Earth Force

7/30/2019 Earth Force

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EARTH FORCE

A TELEPLAY

CREATED AND WRITTEN BY

PHIL SILBERMAN

805 S. Jersey St.Denver, CO 80224

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303.3205880Registration #: 553039

EARTH FORCE

ACT ONEFADE IN, black and white:

Wide view, desert vista, dawn.

LONG ZOOM TO:

A SOLITARY WOMAN DANCER

wearing a flowing skirt, leotard and scarf. She is dancing withthe rising sun among the rocks and desert vegetation.

MULTIPLE DISSOLVES:

Scenes of Environmental degradation; oil soaked birds, dead fishon the shore line.

DISSOLVE TO:

DANCERentering the Oasis at the foot the of mountains. The organicarchitecture of the Oasis blends into the boulders of thedesert. Ponds and waterfalls are seen in the courtyard.

MULTIPLE DISSOLVES:

Environmental degradation; smoke spewing factory, traffic,polluted river.DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OASIS COURTYARD

Back view of TWO WOMEN wearing white "ethnically inspired" gowns

walking down the peristyle. They approach a large wooden doorat the end of the corridor and enter a sacred round room. A 10'diameter globe sits in the middle of the room.

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COLORIZE

The globe spins slowly. Weather patterns, ocean currents,deserts and vegetation can be seen. The two womencontemplatively orbit the globe.

PAN

explores room further. Four, comfortable, high tech chairs withbuilt in monitors and keyboards are facing the globe. The twowomen sit down and gaze at the earth. We see their faces; late50s to 70ish, gray haired, still retaining an elegant beauty.One is of European descent, the other African. THREE OTHER WOMENenter; one is in a motorized wheel chair version of the otherchairs. One of them is blind. They too, orbit silently aroundthe globe then take their seats.

The five women are: OSTARA; European, 50ish, KALI; Asian Indian,blind, EAGLE WOMAN; Native American, 90ish, in wheel chair,DEMETER; Latina, 50ish, ISIS; African tribal, 60ishThe Five gaze at the earth.

ANGLE ON ISIS

ISIS

(concerned)Good morning. We have a situationthat deserves our attention. Avillage in Costa Rica has beenstruggling for some time towardsself-sufficiency. However, theyare running into some intenseopposition.

P.O.V.- DEMETER

watching the monitor while pushing keys on her keyboard.

CLOSE IN

on monitor showing region, zoom to large area map, slow zoom to

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specific parcel.

BACK TO:

WHOLE ROOM as each of the women look at aspects of the report;

maps and overlays, graphs, numbers, etc. We see and hear piecesof the report. (FAST CUTS, MULTIPLE VIEWPORTS, OVERLAYS, etc.)

CUT TO:

Village; farmers trying to raise crops, children chasing a dog,women working. We can see signs of hard, diligent work;struggling against the odds. A Mercedes escorted by twomotorcycles emerges from jungle. The villagers stop theiractivities and stare in fear as the COMMANDANT drives by.

BACK TO:OASIS COUNCIL ROOM, FAVOR ISIS

ISIS

They need the power of The EarthForce. The Global ChemicalCorporation is planning a newfactory in this area... It appearsas if the intense opposition isbeing funded by them and theirallies in the national and localgovernments. Ostara, before you

came to us you worked for GlobalChemical....

OSTARA

Perhaps my experiences could beof some assistance.

ISIS

Your old boss, Jerry Burke, is nowthe company's major shareholderand CEO.

OSTARA

I knew him, er, pretty well. Ibelieve he actually has a goodheart... he's just blinded by

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ambition and success...

The Five scan various Bio-Data files on potential team members.Faces and resumes scan across their VDTs as skills andavailabilities are cross referenced. The team is quickly

selected and displayed on multi-port screens.

ANGLE ON MONITOR

SCREEN PORT 1: BILL and TERRI REED, Hawaii; Bill; Waste watertreatment, alternative energy technologies, 50 yearold surfer; Terri; project management, coordinationand support

SCREEN PORT 2: "BEAR", Australia; permaculture and securityspecialist, --LARGE aboriginal Aussie, lives on aremote self sufficient homestead in the outback.

SCREEN PORT 3: CARLA RUIZ, Los Angeles; legal specialist,environmental law--fiery, beautiful latina lawyer,drives an electric Porsche speedster

EXPAND SCREENPORT 1 and DISSOLVE TO:EXT. REMOTE BEACH, SUNSETa lone surfer catches a spectacular wave.

CUT TO:

INT. SMALL, CONTEMPORARY SOLAR HOUSE,nicely furnished, deck over looking beach. Telephone rings.

TERRI answers it.

TERRI

(attractive, 35ish)Aloha!

OASIS

(VO)Hi, Terri! How are you? This is MJat the Oasis, Is the Big Kahunaaround?

Terri walks with the portable phone out onto the deck. She wavesa towel and yells for BILL. Bill looks up just as he catchesanother wave and rides it into shore. He runs across the beachand up the stairs, he is an attractive and in shape 45-50.

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TERRI

We've been cookin' here! We justcompleted another golf courseremediation wetlands. The project

will catch and filter thechemicals that run off of the golfcourse and foul up the ocean. Thecoral reef off an installation wecompleted three months ago isalready showing signs ofimprovement.

OASIS

Wow, that's great! Listen, we'vegot a project that we want youboth in on. What does youravailability look like?

TERRI

Hey, we're there! (Bill gets tothe top of the stairs) Here'sBilly, (hands him the phone andputs the towel around hisshoulders) Its the Oasis, I'llgrab the other phone...

BILL

Alright!.... Yo! whats happening?Where we going this time?

OASIS

Hi Bill, we've got a project inCentral America and the Councilwanted to know if you were readyto go back out.

BILL

Wow man! sounds incredible.

FAX us all the particulars...We'll let you know tomorrow whenwe can get a flight off theIsland... Thanks... Aloha!

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TERRI

Aloha!

CUT TO:

EXT. Pre-Dawn, on a funky but productive homestead in theAustralian outback. Chickens mill about, a rooster crows, babygoats nursing. A wind generator whirs and a satellite dishserves up the morning news. The farm house is an agglomerationof building technologies; part adobe with sod roof, parttrailer, part geodesic dome, a greenhouse flanks one end of atrellised front porch. A large man with a wearing cut offfatigues, a large sheathed knife, and jungle boots emergesholding a cup of coffee. BEAR opens the garden gate and checkson a predator bug eating aphids. He swigs down the last gulp ofcoffee and spits the dregs out on the garden. While peeking atvarious squashes and picking weeds he stretches his limbs andcontinues his inspection of the garden. He checks the pre-dawnsky, leaps over the garden fence then runs down a long dirt roadtoward a rock promontory. He approaches the rock out-croppingthen artfully picks his way up the crag. With his carefulobservations and stealthy moves he appears to be hunting.Muscles ripple on his back as he pulls himself up to the peak.He stands; fierce, intent, looking ready for the kill. Anorange glow washes over his face as the sun rises, he stretcheshis arms high to greet the sun, does an Akido kata, then sitsdown cross legged and closes his eyes. An eagle soars above him

and calls out. He slowly opens his eyes and rapturously watchesher glide. Another bird call is heard, this one strange,electronic sounding. He ignores it, thenagain:..."bereep....bereep....bereep". He reaches into his deepfront pocket and pulls out a beeper with a message scrollingacross the LCD: Oasis ASAP....

CUT TO:EXT. MID-DAY, LA FREEWAY,

SLOW ZOOM TO:

a Red Porsche speedster, glides around a freeway transition.The personalized license plate says "SHOCKING".

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CUT TO:

A residential neighborhood. Overscaled condominiums shadow theremaining quaint bungalows, CARLA notices a "Notice of PropertyImprovement" sign at a boarded up bungalow. The car is totally

silent and as it comes to a stop, we can see that it is anelectric vehicle. She drives down the street and into thedriveway of a well kept bungalow. She parks the car in thePhoto-Voltaic covered carport, plugs the car in, and walks upthe back steps into the house. She lays her brief case on thekitchen table, presses the play button on her answering machine,kicks off her high-heeled shoes and takes off her business suitcoat all in one continuous motion. A man sounding like a usedcar salesman attempts to ask her out but his request is met by aswift finger to the fast forward button. CARLA gets herself alarge glass of filtered water while listening to the subsequentmessage for her son Tony from a girl named Jeanie in Tucson hemet at camp. The next message, is from the Oasis:

ANS. MACHINE -- (OASIS)

Hello Carla, this is the Oasis, Wehave a project for you. Pleasecall in.

She is interested and excited about being on another Earth Forcemission. She takes a couple of long drinks of water;contemplating possibilities, then picks up the phone. One button

of her speed dial feature activates the numerous beeps of a longdistance call.

OASIS

Oasis.

CARLA

Hello, this is Carla Ruiz. I havea message here that seems toindicate my services might be ofsome use to you?

OASIS

(V.O.)Oh yes, Ms. Ruiz, they areexpecting your call. Let me

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connect you.

ISIS

Hello, Carla, this is Isis. Howsoon can you be ready to head up a

legal team for a new Eco-Villagein Central America? Some heavyhitters are less than pleased withthe project but the local peopleare excited about the economic andenvironmental possibilities.

CARLA

As a matter of fact, I justfinished up a case in courttoday... we nailed the bastard! Iwas thinking of taking some timeoff, but participating in EarthForce projects re-energize me.

ISIS

Good! Is your modem on line? I'lldown-load all the pertinent dataright away. Why don't you go overit and give me a call tomorrow.

CUT TO:INT. OF A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

Carla and her son board a plane for San Jose, CR.

CUT TO:

Bill coming out of the shower, Terri packing, looking at watch,

nagging Bill.

CUT TO:

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EXT. DAY. FUNKY AIRSTRIP ON THE ISLAND.

Terri and Bill arrive to a waiting small plane; board, taxi downthe airstrip, and take off for the "big island"

CUT TO:

EXT. DAY- HONOLULU AIRPORT. The small plane lands. Theydeplane, meeting Bear on the tarmac then walk together to theterminal for the plane to Costa Rica.

CUT TO:

EXT.- SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. The team meets and loadsup into a caravan of Jungle Jeeps.

CUT TO:

EXT.-curvy mountainous road, Jeeps making their way to thesettlement

P.O.V. BEAR notices ominous men with binoculars in the jungle.

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE SETTLEMENT BY RIVER,

The Jeeps coming out of the Jungle are greeted by the friendlysmiles of curious villagers. The children excitedly crowd aroundthe Jeeps. Some women drawing water at the village well look upto watch the commotion. BILL notices the open sewer which leadsdirectly from the back of the dwellings into the river andshakes his head. A smiling VILLAGE WOMAN approaches the team.

VILLAGE WOMAN

(in Spanish, subtitled in English)

Welcome, welcome!! Thank you so

much for coming to our humblevillage. We have be lookingforward to your arrival with greathopes. Please, please come in andrelax. You must be very tired

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after your journeys. (to ateenage girl) Jaunita, go get ourfriends some coffee to drink.I'll make some warm tortillas.Come, come.

CUT TO:

EXT. small adobe house with covered patio. The TEAM, lead bythe Village Woman and followed by what seems to be half thevillage, walk towards the house. Everyone carrying a piece ofbaggage or equipment. PEDRO, about nine years old, standsstaring at BEAR, quite in awe of BEAR's size and strength. Bearnotices him, smiles and pulls a very large bag off the Jeep. Hemotions to Pedro to come and help him. Pedro gladly obliges,"carrying" an end while Bear carries the handle. His "help"obviously makes Bear's task more difficult.

CUT TO:

EXT. OF HOUSE

On the patio, the Hostess makes tortillas and stirs a pot on anopen fire. In the yard, an older man and a couple of kids chasedown a chicken.

INT. OF HOUSE

The team gets to work setting up the office.

PATIO

The Village Woman places a of plate tortillas, several plates ofassorted foods and a pitcher on the table.

FAVOR VILLAGE WOMAN

VILLAGE WOMANPlease, please, my friends come...eat! Relax awhile...

The TEAM gathers around the table oohing and ahhing at the feast

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set before them

CARLA'S SON

Wow! Not bad for tortillas andcoffee!

The TEAM feasts, talking about possibilities and hopes for theproject.

CUT TO:

EXT. OASIS PERRISTYLE. OSTARA SITTING ON A CHAIR LOOKING OFFINTO SPACE, THINKING. She closes her eyes.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DREAMY BIRDS EYE VIEW OF DERELICT FACTORY. SEPIA. Pollutedriver, open rusty barrels, etc..

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE AT FACTORY CIRCA EARLY 60'S, dusty files open, cobwebs, etc.

MORPH AND COLOR TO

INT. OF SAME OFFICE CIRCA EARLY 60'S, CLEAN. A pretty, youngsecretary stands in front of an executive, JERRY BURKE, sitting

at a large desk.

BURKE

Listen Sweetie, I don't reallyknow, or, for that matter, carewhat you're thinking and feeling.

I'm not paying you to besensitive. Your job is to screenmy calls, type my letters, and bea pretty face in the front office!You just can't let a few panicky

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housewives yappin' about theirsick babies get in the way of yourjob or the success of this company.

YOUNG OSTARA

(now a secretary)Mr. Burke, more than 50 familiesnear the Clear Creek Plant havereported....

BURKE

(disdainfully)Yeah, yeah, I've heard about theirso called reports. And let metell you they don't mean nothin'!See this? (takes out a 3" thickdocument and slams it on the desk)This report done by the finestscientists concludes that all airand water emissions from thatplant are within acceptable levelsand that your concerned citizensare just a bunch of environmentalextremists.

OSTARA

(shocked by his callousness)But what about the children,

Jerry, er Sir? I mean, I know thatyou do have a very sensitive andcaring side....

BURKE

Listen, as far as I'm concernedthose couple of weekends were partof your job description. Whateveryou read into the little fun andgames we had is your business.

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This is my business! You got it?

Ostara, hurt and teary eyed walks out.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:

OSTARA SITTING ON THE CHAIR AT THE OASIS, EYES CLOSED.

She pops her eyes open, and shakes her head quickly as ifshaking out the memories. She watches the orange glow of duskover the mountains. An "aha!" smile comes to her face.

CUT TO:EXT. VILLAGE

TEAM working at their respective tasks. Bear looks carefully atlocal plants both in gardens and the wild. Bill, Terri and Carlawalk down to the river. Bill stops to check the water qualitylooking at the flow of the river, the open sewers pouring intoit, and the garbage strewn along its banks. Carla and Terricontinue walking up stream and just around a bend notice a sign:FUTURE SITE OF GLOBAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION.

(fade in traditional tribal music) CUT TO:

VILLAGE, EXT. NIGHT. A CAMP FIRE CRACKLES AND POPS, sendingsparks into the night sky

CUT TO:MUSICIANS playing by the fire light

MULTIPLE DISSOLVES:

attentive faces of the team members and villagers illuminated bythe dancing fire,.

FAVOR THE VILLAGE WOMAN (music fades down, a powerfulpercussion rhythm continues)

VILLAGE WOMAN stands up to address the crowd.

VILLAGE WOMAN

Good evening friends! Tonight, my

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heart is filled with great joyand through these tired eyes, Ican, for the first time since Iwas a child, see hope. Our peoplehave a long and sacred tradition

of living in harmony with nature.Our Shamans knew both the spiritand use of the plants in thejungle; our women were intimatewith the energies of earth, wind,fire, and water; our men walkedwith the wisdom of theirgrandfathers and the power of thejaguar. And now...this once proudpeople, after years of abuse, areleft, with polluted rivers, barrensoil, and hungry children. Still,remnants of our stories remain.Tonight we would like to presentto you the enactment, in story anddance, the Story of Humana delNebla, the Mist Being, the womanwho lived forever.

(music up) dancers file in front of fire. A narrative VO can beheard as the performance ensues. Quick cut to audience faces,ominous faces in back of crowd.

FADE TO:

EXT. DAY. A LARGE GROUP VILLAGE MEETING, CHALK BOARD AT FRONT

VILLAGE WOMAN

Good Morning friends, thank youall for coming this morning. Onbehalf of the entire village, Iwould like to extend our warmwelcome to the Ministers of

Housing and Tourism. Thank youfor coming here today and forlending your support to thisproject. With out further ado Iwould now like to introduce Terri

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from the Earth Force, Terri....

TERRI

Good morning! First of all, Iwould like to thank you all for

welcoming us into your hearts andhomes with last night's mostbeautiful expression of yourlives. What we hope to do here istranslate your ancient Tribalwisdom into technologies that aresimple, easy to construct andsustainable.

CUT TO:Bear standing back on the sidelines, watching.

CUT TO:MEETING

OLD MAN

Gringos always pretend to offerhope and prosperity but in the endour situation gets only worse. Theybring their factories, and alltheir development, with promises ofa better life for us poor peoplebut they take all the money and

leave us with only broken promises.

VOICE IN THE CROWD

Yeah, and poisoned water andpolluted land.

VOICE IN THE CROWD

If that's what you call progress,you can keep it.

TERRI

This problem is common all over theworld. Corporations come marchinginto town with the intention ofexploiting the people and the landbut put on a face of We're

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helping you poor, poor people toget rich". But time quicklyreveals their motives and theyleave their trails of poverty and

(MORE)

pollution. What we would like todo here is development which fitsyour environment and culture. Thesmall scale industries will beclean, your food production will behigher, healthier and lessexpensive, your water can becleaned up and people will want tocome here to visit, enjoy thenature of this valley and the warmhospitality of your people.

CUT TO:

BEAR STANDING AT THE PERIMETER OF THE MEETINGSnoticing some SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS talking to a small group ofpeople. They have rolls of cash and are giving a few billsout. Bear approaches the gathering, taking careful notice of thepeople there, particularly the young boy who had helped him withthe bag the previous day. The men with the money notice Bearand quickly drive away. The village people also quicklydisperse. The look in the young boy's face as his eyes meetBear's exposes both his admiration for the huge man and, as he

looks at the money in his hand, a knowing that he has betrayedhis new friend. Pedro looks up again at Bear then scampers away.

BACK TO:MEETING

MIDDLE AGED WOMAN

(an old woman stands beside her)We need to find a way to honor theancient ways but still move ahead.There is still much wisdom in the

Grandmothers and Grandfathers butno one will listen to them anymorebecause they are old. When newways come the old are left behind,yet I feel that we somehow need

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their wisdom if we are going tosurvive.

TERRI

Absolutely! We are lookingforward to working with yourelders very much. Perhaps we canteam up an elder, a local youthand an Oasis staff member so thatsome of their knowledge can be notonly passed on to the nextgeneration but also added to thedata base of indigenous knowledgewe have at the Oasis.

CUT TO:

Bear tracks down his young friend and "coincidentally" walksacross his path. Pedro looks up, happy to see Bear but then,guilt ridden, turns his face away. Bear is very friendly withhim.

BEAR

Hey man whats happenin'?

PEDRO

Not much today... just playing....

BEAR

Well would you like to help me dosome work at the farm? You arevery good helper and I could sureuse some help.

PEDRO

Will you pay me?

BEAR

Pay you? Now way man... I don'tgot any money to pay you. But if

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you, and your family and yourfriends, and all the people in thevillage work together, soon therewill be lots of real good food,and a better school for you kids,

and jobs for the adults. Youwanna help?

PEDRO

The other men. They promised allthat too but they paid me lots ofmoney to help them...see (holdsup his Peso Bill)

BEAR

Whoa... that is a lot of money...how do you help them...

PEDRO

Uh... well.. .I do stuff... hey Igotta go now....

Pedro runs off. Bear's concerned eyes follow him.

CUT TO:

Bill, Carla take a Jeep into town. Bill checks out supplies

CUT TO:

EXT. Large government buildingCUT TO:

INT. LAW LIBRARY, CARLA

surrounded by piles of books on a large table, three or four of

the books lay open, she is busily typing notes into her powerbook and scanning pages of information. She is studying landreform laws and indigenous peoples land rights. She noticesthat prior to land reform, a certain prominent politician,A.W. Alfonzo held title to the property. Cross referencing she

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finds that the Global Chemical Corporation has been consistentlyproviding large donations to Alfonzo's political party andmajor support to the A. W. Alfonzo Cultural Center in San Jose.She then investigates an existing Global Chemical factory inthe country and finds that all issues of pollution and worker

health and safety have been summarily ignored by company andgovernment officials, most notably Alfonzo who is governor wherethe factory is.

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE SITE FARM AREA.

Bear and farmers putting final touches on the compostingoperation, people are bring wheelbarrows and buckets of manureand food scraps. Pedro is still watching and Bear is stillaware of his presence.

BEAR

Wow, this is great! Not only aregoing to completely revitalize thesoil... but look at all thematerial that's being kept out ofthe dump! Lots of stuff thatpeople think is trash, if dealtwith smartly can really be verybeneficial..... OK, keep it coming!

As the final buckets of manure are thrown on the pile, Bearslips away to catch up with his young friend.

P.O.V. - PEDRO

From his hiding place looking for Bear.

ANGLE ON BEAR

As he carefully approaches Pedro from behind then as he getsnearer, feigns a nonchalance, carrying a bucket of manure and

walks past him.

BEAR

Oh, g'day Pedro! Que Pasa? Whatcha doin'? Hey, this bucket is

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gettin kind of heavy. You wannahelp me carry it down to the farm?

PEDRO

well... OK.... hey what are youguys doin' down there any way?

The two walk slowly to the compost area.

BEAR

Have you been watching us?

PEDRO

Oh, uh, no... I just kind ofnoticed...

BEAR

Uh, uh...Well we're making compost.

PEDRO

What's compost?

BEAR

well... we take manure, leaves,all sorts of plants that used toget thrown away and we put it inspecial piles. After some time it

turns into very healthy soil toput in the garden.

PEDRO

Why you wanna do that?

BEAR

If the soil is healthy, the fruitsand vegetables will be moreplentiful, healthy and tasty.Also, we won't need to use

chemicals so the farmers will savelots of money, grow food that ismuch better for you and not harmthe water and soil.

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PEDRO

(confused)But the chemicals help theplants... don't they?

BEAR

Well they seem to for a while, butafter a few years you gotta putmore and more chemicals on thefarm to get the same results.It's kind of like an addiction todrugs... you know? Every time anaddict needs just a little more.

PEDRO

So the men that sell the chemicalsto the farmers... they're likedrug dealers?

BEAR

Well, maybe not my friend. Ithink that they just don't knowany better and are trying to helpas best they can.

PEDRO

Boy, well they sure are mad at youfor coming here to help us!

BEAR

Oh really? How do you know this?

PEDRO

Oh.. uh.. I just kind a hearstuff, you know.

BEAR

yeah... Listen next time you "hearsomething" you let them know that

we are here to help and thatmoving us is a great power- thepower of the Earth Force.

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CUT TO:DISSOLVES AND INTERCUTS

Bill and Carla return from town with trucks following; people,supplies, excitement. The work on the villages intensifies.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. BLACK GLASS CORPORATE TOWER.CUT TO:

INT. LAVISH, YET CONSERVATIVE OFFICE

V.P.(on the phone, back to camera, smoking)

I don't care what it takes. We'vegot to stop this damn villagebefore it all gets completely outof control. (pauses, listening,takes long drag on cigarette)Listen, the company's resources

are at your disposal. Buy 'emout or burn 'em out, they've gotto have breaking point and I'mcounting on you to find it.

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PHONE VOICE

(Commandant VO)These new people, helping, they'resmart! They're really teaching thevillagers and working with

them....

V.P.

(perturbed)Listen!, you've got a job to do.I've made myself clear: its theymust be stopped! Its gotta beclean, no tracks- make it anaccident...do what needs to bedone..

CUT TO:

EXT. NIGHT; VILLAGE SEWAGE POND / METHANE DIGESTER,

Men in black, obvious saboteurs.

SABOTEUR #1

By jamming the relief valve andusing this small detonator to set

off the methane, it'll look likethe damn thing malfunctioned

SABOTEUR #2

(looking at the gauges)Jeez, this thing is really gonnablow!

SABOTEUR #1

Exactly...!

ANGLE ON:

SABOTEUR #1 opening up hatch to drop charge into the soup.

SABOTEUR #2

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(OS "loud" whisper)Someone is coming!

Startled, Saboteur #1 drops charge without activating it andreaching for it falls into muck, chokes, gags, and drowns.

ANGLE ON:

Saboteur #2 notices a mid-size mutt approaching. It is the samevillage dog who had earlier peed on the Commandant's Mercedes.Upon seeing the Saboteur the dog growls angrily. Saboteur #2looks up and sees that his accomplice is gone. As Saboteur #2tries to slowly back away from the menacing dog, the dog directshim toward the sludge pond. The Saboteur falls into the muck.With the saboteur in sludge up to his chin, the dog lies downand stares at the guy, growling fiercely whenever he attempts toget out.

DISSOLVE TO:

EARLY AM, EXT. DOG STILL GUARDING SABOTEUR #2.

Two VILLAGE WORKERS come upon the scene and crack up laughing.

VILLAGER #1

You better go get Bear and Billy,Fido here and I will keep an eyeon our guest. (petting dog who isexcitedly wagging his tail) Goodboy!...good dog....

ANGLE ON:

Bill and Bear come running. Bill immediately begins inspectingthe digester, discovering body of Saboteur #1. Bear runs to

the edge of the sludge pond.

BEAR

G'day Mate! That's a heck of aplace to take your mornin' bath!

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Why don't you crawl on out ofthere... though I have a strongfeelin' it fits you as a place ofresidence.

Villager brings Bear a hose, as Saboteur #2 crawls out.

BEAR

OK, Mate turn it on! Let's washthis slime dog down!

Bear hoses down Saboteur #2 and takes him into custody.

CUT TO:

EXT.-OASIS SUNSET

Ostara and Isis sit on a verandah by a waterfall. Ostara istalking into a portable phone laughing.

OSTARA

A fitting end, I must say! and theother one, uh, finally came clean?(laughs even harder) good! Wellat least none of the Villagerswere injured and the digester isintact. Make sure Fido gets somekind of reward!

SPLIT SCREEN

EXT. VILLAGE FIELD HEADQUARTERS

CARLA sitting in an old wooden chair in front of the FieldHeadquarters, talking on a portable phone

CARLA

Seriously, things are getting outof control here.

OSTARA

Not to worry dear. I believe thatthat there might just be adifferent approach to the

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situation. ...

CUT TO:OASIS PERISTYLE

The Women walking toward council room.

INT. COUNCIL ROOM

the FIVE are talking, laughing.

KALI

Please do be careful dear.

INT. SYSTEMS ROOMlike a high tech "war room", arrangements are being made.

CUT TO:AIRPORT

Ostara deplanes and hails a cab.

CUT TO:

EXT. FANCY HOTEL

Cab pulls up and drops off Ostara.

CUT TO:INT. HOTEL LOBBY NEAR BAR

BURKE walks out of the bar with two associates and the V.P.Ostara, dressed to kill, walks passed him and down the corridor.She slips and falls to the floor. Burke, genuinely concerned,rushes to assist her as his associates, including the V.P.,laugh at her.

CLOSE-ON OSTARA AND BURKE

as their eyes meet, a hint of recognition.

BURKE

Are you OK? That was quite some

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fall.

OSTARA

(rubbing her ankle and wincing)Ooh... uh, yeah I think so.

BURKE

This is insane... but do I knowyou?

OSTARA

you may...

BURKE

Here, let me help you up.

OSTARA

...but from where?

BURKE

May I buy you a drink? (to theothers) You guys go on. We'lltalk later.

OSTARA

Whew, I think I could use one.

Angry, somewhat disgusted, looks from the other men. Burke and

Ostara walk to the bar.

CUT TO: INT. BAR; bartender, Ostara, Burke

OSTARA

Brandy, please

BURKE

Make it your best, I'll have a

Martini, dry. I know we've met!

OSTARA

Really?

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BURKE

Have you ever worked for the GlobalChemical Corporation?

OSTARA

Mr. Burke?

BURKE

Sharon?

OSTARA

Oh my, I didn't recognize you atall.

BURKE

(coughing painfully)The years have been kind to you.You are as beautiful as ever.

OSTARA

And you Mr. Burke...

BURKE

Please, call me Jerry.

OSTARA

...Jerry - did you retire fromGlobal Chemical?

BURKE

(rubbing his throat)Well, uh, as a matter of fact I ownit now. Bought out the old man inthe 80s. What brings you to here?Do you live in town?

OSTARANo, well actually I'm here onbusiness. I run a spa and retreatin the desert and came here to do acouple of presentations. (gives

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him a "business card") I head backtomorrow. It's beautiful out.Care to escort a lady on an eveningstroll? I need to work out thiscramp.

BURKE

I've got a better idea...

OSTARA

What's that?

Burke gets up, pays for the drinks.

BURKE

Come with me...

He puts out his arm, Ostara wraps hers through it. They walkout of the bar, through the Lobby, and into a private elevator.

INT. OF ELEVATOR

The two exchange glances.

ELEVATOR DOOR OPENS

revealing spacious, luxurious penthouse suite. Hot tub bubblingand steaming, city lights beyond. They walk in.

SLOW PANacross Suite shows the two men from the lobby at the wet bar.

P.O.V. - MEN AT BARBURKE

Well, Gentlemen, it seems as ifour meeting will have to wait.

V.P.

But J.B., ...

BURKE

(disturbed)

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Will you please excuse me for justa moment? Please, make yourselfat home.

Ostara smiles, nods and walks towards the balcony and hot tub.

Burke angrily motions to the open office. The three men enter,Burke slams the door behind him.

V.P.

Listen, J.B., we've got to stopthat damn village! If we don'tcontrol them now we'll never beable to open the new factory.

BURKE

Can't we just buy them out?

V.P.

They won't sell, at any price.They claim to have a right to theland through the new land reformlaws.

BURKE

Alfonzo, told us that we could puta factory there without anyopposition. What the hell is goingon?

V.P.

They are better organized than weexpected. And all this outsidemoney and personnel are beingbrought in.

BURKE

Can't we just force 'em out?

V.P.

We lost one guy already trying totake out some sort of methaneenergy thing...

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BURKE

We can cut off their power andwater.

THUG

That's the hell of it, Boss. Thatmight slow them down but it won'tstop them. They're getting itall rigged up so they don't needanything from anybody.

Burke looks out the window.

P.O.V. - BURKE

OSTARA SLIPS INTO THE HOT TUB, her clothes are draped over achair.

BURKE

OK, ok, I pay you guys good moneyto figure this crap out. Now getout of here- as you can see, I'vegot company.

THUG 1

But Boss...

V.P.

(disgusted)C'mon, lets go

The two men leave, the V.P. casts a suspicious glance at Ostara,then an "affirming" look to Thug 1.

HOT TUB, overlooking city

Ostara is immersed in steam from the tub.P.O.V. - OSTARA

Burke comes out in a robe, carrying towels and a robe forOstara. He takes off his robe and enters the tub.

BURKE

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Sorry for the delay... business...

OSTARA

No apology necessary. I hope I'mnot keeping you from somethingimportant... I mean I couldn'thelp but notice it seemed a bitheavy in there.

BURKE

(with resignation)Oh...just business

OSTARA

(arranging herself so she canmassage his shoulders)

Come here, young man let me helpyou work out some of that tension.(starts massaging his shoulders)

TIGHT ON OSTARA'S HANDShealing, pulling, opening.

BURKE

(enjoying the massage)wow... you're quite talented...

but I invited you up here tosoothe your ankle from that fall.

OSTARA

Not to worry... I feel fine.

Silence, as Ostara works on his shoulders. Burke bites hislip. Remembering ...wants to say something. Finally hebreak the silence as we

DISSOLVE TOMULTIPLE IMAGES, DREAM-LIKE, the thick report, sick

children, condemned neighborhood

BURKE (VO)I remember well your concern forthose families. And,... you were

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right. The report by ourscientists was bogus. We finance astudy, and surprise, surprise thescientists provide us with theresults we need.

(MORE) BACK TOOSTARAS HANDS(Ostara remains silent, keeps working)

BURKE (continued)All of these years, your voice hasbeen echoing in my head: "Whatabout the children?... What aboutthe children?" I've muffled itwith excuses of jobs and the freemarket, but I know what's beendone; just so that we can makeproducts a little cheaper. NowI'm in too deep to turn back.Thousands of people depend uponthe company for jobs and millionsof people want our products.

OSTARA

(now very sensually working on his head, eyes, andtemples. The steam from the tub mixing with the light

creates a mystical ambiance.)

You've only done what you andthose around you consideredcorrect and reasonable.Unfortunately, we live and workwithin a world view in which lifeis really not the priority.Perhaps, the time has come toexamine what's important to you.

BURKE

I'm in too deep.

OSTARA

It's your life Jerry.

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BURKE

Not anymore...

OSTARA

(embracing him from behind, speaking quietly but

forcefully into his ear)Then take it back!

BURKE

(with bitter cynicism)yeah right.

CUT TO:INT. OF PENTHOUSE

Burke walking Ostara to the door

CUT TO:

EXT. DAY; VILLAGE

Various quick cuts and dissolves show the continuing developmentof the village. Work continues on digester / power station,power comes on through-out the village, people reading at night.Laundromat is set up, hot water for washing. Housing is beingbuilt. Tours are being given.

EXT. DAY; The Mercedes escorted by two motorcycles again emergesfrom jungle. The busy villagers stop and stare in fear as theCOMMANDANT drives by. Bear picks his head up out of somegardening. The visitors come to a dusty stop in front of the HQ.The body guards jump off their bikes brandishing uzis. A coupleof village men come running and are quickly stopped in theirtracks by the sight of the guns. The COMMANDANT gets out andwalks into the office with his chauffeur following. One of themen with guns guards the front door, the other walks around theHQ.

CUT TO:

INT. FIELD HEADQUARTERS,Carla working at a desk. A woman is drawing at a drafting table

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as young child plays happily beside her on the floor.

P.O.V. - CARLA

The two women stop what they are doing and stand up. Maria picks

the child up in her arms.

COMMANDANT

(disdainfully)Are you in charge here?

CARLA

Who, may I inquire is asking?

COMMANDANT

Don't be smart! You are in chargehere, are you not?

CARLA

Well, I am part of a team that isdoing its best to...

COMMANDANT

Enough! I am here to inform youthat all building activity willstop immediately or...

CARLA

...or what?...What on Earth areyou talking about?...I can assureyou sir that we have the fullpermission and support of theproper local and nationalauthorities...

COMMANDANT

Do not interrupt me you insolentWoman! There are powers thatoperate beyond your "local and

national authorities" and WE arenot pleased with those who had theaudacity to give you permission tohelp these pathetic creatures.

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P.O.V. -BEAR

Bear stalking BODY GUARD 1 behind the Headquarters.BACK TO:

COMMANDANT

(continued)You are a threat to the countryseconomic system. Many powerfulmen like the way things are andplan to keep them that way. Do youunderstand me, Woman?

P.O.V. -BEAR

BEAR silently dispenses BODY GUARD 1. Picks up uzi, removesthe cartridge and drops the gun in the rain barrel. He spies onthe guard at the front door and, through the window, catches theeye of Carla.

CARLA

The situation is clearer to methan you may realize. And we dointend, Sir, to provide thesepeople with options.

PEDRO, playing with the village dog notices the shiny Mercedesand excitedly runs over to look at it. Bear ducks out of

Pedro's view. Pedro looks at the distorted image of himselfin the car's reflective bumper, making faces, then walks aroundto the side visible to the guard. Pedro runs his dirty handacross the smooth white fender

GUARD

(shaking his gun)Hey, you filthy Kid get outta here!

Pedro looks up and sees his "friend" who gave him money.He looks confused but says "hi" to him and begins to

approach. The guard shakes his gun at him.

GUARD

Vaminos! go on get!

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Confused and hurt he walks away, toward Bear. The dog lifts hisleg and once again, claims the car as his own.

P.O.V. - BEAR, THROUGH WINDOW.

COMMANDANT

You are trying my patience Woman!

Commandant motions to the chauffeur with his eyes and a nod atMaria. The chauffeur laughs menacingly, pulls out a very largeknife and approaches the woman and child. Maria and the childscream and hold each other closer. CARLA on the other side ofthe desk is stunned.

COMMANDANT

Perhaps a little bit of persuasionis in order...

Pedro walks near Bear, not noticing him

BEAR

(quietly)psst... hey Pedro...que pasa? heyman why so sad?

Pedro shrugs his shoulders

BEAR

Hey, friends don't point guns atyou do they?

Pedro shakes his head

BEAR

That guy isn't gonna shoot you butthey do seem to be causing sometrouble in there... You wannareally help me out here?

PEDROsure, man

BEAR

(picking up a sharp rock)

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OK, take this rock and scratchthat old car there. When the guardcomes after you just run like thedickens around to the otherside... got it mate?

PEDRO nods his head, and takes off running, the dog happilyat his heals. The chauffeur has Maria by the hair, hisknife at her cheek, the baby is wailing.

CARLA

OK, OK... please calm down... youreally don't need to hurt anyone.Please sit down we can talk, maybe there is a way you can profitfrom our enterprise.

Commandant motions to chauffeur to hold back

COMMANDANT

I thought you would begin tounderstand. The way we profit,however, is the way we run thingsnow...

Pedro starts scratching the car. The guard freaks out and

gives chase. As the men inside get distracted by thecommotion, Bear leaps in through the window, disarms anddisables the chauffeur and instantly has the knife at theneck of the Commandant. The guard is chasing Pedro aroundthe car as Pedro continues to hold the rock to its surfaceand the dog nips at the guard's heals. Bear steps out onthe porch with the knife at the Commandant's neck. Pedrosees the situation and rolls under the car. The body guardpulls up and points his gun at the two on the porch.

COMMANDANT

Put it down you fool!

Pedro snatches the gun under the car. The other guardcomes around the corner of the building, rubbing his head.

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BEAR

Playtime is over boys. OK, you(to Guard #1) go in there and dragout your friend. Please don't doany thing to alarm me as I might

slip and nick your boss's uselessneck! Now, take the keys and openthe trunk, good. Now give thekeys to my young friend here.Thank you. Now climb in. Youheard me mates... climb in.

COMMANDANT

Do it you fools, this man iscrazy!

BEAR

Very good. Now you...(to Guard#2) You should be ashamed ofyourself... playing tag withchildren when you should beworking.... get in with yourfriends there...slowly...facedown... put your hands on your

(MORE)head... that's right mate... I dohope you all are ...er... friendlywith each other.

(Bear quickly reaches out and slams the trunk shut, givingone of the men a loud clunk on the head. He escorts theCommandant to the driver door and delivers a swift kick tohis right knee leaving him writhing in pain on the ground.)

Pedro, can I have the keys please?Thank you mate...

Bear turns on the ignition. He picks the Commandant up bythe scruff of the shirt shoves him in the car,

"accidentally" banging his head on the door jamb, thenreaches inside and puts the car in drive. The car speedsand swerves down the road in a cloud of dust. The crowdthat has gathered cheers wildly.

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CARLA

Quite impressive Bear, but youdidn't really need to break thepoor man's leg did you?

BEAR

Ah, its not broken CARLA. Its justa slightly dislocated knee cap isall....

CUT TO:

INT. OSTARA'S ROOM AM.

She gets out of bed opens the curtains and longingly touches theunopenable window. Does some Tai Chi in the morning light.After a few moments in the shower, she is startled by thesecurity alarm going off. Ostara gets out of the shower, readyand alert. She rounds the corner in a martial arts stance toconfront a startled maid.

MAID

I'm so sorry m'am

OSTARA

(still ready, cautious)What do you want?

MAID

To change your sheets M'am, butI'll come back.

OSTARA

Yeah, good idea...

The two thugs dressed in hotel service uniforms barge in. Shemanages to Tai Chi her first attacker (Thug 1) into a vase offlowers on a table in the corner. The second (Thug 2) whacks

her on the head, knocking her out. Thug 1 shakes the flowersout of his hair, Thug 2 gets a laundry cart. They put Ostara init and take her out the service elevator to a waiting van

CUT TO:

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EXT. DAY, VAN HEADING DOWN FREEWAY

INT. VAN, two thugs, Ostara tied up, blindfolded and gagged

EXT. DAY, VAN HEADS OFF FREEWAY

EXT. DAY, VAN HEADS DOWN DIRT ROAD TO DERELICT FACTORYCautiously looking around for witnesses, Thug 1 unlocks gate,the van drives through. The van pulls up to door, thugs jump outslide open door and pull Ostara out of vehicle.

INT. FACTORY.

A third thug is waiting for them. The men shove Ostara into achair and tie her into it.

THUG 2

Who the hell are you and what doyou want with Burke?

They dump the out the contents of her purse on the floor. Thug3 picks up one of her "business cards"

THUG 3

What is this crap?... Healing arts

center...

THUG 1

(rubbing his still wet head)And I never met no lady doctor whohad the moves of Jackie Chan.

OSTARA

I am not a doctor... I operate ahealth spa out in the Desert... I

used to work for your boss yearsago...

THUG 1

yeah, yeah but who do you work for

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now?

OSTARA

I toldyou where I work.

THUG3

Hey, why don't we call this socalled Spa of hers...

THUG 1

Good idea, get me the phone.

THUG 3 picks up a portable phone, checks the number on the card,punches it in and hands the phone to THUG 1.

CUT TO:OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM

OASIS OPERATOR

Code 3 call coming in!Hello, Oasis Healing Arts Center,may I help you?

BACK TO:INT. FACTORY

THUG 1

Sharon Bright please.

OASIS OPERATOR

I'm sorry sir she's not in rightnow, may I take a message?

THUG 1

Uh... I'd like to give my wife agift. Can you tell me about yourplace there?

OASIS OPERATOR

Yes, the Oasis is a HealingRetreat and Spa. We deal witheverything from terminal illnesses

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to relaxing weekend getaways.

THUG 1

(under his breath) Yeah, my wifeis a terminal illness maybe you

can help me...

OASIS OPERATOR

sorry?

BACK TO:OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM; Isis and Kali come in.

ISIS

Did we get the trace?

OASIS OPERATOR

It was a cell phone. We have afix on the repeater but that onlygives us a 25 mile radius. In amoment we'll get a billing address.

KALI

What about the audio analysis,anything there?

OASIS OPERATOR

Let's listen to the tape and takea look at it.

Tape is played back, slowed down etc. various scopes andinstruments show wave form patterns, voice pitch etc. Kali putson headphones.

OASIS OPERATOR

Reverb indicates that the call

took place in an industrialbuilding...a hangar orfactory...lots of echo...concretefloors...metal walls.

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KALI

Run the tape again... yes... thereit is. A train! A train went bywhen he was talking. All we needto do is cross reference the train

schedule with the time of the calland we've got the place.

OASIS OPERATOR

The billing address is comingthrough now... no surprise...it'sour friends at Global Chemical.OK, now lets call up the trainschedule. According to the mapthat's gotta be a Santa Fe freightline. So... according to theschedule our building is withinthis block right here.

KALI

Good! Now just for fun let's findout if Global Chemicals owns anyproperty within that block.

OASIS OPERATOR

Bingo! They own the whole block.

ISIS

Great, we know where she is but Idon't believe we have anyone nearthere to get her out.

OASIS OPERATOR

What about the FBI?

ISIS

I think we should wait on that.With these guys you never know howfar their tentacles reach.

BACK TO:

INT. FACTORY

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OSTARA

Let me go!

V.P.

I don't think so sweetheart... All

you've told us so far is lies andyour not going anywhere!

V.P. takes an impatient, long drag on his cigarette, yanks herhead back by her hair and puts his smoky face right into hers.

V.P.

(smoke billowing out of his mouthand nose)

Are you sure you have nothing moreto say?

OSTARA

(choking, seething with anger)No.

CUT TO:

INT. VILLAGE HEADQUARTERS, NIGHT.

TONY, Carla's son, is at Carla's computer studying theinformation that has just been downlinked from the Oasis. TheTEAM is sitting around looking glum.

CARLA

(perturbed with Tony)Tony, what are you doing overthere!?... (then to no one inparticular) Maybe we should packit in... it just not worth peoplegetting hurt.

PEDRO

No, no we can't stop now. We get

hurt every day by those stupid menand the way they make us live...I'd rather have a black eye thanget sick from all those chemicals.

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Tony smiles slyly and picks up the phone.CUT TO:

INT. TEENAGER GIRL'S BEDROOM. The phone rings, JEANI puts downher environmental magazine and answers it.

JEANI

Hello?....(excited) Tony? Hi howare you? Wow... What up? You'recalling from where? Really? Wow...Yeah...uh, uh sure... I'm prettysure I can grab a couple offriends. Yeah man, we'll ridetonight! OK, bye...Thanks Tonythis'll be awesome!

CUT TO:

OASIS COUNCIL ROOM.

Four women sit in their chairs, a simple bouquet of flowersoccupies Ostara's place. They are obviously concerned.

ISIS

Any suggestions?

EAGLE WOMAN

Perhaps we should abandon thisproject. There are other places

to build a village.

DEMETER

Forget the village! What aboutOstara?

KALI

We have put a bulletin out onEarthLink. Maybe someone nearthere can help us out.

DEMETER

There's thousands of people online now, perhaps someone spottedher..

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CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE, X-rays on wall, Burke meeting withdoctor

DOCTOR

I'm sorry Jerry, it doesn't lookgood. I'll do what I can to helpease the pain...

PAN TO:

Stunned, Burke sitting in a swivel chair puts his face in hishands and sobs

CUT TO:

EXT. BURKE SLOWLY WALKING TO HIS CAR

CUT TO:

EXT. BURKE DRIVING VERY FAST ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD.

He comes to a stop at the edge of a cliff. Gets out of the carand stares into the distance. Putting his hands in his coat

pockets, he discovers a business card and takes it out to see:Oasis

healing arts centerSharon Bright602.555.2222

"You are the cure"He looks at the card and at the setting sun. The sun slipsthrough the smog. He crumples the card and puts it back in hispocket. Burke gets into the car with a heavy sigh, beats andshakes the steering wheel while sobbing. He looks at the cardagain then picks up car phone and calls.

CUT TO:INT. OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM- call comes in

OASIS OPERATOR

Code 3! (pushes some buttons) Oasis Healing Arts

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Center, may I help you?

BACK TO:Burke on car phone

BURKE

(obviously very distraught)Is... is Sharon Bright in?

OASIS OPERATOR

(O.S.)No sir, I'm sorry she's not in atthe moment, may I take a messageplease?

BURKE

Is there any way I can reach her?

OASIS OPERATOR

(O.S.)No sir, I'm afraid not, but ...

BURKE

(very irritated)Well, when will she be in?

OASIS OPERATOR

(O.S.)I don't know Sir, but if you leavea message and I'll get it to heras soon as possible.

BURKE

Damn,...OK, I'll call back.

BURKE clicks off and stares blankly into space.

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ACT THREE

CUT TO:

OASIS TECHNICIAN

(looking at Burke's voice on aseries of scopes and meters)

Someone else must have Ostara.Look at his voice patterns. Hesfreaked out about something major!

KALI

I can't hear a trace of lying inhis voice.

EAGLE WOMAN

Then who has Ostara?

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY

Ostara is still bound.

OSTARA

(distraught)I...I give up...Listen you boysplay much too rough for this oldlady. All we wanted to do is give

some poor, suffering people achance, just a chance, at a betterlife,...but if your factory is sobloody important to you... goahead...there are other places we

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can build a village. Please...Iwould like to go home now...

CUT TO:

INT. JEANIE'S BEDROOM

Three teens excitedly talking, looking at photos of factory.Music playing.

MAX

Wow... li'l' Miss Greenie Jeaniehere been talkin' all this ecostuff... but check this out thisbe some serious action goin' down!

EXT. NIGHT. MINI-MART

Jeanie, sitting on her bike, impatiently looks at her watch.Rap music can be heard down the block. In a few moments Maxrolls up with a blaring boom box attached to the front of hisbike. Sam peddles up a few seconds later.

CUT TO:

EXT. NIGHT; DERELICT FACTORY

The three teens on bikes approach the factory.EXT. NIGHT; PERIMETER OF FACTORY

Sam gets of his bike and undoes the chain. Max pops a tape inhis boom box. A large dog comes running toward them barking,Sam drops the chain and whips a steak out from his pack. Samlets him smell it then opens the gate and heaves the steak asfar as he can, the dog happily bounds after it. The kids gothrough the gate then split up. Jeanie goes around to the back.

Max, with the boom box, rides into the shadows in front of themain door. Sam rides up to a side door, peers inside then givesa thumbs-up sign. Max gets off his bike, pushes "play" on theboom box and runs to the side of the main door. The tape kicksin as Max is tying one end of a rope on the opposite side of the

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door for a trip line. Sam is ready at the other door, Jeaniesqueezes though a jagged hole in the back.

TAPE

(OS)

Sirens, cars screeching, doorsopening. "This is the FBI! you arecompletely surrounded! Come outwith your hands up."

The three thugs rush to the windows. Jeanie runs in and untiesOstara. One guard runs out the main door getting caught inMax's trip line. Another pokes his head out the door callingfor his partner. Sam kicks the door, smacking the guard in thehead. Sam jumps on his bike as the guard gets up to run afterhim. With the guard giving chase, Sam jumps over a puddle oftoxic ooze. Leaving the guard slipping and falling in the muck,Sam circles back around to the building. The third guard (thesame one she sent flying into the vase of flowers) sees Ostaraand Jeanie and runs toward them attempting to grab Ostara.Ostara executes a akido move and sends him flying into leaking,rusty barrels of glue.

MAX

(wide-eyed after seeing Ostara's moves)Wo! I'm not so sure this ladyneeded our help!

OSTARA

I certainly did! You weremarvelous! Did the Oasis send you?

JEANIE

(just slightly chagrined)Well....not exactly. The callactually came in from Tony Ruiz,he's a friend of mine out there atthe village.

OSTARA(surprised)

Tony? Carla's kid? Sure, I knowhim. A wonderful boy.

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JEANIE

(blushing slightly)I think so too... we met at Earthcamp last summer. Anyway, he hadbeen tracking your situation and

remembered that I live out here sohe called to see if I could helpand... well here we are.

OSTARA

Well... good work... all of you.Let me make a quick call and thenI'll give you a ride home.Please, will you ...uh...make suremy hosts are comfortably secure.

The teenagers tie up the thugs.

CUT TO:

INT. OASIS SYSTEMS ROOM

Faces full of anticipation

OSTARA

(VO)Hello Oasis, this is Ostara.

Cheers from everyone in the room

EAGLE WOMAN

Are you alright dear?

SPLIT SCREEN

OSTARA

Yes, thanks to my young friendshere. I should have seen thiswhole thing coming, I just didn't

expect him to go this far.

EAGLE WOMAN

Don't feel too bad about it... itdoesn't appear as if it was Burke

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who was responsible.

OSTARA

What?...

EAGLE WOMAN

He has been calling the "Spa"number wanting to speak to you.All voice analyses indicateextreme stress and depression.

OSTARA

(concerned)Can I contact him?

OASIS OPERATOR

He wouldn't leave a number.

KALI

He was deeply troubled aboutsomething.

OSTARA

Mmm... OK I'll try to get to him.Perhaps our Earth Force team herewill help me out once again.

KALI

Please, do be careful!

end SPLIT screen

Ostara and kids at van

OSTARA

It appears as if we need to make aslight detour on the way back. Doany of you know how to get to theHotel Global?

JEANIE

I'm pretty sure its near downtown.We'll find it!

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OSTARA

Good! Now let's get out of here.

The kids get in the van with their bikes. The van heads out thegate, passing the dog on the side of the road chewing on a bone.

CUT TO: (slo-mo and fuzzy)

PATIO, Night. BURKE'S PENTHOUSE.

Burke slams down another glass of whiskey, handles a bottle ofvalium.

CUT TO:

EXT. NIGHT; Van speeding down the freeway.

INT. OF VAN; "Old Lady" at wheel, gray hair flying, appearingsomewhat crazed, kids (seat belts on) a bit scared but diggingit.

JEANIE

Take the next exit!

CUT TO: (slo-mo and fuzzy)

INT. BURKE'S PENTHOUSE

CLOSE ON BURKE opening pill bottle.

BACK TO:

Van pulling off freeway, making sharp turn heading down road tohotel in the distance. Van screeches to a stop about a blockaway from the hotel. Back door of the van flies open, the two

boys ride out holding Jeanie's bike between them. Jeanie hugsOstara and jumps out of the van and on to her bike.

OSTARA

You kids got it? Thanks! I hope to

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have the pleasure of seeing all ofyou again soon.

All give thumbs up. Max hits the play button on his boombox and cranks up the volume. (a la Apocalypse Now attack

scene) Rap Music with environmental \ activist messageblares as they descend onto the hotel.

QUICK INTERCUTS TO:

Burke, pills, booze, hot tub, etc.

Ostara is driving behind the kids with the van lights onvery bright. They get to the hotel and ride inside. Thethree ride around the lobby doing tricks and stunts thensplit up with security men in vain pursuit. Ostara runsinto the lobby, then to the private elevator, and up to thepenthouse, turning off the elevator upon arrival.

CUT TO:

INT. OF PENTHOUSE, NIGHT.

Burke in Hot Tub just about to ingest the whole bottle of pills.Ostara sees him and makes a flying leap to kick the bottle outof his hand. Burke, totally surprised looks at Ostara andbreaks down sobbing. Ostara swims through the lighted mist andembraces him.

(music down)BURKE

I'm dying...

OSTARA

I know...but there is no need tospeed up the process

BURKEI...I can't face it. I just can'tbear to wither away to nothing

OSTARA

Let's get you out of the water...

She helps him out and into the living room, where he collapses

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on the couch. She helps him take off his wet shirt. She getstowels and robes for the two of them, dries him off etc.Noticing the video surveillance camera she picks up his boxersand throws them over it. She goes into the kitchen and starts apot of hot water.

OSTARA

(from the kitchen)Why did you call me?

BURKEdesperation...fear

OSTARA

You called me because you wanthelp...Are you willing to helpyourself?

BURKEWhy did have to stop me?

OSTARA

You called me...

BURKEIt would have been so mucheasier...

OSTARA

And so much emptier. Listen to meJerry: Yes you are going to die,that is something we all mustface. We can only choose how ourhearts greet that eventuality--Take back your life Jerry. Spendyour last days and moments indignity, living yourlife.

BURKE

You don't understand, a man can'tjust walk away from his life andmaintain his dignity.

OSTARA

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Seems to me that that's what youwere just about to attempt.

BURKEYeah, but that would be final, I

wouldn't have to face anyone... ormyself. You see, there is a bigproject in the works but I justdon't have what it takes any morefor our old tactics. The boyswant me to play hardball against acommunity that will be severelyaffected by a new factory.

OSTARA

What do you want to do?

BURKE

I...I don't know...dying wouldjust be so easy.

OSTARAYou don't know that, now, do you?

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY

Security and front desk personnel getting back from chase, veryout of breath.

SECURITY 1

What the hell is going on here?

SECURITY 2

(looking at elevator lights)Someone went up to the penthouse!

SECURITY 1(looking at Burke's shorts on thevideo monitor; total frustration)Oh no...

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They run to the elevator, put the key in and impatiently wait-finally they run to the other elevator go up, then out a hallwaywindow and up the fire escape to the penthouse patio, thenthrough the door with guns drawn. Ostara has a blanket aroundBurke and is bringing him a pot of hot tea.

SECURITY 1(pointing his gun at Ostara)

Don't move Lady!

SECURITY 2

Watch it boss she's dangerous!

Burke grabs a gun from the drawer in the end table and,standing up with the blanket wrapped around himself, points itat Ostara. He is quite confused by the situation

BURKE

What are you goons talking about?She just saved my life.

SECURITY 1

She's a spy for those Eco-freakswe've been having trouble with.You've been set up. She probablyalready killed three of our guysat the old factory.

BURKE

Now, wait a minute... what was shedoing with our guys at the oldfactory, I was trying to reach herall day at her Spa.

The two guys look at each other

OSTARA

(very motherly)Tell him, boys...

SECURITY 1

We were, uh, holding her inprotective custody.

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SECURITY 2

Yeah, yeah, that's right boss.

OSTARA

They kidnapped me Jerry.

BURKE

What?...why?

OSTARA

I am , in fact, a spy for thoseeco-freaks who are causing you somuch trouble, but I'm notdangerous and I haven't killedanyone.

BURKE

(still pointing his gun at her)You deceived me?!

OSTARA

Yes.

BURKE

you lied to me...

OSTARA

Lie is such an ugly word... I did

uh, stretch the truth a bit.

BURKE

(turning and pointing the gun atthe two men)

And I, dear Woman, am not sureI'll ever be able to truly thankyou.---Now get out of here boys!!

SECURITY 1

But ...

BURKE

GO!!!

SECURITY 1

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(pointing his gun now at Burke)We can't let you do this.

BURKE

You can't let me do this? Since

when do you control me? Now getout.

SECURITY 1

(pointing his gun at Ostara )Don't be a fool... Its two gunsagainst one. At best, only one ofyou lives.

BURKE

How did you put it Sharon, dyingis the only thing we can be sureof? Well I'm damn sure I'm goingto die, and I've never felt moreready, how about you boys? Youready? huh?... now put your gunsdown and get out!

The men drop their guns and head for the elevator.

SECURITY 1

(looking back)It ain't over...

BURKE

(to Ostara)It is for me.....So you want toclue me in here. What the hell isgoing on?

OSTARA

I'd be happy to... as long as youput away that horrid gun first...

BURKE(looking at the gun in his hand

and putting it away)Don't worry, it's not loaded...Now...talk to me... no wait...I

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think I have a few things I shouldtell you. Our company has beenopposing your village. Through theyears Ive cared for nothingexcept profits... But now, facing

my mortality, I can see that theprofit motive can get out ofcontrol. This latestsituation ...I told my people tostop the village but believe me, Ihad no idea that they had gone tothe extremes they did. I was keptout of the loop because the boysknew that I was, in their eyes,weakening. I...I'm so tired ofthe lies,... the corruption... thestench of greed. I don't know...I guess, somehow I would like tolive these last... few, well...moments really, in way that's trueto me... I think I'd just like tohelp out with your project any wayI can and live out the rest of mylife with as much dignity as I canmuster. Do you suppose they'dhave any use for a dying oldchemist down there at yourvillage. Perhaps I could

teach ..I don't know, with mybackground in chemistry, maybesome of my knowledge could helpdevelop products which can be madefrom plants found there.

OSTARA

Well, it's up to you, Jerry. Ifyou are really interested I'm suresomthing can be arranged.

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BURKE

And, you know, uh... actually,I'd be interested in learning whattheir medicine people know... I'veheard some amazing stories about

the secrets of the Jungle.

OSTARA

Who knows, perhaps the secrets ofthe Jungle might even keep yougoing a bit longer. You know,only two percent of the world'splants have been classified byscience... something in that other98% might just be of some use toyou and a few other people on theplanet.

CUT TO:

OASIS, COUNCIL ROOM

Ostara silently, peacefully walking around the Earth Sphere.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DAY ECOVILLAGE 3 BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT AND ACTIVITY.Working example of sustainable development. Farming, human

powered vehicles, etc.

PAN TO:

BURKE, LOCAL MEDICINE MAN AND APPRENTICE IN AN THATCH COVEREDOPEN CABAAThe three are looking at plant specimens. The medicine man isexplaining, the apprentice translating while typing into alaptop computer. Burke is listening intently. Burke cuts of asmall piece of the plant and puts it under a large microscope toshow to the astonished medicine man. Villagers walk by smiling.

BACK TO:

INT. OF COUNCIL ROOM

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FAVOR OSTARAShe sits in her chair gazing at the Earth Sphere.

P.O.V. - OSTARA

SLOW ZOOM TO EARTH SPHERE

CLOSE ON Clouds over the Caribbean region, FADE to black andwhite

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DESERT, DUSK

A solitary female dancer outside the Oasis compound.

credits

FADE OUT

THE END

Documents

Earth Force