FADE IN:

INT. SPACESHIP—NIGHT/OUTER SPACE

Film begins with pitch-black screen. Audio (1) is added: High-pitched smooth, electronic motor hum [whine]. Smooth hum goes pulsating erratically. Audio (2) is added to (1): 40 BPM high-pitched clicking. Pitch-black screen goes bright white. Audio (3) is added to (1) & (2): 120 BPM deep low hum. Audio (2) pitch is raised higher. Audio (4) is added to (1), (2), and (3): Constant harsh squeal [like auto-fan belt noise]. Reduce bright indistinguishable gray zones and shapes. Close up of a pair of large, round, shut eyes, then instantly opening. Then, blinking. Simulate a POV hurried movement, scrambling to gain control. Overhead rear view of shadowy human figure taking position in the seat at a control panel. Close up of a pair of hands manipulating dinner plate sized control discs [16 bank]. Hands go into a moderate panic trying to correct engine problem. Hands 16 control discs. Audios (1) through (4) cease. Add radar blip sound: audio (5). Soft pulsating white light goes normal/steady.

CUT TO:

INT. SPACESHIP—NIGHT/OUTER SPACE

Animation: spaceship tumbling out of control; to, ejecting E-pod; to, spaceship disintegrating; to, E-pod on a flight course.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMPSITE—NIGHT

The campsite is in the middle of a meadow. A boulder, 4 feet high by 10 long, acts as a centerpiece beside which a tent is pitched. Atop the boulder are the camper’s camp items, including, books, a radio, a lantern, reading glasses, cigarettes, 2-burner cooking stove, eating equipment, and an assortment of miscellaneous items relating to fishing and general campsite needs. The propane gas lantern is aglow. The sky is clear, full of stars and a bright moon. Steffen Wright—a man in his 50s—is relaxing in his favorite beat-up old folding camp chair listening to the portable radio that sits atop the boulder. Steffen is wearing a T-shirt, boots, cargo pants, and a welder’s cap. A talk show is airing. The topic is the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the overall progress achieved from the spending. The total dollar figures are astronomical.

STEFFEN
(sarcastically)

Ah … the cost and rewards of imperialism. I get a better return on a two-dollar trout fly.

Steffen briskly turns off the radio in mild disgust and turns his attention to a book lying near the radio. He picks up the book and his reading glasses. He opens the front cover of the book, puts on his reading glasses, and there is an inscription.

STEFFEN’S POV:

The inscription reads “To, Steffen, For whiling away the hours between fishing and more fishing. Love, Jilly.”

BACK TO SHOT:

Steffen closes the cover, removes his glasses, and smiles lovingly. He takes a deep breath and exhales toward the night sky.

STEFFEN’S POV—NIGHT SKY:

Spectacle shot of the night sky in all its glory. Camera pans about as a person would, taking—in the night sky.

STEFFEN
(OS) 

 Another time, Jilly. Used-up today’s allotment of vim and vigor.

BACK TO SHOT:

Steffen places the book and his reading glasses back upon the boulder. He rises and bends to turn off the lantern. He retires to his tent.

CUT TO:

EXT. MEADOW TREE LINE—NIGHT

We faintly see a human figure gazing from the tree line toward Steffen’s campsite. The figure makes slight, cautious movements.

The figure begins to move carefully toward Steffen’s camp.

FIGURE’S POV:

We slowly approach the campsite, in particular, the boulder. We arrive at the boulder and see [through a sort of infrared visual effect] the articles atop it. The books are picked up and scanned through completely. Some of the items are gently touched. The figure retreats back to tree line.

BACK TO SHOT:

The figure disappears into the thickness of the forest.