Edifice (6) the Father only. The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah's time. In the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marry- ing and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned, until the flood came and destroyed them. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal; one will be taken and one will be left. Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming. Wearing a sad face, Isaac throws his plane into the garbage. ABE It’s been almost ten years since I plowed that old field. I guess another year wouldn’t hurt? Sarah smiles at him. Jesse hangs up the phone and reenters the room. SARAH So how are they? JESSE There's no answer. The operator says service is out to the entire area. I've told them a hundred times to move out of there. I've got to go to them. ABE They know they're welcome to come live with us; it's just that your old man's angry my brother left me the farm. I told him we were only holding it in trust. You’re grandfather was really hurt when George changed his name. But right be- fore he died, he had me send George the deed to this place; and still, he won’t speak to me. JESSE Well I've got to make him listen. If Isaac's predictions come true, it might be the last time anyone speaks to him. A loud knock resounds, startling the Lots. Jesse opens the front door. Hawkins is standing on the other side; behind him is Spivey. Hawkins smiles. Jesse looks amazed. HAWKINS Surprised Starman? EXT. FARM DAY Jesse, Hawkins and Spivey are walking toward the wheat field as they talk. SPIVEY Come back to work for us, Jesse. JESSE You asked for my resignation and I gave it to you. HAWKINS The team still needs you, Jess. JESSE You fired me . . . and I left. The three stop and stare at one another. SPIVEY Would it make any difference if I told you it was a matter of national security? Your country needs you. JESSE My country? When did you ever care about my country? Your nothing but a liar and a thief, but I can deal with that. It was when you corrupted the only man I ever respected, that I had to get out. You people; you feed off each other. Well you’re all through feeding off me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I've got places to go. Spivey pulls out a .38 revolver and points it at Jesse. SPIVEY You know Jesse, farm life must agree with you. You look younger. You’re not going anywhere. Both Hawkins and Jesse are stunned. HAWKINS Put the gun down Frank. You can take me. Spivey turns the gun on Hawkins. SPIVEY Sorry, Jack, but your dance card is full. Eventually that phony audit you did for us will draw scrutiny. My orders are to put you both on ice. You were a scarecrow before we ever left, ol’ buddy. Everything’s been arranged. Testimony against Lot has been taken down. Hell, the hearings have already started. I'm sorry guys, but two in the hand will beat one in the bush, every time. Let's move toward the car shall we? Hey Jack, I finally get to use my new car phone. All three begin walking toward the car. JESSE What the hell's he talking about? HAWKINS Oh, I broke his damn car phone. JESSE He's going to kill you for that? Hawkins stops and begins to walk toward Spivey. Spivey begins backing up. HAWKINS You said it was only temporary. How long have you been building a case against him? SPIVEY Since the day we discovered his last name was really Lot. Hell, Jack, Jesse was just too good to pass up. Hawkins continues to walk toward him. Spivey takes a stand and points the gun directly between Hawkins’ eyes. He stops. JESSE Jack, you scum. You sold me out? SPIVEY I heard it from a girl named Sue. JACK, PUT YOUR HANDS UP! JESSE I think he means it, Jack. HAWKINS He won't shoot me. He doesn't have the guts. JESSE I hate it when people say shit like that! Get in the car before he kills you. HAWKINS You had that gun while we were in the desert, Frank. You were afraid to use it then, you’re afraid to use it now. SPIVEY I was told to make you work for the information. Besides, I need both of you . . . alive. HAWKINS I'm your scarecrow now, and I'm unarmed; that would be murder. As Hawkins moves forward, Spivey cocks the pistol. SPIVEY Does the phrase "above the law" mean any thing to you? Last time, Jack, . . . stop. Hawkins jumps for the gun and it goes off, taking part of his ear off. There is a brief struggle, then the gun goes off again. Both Spivey and Hawkins stiffen, then Spivey falls to the ground. Hawkins takes him in his arms as Spivey stares glassy-eyed back at him. Blood flows from Hawkins ear, and Spivey's stomach. SPIVEY Oh, . . . your in deep shit now. Jesse has jumped down alongside Spivey to assess the damage. JESSE It's bad. SPIVEY Jack, I'm sorry. HAWKINS You're a liar Frank. If you were really sorry, you wouldn't die. You said the Russians gave us Schneider? SPIVEY Pope knows I moonlight for the NRO. The laser gun is real and they have it. JESSE Who are they? SPIVEY Power brokers from Great Britain Germany and Russia. They formed a secret pact with us. They call themselves the Arian Alliance and they plan to take over the world. They gave us Schneider as a patsy; my job was to give them the two of you. There's no place to hide. These are serious people who would sacrifice their own families for a chance to rule the earth. Jack, they've got a nuclear strike aimed at Beijing, as soon as the laser gun's installed. JESSE But why? HAWKINS Why else? They need to demon- strate their New World power. SPIVEY Your trials will divert the com- mittee away from the shuttle's next cargo. Once they're embroiled in hearings against you, the gun will be smuggled onboard Columbia. HAWKINS As soon as it's online and they fire up China, we're back to the point of no return. JESSE August 6, 1945, Hiroshima, the beginning of the Cold War. HAWKINS You deserve to die Frank. You're a traitor. JESSE Let's get him to his car. The two carry Spivey to the car and lay him down beside it. Hawkins opens the backdoor and clears off the seat. When he turns back, Jesse is shaking his head; Spivey is dead. HAWKINS Good riddance. Jesse, you better get out of here. I'll take the heat for this. My career was in the toilet anyway. You don't have much time. That call he was going to make was to the NRO. It’s like he said, once they’re on to you kid, there’s no where to hide. Abe, Sarah and Isaac have been watching from the doorway. Jesse sees Isaac and shakes his head no. HAWKINS Look, don't argue with me. There's just no other way. JESSE I know a way. Jesse walks to Isaac, takes a knee and stares at him. JESSE Well, what do you think? ISAAC Those without virtue cannot abide long. Isaac walks over to Hawkins and motions for him to bend down. When he does, he touches his ear and it regenerates. As he feels his ear, Hawkins stares in awe at Isaac. After a few moments, Isaac turns and starts to bend over Spivey's body, when suddenly Hawkins snaps out of his shock. HAWKINS No! Stop! The Lot family hurries to where the two are standing. JESSE Look Jack, we can't let him be dead. Hawkins stares at him for a moment, then shakes his head. HAWKINS If he finds out about the boy, you'll wish he was. JESSE So what do we do? HAWKINS Do you have any chloroform? ABE No, but I've got some acetone. HAWKINS That'll have to do. Get it. As soon as Isaac revives him, I'll knock him out. Abe runs to a shed beside the barn. After a few moments he returns with a can and a rag. He hands them to Hawkins. Hawkins soaks the rag with the acetone. JESSE Be careful with that, your going to burn him. Hawkins nods to Abe who nods to Isaac. He leans down and touches Spivey. As soon as his eyes open, Hawkins shoves the rag over his face. Within a few seconds, Spivey stiffens, then lies quiet as his wound heals. Hawkins removes the rag and Jesse takes his pulse. Jesse stands and gives Jack a look of disgust. JESSE Damn it, Jack, you killed him again! They stare at Hawkins, then down at Spivey's body. HAWKINS Okay, Okay. I know what to do. Isaac looks back at Abe and he nods the okay. Isaac touches Spivey again and he awakens. He gapes at his stomach area, then feels it with his hand. He sits up, looks at Isaac, then at Jesse. SPIVEY I'll be damned. There really was a box. Slowly, he turns his head until his eyes meet Hawkins'. HAWKINS Hello, Frank. Suddenly Hawkins drops a right cross to Spivey's jaw, knocking him unconscious. HAWKINS Good-bye Frank. Jesse bends down and puts his hand under the jaw area, checking for pulse. He stands and smiles. JESSE Well, he's alive, but I'm afraid you broke his jaw. HAWKINS Looks like he's going to have to wait to use that car phone. This just ain't your day, is it Frank? Let's get him into the house. Spivey is carried into the house and deposited on the couch. SARAH I'll call Doc Ford. HAWKINS What for? Sarah smiles and winks. SARAH His jaws broke, . . . ain’t it? Hawkins stares at her, then at Isaac, then back at Jesse. HAWKINS We need to have a serious talk. EXT. FARM DAWN Isaac is saying his good-byes to Abe and Sarah as Jesse and Hawkins finish loading the bags into the back of Abe's pickup. The two watch as Isaac receives hugs and kisses from his parents. HAWKINS I envy you. JESSE Why? HAWKINS Seems you’re on speaking terms with the Lord. Hawkins turns and shakes Jesse's hand. JESSE Are you going to be alright? HAWKINS Relax, I'm a survivor. JESSE Yeah, but are you sure this is going to work? Hawkins smiles and walks Jesse to the driver's side of the truck. He opens the door. HAWKINS You just take care of our little Messiah, okay? Good-bye Starman. Jesse gets into the truck as Abe lifts Isaac into the passenger seat. Closing the door, Abe puts his arm around Sarah and holds her tight as she cries. Isaac leans out the window toward them. ISAAC The years of parents may by no means not be kept in the memory, as an occasion for joy . . . and for fear. ABE We'll miss you too, son. INT. TRUCK As Jesse starts the truck, Billy hurries over with some papers. BILLY You almost forgot Isaac's pass- port. His photo came out fine, . . . and so did yours. JESSE How's he doin’ doc? BILLY You mean our reckless driver? I'd say he’s going to need a lot of patience. INT. HOUSE Spivey is sleeping on a couch. As he rolls over, the wires, holding his teeth tightly together, glint. EXT. TRUCK BILLY With the dosage I gave him, be a day or two ‘fore he’s even coherent. He’s gonna be damn hungry when he finally comes to. As Billy hands the passport documents to Jesse, he begins to joke. BILLY Seems Spivey’s a little wired. ‘Bout the only thing he’ll be consumin’ . . . is time! JESSE Confucius say, "A patient man is one who eats meals through a straw". Isaac stares blankly at him for a moment, then looks out the window toward his parents. JESSE That was called a joke Isaac. Isaac does not respond. He is staring longingly at his parents. Jesse turns back to Billy. BILLY You take care of him now, you hear? Jesse and Isaac drive slowly away down the dirt road. Isaac is waving one last time to Abe and Sarah from the back of the cab's window. TEARS roll down the little boy's cheeks. INT. OVAL OFFICE DAY The President is meeting with his joint chiefs of staff. Fitch, Gorman and Carvell are sitting in. POPE What's the news Robert? FITCH We've narrowed the source of all unauthorized satellite commands to just one region; it’s Lhasa, sir; and it looks like we might get two birds with one shot. POPE Commands came from the holy land? FITCH It does explain a lot of things. POPE Such as? FITCH Why the Chinese originally invaded Tibet? The Himalayas form southern boundaries between Tibet, India and Pakistan; ideal for running nuclear weapons and the Tibetan monasteries provide superb cover. POPE Meaning most countries would think twice before bombing sacred land? FITCH Most Asian countries, yes sir. Lhasa is located on the northern bank of the Kyi Chu River which provides most of the water for that area, water the Chinese put to good use. In the 60's, while we raced the Soviets for arms and space, China was building hydro- electric power stations there. In an effort to make the invasion more palatable for the Tibetan people, or so the story goes, the Chinese built factories, schools, roads and hospitals for them. We believe it may have been a cover for a nuclear arms facility. The monsoons are blocked by mountains, so the area receives only about ten inches of rain each year. It's different from the other strategic border areas in that it's the most perfect launch site I've ever seen. POPE Still thin. What else have you got? Fitch pulls out several photos from an envelope and hands them to the president. FITCH Mr. President, these satellite photos are what we believe to be nuclear silos in the southern section of the Himalayas. Look at that opening at the top of the hill there? It appears we might have caught them during exercises. POPE That could be a number of things. Exercises? Exercises. . .for what? FITCH Sir, the possibility of a first strike initiative always exists. POPE James? CARVELL Mr. President, they still lack a guidance system. It’s like Robert said, a training run and nothing more. FISK This is the Burma Road. In World War II Chiang Kai Shek used it as a supply route. It connects Lashio in eastern Burma with K'unming in the Yunnan province of southern China. It was said to be abandoned and in disrepair. That traffic? Those are smugglers, transporting nuclear weapons to Pakistan. Both the NRO & CIA give solid confirmation, Mr. President. POPE Well, finally! Some real proof! Gentlemen, Tibet's the new target! James, how soon can we reach it? CARVELL Sir, committee surveillance is still at an all time high. POPE I assumed the oversight would be coming from Houston by now? CARVELL It might take an act of Congress to get that done. POPE NASA is an independent civilian agency, responsible only to me. CARVELL Directly, sir, but Congress must approve funding. Shifting authority away from Washington in the midst of an investigation would be un- wise. I suggest we wait for our straw man, Mr. President. POPE Mr. Gorman, what’s the holdup? GORMAN The scarecrow arrives within the week Mr. President. POPE Believe me, Bill, I'm going to hold you to that. Mr. Fisk, what about those damn codes? FITCH Every available man’s on it, sir. POPE Gentlemen, I want this giant put back to sleep! INT. FARMHOUSE DAY Sitting at the kitchen table, NRO agents Kelly and Marshall are finishing their interview of Hawkins. HAWKINS . . . I was surprised the air bags didn’t work. He banged his head and broke his jaw. I took him into town to get some medical attention. MARSHALL Then why didn't you call us? HAWKINS He's your contact. I never knew who the hell you were. KELLY You could have called Gorman? HAWKINS Gorman made it crystal clear to me. This was to be Frank's baby. Frank was my boss and he said no. So I left him with the doc while I went door to door, asking about Lot. Once I got the word his relatives owned a farmhouse nearby, I went back, got Frank, and here we are. The Lots told us they hadn't seen Jesse in a few years, but Frank insisted Jesse was on his way. Seeing that he was injured, the Lots were kind enough to allow us to stay while we waited for Jesse. Well, we're here two days now and there's been no sign of him. Last night, Frank got a bit depressed; and who could blame him, what with his car wrecked and his jaw wired up like that. I told him I thought it was time for us to move on. That's when he ran out in the front yard and fired off his gun. He scared these poor folks near to death. When he did it again, I took it away from him and put him to bed.
Copyright © 2000 David Duane Fortner |