Edifice (3) going to visit Uncle Abe and Aunt Sarah. He's traveling the western states and he wants to swing by L.A., if we want to see him. Well, Mr. Jenkins, do you wish to grant your son an audience? He turns back to watch the game. She leans down and takes his face in her hands. LUCY He's quit the agency honey. He gives her a blank stare. She turns to walk away, then revolves back toward him. She places the postcard on his lap, then leaves the room. He waits until she has disappeared, then slowly picks up the card. As he begins to read it, he smiles. INT. BEDROOM NIGHT Abe and Sarah are in the throes of sexual passion when six-year old Isaac pops his head into the room. He watches for a moment, then quietly closes the door. As Abe rolls over, the couple look 15 years younger. Abe begins to tear up. Sarah reaches for him. SARAH (wiping his eyes) What’s wrong babe? ABE Nothing. Everything’s fantastic. It’s just that, well, after all this time, I’d forgotten how won- derful it feels. It’s like another part of me has come back to life. I feel like a whole man again. SARAH I feel like I’m surrounded by a warm halo. Isn’t it amazing? God allows all his creatures to feel good when they mate. He wants us all to know how precious life is. ABE Did you feel that extra surge of power towards the end? SARAH Yeah, as though another presence was in the room. They both look at one another for a moment. TOGETHER ISAAC! IN. ISAAC’S BEDROOM NIGHT Isaac is listening to Abe explain the facts of life. ABE . . . and that’s how babies come into the world. We arrive all tiny, bald and wrinkled. Then as we get bigger, we get hair and our skin smooths out. Then, once we begin to get old, we lose our hair, get wrinkles and gradually get smaller, all over again. This aging process continues until it’s time for us to leave the world. ISAAC (amazed) We get small again? ABE (chuckling) Yes. It’s called the cycle of life and in the middle, there’s a whole lot of lovin’ and livin’ goin on. You know, when you were first born, I just dropped down on my knees and thanked the Lord. After all those years, I just never thought our prayers would be answered. But they were, cause . . . here you are. ISAAC Father, if you are pleased with me, why try to make another? Abraham stares at him a bit, then he smiles and tucks Isaac in. ABE I said that’s how babies are made, but we still need to have God’s blessing. Anyway, we could never make another you. You’re one of a kind son. ISAAC Then why do you continue to try? ABE (embarrassed) It’s called making love and it makes your mother and I feel good. It brings us closer together. Abe stands, walks to the door and reaches for the light switch. ISAAC But you said . . . ABE Isaac, there’s limits to what a six-year old should know. ISAAC Are you afraid I will not under- stand? ABE No son; I’m afraid that you will. ISAAC Please father, just one more. ABE Alright, one more. ISAAC If that is how I came into the world, how will I leave? ABE (smiling) The same way, if you're lucky. Isaac stares at him, befuddled. Abe turns out the light, closes the door, and starts giggling to himself. Isaac remains wide-eyed, staring seriously into the night. Within a few moments, Abe reopens the door. ABE Isaac? ISAAC Yes father. ABE That was a joke. ISAAC Oh. ABE Good-night son. As soon as the door is closed, Isaac falls fast asleep. EXT. FARM DAY Sarah is chopping wood by the side of the house and Abe is near the barn, throwing bales of hay from the back of a tractor. They both pause for a moment to look at one another. As they smile, we see their faces are wrinkle-free, making them look twenty years younger. He jumps down from the tractor and runs over to her. Taking her in his arms, he plants a wet one on her. Taken aback, she gasps for air. SARAH Abe? He puts his arm around her and pats her behind. ABE The lord sure moves in mysterious ways. I feel strong enough to plow our wheat field again. He gave us back our youth and a son to boot. Where is that boy anyway? He's awfully quiet. Isaac? Whatchu getting’ into boy? Isaac comes out of the house, holding a dead goose. Suddenly the bird comes to life and flies away. Abraham grimaces. ABE That was our dinner Isaac. Sarah, you've got to stop him from doin’ that! SARAH He's learning Abe. He doesn't understand yet. He needs time to accept the ways of the world; time to adjust. ABE When is that going to happen? What if a stranger were to see him do that? You know what will happen if anyone finds out about him? They'll take him straight away from us, that's what. He'll be locked up in a lab somewhere while they try to find a use for him. Hell, I guess it's only a matter of time before someone discovers him. The boy steps forward to the edge of the steps and watches the goose as it heads south. ISAAC There's plenty of time father. Life is everlasting. They hear the sound of a motorcycle. On the road leading to their farm, a cloud of dust is making its way toward them. ABE Maybe for you son, but it looks like our time has run out. Sarah, take the boy into the house. Within a few moments a large Harley Davidson roars onto the property and stops in front of Abe. The rider is arrayed in black as he and Abe stare at each other. Abe does not recognize the visitor as the rider shuts down the motor. Pulling his glossy helmet off, the bearded man begins to brush the dust from his leathers. Abe still does not recognize him. Suddenly the man grins. JESSE Uncle Abe, don't you ever get old? You look great. ABE JESSE! SARAH, COME SEE WHO'S HERE! Abe smiles and hugs Jesse. JESSE Well yeah. Who'd you think it was? Didn't you get my letter? INT. KITCHEN NIGHT Abe and Isaac are seated at the table, watching Sarah dish out the evening meal when a clean-shaven Jesse enters and seats himself. Abe passes a bowl of mashed potatoes to Jesse as Sarah dishes out the vegetables. Jesse looks around the table before speaking. JESSE What's this? Don’t tell me you two are vegetarians? Remember all the huntin’ we used to do? Why there wasn't a day went by that my great uncle and I didn't tear up a steak or two. Abashed, Abe snorts to himself and glances at Isaac as Sarah steps quickly over to Jesse and begins dispensing vegetables. SARAH Why yes, absolutely Jesse. There's nothing like home grown vegetables. It's just one of our secrets to good health. I mean, at our age and with this youngun, we have to do something to keep up. Abe grins at Sarah as she dishes food to his plate. ABE Lord your good. Sarah winks at him. JESSE Vegetables huh? I guess the Juice Man is right. I’ve never seen you look so youthful. I just can't believe you had a baby at your age. I'll bet your the talk of the town. ABE No one knows but Billie. We've been able to keep it quiet til now. We don't want a lot of lookie-loos swarmin our farm. We were hoping you would keep it quiet too? JESSE Oh, for sure. I'd want my privacy too if I were you. You can count on me. Little Issac will remain a secret as long as you like. So, how old are you now? ISAAC When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it; this is knowledge. Jesse looks over and gives a half smile to Isaac. Isaac smiles back. SARAH I've been schoolin’ Isaac at home. He's been reading Confucius. I think he's really taken to it. Jesse nods and is about to take a bite of food when he sees a frown on Isaac's face. Looking up, he sees Sarah and Abe have closed their eyes and are about to say grace. He closes his eyes as well. ABE We thank-you father for this meal. We thank-you for our health. We thank-you for blessing us and we pray we can live up to your word. Amen. They begin eating. Suddenly Isaac closes his eyes and raises his hands in the air. ISAAC Nation will rise against nation, one kingdom against another. There will be famine and pestilence and earthquakes in many places. These are the early stages of the birth pangs. Jesse looks up from his plate and gapes at Isaac. Seeing this, Sarah leans in toward him. SARAH We also read the bible. It gives him balance, you know? Very good dear, now eat your dinner. Jesse eats while stealing glances in Isaac's direction. JESSE Yes sir uncle Abe; I can sure see why you'd want your privacy. INT. OFFICE DAY Hawkins is sitting in on a meeting with Frank Spivey and William Gorman. SPIVEY Jack, we just want to talk to him. HAWKINS Oh, is that why you've called in the FBI? Why not the CIA while your at it? GORMAN This is domestic. That would be illegal. HAWKINS Since when has that concerned you, Bill? GORMAN Now come on Jack; this is just procedure. We're all under the same gun. HAWKINS You mean Judas II? Gorman looks at Spivey then back at Hawkins. GORMAN What do you know about that? HAWKINS I know a set up when I see one. Do you honestly want me to be- lieve that Jesse Jenkins walked past two armed guards, into a highly secured area, and then just casually strolled out of NASA with the box, under his arm? No one saw him come or go and he doesn't show up on any of the surveillance cameras. Boys, your paddlin' my pickle. Now what's goin’ on? GORMAN His real name is Jesse Lot and like he said, we just want to talk with him. Hawkins gives a momentary of surprise. HAWKINS I don't know where he's gone. Hell Frank, you took his re- signation like some thief in the night. Didn’t he leave a forwarding address? SPIVEY He was creating a problem and it had to be handled fast. I didn't get one. HAWKINS You mean he wouldn't give you one. Wait a minute. Did you force him to resign? Spivey gives a blank stare. HAWKINS Son-of-a-bitch. I told you I would handle him. GORMAN As of now Jack, that son-of-a- bitch is your boss and on this one, . . . I'm his. SPIVEY Here's your chance to handle him, Jack. Just find Jesse Lot. . . and bring him in. HAWKINS This is total crap! If anyone stole from the agency it's the rooskies. Why don't you let me give Dr. Schneider the once over? GORMAN You gave him the once over for more than a year and found nothing . . . HAWKINS After my investigation was cut short. This wouldn't have anything to with the NRO, would it? Frank? Spivey shrugs his shoulders. GORMAN Dr. Schneider is working on JUDAS II now. It's at a critical stage and no one is going to talk to him. Is that understood? HAWKINS Who cares about some alien arti- fact? The NSA? The National Arch- ives? I'd at least like to know why we're shopping for a patsy? When there is no answer, Hawkins gets up and heads for the door. GORMAN Frank's coming with you. I know you and Lot were friends. Gorman stands as Hawkins turns back to face Spivey. HAWKINS He knows about the requisition orders Frank. You’re sure you want to bring him in for . . . questioning? Hawkins laughs as he leaves the room. Gorman stares at Spivey. GORMAN We missed you at the AA meeting, Frank. SPIVEY As you can see, I've had my hands full. GORMAN Hawkins is quite meddlesome, isn't he? SPIVEY Excluding the AA, I'll have to tell him everything. He'll never play otherwise. GORMAN Make him work for it Frank. Mr. Hawkins is nobody's fool. He thinks he's got a chip in the big game now. Until Judas II is online, the NRO is shielding the Russian. SPIVEY By the way, how is the good doctor holding up? GORMAN He's a bit high-strung, but far more efficient. SPIVEY I can understand that, now that we have him by the cahonees. GORMAN Frank, if the Oversight Committee uncovers the Arian Alliance before we're ready, they'll have us all by the short hairs. Hell, Fitch is makin' it up as we go along, just to keep the damn op' alive. The Hawk will play his cards when the time is right. We'll have to clip his wings before then. EXT. BEIJING, CHINA DAY An Asian reporter is standing in front of the temple of Confucius, relaying the news of the day. REPORTER China on Sunday rejected the Dalai Lama’s choice of a 7-year- old boy as the reincarnation of a top Buddhist official. The Panchen Lama is the second highest Tibetan spiritual leader, after the Dalai Lama, and the highest- ranking leader inside Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Panchen Lama's spirit passed into the body of an infant when he died in 1989. The Chinese govern- ment says the Cabinet must choose from the three boys named by their committee; the Panchen Lama will be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn. INT. LIVINGROOM DAY Sarah and Isaac have been watching the report on the TV, while shucking corn. Lunch has been set out on a coffee table. Abe is drying his hands in the kitchen. SARAH Abe, where's Jesse? Did you tell him lunch was ready? ABE He'll be along. That boy ain't changed a bit. Now he thinks he can fix the old Ford. I told him the transmissions shot and the engine was fallin’ apart from rust, but he just won't listen. You know, he's just as stubborn as his old man? He takes a seat on the couch, winks at Isaac, then frowns at the vegetation he sees on his plate. After sneaking a quick peek at the door, Abe speaks to Sarah in a low voice. ABE Just when I'm healthy enough to plow a whole wheat field, Isaac won't let me hunt and you keep feeding me rabbit food. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is for me to act like a vege- tarian in front of Jesse? Hell, I taught the boy how to hunt. SARAH You thought it was a good excuse at the time, and remember; your the one that wants to keep Isaac a secret. Why not tell him Abe? After all, Jesse is family. ABE Family I haven't seen in years. Once I'm sure we can trust him, I’ll tell him; but not one minute sooner. ISAAC If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness. Abe squints up his face. ABE The cautious seldom err. Sarah smiles and glances over at Abe. SARAH Abe, you been studying Confucius? He gives a painful frown, looks down at his plate and picks up a roll. ABE Nope. Grandpa Lot. He also said, "Man can not live by bread alone". SARAH You're sure it was Grandpa Lot that said that? ISAAC Not on bread alone is man to live, but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God. SARAH Well, we'll just have to remain vegetarians for now. When the time comes I promise to cook you a huge T-bone steak. Until then, eat your lunch bugsy. Isaac lets out a giggle as Abe winks and begins chewing like a rabbit on a carrot stick. SARAH I hear on the TV where Tibetan monks are searching for a seven- year-old Messiah. Abe is searching his plate for something more palatable. ABE Well thank goodness Isaac's only six. He'd fit right in with all that Confucius stuff, eh? That would be a sight wouldn't it? Lil' Isaac with a flock of monks, camped out in our wheat field? Sarah smiles as Abe begins to drink his lemonade. SARAH Yes, that would be a sight. Al- though I did read somewhere that the Chinese consider the day one is born as the first year of life. Abe spits up his drink. ABE Is that why you been readin’ that stuff? You expectin' company son? Sarah and Isaac begin laughing as the lemonade drips down Abe's face. ABE Very funny, very funny. I wonder what's got hold of Jesse? Abe stands, wipes his face with the towel and walks to the back screen door. His eyes go wide as he sees Jesse lying under the truck, in a pool of blood; the engine has fallen on his chest, crushing it. ABE SARAH! GET THE FIRST AID KIT! Abe runs through the doorway to the truck and unhooks the emergency brake. As it rolls it back, he leaps to Jesse and pushes the motor to one side. From all the blood and the gaping hole in his chest, it's obvious he's dead. Abe tries CPR. He feels for a pulse, then tries it again. Sarah arrives with Isaac. Abe speaks to her between breaths. ABE The boy doesn't need to see this Sarah. Take him back inside the house. She pauses for a moment and waits for him to stop working on Jesse. After a few moments, he does. He stands and looks at her with tears in his eyes. ABE He's dead now, Sarah. And land sakes woman, I asked you to bring me the first aid kit! She reaches out and takes him by the hand. SARAH Abraham, . . . I did. They both gape down at Isaac who has made his way over to where Jesse's body lays. As soon as Isaac touches him, Jesse’s eyes open. Isaac rejoins his parents. Bewildered, Jesse stares for a moment, then looks down at his chest. The pool of blood begins receding from the ground, back into Jesse’s chest area. As the wound closes, his ribs return to normal. Jesse stares transfixed at Isaac as they lift him to his feet. Abe embraces him. ABE Come on son, you look like you could use a drink. I know a place that serves German beer and mule deer. Sarah, keep an eye on Junior. Jess and I are gonna tear up some steaks. INT. BLACK SEDAN MORNING Frank Spivey is driving on a deserted highway. Hawkins is in the seat next to him, searching a road map. SPIVEY Come on Jack. You were his friend. He must have told you something about the location of the farm? Hawkins throws the map in the back seat. HAWKINS How bad do you want him? Spivey begins rubbing his leather dashboard with an oilcloth. SPIVEY You know I just bought this baby. Makes me look important, don't you think?
Copyright © 2000 David Duane Fortner |