EXT. JASMINE'S HOUSE – CONTINUOUSSteve picks up the morning paper and opens it. He doesn't notice the DOZENS of neighbors quickly packing up and rushing to get away as he reads the paper oblivious.
JASMINE (O.S.)
You want milk with your coffee?
Jasmine appears behind him, her view, too, obscured by the open newspaper. Suddenly another HELICOPTER room overhead.Annoyed, Steve lowers his paper.
STEVE AND JASMINE'S POV
As the paper is lowered we SEE the helicopter SWOOP down. As it flies away we SEE... THE ALIEN CRAFT
Covering all of Los Angeles. This is the first time we see the entire craft. It is stupendous. Steve's jaw hits the floor. The milk goes CRASHING as Jasmine SCREAMS.
CUT TO:
INT. STAIRWELL – DAYRunning for all he's worth, David sprints down the stairs.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Dashing off the stairs, David stops seeing that the room is now completely empty. The wall of monitors play for no one.
David walks up to one, adjusting the volume.
T.V. - CNN BROADCAST - (DISTORTED BROADCAST SIGNAL)
A space ship logo spins next to the words VISITORS: CONTACTCRISIS. Wolf Blitzer comes on screen live from the Pentagon.
WOLF BLITZER
Pentagon officials are reporting more ships have just arrived over the capitals of India, England and Germany.
As he speaks we get quick glimpses of the other ships.MARTY (O.S.)
I know, babycakes. Calm down.
David spins around at the sound of the voice but the room is still empty. David leans down and looks under a desk where he finds Marty still on the phone with his wife.DAVID
Tell her to get the kids and leave town.
MARTY
What happened?
DAVID
(yells)
Just do it!
Marty realizes David is dead serious.MARTY
Babycakes, pack the kids up and take them to your mother's. Don't ask. Go. Mary hangs up, crawls out from under the table.
MARTY (cont'd)
Okay, why did I just send my family to Atlanta?
DAVID
Remember I told you that the signal hidden within our satellite signal is slowly recycling down to extinction.
MARTY
Not really...
DAVID
That signal. It's a countdown.
MARTY
(confused)
A countdown to what?
DAVID
Think. It's like in chess. First you strategically position your pieces. Then, when the timing's right. You strike.
David motions to the television.BLITZER
...there are additional unconfirmed sightings over Japan, the Mediterranean, and China...
DAVID
They are positioning themselves all over the world and using this one signal to synchronize their efforts. In approximately six hours the signal will disappear and the countdown will be over.
MARTY
Then what?
DAVID
Checkmate.
Marty takes a beat to digest. Then, grabbing the phone....
MARTY
I gotta call my brother, my bookie, my lawyer... fuck my lawyer...
David also grabs a phone. Suddenly the bank of monitors synchronize into one enormous image across the entire video wall; the President addressing the nation.INT. PRESS ROOM, WHITE HOUSE – SAME
The President stands at the podium giving his address.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
My fellow Americans, a historic and unprecedented event has taken place. The question as to whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered...
ANGLE - SIDE ENTRANCE TO PRESS ROOM
As Constance watches the President, she unconsciously mouths the words of his speech, after all, she did write them. A
PRESS AIDE tugs on her sleeve. She tries to wave her off.
PRESS AIDE
He says he's your husband.
Her expression drops. She takes the phone from her.
CONSTANCE
What do you want?
DAVID
(filtered)
You have to leave the White House.
CONSTANCE
This is not the time or the place to have this same old discussion.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES – SAMEDAVID
You don't understand. You have to leave Washington.
INT. SIDE OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE – DAYImpatient, Constance tries to get off the phone.
CONSTANCE
In case you haven't noticed, we're in a little bit of a crisis here. DAVID
(filtered)
I've worked with embedded loading. They're communicating with a hidden signal. They're going to attack...
CONSTANCE
You're being paranoid.
DAVID
(filtered)
It's not paranoia. The embedding is very subtle. It's probably been overlooked... Constance hangs up. Her face betrays mixed emotions.
INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES – SAMEDavid stares at the phone, pissed. Something on T.V.
catches his attention. Through the snowy image he SEES...
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered)
...My staff and I are remaining here at the White House while we attempt to establish communication...
Hanging up the phone, David sprints for the exit.PRESIDENT WHITMORE (cont'd)
...so remain calm. If you are compelled to leave these cities, please do so in a safe and orderly fashion.
SMASH CUT TO:
CABS SLAMMING TOGETHER - NEW YORK CITY STREETSThe rush to get away creeps slowly as cars jam the streets in total grid-lock. David pedals his bike furiously through traffic
EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE - NEW YORK – DAY
The mass exodus has reached the bridge. Total congestion.
David fights his way through.
EXT. CLIFFSIDE, NEW JERSEY – LATER
The New York skyline behind him across the Hudson, David jumps off his bike, and races towards a row of tract houses.
EXT. MOISHE'S TRACT HOUSE - SECONDS LATER
David BANGS on the door. It flies open. Moishe is holding a hunting rifle, pointing it at David.
DAVID
Pops!
MOISHE
The television said they've started with the looting already Vultures. DAVID
You still got the Olds?
MOISHE
You want to borrow the car? You don't have a license.
DAVID
That's okay. You're driving.
CUT TO:
INT. JASMINE'S HOUSE – DAYSteve, wearing his Marine flight officer uniform, shoves the last of his things into his duffel bag. We notice there are small figurines of dolphins everywhere. Jasmine hovers nervously behind him.
JASMINE
You can't go. Call them back.
STEVE
Baby, you know how it is. I have to report to El Toro right away.
JASMINE
You said you were on leave for the Fourth.
STEVE
They cancelled it. Why are you acting like this?
Jasmine grabs the blinds and yanks them away. We SEE the alien craft through the window.
JASMINE
Why? That's why. That thing scares the piss out of me.
EXT. DEBROW HOUSE – CONTINUOUSDylan sits behind the wheel pretending to drive. Steve grabs him, pulling him out. He reaches into his duffel, grabs a small brown paper bag.
STEVE
Here. I got these for you. Be careful with them.
Dylan opens the bag; fireworks. Jasmine walks over.DYLAN
Cool.
Steve tosses his gear into the back, opens his door.
JASMINE
Wait. I have to tell you something.
STEVE
What?
JASMINE
(loses her nerve)
Be careful.
STEVE
Look, after your shift tonight, why don't you grab Dylan and come stay with me on base.
JASMINE
Really? You don't mind?
STEVE
(smiling)
Naw. I'll just tell my other girlfriends they can't come over tonight.
Pissed, she hits him. He loves it.JASMINE
You know, you're not as charming as you think you are.
STEVE
Yes, I am.
JASMINE
Dick-weed!
STEVE
Butt-munch.
They kiss. Steve hops into his car and peels out. Jasmine takes the bagfromDylan.
JASMINE
I'll take these.
DYLAN
Mommmmmm...
CUT TO:
EXT. JERSEY - HIGHWAY - LATER THAT DAYA perfectly preserved '68 Olds drives cautiously down the highway. Around him we see other cars packed to the gills as they make their escape from New York.
INT. OLDS – SAME
Not the most confident driver, Moishe holds the steering wheel close to his chest.
MOISHE
It's the White House, for crying out loud. You can't just drive up and ring the bell.
DAVID
Can't this thing go any faster?
MOISHE
You think they don't know what you know? Believe me, they know. She works for the President. They know everything.
DAVID
They don't know this.
MOISHE
And you're going to educate them? Tell me something, you're so smart how come you spent eight years at M.I.T. to become a cable repairman?
DAVID
Dad...
MOISHE
All I'm saying is they've got people who handle these things, David. They want HBO, they'll call you.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOUNGE, LOS ANGELES - LATE AFTERNOONMrs. Whitmore is at a house phone. Behind her we see several news crews waiting for interviews.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered through phone)
I want you out of there.
MARGARET
You're staying there to keep people calm. It's the right thing to do. I'm not going to let them criticize you for it.
INT. WHITMORE BEDROOM - WHITE HOUSE – SAMEThe President sits on his bed, his daughter lays next to him, watching T.V. The signal distortion is getting worse.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
Okay, fine but the second your interviews are done, I have a helicopter ready to take you to Nellis Air Force...
MARGARET
(filtered)
How's the munchkin?
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
She's glued to the T.V., just like the rest of the world. I love you too. Here she is...
He hands Patty the phone as General Grey and Nimziki appear in the doorway. The President walks over to them.GENERAL GREY
More ships keep arriving, fifteen in total so far.
NIMZIKI
This is crazy. We're loosing our first strike capabilities!
GENERAL GREY
We're trying to communicate with them on all frequencies but we're getting nowhere. Atlantic Command is working on a type of visual communication.
PRESIDENT WHITMORE
What the hell are they up to?
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAILER PARK –A long crowded highway of people trying to escape from Los Angeles can be seen in the distance. The huge space craft hovering behind them.
Miguel is on the roof of the trailer, adjusting the T.V. antenna trying to get a picture. Suddenly the image clears and we SEE a group of people in a crowded hallway.
REPORTER
(filtered)
...a local crop duster was arrested today attempting to land at Edwards Air Force Base...
On the T.V. we SEE Russell being escorted to a police car.
Mortified, Miguel can't believe what he's seeing.
RUSSELL
They've got to do something. I was abducted by space aliens ten years ago. They did all kinds of experiments on me. They've been studying us for years, learning our weakness. We've go to do something before they kill us all!
TROY (O.S.)
Just as Troy starts to climb up, Miguel changes the channel to Mrs. Whitmore. Troy sits down next to Miguel.
MRS. WHITMORE
(filtered)
...we need to remain calm. As more people decide to leave the cities, safety is key...
MIGUEL
Troy, you remember Uncle Hector, from Tucson?
TROY
He's got that SEGA Saturn CD, 64 bit, right?
MIGUEL
Yeah. What would you think if we went there to live for a while?
TROY
That'd be cool!
Miguel thinks for a second, makes a decision.
MIGUEL
Pack up, we're going.
Miguel jumps down from the roof. Troy climbs down the ladder.
TROY
(yelling after him)
What about Dad?
ALICIA AND OLDER BOY
Kissing. It's getting hot. Alicia laughs, pushes him away
OLDER BOY
This could be our last night on Earth. You don't want to die a virgin, do you?
ALICIA
What makes you think I'm a virgin?
The Older Boy is taken off guard. Before he can answer the tarp they were hiding under is ripped away. Miguel stands there.MIGUEL
Come on, we're going.
ALICIA
I'm not going anywhere...
Miguel grabs her by the wrist and pulls her away.EXT. FREEWAY - OUTSIDE WASHINGTON – NIGHT
We see the long highway leading to Washington, the space ship hovering above it. One side of the freeway is packed solid, the other completely empty, save for one car...
INT. MOISHE'S OLDS – NIGHT
Moishe looks to the other side of the freeway, jam packed. On his side, they are the only car for miles.
MOISHE
The whole world is trying to get out of Washington and we're the only schmucks trying to get in.
As Moishe drives, David distracts him as he unpacks his backpack unloading his laptop. He grabs a CD.MOISHE (cont'd)
What the hell is that?
DAVID
This, pops, is every phone book in America.
MOISHE
You think an important person like Constance is going to be listed?
DAVID
She always keeps her portable phone listed, for emergencies. Sometimes it's just her first initial, sometime her nickname...
David starts to look it up. Suddenly...DOZENS OF CARS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THEM
In the attempt to get out, hundreds of cars have been re- directed by the military to use the opposite side of the highway.
MOISHE
Oh my God!
Moishe SWERVES violently to avoid collision, barely missing the oncoming traffic. Dodging right to left, Moishe hangs on for dear life.A Military Office, assisting in diverting the cars turns just in time to see the Olds whiz by.
David and Moishe are bounded around the inside of the car as Moishe tries to veer through traffic.
Suddenly A TRUCK blocks off their only escape route.
Moishe turns HARD and drives up onto the right shoulder.
OVERHEAD ANGLE - OLDS AND TRAFFIC
The Olds is the only car in headed that direction. Using the shoulder, swerving to miss barricades, they drives off an exit ramp.
DAVID
Nice driving, pops!
Dangerously close to a heart attack, Moishe is, for once, at a loss for words. Over their adrenaline pumped faces...MALE VOICE (V.O.)
...put your hands together for Sabrina!
CUT TO:INT. STRIP CLUB - LOS ANGELES – NIGHT
A bikini-clad Sabrina twirls gracefully on the stage. As she comes to a stop we reveal Sabrina is actually Jasmine. She looks out into the audience and her expression DROPS. REVERSE ANGLE - JASMINE'S POV - EMPTY CLUB
Five strippers and eight customers. All crowded near the television watching the news.
ANGLE T.V. - ROOFTOP - LOS ANGELES
Helicopter footage of people gathered on the rooftops of downtown Los Angeles holding up drawings of space aliens.
NEWSCASTERS
(filtered)
...from the "it could only happen in California" file, hundreds of UFO fanatics have gathered on the rooftops of downtown Los Angeles, welcoming the new arrivals...
INT. DRESSING ROOM – CONTINUOUSJasmine storms into the dressing room. Wiping off her makeup, she sits down next to TIFFANY who watches the same report on a small b&w.
JASMINE
I can't believe I even came in tonight. What was I thinking? TIFFANY
(re: T.V.)
Isn't this cool? And you thought I was nuts. Oh, look, I brought mine with me. Tiffany holds up a drawing of a space alien.
JASMINE
You're not thinking of joining those idiots?
TIFFANY
I'm going over there soon as I'm off. Wanna come?
Jasmine turns to Tiffany, dead serious.JASMINE
Tiffany, I don't want you to go up there. Promise me you won't.
(Tiffany pouts)
Promise!
TIFFANY
I promise.
JASMINE
Okay. I'm gone. I'm outta town for a while.
Her boss MARIO enters and walks over to his private office in back. He opens the door and finds Dylan playing with his dog, Boomer.MARIO
What the hell's your kid doing here?
Jasmine rushes past picking up Dylan and carrying him away as she heads for the exit. Boomer follows.JASMINE
You try to find a sitter today.
MARIO
Where do you think you're going? You leave, you're fired.
JASMINE
(out the door)
Nice working with you, Mario.
CUT TO:
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. – NIGHTThe streets are nearly deserted. Millions of small lights on the underbelly of the craft cast strange reflections on the streets below. The Olds drives on its way towards the Capitol building.
INT. OLDS – CONTINUOUS
David types frustratedly on his laptop.
MOISHE
Not listed, huh?
DAVID
I just haven't found it yet. I tried C. Halbrook, Connie Halbrook, Spunky Halbrook...
MOISHE
Spunky?
DAVID
College nickname.
MOISHE
You try Martin?
DAVID
She didn't take my name when we were married.
Moishe shrugs. David gives it a shot. Finds it. The machineBEEPS.
MOISHE
(sarcastic)
So what do I know?
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - EL TORO MARINE CORPS STATION – NIGHTA crowded locker room. Steve enters.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Where the hell've you been?
STEVE
Ah, were you guys waiting for me?
Several Marines throws towels at Steve as he makes his way to his locker. His best friend, JIMMY, sits next to him.JIMMY
Can you believe it? This is serious shit, Stevie. They've recalled everyone!
As Steve sits he SEES some envelops stuck into the side of his locker.
STEVE
Well, the mail's still working.
He flips through the envelops and FREEZES when he sees one with the NASA insignia on it. Jimmy snatches it away from him.JIMMY
Junk mail. You don't want this.
Steve quickly snatches it back, right it open and reads. From the disappointment on his face we can tell it's bad news.Realizing, Jimmy puts a hand on Steve's shoulder.
JIMMY
I don't believe it. They make you learn how to fly everything from an Apache to a Harrier and still they turn you down? What else do they want you to learn?
STEVE
How to kiss ass.
Steve crumples at the letter and tosses it. Angrily he opens his locker. Pasted on the locker door we see photos of Jasmine next to the photos of the space shuttle, Apollo Missions, and aNASA insignia bumper sticker.
As Steve stuffs his jacket into the locker, something falls out. Before Steve can grab it, Jimmy snatches it up first.
JIMMY
(embarrassed)
Jasmine has this thing for dolphins. I had them make it...
STEVE
I thought you said you were doing to break it off.
Steve snatches it back, embarrassed.JIMMY (cont'd)
Steve, listen to me, you're never gonna get to fly the space shuttle if you marry a stripper.
Steve knows he's right. He's torn.CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER – NIGHTThe Olds stops near the White House. From here we can SEE tanks and armed patrols. A small group of protesters have gathered, upset about the military hardware. Signs: "Don't provoke" "Violence begets Violence
INT. ODS – CONTINUOUS
David adjusts a small portable satellite, connecting it to his
phon and laptop computer.
MOISHE
So, you want to ring the bell or should I?
David flips open the phone, dials the number on the screen.DAVID
Perfect, she's using it.
MOISHE
It's perfect the line is busy?
DAVID
Yes. I can use he signal to triangulate her exact position in the White House.
MOISHE
You can do that?
Shooting his father a look.DAVID
(sarcastic)
All cable repairmen can.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATERConstance is just finishing a call on her cellular phone.
CONSTANCE
...Sally, take my cat with when you leave. No I'm staying here at the White House. Take care. The moment she hangs up, it RINGS. Surprised, she answers.
CONSTANCE
What?
DAVID
(filtered)
Connie, don't hang up.
CONSTANCE
David? How'd you get this number?
DAVID
Walk to the window. Right in front of you.
Constance looks up to the large glass windows. She walks over to it, looking out.CONSTANCE
What am I looking for?
CONSTANCE'S POV - STREET - OLDS – DAVIDBetween two of the tanks outside, Constance can SEE David standing on top of the Olds across the street. Moishe steps out, waves. Constance is stunned.
CONSTANCE
(to herself)
How does he do that?
CUT TO:
INT. BRENNON TRAILER – NIGHTSulking, Alicia sits in back with he walkman on. Troy sleeps while Miguel drives. Suddenly Miguel his the brakes, as something comes SAILING DOWN FROM THE SKY
We realize it's the B-WING PLANE landing on the stretch of roadway directly in front of them.
EXT. ROADWAY – CONTINUOUS
The plane lands, skids into a turn. Russell jumps out, walks over to the trailer. We can tell he's drunk again.
MIGUEL
They let you out?
RUSSELL
Just what the hell do you think you're doing?
Miguel moves to meet Russell away from the trailer, not wanting the others to hear.
MIGUEL
We're leaving, don't try and stop us.
RUSSELL
You're not going anywhere. You hear me? I'm still your father.
Miguel explodes, this has been building up for some time.
MIGUEL
No, you're not! You're just the man who married my mother. You're nothing to me! Russell is momentarily silent, stunned. Recovering...
RUSSELL
Troy's still my son no matter how you feel about me.
MIGUEL
For once in your life think about what's best for Troy. Who has to beg for money to buy him medicine when you screw up? Who?
Suddenly we hear glass CRASHING. Both men spin to find Troy standing behind them.TROY
Stop it! I'm not a baby! I don't need your stupid medicine. I don't need anyone to take care of me!
Miguel leans down to see the broken MEDICINE BOTTLE on the floor. Miguel rushes over to him, furious.MIGUEL
You know what this stuff costs? Do you want to get sick again!? Do you!?
Frustrated, Miguel shoves Troy aside and heads back into the trailer. Wobbly from the drinking, Russell stands there pathetically, watching.EXT. ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE – NIGHT
A large group of press rush over toward FOUR APACHE HELICOPTERS, each refitted with a large LIGHT BOARDS, as they slowly lift off the ground. Cameras flash, reporters yell questions to the Officers assigned to keep them at bay.
Several news organizations do stand up remotes. We TRACK past them to the CNN crew.
CNN REPORTER
What you see behind me are four Apache helicopters...
To be continued…
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