B-543   ACT FOUR   FADE IN   126  EXT. BEACH AT THE FISHING POOL - LONG SHOT - DAY   We see the horse-drawn fish wagon, nearly full, drawn up on the beach to receive the speared fish. Village Fishermen emptying their catches onto it now.   127  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE - AT THE WAGON   just depositing their fish. The Ape Draymen decide they have a load. DRAYMAN ONE looks under the wagon for the cargo net covering, sees that it’s gone, yells to his co-worker:   DRAYMAN ONE  Hey…the wagon covering is gone!   128  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE   as they exchange a look.   129  ANOTHER ANGLE   as DRAYMAN TWO expresses annoyance.   DRAYMAN TWO  Those workmen at the factory are getting worse and worse…not sending the wagon coverings back…get another one from the storehouse!   Also annoyed, Drayman One starts toward the village, mumbling.   DRAYMAN ONE  You should have checked…   DRAYMAN TWO  I should have checked…how about you?   On this mild disagreement, Virdon and Burke, spears in hand, head back for the pool.   130  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE   Burke smiles, says lowly to Virdon:   BURKE  One of them should have checked.   Virdon smiles back.   VIRDON  Check.   131  EXT. VILLAGE STREET - SHOOTING PAST HURTON’S HEADQUARTERS - DAY   A flurry of excitement as BANDOR, an orangutan, riding a proud, well-groomed horse and followed by a uniformed armed Gorilla Valet, rides importantly down the main “street” of the village. Village women and a couple of their children come out of their huts, standing back in awe and fear as the horse clomps by. Bandor is an important ape politically and in charge of many producing communitites.   132  ANGLE IN FRONT OF HURTON’S HEADQUARTERS   We see Hurton come out of his headquarters to greet Bandor. An Armed Guard rushes up to take the reins of Bandor’s horse as Bandor dismounts. Bandor’s Armed Valet dismounts and takes charge of his own horse, Bandor displays a certain superior aloofness. Hurton, politicking, greets him with effusive gusto, raising his hands in a gesture:   HURTON  Welcome…welcome, Bandor. Did you have a good trip?   Bandor stretches.   BANDOR  Tiring.  (looking straight at Hurton)  Whenever you greet me with such big smiles…I have the feeling you are holding some bad news behind your back…   Hurton laughs nervously.   HURTON  Haha! Not so.  (a little smug)  In fact, I have a special surprise for you.   Bandor calls to the Armed Guard who is taking his horse:   BANDOR  Take care he gets fresh grain. None with this seashore mold!  (to Hurton)  Surprise? The only surprise you could please me with is to tell me you have exceeded your quota.   Hurton hedges on this.   HURTON  Well…not yet. But we will…we will.   Hurton’s Armed Aide comes from the headquarters now with an earthen cup of refreshment for Bandor…walks to him with it. As he’s handing it to him:   BANDOR  I’m not interested in…projections. I’m interested in production.  (takes a sip, smiles)  My nephew said that. Very clever, eh?   A stab at Hurton…an old threat hanging over his head.   HURTON  Yes. Very clever. Unfortunately, we cannot catch fish with…words.   BANDOR  Or promises! What is this great news? You have three young ones for me to band to replace the old one you discarded?   HURTON  Only one has been raised to age and size. But two full grown fishermen have joined us…like they were sent by the gods!   Bandor looks at Hurton with some suspicion at this.   BANDOR  Ha! Now Hurton is claiming partnership with the gods.   Bandor laughs with some derision. Hurton calls o.s. to an Armed Guard:   HURTON  Bring the two new fishermen here! At once!  (to Bandor)  You’ll see. Two excellent producers. They not only spear fish while swimming under the test of fire…they kill sharks with their bare hands! Two full-grown producers for you to band!   Bandor expresses surprise at this.   BANDOR  Sent…by the gods…you say?   HURTON  Well…actually…they are two runaway slaves…it seems. Once owned by a rather…irresponsible chimpanzee…Zooma…   BANDOR  I was afraid…some catch to it…   HURTON  I dispute his claim to them…   BANDOR  He’s here? To claim them? Does he have papers…?   Hurton turns to his Armed Aide:   HURTON  I thought I asked you to summon Zooma…   The Aide steps forward, nervously.   ARMED AIDE  I…I only discovered…moments ago…   HURTON  Discovered what!?   ARMED AIDE  Zooma is missing. He left last night with Soma…mate of the wounded Romar…   Bandor is irritated by words like “missing”…“wounded”…   BANDOR  What is this!? Production quotas lagging…and now I hear about…wounded producers…missing mates. The only surprise here is no surprise at all! You lack organisation, Hurton…   But Hurton improvises quickly:   HURTON  I thought so…that Zooma was not to be trusted…   133  ANOTHER ANGLE - VIRDON AND BURKE   being led to the front of the headquarters by the Armed Guard.   HURTON  He has stolen a female slave in an effort to get back his own!   Bandor turns to see the two strange humans led to him.   134  EXT. FRONT OF HEADQUARTERS   as Virdon and Burke are ordered to stand for “inspection” in front of the powerful ape, Bandor. Hurton steps to them like proud possessions.   HURTON  Here…you see? Strong…many prime years of production in them.   Bandor walks to Virdon and Burke…“inspecting” them up and down.   BANDOR  You say this…Zooma…has no papers?   HURTON  None! Or why would he have stolen one of our female slaves?   Bandor pinches the skin on Virdon’s arm.   BANDOR  Hmmmmm. These skins have not been long in the water.   HURTON  But they kill sharks…with their bare hands…   As Bandor is now giving Burke the once-over…veiling his real satisfaction with these two unusual producers with an officious air:   BANDOR  I would say this…Zooma…has made an unwise move.   Virdon and Burke give each other an uneasy look.   BANDOR  We will just let him…keep his worthless female…   Bandor grabs the strong arm of Burke and holds it up.   BANDOR  Tomorrow…at the ceremony I will band these two myself!   Hurton rubs his hands in satisfaction.   HURTON  I knew you would decide quickly and fairly…   135  ANOTHER ANGLE - PAST VIRDON AND BURKE TO HURTON AND BANDOR   as Bandor starts toward the headquarters, Hurton at his heels.   BANDOR  Someone has to keep these producing villages going…   As Virdon and Burke watch the apes leave…their own fate sealed if they can’t think of something fast:   CUT TO:   136  EXT. GAHTO’S HUT - CLOSE SHOT - FIRE - NIGHT   A fish burning, unattended, over the fire as we WIDEN ON SCENE to see that neither Virdon or Burke are there. But we can hear…from inside the hut:   VIRDON’S VOICE  (o.s.)  The fish is burning.   BURKE’S VOICE  (o.s.)  I don’t care if I see another fish the rest of my life!   CUT TO:   137  INT. GAHTO’S HUT - CLOSE SHOT - BURKE - NIGHT   A small bowl with an oil wick flickers for light. As we see Burke unraveling a length of rope from a section of the cargo net which lies on his lap.   BURKE  I’m not looking forward to spearing fish and ducking sharks the rest of my life. This had better work, Al.   138  WIDE ANGLE - TO INCLUDE VIRDON   sitting to one side, busy on some kind of project, the nature of which we cannot quite see.   139  CLOSE ON VIRDON   as he holds up the thin strand from the rope, looks at it.   VIRDON  It will, or we get fitted for handcuffs!   CUT TO:   140  EXT. “CEREMONIAL SITE” NEAR VILLAGE - CLOSE ON BANDING - DAY   The young Villager who successfully passed the test of fire to the cheers of his friends earlier…is now being “awarded” the bracelet of a fisherman. An Armed Guard places the youth’s wrist on a rock now; it has already been fitted with a band, through the flange of which has been placed the lifetime metal “rivet” which will seal the band forever.   141  WIDE ANGLE   And we see the Villagers gathered for the ceremony which is, for them, a rather festive occasion…a brief respite from work…a change of routine. With some ritual…another ARMED GUARD walks to the kneeling youth, carrying a long metal rod, to be used for sealing the rivet…and a heavy, crude sledge. They are preparing for Bandor to perform the actual ceremony of the banding. The Armed Guard readies the metal rod…and sledge…and waits…turning to the “officials”…who are taking their time, self-important.   142  ANGLE ON HURTON AND BANDOR   standing to one side for the moment.   BANDOR  You’ve already had to discard the old Gahto…   HURTON  I have to discuss that with you later…it seems that…   BANDOR  (unheeding)  And now you will probably have to discard the wounded…what’s his name…   HURTON  Romar. Of course, these things happen. Discipline must come first.   CUT TO:   143  EXT. BEACH - MOVING SHOT - GALEN, SOMA AND GAHTON - DAY   They are returning to the village under the orders of Galen. Soma is apprehensive.   SOMA  Please…don’t make us return…they will kill us…if you are a friend…please…   GALEN  I told you…not to worry. Everything has been…settled. You and your father have nothing to worry about…   As they plod on through the sand, Gahto puffing…CAMERA ZOOMS IN FOR CLOSE SHOT ON GALEN’S HAND…and we see him cross his fingers!   CUT TO:   144  EXT. “CEREMONIAL SITE” - CLOSE ON BANDOR - DAY   With ceremonial flourish…he raises the sledge…and brings it down with a ringing bang! And the young fisherman has been banded. ANGLE WIDENS…and we see the villagers raise their arms in cheers and approval…as the young man stands and proudly raises his banded arm for all to see.   145  ANGLE ON BANDOR   as he hands the sledge to an Armed Guard and steps to Hurton, standing nearby…continuing their discussion…this is business to them…not noticing as the young man now mingles with his fellow villagers, showing his band.   BANDOR  New areas are being opened for crops. More fertilizer is needed…which means more fish.   Hurton appears frustrated by this report.   HURTON  There must be a limit. We cannot just keep increasing production…   Bandor turns toward the villagers now, a smug smile of the bureaucrat.   BANDOR  Now, now…if you keep getting these…god-sent producers…   He looks out over the assembled humans, awaiting the signal for the ceremony to resume…a puzzled expression as he does not see Virdon and Burke.   BANDOR  Where are they?   Hurton now looks in the same direction.   HURTON  What?   BANDOR  I don’t see your two new…surprises…who kill sharks with their bare hands…   Hurton is troubled…shouts to an Armed Guard:   HURTON  Guard! Where are the two new producers?   146  ANGLE ON GUARD   as he glances quickly at his sheet…then to the assembly of Humans.   ARMED GUARD  Sir! They’re missing! They aren’t here!   147  ANGLE ON BANDOR AND HURTON   as Bandor looks immediately displeased.   BANDOR  Your…surprises are getting tiresome, Hurton…   148  ANOTHER ANGLE   Hurton charges toward the assembly, his arms flailing an order to the guards as he commands:   HURTON  (shouting)  Send a guard! Sound the alarm!   And suddenly we hear a deep, loud, o.s. GONG…GONG…as everyone turns in the direction of the village…the command being carried out the instant it was issued coming as a bewildering surprise.   HURTON  Guards…!   And Hurton, summoning the Guards, takes the lead with Bandor as the whole assembly moves in a surge toward the village, the Humans trailing obediently behind their superiors who stride with determination toward the sound of the continuing GONG…GONG.   CUT TO:   149  EXT. FISHING LAGOON - CLOSE ON BURKE AT ALARM - DAY   Burke, holding a large mallet, stands near a large suspended alarm disk of metal…banging it with some amount of fun. Wincing every time it goes GONG…glancing off.   150  ANOTHER ANGLE - BURKE’S P.O.V. - INLAND   As we suddenly see the approaching crowd, led by Hurton and Bandor. Burke gives the gong one last, vehement slam…as though to break it…throws the mallet aside.   BURKE  Okay…Al…let’s go fishing!   And he runs toward the direction of the ocean and the fishing pool.   CUT TO:   151  EXT. BEACH - THE AREA OF THE FISHING POOL - CLOSE ON BURKE - DAY   as he tears across the beach and runs splashing into the water to join Virdon…who is already out in the water…waving Burke urgently to join him.   152  ANOTHER ANGLE - UP BEACH TOWARD APPROACHING CROWD   We see an angry Hurton and a pompous Bandor striding along the beach. Hurton points to the water…motions to an Armed Guard to take a position to fire…as they keep coming.   153  PANNING SHOT - WITH THE CROWD   Hurton, Bandor and their Armed Aides in the lead, followed by the crowd of barefoot Villagers, heading toward the beach.   154  ANGLE ON VIRDON AND BURKE - SHOOTING FROM BEACH TO OPEN WATER   wading toward shore, about twenty feet apart, tugging something between them (the net) which seems to be heavy.   155  ANGLE ON BANDOR AND HURTON - AT THE BEACH   as they reach the beach now…spotting the two “missing” Humans. Hurton raises his arm in a direction to an Armed Guard…incensed.   HURTON  There they are…shoot them!   But Bandor can now see flapping in the water as Virdon and Burke have reached the shallows. He raises his hand in countermand.   BANDOR  Wait!   A-155  ANGLE BEHIND ROCK AT BEACH - DAY   Galen, Soma and Gahto crouching, watching the activity on the beach, o.s.   GALEN  All right, Gahto. Here’s where you stop being a dead discard and become a live hero. Go.   Gahto looks at Galen nervously, doesn’t move.   GALEN  If you want your daughter to live, GO!   Gahto finally rises.   B-155  WIDE ANGLE   Gahto hurries toward the edge of the sea where Virdon and Burke are just about to make shore. He is unnoticed at first.   GAHTO  (calling instructions to Burke)  That’s good. Bring it in. Easy.   HURTON  Gahto!   An Armed Guard raises his rifle to shoot Gahto. Hurton waves him off, wanting to see what Gahto and the Astronauts are up to.   156  ANGLE ON VIRDON, BURKE AND GALEN   Virdon and Burke slosh through the shallow water to shore now, with a sight magical for those on shore to behold: a whole net of fish! They haul it up onto the sand and drop it. Hurton and Bandor approach with a mixture of disbelieving delight and awe.   GAHTO  Very good…   157  BACK TO SCENE   The Humans, unrestrained now, rush to the net, fall to their knees at this “miracle”…touching the net, holding up the fish, examining the “magic mesh” which has trapped so many fish…Bandor viewing the sight with unabashed amazement.   BANDOR  What is this? Fish by the hundreds from some…   Virdon steps quickly forward with Burke to explain:   VIRDON  From a net…mighty Bandor! It can trap more fish…in a few hours…than all these men can spear in a year’s time!   Hurton wastes no time in claiming credit. Still surprised by the sight before his eyes, he blurts out:   HURTON  Just another of the…surprises I promised you…   Virdon and Burke give each other a look on this, but as Bandor walks to the net, they join him, elaborating.   VIRDON  Even old men…and females…can catch fish this way. You’ll have all the fish you need…and the gods will be pleased to let the old…the injured…live peacefully on here in their village!   158  ANGLE ON ROMAR   Standing near enough to hear this, looks for a reaction from Bandor.   159  ANGLE ON BANDOR   BANDOR  Hmmmm…that is so. That is certainly so.   HURTON  All part of my plan. The producers will have all they want to eat…security problems will be…almost eliminated.   160  BACK TO SCENE   as we see a stirring of freshly aroused fear from the villagers at the net as they point down the beach and retreat in fear from the net.   161  ANOTHER ANGLE - SHOOTING PAST THE ASSEMBLY DOWN THE BEACH   We see Soma and Galen walking to area.   ROMAR  (rushing to her)  Soma…Soma!   He clutches her to him. Bandor is suspicious.   BANDOR  What has this discard to so with your plan, Hurton?   Burke hastens to “explain.”   BURKE  Aha, mighty Bandor…this is Hurton’s biggest surprise of all…   Hurton appears completely baffled as Bandor turns to him.   BURKE  Tell ’em…Zooma!   He points to Galen who takes his cue and steps to old Gahto, puts a hand on his shoulder.   GALEN  This…magic webbing…that brings in fish…is old Gahto’s idea! Hurton has saved Gahto to teach the others how to make and mend the webbing…   162  ANGLE ON GAHTO   as he kneels, fingers the netting.   GAHTO  Easy…   163  ANGLE ON BANDOR AND HURTON   as Bandor, finally forced to give a compliment, claps a hand on Hurton’s back.   BANDOR  Hurton…I knew you could do it! This is why I have kept you on here…despite all the efforts of those higher up to replace you with my nephew…   HURTON  I appreciate it. I’ve done my best…as you can see  (to the crowd)  Extra rations for all…from now on!   164  BACK TO SCENE   The crowd of humans exchange vocal expressions of pleasure at this.   165  ANOTHER ANGLE   Burke edges over to a pile of seaweed at the water’s edge. Galen moves with him. As Burke pulls the seaweed off to reveal a raft, complete with paddles and a large roll of cord on a makeshift wooden reel. The cord will be seen to have loops tied in it. Virdon steps to Bandor.   VIRDON  Will mighty Bandor give us the honor of helping in the greatest catch of all?   BANDOR  What’s that?   VIRDON  Right this way…   He leads Bandor, Hurton, et al, to the raft.   VIRDON  It is not fitting for a mere human to take the greatest bounty from the sea.   He bows and hands the end of the cord to Bandor.   VIRDON  Zooma will hold the revolving rod.   BANDOR  I don’t understand.   GALEN  The largest fish can break the net but this cord entangles them in its loops. Hold tight…   Galen steps on the raft, holding the reel, standing proudly erect. Bandor waits at the edge of the sea, clutching the cord.   GALEN  (to Virdon and Burke)  Start! Don’t keep Bandor waiting.   The raft is pushed off. Virdon and Burke paddle hard and the raft moves out to sea, angling slightly for a protective point. Bandor holds the cord tightly, expectantly.   166  ANGLE ON RAFT   Virdon and Burke are paddling like mad, Galen holding the reel as the cord spins off.   GALEN  End of the line.   The line has run out. Galen still stands on the raft.   BURKE  Grab a paddle!   GALEN  Me?   BURKE  Would you rather swim?   Galen tosses the reel away, ducks down and grabs paddle.   167  ANGLE ON BEACH   Bandor is holding the cord, beginning to get suspicious.   168  HIS P.O.V. - THE RAFT   Disappearing around a promontory.   169  ANGLE ON BEACH   Bandor realizes he’s been had. He jerks the cord, and there’s no tension of course. He drops it, shouting:   BANDOR  Shoot! Shoot!   As Guards raise rifles:   HURTON  At what?   A-169  P.O.V. SHOT - THE SEA   Barren. The raft has disappeared.   170  ANGLE ON VIRDON, BURKE AND GALEN   stepping off the raft, out of breath. A beat. They are free, pleased with themselves. Galen gives his friends a look, teasing.   GALEN  I said you were liars…I didn’t know you were so good at it.   BURKE  Soon as we get clear of this country…I want to talk to you about that…  (breathing)  …and I’d like to…discuss this owner-slave business with you…eh!?   Galen notes the feisty tone, smiles at them both.   GALEN  Let’s get going. I don’t want to have to get you two out of another scrape right away…   Burke reaches for him but Galen is already running.   BURKE  Why you…!   171  LONG SHOT - TOWARD THE BEACH   as Galen takes off toward the beach again, Virdon and Burke on his heels now in good-natured pursuit, feigned anger, their voices covering the shot as they run.   BURKE  Bury him in the sand…   VIRDON  Throw him in the ocean…   And we can only hear Galen’s playful cries of flight as he is being pursued by his friends down the beach, a picture of relief and freedom as they enjoy their reunion.   FADE OUT   THE END