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Eye for an Eye

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Script


WAR OF THE WORLDS

"EYE FOR AN EYE"

OPENING

HARRISON BLACKWOOD

In 1953, Earth experienced a War of the Worlds. Common bacteria stopped the aliens but it didn't kill them. Instead the aliens lapsed into a state of deep hibernation. Now the aliens have been ressurected, more terrifying than before. In 1953, aliens started taking over the world. Today, they're taking over our bodies.

OPENING TEASER LINE

HARV

Martians on motorcycles.


ACT I
SCENE 1: road into Grover's Mill

(BIKERS and HEARSE drive down road, passing SHERIFF vehicle and two OFFICERS)

OFFICER #1 (into radio)

They're coming your way.

DISPATCHER (over radio)

Any trouble?

OFFICER #1

Not yet.

BIKER #1 (comes back to talk)

Back off, man. You're gettin' too close. You be cool and we'll be cool.

OFFICER #2

No one gets off their bikes in Grover's Mill.

BIKER #1

Look, we're gonna go to the cemetary, bury our man on his home ground, and then we're out of here.

(OFFICERS exchange look)

SCENE 2: Grover's Mill Community Park

(Banner raised reading `50th ANNIVERSARY "WAR OF THE WORLDS" BROADCAST')

MAN (giving stuffed animal)

Here ya go, Tommy.

FLANNERY

Oh, now what.
It's blasphemous, that's what it is. It makes me... sick. (Loudly:) It makes me sick, young man!

HARV (whispering to FLANNERY)

Pipe the hell down.

FLANNERY (still loud)

I will not! I will not! This is a joke! A travesty!

WOMAN

What's your problem, [Carter]? C'mon, spit it out.

FLANNERY

Ohh...

BIKERS

(drive through town, townsfolk stop working and watch apprehensively)


ACT II
SCENE 1: Harrison's office

NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER

--but many in New York and New Jersey were not amused. Near Grover's Mill, farmers blasted water towers with shotguns, taking them for giant, Martian assault craft. The next day, Orson Welles told newspapers he was "deeply shocked" this radio show had been taken seriously. Happy Halloween from Orson Welles.

(film runs out)

IRONHORSE

People will believe anything.

SUZANNE

It spawned decades of research into mass hysteria.

NORTON

I know you didn't just show us this for your own amusement, Harrison.

HARRISON

Well, the good news is that, uh, we've been given a bonus for our special achievements. General Wilson has sent us all-expense-paid vacations.

SUZANNE

And the bad news?

HARRISON

We're all going to the Grover's Mill's 50th Anniversary of Orson Welles' broadcast of "War of the Worlds". Kind of a county fair.

SUZANNE

I think I'm going to pass. I'm up to my eyeballs in work.

HARRISON

I don't think so, Suzanne. I think General Wilson's onto paydirt. As you all know, he's been conducting an alien white paper. Now, it's taken him a little while, but he's managed to pluck a file out of the, uh, morass of red tape over at the Pentagon, and this file reveals the truth of the Orson Welles "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938. The truth is, there actually was an alien invasion in Grover's Mill.

SCENE 2: Cemetary (through binoculars)

BIKERS

<alien speak>

OFFICER #2

Some funeral.

OFFICER #1

Look, I don't care what those freaks do as long as they stay away from Grover's Mill.

(normal view)

BIKERS

<festive alien speak>

(Pan down to marshland below Cemetary)

BIKERS

<businesslike alien speak>

(BIKERS #1 and #2 approach and dismount)

BIKER

<alien speak for "To Life Immortal" in greeting>

BIKER #1 (alien-like)

Alright, c'mon, let's get the casket out.

BIKERS

<cheering and "woo-hoo"ing above, alien speak below>

BIKER #1 (alien-like)

Let's get it down and open it up.

BIKERS

<alien speak>
(carry vacuum/lawnmower-like device around, which beeps, acting like a metal detector)

SCENE 3: Abandoned Underground Nuclear Test Site

BIKER #1 (over speaker)

We believe that our detection device has found the object of our search, Advocate.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

"Believe"? Why are you not yet certain?

BIKER #1 (over speaker)

The object is still buried deep in the ground.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

Where it does us no good. Why the delay, comrade?

BIKER #1 (over speaker)

Progress is slow, Advocates, as we need to move with extreme caution. I believe the decision to occupy the bodies of motorcycle enthusiasts has complicated this.

ADVOCATE XANA

Explain yourself.

BIKER #1 (over speaker)

These bodies are attracting unwanted attention from other humans.

ADVOCATE XANA

Use your best judgement, comrade.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

And keep us advised of your progress at each stage.

ADVOCATE HOREK

Recovery of the machine will go a long way toward guaranteeing our victory.

ADVOCATE XANA

True. Assuming the machine is still operational.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

Is it just me, comrades, or do the complexities of our invasion grow more and more tangled at every step?

ADVOCATE HOREK

No one ever said war was easy.


ACT III
SCENE 1: Cemetary

BIKERS

<alien speak>
(digging)

SCENE 2: Grover's Mill Community Park

CROWD

<applause>

P.A.

Flying saucer racers age ten through twelve, report to the pitting area.

ORSON WELLES #1

No wine before its time.

CROWD

<applause>

ORSON WELLES #2

Rosebud.

CROWD

<applause>
(Blackwood team pulls up in car, less Norton, plus Debi)

DEBI

This place is great! They've got pony rides and everything!

SIGN

BLACK'S STABLES
PONY RIDES

HARRISON

Good news, Colonel.

IRONHORSE

What?

HARRISON

Pony rides.

MAN

Any more contestants for the Orson Welles Contest? Madam! you look like a likely contender! C'mon up here!

P.A.

The management would like to assure patrons that, despite rumors to the contrary, there is nothing wrong with the blue ice cream.

GREEN MIDGET

Hee hee hee.

DEBI

Look, Mom! Cotton candy! Can I go get some?

SUZANNE

Ohh, come right back!
While I spend some much-needed quality time with my daughter, what kind of trouble are you two gonna get into?

HARRISON

Well, we're gonna see if we can find anyone who might remember the '38 invasion and get some new information on the aliens.

IRONHORSE

And pay a tribute to those brave but forgotten veterans who fought in that great, historic battle.

HARRISON

I'd like to find out why more people don't remember this, who does remember it, and why. The same thing happened in 1953. Most people can't seem to remember that invasion.

IRONHORSE

It just doesn't figure.

SUZANNE

It could be selective amnesia. Memory blockage as a kind of defense mechanism.

HARRISON

Along with the very interesting possibility that the aliens may be able to inflict memory loss on human beings.

P.A.

Orson Welles lookalike number 34, you forgot your beard in the mens room.

HARRISON

Grover's Mill is gonna be a living laboratory for us.

SCENE 3: Grover's Mill Mens Club

HARV

To those who fell in the battle of '38.

SAM and BILL

To those that fell.

SAM

One of the bravest chapters in American history.

HARV

And nobody knows about it. It's like spittin' in the wind. We're out there alone, all alone. No one gives us any parade.

SAM

It took the whole militia to bring down those flyin' saucers.

HARV

But we did it.

SAM

Yes, we did it. Where's Flannery? He never misses an occasion to wheel out that "Hero of the Day" story of his.

BILL

Which one? He's told fifty different versions of that story.

HARV

I've heard 'em so many times, I'm beginning to believe them. All of them.

SCENE 4: Flannery's house

FLANNERY (to himself in mirror)

Look at that. Still at my fighting weight. Hm hm hmm.

(to bikers eating roses)

Now, wait just a minute! Tho-, those are my prize roses. Wha-, what do you people think you're doin'?

SCENE 5: Grover's Mill Mens Club

IRONHORSE

The, uh, New Jersey Militia records here indicate that there were 38 men in the Grover's Mill unit in 1938.

HARV

Only four of them left. You've got three of them right here.

HARRISON

With your permission, we'd like to find out as much as we can about what happened on Halloween night, 1938.

SAM

Are you boys from the government?

IRONHORSE

Yes sir, we are. It's our hope to be able to learn, first hand, from your experience fighting the alien invaders.

HARV

We've been waiting 50 years to tell our story. The real story.

FLANNERY (entering, talking over HARV)

Bill, you'll never believe what I saw. They're back. Those damn Martians are back.

SCENE 6: Cemetary

(1938 war machine being uncovered, hatch open)

BIKERS

<alien speak>

BIKER #1 (to all other bikers, below and above)

<alien speak> [CAPTION: VICTORY WILL BE OURS!]

BIKERS

<repeating alien speak>

BIKER #1

<alien speak> [CAPTION: TO LIFE IMMORTAL!]

BIKERS

<repeating alien speak>

SCENE 7: Abandoned Underground Nuclear Test Site

ADVOCATE OSHAR

Our warship is in surprisingly good condition.

ADVOCATE XANA

I've ordered them to check out all the weapons and flight systems, and report back to us before they start their return flight.

ADVOCATE HOREK

I wish we had decided to go with them. I'm worried they will not do all that is necessary.

ADVOCATE XANA

They'll do exactly what we ask of them. They know nothing else.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

In a matter of hours the most powerful weapon this planet has ever seen will be again in our hands, and functional.

ADVOCATE HOREK

Those who come will be pleased.


ACT IV
SCENE 1: Grover's Mill Mens Club

HARV

Oh, they're back, are they?

FLANNERY

It's just like it was 50 years ago.

HARV

Here we go again.

BILL

Flannery has somewhat of a vivid imagination.

FLANNERY

Not today! It's as clear as a bell! I was in my bedroom putting on my uniform and I see this motorcycle gang in front of my house. What do I see? They're eating my prize-winning rosebuds.

HARV

They're eating your prize-winning rosebuds.

FLANNERY

Well, last time that happened was in 1938. I'd, I'd woke up, and they'd eaten the roses down to the roots. I'm telling you: the Martians are back!

SAM

Well, didn't you say it was a couple of space monsters that--

FLANNERY

Sam! I'm telling you, the Martians are back, only this time, they've got disguises.

HARV

Flan, c'mon. Martians on motorcycles?

FLANNERY

Harv, you dimwitted jackass, I know what I saw! It was them alright! I'll stake my reputation on that!

SAM

Well, it's impressive.

FLANNERY (leaving)

Oh, you damn fools.

BILL

Hey, Flannery, these men are interviewing us about the Battle of '38.

FLANNERY (from stairs)

Okay. You'll see. You'll see.

SCENE 2: Grover's Mill Community Park

P.A.

Will the person who left the alien at the hot dog stand please pick him up? His diaper needs changing.

GREEN MIDGET

<laughing> I'm sitting up here nice and pretty, nice and dry...

SUZANNE

(throws ball short of target)

GREEN MIDGET

...and that's the way I'm gonna stay. You're wasting your money and my time. <laughing, yawning>

SUZANNE

(Puts some spin on her last ball and hits the target.)

GREEN MIDGET (falls into water)

Woah!

SUZANNE

Oh!

DEBI

You're great at this.

SUZANNE

Well, I used to be a pretty fair softball player.

DEBI

Really?

SUZANNE

Mm hmm. I was a pitcher and I was darn good.

P.A.

Orson Welles lookalike number 34, you forgot your beard in the mens room.

DEBI

Mom, do you believe in aliens and all that stuff?

SUZANNE

Yes, yes I do. See there's so many planets and stars in the universe, it only makes sense that there would be life out there somewhere.

DEBI

Do you think they're green?

SUZANNE

<laughing> You're funny. I love spending time with you.

P.A.

The management would like to put a stop to all the rumors: New Jersey's favorite performer, Bruce Springsteen, will not be performing here today.

DEBI

I wish Dad were here.

SUZANNE

Well, you'll have a chance to spend time with him at Christmas.

DEBI

That's not what I mean.

SUZANNE

You know Daddy and I are much happier now that we're not living together.

DEBI

I liked it better when you were together.

SUZANNE

I know. I know.

P.A.

The management would like to put a stop--

SCENE 3: Cemetary

(War Machine mostly uncovered, weapons arm visible and flashing)

BIKER #1 (deep voice)

We must hurry before the ship is seen by the primitives.

BIKER #2 (deep voice)

It's not working.

BIKER #3 (deep female voice)

That is evident.

ADVOCATE XANA (v.o.)

We have a communique from the field. They've experienced prob-

SCENE 4: Abandoned Underground Nuclear Test Site

ADVOCATE XANA (continuing)

lems and await further guidance.

ADVOCATE HOREK

Why is it the lower classes cannot think for themselves?

ADVOCATE OSHAR

Our job is to think. Their job is to do. We must never confuse the two.

ADVOCATE HOREK

What is the nature of their problem?

ADVOCATE XANA

There's been extensive damage. So far they haven't been able to make the warship function.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

A situation we anticipated with dread, but without clear solutions.

ADVOCATE HOREK

They must continue trying to fix the warship.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

As well as test all the weapons systems. We must make sure they understand the importance of this.

ADVOCATE XANA

They understand. But I fear understanding alone will not be enough.

ADVOCATE HOREK

Should we remind them of the punishment that comes with failure?

SCENE 5: Grover's Mill Mens Club

BILL

I lost my brother in the battle.

HARRISON

How did that happen, sir?

BILL

Zapper thing that shot out of their flying saucers. It vaporized him, along with his car, and his dog.

HARV

They have this gooseneck thing. They'd shoot it off and things would just vanish from the face of this earth.

HARRISON

Every report we have from the '53 invasion says that they were unstoppable. This appears to be the same weaponry.

IRONHORSE

It just keeps sounding to me that in '38 it, it was just a, a mission, a scout group ahead of the main alien invasion.

HARRISON

I think you're right. How close to the real thing was that Orson Welles radio show?

HARV

Nowhere near. He trivialized one of the great moments of our life. No one really remembered what happened; all they remembered was the damn radio show.

HARRISON

That's the fascinating aspect to all this. You know, when you think about it, Welles was a genius. He had people believing there was an invasion, then he turned around and told them that it was all a joke. I think people were afraid to admit that they'd been taken. That's what all this silence is about. Dr. McCullough says that those that can't remember the invasion can't remember it because it was just too frightening for them to deal with.

HARV

Sure, there were people who were tricked. People who don't remember. But then there's us, who really remember.

BILL

I wish to hell I didn't.

SCENE 6: Cemetary

WARSHIP

<HEAT RAY sound pulsing, emitter solidly lit, rising>

BIKER #3

<alien speak> [CAPTION: DESTROY THE VEHICLE!]

WARSHIP

<HEAT RAY quickens, turns toward car, fires>
<CAR disintegrates leaving only scorched earth>

ALIENS

<alien cheering, including "victory will be ours" alien speech>


ACT V
SCENE 1: Outside Flannery's house

HARV

Flannery, are you alright?

FLANNERY

I'm doin' great. Now some people think I'm runnin' on empty, but I know what I saw. Damn Martians, Harv. I'd bet my life on it if I were you.

HARV

What are you gonna do?

FLANNERY

Find me some proof.

HARV

This I gotta see.

SCENE 2: Abandoned Underground Nuclear Test Site

ADVOCATE OSHAR

The machine still won't fly but the beam works.

ADVOCATE XANA

We must get the beam back here as quickly as possible. Nothing is more important than for us to retrieve the weapon.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

They understand this, but they're unsure how to accomplish getting it here.

ADVOCATE XANA

Must we tell them everything? If the ship won't fly, we have no choice but to transport the weapon over land.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

And if our comrades meet resistance?

ADVOCATE HOREK

Then we will remind the puny Earthlings how our death ray works.

ADVOCATE XANA

Nothing can be allowed to delay their return. Our very future rests in their hands.

ADVOCATE OSHAR (sync problem with voice and suit movements)

A concept, I remind you, that we should only accept with great trepidation.

SCENE 3: Diner

(WAITRESS serves hotdog with lima beans and burger with fries, all dyed green. Beverages are also green.)

IRONHORSE

I don't think I can eat this slop.

DEBI

What's "slop"?

IRONHORSE

You're lookin' at it.

HARRISON

I think the Colonel, in his amusing way, is referring to one of the more obscure definitions of the word "slop" which means badly cooked and unappetizing food. Debi, other definitions would include--

SUZANNE

Harrison, she's only eleven.

HARRISON

Never too young to learn. Never too old either. Listen, I've got good news: Norton is on his way here and he and the van are being airlifted courtesy of Delta Force.

IRONHORSE

On who's authority?

HARRISON

Why, yours, Colonel.

IRONHORSE

Mine? Now wait a minute, what--

HARRISON

Ah, talk to Norton.

DEBI

Mom, can I go outside?

SUZANNE

Yes, honey. Don't go too far.

HARRISON

Now this data that we've collected from the veterans of the Invasion of '38 is absolutely fascinating. They are convinced that nobody takes them seriously because of that Orson Welles broadcast.

SUZANNE

That's an intriguing connection.

IRONHORSE

Excuse me, I've got to go find out about this airlift.

HARRISON

Forgot the check.

SUZANNE

(Gestures "Don't look at me.")

SCENE 4: Team's van

NORTON

(listening to music)

IRONHORSE

I want to talk to you, mister. How the hell did you wheedle this?

NORTON

Well, I told 'em it was a national security item, presidential priority. I brought all the data.

IRONHORSE

You told them "presidential priority" and used my name?

NORTON

Worked like a charm. I'm lost without my sounds, huh? Oh, I brought Dr. McCullough's microscope and laser spectrascope, and I brought your picture of John Wayne.

IRONHORSE

That's not funny, mister. You're just damn lucky I'm not your C.O.
(leaves, revealing HARRISON and SUZANNE behind him)

NORTON

Good afternoon!

SUZANNE

Glad you could join us.

HARRISON

Norton, while you get set up, I'm gonna do some more interviewing and Suzanne and the Colonel are gonna check out the site of the battle of '38.

SUZANNE

As per job description, I'm going to be collecting biological specimens for comparative tests.

NORTON

Hey, you don't have to explain yourself to me.

SCENE 5: Cemetary

FLANNERY

They said those motorcycle people will be camping at Thompson Meadow.

HARV

What do you expect to see there?

FLANNERY

I know what I'm gonna see.

HARV

I'll catch up. I've got a nature call.

ALIEN

(alien P.O.V. approaching HARV from behind)
<alien speak> (grabs HARV by neck)

FLANNERY (with binoculars)

Damn things.
(spies warship)
Martians. They didn't listen to me. Harv. Harv! Harv?

SCENE 6: Library

MISS DALY

That night, my mother and I went for a walk. We saw streaks across the sky. It wasn't at all like the radio show. It was real, Dr. Blackwood. Terrifyingly real. I told Mr. Welles what happened that Halloween night, but for whatever reasons of his own, he did it differently.

HARRISON

You spoke with Orson Welles?

MISS DALY

Yes, I spent a lot of time with him. Orson was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. Slender as a reed. I was working on the note paper--in those days--and he, and the two other men, came out here to do research for the radio program.

HARRISON

Excuse me, did you say, "two other men"?

MISS DALY

From the government.

HARRISON

What were they doing with him?

MISS DALY

Uh, from what Mr. Welles told me, the government hired him to do this program to divert attention from what really happened.

HARRISON

Do you mean the whole War of the Worlds radio broadcast was a government coverup?

MISS DALY

No, no. The government wanted to protect the people. Mr. Welles was a patriot.

SCENE 7: Car, IRONHORSE driving

SUZANNE

I hope Debi is gonna be alright on her own for awhile.

IRONHORSE

It's just a few hours. She'll be fine.

SUZANNE

She is growing up. (spotting blockade) Hello.

(they stop, get out, and walk to front of car.)

OFFICER #2

Afternoon folks. Sorry, you'll have to turn around. The road's blocked up ahead. Mudslide. Road's gonna be closed for six hours.

IRONHORSE

Thank you very much, Officer.
(Officer walks back to barricade.)
Mudslide and no rain. Let's go.
(They get back in car.)
There's something strange going on here.

SUZANNE

Hmm, but what.

IRONHORSE

I don't know, but I think we'd better get back to Grover's Mill.

OFFICER #2

<alien speak> [CAPTION: HUMANS ARE SO GULLIBLE!]


ACT VI
SCENE 1: Park table

HARRISON

So everything points to another government whitewash. Kinda makes you proud to be an American.

IRONHORSE

You really believe that this woman is reliable?

HARRISON

Yes, I do.

SUZANNE

I spoke with the local sheriff. He wasn't informed of any roadblock.

IRONHORSE

I knew something was wrong.

FLANNERY

Uh, Doctor. Thank God I... I found you. I saw it. Those bike riders got one of them spaceships. Uh, they dug it up from the ground. They're, they're Martians, and they must have left it here.

SUZANNE

Mr. Flannery, this isn't the first time you've seen Martians, is it?

FLANNERY

Oh, I I I know all of the things that you heard about me, uh, telling "stories" all the time and exaggerating. The point is that it, it, it's gotten so that people expect it from me. For 50 years I've been telling everyone about how I saved all those people in '38, and, you see, when I saw this space thing come over the hill and over the treetops, um, I, mm, got in my car and I went off. I'm not proud of that. But, it's true, and I'm telling you the truth now. I think, nu, they have my friend Harv too. You see, he, he just, uh, vanished, uh....

SUZANNE

Mr. Flannery?

FLANNERY

Hmm?

SUZANNE

I believe you.

FLANNERY

Oh, th-thank God!

IRONHORSE (quietly to HARRISON as FLANNERY and SUZANNE continue to talk)

Blackwood, you know what they said about this man. He sees Martians behind every tree.

HARRISON

And if he's right?

IRONHORSE

At best it is a long shot.

HARRISON

And if he's right?

IRONHORSE

Better get the hell out there and see what we're up against.

SCENE 2: Grover's Mill Mens Club

(NORTON and BILL playing chess.)

FLANNERY

Oh, I never thought I'd be so glad to see your face. Oh, I was worried sick, Harv. I thought they'd got you.

HARV

Who the hell are "they"? I turn my back for a minute and you drive off with the damn truck. I had to hitch a ride all the way back here. I'm too old for this stuff.

SAM (playing checkers)

Oh, button up, Harv. Leave poor Flannery alone.

SCENE 3: Cemetary

IRONHORSE

(spies bikers with beam arm climbing onto hearse)

BIKERS

<alien speak>

SCENE 4: Grover's Mill Mens Club

HARRISON

Did you see anything?

IRONHORSE

Plenty. Mr. Flannery was right. It is an alien warship, and those lowlife bikers are scurrying around it like worker ants. They've taken the beam arm off of the ship and they're trying to mount it onto the hearse.

NORTON

Then it still must work!

IRONHORSE

I'm going to need some backup on this one. (Goes to telephone.)

HARRISON

What could the alien mission be? Are they going to risk battle with just one war machine?

IRONHORSE (into phone)

This is Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse. I need to speak to General Wilson immediately. It's a matter of national security.

HARRISON

Are they going to attack Grover's Mill? And why?

SUZANNE

Harrison, I have to get Debi someplace where she'll be safe.

HARRISON

Yes, absolutely.

SUZANNE

Be careful.

IRONHORSE (into phone)

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. (hangs up)
Doctor?

HARRISON

Did you reach the General?

IRONHORSE

Yes. He's authorized air support but all the birds are grounded. Ground support is at least four hours away.

HARRISON

Not much help.

IRONHORSE

It looked like that death ray they were setting up was just about ready to go.

HARRISON

We've got to stop whatever it is they are planning to do. New York City lies about 40 miles in that direction.

IRONHORSE

Well, we're gonna have to set up a staging area between them and the city.

FLANNERY

If you don't mind my suggesting it, uh, my farm would be perfect.

HARV

(eavesdrops and leaves quietly)

HARRISON

Excellent! I'm going to need some supplies.

IRONHORSE

For?

HARRISON

I've got a plan.

IRONHORSE

We'll meet you at your farm, Mr. Flannery.

FLANNERY

You hear that boys? My place is gonna be a staging area. If those aliens wanna try us again, we're ready for them, right Har--. Wh-where's Harv?

SCENE 5: presumably Cemetary

HARV (deep alien voice)

The primitives know of our existence. They've alerted others. They're planning to resist.

BIKER #2 (deep alien voice)

Do you know where they are?

HARV (deep alien voice)

I know where they are.

SCENE 6: Abandoned Underground Nuclear Test Site

ADVOCATE OSHAR

We are about to receive another report from the field.

ADVOCATE XANA

Certainly they haven't encountered any new problems.

BIKER

Can you hear me, Advocate?

ADVOCATE OSHAR

Yes.

BIKER #1 (on speaker)

We still have to remove the main controls from the ship. It will take us a number of hours.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

You are bound to be discovered.

BIKER #1 (on speaker)

We have been discovered. Several of the Earthlings know we're here and what we're doing.

ADVOCATE XANA

If they interfere, eliminate them.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

You are to take no prisoners.

ADVOCATE HOREK

Do what you must under the cover of darkness, comrade. You can't afford to risk further interference.

ADVOCATE OSHAR

We are nothing without the beam. Do not fail us.

SCENE 7: Grover's Mill Mens Club

HARRISON

Okay. We'll use the barn. It's a large, empty space. Flannery's barn. Norton! Do you have a parabola program?

NORTON

I can create one. Takes about a week.

HARRISON

You've got an hour. Okay, here we go. We need a hardware store. We need glass, lumber, black spray paint, hammer, nail, rope, bungee cord, we need some clay, silicone, tin foil, foam rubber and a tarpaulin. Are you ready?

IRONHORSE

I'm waiting for you, Doctor.

HARRISON

Let's go.

SCENE 8: Blocked road

DEBI

This place is icky. I hate it out here.

SUZANNE

Oh, honey, it'll be fun. Like being on safari.

DEBI

Why can't we just drive?

SUZANNE

We can shine our flashlights into the jungle and, ooh look! It's an elephant.

DEBI

We can pretend to find treasure.

SUZANNE

Mm hmm.

DEBI

Buried treasure with credit cards!

SUZANNE

But the natives are restless, so why don't we go this way.

(they go into forested area away from OFFICERS)

SCENE 9: Grover's Mill General Store

HARRISON

See if you can rustle up a truck.

IRONHORSE

Got it.

SCENE 10: Flannery's farm

NORTON

How are things gonna work?

IRONHORSE

I'm gonna work as a decoy and bring them back here, you and Harrison will be in the barn.

HARRISON

Little Big Horn.

IRONHORSE

It worked once; it can work again.

NORTON

Kind of a high risk plan.

HARRISON

Kind of a high risk situation.

NORTON

Well, how much time do you figure I got to work this baby out?

IRONHORSE

Yesterday.

NORTON

Okay, let's talk parabolic parameters.

FLANNERY

Ten-shun! Grover's Mill Militia, minus one, reporting for duty, sir. One of our men presently is scouting the enemy.

IRONHORSE

Gentlemen, I think maybe you should just clear the area. It's gonna get a little dangerous around here.

FLANNERY

N-no, w-we, we want to serve, sir.

IRONHORSE

Gentlemen, with all due respect, I'd--

SAM

Well, we beat them once before, Colonel. We can beat them again.

BILL

They're... moving. They're making for the... highway.

IRONHORSE

I'm gonna need something to attact their attention. All I could find in the hardware store was some flares.

FLANNERY

Well, I, I got some dynamite in that shed over there.

IRONHORSE

That'll attract their attention. Well, I thought you said you wanted to beat them again! Fall in, men!

FLANNERY

C'mon, let's go.

SCENE 11: Bikers on road.

SCENE 12: Flannery's farm

IRONHORSE

Okay men. This is the plan. I'm gonna go out and decoy them back in here.

FLANNERY

And when they're here?

IRONHORSE

Once in the barn, you'll also have to protect Dr. Blackwood and Norton and cover my flank. You're going to have to be alert, men. Very alert.

FLANNERY

You can depend on us, sir.

SCENE 13: Bikers on road with hearse

SCENE 14: Flannery's house

HARV

(eating rose petals)

FLANNERY (coming out of barn, spies HARV eating)

Get your weapons!

HARV

You have enough dynamite?

FLANNERY

Enough to blow your head off. How did you like my roses...

HARV

(Looks back at house quickly, then back at Flannery)

FLANNERY

...Martian.

HARV

What are you talking about?

BILL

Are you out of your mind? That's Harv.

FLANNERY

Let's go, Martian! Walk!

HARV

You've finally rounded the bend.

FLANNERY

I think it's time you two better start believing me. Let's go!


ACT VII
SCENE 1: Flannery's barn

HARRISON

Just about got it?

NORTON

Amusing.

HARRISON

How long, Norton?

NORTON

Did anyone ask Einstein how long it would take him to finish his Theory of Relativity? It doesn't work that way, Harrison.

HARRISON

Great. I'll tell the aliens. They're on their way.

FLANNERY

I've got one for you. We found him eating my roses.

HARV

You gonna believe him?

NORTON

He's been right on so far. I've got the geiger counter here.

HARRISON

(uses geiger counter, which clicks rapidly, needle pegging into the red)
(drops geiger counter)

You've taken possession of that body, God, it's incredible. Why are you doing this? What do you... people want? Where do you come from? Why this planet? That you came here from across the universe, you're so different, we've got so much to learn from each other. There's enough universe for both of us to live in peace.

BILL

Let's kill him.

HARRISON

No, having an alien in captivity is too good of an opportunity to miss. Do you have some place we could keep him?

FLANNERY

We could throw him into our meat locker. He'll never get out of that.

HARV

You can never win.

FLANNERY

You were beaten in Grover's Mill once. It'll happen again.

HARV

You are fu-, fungus before us.
[flubbed line]

HARRISON

If we could just open a dialogue--

HARV

There can be no dialogue with fungus. Only death.

HARRISON

Take him out of here! And keep him under guard!

SCENE 2: Highway

IRONHORSE

(spies BIKERS coming around turn)

SCENE 3: Flannery's farm

HARV

(makes a break for it)

He's getting away.

FLANNERY

Sorry Harv! (fires gun, exploding HARV)

SCENE 4: Highway

BIKERS

(approach)

SCENE 5: Barn

NORTON

Move the left three-quarter panel to 34 degrees. Harrison, what happens if the energy beam zaps the gizmo?

HARRISON

Let's try and be positive, Norton.

NORTON

I hate those kind of answers, Harrison.

SCENE 6: Highway

IRONHORSE

(lights and throws dynamite which explodes in BIKERS path)

SCENE 7: Barn

HARRISON and NORTON

(look up momentarily at noise of explosion)

SCENE 8: Highway

BIKERS

(One biker falls short of the explosion, a second falls running over his bike.)

IRONHORSE

(lights another stick and throws it, felling two more bikers)
C'mon Come on.

BIKERS

(stopped)

BIKER #3 (deep alien voice)

There he goes.

BIKER #2 (deep alien voice)

Get him.

BIKER #1 (deep alien voice)

What about our orders?

BIKER #2 (deep alien voice)

Get him!

SCENE 9: Barn

NORTON

Move the one next to it 16 degrees and the one above that to 34 degrees.

SCENE 10: Road

BIKERS

(approach)

HEAT RAY

(pulses)

BIKERS

(approach)

IRONHORSE

(throws dynamite, lands short, runs for barn)

SCENE 11: Barn

HARRISON

(pulls dish into position)

SCENE 12: Outside

IRONHORSE

(runs)

HEAT RAY

(disintegrates truck, leaving scorched earth)

NORTON

They're here.

IRONHORSE

They're coming!

HARRISON

Bring 'em on!

BIKERS

<alien speak>

HEAT RAY

(fires)

IRONHORSE

(dives for cover in barn)

HEAT RAY

(hits parabolic mirror)
(bounces at 9 points deflects back to beam arm)
(beam stikes beam emitter, disintegrating weapon, hearse, and bikers)

TEAM

(emerges from barn to look where the aliens were)

SCENE 13: Outside Grover's Mill General Store.

FLANNERY

I'll think of my friend Harv when I wear this. I want you to know that what happened to Harv could have just as easily happened to me. It was the luck of the draw. Thank you, Colonel.

IRONHORSE

I understand what you're saying, sir. For both your sakes I wish we'd given this to you 50 years ago.

SUZANNE

Harrison? Oh, thank God you're all okay. We had to drive back this morning. Are you sure it's over?

IRONHORSE

It's over.

HARRISON

It's over. For now.

KIDS (costumed as clown, Peter Pan, knight, white rabbit, and skeleton)

Brawwol! Trick or treat!

IRONHORSE

(instinctively reaches for gun, but stops himself)

DEBI

(waves)

BIKER (with radiation sores)

(looks back and rides off)

TRAILER

CLOSING CREDITS

Unknown parts:
MARK HOLMES as Red
KEVIN RUSHTON as Dog
MARY BETH RUBENS as Marla
LINDA SINGER as Biker Chick
ALANNA CAVANAGH as Worker

Uncredited parts:

ADVOCACY
(ADVOCACY footage was recycled, but dialogue was new, and footage showing suited COMMANDER was also used.)


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