Excuse me?
WOMAN
We need to get a firsthand look at
Microcore's Aristarchus operation and we
want a civilian on the flight- an average
American, if you will. Based on your
simulator performance, you're the perfect
candidate for the mission.
JEREMY
Apollo Eighteen...to the moon. You've got
to be kidding me. Apollo Seventeen was
like fifty years ago.
WOMAN
I'm quite serious.
JEREMY
I'm confused. Weren't you just accusing
me of something?
WOMAN
We were just trying to find where your
loyalties lie. Your duties aboard the
spacecraft will be limited. Basically,
just sit back and enjoy the ride. You
will be required to complete a six week
training course.
JEREMY
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
HAYES
Believe it, Mr. Ash. This is a one time
offer. We need to know right now if
you'll accept your country's call to
service.
JEREMY
Since you put it that way, how can I
refuse?
HAYES
Then it's settled.
Everyone in the room begins gathering files and shutting down their laptops.
HAYES (CONT’D)
We'll be in touch. Good day, Mr. Ash.
Everyone but Jeremy leaves the room.
The Marine enters. He escorts Jeremy out.
INT. JEREMY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Jeremy and Tara are sitting on the living room couch.
TARA
I can't believe the government offered
you a trip to the moon because of a few
hours in an old simulator. There's
something you're not telling me.
JEREMY
I told you they want a civilian on the
flight. This is the opportunity of a
lifetime.
TARA
What you've told me is that these people
are spying on your computer. They
obviously can't be trusted.
JEREMY
It's the U.S. Government. Of course they
can't be trusted. But how could I refuse
the offer?
Jeremy moves into the kitchen.
He returns with a bottle of champagne and two wine glasses.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Will you join me in a toast?
TARA
It's nearly midnight.
JEREMY
Just one glass.
TARA
Are you really proposing that we have one
glass of champagne and save the rest for
another time?
JEREMY
(filling the glasses)
We'll see what happens.
(raising his glass)
To the moon.
They tap their glasses together and promptly empty them.
Tara fills another round.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Think about it. I'll be a national hero.
TARA
Why is the government so interested in
you all of a sudden? What's the big deal
about Microcore mining the moon, anyway?
They've been mining asteroids for years.
What's the difference?
JEREMY
Maybe there really is something else
going on.
TARA
Anything's possible.
Tara finishes her drink and then passes out in Jeremy's lap.
He carries her into her bedroom.
LATER
The living room is dark, empty.
The wall screen is BEEPING.
Jeremy comes out of his bedroom.
JEREMY
I'm coming. Screen activate. Answer call.
CECIL MILLIKAN, early forties, appears on the screen.
His face exudes power and confidence.
He's wearing a Microcore logo baseball cap.
A fat cigar pokes out of his shirt pocket.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Can I help you?
CECIL
Mr. Jeremy Ash?
JEREMY
Yes.
CECIL
Please accept my apologies for the timing
of this call, but I was just informed of
your trip to Washington.
JEREMY
Whoever you are, please just tell me what
you want so I can go back to bed. I do
work for a living.
CECIL
You can quit your job, Mr. Ash. My name
is Cecil Millikan, President of
Microcore.
Jeremy's eyes light up as he recognizes the richest man in the world.
JEREMY
How can I help you, sir?
CECIL
I want you to come work for me and I
won't take no for an answer. I have a lot
more to offer you than the government.
JEREMY
What do you know about my trip to
Washington?
CECIL
I know many things. I'll upload the
details of my offer for you to view at
your convenience. Please contact me
directly after you've examined my
proposal. Good night, Mr. Ash.
Cecil nods before disconnecting.
Jeremy removes a printout from below the screen.
He sits down on the couch and starts to read it.
INT. JEREMY'S APARTMENT - DAWN
Jeremy is sitting on the living room couch, staring at the printout.
Tara comes up behind him.
TARA
Have you been up all night?
She grips the back of the couch. Leans down. Starts to read aloud from the printout.
TARA (CONT’D)
From the desk of C. Edward Millikan,
President, Microcore Space Systems
Management Corp. Subject: ARCUS LUNAR
LANDING SHELL. Having a little fantasy
are we?
JEREMY
Keep reading.
She sighs loudly before joining Jeremy on the couch.
She takes the printout, reads it completely, then hands it back to Jeremy.
She gets up and grabs her purse.
TARA
This is getting weird. I don't know what
you're involved in, I'm just glad it's
not the police or the FBI who are showing
such an interest in you.
JEREMY
Believe me, it's scarier than that.
Jeremy turns on the news.
FLORIDA NEWSCASTER
The search continues for fifteen year old
Billy Faylan who went missing yesterday
during a family camping trip in Northern
Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Faylan, along with
their ten year old daughter, claim to
have encountered a Super Spider that
stalked them before attacking, and then
dragging off the boy. Illinois State
Police are not convinced...
TARA
I'm off to work. Have a good day at the
library. I'll see you around six.
Tara exits. Jeremy moves into the bedroom.
The sound of a shower can be heard.
INT. MELBOURNE RAILCAR STATION - DAY
The station buzzes with activity.
Jeremy boards a single occupant railcar: a SINGLECAR.
INT. SINGLECAR - DAY
He programs a northbound route to the library.
The singlecar debarks the station.
The small display screen indicates that it has merged onto a southbound track.
Jeremy tries, unsuccessfully, to override the computer.
He cannot make contact with the rail station.
The car speeds down the coast.
INT. MICROCORE NORTH ENTRANCE - DAY
The car enters, then stops at a checkpoint.
A FEMALE SECURITY GUARD enters its serial number into a palm unit.
The car then continues into the high security complex.
INT. MICROCORE MAIN HANGAR - DAY
The car glides into the hangar. Slowly rides its periphery.
Dozens of technicians are present. They fill the tiers that wrap up and around a Blaster Nine Rocket.