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FADE IN:
INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL -- DAY
Edmonton, Canada: 2007; A middle school is sitting in a
semicircle with the teacher standing in the center. They
are discussing the book: "21st Century Kids".
TEACHER
Class, what did you think of your
homework assignment? Did you read
the book?
PATRICE holds her hand up.
TEACHER (CONT'D)
Yes...Patrice.
PATRICE
(stands up)
I liked the book. It is about
transhumans living in the future and
some kids who were...
There is a strange noise as aliens come into the classroom.
Everyone is scared. The aliens put everyone asleep and remove
their memory of the book. Other aliens enter the room and
remove the books.
INT. HOUSE -- NIGHT
Sydney, Australia: 2007; A white girl is sitting on her bed
reading the book, "21st Century Kids", when she hears a
strange noise. Her bedroom door opens and an alien appears.
She screams! Then she falls asleep. The alien takes the
book from her hands.
INT. BOOKSTORE -- DAY
Austin, Texas: 2008; MOM, a very pretty small frame woman,
thirty-something with long blonde hair, and AVIANNA, a twelve
year-old skinny, with long, dark, copper-red hair and blue
eyes, are walking in a book store. Mom goes to the magazine
rack and looks around. Avianna starts to move to the
children's books area.
MOM
Stay here...I will be only a minute.
(she picks up a
magazine)
AVIANNA
(points to the
children's area)
But mom, I want to see the books.
MOM
Not this time...I found it.
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2.
Mom and Avianna start to leave walking by the children's
area. They don't notice a book on the rack named: "21st
Century Kids".
EXT. CLOUDS -- EVENING
Avianna's point of view. As the sun sets, Avianna tells her
story:
AVIANNA (V.O.)
It's hard to remember your own death.
It hurts to just think about it, but
I'm glad that you got my story, the
future depends on you. I'll tell
you my story...but first I must share
my memory of how it all started...
(voice fades out)
INT. THE VAN -- NIGHT
Mom gets in the van and starts the engine. The radio starts
to play
RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Crop circles were discovered on a
Wales farm. No one knows how it got
there. Dead cattle drained of blood
are found nearby a barn...
Mom turns the radio off.
MOM
(shouts)
C'mon kids we're going to be late
for church!
EXT. THE VAN -- CONTINUOUS
The children; two girls, one 12 and the other one is 8, and
a boy 10, are skinny with red hair and blue eyes run out of
the house and get into the second row of the van. The boy
is next to the window. The eight year-old girl climbs to
the middle of the third row.
INT. THE VAN -- CONTINUOUS
The children are playing and laughing, while the city rushes
by. It is Christmas time and there are toys and gift-wrapped
packages in the back of the van.
EXT. THE VAN -- LATER
A van is traveling on a busy street coming up to a traffic
light
INT. THE VAN -- MOMENTS LATER
A car traveling at high speed runs the light.
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3.
MOM
(screams)
Go limp! We're going to...
EXT. THE VAN -- MOMENTS LATER
The sounds of screeching tires, clashing, crushing, air bags
deploying in the front of the van and a deep thud as the van
stops in the middle of the street. The van is lying sideways.
INT. THE VAN -- LATER
MOM
(scared, turns to
face Avianna)
Hang on! Just hang on, please.
Avi, you can do it! Stay with us!
I love you, sweetie.
Mom unhooks herself and twists through the van to be by
AVRYN's side. He is bloody with broken glass.
MOM (CONT'D)
AVRYN, Oh sweetie, Avryn, Please
open your eyes...Avryyyn!
Show Avianna dying, in distress, gasping for air, red face,
the machines flat line.
INT. HOSPITAL -- LATER
Sound of hospital noises in the background. E.M.T.'s are in
the emergency room. They are working on Avryn on a gurney
on the other side of the room. Cryonics E.M.T.'s are standing
behind Mom setting up equipment.
MOM
(weakly to Avianna)
Avianna, are you there? Hang on,
stay with us...You can do it. I
love you.
(starting to cry)
You have to do this...Come on baby,
you can.
DAD
(softly)
I love you Avi, You'll be all right.
You have to do this. We need you.
Your little sister needs you. Your
brother is...
FADE TO BLACK:
Play soft piano music to show the passage of time.
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4.
FADE IN:
INT. REANIMATION WARD -- FAR FUTURE
Avianna's body is lying in a medical bed with computers and
medical equipment near by. The room is white, with a
technician, beautiful teeth; long, red, curly hair; piercing
blue eyes; tall, with elegantly draped white clothing that
seems to be glowing like the rest of the room. She is sitting
in a round chair. Avianna starts thinking using telepathy.
Aurora answers in telepathy.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Where...am I? I remember...was I in
a collision? Then I remember she
said to "go limp". I remember
now...she'd said before there'd be
less damage in an accident if we
didn't brace...then I was in the
hospital. People were visiting me.
My mom had called the cryonics team
to the hospital. They talked to me
and had been by my bed, too...Where
am I now? I "feel" a smile...
AURORA (V.O.)
Avianna, the accident damaged your
body. You were cryo-suspended.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
What??? Mom had signed our family
up for cryonics. We had always talked
about what could happen. Is this
it? No way!
AURORA (V.O.)
Yes, you were vitrified in excellent
condition. The cryonics E.M.T.'s
were on hand to give you mixed oxygen
until you were taken to the cryonics
facility, so there was no damage to
your memories.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
I was going to be in the Christmas
play at our church. I was going to
perform "Silent Night" on the piano.
We were acting out the beliefs of
the major religions of Earth. What
year is it? Am I still twelve?
AURORA (V.O.)
Yes, you are still twelve. The year
is now 2188. Nano-bots, which are
tiny machines, are repairing your
cells DNA. It will be but a minute,
your time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
My time?
AURORA (V.O.)
Today peoples' brains think faster,
so we think a lot more things in a
minute. A minute for us is something
like an hour for you. We have ended
aging and have new concepts of time.
Your body is ready! Would you like
to be in control now?
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Yeah.
(starts to move around
in bed and opens
eyes)
This room is so white...Where is the
clock, a window, a T.V.?
(disoriented)
Can you turn the lights up? I can't
see the outlines of furniture or
walls.
AURORA (V.O.)
Please just rest for a moment. You
have neuronal chip implants that you
will learn to use so that you can
manipulate your new environment.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Who are you? Are you saying that I
have implanted chips in my brain?
...That is freaky!
AURORA (V.O.)
I'm a reanimation doctor. My name
is AURORA. You were lucky, a new
process that had been started in
2002, called "vitrification" was
used in your suspension. In your
time, vitrification was used to
transport donor organs to critically
ill patients.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
I'm sure glad people kept working on
vitrification.
AURORA (V.O.)
The technique was tested and perfected
on human brains. Your brain suffered
no cellular damage due to the
procedure. It was easy to warm you
and flush out the vitrification
solution.
(MORE)
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6.
AURORA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(pauses, tilts head)
Physical therapy programs have been
working with your muscles,
electrically contracting them and
testing for full strength. You'll
find you have more strength than you
did, as the nano-bots enhance your
system.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
More strength? Awesome! I do want
to get up! This is a just...oh...Wow!
I can't even describe what I'm
feeling!
AURORA (V.O.)
All right, we will go out soon enough,
but the nano-bots are still in final
recombination at this time.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
How old are you?
AURORA (V.O.)
My age is thirty-two. For here, I
am quite young.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
But, couldn't I...? Wait!...I didn't
even notice at first that I have not
been using my mouth. Why do I hear
your voice in my head and, when I
just think of what to say, you hear
it?
AURORA (V.O.)
There are neuronal chips in your
brain that enables you to be
telepathic and have some wireless
control of your surroundings. Much
like some paralyzed patients of your
time could control lights in their
room, or a cursor on a computer via
thoughts sent from an implanted chip
in their head.
(tilts head forward)
You can also sense direction. There
is a "compass" in your nose.
AVIANNA
Hmm...There's a compass in my nose.
So that way is "North"
(points toward a wall)
AURORA
Magnetic North.
(MORE)
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7.
AURORA (CONT'D)
It changes a little year by year so
you can only get the general
direction. Some people were able to
"feel" magnetic lines even back in
your day.
Avianna is wearing a hospital robe and is bare foot. She
stretches and fills her lungs with air. She sits on the
edge of bed and pushes up, feeling disoriented. She stands
up. Aurora stands up and moves toward Avianna, reaching out
to steady her.
AURORA (CONT'D)
Hello
AVIANNA
I thought you said that you were
thirty-two. You don't look a day
over sixteen.
Aurora reaches out and hugs Avianna. An oval gold-framed
mirror appears out of the wall. Avianna moves toward the
mirror.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
(surprised)
Wow, look at me!
(smiling)
I'm beautiful, my skin is so clear!
AURORA
Yes, you are! Our apparent age is
much less then our actual age.
(laughs)
Now your brain is a thousand times
faster.
(pauses, takes
Avianna's hand)
Come with me. I'll show you around!
As they walk down the hall, the lights come on ahead of them.
They walk toward a transparent wall and doors. Trees are
showing though the walls.
EXT. HOSPITAL -- MORNING
They are in a garden area of the hospital. There are oak,
ash, elm, and cherry trees. It is spring and the trees are
in full bloom. The foliage and flowers are all around the
grounds.
AVIANNA
I'm really here!
Avianna smiles at Aurora and runs over to look in a stream.
The flow of water over small waterfalls and rapids remind
her of the passage of time. She touches the water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
She can see multicolor goldfish and koi in the Japanese pond
next to the stream. A Japanese bright red bridge crosses
the steam and leads to a formal rock garden. They walk along
this path to a large open field as they talk.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
What about my mom...and dad...my
little sister and brother? Are any
of them still alive?
AURORA
Your mom died in her seventies from
an infection contracted after a hip
replacement. Your dad had a stroke
and has serious brain damage. His
reanimation may take longer.
AVIANNA
But...
AURORA
(shows pride)
You are the first of our family!
AVIANNA
Tell me about Avalyse. The
accident...what happen to her?
AURORA
She survived the accident. After
she grew up, Avalyse raised much
awareness and money for the field of
cryonics. Then the field really
gained momentum, when a small mammal
was preserved and then reanimated.
Avalyse was ninety-three, when she
became ill. She transferred her
consciousness into robot form before
she died.
AVIANNA
How about Avryn? Is he alive?
AURORA
Your brother is still in cryo-
suspension. He died en route to the
hospital and suffered from lack of
oxygen before being vitrified. I'm
hoping that you will be able to
provide memories from your shared
history to help fill in his. So
your memories are important to us!
Avianna skips, then runs to an open field and stretches her
arms out to feel the sun. She dances with joy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
EXT. PARKING AREA -- DAY
Avianna and Aurora enter a long curved vehicle that looks
like a stretched bubble. It glides effortlessly into the
air.
EXT. THE CITY -- MOMENTS LATER
There are many buildings, large and long, with smaller
globular rooms attached. There are long hallways leading to
silver spheres, surrounded by trees, flowers and bushes. A
lot of round architecturally designed buildings.
EXT. THE POLLUTED EARTH -- CONTINUOUS
The vehicle flies though the nano-shield. The air is brownish
and smoggy.
INT. AIR CAR -- CONTINUOUS
Avianna looks out the window and looks disgusted.
AURORA (V.O.)
Yes. It is sad. We are protected
here by a filtering nano-shield.
Humans have contaminated the Earth
and made it uninhabitable in some
areas. Global warming melted the
methane ice, destroyed the ozone and
altered Earth's atmosphere. Through
several generations, creatures evolved
methods to survive. You must wear a
suit or take robotic form in certain
areas of unprotected wilderness.
AVIANNA
Animals adapted to the pollution and
global warming? Like in what ways?
AURORA
You'll learn more in school...
EXT. L'ANGELES -- AFTERNOON
There is a very large light blue glowing nano-shield as far
as the eye can see. In it is the skyline of a major city.
Near the center is a very tall building that almost reaches
to the top of the nano-shield dome.
AURORA
This is L'angeles. In the region,
that Los Angeles was in your time.
It was rebuilt only thirty years ago
after a massive earthquake destroyed
the entire city. It was moved inland
from the ocean barrier. Do you see
that tall building over there?
(MORE)
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10.
AURORA (CONT'D)
That is the school complex, where
you will be living.
AVIANNA
Earthquake? Why rebuild if it is
not safe?
AURORA
It's safe because of our building
methods. There is a land shortage,
in your time the ocean was seven-
tenths of the Earth. Now with global
warming, the ocean is eight-tenths
of the Earth and rising.
(looks at Avianna)
The new buildings use nano-bots to
adapt to any of Earth's movements.
(smiles)
The vehicle moves closer to the city. The school is a tall
skyscraper. It looks like a ear of corn standing up on its
end. The kernels are different changing colors and room
styles. Some rooms are tie-dye, forested, deep space, new
age, mountains and beaches. These are the student rooms.
Avianna stares at the school with a surprised look on her
face.
AURORA (CONT'D)
When I attended school, I changed my
scene every couple of days to fit
what I was interested in at the time.
You'll have a lot of fun with that.
You soon learn where your friends
are and you can watch their room
change to. Of course, you'll have
to learn to use your eyes' telescopic
function to see some from the ground!
EXT. PARKING AREA -- MOMENTS LATER
The vehicle lands in a green circle in the middle of the
campus with trees and gardens. Paths lead from the landing
circle toward the main building. One building off to the
side looks like a giant stadium with ocean waves inside.
AVIANNA
Is that a swimming pool?
AURORA
Kinda of like that...
AVIANNA
(interrupting)
I was on a competitive synchronized
swimming team before. There probably
isn't anything like that here...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
AURORA
I think you would not be surprised
to hear that we can't compete by
physical attributes alone anymore.
Now creativity is highly valued.
Some teams that compete even here in
the Ocean Dome.
They disembark the vehicle. Aurora stands near the vehicle
on the driver's side and Avianna walks around the front of
the vehicle to meet up with Aurora. They are looking at the
Ocean Dome as they wait for the school staff.
AURORA (CONT'D)
The Ocean Dome is a wonderful place
for play and research. It is accurate
down to the warm temperature, fish
and dolphins of the topical waters.
Dolphins have their own society here.
AVIANNA
Wow! I can't believe it! I always
loved dolphins and thought they were
smart. And today they have their
own society?
AURORA
They have a history of their own
culture. Some of them have even
chosen to enter robotic bodies and
live with humans. Several live on
the planet called Aques. It was the
second planet colonized after Mars,
and is completely covered by oceans.
A woman, blonde with green eyes wearing green robes and a
large man with dark-black skinned wearing white robes, move
to the circle where Avianna and Aurora are standing. They
are smiling warmly.
GLOREENIA
Welcome to L'angeles School. You
are very well known. You'll find
that you are a little bit famous
here. My name is GLOREENIA. I am
the school's Head Master.
JEZRA
Yes, indeed, welcome. My name is
JEZRA and I am the school's Earth
Government Representative. I will
be going over the school rules with
you. Let's give you a quick tour
and get to your room so that you can
rest. How are you feeling?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
AVIANNA
Oh, I'm feeling great! So when do I
get to read what was written about
me?
AURORA
(laughs)
Well, we don't do much reading around
here; much too slow, but in time
you'll learn more about your history.
I'd like to come on the tour and see
your room, if you would like me to.
AVIANNA
Of course!
INT. L'ANGELES SCHOOL -- CONTINUOUS
The hallways are a bright white and it is difficult to make
out lines, edges and shapes.
AVIANNA
(frustrated)
How do you know where you are going?
AURORA
(laughs again)
When you were reanimated, you were
given many special neuro implants
that we utilize in our society.
Some tap into your familiar human
traits such as hearing, or centers
of learning, speaking, and thinking.
Some tap into your brain in unfamiliar
ways.
(pauses, looks at
Avianna)
For instance, snakes in your time
could see in infrared, that is, in
hot or cold. Snakes would use this
ability to zero in on their warm
prey on a cold night. Humans, with
their technology, developed ways to
see in infrared as well. This is
similar to the night-vision tools of
the military in your time. Honeybees
can see in ultraviolet. Birds, like
eagles, can see clearly by removing
glare. They can see fish underwater,
even high in the sky. In your day,
you had to wear sunglasses to cut
the glare, now you don't need them.
You also have telescopic and
microscopic vision. You can use
this to see your friends far away,
or to zoom in on a small object while
studying its fine details.
(MORE)
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13.
AURORA (CONT'D)
(pauses, looks up)
Nature provides these tools for us
to use. Transhumans can see infrared
and ultraviolet just like some
animals. You not yet familiar with
it, but it is easy; just look for
"warmth". For ultraviolet, think
"blue".
Avianna thinks about "warmth". The humans' bodies glow and
the doorways and words are glowing. Floors are labeled by
age, the youngest on the lower floors, and girls are separated
from boys on different floors.
Avianna notices the other kids stare at her, for a moment.
Some wave "hi". The adults are gesturing with their hands,
but Avianna can't hear what they are saying.
AVIANNA
Are you talking about me? Why can't
we use the elevator?
JEZRA
(smiles and says with
a wink)
Yes we are talking about you and
adults still have privacies from
children. There are what you'd call
an elevator, but while walking we
are letting you get acquainted with
the school. You are on the 67th
floor.
(pause then loud)
Ah-ha! We are at your room.
Avianna walks to the door, does not see a handle, and just
keeps walking looking very worried that the door may not
open, but it opens at the last minute. She walks in, turns
around and looks at the others in the hall.
GLOREENIA
May we come in?
AVIANNA
Yes
INT. AVIANNA'S ROOM -- AFTERNOON
The room is a transparent bubble. The sun is streaming in.
There is a view of the city. All the adults are now in the
room.
JEZRA
The rules and standards for each age
level change, giving students more
freedoms as they advance.
(MORE)
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14.
JEZRA (CONT'D)
You may eat in your room or the
commons with other children on your
floor. Right now, it is just after
study time and is free time until
bedtime. You experience your first
downloads of knowledge while you
"sleep". At 08:00, you will be
expected in classroom Echo 63 to
discuss your new knowledge. After
lunch, you will be assigned a lab,
simulation, or fieldwork, where you
will be given questions and problems
as schoolwork.
Jezra stands by the door.
GLOREENIA
This room was programmed to respond
only to you. You will move up a new
floor for each age until you're twenty-
five.
(move over to a wall)
This is the nano-minting box to make
whatever kind of food you want.
Also, here are nano-pants you can
wear to break down body waste into
usable components. Over there is
your chair that morphs into a body-
waste disposal collection unit if
you'd prefer to use it rather than
the pants.
Aurora smiles at Avianna
AVIANNA
This is so...Cool!...but weird too...
I just can't get over it!
AURORA
The cool part is learning how to use
the morph the nano-particle fog in
the room into any furniture and design
that you desire. All you have to do
is "think" into the room's decorating
channel or tell the computer and the
nano-fog will make it. Try it!
Avianna stands next to the door. She thinks about a trip
she had to Florida. The walls look like water, and sunlight
is broken up in a shimmering pattern and reflects off the
walls of water. The bed and chair blend into the scene.
Jezra and Gloreenia who appear to be mentally talking with
each other, turn to clap and murmur their approval.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
JEZRA
Thank you. We'll check in on you
tomorrow.
GLOREENIA
Yes, thank you. We have a business
meeting to attend.
AURORA
Thanks for taking the time to show
us Avianna's room. I can stay just
a bit longer.
(smiles and says
encouragingly)
That's great for a first try. You'll
get the hang of it. Just "think" of
the bed and chairs as purple so
they'll stand out. You'll have fun
visiting peoples' rooms and seeing
all the different ways they decorate.
You may notice Transhuman themes
from your time are very popular!
AVIANNA
What is a "transhuman"?
(turns head, wondering)
AURORA
We are transhumans. That means that
our bodies are enhanced. It's just
like some of the things scientists
of your time predicted would some
day happen. We appropriate some DNA
from other animals, insects and even
emulate new DNA patterns to enhanced
our bodies. We also use neuronal
chip implants to achieve some things.
(pauses, smiles)
Your bones use the same fibers as
some spider webs; they are a thousand
times stronger than steel. Your
muscles can store more oxygen for
energy and has multilayered elastic
strands, like bungee cords, to prevent
injury by ripping or tearing. You're
very strong now.
(makes a muscle)
Avianna makes a muscle, acting like a strongman.
AURORA (CONT'D)
We don't have human fat anymore, we
use the same type of blubber that
the dolphins use. The blubber helps
protect your organs from injury if
you tumble or get wallop by something.
(MORE)
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16.
AURORA (CONT'D)
It holds more energy and is limited
in size so that you can't get huge
like some humans did in your time.
(expands arms to
pretend being fat)
Avianna pretends to be fat, laughing.
AURORA (CONT'D)
There are also a chalazae; ropey
strands that anchor the brain in
place. It keeps the brain from
hitting the inside of the skull during
rapid acceleration or deceleration.
This prevents concussions or head
injury.
(pretends to have a
headache)
Avianna giggles.
AURORA (CONT'D)
You could hold your breath for hours,
if necessary. Your red blood cells
store more oxygen. Your body recycles
nutrients and nano-bots will
constantly monitor vitamins, proteins,
and carbohydrate levels and make
what the body needs.
(smiles, looks at
Avianna)
AVIANNA
We haven't eaten all day since I was
re-animated, so our bodies now don't
even need food?
AURORA
Well, kind of - things are pretty
different than in your time. We eat
for companionship and fun daily still
like the old ways, but we don't really
need to eat for fuel daily. Our
bodies do need new nutrients within
a week's time however, if you go
that long without eating then you'll
feel hungry and your body will
literally "tell" you...
(make a fake stomach
noise, lower chin
and growl)
I'm low on nutrients. Feed me!
(starts to laugh)
Your body can tell your brain specific
answers to all sorts of happenings
in your body...like biomedical levels,
(MORE)
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17.
AURORA (CONT'D)
hormonal levels, anything even on a
cellular level!
(pauses, looks at the
nano-minting machine.)
By the way, eating sounds like a
good idea, Avianna. I like to make
a special dessert for you before I
go; it's one of my favorites!
ANIANNA
Wow!...It's cool to be a transhuman.
Aurora focuses momentarily on the nano-minting machine, then
two, puffy, white-cloud desserts appear. They have a rainbow
across the top that sparkles and a cookie-crust base under
the fluffy clouds. With a broad grin she brings them to the
table between the chairs.
Aurora dips her finger into the cloud, breaks off a piece of
the cookie and puts it in her mouth. Avianna does the same.
Aurora produces a square white cloth to clean up. Everything
sticks to it and is absorbed into it. Then she throws it
into the recycling bin next to the nano-minting machine.
She walks over to Avianna and puts her arm around her.
AURORA
It is about time for me to go. One
other thing first though. Have you
noticed the black bracelet on your
arm yet?
(she picks up Avianna's
wrist)
This is a personal recorder. It
registers your surroundings and even
your thoughts. You can use it to
connect with others and see what
they are doing. I want you to call
me with it, later tonight, let me
know how you are doing.
AVIANNA
Oh, I'd thought that was just some
kind of jewelry from now. Aurora,
please don't worry about me. I'm
really happy to be here. I'll call
you tonight it shouldn't be that
hard to figure out.
AURORA
I'm not worried about you, Avianna.
I'm sure that you'll be fine. I'd
stay with you if I could, but I have
much work to do back at the
Reanimation Ward. Follow the rules
and be good!
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
AURORA (CONT'D)
Just remember that you can call me
if you need anything...Anything at
all!
Aurora gives Avianna a hug, stands back and looks at her
then gives her another hug for a long time. She reluctantly
walks out the door.
INT. AVIANNA'S ROOM -- NIGHT
Avianna watches the lights come on in the city, buildings
that make patterns of art viewed from above, and the stars
come out. There is a knock on the door. Avianna looks
surprised and opens it. A boy with sandy blond hair, blue
eyes, round face, and a big smile. Avianna thinks he's very
cute.
EORON
Hi, I'm EORON. I noticed you in the
hallway. May I come in?
AVIANNA
Sure!
Eoron walks over and sits down in one of the chairs. He is
staring at Avianna in disbelief.
EORON
Wow! You are much older than I am,
but we are the same age!
(laughs)
Everyone here knows about you. We
were excited from the minute we heard
you'd be coming to our floor. Did
they tell you about "Avianna"? Do
you even know?
AVIANNA
(intrigued)
I'm not sure what you mean.
They start using telepathy.
EORON (V.O.)
You know, Avianna is very famous.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
What?!
EORON (V.O.)
After you and your brother were
suspended, your mother was devastated.
She cloned you and your brother and
carried them herself as twins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
No! She had us again? But it wasn't
us!
EORON (V.O.)
You are right! These children were
different. She utilized genetic
manipulation, to increase the output
of the genes controlling the neuron
growth in the brain. She did
everything she could to make them
smart. Just like with you, she
breastfed them for several years.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Mom always told us that the
archaeological record, observance of
other mammals, and brain scans that
showed thicker neuron development,
all pointed to nursing for years as
the best way to raise a baby. I
know that breast milk is biologically
more complex than blood, and complete
with all the immunities and special
fats used for brain growth. I'm
sure you can make something as good
now.
EORON (V.O.)
Yes, But it is something uniquely
human moms today give their children.
Your mom did more than that to make
them smart...In your mother's quest
to make the clones more aware at an
early age; she raised them with the
unique story of how they came into
the world.
(looks at Avianna)
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Just keep going! I want to know how
they turned out as adults.
EORON (V.O.)
OK, just a sec. Lets attend a
simulation of "you" as an adult-
then I'll tell you more about how
they grew up.
INT. UNITED NATIONS AUDITORIUM -- DAY
Adult Avianna giving a speech and the crowd stands in
applause.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
What? No way? Is that the?...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
EORON (V.O.)
United Nations of Earth? Yes!
AVIANNA (V.O.)
She?...
EORON (V.O.)
Avianna was drawn towards public
service and politics, Avryn towards
robotics and engineering. While
they grew up they loved hearing
stories about you and your brother
before you died. When they were
grown they wanted to help change the
world, they always hoped you'd come
back and be proud of them.
INT. ROBOTICS FACILITY -- DAY
Avryn is working on a robot with wires from a computer
attached to it.
EORON (V.O.)
Avryn went to work with the space
program, and Avianna went into
politics. She became quite famous
when she was elected Earth
Government's president.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Now I'm jealous! How could I possibly
do better myself as an adult?
EORON (V.O.)
This is why I had to come explain
all this to you. I didn't think the
adults would tell you everything.
You can set your room's computer to
download this so you can get the
historical record.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Wow! That is so amazing!
EORON (V.O.)
Yeah it is, but there is more.
EXT. PLANETS
Show the images of humans terraforming Mars, the purple oceans
of Aques with dolphins swimming, and the green hills and
snowcapped mountains of Ikaria. Then show the jungles of
Eurestra with adult Avianna, adult Avryn and robot Avalyse
talking together and making plans.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
EORON (V.O.)
Avryn helped in terraforming Mars,
and colonizing Aques, and Ikaria.
He finally moved to Euresta. That
is where he, Avianna, and your sister,
Avalyse disappeared.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
(concerned)
They disappeared?
EXT. PLANET EURESTA
Show a military ship in Euresta's orbit. The ship enters
the planet's atmosphere, decending to the surface and is
lost in the mist.
EORON (V.O.)
We lost contact with Euresta six
years ago. We would send and receive
messages every three months, but
then the messages stopped. Over
12,000 human, robots and a few
dolphins had moved there. After a
military ship disappeared there has
been no further efforts to find any
survivors on the planet.
INT. AVIANNA'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
AVIANNA
People gave up looking for them?
They couldn't!
EORON
Too many lives were lost, so Earth's
Government voted that they would
send no more ships to the planet.
That was years ago. Many here still
wonder, and want to know what happened-
if there are any survivors.
(pauses)
My older sister is part of privately
funded group that is planning a trip
to the lost colony. It is being
kept a secret. My sister asked me
to join. I'm known for my flying
skills. It's mainly people with
relatives are going. She wanted to
know if you'd like to join us.
AVIANNA
(looking hesitant)
I...I need a minute. I don't know
what to say.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
EORON
(looks out the window
at the stars)
Yeah, sure. The mission doesn't
leave for a few months anyway. You
better be getting ready for downtime,
I'm going to my room now...We have
to do the downloads for tomorrow.
AVIANNA
Thanks for visiting.
INT. AVIANNA'S ROOM -- LATER
Avianna looks at the black bracelet then looks like she is
concentrating, and a holographic image of Aurora appears
smiling.
AURORA
How are you doing? You don't look
so well. Is something wrong?
AVIANNA
Yes, I'm fine...Thank you. I'm just
tired.
AURORA
Well, you had a busy day. I'm glad
that you doing fine. Get some rest.
I will visit you later.
ANIANNA
I need to start my downloads now,
I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight.
AURORA
Goodnight
(image fades to
darkness)
INT. COMMONS AREA -- MORNING
Avianna walks into the commons. There are many students
sitting around eating variously colored and moving foods.
All the students stop talking and turn to look at Avianna.
AMBER, like her namesake; has deep golden hair, and aquamarine
eyes. She motions for Avianna to sit next to her. Avianna
smiles and moves towards Amber and sits next to her.
AMBER
Hi, I'm AMBER. It's nice to meet
you...Glad you're here. Never mind
everyone. It's just that we are
curious about what you have just
gone through!
AVIANNA
Uh, yeah.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
AMBER
You are in my discussion group this
morning. I thought that download
for class about the biology of the
exterior plants was amazing. Did
you like it? I bet it means we'll
get to go on a field trip to the
outside soon!
(laughs)
So, what do you think of our time so
far? Here, want to try the chocolate
soufflé that my mom created?
Amber extends her hand with the chocolate sauce dripping
from her fingers. Avianna reaches across the table, takes
some of the brown mess from Amber's fingers, and moves it to
her mouth.
AVIANNA
Thanks for sharing! It's delicious!
I'd like you to send me the recipe
and then you could come have it with
me in my room sometime. Really
everything here is amazing to me,
there is so much that I want to do.
It just that I guess I always thought
there would be more freedom for kids
in the future, but I see there are
still laws and regulations "For our
own good".
Amber laughs again, nodding her head in agreement. Then
Amber finishes eating, she uses her cloth, wipes the table
clean and places the cloth into the recycling bin next to
the nano-minting machine. Avianna mimics her actions.
AMBER
Hey, after class a few of us are
going to go swimming in the Ocean
Dome. Wanna come?
AVIANNA
(big grin)
Sure, I'm there already!
EXT. OCEAN DOME -- AFTERNOON
Avianna walks from the school across the park. It starts to
rain. Avianna pulls a rod out of her robe and it expands
into a pink umbrella. She runs to the Ocean Dome and enters.
She closes the umbrella back into a tiny rod.
INT. OCEAN DOME -- CONTINUOUS
Avianna kicks off her clogs and runs along the beach. She
meets Amber on the shore.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
AMBER
Think "Dolphins" and you will tune
in to their frequency so that you
can talk to them.
AVIANNA
Cool!
They walk into the waves and away from the shore.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Don't we need goggles?
Amber laughs at this and dives underwater. They use
telepathy.
AMBER (V.O.)
Nope, we even have lungills. See
the four tiny slits on your neck?
They move the water in and out to
extract oxygen when we need it.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
(interrupting)
Lungills?
AMBER (V.O.)
Like fish, the lungills have
electrolyte cells to produce oxygen.
The leftover hydrogen combines with
nitrogen and becomes ammonia that is
used by the nano-bots.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
You just know all that?
AMBER (V.O.)
(shrugs it off)
Nah, I just downloaded transhuman
physiology of the respiratory system.
Anyone can do it.
(points)
Can you see them down there?
Amber points to a group of children. There are dolphins
circling them.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
What is that? Are they ok?
They swim down toward the group.
AMBER (V.O.)
Why of course! Those are dolphins!
Come on, I see one of them that I
know. I'll introduce you
A dolphin comes up to them and appears to be talking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
AMBER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(laughs)
Avianna, you have to tune into the
channel to understand. This is IOE,
and she is trying to say hi to you.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Can you see down there? I think I
found the right frequency, now. Hi
Ioe!
IOE (V.O.)
Hi Avianna! Nice to meet you. I
heard some interesting stories about
you. You were suspended using
cryonics? EEEi! What's it like to
die and then be alive again? Can
you share the memory of the accident?
A scene from the accident plays, Avianna sees her brother
Avryn convulsing with blood coming out of his mouth. Avianna
moves away from Ioe and starts to become sick. She swims
toward the other dolphins.
AMBER
Ioe, Avianna doesn't want to talk
about that yet. Give her time. OK?
IOE
Sure, I was curious. I just wanted
to see her die! Eeei!
Ioe swims off to meet her other dolphin friend, LEXA. Lexa
and Amber start to swim together. Avianna rejoins with Ioe
and they swim together.
AVIANNA
I want to show you a dance I was
working on with my synchronized
swimming team. Hold on, let me
download the music.
The dolphins join in the dance to Irish music.
AMBER
Thanks, you are really creative.
See if you can come visit my house
next weekend, I want to meet my mom...
INT. AMBER'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
The house is a retro style of the nineteen-fifties, with
lots of light green and light blue. The kitchen looks
resembles a 1950's roadside dinner with a jukebox and red
and white tiles on the walls and floor. Amber's mother brings
over a plate of fancy snacks. Amber and Avianna begin to
eat the food some is ice cream that is first hot.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
AVIANNA
These are amazing! I'll have to try
making candies sometime!
AMBER
Thanks, mom
AMBER'S MOTHER
You're welcome dear.
(turns to look at
Avianna)
Avianna thank you for coming to visit
us. I know you have family here,
but you must miss your own mother.
You just come and visit us whenever
you want dear.
She leaves the room.
AMBER
Avianna, so much of this time is
still new to you. How are you doing
with it all?
AVIANNA
(looks down)
I do feel out of place sometimes,
you know, but mainly it's very
exciting.
AMBER
I've had fun meeting you and learning
from you. I can't really imagine
what you've been through. Sometimes
I've noticed that you are distracted
from what we are doing. Is there
something that has been worrying
you?
AVIANNA
(looking down and sad)
You know, the biggest difference
that is hard for me to overcome is
that kids here have never experienced
death. It's like they don't
understand a sadness that I have.
They could never understand all that
I've lost.
AMBER
Oh, Avianna...We do feel deeply and
empathize with others. I guess we
just value focusing on positive things
and trying to be happy. Hey, I know,
your birthday is coming up. And
you've never seen a modern birthday
party! Let me show you a few of
mine!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
Amber shows Avianna a virtual princess party on a holographic
display.
AVIANNA
(looks up and smiles)
That sounds great.
AMBER
For your party, I was thinking of
this.
Amber shows a virtual beach party.
AVIANNA
That is cool! It's a beach party
with dolphins!
INT. L'ANGELES SCHOOL -- DAY
Avianna is setting in a semicircle during discussion class.
MZ SVENSSON, Swedish, blonde, is teaching the class molecular
biology. Behind the teacher, is a holographic display of
DNA and nano-bots repairing it.
MZ SVENSSON
Avianna, what are the four amino
acids that makeup DNA?
AVIANNA
(stands up to answer
question)
Mz Svensson; The DNA is composed of
four nucleotides. Adenine, Thymine,
Guanine and Cytosine are the base
pairs. These base pairs join together
to form the double helix.
(sits down)
MZ SVENSSON
Very good, Avianna.
INT. AVIANNA'S ROOM -- DAY
Avianna is in her room playing with the nano-minting machine.
She is trying to make new deserts. She comes up with a
dolphin shaped banana split sundae. Aurora calls her.
ANIANNA
Hi, Aurora...school is going great.
I really like it here. I having a
birthday party. Can you come?
AURORA
Well, Yes I'll be there. I can't
wait to see what type of party you
have planed...Happy Birthday! I'll
see you next weekend!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
EXT. OCEAN DOME -- DAY
AVIANNA
So this is it? I'm turning 13, life
goes on...
AURORA
Yeah, I'm glad you are here-- lets
have some fun.
Avianna and Aurora walk into the Ocean Dome building. A
group of kids is on the beach.
EVERYONE
(cheering and yelling)
Happy Birthday!
Then everyone throws handfuls of exploding confetti in the
air. There is a full-sized dolphin shaped cake. The dolphins
leap into the air and a sign slowly rotates around the little
sun in the corner of the dome saying: Happy 13 conscious
trips around our Sun. [Happy 193 :)], in light blue letters.
Aurora gives Avianna a large black box filled with a magic
set.
AVIANNA
Aurora, thank you! How did you know
I'd love this?
AURORA
Oh, it was easy. I saw that you
liked magic shows when I was
rebuilding your memories. So I wanted
to give you the best magic set ever.
I'm sure you'll be creating your own
tricks to add to it!
Avianna stands toward the center of the group; she lifts her
hands and announces:
AVIANNA
(deep, stage voice)
Ladies and Gentleman! Come one;
come all! Now presenting Avi the
Magnificent! I would like to do a
bit of magic to celebrate this
momentous occasion!
Avianna twirls a black and red cape around her shoulders and
puts the top hat on.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Please, may I have a volunteer for
my first trick?
A Hispanic girl steps up to Avianna as she fans a deck of
cards into a wide arc through the air. Each card stays in
place in the air, with the backs toward the crowd.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
Avianna puts her hand up and stops the girl in front of the
cards.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Hello, what is your name?
REBECCA
Rebecca Vasquez
AVIANNA
Well, Rebecca, will you be as kind
as to pick a card...Any card...And
verify that this is, in fact, a normal
pack of cards?
REBECCA
Sure!
She reaches up and picks one. It is the queen of hearts;
she flexes it, and runs her finger over it. Then she shows
it to the audience.
AVIANNA
Thank you
Avianna moves her hand along the arc, collecting the cards
into a pile in her left hand.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Please add your card to this pile,
face down.
Rebecca does this and Avianna hands her the entire deck.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Now, you may shuffle the cards in
any manner that you please, and,
audience, if you would like to verify
that this is indeed an ordinary
glossed-paper set of cards, please
do so at this time.
A few people reach and touch the cards.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Rebecca, please concentrate on the
card that you picked
Avianna fans the cards out so that they are facing her.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Now, do you know which card it was?
REBECCA
No, I can't tell.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
AVIANNA
You can't determine which card you
were holding? You can't see your
fingerprints? You didn't fold a
corner of the card?
REBECCA
No, I don't know which one it was.
Am I supposed to know?
AVIANNA
Well, you were, but this time...
And this time only, I'll let you
choose another card
Rebecca smiles and steps forward and randomly pick a card.
The audience gasps and some murmuring and clapping, when
Rebecca smiles and shows them the queen of hearts. Avianna
throws the deck into the air and twirls around; fanning out
her cape; the cards disappear. She smiles and tips her hat
to the applause.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
Now, thank you for your participation.
I have one final act to perform, one
that I've wanted to do ever since I
was a little child. You see, I had
a hat just like this in the magic
set I kept under my bed, for special
occasions such as this!
(smiles and give a
wink)
I had a special friend who lived
inside my hat. I told my friends
and family about him, but I'm not
sure if they ever believed me. I'd
like you to meet my friend tonight.
Avianna takes off her hat and tosses it into the air, catches
it in with both hands, and shows the audience that the hat
is empty. Then she reaches into the hat and pulls out a
bunny.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
His name is Jimmy.
(takes the rabbit and
lets the audience
pet it)
Thank you! Thank you! It was a
delight performing for you tonight.
(bows)
The audience cheers. Avianna bows and then removes her
costume. The crowd breaks up into a smaller group of friends
again. Ioe is there in a blue and white human robot form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
IOE
This is a gold necklace with an orb.
I designed it myself! The orb glows
in the dark so that you can see.
AVIANNA
Thanks, Ioe, I will put it on now.
(puts on the necklace)
This so...Pretty. Thanks!
She gets other presents. A pocket roll out full sized
keyboard. She plays a beautiful dancing song on. People
give her hugs when it is time to go. She leaves with Aurora
and enters her flying vehicle.
INT. AIR CAR -- NIGHT
Flying above the city Avianna looks out the window at the
city, it is aglow with bright colors. She looks lonely and
sad. Aurora smiles at her and rubs her hand on Avianna's
head.
AURORA
Happy Birthday sweetie. I know you
are going to like meeting Joycee and
Mack, I think they'll remind you of
your time.
INT. AURORA'S APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS
Avianna meets two of Aurora's friends in the living room.
JOYCEE has platinum hair and gray eyes with high checks and
a beautiful smile. MACK is a tall man with blond hair, hazel
eyes and very cute.
AURORA
Avianna these are my friends Joycee
and Mack. We graduated the same
class together, they are married now
and work in the same facility as I
do.
Avianna smiles and does the formal wave.
ANIANNA
Hi, nice to meet ya.
JOYCEE
Mack and I were wondering if you'd
like to come to church with us next
Sunday?
AVIANNA
Yeah, that sounds fun. I'd love to.
What do they do in church these days?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
JOYCEE
Same and different from your time.
The minister has more resources at
hand for the weekly sermon. Points
can be made through simulated
environments. I think you'll like
it.
MACK
It's the Unitarian Universalist
Church.
AURORA
I watch it on the
holograph...sometimes.
AVIANNA
(exited)
Really, the UU's are still around?
I went to that church in my time!
I'll go next Sunday.
INT. AIR CAR -- NIGHT
Avianna is looking out the widow.
AVIANNA
Uh, I was wondering, why didn't you
tell me about my "fame" and the fate
of my clone Avianna?
AURORA
I was waiting until you asked
(pauses, turns to
look at Avianna)
You see, I knew it would be very
upsetting to you. I wanted you to
see the importance of what you have
to learn, to do, and to help humanity
here. Then you earned the right to
travel into space. I don't want to
lose you.
(hesitates)
I'm sure that someone has contacted
you with an offer to travel to the
lost colony.
(looks at Avianna)
Avianna, you look distressed and I'm
sure I know why.
(tearful voice)
Please don't tell me who, as I'd
have to report them. I can tell
from your face that you've been asked.
(pauses, concerned)
You must think about your brother!
I want you here for his reanimation.
Avianna can see that Aurora looks afraid.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
INT. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH -- DAY
Avianna is sitting in a pew next to Joycee. She notices the
galaxy levitating above her.
The minister, a Hindu from Kathmandu, Nepal; tall and thin,
is giving a sermon about the ecology of Earth. There is a
holographic display showing the damage of the Earth. As she
speaks, the map shows details of the damage.
The land shapes look different, as eight-tenths of the Earth
is underwater. Avianna notices that Florida is gone. There
is a sound between the California Island and the mainland
U.S. Avianna notices that "Death Valley" is underwater and
Phoenix is an ocean side city. On the Mediterranean Sea:
Israel, Lebanon and Jordan are underwater. Saudi Arabia is
an island between Africa and Asia. Antarctica and Greenland
have no glaciers. Scandinavia is an island with a sound
covering the southern half of Finland and parts of Russia
from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Ocean. Holland, Denmark
and half of Sweden are underwater. Great Britain and Ireland
are smaller. Around the world the major cities have ocean
barrier walls around them and appear to be like islands.
There is a dark brown band floating above the equator that
fades near the poles. It is the methane, and pollution in
the air.
This display fades, music plays and the main sermon begins.
A beautiful woman, with dark eyes, and long dark curly hair
walks out onto the stage, extending her arms to the audience
as she begins.
DR LEORA
Welcome to our service today. A
large part of the ecology of the
Earth has been devastated. Earth
cannot support human life in its
natural form anymore. Some animals
have adjusted to the change. We are
already working on ways to help them
improve our planet.
(pauses and points to
the holographic
display)
This is our "Mother Earth". Earth's
Government is doing all that it can
to help but it needs your support.
(points up at the
holographic galaxy)
Nevertheless, some say we need to
explore the galaxy and find new homes.
Some of us have left Earth already.
We now know of three planets that
can sustain life: Aques, Ikaria, and
Euresta. We are terraforming Mars.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
DR LEORA (CONT'D)
However, its core is solid and cannot
generate a magnetic field to protect
the planet from the radiation of the
sun...
INT. L'ANGELES SCHOOL -- DAY
Avianna is giving an oration of what she learned last
semester. There is a holographic display of the string theory
next to the stand. In the audience are teachers, adults and
children.
AVIANNA
In conclusion, time is the movement
of the super strings as they transpose
from one dimension to another
dimension. They have ten different
dimensions to change position in and
out of and when they shift, "time"
is formed.
After she finishes, she walks down the stage and over to
where Aurora is sitting.
AURORA
Avianna, I really enjoyed the end of
your oration. I'm proud of how far
along you've progressed since you
came here. I was worried about you.
I knew you'd be behind the other
children, but you've done very well.
AVIANNA
Thanks. At times, it has been hard.
I think that I'll understand all the
multidimensional implications of
string theory, in time.
AURORA
That is pushing our limits of
knowledge, even today!
(nudging Avianna
playfully)
I think you are doing just great.
Are you ready for a trip? You'll
get to meet my dad soon. We are
going to our family's annual gathering
over the holiday break. He has been
looking forward to meeting you for
quite some time, but has been very
busy with his work.
AVIANNA
What does he do?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
AURORA
He is the Assistant Director of a
robotics facility. We'll be meeting
up with him in Oulu, where our
Christmas gathering is being held
this year.
AVIANNA
To the top of the world, we come!
EXT. FLOATING WALKWAY -- DAY
At the L'angeles main transport station, Avianna and Aurora
walk to a floating air vehicle just under the walkway. They
are very high in the open on a platform leading to the
vehicle.
AVIANNA
Does anyone ever fall off this thing?
AURORA
(smiles)
No, but it is safe if you do. When
the sensors detect something falling,
one of those retrieval vehicles will
instantly catch them. See them
floating just under the walkway?
Avianna walks over to the edge and looks down. Avianna grabs
Aurora's shoulder as they step across the platform into the
vehicle.
INT. AIR TRANSPORT VEHICLE -- CONTINUOUS
AURORA
Our seats are right over here
(they sit in their
seats)
Don't get too comfortable though.
Our trip to the Finnish exit station
will only be twenty minutes.
EXT. AIR TRANSPORT VEHICLE -- MOMENTS LATER
Avianna and Aurora walk across another platform into the
Oulu Station. It resembles an ancient stone castle. In a
crowd of people, walking back and forth is a woman nursing
her child while sitting on a bench. Most of the people are
Middle-eastern or mixed. Avianna hears a family excitedly
talking about their Eid al-Fitr preparations for the Holiday
Season.
INT. OULU STATION -- CONTINUOUS
Avianna and Aurora walk to a holographic display in the middle
of the room showing the transport schedule. A large man
with red hair and blue eyes walks up to them, causing Avianna
to jump back a little.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
AURORA
Dad!
(throws arms around
him)
NEILS
Aurora, it has been too long, my
dear, and this is the newest member
of our family and the oldest.
(he winks at Avianna,
wraps his arm around
her shoulder)
Nice to meet you. I've seen you as
a child in the memories of my great-
grandma from when she was small.
You don't look a bit different!
Avianna smiles.
AURORA
Dad, we should get moving. I saw on
the display that there is a major
storm moving into our arrival area.
Did you secure a transport for us
already?
NEILS
Yes. We're waiting for your sister
to arrive. I'll try to contact her;
just a moment.
(sit down and goes in
a trance for a moment)
AVIANNA
(talking to Aurora)
He looks just like a great uncle
from my time, Neils.
NEILS
I talked with AVRIEL, and her
transport will arrive in fifty-six
seconds.
(pat Avianna on the
shoulder)
We all like to use names from our
family's history for our children.
This is especially true when a baby
looks like a long ago relative. It
is a way to honor their memory.
Avianna looks at him.
AVIANNA
So you are probably named for my
real great uncle?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
NEILS
(eyes twinkle)
Yes, I certainly am. We have thirty-
five seconds until Avriel arrives.
Lets head out to the platform.
EXT. OULU STATION -- MOMENTS LATER
They are standing on the platform as people walk by. Then
Avriel, a tall, lanky girl with long blonde hair and bright
blue eyes, walks up to meet them. She looks strikingly like
Avianna's mother, in her teens.
AVRIEL
Hey, It's nice to see you all in
person for a change. So, this is
the little Avianna?
She turns to Avianna and extends her hand, the exchange the
formal wave and shake.
INT. AIR CAR -- LATER
NEILS
Things may be a little rough if the
storm winds are still raging. You
all should put on your safety
harnesses before we enter. We'll be
in Rovaniemi in a minute.
(pauses, looks back
at Avianna)
Avianna did you know that Rovaniemi
is the traditional home of Santa
Claus?
AVIANNA
(surprised)
Cool! I can see Santa Claus and
play with his reindeer!
AURORA
(high pitched voice)
Dad! Did you hear what Avriel said?
NEILS
(raised voice)
Now is not the time, you two.
AURORA
But, Dad...She wants to get married!
She has a sweetheart! His name is
Yuri. She's in love and she didn't
tell any of us!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
NEILS
(turns to look at
them)
What? Avriel, why did you?...
(turns back to fly
the vehicle)
You have some explaining to do as
soon as we land: now I must
concentrate. Everyone be silent!
The storm rocks the vehicle. The nano-sphere comes into
view in the cockpit window. The vehicle lands at the Lapland
Arctic Center.
INT. LAPLAND ARCTIC CENTER -- LATER
All around the center are Christmas trees. Some stand out
more than others do. In front is a red-theme tree with Santas
and elves. Another tree is golden-theme with angels, bells
and sparkling crystals. Avianna stares at this tree, thinking
of her mother. Another tree has little Earth balls that
were spinning around it and blue ornaments with a light-blue,
glowing "Peace on Earth" sign over the top.
A distinguished white, silver haired man, with broad shoulders
and a v-shaped torso, steps toward Avianna as the others are
talking.
RANDALL
I am Randall, Avalyse is my mother,
and I'm the one hosting this affair!
I am on the board of directors of
the reanimation foundation that has
funded your reintroduction to society.
I am your oldest living relative on
Earth, even though you, of course,
were born before me.
(extend hand for a
formal shake)
Mitä kuuluu?
AVIANNA
Siinähan se menee.
(pauses, surprised at
herself.)
That was cool! Wow, you look like
my grandpa when he was younger. I
remember pictures of him in his youth.
You're...you're my little sister's
son?
(almost in tears)
RANDALL
Yes, and that's Finnish. You have
multilingual skills downloaded into
your brain. I know a lot about your
grandfather.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
RANDALL (CONT'D)
I was raised with stories of him and
seen his pictures. When I was born,
mom named me after him.
AVIANNA
You have no idea what a good man he
was and such a gifted piano player.
RANDALL
I have many memories of him. I would
be grateful if you might share some
of yours with me.
AVIANNA
I can share with you. I'm not sure
how to do that, though.
RANDALL
It is easier to access older memories
in my lab at Oulu University. Aurora
had discussed with me the need for
your memories to be used for Avryn.
AVIANNA
That would be great! I hope it's
soon. I can't wait for my brother
to be here!
RANDALL
Work has been started to re-animate
his body at the California cryonics
facility. I can get your memories
here and we can transfer them to
Aurora when she is ready for them.
(pauses, and smiles)
But this is Christmas! And I want
to introduce you to the guest of
honor for our party!
(walks to a door.)
Santa Claus!
(opens a door)
SANTA CLAUS
Ho! Ho! Ho! Welcome to Rovaniemi!
I'm Santa Claus! Have you been a
good girl, Avianna?
(looks down and smiles
at her)
AVIANNA
(turns nose up at
Santa)
I've been good, but you're not real.
You're a simulation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
SANTA CLAUS
I'm as real as a simulation can get!
(laughs)
AVIANNA
Oh, all right, then I bet you know
what I want for Christmas.
(smiles and laughs)
INT. AVIANNA'S ICE HOTEL ROOM -- EVENING
Avianna's room is a snow-theme with ice block looking material
that was warm with a light that is shining through. She
walks over to the nano-minting machine.
AVIANNA
Computer: I need a cross-country
skiing outfit, blue and yellow, with
skis, poles and boots.
Avianna puts the clothes on a table to wear tomorrow.
INT. OULU UNIVERSITY -- MORNING
Avianna and Randall walk into the lab with two couches next
to the wall and a computer terminal in the center.
RANDALL
Avianna lay on that couch on the
right. I will set up the equipment.
I need to turn off your consciousness
for the deep downloads.
Avianna lays on the couch and smiles at Randall.
AVIANNA
Ok.
RANDALL
Computer, access program codes: A:
avryn 2008, C: avianna 2036 and D:
neils 1952. For a memory transfer
protocol.
(smiles at Avianna)
Begin programs, now.
EXT. SNOW SKIING -- AFTERNOON
Avianna is wearing her blue and yellow outfit. Aurora is in
a white and blue outfit. Neils is in a red and white outfit.
Avreil is in a pink and silver outfit. Randall is in a red
and gold outfit. They are skiing cross-country in the tundra.
Randall is the fastest skier. Everyone laughs when Neils
falls down in the snow. He makes a snow angel. Everyone
else does the same.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
EXT. SNOW SKIING -- CONTINUOUS
They come across some indigenous Sami people wearing the
traditional gakti outfits and herding reindeer. There are
people of all ages. Avianna pets a reindeer and feeds it.
INT. AVIANNA'S ICE HOTEL ROOM -- NIGHT
Avianna is sitting next to the window looking out at the
aurora borealis, she is crying. Next to her are holographic
portraits of her grandfather, her mom, dad, sister and
brother. Soft classical piano music is playing as she is
deciding about her future. It is her grandfather's favorite
piece. She stands up and makes her resolution. She takes a
deep breath and then lets it out slowly. There is calm on
her face. She learns that courage is overcoming her fear.
INT. COMMONS AREA -- DAY
Earth Day: All the kids are in the commons room singing a
song. A large earth shape cake with candles floating in the
air around the equator is revolving in the middle of the
commons room. Avianna is sitting at a table and mopes around.
KIDS
(singing)
Thanks to your ancient rocks and
their radioactive decay, Earth, we
come together to celebrate your
birthday today! Life here has evolved
four and a half billion years. Sixty
million years ago, primates did
appear. Then, just 200,000 years
ago, we Homo sapiens made our premier.
Our gratitude is long overdue. On
this day, we promise to help you
renew. Earth, Thank You! Today we
celebrate. Please let your wind
blow out the candles on this cake!
The windows to the commons room are open, and a breeze blows
out the candles as the earth cake floats toward the windows.
The children start to cheer and dig into the chocolate and
popfizz lava cake. Avianna slowly moves away looking sad
but smiling at anyone who looks at her. She walks to Eoron's
room.
INT. EORON'S ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
Avianna walks into Eoron's room. It is a deep space theme,
with pulsating silver bed and chairs.
AVIANNA
Hi, can I come in? I need to talk
to you. How is it goin'?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
EORON
(excited)
Great! I'm glad you came to visit
me. I've been working on a robotics
project. Our group has a robot ship
in space that we can interface and
program. That's how we're getting
these pictures of an unexplored area
of the universe displayed on my walls
right now.
AVIANNA
Wow, Eoron! Your room is impressive!
Eoron is sitting on his bed, leans toward Avianna, sits back,
and smiles.
EORON
Thanks. I think it's exciting to
add to Earth's knowledge in some
way, and I love my room because it
makes me feel at home in the vastness,
the darkness, the brilliance of the
universe beyond our little solar
system and galaxy. I know that I'll
soon be there in real time, traveling.
So I like to "get ready", so to
speak...
AVIANNA
Well, you know, on that exact subject
that is why I'm here. I've been
thinking a lot about what you said,
for a long time.
(hesitates)
So, you have your room recorder off,
I'm sure.
EORON
(laughs)
Of course.
AVIANNA
I have decided to go with you.
Eoron smiles but says nothing.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
I'm afraid. I'm scared. We don't
know what we will encounter.
EORON
Yes, I know how you feel. I've stayed
up late at night going over all the
scenarios myself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
AVIANNA
I want to know. That's just it, I
can't stand not knowing...I want to
know what happened to her.
(pauses looks up)
Avianna is fascinating to me. She
is like my sister and like me. I
have plenty of worries about what
will happen if I go.
(pauses looks down)
EORON
Well, then, come home with me next
weekend and meet my family!
AVIANNA
That would be good, I'd like that,
Okay!
EXT. PARKING AREA -- AFTERNOON
Eoron's parents come to pick up Avianna and Eoron in a smoky-
gray vehicle. His mom has on clothes that change colors and
are very distracting. They get into the vehicle, and it
floats upwards into the city traffic.
INT. EORON'S PARENTS HOUSE -- EVENING
They are in the dining room eating sushi. BILL, German, is
Eoron's dad, white with blond hair and grey eyes. LAURA,
Polish, with cotton white hair and blue eyes. Bill is eating
something that looks like a still alive mini-octopus.
BILL
It's really great that you came to
spend the weekend with us.
EORON
We have something important to tell
you, but we want to wait until Mandy
is here, so we can have a family
meeting on this subject.
LAURA
(eating a piece of
sashimi)
Your sister! Then I know what this
is about Bill, we can't let them...
BILL
My dear, it's ok. We'll let them
tell us on their own.
LAURA
(shakes head)
Well, I'll try not to worry about
it. You know how I feel about this.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
LAURA (CONT'D)
I just want you kids to have fun
being kids this weekend, ok?
EORON / AVIANNA
(raise eyebrows and
talk at the same
time)
Yeah
(both start to laugh)
INT. FAMILY ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Avianna and Eoron are watching a horror movie in the simulated
environment. Avianna looks upset, and stops watching.
EORON
(laughing)
Oh, come on, Avianna, You know it's
not real!
AVIANNA
(mad)
Yes, I know that logically, but my
brain and yours are as pearls with
different layers evolved over the
past 240 million years, the oldest,
deepest part in the middle being our
reptilian complex that evolved during
the Permian and drives our ancient
instinct to acquire territory. Then
the next layer of our brain developed
180 million years ago during the
transition from reptile to mammal
the development of emotions, our
limbic system. It is the second
largest part of our brain today,
causing us to feel and act out our
emotions before we even have conscious
thought.
EORON
(annoyed)
OK, but what is your point?
AVIANNA
(still mad)
Well now we have prefrontal cortex
what has given us all this science
and technology. It showed up only
about 50,000 years ago. With it, we
developed the ability to have
knowledge of the past and future.
That is, in fact, what we enhance in
other species to give them full
sentience.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
AVIANNA (CONT'D)
My point is that here we are, acting
on impulses from the deepest parts
of our brain and our cerebellum.
The newest strip a thin layer on the
outside of the pearl is simply there
to makes excuses or "rationalizations"
for instinctually stimulated behavior.
It sure caused many problems in my
time.
EORON
Whoa, Avianna, hold on there! Stop
for a sec. I didn't mean to upset
you! I'm sorry. I know all that,
too, though. It's still just make
believe violence!
AVIANNA
Yeah, but it caused a lot of real
violence in my time, people being
driven by their instincts. Now,
since my brain will release the
chemicals of fear if I watch something
like that. I just don't need it to
do that. I don't like feeling that
way. It makes me scared for what we
might encounter on our trip.
EORON
Oh, so you're scared? You don't
really want to go? You are having
second thoughts?
AVIANNA
It's not that. I mean, yes, I'm
scared, but I do want to go. Girls
do have an eleven percent larger
part of the brain devoted to worrying
and emotion, you know.
(winks and smiles)
I just ignore my emotions and be
rational, and watching a horror movie
doesn't help me do that!
EORON
Oh, ok, but I think you take things
way too seriously. You need to have
some more fun! The sun creeps over
the horizon in five minutes, twenty-
one seconds. Come outside with me.
I want to show you one of my favorite
things to do since I was a little
boy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
EXT. EORON'S PARENTS HOUSE -- EVENING
Eoron walks into a small shed and comes out with a robot
bird.
EORON
When I was little, my dad bought me
my first mechanical flying bird and
helped me build it. Over the years,
we learned how to integrate artificial
senses into the bird. I figured out
how to link up to the bird while I
was flying it and use it as a robot
body. You wanna try?
(smiles)
It's fun. I think you'll like it.
AVIANNA
I don't have much experience with
flying, none really, unless swimming
underwater counts as flying in a
different environment. Oh, all right,
it sounds like fun! I'll try it.
Eoron looks happy as he runs to get another bird. He comes
back with green bird. He throws it up in the air along with
the brown bird. They walk over to lawn chairs and sit in
them.
EORON
Ok, I'm going to count to three.
We'll keep our conscious minds on
and connected so we can talk. Are
you ready?
AVIANNA
(weakly smiles)
Uh, yeah.
EORON
Ok, here we go...One, two, three...
Their consciousness is transfer to the birds. They use
telepathy to communicate.
EORON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Flap your wings. Feel the muscles
pull them up and down.
The birds are soaring up, diving down, going in circles
AVIANNA (V.O.)
It is beautiful up here, this is
amazing! Uh, Eoron? What happens
if we crash?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
EORON (V.O.)
Well nothing really. The robot may
be damaged, but you are still in
your body unharmed. You don't feel
anything, just the rush of the fall.
AVIANNA (V.O.)
Oh well, thanks, I'll try to avoid
that!
They fly for a few minutes more, then head back home. Eoron's
sister, MANDY, has ash color hair and grey eyes, walks in to
the house right after Avianna and Eoron enter.