Mosiah's Moon (3)
McCurry is now agitated. McCURRY Since it’s become impossible to determine exactly where the money was spent while I’m stuck here on earth, I formally renew my request for access to the station. COUNCILMAN III Excuse me? What are you saying? McCURRY What I have been saying for two years, sir. It seems photo-ops have priority over Federation accountability. As you can see, my plate is getting rather full; my time is limited. Now, either I conclude this matter on the Space Station, gentlemen, or I re-direct all of my resources to the Prisoner Exchange Program. Council members talk amongst themselves while McCurry waits. After a few moments, the chairman speaks. CHAIRMAN Senator McCurry, you will have our answer within 24 hours. EXT. GIZA, EGYPT AIRSTRIP DAY An SST is parked near the Space Shuttle. Sal and David are deplaning as Sal attempts to wrap up the briefing. DAVID I still don’t understand why we had to fly here? SAL Oh, it’s got something to do with lift-off and the earth’s rotation. Now, awhile back, while they were dropping the elevator shafts, they discovered the ore. And can you believe it? The damn stuff is almost 90% pure. DAVID Lunar miners are a bit scarce. How have they been excavating it? SAL So far, they’ve been borrowing workers from the space station. DAVID Like they borrowed the money? So, that’s when they found it? SAL A small block of it. They were retrofitting living quarters for the miners. Now that they’ve got a permanent crew, they plan on expanding the operation. DAVID What do you mean permanent? When Sal begins moving toward the Space Shuttle, David does not follow. Sal turns, then goes back to face him. DAVID Where’d they get the miners, Sal? SAL They were loaded up last night; they've been waiting on you. DAVID They’ve been waiting, all night? SAL It took all night. They’ve been flying in from around the world. There's quiet a few of ‘em. Sal turns and begins again toward the space shuttle. This time David follows. DAVID Oh, well, they must be experts then? And, . . . that’s good. A limo pod pulls onto the runway and stops. The general’s driver steps out and nods. Sal nods back. DAVID So, while I’m freezing my ass off classifying some alien art- ifacts, you get an all-expense paid vacation on the General? Sal begins laughing as he reaches into his briefcase. SAL Si, si, bato. I’m gettin’ pretty tight with the brass. Looks like I’m movin’ up in the world, eh? DAVID They’ll never accept a Latino. SAL Now who’s livin’ in the past? Besides, you want me to stay in satellite range, don’t you? Once they reach the doorway of the plane, Sal hands David an envelope stamped top secret, then pulls him close. SAL Use the phone only if you’re in trouble. Vigia tu culo, hermano. The plane noise grows. As Sal begins to wave and back away, David’s anxiety returns. DAVID (raising his voice) What's goin on, Sal? Why didn’t you give this to me on the plane? Who are these people? What the hell is this? SAL (yelling) It's your nom de plume, doctor. DAVID No! Damn it, I said no more name games, Sal! Sal? As Sal continues to walk away, laughing and waving over his shoulder, David quickly glances at the name on the envelope. He jerks his head up just in time to catch a final glimpse of Sal as he disappears into the limo. DAVID ASSHOLE! A steward appears in the shuttle plane’s doorway. STEWARD Dr. Chandra? David faces him. When he looks back, the limo is gone and the SST has begun it’s departure. He nods to the steward and the steward smiles. STEWARD Very good, sir. This way, sir. INT. SHUTTLE PLANE FIRST CLASS SECTION David follows the steward to his seat in the middle row. On route, he passes Rogers and Walker, going over paperwork. The three exchange glances. Once he takes his seat, he notices the section is filled with uniformed guards. Opening the envelope, he reads the first page. DAVID (under his breath) Holy shit! INT. COACH SECTION In the soundproof section of coach, several hundred inmates, their legs and wrists clamped to their chairs, are watching a training video on a large monitor while a voice narrates. NARRATOR (VO) Median distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,900 miles. At an average speed of 25,000 miles per hour, your transit time will be 9.5 hours. Surface temperatures vary drastically. Daytime highs of 216 degrees and nighttime lows of –280, provide the Federation Correctional Facility with both a natural and inexpensive means of security. Arrival temperatures for the far side of the moon are certified at -240 degrees . . . As the plane heads down the runway, prisoners struggle in their restraints. Panic is beginning to set in. NARRATOR (VO) With an average density 40% less than that of earth, the Moon is ideally suited for large-scale mining operations . . . Bedlam has broken out. Prisoners begin to scream and fight their clamps. Stewards, walking the aisles, inject those panic-stricken inmates with hypos. EXT. ENDEAVOR II As the narrator continues, the ship lifts off, then vertically rockets into the atmosphere. NARRATOR (VO) The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth and a unique member of the solar sys- tem in several respects. With a radius of 1,080 miles, it is approximately one quarter the size of the Earth and 81.3 times less massive . . . INT. COACH SECTION All aboard are now tilted back in their seats. The previously panicked inmates are unconscious. While Marcus remains serene, the remaining prisoners wear grim faces. NARRATOR . . . By atomic composition, the most abundant element found on the Moon is oxygen. Composing 60 percent of the Moon's crust by weight, oxygen, silicon, and aluminum are present in amounts relative to their existence on Earth. Plutonium reserves however, are distinctly enhanced. Alkali metals are less abundant, as are carbon and nitrogen. End of intro- duction. Lesson I: Techniques in Lunar Mining . . . INT. INDEPENDENT COUNCIL OFFICE McCurry is chairing a meeting with several investigators when his videophone lights up. He answers it. McCURRY McCurry here. Yes Beth. EXT. DRAPCHI PRISON LHASA, TIBET Beth is talking on a videophone from outside prison walls. BETH John, Liu Guogiang and several other monks were shipped out about the same time as those in Lahore. I’ve just spent several hours going over their transfer logs and there’s no destination data there either. They won’t allow me access to the inmates. It’s the same story at Karachi’s Central Jail. McCURRY What do you hear from Shuanghe’s Labor Camp? BETH Philip Quan reports that about 50 dissidents are missing. What’s going on in the states? McCURRY We’ve got about 100 missing here, mostly minorities or dissidents. The last transfer left Giza two days ago; we’ve had nothing since. It looks like it’s tapering off. BETH Well, let’s hope so. (beat) So what’s wrong? McCURRY Garvey’s gone. BETH How soon before it hits the fan? McCURRY Days, hours? It’s a matter of time before his people find out. BETH John, we both know this "secret" government can’t keep a secret; so what the hell is this? McCURRY I don’t know, . . . an oxymoron? You look tired, Beth. BETH (wiping her eyes) To my count that brings us to four hundred and fifty missing. Do you think the council will listen to you now? McCURRY With Garvey spiking their punch? It’s their political ass if they don’t. The sooner you give me a complete report, the sooner I can get them off it. When do you leave for Giza? BETH I’m taking the red eye tonight. How did you find out? McCURRY I’ll be gone all next week. Be sure and say hi to David for me. BETH How the hell do you know that? McCURRY This secret government . . . BETH . . . can’t keep a secret, right. The report will be on your desk when you get back. McCURRY Thanks, Beth. INT. WARDEN’S OFFICE Rogers and Walker are having coffee with a.k.a., DR. CHANDRA. ROGERS Well, Dr. Chandra, how long will you be with us? DAVID Just long enough to inspect the ruins, I’m afraid. ROGERS Yes, I heard about those. What can you tell us? DAVID Nothing yet. We’ve known about their existence, but we couldn’t get at them until now. In order to protect the artifacts, I’ll need to work rather closely with your miners. ROGERS You don’t know what a relief it is to have someone with medical experience along. Perhaps, in a few weeks, we can sit down and discuss a pet project of mine. DAVID I’m not that kind of doctor. ROGERS Oh, I’d been informed you went to medical school? DAVID Who told you that? ROGERS Why your superior, Mr. Anderson. DAVID I wasn’t aware you knew him. ROGERS We met briefly. It seems we have a few things in common. DAVID Like what, Warden? ROGERS Well, first names for one. I’d really like you to feel at home while you’re here, so please, . . . call me Edgar. DAVID I . . . dropped out of med school. Besides, I’ll only be here a few weeks. So, this is the new prison? WALKER Is that what the guards told you? Rogers glares at Walker, then turns his attention to Chandra. ROGERS Please excuse Captain Walker, David; may I call you David? Polite conversation, isn’t his forte. Later, after we’re all settled in, we can chat more. DAVID Forgive me, but I just wanna get in and get out. Rogers is perplexed. He glares at Walker, then continues. ROGERS Yes, of course. Well, we each have our jobs to do, so for now, it would seem best to keep one’s nose out of the other’s business, . . . yes? DAVID Agreed. They both stand and shake hands. ROGERS Good then. Captain Walker will show you to your quarters. They move toward the door. ROGERS You may move about the facility as you see fit. Although you’ll be working in close proximity of the prisoners, I’m afraid frater- nization is strictly prohibited. I’m sure you understand. Walker holds the door open. As David steps through, he attempts to follow. ROGERS Mr. Walker, a moment if you please. Walker rolls his eyes, then turns back to Rogers. As Walker closes the door, Rogers’ voice can be heard, chastising. ROGERS The first chance I get to enjoy some intelligent conversation, and you have to ruin it . . . David steps over to a catwalk and puts his foot on a side rail. The three-story-high view from Rogers’ balcony allows visual scrutiny over the majority of the cells. Except for its solid back wall, the occupants of the three-dimensional cubes can be inspected from every angle. Guards are herding prisoners, clad only in white underwear, to their respective cells. One in particular is staring at him from the opposite catwalk. Marcus Garvey has stopped for a moment and locked eyes with David. A guard pushes him toward a center cube and he enters it. Standing in the middle of a circle on the floor, he takes off his underwear and hands it to the guard. Naked, he looks up and views the feet of the prisoner above. He looks down and eyes the bald-head of the prisoner below. As the poly- glass door is sealed shut, Marcus’ eyes find David again. Once the inmates are locked down, a beam of light emits from the circle and scans each prisoner’s body. Once the scan is complete, a toilet and bed protract from the back wall. While Marcus stands defiantly in the center of his cell, other prisoners quickly slide into their respective beds, covering their bareness with the blankets provided. WALKER (walking up) He never speaks. He just stares. DAVID What? Oh. Who . . .who is that? WALKER That’s Garvey. He’s a lifer. Killed a state security officer. DAVID I’m surprised the Federation let him live. WALKER Sombitch wouldn’t die. Hell, they shot him thirteen times. Can you believe it? And because of that, Am-nasty ‘N Irrational jumped in and saved the savior. DAVID Savior? WALKER The inmates seem to think so. The word is he’s a direct descendant of some black liberator. They’ve started calling him, Messiah. DAVID Why does he do that? WALKER You mean the starin’? He and Rogers have a thing goin' on. David turns back to find Rogers, standing before his office window, locked in a staring contest with Marcus. DAVID You’re using prison labor to mine the plutonium? WALKER Yep. DAVID Where’d they all come from? WALKER Believe me, you don’t wanna know. DAVID Why keep them naked? WALKER Well, up here we’re forced into livin’ in kinda close proximity's, twenty-four-seven, you know? DAVID So? WALKER So, since we have to tuck ‘em in every night, we’d rather not feel up their ass before we do it. It eliminates the need for cavity searches. DAVID It also eliminates man’s need for personal dignity. WALKER They lost that a long time ago. You think everyone’s worth savin’? As they reach the elevator, Walker pushes a button. Richard notices Rogers smiling as he continues to ogle Marcus. WALKER It’s his neighborhood; he likes to see everything. I guess it makes him happy . . . The two exchange glances as the elevator doors open. WALKER . . . or gay. Walker escorts David to his quarters, located near another elevator. He pulls out a keypad from his pocket. WALKER Place your hand on the door pad. As David complies, Walker punches numbers in on his pad. WALKER Your room is now coded. No one else can get in or out . . . DAVID . . . except you and Rogers. By the way, you don’t need to see everything . . . do you? WALKER (smiling) The cafeteria’s across hall. This floor houses the staff. Walker nods for David to place his hand on the door pad. When he does, the door slides open and they enter. The room is equipped with a small lab and a medical supply cabinet. WALKER Rogers has you bunking in here. Now, the medical supplies are in short supply, so you’ll just have to make do. DAVID My P.H.D. is in arch-e-ol-ogy. WALKER You’ve got more experience than anyone else so right now, you’re it. Relax. You’ll tend a few cuts after dinner; it’s nothing. Your bed’s over there against the wall. DAVID But I’m only here for . . . WALKER I may as well tell you now, doc, Rogers has big plans for you. As Walker walks away, he points back over his shoulder. WALKER After breakfast, just take that elevator down to the site. Your equipment will be set up by then. EXT. FEDERATION CAPITAL MORNING Senator McCurry is speaking with reporters from the steps of the Capital while protestors, carrying “FREE MARCUS GARVEY” signs, march in the street below. McCURRY I have to tell you all quite frankly, I’m not really looking forward to this. REPORTER I Why not Senator? McCURRY I’m afraid of heights. Everyone laughs. REPORTER II Then why go? McCURRY Billions of reasons. REPORTER III Oh? You found the money then? McCURRY I wasn’t referring to the money. Like it or not, a percentage of every taxpayer’s day is devoted to the Federation. Billions of people, by getting up and going to work each morning, reaffirm a sacred trust exists, between them and their government. Bil- lions of people have faith that somehow, their government will take care of them. Without faith, what reason do they have to even get out of bed? Citizens have a right to expect protection for their trust. And so, wherever that duty takes me, I’m really honor bound to go. REPORTER I Nice speech Senator; but after two years and two million dollars spent, why have you only just now, become “honor bound” for the Space Station? McCURRY (embarrassed) The council finally issued me a boarding pass. REPORTER IV What about the Prisoner Exchange Program, Senator? McCURRY I’m not at liberty to discuss that right now. REPORTER IV Care to comment on the Marcus Garvey disappearance, then? McCURRY No comment. INT. GIZA, EGYPT SECRET BASE General Brigs, Captain Phillip and Sal have been watching on a monitor; Edgar Anderson has joined via satellite. BRIGS Well, it seems we find ourselves on an accelerated time schedule. Captain Phillips, perhaps you’d like to tell us all . . .why? PHILLIP It’s McCurry, sir. He’s forced the council’s hand. He wanted access to the station or he was going to open up the prisoner exchange program. They chose the lesser of two evils. As long as we keep him on the station, there should be no problem; he’ll find nothing. BRIGS Wrong. He’ll find you, Captain, right there by his side. PHILLIP Who me? Why me? BRIGS At ease. Anderson, how long till your man knows something? ANDERSON He knew everything the moment he landed. BRIGS The translations, . . .Edgar? ANDERSON I don’t know; 24, 48 hours tops. The bastard’s got a sharp mind. BRIGS We’ve got to bring Garvey back. We may as well pull your man out too. There’s no telling when we’ll get the chance again. Any further activity could raise suspicions. ANDERSON I’ll call Warden Rogers tonight. SAL You’re gonna blow his cover? ANDERSON Yes, I've been meaning to speak to you about that. Dr. Chandra? BRIGS These investigations will get out of hand, Sal. Now that his girlfriend’s involved, time is running short. SAL How does this concern her? ANDERSON She’s in-flight on Amnesty Inter- national on some damn fact-finding mission. SAL Oh, I see. And I was invited here to derail her. Vacation my ass, General! I knew it was too good to be true. (beat) Well, we better be creative if we want that one to drop set. ANDERSON Tell her he’s lost on the dig. We’ve secured a piece of his clothing for you. If she loves him, she’ll drop her drawers to find him. BRIGS You’ll need to baby-sit her for the next 48 hours. Take her to the ruins. You know the drill, Sal; give her the grand tour. SAL General, this is my fifth time at the pyramids. ANDERSON The General thought you’d make an expert guide; that is, if you
Copyright © 1999 David Duane Fortner |