Volunteers
Page 6
Alleiram sighs.
ALLEIRAM (CONT'D)
When any civilization becomes technologically aware a crucial turning point presents itself. All evidence has shown that Man is reaching what we term Final Stagnation.
Caleb smiles to himself, amused by the absurdity of the situation.
EUNICE
How can they be so certain we won't “progress”? They can't know that for sure.
ALLEIRAM
For any advanced civilization to grow the species must be unified. This is the case with all the member races of the Great Council. When a species achieves First Unity they develop rapidly, expanding beyond their system and ultimately join the Great Council. This is the way it has been done since before your star was even formed.
EUNICE
You can't do this. We won't let you do this!
ALLEIRAM
No harm will come to any of you. You are not specimens and this is no laboratory. This is a school for the chosen. It is a great honor.
EUNICE
-To Hell with your honor! You're talking about wiping our billions of human beings!
Marika's face goes white.
CHRISTOPHER
(to Alleiram)
How long before it happens? Or has it happened already?
ALLEIRAM
Preparations are being made.
EUNICE
You have to let us speak to this council of yours.
ALLEIRAM
It will make little difference.
EUNICE
You have to give us a chance. They have to know that we can change.
Alleiram draws back.
BELAC
(to Alleiram)
It can be arranged.
Alleiram pauses, seeing the determination in Eunice's eyes.
ALLEIRAM
(to all)
It is a shame you cannot see with more mature eyes.
CUT TO.
INT. EUNICE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The volunteers are gathered. Eunice paces, trying to think.
CHRISTOPHER (O.S)
She's reasonable woman, or creature. If she can be understanding these others must be the same.
Vincent is quiet, sat on the floor but looking out the balcony.
CALEB
We don't know that. For all we know they could be using their Death Stars and blowing up planets on a regular basis.
CHRISTOPHER
They gave us a choice to come here, they give us all this, they can't be devoid of all conscience.
CALEB
Hey, we're in some alien VR world remember, they could be dicing up our brains and feeding a Rancor.
EUNICE
(to Caleb)
Cut it out.
SUCHIN
We must have faith.
Suchin looks up.
SUCHIN (CONT'D)
That is all we can show them.
CALEB
Faith? Faith in what?
Eunice nods.
EUNICE
In the human race. Suchin's right, we're all from different parts of the world and we all want the same thing, to protect the Earth and its people. If they can see that it has to convince them we can be... unified.
Marika slowly nods, as does Christopher.
CALEB
We don't exactly have any other options.
EUNICE
Vincent?
Vincent looks away from the balcony and nods.
VINCENT
Yes.
CUT TO.
EXT. MOUNTAIN SIDE - MORNING
A hand grabs an outcropping.
Vincent is climbing, unharnessed and alone.
He clenches his teeth, going for another outcropping and pulls himself further up.
The sun is strong, a rainbow cutting across the blue sky.
He finally reaches the top and rolls onto his back, out of breath.
We hear his heart beating, loud and strong. He's sweating, exhausted, but is also smiling.
He opens his eyes and looks up at the rainbow, still gasping for air.
He laughs aloud, spreading out his arms.
CUT TO.
INT. VINCENT'S BEDROOM - MORNING
Vincent's arms are spread apart, still lying in bed. He turns his head and rubs his fingers.
There's grit between them.
There's a “knock” on the door, Caleb pops his head in.
CALEB
Rise and shine old man, we got a date with the intergalactic UN.
Vincent looks down at his hands, the grit fading away.
CUT TO.
INT. GRAND HALLWAY
Eunice and the others follow Alleiram and Belac down a thick red carpeted hallway. Painting frames line the walls, within them just mirrors.
ALLEIRAM (O.S)
Silloh is the only council member that will address you directly.
Caleb glances at the one of the mirrors. He only sees his own reflection.
ALLEIRAM (CONT'D)
The others will be present but will only observe. They are still the ones that will ultimately decide.
The volunteers look up as they approach two enormous golden doors.
Alleiram stops and turns to them.
ALLEIRAM (CONT'D)
You must be cautious with your words. The fate of your species may not change but yours might.
Eunice takes a deep breath and nods.
EUNICE
We're ready.
Alleiram looks at them one last time.
ALLEIRAM
(beat)
Very well.
She turns to the doors and waits.
The doors slowly part, white light spilling out.
The volunteers shield their eyes.
ALLEIRAM (O.S)
Come.
Alleiram and Belac walk into the light. The group look at each other then follow in.
CUT TO.
INT. COUNCIL ARENA
The volunteers stand at the end of a wide isle, no doors behind them.
They look around them and see thousands of men and women, all uniquely but formally dressed.
CALEB
Woah.
The council members, all human, fill not only the ground floor but also the seemingly endless levels of balconies overlooking the main floor.
All their eyes are on the volunteers.
Caleb forces a smile and waves.
CALEB (CONT'D)
Morning.
ALLEIRAM
(to the group, low)
Come forward.
The volunteers follow Alleiram and Belac down the isle to the main floor.
Caleb studies the passing faces, their eyes following him.
CALEB
(amazed)
I know some of these people.
Belac glances back.
BELAC
Know them or of them?
Caleb looks at him.
BELAC (CONT'D)
(smiles)
That was a joke.
We see famous faces in the crowd, actors, musicians, politicians, all mixed with faces we don't know.
Suchin looks up and sees a man on the balcony.
It's her brother, Daw.
Vincent also recognizes a face, Frederic.
The group reach the main floor and see a long table and eight chairs prepared for them.
Standing in the middle of the main floor with his back to us is a tall man. His posture is straight, his hands behind his back.
Caleb looks away from the crowd as he reaches the main floor and sees the man as he turns to face them.
CALEB
Wonderful.
It's Silloh / Hollis.
BELAC
(to Caleb)
Sit.
Caleb sits down with the others.
The arena falls quiet.
Alleiram moves forward and stops between Silloh and the volunteers. She bows once then turns to the council.
ALLEIRAM
Great
Council, I bring before you the Chosen of Earth, of the species Man.
(to volunteers)
Rise before the Great Council.
The volunteers get up, Caleb still distracted by the faces around him.
ALLEIRAM (CONT'D)
The Chosen of Earth seek an audience with the Great Council, to pardon the species Man from the judgment passed. Are there any who refuse their voice?
The arena remains silent.
Alleiram bows and rejoins the volunteers.
Silloh holds a moment, then steps forward.
SILLOH
(beat)
The Planet Earth. Third body of the star Ralos-1. A world rich with potential. A vast and diverse biology that countless would envy. And yet dominated by a species that remain curiously unified.
He pauses then turns to the council.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
Of all the civilizations encountered since the formation of the Great Council name one that has risen without the First Unification?
There's no response.
Silloh looks down at the volunteers again.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
Man has not unified. Man refuses to unify. They fear all, including each other.
Suchin sees her brother still staring at her.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
At this very moment they see us as they wish to see us, as other human beings. Does that alone not prove their primitive nature?
EUNICE
(gets up)
-Wait a minute, we didn't ask for this charade. If you want to show yourself then show yourself.
Silloh smiles.
SILLOH
In Esidarap one only sees what they are capable for seeing.
(to the council)
And Man is incapable of seeing.
Eunice's face tightens, angry.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
The time has come for the Planet Earth to be blessed with new custodians. Worthy custodians who will rise to their potential and join the Great Council.
He steps back.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
This is not the first time we have intervened with this world.
The Earth materializes over the main floor.
Everyone looks up.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
This was long before Man but is relevant none the less.
We zoom in, glimpsing unfamiliar continents, and settle in a jungle.
We see an Edmontosaurus foraging for food. The mouth of a Tyrannosaurs drops down and crushes the smaller dinosaur between its teeth.
SILLOH (O.S)
They too reached Final Stagnation and the Council rightly acted.
We pull back and see the Earth again just as an asteroid crashes into it.
The volunteers watch as a fierce blanket of fire sweeps over the planet.
Eunice shakes her head and pushes forward.
EUNICE
This isn't fair. We're not like them. We have minds, we can think for ourselves, we have art, language, science. Doesn't that counts for anything??
SILLOH
“Language” you say? Is this the same language you speak to each other with?
Eunice stops.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
Or do you communicate through the aid of Esidarap?
Eunice is unable to respond.
SILLOH (CONT'D)
Great Council, it should be noted that there is a pattern common on many worlds like Earth. For the first two species to fall to stagnation and for third to truly free itself from its animal past. It is this third great race that will cross borders of their habitable world and begin their journey to the stars.
CALEB (O.S)
Hold up, hold up.
Caleb stands.
CALEB (CONT'D)
We've got you there. We've been to the Moon AND Mars. We HAVE been to the stars.
Silloh look at Alleiram.
Alleiram nods.
ALLEIRAM
This is true. Man has left the Earth before our arrival. No species has ever achieved this before First Unity.
Silloh turns to Caleb.
SILLOH
(beat)
Tell us more.
CALEB
More?
SILLOH
Of your journey to the stars.
CALEB
Me or humans?
BELAC
(leans in, low)
He means humans.
Caleb looks around and smiles, feeling all eyes on him.
Eunice waits, nervous.
CALEB
All right, well, from what I remember we first went up because of the Cold War.
SILLOH
A “war”?
Council members mutter amongst each other.
Eunice closes her eyes and shakes her head.
CALEB
Yeah.
SILLOH
And this war continues?
CALEB
(laughs)
No no that finished a long time ago.
(smiles, proud)
We won.
SILLOH
And now you sustain colonies beyond your planet?
CALEB
Not really no. I mean I think they talked about sending people to Mars but it would have costs billions.
SILLOH
So war is the sole reason for Man to part from its world?
CALEB
No I'm not saying that, that war just encouraged us back then that's all.
SILLOH
(to the council)
Consider a moment, Man's progression if allowed to continue, a technological civilization driven by the passions of war, spreading beyond their system. What if they were to cross paths with any of civilizations? Their arrival could tear apart the very fabric of our unity. Man would threaten the Final Unity!
The council members mutter again, disturbed by this thought.
EUNICE
-Stop it! We're not like that!
CHRISTOPHER
(gets up)
-We're good people!
MARIKA
-You're all monsters! How can you do this to us?!
Alleiram quickly raises her hands and turns to the council.
ALLEIRAM
-Great Council I request the Chosen of Earth be granted time to reflect.
Silloh smiles and turns away.
Caleb looks at Eunice, embarrassed.
CUT TO.
EXT. GARDENS - PALACE - SUNSET
A stone is kicked. Eunice is furious. The others sit by a fountain, quiet.
Alleiram and Belac approaches. Everyone looks up.
ALLEIRAM
The Council will see you again.
MARIKA
(sarcastic)
Wonderful.
ALLEIRAM
Fortunately as there are six of you you are granted six audiences. You may still convince them.
The old gardener brushes past Eunice.
GARDENER
Excuse me m'lady.
Eunice moves aside.
EUNICE
They're not being fair, they're not giving us a chance, he's twisting our words!
ALLEIRAM
And he will continue to do so. What you're trying to accomplish will not be easy. The Council has never changed a judgment once it has been made.
EUNICE
Well there's a first time for everything.
Alleiram looks at them and nods.
ALLEIRAM
(beat)
You are all tired. You should rest, tomorrow may prove more fruitful.
Vincent gets up, quiet, and moves off. Suchin glances at him.
CUT TO.
EXT. PROMENADE - WATERFALL - NIGHT
Eunice picks the strings on a guitar, tuning it.
She sits alone on a short wall.
CALEB (O.S)
Where'd you find that?
Eunice looks up. Caleb stands a short distance away.
EUNICE