THE VOICE OF ATON "HIDALGO" by GORDON D WENN CAST LIST --------- ALIEN NEWSREADER PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SET LIST -------- INTERIORS --------- OVAL OFFICE NEWSDESK PODIUM Copyright (c) 2003 - All rights reserved - KitsWriter@Yahoo.com # 1. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. - OVAL OFFICE - DAY We see the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES sitting at his desk, working on several important documents. A point of light suddenly appears to his front. As he looks up, it grows, becoming disk shaped. Hovering slightly above the floor, it emits a low pitched hum. Then it begins to rotate on a forward axis. Slowly at first, then rapidly blurring into a large sphere. As the outer layer becomes solid, a blue line slides through the length of the sphere, cutting it open. An odd looking ALIEN emerges. As he speaks, his hard, unintelligible voice, activates a block shaped device sitting on the PRESIDENTS' desk. Which glows, translating the ALIENS' words. ALIEN Why have you summoned me? PRESIDENT There are many things that we must discuss. ALIEN I do not think there are! PRESIDENT I disagree, the current situation must be dealt with! ALIEN You are mistaken. PRESIDENT Why is that? ALIEN We have an agreement. PRESIDENT (shrugs) I find no record of any agreement. The ALIEN remains motionless, perhaps thinking. PRESIDENT(CON'T) Do you have any records of this agreement? ALIEN No. # 2. The PRESIDENT continues with the formal proceedings. PRESIDENT Any formal or informal discussions that we have had, must be written down. These notes form the basis of any collective protocols between our respective Races. Any agreement derived from these preliminary sessions must be ratified in an open public forum. ALIEN Such things do not concern us. PRESIDENT (conclusion) Well, perhaps that may be the problem. The ALIEN says nothing. PRESIDENT(CON'T) You have called yourself an Ambassador. ALIEN Yes. PRESIDENT Do you understand that such things must be formalized? ALIEN No. PRESIDENT Is it that you don't understand, or that you do not wish to formalize them? ALIEN Our understanding is that we have an agreement. PRESIDENT (irritated) Not with me! # 3. The PRESIDENT waits for an answer. ALIEN When we first contacted you, our position was discussed and agreed upon. PRESIDENT That was three years ago. Six months ago we had an election. I am now occupying this office. There is no formal agreement between us. Nothing has been written down. ALIEN None of this concerns us. PRESIDENT It should, if you wish to remain on our Planet! ALIEN We will remain. You can do nothing to stop us. PRESIDENT (frowning) That sounds like a threat. ALIEN If you wish it to be! The PRESIDENT leans back in his chair, changing the subject. PRESIDENT What is your Race called? ALIEN We are, who we are. PRESIDENT That sounds overly cryptic. ALIEN To what do you refer? PRESIDENT Any cultural reference will do. Ancient tribal names. Your home planet. Where is it, by the way? # 4. The ALIEN makes an odd noise. No translation occurs. PRESIDENT(CON'T) I'm didn't quite get that. Was that a proper name? ALIEN This is none of our concern. PRESIDENT (edgy) Just what is your concern? What is it that you want from us? Why are you here? ALIEN These things will be explained to you very soon. PRESIDENT (annoyed) How soon? There are many questions to be answered. Or are we merely just Raw Materials to be harvested? ALIEN I do not understand. PRESIDENT (inquiry) There must be some reason that brought you here. What is it that you want from us? ALIEN There is nothing that we need from you. PRESIDENT That's not really true, is it?... When you first arrived, you did nothing, said nothing. Then Eight months later, one of your Translation Devices appears, demanding large quantities of Helium Three. # 5. ALIEN It is necessary for our ship. PRESIDENT (irritated) You demanded, you didn't ask. This was the basis of any agreement that we have with you. Your Demands. The ALIEN repeats himself. ALIEN It is necessary for our ship. PRESIDENT Is there something wrong with your ship? Something we can help you with? ALIEN We do not require your assistance. The PRESIDENT becomes mildly frustrated. PRESIDENT So you don't need any more Helium Three. The ALIEN emits a high pitch hum. ALIEN It is necessary for our ship. PRESIDENT So you do need us for something? ALIEN We do not require.... PRESIDENT (interrupts) ....Your assistance. Yes, I know. We could probably keep talking in circles for some indefinitely. Perhaps another subject? # 6. ALIEN Very well. PRESIDENT Three weeks ago, some of your people entered one of our medical facilities. They caused some serious damage and almost killed several people. Why? What were they doing there? ALIEN They are important, they must not be interfered with. Their persons are inviolate. PRESIDENT Important? ALIEN Yes. The PRESIDENT stands. PRESIDENT (angry) WHEN WERE PLANNING ON TELLING US THAT? The ALIEN seems to ignore the outburst. ALIEN They are important, they must not be interfered with. The PRESIDENT sits back down, composes himself. PRESIDENT (calmer) We seem to be stuck in a verbal loop. Can you offer any solution? ALIEN No. PRESIDENT Why not? ALIEN I do not understand? # 7. PRESIDENT What can you offer? ALIEN That would be pointless. PRESIDENT Why? ALIEN You have to be more specific. PRESIDENT Haven't I been? ALIEN No. PRESIDENT You're not being very diplomatic. ALIEN Is that necessary? PRESIDENT It is, if you wish to remain on this planet. ALIEN We will remain. PRESIDENT And if we do not wish you to remain? ALIEN We will remain. PRESIDENT Is this the basis of your negotiation? ALIEN There is nothing for us to negotiate. PRESIDENT Are you quite sure that there isn't? ALIEN Yes. The PRESIDENT looks down at his desk. Closes a file. Then looks up, directly at the ALIEN. # 8. PRESIDENT (decisive) All shipments of Helium Three are hereby suspended. ALIEN No. PRESIDENT All of your people on the surface of this planet, are hereby interned. ALIEN No. PRESIDENT Your ship will leave the orbit of our planet immediately. ALIEN No. PRESIDENT (angry) Say something else. ALIEN What would you like me to say? PRESIDENT I would like you to participate in a diplomatic discussion. ALIEN I have been. The PRESIDENT stands, controlling his feelings. He turns his back to the ALIEN, briefly looking out the window. A moment passes. Then he returns to his seat. PRESIDENT I do not think you understand the situation. ALIEN Is that necessary? PRESIDENT Do you understand how serious all this has become? ALIEN I suppose. # 9. PRESIDENT How serious do you think it is? ALIEN I do not understand? PRESIDENT What do you think will happen next? ALIEN I cannot say. PRESIDENT I believe you can.... I want you to collect all the information you have. Extrapolating any conclusions you arrive at. The ALIEN operates some device in his hand. It chirps several times. The translation device on the PRESIDENTS' desk begins glowing oddly. Then the patterns of light change, becoming random flashes. They move faster, blinking chaotically. Then finally stopping, dark. The ALIEN speaks. ALIEN You wish us to leave. We will stay. There will be a Conflict. PRESIDENT (flatly) What sort of Conflict? ALIEN You will launch thermonuclear weapons at our ship. Then we will obliterate all life on the surface of this world. The PRESIDENT sits back in his seat. Gripping the armrest tightly. A moment of silent tension passes. He leans forward slightly, apprehensive. Then collecting his thoughts, then responds to the ALIENS last comment. PRESIDENT I sincerely doubt that you will. The device in the ALIENS' hand hums. Off key. ALIEN I do not understand? The PRESIDENT stands. Points at the translation device. # 10. PRESIDENT Please examine this device carefully. ALIEN Why? PRESIDENT We made it. ALIEN That is not possible. You do not have the capacity. The PRESIDENT reaches into his top left hand drawer. Takes out a tray covered with loose parts, placing it on his desk. PRESIDENT This one is yours. ALIEN That is another of our devices. PRESIDENT We've also deciphered your operating system. Leave now. ALIEN This is a trick. PRESIDENT No trick. Leave now. While you still can. ALIEN We will remain. You can do nothing. The PRESIDENT sits back down, composes his thoughts. PRESIDENT Some of it could be our fault. We had so many preconceived notions about visitors from Outer Space. Who knew it would be none of the above. ALIEN We can not be held responsible for anything you may have assumed. PRESIDENT (adamant) But you did take full advantage of those assumptions! # 11. The ALIEN says nothing. The PRESIDENT continues. PRESIDENT(CON'T) We are a curious people. When someone doesn't answer the front door, we go the back door.... The ALIEN still says nothing. PRESIDENT(CON'T) Shortly after you arrived, a number of our satellites disappeared. A random sample of our technology. Perhaps.... Decades ago, the space around this planet was littered with thousands of bits of debris. But then we cleaned it up. The PRESIDENT types into the computer on his desk. Then turns the screen towards the Alien. We see a cylindrical object. PRESIDENT(CON'T) We call them "PEE TWO" probes. For Push Me Pull Me.... Three small fusion generators create a Lifting Field, capable of putting the probe into orbit. The Field also creates a static charge, that can sweep away several tonnes of debris. It's also Radar invisible. You didn't see them either. The ALIEN makes a sound that doesn't translate. PRESIDENT(CON'T) The probes attached themselves to your ship rather casually. Our first piece of real information had to do with your fuel requirements. We directed your attention to a source. You provided the additional technology. The PRESIDENT points to the translation device. PRESIDENT(CON'T) We thought you'd leave your ship in some sort of landing craft. But then you just created a hole, and stepped through. # 12. PRESIDENT(CON'T) Of course, nothing was broken down, or transmitted. (pause) We have a long list of preconceived notions. ALIEN (flatly) Your limited understanding of our technology will not aide you. PRESIDENT (stands) Response One Eight Seven Six. The ALIEN appears visibly shaken. ALIEN (excited) Explain! What are you doing? PRESIDENT What do you mean? ALIEN Your speech patterns have changed. PRESIDENT Have they? ALIEN Yes. Your responses have become clearer. The PRESIDENT sits back down. PRESIDENT (inquiry) You don't have a clue, do you? ALIEN Has there been a crime? PRESIDENT (smiling) Yes. A Big One. The ALIEN sways. Nervously. PRESIDENT(CON'T) You're being manipulated. Or should I be clearer? Response Five One Nine Four. # 13. The ALIEN has a slight spasm. But recovers. ALIEN This is none of my concern. PRESIDENT (thoughtful) I should be. But then, it's not really you that's speaking. Is it? ALIEN I cannot say. PRESIDENT Response One Zero Two Nine. The ALIEN becomes visibly irritated. PRESIDENT(CON'T) Originally, we thought your Vessel was just a technically superior transport. One you could depart from. But then it's much, much more than that. Isn't it?... It is in fact a completely self-contained Support System. It's what you really are. You're joined to it. Connected. It's part of you, your part of it. You're a single being. The PRESIDENT pauses for a response. But hears nothing. PRESIDENT(CON'T) (pleads) It is necessary that I speak to You. Not the Machine. But to You. I know it's hard, but I need You to be here now. As an individual. ALIEN No. PRESIDENT I know you can still think for yourself. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. That's your function. Look at the situation and decide for yourself. # 14. PRESIDENT(CON'T) Your System shouldn't make the decisions for your entire Race. You have to do that for yourselves. (pause) I need you to try and break free. ALIEN No. PRESIDENT That was the Machine, that wasn't You. ALIEN No. The PRESIDENT pauses briefly, selecting his words. PRESIDENT Response Six One Four Four. ALIEN Your weapons will not harm us. The PRESIDENT disregards the ALIEN. PRESIDENT Response Four Nine Two Seven. The ALIEN appears confused, for a moment. But quickly regains his resolve. ALIEN No. The PRESIDENT continues. PRESIDENT (stands) Our second piece of information came from those "Important People". (pause) Actually their corpses. Originally we thought that you were merely not that hygienic. Their bodies were covered with layers of lice-like insects. (pause) Then we realized the truly symbiotic relationship you have with your system. # 15. Parts of the ALIENS' body begin to move. PRESIDENT(CON'T) You aren't really speaking to me. Are You? (pause) You don't actually care. You're merely playing a part. Reading coded responses from some electronic cue card. The ALIEN doesn't respond. PRESIDENT(CON'T) (loudly) I need You to be here. You, not your machine. The survival of your entire Race depends upon it. ALIEN We will remain. You can do nothing. PRESIDENT (angry) Don't just read it off the card. Learn. Understand. ALIEN (repetition) We will remain. You can do nothing. The PRESIDENT sits, appears resolved to something. PRESIDENT (concerned) I want you to believe me! Your extinction is closer than you can imagine. The ALIEN shows no sign of interest. PRESIDENT(CON'T) (calmer) We know who you are. We know what you will do. How things will progress. How it will end and what we must do to stop you. ALIEN Your weapons will not harm us. # 16. PRESIDENT We have many different types of weapons.... Nuclear, Chemical.... Biological. ALIEN You cannot deploy them. We are inviolate. PRESIDENT (gestures) Let's examine that Hole you use to move around. (pause) The matter at the transfer site is moved. It's mostly air. But it's moved, then stored somewhere inside your ship. This creates an empty void, into which a person or thing is transferred.... However, just prior to your arrival, in the spot you are now standing, we placed several large containers of a very lethal Biological Agent. ALIEN The System will detect it. Destroy it. PRESIDENT Not if they were covered with a layer your own parasites. ALIEN Any deployment mechanism would be detected. It would be destroyed. PRESIDENT They where open to the air. ALIEN Then you would also die. The PRESIDENT presses a button on his computer. The Oval Office dissolves, revealing smooth containment walls. PRESIDENT Holographic Interface. A product of the Advertising Industry. # 17. ALIEN Why do you do this? PRESIDENT We found a cultural reference. ....Small Pox, Blankets. ALIEN This is none of my concern. PRESIDENT (loud) You're reading from the script again. Stop and think. There's still time to turn all this off. ALIEN Explain. PRESIDENT The moment you go back to your ship, you and the air surrounding you, will push our bacteria into your system. (emotional) Then everything dies! If you stay, we can talk, work things out. You just have to stop listening to the Machine. ALIEN No. The ALIEN keys the device in his hand, dissolving into a ring of light. PRESIDENT (disgusted) Moron! The PRESIDENT adjusts his computer. He records a message. PRESIDENT(CON'T) This is my last order. After they're all dead, I want their ship launched into the Sun. (pause) There's also a dozen people who actually know anything about this. Unfortunately, they'll have to be dealt with. # 18. He presses a button, leans back, the Holographic Oval Office returns. We hear Hail to the Chief. DISSOLVE TO: INT. - NEWSDESK - LATER CLOSE UP of a TV, the words SPECIAL REPORT appear. NEWSREADER We interrupt current programming with this Special Report.... Charles Stanley Dutton, our Fiftieth President, is dead.... The former Governor of Wyoming was at his Ranch this holiday weekend, when he mistakenly summoned his guests to a Barbecue, by discharging a hand held air horn.... Approximately six hundred head of cattle stampeded. Fourteen other people were seriously injured.... We now go to the White House briefing room, where the Vice-President, our fifty-first President, will address the nation. DISSOLVE TO: INT. - PODIUM - CONTINUOUS The Vice-President is standing behind a podium. Someone is speaking to him discretely. He turns to one side listening. Then turns back to his audience, rather blankly. Another voice pulls him aside. He listens, confused. He waves them away. Faces his audience again. Smiles. Coughs. Then extends his arms, palms up. Shrugs. Mea Culpa. VICE-PRESIDENT Moo! FADE OUT. THE END #