SYNOPSIS
In 2067, the world is in turmoil. People fight for rights,
countries for resources. A free-spirited CIA agent learns the
secret of ending the turmoil at the cost of a dire omen.
STORY
About to be rejuvenated from 70 to 30, Auntie wants her aging
parrot to be rejuvenated, as well. She asks Baudolino, her
nephew, to release the bird amongst the young cockatoos of
the Amazonian jungle while on a CIA mission to Lima.
Lima is rife with violent riots. Teenagers rally for access
to governmental power and mature people for freedom to
ransack Amazon's gold. At the restaurant in Lima, the
prospective recruit, lame son of the President, rants against
his younger stepbrother, the favorite of the President.
At the hotel, while Baudolino reviews the analytics of the
recorded meeting, the parrot gets excited by streamed videos
of the jungle's cockatoos. Moved by the bird's emotional
display, Baudolino takes the bird into the depth of the
Amazonian jungle.
At the camp of a Nahua tribe, Pyramid Head shaman turns out
to be a woman. Impressed by the pyramidal shape of the cage
and the aging parrot, she offers to disclose the secret of
ending the world's turmoil. The secret comes with an omen
though; Bardolino will have to walk in life two feet above
the ground or die. He smirks about the omen and, under the
spell of Ayahuasca, learns the secret of Universal Harmony:
Laughter!
The next day, he wakes up with fits of laughter at the
laughing secret. But witnesses the death of an ethnographer
who was subject to a similar omen.
Back in Seattle, strapped in a wheelchair, he is fired from
C.I.A. At the house of the rejuvenated bossy aunt, his
friend, an agency higher-up, offers him an unofficial
undercover job in Somaliland, just to clear his mind. At
those times, Somaliland had become a monarchy, and Saudi
Arabia, India, and Japan compete for rare metals mining
concessions. Bedouin families support different competitors,
and Baudolino is to deliver protective sonic equipment to a
Huda clan. His wheelchair and the Unlimited Friendship
Organization - U.F.O. - charitable foundation promoting camel
milking equipment and milk derivatives would be excellent
mission covers.
In Somaliland, he delivers the goods. During a sonic atack
the family flees and he is left stranded in the desert.
Deafened by the attack, and with the laptop and phone busted,
he manages to get to the gate of a convent.
He spends two days in the scorching heat until the nuns
decide to give him temporary shelter. The nuns are actually
sisters in a highly diverse ethnic and religious belief
group.
Domino, the prioress, is puzzled by his ability to walk on
stilts and skillfully shut down attacking sonic drones, is
spite of his implied disability. Not curious about his story
nor interested in "knowing him better," she ignores his
pointed intimate advances.
On a vesper night, he witnesses the trance of a black punk
sister who has the vision of Black Madonna's prophecy about
the harmony of humanity. And what is the key to that?
Laughter!
The temporary shelter is long overdue, and Baudolino is about
to get on the truck to Djibouti. At the last moment, the
prioress changes her mind. "I'm curious!" she says.
He finally tells her who he actually is and the sha-woman's
secret and omen. The prioress is struck by the similarity
between the sha-woman's secret and sister's prophecy.
She lures him into a heathen omen dispel, helped by two
sisters. The dispel works. She wants now to make secret of
the omen and the prophesy of the punk sister public. To end
the doom of those times. To start an Era of Universal
Consciousness Harmony.
They reveal the secret and prophesy at an Eschatology
conference. Their presentation is deemed "True!" The audience
of the conference laughs, the people on the street laugh, the
laughter spreads throughout the whole world. Words and riots
stop.
On New Year's Eve of 2079, the capitals of the world
celebrate the Universal Harmony.
In Beijing, the Russia-Chinese federation. Robots march and
laugh in cadence.
In Paris, French people dance in American in-line fork
dancing and celebrate their love for Americans.
In New-York, Miss Canada-America-Mexico - CANAMEX federation
launches the Ball above the dancers waving "Twerk not Work"
banners. On the skid raw, a woman laughs at an emoji which
laughs back at her "Ha! Ha! Laugh at that!"
INT. HOSPITAL - REJUVENATION ROOM - DAY
Filtered air hums. Equipment beeps. Blue light sanitizes.
AUNTIE's (70s) head rests on a pillow. Gray, wrinkled face.
Sunken cheeks, rosy makeup. Red lipstick.
Patch sensors dot her shaved head. Color-coded wires tangle -
like hair.
A gloved hand wipes off her make-up.
She pulls her lips in - annoyed.
ENVIRONMENT TRASH can swallows the smudged wipe.
Nurse One, BLISS KLEANIK logo on the clear hazmat suit, walks
to a HUD.
A digital, round DNAm AGE CLOCK.
A finger drags the digital arrow from 75 to 35. Dial colors
change from dark to bright.
Genes flash along a broken DNA helix. The nurse restores
them.
Nurse Two, similar suit, surveys another HUD.
Digital renderings shape up - a cylinder - a human body
inside - a square baseplate. Schematic links spread - connect.
She highlights treatment data. Cryogenic cycles. Dosages.
Chemical strings.
Auntie lies in a cylindrical REJUVENATION ENCLOSURE with the
half top open. Leads and catheters run in and out from her
body.
She scrolls feverishly on a tablet.
A light flashes above a MIRROR on the wall. Mirror switches
to glass.
BODOLINO (30s), Auntie's nephew, stands in the visitor's
CUBICLE.
Auntie's ear buds flash. She looks up.
Bodolino's -- poker face -- pops on the overhead monitor.
AUNTIE
What's the poker face for?
CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS
AUNTIE
(through speakers)
You look lost.
Behind Bodolino, a glass door to a corridor. Visitors swing
in and out of other cubicles.
On the cubicle's display, Auntie furrows her brow.
BODOLINO
Your message says hospital. I
worried that --
AUNTIE
(through speakers)
-- Never mind! Youth's cleaning my
pains.
BODOLINO
You should've told me! I dab in
secret stuff. Know how to keep one!
REJUVENATION ROOM
Auntie scrolls on the tablet.
AUNTIE
Listen! You must take SAILOR with
you! -- Look at these heavenly
places... Pillcopata! Tambopata!
CUBICLE
Behind the glass, the nurses rush through tasks.
BODOLINO
Ah! Family priorities. You called
me for him Auntie-Bounty!?
AUNTIE
Stop calling me Auntie-Bounty...
you... Valvolino!
(coarse cackle)
Bodolino feigns a scowl.
BODOLINO
You want him to mingle with the
young chicks?
REJUVENATION ROOM – CONTINUOUS
AUNTIE
I knew you'd understand that --
An alarm blares - repetitive: DETECTION. OLFACTORY BIRD
CHROMOSOME.
A doctor barges in. Hazmat suit, YOUTH DOCTOR WOO badge -
caked in beauty makeup over a rough face.
She barks at the nurses.
Nurse One points at Auntie - Couldn't help it!
Nurse Two points at a PYRAMIDAL CAGE in the back.
Sailor, an old parrot. Patchy feathers. Skinny wings. Red
cheek patches — like Auntie's.
CUBICLE
Muffled alarm. Bodolino cracks up.
BODOLINO
Why don't you rejuvenate him here!
I have no time to bungle in the
jungle.
REJUVENATION ROOM
Alarm blares. Doctor Woo jabs karate moves at the bird - then
visitor.
Nurses scramble -- collide.
SAILOR
(croaked; over the alarm)
Gente del mundo, relax!
Doctor Woo grabs for Auntie's tablet. Auntie won't let it go.
Woo -- TAKES it. Fakes a smile.
She nods at the nurses - briskly. Exits. SLAMS the door.
The alarm dies. Bodolino disappears. The mirror reflects the
room.
Nurse One locks the enclosure's lid. Mist floods in - then
frosts.
Nurse Two rushes out with the cage.
SAILOR
Mooomaaghhr!
BODOLINO'S DREAM
Night. Soft hum. A DRONE in the sky - steady.
Below, guests party on a rooftop. Lights strobe.
On a remote CONSOLE, a phantom box -- tracks a MAN. TIME
digits -- run.
A HELICOPTER cuts the sky. Rotor screams.
A SNIPER at the open door - strapped - bubblehead on.
PILOT (O.S.)
Fasten your...
Rifle dips -- cross hairs lock -- LASER DOTS the man's head.
Time's digits run.
PILOT (O.S.)
...seatbelts.
TIME. Finger -- tightens. Engine -- muffles. A breath in -
crisp.
INT. AIRCRAFT - PASSENGER CABIN - DAY
THUD!
Finger twitches.
Bodolino's eyes open - blink.
Blurry shapes - clear. Aircraft trusses. Transparent shell.
Lima's skyline at sunset.
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS blinks.
PILOT (O.S.)
Remain seated until we reach the
gate.
PASSENGERS dash to the overhead bins.
Bodolino stretches. Checks his -- WATCH.
Waits.
INT. LIMA - AIRPORT - CUSTOMS - DAY
PEOPLE with BUBBLEHEAD HELMETS jam toward the customs. Armed
SECURITY GUARDS fence them off.
Bodolino walks along the guards' backs.
Scans his eyes at a door. The door opens.
CIA SECURITY - DAY
CIA OFFICER (40s), behind a glass barrier, glances down at
the cloth-covered cage - wonders.
BODOLINO
Business asset.
He hands over his MAROON PASSPORT and BLACK WALLET.
CIA Officer fumbles under the desk. Checks a monitor. Types.
Hands back -- a blue DNI REPUBLICA DEL BOLERU card and a
CREAM COLORED WALLET.
CIA OFFICER
Bien venidos Paco.
A long, empty corridor. Footsteps echo.
Bodolino reaches the far end.
Opens the door.
EXT. AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS
FRACAS. Police cars wail - lights flash.
A Riot Control Vehicle backs-up - beeps. Another one drives
up a ramp.
PEOPLE rally on the bridge -- Wave banners.
Sailor screams.
Bodolino walks to -- a Molotov cocktail crashes -- bursts in
FLAMES.
He darts around.
Gets in a waiting car.
The car drives away.
EXT. STREET/HOTEL - NIGHT
A barricade. A policeman stops the car.
He checks ID - car's plate. Returns the IDs. Points away -
around.
The car stops by VENTANAS Hotel.
Bodolino climbs the stairs.
INT. RESTAURANT - LATER
Bodolino gets in. The riot's noise dies.
He scans the place.
Bubbleheads bob. Robotic arms pour drinks. MEDIA WALL streams
news, sports. An EXIT door at the back.
His eyes stop on -- a jacket with VERTICAL STRIPES hanging on
the coat rack.
He hangs his -- HORIZONTAL STRIPES -- jacket next to the
other.
Spots BABA BONDIEU's (30s), transparent bubblehead, checkered
shirt.
Bodolino sits at a table. Watches the coat rack and Baba.
Nods.
Baba's bubblehead turns reflective.
Bodolino orders food on the table's display.
He pulls his phone and bubblehead's collapsed collar from the
shoulder bag.
Sets the collar onto his clavicle. Flips the halo-foil
articulation over his forehead. Taps on the collar's
controls.
The bubblehead inflates. Turns reflective.
He fumbles on the phone.
INSIDE BODOLINO'S BUBBLEHEAD - CONTINUOUS
Communication apps fill up the halo-foil display.
ON DISPLAY - CONTACT: heavy metal shredfest video.
BIOMETRICS - pixels jumble. RECORDING - runs. SPEECH TO TEXT -
waits. TIME - ticks from 20:15:42.
BODOLINO
I need to see your face, not
character... for now.
Video drops. A face comes up. BABA BONDIEU.
A biometric mesh lies over his face.
BODOLINO
Your story's not convincing, yet.
BABA (V.O.)
(through speakers)
How come? Stealing from the
government's treasury to bribe
foreign interests? No legal
charges?!
Biometric mesh turns yellow.
BODOLINO
We know this from the media.
BABA
Nobody knows where the money goes --
RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS
A WAITRESS (20s), low-cut crop top, approaches with food.
Bodolino clears the communication apps on the phone.
The waitress bends to serve.
INSIDE BODOLINO'S BUBBLEHEAD - CONTINUOUS
Bodolino's eyes lock on her -- deep cleavage.
BABA (V.O.)
(faint)
... keep milking the treasu...
BODOLINO'S IMAGINATION
The cleavage dissolves.
The mix MILKSHAKE song in Japanese. The Japanese singer body
sways.
BABA (V.O.)
(fainter; mix louder)
... and that's the first contract
for gas and oil...
Sequins on her cropped tank top - flash.
BABA (V.O.)
(louder; mix dims)
... 45 billion at stake, you know,
with all the front and the back
stores...
BACK TO BODOLINO'S BUBBLEHEAD
The waitress's hips sway away.
BODOLINO
Great front! And back stores!
-- Come again! 45 billion what?
Communication apps regroup. Record blinks.
BABA
... father lowers the voting age to
16... to give more power to the
lame ass dealing in guns. Coke!
(in Quechua; subtitled)
-- My step brother president?! -- I
am the next in line! The good son!
HANAN PACHA!
Mesh flashes red -- then obscures.
BODOLINO
We know... we know. We are on your
side!
INSIDE BABA'S BUBBLEHEAD - CONTINUOUS
Breathing fog - clears. The restaurant and Bodolino's
bubblehead.
ON DISPLAY: CONTACT - blind. VIDEO - live.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
(through speakers)
Get back to the 45 billion!
BABA
Mining concession for China and
Russia. Petroboleru, the lessor.
Military brass from Brazil
guarantees pipelines and highways
security. Los Amigos Conservation,
Blocks 119 and 132. Next to
pristine jungle!
BODOLINO
That's good for my cockatoo!
BABA
What about your cock?
BODOLINO
I said cockatoo... parrot! -- Do
you have the blocks?
BABA
On the flash drive.
RESTAURANT - LATER
Bodolino depressurizes the bubblehead. Flips back the halo
foil articulation. Checks his phone. Earbuds blink.
He starts eating.
BABA (O.S.)
Are we done?
BODOLINO
No, no... just eating. I'm
recording. Keep talking.
He munches. Scrolls on the table's display.
ON DISPLAY - CHANNELS: EARTH ROTATES. COUNTRIES' COLORS FLASH
-- INFANTRY ROBOTS CLASH -- LASERS BLAST DATA CENTERS --
DRONES CRASH. The anchor comments.
THUD! The back of a soldier's gear slams into the window.
Window bulges.
Bodolino watches. Raises his hand at Baba - Wait!
Rioters wave banners. ES NUESTRO ORO, SENDERO JUVENTUD.
He checks on the table's display - scrolls - stops - watches.
Rioters climb the Palacio de Gobierno fence. Water cannons
drench them.
BABA (O.S.)
Watch TV Channel 52!
Bodolino sweeps on the table.
ON DISPLAY
Police surround a gang of teenagers.
TICKERS SCROLL: SENDERO JUVENTUD ARRESTADO EN EL CALLAO.
The face of a JAPANESE TEENAGER in a group of Native kids.
BABA (O.S.)
That's the tight ass... lame chief
of the gang. Names on flash drive!
A high-ranking officer guides Japanese Teenager away.
A stretched limousine pulls over.
The officer opens the door. Bends respectfully.
The Japanese Teenager gets in.
A gloved hand obstructs -- Image wobbles -- Black.
The anchor comments.
BACK TO RESTAURANT
A YOUNG MAN (15) dashes in. Rushes toward the exit door.
A soldier in anti-riot gear walks in -- shotgun ready.
Patrons' remove their VR headsets and bubbleheads.
OFFICER (50s) walks in.
Checks the patrons' IDs.
The soldier knocks on Baba's bubblehead - reflective switches
to transparent.
Officer looks at Baba's face. Straightens up. Gives him an
official salute.
Bodolino bags the bubblehead collar. Pulls out the DNI card
from the cream-colored wallet.
Walks toward the exit. Earbuds blink.
The soldier halts Bodolino -- gun's barrel to chest.
Bodolino smiles. Raises the DNI card. Nods toward Officer.
Officer scans the DNI card.
Scrutinizes Bodolino, who - beams a friendly smile.
BODOLINO
(to Baba; in Quechua;
subtitled)
Ayahuasca in Barranco? No time for
that. I'm busy selling your stuff.
(to Officer; same)
Not a good time to party!
Officer's gaze narrows. Returns the DNI.
Bodolino gets Baba's -- two vertical stripes -- jacket from
the rack. Gets out.
INT. HOTEL - BATHROOM - LATER
A MIRROR DISPLAY. Bodolino's face - tired. Behind, the
reflection from the bedroom's WINDOW DISPLAY - a jungle view.
The open suitcase, RF DETECTOR, and nested collar lie on the
counter.
The phone and flash drive upload onto the LAPTOP.
A croak. He walks into the bedroom.
BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Sailor's covered cage in front of the window display. Parrots
chirp and fly on branches.
Bodolino uncovers the cage.
Sailor tracks the flying parrots. Bobs his head. Gurgles.
Cocks his head at Bodolino -- eye blinks.
Bodolino winks - I know.
BACK TO BATHROOM
He sweeps the wall and mirror with the RF detector. Green
light.
BODOLINO
(to mirror)
Device mode.
The mirror displays a list of networks.
He disables them. Keeps the laptop's.
The laptop casts Baba's interview records and the flash drive
folder onto the display.
ANALYSIS and RECOMMENDATION wait.
BODOLINO
(to laptop)
Analysis. Biometrics.
Baba's emotional behavior results tally: 55% MOTIVATION
flashes blue - 37% MANAGEMENT flashes yellow - 8% AWARENESS
flashes red.
He raises his eyebrows - That figures!
Clicks on the flash drive folder.
Searches through maps. Madre de Dios river. Los Amigos
Concession. Geological strata. Red and yellow Blocks 132-119.
His gaze narrows, eyes scan --
Upbeat music. Eyes shift.
BEDROOM
Jungle Samba rhythm. Sailor dances on the perch. Parrots fly
on the window's video.
Bodolino scratches his head...
BODOLINO
(to window)
Internet mode.
ON DISPLAY - BOLERU REPUBLIC website. BOLIVIA Y PERU ESTAN
UNIDOS. Presidents hold hands - above their heads. Military
brass guards them. National flags' poles crisscross - in a
knot.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
Travel. Los Amigos Concession.
The map traces LIMA to MAZUKO over the mountains. MAZUKO to
LOS AMIGOS CONSERVACION along the MADRE DE DIOS river.
Click on LIMA to MAZUKO. HELICOPTER SHUTTLES, schedules.
Click on MAZUKO to LOS AMIGOS. HOVERCRAFT rentals, adds.
Bodolino opens the cage. Sailor flies out. Settles on his
shoulder.
BATHROOM
Bodolino glances at Blocks 132-119 map.
Sailor tilts his head at the map.
Bodolino's jaw clenches. Makes up his mind - relaxes.
BODOLINO
Recommendation.
He types. Whispers.
BODOLINO
Request approval to extend mission
to Los Amigos Concession.
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - DAY
WHOOOOSH. A hovercraft glides inches above the river. A drone
shadows its course.
The river branches out. Jungle's canopy traces the riverbank.
INT. HOVERCRAFT - DAY
Rock and roll blares. Bodolino pilots. Sailor's cage strapped
on the passenger seat.
The landscape races by.
On the bottom of the windshield HUD, hovercraft functions,
telemetry data, GPS maps, weather. DRONE ESCORT.
The landscape turns to calcified riverbeds. Black scars of
deforestation. Pools of yellow water.
The landscape slows - stops.
Bodolino grabs the drone's joystick.
ON HUD - DRONE REMOTE: TIME runs. CAM VIDEO records. ALERT
waits.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
Zoom in.
Shacks. Dredging rafts. Hoses. Cascading strainers. Planks.
ALERT - AIR QUALITY: MERCURY 25% - DANGER
GARIMPEIROS sprint across the planks. Shoot at the drone.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
Train of gold, train of gold,
Took me long to find what's wrong,
Train of gold, train of gold...
DRONE ESCORT - locks.
The landscape resumes its parade.
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - LATER
The hovercraft glides over the brown, large river.
River branches off.
Hovercraft slows - stalls.
An oilfield inland. YELLOW RIGS. Methane collection domes.
The drone flies toward the oilfield.
From the oilfield, three EGG-SHAPED YELLOW DRONES speed up to
intercept it.
INT. HOVERCRAFT - CONTINUOUS
CAM video expands. Recording. Time.
A yellow drone lurches forward - Chinese letters.
The others close in -- DOGFIGHT MANEUVERS.
ALERT: COLLISION THREAT - COERCIVE RPO.
Bodolino mimics shooting the drones. Fingers recoils. PHOW!
PHOW!
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - LATER
The hovercraft glides by a cut in the jungle's wall.
A line-up of pipes rises from the river - extend inland.
Hovercraft stops.
FOUR EGG-SHAPED RED DRONES fly out from the jungle.
INT. HOVERCRAFT - CONTINUOUS
ZAHVAT MASLO VLASTI drones close in.
A HIGH PITCH starts. HUD jitters.
Bodolino cringes. Gets headphones on. Silence.
Turns his head to the cage. Cloth ripples - violently
He grips the joystick.
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - CONTINUOUS
Hovercraft spins - half way - surges off.
The red drones lag.
Hovercraft slows down - stops...
INT. HOVERCRAFT - CONTINUOUS
Bodolino takes the headphones off.
RINGGG! - Fades.
SQUAWK!
He removes the cloth from the cage.
Sailor bobs his head. Tail fanned - stiff.
A feather sways on a cage's wire.
AUNTIE (O.S.)
Look... heavenly places...
CALCIFIED RIVERBEDS -- YELLOW WATER POOLS -- PIPES -- YELLOW
DRONES.
Bodolino hand closes on the joystick -- PULLS.
The landscape spins back - half way.
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - CONTINUOUS
The hovercraft speeds up.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
Pillcopata. Directions.
SAILOR (O.S.)
Mooomaaghhr!
EXT. MADRE DE DIOS RIVER - SUNSET
The hovercraft skims the surface of a narrow, crystal-clear
river. Dense jungle hems the riverbanks.
The drone flies over an industrial site. Japanese lettering
on cabin roofs. Sawmill installations. Conveyers. Logs.
Rusted bulldozers.
A couple of naked TRIBESMEN and few PEOPLE, in unkept
military attire, watch the drone.
- LATER
The hovercraft enters a marshland. Glides over a narrow
forest trail.
Stops by a hotel structure. Jungle's lianas swallow its vine
trusses.
Worn-out ROTH PILLCOPATA PARAISO sign. Washed lettering.
INT. PARAISO HOTEL - RECEPTION - DAY
Bodolino walks in.
Wood-woven collapsed canopy. Lianas hang trough.
TWO TEENAGED BOYS and SMITHE PECKER (50s), burly, scientist
looking man, drink at the bar. Watch TV.
ON DISPLAY: Red and yellow drones fight - crash - fall. Fires
burn. Scrolling titles: COMPETING INTERESTS TRIGGER
CONFLICT...
The hotel HOST (30s), native man, greets Bodolino.
Bodolino BULKS - Suitcase DROPS - Cage SWINGS.
He SWATS a karate chop.
A giant bug crashes on the floor - legs twitch up.
HOST
A Longipennis Megaloblatta, Sir.
Small beetle.
BODOLINO
(funny)
Longipennis? How long of a big
beetle?
INT. HOTEL LOUNGE - MORNING
Sailor's cage swings along the winding corridor.
Sunrays and lianas' shadows alternate on Bodolino.
Pecker chugs a beer at the bar. The two teenagers, armed, in
military combat attire, laugh and drink.
Bodolino sits at a table.
Pecker joins him. Places his leather suitcase on the table.
Embossed ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
PECKER
I'm Pecker Smithe, British
ethnographer.
BODOLINO
I saw the blazon. I'm Paco Garrido,
auto parts sales.
PECKER
Auto parts?
Bodolino uncovers the cage. Sailor fluffs his scanty
feathered.
Pecker cringes - Ugh!
BODOLINO
Family parts. My aunt wants him to
enjoy the company of young --
A waitress METISSE GIRL (teens), frisky energy, stands by the
table - hand on hip.
BODOLINO
Perico!
METISSE GIRL
Bombita! Name's Bombita. I'm not
your perico! Wha'you want?
BODOLINO
Bombita!
She shifts her eyes up - annoyed. Nods toward the boys.
Bodolino turns to them.
One teenager nods.
BODOLINO
(smiling)
Bunuelo! And api. Main course
later.
Pecker signals for another beer.
Bombita leaves. Fast gait.
Bodolino chin-points at the leather case.
BODOLINO
Curious people, the ethnographers!
PECKER
Curious? Yes! Have to be! Learn
people's language, habits...
experience their life style.
BODOLINO
Experience... Bah! Listen to this
story. An ethnographer in the
Solomon Islands. The shaman gave
him a farewell gift, a powder to
make him... and whatever he
touches, invisible. The
ethnographer was to sniff it, thus
bust any jewelry or clothing store.
PECKER
Did it work?
BODOLINO
No! He didn't SNIFF IT! And that's
my point about... EXPERIENCE!
EXT. HOTEL GROUNDS - LATER
Bodolino scrutinizes the surroundings from the deck. Squints.
Two trails merge toward the dense jungle.
He walks on one. Cage wiggles.
LANCE DE FER (60s), hummingbird geoglyph tattoo on chest,
spear in hand, leads a file of TRIBESMEN on the other trail.
They carry fish - plantain wraps - skin bags.
Cross Bodolino's path - ahead of him.
The last tribesman looks back. Locks his eyes on the cage.
Rushes toward the head of the file.
Talks with Lance De Fer. Gestures excitedly. Points back.
Lance de Fer raises his hand. The file stops.
Lance de Fer scrutinizes the pyramidal cage.
The tribesmen close the ranks.
Amused, Bodolino removes the cage's cloth.
Sailor flaps his wings.
HMPHH! The tribesmen step back.
Lance de Fer gags.
Touches his hummingbird tattoo. Kneels - slowly. Hands cup
the cage.
He falls into a trance.
Pecker joins the group.
LANCE DE FER
(unknown language;
intoning)
......
The tribesmen close their eyes. Mumble.
Bodolino looks at Pecker - What's this?
PECKER
Paratoari Pyramids tribe. They
cherish their chief... Pyramid
Head.
Lance de Fer comes out of the trance - chortling.
The tribesmen burst into a crazed laugh. Silly - loud.
SAILOR
Gente del mundo, relax!
AHH!AGHR! The tribesmen step back.
Pecker points at Bodolino - the cage - the jungle.
PECKER
(unknown language; to
Lance de Fer)
......
Lance de Fer mimics wings flapping. Points at the jungle.
LANCE DE FER
(unknown language; to
Bodolino)
......
PECKER
(to Bodolino)
He knows a good place for your
parrot.
Lance de Fer molds a pyramid shape with his hands. Simulates
a respectful bow.
LANCE DE FER
(to Pecker)
......
PECKER
(to Bodolino)
They have to show the parrot to
their chief, first. Then, they'll
release the bird.
Bodolino rejoices.
BODOLINO
(to Lance de Fer)
Perfecto!
He's hands over the cage -- Pecker grabs his hand.
PECKER
(to Lance de Fer)
......
Lance de Fer keeps mum. Straight eyes.
PECKER
(to Bodolino)
I told him that we want to see
their chief.
BODOLINO
I can't! Must go back by noon.
PECKER
You're missing a great opportunity.
(rushing away)
Must go grab my gear -- You decide
in the meantime.
BODOLINO
(to Lance de Fer)
Should I be curious?
Lance de Fer slacks his jaw. Touches the hummingbird tattoo.
Bursts into a short laughter.
Bodolino fakes one.
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY
The tribesmen briskly walk on the narrow jungle trail.
Bodolino records flying parrots.
Pecker reaches the group. Breathes hard. Explorer bags
dangle.
PECKER
... perception of value. To them,
the pyramidal shape is divine...
the place they live. Their chief
teaches them that LAUGHTER HEALS
ANYTHING.
BODOLINO
(mocking)
A DIVINE laughter!?
Pecker struggles to keep up the pace.
PECKER
Two years ago... had a short
meeting with -- you'll see for
yourself. Too short... to fully
EXPERIENCE! Now! Marvelous
opportunity!
EXT. MANOOSI PARK - PARATOARI PYRAMIDS - NIGHT
The yellow moon wakes up. The group stops in a jungle
clearing.
On a knoll, a tree-house platform. Hammocks hang under the
roof made of branches.
Lance de Fer talks with Pecker. Points at the moon. Traces an
arc up to the midnight's peak.
LANCE DE FER
(unknown language)
......
PECKER
(to Bodolino)
He has to ask Pyramid Head about
us. He'll be back at high-moon.
The tribesmen disappear into the jungle.
- LATER
Bright moon through the tree-house's branches.
Bodolino and Pecker sleep in their hammocks.
Lance de Fer's head sticks above the platform.
Touches Bodolino. Shushes him. Points at Pecker.
EXT. PARATOARI PYRAMIDS - LATER
The clouds cover the moon. Darkness.
Lance de Fer and Bodolino emerge from a thicket.
They cross a rope-bridge wobbling over a crevice.
Climb an escarpment.
Bodolino looks down at the valley.
Pyramid-shaped hills line up the mountain base. A distant
camp at its foot.
TRIBE'S CAMP
TRIBESMEN and TRIBESWOMEN sit by the fire. Sort fish and
plantains.
Pyramid-shaped tents surround them.
Bodolino and Lance de Fer approach a bigger tent. Inca
motives decorations.
INT. PYRAMID HEAD TENT - NIGHT
Bells chime softly. Beaded curtain parts.
PYRAMID HEAD sits cross-legged on a triangular mat. Head
down, covered by a shiny fabric. Body wrapped in a cloth with
Nazca motifs.
On the mat, bowls with violet, yellow and green powders. Odd
looking smoking pipes.
Around the mat, small pine torches. Steady FLAMES.
Pyramid Head raises the head -- Large top. Horizontal weave
at the eyes level. A vertical one, down to the chin -- A
BLACK T.
FROM BEHIND THE WEAVE
Indistinct visitors. Lance de Fer prompts Bodolino to move
forward and uncover the cage. Then leaves.
BACK TO TENT
Pyramid Head bends over the cage.
LOUD drumming starts. Sailors shrieks. Flaps his wings.
SAILOR
Gente del mundo, relax!
Pyramid Head imitates a flapping bird. Bursts into laughter.
Sailor laughs - a high-pitch cluck.
PYRAMID HEAD
(androgyn voice)
Perico... casa pirámide. Sabe
LAUGH, sagrada secret! Rupicola!
Cock of Rock --
BODOLINO
Really! Good for him. At his age!
Pyramid Head invites Bodolino to sit.
Bodolino points at the veil.
BODOLINO
I'm more curious about this,
though!
PYRAMID HEAD
(in Qechua; subtitled)
Ostras! Sacred secret requires
sacrifice.
Bodolino opens his arms - Sure, let's have it!
Pyramid Head nods - slowly.
Loads powder into a three-pronged pipe. A VIOLET CLOUD rises.
PYRAMID HEAD
Ayahuasca!
Lifts the pipe to the Black T. Bends forward.
PYRAMID HEAD
(in Qechua; subtitled)
Your path in life... TWO FEET ABOVE
THE EARTH.
FROM BEHIND THE WEAVE
Bodolino laughs.
BODOLINO
(in Qechua; subtitled)
See? Laughs have no secrets with
me!
He presses the pipe's brunched prong end into his nostrils.
PYRAMID HEAD (O.S.)
RAPÉ!
Bodolino inhales.
BACK TO TENT - CONTINUOUS
SNEEZES in the powder bowls. Powders EXPLODE. Dust envelops
their heads.
Torches' flames tremble.
Pyramid Head inhales. Body collapses forward.
Bodolino falls back.
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
NOTE: Bodolino internalized voice, in English, slight slur.
Images switch.
Drumming fades.
Pyramid Head stands up. Nazca animal geoglyphs paint the
cloth.
The fuzzy shape doubles - shimmers - remerges.
Head veil lifts up. Narrow chin. Large forehead. Wide apart
eyes.
Pyramid Head opens the arms - wide.
Dress's fabric STRAINS -- WOMAN'S breasts poke through.
IN SLOW MOTION
GEOGLIPHS CRAWL.
Sailor's flies above her head. Plumage REJUVENATES.
PYRAMID HEAD'S TRANCE
NOTE: Pyramid Head voice, in Quechua, subtitled, slight echo.
Images flow.
Tribal drums' beat. The pyramidal head MORPHS into the round
face of MAMA QUILLA, the Inca Goddess of the Moon. Large
ceremonial hat and earrings adorn her head.
She raises her arms, glorifying the parrot's slow-flapping,
colorful wings.
MAMA QUILLA
I am Mama Quilla, the Goddess of
the Moon and Holder of Time...
turning back... to the beginning of
time...
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
A black dilated pupil.
Earth fills the iris rotating clockwise.
Time backtracks from 2067:01:1.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
... beginning of time...
PYRAMID HEAD'S TRANCE
People die by plague. Spaniards in armors conquer. Incan
warriors fight with spears and shields...
MAMA QUILLA (V.O.)
... through the dark eras of
sickness... and destruction...
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
Atomic bomb's shock wave rages.
A perpetual mechanical clock sweeps past 1945-AUG-6.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
... destruction...
PYRAMID HEAD'S TRANCE
Bright times. PEOPLE cultivate the fields. Compute on yupana
tables and quipu knots. Trade grains.
Corn kernels drop from buckets into the mill - flour cascades
into an amphora - water with cactus buds and flower petals
pour in - fire burns under.
Frothing mixture overflows.
MAMA QUILLA (V.O.)
... to the times of... abundance...
greatness...
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
PRAGUE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK runs backwards. Zodiacs reverse.
Seasons unwind. Sun and Moon trade places.
Moons orbit Jupiter. Solar system speeds up into Galaxies.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
... abundance... greatness...
PYRAMID HEAD'S TRANCE
MAMA QUILLA (V.O.)
... when the Old Man Creator of the
World was teaching the sacred
secret. The key to the UNIVERSAL
CONSCIOUSNESS! To HARMONY!
Old man Creator of the World, majestic, white beard, descends
from Heaven.
People rejoice.
INCA PEOPLE
"Chicha! Chicha!"
Mama Quilla, Sun God, and Inca Dancers TWIRL.
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
BODOLINO (V.O.)
Creator... Consciousness...
Harmony...
Galaxies twirl. Spiral inward. COLLAPSE.
BLAST. Haydn's The Creation erupts. The BIG BANG. Galaxies
bloom.
The Pillars of Creation rise. OLD MAN CREATOR emerges -
magnifies - opens his arms.
HEART NEBULA GLOWS in his chest. One PULSE. One HEARTBEAT.
TENT/HALLUCINATION
A HEARTBEAT. Bodolino's eyes flick open.
Eyes stare -- CROSSED.
Pyramid Head floats - blurred.
A VIOLET ECTOPLASM snakes out from the BLACK T -- HUGS
Bodolino -- LIFTS OFF his body.
PYRAMID HEAD'S TRANCE
Mama Quilla raises her hands - in adoration.
MAMA QUILLA
The sacred key is... LAUGHTER...
LAUGHTER!
Old Man Creator of the World touches peoples' SHOULDERS -
ANOINTING them. They laugh together.
Laughter reverberates - DEAFENING.
EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
Moon light. Dead silence. Bodolino's head bobs. Boddy
slouched in a backpack-frame.
Lance de Fer carries him over the rope bridge.
EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - MORNING
Bodolino sleeps. Giggles. Hammock shakes.
Pecker wakes up.
A plume of smoke. Lance de Fer roasts yucca in the clearing.
PECKER
What's to laugh about?
Bodolino wakes up. Squints. Groans.
Tries to get up -- awkward move.
Hammock flips. He falls backward.
Head hits the platform. Face scrunches.
BODOLINO MEMORY FLASH
BLACK T. VIOLET ECTOPLASM.
BACK TO SCENE
Legs tangled up on the hammock.
BODOLINO
Bah!...
He lifts his head. Spots the rope. Scooches underneath.
Plants both hands behind him. Presses up.
Swings one hand and torso -- Rolls back in.
The hammock sways.
Pecker's eyes widen.
BODOLINO
Mighty surprise! Your Pyramid Head.
Pecker steadies the hammock.
PECKER
My what? Wait! You didn't --
He yells at Lance de Fer.
PECKER
......
Lance de Fer mimics a pyramid. Shakes his head - Not my call.
PECKER
Darn! She didn't want to see me?
Just your cockatoo!?
Bodolino shakes his head - Not my fault!
PECKER
Tell me everything!
He records with the phone.
BODOLINO
My brain's foggy... right now...
this laughing secret.
PECKER
Yes?
BODOLINO
Came with an omen.
Pecker straightens - still.
PECKER
Oh! You too!?
Bodolino frowns - What do you mean?
PECKER
Well, two years ago... she told me
the ha-ha secret.
BODOLINO
And?
PECKER
I... I wasn't supposed to...
BODOLINO
Go on!
PECKER
Touch a man's penis or else die.
BODOLINO
(laughing)
What else would a woman curse you
with? You're still alive, aren't
you? Didn't you --
PECKER
What tells you that I would have
such an inclination?
BODOLINO
Well, you're supposed to
experience! Verify!
Bodolino starts unzipping his fly.
Pecker turns his head -- outraged.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
C'mon!
Pecker stands -- still.
Hunches shoulders.
Bends over Bodolino's body -- eyes astray.
His hand sinks - slowly. Finger targets - trembling.
PECKER'S EXPERIENCE
Finger touches a SALAMANDER'S head. Throat pulses -- slimy.
PECKER (O.S.)
Ugh!
Dewlaps BALLOONS. Scales RACE over the finger -- the hand.
BACK TO SCENE
Pecker's eyes blow up. Body stiffens.
Hand's scales recede.
Body relaxes. Eyes blink. Then - steady.
BODOLINO
See? No problem!
Pecker smiles...
Smile freezes -- GAGS.
He drops backward.
HEAD BOUNCES. THUD!
BLACK.
EXT. SEATTLE - FISH MARKET - DAY
Rain pours. PEOPLE swarm by Seattle's Fish Market. Umbrellas.
Shopping bags. Driverless carts crawl.
Delivery drones fly. Space Needle soars - afar.
A rain stream runs along the curb. Past the feet on a
wheelchair's footrest.
Bodolino watches the stream. Rain beads drip from his beard
and long hair strands.
THREE SISTERS walk by.
ONE IN WHITE HABIT stops. Turns. Looks at Bodolino.
Her heart glows -- SOFT EMBER.
He holds her stare.
She offers him her heart with -- an OPEN PALM. Then crosses
herself.
Bodolino tilts his head - How's that gonna help?
A group of THREE JOLLY STUDENT GIRLS walks down from the
Design Art School.
They join Bodolino. Set umbrellas aside. Pull out sketchbooks
from backpacks.
Show-off sail boats' drawings. Paper origamis.
GIRL ONE (18), sweet, rests her hand on his shoulder.
The other girls launch origamis onto the rain flow.
One gets stuck in the grille of a storm rain. AWWWS!
The other one keeps floating. HURRAYS!
Bodolino launches a carved wooden boat.
It catches the flow. Sways away - drifts afar.
A crossroad up ahead, by Space Needle. A GEN X RALLY swells.
Poles wiggle. Banners proclaim GOV GO DOWN - GEN X GO HIGH.
HURRAYS! (O.S.) from girls.
Bodolino's boat strands on pavement.
Girl One applauds.
INT. BODOLINO'S STUDIO - AFTERNOON
Open window. Sunrays break through the clouds.
The sunlight brushes Bodolino's face. Eyes closed.
BODOLINO MEDITATION
Heartbeats relent. A pure tone supplants it.
Hands cup his heart. A HEARTBEAT.
BACK TO SCENE
Girl One's hands rest on his chest.
He opens his eyes -- hers locked onto his...
A phone RINGS.
They ignore it. Ringing continues.
She blows him a kiss -- shyly.
His heart GLOWS. He offers it to her with an open palm.
Takes the call.
BODOLINO
Bobby!
He listens.
BODOLINO
No, not here...
Oh, that's where you are! I'll be
over.
INT. AUNTIE'S HOUSE - VESTIBULE - DAY
The door opens. Bodolino rolls in.
AUNTIE (35) leads the way. Patch-sensors stuck on her head.
Scanty top. Tight leggings.
She looks back - walking.
AUNTIE
Valvolino! Still hiding, hah!?
He rolls on - ignores her.
LIVINGROOM - CONTINUOUS
BOBBY (30s), crew cut, athletic build, greets Bodolino. Bends
to hug him.
Scrutinizes the wheelchair.
BOBBY
Fine piece of engineering. How fast
in six seconds?
Bodolino tilts his head. Squints - Leave that!
Bobby raises his arms. Gives up - C'mon man!
BOBBY
Listen Bodo! We need to know what
happened!
Auntie cuts in.
AUNTIE
And cross-eyed! On top of --
Bodolino frowns at her - Stop it!
She gets it. Leaves. Hips undulating.
Bobby's eyes glue on her.
She BANGS the door shut.
FITNESS AND COMPUTER ROOM
Equipment. Racks of electronics.
Sailor's painting.
Auntie clenches her fists in front of a monitor.
ON DISPLAY - BLISS KLEANIK
EEG spikes out of range. ANXIETY CONTROL flashes red.
Doctor Woo's anime smiles.
ANIME
(digital)
Oh, Dear, I understand your
feelings. Relax... breathe innn...
breathe ooout...
BACK TO AUNTIE
Auntie FORCES calm. Breathes.
Switches to home security SECHOM. An array of rooms feed.
Gets the headphones on.
Zooms into the livingroom.
Bodolino stares at the camera. Points two fingers at his
eyes.
Auntie SLAMS the headphones on the desk.
VERANDA
BODOLINO
... stuck with this secret!
BOBBY
We're good with secrets. But omens?
Not in our business model.
Bodolino ROCKS THE WHEELCHAIR.
BODOLINO
You mean kill it before it kills
me?
BOBBY
That's it! You may need a bit of
time. To clear your mind. How about
getting back into the action.
BODOLINO
I've been laid-off!
BOBBY
Bah! Bureaucracy move! Field power
stays with us. What's your move?
Bodolino stops rocking - Well...?
BOBBY
Muscles good?
Bodolino grabs the armrests - energized.
Chin up. Body rises... L-sit... V-Sit --
BOBBY
Vee's off!
Bodolino presses a handstand. Holds it.
BOBBY
(leans in)
Good! I've got something for you...
MONTAGE. BOBBY'S MEMORY FLASHES / PUBLIC FEEDS STREAMS
-- COMMAND CENTER - WALL SCREENS: Lunar colony. Extractors
suck dust. Robots service them.
Server farms orbit the Earth. Vectors trace. Digits fuse -
expand. Schematics link. Nods blink - a digital nervous
system.
OPERATORS sweep objects with laser beams.
BOBBY (V.O.)
I'm stationed in Djibouti.
A 3D map renders a nuclear reactor in a lunar crater.
He points at the transparent LCD in front of him.
Energy grid symbols fill the LCD. ALERT: LOAD REJECTION pops.
BOBBY
Space assets. Security training.
A CYBER ATTACK sign blinks. Dark hooded head. Fingers typing.
BOBBY (V.O.)
Worth watching --
BACK TO SCENE
Bobby's eyes shift. Head turns.
Auntie behind the glass -- tongue out.
Bobby smiles -- shortly.
BOBBY
Cute!
Turns to Bodolino.
BOBBY
I'll be your controller.
BODOLINO
Controlling me about?
PUBLIC FEEDS
-- The WIND SKINS THE DESERT. Scrubs cling between dunes.
-- Oriental conference venue. National flags. Reps in suits
and thobes.
-- Somaliland Emperor shakes hands with Japanese executives.
-- Autonomous haulers crawl beneath towering excavators.
BOBBY (V.O.)
Europe got dumped.
-- Africa's mineral belt spreads across a digital map.
-- A mining site. Excavators scoop -– A RIG STABS THE GROUND.
BOBBY (V.O.)
... India and Japan, the new cash
cows.
BACK TO VERANDA
BODOLINO
(annoyed)
Get to it, man!
BOBBY
We want India out, Japan in.
BODOLINO
I like Geishas!
BOBBY
Nope! Bedouins. U.F.O.
BODOLINO
Flying objects?!
BOBBY
Unlimited Friendship Organization.
Non-profit. Muhla family needs low
frequency sonic defense systems.
Bodolino recoils.
BODOLINO
In the wheelchair.
BOBBY
Bulletproof cover. Small mission,
good recognition -- Ah! Don't
shave!
EXT. SOMALILAND NORTHERN DESERT - MUHLA CAMP - NIGHT
A vortex of sand.
A massive BAG hits the sand. Clutch snaps open.
A stealth DRONE flies into the moon.
Bag's zipper opens.
Bodolino, white linen suit, rolls out in a CRAWLER TRACK
WHEELCHAIR. DUFFLE BAGS and FOLDED BROCHURES strapped tight.
He drives toward a MOBILE CAMP. FOUR AUTONOMOUS MOBILE DESERT
HOMES, a LIVESTOCK TRAILER, a TRUCK, TWO THREE-WHEELER
MOTORBIKES, and scattered GEAR.
Soft Ayyala music. On a rug, KHAN MUHLA (50s) reclines on a
an ornate Moroccan beanbag. OLD MAN puffs a hookah. YUNGUN
(teen) shines a gun. Another man and a kid sweep on
cellphones.
Behind them, an autonomous home. Amenities expanded. Solar
petals deployed.
Two BEARDED YOUNG MEN, fierce-looking, bullet belts across
the chest, smoke by the motorbikes watching the dancing.
AYAH (30s), jingles an electronic tambourine. A teenage and
two little girls dance along.
OLD MUHLA MAN (70s) strums an electric oud. Two old women
clap to the beat.
Dancing stops. Music dies. All look over.
Khan Muhla greets Bodolino -- hand over heart.
KHAN MUHLA
May peace be upon you. Your arrival
brings our hopes to fruition.
BODOLINO
Peace be upon you too!
Yungun offers coffee.
Khan Muhla eyes the wheelchair.
KHAN MUHLA
What a misfortune! A curse from one
who envied you, perhaps?
BODOLINO
The curse of curiosity, rather --
Staccato sound of automatic machine gun from afar. Explosions
alight the dunes.
Bodolino raises his eyebrows.
KHAN MUHLA
Our concerns are the screaming
drones. During the day.
Khan Muhla signals for the dancing to resume.
AYAH's tambourine lights flash. Her pelvis waves. Belly beads
shine.
Her eyes ask for connection.
Bodolino catches that - briefly.
KHAN MUHLA (O.S.)
Enjoy your stay with us. Make it
longer.
BODOLINO
I am honored by your hospitality.
But --
He points at his watch.
BODOLINO
-- my people will pick me up
tomorrow night.
Khan Muhla walks along with Bodolino's rolling. Cross mobile
home tracks.
An Autonomous Mineral Ore Research unit - AMOR - rolls by,
stamping the sand.
KHAN MUHLA
The future has a strong speak on
our present lives.
AMOR stops. An arm with a pike extends. Spins. HUMMM.
Pike STABS the sand. Controls flicker. Data plot graphs.
KHAN MUHLA
We have a contract to map the
Lithium deposits. It is on a small
scale but --
He rubs his fingers.
KHAN MUHLA
(smiling)
-- small is beautiful.
(souring)
-- I wish we can win over our...
brothers.
BODOLINO
You'll need offensive gear. Beyond
defensive.
INT. MUHLA CAMP - MOBILE HOME - NIGHT
Bodolino lies on a mattress covered by a bedsheet. Scrolls on
the phone.
SWISH. The door slides.
Ayah comes in. Closes the door. Poses - hand on hip.
Waits.
Bodolino's glances at her - passes. Returns to scrolling.
She steps over the power cable. Traces the contours of the
wheelchair's backrest - with interest.
Sits cross-legged by the mattress. Leans on the bean bag.
Extends one leg. Flips the bottom of the bedsheet.
Her toe tickles his foot's arch.
AYAH
Feel anything? -- What can you do
with your... legs?
He retracts his feet - slowly. Then the other. Pulls the
bedsheet over them.
Watches her -- blank.
BODOLINO
Everything. Except touch the
ground.
AYAH
Wow! An omen! I can take care of
that -- My name means miracle, and
that's my business!
She pulls from her cleavage a totem. A pyramidal head.
BODOLINO
Uggh! Pyramids!
BLACK T. VIOLET ECTOPLASM.
He turns his head away.
AYAH
Ahh! A Nile situation!
BODOLINO
Amazon.
She dangles the totem - non-plussed.
AYAH
We must be close to the water to
dispel the curse. Look! Your jinnee
must have been touched by the
devil. Mine is pure, I've had it
since childhood.
BODOLINO
So, what's the jinnee's payment
plan?
She looks at the wheelchair.
He looks at her.
BODOLINO
Win-win for you. Getting it either
it works or not.
Checks his watch - done with her.
EXT. MUHLA CAMP - DAY
A mound of sand shifts.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
See? You're invisible. The organic
pigment in the material does it!
Muhla men nod -- doubly.
Next to the mound, a CYLINDER with string and straps. Two
extended duffle bags. Color-coded pockets. Cylinders.
BODOLINO
(holding a cylinder)
The cartridge! Keep it strapped to
your back. It'll blast the sonic
cover out automatically.
The skin of the mound flips open.
Yungun comes out from under.
Forces the cover back into the cylinder.
BODOLINO
Press this button, if it doesn't.
Replace the capsule after --
A yell. Heads turn.
Old Muhla Man runs down from a dune.
OLD MAN
Wadi eayila! Wadis coming!
Bearded Young Men hurry. WRAP UP the duffel bags.
RUN with them toward the mobile homes.
Khan Muhla cusses.
KHAN MUHLA
Men of poetry and... looove!
Old Muhla Man spreads out the marketing brochures.
A BEDOUIN FAMILY approaches riding on THREE CAMELS.
WADI AGA (30s), rides on the first camel. A hooded falcon
clasps his gloved hand. A kid hauls the camel.
On the second, led by an ARMED WADI MAN (20), a shugduf
sways. Drapery opens. A young woman peeks through her niqab.
An old man hauls the third camel. A fat woman, full hijab and
burqa, drowses atop.
They stop. The young woman yanks the drapery closed.
The families exchange greetings.
Khan Muhla introduces Bodolino.
NOTE: All dialogue in Arabic, subtitled.
KHAN MUHLA
We've been blessed to receive
business support from this Italian
man. His products could benefit
from, say, even compete on the
International trade.
Bodolino greets the Wadi family. Nods politely.
Khan Muhla points at the UFO marketing brochures.
Electric milking equipment. Camel milk butter. Soap. Lip
balm.
WADI AGA
May he be the prophet of the
flock's fruition.
BODOLINO
It's also in the hands of the men
worshipping the Holy Books of
Wisdom.
Wadi Aga smiles. Khan Muhla nods.
They exchange furtive glances -- distrustful.
Families bid farewell.
EXT. SOMALIAN NORTHERN DESERT - LATER
Wadi Aga looks back at the mobile camp.
Nose crinkles. Eyebrows harden struck by a wave of revulsion.
WADI AGA
Mobile caravans! -- They forgot the
traditional ways.
He nods at Armed Wadi.
Armed Wadi gets on his phone. Talks... Nods at Wadi Aga.
MONTAGE. EXT - DRONE SONIC ATTACK - DAY
-- Wadi Aga tugs the camel to a fast gait. Family follows.
-- Bodolino holds a square device.
BODOLINO
... token to install the app. We
need to record frequency and power.
The AMOR unit rolls behind his wheelchair. Arm extends.
Controls flicker.
-- Wadi family on the top of a dune. Three DRONES fly over.
-- In the Muhla camp, Armed Muhla spots the drones.
ARMED MUHLA
(in Arabic; subtitled)
Ruuun!
END OF MONTAGE
Three green drones HANG above the camp.
SHOUTS. YELLS. Men WRAP the brochures.
Women clutch kids. Sprint for mobile homes.
Mobile homes' extensions RETRACT. Solar petals FOLD.
A HIGH PITCH pierces the air.
Yungun yanks the cover from the cylinder. Throws it over
himself - runs - stumbles.
Pitch SPIKES.
Bodolino's cylinder POPS. Cover blows out. Shields the
wheelchair.
Muhla laggers CUP HANDS to ears.
AMOR arm TWITCHES -- controls ARC -- SMOKE.
LURCHES forward -- STOPS.
PIKE THROBS. STABS.
INT. UNDER THE COVER - CONTINUOUS
THUD! A jolt. BODOLINO is hurled sideways. Hand grips the
armrest.
RINNGG... swells... fades.
Breathing. Sweat beads.
EXT. MUHLA CAMP - CONTINUOUS
A mound of sand.
Hand pushes OFF the skin-cover.
Blinding sun. He squints.
Stands up - no sound. Cocks his ears. Snaps fingers -
nothing.
Pike JAMMED in the wheelchair crawler's treads.
AMOR - armless.
Wind BLASTS the desert's scrubs.
Sand swirls swallow the vehicles' tracks.
He wrestles AMOR's pike. Resets the wheelchair upright.
Gets a BLACK SUITCASE from the wheelchair's side. Opens it.
A LAPTOP, ELECTRONIC GIZMOS, GOGGLES.
He turns on the laptop. Black screen: NETWORK INTERFACE FAIL.
The phone -- dead. The watch -- dead.
He flips the lid open.
A perpetual-calendar watch. Mechanical. Astronomical-dial.
Hands and dial: 2 20 35... TUESDAY. 3 MARCH. SPRING.
2067.
He repacks. Gets the goggles on.
Rolls on. Follows the tracks.
The pike beats the sand -- ONE PER REV.
EXT. NORTHERN SOMALIAN DESERT - LATER
The top of a dune. He scans around. Nothing but desert.
No tracks.
BODOLINO
(reciting; subtitled)
Alone, alone, I feel at home.
I hide from all, and feeling whole.
At the edge of sight -- shimmering walls and towers.
He squints. Shakes his head.
Fata morgana stays.
EXT. FORTRESS - DAY
The wheelchair stops on COBBLESTONE.
High stone walls. Two-sided gate. Two wrought-iron square
barred doors at the top.
He yells. No sound.
The barred doors look back -- blind.
One of the doors opens. Behind the bars, the head of a nun.
MARIE (60s), devout Christian, black headpiece.
She shoos him away. Slams the door shut.
Bodolino argues at length. Sweats.
- NIGHT
He shivers under the cover.
Falls asleep.
- DAY
He shouts at the gate. Waits.
Pleads. Perspires.
Doors open. Marie's and LUMPA's (20s), black British punk
head, Marianist in the Black Army of Lady Mary Sisterhood,
look out.
Marie says something - at length. Lumpa argues.
Marie shuts the door.
Lumpa stays. Stares at Bodolino through the bars. He
pleads... Loses steam.
- AFTERNOON
Goggles on, Bodolino dozes off.
A water skin bag and a small package drop next to the
wheelchair.
He drinks and eats.
A new round of pleads - energized.
- NIGHT
The moon shines over the desert and fortress. Explosions
light the horizon.
Two DRONES buzz above.
A long building with solar panels. An L-shaped narrow
building. MOONLIGHT and STONE TOWERS. A CHAPEL. FIREPIT.
Broken walls.
An orchard and a courtyard flank the buildings.
The drones hover over the MOUND OF COBBLESTONES.
Fly away.
MONTAGE. BODOLINO'S DREAM - NIGHT
-- Bodolino sleeps under the cover.
-- A gleaming steampunk drone-gramophone blasts hard rock and
roll.
-- His fingers twitch. Strum strings. He wakes up. Drifts
back.
-- An orange light shines though the bars of the gate's
doors.
Gates open. An Angel with a RED-GLOWING-HEART invites him in.
-- A white room bathed in orange sunlight.
THIN, WHITE VOILES WAVE. He sleeps wrapped in white
bedsheets.
Kneeled by the bed, the Angel touches his heart. His heart
awakes to a GLOW.
-- Bodolino beams a beatific - crossed-eyes smile.
Perspiration drops run on his cheeks.
He extends his hand.
END OF MONTAGE
INT. CONVENT - BODOLINO'S ROOM - DAY
A sunburned hand clasps around a black - tattooed hand.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
(somnambulant)
I love you!
LUMPA (O.S.)
I love you too.
Lumpa, black habit, holds Bodolino's hand.
Marie's eyes narrow. Nostrils flare.
Milk drips from the milk-soaked cloth in her hand.
Covered by white sheets, Bodolino sleeps in a narrow, wood
carved bedframe. White balm daub his face.
Lumpa cools his brow with the cloth. Milk trickles on his
cheeks.
He wakes up. Blinks.
Sunrays diffuse through the thin, white voiles.
He sees -- LUMPA.
He bulks. Eyes dart - What... where... who?
Asks something.
LUMPA
We carried you on the stretcher.
The wheelchair is outside. I know
how these things work.
Bodolino points at his ear. Shakes his head.
Lumpa points at a stretcher.
Mimics driving the wheelchair. Points at herself - thumb up.
Sits on the side of the bed.
A large room with white walls. RELIGIOUS POSTERS. An
INTERFAITH CALENDAR - MARCH 2067. Double wood door across the
bed. Solid wood desk in front of an ogive window.
Lumpa rests her hand on his chest.
Bodolino sighs. Closes hie eyes. Covers her hand with his.
LUMPA
(singing softly)
Baby born, Baby burned.
Her hand escapes - inches down to his abdomen.
He flips his eyes wide open.
Lumpa's eyelashes close - slowly. Breathes in - amply.
Marie's eyes freeze. She storms out. BANGS! Shuts the door. .
KLANK! -- Opens the door. A tall woman in WHITE HABIT - in
power pose.
Lumpa RETRACTS her hand. Springs up.
DOMINO (35), the French prioress, advances with a steady
stride. A wimple and headpiece cover all but an austere face.
Lumpa rounds out of her reach.
Domino stops by the bed. Looks down.
Talks with Bodolino. Her HEART FROSTS.
He taps his ear. Berates her.
BODOLINO
(no sound; subtitled)
Two days in the scorching heat!
Where was your heart?
He points at the VIRGIN MARY POSTER.
Mother bestows blessings. Her WARM HEART GLOWS. Multi-ethnic
people adore her - Hallelujah.
BODOLINO
(same)
Look at how Immaculata offers
solace to the unfortunate!
His glance fixes Domino. Loses steam. Hand drops - still
glancing.
Domino holds his gaze.
Switches it at Lumpa. Her head side-jerks - Out!
Bodolino frowns. Lips talk - Bitch!
DOMINO
Ignore our sisters'... confused
undercurrents.
INT. RECEPTION AREA - CONTINUOUS
Domino escorts Lumpa.
Lumpa veers-off toward the wheelchair.
Domino grabs her elbow. Lumpa twists her arm to escape.
LUMPA
He wants it in his room!
Domino holds her - firmly.
DOMINO
Not now, sister! Let's join the
others.
INT. WORKROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chatter. Lumpa and Domino walk in. Chatter stops.
Domino walks to and sits on an ornated high-backed chair.
Assumes an AUTHORITY posture.
Workbenches. An ethnic mixture of SISTERS stop working. Heads
look up at Domino.
The large room with arched windows overlooks an orchard.
Handcrafts. Materials. Tools rack around the walls.
Marie spins yarn on a wheel.
MARIE
He does not belong here.
We have to follow the vow of
chastity.
Domino stands up. Walks along the workbenches.
ZUZU(30s), athletic Swedish blonde, pedals on a WORKOUT BIKE.
ZUZU
I don't care about men. They don't
exist for me.
Lumpa watches her. Focuses on the -- saddle's horn.
She nudges Zuzu over.
LUMPA
I see how this could work. Let me
try it.
She pedals. Wheels spin - faster.
Marie's spinning wheel - stops.
MARIE
He'll have get on his machine and
out! We are all here to heal from
the abuse of men... among other
reasons.
BADIA (30s), Ethiopian Muslim, slides beads onto a long
Muslim subha.
BADIA
The Muslim Sufi law asks us to open
our arms even to the apparent evil.
There should be beauty inside. We
only need to want it discovered.
FACUNDA(40s), fat Mexican, blue habit, weaves raffia into
SANTOS DOLLS.
PIPPI (40s), Italian, freckled face, wraps ELONGATED LEGS
DOLLS in paper.
Domino walks along - FUJI (30s), Japanese, makes origami
crosses - BRIGHID (30s), Irish, weaves Brigid Crosses charms
- BOB (40s), German, counts a stack of macrame - KHIBA (50s),
Jewish, wraps wood candle holders.
DOMINO
Sisters! Let's face our sins!
Repent! To heal ourselves... Let's
also show mercy to others.
Lumpa pedals harder.
LUMPA
Oh, yeeah! Yeaaah, yeaaah.
Eyes sparkle. Body EXUDES.
Domino sees her. Frowns.
DOMINO
That's how we could fulfill the
larger scope of our mission. To
bring relief to the world.
(to Marie)
We should give him temporary
shelter.
Marie's fingers tremble. Wheel spins - fast.
MARIE
Let's vote!
Lumpa hums a song. Pedals - slowly.
LUMPA
Let's bike, not vote!
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - DAY
Bodolino wakes up. Less ointment on sunburns. Skin peeling
off.
He rings the bell - muffled clings. He flicks his fingers -
muffled snap.
Domino, hair tied up in a conch - pretty face - and Marie
come in.
Domino carries a tray with food and -- a glass of milky
whitish beverage.
BODOLINO
Oh, it's you...
DOMINO
Who did you expect?
Marie sets the white linen suit and a pile of artisanal
clothes on the wheelchair.
BODOLINO
(to Domino)
Can you sing?
DOMINO
O, la, la! You're thinking about
the one with animal instincts.
BODOLINO
Can't hear you well. Louder please!
DOMINO
(louder)
Animal instincts! I won't leave you
and Lumpa alone in the same room.
BODOLINO
You safer?
Marie stares at them. Raises an eyebrow -- RIPS the
calendar's page - MARCH 2067. Storms out.
Domino DROPS the tray on the chair. Glass wobbles -- WHITE
CONTENT SPILLS.
Bodolino points at it - What's that?
DOMINO
CHOUD D'OEUF!
BODOLINO
(bad accent)
Parle Franse?
DOMINO
French Milkshake! Honey and egg.
For recovery --
(blunt)
Listen! The sisters want you out.
Back to wherever you came from.
She looks at his legs.
DOMINO
What happened?
BODOLINO
I'll keep that to myself. Time
being.
DOMINO
You're hiding something. Hiding for
self-preservation is an animal
instinct. A hermit withdraws --
Bodolino rolls his eyes - Ugh!
She nods at the food tray -- sharply.
Leaves muttering.
DOMINO
Man behavior!
Slams the door. BANG!
BODOLINO
(at the door)
Nut hard to crack!
A familiar synthetic "Loser" rock riff. He smirks - subtly.
He opens his watch. Looks at it.
BODOLINO
(to himself)
It may take time.
He takes the watch off. Puts it in the suitcase.
INT. RECEPTION AREA - DAY
A stone-walled area. Two arcades ahead. One open. The other
wrought-iron ornamented.
Bodolino rolls out from his room. Wears handloom shorts and
shirt.
A freight door and stacks of WHITE BOXES to the left.
He digs into a box stenciled "Abbaye de Sisterhood Wines."
Checks a few bottles.
Picks a "2055 Grenache Abbaye de Sisterhood." Bags it into
the wheelchair's side bag.
He rolls through the open door on the right.
EXT. CONVENT - CONTINUOUS
A chapel in front. A firepit to the right.
He rolls to the left.
A vegetable garden. Chickens flap and scatter. Geese stretch
their necks. Sheep keep grazing.
He bumps into a crumbled wall. Head jerks up.
The stone tower's SMOOTH, ROUNDED OFF TOP.
He rolls by the Moonlight Tower. A metal structure. Stairs up
to a spherical, broken glass structure.
He rolls around the corner...
EXT. ORCHARD ALLEY
... and between the orchard and main building.
Toes flex in the doorframe of a room. Legs stretch.
Pippi, carpenter belt over the habit, comes out trying on a
pair of WOODEN CLOGS.
She waves Bodolino over.
INT. PIPPI'S WOODSHOP - CONTINUOUS
Curling wood shavings litter the floor.
Marionettes and religious carvings cram the shelves. Tools
hang above stacked wood blocks.
A pair of LONG POLES at the back.
Pippi gets a marionette. Plays a ventriloquist.
MARIONETTE
(in Italian; subtitled)
Do you want to learn Italian with
me?
BODOLINO
Buongiornissimo! Come butta?
Pippi laughs.
MARIONETTE
Molto bene! Ci si becca!
Bodolino gives both a thumb-up.
EXT. ORCHARD ALLEY- CONTINUOUS
He rolls by the elevator's grill gate.
Elevator comes down. Grill opens.
He stops.
Domino and Bob get out.
Marie stays in. Watches over. Hands on a cart loaded with
white boxes.
Domino shakes off hay straws from her dress. Removes her
scarf. Sweeps it over her perspired face.
DOMINO
(to Bodolino)
Voila! The hermit came out of the
hiding.
BODOLINO
I was looking for your sense of
humor. Could not find it.
DOMINO
Here it is. Tonic!
BODOLINO
Tonic goes well with the good
vibrations beamed by other nuns.
Domino stiffens. A fleeting vision -- Lumpa in Bodolino's
room.
DOMINO
Sisters! Sisters of our sisterhood.
She touches his forehead - with a finger.
DOMINO
Fever's gone!
(to Marie)
Marie, when is the truck due?
MARIE
(stern)
Friday. God willing!
She SLAMS the grill closed. Elevator descends.
DOMINO
(to Bodolino)
There! It'll take you to Djibouti.
BODOLINO
Ah, Djibouti! An enjoyable ethnic
diversity. Italians, Japanese,
Russians... Forgot to mention the
"O' LA, LA" people.
Domino rakes fingers through her hair - doesn't laugh.
DOMINO
May God guide your walk in
silliness!
She bites her lip. A flicker of regret.
He stiffens.
The VIOLET ECTOPLASM raises his body.
Electric motors whir. Wheels graze on cobblestone.
The wheelchair swings past Domino.
BODOLINO
I believe in superpowers that show
up.
Bob crosses herself.
EXT. GATE ALLEY - DAY
Bodolino glances at the gate... Calms down.
A thick bar locks the gate across. A narrow, broken wooden
bridge juts below the two barred doors.
A side stone stair leads to the bridge. Two high stilts lean
on it.
He cocks his head - Eureka!
He leans on the stairs' edge. Jumps from the wheelchair.
Hand over hand, he hauls himself up.
A jump-turn lands him on his butt.
He straps the stilts under his knees.
Lowers them - slowly - stop.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
Feet above... or die.
The stilts touch the ground.
He waits...
Gets up. Wobbles... steadies.
He parades down the alley -- Duchenne smile.
The sisters look at him. Suck air -- hands to mouths.
Fugi applauds. Pippi laughs. Zuzu nods.
Marie walks away.
Domino's mouth -- hangs open.
Lumpa looks up at Baudolino. Emotions hit - Eyes shine.
A glorious halo wraps Bodolino.
She rushes along him. Points at the hay storage. Runs back to
the wheelchair.
Bodolino falls back onto the haystack. Rests.
INT. CRAFTS STORAGE - SAME TIME
Lumpa rolls the wheelchair out of the elevator. Stops.
Stretches. Touches the elevator's LOCK - red light.
She rolls through. Narrow windows. Cracked plaster. Faded
frescoes.
Shelves stacked with boxes. Wool. Fabrics. GLASS JARS.
INT. HAY STORAGE - CONTINUOUS
She stops behind Bodolino.
Kneels. Nostrils flare - He's mine!
Crawls around.
Sits on his quads.
LUMPA
Baby healed, Baby hot.
Unbuttons her blouse. Breasts poke through the undershirt.
BODOLINO
Got milkshake?
Geoglyphs crawl across the undershirt.
LUMPA
Lumpa's Choddo! And mine is better
than Olala's.
She stretches backward. Unstraps his stilts.
EXT. ORCHARD ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Stilts clatter on the cobblestone.
Domino DODGES one.
Looks up -- JAW TIGHTENS.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - LATER
A perfect handstand on the wheelchair's hand rests.
Domino opens the door. Freezes.
Eyes BULK.
Bodolino in briefs. TAUT PECS. ABS.
She backs out. Door SLAMS.
Bodolino finishes the routine.
Wraps himself in a blanket.
POSES LIKE ROYALTY.
The door.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
Just come in. No need to knock.
Think of me as a sister.
Domino enters. Head up - brave.
DOMINO
What do I tell my sisters? Hahh!
Walking on stilts... s-strapped in
the wheelchair!
Loud HEARTBEAT - words don't come.
DOMINO
(stuttering)
F-fu... flirting with
Lumpa!?
She paces the room. Whips her hair.
Bodolino watches - Pretty and wild suits him well.
She stands still. Clears her throat.
DOMINO
It's a devilish mystery! What
happened with your... lower
quarters!
He points at his head.
BODOLINO
Higher quarters curiosity.
She prompts him with her hand - OK. More!
BODOLINO
It's a secret. Comes with an omen
for you!... Something like --
DOMINO
Stop it! I can anticipate your
sinful, prevailing animal instincts
-- WOLF!
Bodolino resigns - in good humor. Points at the UFO marketing
brochures.
BODOLINO
I was cursed by a curandera. On a
business trip.
DOMINO
What business? Curandera in Africa?
Bodolino puffs - caught off guard.
DOMINO
What did you do to her!?
BODOLINO
Ugh! Again! Animal instincts! I
said I was curious... This Pyramid
Head in the Amazon jungle...
actually a sha-woman --
Domino gags. Suppresses a laugh.
DOMINO
Pyramid Head!
Bursts into a hearty one.
DOMINO
That's it! Brain damage! I'll tell
my sisters there's nothing wrong
with your legs. Just a nut case!
She walks away. Stops at the door.
DOMINO
(composed)
We have sisters like that here.
They'll vote to give you a break.
INT. HAY STORAGE - DAY
The wheelchair. A pile of hay at the edge of the platform.
Outside, Bodolino, Lumpa and Pippi pick apples...
EXT. ORCHARD ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
On high stilts. Apples in tots.
Domino walks by.
Bodolino looks down. Throws an apple.
BODOLINO
Catch!
She catches it on the fly.
BODOLINO
Could it be that Adam gave the
apple to Eve?
Domino tosses up the apple. Eyes flick up.
IN SLOW MOTION: Apple rises. Blazing sun.
She blinks -- Eyes freeze.
Two drones overhead.
DOMINO (O.S.)
(yelling)
Coveeer!
Her apple smashes on ground.
Sisters run.
Other apples fall - roll on ground.
PIPI
Vacca Puttana!
A HIGH PITCH. Lumpa and Pippi plunge into the hay storage.
Wheelchair's cylinder pops. Cover lands on them.
Bodolino aims the gun.
Laser beam dots a drone. Three pops.
Pitch stops. Drones crash.
A GREEN DOME rolls to rest between apples.
Sisters heads stick out from windows.
Domino inches out - between the stilts straddling the
doorway.
She looks up.
Bodolino towers over her. Sun blazes behind his head - holy
halo.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - NIGHT
Bodolino hunches over the desk. Window Open. The firepit
smolders orange-red.
A knock on the door.
BODOLINO
Yes!
Domino comes in - happy - lively.
Stops. Eyes open - wide.
DOMINO
Wow! What's this?...
Open suitcase. Electronic gizmos. SOLDERING KIT. Wires
between the green dome and laptop's circuit boards.
BODOLINO
What do you see?
DOMINO
A complex business profile! Guns,
electronics, UFOs, jungles, deserts
--
BODOLINO
Makes you curious, right?
DOMINO
(pleasant)
Not at all! I came to thank you for
your... performance. The sisters
are grateful.
Bodolino's eyes lingers on her liveliness.
DOMINO
But they... I am also concerned
about the troubles ahead.
Bodolino raises his eyebrows - Troubles!
Domino's gaze flicks. Heart ambers. Nods - Yes!
The reality lands -- frosty.
BODOLINO
... The truck, then?
Domino's amber heart dims.
DOMINO
We're waiting for a message.
Bodolino looks at the suitcase. The watch.
BODOLINO
There's still time to trade
secrets. Omens.
DOMINO
Not interested. Not expecting much
from --
BODOLINO
(mischievous)
Pecker? It's a good story. You
should!
Domino freezes. Tears well in her eyes.
Bodolino resumes soldering.
Shakes his head - She's no fun!
A smooth plume of smoke lifts from the dome.
BANG! Slams the door.
The plume shears - Bodolino twitches.
A plastic FRESNEL lens magnifies MADE IN USA chip.
Cot-covered fingertips pluck it.
Bodolino solders the chip onto the laptop's circuit board.
He turns the laptop around. Taps schematics and icons. Types
CONNECT.
Screen flickers.
ADAPT FREQUENCY FAIL... ITERATIONS IN PROGRESS: FREQUENCY
MATCH 59%... 73%... 82%... CONNECTION FAILED.
He slouches...
Memory flashes invade. Chaud d'oeuf spilling. Picking apples.
Doors slamming. Bang! Bang!
The firepit smolders. He watches it.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
What am I doing here? How long?
Orange-red smolder swells -- RED-WHIRLING FLAMES devour the
VIOLET ECTOPLASM.
Reimagined "Totem" (Wu) detonates. He gets the watch from the
suitcase.
BODOLINO
Burn fire with fire!
He wraps the watch on his wrist.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - MORNING
Muffled noise of tanks rumbling. Staccato gunfire. Convent's
bells RING.
Bodolino jolts awake.
EXT. CONVENT GATE INSIDE/OUTSIDE - MORNING
INSIDE
Bodolino speeds up toward the gate. Noise of bullets hitting
the gate.
He stops at the gate's stairs.
ATTACKER #1 (O.S.)
(in Arabic; harsh;
subtitled)
Open the gate!
Bodolino hand-climbs the stairs. Gun belt strapped across his
bare chest. Baseball hat on.
He fits the stilts on. Salvo of bullets rattles.
BODOLINO
(in Arabic; subtitled)
May Almighty grant you patience.
NOTE: All dialogue in Arabic, subtitled, unless otherwise
noted.
He inches his head over the gate.
THREE ARMED MEN, clothes slick with crude oil, waver --
CHEWING.
BODOLINO
May Almighty also grant you clean
clothes.
Lumpa sidles on the narrow board. Sneaks out. Keeps her head
hidden.
ATTACKER #1 (O.S.)
Foreigner! How dare you speak the
tongue of great Allah?
Bodolino lowers his head.
BODOLINO
(in English; to Lumpa)
They look like oilmen to me, not
terrorists.
LUMPA
(in English)
SoHo soldiers. Somali Holy Spirit.
Pure souls. Believe that oil
protects them from bullets.
ATTACKER #2 (O.S.)
Open the gate!
Spray of bullets rattles the gate.
BODOLINO
(In English; to Lumpa)
Why so unsteady? Drunk?
LUMPA
Qat chewing.
OUTSIDE
ATTACKER #1(30s), burly, short, ATTACKER #2(teen), slim, tall
raise their rifles. Swat flies.
ATTACKER #3(20s), handsome, baseball cap, squints at --
Lumpa's barely visible profile.
Bodolino head sticks above the gate.
BODOLINO
Why not work the oilfields? There's
more moolah in oil than bullets.
ATTACKER #1
Joking shows foolishness and
arrogance, American man. I see by
the hat you wear.
ATTACKER #3 whips off his baseball hat. Hides it in the back
pocket of his jeans.
BODOLINO
You seem to be an intelligent man.
Are you the leader?
The exchange glances... Raise hands... Lower them.
BODOLINO
I know that your consorts do not
like your chewing qat. And believe
me... the sisters in here are more
ferocious than your wives.
They asked me to tell you that it
was good for you to come, but
better yet if you didn't.
The attackers argue. Attacker #3 signals giving up.
INSIDE
BODOLINO
(to attackers)
So now I'm asking you, how can I
help you go away? By making you
laugh or cry?
Lumpa watches Attacker #3 through the bars.
ATTACKER #1
Our Prophet says, do not laugh, for
laughing too much deadens the soul.
Bodolino laughs.
BODOLINO
Laughter is my secret weapon. It
enlightens me!
He pulls the gun from the holster. Lumpa tries to stop him.
OUTSIDE
POW! POW! over Bodolino's laughter.
Bullets churn the sand at the attackers' feet.
Attackers #1 and #2 break rank -- SPRINT toward the truck.
Attacker #3 lags - cocks his head - keeps a sheepish face
toward the door.
The truck revs. Chokes. Takes off.
Attacker # 3 catches up. Gets in.
Bullets kick the sand behind the running car.
INSIDE
Fingers clasp on the door's grid.
Lumpa watches the truck shrinking away.
EXT. ORCHARD ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
The sisters rush out from their rooms.
Bodolino strides toward them.
SISTERS
Wunderbar! Subarashi! Meraviglioso!
He stops in front of Domino.
BODOLINO
Voila!
Domino looks up. Claps once - once more.
DOMINO
Fearless, hah?
Lumpa stands still on the gate's bridge. Watches them.
EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT
New moon. The Moonlight Tower reflector shuts off.
Sisters throw incense in the fire. Embers flare. Sacred smoke
snakes.
Feet tread into the firelight. Bare. Raffia-woven sandals.
Clogs. High heels.
Lumpa crosses hands on her belly. She quivers. Stills.
Falls into a trance.
LUMPA
(singing)
Madonna, Oh, Black Madonna,
Where is my place in this world?!
Tears stream down her glowing cheeks.
LUMPA'S TRANCE
A gentle halo above BLACK MADONNA's head.
Wrapped in a dark blue mantle, she holds a BLACK BABY GIRL in
her arms.
The baby cries, her curly hair tied in a conch with a pink
bow.
A tear runs from the inner corner of Black Madonna's eye.
She comforts the baby.
A gray, windy winter landscape. Cohorts of disheartened
people drag their feet on the path to nowhere.
BLACK MADONNA
(Lumpa's voice; soothing)
Blessed are you who weep now, for
you shall laugh!
Her heart GLOWS red. She embraces the baby.
The baby stops crying.
BLACK MADONNA
(lullaby)
Spring is coming, mark my word,
Tears dry and sadness die.
A New Baby, a New World,
Laughter's sun will rise up high.
The winter landscape thaws to spring.
Meadow explodes in blossoms. People rejoice. Laugh. Dance.
The baby giggles. Claps fatty fingers.
END OF TRANCE
Lumpa opens her eyes. Bursts out laughing.
She steps up on the firepit's ledge. Disrobe. Throws her
habit in the flames.
Opens her arms. Arabic letters tattooed on her pregnant
belly. Bra - garters - g-string - high heels.
Domino lunges to save the habit. Collides with Marie, who --
gets it first.
Marie rushes to cover Lumpa.
Lumpa invokes the heavens.
LUMPA
(forceful)
Why must I cry first? I'm young and
beautiful!
Sisters stun. Hands to mouths. Look at each other.
LUMPA
The Black Madonna sang to me...
about the baby born to end the
doom... to bring happiness! Her
song foretells the spring... We
need LAUGHTER!
She LAUGHS harder.
Sisters join in. Raise arms towards the Heavens.
SISTERS
Laughter is Light! Laughter!
Light!
Domino's eyes open - wide - still.
EXT. ORCHARD'S PLAYGROUND - DAY
Sunny day. Shouts of effort and encouragement. Feet leap.
Skirts swish.
On the sandy patch near the orchard, Zuzu and Bob play
volleyball against Brighid and Facunda. Habits on, headpieces
off.
Zuzu's habit tied above her knees - plays well.
Facunda misses an overhead pass.
Domino watches the game.
Bodolino gaze lingers over her - pretty profile.
BODOLINO
Nice... and quiet day! Like the
war's over!
She catches his long stare. Holds it.
DOMINO
Too quiet for you? No drones to
shoot at. No excitement?
BODOLINO
Bah! Had excitement last night.
Didn't know your sisters could
laugh.
Her eyes shift. Head turns - slowly.
DOMINO
Did you --
BODOLINO
Yep! Couldn't take my eyes --
DOMINO
(sharp)
I'll straighten that up with her.
Facunda gives up playing. Nods at Domino.
Domino lifts up the habit. Fingers fiddle the ties around her
-- athletic legs. Throws the sandals off.
Bodolino gaze locks on. Eyebrows flash.
Domino strides to the court.
Bends her knees. Clasps hands. Extends arm. Follows the
volleys.
Brighid jumps. Returns.
A pass arches above the net. A hand spikes it.
IN SLOW MOTION: Domino slams the ball, like a pro.
Lands sporty.
Bodolino exhales - Damn!
- LATER
Domino walks - sandals in hand.
Bodolino trails her moves.
BODOLINO
I played volleyball... once, in a
camp --
She stops. Just looks at him - What?
BODOLINO
Never mind -- Actually, there's
something... Err... Let me show
you.
He rolls ahead. Stops.
Looks back - You coming?
She hesitates. Settles - OK.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - LATER
Bodolino points at the electronics on the desk.
BODOLINO
Couldn't make this work. I need to
communicate with my people.
Domino reclines on the doorframe. Looks at her sandals.
DOMINO
The driver arrives tomorrow. He has
a phone.
Bodolino shakes his head - No way!
She raises her shoulders. Turns to leave. Looks back.
DOMINO
Fine. Follow me.
INT. DOMINO'S ROOM - EVENING
Domino points at a wall-mounted monitor.
DOMINO
Go ahead.
He briefly looks at it. Then back at her.
She walks toward the sculpted bedpost of a large canopy bed.
Rests her hand on.
He rubs his beard.
BODOLINO
Unexpected secrets.
She feigns a smile.
Walks along photos on the wall. A chic woman with an Oriental
men. A nun. The fortress at better times.
DOMINO
My mother sent me to L'Institut
Catholique. Then, she left Paris...
My father owned this place.
Points at the poster - on the opposite wall.
DAT ROSA MEL APIBUS. A red rose. Bees. Thorny stem. Cross
twig.
Bodolino studies it. Nods - interested.
DOMINO
Got a Rosicrucian Grant in San
Diego... Played beach volleyball.
Bodolino listens - curious.
DOMINO
Had a bad experience with a
Master preaching exalted states to
... experience God.
BODOLINO
How was it?
She looks at him. Cold stare...
Sits on the wooden bench.
Rests her hand on a stack of newspapers. Monarch photo - THE
EMPEROR FIRES CONSORTIUM title.
DOMINO
The Emperor gave me the concession
of this place. To start the
convent.
Bodolino glances at the poster - again.
BODOLINO
Sisters like bees. And you, the
rose!
He feigns inhaling. Smiles - cheesy.
Domino sneers.
DOMINO
(dismissive)
Your stupid CHEESY SMILES! That's
why, WE FRENCH DON'T LIKE YOUR
KIND!
BODOLINO
Oh là là"! But I have to tell --
She thrust her hand up. A hair strand rebels.
DOMINO
(antsy)
Not interested! -- Don't you see?
Your advances are not welcome!
Adjusts the strand - calmly.
DOMINO
You needed to communicate.
Walks to the monitor.
UNIVERSALIST SISTERHOOD-UNISIS CONVENT website opens: Mission
statement - convent grounds - sisters in prayer - handcrafts.
A text scrolls "Routes dégagées, arrivée matinale."
DOMINO
The roads are clear. The truck
arrives tomorrow morning.
(at monitor)
Guest override. Permission to use.
She walks to the window.
BODOLINO
Fetch Unlimited Friendship
Organization.
A gray display. 404 - PAGE NOT FOUND. THE WEBSITE WAS MOVED
OR DOES NOT EXIST.
Bodolino huffs.
She's locked by the window.
He opens an Incognito Window - Dark screen.
Text ads to the URL bar "Unlimited Friendship Organization."
Jagged text: YOU ARE CURRENTLY BEING MONITORED. Countdown
ticks 00:14:52. PAY DECRYPTION --
Click.
BODOLINO
Darn!
DOMINO
What happens?
She joins him. Bodolino points at the 404 - PAGE NOT FOUND.
BODOLINO
Something's amiss!
DOMINO
You cannot leave... then!?
Bodolino looks at her - long.
BODOLINO
I have to try again. Later. Thanks
for your... computer.
He rolls away.
Opens the door. Closes it.
Domino glances at THE DOOR.
Her memory flashes: Bodolino in handstand - taut pecs - abs -
sun blazing behind his head.
She walks to the window - slowly.
Looks out. Eyes lock.
The smooth, rounded top of the tower under the moonlight.
HEARTBEATS. Lips part.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - MORNING
Bodolino's lips mold a kiss - dreaming.
A knock on the door. He sucks in the kiss.
Louder knock. He wakes up.
BODOLINO
Yes?
Reclines on the bed rest.
Domino comes in. Dresses her voice.
DOMINO
The sisters say that you're a good
man. After all! And that... you
could stay here as long as you
want.
BODOLINO
Your sisters want me for
themselves, not for my sake. And
you? What do you say?
Domino paces the room with a smooth gait.
DOMINO
(soft)
There is a roadblock... I mean on
the driver's way. Temporarily.
We'll have to wait -- And you? What
do you want?
Bodolino watches her. Takes her in.
She SEES IT. Nudges her head up.
BODOLINO
I wish I could smell the rose.
She shakes her head. Leaves. Closes the door.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - AFTERNOON
The soft afternoon sunlight filters through the waving
voiles.
Bodolino meditates. White linen suit on. Pamphlets packed.
The calendar, MAY 2067.
Domino opens the door. Retreats. Closes it.
A knock on the door. Bodolino comes out of it.
BODOLINO
Yes.
Domino comes in. Sits on the bed. Clasps her hands. Rests
them on her lap.
DOMINO
(soft)
I see that you are ready to go. The
roads are dangerous! It looks like
something... drives you. A monkey
on your shoulder?
He squints. Eyes shift down to - memory shadows.
Black T - fades away. Violet Ectoplasm - dissipates.
Eyelids flip up. Eyes clear - steady.
He opens the watch. Looks at it - at her...
BODOLINO
You didn't seem interested.
Besides, what could you do about
it?
Domino covers his watch with her palm.
They look at each other - eye to eye.
DOMINO
(warmly)
TELL ME --
Marie bursts into the room - breathing hard.
MARIE
Lumpa ran away!
EXT. GATE ALLEY - SUNSET
Marie and Domino walk by stacks of boxes and merchandise.
Fugi joins them.
DOMINO
(to Marie)
More trouble! You shouldn't have
brought her in.
MARIE
You liked her being a Marianist.
Her Black Army of Lady Mary
sisterhood.
FUGI
I saw her at noon.
Gate's sides ajar. Locking bar on ground.
BEEP. Fugi opens the gate. A TRUCK backs in. BEEP.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - SAME TIME
Faint beep. Domino waits in the door frame...
DOMINO
Truck's here.
BODOLINO
She was in cahoots with one of the
attackers.
Domino - What are you talking about?
BODOLINO
Lumpa! She knew the attackers. The
young one.
DOMINO
I see your interest.
He averts her stare. Rolls by.
BODOLINO
Not in my range -- Anyway, thank
you for your hospitality!
EXT. GATE ALLEY - SUNSET
The sisters offload pallets with grapes from the truck's
ramp.
Marie pushes a cart with the white, stenciled boxes.
Bodolino rolls by Marie. She looks away.
Sisters watch Bodolino.
He waits by the truck's ramp.
Domino talks with the DRIVER (50s), bearded man.
She gets a stack of newspapers and envelopes from him. Nudges
toward Bodolino.
She joins Bodolino. Looks down at him.
He looks away. Rolls up the truck's ramp.
Pippi waves.
Marie raises a hand - hesitating.
DOMINO
(to Marie; thoughtful)
Men are humane as well, you know?
This one, fearless... and fearful!
The track's ramp retracts...
DOMINO (O.S.)
HOLD ON RIGHT THERE!
The driver sticks his head through the window. Opens his
mouth - teeth missing.
Domino takes a deep breath. Exhales.
DOMINO
TELL ME! I'm interested!
INT. BODOLINO ROOM - NIGHT
The moon at the Waning Gibbous. Ember smolders in the
firepit.
Domino shakes her head - in disbelief.
BODOLINO
So, Pecker touched me and dropped
dead!
Domino acts up - dumb face.
DOMINO
Something's wrong with your pecker!
Bodolino gags a laugh.
Domino bites her lip - kills a laugh.
DOMINO
Look! Pecker died BECAUSE he was
afraid. BY THE POWER OF GOD, YOU
WERE MADE TO WALK ON GROUND!
BODOLINO
I see how satisfying your curiosity
fans your flames. Anything else
that triggers them?
Her fingers comb his beard.
Eyes search for an answer in -- his crossed eyes.
DOMINO
You came back just for that, then.
BO?... Tell me, 'cause I can't see
in your soul through your crossed
eyes.
She straightens up.
BODOLINO
(soft)
Actually --
She walks away without looking back.
The door closes.
BODOLINO
(at the door; friendly)
DO! Take one eye at a time!
INT. CHAPEL - LATER
Soft light. Facunda lights up candles along sacred religious
icons. Christian. Muslim. Jewish. Buddhist. Shadows shift.
Domino kneels on a clump of hay. A MARIANIST TRINITY PAINTING
on the wall.
She rolls a Rosicrucian rosary. Stops. Brings them to her
chest.
Looks up.
Candles' orange light blooms -- shadows die.
DOMINO'S PRAYER
The Holy Spirit radiance deepens.
Father God extends his hand. Finger points at Son Jesus.
Son presents Mother Mary with -- an open hand.
Cherubs play. The Olive Branch reigns over the sacred
symbols.
DOMINO (V.O.)
Mother of God, forgive me for
listening to men's blasphemies.
Cleanse my mind, heart, and body
from lust.
Mother extends her arm. Touches her shoulder - forgiving.
Domino crosses herself. A gentle GLOW lights her heart.
DOMINO
Father, plant your light in our
hearts so fear gives way to
mercy... and faith no longer
divides us.
A cherub waves the Olive Branch.
Mother and Son invoke Father. He OPENS HIS ARMS.
The Holy Spirit radiates -- blindingly.
INT. WORKROOM - DAY
MARIE
If we get to like him more, he'll
break our hearts when he feels like
going away.
The sisters chat. Work. Zuzu practice yoga.
BADIA
He was good to us. That proves that
the light of beauty could shine in
the darkness of the ugly.
ZUZU
He's not ugly. Only his mid is f*
up.
Domino reclines on the door frame. Eyes serene.
PIPI (O.S.)
I'm making him short stilts.
FACUNDA (O.S.)
We should dispel the omen.
Domino turns her head at Facunda.
Marie crosses herself.
MARIE
Enough with Lumpa's blasphemy! And
our evil laughter! You want to
bring yet another devil to the
house of God?
ZUZU
Laughing felt good! What's wrong
with ending the doom? People should
learn about her prophesy.
Domino's eyes -- flicker of light.
DOMINO
Marie is right. Let us concentrate
on our... mission.
INT. DOMINO'S ROOM - NIGHT
Domino stands by the bedpost. Hugs herself -- gaze fixed.
Bodolino sweeps on the keyboard.
ON DISPLAY
Communication apps. Receiver and Sender - live.
Bobby's face warps in Receiver.
BODOLINO (O.S.)
Looking good as usual.
BOBBY (O.S.)
(filtered)
Dhraagh goh warrrs baoue,
drajbourrrrteee Deerhtageres
fsahrrr --
BACK TO SCENE
BODOLINO
Turn on text and voice, both ways.
TEXT threads: ... both ways.
Bobby's face clears - lags.
BODOLINO
Sorry about the no-show.
BOBBY
(digital; no inflections)
Better like this. Russians bought
the land. We had to vacate the
Center. The Bedouins are happy.
Delivery successful. Where are you
now.
TEXT threads: ... you now?
BODOLINO
At a convent. The good sister
changed her mind. Thorns fell!
BOBBY
You talking gobbledygook. Brain
deserted you in the desert. Head
stuck under her habit.
BODOLINO
(at poster)
No! It's honey's benefits to
reaching altered states.
The petals of the rose open. Bees suckle.
Domino mimics distaste - arms akimbo.
He fakes an toothy smile. Resumes communication.
BODOLINO
Where are you now?
BOBBY
Aunty. Bouncy.
BODOLINO
What? Wait... What are you doing
there?
DOMINO
Bouncy?
BOBBY
Could not escape temptation.
Gorgeous woman.
Domino protests - OMG! Another one!
BODOLINO
Have to go now. I'll ping you
later.
He guts the communication.
Faces Domino.
BODOLINO
Aunty-Bouncy? Wanna keep on trading
secrets? Omens?
DOMINO
If it doesn't cost too much.
She walks toward the bed.
Lies down. Stretches -- alluring.
He rolls. Bounces on the bed -- WIDE GRIN.
DOMINO
(flirtish)
Not now. I'm tired. Tomorrow
night... under the full moon.
EXT. CONVENT - NIGHT
A full, yellow moon. A couple of clouds. Artillery flashes
beyond the dunes.
The moonlight washes over the stone tower, Moonlight Tower,
Chapel's two domes, and firepit.
Domino sits on the firepit's edge. Bodolino -- SHAVED.
DOMINO
... but I want to ask you about
Lumpa --
BODOLINO
Oh, not again! I didn't --
DOMINO
Wait! Lumpa's vision. The Black
Madonna prophesy.
She slightly raises her head - eyes visionary.
DOMINO
The New Baby promising a New Word
full of laughter. Don't you see?
Universal Consciousness! Harmony!
BODOLINO
I've heard those, somewhere.
She rests her palm on his leg. Squeezes it.
DOMINO
See? It must be true! The end of
the doom!
He looks at her hand.
BODOLINO
Between us?
She stands. Invites him to follow.
His glance - lingers on her. Shifts to the chapel's TWO DOMES
- a boobsy teaser.
INT. RECEPTION AREA - NIGHT
She calls the elevator. Glances back.
He chin-points at the stack of the white boxes.
She digs. Goes get a bottle.
INT. CRAFT STORAGE - CONTINUOUS
They exit the elevator.
Go toward the hay storage.
INT. HAY STORAGE - CONTINUOUS
Past the haystack.
He grabs her hand. Nods towards the haystack.
She freezes. Eyes see -- stilts clatter on cobblestones.
Shakes her head. Walks to the tower's stairs.
EXT. METAL STAIR
She steps up two treads. Waits.
He bumps on the stairwell sides. Too narrow.
Looks at her - What now?
DOMINO
What about your... Cirque du Monde
acrobatics!
He concedes - Right!
Flips upside down from the wheelchair.
Hand walks toward the stairs. Climbs up. One thread, one hand
at a time.
Domino supports his legs.
EXT. TOWER STRUCTURE
They climb up. Metal beams and struts. The moon highlights
their silhouettes.
INT. TOWER CUPOLA
Darkness. Domino backsteps on the floor - supporting his
feet.
They stop.
NUEVO TANGO
DOMINO
We'll have to turn around.
She baby steps around him -- holding his feet.
DOMINO
Now. There is a platform right
behind you. Back off until you feel
it.
BODOLINO
Platform? The haystack was better!
Her foot steps - forward. The habit's bottom skirt - fluffs.
Bodolino's head behind the skirt. His hand steps - backward.
One more leg step. Hand follows in sync -- In line tango.
BODOLINO
Nuevo Tango!
DOMINO (V.O.)
Let yourself lie down on your back.
Slowly.
Bodolino's body flips.
His head swings under Domino's habit.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
Promising landscape!
She yanks the skirt off his face.
DOMINO
Dirty mind.
DISPEL SETUP
Bodolino lies on a platform. Square photoelectric plates.
Thick cables on the floor. Control panels on the walls.
DANGER - WARNING - HIGH VOLTAGE hazard signs.
Above, a spherical glass structure. Fresnel lenses - some
broken.
The clouds clear the moon.
The moonlight refracts. Concentric cercles interfere.
A focal spot converges on Bodolino's brow.
Facunda and Badia emerge from the darkness.
BODOLINO
(agitated)
What's this now?
Domino shushes him - gently. Sweeps his front with a rug.
He inhales. Chokes.
BODOLINO
First RAPÉ! Now RAPE?
He slumps.
BODOLINO
(passing out)
OK by me!
Domino nods at the sisters.
FIRST EGG
Facunda cracks an egg. Drops it a jar with water.
The round, clear yolk floats in the egg white.
She walks with it along Bodolino's body.
The jar stops above his head. Yolk spikes. White egg webs.
Facunda nods - It's the brain!
She spills the jar's water on the floor.
Control panels -- SPARK. Badia and Domino -- jolt. Cross
themselves.
Smoke plumes.
WOODOO DOLL
Badia places a voodoo doll between Bodolino's legs.
BADIA
Papa Legba, gatekeeper of the
destiny's doors to spaces and times
on earth. Undo the spell that wants
this man to walk above the ground.
She sticks needles in the doll's legs.
BADIA
Open the door to a clean room in
his head. Let him keep his wit and
share the secret prophesy to the
world.
SECOND EGG
Yolk and white egg fall into the jar's liquid.
Facunda holds it above Bodolino's brow.
Yolk stays - round.
Bodolino's eyelids tremble.
FACUNDA
(prayer-soft)
My blessed Guardian Angel. I ask
pardon for this man who does not
yet believe or love.
(a breath)
But he will! I offer my love to
obtain the favor of lifting the
omen of the duende.
DOMINO
Prays.
DOMINO
Mother of God. Forgive my sisters
for their pagan rituals.
She kneels by his head. Rests a HAND ON HIS SHOULDER.
Looks up.
Mother looks down through the Fresnel lenses.
DOMINO (V.O.)
(whispers)
Make this man see the grace and
power of our Creator.
BODOLINO'S HALLUCINATION
Bodolino levitates.
Old Man Creator descends from Heaven. Laughter grows.
DOMINO (V.O.)
Call on His power to make him walk
on ground.
HEART NEBULA pulses in Creator's chest.
Bodolino SEES HIM.
Creator's hand rests on Bodolino's SHOULDER. Smiles -
fatherly.
Bodolino drifts down.
Feet touch the ground...
BACK TO SCENE
Bodolino wakes up.
BODOLINO
(dizzy)
I saw Him!
DOMINO
He wants you to walk on ground.
BODOLINO
To laugh.
He stands up. Wavers. Steadies.
Takes baby steps toward the stairwell.
First step down. One more -- WAVERS.
TOPPLES HEADFIRST.
Body vanishes. CLUNKS.
DOMINO (O.S.)
(screams)
Aaaeeegh!
BLACK.
INT. BODOLINO'S ROOM - MORNING
Still voiles. Rain streaks on the closed window.
Silence. Thunders breaks it.
Black, blue, and brown habits around the bed.
Domino prays - knelt.
Bodolino lies in bed. Hands crossed on chest.
Eyes open.
Sisters exhale. AHH!
DOMINO
You fainted Bo.
He perches on the edge of the bed.
BODOLINO
Must've been from excessive love
making.
DOMINO
You wish!
She hands him a mirror.
STRAIGHT EYES look back. He rolls them - still straight.
DOMINO (O.S.)
Laughter prophesy works. Heals
everything.
Bodolino stands up - still. Looks at her - long.
His heart warms to a glow. Extends his arms.
Domino steps forward. Brushes his shoulder.
DOMINO
No more monkey business!
They hug - long.
BODOLINO
How did you do this, Do?
DOMINO
(whispering to his ear)
There's more to it. Come! Let me
show you.
INT. DOMINO'S ROOM - LATER
ON MONITOR - LIVE NEWS FEED
Piles of tires burn. Drones hover overhead. Crowds disperse.
Placards fall.
Tanks edge a mining pit. Excavators crawl.
TITLES SCROLL: SOMALI HOLY SPIRIT ARMY TAKES POSSESSION OF
LITHIUM MINES...
BACK TO SCENE
Domino shifts her eyes away. Sighs - annoyed.
DOMINO
(to monitor)
Boogle! True prophesies.
ON DISPLAY - LISTS: AI predicts 2068 Year of Doomsday -
Symposium 2067 - FATIMA THIRD PROPHESY - JEE-SEATTLE 2067 --
BODOLINO
Seattle, what?
JEE-SEATTLE 2067 website. Joint Essential Eschatology
Conference. Mission Statement. Schedule. Ads. Photos.
DOMINO
They sort out true from false
prophecies!
(in Latin)
FIAT RISUS, NON TENEBRIS!
(subtitled)
Let it be Laughter, not Doom!
We should go and tell them! -- You
have a flair for laughing anyway.
Make it missionary! Start from your
hometown!
His eyebrows rise - Really?
BODOLINO
Pandora box! Do you see humanity in
a wheelchair?
DOMINO
No. The omen's gone! You CONTROL
the humanity now. Bo, The King of
Laughter!
(laughs)
Your game!
BODOLINO
Bah, King!
(smirks)
Queen Do!
Not our game -- Speaking of which.
There's a Space Tower in Seattle.
Why not fulfill the Moonlight Tower
promise?
DOMINO
Glad to see intact your alpha male
instincts! Why not then? If the
prophesy works!
INT. SEATTLE AUDITORIUM - DAY
Brouhaha. Ground floor and low balcony. A colorful mixture of
people. Ethnic. Clerical. Paramilitary. Business. Government.
They argue. Point fingers. Yell at each other.
On the stage, MASTER (60s), clerical robe, presides.
Committee Members sit on chairs.
PRESENTER (60s) flips pages on lectern.
Above, the BILLBOARD'S LED flicker RED - YELLOW - BLUE.
ON BILLBOARD: JOINT ESSENTIAL ESCHATOLOGY CONFERENCE JEE!
SEATTLE 2067- THE RIGHT TO PROPHESY FOR ALL.
PROPHESY: WORD OF DEVIL
A CAMERAMAN records.
Presenter raises a finger - prophetical.
PRESENTER
That's the time when the devil will
take over the Word of God, and
people will fall on thorns of
despair.
Uproar in the audience. Some heads shake. Others nod.
BALCONY MAN(30s), tattoos on the neck, stands up - holding a
phone and sandwich in his hands.
BALCONY MAN
(mouthful; to presenter)
We heard that 15 years ago!
YEYS! BOOS!
BALCONY MAN
That's not a vision. Just a false
prophecy. Enough with the
prophecies of doom!
FLOOR MAN (50), business attire, shouts at Balcony Man.
FLOOR MAN
The prophesy sounds true to me. It
just reinforces the previous one.
The Balcony Man throws the sandwich at Floor Man.
Audience laughs.
BANG! Master's scepter knocks on podium.
LEDs freeze. 3253 red. 1017 blue. 85 yellow.
FALSE PROPHESY.
People erupt. Disapprove. Approve.
Presenter looks at the billboard. Slaps his papers.
Papers fly.
Bodolino, white linen suit, and Domino, white habit, take
over the lectern.
The billboard washes to PROPHESY: UNIVERSAL HARMONY ERA.
Domino raises a Victory Hand. Chatter subsides.
DOMINO
No doom!
PEOPLE
Why? -- What? -- Yeeeah!
Victory fingers. Phones flash pics.
DOMINO
(protesting)
Why is it that we have an
Eschatology Conference? Only!
(funny)
JEEE!
Laughter in audience.
DOMINO
(pointing away)
Who needs the apocalypse out there?
Silence.
DOMINO
Why not embrace SALVATION?
We present TRUE prophesies which
announce IT. They came through
channeling visions of a shaman in
the Amazonian Jungle AND a sister
in a Somaliland convent.
Murmur.
Domino invites Bodolino.
BODOLINO
The Amazonian shaman turns out to
be a sha-woman --
Men boo. Women cheer.
Billboard's red and blue dots flicker.
Bodolino raises a hand.
BODOLINO
-- She regressed as Mama Quilla,
the keeper of time, back to the
glorious times of the Inca people.
She brought out the prophesy of Old
Man Creator of the World.
Men applaud. Nod proudly at each other.
Bodolino calls for Domino.
DOMINO
A devout sister in our convent had
the vision of Mother Black Mary --
PEOPLE (O.S.)
(various)
You marketing your convent? -- Shut
up man -- Let her speak!
DOMINO
-- predicting the blossom of joy in
our hearts. The two prophesies
converge to the same KEY!...
The key to start the ERA OF
UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS - HARMONY!
People react. AHHH! UGH!
DOMINO
With great political prospects --
PEOPLE
(various)
No politics here! -- What's the
Prophesy! -- The key! Give us the
key!
Bodolino asks for quiet.
BODOLINO
Politics is an issue because the
government uses the so-called
predictive administrative
intelligence --
PARAMILITARY MAN (45) shouts from the back row.
PARAMILITARY MAN
The government has the best
information to predict order --
A purse hits him on the chest.
OLD WOMAN (60s), vision glasses, hits him again.
BODOLINO (V.O.)
-- which actually cements its
power, through bureaucratic
paralysis.
Paramilitary Man defends himself.
Knocks her glasses off -- by accident.
BODOLINO
We bring forth prophesies that
foster the wisdom of happiness! A
New Order!
(checks with Domino)
Universal Harmony!
He looks at Domino - asking for acknowledgement.
She nods - Well done!
The scuffle escalates to brawls across the floor.
Pamphlets rain down from the balconies.
SECURITY FLOOR GUARD intervenes. Gets hit. Grabs his mic.
Calls for back up.
INT. SECURITY ROOM - CONTINUOUS.
FOUR SECURITY GUARDS survey monitors and a MEDIA WALL.
SECURITY FLOOR GUARD (O.S.)
(on speakers)
Sector T45, calls for support. I
repeat Sector T45.
GUARD #1, stops playing the video game. Zooms in the floor's
skirmish.
GUARD #2 and #3 eat in front of their monitors.
GUARD #4 watches the media wall. Auditorium's interior.
Auditorium lawn. TV feeds.
GUARD #1 (V.O.)
Deployment on its way. Calling
police back up.
Guard #1 nods to Guards #2 and #3.
Guards #2 and #3 stop eating... toss wrappings... wipe their
mouths... exit.
GUARD #4 zooms to the exterior of the auditorium.
EXT. AUDITORIUM LAWN - CONTINUOUS
MEN and WOMEN scroll on phones. KIDS play. Baskets with food.
E-bikes.
On the street, PEOPLE wave banners: NO ESCHATOLOGY DOOM --
DOWN APOCALYPTIC GOVERNMENT.
CROWDS join them from the surrounding streets.
Anti-Riot police take positions.
Shields push -- People resist.
INT. SECURITY ROOM - SAME TIME
Guard #4 flips through TV channels.
ON DISPLAYS
Riots erupt. Fires burn. Smoke swallows streets.
AFRICA ON FIRE... title scrolls.
War rages. Carriers cut the sea. Amphibious forces land.
JOINT OPERATION - EURO INVADES NORTH AFRICA... scrolls.
INT. AUDITORIUM - CONTINUOUS
DOMINO
It's time to lessen the CRYING and
flare the JOY --
PEOPLE
(angry)
The key! -- Give us the Key!
(in unison)
Key! Key! Key!
BODOLINO
People of the World, relax!
Domino raises her hands. The brouhaha subsides...
DOMINO
The key!... The key to Universal
Harmony is... LAUGHTER.
Silence in the audience. A cough. A chuckle.
A few billboards' LEDs die. Smoke.
DOMINO
(louder)
LAUGHTER!
Billboard dies - black.
INT. SECURITY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Guard #4 guffaws. Zooms in on the audience. Mouths agape.
He turns to the other guards.
GUARD #4
(giggling)
Did you... did you hear THAT?
INT. AUDITORIUM - CONTINUOUS
Murmur grows louder. Balcony Man wipes hands on his shirt.
Laughs.
Floor Man looks up. Starts laughing. Thumbs up Balcony Man.
Old Woman laughs heartily. Embraces Military Man.
The billboard comes to life. 3793 blue. 1099 red. 108 yellow.
TRUE PROPHESY.
Cheers and laughs sweep the audience.
Bodolino and Domino look up. Embrace.
Their embrace MELTS INTO A LOVERS' KISS.
EXT. AUDITORIUM LAWN - SAME TIME
Families rejoice.
A BABY sucks on his thumb. Dried out tears on cheeks.
The rioters show phones to each other. Pat backs. Laugh.
Policemen drop the shields.
Rioters embrace policemen -- TALK -- PAT BACKS.
INT. SECURITY ROOM - DAY
Guard #4 zooms in on TV channels.
ON DISPLAYS
Leaders sign treaties. PEACE TREATY SIGNED BY...
Paramilitary depose arms. MILITIA DISARM VOLUNTARILY...
People dance. Laugh. Wave national flags. PEOPLE WANT
MONARCHY...
A feed cuts to a STUDIO.
The anchors chat. Smile. Laugh. JEE SEATTLE LAUGHTER
PROPHESY. TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE?
In the background, a joyful celebration fills the media wall.
INT. CONVENT - DOMINO ROOM - NIGHT
Dim light. Sisters watch the news. LIVE FROM THE JOINT
ESSENTIAL ESCHATOLOGY - SEATTLE 2067.
The billboard. 3793 blue. 1099 red. 108 yellow.
TRUE PROPHESY.
Bodolino and Domino embrace melts into a lovers' kiss.
SISTERS
Wunderbar! Subarashi! Meraviglioso!
Sisters applaud. Laugh.
Marie sheds a tear. Her HEART GLOWS.
MARIE
(whisper)
No doom.
MONTAGE. A HAPPY NEW WORLD - NIGHT
EXT. RUSCHIN FEDERATION – MILITARY PARADE – NIGHT
LED BANNERS flicker 2167 – NEW YEAR GLORY TO RUSCHIN HARMONY.
Floodlit high tribunes. Clock switches to 11:45.
The Chinese Premier and Russian President clap. Wrapped in
furs. Their warm breaths rise - merge.
Political and military brass clap.
A battalion of robots marches on the large boulevard.
Perfect cadence -- dead eyes.
The robot commander head locks over.
COMMANDER ROBOT
LAUGH!
Robots' head jerk over. Eyes flash. Jaws snap open.
Laugh in cadence.
BATTALION
HA! HA! HA! HA!
Laser beams shape a yellow and red muscular arms locked in an
arm-wrestle. Tattoos of yellow stars on the red - red hammer
and sickle on the yellow.
Time strikes 12:00.
Snaps back to 11:59 - 12:00 - 11:59.
LED banner glitches -- NEW G ORY TO US HARM.
EXT. PARIS - JARDIN DE TROCADERO - NIGHT
Parov Stelar-style beat pulses.
An ethnic band performs with bagpipes - violins - moogs -
drums.
Water fountain jets sync with colors.
Two groups of revelers swing Honky Tonk Line Dancing - in
sync. Hands clap. Cowboy boots stomp.
Balloons jitter in the air: NOUS AIMONS L'AMÉRIQUE - FROMAGE
C'EST SOURIRE.
Soldiers patrol calmly in riot gear, on the higher alleys.
Fireworks explode above the Tour Eiffel. A cluster of drones
forms 2167 FRATERNITE MONDIALE.
A hearty laughter grows from somewhere.
EXT. NEW YORK – TIMES SQUARE – NIGHT
Afro-Techno beats pulse. Crowds dance along Broadway toward
the AMECAMEX TIMES - the refurbished One Times Square. A
glass geodesic cupola tops the building.
Glowing ads shine on its facade. Laser beams crisscross.
Gold coins cascade on Amecamex facade. Grow larger - dropping
into a credit card - UNIVERSAL HARMONY VITA 10% REWARDS.
GOOD YEAR 2167 blimp crosses the sky - lazily.
Ads switch on Amecamex facade. Brain chip surgery implants.
Colorful pills fall - like gold coins.
LAUGHING BRAIN IMPLANTS -- LAUGHING PILLS taglines burst.
A MAN groans a headache. Buries his face in palms.
The WOMAN next to him -- quacks with laughter.
PEOPLE twist -- twerk.
Breathing steam rises. Cowboy hats bob. Maple leaf ripple.
Mariachi sashes flutter.
TWERK NOT WORK -- MEN TOO bounce on balloons.
A 3D HOLOGRAM paints 2167 MISS AMECAMEX - a striking Métis
woman.
Legs planted on Broadway's sides. Day of the Dead makeup.
Canadian Maple leaf shirt motif. Diamond-studded Uncle Sam
CROWN.
TIME runs backward. 59 - 58 - 57...
She turns her head toward the cupola.
INT. AMECAMEX CUPOLA - CONTINUOUS
Her eyes glance inside.
Two crowned heads. Colored wires overflow the CROWNS - like
hair.
Bodolino - ROYAL - and Domino - AUTHORITATIVE - sit on
thrones. Hold hands.
Security robots guard them. Royal crown emblems GLOW on their
cyber sternums.
Guests chat. Laugh. Toast. Look up.
Miss Amecamex' eyes flick up - asking.
Bodolino and Domino raise their hands.
Consecrate the ceremony -- PALMS UP.
EXT. NEW YORK – TIMES SQUARE – CONTINUOUS
Miss Amecamex towers Broadway. Extends her hands.
A mechanical steampunk heart GLOWS in her palms.
She releases the heart.
Heart descends - getting bigger.
People take pictures. Kiss. Laugh.
A BLAST. The heart explodes in a firework of glitzy hearts
fusing in 2167 MACA - MAKE AMECAMEX MONARCHY AWESOME.
"What a Wonderful Day" hip-hop - faint.
EXT. SKID ROW – NIGHT
Shadows stretch between sparse street lights. Garlands drape
tents and carts. HOMELESS PEOPLE roam.
Wonderful Day amplifies. The distant Broadway light flashes
wash away the shadows - intermittently.
People cheer and scroll on their phones.
A HOMELESS WOMAN smirks at her screen.
ON SCREEN
MECHANICAL SAL CACKLES......
FADE OUT.
END?
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