Zerosum

EXT. TEA JUANACO BOLIVIA - DAY

DR. Archaeus Touloumous is in his fourth week of a long
planned excavation of what may be the oldest known city in
the world.....

NORA SLAUGHTER
(she has encountered a
metallic object,
rectangular in her sonic
readings of the
subsurface)
What in heaven's name?
(she is getting a fuzzy
picture of what looks
like a laptop computer)
Holy pythons! Bartholomew, take a
look at this, please!

BART BODLIAN
Are your settings calibrated?
(he is a very pragmatic
civil engineer)

NORA SLAUGHTER
They should be, you set them; look,
just suspend your disbelief for a
nanosecond, and tell me what you
think that is------assuming it is
metal.....

BART BODLIAN
(he gulps so deeply his
large Adam's apple is
bobbing)
It's reading right, question is,
are we reading it right? It's not
that deep, maybe 10
meters.....let's get cleared to do
a boring.

CUT TO:

INT. DR. TOULOUMOUS'S TRAILER - DAY

The two enthusiasts who found "it" have done a Max Sennet
entrance, shoulder to shoulder into the same doorway at the
same moment..

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
I certainly hope the two of you are
more graceful handling my
artifacts....

NORA SLAUGHTER
Oh, believe me, with this
particular artifact we have
been....tell him....

BART BODLIAN
Well, you found it, go...go
ahead....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Oh, for the sake of Veracocha and
all his descendants, what is it!?

BART BODLIAN
Maybe you should jus follow us, be
worth you while...

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Oh, very well, it is a good thing
you didn't undertake to study
communications.....
(he approaches the
monitor, under the on
site tenting, mouth
agape)
What the.......

BART BODLIAN
It seems you've acquired our speech
impediment.....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Have you printed hard copies, put
it on diskette? Probably
not....look, get this copied and
emailed pronto to Dr. Emmaeus in
Athens, this makes the Anticathera
device look like a tinkertoy! Get
me a metallurgist, and a sonar
expert on the phone once the image
has been secured and transmitted.

BART BODLIAN
On it; do we want to encrypt the
communications?

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Absolutely; no one but our
colleagues in Greece must know
about this, no one, clear?

NORA SLAUGHTER
Why the cloak and dagger? This
could get us greater funding.

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Yes, along with debunking trench
coated status quo monsters coming
out of the woodwork-----No, we must
handle this very discreetly. I
have seen too many 'purists' ruined
by naivete in dealing with
Establishment types.

NORA SLAUGHTER
You've got it, Doc; no way I'm
losing this credit!

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
There will be far more to your
benefit than mere academic
recognition, if it is what I think
it may......in any event, let's
call it a day, dismiss the staff
for the weekend.

FADE TO
FLASHBACK OF
BLACK WITH
STARRY NIGHT
SKY:

EXT. LANDING SITE BOLIVIA 20,000 B.C. - DAY

The advance party has landed, having scouted suitable sites
for a base on Orbus 479, according to the explorers'
charts....communication is telepathic......

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
There is an acceptable anoxia
ratio; we will place the encampment
here; see to it, Ortheus.
(he stands bestride the
controls of the oblong
craft, at 7'5")
Commence disembarkation.

PILOT IN CHARGE OF LANDING
Shall we ready the robotic probes?

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
Yes; we must scout for local
creatures.
Our mission must be completed
within the fortenation of the
glomertrans! We must work with what
we encounter of the bipedal
variety, these are my instructions
from Frueth.

The retrograde power source is activated effectively allowing
for a nearly silent touchdown; emerging from the craft are
stolid looking robots identical in their outward
appearance....

FADE TO BLINDING
WHITE:

INT. LABORATORY OF DR. SCHMESLOV IN ATHENS - EVENING

The---seemingly----secure transmission of the "Find" has been
received; it has caused certain colleagues to remain, for
analysis.....

DR. ANTON SCHMESLOV
I vill need Dr. Emmaeus for this
work; it cannot be Neolithic, that
is for certain; yet, the
sedimentary layer would belie these
impressions......I simply cannot
make any conclusions; get me the
catastrophism database for this
region, any chance of subsurface
upheaval, etc......

DR. LAVINIA ANTALOVETZ
Certainly, Doctor, but don't you
think we should wait until the
morning, his time?

DR. ANTON SCHMESLOV
This is the morning of the
beginning of real Earth history if
this is what we think it must be,
do you not realize this!!

DR. LAVINIA ANTALOVETZ
Of course, but perhaps we need more
data.

DR. ANTON SCHMESLOV
Alright, let's wait for them to
unearth the device, whatever it is;
in the interim, we should all get
some sleep.
(they retire to an
anteroom in the
laboratory)

CUT TO:

INT. "ALL EARS" LISTENING POST IN TURKEY'S SWANSON AIR BASE -
NIGHT

The "Establishment" has indeed been listening; despite the
antiquated systems of Dr. Touloumous, the unblinking status
quo boys are ahead of the curve.....

SGT. STAN D'MICO
Picking up some weird byplay from
South America to Greece; could be
some IJs, should we buzz the
Colonel?

CORPORAL PETE DIX0N
I what?

SGT. STAN D'MICO
Wake up, bozo, code for explorer
types, working on way-out shit
we've closed the book on----never
heard of Spielberg, somebody
Jones!?

CORPORAL PETE DIX0N
Duh! Sorry, kinda late.

SGT. STAN D'MICO
That's when the interesting shit
goes on, trust me, rookie.
(he buzzes Col. Cobb)

COL. CORNELIUS COBB
Yeah, whassup?

SGT. STAN D'MICO
Beggin your pardon sir, but we got
some action where it shouldn't be.

COL. CORNELIUS COBB
What kinda action?

SGT. STAN D'MICO
Diggers, in goddam Bolivia.

COL. CORNELIUS COBB
Be there in a few.

FADE TO BLACK.

EXT. DIG SITE AT TEA JUANACO BOLIVIA - MORNING

The on-site team has heard back from Dr. Emmaeus and his
people in Athens, requesting that the artifact be secured---
they have detected interference in the electronic
transmissions, and are paranoid: it's the Russians in the
laboratory team......Bart Bodlian has gone into the village
down the mountain to get some crucial supplies for the
weekend.

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Alright, we must do this with great
care; are you sure you know how?

HENRY PENDERGAST
Only one reason I'm here: when
stuff needs to be done no one wants
to try; relax, my uncle brought up
the Anticathera device.....

NORA SLAUGHTER
(under her breath)
That true?
(he looks at her like she
was born yesterday)
Maybe we should bring back some of
the guys.....

HENRY PENDERGAST
Thanks alot; look, I could use some
quiet while I do these last few
adjustments on my triangulator, ok?
(he grimaces, then smiles)
Got it! Hold on, now, gonna break
away any subsurface abrasives with
the sound wave activator.
(a faint sonic sound, like
a low continuous sonic
boom)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
(looking at the remote
monitor)
Steady, now, that's it, she's
clear. Gently, my friend......

HENRY PENDERGAST
No problema, just like diggin for
oil back in Alaska!

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
This is worth all the oil you ever
prospected; Nora, did we order the
chopper?

NORA SLAUGHTER
On its way; where you gonna take
it?

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
I don't wish to be rude, but it's
nobody's business, now that the
'Ears' are perked!
(she nods in
acknowledgement)

NORA SLAUGHTER
What was that?!
(she has seen a sun glare
glint, off something like
a lens)
You see it?

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Sorry, too busy nursing the baby
out; what was it?

NORA SLAUGHTER
Dunno, probably just the heat, not
sure, thought I saw a glasslike
refraction.

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Not taking any chances, could be
someone watching, they did have
several hours warning before local
daylight;
(turning to Henry)
Hank, where are we?!

HENRY PENDERGAST
Almost got it clear; few minutes
more.
(the faint whirr of a
helicopter is heard)

NORA SLAUGHTER
There it is.....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
You certain, looks military.....
(just then, two figures
jump down onto ropes from
the distant chopper)

NORA SLAUGHTER
Doc, boys, we got company,
uninvited, that is.....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
It's free! Bring it up gingerly,
please....
(it rises above the holes
dug strategically around
it, shining through the
surface soil)
Quick, Nora, get the Jeep!
(she runs to get it,
nearby)

HENRY PENDERGAST
You go on Doc, I'll cover for you!

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Are you crazy, they might torture
you!

HENRY PENDERGAST
No way; my brother's a lawyer with
Justice in D.C.; go on, get outta
here; I'll bullshit their heads
off; calling bro right now, just in
case!
(Henry dials his cell
phone for text messaging
and GPS fixing; Dr. T and
Nora drive off in an
undetermined direction)

FADE TO BLINDING
WHITE FLASHBACK:

EXT. SOMEWHERE ON THE ALTI PLANO IN BOLIVIA - DAY

The landing probes have encountered and captured some early
humans, homo sapiens/sapiens variety; they are being scanned
with some sort of device......

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
I have received communication that
subjects suitable for implantation
have been detected and detained;
let us go there
(he shows a readout from a
locator device to his
legion)

LEGION LEADER
Yes, Commander; shall we seek a
larger sampling?

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
No, it will not be necessary; we
will disperse these to other land
masses before departure.

SCIENCE OFFICER
Commander, it is wise to gather
more specimens, their mortality
rate is......

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
Yes, yes, I know, but I have orders
to keep the experiment small; we
must test the acceptability of
these creatures before we invest
our whole system into them; Frueth
has been very clear about this;
while I understand your point, this
has been decided, we cannot risk
them relying on us too much.

SCIENCE OFFICER
As you command.
(he goes to join the droid
team for implantation)

CUT TO:

INT. SITE TRAILER AT TEA JUANACO - EVENING

BART BODLIAN
(he approaches a dark
trailer)
Hello, anyone h......
(he is grabbed by two men)
What the hell?! Who are you?

STRONGARM IN KHAKIS
We'll put the questions to you!
(sounds like Russian
accent)

BART BODLIAN
Fine, let loose of me, if you want
any kinda answer except fuckoff!
(he is released from their
grip)

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Did you know that this is our site?

BART BODLIAN
Hey, only work here, ok? DR.
Touloumous has the rights.....

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
I see you have no difficulty with
assumptions, eh; you see, we have
worked on this site since Dr.
Wolinsky commenced work here some
50+ years ago. This is well known
to the Bolivian authorities, as he
was on staff at the University in
La Paz for most of that time. But
you Americans, everywhere is just
another Wild West to grab, yes?

BART BODLIAN
I happen to be Canadian, and Dr.
Touloumous is Greek!

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
In any event, this is a Russian
Bolivian site, and you have been
trespassing; apparently, some
bureaucrat decided to take your
money just the same and issued you
false papers.

BART BODLIAN
Well, then you know it was not
intentional; look, we have a
Russian scientist on staff in
Athens, why didn't he say
something?

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
My friend, this is 2001, and once
proud Russia is losing her brains
to everyone; half of Israel's
scientists are Russian born.

BART BODLIAN
I'd love to chat about sad old
Russia, but where the hell is
everyone.....

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
We have found only this man, who
refuses even to give us his name.
(he motions to the other
room where Henry is
sitting in the dark)

SECOND RUSSIAN
Quiet; someone's coming by car.
(they all duck down from
the windows)

Two Land Rovers pull up slowly; three men in masks get out
and approach the trailer; they don't see the chopper which is
camouflaged and appears to be just a dark sand dune.

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
(whispering to his men)
Wait for them to get close;
Dimitri, go up on the roof through
the air vent.

THIRD RUSSIAN
I will use the taser on them, much
simpler, yes?

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Da!
(just then, two of the men
are tased, the third is
jumped commando style
from the roof, his mask
pulled down around his
eyes)

JUMPED MAN
(muffled shouting)
Lemme up, will ya?

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Be nice, and you will live to tell
about your fun in the sun, eh?
Now, who are you?

JUMPED MAN
Name, rank, ser.....

DR. ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Forget it; obviously American
hotdogs, probably heard about the
find; duct tape them, with
blindfolds, and then leave them
water, and their communications
gear. Set jammers for two hours so
that we may get clear of these, how
do you say, Bozos.
(turning to Henry, now
much more attentive, and
Bart)
OK, time to choose sides; these
guys don't look very polite to me,
no manners; want a lift?
(they nod enthusiastically
in the affirmative)
Let's go, boys.
(turning back to the now
conscious three
Americans)
As for you, no more cowboys antics,
this is not a Western, and this is
South America!
(smiling broadly)

FADE TO BLACK.

EXT. OPAQUE ACRYLIC TENT APPROXIMATELY 100KM FROM TIA JUANACO
DIG - NIGHT

Having eluded, thus far, capture or detection, by whoever was
approaching base camp, Dr. Touloumous and Nora Slaughter are
ensconced in a light-blocking tent structure; their Jeep is
also camouflaged with a tarpaulin.

DR. TOULOUMOUS
(he runs a Geiger counter
over the 'find')
Strange, getting no reading yet the
thing appears to have a power
source of some kind....

NORA SLAUGHTER
I should hope so, the thing is
glowing.....no heat, though.

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Well, we can't be sure the 'glow'
won't be visible with infrared, so
we had better put it back into this
lead-lined container. I certainly
hope that Henry is holding up with
whoever came upon him.

NORA SLAUGHTER
Don't forget about Bart; I
wonder.....
(just then a cell phone
rings)
I didn't know these things would
work out here!

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Normally, no but Bart rigged up a
portable dish at camp which will
work if the caller is ..... I'll
answer without saying anything
(he clicks to answer)
Static; wait, there.

CALLER (O.S.)
Dr. Touloumous, are you there?
DR., it's Henry.....

NORA SLAUGHTER
Could be a trap, someone forcing
him, you know?

CALLER
I know you are reluctant to
respond; and we don't want to
invite hostile parties; take down
this location and we, that is, Bart
and I will meet you there; no time
to explain, but we are safe with
some friendlies, sure of that.
Hope to see you soon. WE will wait
for you.
(transmission ends)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Well, we can't take any chances so
I'm going to hide the device
several kilometers from here----not
even you will know so that if
things get rough, you will be safe.
GO ahead and get new bearings on
the GPS, meantime I'll go and
secure this thing; then we will
head for them and hope that they
have not been fooled by their new
friends.

NORA SLAUGHTER
Are you sure that's such a good
idea?

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Yes, worst case, you will have a
new expedition to undertake should
harm come to me, which is most
unlikely as whoever is seeking us
knows the potential significance of
this find and won't allow it to be
accidentally discovered by anyone
else.
(he rises to leave)

NORA SLAUGHTER
Almost said be careful, seems
rather silly at this point.
(they exchange knowing
smiles)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Be back within the hour. Get some
rest.

FLASHBACK TO
ALIEN LANDING
PARTY:

INT. OVAL-CONFIGURED LABORATORY WITH STRANGELY EPHEMERAL
INSTRUMENTS - EVENING

There are about 100 subjects, early humans, in some sort of
suspended state of animation; they seem conscious but in no
apparent pain.

IMPLANTATION LEADER
(he has pressed a button
on a device which has
activated the
instruments)
Commander, look to the hologram
behind me, if you wish to see the
procedure in detail.
(he sweeps his humanoid
hand behind him without
also looking)

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
Most interesting; are they
suitable?

IMPLANTATION LEADER
We have found their double helix
mapping to be rather primitive yet
flexible; they will make good
candidates for acceleration of
cortical enhancement.

COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION
Very well; I will return to the
command base and communicate this
home; will you need the roboprobes
for security?

IMPLANTATION LEADER
No, they are quite under sedation.

The expedition leader leaves with the four robotic probes.

CUT TO AN HOUR
LATER:

INT. OVAL-CONFIGURED LABORATORY WITH STRANGELY EPHEMERAL
INSTRUMENTS - NIGHT

All implantations of genetic material have been completed;
one of the subjects, a burly male, very strong, awakens and
breaks free of his restraints; he is fascinated by the
instrumentation control mechanism and takes hold of it; he
proceeds to just outside the lab walls through a portal
opening and does what all primitive animals do with 'prized
objects'----he buries it. In doing so, he accidentally
activates the implantation devices in the lab, recalling the
technicians in a panic. Throbbing warning lights are
everywhere.

TECHNICIAN 1
Where is the faunculator?

TECHNICIAN 2
I will get another.
(he hurries to a wall of
the lab and seems to
extract it from nowhere)

TECHNICIAN 1
There is a subject missing; shall
we seek it out?

TECHNICIAN 2
No, this is a clear indication of
its unsuitability...it will now
likely die within hours due to the
inactivated faunculator. These
others are still somnolescent and
will be maintained the requisite
period by the new one.

TECHNICIAN 1
Come, let us continue our rest;
departure is soon enough. The
oxygen levels here are still too
great for my system.

TECHNICIAN 2
For mine as well; the military
types seem to thrive in it though.
It is they who will be returning
here periodically to the base camp,
so that is just as well.

CUT TO:

EXT. DIG SITE AT TEA JUANACO BOLIVIA - NIGHT

Four commandoes from the initial party dispatched by Col.
Cobb's group who had vehicle trouble and saw the unfamiliar
chopper depart an hour ago are finally on scene.

COMMANDO ONE
(on seeing the familiar
Land Rovers of their
comrades)
What the hell, maybe their Hummers
broke down too!

COMMANDO TWO
Get real, our breakdown was a freak
deal....you hear that?

COMMANDO ONE
Yeah, coming from inside the
trailer; I'll go up on the roof and
drop a smoker, then come on in.
(they give each other
thumbs up)

CUT TO MINUTES
LATER:

INT. DIG SITE TRAILER - NIGHT

Smoke and coughing are everywhere; out come the gas masks.

COMANDO TWO
Come on down, they're friendlies.
(he rips/cuts off their
duct tape and hustles the
three men outside)
Take it easy, gulp air!

COMMANDO ONE
I'm ready when you are to hear
their story, Christ, we're talking
a few academic types, no Rambo.
(exasperated, he reports
in now that radio
silenced is no longer in
effect)
This is Dr. Jones, do you copy?

RETURN VOICE (O.S.)
Roger that; this is the Ark; we
ain't lost, though, maybe you boys
are. Where the hell have you been?

COMMANDO ONE
We broke down in reserve status to
our buds now rescued from the
pencil necks, no sign of them,
though. Spotted a chopper with
weird markings about one hour and
quarter departing the scene, over.

RETURN VOICE
Copy; be there in 30 minutes to
secure the scene and evac. Out.

COMMANDO TWO
(addressing the captive
comrades)
Let's hear it.

CAPTIVE COMMANDO LEADER
Goddam Russians, swear to God!
Fore we knew what was up, my boys
here get tazed through that window,
then I get jumped; didn't see any
faces but they were speaking with
Russian accents, right fellias....

TAZED COMMANDO
Hey, we were out the whole time,
sorry.

COMMANDO TWO
Gonna need a written report on this
thing, Russians sounds as good as
regular bullshit to me.

TAZED COMMANDO
Let's start looking for some clues
boys, gonna be a long night in
debrief.

FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. SMALL REMOTE JESUIT MONASTERY 50KM FROM DIG SITE - DAY

Dr. Touloumous and Nora pull up about 100 yards away.

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Let's stop here; they haven't
arrived yet, it would appear.

NORA SLAUGHTER
There's someone coming, looks like
a monk.

MONK
My name is Brother Joseph; your
friends tell me that you are
seeking refuge.

NORA SLAUGHTER
Well, in a way....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
May I ask who our 'friends' are?

MONK
Senor, we ask no names here, only
that our visitors respect this
humble house of God. They are
English speakers like yourselves,
and three seem to be of Slavic
origin. Come with me, if you
please.

The three of them enter a darkened vestibule of the old
colonial structure; they find Bart &; Henry and others...

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
(addressing his comrades)
Well, it is good to see you both
alive; tell me, how did you manage
to escape the Big Ears people?

Emerging from the shadows....

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
I can explain that.......permit me
to introduce my colleagues
(he motions in their
direction, following him
into the light)
It would appear that we happened
upon your associates just in time;
it is fortunate for them that we
were making an early revisit to our
site
(he is interrupted)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Your site? What are you talking
about?

BART BODLIAN
Apparently we were duped into
believing that Dr. Wolinsky's work
had been long completed; in fact,
he had had Russian staff for some
fifty years during his original
work.

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
His wishes, made clear to the
Bolivian government at the time,
were that we continue his work.
The world around bureaucrat has
reared his ugly head once again,
eh?
(he laughs)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Alas, we academics are often fooled
by modernity when focused upon the
ancient past! MY thanks for your
assistance to my friends....and, of
course, for safeguarding the find.
You are of the Swedenbourg
Institute in Helsinki, yes?

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Just so; they have graciously
funded our continued work; tell me,
what do you think prompted the 'men
who jump and die'
(he mocks the Green Beret
tune from Hollywood)

NORA SLAUGHTER
I'm afraid that our communications
with Athens were intercepted and
decrypted; they know we have got
something from the dig. AT least
it is sa.....
(she is interrupted)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
You are only partly right, my dear.
You see, rather than bury it, which
they would have at least been able
to get out of you, I decided to
deceive you for the good of all. I
Strongly feel that the best thing
we can do is immediately expose our
find to the world, thereby making
liars out of them before they
can...well, lie!
(all break into bemused
laughter)
Bart, be so kind as to go to my
Jeep and fetch the container under
the tarp. I trust that the
Swedenbourg Institute will agree to
share the find with us?

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Certainly, the truth is our master,
both of us it would seem.
WE are anxious to divine the
secrets of your find, please to
share what you know.
(Bart walks in with the
find)

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Let us find a well-lit table and
some tools.

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Allow me.
(he produces a surgical
kit with fine instruments
for examining it)
In the interim, perhaps the fathers
could assist us in contacting the
free press.

Bart leaves with father Joseph to transmit a short wave
communication to an AP reporter he knows from other travels.

CUT TO DINING
FACILITY:

INT. DINING ROOM OF THE MONASTERY - EVENING

The device has been opened revealing what appear to be
surgical implant probes......

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Dr., I strongly suggest that we
obtain the services of a medical
laboratory in La Paz....I am
willing to stake my reputation on
the proposition that these implants
carry genetic material of some kind
which would be targeted to certain
genes controlling aggression!

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Now, now, aren't we being
hasty....after all, we are not sure
that
(he is cut off)

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
Dr., Do you see these markings on
the control panel?
(he points to an apparent
diagram of some kind)
These very markings have been found
throughout certain caves in my
country, dated to roughly 20,000
years ago; they denote, according
to our scientists, the symbols for
'peaceful cooperation.'

NORA SLAUGHTER
If you are right, then it may be
that our off-world visitors---
sound like the Bible so far?---
truly Intended for us to live in
peace.....

Bart reenters the room.

BART BODLIAN
We are all set; my friend says that
he has tipped off his counterparts
worldwide, just wants first shot at
the thing and you for
interviews....

FATHER JOSEPH
Please pardon the interruption, but
I have something which may be of
interest to you all.
(he motions for them to
follow him)

They all proceed down a dark corridor to a closed room.

BART BODLIAN
What the.....
(he seems to have lost his
voice at the sight of
something)

FATHER JOSEPH
Is this not what you have
discovered?
(he lights a candle to
better illuminate a
metallic object)

The now illuminated object is an apparent duplicate of the
find, albeit in much better outward shape.....

DR. ARCAEUS TOULOUMOUS
Father, where on Earth did you get
this device?

FATHER JOSEPH
Oh, it has been here since the
monastery was built in 1521; legend
has it that it was dug up during
construction and was declared a
holy omen by the Bishop of our
order at that time. IT is said
that it confers peace upon all who
touch it.

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
(he falls to his knees, as
a devout Russian
Orthodox)
May I suggest, lady and gentlemen,
that we have come in contact with
what Dr. Einstein often made
reference to: a truly subtle,peace
loving God.....who does not throw
dice!

HENRY PENDERGAST
Whoa, now wait a minute, I dug one
of these things up and....well, I'M
feeling far from peaceful!

ALEXI KORCHNIKOFF
It is clear, is it not, that the
creators of these devices simply
did not finish their business
and...perhaps they will return for
that purpose!

FATHER JOSEPH
This has been foretold, of course;
but,perhaps these artifacts have
been left here for us to begin such
work without them! Let us give our
prayer of thanks.....
(all heads are bowed)

CUT TO ANCIENT
SITE OF TEA
JUANACO/FADE OUT
TO STARRY
BLACKNESS.

Scriptnote: thrust=escaped subject has come to dominate,
without nonzero ["win/win"] genetic implantation, hence human
history to date.....