ALIEN NATION
"Dark Horizon"
Written by
Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider
Draft No. - Unknown
Draft Date - Unknown - '90
ACT ONE
FADE IN
REPRISE MONTAGE
GEORGE, having passed his Detective Two test, becomes Sikes' superior, and mutual resentment leads to their break-up as a team. CATHY, frustrated with the hurdles in her relationship with Sikes, puts an end to it. On the rebound, Sikes begins seeing a human, LORRAINE. A bacteria, lethal to Newcomers, has been developed by PARRIS. The Purists, who want to annihilate the Newcomer community, kill Parris and steal a sample of the bacteria, but not before he infects SUSAN and EMILY.
EXT. CITY - NIGHT
Sikes' car barrels down the street, passing a lit billboard for NU-SHEEN -- Newcomer spot enhancer.
INSIDE THE CAR
SIKES drives. CATHY sits next to him. There is an uncomfortable tension between them. Cathy glances at Sikes, then looks anxiously out the window. Beat.
CATHY
When we landed here we thought this planet would be our salvation...
They ride in silence. Then, something catches Sikes' eye. He points.
SIKES
Look.
THEIR POV - A POINT OF LIGHT - INTERCUT
Shoots out of the dark sky, plunging toward earth.
SIKES
A falling star...
(quietly hopeful)
That's good luck.
Cathy isn't encouraged. Sikes drives on.
EXT. DESERT - NIGHT
A new dualie truck speeds down the empty highway. EASY LISTENING STRINGS play on the radio.
INSIDE - A LINEBACKER-SIZED RANCHER
drives. Wearing a hip cowboy shirt with piping and silver collar points, he fiddles with the radio as STATIC drowns out the MUSIC. Looking up, he sees:
HIS POV - A GLOW OF LIGHT - INTERCUT
PULSATING from beyond a sand dune just off the highway. The Rancher hits his breaks. Apprehensive, curious, he pulls over, gets out. As he does, the glow from behind the dune SNAPS OFF. The rancher grabs a powerful flashlight from his cab. Turning it on, he moves cautiously toward the dune.
THE FLASHLIGHT BEAM
catches a PAIR OF EYES... glinting... staring.
THE TRUCKER starts, taking a step back.
HIS POV - IN THE FLASHLIGHT'S BEAM
AHPOSSNO a Newcomer, stands just a few yards away. Tall, chiselled, muscular, Ahpossno wears a military field uniform, replete with Tenctonese insignia -- unlike any we've seen before. Ahpossno studies the Rancher impassively.
THE RANCHER approaches, relieved that it's just a "slag".
RANCHER
What's going on here?
The Newcomer doesn't answer. The Rancher is taken aback by Ahpossno's cold but striking blue eyes. They do not blink in the flashlight's glare.
RANCHER (re: dune)
Whatcha got back there?
Still no reply.
RANCHER
You dumb slag, I asked you a question!
With cobra-like speed, Ahpossno's hand lashes out, grabbing the beefy Rancher by the neck. Lifting the Rancher off his feet, Ahpossno pulls him close.
CLOSE - THE RANCHER
GASPS, fighting to pull the Newcomer's hand away.
RANCHER (hoarse; terrified)
Hey! Lemme go... lemme go!
Ahpossno flexes, tightening his grip. The beefy Rancher realises he's way out-gunned, gets scared -- stops struggling.
CLOSE - AHPOSSNO
Studies the man -- as if he'd never seen a human before.
INT. NEWCOMER WARD CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Staff is both human and Newcomer. A few ambulatory Newcomer patients walk the corridor. Cathy and Sikes round a corner.
CATHY
They're in a secure area.
She and Sikes continue toward a set of swing doors marked AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY. Cathy and Sikes flash their I.D. to a security guard. He waves them through.
INT. - SECURITY WING CORRIDOR - NIGHT
GEORGE is at the far end of the hall with BUCK who holds VESSNA to his chest. They peer through a glass window into a room. Sikes and Cathy approach.
SIKES
George...
(as George turns)
You're okay?
George points to the glass window.
GEORGE
It's Susan and Emily.
THEIR POV - THE HOSPITAL ROOM
where SUSAN and EMILY lie bathed in eerie UV. light and a therapeutic mist. A human doctor, QUINN, evaluates their vital signs which flash across monitors above their beds. A Newcomer LAB TECHNICIAN draws a sample of PINK blood from Susan's shoulder.
RESUME SCENE -
GEORGE distraught, turns to Sikes.
GEORGE
Flowers came to the house... I should've been more careful... I shouldn't
have let Susan and Emily near them...
QUINN (exiting the room)
Mr. Francisco... we've got them on life support. For now, it seems the
intensive ultra violet and nitrogen are keeping your wife and daughter
stable. But their condition is still critical.
BUCK
Can we go inside?
QUINN
I wouldn't recommend taking the baby -- she might be more vulnerable.
CATHY (to Buck)
Go. I'll take Vessna.
Vessna CRIES, clinging to Buck.
GEORGE
She knows something is wrong... she'll only let Buck or me hold her.
BUCK
You go in, Dad. I'll be in the waiting room.
He exits as George starts for Susan and Emily's room. Sikes, feeling terrible for his friend and guilty over their earlier fight, stops him.
SIKES
George... if there's anything I can do...
GEORGE (conscious of their unresolved friction)
Thank you, Matthew.
George enters the room.
INSIDE
The lab technician, who has moved to Emily, finishes taking a blood sample from her shoulder. The syringe fills with Emily's pink blood. George approaches through the purple mist, pausing to watch his daughter's laboured breathing as she sleeps. He turns toward Susan who, sensing her husband's presence, opens her eyes, very weak.
SUSAN
Stangya...
Putting his finger to his lips, George signals Susan not to tax herself. He tenderly touches her temple with his fist.
OUTSIDE THE ROOM - CATHY AND SIKES
observe through the window. Grazer approaches.
GRAZER
How are they?
SIKES
Not Good.
CATHY
I'm putting together a team to find an antitoxin. The hospital's giving
me laboratory space.
GRAZER (to Sikes)
We got a report on the flowers. The handwriting on the note was Parris's.
He must've sent them to George before he was killed.
CATHY
What about the bacteria?
GRAZER
(beat)
We have to assume whoever killed Parris has it.
EXT. LITTLE TENCTON - DAY - AHPOSSNO
NOW WEARING THE RANCHER'S DISTINCTIVE WESTERN SHIRT, stands in front of an appliance store window, watching a bank of televisions. Assimilating English, he mouths the words spoken by actors in an old movie. We hear a BEEP, BEEP, BEEP. Ahpossno looks at his hand.
INSERT - A BLINKING ELECTRONIC RING
is emitting the sound.
AHPOSSNO using the ring like a Geiger counter, sweeps the area around him. The SIGNAL grows as Ahpossno hones in on:
A NEWCOMER TRANSIENT
Who pushes his possession-laden shopping cart through the Tenctonese ghetto. He pauses to take a swig from a dirty carton of sour milk, then continues on.
AHPOSSNO starts to follow. He closes the distance between him and the Transient who turns his cart into an:
ALLEY
Ahpossno backhands the Transient, slamming him breathless against a wall.
TRANSIENT
Hey!
The Transient watches dazed as Ahpossno searches the cart, scattering the Transient's possessions. Ahpossno finds:
INSERT - A BLACK STEEL CUBE
with Tenctonese writing and a pulsating orange light.
The TRANSIENT leaps at Ahpossno.
TRANSIENT
Gimme that!
But Ahpossno racks him up against the wall. He rips back the Transient's sleeve, revealing an Overseer tattoo.
AHPOSSNO
Kleezantzun\.
TRANSIENT (fearful)
I didn't do anything wrong! I never hurt anybody!
AHPOSSNO
{You carry the ship's beacon -- and you live like this!?}
The Transient looks at Ahpossno, his fear turning to confusion. Ahpossno holds up his fight arm.
INSERT - AHPOSSNO'S WRIST
His left hand pulls back a flap of skin, revealing a unique red and blue Overseer tattoo.
The TRANSIENT is awe-struck, seeing the tattoo.
TRANSIENT
Your excellency...
AHPOSSNO (trying English)
Where are the other Overseers?
TRANSIENT (shakes his head)
I don't know...
AHPOSSNO
{Why aren't you organised?!}
The Transient stares at him through his milkaholic haze.
AHPOSSNO
{I've come to arrange the recovery of our slaves.}
TRANSIENT
The slaves... You want the slaves...?
(breaking into a drunken laughter)
They'll all be dead... {We'll all be dead.}
Grabbing him again, Ahpossno stares fiercely into the Transient's eyes.
TRANSIENT
Look...{Look!}
Ahpossno releases the Transient who grabs a newspaper from his things. He points to the Tenctonese headline.
TRANSIENT
The humans have a bacteria -- they're going to kill us with it.
Snatching the newspaper, Ahpossno scans the article.
AHPOSSNO
{Two are sick...}
(looking up)
Where is this hospital?
The Transient stares at Ahpossno --- what can he do?
EXT. STREET - DAY - AHPOSSNO
Strides purposefully out of the alley. He spots an IDLING canary-yellow car whose Newcomer OWNER is getting out. The owner, who wears a long-sleeve striped shirt, walks around the front of the car to put letters in a mail box. Crossing to the car, Ahpossno gets in the driver's side. The Owner notices.
OWNER
Hey! That's my car!
Swinging open the passenger side door, the owner jumps in.
INSIDE THE YELLOW CAR - AHPOSSNO
examines the gear shift.
OWNER
Get outta my car!
Ahpossno's iron hand grasps the Owners arm. Ripping back the sleeve, Ahpossno examines the Owner's wrist. There is no Overseer tattoo.
OWNER (scared; confused)
What...?
Ahpossno raises the owner's arm and punches him quickly, powerfully in the armpit. The owner sags. Ahpossno jams the car in gear. Lurching forward, he SCRAPES the parked car in front of him. Oblivious, Ahpossno PEELS away.
INT. HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP - DAY - SIKES
Pays for a bouquet of cut flowers. The middle-aged human CASHIER watches a mini TV set up on the counter.
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
...Authorities fear the deadly bacteria could be used by Purists against
the Newcomer community.
(beat)
In other local news, officials announced renewed Malathion spraying in
the continuing effort to eradicate the medfly.
CASHIER (turning off the TV)
You believe that?
SIKES
Let's hope the Purists don't have it.
CASHIER
I mean the Malathion. It ruins the finish on my patio furniture.
SIKES (stunned by her insensitivity)
Patio furniture... that's a real tragedy.
He moves off. The cashier wonders, "What did I say?"
HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - SIKES
heads for the security wing. He does not notice Ahpossno who's talking to a newcomer nurse. The nurse points toward the security checkpoint where Sikes flashes his badge to the GUARD and enters. Ahpossno moves to follow, but the Guard stops him.
GUARD
You got a pass?
Ahpossno stares at him, assessing the situation, holds back.
SECURITY WING CORRIDOR - SIKES
walks to Susan and Emily's room but finds the window blinds closed. He stops Dr. Quinn who's exiting the room.
SIKES
Where's Detective Francisco?
QUINN
He's with his wife. We're intubating her droonal flanges. Have a seat --
it'll just be a minute.
Sikes takes a seat on a bench in the hallway. He's worried about the fate of the Francisco family -- worried about the fate of all the Newcomers. A CHICKEN'S SQUAWK makes him turn.
HIS POV - ALBERT - INTERCUT
enters, carrying a chicken and a potted plant. Sikes gets up to head him off.
SIKES
Albert, what are you doing?
ALBERT
These are for Susan and Emily.
The chicken CLUCKS
SIKES
You can't bring a chicken in here.
ALBERT
Why not?
SIKES
It's an animal -- you can't bring animals into a hospital.
ALBERT
But we're animals...
SIKES
Al, we're animals but we're human -- I mean I'm human -- you're a
Newcomer.
(pointing to the chicken)
This is ANIMAL animal.
ALBERT
Susan and Emily need it. They need the life force of many /Nahooma --
many souls.
(looking tenderly at his plant)
Like this.
GEORGE (O.S.)
Albert...
George approaches, pleased about the gifts.
GEORGE
Look, what you've brought.
SIKES
I tried to tell him about the chicken.
GEORGE
It's very therapeutic. And you brought...
Seeing Sikes' cut flowers, George's face drops.
SIKES
What? You don't like carnations?
ALBERT (trying not to offend)
They're cut off the plant -- their souls are gone.
GEORGE (smoothing the moment)
Tenctonese believe dead flowers aren't good for the sick.
(beat)
But I know Emily and Susan would want to see you... please.
Sikes looks at his flowers, then tosses them into the trash. He follows George.
SUSAN AND EMILY'S ROOM
As before, the room is bathed in purple mist. Now however, potted plants are lined against the exterior window. A kitten sleeps at the foot of Emily's bed. A nurse is opening the interior window blinds as George, Albert and Sikes enter. Albert sets down gifts as Sikes and George approach Emily's bed.
THEIR POV - EMILY - INTERCUT
still sleeps fitfully, her breathing laboured.
GEORGE
She hasn't regained consciousness.
They move to Susan's bed. She opens her eyes. Seeing Sikes and George together, Susan smiles, speaks with difficulty.
SUSAN
You're... friends... again.
Sikes and George glance at one another. George tenderly touches Susan's temple.
GEORGE
Is there anything that you want?
Susan's eyes flutter as she starts to doze.
SUSAN
Visahooli...
SIKES
I'll get it. What's a visahooli?
GEORGE
A song. She wants us to sing her a song.
SIKES
Sing? Uh, I don't know any Tenctonese songs.
GEORGE
No. Her favourite is "San Jose." She loves Dionne Warick.
SIKES
George... I can't carry a tune. How 'bout Albert?
ALBERT
I'm sorry, I don't know that one.
SIKES
George, I can't sing. Really. You sing it. Okay?
GEORGE
All right.
George turns to Susan and begins singing quietly, tenderly.
GEORGE
"Do you know the way to San Jose? I've been away so long -- I may go
wrong and lose my way. Do you know the way to San Jose? I'm going back to
find my piece of mind in San Jose."
Sikes uncomfortable at the intimacy of the moment, turns to the window, looking out into the hallway.
HIS POV - THE NURSES' STATION
The staff, mostly Newcomers, busy at their jobs.
GEORGE (O.S.)
"L.A. is a great big freeway, put a hundred down and buy a car -- In
a week, maybe two they'll make you a star."
CLOSE
Sikes begins to imagine what his world would be like without
Newcomers.
HIS POV - THE NURSE'S STATION (FANTASY)
The Newcomers fade away. Just a few humans remain.
GEORGE (O.S.)
"Weeks turn into years how quick they pass -- And all the stars that
never were are parking cars and pumping gas."
Sikes turns, looking back into the room.
HIS POV - THE HOSPITAL ROOM (FANTASY)
The purple mist is gone -- the beds are made -- the room is empty.
GEORGE (O.S.)
(doing the instrumental)
Doot doot doot doot...
(back to lyrics)
"You can really breathe in San Jose. They've got a lot space --
There'll be a place where I can stay."
CLOSE
Sikes realising how much he'd miss these strange, wonderful creatures.
HIS POV - THE HOSPITAL ROOM
As it is. George sings at Susan's side. Listening, Albert strokes the chicken.
GEORGE
"I was born and raised in San Jose -- I'm goin' back to find some
piece of mind in San Jose..."
Sikes moves to join George.
GEORGE
"Fame and fortune is a magnet/ It can pull you far away from home."
Sikes joins in the singing.
GEORGE AND SIKES
"With a dream in your heart you're never alone/ Dreams turn into
dust and blow away/ And there you are without a friend/ You pack your car
and ride away. Doot doot doot doot."
Albert rocks his head to the MUSIC
GEORGE AND SIKES (O.S.)
"I've got lots of friends in San Jose. Doot doot doot doot doot doot
doot doot doot doot."
CLOSE - SUSAN
smiles, her eyes closed.
GEORGE AND SIKES (O.S.)
"Do you know the way to San Jose?"
ON SIKES AND GEORGE
They move close together as they finish the song.
GEORGE AND SIKES
"Doot doot doot doot doot doot doot doot doot. Can't wait to get
back to San Jose...."
Sikes puts a comforting arm around George who looks gratefully at him. All is forgiven.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY - AHPOSSNO
stands near the security wing, planning a way in. Seeing Cathy nod to the guard and enter, Ahpossno realises this is one person who doesn't need a pass. He focuses on Cathy.
EXT. PURIST WAREHOUSE - DAY
To ESTABLISH. Seeming deserted.
INT. WAREHOUSE CORRIDOR - DAY
Purist leader Phyllis Bryant is led into the warehouse by her field commander, MARK GUERIN her bodyguard follows.
BRYANT
What was so important? Is there a problem with the bacteria?
GUERIN (urgent)
You have to see this.
He pushes through a set of swing doors into:
THE WAREHOUSE LAB
A group of white-coated technicians cluster, their backs to Guerin and Bryant. She's concerned.
BRYANT
What?
Turning, the group parts, revealing a technician holding a cake with a half dozen birthday candles.
ALL
Happy birthday, Miss Bryant.
Bryant smiles and LAUGHS in relief to Guerin.
BRYANT
You had me scared.
(admiring the cake)
This is very sweet. Thank you. All of you.
She blows out the candles. Everyone APPLAUDS. The technician sets the cake down on a table as Bryant picks up a spatula.
BRYANT
Here goes my diet.
She begins slicing the cake.
GUERIN
Miss Bryant, we have the best birthday gift you can imagine.
(re: Technicians)
They found a way to replicate the bacteria twice as quickly. We'll be
ready to spray in two days.
BRYANT
That's wonderful.
(handing him a piece of cake)
Tell me about the Franciscos -- I hear they're still alive.
GUERIN
Only because they're on life support.
(taking a bite)
You can't put two hundred and fifty thousand slags on life support.
(beat)
By Friday they'll all be dead.
BRYANT
(laughs)
T.G.I.F.
(holding up a piece of cake)
Who wants the flower?
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
INT. FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM - DAY
Buck, alone with Vessna, feeds her from a bottle containing a murky green liquid. He CLICKS soothingly as she feeds. The doorbell RINGS. Buck sets Vessna in her bassinet and answers the door. It's Sikes.
SIKES
Hi.
(as Buck nods)
Did your Dad call? He wanted me to pick up a few things.
BUCK (pointing to a bag)
I packed a couple shirts... some socks. He also wanted you to take these
Serdsos.
Buck hands Sikes:
INSERT - TWO CRYSTAL OCTAGONS - INTERCUT
Sikes takes the strange objects carefully.
SIKES
Serdsos?
BUCK
One's Emily's -- the other's my mum's -- mirrors of their souls.
SIKES (trying to be polite)
Right...
BUCK
We keep them next to our beds. Tenctonese believe their souls wander when
they sleep. At dawn the soul sees itself in the Serdso and finds its way
back.
SIKES (doesn't get it)
Oh, yeah...
(beat)
Look, how're you making out?
Emotional, Buck finds it hard to reply.
BUCK
I have to put Vessna down for her nap.
(indicating bag)
You better get that to the hospital.
INT. POLICE STATION SQUAD ROOM - DAY
Albert, in love, hovers near the object of his affection, Newcomer sandwich girl MAY O'NAISE. May, at her cart, pours juice into a cup.
ALBERT
You have such beautiful knuckles...
MAY
Thank you.
(giving him a cup)
So do you.
Building up courage to speak, Albert takes a sip of the Juice.
ALBERT
May, if anything happens to us... I mean, this bacteria...
MAY
Nothing's going to happen.
ALBERT
But if it does... I want you to know... I love you.
They gaze into one another's eyes. Grazer approaches.
GRAZER
Albert.
(between his teeth)
There's no toilet paper in the men's room.
ALBERT
I knew I forgot something.
GRAZER
Damn it, if you can't do anything else right, at least keep toilet paper
in the john!
Grazer stalks off, pulling at the seat of his pants. Albert turns back to May, covering his humiliation.
ALBERT
Captain Grazer's under a lot of pressure.
MAY
He shouldn't yell at you.
ALBERT
I better get to work.
He starts to leave. She stops him.
MAY
Albert... I love you, too.
Smiling, Albert moves off.
SIKES entering with a file, moves to Zepeda at her desk.
SIKES
Zep, S.I.D. found fragments of a cellular phone in the debris from
Parris' boat. I've ordered the records on it.
(beat)
You got anything?
ZEPEDA
Just bad news. Now, we can't confirm this...
SIKES
What?
ZEPEDA
An informant heard the Purists DO have a sample of the bacteria. Word is
-- they're going to make enough to soak L.A.
Stunned, Sikes sits on the edge of her desk. He looks around the room, taking in the Newcomers.
SIKES
You know, I never thought I'd get used to them. Remember when they made
George my partner? I wanted to move to Alaska.
(pauses)
Now... to think of life without him -- without them...
(looking at her)
I can't, Zep.
Beat. He moves off.
INT. CATHY'S HOSPITAL LAB - DAY
CATHY peers into a microscope. WIDEN as Sikes enters.
SIKES (O.S.)
Any luck?
She shakes her head, mixing a solution.
CATHY
I've tried Zynomine, Plaetine -- a whole range of antibiotics. I can kill
the bacterium, but not its endotoxin.
SIKES (beat)
Cathy... I've been thinking about us... about what you said.
CATHY (focusing on her work)
I have to find a monoclonal antibody.
SIKES
Cathy...
CATHY (looks at him)
Does any of that matter now?
SIKES (searching her eyes)
Yes. It matters to me.
Softening, Cathy is about to respond when:
AHPOSSNO (O.S.)
{Excuse me}
They turn. The impressive Newcomer stands in the door.
CATHY
...{Yes}
Moving to her, Ahpossno catches her wrist. She starts.
SIKES
Hey!
Ignoring both of them, Ahpossno examines her wrist, then releases it. Cathy looks at him, more puzzled than frightened.
AHPOSSNO
{I was afraid you were an Overseer.}
SIKES
What'd he say?
CATHY
He thought I was an Overseer. He was checking for the tattoo.
(to Ahpossno)
{don't you speak English}
AHPOSSNO
My English is... not well.
(beat)
I want to help you...{find a cure. I worked in the ship's infirmary.} I
am a doctor.
Cathy is intrigued. Sikes eyes the stranger suspiciously.
CATHY
He says he worked in the ship's infirmary.
SIKES (to Ahpossno)
Thanks for the offer, pal, but you don't just walk in here and volunteer.
CATHY
Wait.
(to Ahpossno)
{What two enzymes are produced by the cyterian gland?}
AHPOSSNO
{Three enzymes, not two -- Bardok, Rosto and yunost.}
CATHY
He knows his physiology.
SIKES
I don't care. He's gotta be cleared.
The phone RINGS. Cathy answers it.
CATHY
Dr. Frankel.
(listens)
I'll be right there.
(turning to Sikes)
That was Dr. Quinn. Emily's condition has deteriorated.
AHPOSSNO
Let me see her.
Cathy studies his striking blue eyes. Beat.
CATHY
All right.
SIKES
You're not bringing him on that ward. You don't know this guy!
CATHY
Maybe he can help us. We need all the help we can get. I'll take the
responsibility.
She exits. Sikes throws a hostile look at Ahpossno. He and the Newcomer follow Cathy.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
The Serdso sparkle on the bedstands. Susan sleeps. George stands at the foot of Emily's bed with Dr. Quinn and Cathy. Sikes and Ahpossno stand a few feet behind them. They watch as a nurse wraps Emily in a blue, frosted plastic cover. Dr. Quinn glances up at:
CLOSE - EMILY'S MONITOR - A DIGITAL DISPLAY - INTERCUT
shows her temperature rising from 105.6 to 105.7
QUINN
Her temperature's still rising. I've given her injections of ho/lodka. It
hasn't helped. We're now putting an ice wrap on her.
Emily MOANS, burning with fever. Cathy helps the nurse with Emily's wrap.
AHPOSSNO slips quietly from the room.
SIKES notices. Suspicious, he follows.
CORRIDOR - SIKES
watches as Ahpossno leaves the security area. Hearing FOOTSTEPS behind him, Sikes turns to see George and Quinn exiting the hospital room.
QUINN (to George)
Unless we can stabilise her temperature....
Shaking his head, Quinn moves off. Sikes approaches George.
SIKES
George, I don't know how to say this -- But if Emily were my daughter,
I'd want to bring in some kind of priest.
GEORGE (smiles gently)
So she can go to "heaven"?
SIKES
Well...
GEORGE
Thank you. But we don't believe that priests have anything to do with
where you go after death.
(looking off)
Matt...
THEIR POV - LORRAINE
holding cut flowers, comes down the hallway toward them.
GEORGE
Hello, Lorraine.
LORRAINE
George... Matt...
(re: flowers)
I need to get a vase for these.
Sikes glances at George, then awkwardly turns to Lorraine.
SIKES (re: flowers)
Uh, look, I made the same mistake. I mean, they're pretty -- but they're,
uh, dead.
(beat)
It's a Newcomer thing.
Lorraine looks puzzled at her flowers.
GEORGE
Lorraine, I appreciate your coming, but this isn't a good time for
visitors. Matt, why don't you take her down to the cafeteria.
SIKES
Uh... You wanna come with us?
GEORGE
I'm not hungry. You go.
Sikes glances back toward the hospital room.
HIS POV - CATHY
is busy attending Emily.
SIKES turns back to Lorraine.
SIKES
Okay.
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
Lorraine's flowers lie limply next to her on the table. She looks across her plate of hamburger and fries at Sikes who is picking at a green salad.
LORRAINE
You sure you don't want some of my fries?
SIKES
No thanks.
LORRAINE
You're not turning into a health nut on me?
SIKES
I guess I lost my appetite.
(beat)
I tried to get George to bring in a priest.
LORRAINE (sets down her hamburger)
A priest?
SIKES (with difficulty)
Emily might die tonight.
(beat)
You're a Catholic... you understand.
LORRAINE (confused)
You're worried about her soul...?
Sikes answers "yes" with his silence.
LORRAINE (gently)
Matt, we don't even know if they have souls.
SIKES
Of course they do! Come on!
LORRAINE
There's nothing in the Bible about Newcomers. Christ came to us as a man.
He died for human beings.
SIKES
What are you saying -- they're not in the club?!
LORRAINE
I'm sure god has a plan for the Newcomers....
(beat)
But it isn't the same as ours.
Sikes looks at Lorraine, upset by her genteel racism.
SIKES
You know, that kind of stuff makes me sick.
(stands)
I gotta get back to George.
LORRAINE
...Matt.
SIKES
I'm sorry, Lorraine. It's just not gonna work out between us.
EXT. L.A. - SUNRISE (STOCK)
Morning light is just visible on the horizon.
INT. SUSAN AND EMILY'S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Daylight filters in. Susan is asleep. Sikes is also asleep in a chair. George, dazed but awake, keeps vigil by Emily's bed. Emily is still wrapped in her ice pack.
CLOSE - EMILY'S MONITOR
Her temperature hovers: 105.7, 105.6, 105.7, 105.6
ON EMILY - INTERCUT
Sleeping fitfully. Suddenly, she stiffens, her jaw clenching. The monitor shows her temperature skyrocketing: 105.7, 105.8, 105.9, 106. Picking up speed, her temperature continues to increase until it reaches 108, setting off an ALARM.
GEORGE Starts, looking up at the monitor.
Sikes waking, rushes to Emily's bedside as a nurse and Cathy charge into the room.
GEORGE
What is it?! What's happening?!
CATHY (to the nurse)
{Get me 10 cc's of ho/lodka!}
The nurse prepares the atomiser syringe as Quinn turns to George, shaking his head, then turns back to the nurse.
CATHY
{Hurry!}
The ALARM stops. All look toward:
EMILY'S MONITOR - INTERCUT
As quickly as her temperature rose, it starts dropping.
GEORGE (thinking the worse)
No...
Her temperature continues to fall, finally bottoming out at 99.2. George turns to Cathy who's reading Emily's vital signs.
GEORGE
What is it? What happened?
CATHY
Temperature... respiration... hearts --
(astonished)
...all normal.
Astonished, wary, all look at:
EMILY - CLOSE - INTERCUT
Beat. She stirs, her eyes opening. The others are amazed. Emily swallows. Her voice is weak.
EMILY
I'm thirsty...
George is awed... speechless. He takes Emily's hand.
GEORGE
Emily...
EMILY
Daddy...
She strains to look at Susan who lies comatose.
EMILY
Mum...
George's eyes well with tears as he gives his daughter a comforting touch to the temple. She rests her head back on the pillow.
EMILY
I'm sleepy.
GEORGE
You rest.
Emily's eyes close. George motions Cathy out of the room. Sikes follows.
CORRIDOR
George turns urgently to Cathy.
GEORGE
If Emily's getting better, why isn't Susan?
CATHY
I don't know.
(puts a comforting arm on his shoulder)
I'm running some tests.
She goes back into the room. Sikes approaches George.
SIKES
Hey, look -- if Emily beat it -- there's hope for Susan. For all the
Newcomers.
NURSE (O.S.)
Detective Sikes...
He turns toward the Nurses' section where a male NURSE holds out a phone to him.
NURSE
It's Detective Zepeda.
SIKES
Thanks.
(taking the phone)
Yeah, Zep.
(listens)
Get a warrant -- I'm on my way.
Hanging up the phone, he turns to George.
SIKES
Parris' phone records -- several calls were placed to the same number the
day before he was killed -- they've been traced to a warehouse in East
L.A. I gotta go.
GEORGE (stopping him)
Matt, I'm no help here. I'm coming with you.
Matt nods, happy to have his partner back. They head out.
INT. CATHY'S LAB - DAY
Ahpossno waits alone. He looks up as Cathy enters with a blood sample carrier.
CATHY
I wondered what happened to you.
He points to a microwave-sized piece of exotic equipment on a table -- it seems to be part computer, part centrifuge. It's gauges are marked in Tenctonese. Cathy is stunned.
CATHY
Where did you get this?
AHPOSSNO
I keep it... from the ship... after the crashing.
CATHY (examining the piece)
I never saw such advanced equipment.
AHPOSSNO
It was only for Overseers.
(beat)
Will it help you?
CATHY
Yes... oh, yes!
Cathy looks at him, intrigued, curious... suspicious.
AHPOSSNO
You do not trust me.
(no reply)
I am different.
CATHY
Yes.
AHPOSSNO
Because I am alone -- in the desert -- since the crash.
CATHY (incredulous)
Six years -- you stayed in the desert?
AHPOSSNO (nods)
I hide from the Overseers -- I am afraid.
CATHY
All this time? You didn't know we were free?
He shakes his head. She touches his shoulder.
CATHY
{I'm sorry}
(then, frowning)
What's this?
She reaches to touch his neck. Ahpossno tenses, but doesn't move. She examines:
INSERT - A RASH - INTERCUT
on Ahpossno's neck.
CATHY
That's odd. Many of us had a rash like this when we first landed on
Earth.
(puzzled)
Why would you get it after six years...?
Ahpossno doesn't appear to react, but:
INSERT - HIS HAND
tightens into a lethal fist. He will kill her. Cathy is innocently unaware.
CATHY
I know...
Ahpossno is ready to spring.
CATHY
The Air in Los Angeles is more saline than the desert. We're close to the
ocean. You must be reacting to it.
(turning)
I'll give you some ointment.
Ahpossno relaxes his fist. Cathy's safe... for now.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT. PURIST WAREHOUSE - DAY
The location of the secret lab. Two unmarked police cars and a black and white are parked out front. Two uniformed cops stand guard.
INT. LAB - DAY
Sikes, George, Zepeda and her partner search the room which is now empty, save for the larger lab equipment.
ZEPEDA
They were using this place as a lab.
George sniffs a discarded fast food container.
GEORGE
And not very long ago.
Something on the floor catches Sikes' attention. He motions George away.
SIKES
Get back, George.
GEORGE (coming closer)
What?
SIKES
Get back!
George freezes. Sikes points to:
A TEST TUBE - INTERCUT
broken on the floor in a small pool of viscous liquid. Sikes approaches the pool to take a sample.
SIKES
Bet you a carton of vintage milk -- this is that bacteria.
ZEPEDA (O.S.)
Sikes... George...
They turn to see Zepeda pulling a folded map from between a desk and filing cabinet.
ZEPEDA
They dropped something...
(unfolding the map)
It's an aviation map of L.A.
INT. CATHY'S LAB - DAY
Emily sits on an examining table. Ahpossno examines her eyes. Behind them, Cathy studies Emily's double-hearted chest X-rays on a viewer.
AHPOSSNO
Watch my finger.
He moves his finger across her line of sight.
AHPOSSNO
{Good}
(touching her shoulders)
Is there pain?
EMILY
No.
AHPOSSNO
(touching her below the ear valleys)
Here?
EMILY
No
(laughs)
It tickles.
AHPOSSNO
(puzzled)
{What?}
EMILY
It TICKLES
(translating)
Dugga\.
AHPOSSNO
Oh.
(delighting in the word)
Tick-kels...
CATHY watches them, smiling at Ahpossno's tenderness, and increasingly drawn to him. She approaches Emily.
CATHY
Your X-rays are fine.
Emily squirms uncomfortably.
CATHY
What?
EMILY
My back's sore.
Ahpossno feels Emily's back.
AHPOSSNO
Her meta gland..
Cathy also checks Emily.
CATHY
It's a little swollen. Probably from the fever.
INT. SECURITY WING CORRIDOR - NIGHT - SIKES
strides toward Susan's room. He sees Albert, sad and weary.
SIKES
Where's George?
ALBERT (indicating room)
With Susan.
(shakes his head)
All the plants -- all the animals -- nothing helps.
Albert moves off. Sikes starts for Susan's room, then pauses seeing:
HIS POV - DOWN THE CORRIDOR - AHPOSSNO - INTERCUT
out of earshot, escorts Emily back to Susan's room.
AHPOSSNO
You must be proud of your father. The police fight the Overseers... yes?
EMILY
No. They don't let them do that here.
AHPOSSNO
But he must know who they are...
EMILY
A lot of 'em, yeah.
Ahpossno logs this information as Emily notices Sikes.
EMILY
Matt!
SIKES
Hey, Puddin'.
He looks suspiciously at Ahpossno.
EMILY
I want to see mum.
She goes into the room as Sikes and Ahpossno size one another up.
AHPOSSNO (probing)
I think you and Cathy are good friends...
SIKES
I think that's none of your business.
George exits Susan's room.
SIKES
George, S.I.D. confirmed the stuff we found was the bacteria. That
aviation map must mean they're planning an aerial spraying -- we've
grounded all private aircraft...
(beat)
That's about all we can do.
A newspaper lying on the nurses' station catches George's eye.
GEORGE
Matt...
Grabbing the paper, George points to:
CLOSE - A HEADLINE - INTERCUT
Which reads: MALATHION SPRAYING TO RESUME.
SIKES
The Malathion spraying! It starts tonight.
GEORGE
They could cover the city.
AHPOSSNO (approaching)
We must stop them.
SIKES
"We"?
AHPOSSNO (to George)
I am Udara\
George is surprised, impressed.
SIKES
He's what?
GEORGE
Udara\. Like Japanese samurai. Among the slaves, they were the elite -- a
secret group of warriors.
SIKES
Oh, sure. First he's Albert Schweitzer. Now he's Bruce Lee.
AHPOSSNO (to George)
This is our battle -- we fight for Tenctonese.
GEORGE
If he is Udara\, maybe we should take him with us.
SIKES
He's not a cop!
AHPOSSNO
I was trained to defend our people.
GEORGE (to Sikes)
He's not a cop, but he has skills we might need.
SIKES
Are you nuts?!
AHPOSSNO
{PLEASE, let me help.}
GEORGE
Matt, our survival is at stake!
(to Ahpossno)
{Come!}
EXT. HELICOPTER STAGING AREA - NIGHT
Just outside the gated airfield, Phyllis Bryant stands by her limousine with Mark Guerin who wears a flight jacket. Her bodyguard/driver stands a few feet away.
BRYANT
Someday, Mark, when the world comes to its senses, humankind will honour
what you're about to do.
Mark humbly bows his head.
BRYANT
God be with you.
She kisses him on each cheek, then nods to her driver. He opens the door for her. She gets in, and they dive off.
TRACKING - GUERIN
as he joins his co-pilot and enters the staging area where a half-dozen helicopters are parked. They cross to their helicopter. Four technicians from the warehouse laboratory are hurriedly replacing Malathion canisters with those holding bacteria. Guerin and his co-pilot begin their pre-flight check.
MAN'S VOICE
Mark! Hey, Mark!
Guerin turns to see his supervisor jogging toward the helicopter.
SUPERVISOR (re: technicians)
What are they doing?
GUERIN
Just checking the fittings. What is it?
SUPERVISOR
They've scrubbed the flight. You and Hank aren't going up tonight.
GUERIN
How come?
SUPERVISOR
I don't know -- it came from LAPD.
GUERIN (grins)
Okay by me -- 'Long as I get paid.
SUPERVISOR
We're all going out for a beer. Meet us at Casey's.
Turning he jogs away. The co-pilot looks at Guerin.
GUERIN
This one's going up.
The technicians back off and away as Guerin and his co-pilot climb into the cockpit.
INSIDE THE CHOPPER - GUERIN
Checks his oil pressure and sets his altimeter. Looking up he sees:
HIS POV - SIKES, GEORGE AND AHPOSSNO
as they leap from the car. Sikes and George raise their guns.
SIKES
Police! Halt!
The CO-PILOT pulls a gun and FIRES at the officers. Guerin turns the ignition.
SIKES AND GEORGE take cover behind the doors of their car and return FIRE.
THE CHOPPER SPUTTERS to life.
AHPOSSNO pulls a pocket-sized electronic device. He aims it at the chopper, but his attention is caught by:
GUERIN'S FOUR TECHNICIANS
armed with crow bars, rushing up from behind. Taking a martial arts stance, Ahpossno kicks the lead attacker in the chest, hurtling him ten feet back onto the Tarmac! Two of the other technicians try to encircle Ahpossno as:
THE THIRD TECHNICIAN attacks Sikes, smashing the crowbar down on his gun arm. Sikes drops his weapon, grappling with the man.
GEORGE continues to exchange FIRE with the co-pilot. The chopper's blades pick up speed.
SIKES CRACKS his attacker across the jaw, knocking the man out.
AHPOSSNO takes out one of his attackers, but the other smashes Ahpossno with the crow bar on the chest, close to the armpit. Ahpossno is staggered by the blow. The attacker is about to strike again, but Sikes blind-sides him. He and the technician grapple on the ground.
The CHOPPER it's blades begin reaching lift-off speed as the co-pilot and George continue FIRING. -- George wounds the co-pilot.
The TECHNICIAN rolls on top of Sikes, trying to crush his throat with the crow bar. Ahpossno's steel-like hands come into frame, grabbing the technician, pulling him off Sikes. Ahpossno breaks the man's neck and tosses him aside. Ahpossno and Sikes exchange a brief look, acknowledging they've saved each other's lives.
GUERIN starts to lift off.
GEORGE FIRES his last round.
The Co-pilot slumps onto Guerin. Shoving him aside, Guerin pushes forward on the stick.
THE CHOPPER rises. Scrambling up, George grabs hold of the strut, lifting himself.
SIKES
George!
GUERIN feeling the chopper drag, looks behind and sees George. He hits a lever and:
THE CANISTERS spew the deadly bacteria. George catches the spray full in the face.
CLOSE - SIKES
reacts with horror.
WIDE - GEORGE
drops twenty feet to the Tarmac. Sikes runs to his partner.
SIKES
George!
AHPOSSNO Pulls his electronic device and aims it at the chopper. The device emits a high-pitched WHINE.
INSIDE THE CHOPPER - GUERIN
is puzzled as all his instruments fail and the engine dies.
THE CHOPPER plummets, crashing on the Tarmac.
SIKES shields George with his body as debris falls around them.
AHPOSSNO impassive, lowers his device.
SIKES lifts his stricken partner. George is very weak.
GEORGE
We did it... we did it.
SIKES
It's gonna be okay... we'll get you to the hospital.
They struggle back toward the car. Ahpossno moves to help.
SIKES
Stay back! He's got the bacteria all over him!
Ahpossno freezes as Sikes helps George into the car. In the B.G. we hear approaching SIRENS.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
George has been given Emily's bed next to Susan, who lies comatose. Sikes watches Dr. Quinn examine George while Cathy draws a blood sample. Ahpossno stands back, observing. George slowly opens his eyes.
GEORGE
Matt...
Sikes moves to his side.
GEORGE
Please... my children.
SIKES
They're on their way.
George drops into unconsciousness. Cathy finishes taking George's blood sample. She, Dr. Quinn and Ahpossno move to the corner to confer. Sikes follows them.
QUINN
He's failing much faster than Susan.
SIKES
Why...? What's different?
CATHY (thinking; desperate)
Matt, the victims who died of the bacteria -- they were both men, weren't
they?
SIKES
Yeah.
CATHY
Maybe that's it...
AHPOSSNO
Something in the female immune system.
SIKES
Then how come Emily recovered but Susan hasn't?
CATHY
I don't know. Somehow they're different.
QUINN
It isn't diet... environment...
AHPOSSNO
How OLD is the girl?
CATHY
Yes!
She looks at Ahpossno, inspired.
CATHY
Emily's twelve years old! She just turned twelve!
AHPOSSNO
The swollen mata gland.
(to Quinn)
We need female Newcomer blood...
CATHY (to Quinn)
At least ten units. Hurry!
Quinn exits. Cathy turns to Ahpossno.
CATHY
We can use your isolator!
She and Ahpossno look in each other's eyes, connecting in this moment of mutual, triumphant discovery.
SIKES
What?! What is it?
CATHY
We need to extract female hormone.
She and Ahpossno hurry out. Sikes follows.
THE CORRIDOR
SIKES
Why?! What for?!
CATHY
The hormone must act as an antibody. It must be what cured Emily!
SIKES (confused)
But Susan's a female.
CATHY
Susan's at the end of her cycles. She doesn't have enough.
AHPOSSNO (to Sikes)
Emily's in Neestas.
CATHY
Her body released a tremendous surge of the hormone.
SIKES
Neestas?
CATHY
Puberty! Emily's going through puberty!
Cathy and Ahpossno rush off, leaving Sikes to figure it out.
EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Later
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSE - A SYRINGE
PULL BACK as Cathy fills it with serum. Ahpossno stands nearby. George and Susan lie comatose.
ON THE INTERIOR WINDOW - BUCK
holding Vessna close, stands with Emily in the hallway.
CATHY injects George as Sikes enters.
SIKES
I bought his Serdso.
He places it on George's night stand as Cathy prepares another syringe and injects Susan.
AHPOSSNO (re: monitor)
Look...
GEORGE'S MONITOR - INTERCUT
shows a rapid rise in temperature: 105.8, 105.9, 106.
CATHY
Susan's responding, too.
SUSAN'S MONITOR - INTERCUT
shows a similar rise. George's temperature reaches 108, triggering an ALARM.
SIKES (worried)
Oh, man...
Susan's temperature rise also triggers an ALARM. George's alarm stops as his temperature begins to fall. Susan's does the same. All eyes are on the monitors.
GEORGE'S MONITOR - INTERCUT
His temperature continues to plummet.
SIKES (under his breath)
Come on... come on...
O.S. Vessna CRIES.
ON BUCK AND VESSNA
He tries to soothe her, but she will not be stilled.
GEORGE stirs, hearing his baby's CRY. He opens his eyes.
SIKES
George...
George is able to smile at him. He turns his head to look at Susan whose eyes are also opening.
GEORGE
Susan...
Buck and Emily rush into the room.
BUCK AND EMILY
Mum... Dad...
They cluster around their parents. Touched, relieved, Sikes is moved to tears.
SIKES
Everything's okay. You're both gonna be okay...
Suddenly feeling himself an outsider, Sikes backs away and exits. Cathy sees and follows.
CORRIDOR - SIKES sits exhausted on a bench. Cathy takes a seat next to him.
CATHY
You okay?
Sikes nods. They look at one another, not knowing what
to say.
Beat.
SIKES
You were great tonight.
CATHY
Thanks.
(averting her eyes)
I'm so tired...
Closing her eyes, she leans her head back against the wall.
SIKES (gathering his courage)
Cathy... you were wrong about me... about me not being able to love the
differences in you.
But Cathy doesn't hear him. She's fallen asleep. Sikes smiles. He tenderly puts his arm around her, giving her a shoulder to lean on.
IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM - AHPOSSNO
watches Sikes and Cathy through the interior window. His expression is cold... like a shark's.
GEORGE (O.S.)
(weak)
Ahpossno...
Ahpossno turns toward George. Buck and Emily make room for him at George's bedside.
GEORGE
Thank you... {thank you}
Ahpossno clasps George's hand. Susan watches from her bed.
GEORGE
If there's anything we can do for you...
AHPOSSNO
Sleep, my friend... sleep well.
George closes his eyes. Ahpossno looks slowly round the room, menace in his eyes.
EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Ahpossno escorts George and Susan toward the street.
SUSAN
How did you survive in the desert for six years?
AHPOSSNO
I was a slave at the mining colony on Yderon. This earth desert didn't
seem so bad.
(changing the subject)
Are those our leaders?
He points to a billboard featuring a formally dressed Newcomer couple toasting each other with flutes of sour milk. The caption reads: "BLACK TIE MEANS WHITE GOLD -- The sour milk with class."
AHPOSSNO (cont'd)
I see their picture everywhere.
GEORGE (laughs)
They're models -- {actors} -- it's just an ad for sour milk.
AHPOSSNO
"Ad"?
SUSAN
To make you want something -- so you'll buy it.
AHPOSSNO (puzzled)
We know what we want -- what we need. This "ad" is a useless
thing -- yes?
SUSAN
It's part of human culture -- we've had to adapt.
(a tad guilty)
Actually, advertising is how I earn my living.
Cathy hurries toward them.
CATHY
George -- Susan -- you both should be in wheelchairs.
SUSAN
I feel fine.
GEORGE
Strong as a lox.
CATHY
Well, I want you to eat a lot of cartilage -- really get your strength
back.
AHPOSSNO (to Susan; thoughtful)
Tell me... why do you choose to live among them?
SUSAN
What do you mean?
AHPOSSNO
Among the humans. I think it is not safe.
SUSAN (glancing at George)
We don't have much choice.
BEEP, BEEP! They turn as Sikes' car pulls up. Sikes waves.
GEORGE (to Ahpossno)
Not all humans are our enemies. You'll see -- this is a good place to
live.
Sikes gets out of the car.
SIKES
Hi.
(to Susan and George)
Buck and I got the house all cleaned up. There's tripe in the fridge and
a gallon of old milk in the oven.
GEORGE
Thank you, Matt.
AHPOSSNO (to Cathy)
Maybe we can work together again. I admire you. You did a great thing.
CATHY
No... You deserve as much credit as I do.
AHPOSSNO (locking eyes with her)
Will you teach me about this world?
CATHY
Of course.
The two gaze at one another with mutual attraction. Sikes scowls as they touch fists to temples.
CATHY
{Good luck.}
(to the others)
Bye.
Sikes watches Cathy walk away. George helps Susan into the back seat. Ahpossno gets into the front passenger seat.
SIKES (to George)
Where's he think he's going?
GEORGE
Ahpossno's staying with us 'til he gets settled.
SIKES
Whoa -- whoa.
(pulling George aside; sotto)
You're letting this guy in your house?
GEORGE
He saved our lives.
SIKES
Trust me, George -- he's not kosher.
GEORGE
Of course, he's not Jewish -- what does that have to do with anything?
SIKES
There's something not right about him, George.
AHPOSSNO watches them through the rear-view mirror, eavesdropping with his powerful hearing.
GEORGE (O.S.)
(filtered)
Because he's been hiding in the desert for six years. He just needs a
home.
ON SIKES AND GEORGE
SIKES
Let him go to the Bureau of Newcomer Affairs -- that's what they're there
for.
GEORGE
Ahpossno's a friend, Matt -- he's coming with us.
George moves past Sikes and gets in the car. Frustrated, Sikes follows.
AHPOSSNO - CLOSE
watching Sikes very carefully. Recognising and enemy.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
EXT. FRANCISCO HOME - DAY
Waiting in the car, Sikes watches Susan, Ahpossno and George enter.
INT. FRANCISCO HOME - DAY
Ahpossno pauses, looking around at this strange environment.
AHPOSSNO
This is your home?
GEORGE
The bank owns most of it... But, yes.
(turning to Susan)
Matt's waiting. I have to get to work.
They touch temples. Ahpossno turns to George.
AHPOSSNO
Perhaps I will become a policeman like you.
GEORGE (flattered)
Really?
AHPOSSNO
Maybe you can show me where you work.
GEORGE
Of course. I'll show you tomorrow.
(beat)
{Friend, our home is your home.}
Ahpossno acknowledges this with a grateful nod. George exits. Surveying the house, Ahpossno moves into the living room. Susan watches him, sensing his disapproval.
SUSAN
You don't like it, do you?
AHPOSSNO
I suppose it's very human.
SUSAN
Yes.
(beat; guilty)
Maybe we try too hard to be like them.
INT. POLICE STATION - BOOKING AREA - DAY
Zepeda is booking Phyllis Bryant. She holds Bryant's hand over the finger print scanner. CAMERA ADJUSTS to pick up Sikes and George entering.
SIKES
I just got a feeling about this guy. I'm around him, my antenna goes up.
George glances at Sikes' head.
SIKES
It's a figure of speech. I'm suspicious.
GEORGE
Or perhaps... jealous?
SIKES (defensive)
What? Of him and Cathy?
GEORGE
Actually, I was thinking of him and me.
SIKES
Get out of here.
(noticing Bryant)
Well, look who's checking into Heart Break Hotel.
BRYANT
It's a finite world, Detective. Water, food, jobs -- what they take --
there's that much less for us.
SIKES
Yeah, Phyllis, sing me the blues.
BRYANT
You are a traitor to your species. Someday you'll regret what you've
done.
SIKES
C'mon George.
THE SQUAD ROOM
As Sikes and George move to their desks, Albert, pulling May by the hand, rushes up to them.
ALBERT
Congratulate me! Congratulate me!
SIKES
Congratulations. Why?
ALBERT
May just asked me to marry her.
MAY
He said yes.
GEORGE
Congratulations, Albert!
He embraces Albert, then touches May's knuckle.
GEORGE
He'll make you a wonderful husband.
(smiles)
And he's a handsome devil -- a real dreamboat -- a hot tamale.
He chucks the embarrassed Albert across the jaw. Sikes rolls his eyes. Grazer approaches.
GRAZER
Albert, my ashtray hasn't been emptied in a week.
(tapping Albert's forehead)
What goes on up there?
ALBERT
I'll get right to it.
Albert rushes off, pulling May along. He calls back over his shoulder to Grazer.
ALBERT
There's toilet paper in the bathroom, captain -- and I wrote your name on
it so no one will take it!
SIKES (to Grazer)
I always write your name on the toilet paper.
GRAZER
I didn't know you could write, Sikes.
(handing George a file)
You've got a homicide.
He exits as George cracks the file.
GEORGE
"Newcomer victim was found in his car..."
(looking at Sikes)
At the hospital where we were treated.
EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT - DAY
Sikes and George's car pulls up. They get out.
GEORGE
You're obsessing on Ahpossno.
SIKES
I'm not obsessing. I just wanna know what he was doing with that gismo.
He shouldn't be walking around with something like that.
GEORGE
Matt, I'm sure if you just got to know Ahpossno, you'd like him. Come
over tonight -- have diner with us.
SIKES
Thanks. But no thanks.
They arrive at the crime scene. The canary-yellow car that Ahpossno had stolen is cordoned off with police tape. Uniformed cops keep onlookers at bay while medical examiner, LOIS ALLEN, examines the body inside the car. S.I.D. detectives pick over the scene.
SIKES
Hey, Lois. You know, you oughtta hang around with live men -- the
conversation's better.
LOIS
Not if you're any indication.
(to George)
Glad to see you up and about.
GEORGE
Thank you.
(re: car)
What do we have?
SIKES
(reacting to a bad smell)
Whew. Time of death was a couple days ago.
LOIS
Good guess. -- Newcomer male -- his name's Kenny Bunkport -- thirty-five
years old.
The corpse's arm is visible, dangling out the passenger side. We recognise the long-sleeve, striped shirt of Ahpossno's victim.
LOIS (CONT'D)
He was killed by a single axillary blow.
GEORGE (to Sikes)
To the armpit.
SIKES
I know what axillary is.
(to Lois)
What was the weapon? A can of Right Guard?
He laughs at his own joke. No one else does.
LOIS
Somebody's fist. And that somebody was strong.
SIKES
I know it hurts you guys -- like getting whacked in the nuts -- but
fatal?
GEORGE
The Tenctonese axilla is comparable to the human temple. Theoretically, a
blow could be lethal -- although it would take uncommon precision.
George briefly considers Ahpossno, an Udara\ -- then quickly pushes the thought away.
SIKES
Who found the body?
LOIS (indicating)
Security guard.
SIKES (to George)
Let's see what he has to say.
(to Lois)
Thanks.
TRACKING GEORGE AND SIKES as they walk toward the hospital.
GEORGE
Matt, won't you reconsider my dinner invitation?
SIKES
No.
GEORGE
Cathy's coming.
SIKES
Okay. I'll be there.
INT. FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Buck and Susan slap various brightly coloured paints on the wall. Ahpossno watches approvingly. Vessna lies in her bassinet.
SUSAN
I've always wanted to do this. Off-white, egg shell, beige -- I hate
those human colours.
(to Ahpossno; re: bright colours)
What do you think?
AHPOSSNO
...Beautiful.
Susan thinks he may be referring to her -- and she's flattered.
BUCK
Let's do the outside like a Celinite temple -- all the colours of the
spectrum!
Emily enters, gossiping with her human friend, JILL. Emily's head spots are painted in neon blue and yellow.
EMILY
Greg passed the note to Tim and I saw what it said.
JILL
You sit three rows away!
EMILY
I'm a Nuke! Greg's gonna ask you to Linda's party! He thinks you're
infinitely bonita.
JILL (hits her, playfully)
He does not!
EMILY (to Buck; re: wall)
That looks ENTIRELY stupid.
SUSAN
What did you do to your spots?
EMILY
Nothing.
BUCK (to Susan)
It's Day-glow Spot sheen.
(to Emily)
Talk about ENTIRELY stupid
SUSAN (to Emily)
You're too young to wear make-up.
EMILY
I'm a woman now. I'm entitled to wear make-up.
SUSAN
Go upstairs and take it off right now.
EMILY (attitude)
MOTH-ER!
SUSAN
Take it off!
with a huge adolescent SIGH, Emily turns to Jill.
EMILY
I can't wait 'til I'm old enough to get my own apartment.
the two girls head upstairs. Susan mumbles to Ahpossno.
SUSAN
Neither can I... Puberty...
(remembering)
Oh, Buck -- you better give Vessna her bath -- it's getting late.
AHPOSSNO
Let me.
He leans down to lift Vessna from her bassinet. She starts HOWLING. Ahpossno draws back.
BUCK
She must still be scared. I'll take her.
Setting down his brush, he gently picks up his baby sister, CLICKING soothingly. Buck carries Vessna upstairs as the front door opens, and George and Sikes enter.
GEORGE
Susan, look who's joining us for dinner.
His face drops, seeing the "remodelling"
SUSAN (cheery)
Hello, Matt!
GEORGE
Uh, Susan... what are you doing?
SUSAN (slapping on paint)
I'm making this a Tenctonese home. It was Ahpossno's idea.
SIKES
Doctor, Ninja AND interior decorator.
AHPOSSNO
Excuse me.
He disappears into the family room.
SUSAN (to George)
What we've been through made me re-evaluate my life -- it's time for some
changes, George -- in my home... my job...
GEORGE (quick)
What?
SUSAN
My job. I quit. Ahpossno was right about advertising.
GEORGE (through his teeth)
Don't I have anything to say about all this?
SUSAN
That's another thing -- we've fallen into the habit of you making the
decisions. You know that in traditional Tenctonese society, women made
them.
GEORGE (glancing at Sikes)
Susan...
SUSAN
Ahpossno told me in Tundash villages men did nothing but bare children
and gather roots.
SIKES (gloating)
How 'bout that Ahpossno?
From the family room we hear a Tenctonese FLUTE.
GEORGE (controlling his rage)
Susan... we've made plans based on two income -- the UV. room, the
Winnebago, the trampoline...
SUSAN
We don't need THINGS, George -- we need identity.
The DOORBELL RINGS.
SIKES
Allow me.
He opens the door to reveal Cathy.
SIKES
Cathy. What a coincidence!
CATHY
Hello, Matt.
(entering)
Susan, George -- is Ahpossno here?
SUSAN (pointing to family room)
That's him playing.
Without another word, Cathy hurries into the family room.
SIKES (to George)
She seemed real happy to see me.
FAMILY ROOM - AHPOSSNO
Plays the Tenctonese FLUTE. (PRODUCTION NOTE: George's computer is visible on a nearby desk.) Cathy pauses in the doorway, listening to Ahpossno's exquisite playing. He notices her and stops.
CATHY (entering)
That was beautiful.
AHPOSSNO
{Thank you}
(trying idiomatic English)
How's it going?
She smiles at his use of the language.
CATHY
It's "going" fine.
AHPOSSNO
I've been practising my English.
(indicating some books)
Thank you for these.
CATHY (coming closer)
I have something for you.
(handing him a card)
Your N.R.C.
(off his puzzled look)
Newcomer Registration Card. You now have all the rights of a citizen.
You're free -- no one can ever enslave you again.
AHPOSSNO (studying the card)
Thank you.
(coming close to her)
You are so kind...
(riveting her with his eyes)
You are so beautiful.
She doesn't protest as Ahpossno pulls her close and touches his temple to hers. HUMMING softly, he brushes his lips along the nap of her neck. Closing her eyes, Cathy presses her body against him.
ANGLE - SIKES is in the doorway, watching. Pained, he turns back to the living room.
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY - GEORGE
is reading a file when a bedraggled Sikes shuffles in.
GEORGE
Don't you look like what the cat dragon ate.
GRUNTING, Sikes goes to his desk. George watches him.
GEORGE (fishing)
You left in a hurry last night.
(when Sikes doesn't answer)
Shame you missed dinner -- we had a great dessert: some wonderful liver,
filled with whipped cream. -- Nu-Twinks.
(no response)
Was it something anyone said?
SIKES
Can we get to work, or is that the kind of decision Susan has to make?
GEORGE (scowls)
I was just curious.
(sliding the file to Sikes)
Here's something on the Kenny Bunkport case -- Fabric fibres were found
under the victim's fingernails. We can assume they came from the murder's
clothing. S.I.D.'s running an analysis.
Sikes reads. They are approached by Cathy and Ahpossno.
CATHY
Hi.
(to Sikes)
We missed you at dinner.
SIKES (eyeing Ahpossno)
I suddenly got ill.
AHPOSSNO
I'm glad to see you are better.
CATHY (to George re: Ahpossno)
Do you need me to pick him up?
GEORGE
No, I'll take him home.
SIKES
What's going on?
GEORGE
Ahpossno is interested in becoming a policeman -- like me. I said I'd
show him the precinct.
SIKES
Sure. Why not? We got nothin' better to do today.
(standing)
I'm going to the morgue to get some fresh air.
He exits. Ahpossno looks after him.
AHPOSSNO
He doesn't like me.
CATHY
Oh, Matt's just a little... shy.
(beat)
I've got to get to U.C.L.A.
She moves to touch Ahpossno's temple with her fist. He stays her hand, touching his temple to hers. If George had eyebrows he'd raise them. Self-conscious, Cathy turns to George.
CATHY
Bye.
Cathy moves off as a couple gang members are hustled to the holding pen. Ahpossno observes them.
AHPOSSNO
You have much work here.
GEORGE
I'm afraid so.
AHPOSSNO
How do you remember everything?
GEORGE
We keep records -- in this computer.
(typing)
I can bring up any case -- open or closed -- I can review the files on
any suspects -- any former convicts. It's linked to my computer at home,
so I can access files there, too.
(pointing to the screen)
Humans are identified by markings on their finger tips.
ON THE SCREEN - HUMAN MUG SHOTS - INTERCUT
scroll.
AHPOSSNO
And Tenctonese?
GEORGE
We were all tissue-typed in quarantine.
He types.
ON THE SCREEN - NEWCOMER MUG SHOOTS now scroll.
AHPOSSNO reads the Newcomer rap sheets. Albert approaches George.
ALBERT
George... at my wedding...
(noticing Ahpossno)
Hi...
(back to George)
May wants me to wear a blue gown. What colour did you wear at yours?
GEORGE
Albert, I was married on the ship. There were no gowns.
ALBERT (slapping his forehand)
I forgot. Of course.
AHPOSSNO (to George; re: Albert)
You let them marry?
George and Albert turn to Ahpossno, puzzled.
GEORGE
What do you mean?
AHPOSSNO
He is a number four.... a zabeet...
Ashamed, Albert looks down. George is taken aback.
GEORGE
Albert is as smart as any of us.
(to Albert)
You must forgive Ahpossno -- he's been alone in the desert since the
crash.
(to Ahpossno)
There are no rankings here. Everyone is allowed to marry.
AHPOSSNO (realising he's made a faux pas)
Oh... That's good!
(to Albert)
Congratulations.
Cut to the quick, Albert manages a nod. He backs away.
ALBERT
Excuse me.
AHPOSSNO (to George; "impressed")
We are truly free here.
Despite his "turn", George remains uneasy.
EXT. FRANCISCO HOUSE - NIGHT (STOCK)
All the lights are off.
INT. FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Ahpossno moves silently down the stairs, heading for:
THE FAMILY ROOM
Lit only by moonlight. Entering, Ahpossno goes to George's computer. Booting it up, he begins typing.
ON AHPOSSNO
The glow of the screen reflects off his face.
THE SCREEN - A NEWCOMER MUG SHOOT - INTERCUT
Part of the description under the name reads: OVERSEER TATTOO. Ahpossno logs the information with a blink. He types further. Another Newcomer Mug shot appears. Also an OVERSEER. Logs this as well.
GEORGE (O.S.)
Ahpossno.
Ahpossno looks up to see George standing in the doorway, wearing a bathrobe.
AHPOSSNO
I couldn't sleep.
George approaches. Ahpossno CLICKS off the computer.
GEORGE
What were you doing?
AHPOSSNO
Trying to understand this machine. I couldn't make it work.
GEORGE
That information is classified. If you want to learn computers, use
Buck's.
AHPOSSNO
All right.
(rising)
I'm tired now. Good-night, George.
He exits. George stares suspiciously after him.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
FADE IN
INT. SIKES' APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Coming home, Cathy pulls out her key. She finds a note stuck in the door. She unfolds it.
INSERT - THE NOTE
written in sloppy Tenctonese. It is signed in English: SIKES
CATHY smiles. She continues down the hallway.
EXT. ROOF TOP - NIGHT
Starlight and candles light the roof. Tenctonese FLUTE MUSIC plays on a boom box. Opening the roof top door, Cathy ventures out.
CATHY
Matt?
Sikes steps from behind a large vent. He wears a bright, flowing Tenctonese shirt and holds two wine glasses and a carafe of sour milk.
SIKES (Tenctonese greeting)
Jovan.
CATHY (amused)
Jovan.
He pours the curdled milk into the wine glasses.
CATHY
I liked your note.
SIKES (humble)
I've been practising my Tenctonese.
CATHY
You asked me to join you "inside a pot of milk" but I got the
idea.
SIKES (handing her a glass)
Good.
CATHY
Aren't you having wine?
SIKES (clinking glasses)
Never touch the stuff.
She doesn't drink. Beat.
CATHY
What are you doing?
SIKES (innocent)
Hmmmm?
CATHY
The shirt -- the music --
(holding up the milk)
-- this.
Beat. He looks her in the eyes.
SIKES
I want us to be together. No matter what it takes.
(beat)
I love you.
CATHY (torn)
Oh, Matt...
SIKES
Please, Cathy. Give us a chance.
She doesn't answer.
SIKES (the old Sikes)
If you don't say "yes..."
(holding up goblet)
I'll drink this sour milk.
CATHY
Matt...
SIKES
I mean it -- I'll drink it.
CATHY
You'll get sick.
SIKES
Are you going to say "yes"?
She doesn't answer. Sikes slowly drinks the sour milk. Cathy GASPS; Sikes suppresses a gag.
SIKES
Delicious.
He wipes the curds from his chin.
CATHY
Matt, I appreciate what you're trying to do. But after everything... it's
just too fast.
SIKES
Is that it? Really?
(beat)
Or is it Ahpossno?
She looks down, not willing to admit it.
CATHY
I have to get to bed.
Setting the goblet down, she turns an exits. Sikes remains alone... hurting.
INT. OTTO GRAFF'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Upper-middle class Encino. Nouveau riche decor. Five Overseers including their host, OTTO GRAFF, listen respectfully to Ahpossno. They proudly display their tattoos.
AHPOSSNO
We picked up your signal one earth year ago giving us your location. I've
been sent to determine the viability of recovering our slaves and
acquiring the humans.
GRAFF
Where's your mother ship?
AHPOSSNO
Maintaining an irregular orbit at the edge of this solar system.
An overweight male, AVID FAN, scowls.
FANN
This is unrealistic -- transporting and maintaining two species? Besides,
it's been six years -- the slaves would have to be re-conditioned and
re-trained. The expense would be enormous. It's a bad idea.
AHPOSSNO (cool)
I'll make that decision.
GRAFF
Due to the bacteria scare, many Tenctonese are moving to segregated
communities. They'll be easy to round up. We can encourage this
re-settlement.