woman pops up from one of the cubicles. She frowns at David's appearance, before looking at the screen. SARI It's de Buddhist exchange, sir. DAVID They're early; that's not suppose to happen until next week. SARI Maybe dey couldn't wait to get home? DAVID Don't these people know we're on their side? We can't protect them if they don't stick to the schedule. SARI Dees people don�t tink like dat. DAVID Get me the Indian ambassador. ELIZABETH MARSHALL, a woman in her forties, steps from her office. BETH David, I need to speak to you. David glances over, then waves her off. DAVID In a minute, I need to take care of this. BETH This can't wait . . .really Dave. After a grunt, he grudgingly walks to her office. Once he enters, she closes the door. DAVID Beth, an organization like this cannot be run on interruptions. BETH Sit down, babe. DAVID I don't have time. I've got to straighten this guy out. She walks to her desk, turns and points at a chair. BETH David, sit! She waits until he reluctantly takes his seat. BETH What happened to you last night? You look like you slept in your clothes. What�s wrong, don�t you like the pajamas I bought you? DAVID The ones with the baby animals? BETH (smiling) You looked adorable. DAVID I�m a big boy, Beth. I have my own place and everything. BETH Well, around here, I�m the big cheese. I asked you to help out because we were short-handed. DAVID And that's the only reason you have me here? She contemplates for a moment, then leans over her desk. BETH No, I wanted to be near you, and . . . DAVID And what? BETH And, I wanted to give you some- thing to do until we found the right post for you. DAVID Stop helping me, Beth. I�ve just spent the last 6 months studying moon rocks for god sake. BETH It sounded like the perfect job. DAVID Rockwell International? BETH I thought it was an institute. You minored in archeology. You know, rocks, Rockwell . . . DAVID You knew who they were, Beth. (beat) First, you use your influence; then you accept the position, without even speaking to me? BETH You quit medical school without discussion. DAVID Ooh, payback? You really wanted to play doctor that bad? BETH You had bills and you needed the money. Besides, they kinda relate. Archeology, astrology. They even sound the same, . . . don�t they? DAVID First, it's not astrology, it's astronomy; and they have as much in common as shuttles and shovels. BETH Hey, don�t get tense. DAVID Tense? You put me up against rocket scientists with little more than shovel skills on my resume. After 6 months of trying to keep up, I�m way past tense. BETH Oh, honey; I hardly think you�re past tense. You�re really quiet, . . .nouveau. It�s important you display your intellect to some influential people. DAVID But not to the Indian ambassador?
Copyright © 1999 David Duane Fortner |