A Huge Disaster

A Huge Disaster
一场巨大的灾难
ACT 1
SCENE 1
INT. EWAN’S BASEMENT. A SHAGGY LOOKING BLOB OF METAL.
Su-Bin Kang
What is that?
Ewan Kang
Our science project, for the science fair, dad. It is supposed to be a time machine. Though, I do not think it is gonna work.
Su-Bin Kang
Don’t you think it’s a little… I don’t know… Plain?
A very plain metal thing, with random levers and about nothing else.
Ewan Kang
You might be right.
Henry Martin
What should we change?
Thomas Bell
What can we change?

Fade to a different day.
The boys are adding a few things to the time machine.
Thomas Bell
I guess maybe one of us should try it.
Henry Martin
Who should do it?
Ewan Kang
I don’t want to. I am just a scientist.
Henry Martin
Ewan, do you think any of us want to?
Thomas Bell
I do.
The boys prepare to test out their time machine.

As Ewan pulls the first lever he cuts his finger.
A drop of blood drips onto the lever and towards the inside of the machine.
The machine buzzes, powering up.
Ewan Kang
Thomas step up on the stand
Thomas steps unto the step where the traveler is supposed to stand. They do not notice but, the cords connecting the step to the machine are not connected.
Ewan Kang
When I say go, you need to pull the second lever Henry.
Ready. Set. GO!
Henry pulls the lever.
A bright light fills the room before there is complete darkness.
The light flickers back on and the boys are gone.
SCENE 2
EXT. A RANDOM FOREST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF OLDEN DAY KOREA -DAY
Thomas Bell
OW!!!!!
Thomas looks around and knotices Ewan and Henry lying unconscious next to him sprawled on the ground.
Thomas shakes them awake.
The boys sit up rubbing their heads.
Ewan Kang
Oh, my head hurts. Must be feedback from the…Tiii..
WE TIME TRAVELED!!!!!!
Silence shadows the boys for a minute.
Ewan Kang (Con’t)
So, where exactly are we? Also, how did we all get here? It was supposed to take only one of us, and just back in time. What are we doing in a forest?
Henry Martin
Yeah, where are we? Also, can you not ask so many questions in one breath? I cannot answer them all.
Ewan Kang
Where is our machine? How are we supposed to get back? We are doomed. If we don’t get back before dinner, my mom is gonna kill me!!!!
Henry Martin
You are doing it again!!! And, you know my mom is worse than yours!!!
Thomas Bell
Guys, I hear people. We need to figure out what time period we are in. Let's go there. We can ask them where we are.
The boys stand up and start walking towards the sounds they can hear.
EXT- JOSEON DYNASTY VILLAGE -DAY
When the boys break away from the trees, they find themselves on the edge of the bustling city, Hanyang.
The boys stand open-mouthed gaping at the city.
The high born men and ladies bustled around in their brightly colored Jeogori.
The peasant men and women wore their muted gray and brown clothes, wearing straw shoes and hats.
The market signs were written in Chinese characters.
Henry Martin
Tell me my eyes are playing tricks on me. Tell me I am not seeing what I am. Is that Korean?

Ewan Kang
It is Chinese, but I believe this is ancient Korea. My dad taught me Chinese and Korean, because my grandmother is Chinese and my grandfather is Korean.
Henry Martin
So what should we do? We have no idea where our machine is. How are we supposed to find it?
Thomas Bell
The only thing we can do right now is to ask people what the date is and maybe even where we are.
The boys walk towards the nearest person they can find.
The peasant man looks uncomfortable with the three strange boys nearing him. He relaxes a little when Ewan begins to speak to him in his native language.
The man answers Ewan back, and immediately begins to walk away.
Henry Martin
What’d he say?
Ewan Kang
I asked him what the day was and where we were. He said that it is April 6th, 1482 and we are in the middle of Hanyang.
Thomas’ eyes go wide.
Thomas Bell
1482?
Henry Martin
Where is Hanyang?
Ewan Kang
The city of the king, Seongjong. The ruler of Korea.
Henry Martin
So, we are in korea?
Ewan Kang & Thomas Bell
YES!!!
Henry Martin
Sorry….
Ewan Kang
What do we do?
Thomas Bell
I guess we need to find somewhere to stay for the night. Tomorrow, we might learn where we can find our machine. Also, it looks like it is gonna rain.
All the boys glance at the sky. Dark angry clouds are moving in fast.
The boys walk through the streets and find a sheltered alleyway.
The alley was filled with stray straw pieces everywhere.
The boys lay down to sleep.
Camera angle changes to the rain falling heavily.
EXT. MORNING. THE BOYS ARE SLEEPING.
ACT 2
SCENE 1
Henry Martin
NO!!!!!
Henry sits up, eyes wide, awake.
Henry looks around sheepishly, and lays back down with a sigh.
Henry’s yell made Ewan and Thomas stir.
Ewan Kang
What time is it?
Henry Martin
How am I supposed to know? I hardly know where we are, let alone what year it is! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!
Thomas Bell
Do not yell, remember that there are others still sleeping. You are gonna make us look even stranger if you wake people up. We are sleeping in an alleyway. Also, we are dressed like weirdo’s and we speak a strange language. Here, we would be considered lower than….. What do they call them? The outcast?
Ewan Kang
Cheonmin
Thomas Bell
Yeah, the Cheonmin. We are strangers here. We are wearing clothes that are way too strange for these simple minded people. We do not want to attract the attention of the king's men. So, do not yell.
Henry looks taken aback by Thomas’ speech
Henry Martin
Okay. Let's not yell.
A stomach grumbles.
The boys share a look.
Ewan Kang
Where are we, and how are we going to get food? We don’t have money.
Thomas Bell
Maybe we can work for food. Let's go find a restaurant owner and you can ask if we can work for food.
The boys stand up, and go search for a friendly shop owner.
The boys wander the streets, stopping to speak with many store owners.
All of them give the boys weird looks and shake their heads.
FADE TO THE BOYS NEARING THE LAST SHOP.
The boys are dragging their feet.
They stop outside the last shop.
Many of the patron’s give the boys weird looks.
Thomas Bell
This is the last one, I do not know what we should do if they refuse.
Ewan enters the store. He speaks a few words with who looks to be the owner. She doesn’t look as skeptical as the others.
She looks at the other boys standing outside the fence.
The two boys are standing there covered in straw and dirt.
She nodded and motions for the other boys to enter.
Henry Martin
What did she say, Ewan?
Thomas Bell
Did she say yes?
Ewan Kang
She said we can eat first.
The woman motions for the boys to sit at one of her empty tables.
The woman walks away leaving the boys alone.
Henry Martin
What is she doing?
Thomas Bell
She is probably getting our food, stupid.
Henry Martin
Oh. That would make sense.
The woman returns carrying a tray of three bowls of Bap and Guk.
The woman explains something to Ewan before she leaves the boys for their meal.
Henry looks at the food in disgust.
Henry Martin
What is this?
Ewan Kang
This is Bap, or rice as Americans call it. This is Guk, or what they call watery soup. They are actually pretty good. My mother This kind of food is also served to the king.
Ewan digs into his food, while the other boys cautiously approach their food.
Henry takes a sip of his Guk. His eyes widened.
Henry continued to gulp down his soup with an occasional bite or rice.
Thomas eats his at much more of a slow pace.
After the boys finish they go find the lady in charge.
She sends them off with a bucket of dirty clothes, soap, and cleaning supplies.
SCENE 2
EXT- FADE TO BOYS AT THE BROOK-MID DAY
The boys are standing on the slippery rocks near the brook.
Henry starts sliding down the rock towards the deep part of the brook.
Henry Martin
Guys help!!!! I am gonna fall!
Ewan grabs Henry’s arm to prevent him from falling in.
Thomas on the other hand shoves the two boys into the shallow brook.
Thomas Bell
HAHAHAHAHA!
Thomas laughed so hard, he tumbled into the water.
When Thomas fell into the water, the other two boys burst into laughter.
Thomas Bell
I don’t think we are meant to wash clothes!
The boys play around for a minute before returning to their cleaning.
When the boys were finished they returned to clean clothes for the lady.
CAMERA SHOWS THE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL GUARD WATCHING THEM.
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY-NIGHT
The boys are eating rice cakes and pickled vegetables.
When they finish eating. They lay down and fall asleep.
CAMERA FOCUS ON THE SAME MEMBER OF THE ROYAL GUARD STANDING AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE ALLEYWAY.
SCENE 3
EXT/INT- THE RESTAURANT, UNDER THE PAVILLION.-EARLY DAY.
Henry is scarfing down his food.
Ewan Kang
Do you think she will let us work for her another day? It is not like we have anything else to do. Plus we get food for it.
Thomas Bell
She seems like she is nice. I would guess she might. Let's ask her if we can.
Ewan Kang
Us?
Thomas Bell
I mean, you should ask her. It is not our fault. You are just at an advantage, because you are korean.
Ewan Kang
Yeah, whatever.
Ewan walks away from the group.
Slouching in annoyance the whole way.
Ewan is talking to the store owner.
Thomas Bell
How are you still hungry? You’ve eaten the amount both me and Ewan have eaten combined.
Henry Martin
I don’t know. I just am. Also, this food is not very filling.
Thomas Bell
Can it be because it does not have all the calories of the junk you eat at home?
Henry Martin
How would that affect it?
Thomas rolls his eyes.
Ewan approaches.
Ewan Kang
She said she did not have any work for us to do. The weird thing is that she looked like she was scared. What do we do now?
Thomas Bell
What can we do?
The boys shug. And finish their breakfast.
SCENE 4
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY-MID-DAY
The Boys had returned to their alleyway, with a small bag of rice cakes as compensation for her not having more work for them.
The boys had just laid down for a nap when the same guard entered with three other guards.
Thomas being the only one awake sits up quickly.
The men begin walking towards the boys.
Thomas Bell
Hello, can I help you? Guys! Wake up. There are some guards here. Ewan, you have to wake up. I can’t speak korean!
Ewan Kang
Huh?
Ewan blinked awake. Henry continued to sleep.
Ewan’s eyes widened.
The men advanced quickly, and grabbed the boys, arresting them.
SCENE 5
They boys were tossed into a jail cell.
There was no straw on the floor. The walls were all stone.
Ewan Kang
What do we do now? We are stuck here in this nasty jail cell. We have no way to return to the town. How are we supposed to find our machine?
The boys sat in silence, depressed.
Ewan gasps.
Thomas Bell
What?!
Ewan Kang
What if our machine didn’t come with us? What if it is still sitting at my home. Or worse, destroyed? What if we can never return home? Are we gonna die here?
Henry Martin
I sure hope not. My birthday is coming up. My mom was gonna make a delicious cheesecake.
Henry looks over at the other two boys, who are glaring at him.
The boy's stomachs grumble.
Thomas Bell
This is not the time Henry. We are all hungry and stressed. We have bigger problems to worry about. Do you not care about the fact that our machine could be destroyed and we can never go back?
The silence in the cell was loud.
Minutes later, Ewan decides to speak his questions.
Ewan Kang
Do you think time works here and there? If we were to find our machine, do you think that the same amount of time has passed? What if time just stops there? Maybe we grow old here, and we finally find our machine, that is not broken, and we return home and time has just stopped?
Thomas Bell
Can you stop! My brain cannot take that much. Let's just figure out our situation now.
ACT 3
SCENE 1
INT. DARK JAIL CELL.
The boys were lying asleep. Looking as if they had been in this cell for days.
Four guards approach the door, and open.
The cell door swings open.
The creaking of the metal door awakens the boys.
The boys make no resistance when the guards lead them out of the cell.
Ewan speaks to one of the guards.
Thomas Bell
What did you ask?
Ewan Kang
I asked him where they were taking us. He said to see the king.
Thomas and Ewan exchange a worried look.
Henry gulps.
Henry Martin
T…th..the K….king? I don’t want to meet the king. Why do we have to meet the king? What have we done?
Thomas Bell
I don’t see how we have a choice. Our only choice is to meet the king.
SCENE 2
INT. A LARGE SPACIOUS ROOM. THE FRONT CENTER, THERE IS STAIRS LEADING TO THE THRONE OF THE KING.-Day
Around twenty men, in bright red, stood in two lines of ten on either side of the room, facing each other.
There were twenty men standing behind them wearing blue, facing the backs of the men in red.
The king, Seongjong, sat in his seat, wearing his red Hanbok, with the king's mark on it.
The boys were dragged in by the guards, and directed into the middle of the room.
They were forced to kneel before the king.
Then the conference started.
The men’s voices came from everywhere.
Someone spoke something, and everyone looked towards the king.
Thomas Bell
What are they saying?
Ewan Kang
We were reported for being suspicious. They think that we are spies. They are trying to decide if we are, and what to do with us. Do you think I should say something?
Thomas Bell
If you do, that might get us killed. Don’t do anything until absolutly nessisary.
Henry Martin
Don’t get us killed okay? I have so much more to do in my life.
Ewan Kang
Okay, I won’t say anything.
The men continued to talk for a while more.
The boys sat listening, Ewan the only one looking like he understands.
The king looks at the boys and forcibly speaks something in their direction.
Ewan answers the king, his explanation extensive.
After Ewan finished, the king sat silent in thought.
Henry Martin
What is going on? What did he ask?
Ewan Kang
He asked what we had to say about all this. I told him about our predicament, not about the time machine though. I think that would definitely make him think that we were spies.
Ewan was interrupted by the continuation of the conversation between everyone else in the room.
After a moment, they seemed to have made a decision.
The king spoke in a loud voice announcing something to everyone in that room.
Ewan Kang
Guys, I think we are gonna die here.
SCENE 3
EXT. A OPEN FIELD- A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY
The boys are kneeling in a line, their hands are tied up.
They are facing the king.
Behind them are three men, sheathed holding swords.
The king gives a few words to the people around them.
The nod in agreement.
The King nods to the men.
The men unsheath their swords, and prepare to execute.
The boys squeeze their eyes shut.
The king nods again and the men swing.
THE SCREEN TURNS BLACK
SCENE 4
INT. EWAN'S BASEMENT. THE MACHINE COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
The boys open their eyes, again in Ewan’s basement.
Su-bin Kang
Ewan, it's time for dinner. Ask your friends if they would like to eat with us. We are having Grandpa’s watery soup.
The boys exchange looks.
Thomas Bell
Did we just escape death?
Henry Martin
I think so…
Ewan Kang
Do you guys want to stay for dinner? We are having Guk…
Henry Martin & Thomas Bell
Yup…
Ewan Kang
I don’t know about you but I don’t think we should enter this science fair. Also, I’m starving. Let's go eat, I’m starved.
The boys walked up the stairs.
THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK.