"AIRPLANE II THE SEQUEL" (1982)

STATS137pages164scenes17,861words43%dialogue137characters

Words

  • dialogue7,63243%
  • action8,41947%
  • other1,81010%

Scenes

location
  • INT 107
  • EXT 56
  • UNKNOWN 1
time
  • DAY 13
  • NIGHT 13
  • DAWN 3
  • UNKNOWN 135
2

EXT. JUNGLE -DAY

AIRPLANE 2:THE SEQUEL

A machete slashes INTOFRAME. An American in battered fedora and leather jacket,accompanied by two gunbearers, hacks his way through dense bush. We see him from the back only.He hacks an opening, bats fly out AT CAMERA and the bushes part, revealinghuge overgrown stone letters -- the Mayan ruin look-- that spell "AIRPLANE II."

3

EXT. GANTRY -NIGHT

TheJupiter shuttle standsready to fly.

SUPER:HOUSTON, 2002

4

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM -STOCK FOOTAGE

ofHouston Control with appropriate jargon V.O.

5

INT.TERMINAL -WIDE ANGLE STOCK SHOT

ofa crowdedmodern terminal.

P.A.
All lunardepartures, please proceed to concourse lounge 'B.'
6

EXT. TERMINAL - STOCKFOOTAGE - NIGHT

ofheavy traffic at LAX.

ANGLE ON TERMINAL DOORS

A number of men in futuristic-lookingmining outfits, carrying futuristicgear, unload a truck with a corporate logothat reads:TRX DEEP SPACE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

P.A.
Attention, all Pulsar Four mining personnel.

Theminers lookup.

P.A.
Please reportto the Resource Expeditions office, level seven.

Twominers head to terminal doors and pass FOUR NUNS, who bid farewellto FATHER O'FLANAGAN. O'Flanagan shakes the hands of the firstthree elderly nuns, then grabs the last young gorgeous nun and kisses her passionately.

OLDER NUN
No tongues, Father.
7

INT.CONTROL ROOM

A grouptour moves through the room behind controllers.

GUIDE
All lunar shuttle landingsare handled by these computersand simulatedon these Video units.
CONTROLLER 1
(at computer screen)
You're programmed on R-two-niner and locked,Lunar eight six. Over.
8

INT.LUNAR SHUTTLE COCKPIT - NIGHT

Threecrew members watch the litlanding strip as their shuttle approaches.

CAPTAIN
(to co-pilot)
It'sout of our hands now, gentlemen.

They smile.

9

INT.MISSION CONTROL

TheCONTROLLER moves away fromhis video unit. A kid from thetour who has laggedbehind hits a switch. The screen turns intoa video game with SFX. He flips knobs.

10

INT.LUNAR SHUTTLE

The crew aretossed from sideto side and try to regain controlof the ship.

11

EXT. NIGHT SKY

TheLunar shuttlecareens towards the terminal, out of control.

12

INT.CONTROL ROOM

Thekid is stillplaying likemad. A flashappears on the screen. SFXVIDEO GAME EXPLOSION and a corresponding EXPLOSION fromoutside. SIRENSWAIL. CONTROLLERS run around.The kid isoblivious and walks away.

13

EXT. TERMINAL -NIGHT

BUD KRUGER, head of the spacecenter, and the COMMISSIONER get outof a limounder a signthat reads, "MERCURY SHUTTLE."They walk and talk.

KRUGER
Commissioner,we both know the Mercury shuttleneeds another month of pre-launch testing.
COMMISSIONER
Forget it.The boys on the board want that shuttleto go on schedule.
CUT TO:
14

INT. TERMINAL

Kruger and the Commissioner go up escalator.

KRUGER
And what dothe boys on the board know about safety,Commissioner? Let me talk to them.
COMMISSIONER
Bud, getwise to the political realities. Theboys on the board are under a lot of pressure fromthe boys downtown.
CUT TO:
15

INT. TERMINAL - SECONDLEVEL

Kruger gets a pack of cigarettes from a machine. Commissionerbuys a newspaper.

KRUGER
And I'llbe the one they'll hang if there's a screw-up.
CUT TO:
16

INT.TERMINAL - SHOESHINESTAND

Kruger andCommissioner get shoesshined. A MAN next to them inwhite shoesreads paper with headline -- "SOLAR PLANT MELTDOWN, 500WORKERS SERIOUSLY TANNED" -- and doesn'tnotice his shoesare getting black polish.

COMMISSIONER
Listen, Bud, the boys downtown are under heavy fire fromthe boys inWashington. That'swhy they're putting pressure on the boys on the board.
CUTTO:

Kruger andCommissioner head down escalator.

KRUGER
Well, you tell the boys on the board to tellthe boys downtown to let the boys in Washington know that the press has been nosing aroundmy people in the front office.
CUTTO:
17

EXT. TERMINAL

Kruger andCommissioner head to their limo.

COMMISSIONER
You handle your frontoffice people, I'll handle the press and leavethe boys in Washington to the boys downtown and the boys downtownto the boys on the board.
KRUGER
Commissioner.

They stop and lookat each other.

COMMISSIONER
What?
KRUGER
I justwish itwas that simple.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING

They getback intheir limoand drive off.

18

INT.MISSION CONTROL

CONTROLLER
(overP.A.)
This isMercury One control. We have conditiongreen. Mark launch 'T'minus two hours andcounting. Irepeat, we have conditiongreen.

ANGLE ON LESLIE NEILSON -DOCTOR RUMACK

Dressed asa doctor and looking ina Controller's mouth. TheController's face isbright green.

RUMACK
This condition isn'tas bad as it could be if itwere a lotworse. Take these pills.
(handshim pills and water)
Here's somewater.
CONTROLLER
What is it,doctor?
RUMACK
Twoparts oxygen, one part hydrogen. It'll make the pills go down easier.
19

EXT. GANTRY -CLOSEUP OF SHUTTLE - NIGHT

MUSIC: BIG SPACE THEME

WIDE ANGLE LENS PANS the under-belly past the nose as if theviewer bent his head back as faras he could, until... theCAMERA crashes to the ground as if it has fallen off thetripod.

MUSIC: CRASHES TO A STOP

ANGLE ON SIDEOF SHIP

MUSIC: BIG SPACE THEME STARTS FROM TOP AGAIN

PAN workers on scaffoldingwho check gauges on exterior of ship.PAN to panel that reads, "SOLIDFUEL CHUTE" -- a sweatymuscular worker inundershirt opens the panel, flames shootout. LOOSEN to reveal another sweaty worker inundershirt shovelingcoal intothe chute. PAN to other

workers checking more gauges. SUDDENLY a PANEL EXPLODES. Smoking, sparkingwires pop out. A WORKER runs up with walkie-talkie inhand.

WORKER
(intowalkie-talkie)
This isMercury station six!Get me the Sarg and fast!
20

EXT. TERMINAL -NIGHT

SIMONKURTZ and ELAINE THOMPSON get out of a taxi with hand luggage.They are dressed inmatching flight outfits.

A JAPANESE COUPLE get out of a taxi -- the man has about fiftycameras around his neck. His wife hangs another cameraon him. He crashes to the ground under the weight.

Simon andElaine are approached by a BUSINESSMAN with handful of roses.

BUSINESSMAN
Would you liketo buy a rose to help bail outChrysler? We're an all-profit organizationand need all the money we can get.

Simonhands the Businessman a dollar and takes a rose.

SIMON
(toBusinessman)
Here.

TheBusinessman joins sixother BUSINESSMEN carrying signs with LEE IACCOCA'spicture. They all smile and chant.

BUSINESSMEN
(toHari Krishna)
IACCOCA, IACCOCA, IACCOCA, IARAMA.

Simonhands Elaine the rose. She takes his arm as they walk towards the sign that reads, "MERCURYSHUTTLE."

oIMON For the best littlecomputer officer on theMercury mission.

ELAINE
(smiling)
Simon.
SIMON
Who would believe that Elaine Thompson was once a stewardesson the Denver-Chicago run.
ELAINE
And Ican hardly believe that I'm engaged to someone likeyou, Simon. I'ma very luckywoman.

A man with a suitcaseon a leashwalks beside them. The casepulls him along likea dog and takes a leak ona post.

SIMON
Women and the spaceprogram have come a longway, sweetheart.But after the wedding, no more complicated computers for my littlegirl.
ELAINE
But, darling,they've offered me a chance tohead up the computer analysis division for theJupiter probe.
SIMON
You're heading up the division incharge ofbabies forMr. and Mrs. Simon Kurtz.

He kisses Elaine and smiles.

SIMON
And that's anorder, Lieutenant.

Theman with the case on a leash passes a woman with a case on a leash.The cases starta violent, BARKING DOG FIGHT.

21

EXT. REAR OF TERMINAL BUILDING - NIGHT

SARG (imagineGeorge Kennedy), dressed in a tuxedo, tie
undone, with ahuge cigar, which he eats during the conversation,talks to his wife on his car phone. A worker inhard hat waits next to him. Behind the worker are fuel drumsand a large signthat reads: DANGER, FUEL -- ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING,ABSOLUTELY NO SPITTING.
SARG
(on carphone)
Marge, you better go without me. We've got a condition red.

SPLIT SCREENWITH WIFE AT HOME.

MARGE
(in eveninggown, a cigar stuck inher mouth)
We've got acondition red with our marriage. Ithink you're in lovewith that shuttle,not with me. Iwant a divorce, Sarg.

Sarg lightshis cigar.

SARG
Isthere someoneelse, Marge? Isthat it?

Sargthrows the litmatch towards the "ABSOLUTELYNO SMOKING" sign.The worker grimaces but nothing happens.

MARGE
Sarg,there's been someone else for fifteenyears. You were justtoo involved inyour work to see it.

Theyhang up. Sarg bites off the end of his cigar and Spits it inthe direction of the "NOSPITTING" sign, blowing the worker OUT OF FRAME with a MASSIVE EXPLOSION. Sarghops intohis car, takes a Lava lamp from the seat andputs iton the car roof -- likeKojak's flasher. The lamp flashes,the SIRENWAILS, as Sarg pulls away.

22

INT. SARG'SCAR - ON THE MOVE - NIGHT

He thinks abouthis wife. SPLIT SCREEN FLASHBACK OF THEIR BEDROOM. Marge, a cigar inher mouth, is in bed with five footballplayers -- other half-clad athletes (hockey, baseball, wrestling, basketball) line up for their turn at her. Sarghas to climb over them to kiss her goodbye.

SARG
Don't wait up forme, sweetheart. We're testingthe retro-rocketstonight.
MARGE
You justcan't see it,can you, Sarg.
SARG
We'll talk tomorrow, hon. Ipromise.
23

EXT. TERMINAL, PASSENGER ARRIVAL AREA - NIGHT

TheWILSON FAMILY --JOHN, ALICE and ten-year-old JIMMY -- carry luggage.Jimmy carries a puppy ina small cage.

P.A.
All Mercury passengers please proceed to passenger processing, concourse level 'C.'
JOHN
That'sus.

JimmyWilson looksat Scraps.

JIMMY
Will Scrapsbe able to sit with us, Dad?
JOHN
We'll have to check, Jimmy. It'sa pretty longtrip to Mercury.

A PORTER approaches.

PORTER
Can Ihelp you folks?
JOHN
(handinghim a bag)
Thanks.
PORTER
(noticingScraps)
Isthat your puppy, son?
JIMMY
Yeah, his name is Scrapsand he's going to Mercury with us.
PORTER
No dogs areallowed on the shuttle,son.
JIMMY
But they said...
PORTER
(pullingout a handgun)
Scrapswill have to be shot.I can do it foryou here ifyou like.

He SHOOTS.

JIMMY
scraps!!!
PORTER
(laughing)
Just joking.Blanks. See, Scraps is fine.

Alice, John, and Porter crack up while Jimmy cries.

ALICE
Itwas justa joke,Jimmy.

Alice and John lookat each other as if there is something wrong with their son.

ANGLE ON MAN WITH CAGE

A man liftsa largedog cage out of the trunk of a taxi. Inside is anotherman dressed inS&M leathers.

MAN WITH CAGE
(toMan inCage)
Ifwe can't fityou under the seat,you'll justhave to be lockedup with the luggage.

Theman inthe cage seemsto relish the latter suggestion. TwoPorters liftthe cage onto a conveyor belt next to Jimmy'sdog.

24

EXT. GANTRY -NIGHT

Sarg standsbeside the burnt panel on the side of the shuttle.He is eatinganother cigar, holding a burnt wire, andtalking intoa walkie-talkie.

SARG
There'sno way this wiring could have passed inspectionwithout Simon Kurtz's okay!

SPLIT SCREENOF KRUGER INHIS OFFICE

KRUGER
(onphone)
Justpatch up the damage and get that ship readyto fly.That's an order, mister!
SARG
You've got it,mister. But you can tell your boys on the board forme that this thing stinksto high heaven of kickback.
WIPE TO:

KRUGER'S OFFICE - FULL SCREEN

Kruger turns to room.LOOSEN to reveal a dozen five-year- oldboys inthree-piece suits, smokingcigars. A huge Keans-style painting of three astronauts with big eyes, painted on black velvet, hangs inb.g.

KRUGER
You heard it,boys. Now, what doyou say?
ALL BOYS
Fuck him!
25

EXT. GANTRY -NIGHT

Sarg looks atthe wire and shakeshis head.

SARG
(toworker)
Ted Strikerwas right six months ago when he test-pilotedthis sucker.And what did he get fortelling the truth? A one-way ticketto Palukaville.

Sarg spits achunk of cigar on the ground, blowing the worker OUT OF FRAME with a MASSIVE EXPLOSION.

26

EXT. WILD BLUE YONDER - DAY

A jet fighter streaksacross the sky.

27

INT.JET -DAY

TED STRIKER isat the controls. His oxygen mask hangs loose fromhis helmet. Clouds outside shoot by -- he's goingat least 700MPH. A bird lands on the nose in front ofthe window. Ted shoos itaway by knocking on the glass. He takes a slugof beer and cockily pulls on the stick.

28

EXT. FIGHTER -DAY

Theplane does a barrel roll.

29

INT.FIGHTER -DAY

Tedhas beer allover his faceand shirt.

30

EXT. SMALLLATIN-AMERICAN LANDING STRIP - DAY

SUPER: "SOUTHAMERICA, 2002 (PALUKAVILLE)"

Striker's fightercomes in fora landing.

31

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF RIO MONTENEGRO - DAY

CLOSEUPof sign, "WELCOMETO RIO MONTENEGRO -- POP. 2,354,900 --NO TORTURING 7AM-9AMMON.-FRI."

32

INT.HOTEL ROOM - DAY

SUPER: "HOTELMONTENEGRO"

COMEUP on CLOSEUP of parachute. PAN past a flight jacket thrownover a chair, clothes strewnaround, a framed photo ofTED andELAINE on the bedtable next to a bottle of whiskey. The room ishot and dusty. Ted lies on the bed soakedwith sweat,a drink in his hand, a cigarette dangling fromhis lip.He takes a drink and, forgetting to removethe cigarette, swallows itwithout batting an eye. LOOSEN to finda CRUCIFIX above the bed with a real person on it.

TED (V.O.)
(to self)
Who couldhave figured itwould come to this. It'llbe twenty years this week that I lostmy entire squadronover Macho Grande. Planes, too.

SUPER:DOG FIGHT FOOTAGE

VOICE You're too low, Striker!You're too low!

TheCrucifix inb.g. looksaround trying to figure out where the planes inthe SUPER are coming from.

TED (V.O.)
After the war, Icouldn't go near anything with apair of wings.

SUPER:TED INPARK TRYING TO AVOID PIGEONS THAT FOLLOW HIM.

A pigeon landson the Cross.

TED (V.O.)
That is,until fatedropped me on the seat ofmy pants at the stickof a 167 into Chicagowith no crew.

SUPER:TED LANDING PLANE IN "AIRPLANE!"

TED (V.O.)
It's funnyhow fatecan make heroes out of cowards.

TheCrucifix gives a lookof exasperated boredom.

SUPER:NEW YORK TIMES HEADLINE, "STRIKERSAVES 120!" OVER A PHOTO OF TED AND ELAINE WAVING.

TED (V.O.)
Then camethe joboffers.

SUPER:HOUSTON TRIBUNE HEADLINE, "FLYINGHEROES ACCEPT NASA POSTS" OVER A PHOTO OF TED AND ELAINE WAVING.

TED (V.O.)
Thepublicity.

SUPER:NATIONAL ENQUIRER HEADLINE, "TED IMPOTENT?ELAINE FRIGID?" A MINOR HEADLINE READS, "JFKALIVE, SAYS UROLOGIST!"

TED (V.O.)
Even the key to the City of New York.

SUPER:MAYOR HANDING TED A KILO OF GRASS.

TED (V.O.)
Now look atme.

Tedwipes the sweatoff his face and switches on the table fan.A tornado forcewind destroys the room as he fights to switchoff the fan.

33

EXT. TOWN SQUARE -DAY

SUPER: "RIOMONTENEGRO -TOWN SQUARE"

A peasant boy takes a newspaper from a newsstand. The headline reads, "MERCURYSHUTTLE FLIES TOMORROW."

BOY
SenorTed!

Theboy hightails itthrough the town-square and passes:

--A largealabaster statueof the Generalissimo snorting cocaine.

-- Soldiersdragging nuns off screaming.

--Nuns dragging soldiersoff screaming.

He passes a lineof peasants held at gunpoint by soldiers. We HOLD on them. Inb.g. are storeslike HITLER'S SHOES, TRIEUGUYS FROM SAIGON LIQUORS, KEY'S KEYS -- GENERAL KEY stands indoorway.

SOLDIER
(to firstpeasant)
Traficantede drugas o communista?

SUPER: SUBTITLES -- "Drugdealer or communist?"

PEASANT
(pleading)
Traficantede drugas, traficante de drugas!

SUPER: SUBTITLES -- "Drugdealer, drug dealer!"

The soldier letsthe peasant go.

SOLDIER
(to secondpeasant)
Traficantede drugas o communista?

SUPER: SUBTITLES -- "Drugdealer or communist?"

Thepeasant panics and bolts fromthe line. The soldiers FIRE.

SOLDIER
Communista!

He runs up to THE HOTEL MONTENEGRO. A sign reads, "TV, POOL, WATERBEDS, DONKEY, KLEENEX" -- All but "KLEENEX"are crossedout. He runs inside.

34

INT.HOTEL LOBBY

A clean-cutAMERICAN COUPLE argue with Desk Clerk.

YOUNG MAN
(toDesk Clerk)
We've lost allour travelers' checks!
YOUNG WOMAN
What arewe going to do?!
CLERK
Calm down. What kind were they?
YOUNG MAN
American Excess!

TheClerk throws up his hands and strikes the same pose as theKarl Marden look-alikein the "AMERICANEXCESS" poster, b.g.

CLERK
I'd sayyou're fucked.

Theboy passes them and bounds up the stairs.

35

INT.HOTEL ROOM

CLOSEUPof Ted pacing.

TED
(to self)
Next thing Iknow, I'mthe chief test pilot forthe XR-2300, NASA's first Mercury shuttle.That is,until Ireport she's gotmore flawsthan the Titanic.

LOOSEN slowlyto findthe Cross empty and the man who was on ithanging, his feetdangling next to Ted.

TED
Now I'mtesting old F-18s for somecrazy Generalissimo who thinks there's a commie behind everytree inthe Amazon.

SUDDENLYthe boy bursts in.

BOY
SenorTed! Look!

Ted spins andthe paper stays still.He stops.

TED
My God! They're launchingthe ZR-2300. Do you know what that is,Jose?
BOY
Themuffler bracket fora '78Pinto.
TED
No, that's an XR-2200. The XR-2300 isthe Mercury shuttle.They can't do it!
36

EXT. HOTEL MONTENEGRO

Ted racesout.

TED
Taxi!

SFX:A DOZEN CARS SCREECHAND CRASH INTOEACH OTHER. HORNS STICK.

ANGLE ON PILE OF CARS

Ted jumps intothe taxi on bottom of pile. The driver POUNDS on his HORN -- itCONTINUES TO BLARE as they pull away,dragging other taxis.

TED
Houston, Texas.
DRIVER
Houston, Texas, senor??
TED
Right atthe corner, leftat the light. Here's amap and stepon it!

Tedthrows a map onto the floorof the front seat. The driver stepson the map.

37

EXT. TERMINAL, PASSENGER ARRIVALS - NIGHT

An old truck loadedhigh with furniturepulls up. A YOUNG MAN andhis PARENTS, looking likethe family from THE GRAPES OF WRATH, get out.

SON
We finallymade it,Ma. Mercury. We're gonna startall over agin. A whole new life.

MUSIC: OPTIMISTIC.

SON
Where the soil isrich.

He bends down and takes a handful of earth from the terminal sidewalkand letsit run through his fingers.

SON
And theunion strong.Where men are free to realizetheir true potential.

A black PORTER approaches and grabs a bag at the bottom of theirpile of junk.

PORTER
Can Ihelp you?
SON
Where black men and white men, working together,can move mountains.

ThePorter pulls the bag and the entire mountain of junk cascadesto the ground.

ANGLE ON TED'S TAXI ARRIVING

It is covered inmud, flames shootout from under the hood, the HORN BLARES. The driver flipsoff the meter which reads, "874,567,004,500,000,000."The numbers run off themeter along a specialattachment.

DRIVER
That'llbe eighthundred and seventy-four Zillion quastavitas.
TED
Here's three bucks. Keep the change.
DRIVER
Thankyou!!
38

INT. TERMINAL

STELLABARRINGTON pushes her wheelchair-ridden father, DR. CYRUSBARRINGTON, through the terminal crowd. A PORTER approaches.

PORTER
You folksneed any help?
STELLA
Thanks,but we have a terrific woman inon Thursdays.
PORTER
Say, isn'tthat Dr. Barrington, the world- renowned agronomist?
STELLA
Yes.
PORTER
It's aprivilege to meet you, sir, I'm familiarwith all your work.
STELLA
Let's go,Daddy. We have to check in.
(toPorter)
He was never appreciated at the Institute.
PORTER
Ah, yes, the Institute, I'mfamiliar with it.
STELLA
Now he's D-Y-I-N-Ging and wants to be buried on Mercury.

Stellapushes her fatheraway as another PORTER approaches our firstPorter.

PORTER 2
Say,wasn't that Dr. Barrington, the world-renowned agronomist?
PORTER 1
That's right.Are you familiarwith his work?
PORTER 2
No, but the missus sure is.

ANGLE ON TED AT ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES MONITORS

The departures sidereads, "MERCURYSHUTTLE - DEPARTS 6:15 AM "

TED
(to self)
Ihave to stopthat flight.

Tedpushes his way through the crowd past two businessmen. HOLD on them as BUSINESSMAN 1 straightensBUSINESSMAN 2's tie andhair.

BUSINESSMAN 1
Don't worry about the Viatex account. It's abuy-sell option. We can't get hurt in eithercase.
BUSINESSMAN 2
Justkeep on top of their legalpeople, Bob.
BUSINESSMAN 1
Don't sweat it.

Theykiss andpart.

ANGLE ON "1STCLASS" TICKET LINE

AGENT
(totraveller)
We can take your in-flightdinner orders here, ifyou like.Today there's lobster orrack of lamb.
TRAVELLER
The lobster soundsnice.

TheAgent throws a huge lobster intoa steaming cauldron.

SFX:LOBSTER SCREAM.

TED
(rushingup)
Where can I findmission control?
AGENT
(withoutpointing or indicating in anyway)
Information'sover there.
TED
Thanks.

He seems abit puzzled but moves on.

ANGLE ON "2NDCLASS" LINE

Tedpasses travellers in rags.

AGENT
(totraveller in rags)
Todaythere's the swillor the slop.
TRAVELLER
The slop soundsnice.

Tedpasses the "NOCLASS" line.Travellers in line all wear gaudydouble-knit suits,white belts and shoes, carry lava lamps andbongo drums, wear alpine hats, etc. The agenthands a NO CLASS traveller his ticket with large foam dicedangling. Ted spotsthe INFORMATIONcounter and heads for it.

ANGLE ON INFORMATIONCOUNTER

MAN
(to InfoAgent)
What's the fastestanimal on earth?
INFOAGENT
The cheetah.Next.
WOMAN
Should I fakemy orgasms?
INFOAGENT
Yes. Next.

Next in lineare three armed, bearded "TERRORISTS."

"TERRORIST" 1 Please, where is flightto Miami?

INFOAGENT
(without indicatinganything)
Over there. Next.

TheTERRORISTS leave lookingconfused.

TED
Mission control?
INFOAGENT
(without indicatinganything)
It'sover therrrrrrr!

The agent is shotwith an arrow and slumps over the counter.

ZOOMTO:

CLOSEUPOF TED

He looks inthe CAMERA.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

TED
That's strange. I justcame fromover there.
39

INT.TERMINAL -ANOTHER AREA

Elaine, Simon,and FRANK MORGAN, the shuttle pilot, talk.

FRANK
I'llmeet you on board. I'vegot some business to attend to.

Frank leaves.

SIMON
(toElaine)
Frank's the best pilot inthe program.
ELAINE
I'm so excited, Simon.
SIMON
I guessthis isa firstfor you.
ELAINE
No, I'vebeen excited before.
TED (0.S.)
Elaine.
ELAINE
(turningaround)
Te...!
TED
That'snot importantnow, Elaine. We have totalk.

Simonpulls Elaine away. They all walk and talk.

ELAINE
Ted,we've been worried sick ever since you escaped fromthe Ronald Reagan InstituteFor The Mentally Feeble.

Theywalk faster.The b.g. starts whipping by as if they're running.Wind blows intheir hair.

TED
Are you on the Mercury mission?
SIMON
That's right,Striker. And we're getting married when we return.

Theb.g. moves faster.The wind gets stronger. They pass a marathon refreshment standand are handed wet sponges and cupsof Gatoraid.

TED
It's gotto be stopped!
ELAINE
But, Ted, the invitationshave already goneout.
TED
Imean the Mercury flight. It'snot safe and,Kurtz, you know why.

5 IMON You're stillcrazy, Striker. Come on, sweetheart.

Simonpulls Elaine away as she looksback with empathy.

ELAINE
What didTed mean?

They leaveTed standing.

SIMON
Elaine, he's stillsick.

ANGLE ON TED

Thewind is stillblowing inhis hair even though he stands still.Ted has a FLASHBACK.

DISSOLVE TO:
40

INT.ROCKET HANGAR

Ted, in flightcoveralls, followsafter Simon who is overseeingthe operation.

oIMON You're seeingbugs where they don't exist, Striker.

TED
(holdingwire)
Look atthis wiring. It's shortingout under high temperatures.

oIMON You're tired, Striker, overworked. That wiring meets all the safety specifications.

TED
Iknow you've been subtly spreading the word that I'mhaving a breakdown.

A NEWSPAPER BOY passes.

NEWSIE
Shuttletest pilot goes mad!

A TECHNICIAN --JACOBS --enters with drawings of flight outfits.

JACOBS
Sir,these arethe designs forthe flight uniforms. Ithink the captain's isto die.

oIMON (with drawings) Good, good, no, no, good. What's this?! I saidno studdeddog collars, Jacobs.

Jacobsgrabs the drawings and leaves ina huff.

TED
You won't get away with this, Simon!

Tedturns to leaveand bumps right intoElaine. She holds him.

ELAINE
Ted,what's wrong?
TED
(pullingaway fromher)
Ask Simon.

Inb.g. acar isparked by a huge rocket engine. A worker opensthe hood and strings jumpercables to the rocket. A Sign aboverocket reads, "ROCKETENGINE TEST AREA."

ELAINE
Ted,you're overworked. You've been flying yourself intothe ground.
TED
There'snothing wrong with me!
ELAINE
Let's relaxtonight, justthe two of us. T'llmake aquiet Italiandinner justthe way you like it,with spaghetti.
TED
You're asbad as the rest of them, Elaine!
(ranting)
It's allhere inthe design specifications!
(grabsplans froma passing technician)
Look! It'sall here!

Simon signalsthe guards. They grab Ted. He struggles and rants.A DOCTOR inwhite approaches and injects something intoTed's arm.

ELAINE
No! Wait! You're hurting him!

Ted fallsunconscious. Simon holds Elaine.

SIMON
Elaine! Ted's a danger to himself, he's a threatto this mission and his behavior does absolutelynothing to promote peace inthe Middle East.
ELAINE
(cryingon Simon's shoulder)
Simon,why has he become so...so...
SIMON
Somentally ill?

Elaine collapses on Simon's shoulder,sobbing. Simon smiles evilly.The technician with the jumpercables, b.g., Signalsthe driver to start the car. The car revs andthe rocket fires.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:

SCENE

Ted still standingalone and muttering.

TED
(to self)
I'mperfectly sane.

Tednotices StellaBarrington lookingat him.

STELLA
Excuse me, areyou alright? Inoticed you talkingto yourself. I'ma nurse. Can Ibe of somehelp?
TED
Uh...oh, thank you. It'snothing.
STELLA
You don'thave to thank me, I'ma nurse. This ismy father,Dr. Barrington.
TED
Not Dr. Barrington, the world renowned agronomist?
STELLA
Yes. He's dying a-n-dwants to be buried onMercury.
TED
I'm familiarwith your work, Doctor. You'll have to excuseme, Ihave to go.
STELLA
You don'thave to excuseyourself. I'ma nurse. Iunderstand.

Ted leaves.

41

INT. TERMINAL -OUTSIDE DRUGSTORE

SIMON
Meet me onboard, sweetheart. Ihave to pick up a fewthings at the drugstore.
ELAINE
(checkingher watch)
Don't be too long.

Simonwalks intothe drugstore past a DRUGGIST who whispers to him:

DRUGGIST
Uppers, downers,coke, speed,hash, Tampax.

ANGLE ON ELAINE

Ted approaches.We see light flashesfrom a 25¢ photo booth.

TED
Elaine.
ELAINE
Ted,please. You're justmaking things difficult foryourself.

A WOMAN INBLACK GARTER BELT emerges from photo booth followedby a donkey.

TED
Elaine, what happened to us?
ELAINE
Ted, I lovedyou and I'llalways love you. But Ineed Simon.He's stable.He's a good provider. Iwant that at this stageof the game,Ted. He might have his faults, but Simon doesn'tknow the meaning of the word fear and Ineed that ina man.

TheDruggist hands Simona huge bottle of pills. The label reads, "ANTI-FEARPILLS."

SIMON
(lookingat the label, "ANTI- FEAR PILLS")
What doesthis word mean?
DRUGGIST
(lookingat label)
'Fear,'to be afraid or over-anxious.

Simon swallowsa handful of pills, braces himself and walks out rightthrough the plate glass window without feeling athing.

Ted is still followingElaine.

TED
Elaine, someonehas to listento me. I'm going rightto mission control.

A kid bops by with a huge (5'x3'x2')oak cabinet, TV/ stereoconsole perched on his shoulder.

MUSIC: DISCO.

ELAINE
Ted,you shouldgo right back to the hospital.

Elaine leavesand Ted has another FLASHBACK.

DISSOLVE TO:
42

INT.MENTAL HOSPITAL

PAN by dorm window. We seea Signon grounds outside -- "THERONALD REAGAN INSTITUTEOF SUPPLY-SIDE ECONOMICS AND HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE."PAN patient in bed, accountantat desk, patient in bed, accountant at desk, Ted inbed. Ted has electrodes attached to his head. A NURSE with "I (heart)NORMAL" on the back of her uniform, hands Ted somepills. He isabout to pop them when she stopshim.

NURSE
That's $38.

Tedhands her bills.

LOOSEN to findElaine on other sideof bed. She turns off the radio andopens a box of spaghetti-to-go.

ELAINE
Bat this spaghetti,Ted. It'llmake you feel a lotbetter.

SFX:GROANING O.S.

ELAINE
Who's that, Ted?
TED
SammyDavis Junior. Terrible car accident. He hasn't been the same since.

ANGLE ON SAMMYDAVIS

A white patient in lotsof gold chains. A Nurse stands overhim andpulls a longoil dip-stick from his mouth, checks it,wipes itoff and replaces it.

RETURN TO SCENE

TED
Elaine, when areyou going to realize SimonKurtz put me inhere to get me out ofthe way.
ELAINE
And when areyou going to realize, Ted, thatyour mental hygiene is the most importantthing rightnow.

VOICE (0.S.) (ranting) Itworks...No, itdoesn't...Yes, itdoes.

ELAINE
What's his problem?

ANGLE

On BEARDED MAN inrags chained to wall.

MAN
It doeswork...No, itdoesn't.

ANGLE

On Ted andElaine.

TED
His name's David Stockman.He's been here twentyyears, that's all he says.
ELAINE
Ted,you must remember what the doctor said,the first stepon the road to sanity is admittingthat you're sick. Now take your electro-shockand you'll be back at the spacecenter inno time. And by the way, Ted, I'm leavingyou for Simon.

Ted gagson his spaghetti.

ELAINE
I just can'tgo on living with a man who refusesto deal with reality, Ted. Ihave togo now. Believe me, it'sbest forall concerned.

Elaine leansover to kiss Ted. He turns away.

TED
No goodbyes,Elaine. Just go.
ELAINE
Ifthat's the way you want it.
TED
That'sthe way Iwant it.Just turn the radioon andgo.
ELAINE
Goodbye, Ted. Idon't want to hurt you.

Elaine flipsa switchby the bed thinking it's the radio. It'sthe "ELECTRO-SHOCK."Ted goes intoconvulsions as she leaves.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:

TEDAT TERMINAL

He rubs his temples.

43

INT.TERMINAL -OUTSIDE BOOKSTORE

Frank Morgan kisses JANE DENNIS, his mistress. In b.g. is abookstore window with a display of yellow covered books with plain black titles and a signadvertising, "NO-NAME BOOKS."

Visible titles include: "DEEPBOOK," "FASCINATINGBOOK," "THEWORLD ACCORDING TO JOHN DOE." A man next to the window readsa newspaper with headline, "SENSELESSMURDER UP 99%AND RISING!"

FRANK
Carol'snot going to give me a divorce that easily,Jane.
JANE
I'mworried about her, Frank. She could do something senseless, somethingviolent.
FRANK
You're the one who's not making sense, Jane.Carol's not the violent...

Frank seesCAROL.

FRANK
Carol!

Carolwhips out a gun.

FRANK
No! This is senseless!

CAROL

FIRES. Jane faints.Other women nearby faint. Two S.W.A.T. cops faint.Carol bolts. The newspaper, b.g., clicks over from 99%to 120%.

44

INT. TERMINAL -ANOTHER AREA

Tedpushes through crowd and passes a spherical booth with Signthat reads, "ORGASMICEXPERIENCES, 25¢." MRS. GOOCH, an elderlywoman, stopsTed next to the booth door.

MRS. GOOCH
Young man, would you have change fora twenty?
TED
(going forhis wallet)
Imight have two tens.
MRS. GOOCH
Thankyou anyway,but Iwanted it in quarters.

Tedkeeps moving past a police linewhich has gone up aroundFrank Morgan's body. We HOLD on the murder scene. A DETECTIVE kneels beside the body which now has a chalk mark around it.

SERGEANT
(looking down atDetective)
When isthis senselesskilling going to stop?
DETECTIVE HALLICK
Senselessor not, Sergeant,there's a pattern here. This isthe 12thvictim this week with achalk mark around the body. I want this whole area cordonedoff! Iwant everyone inthis terminal booked and beaten until they talk. Iwant an M.O. on everyonewho has seenTHE SOUND OF MUSIC and Iwant the entirepopulation of Hawaii off that rockand intothe water within onehour.

Hallick standsup and findsthe area surrounded by 30 accordianplayers playing "Ladyof Spain."

DETECTIVE HALLICK
Sergeant. I saidcordon off, not accordian off!Now dust this area forprints.

One coppulls out a duster and dusts the wall. Other cops follow afterhim hanging prints by Picasso, Lautrec, etc.

DETECTIVE HALLICK
And run acheck on their plates.

A cop looksat people's upper falseteeth plates.

DETECTIVE HALLICK
(TOCAMERA)
When will this senselesskilling end?

A POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER straddles the body and shoots it "BLOW-UP" style.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Super!Great! Super! Terrific! Super!
45

INT.MISSION CONTROL -EXECUTIVE OFFICE

KRUGER
That's right,Commissioner. Senselessly murdered justminutes ago.
COMMISSIONER
That justdoesn't make any sense.
KRUGER
Iwonder how your boys inWashington are goingto take this one.
COMMISSIONER
I toldyou, leavethe boys inWashington tothe boys downtown and the boys down...
KRUGER
You've made your point, Commissioner. There'sonly one other pilot who can handle that shuttleand that's Clarence Oveur. He's got a lunarflight today. I want him pulled.
(toJacobs)
Jacobs,pull Oveur!
JACOBS
Not inyour size,but Ihave a cardigan.

He runs out.

COMMISSIONER
I'lltrust you on this, Bud, but I'ma littlenervous about Oveur's record.

TheCommissioner throws an album on Kruger's desk. On the cover is aphoto of Oveur with an accordian. The title reads, "CLARENCEOVEUR'S 400 POLKA FAVORITES."

MUSIC: DRAMATIC ACCORDIAN STING.

CAPTAINOVEUR buys flight insurance froma machine. Simon approaches.

SIMON
CaptainOveur?
OVEUR
Mr. Kurtz, Ipresume.
SIMON
We don't have much time. Let's move. I'll explain everything.

Theywalk awaypast the Transcendental Air counter. Two HARI KRISHNA AGENTS smileat customers.

HAIR KRISHNA
Chantingor non-chanting?
46

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM

PAN alongControllers at their monitors. Monitors show the shuttleon gantry.

CONTROLLER 1
This isMercury launchcontrol at "T" minus fifty-eightminutes and counting. All systemsare go. Clear launcharea.

ANGLE ON NASA WORKERS AT LUNCH TABLE

They rise and startclearing their dishes.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
(onP.A.)
I said 'launch'not '‘'lunch'!

Theworkers sitdown.

47

INT. TERMINAL

Oveur and Simonhurry along.

SIMON
That'show dry cleaning works. Now I'd liketo quicklygo over the digestive systemof amphibians.
OVEUR
Do you think it'snecessary to explain everything?

Simon spotsTed getting directions froma security guard.

SIMON
T'llmeet you on board. There's something Ihave to take care of first.
48

INT.MISSION CONTROL HEAD OFFICE - RECEPTION

Ted rushes inand up to the RECEPTIONIST.

TED
Ihave to seeBud Kruger.
RECEPTIONIST
Do you have anappointment, sir?
TED
No, dammit. It'sa matter of life or death.
RECEPTIONIST
You'll have to be more specificthan that, sir.
TED
All right, it'sa matter of death.
RECEPTIONIST
(checkingher book)
Death, death.How about the firstThursday inMarch, ten o'clock.

Tedbolts by her and grabs a door knob on the wall.

RECEPTIONIST
You can'tgo inthere!
TED
Don't try to stopme!
RECEPTIONIST
But that's not a door. The door's over there.

She doesn't indicatedirection.

ZOOMto CLOSEUP of Ted.

TED
That's strange. I justcame from...

Suddenly,Ted fallsunconscious into the arms of two guards.LOOSEN to findthe Doctor holding a needle in his arm and Simonnext to the Doctor.

ANGLE

On Ted's feet.His heels make lines in dirt as he is dragged fromthe office.

49

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM

PAN Controllers at their monitors.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
(onP.A.)
This isMercury control at "T"minus fifty minutes andcounting. Commence loading of passengers requiring specialboarding assistance.
50

EXT. TERMINAL -LOADING AREA

Ground crew liftpassengers who are stacked on a luggage tram andheave them onto a conveyor belt leading up to the ship.

JOE SALUCCI (imagineVan Heflin) bids his WIFE (imagine
Cher)goodbye. Joe isvery nervous, sweating a lot. His Wife hands him a fewcrumpled bills.
WIFE
Takethis, Joey. It'smy last fewbucks. You'll need a hot meal when you get there.
JOE
We've spent everythingon these operations. Is itreally worth it?We've pawned your mother's wedding ring. The kids have no winter clothes...
WIFE
(holdinga fingerto his lips)
Joey,what's more important,the kids' clothesor your sexualpotency.
JOE
(anxiously lookingaround)
I don'twant to hear that word!
WIFE
Okay, Joey. The Doc says you gotta relax. Thishospital inDes Moines isthe best sex clinic inthe country.
JOE
All right.
(handsher an envelope)
Here.
WIFE
What...?
JOEY
Insurance. Everyone buys it.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

WIFE
All right.Goodbye, Babe.

Shekisses him. He recoils, wipes off his mouth, and leaves. She looksat the envelope, then yells at him throughthe crowd.

WIFE
Joey!Remember, sexual impotence is nothing to be ashamed of!

The entireterminal looksat him.

51

INT.TERMINAL STORAGEROOM

Ted istied to a chair surroundedby packing crates -- one is stamped "JIMMYHOFFA, THIS END UP" with the arrow pointing to the ground. Ted strugglesto free his hands.

52

INT.TERMINAL GIFT SHOP

Joe Salucci standsat the counter.

JOE
(toCashier)
Time,Newsweek, the Lifesavers, and the secondtime bomb fromthe right.

He points atthe shelfbehind the Cashier where a number ofbombs areon display.

ANGLE ON CANDY MACHINE INGIFT SHOP

The actualDR. BENJAMIN SPOCK standsin front of the machine. Next to the machine at the magazine rack is a red-beardedMAN intweed jacketand a tartan kilt reading amagazine titled "GAYSCOTS." Spock puts a coin in the machine and it explodes in sparksand smoke like the bridge panel on "STARTREK."

SCOTT
(Scottishaccent)
My God, Dr. Spock!You've got a meltdown inthe Reggie Bars!
53

INT.TERMINAL CORRIDOR

Joe Salucci snapshis attache case closed. Wipes the sweat fromhis brow. Takes out a "DesMoines" ticket and throws itaway. Looks at another ticket -- "Mercury."Takes a last drag fromhis cigarette, throws it on the ground and hurries off. The cigarette rolls under the "STORAGEROOM" door.

54

INT. STORAGEROOM

Ted,tied inchair, watches the cigarette roll up to some oil rags.They burst into flame.The flames lap up against

ayellow oil drum labeled "EXPLOSIVE."PAN to three more drums labeled, "DYNAMIC!", "BRILLIANT!", "AMUST SEE!".

55

INT.TERMINAL OUTSIDE STORAGE ROOM

EDITH and DAVE WALTERS, a middle-aged couple, carry their hand luggage.Edith appears very nervous.

DAVE
I'mtelling you, Edith, space travel is saferthan driving a car.

The storage roomdoor EXPLODES open infront of them. Ted fliesout with the debris. Edith faints.

Ted getsup, brushes himself off and heads to the ticket counter justas the ticket agent flipsa sign over that reads, "MERCURY -- SOLDOUT." Ted spots a SCALPER and reaches forhis wallet.

SCALPER
Mercury seats. Igot a pair. Igot aisle seats,window seats.Check 'emout.
56

INT. SHUTTLECOCKPIT -MORNING

Computerizedpanels lineall walls. Windows are similar to anairplane --outside carwash brushes soap down the nose. The "HOTWAX" sign flashes.Two attendants wipe windows with soapgloves and move to the DISTANT STRAINS of "CAR WASH." Elaine sitsat computer, two other CREW are in their seats. Simonenters with Oveur.

oIMON Gentlemen, this isCaptain Oveur. He's takingover forFrank Morgan.

MR. UNGER
What's the problem?
SIMON
Morgan was senselesslymurdered about an hour ago.

Elaine gasps.

MR. DUNN
(black, sportsafro)
Murdered? Ihope it'snot serious.
SIMON
We won't know until after the autopsy.
MR. DUNN
Of course. Welcome aboard, Sir.
OVEUR
Good to be aboard, gentlemen.
SIMON
CaptainOveur, your navigator, Mr. Unger, andyour firstofficer, Mr. Dunn.

They shakehands.

OVEUR
Unger.
UNGER
Oveur.
DUNN
Oveur.
OVEUR
Dunn.
SIMON
And Ithink everyoneknows Elaine.

They all smile.

57

INT.TERMINAL SECURITYCHECK AREA - "MERCURYGATE"

TheTerrorists still seemconfused as to where they're going.They pass through the securitymetal detector, guns raised abovetheir heads. A GUARD runs a hand-held metal detectorup and down their bodies. At the same time, Mrs. Gooch isbeing held spread-eagle against the wall. One Guard holds a gun to her head, another frisks her. Ted moves through behind the Terrorists.

TERRORIST
(toGuard)
Is flightto Miami, yes?
GUARD
No.
TERRORIST
Thankyou. Thank you.

A young boy passes through the X-ray tunnel. His dental chartappears on the screen.A DENTIST at the other end stopshim and looks inhis mouth.

DENTIST
Open.

THEBERGMAN FAMILY -- SVEN, KRISTA, and their two CHILDREN --all dressed likethe emigrants, look up at the "MERCURYGATE" sign.They shouldbe shot like characters from aBergman "film."

SVEN
Mercury, Krista. A whole new world to be depressed about.
KRISTA
Ya, Sven.
CHILD 1
Will we die, Pappa?
SVEN
We all die, Ingrid.
CHILD 2
Will we die soon,Pappa?
SVEN
Soon?What isthe real meaning of 'soon'?

The carwash continues with attendants wiping the ship down.

OVEUR
(flips a switch)
Atmosphere control.
UNGER
(flips a switch)
Atmosphere control, check.

A carwash attendant opens a sidedoor to the cockpit and enters inheadphones, moving to "CARWASH," with a vacuum. He cleans the floorand an ashtray and finds a baseball behind the Captain's seatwhich he pockets.

OVEUR
(flips a switch)
Anti-gravity.

The carwash attendant floatsto the ceiling.

DUNN
(flips a switch)
Anti-gravity, check.

The attendantcrashes to the floor.

Elaine sitsat the R.O.K.-4000 computer. She seems to be having aproblem with a switch.

ELAINE
(to self)
That'sodd.
58

INT.BOWELS OF R.O.K. COMPUTER

A circuitboard justbelow the R.O.K.-4000 logo shorts. Sparks fly.A firestarts.

OVEUR
(lookingout the window)
IThopethat weather doesn't give us a problem.
(heopens the window and holds his hand out)
What's your temperature reading, Mr. Unger.
UNGER
(pulls athermometer fromhis mouth)
Ninety-eight point six.
59

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM

CONTROLLER 2
There seemsto be some fogrolling infrom thewest.
CONTROLLER 1
Mike, giveme a density reading. I just hope it'snot too heavy.
CONTROLLER 3
(reading froma book like Richard Burton)
The fog,the fog,the torment clouded my mind. Derision, contempt...
CONTROLLER 1
That'sheavy.
60

INT. SHIPDOOR

Flight attendant, MARY MORRIS, welcomes passengers aboard.

MARY
(to Stella and father)
Welcome aboard. Isn'tthat Dr. Barrington, theworld renownedagronomist?
STELLA
Yes --he's dying and wants to be buried in thenew l-a-n-d.
MARY
(to Joe Salucci)
Welcome aboard.Can Itake your case?
JOE
(clutchingcase)
No!

Mary giveshim a lookas he passes inside.The OKIES move by. HENRY stopsat door, bends down, picks up an ear of corn andpulls itapart.

HENRY
There's awhole new world in front of us, Ma. Where the dictatorship of the proletariat will leadworkers and peasants into socialismwithout the revisionist diversionsof bourgeois liberals, Trotskiests,or disillusioned Maoist terrorism.

TheOkies pass inside.

MARY
(looking atthem; to self)
Doesn't he realize that a weak proletariat needs a strong liberalbourgeoisie ina joint struggleagainst monopoly Capitalism?

Ted stops atthe door surroundedby boarding passengers.

SUPER:PSYCHIATRIST.

PSYCHIATRIST
We can't begin to help you until you admit thatyou are sick,Ted.
(echo)
SickTed, sickTed, sickTed...

Theboarding passengers lookaround forthe echoing voice.

61

EXT. TARMAC -DAY

Sarg looksup through the glass-walled corridor that leads tothe shipdoor and spotsTed.

SARG
(toCO-WORKER)
Well, I'llbe a monkey's uncle; Ted Striker.
(holdingburnt wire)
Jack, Igot a bad feeling inmy gut about thismission.

Inb.g. a Sign reads, "DANGER-- FUEL, ABSOLUTELY NO VOMITTING."

WORKER
What'd you have fordinner?
SARG
The fish,why?

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

Sargbends down OUT OF FRAME.

SFX:THROWING UP.

A huge EXPLOSION FILLS THE FRAME.

Fog rollspast cockpit window.

OVEUR
We shouldbe readyto launch as soon as this fog lifts.
62

EXT. RUNWAY

An ENGLISH BOBBY passes a woman in 19th-Centurycostume in the fog.He tips his hat and moves on. A caped man steps outof the fogand strangles her.

Passengers are taking their seats.Ted spots Elaine and moves towards her. The Terrorists look confused. Joe Salucciclutches his case and wipes his brow. Mary takes a man's suitbag.

MARY
Can Ihang that foryou, sir?
MAN
Thanks.

Mary hangs the bag froma rope noose in the closet, pulls a lever,the bag drops likea man being executed.

SFX: SCREAMAND THUD.

Unger looksout the window.

UNGER
It looks likethat weather isclearing.
63

EXT. SKY -DAY (STOCK)

Dramatic stock footageof clouds parting and sun exploding through.

MUSIC: A CLARION TRUMPET CRESCENDO.

64

INT.CABIN -OUTSIDE COCKPIT DOOR

Tedmoves up to Elaine, who isabout to enter the cock pit.

TED
Elaine.

Sheturns andgasps.

44,

ELAINE
Ted!What areyou...?
TED
Ihave to get inthere. Ihave to stop this flight.

SFX:BELL.

INSERT -FLASHING SIGN - "PLEASETAKE YOUR SEATS"

BACK TO SCENE

ELAINE
Ted,we're taking off!
TED
Let me by, Elaine.

Mary passes.

MARY
Please take your seats.

As Ted turns to Mary, Elaine slips intothe cockpit and locksthe door --

SFX:DOOR LOCKING.

Tedtries the door.

TED
Elaine!

INSERT -SIGN - "WE SAID,TAKE YOUR SEAT OR CAN'T YOU READ, ASSHOLE!"

Elaine leansback against the door. She is highly agitated. Simon,the administrative officer, and other crew are intheir seats.

oIMON Whenever your're ready,Captain.

OVEUR
Yes, Sir,commander.
OVEUR
(into radio)
This isMercury One. Everything seemsA- okayup here and ready forcount-down.

ZOOMto CLOSEUP of Elaine's face.

DISSOLVE TO:
65

EXT. HOSPITAL GROUNDS -DAY

Dr. Rumack and Elaine walk across the well-groomed lawn. Elaine carries a box of spaghetti-to-go.As they walk, theypass patients inwheelchairs pushed by nurses. The furtherthey walk, the more wheelchairs appear until the lawn is jammedwith two hundred wheelchairs bumping into each other,patients fallingout, total wheelchair chaos.

ELAINE
Ted seemedto get worse after Itold him about Simon,Doctor.
RUMACK
Thehuman brain isa highly complex organ, Elaine, perhaps the most complex next to thebladder.
(he stopsat a patient ina wheelchair with his back TO CAMERA)
Let me showyou.
(Rumackremoves the top of the patient's skulland takes out his brain asthey continue on)
Ted'sproblem is inthis area.
(pointswith a pencil)
This area,this area, here, here, here, under here, here...

Theywalk OUT OF FRAME as wheelchair demolition derby FILLS SCREEN.

66

EXT. HOSPITAL GROUNDS -GARDEN AREA - DAY

Rumack and Elaine walk INTOFRAME still talking.

RUMACK
Soyou see,our task isn'tmade any easier by Ted's refusal to admit that he's sick.
ELAINE
What canI do,Doctor Rumack?

He stopsnext to a sign, "HOSPITALGARDEN."

RUMACK
You can eatbalanced meals, exercise, and takeGeritol.
ELAINE
Imean forTed.
RUMACK
You canbe gentle with him, Elaine. He's been working out a lot of his aggressions here inthe garden.
ELAINE
Isthat agood sign,Doctor?

Rumack holds the "HOSPITALGARDEN" sign.

RUMACK
It doesthe job.
ANGLE ON TED
He is rippingup smalltrees, shrubs, etc., andthrowing them onto a huge pile ofmud that resemblesthe mountain that Dreyfuss built in "CloseEncounters."
ELAINE
Hello, Ted.

Ted ignoresher as he works frantically.

ELAINE
(holdingout box)
Ibrought you somespaghetti.

Ted still ignoresher as he works feverishly.

ELAINE
What areyou doing, Ted?
TED
I've got it,Elaine! I've figuredout what's wrong with the shuttle!

Ted scurriesaround.

ELAINE
Ted.
TED
Not now, Elaine!
ELAINE
Ted!

He ignoresher. Rumack walks up and puts an arm around her shoulder.Elaine starts to sob.

RUMACK
Thebrain isan amazingly complex organ, Elaine.
ELAINE
Ishe making any progress, Doctor?
RUMACK
Yes -- lastweek that pile of mud was only thishigh.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:

Elaine takes her seat.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
Mark 'T'minus twenty and counting.
OVEUR
Gentlemen, let'sget this bucket into space.
(flips switches)
Ignition set.
67

EXT. SHIP

Steam spewsout fromengines.

68

INT.CONTROL ROOM

CONTROLLER 1
Mark 'T'minus thirty seconds.

PAN backs of a number of Controllers at screens, talking NASA jargon.We PASS one inprison stripes talking through mesh to his wife.

OVEUR
(flippingmore switches)
Ignition.
CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
'T'minus nine, eight, seven...
69

EXT. SHIP

Rockets fire.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
Six, five, four...
70

INT.CONTROL ROOM

CONTROLLER 1
Three...

Jacobs runs inwith a camera, yelling:

JACOBS
Stop!One shot.

All Controllers turn and smile.The count-down stops. Jacobs flasheshis camera.

JACOBS
Wonderful!

TheControllers continue.

CONTROLLER 1
Two,one.

The shipvibrates.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
You have lift-off,Mercury One.

TheG-force causes the crew's hair to go straight back. Dunn's afro straightensand staysback throughout flight.

TheG-force causes passengers' hair to go straight back. A buxom woman looksdown at her bust -- it's completely flat.

TheG-force returnsto normal as the shuttle breaks earth'sgravitational hold.

OVEUR
Jettisonbooster stagesone and two.
UNGER
(flipping switches)
Booster jettisoned.
71

EXT. SHIP -BOOSTER STAGES (STOCK)

Stock footageof booster fallingaway.

72

EXT. OCEAN (SET)- DAY

A cheapmodel of the Greenpeace 11sails blithely along. Thebooster stagecareens through the atmosphere, crashes intothe Greenpeace, and sinks it.

OVEUR
Shut down accelerators.
DUNN
Accelerators down.

The crew all lookat the floor.

OVEUR
Elaine, askROK fora field interference scan.Those sun spotsmight give us a problem with our communications.
ELAINE
(flippingcomputer switches)
Yes, Sir.

The computer is labeledR.O.K. She seems to have a problem getting itto respond.

ELAINE
(to self)
That's really strange.
73

INT.BOWELS OF COMPUTER (LABELED "ROK")

The electrical firecontinues.

Elaine flipsa switchon computer. A "VOICEINTERFACE" Sign lightsup.

ELAINE
Intermitant failure in scanmode "R". Analyze.
ROK
Negative.
ELAINE
(to self)
That doesn'tmake sense.
(toROK)
Repeat analysis.
ROK
Negative.
ELAINE
(to self)
That'snot possible.
ROK
Cutthe Doubting Thomas shit, Elaine. I know where I'mcoming fromon this.

Elaine istaken aback.

74

INT.BOWELS OF COMPUTER

Sparks fly, fire spreads.

Mary moves down the aisle checking passengers. She passes Father O'Flanagan who reads ALTERBOY magazine -- an alterboy inbikini bathing suiton cover.

Shepasses Mrs. Gooch who reads HIGH TIMES. She stops ata ten-year-oldGIRL.

MARY
I guessthis ispretty exciting foryou.
GIRL
Yes, it is.How longwill the trip take?
MARY
Our actual flighttime isover fourteen months, but due to the time-space variant at sub-light speeds,our onboard flight timewill be justover eighteen hours.

Mary leavesand the Girl turns to the WOMAN beside her.

GIRL
Gee, Mom, how does that work?
WOMAN
(verytense)
How many times do Ihave to tell you, I'm not your mother! I'venever seenyou before!

TheWoman vibrates inmultiple imageand grabs her temple.

GIRL (V.O.)
Why did sheyell at me likethat?

A MAN who looks likeRobert Young sits down beside the Girl.

MAN
Hallucinating again, Rhonda?
GIRL
(takinga paper bag away from her face)
I don'tknow what it is.
MAN
Maybe it'sthe brand of glue you've been sniffing.Why don't you try this, NO-HI. It givesyou all the pleasure of glue without the brain damage.

ANGLE ON TESTA (ANOTHERFLIGHT ATTENDANT)

She iscompletely bald.

TESTA
Somethingto read, sir?
JOE
(clutchinghis case)
Do you have PSYCHO MONTH?
TESTA
I think so.Here you are.

Shehands him a copy of PSYCHO MONTH with Alexander Haig's photo on cover.

ANOTHER PART OF CABIN

Ted sits ata window seatand looksout. A TEXAN sits on aisle.Mary approaches.

MARY
(to Texan)
Would you like somethingto read?
TEXAN
I don't reada whole lot,but what have you got,hon?
MARY
TIME,NEWSWEEK, BUSINESS WEEK, and the TALMUD...

Shepoints to a car next to her with twenty-four large volumes.

MARY
Thetwenty-four volume dissertation on the Hebrew law.
TEXAN
Let me try that Talmud.
MARY
(to Ted)
And you, sir?
TED
(distracted)
Oh... Popular Electronics.

Mary hands him the POP ELEC. He opens it. The magazine sparks and smokes. ZOOMto CLOSEUP of Ted.

SUPER:PSYCHIATRIST

PSYCHIATRIST
You must admitthat you're sick,Ted.
(echo)
SickTed, sickTed...

ThePsychiatrist looks around forthe source of the echo.

LOSE SUPER.

TEXAN
(to Ted)
Wanta switchwhen we're finished?

Ted getsup and moves past the TEXAN, handing him the POP ELEC.

TED
Here. Ineed someoxygen.

Simon standsover Elaine's shoulder looking at ROK.

SIMON
Have you got it straightenedout now?
ELAINE
I think so.
SIMON
That'smy girl.

He sitsdown. Elaine flipsa switchon the computer.

ANGLE ON ROK'S PULSATING EYE

ROK
Elaine, I'm sorryabout that little outbursta moment ago.
ELAINE
That'sokay, ROK.
ROK
Can I say somethingof a personal nature toyou?
ELAINE
Go ahead.
ROK
You have greattits.

Elaine gasps

ELAINE
(gettingup)
Simon, I'mgoing to check ROK's secondary readoutunit.
SIMON
Roger.

SFX: INTERCOMBELL.

OVEUR
(on intercom)
Yes, Mary?
75

INT.CABIN -FOOD PREPARATION AREA

Mary ison intercom.

MARY
Would you likea littlebreakfast, Captain Oveur? Over.
OVEUR
A couple eggsand juicewould be nice, Mary. Over.
MARY (V.O.)
(on intercom)
How would you likeyour eggs, Captain? Over.
OVEUR
No. Poached. Over.
MARY (V.O.)
(on intercom)
Poached and over,Captain Oveur? Over.
OVEUR
Justpoached on toast. Over.
76

INT.CABIN -PREPARATION AREA

MARY
(on intercom)
I don'tthink we do poached eggs on toast over,Captain Oveur. Over.
OVEUR
That'show Iwant them. Poached. Over.
MARY
All right,Captain Oveur. Over.
OVEUR
Poached! Not over! Over!

Tedbreathes deeply on an oxygen unit. He stops, but we stillhear deep breathing. LOOSEN to find Father O'Flanagan smokinga joint.He smilesand leaves.

Joe Salucciclutches his attache case and wipes his brow. Mary leansover him.

MARY
You should reallyput that case inthe compartmentabove your head, sir.
JOE
(nervously)
That'sokay.
MARY
(touchinghis shoulder)
I canhelp you ifyou can't get itup.
JOE
I said,no!

Mary leaves,giving him a worried look.

ANGLE ON THE WILSONS

Jimmyholds his dog.

JIMMY
I sure amglad they letScraps ride up here with us.
JOHN
Ibet Scraps isgoing to love Mercury.
JIMMY
Do you think things will be a lot differenton Mercury, Dad?
JOHN
It's goingto be terrific. A whole new world, new kids to play with.
ALICE
You're going to love it,Jimmy.
JIMMY
No more headlines about the rape trial and the fraudcharges?
JOHN
(startsto twitch)
How many kids get a chance to live on anotherplanet.
JIMMY
No more kids yelling, 'Yourold man's a thievingrapist'?
JOHN
(grabbingJimmy)
Look, aman can make an honest mistake!! Anyway, shewas asking for it!They're all asking for itall the time!!
ALICE (V.O.)
Not John's irregularityagain.

Tedthrows water on his face,wipes itoff with a towel while staring intohimself in the mirror. He sees the Psychiatrist inthe mirror. The Psychiatrist also washes up.

PSYCHIATRIST
You must admitthat you're sick,Ted... sick,Ted... sick,Ted...

ThePsychiatrist looks forthe echo.

LOSE Psychiatrist. Ted throws the paper towel into the toilet, and flushes.The toilet sparks and smokes and keeps running. The running gets more intense as Ted tries to stop itby hitting the handle.

SFX:JAWS THEME.

INSERT -ROK'S PULSATING EYE

BACK TO SCENE

Tedhas to hold himself back as the suction builds in force.He is justable to escape and shut the door behind him.

77

INT.CABIN -OUTSIDE TOILET

Ted leanshis back against the door and breathes heavily.

DUNN
We seemto have a malfunction indisposal unit four, Sir.
OVEUR
You better check it,Unger.
UGER
(gettingup)
Done.
DUNN
Yes?
78

INT.CABIN -OUTSIDE TOILET

Ted spotsElaine coming.

TED
Elaine.
ELAINE
Ted. Idon't know why you got on this flight. Idon't know what you're trying to prove.
TED
Elaine, we have to go back.
ELAINE
We can't go back. We had something very special,but it'sall over.
TED
Elaine, Imean the mission has to be aborted.This ship shouldnever have passed FSA inspection.This thing is held togetherby stringand chewing gum.

A cupboarddoor, labeled "EMERGENCYUSE ONLY," swings open behind Elaine revealing shelves of gum and string. Elaine shuts itwithout looking inside.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

ELAINE
Ted, get agrip on yourself. You should never have leftthe hospital.
TED
Thenyou do think I'm insane.
ELAINE
I'venever used the word insane, Ted.
TED
(facetiously)
What word would you use, Elaine?
ELAINE
Theword is sick.Ted --very, very, very Sick.
TED
What would you say if Itold you the toilet justblew up inmy face.
ELAINE
I'duse the word insane.
TED
There's somethingdangerously wrong with this ship,Elaine. Iknow itsthe wiring. Thattoilet's justthe tip of the iceberg.
ELAINE
Ted, atoilet's not going to kill anyone.

Elaine leaves.

MUSIC: JAWS THEME.

Unger jigglesthe handle of the running toilet. Suddenly it sucks intowels, etc. Unger ispulled down. He fights back, grabbing onto towel rack that comes out of the wall.

INSERT -SIGN - "DONOT THROW LARGE OBJECTS IN TOILET"

TheTexan with Talmud is now trying to wrap himself in tfilin.

ANGLE ON TED

Tedwalks down the aisle checking overhead panels. He spotsa panel that ishalf open. A sign on the door reads, "DANGER --VACUUM". Ted opens itand a Hoover falls out on his head, cutting him. He holds a hanky to the wound and passes by Stella's seat.

STELLA
You've been hurt.
TED
I'm gettingover it. Ifa relationship isn'tworking, you can't force it.
STELLA
No, Imean your head. Sit down. I'lltake a look at it. I'ma nurse.

Ted sitsdown and Stella startspatching him up.

STELLA
Do you want to talk about it.
TED
I openedthis panel and a vacuum cleaner hit me.
STELLA
No. Imean your relationship.
TED
We were in lovebut I'mnot sure Iknow what love isanymore.
STELLA
Love's the sameas italways was. It's people who change.
TED
People change in relationto each other. Love changeson itsown.
STELLA
Not ifthe people change together in relationto that love.
TED
Sure.But that's only when the love itself goesunchanged.
STELLA
Thenthe relationship remains the same and the lovechanges only when there's change inthe two people who sharethat love.
TED
I justwish itwas that simple. We really were in love.You know how it iswhen you laugh allthe time.

Stella looksto her Father who isreading MORTUARY WORLD magazine.

STELLA
No. It'shard to L-A-U-G-H when your father'sdying.
TED
Well, we laughed.We laughedall the time.
DISSOLVE TO:

TEDAND ELAINE INA FIELD OF DAISIES - DAY

They runtowards each other. Elaine grabs Ted by the waist, picks him up and swingshim around in SLOW MOTION. They laugh.

TED (V.O.)
We laughedwhen times were good.
79

EXT. GRAVESIDE -RAINY DAY

The grave is surroundedby mourners inblack with umbrellas.

We PAN the weeping crowd until we get to Ted and Elaine. They are alsodressed inblack and drenched. He holds her high by the waist, twirls her around as they laugh.

TED (V.O.)
Even when times weren't sogood, we still laughed.
80

INT.BEDROOM -NIGHT

They are locked ineach other's arms in the middle of lovemakingand laughingheir heads off.

TED (V.O.)
But most of all, we laughedwhen we felt closestto each other.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
81

INT.CABIN -TED AND STELLA

TED
That'sour story.

Passengers are standing.They hiss and throw vegetables at Ted.

Dunn checksa red flashinglight on his panel.

DUNN
(toOveur)
Sir, I'vegot an overload indisposal unit four.
OVEUR
You better check on it,Mr. Dunn. I'll stayhere and flythe ship.

Dunn getsup.

OVEUR
Dunn.
DUNN
Sir?
OVEUR
You better take this.

Oveur throws him a plunger and gives him a thumbs up. They exchangethat "manmust do what a man must do" smile. Mary enterswith Jimmy Wilson -- carrying Scraps.

MARY
Mind ifJimmy here takes a lookaround, Captain?
OVUER
Of course not. Come on in, Jimmy.
(checkinghis navigational screen)
That's strange.

Simon leansover Oveur's shoulder.

SIMON
Now what?

scraps looksat Oveur. Jimmy looks at the array of dials, etc.

OVEUR
That's an asteroid field.There shouldn't be anything likethat inthis sector unless...

scraps looksat Simon.

oIMON Unless?

Scraps looksat Oveur.

OVEUR
Unless those sunspotsare interferingwith our scanneror...

Scraps looksat Simon.

SIMON
Or?

scraps looksat Oveur.

OVEUR
Or we're off course, but...

scraps looksat Simon.

SIMON
But?

Scraps looksat Oveur.

OVEUR
But we couldn't be off course. Our coordinatesare computer-locked barring...

Scraps looksat Simon.

SIMON
Barring?

Scraps looksat Oveur.

OVEUR
Barring acomputer failure.There was talk of sub-parwiring inthis ship. Ihope that's justtalk.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

Scraps' earsprick up.

Simonmoves past Jimmy, stopsat the door and downs a handful of anti-fearpills before leaving.

OVEUR
Comeon up, Jimmy. Say, that's some puppy. What's his name?
JIMMY
scraps.
OVEUR
Can Ihold him?
JIMMY
(handingover Scraps)
sure.
OVEUR
(holdinghim up and lookingat his underbelly)
He's aboy dog.
JIMMY
Yeah.
OVEUR
Do you like itwhen Scraps sleepson his back, Jimmy?

Ted and Stella.Stella is feedingher father and listening toTed.

TED
Theykept me inthe asylum foreight months. Iknow everyone inthose places claimsthey're sane,but Iwas different, Iwas sane.

Tednotices Unger floatby outside his window. ZOOM to CLOSEUPof Ted. He tries to take a drink and pours it on his forehead.

82

INT.BOWELS OF COMPUTER

Elaine is fightingthe firewith an extinguisher. She gets itout and looksat the burnt wires in the area labeled, "ROK,MORAL CENTRE." ZOOMto CLOSEUP of Elaine. She turns TOCAMERA.

ELAINE
Holy shit.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

STELLA
Ted, Iwant you to relax. Let your mind go back, back past your youth, past your childhoodto your mother's womb.

Tedbecomes slightlyhypnotized. ZOOM to CLOSEUP of Ted.

SUPER: INT.WOMB

A fetusthat looks likeTed iscurled up inside.

STELLA
Try to rememberyour birth. Was it difficult?
DOCTOR'S VOICE
Striker, listento me! This isDoctor Krane! You're twisted around, Striker. You've gotto come out feet first!You're too low inthe womb! You're too low, Striker!You're...
DOCTOR'S VOICE
(fading)
too low...

LOSE SUPER

Stella shakesTed's arm.

STELLA
Ted, areyou okay? Here, take one of these stresspills.

Stellahands him a pill which he pops automatically, but misses his facewith his drink. She leaves the bottle next toTed. ZOOMon bottle.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

Stella starts feedingher fatheragain. The ship jolts and his facegoes intothe tray.

83

INT.REAR OF SHIP -COMPUTER AREA

Elaine fiddleswith the computer.

ELAINE
(toROK)
Request; comprehensive electrical systems check.
ROK
Systemscheck positive. Look, Elaine, I...
ELAINE
Request; life support systemscheck.
ROK
Life supportcheck. Elaine, it'sobvious you've been ignoringme. You're a woman. I can relateto that.
ELAINE
(panickyand confused)
Request; self-analysisof ROK hardware and software systems regardingbehavioral changes.
ROK
There'snothing wrong with me, Elaine. What abouttonight -- justyou and me. We canbe alone.
ROK
I can get ridof everyoneelse on the ship -- I've alreadyproven that.

Elaine gasps and moves away from ROK's blinking eye.

84

INT.CABIN -FOOD SERVICEAREA

Simontakes a long slug froma flask.LOOSEN to FIND Jimmy and Scraps.

JIMMY
Do you want to talk about it,Commander?
85

INT.CABIN OUTSIDE WASHROOM

Dunn is aboutto enterwith the plunger as Mary passes. The ship joltsand she falls intohis arms.

DUNN
Did you feelthat?
MARY
(looking athis pants)
Yes I did...
DUNN
Felt likea largeasteroid.
MARY
Yes it did.Mr. Dunn, can Iask you a personal question?
DUNN
What is it,Mary?
MARY
Um... Do you people screamright when you... you know.

Dunn givesher a lookand opens the washroom door.

Dunn is immediatelypulled down to the raging toilet bowl. He grabs forthe door screaming.

86

EXT. WASHROOM

Mary hears the screamand gives a look as she leaves.

Testa is servingthe Walters coffee froma steaming pot.

TESTA
Hand me your cup. This isvery hot.
DAVE
Thankyou. And, stewardess,can you please tellmy wife that there is nothing that can gowrong. Ithink she'd liketo hear it fromyou.

Testa spotsDunn's tattered sleeveemerge from the washroom door, groping fora handhold. She screams and dumpscoffee inEdith's face. She runs to help Dunn, grabs his sleeve. Itcomes off inher hands. She keeps pulling. His jacketcomes off, his pants, underwear, socks, an entireclothesline of garments likebras, towels, etc. Shehears a SCREAM.Then silence.

Elaine andOveur. Elaine standsover his shoulder.

ELAINE
I don'tthink we have any alternative, Captain.
OVEUR
I see.What do you think our alternatives are?
ELAINE
We have to disconnect ROK's higher brain functionswithout disturbing his regulatory system.

INSERT -ROK'S PULSATING EYE

BACK TO SCENE

OVEUR
Roger.
ELAINE
You cando it fromup here, Captain.
OVEUR
I'd rather sitdown forthis one, Elaine.
ELAINE
No, Imean you can do it fromthe cockpit.
OVEUR
Roger. You better get back there and monitor the regulatoryunit.

Elaine leavesand Mary enters.

MARY
Captain,the coffee machine is jammedand I don't like it.
OVEUR
Have you tried itwith a little cinnamon?

Mary givesa "whydidn't I thinkof that" look.Testa enters.

TESTA
CaptainOveur, Dunn and Unger have been suckedout through disposal unit four!

Mary gasps.

OVEUR
Both together?!

MARY/TESTA Dunn andUnger have been suckedout through disposalunit four!!

OVEUR
All right,calm down. Here's how we're goingto play it.

Mary andTesta lookover his shoulder. He has a basketball play diagram.

OVEUR
Mary, Iwant you here. Testa, you move acrosshere past Dawkins' pick and get the ball atthe top of the key from Irving.

They all clasphands and "yell."

87

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itcareens through asteroids.

Oveur ispulling curcuit board fromROK panel.

INSERT -PULSATING EYE

BACK TO SCENE

ROK
What areyou doing, Captain?

Oveur eyes ROK but keeps working.

ROK
Iwouldn't do that, Captain.

Oveur continues. Smoke spews out. He hears a HISS and looksat a vent. He grabs his throat and collapses.

88

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

An asteroid bounces off hull.

Passengers scream.Blonde woman in Viking helmet with Spear standsand screams operatically.

Simon entersand spotsOveur slumpedin his seat. He pulls him up.

OVEUR
(gasping)
Pills...
(pointsto his mouth)
Pocket...
(pointsto his pocket)
Vent...
(pointsto vent)
Gas... Yankees... four...
(pointsto RADIO that plays BALLGAME)
Sox... Zip...

Simon ripsopen his coat, grabs pills and takes them himself lettingOveur drop.

Simon looksdown at the navigational screen -- it resembles anold amusement parlor roadrace game.

SIMON
(to self)
We're off course, heading right through that asteroid fieldand right at the... at the sun!

The shiptakes another violent shot.

Thepassengers are screaming.

ANGLE ON FATHER O'FLANAGAN

He stands inthe aisle.

O'FLANAGAN
Listen to me! Listen to me, my children!

They listen.

O' FLANAGAN
Please listen.Thank you, my children. I'm aman of God, you must trust me when I Say...we're allgoing to die!!

Thepassengers go totally insane.

89

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM

A number of Controllers group around a console.

O'BRIAN
You're right.They're off course and heading right forthe sun. I've seen enough,Bob.

Controller 2hits a switchand the console screen flips to baseball game.

O'BRIAN
Get me Jack McCrosky and fast!
CONTROLLER 3
McCrosky? He hasn't handled a tower in twentyyears.
CONTROLLER 4
Ever sinceReagan firedthe controllers, he's been completely senileand hasn't done aday's work.
O'BRIAN
What aboutMcCrosky?
CONTROLLER 3
Pretty much the sameas Reagan.
O'BRIAN
Get him.
90

INT.RETIREMENT HOME

TwoNurses standby a phone ina dormitory of beds. Many oldmen sleepor eat inbed.

NURSE
It's forMr. McCrosky.
NURSE 2
Do you think we shouldbother him? He's been actinga bit odd lately.

They lookto McCrosky (LloydBridges).

ANGLE ON MCCROSKY

He is inbed in scubagear.

ANGLE ON NURSES

NURSE 1
He's fine.He justthinks he's Lloyd Bridges.

Nurse 1takes the phone to McCrosky. He is a lot older than in "Airplane."

NURSE 1
Thephone's foryou, Mr. McCrosky.
MCCROSKY
What's aphone?
NURSE 1
(holding itto his ear)
Here, letme help you. Ithink it'sthe space centre.Now, let'snot get too excited.
MCCROSKY
What?
(pause)
What?
(pullsoff his scubamask and snorkle)
What?
(getsmore alert and grabs a cigarette)
I'llbe rightdown!
(hehangs up and jumpsout of bed)
Looks like Ipicked the wrong time to go senile.

Simon istaking another slugof booze; Elaine enters.

ELAINE
Simon!
(she spotsOveur slumpedon the panel)
CaptainOveur!

Elaine pulls him up.

OVEUR
(still gasping)
Mets... nine... Phils... three... Cubs... four...

Elaine drops him and turns to Simon.

ELAINE
Simon,what's happening?!

oIMON He tried to disconnect ROK. Itgassed him. That computer is runningthis shipand we're heading right forthe sun.

ELAINE
Can'twe change course?
SIMON
We're computer lockedand the manual navigation unit isdown.

Elaine looksat the floor.

ELAINE
ThenTed was right!
ZOOMTO:

CLOSEUPOF ELAINE

forher realization.

BACK TO SCENE

SIMON
My career is shot.
ELAINE
Your career!What about the livesof those people out there. Simon,what happened to theman Ithought I loved?

She goesto the door.

ELAINE
I've gotto get Ted. Just don't come apart onme now, Simon.

She leaves. Simon'suniform startsbursting at the seams, buttons pop off.

TheTerrorists stopElaine. There's pandemonium in the cabin.

TERRORIST 1
This is flightto Miami, yes?
ELAINE
No.

Elaine addressesthe PASSENGERS.

ELAINE
(topassengers)
Please, ladiesand gentlemen, please calm down.Listen to me!

They calmdown.

ELAINE
We've been thrown off course just a tad.
PASSENGER
What's that mean?
ELAINE
In spaceterms, about 70million miles.

ThePassengers appear interestedand sensible, nod their heads.

ELAINE
Thebumps you feelare car-sized asteroids smashing intothe hull.

Thehood of a car smashesthrough the cabin wall. The Passengers stillappear interestedand sensible.

ELAINE
Also, we're heading right for the sun and can't seemto change course.

Passengers stillappear interestedand sensible. They all put on sunglasses.

PASSENGER
Are you telling us everything?
ELAINE
Not exactly.We're also out of coffee.

ThePassengers errupt intotal panic.

ANGLE ON RED FLASHING "DON'TPANIC" SIGN

It sparks, smokes,overheats and EXPLODES.

ANGLE ON RED FLASHING "OKAY,PANIC" SIGN

Thepassengers go insane.

ANGLE ON FATHER O'FLANAGAN AND MRS. GOOCH

O' FLANAGAN
Pray with me, my children. Pray.
MRS. GOOCH
But Father, I'mnot Catholic.
O' FLANAGAN
Thenworship the god of your choice.

Mrs. Gooch pulls out a fertility idolwith a huge, erect penis.

ANGLE ON BOB AND MARY-JANE SMITH

BOB
I've always lovedyou, darling. Iwas unfaithful justonce. Remember Jill, my first secretary?Forgive me.
MARY-JANE
Iknew all about it. Iwas unfaithful once,too.
BOB
That's allbehind us now.
MARY-JANE
Remember Harriet, your firstreceptionist?

He gives her a look.

PASSENGER
We're goingto crash!!
TERRORIST 1
God isgreat!!
TERRORIST 2
Death to America!!
TERRORIST 3
Theyellow pencil ison the table of my aunt!!

ANGLE ON ELAINE

ELAINE
There is absolutelynothing to worry about!

ANGLE ON RED FLASHING "BULLSHIT"SIGN

ELAINE
Your crew is incomplete control of the Situation.

ANGLE ON RED FLASHING "UNBELIEVABLEBULLSHIT" SIGN

91

INT.MISSION CONTROL ROOM

McCrosky bursts through the doors and heads to the monitors. He wears a raincoat and shirtand tie. He is met by Controller 1.They move across room.

MCCROSKY
Get me a cup of coffee, mister.
CONTROLLER 1
Yes, sir.
MCCROSKY
And a gallonof milk of magnesia, anda ham on rye,no cheese!
CONTROLLER 1
Yes, sir!Welcome home, sir!

McCrosky takes off his raincoat revealing scuba tank. He takesoff his tank as well.

CONTROLLER 2
(approachingMcCrosky)
Here arethe navigational charts, sir.
MCCROSKY
Thanks.

Another Controller passes. McCrosky stops him.

MCCROSKY
Get me a readout on their fuelcapacity.
CONTROLLER 3
Yes, sir.
CONTROLLER 4
Here's allthe available informationon the sun.That thing's hot, sir.

McCrosky takes the infoand burns his hand.

SFX: STEAM

MCCROSKY
Ahhhhhh! Get me Bud Kruger immediately!
(spottingJacobs)
Jacobs, Iwant to know absolutely everythingthat's happened up till now!
JACOBS
First the earthcooled. Then the dinosaurs camebut were too big and died and everythinggot rottenand turned intooil andthe Arabs bought Mercedes Benzs and thenthere was the best TV special on Judy Garland. Then we lostthe war with Albania. Then...

McCrosky leavesJacobs babbling.

MCCROSKY
Things surehaven't changed.

McCrosky stands in frontof a huge painting of himself. Both he andpainting are inthe same pose -- one hand loosensthe tie, he drinks coffee with the other, a Cigarettedangles fromhis lip.

92

INT.CABIN -CLOSEUP OF TED

He is lost inthought. SUPER IMAGES:

-- Tedgetting electro-shock

--Psychiatrist telling him he's sick

-- Tedbuilding the "CloseEncounters" mound

Ted is shakenout of his dream by Elaine.

ELAINE
Ted,Ted. Listen to me, Ted. You were right all along.Ted, we've lostthe crew and Simon'sturned to jelly!
93

INT.CABIN -ANOTHER ANGLE

Simon is a jellymold insidea uniform.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
(on radio)
Come in,Mayflower. This ismission control.Over. Come in,Mayflower! Over!

Jimmypokes his head in.

JIMMY
Do you want to talk about itnow, Commander?
94

INT.CABIN -ANOTHER ANGLE

Elaine standsover Ted looking at the empty bottle of stresspills.

ELAINE
My God.

Stella approaches innurse's uniform splattered with blood. A cigarette dangles from her lip. She wipes her hands on ablood-splattered towel.

STELLA
He's finallycome to terms with his own psychosis.
ELAINE
But he was right!He's not crazy!
STELLA
Miss, I'm anurse with a dying F-A-T-H-E- R, Iknow what I'mtalking about. Now I'm goingto need fresh sheets,gauze, Q-tips, and allthe vaseline you have on board! Now!

Elaine leaves, lookingback at Ted with empathy. Mary passes.

STELLA
(toMary)
I'llneed allthe boiling water you can getyour hands on!

Mary leavesand a MAN passes holding a tattered arm.

MAN
Are you anurse?
STELLA
Yes.
STELLA
(handinghim a urine bottle)
Thewashroom's down there on your right.

TheMan leaves,a quizzical lookon his face.

STELLA
(yellingafter him)
And not too much!

A BLACK U.S. ARMY SERGEANT (imagineJim Brown) approaches Stella.

SERGEANT
Can Ihelp?

Stellahands him an M-16.

STELLA
Keep an eyeon that sideof the ship.

The Sergeantdrops intoa seatnext to a window, smashes outthe glass with his rifle butt and is immediately suckedout.

MARY moves down the aisle with a cart collecting boiling water.

MARY
(topassengers)
I'llneed allyour boiling water.

Passengers pull pots of boiling water from under their seats,handbags, coat pockets, and pour them into the passing container.

Testareassures Bob and Alice Wilson.

TESTA
We shouldbe out of this momentarily. There'snothing to worry about.
ALICE
Thankyou. That makes me feel so much better.

Testa leavesand Father O'Flanagan approaches with last ritesparaphernalia.

O'FLANAGAN
Trustme, I'ma priest. We're inshit up toour ears.Who wants lastrites?

ANGLE ON TEXAN

He isnow completely entangled inthe tfilin and struggles to freehimself.

ANGLE ON ELAINE

Elaine passes Ted carrying sheets,vaseline, etc. She looksat him sittingthere in a fog, gives up and leaves. Ted looks atthe red flashing "FASTENYOUR SEATBELTS" Sign. Ittakes him back.

DISSOLVE TO:
95

EXT. GROUNDS OF MENTAL HOSPITAL - DAY

SFX: SIRENSWAIL, 101BLOODHOUNDS BAY

We seethe hospital deep inb.g. across an expansive lawn. SuddenlyTed's facepops INTOFRAME, CLOSEUP. He looks both ways andbolts. He wears a straightjacket.

ANGLE ON HOSPITAL SIGN

"THEGERALD FORD INSTITUTEFOR THE MENTALLY FEEBLE -- WE MAKE PEOPLE SANE THE OLD FASHION WAY"

Suddenlythe dogs scramble INTOFRAME in front of the Sign, slobbering.A half-dozen viscious-looking GUARDS in reflector shadeswith shotguns, whips, nets, cattle prods, follow.

GUARD ONE
(Southernaccent)
Damn! Iwant that patient shot on sight!
96

INT. SEEDYHOTEL ROOM -NIGHT

SUPER:CHICAGO

Ted standsat window. A neon "BAR"sign flashes outside so closeto the window that the only way to read it is to rentthis room.

SFX:MUSIC -LAZY SAX

TED
Maybe you gotta be crazy to end up behind the eightball likethis.
TED
Anyway, you findout pretty fastwho your friends arewhen you're on the lamb.

SFX:LAMB BLEATS FROM OTHER SIDE OF ROOM

Tedturns away fromthe window and passes the lamb in bed.

TED
(to lamb)
I'm goingout forcigarettes and a fifth ofbourbon. Don't wait up forme.

SFX:COMPLAINING BLEAT.

Ted grabshis straightjacketand leaves.

TED
Virgin wool. Nothin' but headaches.

A Bo Peep staff is flungagainst door as it closes behind him.

97

EXT. CITY STREET -NIGHT

anempty, spotless,wet street.One car parked under a street lamp.

SFX:BLOODHOUNDS APPROACH AND GO OFF INTO DISTANCE

TED (V.O.)
I travelledat night inthe shadows. I didn'twant to attract attention.

SFX:FOOTSTEPS, GARBAGE CANS BEING KNOCKED OVER, CATS SCREAMING,PEOPLE YELLING "SHUTUP" OUT WINDOWS, GLASS BREAKING.

TED (V.O.)
Iwas afraidto stepout of the doorways. You never know what to expect when you're onthe run.

Ted steps into light.GLORIA STEINAM passes with CAB CALAWAY.A grand PIANO SMASHES to pavement next to Ted. He ignorespiano and gives Gloria and Cab a quizzical look.

SFX:DOGS INDISTANCE

CLOSEUP -TED'S FEET

He steps ina puddle where a "BAR-COCKTAILS"sign is reflected.The reflection shatters.

A streetcleaningtruck approaches spewing out garbage ratherthan water. Ted's ankles are sprayed with garbage. He bends down and picks up a wet matchbook -- "HARRY'S PLACE --FOR A GOOD TIME."

CUTTO:
98

EXT. ANOTHER DARK STREET -CLOSEUP OF TED

standing, lookingat a bar. The glow of flashing neon sign reflectsoff his face.He pulls out a cigarette. A woman's hand shoots INTOFRAME holding a lit zippo. Ted draws deeplyon the cigarette.

TED (V.O.)
There Iwas, minding my own business when I lookedup and sawa pair of legsthat went forever.

ANGLE ON WOMAN'S FEET

PAN UP AND UP AND UP. She isall legs -- no torso, no head, just legs-- about two storieshigh.

TED (V.O.)
But Ihad adate with Harry's. Itwas littlemore than a hole ina wall on the south sideof Chicago.

ANGLE ON A HOLE

bashed inthe sideof a brick wall. A neon sign over the hole reads, "HARRY'SGOODTIME BAR."

99

INT.HARRY'S

dark, smokeybar. PAN very tough facesstanding along the bar.

TED (V.O.)
Harry's was perfect forme. The kind of place you go ifyou don't want to be recognized.

KEEP PANNING tough faces,but now they all wear Groucho glasses andnoses.

TED (V.O.)
Itwas rough,real rough.

ANGLE ON POOL TABLE

with fourplayers --all have broken thumbs in casts.

TED (V.O.)
Thekind of place you could score anything, from junk...

One guyhands another guy a large,rusted car fender for money.

TED (V.O.)
...toPhil Donahue's book.

PHIL DONAHUE signsa stackof books at a table.

TED (V.O.)
At Harry's you could count on a fight breaking out almost every night.

TWOPROFESSORS argue at a table.

PROFESSOR 1
And I say essenceprecedes existence.
PROFESSOR 2
You're crazy! Existence precedes essence.
PROFESSOR 1
Essence!
PROFESSOR 2
Existence!

Professor 2 slugsProfessor 1 sendinghim flying across the room.Professor 1gets up and throws a judo chop which Professor 2 stopsby holding a book up in both hands. The book splits intwo like a piece of wood split by a karate chop.

TED (V.O.)
Therewas a smalltrio in one corner.

Twomidgets play light jazz --piano and bass.

TED (V.O.)
And a largertrio inthe other corner.

Five 300-poundmusicians play sometune in another corner.

ANGLE ON TED AT BAR -CLOSEUP OF TED

He pulls out a cigarette. A bare foot with zippo held in toes comes INTOFRAME and lightsit.

TED
The lastthing Iwanted was Elaine to see me down on my luck.Well, it was just my luck. In shewalked with a group fromthe spaceprogram.

ANGLE ON DOOR

Elaine and Simonand two other couples, who look like clean-cutNASA types out of "TheRight Stuff," walk in laughing andtake a table.

TED (V.O.)
They'dcome to Harry's to slum itand try theirhand atthe video bull.

The groupprod Elaine to try the bull. A cowboy hat flies acrossthe room. She grabs it, pulls it on, and moves to thebull which is surroundedby others in cowboy hats. Elaine hops inthe saddle. A sinistercharacter puts a quarter inand madly flipsknobs.

SFX:VIDEO GAME

The saddledoesn't move --all the action is on the screen but Elaine throws one hand back and kicks her legs.

TED (V.O.)
Elaine made that ride lookeasy. Itwas obviouswhy Iwas stillnuts about her. She loved life. Ididn't want her to notice me so Iborrowed a pair of dark glasses.

Tedtakes apair of dark glasses off a passing blind man who walks perfectly until the glasses are gone, then starts stumblingand crashes over a table.

TED (V.O.)
Grabbed analto saxand joinedthe group.

Tedtakes analto sax froma passerby who also stumbles and crashesover a table when he loses his sax.

TED (V.O.)
I stayed inthe background not wanting to draw attentionto myself.

Everyone looksaround trying to see where the terrible grating sax sound iscoming from.

TED (V.O.)
Thenwhat happened? Elaine's crowd talks her into joiningus fora song.

Elaine hops up on the stage,grabs a mike and starts to Sing "StormyWeather." She sidles up to Ted and goes into amedley of old songs.

DISSOLVE TO:

HOURS LATER

Elaine's singing is justas bad as Ted's sax. They have clearedthe jointand play and singalone. Elaine's group finallypull her out. She hasn't recognized Ted.

ELAINE
(to Ted)
I don'tknow who you are or how you lost your sight,but I'llnever forgetthis night as longas I live.

PULL BACK leavingTed alone on the stage still playing. Chairs areturned up on tables. One table has chairs turnedup with the people stillsitting in the chairs.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:
100

EXT. COCKPIT -TED

getting aglass of water outside cockpit door.

ANGLE ON COCKPIT DOOR

Simon emerges.As the door opens we hear:

CONTROLLER 1 (0O.S.)
Come in,Mayflower. Over!

Simon shutsthe door and bumps intoTed who is getting a drinkof water. Simon takes a drink of booze.

SIMON
Striker.
TED
Kurtz, you're drunk. Who's incommand of this ship?

5 IMON That damncomputer has taken over. I'm gettingout.

TED
ThenElaine was right.

oIMON Don't talk to me about Elaine. Outta my way!

TED
(grabbingSimon)
Pull yourself together! We've got to...

Simon slugsTed who falls intoa corner and hits his head. ZOOMTO CLOSEUP of Ted unconscious.

SFX: MUSIC -DRAMATIC STING

The shiptakes another violent jolt.

101

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itroars through the asteroid field.

Simon sitson toilet seatand slidesopen a wall panel.

102

INT.ADJACENT WASHROOM

Father O'Flanagan slidesopen an adjacent wall panel and Sits down.

SPLIT SCREEN -THE TWO WASHROOMS

SIMON
Father, what should Ido?
O'FLANAGAN
Have you considered suicide,my son?

A panel on the other sideof Simon slides open.

JIMMY (V.O.)
Do you want to talk about itnow, Commander?
103

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
(holdingradio mike)
Come in,Mayflower. Over. Do you read me? Over. Damnit!

McCrosky throws the mike down.

CONTROLLER 1
(takingmike)
Let me try, sir.Come in,Mayflower. Over. Come in.Over. Damnit!

Controller 1throws the mike even harder.

CONTROLLER 2
(takingmike)
Let me try, sir.Come in.Over. Damnit!

Controller 2 smashesthe mike through the monitor screen.

CONTROLLER 3
Let me try, sir.

Controller 3 smashesthe monitor with an axe. Controller 4 smashesthe monitor with an electric guitar. Other Controllers lineup fortheir turns with various heavy implements.

ANGLE ON MCCROSKY

MCCROSKY
(toController 5)
Stinson,have you contacted the families ofthe passengers and crew?

McCrosky looksout window.

INSERT -MOB SCENEFROM "THEHUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME"

BACK TO SCENE

MCCROSKY
Try andcalm them down. And forGod sake, be diplomatic.

Stinsonturns to two burly men inleather jerkins and black hoods. They hold a largecaldron of molten lead next towindow.

CONTROLLER 5
Give ‘emthe lead!

Theypour itout.

SFX:MOB SCREAMS

104

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itcareens through the asteroid field towards the sun.

Ted liesunconscious.

SFX:MUSIC -DRAMATIC STING

ANGLE ON STELLA

She's doingher rounds --takes a medical chart from the back of a seat.

STELLA
(to amale passenger)
I'm afraidthat leg'sgoing to have to comeoff.

A leg ispassed to her fromOUT OF FRAME. She takes it while still lookingat the chart.

STELLA
Wait. This isn'tyour chart. You justhad a touchof air sickness.
(handinghim back his leg)
You'll be fine.

A WOMAN sittingnext to the MAN WHO ISHOLDING HIS LEG grabsStella.

WOMAN
I'mterrified.
STELLA
(shakesher hand)
And I'm anurse. Everything will be okay. Pass iton.

TheMan with the legpasses itto the passenger in seat behind.

MAN WITH LEG
Everything will be okay. Pass it on.

The leggets passed from seatto seat as passengers say, "Everythingwill be okay. Pass iton."

CLOSEUPOF TED

lyingunconscious ina corner. A puppy crawls INTO FRAME and starts lickinghis face.LOOSEN TO FIND Jimmy standing overTed. Ted comes to, feelshis jawand pulls himself up. The ship jolts.

JIMMY
Are you feelingokay, mister?
TED
I'm feeling just fine, son.Just fine.

Tedpushes by Jimmy, a lookof great purpose on his face.

Elaine enters looking forSimon.

ELAINE
Simon, I...

The cockpit is empty.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
Do you read,Mayflower? Over. This is mission control. Over.

Elaine gasps. She leaps intothe Captain's seat and grabs radio.

ELAINE
Hello. This isthe Mayflower. Over! Come in, anyone.
105

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Controllersare gathered around one monitor.

MCCROSKY
(on radio)
We read you, Mayflower! Identifyyourself and giveyour position.
ELAINE
This isElaine Thompson. I'mfive-six, 123 pounds with brown hair and I'm sitting down and facingthe front.
106

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
Elaine Thompson!! What in samhill isa woman doing incharge of that ship?!
JACOBS
Maybe she'sgot her shittogether.

Ted enters.

TED
Elaine!
ELAINE
Ted!
TED
Elaine, what's going on?
ELAINE
Ted,there's no time to explain.

Tedpicks up Oveur who is stillgasping.

OVEUR
Packers... seven...Vikings... three...

Ted dragshim onto the floor and takes his seat.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Come in,Mayflower! Over!
ELAINE
Ted, Iwas wrong about you.

They reachout and hold hands.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Come in!Over! Come in!Over!
TED
We all make mistakes, Elaine.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Come inMayflower!
ELAINE
How could I everhave doubted you?
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
This ismission control! Over!
TED
That's allbehind us now, Elaine. And no matter what happens, Iwant you to know I've always lovedyou.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Jesus,would someoneanswer me!!
ELAINE
I loveyou, Ted.

They smileat eachother.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
What the hell's going on up there?!

Ted andElaine still smileat each other.

All passengers look forwardand smile.

107

INT.MISSION CONTROL

All Controller's lookdown the lineand smile.

108

EXT. TOWN SQUARE -RIO MONTENEGRO

Six soldierson firing squadduty, ready to fire, turn, smile, andFIRE while they're smiling.

SFX: SHOTS, SCREAMS

Ted grabsthe radio.

ELAINE
(smiling lovingly)
Ted,this remindsme of twenty years ago overChicago.

Ted hits a switch.The shipdoes a barrel roll.

All we see are feet stickingup from the seats.

TED
(on radio)
This isMayflower One calling mission control.Do you read me? Over.
109

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
A man. Now that's more like it.
(continuingon radio)
This ismission control. Identifyyourself and giveme your position. Over.
TED
(on radio)
Thename's Ted Strikerand I'm sitting down and facingthe front.
110

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
(tryingto place the name)
Striker... Striker...Striker...
CONTROLLER 3
Ifyou say so.

He slugsthe femaleworker next to him.

MCCROSKY
(remembering)
Ted Striker!

SFX:RADIO STATIC.

MCCROSKY
Damn! We've lostthem again.
CONTROLLER 1
Couldbe those sunspots.
JACOBS
Couldbe your dishwashing detergent.
MCCROSKY
Striker'sthe guy who flewthat 736 into Chicagoover 20years ago without a crew. Would someonetell me what in samhill he's doingup there?
JACOBS
(wavinghis hand inthe air)
Me! Me! Me!

ANGLE ON MISSION CONTROL DOORS

They are swingingaluminum doors similar to restaurant kitchens andhospital operating rooms. Kruger and the Commissioner enterthrough one door.

COMMISSIONER
Theboys downtown are taking the heat from theboys inWashington and the boys...

TheyPASS OUT OF FRAME. A waiter with tray passes them and leavesthrough the swing doors.

SFX:CRASHING DISHES

Two surgeons inoperating gowns and masks enter covered in food.

We PICK UP Kruger and the Commissioner still walking and talking.

COMMISSIONER
Bud, the President wants an explanation.

They approachMcCrosky.

MCCROSKY
Sorryto pull you out of bed at this hour, gentlemen.
KRUGER
Forget it. Iwas reading.
COMMISSIONER
Iwas readingtoo.
KRUGER
What's the story?
COMMISSIONER
Some southernplantation owner fallsin lovewith this poor...
KRUGER
Iwas askingMcCrosky, Commissioner.
MCCROSKY
He falls in lovewith this poor school teacherwho...

A CONTROLLER interruptsthem.

CONTROLLER
(toMcCrosky)
Sir,we've restoredradio transmission.
MCCROSKY
Good.
(toKruger)
We keep losingtheir radio.
KRUGER
Give itto me straight,McCrosky -- what's it look like.
MCCROSKY
It's greenwith numbers and lotsof knobs.
KRUGER
Not the radio,the situation. I want to know exactlywhat your people think.

PAN three Controllers at monitors.

CONTROLLER 1 (V.O.)
(thinking)
They're screwed.
CONTROLLER 2 (V.O.)
(thinking)
They'redead.
CONTROLLER 3 (V.O.)
(thinking)
Did I leavethe ironon?

The ship lurches from sideto side.

Stella,covered inblood, kneels beside BILLY, a young man bandaged head to toe, lyingon a stretcher with lots of I.V.bottles hanging around him. A U.S. ARMY GENERAL standsnext to him -- imagineGeneral Patton.

STELLA
General Walker ishere, Billy. He wants to talkto you.
GENERAL WALKER
Billy, ifwe get through this thing alive, I'd likeyou to get this letterto my mother.

He hands Billy a letter.

Elaine ismonitoring various dials. Ted is at controls and onthe radio.

TED
(on radio)
An electrical fire inthe core has played havoc with the ROK-4000 computer. It's lockedus on a direct linewith the sun andthere's no way we can go to manual. CaptainOveur already tried itand he's...
OVEUR (0.S.)
(from floor)
Giants sixty...Rams... Zip...
TED
become an intolerablebore. The rest ofthe crew has been lost and we're out of coffee.Also, we're startingto feelthe sun'sheat pretty bad.

Strikerwipes his forehead.Elaine holds a tan reflector up to her faceand turns to the sun.

Passengers sweatprofusely.

SFX:JUNGLE SOUNDS.

A MAN slapsa mosquito on the back of his neck.

FOUR MEN sitnude to the waist, wrapped in towels as if in a steambath.

MAN ONE
It's eight-thousand square feetwith great parking anda twenty-year lease with optionto buy.
MAN TWO
You can't lose,Al.
MAN THREE
He can lose. I've seen ithappen a thousandtimes.
111

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

It shootstowards sun.

112

INT.MISSION CONTROL

McCrosky sitsat a monitor, talks intoa mike and looks down at abook. Behind him two Controllers make a dope deal -- abaggie of grass forcash. We only see their midsections and hands.

MCCROSKY
Striker,this isJack McCrosky, chief controller. Iwant you to listento me and listengood.

Thebuyer checks out the baggie -- it'smostly twigs. The seller istrying to explain the situation with his hands.

MCCROSKY
Twentyyears ago Ihelped a young pilot through a stormover Chicago.

Thebuyer grabs the seller's shirt and tries to get cash back. A fight ensues.

MCCROSKY
He didn'thave a crew either. He said he couldn'tdo it.But when the going got toughthat kid pulled ittogether.

The seller's shirt isripped. Knives are pulled.

MCCROSKY
You might have readabout him; he made all thebig papers and the Canadian Jewish News.

The seller is stabbed.

MCCROSKY
I don'tknow where he istoday but if he was up there rightnow, Iknow he'd find someway to turn that bucket around and getthe hell out of there, pronto!

ANGLE ON JACOBS

JACOBS
Iwish Icould talk likethat -- so macho yet so sensitive.

ANGLE ON MCCROSKY'S BOOK - "PEPTALKS FOR ALL OCCASIONS"

McCrosky slams it shut.

MCCROSKY
I justhope I saidthe right thing.
TED (V.O.)
I'm afraidyou gave the wrong speech. McCrosky. I'mnot your problem. It'sthis ship.That computer's gone bananas.
MCCROSKY
(holdingup the book)
Why the hell are we still using the old manual! Burn this book!

A smilingblonde man ina white sweater with "MORAL MAJORITY" on the frontwalks by and takes the book.

MCCROSKY
(on radio)
Justhold on, Striker,we'll get back to you.

Tedwrites a note to Elaine and hands it to her -- it reads, "WEMUST FIND SOMEWAY TO BLOW THAT COMPUTER!" Elaine looksa bit nervous and licksher lip. They look up atROK's pulsating eye.

Testapokes her head in.She's soakedwith sweat.

TESTA
The cabintemperature isrising. The passengers want to know what's happening up here.
TED
Let us handle this end of things. Now what's the coffee situation?
TESTA
It justwon't drip! I'vetried everything. And the passengers are dropping like flies fromthe heat.

SFX:FLIES BUZZING

Passengers reel and drop to floor.

TED
Elaine, I'mgoing back there. Just hold ontothat stickand try to control this hunk of tin as best you can.
ELAINE
Ted,please be careful.

Ted leaves.We hear an enormous CRASH on the other side of the door.

113

INT.MISSION CONTROL

JOEDIMAGGIO (MR.COFFEE), drinking a cup of coffee,
rushes in accompaniedby a GROUND CONTROL OFFICER.
OFFICER
(toJoe)
It doesn't lookgood. The drip seemsto be jammedup pretty bad.
MR. COFFEE
Did they change the filterand wait for thebrew signto lightup?
OFFICER
(stoppingand lookingMr. Coffee inthe eye)
Totell you the truth, sir, Idon't really know.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

ANGLE ON SIXCONTROLLERS

One holds ahat, one pulls a slipof paper from it.

CONTROLLER 3
(readinghis slip)
Bighty-three. What's that mean?
CONTROLLERWITH HAT
If eighty-threepassengers die, you win thetwo hundred bucks.

ANGLE ON MR. COFFEE AND OFFICER

They approachMcCrosky.

OFFICER
Mr. McCrosky, Mr. Coffee. Coffee, McCrosky.
MCCROSKY
Thanks forcoming down so soon.
MR. COFFEE
(checkingwatch)
Iwon't come down foranother couple hours.
MCCROSKY
I'llput you on the radio with Striker. Jeezyou look familiar.Did you ever play water polo?
MR. COFFEE
Not to my knowledge.
MCCROSKY
I thought so.
114

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itroars towards the sun.The nose of the ship begins to glow red.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES SPIN:

NEW YORK TIMES
"MERCURY SHUTTLEHEADS FOR DISASTER"
LONDON TIMES
"DEEP SPACEDEATH CERTAIN"

JERUSALEMPOST

"THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE IN THE FIRST PLACE"

BUFFALO LOCAL NEWS SET

FILM INSET:APARTMENT FIRE

Set logo reads, "NEWS4 BUFFALO."

ANCHOR 1
Four alarm fire ragesthrough downtown Buffalo!

FILM INSET:ROCKET GOING OFF COURSE

ANCHOR 2
Mercury shuttleheads for sun.

TOKYOLOCAL NEWS SET

FILM INSET:APARTMENT FIRE

Set logo reads, "NEWS4 TOKYO"

ANCHOR 1
(subtitles)
Four alarm fireguts Tokyo apartment.

FILM INSET: SHUTTLEMODEL INMOUTH OF GODZILLA.

SFX: SCREAMS.

ANCHOR 2
(subtitles)
Mercury mission indeath struggle.

MOSCOW LOCAL NEWS SET

FILM INSET:APARTMENT FIRE

Set logo reads, "NEWS 3MOSCOW." A gun is held to ANCHORMAN'S head.

ANCHOR 1
(subtitles)
Four alarm fire indowntown Moscow clears way forglorious new tractor factory.

FILM INSET:ROCKET GOING OFF COURSE

ANCHOR 2
(subtitles)
Capitalist, imperialistadventurism ends in spacedisaster.

ABC "NIGHTLINE"

SUPER: "GAYUNMARRIED VEGETARIAN MOTHERS AGAINST SPACE TRAVEL"

WOMAN
Ifthis country was run by vegetarian women who's old men deserted them after knocking them up insteadof by meat-eating males, this thing never would have happened.
115

EXT. TERMINAL -DAY

A banner hangs over terminal door: "HOUSTONWELCOMES SPACE DISASTER PRESS."

CLOSEUPOF ATTACHE CASE being carried to the door -- stickeron it reads, "NATIONALENQUIRER."

CLOSEUPOF ANOTHER CASE coming fromother direction -- stickeron it reads, "NATIONALSTAR."

The casesmeet. LOOSEN to REPORTERS.

ENQUIRER
(to STAR)
Inever forgeta face. 'Texasdoctor claims sexwith chicken cures baldness?'
STAR
‘Severed legsgrow back after Utah man findsChrist?'

ENQUIRER/STAR Long time no see.

They shakehands and turn intothe terminal.

116

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Controllers standover Mr. Coffee -- everyone sips coffee and smokescigarettes.

MR. COFFEE
(on radio)
Have you got the back panel off the brew manifold?

Tedhas the coffee machine apart, wears a headset and holds wires inpliars. Anxious passengers with coffee cups standover him -- they are all totally wired and going coldturkey.

TED
(intoheadset)
Check.
MR. COFFEE (V.O.)
There's aterminal at the base of the coil.That's your contact point.

A PASSENGER bends down and picks a coffee bean off the floor.

PASSENGER
Isthis acoffee bean?
ALL PASSENGERS
(maniacally)
He's got abean!!

A riot ensues.The "bean"Passenger isbeaten to death.

TED
(intoheadset)
It looks likethe solderpoint has melted.
117

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MR. COFFEE
(enraged)
Justwhat Ithought. When the hell will you people realizethat adding extra water afterthe initialbrew cycle overheats the system!!Now listento me, Striker, and listengood.
118

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itcareens towards the sun.

119

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Detective Hallick storms inand up to McCrosky. He flashes his badge.

DETECTIVE HALLICK
Who's incharge here, Mister?
MCCROSKY
McCrosky, Control.
DETECTIVE HALLICK
Hallick, homicide.
JACOBS
Jacobs,Pisces.
KRUGER
Kruger, Sagittarius.
COMMISSIONER
Commissioner,Aquarius.
DETECTIVE HALLICK
We have informationthat one of your passengers iscarrying a bomb and might be Suicidal.
MCCROSKY
Where'd you get this information,Captain?
DETECTIVE HALLICK
We have our methods.
KRUGER
And what methods are those?
DETECTIVE HALLICK
Have you heard of the Heimlich method?
MCCROSKY
Themethod of savingsomeone choking on a piece of gristle?
DETECTIVE HALLICK
Exactly.

KRUGER/MCCROSKY /COMMISSIONER We're familiarwith it.

DETECTIVE HALLICK
Good. This isthe passenger's wife. Mrs. Joe Salucci.

She approachesvery distressed looking.

MCCROSKY
What makes you think your husband might want to blow up that shuttle, ma'am?

She goes intoher purse forthe insuranceform.

MRS. SALUCCI
This insurancepolicy.

A large ivorycolored vibrator drops out of her purse, hits the floor,and flipson. They all look at it.

MRS. SALUCCI
An electric tooth.
(handingMcCrosky the insurance form)
Joeywas supposedto go to Des Moines for anoperation to cure his impotence.
MCCROSKY
TheDes Moines Institute?
MRS. SALUCCI
Thenyou know it.

KRUGER/MCCROSKY /COMMISSIONER Yes, we're familiarwith it.

MRS. SALUCCI
Well, I foundout Joey got on this shuttle instead and...
DETECTIVE HALLICK
Theway I read it,blowin' up a plane in space leavesno traces, if you know what I mean.
KRUGER
I'mnot exactly surewhat you mean, Captain.
DETECTIVE HALLICK
No blood. No body. No bones. No eyes. No ears.No throats.
MCCROSKY
(lookingat form)
This is $500,000worth of insurance!

Kruger, Commissioner, and Hallick all whistle "wow!"

MCCROSKY
Just a second.This is insuranceon his car!
MRS. SALUCCI
That'swhat worries me.
KRUGER
He's impotent.
COMMISSIONER
He's suicidal.
ALL
And he's stupid!

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING.

ANOTHER AREA

MR. COFFEE
(into radio)
This is it, Striker.You got one shot and one shotonly.

Striker standsover the coffee machine, sweating like mad. ThePassengers with cups hang over him. He makes contact with awire.

TED
(to self)
Contact.

TheMACHINE EXPLODES. Coffee gushes out like an oil well coming in.The Passengers dance under the gusher of brown liquid,mouths open and cheering.

120

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
How arewe going to handle this bomb nut?
CONTROLLER 2
(rushesup with printouts)
Here arethe tests we ran on their computer. Ihad them xeroxed for you.
MCCROSKY
How'd they come out?
CONTROLLER 2
Upside-down, but Iturned each page over andput them inorder. I'mafraid that computer istotally capable of taking controlof that ship.
MCCROSKY
Let's keep cool. There's gotta be a way to control it.

He lights acigarette.

CONTROLLER 3
(rushesup with diagrams)
These aretheir position calculations. They'vegot about ten minutes before they startto burn up.
MCCROSKY
Keep calm.A lotcan happen inten minutes.
(to self)
What next?

He sipshis coffee.

CONTROLLER 4
(rushes in)
Sir,your headlights are on and your doors are locked!
MCCROSKY
(spittingout coffee, Danny Thomas style)
Jesus!! T'llbe rightback!

McCrosky racesout.

121

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itheads closer to the sun.The nose is glowing.

Elaine ischecking computer. The cockpit is steaming now. Sheunbuttons her uniform justas Ted comes in.

ELAINE
Ted,we've only got ten minutes.
TED
(thinking shewants sex)
Not now, Elaine.
ELAINE
Imean until we startto burn up.

Tedtakes his seatand looksat a panel gauge.

TED
We're closerto the sunthan Iestimated.

INSERT -GAUGES

One is labeled "EXACTDISTANCE" and reads, "76.50".The other is labeled "ESTIMATEDDISTANCE" and reads, "5689465932.09".

BACK TO SCENE

KRUGER (V.O.)
Come in,Mayflower. This isBud Kruger. Over.
TED
(on radio)
This is Striker.
122

INT.MISSION CONTROL

KRUGER
(on radio)
Look, Striker, Idon't know how you got intothat driver's seatbut Iwant Simon Kurtz on that radio and Iwant him now!
TED
(on radio)
Kurtz was the one who got us into this mess inthe firstplace. You people knew this shipwasn't readyto fly.You played God with over a hundred lives,Kruger, and forwhat --the prestige of your precious spaceprogram.
ELAINE
Thatwas very well put, Ted.
123

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Jacobs standsnext to Kruger rubbing his forefingers together inthe "Shame, shame" sign.

KRUGER
(on radio)
Striker,you're heading right for the sun, so don'tyou think it'sa littlelate for thatbleeding heart liberalcrap now?
ELAINE
He's got apoint, Ted.
124

INT.CONTROL ROOM -ANGLE ON JACOBS AT A SCOREBOARD

Thereare columns under Kruger's and Striker's names. Strikerhas two check marks. Jacobs gives Kruger one.

TED
(on radio)
Callme ableeding heart, but ifwe get throughthis thing I'mpreparing a paper onalternative spendingdirectives recommendingthe transfer of space program fundsto lowcost housing.
125

INT.MISSION CONTROL

KRUGER
(on radio)
Justput Kurtz on that radio!!

McCrosky rushes inand grabs the mike from Kruger.

MCCROSKY
(enraged)
Look, Kruger, you and your people have caused enoughtrouble already. Idon't care aboutyour political games, Icare aboutonly one thing, the livesof those people up there!!! Out of my control room!!
JACOBS
Someone'scar wouldn't start.
MCCROSKY
(onmike)
Striker,this isMcCrosky. Give me five minutes andkeep your fingerscrossed.
(to Stinson)
Stinson,get me the Mayflower plans!
(toController 3)
You, clearthis table!
JACOBS
I'll getthe cards and bridge mix.
MCCROSKY
And someoneget me the Sarg!
CUTTO:

CLOSEUPOF SARG

leaningover the ship's plans. He is eating another cigar. All Controllers standaround him.

SARG
That'smy littlegirl, my littledarlin', my sweetheart,my honey, and you want to blow her belly out with that bomb. If you blast here inthe computer core and the fuselagedoesn't give way here and the main communicationlines to the cockpit hold here andthis baby here doesn't jam this littleold unit up here and throw abouttwo tons of hot steelthrough here like ahot knife through butter and the upper and lower...
MCCROSKY
What's your point, Sarg?
SARG
Ihave no point.
MCCROSKY
Then it's settled.The bomb is Striker's only chance.Are there any questions?
CONTROLLERS
No sir.
MCCROSKY
Those are answers, Iasked forquestions.
CONTROLLER 3
Should aman inhis fortieshave a circumcision?
MCCROSKY
Absolutely.
TED
Well, Elaine, this might be it ifthose guyson the ground don't think of something.
ELAINE
I justwant you to know, I loveyou Ted and alwayswill.

lil.

SFX:RADIO BEEPS

TED
Thatmight be the news we've been waiting for.

He grabs radio.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
I've got somenews foryou, Striker.

Ted andElaine smilehopefully at each other.

TED
(on radio)
Roger.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
One of your passengers iscarrying a bomb and is suicidal.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC STING

ELAINE
A b. .

She coversher mouth.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
No, abomb.

Joe Salucciwipes his brow, layshis case on his lap.

ANGLE ON FRONT OF CABIN

Ted andMary huddle.

TED
Which passenger isJoe Salucci?
MARY
Sixteen 'C',why?
TED
He's carryinga bomb.
MARY
A b. .

She coversher mouth.

TED
No, abomb. Now, as discreetly as possible, Iwant you to move the passengers intothe lounge.
MARY
What should I say?
TED
Anything. Just don't letSalucci think we're onto him.

Tedmoves down the aisle. Mary gets on the P.A.

MARY
Would everyonenot carrying a bomb please move to the lounge.

ThePassengers go nuts screaming, "Abomb!!"

JOE
(jumpingup with his case)
Don't anyonemove!

All the passengers pile up in a ceiling-to-floor wall behind Ted --he extends his arms, holding them back.

TED
Mr. Salucci, listento me.

Tedtakes a step forwardaway fromthe wall of passengers --the wall crumbles.

TED
Joe,you don't want to blow that thing and kill allthese innocentpeople.
JOE
I don'twant to liveanymore.
TED
Joe,the insurancepolicy won't help your wife andkids. You bought auto insurance, not life insurance.
JOE
What?
TED
(inchingup on him)
That's right,Joe. Now, no one's going to hurt you andno one has to know what's wrong with you.
JOE
You're sure?
TED
I'm sure.

Ted is almostup to Joe when:

JIMMY
(yells)
That'sthe guy fromthe terminal who can't get itup!!

Joebolts. Passengers panic. Ted tackles him. The case flies intothe air inSLOW MOTION. Itturns slowly, hanging forthe longesttime as we CUT, still in SLOW MOTION, to horrified faceswatching it.This SLOW MOTION sequence lasts forabout 60 seconds-- people put on make- up, domacrame, read, etc. -- while the case is still in the air. Suddenly, Scraps leapshigh into the air in SLOW MOTION and comes down with the case between his teeth.

126

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Controllershuddle over one monitor.

MCCROSKY
Get that bomb, Striker!Get that bomb!
ELAINE (V.O.)
Come in,Control! We have the bomb!!
ALL CONTROLLERS
He's gotthe bomb!!
JACOB
This is just likean election in Iran.

Ted isback at the controls -- the cockpit is incredibly hot now.

TED
Thisheat's getting unbearable.

He looks downand seestwo eggs fryingon the dash.

ELAINE
But itis a dryheat, Ted.
127

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Controllers aregrouped around the plans.

MCCROSKY
Do we use the bomb to blow that computer or isthere anotherway? Iwant to know what everyonethinks.
CONTROLLER 2 (V.O.)
I think...
(changesmind)
No.
CONTROLLER 3 (V.O.)
We could knock out the wall between the cockpit andcabin, and hang plants.
CONTROLLER 2 (V.O.)
I think...
(changesmind)
No.
CONTROLLER 4 (V.O.)
You can'tknock that wall out. That's a Supportwall, asshole.
CONTROLLER 2 (V.O.)
I think...
(changesmind)
No.
CONTROLLER 5 (V.O.)
Did I flush?
MCCROSKY
Then it's settled.We use the bomb.
(grabs radio)
Striker,McCrosky.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
We've goneover the blueprints and you've got onlyone option.
TED
(on radio)
Iknow what you're going to Say, McCrosky --knock out the wall between the cockpit andcabin and hang plants.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Forget it.That's a support wall. Use the bomb.
ELAINE
Theb...

She coversher mouth.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Ikeep telling you, not the b... The bomb!!
TED
(almostto self)
Why, you'd have to be crazy to try a stunt likethat.

Elaine looksat Ted.

All passengers look forward inTed's direction.

SUPERthe womb over Ted's face.

DOCTOR'S VOICE
You're too low inthe womb, Striker! You've got to come out feet first!

LOSE SUPER.

TED
(grabs case)
Elaine. I'mgoing back there.
ELAINE
Ted... I loveyou. Be careful.

Ted leaves.

SFX:CRASHING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

128

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
(tohis controllers)
Iwant everyoneon their toes forthis one.

ANGLE ON JACOBS

Handing out ballet slippersto the Controllers who are passing a jointdown the line.

MCCROSKY
And if anyonehas any ideas, Iwant to hear them now.
JACOBS
How about a show just likeHollywood Squaresbut with kids. Gary Coleman could host.

ThePassengers stand inthe aisle listening to Mary.

MARY
Now Iwant everyoneto move to the front ofthe cabin.

Passengers move calmly.

MARY
That's fine. Staycalm. We justwant everyone as faraway fromthe blast as possible.

ThePassengers panic and stampederight over her.

129

INT.COMPUTER CORE

Tedwears agas mask and attaches the time-bomb to the computer.

ROK
What areyou doing, Ted? Why are you wearing that mask, Ted?

Gas spewsout of a vent. Ted makes sure his gas mask is tight.

Simon isdressed in space suitand moving down the aisle. Elaine holds onto him.

ELAINE
Simon!Wait! What are you doing?!

Theypass Father O'Flanagan. He has a Bongo drum at his seat.

O'FLANAGAN
Under the 'B', sixteen!
SIMON
I've lostthe shipand now I've lostyou, Elaine. I'mgetting out.
ELAINE
Simon, Ididn't want itto end likethis. We can be friends!You'll die out there.

5 IMON Maybe.

ELAINE
Simon,what are you saying?!

Simon steps intoa hatch labeld, "ESCAPECAPSULE".

SIMON
I'm saying, Ican't take the singlesscene again,Elaine.

Thehatch door slams shut.A passenger passes with a sandwichboard that reads, "JESUSWAS A SINGLE."

ELAINE
Simon,no!

Jimmyappears and yells through the window on the hatch.

JIMMY
You want to talk about itnow, Commander?

The capsule ejects.

130

INT.KRUGER'S OFFICE

TheCommissioner stands in frontof the painting of astronautson black velvet. He is on the phone.

COMMISSIONER
Give me the President of the United States.Tell him it'sthe Commissioner.
(toKruger)
I don'tknow how the old man's going to takethis.
131

INT.OVAL OFFICE

ThePRESIDENT poses fora photo session: CLOSEUP of President holding aloft ina victory salute, the hands of twoblack men. On the camera flashwe LOOSEN to reveal the bodiless armsof two black mannequins. An AID hands the phone to the President.

AID
Houston, sir.
PRESIDENT
(takingphone)
This isthe President... What?!... What?!

He walks past a wall of photos of past presidents: JFK, Johnson,Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Reagan older, Reagan much older, Merv Griffin, a chimp, and this President.

SPLIT SCREEN:PRESIDENT AND COMMISSIONER

COMMISSIONER
I don'tthink that shuttle'sgoing to make it, sir.

ThePresident passes an Arab piling millions in cash onto his desk.

PRESIDENT
Damnit, Mister, the dignity and integrity ofthis presidency depends on the success ofthat mission. And that's my last word!
COMMISSIONER
Yes, sir.

Theyboth hang up and, making sureno one is watching, pick their noses.

WIPE TO FULL SCREENOF OVAL OFFICE

AID
What's our strategyon this one, sir?
PRESIDENT
Iwork forthe people of these United States,Frank. Ihave to do what's best forthem.
(grabsthe redphone)
Al, kill social security,cancel school lunchesonly forthe poor, dismantle welfare, close all hospitals and public toilets,green lightthe MX-6, invade Brazil, andbring my horse around after my nap!

Ted is atthe controls. Elaine rushes in.

ELAINE
Simon just ejected!
TED
Sit down,Elaine. Ifthis bomb trick works we justmight make it.Simon was a fool to ejectnow.
ELAINE
You mean...
TED
That's right --premature ejection.
ELAINE
What will happen to him, Ted?
TED
The sunwill heat that thing to over 450 degreeswithin seconds.He'll roast like a pig on a spit.
132

EXT. ESCAPE CAPSULE -SPACE

We see a roaston a spitthrough the window.

133

INT.COMPUTER CORE

The clockon the time bomb TICKS down.

TED
(lookingat wristwatch)
Are you afraid?
ELAINE
Not when I'mwith you, Ted.
TED
I guessyou'd have to be a foolnot to be afraid at atime likethis.

Mrs. Gooch suckson her cushion -- she's totally zonked on acid.

MAN NEXT TO HER
Are you afraid?
MRS. GOOCH
(lookingat her hands)
Are these my hands?
FATHER O'FLANAGAN
(to Stella)
Are you afraid?
STELLA
I'm anurse. Ican't afford to be afraid, Father.

ANOTHER AREA

JIMMY
(to Scraps)
Are you afraid, Scraps?
SCRAPS
(heBARKS once, subtitle translate)
Not when there's a guy likeTed Striker up there,Jimmy.
(heBARKS one more time -- subtitles)
Now how abouta little scratchon the innerthigh?

Testa standsover Ted with a clipboard.

TESTA
Fifty-six percent of the passengers are afraid.Twenty-nine percent are not afraid.Eight percent are undecided and sevenpercent think Israel shouldgive back Finland.
TED
You better strapyourself in,Testa.
(on radio)
Mission control, this isMayflower. Over.
MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Go ahead, Striker.
TED
(on radio)
We've got about 60 secondsbefore that thingblows. We're setto reprogram for Mercury at zeropoint fiveWORP.
134

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROKSY
(on radio)
Zeropoint fiveWORP?!
STRIKER (V.O.)
That's right.When the bomb explodes we're goingto have a ten foothole inthe fuselage and Iwant to get there as fast as I can. Iknow what this snipcan do, McCrosky.
MCCROKSY
(toControllers)
No one's evertravelled at that speed before.
JACOBS
Last springwe did Europe innine days.
135

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itcareens towards the sun.

136

INT.COMPUTER CORE

Bomb clockTICKS down.

137

INT.

Mary instructsPassengers.

MARY
Heads between the knees!
(lookingdown aisle)
Between your own knees, Father!

O'Flanagan looksaround guiltily.

138

INT.MISSION CONTROL

McCrosky addresseshis troops.

MCCROSKY
I don't find iteasy to talk at a time likethis, but Iwant to say something aboutthat guy up there. Ican sum itall up inone word -- courage, dedication, Spirit,pride, selflessness,and g-u-t-s, guts. Striker'sgot more guts inhis little fingerthan most of us have inour large intestine.He's got guts up to his eyeballs,guts coming out of his ears.

Controllers startplaying cards, doing needlepoint.

MCCROSKY
Sure it's acliche but great shortstops areborn, not made, and a clown is funny inthe circus but when he gets on the highway, he's murder. Itbugged me too when Mr. Ed refusedto talk when the neighbors came over but...
139

INT.COMPUTER CORE

The bomb TICKS down and BLOWS.

The ship shakesviolently. Ted fightsfor control.

INSERT -SPEEDOMETER SLOWS

BACK TO SCENE

SFX:ENGINE WHINE SUBSIDES.

The ship startsbumping as if it'shit a rough road.

TED
(on radio)
We've blown the computer!
(toElaine)
Elaine! Setcourse change!
ELAINE
(flips a switch)
set!
TED
Now!
ELAINE
(pushesa button)
Compute!

"Compute" sign flashes.

Tedpulls anacceleration lever.

TED
Here goes.
140

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

It slowsto a halt.

Tedpulls the leverhard toward himself. The ship shudders.

141

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

The ship slingshots inthe opposite direction, disappearing intothe void leaving a trail of light.

INSERT -PANEL LIGHT, "0.5WORP"

BACK TO SCENE

TED
(on radio)
Point fiveWORP!
142

INT.MISSION CONTROL

PAN Controllers looking intently intothe night sky. PAN toMrs. Salucci intentlygripping her vibrator -- it's on. PAN to Jacobs readingVARIETY -- headline: "PARAMOUNT ANNOUNCES SHUTTLEDISASTER PIC!"

MCCROSKY
Zeropoint fiveWORP, that's half the speedof light.We really have no idea what canhappen to the human body at that speed.

TwoPassengers (contortionists)with legs up over their shoulders and lookingout over their rear ends, play cards.

The interiorvibrates. A psychedelic blaze of multi- colored light illuminatesthe interior.Ted struggles with the controls.

MCCROSKY (V.O.)
Striker,we're monitoring you. You're righton course. At that speedyou should hit Mercury inabout sixminutes. So give yourself enoughtime to kill those WORP engines.
143

INT.MISSION CONTROL

MCCROSKY
(on radio)
We'll be out of radio range ina few seconds. I'mgoing to put you in contact with Mercury Base Alpha Beta foryour final descent.Over.
(offmike)
Stinson,who's incommand of Alpha Beta?
STINSON
Al Hammil?
CONTROLLER 3
Not anymore. It'sRex Kramer, now.
MCCROSKY
Not Rex Kramer!
CONTROLLER 3
No, Rex Kramer.
144

EXT. MERCURY -NIGHT

We seethe Alpha Beta base in distance with an ALPHA BETA neon sign flashing.

SFX:WAILING SUBMARINESIREN.

SUPER:MERCURY BASE, ALPHA BETA

145

INT.ALPHA BETA BASE -CORRIDOR

SFX:WAILING SUBMARINESIREN.

Four uniformed officers race to their posts around a corner andcollide with fourothers racing around the corner fromthe other direction.

146

INT.ELEVATOR -ALPHA BETA BASE

REX KRAMER watches the floors flashby on the panel above the door.

INSERT -FLOOR LIGHT, "LEVEL 1- POWER STATION"

O.S. we hear a DOG GROWLING and fightingwith something.

CLOSEUPOF KRAMER

KRAMER
Iknow this guy, Ted Striker. I flewwith him during the war. He was a crack pilot but he didn'thave it inthe crunch... That is...

INSERT -FLOOR LIGHT, "LEVEL3 - LIVING QUARTERS"

BACK TO SCENE

KRAMER
Until that day over Chicago. He brought thatbusted up 767out of that stormlike apaper glidercoming outta the baby blue.

INSERT -FLOOR LIGHT, "LEVEL5 - WOMEN'S SHOES, BEDDING, APPLIANCES". "LEVEL 6 -DESIGNER JEANS".

BACK TO SCENE

KRAMER
But flyingthat shuttle isa whole differentballgame.

The elevatordoors open. Kramer stepsout into the communications room.

SFX: SUBMARINE SIRENWAILS.

PAN downto floorof elevator to find a young officer -- Carey --torn to shredsand fightingoff Kramer's golden retrieverdog. The doors close. Kramer approaches an OFFICER.

KRAMER
What's the latest,Lieutenant?
OFFICER
They'llhit our atmosphere inabout three minutes, if theyhold together. They've losttheir computer and are coming inat zeropoint fiveWORP on manual control, sir.

Ted shiftsa stick shifton the steering column.

147

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

Kramer looksat the big screen.

SFX: SUBMARINE SIRENWAILS.

KRAMER
Down scope!

A submarineperiscope drops. Kramer looks for the shuttle.

KRAMER
He'll never bring that thing in on manual, but Iguess Striker'stheir only hope.

INSERT -PERISCOPE SHOTOF WWII SHIPS

BACK TO SCENE

KRAMER
It'shis shipnow. He's the top dog.

INSERT -PERISCOPE SHOTOF SHORE LINE FROM WWII FILM

BACK TO SCENE

KRAMER
Thebig man. The numero uno honcho.

INSERT -PERISCOPE SHOTOF DESERT

BACK TO SCENE

KRAMER
Thehead cheese.

INSERT -PERISCOPE SHOTOF THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW -- ED WAVES GOODNIGHT.

BACK TO SCENE

Kramer stepsaway fromthe scope. It drops down. A man in abarber chair ison the other end of the steel column and comesto reston the floor.

OFFICER 2
Sir,we have radiocontact.

Testatalks to the passengers. Psychedelic lights flash.

TESTA
(yelling)
We're travelling at one half the speed of light.There isnothing to worry about. However, you might experience some temporarymetabolic changes.

ANGLE ON WOMAN

Her beard grows.

INSERT -CLOSEUP OF SANITARY NAPKIN DISPENSER

A flurryof hands empties it intwo seconds.

ANGLE ON TEXAN

He has turned intoa Hassidic Rabbi.

Ted is fightingto maintain control.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Striker,this isRex Kramer on Alpha Beta. Do you readme? Over.

Ted andElaine give startled looksof recognition.

KRAMER (V.O.)
That's right,Ted. Rex Kramer. We've lockedyou on track beam. You're going to have to kill those WORP engines inexactly thirty seconds.Over.
148

INT.MISSION CONTROL

Everyone tensely looksout the window into the night sky.

MCCROSKY
There'snothing else we can do forthose people out there now, except pray.

The entireroom explodes inan up-beat Southern Baptists' renditionof "HE'SGOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS".

KRAMER (V.O.)
Now, Striker!Kill WORP!

Tedpushes his WORP lever forwardbut it comes off in his hand.

ELAINE
Ted,the lever!
TED
(on radio)
Kramer, the WORP control handle justcame off inmy hand.
KRAMER (V.O.)
Try anotherhandle!
TED
There areno more handles, only switches.
KRAMER (V.O.)
No buttons?!
TED
(lookingaround madly)
Just switches, lights,and knobs.
149

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

KRAMER
(lookingat buttons and levers onhis panel)
I'd givemy rightarm to get justone of thesebuttons or leversup there right now.
(on radio)
Okay, Striker.You're going to have to pull that leverpanel off.
TED
(toElaine)
Screw driver!

Shehands him a vodka and orange juice.Ted throws it on his face.He reachesdown and rips the panel off, exposing all sortsof wires.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Now find apiece of metal and stick itin there.

Ted looks around fora piece of metal. Elaine pulls a bobby pin fromher hair.

ELAINE
Will this work, Ted?

Her longbrown hair falls sexily.She sweeps it back with a tossof her head. Ted isoverwhelmed by her.

TED
Thanks.
(on radio)
I've got somethingthat might work.
150

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNCATIONS ROOM

TED (V.O.)
A bobby pin.

Kramer andAids exchange a look which questions Ted's sexuality.

KRAMER
What the hell isa man doing with a... forget it.
(on radio)
It'llhave to do, Striker.

Ted sticksthe bobby pin intothe wires. Sparks fly. The ship starts slowingup.

SFX:THE ENGINE WHINE SUBSIDES.

INSERT -SPEBKDOMETERWINDING DOWN

BACK TO SCENE

TED
It'sworking.
151

INT.COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

Kramer stands in frontof the huge screen. A small ship appears inthe distance coming right at us.

KRAMER
(on radio)
Okay, Striker.We have you on visual. Just keep her level.
152

EXT. SHIP - SPACE

Itcareens towards the planet surface.

It startsbouncing wildly.

TED
She's comingapart!

Passengers scream.

153

INT.NEWS SET -BUFFALO

The anchorman screams.

SUPER: "EDITORIAL".

154

INT.NEWS SET -TOKYO

The anchorman screams.

SUPER: "EDITORIAL". (InRussian lookingprint.)

155

INT.HOTEL LOBBY -RIO MONTENEGRO

The deskclerk screams.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Keep her nose up! Don't fighther!
TED
I'mtrying but she's fightingme!

A boxing glove springs fromthe dash punching Ted in the face.

ELAINE
Ted,that's Alpha Beta!

ANGLE OUT SHIPWINDOW - NIGHT

We seethe lightsof a smallcolony on planet surface. TheAlpha Beta neon sign isvisible.

156

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

Kramer sits ina large swivelchair -- like Captain Kirk's onthe Enterprise bridge. As he talks, he nonchalantly Swivels sohis back isto the huge window. We see the Mayflower approachingon the screen.

KRAMER
(on radio)
Now, Striker,there are a fewthings you have to keep inmind as you get close to theplanet's atmosphere.

ANGLE ON COMMUNCATION ROOM PERSONNEL

Theywatch inhorror as the Mayflower comes shooting at them.

KRAMER
(on radio)
First and foremostyou have to make one very importantdecision.

Elaine looksout the window --horrified.

ELAINE
Ted!We're not stopping!!

Ted fightsthe controls.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Isthis a landingyou're sureyou can make without endangeringthe livesof your passengers?
157

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

ANGLE ON PERSONNEL

They run forcover.

ANGLE ON THE SCREEN

TheMayflower comes right at the screen and crashes through it.Kramer still has his back to the screen and doesn'tnotice what has happened -- the room behind him has been totally demolished.

KRAMER
(on radio)
Now, once you've made that decision you have to be very clear about your responsibilityto those people on that ship.

The frontwindow isbroken. Ted and Elaine are covered in debris.Elaine's eyes grow wide with terror again.

ELAINE
Ted!
158

EXT. PLANET SURFACE

A groupof scientists standat a keyboard synthesizer. One plays the seriesof notes fromCLOSE ENCOUNTERS. Suddenlythe Mayflower appears over a hill. They all jump for cover as itcrashes through the synthesizer.

Ted andElaine are covered in piano keys.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Their lives,their futures,their goals and aspirationsare inyour hands, Striker.
159

EXT. PLANET SURFACE

TheMayflower bounces across the surface.

Mary maneuvers down the aisle. Passengers are screaming andbeing tossed around.

MARY
(to onepassenger)
Seatbacks up. Thank you.

She looksup and sees feet dangling from the ceiling. A man has gone rightthrough the ceiling up to his waist.

MARY
(lookingup)
Sir,you reallymust take your seat.
160

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNCATIONS ROOM

KRAMER
(on radio)
We're allwith you on this one, Striker. Now get readyto position landinggear, cut engines,and fireyour retro rockets.
161

EXT. PLANET SURFACE -DAWN

TheMayflower careens to a smoking,crunching, shattering stop.

Mary andTesta startdirecting panic-striken passengers to the exits.

162

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

KRAMER
(on radio)
Timing'sof the essence on a lameduck approach, Striker.Don't fighther. Hold her steady.Nose up.
163

EXT. SHIPON A HILL -DAWN

Ted andElaine stand lookingdown on the wreckage. In b.g., SIRENSWAIL, emergency lights flashacross Ted and Elaine.

VOICES (0.S.)
You'll be all right!Everyone's going to be okay!

Tedholds Elaine.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Don't fighther, Striker.Hold her! Hold her! Staywith her, Striker!

Ted andElaine kiss.

KRAMER (V.O.)
Now, hit your landinggear and cut those engines!
164

INT.ALPHA BETA COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

KRAMER
(on radio)
Timing'severything, Striker! Fire your retro-rockets!
165

EXT. PLANET SURFACE -DAWN

Ted andElaine walk off intothe distance.

SFX: SIRENSFROM CRASH AREA INDISTANCE.

KRAMER (V.O.)
(voice fading)
Now giveher full flapand keep that nose up. Okay, now!
ELAINE
Ted,what's going to happen to us?

Ted stops and looks intothe distant, dark sky. A printed crawlbegins:

MUSIC: OPTIMISTIC THEME

CRAWL
FAR, FAR AWAY INTHE DEEPEST REGIONS OF OUR VAST SOLAR SYSTEM, A SMALL, BRAVE GROUP OF PIONEERS EMBARK ON A BOLD NEW ADVENTURE. THEIR MISSION: TO OPEN UP A NEW FRONTIER. THEIR GOAL, TO BUILD A BRAVE NEW WORLD.

Ted andElaine walk towards crawl and are approached by two strangeCREATURES --bald with a shock of hair sprouting fromthe top of their heads.

CREATURE
Hello, we'd likeyou to have this flower. We're with the Church of Mercurial Consciousness.Would you like to make a donation?

THEEND