Starman Page #19

SHERMIN:

Are you ladies through?...

Bell and Lyman look at their feet.

SHERMIN:

Good... It looks like we might be

the welcoming committee, so I think

we should try and figure out what

we're gonna do if we have to come

face to face with this creature.

LYMAN:

Bell wants us to get down on our

knees and bow.

SHERMIN:

(to Bell)

Did your people have any contingencies

rehearsed?

MAJOR BELL:

No... I guess we never thought it

would happen.

It's Shermin's turn to look at his feet.

SHERMIN:

Terrific.

On one of the screens behind him the camera has picked up a

lighted billboard advertising 'Kellogg's Corn Flakes' with

its slogan 'HAVE A GREAT DAY.'

EXT. HIGHWAY - EARLY MORNING

Jenny's Mustang is barreling along well over the speed limit.

As it PASSES US, we PAN WITH it TO a sign: SLOW FOR

INTERSECTION.

EXT. INTERSECTION - EARLY MORNING

A truckload of corn is hurtling down ON US from the north.

An empty semi is rumbling up from the south. The light is in

their favor.

INT. MUSTANG - EARLY MORNING

The STAR MAN is driving. It is obvious that he doesn't see

the red light facing him. But Jenny does. And she also sees

the trucks closing in from either side.

JENNY:

(loud)

Red light!

The STAR MAN doesn't see it, doesn't believe her, doesn't

slow down.

JENNY:

(screams)

Stop!!!

EXT. INTERSECTION - EARLY MORNING

It is as if all three vehicles have heard Jenny. They slam

on their brakes at the same time and begin to skid toward

each other. It's going to be close.

INT. MUSTANG - EARLY MORNING

The prows of the trucks loom over Jenny and the STAR MAN

and, for a fleeting instant, it looks like they will join

the bugs imbedded in the radiators.

EXT. INTERSECTION - EARLY MORNING

The Mustang barely squeaks through and the trucks slam into

each other behind it, spilling corn all over the highway.

INT. MUSTANG - EARLY MORNING

It finally comes to a stop on the center line.

JENNY:

That was a red light!! I told you

you have to stop at a red light!!

STAR MAN:

(sheepish)

It was yellow.

JENNY:

You didn't even see it.

The STAR MAN looks back for the traffic light. It is hanging

from a pole in the middle of the road. Under it the truck

DRIVERS are climbing out of the cabs.

STAR MAN:

I will see it next time.

JENNY:

You better.

The STAR MAN angles back into his lane and begins to pick up

speed.

EXT. SIOUX FALLS - SOUTH DAKOTA - DAY

Deftly, the STAR MAN moves in and out of the afternoon

traffic. A bus coming in the other direction hits a pothole

filled with water and the SPLASH covers the Mustang.

INT. MUSTANG - DAY

Jenny watches the STAR MAN calmly turn on the wipers and the

washer and clean the windshield. The light above the

intersection ahead turns red and, even though he is still

fiddling with the wipers, the STAR MAN manages a smooth stop

back of the crosswalk.

JENNY:

(indicating the red

dot on the satel

compass)

Why are you going here? What is here?

STAR MAN:

My...

(searches for word)

...car will take me...

(pokes finger toward

sky)

...up there... home.

The light changes and the STAR MAN continues down the street.

JENNY:

(at the red dot again)

When do you have to be here?

STAR MAN:

I do not understand.

JENNY:

(rubs her temples and

laments to herself)

How will I do this one?...

The answer is hovering above the city in front of them.

JENNY:

(pointing to the sun)

Sun...

STAR MAN:

Yes.

JENNY:

Sun... day. No sun... night. You

understand?

STAR MAN:

Yes. Day... night.

JENNY:

How many days and nights do you have

to go...

(prods the red dot)

...here?

STAR MAN:

Three nights... two days.

JENNY:

That's not much time. I'll just slow

you down. I have to sleep. I'm very

tired. And I have to wash and eat.

You don't...

STAR MAN:

I need you.

JENNY:

I won't tell anybody if that's what

you're worried about. I promise.

You'll keep...

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