Volunteers
Page 3
CALEB
(smiling)
Howdy.
The mother notices him.
CALEB (CONT'D)
(beat)
I were to give you fifty million bucks could you do something worthwhile with it?
The mother turns away.
YOUNG MOTHER
Come on Kimberley.
Caleb smiles to himself as they go.
He hears a rattle.
Coins in a tin can.
HOMELESS MAN (O.S)
No problem, God bless you anyway Sir.
A homeless man plods along, resting by a bin.
A shadow falls over him.
He looks up and sees Caleb.
HOMELESS MAN (CONT'D)
Spare a little change Sir?
CALEB
What's your name?
HOMELESS MAN
My name? John.
CALEB
John, if I gave you fifty million dollars what would you do with it?
The homeless man looks away and smiles politely.
HOMELESS MAN
Come on man, you don't have to talk to me like that, I ain't hurting nobody.
CALEB
Seriously, what would you do?
The homeless man stops and looks up at him.
HOMELESS MAN
(beat, sighs)
Buddy if I got fifty million I'd get me a lot of booze, a lot of drugs and a lot of women.
He laughs, opening a flask of water.
Caleb watches him drink.
CALEB
(beat)
You're honest.
HOMELESS MAN
(wiping his mouth)
The only thing I got in this world are my word and my balls. Gotta respect both.
Caleb pauses, considering, then reaches into his pockets and feels around.
The homeless man watches him take out two tens and twenty and hold them up.
CALEB
Forty dollars, everything on me. You can have this now or if you're still here tomorrow you'll get more.
The homeless man looks at the notes.
HOMELESS MAN
(beat)
This some game?
CALEB
No games John. You can take this now or take my word.
The homeless man looks at the money again, tempted...
HOMELESS MAN
(beat)
All right, I'll be right here tomorrow.
Caleb smiles, putting away the money.
HOMELESS MAN (CONT'D)
Hope your word means something.
Caleb lights another joint.
CALEB
Go easy on the booze.
He winks and leaves.
The homeless man watches him go.
CUT TO.
INT. WORKING CLASS PUB - LATE AFTERNOON (HEAVY RAIN)
We see four cigarette butts in an ashtray. Loose change is counted.
“Ostrava, Czech Republic”
Vincent, plainly dressed, hands the coins to the bartender and lights another cigarette.
He looks up at the clock and coughs.
The door opens.
He turns around and sees his brother, Frederic, 40s, enter. He smiles and gets up.
VINCENT
(Czech, subtitled)
Frederic! Glad you can make it, what would you like to drink?
Frederic pats down his umbrella and looks at him, angry.
FREDERIC
What's all this about Vincent? You said it was urgent.
VINCENT
How is Katerina? Has she started high school?
FREDERIC
Vincent what is this about?
VINCENT
Nothing, I just thought we could have a drink.
FREDERIC
A “drink”?
Frederic sees two empty pint glasses on the bar. He shakes his head and looks at Vincent, cold.
FREDERIC (CONT'D)
Is this all you do now? Drink all day while others work?
VINCENT
No, I just thought it would be nice to catch up with my brother.
Frederic lifts his umbrella and returns to the door.
FREDERIC
Vincent, pull yourself together. Get a real job and pull yourself together.
He pushes the door open and disappears into the rain.
Vincent sees a black car parked opposite. Two men in suits sitting inside.
CUT TO.
INT. DINING ROOM - COUNTRY HOUSE - SUNNY DAY
Legal documents are stacked on the table. Marika signs.
“Tallinn, Estonia”
A lawyer is beside her.
MARIKA
(Estonian, subtitled)
What's next?
The lawyer slides over another sheet.
ESTONIAN LAWYER
This as well please, with your initial.
Marika signs, the pen's ink running out.
ESTONIAN LAWYER (CONT'D)
And this is the last one.
Marika picks another pen.
MARIKA
You promise he'll be well cared for?
ESTONIAN LAWYER
He will receive the most loving upbringing possible and the best education available. The remaining twenty will be accessible when he turns twenty one or if any medical or financial emergency arises, both of which are highly unlikely.
Marika finishes signing the last paper.
ESTONIAN LAWYER (CONT'D)
(taking the sheet)
And there we are.
Marika sets down the pen, hand shaking.
The lawyer gathers the documents and quickly checks them over.
Marika looks out the window.
We see a pudgy 3 year old boy playing with a puppy by a fountain. A woman in her 40s watches over with him a warm smile.
ESTONIAN LAWYER (O.S)
Are there any other matters you wish to address Miss Petrov?
Marika stares at her son.
MARIKA
Yes. If he ever asks I want him to be told I died during childbirth.
The lawyer looks back at a government agent standing by the door. The agent nods. The lawyer notes the request.
Marika looks away from the window and gets up.
MARIKA (CONT'D)
I'd like to go now.
ESTONIAN LAWYER
Don't you wish to say goodbye?
Marika looks out the window again.
Her son laughs as the puppy splashes water.
MARIKA
No.
CUT TO.
EXT. WOODEN HOUSE - SLUM VILLAGE - NIGHT
A lamp flickers in the window.
“Northern Thailand”
A stray dog wanders past.
INT. CRAMPED KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM
Suchin serves a rice and vegetables to her three brothers sat on the floor. Her head is low, her face blank.
Her mother, a proud traditional woman in her 60s, and two younger sisters help.
SUCHIN
(Thai, subtitled, quiet)
A doctor will come for papa tomorrow. They will send a lawyer from the city maybe the next day. He will help with the money.
Suchin's eldest brother, Daw, glances at her.
DAW
Not many people around here are offered jobs in the city.
Suchin senses the sarcasm in his voice.
SUCHIN
(beat)
No.
DAW
How much will you be making?
SUCHIN
I'm not sure. The lawyer will tell you more.
SUCHIN'S MOTHER
If it's enough to make papa well and pay the debts then it is enough.
Suchin notices her brother's cold eye.
DAW
(beat)
Remind us what you will be doing in the city dear sister?
Suchin prepares another plate of rice, her back to him.
SUCHIN
Cleaning, washing up, things like
that.
DAW
And they don't have people to do that in the city?
Suchin's mother lowers her head, quiet. She doesn't want to consider what he's suggesting.
SUCHIN
(beat)
Papa may get hungry later.
She takes the plate into the next room.
Daw watches her go.
INT. SMALL BEDROOM (DARK)
Suchin kneels down by a mattress on the floor. Her father, sick and frail, is asleep.
She touches his shoulder.
SUCHIN
Papa, I have brought you some food.
Her father doesn't respond, breathing slowly.
Suchin lights a candle with a match and moves to the window.
She's about to close the drape when she sees a van parked in the distance.
Two men are inside, smoking.
CUT TO.
INT. CHURCH - LATE NIGHT
Christopher sits in a small empty chapel, praying quietly.
“Lagos, Nigeria”
He hears someone scuffle by and looks up.
It's an old blind cleaner with a broom.
The cleaner senses someone in the room and smiles.
BLIND CLEANER
(accented)
Good thing the Lord doesn't sleep.
CHRISTOPHER
If He did where would we be?
The cleaner laughs, starting to sweep.
BLIND CLEANER
(beat)
Something troubling you my son?
Christopher pauses, then slowly shakes his head.
CHRISTOPHER
(beat)
No. Not anymore.
The cleaner laughs again, continuing to sweep.
BLIND CLEANER
Very good son, very good. The Lord will see you through, He always does.
EXT. CHURCH - STREET - NIGHT
A government car sits parked outside the church, two men keeping watch.
CUT TO.
EXT. CEMETERY - GRAY AFTERNOON
Eunice stands alone, trying to play her guitar but keeps fumbling on the strings.
She finally gives up and stops.
We see tears forming.
She lowers the guitar, almost dropping it, and looks down at the grave.
Her face trembles, struggling to hold together.
EUNICE
(French, subtitled)
Mama... I really need you...
She closes her eyes and drops to her knees.
We hear a thunderclap in the distance.
CUT TO.
INT. BATHROOM - APARTMENT - DAY
Joshua stares at his reflection in the mirror. His face pale, eyes heavy.
We hear a “click”.
He raises a gun to his head.
EXT. APARTMENT - RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY
“BANG!”
Two agents turn around.
CUT TO.
INT. GOVERNMENT CAR - BACKSEAT - DAY
Hollis closes his eyes, phone to his ear.
HOLLIS
(into phone)
I guess one of them was going to crack.
(beat)
What about the others?
CALLER (O.S)
(American)
“They're all ready to go.”
HOLLIS
I suppose that's as good a news as we could ask. We're on our way to Ground Zero. Spread the word.
CALLER (O.S)
“Yes Sir... -Oh and Sir?”
HOLLIS
Yes?
CALLER (O.S)
“About Mr Colton's request.”
HOLLIS
You know the location, just check his name's John.
CALLER (O.S)
“Yes Sir.”
Hollis hangs up.
He looks out the window as the car rolls to a stop.
He sees Caleb sitting on the curb, looking the same except for a rucksack over one shoulder.
Caleb looks up and smiles, getting to his feet.
HOLLIS
(to himself)
God help us.
CUT TO.
EXT. ANTARCTICA - DAY
A blanket of white passes beneath us. Two twin-engine helicopters fly south.
INT. PASSENGER CABIN - HELICOPTER
Eunice stares out a small window. No roads, towns or cities can be seen, just endless snow and ice.
Several of the volunteers are in the small cabin with her, all coated, all quiet.
Caleb rolls a joint. Christopher glances at him but says nothing. Caleb notices and grins.
CALEB
What they gonna do? Arrest me?
Christopher doesn't respond, a Bible clutched on his lap.
Caleb lights up, taking a hit, then glances Eunice, still staring out the window.
In the white glow she looks even more beautiful.
CALEB (CONT'D)
(beat)
Eunice right?
Eunice comes about.
CALEB (CONT'D)
(smiles)
Your name, it's Eunice, right.
EUNICE
(accented)
Yes. Eunice.
He offers the joint.
CALEB
It'll calm the nerves.
EUNICE
No. Thank you.
Caleb takes another toke, looking at her.
CALEB
(smiles)
Ever been in one of these things before?
Eunice looks at him again, not following.
CALEB (CONT'D)
(changing subject)
So what did you do with your winnings? Leave it with your family?
EUNICE
Sorry, my English no good.
She returns to the window.
Caleb flashes his eye brows.
CALEB
(to himself)
I guess Martian would be preferable.
Eunice leans closer to the window.
She sees a giant X marked out in black. A short distance away four large tents are erected, beside them three more heavy-lift choppers.
CUT TO.
EXT. CAMP - ANTARCTICA - DAY
The two helicopters land. Swarms scientists and government personnel are racing around, busily preparing, soldiers carrying sophisticated recording and monitoring instruments.
The ramp lowers. The volunteers emerge.
CALEB
(hit by the cold)
Jesus!
Eunice hugs herself. Two soldiers quickly approach and escort them to a nearby tent.
CUT TO.
INT. CAMP TENT
Survival packs are lined up on the table, the six volunteers being briefed by a NASA consultant (translators beside them).
Hollis stands in the corner of the room, quietly observing.
NASA CONSULTANT
This is the same food our astronauts take up on shuttle missions. It's simple, light, durable, and covers all the essentials. You'll have enough to keep you going for several weeks.
Caleb lifts a packet of colored vitamins and looks at them, curious.
NASA CONSULTANT (CONT'D)
We've only included three flasks of water which isn't much but since these beings have been here before they should have a detailed knowledge of our physiology and be well aware of what keeps us alive.
Vincent notices six tablet computers.
NASA CONSULTANT (CONT'D)
Your personal computers here are pre-loaded with a full encyclopedia of Earth's history, our science and our arts. It may not be thorough as we'd like but it's the best we could do in such short notice. Each of your pads is set to your native language and to help you communicate with one another a translation program has also been included.
(holds up one of the computer)
Some of you will more experienced than others so please assist each other.