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EXTERIOR SHOT : DAY -- Office Complex of the FBI
INTERIOR SHOT : MALOSSI and POLINI's offices.
Messy with research, papers, books, videos, etc. Movie poster of "E.T."
on wall with scooter taped over bike. MALOSSI is doing random paperwork, drinking
coffee from scooter mug. POLINI is drinking coffee, working as well.
Enter PIAGGIO with package.
PIAGGIO
"Agent Malossi. Agent Polini. I need you to take a look at this."
(hands package
to Malossi)
"It was discovered near Yellowknife
in the Northwest Territories by a local guide... name of Garrison Keller. Something
about a disappearance of a research scientist. See if it's worth an investigation."
MALOSSI
(sort of
dismissively)
"Sure, sure, right away."
PIAGGIO
"Thank you, Agent."
PIAGGIO exits.
MALOSSI opens package. It contains a video tape and a strange machine-type part.
MALOSSI is curious and starts to inspect part.
POLINI walks over, picks up tape and turns on VTR. MALOSSI is oblivious until tape
starts. POLINI is drinking coffee. The tape contains footage of the missing research
scientist.
CUT TO VIDEOTAPE -- INTERIOR of remote research outpost, appears to be some sort
of hut or tent. Cold weather is evident. Lit by lantern. Tape is of poor quality.
Scientist is prepping to talk, obviously a bit excited :
STINSON
"My name is Dr. Stinson. I am a scientist stationed in the Canadian tundra
near the town of Yellowknife. This frigid place holds many secrets and I am close
to revealing one of major proportions. This could be the breakthrough for which we've
been looking. I... I am now... well, let me just show you.
(holds up metallic
item)
This.. this is a portion of what I have
discovered and... it appears, through my limited analysis out here, to be of unknown
metallic composition. Quite unlike anything I've seen before! There is much more
encased out in the ice ...
(light starts
coming up behind doc)
...and I'll need more time to finish
the extraction. Once I return and complete the lab studies I'll be able...
(odd sound
can now be heard, growing in volume)
(Doctor glances around in surprise, quite nervously)
... be able to finish...
(sound is very
loud, light is very bright)
... what in the name ...
(cut off by
noise, light, shaking - video goes to static/white)
POLINI stops drinking her coffee and looks puzzledly at MALOSSI.
MALOSSI
(holds up metal
object)
"I've got to get this analyzed.
This could be the key... Is Westerberg in the lab?"
(he starts towards door)
POLINI
(looks confused)
"Yes, I think so... Wait. By the
look on your face I think I'd better accompany you."
POLINI follows MALOSSI down hall to lab.
INTERIOR SHOT -- Research Lab/Room of Dr. WESTERBERG, who is very busy with much
work. MALOSSI and POLINI breeze in quickly.
MALOSSI
"Westerberg.
(Westerberg
looks up briefly)
Got something here I need an analysis
on. Can you give us a quick look-see?"
WESTERBERG
(looks
perturbed. this happens way too often. sarcastic)
"Oh, sure Malossi. I've got nothing
better to do than research on your flighty cases."
MALOSSI hands object to WESTERBERG who puts into some sort of analysis machine. WESTERBERG
looks at screen/scope and twiddles with settings/knobs/etc. Looks deep in thought.
WESTERBERG
(turns to MALOSSI)
"Initial scans indicate presence
of most common elements found in objects of metallic nature. Gee, thanks for the
exciting work, Malossi...
(looks back
at machine)
wait a sec! This isn't... uh, this...
well. It's got an uncommon molecular structure, not like anything I recall ever seeing.
(gets excited
now, he knows what is coming)
But that doesn't mean anything, Malossi!"
MALOSSI
(has a bit
of a cocky grin)
"You did say it wasn't like anything
you've ever seen. That's enough of an answer for me. We'll dig into it more later.
(takes object)
Thanks, Westerberg. I owe you one."
WESTERBERG
(getting
worked up)
"Damn straight you owe me one.
One more than you owed me last time! Don't you ever give up?! My god, you're like
some spoiled lap dog that won't quit chewing on a smelly old sock! Give it up, Malossi!
Don't you think if aliens existed we would have proof by now? Here's a clue: they
don't! We humans are an anomaly in this big empty universe and that ain't gonna change
no matter how hard you wish it to be otherwise! No matter how many nut-jobs send
you crazy packages or swear they've been on flying mopeds..."
POLINI
(interrupting)
"Ok, Westerberg. We get the idea.
I'll try to talk some rationality into him. Thank you for your time."
POLINI guides MALOSSI, who is obliviously
fondling the object, towards door.
WESTERBERG
(yelling
after them)
"You're on a wild goose chase,
Malossi! Wasting everybody's time with your continu --"
POLINI
(turns
and interjects sharply)
"Westerberg!"
(gives him
the "zip-it" signal)
The agents leave the lab.
POLINI
(in hallway)
"Really, Malossi, DO you have to
believe every report sent to you?"
MALOSSI
(smiling
slyly)
"We'll need a team. Get your winter
gear together, Polini. We're heading north."
MALOSSI walks to office, leaving POLINI standing in hall with mouth hanging open.
INTERIOR SHOT -- Agent's office. MALOSSI is calling people on phone.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- Shot of airplane leaving from airport.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- AFTERNOON. Canadian tundra as seen from inside vehicle. Cold, blowing,
snow. Small group of people is gathering. Agents are last to arrive. Agents get out
of vehicle and join group.
GARRISON
(walks
up to greet Agents, extending hand)
"You folks must be the Agents,
eh? ëBout time you got here. Colder than a witch's tit today, know what I mean? Heh
heh. Shore you do. Name's Garrison Keller. Local guide ëround here and... bit of
a ladies man. Got's me a reputation so you's best watch out. Heh heh. "
(he pinches
POLINI's cheek)
POLINI swats him away in disgust. Gives MALOSSI dirty look.
MALOSSI
(smirks just
a bit)
"(ahem) Yes, nice to meet you Garrison.
I'm Agent Malossi and my partner here is Agent Polini.
(looking at
other person)
You must be Dr. Bally? The ice guy?"
BALLY
"Nice to meet the both of you. I am Dr. Bally, climatologist and yes, I do study
ice from time to time. I'd ask you to excuse the manners of our friend Keller, but
that would appear to be a waste of time."
POLINI
(turns towards
GARRISON who is leering)
"We understand you're the person
who found Stinson's research site?"
GARRISON
(stops looking
POLINI up and down)
"Eh? Oh, yup. Yup. Found that guy's
stuff kinda strewn about on the snow. Didn't see no evidence of him, though. Thought
somebody ought to take a peek at that video o' his, case it was something ëportant.
That rascal... he musta took all his girlie magazines with him, though..."
POLINI rolls her eyes. BALLY looks a bit shocked.
BALLY
(protective
towards POLINI)
"Really, Mr. Keller, must you be
so crass in the presence of a lady?
(to POLINI,
sweetly)
Try to ignore him, Agent Polini."
POLINI
"Thank you, Dr. Bally.
(turns to all)
Should we get on our way?"
MALOSSI
"Right. Where is our transportation, Mr. Keller?"
GARRISON
(kinda sheepishly)
"Oh, that. Didn't get the message
ëbout hiking, eh? Due to extemporaneous circumcisions, the sleds are all out o' order
so we'll be walking."
BALLY
"You mean, ëextraneous circumstances', Keller?"
GARRISON
"Shore, shore, call it what you will, Doc. Makes no difference to me. You all
look healthy.
(winks at POLINI)
Let's get a move on."
CREW picks up gear and takes off through snow, across big open snowy field/lake.
INTERIOR SHOT -- DUSK. Later that night, dusk is falling. Crew is at their camp.
BALLY
"How much more of this tundra do we have to cover before reaching the site,
Keller?"
GARRISON
"We'll be there tomorrow, don't you worry. I suggest we all settle in and get
some sleep.
(to POLINI,
motioning to his sleeping bag)
Best way to stay warm out here is to
share body heat, Agent."
POLINI
(looks sick)
"I think I'd rather sleep with
a polar bear, Keller."
(turns away)
BALLY
(jumps between
them)
"Perhaps I'd best sleep between
the two of you."
BALLY and POLINI both reach for same item, touch hands, look into each other's faces.
Typical hint at romance type of scene. They then turn away and go to bed.
MALOSSI still fondling metal object, finally turns out the lights.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- NIGHT. View of camp from snowy hideout.
Strange dark man, CIGGY, is watching the camp. He is smoking a cigarette. Sees the
light go out. He stalks quietly across the snow, something in his hands.
CUT to him beside camp. He has a container of fuel. He starts to quietly pour it
around the camp. He takes a drag off his cigarette and then ignites the fuel by flicking
the glowing butt into it. He takes off across tundra. Flames start to rise up.
INTERIOR SHOT -- A bit of smoke is filling up camp.
Everyone else is sleeping, GARRISON is tossing and turning, deep in a dream.
GARRISON
(bolts up from
dream, yells out)
"Not my cocktail dress!"
(starts coughing
from the smoke)
Everybody else is woken up and alarmed at smoke in camp. They hurry outside.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- Everyone is outside in snow, looking at camp.
BALLY and MALOSSI are stomping out the flames, using snow, etc. Intense moment.
CUT to shot of MALOSSI finding cigarette butt. He brings it over to group.
MALOSSI
"Looks like somebody else knows about Stinson's discovery. I think we better
get moving early. For the rest of the night we'll do a watch. I'll go first. Bally,
I'll wake you up for your shift."
They all go back into camp.
MALOSSI paces around outside, watching the horizon.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- EARLY NEXT MORNING. Crew is leaving for final destination. Still
a ways to go. No further sign of CIGGY.
GARRISON
"We ain't got much further ta go, so buck up, crew. We'll be there by this afternoon."
BALLY
(whispering
to POLINI)
"Wish we could trade him in for
a few all-terrain vehicles."
POLINI
"Hang around with us long enough and you'll get used to unusual modes of transportation."
EXTERIOR SHOT -- LATER THAT DAY
The group hikes on. They come to wooded area, lots of trees. Eventually, they come
to some sort of ravine/cliff. They pause for water and food.
GARRISON is standing on the edge, getting a look. He turns to POLINI.
GARRISON
(waggles his
eyebrows at POLINI)
"Wanna come over here and get a
better view?"
POLINI
"Oh, Keller..."
(odd look on
her face)
GARRISON
"You finally gonna come around, eh? That's real nice..."
(he realizes
he's losing his balance)
POLINI
(she runs towards
him, arm outstretched)
"KELLER!"
GARRISON's foot is on crumbling ground, he is windmilling his arms, trying not to
fall. He is scared. He falls over the edge. The others come running. Too late. GARRISON
is lying crookedly at the bottom.
BALLY
(totally shook
up)
"Oh no. No. Oh no. Oh shit! Now
what?! He was our guide! We don't know this region! Ohmigod..."
POLINI calms down BALLY while MALOSSI climbs down to GARRISON.
MALOSSI finds GARRISON's GPS unit and a scrawled map.
MALOSSI
(yells up to
others)
"At least he had sense to jot down
a map. We can make it on our own with his GPS unit. We'll have to keep moving and
return for him later. Follow my tracks down."
They all get down safely and continue their journey, MALOSSI keeps checking the GPS
and map.
EXTERIOR SHOT -- The remaining group is walking still. More walking. Hiking. Walking.
Trudging through the desolate landscape. It gets to be LATE AFTERNOON. Finally, they
spot their goal.
MALOSSI
(pauses and
points excitedly)
"That must be it there! C'mon!"
MALOSSI takes off running through the snow with the others behind, trying to catch
up. Everybody arrives huffing and puffing. MALOSSI is looking around, searching.
MALOSSI
"Now we just need to locate the rest of the artifact Stinson found."
POLINI
(panting)
"Just... a second... Malossi. Let's
catch our breath first."
BALLY
"Agreed. And when we find it, try not to disturb it too much until I take a
core sample of the ice. I tell you, I'm eager to see what the fuss is all about."
The group begins searching the vicinity of Stinson's outpost, following tracks in
snow, brushing snow off ice, looking everywhere. Eventually MALOSSI locates the spot.
MALOSSI
(yelling excitedly)
"Over here! I've got it!"
MALOSSI starts pacing around the site, looking eagerly at the ice, gets a video camera
out of pack and starts taping.
BALLY gets out tool and takes a core sample of the surrounding ice and puts into
some sort of container for transport back to the lab. POLINI starts brushing snow
off the ice.
MALOSSI
(hands video
camera to BALLY)
"Would you be so kind, doctor?"
MALOSSI and POLINI clear off chunks of ice.
MALOSSI is starting to chip away at the ice to extract more of the artifact. Nobody
seems to have noticed how DARK IT IS GETTING. Finally BALLY gets wise.
BALLY
"It's getting dark. Should we get out the lantern?"
POLINI gets lantern, turns it on.
MALOSSI
"This is it, Polini. This will back up my theories and provide the proof
I've needed. All those other cases we've been on will suddenly make perfect sense."
POLINI
"I hope so, Malossi... for your sake, I really hope so."
(looks off
into the dark distance)
They continue their careful chipping and extraction of the artifact, which resembles
a scooter headset. POLINI keeps looking off into the distance for some reason.
POLINI
(pointing)
"Do you two see anything out over
there?"
MALOSSI and BALLY look up to where she's pointing. A very faint light is visible
in the distance. While they look, the light in the icy headset glows faintly but
nobody notices.
MALOSSI
"Let's keep on eye it while we get this thing out of here."
They continue their extraction.
Suddenly A SOUND IS AUDIBLE, a slight buzzing noise coming across the ice. The LIGHT
IS GETTING BRIGHTER. They all look up, astonished.
The SOUND GROWS. The LIGHT GROWS rapidly in the dark, then MULTIPLIES into more lights.
Getting closer.
The people start to scramble around, getting ready to run or fight. SOUND IS INCREASING
quickly, the lights are several now and are getting very close.
LIGHTS START ILLUMINATING THEM, they freeze, sound is REALLY LOUD BUZZING, LIGHTS
ARE SUPER BRIGHT, right on them now. Too late! Screams are heard.
FADE TO WHITE for many seconds. Just white and quiet.
FADE UP to snowy area, next day, wind blowing snow over the artifact and the spot.
Nothing much left to indicate anybody's presence.
CREDITS start rolling over snowy landscape.
THE END.
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