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Screenplay (currently being edited) |
| Anyone that has knowledge and or experience with writing screenplays is welcome to review and help me edit this. It is my first screenplay, and, the first draft. No doubt it has many errors both in format/grammar and content. Any constructive comments are appreciated. The Signal * Written by Niels Christian Papps Woolywan@writing.com EXT. NIGHTSKY - NIGHT QUOTE CENTERED ON SCREEN: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians x. 12. MAIN TITLE CENTERED ON SCREEN: SIGNAL SOUND OF WIND CREEPS IN. Wind increases eventually tearing MAIN TITLE APART. Vortex of wind spins around. CREDITS APPEAR AND ARE SUBSEQUENTLY TORN AWAY BY WINDS. A tempest of the grimmest black rises up, casting a shadow over Jacob as he flees. He tries to escape, but it moves with him, as if it had a mind of its own. It moves left and right in rhythm with his hurried steps. He is swallowed up by its darkness, deafened by its thrashing sound, petrified by its approach. Tired and unable to continue Jacob stops, he knows it is futile, he turns to greet its arrival. As it howls and crashes into to him he screams in horror, and he is sucked into its destructive vortex. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - AFTERNOON Jacob abruptly wakes to the sound of distant traffic. Stunned, he lays for a moment, trying to ascertain whether he was asleep or awake. Eventually realizing it was just another dream, he sighs with relief, blinks vigorously to focus his blurry vision. Jacob reaches to the floor, rubbing his bloodshot eyes with one hand and groping with his other hand in search of his cigarettes. He finds them and sits up in bed. JACOB (Coughs) Why do I do this to myself coughing and spluttering he takes one and slips it into his mouth. He sees it is well after noon and the curtains are drawn, the room is dim and filled with moderate and sporadic patches of light, and populated with useless clutter covered with dust. Yawning, he stands up, and rubs his head stabbing his cigarette out on the head board. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/KITCHEN - AFTERNOON Jacob stumbles into his tiny kitchen, arms stretched out, he grasps the curtains and rips them open, sunlight bursts into the kitchen, blinding him. He opens the fridge and takes out the sole item in it, an aging carton of milk, and boils the jug. Sitting at his little table in his Lilliputian kitchen, he drinks his coffee, staring aimlessly at the kitchen wall, the clock ticks consistently with a torturous rhythm beating and undulating with the traffic outside. JACOB (V.O.) My life was characterized by agonizing repetition, each day a copy of the last. I guess I had given up, and the only person this wasn’t abundantly clear to was me. I lived in hopeless denial only tending to my habitual needs, closed off from the world, regressing further into solitude, surrendering to nothingness and nowhere. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - NIGHT He enters his lounge, and closes the curtains, locks the doors, and then fills his body with vile substances. JACOB (V.O.) I spent my days waiting for the sun to relinquish its hold over the earth, waiting for the night to swallow up the day, hiding and comforting me. I rejoiced at the arrival of darkness, as the shadows do hide a fools most commanding and ruinous habits. Jacob sits back on his dusty and stained couch escaping into the moment, governed by the poisons coursing throughout his limp and motionless body. His head falls back as he lets out a sigh of gratification, he closes his eyes as its effect rages on rendering him a slave to it. Hours pass, his senses dull, and with his body spent, Jacob eventually passes out. EXT. DREAM STATE/NUCLEAR BOMBS AND EXODUS - NIGHT He found himself walking in darkness. He looked up to see a tree line, and above it a brilliant sky inhabited by a host of stars. This sight gave him great contentment, he stood gazing with awe. Suddenly there is a flash of light, then the ground trembled, and Jacob threw himself to the ground. As he looked skyward again he saw an inexplicable sight: a mushroom cloud rose up, towering above the tree line, red and orange cast against, and cutting into, the night sky. He watched as it rose, Its dread, Its unrelenting climb, and Its terrible finality. Terrified, he lifted himself to his feet. His starry sky had been replaced by hopelessness. He then turned to see a jaggered landscape ripped open by the ravages of war. Approaching he saw a great multitude of people moving towards him. Their faces are blackened; they appeared a broken people, each the same, sharing faces of despair and resignation. He then saw a woman rising above the landscape, shining with so many colors he couldn't recognize them all, stretching her arms out towards the sky. He looked up and saw a face looking back at him, a face of wisdom, Majesty and love. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - NIGHT Abruptly he wakes to his gloomy lounge, in shock he sits awhile trying to understand what had just happened to him. It was late, and although he was shaken by his apparent vision, Jacob, still under the influence of pot, again drifts off to sleep. JACOB (V.O.) It all began when I started having these intense dreams. At first they freaked the living hell out of me. But I suppose I was afraid of everything, even my own shadow. I/E. JACOB’S HOME/CITY STREETS - DAY He wakes early to a sunny and inviting day. Jacob has a sense of vitality and need to venture out, something he never did. As soon as he has woken fully, he departs. The streets are busy and populated with people, usually he would feel uneasy, alienated. But instead it doesn’t seem to trouble him. He proceeds further and further away from his home. He has no plan, no destination, only the will to put one foot ahead of the other. He feels driven to just walk. EXT. BUSY ARCADE - DAY Eventually he arrives at a busy arcade swarming with people enjoying the sun, and each others company. He decides to stay awhile and have a look around. As he proceeds he sees a tightly bunched group that appears to encircle a man that is speaking to them, Jacob decides to go over and have a closer look. As he gets closer he sees an elderly man, strict in appearance like a school master, and he is speaking to the crowd. The old man speaks with authority, holding a bible in one hand and motioning with the other. ELDERLY PREACHER What is it that makes a man better than what he is? Is it the clothes that he wears, is it the knowledge that he gains, is it the charitable acts that he performs? I venture it is none of these things, and that only pain, only sacrifice, improves the man and makes him whole. The crowd appears despondent, some are seemingly riled by the old man's comments. ELDERLY PREACHER (CONT'D) And sacrifice is the greatest expression of love! The elderly preacher steps forward scanning the faces of the crowd, apparently looking for a response. He then puffs his chest out and points his finger skyward. ELDERLY PREACHER (CONT'D) Everyone enters this world with nothing and leaves with nothing accept character born from adversity, one must lose everything to gain anything of any value! Jacob juggles and pushes his way to the front of the crowd, he has become aroused by the old man's words. ELDERLY PREACHER (CONT'D) Why do you all look at me like that?... In the near future there will be those who will be slaves to their own fears, and others... The preacher sees Jacob looking on and his expression of agitation is replaced by kindness. ELDERLY PREACHER (CONT'D) ...and there will be others that will serve our Father in Heaven. The preacher continues speaking, with Jacob absorbing every word. JACOB (V.O.) As I stood there for almost two hours, my feelings of confinement and self-loathing were placed in the back of my mind as I grew increasingly more mindful of the old man's inspirational words. In the past I never placed much stock in religious stuff, but in this instance I felt compelled to * listen. The old man was so clear when explaining things, and he held my attention firing his curiosity. (breathes deeply) I felt motivated by the old mans words, inspired to make positive changes in my life. It was as if the preacher freed me from my doubt, and my defeatist way of thinking. The way the preacher stared at me as if solely speaking to me alone, it edified me. It lifted me up and made me dream of possibilities that my own mind alone had not, and could not consider. I had always believed in God, but I had never believed God. On this day, in this crowded arcade I started to believe the words of the Bible, to accept them. This caused me to feel a joy I had never experienced, and a fear. Before long the crowd becomes quite unsettled. The people shift about with some spitting insults at the old man. Eventually the crowd disperses and the old man nods at Jacob seemingly communicating an understanding of something Jacob had no awareness of. The old preacher walks off, leaving him standing alone in the now deserted arcade. Having been out for much of the day he begins his long walk home, from where he had traveled a great distance from. EXT. CITY STREETS - DUSK AND NIGHT As he walks, the daylight rapidly diminishes, soon it was night. The night being something that once comforted Jacob now unsettles him, he quickly picks up the pace. He marches ever faster, with the loud sound of his feet scuffing the pavement. The streets are empty apart from the odd car passing by in the distance. JACOB I was becoming increasingly anxious, peering through the darkness for some familiar landmark, I continued on probing the darkness with my eyes, fearful of what could be hidden by it. As I soldiered on, suddenly I heard something approaching, its sound elicited great apprehension. He stops frozen, unable to determine a course of action. As it grows closer, he realizes it was coming from the other side of the road JACOB (V.O.) (CONT'D) As I listened, I recognized its familiar sound. I could hear panting, and the sound of four little feet, and although it was shrouded with darkness I knew it was dog. This eased my fears and I continued on. Looking up, the night sky was sullen and offered no comfort to Jacob as he rushes aggressively towards his destination. Not a single star was visible only murky and darkened clouds. Ahead of him he sees light. EXT. CITY STREETS/SHOPS - NIGHT As he approaches he finds a small collection of shops. All the shops are closed but are lit up, offering him a short reprieve from the daunting and intimidating darkness. JACOB (V.O.) This calmed my nerves, and I was finally able to rationalize where I was and how I would get home. I realized I was quite close, only minutes away. So boldly I struck out into the night once more, this time with a sense of assurance that I would soon be home. EXT. JACOB’S STREET - NIGHT Before long he comes to his street, he is so relieved that he runs haphazardly through the blinding darkness towards his home. With the cool air of night crashing past his face, he lunges and runs with the jittery image of his house growing larger in his vision. EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE/FRONT GATE - NIGHT As he arrives he stops at his gate and looks up at the sky. JACOB (V.O.) I felt strangely comforted by the dark and forbidding night, now that I had reached the safety of my home. I knew then that I was a creature, filled with fear. I was hopeless out in the real world. A few moments in the real world and I was ready to curl up in a ball, and cry like a baby. Getting home that night was the best feeling and the worst feeling. He goes inside, his heart is leaping with anticipation, he is looking forward to relaxing and escaping after his long and eventful day. I/E. JACOB’S STREET AND HOUSE/BEDROOM - DAY The city reeks with activity as people go about their usual routine. Traffic barrels past, the misty vapors of car exhaust hugs the lampposts, and smog rises up filtering the sunlight. Jacob's street is abuzz. With people coming and going, almost every house is active, from a man appeasing his whining dog to another washing his car. Jacob's house stands alone as if enveloped with shadows; not a single curtain is open nor is there a sound. As the world rushes by, his house seems frozen in time; with barely a single crack to permit the sunlight in. Inside Jacob sleeps, as if a vampire avoiding the light of day. curled up in a deep slumber hoppedup on a generous dose of pot, hibernating, waiting dormant for the Sun to draw back and grant access to the night. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/BEDROOM Soon after the Sun had retreats he wakes. Dazed from his previous night's escapades and lacking the drive and will to even lift his head. He knows it was time to get up; the traffic outside is dull and uneventful, and his room is darkened with no hint of light. Eventually he sits up. He grips his head sighing deeply, he feels miserable, deplorable, assaulted by the ravages of want, his head stings and his body feels powerless. JACOB (V.O.) As I stood up that morning I thought the only remedy was a needle or a pipe, I seemingly unaware it was both the source and cure of his ills. Little did I know that it was from this day onward that my life was going to change forever. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/HALL AND LOUNGE - DUSK AND NIGHT Leaving his room he staggers down the hall and enters the lounge in search of his instruments of habit. Finding his pipe, stained and clogged with resin, he quickly proceeds to stuff it with yellowish buds, sweet and sticky, eliciting a sigh of relief and the rapid beating of his heart. Holding it up to his mouth with one hand, and lighting a match with the other, he hurries the flame to his pipe, driving and stabbing the match into the solid yellow mass. He breathes in with all his strength making sure not to waste any, and then holds it in. Jacob's face shakes and quivers as he retains the smoke in his lungs, his skin grows red, then purple, as he holds it in. He strains his face and forces a smile as the drug began to take effect, as he grows light-heated he bellows it out stepping back with a sense of euphoria. Again he fills his lungs with its vile sweetness, and again, until his senses, his mind, are clouded and shut off from reality, he then sinks into his chair. JACOB (V.O.) This was my life, I was so content, so relieved that I felt normal once again. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - NIGHT Jacob sits watching television, he has glazed eyes and an exceedingly lazy posture. JACOB (V.O.) I usually spent the night watching television amused and inspired by the most mundane detail. In these images I found a world not stained by, nor burdened by me, but another, someone else I would much rather be. I flew to the stars and consoled my lover, I fought with bravery and slew the beast, I existed in thought alone, assimilating the images and making them my own. As I felt his grip on normality slip, again I filled my body with smoke, liberating myself back to a state of bliss. Jacob puts the pipe in his mouth. As he sucks in the fumes his eyes are like saucers focusing intently on the screen; desperate not to miss a thing. JACOB (V.O.) (CONT'D) But all good things must come to an end. Tiring from his inactivity, listless, he gets up from his chair disorientated and flops down onto the couch, his active and relentless mind pacified and spent offers no opposition and he quickly drifts off. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - DEAD OF NIGHT Before long Jacob wakes to the sensation of icy hands grasping his face, exhausted and incoherent he brushes his fingers over his face, suddenly he feels pinching on his arm, this wakes him fully and he sits up. JACOB Who’s there Looking around the room with concern. He sees nothing but smoke hugging the ground and his lamp casting menacing shadows on the wall, apprehensive he lays back and being so tired he begins to drift off. However soon he feels a cold breeze pass by his neck and then a hand pulls at his right arm. In fright he jumps up and looks intently at the couch, there is nothing there. JACOB (CONT'D) What the hell is going on He sits down and there he remains for over an hour scanning the room, to afraid to once again lay down and try and get some sleep, eventually his tired body gets the best of him and he passes out. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - EVENING AND NIGHT He wakes to the bustling sounds of commuters. It is early evening, and everyone IS returning home from a busy day at work. he is raising a pipe to his lips; with hopes of repeating the glee and serenity he experienced the night before. However not long after he had his first pipe he realized that he had none left. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT Confident he could find some more he scans the kitchen bench and table. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - NIGHT With this he had no luck, so, he proceeds to search draws, cupboards, and furniture. EVERY INCH OF THE LOUNGE FLOOR. Pretty soon he realizes that there is none to be found. ONE HOUR LATER. He gives up. TWO HOURS LATER. By now he is frantic only capable of thinking where he could find dope. He sits in his chair steering into space his leg twitching and his eyes shifting back and forth. TWO HOURS LATER. It is four a.m. Jacob sits motionless, catatonic, his mind governed by hopeless thoughts, dread and intense anger, he feels the bite of reality creeping in, assaulting his senses, it is unbearable. Desperate he grabs his pipe and with a rusty pin scraps the sticky and repugnant resin out of its hollow bowels; he then wipes the resin onto a piece of tinfoil he finds nearby. He breathes deeply and prepares himself, then takes a flame to the tinfoil. The globs of resin bubble and then smolder, quickly he inhales its smoke as it drifts wildly in all directions. He holds it in with a disgusted look on his face, nauseated and sickened he spits the smoke out, gasping for air with the taste of garbage in his mouth. TEN MINUTES LATER. The resin gives him some reprieve, and for a short time he feels better, but soon this wears off and he finds himself once again savoring the resin's bitter and intolerable taste. ONE HOUR LATER. Like usual, to apathetic to walk to his bedroom, he collapses onto the couch and then quickly passes out INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - DEAD OF NIGHT FOUR HOURS LATER. Jacob wakes with a stinging headache. Feeling sick he stumbled out of the lounge. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/BATHROOM - DEAD OF NIGHT Upon bursting into the bathroom he disgorges his previous night's dinner. JACOB That damn tinfoil INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - DEAD OF NIGHT Weakened he retires to his bedroom, and cautiously lays down careful not to ignite another visit to the bathroom. INT. JACOB’S BEDROOM - EVENING Jacob wakes the next night knowing, as he opens his eyes that he faced a long night of withdrawal; he lays in bed depressed and painfully alert. He eventually gets up. INT. JACOB’S KITCHEN - NIGHT To his utter dismay he finds an empty fridge, he must have devoured the last of the milk and just can't remember, Jacob slams the fridge shut in anger and proceeds to make a coffee. JACOB This is all I need. Spilling water on the floor he curses. JACOB (CONT'D) You're just useless!! stupid bloody thing!!". He takes his coffee and sits at the kitchen table. He sits steering down into his coffee, demoralized, dispirited, agonizing over the singular desire that he could not fulfill, he tries to think of something else, but everything he thinks of is promptly supplanted by his anxious yearning, his unyielding longing to escape into drugs. JACOB (CONT'D) Why am I like this? Standing he wipes his eyes. JACOB (CONT'D) Why am I like this God? He stands in the middle of his kitchen looking up as if waiting for a response. JACOB (CONT'D) Why won't you help me, can't you see I'm in pain? Jacob stands with an expectant look on his face, his hands on his hips. He grinds his teeth and begins shouting. JACOB (CONT'D) Go to hell!! that's where you want me, hell? You go to hell, do you hear me!!! Jacob quickly walks to the kitchen table and swipes his boiling hot coffee into the wall; it smashes with pieces flying everywhere. He then takes a chair and slams it against the wall shattering it to splinters. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/HALLWAY - NIGHT In a rage he storms into the hall and punches a hole in the wall. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - NIGHT He enters the lounge, falls to the ground and curls up into a cradle position on the floor. Jacob lays on the floor for what seems like hours, curled up in the cradle position, sobbing in anger, in distress, muttering incoherently. His spirit is broken and his thoughts to painful, his body calling for a fix. He eventually gets up, and, with a total lack of enthusiasm he lays down on the couch hoping to sleep and escape. ONE HOUR LATER. However sleep he does not, instead he lays steering at the ceiling and the shadows on the wall. His body is fatigued, but still he lay unable to drift off; with his thoughts being so painfully clear, his mind so unclouded. PASSAGE OF TIME. Days pass and still he can not sleep. The pressure on his body is becoming greater and this is increased by his anxiety; his chest is tight and his heart thumped like a stumbling elephant. He can’t feel his hands they are numb, and although the room is heated he grew increasing colder. DISSOLVE TO: PASSAGE OF TIME. If he did sleep it is only for a moment; he wakes gasping for air, clutching his chest and whimpering, his skin is wet and chilled, his eyesight is failing him. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - NIGHT Jacob lays up in his bed covered with heavy blankets, as if compressed under heavy iron sheets. He appears resigned; somber unwilling and unable to protest, he just lays there. JACOB (V.O.) This was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I wished for death. I was hurting. Hurting in every way a man could hurt. With his little strength he speaks JACOB (CONT'D) God, please help me, I know I don't deserve it, but I really (weeping) REALLY need your help. He pauses with a needy expression on his gaunt face. JACOB (CONT'D) God? PASSAGE OF TIME. He continues on praying, whispering to God under his breath, closing his eyes. Suddenly Jacob opens his eyes and speaks with a forced whisper. JACOB (CONT'D) Help Breathing heavily he repeats JACOB (CONT'D) Help Jacob lifts his head and looks to the ceiling and begins chanting louder and louder. JACOB (CONT'D) Help, Help, Help, Help. Overcome he falls backward and passes out. ONE MINUTE LATER. He wakes unable to breathe. He feels a weight on his chest, he tries to move but he can’t, it is as if he was wrapped up in a blanket. He then tries to speak but something is covering his mouth, he tries to look but his eyes are held shut. He is terrified, struggling and fighting but to no avail. Suddenly a blast of ice cold energy rushes up his throat and blasts into his face, he can smell an awful stench, the smell of decay, and he freezes with fear. As he lays helpless, he hears a chorus of voices speaking, he can’t understand the language it is unfamiliar to him. The chorus gets louder and louder eventually shouting directly into his face. JACOB (V.O.) (CONT’D) I thought help me God, help me God His mouth is uncovered and he cries. JACOB (CONT'D) Help me God Suddenly it is all over. He is left laying there covered, drenched in an ice cold sweat, he is paralyzed, searching the darkened room with his eyes. He scans the room for a long time, absolutely petrified of what might be lurking beyond his field of vision. After a while he decides that it was over so he settles in and closes his eyes. EXT. DREAM STATE/DESTRUCTION OF EARTH - NIGHT Suddenly Jacob finds himself standing on his front door step looking out at the night sky. As he looks he notices something in the corner of his eye, he turns to see five figures glowing with a brilliant light; displaying many colors some unfamiliar. He feels the need to run to them, so he does; as he arrives they all disappear. At that moment he looks up and sees the stars, and the earth is knocked off it axis. The stars streak on an acute angle, the shadows of plants and trees, on the wall nearby, seem to bend and distort. He then turns to see many people running and panicking; he looks to see what they are running from and sees a terrifying sight. A wall of fire a thousand miles high is crashing towards him, it glows bright and speeds relentlessly toward him, there is no escape, Jacob stands waiting for it to hit. As it arrives he looks up and calmly speaks. JACOB Heaven He then finds himself orbiting the earth looking down on Its continued destruction. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - DAY Jacob wakes. It is daylight outside, perplexed he sits up and peers over at his clock, it is after noon; he had been asleep for eighteen hours. JACOB Thank you God, Thank you (weeps). I/E. JACOB’S HOUSE - DAY It is a shining day. There isn’t a single cloud in the sky, and the breeze gently sounds against the weather boards of Jacob's home; singing as it presses by with a soothing and calming effect. Jacob, still a bit weakened, roams about the house opening the windows to let the warm air in. He is happy, and he had not been happy for a very long time, he looks up out the window smiling in appreciation of this glorious day. JACOB (V.O.) I was a changed man since I escaped the consuming and overwhelming hold of my addiction. I was a changed man since the experiences I had. My days had become orderly, each day after the next I marched on, with a singular goal set firmly in my mind, normality. It had been many months since my ordeal, and the scars of my previous life still pained me, and were slow to heal. Everyday I read the Bible, scanning its pages with enthusiasm, I found much in its pages to encourage, guide and mend my broken spirit. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - DAY He is giving the lounge a good clean, it is still coated with dust, and there are still many remnants of his past life scattered about. He picks up ashtrays overflowing with musty smelling butts; he casts them into a plastic bag as he continues searching for more offending items. He finds tinfoil, pins coated with resin, and scores of empty wrappers and soft drink cans. JACOB (V.O.) I worked fast and the lounge rapidly transformed, removing the evidence and easing my memory of a life spent in consumption and degeneracy. As he continues he hears a voice. Jacob turns and sees his landlord standing inside the open front door. His landlord is a grossly over-weight man, his skin pink and blotchy, and his forearms covered with faded green tattoos. The landlord with a grim and forbidding look speaks. LANDLORD Finally I managed to get hold of you. The landlord steps forward invading Jacob's personal space. LANDLORD (CONT'D) I knock and you never answer your door, I've been trying to reach you for months. You have not paid me rent for as long as I can remember. Now I can see you're cleaning this place up, and I appreciate that, but I'm afraid it is too little to late. The landlord circles around the room looking up at the ceiling. LANDLORD (CONT'D) I could get a pretty descent rent for this place, so I'm evicting you Jacob's heart sinks, he doesn’t know how to respond, he just stands there steering at the floor, the landlord stops pacing and places his hands on his hips. LANDLORD (CONT'D) I'm afraid that's the reality of life, if you had of responded to me earlier we might have worked things out, but you didn't respond did you. The landlord stands steering at him waiting for a response. Jacob stands looking past the landlord still unable to speak, the landlord looks to the ground and sighs. LANDLORD (CONT'D) Well that's it then, I'll give you seven days. I could just throw you out if I wanted, but, you've got seven days. Sorry Burrows but I need to rent this place out to someone who is actually willing to pay. The landlord pauses. LANDLORD (CONT'D) Right I'm off, I'll contact you in a few days. Landlord leaves. Jacob stands in the middle of the lounge motionless, steering ahead with a blank look on his face. JACOB (V.O.) For what felt like an eternity I stood there, a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. What would I do? Where would I go? How would I pay for it? Am I ready; am I even capable of moving on? I had lived in the same house for six years, before that I lived with my parents. I wasn't a worldly person, I didn't know what a job was, or how to get one, and I felt totally inadequate for the task ahead of me. Sitting down he ruminates as to his course of action. JACOB (V.O.) (CONT'D) I had no friends, my family had disowned me, and I had no idea what to do. So I did something that I had never done before, I got down on my knees and spoke aloud to God. He kneels on the floor. JACOB (CONT'D) God, I don't know what to do? Please help me. I know I've never prayed to you before, not like this, but please I ask for your mercy and your help, please tell me what to do. PASSAGE OF TIME. He kneels waiting, listening for a response, but nothing. He continues praying for a while longer, appealing to God for His help. Emotionally spent he eventually gives up. Standing he walks over to close the front door and a woman walks up. I/E. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE AND FRONT DOOR STEP - DAY On the door step stands a bright-faced lady with clear blue eyes; she stands with a perplexed look on her face, holding the tip of her chin. ANN Hi. Sorry to bother you but I've lost my dog, he's a little yappy thing you can't miss him, you haven't seen him at all have you? He answers to the name of Thomas. Jacob politely responds. JACOB No sorry I haven't seen him. The friendly woman clenches her fist. She responds. As she speaks she glances into Jacob's lounge and sees that he is cleaning, his lounge is populated with plastic bags and buckets, and some cardboard boxes on the couch. ANN Damn, he's always running off. She looks at him with a questioning look on her face. ANN (CONT'D) Hmm are you moving out are you? Jacob looks over his shoulder and glumly responds. JACOB Looks like it... The woman looks at him with a needy look in her eyes. ANN I guess you've already got a new place have you? Somewhere you're moving to? Jacob snaps his head back looking at her with surprise and eagerly responds. JACOB No actually I have not yet found a new place. The woman quickly responds. ANN Well I've got this place, it’s a little way out of the city. I've needed to fix it up for sooo long, now it's not a palace, but it's yours if you're willing? Jacob with a depressed look on his face responds. JACOB I can't pay you anything, I don't have any money. The woman smiles and leans forward. ANN Look I don't want any rent, I just want someone in the place, it has been empty for so long. If you like you can pay me rent by tidying up the place, trust me it's in a hell of a state. Jacob nods in agreement, trying his best not to let his intense excitement spill out and reveal how thrilled he is. The woman appears pleased and then speaks rapidly. ANN (CONT'D) Great! I'll bring the keys and the address over to you later on tonight, by the way my name is Ann, isn't it great how chance encounters can be so profitable, you got a new home, I got someone to take a place that has been sitting dormant for years. Now the day would be absolutely perfect if I could just find that naughty little dog. EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE/FRONT PATH - DAY Ann walks down the path calling for her dog and then turns to Jacob. ANN Bye, I'll see you later tonight. Jacob waves and watches her walk out the gate. Then he quickly walks out of SHOT headed for his bedroom. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - DAY He rips his clothes out of the draws, and takes all his belongings and crams them into a few boxes. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/SPARE ROOM - DAY He digs through his piled up belongings like he was excavating, the deeper he gets the further back in his life he goes. The layers of his life are revealed and they paint a pretty ugly picture. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE - DUSK He sits down in the lounge to rest from his frantic ordeal. Ann arrives at the door, and enters the lounge. ANN Hi!!! It's me; here are the keys and the address. She hands them to Jacob. ANN (CONT'D) You should be able to get there by bus but if you have a car, even better. The phone is on in the house, so I'll give you a call next week and see how you've settled in. Thanks for doing this I really appreciate it. Jacob gives Ann a kind look and responds. JACOB No, thank you, you are a savior, I'll do my best to look after the place. Ann smiles nodding. ANN Not a problem. You know that dog of mine was under the bed the whole time (laughs). I hope everything works out for you.. Sorry what was your name? Jacob eagerly responds JACOB Jacob! Ann nods. ANN O.k. Jacob, It was very nice meeting you, and we'll speak in the near future, good luck, bye. Ann leaves waving excessively. Jacob smiling waves back, she walks out of view and Jacob looks up at the ceiling. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - MORNING The next day he wakes to the still sound of an early morning. The birds are chirping, seemingly aware of Jacob's joy and applying theme music to it. He rises quickly, expecting the moving people to arrive and take his boxes away. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/LOUNGE AND FRONT DOOR - DAY There is a knock at the door, he quickly answers. Two delivery men are at the door. EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE/THE ROAD - DAY He helps the two large and cordial men carry his belongings out to the truck. He watches the truck depart. INT. JACOB’S HOUSE/MAIN BEDROOM - DAY Jacob walks around empty bedroom, looking glum. JACOB (V.O.) Suddenly a sense of sadness came over me; for so many years I had lived there. I wandered around looking at the rooms; they seemed oddly foreign to me, with blank walls and echoing sounds. EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE/FRONT DOOR - DAY Closing the front door he took one last look and spoke. JACOB Goodbye house... EXT. JACOB’S STREET - DAY As he walks down the road the wind picks up, blowing his hair over his face. His heart pounds harder and harder as he proceeds further and further away from his home, and his past. He sees the street in a way he had never seen it before, the light seems to shine and reflect off everything giving it a pleasing glow. I/E. BUS AND COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT The stars shimmer, and sparkle, lighting up a clear night sky. The bus follows a darkened and moonlit road, and the driver announces they are nearing Jacob's destination. BUS DRIVER (O.S.) We are five minutes away from Albans Park. Jacob looks out the window and sees the silhouettes of trees beyond his own interfering reflection. The bus rattles and hums, and is to hot, he is looking forward to arriving. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT The bus arrives. He jumps out to a single platform; he sees nothing in every direction. It is as if he is trapped within a void, and the only evidence of life is the lights of the bus growing faint in the distance. Exhausted from his journey he begins another one. He follows the road, and for a while he thinks he might have gone in the wrong direction, just when his doubts and fears were asserting themselves he comes to an old wooden letter box. JACOB (V.O.) I was so relieved, number 17, sounded like a good omen. EXT. NUMBER 17’S PATH - NIGHT He proceeds down a long path; it is twisted and distorted and lined with ancient trees. At times it is barely visible with tall grass and fallen trees blocking his way, it is obvious the path has not been used for a very long time. EXT. NUMBER 17 - NIGHT He comes to a slight rise, and as he walks over it he arrives at a large old house, it is run down but appears to be quite nice. I/E. NUMBER 17 - NIGHT The house sits in a clearing, and is revealed by the moonlight. It is surrounded by decking; it has many large windows, and a heavy wooden door. Jacob proceeds up a series of steps fashioned with rocks and stones, and then across the wide decking to the front door. Unable to see he scratches and rattles the key into the large rusty lock, and with a descent shove the door jolts open, creaking as it went. As it opened he is assaulted with a gust of stale air. INT. NUMBER 17 - NIGHT He is presented with a darkened hallway; he fumbles about searching for the light switch. Upon turning on the light he sees a nicely decorated hallway that has six doors leading off it. INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - NIGHT He walks in to find a tidy sitting room. He stands with a smile on his face happy with his new home. I/E. NUMBER 17/MAIN BEDROOM - MORNING Jacob wakes the next day to a multitude of sounds; singing birds and the high pitch rubbing of crickets. He opens his eyes to a flash of sunlight flooding his room; he sits up shielding his face with his arm. Excited he leaps out of bed and looks out his window, which was of a monumental size. Outside he sees a stupefying sight; woodland surrounds the house with tall trees and wild gardens. The undergrowth gleamed with due reflecting the warm morning light, in the distance he hears the trickling of a peaceful stream, it is breath-taking. Jacob stands with awe looking out at the inspiring landscape, its beauty, its verdancy, untouched by the embellishments of man. EXT. NUMBER 17/PATH AND MAIN ROAD - DAY He wanders down the path and comes to the road; he now sees that he has neighbors close by, and what appears to be a park across the road. It is a wonderfully peaceful place, with only the sounds of trees swaying in the wind, and the sound of birds pushing themselves through the air. EXT. MAIN ROAD - DAY As he walks further a man is approaching, with him he carries a large collection of books under his arm. As they meet the man greets Jacob with a smile. DAVID Hello haven't seen you around here before. Jacob stops and smiles back. JACOB I arrived yesterday, I live in the old house at number 17. The man eagerly responds. DAVID Ah yes Ann's old house, well it's good to meet you, I'm David. I'm the local historian, poet, writer, I just love books, as you might have noticed (chuckles). David drops a book and motions to pick it up, Jacob kneels down and grabs it. JACOB Yes I can see that, I'm Jacob, and it's good to meet you. DAVID I'd be glad to show you around some time, if you like, I live at number 26, it's not far from here. JACOB That would be great, it's such a wonderful place isn't it, I'm not use to it, and living in a city sure deprives you. It's just perfect out here. DAVID That's why I stay, it's a great environment to get the creative juices flowing, do you read? Are you a writer? JACOB No I'm not much of either, although I do read the Bible everyday. DAVID Well that's a book alright (laughs), look I have to go but I'll come over some time, and hang out? Jacob nods with an agreeable look on his face. JACOB Yeh that would be great, really good to have seen a friendly face, I'll se you later, good luck with your writing. They part company; Jacob watches David journey up the road occasionally readjusting his grip on his books so as not to drop them. NT. NUMBER 17/MAIN BEDROOM - NIGHT He lays back in bed, looking out at the stars, he has a front row seat staring out his titanic window, slowly he drifts off sighing with contentment. NT. DREAM STATE/TERROR IN SITTING ROOM - DAY He finds himself swirling around, flashes of color and light speed past, he can hear the murmuring of voices, disorientated he opens his eyes. He finds himself in his sitting room, in the corner is a large and modern television; the room is modestly populated with furniture. Standing with his back to him is a short man looking out the window, he feels intense anxiety, and the television blares adding to his tension. He knows that he is in danger, but is frozen with fear; he glances at the television and sees the grim face of a news reader, declaring a warning of some kind. Suddenly a shot rings out, Jacob leaps to the floor, with sweat dripping down his face and stinging his eyes. He looks across to see the short man laying dead slumped up against the wall and the coach. His fears intensify, he knew they were coming, he was in great danger. Without warning the front door of the house is thrust open and the sound of heavy boots sound and echo against the old wooden floor. Jacob runs to the dead man's body and drags it over him, concealing him between the wall and the coach. The sitting room door is bashed open, and in walk three men dressed all in black. In their hands they hold modern looking guns, sleek and black. Jacob shakes with fright watching as they investigate the room. They do only a cursory search, checking to see that the short man was dead. Jacob peers out at them as they stand only feet away, they speak another language, and he recognizes it but can’t place it. A voice yells out apparently calling to them to move on and they leave as quickly as they had arrived. NT. JACOB’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Jacob wakes covered in sweat. It is nearing dawn so he gets up. EXT. NUMBER 17/PATH - DAY Jacob walks down the path from his house, David appears. DAVID Greetings, I came over cause I thought you might like to have a look around today? JACOB That's just what I was planning to do... Jacob pauses and looks up at the sky, shielding his face with his hand. JACOB (CONT'D) It's such a wonderful day for it. DAVID Great, lets go over to Billingson Bush, you know the park across the road, it's got some nice places to hide and relax. EXT. MAIN ROAD AND PARK ENTRANCE - DAY Both Jacob and David leave and cross the road entering the parks entrance. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK/WORN PATH - DAY Beyond the freshly mowed lawns and boxed in hedges they walk down a heavily worn path. Around them is a glorious sight, there are great islands of moss inhabited by giant and ancient trees. The sunlight pierces through the canopy as if puncturing holes through the trees. It is like a majestic dream with light and shadow. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK/CLEARING - DAY THEY WALK INTO SHOT into the clearing. There is a felled tree covered with moss, the light permeates all around and they sit looking up at the cloudy sky. JACOB Isn’t it great, God makes some amazing things. DAVID Well.. Yes that if you believe in that sort of thing. JACOB Oh.. I thought you did, sorry.. I know people tend to get annoyed by this sort of talk. Jacob sticks his head down, and plays with a blade of grass. DAVID No bother Jacob, you can talk about what ever you want. I know your not trying to convert me. Sometimes I believe, sort of, don’t really think about it much.. JACOB All the same I know what its like, people talking at you.. Jacob looks across at a group of trees nearby. JACOB (CONT'D) This is a really nice place. David looks at Jacob and smiles. DAVID That’s why I come here, hey Jacob, your pretty polite, and I appreciate that. But you can say what ever you want. Don’t let me stop you, I’d hate to think I’m restricting you or something... Jacob turns to David with a cheeky smile on his face. JACOB This is a really nice place, God really knows how to make em. David laughs. DAVID He surely does. INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - NIGHT It was a balmy night, Jacob and David sit watching television in Jacob's sitting room. As they watch the news comes on, the presenter sat announcing all the bad news in the world, smiling as if indifferent and unaware of the nature of his words. Tensions were rising in the Middle East he said, with American and Europe taking a more aggressive stance. They see images of war, of people thrust from their homes and their lives. David yawns and gestures to Jacob. DAVID This has been going on for thousands of years, they will never stop fighting. JACOB Well of course I see it a bit differently, I see all this ending soon, of course I can't say when. DAVID I just think they will still be going at it long after we're dead. JACOB I just think things are going to change soon, I feel like something is brewing. DAVID No one can predict the future Jacob, but one thing is certain none of them would be stupid enough to drop those bombs. JACOB Bombs? You mean nuclear bombs? DAVID Yeh they just have them as a show of force, you know, what do they call it.. a deterrent. JACOB It will happen, it's just a matter of time, and even if only one is detonated, the whole world will be facing a disaster. DAVID Bah that's so negative. David sits looking away screwing up his face. JACOB I'm being realistic not negative, It's not like I want it to happen. DAVID Lets just wait and see, but I think the future will be just the same. JACOB I find it difficult to think that way. A bit annoyed with one another they continue watching television. As they watched the show was interrupted by a news flash. On the screen a news reader appears, his face absent of his usual inappropriate smile, his eyes wander as if waiting for his queue then he speaks. NEWS PRESENTER We have just received alarming reports from the Middle East. They both sit up with anticipation. NEWS PRESENTER (CONT'D) Hebron has suffered an attack by an unknown terrorist group. It is thought at this early time that a device was used that processed nuclear components. The ring of fire from its blast has decimated the area, many have lost their lives. Jacob stands up, shaking; he looks over to David who is steering intently at the screen. He, as if in a dream looks down at the television as the presenter continues. NEWS PRESENTER (CONT'D) The President of the United States has placed our military on alert; he has asked for calm, and does not believe that there will be anymore attacks. A speech from the President comes on. AMERICAN PRESIDENT This government believes without any doubt that this terrible and unforgivable act is isolated, please remain calm, I will do my best to make sure we find those responsible and make efforts to free the world from such threats. Jacob walks over to the window and then turns to David. JACOB This is far more serious than they think, I can feel it. DAVID You heard the man, it's probably just a isolated incident, some freak attack! JACOB I need some fresh air, I'll be back soon. Jacob leaves EXT. BILLINGSON PARK - NIGHT Jacob’s mind is chaotic, he searches for somewhere to sit but it is far to dark, he can’t see. He knows something is imminent, pulling at his hair and kicking clods along the ground, he wandered deeper into the park. Before long he finds himself in total darkness, he decides to go back, with his arms screeched out he fumbles along anxious he might crash into a tree, or fall into a ditch. He looks up and sees the silhouettes of trees above him. Dead ahead of him he sees the line of trees that mark the main entrance of the park. As he uses the trees as his guide he notices the brilliant night sky, he stands gazing above the tree line in awe of it. It has a calming effect on his tattered nerves. JACOB (V.O.) I felt peace from observing the vastness of space that night, and the striking stars, the embers of God's imagination. He smiles and feels a presence next to him; he then speaks aloud. JACOB (CONT'D) What wonderful things you create my God... All of a sudden hundreds of birds fly from the trees, the entire forest is swarming. All of them fly as if one, speeding east-ward in a frenzied panic! Suddenly there is a flash of light that traverses the entire length and width of the sky. It was a bright white light, Jacob dives to the ground, as he looks up he sees something he did not want to see, but he couldn't, he wouldn't stop himself from looking. A mushroom cloud climbs high into the air, Jacob pounds his fist against the ground, crying out with bitter lament. JACOB (CONT'D) Noooo!!! no!! EXT. BILLINSON PARK/NUCLEAR DESTRUCTION - NIGHT He stands up. The ground beneath him pulsates, gravity ostensibly getting weaker, then stronger. He looks again skyward; suddenly there was a series of flashes, this time a string of clouds appeared littering the horizon. The sky is on fire, it is a shuddering image of destruction, of obliteration. Jacob looks towards the city he once lived and sees only a rising creature red stained against the black of night. His legs weaken as if the creature is drawing energy from his soul. The earth shakes violently and the winds blow erratically, a wave of energy passes through the trees, stripping them of their leaves. It is a monstrous sight, it cuts right through Jacob's senses, he can’t move, he can’t think, he can’t do anything but watch. Abruptly all becomes silent, the distant clouds drift like swans on a glassy lake. A creation of man has devoured the earth, a world which will be forever changed, never to be the same again. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK - MORNING The next morning Jacob wakes surrounded by leaves and fallen branches. As he rises to his feet he sees only a grey and murky sky, it is featureless. All around him he sees ash descending to the ground; it looked like a winter's day with white ash covering everything. EXT. NUMBER 17/PATH - MORNING Jacob stumbles along patting white dust and ash off his clothes and out of his hair; everything is oddly silent, without even a breath of wind. EXT. NUMBER 17/FRONT DOOR He walks up the steps to the front door, David stands at the open door, clearly in shook. JACOB Come on, lets go inside. Jacob leads David inside. INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - MORNING Jacob leads David to a chair and sits him down. Patting David on the back Jacob attempts to console him. David was unable to accept what had happened, he muttered and rocked back and fourth on his seat. INT. NUMBER 17/MAIN BEDROOM - MORNING Jacob carries David to the bed, and lays him down. David is pale and spoke incoherently, his eyes transfixed. Jacob tucks him in, stands by the bed a while then exits the room. EXT. NUMBER 17/SURROUNDING FOREST - DAY Dead and withered trees, dust floating in the air, grey skies. JACOB (V.O.) Days then weeks passed and the grey world outside grew colder. The once serene and verdant forests were now either dead or dying. David grew increasingly ill, with strange marks all over his body; his hair was falling out and getting thinner. I seemed unaffected and tried my best to tend to him, who cried sometimes as if he was a deranged madman. EXT. NUMBER 17/STREAM - DAY A single fish floats down the stream, it is lined by dying plants. JACOB (V.O.) It all seemed like a dream at first, with everything white and hazy. INT. NUMBER I7/SITTING ROOM - MORNING It is a bitterly cold morning. Jacob sits wrapped in heavy blankets staring at the television; hoping to receive a broadcast. He shakes grasping his blankets tight against his body, his mind hopelessly wandering, he has no idea what has happened. He has not seen nor heard from a single soul since the bombs had landed and he is desperate. As he watches he sees a faint image, then for a moment he sees a man's face and the hears the sound of his broken sentences. Waiting with anticipation Jacob steers intently at the screen. Then without warning the image abruptly clears up. The man is pale and sickly, and speaks slowly with a dispirited expression; Jacob unable to hear quickly turns it up. NEWS PRESENTER 2 Again the information we have received indicates a total loss, and that this nuclear exchange was nothing more than an accident. The recent Israeli crisis sparked misunderstandings between world powers, and no one is sure who struck first. What we are sure of is that the U.S. launched over 150 warheads most of which reached there destination. Paris, Rome, Berlin and Tehran all in ruins. Again this is a nation-wide warning; reports of an invading force have been made, with some reports of mass-extermination. There is no clear indication of who the invading army is, but if you live in any of the main centers unaffected you are advised to leave immediately. All those in rural areas should- As Jacob watches he hears a voice behind him, he turns to see a weakened and ailing David holding himself up against the door frame. Expending all his energy David walks over to the coach and with great care slowly sits down. He looks at Jacob with glazed and darkened eyes and speaks. DAVID I heard the television, what happened Jacob? JACOB There was an exchange; they're calling it a mistake. But now there's some army killing everyone? DAVID Army? Here on American soil? JACOB Yes, I have no idea what is going on. They sit watching the broadcast, the announcer repeated the same message over and over, eventually the signal dropped out. Jacob is so tired that eventually he nods off. EXT. DREAM STATE/THE GLOWING MAN - DAY He finds himself surrounded by a graveyard of twisted trees; he hides peering out through the mass of dead branches. Suddenly, inexplicably a man appears before him, he is over ten foot tall and his skin shone bright with a golden color. He wears a golden breastplate and stands looking down on him. His eyes are ablaze and his expression one of peace, Jacob feels comforted and terrified. Then there is a loud pounding noise.. INT. NUMBER 17/HALLWAY AND FRONT DOOR - DAY The front door shakes, with someone pounding on it. INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - DAY Jacob wakes to the sound of bashing at the front door. He looks out to see an elderly man frantic to get in, his clothing is torn and his face is expressing a tortured fear. INT. NUMBER 17/HALLWAY AND FRONT DOOR - DAY Jacob walks into the hall and quickly opens the front door and in hurried the frantic man. The man rushes down the hall, looking in every direction, he appears like he is searching to a place to hide. Jacob yelled. JACOB What's wrong? Where are going? ELDERLY MAN I must, I mean WE must hide. They're killing everyone!! JACOB Who? Slow down who's killing everyone? ELDERLY MAN I'm not sure, I think they are European, I heard American bombs devastated most of Europe. JACOB But it was unintentional; surely they don't want to continue fighting? ELDERLY MAN It's not about fighting anymore, it's about survival, America has many resources, that's what they're here for. They're killing us all because there's not enough of anything left, we must hide! Scrabbling with what little strength he has the elderly man climbs up into the attic. INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - DAY Jacob bursts into the sitting room, with a petrified voice he calls out to David. JACOB David we must get out of here! David stands at the window trying to see beyond the lifeless and inanimate trees. He raises his hand asking for quiet. DAVID I think I hear something, sounds like people moving, (whispers) lots of people. Jacob filled with adrenaline desperately whispers. JACOB David come on! Before David can respond a shot rings out, the window shatters and David flies backward crashing into the wall. Jacob hears voices approaching, he looks to see David sitting beside the coach, his eyes are open staring at the floor, and he is dead. Footsteps are approaching. He quickly knells on the ground making sure he can not be seen through the window. INT. NUMBER 17/FRONT DOOR - DAY Suddenly the front door is bashed open, and three soldiers dressed in black enter INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - DAY The sound of men wearing heavy boots sound and reverberate as they enter the house. Jacob then realizes he had been there before, he dashes over to David, and reluctant but very scared he drags David's body over him concealing himself. Moments later three men burst into the sitting room. They quickly move around the room searching behind and within everything. Jacob peers past David's armpit and sees they were all dressed in black military uniforms, holding sleek black guns. They speak and he recognizes the language, it was either Italian or German. They see David's body and do a cursory check to see whether he is dead. Jacob lays helpless holding his breath as they poke at David. INT. NUMBER 17/HALLWAY - DAY One soldier walks into the hallway and points his gun at the ceiling. Yelling something. The old man peers out of a hatch, and the soldier appears to demand that he come down. The old man carefully and submissively climbs down, once down he puts his arms in the air. ELDERLY MAN I surrender, please I surrender... INT. NUMBER 17/SITTING ROOM - DAY ELDERLY MAN (O.S.) Pleeeeasssse! Noooo! Jacob hears three gun shots, and then the sound of the old man hitting the floor with a sickening thud. The three men stand in the hallway talking for a while then a commanding voice calls for them, they take one last look at the room then quickly leave. He lays under David's body for a while, and once their voices grow distance Jacob quickly dashes from the sitting room. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK ENTRANCE - DAY Jacob appears, running across the road and into the park EXT. BILLINGSON PARK/DENSE FOREST - DAY He travels through the dense and dying undergrowth haphazardly jumping and weaving over fallen trees and animal remains. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK/DENSE UNDERGROWTH - AFTERNOON It is after noon, and he squats down hiding in the dead and twisted remains of the forest, he feels sure that he is safe, at least for a while. As he hides he suddenly sees movement in front of him, he lays down on his chest blowing dust all about with his nostrils, he is petrified, and he thinks he has been discovered. He focuses intently through the dusty branches and decomposing leaves in front of him, he could see a figure standing in the distance. He sits up to get a better view, he sees a bright glowing man, he stands over ten feet tall with shining eyes, and the man is gesturing to Jacob to follow him. The massive figure disappears into the decaying forest and he follows him. EXT. BILLINGSON PARK/DENSE FOREST TREES - AFTERNOON Jacob runs faster and faster trying to keep up with him, but every time he gets close the man seems to escape from his view. EXT. BILLINSON PARK/RIVER - AFTERNOON He comes to a river, the shining man stands on the other side encouraging Jacob to cross. The river is filled with dead fish floating along with the current. He jumps and then wades through the freezing water. When he arrives at the other side the man is gone, he looks to see him disappearing over a steep rise in front of him. Jacob struggles up the hillside digging his toes into the dirt; finally with all his strength he throws himself over the top. EXT. OLD DIRT ROAD - AFTERNOON Jacob pulls him self over the top, only to be confronted by several soldiers. The soldiers rush him and drag him to his feet. Another soldier comes into view and with a cruel expression on his face and strikes him with the back of his hand. Jacob trembles with great fear still shivering wet from the river. Again the soldier hits him and Jacob falls to the ground holding his face, he tries to crawl away but this was an act of futility. Again the soldiers drag him to his feet; he stands dazed and unable to focus. The cruel soldier calmly takes out his weapon and points it at Jacob's head, Jacob is released and he stands alone resigned and helpless. Just as the soldier is about to fire a loud voice cried out. The soldiers all snap to attention and an officer approaches. Although Jacob can’t understand what they are saying it is clear the officer is telling them off. He looks at Jacob with compassion and motions for the soldiers to take hold of him. As the officer walks away one of the soldiers slams the butt of his rifle into Jacob's face, and all goes dark. EXT. DREAM STATE/BUILDING HOUSES A large number of people are busy building shacks and hovels, they are surrounded by rocky cliffs on every side. INT. TRANSPORT SHIP/LOWER DECKS Jacob wakes to the sound of many people around him. He sits up and sees he is one of many prisoners, many of which are badly injured, some dead. He stands and looks across to see a door, with a number of prisoners coming and going. He realizes he is on the water, as the ship swings from side to side, with the sound of water splashing against the hull. He then hears a voice beside him. JOE So your awake... well welcome to hell. Jacob looks down to see a sickly man laying on the floor. JACOB Where am I? Am I on a boat? JOE A prisoner transport to be specific, I’m Joe what’s your name? Jacob slowly sits steering straight ahead and responds. JACOB I’m...um Jacob, Jacob Burrows. Suddenly a large soldier enters the room, and struts past all the prisoners. He carries a large wooden cane, and sneers as he scans all the prisoners faces. He speaks in broken english. CREUL SOLDIER Soon we vil arrive at our destination... You are being taken to peoples verk camp, if you behave you will be save. I vil no tolerate any misbehave. A prisoner stands up and responds. BOLD PRISONER Why are you holding us? The cruel soldier storms over to the prisoner and presses his head against the prisoners. CREUL SOLDIER Vu were no given permissian to speak! The soldier swipes the prisoner with his cane and knocks him to the ground. He then proceeds to beat him. CREUL SOLDIER (CONT'D) You vil no speak anymore! The cruel soldier, wiping his forehead walks to the door. CREUL SOLDIER (CONT'D) Behave, and you vil be treated vel, do not do what is told, and vu die. Do we understanding? He exits to the relief of all the prisoners. Jacob turns to Joe and speaks. JACOB Where are we going? JOE To the Eden camp, I’m not sure where it is? I’ve heard that most of the American prisoners get taken there, and nobody gets out. JACOB How can they do this to us? JOE It’s a brave new world friend, a new world, a new world. Joe lays back signing and closes his eyes. Jacob sits looking ahead with a defeated look on his face. EXT. TRANSPORT SHIP/TOP SIDE - DAY Jacob leans over the side looking out at the ocean, the seas are rough, and the wind is strong. Time passes and then a bearded walks up and leans beside him. AUGUST Extraordinary isn’t it, I love the sea. JACOB You wouldn’t think the world was.. You know the way it is, looking down there.. That is until you look up. They both look up at the sky, it is grey and swirling in a very unnatural manner. It looks ugly. AUGUST I hope where we are going isn’t as bad as what people are telling me.. Just as Jacob started to respond he is interrupted. SIMON You! Jacob looks around to see five large men, each stand glearing at Jacob. Then the largest speaks. SIMON (CONT'D) Yeh that’s right, over here. We got rules round here, so I don’t wanna see you eating or drinking with out giving me my rightful share. JACOB What? I’m sorry I don’t understand? Simon walks over and punches Jacob in the face and then forces him over the side. Jacob hangs over struggling against him. SIMON Do you understand now? JACOB Yeees, Yes I understand now let me go, please! Simon lets go and shoves Jacob aside. And then arrogantly strolls away with his friends strolling with him. He then looks back a Jacob. SIMON I’ll be seeing you.. (laughs) Jacob leans over the side, shocked at what just happened, August tries to console him. EXT. TRANSPORT SHIP/TOP SIDE - DAY A bell rings out and all the prisoners come running. As they crowd about a soldier strolls out and empties a large bucket of scraps, mostly fish heads onto the steel deck. Prisoners scramble desperately fighting for the scraps. Jacob lunges in and manages to get a handful of muck, he retreats to a corner. Just as he begins to eat it Simon grabs him and thrashes him, then takes the muck and strolls of laughing. Jacob sits weeping, covered in filth, miserable. I/E. TRANSPORT SHIP/LOWER AND TOP DECK - NIGHT Jacob wakes to the sound of waves beating against the hull. He hears much commotion up on the top deck. Suddenly he hears a voice shouting. FRIGHTENED MAN (O.S.) Oh no, ahhhh! Jacob rushes to the top deck. A massive storm is beating against the transport ship. The wind howls and water is completely enveloping the deck. Men are holding onto what they can and many are being washed over board. Jacob sees a figure in the darkness hanging on to the side. He runs to him, being beaten down and thrown about by the wind and water as he approahes. He arrives and sees that it is Simon. JACOB Look at mee! Just take my hand (shouts) Simon weakened reaches out to Jacob. JACOB (CONT'D) Hold on! Just hold on I’ll pull you up! (shouts) A giant wave, much bigger than what would normally be expected crashes over them. Jacob holds on to Simon with all his might. Then he strains and pulls and finally drags Simon onto the deck. Simon breathing heavily looks at Jacob and speaks. SIMON Why? Why would you help me? JACOB I can’t let a man die, I couldn’t just watch you die. Simon looks down and becomes quite depressed SIMON You should have left me, then I would be away from this hell. Simon struggles to his feet and then stumbles off fighting against the wind. Jacob sits with the wind blowing into his face. EXT. TRANSPORT SHIP/TOP DECK AND EDEN - DAY Jacob wakes with light on his face, still sitting where he was the night before in the storm. He is wet and cold. The ship bobs about reminding him where he is. He then hears a man cry something out. He looks to see a soldier pointing out to sea. As he stands he sees a terrible sight. They have arrived. He sees darkened land, and a filthy shoreline. Thousands of prisoners line the shore all being led up the side of a hill. There are make-shift buildings and tattered tents. There are prisoners as far as the eye can see. EXT. THE SHORE OF EDEN - DAY The transport ship lands and all the prisoners and forced off to the sound of screaming soldiers. Jacob is forced along with Simon and many others to joined the thousands of prisoners scattered along the muddy hillside. People lay dying in the mud, skinny and malnourished. There are sounds of moaning and crying coming from all directions. The air is thick with ash and smoke, the prisoners are blackened and filthy. A soldier comes up to Jacob and drags him across the hillside, and throws him into the mud, nearby is a tattered tent with a long line of prisoners being fed through and out of it. The soldier shouts down at Jacob. THE EDEN SOLDIER You will vate and stay, do not move! Jacob quite fearful sits and the soldier walks off. EXT. THE HILLSIDE OF EDEN - NIGHT AND DAY PASSAGE OF TIME. Jacob sits in the mud, along with many others, it gets dark and starts to rain. He remains still waiting. The days pass, and the nights. He remains weakening with every day. Many die and howl and cry. He just sits and remains silent, watching the never ending line of prisoner pass through the filthy and tattered tent in front of him. EXT. THE HILLSIDE OF EDEN - DAY A soldier walks out and throws scraps haphazardly across the hillside. Many prisoners scramble and fight for them, Jacob sits looking despondent and unconcerned. EXT. THE HILLSIDE OF EDEN - NIGHT The rain drives down on Jacob. He sits very weakened looking at the ground. The lights around the tent are all that are visible, the wind is bitterly cold. Suddenly out of the tent a woman runs. FRANTIC WOMAN |
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