The 49th Fire: A Tale of Loneliness
This is part of a script I was proud of, like the example work of how creative I thought I could be long ago. Then movie after movie came out, basically the same plot. As the Fires come closer, I wanted to share this old one with all of you, just the first few pages of my ARK script. Remember that anything you aren't doing today, someone else is.
ARK
INT. DE-FREEZING ROOM - NIGHT
IAN TERIA is revived from a frozen block of ice. He appears blurry-eyed and fatigued as he searches for an exit to the room. His hands slide across a panel, opening the exit. He stumbles out of the steam and into darkness.
EXT. SPACE - NIGHT
A massive but simple looking spaceship floats through the regions of space. Six orange beams pulsate from the back, propelling it. Am electrical shield covers the front, turning rocks and asteroids into dust. The giant word ARK is stenciled on the side in red.
INT. WELCOME ROOM - NIGHT
Grabbing gear and clothing from various lockers, Ian glances over to a screen displaying five professionals of varying fields, from doctors to generals.
FEMALE DOCTOR
All of us here have designed this
sophisticated space vessel that you...
ROBOT VOICE
Ian Teria! Tenant number two two three!
FEMALE DOCTOR
...Have sacrificed a comfortable but
doomed life on our dying planet.
Ian pauses from pulling up his jumpsuit and stares into the screen.
MALE GENERAL
You are most likely wondering how old
the ARK program is now. According to
its internal clock, it has been…
ROBOT VOICE
Four thousand, three hundred, and
sixty four years!
Ian concentrates on the Robot Voice and grabs his tool belt.
MALE GENERAL
...Since the launch of ARK from earth.
MALE POLITICIAN
A lot will happen here on earth after you’re
unfrozen. And not much that’s good. This is
why we count on YOU to insure the
working condition of the ARK until it’s
arrival to New Earth in…
ROBOT VOICE
Five hundred and two years!
IAN TERIA
(Under breath)
That close now…
Ian continues to grab equipment from various lockers and checks off on a clipboard for items received.
MALE RELIGIOUS LEADER
We cannot thank you enough, nor can we
stress the importance of your mission!
FEMALE DOCTOR
The very survival of everything that was
known to exist on earth is now awaiting
to continue on our new home.
Ian grabs a pair of goggles and makes a last check on the clipboard. He hangs the clipboard back up in a locker and closes it.
MALE GENERAL
You are authorized for all sections of the
ship and to use any means necessary to
achieve mission success. Good luck and
God bless, tenant!
The screen fades to black and Ian heads to a small elevator in the corner of the Welcome Room. Entering, causing the elevator door to close, turning off the lights in the Welcome Room.
INT. OBSERVATION DECK - NIGHT
The elevator stops on the Observation Deck. Ian exits the elevator and as he steps out, floor lights turn on softly under his feet. A huge oval wall in front of Ian slowly splits down the middle, opening to reveal a bright, but foreign night sky. Ian smiles.
IAN TERIA
(Under breath)
This almost makes it worth it…
Ian stares for a few seconds, then turns around back into the elevator. As he enters, the oval wall closes back up and the lights turn off.
INT. WORKSHOP - NIGHT
Ian exits the elevator, causing huge lights in the ceiling to turn on, revealing a giant warehouse, lined with rows of spooled wire, electronics, tools, machinery of all sorts, and just about anything else needed to maintain a spaceship for five hundred more years. Empty spaces make what is left stick out, showing a more empty than full warehouse. Ian walks and observes through the middle aisle leading to a computer in the back. He types his name into the keyboard and then inserts a PDA device into a slot below the computer. The computer screen acknowledges his name as Number 223 and downloads a file named “Repair Agenda” into his PDA. After it has finished, Ian takes it out and begins reading off of it.
IAN TERIA
(under breath)
Let’s see… Freeze transfer tube…
Ninth sector…
(out loud)
Alrighty then.
Ian grabs a utility cart and goes down the aisles collecting tubes, tools and other items needed for his task. He moves the loaded cart into an elevator much larger than the smaller one he entered the Workshop in. Pressing a button, the utility elevator goes down as the lights in the Workshop turn off.
INT. SECTOR NINE - NIGHT
Ian finishes screwing in a tube connecting to a large vat labeled “CAUTION: FROZEN OXYGEN”. Ian turns on the machinery underneath, causing it to rumble and then hum to life. Ian gathers up his tools and looks down the hallway containing tubes of frozen mammals, some small, some enormous. Ian pushes the cart back onto the utility elevator and presses the button.
INT. PRIVATE QUARTERS - NIGHT
Entering his private quarters for the first time, Ian sets a personal duffel bag on a couch and then types his name into a small computer on a desk.
ROBOT VOICE
(blaring)
Welcome, Ian Teria!
Ian jumps back, startled. He then shakes his head and turns down the volume dial on the computer.
ROBOT VOICE (CONT’D)
(lower volume)
I am the automated greeting!
Please choose a room setting!
Ian looks at the screen containing multiple options. He selects the “Home” setting.
ROBOT VOICE (CONT’D)
Excellent choice!
The wall behind Ian becomes a giant window, glowing with the setting sun in the Arizona desert. The other walls show smaller windows, containing pictures and videos of Ian’s past and family. Ian looks specifically at a younger picture of him, holding a beautiful young woman.
IAN TERIA
(under breath)
Natalie…
Ian slams his fists on the desk and selects the option to erase “Home” off the computer. The walls go back to their original colors.
ROBOT VOICE
Another choice perhaps?
Ian stare at the screen for a few seconds, holding back tears in his eyes.
ROBOT VOICE (CONT’D)
Another choice perhaps?
Ian first selects the “Mute” option, then selects “Night Sky”. The walls and ceiling go completely dark for a second. Twinkling light begin to pop up, slowly illuminating the room in gentle starlight. Ian goes to his bed, staring at the simulated evening sky and slowly falls asleep.