(Continued)   INT. CARSIUS’ QUARTERS - MED. CLOSE SHOT - ON CARSIUS - NIGHT   turning to Urko, o.s., proffering the box of cigars, CAMERA PULLING BACK TO INCLUDE Urko through the following. Carsius’ attitude is condescending.   CARSIUS  Although I’m a bit surprised, I’m very pleased that you’re here, Urko.   URKO  (rejects cigars)  And how do I please you, Carsius?   CARSIUS  Why, I was saying to myself just today…what an impression it would make if one of Urko’s hand-picked troopers were to fly the craft for the first time.   URKO  Why not Leuric?   CARSIUS  Ah, he was careless and injured himself. Besides…a human?   URKO  Better a human, Carsius, than risk the life of a trained trooper on such a foolish, untried venture.   ANOTHER ANGLE   Carsius considers this then chooses his words carefully.   CARSIUS  Hmmm. I suppose you’re right. What, then, if the pilot were someone like…say…Commander Virdon?   Urko reacts, eyes levelling.   URKO  He’s here?   CARSIUS  As my prisoner.   URKO  (angers)  I demand that you turn him over to me…immediately!   CARSIUS  Not so fast, Urko. Consider…   URKO  My orders were that those Astronauts were to be shot on sight!   CARSIUS  Ah. Precisely…on sight.  (waggles finger)  So consider, Urko…the sight of Virdon risking his life in the aircraft…for the benefit of our society.   Urko gets a faint picture and considers.   URKO  He would make every attempt to escape.   CARSIUS  With troopers…sharp-shooters stationed at every strategic point? Let him dare.   Urko is beginning to like the idea.   CARSIUS  Of course, you could have him executed now if you wish…or, possibly, he will be killed while attempting to fly…or escape… But, assuming none of these, he can then be executed. Consider again, Urko, the warning to all humans…the spectacle of it all!   Their eyes lock, then Urko slowly starts to chuckle.   URKO  Carsius…I believe I’ll have one of those cigars now…   EXT. GARRISON - CLOSE PAN SHOT - CART WHEEL - DAY   turning in a wobbling fashion, starting to come loose from the axle, CAMERA PULLING BACK TO REVEAL Burke, in peasant disguise, pulling the cart. He looks back at the wheel, stops and moves to it, then looks about, spying a rock. He picks it up, casually glancing o.s.   REVERSE LOW ANGLE - THE GARRISON - BURKE’S P.O.V.   CAMERA SLOWLY PANNING the small window openings, HOLDING ON one from which the SOUND of HAMMERING is heard.   BACK TO BURKE   He turns and squats by the wheel, starting to hammer it into place.   INT. WORKSHOP - MED. CLOSE ON VIRDON - DAY   as he completes hammering a holding pin into a joined section of the glider frame. He sets the hammer aside for:   LEURIC  Alan, could you help me?   CAMERA PULLS BACK TO INCLUDE Leuric, his arm in a sling, attempting to tie a section of the ripped wing covering to the frame. The glider is nearly reconstructed. Virdon moves to Leuric.   VIRDON  It takes two hands for that.   He smiles at Leuric and takes over. Leuric stands back, somewhat dejectedly. O.s., Burke is HEARD to strike the rock in Morse Code.   LEURIC  You’ve practically done it all by yourself.   VIRDON  Don’t worry about it.   He concentrates on his work. Leuric stares at him, then:   LEURIC  I…I’m sorry I got you into this. The day you found me…you said, ‘You could have killed yourself’. The same could happen to you tomorrow.  (beat) My foolish dreams.   VIRDON  Leuric…Foolish dreams like yours have put men on the moon and a lot of other planets and…in a way…it’s what --   He breaks off, listening to the o.s. SOUND.   EXT. GARRISON - CLOSE ON BURKE - DAY   hesitating, listening, then tapping again, the code for “Alan”.   INT. WORKSHOP - ON VIRDON AND LEURIC - DAY   LEURIC  What is it?   VIRDON  My name. Pete’s out there!   He quickly moves to a small window opening, trying to look down o.s. Leuric follows him curiously.   VIRDON  He’s using code.  (indicates)  Give me that hammer.   Leuric does. Virdon waits until the SOUND stops, then TAPS on the window sill, “Pete”.   EXT. GARRISON - HIGH ANGLE CLOSE SHOT - BURKE - DAY   back to CAMERA, hearing the o.s. TAPPING. He turns and looks up, reacting.   BURKE’S P.O.V. - LOW ANGLE - CLOSE SHOT - TROOPER   staring down at Burke.   TROOPER  Why are you making all that racket?   BACK TO BURKE   BURKE  Uh, the wheel was loose. I’m trying to fix it.   ANGLE INCLUDING TROOPER   TROOPER  Well, do it then…and be off. You’re giving me a headache.   He turns and stomps OFF, CAMERA CLOSING IN ON Burke who lets out a sigh of relief, then turns back to the wheel, continuing to TAP in code.   INT. HUT - CLOSE ON GALEN - DAY   GALEN  You were lucky he didn’t recognise you.   CAMERA PULLS BACK TO INCLUDE Burke washing his face from a bowl, drying it on a cloth, nodding.   BURKE  You can say that again…and guess who arrived for the festivities tomorrow.  (beat)  Urko.   GALEN  Oh, no! Pete, what are we going to do? With Leuric injured…and even if Alan flies successfully, you know what Urko will do to him!   Burke digests this thoughtfully, moving to a table, picking up the hand grenade lying thereon.   BURKE  It’s a stacked deck, all right.   He stares at the grenade, then at Galen.   BURKE  I guess we’re just gonna have to play the cards as they come to us…from the top or the bottom.   CLOSE ON GALEN   staring at him.   GALEN  You know…I’d feel a lot better if I knew what you were talking about.   EXT. VALLEY - LONG SHOT - MOUNTED PROCESSION - DAY   consisting of Urko and Carsius, leading a number of Troopers who ride beside a flatbed wagon on which rests the glider, Virdon and Leuric standing beside it. The valley is relatively narrow, surrounded by steep hillsides. CAMERA ZOOMS IN as Urko holds up his hand.   URKO  Halt!  (turns)  Robar!   ROBAR’S VOICE  (o.s.)  Sir!   ROBAR, a Trooper, moves his horse beside Urko.   GROUP SHOT   Urko indicates Robar to Virdon and Leuric.   URKO  Robar is my weapons instructor.  (indicates)  These troopers have been personally trained by him.  (looks about, indicates to Robar)  That rock.   Robar looks off, nods, unslings his rifle, cocking it, aiming.   LONG SHOT - SMALL ROCK   on a larger one. CAMERA ZOOMS IN as the rifle is HEARD TO FIRE o.s. The rock shatters.   BACK TO SCENE   URKO  (indicates)  The second branch from the top.   LOW ANGLE - SMALL TREE BRANCH   some distance away, clipped and falling, CAMERA LOWERING with it to INCLUDE and HOLD ON Galen and Buke watching from the shelter of some rocks on a ridge.   BACK TO SCENE   Urko nods and indicates to Robar.   URKO  Take your positions.   Robar whirls his horse, joining the other Troopers.   ROBAR’S VOICE  (o.s.)  Move out!   HIGH ANGLE LONG SHOT - THE PROCESSION   as the Troopers spread out, urging their horses to various vantage points about the valley, two approaching below as Burke and Galen’s heads ENTER INTO IMMEDIATE F.G. They watch for a moment as the Troopers draw nearer, ascending the hillside toward the ridge. Burke glances about, then:   BURKE  (sotto)  At least the wind’s in this direction.   He motions and they move back and OFF, the Troopers coming very near to the ridge.   GROUP SHOT -THE PROCESSION   Urko watches the Troopers, then turns to eye Virdon.   URKO  A target as large as a human…would be no problem to them at all. I’m sure you understand, Commander?   ANGLE FAVORING LEURIC AND VIRDON   Virdon says nothing, glancing at Leuric, their expressions saying it all.   CARSIUS  Let’s be on with it.  (to Virdon)  Have you selected a spot?   VIRDON  (looks about, indicates)  Up there’s as good as any.   The others look up, then nod and dismount.   ANGLE ON BURKE AND GALEN   crouching, moving along the ridge. O.s. horses’ HOOVES are HEARD. They take shelter and look off.   REVERSE ANGLE - ALONG RIDGE   as the two Troopers crest the ridge, about twenty yards apart, the nearest one about ten yards away, dismonting, tethering their horses, then taking up positions overlooking the valley, rifles at the ready.   BACK TO BURKE AND GALEN   watching. Then Burke looks at Galen and shrugs. Galen considers, then also shrugs. Burke looks about, then picks up a fair sized rock, hefting it, then both looking off toward the glider.   ANGLE DOWN HILLSIDE TO GLIDER   being carried by the wingtips by Virdon on one side, a Trooper on the other with one holding the tail. Leuric, Carsius and Urko moving beside it, another Trooper keeping an eye on Leuric. They reach a fairly level area which drops off, platform-style.   VIRDON  Right here.   They ascend the area, turning the glider to face off the hillside.   ANGLE ON TROOPER   watching from the ridge.   GALEN’S VOICE  (o.s.)  Psssst! Psssst!   Curious, the Trooper turns, CAMERA ANGLING TO INCLUDE Galen several yards away down the back side of the ridge. He beckons to him.   TROOPER  What are you doing up here?   Galen winces, indicating for him to be silent, beckoning furtively, pointing off at something unseen.   LOW ANGLE - TROOPER - OVER GALEN’S SHOULDER   curious, glancing about, approaching past a large rock. Burke appears over the rock, leaping, clutching his rock weapon, wielding it down on the Trooper as Galen winces, half turning to CAMERA, obscuring the SCENE.   GROUP SHOT - FAVORING VIRDON   positioning the glider, then looking at Carsius and Urko.   VIRDON  (wryly)  Okay…who wants to go first?  (to Trooper)  How about you?   The Trooper looks to Urko, nonplussed.   URKO  (angering)  This is no time for joking! You will fly it!   ANOTHER ANGLE   Virdon turns to Leuric, a look of false disbelief on his face, then:   VIRDON  We built this for an Ape, not a human.   CARSIUS  What are you saying?   VIRDON  (indicates)  With this kind of a wind, a human doesn’t have enough weight to control it!   LEURIC  (picks it up)  He’d crash…for sure.   URKO  Then let him!…And we’ll be done with this foolishness!   CARSIUS  Proving what?   URKO  I will not risk the life of one of my troopers!   VIRDON  All right!  (beat)  Look, there is a solution. That is, if Leuric’ll go for it.   They all regard him curiously.   ANGLE ON RIDGE - TO GALEN   making his way to the top (CAMERA), now wearing the Trooper’s helmet and carrying his rifle. He stops, adjusts the oversize helmet and looks off toward the other Trooper hesitantly.   REVERSE LONG SHOT - TO TROOPER   standing his post. Burke is seen snaking his way through the rocks behind him to a vantage point.   BACK TO GALEN   with an expression as if he were saying a silent prayer. He looks toward the glider.   MED. CLOSE ON VIRDON   positioning himself for take off, CAMERA PULLING BACK TO REVEAL Leuric beside him, holding a support bar with his good hand. Virdon has one arm about Leuric’s waist, holding the opposite bar with the other.   VIRDON  Just hang on and lean into me. I’ll do the rest.   WIDER ANGLE - INCLUDING CARSIUS AND URKO   watching. Troopers have taken their positions, one at each edge of the wing, the other at the tail.   VIRDON  Okay…we’re ready!   URKO  No tricks, mind you!   Virdon throws him a look, then yells:   VIRDON  Shove off!   He and Leuric each kick off with his free foot as the Troopers heft the glider forward.   LOW ANGLE - FULL SHOT - GLIDER   soaring away from the hillside, a bit wobbly.   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON AND LEURIC   flying the glider.   VIRDON  Lean to the left! Into the wind!   LEURIC  It’s…It’s very difficult…   Virdon tightens his grasp on Leuric’s waist.   MED. TWO SHOT - URKO AND CARSIUS   watching, mouths agape.   CARSIUS  They’re flying! I told you it could be done!   Urko glowers at him, then o.s.   FULL SHOT - GLIDER   winging over, swooping down the valley.   ANGLE ON TROOPER, BURKE IN B.G.   approaching at a run, jumping up, karate kicking the Ape PAST CAMERA, Burke regaining his feet, CAMERA ANGLING with him to the fallen Ape as Burke grabs his rifle away, butting the Ape senseless. Burke turns and waves to Galen o.s.   ON GALEN   relieved, waving back, then looking at the glider o.s.   LOW ANGLE - GLIDER   winging around.   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON AND LEURIC   getting the hang of it.   LEURIC  Alan! We’re doing it! It’s everything I had imagined! I…I…   VIRDON  What’s the matter?   LEURIC  (eyes fluttering)  I’m…dizzy…   VIRDON  Keep your eyes open! We’ll land! Hang on!   He leans forward, tilting the glider.   LEURIC  Alan…I…can’t…   CLOSE SHOT - VIRDON’S ARM   about Leuric’s waist, trying to tighten the grasp as the body twists.   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON AND LEURIC   as the latter cries out, falling away o.s., Virdon reaching for him, almost falling, grasping to regain control of the glider.   FULL SHOT - GLIDER   almost out of control as Leuric’s body is seen to fall through the air.   INTERCUT:   REACTION SHOTS - CARSIUS AND URKO   staring, exchanging glances.   ON GALEN   GALEN  (gasps)  Leuric…   ON BURKE   reacting, then looking up, yelling:   BURKE  Alan!   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON   reacting to:   BURKE’S VOICE  (o.s.)  This way!   He looks off.   ON BURKE   He FIRES his rifle into the air.   ON GALEN   pulling off the Trooper’s helmet, also FIRING his rifle.   GALEN  (yells)  Over here!   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON   seeing them, swinging the glider about.   FULL SHOT - GLIDER   heading toward the ridge.   ON CARSIUS AND URKO   URKO  Shoot! Shoot them! All of them!   The Troopers begin FIRING.   ON BURKE   aiming and FIRING. A bullet splatters close by, WHINING off. He ducks to a better position, FIRING again.   PROCESS SHOT - VIRDON   controlling the glider. A bullet rips through the wing. Another smashes a support. Virdon fights for control.   FULL PAN SHOT - GLIDER   losing altitude, pitching and yawing, o.s. SHOT RINGING OUT, WHINING OFF.   ON GALEN   FIRING, a bullet splattering close by. He reacts and ducks down, then looks up, then off, yelling:   GALEN  Pete! Come on!   He turns and hurries for the Trooper’s horse in b.g. CAMERA WHIPS TO HOLD ON Burke also running for that Trooper’s horse. Suddenly, the glider swoops PAST CAMERA, clearing the ridge.   ON URKO AND CARSIUS   CARSIUS  He’s escaping.!   URKO  You fool!!! You’ll pay for this!   LOW ANGLE - GLIDER   swooping TOWARD CAMERA, landing, Virdon half running, half pitching forward from it.   ANOTHER ANGLE   as Virdon recovers. Galen and Burke, leading the horses, hurry to him.   BURKE  You okay?   VIRDON  Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.   Burke hands him the reins to the horse.   BURKE  Get out of here! Go on! I’ll be with you in a minute!   He shoves them off. They lead the horses down the hill and o.s. through the rocks. Burke watches them, then turns, pulling the grenade from under his tunic. He pulls the pin, lays his arm back and throws.   FULL SHOT - GLIDER   as it erupts and is destroyed in a flash of flame and a geyser of smoke.   MED. FULL SHOT - VIRDON AND GALEN   with the horses, looking back, exchanging glances. After a moment, Burke runs IN and to them. All look back.   REVERSE TO GLIDER   shattered, the smouldering remains scattered about.   BURKE’S VOICE  (o.s.)  That takes care of that.   CLOSE THREE SHOT - VIRDON, BURKE AND GALEN   GALEN  (staring)  Leuric’s dream…   BURKE  Yeah. Too bad the Apes turned it into a nightmare…   VIRDON  But not…before the dream came true.   They exchange knowing glances, then turn to the horses, Virdon and Burke mounting one, Galen the other. As they spur the animals off and down the hill, becoming small objects in the distance:   FADE OUT   THE END