Planet of the Apes Page #9

A swatch of blue at the right margin indicates a sea. In the southwest

quadrant are the "greenbelts" of the ape civilization, looking on the

map like jade stones strung on crescent-shaped necklace. Rubyidots in

the lade indicate ape communities. The northwest quadrant, colored

brown, is apparently uninhabited. East of the green belts is a patch of

green savanna, and next to it the darker green of a jungle. The eastern

quadrants are rendered in yellow, and except for a blue lake, appear to

be lifeless desert and barren mountain. This area is marked FORBIDDEN

ZONE.

Using a pointer, Cornelius orients Taylor, indicating a red dot in the

middle of the green belt.

CORNELIUS:

We are here ...

(moving pointer)

You were captured about here.

Taylor studies the map, then pointing at the lake in the eastern

desert, he goes into a brief charade, dramatizing the astronauts'

landing and trek.

ZIRA:

(interpreting his

movements)

You fell in the water here? ... you came

ashore ... you marched across the desert ...

the mountains ... many days and nights ...

and reached the jungle.

Taylor nods, smiles gratefully.

CORNELIUS:

(flatly)

Out - of - the - question!.

Taylor slams his fist against the wall in frustration.

ZIRA:

(annoyed)

Cornelius, why do you insist on

provoking him?

CORNELIUS:

(tapping map)

No creature can survive in that part of

the Forbidden Zone. I've been there. I've

seen it.

192WIDER ANGLE - THE THREESOME

Taylor strides to the desk, writes something, hands it to Zira.

ZIRA:

(reading)

'Then how do you account for me?,

CORNELIUS:

I don't. And I'm not going to try.

ZIRA:

But what about your theory? The existence

of someone like Taylor might prove it.

CORNELIUS:

(shushing her)

Zira, are you trying to get my head cut

off?

ZIRA:

Don't be foolish. If it's true, they'll

have to accept it.

CORNELIUS:

No, they won't -

Taylor touches Zira on the arm, makes a gesture of inquiry.

ZIRA:

Cornelius has developed a brilliant

hypothesis -

CORNELIUS:

(quickly)

It's probably wrong --

ZIRA:

-- that the ape evolved from a lower order

of primate, possibly man. In his trip to

the Forbidden Zone he discovered traces of a

culture older than recorded time -

CORNELIUS:

The evidence was very meager --

ZIRA:

You didn't think so then.

CORNELIUS:

That was before Dr. Zaius and half the

Academy said the idea was heresy.

ZIRA:

How can scientific truth be heresy? What

if Taylor is exactly the proof you needed?

A mutation. A missing link between the

unevolved primate and the ape -

Taylor bangs his fist on the desk, mouths the word "No!" scribbles

something on a piece of paper.

CORNELIUS:

He's touchy, isn't he?

Taylor thrusts the sheet at Zira, who reads it aloud.

ZIRA:

'I am not a missing link.'

CORNELIUS:

Because if he is a missing link, it means

the Sacred Scrolls aren't worth their

parchment.

ZIRA:

Well, maybe they're not.

CORNELIUS:

No, thank you'. I won't get into

that battle.

ZIRA:

Oh, Cornelius, show some strength!

CORNELIUS:

Zira, listen to me. We've got a fine

future ahead of us. Marriage. Stimulating

careers. I'm up for a raise --

At that moment there is a. loud RAP at the door o.s. All turn.

193REVERSE ANGLE - TO INCLUDE THE DOOR

Dr. Zaius enters with another portly figure, DR. MAXIMUS. Like Zaius.,

Maximus is an orangutan.

CORNELIUS:

(flustered)

Dr. Zaius --

ZAIUS:

(not unkindly)

Did you forget our appointment,

Cornelius?

CORNELIUS:

Oh., no., sir. I was just assembling

my notes.

ZAIUS:

You know Dr. Maximus, our Commissioner

for Animal Affairs?

CORNELIUS:

Certainly, sir. It's a pleasure to see

you again.

He hurries to his desk, starts gathering papers. Maximus notes Taylor

with distaste.

MAXIMUS:

What is that?

ZIRA:

A man, Dr. Maximus.

MAXIMUS:

I know it's a man. And you know the

rules. No animals outside the compound,

and most certainly not without a leash.

194ANOTHER ANGLE - THE OFFICE - FAVORING ZAIUS

During the ensuing exchange, Zaius wanders idly through the office. He

glances at the scattered handwritten notes, but does not read them.

Meanwhile a rattled Zira replies to Maximus.

ZIRA:

Yes, Sir. But this -- creature

is a special case.

MAXIMUS:

Why special?

ZIRA:

We're -- conducting a new experiment.

ZAIUS:

Wouldn't it more properly be done in

your office?

ZIRA:

Yes, Sir.

MAXIMUS:

(calling)

Guards?

The gorilla GUARDS enter from outside.

MAXIMUS:

Return this beast to the compound.

195ANOTHER ANGLE - FAVORING TAYLOR

He regards the apes with hostility as they cross to him. One picks up

his leash. Over THE SHOT we hear:

ZAIUS' VOICE

(o.s.)

What's this?

196REVERSE ANGLE - FEATURING ZAIUS

Zira stiffens, looking at Zaius. He is holding the paper plane

fashioned by Taylor.

ZIRA:

A toy. It floats on the air.

(faint defiance)

Try it.

CORNELIUS:

(a warning)

Zira....

Zaius looks down at the paper plane in his hand, then back to Zira. He

smiles tolerantly.

ZAIUS:

Nonsense.

He crumples the paper plane into a b all., drops it on the desk. The

ape hooks the leash to Taylor's collar, starts leading him out. Zira

follows them.

DISSOLVE TO:

197 INT. CAGES - ANIMAL COMPOUND - FULL SHOT - DAY

The caged primitives are asleep. Julius, the keeper, dozes in a chair

outside Taylor's cage. CAMERA PIVOTS MOVING IN ON Taylor, who is lying

on his side, also asleep. Nova is curled up behind him. At the sound of

a door opening, she comes instantly awake, sitting up and clutching

Taylor's arm. He comes groggily awake, raising his head in time to

hear:

JULIUS' VOICE

(o.s.)

What's up, Lieutenant?

198REVERSE ANGLE - WHAT TAYLOR SEES:

TWO GORILLA OFFICERS have just entered the compound. They wear side

arms. Julius has just risen from his chair.

APE LIEUTENANT:

We're taking Number Four over to surgery

in five minutes. Have him ready.

JULIUS:

How come? The beast's throat is nearly

healed.

LIEUTENANT:

(snickering)

It's not his throat this time. The vet's

going to geld him.

199CLOSEUP - TAYLOR

He stiffens but does not move. The apes, of course, speak freely in

front of him, believing the animal cannot understand.

JULIUS' VOICE

(o.s.)

Dr. Zira won't like it. She wants this

pair to mate.

200BACK TO THE APES - FROM TAYLOR'S P.O.V.

As the Lieutenant replies:

LIEUTENANT:

These orders came from Dr. Zaius himself.

There's nothing she can do about it.

The two gorillas exit. The guard crosses to a wall peg for a collar and

'Leash.

201CLOSE TWO SHOT - TAYLOR AND NOVA

Pushing Nova aside, Taylor rises.

202MED. SHOT - THE CAGE

As Julius unlocks the door and cautiously approaches Taylor, carrying

the collar and leash.

JULIUS:

(murmuring)

If only you knew, Bright Eyes, what

they're going to do ...

(raising collar)

Stand still now...don't give me any

trouble.

The heel of Taylor's right palm crashes into the keeper's, chin, nearly

snapping his neck. Julius falls unconscious. Taylor leans over him,

taking his night stick and a set of keys on his belt.

203REVERSE ANGLE - TO INCLUDE NOVA AND MALE IN ADJACENT CAGE

Rate this script:3.3 / 3 votes