"The Moonship" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"The Moonship" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. SURFACE OF PLANET VENUS - DAY
Yellow ammonia lakes hiss and bubble, hurricane winds howl
at 500 mph. Shafts of white-hot sunlight burst through
the clouds like laser beams, causing the liquid ammonia to
explode.
A futuristic-looking FACTORY PLATFORM clings precariously
to the side of a tall cliff. A dozen drill shafts milk
the planet of its most precious elements.
SUPER: "Venus Mining Refinery #37"
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Rows of locked cells on either side. The doors have no
windows. Unseen PRISONERS provide a chorus of complaints.
PRISONER #1 (O.S.)
Let me out of this dump!
PRISONER #2 (O.S.)
I'm starving! Give me some food!
I need some food!
PRISONER #3 (O.S.)
Open the door! I got
claustrophobia! Open the door!
PRISONER #4 (O.S.)
Hey, someone call a plumber, my
john's backed up!
PRISONER #5 (O.S.)
Screw you, Greenberg! Keep the
noise down!
PRISONER #6 (O.S.)
Get me a doctor, I need a doctor!
PRISONER #2 (O.S.)
Hey, I need food! I'm starving to
death in here!
PRISONER #3 (O.S.)
Someone better open this door!
The door at the end of the corridor slides open to reveal
dangerous psychopath VAN HOOLIK, cuffed and ankle-chained.
If the roadmap of facial scars didn't clue you in to Van
Hoolik's nature then his staring, lunatic eyes surely would.
Two uniformed prison officers, ROBERTS and CHEN, wrestle
Van Hoolik toward his cell.
ROBERTS
Here ya go. Home sweet home.
Chen opens the cell door. They throw Van Hoolik inside.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik sprawls on the floor, banging his face. Chen
SLAMS the cell door shut.
INT. PRISON WING - CORRIDOR - DAY
A viewscreen shows Van Hoolik inside his cell. Roberts
presses an intercom button.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
Judge let you off easy, Van Hoolik.
Don't matter. This time tomorrow
you'll be on your way to the Moon.
And good riddance.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik pushes himself up. It's awkward, with his hands
and ankles secured, but he sits on his bunk. He strains
against the cuffs... bones SNAP... and suddenly his hands
are free. He throws the cuffs onto the floor.
Van Hoolik inspects his bleeding hands. He grabs hold of
his left hand with his right and gives the left a sudden
wrench. Broken bones CRACK into place. He does the same
with his other hand. He shows no sign of feeling pain.
The cuffs lie on the floor. They're electronically
controlled. A red light turns green, the cuffs snap open!
There was no need for Van Hoolik to bust his hands.
INT. PRISON WING - CORRIDOR - DAY
Roberts and Chen watch Van Hoolik on the viewscreen.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
That's right, you only had to wait
a few seconds. Dumb as rocks, and
twice as stupid.
INT. SORDELL'S PRISON CELL - DAY
A dog-eared romance novel, "NEVER LOVE A SULTAN" with a
cheap graphic of a leering turbaned prince holding a
struggling beautiful blonde girl in his arms.
The reader is MILES SORDELL, highly intelligent despite
his choice of fiction. He lies on his bunk, relaxed.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik stares at his cell door. Crazy as a loon. But
clever, too. And now he's out for revenge.
INT. SORDELL'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Sordell puts the book down and stares at his cell door.
He listens for a moment. Then goes back to reading his
book.
INT. FACTORY CANTEEN - DAY
WORKERS enjoy a breakfast of slop regurgitated by food
machines that vomit mush onto the Workers' metal trays.
A man and woman wear "Prison Transport Service" uniforms.
MITCH DUNBAR and KARYN MAINE sit at a table. Dunbar is
the senior officer, tough as steel. Karyn's no rookie but
compared to Dunbar she might as well be.
Dunbar examines the slop before he puts some in his mouth.
DUNBAR
Doesn't taste too bad. Doesn't
taste too good, either. You'd
think they could shape it into
something that looks like food.
Cover it in breadcrumbs. Serve it
with spicy sauce.
KARYN
Maybe that's what they do upstairs
on Executive Level. We're eating
with the lower classes, remember?
DUNBAR
I suppose you think that's my fault.
KARYN
We should have worn dress uniform,
like I said.
DUNBAR
And I said no.
KARYN
What's the matter, can't you squeeze
into yours any more?
DUNBAR
Here's how it works. I'm Senior
Grade. You're Junior Grade. That
means you give me respect at all
times. And we do as I say.
KARYN
Sir yes sir.
DUNBAR
You looked at the prisoner list?
KARYN
Haven't seen it yet.
Dunbar takes an electronic Datapad from his breast pocket
and slides it across the table.
DUNBAR
Thirteen scumbags waiting to ship
out. That's my lucky number.
KARYN
How come everyone else thinks it's
unlucky?
DUNBAR
Everyone else is wrong.
She reads the Datapad...
KARYN
Jesus, no. Not him. Not that
guy.
DUNBAR
I'm guessing you're looking at
Clinton Van Hoolik.
The Datapad shows Van Hoolik's mug shot and history. The
word "Murder" is highlighted several times.
KARYN
Is it true? Did he really...?
DUNBAR
Judge passed sentence this morning.
Deportation to the Moon.
KARYN
Why didn't they fry the bastard?
Jesus, what he did to those
hookers... Judge must be crazy.
DUNBAR
Van Hoolik deserves to die, no
argument there. But being deported
to the Moon is the next best thing.
You've only seen the surface, the
colony domes and the spacefield.
Down in the ice tunnels... there
are guys who make Van Hoolik look
like a saint. You think he got
the soft option? Nah. They'll
break him... pass him around like
a wet rag doll.
KARYN
You really think so?
DUNBAR
I know so. Justice comes in many
forms.
KARYN
What about this other guy?
DUNBAR
This time, I'm guessing you mean
Miles Sordell.
KARYN
Yeah, I mean Sordell.
The Datapad shows Sordell's mug shot and history. The
words "Dangerous" and "Special Forces" are highlighted.
DUNBAR
He used to be a soldier. A good
one, from what I heard. Then he
went bad.
KARYN
"Went bad"?
DUNBAR
Ignore the medals and commendations,
and especially the good looks.
Him and some ex-Forces buddies
hijacked an ore freighter. Sordell
killed two goldshields who caught
up with him. He's no different
from Van Hoolik.
Karyn ponders this news. Dunbar ponders his dinner.
DUNBAR
Or maybe a mayo dip.
INT. SORDELL'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Sordell lies on his bunk, staring up at the ceiling.
Pondering the mistakes he's made in life, like getting
caught. He senses movement outside his cell, looks at the
door.
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Roberts and Chen use a hostess trolley to serve packaged
meals to their prisoners. Roberts stops at the first cell.
Activates the intercom.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
Stand back, Greenberg. Don't make
me use the stun gas. You'll be
puking for a week.
A viewscreen shows Greenberg, a skinhead with tattoos. He
retreats from the door and sits down on his bunk.
Roberts slips a food package through the rectangular slot
at the base of the door. They continue down the corridor,
putting food into other cells.
Roberts reaches Sordell's door. Activates the intercom.
A viewscreen shows Sordell lying quietly on his bunk.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
That's right, Sordell, you're a
model prisoner, never cause any
trouble. Let me go call the judge
and appraise him of your good
behavior. Maybe he'll let you
stay on Venus. That's what you're
hoping, right?
INT. SORDELL'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Sordell doesn't react to Roberts' baiting.
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Chen pushes a food package through Sordell's slot.
Roberts strolls over to Van Hoolik's cell. He's going to
have fun with this one. He bangs his fist on the door.
ROBERTS
You awake in there, Van Hoolik?
A viewscreen shows Van Hoolik sitting cross-legged on his
bunk, eyes closed, in some kind of yoga trance.
Roberts gestures to Chen, who carefully gives him a food
package. Both men grin from ear to ear.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
The package comes under the door. Van Hoolik comes out of
his trance. He picks the package up and returns to his
bunk to eat.
His hands tear open the silver foil, revealing the same
kind of slop we saw in the canteen...
A VENUSIAN MAGGOT erupts out of the slop! An ugly purple
worm-thing six inches long, with TWO MOUTHS, one at either
end of its body, each filled with needle teeth.
Van Hoolik throws the package across the room, it hits the
wall, slop splashes everywhere.
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Roberts and Chen laugh like a couple of schoolkids.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
Hey, better not waste your food.
It's your last meal before the
Moonship takes off. Maybe they
won't feed you as well as we do.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
The maggot writhes on the floor, its mouths snapping. Van
Hoolik puts his boot over it. He's gonna crush it. But
then he thinks... and takes his boot away.
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Roberts and Chen watch the viewscreen.
ROBERTS (INTO INTERCOM)
You better kill that thing before
it kills you. Venusian maggot
gets hold of you, it doesn't let
go. Just eats its way inside,
keeps eating till you're dead. Or
maybe you're looking for a new
friend? You two should get on
real well. Same species. A pair
of psycho killers.
Roberts and Chen exit, laughing.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik squats down and stares at the maggot. Hard to
tell what thoughts are running through his warped head...
but he sure does give the maggot due consideration.
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
The Moonship is prep'd for launch. A Space Shuttle clone,
control cabin up front, "passenger" accommodation amidships,
engines at the rear. "PRISON TRANSPORT SERVICE" logo across
the hull.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Security cells to left and right, just like the Venus prison
wing, except no viewscreens or intercoms. There's no way
to see inside these cells once the doors are closed.
Looking forward, we have Crew Cabins, then a hatch that
leads to the Control Cabin. Looking back, we have Port
and Starboard airlock hatches. At the rear end of the
corridor, a hatch to the Cargo Hold.
Karyn walks down the corridor, whistling. The lights
suddenly go out. Emergency lights cast a faint glow.
KARYN
Aw, come on! Not again!
She goes to the electrical breaker junction box and PUNCHES
the panel cover. The lights flicker back on.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
A two-seat pilot/co-pilot arrangement with space behind
the seats. There's also a hatch in the ceiling.
Dunbar sits in his chair, running through pre-launch checks.
The hatch behind him slides open, Karyn enters.
KARYN
We got a launch window yet?
DUNBAR
Confirmed and approved. two hours,
thirty-seven minutes and counting.
KARYN
Were you going to tell me?
DUNBAR
I just did.
Karyn shakes her head and exits.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Karyn retraces her steps, still whistling...
...And reacts as two MEN step into shot without warning.
They're tall, bald, and wear loose-fitting robes. Surgical
scars are visible on the sides of their heads. Their names
are MUSTAFA and ALI. They are Soul Brothers.
KARYN
Who the hell are you guys?
Mustafa and Ali step aside to reveal a woman, dressed like
them. She's bald and has scars, too. Her name is NAYRAM.
She's a Soul Sister.
NAYRAM
They cannot speak. They have taken
a vow of silence.
KARYN
You didn't?
NAYRAM
I have special dispensation from
our Chapter House.
KARYN
That's nice, but you're trespassing
aboard a Prison Transport Service
vessel. I'm afraid I'm going to
have to ask you to leave.
NAYRAM
And if we do not leave?
SNAP! Karyn deploys her zip-stick, it CRACKLES with blue
electricity, a combination Tazer/club.
KARYN
I beat the crap out of you and
throw you off the ship.
DUNBAR (O.S.)
Don't do anything you might regret.
He steps up beside Karyn.
DUNBAR
(to Nayram)
I ask your blessing, Sister.
Nayram closes her eyes and bows her head.
NAYRAM
Freely given.
KARYN
What's going on?
DUNBAR
(to Nayram)
This is Officer Maine.
(to Karyn)
I'd like you to show our guests to
Cabins One Cee and One Dee. Show
them which areas of the ship are
out of bounds. All right?
Karyn retracts her zip-stick, gives Dunbar a frosty look.
KARYN
Sir yes sir.
(to Nayram)
If you'll follow me, please?
NAYRAM
Before we go, Officer Dunbar, I
should like to inspect the cells
where the prisoners will be kept.
DUNBAR
If you insist.
NAYRAM
I do insist.
INT. EMPTY CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
The door opens. Nayram peers inside. Mustafa and Ali
crane their necks to get a good look.
The "cell" is a cramped broom cupboard. There's a seat
with a lid that doubles as a toilet, and a sink with a
water tap set into the wall. That's it.
NAYRAM
They are all like this one?
DUNBAR
Pretty much.
NAYRAM
And how long will the voyage take?
DUNBAR
Thirty days or thereabouts. We'll
be under constant one gee
acceleration. Autopilot takes
care of the equations, we take
care of the prisoners.
NAYRAM
You intend to keep them locked up
in these cramped, tiny cells, for
an entire month?
DUNBAR
We don't really have much choice.
NAYRAM
I assume you have your own cabins?
DUNBAR
Yes, we do.
NAYRAM
We shall vacate our cabins and
occupy these cells instead. The
prisoners may use our cabins.
Will you also surrender your cabins,
as a gesture of good will and love?
Dunbar is lost for words.
KARYN
Yeah, sir, what about it? You and
me can give our cabins up to the
prisoners, can't we? It would be
the right thing to do.
NAYRAM
Your insincerity pains me.
KARYN
You'll just have to live with that.
Nobody's giving up their cabins.
The prisoners are all going into
these cells. We'll allow them out
once per day, one at a time, to
stretch their legs. At all other
times they will be kept under lock
and key.
(looks at Dunbar)
You okay with that?
Dunbar nods.
NAYRAM
If you treat them like animals,
and expect them to behave like
animals, then that is what they
will become.
KARYN
No offense, Sister, but I think
they already evolved.
INT. PRISON WING CORRIDOR - DAY
Roberts and Chen carry out a routine headcount check. We
catch glimpses of the prisoners as Roberts and Chen check
the viewscreens.
GREENBERG'S CELL: Greenberg gives them the finger.
SORDELL'S CELL: Sordell, stripped to the waist, does
knuckle press-ups on the floor.
VAN HOOLIK'S CELL: Van Hoolik sits cross-legged on his
bunk, in a yoga trance. Peaceful.
Roberts and Chen exit, their check completed. All present
and accounted for.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik holds the Venusian maggot up before his eyes.
It twists and tries to get its teeth into his fingers. He
seems to marvel at its simplistic beauty... its single-
minded ferocity. Just like him.
Van Hoolik's eyes swivel so he's looking at the door. His
lips curl into an evil smile. Something's brewing in that
crazy mind of his, but we don't know what.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Dunbar and Karyn run through the pre-launch checks. Karyn's
mad as hell.
KARYN
When were you going to tell me?
DUNBAR
They arrived earlier than I thought
they would.
KARYN
They're Soul Brothers, dammit.
DUNBAR
Look, their Order has political
clout back on Earth. With twenty-
five million voting members, you
better believe they got clout.
Whether you like it or not they're
coming with us. It's not my idea.
Don't bite my head off.
KARYN
"I ask your blessing, Sister."
What the hell was that?
DUNBAR
Doesn't hurt to be polite. She's
their high priestess or something.
If we offend her in any way, we'll
both end up pulling night watch on
Mercury's darkside. Is that what
you want?
KARYN
Big oops. I was gonna whack her
with my zip-stick.
DUNBAR
I noticed. You were ready to take
all three of them on, no hesitation.
Pretty ballsy.
KARYN
I guess "Stupidity" is my middle
name.
DUNBAR
I didn't say you were stupid. And
I was going to tell you about them,
but like I said...
KARYN
They arrived earlier than you
thought they would.
DUNBAR
Yeah. The woman is Nayram. I
dunno if the guys even have names.
And I don't know how this weird
power of theirs works. What's it
supposed to be, telepathy?
KARYN
Empathic sharing. What one feels,
the other feels. If I thought
they could read minds, I'd be
writing my letter of resignation
right now. No way I'd share a
ship with telepaths.
DUNBAR
You got something to hide?
KARYN
Yeah, my lust for your body.
Wouldn't want to give that secret
away.
DUNBAR
Funny. You've gone from wimp to
ballsy bitch in five short minutes.
Next thing you know, we'll be having
a pissing contest.
KARYN
Find me some snow and I'll write
my name. Until then... just keep
me away from those Soul Brothers.
And that Soul Sister. I swear,
those eyes of hers bored holes in
my head.
INT. SORDELL'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Sordell paces up and down like a tiger in a cage. He stops.
Listens. He's heard something... but what?
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S PRISON CELL - DAY
Van Hoolik writhes on the floor of his cell, eyes wide,
teeth bared. He makes no sound, but it's obvious as hell
that he's in pain... tons of pain... more pain than any
sane man could stand.
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
An umbilical is locked in place over the Moonship's airlock
hatch, like the boarding tunnel used on airplanes.
INT. UMBILICAL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Exactly like a boarding tunnel. Dunbar and Karyn meet
Roberts at the open hatch. Paperwork is checked.
DUNBAR
Van Hoolik behaving himself?
ROBERTS
We didn't give him a chance not
to. He could be the least of your
problems. Some real bad eggs coming
your way. Van Hoolik got most
publicity because of the way he
cut up those hookers...
He glances at Karyn. She doesn't react.
ROBERTS
...But that's not to say the rest
are angels. My top three would be
Whistler, Squid, and Sordell.
DUNBAR
Why Sordell?
ROBERTS
He's got potential. Served with
Special Forces, Aerospace Rangers.
Killed two goldshields with his
bare hands. You don't want to get
into a fight with him.
DUNBAR
Who's Whistler?
ROBERTS
He did a number on his girlfriend
and the three guys he found with
her. He just killed them, he didn't
chop them up and swap the body
parts around or anything. That's
Van Hoolik's sicko trademark.
Problem is, Whistler's been boasting
he wants to improve his score.
Don't turn your back on him, is
all I'm saying.
KARYN
And Squid?
ROBERTS
Strangled a female maintenance
worker. Turns out he did the same
kind of thing on Mars before he
moved here. Squid sees a woman,
he goes crazy. Some kind of hormone
imbalance. Either that or he's
friggin nuts. Take your pick.
KARYN
Great. How did these guys get
through psych. evaluation?
ROBERTS
Are you kidding? The Company's so
desperate for offplanet workers it
doesn't even run history checks
any more. We got half the criminal
population of the Solar System
hiding out here. The other half's
on Mars.
DUNBAR
Well, these losers are heading for
the Moon now. That's a one-way
ticket.
ROBERTS
Amen to that.
They look down the umbilical corridor as we hear a noise
like a steam train... a CHUG-CHUG-CHUG sound that gets
louder as moments tick by.
Chen leads the line of 13 PRISONERS along the umbilical.
They're all cuffed, hands behind their backs, and wear
ankle chains. Their short steps make the train sound.
Two GUARDS bring up the rear, armed with zip-sticks.
Chen stops. The line of prisoners stops behind him. Chen
looks significantly at Roberts, who steps over so they can
have a private conversation. They keep their voices low
and pretend to check paperwork.
ROBERTS
Problem?
CHEN
Something's wrong with Van Hoolik.
He's bleeding at the ass. Says he
doesn't need a medic.
Sordell, behind Van Hoolik, looks down at the bloody stain
at Van Hoolik's butt. Van Hoolik looks back over his
shoulder and glares at Sordell. Sordell just smiles.
Roberts walks down the line of prisoners, pretending to
give them all a last-moment inspection. He just wants a
look at Van Hoolik's ass. He sees the blood. Doesn't say
anything. He rejoins Dunbar and Karyn, and smiles.
ROBERTS
They're all yours.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Chaos, as the line of struggling prisoners is led aboard.
Many object to being consigned to the small cells. Dunbar
doesn't give them a choice, he pushes them inside. Karyn
slams the door shut as soon as they're in and points her
Remote control. The door lock CLICKS.
Van Hoolik doesn't object... neither does Sordell. They
step in without protest, next door to each other.
Karyn finally has a chance to look at Sordell. He stares
back. She shuts his door, locks it.
WHISTLER, a big guy with a sour face, also climbs into his
cell without protest -- but not before he exchanges looks
with another prisoner, WILSON, further back in the queue.
SQUID comes face to face with Karyn. His face twists with
hatred. He hates women! SNAP! Karyn's zip-stick deploys
and WHACKS Squid in the nuts! A BUZZ of voltage and Squid
doubles over, his mouth open in a silent scream.
Dunbar grabs Squid and throws him into his cell. Karyn
slams the door shut and locks it. Perfect teamwork.
Finally everyone's safely in their cells. Dunbar nods his
approval. Then he sees Nayram, Mustafa and Ali standing
at the end of the corridor, watching.
NAYRAM
Such barbaric cruelty earns its
own reward.
DUNBAR
Such barbaric cruelty is necessary,
Sister. These are not nice people.
They're not even civilized.
NAYRAM
No matter what they did, they have
immortal souls. It is our duty to
ensure that their soul-flames are
not extinguished before their time.
They will rejoin the Cycle when
they are summoned by the One, and
not until then.
KARYN
I don't think a month's solitary
is going to affect their soul-flames
one way or another. In fact, it
might do them some good. If they're
locked up they can't be killing
anyone.
Nayram closes her eyes for a second.
NAYRAM
You do not hear their cries of
pain, their pleas for help, as I
do.
KARYN
Instead of worrying about their
souls, why don't you worry about
the souls of the people they
murdered?
NAYRAM
I have already prayed for them.
They have rejoined the Cycle. Now
I must pray for those souls that
may still be saved.
Nayram exits, Mustafa and Ali follow her.
DUNBAR
Damn, she gives me the creeps.
KARYN
I think she likes you.
Dunbar draws her a look. He thumbs a code into his Remote
and points it at the security cells. Presses a button...
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell grunts as his cuffs and leg irons SNAP open. He
rubs his wrists.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Dunbar unhooks a microphone from the wall control panel.
DUNBAR (INTO MICROPHONE)
Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Officer Dunbar, and
together with Officer Maine I'd
like to welcome you all aboard
Prison Transport Service vessel
Far Horizon, otherwise known as
the Moonship, for reasons that
must be obvious by now.
(beat)
We will be departing Venus in just
over an hour. Those of you with a
window seat will be able to
appreciate the beautiful view during
take-off.
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
DUNBAR (FILTERED)
Oh hell, I forgot. None of you
have a window seat. Damn.
Sordell smiles. He likes Dunbar's sense of humor.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
KARYN
Are you for real?
DUNBAR
One of the perks of the job.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Van Hoolik definitely isn't amused by Dunbar's crap.
DUNBAR (FILTERED)
Our voyage to the Moon will take
approximately 30 days. During
that time we will be under constant
acceleration, which means you won't
be weightless. At mid-point we
will turn the ship around, point
our tail at the Moon, and begin
deceleration.
Van Hoolik is suddenly racked by AGONIZING PAIN that shoots
up his body. He twists and claws at the cell walls. Blood
erupts from his mouth, nostrils, ears... but he doesn't
make a sound.
DUNBAR (FILTERED)
Upon reaching the Moon, you will
be transferred to the Lunar
Detention Facility, where you will
repay society for your crimes by
serving lengthy sentences in
extremely unpleasant conditions.
We witness Van Hoolik's final unpleasant moments... and
through the pain... unbelievably... he smiles in triumph!
Then he dies, collapsing like a rag doll.
INT. NAYRAM'S CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Nayram GASPS and her eyes widen in shock. She faints and
collapses onto the floor.
Her cabin door opens and two pairs of feet hurry inside,
Mustafa and Ali sensed her distress.
INT. GREENBERG'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Greenberg looks up at the overhead ventilation grill set
into the ceiling of his cell. Faint CHIRPING sounds come
from the grill. Greenberg frowns. He doesn't know what
the hell it is but he sure doesn't like it.
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell hears the same CHIRPING sounds. He stares at the
overhead vent in shocked disbelief.
EXT. VENUS MINING REFINERY #37 - DAY
Hurricane winds continue to lash the planet's surface.
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
The umbilical has been withdrawn, the Moonship is ready to
launch into the wild blue yonder.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
Dunbar and Karyn grow tense as the launch window approaches.
DUNBAR (INTO MICROPHONE)
Any time you want to open the
airlock doors, Launch Control...
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
The airlock doors slide open, exposing the Moonship to the
hurricane winds and yellow atmosphere.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
Dunbar and Karyn check their control consoles.
DUNBAR
Optimum launch window approaching.
KARYN
Hadn't we better tell our guests?
DUNBAR
If they're sensitive to emotions,
they'll know already.
KARYN
What does that mean?
(she gets it)
You're scared? How many times
have you done this?
DUNBAR
I got over a hundred launches under
my belt. You'd think I'd get used
to it, wouldn't you?
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
The Moonship fires her launch boosters! Flames lick the
launch bay blast walls.
BOOSTER ROAR and an unnerving WHINE as power builds up.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
Karyn has to shout above the noise.
KARYN
Main booster ignition, launch
sequence is counting down.
INT. NAYRAM'S CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Mustafa and Ali belt unconscious Nayram onto her couch.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
KARYN
Fuel feed is stable. Integrity
lights are green. We have all
systems go for launch.
INT. SOUL BROTHERS' CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Mustafa and Ali belt themselves onto their couches.
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell knows what's coming. He braces himself. No
restraining belts for the prisoners.
INT. GREENBERG'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Greenberg braces himself too, looking nervous.
INT. SQUID'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Squid pounds his door and yells, not liking this! We can't
even hear him because of the roaring engines.
INT. WHISTLER'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Whistler bares his teeth and braces himself.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
KARYN
Here we go. In five.
Dunbar closes his eyes and crosses himself. Karyn grins.
INT. LAUNCH BAY - DAY
The Moonship launches!
EXT. VENUS MINING REFINERY #37 - DAY
The Moonship emerges from the launch bay on a pillar of
flame, heading UP!
EXT. MOONSHIP - DAY
The Moonship gains altitude, slashing through the Venusian
storms and acid clouds. Mining Refinery #37 shrinks into
the background.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP DAY
Karyn is enraptured by the thrill of it all! Dunbar looks
like he's about ready to throw up.
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell grits his teeth and takes the crushing gee force.
INT. VAN HOOLIK'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
The gee force doesn't worry Van Hoolik, he's deader'n a
catfish in a frying fan.
EXT. MOONSHIP - DAY/NIGHT
The planet shrinks... and the atmosphere thins... and the
Moonship reaches outer space.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Looking out the forward windows, the view becomes black
space specked with stars.
EXT. MOONSHIP (OUTER SPACE) -
Absolute silence. The booster flame reduces in size...
enough to accelerate the Moonship away from Venus at a
comfortable one gee.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Dunbar relaxes at last.
KARYN
Better than sex, huh?
DUNBAR
Oh, yeah.
EXT. MOONSHIP (OUTER SPACE) -
The Moonship, booster flame burning, leaves Venus behind.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Dunbar flicks a switch.
EXT. MOONSHIP (OUTER SPACE) -
The Moonship, booster flame burning. A backdrop of stars.
"BLUE DANUBE" by Strauss plays at maximum volume. Echoes
of "2001: A Space Odyssey" -- Dunbar's little joke.
INT. CONTROL CABIN - MOONSHIP - DAY
Karyn shakes her head in disbelief. But she's smiling.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
The music blasts out over the Moonship's intercom system.
CURSES and SHOUTS of protest from the prisoners. They
don't appreciate Dunbar's choice of music.
INT. GREENBERG'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Greenberg claps his hands over his ears.
INT. SQUID'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Squid kicks his door repeatedly, to no avail. This man
needs an anger management course.
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell smiles, closes his eyes and relaxes. It could be
a whole lot worse.
EXT. MOONSHIP (OUTER SPACE) -
The Moonship, booster flame burning. A backdrop of stars.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Nayram, Mustafa and Ali push a hostess trolley and slip
food packages through slots at the bottom of the cell doors.
Complaints come from the cells...
PRISONER #1 (O.S.)
Hey, this is hot!
PRISONER #2 (O.S.)
What the hell is this swill?
PRISONER #3 (O.S.)
I ain't eating this crap!
...interspersed with BANGING noises as the animals go wild.
Dunbar and Karyn watch from the Control Room end of the
corridor.
KARYN
We should have locked that crazy
bitch in her cabin until we reached
the Moon.
DUNBAR
There's no harm in it. The sooner
she realizes the kind of lunatics
we're dealing with, the better.
Nayram reaches Squid's cell door.
INT. SQUID'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Squid somehow senses Nayram outside his cell. He licks
the inside of the door like he's licking Nayram's skin.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Nayram shudders and closes her eyes. She pops Squid's
food parcel through his slot.
Karen notices Dunbar can't take his eyes off Nayram.
KARYN
I didn't think she was your type.
DUNBAR
You remember that conversation we
had about respect?
KARYN
Does it turn you on, her being
empathic? The thought of feeling
each other while you're... you
know?
DUNBAR
No, I don't know.
KARYN
Those guys are probably her lovers.
That's why they don't talk much.
She bust their springs. They don't
have enough strength to speak.
DUNBAR
You don't give up, do you?
KARYN
You know what she's after. She
wants them all released. Thinks
we should give them a chance to
behave like decent human beings.
DUNBAR
Like that's gonna happen.
KARYN
She could twist you round her little
finger any time she wants. And
you know what? You'd like it.
Just warn me first, that's all I
ask. I want to launch the escape
pod before you open the cells.
DUNBAR
Suddenly you're an expert on people?
KARYN
I got four ex-husbands living on
three different planets. I know
absolutely nothing about people.
Nayram stops and stares at Van Hoolik's cell door. The
food package slips from her hand. Mustafa and Ali look at
each other, puzzled.
KARYN
I guess Van Hoolik gets special
treatment. Maybe she likes her
'em big and ugly? Lucky for you.
DUNBAR
You do know your annual rise depends
on what I write on your appraisal
report, don't you?
Nayram looks directly at Dunbar. A concerned look.
KARYN
Better go see what she wants, huh?
They join Nayram.
DUNBAR
Something wrong, Sister?
NAYRAM
Who occupies this cell?
DUNBAR
Crazy guy, goes by the name of
Clinton Van Hoolik. Likes to cut
women up and rearrange their body
parts.
NAYRAM
Open the door.
DUNBAR
Not unless you return to your cabins
and lock your doors first. But
you'll still have to give me good
reason to let Van Hoolik out.
NAYRAM
He has already escaped.
Dunbar and Karyn look at each other. She's nuts.
NAYRAM
If you do not believe me, open it.
DUNBAR
The man's a psychopath. I open
that door, he's going to jump out
like it's Halloween.
NAYRAM
I assure you, he will not.
KARYN
What the hell, let's do it.
Dunbar's surprised. Karyn marches to the security control
panel, presses her hand against a palm reader. The panel
BEEPS. She punches in a code. A section of wall slides
open revealing--
A SHOTGUN, gleaming silver, state of the art. Karyn pulls
it out of the locker and enjoys its perfect balance. She
rejoins Dunbar. Thumbs off the safety. CLICK-CLACK!
DUNBAR
You sure you can handle that puppy?
KARYN
Let's see what Van Hoolik thinks.
Dunbar waves Nayram, Mustafa and Ali back. They retreat
taking the hostess trolley with them. Dunbar points his
Remote at the door. CLICK.
Dunbar grips the handle. Wrenches the door open--
Van Hoolik sits slumped on his chair like a deflated balloon
version of himself.
KARYN
What the hell?
Dunbar waves Nayram forward. She isn't surprised.
NAYRAM
His soul has returned to the Cycle.
All that remains is an empty shell.
DUNBAR
Thank you.
(to Karyn)
Shoot him.
NAYRAM
Are you so frightened of a dead
man?
DUNBAR
I'm frightened he's faking it.
Move away, please.
Nayram rejoins Mustafa and Ali. Dunbar steps back and
gestures to Karyn: DO IT! She puts the shotgun to her
shoulder, takes aim... BLAM!
INT. SORDELL'S CELL - MOONSHIP - DAY
Sordell leaps into a karate stance, ready to fight if his
door opens.
INT. MAIN CORRIDOR - MOONSHIP - DAY
Dunbar peers into Van Hoolik's smoke-filled cell. There's
a large hole where Van Hoolik's heart used to be.
DUNBAR
Lady wins a teddy bear.
KARYN
(to Nayram)
You knew he was dead before we
even opened the door. How?
NAYRAM
How did you not know? You are
blind and deaf to everything except
your own hatreds and fears.
KARYN
Just answer the damn question.
DUNBAR
I think some of us could maybe do
with calming down. Put the shotgun
back. Then fetch a body bag from
stores. And a mop and bucket.
KARYN
I have to clean up too?
DUNBAR
If I'd shot him, I'd clean up.
Karyn returns the shotgun to its storage compartment.
DUNBAR
(to Nayram)
You ever think how much more popular
you'd be if you didn't talk down
to everyone?
NAYRAM
Your sensibilities do not concern
me. Your lack of faith does.
DUNBAR
I'd appreciate if you'd return to
your cabins and leave us to deal
with this. We'll distribute the
Ready To Eats.
Nayram, Mustafa and Ali leave without argument.
Dunbar stares at Van Hoolik's body.
DUNBAR
Burn in Hell, you piece of crap.
He looks up... sees the torn ventilation grill in the cell's
ceiling. What the hell? That CHIRPING sound again. Dunbar
slams the cell door shut.
Karyn returns with the body bag, mop and bucket. Dunbar
stares at her.
KARYN
What?
DUNBAR
Change of plan.
06/06
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