| ACT FOUR:
39 INT.CAVE– DAY 39
Ivan and Alex can't see a thing in the dark cave. A hand strikes a flint and the spark catches in a small pile of dry grass. The little fire illuminates the person's face.
It's a very pretty 20-year old girl with freckles on her nose, her shapely body covered in rags. She looks at Ivan and a strange expression crosses her face.
Alex, meanwhile, has fallen immediately in love. He has stopped breathing.
The girl points her finger at Ivan.
GIRL (amazed) Have we met?
IVAN I don't think so.
GIRL This is really weird. Are you sure?
IVAN Pretty sure.
The girl shakes her head.
GIRL My name`s Bizzy.
IVAN I’m Ivan.
He puts out his hand to shake. BIZZY just looks at his outstretched hand, which, after a second, he lowers.
Alex's brain snaps back to reality. He gulps.
ALEX I'm Alex.
She looks at Alex for a blank moment, then smiles. BIZZY Hi.
Alex nearly faints. Lights are flashing in his eyes.
IVAN Thanks for saving our lives.
BIZZY Did you just escape from the sawmill?
IVAN Yes.
BIZZY Why're you wearing such funny clothes?
ALEX He's from outer space.
BIZZY (confused) Are you an alien? You don't look like one.
IVAN (shakes his head) No. I'm from Earth. I'm a doctor.
BIZZY (nods again) Oh. What's a doctor?
IVAN You don't know what a doctor is?
BIZZY (shakes her head) Uh-uh.
IVAN I help people. BIZZY (nods) How sweet.
With her bare hand Bizzy puts out the little fire.
BIZZY Follow me.
She leads Ivan and Alex further into the dark cave.
IVAN (to himself) Never even heard of doctors, eh? I could actually still become "The Great Healer." This may be utopia, yet.
He shrugs and follows along.
40 EXT. CAVE/HIDDEN VALLEY – DAY 40
They come out of the cave into a hidden valley. There is a small village inside with a river running through it. There are about thirty people, men, women and children, milling about. The whole thing is kind of magical.
IVAN Who are all these people?
BIZZY Just like you. Escaped slaves.
41 EXT.VILLAGE OF SLAVES – DAY 41
They enter the village and are stared at by everyone. They pass strange shrines. A guy in a white apron, the BAKER, calls out.
BAKER Hey, Bizzy, what'choo got there?
BIZZY He's a doctor. BAKER (grinning) He looks like some kinda spaceman or something.
IVAN It just so happens I am a spaceman.
The Baker starts to laugh heartily. He turns to two women.
BAKER He says he's a spaceman.
The women look at Ivan and shake their heads. They make a comment to each other and laugh.
Ivan, Alex and Bizzy approach the men, all squatting by a big fire. Ten of them, in rags and skins.
The Baker trots up from behind taking off his apron.
BAKER This fella here says he's a spaceman.
A big man with strong arms and reddish hair stands up rather crookedly. He is ISAAC. Ivan steps up to him.
IVAN Second Lieutenant Ivan Hood, D.O. Who're you?
ISAAC I am Isaac. I am the leader of Freedom Valley.
IVAN Nice to meet you.
Ivan puts out his hand. Just like Bizzy, Isaac stares at it. Ivan reaches out and takes Isaac's hand and shakes it.
ISAAC What are you doing?
IVAN It's a greeting.
ISAAC Ah. So now are you really a spaceman?
IVAN As a matter of fact I am. (he points at his uniform where it is written . . .) NASA, Probe Mission.
ISAAC I just saw the Bounty Hunters carrying away a woman dressed like you.
IVAN (very concerned) Was she all right?
ISAAC She was knocked out, but breathing.
IVAN (relieved) Thank goodness.
ISAAC What does D.O. mean?
IVAN I'm a Doctor of Osteopathy.
This causes an internal conference among the top men.
ISAAC Does that mean that mean you are a doctor for animals or humans?
IVAN (sarcastically) Osteopathy is the study of slugs and their mating habits. ISAAC (eyes light up) Really? I've always been interested in slugs. How do they mate?
IVAN Very carefully. I was kidding. That was a joke. An Osteopath is a doctor for people. Turn around.
Isaac does as he’s told. Ivan gets him in a full-Nelson.
IVAN Breathe in . . . out . . . in . . . out.
Ivan lifts Isaac off the ground adjusting every vertebrae in his back. There is a ripple of cracks. Isaac stands up straight, much straighter than before. He holds his head high. A mild hush goes through the crowd.
ISAAC Thank you. That feels fine.
IVAN Don't mention it. Anyone else has a problem, come to me. In fact, you can just think of me as "The Great Healer."
Everyone takes a step toward Ivan. Isaac holds up his hand. He speaks to everyone.
ISAAC We here in Freedom Valley welcome any human, no matter where he escaped from. May you live here in peace for the rest of your days.
Ivan holds up his hands and shakes his head.
IVAN Whoa! Wait a minute. I've got a friend back at that sawmill that I've got to get
They all shake their heads. ISAAC We of Freedom Valley do not fight. We live in peace with everything.
IVAN Except the Aliens and the Bounty Hunters.
ISAAC They don't know we're here and we don't bother them.
IVAN So you just hide here in your little valley and pray they don’t find you. That's very brave.
ISAAC Bravery is from another time.
IVAN That's for sure. Look, these aliens have no right to our planet or our wood.
An OLD MAN speaks. OLD MAN They took it. It's theirs.
ISAAC This is one of the very few free settlements of humans left on Earth. We're not looking for trouble.
IVAN You don't have to look for it, it's here. What about the President? What's his name? Kemsky?
A disturbance rumbles through the men.
OLD MAN You're trying to trick us. President Demsky was after the Probe mission. You were in
IVAN Oh, knock it off, old man! I'm older than you anyway. The slaves back at the sawmill were all talking about him. Where is this President Demsky?
OLD MAN He's putting together a fighting force of slaves in the Cascade Mountains.
BAKER He's a myth. He died with everyone else in the capital.
OLD MAN He didn't. The President lives! I've spoken with a guy who knew someone who saw
Alex speaks for the first time.
ALEX The President lives!
Bizzy is right beside Alex and smiles at his forthrightness. She touches his arm. Alex blushes.
IVAN The Cascade Mountains aren't far from here. I'll go find him.
Everyone speaks at once.
EVERYONE No! You can't!
IVAN Give me one good reason why I shouldn't?
ISAAC The Bounty Hunters will track you down and kill you.
IVAN (nods) Not bad. (waves his hand) Ahh. Those Bounty Hunters are fags. I can get past them.
ISAAC You will be killed.
IVAN You're a real hopeful bunch. Well I don't give a damn. What have I got to lose. I'll find this President of yours, or I'll prove he doesn't exist. If he does we're coming back here with his fighting force, take these aliens on, and free my friend and all the other humans back at the sawmill! You say your free here in "FreedomValley"? Bullshit! You're just prisoners in a bigger cage! (they all look at him in silent awe) Now, who will join me on my quest?
Ivan scans the faces. None of them look very eager. Alex stands up.
ALEX I'm going.
Bizzy stands up, too. BIZZY Me, too.
Alex turns and smiles at her. She looks a bit unsure.
IVAN (smiles) Good. At least there's two among you with courage.
Isaac frowns at Bizzy and shakes his head sadly.
ISAAC But Bizzy, we were going to be married?
BIZZY There's more important things to do now. Don't you see, the Doctor was sent here to lead us to the President.
ISAAC (sadly) I don’t think so. I think he'll lead you to your doom.
Bizzy looks at Isaac and the rest of the men for a long moment.
BIZZY We'll let you know when we get back.
DISSOLVE:
42 EXT. SAWMILL/COMPOUND - SUNSET 42
Two Bounty Hunters carry a pole between them with Kelly's bloodied, bruised and beaten body hanging by her wrists and feet.
BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (shakes his head) started.
BOUNTY HUNTER #2 Yeah, too bad we had to beat her with the damn ‘Mites watchin'. I'd a liked to've done a spacegirl.
BOUNTY HUNTER #1 She'll get better. Then we'll both do her.
They arrive at the bearded GUARD sitting beside the wooden trapdoor leading to the slave cellar.
GUARD Yosemite! You sure did her up royal.
The Guard stands, unlocks the bolt and swings open the door. BOUNTY HUNTER #2 The 'Mites was watchin’.
The Bounty Hunter drops his end of the pole and Kelly's body slides off into the cellar. It's about an eight foot drop which doesn't do her the slightest bit of good.
GUARD (seriously) Well, hell, she and the other spaceman killed one of the 'Mites. I didn't know ya could do that.
BOUNTY HUNTER #1 Me, neither. They die just like us.
BOUNTY HUNTER #2 Except green shit comes out.
They all shake their heads in disgust. The Guard slams the door shut and relocks the bolt. The two Bounty Hunters walk away. They are both somewhat contemplative, which is unusual for them.
As they pass the turquoise sculpture they find the five remaining Aliens in the midst of a ceremony. The sculpture is pulsing and glowing. The Aliens sideways mouths are opening and closing and they are shrieking in unison. The Bounty Hunters see the dead Alien Guard laid out at the base of the statue on a bed of fresh kindling wood. The Alien is dead as a doornail, and covered with green shit.
The Bounty Hunters look at each other. Hmmm . . . ?
One of the Aliens turns it's bugeyes and sees the Bounty Hunters standing there watching. The Alien lets out a spine-chilling shriek and all the other Aliens turn and look.
The two Bounty Hunters get lost fast.
The Aliens turn back to their ceremony. The Alien Leader lights a kitchen match and ceremoniously tosses it on the kindling. The dead Alien goes up in flames.
END ACT FOUR:
ACT FIVE:
43 INT. SLAVE CELLAR - NIGHT 43
The slaves have Kelly by the fire and are dressing her wounds with mud and sap. Kelly groans as she resurfaces to painful consciousness.
KELLY Where am I?
JEFF You're safe, you're with us.
Kelly looks around and realizes where she is and that doesn't seem safe at all. She groans again.
KELLY Where's Ivan?
JEFF He got away. So did Alex.
A slight smiles plays across Kelly's swollen, pain racked face.
KELLY (whispers) Thank God.
JEFF Ya know, no one's ever killed one of the 'Mites before. It's got everyone thinkin’.
KELLY Good.
Kelly falls asleep.
A quiet hubub is going on among the slaves.
DISSOLVE:
44 EXT.VILLAGE - DAWN 44
The sun shines on the little village in the hidden valley. Three solitary figures wearing backpacks walk away from the village, following the river. It is Ivan, Bizzy and Alex. Their breath creates steam in the early morning chill. They head toward the mountains.
DISSOLVE:
45 EXT.MOUNTAINS - DAY 45
The three figures make their way into the rolling foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The enormous snowcapped peaks loom in the distance.
The three travelers are marching along shouldering their packs when they hear shooting and screaming coming from over the next hill. They drop to their bellies and crawl the rest of the way up the hill. Cautiously peering over the edge they see . . .
46 EXT.VALLEY - DAY 46
Two Bounty Hunters on horses have a line of five muzzled humans chained at the ankle whom they are marching out of the hills. The area around them is littered with five bloody, inert human bodies.
A look of deep pain and sadness crosses Ivan's face. He shakes his head.
IVAN (whispers) So much killing.
However, one of the bloody prostrate humans is not dead yet and is slowly crawling up the hill toward them.
A Bounty Hunter spots the movement. He shoulders his carbine, sights in and fires. The bullet thumps into the dirt on the opposite side of the wounded man. He jerks visibly and slumps to the ground motionless. The Bounty Hunter lowers his weapon, nods and rides after the chain gang.
Once the Bounty Hunters and the slaves are out of sight, the wounded man continues to crawl up the hill.
Ivan and the others stand and run to him. The wounded guy sees them, moans and apathetically drops to his face.
WOUNDED MAN (groaning) Just make it quick, will ya?
Ivan turns him over and inspects the wound. The guy has a bullet in his side. Ivan turns to Bizzy. IVAN Have you got a knife?
Bizzy reaches into her pack and pulls out a large Bowie Knife. She hands it to Ivan. The wounded guy shuts his eyes tightly expecting death any moment. Ivan looks at Alex and Bizzy.
IVAN I don't suppose we have anything antiseptic with us, do we?
They both shrug. They don't know what he means.
IVAN Alcohol?
Now they get it. Bizzy nods, reaches into her pack and removes a small clay jug. She offers it to Ivan.
BIZZY Potato liquor.
IVAN That'll do. (he takes a slug and winces) Smooth. (he holds it out to the patient) Here. Drink this.
The wounded guy opens one eye.
WOUNDED MAN Huh?
IVAN Drink it. It'll kill the pain.
WOUNDED MAN Why do you want me to drink if your gonna stick me with a knife?
IVAN I'm a sadist. Now drink it.
The guy takes a big slug, coughs and blows out hot fumes through his lips. WOUNDED MAN That's pretty good.
IVAN (to Alex and Bizzy) Hold him down.
Alex and Bizzy both look at Ivan quizzically.
BIZZY What are you going to do?
IVAN I'm going to operate.
BIZZY What's that?
IVAN Just watch. Now hold him down.
Bizzy and Alex take hold of the guy.
WOUNDED MAN (pleading) I'll work in the mill. You can cut off my finger. You can cut off all my fingers. I'll do anything. Please . . .
Ivan pours liquor on his hands, on the Knife blade and on the wound. The guy howls in pain. Ivan quickly and deftly operates. In a moment he holds a bloody lead ball between his fingers. He pours more liquor on the wound and bandages it with a strip of rough cloth.
IVAN Good as new. Want this as a souvenir?
The Wounded Man takes the bullet.
WOUNDED MAN Ain't you gonna kill me?
Bizzy cuts in. BIZZY He's a Doctor. He just healed you.
WOUNDED MAN (amazed) A Doctor? There ain't no Doctors no more.
IVAN Oh yes there is and I'm it.
WOUNDED MAN I guess so. Are you some kinda spaceman, too?
IVAN Yeah, I am. (to the others) Let's go. Everyone stands. Ivan turns to the patient.
IVAN Change the bandage occasionally and you'll be fine.
They all start to leave.
WOUNDED MAN Wait! Where're you going?
ALEX To find the President.
WOUNDED MAN The President? He lives! He'll bring freedom to us all!
IVAN That's what we hear. We're going to find him.
WOUNDED MAN Can I come? IVAN Sure. What's your name?
WOUNDED MAN Tyler.
IVAN Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.
They all look at him blankly.
TYLER Huh?
Ivan looks like he might explain, but doesn't know what it means, either.
IVAN Forget it. So, Tyler, think you can walk?
Tyler jumps to his feet and walks ahead.
TYLER Sure. I feel great.
Everyone starts after him. About ten steps ahead Tyler's eyes roll into the back of his head and he passes out. DISSOLVE:
47 EXT. WOODED FOOTHILLS/STREAM - DAY 47
Ivan and Alex hold Tyler up as they walk into a pine forest in the foot hills of the mountains. Bizzy leads the way.
They come down a wooded slope that ends at a wide stream. As they follow the stream they see a guy standing in the water up to his knees fishing with a long stick. He is casting back and forth expertly, and in a moment has caught a fish. He takes it off the hook and tosses it to shore. It lands in a pile of other flopping fish.
The four weary travelers see all the fish and their stomachs begin to growl.
IVAN This is my kind of guy. Let's go make friends. The Fisherman is facing away from them. They approach him waving their arms.
IVAN Hi, how ya doin'?
The Fisherman spins around holding a big old German Luger. He aims it at them.
FISHERMAN Nobody move or you're dead!
They all freeze with their hands up.
FISHERMAN What do you want?
IVAN We want to make friends.
FISHERMAN You want my fish!
IVAN Well, we wouldn't mind sharing them with you.
He eyes Bizzy up and down in her scanty rags.
FISHERMAN What’re you offering?
IVAN Friendship.
FISHERMAN Friendship, huh? What're you doing here?
IVAN We're out looking for the President.
FISHERMAN (eyes widen) The President, huh? The President's dead. IVAN Are you sure?
FISHERMAN Uh . . . No. Are you sure he's alive?
IVAN No. But we're going to find out.
Tyler raises his clenched fist.
TYLER The President lives!
Everyone but Ivan and the Fisherman repeat loudly . . .
EVERYONE The President lives!!
Ivan turns to everyone.
IVAN Hey, look! Let's knock off this "President lives" shit, okay? We're not slogan-repeating slaves, were free men! Let's act like it.
FISHERMAN (lowers gun) All right, I'm with you. I like the way you talk. Besides, I don't have any bullets anyway. And you can have all the fish you want as long as there's water around. I just like catching 'em, I don't much like eating 'em. My name’s Bob.
IVAN Nice to have you aboard, Bob. (turns to the others) Lets make a fire and eat some fish.
DISSOLVE:
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