Mosiah's Moon (7) life, he thinks he owes you. Go figure. MARCUS And how is our Mr. Rogers doing? DAVID He slipped back into his closet. MARCUS Back? I told you, he's not gay . . . INT. PRISON The penal colony cells are filled with prison guards. Save Rogers, each man is nude. Rogers is elegantly arrayed in the BLACK NIGHTIE from his closet. INT. MOON CANYON DAVID Beth was able to get through to Senator McCurry. He’s already on the moon. He wants permission to come over. MARCUS I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if he finds those two agents? DAVID Agents? We never saw any agents. Besides, we might need him. When Jesse smiles at Bam, Bam moves away. MARCUS Well, you’ve got your own spa now, Jesse. What more could you ask for? JESSE Say Joe? Could you please get me some tea pots? Jew know, de ones wit de little brass handles? Marcus and David laugh. DAVID I’m sure something can be arranged. Suddenly, Bam begins bellowing. A crowd forms quickly around the spa. Bam is standing in the middle, holding something under the water. MARCUS What is it, Bam? Something got you? Slowly Bam rises from the water and everyone stares at his crotch. MARCUS Praise God. Healing waters. JESSE Bams got new balls! DAVID Yeah, but look at the size of those things! The radiation must have mutated him. MARCUS The machine’s been off since the eclipse; there’ve been no further readings anywhere. Bam grins from ear to ear. BAM They were always this big. DAVID They were? Well, I can sure see why you were so upset. Everyone laughs. MARCUS You know, now that I understand how the machine works, we can aim it, at any country we want. INT. PRISON ELEVATOR Marcus and David greet McCURRY and Phillip as they step off the elevator. Once the four enter Rogers office, David closes the door behind them. INT. GIZA, EGYPT SECRET BASE Anderson and Brigs are video conferencing. ANDERSON With no contact, we must assume my men are dead and your man has crossed over to the other side! It’s not bad enough they control the prison, now they’ve got our damn communication base! BRIGS That won’t last for long. I’ve already got men on route. ANERSON The shits keep trying to transmit! We’ve shut down every satellite contacted thus far. I’ve got my people working round the clock. I’ll shut ‘em all down if I have to. We’re going blind, but we’ll damn sure stay ahead of them. I’ve declared a state of emergency. It seems a meteorite storm has been knocking out all satellite reception. BRIGS Good cover. What about the Public Broadcast Satellite? ANDERSON That’s a transmission station; there’s no reception capability. We’ll use them to air our storm bulletins. After that, the world will be watching . . . Big Bird. EXT. OUTTER SPACE All satellite dishes begin to switch to SEARCH MODE as a global shutdown of telecommunications begins. Televisions across the world automatically tune to reruns of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. INT. LUNAR COMMUNICATION CENTER While McCurry utilizes the portable phone, David, Marcus and several inmates join with center technicians to quickly load communication equipment onto several rovers. EXT. SPACE STATION A shuttle plane with several hundred armed soldiers on board, initiates docking procedures. INT. GIZA, EGYPT SECRET BASE BRIGS . . .My men will rendezvous at the space station and launch the incursion from there. We take back communications, then eradicate the site. Once we leave, the prison will no longer exist. ANDERSON Such a tragedy. BRIGS They’re felons; they deserve what they get. ANDERSON I’d hardly call them felons, Brigs? They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. BRIGS Are you going soft, Ed? ANDERSON Without an atmosphere, the poor bastards never had a chance. Oh, I’m sorry, you haven’t heard? The meteorite storm completely wiped out our lunar base as well. Sadly, Senator McCurry was killed. BRIGS We can do that too . . . EXT. LUNAR SURFACE LANDING STRIP Once the soldiers have deplaned the shuttle, they commence their assault on the communications center. INT. COMMUNICATIONS CENTER The front door is kicked open and soldiers rush in, only to find a deserted base. The captain of the strike force phones it in. (split screen) CAPTAIN There’s no one here, General. They’ve taken the rovers and the transmission equipment. BRIGS Your eggs are in one basket, now, Captain. Skip phase two and go to phase three. What about the hostages, sir? Sterilization operation; there are no hostages. You’ll go in through the elevator shafts. Once you’ve swept the entire area, seal up the site. What about the plutonium, sir? Yes sir. Moving to phase III. It’s been there for 5000 years, Captain. It’ll keep. As the captain ends the transmission, he begins giving orders to his men. CAPTAIN Sterilize! Sterilize! MP’s and RV’s. Let’s saddle up! EXT. SAHARA DESERT DAY While Beth boards an SST, Sal leaves in a military convoy. As the plane departs, the convoy heads toward the secret base. INT. INDIAN EMBASSY Ambassador Nehru is video conferencing with third-world leaders. INT. UNITED FEDERATION HEADQUARTERS McCurry’s investigative team is preparing arrest warrants. EXT. PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATION ROOF NIGHT As workers install reception equipment, Beth converses with the station manager. INT. MOON PARADISE While technicians fine-tune their equipment, Marcus prepares to go live. Once he signifies he’s ready, a tech preempts PBS viewers. With only one satellite active globally, Marcus benefits from a truly captive audience. MARCUS Attention people of earth. We apologize for this intrusion. This was a necessary devise in order to bring your attention to bear. We . . .are the missing international exchange prisoners. Against our will, we’ve been made permanent inhabitants of the Moon. Kidnapped by the Federation and relocated here, we were destined to live out our lives as slaves, to their secret mining operation. EXT. GIZA, EGYPT SECRET BASE Brigs and Anderson are video conferencing when an aide breaks in the room and clicks on a side monitor. AIDE General, you need to see this. Anderson and Brigs turn pale as they stare in awe at the telecast. INT. MOON PARADISE As Marcus continues, the camera pans the prison, then paradise. MARCUS Until today, we have been held in a secret subterranean prison on the dark side of the Moon. Through non-violent means, in order to save our lives, we have taken control of this prison. As you can see, we’ve turned their prison,. . .into our paradise. EXT. LUNAR SURFACE The soldiers are moving ever closer to the prison site. INT. IRO OFFICE Anderson is barking instructions to his communications crew. ANDERSON I WANT THAT BASTARD OFF THE AIR! CREWMAN I That’s the only satellite left, sir. You shut down all the others. ANDERSON Are you telling me that son-of- a-bitch has a worldwide audience? (beat) He tricked me! We’ve got to jam his transmission! CREWMAN II We’re re-tasking now, sir. ANDERSON How long will that take? CREWMAN II Approximately ten minutes. ANDERSON Ten minutes? He can recite the damn Ghettysburg address in ten minutes. JUST SHUT PBS DOWN! CREWMAN II Operation codes are encrypted, sir. Only Citizen Group board members control the keys. ANDERSON THEN GET ME A BOARD MEMBER, . . . DAMN IT! CREWMAN I Yes sir. (beat) Who would you like to speak to first, sir? Senator McCurry . . . or Elizabeth Marshall? INT. GIZA, EGYPT SECRET BASE Arresting people as they go, Sal leads an army of federal agents into the base. At command headquarters, he bursts through the door, grabs the General and throws him into a chair. Agents throw down as they surround the area. SAL You’re right, General. I make a damn good guide. NOW CALL IT THE FUCK OFF! With guns pointed at his head, reluctantly, the General phones it in. EXT. LUNAR SURFACE Soldiers insert depth charges where the prison elevator is located. Suddenly, their Captain orders a retreat. INT. MOON PARADISE Marcus has continued his speech: MARCUS . . . that this planet under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the moon. INT. IRO HEADQUARTERS McCurry’s investigators are in the process of arresting Anderson and his men. INT. MOON PARADISE As Marcus continues, the people of the moon have joined hands and formed a large circle around him. MARCUS Racism and bigotry have plagued mankind's history for thousands of years. With no end in sight, the people of earth are destined to eternally repeat that history. Here, the people of the moon have a chance to begin again; to bond together; to truly live our lives as God originally intended; in peace and harmony, with love toward our fellow man. Therefore, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, we the people of this New Moon, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the New Moon Republic. INT. MOON COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SEVERAL WEEKS LATER Ambassador Nehru is video-conferencing with Marcus and McCurry. McCURRY I’m sorry ambassador, but they all just refuse to leave. NEHRU What is this, squatters rights? Are you telling me the inmates would rather live on the moon, rather than accept Federation Amnesty? Hundreds of relatives await their return. MARCUS They want full pardons and the right to choose where they live; they also want free relocation for any family members wishing to join them. NEHRU I suppose I could convince a few Latin and Eastern members, but the majority will still demand a return of Federation property. McCURRY Ambassador, until now, the moon was in public domain. Federation law states “wherever property is created through misappropriation of funds, said property reverts back to it’s citizenry” . . . NEHRU You’re sure that’s the law? McCURRY I should be. I wrote it. NEHRU Yes, but convicted felons have no citizenship . . . McCURRY On Earth. On the Moon, in absence of government, citizenship may be acquired by simply . . . NEHRU Creating one, I know. I need to open diplomatic relations with whomever is in charge up there. McCURRY Marcus is their elected leader . . . MARCUS But I don’t have time for this. NEHRU Mr. Garvey, the fate of the world may lie in the balance; what can be more important? McCURRY Writing the first draft to our universal constitution. NEHRU In “synonymous language” I presume? Perhaps you could teach it to me? MARCUS Another time, Ambassador. As I said, I’m really quite busy. NEHRU The people of the moon absolutely agree to turn earth into paradise, only if they’re allowed to govern? MARCUS That’s correct. NEHRU The moon . . . or earth? MARCUS Absolutely. Just then an aide steps in with a stack of papers. Nehru turns his back to the monitor and begins to sign documents. NEHRU Well, which is it? (beat) Oh, I see. You’re using synonymous speech aren’t you? One reply serves the ensuing questions. I certainly will have to think ahead, won’t I? (beat) So now, in order to receive another reply from you, I must ask a question not answered by your last response, correct? That’s right isn’t it? . . . Are you there? When Nehru turns back, the monitor is black. INT. ETHIOPIA, AFRICA As different reporters narrate, images of the affected countries are shown across the screen. REPORTER (VO) Fighting in Ethiopia ended abruptly today as the New Moon Republic made good on it’s promise to transform the desert into Shangri-La . . . EXT. ANGOLA, AFRICA REPORTER (VO) Today, with meager food supplies nearly exhausted, Angola cheered as their scorched desert turned into a garden utopia . . EXT. AFGHANISTAN REPORTER (VO) A huge food shortfall created by a disastrous harvest season was replenished today when the New Moon Republic transformed Afghanistan’s arid region into a tropical Paradise. In return, Afghanistan agreed to cease all hostilities toward . . . EXT. NORTH KOREA REPORTER (VO) North Korea agreed to call off nuclear testing in exchange for help from the New Moon Republic. Currently, three people a day die from malnutrition and other related diseases . . . EXT. HIGHWAY David is driving Beth to an undisclosed location. Suddenly he makes a right turn and heads toward the desert. BETH David, where are you going? DAVID I bought 20 acres of the nicest property you’ve ever seen. BETH In this god-for-saken place? You have got to be kidding. After a few more minutes, David stops and gets out. Except for a few aged cacti, the landscape is barren. DAVID Look, Beth. Isn’t it beautiful? I offered up our apartments as collateral. Beth leaps from the car. BETH You did what with my apartment? Without even talking to me? Just because I love you, that doesn’t give you the right to tell me where I’m gonna live? Out here? Are you insane? DAVID I had to move on it fast, babe. Sure, it needs a few things, but I really think we’ll find our- selves out here. Beth sits down in the sand, covers her face with her hands and starts to cry. David looks at his watch, then at the sky. BETH After all we’ve been through . . .? You may find yourself here, David, but you won’t find me. I mean it’s like we speak different languages? I’m efficient and well-organized, while you, well you’re just a . . . Suddenly Beth hears waterfalls. When she opens her eyes she sees she is sitting in a garden paradise. David smiles as she jumps up, then runs over and hugs him. He hands her a card. DAVID It’s a wedding gift from Marcus. The card reads: “May you both belong to the land.” BETH So, we own this? DAVID Not until we get married. What do you say, will you marry me? They begin walking hand in hand toward the waterfall. BETH Marcus speaks in that synonymous language, doesn’t he? DAVID Yeah, so what? BETH Then he’s also saying, “The land may belong to you both”. DAVID It says “may” belong to you . . . BETH You put up my place as collateral? DAVID Escrow hasn’t closed yet; you can still get your . . . Beth grabs his face and kisses him fully on the mouth. BETH Yes. DAVID Yes what? Yes you will marry me? Yes I can sell your place? Yes you want to live out here? BETH YES! As they walk together, they come upon a tree full of apples. Beth reaches up and pulls one down. DAVID You're gonna get us tossed outta here . . . again. She smiles and takes a bite. DAVID So, should we get naked now, or wait and check out the place? BETH Yes. DAVID You know, I think I’m going to like this new language. As they walk, hand in hand, deeper into the garden, Beth tosses the partially-eaten apple to the ground. DAVID I suppose you know, I had to let the maid go. BETH (smiling) Oh, that is a shame. Whatever will you do now? You know,. . . cleanliness is next to Godliness. David grabs her and kisses her deeply. They both look down at the partially eaten apple. DAVID So, . . .you wanna pick that up? INT. MOON PARADISE The prison has been converted into a school with a daycare center. Each cell has been converted into a classroom with one student per class. Marcus has transformed Rogers office into his own. He converses with several students as they stroll down the catwalk. STUDENT I Mosiah, now that we have our own world, what shall we do? MARCUS Please, call me Marcus. Do, son? Why we’ll become sages of the universe. For the first time in man’s history, humans peacefully coexist outside of political and religious obligations. Bigotry and racism have no place here. In absence of war, we are truly free to fulfill our destiny. STUDENT II What is our destiny, Marcus? MARCUS In time, you’ll find that out. STUDENT III After all these centuries, how can you be sure we’ll find it? MARCUS What God delays, he doesn’t deny. STUDENT II If the ancients made the Garden of Eden, doesn't that mean there is no God? MARCUS The Egyptians believed in many Gods; Moses believed in one. STUDENT III But the god of Moses saved him. What happened to the Egyptian gods? MARCUS Perhaps by that time, they had fulfilled their destiny. STUDENT IV If this is truly a free society, can I become a bigot? MARCUS Of course, only, we don’t teach that here. You’ll have to go to earth for that. STUDENT IV May I return? MARCUS Of course. STUDENT IV When? MARCUS When you’re no longer a bigot. STUDENT IV If I choose not to follow in the ways of a society, might I not still abide within that society? MARCUS One cannot abide, where one cannot abide. Did you hear the one about Adam and Eve? Very sad . . . EXT. CYDONIA, MARS SURFACE As a reporter narrates in the background, a group of astronauts walk through an ancient city of pyramids. REPORTER (VO) Man’s first landing on Mars has brought about the extraordinary discovery of artifacts and ruins from an ancient civilization. Thus far, preliminary evidence indicates extraterrestrials colonized Mars, several million years before the dawn of mankind. INT. CYDONIA, MARS BELOW THE SURFACE Through a darkened underground cavern, past the ruins of a subterranean city, a large pyre of plutonium glows . . . FADE OUT
Copyright © 1999 David Duane Fortner |