REFUGEE FROM ROSWELL

 

By Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

              FADE IN:

 

              EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              People fill tables at an outdoor cafe in the city on a

              beautiful spring afternoon.

 

              At a table sit JOE and TRICIA, a handsome couple in their

              20s. Tricia wears a designer jogging outfit; Joe is dressed

              casually in slacks and sportcoat.

 

              Tricia is visibly agitated, while Joe sits calmly, sipping an

              espresso.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    I can't believe you're doing this -

                                    especially now.  We were going to

                                    Washington next week.

 

                                                          JOE

                                    We can still do that.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    What's the point? A final fling

                                    before you leave?

 

                                                          JOE

                                    I told you six months ago I'd

                                    probably be moving.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    I thought you'd change your mind

                                    since everything's been so good.  Or

                                    so I thought.

 

              Several tables away, watching the couple closely, sit HELEN,

              60s, and AMY, 40s.

 

                                                          HELEN

                                    I bet he's telling her that he told

                                    her six months ago he'd be leaving.

                                    That's what he told me.

 

                                                          AMY

                                    And to pay closer attention.

 

              At the other table:

 

                                                          JOE

                                    You have to pay closer attention to

                                    what I'm really saying, not what you

                                    want to hear.  I've never lied to

                                    you, Tricia.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    I just can't believe you can do this

                                    so goddamn easily!

 

              She gets up from the table, throwing down her napkin.

 

              Watching the scene:

 

                                                          HELEN

                                    "I've never lied to you."  I bet

                                    that's the line that gets her.

 

                                                          AMY

                                    That line was the last straw for me,

                                    too.

 

              At the table, Joe gets to his feet while Tricia is moving

              off.  He MOUTHS the very words that Helen is expecting and

              repeating to Amy.

 

                                                          HELEN (O.S.)

                                    "I never lied to you!"

 

              Then he calls after her:

 

                                                          JOE

                                    Tricia!

 

              He sits back down, looking more resigned to the inevitable

              than upset.

 

              At the other table, Amy leans forward to confide something,

              as Tricia stomps by the women's table in a huff.

 

                                                          AMY

                                    It was summer, in 1976, the

                                    Bicentennial.  I can remember it like

                                    it was yesterday.  I loved that man

                                    so much.  I was only 19.

 

                                                          HELEN

                                    Spring of '55 for me, dear.  But we

                                    don't want to lose her, do we?

 

              Helen gets up, Amy quickly behind her, and they take off

              after Tricia.

 

              Also overlooking this scene from another table has been

              GEORGE, 30s, who now moves to sit down across the table from

              Joe.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                                    I bring you greetings from home.

 

              He makes an unusual gesture with his hands, like sign

              language, and a LIGHT GLOWS in the palm of his hand.

 

              Joe's eyes widen.

 

                                                          JOE

                                    You're . . . ?

 

              George nods, yes.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                                    Don't react.  Do you have a domicile

                                    where we can talk?

 

                                                          JOE

                                    Of course.  They call it an apartment

                                    here.

 

              George takes a small foreign language dictionary out of his

              coat pocket.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                                    Apartment?  I don't recall learning

                                    the word.

 

                                                          JOE

                                    It's only a few blocks from here.

 

              EXT. CITY - STREET - DAY

 

              Helen and Amy catch up with Tricia on the city street.

 

                                   

                      HELEN

                                    Excuse me.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    Yes?

 

                                                          HELEN

                                    We'd like to talk to you.

 

                                                          AMY

                                    We couldn't help but see the fight

                                    you had with your boyfriend.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    What are you, spying on me?

 

                                                          AMY

                                    For weeks now.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                                    You're not serious.

 

                                                          AMY

                                    "I've always told you my plans."

 

                                                          HELEN

                                    "You have to listen to what I'm

                                    saying, not what you want to hear."

 

                                                         AMY

                                    "I've never lied to you."

 

              These last three lines have a visible affect on Tricia, who

              looks like she needs to sit down.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Who the hell are you?

 

                                  HELEN

                        Your predecessors.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What's that supposed to mean?

 

                                                          AMY

                        He dumped us, too, dear.  Me in the

                                    70s, Helen in the 50s.

 

           

                                              HELEN

                        You look like you need to sit down.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              George is looking around Joe's apartment with great

              curiosity. The small one-bedroom is tastefully decorated

              without being ostentatious, in a somewhat bohemian style.

 

              George finds a basket of laundry with a bra on top.  He picks

              it up, as if he were lifting the specimen of a snake.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        You live alone?

 

              Joe ignores the question.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Maybe we should do this somewhere

                                    else.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Do what?

 

              The question takes Joe by surprise.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Wait a minute.  I thought you were--

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I am.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Then you're here for my report,

                                    aren't you?

 

              George looks at him like a General looking at an enlisted man.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I could have let you send your

                                    report, as always.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Then why are you here?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        To see for myself.

 

           

                                              JOE

                        See what?

 

              George flips Joe a superior smile.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        So many obvious questions.  Is this

                                    the style of the natives you've

                        adapted?  Now you have me doing it.

                                    What do I call you anyway?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Joe.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        This body was named George.

 

                                                          JOE

                        If you're not here to get my report,

                                    then what are you here for?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Joe, I'm here to see for myself.

                                    You've had some extraordinary things

                        to say about the natives here.  I

                                    want to make sure your reports are

                        accurate.

 

              INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

              Tricia sips her drink, takes a deep breath and prepares to

              speak.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Let me see if I have this straight.

                                    You lived with Joe for several years

                        in the 1950s--

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Correct.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        --and you did the same thing in the

                                    70s.

 

                                                          AMY

                        I was very much in love with him.

                                    Just like you.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        And like I was.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You sit there with a straight face

                                    and tell me this.  I don't get it.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Don't get what, dear?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe wasn't even born in the 1950s -

                                    and was just a child in the 70s.  Now

                        what's this really about?

 

              Amy turns to Helen, deferring to the older woman to continue.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        You don't understand.  The man

                                    doesn't age.  We believe he's, well,

                                    not from here.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        I already know that. He was a Navy

                                    brat.  Born in Norfolk and attended

                                    a dozen schools before he reached

                        high school.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        We believe he's from another planet.

 

              Tricia isn't sure what to make of this.  Finally she has to

              laugh.

 

                                                          AMY

                        He has an incision scar inside his

                                    right thigh.

           

                                                          HELEN

                        Another on his left buttock.

 

              Tricia's expression tells us they are right.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Do you have some specific planet in

                                    mind?

 

                                                          HELEN

                        We think he survived the flying

                                    saucer crash at Roswell.

 

                                                          AMY

                        The summer of 1947, dear.  Long

                                    before you were born.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        He's a refugee from Roswell.

 

              Tricia is speechless.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              George follows Joe out of the apartment.  A DOORMAN, 60s,

              greets him.

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        Good morning.

 

              Joe ignores him.  He is in a huff, moving quickly down the

              sidewalk, with George right on his heels.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I deserve medals, not censor.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Why are you angry?  You're acting

                                    like a native.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Who has done better research than me?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I believe the correct grammar is I.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Nobody here says I.  It's a giveaway.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        They don't follow their own rules of

                                    grammar?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I've been sending you invaluable data

                                    about these people for fifty years.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I'm not criticizing you.  I just want

                                    to see for myself before the

                                    committee arrives.

 

              Joe finally stops walking.  He turns and confronts George.

 

                                  JOE

                                    What committee?

 

              George ignores the question.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    How about the grand tour?  We could

                        start with this children's game

                                    played by millionaires.  Basket . . .?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Basketball.  What committee?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Basketball, yes.  A children's game,

                                    you wrote, in which they throw a ball

                                    through a hoop - and according to

                        your reports, for this they get

                                    rewarded far beyond the reward given

                        to teachers or nurses or parents. We

                                    sure got a laugh out of that!  And

                                    you wonder why I'm here?

 

                                  JOE

                                    Yes, that's the way it is. I can

                        prove it to you.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I hope so!  I'm on your side here.

                                    I want the committee to see that

                                    everything you've reported is true.

                        My plan depends on it.

 

                                                          JOE

                        What plan?  What committee?

 

              INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

              Helen and Amy both hand photographs to Tricia.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        We realize how hard this must be for

                                    you to understand.

 

           

                                              AMY

                        I was just as disbelieving at first.

 

              Tricia looks at the FIRST PHOTOGRAPH:

 

              it shows Joe, physically looking exactly as he looks today,

              posed informally with Helen as a young woman, whose peddle

              pushers and hair style date the era as the fifties.

 

              In the SECOND PHOTOGRAPH, Amy is sitting on the lap of Joe,

              again who looks the same, at a party.  A backdrop banner

              reads "Happy Bicentennial 1976!!"

 

              Tricia tosses down the photographs.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You made these with a computer.

 

              EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

              Tricia comes out of the bar, moving quickly down the street.

 

              Helen and Amy come out behind her.  They watch her go.

 

                                                          AMY

                        She doesn't believe us.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Would you have?

 

                                                          AMY

                        No.  What now?

 

                                                          HELEN

                        We count on her curiosity.

 

              INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - RESEARCH AREA - DAY

 

              Tricia sits at a microfilm machine in the public library.

 

              She brings up a headline about the flying saucer crash in

              Roswell, New Mexico.  It's the July 8, 1947, edition of the

              newspaper.

 

              The headline reads:  "Roswell Army Airfield Captures Flying

              Saucer On Ranch".

 

              INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - CHECK OUT DESK - DAY

 

              Tricia is checking out a book about the Roswell incident.

 

                                                          CHECK OUT CLERK

                        I read this.  You'll love it.  Did

                                    you see the alien autopsy on

                                    television?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    The alien autopsy?

 

                                  CHECK OUT CLERK

                                    The government filmed it.  They've

                        been covering it up for years.

 

              INT. GYM - POOL - DAY

 

              Tricia stands on a diving board, ready to dive into a pool.

 

              Poolside is her coach, BI JINGJING, a middle-aged Chinese

              woman.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Reverse somersault tuck.

 

              Tricia takes a deep breath and dives: she over-extends her

              rotation, a very poor dive.

 

              She swims to the edge of the pool and climbs out.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Where is your mind today?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe's moving to Seattle.  We're

                                    splitting up.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        I'm sorry.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Me, too.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Do you want to call it quits for the

                                    day?  I'm not focusing too well

                                    myself.  I think I'm nervous about

                        meeting the President.

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        No!  I want to dive.

 

              She goes to the board for another dive.  She takes a deep

              breath, trying to get her concentration back.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Again: reverse somersault tuck.

 

              Tricia dives - better but by no means up to her usual

              standard.  Bi's face tells us this.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - NIGHT

 

              Tricia's girlfriend, SUSAN, 20s, opens the door to find

              Tricia standing there.  The look on Tricia's face tells Susan

              everything.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Oh my God.  It finally happened.

 

              Tricia breaks into tears.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - WET BAR - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Susan sit at a wet bar, drinking coffee.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I think I have an explanation.

                                    Mental hospital refugees.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        That's too easy.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Every time you pick up the paper,

                                    some mental ward is closing.  They

                                    just dump these people on the streets.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        They went to all the trouble to make

                                    the photographs.  And where did they

                                    get a picture of Joe to work with?

                        How did they know about the scars?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        You've convinced me.  He's a Martian.

                                    That's why he always looks so damn

                                    good.  He doesn't age, they're right

                        about that. He hasn't aged a day in

                                    the three years I've known him.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    They're crazy, or he's an alien.

                        Great choice we have here.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I guess you're just going to have to

                                    ask him.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Maybe he put them up to it.  Some

                                    weird idea to make it easier on me.

                                    He's moving to Seattle.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    Oh, Trish . . .

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Just what I need right now.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    How could he, with the trials coming

                        up?  Wasn't he going to Washington

                                    with you?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We were going to see Bi get her

                                    award, and then he'd stay for the

                                    trials.  But the thing is, I had my

                        own surprise - I was going to tell

                                    him this was my last meet, I was

                                    retiring from competition so I could

                        . . .

 

              She is fighting to hold back the tears.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm pregnant.

 

              Susan moves to put her arms around Tricia, and Tricia finally

              lets the tears come.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia's car pulls into the lot and parks.  She gets out and

              heads for the apartment building.

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        And how are you this lovely day?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I've been better, Mr. Wells.

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        At least you have your youth!

 

              Tricia hurries inside, ignoring the remark.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              The door opens and Tricia steps inside.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe?  It's me!

 

              She finds a blanket on the divan, evidence that someone slept

              there last night.  She looks surprised.

 

              She goes to the bedroom and peeks inside.  The room is empty,

              the bed unmade.

 

              She goes to the closet and starts taking out her clothes.

 

              INT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              Joe and George are at the outdoor cafe, having coffee.

 

              George makes a face after a sip.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        How long did it take you to get used

                                    to this?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I liked it immediately.

 

              George makes a face.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        You do have an affinity. So what's in

                                    store for today?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Nothing until you tell me what's

                                    going on.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I want to see these millionaires who

                                    play children's games.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I want to know about the committee.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        The committee has to make the final

                                    approval of the plan.  If what you've

                                    sent us is true, there's no question

                        that they will.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Approval for what?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Making this a destination planet.  If

                                    the natives are as primitive as you

                                    report, it's perfect.

 

                                  JOE

                                    I'm not sure I understand.

 

              George is thumbing through his dictionary.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    I saw the word for it this morning.

                        Turning this planet into . . . here

                                    it is: a zoo, a planetary zoo.

                                    Where civilized people can come to

                        visit and marvel at the exotic habits

                                    of the primitive natives.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You want to turn Earth into a zoo?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        They have zoos for monkeys - and

                                    we'll have zoos for them!  Every

                                    species in its rightful place.

 

              George grins.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia brings two suitcases into the living room from the

              bedroom, setting them onto the floor.

 

              She goes to a small desk and prepares to write Joe a note.

              As she's thinking how to begin, the door opens, and Joe and

              George step in.

 

              Tricia gets quickly to her feet.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        I was just writing you a note.  I'll

                                    be staying with Susan for a while.

                                    I don't want to get in the way while

                        you're packing.

 

              When Joe doesn't reply, she thrusts her hand forward at

              George.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't think we've met.  I'm Tricia.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I'm sorry, this is-- . . .

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        George.

 

                                                          JOE

                        George!  Meet Tricia; Tricia, George.

 

              There's an awkward silence.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Can we speak in the hallway a minute?

 

              She picks up the suitcases.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Let me help you with that.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I can manage.

 

              She takes the bags into the hallway.  Joe gives a shrug to

              George and follows her.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Tricia sets down the heavy suitcases again.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I want to ask you something.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Anything.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe, are you-- . . .

 

                                                          JOE

                        Am I what?

 

              Tricia frowns, the question suddenly too absurd for her to

              ask.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Are you comfortable with me going to

                                    Susan's?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Seems like the logical place to go.

                                    She's your best friend.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        The logical place to go.  Great.

 

              She picks up the suitcases and storms off.  Joe calls after

              her:

 

                                                          JOE

                        Tricia!

 

              George steps into the hallway.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        To an outsider, the natives have a

                                    very primitive emotional life.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Tell me about it.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - NIGHT

 

              Tricia is stretched out on the divan, reading the Roswell

              book, when Susan enters.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Sorry I'm late.  Did you manage

                                    dinner for yourself?

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        No problem.

 

              Susan stands over Tricia, waiting for her to go on.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Well?  Did Joe call?

 

              Tricia shakes her head and continues to read.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Are you going to tell him?

 

              Tricia ignores the question.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        How's the book?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Fascinating.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        So is he an alien?

 

              Tricia gives her a dirty look.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        If he is, Trish, what about the baby?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What about it?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        It might not be . . . ?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Human.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Well, yes.  Have you thought about

                                    that?

 

              Tricia slams her book down and gets up.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Of course I've thought about it!

                                    I've thought about nothing else.

 

              Tricia is shaking, and Susan steps forward to embrace her.

              Tricia melts in her arms, crying.

 

              INT. HEALTH CLUB - TRICIA'S OFFICE - DAY

 

              Tricia, dressed casually, comes into her office at a health

              club, moving past the SECRETARY, a woman in her 40s.

 

                                                          SECRETARY

                        Your mother's waiting for you.

 

              This stops Tricia.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        My mother's dead.

 

                                                          SECRETARY

                        Oh dear . . .

 

              The secretary stands up from her desk.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'll take care of it.

 

              Tricia walks into her office to find Helen seated across the

              desk.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        If you don't leave voluntarily, I'm

                                    calling security.

 

              She's stopped by an old newspaper on her desk.  The headline

              reads: "Flying Saucer Crashes On Roswell Ranch".

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Turn to page five.

 

              Tricia starts to say something but doesn't.  She turns to

              page five - and immediately she gasps.

 

              She's looking down at a PHOTO OF JOE in the 1947 Roswell

              newspaper, looking exactly as he looks today.  A headline

              describes the young man's death in an automobile accident.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        The young man died in a car crash in

                                    Roswell the same day as the flying

                                    saucer crash.

 

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    And you're claiming that . . . ?

 

                                  HELEN

                                    Joe survived the crash and took over

                        the young man's body, and he hasn't

                                    aged a day since then.

 

              Tricia thinks a moment, then buzzes her secretary on the

              intercom.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Cancel my appointments.  I'll be tied

                                    up the rest of the day.

 

              INT. HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia sits at a table in a hotel suite, going through a

              scrapbook showing scenes of Joe with Helen or Amy through the

              years.

 

              There's a knock on the door.  Amy goes to answer it.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        There's someone we want you to meet.

 

              Amy brings BRAD MCCALL, 30s, into the room.  Mccall is an

              investigative reporter.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        You must be the latest.  Brad Mccall.

 

              He offers his hand.  Tricia just stares at him.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        She still has doubts.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        Who can blame her?  Miss . . .?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Who are you?

 

                                                          BRAD

                        I write for Time Magazine, and I was

                                    a skeptic for months.  But not any

                                    more.

 

           

                      TRICIA

                                    What do you people want from me?

 

                                  AMY

                                    Your help in stopping him from going

                        on with this.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Going on with what?

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Whatever it is he's up to, dear.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        I'd like your cooperation.  This is

                                    the story of the century.  Of any

                                    century.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        I think I should talk to Joe first.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        He moved this morning.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He wouldn't leave without saying

                                    goodbye.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        He has to move every four or five

                                    years or people will notice he never

                                    ages.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        He can't have moved already.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia is walking through Joe's apartment as Helen, Amy and

              Brad watch.  Only Tricia's things that she left behind

              remain, Joe having packed and gone.

 

              Finally Tricia accepts that Joe has, in fact, moved out.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What can I do to help?

 

              INT. GYM - POOL - DAY

 

              Tricia springs off the board, doing a front dive with a half

              twist pike.  Not bad.

 

              She gets out of the pool, where her coach is waiting for her.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Much better today.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I have to go to Seattle for a few

                                    days.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Really?  Do you think you can afford

                                    a break in training?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't have a choice.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        The trials are only-- . . .

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I know when they are!  I'm sorry.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        You're seeing Joe in Seattle?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Yes.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Bad timing.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I know.  I'll try to dive every day

                                    while I'm there.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        You still plan to come early to

                                    Washington?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I wouldn't miss it for the world.

                                    I'll be there - with or without Joe.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - NIGHT

 

              Joe and George are sharing a suite at the Hilton in Seattle.

 

              Joe is combing his hair at the mirror.  George sits at a

              table, reading over something.  He reads aloud:

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Here it is:  "Earthlings who play

                                    sports professionally earn millions

                        of dollars, much more than teachers,

                                    nurses, social workers, police,

                                    fireman, parents, or many others who

                        contribute essential work to the

                                    society.  Here Leisure and Escape are

                                    more important than Education and

                        Social Welfare."  The committee got

                                    a good laugh from that.  Then I

                                    thought, if this is actually true,

                        what a fantastic opportunity for a

                                    vacation retreat!  Primitive life

                                    forms are so fascinating.

 

                                  JOE

                        I don't like the idea of turning this

                                    planet into a zoo.  These people are

                                    more complex than you think.

             

                                                          GEORGE

                        That's why you're the scientist, and

                                    I'm the businessman, isn't it?

 

              INT. BASKETBALL ARENA - NIGHT

 

              A professional basketball game is in progress, the Seattle

              Sonics at home.

 

              INT. ARENA - STANDS - NIGHT

 

              Joe and George sit in the stands, watching the game.  Joe has

              become something of a fan, but George is totally bewildered.

 

              George looks around the stands in amazement, never having

              seen anything like this before.

 

              Joe notices his disbelief.

 

                                  JOE

                                    You'll get used to it.

 

                                  GEORGE

                        Who ARE these people?  This is

                                    wonderful!

 

              INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

              Joe and George are having pie and coffee after the game.

              George inspects every bite, as if he were eating sweetened

              insects.

 

                                  GEORGE

                        These basketball players and teachers

                                    you interviewed - can I talk to them?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Of course.  They'll tell you the same

                                    thing they told me.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        And they talk to you openly?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Once they trust me.  I tell them I'm

                                    writing a book.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Susan is watching Tricia pack.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Even if it's true, following him to

                                    Seattle is dangerous.  He could zap

                                    you into a pile of ashes.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        This isn't Star Trek.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Then what is it?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't know.  But something is - I

                                    don't even know the word for it.

                                    Very strange.

 

                                  SUSAN

                        This stuff scares the bejesus out of

                                    me, Trish.  Why can't you just drop

                                    it?

 

           

                      TRICIA

                                    Because I love him.  And I don't

                        believe he would hurt me.  No matter

                                    where he's from.

 

              INT. SCHOOL - DAY

 

              Joe and George wait outside a classroom.  The bell rings, and

              students pour out.  Many are dressed in the wild attire of

              the times, which George looks at with wide-eyed amazement.

 

              TOM BRADLEY, 30s, a teacher, steps out into the hallway.

 

                                                          TOM

                        I only have twenty minutes.

 

              INT. SCHOOL - FACULTY LUNCH ROOM - DAY

 

              Joe and George sit with Tom at a corner table in the faculty

              lunchroom.

 

                                                          TOM

                        George, as I told Joe earlier, the

                                    way I figure it, in this society,

                        where we are free to choose, we get

                                    exactly the kind of culture we

                                    deserve.  If the American people

                        think that watching a bunch of seven-

                                    foot freaks, with mediocre educations

                        at best, is more important than

                                    giving the men and women who educate

                        their children a living wage - well,

                                    what can I say?  You get the society

                                    you deserve.  So here we are.  It's

                        the pits, isn't it?

 

              George just looks at him.

 

                                                          TOM

                        That's just my opinion, of course.

 

              EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              Joe and George are having espresso.  George still isn't sure

              whether he likes it or not.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        This is extraordinary. Evolution has

                                    proven that the care and education of

                                    the children are the foundation of

                        species stability - and look what

                                    they do.  If we left them to their

                                    own devices, they'd be extinct within

                        a century.

 

              Joe doesn't look pleased as his line of thought.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        We'll be doing them a favor.

 

              INT. AIRPORT - SEATTLE - DAY

 

              Tricia walks through the airport.

 

              EXT. AIRPORT - SEATTLE - DAY

 

              She comes out and hails a cab.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia is on the phone with Susan.

 

              Intercut phone conversation:

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He's staying at the Hilton.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Now there's a needle in a haystack.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He's been doing research for his book

                                    in Seattle and always stays at the

                                    Hilton.  He's a creature of habit.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    Please don't use the word "creature."

                        And be careful!

 

              EXT. SEATTLE STREETS - NIGHT

 

              A police car moves down a city street.

 

              INT. POLICE CAR - NIGHT

 

              Sitting in back are Joe and George.  Two POLICEMEN sit up

              front.

 

                                                          POLICEMAN DRIVING

                        So how's the book coming?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Oh, it's coming right along.  I was

                                    telling my assistant here what you

                                    told me earlier about how many guns

                        are on the street.

 

              The policeman in the passenger seat turns back to them.

 

                                                          OTHER POLICEMAN

                        There are more goddamn guns than

                                    people out there.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        More guns than people?  Surely that's

                                    an exaggeration.

 

                                                          OTHER POLICEMAN

                        Believe it.

 

              Suddenly a CALL comes over the radio.  The driver swerves to

              the curb.

 

                                                          POLICEMAN DRIVING

                        I don't think you want to be a part

                                    of this.

 

              Joe and George get out.

 

              EXT. SEATTLE STREETS - NIGHT

 

              They watch the police car speed away.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        More guns than people?

 

                                                          JOE

                        And their policemen don't get paid

                                    any more than their teachers do.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Extraordinary.  The committee will

                                    love this.

 

              EXT. HILTON - NIGHT

 

 

              A cab pulls in front of the Hilton, and Joe and George get

              out.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I have some business to take care of.

                                    What you've shown me is perfect.  I'm

                                    recommending you for an accommodation.

 

                                  JOE

                        You have your key?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Yes.  But I don't need a key, and

                                    neither do you.

 

              George starts wandering off down the street.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You do if you want to keep your

                                    cover.  Goodnight.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - NIGHT

 

              Joe opens the door and comes in. He turns on the light.

 

              Tricia is sitting in a chair, waiting for him.

 

                                                          JOE

                        How did you find me?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        It wasn't very hard.

 

              Tricia gets up, fetches a newspaper that is sitting on the

              table, and approaches Joe.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        The bellboy let me in.  I said I was

                                    your wife.

 

              She hands him the paper.

 

              The paper is turned to the 1947 PHOTO OF "JOE" after the

              automobile accident.  Joe looks at it without reacting.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Where did you get this?

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        You'd be surprised.

 

              Tricia's voice breaks.  This isn't easy for her.

 

                                                          JOE

                        This guy looks a lot like me.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He looks exactly like you, Joe.  Why

                                    didn't you tell me about Helen and

                                    Amy?

 

              Joe clears his throat.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Who are Helen and Amy?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Goddamn it, I love you so much . . .

 

              Tricia is very close to losing it now.  She moves away,

              trying to gain control over her emotions.

 

              Joe looks helpless and trapped.

 

              Tricia gets ahold of herself and turns to face him.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Please tell me the truth.

 

              Joe considers this.

 

                                  JOE

                                    You'd better sit down.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT

 

              Helen, Amy and Brad are waiting in a hotel room when the door

              opens and Tricia enters.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        He'll agree to an interview.

 

              Brad gets to his feet.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        Fantastic!

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        There are conditions.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        I thought so.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He needs a couple weeks to finish up

                                    his research.

 

              Brad looks at Helen and Amy to get their reaction to this.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        I wouldn't trust him.

 

                                                          AMY

                        Me neither.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I do.

 

                                                          AMY

                        Lord knows how much more evil he can

                                    do in two weeks.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We don't know he's doing anything

                                    "evil" here.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Where do you think AIDS comes from,

                                    dear?

 

                                                          BRAD

                        You think it's an alien virus?

 

                                                          AMY

                        Do you have a better explanation?

 

                                                          HELEN

                        A few weeks more is out of the

                                    question.  I say we tell the world

                                    what we know.

 

                                  AMY

                                    And go to the police.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I promised him no police.

 

                                  AMY

                                    That wasn't wise, dear.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    What else did you promise him?

 

                                  TRICIA

                        After the interview, he can go back

                                    to where he came from.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        You sound like you're on his side.

           

                                                          TRICIA

                        I didn't know there were sides here.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Tricia, he's an impostor.  He's an

                                    alien.  He's been studying us like

                                    bugs, infecting us with strange

                        diseases to see how we respond, Lord

                                    knows what else.

 

                                                          AMY

                        He has to be stopped, not pampered.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        Ladies, I think we're getting ahead

                                    of ourselves.  Tricia, is there any

                                    way I could have a brief interview

                        right away?  Just to set the ground

                                    rules?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I could ask.  But not tonight.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        Of course.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'll talk to him in the morning.  If

                                    you'll excuse me, I'm exhausted.

 

              She turns and leaves.

 

                                                          AMY

                        She's still in love with him, poor

                                    dear.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - TRICIA'S ROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia comes into her room.  She plops down on the bed.

 

              She stares up at the ceiling until the tears come.

 

              INT. HILTON - DINING ROOM - DAY

 

              Joe and George are having breakfast.  They are having Eggs

              Benedict, and George inspects each bite carefully before

              putting it into his mouth.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Like it?

           

                                                          GEORGE

                        I'm not sure.

 

              They eat some more.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I think we have a problem.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Pardon me?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Tricia knows.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Tricia knows what?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Who I am.

 

              George looks at him with interest and concern.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Not the details, of course.  It's

                                    actually pretty complicated, the way

                                    she explained it, but she knows I'm

                        not from here.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        How could she possibly know?

 

                                                          JOE

                        She's not the only one.  Helen, the

                                    woman I lived with over 40 years

                                    ago - and Amy, that I lived with 20

                        years ago.  And unfortunately there's

                                    a magazine reporter involved, too.

 

              George gets up from the table.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Don't tell me this here!

 

              He hurries off, as Joe scrambles to follow him.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - DAY

 

              George is very upset at what Joe has told him.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        You've jeopardized the entire

                                    development plan!

 

                                                          JOE

                        If that's true, then I'm glad.  I

                                    don't approve of it.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Which is insubordination - and cause

                                    enough to relieve you of your duties

                                    here.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Being discovered was bound to happen

                        sooner or later.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I'm taking over your assignment.

                                    You'll be returning to Alpha as soon

                                    as I can arrange it.

 

              Joe's jaw drops.  This is the last thing he expected to hear

              and the last thing he wants to happen.

 

                                  JOE

                                    That's not fair.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    Tonight, if possible.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Who made this decision to turn Earth

                        into a zoo?  There was no talk of

                                    that when I left.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        You left a long time ago.  I was

                                    hoping you'd cooperate in the

                                    transition, but since you won't, you

                        leave me no choice.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You need me. I know more about

                                    Earthlings than anyone.

 

              George thinks a moment.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        This reporter - who is he?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Brad Mccall. He writes for Time.

           

                                                          GEORGE

                        Time as in eternity?

 

                                                          JOE

                        It's the name of a magazine.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        And he's also in town?

 

                                                          JOE

                        They're all staying at the Roosevelt

                                    Hotel.

 

              George turns and starts to leave.

 

                                                          JOE

                        There must be a compromise we can

                                    work out.  Let me talk to the

                                    committee.

 

              George exits without responding.  Joe takes a deep breath.

 

              EXT. HILTON - DAY

 

              A cab pulls up in front of the Hilton.  Tricia gets out.

 

              As she does, George comes out of the hotel and turns up the

              street.  Tricia sees him - but he doesn't notice her.

 

              Tricia enters the hotel.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - DAY

 

              Joe opens the door to find Tricia.  He lets her in.

 

                                  JOE

                        I was just going to go looking for

                                    you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Really?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Something's come up.  I may have to

                                    leave sooner than I thought.

 

              Tricia looks at him, waiting for more.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I'm being called home.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        When?  And why?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Maybe tonight.  It's complicated.

           

              The news slaps Tricia in the face, and her expression is

              flushed with shock.  Suddenly, spontaneously, she is in his

              arms, holding him, kissing him . . .

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe . . .

 

              . . . and slowly Joe begins to respond, kissing her back,

              until their growing passion moves them toward the bedroom.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Helen, Amy and Brad sit around a table playing cards when

              there is a knock on the door.

 

              Brad is the first to get up.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        I'll get it.

 

              He opens the door to find George.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Brad McCall?

 

                                  BRAD

                                    Yes.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    There's a message for you at the desk

                        downstairs.

 

              He turns to call to the women inside.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        I'll be right back.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Brad follows George down the hallway toward the elevator.

 

                                                          BRAD

                        You know what it's about?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        I just work here, sir.

 

              They get to the elevator, and George presses the button.

              There's an awkward silence as they wait.

 

              Then the door opens, and they step inside.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ELEVATOR - DAY

 

              They are alone in the elevator.

 

              Suddenly George grabs Brad by the head, his hands pressing

              the writer's forehead as if he were squeezing a melon.

              George's grip is incredibly strong, putting Brad in great

              pain.

 

              Then a GLOWING LIGHT surrounds Brad's head.

 

              George has his eyes closed, in great concentration.

 

              Both suddenly TWITCH, dramatically, as if they have been

              shocked by an electric current.

 

              When George speaks now, it is from Brad's body and in the

              VOICE of Brad. George has managed to exchange the host bodies

              for their individual energy systems.

 

              In other words, George now looks like and talks like Brad,

              and Brad looks like and talks like George.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        Sorry about that.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        What the hell is this?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        And sorry about this, too.

 

              He sprays Brad with a small canister, and Brad passes out.

 

              George punches an elevator button.  The elevator stops, and

              the door opens.

 

              George drags the body of Brad out into the hallway, leaving

              it there and getting back into the elevator.

 

              He punches a button again.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              The elevator opens as George (as Brad) gets out.  He hurries

              to the door of the women's room.  He tries it - but it's

              locked.

 

              He knocks.

 

              Helen answers the door.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        I've just been put on a major story.

                                    I'm leaving town.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        But what about your interview?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        Sorry, no time.  I have a plane to

                                    catch.  Anyway, I think this is all

                                    a hoax.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    What?

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                                    I think you should both go back home.

                        This entire affair is a hoax.

 

              He hurries off, leaving Helen staring at him, dumbfounded.

 

              She goes back into the room.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Amy notices her confused expression.

 

                                                          AMY

                        What was that about?

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Brad's leaving.  He thinks this is a

                                    hoax.

 

              Amy is as surprised by the news as Helen.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

 

              Joe and Tricia are cuddling after lovemaking when they hear

              the door open outside.

 

                                                          JOE

                        It must be George.

 

              He slips out of bed.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He's also . . .?

 

              Joe nods and goes into the main area.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - DAY

 

              Joe enters, seeing a complete stranger (George looking like

              Brad) in the room.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I beg your pardon.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        You'll be leaving at midnight.

 

           

                                              JOE

                        Who are you?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        It is I, George.  I mean me, George.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Why did you take a new body?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        It's a long story.

 

              Tricia comes into the room, wearing one of Joe's bathrobes.

 

              George is beside himself, seeing her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Brad?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        Get her out of here!

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What are you doing here.

 

                                                          JOE

                        This is George.  He took a new body.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        But it's Brad's body.

 

                                                          JOE

                        George, what's going on here?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        Too many people are snooping around.

                                    You haven't been very careful, have

                                    you?

 

                                  JOE

                                    We can trust Tricia.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    We can trust nobody!

 

              He turns and heads for the door.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        I have something to say here!

 

              At the door, George turns and stares at Joe.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        I'm sending you home.  I'll phone

                                    with details.

 

              And he's gone.

 

              Tricia goes to Joe, and they embrace.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe, I don't like this.  What

                                    happened to Brad?

 

                                                          JOE

                        He's fine.  He just looks like George

                                    looked before.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't understand.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I can't explain it right now.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe, I-- . . .

 

                                                          JOE

                        I said, I can't explain it!  I'm

                                    sorry.  Trish, I don't want to leave

                                    like this.  I need to contact my

                        people.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Can I help?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I need to be alone for a while.

 

              This visibly hurts Tricia.  Joe turns away, avoiding her.

 

              EXT. HILTON - DAY

 

              Tricia comes out of the hotel and hails a cab.

 

              As she gets into it, George (as Brad) appears from out of a

              doorway and gets into the cab behind Tricia's.

 

              EXT. SEATTLE STREETS - DAY

 

              George's cab follows Tricia's cab through the streets of the

              city.

 

              EXT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

              The first cab stops, and Tricia gets out, going into the

              hotel.

 

              A moment later, the second cab stops, and George (as Brad)

              goes into the hotel.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              An elevator door opens, and Tricia comes out.  She moves down

              the hallway.

 

              The second elevator door opens.  George (as Brad) gets out

              and follows her.

 

              Tricia comes to a door and knocks on it.  Helen opens the

              door, and Tricia enters the room.

 

              George carefully approaches the door.  He glances around,

              measuring his next move, when he spots a bellboy coming down

              the hallway.

 

              George walks to the bellboy.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        There seems to be a problem on the

                                    stairway.

 

                                                          BELLBOY

                        What kind of problem, sir?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BRAD)

                        I'll show you.

 

              George leads the way to the door leading to the stairs.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

                                                          AMY

                        It all happened so suddenly.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Brad said this was all a hoax, he had

                                    another story to do - and that's that.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        It's not a hoax.  And it wasn't Brad.

                                    That's George in Brad's body.

 

              Helen and Amy exchange a glance of surprise.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Who's George?

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - STAIRWELL - DAY

 

              As soon as George (as Brad) and the bellboy are in the

              stairwell, George turns and, using the same grip as before,

              drops the bellboy to his knees, a GLOWING LIGHT surrounding

              his forehead.

 

              Then both TWITCH, and their energy systems exchange bodies.

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        What the hell?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Sorry to have to do this.

 

              He sprays the bellboy with the canister, knocking him out.

 

              George, as the bellboy, leaves the stairwell.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              There's a knock on the door, and Helen answers.  George

              (bellboy) is at the door.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        There's a message at the desk for the

                                    young lady.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Tricia?

 

              Tricia comes forward.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Yes?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        You have a message at the desk.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm not expecting a message.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        A family emergency.  Something about

                                    your mother, I believe.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'll be right down.

 

              She quickly closes the door, then gestures to Helen and Amy

              to keep quiet.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              George (as bellboy) faces the closed door.  He waits

              patiently for Tricia to come out.  He puts his ear to the

              door.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia leads Helen and Amy away from the door, then speaks to

              them quietly.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He said it was a family emergency.

                                    Both my parents are dead.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              George is waiting for Tricia to come out when the door to the

              stairwell opens, and the bellboy (as Brad) moves slowly into

              the hallway, still dizzy.  He sees "himself" down the hallway.

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        Hey, you!

 

              There is an inter-hotel phone on the wall and the bellboy

              moves quickly to it.

 

              Seeing this, George (as bellboy) hurries down the hallway.

 

              The bellboy (as Brad) is on the phone.

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        Jane, this is Tim. . . . Of course it

                                    is. Call the police. . . . Dammit,

                                    it's me!  I need the police and a

                        doctor!

 

              He slams down the phone, exasperated (i.e. Jane on the other

              end hears "Brad's voice," not her co-worker's).

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia, Helen and Amy carefully open the door and peer out.

              The coast is clear.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              The three women move into the hallway - and see "Brad" moving

              toward them.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Brad?

 

              Tricia grabs Helen and Amy and moves them back into the hotel

              room.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia slams the door and puts on the safety chain.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        That's George in Brad's body.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        I'm calling the police.

 

              She heads for the phone but Tricia intercepts her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Wait.

 

                                                          AMY

                        He saw us!  Helen, call the police.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I promised no police.  We're just

                                    going to sit tight.

 

              The three women stare at the door, as if waiting for it to

              explode open at any moment.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

 

              Brad (as George) is in a hospital bed, on the telephone.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        I don't care what I sound like, it's

                                    Brad!

 

              The voice on the other end isn't convinced, and Brad slams

              down the receiver.  He gets up and starts to dress.

 

              A NURSE enters the room.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Lady, don't say it.  I'm rapidly

                                    becoming irrational and dangerous.

 

              The nurse considers this, then backs out of the room.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              The door opens and Tricia peers into the hallway.  It's safe.

 

              She gestures, and Helen and Amy follow her out into the

              hallway.  They hurry to the elevator.

 

              EXT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

              Outside the hotel, Tricia hails a cab.  The ladies get in.

 

                                                          CABBY

                        Where to, ladies?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        The Hilton.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - DAY

 

              Joe is at a table, sitting in front of an open briefcase,

              which houses a complex electronic signaling system.  He's

              trying to contact home - but without luck.

 

              INT. HILTON - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              A HILTON BELLBOY is unlocking the door, letting in Tricia,

              Helen and Amy.

 

                                                          HILTON BELLBOY

                        You've got to quit locking yourself

                                    out.

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        I know, I'm terrible.  My husband

                                    says I have a mind like a sieve.

                                    Thank you so much for your help.

 

              The three women enter the room.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - DAY

 

              Joe is still at the electronic device when the women enter.

              He looks up and sees them.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    Don't try anything. The police know

                        we're here!

 

              Joe gets to his feet.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Trish?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        There's no police.

 

              Helen gives Tricia a dirty look.

 

                                                          AMY

                        But the desk clerk knows we're here.

                                    He'll come looking for us if we don't

                                    return safely.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Who are you?

 

              Joe studies them, remembering.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Helen?  Amy?  You've changed so much.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    We get old here, Joe.

 

                                  JOE

                                    I know.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    What can we do to help?

 

              Helen and Amy react to this.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I'll help, even if they won't.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Actually I do need your help.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    Don't trust him, Tricia.

 

                                  AMY

                                    He's still Mr. Smooth-Tongue.

 

                                  JOE

                                    How could I have stayed with you,

                        since you grow old and I don't?  I've

                                    meant no one any harm.  But now -

                                    there's been a change.  I don't

                        understand it, but I have to try and

                                    stop it.  I can't do it alone.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What kind of change?

           

                                                          JOE

                        My people plan to turn Earth into a

                                    kind of zoo, a destination for

                                    tourists.  They think you're

                        primitive and cute.

 

              The women regard one another, letting this sink in.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        How can I help?

 

              The phone rings.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Excuse me.

 

              He answers the phone.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Hello? . . . You sound different. .

                                    . . . I know where it is.

 

              He hangs up.

 

           

                                              JOE

                        I'm supposed to go home tonight.  I

                                    think I may be able to change his

                                    mind - but there's no point if I

                        can't stop them.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        I'm calling the police right now.

 

              She starts away but Tricia stops her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        How can we beat them that way?  They

                                    obviously have superior technology.

 

                                                          JOE

                        She's right.  The only way is to

                                    convince my people that you

                                    Earthlings aren't as primitive and

                        exotic as you appear to be.

 

              There's a silence, as the larger meaning and challenge of

              this sinks in.

 

              EXT. HILTON - DAY

 

              The women come out and get into a cab.

 

              EXT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

              The women get out of the cab in front of the Roosevelt Hotel.

              Brad (as George) comes out of a doorway to them.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Where the hell have you been?  It's

                                    Brad.

 

              INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

              Brad and the women sit around a corner table, speaking in

              hushed tones.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        I can't get my editor to believe it's

                                    me.  But I'm writing this story, even

                                    if I have to give it to the Inquirer.

                        Unfortunately, I'm going to need more

                                    evidence than I have.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        If we help Joe, maybe he'll give you

                                    an interview - and help you get your

                                    body back.

 

                                  AMY

                                    Can we trust him?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I don't think we have a choice.

 

              The truth of this sinks in, all around the table.

 

              EXT. SPACE NEEDLE - NIGHT

 

              Joe is standing near the space needle, waiting.  He looks at

              his watch.

 

              From out of nowhere, George (as bellboy) appears.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        It's me.  I have a cab waiting.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I think there's more things you need

                                    to see before I go.  You really don't

                                    understand how primitive these people

                        are.  They have former teachers and

                                    nurses living on the streets.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        What do you mean?

 

                                                          JOE

                        They get fired and can't find jobs.

                                    They lose their homes.  They have no

                                    money.  They live on the streets and

                        sleep in alleys and doorways, like

                                    stray dogs.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        You expect me to believe that?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I can show you.  Listen, I made a

                                    mistake.  You're the businessman,

                        like you say. I know you want to

                                    impress the committee, and I can show

                                    you things you have to see to

                        believe.  Give me a few more days,

                                    maybe a week, and then I'll go home.

                                    You'll have the strongest possible

                        case to show the committee.

 

              George is thinking, definitely interested.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I can show you families with young

                                    children living on the street.  They

                                    have to build makeshift shacks out of

                        cardboard boxes.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        The natives let entire families live

                                    in cardboard boxes?  What kind of

                        society is this?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I told you, they're more primitive

                                    than you think.

 

              INT. HILTON - SUITE - NIGHT

 

              Joe comes into the suite, where Tricia is waiting for him.

 

                                                          JOE

                        He bought it.  I only have a few

                                    days, but it's better than nothing.

                                    Did you call her?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    She's expecting us.

 

                                  JOE

                                    What about Helen and Amy?

 

                                  TRICIA

                        I don't know if we can trust them or

                                    not.  They don't know I'm here.  Brad

                                    is still after his story.

 

                                  JOE

                                    If we get a happy ending, it's all

                        his.

 

              EXT. AIRPORT -  NIGHT

 

              A jet lands.

 

              INT. AIRPORT -  NIGHT

 

              Bi Jingjing meets Tricia and Joe as they enter the terminal.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Are you all right?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Under the circumstances.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Hello.

 

              She offers her hand, and Joe shakes it.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I've heard so much about you.

           

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Now it's my turn to hear about you.

 

              INT. BI'S HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia, Joe and Bi sit on pillows on the floor in the Chinese-

              decorated room.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I know it's hard to believe.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        Yes, it certainly is.  Is there any

                                    way you can - well, show me

                                    something?  Not absolute proof

                        necessarily - but anything?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Bi, as hard as this is to understand,

                                    please believe-- . . .

 

                                                          JOE

                        Wait.  There is something I can do.

           

              He moves closer to Tricia.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You're going to have to trust me.

           

           

                                              TRICIA

                        I do.

 

              Joe reaches out and grasps her head, in the grip we've seen

              George use.  As before, a GLOW forms around her head as he

              holds it.

 

              Tricia looks scared.  Bi looks astonished.

 

              Then there is the sudden TWITCH - and their energy systems

              exchange bodies.

 

                                                          JOE (AS TRICIA)

                        I'm now in Tricia's body.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        You've got to be kidding.

 

                                                          TRICIA (AS JOE)

                        Bi, truly, this is me.  I'll tell you

                                    something Joe would have no way of

                                    knowing:  you're gay.

 

                                  BI JINGJING

                        Help me Buddha.  What do you want me

                                    to do?

 

                                                          JOE (AS TRICIA)

                        You're getting an award in

                                    Washington.  Can you introduce me to

                                    the President?

 

                                  BI JINGJING

                                    I can get you as far as the First

                        Lady. We went to school together.

                                    After that, you're on your own.

 

                                                          JOE (AS TRICIA)

                        Get us an appointment for tomorrow.

           

              He (as she) stands up.

 

                                                          TRICIA (AS JOE)

                        Joe, I want my body back!

 

                                                          JOE (AS TRICIA)

                        Sorry.

 

              He (as she) leans down and grasps Tricia/Joe's head.  The

              GLOW again, and the TWITCH - and their energy systems are

              back where they belong.

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        How does something like that feel?

 

              Tricia takes a deep breath.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        There's nothing I can compare it to.

                                    It's weird.  But kind of sensual, too.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You want to try it?

 

                                                          BI JINGJING

                        No thank you!  I'm calling

                                    Washington, and you two are going on

                                    your way.

 

              EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - LANDMARKS - DAY

 

              Establishing shot of the nation's Capital.  We see the WHITE

              HOUSE.

 

              INT. WHITE HOUSE - ROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia and Joe are waiting in a small room filled with

              historical antiques.  Tricia is visibly nervous.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I hate waiting.

 

              Joe is too preoccupied to reply.

 

              The door opens and the FIRST LADY walks in.  She is a

              striking woman in her late 40s.

 

                                  FIRST LADY

                                    You must be Tricia.  Bi says you're

                        her best competitor.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Thanks so much for giving us some

                                    time.  This is Joe.

 

                                                          FIRST LADY

                        Hello, Joe.  What can I do for you?

 

              Tricia turns to Joe, who doesn't know how to begin.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe . . .?

 

                                                          JOE

                        This will be hard for you to believe,

                                    but I am not from this planet.  I was

                        on the spacecraft that crashed in

                                    Roswell, in your year 1947.

 

              The First Lady just looks at him.  Then to Tricia:

 

                                                          FIRST LADY

                        Bi didn't mention you were a

                                    practical joker.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I can prove this to you.

 

              He takes a step toward the First Lady, as if the make the

              grip on her head, but Tricia moves quickly to stop him.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe, no!  We don't do that here.

                                    She's the First Lady.  It would be

                                    improper.

 

                                  FIRST LADY

                        What were you going to do?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Very well.  I can show you another

                                    way.

 

              He suddenly sits in the floor, taking a position that looks

              like meditation.  Tricia, who has never seen him do this

              before, looks embarrassed to be there.

 

                                                          FIRST LADY

                        You're telling me he's an alien?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        It's true.

 

              The First Lady looks at Tricia as if Tricia were crazy.

 

              Suddenly the same GLOW surrounds Joe, a golden halo

              surrounding his entire body.

 

              Then there is a POPPING SOUND and Joe's energy system breaks

              free of his body, which still rests in meditation, lifeless,

              and A BALL OF GOLDEN LIGHT streaks rapidly around the room.

 

              The women, shocked and scared, duck as the light beam flashes

              by overhead.

 

              Then the light returns to the body, enters it, Joe regains

              consciousness, and stands up.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Do you want to see more?

 

                                                          FIRST LADY

                        I'll get my husband.

 

              EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY

 

              A line of limousines has formed as important cabinet members

              are let off for an urgent meeting called by the President.

 

              INT. WHITE HOUSE - WAR ROOM - DAY

 

              The PRESIDENT, a handsome man in his 50s, sits at the head of

              a long table.  Next to him is Joe, with Tricia seated beside

              him.  Also represented are the SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, HEAD OF

              THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, SECRETARY OF STATE, and other

              cabinet members.

 

              Joe has the floor.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I've been told you captured one of my

                                    colleagues alive.  You certainly have

                                    our space craft.  You know I'm

                        telling the truth.

 

              The Secretary of State, a professorial-looking man wearing

              glasses, laughs.

 

                                                          SECRETARY OF STATE

                        With all due respect, I've never seen

                                    evidence that we captured a flying

                                    saucer at Roswell or any place else.

 

                                  PRESIDENT

                        With all due respect, Harry, you

                                    haven't seen even the tip of the

                                    iceberg of what we may or may not

                        have in this regard.

 

                                                          SECRETARY OF STATE

                        I see.

 

              Tricia leans over and whispers something to Joe.  He nods.

 

                                                          JOE

                        There's no time to quibble,

                                    gentleman.  I can settle your doubts

                        at once.

 

              He leans forward on the table, concentrating, meditating, and

              the GLOW forms around him.  Then the POPPING SOUND, and his

              energy system FLIES around the room like a laser beam out of

              control.

 

              The President and his staff can't believe their eyes.  Some

              duck under the table in panic.

 

              Then Joe focuses his energy system back into the body.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Now I have some ideas about what we

                                    can do.

 

                                              PRESIDENT

                                    Please, tell us!

 

                                                            SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

                        I suggest we call an immediate Code

                                    Red and prepare for nuclear attack.

 

                                                          JOE

                        You are no match to our technology.

                                    The only way out is to prove to the

                                    committee that you are not as

                        primitive a people as you seem.

           

                                                          HEAD OF JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF

                        Primitive!  We'll show you who's

                                    goddamn primitive.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Cal, listen to the man.  He's

                                    obviously in the driver's seat here.

                                    What can we do?

 

              All eyes are on Joe.  Tricia takes his hand.

 

              INT. NEWSPAPER BUILDING - DAY

 

              An elevator door opens, and Brad (as George), Helen and Amy

              get out.

 

                                  BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                                    This way.

 

              He leads the way down the hallway.

 

              INT. NEWSPAPER BUILDING - EDITOR'S OFFICE - DAY

 

              They reach the editor's office, which Brad enters without

              knocking, followed by the ladies.

 

              The EDITOR, a graying balding man in his 60s, sits behind his

              desk, which is piled with manuscripts.

 

                                  EDITOR

                                    Can I help you?

 

                                  BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                                    It's Brad, David.

 

              The editor picks up his phone.

 

                                  BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                                    These women are my witnesses.

 

                                  EDITOR

                                           (on phone)

                        This is David, I need security up

                                    here.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        I'm at the threshold of the story of

                                    the century!  Any century!

 

                                                          HELEN

                        You see, the man is a refugee from

                                    Roswell.

 

                                                          AMY

                        He survived the flying saucer crash

                                    and -- . . .

 

 

                                                          EDITOR

                        Out, all of you!  If you leave before

                                    security arrives, you won't be

                                    arrested.

 

              Brad gestures to the others that they should leave, and they

              do.  The editor shakes his head, watching their retreat.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              A CROWD of local people has gathered on Main Street in

              Marysville, a small midwestern town.

 

              Everyone looks up, at where the PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTER is

              hovering overhead, preparing to land.

 

              Along Main Street, we also see the paraphernalia of a movie

              set in the midst of shooting - trucks and trailers,

              equipment, etc.

 

              INT. HELICOPTER - DAY

 

              In the helicopter are Joe, Tricia, the President and the

              Secretary of State.

 

                                  PRESIDENT

                                    Harry, you've always gotten flak for

                        your Hollywood past.  If we pull this

                                    off, I'm giving you a medal for it.

 

              Tricia holds Joe's arm, looking down at the crowd below.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              The helicopter comes in for a landing.

 

              A limousine moves through the crowd, beeping its horn, to

              greet the landing party.

 

              The helicopter lands, and the members of the Presidential

              party get out and hurry into the limousine, which drives away.

 

              EXT. MOVIE SET - TRAILER - DAY

 

              The limo is parked outside a long trailer.

 

              INT. TRAILER - DAY

 

              The Presidential party is meeting with JOHN HALLEY, 50s, the

              director of the movie.  They sit around a long conference

              table.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        Mr. President, Harry tells me we're

                                    in a national emergency.  I want you

                                    to know we're here to help you in any

                        way we can.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Excellent.  I'll let my friend give

                                    the details.  Joe?

 

              Tricia squeezes Joe's hand, and he rises to tell the news.

 

              EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              George (as bellboy) is having an espresso at the outdoor

              cafe.

 

              He is working on something, making final notes to greet the

              committee.

 

              A WAITER comes by.

 

                                                          WAITER

                        Is everything all right, sir?

           

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Fine.  Tell me - where can I find a

                                    family living on the streets?

 

                                                          WAITER

                        Excuse me, sir?

           

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        A family living on the streets.

 

                                                          WAITER

                        We don't have that problem here, sir.

                                    The police make sure of that.

 

              The waiter smiles, nods and moves off.

 

              George looks thoughtful, digesting the information.

 

              Joe arrives and sits down.

 

 

                                                          JOE

                        Sorry I'm late.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        The waiter told me there are no

                                    homeless families here.

 

                                                          JOE

                        He's probably right.  But we leave

                                    this afternoon - and believe me, you

                                    won't be disappointed.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              A transformation is underway, turning the "movie set" into a

              scene that brings the worst urban squalor to Main Street

              America.

 

              Makeshift shacks of cardboard and spare lumber are being

              constructed.

 

              Actors and actresses are being fitted into new costumes of

              dirty cast-away clothing.

 

              The director, John Halley, is in charge, with Tricia serving

              as his assistant.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                        Are we getting there?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I think so.  What you've done is

                                    amazing.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        How about coffee?

 

              Tricia smiles and nods.

 

              INT. TRAILER - DAY

 

              John pours Tricia a cup and then himself.  They sit at the

              conference table.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        You're in love with him, aren't you?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I suppose I can't hide it.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        No, you can't.  It must be - hell, I

                                    have no idea what it's like.  Tell me.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        No different, really.  Until recently

                                    I had no idea he wasn't just like us.

           

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        Not a clue?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        No.  Except he never ages.  I noticed

                                    that but just thought he was one of

                                    the lucky ones.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                                    What happens when this is over?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I don't want to think about it.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT

 

              The transformation is complete.

 

              Scattered fires line Main Street, with families huddled

              around them, some cooking beans in a pot, others there for

              warmth.

 

              Tricia walks the street alone, surveying the incredible

              scene, worse than any depression she's seen photographs of,

              the picture of an American town gone bankrupt.

 

              An actor recognizes her and approaches.

 

                                  ACTOR

                        When's the big test?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Tomorrow.

 

                                                          ACTOR

                        How're we doing?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Wonderful.  It looks so real.  I'm

                                    practically in tears.

 

              The actor grins and calls to the others.

 

                                                          ACTOR

                        She likes it!

 

              A chorus of cheers rises from the crowd.

 

              EXT. MIDWEST - SKY - DAY

 

              A helicopter flies over farmland.

 

              INT. HELICOPTER - DAY

 

              The passengers are Joe and George (as bellboy).

 

              Joe points ahead at the town of Marysville.

 

                                                          JOE

                        There it is.

 

              George leans to the window to look.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              The same makeshift camp fills Main Street.

 

              Children play stick ball in the street.  They look like

              street urchins from an old movie.

 

              A long line comes out of a doorway, over which the words

              "SOUP KITCHEN" have been painted.

 

              Everywhere are signs of poverty and the boredom that comes

              from hopelessness.

 

              INT. HELICOPTER - DAY

 

              George stares wide-eyed at the scene below.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        The committee won't believe this.  I

                                    hardly believe it myself.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Want to land and look around?

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        No.  I want to get the committee here

                                    as soon as possible.  This is the

                                    clincher.

 

              He moves back from the window.

 

                                  GEORGE

                                    How many other towns are like this?

 

              Joe, looking like a man on the spot, clears his throat before

              answering.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Quite a few.  But this is one of the

                        worst.

 

                                                          GEORGE

                        Let's get back so I can call in the

                                    committee.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - SKY - DAY

 

              The helicopter zooms off.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              On the street below, Tricia looks up at the departing

              helicopter.

 

              An actor appears beside her.

 

                                                          ACTOR

                        What's wrong?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm not sure.  I expected them to

                                    land.

 

              She moves toward a doorway.

 

              INT. MAIN STREET - BUILDING - DAY

 

              Tricia enters to find the President and Secretary of State

              looking out the front window.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Why didn't they land?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm not sure.

 

                                                          SECRETARY OF STATE

                        Maybe he wasn't fooled.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Joe will contact us, won't he?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm sure he will.

 

              But she looks troubled, weighing the possibility that he

              won't.

 

              INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia is in the bathroom, getting sick, when the phone rings.

 

              She moves into the room, wiping her face with a towel, and

              picks up the phone.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Hello?

 

              INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

              Joe is calling from a hotel room.

 

                                                          JOE

                        It worked perfectly.  All he needed

                                    was a glance.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        That's great!

 

                                                          JOE

                        Except he wants to return with the

                                    committee sooner than I thought.

                                    I'll try to take them to a basketball

                        game first.  But just in case, try to

                                    make the changes as soon as possible.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'll tell them.  Joe - are you okay?

 

                                                          JOE

                        So far, so good.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I miss you.

 

              There is a silence on Joe's end.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We'll get started right away.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I couldn't do this without you,

                                    Tricia.

 

              Tricia is close to tears.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Call me before you leave.  Good night.

 

              She hangs up.  Suddenly, she is feeling sick again, and

              rushes into the bathroom.

 

              INT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

              In the lobby, Brad (as George), Helen and Amy are talking to

              the bellboy (as Brad).  Brad is taking notes.

 

              Two SECURITY OFFICERS, escorted by the HOTEL MANAGER, arrive

              to escort the group out.

 

              EXT. ROOSEVELT HOTEL - DAY

 

              Brad (as George), bellboy (as Brad), Helen and Amy come

              outside after being thrown out.

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        Nobody believes it's me.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Why should they when you look like me?

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        If you find this guy wearing my body,

                                    you let me know, okay?

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Don't worry, you'll be hearing from

                                    us again.  I guarantee it.

 

                                                          BELLBOY (AS BRAD)

                        My kids look at me and start crying.

                                    My wife even put out a restraining

                                    order. This is crazy.

 

              He moves off down the street.

 

                                  HELEN

                                    Then George must look like the

                        bellboy.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Unless he exchanged bodies again.

                                    Let's hope he didn't.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              A frenzy of activity on Main Street, turning the economically

              depressed mask into a homey attractive community.

 

              John Halley stands on a platform overlooking the scene.  With

              him is an ASSISTANT, an attractive young woman in her 20s.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        Have you seen Tricia?

 

                                                          ASSISTANT

                        She wasn't feeling well this morning.

                                    I loaned her my car to see a doctor.

 

              INT. ADJACENT TOWN - DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY

 

              A young DOCTOR is monitoring Tricia's pregnancy.  His office

              is in a small town near Marysville.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        How soon before we know if it's

                                    normal?

 

                                                          DOCTOR

                        You sound worried.  Is there

                                    something I should know?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Not really.  I'm just - concerned.

           

                                                          DOCTOR

                        When do you see your regular doctor

                                    next?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        In two weeks.

 

                                                          DOCTOR

                        He should be able to tell you in the

                                    next month or so.  Everything's

                                    looking fine so far.

 

              He stops the examination.

 

                                  DOCTOR

                                    So what kind of movie are you folks

                        filming over in Marysville?  I hear

                                    all kinds of wild stories.

 

              EXT. STREET - PHONE BOOTH - DAY

 

              Tricia is at a phone booth, talking on the phone.  A Volvo is

              parked nearby.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Susan, I really need you here.

           

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              The Volvo drives into town on Main Street.  Already the

              town's face lift is well underway.

 

              INT. VOLVO - DAY

 

              Tricia is driving.  She pulls to the curb and gets out.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              The assistant comes over to Tricia for her keys.

 

                                                          ASSISTANT

                        Everything okay?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I think it's just stress.  Thanks for

                                    the loan.

 

                                                          ASSISTANT

                        John needs to see you.

 

              INT. TRAILER - DAY

 

              Tricia sits at the table in the trailer, with John, the

              President and the Secretary of State.

 

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        I'm not sure what he really needs.

                                    Is it enough to have the school fixed

                                    up?  How do we communicate that

                        teachers matter here?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        And parents.  We need to show that

                                    raising kids is more important than

                                    anything else we do with our lives.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                                    Isn't it?

 

              Everyone looks at him.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                        I guess I meant - shouldn't it be?

 

              EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              A car pulls into the motel and parks.  Susan gets out, finds

              Tricia's room number, and knocks on the door.

 

              INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia opens the door, and the women immediately embrace.

 

              INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT (LATER)

 

              They sit at the small motel table, drinking pop.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I think it's your best alternative,

                                    Trish, and I'm beside you all the

                                    way.  Do you have an appointment?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I was thinking of waiting til after

                        the trials.  It's only a week.  But

                                    I don't even know if I can compete

                                    now.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Susan are walking along Main Street.  Marysville

              has a new face now, a picturebook, charming small town in the

              midwest, where Mom and Apple Pie still mean something.

 

              But there's a difference:  banners over the street and

              posters in store windows congratulate a "Teacher of the

              Week", others honor a "Parent of the Week."

 

                                  SUSAN

                        Did I ever tell you about my abortion?

 

              Tricia looks surprised at this.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Thought you knew everything about me,

                                    didn't you?  It was when we were in

                                    college.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I can't believe you didn't tell me.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    I was so ashamed I didn't tell a

                        soul.  In fact, you're the first.

 

              Tricia takes her hand.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Did you regret it?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Yes and no.  It's never easy.  But

                                    yours is definitely a different

                                    situation.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Yes and no.  A part of me wants his

                        baby so bad.  No matter what it would

                                    turn out to be.

 

              Susan studies her, looking as if she's trying to reach deep

              within Tricia to understand her meaning.  Tricia picks up on

              this.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Does that sound too weird?

           

                                                          SUSAN

                        No.  Whatever it is, it's a part of

                                    you now.  I know it's not easy.

 

              They continue walking, their arms around one another.

 

              EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              George (as bellboy) is sitting at a table with THREE MEN IN

              BUSINESS SUITES, the members of the committee.  Each

              committee member is sniffing and examining an espresso with

              scientific interest.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        You actually do get used to it.

 

              COMMITTEE MEMBER #1 gives him a skeptical look.

 

                                                          COMMITTEE MEMBER #1

                        Is it addictive?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Actually, I'm not sure.  I don't

                                    think so.

 

              At a nearby table, Helen is observing them and dialing a

              number on a cellular phone.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        He's here, looking exactly like the

                                    bellboy.  Three others are with him.

 

              She nods at what is being said and hangs up.

 

                                                          COMMITTEE MEMBER #2

                        What's the agenda?

 

              EXT. STREET - OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              Joe is moving quickly down the street, late to his

              appointment.

 

              EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY

 

              Helen is watching the other table closely.

 

              George (as bellboy) sees Joe approaching and stands up.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Gentlemen, our scientist and liaison

                                    officer is here!

 

              Beaming, George holds out his hand and Joe, arriving and

              nodding at the others, grasps it.

 

              The committee members, uncertain of the custom here, struggle

              to their feet and hold out their hands, looking awkward and

              comic.

 

              Joe shakes their hands, one at a  time.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I'm sure you're all eager to begin

                                    the tour.

 

              Helen sees that they are getting ready to leave and is in a

              panic what to do.  She gestures for a waiter, who hurries

              over.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        I'm expecting some people to meet me,

                                    but I have to leave.  Will you ask

                                    them to wait and I'll phone as soon

                        as I can?

 

                                                          WAITER

                        Certainly, madam.

 

              Joe, George and the committee members are already leaving the

              cafe, and Helen hurries to follow them.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Susan are playing cards, when the phone rings.

              Tricia almost knocks over her chair getting to it.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Hello?

 

              She nods to Susan, communicating that, yes, it's Joe.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We're ready when you are.

 

              She holds a hand over the mouthpiece and talks to Susan:

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        They're in Seattle for a basketball

                                    game.

 

              Back on the phone:

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Okay, we'll see you then.  Are you

                                    okay?

 

              Whatever Joe says moves her almost to tears.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I love you, too.

 

              She hangs up.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He said he loves me.

 

              Susan gets up and goes to her.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        We don't know what that really means

                                    where he comes from.  Trish, I know

                                    it's hard, but you're going to have

                        to let him go.

 

              The women embrace.

 

              INT. BASKETBALL ARENA - NIGHT

 

              Joe steps away from a pay phone and rejoins George and the

              committee members in the stands.

 

              Also in the stands, observing Joe and the others, are Helen,

              Amy and Brad (as George).

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Why basketball?

 

                                                          AMY

                        Maybe they don't grow that tall.  He

                                    said they want to turn us into a zoo.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        For them, maybe it's like looking at

                                    giraffes.

 

              The possibility that she's right concerns them all.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              A new day on Main Street - and the face lift is remarkable

              now, in contrast to what we saw earlier.

 

              Small groups of children of all ages gather around "mentors"

              and "teachers" all along the street.  Spontaneous classrooms

              and "lessons" are underway, as if the very life blood of the

              town had to do with educating the young.

 

              Tricia and Susan stroll along Main Street, accompanied by

              John Halley.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        This is perfect, John.  I think Joe

                                    will be very pleased.

 

              They walk a bit in silence.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        What would it take to make the world

                                    really like this?

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        A miracle.

           

              EXT. SMALL AIRPORT - DAY

 

              A helicopter has just taken off.  Watching from a distance

              are Helen and Amy.

 

              Brad (as George) arrives.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        They're heading for Marysville.

 

              EXT. MIDWEST - SKY - DAY

 

              The helicopter is in the sky over the Midwest, heading toward

              Marysville.

 

              INT. HELICOPTER - DAY

 

              Joe, George (as bellboy) and the three committee members are

              the passengers.

 

              George smiles at Joe, confident of his mission.  Joe nods and

              smiles back.

 

              The committee members gawk out the windows, all eyes,

              marveling at this strange new planet.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              An actor sees the helicopter first.

 

                                                          ACTOR

                        They're here!

 

              John Halley has a portable bull horn and speaks to the actors

              along Main Street.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        Everybody in character now!  We don't

                                    know how long this will take - but

                                    until that bird is back in the air,

                        we are an educational community here,   

                                    with kids our focus and priority.

                                    Action!

 

              The helicopter makes its approach to land.

 

              Tricia and Susan exchange a quick glance, both looking

              worried, then wait for the landing.

 

              INT. HELICOPTER - DAY

 

              George (as bellboy) notices the considerable difference from

              the previous visit.  He leans close to Joe.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                                    What's going on down there?

 

                                  JOE

                                    I'm not sure.

 

              The helicopter has landed, and Joe gets to his feet to

              address the committee members.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Here we are, gentlemen!

 

              George looks like he smells a rat.

 

              EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              Joe is the first off the helicopter.  Then he turns to help

              the committee members off, one by one.

 

              George is the last to step down, leaning close to Joe.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                                    If you have anything to do with this--

                         . . .

 

              But Joe is already moving away, to escort the committee

              members into a survey of town.

 

              George catches up to them.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Apparently they were expecting us and

                                    cleaned up.  I think we should speak

                                    to the mayor.

 

              John Halley arrives, as if on cue.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                                    Welcome to Marysville, gentlemen.

                        You've come at a good time.  We're

                                    honoring our teachers of the week

                                    today.

 

              Joe starts to reply but George butts in, beating him to it.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                                    We want to see the homeless families.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                                    Homeless families?  In America

                        You've got to be kidding.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        The families that were camped out on

                                    the street last week!  I saw them

                                    myself!

 

              John laughs.

 

                                  JOHN HALLEY

                                    I don't know what you were on, sir,

                        but-- . . .

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        There's no point in staying here,

                                    gentlemen.  We've been set up.

 

              He glares at Joe.

 

                                                          COMMITTEE MEMBER #1

                        You say you honor teachers here?

 

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        The first week of every month.  The

                                    second week we honor parents, the

                                    third week we honor our health care

                        workers and-- . . .

 

              George has heard enough.  He tries to herd the committee

              members back to the helicopter.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        They are hiding the truth from us!

                                    Believe me, I know what I saw!

 

              John shrugs and looks at him like he's lost his marbles.  By

              their expressions, the committee members are wondering if

              John isn't right.

 

                                                          COMMITTEE MEMBER #2

                        If there are no homeless families

                                    here, there's no point in staying.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Of course, there are!  He's hidden

                                    them, is all.

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        I sure don't know what you're talking

                                    about.

 

                                                          COMMITTEE MEMBER #3

                        Would there be a town nearby with

                                    homeless families?

 

                                                          JOHN HALLEY

                        I don't think you'd find a homeless

                                    family in the entire country.  This

                                    is America!

 

              John smiles.

 

              George moves to Joe.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                                    You did this!

 

                                  JOE

                                    I think you've been working too hard.

 

 

                                  COMMITTEE MEMBER #1

                                    Gentlemen, I think we've seen enough.

 

              The committee members march back to the helicopter.  George

              starts after them, then turns to Joe, who is staying behind.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                                    I'm not through with you!

 

              The committee members and George get on the helicopter, which

              rises back into the sky.

 

              On the ground, Tricia moves to Joe and takes his hand.

 

              Everyone watches the helicopter rise into the distance.

 

              Suddenly, a spontaneous cheer rises over Main Street, and

              people embrace in self-congratulation.

 

              Susan joins Tricia and Joe.  Seeing her, Tricia becomes self-

              conscious and moves away, toward Susan, which Joe picks up on.

 

                                  JOE

                        Can we all have dinner tonight?

 

              Tricia looks at Susan, as if for permission.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Sounds fine with me.  Trish?

           

                                                          TRICIA

                        Of course.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              The porch light is on at Tricia's motel.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Susan are waiting for Joe to come by.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't know if I can do this.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        We don't have to.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Not going would be worse.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - NIGHT

 

              Joe is seeing off the President and Secretary of State, and

              their party, who are getting ready to board the Presidential

              helicopter.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        What happens next?

 

                                                          JOE

                        I'm returning home.  Things have

                                    changed there that I need to find out

                                    about.

 

                                  PRESIDENT

                                    Will I be seeing you again?

 

                                  JOE

                                    Perhaps so.

 

                                  PRESIDENT

                                    Up to you.  You can contact me easier

                        than the other way around.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I understand.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Thanks for doing this for us.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I've grown fond of you.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        I'm glad.  May I ask one final

                                    question?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Of course.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        Are we really that primitive?

 

              Joe considers this before replying.

 

                                                          PRESIDENT

                        It's that bad?

 

                                                          JOE

                        No, not that bad. But I wish you

                                    would value your parents and teachers

                                    more.

 

              The President nods.  Then he gestures to the others, it's

              time to go.

 

              The Presidential party boards the helicopter.  Joe watches as

              they take off.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

              Tricia, Joe and Susan are finishing dinner at a restaurant.

              The silence hovering over the table suggests gloom.

 

              Tricia sets down her fork, done.  She forces a smile.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    That was tasty.

 

              Another silence.  Finally:

 

                                  JOE

                                    I'm sorry.  I'm not very good at this.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    At what?

 

                                  JOE

                                    Saying goodbye.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    There's no need to, really.  I mean,

                        it's a foregone conclusion.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I have to find out what is going on

                                    at home.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Of course.

 

                                                          JOE

                        That's the only reason I'm leaving.

                                    I've grown fond of it here.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Really?  What specifically do you

                                    like about us?

 

                                                          JOE

                        When I hear it, I like your laughter.

                                    I wish you did that more often.

 

              This is too much for Tricia.  She gets up from the table.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We have a plane to catch tomorrow.

           

                                                          SUSAN

                        That we do.

 

              Susan also gets up.  As Joe starts to stand, Tricia stops him

              with:

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        We can walk back to the motel alone.

 

              She offers her hand.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Have a safe trip.

 

              Joe takes her hand and gets up.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I will miss you.

 

              Tricia is fighting back tears.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Come on, Trish.

 

              Joe won't let go of her hand.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I hope to come back.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What for?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Trish?  We'd better go.

 

                                                          JOE

                        For you.

 

              This surprises Tricia and is more than she can handle.  She

              moves into Joe's arms, and he holds her tightly.  Susan looks

              on helplessly.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Don't do this to her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm okay . . .

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Please, let's get out of here.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Could we be alone?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Trish?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm okay.  Give us a minute alone.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I'll be waiting outside.

 

              She leaves.

 

              Joe and Tricia look into one another's eyes.  No words are

              necessary now, and they kiss deeply.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

              Susan is waiting outside the restaurant.  Very impatiently.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

              Finally Susan comes back inside to fetch Tricia.  But she

              can't find them.

 

              Susan approaches a waitress.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Have you seen my friend?

 

                                                          WAITRESS

                        She and the gentleman left a moment

                                    ago.  That way.

 

              The waitress points out a rear exit.  Susan looks troubled.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Joe are in bed, making love in Joe's room.  They

              have never been more passionately connected.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Later Tricia is dressing, getting ready to leave, as Joe

              watches her from the bed.  She catches him staring at her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You're making me blush.

 

                                                          JOE

                        This is good?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm not sure.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I want to ask a favor.  Wait for me.

 

              Tricia turns to him, looking puzzled, not ready to believe

              her ears.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You want me to . . .?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Wait for me.  I won't be away long.

                                    I want to come back to you.  I want

                                    to marry you.

 

              Tricia almost recoils, suddenly aware of her own

              vulnerability and facing a rush of interior objections to

              such an extraordinary idea.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Joe, you don't have to tell me that.

 

                                  JOE

                                    I tell you because I am asking you to

                        wait.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I-- . . . I don't know how to respond

                                    to something like that.

 

              She is in a sudden hurry to get out of there.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I want to stay here, on your planet.

                                    I want to stay with you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Maybe you think so now - but in ten,

                                    twenty years, I'll be so much older

                                    than you.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Trish, I have thought about that and--

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    No!  We're too different.  We can't

                        make plans like that.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I love you.  You don't love me?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Yes, but I think maybe we mean

                                    different things, love means

                                    different things, here and where

                        you're from.

 

                                                          JOE

                        I know this is hard for you to--

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I have an early flight.  I have to go.

           

              Now the tension, the difficulty of this moment of parting, is

              more than either can stand.  No one moves.  No one knows what

              to do.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Tricia, I love you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Goodbye, Joe.

 

              She starts for the door.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Call me as soon as you arrive home.

                                    I'll wait here til I hear from you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Have a safe trip.

 

              And she's out of there.

 

           

  EXT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Tricia comes out of the motel, an emotional mess.  A part

              of her wants to rush back into his arms, to believe

              everything he is telling her.

 

              Another part of her, the part that wins, wants to take

              flight.  She starts running down the street, just for the

              energy of it.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - SMALL AIRPORT - DAY

 

              A small jet takes off into a blue sky.

 

              INT. SMALL JET - DAY

 

              On the plane are Tricia and Susan.  Tricia looks like she

              hasn't gotten any sleep.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Are you all right?

 

              Tricia nods.  A liar.

 

              EXT. HIGHWAY TO MARYSVILLE - DAY

 

              Brad (as George) is changing a tire as Helen and Amy watch.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - DAY

 

              Joe has slept late and now is stirring.  He rolls over.  He

              opens his eyes.

 

              He sits up and finds George (as bellboy) sitting in a chair,

              watching him.  He is pointing a futuristic-looking gun at him.

 

                                                          JOE

                        What do you think you're going to do

                                    with that?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        There have been considerable advances

                                    in technology since you left.  You'd

                                    be surprised what I can do with it.

 

                                  JOE

                                    Don't make a mistake.  The universe

                        is a very big place.  You can have

                                    your zoo anywhere.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        But who could be more entertaining

                                    than these primitives?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Not as primitive as you may think.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Very clever, what you did.  Now I am

                                    going to show you how clever I can be.

 

              He pulls the trigger and a laser beam shoots out of the gun,

              hitting and freezing Joe.

 

              George calmly puts down the gun and walks over to the bed.

              His hands grab Joe's head.  A beam of light forms around his

              grip as before.

 

              And suddenly, George takes over Joe's body - and Joe now

              looks like the bellboy.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I know you can hear me, "Joe."  Now

                                    I am "Joe" - and your girlfriend will

                                    think so as well.  I have a wonderful

                        surprise for her.

 

              George starts for the door.  Behind his frozen expression,

              Joe (as bellboy) shows eyes of fright and concern.

 

              George stops at the door and turns around.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        That will wear off.  By then,

                                    however, I will have "had my way with

                                    her."  I think that's how the

                        primitives put it.  Have a good day.

 

              He leaves.

 

              Joe's eyes show that he is ready to explode with anxiety.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - DAY

 

              Susan and Tricia have just entered the apartment, and Tricia

              has gone directly to the phone.  Susan regards her with a

              puzzled look.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe asked me to call him.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Oh, Trish . . .

 

              Susan moves into another room.

 

              Tricia waits for an answer.

 

              INT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - DAY

 

              In Joe's room, the phone is ringing as Joe is still frozen on

              the bed, helpless to answer it.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia finally gives up and hangs up.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MAIN STREET - DAY

 

              The rental car with Brad, Helen and Amy finally enters

              Marysville.

 

              INT. RENTAL CAR - DAY

 

              Brad (as George) is driving.  Helen sits in the front seat,

              Amy in the back.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        Where do we begin?

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        With the motels.  They have to be

                                    staying somewhere.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - DINING AREA - NIGHT

 

              Susan is serving up dinner.  Tricia joins her, and they sit

              down at the table.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Any luck?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Still no answer.  I can't believe I

                                    fell for it.  He said he planned to

                                    come back, he wanted to marry me.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    How can he marry you?  I mean, what

                        kind of life would that be for you?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I was even thinking of canceling

                                    tomorrow.

 

                                  SUSAN

                        You've got to let go, Trish.  I hate

                                    to see you this way.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        He just said what he figured I wanted

                                    to hear.

 

              They start eating in silence.

 

              EXT. MARYSVILLE - MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              The rental car pulls into the motel where Joe is registered.

 

              INT. MOTEL OFFICE - NIGHT

 

              The clerk is looking through his register.

 

                                                          MOTEL CLERK

                        Room 114.  Just down the way.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        Thanks.

 

              EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              Brad comes out and motions to the ladies, who are waiting in

              the car.  They get out and follow him to room 114.

 

              INT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

              In Joe's room, he is just coming out of it when there is a

              knock on the door.  He move uneasily to answer.

 

              Joe, of course, appears to be the bellboy - so that when he

              opens the door to find Brad, Helen and Amy, they think he is

              George.

 

              Instinctively, Brad (as George) tackles Joe (as bellboy),

              dropping him to the floor inside the door.

 

              Helen and Amy start hitting Joe with their purses, as Brad

              continues to wrestle him on the floor.

 

              Joe starts protesting his innocence.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        It's me!  It's Joe!

 

              At first his protests go unheard, but he finally gets Brad's

              attention.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        George took my body!  It's me, Joe.

                                    Tricia's in trouble.

 

              Brad, who has him pinned to the floor, looks up at the ladies.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        How do we know you're telling the

                                    truth?

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        George is going after Tricia.  She'll

                                    think he's me.  Look, if I was

                                    George, or if I wanted to get away,

                        do you really think you could pin me

                                    like this?

 

              A look of realization crosses Brad's face.  He relieves his

              grip and gets to his feet.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        He's right.  George wouldn't have let

                                    me do that.

 

              Joe gets off the floor.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        We've got to find Tricia.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S CAR - DAY

 

              Susan is driving, Tricia is seated beside her.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I hope I'm doing the right thing.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Of course you are.  Trish, you don't

                                    even know what . . .?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I know.

 

              EXT. WOMEN'S CLINIC - DAY

 

              Susan's car pulls into the parking lot at a women's clinic.

              Outside a small GROUP OF PROTESTORS carry placards against

              abortion.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S CAR - DAY

 

              Tricia sees the picket line.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Oh great . . .

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Don't let them bother you.

 

              EXT. WOMEN'S CLINIC - DAY

 

              Susan parks the car.  The women get out and start for a side

              entrance into the clinic.

 

              Some protestors start yelling at them.

 

                                                          PROTESTOR #1

                        Baby killers!

 

                                                          PROTESTOR #2

                        Murderers!

 

              Tricia and Susan walk faster and enter the clinic.

 

              INT. WOMEN'S CLINIC - DAY

 

              Tricia moves quickly to the desk.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I have an appointment with Dr.

                                    Kazajian.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              George (as Joe) moves down the hallway to the door where

              Joe's former apartment is.  He looks around, then grabs the

              doorknob.  LIGHT appears around it and the door opens.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              George moves into the apartment.  Tricia is still living

              there when she is not staying with Susan.

 

              He starts looking through the apartment, as if looking for

              clues to something.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Susan's car pulls up in front of the building of Joe's

              apartment.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S CAR - DAY

 

              Susan is dropping Tricia off.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        You sure you don't want to stay at my

                                    place?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I'm fine, really.  I feel like being

                                    alone.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Give me a call if you change your

                                    mind.

 

              Tricia leans forward and gives Susan a hug.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Thanks.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              The door opens and Tricia comes in.

 

              She goes to the answering machine: no phone messages.

 

              She goes to the kitchen and takes a pop out of the

              refrigerator.

 

              She moves from the kitchen to the bedroom, carrying the can

              of pop.

 

              She enters the bedroom - and stops dead in her tracks.  She

              sees Joe there, standing by the bureau, as if looking for

              something.  This, of course, is George (who now looks like

              Joe).  In the dialogue below, he is winging it.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Jesus, you scared me.  What are you

                                    doing here?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I came here to see you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I thought you were in a hurry to go

                                    home.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Well, I am.  I want to take you with

                                    me.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You what?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        You don't understand?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        No, Joe, I don't understand.  You

                                    can't take me with you.  I thought

                                    you couldn't.  I couldn't survive

                        your climate or something.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I wouldn't take you if you couldn't

                                    survive.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't understand this sudden change

                                    of plans.  I just-- . . . I just felt

                                    like I did something to take control

                        of my life again, and now you throw

                                    this at me.  What the hell do you

                                    want from me?

 

 

                                  GEORGE (AS JOE)

                                    I am wrong, and you are right.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    What?

 

           

                      GEORGE (AS JOE)

                                    Whatever we disagreed about.  I am

                        wrong.  I apologize.  Will you

                                    forgive me?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I don't understand this.

 

              George is puzzled by the conversation so far and is not sure

              how to respond.  He measures his reply carefully.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I love you.  I want you to come with

                                    me.

 

              Tricia, beside herself, her mind going in a thousand

              directions at once, gives in to her rawest emotion and moves

              quickly into his arms.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe . . .

 

              George stares off over her shoulder, more uncomfortable than

              ever with a human woman in his arms.

 

              EXT. AIRPORT -  NIGHT

 

              Joe (as bellboy), Brad (as George), Helen and Amy move into

              the terminal after disembarking from a plane.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and George (as Joe) are in bed after a failed attempt

              at lovemaking.  The lamp on Tricia's side of the bed is on.

 

              Silent tension fills the room.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I assume I did something wrong.  I'm

                                    sorry.

 

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        It's okay.  We've both been under a

                                    lot of stress.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Do you want to try again?

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        No.  It's okay.  Goodnight.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Goodnight.

 

              She reaches over and turns out the light.

 

              In the darkness, George looks puzzled, tentative, not really

              sure what is going on.

 

              Tricia's eyes swell with tears, and she closes them, hoping

              for rest.

 

              INT. SUSAN'S APT - DAY

 

              It is early morning.  Susan, in her robe, answers the door.

 

              Joe (as bellboy) moves quickly into the room, followed by

              Brad (as George), Helen and Amy.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I beg your pardon.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Where's Trish?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Who the hell do you think you are?

 

              She moves quickly toward a telephone near the entryway.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        This is Joe.  I think Trish is in

                                    trouble.  Have you seen her?

 

              Susan stops and stares at "the bellboy."

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        How can you be Joe?

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Trish told me about your affair with

                                    your boss.  She said that-- . . .

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Okay!  I dropped her off at home last

                                    night.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        I thought she was staying here.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        She wanted to be alone.

 

              Joe looks at the others.  They know what they have to do.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

              Tricia wakes up in bed alone.  She looks at the clock.  10

              a.m.  She bounds out of bed, grabbing a robe and hurrying out

              of the bedroom.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              She comes into the living room, to find "Joe" (George) there

              with one of her suitcases.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I packed you a few things. You'll get a new

wardrobe after we  arrive.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Joe, I didn't agree to go with you.

                        This is all happening too fast.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I've already made arrangements for us

                                    to be picked up.  Get dressed.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I need time to think about this.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        We don't have time.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Then I'm not going.

 

              George just looks at her with surprise, as if this obvious

              response hadn't occurred to him.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I'm sorry, but you have no choice.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What do you mean I have no choice?

                                    Of course I do.  Unless you plan on

                                    kidnapping me.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS JOE)

                                    Thank you, I was unsure of the word.

 

              Terror crosses Tricia's face.  Now all her uncertainties

              about the past day implode into a revelation: this is not Joe.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        Who are you?

 

              She is backing up away from him, scared out of her wits.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        It will be much easier if you

                                    cooperate.

 

              Tricia turns to flee and just as quickly George takes out the

              small laser weapon and zaps her.  She stands frozen in her

              tracks.

 

              He moves to her.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I'm going to return part of your

                                    active energy, just enough so you can

                        move.  You're going to follow me and

                                    do what I say.  Is this clear?

 

              George releases enough energy so Tricia manages to nod her

              head, yes.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Originally I was just going to kill

                                    you and be done with it.  Anything to

                                    make him suffer. But maybe he'll

                        suffer more if you come with me and

                                    become my significant sex object.

 

              Fear streams out of Tricia's eyes but she is helpless to move.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              George (as Joe) and Tricia, now dressed, come quickly out of

              the apartment and into a waiting cab.

 

              As soon as the cab moves down the street, Susan's car

              arrives.  Joe (as bellboy) gets out of the front seat and

              hurries into the building.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Joe rushes into the apartment.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Tricia!

 

              He moves quickly through all the rooms.  Nothing.  He races

              out again.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Joe rushes back outside.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Mr. Wells, have you seen Tricia?

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        She and her boyfriend just left in a

                                    cab.

 

              Joe quickly gets back into the car.  Mr. Wells watches with

              a puzzled look.  Who was this guy?

 

              INT. SUSAN'S CAR - DAY

 

              Susan is behind the wheel; Helen, Amy and Brad are in the

              back seat.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        He has her.  They just left in a cab.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        What do we do now?

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        There's one place they may be going.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Susan's car takes off down the street.

 

              EXT. CITY - STREET - DAY

 

              The cab races down the city streets.

 

              INT. TAXI - DAY

 

              In the back seat sit George (as Joe) and Tricia, who still is

              partially de-energized.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Why are you doing this?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        One double-cross deserves another -

                                    I believe that's the way you people

                        put it.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I thought you were an advanced

                                    people.  Why do you mimic what we do?

                        An advanced people would have no need

                                    for revenge.  They wouldn't hurt

                        innocent people because they're

                                    cowards.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Cowards?  I don't understand.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Taking it out on me rather than

                                    confronting him directly.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        But he'll suffer more for you than

                                    for himself.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Then you must be a very cruel people.

           

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Unfortunately, you won't have the

                                    opportunity to find out.  I’ve changed

my mind, my dear.   I'm afraid

                                    you’re going to slowly explode once

                        we get into space.  You see, your

                                    bodies are so different from ours, we

                        don't need the special kind of

                                    pressurized protection that you need

                                    to survive.  You're going to blow up

                        and pop like a balloon.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Then you'll also be destroying one of

                                    your own.  I'm carrying his baby.

 

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        That's impossible.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You can feel the life in me.

 

              She is, of course, winging it - she'd had the abortion.  She

              takes his hand and puts in on her belly.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Feel the movement?

 

              He falls for it.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        How extraordinary.  I had no idea we

                                    could breed with you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        There's no telling what kind of baby

                                    I'll have until the birth.  And now

                        there won't be a birth.

 

              She turns away, giving him time to ponder this.  The moment

              is tense - will he go for the bait or not?

 

              Finally he leans forward to speak to the driver.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I want to go to the nearest hospital.

 

              EXT. CITY - PARK - DAY

 

              Susan's car pulls into a park located high above the city.

              She parks and every one gets out.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        What's here?

 

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        It's our rendezvous point.  I thought

                                    maybe he'd be taking her into space.

                                    Maybe we're too late.

 

                                  SUSAN

                        Why would he do that?

 

                       

                                  JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Because she couldn't survive without

                                    special protection.  He knows that I

                                    know what would happen without it -

                        and how much I'd suffer for it.  And

                                    he's right.

 

              Joe moves off, in visible pain.  Helen and Amy look at Brad

              for leadership.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        I haven't a clue what to do.

 

              Susan approaches Joe.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        He'd take her into space, knowing she

                                    would die up there?

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Painfully so.  It may already have

                                    happened.  Susan, we don't have the

                        same concept of love that you have

                                    here, but I had learned to love her.

                                    I loved her very much.

 

                                  SUSAN

                        She loved you, too.  Joe, I probably

                                    shouldn't be telling you this - but

                                    she was carrying your baby.  She was

                        so thrilled - before everything

                                    turned sour.  That's how you should

                        remember her.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        She told you she was carrying my baby?

 

              Susan nods.  Joe looks suddenly hopeful.

 

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        If she told him, then he wouldn't

                                    kill her.  He'd want to make sure it

                                    was true.  And if it was, he'd treat

                        her like a treasure.  How would he

                                    know it was true?  He'd take her to

                        a hospital!  Let's go.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Joe, yesterday Tricia-- . . .

 

              But before she can tell him Tricia had an abortion, Joe is

              racing to the car.  Everyone piles in, and they are off with

              a mission.

 

              EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              The taxi pulls into the emergency entrance at a hospital and

              Tricia and George (as Joe) get out.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              George leads Tricia inside, holding tightly onto her arm.  He

              moves to a sign-in area.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        We have an emergency here.

 

              Suddenly Tricia takes over.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I think I'm having a miscarriage.

           

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        What?

 

              Tricia starts moaning as if in great pain.  The ploy works:

              a nurse quickly comes to her, leading her toward an

              examination area.  An AIDE, a huge man, stops George from

              following.

 

                                                          AIDE

                        I'm sorry, sir, you can't go back

                                    there.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        But I'm--!  I'm involved here.

 

 

                                                          AIDE

                        Are you the father, sir?

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        Yes, that's exactly what I am.  I'm

                                    the father!

 

                                                          AIDE

                        Please take a seat.

 

              George looks puzzled - what, short of zapping everyone, can

              he do?  He reluctantly takes a seat in the waiting area.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              As soon as Tricia and the nurse are out of sight of George,

              her demeanor quickly changes.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I need you to call the police -

                                    immediately!

 

                                                          NURSE

                        Ma'am?  Are you still in pain?

           

                                                          TRICIA

                        I was faking it. I'm being kidnapped,

                                    I need the police.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - WAITING ROOM - DAY

 

              George, unable to sit still, gets up and looks through the

              door in the window to the hallway - and what he sees leads

              him to quickly open the door and enter the restricted area.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Tricia is still explaining to the nurse when she sees George

              coming.  She immediately turns and starts racing down the

              hallway.

 

                                                          NURSE

                        Miss, you can't go that way!

 

              George collides with the nurse, knocking her to the floor,

              and hurries after Tricia.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - THE CHASE

 

              Tricia runs through a door and down another long hallway.

 

              Just as she reaches the end of it, opening a door to enter

              another section of the hospital, George (as Joe) appears down

              the long hallway behind her.

 

              Tricia now enters a hallway where visitors are strictly

              forbidden.  A doctor sees her and yells, "You there, stop!"

 

              The doctor takes up the chase - and here comes George,

              gaining ground.

 

              Tricia reaches a T-junction and stops to look one way, then

              the other, quickly making a choice and racing on.

 

              George gets close enough to the doctor to be heard.  The

              doctor turns but George quickly zaps him with the laser

              weapon.

 

              Tricia is running out of breath.  This won't do, she's sure

              to tire and be caught.

 

              So she turns into a doorway - right into the middle of

              surgery.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - SURGERY ROOM - DAY

 

              The startled staff at the operating table turn to look at

              her.  A SURGICAL ASSISTANT hurries to Tricia.

 

                                                          SURGICAL ASSISTANT

                        You must leave immediately--

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        You have to help me!  He's from

                                    another planet and he wants to turn

                                    Earth into a zoo, and-- . . .

 

              The surgical assistant has grabbed Tricia and is pulling her

              toward the door.  A NURSE comes to assist.

 

              But adrenaline is powerful, and Tricia manages to break loose

              long enough to dodge into a small adjacent supply room.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - SUPPLY ROOM - DAY

 

              She slams the door behind her, then wheels over a cart,

              trying to bar the door.  The others start pushing on it.

              It's a losing battle.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY OUTSIDE SURGERY ROOM - DAY

 

              George (as Joe) races by the surgery room without stopping.

              Tricia may be free and clear.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - SUPPLY ROOM - DAY

 

              But the door is being forced open, as a crowd on the other

              side is now pushing against Tricia and her cart.

 

              In a final thrust and crash, Tricia and the cart go sprawling

              and a crowd of staff members push into the room.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        Please arrest me.  Please take me to

                                    the police.

 

              EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              A police car is parked outside the emergency entrance, its

              blue lights flashing.

 

              Susan's car pulls up.  Joe piles out, racing into the

              hospital, quickly followed by Brad, Helen, Amy and Susan

              herself.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              Inside confusion is everywhere.  A policeman is interviewing

              a doctor.  Another is interviewing a nurse.

 

              Joe approaches an attendant.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        What's going on?

 

                                                          HOSPITAL ATTENDANT

                        I don't think you belong here, sir.

 

              Joe takes the hint and moves off, motioning for the others to

              do the same.  But as the others are going back outside, Joe

              drifts behind - then, when no one is looking, darts through

              a door.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Joe enters the hallway, moving quickly if without a plan,

              running on his hunch that Tricia is close to be found.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

 

              In a conference room, Tricia is being interrogated by a

              POLICE OFFICER and a DOCTOR.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        You realize how hard is it for me to

                                    believe you.

 

           

                                              TRICIA

                        Yes, I do realize that.  But I swear,

                                    what I told you is the God's truth.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        You want to ask anything, doctor?

 

                                                          DOCTOR

                        Yes.

 

              He approaches Tricia with the guarded demeanor of someone

              talking to a psychopath.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Joe moves past the conference room and sees Tricia inside

              through the window.  He steps into the room.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

 

              Joe's entrance interrupts the doctor's interrogation.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Tricia!  I've been so worried about

                                    you.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Joe?

 

              Joe embraces her.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        Are you this woman's husband, sir?

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Yes, I am.

 

              Tricia holds him tightly.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Has she told you what's going on?

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        They don't believe me.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        I have something I want to show you.

 

              We can see by Joe's expression that he is about to zap around

              the room as energy again.

 

              EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              Susan, Brad, Helen and Amy are waiting outside.

 

              Around the corner of the building, George (as Joe)

              approaches - and before he sees what is going on, he is

              spotted by Susan.

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        Joe?

 

              George turns and retreats behind the building.

 

                                                          HELEN

                        It can't be Joe - it must be the

                                    other one.

 

                                                          AMY

                        I'm locking myself in the car.

 

              Amy hurries to the car, followed by Helen.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        What happened to Joe?

 

                                                          SUSAN

                        I need to find Tricia.

 

              Susan boldly moves inside the hospital again, and Brad

              follows eagerly, showing the excitement of a reporter on the

              verge of the story of a career.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Out of the conference room stride the police officer and

              doctor, followed by Tricia and Joe (as bellboy) - their

              serious demeanors tell us they now know what they are dealing

              with.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        I want you to restrict your people to

                                    their immediate areas.

 

                                                          DOCTOR

                        Right away.

 

              The doctor moves off.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        You two come with me.

 

              Tricia and Joe (as bellboy) follow the police officer down

              the hallway.

 

              INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              Susan is moving down a hallway when suddenly George (as Joe)

              darts forward and grabs her.  Before she can scream, he has

              zapped her into partial immobility with his laser weapon.

 

              George has his hostage.

 

              EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              The police officer is talking to Joe and Tricia just outside

              the entryway.  Meanwhile police have formed a line to keep

              anyone else from getting too close to the building.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        I have no choice but to let you do

                                    what you think needs to be done.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        That's right, you don't.

 

                                                          POLICE OFFICER

                        Good luck.

 

              The police officer moves off.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Let me help.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        You can't.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Yes, I can.  Come with me.

 

              She takes his hand and leads him back inside.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - WAITING ROOM - DAY

 

              They enter the waiting area, where the very large aide we saw

              before works.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Give me his body.  Then I can fight

                                    as well as the next guy.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        I think you're serious.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I am.

 

              Joe studies her.  Tricia's expression is serious indeed -

              she's determined to play a part here.

 

              INT. EMERGENCY AREA - HALLWAY - DAY

 

              George (as Joe) is moving Susan down the long hallway.

 

              As they move along, Joe (as bellboy) appears far down the way.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        George! Give it up and go back to

                                    Alpha.

 

                                  GEORGE (AS JOE)

                                    You and I have too much unfinished

                        business.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        We can finish our business when we

                                    get home.

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        No, we'll finish it right now.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Then release the girl.

 

 

                                                          GEORGE (AS JOE)

                        I will when I know you and I are

                                    alone.

 

              George is moving slowly forward, keeping Susan close to him;

              Joe is moving slowly forward as well.

 

              George passes an open doorway and quick as a flash Tricia (as

              aide) tumbles out like a huge boulder in an avalanche,

              sprawling everyone onto the floor.

 

              Tricia gets George in a bear hug on the floor.  Susan, freed,

              crawls away from the commotion, then gets to her feet.

 

              Joe races forward.

 

              George gropes for his laser weapon but Tricia's huge hands

              twist it out of his grasp and now she has control of it.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Use the laser!

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Not yet.

 

              She maneuvers George under her and then sits on him, four-

              hundred pounds of flesh squeezing the air out of him.  George

              gasps for breath.

 

                                                          JOE (AS BELLBOY)

                        Trish, use it!

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        So this is what it feels like to be

                                    a hunk.

 

              She is enjoying herself immensely, sitting on the squirming

              George (as Joe) as he turns read in the face, his gasps more

              and more urgent.

 

              EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - DAY

 

              An ambulance is parked outside the emergency area.  George

              (as bellboy again) is unconscious on a stretcher and lifted

              into the ambulance.

 

              Watching at the front of a crowd are Tricia, Joe as himself

              again, Brad, Susan, Helen and Amy.

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        How do I get my body back?

 

                                                          JOE

                        Who has it?

 

                                                          BRAD (AS GEORGE)

                        The bellboy.

 

                                                          JOE

                        Come on, we'll give George his body

                                    back, you'll get the bellboy's, then

                                    you two can exchange later.

 

              Joe leads Brad into the back of the ambulance before the door

              closes.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    How are you doing?

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    What a ride.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    Enough for a lifetime for me.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    I want him to take me with him.

 

                                  SUSAN

                                    I thought you'd explode in space.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    He can put me in a pressure chamber.

 

              Joe and Brad (as bellboy) reemerge from the ambulance, which

              turns on its siren and moves off.

 

                                  BRAD (AS BELLBOY)

                        Talk about having material for a

                                    story!

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

              Tricia and Joe are in bed, making love.

 

              INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

 

              The next morning Tricia awakes in an empty bed.  She sits up

              and looks around for Joe.  She gets out of bed and puts on

              some sweats, then moves out of the bedroom.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia moves through the apartment to the kitchen.

 

                                  TRICIA

                                    Joe?  Honey?

 

              In the kitchen she finds a note on the counter.  Seeing it,

              understanding what it may be, Tricia stops in her tracks.

 

              Please, God, not again.

 

              She picks up the note.

 

              INSERT: THE NOTE

 

              reads - "Be right back!  Maybe before you even read this.

              Love, Joe"

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              Tricia lets go a sigh of relief.  He hasn't left her.

 

              She is making coffee when the doorbell rings.

 

              Tricia bounds to the door, feeling full of energy - until she

              finds Mr. Wells, the doorman, looking very official in his

              uniform.

 

              Once again Tricia jumps to conclusions, an expression of

              worry flushing her face.

 

                                  TRICIA

                        Something happened to Joe.

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        Please come with me a minute.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What's the matter?

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        Just come downstairs.

 

              He starts down the hallway, and Tricia quickly follows.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Did something happen to Joe?

 

                                                          DOORMAN

                        Relax.  Everything's fine.

 

              INT. JOE'S APT - MAIN FLOOR - DAY

 

              The elevator opens and Tricia follows the doorman out, moving

              to the exit.

 

              EXT. JOE'S APT - DAY

 

              They come out of the building.  And there, grinning at

              Tricia, is Joe, dressed in the same doorman's uniform as Mr.

              Wells.  But this is the real Mr. Wells, grinning with new

              youth in Joe's old body.

 

                                                          DOORMAN (AS JOE)

                        I'm young again!  See what a gift

                                    he's given me?

 

              The doorman is modeling his youthful body, but Tricia has

              turned to face "the doorman," who is Joe in the doorman's

              body.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        Why?

 

                                                          JOE (AS DOORMAN)

                        I hope I didn't make a mistake.  You

                                    said you wanted me to look that good

                        when I was old.  Now I'm as old as

                                    you have to become.

 

              She is immediately in his arms.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        But don't you have to go back?

 

                                                          JOE (AS DOORMAN)

                        I have another surprise: I contacted

                                    my people and am here for the

                        duration.  But we do have an

                                    assignment together.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        What's that?

 

                                                          JOE (AS DOORMAN)

                        To have a large family, so our

                                    children can lead the way.

 

                                                          TRICIA

                        I love you so much.

 

              They kiss - and their kiss is like a promise for a new day.

 

              FADE OUT