ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. AIR FORCE BASE - ESTABLISHING NIGHT

Picking up a sign with headlights that informs us this is an AIR FORCE MILITARY INSTALLATION - NO TRESPASSING -

ANOTHER ANGLE

As a military jeep with a couple of uniformed men pass through the guarded gate. After they have been passed through and the light from the jeep fades away, CAMERA WHIPS TOWARD THE HIGH BARBED WIRE TIPPED FENCE and the figure of Aiwaz standing in the darkness.

TIGHT ON HIS FACE

Grim as death. He stands there for a long moment, then his hand comes up and the moonball appears in his palm. He turns it slightly, and his body begins to fade away into nothingness.

INT. FACILITY BUILDING CORRIDOR - ANGLE NIGHT

The corridor is deserted.

SUBJECTIVE CAMERA (HAND HELD)

The POV suddenly alive as if we are looking through Aiwaz's eyes as he magically appears in the corridor. He moves forward, and we see the corridor from his POV as he rounds a corner and approaches a high security area and stops as he reacts to two guards at the entrance to a large, vault-like door.

TIGHT REVERSE - AIWAZ

He listens behind the corner.

CLOSE ANGLE - THE GUARDS

GUARD #1
You think it's true?

GUARD #2
What? That he's from outer space?

GUARD #1
What do you think? Those guys from NASA built this chamber. No germ or anything else could get through these walls . . .

TIGHT ON AIWAZ

Knowing the man is right, frustrated.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - CLOSE ANGLE NIGHT

Dimly lit, somewhat barren room, Rachel seated in a chair, her face angry and frustrated as Preminger confronts her, another agent standing in the b.g.

RACHEL
I wish I hadn't told you anything. Why did you shoot him with a tranquilizer gun? What was that damn net for?

PREMINGER
I should think that would be obvious to a woman of your sophistication and learning. He's a danger to society . . . we had to contain him. What we did was of necessity.

RACHEL
(eyes blazing)
Oh, I love that word . . . necessity . . . that gives you license to dehumanize him, treat him like an animal, then dump him in a cage. I'm beginning to wonder who I should be afraid of.

PREMINGER
I feel uneasy about your sudden change of attitude.

RACHEL
Well, I'm beginning to feel better, for the first time. I don't know who he is or what he is, but he deserves better treatment than he's getting. What's your theory, Mr. Preminger . . . or do you have one?

PREMINGER
I don't deal in theories, but if I had one it would be classified like everything else at this installation.

RACHEL
(her face hardening)
Oh, that's a familiar theme. I remember begging you people for details about my father's disappearance. That was classified too and just as inhuman.
(beat)
Please . . . let me see Bennu, let me try to find out something . . . just a minute with him.

PREMINGER
No. That's an impossible request and, at this point, a dead issue.

INT. ISOLATION WARD - TIGHT ANGLE - BENNU - NIGHT

He is lying in a hospital bed, still groggy from the effects of the drugs he has been given. An Air Force DOCTOR has just given him another injection as Preminger comes into the room.

PREMINGER
How is he?

DOCTOR
Resting. He has quite a constitution. This much sedation would have knocked out a horse.

PREMINGER
Can he talk?

DOCTOR
I think so.

The doctor moves away and Preminger goes to Bennu, stands over the bed. After a moment, Bennu's dazed eyes find Preminger.

BENNU'S POV (EFFECT)

Blurred, indistinct.

PREMINGER
My name -

BENNU
I know . . . your name . . .
(beat, eyes trying to focus)
. . . my eyes . . .

BACK TO SCENE

PREMINGER
It's just the medication. Believe me, I don't like having to treat you this way -

BENNU
Then why?

PREMINGER
Consider our position: if you are from . . . some other world . . . you could be a danger to us . . .

BENNU
The danger . . . isn't from me . . .

PREMINGER
We have to be sure.

BENNU
How? By drugging me . . . probing my mind and body? . . . I know what you plan . . . altered states . . . .truth serums . . . Are they for your safety . . . .or my secrets?

PREMINGER
That isn't for me to determine. I just carry out orders.

Preminger regards him for a beat, then turns and goes out. The doctor follows him and the door locks securely.

TIGHT ANGLE - BENNU

He struggles against the effects of the drugs. CAMERA MOVES IN EVEN TIGHT TO MACRO CLOSE UP: HOLDS FOR A BEAT ON HIS EYES, THEN:

SUBLIMINAL CUTS:

Quick flashes of scenes Bennu is picking up telepathically:

INT. FACILITY CORRIDOR - ANGLE ON RACHEL - NIGHT

Her face disturbed, she comes out of an elevator and goes down the hall.

INT. ISOLATION WARD

BACK TO BENNU'S EYES, THEN:

EXT. MILITARY FACILITY BUILDING - ANGLE ON AIWAZ - NIGHT

Dark spectral figure lingering in the shadows near the building.

INT. ISOLATION WARD

BACK TO BENNU'S EYES, THEN:

EXT. MILITARY GUARD DOG AREA - NIGHT

A large German Shepard is lying on the ground, head between his paws, but his eyes and ears alert.

INT. ISOLATION WARD

BACK TO BENNU'S EYES, THEN:

EXT. GUARD DOG AREA - CLOSE ANGLE - GERMAN SHEPARD - NIGHT

Slowly the dog's head rises upward as if he has become aware of soemthing, something in his mind, something touching him telepathically. He gets to his feet and runs off.

INT. ISOLATION WARD

BACK TO BENNU'S EYES

END SUBLIMINAL CUTS -

EXT. INSTALLATION BUILDING - ANGLE - NIGHT

Rachel comes out of the building, goes down the stairs and heads toward her car which is parked nearby.

CLOSER ANGLE

She starts to get into her car when she stops, distracted by the sound of someone's voice calling to her.

AIWAZ (0S)
Dr. Helphin . . .

Rachel glances toward the sound of the voice.

POV SHOT

Aiwaz stands in the darkness not far away, shadowy and indistinct.

AIWAZ (cont'd)
(repeats)
Dr. Helphin.

ANGLE TO INCLUDE RACHEL

She regards the figure warily and answers.

RACHEL
Yes.

AIWAZ
I have to talk to you.

RACHEL
Who are you?

AIWAZ
It's about your father.

Rachel reacts, confused, uncertain. She hesitates, then moves toward Aiwaz.

CLOSE TWO SHOT - RACHEL AND AIWAZ

Rachel is stunned as she stares at Aiwaz, his eyes almost hypnotic.

RACHEL
What do you now about my father?

AIWAZ
I know he's alive.

RACHEL
(stunned)
Alive?

AIWAZ
The things they told you about his disappearance; they were untrue.

RACHEL
(reacting)
How do you know? Who are you?

AIWAZ
It doesn't matter who I am. The only thing that matters is that I can help you to see your father again. Will you trust me?

RACHEL
(uncertain, confused)
I don't know . . . I don't understand.

AIWAZ
It will all become clear to you if you will come with me.

RACHEL
Come with you. Where?

AIWAZ
To place where you'll find your father. Come. There isn't much time. If you hesitate, you may not have another chance.

Aiwaz slowly holds out his hand to her. Rachel is uncertain, reticent, but she cannot control herself. Her hand seems to work automatic of her will as it moves to join Aiwaz's hand. He turns and leads her off into the darkness.

INT. BUILDING CORRIDOR - LOW ANGLE - NIGHT

The German Shepard dog moves slowly down the empty corridor.

ANOTHER ANGLE

He approaches a corner and peers around it toward the guards who are stationed at the entrance to the isolation ward.

INT. ISOLATION WARD

MACRO CLOSE UP BENNU'S EYES

Concentrating.

INT. BUILDING CORRIDOR - EXTREME MACRO CLOSE UP - GERMAN SHEPARD'S EYES

It is apparent there is some telepathic communication between Bennu and the dog.

CLOSE ANGLE THE GUARDS

Suddenly, they react to the SOUND of something SMASHING inside the isolation ward. They grab their rifles, one of them hitting the button which slides the vault door open. Quickly, they move inside.

INT. ISOLATION WARD OBLIQUE ANGLE

Bennu has fallen out of the bed, having knocked over the side table containing vater and glasses. Bennu blindly struggles to get up, but is too narcotized, waves his arms toward the men.

BENNU
Help . . . me . . .

The two men move cautiously to aid him.

CLOSER ANGLE

As the two men grab Bennu's arms to help him, he touches each of their temples with a quick darting motion of his fingertips. Both men collapse almost instantly into unconsciousness.

NEW ANGLE

The German Shephard dog now moves quickly into the room and approaches Bennu. Bennu staggers to his feet unsteadily, dazed, and unable to see clearly.

HIS POV THE DOG (EFFECT)

Blurred and miasmatic, whining sympathetically as it looks up at him.

ANGLE

BENNU
We must hurry, friend. They'll recover soon. Be my eyes and take me out of here . . .

The shephard responds instantly, moving next to Bennu and performing the role of seeing eye dog. Bennu braces his leg against the animal who leads him out of the room.

INT. CORRIDOR ANGLE NIGHT

Bennu is led by the dog out of the building.

TIGHT SHOT BENNU

Trying to focus, unable to see clearly.

SUBJECTIVE CAMERA BENNU'S POV (EFFECT)

Moving, blurred vision, distorted images.

TIGHT LOW ANGLE THE DOG

Moving at Bennu's side.

DOG'S POV SUBJECTIVE

Clear and distinct ahead of him.

EXT. BUILDING CLOSE ANGLE NIGHT

The dog leads Bennu out of the building. Bennu pauses for a moment, sensing the area.

EXTREME MACRO CLOSE UP BENNU

Sensing

QUICK SUBLIMINAL FLASH CUT

ANGLE ON AIWAZ AND RACHEL

Moving across a large area toward some airfield hangers.

BACK TO BENNU AND DOG

They move off down away from the building and into the darkness.

EXT. AIRFIELD AREA CLOSE ANGLE NIGHT

Bennu rubs his eyes as the night air seems to clear them.

POV SUBJECTIVE BENNU'S POV (EFFECT)

The area ahead begins to sharpen as his sight is restored.

BACK TO SCENE

BENNU
That's better . . . .

He bends down by the dog, pets him affectionately as he scans the darkness ahead.

BENNU (cont'd)
(darkly)
He's over there somewhere . . .
(as if the dog has said something)
No. He would kill you. Stay here.

The dog whines slightly, but obeys, waiting in the darkness as Bennu moves forward, still unsteady, but able to see.

EXT. PARACHUTE RIGGING SHOP AREA NIGHT

Some distance from the shop, Bennu stops, looks toward the shop

HIS POV

Aiwaz can be seen entering the open door of the shop.

BACK TO BENNU

He moves forward toward the shop and the still open door.

CLOSER ANGLE

Bennu pauses at the door for a moment, then enters the shop.

INT. PARACHUTE RIGGING SHOP CLOSE ANGLE BENNU NIGHT

He moves slowly into the dim interior of the shop, pauses for a moment. Suddenly, the door slams shut behind him and there is a ROLL OF THUNDER from outside.

ANOTHER ANGLE OBLIQUE

Now, there is a CRACK OF LIGHTENING which illuminates the shop for a couple of instants, WIND SWIRLING THROUGH and Aiwaz at the far end of the shop where the parachutes are hung up to dry, the gusts of wind swirling the silk chutes around Aiwaz as he grins sardonically at Bennu, then breaks into eerie laughter.

TIGHT ON BENNU

Reacting, reaching for his amulet, but Aiwaz's VOICE rings out:

AIWAZ (os)
Too late, Bennu! Can't you feel it? The cold?

Bennu reacts, shivering from the drop in temperature.

ANGLE ON AIWAZ

In the dimness.

AIWAZ (cont'd)
The cold that freezes the Phoenix Fire and darkness that shuts out the sun!

He laughs delightedly, then, as another STING OF LIGHTENING FLASHES, Aiwaz disappears.

TIGHT OBLIQUE ANGLE - BENNU

He realizes that the force of the amulet is neutralized and that he is growing weaker with the growing cold. He breaks for the door, but finds it jammed as ice is forming around it.

QUICK CUTS - THE SHOP

Ice forming on different tables, parachutes, the walls -

BACK TO BENNU

Shaken, shivering, desperate, but losing energy swiftly, slowly sinking down. He reaches out toward a tine window near his head, smashing it with his fist. It is a futile gesture, and he sinks to the floor, ice forming in his hair and on his body.

EXTREME TIGHT SHOT - THE SMALL WINDOW

Aiwaz's face appears outside, peering into the window with a malevolent grin. Now, he sticks his hand and arm through the small window, the hand reaching down toward Bennu.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Aiwaz's hand reaches down, down, ACTUALLY ELONGATING like a sinuous snake, the fingers reaching, trembling as they move to Bennu's amulet, snatching it from his neck. Now, the hand, holding the amulet, backs slowly away from him, retracting back toward the window.

TIGHT ON WINDOW

As Aiwaz pulls his hand with the amulet back through the window. He grins one more at his vanquished adversary, then disappears from sight.

TIGHT ON BENNU

Lying on the floor, half conscious, freezing slowly, dying -

HOLD FOR:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR