Planet of the Apes | The Cure | First Draft

PLANET OF THE APES

“THE CURE”

Written by
Edward J. Lakso

FIRST DRAFT

6568

CAST LIST

STAN KOVAK

ALAN VIRDON

GALEN (CHIMP)

URSUS (GORILLA LEADER)

ZAIUS (ORANGUTAN)

ZORAN (CHIMP DOCTOR)

AMY (MINOR, HUMAN)

TALBERT (HUMAN)

ORANGUTAN (COUNCIL MEMBER)

MASON (HUMAN)

INTA (CHIMP)

NEESA (GORILLA, STUNT)

KAVA (GORILLA SOLDIER)

DYING MAN (HUMAN)

GORILLA GUARD

6568

SET LIST

INTERIORS

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

COMMAND TENT

TALBERT’S HUT

HOSPITAL HUT

EXTERIORS

TALBERT’S HUT AND OTHER HUT

HOSPITAL HUT

TRION

STAGNANT POOL AREA

SECOND VILLAGE AND STREAM

EDGE OF WOODED AREA

CINCHONA TREE GROVE

WILDERNESS AREA

HILL AREA

INT./EXT. WINDOW P.O.V. (HOSPITAL HUT)

6568

“THE CURE” ACT ONE
FADE IN
EXT. TRION - ESTABLISHING SHOT - DAY	1
Trion is a small village in the rural zone, set near a heavily vegetated marsh and forest area. There are about fifteen huts, constructed of mud brick, thatched roofs, etc. Torches flank the main road which leads to sort of a central gathering place around which the huts are located. Fields of crops are irrigated by a crude water ditch system. Men, women and children live in this pleasant place. The men can be seen working the fields, the women and children tend to domestic chores around the huts. There are a couple storage sheds set away from the main part of town. CAMERA ESTABLISHES, then PANS up a slight hill to see a more sophisticated “barracks” where four gorillas live. One of them can be seen walking along the edge of the fields, carrying a rifle, sort of overseeing the humans as they work. Another walks the perimeter on the other side of town. Two gorillas can be seen outside the barracks, tending to their arsenal of weapons and foodstuffs, etc.
ANGLE ON KOVAK AND AMY	2
KOVAK and AMY, a pretty, bright, imaginative girl of twelve, walk back toward the village from the edge of the forest-marsh area. Amy pauses by CAMERA, studies the village; her pretty face etched with sadness. Then she faces Kovak, reflects: AMY I almost wish you hadn’t come here… KOVAK (gently) I’m sorry we have to go, Amy. AMY Why did you tell me who you are? Why me and no one else? KOVAK I don’t know. Maybe because you’re special -- because I look at you and I see how it was when I was young -- and I wanted you to know -- life wasn’t always like this. AMY But if I’d never known -- then I… (petulant) You shouldn’t have told me. KOVAK (gently) Amy -- knowledge -- is a lot like love. You get some pleasure -- you get some pain -- like taking a trip to an unknown place. Once you arrive -- it’s too late to wish you’d never started. She manages a smile. They continue on, CAMERA PANNING.
ANGLE ON TALBERT HUT	3
GALEN and VIRDON finish putting on their backpacks with help from Amy’s father, TALBERT, a big, gentle, work-weary man in his forties. Kovak reaches them, picks up his backpack, puts it on while Amy stands a few yards away. VIRDON Talbert, we appreciate your hospitality… TALBERT If you should ever want to make your home here… Virdon nods, smiles, shakes Talbert’s hand. Galen does the same. GALEN Good-bye, my friend. VIRDON (to Kovak) Ready? Kovak nods, shakes Talbert’s hand, nods to Amy. KOVAK She’s very special. Take care of her… Talbert nods. Galen, Kovak and Virdon, backpacks secure, move off toward Amy.
ANGLE BY AMY	4
She glances at her father, then speaks in a low voice as they pause by her. AMY Will you ever pass this way again? KOVAK (gently) Anything’s possible. AMY I’ll keep your secret -- even from my father. KOVAK I may come back just to witness that miracle. AMY Miracle? KOVAK A woman keeping a secret. She manages a smile finally. Kovak kisses her forehead. KOVAK Good-bye, Amy… She can only nod. They move off. She stands watching them, fighting back tears.
ANGLE ON TALBERT	5
watching them go. Then, he feels a little faint, uncertain. He wipes his face, blinks, then tries to brush away the feeling, as he waves to --
P.O.V. SHOT	6
-- the departing Galen, Kovak and Virdon.
ANGLE ON EDGE OF TRION	7
NEESA, a big gorilla perimeter guard, pauses to watch Galen, Kovak and Virdon approaching. Seeing him, they stop, uncertain. Neesa raises his rifle. GALEN (stepping forward) I am transferring these two to the work force in the next village. Neesa studies Kovak and Virdon, then reluctantly lowers his rifle. Galen smiles, nods. Kovak and Virdon follow Galen past the scowling Neesa, CAMERA PANNING them away.
EXT. SERIES OF LONG SHOTS - DAY	8
Galen, Kovak and Virdon move through wilderness areas.
INT. TALBERT HUT - DAY	9
Talbert is lying on his cot, fear has invaded his eyes. His body convulses slightly. His face is streaked with sweat. CAMERA PANS to the door. Amy enters carrying a basket of fresh vegetables. She stops short, moves to him, studies him, puzzled. AMY Daddy -- what’s wrong? Talbert forces a smile to disarm her. TALBERT It’s nothing -- I’m just a little tired. Little tired… AMY (uncertain) I’ll get you some water… She moves to do so.
EXT. SECOND VILLAGE - ESTABLISHING SHOT - DAY	10
Much the same as Trion, but smaller, fewer huts, near a stream.
ANGLE ON GALEN, VIRDON AND KOVAK	11
as they reach this area. Kovak puts his backpack aside, kneels by the stream, douses the sweat from his face, then studies Virdon, reflects: KOVAK We keep searching. Lately -- I ask myself -- for what? Virdon takes off his backpack, avoiding the question. VIRDON We’ll rest here tonight… KOVAK I wonder -- if the best we can hope for -- isn’t somewhere behind us. Virdon sits down, avoiding Kovak’s demanding gaze. Kovak exchanges a glance with Galen, then shakes his head, lies down. Galen senses the uneasiness between them, begins preparing their food from the backpacks.
EXT. TALBERT HUT - MED. SHOT - DAY	12
Amy moves to the door of the hut carrying some water pails, then stops short, hurries inside.
INT. TALBERT HUT	13
Ken Talbert is semiconscious. His body is convulsing, his face is bathed with sweat. He is gasping for breath. Amy, terrified, kneels by him. AMY Daddy. No response. AMY Daddy! Amy hurries out of the hut.
EXT. HUT	14
Amy stumbles toward a nearby hut. AMY Help me -- please! My father!
ANGLE ON ANOTHER HUT	15
Amy runs around the corner of this hut, then stops short, stunned. CAMERA PANS DOWN to REVEAL an elderly COUPLE -- lying on the ground, their bodies convulsing grotesquely, their breath coming in gasps, their faces pallid and sweating.
ANOTHER ANGLE	16
Amy shrinks back, then uncertain, runs back to her hut.
INT. TALBERT HUT	17
Amy enters, stops, looks at her father, then moves slowly to him. He is unmoving now -- in repose. She slowly kneels by him, speaks softly. AMY Daddy… No response. AMY Oh, please… Then she realizes he is dead, embraces him suddenly, shaking him as if it could bring life back to his body. AMY Daddy, please…
INT. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY	18
CLOSE ON A GAVEL SLAMMING ON THE TABLE. It brings a sudden halt to the mutter of angry voices. CAMERA WIDENS to REVEAL ZAIUS wielding the gavel. URSUS and the council members are in session. ZAIUS Please -- order, please. You babble on like frightened humans. AN ORANGUTAN (agitated) There is much at stake here, Zaius. Our historians have brought this to my attention. (reads from a crude book) ‘In the early part of the Ornan period several hundred humans were found in a section of the rural zone -- dead from a fever of this description. The entire sector became barren for years afterward…’ ZAIUS I am aware of the potential loss of goods and labor. That is why I have ordered Trion quarantined pending investigation. URSUS Quarantined? I suggest you have it burned. ZAIUS Before we consider such measures, Ursus -- our Chief Medical Officer, Zoran, has a few words. Zaius defers to a large chimp, ZORAN, intelligent, very self-assured, seated with his assistant, a retiring chimp, named INTA. Zoran rises, paces. ZORAN I have done considerable research with diseases of the lower species -- and I have developed certain -- theories of treatment -- including afflictions of the fever… URSUS Theories? Have you tested these -- theories? ZORAN I intend to -- in Trion. This sets them all to murmuring again. URSUS (annoyed) The entire labor force of a sector is threatened -- and he wants to test theories?! ZAIUS Trion is quite isolated. And with the quarantine -- the risk is reduced greatly. ZORAN (quickly) If I can save Trion -- we need never fear the fever again -- ever! Zero loss of labor -- or goods in the future… ZAIUS Vote. Those for allowing Zoran to proceed to Trion… The council exchanges a few words. Then each nods -- except Ursus. ZAIUS So be it… Ursus pulls to his feet, starts out, pausing by Zoran to offer: URSUS I’ll be there at Trion to enforce the quarantine, Zoran. And if you fail… The threat remains unspoken. Ursus walks out leaving Zoran to contemplate his words. Then Zoran turns to the council, confidently assures: ZORAN You will not regret your faith in me. Zoran turns and exits. Inta follows.
EXT. SECOND VILLAGE- MORNING	19
Galen, Virdon and Kovak are putting on their backpacks, preparing to continue on. A man named MASON, pulling a small two wheel cart loaded with rough utensils, a sort of itinerate “drummer,” approaches, stops by the stream to replenish his water supply, speaking to them as he does so. MASON Good morning. VIRDON Morning… MASON Which way are you going? VIRDON North. MASON Ah -- good -- you’re lucky… GALEN (puzzled) Why so? MASON I was headed south. I had to turn back at Trion because of the quarantine… KOVAK (alarmed) Quarantine? MASON Yes -- a fever. (nods to wagon) I have regular customers there. Some of them are dead -- others soon will be. It’s -- terrible -- terrible… Mason finishes replenishing his water supply, prepares to continue on. But now Galen, Virdon and Kovak are vitally interested in what he’s said, quickly move to him. KOVAK (deeply alarmed) We know a family there -- a man and his daughter -- Talbert…Amy… MASON (studying Kovak) Friends of mine, too. From what I could learn -- the father is dead… KOVAK What about the girl -- Amy? MASON (shrugs) I don’t know. I spoke to the guards -- but there was little I could learn. (bitterly) They’ve shot one man who tried to leave the village. (beat) Well, I’ve got to be going. I’m sorry to bring such bad news. Kovak nods, steps back. Mason moves off with his wagon, leaving Kovak to contemplate this and then suddenly turn to Virdon and Galen, firmly tell them: KOVAK We’ve got to go back. VIRDON (gently) Stan -- if there’s a quarantine -- they won’t let us in… KOVAK We’ll tell them we want to help… VIRDON But -- what makes you think we can help? GALEN (the conciliator) And there is risk -- they will be watching everyone very closely now. VIRDON He’s right, Stan… KOVAK Sure, there’s risk. But what if we were the ones who started that disease? What if it’s a…a virus from our own time…harmless to us…deadly to them? Possible, isn’t it? VIRDON Anything’s possible. KOVAK Well, what do we do? Walk away from it?
EXT. TRION - LONG SHOT - DAY	20
Ursus and his armed gorillas have surrounded the village in full force. Ursus rides along the perimeter giving orders. He has set up crude headquarters well away from the town -- a crude “tent command post.”
ANGLE IN VILLAGE	21
on men, women and children huddled near their huts, terrified. A few dead and dying lie unattended in the street. Stark terror has gripped the village.
ANGLE ON AMY	22
tending to a dying old woman, putting wet cloths on her face and arms. Quiet hysteria has touched her.
EXT. EDGE OF TRION	23
Neesa, looking very tired, agitated, stands guard, reacts to the approach of Galen, Virdon and Kovak, who step before him. NEESA What are you doing back here?! Haven’t you heard -- there’s fever. GALEN We are somewhat familiar with the problem. We would like to go in and help. NEESA The council has sent the Chief Physician -- so turn around and go back where you came from. KOVAK Look -- we have a right to… NEESA You have no rights! (lifts rifle) And I have orders to kill anyone who tries to cross the quarantine line. Galen, Virdon and Kovak have no choice but to retreat.
ANOTHER ANGLE	24
They move through an area of marshy vegetation. Then Kovak stops, looks back.
P.O.V. SHOT	25
Neesa has turned, is continuing on his rounds.
BACK TO SCENE	26
Kovak moves off toward the village through this marshy area. Galen and Virdon follow.
ANOTHER ANGLE	27
They come upon a series of stagnant pools rife with mosquitoes. Kovak stops, studies the area, suddenly slaps at mosquitoes buzzing nearby, then turns to Virdon, pulling him and Galen back. KOVAK Stagnant water and mosquitoes -- what does that make you think of? They move quickly away. Galen follows, throwing a puzzled glance back over his shoulder.
ANGLE IN VILLAGE	28
Galen, Virdon and Kovak reach the hut area, stop short, stunned.
PANNING P.O.V. SHOT	29
of the area, the frightened, the dead and dying.
BACK TO SCENE	30
They stare, stunned, then walk forward, CAMERA TRUCKING, into the center of the village.
NEW ANGLE	31
A dying MAN sees them, reaches out toward them with a pained cry, his arms in an attitude of desperate supplication. They stop, kneel by the man, examine him. MAN Help -- me… Virdon looks up from examining the man. VIRDON (to Kovak) You read it like I do? KOVAK Malaria… VIRDON (looking around) God -- God, what do we do?
ANGLE ON AMY	32
The old woman she is tending is dead. Now Amy reacts o.s., pulls up. AMY Kovak.
ANGLE ON GALEN, VIRDON AND KOVAK	33
They turn as Amy stumbles toward them, then stops, exhausted. Kovak moves quickly to her, holds her shoulders, studies her face. AMY My father -- my father is dead… KOVAK (gently) I know, Amy. We heard -- we came right back. (beat) Amy -- how do you feel? AMY I’m -- tired -- but I’m not sick…
ANGLE ON VIRDON	34
He moves to the center of the village. VIRDON Listen to me -- all of you. Come here and listen.
ANOTHER ANGLE	35
A cluster of frightened people stare at him, uncertain.
ANOTHER ANGLE	36
Another group hangs back by their hut.
ANGLE TO VIRDON	37
VIRDON Please -- time is against us -- we’ve got to move quickly.
ANGLE ON SOME OF THEM	38
moving toward Virdon.
ANGLE ON MORE OF THEM	39
moving toward Virdon.
WIDER ANGLE	40
as they gather around Virdon. VIRDON We must bury the dead -- immediately. If we don’t we’ll be fighting fever -- and dysentery -- and worse. The SOUND OF HOOFBEATS IS HEARD APPROACHING. VIRDON A treatment center must be set up.
ANGLE ON ZORAN AND INTA	41
as they ride into the area, stop, dismount, then move toward Virdon and the others, CAMERA PANNING. VIRDON Work teams must be organized… ZORAN Silence! Virdon stops. All eyes shift to Zoran and Inta as they step to Virdon, study him. ZORAN Who are you? VIRDON Just a -- man trying to help his fellow man. ZORAN I am Zoran -- Chief Medical Officer of the Supreme Council -- this is my assistant, Inta. I will assume full authority here now. Kovak, Amy and Galen move forward, uneasy. Zoran moves to study one of the dying men in the street, CAMERA TRUCKING with him. Virdon follows Zoran, playing the passive role for the moment. VIRDON We’re very glad to see you. Perhaps we can work together. Zoran gives Virdon a dubious look, then studies the dying man, nods confidently. ZORAN A pit will be dug at once. It will be filled with water. I will add certain medications -- you will all disrobe and immerse yourselves. Then each of you will be bled -- the amount depending on your size and age. There will be no sexual contact until I have the disease under control. (to Virdon) You seem to have a talent for organizing. You will supervise digging of the pit. Virdon is momentarily speechless with disbelief. Kovak steps forward, angering. KOVAK Listen -- Mr. Chief Physician -- you’re -- off on the wrong foot. Zoran looks at Kovak in stunned disbelief. ZORAN Are you -- are you challenging my word? Galen, sensing trouble, steps forward to assuage Zoran. GALEN What he is -- suggesting -- sir -- is that this -- particular disease -- with which he is familiar, demands a more ‘sophisticated’ treatment… ZORAN Who are you? Why are you here in this village? GALEN I was taking these two humans to another farm. Listen to them. They are more intelligent than most. Zoran studies Galen with some puzzlement, then turns to Kovak, assumes a condescending attitude of contempt. ZORAN So -- you -- are familiar with this disease… KOVAK It’s called malaria… ZORAN (to Inta) How clever. He’s even given it a name. Call the guards, Inta. I haven’t time for this fool. Inta nods, mounts, rides off. GALEN (alarmed) Sir -- the guards won’t be necessary. KOVAK (doggedly) Malaria means ‘foul air’ -- like the kind you find around stagnant pools -- such as those we saw on our way in here. VIRDON You see -- sir -- the mosquitoes around this stagnant water -- carry the disease -- and it’s communicated by their sting. ZORAN (exploding) That is enough!! I don’t know whether to have you shot for stupidity or insolence. Germs flying through the air on the back of insects!! Diseases of the lower species are communicated by bodily contact! KOVAK This one isn’t. ZORAN (furious) And where -- where may I ask -- do you get your information? Kovak can’t come up with this. Galen jumps in, ad-libbing. GALEN Medical books, sir. ZORAN What medical books? I have read all existing volumes. Nowhere have I heard such -- such fantasy. GALEN We found these books -- in ancient ruins -- to the north. ZORAN Show them to me! GALEN Er -- we didn’t -- bring them with us. The SOUND of hoofbeats returning. ZORAN Because they never existed! Neesa rides in, roughly knocking several people aside with his horse. With him is Inta and another gorilla guard, KAVA.
CLOSE ON NEESA	42
He is sweating profusely -- exhaustion hangs on his body.
BACK TO SCENE	43
Zoran points to Virdon and Kovak. ZORAN (to Neesa) Arrest these two!
CLOSE ON NEESA	44
He fights off dizziness as he tries to control his horse. NEESA Arrest them?! I’ll shoot them. They’ve crossed the quarantine line against my orders.
CLOSE ON ZORAN	45
He considers this, then shrugs. ZORAN As you please…
ANGLE ON VIRDON AND KOVAK	46
helpless. Galen steps in front of them. GALEN Sir -- I must protest…
ANGLE ON NEESA	47
As he brings the rifle up, his strength fails. He drops his rifle, falls from his horse. Startled, Kava grabs the reins of Neesa’s horse, works to control the animal.
BACK TO SCENE	48
Zoran turns to study Neesa as his body begins convulsing. Virdon and Kovak kneel, examine Neesa. Then Kovak rises, addresses Zoran. KOVAK Well -- according to your theory -- this one has been ‘mating with the lower species’ -- because he has malaria!
CLOSE ON KAVA	49
Fear touches him. He explodes with indignant rage, turns to Zoran. KAVA What is he saying!! How could this be? Explain!
CLOSE ON ZORAN	50
studying the writhing, dying Neesa. He shakes his head in disbelief, all logic crumbling around him. ZORAN I -- I can’t explain…
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
6568