Another Time, Another Place/Transcript

Hook
1. EXT. MOON (SFX)

INT. MAIN MISSION

David types at computer. A man walks from computer down to the desks. Regina enters & walks to the balcony stairs: on the first step she pauses, looking around cautiously.

1.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

A whirlpool of white particles.

INT. MAIN MISSION

A strange noise. Alan looks at Paul. Regina stands still on the bottom of the stairs. A man stands on the balcony watching them. They all stand still.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon approaches whirlpool.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour Regina. Suddenly they are all thrown to one side of Main Mission - one man falls over the balcony rail.

2.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon enters whirlpool.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They start to rise, against the wall. Paul rises, trying to use his comlock.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon moves into whirlpool.

3.INT. MAIN MISSION

They are all thrown again to the opposite side. Alan looks up from the floor, confused. Regina looks around, clinging to the stairs. The office doors open & Koenig, Helena and Victor enter, on the still tilted floor.

ALAN: "Velocity's increasing."

KOENIG: "Main Scanner."

-Big Screen (SFX): whirlpool

-PAUL: "Intense gravitational forces, sir." ((sc 5))

KOENIG (to David): "Computer identification?"

David goes to panel, but a nearby panel explodes.

ALAN: "Our velocity readings are off the clock."

Part of Paul's desk explodes.

PAUL: "All sensor equipment malfunctional."

Helena looks at the viewports: beyond coloured particles fall like snowflakes.

6.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Whirlpool.

7.INT. MAIN MISSION

Coloured lights shine in through the viewports; thundering sounds start to fade. They are gradually lean forward against their desks, then back, clinging to them.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Whirlpool.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They are gradually lean forward again against their desks.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Whirlpool.

11.INT. MAIN MISSION

The forward pushing forces ease, and they stand normally. Regina runs back into the office to find the doors closed. Helena sees her. She runs back to Main Mission, in slow motion. She is caught by Helena as she passes her. They look round in bewilderment.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Whirlpool.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Main Mission darkens as Helena looks around.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Moon glows and forms a double image.

7.INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour: Victor; Koenig; Helena; Alan; Sandra; Paul; Regina; in double images

8.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Double image of Moon splits.

9.INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour as one image remains, other speeds off: Victor; Koenig;

8.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Double image of Moon splits.

9.INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour as one image remains, other speeds off: Helena; Alan; Sandra;

10.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Double image of Moon splits.

9.INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour as one image remains, other speeds off: Paul;

10.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Double image of Moon splits.

9.INT. MAIN MISSION

Favour Regina, in agony; Helena looks with concern at her; Regina in agony; Helena looks out window;

11.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Helena's POV: over lunar hills another Moon leaves

Moon in space as whites out. (sc 12)

FADE OUT

Act One
14.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Flared out frame: white dims to reveal space & Moon. Titles over.

15.INT. MAIN MISSION

The unconscious staff are scattered over the floor. Koenig climbs to his feet and watches the others recovering & rising. He stumbles down to Paul.

KOENIG: "Paul, you alright?"

PAUL: "Yes, sir."

KOENIG: "Check all internal Moonbase systems. Helena, you alright?"

HELENA: "Regina?" ((sees Regina still unconscious on floor)) "Regina." ((they kneel by her))

KOENIG (uses comlock): "Doctor Mathias?"

BOB (VO): "Yes, Commander?"

KOENIG: "How are things down there?"

BOB (VO): "Nothing too serious. Getting back to normal."

KOENIG: "Get a Medical Crew to Main Mission." ((clips back comlock)) "Alan. You alright?"

ALAN: "Yeah."

KOENIG: "Check with Reconnaissance, see if any of the Eagles were damaged."

ALAN: "Right."

KOENIG: "Sandra. Call Technical Section. I want an Emergency Repair Crew on standby. Kano. Check all sensors and scanners." ((walks to Victor)) "Victor. What the hell hit us?"

VICTOR: "I have no idea. I just know we're not where we oughta be." ((nods forward))

-Big Screen (SFX): space.

VICTOR: "We've changed our position in space."

-Main Mission: they look forward.

16.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon.

17.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Regina lies asleep in bed. Koenig looks at her, then goes to Helena.

KOENIG: "And she's not responding to treatment?"

HELENA: "No."

KOENIG: "Shock, headaches, double vision. We all experienced the same symptoms."

HELENA: "And are recovering. Except for Regina. Her condition seems to be deteriorating."

KOENIG: "Yeah, but her condition can be diagnosed, understood. What's happening to us out there in space is beyond explanation."

18.INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): sun, planets.

-SANDRA: "Another solar system."

VICTOR (walks from behind Sandra, behind Paul to Alan): "Um...ah..well, well, well. Looks as if we've done "

-Big Screen (SFX): solar system

VICTOR (cont): " a bit of travelling."

ALAN: "Some travelling, Professor."

-Main Mission:

ALAN: "Billions of miles in a matter of seconds."

VICTOR: "Seconds?"

KOENIG (walks down from top of steps): "Maybe our sensors can tell us something. Paul, how are the repairs coming along?"

PAUL: "We're still working on them, sir."

ALAN: "Well, the sensors won't tell us how we got here."

KOENIG: "No."

-Big Screen (SFX): solar system

KOENIG: "But they will tell us what kind of planets are out there."

19.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Regina opens her eyes. Helena leaves her desk & sits on her bed.

HELENA: "Regina." ((Regina moves to sit up, but Helena stops her)): "It's alright."

REGINA: "I was up there again."

HELENA: "Where?"

REGINA (suddenly alarmed): "There were two Moons!"

HELENA: "Just take it easy."

REGINA (calmer): "Everyone was there, Alan, the Commander. Everyone. It must have been a dream".

HELENA: "Of course it was a dream."

REGINA: "Yes. Because they're dead. Alan and the Commander, they're dead." ((sudden panic again)) "No! No! No, they're not dead! No! No!"

HELENA: "Regina..."

REGINA: "No!"

HELENA: "They're not dead, Regina."

REGINA (smiles, calm): "No. No, they're not." ((looks up)) "Isn't the sun hot today?"

HELENA (looking at the peeling skin on the back of her hand): "Tell me about the sun, Regina."

21.INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig is typing with the keyboard beneath his desk screen, calling to the others below in Main Mission.

KOENIG: "Artificial gravity?"

PAUL: "Link up positive."

KOENIG: "Velocity instrumentation?"

ALAN: "Now working."

KOENIG: "Data systems?"

SANDRA: "Activating."

KOENIG: "Sensors?"

DAVID: "Repaired and checked."

KOENIG: "Meteorite screens?"

ALAN: "Operational and on automatic."

PAUL: "All output link ups completed, sir."

KOENIG: "Link up."

INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Regina turns over in her sleep.

22.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Helena operates the comms post screen: it changes from a track over Alpha to Regina asleep in bed.

HELENA: "You can see she actually has sunburn. She believes she's living on a planet in the open air, with sun, wind, trees."

VICTOR: "Uh hum. Something like deja vu, you know, that feeling of I've been here before. It's a common enough experience."

HELENA: "No, it's deeper than that. And if it were classic regression I could deal with it. She's convinced she's actually living another life. Her present life here on Alpha no longer seems to exist for her."

KOENIG: "Did you tell her we're in a new solar system?"

HELENA: "No. The only thing she relates to is this fantasy existence. And the most troublesome part of it for her is that she's in mourning."

KOENIG: "Mourning?"

HELENA: "She thinks both you and Alan Carter are dead."

Koenig looks at Victor.

KOENIG: "Now why should this only happen to Regina?"

VICTOR: "I mean we all of us went through the same experience."

HELENA: "I don't know. What I'm looking for is a connection between that experience and her condition."

VICTOR: "Well, now. It seems that we've been travelling faster than the speed of light, which means of course time might be affected. So Regina might be living a past life, or...perhaps even a future life. But feeling it now."

DAVID (entering through opening big doors): "Commander."

Koenig is given a readout. He studies it, looks at Kano, then the others, then leads them into Main Mission.

22.INT. MAIN MISSION

Continued from above. Koenig walks down.

-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: solar system

KOENIG: "You checked all this?"

PAUL: "It checks out." ((-Paul)) "Computer confirms there are nine planets revolving around that sun."

KOENIG: "Aim long range scanner on the third planet."

-Big Screen (SFX): blue planet zooms in close

-KOENIG: "Kano. See what Computer has to say about the third planet." ((David goes to computer & types))

-Big Screen (SFX): planet

COMPUTER: "Third Planet Distance From The Sun Ninety Three Million Miles"

-Main Mission: Koenig & others listen

COMPUTER: "Diameter Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Six Miles. Axial Rotation Twenty Three Hours and Fifty Six Minutes. Third Planet Is The Third Planet Of Our Solar System"

-Big Screen (SFX): planet

COMPUTER: "Planet's Name Is Earth."

-Main Mission: reactions

COMPUTER: "Moon Velocity Easing.

Moon Going Into

Earth Orbit."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Earth.

FADE OUT

Act Two
23.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon horizon, Earth.

PAUL (VO): "Come in, Earth. Moonbase Alpha calling Earth. Moonbase Alpha calling Earth. Come in, Earth."

24.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "We're not receiving you, Earth. Possibly you can hear me. Computer forecasts that we shall re-enter Earth orbit in forty five hours."

DAVID (at computer): "Gravitational forces compensating steadily. Shockwave conditions not expected."

ALAN: "Great! We can take an Eagle down for a look right now."

PAUL: "But we're getting no response to our signals - something's wrong."

ALAN: "Oh, come on, come on. Let's cut the talking and get going." ((looks at closed big doors)) "Damn it. What is keeping the Commander?"

25.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

KOENIG (at desk): "We've guessed at all kinds of disasters."

VICTOR: "Uh hum. And we're still guessing. We can't calculate what might have happened to the Earth since the Moon went out of orbit."

PAUL (on desk screen): "Still no contact, Commander."

KOENIG: "Keep trying, Paul. Open all frequencies and put the signal on automatic."

PAUL (on desk screen): "Yes sir."

KOENIG: "Victor." ((He walks round desk)) "A space phenomenon we don't understand shifts us billions of light years across space. As incredible as that is, I accept it." ((He goes to the globe)) "But to put us..precisely in the exact orbit we occupied around Earth.." ((spins globe)) "I know less and less about this Universe, Victor. But that's got to be more than chance."

VICTOR (walks to globe): "Yes," ((he slaps Koenig's arm)) "there is a logic somewhere to it, John. There is some frame of order. We may make all sorts of blunders, wander off the path now and then, but ultimately.." ((stops spin)) "We belong where we belong. On Earth."

26.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Helena dabs cream on Regina's sunburnt face.

REGINA: "I always peel. It's awful, isn't it?"

HELENA: "Oh, it's not bad." ((finishes))

REGINA (stands): "Oh, I hate being ill. I hate being inside so much."

HELENA: "You're getting better now." ((sits at desk))

REGINA: "Yes. I think it's because he's come back."

HELENA: "Who's come back?"

REGINA: "My husband."

HELENA: "Your husband?"

REGINA: "Yes, Alan. It's been so long. Why have Alan and the Commander been away so long?"

HELENA: "You've been ill and time gets all mixed up."

REGINA: "But they are back now, aren't they?"

HELENA: "Now, look, don't upset yourself. You want to get better, don't you?"

REGINA (worried): "He is here, isn't he? Alan is here, isn't he? He is here?"

HELENA: "Yes, he is here."

REGINA: "Why doesn't he come to see me?"

HELENA: "He will, soon."

REGINA: "You will ask him? He will come. Please, ask him."

HELENA (pause): "Alright. I'll bring him to see you."

27.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

KOENIG (sitting on sofa): "Once we're in orbit you'll have plenty of time for reconnaissance. But if you go down there now and for any reason we don't go into Earth's orbit, we'll lose you, forever."

ALAN (stood at top of steps): "But we are going into orbit. The Computer confirms it."

KOENIG: "The Computer? The Computer can't even tell us why Earth doesn't answer our signals."

ALAN: "Now that's just another reason why we should go down there right now."

KOENIG: "No. Not until we're safely in orbit and have studied the situation down there." ((desk bleeps))

HELENA (VO): "Alan Carter please."

ALAN: "Yep."

HELENA (on desk screen): "Could you come to the Medical Unit right away?"

ALAN: "Right. I'm on my way."

KOENIG (uses comlock to open big doors): "Go ahead, Alan. And while you're down there get something to cool your blood a little."

28.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Lyrical scene: Regina painting happily, Helena at desk. Alan enters.

REGINA: "Alan?" ((she knocks over the easel as she runs to hug him, crying)) "Oh, Alan. Oh, you're here! Oh, you are here! Oh, Alan. Oh, you're here. Oh, you're here." ((Sudden fear & confusion)) "No! No!" ((backs)) "No! No! No, you're dead! No, you're dead! No! No, you're dead! You're dead! You're dead! No! No!"

She grips her head in confusion & Helena sedates her. Alan carries her to bed.

ALAN: "What the hell was that all about?"

HELENA: "I'm sorry, Alan. She needed to see you and I thought that shock might have a positive effect."

ALAN: "Me? Why me?"

HELENA: "You're the shock. She thinks you're her husband."

ALAN: "Her..."

HELENA: "I'll try to explain it as best I understand it." ((she leads him to the end of the bed)) "Regina believes she's living in another place in some future time."

ALAN: "Living in the future?"

HELENA: "Yes. Somehow, she thinks of it as her past." ((picks up painting)) "This is her world."

She turns to show Alan the painting. It shows strange geodesic house with bright flowers with a sun in a yellow sky.

29.INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Anything, Paul?"

PAUL: "Nothing, sir."

SANDRA: "Commander." ((walks to him with readout)) "Beyond normal radio and magnetic disturbance there is no source of controlled signal. None at all."

KOENIG (to Victor): "Signal or no signal, we can't delay telling the people on Alpha what the situation is."

VICTOR: "One thing we know, there have been some major geological changes on the Earth."

KOENIG: "To what extent?"

VICTOR: "We'll soon find out. We're making a detailed radio map of the surface."

Koenig walks to his desk.

KOENIG: "Attention all sections Alpha. This is Commander John Koenig."

30.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

KOENIG (on post screen): "The Moon's velocity has stabilised and we're moving into a holding orbit around the planet Earth. We may shortly be activating the first phase of Operation Exodus, a reconnaissance probe of the Earth's surface. This is scheduled as soon as the Moon is safely in Earth orbit." ((echoes:)) "Earth orbit...Earth orbit...Earth orbit...Earth orbit..."

Regina stirs, then opens her eyes. She sees a figure in a monkish habit beckoning her. She sits up. She walks to the figure. The hooded head looks up: it is her own face. She is alarmed & covers her own face. Now she sees a dirty skull in the hood, then her own face, then the skull, then her own face again. She turns in slow motion and runs to see herself, in pyjamas, in a mirror: she screams. The whirlpool screech is heard. She smashes the mirror glass & turns to a figure. She swings the object (a torch) at it.

Slow motion as Bob fall onto a bed, unconscious. She runs to the door, but it is closed. She returns to take Bob's comlock and leaves.

31.INT. CORRIDOR

A comms post screen shows her run out of a door. She passes the post & runs on.

Regina runs down the corridor, the 'Nuclear Power Station' at the end. She spins round in confusion. A concerned guard approaches but she swings Bob's comlock and knocks him out. She jumps over the body, but returns to take the stun gun, discarding the comlock.

32.INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): Earth.

-SANDRA: "Ten seconds."

Everyone stands, watching the Big Screen.

-Big Screen (SFX): Earth. Text appears over.

COMPUTER: "Earth orbit

Confirmed."

-Everyone cheers & hugs one another. Regina enters holding up the laser. Everyone stops, looking at her.

REGINA: "Somebody help me, please?"

HELENA (steps to her): "Regina. Please, give that to me."

REGINA: "No! Alan, help me!"

Regina's POV: Koenig stepping in front of Helena, in double vision.

KOENIG: "Easy, Regina."

REGINA: "No."

KOENIG: "Give me the gun."

REGINA (sees Alan): "No!" ((fires laser to hit desk lamp; screams & runs into Alan's arms)) "Alan. I knew you didn't die. I knew." ((head drops back limply))

ALAN (as Helena steps forward): "No. Leave her."

He carries her out of the door, followed by Helena.

FADE OUT

Act Three
33.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig paces the floor. Victor enters through the big doors and walks down to him.

VICTOR: "Well. The Earth's axis has moved. Between five and six degrees."

KOENIG: "That much?"

VICTOR: "Climatic conditions totally different. I've a radio map ready for you." ((uses comlock to activate office view screen)) "In Europe there's a completely ice age climate. But here in North America, large areas of desert, you can see. All these latitudes are just radioactive ash." ((indicates south east US and Mexico))

KOENIG: "What about cities?"

VICTOR: "Umm.."

KOENIG: "Civilisations? Is there anything left of them?"

VICTOR: "Well, about the only place that looks as if it might be able to support life is, ah, this area here, a place called Santa Maria."

KOENIG: "Is there any indication of life?"

VICTOR: "We just have to hope that some people made it."

Helena enters, carrying a thermographic plate. Koenig takes it.

KOENIG: "Regina? I thought her condition was a mental one."

HELENA: "I thought so too."

KOENIG: "Victor?"

VICTOR (holds it up): "Two brains."

PAUL (on post screen): "Commander Koenig. Emergency. Main Mission."

Koenig leads the others into Main Mission.

34.INT. MAIN MISSION

They enter through the opening big doors.

PAUL: "The scanners have just picked it up, sir."

-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: the Moon seen beyond Earth.

-Main Mission: Koenig looks.

KOENIG: "Let's see it close up."

-Big Screen (SFX): Moon seen beyond Earth.

-Main Mission: Koenig

-Big Screen (SFX): Moon moves from Earth

-Main Mission: Paul

PAUL: "Seems we've found another Moon."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Two Moons on opposite sides of Earth

INT. MAIN MISSION

A weak echoing ping is heard.

VICTOR: "That sounds familiar." (sc 37)

KOENIG: "It should. It's our own navigation signal." ((switches off signal))

ALAN: "Another Moonbase."

VICTOR: "Somehow we've caught up with ourselves."

KOENIG (puts signal back on): "Alan. Prepare for immediate lift off. We're going to take a look at that Moon."

ALAN: "Right." ((they leave))

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle rises to surface by a buggy.

Eagle takes off (no buggy)

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Frontal view of Eagle, seeing pilots in windows.

Eagle passes Earth from Moon. (sc 38)

Eagle heads to second Moon

Eagle flies down to Moonbase (sc 40)

41.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle lands.

42.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

They stand, checking their suits.

ALAN: "Well, we have no boarding tube."

KOENIG: "Then we'll have to walk." ((they close visors & leave))

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

INT. AIRLOCK

Door is ajar: it is pushed open by Koenig & he enters with Alan.

44.INT. CORRIDOR

The floor is littered with debris as they bounce along in lunar gravity.

45.INT. MAIN MISSION

They enter a gutted, desolate Main Mission. Koenig's chair stands alone.

KOENIG: "Total evacuation. Operation Exodus."

ALAN: "Uh. Where to?"

KOENIG: "I can guess."

Koenig goes to the one remaining computer panel under the Big Screen & flips off the navigation signal. He joins Alan looking out a viewport.

45.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

A crashed Eagle alongside a wall of lunar rock.

46.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

The door is partially open. They push it open & enter. The interior is dim & dusty. They move up the corridor.

46.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

The door is forced open behind the two seated astronauts. Koenig crouches by the pilot & wipes the dust from the visor: it is Alan.

Alan looks from him to the copilot. The visor is already wiped: it is Koenig.

47.INT. DIAGNOSTIC UNIT

Helena pulls off her gloves & walks to the comms post to put on the lamps. She covers Alan's head with a sheet, then moves to look at Koenig's face. Camera pans up to Koenig entering. She covers his face.

KOENIG: "How did they...they die?"

HELENA: "Their Eagle crashed on the Moon about five years ago. They were both killed on impact."

KOENIG: "Five years ago?"

HELENA: "The space vacuum preserved their bodies."

KOENIG: "The rest of the Alphans could have made it to Santa Maria"

HELENA: "If they're still alive. And...I believe they are. I think that was what Regina was trying to tell us all along."

KOENIG: "Well, we'll soon find out."

HELENA: "Why? Are you going down there, John?"

KOENIG: "I'm about to activate the first phase of Operation Exodus."

HELENA: "Wait, John."

KOENIG: "Helena. We can't wait any longer."

HELENA: "Then, please. Consider this. You saw what happened to Regina as soon as we came into Earth orbit. It's possible the closer we get to Earth, those other Alphans..."

KOENIG: "Our other selves."

HELENA: "What happened to Regina could happen to all of us."

48.INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor whistles as he makes notes on Paul's desk. He looks up at the Big Screen.

VICTOR: "Bigger please."

-Big Screen (SFX): zoom past Earth to Moon.

-Victor tears off a calculator slip & takes it to David.

VICTOR: "Run that through, please." ((resumes whistling))

David operates Computer. A readout appears and Victor rips it off.

VICTOR: "Thank you." ((whistles as looks at screen by Alan)) "It's moving faster."

ALAN: "You've gotta be joking."

VICTOR: "It is. And it's closing on us rapidly."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon.

49.INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "If that other Moon keeps up its present speed we're going to collide with it."

KOENIG: "How long?"

VICTOR: "Forty eight hours."

KOENIG: "That still gives us time for a close look. A Phase One probe."

VICTOR: "You'll only have ten hours on the surface. We need at least twenty four for total evacuation."

KOENIG: "Paul, activate Phase One immediately."

HELENA: "John."

KOENIG: "We have no alternative. If we don't get off this Moon we'll all perish."

HELENA: "Under the circumstances only you and Alan Carter should go. Your other selves are dead. And if our people are to go down the medical implications have to be studied. Like you, John, I have no alternative but to go."

50.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle leaves over lunar horizon heading to Earth.

51.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan pilots.

ALAN: "Eagle now on course for Santa Maria."

52.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "E T A twenty two hundred hours, Earth time."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

PAUL (VO): "Good luck, Alan."

Alan gives a thumbs up to the console screen.

52.INT. MAIN MISSION

SANDRA: "They're going home."

VICTOR: "And heading back into future time. It's an interesting thought." ((scratches head))

FADE OUT

Act Four
53.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies over horizon.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan flies.

EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Night. Eagle flies over valley.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "There are signs of habitation below, sir."

KOENIG (on screen): "We know, Alan. We've seen it too. Looks great. Pick your spot and set her down."

55.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Night. Eagle lands.

56.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Alan joins them.

ALAN: "Well, looks kind of different out there."

KOENIG: "Good landing, Alan. All set?"

ALAN: "Yeh."

The door opens to the darkness.

57.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

The three leave the Eagle & walk into the wood.

They walk through the wood (2 shots).

They approach some structures (sc 59).

KOENIG: "You two check the other end of the settlement. I'll work down from here."

They split up.

Koenig sees a figure in a habit leave one hut for some plants. The figure looks up (SFX: the full Moon), then to another part of the sky (SFX: clouds), then back to the Moon (SFX). Victor starts to whistle & goes to his telescope. He turns it to the sky. (SFX: clouds slowly break to reveal second Moon). He looks back at the other Moon (SFX).

VICTOR: "It's happened." ((Koenig stands)) "You've come back."

60.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Alan approaches a hut & peeps in the window.

61.INT. LIVING UNIT

POV: Sandra is sipping soup as she prepares a meal with an older gray haired woman. The other woman turns: it is Helena. Alan looks in the window, astonished.

EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Helena watches him & walks up.

INT. LIVING UNIT

Alan stares at the scene inside.

62.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Helena approaches to see, insisting on looking.

63.INT. LIVING UNIT

POV: the Earth Helena turns to take some tomatoes, looks up & freezes as she looks at herself. They stare at each other (sc 64, sc 65) Sandra looks out & screams.

SANDRA: "No!"

66.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Floodlights illuminate the settlement area. Paul, David and Tanya appear with lasers. Then Koenig & Victor appear.

KOENIG: "Kano! Paul!"

PAUL (stunned): "Commander Koenig."

67.EXT. EARTH SKY (SFX)

Sun low in the sky over barren landscape.

VICTOR: "This is the Earth, "

EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Trees.

VICTOR: " but not the world we knew."

67.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Slow pan over trees and rocks.

VICTOR: "It's an Earth where perhaps we never existed."

The valley.

VICTOR: "Or perhaps we have yet to be born."

68.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Pan down over wood to them outside settlement.

VICTOR: "But apart from us it's empty now. A civilisation once flourished here. Another Atlantis, perhaps. There are relics of them everywhere."

KOENIG: "Where are the rest of the Alpha people?"

VICTOR: "Oh, for economic reasons we had to disperse. They're scattered in groups like ours, all through the valley."

Two children run up & Koenig crouches to greet them.

KOENIG: "Ha, ha, ha. Heh, hello! Hi!" ((they scatter in fear)) "What frightened them?"

VICTOR: "They've never seen a living ghost before." ((pause)) "They don't understand."

KOENIG: "They look like fine kids."

VICTOR: "They are. Our finest achievement."

KOENIG: "Whose are they?"

VICTOR: "Sandra's and Paul's. Yes, the children are our future. And as the situation improves, of course, there will be more."

KOENIG: "That's a tremendous challenge. To bring back life to a dead world."

VICTOR: "Yes. And it was not easy. It meant total sacrifice of all our resources. Eagles, life support systems, fuel sources. That was why you couldn't contact us. Yes, we've had to use everything to make this place habitable."

KOENIG: "Well, it certainly seems to be working."

VICTOR: "Oh.., it was a choice..., a decision that had to be made at the very beginning. If this community had failed, there could be no going back."

KOENIG: "I think it was a wise decision."

VICTOR: "You should know. You made it."

69.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Alan places flowers at a grave. The headstone reads 'Regina Carter'. Paul stands with him.

PAUL: "There was a terrible phenomenon. Like comets fighting in the sky. Regina was affected by it. Six days later she was dead."

ALAN: "That was when we came into orbit. Our Regina died too. Both at the same time."

PAUL (bitterly): "Hardly a coincidence." ((leaves))

70.INT. LIVING UNIT

Earth Helena stands as a figure hesitates in the door. Alpha Helena enters.

EARTH HELENA: "I was expecting you. Come in, please."

ALPHA HELENA: "I had to see you, to talk.."

EARTH HELENA: "Do you understand what's happening to us?"

ALPHA HELENA: "All I know is that...we were the same person once. Somehow we became two different people."

EARTH HELENA: "And now we're here, in the same time."

ALPHA HELENA: "We had no alternative. We have to come down here."

EARTH HELENA: "Seeing you was a shock."

ALPHA HELENA: "For both of us."

EARTH HELENA: "I accept it now. Did you know I married?"

ALPHA HELENA: "Yes. You married John Koenig."

EARTH HELENA: "There was so much to do, even after he died. And now that you're here there's nothing more left for me."

ALPHA HELENA: "John Koenig.."

EARTH HELENA: "Is here with you, isn't he? Don't be frightened. My time here is finished."

ALPHA HELENA (stands): "No! We could help each other."

EARTH HELENA: "It's my own decision."

ALPHA HELENA: "You mustn't die."

EARTH HELENA: "It's not death. It's..returning..to you, to myself, and through you finding all those I love. Including John. Goodbye." ((leaves))

71.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

Victor, Alan and Koenig are returning to the settlement. Earth Helena emerges & walks to Koenig. Beyond Alpha Helena emerges.

EARTH HELENA: "John."

Koenig looks beyond to Alpha Helena. Earth Helena kisses him, then goes limp in his arms. The Earth Alphans approach.

VICTOR: "We'll look after her, John."

Kano takes her & with Tanya, Sandra & Paul carry her away. Alpha Helena joins them. Paul returns with the others (sc 72)

PAUL: "Commander Koenig. Bring your people down here and what happened to Regina, to Helena, will happen to all of us."

KOENIG: "We have no choice but to come down here. If we don't evacuate that Moon we'll all perish"

SANDRA: "You cannot do it, Commander. We have children, a future. We will not let you destroy it."

KOENIG: "We'll build in another place. We have exactly what you had to start with."

PAUL: "Go back to your own place. There's nothing for any of you down here. Except destruction."

ALAN: "Paul, there's no time to argue this out. Give the word, Commander. It's our decision, not their's."

Alan takes his comlock, but Paul grabs it from him & points his laser at him.

VICTOR (stopping him): "Wait! All of you. Paul is right. You cannot live here. Or anywhere on this planet. If you were to come here there would be chaos and disaster. We know that Regina died when she confronted herself in her mind. Our Helena died when she confronted herself in the flesh. We are trapped in different times. But when those two Moons collide, time will correct itself. Normality will return. There will be one Moon. One community. One time. You must go back."

ALAN: "Back to what? Certain death?"

VICTOR: "If you are not back on your own Moon when time does correct itself...you will have nowhere to die."

HELENA: "John. Take us back. Our place and our time is on Alpha."

73.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle lifts off.

74.EXT. EARTH SURFACE

The Earth Alphans wave goodbye. Close on Victor.

77.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Two Moons close; the Eagle flies to one.

76.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig sits with Helena. She holds a bunch of red flowers.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle lands.

78.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Two Moons close.

79.INT. MAIN MISSION

All stand, tensely waiting.

-Big Screen (SFX): Moon, glowing.

Koenig & Helena look at each other.

-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: Moon seen glowing on screen

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Moons almost touching: white out as they do. An explosion is heard.

79.INT. MAIN MISSION

Shaking & coloured light, screech of whirlpool heard. They cling to the desks.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Moons merge.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They cling to their desks.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

One Moon

INT. MAIN MISSION

Clinging to desks.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Moon: white out.

INT. MAIN MISSION

White out.

FADE OUT

Epilogue
EXT. SPACE (SFX)

White out. Moon forms.

83.INT. MAIN MISSION

David rises to his feet on the balcony & looks down as the others rise. Victor, Helena, Koenig and Sandra are by the viewports. They go to their desks & look forward.

-Big Screen (SFX): space

-Main Mission:

HELENA: "It's over."

SANDRA: "We are in different space."

-Big Screen (SFX): space.

-Main Mission:

ALAN: "I wonder if the others made it. If they survived."

KOENIG: "Did they ever really exist?"

Helena picks up her flowers.

FREEZE FRAME