'Independence Day' Screenplay [Part 2]

YELLOW LIGHTS FLASHING ON
as an ALARM quickly BUZZES. David leans into frame and opens the door to the microwave. We WIDEN to reveal...
INT. DAVID'S CUBICLE - COMPACT CABLE – DAY
David retrieves his home-make cup-a-soup. We SEE this cubicle clearly has the David touch; ecology posters, plants, tons of computers and electronic gizmos.

MARTY

Please, tell me you're getting something.
Marty enters, looking over David's shoulder as he eats.

DAVID

There's good news and bad news.

MARTY

What's the bad news?

DAVID

You're in meal penalty for disturbing my lunch.

MARTY

And the good news is you won't charge me.

DAVID

No. The good news is I found the problem and it's not our equipment. There's some weird signal embedded within the satellite feed.

MARTY

That's the good news?

David slides over to another computer and turns on an intricate computation program.

DAVID

Yes, because the analog signal has a definite sequential digital patterns embedded within it. When I find the exact binary sequence and I apply a phase reversed signal to that calculated spectra analyzer I built you last Christmas, we should be able to block out the overlay completely...

MARTY

...and we'll be the only guys in town with a clear picture? That's my man.

CUT TO:

EXT. CALIFORNIA FARMLANDS, IMPERIAL VALLEY – DAY
Racing over back roads behind a long open field, Miguel rides his beat-up motor bike, searching. Looking up he SEES something in the air.
MIGUEL'S POV - AN OLD BI-WING AIRPLANE
converted into a crop-duster, BUZZES overhead. Spraying insecticide wildly, the plane zigzags over the field.

MIGUEL

(yelling)

Russell! God damn it, Russell!
Looking down from the cockpit, RUSSELL BRENNON waves stupidly. Shaggy blonde hair and two days' growth, Russell is the image of a fifty-one-year-old little boy.
Miguel follows him below, screaming at him. Russell, flying recklessly, looks down at Miguel not understanding. By the time he looks back he SEES... A LINE OF TREES at the edge of the field, nearly on top of him. In a trick move, Russell turns the plane on ITS SIDE, and SLICES through the narrow gap between the trees.
Miguel screams with delight at his prowess. Miguel looks pissed.
ANGLE - OTHER SIDE OF TREES - MOMENTS LATER
Miguel races over, skidding to a halt next to the landed Bi-with plane.

MIGUEL

Just what the hell do you think you're doing?

RUSSELL

(climbing down)

I'm bringing home the bacon. Earning my keep. And doing a fine job if I do say so myself.

MIGUEL

It's the wrong field, you idiot! Lucas' farm is on the other side of town.

RUSSELL

You sure?

MIGUEL

Damn it, he was doing you a favor. You know how hard it is to find someone who doesn't think you're completely crazy?

(MORE)

What are we supposed to do now? Huh? Where are we supposed to go now?

Pissed, Miguel peels away, kicking gravel back at Russell. Pathetically, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a bottle of Jack Daniels. He takes a healthy swig.

CUT TO:

EXT. IRAQI DESERT - REFUGEE CAMP – NIGHT
A tent city. Ubiquitous overcrowding and poverty. Several hundred refugees settle down for the night. Super: Northern Desert, Iraq A BEDOUIN stokes a small fire besides his family's tent.
Suddenly a group of shouting SCREAMING TRIBES PEOPLE come rushing past him.
The Bedouin watches them with confusion.
Overcome with curiosity he goes against the tide of people, up the hillside.
As the Bedouin reaches the top of the hillside, his mouth falls open, aghast as he SEES...

THE SKIES - THE PHENOMENON

Creeping from across the horizon above the rocky mountain terrain, a wide FIREBALL high in the sky, flaring and exploding. A terrifying sight.

CUT TO:

EXT. USS EISENHOWER - AIR CARRIER - ESTABLISHING – DAWN
Super: Battle Carrier, USS Eisenhower - Persian Gulf
INT. USS EISENHOWER - RADAR ROOM – DAY
A loud KLAXON ALARM is ringing out.

The FIRST LIEUTENANT

comes rushing in.

LIEUTENANT

Ensign, status?

SAILOR #1

We have a total radar black out over a thirteen kilometer area.

The Lieutenant moves over to the main radar screen. The entire upper portion of the screen is BLANK. And the blank area is MOVING.

LIEUTENANT

Have a complete diagnostic run...

SAILOR #1

Excuse me sir, radar may be malfunctioning but infrared is off the map!

He diverts the Lieutenant's attention to another screen; A BRIGHT SEA OF RED light bleeds off the map.

LIEUTENANT

Get the CINC Atlantic Command on the line.

CUT TO:

INT. PENTAGON - COMMANDING CENTER – DAY
A technical OFFICER rips off a data sheet as it shoots out of the printer and rushes over to the Commanding Officer.

OFFICER

Sir, we now have visual range with incoming over Iraqi airspace.

COMMANDING OFFICER

A second sighting?

OFFICER

Yes Sir, this just came in from the Eisenhower.

The Commanding Officer grabs a phone laying off the hook.

COMMANDING OFFICER

Correction, we have two confirmed visual contacts. One over Iraq, one over the Pacific.

INT. OVAL OFFICE – DAY
The room is packed. The President and his chief advisors are there along with the Joint Chief of Staff. Representatives from the Atlantic Command and U.S. Space Command have formed small clusters around telephones.

GENERAL GREY

Where in the Pacific?

(turning to the President)

They've spotted one off the California coast line. Surrounded by the Secret Service, the President is speechless.
Constance Halbrook comes rushing into the room and whispers to the President.

PRESIDENT

Put it on.

Constance moves over to a cabinet and turns on the T.V. (the reception is still fuzzy, picture "rolling"). The CNN News broadcast shows the phenomenon over Novosibirsk, Russia. There is mass hysteria behind the reporter.

NEWSCASTER

(filtered)

...sightings of this atmospheric phenomenon have been reported here in Novosibirsk, Russia and other parts of Siberia. Moving too slowly to be a comet or meteor, astronomers are baffled as to its origin...

Everyone is locked onto the television, mesmerized.

NEWSCASTERS (cont'd)

(filtered)

...Widespread panic has gripped the countryside as thousands have taken to the streets and clogged the highways. Hundreds have been injured...

General Grey confers with the Atlantic command CINC. He nods, turns to the President and whispers.

GENERAL GREY

Mr. President, we have an AWAC on the west coast. E.T.A. with contact point, three minutes.

INT. AWAC AIRPLANE – DAY
Wall to wall computer, radar and intelligence gathering equipment. Technicians frantically try to adjust as the system goes hay wire.

RADAR TECH #1

(reporting into radio)

It's no use. Side radar doesn't see a thing!

RADAR TECH #2

(reporting)

That's correct. We're IMC blind, sir.

We TRACK across them over to the pilots and into the cockpit.

Cloudy skies. The PILOT squints out the window as he speaks.

PILOT

Negative. We still have zero visibility.

EXT. AWAC AIRPLANE - CLOUDY SKIES – DAY
ZOOMING overhead as we SEE the AWAC sailing through a thick cloudy sky.
Super: Pacific Coastline, California
The AWAC disappears from view into the clouds.
INT. OVAL OFFICE – SAME
The President and his top advisors are gathered around a speaker phone listening to the pilot of the AWAC.

PILOT

(filtered)

Instrumentation is malfunctioning. We can't get any kind of reading on what's in front of us.
INT. AWAC – SAME
The Pilot squints as he tries to see through the clouds.

PILOT

Wait a minute, it may be clearing.

Suddenly the clouds part before us and we're face to face with a WALL OF FLAMES. INT. AWAC – SAME
The speaker phone cracks and distorts.

PILOT

(filtered)

Jesus God! The sky's on fire!

EXT. AWAC AND PHENOMENON – SAME
The AWAC attempts to climb sharply as we get our first real look at the atmospheric phenomenon. Majestic and monstrous.
The AWAC is not going to be able to make it.
Quickly it is ENGULFED in the flames.

INT. OVAL OFFICE – SAME

The phone line goes dead. General Grey spins to an AIDE.

GENERAL GREY

Get them back on line.

AIDE #1

(on other phone)

Line's gone, sir.

The ATLANTIC COMMAND CINC, turns from a different phone.

AAC CINC

Two more have been spotted over the Atlantic. One is moving toward New York, the other is headed this direction.

CHIEF OF STAFF

How much time do we have?

AAC CINC

Less than ten minutes.

NIMZIKI

(turning to aid)

Organize a military escort to Crystal Mountain.

GENERAL GREY

(to President)

Sir, I strongly recommend we move you to a secured location immediately.

... The President hesitates, he turns to Constance.

PRESIDENT

Can we expect the same kid of panic here as in Russia?

CONSTANCE

More than likely.

NIMZIKI

Mr. President, you can discuss this on the way.

Torn, the President grapples with a decision. Finally...

PRESIDENT

I'm not leaving.

NIMZIKI

We must maintain a working government in a time of crisis...

PRESIDENT

I want the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the whole Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs taken to a secured location. I'm staying here. I am not going to add to a public hysteria that could cost lives.

NIMZIKI

But, Mr. President...

PRESIDENT

So far these things have not become hostile. For the moment let's assume they won't.

(to Constance)

Connie, let's issue statements advising people not to panic, to stay home and take cover. Constance issues commands to her staff as they quickly exit along with most people in the room. General Grey goes over to the President.

GENERAL GREY

With your permission, Mr. President, I'd like to remain my your side.

PRESIDENT

I had a feeling you would.

GENERAL GREY

Sir, what happens if they do become hostile?

PRESIDENT

Then God help us.

CUT TO:

INT. DAVID'S CUBICLE – DAY
On the T.V. behind David, news footage of the phenomenon in Russia plays silently. Oblivious, David works his computers.

FEMALE CO-WORKER

(stopping in doorway)

David, are you watching this?

David waves her away, deep in concentration. Suddenly a computer BEEPS. Excitedly David prints out his finding. He grabs it and exits.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Engrossed in his printout, David walks past his co-workers who are glued to the distorted picture on the television, watching the phenomenon.
INT. MARTY'S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Marty stares at his television watching General Grey addressing the press. David enters, staring at his reading.

DAVID

I've got a lock on the signal pattern. We can filter it out.

MARTY

(distracted)

Huh? Oh, good, hood.

DAVID

Strange thing is, if my calculations are right it'll be gone in approximately seven hours anyway. The signal reduces itself every time it recycles. Eventually it will disappear. Are you listening?

MARTY

(still glued to T.V.)

Can you believe this?

DAVID

What re you talking about?

MARTY

Haven't you been watching?

David turns for the first time to the television and sees the phenomenon. Constance comes on addressing the press.

CONSTANCE

(filtered)

...so far the phenomenon has not caused any damage. In all likelihood it won't...

INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM – SAME
More reporters rush in from the back quickly setting up as this hastily called press conference continues.

CONSTANCE

...everyone should remain calm. Take cover where you can but the important thing is not to panic.
INT. BRENNON MOBILE HOME – SAME
Miguel, Alicia and Troy watch the static riddled T.V.

CONSTANCE

(filtered)

...we have a fix on three different occurrences about to appear over American cities. One is headed toward Los Angeles...

INT. MARTY'S OFFICE – SAME

CONSTANCE

(filtered)

...the other two are on our Eastern seaboard headed towards New York and Washington, D.C...

Suddenly hectic CO-WORKER #2 appear at the door.

CO-WORKER #2

Jamie says this building has an old bomb shelter. We're heading down there now.

MARTY

(dry; to David)

Feel no shame in hiding.

INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
A crowd of people head down the hall for the shelter while others stay glued to the set. There is a mix of fascination and panic. David watches the commotion, dumb struck.

MARTY

Oh shit, I better call my wife.

INT. AIRPORT DINER - LATE MORNING
Depressed Russell nurses a beer at the counter. Three FLIGHT
MECHANICS walk in, having a good laugh. One of them spots Russell and moves over to him.

MECHANIC #1

Hey, Russ, heard you had a little trouble this morning. Dusted the wrong field?

The Mechanics laugh. Russell tries to ignore them.

MECHANIC #2

I know, you're probably still a little confused from your hostage experience.

MECHANIC #2

Hostage experience? Something happen to you, Russ?

MECHANIC #1

He ain't never told you!? Seems years back our boy here had been kidnapped by aliens. Did all kinds of experiments on him and such. Tell him, Russ.

RUSSELL

Not today, guys. Okay.

Russell gets up and heads for the door.

MECHANIC #1

You just gotta get a couple more beers in him, he'll tell you all about it. Crazy stuff. Won't you, Russ?

EXT. SMALL AIRPORT – CONTINUOUS
The Mechanic follows Russell outside, his buddies in tow.

MECHANIC #1

Hey, Russ, when they took you up in their space ship, they do any sexual things to you?

The mechanics crack up laughing. Suddenly the things around them begin to RUMBLE. The SHADOW engulfs them, silencing the Mechanics. Panicked they turn and RUN AWAY. Russell just looks up at the sky, grabs his Jack Daniels and takes another swig.
EXT. TRAILER PARK – SAME
Dogs bark and people stumble out of their trailers as enormous SHADOW creeps over them.
INT. BRENNON MOBILE HOME – CONTINUOUS
The windows grow DARK and the room begins to RUMBLE. Miguel rushes to the door, ushering his siblings out.
EXT. TRAILER PARK – CONTINUOUS
Alicia and Troy step out the door, stopping dead in their tracks. Miguel follows them only to look up and SEE...
THE PHENOMENON - DARK CLOUDS
The flames are burning out, replaced by huge plumes of dark smoke billowing around the edges of the phenomena. Only small traces of extinguishing flames illuminate it.
INT. COMPACT CABLE - STAIRWELL – SAME
David pushes past the people making their way down, fighting against the tide. Another CO-WORKER (#3) stops halfway.

CO-WORKER #3

Aren't you coming, David?

DAVID

No way, I've got to see this.

EXT. WASHINGTON MONUMENT – SAME
Frightened tourists run for cover as the colossal SHADOW approaches. Reflected in the water below we SEE the fiery apparition transfigure into the dark foreboding clouds.
THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL - WASHINGTON, D.C. – SAME
The SHADOW writhes up the detailed statue of Lincoln, devouring him completely until we are left in total darkness.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAYS – SAME
People are being evacuated from their offices. Patricia, the President's daughter, breaks away from her nanny.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE – SAME
The President talks on the phone. Constance waits nearby.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE

(into phone)

Of course, Russia and the United States are in this together. Yes, Mr. President, you have my word. Yes, Das Vedanya.

The President hangs up.

CONSTANCE

What is their position?

PRESIDENT WHITMORE

I think he was drunk.

Patricia bursts through the door and runs into her father's arms, terrified. A SECRET SERVICE man appears.

SECRET SERVICE GUY

Mr. President, we have to go. Abruptly, the room DARKENS as it begins to RUMBLE.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE – SAME
The long, dark SHADOW moves across the entire White House, engulfing it in darkness.
EXT. HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK - STATUE OF LIBERTY – SAME
In the distance we SEE the mutated phenomenon's dark gray clouds nearing Miss. Liberty. As it approaches we SEE the New York skyline begin to darken.
EXT. BLACK TOP BASKET BALL COURT, NEW YORK – SAME
Kids playing basket ball. A young BOY stops playing, staring skyward. One by one, they all look upwards, stunned as a long dark SHADOW creeps over them.
With a loud CRASH, several New York Cabs SLAM into one another in the street. Two more cars crash into them. A pile up ensues.
EXT. WALL STREET - SECOND LATER
Foot traffic stops as the long SHADOW crawls over the entire area.
EXT. ROOFTOP - COMPACT CABLE – SAME
Large satellite dishes beset a doorway to the roof which flies open. David steps out just as a long, dark SHADOW covers over him, sending the city into darkness.
David looks up to SEE...
SKYLINE AND ALIEN CRAFT
Protruding through the dark clouds we get a glimpse of the underbelly of a colossal ALIEN CRAFT, its outer veneer of smoke and clouds beginning to fade away.
Below we see PANIC, cabs SLAMMING into one another, people staring, people screaming. No one knows how to react.
David runs to the other side of the rooftop, overlooking Central Park, to get a better look.
DAVID'S POV - CENTRAL PARK – SAME
The entire park is plunged into darkness as the craft above blots out of the sun. Amazing as it may seem, the hovering craft BLANKETS THE ENTIRE PARK and BEYOND. We still have NOT seen an entire craft.

DAVID

(realizing)

My God. The signal.

EXT. LOS ANGELES BASIN - WIDE ANGLE - LATER MORNING
A panoramic view of the Los Angeles basin. Slowly filling the screen, we SEE a portion of the enormous space craft as it creeps towards the city, obliterating our view.
EXT. HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL AREA – SAME
A station wagon, filled with kids and a harried HOUSEWIFE, comes to a stop. The passenger door opens and a young six- year-old boy, DYLAN steps out.

HOUSEWIFE

Dylan, tell your mom you can stay overnight again Thursday.

Suddenly a car SAILS over a nearby hill in front of them, hitting the ground with a BANG. Two more cars follows, air bound.
As the Housewife turns she SEES...
SPACE SHIP – SAME
Rising over the mountain we SEE the Space Ship as it nears the city, blocking out the sunshine.
Panicked, the Housewife hits the gas and peels out, leaving a confused Dylan staring skyward.
INT. BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Two people sleep as Dylan runs into the room.

DYLAN

Mommy, look at!

He rushes away. The SHADOW moves past the window, darkening the room. His mother, JASMINE DUBROW, stirs.

JASMINE

(re: darkness)

It's too early, baby.

She turns back over. Suddenly the room briefly RUMBLES.

MAN

Earthquake?

JASMINE

Not even a four pointer. Go back to sleep.

Shrugging, the man does.

HOLLYWOOD SIGN (FORMERLY SC. 72) – SAME
In Los Angeles. The SHADOW slowly covers the sign.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - WINDOW – SAME
The President and his daughter cautiously approach the window staring in awe at the amazing sight above them. Several others approach from behind.
Cautiously some people begin to walk outside, staring up at the leviathan, mouths agape.
INT. OVAL OFFICE – SAME
Slowly staff members approach, gazing out the window.
Constance steps up behind the President.

CONSTANCE

What do we do now?

PRESIDENT WHITMORE

Address the nation. There are a lot of very frightened people out there right now.

CONSTANCE

Yeah. I'm one of them.

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - ALIEN CRAFT – SAME
All of Washington is under the shadow of this gargantuan alien craft. A stunning tableau.

CUT TO:

INT. JASMINE'S DEBROW'S BEDROOM – SAME
The man sleeping next to Jasmine's beagle BOOMER drops Steven's tennis shoes on top of him, waking him.

JASMINE

He's trying to impress you.

STEVE

He's doing a good job.

He pats the dog on the head and takes the shoes. Steven gets up and makes his way to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS
As Steve takes a pee, he SEES out the window a family packing up their car, others standing around staring at something in the distance. A HELICOPTER flies overhead.

STEVE

Neighbors are moving. I think they're tired of earthquakes.

He finished and flushes.
INT. LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Steve enters the living room.The television is playing a news broadcast.

NEWSCASTER

...with little damage reported to the southland area. People are advised not to panic...

STEVE

Hon, something's on the table 'bout the quake.

Jasmine sits up in bed, yelling out to Steve.

JASMINE

Dylan out there?

Steve turns, looking for Dylan when the doggie door pops open and Dylan crawls through.

STEVE

What have you been up to, Sport?

DYLAN

(holding his gun)

Shooting aliens.
Steve musses up the boy's hair, smiling.

JASMINE

(entering)

Coffee?

Steve mumbles an affirmative as he exits.

To be continued…