PAUL
Written by
Simon Pegg & Nick Frost
EXT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT
Caption: Bethlehem Creek, Wyoming 10:19pm 28/07/47
The air is filled with the sounds of a warm, summer night. A
light comes on in a FARMHOUSE window. The door opens, a small
dog and a young girl emerge.
GIRL
Go on now Paul, don't be long.
The dog trots out across the property. It stops to scratch.
The sounds of night cease. The dog stops scratching, sniffing
the air, cocking its head, sensing something. We hear a low
humming sounds. The dog looks up. We see a soft orange glow
reflected in its eyes. The dog whimpers
Back at the farmhouse, a deep, dull thud shakes the ground,
bringing the small girl back out onto the veranda. An orange
glow pulsates somewhere out in the darkness.
GIRL
Paul... Paul?
The girl draws near, illuminated by the orange glow.
GIRL
Paul?!
The glow fades again.
MUSIC: "The Boy In The Bubble" by Paul Simon.
TITLE: PAUL
EXT. SAN DIEGO STREET. PRESENT - DAY
GRAHAM WILLY (32) and CLIVE GOLLINGS (33) stand in the
blazing San Diego sunshine, waiting to cross the road. GRAHAM
is thin but his clothes seem too small. He has long greasy
hair, buck teeth and thick glasses. CLIVE is bigger and wears
a long black leather coat, Red Dwarf T-shirt and boots. His
hair is densely curly and shaped like a pyramid.
Four people dressed as BORG from Star Trek pass by. GRAHAM
and CLIVE shrug derisively. The cross-walk beeps.
As the music kicks in, GRAHAM and CLIVE set off across the
road towards the San Diego Convention Centre. They make their
way through a throng of costumed Comic-Con attendees.
INT. CONVENTION CENTRE. CONVENTION FLOOR - LATER
GRAHAM and CLIVE are at a fantasy weapons stand. CLIVE is
brandishing a KATANA SWORD. He test the balance, the weight,
the sharpness. He closes one eye and looks down the length of
the blade. He nods appreciatively.
2.
CLIVE
Beautiful piece.
VENDER
Damn straight. Practical
performance. 100% Japanese, folded
steel. Real hero shit.
CLIVE
How much?
VENDER
$1,349.99.
CLIVE nods, puts the sword down and walks away.
GRAHAM
Aren't you gonna get it?
CLIVE
No, it's rubbish.
INT. CONVENTION CENTRE. SIGNING PAVILLION - DAY
We see them on an escalator, walking down a wide corridor,
passing people in a variety of costumes. Finally, they join a
line of people waiting to meet the actor, MICHAEL BIEHN.
GRAHAM
What are you going to ask?
CLIVE
Do you feel that the killing of
Hicks and Newt in Alien 3,
invalidates Ripley's struggle at
the closed of the previous
installment?
GRAHAM
I was going to ask that!
CLIVE
(IN KLINGON)
Tough tits four eyes.
SECURITY
Alright, next!
Suddenly nervous, GRAHAM approaches. MICHAEL BIEHN is signing
pictures. He is pleasant, if business like.
MICHAEL BIEHN
Hey there. Who's it to?
GRAHAM
Graham.
3.
MICHAEL BIEHN
Graham.
GRAHAM
Uh... are you... did you?
MICHAEL BIEHN
There you go.
SECURITY moves GRAHAM on. CLIVE approaches.
MICHAEL BIEHN
Hey there. Who's it to?
CLIVE
Clive.
MICHAEL BIEHN
Clive.
CLIVE
Uh... are you... did you?
MICHAEL BIEHN
There you go.
SECURITY moves CLIVE on. CLIVE scrambles for his camera.
CLIVE
I... I need to photograph him.
SECURITY
You can take it from there.
CLIVE and GRAHAM huddle together and try to position
themselves with MICHAEL BIEHN in the background. CLIVE takes
the shot. We see a frozen image of CLIVE and GRAHAM, with
MICHAEL BIEHN barely visible in the background. The pair move
off, looking at their spoils.
GRAHAM/CLIVE
(HIGH FIVING)
YES!
GRAHAM
That was amazing. I was actually a
bit nervous.
CLIVE
Really? I wasn't.
GRAHAM
Good egg, wasn't he?
CLIVE
Yes, very unaffected. Damn, I
forgot to give him my card.
CLIVE points at SECURITY.
4.
GRAHAM
Give it to Colossus.
CLIVE
Nah. Hey, Rosario Dawson's here!
GRAHAM
She NEEDS to call me.
INT. CONVENTION CENTRE. SIGNING PAVILLION - LATER
GRAHAM and CLIVE sit at a table fiddling nervously with pens.
On either side of them are stacks of their new book; JELVA -
ALIEN QUEEN OF THE VARVAK. A banner hangs behind, displaying
the tome's cover, a muscular green woman in a gold bikini
rides a blue rhino. She lashes at the beast with a laser
whip. She has three tits. A lanky publicist paces up and
down, making sure everything is in order.
PUBLICIST
Looks good, right?
CLIVE
Yes, it's very impressive.
PUBLICIST
It really does the image justice. I
never noticed the third tit.
CLIVE
That was Graham's idea.
PUBLICIST
Ladies man, huh? You guys happy?
You got enough pens? You wanna
Snapple? You wanna a Diet Coke?
CLIVE
I'll have a fat Coke please?
PUBLICIST
A fat what?
CLIVE
Coke.
PUBLICIST
Oh you man a FAT Coke.
CLIVE
A what?
PUBLICIST
Fat coke.
CLIVE
Yes please.
5.
GRAHAM
When do we start?
PUBLICIST
Ten minutes ago.
CLIVE
Why is it so quiet?
PUBLICIST
Sylar's doing a Q and A in the main
pavillion.
CLIVE
Oh man! I wanted to go to that . I
wanted to find out if he actually
eats the brains.
PUBLICIST
I can make a call.
CLIVE
Please.
PUBLICIST
It'll pick up when he's done.
GRAHAM
I'm nervous.
CLIVE
Don't be. The hard work's done, we
have a great story and as usual
your renderings jump from the page.
PUBLICIST
Yeah man. Three tits. Awesome.
GRAHAM
Thank you.
CLIVE
All we have to do now is sit back
and enjoy.
A child approaches.
CLIVE
Queen Jelva welcomes thee.
CHILD
Do you know where Sylar's on?
CLIVE
Main pavillion.
CHILD
Thanks. Hey, three tits. Awesome.
6.
INT. CONVENTION CENTRE. SIGNING PAVILLION - LATER
Caption: 50 MINUTES LATER
They are sat in exactly the same position as before. CLIVE
looks a little downbeat, GRAHAM fidgets with his pens.
PUBLICIST
Okay, that's the hour. How'd we do?
CLIVE
Three copies.
PUBLICIST
Hey, one for each tit. Maybe you
should have given her four.
GRAHAM
That's sick.
PUBLICIST
Don't sweat it. It's a sleeper.
CLIVE
Yeah, but three copies?
PUBLICIST
Better than Carl Weathers.
CLIVE
YES!
GRAHAM
Would you like a copy?
PUBLICIST
Are you nuts? My office is full of
junk.
The PUBLICIST walks away chuckling.
CLIVE
Graham, I need a drink.
INT. HOTEL. BAR - NIGHT
GRAHAM and CLIVE are stood against the wall in a bar. GRAHAM
drinks and elaborate blue cocktail through a straw. CLIVE
sips from a Jack Daniels and Coke. Everyone else in the bar
is dressed as a HOBBIT. CLIVE winks at a girl.
7.
INT. HOTEL. BEDROOM - NIGHT
GRAHAM and CLIVE's hotel room is filled with bags of stuff
from the convention, a laptop computer and a games console
plugged into the TV. GRAHAM lies on his bed. He is looking at
a map. Other maps are scattered about.
CLIVE (O.S.)
It was like the Prancing Pony in
there.
GRAHAM
Nasty Hobbitses.
CLIVE emerges from the bathroom. He is naked but for a black
towel wrapped around his waist. His hair is wet and suddenly
incredibly long. Around his neck, a large animal tooth hangs
on a black leather cord.
CLIVE
They think they're so cool.
GRAHAM
Hey, are you excited about going to
Area 51?
CLIVE
Hell yes.
GRAHAM
06.30 check out?
CLIVE
A-ffirmative.
GRAHAM and CLIVE both look at their watches.
CLIVE
Three, two, one...
GRAHAM CLIVE
Beep. Beep.
CLIVE
Good night, Graham.
GRAHAM
Good night, Clive.
They switch off their respective bedside lights. The room is
plunged into pitch darkness. A few seconds pass.
GRAHAM
Are you asleep?
CLIVE
No.
8.
GRAHAM
Shall we try and storm the Citadel
before we nod off?
CLIVE
Couldn't hurt could it?
We hear some movement then the room is illuminated by the TV.
The boys lie on their beds holding games controllers.
CLIVE
Cover me.
INT. HOTEL. RECEPTION - MORNING
GRAHAM and CLIVE stand at reception. Both look extremely
sleepy. CLIVE's eyes close. GRAHAM lolls forward onto the
reception desk. His head hits the bell.
DING!
EXT. HOTEL - MORNING
The boys stand, waiting for their transport. We see them from
across the road. A tiny old car splutters up to the curb. A
valet gets out and hands the keys to CLIVE.
VALET
There you go.
GRAHAM
That's not ours.
VALET
No?
CLIVE
No, that's ours.
A large RV pulls up. A 1985 Holiday Rambler, Imperial. Top of
the range in its day. Still looks good.
VALET
Oh.
GRAHAM and CLIVE run off toward the RV. The four BORG from
the previous day approach the VALET and exchange the key to
the car for some small change. The BORG drive off.
VALET
Fucking Borg.
(giving the finger)
Assimilate this!
The RV speeds past the disgruntled VALET. GRAHAM and CLIVE
can be heard whooping within.
9.
INT. RV - MORNING
CLIVE is seated behind the wheel of their RV, he now wears
black wrap-around shades. In the back of the RV, GRAHAM
fusses with maps and provisions.
GRAHAM
Breakfast?
CLIVE
Java. Straight up.
GRAHAM
Any solids?
CLIVE
No, let's punch through. Miles make
the eggs taste sweeter.
GRAHAM
I love eggs!
CLIVE
I hear that. Now, get that "Joe' on
the go and jump in the Chewie seat.
I need your map skills.
GRAHAM
Good job I pre-pared.
GRAHAM flicks on the coffee and jumps into the co-pilot's
(Chewie) seat.
GRAHAM
It's a shame I don't have some
controls on this side. That way, I
could take over if you needed the
loo.
CLIVE
Yeah, I could say "take the helm."
GRAHAM
"Take the helm, number one."
CLIVE
Yeah, "take the helm, number one, I
need a number two."
They laugh heartily. Through this, GRAHAM has been taking out
his laptop and setting it up on the dash board.
GRAHAM
"Least I've got Cerebro, eh?
10.
CLIVE
Absolutely. Real-time sat-nav multi
map and advanced geo-tagging with
continual info stream?
GRAHAM
Impressive.
CLIVE
Most impressive.
GRAHAM
And let's not forget, we've always
got Analogue.
GRAHAM pulls a map down. Obscuring the entire windshield.
CLIVE
Not when we're driving Graham.
GRAHAM
Sorry.
GRAHAM sends the map back up into the roller. The coffee
percolator gurgles in the galley.
GRAHAM
Sounds like coffee o'clock.
CLIVE
Thank god. I'm a wreck until I've
had my first cup of J.
GRAHAM high fives CLIVE and heads back into the kitchen.
INT. DINER - DAY
GRAHAM and CLIVE eat lunch. GRAHAM has finished a plate of
prawns. He inspects the shells.
GRAHAM
Looks like a pile of dead droids.
A perky waitress approaches. GRAHAM and CLIVE become shy and
awkward.
WAITRESS
You boys all set? Can I get you
anything else?
GRAHAM spills his drink. CLIVE appears very uneasy.
INT/EXT. RV - DAY
They drive in silence, surveying the landscape.
11.
CLIVE
Amazing, isn't it? There are
295,734,134 people in this country
and we haven't seen a soul for a
hundred miles. Where is everybody?
GRAHAM
What about that old woman on
crutches we saw hitchhiking?
CLIVE
Apart from her. I suppose that's
why they established the Dreamland
facility out here.
GRAHAM
Far from prying eyes.
CLIVE
Did you know the site was selected
in the mid-1950s for testing of the
U-2 spyplane, due to its
remoteness, proximity to existing
facilities and presence of a dry
lake bad for landings?
GRAHAM
Yes.
CLIVE
Oh.
GRAHAM
Shall we have a bite before or
after we hit the Black Mailbox?
CLIVE
Before.
INT. THE LITTLE A'LE'INN. BAR - EVENING
GRAHAM and CLIVE tuck into burgers. They are the only
customers. The interior is replete with various Area 51
related memorabilia. PAT, (female, 50s) the proprietor,
speaks to them from behind the counter. She holds up two
bumper stickers.
PAT
"Watch The Skies" or "Alien
Onboard?"
GRAHAM and CLIVE look at each other for a few seconds before
looking back at PAT.
GRAHAM/CLIVE
"Alien Onboard."
12.
PAT
Nice choice. So, where have you
boys come from?
GRAHAM
(MUMBLY)
San Diego.
PAT
Comic-Con?
CLIVE
How could you tell?
We see GRAHAM and CLIVE looking back at PAT. They look like
the most painfully obvious Comic-Con attendees ever.
PAT
Just a guess. My nephew launched a
comic down there a couple of years
ago. Sort of dramatized the
accounts of some of the folk we've
had in here.
CLIVE
Encounter Briefs?
PAT
That's it. You heard of it, huh?
CLIVE
I've got all six.
PAT
Well whaddya know? Small world.
CLIVE
Do you get a lot of UFO types round
here?
We see PAT looking back at CLIVE, surrounded by UFO and alien
paraphernalia, a slight smile on her face.
PAT
Some.
GRAHAM
Have you ever seen one?
PAT
A UFO? Oh, I've seen plenty.
GRAHAM
Really?! You've seen more than one
UFOs?
13.
PAT
Well, I don't know what they were.
So as far as I'm concerned they're
unidentified and they were
definitely flying.
CLIVE
And objects.
PAT
Damn straight. Whether or not they
were spaceships, I can't say.
Probably not, but I'd like to think
they were. Be a shame if we were
the only souls in the universe.
CLIVE
Did you now, it's estimated that
there are as many as 200 billion
galaxies in the observable universe
and each of those has approximately
40 billion starts, around which
orbit countless planets and moons?
PAT
Yes.
CLIVE
Oh.
PAT
Makes you think though, don't it?
CLIVE
What?
PAT
Where is everybody?
GRAHAM and CLIVE ponder this.
PAT
You boys all set?
CLIVE
I'd like a cup of coffee please.
PAT
Sure thing. How about you, sugar?
GRAHAM
Can I have an E.T. malt please?
PAT
You wanna sparkler in that?
GRAHAM smiles coyly.
14.
PAT
I'll take that as a yes.
She beams at the boys and disappears into the kitchen. GRAHAM
and CLIVE are left alone. They take it all in.
CLIVE
It's nice here, isn't it?
GRAHAM
Absolutely.
CLIVE
I think I might use the loo.
CLIVE walks through a door marked "Maliens'. The adjacent
toilet door (GUS and JAKE) enter. GRAHAM becomes uneasy.
PAT
Yes dear, what can I get you?
JAKE
Two beers.
PAT
Coming right up.
INT. THE LITTLE A'LE'INN. TOILET - EVENING
CLIVE washes his hands. He pumps soap from a dispenser which
is shaped like an alien's head, the soap squirts out of its
mouth. CLIVE is quite taken with this.
CLIVE
That is absolutely amazing!
INT. THE LITTLE A'LE'INN. BAR - EVENING
CLIVE appears out of the toilet with his hands in the air.
CLIVE
Hey Graham, an alien just sicked up
into my palms.
CLIVE doesn't see the two men sat up at the counter. He
strides over to GRAHAM, full of excitement.
CLIVE
I'm joking, of course. They have a
soap dispenser, shaped like an
alien's head. When you pump his
jaw, soap comes out of his mouth.
GRAHAM
(MUMBLING)
Clive...
15.
CLIVE
It's hilarious.
GRAHAM flicks his eyes to the counter.
CLIVE
What?
CLIVE looks over and sees the two men. They are glaring back.
CLIVE immediately loses his confident air.
PAT (O.S.)
Here it comes!
GRAHAM closes his yes, remembering what he ordered. The two
men turn to see PAT emerge from the kitchen with a tray of
drinks. Two bottles of beer, one cup of coffee and an absurd
looking milkshake in a tall glass with a sparkler.
PAT
Okay then, beers for you gentleman.
A cup of Joe and a extra thick malt
with a sparkler for the boys from
outer space.
The man snigger derisively. PAT senses the tension.
PAT
So, where you boys headed?
JAKE
We're heading into Utah. Do
ourselves some hunting.
GUS
Deer, coon, beaver, whatever steps
in front of the bangstick, right
Jake?
They throw a look back at GRAHAM and CLIVE.
JAKE
You got that right, Gus.
PAT
Well now, I heard Utah beaver puts
up quite a fight.
GUS
That's what we're counting on.
They nudge each other and laugh.
PAT
I better make you something good
and hot. Long way to The Beehive.
PAT give GRAHAM and CLIVE a look. CLIVE understands and
fumbles for hi wallet.
16.
He places a number of bills on the table. They leave. GRAHAM
comes back in and retrieves the bumper sticker. PAT gives him
a wink. He leaves.
INT/EXT. RV - EVENING
GRAHAM boards the RV. CLIVE is in the driver's seat. The
engine is running.
CLIVE
What took you so long?
GRAHAM
I was putting the sticker on.
CLIVE
They were an odd pair, weren't
they?
GRAHAM
Definitely didn't speak Bocci.
CLIVE fires up the engine and jams it into reverse. CRUNCH.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
That wasn't their truck was it?
CLIVE
No.
EXT. THE LITTLE A'LE'INN - EVENING
The RV roars off, leaving the car park and the black Lincoln
Escalade, shiny, mean, dented.
INT/EXT. RV - NIGHT
GRAHAM looks at a map. CLIVE drives, continually checking his
rear view.
GRAHAM
What's the matter?
CLIVE
Nothing. How we doing?
GRAHAM
We should be just about there.
They scan the roadside for a few seconds.
CLIVE
I've found it.
GRAHAM
Where?
17.
CLIVE
THERE!!!
EXT. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT
The RV comes to a screeching halt. It sits in the road for a
moment, before it trundles onto the hard shoulder. The door
opens, GRAHAM and CLIVE appear wearing head mounted torches.
They wander over to a WHITE mailbox.
GRAHAM/CLIVE
(REVERENTIALLY)
The Black Mailbox.
GRAHAM and CLIVE marvel at it. The silence of the night and
the size of the landscape dawns on them. They look up.
CLIVE
It's amazing, isn't it? We're
actually here.
GRAHAM
Area 51.
CLIVE
Dreamland.
GRAHAM
The Groom Lake Military Test
Facility.
CLIVE
MacArthur's Black Mile.
GRAHAM
Is that a real one?
CLIVE
No, I made it up myself.
GRAHAM
I like it.
CLIVE
Be great if we saw something.
GRAHAM
Yes, imagine if we got buzzed up by
a craft.
CLIVE
That would be incredible. It just
sort of stops in the air and hovers
then just goes up really fast.
Whoosh.
18.
GRAHAM
What would you do if they actually
landed?
CLIVE
Keep it together. First contact is
a big responsibility. They come in
peace, we go to pieces? That's not
how I roll.
CLIVE looks at GRAHAM who is staring off, wide eyed.
CLIVE
What's wrong?
GRAHAM points off into the distance. HEADLIGHTS.
GRAHAM
It's them. They found us. I don't
know how but they found us.
CLIVE
Who? Who's found us?
GRAHAM
The Libyans!
CLIVE
Run for it Marty!
GRAHAM and CLIVE scramble for the RV.
INT. RV - NIGHT
CLIVE drives, GRAHAM looks nervous. In the dashboard of the
RV is a rear view monitor. They look at it intently.
GRAHAM
Perhaps it's not them. Perhaps
whoever it was turned doff.
CLIVE
Of course it's them. We're dead.
It's like Deliverance. They're
going to rape us and break our
arms.
GRAHAM
I don't want my arms broken!
CLIVE
There's only one thing for it.
GRAHAM
What?
CLIVE
I'm gonna have to fly blind.
19.
CLIVE kills the headlights. They are plunged into darkness,
still travelling at 65mph. The headlights come back on.
CLIVE
Probably best not to do that. I
couldn't really see anything.
They stare at the monitor. Suddenly, creeping up the rear of
the RV, headlights. The front of a car becomes visible.
CLIVE
Oh God, oh God, oh God.
GRAHAM
I need the toilet.
CLIVE
Me too.
The vehicle behind pulls out to overtake.
CLIVE
They're trying to overtake.
GRAHAM
Don't let them get past.
CLIVE
Should I ram them?
GRAHAM
What about the deposit?
CLIVE gingerly jerks the wheel, causing the RV to swerve. A
BLACK SEDAN car appears next to them, manoeuvering wildly to
avoid the RV. GRAHAM and CLIVE stare in horror, their eyes
widen as the car flips over and tumbles several times,
bouncing across the asphalt and sliding to a smoking stop on
its roof. GRAHAM's mouth hangs open. CLIVE blinks.
CLIVE
It wasn't them.
The RV pulls up to the crashed vehicle and stops. GRAHAM and
CLIVE peer out of the window.
CLIVE
We should see if they're okay.
GRAHAM
I still need a wee.
CLIVE
I can hold mine.
GRAHAM goes to the back of the RV and into the toilet. CLIVE
remains int he driving seat, staring out at the mangled
Sedan. The toilet flushes and GRAHAM reappears.
20.
GRAHAM
The bulb's gone in there.
EXT. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT
GRAHAM and CLIVE step out of the RV and approach the car.
Inside are three unconscious men. One door is open.
CLIVE
Hello?
They wait for a few seconds. Nothing.
GRAHAM
Maybe you should call for help.
GRAHAM pulls out a cell phone and starts to dial.
VOICE (O.S.)
I wouldn't do that if I were you.
GRAHAM and CLIVE spin round to see an indistinct figure
sitting on a rock in the nearby darkness. The glow of a
cigarette briefly lights up what appear to be two large,
black eyes. GRAHAM and CLIVE gawp.
CLIVE
I rather think these men need help.
Graham, give me the phone.
GRAHAM passes the phone over.
VOICE
Seriously, I wouldn't do that.
GRAHAM's mouth falls open, CLIVE continues to hold the phone
to his ear. We hear the operator.
OPERATOR
911 Emergency. How may I direct
your call? Hello? Hello?
GRAHAM and CLIVE continue to gawp. The shape stand and steps
into the light. GRAHAM and CLIVE go slack. Standing in front
of them, clad only in cut-off short and flip-flops... is an
ALIEN.
ALIEN
Put - the phone - down.
Without the slightest change of expression CLIVE rocks
backwards in a dead faint. He hits the ground with a bump.
GRAHAM looks at CLIVE then back at the ALIEN. When GRAHAM
speaks his voice quivers with hysterical panic.
GRAHAM
What have you done to him?
21.
ALIEN
I didn't do anything. He fainted.
GRAHAM
Yes but you made him faint.
ALIEN
I did not. Okay I did, but it's not
like i set my phaser to "Faint'.
GRAHAM
You've got a phaser!?
ALIEN
No! Look, I need you to help. Can
you get this guy back onto your
wagon?
GRAHAM
Are you going to probe us?
ALIEN
No! Where does that come from? Why
do people always assume we want to
stick something up their ass?
GRAHAM
Don't you?
ALIEN
No. There's certainly nothing about
it in the encounter manual. As a
rule, we don't even abduct. Maybe
people find it easier to deal with
earthly transgressions if they
suppress it with absurd fantasies
about alien probing.
GRAHAM
What?
ALIEN
It's just a theory. Listen, focus
okay? I promise you I won't hurt
you, I just need your help.
GRAHAM
You need my help?
ALIEN
Yes.
GRAHAM
How come I can understand you? Are
you using some sort of neural
language router?
22.
ALIEN
No, I'm speaking English you prick.
(off GRAHAM's expression)
Sorry, I'm tense. Look, what's your
name?
GRAHAM
Graham Willy.
ALIEN
What about him?
GRAHAM
That's the writer, Clive Gollings.
ALIEN
Well, let's get Clive into the RV
and get going. I'll explain
everything on the way. Please.
GRAHAM
Where are we going?
ALIEN
North.
GRAHAM
The RV's gotta be back in 2 days.
ALIEN
Well, then we're gonna have to
hustle, aren't we?
GRAHAM
BUT-
ALIEN
Look Graham, you're just gonna have
to trust me, okay?
GRAHAM looks at the ALIEN. It stands at roughly 3 feet tall.
His black almond shaped eye glint. His large head tilts to
one side, his small mouth opens slightly, his long fingers
clasp together, pleading.
ALIEN
Please man, I need you.
GRAHAM considers the ALIEN for a moment.
GRAHAM
Okay then.
ALIEN
Great. Thank you.
GRAHAM
What's your name?
23.
ALIEN
I'm Paul.
GRAHAM
Paul?
PAUL
Yeah. Now let's get Cloverfield
onto the recreational vehicle and
get the fuck off MacArthur's Black
Mile.
They attempt to move CLIVE. PAUL senses something.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Oh man, has he...?
GRAHAM
I told him he should have gone.
PAUL
Could have been worse. Know what
I'm saying?
They drag him into the RV. The door shuts, a few seconds
later, GRAHAM appears and runs round to the back of the RV.
He rips the bumper sticker off and gets back on board. The RV
starts up and drives off.
INT/EXT. RV - NIGHT
GRAHAM drives, agitated. He looks behind him a couple of
times. PAUL is hunting around in the fridge.
PAUL
Can I have this ham?
GRAHAM
Uh... yes.
PAUL
Great!
PAUL starts to dangle strips of sandwich ham into his mouth,
wolfing it down hungrily.
GRAHAM
Paul? Where am I going again?
PAUL
I told you, North. Do you have a
map?
GRAHAM pulls the map. It obscures the wind shield.
PAUL
Not when we're driving, Graham.
24.
The map disappears back up into the roller.
GRAHAM
Sorry.
PAUL
Just head North. We need to get as
much distance as we can between us
and them.
GRAHAM
Them? Who's them?
EXT. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT
We hear the noise of engines, then boots on concrete as a
dozen soldiers rush the area, attending the crash. A suited
man gets out of a Sedan car. We don't see his face at first.
The shot remains at his hip. He reaches into his pocket and
pulls out a Twinkie. He unwraps it and brings it up to his
mouth. We follow and see his face for the first time.
Chiselled, focused, confident. This is SPECIAL AGENT ZOIL. A
SOLDIER approaches.
CAPTAIN
Sir?
ZOIL
Talk to me.
CAPTAIN
Three survivors, company men, hurt
but alive.
ZOIL
Anyone else?
CAPTAIN
No sir.
ZOIL looks into the sky and breathes in the night air.
CAPTAIN
What's this?
The CAPTAIN motions to a patch of moisture near his feet.
ZOIL touches the wet patch and licks his finger.
CAPTAIN
What is it sir? Brake fluid? Gas?
ZOIL
No. It's neither of those things.
He looks around, then notices tire tracks in the dust by the
side of the road. ZOIL stands, full of purpose. He returns to
his car and hits a button on the dash.
25.
VOICE
What's the situation?
ZOIL
We have a guest who's left the
hotel without paying, sir.
VOICE
Damn it! Do you think he's "left'
left?
ZOIL
Doubtful. NORAD would have picked
up a bogie. Those guys can track
Santa. No sir, he's still here.
Question is, for how long?
VOICE
Don't you think this is all a bit
of a coincidence?
ZOIL
How so?
VOICE
I signed the red document this
morning, Zoil. Don't you think it's
odd that he chooses today to go
AWOL? How did he know?
ZOIL
Are you suggesting he has someone
on the inside.
VOICE
Maybe.
ZOIL
Well he's definitely got someone on
the outside.
VOICE
What?
ZOIL
Tire tracks, sir. Tire tracks...
among other things. I'd bet my left
nut that little bastard's hitched a
ride.
VOICE
Lock down the area. Road blocks,
spot checks, the whole nine yards.
You're going to handle this
personally, Zoil. I want this
wrapped up before Letterman.
26.
EXT/INT. RV. NIGHT - A FEW HOURS LATER
Close on the wheel. Pull out to reveal the RV.
Inside, CLIVE's eyes open. From the bathroom, CLIVE can hear
the sound of someone noisily emptying their bladder. He
notices his jeans have been pegged up to dry. He leans out to
see GRAHAM in the driving seat, then looks back at the
bathroom door. The toilet flushes.
CLIVE pretends to be asleep as the door opens. A pair of
skinny grey legs in cut-off shorts pass the bunk.
PAUL
The bulb's gone in there.
CLIVE gets up silently and wraps his black towel around his
middle. He creeps toward the front of the RV. GRAHAM drives,
PAUL sits in the Chewie seat eating pistachios.
PAUL
I hate it when you get the closed
ones, right?
GRAHAM
I usually bite them open.
PAUL
Are you fucking insane? You gotta
tap "em and if they don't open you
throw them away.
GRAHAM
That's molluscs.
PAUL
Shut up.
GRAHAM
It's true.
(NOTICES CLIVE)
Hello Clive! How are you feeling?
CLIVE
I'm feeling like I've gone MENTAL
MAD, Graham. If that is your name?
You're happily sitting there
chatting to... to... that, like
it's the most natural thing in the
world. The two of you laughing away
like you haven't seen each other
since 1990.
PAUL spits a shell out into a cup.
27.
CLIVE (CONT'D)
So forgive me if I seem a little
rattled but from where I'm standing
it would appear you are trading nut
knowledge with an alien life form.
GRAHAM
His name is Paul.
CLIVE
Oh, Paul is it? Paul what? Paul
Verhoven? Paul Freeman? Paul
Reiser?
PAUL
Just Paul. You know, like Madonna
or Dracula.
GRAHAM
Paul's from a small planet in the
northern spiral arm of the
Andromeda Galaxy.
CLIVE
No he is not!
PAUL
I am man, seriously.
CLIVE
How could he possibly have
travelled that distance?
PAUL
Wormhole.
CLIVE
Balls! Graham, this isn't what it
seems. What about Ocham's Razor?
GRAHAM
The hairdressers?
CLIVE
Yes, the old man who owns it told
me that, in unbelievable
circumstances, the most plausible
explanation is usually the truth.
PAUL
And what's the most plausible
explanation, Clive?
CLIVE
That you're a thin midget in an
alien costume.
28.
PAUL
There's no such thing as a thin
midget? Those guys are built. Have
you not seen The Station Agent?
GRAHAM
He's right. I think that's less
believable than Paul being form a
planet in the norther spiral arm of
the Andromeda Galaxy.
CLIVE (CONT'D)
Oh really?
With this CLIVE grabs at PAUL. He pulls at the alien's skin,
trying to gain a hold of a mask.
PAUL
Ow! Get off me!
CLIVE
You're not real. You're not real!
GRAHAM
Excuse me.
PAUL
Get off me, you fucking psycho!
GRAHAM
EXCUSE ME!
CLIVE releases PAUL and looks out of the RV to see the
flashing lights of a road block. GRAHAM slows down.
CLIVE
Oh shit!
CLIVE looks round to discover that PAUL has vanished. GRAHAM
pulls the RV onto the hard shoulder.
CLIVE
Where's he gone?
GRAHAM
Maybe he beamed up.
CLIVE
As if. We would have seen the
classic shimmer and hum.
GRAHAM
Good point.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
GRAHAM and CLIVE look to the door. Both terrified.
29.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - NIGHT
GRAHAM and CLIVE stand outside the RV being questioned by an
AGENT dressed like ZOIL. We can hear noise and activity from
the RV. Another AGENT is aboard the RV.
AGENT 1
Where you boys from? Australia?
CLIVE
Britain.
AGENT 1
Ah. G'day mate.
The AGENT smiles. GRAHAM and CLIVE look terrified.
AGENT 1
Whatcha doin' in the US fellas?
CLIVE/GRAHAM
Comic-con.
AGENT 1
You're a long way from San Diego.
CLIVE
We were having a little drive.
AGENT 1
Is that right?
AGENT 2 (O.S.)
Hey Haggard?!
HAGGARD
Yeah?
O'REILLY appears at the door waving a 10x8" photograph.
O'REILLY
These guys have met Michael Biehn.
HAGGARD
No shit! How was he?
CLIVE
He was a good egg.
GRAHAM
Very unaffected.
HAGGARD
That's nice to hear.
(TO AGENT 2)
O'Reilly? Anything else?
30.
O'REILLY
Just some pissy jeans.
HAGGARD looks down at the towel wrapped around CLIVE's waits.
CLIVE look embarrassed.
HAGGARD
Okay, you guys can go.
CLIVE
Thank you. May I ask what you're
searching for?
HAGGARD
Of course you may.
There is a slight pause. GRAHAM and CLIVE board the RV.
INT/EXT. RV - NIGHT
GRAHAM and CLIVE pull away in silence. They are both confused
and shaken.
CLIVE
Well, it's pretty obvious what
happened there, isn't it?
GRAHAM
Is it?
CLIVE
Yes, the government used some sort
of neurotoxic paint on the Black
Mailbox, which was white by the
way, and it caused us to suffer a
shared hallucination about an
alien. I mean, it's what we've
always wanted, isn't it?
GRAHAM
I suppose so.
CLIVE
Than that's what happened.
PAUL materializes from thin air behind them.
PAUL
WRONG!
EXT. DESERT ROAD - NIGHT
The sound of screeching tires draws the attention of the two
AGENTS. They see the RV swerve across the road in the
distance before righting itself and continuing on its way.
31.
INT. RV - NIGHT
CLIVE
Where the hell did you go?
PAUL
Nowhere.
GRAHAM
What, you went invisible?
PAUL
It's not invisibility per so. It's
more like what a chameleon does
with a little light blending thrown
in for good measure.
GRAHAM
Like Predator?
PAUL
Exactly.
GRAHAM
Can you do it whenever you want?
PAUL
(PREDATOR VOICE)
Anytime...
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
We hear GRAHAM squeal with delight. The RV guns up the road
into the night.
INT. RV - DAYBREAK
CLIVE drives in silence. PAUL sits in the passenger seat
eating nuts. Day is breaking over the horizon. GRAHAM snoozes
on the sofa. PAUL offers CLIVE a nut.
CLIVE
No thank you.
PAUL
You sure? How about a cup of
coffee?
(sees he's tempted)
Come on Hulk, I'll get you a nice
cuppa J.
PAUL goes back to the galley, flicking GRAHAM on the nose as
he passes. GRAHAM wakes up with a start.
PAUL
Hey, look who's up!
32.
GRAHAM
Hello Paul.
GRAHAM approaches CLIVE who ignores him.
GRAHAM
What's the matter?
CLIVE
Graham, there is a Grey in the
galley, making me coffee.
GRAHAM
Did you want tea?
CLIVE
No, I don't want tea.
GRAHAM
Tea's a bit weird in America, isn't
it?
CLIVE
No, what's wried, Graham, is that
we have picked up an extra
terrestrial hitch hiker and you
seem completely fine with it!
GRAHAM
He needs our help, Clive.
PAUL returns with the coffee. GRAHAM and CLIVE curtail their
conversation. PAUL hand CLIVE his coffee.
PAUL CLIVE
You got it? Yes I've got it.
PAUL CLIVE
It's hot. (slightly testy)
Thank you.
GRAHAM looks at Paul and nods toward CLIVE. PAUL sighs and
sits in the Chewie seat. GRAHAM hangs back...
PAUL
Look Clive, I'm gonna go out on a
limb and say this is probably the
weirdest thing that's ever happened
to you. Am i right?
CLIVE doesn't deny it.
PAUL
And I appreciate the fact that I
have somewhat gate-crashed the
party here but, truth be told, I'm
in a hell of a pickle. I really
need your help.
33.
CLIVE
Why us?
PAUL
Why not?
CLIVE glances back at an expectant GRAHAM.
CLIVE
What about the RV? It has to be
back in two days.
GRAHAM
Clive, he's an alien. A living,
breathing, alien.
CLIVE look at PAUL who makes a sad face and does the hand
gesture from Close Encounters. CLIVE wilts.
CLIVE
I suppose we could phone the hire
company and get an extension.
PAUL looks super-pleased.
CLIVE
How did you get here?
PAUL
Crashed in "47. Anti-grav failure.
GRAHAM
Happens to the best of us.
PAUL
Also, I'm a shit driver.
CLIVE
Oh my God! Roswell?! That was you?!
PAUL
Roswell was a smoke-screen man,
designed to distract from the
truth.
CLIVE
They invented a fake alien crash to
distract from an actual alien
crash?
PAUL
I know, fucking stupid, isn't it?
CLIVE
What have you been doing here all
this time?
34.
PAUL
Oh you know, kickin' back, shooting
the shit. Advising the government.
GRAHAM
Not just the government.
INT. ROOM - DAY
CAPTION: 1980
A room lit by a single bulb, furnished with a table and
chair. PAUL sits with his back to us, he is smoking a
cigarette, whilst talking on the phone. We hear the voice on
the other end of the line. It is strangely familiar.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
...I want him to have some kind of
special power, you know? Something
sort of messianic...
PAUL
How about molecular revivification.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
I don't know what that is.
PAUL
Restoration of damaged tissue
through telepathic manipulation of
cellular intrinsic field memory.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
I...uh...
PAUL
Healing, Steven.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
Oh right yeah. Like by touch sort
of thing? His little finger could
light up at the end and-
PAUL
You know what? Sometimes, less is
more.
The line beeps.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
You got another call?
PAUL
Yeah I gotta take this man. It's
the fucking V guys again.
35.
INT. RV - DAY
PAUL
Right.
GRAHAM
You'd be surprised how much he's
influenced popular culture
generally over the last 60 years.
CLIVE
(TO GRAHAM)
How come you know so much?
GRAHAM
We had quite a long chat while you
were unconscious.
CLIVE looks miffed.
GRAHAM
...while you were asleep.
PAUL
You want a bagel Clive?
CLIVE
No thanks.
PAUL
Graham?
GRAHAM
Yes please.
CLIVE
Go on then, I'll have half.
PAUL (O.S.)
You want anything on it?
CLIVE
Jam.
PAUL (O.S.)
What?
CLIVE
Jelly.
PAUL
Gotcha.
PAUL heads to the kitchen. The boys drive in silence.
GRAHAM
I gave your jeans a swill and hung
them up.
36.
CLIVE
Thank you. So, do you know where
we're going?
GRAHAM
Just North. He said we had to make
a right at Utah.
CLIVE
Why can't he tell us?
GRAHAM
He said it was a surprise.
CLIVE
Do you trust him, Graham? I mean,
is he Strider or Black Rider?
GRAHAM
Strider, definitely.
CLIVE
You'd better be right. I don't want
to wake up and find him inserting a
probe into my anus.
GRAHAM
It's okay, he doesn't do that.
PAUL returns with three bagels on one long finger.
PAUL
Bagel time!
The dashboard beeps. PAUL jumps throwing them into the air.
GRAHAM
Fuel level's critical.
PAUL
Sorry, I had a warning light just
like that on my ship.
GRAHAM
For fuel?
PAUL
Anti-grav failure.
CLIVE is looking at the sat-nav on the computer.
CLIVE
There's a place called Ely five
miles from here. It's small but
there should be a gas station.
GRAHAM
Roger that, number one.
37.
CLIVE smiles at GRAHAM and flashes PAUL a triumphant look.
PAUL coughs loudly, barely disguising the word "Geeks".
INT. RV - MORNING
GRAHAM and CLIVE peer out at the gas station. It appears
deserted. PAUL has his head in the fridge, he cracks open a
V8, strolls to the front of the RV and honks the horn. An OLD
MAN peers out of the gas station window and waves.
CLIVE
Paul, don't do that!
PAUL
Here's what I need. Some organic
beef mince, organic pork, some
veal, red onions, pine nuts,
pecorino cheese, plum tomatoes, a
fistful of fresh basil and 3 war
ciabattas.
CLIVE
You know this is a gas station?
PAUL looks disappointed.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
The door to the RV opens, CLIVE and GRAHAM step out onto the
forecourt, trying to look as casual as they can.
CLIVE
Ready?
GRAHAM
Ready.
HOOOONNNNNKKKK! GRAHAM and CLIVE jump.
PAUL (O.S.)
Get me some more peanut M&Ms.
GRAHAM goes into the store, CLIVE to the pumps. A POLICE
CRUISER pulls onto the forecourt. CLIVE goes pale and fumbles
the nozzle back into the pump. He walks toward the checkout
as a STATE TROOPER exits his car. No matter how hard he
tries, CLIVE cannot avoid reaching the door at the same time
as the STATE TROOPER. He is tall, wide and bald.
STATE TROOPER
After you.
CLIVE
Thanks.
38.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - MORNING
Close up on O'REILLY. He covers his face with his hands.
O'REILLY
Coming... ready or not!
O'REILLY uncovers his eyes and comes face to face with ZOIL.
ZOIL is eating an orange, he offers a segment to O'REILLY.
ZOIL
Orange?
O'REILLY
No thanks.
ZOIL
Nice and juicy.
O'REILLY
I don't want to spoil breakfast.
ZOIL
Do you mind telling me what's going
on, Agent?
O'REILLY
Just keeping ourselves occupied
sir. Things are pretty slow.
ZOIL
Where's the other one?
O'REILLY
I don't know, let's see. Haggard?
HAGGARD steps out from behind the only man shaped cactus on
the entire desert plain. O'REILLY can't help but let out a
snort of delighted surprise. HAGGARD hurries over.
HAGGARD
Sorry, I was just... hiding.
ZOIL
I see. You fellas had much traffic
through here?
HAGGARD
Just a big RV driven by a couple of
nerds.
ZOIL
Nerds, huh?
HAGGARD
Yeah, they'd been to Comic-Con and
met Michael Biehn.
39.
ZOIL
I've heard he's nice.
HAGGARD
Good egg.
O'REILLY
Very unaffected.
ZOIL
Did you search the vehicle
thoroughly?
O'REILLY
Yes sir.
ZOIL
Find anything?
O'REILLY
Not really. Just Michael Biehn's
autograph and some pissy jeans.
Close in on ZOIL. He seems suddenly motivated.
ZOIL
Did you get the license plate?
HAGGARD and O'REILLY look sheepish.
ZOIL
Make?
More sheepishness.
HAGGARD
It was big.
ZOIL
I want everything you can remember.
Descriptions of the occupants,
height, hair, distinguishing
features. We can do it on the way.
HAGGARD
On the way?
ZOIL
You're coming with me.
O'REILLY
What about the road block sir?
ZOIL
It didn't work.
40.
INT. GAS STATION - MORNING
GRAHAM joins CLIVE at the check out, clutching a bag of
jerky, a bottle of chocolate milk, a burrito, a Coke, some
mini doughnuts and a massive bag of peanut M&Ms.
CLIVE
Don't you think that's a bit much?
Put it all back. Except the
burrito... and the doughnuts... and
the chocolate milk. Let's just pay
for it and leave.
GRAHAM
We need bulb for the toilet.
CLIVE
Essential only, Graham!
They head to the counter. So does the STATE TROOPER.
STATE TROOPER
Morning Chris!
CHRIS
Hey Dean.
STATE TROOPER
Who do you think I had in my office
this morning?
CHRIS
Jeremy Piven?
STATE TROOPER
No. The Secret Service.
GRAHAM bumps into a display of sunglasses and just stops it
tumbling. CHRIS and the STATE TROOPER glance over.
CHRIS
They find out how you can afford a
Dodge Viper on troopers pay?
STATE TROOPER
Not yet. They're all over this
crash on the road up to Rachel.
CHRIS
What you think's going on?
STATE TROOPER
Don't know, could be Muslims.
CHRIS
Jesus Cheeerist!
CLIVE and GRAHAM sidle up to the check-out.
41.
STATE TROOPER
You go right ahead.
CLIVE
Thank you very much, officer.
STATE TROOPER
Where're you guys from?
GRAHAM
Britain.
STATE TROOPER
Britain, huh? Nice place. No guns!
CHRIS
No guns? Jesus Cheeerist.
CHRIS take the money and the boys leave. The STATE TROOPER
and CHRIS watch them go.
EXT. GAS STATION - MORNING
The boys hurry across the forecourt past the cop car, we hear
the radio spring to life as they pass.
POLICE CONTROLLER
All units, be on the lookout for a
cream and brown Recreational
Vehicle, no plate number at this
time. Officers are advised to
contain but not board. Dean, if you
still at Gas and Go, bring back a
quart a milk and a box of doughnut
holes? Dean?
GRAHAM and CLIVE stop and stare, listening intently.
HOOOOOOONNNNNNKKKKK!
INT. RV - SOMETIME LATER
PAUL sit on the sofa catching M&Ms in his mouth. GRAHAM
drives, CLIVE sits in the Chewie seat.
CLIVE
It's find for you. You'll get
whisked back to whatever lab they
kept you in and we'll be arrested
for harbouring a fugitive and sent
to Guantanamo Bay.
PAUL laughs.
CLIVE
Why's everything so funny? They
think we're Muslims.
42.
PAUL
That's their excuse for everything.
There are worse things you can be.
We had a Muslim guy at the base.
Systems analyst called Yusef. We
used to do karaoke on Tuesday
nights. You should'a heard him do
Matthew and Son. Shame I didn't get
a chance to say salam alaikum.
CLIVE
Paul, the authorities know we're in
an TV.
PAUL
We're hardly the only RV on the
road. Trust me, if we stay off the
highways, keep to the back routes,
we'll have a nice uneventful
journey.
BANG!!! Something strikes the windshield. Everyone jumps.
GRAHAM bring the RV to a halt. Silence.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
The door to the RV swings open, CLIVE and GRAHAM step out.
The desert road is silent. We can see for miles. On the road
lies a yellow and black bird, it is very dead.
PAUL
Fuck, that made me jump.
CLIVE
Ah yes, the waspish markings of a
Scott's Oriole. Unmistakable.
PAUL
What a waste.
GRAHAM
Poor thing.
CLIVE
Nothing anyone could've done.
PAUL looks at them, then scoops the bird up in his hands.
GRAHAM
What are you doing?
PAUL closes his eyes. His skin ripples with color as he sways
slightly. The bird's eyes flicker, its head lifts, it opens
its beak and tweets. GRAHAM and CLIVE are astounded by what
they are seeing.
GRAHAM
It's a miracle!
43.
PAUL stuff the bird in his mouth with a grotesque crunch.
PAUL
I'll miss these.
CLIVE
Why would you do that?
PAUL
I'm not gonna eat a dead bird, am
I?
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
ZOIL and his men are parked on the forecourt of the gas
station. ZOIL is talking to the STATE TROOPER and CHRIS.
STATE TROOPER
By the time I got the bulletin,
they were long gone. Seemed like
nice fellas to me.
CHRIS
Is it true they was Muslims?
STATE TROOPER
They said they were British.
ZOIL
I think you can be both.
CHRIS
Jesus Cheeeeerist!
HAGGARD
Agent Zoil?
ZOIL
Excuse me gentlemen.
ZOIL leaves with the two men and returns to his vehicle. The
voice of ZOIL's superior cuts the air.
VOICE
Report.
ZOIL
We've tracked them down to a gas
station in Ely.
VOICE
So why am I not witting with my
feet up, smoking a jay, watching
Erin Brockovich?
ZOIL
We think he may be travelling in an
RV with two British men sir.
44.
VOICE
Goddamnit, I knew we should have
gone ahead with invasion in "44.
What are they, MI6?
ZOIL
No, sir. Just a couple of nerds on
the lamb from Comic-Con.
VOICE
Shit. My sister's kid went to that.
Little Manga faggot.
ZOIL
I still think this stinks, sir.
VOICE
Like fat man doo-doo. It's too much
of a coincidence. He sits tight for
60 years and then suddenly now he
decides to take off. If he wanted
to go home so bad, he could've just
given us the slip when he was
playing golf with J. Edgar Hoover.
ZOIL
Someone must have told him. We need
to find the rat.
VOICE
Leave that to me. In the meantime,
if E.T. is still M.I.A. in the P.M.
then F.Y.I. I'm tearing someone a
new A. O.K.?
ZOIL
Yes sir.
INT. RV - DUSK
GRAHAM is sat in the Chewie seat, PAUL is reading Jelva,
Queen Of The Varvak. CLIVE drives.
GRAHAM
What do you think?
PAUL
Ask me when I've finished it.
CLIDE rubs his yes.
GRAHAM
You tired, Sausage?
CLIVE
(WHISPERING)
Don't call me Sausage in front of
him.
45.
GRAHAM
Sorry. Are you tired though?
CLIVE
Mummy, I am bushed.
GRAHAM
What do you need?
CLIVE
Best case, I'd like a cold flannel
on my neck and an honest meal.
GRAHAM
I hear that, Big-Rig. I can still
call you Big-Rig can't I?
CLIVE
Sure. Just not Sausage. Any luck
with an RV park? We need somewhere
off the beaten track, n'est pas?
GRAHAM
Roger that. Cup of Joe?
CLIVE
You read my mind.
GRAHAM head to the galley, ignoring PAUL, who jumps into the
Chewie seat and stares at CLIVE.
CLIVE
Can I help you?
PAUL
You want a cigarette?
CLIVE
No, thank you. I don't smoke.
PAUL lights a cigarette, the smoke wafts into CLIVE's face.
PAUL
Look, I'm sorry okay? About eating
the bird.
CLIVE continues to ignore PAUL. GRAHAM arrives with the
coffee and a Honey Bun cake.
GRAHAM
Honey Bun?
CLIVE
Could you unwrap it for me?
GRAHAM
By your command.
46.
GRAHAM unwraps the cake and pops it into CLIVE's gob. PAUL
watches. GRAHAM disappears to the back of the RV.
PAUL
Let me ask you something. Are you
to...?
CLIVE
What?
PAUL
You know...
PAUL does a very weird, very long charade, demonstrating
various "group' and "one on one' homosexual practices.
CLIVE
No!
PAUL
Okay, that's great. I just
wondered. I'm cool with it.
Everyone's "bi' where I'm from.
It's all about the pleasure thing,
you know? We've evolved beyond
paranoid notions of gender
identity. I mean, procreation is
only the functional aspect of
sexual congress right? The human
race is fairly advanced but most
males still act like a cornered
tiger if you imply the like
"smoking the bone' and let's face
it they probably do. Look at single
sex, empirical institutions,
boarding schools, prisons, pirate
ships, places where the choice has
been removed, everyone's banging
everyone else and there isn't a
whiff of socio-cultural angst. Get
out into the real world and guys
are getting smacked int he chops
for wearing pink socks. You think
you're so sophisticated because you
can distinguish yourself from your
own reflection but ultimately
you're part of a deeply neurotic
species and you'd all be a lot
better off if you stopped worrying
and learned to love the bum.
CLIVE
What are you trying to say?
PAUL
Maybe you should start smoking.
47.
INT. RV - EVENING
Later, the RV pulls up to gate at the front of an RV park.
GRAHAM is now in the Chewie seat, PAUL stands behind,
steadying himself on the backs of their chairs.
CLIVE
Great find, Graham.
GRAHAM
I sourced a website listing off the
beaten track, North American RV
parks.
PAUL
I really lucked out with you nerds,
didn't I?
GRAHAM and CLIVE look proud. CLIVE drives the RV over a speed
hump into the park. PAUL loses his balance and falls over.
GRAHAM and CLIVE laugh. They pull up to a gate.
GRAHAM
It's awfully quiet.
CLIVE
Just the way we like it.
PAUL scrambles to his feet, reaches across CLIVE and rest on
the horn.
HOOOOOOONNNNK!
CLIVE
Stop doing that!
GRAHAM
Someone's coming.
PAUL shimmers and disappears. GRAHAM and CLIVE yelp.
VOICE
Hello?
CLIVE
(quietly to Graham)
We're just a couple of regular guys
on a tour of the less touristy side
of the American midwest.
GRAHAM
I don't think she heard you.
CLIVE
I was talking to you.
GRAHAM
Oh, sorry.
48.
VOICE
Hello?
GRAHAM opens the door. RUTH BEHE, a young woman in her mid-
twenties stands outside. She is pretty but has no idea. She
wears glasses, one eye of which is blacked out. GRAHAM stares
at her. We hear the slide guitar moment from Olivia Newton
John's "Hopelessly Devoted To You".
RUTH
Good evening, I'm Ruth Behe.
CLIVE
Hello Ruth. Do you mind if we come
in?
RUTH
Sure. Park in Bay 9. The charge is
$50 for the night, plus $10 for
hook ups an I'll need to hang onto
an ID too.
CLIVE disappears, leaving GRAHAM and RUTH alone.
GRAHAM
We're just a couple of regular guys
on tour of the less touristy side
of the American midwest.
RUTH
Where you heading next?
GRAHAM
Uh, east... apparently.
CLIVE returns with his passport. RUTH looks at it.
RUTH
England?
CLIVE
Yes. London.
RUTH
I love London.
CLIVE
Have you been?
RUTH
No. Did you know it was founded by
the Romans in AD 43 as Londinium?
GRAHAM/CLIVE
Yes.
RUTH
Oh. I'd love to go someday.
49.
GRAHAM
You should.
RUTH
There's lots a places I wanna go.
Europe. Asia. The Antipodes. The
world's a big place. I need one of
these though.
CLIVE
You don't have a passport?
RUTH shakes her head forlornly. GRAHAM and CLIVE stare.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
RUTH! RUTH! Get in here! I'm hungry
RUTH
That's my father. I'll come over
and take your money in the morning.
Have a pleasant night now, won't
you?
RUTH opens the gate to allow CLIVE to drive through. GRAHAM
watches RUTH intently as they pass.
CLIVE
Doors to manual and cross check.
Graham? Graham?
GRAHAM
Hmmm?
PAUL re-materializes next to GRAHAM and CLIVE.
PAUL
BOO!
EXT. RV PARK - NIGHT
RUTH is walking back to a static mobile home. From the RV we
hear GRAHAM and CLIVE yelp. RUTH furrows her brow, turns
back, and goes inside.
INT. BEHE RESIDENCE - NIGHT
RUTH enters a static mobile home and heads for kitchenette.
From the ad-joining room we hear the sound of someone using a
police radio scanner. Garbled reports fade in and out. We
perhaps even hear ZOIL's voice briefly amid the static.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
What took you so long?
RUTH
I was just talking.
50.
RUTH stirs a pot on the stove. She surreptitiously retrieves
an atlas from a drawer an starts to read.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
You talk to much.
RUTH
Sorry Papa.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
How long they staying?
RUTH
Just the night I think
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Hook ups?
RUTH
Uh-huh.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Where they headed?
RUTH
East.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Them California plates I saw?
RUTH
Yes, but they're from London.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
London, Ohio?
RUTH
No, London, England.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Where?!
RUTH
England, Papa. It's in North
Western Europe.
The atlas is snatched out of RUTH's hands. Behind her stands
the towering figure of MOSES BEHE. Almost as wide as he is
tall, his eyes glitter with fury and menace.
MOSES BEHE
Europe? I'll give you Europe,
missy. Now, get and make my supper.
MOSES lumbers off with the atlas. RUTH looks dejected.
51.
EXT. RV PARK - LATER
QUICK CUTS as GRAHAM and CLIVE hook up power and water to the
RV and prepare a small BBQ.
INT. RV - MOMENTS LATER
The door to the RV opens, GRAHAM and CLIVE jump in. PAUL
lowers his book and is blinded by their headlamps.
PAUL
Arrghh, what the fuck?!
GRAHAM
Hungry?
PAUL
I ate already.
GRAHAM and CLIVE look suddenly sad.
PAUL
Too soon?
They nod.
PAUL
Hey, I'm sorry. I'd love to break
bread with you guys. What are we
having?
GRAHAM waves a foot long hot dog around.
GRAHAM
Willies!
PAUL gives CLIVE a "see what I mean?' look.
CLIVE
I'll flame up the BBQ pit. Fire's
my forte.
CLIVE sparks up his lighter and waves it around looking
mysterious. He then turns and jumps down all three steps and
slams the door of the RV behind him.
EXT. RV PARK - NIGHT
CLIVE is squirting lighter fluid over a fire. He flicks his
tongue out, summoning the flames higher. PAUL materializes
nearby, making CLIVE jump. He composes himself.
52.
PAUL
Hello Clive. From the squirting of
the gas and the flicking of the
tongue, am I do assume you're a
Hendrix fan?
CLIVE
I am actually, yes.
PAUL
I met him once.
CLIVE
Really?
PAUL
Yeah. Nice man, really soft, He
thought I was a hallucination.
Shame what happened to him.
CLIVE
All the good ones die.
PAUL
Meanwhile Bryan Adams releases
album seventeen.
PAUL and CLIVE share a laugh.
CLIVE
So you've been here for 60 years?
PAUL
I know, right? Time flies when
you're confined to a U.S. military
installation.
CLIVE
Why did you come to earth?
PAUL
I'm the vanguard of a highly
aggressive invading force.
CLIVE
What?!
PAUL
I'm fucking with you, man. I was on
a science mission actually.
Meteorological reconnaissance. We
were surveying atmospheric
conditions on CO2 spiking, M-Class
planets. My specialist subject is
tornadoes right? So I'm buzzing
around the mid-west, looking for
twisters and all of a sudden my
A.G.G. goes offline and I crash in
the middle of some field.
(MORE)
53.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Next thing I know, this little girl
is pulling me out of the wreck and
then a bunch of army guys come
along and cart me off to Area 52.
CLIVE
51.
PAUL
No, it's 52. Area 51 is just full
of old Pan Am jets and mini disc
players and shit. It's another
"clever subterfuge."
GRAHAM joins them with the food.
PAUL
Just telling him about Area 52.
GRAHAM
Ha ha yeah.
PAUL
So, with my cover blown and the
natives cautious but friendly, I
figured we might as well indulge in
a little file sharing.
CLIVE
Mulder was right!
PAUL
Mulder was my idea.
They chuckle. CLIVE gives PAUL the bottle of gas.
CLIVE
Would you like a go?
PAUL takes the bottle and squirts it on the fire, making the
Hendrix face. They laugh loudly.
EXT. BEHE RESIDENCE - NIGHT
RUTH watches through her window. GRAHAM, CLIVE and PAUL are
on the other side of the RV. Nevertheless, RUTH can see three
pairs of dancing legs underneath the vehicle, silhouetted
against the campfire. She frowns.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
RUTH!
RUTH backs away into the shadows.
54.
INT. RV - MORNING
It is very early in the morning. PAUL is asleep on the sofa.
There is a knock at the door. PAUL vanishes. GRAHAM and CLIVE
emerge from the bedroom in dressing gowns.
CLIVE
Who is it?
RUTH (O.S.)
It's Ruth.
GRAHAM and CLIVE look at each other nervously. CLIVE opens
the door, as GRAHAM straightens his hair.
RUTH
Good morning.
CLIVE
Good morning.
RUTH
May I come in?
GRAHAM
Yes.
CLIVE give GRAHAM a "what the hell are you thinking?' Look as
RUTH comes aboard. RUTH surveys the interior of the RV.
RUTH
Was everything to your liking?
CLIVE
Yes, thank you.
RUTH
Where's the other one?
CLIVE
The other one?
RUTH
It's okay, we don't charge by the
person. That was three pairs of
legs I saw last night cavorting
round the camp fire, right?
CLIVE
Oh the other one. Um...
PAUL
I'm in the can. I ate a closed
mollusc.
PAUL blows a massive raspberry to prove his point. GRAHAM and
CLIVE look embarrassed. GRAHAM changes the subject.
55.
GRAHAM
I like your shirt.
The shirt has a picture of Jesus shooting Charles Darwin in
the head. Underneath it reads, "Evolve this!"
RUTH
Thanks. I got it at my church.
GRAHAM
Why would Jesus want to shoot
Charles Darwin?
RUTH
(BRIGHTLY)
Because of his theories. Are you
men of God?
GRAHAM
Would you like a coffee?
CLIVE
I suppose we're men of science.
GRAHAM
CLIVE-
RUTH narrow her eye.
CLIVE
If we believe in anything it would
be macro evolution. Cause and
effect. The establishment of a
biological order from the maelstrom
of physical and chemical chaos.
RUTH looks scandalized.
GRAHAM
Or it could be God. You just don't
know do you?
RUTH
God created the earth in six days
and on the seventh he rested.
PAUL emits another huge raspberry from the toilet.
CLIVE
Did you know that the universe has
been dated as being 13.5 billion
years old an that the release of
neutral hydrogen at the moment of
the big bang has enabled scientists
to do this with categorical
accuracy?
GRAHAM
Yes.
56.
CLIVE
Not you!
RUTH
The world is 4000 years old.
PAUL (O.S.)
Oh come on!
GRAHAM
PAUL-
PAUL (O.S.)
Horseshit!
RUTH approaches the toilet door, taking up her fight with the
unseen third passenger. She bangs on the door. GRAHAM and
CLIVE are bewildered by this sudden turn of events.
RUTH
Explain to me how something as
complicated as the human eye simply
comes into being.
PAUL (O.S.)
Oh, don't give me that old
irreducible complexity crap-
RUTH
They eye is comprised of three
interacting parts. Remove any one
of them and it ceases to exist. It
has the precision and delicacy of a
pocket watch and, when the good
Lord permits, it works in perfect
harmony with its environment.
Something as functionally perfect
as that doesn't just occur without
the intervention of a guiding hand.
PAUL (O.S.)
But it didn't just occur did it? It
is the culmination of millions of
years of development across
countless species.
RUTH
What are you talking about?
PAUL (O.S.)
Evolution baby.
RUTH screams and bangs the door.
RUTH
It'd design!
57.
PAUL (O.S.)
If He designed it, why didn't He
just make it one part and take the
whole weekend off?
RUTH
Nothing you can so or do can shake
my belief, or faith in the sure and
certain knowledge that God made
Heaven and earth and created us all
in His own image.
PAUL
Oh yeah?
(stepping out of the toilet)
Well then how do you explain me?
RUTH's mouth hangs agape in a soundless scream, her eye rolls
up, her hair turns white. She collapses.
PAUL
And that's Jenga.
CLIVE
What did you do that for?
PAUL
I didn't do anything, she fainted.
CLIVE
She saw you!
PAUL
Oh come on. Who's gonna believe
anything she says?
CLIVE
The authorities will be on the look
out for exactly this sort of thing.
PAUL
What, a delusional, one-eyed God
botherer?
CLIVE
Paul, right now they're going to
follow any lead they can get.
PAUL
I didn't think of that.
GRAHAM
We could take her with us.
PAUL/CLIVE
What?
58.
GRAHAM
We're only going to be a couple of
days. We could let her go once
Paul's gone home. I'm sure she'll
be fine once she gets to know us.
PAUL and CLIVE consider this.
CLIVE
How am I going to get my passport
back?
PAUL vanishes.
PAUL (O.S.)
Leave it to me.
INT. BEHE RESIDENCE - DAY
The door opens, seemingly by itself. PAUL materializes in the
kitchenette and starts looking around for CLIVE's passport.
He roots around noisily in drawers and cupboards, until he
spies his quarry on the work-top. He checks the passport and
finds CLIVE's absurd picture. He laughs.
PAUL
Hallelujah.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Ruth, what in the Lord's name-
MOSES and PAUL come face to face. They regard each other for
a second.
PAUL
Boo?
EXT. RV PARK - DAY
PAUL burst out of the BEHE RESIDENCE, pursued by MOSES who is
loading a shotgun.
PAUL
GO! GO! GO!
The RV start to move forward. The door swings open and GRAHAM
appears, beckoning to PAUL. PAUL reaches the door, just as
MOSES levels the gun at his target. PAUL leaps into GRAHAM's
arms, disappearing inside the RV, as MOSES fires off a
booming shot. The BEHE mailbox explodes into pieces, as the
RV careens off out of the trailer park.
INT. RV - DAY
Blackness. RUTH wakes up. Panic in her eyes. CLIVE drives,
GRAHAM sits on the sofa, biting his nails.
59.
GRAHAM
Hi.
RUTH
Where am I?
PAUL leans round from the Chewie seat and smile.
PAUL
Hey, look who's up.
RUTH
DEMON!
GRAHAM
Would you like a cup of tea?
RUTH starts to pray furiously.
GRAHAM
I'm so sorry it had to be this way
Ruth. We're definitely not going to
hurt you and we'll let you go as
son as we can. We were just a
little concerned that you might
call the police.
RUTH
You have been deceived. Deceived by
an agent of Satan himself.
PAUL (O.S.)
You know I'm sitting right here?
GRAHAM
He's not a demon Ruth, he's from
another world and we're helping him
get home. He's not evil. He's just
very rude.
RUTH
How can he be from another world?
There is only one world. Our world,
created by God the Father.
PAUL sits down next to GRAHAM. RUTH whimpers.
PAUL
Look, if it makes you feel any
better, my existence only disproves
the notion of the Abrahamic, Judeo-
Christian God, as well as all
single earth theologies. Science
still hasn't categorically rule out
the notion of divinity, even though
evolutionary biology suggest the
non-existence of a creator by
probability alone.
60.
RUTH
How could that possibly make me
feel any better?
PAUL
Jesus Christ, I was just trying to
be nice!
GRAHAM
I think what Paul's trying to say
is, just because there are other
inhabited planets, it's not the end
of the world.
RUTH
This isn't happening! You're a
hallucination. You're not real.
You're a test. A test from God.
PAUL
You can't win can you?
RUTH starts to pray furiously, speaking in tongues, making an
awful noise.
CLIVE
I can't drive like this. We'll have
to drop her off and take our
chances.
GRAHAM
No!
PAUL
Oh, for God's sake.
PAUL walks over to RUTH and places his and across her
forehead. He appear to go into a trance. RUTH's eyes roll up
into her head. We see a lightening montage of images. The
cosmos, the surface of a planet, others like PAUL, PAUL's
ship crashing into the ground. The images speed up as PAUL
telepathically send his knowledge into RUTH's mind. They
collapse in a heap on the floor. PAUL sparks up a cigarette.
GRAHAM
What did you do to her?!
PAUL
I broadened her horizons.
GRAHAM
Can you broaden mine?
PAUL
No, it's tiring.
GRAHAM goes over to where PAUL is lying.
61.
GRAHAM
Oh please.
PAUL
Come here then.
PAUL puts his hand on GRAHAM's head. GRAHAM's eyes go all
fluttery. We don't see the images this time. GRAHAM falls.
CLIVE
Oh great! Everyone knows the
secrets of the universe apart from
me. He always knew what was going
on in Buffy before me because his
mum had cable.
PAUL
Can't I just tell you?
CLIVE
No spoilers!
PAUL sighs, then with enormous effort, reaches up and zaps
CLIVE who falls to the floor. Everyone lays inert.
GRAHAM
(WEAKLY)
Maybe I should make that tea?
EXT. RV PARK - DAY
THREE BLACK SEDANS are parked in the BEHE RV park.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
I didn't call the government. I
called the po-lice.
INT. BEHE RESIDENCE - DAY
ZOIL
Given your description of the
intruder, the police felt your call
was perhaps better directed to us.
MOSES BEHE
And who are you?
ZOIL
Secret Service, sir.
MOSES BEHE
I knew it. You know that devil took
my Ruth.
ZOIL
And Ruth's your daughter?
62.
MOSES BEHE
That's right. Her Mama died when
she was born. I good as brought her
up by myself. Wasn't easy either.
Two mouths to feed and this place
to run.
ZOIL
I understand. Do you have a
photography of Ruth, Mr. Behe?
MOSES retrieves an old cigar box and produces a tattered
photograph of Ruth. She appears younger, with both eyes
intact and with dark hair.
ZOIL
She's pretty.
MOSES snorts.
ZOIL
Do you have a phone Mr. Behe? In
case she tries to contact you.
MOSES BEHE
I do...
ZOIL nods at HAGGARD who immediately starts dialling on his
satellite phone, moving into a different room.
MOSES BEHE
...and she'll call me if she can.
Ruth's never really been outta
Carbon County.
ZOIL
You say they went East?
MOSES BEHE
Uh-huh. They'll have to get off the
191 after Flaming Gorge if they
ain't using the interstate, there's
been a rig spill just South of
Dutch John.
ZOIL
So?
MOSES BEHE
So that means they'll be on the 44.
Only way to go.
ZOIL looks at O'REILLY.
ZOIL
Let's go. Haggard!
63.
MOSES BEHE
Tell me you're gonna kill that
thing, Mr. Zoil. Kill it for what
it is.
ZOIL
We'll do our best, Mr. Behe.
MOSES BEHE
Watch yourself now. I seen its
eyes. It's evil.
ZOIL, HAGGARD and O'REILLY leave. MOSES watches them.
MOSES BEHE
God's speed, Mr. Zoil.
EXT. RV PARK - DAY
ZOIL's radio crackles to life.
HAGGARD (O.S.)
Man, that way was one fat freak!
O'REILLY (O.S.)
If I was that girl, I think I'd
rather take my chances with the
alien.
HAGGARD and O'REILLY hoot with laughter.
ZOIL
Can it, you two! How many times do
I have to tell you?
INT. BEHE RESIDENCE - DAY
MOSES is sat at his kitchen table listening to his police
scanner. HAGGARD and O'REILLY's laughter rattles loudly over
the radio.
ZOIL (O.S.)
We do not refer to the target as
"The Alien'.
MOSES's expression is mixture of fury and disbelief. He
glances at something nearby. Pull focus to the shotgun, lying
in the foreground on the kitchen table.
We hear an engine splutter into life, revving furiously.
EXT. BEHE RESIDENCE - DAY
MOSES in his pick up truck, screams off in pursuit.
64.
INT. RV - DAY
CLOSE on PAUL. He is staring at something in wonder.
PAUL
Wow.
Pull out to reveal him sitting next to GRAHAM and CLIVE,
looking out through the RV's windshield.
We see their POV. A breathtaking panorama of natural beauty.
They are parked up at the summit of a mountain road, looking
out across the vista.
PAUL
There it is, boys. Wyoming.
CLIVE
Is that where we're going?
PAUL
Maybe. I gotta tell ya. It's at
times like these you winder if the
intelligent design crowd aren't
onto something. I mean look at it.
Hey Ruth, get up here.
They look round, the door of the RV is open, RUTH is gone.
PAUL
Ruth!?
CLIVE
Someone should go after her.
Graham?
CLIVE looks round to see GRAHAM gone.
CLIVE
Graham!?
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
RUTH is storming up the road.
GRAHAM
Ruth!
RUTH
Leave me alone!
GRAHAM
Ruth, please stop, I've got shin
splints.
RUTH stops. GRAHAM catches up to her.
65.
GRAHAM
Are you alright?
RUTH
He can't be from space. It's not
possible.
GRAHAM
Ruth, you saw for yourself. It's
not just possible, it's probably.
There's probably millions of
intelligent civilizations.
RUTH
So, where is everybody?
GRAHAM
Well, one of them is right there.
RUTH and GRAHAM look back at the RV. PAUL is stood on the
dashboard with his bare buttocks pressed against the window.
CLIVE is trying not to laugh.
RUTH
Everything I've ever been told is a
lie. My purpose. My truth. All
false. DO you know how that feels?
To suddenly have nothing?
GRAHAM
Just because your truth wasn't the
truth, it doesn't mean there is no
truth, Ruth.
RUTH
Huh?
GRAHAM
I understand you're probably
feeling very confused right now.
Religious belief systems are
devised to give us context and
security. To stop us feeling lonely
and unimportant.
RUTH
I do feel lonely and unimportant!
How can this all be an accident? It
doesn't make sense. Did you know
the reason we have solar eclipses
is because the sun is exactly 400
times bigger than the moon and the
moon is exactly 400 times closer to
the earth?
GRAHAM considers saying "yes' but decides against it.
RUTH
How can that be an accident.
66.
GRAHAM
It isn't, it's a coincidence. Or it
probably is. That's the beauty of
the universe.
RUTH
But what's the point? If there's
nothing afterwards, what's the
point in living?
GRAHAM
This is the point, Ruth. Right now.
This conversation. That tree, your
next cheeseburger. Life is a
miracle. People spend so much time
focusing on rescuing the princess,
they forget how much fun it is to
fight the dragon.
RUTH
Huh?
GRAHAM
Carl Sagan said "A religion, old or
new, that stressed the magnificence
of the universe as revealed by
modern science might be able to
draw forth reserves of reverence
and awe hardly tapped by the
conventional faiths.'
RUTH
Huh?
GRAHAM
It's okay not to know, Ruth. It's
wonderful because it means we still
have things to learn. We still have
life to live.
RUTH
I'm frightened.
GRAHAM
So am I, but it passes, sort of.
Ruth, we're on an amazing adventure
and I think you should come with
us. I know you feel confused and
lost but if you get back on board
that RV, you might just find the
very thing you're looking for.
RUTH
I... I'm not sure.
67.
GRAHAM
I'm sure Ruth. I'm sure because I
can honestly say, I have never
talked to a woman for this long
without blushing.
RUTH
That's so sweet.
GRAHAM blushes, deep, dark, red.
INT. RV - DAY
GRAHAM and RUTH get back onto the RV. GRAHAM looks pleased
with himself.
GRAHAM
She's going to be fine. I think
your hair looks good by the way.
You look like Storm.
RUTH
Who's Storm?
PAUL
From X-Men.
GRAHAM
Exactly.
RUTH goes to the bathroom.
RUTH (O.S.)
AAARRRRGGGHHHHH! MY FREAKIN' HAIR!
EXT/INT. RV - DAY
The RV drives across the rugged countryside. GRAHAM, CLIVE,
RUTH and PAUL appear in various combinations.
GRAHAM drives with PAUL in the Chewie seat, CLIVE sleeps on
the sofa, RUTH can be seen sitting on the bed at the back.
CLIVE drives with GRAHAM in the Chewie seat. PAUL just
behind, RUTH on the sofa. She is staring at PAUL. PAUL turns
round, she looks away.
PAUL drives, CLIVE sits in the Chewie seat, GRAHAM and RUTH
just behind. The RV weaves from side to side.
CLIVE
Small corrections! Small
corrections!
RUTH drives. Everyone else is asleep.
68.
EXT/INT. ZOIL'S CAR/HAGGARD'S CAR/O'REILLY'S CAR - DAY
We see ZOIL's convoy. ZOIL drives, his eyes intent on the
road, searching. He reaches down out of shot, then brings a
taco to hi mouth and takes a bit. A truck passes. We see
HAGGARD in his car, talking animatedly on his cell phone. The
truck passes. We see O'REILLY in his car, he is asleep at the
wheel. The truck passes, horn blaring. O'REILLY wakes up
suddenly, looking rattled.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY
The RV is parked up. It is a little speck on an enormous
landscape. Next to the highway is a sign which reads "YOU ARE
NOW LEAVING UTAH.' Underneath this a separate sign reads
"LEAVING PACIFIC TIME ZONE ENTERING MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE.' PAUL
leaps back and forth over the line.
PAUL
11 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 11 o'clock,
12 o'clock, 11 o'clock. Come on!
It's fun.
We see CLIVE, GRAHAM and RUTH standing in the middle of the
road watching PAUL.
RUTH
This is the furthest I've ever
been.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
ZOIL's convoy pulls into an Arby's. The three AGENTS leap out
of their cars and run in. After a short pause MOSES BEHE's
pick up truck passes through shout; "Onward Christian
Soldiers' blares from the radio.
INT. RV - NIGHT
GRAHAM drives, CLIVE sits in the Chewie seat. PAUL hangs
back. RUTH emerges from the bedroom. She has swapped her
Darwin T-shirt for one of GRAHAM's. It's an X-files T-shirt
emblazoned with a UFO and the legend, I WANT TO BELIEVE.
RUTH
You don't mind, do you, Graham?
GRAHAM
It looks nice.
PAUL
Hey, we should stop for something
to eat. Are you hungry, Ruth?
69.
RUTH
What?
CLIVE
I'm hungry.
PAUL
What's new, fatty?
CLIVE
Hey, it's not fat, it's power. I
happen to be very strong.
PAUL summons a phlegm ball with a grotesque snort and spits
it onto the floor of the RV.
PAUL
Pick that up then.
CLIVE
So childish.
RUTH
Maybe I should call Papa.
PAUL/GRAHAM/CLIVE
What?!
RUTH
Look, I've been missing for a whole
day. If he's called the police,
they'll be looking for us and if
they find us, this "amazing
adventure' is going to come to an
end real quick. I just need to tell
him I'm fine and that I'll be back
soon, okay?
PAUL offers up a high five to RUTH.
PAUL
Right up top!
RUTH yelps, terrified that PAUL is going to zap her again.
PAUL
Too soon?
CLIVE reaches down and picks up PAUL's phlegm ball.
CLIVE
I did it!
EXT. BAR. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
GRAHAM, CLIVE and RUTH step out of the RV.
70.
CLIVE
Okay, in and out, yes? Don't talk
to anyone unless you have to and
try to look inconspicuous.
Angle on the most conspicuous threesome in America.
HOOOOOOOONNNK.
CLIVE
I wish he'd stop doing that!
They enter the bar. Parked nearby, is a black Lincoln
Escalade, shiny, mean, dented.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
The bar is very busy. Scantily clad waitresses serve a
variety of customers. People play pool, other people dance to
a small band. RUTH spies a pay phone at the back.
RUTH
I won't be long.
CLIVE
We'll order food and wait for you
at the bar.
RUTH
Okay.
CLIVE
Be careful.
RUTH walks through to the back, past the toilets. As she
passes, MOSES BEHE steps out of the Men's, they miss each
other by moments. He walks up to the bar, next to GRAHAM and
CLIVE who are looking at a menu. MOSES orders.
MOSES BEHE
Tap water.
INT. BAR. PAY PHONE - MOMENTS LATER
RUTH dials. She listens nervously. Click.
OPERATOR (O.S.)
Ruth Behe?
RUTH
Yes?
OPERATOR (O.S.)
Please hold, your call is being
diverted.
71.
RUTH
Wait, I...
ZOIL (O.S.)
Ruth Behe?
RUTH
Yes?
ZOIL (O.S.)
Agent Zoil, Secret Service. Listen
very carefully. You're in great
danger.
RUTH
How did you...?
ZOIL (O.S.)
We know who you're travelling with
Ruth. I need you and your friend to
turn yourselves in.
RUTH
What if we don't want to turn
ourselves in?
INT. HIGHWAY. ROADSIDE - NIGHT
ZOIL talks on a satellite phone. HAGGARD works on a laptop
nearby. O'REILLY listens in.
ZOIL
Where are you? Where are you
headed?
RUTH (O.S.)
I don't know.
ZOIL
Look, I know you think you're doing
the right thing but I promise you,
I'm only thinking about you. And
Paul. You care about Paul, don't
you?
RUTH (O.S.)
I don't know how I feel about him.
He's weird and also, rude.
ZOIL
Yes he is.
RUTH (O.S.)
I asked him why he wore shorts and
he said if he didn't I'd see his
big spaceman balls.
72.
INT. BAR. PAY PHONE - NIGHT
Loud giggles, followed by angry shushing from ZOIL.
RUTH
Who's there with you?
ZOIL (O.S.)
Ruth, please listen to me. Your
father is worried about you. We
want to get you home. I need you to
tell me where you are.
RUTH
He showed me things.
ZOIL
You're not still talking about his
balls, are you?
RUTH
I... i just want to know what's
real. I'm confused. I... I...
RUTH struggles. Her expression shows great conflict.
HAGGARD (O.S.)
WE GOT HER!
ZOIL (O.S.)
Damnit, Haggard!
RUTH panics and slams down the phone. She realizes what she
may have done and rushes back toward the bar, slamming into
two men. The MEATHEADS, drunk, look down at her, amused.
JAKE
Hey, slow down there cyclops.
RUTH
I need to get to my friends.
GUS
Why the hurry? You know I got a
friend with one eye who'd love to
meet you.
RUTH
I happen to have two eyes actually.
I just have a severe stigmatism.
JAKE
You should get that fixed up.
Reckon you'd be kinda pretty in the
right light.
GUS
Yeah, the dark.
73.
RUTH
Papa said the Lord would fix it.
GUS
The Lord ain't gonna fix nothing
sweetheart.
RUTH
No shit.
RUTH plants her knee firmly into the groin of GUS. He doubles
up knocking his friend over. RUTH bolts.
INT. BAR - MOMENTS LATER
GRAHAM and CLIVE are clutching brown paper bags full of food,
RUTH returns from the Phone.
GRAHAM
How's your dad?
RUTH
We need to leave now.
CLIVE
We're still waiting on a wet fries.
The two MEATHEADS emerge from the pay phone. Angry.
JAKE
Holy shit! It's the space faggots
that dinged the fuck-mobile!
CLIVE
Look, I'm terribly sorry. Perhaps
we can exchange insurance details?
JAKE
I'm sorry I don't speak "nerd'.
GRAHAM and CLIVE look terribly offended.
GUS
These the "friends' you told us
about, baby?
RUTH
Yes, they are.
JAKE
Well whaddya know? Small world.
RUTH
We were just leaving.
GUS
I don't think so.
74.
JAKE grabs RUTH. GRAHAM pushes him hard in the chest.
GRAHAM
Leave her alone!
JAKE
What did you say?
CLIVE
(timid but resolute)
He said, leave her alone.
At this, JAKE pulls his fist back to hit CLIVE, knocking a
tray of drinks all over a table full of men. They immediately
spring up and lunge after the MEATHEADS who turn their
attention to the attack. The fight spreads like fire. GRAHAM
grabs RUTH's hand and follows CLIVE as he scrambles through
the fracas. As they reach the door RUTH is yanked back and
comes face to face with her father.
MOSES BEHE
RUTH?!
RUTH
PAPA?!
CLIVE
Graham?
MOSES BEHE
I'm taking you home.
RUTH
I... I can't.
MOSES BEHE
Don't talk back to me, girl!
RUTH
PAPA I-
A chair smashes across MOSES's head, knocking him out. Behind
him, bloodied and angry are the two MEATHEADS.
EXT. BAR. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
CLIVE, GRAHAM and RUTH explode out of the bar and run toward
the RV. The MEATHEADS crash out after them.
RUTH
What about Papa?!
JAKE
Hey, we ain't finished with you.
75.
CLIVE
Graham, take Ruth into the RV and
lock the door. I don't want either
of you to see this.
CLIVE turns back to the MEATHEADS. BANG! CLIVE is struck in
the face, he falls, nose bleeding.
They turn to RUTH and GRAHAM, who back up against the RV. The
MEATHEADS approach ominously. The RV door bursts open. PAUL
stands silhouetted against the interior lights.
PAUL
Yo fucknuts!
The MEATHEADS freeze. PAUL vanishes, then reappears a few
feet from them, their eyes bulge.
PAUL
So, who wants to get probed first?
The MEATHEADS swoon and simultaneously hit the deck.
GRAHAM
Ha! Only one of us fainted!
PAUL
Tell me you got the food?
CLIVE gets up and opens his coat revealing bags of food.
Sirens wail in distance. RUTH turns white.
RUTH
It's them.
GRAHAM
Who?
RUTH
It wasn't my fault. They answered
the phone. He knew all about us.
CLIVE
Who? Who are you talking about?
PAUL
Get in the RV!
SMASH CUT. The RV roars to life, backing up at speed into the
MEATHEAD's vehicle. MOSES BEHE bursts out of the bar, just as
the RV passes. RUTH sees him out of the window. MOSES locks
eye with his daughter. He runs to his pick up but realises he
doesn't have his keys. The RV tears off into the night,
leaving MOSES BEHE bellowing with anger and the Lincoln
Escalade, shiny, mean, fucked.
76.
INT. RV - NIGHT
The RV pulls off the road into a secluded lay-by. The gang
sit in silence for a while.
GRAHAM
Was that your dad, Ruth?
RUTH nods.
CLIVE
He was so angry.
RUTH
He's always angry.
GRAHAM, CLIVE and PAUL all exchange looks.
GRAHAM
Are you alright, Ruth?
RUTH nods, still distant.
PAUL
I'm feeling pretty amped up. Anyone
wanna take a walk?
CLIVE
I'm game.
GRAHAM
You want to come for a walk, Ruth?
RUTH
Thanks, but I think I'm going to
turn in. It's been a long day what
with meeting you guys, being
abducted by and alien and having my
whole belief system called into
question.
PAUL
Sorry about that.
GRAHAM
It was amazing though, wasn't it?
Remember when Paul said "Yo
fucknuts'? That was brilliant.
PAUL
You gotta talk the talk, right?
CLIVE
What about when I got smacked in
the nose?
77.
PAUL
Yeah yeah Snorlax, you're a real
hero. Come on. Let's skedaddle. You
want anything Ruth?
RUTH
No, you go, I'll be fine. Here
Clive.
RUTH hands CLIVE her handkerchief. It is embroidered with the
words "JESUS SAVES'.
CLIVE
Thank you.
He mops his nose as they leave the RV. GRAHAM lingers.
GRAHAM
You can sleep in my bunk if you'd
like.
She smiles at him. He goes to leave but turns back.
GRAHAM
I'd use a pen to push the tissues
off the bed. I've had a cold.
EXT. DESERTED TOWN - NIGHT
GRAHAM and PAUL stand outside a liquor store on the main drag
of a quiet town. Next door is a Western themed clothing
store. PAUL looks in the window.
PAUL
Hey Graham. Check this out. What
d'ya think?
PAUL indicates to a small cowboy outfit, big enough for a
child, displayed in the window.
PAUL
I'd look pretty hot, right?
GRAHAM
Space cowboy.
PAUL
Steve Miller Band. I love that
song. Speaking of midnight tokers,
I got a littler herbal refreshment
in my pants. Do you guys partake?
GRAHAM
No.
PAUL
Shame. I get it from the military.
This is the shit that killed Dylan.
78.
GRAHAM
Bob Dylan's still alive.
PAUL
Is he?
CLIVE comes out of the liquor store clutching bags of beer.
CLIVE
Let's party!
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
GRAHAM, CLIVE and PAUL have made a camp fire in a woodland
clearing on the other side of town. They sit round drinking
beers and chatting. PAUL rolls a joint.
GRAHAM
So why "Paul'? It's not very, you
know, alien.
CLIVE
Is it spelt like, P-'-a-w-l-l or
something?
PAUL
No.
GRAHAM
P-o-o-u-r-l?
PAUL
No, it's Paul. Like Paul Newman or
the little guy from Simon and
Garfunkel.
CLIVE
Paul Simon.
PAUL
Paul Simon. Paul's not my real
name. It's a name I got given.
GRAHAM
What's your real name?
PAUL
You won't be able to pronounce it.
CLIVE
I can speak Klingon.
PAUL
What a geek.
CLIVE
Hey!
79.
GRAHAM
Come on, what's your real name.
PAUL opens his mouth and screeches.
PAUL
Roooooootttchaaaaaaaaaaa.
CLIVE
Roooooootttttttccchhaaaa.
PAUL
That's pretty good.
GRAHAM
Rootchaa? That sounds like Roger.
PAUL
Fuck you!
CLIVE
Calm down, Rog.
More laughter. Even PAUL. He lights his joint.
GRAHAM
You look like a poster on a
student's wall.
PAUL
That was my gag! "Take me to your
dealer' right? Yeah, that was mine.
Never saw a dime.
GRAHAM
You never answered my question. Why
Paul? Who called you Paul?
PAUL
The little girl who found me when I
crashed. It was terrible actually.
I killed her dog. I didn't mean to!
My ship sort of landed on it. When
the military arrived I was
delirious; I kept saying "Paul?
Paul?" It was the only English I
knew, because I'd heard the little
girl saying it over and over.
Spooks thought it was my name.
CLIVE
She called her dog Paul?
PAUL
Least it wasn't Mr. Muggles.
GRAHAM
What happened to the little girl?
80.
PAUL
Who knows? Never saw her again.
Think about her everyday though.
PAUL offers the joint round. CLIVE and GRAHAM decline. PAUL
takes a deep drag. During the following exchange, GRAHAM,
CLIVE and PAUL start to move simultaneously as though
governed by some kind of psychic link.
CLIVE
It's strange, isn't it? Ordinarily
in this situation Graham and I
would be looking up at the stars,
wondering about life on other
planets but we know now, don't we?
It's a bit of an anti-climax.
PAUL
Thanks a bunch, Hurley.
CLIVE
I don't mean that in a bad way.
They all scratch their noses.
GRAHAM
Paul, can I ask you something?
PAUL
Shoot.
GRAHAM
Why are you in such a hurry to
leave?
PAUL
I've outlived my usefulness.
CLIVE
How so?
PAUL
There's only so much knowledge I
can share about the universe and
quantum theory and how to make a
really nice meatball sandwich. The
only thing I have to offer them now
are my abilities.
GRAHAM
So?
PAUL
So the only way they're going to
get hold of them is by obtaining
some of somatic stem cells.
81.
GRAHAM
So what, do they take a swab from
your cheek?
PAUL
Negative.
CLIVE
Stool?
PAUL
Sadly, not that simple.
GRAHAM
Blood?! Oh my god, I hate needles.
PAUL
Believe me, a needle would be a
picnic compared to what they had in
store for me.
CLIVE
I don't follow.
PAUL
Stem cells are multipotent.
GRAHAM and CLIVE look blank.
PAUL
Lineage defined?
GRAHAM and CLIVE still look blank.
PAUL (CONT'D)
The camouflage response, the memory
transfer, the revivification, they
all originate in my cerebellum. In
order to cultivate them in a
laboratory they would have to...
GRAHAM/CLIVE
Cut your brain out.
PAUL
Bingo! Fortunately, someone was
kind enough to give me the heads
up, if you'll pardon the pun. So,
when they were transferring me to
the medical facility and I noticed
the bumper sticker on your RV, I
figured you might be sympathetic
types. I zapped the spooks, grabbed
the wheel and took my chance.
CLIVE
I thought the crash was our fault.
82.
PAUL
Well it was, kinda.
GRAHAM
So, you're saying if they catch
you...
PAUL draws his thumb across his neck. GRAHAM and CLIVE look
at PAUL in horror. All three scratch their heads.
PAUL
So tell me, are you guys virgins or
what?
GRAHAM/CLIVE
No.
They all cough.
PAUL
Alright then, Clive, when was the
last time you got laid.
CLIVE
Comic-Con 2005. Ewok chick.
PAUL
Three years ago you had sex with a
midget?
CLIVE
She was an Ewok!
Sniff.
PAUL
There are only two types of person
small enough to fit inside an Ewok
costume.
CLIVE
She was a midget.
PAUL
I can't believe you thought boning
a space bear sounded less
embarrassing than a person of short
stature.
CLIVE
I know. I'm sorry.
PAUL
Was it nice?
CLIVE
WONDERFUL
83.
PAUL
You sly dog!
PAUL rolls onto his back, clapping. GRAHAM snorts into his
beer, laughing. CLIVE joins in. Before long, the three
friends are rolling around in hysterics, utterly out of
control. After about thirty seconds of this, they pass out.
EXT. WOODS - MORNING
The sun has just risen. GRAHAM, CLIVE and PAUL lie round the
smoldering camp fire sleeping soundly. PAUL is very white.
His eyes open. He looks around.
PAUL
Oh shit! Hey, wake up. Wake up. We
fell asleep.
CLIVE
How did that happen?
PAUL
Sorry, I get this thing when I get
high. It's called "projective
empathy'. You feel what I feel.
GRAHAM
Like in E.T.?
PAUL
Exactly.
CLIVE
Oh, thank God. For a second there I
thought I'd got drunk on Lite beer.
The guys gather their stuff and walk to the edge of the wood.
Looking through the tree line they realize that the quiet
town of last night has become very busy indeed.
GRAHAM
Oh dear!
PAUL
I can't walk through there.
CLIVE
How are we going to get back?
Close in on GRAHAM having the best idea of his life.
EXT. TOWN - DAY
GRAHAM and CLIVE walk down the busy main street, between them
is PAUL. He is dressed in the little cowboy suit from the
shop window, his hat pulled down low over his face.
84.
GRAHAM
Maybe we should hold hands, so that
we look like a family.
PAUL
That's great! Two grown men who
look like sex offenders holding
hands with a child cowboy.
CLIVE
You could be a midget.
PAUL
You're obsessed with midgets!
They continue on, trying to look as if nothing is strange.
GRAHAM
Seem to be working, Clive. Clive?
GRAHAM notices that CLIVE is no longer with them. He looks
back to see CLIVE, gawping thought the window of a COMIC
SHOP, at a sword resembling the one they saw at Comic-Con.
The tag reads "Genuine "BLADE' Katana'. $299.99.
GRAHAM
Clive, no.
CLIVE walks into the shop. GRAHAM and PAUL follow quickly
behind. As they enter the COMIC SHOP, MOSES BEHE emerges from
the adjacent Drug Store. He takes a couple of pain killers
and flexes his sore shoulders. He wanders up the road,
scanning the passers by.
INT. COMIC SHOP - DAY
GRAHAM approaches CLIVE who is at the counter.
GRAHAM
Now's not really the time, Sausage.
CLIVE
I must have it.
GRAHAM
It's very cheap. Are you sure you
don't want to save up and get a
proper on?
CLIVE
Oh, come on, we've got time.
INT/EXT. RV - DAY
Close on RUTH's watch. She paces, worried.
KNOCK KNOCK.
85.
RUTH
Where have you been? I was worried.
She opens the door. AGENT ZOIL flashes his badge.
ZOIL
Good morning, Ma'am. Sorry to
trouble you. Agent Zoil, Secret
Service. Your wagon here matches
the description of a recreational
vehicle we're currently looking
for. May I ask, are you alone?
RUTH pauses a second.
RUTH
Yes, I'm alone.
ZOIL
Do you mind taking a look at these
pictures?
ZOIL pulls out three pictures and hands them to RUTH. CCTV
shots of GRAHAM and CLIVE at the gas station and MOSES's pic
of RUTH, looking younger, with dark hair and no glasses.
ZOIL
Do you recognise any of these
people, Miss?
She lingers on the picture of herself.
ZOIL
Miss?
RUTH
No, sorry I don't.
ZOIL
Where are you coming from, Ma'am?
RUTH
Christian ministry in Seattle. I've
been driving for 5 days.
ZOIL
Going far?
RUTH
Austin.
ZOIL
Great town.
RUTH
Oh yes. It has an impressive bat
population you know?
(MORE)
86.
RUTH (CONT'D)
Folks gather by the rive in the
evening to watch them fly out. Turn
the sky black. Quite a sight.
ZOIL
Is that so?
RUTH
Uh-huh. Well, I really should be
getting along.
ZOIL
Of course. Thanks for your time,
Miss...?
Beat.
RUTH
Darwin, Charlotte Darwin.
ZOIL smiles and nods. He laves.
INT. COMIC SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
GRAHAM and CLIVE are at the counter. CLIVE is trying out the
blade. PAUL, in cowboy guise browses the racks of comics. He
picks one up. The cover features an alien that looks a lot
like him. The comic is called "Encounter Briefs: Tales From
the Dreamland'. PAUL smiles and shakes his head. He suddenly
realises he is being watched. Next to him is a child, (8)
small enough to see under PAUL's hat. He is looking at the
cover of the comic and back at PAUL.
PAUL
How's it going?
CHILD
Is that you?
PAUL
No.
CHILD
It looks like you.
PAUL
Suppose it does. What's your name?
CHILD
Keith Nash.
PAUL
I'm Paul. Pleased to meet you.
They shake hands.
PAUL
You on your own here, Keith Nash?
87.
KEITH NASH
My Mom's shopping for some new
jeans. She lets me wait in here.
PAUL
Sounds like a good Mum.
KEITH NASH
Yes and no. What're you doing here?
PAUL
My friend's buying a sword. He's a
grown man.
KEITH NASH
What a nerd.
PAUL laughs. So does KEITH NASH.
PAUL
You an M&Ms man, Keith?
PAUL produces his M&Ms. He offers one to KEITH.
KEITH NASH
I am but I shouldn't.
PAUL
Strangers with candy, right?
KEITH NASH
Right.
PAUL
Well, we've got a lot in common. We
both like comics and M&Ms. Guess
that makes us pals.
KEITH NASH
Guess so.
KEITH beams at PAUL and takes a few M&Ms. They turn their
attention back to the racks of comics. PAUL pulls one out
called "G-Men'. On the cover it shows an agent, not unlike
ZOIL, shooting an alien not unlike PAUL.
PAUL
You read this one?
KEITH NASH
No.
PAUL
It's a good one. Take it. Go on.
It's a gift.
KEITH NASH
Thanks Paul.
88.
KEITH stuffs it down his trousers. PAUL laughs. We hear MRS.
NASH calling from the street.
KEITH NASH
I gotta go.
PAUL
Catch you later, Keith Nash.
GRAHAM and CLIVE approach. CLIVE has a long sword shaped box
under his arm and a big grin on his face.
CLIVE
Who was that?
PAUL
Keith Nash. How much was that?
CLIVE
$299.99. It's made of a low grade
Turkish alloy.
PAUL
What did you get, speccy?
GRAHAM
X-Men action figure.
PAUL
Jesus Cheeeerist.
EXT. COMIC SHOP - DAY
GRAHAM, CLIVE and PAUL exit the comic shop. PAUL waves to
KEITH NASH, who now sits outside, on a bench, with his
MOTHER. The boys walk up the street, seconds later, HAGGARD
and O'REILLY step out of a store, eating bags of candy.
MRS. NASH
Don't lie, Keith.
KEITH NASH
I'm not lying.
MRS. NASH
Oh, come on now, Keith. If you
carry on like this, you'll have to
come with me to Dress Barn.
KEITH NASH
Honestly Mommy, he was an alien and
his name was Paul!
MRS. NASH
Whoever hard of an alien called
Paul?
89.
HAGGARD is suddenly kneeling at KEITH NASH's side. O'REILLY
stands nearby.
HAGGARD
What did you say, kid?
MRS. NASH
Excuse me. Who are you?
HAGGARD
Agent Haggard Ma'am, Secret
Service.
MRS. NASH
Secret Service?!
HAGGARD
Kid?
KEITH NASH
He was in the shop.
HAGGARD
Is he still in there?
KEITH shakes his head.
O'REILLY
Did he say where he was going?
KEITH looks at his comic. The ZOIL style agent, shooting the
PAUL style alien. He looks back at HAGGARD and points him in
the entirely wrong direction.
HAGGARD
South. Toward New Mexico, huh?
KEITH nods. HAGGARD stands, his mind racing. He looks
meaningfully at O'REILLY not noticing the RV rumbling up the
street behind him with CLIVE at the wheel.
O'REILLY
We've got him man! We're going to
get a fucking promotion.
HAGGARD
You did good kid. Want a candy?
KEITH NASH
No thanks.
HAGGARD
Let's go.
The two agents rush off.
O'REILLY
What about Zoil?
90.
HAGGARD
Screw Zoil!
EXT. WOODS - DAY
MOSES BEHE kicks at the remains of the campfire. He bends
down and picks something up. It is Ruth's handkerchief, now
stained with dirt and blood. He screws it into his shaking
hand. An engine roars. He looks up to see the RV rumbling up
the road. It turns onto the Eastbound Highway. MOSES' pick up
is parked about 200 yards away. MOSES starts to lumber
towards it as fast as he can, which isn't very fast.
EXT. STREET - DAY
HAGGARD and O'REILLY sprint up to their vehicles.
ZOIL (O.S.)
Where the hell do you think you're
going?
HAGGARD can't hide his frustration.
HAGGARD
We picked up a lead, sir. Little
kid in the town said he saw an
alien. Said he was heading toward
New Mexico.
ZOIL
And you were just gonna take off?
HAGGARD
Thought it best to take the
initiative, sir. We were going to
radio you.
ZOIL
Well now, that's mighty civil of
you. We have a chain of command. I
expect you to abide by it. Where
d'you say he was headed?
HAGGARD
New Mexico sir.
ZOIL
Well, then let's move it.
They scramble.
ZOIL
Oh, and Haggard? Don't go getting
ideas about your station again.
ZOIL gets into his car leaving HAGGARD looking pissed.
91.
INT. MOSES'S PICK UP - DAY
MOSES drives, Ruth's bloody handkerchief gripped between his
hands and the wheel. He listens to his police scanner.
VOICE (O.S.)
Zoil, what the hell's going on?
ZOIL (O.S.)
They've double back sir. They're
heading toward New Mexico.
VOICE (O.S.)
You better be right about this,
Zoil. I'm getting a little tired of
this shit. I want that little
fucker's brain in a jar by sundown.
MOSES smiles darkly.
MOSES BEHE
Looks like you're going the wrong
way, Agent Zoil. That's what
happens when you don't got the Lord
on your side.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
MOSES BEHE's pick up roars through shot, revealing a large
roadside sign proclaiming LUCIFER'S CUT PRICE FIREWORK
WAREHOUSE. Creep in on the sign.
INT. RV - DAYBREAK
The RV is parked outside the firework warehouse. RUTH and
PAUL sit opposite each other at the dining table. RUTH is
holding the X-Men action figure, Storm. PAUL watches her.
PAUL
He likes you, y'know?
RUTH
Graham? D'you think?
PAUL
What are you, blind?
Beat.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Sorry.
Beat.
PAUL
What you got there, a stigmatism?
92.
RUTH nods.
PAUL
You know you can get on operation
for that, right?
RUTH
Papa said the Lord would fix it.
Guess that's not gonna happen,
seeing as we're living in a
gigantic godless universe, with no
hope of salvation.
PAUL
Hey, I don't know categorically
that it's godless. I just said
"probably'.
RUTH
Oh, that's a relief.
PAUL
Look, the way you're feeling now,
that's why religion appeared in the
first place. It's like existential
Prozac. Imagine being five year
sold and having no adults around to
tell you why it snows or what trees
are for. That's how it is for much
of humanity. Faith is a night-
light. It illuminates the scary
corners, fills the gaps, makes the
universe easier to comprehend.
Thing is, it's okay not to know
everything. I mean, who knows
what's really out there? Did you
know astrophysicists recently
identified the equation for the
creation of matter?
RUTH
Yes.
PAUL
Oh. Well, then you get it, right?
If they have the theory, who's to
say at some point in the future
they won't put it into practice and
who's to say someone else didn't do
that 13.5 Billion years ago and
that's how the universe came to be?
Course, then we get the eternal
problem of who created the creator
but that's a whole other car park.
I think Shakespeare said it best.
"There's more in Heaven and earth
than is dreamt of in your
philosophy Horatio".
93.
RUTH
What did you call me?
PAUL
Horatio. It's from Hamlet. You
know, the Prince of Denmark?
RUTH
Denmark has a municipal population
of 508,691.
PAUL blinks.
PAUL
Anyway, if there is a God, didn't
he create doctors and hospitals and
scalpels and shit, so he wouldn't
have to go round fixing people's
lazy eyeballs?
RUTH
I suppose so.
PAUL
The eye is a delicate and complex
thing, Ruth. You should get it
taken care of.
RUTH smiles. PAUL smiles back. RUTH looks out of the window,
just as PAUL reaches out to touch her face.
RUTH
They're back.
PAUL withdraws his hand. GRAHAM and CLIVE are approaching the
RV clutching a large firework. They climb aboard.
PAUL
Perfect.
CLIVE
What are you going to do with this?
PAUL
Phone home.
INT. ZOIL'S CAR - DAY
VOICE
ZOIL!
ZOIL jumps but gathers his composure quickly.
ZOIL
Yes, sir?
94.
VOICE
Satellite's come up with a data
analysis on all the traffic coming
out of Prospect in the last 5
hours. There was only one RV, and
guess what, nimrod?
ZOIL
It wasn't going to New Mexico?
VOICE
That's a three pointer Agent Zoil.
You better spin your ass around.
You got some serious catching up to
do. Don't make me come out there.
ZOIL
No, sir. Where are they headed? If
we gun it, maybe we can get the
drop on their destination.
VOICE
They're on the 50, heading towards
Gillette.
ZOIL
What else is around there?
VOICE
Not much. Thunder Basis, Bethlehem
Creek.
ZOIL
Bethlehem Creek?
VOICE
Holy shit!
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
ZOIL's motorcade pulls a spectacular U-turn and heads back up
the highway in the opposite direction.
INT. MOSES'S PICK UP - DAYBREAK
MOSES listens intently to his scanner.
VOICE (O.S.)
You don't think she's sill there,
do you?
MOSES smiles.
95.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
MOSES BEHE's pick-up truck pulls a similarly spectacular turn
and heads in a different direction.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - EVENING
Caption: Bethlehem Creek, Wyoming
GRAHAM, CLIVE, RUTH and PAUL stare through the window of the
RV at the farmhouse glimpsed in the first scene.
GRAHAM
You don't think she's still there
do you?
PAUL
That's what you're going to find
out for me.
CLIVE
Us?
PAUL
I can't just knock can I? What if
she's moved on and someone else
answers? I'm sick of people
fainting on me. I'll hang back with
my buddy Ruth, you two make first
contact. Just enjoy it.
CLIVE
What shall we say if it's her?
We're here with the alien that
killed your dog sixty years ago?
PAUL
Yes. Hurry up, there's going to be
a really big storm in exactly 34
minutes.
RUTH
How do you know?
PAUL
It's my job to know.
EXT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
GRAHAM knocks on the door.
GRAHAM
Hello?
CLIVE
Knock again.
96.
VOICE (O.S.)
Who's there?
CLIVE
Tara Walton?
VOICE (O.S.)
Leave me alone!
GRAHAM
Okay.
GRAHAM goes to leave. CLIVE stops him.
CLIVE
Miss Walton, I'm the writer, Clive
Gollings and this is my friend and
colleague, Graham Willy. We're from
England and we're here with the
alien that killed your dog 60 years
ago.
Silence. The sound of multiple locks. The door opens to
reveal a woman (68). Grey, dishevelled but with fire in her
eyes. She scowls at GRAHAM and CLIVE.
TARA
What is this, some kind of joke?
CLIVE
It's no joke.
PAUL materializes between GRAHAM and CLIVE.
PAUL
Hello Tara.
TARA's faces sickens. She falls backwards into the house.
PAUL
Aw nuts.
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. FRONT ROOM - DAY
GRAHAM, CLIVE, RUTH and PAUL all sit on a sofa. TARA sits
opposite, staring at PAUL.
RUTH
Maybe I should make some tea.
TARA
Where are my manners? I never
really have guests. Nobody comes up
here. I go whole weeks without
seeing a soul.
97.
TARA goes to the kitchen. She can be seen from where they are
sitting. She turns the gas on and strikes a cooking match.
PAUL looks pained, struggling for something to say.
PAUL
Can I do anything to help?
TARA stand in the kitchen doorway, the lit match in her hand.
PAUL stands and walks toward her, she watches him.
TARA
I've only just stopped believing in
you, y'know? Spent a very long time
trying to convince folk about what
happened that night. My parents, my
friends. Everyone thought I was
mad. They told me it was a meteor
that squashed little Paul. Took me
away and did tests they did, said
it was for cosmic radiation. They
said I was concussed,
hallucinating, but I knew you were
real. I pulled you from that
spaceship myself. Sat with you till
the men came and took you away. If
Pop hadn't had to go to Casper, he
would have seen you too. They kept
telling me I'd imagined it but I
knew different. Pop tried to
understand but they filled his head
with "delayed this' and "post-
traumatic that'. He just used to
smile and say "there, there Tara'.
He got sick when I was seventeen
and died a few years later. I
inherited this place. Word got out
about my story not long after it
happened, so I didn't really have
any friends. Kids used to throw
stones at the house and call me
names. I just kinda retreated into
myself. I'd spend whole nights up
on the roof, staring at the sky,
hoping to catch a glimpse of you
again. I always believed that one
day you"d come back and here you
are.
The match flame reaches her fingers, she shakes it out.
TARA
Listen to me gabbing. Milk and
sugar?
PAUL
I'm so sorry.
TARA
What for?
98.
PAUL
For killing your dog and ruining
your life.
TARA
That doesn't matter. Don't you see?
You're real. I was right and all
those folk that said I was crazy?
Well, they can all go fuck
themselves.
PAUL
It's good to see you, Tara.
The tinkle of glass. Something hits the floor. A tear gas
canister spins at their feet, spewing thick fog.
TARA
Now, where do you suppose that came
from?
PAUL
Fuck a duck! Get out!
GRAHAM/CLIVE
Shit!
PAUL
Tara, where's the back door?
TARA
In back.
The gang bustle out of the room just as the front door
splinters inward, revealing O'REILLY in a gas mask.
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. BACK ROOM - DAY
The gang quickly barricade the door of the next room and
continue on toward the back of the house. They find the back
door, just as it is opened by ZOIL. The gang freeze. PAUL
vanishes, then reappears right next to ZOIL, putting his hand
across ZOIL's forehead.
ZOIL
Paul, wait-
A burst of psychic images explode into ZOIL's head. The agent
and the alien fall on the ground in an exhausted heap.
PAUL
Clive?
CLIVE
Yes?
PAUL
A little help?
99.
CLIVE picks PAUL up. HAGGARD approaches, gun drawn.
HAGGARD
Freeze, space monkey!
GRAHAM
We're cut off.
TARA
Storm cellar!
TARA opens a nearby door and motions them down some stairs,
as HAGGARD fires wildly. Crockery explodes around them.
ZOIL
Godammit Haggard!
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. CELLAR - DAY
The gang descend into a dim room. It is full of UFO
paraphernalia. Models, toys, books, souvenirs from every UFO
hot spot in the land. One the wall is the "Take Me To Your
Dealer' poster. PAUL sees it.
PAUL
Not a fucking cent.
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. BACK ROOM - DAY
ZOIL comes to. He sees HAGGARD at the cellar door. Screeching
brakes draw his attention as MOSES BEHE's truck skids up. He
gets out, shotgun in hand.
ZOIL
Oh great!
EXT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
TEAM PAUL climb out of the cellar and start to run towards
the RV, PAUL still in CLIVE's arms. It starts to rain.
PAUL
Come on!
GRAHAM
Ow, my shins!
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. BACK ROOM - DAY
ZOIL sees MOSES run round to the front of the farmhouse.
ZOIL
Help me up!
100.
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. FRONT ROOM - DAY
O'REILLY sees TEAM PAUL running toward the RV from the front
room. He levels his pistol at PAUL and squints.
EXT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
TEAM PAUL reach the RV and start to board, just as MOSES BEHE
lumbers into view.
MOSES BEHE
RUTH!
RUTH
Papa?
PAUL grabs RUTH's hand.
PAUL
Come on.
MOSES BEHE
(levelling his shotgun)
Take your hands off her, devil!
INT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE. FRONT ROOM - DAY
O'REILLY find his mark. Pull back to reveal he is stood by
the kitchen door, through which we see the cooker, the simmer
of gas in the air.
O'REILLY
Ready or not.
He fires.
KA-BOOM!!!
O'REILLY is vaporized in a ball of orange fire.
EXT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
The farmhouse explodes. ZOIL and HAGGARD who are only just
clear, hit the deck, covering their heads. MOSES is knocked
off his feet as flaming wood and debris rain down.
INT. RV - DAY
CLIVE
I'll drive!
GRAHAM
Punch it!
101.
The RV roars into life, reversing out onto the road. CLIVE
pulls a spectacular U-turn, sending the passengers flying.
GRAHAM lands in TARA's arms, RUTH in PAUL's. RUTH and GRAHAM
exchange glances. Dumb luck. TARA straightens herself and
looks out of the RV at her destroyed home.
TARA
My weed!
EXT. TARA'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
ZOIL is blackened and dazed, draped over HAGGARD's shoulder.
His eyes focus on a figure in the near distance. MOSES BEHE
picks himself up and lumbers off towards his truck. HAGGARD
drops ZOIL and runs to his car.
ZOIL
Damnit Haggard, wait!
HAGGARD takes off. ZOIL staggers to his car and with great
difficulty, takes off in pursuit, narrowly avoiding MOSES
BEHE's truck. Lightening flashes. Loud thunder.
INT. RV - DAY
CLIVE floors it. RAIN lashes down. The sky is almost black.
GRAHAM
Your dad's persistent, isn't he?
RUTH
You have no idea.
CLIVE sees their pursuers in his wing mirror.
CLIVE
I think we have a problem.
GRAHAM
What do we do?
PAUL
Go left.
CLIVE
What?
PAUL
GO LEFT!
CLIVE hauls the wheel left. The RV leaves the road and
bounces across the scrub. TEAM PAUL hang on for dear life.
102.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
HAGGARD, ZOIL and MOSES follow the RV across the scrub.
INT. ZOIL'S CAR - EVENING
ZOIL
(TO HIMSELF)
What the hell is he doing?!
VOICE (O.S.)
Zoil. Progress report!
ZOIL
Sir, I-
INT. HAGGARD'S CAR - EVENING
HAGGARD
In pursuit, sir.
VOICE
Who the hell is this?
HAGGARD
Haggard, sir. Agent Zoil has been
compromised. I'm assuming command.
ZOIL (O.S.)
Now wait a goddamn minute!
VOICE
I don't give a shit who's in
command. Where' my fucking
mooncoon?!
HAGGARD
Just ahead of me sir. We're heading
East across scrubland just North of
Mitchell Creek.
VOICE
I don't wanna hear from either of
you jokers until that little mother
fucker is under glass.
HAGGARD
Yes sir!
HAGGARD floors it. He is manic and wild eyed.
103.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
We see the chase from above, the RV is in the lead, gaining
behind them, is HAGGARD, followed by ZOIL, then MOSES.
HAGGARD draws level. He looks up into CLIVE's eyes.
INT. RV - DAY
CLIVE
They're trying to overtake.
PAUL
Don't let him get past.
CLIVE
Shall I ram him?
RUTH/TARA/GRAHAM/PAUL
YES!
CLIVE wrenches the wheel hard to the left.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
The RV nudges the BLACK SEDAN which spins out of control and
skids to a stop, ZOIL and MOSES scream past. HAGGARD turns
the engine over. Nothing. He yells. Lightening explodes
overhead, hail pings and bounces off the hood.
INT. RV - EVENING
CLIVE
What are we doing exactly?
PAUL
(TO HIMSELF)
Immense pressure and temperature
drop. High winds, circulating in
the troposphere, two opposed fronts
clashing. Oh, this is going to be a
good one.
CLIVE
A GOOD WHAT?!
RUTH stares out of the window.
RUTH
Oh my God.
104.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
A massive black funnel extends from the sky about half a mile
ahead of the chase. It rakes the ground, reducing a small
farm building to a million splinters.
INT. MOSES'S PICK UP - EVENING
MOSES BEHE
HOLY-
INT. ZOIL'S CAR - DAY
ZOIL is sat mouth agape.
ZOIL
-Shit!
INT. RV - EVENING
CLIVE swerves to avoid a grain silo, which comes bouncing
across the ground toward them.
CLIVE
Are you sure you know what you're
doing?!
PAUL
Twenty seconds.
TARA
Paul, we'll get sucked right up.
PAUL
Stay on target.
A branch smacks on the windshield, cracking it.
CLIVE
Paul!
PAUL
Stay on target.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
The grain silo bounces close to ZOIL's car, he swerves to
avoid it and stops. MOSES pulls up just ahead. MOSES and ZOIL
get out of the vehicles, almost unable to stand against the
wind and debris. They watch the RV, now a good distance in
front, heading for the heart of the tornado.
105.
ZOIL
He's insane!
MOSES BEHE
RUTH!
HAGGARD's car screams past. ZOIL grabs his radio.
ZOIL
Haggard, stand down. Stand down!
HAGGARD (O.S.)
He's mine. I can do this!
ZOIL
Haggard, it's suicide.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
CLIVE
PAUL?
PAUL
NOW!
The funnel suddenly evaporates into the sky, leaving the path
ahead clear and oddly calm.
GRAHAM
It's gone!
CLIVE
Where did it go?
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
ZOIL watches amazed. He almost smiles.
ZOIL
Son of a bitch!
ZOIL looks at the sky. His face drops.
ZOIL
Haggard. Wait a minute!
An engine revs nearby. ZOIL turns to see MOSES BEHE pull off
in pursuit.
ZOIL
MR. BEHE!
(into is radio)
Damnit, hang back, hang back!
106.
HAGGARD (O.S.)
You're not running this show any
more Zoil. You had your chance.
ZOIL
Haggard, he knows what he's doing.
HAGGARD (O.S.)
So do I.
ZOIL
It's a trap!
INT. RV - EVENING
CLIVE
They're still coming!
RUTH
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO DO?
PAUL
Ruth, why don't you count back from
10?
RUTH
Okay. 10...9...
PAUL
Back where I'm from, tornadoes are
part of our daily life. We've
learnt how to live with them, how
to understand them.
CLIVE
They're gaining!
PAUL
We've learnt to anticipate their
behavior, know their personalities,
know when they're playing games.
RUTH
3...
GRAHAM
What games?
RUTH
2...
PAUL
Hide and seek?
RUTH
1...
107.
CLIVE looks into his wing mirror, just as the tornado snakes
down out of the sky between them and HAGGARD.
CLIVE
Great Caesar's ghost!
RUTH
How did you do that? How did you
know?
PAUL
Evolution baby.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
The tornado touches down hear HAGGARD's car. He barely has
time to scream before his is lifted into the vortex.
INT. MOSES'S PICK UP - EVENING
A wide eyed MOSES yanks hard on the wheel, spinning the truck
round, heading back in the opposite direction.
EXT. SCRUB - EVENING
MOSES's truck hurtles past ZOIL's car.
MOSES BEHE (O.S.)
Oh Jesus! Oh Jesus! Oh Jesus!
ZOIL looks back toward the no unreachable RV.
INT. RV - DAY
CLIVE
We've lost them.
TEAM PAUL erupt into cheers. PAUL jumps in the air and
whoops. He high five GRAHAM and pats CLIVE on the back.
GRAHAM embraces RUTH and tries to kiss her, she pulls away.
GRAHAM
Sorry.
RUTH
Wait, what about Papa?
CLIVE
I only saw one car following us.
PAUL
Where's Tara?
TARA comes out of the toilet.
108.
TARA
The bulb's gone in there.
GRAHAM
That was just awesome. Amazing
driving Clive. It was like G.T.A.
but potentially fatal. Wasn't it,
Clive? Clive?
A knocking and a gurgling sound is coming from the engine.
CLIVE
Oh no.
EXT. SMALL ROAD - EVENING
The RV splutters to a halt. Steam rises from the radiator. It
whines, coughs and dies. Cut to TEAM PAUL stood around
surveying their fallen companion. A single bullet hold in the
grill, reveals the cause of her downfall.
GRAHAM
There goes the deposit.
CLIVE
Fare thee well friend. You were a
faithful and mighty steed.
TARA
She rode that storm with a bullet
in her heart and didn't stop until
we we're safe.
RUTH
If there is a benevolent creator
watching over everything then may
he, she or it bless the 1985
Holiday Rambler, Imperial.
Everyone looks to PAUL for his comment but he is not there.
GRAHAM
Paul?
PAUL (O.S.)
We're here.
PAUL is stood away from the RV at the foot of a small hill.
He starts to climb. The others follow. Crane up as TEAM PAUL
climb the hill to reveal a sight familiar to anyone who has
seen Close Encounters Of The Third Kind...
DEVIL's TOWER
GRAHAM/CLIVE
Of course!
109.
INT. ZOIL'S CAR - EVENING
ZOIL drives. Scanning the landscape. Searching.
VOICE
Zoil! What the hell is going on?
ZOIL
We got hit by a twister, sir.
Haggard's dead.
VOICE
What about the other one?
ZOIL
I lost him when the ranch exploded.
VOICE
Jesus Christ, Zoil, this has been
one fuck up after another. I should
have handled it myself. I want that
little bastard dead by midnight
tonight or you'll be working
security in a convention centre.
Now where's that RV?
ZOIL's eyes widen. Parked on the roadside is the RV.
VOICE
Zoil? ZOIL?
ZOIL is staring at DEVIL'S TOWER.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER - DAY
TEAM PAUL hike towards the tower.
RUTH
What you may not know is on the
outside of the tower they bolted a
series of ladders, all the way to
the top, put there by William
Rogers in 1893. He was the first
man to climb the tower.
TARA
I climbed up there in 1976. Thought
it would make a good site for some
UFO spotting. Turns out I wasn't
the only one.
PAUL
We call them IFOs.
TARA
Cute.
110.
PAUL
I-thank-you.
EXT. SMALL ROAD - DUSK
ZOIL opens the trunk of his car. He pulls out a large piston,
spare ammo and a webbing pack which he slings around his
shoulder. He sets off up the hill.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. CLEARING - NIGHT
TEAM PAUL are walking round the tower. As they round the
corner the landscape changes, the trees give way to a piece
of open pasture flanked by pine forest, the tower opens
itself up slightly, a perfect natural amphitheatre.
PAUL
This is it.
PAUL takes out the firework, Zippo and cigarettes from his
back pack. He lights his last cigarette and takes a drag.
PAUL
I'll miss these.
PAUL takes the firework a little way off and sticks it in the
ground. He crouches down and lights the touch paper with the
cigarette, then scampers back to the gang. Beat. The firework
rises into the sky. It explodes. The star-burst is massive
and bright red, it illuminates the tower.
TARA
Pretty.
GRAHAM
What now?
PAUL
We wait.
A light appears in the sky some way off.
PAUL (CONT'D)
(FROWNING)
That was quick.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. FOREST - NIGHT
ZOIL runs through the bush, fast, like a wild animal. His
face fixed with serious intent, gun in one hand, torch in the
other.
111.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. CLEARING - NIGHT
TEAM PAUL watch as the ethereal light draws nearer.
Spotlights cut through the night, searching beneath.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. FOREST - NIGHT
ZOIL leaps a fallen tree. Ahead, through the trees, he sees
an ethereal glow. He pulls the slide back on his pistol.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. CLEARING - NIGHT
The lights are really close now. They are accompanied by a
deep rumble. A very earthly sound. Rotor blades.
PAUL
Wait a minute...
A HELICOPTER swoops in to land, kicking dust and debris into
the air. TEAM PAUL turn back to the woods but are stopped by
the sight of a torch getting nearer.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Oh shit.
Behind them, the HELICOPTER powers down. The door opens.
VOICE
Well, whaddya know? Small world.
VOICE appears flanked by two faceless, heavily armed
SOLDIERS. They level their weapons, just as ZOIL bursts
through the trees behind them.
ZOIL
PAUL!
PAUL
Lorenzo?!
PAUL spins round. We go into slow motion. ZOIL fires. The
bullet explodes from the gun, straight at us. Angle on the
bullet as it passes in ECU. The shot moves round behind the
bullet to reveal PAUL, looking shocked. The bullet whizzes
past him, slamming into one of the soldiers.
ZOIL rolls, coming to rest on one knee. He fires a second
shot into the leg of the other soldier who collapses. He
leaves his gun at VOICE just as the PILOT bursts from the
cockpit. The PILOT fires but misses ZOIL. ZOIL takes out his
shoulder, spinning him off his feet. VOICE steps forward,
holding a smoking gun.
VOICE
It was you! You told him. I
should've known.
(MORE)
112.
VOICE (CONT'D)
You've never made a mistake in your
life. That's why I put you in
charge of this fucking mission.
ZOIL
He's my friend! I've known him for
twenty years. He introduced me to
my wife damnit!
VOICE
You stupid son of a bitch. In five
years, you could have been where I
am.
ZOIL
I don't want to be where you are.
VOICE
Too bad, seeing as I'm the one
hold'ng all the cards and when I
say "cards", I of course mean big
fucking gun.
VOICE points his gun at PAUL.
PAUL
How'd you find me?
VOICE
It was pretty easy once we got a
fix on the geek-mobile. Wasn't hard
to figure out where you were
headed. You always did have a flare
for the dramatic.
PAUL nods, a sad smile creeping across his mouth.
VOICE
Let's go.
TARA stands in front of PAUL, then RUTH, then GRAHAM then
CLIVE, who summons every ounce of bravery in his body.
CLIVE
He's not going anywhere.
VOICE
Be honest with yourself, two
scoops. What is it that you think
you can possibly bring to the table
at this stage in the game?
CLIVE reaches beyond his back and produces his KATANA SWORD,
he holds it like a proud Samurai.
CLIVE
Blind fury.
The blade falls off.
113.
CLIVE
Bloody low grade Turkish alloy.
VOICE
Step aside, you fat nerd.
CLIVE
(IN KLINGON)
Graham, his this man.
CLIVE steps aside. GRAHAM slams his fist into the face of the
unsuspecting VOICE. He staggers back but rallies quickly,
blocking GRAHAM's second blow and delivering a heavy rebuke.
RUTH leaps onto VOICE's back and starts pummeling his head.
RUTH
Leave him alone!
VOICE hits out at RUTH. GRAHAM renews his attack.
GRAHAM
Leave her alone!
VOICE throws them off and comes face to face with TARA.
TARA
Leave them alone.
WHAM! She whacks VOICE across the face with a large stick.
TARA
You're not taking him away again.
He staggers backwards and falls to the ground, unconscious.
PAUL
Thank you, Tara.
TARA
Don't mention it.
PAUL rushes to ZOIL who lies on the ground, wounded.
ZOIL
The things I do for you, huh?
PAUL
You know I appreciate it.
ZOIL
Do you have any idea how difficult
it was to catch you guys?
PAUL
(LAUGHS)
Let me take a look at that. Ruth,
shine the torch down here?
RUTH grabs a torch and steps in behind PAUL.
114.
BLAM! RUTH lurches forward, suddenly limp. Everyone turns to
see MOSES BEHE, shotgun smoking in his and. His face white,
his eyes wide.
MOSES BEHE
Oh Lord, Ruth. My little Ruth.
GRAHAM
Noooooooooo!
GRAHAM gathers RUTH up in his arms. She coughs, flecks of
blood around her mouth.
MOSES BEHE
I...I never meant to shoot her. I
was aiming for the goblin.
CLIVE
He's not a goblin he's from another
planet.
MOSES BEHE
But he can't be. He... he...
GRAHAM
He's an alien you stupid man! Oh
Ruth, Ruth I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
I should have never persuaded you
to come with us.
RUTH focuses on GRAHAM. She smiles, weakly.
RUTH
What, and miss all this? Graham,
I've lived more in the last 48
hours that I ever did in that
trailer park. Isn't that what you
said living was all about? Right
now? This conversation? That tree?
My next cheeseburger? I'm not
afraid anymore Graham. I'm cold
though. Hey, where is everybody?
RUTH shudders and dies. TARA and ZOIL look aghast. GRAHAM
buries his head in RUTH's hair. CLIVE, his eyes are filled
with tears, puts his and on GRAHAM's shoulder.
MOSES BEHE
What have I done? I'm sorry. I'm so
sorry.
A shadow is cast across RUTH. Everyone looks up to see PAUL,
silhouetted against the moon. His eyes glint.
PAUL
There is no way this thing isn't
gonna end happy.
115.
PAUL drops to his knee and places his hands on RUTH's chest.
MOSES drops his shotgun and lumbers over, distraught.
MOSES BEHE
Get away from her! Don't you touch
my little girl.
CLIVE holds out a hand to stop MOSES. He obeys. The air hums,
charged with static. PAUL's skin ripples with color. Everyone
watches transfixed. RUTH's eye flickers and opens. With some
difficulty, she sits up and takes off her glasses. She blinks
both shining, healthy eyes.
GRAHAM
Ruth, are you okay?
RUTH
I think so. Is anyone hungry? I
really feel like a cheese burger.
Relief and joy spreads through group. MOSES falls to his
knees and sobs. He feels a hand on his shoulder and looks up
to see PAUL.
MOSES BEHE
Thank you.
RUTH and GRAHAM hug. She smiles at him.
RUTH
You can kiss me now.
They kiss with awkward passion. Everyone smiles then after a
bit become uncomfortable and a bit grossed out.
PAUL
Looks like the geek shall inherit
the earth.
CLICK CLICK.
The group turn to see VOICE, upright, pointing his gun.
VOICE
I wouldn't say-
SPLAT.
A large spaceship lands hard on top of VOICE. Everyone looks
shocked. PAUL, GRAHAM and CLIVE exchange a look.
PAUL
Happens to the best of us.
EXT. DEVIL'S TOWER. CLEARING - NIGHT
Some time has passed, a number of PAUL style aliens are now
present.
116.
One of them uses a big hose to clean the remains of VOICE
from the hull of the ship. Another two help the now healed
soldier to their feet, patting them on the back and shaking
their hands. The atmosphere is amiable.
TEAM PAUL look at one another. ZOIL and MOSES have joined
them. PAUL kisses and hugs RUTH.
PAUL
I'm sorry I frightened you so much
your hair turned white.
RUTH
You didn't frighten me. You freed
me. You helped me see the light.
PAUL
(TO MOSES)
Take care of her big man.
MOSES BEHE
I will sir. God be with you.
PAUL
Whatever dude.
They high five. PAUL turns to ZOIL, whose arm is in a
makeshift sling and shakes his hand.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Lorenzo Zoil, you're a good man.
Say bye to Karen for me.
ZOIL
Safe trip Short Round.
PAUL turns to GRAHAM and CLIVE. He pulls JELVA - ALIEN QUEEN
OF THE VARVAK from his pocket and hands it to them.
CLIVE
You can keep it.
PAUL
Cool. Okay.
GRAHAM
What did you think?
PAUL
Yeah. Three tits, awesome. Although
you know what? Sometimes, less is
more.
The boys nod.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Thank you.
GRAHAM
No, thank you.
117.
CLIVE
You are, and always will be, our
friend.
PAUL
Come here you fucking geeks.
They hug. He takes in incandescent orb from his pocket.
PAUL (CONT'D)
This is a self-sustaining light
orb. Might come in handy, you know,
if a bulb goes.
TARA is waiting for her goodbye but PAUL ignores her. He face
drops as he walks to his ship. He turns to her.
PAUL (CONT'D)
You coming?
TARA
What?
PAUL
I ruined your life Tara. Think I
owe you a new one.
TARA takes PAUL's hand.
TARA
I don't have my toothbrush.
PAUL
Baby, where we're going, you won't
need teeth.
TARA frowns then follows PAUL aboard. PAUL and TARA stand in
the doorway. One of the other ALIENS comes out of a small
room behind them, speaking in a strange tongue.
Subtitle: THE BULB'S GONE IN THERE.
As the door slowly closes, GRAHAM and CLIVE give PAUL the
CE3K salute. PAUL gives them the finger. The boys laugh,
tears in their eyes. The ship lifts off into the sky. GRAHAM,
CLIVE, RUTH, MOSES and ZOIL watch them go. The light form the
ship gradually fades, leaving them in darkness. Pause.
GRAHAM
That was good, wasn't it?
INT. CONVENTION CENTRE. SIGNING PAVILLION - DAY
We are at Comic-Con the following year. We come to rest on a
long line of people. Sat behind a table are GRAHAM and CLIVE.
They look more confident, cooler. CLIVE is talking to a short
woman in an EWOK costume. He pats her on the ass as she walks
away. All around them are stacks of their new novel: PAUL.
118.
A banner hangs behind, displaying the cover, GRAHAM's own
rendering of their alien friend. They sign copies. The
PUBLICIST mills around, looking very pleased.
PUBLICIST
Just one item per person please.
He winks at the boys. RUTH rushes up to GRAHAM, she is
dressed as Storm from X-Men and pushes a customized buggy, in
which sits a baby dressed as Professor X.
RUTH
Hey.
GRAHAM
Hey babe. You okay?
RUTH
I'm just taking Tara over to the
autograph pavilion. Michael Biehn's
here!
CLIVE
Oh, say hi from us, won't you?
RUTH kisses GRAHAM. Two nerds approach.
MAJOR NERD 1
Uh... were you... did you?
GRAHAM/CLIVE
There you go.
SECURITY MAN (O.S.)
Next in line please.
MAJOR NERD 2
Uh... were you... did you?
GRAHAM/CLIVE
There you go.
SECURITY MAN
Guys, if you've had your book
signed please move on.
Tilt up to reveal the security man. It is none other than
former Special Agent LORENZO ZOIL. CRANE up to reveal the
whole convention floor.
THE END
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