ACT TWO   FADE IN   33  EXT. LAGOON “TEST AREA” - LONG SHOT - THE SCENE - DAY   Virdon and Burke stand amid several curious Villagers who have gathered to see these two “strangers” without armbands pass the test of swimming under fire which will qualify them to become producing spear fishermen. The water in the lagoon is quiet now.   34  ANGLE ON ARMED GUARD   With a lighted torch…as he tosses it toward the oil-covered water…PANNING WITH ITS ARC…as it lights in the water…and suddenly ignites the surface into a sheet of flame.   35  WIDE ANGLE   Amid cheers of encouragement, a YOUNG HUMAN approaches the edge of the flaming lagoon. He turns to raise a clenched fist proudly to the crowd watching, then plunges into the water. He’s a magnificent specimen who swims strongly to a point near the flames, then submerges.   36  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE   reacting.   VIRDON  Think he’s got a chance?   BURKE  Probably been in training. We go that route without even a test run!   37  WIDE ANGLE   Young Human appears at the far side of the flames, swims triumphantly to the shore as the crowd cheers.   38  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE   watching.   VIRDON  He made it. It is possible.   BURKE  Some justice. we save a little old guy from the sharks and…and they’re going to try and drown and bar-b-que us at the same time.   We see Two Armed Guards, with Hurton, walking their way. Virdon and Burke notice.   VIRDON  Some choice! If we don’t make it they kill us. If we do, we get life…spearing fish for some…fertilizer factory.   BURKE  (glance at Guards)  No chance to make a break…   VIRDON  He wouldn’t want to lose two prime producers.   As Hurton and an ARMED AIDE approach:   CUT TO:   39  INT. CAVE - ANGLE ON GALEN AND GAHTO - DAY   Galen is just walking into the mouth of the cave to see old Gahto, still “dying” in his sitting-leaning position. Galen munches on berries he has collected.   GALEN  Hah! Maybe you are not too dead to eat a few berries…?   Galen kneels, extends his handful of berries.   40  ANGLE ON GAHTO   He looks straight ahead…as if in shock.   GAHTO  I have failed the gods…I am dead.   GALEN  My friends have a saying…I think it goes like this…‘You are a pain in the neck.’   Galen stands…worried about something else.   GALEN  And if anything’s happened to them…I will personally feed you to the sharks…piece by piece.   GAHTO  It is the will of the gods…   GALEN  Oh shut up! It is the will of Galen…  (jabbing his own chest)  …that you stay right here. My friends have been gone a day. I’m going to look for them. Do you understand?   No response from Gahto. In frustration, Galen turns and leaves.   CUT TO:   41  EXT. LAGOON “TEST AREA” - DAY   Hurton is standing near Virdon and Burke, accompanied by his Armed Aide. Hurton is aloof and superior…but showing a certain anticipation. He views his new “specimens”…tapping out physical attributes with his riding crop…   HURTON  Look at that. Limbs as strong as a young horse. Lungs like a whale.   He whacks Burke on the chest. And says for the Aide to hear…one really does not talk to humans, as a rule.   HURTON  When the run of the fish is good, they should produce an extra two, three hundred pounds a day!   Virdon and Burke exchange looks on this appraisal.   HURTON  Test them!   The Armed Aide steps forward, motioning with his gun.   ARMED AIDE  Come…   42  ANOTHER ANGLE - FROM THE WATER   We see the group of village men part and Virdon, Burke and Hurton walk toward the water and a cluster of spears stuck upright in the earth near the water. As they approach, another Armed Guard plucks out one of the spears and hands it to Virdon.   43  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE   as Virdon takes the spear.   BURKE  Good luck, buddy…you won the toss…   44  WIDER ANGLE - ON SCENE   as Virdon walks to the water. Village men approach, holding back with an uncertain curiosity. Virdon steps into the clear water, looks beyond to the flaming barrier he must swim under. A beat of hesitation…and the Guard raises his gun and fires a SHOT into the water near Virdon.   45  ANGLE ON BURKE   flinching, from the no-foolishness of these Apes.   BURKE  (concern)  I think that’s the starting gun --   46  ANGLE ON SCENE   Virdon, spear in hand, plunges into the water, disappears under the surface. Hurton steps forward, crosses his arms…waits. Burke, silently, his fists clenched like he’s urging his “team” to the goal line…the Villagers exchanging looks…when Virdon seems long in appearing. An extra long beat…Virdon is still under the water.   47  ANGLE ON HURTON   A look of disppointment, some anger…has he been duped?   48  ANGLE ON BURKE   Concern for his friend growing…straining for a look   49  BACK TO SCENE   As everyone is just stirring with bewilderment, concern…we see Virdon emerge from the water on the far side of the flames…spear in hand…raising it…and he has a fish on it!   A cheer goes up from the Village humans…this is not an expected part of the test…here is a real fisherman who will help ease the pressure on them to continually increase production. Hurton has a pleased look. The Armed Aide expresses surprise…and all now turn to Burke.   50  ANGLE ON BURKE   looking across to Virdon…a resigned look…shaking his head.   BURKE  You’re a hard act to follow!   CUT TO:   51  EXT. BEACH - ANGLE AT THE EMPTY RAFT - DAY   A Mounted Patrol, his horse standing near, is leaning over and examining the raft from which Gahto was taken. He examines the knife-sliced thongs. An expression of “official anger”…someone has defied the gods! He quickly mounts up and rides off…galloping down the beach.   CUT TO:   52  EXT. LAGOON “TEST AREA” - AS BEFORE - DAY   Only Burke is now at the water’s edge with spear in hand. Virdon stands on the opposite side, another Guard in the b.g. As Burke dives into the water…takes a “whale’s breath”…and dives in. Several long beats…not a ripple in the flaming water.   53  ANGLE ON HURTON   expectant…but concerned.   54  ANGLE ON VIRDON   looking back across the water, an anxious look when he doesn’t see his friend emerge…   55  ANGLE SHOOTING PAST VIRDON TO THE SCENE OF THE LAGOON   The Village humans with Hurton on the far side. Another long beat…and Burke emerges from the water…gasping for breath…long held…and stands with his spear…containing a larger fish! And he walks toward Virdon with a big smile…   BURKE  As one big producer to another, I hope we graduated and don’t have to take any more tests.   Virdon smiles at his friend, proudly, as the Guard reminds them where they are.   ARMED GUARD  Come! This way!   And he leads them off.   56  EXT. OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE LAGOON - ANGLE ON HURTON AND AIDE   we see the Armed Guard approaching with Burke and Virdon, coming toward the amazed and delighted group of Villagers who offer restrained nods…smiles at these men…except for Romar…who views them suspiciously.   Hurton walks to Virdon and Burke, examining them again in this new and unexpected light.   HURTON  Bandor will arrive tomorrow with new quotas, no doubt. He’ll expect me to squirm and complain…he’s always wanted to put his nephew in charge here. I think I will spring these new producers on Bandor. I want to see his face…  (turning, deciding)  …bring them along!   Hurton strides off in the direction of the village, Virdon and Burke following under rifle guard…and the Village humans falling in behind.   CUT TO:   57  EXT. THE VILLAGE - SHOOTING DOWN “STREET” - DAY   The procession is heading toward Hurton’s headquarters. From first appearances, it would seem that Virdon and Burke are in serious trouble…guns pointing at them…in the custody of Apes as CAMERA PULLS BACK:   58  ANGLE SHOOTING PAST GALEN - TO THE SCENE   as he views it from a secluded hiding spot near the village, a look of concern as he turns toward CAMERA…and leaves hurriedly.   59  THE SCENE ON THE “STREET” - ANGLE NEAR ROMAR AND SOMA’S HUT   as the procession passes the hut belonging to Romar and Soma…Romar drops from the procession as Soma steps from the hut. Romar watches the others continue toward Hurton’s headquarters.   60  ANGLE ON ROMAR AND SOMA   as she steps near her husband, a glance toward the departing Virdon and Burke.   SOMA  Did they say any more?   Romar does not look at his wife as he barks a firm denial.   ROMAR  They said nothing!   SOMA  I am sure they have seen my father. Gahto is alive!   ROMAR  (sternly)  Silence! If the gods hear you say his name…they will punish us all! The sea has taken him. It’s the law. Be still!   A beat of obedience…but she walks away from him…to follow the others…and he joins her, somewhat fearfully.   61  THE SCENE IN FRONT OF HURTON’S HEADQUARTERS   as the procession, Hurton and his Aide leading, arrive…Hurton making up his mind about something as they halt there.   HURTON  They will occupy the hut of the old discarded fisherman.   62  ANGLE SHOOTING PAST VIRDON AND BURKE - TO HURTON   as they exchange a glance on this overheard remark. A couple of Village humans stand near them to hear.   VIRDON  Hear that?   BURKE  I think we’re getting old Gahto’s old apartment.   On the mention of the name Gahto…Virdon sees the two Humans clap a hand to their mouths…just expressing curiosity about this as they both hear a famuiliar voice.   GALEN’S VOICE  (o.s.)  Aha! Here you are!   63  ANOTHER ANGLE - SHOOTING PAST GROUP TO GALEN   approaching Hurton and the rest from behind the headquarters structure. Hurton turns in surprise as Galen marches forward with a stern determination.   GALEN  (to Virdon, Burke)  I told you the next time you strayed off, you’d be punished severely. And I meant it. Now come along…!   Virdon and Burke, a brief glimpse of freedom, take a step but are stopped short by gunpoint prompted by an interjected command from the surprised and irritated Hurton.   HURTON  Wait! Stay!  (to Galen)  Who are you?   Galen takes a pose of innocent preoccupation. Even irritation.   GALEN  My name is…Zooma. I am on an…expedition from Central City. You have found my two…rather ignorant slaves. They have a habit of wandering. I appreciate it. I’ll take them now.   Galen makes a move as though to reclaim his property, halted by Hurton who says:   HURTON  Hold on! This is all…very irregular.   He looks toward Virdon and Burke, takes a couple of paces toward them.   HURTON  This is not the story they told me!   Galen gives Virdon and Burke a look…improvises quickly again.   GALEN  Oh, they’re such liars! They lie all the time…about everything. But they’re good workers. I’ll take them off your hands…   HURTON  Just a minute. I must consider this. This is a serious matter.   Hurton steps aside, gesturing for his Aide to join him.   64  CLOSE ON HURTON AND AIDE   as Hurton discusses the matter in low tones with his Aide…as a sounding board…   HURTON  This could be trouble. If he’s from Central City…   AIDE  Recruiting runaway slaves as producers…It could mean a demotion to the factory level.   HURTON  Oh…the smell.  (glance at Virdon, Burke)  I hate to lose two producers with such great potential…I need them badly, but let’s get it over with…   65  WIDER ANGLE - ON SCENE   as Hurton strides back to Galen, in front of the rest, with a final authority.   HURTON  (to Galen)  It is out of my hands.  (gesture to Virdon, Burke)  Since they have lied…only the gods of the sea can decide their fate.   Galen is a little puzzled…but this may not be so bad.   GALEN  Well…that sounds reasonable. What are the…gods of the sea?   66  ANGLE ON HURTON   rather disappointed…he hates to see two sturdy producers become shark bait…as he routinely announces:   HURTON  The sharks.  (gestures to Guard)  Bring them along.   CUT TO:   67  EXT. OCEAN FISHING POOL - LONG SHOT - SCENE - DAY   We see Virdon and Burke being led across the open sand toward the water’s edge at gunpoint by two of the Armed Guards. Slightly behind, Hurton, his Aide and Galen…followed by a group of Villagers to see the “gods” get their vengeance.   68  MOVING SHOT - WITH GALEN AND HURTON   Galen is protesting…Hurton remaining adamant, just getting himself out of a sticky situation.   GALEN  I object. I will not have my…private property…fed to the sharks to satisfy some…backwoods custom!   They stop, near enough now, as Hurton eyes the doomed Astronauts with detachment.   HURTON  I’m sorry, my friend…It may not appeal to your…sophisticated Central City tastes…but in production areas like this…with minimum security…it is the law.  (shout to Guards)  Send them out…   69  REVERSE ANGLE - PAST VIRDON AND BURKE TO GALEN AND HURTON   Virdon and Burke are at the edge of the water now. They turn to see the Armed Guards raise their rifles, aiming at them. They turn to each other now.   VIRDON  I guess it’s time to go swimming.   Burke glances out to the water, reacts.   70  THEIR P.O.V. - THE WATER OF THE POOL   as CAMERA ZOOMS IN on the circling dorsal fin of a shark.   BURKE’S VOICE  (o.s.)  They’re really sending us out as shark bait!   71  ANGLE ON GALEN AND HURTON   as Galen shouts to the Guards:   GALEN  Wait!  (then to Hurton)  At least give me the satisfaction of giving those two troublemakers a final piece of my mind!   HURTON  Very well. But hurry. There are still good fishing hours left…   72  WIDER ANGLE - THE SCENE   as Galen plods across the sand, past the Guards, toward Virdon and Burke. As he reaches them:   73  ANGLE ON GALEN, VIRDON, BURKE   Virdon and Burke look with some dissatisfaction at their young friend.   VIRDON  Any way out of this?   Burke can tell differently from a look at Galen.   BURKE  No way…   Galen steps close to Virdon, slips the knife out, hands it to him.   GALEN  Here…take this…it may help.   BURKE  Remind me someday to tell you how grateful we are…liars, eh…Zooma!   GALEN  It wasn’t my idea to try and save that crazy old human.   And we hear Hurton’s shouted voice:   HURTON’S VOICE  (o.s.)  Enough! Send them to the gods!   VIRDON  Watch it, Galen…I don’t know if they’re real particular who they shoot…   74  ANGLE SHOOTING PAST ARMED GUARDS - TO THE TRIO   We see the Guards raise their guns again. Galen steps to one side, Virdon and Burke turn to see the guns aimed at them. And they walk out into the water…the knife not visible.   75  LONG SHOT - THE SCENE   Drawn by curiosity now, Hurton and his Aide, followed by Villagers, edge toward the shore…the Armed Guards still aiming at Virdon and Burke who are now swimming.   76  CLOSE ON VIRDON AND BURKE, SWIMMING   Slow strokes, their eyes peeled on the water ahead.   VIRDON  If we could make it to those rocks, maybe…   But a shark fin SLICES the water almost within arm’s reach…startling them.   BURKE  Forget it!   77  VARIOUS SHOTS - OF THE STRUGGLE   Virdon and Burke swim apart…the shark slices between them. There is a violent churning of water…the two alternately diving, emerging, going back under with AD-LIB instructions to each other: “Watch it”…“Draw him away”…“Here he comes”…“Decoy!…Decoy!”…   78  ANGLE SHOOTING FROM SHORE - PAST HURTON, GALEN ET AL   All watching now as it is clear the shark attack has begun. Low sounds of fear and awe from the Villagers…who are seeing the “gods” at work.   79  CLOSE SHOT - THE WATER   No sign of shark or men…but a red pool of blood surfaces.   80  ANGLE SHOOTING FROM SHORE - AS BEFORE   The spectators can see the water has stilled…the gods have had their say. Hurton, satisfied it’s over, turns to his Aide.   HURTON  Well, that’s that…get production started…   But the Aide, still looking out to the water, points with excited disbelief.   AIDE  Look!   81  ANGLE SHOOTING TOWARD WATER   We see signs of life…then Virdon and Burke emerge, wading through the shallower water now…and lift the slain shark over their heads in triumph. A CHEER goes up from the Villagers…Hurton amazed.   82  REVERSE ANGLE   as Virdon and Burke dump their “prize” on the beach, Hurton and Galen there now…Villagers just behind…craning for a look at the slain “god” of the sea.   GALEN  (to Hurton)  Well, I’d say that settles it. Your law has been carried out…I’ll take my slaves and be on my way…   But Hurton’s calculator mind is at work…the Astronaut’s success is their own undoing…as he sees quotas being filled by these two astounding “producers.”   HURTON  I’m not too sure about that…   And we hear the thundering SOUND of an approaching horse!   83  ANOTHER ANGLE - SHOOTING DOWN THE BEACH   The Mounted Patrol who discovered the empty raft rides up, directly into their midst, dismounts, and comes to Hurton.   MOUNTED PATROL  The float…carrying old Gahto to the gods. On the beach…the lashings cut…someone has defied the gods!   The Villagers draw back in fear as Hurton is enraged at this.   HURTON  This is sacrilege…high treason!   84  CLOSE ON ROMAR AND SOMA   Standing among the Villagers, she turns excitedly to her husband…in a low whisper…   SOMA  I knew it…he’s alive.   ROMAR  Be still…he’ll hear you.   85  ANGLE SHOOTING PAST THEM TO HURTON   who now demands of the Villagers in general:   HURTON  Do any of you know about this!?   No response from the mute Villagers. Hurton barks an order to the Mounted Patrol who has just reported the discovery.   HURTON  The old man cannot be far. Find him!   Then Hurton sees Romar and Soma…and strides straight through the other Villagers to them. Virdon and Burke follow, slightly behind…as Hurton now faces the couple.   HURTON  Do you know anything about this?   No response.   HURTON  Speak!   They only shake their heads. But Soma seems to be exchanging a glance with the Astronauts behind Hurton. Hurton wheels on them…a questioning look for a tense beat. Then…looking at Virdon and Burke but directing his statement to Galen who stands with them:   HURTON  I don’t think they will leave here just now. This is a matter for Bandor to decide! If Gahto lives…someone must die!   FADE OUT   END OF ACT TWO