carbon dioxide...
JEREMY
I'm just messing with you, Tara.
Tara's eyes shift. Something triggers in her brain. She looks at Jeremy with a sudden flare of contempt.
TARA
You're mocking me!
JEREMY
Come on Tara, I was just having a little
fun. Without you guys, there would be a
billion less trees in the world.
TARA
Don't patronize me. Do you realize that
carbon dioxide now constitutes nearly two
percent of our present atmosphere? It's
supposed to be less than one.
JEREMY
Listen Tara, the INRC's great, we all
know that, but everyone in the world is
sick of hearing about them. I realize
you're a first year member and all, but
give it a rest, already.
Tara looks over at Alec who is still scowling at her.
TARA
You're right, Jeremy. Thank you for being
so honest.
Tara leans in and kisses Jeremy.
Jeremy glances over at Alec.
Alec glances back, obviously impressed.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN to darkened living room. The party's over.
Alec is standing in his open bathrobe.
Kristin is cleaning up.
She notices a cigarette burn on the leaf of a potted spider plant. She grimaces at the burn before tearing the leaf from the plant.
She shuffles over to Alec. Kisses him softly on the lips. Runs her finger down his chest.
She slips the leaf inside the front of his briefs, then stumbles into the bedroom.
ALEC
I'll be there in a minute. I need to
check my email real quick.
KRISTIN
Okay. But if I'm asleep when you get in
bed, tough luck.
ALEC
Understood.
EXT. BACK PORCH - ALEC'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Alec sits down at the computer.
A distant light catches the corner of his eye. It is far out in the cornfield.
The light descends into the field and disappears from sight.
Alec pulls on a pair of shoes and heads toward it.
EXT. CORNFIELD - NIGHT
Alec arrives at Piren's scoutship.
Something RUSTLES nearby.
A open cocoon is visible on the ship's hull.
A small doorway suddenly opens.
Alec peers inside before stepping through.
INT. SCOUTSHIP - NIGHT
The outer door suddenly closes behind Alec.
An interior door whisks open.
Piren is sitting behind a small table. He waves Alec in.
Alec enters bravely.
A virtual screen hovers behind Piren. An image of Alec's book is displayed on it.
ALEC
Hello.
Piren forces a smile.
He directs his eyes toward Alec's end of the table.
Alec looks down.
A Neutrino Drive engine is sitting there. A small data crystal accompanies it.
ALEC (CONT’D)
What is it?
Piren points to the screen behind him. He struggles to speak.
PIREN
Is that you?
ALEC
Yes.
PIREN
I am Piren. That is a gift for your
future.
ALEC
I don't understand.
PIREN
I will show you.
The screen fades to darkness.
The inner door closes behind Alec.
The ship lurches.
Alec crouches to maintain his balance.
The screen now displays a receding Earth.
The Earth disappears into a sea of stars.
The sun moves blazingly into view, then recedes.
It quickly takes its place as a dim background star.
Familiar constellations creep inward.
Orion contorts itself in a slight, awkward rotation.
All at once, the stars grind to a halt.
The stars then begin a reverse migration.
Orion slips back into precise definition.
The distant sun grows brighter, then moves off to the side.
Earth approaches until it fills the screen.
Alec tightens. Holds his breath.
Another lurch. The air comes bellowing out of his lungs.
Both the inner and outer doors open.
Piren points to the Neutrino Drive.
He motions for Alec to leave the ship.
Alec picks up the drive, pockets the crystal, and then steps from the ship.
EXT. CORNFIELD - NIGHT
The corn is fully matured.
A blast of air hits Alec from above.
He looks up just in time to see the scoutship disappear into the sky.
He begins jogging toward the house.
EXT. BACKYARD - ALEC'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Alec enters the yard.
He looks around suspiciously, and then steps carefully onto the back porch.
He spots Kristin through a window. She is peeking through the curtains at him. She looks older, sadder.
She slowly opens the back door.
KRISTIN
Alec?
ALEC
I thought you were in bed?
She looks carefully at his face, his bathrobe.
KRISTIN
You're alive.
ALEC
Of course I'm alive. Are you all right?
KRISTIN
That's what you were wearing the night
you disappeared.
ALEC
I've been gone a half hour.
KRISTIN
You're scaring me, Alec.
Alec looks around the yard more closely.
He studies the house, then her face.
ALEC
What happened to you? Why is everything
so different?
KRISTIN
Why are you acting like nothing's wrong?
Where have you been all this time?
ALEC
I was out in the field.
KRISTIN
You disappear for three and a half years,
then show up in the middle of the night
to tell me you've been out in the field?
ALEC
Three and a half years? What's the date?
KRISTIN
It's September 12.
ALEC
September 12? What year is it?
KRISTIN
Come on Alec, It's 2021.
ALEC
What happened on April 14, 2018?
KRISTIN
That was the night you disappeared. This
isn't funny. Everyone thinks you're dead.
ALEC
Why would anyone think that?
KRISTIN
Be honest with me. Is there someone else?
ALEC
Someone else? No! In fact, you won't
believe what just happened to me.
KRISTIN
Don't change the subject. How could you
leave me without even saying goodbye? I
thought we were happy.
ALEC
Kristin, love of my life, I'm right here.
You know I would never leave you. You had
a bad dream or something. I'm freezing.
Can I come inside please?
KRISTIN
(after a pause)
Yes, of course.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
They enter the living room and sit down on the couch.
ALEC
Check this out.
He offers her the Neutrino Drive.
She receives it cautiously. She looks it over, unimpressed, then sets it on the coffee table.
KRISTIN
What's this?
ALEC
I have no idea.
Kristin lowers her head, and then stands up.
KRISTIN
Please Alec, don't do this to me.
ALEC
Just hear me out.
Kristin sits back down.
ALEC (CONT’D)
After the party, I saw something out in
the field so I went to go check it out.
The next thing you know, I'm standing