MARTINS 90pages
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MARTINS in MARS
by
glenn H. whittaker, jr.
Copyright # Txu1-259-100
9-07-2005
Washington, DC
glenn H. whittaker, jr.
P.O. Box 188
Glen Carbon,
IL 62934
618-692-9347
glennwhittaker@sbcglobal.net
1. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD AFTERNOON
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 2002
Dr. Keyes’s house is a large two story brick set on a very large lot 300’ x 300’. The back yard has a walkout porch, swimming pool, trees and bushes and is enclosed by a wooden fence. An oversized doghouse sets in the back corner of the back yard.
Dana, a dog, is lying on the floor of her doghouse with her head extended on the grass; she is asleep.
A noisy squirrel has climbed onto the tree limb that over hangs Dana’s doghouse. The squirrel looks down at Dana and smiles.
The squirrel then drops a small nut onto Dana’s doghouse roof. The nut thuds on the roof and bounces on Dana’s nose.
Dana jumps up awake, startled, upset, angrily barks
DANA
Ruff, ruff, roow! What was that? Who did that?
Dana runs from the doghouse into the yard, looks all around, then goes back to the doghouse and sees the nut lying on the ground. She sniffs the nut then looks up and sees the squirrel smiling.
SQUIRREL
Ha ha ha. You gonna sleep all day? Get up lazyhead.
DANA
Did you do that? Drop that nut on me?
SQUIRREL
And what if I did, what are you gonna do about it? You canna climb.
DANA
Come down here! I’ll show you what I’m going to do.
SQUIRREL
Won’t matter where I’m at, you canna catch me. You’re too slow. Ha ha ha he eh.
The squirrel runs over the limb and jumps up to a higher limb.
Just then two of Dana’s dog friends push a loose fence board aside and come into the back yard.
BOWZER
Hay Dana, whatz up?
TINKER
Hi girlfriend. Got any snacks I’m hungry.
DANA
(shakes head no)
That durn squirrel hit me on the head with a nut, again!
Dana head gesture up in the tree.
Bowzer and Tinker look up at the squirrel that is scratching its belly.
BOWZER
Ya ‘dem squirrels got no respect.
TINKER
A good wump aside the head, that’ll do it.
BOWZER
‘Dat squirrel in ‘de tree, we on ‘de ground. Whatz ya gonna do?
DANA
Listen up. I got an idea.
Dana whispers in their ears.
Bowzer and Tinker nod their heads yes and then leave through the fence.
The squirrel watches Bowzer and Tinker walk away down the alley.
Dana goes over beside the tree trunk and looks up at the squirrel.
DANA
My friends are right. All you squirrels are the same. Big mouth bragging tree huggers. All you can do is jump and hop. You don’t know how to run a race.
The squirrel jumps down to the lower limb above the doghouse.
SQUIRREL
A race? You want to race me. That’s funny. I’d be at the finish line before you could even, even blink an eye. Ha ha he he eh.
DANA
Just like they said. A big mouth bragger.
SQUIRREL
Oh yea! Where do you want to race to?
DANA
(looks around)
We can race around the outside of the pool.
SQUIRREL
(looks at pool)
Okay. How many times around?
DANA
I think three times would be a good race. Not too long, not too short.
SQUIRREL
Three times it is. Just don’t get too close to me, I don’t trust dogs.
DANA
Fine. I’m bigger so I’ll take the outside lane and stay five feet away from you. Deal?
SQUIRREL
Deal. Let’s go.
Dana walks over to the pool and stands five feet from the pool’s outer sidewalk.
The squirrel hurries down the tree and hops over to the pool, eyeing Dana, then goes up on the pool sidewalk.
SQUIRREL
I’m ready. You ready to lose? Ha ha he he eh.
DANA
Almost ready. Just a second.
Bowzer and Tinker burst through the loose fence board and run toward the squirrel barking madly.
BOWZER
Rouff, roowwe ruff! Get ‘dat squirrel, get it!
TINKER
Roowwee ruff ruff! Squirrel gonna get that squirrel.
DANA
Now we’re gonna get you smart mouth squirrel.
Dana leaps toward the squirrel.
The squirrel turns and jumps out of her way and lands on the raised concrete border of the pool and starts running along it.
Dana slips and slides on her belly and has trouble getting up.
Meanwhile Bowzer runs past Dana after the squirrel.
Tinker goes to the other side of the pool to head off the squirrel at the far end.
The squirrel stays on the pool border hopping and looking over its shoulder at the barking dogs. The squirrel hops left at the corner.
When the squirrel gets to the next corner Tinker is there. So the squirrel back flips and hops away from Tinker’s grasp. But at the next corner Bowzer is waiting for the squirrel with her mouth wide open.
The squirrel makes a long jump over the corner of the pool water, landing on the concrete border and hops quickly away from Bowzer.
Dana has regained her footing and sees the squirrel coming toward her on the pool’s border so she gets up on the border to block its path. Bowzer is close behind the squirrel.
The squirrel keeps hopping toward Dana and when real close it jumps up and lands on Dana’s back and then hops down her back to the pool border.
Dana loses her balance and falls into the pool’s water.
Bowzer keeps chasing the squirrel, but the squirrel makes it to the tree and climbs high in the branches.
Tinker stops aside the pool to see Dana swimming to the pool ladder.
Dana climbs up the ladder and out onto the ground and begins to cry. Bowzer and Tinker stand beside her.
DANA
Ow, ouch, my eyes, my eyes.
BOWZER
So ya got wet, nuttin to cry about. Ya big baby.
TINKER
Yea. Just shake it off.
Dana shakes her body real fast, real hard. The pool water flies everywhere and lands on Bowzer and Tinker. Some of it goes in their eyes.
BOWZER
(rubs eyes)
Ouch owe ‘dat hurts. What is ‘dat?
DANA
Chlorine in the water. Dr. Keyes puts chlorine pills in the water to clean it.
TINKER
(rubs eyes)
Chlorine! That stuff a kill ya. Mommy, mommy, mommy.
Tinker and Bowzer run off through the loose board in the fence, howling about their eyes.
The squirrel sits on his high limb and laughs at them.
2. EXT. ALLEY BEHIND DR. KEYES’S AFTERNOON
Dana, Bowzer and Tinker are walking along the alley.
Bowzer sniffs the base of a telephone pole.
BOWZER
‘dat Rocky raccoon waz here last night. Boy whata troublemaker.
Dana is sniffing a trashcan.
DANA
I think the Robert’s had pizza last night.
Tinker joins her and sniffs the can.
TINKER
Yea you’re right, pepperoni and cheese, yummy yummy my favorite.
Tinker tries to stand up against the trashcan but is too short to get her front paws on the lid.
TINKER
Dana, you’re taller. Get up there and get that lid off, I’m hungry.
DANA
Well I’m not.
TINKER
Oh please Dana. They forgot to feed me this morning when they went off to work.
DANA
Well only if you are starving.
TINKER
Oh I am. I am. Please please me.
DANA
Okay, but I’m not taking the blame for this one.
Dana looks around the empty alley.
Bowzer joins them and is licking her lips.
BOWZER
Ah, a bit of cheese for brunch, ‘tank ya I will.
Dana jumps up on the trashcan and knocks the lid off.
TINKER
Oh goody goody! Now tip it over for me.
Dana half leaps up and lands with her head and front feet inside the trash can. The can starts to tip over but stands on a tilted edge.
Bowzer and Tinker get behind the trash can and jump up against it. Their push causes the can to spin and as it falls and spins, Dana goes deeper into the can.
When the can hits the ground Dana is completely inside and the can rolls down the gradual slope of the alley.
Bowzer and Tinker follow behind the rolling can with Dana still inside it.
TINKER
Get in front of it. Stop it! Stop it before the street!
At the far end of the alley automobiles are zooming left and right on the distant street.
Tinker runs in front of the rolling can, but she is so small the can rolls over her.
Bowzer runs in front of the rolling can, but the can rolls over her too.
When can bounces over Bowzer and it gets knocked off its path toward the street. The can rolls to a stop against a fence.
Dana backs out of the can, moaning and walks dizzy.
DANA
Somebody get the name of that tornado. Oh me oh my.
Bowzer and Tinker join Dana, both are moaning of their pains.
BOWZER
Owwe ouch, my back, my foot, Iz a diein’.
TINKER
I think I chipped a tooth. So where is my pizza?
DANA
Nothing in there except the empty box.
The three dogs walk back toward Dana’s moaning and laughing.
BOWZER
I canna walk right. But ya sure waz funny, feet hangin out of ‘dat rollin can. Ha ha, oh owe, donna make me laugh.
3. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD - MORNING SUNLIGHT
Dana is lapping up a drink of water from her bowl. She looks up at the fence to see many large black birds flying. Then the black birds swoop down below the fence and then reappear in the air.
Dana hears the screeching of a cat on the other side of the fence.
YELLOW CAT (O.S.)
Get away from me you lousy black birds. It wasn’t me, I swear, not me. Beat it, go away, leave me alone!
BLACK BIRDS
(flying above fence)
You cat, you cat. You monster cat. Get you monster cat, gonna get you cat!
Suddenly the large yellow cat is up on the top of Dana’s fence.
DANA
(loudly)
Not in my yard you don’t. Get off my fence! This is private property.
The black birds swoop down at the cat on the fence. Their talons just missing her.
The cat swings her paws at them and loses her balance and falls, landing on its feet in Dana’s yard.
DANA
(growling)
Stay out. Told you to stay out. Gonna catch you and give you to those birds. You probably deserve it.
The yellow cat runs towards the open back door of the garage, then runs inside.
Dana follows the cat.
DANA
Don’t go in there, that’s Dr. Keyes’s private place. Nobody goes in there!
Dana chases the cat around the darken garage.
The cat jumps on a workbench just out of Dana’s reach.
As the cat runs past some cans it knocks one over the edge of the workbench.
The white paint inside the can falls onto Dana.
Dana stops barking and jumping as she feels the sticky paint covering her.
The cat runs back out the open back garage door.
The house side door opens and Dr. Keyes and his wife, Isabella enter the garage.
Dr. Keyes flips on the overhead light switch. They see Dana covered in white paint beside the workbench. They do their best to withhold their laughter.
Isabella takes a large towel off a shelf and goes over to Dana and begins to wipe off the paint.
ISABELLA
I can’t imagine how this happened. I’m sorry girl but I can’t get anymore of the paint off.
DR. KEYES
There’s only one thing left to do dear. Bring me the scissors.
Isabella drops the paint-covered towel in a wastebasket. Then she opens a cabinet door and takes out a large pair of scissors. She hands them to Dr. Keyes.
Dr. Keyes proceeds to clip all of Dana’s hair off. When he is done, Dana is a ‘bald’ girl.
DR. KEYES
Not to worry girl, it will all grow back soon. Lucky you it is summer.
(he laughs softly)
4. EXT. DR. KEYES’S ALLEY – DUSK
Dana, hair grown back, and dog Skylar, a German Shepard, are walking down the alley. It is nighttime and the alley area is illuminat4ed by a few streetlights.
The full moon is just beginning to rise at the horizon.
SKYLAR
Say Dana, you ever bay at the moon?
DANA
What do you mean Skylar?
SKYLAR
(puzzled look)
You don’t know what ‘bay at the moon’ means?
DANA
(slighted)
No. I wouldn’t have asked if I knew.
SKYLAR
Well, my mom told me that long ago our ancestors used to bay at the moon. They would raise their heads toward the moon and let out a loud howling sound. Like this ‘OOOOOOUUUUULLLLL’.
DANA
(cringes)
Ouch. That hurts my ears. Why did they do that I wonder?
SKYLAR
Well, my mom said they did that to keep the moon from falling to the ground.
DANA
(doubtful)
That sounds like a fish story to me.
SKYLAR
No it’s not. Honest. That’s what mom said. She said her mom told her that too. Hay maybe it works.
DANA
Well I never howled at the moon and it’s still up there isn’t it.
SKYLAR
Well I have. And I have heard other dogs in the distance howling. Haven’t you ever heard that sound before?
Dana looks up at the rising moon, in thought.
DANA
Yes. Yes I have, a far away sort of scary sound. I have heard that, but didn’t know what it was.
Skylar is also looking up at the giant moon just rising over the horizon of rooftops.
SKYLAR
Sure looks pretty close to me. Maybe it’s falling. Going to fall on us. I think we better do some howling. You know, just in case it works. Maybe it’s our job, how we fit into the grand scheme of the universe. Dogs howl and the moon doesn’t fall to the earth.
DANA
(stares at moon)
Ahh, it does look a little close. Maybe your mom’s right. Better be safe than sorry. Just how does that howling sound go?
SKYLAR
Now you’re talking. Do what I do and just let a loud sound go out of your mouth.
(cont. Skylar)
It comes from deep down inside. Don’t even have to think about it. Just do it. Like this: OOOOOOUUUUULLLLOO.
While holding her ears, Dana watches Skylar howl toward the moon. When he is quiet, she raises her head and lets loose her own howl.
DANA
OOOOOUUUUAAALLLLOOOOUUUU
When they are both quiet, they look at each other and smile.
Then Skylar raises his head to howl; Dana does the same and a duet of howling begins.
DANA and SKYLAR
(unison howls)
OOOOOUUULLAAAOOOUUUOOOO
When they are done, they smile to each other and raise their heads again and howl.
DANA and SKYLAR
(unison howls)
OOOOOUUULLLLAAAUUUOOOO
During this howling a bucket of water flies over the alley fence and drenches them wet as a human yells.
HUMAN
Get the H out of here you mongrels. Now beat it!
Dana and Skylar run out of the alley toward the hills in the distance.
5. EXT. HILLSIDE TREES MOON LIGHT
In amongst the trees on the hillside, far above the lights of the human houses, Skylar and Dana sit and stare at the full moon now higher in the sky.
SKYLAR
See that, it didn’t fall, it’s further away.
DANA
So it is. Maybe you’re right. I like this howling, gonna do it again.
SKYLAR
Yea me too. But away from that bucket of water next time.
DANA
Yep enough of the water for me too. And no more howling tonight, sore throat. Anything else your mom tell you about the moon?
SKYLAR
Well my dad told me something interesting and very special that can happen to a girl and a guy during the full moon.
DANA
(smiles)
What’s that?
Skylar smiles and leans forward and kisses Dana. She kisses him back. As the moon settles behind a cloud they tumble softly to the soft grass.
6. INT. DR. KEYES’S GARAGE MONTHS LATER MORNING
In a large wicker basket full of soft blankets, Dana gives birth to a litter of puppies. The overhead garage light is a very soft brightness.
Dr. Keyes’s wife, Isabella, is standing nearby the birthing basket, calling through the house side screen door into Dr. Keyes and son, Matt.
ISABELLA
Here comes another one.
7. INT. DR. KEYES’S KITCHEN MORNING
Dr. Keyes and Matt are sitting at the kitchen table reading different parts of the newspaper, as Isabella calls to them though the screen door.
DR. KEYES
That makes five, doesn’t it?
MATT
Yea. Five is a lucky number.
Dr. Keyes and Matt raise the juice glasses and clink them together in celebration.
8. INT. DR. KEYES’S GARAGE MORNING
The soft overhead light brightens and the focus of view slowly closes in on Dana and her five puppies in the birthing basket.
The puppies are lying quietly nestled against her stomach. Three of them look like Dana, two look like Skylar.
Dana looks up at Isabella and lets out a sigh of air.
Isabella smiles down at Dana.
ISABELLA
Five brand new babies. Nicely done Dana. You’re going to be a very busy mother from now on. I’d better fix that loose board in the back fence.
Skylar is sitting outside the garage with his ear against the garage back door. He looks though the glass door panel, seeing the new puppies.
Skylar then lets out a loud long howling sound.
9. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD TWO MONTHS LATER MORNING
Dr. Keyes is sitting on the back porch sipping from a coffee cup. He is watching Dana and the puppies.
Dana is teaching the puppies to sit in a straight line; some times she has to nudge one of the puppies back to the sitting position.
One of the Skylar pups keeps turning in circles trying to bite his tail.
DANA
(firm)
Come on now children. We’ve been doing this for days. Just sit still until I say BARK. Then you follow me around the pool. You have to stay in line. You have to follow me. Got it!
PUPPIES
(unison)
Yes mother. We got it.
All the puppies are sitting still except one; Dana shakes her head and gets up walking toward the pool.
DANA
BARK! Come on, everyone follow me. Let’s go.
All five puppies follow Dana around the pool but not quite in a straight line.
10. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD AFTERNOON
Dr. Keyes and Isabella are sitting on the back porch watching Dana teach her puppies.
The puppies are sitting on the ground looking up at Dana.
DANA
Whenever you hear me say this: Growllll RUFFs. This
(cont. DANA)
means a large cat is nearby. You must run to our house. Go inside and wait for me.
PUPPY #1
But mother, I’m not afraid of cats. Why run away?
DANA
I am glad you are so brave my son. But you are still to little to fight a cat. You have to be grown up, like me. So please run and hide like mother says. Got it!
PUPPIES
(unison)
Yes mother. We got it.
Dana walks up toward the porch and takes a sip of water from the bowl. She then lays down and closes her eyes.
The puppies begin to wrestle and play chase.
Suddenly Dana is standing up and barking
DANA
(loudly)
Growlll RUFFS. Growlll RUFFS. Run home it’s the cat.
Three of the puppies stop wrestling and immediately run to the doghouse.
The other two stop their chase game, watch them running, look at Dana for a second and then they too run to the doghouse.
All the puppies hide inside the doghouse.
ISABELLA
Amazing. Isn’t that amazing. They actually seem to be doing what she says.
DR. KEYES
I’ve been watching them for weeks. She has been teaching them many things. Dogs are almost as smart as a 3 year old human.
ISABELLA
If those puppies understand her bark and know what to do, I’d say they were much smarter than that.
DR. KEYES
One day she took them to the garage door. Made them look inside and then gave each of them a bite on the ear. I haven’t seen those pups go up to that door since.
ISABELLA
You don’t want her in the
garage. She taught her pups that. Maybe
I should have bitten Matt on the ear a few times. Ha ha ha.
11. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER, CONFERENCE ROOM MEETING
Sitting at a large round table is Dr. Keyes, head of the Rocket to Mars Project, and his counter part from Russia’s Space Exploration Department Professor Ivan, and half a dozen laboratory assistants.
A heated discussion is on going between Dr. Keyes and Professor Ivan.
DR. KEYES
(calm)
I understand how much you love your monkeys Ivan. But
(cont. DR. KEYES)
they have no self-control. They lose their tempers over the smallest inconvenience.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(Russian accent)
You insult my monkeys. You insult me. My monkeys are the best in the world. Hand picked each one, I did.
DR. KEYES
(gets louder)
Look Ivan, it’s not about you. It’s about the monkeys. They have irradiate behavior swings. There is no way to tell when they will fly off the handle.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(gets louder)
They show their emotions, so what. And this ‘fly off the handle’, what is that? Some kind of cleaning woman joke, a broom handle?
DR. KEYES
(becomes impatient)
There’s no reasoning with you Ivan. This is not a joking matter. We have invested millions in this project. And I will not allow those crazy monkeys of yours anywhere near my rocket ship.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(slams fist on table)
Your rocket ship! Ha! The Soviet Republic has invested just as much in this project.
(stands up)
ASSISTANT STANLY
(waves hands to calm down)
Gentleman please. We are here to discuss which crew would do the best job, to make this endeavor successful. A crew of monkeys or a crew of rodents.
DR. KEYES
(upset)
Rodents? You bad mouthing my team? I’ll have you know that my guinea pig and mouse have for surpassed those wild monkeys in the test that really matters. Self control.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(sits down)
That is true, I must admit. But the guinea pig and mouse are just not smart enough.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(nods head yes)
What about a dog? What if I added a smart dog to my crew?
PROFESSOR IVAN
(scratches chin in thought)
Dogs are smart, maybe smarter than monkeys. Go ahead, add a dog to your crew. But there must be a contest between the two animal crews. The winner goes on the rocket ship.
Dr. Keyes looks about the conference table, all of the assistants are nodding their heads yes.
DR. KEYES
Alright, I agree. A contest. The winners go to Mars.
12. INT. DR. KEYES’S HOME – DINNING TABLE - EVENING
Dr. Keyes, Isabella and Matt are sitting at their dinning table. The dishes from their supper are still on the table. They are having a serious discussion.
DR. KEYES
We had a meeting of the top staff today to decide whose crew would get to go to mars.
MATT
Did you win dad?
DR. KEYES
Not exactly.
ISABELLA
They’re not seriously considering sending those Russian monkeys up?
DR. KEYES
Professor Ivan has a lot of pull. He nearly won over the staff. But I changed their minds.
MATT
What did you say dad? Did you call him Ivan the Terrible? Did he lose his temper and pound the table?
(laughs)
ISABELLA
(smiles)
Matt, that’s not nice.
DR. KEYES
(laughs)
Not nice, but funny. No I didn’t call him a name. I suggested we add a smart dog to my training crew. And Ivan agreed. Well sort of.
(cont. DR. KEYES)
There will be a contest, then the winner goes to Mars.
MATT
Hmmm. That sounds like a good idea. The best crew should go.
ISABELLA
(frowning)
Where are you going to find a smart dog on such short notice? Isn’t the flight scheduled for two weeks?
MATT
(eyes wide with idea)
Dad! Dana is a very smart dog. Try her out.
DR. KEYES
(nods yes)
You read my mind Matt. Such a smart boy.
ISABELLA
(still frowning)
Not Dana, she has babies.
DR. KEYES
Dear, they are not babies, they are puppies. And very soon we will have to find them new homes anyway.
ISABELLA
(somber)
I know that, but not for a few more weeks.
DR. KEYES
I don’t have a few weeks to wait. I have to get Dana into training tomorrow. Those puppies are smart and healthy, they’ll survive.
MATT
Dad’s right, they are smart.
ISABELLA
Well if you must, then you must.
DR. KEYES
With Dana’s help, I’m sure my crew will win. And my job at the Center will be assured.
13. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD - MORNING
Isabella is on the back porch watching Dr. Keyes.
Dr. Keyes is putting a collar around Dana’s neck.
Dana looks at him suspiciously and the puppies stay near the doghouse.
Then Dr. Keyes attaches a walking chain onto the collar.
DR. KEYES
(soothing)
Come on girl. Nothing to worry about. Going for a car ride. You’ll be back with your puppies in no time.
Dr. Keyes gently tugs the chain for Dana to walk behind him to the garage.
The puppies follow behind Dana.
Dr. Keyes opens the back garage door and Dana reluctantly follows him into the garage. He closes the door tight.
Dr. Keyes then opens the station wagon door and urges Dana to go inside. She does. He closes the car door and gets in behind the steering wheel.
The puppies are looking through the back garage glass door. They begin to cry and moan.
The automatic garage door opens and the street comes into view. The station wagon pulls out.
14. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – MEDICAL EXAMINE ROOM
Dana is sitting up on an examining table. Dr. Keyes is holding her still.
A male nurse examines her eyes and then inside her ears.
He puts a stethoscope to her heart and her chest.
MALE NURSE
So far so good. This dog is in great health. Now for the hard part, drawing blood. Hold her tight Doc.
The male nurse takes a syringe off a tray and inserts the needle into Dana’s hindquarter.
Dana jumps a little and makes a slight whimper.
MALE NURSE
(pats Dana’s head)
All done. Good dog.
DR. KEYES
(smiles)
Dana is a very good dog. Come on Dana time to meet your teammates.
15. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER - ANIMAL RESTING ROOM
In a large room there are cages that house the animal crews. Three monkeys in large cages. Guinea pig and mouse in smaller cages.
The monkeys are sitting in their cages chatting.
Babbit, guinea pig, is pretending to be busy putting his food pellets in stacks but is really listening to the monkeys.
#1 MONKEY
Look, why don’t we just get out of here. I’m tired of cages I want to go back to the trees.
#2 MONKEY
Ah, back to the trees, freedom. How I long for freedom. You got a plan to break out of here?
#1 MONKEY
Sure I do. No problem. After they take the chains off. We walk up and down that gangplank a few times, then they always write on those clipboards. That’s when we make a run for that barrel against the fence by the shed. Up and over and across the field and we’re in the trees. They’ll never find us in the trees.
#3 MONKEY
Yea I’d like to be back in the trees, but the food here is really good and plenty of it. And this is a much better place than that medical testing hospital.
#2 MONKEY
True the food is good. And those aren’t banana trees over there. What do we eat?
#3 MONKEY
No food, strange trees. And what happens to us if they do catch us? I definitely don’t want to go back to that medical hospital.
The door opens and Dr. Keyes leads Dana into the resting room.
The monkeys quiet when the door opens and all the animals watch Dr. Keyes and Dana.
Dr. Keyes slow walks Dana in front of each cage.
DR. KEYES
This is your new home Dana. These are the monkeys. Your team has to beat them.
Dana has never seen a monkey before and just stares at them, curious and also frighten.
The monkeys make faces at Dana, point and giggle at her.
#1 MONKEY
Another ground pounder. Probably as dumb as the pig.
Dana frowns at #1 Monkey and bares her teeth at it.
#2 MONKEY
Shut up fool, see those teeth.
Dr. Keyes walks Dana over to Babbit, guinea pig and Sammy, mouse, cages.
DR. KEYES
Dana these are your teammates. You have to train them, like you trained your puppies. I know you can do it, I have confidence in you.
Dr. Keyes leads Dana to her cage and puts her inside and closes the door.
DR. KEYES
Here’s your new bed. Get a good nights rest, see you in the morning.
Dr. Keyes leaves the resting room.
Dana looks through the bars of her cage, tries to push the door open, unsuccessfully, then lies down and cries.
The monkeys start laughing at Dana.
MONKEYS (UNISON)
Big baby. Big cry baby. Big big crybaby.
BABBIT
(waves fist)
You shut up. Shut up you big baboons, can’t you see she’s scarred.
SAMMY
(apprehensive)
Yea. Shut up.
Dana stops crying and stands up.
DANA
Thanks guys. I’m not scared. I just miss my babies. What’s going to happen to them? I gotta get out of here. I gotta get back to my babies.
SAMMY
They took you away from your babies? Those mean humans.
BABBIT
Yea. A mother should be with her babies. Maybe there’s a way out of here, maybe we can help you.
#1 MONKEY
There aign’t no way out of here for you ground pounders.
#2 MONKEY
Yea. You’re stuck here just like the rest of us. Make the most of it and stop that crying. Big baby.
#3 MONKEY
Big baby big baby.
BABBIT
Shut up you baboons. I told you to shut up!
#1 MONKEY
You shut up you pig.
DANA
Please, please can everyone just be quiet for awhile.
The room door opens and an assistant in a white lab coat comes in. He flips off the overhead lights and the room is only illuminated by a soft night-light.
LAB ASSISTANT
Shhhh. Quiet time, pleasant dreams.
All the animals lie down and go to sleep.
16. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER DR. KEYES’S OFFICE
Dr. Keyes, sitting behind his desk, is talking on the telephone.
DR. KEYES
Yes dear, Dana is just fine. Passed all her medical examines and has settled into her new home here. I introduced her to her crew and I’m sure they are going to do just fine.
ISABELLA (O.S.)
The puppies are still crying. Are you sure this is such a good idea?
DR. KEYES
We had this discussion last night. Everything is going according to plan. Those puppies, they’ll get over it. They’re not the first puppies to be separated from mom.
ISABELLA (O.S.)
Of course dear you are right. I just feel so sad for them. When are you coming home?
DR. KEYES
You know I had no other option. We can’t afford for me to lose this job. Dana will teach them just like she did with her puppies. She’ll win the contest and off to Mars. She’ll be back home in a month and I’ll be the Center Director permanent.
ISABELLA (O.S.)
I sure hope you are right. Dinner will be ready in an hour. Hurry home. Drive safe.
Dr. Keyes hangs up the phone, then picks up a picture frame off his desk. The photo is of Dana and her new puppies. He stares at the photo, is sad.
17. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ANIMAL RESTING ROOM – NIGHT
Babbit slowly gets up from his cage and looks about; he stares at the sleeping monkeys. Then Babbit throws a food pellet at Dana.
The food pellet hits Dana’s nose and she wakes up shaking her head. Another pellet lands in her cage and she looks over at Babbit.
Babbit gestures her to be quiet.
BABBIT
(whispers)
We can talk now the monkeys are asleep. I might have a plan to get you out of here.
SAMMY
You call that whispering you woke me up. You are going to help her escape? What do you know of escape, you’re stuck in a cage.
BABBIT
Well I haven’t escaped, that’s true, but I have read the book, “Great escapes of all times’.
DANA
I need an escape plan, what do you got?
BABBIT
It’s not a great plan, but it might work, with a little luck.
SAMMY
Say, I’d like to get out of here too. Can I go?
BABBIT
Sorry. All I got is a weak idea to get Dana out of here.
DANA
That’s okay, if there’s a chance of getting back to my babies, I’ll take it. Are you coming too?
BABBIT
Maybe, don’t know. I will if I can, but getting you home to your babies is the most important thing. Tomorrow morning when Dr. Keyes takes you out of the cage, here’s what we’re going to do.
18. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ANIMAL RESTING ROOM – MORNING
A lab assistant and Dr. Keyes come into the room, flipping on overhead lights.
Dr. Keyes goes to Dana’s cage. He opens the door and gestures her to come out.
Dana slowly walks out of the cage.
Then Dr. Keyes takes a hold of Dana’s neck collar.
DR. KEYES
We’re going to take a walk so I have to put this chain on your collar. Sit still.
As Dr. Keyes fumbles the thin chain out of his lab coat pocket another lab assistant opens the lab door to come inside.
Babbit sees the lab door begin to open and throws some food pellets at the monkey cage.
Food pellets hit two monkeys in the face and they scream in pain and begin jumping up and down.
MONKEYS
(unison screeching)
EEEEEEOOOOOYYYYYEESSS
Dr. Keyes hurries over to the monkeys’ cage.
Dana makes a mad dash for the still open lab door. She gets through it before it closes on her.
LAB ASSISTANT
(yells)
The dog got away!
The lab assistants hurry through the lab door with Dr. Keyes close behind them.
Dana runs down the hallway, dodges past a couple of surprised lab workers before they can grab her. They join the chase.
Dana makes a turn to the left and sees before her the outside trees. She rushes toward freedom.
In the nick of time, she sees the medal door handle across the glass doors and slides to a stop before crashing into the glass doors. She sits winded as Dr. Keyes approaches with the collar chain.
19. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ANIMAL RESTING ROOM – NIGHT
The overhead night sleep light is on.
The monkeys are sound asleep.
Babbit, Sammy, Dana are whispering.
SAMMY
Well that wasn’t a good idea. Now she’s in big trouble.
DANA
It’s not Babbit’s fault. It was a good plan, just some bad luck. I did get out of this lab. And if someone would have been coming inside or leaving when I got to those glass doors I would have made it out. Thanks Babbit, it was a pretty good plan.
SAMMY
Well Mr. Genius, do you have any more bright ideas?
BABBIT
(hesitant)
Well we won’t get a chance to escape from in here again. So it will have to be when we are outside at the training grounds. I’ve been listening to the monkeys talk about their skills out there. I’ve got an idea. If they take us outside tomorrow and it looks like my plan might work, then we’ll have to act fast. And we’ll have to work together. Can you do that Sammy?
SAMMY
Yea. I can do any plan you can come up with.
PARTICK
Okay, if it looks good tomorrow, here is what we are going to do.
20. EXT. NASA SPACE CENTER TRAINING GROUNDS MORNING
Dr. Keyes is holding the chains attached to Sammy, Babbit and Dana. He bends down and takes the chains off their collars. Two trainers are standing beside him.
DR. KEYES
Okay team. Now we just stay here for a while and let you all get use to the grounds.
Babbit is slowly looking at the fence. He stares and focuses on one spot.
BABBIT
(whispers)
Yep, just like the monkeys said, a barrel beside the small shed next to the fence. I think this can work. Is everybody ready?
Dana and Sammy nod yes.
Babbit then bites Dr. Keyes on the ankle.
Dr. Keyes yells and grabs his ankle.
DR. KEYES
(loudly)
EEEOOOOWWWEE!
Sammy jumps up onto Babbit’s back, grabbing his neck collar tight.
Babbit then jumps up onto Dana’s back, grabbing her neck collar tight.
Dana then makes a quick run toward the barrel by the shed. She dodges a trainer’s lunging grasp and he lands on his face in the sand.
The barrel is lying on its side so when Dana jumps on top of it, the barrel rolls backwards. Which causes Dana to fall forward, rolling off the barrel onto the ground.
Sammy, Babbit and Dana lay on the ground dazed.
Dr. Keyes and the trainer stand over them. Dr. Keyes puts their collar chains on them.
DR. KEYES
I think that is enough orientation for today.
21. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ANIMAL RESTING ROOM – NIGHT
The overhead night sleep light is on.
The monkeys are sound asleep.
Babbit, Sammy, Dana are whispering.
SAMMY
This training stuff isn’t so bad. I think I’m getting the hang of it. Wonder why we are doing this.
BABBIT
If what the monkeys said is true, then you really don’t want to know. Trust me.
SAMMY
Aww phooey on you. There aign’t nuttin I can’t handle. I’m one tough mouse. You might say a Mighty Mouse.
(puffs chest proudly)
BABBIT
(mocking)
Mr. Tough Guy, right! Well you’re gonna find out anyway. So what do you say to FLYING TO MARS IN A ROCKET SHIP!
SAMMY
Ahh, what’s a rocket ship? What’s Mars?
BABBIT
Don’t you know nuttin?
SAMMY
I know the food’s pretty good here, but those monkeys, they just got to go.
DANA
Oh no. Are you sure? Mars is further away than the moon. I’ll never see my babies again.
(cries softly)
SAMMY
See what you went and done. Made her cry. Big bully.
BABBIT
Aign’t my fault we’re here. Don’t blame the messenger.
DANA
(upset)
I gotta get out of here, I can’t go to Mars. You got anymore escape plans?
SAMMY
How about something that might work!
BABBIT
Well I was waiting for the right moment to tell you, guess this is it. Tomorrow when we are outside here’s what we’re going to do.
22. EXT. NASA SPACE CENTER – TRAINING GROUNDS – AFTERNOON
Dana is slowly walking down a narrow medal gangplank.
Babbit is following her, then Sammy is following him.
When they all are sitting on the ground the trainer gives them some food pellets.
Then the trainer leads them to go up to the top of the gangplank.
When all three are sitting at the top of the gangplank the trainer gives them some more food pellets.
Dana eats her pellets, but Sammy and Babbit don’t, instead they hide the pellets inside their mouths.
The trainer then encourages the threesome to walk down the gangplank. When they are sitting on the ground the trainer gives them some more pellets.
Dr. Keyes joins the trainer and they discuss the results written on a clipboard.
Babbit nudges Sammy and they sneak off toward the monkeys who are walking around a large hunk of metal that looks like a small rocket ship.
When the monkeys appear from the far side of the ship, Babbit and Sammy throw food pellets at the monkeys, hitting the monkeys’ faces. The monkeys chase after them yelling.
MONKEYS
(unison screeching)
Get the ground pounders. Get ‘em, get ‘em!
Dr. Keyes and the trainers rush over to stop the monkeys from chasing after Sammy and Babbit who are running around, in, under, over the training devices.
The monkeys elude the trainers but can’t catch Sammy or Babbit.
Meanwhile, Dana has gone over to the fence. In between two barrels is a small space to hide. She begins to dig a hole under the fence. Digging as fast as she can, dirt flying wild and high behind her.
DR. KEYES (O.S.)
Dana! Dana! Stop that. Stop digging!
Dana lunges under the fence but it is not deep enough to slip her shoulders through. She lies there panting, stuck.
Dr. Keyes pulls Dana by her hind legs out from under the fence.
23. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – MEDICAL ROOM - AFTERNOON
A lab assistant uses a hose to wash the dirt off Dana.
Then Dr. Keyes dries her off with towels.
DR. KEYES
Dana you taught your pups to walk behind you. And to climb up the steps. And to put the balls in the basket. Very impressive. You and the guinea pig and the mouse have
(cont. DR KEYES)
worked together to escape. You can’t escape, please stop trying. Won’t you please work together to beat the monkey team? This is very important. You can do it. You can teach them. Make your babies proud of you.
Dana looks into Dr. Keyes’s eyes for a while, then drops her head down.
24. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ANIMAL RESTING ROOM – NIGHT
The overhead night sleep light is on.
The monkeys are sound asleep.
Babbit, Sammy, Dana are whispering.
BABBIT
Well that was the last of my escape plans.
SAMMY
Yea and they are on to us; they will be watching every move we make. We’re stuck.
DANA
Dr. Keyes wants us to beat the monkeys. Wants us to become a, a super team. Think we can do that?
BABBIT
Sure we can. I’m not going to let any silly foolish monkeys beat me.
SAMMY
We beat the monkeys and we get to go to Mars, eh? Well any place got to be better than being stuck here with those baboons.
DANA
Okay, we get trained. We beat those ugly monkeys.
25. EXT. NASA SPACE CENTER – TRAINING GROUNDS – MORNING
The monkeys are sitting beside their trainer, Joe.
Dana, Babbit, Sammy are sitting beside their trainer, Bob.
A third trainer, Pete, holding a stopwatch and clipboard address them.
TRAINER PETE
Today we will be conducting walking around the rocket tests. Each crew will be judged on how long it takes the team to go completely around the ship. And how orderly they perform. Bob your team will go first. You ready, get set, GO!
Bob nudges Dana.
TRAINER BOB
Now Dana, go now.
Dana gets up and begins to slow walk around the back of the rocket ship. She looks over her shoulder to see if Babbit and Sammy are following her, they are.
As they go around the front of the ship they are still in a straight line, but walking slowly.
The monkeys are jabbering to each other and at Dana.
MONKEY #1
Look how slow that dog is. What you got? A broken toenail.
MONKEY #2
Come on you slow poke. It’s a
turtle with hair. Ha ha ha.
MONKEY#3
Say guys we got to beat them today. Today counts. It’s an official race. Pete has the stopwatch.
MONKEY #1
No problem. With me in the lead it’s a sure thing. We’ll beat them by ten seconds at least.
MONKEY #2
Say. How come you’re the leader? I’m older, I should be the leader.
MONKEY #3
What’s age got to do with anything? I’m handsome, I should be the leader.
MONKEY #1
Pete made me the leader and that’s that. So shut up.
When they return back to Bob, he congratulates them with food pellets and pats Dana’s back.
TRAINER PETE
Thirty-four seconds, better than yesterday. Okay Joe, your team in place. Get set, GO!
Joe nudges Monkey #1.
TRAINER JOE
Okay boys. Show time. GO!
Monkey #1 takes the lead around the rocket ship.
MONKEY #2
Come on, pick up the pace. This is too slow.
MONKEY #1
Shut up. This is exactly how Joe showed us.
MONKEY #3
Look. I want to win. Go faster. Speed it up.
Monkey #3 pushes Monkey #2. Monkey #2 then pushes Monkey #1.
Monkey #1 then swats Monkey #2 with his tail.
MONKEY #1
Stop it. You’re messing up my stride.
MONKEY #2
We want to win. Go faster.
Monkey #3 walks around Monkey #2 and then around Monkey #1.
MONKEY #1
What are you doing up here? Get back in line!
MONKEY #3
No. I am replacing you as leader. You are too slow.
MONKEY #2
That’s right too slow, get to the back of the line.
Monkey #1 pushes Monkey #3 backwards and begins to walk faster.
Monkey #2 bumps into Monkey #3, they loose their balance and tumble to the ground. Then they hurry to catch up and both run past Monkey #1.
MONKEY #1
What are you fools doing? Get back in line. I’m the leader.
MONKEY #2
Not any more.
Monkey #1 then jumps on the back of both monkeys in front of him.
They all tumble to the ground wrestling.
Trainer Pete shakes his head and laughs.
TRAINER PETE
Hay Joe, that’s an Olympic team you got there.
Joe throws his hat down on the ground. He goes over and turns on the water hose and sprays the monkeys.
Dana, Babbit and Sammy are grinning.
26. EXT. NASA SPACE CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM MEETING
Sitting at a large round table is Dr. Keyes, head of the Rocket to Mars Project, and his counter part from Russia’s Space Exploration Department Professor Ivan, and half a dozen laboratory assistants.
Trainer Pete is reading from a clipboard the results from the grounds training tests.
TRAINER PETE
The tests results between the two crews shows that both teams preformed equally. There were no significant differences.
PROFESSOR IVAN
That is ridiculous. My monkeys are so much faster and very agile.
DR. KEYES
You are right Ivan, but they demonstrate no self-control.
TRAINER PETE
Dr. Keyes is correct. In three separate incidents the monkeys lost control of their behavior and, how should I say it, went amuck. We actually had to tackle them once.
PROFESSOR IVAN
That is preposterous! Impossible. You exaggerate.
TRAINER PETE
Ah, afraid not Professor. We have it all on video.
DR. KEYES
‘Fraid so Ivan. Your monkeys went crazy. This project cannot afford to take the chance that they might go crazy on the flight to Mars.
TRAINER PETE
It is our professional opinion that the monkeys to Mars is out. Dr. Keyes’s crew will be onboard. Shall we take a vote? All in favor of Dr. Keyes’s crew to Mars raise their hands.
All of the members about the conference table raise their hands. Except Professor Ivan, but when they all look, stare at him, he slowly raises his hand too.
27. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – DR. KEYES’S OFFICE – AFTERNOON
Dr. Keyes is sitting behind his desk being interviewed by four news reporters. A cameraman is taping the interview.
DR. KEYES
After months of preparation we are set to launch the Mission to Mars next week, weather permitting. The rocket ship will contain a well-trained crew of three animals: a dog, a guinea pig and a white mouse.
REPORTER #1
Doctor Keyes, you say well trained, what exactly will these animals be doing?
DR. KEYES
This may sound simple, but if they succeed, and I am sure they will, it will be a historic event. After landing safely on Mars, the crew will walk down the gangplank to the surface. Then they will walk around the ship and return up the gangplank. Then they will reenter their seats. And the ship will return to Earth. Everything will be video recorded.
REPORTER #1
Your animals are that well trained?
DR. KEYES
Yes. Yes they are.
REPORTER #2
Mars is 48 million miles from earth. How can they survive that long of a trip?
DR. KEYES
We have developed a new space propellant; this will be its
(Cont. DR. KEYES)
first test. There are risks, that’s why we are sending animals.
REPORTER #2
Quick follow up. New propellant? Can you briefly describe that for the taxpayers?
DR. KEYES
Surely. Without divulging the intricate science principals, classified you understand. We will surround the rocket ship with laser light from the moment of liftoff until it lands on Mars. Once the rocket ship has cleared the atmosphere and the earth’s magnet drag, the ship will be propelled at the speed of light to Mars. The ship is equipped with laser light ‘catching panels’. Just as the ship nears Mars, the laser light will be turned off. Thusly, the ship will arrive at Mars in mere 5 minutes, not months.
REPORTER #2
Doctor Keyes, that is amazing. But how will the ship get back?
DR. KEYES
Give it some thought; it's not a difficult concept. After the ship blasts off from Mars our laser light beam again surrounds the ship. The polarity of the light molecules are reversed and the ship’s light panels pull it back to our earth.
(cont. DR. KEYES)
When it enters our atmosphere we turn off the laser light and the rocket engines guide it to earth.
REPORTER #3
You said the animal crew is going to walk on the surface of Mars. How will they survive that? Animal space suits?
Everyone in the room laughs a little.
DR. KEYES
Yes, I realize that does sound funny. But you are exactly correct. Our brilliant team of scientists here at NASA SPACE CENTER have designed a space suit for each animal.
REPORTER #3
(interrupts)
Those suits will keep them alive? What about food and water and their waste products? Can we see the suits before launch? I’m sure the public would love that.
DR. KEYES
Yes. You’ll be able to film the crew in their space suits. Each suit contains an ample amount of nutrient liquid, which will sustain their lives for a week. The liquid is fed into their veins. Their waste products are contained in sacks surgically attached to their bodies. It is a little inconvenient, but they will survive the flight.
Dr. Keyes looks at the reporters busy jotting down their notes.
DR. KEYES
The staff will now escort you on a tour of the facilities. Upon your return I will be glad to answer any questions I can.
28. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ROCKET PAD PREPARATION ROOM
A group of reporters and cameramen are gathered around Sammy, Babbit and Dana in their space suits.
29. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ROCKET PAD WALKWAY
Dr. Keyes leads Sammy, Babbit and Dana across the walkway up to the open door of the Rocket Ship.
30. INT. ROCKET SHIP
The camera focuses on Sammy, Babbit and Dana strapped in their seats with space suits on. Through the glass helmets you can see their faces.
31. EXT. NASA SPACE CENTER – ROCKET LAUNCH PAD – MORNING
Long distance camera views of the rocket ship, smoke slowly seeping out from under the ship’s afterburners.
The bright laser light comes from beneath the ship and encases it; the rocket ship is barely visible.
32. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
Dozens of NASA technicians are busy at their computer desk stations, video screens on each desk.
A large TV monitor is on the wall displaying a view of the rocket ship with smoke pouring from afterburners.
Dr. Keyes stands in front of a panel of lights and switches and gauges.
A lab technician beside Dr. Keyes looks down at the gauges.
LAB TECHNICIAN
All systems are green. It’s a go.
DR. KEYES
Alright everyone. It’s a go.
Go Go Go.
The television monitor on the wall shows the rocket afterburners ignite and the ship lifts off from the pad.
From a long distance camera view the rocket ship is barely visible surrounded by the whitish laser light. The rocket ship rises upward swiftly and is soon just a tiny thing in the sky. Then only the beam of laser light can be seen.
33. EXT. OUTER SPACE – SEEN FROM THE ROCKET SHIP
A dazzling array of rainbow colors flickers as long waves, criss-crossing and bending on the screen.
Then suddenly the laser light show ends. And a brief view of blackness with a small round red/brown globe appears.
DANA (O.S.)
(excited)
It’s Mars. We’re almost there!
The view through the rocket ship window shows Mars coming ever closer, getting bigger and bigger.
34. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
Dozens of NASA technicians are busy at their computer desk stations, video screens on each desk.
DR. KEYES
They’ve landed. They are on Mars.
Everyone jumps to their feet.
TECHNICIANS
(unison loudly)
Yay. Yahooo. Way to go.
The view on the wall television monitor shows a slow panoramic view of Mars surface.
35. INT. ROCKET SHIP ON MARS – INTERIOR OFF SHIP
The seatbelts around Sammy, Babbit and Dana pop off.
They slowly get out of their seats and stand on the ship’s floor.
SAMMY
Wow. What a ride. Better than sliding down drain pipes.
BABBIT
Sure beats that tiny wheel I used to run around in.
DANA
And I thought howling at the moon was special. Ha!
SAMMY
What now?
A green light above the hatchway door comes on and begins to blink.
DANA
Now we do what we trained for. Ready or not we’re going outside for a walkabout.
Dana leads them to the hatchway door.
Dana pushes a large lit green button and the hatchway door slides upwards.
They peek to see the outside.
36. EXT. MARS SURFACE
Mars surface is nearly flat, small indentations pockmark the distance brownish-crusted surface.
Dana carefully leads Babbit and Sammy down the ship’s gangplank.
When they are on the surface they take small steps, testing the rigidity. They stop and look at Mars then look back at the gangplank.
SAMMY
Isn’t this far enough? Can’t we go back inside now?
BABBIT
Boy is this ever cool. If mom could only see me now.
DANA
Come on. Let’s do our walk around the ship. The ground seems hard enough.
SAMMY
Okay, okay. The sooner we get going, the sooner we get back.
Dana leads them around the rocket ship.
37. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
The large television monitor on the wall shows Dana, Babbit and Sammy walking around the front of the rocket ship.
Dr. Keyes punches Professor Ivan on his arm.
DR. KEYES
I knew my crew could do it. I told you so. Look at ‘em go.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(indignant)
It aign’t over yet.
38. EXT. MARS SURFACE
Dana and Babbit and Sammy are back at the rocket ship gangplank.
Sammy is the first to start back up the gangplank.
Dana follows him up a few steps and then turns around to see Babbit looking off in the distance.
DANA
Come along Babbit time to go home.
BABBIT
Not so fast. One more long look please, won’t ever be here again.
DANA
Guess you are right. One more long look won’t hurt.
Babbit looks slowly at the distance, then he sees a bright light in the middle of a dark spot.
BABBIT
Hay, what’s that? Over there, a light!
(points at it)
DANA
I see it. A light, maybe a sun reflection off a rock.
BABBIT
Maybe. Maybe something else. Let’s go check it out. Only take a few minutes.
DANA
(hesitant)
Hmm. I don’t know.
BABBIT
What’s a few minutes? Come on where’s your sense of exploration?
DANA
Okay, but we all have to stick together. Come on down Sammy. We’re not done with our walk about.
SAMMY
No way. I want to go home.
DANA
The ship aign’t leaving till we are done with our walk about, come on.
Sammy walks down the gangplank and follows Dana who is now following Babbit toward the reflection.
39. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
The television wall monitor shows Babbit, Dana and Sammy walking away from the ship. As they go further they become harder to see. Soon they can’t be seen on the screen.
PROFESSOR IVAN
So. Your crew has self-control. Ha. They are gone, disappeared on Mars. What are you going to do now?
DR. KEYES
We are going to wait. What else can we do?
PROFESSOR IVAN
We can launch. Bring that expensive ship back here.
DR. KEYES
Not without my crew you don’t!
PROFESSOR IVAN
And if your crew doesn’t come back? In a couple of days, no food, they’ll be dead.
DR. KEYES
Like I said. We wait.
40. EXT. MARS SURFACE - REFLECTION IN DARK SPOT
Dana, Babbit and Sammy approach the dark spot where the shiny reflection emanates.
When they are standing directly in front of the dark spot they see that it is an indention. It is a wide opening under a rock.
BABBIT
That looks like a round door under there. Isn’t that a shiny button in the middle?
Babbit goes up to it and pushes the button before Dana can say anything.
The round door opens.
They look inside and see a long sloping downward tunnel that is dimly lit.
Babbit goes inside and Sammy follows him. Then Dana follows them.
The door closes behind them.
41. INT. TUNNEL ON MARS
Dana tries to open the door but it won’t budge.
She turns around to see Babbit and Sammy walking down the tunnel; she hurries to catch up.
DANA
Wait, wait for me.
They stop and wait for Dana. When she joins them they have a discussion.
DANA
Babbit, we’ve gone too far from the ship. What is this?
SAMMY
Haven’t you ever been in a tunnel? I grew up crawling in them. I’m a mouse remember.
BABBIT
Don’t be scared Dana. Look around. All these shiny rocks that light up the place. Some kind of intelligent beings made this tunnel.
DANA
(looks around)
Intelligent beings? You mean like Martians?
BABBIT
Well it certainly wasn’t humans. I say we go find them since we are here.
DANA
I guess so. I couldn’t get the door to open. What else can we do, but forge ahead.
SAMMY
Yes. We should find these Martians and get them to open the door so we can get back to the ship before it leaves without us.
They begin to walk down the long sloping tunnel.
42. INT. MARS TUNNEL
The narrow tunnel opens into a wide cave. In the cave are three more round doors.
DANA
What now?
BABBIT
There are symbols on the doors. See them?
Sammy walks up to one door. Babbit walks up to the second door. And Dana walks up to the third door.
DANA
These symbols are familiar. I wonder what they mean.
Each of them leans very close to the symbols on their doors.
Suddenly all three doors open and each of them is pulled/sucked inside a separate tunnel. Then the three doors close.
43. INT. MARS TUNNEL – DANA’S TUNNEL
As Dana walks down the tunnel the light becomes brighter.
The tunnel leads her to another round door with symbols. Dana leans close to the symbols and the door opens and pulls/sucks her inside into a really big cave. The door closes behind her.
Dana sees a giant garden of vegetables and plant life. In the ceiling are rows of illuminating crystal rocks. At the end of the garden a slow small trickle of water seeps from the rock wall. The water gathers in a long pool.
Dana hears voices approaching and she hides behind a large tomato bush.
Three Martians are talking and walking toward her. Martians are cave dwellers; short and muscular, stocky, covered with hair wearing skimpy green plant clothes. They have large heads with three eyes.
GARDENER #1
I hear the new garden is almost complete.
GARDENER #2
Yes. It will be in production in a few weeks.
GARDENER #3
I’m excited. They say we can have another baby after it starts producing food like this garden.
GARDENER #2
That’s true. You planning on having another baby?
GARDENER #3
Yes! Zeon wants a girl this time, me too.
GARDENER #1
Enough of the baby talk. Have you gone to the new nightclub yet?
GARDENER #2
Yes we had reservations. Went last night.
GARDENER #3
Well, how was it?
GARDENER #2
Just great. The stage is in the middle of all the tables, not a bad seat in the place. The stage is raised higher than the tables, didn’t miss a thing.
GARDENER #1
Now that is a great improvement. We were in the back row at the Cow Palace, couldn’t see a thing.
GARDENER #3
What was the show like? We’ve got tickets for next week.
GARDENER #2
I don’t want to spoil it for you. But Magico has a brand new act. Spectacular, just fabulous.
GARDENER #3
Magico! I saw one of his shows last year. Ridiculous. He turned a beautiful rose bush into something black with giant crooked teeth. Scared the children, horrid, they cried for hours.
GARDENER #2
Well that was last year. He has improved to say the least. Really really fabulous act.
Dana is straining to hear what they are saying and leans forward too much and knocks the bush plant over.
The three gardeners hurry over to set it aright. Gardener #2 sees Dana behind the bush.
GARDENER #2
(frantic)
Intruder, intruder! Call security.
Dana steps into the open pathway.
DANA
Please, please calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m lost. My friends are lost. We came here in a rocket ship. We are from Earth, we come in peace.
GARDENER #3
Rocket ship? Earth? What are you talking about? What are you?
DANA
I’m a dog, an Earth dog. We flew here from the planet earth. We are your neighbors in the sky.
GARDENER #2
The sky? No one can live up on the ground. It is too hot, the air is too thin.
DANA
Exactly why I have this space suit on. I am inside it, something like your clothes. It keeps me alive. Haven’t you seen the night sky? The stars above and the other planets that go around the sun.
GARDENER #1
Yes, I remember learning something about beyond Mars back in school a long time ago. You are not from one of the moons of Mars?
DANA
Not Mars, Earth. We just got here. We landed on the surface in a flying rocket ship. Then we saw this light and then I got pulled into a tunnel that lead me here.
GARDENER #2
You came from the outside tunnel? No one uses them, they lead to the surface.
DANA
Yes. That is what I said. We came from the surface.
GARDENER #1
Well we have to take you to see our leader. Follow me.
44. INT. MARS – SAMMY’S TUNNEL
Sammy looks all around the new tunnel; he is alone.
The door has closed behind him.
SAMMY
(panic)
Help! Help. Where’d everybody go?
Sammy scurries down the dim tunnel.
Soon he is at another round door. He goes close to the symbols and again the door opens and he is pulled/sucked inside; the door closes behind him.
Sammy sees that this tunnel leads to a bright opening. He hurries to the opening.
Sammy stops when he hears voices. He creeps forward and stops at the tunnel’s opening into a giant cave.
The giant cave is full of Martians. The Martians are sitting at round rock tables on stools of rock. They are all looking at Martian Magico who stands on an elevated rock stage in the center of all the tables.
MAGICO
Ladies and gents. Allow me to dazzle your eyes and perplex your mind with my next feat of unexplainable phenomena.
Magico points down to three large rocks surrounding his feet. He waves his hands over each rock then slowly brings his hands upwards.
As his hands rise, so do the three rocks. The rocks rise to above his head.
He places his hands under the rocks and moves them together to form one large rock.
This large rock then changes colors, from brown to blue to green to red.
He lowers the large rock to his waist; holding it in his left palm. He waves his right hand over the rock and yells.
MAGICO
Kazam!
The large red rock bursts into many tiny rocks. Then each tiny rock flies to all the audience member’s tables and gently lands on their table.
The audience claps.
Magico waves them to quiet.
When they are quiet, Magico takes a bouquet of flowers with green buds out from under his green cape.
Magico waves his right hand over the bouquet, saying
MAGICO
Kazam!
He throws the flowers up in the air and the bouquet breaks apart. Each flower then flies and lands gently on the audience’s tables.
The audience claps.
Magico waves them to quiet.
MAGICO
For my final feat of mystical magic this evening I require the assistance of one person at each table. If you please, select one person at each table. When you have, please raise your hand.
The audience members begin pointing and chatting. Soon there is one Martian holding up a hand at each table.
MAGICO
Excellent. Now listen very closely. Each of you volunteers will now place the tiny magic rock in the bowl of water on your table. Raise your hand when done.
The tiny rocks are placed in the bowls of water and soon a hand is raised at each table.
MAGICO
Okay. Now place the magic flower in the bowl of water. Raise your hand when done.
The flowers are placed in the bowls of water and soon a hand is raised at each table.
MAGICO
Okay now. Ready? Kazam!
The green bud of the flower opens up and each bud is now a different color.
The audience claps.
Magico waves them to quiet.
MAGICO
Thank you. Thank you. Just a moment, more to come. Everyone ready? Okay now. Kazam Kabam!
The flowers in the bowls begin to grow, higher and higher, wider and wider. They stop growing at two feet tall.
Next a tiny fruit begins to grow in place of the colored buds.
Soon there are four round fruits on each flower.
MAGICO
Now there you go folks, a free desert. Compliments of the management. Enjoy!
Magico bows at the waist.
The audience claps, then begin to sample the fruit.
Martez the announcer comes on stage as Magico departs.
MARTEZ
May I have your attention please. I have just been informed that visitors from outer space have entered our city. Please no alarm. They are peaceful creatures. They are being brought here to this stage as I speak. Our fearless leader, Bengee, is also coming here to greet them. I am sure you all will want to stay and welcome our guests from outer space.
The audience claps.
45. INT. MARS TUNNEL – BABBIT’S TUNNEL
Babbit looks all around; tries to open the door behind him, can’t. He walks down the sloping tunnel.
Soon he comes to another door. He leans close to the symbols and the door opens pulling/sucking him inside. The door closes behind him.
Babbit is in a large cave. There are a dozen round doors in the cave.
Babbit walks up to one door, but not too close.
BABBIT
This door symbol reminds me of, of…
Babbit leans too close to see the symbol and the door opens and pulls/sucks him inside into another narrow dimly lit tunnel. The door closes behind him.
Babbit sees that it is brighter at the end of this tunnel and hurries down it.
Suddenly Babbit has hurried into a wide cave that is occupied by a curious, eccentric Martian.
The Martian, Gorken, is busy finger figuring on a rock tablet and does not see Babbit’s entrance.
Babbit slowly backs into the tunnel, peeking at Gorken who speaks in short fast bursts.
GORKEN
Let’s see, 33 and 14 make, ah 74. That’s 74 blue crystals.
BABBIT
(flustered)
47. It’s 47, not 74, can’t you add?
GORKEN
I can add, of course I can add. Just put the numbers down in the wrong place. Hay! Who said that? Where are you? Why are you hiding? Are you some kind of thief come here to rob me? It’s bad enough that the taxman comes today. Gonna take every rock he can. I got to get this inventory done. He’ll tax me even more if it is not done before he gets here. Go away, who ever you are. Go away, I don’t have time to be robbed today.
Babbit comes around the corner of the tunnel and walks into the middle of multiple small piles of colored rocks and crystals and odd shaped rock carvings arranged on the floor of the cave.
Babbit’s interest has him slowly staring at each pile until his gaze settles on a dark form, Gorken, standing aside a short square mirror.
GORKEN
So you are a robber?
BABBIT
(startled)
Ahh, ahh, I aign’t no robber. What are you?
GORKEN
Everyone knows who I am; I am Gorken the trader, specializing in the rare and the magical. If you aign’t a robber or a taxman, what are you!
BABBIT
I am a space traveler, that’s what I am. And proud of it.
GORKEN
That’s nice, but go away, the taxman cometh. I’ve not time to talk today.
BABBIT
But I am good with numbers and adding. I can help you get done faster.
GORKEN
Get done faster, sounds good. I need help. What do you charge?
BABBIT
Well. What do you got?
Babbit picks up a small bowl of red and green tiny crystals.
Gorken quick reaches over and takes it from him.
GORKEN
Not those, can’t have those, already spoken for. How about this mirror? Still time to lay claim on it, worth 50.
Gorken puts his hands behind the square mirror and grabs onto its back handles and places it in front of Babbit.
Babbit stares closely at it.
BABBIT
There is something wrong with this. That’s not my face in the mirror.
GORKEN
(shakes head)
Of course not. It’s Bazzo’s face. The Great Gan caught him kissing his wife and encased him in that hand chiseled rock frame.
Babbit steps back from the square mirror and Bazzo’s face appears; smiling and frowning, then winks at him.
GORKEN
I think Bazzo has finally gone completely mad.
Gorken picks up the square mirror and places it against a wall, hiding three small statues.
BABBIT
Say. What are you hiding behind that mirror? Show me, I might be interested.
Gorken reluctantly slides the square mirror backwards, revealing the three small white statues.
BABBIT
Very nice. Reminds me of the monkeys back home. See, hear and speak no evil.
GORKEN
You don’t want those. They’ll just bring you bad luck.
BABBIT
They look special to me. What are they worth?
GORKEN
Are you sure you aren’t a robber. I think you are an undercover taxman.
BABBIT
I told you I am a space traveler. Maybe I will take those. They will fit in my ship.
GORKEN
Na, can’t give them to you. They’re bad magic. Not good for space travel.
BABBIT
More of the Great Gan’s wizard work?
GORKEN
You are a smart one. That is a thief’s punishment. They were shrunken into statues holding the object they stole. The Great Gan had a fair sense of justice, don’t you think.
Just then five Martian Taxmen wearing slender headbands of shiny rocks enter Gorken’s cave.
TAXMAN
Well Gorken is your inventory ready for inspection?
GORKEN
Almost. And it would have been if that space traveler hadn’t arrived, delaying me from my duty with his numerous questions.
The taxmen look at each other and then look about the cavern.
GORKEN
Over there by the stone statues, that tiny shiny thing. Calls itself a space traveler. He is an intruder that has…
Just then a loud voice emanates from a round red crystal sitting in a hollow of the wall.
RED CRYSTAL VOICE
Attention citizens. We have visitors from outer space in our city. If you find any of them, wearing shiny clothes, please bring them, gently, to the new and improved Palace Theater. Thank you.
TAXMAN
(faces Babbit)
Excuse me. Are you one of the space visitors?
BABBIT
(nods yes)
Yes. Yes I am.
TAXMAN
Well then, please follow me.
46. INT. MARS – PALACE THEATER
The three gardeners lead Dana through the tables to the center stage.
Dana is greeted by Bengee on the stage.
BENGEE
Welcome to our city. My name is Bengee; I am the leader of this group.
DANA
(bows head)
Thank you. Nice to meet you. My name is Dana, I am a dog. I come from Earth in a rocket ship. We were only supposed to walk around a little on the surface and then return home. But we stumbled into your tunnels and got separated. Have you seen my two companions?
BENGEE
Yes. One of your group is being brought here as we speak. How many in your group?
DANA
Just three of us.
(looks around)
This is an amazing place. I was in your garden. It is beautiful.
BENGEE
Thank you. It has taken us centuries to reach this level of development. Now we have many many gardens. Our ancestors used to live on the surface, but something terrible happened to the atmosphere. Many left in spaceships, never to return or be heard of again. There wasn’t much time to make a full transition to the caverns and so the majority died on the surface eons ago.
DANA
The light, those shiny rocks in the walls and the garden ceiling lights. How do you do that?
BENGEE
Before the tragic end, scientists discovered how to channel sunlight through curved glass onto the crystals. The crystals absorb the sunlight, then they radiate the sunlight. That is how we grow our food and light these dark caverns. There are many tunnels that lead to the surface for sunlight collection. We hope the planet will recover someday so we can return to the surface, but until it does we have to live here. What is your planet like?
DANA
Hmmm, well it is very big. My friend Babbit could answer that question better than I. We have tall trees and bushes plants growing everywhere. The water comes down from the clouds in the sky, seems like every couple of days. Sometimes it’s hot, like here, sometimes it’s cold. That’s when the water turns white and floats down from the sky. And when you touch it, it turns back to water. There are many different kinds of creatures living there. Mostly there are humans; they walk on two legs like you do. They only have two eyes and not as much hair.
BENGEE
Are the humans the leaders? Where do they live?
DANA
Yes. They are the leaders; most of them are nice to us. They live in houses made from the tall trees. They have many large gardens. They don’t walk much; they get in cars and sit down. The cars roll on rock paths. Very fast, faster than I can run. If you bump into a rolling car it will hurt you, even kill you. I don’t like the cars.
BENGEE
(thoughtful)
Cars roll. Humans inside them. We have pull carts that roll; we haul rock and food in them. Maybe some of our ancestors went to your earth. How far away is it?
DANA
I think it is very far away, but our rocket ship trip here only took a very short time. Like I said, my friend Babbit is very smart and could tell you many things.
Just then Babbit is brought into the room escorted by the group of Taxmen.
Babbit joins Dana on the stage.
BABBIT
(very excited)
Oh Dana, I am so glad to see you. What happened to you? Suddenly I was all-alone. I wandered and wandered and met
(cont. BABBIT)
this very strange, ah, ah Martian person who had all these tiny rocks and magical statues and mirrors and couldn’t add. Then the Taxman came and brought me here.
BENGEE
(laughs)
Haaaa haaa. So you met Gorken. Yes he is a, ah, different. And has the most remarkable ancient magical collection. Thou I think some of his stories are just outside the truth. But he is a good person and good for a laugh.
TAXMAN
The little one is right, Gorken can’t add.
DANA
Babbit. Have you seen Sammy? We can’t leave without him.
BABBIT
No. Like I said, suddenly I was alone in a dark tunnel. Met Gorken and now I’m here.
BENGEE
Can you tell us more about your planet?
BABBIT
Well I haven’t seen very much of it, but I have read many many books and seen many pictures. I’m not an expert, but I know pretty much.
BENGEE
Oh very good. How did you get here? Did you make the ship?
BABBIT
No. The humans made the ship. They sort of look like you guys. They trained us to go in the rocket ship and so here we are.
BENGEE
Did you want to come here or did they force you?
BABBIT
Hmmm. Tough question. At first I didn’t want to but Dana said it would be a good thing, a special thing for us to do. And now I am glad I did, but I’ll be very glad to get back home.
BENGEE
Tell us about some of the other creatures on your planet.
BABBIT
There’s humans. And a whole lot of animals like us but bigger. Fish that live in the water; they are shiny and smooth with no hands or feet. So many little things called insects, some walk but many fly. My favorite are the tiny crickets that hop and make a sound louder than I speak. And the birds, they don’t have hands, they have wings to fly in the air and sing songs to wake us in the morning.
BENGEE
Fascinating. What about the surface? Is it all flat with tall trees and plants?
BABBIT
Most of it, but there are mountains of rock that go high into the air. And the desert, it is like your surface.
BENGEE
You said fish live in water. You have lots of water?
DANA
(interrupts)
Like the pool of water in your garden, but many many many times bigger.
BABBIT
Did you tell him about the fish in the water? And the birds in the sky that sing pretty songs all day.
BENGEE
Your rocket ship. Is it big? Is there room on your ship for some of us?
DANA
No. You are too big; there is barely room for us in there. And you can’t go on the surface can you?
BENGEE
(despondent)
No. We can’t. We have to stay in here. When you go back will you tell the human leaders about us?
DANA
That’s a funny thing. The humans don’t understand what we say.
BABBIT
And most of the time I don’t understand them either.
DANA
I can understand them if I try real hard to.
Just then Sammy comes running up to the stage.
SAMMY
Hi Dana, hi Babbit. Sure glad I found you.
BABBIT
Where have you been?
SAMMY
Ah, well, I’ve been hiding back there in a corner. Watching, waiting to see if I would have to rescue you guys. But these Martians, they are pretty nice.
BENGEE
On behalf of our people, thank you.
SAMMY
When are we going home? Do you think the ship has left without us?
DANA
That’s right. Bengee, we were not supposed to go so far from the ship. The humans are probably very worried about us. I’d like to stay longer and talk but we have to get back to the ship.
BABBIT
Yes we have to leave; there isn’t much food or water in these space suits.
BENGEE
Then you must hurry back to your ship. We will guide you through the tunnels to the surface.
Bengee leads them toward a tunnel.
47. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
Dozens of NASA technicians are busy at their computer desk stations, video screens on each desk.
A technician is pointing at a small monitor screen. Dr. Keyes and Professor Ivan are looking at the screen.
TECHNICIAN
We have enhanced the footage when the crew disappeared from camera view.
(pushes button)
As you can see the crew goes up to the dark spot, then what appears to be a door opens. And they are gone.
Close up on TV monitor showing shadowy crew disappearing in dark hole.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(shocked)
That was a door! A door in a dark hole. A door on Mars. Impossible. There are, there are Martians on Mars.
DR. KEYES
Calm down Ivan. It is not a very clear picture. Maybe it is, is just a hole, a deep hole. Maybe a cave. They are exploring a cave.
PROFESSOR IVAN
What! Are you blind too? That is a door. An underground doorway. There is life on Mars. They live underground.
DR. KEYES
Is that as clear as you can make it?
TECHNICIAN
Yes sir. That’s the best quality we can get.
DR. KEYES
Well I hate to agree with you Ivan, but it does look like a door that opened and closed. Maybe there is life on Mars or maybe there was life on Mars. They can’t live on the surface, maybe they are living underground.
PROFESSOR IVAN
(waving hands wildly)
Martians on Mars. My rocket ship. They are going to get my rocket ship!
DR. KEYES
Calm down Ivan. No one is going to take the ship.
PROFESSOR IVAN
A wild horde of Martians will come storming from under the earth and take my ship. We have to take off. Take off now. Fire the rockets! Lift off! Go go go.
The control room technicians, who have been watching Dr. Keyes and Professor Ivan, look frantically at each other. Some of them rush back to their desks.
DR. KEYES
Belay that order. Everybody just calm down. We don’t know anything for sure. Professor Ivan is exaggerating the situation. Just take your seats and watch your control panels.
PROFESSOR IVAN
I demand we have to take off now. We have to save that ship. That very expensive rocket ship.
DR. KEYES
Calm down. We have the entire area under surveillance. If, if any Martians make a move on the ship, then we will take off. We are going to sit here and wait for the crew to return.
Just then, showing on the large television wall screen monitor the crew of Dana, Babbit and Sammy emerge from the dark hole.
TECHICIAN
Dr. Keyes. Dr. Keyes. On the large monitor. The crew is back. Walking toward the ship. And they’re all alone.
A roar of relief and congratulations fills the room.
48. EXT. MARS SURFACE
Dana, Babbit and Sammy walk up the rocket ship gangway.
49. INT. ROCKET SHIP INTERIOR
Dana, Babbit, Sammy sit in their chairs. The seatbelts extend around them and fasten tight.
50. INT. NASA SPACE CENTER – LAUNCH CONTROL ROOM
Dozens of NASA technicians are busy at their computer desk stations, video screens on each desk.
DR. KEYES
Pre-launch sequence ready. Ignite afterburners. Fire main rocket thrusters. We have lift off.
The large wall television monitor shows the surface of Mars quickly moving backwards as the rocket ship rises away from it.
The wall monitor view switches from leaving the surface of Mars to the vast void of black space dotted with the lights of a million stars.
DR. KEYES
Ready the laser light beam. All systems are green, it’s a go. Activate the laser generator. Now!
The large wall television monitor shows a narrow beam of bright white light approaching. The light beam becomes ever larger until it encircles the ship.
The large wall monitor is suddenly just an array of flickering white light with hues of the color spectrum vacillating across the screen.
DR. KEYES
Turn off the laser light. Now!
The large wall monitor showing white light suddenly changes to a view of the blue and green planet Earth.
As the view of Earth enlarges many white clouds can be seen. Then under the clouds the outline of the continents can be seen.
DR. KEYES
Ignite the side thrusters. Stabilize the landing trajectory. Fire the landing thrusters.
The wall monitor shows the landing pad at NASA SPACE CENTER.
When the pad appears close enough to touch the screen turns fire red and yellow.
DR. KEYES
Houston we have landed.
Everyone in the Control room cheers, even Ivan.
51. INT. WASHINGTON D.C. – THE WHITE HOUSE – OVAL OFFICE
A large gathering of reporters are filming President Eisenhower congratulate Dr. Keyes and Professor Ivan.
Dana, Sammy and Babbit stand off to side. Isabelle and Matt are beside them.
Matt is holding a chain to Dana’s collar. A NASA trainer is holding the chains to Babbit and Sammy’s collars.
PRESIDENT BUSH
My fellow Americans today it is my proud duty to offer our congratulations on a job well done. This moment marks a historic occasion. Mankind’s first successful venture into the vast realm of outer space. Thanks to the co-operation of our Russian allies headed by Professor Ivan and our own esteemed Dr. Keyes, the newly appointed director of NASA, a rocket ship baring a crew of animals was sent to Mars and returned from Mars unharmed.
Professor Ivan bows. Dr. Keyes smiles and nods his head.
President Bush extends his hand to Dr. Keyes, they shake. Then President Eisenhower shakes Professor Ivan’s hand.
PRESIDENT BUSH
And now for the awards to our fearless space adventurers.
President Bush takes three ribbons out of a box on his desk. He walks over the Dana, Sammy, Babbit.
President Bush then drapes a ribbon with a small gold metal rocket ship to over the head of each animal.
When he stands up he claps and so does everyone else in the room.
PRESIDENT BUSH
I would like to inform the public at this time that because of this remarkable achievement the two greatest nation states on the earth have become allies in space. You can rest better tonight knowing that world peace is just around the corner.
President Bush puts his arm around Professor Ivan and they leave the room together. The reporters leave behind them.
Dr. Keyes goes over to Isabella. They hug and kiss.
Matt bends down and gives Dana a hug.
MATT
Come on Dana let’s go home. I know your puppies will be glad to see you.
Matt stands up and takes Dana’s chain from Isabella. Matt then walks toward the door, but is stopped by the taunt chain.
Dana has sat down and won’t get up.
Matt walks back to her.
MATT
What’s wrong girl?
Dana nudges Babbit and Sammy over to Matt’s feet.
MATT
Dad, mom. I think Dana wants to take them home with us. Can we?
DR. KEYES
Well it’s understandable. They certainly have been through a hard time together. What do you say dear?
ISABELLA
(smiles)
I think they deserve to be together if they want to. The back yard is certainly big enough. You’ll have to build some new houses thou.
DR. KEYES
Sounds like a great father and son project.
Matt takes the chains from the trainer and they all leave.
52. INT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD PATIO - AFTERNOON
Dr. Keyes and Isabella are sitting on the patio chairs watching the puppies play chase with Babbit.
DR. KEYES
Well that certainly has worked out. The guinea pig and pups are the same size, they make great playmates.
ISABELLA
It’s too bad about the little mouse Sammy. I thought he would like that house you and Matt made for him.
DR. KEYES
I’m sure he did. I think the puppies were just too much. Too much rough play. He was just too little to fit in.
ISABELLA
Where do you think he went?
DR. KEYES
I am sure he went back out there. Out into the world, the world of mice.
ISABELLA
You think he’ll be okay? It’s such a big world.
DR. KEYES
Went to Mars and back, I think he’ll do just fine.
ISABELLA
Are you going to send anymore animals into outer space? I sure wish you wouldn’t.
DR. KEYES
No. No more animals in outer space. I think all of us at NASA learned a lesson. There just might have been life on Mars.
ISABELLA
Seriously? You mean real live Martians?
DR. KEYES
Yes dear. I’m afraid so. And the first beings they met from Earth were not us.
ISABELLA
So if the Martians come here to visit, and say, ‘Take me to your leader’ they’ll be looking for Dana?
DR. KEYES
(chuckles)
That’s funny dear, very funny.
53. INT. ABANDON BUILDING BASEMENT AFTERNOON
Sunlight from the small basement windows provides just enough light to reveal a gathering of two-dozen mice.
The brown mice are sitting in a semi-circle. They are all looking up at the white mouse standing on a shoe box.
The white mouse is Sammy and he is giving a performance.
SAMMY
The story I am about to tell you will seem unbelievable. Many of you will call me a liar, a big fat white lying storyteller. But I swear to the Great Mouse in Heaven that every single word is true.
Two girl mice sitting to the left of Sammy are whispering.
MOUSE #1
I was here yesterday. I had to come back. He is the best storyteller I’ve ever heard.
MOUSE #2
You said he was cute, but wow! One snap of his tail and I’m all his.
MOUSE #1
Not so fast girly. I saw him first. I tell you, he’s gonna be famous. He can have any girl he wants. I just want to be his manager.
SAMMY
Please girls. Quiet, can we have some quiet. They won’t be able to hear me in the back. And you know sweet thing
Sammy winks at Mouse #1 then waves his tail over his head.
SAMMY
They will want to hear every word I say about the magical Martians on Mars.
54. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACK YARD DUSK
Bowzer and Tinker are in the alley looking through the fence boards.
TINKER
Hay Dana. Wake up Dana, it’s me and Bowzer.
Dana comes out of her doghouse then walks over to the fence and chats through the fence to them.
DANA
Hay you guys, great to see you. I’ve missed your ugly faces. Ha ha.
BOWZER
Ya. Like ya some beauty queen. Where ya been? ‘dhey send ya to ‘de hospital?
DANA
Ahh. Not exactly, it’s a long long story.
TINKER
Come on girl friend, let’s go for a walk, tell us all about it.
DANA
I don’t know, don’t want to leave the pups alone.
TINKER
They been alone for weeks, they’ll be fine for short walk.
DANA
Well I guess so, but they fixed the fence.
BOWZER
No problem. I unfix ‘dat. Stand back.
Bowzer turns around then kicks the bottom of a fence board a few times with his foot. The board swings loose.
Dana then pushes it aside and joins them in the alley. They walk down the alley.
DANA
This is gonna sound hard to believe but you can ask Babbit, our guest guinea pig, he was there too.
TINKER
Okay. We’ll believe you. What happened, where you been?
DANA
I’ve been on a rocket ship. We flew to Mars, you know way up in the sky. Way past the moon.
BOWZER
Ya went to ‘de moon? No way! I ‘dhink ya ate some bad fish and ‘dhey sent ya to ‘de hospital.
TINKER
Shut it Bowzer. I said I’d believe her and I do. The humans do that to you?
DANA
Yes. And can you believe it, Dr. Keyes put me in his car and drove me to this, this place where there were monkeys. That’s where I met Sammy and Babbit.
BOWZER
Monkeys? Like ya were at ‘de zoo?
DANA
No. Not the zoo. Some kind of training camp. It was us against three monkeys. We had to do all kinds of walking around and climbing tests.
TINKER
Against monkeys? They swing in trees. How could you beat them?
DANA
I guess because they kept getting wild and crazy. The humans didn’t like that. So we won and they put us in these shiny clothes and a rocket ship to Mars.
TINKER
Unbelievable. Yet I believe you, humans are very strange at times. Wonder why they didn’t go to Mars?
BOWZER
All ‘de way to Mars. What waz ‘dhere? More humans?
DANA
No, no humans. But we met some people kinda like humans. They were nice to us. They lived in caves.
TINKER
In caves? Like bears and bats?
Just then Dana sees Skylar walking in the alley toward them.
DANA
Here comes Skylar. You girls beat it. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
BOWZER
Dana’s gotta boyfriend, la da da da.
TINKER
Come on Bowzer. Dana wants some privacy. See you tomorrow girlfriend. You can tell us about the cave people then.
Bowzer and Tinker turn around and walk away from Dana.
Skylar comes up to Dana and she sits down.
Skylar walks around her sniffing. Then he sits down facing her.
SKYLAR
So it is you. Almost didn’t recognize you, it’s been a long time.
DANA
Just love your sense of humor Skylar. Did you see the puppies while I was gone?
SKYLAR
Yea. I stopped by a few times. How come two of them look like me a little?
DANA
Very funny. Don’t you remember when we howled at the full moon?
SKYLAR
(sheepish grin)
Oh yea, way back then. Now I remember.
They both look up at the horizon. The full moon is coming up over the houses skyline.
SKYLAR
Speaking of the full moon, look at that. Sure looks close to me. Might be falling, maybe we should howl at it again.
(winks at her)
DANA
(smiles)
I don’t think so. I’ve got to get back to the puppies. You’d better go howl at it. Don’t want the moon to fall on ‘our’ pups, do we?
SKYLAR
No. No want the moon to fall.
See ya around Dana.
Skylar gets up and runs back down the alley.
The distant hillside in his view.
55. EXT. DR. KEYES’S BACKYARD - FULL MOON
Dana pushes the loose fence board to the side and enters the back yard.
One of the puppies that looks like a young Skylar has wandered out of the doghouse. He is sniffing at a nut on the ground.
Dana goes up to him and nudges him.
DANA
And just where do you think you are going, Skylar junior? Back in the doghouse!
SKYLAR JUNIOR
Yes mother. I got it.
END. September 2005
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