The Verification (4)
ALAN
Thanks.
Alan moves to the rear of the store. A clock is attached
to the wall. He takes the clock off the wall and inserts
the amulet in a deep hole in the wall. He replaces the
clock on the wall. He returns to Howard and helps him
close the store.
EXT. STORE
HOWARD
Have a great time. Hope you'll be back.
ALAN
I won't desert you.
They walk away in opposite directions.
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
The sky is orange, as the sun is setting. A loud horn
blast is heard.
A ferry boat maneuvers its way through several ships. It
picks up speed and moves ahead of the ships.
EXT. FERRY'S UPPER DECK
Alan and Alice stand at the railing, staring at the sky,
their hair blowing wildly in the wind.
ALAN
The sun is setting.
ALICE
It's such a beautiful sight.
ALAN
It comes and goes too quickly.
ALICE
It's one of God's great miracles.
Alan embraces Alice. He looks into her eyes and kisses
her tenderly. He holds her close and they continue to
look at the sky.
Passengers cast smiles at Alan and Alice, as they walk by.
ALAN
Are you happy?
ALICE
If its a dream, I don't want to wake up.
ALAN
I love you and I want to marry you.
ALICE
You don't know much about me,
ALAN
I don't need to know anymore.
ALICE
Can we talk about this another time?
ALAN
Sure.
ALICE
Remember that I love you.
She hugs and kisses Alan.
Flashes of lightning brighten the sky; thunder booms and
crackles. Torrents of rain pound the deck.
Alan and Alice dash to the
INT, FERRY
Passengers are seated on benches.
A young man serenades a starry-eyed young woman, playing a
guitar and singing a song.
Alan and Alice sit on a bench, enthralled by the music.
EXT. FERRY
The rain stops, The stars and moon light up the sky.
The ferry motors its way to
THE BATTERY PARK PIER
Bright swirling lights illuminate the pier.
The ferry docks in its slip.
Alan, Alice and passengers disembark from the ferry.
Alan and Alice walk down the cobble stone street.
They hail a taxi. They enter the taxi and drive off.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - BOAT BASIN - DAY
Boaters row their boats on a small lake,
On a grassy knoll, people observe the boaters.
Some with cameras take photos.
Alan and Alice walk alongside the lake. After a beat
Alice stops and looks at Alan.
ALAN
Do you want to?
ALICE
Very much.
They walk to the boat basin and board a rowboat.
Alan attaches the oars to the oar locks and begins to row.
Alice's fingers skim the water. After a beat, Alice looks up
at Alan.
ALICE
Let me row.
ALAN
Do you know how to...
ALICE
It's easy as pie.
Alan gets up and moves toward Alice. He loses his balance.
The boat shakes and bumps into another rowboat. Alan
falls, his face twisted with embarrassment. He gets up.
ALAN
(to other boaters)
Sorry about that.
He pushes off from the other boat and resumes rowing.
ALAN
Where are my sea legs? Guess I'll row.
Alan and Alice exchange smiles, as Alan rows.
After a beat, the boat glides up to a shady grass knoll.
Alan stops the boat under shaded tree branches.
Alice moves over to him, their bodies closely entwined. They
are mesmerized with each other. Time has stopped.
EXT. LINCOLN CENTER - NIGHT
The Firebird ballet music is played.
Men and women in formal dress, pour out of a theater.
They congregate at the water fountain.
EXT/INT. METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE
The opera house stands TALL and GRAND.
The music crescendos, as we enter the theater.
The theater is packed. Patrons sit rapt, as they watch
the performance.
On the stage, the Prince captures the firebird.
She gives the Prince one of her protective
feathers in exchange for her freedom.
On a balcony, Alice and Alan sit mesmerized by the
performance. Tears roll down Alice's cheek. Alan
tenderly wipes away her tears. They exchange smiles.
The performance ends. The audience applauds and cheer
with shouts of bravo.
The curtain comes down. The applause and cheers continue.
The lead dancers appear in front of the curtain and take
their bows.
The entire cast of dancers appear and take their bows.
After a beat, the house lights go up.
The patrons start to exit the theater.
Alan and Alice start to walk down the stairs with others.
Alan stops, his face a mixture of pain and disbelief.
ALAN
(pointing)
He's here.
ALICE
Who?
At the foot of the stairs, Alan's duplicate, dressed in a
tuxedo, walks to the door and exits the theater.
ALAN
The mirror image of myself. The man I
saw at the cafe. He's followed us here.
We've got to catch up with him.
Alan grabs Alice's hand and attempts to pass a couple on
front of him.
ALAN
Would you let us get through please?
MAN
Just wait your turn like everyone else.
MAN
( to his companion)
They let anyone in here these days.
Alan throws up his hands.
ALICE
It may be your imagination.
Alan gives her a half smile.
After a beat, they walk down the stairs, exit the theater
and enter
THE STREET
People wait at the curbside for taxis and buses.
Cars and taxis whiz by.
Alan and Alice walk across the street and enter
WINSTON'S RESTAURANT
It is a spacious restaurant.
People of varied types are huddled together at tables
and the bar.
Alan and Alice approach the Maitre dais.
ALAN
We'd like a table
MAITRE DAIS
There'll be a short wait.
ALICE
How short?
MAITRE DAIS
About fifteen minutes. You might want
to wait at the bar until we call you.
ALAN
The name's Joseph Smith.
The Maitre dais writes the name on his schedule pad.
Alan and Alice walk to the bar. They squeeze into a
small space at one corner of the bar.
A bartender approaches.
BARTENDER
What will it be folks?
Alan stares at Alice.
ALAN
Two glasses of white wine.
The bartender serves them their drinks. Alan and Alice
click their glasses and drink.
At the other end of the bar, YOLANDA, an attractive woman
in her late thirties, stares steadily at Alice and smiles.
Alice turns her head and stares at Yolanda. She smiles,
her face wrinkled in confusion.
ALAN
Who is that?
ALICE
I'm not sure.
ALAN
You'll find out soon. Here she comes.
Yolanda gets off her stool and approaches Alice and Alan.
YOLANDA
Hillary! It's you! I don't believe it!
Yolanda embraces and kisses Alice.
YOLANDA
Its been so long. I was told that you died.
I can't get over this.
YOLANDA
(to Alan)
You'll have to forgive me. It's been such
a shock. We danced together in many ballets.
ALICE
I'm glad to see you. This is Joseph.
YOLANDA
How do you do?
(to Alice)
Where have you been?
ALICE
I've been out of town.
YOLANDA
Let's get together one day. There's so
much we've got to catch up with.
ALICE
We're leaving tomorrow morning.
YOLANDA
Where can I reach you?
ALICE
I'll call you. Do you have a card?
Yolanda takes out a card from her pocketbook and hands
it to Alice.
YOLANDA
Its been so good to see you.
I've got to run. Do call me.
We've got so much to talk about.
Yolanda embraces Alice.
YOLANDA
(to Alan)
It was nice meeting you.
Yolanda leaves.
Alan casts a puzzled look at Yolanda, as she exits the
restaurant.
LATER
Alan and Alice sit at a table. They are finishing dessert and coffee.
Alice's brow is wrinkled with anguish.
ALAN
There's something you want to tell me.
Right?
ALICE
It wasn't by chance that we met that day
at the bus stop.
ALAN
I don't care if it was or wasn't.
ALICE
Please listen to me.
ALICE
I'm not the person you think I am.
ALAN
Then who are you?
Alan stares at Alice, confusion stabbing his face.
ALICE
I come from a far away planet.
ALAN
(smiling)
Let me guess...Mars, Venus, Pluto...
Which one?
ALICE
Don't make fun of me.
ALAN
All right. What's all this about?
ALICE
We've been making periodic trips here
for research and experiments on human
and animal species.
ALAN
Do you want me to believe that you're
an alien?
ALICE
You saw the photos of the ballet dancer in
my house.
ALAN
Yes.
ALICE
I was given her body and memory bank
when she died.
ALICE
We didn't know that she was going blind.
I became very distressed when I had no
eyes to see with. When a woman was recently
killed in a car accident, I was given her eyes.
ALAN
So I've been one of your experiments?
ALICE
At first you were, but now I've fallen in love
with you.
ALAN
I just don't believe this.
ALICE
What I'm telling you is the truth.
ALAN
So then you must know something about
the double of myself?
ALICE
He's a clone.
ALAN
And how did that happen?
ALICE
You were abducted and a duplicate of
yourself was made.
ALAN
Do I have more duplicates?
ALICE
Only one was produced.
ALAN
And after that, they threw away the mold?
ALICE
I don't blame you for being angry.
ALAN
I'm not angry. I'm trying hard to fathom
all this.
Alice begins to sob. Alan embraces her tenderly.
EXT. BOOKSTORE - NIGHT
The stars and moon light up the sky.
Alan drives up to the store. He looks ahead, his
face twisted with confusion.
Alan's duplicate and Polly run out from the book
store,
Alan gets out of his car. He rushes and enters
THE BOOK STORE
The store is completely trashed. Book shelves, desks with open
drawers and chairs are overturned.
Alan walks farther. He stands rapt, his face horror-stricken
as he stares at
Howard hanging dead from a ceiling beam.
ALAN
Oh My God!
Alan rushes to the back of the store. He takes the clock
off the wall, inserts his hand in the hole and retrieves
the amulet. Police sirens are heard. He places the jade
in his pocket and rushes out of the store.
EXT. BOOK STORE
Alan gets into his car, He turns on the motor, steps hard
on the accelerator and drives off.
After several beats, Alan stares at his rearview mirror.
A large black car follows him.
Alan swiftly turns a corner.
He stares at his rearview mirror.
The black car is seen in back of his car.
The traffic light turns red.
Alan stops his car.
Two large men with long blond hair emerge from their car.
They start to run toward Alan's car.
Alan sees them through his rearview mirror. He presses hard
on the accelerator. The car lurches forward through the red
light and speeds through the street.
The two men rush back to their car.
Alan turns a corner.
The black car is nowhere in sight
Alan slows up the car. He wipes the perspiration from
his face.
ALAN (V.O.)
Why is this happening?
A loud train whistle is HEARD.
Straight ahead, red traffic lights and train crossing bars
are seen.
Alan looks at his rearview mirror.
The black car is closing fast upon him.
Alan steps hard on the accelerator.
The train speeds down the tracks, its shrill whistle
blasting loud and continuously.
Alan's car swiftly spurts across the tracks, smashing
the crossing bars and narrowly missing the train.
On the other side of the long train, the black car is
halted. The two large men emerge from their car. They
stand frustrated, as the long train runs slowly past them.
After driving a distance, Alan's car glides up to
THE APARTMENT HOUSE
He emerges from his car and enters the apartment house.
He is drenched with perspiration and out of breath.
People in the lobby, stare at Alan surreptitiously, as he enters
the elevator.
He opens the door to
THE APARTMENT
Trash, books, papers, and clothing litter the floor.
A mixture of fear and disbelief stabs his face. He starts to
pick up a bag, when the phone rings. He picks up the phone.
ALAN
Hello?
There is no reply.
ALAN
Who is this?
Heavy breathing is heard. Alan hangs up the phone.
He resumes packing at a faster pace. He opens a bureau
drawer. He shakes his head in surprise. He takes out cash
and a bank deposit book and places them in his breast pocket.
He gathers his bag, umbrella and raincoat and exits the
apartment. He dashes out to the street. He climbs into
his car and drives off.
EXT. FIRST NATIONAL BANK - DAY
People are lined up at booths, waiting to perform their
transactions.
Alan walks up to a line. He turns around and scans the
people in the bank, his face wrinkled with impatience.
After a beat, Alan faces a bank teller.
BANK TELLER
You want the entire account closed out?
ALAN
Yes please.
BANK TELLER
All right,
The bank teller counts out the cash, stamps the bank book
and hands them to Alan, who places them in his pocket.
Alan hurriedly exits the bank and into
THE STREET
Alan walks up to a phone booth. He drops a coin in the
phone slot and punches a number. The phone rings several
times.
INTERCUT
Alice in house
Alice picks up a phone.
ALICE
Hello?...Where are you?
ALAN
I'm at a phone booth.
ALAN
It's at the corner of Pine and Clark.
... Howard is dead and some people are
trying to kill me. I can't go back to
my apartment anymore.
ALICE
Hurry over to my house.
Alan hangs up.
END INTERCUT
Alan gets out of the telephone booth. He enters his car and
drives off.
INT. ALICE'S HOUSE
Alice packs two bags with clothing. She stops and feeds
Buddy. The doorbell rings. Alice moves to the door and
whips it open.
Alan stands at the door for a moment. He is shaken and smiles weakly.
Alice grabs his arm and pulls him inside. They sit in
the parlor.
ALAN
This hasn't been my day.
ALICE
` Tell me everything.
ALAN
I went to the store tonight and found
Howard dead and two men...
FADE OUT/FADE IN
ALAN
I don't know who they are and why they're
trying to kill me.
ALICE
And they had long blond hair?
ALAN
They haven't let up. They're still
chasing me.
ALICE
There is a strong group in our planet
that are using unethical means to replace
the human species.
ALAN
Why?
ALICE
Our people are aging very rapidly and to
survive we must acquire the human genes.
ALAN
What's going to happen to me?
ALICE
As long as you're with me, nothing will
happen to you. That I promise you.
I'll deal with them in my own way.
ALAN
This has been a nightmare.
ALICE
We have to leave now.
Alice puts a leash on Buddy. They carry the bags, and with
Buddy, they exit the house.
EXT/INT MOTEL-NIGHT
A car pulls up to the motel.
Alice, Alan and Buddy enter the motel office.
An elderly clerk dozes at the reservation desk.
Alan hits a bell at the desk. The clerk wakes with a
start.
CLERK
Huh! Oh! Good evening.
ALAN
We'd like a room please.
CLERK
No dogs are allowed here.
Alice glares at the clerk. A green ray is ejected from
her eyes, striking the clerk's face.
The clerk is stunned and incapacitated for a moment. He
revives.
CLERK
How long will you be staying?
ALAN
Just one night.
CLERK
Sign here.
Alan signs the reservation book. The clerk hands Alan
the door key. They pick up their bags, exit the office
and walk to the motel room.
THE MOTEL ROOM
Alan, Alice and Buddy enter a moderate predictable room.
They lay their bags on the floor.
Alan lays on the bed in an exhausted state.
ALICE
We'll have to get an early start in
the morning.
ALAN
Where are we heading?
ALICE
They're not to far behind us.
ALAN
How do you know?
ALICE
Give me the amulet.
Alan takes out the amulet from his pocket and hands it
to Alice. She points it toward the wall and clicks a
small lever on the amulet...
A picture magically appears on the wall. It shows the
black car with the two men speeding down a road.
Alan shakes his head in dismay.
Alice clicks the lever on the amulet and turns off the
picture.
ALICE
(pocketing the amulet)
The amulet serves many purposes. I'll hold
it for you.
NEXT MORNING
EXT BOB'S DINER
Alan and Alice, carrying a bag emerge from the diner.
They walk toward their car.
The two large men are attempting to open the car.
Alan and Alice run to the car.
The two men turn to face Alan and Alice. Their hair now
is silver gray, their faces wrinkled and weather-worn.
One man pounces on Alan, striking him with a heavy blow
to the head. Alan is knocked to the ground. He springs up
and struggles with the man.
The other man starts to assault Alice. She manages to take out
the amulet. She points it at the car door. The car door
flings open.
Buddy leaps out of the car and jumps on the man fighting with
Alice. He clamps his teeth hard on his throat, freeing Alice.
She turns toward Alan and the man choking him. She glares at
the man.
A bolt of green laser lights ejects from the amulet, striking
the man. He crashes to the ground, his body disintegrating
into a smoldering rubble of dust.
Buddy is confused, as the the body of the man in front of
him also disintegrates.
People emerge from the diner and stare at the scene.
Alice helps Alan into the car. He is half unconscious.
Buddy jumps into the back seat of the car. Alice turns
on the motor, and pushes hard on the accelerator. The
tires screech, as the car drives off.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAWN
EXT/INT CAR
Alice drives through the country road. Alan is asleep beside
her. He slowly wakes. He wipes his eyes and stares at Alice
ALAN
Where am I?
ALICE
How are you feeling?
ALAN
Not too good.
Alice turns off the road and stops at a grassy knoll.
ALICE
Do you know who I am?
Alan stares at Alice, pain stabbing his face. He shakes
his head, then falls back unconscious. Alice steps on the
accelerator and drives off.
INT. HOSPITAL - CORRIDORS - DAY
Nurses wheel patients. Doctors and employees hurry by.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM
A nurse adjusts an IV bottle hooked up to Alan, who lays in bed.
His head is bandaged and he is fast asleep.
Alice sits by Alan's bedside. After a beat, the nurse leaves.
DR. BERGER, a short man wearing eyeglasses arrives.
He picks up the bed chart and studies it.
ALICE
How is he?
DR. BERGER
He's had a slight concussion.
DR. BERGER (cont'd)
He'll be able to leave here in a few
days. When he's home, make sure he
rests and doesn't do anything strenuous.
ALICE
Thank you doctor.
Dr. Berger leaves.
Alice looks deeply into Alan's eyes. He slowly wakes.
ALAN
Where am I?
ALICE
You're in a hospital. You'll be
here for a few days.
ALAN
I know who I am.
ALICE
Who are you?
ALAN
I'm Alan Taylor and your Alice. I've
got to get out of here now and get
back to my family.
He slowly gets out of bed. He pulls the IV bottle from his arm,
takes off the bandage from his head and starts to put on his clothes.
ALAN
Now let's get out of here.
Alice moves to the door and looks out at the corridor.
She and Alan rush out of the room, into the corridor and
out of sight.
EXT/INT. ALAN'S HOUSE - DAY
The sky is blue with wisps of clouds.
A car pulls up to the house.
Alan and Alice emerge from the car and walk up to the
door of the house.
Alan rings the bell several times. There is no answer.
He tries the door and it flies open. Stella barks and
greets him warmly, jumping on him and licking him with
big kisses.
Copyright © 2001 Stanley Heisler |