V Pilot
Act Three
INT. NEWSROOM ANCHOR DESK DAY
The newsroom is being prepped for tonight's broadcast, workmen busy in the background. Behind Chad stands the PRODUCER and a studio EXECUTIVE type, flanked by two secret service men. One keeps talking into a radio repeating everything that is being said. Marcus is accompanied by three large Visitors standing at parade rest. Behind him, several American soldiers in uniform can be seen standing at a polite distance watching everyone.
CHAD
She want's what?
MARCUS
Anna would like you to interview her, as soon as possible.
CHAD
Live?
MARCUS
Yes, it would have to be aboard the ship. For security reasons, you can only bring a small crew with you to operate your equipment.
PRODUCER
He would love to but we need to give the network 24 hours notice to reserve a prime time slot.
MARCUS
(A beat, thinking)
Anna wanted to address your people as soon as possible but if this prime slot means a larger audience?
CHAD
Now hang on, I haven't...
PRODUCER
(interrupting)
He's hasn't prepared yet. Would it be possible to send the crew up beforehand to film some background? We'll use it for a teaser announcing the interview.
MARCUS
Of course, I'll have a hopper sent down and placed at your disposal.
Chad raises his finger and starts to speak but the EXECUTIVE places a heavy hand on his shoulder.
EXECUTIVE
On behalf of Mr. Decker and the entire station, we want to thank you for this opportunity.
Chad knows when it is best to shut-up. He flashes his best broadcasting smile and shakes hands with Marcus.
CHAD
Yes, thank you.
CUT TO:
INT. ALL SAINTS CHURCH CHAPEL EVENING
Mary(early 20's) is kneeling in front of the alter, tears in her eyes.
Father Jack sits on the pew behind her, his eyes are sad but he does not disturb her. Without warning, Mary stands and turns to dash back down the aisle but Father Jack steps in front of her.
FATHER JACK
Mary? What's wrong?
MARY
(She stops and hugs his neck crying into his chest.)
Oh Father, I went to the Visitor's clinic.
Father Jack grabs her by the shoulders and pushes Mary back enough to peer into her face.
FATHER JACK
Did they hurt you?
Mary
No, no. I asked them to cure my nightmares. (beat) But they said No. (beat) I begged them Father. Begged until they had to drag me out.
FATHER JACK
There's still hope, Mary.
Mary
But Father even hope is afraid of my dreams.
FADE TO:
INT. ERICA'S LIVING ROOM (5 A.M.)
Erica, bone-weary, walks in. She tosses her bag and keys onto the kitchen table. Tyler's best friend, BRYCE, is sprawled across the couch asleep. His drooling face illuminated by the screen of the laptop on his chest. Tyler has dozed off in front of his overflowing computer desk. Erica stomps over to Tyler ready to start pulling wires.
TYLER
(startled awake by her approach)
Mom, don't!
ERICA
I swear Ty, I need a decent night's sleep. Galactic Wars has got to go.
Bryce sits up, barely catching his falling laptop in time.
BRYCE
(In an all too cheery voice)
Hello Mrs Evans.
TYLER
Mom, I promise this isn't Galactic Wars.
ERICA
What is it then?
TYLER
Me and Bryce scrapped our private server and made it into a website.
BRYCE
(Walking toward them as he speaks)
Its sooo cool. We've had over six hundred thousand hits so far.
ERICA
You boys haven't made a porn site have you?
TYLER
No mom, look. Its a Visitors site. We have pictures, forums and even video of the parking lot the V's set their clinic up in.
ERICA
They set up a clinic?
BRYCE
Sure have. Now, there are so many people waiting in line the Mayor has asked for them to set up others.
ERICA
How many?
TYLER
Four right now, but by tomorrow there are suppose to be twenty spread across the city to handle the inflow of people.
BRYCE
Airlines are overbooked; people are coming here from all over the world.
ERICA
To be healed?
TYLER
Yea, and you know the best part Mom? (beat) We're making money.
ERICA
How?
TYLER
We're selling ad space on every page.
BRYCE
People are paying us oodles of cash just for a 30 second ad.
ERICA
(looking at the screen)
Tee shirts? Incense? Good grief; Anna dolls? Why that's just a barbie with a bad haircut and dye job.
TYLER
We've made six thousand so far.
ERICA
(Somewhat dumbfounded)
Every bit is going into your college fund. You too, Bryce.
TYLER
Awww, mom.
(beat)
But, what if someone offers to buy the site? Can I get a motorbike?
ERICA
We'll see. How much do you think you would get?
Bryce opens his laptop to check the site's statistics.
BRYCE
Value is based on the number of hits you get in a day. If our user base keeps growing at this rate, (beat) we are looking at about two million hits per day by next weekend.
TYLER
That would be a lot of money Mom. Like Bill Gates-size money.
ERICA
(her amazement growing)
I'll make your favorite breakfast and then, I want the two of you to walk me through this whole setup.
TYLER
Cereal and soda? Mom, you're the coolest.
Erica pours the soda by holds the can high up so it really foams up covering the cereal bits.
ERICA
You too Bryce?
BRYCE
Yes, ma'am! I love your cooking.
ERICA
Oh yea, I'm the caffeine gourmet.
FADE TO:
INT. TYLER'S BEDROOM - LATE MORNING
Tyler is sleeping atop his bead still dressed from last night. Bryce enters and shakes him awake.
BRYCE
(whispering)
Dude, I got my mom's camera. Let's go get some first-hand video.
TYLER
First hand?
BRYCE
Yea, maybe we'll spot that hot blond you've been eyeing on the video feed.
TYLER
Shsssh, My mom still freaks and tries to give me The Speech every time I mention a girl.
BRYCE
Well, lets go before she wakes up.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT CROWDED WITH PEOPLE - AFTERNOON
Two hoppers are parked in a V shape. A ring of National Guard soldiers keep the crowd at bay. Tyler and Bryce slowly make their way up front where two female Visitors JUNE and LAURA are scanning people with hand held devices.
JUNE
(scanning Tyler)
You look healthy enough. Nothing on the scanner; why are you here?
LAURA
This is fine as well. Guards!
TYLER
No wait, we just want to shoot some video. We run the biggest V-website, Visitors Are Here dot com.
The women are skeptical but LISA the Visitor girl Tyler has been watching comes to their rescue.
LISA
June, you're being impolite. These boys are just trying to help us get the word out.
She looks at Tyler and an instant connection is made.
LISA
Can you show me what you have done?
Bryce pulls his laptop out of his backpack.
BRYCE
These are the statistics as you can see we have viewers from all over the world.
LISA
Wait here, can I take this and show it to someone?
Bryce shakes his head but Tyler grabs it from his hands and gives it to Lisa.
TYLER
If it will help you, please take it.
LISA
Thank you..uhmm
TYLER
Tyler Evens and this is my best friend and partner Bryce.
LISA
Thank you Tyler.
She turns and walks away. Bryce punches him in the arm, twice, but Tyler's eyes are glued to Lisa.
FADE TO:
INT. ERICA'S BEDROOM AFTERNOON
Erica awakens from another nightmare choking back a scream. Just like the previous morning, she stumbles down the hall toward Tyler's bedroom and opens the door. The room is empty.
ERICA
Why do I bother? (louder voice)Ty?
She enters the living room and Tyler's chair is empty. She looks to couch and its empty as well. She spies a piece of paper stuck on Tyler's computer screen. She picks it off slapping on the TV as she passes into the kitchen.
ERICA
(reading out loud)
Me and Bryce gone to get more footage for the web site.
CLOSE UP: TV - sound off
We see Tyler and Bryce receiving an award plaque from Marcus and Lisa. Camera's flash as Bryce leans into a microphone to answer a question. Tyler sneaks a glance at Lisa who smiles in return.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL KITCHEN All saints church day
Father Jack is sitting at the table working on Sunday's sermon. The phone rings.
FATHER JACK
Hello, All Saints Church, Father Jack speaking.
We hear a electronically disguised VOICE on the other end.
VOICE
I know about your dreams Father. I know they started about nine months ago and its the same for almost everyone else in your support group.
FATHER JACK
And just who are you?
VOICE
Someone with answers. I've taken the liberty of calling everyone on your list and inviting them to a special meeting tonight. Meet us at the abandoned Carter's grocery store after sunset. Park your car at the Rivergate mall and walk.
The phone goes dead. Father Jack frowns and then makes a call.
FATHER JACK
Detective Evens? Hello this is Father Jack from All Saints.
ERICA
(some what embarrassed)
Yes, Father, sorry I haven't been making the meetings but work has been terrible.
FATHER JACK
The support group is here when you needed it. But I am calling for a slightly different reason...
Fade to Black: End of Act Three