Scene 10.15 - The Eclipse Celebration
INT. Parkville Towers Executive Penthouse Suite, Isis Station - Night
(The entire cast is partying in the large ballroom-sized penthouse living area, all the bots have changed into more-human-appearing bodies. MORLOCK is near the center of the room, looking like his old self; sitting upright, head tilted back, dozing on the center couch which offers him a tremendous view of the Eclipse through a large, sun-tinted window -- if he were only awake to see it. Everyone is drinking and smoking or indulging in Ava around him. No one seems to take notice that he is fast asleep as the moon crosses the path of the sunlight reaching the room, and it is as if dusk has arrived in an unusually-expedient fashion. Among the varied animated conversations and exclamations, we see and hear:)
CANDY
(CANDY is in a natural-looking body that looks like her hologram, wearing clothes reminiscent of Mary-Ann from Gilligan's Island. She frequently dips into her glass of champagne as she giggles helplessly.) And he told the lady, "If I can't have either of you, I'll take you both!"
(The local group laughs. ROMEO smirks.)
RAMONA
Was that really how it happened?
ROMEO
It was all by accident; I'll admit that much.
(The group laughs a bit more. NANCY steps in.)
NANCY
(NANCY is beautiful. Beyond beautiful. Unique. She is dressed in a modern, skin-tight diamond-covered ball gown and behind her diamond necklace and between her diamond earrings and beneath her diamond rings and diamond-stuudded piercings, her features are exactly as we have known them to be all along.) I propose a toast.
RAMONA
Please do.
NANCY
To the end of Midnite Movie, Dreamworx, and all those antiquated notions of fantasy. To the future: DreamShare, offering the best in collective dreamsharing!
JYNX
(Appearing as his natural self as well. Short and bald, perhaps he had a change of heart when picking a robotic body.) Here, here!
RAMONA
Amen! To a great and prosperous future!
CANDY
I'm glad you went for accuracy, Hugo.
JYNX
I'm truly best when I'm myself.
LEONIDAS
(Dancing with Moms.) Damn, lady! You got some moves!
MOMS
You got some smooth moves there yourse'f.
CAMEO 24
(Dancing with SYLVAN:) How long's the Eclipse going to last this year?
SYLVAN
It's set for six hours; but I think I may hit the thrusters and cut it short.
CAMEO 24
Nah, let it linger a little longer... People will remember it better that way.
SYLVAN
I'm sure I'm due for a hangover. Don't let me go home with any strange men.
CAMEO 24
Of course not... Not as long as you don't think I'm strange...
(SYLVAN laughs and they continue to dance, drink and smoke.)
TOM
So who are you guys? The Hardy Boys?
(Pete and Georgie Boy shrug.)
TOM (Cont'd.)
You think you got it all solved, don't you? No, it was Professor Sativa, not Mrs. Indica who did it in the Drive-Thru, not in the Walk-In Cooler, and with the hookah, not the bluntstick. (Opens envelope.) Whatd'ya know?
(Pete and Georgie-Boy throw down their cards.)
DAVE
(Joining NANCY.) I sink it's tim ve diskissed ear reelishinsheep.
NANCY
Look Dave, I'm sorry you got locked up all those years for killing me when I really was only technically dead, and I tried to contact you, and, although I appreciate you coming to rescue me, I've- I'm afraid that you might not understand.
DAVE
You dent villy knew me itowel; I kin inderstind you've moved on. Iz kewl.
NANCY
You understand?
DAVE
Shear eedo.
NANCY
That's great; I'm sure that someday, some deserving woman will come along and learn what a find you are.
RAMONA
Yeah, Don Juan, why don't you start by charming me a little by getting me another drink and maybe we can talk about your... more productive assets. I'm single, you know...
DAVE
Villy preety too.
(DAVE goes to get a drink at the bar.)
VYLENCIA
I think our new partnership is going to work out great; I can feel it; I suppose we have to thank Mr. Morlock for bringing this about -- without him, I think we'd be lost.
RAMONA
Looks like he's dozed off... if we don't wake him, he's gonna miss seeing the Eclipse.
VYLENCIA
Let him rest, he deserves it.
SALVATORE
He's got a weird, smirky expression on his face. I wonder what psychelectronic dream he could be having?
STEPHEN
(Pulling out his temple stickers.) It's a cakewalk to me; we could find out.
RAMONA
Nah... Let him have a dream to himself for a change.
SYLVAN
Ladies and gentlemen, may I direct your eyes to the moon for the Eclipse.
MS: Onset of the eclipse, as seen through the penthouse window.
(The group oohs and aahs and applauds lightly.)
SALVATORE
(To RAMONA:) True... You know, it's probably the first original dream that he's had in centuries.
VYLENCIA
Possibly; yet I can't help but wonder if he still might be dreaming about us anyway.
MS: Smirking MORLOCK, in slumber
DREAM DISSOLVE TO:
INT. U.S.S.S. Enrapture, Orbiting Pleasure-Planet Halceron - November 1, 9969 - Day
LIGHT EPILOGUE MUSIC
(SICKLE is in his chair, recently shaved; clean uniform, drinking coffee. Everyone is toking-up and all seem jovial. Nothing seems out of place and The Universe is fully psychedelic.)
JEREMY
(On viewscreen.) Thank you for the lift, Captain. Travel through the Underverse was certainly an experience I won't ever forget. I'm sorry the Commodore couldn't also be here to see you off.
SICKLE
Oh? Is there a problem, Admiral?
JEREMY
No, quite the opposite. Now that Leah's been miraculously cured with your "dream therapy," she's bouncing to and fro and away doing who-knows-what; she's very anxious to resume her official duties and is also trying to book a flight back to Base Station L-X-I-X, but it seems there's a host of flights that will not allow her to bring her dog along.
SICKLE
I'm not surprised. Yet, I'm sure the Commodore will find transport soon. A quick wit coupled with a sharp tongue from the mouths of babes can do wonders when booking a flight. Rules will get themselves bent, I'm sure. Believe me, I do it all the time.
JEREMY
Yes, I imagine you do. The Commodore, did, however, want me to thank you for her for all you have done, to include saving her life. Leah is quite anxious to leave Hotel Halceron, and I fear I won't have a chance to say goodbye to her any more than you.
SICKLE
It's all good. I know she'll do just fine; it's in her cards. What about you, Admiral? Need a lift someplace? We're a destination short of a mission, and I appreciate your insights.
JEREMY
While flattered, I'm afraid I must decline, Captain. I'm remaining here for a tour of duty to assist the terminally ill -- I think that perhaps your "dream therapy" may help other patients like it helped the Commodore. (She lights a hefty joint. The crew looks at her, smacking their lips.) That reminds me -- Dr. George, you still owe me a dance...
GEORGE
It's the first thing we'll do when we see one another again, Admiral.
JEREMY
(Exhales:) I hope it won't be the first thing, but a- Very well, I look forward to it. (Beat.) Don't worry, Captain, I'm sure you'll find a new mission with enough adventure to keep you occupied without any suggestions from me. Good luck, all of you. Admiral Jeremy out.
GEORGE
I just can't get over it, Julie; all of us; thrown into a twin Universe created from our own dreams... So strange!
ISAACS
As Meester Sheikspeer sid, Dickter Yorge, "All ze verld iz e steege inda leetle livs are vounded vith bitta- a leetle bitta slip."
FORD
(Packing bowl.) Aye! You know of Shakespeare, Laddie?
ISAACS
Eye Meester Fjord. Of kiss Eye knowze Bard -- he vas a Wussian!
(Groans.)
ROMERO
Captain, what of the Titans? The Metamorphosis? Our other selves? Was any of it real? What of those dreams, Captain?
SICKLE
Back inside our heads -- to stay. That's what matters, Lieutenant. Empty as a childhood crush and crazy as a Juniper Junebug. Those spastic fantasies won't trouble us anymore.
GEORGE
Julie, I've seen every speckle of alien from the slugs of Sirius 17 to the birds of Betelgeuse 69, but what on the hot side of Halley's Comet was that monster-thing? It had to come from somebody's sick head... or... something... who could be holding such ill thoughts?
SICKLE
I believe that's your specialty, Doc. I suppose it's your job to find out...
ROBERTS
Well, we sure as heck know where it came from in our dream world...
(All look to CLARK. His head is buried in that visor thing mounted to the work station, focused. Only his pointed ears stick out. He looks up momentarily. He is clean-shaven.)
CLARK
Luckily, that reality is reserved for our own, individual minds to interpret, Mr. Roberts. As far as which part of the Underverse was part of which particular person's psyche, there is insufficient data to make any hypothesis, so I will merely ignore your comment, Lieutenant. (Tokes again. A final pause. Visor double-take.) Captain, I'm reading waves of polaric disruption in a nearby sector.
SICKLE
Polaric disruptions? Here?
CLARK
Affirmative. (Tokes, returns to looking into mounted visor:) An anomaly; sixty-nine thousand miles in diameter. It could be housing a form of intelligence-
GEORGE
A quantum snowglobe -- Jules, I was stationed on a mining base once that had one of these clouds pass through their system...
FORD
Aye, the power in them snowballs is tremendous now; if'n we could but just find a smart, safe way to tap 'er without blowin' 'er up.
SICKLE
Mr. Clark, do you detect quantum polaric radiation? Is it active? Are there signs of intelligence? (Glance:) Is it male or female?
CLARK
Uh -unknown, sir. I suggest we approach the alien corona with caution; our ship is not equipped with polaric shielding panels.
SICKLE
Ms. Romero, alert Star Command about our latest findings and report our intention to investigate and probe the cosmic anomaly for sentience.
ROMERO
Yes, sir.
(Squelchey, button-pushing sounds.)
SICKLE
Mr. Issacs, plot a course directly to the heart of that quantum ice storm. No need to beat around the bush...
ISAACS
Yiss, sear.
(Different, squelchy, button-pushing sounds.)
SICKLE
Mr. Roberts, ensure our forward shielding can handle at least some degree of those polaric ions throughout our forward thrust...
ROBERTS
I will need additional power from the plasmic converters, sir. I can't do that solely from this station.
SICKLE
Smokey-
FORD
(At his station, by the turbolift:) Aye, sir, I'm on it, the lad will have all the power he needs to bump-up those shields now. Aye.
(Speaking of bump-up, FORD hits his pipe and winks at the camera before he exits.)
SWISH!
SICKLE
Doc? You've experienced these clouds before; I need you right here. What exactly are the health risks of polaric radiation?
GEORGE
It affects the corpus cere- without going into specifics, Julie, all the crew has got to be sure to smoke a healthy regimen of high-grade cannibis for at least the next 69 hours to fully protect themselves from any possible ill effects of the polaric dust-
SICKLE
Sound advice. (Blazes one. Digitally calls up a random book from his collection. It happens to be The Joy Of Sex. Cracks it open, and thumbs through it, using his middle finger as a bookmark in a particularly good place as he drops his hand and continues.) I don't think we'll have problems with getting the crew to comply. You heard 'im folks, Doc's orders.
(Everyone tokes from their individual stash consoles. GEORGE calls a captain-sized blunt from the arm of the command chair with a tap of the magic button. SICKLE is engrossed.)
ROMERO
Sir, Star Command agrees -- the cloud may indeed be sentient. They give you a green light to proceed; and warn you to approach it with caution.
ISAACS
Curse plitted, sear, sheep orienteed -- Ze nibblueh iz did ahid!
SICKLE
(Shipwide channel:) Attention, all hands -- we are about to go into the tricky unknown once again and Doctor George says y'all need to be high as much as possible for the next three days or your brain is going to turn into mush or get pimples or something. Either way, right now, I want everyone to get whatever green they got and get them pipes and pinners packed and rolled and toked-up post-haste; thems orders from your benevolent Captain. Addendum: If you're down to resin and need some emergency schwag or paraphernalia, please see your station's supply officer immediately for an advance. Sickle out. (Pause.) Hey Clark, can we get your scan up on the big screen sometime this year?
SOUND: Squelchy sound
CG: Weird, ice-blue, cosmic, hour-glass-shaped, glitter-filled, nebula-cloud-thing doing a disco-ball-disco-dancing-thing-of-sorts
MS: SICKLE STANDS
SICKLE (Cont'd)
(Tokes, looks at shapely dwarf-planet cluster.) To boldly go where no one has gone before...
(As he reverently sets the book down, he delivers a final Nemo.)
SICKLE (Cont'd)
(Tokes, slowly sits.) Ahead Mr. Roberts, quantum warp-factor one; steady as she goes.
MUSIC
LS: BRIDGE
ZOOM OUT THROUGH CANOPY
LS: SHIP ZOOMING AWAY INTO MULTI-COLORED, GLITTERY STORM JAM-PACKED WITH STRIPPER JUICE
FTB
RUN END CREDITS VOLUME TWO CHAPTER TEN
RUN END CREDITS THE LAST AMERICAN MIDNITE MOVIE VOLUME TWO
The End.