God Particle
God Particle
God Particle
by
Oren Uziel
Circle of Confusion
8548 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 253-7777
Circle of Confusion
107-23 71st Road Ste. 300
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 275-1012
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE
Sunlight illuminates a golden-hued space station, shaped
like a shoe-box suspended in a spherical maze of beams
and wires.
It looks a bit like the seed head of a dandelion.
It rotates as it hovers in an endless sea of black.
Written on the center: Dandelion - U.S.A.
INT. DANDELION - SLEEPING QUARTERS ("S DECK") - FOYER
We move along the walls of a large circular foyer,
passing a series of doors, beyond which lie the private
sleeping quarters of the crew.
We stop outside a door marked: Hamilton.
INT. DANDELION - HAMILTON'S QUARTERS
The floor is coated with rubber nubs to comfort the feet;
furniture and appliances are built into the walls, giving
the room the sleek, modern feel of a boutique hotel in
Brussels.
An ALARM BEEPS at increasing volume.
CLOSE on a woman in the bed. AVA HAMILTON, 30s, an
engineer and a woman: usually, but not always, in that
order.
HAMILTON
You don't hear that?
The ALARM BLARES.
PULL BACK to reveal a man beside Hamilton. EVAN KIEL,
30s, strong and confident: exactly the guy you'd peg to
get laid on a space station with one female resident.
KIEL
Your room, your alarm.
Bullshit.
HAMILTON
(CONTINUED)
2.
CONTINUED:
Hamilton gives Kiel a light shove of her hips and he
tumbles to the floor. The beds are narrow. Made for
one.
Kiel walks across the room and silences the alarm.
INT. DANDELION - MAIN DECK ("M DECK") - MORNING
M deck is pristine and well-lit. Central to the large
square room is a bank of computers, and a few console
chairs. Along one wall is a floor to ceiling observation
window, that isn't exactly a window.
Because of the gravity-simulating rotation of the
station, looking out a window would be dizzying. To
reproduce the effect, a camera sends a real-time, fixedposition image to a massive monitor that serves as each
of the Deck's observation windows.
Adjacent to the observation window is a red carpeted
lounge area with red couches and chairs that serves as
the official meeting area.
MIIKA FLYNN, early 30s, reed thin and boyish, pours
coffee into two cups and walks them over to CHRIS
KUNDALINI, aka MONK, late 30s, a pious man with eyes that
have seen it all and found it rather disappointing.
[A clothing note: The Dandelion crew is exclusively
attired in pale blue NASA-issue gear, which ranges from
flight-suits, to cargo pants and flight jackets, to
shorts and T-shirts.]
Both men sip their coffee and gaze out the observation
window at the distant, but brightly illuminated bodies of
the Earth and its moon.
FLYNN
Fourth time around and I'm still
not used to it.
Monk doesn't say anything, as nothing needs to be said.
FLYNN (CONT'D)
How long since you've been back?
MONK
Going on twelve years.
Flynn whistles and raises his eyebrows in awe.
FLYNN
You don't miss it?
(CONTINUED)
3.
CONTINUED:
MONK
Everyone on this station was
selected in part because we have
minimal ties to home. No spouses,
no kids -FLYNN
Sure, but you re-upped three
times.
MONK
(beat, thinking)
The Earth I miss has been gone for
thousands of years. It's like a
prodigal son: less painful to see
from afar.
INT. DANDELION - EXPERIMENTATION DECK ("X DECK")
X Deck hosts a vast network of tables, the surface of
each doubling as both touch-screen computers and table
tops supporting chemistry sets, mineral samples and other
paraphernalia of a laboratory.
The view out of X Deck's window is the same as M Deck.
brightly lit and perfectly centered Earth and moon.
4.
CONTINUED:
MUNDY
No, I want to tell you we cracked
open the last box of sausages.
Martinez and Cosbi shake their heads at one another.
INT. DANDELION - RECREATION DECK ("R DECK") - LATER
R Deck includes the kitchen, dining room, a video booth
for recording and receiving communications with Earth,
and an exercise area with weight machines and a small
pool.
R Deck is the homiest area of the station, meant to
convey the creature comforts of Earth to a station that
will serve as the crew's only home for four years.
Seated around a long green table are Monk, Flynn,
Martinez and Mundy. Cosbi sits in the video booth.
Kiel and Hamilton arrive and head for the food trays.
HAMILTON
(peeved)
You ate all the sausages?
MUNDY
We figured you'd already had
plenty.
Everybody snickers but Monk.
Mr. Mundy!
MONK
HAMILTON
You don't need to defend me.
just being funny.
And jealous.
So jealous.
He's
FLYNN
MUNDY
MONK
I'm not defending you, Miss
Hamilton. I just don't appreciate
such talk on this station.
MUNDY
Lighten up, huh Monkeyfuck?
Monk abruptly gets up and leaves the room.
(CONTINUED)
5.
CONTINUED:
MUNDY (CONT'D)
Man, that guy is stiffer than a
priest at Pre-K disco party.
Hamilton and Kiel remain over by the food containers.
HAMILTON
I can't believe you didn't save us
any sausage.
From out of nowhere, a snarling dog leaps at them and
Kiel and Hamilton jump.
Flynn steps out from behind them and puts an arm out to
shield the no-longer-concerned couple.
FLYNN
(all drama)
I'll save you.
Flynn points a finger gun at the dog, DUKE, a golden
retriever, and a permanent resident on the station.
Pow.
FLYNN (CONTD)
(pulling the trigger)
(CONTINUED)
6.
CONTINUED: (2)
NEWS ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Across the pond, European brigades
continue to arrive along the coast
of Quebec, and are expected to
begin a counter-offensive into
Northern New York and New England
in the very near future.
HAMILTON
If that's news from a month ago,
by now we might live in Europe and
they might live in the U.S.
Before Cosbi can respond to the rhetorical question,
MUSIC suddenly BLARES at max volume from the stereo.
Its something loud, akin to BACK IN BLACK.
Cosbi and Hamilton turn to see Mundy rocking out by the
stereo, and roll their eyes. It would appear this is
very much a frequent occurrence.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK - LATER
The entire crew sits in the lounge area, listening to
Martinez's daily report.
MARTINEZ
Lastly, Mr. Cosbi and I have our
final space walk today. If all
goes well, we'll initiate our
first test of the collider this
evening.
Hoots and hollers erupt from the crew.
FLYNN
Never thought I'd see the day.
MUNDY
An experiment 42-months in the
making, and I still don't
understand what were building.
Theres a collective groan from the rest of the crew.
MARTINEZ
Mundy, you know damn well what
were building.
MUNDY
Sure, a particle accelerator.
what does it do?
But
(CONTINUED)
7.
CONTINUED:
Cosbi stands and walks over to the observation window,
and immediately a chorus of No! and We get it! rings
out from the entire crew.
Everyone, that is, but Mundy, whos laughing his ass off.
Hes asked this question a million times, knowing that
every time he does, Cosbi is compelled to answer.
Cosbi takes a white chalk-shaped tool from the base of
the observation window. Using the tool he traces a large
white rectangle directly onto the window, which, after a
tap of his hand, goes pitch black, like a blackboard.
Cosbi then traces two overlapping circles in the form of
a Venn Diagram.
COSBI
On the left, we have -HAMILTON
General Relativity!
COSBI
(writes the words)
On the right -KIEL
Quantum Mechanics!
COSBI
(he writes again)
And in the middle -FLYNN
(overly dramatic)
Conflict, chaos... anarchy!
COSBI
(he writes the words)
For a hundred years physicists
have been searching for the final
piece of the puzzle that will
unite these two powerful theories
into one cohesive, comprehensive
explanation of the universe.
Cosbi picks up a black erasor-like tool and wipes away
the intersection of the two circles and the words he's
written.
He then combines them into one circle, and starts writing
inside it.
EVERYONE (IN UNISON)
The Theory of Everything.
(CONTINUED)
8.
CONTINUED: (2)
After a goofy round of hoots and hollers, Mundy speaks.
MUNDY
Right, but what does it do?
MARTINEZ
Mundy, you guys are engineers.
You're paid to build, not to
understand the physics.
MUNDY
(to Flynn)
To be honest I'm mostly here to
make sausage jokes.
FLYNN
(clapping Mundy on
the shoulder)
Those are good jokes, man.
Thank you.
MUNDY
MARTINEZ
The time is now 10:40.
noon for the walk.
X-Deck at
9.
CONTINUED:
KIEL
What, with these assholes?
Hamilton offers up a half-hearted laugh, but Kiel sees
right through it.
KIEL (CONTD)
How come every time I talk about
going home I lose you?
HAMILTON
Im supposed to be excited to go
back to World War Three?
KIEL
No, even before the war. You were
weird about home three years ago.
(beat)
What are you so afraid of?
Hamilton stares at Kiel. Maybe shes thinking about
telling him, maybe shes just waiting for him to drop it.
Its hard to tell, but whats clear is shes not talking.
KIEL (CONTD)
(frustrated)
Nice, there it is. That fucking
look. You know what? If Im just
some piece of meat to you, Id
rather you say it to my face than
string me along and then drop me
the second we get back to Earth.
Kiel storms off.
KIEL (CONTD)
(as he leaves)
Christ... I feel like Im fifth
grade.
Kiel!
HAMILTON
Its not like that.
Kiel!
10.
CONTINUED:
The massive chain connects to the Dandelion via a
reinforced cable, attached to which is a ski slope style
chair lift.
Strapped into the lift is Martinez, and strapped above
him is a four-foot by four-foot panel that houses all of
the colliders operational systems.
The closer we get, the bigger and longer the chain proves
to be. Each cylinder is ten-meters in diameter and the
chain extends at least a mile off into the abyss.
INT. DANDELION - X DECK
Hamilton stands behind Cosbi and Mundy.
HAMILTON
Tell me again why it has to be so
far away from the station?
COSBI
(serious)
In case it works.
Hamilton offers a tense smile and walks over to Kiel and
Flynn, who strain their eyes for the occasional twinkle
of light that reflects off the chair lift.
Hamilton pokes Kiel in the ribs and he rolls his eyes.
She pokes him again and he switches places with Flynn.
HAMILTON
(to Flynn)
Tell Kiel that I say Im sorry.
KIEL
(to Flynn)
Tell Hamilton that I say she
should blow it out her ass.
FLYNN
You guys are adorable.
KIEL
Eat shit, Flynn.
The trio falls silent as they stare out the window.
HAMILTON
Twenty bucks says this collider
gets us all killed.
(CONTINUED)
11.
CONTINUED:
Deal.
KIEL
(to Flynn)
If she wins, how's she gonna
collect?
INT. DANDELION - X DECK - SOMETIME LATER
Mundy stands behind Martinez and Cosbi who enter a series
of numbers into a computer table.
Mundy yawns, audibly.
COSBI
Nobody's asking you to watch.
MUNDY
Are you kidding? This is the most
exciting thing that's happened up
here since Duke got the runs.
Martinez punches in one last number and looks at Cosbi.
You ready?
Ready.
MARTINEZ
COSBI
(CONTINUED)
12.
CONTINUED:
Yanked from its rotation and sucked into the severely
warped fabric of space, the station loses gravity.
The crew and all unmoored objects float into the center
of the room. They hang, baffled, terrified, for maybe
three seconds, before being
SLAMMED back into the floor.
The white light disappears, the station's rotation
resumes, and all systems are go. Whatever happened is
now over.
The place is chaos, with chairs, computer tables and lab
instruments strewn haphazardly across the floor.
The crew lies shaken on the floor.
KIEL
(to Hamilton)
Are you alright?
Hamilton nods.
KIEL (CONTD)
Is everyone alright?
(beat)
Is anyone hurt?
I can't...
FLYNN
I can't see.
MARTINEZ
MUNDY
Is it supposed to do that?
Over by the window, Flynn stares, wild-eyed at nothing.
FLYNN
I watched it. I saw everything.
I saw the Earth.
KIEL
Take it easy, Flynny, it'll come
back.
(CONTINUED)
13.
CONTINUED: (2)
FLYNN
I saw. I saw the universe.
everything!
I saw
FLYNN
HAMILTON
(looking out the
window)
Oh my god.
The crew stares in stunned silence at a million
shimmering stars.
The Earth and moon are gone.
FLYNN
It's gone, isn't it?
KIEL
(to Martinez)
Display the Western view.
Martinez hits a key and the image on the observation
window changes to a different array of stars.
East.
KIEL (CONTD)
(same)
North.
(same)
South.
I saw.
FLYNN
HAMILTON
What did you see?
FLYNN
I saw the world die.
14.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY - SOMETIME LATER
The infirmary consists of a main room, filled with
gleaming white medical instruments and a surgical table
in the center. Flanking the main room are a pair of
recovery rooms.
Hamilton exits one of the recovery rooms, leaving Flynn
lying down in the bed behind her.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK
Hamilton enters R Deck to find the entire deck soaked
with water. During the momentary loss of gravity, the
water lifted from the pool, and with gravitys resumption
subsequently doused the entire deck.
Hamilton walks past the now empty pool and notices the
hatch to the maintenance area beneath is open.
She jumps into the pool and peers into the open hatch.
Hello?
HAMILTON
HAMILTON
MONK
HAMILTON
Monk, we dont know anything yet.
MONK
On the contrary... We know too
much. Dont you see? We werent
content with the world as given to
us. We pushed and pushed, and now
weve tampered with elemental
nature and the punishment has been
swift and severe.
15.
INT. DANDELION - X DECK - SOMETIME LATER
Data streams across the table top computers.
KIEL
(reading the data)
I don't understand any of this.
MUNDY
We're absolutely certain we
weren't thrown out of orbit in the
flash?
KIEL
Our position is unchanged, Mundy.
Stop asking that.
A door opens and Hamilton arrives.
Hows Flynn?
Blind.
KIEL (CONTD)
HAMILTON
Sedated.
MUNDY
Did he say anything?
HAMILTON
Same as before. He saw the
universe come together. He called
it a singularity. Says when it
snapped back the Earth was gone.
MUNDY
What the hell does that mean?
Hamilton shakes her head, as confused as anyone.
KIEL
Monk went AWOL.
HAMILTON
I saw him.
(shakes her head)
Not good.
Across the room, Martinez sits at a black monitor that
bursts into life.
Got it.
MARTINEZ
16.
CONTINUED:
We see the view as we saw it before, the Earth and moon
centered on a black sky, the ambient light reflecting off
their surface obscuring all other celestial bodies.
The halo of light appears on the left side of the screen.
The light grows and bleeds across the entire frame.
The light cuts out abruptly, replaced by a billion stars.
A beautiful, heavenly, Earth-less universe.
HAMILTON
I dont... Its... What the hell
are we looking at?
MUNDY
What did you do?
Mundy advances on Martinez, but Kiel pulls him back.
MARTINEZ
We don't know.
KIEL
You must know something.
MARTINEZ
It seems to have been much bigger
than expected.
HAMILTON
What was expected? Big what?
COSBI
(tense)
Watch it Martinez.
MARTINEZ
(loose)
What difference does it make now?
KIEL
What difference does what make?
What are you hiding?
COSBI
We're not hiding anything.
HAMILTON
So what's he supposed to watch?
(CONTINUED)
17.
CONTINUED: (2)
COSBI
(deliberately)
Something has obviously gone
wrong, and emotions are running
high.
MUNDY
(incredulous)
Emotions are running high?
COSBI
I don't want something he says to
be misinterpreted. I don't want
to fall victim to frontier
justice.
MUNDY
Victim? The earth is gone!
destroyed the earth.
You
COSBI
We don't know that.
MUNDY
We don't know there's no Santa
Claus either, but at this point
I'm pretty well convinced.
No one speaks for upwards of a minute.
HAMILTON
We should send word. Even if we
cant see them we should -KIEL
A message from us has no value.
With the month lag in relaying
messages, itll be two months
before we could possibly hear
back.
(beat)
Well know in a month from the
news feed. If it cuts out...
The gravity of the situation slowly begins to sink in.
MUNDY
(shaking)
This isn't happening.
KIEL
All those people.
MUNDY
This can't be happening.
(CONTINUED)
18.
CONTINUED: (3)
Mundy steps over and slugs Martinez in the jaw, knocking
him to the floor. He turns on Cosbi, who blocks Mundy's
punch and retaliates with a chop to Mundy's throat.
Mundy collapses to the floor, gasping for breath. Cosbi
rises to strike again, but Kiel catches his arm from
behind and wrestles him to the ground.
Martinez and Mundy recover enough to join the scuffle.
Stop it!
HAMILTON
Stop!
19.
CONTINUED:
C) Cosbi sits at a computer table. On the screen, we see
the computer scanning the visible universe for the Earth.
The scan is 16% complete. Kiel sits a few feet away,
shaking his head.
D) Mundy constructs an alcohol still in his quarters.
E) Monk sits on a couch on M Deck, looking unnerved.
F) Kiel sits in front of the observation window, staring
out at the stars.
G) Cosbi lifts weights in the gym.
H) Hamilton flips through a kindle-like display of
photographs. Mother. Father. Husband. Son. Daughter.
I) Mundy, his Back in Black song BLARING, stands ankle
deep in the pool as it slowly refills with water. He
takes a drink of the gray product from his still, and his
face goes haywire. He grunts, shudders and drinks again.
J) Monk wanders the rows of the greenhouse.
K) Hamilton fixes a loose clamp on a valve.
L) Mundy, drunk and wearing a space suit, sits at the
bottom of the pool.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK - TWO MONTHS LATER
The entire crew sits in the lounge on M Deck.
HAMILTON
(halting, unsure)
I'm glad you all agreed to get
together this morning. I know, on
some level, maybe every level,
there's not much to talk about.
But, it's been almost two months.
Hamilton swallows, she's not a natural public speaker.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
The computer's scan of the visible
universe is complete, and the
situation remains unchanged.
Mundy gets up and heads for the door.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
Mundy, hear me out.
Mundy stops.
(CONTINUED)
20.
CONTINUED:
MUNDY
What the hell for? So you can
tell me what I already know?
HAMILTON
We have food. We have a renewable
food supply. We get our power
from the sun.
MUNDY
What's your point?
HAMILTON
My point is we can live out the
rest of our days here, and our
lives won't be any shorter for not
having an earth.
MONK
So we should just proceed as if
God hasn't chosen to wipe the
entire human race out of
existence?
MUNDY
God didn't do shit, it was Cosbi
and Tex-Mex.
MARTINEZ
It was an accident.
MUNDY
An accident?!?
FLYNN
You murdered the entire planet.
HAMILTON
Listen, we need to move beyond
finger pointing.
MUNDY
And do what, exactly? The earth
is gone, and we're stuck on a
station that doesn't move. We're
fucked.
We're alive.
To what end?
KIEL
MONK
(CONTINUED)
21.
CONTINUED: (2)
KIEL
I don't know. But Hamiltons
right. We need to come up with a
plan. Or if not a plan, a
constitution. Some ordering
principal.
MUNDY
Fine. Here's my plan: I'm going
to go to my quarters and beat off.
After that I'll probably head over
to R Deck to grab some lunch, then
maybe head back to my quarters for
another go round with Mr. Right.
Mundy stands up, looking proud of himself.
KIEL
Thanks, Mundy. Always helpful.
MUNDY
If you haven't noticed, we're over
pal. We're the legless casualties
lying on the killing field at
Gettysburg waiting to bleed out.
KIEL
What do you suggest, mass suicide?
MUNDY
No way, Kiel. I'm gonna win this
thing. Gonna carve my name in the
wall. B.L. Mundy: Last man
standing.
Cosbi coughs up a grim chuckle.
COSBI
You're a sick fuck, hombre.
MUNDY
Takes one to know one.
COSBI
You want to settle this right here
and now?
Love to.
MUNDY
22.
CONTINUED: (3)
MUNDY
Blow it out your ass, Hamilton.
haven't the slightest idea who
elected you class president.
MARTINEZ
(CONTINUED)
23.
CONTINUED: (4)
MONK (CONT'D)
For two months now, I have tried
to express my concern to you about
the manner in which you speak, and
the manner in which you behave.
(beat)
The first time God destroyed the
earth for man's wickedness, he
chose Noah and his ark to carry
on. I have struggled, alone it
seems, to understand why this time
God has chosen the seven of us. I
have prayed and prayed on it. Why
us?
The crew stares at him in slack-jawed silence.
MONK (CONT'D)
But perhaps I've got it all wrong.
Maybe God didn't choose us at all.
(beat)
Maybe we were simply overlooked.
INT. DANDELION - HAMILTON QUARTERS - NIGHT
Hamilton paces, wearing out the nubs on the floor. Kiel
sits on the bed, elbows on his knees, looking tired.
Don't.
HAMILTON
KIEL
Just sit down. You're being
irrational.
HAMILTON
Don't you dare give me that
irrational woman bullshit. This
entire situation is insane.
KIEL
It's early still. They'll get it
together.
HAMILTON
Get it together? How? No, things
are only going to get worse.
KIEL
You don't know that.
(CONTINUED)
24.
CONTINUED:
HAMILTON
Kiel, I'm the only goddamn woman.
Every morning I wake up wondering
if this is the day I'll get raped.
Every night I lie in bed listening
for them to show up at my door.
KIEL
I keep telling you Ill never let
that happen.
HAMILTON
My knight in shining armor.
KIEL
What the hell do you want me to
say? That its hopeless? That we
all might as well take a cyanide
pill and be done with it? If
thats what you think, than to
hell with you.
Kiel storms out of the room, leaving Hamilton alone on
her bed. She sits a moment in silence, tears forcing
their way out of her eyes and onto her cheeks.
She pulls out her photo-player and turns it on.
Mother.
Father.
Husband.
Son.
Daughter.
25.
CONTINUED:
She lifts the cover to the outside door of the lock.
She reaches for the lever.
KIEL (O.S.) (FILTERED)
Everyone! Main deck. Now!
(beat)
There's something out there.
Hamilton's hand lingers a moment, then drops to her side.
She'll live a little longer.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK - A FEW MINUTES LATER
The entire crew huddles around a computer monitor. In
the center of the monitor is an icon of the space
station, surrounded by concentric circles. Off to the
far corner of the screen is a small, blinking dot.
KIEL
I thought it was just debris at
first, but then...
Then what?
COSBI
KIEL
It slowed down.
No one knows what to say.
HAMILTON
MONK
26.
CONTINUED:
Written on the hull: Lily - Euro 4
The video screen bursts into life, and we see a crew of
four European astronauts. The man in the center speaks.
EUROPEAN
Hello everyone. My name is Philip
Tam, and I don't think I have to
tell you how wonderful it is to
see you all.
There are a few hellos from both crews, followed by an
awkward silence.
COSBI
What can we do for you, Mr. Tam?
TAM
(clears his throat)
We would like to dock with the
station and restock our shuttle
with food, fuel and water.
COSBI
And why would we allow that?
This question takes both crews by surprise.
TAM
Because we're fellow human beings?
COSBI
I'm not sure what that has to do
with your request to raid our
station and plunder our supplies?
TAM
Your station is self-sustaining.
We spent half our fuel just to get
to you, and in a week we'll be out
of food. If you don't let us
aboard we'll certainly die.
COSBI
This station is self-sustaining
for a crew of up to nine people.
With your four, we'll have eleven.
TAM
As I said, we have no intention to
stay. And with your help we could
extend our search another few
months at a minimum.
(CONTINUED)
27.
CONTINUED: (2)
COSBI
Your search for what?
TAM
For Earth, naturally.
There's a dull murmur from the Dandelion crew as they
absorb the heartbreaking nature of the Lily's
predicament.
TAM (CONTD)
By helping us you will extend the
possibility that we'll locate the
earth and send a rescue party.
The prospect of this crew aimlessly wandering the galaxy
in search of their missing planet stops even Cosbi short.
TAM (CONTD)
(frustrated)
Mr. Cosbi, our position is plain:
Our fate is entirely in the hands
of the crew of the Dandelion. We
can offer you nothing more than
our word and our eternal
gratitude.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK - SOMETIME LATER
Everyone but Monk are present and shouting. Amid the din
it's clear there is disagreement as to whether or not to
allow the Lily to dock with the station.
COSBI
Might I remind everyone that we're
at war with Europe. Aiding that
crew is nothing short of treason.
HAMILTON
That's ridiculous. The countries
fighting that war don't even exist
anymore.
MARTINEZ
It matters with regard to trust.
How we can believe they'll take
what they need and go? And as
outlandish as it is, let's say
they do find Earth. Then what?
Then we're still at war, and you
can bet your ass they don't send
help. It's lose, lose.
(CONTINUED)
28.
CONTINUED:
HAMILTON
Unless, of course, you're a human
being, in which case it's win,
win.
COSBI
You'll be singing a different tune
when food starts running low.
HAMILTON
So your solution is to kill all
four in order to prevent us from
having to kill two.
MARTINEZ
Who says it'll be us killing them?
This is bad.
MUNDY
FLYNN
But aren't they doing exactly what
we would in the same situation?
Yes.
KIEL
FLYNN
And if it was us, would we keep
our word and leave?
HAMILTON
There's no possible way to know
what we'd do.
FLYNN
Then it follows that there's no
way to know what they'll do.
COSBI
Then you agree it's a bad idea.
FLYNN
No, I simply want us to make an
informed decision.
Wheres Monk?
MUNDY
HAMILTON
Are we really contemplating
letting those people die?
(CONTINUED)
29.
CONTINUED: (2)
COSBI
Are you really contemplating
letting them on board? What are
you suicidal?
Hamilton's eyes widen.
MUNDY
Where the hell is Monk?
INT. DANDELION - GREENHOUSE - SAME TIME
Monk quietly stands at a row of carrots, pumping
nutrients into the soil.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK
The crew sit at the table staring at Mundy, who holds his
Cubs hat upside down and shakes it vigorously.
COSBI
It's not bingo, asshole. You
don't need to mix the votes.
Mundy stops shaking the hat and stares at Cosbi.
HAMILTON
Can we do this, please?
Mundy pulls a folded slip of paper out of his hat.
He unfolds it and reads it as he flips it over.
MUNDY
Let them on.
(repeating the
process)
Keep them off.
(again)
Keep them off.
Hamilton steals a glance at Kiel.
MUNDY (CONT'D)
Let them on.
(to Flynn)
This is fucking intense.
COSBI
Just read the votes.
(CONTINUED)
30.
CONTINUED:
MUNDY
(unfolding another)
Let them on.
Cosbi pounds the table with his fist.
Mundy reaches into the hat.
MONK (O.S.)
Keep them off.
Everyone turns to see Monk standing in the doorway.
MONK (CONT'D)
(approaching the
table)
I prayed on this, and the lord has
told me to keep them off.
Why?
HAMILTON
(stunned)
MONK
The lord works in mysterious ways.
MUNDY
Are you fucking kidding?
COSBI
It's three votes a piece.
the last vote.
Read
Makes
MUNDY
(flipping the paper)
All aboard.
It reads: Let them on.
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. DANDELION DOCKING PORT/OUTER SPACE - LATER
The Lily has maneuvered itself to within 100 yards.
massive cylindrical arm extends from the Dandelion.
(CONTINUED)
31.
CONTINUED:
The entire crew waits in the docking port. Cosbi and
Martinez each have a fire-ax at the ready. Mundy eyes
the Dandelion's arm through a monitor, and as it drifts
closer to the Lily, he flips a switch and it stops.
A trio of HATCHES POP open on the Lily, exposing magnets
that pull the ARM into place with a powerful BANG.
As soon as the arm connects, the Lily begins to move in a
long, sweeping arc, as the arm pulls it into rhythm with
the gravity-simulating rotation of the Dandelion.
Once the two crafts' rotations are synchronous, Kiel
unlocks the bolts on the port door and swings it open to
reveal a long gangway that leads directly to a door on
the Lily.
The Lily door opens, and the crew of the Dandelion finds
themselves staring at the crew of the Lily, 100 yards
away.
Kiel and Cosbi head down the gangway.
Hamilton moves to join them but Kiel stops her.
KIEL
It's not chivalry, it's common
sense.
Hamilton reluctantly backs down.
INT. GANGWAY BETWEEN DANDELION AND LILY
Kiel and Cosbi walk toward the center of the gangway.
Approaching from the Lily is a large bruiser of a man.
They reach each other and Kiel extends his hand.
eschews the hand and gives Kiel a warm hug.
The man
32.
CONTINUED:
[Second clothing note: The Lily crew is exclusively
attired in crimson ESA-issue gear, also in a wide variety
of styles.]
There's PHILIP TAM, 40s, Chinese, lanky, serious; CAMILLE
GIREAUX, 30s, the French beauty; ERNST SCHMIDT, 40s, a
Werner Herzogian astrophysicist; RUUD WIBLE, 30s, a
handsome doctor with a short haircut and glasses.
The crew of the Dandelion eyes them from across the room.
FLYNN
What's Duke doing?
Duke is on his back, exposing his belly to Schmidt.
MUNDY
Showing off his junk.
Good sign.
FLYNN
WIBLE
(CONTINUED)
33.
CONTINUED: (2)
SCHMIDT
If you don't mind, Mr. Martinez,
it's been some time since we've
experienced a simulacrum of
gravity. Perhaps we could have
some time to get our sea legs.
Of course.
KIEL
FLYNN
Why don't we take the day off.
Relax. Forget our troubles.
(beat)
There'll be plenty of time
tomorrow to remember we're all
doomed.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK - EVENING
For the first time since the incident, R Deck is bubbling
with life. Wible plays fetch with Duke; Mundy hits on
Gireaux and Tam prepares dinner in a large wok.
MUNDY
You had a shower?
GIREAUX
Yes, thank you.
MUNDY
You smell amazing.
Flynn arrives with Kiel, and Gireaux immediately leaves
Mundy to join them.
Mundy exits, as Cosbi and Hamilton waltz in carrying
baskets filled with raw vegetables. They set them down
by Tam, who pours the cooked food into a bowl.
Steam and the scent of stir-fried vegetables fills the
room. Duke dashes over and begins to beg.
Monk arrives with Schmidt.
SCHMIDT
You have a very interesting
perspective, my friend. Most
convincing. But while you believe
this was the hand of a higher
power, I believe nature is its own
higher power; it is something to
be neither mourned nor celebrated.
(CONTINUED)
34.
CONTINUED:
MONK
What you call nature, I call God.
SCHMIDT
But your God is a sentient entity.
Nature is unconscious, and
therefore indifferent to the moral
actions of man.
Mundy reenters the dining area, carrying a large beaker
filled with a cloudy liquid.
SCHMIDT (CONT'D)
What have you got there?
Poison.
HAMILTON
MUNDY
She means, pwa-sonn, which is
french, for gin.
No it's not.
GIREAUX
MUNDY
Trust me, I've been drinking this
for weeks.
(beat)
You want a guinea pig?
Not the dog.
FLYNN
(CONTINUED)
35.
CONTINUED: (2)
To humanity.
EVERYONE
MUNDY
36.
CONTINUED:
MUNDY
You hungry, boy?
Mundy tosses Duke the mushroom hes been holding and the
dog ignores it.
Mundy shoots a worried glance at Flynn.
Duke sits there, panting heavily, his front legs
quivering.
FLYNN
You okay, Duke?
Duke whines again, then vomits. Flynn stands up and goes
to the dog, who bares his teeth and snaps at him.
Jesus, Duke.
FLYNN (CONTD)
Ham, No.
MUNDY
37.
CONTINUED: (2)
TAM
It's just sesame oil, onions,
chili peppers... It's nothing.
HAMILTON
Kiel, Duke could've been sick with
anything. We don't know.
KIEL
That's right, we don't know. We
don't know Tam, or his motives.
TAM
Mr. Kiel, I assure you -KIEL
You can't assure me of anything.
MUNDY
Dude, you want me to eat the food?
Will that make you feel better?
Mundy reaches for the stir-fry, but Martinez stops him.
What?
KIEL
You're in on this?
MARTINEZ
Kiel, it's just common sense.
Kiel's breath becomes labored. He jumps up, the back of
his legs sending his chair skittering across the floor.
KIEL
What's happening to me?
Hamilton rushes to his side. Kiel unzips the top of his
suit, his skin is pink and sweaty.
Wible leans over and smells Duke's mouth.
WIBLE
(to Flynn)
Do you feed the dog almonds?
Almonds?
FLYNN
MUNDY
We don't even have almonds.
WIBLE
Almond scent is an indicator of
cyanide poisoning.
(CONTINUED)
38.
CONTINUED: (3)
Cyanide?
KIEL
Eyes dart
KIEL (CONTD)
Ham...
(struggling)
Ham?
Kiel stops, his hands clutching at his throat, then
pitches forward, his head striking the table, and lands
face down. Blood trickles from the wound in his head.
Everyone bolts up from the table, not knowing what to do.
Wible checks his neck for a pulse.
FLYNN
What happened?
(no one answers)
Kiel? What happened?
Kiel's dead.
MARTINEZ
TAM (CONTD)
The knife. Down.
(CONTINUED)
39.
CONTINUED: (4)
Wible stares Tam down for a moment, then looks to Schmidt
for support. Not getting any, he puts down his knife.
Cosbi and Martinez keep theirs.
TAM (CONTD)
(very deliberately)
I assure you we had nothing to do
with Mr. Kiels death. But this
is your station, and Mr. Kiel was
a member of your crew. So we will
do whatever you need us to do to
put you at ease.
COSBI
You could start by leaving.
TAM
If thats what you want, we will
oblige.
(beat)
But you might as well kill us all
right now.
FLYNN
The infirmary. We can lock them
in a recovery room until we figure
out what happened.
COSBI
Why keep them here? I warned you
this would happen if we -HAMILTON
Im with Flynn.
What?
Me too.
COSBI
MUNDY
40.
CONTINUED:
TAM
Why would I poison Kiel?
COSBI
To lower head count. You never
had any intention of leaving, did
you?
TAM
That's not true. If that were
true why would we voluntarily
agree to be locked in these rooms?
Weve put ourselves completely at
your mercy.
MARTINEZ
Mr. Tam, put yourself in our
shoes. Everything was fine until
the moment you got here.
HAMILTON
That's a joke. Things were far
from fine.
MARTINEZ
What are you saying?
HAMILTON
I'm saying if one of us had wanted
Kiel dead, tonight would've been
the perfect night to do it.
MARTINEZ
Why would anyone want to kill
Kiel?
HAMILTON
(to Cosbi)
Secrecy.
(to Martinez)
Isolationism.
(to Monk)
Insanity.
(to Mundy)
Jealousy.
MUNDY
(indicating Hamilton)
Revenge.
HAMILTON
What's that supposed to mean?
(CONTINUED)
41.
CONTINUED: (2)
MUNDY
I heard the two of you fighting
yesterday. Maybe he dumped you
and you couldn't take it.
HAMILTON
Fuck you, Mundy.
TAM
What is Mr. Cosbi secretive about?
COSBI
Nothing. Hamilton, I'm not sure I
understand your motives for
defending the Europeans.
HAMILTON
I don't give a damn about the
Europeans. I'm just pointing out
that locking them up doesn't mean
we've isolated the murderer.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK
Hamilton, Flynn, Monk, Mundy, Martinez and Cosbi all
stand in a semi-circle around the bodies of Kiel and
Duke, both wrapped in sheets.
No one speaks for a few moments, and the only sound comes
from Hamilton, who sniffles lightly.
MONK
(to Hamilton)
If youd like I could say a few
words.
HAMILTON
No offense, Monk, but he wouldnt
have wanted you to. Just... I
dont know. Look, this isnt
about me. Just...
Hamilton turns to go, then turns back, walks up to Kiels
shrouded body and slaps him in the chest.
Her head drops, and then she gathers herself.
Shit.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
(wiping her eyes)
42.
EXT. DANDELION
The twinkling stars that surround the Dandelion are
joined for a brief moment by the passing bodies of Kiel
and Duke, as they float off into infinity.
INT. DANDELION - GREENHOUSE - LATER THAT NIGHT
The room is dark, as the roof panels of the greenhouse
are closed, providing the plants with a simulated night.
The lights click on, and we see Martinez standing in the
middle of the room holding a small vial filled with a
clear solution.
Hamilton stands by the light switch by the door.
HAMILTON
Sudden bout of insomnia?
Curiosity.
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
Honesty's always the best policy.
What have you got there?
MARTINEZ
It's a soil sample, mixed with
iron sulfate.
Martinez pulls a blue vial out of his pocket.
MARTINEZ (CONT'D)
This one's from the residue in
Kiel's mouth.
Hamilton goes pale.
MARTINEZ (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, about Kiel.
Hamilton nods.
His is blue.
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
Prussian blue, which means
cyanide.
Martinez shakes the soil sample.
It stays clear.
(CONTINUED)
43.
CONTINUED:
HAMILTON
I suppose that's what passes for
good news.
Very good.
MARTINEZ
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
Do you really think it was one of
us that killed Kiel?
HAMILTON
I don't know what to think.
MONK (O.S.)
I'm sorry, too.
Martinez and Hamilton jump, then turn to see Monk.
About Kiel.
MONK (CONT'D)
He was a good man.
44.
CONTINUED: (2)
MONK (CONTD)
Thats what I was afraid of.
The BASS BEAT of Mundys Back in Black song emanates up
through the greenhouse floor.
MARTINEZ
Ill fucking kill him.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK
Hamilton, Martinez and Monk arrive to find a drunken
Mundy leaned face-first against the stereo, barely able
to hold his head up.
The MUSIC is DEAFENINGLY LOUD.
Cosbi arrives in boxers and an undershirt, looking like
he just woke up.
COSBI
(nearly inaudible)
What the hell is going on?
Mundy keeps bobbing and swaying, not quite in time to the
music.
Across the room, we see the tennis-ball knob and then
shaft of Flynns makeshift blind cane, followed by Flynn.
FLYNN
Whats going on in here?
Cosbi walks over and picks up a remote control.
it and the music cuts out.
He taps
COSBI (CONTD)
MUNDY
(to Cosbi, maybe)
You could have at least had the
decency to show me your face.
(CONTINUED)
45.
CONTINUED:
Mundy slumps to the floor, dead.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY
The five remaining Dandelion crew members stand in the
main room, staring at the four Lily crew members, all
safely locked in one of the recovery rooms, staring back
at them.
HAMILTON
This doesn't make any sense.
FLYNN
Could they have slipped out and
slipped back in.
MARTINEZ
No way. Those are quarantine
rooms. Theyre airtight to
prevent an infectious outbreak.
As if to prove the point, you can see Tam's lips moving
on the other side of the reinforced glass window, but no
sound escapes the room.
HAMILTON
It doesn't make sense.
MONK
It makes perfect sense.
God --
COSBI
Monk, not now.
HAMILTON
It has to be one of us.
be.
Why?
It has to
FLYNN
For what possible reason?
(CONTINUED)
46.
CONTINUED:
COSBI
Martinez, calm down.
Think.
MARTINEZ
I am thinking. Protocol says if
we detonate successfully, we wipe
the crew. But there's no earth,
Cosbi. Why do this?
HAMILTON
Detonate what successfully?
COSBI
(fooling no one)
I have no idea what he's talking
about. He's lost it.
MARTINEZ
Cosbi and I are military. The
collider we were testing is a
weapon.
The rest of the crew gasps audibly.
MARTINEZ (CONT'D)
A few dozen years ago the
Europeans proved the existence of
the Higgs Boson, a massive scalar
elementary particle.
HAMILTON
Speak english, Martinez.
MARTINEZ
Elementary particles have no
substructure. Break an atom down
and you get nucleus and electrons.
Break a nucleus down and you get
protons and neutrons. Higgs
Bosons are made of nothing but
themselves.
(beat)
Splitting the atom gave us Fat Man
and Little Boy. Splitting the
Higgs Boson yields... Well,
that's what we aimed to find out.
Good lord.
FLYNN
HAMILTON
But why? Why design something
like that?
(CONTINUED)
47.
CONTINUED: (2)
COSBI
(rhetorical)
Why would a superpower arm itself
with enough nuclear warheads to
destroy the Earth ten times over?
MARTINEZ
The idea was to test it at a safe
distance. Learn its scope.
FLYNN
You're insane!
COSBI
You're naive. The Europeans had
the Boson. It was only a matter
of time before they did the same
thing.
HAMILTON
(to Martinez)
You mentioned a protocol.
does that mean?
What
MARTINEZ
The weapon was classified. I
mean, beyond classified. The
President doesnt even know about
it. Other than Cosbi and me,
anyone else with knowledge of its
existence was to be killed.
HAMILTON
But we helped you build it; We
were obviously going to know it
existed.
Martinez doesn't say anything, which says everything.
Oh my god.
HAMILTON (CONT'D)
48.
CONTINUED: (3)
COSBI
I didnt do anything.
HAMILTON
But you dont deny Martinezs
story?
COSBI
Martinezs story is irrelevant.
(beat)
Do you expect me to apologize?
Were at war, and I am a soldier.
Sacrifices must be made for the
greater good.
HAMILTON
So you admit killing Mundy and
Kiel?
COSBI
(flustered)
No, thats not what Im saying.
Flynn shuffles in Cosbis direction and swings his cane
wildly.
Its a swooping, obvious assault, and Cosbi instinctively
grabs the cane and delivers a short right cross to
Flynns nose.
Flynn drops to the floor in a heap, and Cosbi looks down
at him, looking more than a little ashamed for punching a
blind man in the nose.
The action brings the four Europeans to their feet, all
watching through the soundproof window in rapt attention.
HAMILTON
Cosbi, get in that room!
COSBI
If I go into that room Ill be
dead by morning.
HAMILTON
Sacrifices must be made, Cosbi.
COSBI
Im not going in that room.
Another beat, as Hamilton gauges their chances.
Fine.
HAMILTON
(CONTINUED)
49.
CONTINUED: (4)
Hamilton walks quickly to the door of the room holding
the Europeans.
MARTINEZ
What are you doing?
HAMILTON
Im letting them out. Those four
people are the only ones I know
didnt kill Mundy.
MONK
What about Kiel?
HAMILTON
You expect me to believe one
person killed Kiel for one reason,
and then someone else killed Mundy
for an entirely different reason?
The question hangs in the air a moment.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
Im standing in a room with a
blind guy, Mr. Doomsday and two
maniacs who just admitted they had
every intention of killing the
entire crew. Right now Id feel
safer with them than without them.
Hamilton opens their door.
Him.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
(pointing to Cosbi)
(pointing to the
other room)
In there.
Schmidt, Wible, Tam and Martinez advance on Cosbi, who
erects a fighting posture.
He takes a vicious swing with Flynns cane that nearly
breaks Wibles wrist, but is quickly overwhelmed by the
other three.
The struggle comes to an abrupt conclusion, as Cosbi is
not-so-gently put to sleep by Schmidts heavy right hand.
CUT TO:
50.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY - SOMETIME LATER
Monk and Flynn stand in the main room, Monk looking in
through the glass of the recovery rooms:
In one room, Hamilton leans against the wall, talking to
Cosbi, whose hands are bound to the bed;
In the other, Martinez sits and talks coolly, while the
Europeans shout and flap their arms in reaction.
MONK
The Europeans dont appear to be
enjoying what Martinez has to say.
FLYNN
I dont reckon they would.
Although now theres room for them
to stay on the Dandelion.
Huh.
MONK
Thats mighty convenient.
FLYNN
Tell me something. You still
think were just a bunch of
sinners being punished by God?
MONK
What do you think?
FLYNN
(beat)
Is it too late to repent?
MONK
It's never too late.
FLYNN
Too late for Kiel and Mundy.
Fair point.
MONK
(CONTINUED)
51.
CONTINUED:
COSBI
Mr. Flynn, I was just telling
Hamilton about the prisoner's
dilemma.
Remind me.
FLYNN
COSBI
In a non-zero-sum game a Nash
equilibrium need not be a Pareto
optimum.
(beat)
Martinez played me.
Flynn cocks his head, curious.
flatten out with skepticism.
COSBI (CONTD)
If we both played dumb, we'd have
been fine. But he couldn't be
sure I wouldn't sell him out. So
he blabs, pins the murders on me.
Suddenly I'm the bad guy.
HAMILTON
You are the bad guy.
COSBI
Think about it. The only reason
I'm locked in here and Martinez is
wherever he is, is that he's a
fast talker.
(off Flynn's look)
Listen to me. I built that
weapon. I lied to all of you.
Martinez was right about the
protocol. In the event of a
successful test, the crew was to
be eliminated.
(beat)
But ask yourselves this question:
what if I'm not the crazy one?
What if I didn't kill anybody?
I'm not asking you to believe I'm
innocent, I'm asking you to keep
your guard up. For your sake and
mine. I'm a sitting duck in here.
Hamilton clucks and heads for the door.
HAMILTON
Ive had enough of this. Flynn,
dont get too close to him, okay.
(CONTINUED)
52.
CONTINUED: (2)
Yes, maam.
FLYNN
53.
CONTINUED:
Martinezs hands are tightly bound behind his back with
medical tape.
They arrive at the door to S Deck.
INT. DANDELION - S DECK - FOYER
The pair make their way over to Martinezs quarters.
INT. DANDELION - MARTINEZ'S QUARTERS
Standing beside Martinezs bed, Hamilton unravels the
tape that binds his wrists.
Finished, she spins Martinez around.
They stare at each other while Martinez rubs his raw
wrists.
Get it.
Get what?
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
Whatever it is you planned to use
to execute the protocol.
Martinez cracks into a smile and opens the drawer beneath
his bed.
He removes a locked case.
Open it.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
He
HAMILTON (CONT'D)
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
(CONTINUED)
54.
CONTINUED:
HAMILTON
You heard me, load it.
Martinez lifts the foam tray that held the gun and
removes a clip of ammunition.
MARTINEZ
You're not worried that I might
have set Cosbi up?
HAMILTON
I'm extremely worried. But I'm
playing with house money at this
point, and I'm betting on you.
Martinez pops the clip into the handgun and smiles.
He turns and stands, facing Hamilton, and not handing the
gun over.
Well?
HAMILTON (CONT'D)
MARTINEZ
55.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ (O.S.)
What the hell is this?
Wible and Schmidt jerk out of their computational reverie
to find Hamilton and Martinez standing behind them.
SCHMIDT
I was just saying your mathematics
are quite exquisite.
MARTINEZ
Thank you, but Id like to know
who gave you permission to access
our computers.
SCHMIDT
And Id like to know who gave you
permission to leave the infirmary.
HAMILTON
I did. And why are you in here?
I thought you two wanted to get on
the Lily and go?
SCHMIDT
We do indeed, Miss Hamilton, but
before we go we thought we would
take a look at Mr. Martinezs
little device to see if it might
yield some clue as to what
happened to the Earth.
HAMILTON
The Earth is gone.
WIBLE
Possibly.
(beat)
Probably. But what would you have
us do, simply concede our worst
fears and do nothing?
MARTINEZ
That would be fine by me.
SCHMIDT
Mr. Martinez, your fatalism is as
destructive as your quote,
unquote, collider.
MARTINEZ
And your sanctimoniousness is as
irritating as your accent.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
56.
CONTINUED: (2)
MARTINEZ (CONT'D)
You two were obviously working on
the exact same science or else you
wouldn't understand a word of it.
SCHMIDT
Same science, different purposes,
I assure you.
MARTINEZ
Consider me unassured.
(beat)
You might be interested to know
that before we allowed you to
board, Cosbi and I added a few
extraneous lines to our formulas.
MARTINEZ
Im Mexican.
(CONTINUED)
57.
CONTINUED: (3)
The joke does nothing to ease the tension.
HAMILTON
I think we all need to take a step
back and reevaluate our situation.
SCHMIDT
It is no surprise that the voice
of reason emerges from the mouth
of a woman.
(beat)
Your suggestion is a good one,
Miss Hamilton.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK - EVENING
The four members of the Lily crew sit at one end of the
main table on R deck, while Martinez, Hamilton and Flynn
sit at the other. Monk stands by the observation window.
TAM
I dont understand why you find us
so suspicious? You yourself said
that Cosbis the killer.
MARTINEZ
I never said Cosbi is the killer.
I said Cosbi could be the killer
and I explained why.
WIBLE
So you dont believe it was Cosbi?
MARTINEZ
Of course it was fucking Cosbi.
GIREAUX
Then why continue to antagonize
us? Is it simply because we are
European?
MARTINEZ
Jesus, could someone help me out
here?
HAMILTON
Martinezs point, I believe, is
that independent of Martinez and
Cosbis deception of this crew,
your behavior has been less than
above board.
(CONTINUED)
58.
CONTINUED:
SCHMIDT
As I explained earlier, if we are
indeed going to get back on board
the Lily, it would be insane to do
so without fully availing
ourselves of every piece of
information that might lead to our
rescue, no matter how far fetched
it might seem.
MARTINEZ
If youre so concerned about your
survival, why leave the Dandelion
at all?
SCHMIDT
You mean, because the survival
rate on this station is so high?
The comment stops everyone short.
SCHMIDT (CONTD)
I apologize. That was uncalled
for. I am simply stating that at
this point the situation appears
grim from all angles.
MARTINEZ
Youre full of shit.
TAM
Mr. Martinez, as we said from the
start we never had any intention
of staying on board.
GIREAUX
What would you have us say, that
even if you asked us to stand by
our word, that we are not leaving
this station?
MARTINEZ
Yes, thats exactly what I want.
HAMILTON
I agree. What we need right now
is honesty. Its absurd to
continue on as though the normal
rules of decorum still stand.
SCHMIDT
But what if we truly dont wish to
stay? Mr. Martinez, Miss
Hamilton, with all due respect,
the universe is calling.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
59.
CONTINUED: (2)
SCHMIDT (CONT'D)
This is an unprecedented
predicament, and for you to
presume that there is only one
rational response is a failure of
both imagination and empathy.
MARTINEZ
So youre just going to blast off
into space, with no destination
and no hope for survival?
(off Schmidts laugh)
How is that funny?
SCHMIDT
How is it not, Mr. Martinez?
Shall we talk of the humor in the
notion of surviving in a world
with no Earth? Or the humor of
spending the next thirty years
trapped on board this station and
calling it survival?
(beat)
No, Mr. Martinez, I prefer the
other way. Think of the places
you can go. Freed from the
concerns of returning safely, the
possibilities are limitless.
MARTINEZ
Youre a loon.
WIBLE
Perhaps you mock what you refuse
to understand?
HAMILTON
Can we get back to nuts and bolts?
Whos staying and whos leaving?
And for those leaving, what
supplies will you need?
TAM
Whats your hurry, Miss Hamilton?
I would think a night to sleep on
it is not an unreasonable request.
60.
CONTINUED: (3)
They all sit back down as Hamilton takes the GUN from her
waistband and sets it on the table with a heavy metallic
THUD.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
This afternoon, Mr. Martinez
willingly turned over his firearm.
However, when we searched Mr.
Cosbis room we found his gun has
gone missing.
Eyes dart from face to face, no one conceding anything.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
I think wed all sleep more
soundly if we knew the location of
the second gun.
Another beat yields nothing.
TAM
Perhaps Cosbi has the gun on him?
No.
MARTINEZ
I checked.
WIBLE
Maybe he stashed it?
HAMILTON
For what purpose?
More silence, as everyone contemplates what no one wants
to contemplate.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
One of us took the gun. Best case
scenario: theyre scared and want
protection. I doubt I need to
tell you the worst case scenario.
(beat)
In light of the possibility that
were not completely out of the
woods, I think it would be best if
both crews spend the night locked
on board their respective vessels.
This suggestion catches the Europeans off guard.
TAM
You still dont trust us.
Frankly, no.
HAMILTON
(CONTINUED)
61.
CONTINUED: (4)
GIREAUX
What happens if you wake up and
decide not to let us back on
board? I for one do not share
Schmidt and Wibles dreams of
rocketing off to nowhere.
TAM
Yes, were taking a great risk
allowing ourselves to be
sequestered back on the Lily.
HAMILTON
I suppose you are.
And?
TAM
HAMILTON
And I guess youll just have to
trust us.
INT. DANDELION - DOCKING PORT - LATER THAT EVENING
Schmidt, Wible, Tam and Gireaux walk slowly through the
docking port door and onto the gangway to the Lily.
HAMILTON
See you in the morning.
TAM
I certainly hope so.
Hamilton steps out of the docking port and into the
hallway beyond.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
As Hamilton walks past him and down the hallway, Martinez
closes and then locks the air lock door.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK - NIGHT
Hamilton, Flynn, Monk and Martinez all stand in a semicircle around Mundys shrouded body.
No one speaks.
MARTINEZ
(surprised)
I actually kind of liked him.
(CONTINUED)
62.
CONTINUED:
FLYNN
Me too.
HAMILTON
He had his moments.
Theres a pause, as the other three wait for Monk to
chime in.
MONK
He...
(no idea what to say)
He was one of Gods creatures.
And there simply arent very many
of us left.
He...
MARTINEZ
Amen, brother Monk.
INT. DANDELION - HAMILTONS QUARTERS - LATER THAT NIGHT
Hamilton sits on the edge of her bed, looking through her
pictures once more.
Mother.
Father.
Husband.
Son.
Daughter.
HAMILTON
HAMILTON (CONTD)
MARTINEZ (O.S.)
(CONTINUED)
63.
CONTINUED:
Hamilton curses under her breath and alters her plan. She
ditches the gun under her pillow and quickly pulls off
her pants, leaving her in nothing but panties and a tanktop. She opens the door, one hand rubbing her eyes.
HAMILTON
What do you want?
MARTINEZ
You were asleep? Jesus, Hamilton,
you are cold blooded.
HAMILTON
What do you want?
Martinez smiles, takes in the sight of her body.
MARTINEZ
Thing is, youve got my gun. And
I know Cosbis locked up, and the
Euros are on the Lily, but I still
thought maybe we could find a
little safety in numbers.
Hamilton offers a curious smile.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
Cant be the worst idea youve
ever heard.
HAMILTON
You think weve got something
brewing, you and I?
MARTINEZ
I wouldnt wanna be presumptuous,
but yeah, I think theres some
mutual... respect.
Hamilton sits down on her bed, then pats the blanket for
Martinez to sit down beside her. No sooner does his ass
hit the bed does Hamilton crack him in the jaw with the
butt of his own gun.
HAMILTON
(pointing the gun at
his head)
You think Id ignore that in a
perfect world you and Cosbi
planned to murder the entire crew
in cold blood?
Martinez takes it, the gun pushing harder and harder into
the soft flesh of his temple.
(CONTINUED)
64.
CONTINUED: (2)
HAMILTON (CONTD)
You think I ought to let bygones
be bygones? We should kiss and
makeup?
Martinez remains still.
Then, in a flash, hes got the gun, and his hand is at
Hamiltons throat.
He leaves it there, clamped down hard and long enough to
see the fear in her eyes.
Martinez releases her and tosses the gun in her lap.
shifts his attention to her photo-display.
Whats this?
He
MARTINEZ
65.
CONTINUED: (3)
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
They were already dead werent
they? Before the bomb?
(off her look)
Shit.
Martinez quickly stands, as though hes afraid to be near
someone in that kind of pain.
He heads for the door, but when he gets there he stops,
still facing the door.
Unable to deal with his emotions, Martinez hauls off and
punches the closed door, hard enough that its surprising
he doesnt break his hand.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
(after a beat)
Im glad I didnt have to kill
you, Hamilton.
Martinez opens the door and leaves.
Hamilton chuckles grimly.
HAMILTON
(to herself)
Im not so sure I am.
INT. DANDELION - SLEEPING QUARTERS - FOYER
Martinez walks through his open door and closes it behind
him. A few moments pass, and Flynns door slides open.
Flynn, led by his makeshift cane, shuffles out the door.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
Flynn continues his slow procession through the ship.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY
The door opens and in marches Flynn. As he slowly makes
his way over to the room containing Cosbi, we see
something that Flynn does not.
Theres someone standing inside Cosbis room, wearing a
mask to conceal their face.
(CONTINUED)
66.
CONTINUED:
The assailant holds a knife, and judging by the bloody
pulp that is Cosbis face, hes been working Cosbi over
pretty good.
Flynn arrives at the doorway and raps on the glass with
his cane, alerting the intruder to his presence.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY - RECOVERY ROOM
Flynn enters through the door, and the intruder quickly
slides around behind Cosbi and presses the blade of the
knife hard against his throat.
Flynn remains utterly unaware that anyone is in the room
but Cosbi.
FLYNN
Hey Cosbi, you awake?
Cosbi?
Cosbi opens his mouth to speak, but the sound that comes
out is little more than a grunt, as the intruder pushes
forcefully enough to draw blood.
Flynn hears the grunt as the response of a groggy Cosbi.
FLYNN (CONTD)
Listen, I want you to know that
Ive come to believe that while
you may be guilty of being a
horrible person, I dont think
youre the one responsible for the
murders.
(waits for a reply)
Cosbi, do you hear me? I think
youre innocent. And not only
that, but I think I know whos
behind everything.
Flynn waits for a reply again.
Still getting nothing, he becomes suspicious.
FLYNN (CONTD)
You hear me Cosbi? Cosbi?
Run.
COSBI
(flinty as fuck)
(CONTINUED)
67.
CONTINUED:
Cosbi chokes and gags and Flynn is out the door and
running for his life.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY
Flynn swings his cane wildly as he runs, his body
knocking into rolling trays of medical supplies, glass
beakers and surgical tools as he goes.
Its raw animal instinct on display, as the root of
Flynns brain fires every neuron and wills him to the far
hallway as fast as it can.
Three seconds behind him is the masked assailant.
Knife in hand, the murderer moves fast.
He grabs for Flynn, but his bloody boot slips on a fallen
medical instrument from Flynns haphazard retreat.
Flynn rips open the hallway door.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
Flynn continues his mad dash down the hallway, swinging
his cane at the LIGHTS in the ceiling as he goes.
He HITS a few, misses many, and the light in the room
goes gray.
Knowing he cant outrun someone who can see, Flynn feels
along the wall until he reaches a door, and yanks it
open.
From the doorway at the end of the hallway, the assailant
is back on his feet, watching Flynn slip into the room
and close the door.
INT. DANDELION - UTILITY ROOM
Flynn, vaguely aware of which room hes in, frantically,
but methodically, SMASHES out every single LIGHT in the
large, square room.
Bulb by bulb, the light in the room dims until only one
light remains, and with a SMASH the room is cloaked in
near total darkness.
The only illumination that remains comes from the dim
light in the hallway that filters through the heavily
frosted glass of the windowed door.
(CONTINUED)
68.
CONTINUED:
In the dark, we see nothing, and hear only the short,
rapid BREATHS of Flynn, hiding somewhere within the room.
We hold a beat.
Two.
The killers outline appears in the window of the door.
We HEAR Flynn getting control of his BREATHS.
quieter.
They grow
Darkness.
Nothing.
69.
CONTINUED: (2)
A yard away, the blade of the knife appears within the
circle of light, as Flynn, terrified, tears in his
useless eyes, waits unaware for the mortal blow.
CRUNCH
of a boot on BROKEN GLASS, as the killer steps on the
fallen shards of the shattered lights.
In an instant, Flynns right hand rises into the circle
of light and in his hand is a gun: Cosbis gun.
BANG.
The muzzle of the gun EXPLODES in light and SOUND.
Four, five, six more BANGS follow, as Flynn empties the
gun in the direction of his pursuer.
As he fires, the circle of light swings wildly away from
Flynns gun, and WE STAY on the circle as it falls to
floor level.
It slowly rolls in a small arc and comes to a stop, tight
on the attackers masked face.
The face is perfectly still on the tile floor, and we
linger, until slowly the white tile turns red with blood.
INT. DANDELION - SLEEPING QUARTERS - FOYER
Flynn stands in the foyer, deep in contemplation. He
walks slowly to the far side of the room. He trails his
blood-stained fingers along the wall until he hits a
door.
He knocks.
Theres no response.
He knocks again, harder.
What?
MARTINEZ (O.S.)
Whoever he just
Flynn turns and works his way past one door, then stops
at the next and knocks.
No response.
He knocks again.
(CONTINUED)
70.
CONTINUED:
MONK (O.S.)
Who is it?
Flynn nods again.
So far so good.
Martinezs door slides open and his head darts out and
back in nervously. Seeing nothing but Flynn, Martinez
steps into the foyer.
MARTINEZ
Whats going on?
Whos there?
MONK (O.S.)
FLYNN
Its Flynn. And Martinez.
better get out here.
You
One
MARTINEZ
Shes in there.
(CONTINUED)
71.
CONTINUED: (2)
FLYNN
Hamilton, are you in there?
(beat)
Hamilton?
HAMILTON (O.S.)
(suspicious)
What the hells going on?
Behind them, Hamilton stands in the open hallway door.
MARTINEZ
(suspicious)
Where were you?
HAMILTON
Why are you all knocking on my
door?
MARTINEZ
(indicating Flynn)
Ask him.
They all turn to Flynn.
FLYNN
Youd better come with me.
MARTINEZ
Not until you tell us what the
fuck is going on.
FLYNN
(after a long beat)
Cosbis dead.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY
Flynn leans against the main operating table, watching
through the window as Monk, Martinez and Hamilton survey
the murder scene in Cosbis recovery room.
INT. DANDELION - INFIRMARY - RECOVERY ROOM
Its a gruesome scene, with nearly all the blood from
Cosbis body coating the floor of the room.
MONK
(rattled)
D-did Flynn do this?
(CONTINUED)
72.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ
Blind guy working Cosbi over this
good? No way. Plus look how
clean the cut is... I dont give
a shit if he was restrained, Cosbi
wasnt going out that easy.
Hamilton looks at Cosbi, then looks at the chaotic scene
in the main room of the infirmary.
Jesus.
HAMILTON
Theres a muted TAP, TAP, TAP, and the three of them look
up to see Flynn, banging his cane against the window.
Flynn waves the cane toward the far hallway.
FLYNN
(inaudible)
This way.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
Hamilton, Martinez and Monk trail behind Flynn, who leads
the way down the half-lit hallway... the blind leading
the ill-informed.
MARTINEZ
You gonna fill us in on what the
hell happened out here?
Flynn arrives at the door to the utility room and
gestures for them to stop.
FLYNN
Youre about to tell me.
The three others stand in the hallway, baffled, as Flynn
ducks into the pitch black room.
He emerges, a moment later, dragging the masked corpse of
Cosbis killer into the hallway.
Hamilton gasps, and Monk goes white. He looks nearly
catatonic, overwhelmed by all the killing.
MARTINEZ
(amazed)
You did that?
(off Flynns nod)
How?
Flynn pulls Cosbis gun from his waistband.
(CONTINUED)
73.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
You sneaky fucker.
Who is that?
You tell me.
HAMILTON
FLYNN
He
a complete stranger.
FLYNN (CONTD)
Its nobody isnt it? A stranger.
Who is he?
Oh no.
MONK
HAMILTON
HAMILTON
FLYNN
After you left me this afternoon,
Cosbi told me about his gun. He
told me to grab it before someone
else did.
(beat)
At first I thought he was only
telling me to make himself seem
more sympathetic.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
74.
CONTINUED: (2)
FLYNN (CONT'D)
After all, why lead a blind man to
a gun unless you wanted it in the
hands of the person least likely
to use it.
(beat)
Then I actually allowed myself to
contemplate the notion that Cosbi
was telling the truth. If Cosbi
wasnt the killer, then surely
hed be the next target. He said
it himself, restrained to that bed
he was a sitting duck. So I
thought, why not give Cosbi back
his gun? If he was still tied up,
he couldnt kill me without
proving his own guilt. But if
someone did come to kill him, the
last thing theyd expect was him
to be armed. It seemed like the
perfect trap.
HAMILTON
So what happened?
FLYNN
I was too slow. I showed up just
as that guy was about to kill
Cosbi. Hed have killed me too if
Cosbi hadnt told me to run.
MARTINEZ
Jesus... They show us the four,
then allow us to lock them up to
give themselves an airtight alibi
for the second murder.
HAMILTON
Why bother? Why not storm the
station right off the bat?
MARTINEZ
Why fight fair when you can fight
dirty? Why risk the uncertainty
of trying to make it all the way
down the gangway with seven of us
on high alert?
(beat, impressed)
No, you come in friendly, get the
lay of the land, then pick us off
one by one. Then once were
outmanned and outgunned, ya come
in hard.
(CONTINUED)
75.
CONTINUED: (3)
FLYNN
But why attack us? Thats the
part I dont understand.
HAMILTON
I think I know why.
You do?
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
76.
CONTINUED: (4)
The three Americans race out the door at the far end of
the hall, with both Martinez and Hamilton shooting,
haphazardly now, as the more heavily armed Europeans
return fire.
BULLETS WHIR through both ends of the hallway.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK
The trio arrive on R Deck, where they find Tam and Wible
waiting on the other side.
Tam and Wible immediately open fire on the Americans, who
turn tail and duck back into the hallway.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
Receiving fire from both directions, the Americans are
pinned down, Monk on one side of the hallway and Martinez
and Hamilton on the other.
Martinez and Hamilton return the occasional shot,
hopelessly trying to delay their inevitable doom.
Just as all appears lost, the shooting from the far end
of the hallway suddenly stops.
Schmidts voice rings out, shouting something in a
foreign language.
Beyond them, the shooting from R Deck cuts off and Wible
hollers something back.
MONK
Why are they stopping?
MARTINEZ
Theyre in each others crossfire.
What now?
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
In a second Schmidt will move his
men forward, and theyll either
kill us here or flush us out to be
killed on R Deck.
HAMILTON
How many bullets do you have left?
Martinez pops his clip and examines it.
(CONTINUED)
77.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ
Six.
HAMILTON
(handing him her gun)
What about me?
Martinez pops the clip.
Heh...
None.
MARTINEZ
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
SCHMIDT
Throw down your weapons and we can
talk. You dont have to die.
MARTINEZ
I have a better idea, Schmidt...
Why dont you come a little closer
so I can shoot you?
SCHMIDT
Dont be a cowboy, Mr. Martinez.
MARTINEZ
Martinez? Cowboy? Youre a
little off on your history.
Martinez pokes his head out and back, real quick,
checking Schmidt and the Europeans position.
The Europeans FIRE a few rounds towards the Americans.
Any ideas?
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
HAMILTON
(beat)
The subbasement.
Subbasement?
get there?
MARTINEZ
Not bad.
How do we
HAMILTON
Theres an entrance point in every
room.
(CONTINUED)
78.
CONTINUED: (2)
MARTINEZ
What about the hallways?
No.
HAMILTON
HAMILTON
(CONTINUED)
79.
CONTINUED:
Martinez pops out once more, sending TWO SHOTS in Tams
general vicinity. As he does, Monk makes a mad dash
through the doorway.
Wible gets off THREE errant ROUNDS, as Monk heads
straight for the pool and dives in headfirst.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY
Schmidt and the other Europeans FIRE a DOZEN ROUNDS of
ammunition to pin Martinez and Hamilton where they are.
Schmidt yells out to Wible.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK
As Wible answers, Martinez pops out and sends TWO ROUNDS
his way.
Now its Hamiltons turn to make a mad dash into the
pool.
Tams SHOTS at her arent even close.
Before the Europeans can coordinate and close in,
Martinez follows Hamiltons path and heads for the pool.
We PLUNGE into the water along with Martinez, and from
beneath the surface, we see Monk and Hamilton hard at
work on the circular handle of the large hatch at the
bottom of the pool.
Theyve got it open, but are struggling to lift it.
As the perplexed Europeans arrive at the side of the
pool, Martinez gives them the last bit of required muscle
to hoist the door open a crack, and then full bore.
Water rushes through the opening, and as BULLETS begin to
WHIZ through the water,
First Hamilton,
Then Monk
And finally Martinez follow the water beneath the pool.
INT. DANDELION - R DECK - BENEATH THE POOL
Water flows in all directions, nearly filling the
maintenance area, which is obviously meant to be utilized
after the pool has been drained.
(CONTINUED)
80.
CONTINUED:
Theres a loud WUMP, followed by ANOTHER, and ANOTHER, as
the Europeans leap into the pool above them.
The Americans submerge themselves and push down to the
floor, where Martinez and Monk force out the pins that
keep the trap door to the subbasement aloft.
The door whips open under the weight of the water, and
again the Americans follow the water into the area below.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT ROOM J-8
The subbasement spans the entire bottom of the station,
and consists of about two-hundred interconnected ten foot
by ten foot rooms.
The low-ceilinged rooms are identical and spare, nothing
in them save for ducts, piping and supply lines.
All four ends of the square rooms have submarine-style
doors with rod handles.
Other than the number and letter scrawled on the inside
of each door, there is nothing to distinguish one
subbasement room from another.
Once more HEARING the Europeans GIVING CHASE above them,
the Americans waste no time splashing through the halfflooded room, opening one of the doors and ducking into
the next sub-basement room.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT ROOM J-7
The Americans arrive in J-7, identical to the room they
just left, which fills again with what water remained
above the line of the elevated doorway.
Again they immediately cross the room, open a door and
step through.
SERIES OF SHOTS
The Americans pass through door after door of what for
all intents and purposes is a maze.
Sometimes they cut straight across.
Sometimes to the left.
Sometimes to the right.
(CONTINUED)
81.
CONTINUED:
Their path is random, which makes them nearly impossible
to follow, but also leaves them completely blind to what
lies beyond the door ahead of them.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT ROOM S-2 - SOME TIME LATER
Martinez, Monk and Hamilton yank open a door and head
across to the far door.
Stop.
HAMILTON
Monk ignores or doesnt hear her, and opens the far door.
Stop!
HAMILTON (CONTD)
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
Before, in the hallway, you said
you knew why the Lily crew wants
to kill us.
HAMILTON
I need a minute.
(beat)
They killed Flynn.
(CONTINUED)
82.
CONTINUED:
Monk looks stricken, but Martinez just looks irritated.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
Youre a sociopath.
MARTINEZ
Hamilton, our planet was
destroyed, by my hand, were
sitting in the bottom of a space
station, hiding from murderers,
with no possible hope for
survival. My being a sociopath is
very much besides the point.
MONK
Hes right. Were just prolonging
the inevitable. I think at this
point the lord would forgive us
for giving up.
HAMILTON
No. No way. I felt that way
once, but not anymore. Not only
are we not giving up, were going
home.
Monk looks truly flabbergasted, but Martinez just shakes
his head.
MARTINEZ
This oughta be rich.
HAMILTON
I saw Mars tonight.
Martinez squints, not understanding the significance.
Monk, on the other hand, looks curious and confused.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
(to Monk)
I saw Mars tonight.
MONK
You couldnt have seen Mars. Its
March. Right now Mars is on the
other side of the sun.
HAMILTON
Youre right.
(beat)
But youre wrong. It was Mars.
And Cygnus. And Cepheus. Thats
where I was tonight, before, when
you were knocking on my door.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
83.
CONTINUED: (2)
HAMILTON (CONT'D)
I was on M Deck checking the
charts. This whole time weve
been focusing on our position
relative to distant galaxial
markers, ignoring the markers
within our own solar system.
(beat)
If you look at just our system,
everything appears to be six
months out of whack.
MARTINEZ
Time anomalies!
He pulls his
MARTINEZ
Einstein said space-time is like
fabric. Left alone, its flat and
smooth.
(Martinez uses his
hand to push up
beneath his shirt)
But apply a force and it will bend
and stretch to accommodate it.
Martinez steps up and approaches one of the dust-coated
subbasement walls.
With his finger he begins sketching pictures of what he
describes.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
The sun applies such a massive
force that space time warps enough
to pull eight massive planets in
an endless orbit.
Martinez draws a shallow bowl -- a pasta bowl -- with the
sun at its center, and the eight planets aligned on one
side of the bowl.
(CONTINUED)
84.
CONTINUED: (3)
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
The force of the sun comes from
its sheer mass. The nuclear
fusion that powers the sun, the
conversion of hydrogen to helium,
is actually quite weak. And a
nuclear reaction is only as strong
as the bonds that bind the
elements component particles.
Martinez draws the letter H and the number 1 next to the
picture hes just drawn.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
The Higgs-Boson has no component
particles. To split one would
produce a force the likes of which
the Earth has never seen.
Below his H and 1, he now draws the letters HB and the
number 1 to the 100th power.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
A chain reaction of split
Bosons...?
Now he draws an HB and the number 1 to the power of a
question mark.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
It was hypothesized that the
amount of energy these particles
can produce could be capable of
warping space time itself.
He now draws another bowl, but this time the bowl is
deeper, and the outer lip narrower -- a cereal bowl.
The eight planets remain on one side, but at a steeper
incline.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
Make the warp strong enough...
Martinez now draws an extremely deep and narrow container
-- a bud vase.
Now the eight planets are stacked vertically, no longer
on the right side of the vase, but right in the middle.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
...and the two sides of space-time
could actually meet.
(CONTINUED)
85.
CONTINUED: (4)
Martinez erases the bud vase and draws another cereal
bowl.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
When the applied force is
subsequently removed, it would be
possible for the masses to
actually skip from one side to the
other.
This time when he draws the planets, theyre all on the
left side of the bowl.
Martinez steps away from the wall and wipes the dust from
his hands.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
But it was all quite theoretical.
HAMILTON
Not anymore, pal.
Monk nods his head, squinting.
there yet.
MONK
What does this all mean for us?
Hamilton steps up to the chalkboard like wall and draws
the sun, the Dandelion and the Earth with her finger.
HAMILTON
The Dandelion orbits the Sun every
six months, meaning that in six
months we would be in the exact
same spot.
Hamilton erases the Earth adjacent to the Dandelion, and
redraws it on the other side of the sun.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
But in six months time, the Earth
would be on the exact opposite
side of the sun.
MONK
The Earth is still there!
HAMILTON
The Earth is still there.
Beside himself, Monk grabs Hamilton and gives her a
gigantic bear hug.
(CONTINUED)
86.
CONTINUED: (5)
Hes so beside himself, in fact, that he gives the same
hug to Martinez.
MONK
(tears in his eyes)
I didnt realize... I didnt
realize how much I believed in
humanity until I thought God had
taken it all away.
Martinez, not one for sentimentality, is already on to
the big picture.
MARTINEZ
The Europeans.
HAMILTON
Ive been thinking about it. You
said yesterday that the Europeans
were working on a Boson Bomb of
their own. Do you think they knew
about this project?
MARTINEZ
Its possible.
HAMILTON
(pointing at the
diagram on the wall)
If the Earth was here, and we were
here, how long do you think it
would take for the Europeans to
launch the Lily and get her to us?
MARTINEZ
(beat, thinking)
About two months.
HAMILTON
The bomb went off two months ago.
MARTINEZ
(engraged)
Cocksucking, motherfuckers.
Off his anger, Hamilton suddenly twigs to the ten
thousand pound elephant in the room.
HAMILTON
If the Earth still exists, so does
your original protocol.
(CONTINUED)
87.
CONTINUED: (6)
MARTINEZ
Hamilton, please. I think were
beyond that now.
HAMILTON
Really? Why? Im not even sure
youre capable of getting beyond
anything.
MARTINEZ
Hamilton, right now there are
Europeans crawling around this
station, desperately trying to
kill us and steal the bomb. Im
not going to kill you guys.
Right now.
Hamilton.
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
MONK
I believe theres a simple
solution here.
MARTINEZ
Yeah, whats that?
MONK
Destroy the bomb.
MARTINEZ
Destroy the bomb? Are you nuts?
Hes right.
HAMILTON
MARTINEZ
Listen you tree-hugging morons, if
we can keep that bomb away from
the Europeans and get the
technology back to Earth, well
win the war. With the threat of a
six-month monkey wrench thrown
into the Europeans seasonal
battle plans, theyll have no
choice but to surrender.
HAMILTON
Martinez, six months without
warning means winter in the middle
of summer. Do you have any idea
what that will do to the global
harvests?
(CONTINUED)
88.
CONTINUED: (7)
Martinez hadnt considered this.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
No wheat. No corn. No sugar.
Global famine. Financial chaos.
(beat)
For all we know you didnt have to
physically destroy the Earth to
destroy everything on it.
MONK
We need to destroy that bomb.
Martinez remains silent.
Hamilton and Monk exchange a look.
HAMILTON
Martinez, we cant do this without
you.
Martinez explodes with laughter.
MARTINEZ
Hell, you probably cant do this
with me!
HAMILTON
Please, Martinez. This is your
shot at redemption.
MARTINEZ
Fuck redemption.
MONK
Trust me, Martinez, youll think
twice about that comment when
youre rotting in hell.
Martinez whirls on Monk, but the look of complete
sincerity on Monks face makes Martinez stop.
Its almost as if hes registering pain.
Martinez starts to chuckle, ruefully.
MARTINEZ
(to Monk)
You know the last thing my mother
said to me before she died?
(beat)
Ill see you in hell.
Martinez spits, and shakes his head.
(CONTINUED)
89.
CONTINUED: (8)
A beat passes.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
You really think your God will
forgive me if do this?
MONK
Our God is a forgiving God.
MARTINEZ
Ten minutes ago you thought he
murdered 6 billion people in one
go.
MONK
(with a wink)
We all have our lapses in faith.
Martinez smiles, wondering if maybe Monk isnt all bad.
MARTINEZ
Fuck it. Ill take any chance I
have to avoid spending eternity
with that jodienda puta.
We hear the SOUNDS of nearby FOOTFALLS.
HAMILTON
Which way are they coming from?
MARTINEZ
(beat, listening)
That way. Which way is the lift
to the bomb?
MONK
(pointing the other
way)
That way.
Lets do it.
MARTINEZ
90.
CONTINUED:
HAMILTON
I dont hear anything.
Me either.
MARTINEZ
MONK
So, what do we do, draw straws?
MARTINEZ
Are you serious?
Martinez looks at Monk like hes got six heads, and
proceeds to climb up the ladder and slowly open the door.
INT. DANDELION - AIR LOCK
From Martinezs POV, we see the door pop open a crack.
All we see are feet in every direction, at least four
sets of them.
The door slowly lowers.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT - AL-2
MARTINEZ
It just gets better and better.
HAMILTON
Someones up there?
MARTINEZ
Multiple someones.
Shit.
MONK
HAMILTON
(CONTINUED)
91.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ
Really? Thats where youre going
with this? Food?
HAMILTON
I cant think when Im hungry.
MARTINEZ
How about you Monk? Any thoughts?
The three sit in silence.
Tired.
Wet.
Hungry.
HAMILTON
I cant believe you guys ate all
of that sausage.
Martinez and Monk laugh. Its a pitiable laugh.
laugh of men pushed to the brink.
The
MONK
I could sure go for an Egg
McMuffin right about now.
HAMILTON
A sausage Egg McMuffin!
MARTINEZ
(stunned)
Unbelievable.
(beat)
Sausages!
Hamilton and Monk look at Martinez.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
We had those sausages the morning
we detonated the bomb. I remember
because I was soldering on the CPU
socket pins, and Mundy snuck up
behind me and yelled sausages! I
almost fried the whole board.
HAMILTON
So Mundy being an ass almost saved
us all a lot of trouble.
MARTINEZ
Yes. And he might have just saved
our lives, too. Follow me.
WE FOLLOW the trio through three different subbasement
rooms until we arrive in Subbasement X-3M.
92.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT X-3M
MARTINEZ
Am I right that were now directly
below the maintenance closet on X
Deck?
Yes.
HAMILTON
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
93.
CONTINUED:
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
(with a mischievous
grin)
Thisll get those Euros running
over here faster than if someone
yelled techno party.
INT. DANDELION - SUBBASEMENT - X-3M
Martinez shuts the hatch above him.
HAMILTON
How long til that goes off?
I dont know.
minutes.
MARTINEZ
Three, maybe four
MARTINEZ
HAMILTON
Do Mexicans really have small -BOOOOOOM!!!!!
The sound is accompanied by the instant and violent
depression of the ceiling above them, dented in as if
someone had dropped a tractor trailer from a hundred feet
up.
The impact knocks all of them off their feet.
MARTINEZ
(loving it)
Game on, people.
Hamilton is first to her feet, then Martinez, then a very
rattled Monk.
They immediately head back to the air lock that leads to
the chair lift that leads to the Boson Bomb.
94.
INT. DANDELION - AIR LOCK
The room is now deserted, everyone presumably having gone
to investigate the explosion.
The hatch door opens an inch or two.
A moment later Martinez opens the hatch door wide and
climbs in, followed closely by Hamilton and Monk.
MARTINEZ
Im a fucking genius.
HAMILTON
That was pretty good, Martinez.
They share a smile and get to work.
First Hamilton closes the door to the Dandelion hallway,
sealing them inside the air lock.
They need to move fast: Until theyre in their suits and
strapped to the lift, the Europeans can kill them just by
venting the outside door.
Martinez is first to his suit, releasing it from its
perch on the wall and stepping inside feet first.
Hamilton is right behind him, pulling hers off the wall
as well.
Meanwhile, Monk removes a large set of straps and
carabiners out of a chest on the floor.
MONK
How many of these will we need?
MARTINEZ
Just grab all of them.
to tie them up tight.
Well need
95.
CONTINUED:
WIBLE
I think Im suspicious.
Moi, aussi.
GIREAUX
The pair turn and head back for the air lock.
INT. DANDELION - HALLYWAY - OUTSIDE AIR LOCK DOOR
They arrive to find the door closed from the inside.
Gireaux looks through the window and sees the outside
door ajar, the chest wedged in the open doorway, and
three U.S. space suits missing from their hangers.
Merde!
GIREAUX
WIBLE
(furious)
Open the door.
GIREAUX
The far door is blocked, we cant
close it from here, and we cant
open this door without a suit.
EXT. DANDELION - CHAIR LIFT TO BOSON BOMB
From behind, we see Hamilton, Martinez and Monk, all in
their suits -- their names stitched on the back.
They sit side by side on the chair as it slowly moves
away from the Dandelion and towards the Boson Bomb.
INT. DANDELION - M DECK
Tam and Schmidt sit on the Main Deck watching the
American astronauts progress along the line.
Gireaux hurries in from the hallway.
TAM
Why arent you after them?
GIREAUX
They vented the lock. Wible is
retrieving a suit from the Lily.
Schmidt is up and furious.
(CONTINUED)
96.
CONTINUED:
SCHMIDT
Hes wasting time. Come.
Schmidt, Tam and Gireaux race out of the room.
INT. DANDELION - HALLWAY - OUTSIDE AIR LOCK DOOR
Schmidt, Tam, Gireaux and two unknown Europeans stand in
a line, each person holding firmly onto the right sleeve
of the person to their right.
Schmidt, the closest to the door, begins to inhale and
exhale deeply and rapidly.
With his free hand he counts it out.
One.
Two.
Three.
97.
CONTINUED:
Martinez unclips the main carabiner, freeing them from
the lift, but keeping the three astronauts clipped
together to the overhead line.
INT. DANDELION - AIR LOCK
Back inside the air lock, Wible (in a European suit), a
recovered Schmidt and three other Europeans (all wearing
the remaining American suits) stand in the air lock, guns
strapped to each of their suits.
One by one their helmets are lifted over their heads and
locked into place.
Wible swings the door open, and one by one, the five
astronauts proceed to clip themselves to the lift-line
and leap out into space.
They pull themselves hand over hand toward the bomb, a
task that would be impossibly draining under the weight
of gravity, but in outer space is a breeze.
They move fast.
EXT. OUTER SPACE - BOSON BOMB
A hatch in the side of the Boson Bomb is open, and
Martinez, the last American astronaut to step inside,
reaches out to close it.
Martinez stops, seeing the faint outline of the four
Europeans hot on their trail.
MARTINEZ
This is gonna be tight.
INT. BOSON BOMB - A FEW MINUTES LATER
The Europeans yank open the hatch and step inside, one by
one.
The interior of the Boson Bomb is an exhaustingly long
octagonal tunnel, with massive girders and piping running
the length.
The long run of the collider is all thats really needed
to produce the types of collisions necessary for Boson
fusion, with most of its length coming from the
repetitive coupling of large ring-like sections that
clamp together.
Its not a complicated device.
(CONTINUED)
98.
CONTINUED:
The Europeans float straight to the Operations Ring
located a few yards from the entrance hatch.
Mounted in the Operations Ring is the four-foot by fourfoot panel that houses the bombs operational systems.
The panel door lays open and torn wires spill out
haphazardly.
Schmidt lifts his reflective visor to reveal his face.
SCHMIDT
The Americans have the
motherboard.
(beat)
There is only one direction they
could have headed.
The Europeans push off, heading further into the depths
of the bomb.
INT. BOSON BOMB - A FEW MINUTES LATER
From the Europeans POV we see the Americans ahead.
Theyre small at first, but grow larger as the Europeans
rapidly advance on their position.
They make contact about halfway along the length of the
bomb.
Hamilton and Monk stand, leaning against one of the
girders running lengthwise along the interior.
Martinez works feverishly to uncouple the ties that keep
this particular ring connected.
Uncoupling one ring will split the bomb in two, much the
way uncoupling one train car will split a train in two.
With three of the four links uncoupled, Martinez floats
across to the final link.
Thats when he notices the Europeans, standing twenty
feet away, guns in their hands.
Schmidt speaks, his voice amplified by an external
microphone.
SCHMIDT
Thats quite enough, Mr. Martinez.
Martinez shoots a glance at Hamilton and Monk.
(CONTINUED)
99.
CONTINUED:
Their visors are shielded and reflective, obscuring their
faces, but their body language says plenty, as both
Hamilton and Monk are frozen in place.
SCHMIDT (CONTD)
Give us the motherboard.
MARTINEZ
(lifting his visor)
I dont think so, Schmidt.
SCHMIDT
Please, Martinez, it doesnt have
to end this way. Give us the
motherboard and explain the
precise design of the bomb, and we
can offer all three of you a
chance to defect.
(beat)
You can all live long and fruitful
lives in the golden pastures of
the European Union.
MARTINEZ
Its a tempting offer and
everything, but you see we all
talked about that. Me, Hamilton
and Monk.
(gesturing to
Hamilton and Monk)
And the thing is, we could learn
to live with the Speedos and the
lack of ice and the constant
singing. But what tripped all of
us up is the rampant B.O.
SCHMIDT
I dont think youre taking the
situation serious enough, Mr.
Martinez.
Schmidt delivers an order in German to the two anonymous
Europeans, who promptly turn their guns on Monk and
Hamilton.
MARTINEZ
See? Thats the thing with you
Germans, no sense of humor.
SCHMIDT
I warned you, Mr. Martinez.
(beat)
Schieen!
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED: (2)
The Europeans open FIRE, SHOOTING Hamilton and Monk each
in the chest.
Hamilton and Monk remain frozen in place, as though their
suits were somehow bullet-proof.
What is this?
SCHMIDT (CONTD)
Schieen!
HAMILTON
Hamilton leads the way as the duo heads quickly down the
gangway, Hamiltons gun at the ready.
101.
INT. BOSON BOMB
The ruse exposed, Martinez hustles to unclasp the final
set of links that connect the bomb.
The Europeans open FIRE on Martinez, the BULLETS
penetrating his body just as he opens the final clasp.
The tunnel remains intact momentarily, with no force
present to knock it loose, but when Martinezs limp body
collides with the far wall of the tunnel, the massive
uncoupled portion slips free.
The bomb is breaking in two.
INT. GANGWAY BETWEEN DANDELION AND LILY
Hamilton and Monk race down the gangway.
Gireaux and Tam appear at the Dandelion end of the
gangway and give chase.
The two sets of astronauts run, fast as they can, along
the narrow passageway.
A BULLET WHIZZES past Hamilton and Monk, and Hamilton
slows just enough to turn and send a VOLLEY of her own
back in the direction of their pursuers.
Monk arrives at the door to the Lily first, and from his
position halfway inside the shuttle, he leans out and
grabs onto Hamilton.
Hamilton immediately unclamps the first of three clamps
that connect the gangway to the Lily.
As she works, Gireaux continues her pursuit, closing to
within thirty yards.
Tam stops, drops to one knee and steadies his gun.
Gireaux is twenty yards away as Hamilton releases the
second of three clamps.
Tam FIRES, and a BULLET tears through the sleeve of
Hamiltons suit, grazing her arm ever so slightly.
Hamilton winces, but continues working.
Gireaux closes fast.
Hurry!
MONK
Hurry!
(CONTINUED)
102.
CONTINUED:
Tam FIRES again, and the BULLET finds a way between
Hamiltons chest and arms... a miracle miss.
With Gireaux a mere ten yards away, Hamilton releases the
third and final clamp.
The Lily immediately breaks free from the gravityinducing rotation of the Dandelion.
Gireaux, too close to stop, closes the final few feet and
leaps from the edge of the gangway towards the open door
of the Lily.
Gireauxs expression is one of sheer terror, as the
rotation of the gangway at the final moment of her leap
sends her ever so slightly off course from the Lily.
Monk holds Hamilton from inside the Lily, as Hamilton
instinctively reaches out to save Gireaux.
Their fingers graze one another, but there is no
purchase, and Gireaux floats hopelessly past Hamiltons
outstretched hand.
She ricochets off the nose of the shuttle and pinwheels
off into space.
Monk immediately pulls Hamilton on board the shuttle and
closes the air lock door behind her.
INT. BOSON BOMB
Schmidt advances on Martinez in the hopes of locating the
motherboard before it disappears into deep outer space
along with Martinez and the back half of the bomb.
Schmidt arrives on top of Martinez as the free portion of
the bomb begins to drift away.
A foot.
Five feet.
WIBLE
Hurry, Schmidt.
Ten feet.
Soon therell be no way for Schmidt to make it back
across the widening gap between the two halves of the
bomb.
At last, Schmidt locates the board, pulling it from an
outer pocket on Martinezs chest.
(CONTINUED)
103.
CONTINUED:
With a grin, Schmidt secures it and bends his knees in
preparation to launch himself off one of the girders.
He makes his leap, hurling himself toward his compatriots
on the moored section of the bomb.
But hes trailing something...
ROPE
While Schmidt searched for the board, the badly wounded
Martinez had clipped the rope hed used to attach himself
to the lift to tether himself to Schmidt.
The rope snaps taut.
Schmidt is jerked to a halt, and Martinez is yanked from
his perch inside the tumbling back half of the bomb.
Schmidt struggles to unclip the rope, as the moored half
of the bomb tumbles further and further out of reach.
But its no use: with nothing to push off of, hes
powerless to change direction.
Martinez, an honest to goodness sociopath -- albeit one
whos just enjoyed a major moment of redemption -laughs.
INT. LILY - COCKPIT
Just beyond the closed door, Hamilton lies on the cockpit
floor sucking in air and regaining her strength.
Monk sits beside her doing the same.
HAMILTON
I could have had her.
MONK
Hamilton, you did everything you
could, especially given the
circumstances.
HAMILTON
I could have had her.
MONK
Let it go, Hamilton
In zero gravity, Hamilton and Monk guide themselves into
the front seats of the cockpit and strap themselves in.
Thousands of switches, buttons and dials surround them.
(CONTINUED)
104.
CONTINUED:
Securely fastened into their seats, both astronauts sit
for a moment, absorbing the madness of recent events, and
the journey still to come.
As the Lily drifts in space, the back half of the Boson
Bomb floats into view.
HAMILTON
Well Ill be... That son of a
bitch pulled it off.
EXT. OUTER SPACE
Martinez and Schmidt drift through space.
Reaching down and grabbing a handful of rope, Martinez
slowly reels Schmidt in.
The pair eventually come face to face.
SCHMIDT
Youre not dead yet?
MARTINEZ
Not quite, no.
The two remain silent for a moment, unsure what to make
of one another.
MARTINEZ (CONTD)
Some way to go, huh?
Indeed.
SCHMIDT
105.
INT. LILY - COCKPIT
Hamilton and Monk remain strapped into the two front
seats.
HAMILTON
Well, what are you waiting for?
Start her up.
MONK
Me? I thought you knew how to fly
this thing.
HAMILTON
Youre kidding, right?
(beat)
Tell me youre kidding.
MONK
How in the world would I know how
to fly a space shuttle?
HAMILTON
How the hell would I?
The two of them stare at each other in horror, realizing
theyve gotten this far only to be stymied by something
so obvious.
MONK
This is a real problem.
HAMILTON
(laughing, in
disbelief)
Unbelievable. Un-fuckingbelievable.
(beat)
You think we can wing it?
They look around the cockpit and take in the absurd
number of controls.
MONK
I bet it takes about two years of
training just to turn this thing
on.
Hamilton lashes out against her harness, and ushers forth
a feral scream of frustration.
Shes done.
Shes been tough throughout the past few days.
been tough for the two months since the bomb.
Shes
(CONTINUED)
106.
CONTINUED:
Shes been tough all through training.
her entire life.
Look at me.
MONK
Well get there.
VOICE (O.S.)
107.
CONTINUED: (2)
Hamilton and Monk turn and see him.
Fuck!
HAMILTON
Por
MONK
A little.
HAMILTON
Whats he saying?
MONK
He doesnt want you to shoot him.
HAMILTON
I get that.
(off the Spaniards
continued ranting)
Hes saying more than that.
Monk looks at the Spaniard and listens.
MONK
(shaking his head)
Hes speaking too quickly.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
108.
CONTINUED: (3)
MONK (CONT'D)
I cant make it out.
(beat)
Hes saying hes not like the
other Europeans.
(beat)
Hes saying hes just a...
(Monk squints)
Just a...
Just a what?
Just a ball?
Just a ball?
that mean?
HAMILTON
MONK
HAMILTON
What the hell does
MONK
I dont know.
(to the Spaniard)
Usted es un pelota?
SPANIARD
(relieved)
Si, Si, slo soy un piloto.
MONK
(shrugs)
He says hes a ball.
HAMILTON
What the hell is he talking about?
Hamilton keeps the gun on the Spaniard, which only serves
to recharge his nervousness. As does the blood on
Hamiltons arm.
MONK
Qu tipo de pelota?
SPANIARD
Qu tipo? Piloto de
transbordador espacial.
Hamilton looks at Monk, who shakes his head.
MONK
I have no idea what hes saying.
SPANIARD
Transbordador espacial!
(CONTINUED)
109.
CONTINUED: (4)
The Spaniard begins motioning with his hands as though
hes driving a car.
SPANIARD (CONTD)
Transbordador espacial!
Hamiltons eyes go saucer wide.
HAMILTON
Hes not a fucking ball, hes a
pilot!
SPANIARD
Si, Si, soy piloto
Hamilton lowers the gun.
Piloto!
Piloto!
HAMILTON
SPANIARD
No.
HAMILTON (CONTD)
(shakes her head)
You, me, him. Thats it.
SPANIARD
(indicating the three
of them)
Solamente los tres?
Thats right.
HAMILTON
Solamente los tres.
110.
EXT. LILY
From a distance, WE SEE the Lily, the Dandelion and both
halves of the Boson Bomb.
The engines of the Lily burn bright with the combustion
of a pulse or two of fuel, as the pilot guides the Lily
into the proper angle for launch.
A moment passes, and then, with the massive flash of
total ignition, the Lily stutters into motion...
Accelerates...
And rockets for home.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END