CECIL
That's a possibility. Whatever the case,
this is a job for a genetics lab, not a
space agency.
JEREMY
You should create a new department, one
dedicated solely to the creation of this
organism.
CECIL
Do you have any idea what an undertaking
of that magnitude would cost?
JEREMY
No. But I'll bet the returns would be
greater. Think about it. This lifeform is
completely unknown to science. I'll bet
there's a zone in the Venusian atmosphere
where these things would thrive. It could
be a real kick-start for the terraforming
of Venus.
Klein is astounded by the conversation.
CECIL
What makes you think this organism would
have any measurable effect on the
Venusian atmosphere?
JEREMY
It might not. But unlike Mars, Venus
already has a substantial atmosphere, one
rich in complex carbon and hydrogen
compounds. This little guy might be just
the ticket to turn that to your
advantage.
CECIL
I'm not about to introduce an unknown
biological agent into a planetary
environment. This organism could create
some kind of cascade effect that we would
be powerless to stop.
The professor's awe increases with each statement.
JEREMY
Powerless? You, Cecil?
KLEIN
May I remind you that the ability to
create a lifeform solely from its genetic
code hasn't even been developed yet. The
technology would have to be developed as
meticulously as the organism itself.
JEREMY
It's just a matter of time before someone
develops the technology. Why not you?
CECIL
That's a good point.
KLEIN
I suppose the process of dissoluting and
reorganizing the genetic fragments
necessary to carry out this task would
fall upon me and my team.
JEREMY
(ignoring the comment)
Think about the patent rights. The
medical applications alone could change
the face of modern medicine.
CECIL
I'll bet Tara would be a valuable member
of the team.
JEREMY
The last thing I need is Tara hanging
around. She's very inquisitive.
Klein raises an eyebrow.
CECIL
I understand. Besides, I've already
offered her another position.
JEREMY
You have?
CECIL
She didn't tell you?
JEREMY
Refresh me.
CECIL
I offered her a position as a creative
consultant.
JEREMY
You, of all people, should understand how
awkward it would be if she were to start
working here. She still thinks I'm here
because of the Apollo simulator.
Klein leans back. Folds his arms.
CECIL
Don't worry. This place is so big that
you probably wouldn't even see each other
during the course of the day. Unless you
wanted to, of course.
KLEIN
Gentlemen, I hate to break up this cozy
conversation, but-
CECIL
Of course, professor. Assemble a team,
from whatever departments you deem
necessary, to design a laboratory for the
creation of this organism. I expect a
rough draft and a ballpark cost analysis
by the end of the week. Then I'll
determine the next course of action.
Cecil deactivates the wall screen.
He begins fiddling with the buttons on his chair's armrest.
KLEIN
If there's nothing else, sir...
CECIL
Do you have anything to add, Jeremy?
JEREMY
Nope.
Klein is visibly perturbed that Jeremy was offered the last word. He nods and exits.
Cecil removes a small interface from the armrest.
CECIL
It's been a really long day. Do you want
to get out of here?
JEREMY
I thought you'd never ask.
Jeremy follows Cecil into the elevator.
Two railcars wait for them at the bottom.
Jeremy climbs into the singlecar.
Cecil climbs into a customized doublecar.
They debark in opposite directions.
INT. VENUS PROJECT LABORATORY - DAY
An array of high tech equipment is scattered among dozens of workstations.
A large, three dimensional model of the microbe hangs from the ceiling.
TEN SCIENTISTS, including Klein, Jeremy, and Tara are operating centrifuges, peering into microscopes, and working on computers.
Klein removes a vial from a centrifuge. Draws the vial's contents into a syringe.
MONTAGE - MICROSCOPIC VIEW:
A syringe needle pierces an empty cell. Unloads its contents.
A second injection into the cell causes strands of DNA to begin zipping together.
More injections into the cell.
More DNA combines.
The cell begins dividing.
A microbe forms.
Nutrients are injected into the microbe's environment.
The microbe feeds, then secretes complex soccer ball-shaped molecules along with a variety of simpler molecules.
The microbe divides, essentially cloning itself.
The clones feed, secrete, and divide until a colony forms.
INT. VENUS PROJECT LABORATORY - NIGHT
A monitor indicates that the soccer ball-shaped molecules are pure carbon.
The symbols for water, molecular oxygen, and other simple molecules surround the carbon.
PULL BACK from monitor. The lab is filled with pressurized tanks displaying the microbe's image.
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE OF VENUS
The pressurized tanks are released by a probe plunging through the atmosphere.
The tanks spray out their contents which is swept away by fast moving clouds.
EXT. BEACHFRONT MANSION - DAY
MONTAGE:
Wedding decorations fill the backyard.
A small group, including Cecil and Gwen, are seated.
Jeremy and Tara are at the altar.
Jeremy slides a large diamond ring onto Tara's finger.
They kiss.
Cecil unveils a fancy mailbox out front.
The lettering on it reads "Jeremy and Tara Ash."
Cecil tosses Jeremy a set of keys.
He shakes Jeremy's hand with congratulations.
INT. STUDY - BEACHFRONT MANSION - DAY
Jeremy shows Tara the alien data crystal.
He plugs it into the computer and displays its contents.
Tara smiles and shakes her head in disbelief.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - BEACHFRONT MANSION - NIGHT
Jeremy and Tara are lying in bed.
TARA
I've been accepted for a six month tour
on The Sahara Project. They want me on
site in Africa.
JEREMY
Congratulations.
TARA
If you don't want me to go-
JEREMY
I want what you want, Tara. Besides, I
was thinking about visiting Steve in
Southern Illinois.
TARA
Just so you're okay with it.
JEREMY
If you're happy, then so am I.
They kiss, then go to sleep.
INT. MIAMI AIRPORT - NIGHT
Jeremy kisses Tara goodbye before she boards a flight to Chad, Africa.
Jeremy then boards a flight to St. Louis, Missouri.
INT. ST. LOUIS AIRPORT - NIGHT
Jeremy steps off an escalator and heads toward the baggage claim area.