Edifice (2) Hawkins flashes his badge quickly as he glances around. HAWKINS Federal Marshall Jack Hawkins. Now sir, you were informed we'd be arriving today, were you not? Schneider notices the blueprints Jesse is carrying, then shakes his head yes. HAWKINS Good. Well the young people you see here belong to that federal task force you were told about. These highly trained individuals have a mean I.Q. of 150 and they never lie. I routinely stake my life on the data these kids pro- vide me so when one of 'em says there was a laser gun on that flight, there was a laser gun on that flight. And when I find the remains of that gun missing from a highly secured area, well sir, it just brings out the natural born hound dog in me. Now Hans, where the hell's that gun? Schneider hands his clipboard to an assistant and faces off against Hawkins. SCHNEIDER If, as you say, your people are so intelligent, then why don't they know that Star Wars was a failure? There were many things included in the blueprints that did not make the voyage. This is not Star Wars Mr. Hawkins and as I said, there is no gun here. HAWKINS The GPALS Project . . . doctor? Schneider is taken aback, but quickly regains his composure. SCHNEIDER And what pray tell, is GPALS? HAWKINS Susan, perhaps we do have need for an interpreter after all. Get me the National Security Advisor on the line. Tell him we have a Rooskie in the hen- house. Schneider's eyes widen as Susan begins pushing buttons on a mobile phone. HAWKINS GPALS. Global Protection Against Limited Strikes? Now if we can't be pals within the next 60 seconds, Hans, you’re Sauerbraten. SCHNEIDER Unfortunately, Mr. Hawkins, that is a German dish. I on the other hand, . . . am Russian. HAWKINS What's the difference? SCHNEIDER Germans are full of beer and vinegar. Russians are renown for our caviar and vodka. Hawkins stares hard at Schneider as Susan hands him the mobile phone. HAWKINS Vodka, vinegar; as far as I'm concerned, . . . your all full of it. Hello Frank, I’m about to arrest your rooskie. INT. VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE NIGHT Hawkins and Jesse are being escorted down a long hallway by Doctor Schneider. He now bears a more amiable demeanor. SCHNEIDER I hope you’ll excuse my austere approach to your questions, Mr. Hawkins. I was not aware of your security clearance. Since the accident, everyone here has been on edge. We can't be too careful, what with the media turning the disaster into a circus event. I will assist you with your invest- igation, wherever I can. First, I should familiarize you with a bit of history; I understand you will be with us for awhile. HAWKINS What I'm interested in right now, doctor, is the whereabouts of that laser gun. SCHNEIDER The laser is here, safe and sound. You will see it in a few moments. The last time such a disaster occurred was with the Challenger, back in ‘86. They have suspended all launchings, pending outcome of your investigation as well. The repercussions of that com- mission report brought an end to all launchings of commercial satellites, dashing the hopes for NASA’s eventual financial independence. They turn down a hallway. At the end, a metal door is guarded by two armed Marines. SCHNEIDER Back then, they were forced to employ the Shuttle only for military and space-station assembly missions; of course, numerous spy-satellites have been launched since then. HAWKINS Of course. SCHNEIDER Like the Shuttles, the Titan IV Rocket was carrying a secret military payload intended to monitor activities in selected regions of the world. Until the accident . . . HAWKINS Which you think was sabotage. SCHNEIDER So far, that is our theory. We can't find any evidence of mal- function. I understand the CIA is actively working on it, so I am not at liberty to discuss it further. HAWKINS Why include a laser gun on a simple reconnaissance mission? As they approach, Schneider flashes his I.D., then places his hand on a scanner. Only when the door opens, do the Marines step aside. As they enter the room, four tables are visible. On each, a laser sits, in various stages of renovation. Situated on the farthest table rests the charred remains of what looks to be a larger laser. They move to the table. SCHNEIDER Mr. Hawkins, there is no gun. It did make it past the blue- print stage, however, they were never able to achieve a strong enough beam. Your military would like their enemies to think they have one though. As you can see, this one no longer works. It was to be used to test the accuracy of a laser in space. Any further information must be obtained from your superiors. Jesse has left the group and moved to a table where one of the lasers is set up. As he follows his eyes toward the front of the barrel, it seems that it is pointed toward a glass enclosure. The enclosure is dark. He turns a switch on the wall. A light shines on a black metallic box. Schneider sees this and quickly moves to where Jesse is standing and switches off the light. SCHNEIDER That is a secret experiment. Schneider escorts Jesse back to where Hawkins is standing. As Hawkins and Jesse exchange glances, there is a sense of urgency in Jesse's eyes. HAWKINS Well, it's getting late. So, there never was a laser gun? I guess our information was wrong. We've taken up enough of your time for today, doctor. We do have more questions for you, but right now we need to get set up. We'll be auditing your entire agency in the morning. They shake hands and Schneider escorts the two from the complex. Susan has pulled the van to the front of the building and joined the two other men from the team. Jesse whispers in her ear and she laughs. HAWKINS JIMMY, MICHAEL, you two will remain here. Jim, secure us an office with enough room for the staff and Mike, keep tabs on the good doctor. I want to know any- thing out of the ordinary. As they are getting in, Jesse tries to speak. JESSE Do you . . . HAWKINS Wait. INT. VAN Once they have driven outside the confines of the center, Hawkins acknowledges Jesse. HAWKINS Alright now, what's got you spooked, son? JESSE Do you have any idea what was in there? Jack, that was the Immaculate Conception. Hawkins laughs and pulls a beer from a cooler on the floor. He takes a long swallow. HAWKINS Damn it's hot. Now I know I'm old son, but I'm not that old. Susan, what the hell's he goin’ on about? Susan giggles as she pulls onto the freeway. SUSAN The Roswell Incident, Jack. He thinks he found the mysterious black box. Remember all the wild theories back then? One was that the genes of a messiah inhabited the box and that the aliens were really wisemen, here to consummate the Immaculate Conception. Unfor- tunately, this time, Herod caught 'em at the border. Susan and Hawkins laugh. Jesse raises an eyebrow and remains dead serious. Hawkins frowns. HAWKINS Oh come on now Jesse; you don't really believe in that garbage? Jesse grabs a beer and quickly downs half of it. JESSE Jack, my grandfather was there. He was the archeologist that found the second site. HAWKINS (incredulous) Your grandfather was where? At the crash site? At Roswell? JESSE He was sworn to secrecy. Two agents came to the farm and terrorized the entire family. Not only did they threaten my grandmother, but they bullied my father as well. He was only ten-years old, but they scared the hell out of him anyway. The agents told them if they ever breathed a word about what they heard or saw, their bodies would be left so far out in New Mexico's desert, no one would ever find them. HAWKINS Son, how the hell did you pass the FBI’s background check? JESSE My father ran away from home a few years after the incident. He moved to Los Angeles and changed his name. His uncle in- herited the farm. He's still pissed about that. The two used to party together on the Pecos River; it runs alongside the farm. My dad’s eyes used to light up every time it was mentioned. I spent a few summers there, . . . before I joined Justice. HAWKINS What's your pa think about you working for us? JESSE We stopped talking around then. HAWKINS How’d you find out about Roswell? JESSE My grandfather told me, right before he died. He described that black box to a "T", which is what I saw in that room. Jack, the laser was set up to fire directly on it. Now that they've got the technology, they must be ready to open her up. HAWKINS (shaking his head) Well Jesse, this is fascinating stuff, but I really don't see what it has to do with us? We are here to investigate fraud within the agency. We're here to study the books and find out where the money went, not to search for extraterrestrial life. So, if you don't mind son; . . . you’re giving me headache, you know that? Jesse tries to go on, but Hawkins waves him away. HAWKINS Susan, get ahold of Frank at NSA. Tell him I want to know how much money was thrown away on that laser project. Set up a meet with him for dinner to- night. Tell Michael to set up all of his gear; we're stayin’ awhile and have Jimmy prepare the office for an all nighter tomorrow evening. I'm going to catch a few zees. Hold my calls and don't wake me until we're back at the hotel. As Susan picks up the car phone, Hawkins looks back at Jesse, just before laying across a cushioned bench seat. JESSE Jack, I thought you staked your life on the data I provide you? HAWKINS I had a rough night. I suggest you get some sleep too . . . Starman. I'll need you on your toes tomorrow. INT. LIVING ROOM NIGHT 1994 Abraham Lot is rocking in his chair and puffing on a pipe as he watches Sarah play with their five-year-old son, ISAAC. The two look ten years younger. The child is reciting Confucius as he runs circles around her. ISAAC The Master said, "In serving his parents, a son may remonstrate with them, but gently; when he sees that they do not incline to follow his advice, he shows an increased degree of reverence, but does not abandon his purpose; and should they punish him, he does not allow himself to murmur." Abe takes a long draw from his pipe, then leans forward. ABE So, you don't think there's any- thing . . . unnatural about him? She frowns as she looks back at him. SARAH After going through my change of life? It was unnatural to have him. ABE Don't I know it. I appreciate the way Billy has kept this thing quiet. SARAH We've been blessed Abraham. We both died in that field. Do we dare doubt the Lord now? ISAAC He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray. SARAH The Lord sees to it that some children are just more gifted. ABE There's more to it than that. I never heard of a child that walks and talks at six months. Come on Sarah, he finished Tolstoy. A cat has come into the living room while they are talking, carrying a dead blackbird. It drops the lifeless carcass at the boy's feet, then crouches, as though it is waiting for something. Isaac picks up the motionless bird. It is clear it’s neck is broken. Abe and Sarah, oblivious to the drama, continue talking. SARAH At our age, should we complain? There’s got to be a reason why the Lord brought us back. Perhaps it has something do with why he’s so advanced. ABE What if we were to die again, who would take care of him then? Isaac begins petting the dead bird. ISAAC Parents are anxious lest their children should be sick. They both look over at the boy. Sarah smiles when she sees him holding the bird. Suddenly he throws the bird into the air, bringing the cat out of its crouch. In mid-air, the bird comes alive and the cat jumps for it. Isaac begins clapping and laughing as the bird swoops the cat a few times before flying through an open window. Abe puffs on his pipe. SARAH I have a feeling the Lord's taken care of that . . . too. ABE And that's another thing . . . INT. VANDENBERG AIR BASE LABORATORY Dr. Schneider and Dr. Fritz, are staring from the back of a massive laser gun, which is directed at the black box, on a table ten feet away. FRITZ Heir Schneider, we are not auth- orized. If something should go wrong . . . ? SCHNEIDER Fritz, . . . shut up. From all of our tests, we know the exact location of its contents. The box is hollow in all other areas. Why should I wait? At last, my weapon is complete. FRITZ This was made for deep space. The beam is far too strong. SCHNEIDER We were told all the others were too weak. What better test than this? After all the money diverted from this project, we must give them something. Besides, the first man to see inside the box must be a Russian and that first man, . . . will be me. Now, put on your glasses. Schneider turns the laser on. The beam begins to cut a horizontal line in the center of the box. Within a few seconds, the box explodes into a small pile of ashes. FRITZ You arrogant fool! You vaporized it! You've destroyed it . . . along with our careers! Schneider begins to sweat as he wipes his head with a handkerchief. He walks over to a table and leans on it. After a few moments, he turns, picks up a small brush and walks back to where the pile of ashes lay. He begins to slowly sweep them into a plastic bag while speaking to Fritz. SCHNEIDER The box was missing. You saw it. We found it just like that; the glass was open and empty. It is obvious, someone has stolen it. That is what we will say. FRITZ Who would believe such a thing? In a high security building? Only those with access could do such a thing and we are the only ones with such access. We are finished. Schneider turns and smiles. He begins rubbing his chin. SCHNEIDER Gunta, my weapon works. They will believe what we say. What other choice have they? Besides, there were others with such access. INT. OFFICE TWO WEEKS LATER MORNING On the top floor of the Vandenberg complex, Hawkins is meeting one last time with his crew. HAWKINS People, I have been informed that as of today, our job here is over. The task force is being dissolved. In a few more days, you'll all be reassigned . . . Several swearwords are shouted. Hawkins raises his hands and quiets them. HAWKINS . . . like it or not, we have been ordered to close up shop. The final report must be on the president's desk, one week from today. Jesse exhibits a look of disgust. HAWKINS What's wrong with you, starman? JESSE What a whitewash. You know damn well that money was spent here. HAWKINS They gave us a year to find it; we failed. Bring it here, show it to me, we'll reopen the case. JESSE They refuse to divulge, and your allowing them to do it. HAWKINS A person can go blind reading everything they’ve divulged. As it is, the report is going to read like the damn Encyclo- pedia Britannica, Jesse! JESSE They're just baffling us with bullshit. HAWKINS NASA has been baffling people since the agency was created. JESSE I'm not talking about NASA and you know it. Hawkins stares at Jesse for a moment, then moves on. HAWKINS Okay, let's get packed and loaded. We leave at 12 sharp this after- noon. Don't leave anything behind because we won't be allowed back. Susan, I want you and Jimmy to write the report. JESSE Hey! I write the reports. HAWKINS Not this time Jess. Hawkins begins to clear out his desk as the room empties. Jesse makes his presence known. JESSE They got to you didn't they? HAWKINS (surprised) After a year of chasing our tails, I should think you'd be tired of this by now, Jesse? JESSE I am tired Jack. I'm tired of the system, I'm tired of the lies, and I'm tired of you. Hawkins stops what he's doing and stares at him. HAWKINS Well maybe it's time you had a rest then? Try the Pecos River. I hear it's a lot of fun. JESSE You're a dinosaur Jack. A few years ago you would have been on them like stink on shit. The National Reconnaissance Office phonied those purchase orders and your just letting them walk. HAWKINS When you've been in the game as long as I have, you get tired of wallowing in the shit. Everyone washes up sometime, Jesse. Hell, the NRO keeps secrets inside of secrets son, and in the end, who really gives a damn? JESSE Two billion dollars? I give a damn, Jack. HAWKINS You’re still looking for pie in the sky. You best hie tail it outta here son, before you too . . . become extinct. Jesse moves within inches of Hawkins’ face. JESSE You can wash off all the shit in the world Jack, but it still won't stop you from stinking. HAWKINS GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE JESSE! YOU'RE FIRED! Jesse storms out as Susan enters. Hawkins sees her and smiles. HAWKINS He'll be back; he needs a rest. SUSAN I don't think so. She hands him a letter and he begins to read it. SUSAN It's his resignation. He sent it to the NSA a week ago; . . . they've accepted it, Jack. HAWKINS The NSA? He doesn't work for them. Hell, everybody knows, . . . Jesse works for Justice. Hawkins walks to the window and looks out. He watches as Jesse wheelies his Harley from the parking lot. HAWKINS Good-luck . . . starman. INT. LIVING ROOM MALABU DAY GEORGE JENKINS is sitting in an armchair, watching a football game on TV when his wife, LUCY, enters, holding a beer in one hand and a postcard in the other. GEORGE Look at those Rams will you? They're not worth a damn. The Raiders are just walking all over them. She hands him a beer and begins to read the postcard. LUCY Well it looks like the Raiders have a good team this year. GEORGE They should pack 'em both up and get ‘em the hell outta here. LUCY Take care, George. One day you just might get what you wish for. He takes a swing from his beer and glances at his wife. GEORGE That’ll be the day. What's that? LUCY (smiling) It's a card from Jesse. He's
Copyright © 2000 David Duane Fortner |