AN EARLY SCRIPT FOR THE UFO EPISODE "ORDEAL" Transcription by Edward Zeitler. Introduction by Marc Martin. This is a transcription of a photocopy of a script for the UFO episode "ORDEAL". The layout here is exactly the same as the original. Spelling errors and typos in the original were left uncorrected. Although the photocopy is of rather poor quality in places, this transcription is complete. Page breaks are marked with a unique character string, so if you would like to print out a copy of this file and maintain the original page breaks, simply use a word processor which allows you to replace these strings with page breaks. The original had underlining for scene titles, which is not used here. The original also had a few words of dialog underlined, and this is marked here with the use of underscores _around_ the underlined words. Some UFO scripts differ a lot from what appeared in the finished episode, and the ORDEAL script is a good example. Although it is superficially the same story, the details are very different. The most noticable difference is that this script centers around Captain Carlin (spelled "Karlin" here), *not* Paul Foster. Another big difference is that the script purposely wanted everything to become more and more unbelievable and outrageous as the story progresses, but in the final episode this was played down to the point that it merely seemed like bad writing and acting. Besides Foster's role being scripted for "Karlin", there are a few other character changes in this script. Lt. Ellis' role is scripted for "Franco Desica", a male Moonbase commander. Lt. Harrington's role is scripted for a "Paula Harris" (which was the part that Gabrielle Drake was originally supposed to play), and Dr. Jackson's role is scripted as Dr. Shroeder. Enjoy! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Transcription note: The "degree" symbol appears twice in this script. In this transcription, this has been replaced with a "@". ------------------------------ CUT HERE -------------------------------- -i- "U.F.O." _ORDEAL_ by Tony Barwick Shooting Date: 27th July 1969 ***PAGE*** -ii- "U. F. O. Series" _ORDEAL_ by Tony Barwick (c) Century 21 Pictures Ltd. Stirling Road, Slough;BUCKS. ***PAGE*** -iii- CAST LIST Speaking Parts KARLIN SYLVIA KAZAN DOCTOR HENDERSON DESICA STRAKER PAULA NINA OPERATOR FREEMAN MAXWELL HOWELL MASTERS MEDIC DOCTOR SHROEDER NEW MAN S.I.D. (voice only) ***PAGE*** -iv- SET LIST EXT BLOCK OF FLATS(LOCATION) INT FLAT (STUDIO) EXT ROAD (LOCATION) INT CAR(STUDIO) INT SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE (STUDIO) INT ROOM 17 (STUDIO) INT GYMNASIUM (STUDIO) INT CONTROL ROOM UNDERGROUND (STUDIO) INT CONTROL SPHERE (STUDIO) INT SKYDIVER CONTROL (STUDIO) INT INTERCEPTOR (STUDIO) EXT SAUNA BATH (STUDIO) INT SAUNA BATH (STUDIO) INT ROOM (PICKUPS) INT HELICOPTER (STUDIO) INT CAPTAIN'S CABIN (STUDIO) INT SKY 1 (STUDIO) INT MOONMOBILE (STUDIO) INT SLEEP SPHERE (STUDIO) EXT HARLINGTON STRAKER STUDIO(LOCATION) VE SETS INT CRATER EXT CRATER EXT SPACE EXT INTERCEPTORS EXT HELICOPTER EXT TREES EXT SKYDIVER EXT SKY 1 EXT UFO EXT MOONBASE EXT MOON EXT MOONMOBILE TIMINGS STUDIO 44 mins 57 secs LOCATION 1 min. 26 secs V.E. 3 mins 19 secs Total 49 mins 42 secs ***PAGE*** -1- FADE IN: 1 EXT. SKYSCRAPER FLATS. NIGHT. (LOCATION) 12 SECS A TOWERING BLOCK OF FLATS. PAN SLOWLY UP TO THE PENTHOUSE TOP AND ZOOM IN. CUT TO: 2 INT. FLAT. NIGHT. (STUDIO) 250 SECS A PARTY IS IN FULL SWING. THE FLAT BELONGS TO SYLVIA GRAHAM, A YOUNG, ATTRACTIVE FASHION DESIGNER. HI-FI MUSIC IS BLARING OUT, COUPLES DANCE, DRINK, SIT AROUND. ON SYLVIA GRAHAM THE NOISE IS TOO LOUD TO HEAR ANY OF THE CONVERSATION. BUT SYLVIA EXCUSES HERSELF FROM A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. ON DOOR MORE GUESTS CROWD IN. WE FEATURE JOHN KARLIN. THE NEW GUESTS BEGIN TO MINGLE WITH THE CROWD. ON KARLIN HE SMILES A HELLO TO SOMEONE HE KNOWS, GIVES A LONG LOOK AT A BEAUTIFUL GIRL AS SHE PASSES. WIDER ANGLE SYLVIA COMES OUT TO KARLIN WITH A DRINK. AS SHE HOLDS IT OUT TO HIM, SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKS IT FROM HER HAND AS THEY GO DANCING BY. SYLVIA REACTS, TURNS BACK TOWARDS THE BAR, BUT KARLIN PUTS OUT A HAND AND STOPS HER. HE TURNS, TAKES UP THE NEAREST DRINK AND DRAINS THE GLASS. SYLVIA LAUGHS, THEY BEGIN TO DANCE. WE NOW ESTABLISH A WILD PARTY - KARLIN SHOWS HE CAN PLAY AS HARD AS HE WORKS. WE SEE HIM DANCING, DRINKING, INTERCUTTING THE AUTO- CHANGING RECORD PLAYER WHICH COULD BE OF UNUSUAL AND FUTURISTIC DESIGN. WIDER ANGLE A LIMBO IS IN PROGRESS. KARLIN AND SYLVIA ARE THE ONLY COUPLE LEFT IN IT. ***PAGE*** -2- THE STICK IS IMPOSSIBLY LOW, THE REST OF THE GUESTS STAND AROUND URGING THEM ON, CLAPPING THEIR HANDS IN TIME TO THE LIMBO BEAT. ON KARLIN SWEATING, A LITTLE DRUNK, EDGING FORWARD, ARCHED BACK TO GO UNDER THE STICK. ON SYLVIA ALSO ARCHED BACK, SHE LOSES HER BALANCE AND COLLAP- SES ON THE FLOOR. ON KARLIN WORKING SLOWLY FORWARD, A FEW INCHES AT A TIME. EDGING UNDER THE STICK. THEN WITH A SUPREME EFFORT HE JERKS HIS HEAD UNDER. HE STANDS UP, THE GUESTS SHOUT AND APPLAUD. KARLIN SMILES BROADLY, HE HAS MADE IT. WIDER ANGLE THE MUSIC IS NOW SLOWER, COUPLES CREEP AROUND. ON KARLIN DANCING WITH A GIRL'S HEAD NESTLED INTO HIS SHOULDER. HIS EYES ARE CLOSED. HE OPENS THEM. ON SYLVIA WATCHING, A LITTLE JEALOUS PERHAPS. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV WE SEE A YOUNG MAN MAKING A CIGARETTE. HE LAUGHS AND WINKS AT A GIRL AT HIS SIDE. ON KARLIN WATCHING. ON YOUNG MAN HE WALKS OVER TOWARDS SYLVIA, OFFERS HER THE CIGARETTE. SYLVIA DOESN'T WANT IT. THE YOUNG MAN PERSISTS. HE IS MORE THAN A LITTLE DRUNK. ON KARLIN WATCHING. TWO SHOT SYLVIA AND THE YOUNG MAN. ***PAGE*** -3- 2 (continued) SYLVIA FINALLY GIVES IN, TAKES THE CIGARETTE, THE YOUNG MAN LOOKS BACK TOWARDS HIS GIRL FRIEND AND SMILES KNOWINGLY, THEN LIGHTS THE CIGARETTE. ON KARLIN HE BREAKS THE CLINCH, KISSES THE GIRL LIGHTLY ON THE FOREHEAD AND MOVES AWAY. WIDER ANGLE KARLIN MOVES SWIFTLY ACROSS THE ROOM. HE SNATCHES THE CIGARETTE FROM SYLVIA'S MOUTH AND BREAKS IT. THEN TURNS TO THE YOUNG MAN. SOMEONE FLICKS THE RECORD PLAYER, THE MUSIC CHANGES BACK TO THE BLARING NOISE OF A BEAT NUMBER. TWO SHOT KARLIN AND THE YOUNG MAN WE DO NOT HEAR THE CONVERSATION. THE YOUNG MAN IS WHITE WITH ANGER. KARLIN IS RELAXED, CALM, TELLING HIM NOT TO BE A NAUGHTY BOY. THE YOUNG MAN WANTS TO FIGHT, KARLIN TURNS TO WALK AWAY. THE YOUNG MAN GRABS HIM AND PULLS HIM BACK. THE YOUNG MAN SWINGS, KARLIN LAZILY DUCKS. HE SWINGS AGAIN - KARLIN SWAYS AWAY FROM THE PUNCH AND PUSHES THE YOUNG MAN BACK. ON WINDOWS THEY ARE PARTLY OPEN, IN FRONT OF THEM IS AN ARMCHAIR. THE YOUNG MAN FALLS BACK INTO THE CHAIR. KARLIN MOVES FORWARD, HOLDS OUT HIS HAND TO HELP HIM ONTO HIS FEET. ON YOUNG MAN KARLIN PULLS HIM UP ONTO HIS FEET, SMILING AT HIM. THE YOUNG MAN SEETHES. SUDDENLY HE SPITS INTO KARLIN'S FACE. ON KARLIN HE REACTS. FOR THE FIRST TIME WE SEE HE IS ANGRY. THE MUSIC STOPS. HE GRABS THE YOUNG MAN, FORCING HIM OVER ON HIS BACK AGAINST THE ARMCHAIR AND HALF OUT OF THE WINDOW, WHICH IS OPEN TO SHOW A VIEW OF LONDON FROM HIGH UP. ***PAGE*** -4- 2 (continued) ON YOUNG MAN ROLLING HIS HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN HORROR. POV SHOT THE SHEER DROP, THE BLINKING LIGHTS OF OTHER BUILDINGS. ON KARLIN THE ROOM IS SILENT, KARLIN GRABS THE YOUNG MAN'S LEGS AND FLIPS HIM BACK OVER THE ARMCHAIR OUT OF THE WIN- DOW. HE SCREAMS IN TERROR. WIDER ANGLE THE GUESTS STAND IN STUNNED HORROR. ON KARLIN LOOKING AROUND THROUGH NARROW EYES. KARLIN Any more... troublemakers can go out the same way. WIDER ANGLE THE GUESTS STAND IN SILENCE, HARDLY ABLE TO BELIEVE WHAT HAS HAPPENED, ON WINDOW THE YOUNG MAN PULLS HIMSELF UP INTO SHOT. WE ANGLE TO SHOW THERE IS A SMALL BALCONY OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. HIS FACE IS WHITE WITH FEAR. WIDER ANGLE EVERYONE APPRECIATES THE JOKE. THE RECORD PLAYER STARTS UP AGAIN. KARLIN MOVES OVER TO SYLVIA AND THEY START TO DANCE. SHE LOOKS UP ADMIRINGLY AT HIS SMILING FACE. CUT TO: MAIN TITLES 3 INT. FLAT. NIGHT. (STUDIO) 127 SECS SOFT ELIZABETHAN TYPE MUSIC PLAYS. THE PARTY HAS THINNED OUT. KARLIN AND SYLVIA SHUFFLE SLOWLY AROUND, SYLVIA KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK AND BREAKS OFF TO SAY GOODNIGHT TO A GROUP WHO ARE LEAVING. ***PAGE*** -5- 3 (continued) ON KARLIN SWAYING A LITTLE, LOOKING AROUND AT THE MESS, OBVIOUSLY STONED. WE HEAR THE GOODNIGHTS OVER AS KARLIN MOVES A BIT UN- STEADILY TO THE WRECKAGE THAT WAS THE BAR. WIDER ANGLE SYLVIA COMES BACK INTO THE ROOM, LOOKS AROUND THEN SMILES AND MOVES OVER TO KARLIN. TWO SHOT KARLIN AND SYLVIA SYLVIA Help yourself to a drink. KARLIN CONSIDERS. KARLIN Why not. WITH AN EFFORT HE POURS HIMSELF A SUPER LARGE SCOTCH. HE TAKES A LARGE GULP. HE LOOKS AT SYLVIA AND GIVES A STUPID LITTLE LAUGH. HE PUTS AN ARM AROUND HER SHOULDER AND THEY MOVES TOWARDS A SOFA. KARLIN Great party........ ON SOFA THEY SIT. KARLIN What time is it ? SYLVIA 4.30. KARLIN GROANS KARLIN Wonderful... I have to be up around seven. HE STARTS TO TRY AND WORK OUT HOW MANY HOURS HE HAS. KARLIN 4.30...... 5.30..... ***PAGE*** -6- 3 (continued) CLOSE TWO SHOT SYLVIA MOVES A LITTLE CLOSER. SYLVIA I know what you need. KARLIN Eh ? SYLVIA (soft) An alarm clock..... SHE SLIPS OUT OF SHOT ON KARLIN HE THINKS A MOMENT THEN GIVES HIS SILLY DRUNKEN LAUGH. HE LOOKS AROUND. POV SHOT GOING A LITTLE OUT OF FOCUS. ON KARLIN HE DRAINS THE SCOTCH IN ONE GO, THEN PUTS HIS GLASS VERY CAREFULLY DOWN. HE ARRANGES THE CUSHIONS SLOWLY, CAREFULLY. THEN CHANGES THEM ROUND AGAIN - FINALLY HE IS SATISFIED AND STRECHES OUT ON THE SOFA. WIDER ANGLE SYLVIA COMES BACK INTO THE ROOM. SHE HAS CHANGED INTO A VERY ATTRACTIVE DRESSING GOWN. SHE WALKS OVER TO THE SOFA, KNEELS ON THE FLOOR AND BEGINS TO SET THE ALARM. SHE TAKES HER TIME. KARLIN WATCHES HER, A SMILE TWITCHING ON HIS LIPS. SHE GLANCES UP AT HIM, SAYING A LOT WITH HER EYES. SYLVIA PUTS THE ALARM CLOCK DOWN, LEANS FORWARD AND KISSES HIM LIGHTLY ON THE LIPS, THEN GETS UP AND MOVES AWAY. ON SYLVIA SHE MOVES TOWARDS THE BEDROOM, STOPS AND TURNS BACK TOWARDS KARLIN WHO IS NOW HIDDEN BY THE BACK OF THE SOFA. SYLVIA (inviting) Are you sure you'll be... comfort- able there ? ***PAGE*** -7- 3 (continued) SHE MOVES BACK AND LEANS OVER THE BACK OF THE SOFA. POV SHOT SHE WILL NEVER KNOW THE ANSWER. KARLIN IS FAST ASLEEP. ON SYLVIA SHE SMILES, GOES TO THE BEDROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR. CUT TO: 4 EXT. SKYSCRAPER FLATS. DAY. (LOCATION) 6 SECS TO ESTABLISH. CUT TO: 5 INT. FLAT. DAY. (STUDIO) 18 SECS ON KARLIN. THE SILENCE IS SHATTERED BY ONE VERY LOUD ALARM. HE GROPES OUT A HAND AND KILLS IT. HE SITS UP, TRYING TO BRING THINGS INTO FOCUS, REMEMBER WHERE HE IS. WITH AN EFFORT HE GETS TO HIS FEET. HE OBVIOUSLY HAS A BIG HANGOVER. MIX TO: 6 INT. FLAT. DAY. (STUDIO) 52 SECS PAN AROUND THE FLAT. KARLIN HAS CLEANED UP. HE PUTS A TRAY OF DIRTY GLASSES DOWN ON A TABLE WHICH IS ALREADY NEARLY COVERED WITH EMPTY BOTTLES. HE LOOKS AROUND THE REST OF THE ROOM, SATISFIED. HE MOVES TO THE BEDROOM DOOR AND KNOCKS. NO ANSWER. HE KNOCKS AGAIN A LITTLE LOUDER. PAUSE - THEN... SYLVIA (VO) Who is it ? KARLIN John Karlin... I just wanted to say goodbye. KARLIN SMILES AT THE SOUNDS OF WAKING UP FROM INSIDE AND MOVES TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR. THE BEDROOM DOOR OPENS. SYLVIA POKES HER HEAD AROUND IT - HOLDING THE DRESSING GOWN UP IN FRONT OF A SHEER BABY DOLL NIGHTIE. ***PAGE*** -8- 6 (continued) SYLVIA (sleepy, appealing) John....... KARLIN TURNS, WALKS BACK AND KISSES HER. SYLVIA PURRS IN SATISFACTION. SYLVIA Bye, John..... KARLIN WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR AND GOES OUT. SYLVIA MOVES INTO THE ROOM PULLING THE DRESSING GOWN AROUND HER, NOTICING THE ROOM HAS BEEN TIDIED. SHE MOVES TO THE TABLE. ON TABLE A SINGLE ROSE IN A GLASS AND A NOTE BESIDE IT. SYLVIA PICKS UP THE NOTE. ON NOTE IT READS: 'THANKS FOR THE PARTY. MY HEAD TELLS ME IT WAS A GOOD ONE. JOHN'. ON SYLVIA SHE SMELLS THE ROSE, THINKING OF KARLIN. CUT TO: 7 EXT. ROAD. DAY. (LOCATION) 6 SECS KARLIN'S CAR UP AND PAST. CUT TO: 8 INT. CAR. DAY. (STUDIO) 12 SECS HE WEARS SUN GLASSES. HE SMACKS HIS LIPS AGAINST THE TERRIBLE TASTE IN HIS MOUTH, HE LOOKS AT HIS TONGUE IN THE DRIVING MIRROR AND PULLS A FACE. CUT TO: 9 EXT. SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY. (LOCATION) THE RESEARCH CENTRE IS HOUSED IN AN OLD MANSION SET IN BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS. THERE IS NO OUTWARD SIGN OF ITS TRUE SIGNIFICANCE. ON CAR IT MOVES ALONG THE DRIVEWAY AND PULLS UP AT THE FRONT DOOR. ***PAGE*** -9- 10 INT. CAR. DAY. (STUDIO) 5 SECS KARLIN GIVES A QUICK - "THIS IS IT" - LOOK TOWARDS THE HOUSE. CUT TO: 11 EXT. SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY (LOCATION)26 SECS KARLIN GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKS SLOWLY TO THE FRONT DOOR. ON DOOR HE LOOKS AROUND, THEN SPEAKS INTO A SMALL GRILLE. KARLIN Those who are about to die, salute you. A WHIRR OF ELECTRONICS. VOICEPRINT (VO) Voiceprint identification positive... 884... Captain John Karlin. WE HEAR A CLICK AS AN ELECTRONIC BOLT SLIDES BACK AND THE DOOR BEGINS TO OPEN. CUT TO: 12 INT. SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY. (STUDIO) 66 SECS START CLOSE ON JOE KAZAN. HE HAS ALSO ARRIVED THIS MORNING FOR THE 'PEP UP' COURSE. THE RESEARCH CENTRE IS USED FOR TWO WEEK COURSES OF INTENSIVE WORKOUTS ETC. TO KEEP THE MEMBERS OF SHADO IN TOP PHYSICAL SHAPE. KAZAN IS SLIGHTLY OVERWEIGHT,HAPPY GO LUCKY. KAZAN LOOKS UP AND WE WIDEN THE ANGLE TO INCLUDE KARLIN AS THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND HIM. THE ULTRA MODERN INTERIOR IS IN STARTLING CONTRAST TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE MANSION. KAZAN Hi. KARLIN Hello. KAZAN STANDS UP AND HOLDS OUT HIS HAND. KAZAN Joe Kazan....... missile tech- nician. ***PAGE*** -10- 12 (continued) KARLIN GOES TO SPEAK. KAZAN Don't tell me... er... Kasner ? ... Kennedy... ? KARLIN SHAKES HIS HEAD. KAZAN I know... Knight. KARLIN Karlin... John Karlin. KAZAN One of those underwater boys... glad to know you, Captain. THEY SHAKE HANDS. KAZAN It had to be a K. KARLIN DOESN'T UNDERSTAND. KAZAN These poops are working their way through the alphabet, from Aaron to Zyzinski. KARLIN Yeah. I heard everyone in Shado has to go through it. Oh well, mens sana in corpore sano. KAZAN IS NOT TOO SURE HE UNDERSTANDS. KAZAN Right... THEY BOTH LOOK UP AS A VOICE COMES OVER. DOCTOR Will Captain John Karlin report to room 17 please. KAZAN You're first in line, sir. You're KAR... I'm KAZ. HE SMILES A SATISFIED SMILE, GLAD TO BE AT THE BACK END OF THE KA's. ON KARLIN HE GETS UP A LITTLE APPREHENSIVELY, STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THE PARTY. ***PAGE*** -11- 12 (continued) ON KAZAN KAZAN See you in the fun palace. CUT TO: 13 INT. ROOM 17. DAY. (STUDIO) 76 SECS DOCTOR HENDERSON SITS AT HIS DESK. THE ROOM IS THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND MAINTAINS THE ULTRA MODERN INTERIOR. THE DOCTOR IS AROUND 50 BUT A PHYSICAL FANATIC. HIS BODY COULD BE THAT OF A 30 YEAR OLD, NOT AN OUNCE OF EXCESS FAT ON HIS LEAN FRAME. HE LOOKS UP AT A BLEEP - FLICKS A BUTTON ON HIS DESK AND THE DOOR SLIDES OPEN TO SHOW KARLIN. DOCTOR Come in Captain. Sit down. HE CHECKS A FILE. DOCTOR Submarine Commander, eh ? HE LOOKS UP DOCTOR Welcome aboard.... HE LAUGHS A LITTLE TOO LOUDLY AT HIS OWN JOKE. KARLIN LAUGHS HALF-HEARTEDLY. ON DOCTOR DOCTOR Well, let's get down to details... HE TAKES A FORM AND BEGINS TO FILL IT IN. DOCTOR This is all routine..... THE DOCTOR READS THE ROUTINE QUESTIONS FROM THE FORM. DOCTOR Have you ever suffered from palpitations ......No ? No. THE SEQUENCE IS REALLY THAT THE DOCTOR PRACTICALLY ANSWERS HIS OWN QUESTIONS BEFORE KARLIN HAS A CHANCE TO REPLY ***PAGE*** -12- 13 (continued) DOCTOR Shortage of breath....Dizzy spells. HE LOOKS AT KARLIN, SMILES AND SHAKES HIS HEAD. DOCTOR Have you ever contracted Scarlet Fever, Mumps, Measles, Whooping Cough, German Measles, or Chicken Pox ? KARLIN TAKES OFF HIS GLASSES, RUBS HIS EYES. KARLIN I... er.... had measles. DOCTOR Ah ha.... how old were you ? KARLIN (quietly) Four... or maybe five. DOCTOR Pardon ? KARLIN Four or five. DOCTOR Let's call it four and a half. HE LOOKS DOWN THE FORM. DOCTOR Well, the rest of this is obvious enough... I'm sure you've never had Smallpox... eh ? HE STARTS TO LAUGH. KARLIN TRIES TO JOIN IN BUT FINDS IT HEAVY GOING. HE PASSES A HAND ACROSS HIS FOREHEAD. DOCTOR Getting plenty of sleep, Captain ? KARLIN REACTS. KARLIN Enough... most of the time. KARLIN MEANS THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE DOCTOR TAKES IT THE WRONG WAY. DOCTOR I understand... It can't be easy on these long tours of duty. ***PAGE*** -13- 13 (continued) THE DOCTOR PUTS THE FINAL TOUCHES TO THE FORM. DOCTOR Well, after two weeks here, you'll feel on top of the world. ON KARLIN AT THE MOMENT FEELING ANYTHING BUT ON TOP OF THE WORLD. SHOCK CUT TO: 14 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) KARLIN GRIMACES HARD AS HE WORKS AWAY ON A ROWING MACHINE - NOW DRESSED IN A SWEAT SUIT. PULL BACK A LITTLE TO SHOW WE ARE IN A VERY MODERN GYMNASIUM. AN INSTRUCTOR WALKS AROUND URGING THE MEN IN THERE TO GREATER EFFORT. ON KAZAN HE PULLS ON A SET OF WALL WEIGHTS, BUCKLING A LITTLE UNDER THE STRAIN. ON DOOR DOCTOR HENDERSON COMES IN THE DOOR, WALKS AROUND NODDING AT THE STRAINING BODIES. ON KAZAN THE DOCTOR COMES UP TO HIM, PATS HIS SPARE TYRE AT HIS WAIST AND SHAKES HIS HEAD. AS THE DOCTOR MOVES AWAY, KAZAN LOOKS OVER TOWARDS KARLIN AND LIFTS HIS EYES TO HEAVEN. ON KARLIN HE SMILES WEAKLY. CUT TO: 15 INT. MASSAGE ROOM. DAY. (STUDIO) KARLIN AND KAZAN ARE ON TWO TABLES BEING SLAPPED AND POUNDED BY A COUPLE OF MUSCLED MASSEURS. ON KARLIN KARLIN Great place.... ON KAZAN KAZAN A giggle a nano second.... ***PAGE*** -14- 15 (continued) ON KARLIN KARLIN I can hardly wait..... to leave. HE REACTS TO A PARTICULARLY VICIOUS SLAP. CUT TO: 16 EXT. HARLINGTON STRAKER STUDIO. DAY. (LOCATION) 5 SECS TO ESTABLISH. CUT TO: 17 INT. CONTROL ROOM. DAY. (STUDIO) 36 SECS THE OPERATORS AND TRACKERS GO ABOUT THEIR DUTIES. ON OPERATOR HE IS SERVICING A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. A GIRL OPERATOR COMES OVER AND GIVES HIM A CUP OF COFFEE. HE SMILES A 'THANK YOU'. ON DOORWAY IT OPENS. STRAKER COMES IN. HE WALKS ACROSS THE CONTROL ROOM, QUICKLY CHECKING ROUND WITH HIS EYES THAT THE ROUTINE WATCH IS BEING OBSERVED. ON STRAKER HE NODS TO AN OPERATOR AND WALKS TO THE DOOR OF HIS INNER OFFICE.AS HE IS ABOUT TO ENTER... DESICA (VO) Moonbase to Control... Sighting area red 042 - 184. STRAKER WHIPS ROUND. ON OPERATOR HE SNAPS SHUT THE PANEL HE HAS BEEN SERVICING AND GOES INTO THE DRILL FOR AN ALERT. ON STRAKER HE HAS MOVED QUICKLY OVER TO A TRACKER SCREEN. IN THE BACKGROUND WE HEAR THE OPERATORS AT WORK. STRAKER MOVES OVER TO HIS DESK AND FLICKS THE LUNAR LINK. STRAKER How does it look. Franco ? CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -15- 18 INT. MOONBASE CONTROL. (STUDIO) 31 SECS A SCENE OF CONTROLLED ACTIVITY. DESICA SITS AT HIS CONSOLE. DESICA We're awaiting confirmation. ON PAULA SHE LOOKS UP AS S.I.D. VOICE COMES OVER. S.I.D. Bearing positive... Course 017 - 234 red. PAULA CHECKS HER SCREEN, THEN TURNS TOWARDS DESICA. PAULA Sighting confirmed... We have a U.F.O. on positive track. ON DESICA DESICA Red Alert... Interceptors immediate launch. HE SPEAKS INTO THE EARTH LINK AS THE MOONBASE PERSONNEL GO THROUGH THE ALERT DRILL IN THE BACKGROUND. DESICA Moonbase to Control. We have a positive sighting. CUT TO: 19 EXT. SPACE. (V.E.) 5 SECS A U.F.O. COMING IN THROUGH SPACE. CUT TO: 20 INT. LEISURE DINING SPHERE. (STUDIO) 8 SECS THE THREE ASTRONAUTS ZIPPING UP THEIR SPACE SUITS GRABBING THEIR HELMETS AND SLIDING DOWN THE CHUTES. CUT TO: 21 INT. CONTROL ROOM. (UNDERGROUND) (STUDIO) 5 SECS STRAKER NOW SITTING AT HIS DESK. STRAKER Get the trajectory termination as soon as possible. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -16- 22 INT. CRATER. (V.E.) 10 SECS THE ROOF OF THE CRATER SLIDES OPEN. THE THREE INTERCEPTORS ON THEIR LAUNCH RAMPS. THE ENGINES IGNITE AND THEY LIFT OFF. CUT TO: 23 EXT. CRATER. (V.E.) 4 SECS THE INTERCEPTORS COME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE CRATER. CUT TO: 24 EXT. SPACE. (V.E.) 5 SECS THE INTERCEPTORS MOVE AWAY UP INTO THE SPACE SKY. CUT TO: 25 INT. INTERCEPTOR. SPACE. (STUDIO) 7 SECS AN ASTRONAUT CHECKS HIS CONTROLS. QUICK EFFICIENT MOVEMENTS AS HE THROWS A SERIES OF SWITCHES. CUT TO: 26 INT. MOONBASE CONTROL. (STUDIO) 20 SECS THE ATMOSPHERE OF URGENT ACTIVITY IS MAINTAINED. DESICA Course ? PAULA 017 - 348 - 101. DESICA Speed ? NINA SOL 0.5. reducing. DESICA Programme computers for missile firing sequence. ON PAULA SHE TURNS TO A MIKE. PAULA We have positive track. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -17- 27 INT. INTERCEPTOR. SPACE. (STUDIO) 23 SECS PAULA (VO On board computer input - zero - one - zero. 143 - 1837 - zero 24. AS PAULA'S VOICE READS OUT THE INPUT PROGRAMME THE ASTRONAUT FEEDS THE INFORMATION INTO THE ON BOARD COMPUTER BY MEANS OF A SERIES OF SWITCHES. ASTRONAUT Programme complete... Missile firing 18 decimal four. CUT TO: 28 EXT. SPACE. (V.E.) 4 SECS THE U.F.O. FLYING THROUGH SPACE RIGHT TO LEFT. CUT TO: 29 EXT. INTERCEPTOR. SPACE. (V.E.) 4 SECS THE THREE INTERCEPTORS FLYING IN FORMATION, MOVING LEFT TO RIGHT. CUT TO: 30 EXT. SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY. (LOCATION) 5 SECS TO ESTABLISH. CUT TO: 31 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) 25 SECS KARLIN AND KAZAN HAVE FINISHED THEIR WORKOUT. KARLIN'S SWEAT SUIT IS SOAKING. KARLIN Some work out. KAZAN They reckon it's easy the first day. ON DOCTOR HE CALLS OVER TO KARLIN AND KAZAN. DOCTOR Come along gentlemen... one of you into the bath. ***PAGE*** -18- 31 (continued) ON KARLIN KARLIN Just what I need.... HE TURNS TO KAZAN KARLIN ... and I'm first, R before Z, right ? KAZAN Right. But are you ready for this. It's a Sauna bath. CUT TO: 32 EXT. SAUNA BATH. DAY. (STUDIO) 14 SECS KARLIN STANDS WITH A TOWEL ROUND HIS WAIST. HE CHECKS A THERMOMETER RECORDING THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE. ON THERMOMETER IT REGISTERS 120@ CENTIGRADE, TWENTY DEGREES ABOVE THE BOILING POINT OF WATER. ON KARLIN HE REACTS, THEN OPENS THE DOOR AND GOES IN. CUT TO: 33 INT. SAUNA BATH. (STUDIO) 62 SECS KARLIN COMES IN, TAKEN ABACK BY THE SEARING DRY HEAT. THE SAUNA BATH IS WOOD LINED. IN ONE CORNER - THE FURNACE. KARLIN CLIMBS UP AND SITS ON THE TOP WOODEN RACK. PAN TO A TIMER WHICH HAS A TEN MINUTE DIAL. MIX TO: ON TIMER IT SHOWS ABOUT 7 MINUTES HAVE ELAPSED. ON KARLIN HE IS NOW DRENCHED IN SWEAT. HE GETS GROGGILY TO HIS FEET AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. HE GOES TO PULL IT OPEN BUT IT SEEMS JAMMED. HE PULLS HARDER, STILL THE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN. HE GLANCES OVER TO. ***PAGE*** -19- 33 (continued) ON FURNACE RELENTLESSLY POURING OUT HEAT. ON KARLIN FIGHTING A RISING PANIC. HE BANGS ON THE DOOR, BEGINS TO SHOUT. ON THERMOMETER NOW RISING ABOVE 120 DEGREES. ON KARLIN THE TREMENDOUS HEAT BEGINNING TO REALLY GET TO HIM. HE TAKES THE DOOR HANDLE AND GIVES ONE LAST VIOLENT PULL. IT COMES OPEN. KARLIN FALLS WITH THE EFFORT. ANOTHER ANGLE KARLIN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, HEAD HANGING DOWN. HE SLOWLY LOOKS UP AND STARTS TO MOVE OUT OF THE DOOR. HE REACTS. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S HAZY LOW ANGLE POV AN ALIEN STANDS FRAMED IN THE DOORWAY. ON ALIEN HE LUNGES FORWARD POV SHOT THERE IS A VIOLENT CAMERA MOVEMENT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION KARLIN IS BEING SEIZED AND CARRIED OUT OF THE SAUNA BATH. ON KARLIN VERY CLOSE ON HIS FACE AS HE IS CARRIED ALONG BY HIS ARMS AND LEGS. HE IS COVERED IN SWEAT, HE LOOKS SIDEWAYS. CUT TO: 34 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) 20 SECS FROM KARLIN'S POV WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF KAZAN. HE HAS THE CABLE FROM THE WALL WEIGHTS WOUND AROUND HIS NECK. HE LOOKS VERY DEAD. ***PAGE*** -20- 34 (continued) ON KARLIN CLOSE ON HIS FACE. HE STARTS TO STRUGGLE, BUT CANNOT BREAK THE HOLD ON HIS ARMS AND LEGS. HE TWISTS HIS HEAD AGAIN. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS DEAD IN A POOL OF BLOOD, GROTESQUELY STRECHED OUT ON THE FLOOR. ON KARLIN HE REACTS IN HORROR. THEN WITH SUPREME EFFORT, HE FREES HIS LEGS AS HE TRIES TO GET TO HIS FEET. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV AN OBJECT LOOMS INTO HIS FACE AS HE IS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. 34A MONTAGE (LOCATION) 12 SECS A PSYCHODELIC MONTAGE SEEN MAINLY FROM KARLIN'S POV - IMPRESSIONISTIC MOVING EYELINES, OVERHEAD TREES, SKY, TRAVELLING AT EXAGGERATED SPEED, FLASHES OF COLOUR AND LIGHT, FINALLY DARKNESS AND THE METALLIC CLONK OF A DOOR CLOSING. 34B INT ROOM (STUDIO) 19 SECS VERY CLOSE ON HIS FACE. THE SUBDUED LIGHTING UNDER- LINES HIS CONFUSED EXPRESSION. HE REACTS. POV SHOT FROM HIS POV AS A HELMET IS FITTED OVER HIS HEAD. A PAUSE, THEN WE HEAR KARLIN BEGIN TO SHOUT IN TERROR. ON KARLIN IN AN ALIEN HELMET, STRUGGLING AS IT BEGINS TO FILL WITH THE GREEN LIQUID. POV SHOT AS WE HEAR KARLIN'S FRANTIC DROWNING PROTESTS, THE HELMET FILLS WITH THE GREEN LIQUID. CUT TO: 35 INT. UNDERGROUND CONTROL ROOM. (STUDIO) 93 SECS START CLOSE ON STRAKER AT HIS DESK, DEEP IN THOUGHT, HIS FOREHEAD FURROWED. HE LIFTS HIS EYES TO THE OPERATOR AS... ***PAGE*** -21- 35 (continued) OPERATOR (VO) Moonbase for you, sir. STRAKER LEANS FORWARD AND ACTIVATES THE VIDEO LINK. INTERCUT THE SEQUENCE BETWEEN DESICA IN MOONBASE CONTROL AND STRAKER, SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER OVER THE VIDEO LINK. DESICA We have the U.F.O. termination fix. Southern England... grid reference 47 - 06. STRAKER Yes, the ground radar gave the same information. DESICA How badly was it damaged. STRAKER Hard to say. Sky 1 reported a probable hit, but it seemed to maintain course. DESICA What are the possible targets in the area ? STRAKER Alec Freeman's checking with the computer. I want Moonbase maintained on full red alert. If that U.F.O. breaks cover and lifts off, I want it destoyed. Keep me informed. DESICA Roger and out. ON STRAKER HE TURNS TO AN OPERATOR STRAKER Are the mobiles moving in ? OPERATOR Yes, sir. ON DOORWAY ALEC FREEMAN ENTERS AND WALKS TO STRAKER'S DESK. HE HANDS STRAKER A LIST, STRAKER QUICKLY GLANCES DOWN IT. ***PAGE*** -22- 35 (continued) ON STRAKER STRAKER Nothing of real significance here. TWO SHOT FREEMAN The Research Centre is less than 15 miles away. STRAKER I doubt if the Aliens would travel a billion miles to visit a glorified Health Farm, even if it is run by Shado. ON FREEMAN FREEMAN John Karlin checked in there this morning. TWO SHOT STRAKER Karlin..... STRAKER TURNS TO AN OPERATOR STRAKER Get me Doctor Henderson at the Research Centre. HE TURNS TO FREEMAN STRAKER If they get their hands on Karlin... FREEMAN REALISES THE IMPLICATIONS. ON OPERATOR OPERATOR Radio contact negative, sir TWO SHOT STRAKER AND FREEMAN BOTH NOW LOOKING VERY WORRIED. STRAKER Keep trying. OPERATOR (VO) Yes, sir. ***PAGE*** -23- 35 (continued) STRAKER You'd better get over there, Alec ..... fast. FREEMAN NODS AND MOVES QUICKLY TOWARDS THE DOORWAY. CUT TO: 36 EXT. HELICOPTER. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS FLYING FLAT OUT CUT TO: 37 INT. HELICOPTER. DAY. (STUDIO) 10 SECS FREEMAN, A PILOT AND ANOTHER SHADO OPERATIVE. FREEMAN POINTS O.S. FREEMAN Take her down in that clump of trees. We'll move in on foot. THE PILOT MOVES THE CONTROLS CUT TO: 38 EXT. TREES. DAY. (STUDIO) 9 SECS THE HELICOPTER COMES DOWN TO LAND BEHIND A CLUMP OF TREES. CUT TO: 39 INT. HELICOPTER. DAY. (STUDIO) 7 SECS FREEMAN PICKS UP A MIKE. FREEMAN We've just landed. I couldn't see any signs of activity from the house. CUT TO: 40 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 6 SECS STRAKER AT HIS DESK. STRAKER Now listen, Alec, the men from the mobiles have the place completely surrounded. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -24- 41 INT. HELICOPTER. DAY. (STUDIO) 14 SECS FREEMAN Hold them back, I'll go in with the helicopter crew. There'll be less chance of being spotted. Out. FREEMAN TURNS TO THE OTHER TWO MEN. FREEMAN O.K..... Let's go. THE THREE MEN GO TO GET OUT OF THE HELICOPTER. CUT TO: 42 INT. SHADO RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY. (STUDIO) 17 SECS START ON THE BODY OF DOCTOR HENDERSON SITTING ON THE FLOOR AGAINST A WALL. HIS EYES STARE AHEAD, A DARK STAIN OF BLOOD OVER HIS HEART. WHIP PAN TO THE DOOR AS A DETONATION BLOWS THE LOCK. FREEMAN AND THE TWO HELICOPTER CREWMEN BURST IN. ON FREEMAN HE REACTS TO THE SIGHT OF DOCTOR HENDERSON, WAVES ONE OF THE MEN OVER TO HIM AND MOVES OFF WITH THE OTHER. ON CREWMAN HE BENDS OVER THE DOCTOR AND TOUCHES HIM ON THE SHOULDER. AS HE DOES SO THE BODY FALLS SIDEWAYS TO THE FLOOR. CUT TO: 43 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) 16 SECS FREEMAN AND THE CREWMAN COME RUSHING IN. THEY ARE BROUGHT UP SHORT BY THE SCENE OF MASSACRE. ON FREEMAN LOOKING AROUND POV SHOT PAN PAST KAZAN, THE DEAD MASSEUR AND ANOTHER MAN SLUMPED OVER THE ROWING MACHINE. TWO SHOT FREEMAN LOOKS AT THE CREWMAN. THERE IS NOTHING THEY ***PAGE*** -25- 43 (continued) CAN DO, NOTHING TO SAY. CUT TO: 44 INT. CONTROL ROOM. (UNDERGROUND) (STUDIO) 15 SECS ON STRAKER AT HIS DESK. STRAKER (grim) Are you certain ? FREEMAN (VO) We've searched the whole centre... everyone's dead... and there's no trace of John Karlin. STRAKER There's only one answer. He's been taken... by the aliens. FADE OUT END OF ACT I SPONSOR'S MESSAGE ACT II FADE IN 45 EXT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (V.E.) 6 SECS SHADO'S FUTURISTIC SUBMARINE SLIDES PAST. CUT TO: 46 INT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (STUDIO) 29 SECS PAN AROUND THE INTERIOR. THE CREW ARE AT THEIR STATIONS. MAXWELL HAS TAKEN OVER COMMAND IN KARLIN'S ABSENCE AND A NEW MAN HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN TO MAKE UP THE CREW. ON MAXWELL MAXWELL Steer 128 - maintain present speed. ON HOWELL SHE ADJUSTS A CONTROL AND CHECKS THE NEW BEARING. HOWELL 128 it is, sir. ***PAGE*** -26- 46 (continued) WIDER ANGLE OPERATOR (VO) Control to Skydiver... I have Commander Straker for you. ON MAXWELL HE REACTS, A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT STRAKER SHOULD CALL. HE WALKS OVER TO THE RADIO. MAXWELL Maxwell here,sir. STRAKER (VO) Lieutenant, I have some... news. CUT TO: 47 INT. UNDERGROUND OFFICE. (STUDIO) 22 SECS STRAKER AT HIS DESK. STRAKER It concerns Captain Karlin. I'm afraid we must assume he is in the hands of the aliens. A LONG PAUSE. STRAKER Did you read me, Lieutenant ? MAXWELL (VO) Yes, sir...what happened ? STRAKER The research centre was attacked. Karlin is unaccounted for, officially listed as missing. CUT TO: 48 INT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 51 SECS THE CREW ARE STUNNED BY THE NEWS. STRAKER (VO) The U.F.O. must still be in the area. I want Skydiver on full red alert ready for an interception. MAXWELL Yes, sir. THE RADIO LINK CLICKS OFF. ***PAGE*** -27- 48 (continued) A LONG SILENCE. ON HOWELL HOWELL How could a thing like this happen ? ON MAXWELL MAXWELL We work on the assumption that the Captain is alive and that he'll be rescued. O.K. ? WIDE ANGLE NO ONE ANSWERS. IT SOUNDS A LITTLE HOLLOW, EVEN TO MAXWELL. HE STIFFENS AS HE FEELS THE MORALE SAGGING. ON MAXWELL MAXWELL Alright... This is supposed to be an operational alert. (hard) Let's get to it. WE HEAR THE CREW SNAP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BACK AND FORTH IN THE B.G. HOLD ON MAXWELL, FEELING AS BAD AS THE REST ABOUT KARLIN. MASTERS (VO) Maximum speed. HOWELL (VO) Increasing speed. MASTERS (VO) Seal all water locks... start checks A through G. HOWELL (VO) Electrics A.OK... Missile systems A.OK... Launch Circuits A.OK. CUT TO: 49 EXT. UNDERWATER. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS SKYDIVER NOW MOVING FLAT OUT UP AND PAST. CUT TO: 50 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 12 SECS FEATURE FREEMAN IN THE CONTROL ROOM AS HE ENTERS ***PAGE*** -28- 50 (continued) THE OUTER DOOR - HE STOPS HALFWAY ACROSS AS - OPERATOR Control to Skydiver, remain on standby for emergency launch.... FREEMAN REACTS TO THE OPERATOR. HE WALKS OVER TO THE DOOR TO STRAKER'S OFFICE. CUT TO: 51 INT. STRAKER'S UNDERGROUND OFFICE. (STUDIO) 92 SECS STRAKER LOOKS UP FROM HIS DESK AS FREEMAN ENTERS. A LONG PAUSE, THEN FREEMAN TURNS. ON FREEMAN FREEMAN What are his chances ? ON STRAKER HE LOOKS AT FREEMAN, BUT DOESN'T ANSWER. TWO SHOT FREEMAN MOVES OVER TO LEAN ON THE FRONT OF THE DESK. FREEMAN 50 to 1 ? ... 100 to 1 ? STRAKER GIVES HIM A LOOK, GETS UP AND WALKS AWAY FROM THE DESK. FREEMAN SPINS ROUND TO FACE HIM. FREEMAN A 1,000 ? STRAKER SHAKES HIS HEAD. STRAKER Oh, come on Alec .... FREEMAN I'd like to know... just what do you have in mind ? STRAKER SEES FREEMAN MEANS IT AND HARDENS. STRAKER When that U.F.O. lifts off the ground radar should fix its position straight away. FREEMAN And ? ***PAGE*** -29- 51 (continued) A PAUSE STRAKER We destroy it. FREEMAN Knowing that John Karlin is almost certainly aboard ? STRAKER That's right. FREEMAN (angry) Well, you'd just better hope I'm never in a position to press the button on you. ON STRAKER STRAKER IS NOW ANGRY, READY TO DEFEND HIS POSITION. STRAKER How do you know he's even still alive. HE GLARES AT FREEMAN STRAKER John Karlin's a highly trained, courageous, dedicated officer. TWO SHOT STRAKER He knows the whole Shado set up... He's trained to resist interrogation. What gentle persuasion can you imagine will be used to crack him. ON FREEMAN REALISING THE TRUTH IN WHAT STRAKER IS SAYING. ON STRAKER HE HAS CALMED DOWN. STRAKER No, Alec, if we destroy the U.F.O. Karlin loses his life... clean and quick. If we don't get it, God knows what will happen to him. There's only one thing we can be sure of... We've lost the greatest submarine Commander we ever had. ***PAGE*** -30- 51 (continued) TWO SHOT THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER AS OPERATOR (VO) (urgent) Commander Straker, we have a radar trace. THE TWO MEN HURRY TOWARDS THE DOORWAY TO THE CONTROL ROOM. CUT TO: 52 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 47 SECS A BUZZ OF ACTIVITY AS STRAKER AND FREEMAN COME STRIDING IN. STRAKER Do we have a fix ? OPERATOR Yes sir... computer triangulates... grid reference 124 - 048. STRAKER Speed ? OPERATOR 800 knots - accelerating. FREEMAN That must be it. STRAKER Where's Skydiver ? THE OPERATOR CHECKS A CHART, THEN SHOWS STRAKER. OPERATOR Here, sir. STRAKER Compute. THE OPERATOR BEGINS TO FEED THE RELATIVE COURSES AND POSITIONS OF SKYDIVER AND THE U.F.O. INTO A COMPUTER. TWO SHOT FREEMAN AND STRAKER STUDY THE CHART STRAKER Looks like we could intercept around here. ***PAGE*** -31- 52 (continued) HE JABS THE CHART, FREEMAN NODS HIS AGREEMENT. STRAKER YELLS BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER. STRAKER Where's that read-out ? ANOTHER ANGLE AN OPERATOR HURRIES INTO SHOT WITH A COMPUTER READ- OUT. STRAKER QUICKLY CHECKS IT. ON STRAKER HE LOOKS UP, SATISFIED. STRAKER It looks good... (louder) Signal Sky 1 - immediate launch. CUT TO: 53 INT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 40 SECS MAXWELL Launch stations. THE CREW IMMEDIATELY REACT AND START THE LAUNCH DRILL. MAXWELL MOVES QUICKLY FORWARD. AS THE RED ALERT LIGHTS FLASH. ON MAXWELL HE PAUSES A BRIEF MOMENT AND LOOKS UP TO - POV HOWELL LOOKING DOWN FROM THE UPPER DECK. SHE TURNS HER HEAD AWAY, KNOWING MAXWELL IS GOING OUT TO TRY AND DESTROY THE U.F.O. AND KARLIN. ON MAXWELL MOVING QUICKLY FORWARD AGAIN, HE SWINGS UP FEET FIRST INTO THE CHUTE AND SLIDES OUT OF SHOT. ON HOWELL UPSET. MASTERS (VO) Clear one. HOWELL DOESN'T MOVE. ***PAGE*** -32- 53 (continued) MASTERS (VO) (more urgent) Clear one. HOWELL ACTIVATES A CONTROL. WE HEAR A BLAST OF COMPRESSED AIR AS ONE OF THE BALLAST TANKS IS EVACUATED. MASTERS Clear two. HOWELL ACTIVATES ANOTHER CONTROL. THE SECOND TANK STARTS TO EVACUATE. CUT TO: 54 EXT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (V.E.) 5 SECS WE SEE MAXWELL COME UP INTO THE COCKPIT OF SKY 1. CUT TO: 55 INT. SKY 1. UNDERWATER (V.E.) 8 SECS MAXWELL SETTLES IN THE SEAT. HOWELL (VO) One and two cleared. MAXWELL Lift off stations. CUT TO: 56 EXT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (V.E.) 7 SECS THE SUBMARINE ANGLES UP TOWARDS THE SURFACE. CUT TO: 57 INT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (STUDIO) 8 SECS ON MASTERS MASTERS Lift off minus five... four... three... two... one... zero. CUT TO: 58 EXT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER (V.E.) 4 SECS SKY 1 BLASTS OFF. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -33- 59 EXT. SEA. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS SKY 1 BREAKS THE SURFACE AND STREAKS UP. CUT TO: 60 INT. SKY 1. (STUDIO) 8 SECS MAXWELL PUSHED BACK IN HIS SEAT BY THE POWER CLIMB. HE CHECKS HIS INSTRUMENTATION AND EASES THE NOSE DOWN. CUT TO: 61 EXT. SKY 1. DAY (V.E.) 5 SECS IT LEVELS OFF A LITTLE, BUT STILL CLIMBS. CUT TO: 62 INT. SKY1. DAY (STUDIO) 5 SECS MAXWELL SPEAKS INTO THE HELMET MIKE. MAXWELL Sky 1 to Control... airborne. CUT TO: 63 INT. CONTROL ROOM UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 41 SECS THE OPERATORS AND TRACKERS FOLLOW THE U.F.O. AND SKY 1. OPERATOR We have you on positive track SKY 1. Set on board computer to receive interception course. ON STRAKER HE STARES INTENTLY AT A SCREEN. HE HAS NOTICED SOME- THING. STRAKER Check the U.F.O's air speed. OPERATOR (VO) Yes, sir. TWO SHOT FREEMAN JOINS STRAKER. OPERATOR (VO) 1,500 knots. ***PAGE*** -34- 63 (continued) STRAKER Rate of climb ? ON OPERATOR HE CHECKS HIS INSTRUMENTATION. OPERATOR 10 decimal 4 m.p.m. TWO SHOT STRAKER LOOKS AT FREEMAN. THE SPEED AND RATE OF CLIMB ARE LOWER THAN USUAL. FREEMAN The damage might be more serious than we thought. STRAKER Let's hope so. CUT TO: 64 EXT. U.F.O. DAY. (V.E.) 4 SECS CLIMBING UP INTO THE STRATOSPHERE. CUT TO: 65 EXT. SKY1. DAY. (V.E.) 4 SECS IN PURSUIT IT SEEMS TO BE MOVING FASTER THAN THE U.F.O. CUT TO: 66 INT. SKY 1. DAY. (STUDIO) 12 SECS MAXWELL AT THE CONTROLS. OPERATOR (VO) Speed and rate of climb not increasing. MAXWELL I have it on the radar. Range 29 miles, closing. CUT TO: 67 INT. CONTROL ROOM UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 12 SECS FEATURE STRAKER AND FREEMAN. STRAKER Rate of climb ? ***PAGE*** -35- 67 (continued) OPERATOR (VO) Steady at 10 decimal 8. STRAKER He must get it... it's a sitting duck. FREEMAN TURNS AWAY. STRAKER REACTS, REALISING THE DOUBLE EDGE TO WHAT HE HAS JUST SAID. CUT TO: 68 INT. SKYDIVER UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 12 SECS THE CREW LISTEN TO THE CLOSING SECONDS OF THE ATTACK. MAXWELL (VO) Have visual contact... Setting missile firing sequence. ON HOWELL SHE LOOKS UP IN A REFLEX ACTION THINKING OF KARLIN WHO WILL SOON DIE THOUSANDS OF FEET ABOVE HER. CUT TO: 69 EXT. SKY 1. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS CLOSING IN FOR THE KILL. CUT TO: 70 INT. SKY 1. DAY. (STUDIO) 26 SECS MAXWELL Infra red homing positive. Commencing firing countdown. HE BEGINS TO FLICK A SEQUENCE OF BUTTONS. HE REACTS. ON HIS HAND DANGLING ON A CHAIN IS A SMALL LEATHER-BACKED PHOTOGRAPH HOLDER. HIS HAND TURNS IT OVER. WE SEE A SMILING KARLIN, ARMS AROUND A MAN AND A WOMAN, WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY HIS PARENTS. ON MAXWELL KNOWING THAT KARLIN IS IN THE U.F.O. MAXWELL (tight) Missile launch minus 25 seconds. .... 20.... HE LOOKS DOWN TO - ***PAGE*** -36- 70 (continued) ON PHOTO FROM HIS POV ON MAXWELL MAXWELL 15...... HE LOOKS OUT TO - CUT TO: 71 EXT. U.F.O. DAY. (V.E.) 4 SECS THE U.F.O. DEAD AHEAD FROM HIS POV. CUT TO: 72 INT. SKY 1. DAY. (STUDIO) 16 SECS ON MAXWELL A LITTLE HESITANT, CAUGHT IN THE DILEMMA OF HIS THOUGHTS. MAXWELL Ten seconds.... HE GLANCES DOWN AGAIN TOWARDS THE PHOTO. MAXWELL Five, four, three,... two. HE YANKS THE CONTROL OVER. CUT TO: 73 EXT. SKY 1. DAY. (V.E.) 6 SECS IT BANKS STEEPLY AND AS IT DOES SO THE MISSILES LAUNCH. CUT TO: 74 INT. SKY 1. DAY. (STUDIO) 5 SECS MAXWELL TORN BETWEEN FRIENDSHIP AND DUTY. BUT IT IS DONE. CUT TO: 75 EXT. U.F.O. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS MOVING AWAY TO SAFETY. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -37- 76 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 38 SECS START CLOSE ON STRAKER WHO HAS JUST RECEIVED THE NEWS THAT MAXWELL MISSED THE U.F.O. STRAKER How the hell did he miss ! HE WHIPS ROUND TO AN OPERATOR. STRAKER Get me Colonel Desica. TWO SHOT STRAKER IS ANGRY. HE MOVES OVER TO JOIN FREEMAN. STRAKER Excellent visibility... positive radar track... positive infra red homing signal... IT SUDDENLY OCCURS TO HIM MAXWELL MISSED ON PURPOSE. STRAKER If I thought Lieutenant Maxwell... FREEMAN KNOWS WHAT IS HE THINKING AND INTERRUPTS. FREEMAN (hard) ... had any emotion for a man who he has served under for over two years? A man he'd give his right arm for? THEY GLARE AT EACH OTHER. OPERATOR (VO) Moonbase for you, sir. STRAKER HOLDS FREEMAN'S EYES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, THEN WALKS OVER TO HIS DESK. ON STRAKER HE SPEAKS INTO THE LUNAR VIDEO LINK. (INTERCUT WITH MOONBASE CONTROL IF REQUIRED) STRAKER Franco... Is there any chance of an interception by Moonbase ? DESICA No chance at all. The U.F.O. is leaving Earth on an anti lunar trajectory. ***PAGE*** -38- 76 (continued) STRAKER Beyond your range... well... track it and report any change. DESICA Roger and out. STRAKER LOOKS OVER TOWARDS FREEMAN, STILL REMEMBERING THEIR DIFFERENCE AND STRIDES RELENT- LESSLY TOWARDS HIS INNER OFFICE MIX TO: 77 INT. SKYDIVER. UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 15 SECS MAXWELL HAS JUST ENTERED THE CONTROL ROOM. HE CARRIES THE SPACE HELMET FROM SKY 1. ON MAXWELL HE LOOKS ROUND AT THE CREW, FINDING NO COMFORT IN THEIR LOOKS. WIDER ANGLE THE CREW WATCH HIM, THEIR EXPRESSIONS NEITHER ACCUSING OR CONSOLING, AS HE WALKS TO THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN. CUT TO: 78 INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN. UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 55 SECS MAXWELL COMES IN, PUTS DOWN THE SPACE HELMET. HE STANDS, HEAD BOWED, A FEW MOMENTS, THEN STRETCHES TIREDLY OUT ON THE BUNK. ON MAXWELL CLOSE ON HIS FACE. HE LOOKS UP AS - WIDER ANGLE HOWELL ENTERS WITH A CUP OF COFFEE. SHE HOLDS IT OUT TO MAXWELL. HE SITS UP, TAKES THE CUP, HAS A SIP. HE LOOKS UP AT HER. MAXWELL Thanks. HE LOWERS HIS EYES, TAKES ANOTHER SIP. A LONG PAUSE. HOWELL Bad luck, sir... missing the U.F.O. ***PAGE*** -39- 78 (continued) MAXWELL Huh... It wasn't bad luck... you know it, everyone knows it. ON MAXWELL MAXWELL There was a photo... in the cockpit ... he had his arm around his mother... smiling. TWO SHOT HE BREAKS THE MOOD. MAXWELL I had my orders... I fouled it up... I guess I wasn't... man enough to do it. ON HOWELL HOWELL Maybe _not_ doing it took a real man. SHE GIVES HIM A TIGHT SMILE AND GOES OUT. ON MAXWELL SIPPING HIS COFFEE, THINKING ON WHAT SHE HAS SAID. CUT TO: 79 EXT. MOONBASE. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS TO ESTABLISH. CUT TO: 80 INT. CONTROL SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 20 SECS THE MOONBASE PERSONNEL TRACK THE U.F.O. WITHOUT HOPE. PAULA Range 26 million... receding. ON DESICA FRUSTRATED BY HAVING TO SIT AND WATCH KARLIN RECEDING AWAY OUT INTO SPACE. HE SMACKS HIS FIST HARD INTO THE NEAREST OBJECT AND BEGINS TO TAKE IT OUT ON HIS WEIGHTS. ***PAGE*** -40- 80 (continued) ON PAULA WATCHING, SHE LOOKS OVER TO NINA. ON NINA FEELING THE AIR OF DESPONDENCY HANGING OVER THE CONTROL SPHERE. ON PAULA SHE LOOKS BACK TO HER SCREEN, REACTS. PAULA Colonel... WIDER ANGLE DESICA DROPS THE WEIGHTS AND MOVES QUICKLY OVER TO PAULA. TOGETHER THEY STUDY THE SCREEN. DESICA It can't be... ON DESICA A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN HIS VOICE. DESICA Check it... and tell Control. CUT TO: 81 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND (STUDIO) 23 SECS STRAKER STRIDES AROUND IMPATIENTLY - WANTING ANSWERS - HE NEARLY COLLIDES WITH AN OPERATOR. STRAKER Well ? THE OPERATOR MIMES AN APOLOGY; HE IS STILL WORKING ON IT. HE CARRIES A SHEAF OF COMPUTER READOUT. STRAKER Just how long is it going to take. Is it or isn't it ? OPERATOR It's pretty complex, courses, times, trajectories, the interplay of G forces. STRAKER WAVES HIS ASIDE. THE OPERATOR MOVES OVER TO THE COMPUTER. ***PAGE*** -41- 81 (continued) TWO SHOT HIS WALK TAKES STRAKER TO FREEMAN, HE GIVES HIM A GLARE AND MOVES AWAY. CUT TO: 82 INT. MOONBASE CONTROL. (STUDIO) 32 SECS DESICA LOOKS UP AS S.I.D. ELECTRONIC VOICE - S.I.D. (VO) Result sequence... trajectory 042 - 326 cyclic... lunar G variable... 7 over 5 decimal 4... computer predicted power loss 70%. DESICA REACTS IN DELIGHT. THE U.F.O'S POWER IS WAY DOWN. S.I.D. (VO) Orbit fading 0 decimal 4 g.r.t. Predict impact lunar grid reference B 184 DESICA IS DELIGHTED. HE MOVES TO HIS CONSOLE AND TALKS TO SHADO CONTROL. DESICA Moonbase to Control... positive CUT TO: 83 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 33 SECS STRAKER ANSWERS DESICA FROM HIS DESK, USING AN 'AT LAST' TONE. STRAKER Thank you, Colonel. HE WALKS SLOWLY ACROSS TO FREEMAN, BEAMING TRIUM- PHANTLY AT THE OPERATORS AND TRACKERS WHO NOW SAG AT THEIR POSTS, ALL THEIR EFFORTS NOW TO NO AVAIL. TWO SHOT FREEMAN AND STRAKER FREEMAN So the U.F.O's heading for the moon. STRAKER It hasn't enough power to escape the lunar G force. It must have been damaged. ***PAGE*** -42- 83 (continued) ON STRAKER STRAKER You were asking about Captain Karlin's chances of survival. I'd say the odds have improved. TWO SHOT FREEMAN LOOKS AT HIM. STRAKER SAVOURS THE MOMENT. STRAKER They must be down to a million to one... against. HE STRIDES OFF. CUT TO: 84 EXT. SPACE. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS THE U.F.O. IN SPACE NOW CAUGHT IN THE MOON'S GRAVITY. REVERSE ANGLE THE U.F.O. MOVES IN ORBIT SLOWLY BUT RELENTLESSLY TOWARDS THE STILL DISTANT MOON. FADE OUT END OF ACT II SPONSOR'S MESSAGE ACT III FADE IN 85 EXT. MOONBASE. DAY. (V.E.) 5 SECS TO ESTABLISH CUT TO: 86 INT. MOONBASE CONTROL. DAY. (STUDIO) 5 SECS THE ATMOSPHERE IS ONE OF MOUNTING EXCITEMENT. CUT TO: 87 INT. CONTROL SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 27 SECS STRAKER AND DESICA TALK OVER THE VIDEO LINK BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE MOON. IN THE BACKGROUND THE MOONBASE PERSONNEL CONTINUE ***PAGE*** -43- 87 (continued) TO MONITOR THE U.F.O. AS IT IS SLOWLY DRAWN IN TOWARDS THE LUNAR SURFACE. DESICA The U.F.O's still maintaining its trajectory. STRAKER Good. Just as long as it continues to head for the moon, do nothing. But if it manages to develop enough power to pull away from lunar gravity, launch the interceptors and destroy it. DESICA The astronauts are already in position. They can be space borne in seconds. STRAKER Great. Alright, Franco, keep me informed. DESICA Roger and out. CUT TO: 88 INT. CONTROL SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 27 SECS DESICA GETS UP FROM HIS CONSOLE AND WALKS OVER TO PAULA AND NINA. DESICA Do we have a closer fix on where its going to land ? PAULA REFERS TO A CHART. PAULA Yes, er... grid reference 184 - 082. DESICA LEANS OVER AND ALSO CHECKS THE CHART. DESICA Ummm... around 28 miles away. ON DESICA HE THINKS A MOMENT, THEN DECIDES. DESICA I'm going out there. Tell Moon- mobile One to stand by. ***PAGE*** -44- 88 (continued) PAULA Yes, sir DESICA WALKS OVER TO THE DOORWAY AND GOES OUT OF THE CONTROL SPHERE. CUT TO: 89 EXT. U.F.O. SPACE. (V.E.) 5 SECS THE U.F.O. DRIFTING IN TOWARDS THE MOON, PULLED DOWN BY THE LUNAR GRAVITY. WE SEE THE MOON MUCH NEARER NOW. CUT TO: 90 INT. U.F.O. (STUDIO) 5 SECS VERY TIGHT ON KARLIN. WE ARE JUST ABLE TO RECOGNISE WHO IT IS IN THE VERY SUBDUED LIGHTING AND THROUGH THE GREEN LIQUID. HE IS STILL INSIDE THE ALIEN HELMET AND SPACE SUIT. CUT TO: 91 EXT. MOONBASE. DAY. (V.E.) 7 SECS A MOONMOBILE MOVES AWAY FROM MOONBASE OUT ONTO THE LUNAR SURFACE. CUT TO: 92 INT. MOONMOBILE. DAY. (STUDIO) 9 SECS DESICA AND A CREWMAN. DESICA LIFTS A MIKE TO SPEAK TO MOONBASE CONTROL. DESICA We'll be in the area in eight minutes. Keep me informed of the U.F.O's progress. PAULA (VO) Yes, sir. CUT TO: 93 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 25 SECS (FROM THIS POINT THE SCENES MAY BE SLIGHTLY OVER- PLAYED, EACH CHARACTER A LITTLE MORE BLACK OR WHITE). ON STRAKER AND FREEMAN. STRAKER TOYS WITH A CIGARETTE, LOOKS AT FREEMAN, PUTS THE CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH. ***PAGE*** -45- 93 (continued) ON FREEMAN FREEMAN LOOKS AT HIM. HE KNOWS STRAKER IS MUTELY ASKING FOR A LIGHT. TWO SHOT FREEMAN TURNS AWAY, THEN TURNS BACK. ON STRAKER A HINT OF A SMILE BETWEEN THE CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH. TWO SHOT FREEMAN - DISGUSTED AT HIMSELF, GIVES STRAKER A LIGHT, THEN WALKS AWAY. ON STRAKER HE LAUGHS, THE SOUND ECHOES AROUND THE CONTROL ROOM CUT TO: 94 EXT. MOONMOBILE. DAY. (V.E.) 7 SECS IT COMES INTO SHOT, THEN STOPS. WE ARE OUT ON THE BARREN SURFACE OF THE MOON. CUT TO: 95 INT. MOONMOBILE. DAY. (STUDIO) 26 SECS DESICA AND THE CREWMAN. DESICA CHECKS A LUNAR CHART - THEN LIFTS THE MIKE TO TALK TO CONTROL. THEY BOTH WEAR SPACE SUITS WITHOUT THE HELMETS. DESICA We're in position. PAULA (VO) Crash area confirmed, three minutes to impact. DESICA PUTS DOWN THE MIKE, LOOKS AT THE CREWMAN AND NODS. ON DESICA HE PICKS UP HIS SPACE HELMET AND PUTS IT ON. HIS FACE IS SET HARD. CUT TO: 96 EXT. U.F.O. SPACE. (V.E.) 4 SECS HEADING DOWN TOWARDS THE MOON. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -46- 97 INT. U.F.O. (STUDIO) 4 SECS CLOSE ON KARLIN AS BEFORE. HE MOVES A LITTLE TO SHOW HE IS STILL ALIVE. CUT TO: 98 INT. CONTROL SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 20 SECS ON PAULA COUNTING DOWN THE TIME TO IMPACT. PAULA 2 minutes... 60 seconds... 50... 40... 30... 20... 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. INTERCUT PAULA COUNTING WHERE REQUIRED IN THE FOLLOWING SCENES. CUT TO: 99 EXT. U.F.O. SPACE. (V.E.) 7 SECS MOVING CLOSER TO THE MOON. IT IS OUT OF CONTROL BEING DRAWN DOWN TOWARDS THE MOON BY THE FORCE OF GRAVITY IN AN ELONGATED ELIPTICAL ORBIT. CUT TO: 100 INT. SKYDIVER. UNDERWATER. (STUDIO) 7 SECS THE CREW LISTEN IN SILENCE TO THE COUNTDOWN. ON HOWELL FIGHTING TO CONTROL HER EMOTION. CUT TO: 101 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 12 SECS THE OPERATOR AND TRACKERS WAIT AND WATCH. TWO SHOT FREEMAN RUNS A HAND OVER HIS FOREHEAD, LOOKS OVER TO STRAKER. ON STRAKER A HINT OF A SMILE, HE PULLS ON A CIGARETTE. CUT TO: 102 EXT. U.F.O. SPACE. (V.E.) 4 SECS NOW ALMOST ON THE MOON CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -47- 103 INT. MOONMOBILE. DAY. (STUDIO) 9 SECS DESICA AND THE CREWMAN SEARCH THE SPACE SKY. ON DESICA HE REACTS DESICA There it is... it's out of control, it's going to crash. CUT TO: 104 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 4 SECS FREEMAN AND STRAKER. STRAKER A million to one... CUT TO: 105 EXT. MOON SURFACE. (V.E.) 9 SECS THE U.F.O. COMING IN AT A LOW ANGLE. ANOTHER ANGLE IT HITS THE MOON SURFACE, BOUNCES AIRBORNE. CUT TO: 106 EXT. U.F.O. (V.E.) 4 SECS IT CRASHES DOWN AND UP AGAIN. CUT TO: 107 INT. MOONMOBILE. (STUDIO) 4 SECS DESICA AND CREWMAN REACT AND DUCK AS CUT TO: 108 EXT. MOON SURFACE. (V.E.) 4 SECS THE U.F.O. SPINS OVER THE MOONHOPPER THEN DOWN OVER THE SURFACE ONCE MORE. CUT TO: 109 EXT. U.F.O. (V.E.) 5 SECS IT SKIDS ALONG THE SURFACE, BREAKING UP. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -48- 110 EXT. ROCK. (V.E.) 5 SECS AS IT SLOWS, THE U.F.O. HITS A GROUP OF ROCKS AND EXPLODES. ON EXPLOSION BURSTING OUT, TWISTED METAL AND ROCKS FALL AROUND. CUT TO: 111 EXT. MOON SURFACE. (STUDIO) 6 SECS KARLIN FALLS INTO SHOT, BURNING WRECKAGE ALL AROUND HIM. ON KARLIN ZOOM IN FAST ON HIS EXPRESSION OF UTTER SHOCK INSIDE THE HELMET. 111A MONTAGE (V.E.) 8 SECS AS IN THE EARLIER SEQUENCE WHEN HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE ALIENS. WE AGAIN MAINLY USE KARLIN'S EYELINE. PIECES OF ROCK, FLYING EMBERS OF BURNING WRECKAGE, A SPACE-SUITED MAN HOVERING OVER HIM, A GLIMPSE OF THE MOON SURFACE - SPACE SKY OVERHEAD - THE MOON- MOBILE - THE ROOF OF THE MOONMOBILE. CUT TO: 112 INT. MOONMOBILE. DAY. (STUDIO) 16 SECS START CLOSE ON KARLIN, EYES CLOSED INSIDE THE HELMET. ON DESICA HE LOOKS BACK TOWARDS KARLIN ON KARLIN HIS EYES OPEN POV SHOT. FROM KARLIN'S POV THROUGH THE GREEN LIQUID WE SEE DESICA LOOKING DOWN. THE PICTURE DISTORTS, FADES, DARKENS, AND THEN COMES UP ON A BURNING LIGHT. CUT TO: 113 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 17 SECS WE ARE IN MOONBASE SLEEP SPHERE, KARLIN LIES ON ONE OF THE BEDS UNDER A FIERCE LIGHT. DESICA, PAULA, TWO ASTRONAUTS AND A MEDIC STAND OVER HIM. ***PAGE*** -49- 113 (continued) ON KARLIN KARLIN OPENS HIS EYES AND MOVES HIS HEAD A LITTLE. WIDER ANGLE THE GROUP SMILE - BEND DOWN TO HIM. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV WE MAKE OUT THE FACES BUT CANNOT HEAR THE WORDS THEY ARE MOUTHING CUT TO: 114 INT. STRAKER'S UNDERGROUND OFFICE. DAY. (STUDIO) 104 SECS FREEMAN AND STRAKER. FREEMAN IS TRIUMPHANT. BOTH HAVE UNLIT CIGARETTES IN THEIR MOUTHS. FREEMAN So much for you... so much for you and your odds. HE LIGHTS HIS CIGARETTE, LOOKS AT STRAKER AND SNAPS THE LIGHTER SHUT - NOT GIVING HIM A LIGHT. FREEMAN A million to one eh... and he made it. STRAKER SLOWLY CAREFULLY TAKES THE TABLE LIGHTER AND LIGHTS HIS CIGARETTE. STRAKER Has he ? HE LEANS FORWARD AND FLICKS AN INTERCOM. STRAKER Will you ask Doctor Shroeder to come in please. FREEMAN, A LITTLE CONFUSED, LOOKS OVER TO THE DOORWAY AS IT OPENS AND DOCTOR SHROEDER COMES IN. STRAKER What's the position doctor ? SHROEDER Well.. I've just had a long conversation with Moonbase. The position is a difficult one. ON SHROEDER ***PAGE*** -50- 114 (continued) SHROEDER Captain Karlin's general physical condition is satisfactory, considering what he has just been through. But he is in an alien space suit... He is breathing liquid. GROUP SHOT FREEMAN APPEALS TO THE DOCTOR STUBBING HIS CIGARETTE FREEMAN We can make the transfer back to normal breathing. THE DOCTOR DOESN'T REPLY ON FREEMAN FREEMAN Come on now... you've done it before... WIDER ANGLE STRAKER With Aliens. SHROEDER And none have survived more than a few hours. ON SHROEDER SHROEDER It's an extremely hazardous operation. We have by no means perfected the technique. WIDER ANGLE SHROEDER There's another difficulty... Here at Shado H.Q. we have every facility... On Moonbase the equipment is naturally more... crude. The chances are... FREEMAN Don't tell me. ON SHROEDER HE LIFTS AN EYEBROW SHROEDER I will be monitoring the operation by video link... if you'll excuse me. ***PAGE*** -51- 114 (continued) SHROEDER TURNS, WALKS TO THE DOOR AND GOES OUT. ON FREEMAN AGAIN FRUSTRATED, WORRIED. HE STARTS TO PACE THE ROOM, PULLS OUT A PACKET AND TAKES A CIGARETTE. ON STRAKER HE HOLDS OUT THE LIGHTER. STRAKER Light ? CUT TO: 115 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 102 SECS KARLIN LIES ON THE BED IN SPACE SUIT AND HELMET. THE MOONBASE MEDIC CHECKS OVER A TABLE OF INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT BY HIS SIDE. NOTHING VERY ELABORATE. THE MEDIC IS A NERVOUS MAN, AND WE ACCENTUATE THIS FOLLOWING THE TREND FROM WHEN WE STARTED TO OVER- PLAY. HE DROPS AN INSTRUMENT. DESICA, PAULA AND TWO ASTRONAUTS LOOK AT HIM. HE DOESN'T EXACTLY INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. MEDIC Look... you're going to have to help me here. DESICA AND PAULA SAY NOTHING MEDIC I mean this isn't like clipping toe nails... I'm no surgeon you know. DESICA You're a doctor. ON MEDIC MEDIC Sure... But I wnated to specialise ... in gyneacology. ON PAULA AND DESICA THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER DESICA LEANS FORWARD CLOSE TO KARLIN'S HELMET. ***PAGE*** -52- 115 (continued) DESICA John... you're gonna be alright ... you're gonna be fine. POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV. HE CANNOT HEAR THE WORDS. THE LIGHT ABOVE HIS HEAD BEGINS TO DANCE IN AND OUT OF FOCUS, OTHER COLOURS FLASH AND MERGE. THE MUSIC BUILDS. FADE OUT END OF ACT III SPONSOR'S MESSAGE ACT IV FADE IN 116 INT. STRAKER'S UNDERGROUND OFFICE. (STUDIO) 80 SECS STRAKER AND FREEMAN FREEMAN IS STILL WORRIED STRAKER Listen Alec, John Karlin is in top physical shape. A PAUSE STRAKER He's an expert skin-diver used to underwater pressures. FREEMAN LOOKS AT STRAKER FREEMAN You think that background will help ? STRAKER I'm no doctor, but I'd say it must be an advantage. FREEMAN THINKS ABOUT IT. FREEMAN You could be right. Strong lungs... good respiratory system. STRAKER Sure... he'll pull through... ON STRAKER HE CONSIDERS A MOMENT ***PAGE*** -53- 116 (continued) STRAKER Then, we could give him... well... 24 hours. ON FREEMAN SUSPECTING STRAKER'S MOTIVES FREEMAN Give him 24 hours ? TWO SHOT STRAKER Let's make it 48... He should be ready by then. FREEMAN Ready for what ? STRAKER IS A LITTLE SURPRISED FREEMAN DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE MEANS. STRAKER Debriefing. ON STRAKER STRAKER Don't you realise, Alec, Karlin's been inside a U.F.O. He could give us vital information... if not details ... impressions, a sketch we can build on. ON FREEMAN FREEMAN My God... That's your big worry... information... you just don't give a damn about what he's going through... you're the biggest, iciest... OPERATOR (VO) Commander Straker, Moonbase are ready. TWO SHOT STRAKER Tell me later, Alec. HE STRIDES TOWARDS THE DOORWAY LEAVING AN OPEN- MOUTHED FREEMAN. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -54- 117 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. DAY. (STUDIO) 6 SECS THE MEDIC, DESICA, PAULA AND THE TWO ASTRONAUTS ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN. NEAR THEM IS A VIDEO SCREEN ON WHICH DOCTOR SHROEDER CAN BE SEEN READY TO MONITOR THE OPERATION. CUT TO: 118 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 47 SECS SHROEDER SITS BEFORE A VIDEO SCREEN ON WHICH HE CAN SEE THE SLEEP SPHERE. FREEMAN AND STRAKER ARE AT HIS SIDE. WE INTERCUT BETWEEN THE CONTROL ROOM AND THE SLEEP SPHERE MEDIC We're all set here, sir. HE HOLDS AN INSTRUMENT SHROEDER Take it easy, Grey. We've got to talk this thing out first. MEDIC Yes, sir... HE DROPS THE INSTRUMENT WITH A LOUD CLATTER ONTO THE TABLE. SHROEDER Listen carefully. As I see it the main problem will be panic when the helmet is removed. Captain Karlin has been breathing liquid for some hours now, drugs will have been used to help his lungs adapt. When we attempt to revert to normal, the physical experience will be similar to drowning. Unless this moment is carefully controlled, the patient could go into convulsion and possibly choke. Let the Captain know the situation. CUT TO: 119 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. (STUDIO) 68 SECS ON KARLIN IN THE HELMET, UNABLE TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON. WIDER ANGLE DESICA TAKES A CARD AND HOLDS IT UP IN FRONT OF THE HELMET. ***PAGE*** -55- 119 (continued) POV SHOT THROUGH THE VISOR WE READ THE CARD FROM KARLIN'S POV "WE ARE GOING TO REMOVE YOUR HELMET" ON KARLIN HE DOES NOT REACT. ANOTHER CARD IS PLACED IN FRONT OF HIM. POV SHOT THE CARD READS: "MAINTAIN YOUR RHYTHM OF BREATHING" ON DESICA HE TAKES UP A THIRD CARD, GLANCING AT PAULA. POV SHOT THE CARD IS BROUGHT IN FRONT OF THE HELMET "WHATEVER HAPPENS - DO _NOT_ PANIC" ON KARLIN HE REACTS, THE LAST MESSAGE HAS AN OMINOUS RING. WIDE ANGLE THE MEDIC DRAWS IN A DEEP BREATH. MEDIC Scalpel. PAULA SLAPS A SCALPEL IN HIS HAND. THE MEDIC LEANS OVER KARLIN, A LONG PAUSE, HE CANNOT BRING HIMSELF TO BEGIN. DESICA Here, I'll do it. DESICA TURNS AND PICKS UP A RIDICULOUSLY LARGE PAIR OF SCISSORS. ON SCISSORS POISED. THEN THEY MOVE FORWARD AND CUT A HOLE IN KARLIN'S SPACE SUIT TO REVEAL THE UPPER ARM. RESUME SCENE THE MEDIC TAKES A SWAB, STERILISES KARLIN'S ARM, TURNS, PICKS UP A HYPODERMIC, CHECKS IT FOR AIR ***PAGE*** -56- 119 (continued) BUBBLES, AND GOES TO GIVE THE INJECTION. CUT TO: 120 INT. CONTROL ROOM. UNDERGROUND. (STUDIO) 8 SECS THE GROUP WATCHING ON THE VIDEO LINK. FREEMAN What's that ? SHROEDER 2 c.c's of petrocol. It could help... but not much. CUT TO: 121 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. (STUDIO) 77 SECS ON KARLIN SEEN THROUGH THE HELMET WIDER ANGLE THE MEDIC LOOKS AT DESICA, DESICA NODS. SHROEDER SPEAKS OVER THE VIDEO LINK. SHROEDER Is the resuscitator ready ? MEDIC Yes, sir. SHROEDER All right, Colonel... begin. DESICA LEANS FORWARD AND TAKES HOLD OF THE RING THAT CONNECTS THE HELMET TO THE SPACE SUIT AROUND KARLIN'S NECK. HE LOOKS AT KARLIN THROUGH THE HELMET. ON KARLIN HE GIVES A LITTLE NOD. HE IS READY FOR DESICA TO GO AHEAD. ON DESICA HE GRIPS THE RING AND SLOWLY BEGINS TO ROTATE IT. HE HEARS THE CLICK OF A LOCKING DEVICE. ON KARLIN HE CLOSES HIS EYES, READY FOR THE ORDEAL. ***PAGE*** -57- 121 (continued) ON DESICA HE MOVES THE RING A FRACTION FURTHER. AS HE CONTINUES TO ROTATE THE RING WE BUILD THE TENSION BY CUTTING AROUND THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING, BOTH HERE AND IN THE CONTROL ROOM ON EARTH. ON RING A LITTLE LIQUID IS BEGINNING TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT. ON DESICA HE GLANCES UP TO THE ASTRONAUTS. DESICA Take hold of him. HANDS LEAN IN AND TAKE HOLD OF KARLIN'S ARMS. ON RING AS IT SLOWLY ROTATES ANOTHER CLICK. DESICA (VO) Now. HE TWISTS THE RING, LIQUID BEGINS TO POUR FROM THE HELMET. ON KARLIN AS THE LIQUID POURS FROM THE HELMET. KARLIN SPLUTTERS, COUGHS, FIGHTING FOR BREATH. WIDER ANGLE KARLIN THRASHES AROUND. THE TWO ASTRONAUTS HOLD HIS ARMS. THE MEDIC HOLDING HIS LEGS IS KICKED AWAY. DESICA WRENCHES THE HELMET OFF. ON KARLIN LIQUID POURS FROM HIS MOUTH AS HE FIGHTS AND STRUGGLES. HIS FACE CONTORTED WITH THE TERRIBLE PAIN THAT SEARS THROUGH HIS CHEST. WIDER ANGLE KARLIN THRESHES AN ARM FREE, ROLLS OFF THE TABLE ONTO THE FLOOR. CUT TO: ***PAGE*** -58- 122 INT. CONTROL SPHERE. (STUDIO) 5 SECS SHROEDER (urgent) Hold him down... he could rupture his lungs. CUT TO: 123 INT. SLEEP SPHERE. (STUDIO) 17 SECS KARLIN STRUGGLES TO HIS FEET, CLUTCHING HIS THROAT. AN ASTRONAUT DIVES AT HIS LEGS AND BRINGS HIM DOWN. ANOTHER ANGLE THE TWO ASTRONAUTS AND DESICA PIN KARLIN TO THE FLOOR. DESICA YELLS TO THE MEDIC DESICA He's suffocating... do something! ON KARLIN EYES WIDE, FACE CONTORTED. DESICA (VO) Do something.... POV SHOT FROM KARLIN'S POV THE FACES SWIRL AWAY, BRIGHT LIGHTS FLASH. MIX TO: 124 INT. RESEARCH CENTRE. DAY. (STUDIO) 55 SECS FROM KARLIN'S POV THE SCENE COMES INTO FOCUS. DOCTOR HENDERSON SMILING FACE LOOKS DOWN. ANOTHER ANGLE KARLIN LIES ON THE MASSAGE TABLE IN THE RESEARCH CENTRE. HE LOOKS AROUND, CONFUSED AT THE DOCTOR AND KAZAN. KARLIN What happened... DOCTOR HENDERSON You passed out... for a few moments. In the sauna bath. KARLIN A few moments... ***PAGE*** -59- 124 (continued) KAZAN How do you feel, buddy boy ? KARLIN A little confused... ON DOCTOR DOCTOR HENDERSON Tell me, Captain, have you been burning the candle at both ends recently ... drinking, for example ? GROUP SHOT HE SITS UP ON THE MASSAGE TABLE AND SWINGS HIS LEGS TO THE EDGE. KARLIN Well, there was this party... er last night. KAZAN GIVES A KNOWING LOOK. DOCTOR A sauna can be considered as a medical aid, but there's one golden rule. Never take one if you're feeling... under the weather, huh ? KARLIN I should have told you. DOCTOR Well, there's nothing to worry about. You're in good shape, Captain. You'll be in even better shape when you leave here. KAZAN GIVES KARLIN A FRIENDLY SLAP ON THE SHOULDER. THE DOCTOR WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR, THEN TURNS BACK. DOCTOR Tomorrow we'll get down to some real work. KAZAN LOOKS NONE TOO HAPY AT THE THOUGHT. CUT TO: 125 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) 14 SECS START CLOSE ON KAZAN, NOW SWEATING ON THE ROWING MACHINE. HE HAS CHANGED HIS DRESS TO HELP ESTABLISH A TIME ELAPSE. ***PAGE*** -60- 125 (continued) WIDEN THE ANGLE. KAZAN LOOKS OVER TO A NEW MEMBER OF SHADO TO ENTER THE RESEARCH CENTRE, WHO IS WORKING ON THE WALL WEIGHTS. CUT TO: 126 EXT. SAUNA BATH. DAY. (STUDIO) 13 SECS KARLIN COMES TO THE SAUNA BATH DOOR. HE CHECKS THE THERMOMETER. ON THERMOMETER REGISTERING 120@ C RESUME SCENE KARLIN HESITATES A MOMENT THEN GOES INTO THE SAUNA BATH. CUT TO: 127 INT. SAUNA BATH. DAY. (STUDIO) 22 SECS KARLIN REACTS AGAINST THE SEARING DRY HEAT, BUT HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND CLIMBS UP AND SITS ON THE TOP RACK. ON FURNACE POURING OUT HEAT ON KARLIN HE SITS THOUGHTFULLY FOR A MOMENT OR TWO, THEN CLIMBS DOWN AND CHECKS THE DOOR. IT PULLS OPEN EASILY. HE SMILES, CLIMBS BACK UP ONTO THE TOP RACK AND BEGINS TO SING. CUT TO: 128 INT. GYMNASIUM. DAY. (STUDIO) 25 SECS WE FEATURE KAZAN AND THE NEW MAN WHO REACTS TO THE SOUND OF KARLIN SINGING. NEW MAN Who's the voice ? KAZAN Captain John Karlin - he's in the dream box. ***PAGE*** -61- 128 (continued) NEW MAN Dream box ? KAZAN Sure - Karlin had a lulu in there yesterday. KAZAN STARTS TO ROW HARDER AS DOCTOR HENDERSON (VO) Come on, Kazan, if all else fails I'll remove that blabber around you middle, surgically. CUT TO: 129 INT. SAUNA BATH. DAY. (STUDIO) 7 SECS KARLIN SINGS AS HE SWEATS. FADE OUT END OF ACT IV SPONSOR'S MESSAGE END TITLES ------------------------------ CUT HERE --------------------------------