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FADE IN
An endless dark like the deepest sleep.
EXT. SEA. DAY
The murk of ages is pierced by sparkling light. Rays of sunlight shear
through the green waters of the ocean, and algae and floating debris
cast shadows within it.
Beneath, deep in the water below, a SHAPE is rising up through the
water. It is the body of a MAN.
Ripples appear above. A wooden oar hits the water, splashing. A golden
DRAGON'S HEAD emerges, arcing into the sunlight. Its lapis eyes glisten
like a living thing.
A LONGBOAT moves silently across the surface. A row of bedraggled
VIKINGS clad in animal skins sit within its wooden sides, rowing hard.
The sky above them is dark, full of smoke and fumes. The Vikings grunt
and pull in unison, as a tall CAPTAIN at the stern barks orders.
Two other Vikings sit in the middle, facing each other.
The first Viking, AERGWULF, is serious, weathered, wears a dented iron
helmet and a deep frown beneath his bushy ginger eyebrows. A keen iron
axe sits across his lap.
The second younger Viking, the KING, watches his companion closely. He
also wears a helmet similar to his friend, but around it is stretched a
thin band of shining gold, and above that a BRONZE SUN.
Suddenly the RISING BODY breaks the surface.
The Viking sailors immediately see it. AERGWULF leaps up instantly, and
throws himself into the water. The KING watches nervously from the
side.
There is a pause. Only the sound of a howling wind can be heard, the
sound of ripples against the boats hull. Then a hand comes up, and the
KING grabs it.
The KING pulls, and AERGWULF is pulled aboard with the man he has
rescued.
The old Viking is soaked. He looks down at the YOUNG MAN he has just
saved. He is very young, no older than twenty. He lies shivering on the
bottom of the boat. The KING bends down and covers the young man in a
coarse blanket.
KING
He lives.
EXT. SEA. DAY
The Longboat nears an immense CLIFF. Atop the cliffs are dark,
protruding shapes, like ruined walls and pillars. The KING and AERGWULF
eye them nervously. The Captain at the stern stands up and grunts to
his men to work harder.
AERGWULF grips his axe. The Longboat rounds a stone outcrop that
reveals a BEACH. In the shallows, some of the Vikings jump out and
start to drag the wooden boat up onto the golden sands.
The coast is pockmarked with what look like pagan grave mounds, and
across it is a ruined wall covered in dead ivy and lichen. It looks
scorched, as though by fire. Near the beach is a broken archway that
has partially collapsed, and the beginnings of a broken cobbled road.
AERGWULF jumps out, his leather boots lined with fur digging deep
imprints in the wet sand. He starts to check his equipment, his helmet,
his axe, his leather satchel like a fussy schoolboy. The KING smiles at
him.
Through the ruined archway the Vikings are approached by THREE HOODED
MEN dressed in long black robes laced with gold. The robes have long
hoods that obscure their faces. Each robe has a golden Faravahar, a
winged Sun disc, emblazoned on its chest.
These three strangers are the MAGI. The KING and AERGWULF await their
approach then bow low before them. The first and tallest, the MAGI
LEADER, pulls back his hood.
His name is KARSUDAN and he is old, in his seventies perhaps, with
pocked brown skin and a worn, weathered face. His thinning grey beard
and hair cling to his skeletal face. However, his eyes are very clear
and sparkling bright. He looks imploringly at AERGWULF.
KARSUDAN
You have found him?
AERGWULF nods.
INT. HUT. DAY
AERGWULF helps carry the man he rescued into the hut. The three MAGI
wait. The YOUNG MAN is lain down on animal furs in front of them. His
face is covered in sweat.
He is unconscious, and he does not look well, pale and sickly. KARSUDAN
drapes him in a blue cape with another winged disc on it. He holds his
hand to the YOUNG MAN'S chest, whispering to himself.
KARSUDAN
(to himself)
The everlasting spirit.
He motions to another MAGI.
KARSUDAN
Old face?
The second Magi pulls his hood back. OLD FACE is also very old, though
younger than his leader, with pale skin dotted with liver spots. He
regards the sickly YOUNG MAN anxiously and bends down to listen to his
breathing.
OLD FACE
He needs our aid.
KARSUDAN nods, and beckons the third Magi towards him. He pulls back
his hood to reveal a much younger Arabian man, with dark smooth skin
and a handsome face. He has the same bright eyes as his leader.
KARSUDAN
Rae'yeva. Help us.
RAE'YEVA bends down next to the YOUNG MAN, alongside his leader and OLD
FACE. All three MAGI hold their RIGHT HANDS out, horizontal to the
chest of the YOUNG MAN. Then they open their fingers with the two
middle fingers pressed together, and the others spread out at an angle,
making an 'M'.
They place their hands firmly on the YOUNG MAN'S body. A dull thumping
SOUND fills the air. The blood is beating in AERGWULF'S ears. He
notices something and turns.
In the night sky above, the stars seem to burn more brightly than
usual. The thumping sound suddenly stops, and all three MAGI stand up
together. OLD FACE turns to AERGWULF.
OLD FACE
He will live.
KARSUDAN looks down at the YOUNG MAN, smiling.
KARSUDAN
Welcome back, Utu.
The young man, UTU, looks up at him with shining, thankful eyes.
KARSUDAN offers him his hand and he takes it.
EXT. DESERT CAMP. DAY
KARSUDAN strides out of his tent and looks out over the red desert. He
is worried. SMOKE is rising over the land in a vertical plume that
seems to scrape the skin of the sky.
He covers himself in his great black cloak and walks to another large
tent. The sky behind is burning up as the sun sets behind distant
mountains.
UTU is covered in a rough blanket, shivering. The other two MAGI sit
close to him, offering him food and drink.
KARSUDAN
We must go, they will come soon.
OLD FACE
I am not sure he will last the
journey.
KARSUDAN
There is little hope if he cannot.
He looks back knowingly at RAE'YEVA. KARSUDAN turns to AERGWULF.
KARSUDAN
Thank you, my friend.
AERGWULF bows and starts to leave. KARSUDAN goes to hold his arm.
KARSUDAN
Aergwulf?
The great Viking turns and looks down at him.
You have surpassed our hopes.
Will you not join us?
AERGWULF shakes his head, lowering his gaze. KARSUDAN
glances sadly at him, then he holds out a glittering bronze SUN
MEDALLION. He places it carefully around AERGWULF neck.
KARSUDAN
Take this then, as our token.
The Viking bows again, grunts and glances at UTU, before he walks out.
EXT. DESERT. DAY
Outside the remaining VIKING'S are gathering. They hold a canvas
stretcher, shielding them from the wind. A DUST STORM is gathering.
KARSUDAN
The sun is fading. We must go.
The MAGI emerge from the tent with UTU, who still looks weak. They
gesture, and he is laid out on the stretcher and a thin net is draped
over a rope above him. KARSUDAN glances up at the huge plume of smoke.
AERGWULF emerges from one of the tents, and grabs his axe. He turns to
walk the other way. RAE'YEVA goes to follow him, but is held back by
KARSUDAN.
KARSUDAN
No, he has his own path.
He turns to address the rest of the travelers.
KARSUDAN
We make for Bad-tabira. Follow!
The BAND OF TRAVELERS turns and, with some pulling on of backpacks and
supplies they start to stride into the desert. AERGWULF watches them
leave, fiddling with his medallion.
EXT. DESERT. CANYON. DAY
The travelers make their way through a jagged CANYON, carefully picking
their way through the rocks. Inside his veil UTU is still suffering
with a fever. He can hear distant VOICES echoing in his head. They
speak to him in a horrible, echoing whisper.
OLD FACE watches over him, concerned. Around them the storm rages.
SHADOWS loom from cracks in the stone. Suddenly, a HISSING sound fills
the air, rising shrill above the wind.
KARSUDAN
Halt! Be on your guard!
The VIKINGS instantly gather in a circle, their axes and swords at the
ready. KARSUDAN takes out a SUN AMULET like the one he gave AERGWULF.
So do the other MAGI. UTU is disturbed and starts shrieking, holding
his ears.
The hissing fills the air around them, rising again above the howling
wind. A huge dark FIGURE appears from out of the dust. It is
unnaturally tall, with pitted, silver scaly skin like a fish, and eyes
like a shark.
It opens its mouth and hisses like snake at the Viking warriors. Then
an unearthly SCREAM rips through the canyon.
The terrified Vikings let go of the stretcher and UTU rolls against the
net, getting caught up in it. Above him he sees a dark SHAPE, and a
knife cuts through the net.
OLD FACE holds out his hand.
OLD FACE
Utu, come with me.
They run out of the canyon, up a small path towards its edge. The
sounds and screams of BATTLE are not far off.
The horrible hissing and screaming VOICE still fills the air. It
whispers to UTU in a horrible coarse language.
OLD FACE manages to haul UTU up onto the verge, but does not see what
is behind him. A BLOW knocks him to his knees, and glances off UTU's
face.
The silhouette of a CREATURE ON HORSEBACK emerges from the dust and
wind. The creature has spiked dark armour, and wields a huge black
WARHAMMER in its massive hands. It has a glowing yellow ichthys EYE
tattooed on its forehead.
The HAMMER-MAN'S cruel face leers down at UTU. It is barely human,
scarred, and covered in what looks like dark blue war-paint. Its cold
shark-like eyes glint with hate.
UTU is terrified and holds his hands above his bloody face. The HAMMER
swings again.
On the down-stroke there is a loud CLANG, and the HAMMER-MAN looks up,
astonished. AERGWULF stands there, his axe outstretched.
The HAMMER-MAN turns to face AERGWULF, who gestures to the wounded
youngster to flee. The Viking holds his axe firmly in readiness to
confront his foe.
UTU catches one last glimpse of AERGWULF, before he is lost in the
dust.
EXT. DESERT. DAY
UTU staggers and struggles through the sands, blood caked on his face.
The sun beats down on him, and he has no shelter.
The sand dunes stretch from horizon to horizon. A huge plume of black
smoke still reaches to the heavens and leaves a river of dark cloud
behind it.
UTU continues to stagger towards it, knee deep through the hot sand.
Then his foot hits something solid. TARMAC, under the soles of his
scorched feet.
Around him are BUILDINGS and PEOPLE, going about their business. They
seem to inhabit an alien world which he can only dimly perceive.
Standing on the hard surface, he looks down and sees his REFLECTION in
the road, as though it were a mirror of still water.
There is the reflection there of an immense ZIGGURAT TEMPLE, hundreds
of feet high. It rises up above the ghostly buildings, dominating the
landscape. As though drawn by a power he cannot resist UTU steps
forward.
As he does so the HAMMER-MAN steps up behind him, raises his hammer
high, and strikes.
The stricken UTU COLLAPSES into the water of the road, and is sucked
down under the reflection, down into the deeps below. The leering face
of the HAMMER-MAN is all he sees.
TITLE CARD
YOUTH OF BABYLON
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MUSEUM. DAY
A YOUNG BOY of nine years stares at the illustration of the Ziggurat
Temple, under a sign saying Ancient Mesopotamia. He stares at it
intently, almost as if hypnotized. He wears a blue, battered cycling
helmet, as well as his uniform.
A hand on his shoulder breaks the spell and he looks up. A
SCHOOLTEACHER, in her thirties with long brown hair and glasses is
smiling down at him.
SCHOOLTEACHER
Stanislev?
She kneels down next to him, and smiles.
It's good to see someone's taking
an interest.
He doesn't answer. She gestures to the helmet.
Shouldn't you take that off in here?
STANISLEV shakes his head, no. The woman looks concerned at the long
white scar across the little boy's left temple.
SCHOOLTEACHER
Where did you get this?
The little boy pushes past her. He turns and walks away. She watches
him go, worried. Then she stands up and walks back to a group of
CHILDREN who are being shown around the Museum.
STANISLEV walks behind them. A LITTLE GIRL pulls faces at him, and he
pulls one back.
SCHOOLTEACHER
Now children, we'll visit Ancient
Egypt.
A low groan greets this and they all file through the door.
TITLE CARD
TWENTY YEARS LATER
INT. HIGH RISE. HALL. DAY
There is a loud electric BUZZ, then an angry metallic CLANG. STANISLEV
CODETZ, 29, steps into a dingy LIFT.
He wears an old, canvas covered American G.I. HELMET, scrawled with
biro graffiti. Underneath, his eyes are covered with round, wire
sunglasses. A soggy, unlit cigarette hangs from his full lips.
His clothes are a green T-shirt, with 'Fuck the kids' written on it in
whiteout, a ragged camouflage jacket covered in badges, khaki combats
and worn black Doctor Martin boots.
CODETZ glances up at the lifts only light, at the flies and dust that
have congealed on the inside of its plastic.
An OLD WOMAN in a wooly hat is staring up at him disapprovingly. CODETZ
tries to squeeze into the corner, trying not to catch her eye. As the
lift reaches the fourth floor he grins at her.
The doors open with another angry clang, and CODETZ saunters out
quickly. The OLD WOMAN stares at his back without flinching as the
doors close again.
INT. FLAT. DAY
At the other end of the hall, through an open doorway, a little GOLDEN
HEAD pops out. A LITTLE GIRL watches the door open then she darts back
out of view.
CODETZ emerges from the other door, checking to see if anyone is around
first. The little girl strides out, stops in front of him and points
accusingly.
TANNA
You're naughty!
CODETZ just stands there. Having made her point TANNA toddles off again
and disappears into another room.
INT. KITCHEN. DAY
CODETZ is at the fridge. His friend and flat-mate, BOZ, also 29, is
doing dishes. BOZ is tall, pale and too thin. He wears black eyeliner
at all times, which offsets his high cheekbones.
TANNA, BOZ'S imperious five year old daughter, sits at the kitchen
table. She glares at CODETZ from under her blonde bobbed hair. She
holds a stuffed Lion. There is a TV on in the corner which no-one is
watching.
CODETZ sits at the table and put his feet up on it. TANNA frowns at
him, much like the old woman in the lift.
CODETZ
Will you please tell your daughter
to stop staring at me.
BOZ
Ask her yourself.
CODETZ
I'm starving.
BOZ
You can't live on chocolate biscuits
and coffee.
CODETZ
I can try.
TANNA
Daddy?
BOZ
Yes, sweetheart?
TANNA
Daddy, the man on telly said
I used to be a monkey.
BOZ
He didn't mean just you, sweetheart.
He meant everybody.
TANNA
Everybody used to be a monkey?
BOZ
That's right.
TANNA
Why?
BOZ
I don't know why.
TANNA
Why don't you know?
BOZ
I don't know why I don't know.
TANNA
You don't know anything.
BOZ
(to himself)
Yeah, I know.
TANNA is not impressed. BOZ stares down at the dirty dish water and
sighs. The front door bell goes. He leaves the kitchen, pushing
CODETZ'S feet off the table. TANNA turns her attention to CODETZ, who
puts his feet back up on the table, and tries to ignore her.
TANNA
Why you so naughty?
CODETZ
You're a wee madam.
TANNA
I know. (pause) Do you like God?
CODETZ has obviously not been asked this before.
CODETZ
Which one?
TANNA is not impressed by this answer either. She decides to change the
subject.
TANNA
Did you used to be a monkey?
INT. HALLWAY. DAY
BOZ answers the door. A pretty YOUNG WOMAN in her late twenties walks
in, wearing a green German army parka. Her rich brown hair is pulled
back in a ponytail.
CARLY
(to Boz)
Hello, you big poof.
TANNA appears at the door, still interrogating CODETZ.
TANNA
What do you want to be when
you grow up?
CODETZ
A Viking.
TANNA
That's silly.
When TANNA sees CARLY she rushes towards her.
TANNA
Mummy!
CARLY
Hello, my wee angel.
CARLY scoops her daughter up into her arms.
CARLY
You been keeping the boys
entertained?
TANNA points accusingly at CODETZ.
TANNA
He's naughty, mummy.
INT. LIVING ROOM. FLAT. DAY
BOZ looks down from a window at CARLY and TANNA. They both wave up at
him. He can faintly hear TANNA shouting ‘Bye-bye Daddy'. He smiles and
waves back.
Slumped on the sofa, CODETZ lounges like a boneless fish. He sulks,
channel hopping the TV.
CODETZ
How am I naughty?
BOZ
What?
CODETZ
How-am-I-naughtee?
BOZ shrugs his shoulders.
BOZ
Ask Tanna.
CODETZ
I did.
BOZ
What did she say?
CODETZ
She said ‘Cos'.
BOZ
Well, there's your answer.
CODETZ is agitated, switching channels rapidly. BOZ watches CARLY and
his daughter get safely in a car.
CODETZ stops. An advertisement is on for a glitzy American ‘reality' TV
show, called ‘YOUTH OF BABYLON".
BOZ waits till the car drives away, and then gets up.
BOZ
C'mon. I'll see you up there.
CODETZ
Captain Scarlet's on.
A bunch of papers lands on his lap.
BOZ (OFF)
You're going to the fucking Jobcentre!
CODETZ
Yes, boss.
On the TV a SLICK REPORTER appears holding a microphone.
REPORTER (ON T.V.)
'Hi, I'm Ben Samaya of W.I.A.
America, and this is Glasgow,
Scotland. Or is it? Let's find out!'
Ben Hur-like epic letters appear onscreen. They read:
‘YOUTH OF BABYLON.'
EXT. BUILDING SITE. DAY
CODETZ stands in front of a large stone WALL covered in cracked
plaster. Hip-hop MUSIC plays from a portable stereo next to him. A row
of spray paint CANISTERS are spread in a line on the brick wall behind
him.
CODETZ is swilling from a black bottle. He is more than a bit tipsy.
A keen-eyed young Asian GRAFFITI ARTIST, wearing a black military beret
and a black face mask, appears as if from nowhere. He holds one of the
spray-paint canisters.
He glances up at the unseen wall above CODETZ, then darts back out of
sight. CODETZ is unimpressed.
CODETZ
Reiva, man, you've spelt ‘Anarchy'
with two E's.
A canister flies at him, bouncing off his helmet.
EXT. STREET. DAY
JUSTINE HARVETTE, a tall, striking brunette of 29, glides out the door
of her work, hair-stylist 'THE DEEPEST CUT'.
She strides purposefully along the busy street in her standard blue
jeans and denim jacket, and climbs into a smart yellow MINI, slamming
the door behind her.
It has been a tough day.
INT. MINI. DAY
JUSTINE sits down and instantly pulls out a tape cassette from her
jacket pocket, marked ‘Justine's Funk'. She slams the cassette into the
tape deck, puts on a pair of shades and starts up.
She pulls sharply out onto the road, causing another car to beep her.
She gives the driver the finger and moves off.
EXT. STREET. DAY
CODETZ ambles down the road with his friend, REIVA, the young Asian
graffiti artist we met before. He is also 29, shorter than CODETZ and
stocky. He still has on his black industrial face mask, which he never
takes off.
In fact, REIVA is dressed completely in black. Black combats, black
untied boots and a black beret with a red star badge imprinted on it.
Only his sharp, intelligent eyes can be seen. He regards his mad friend
with disdain.
For CODETZ it is almost impossible to stand still.
He is constantly doing Kung-Fu moves and leaping about as he walks
along. REIVA just ignores him, music blaring out of his small hand-held
cassette player.
A CAR screeches to a halt next to the pavement, just missing CODETZ,
who was pretty much in the middle of the road anyway.
Incensed, CODETZ steps up onto the car bonnet. He looks through the
windscreen at the DRIVER, then steps over the roof, and down over the
boot with hesitating.
The DRIVER gets out, angry. CODETZ instantly turns on him.
CODETZ
You starting?
The poor DRIVER back ups quickly and gets back in the car. CODETZ
shouts at him through the window.
CODETZ
That's right! Drive away, pussy!
The car screeches away. CODETZ turns triumphantly and bounces down the
road to where REIVA, who is used to such behavior, is patiently
waiting. CODETZ starts hopping on the rows of parked cars, setting off
a couple of alarms.
He does not care about the noise. At the top of the hill he spies
JUSTINE'S mini heading back down the road, approaching a junction. He
nods to REIVA.
CODETZ starts to hop down the hill towards the car. JUSTINE catches a
glimpse of him coming in her rear view mirror. The light is still red.
JUSTINE
Oh Shit. Come on!
CODETZ glides out onto the road Groucho Marx style, and up to her
window.
CODETZ
Hello, Symphony.
JUSTINE
What!
CODETZ
That's no way to say hello. Where
you off to?
JUSTINE
None of your damned business.
CODETZ
Can we come?
JUSTINE
No.
CODETZ gestures at the mini.
CODETZ
Hey. This is half mine.
JUSTINE
Are you pished?
CODETZ
Course not!
The lights change, and the cars behind start BEEPING.
JUSTINE
Well, you can get in your half.
Just don't talk to me.
CODETZ
(to Reiva)
Menshevik! Allez, allez!
Grinning, CODETZ jumps in the back with REIVA.
JUSTINE
Hi, Reiva.
REIVA salutes her with a clenched fist. JUSTINE just rolls her eyes,
and puts her shades back on. CODETZ reaches over to REIVA'S mask and
KNOCKS on it twice. REIVA knocks on CODETZ'S helmet twice in answer.
CODETZ
(to Justine)
Did you miss me?
JUSTINE
Yeah, like I miss PMT.
CODETZ
See. I just can't relate to you
when you're not horizontal.
JUSTINE stretches out her middle finger to him without looking back.
CODETZ
(to Reiva)
See what I mean.
(pause)
Does your Granddaddy still think the
speaking clock's Jesus? Eh?
(no answer)
Reiva here thinks that Tupac Shakur
was the second coming. Then they shot
the poor bastard! Nothing changes, eh?
(to Reiva)
Anyway, what you on about, ye
Godless commie bastard?
REIVA just shrugs.
JUSTINE
He's allowed an opinion.
CODETZ
No he's not. He's a bloody Trotskyite!
He's fucking rebel scum, aren't you?
REIVA nods.
How come you can hold down an entire brigade, when you can't even hold a conversation?
REIVA shrugs again. You can tell he is smiling.
CODETZ
Fair enough. Keep it Zen, Mero.
CODETZ nods over at JUSTINE.
(to Reiva, quietly)
I know she seems nice, but between you
and me, I'd rather have a wank.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROAD. DAY
The Mini comes to a screeching HALT.
JUSTINE(OFF.)
Out the fucking car!
CODETZ(OFF.)
What did I say?
JUSTINE(OFF.)
OUT!
CODETZ and REIVA quickly exit. The Mini speeds off, stranding them on
the busy roadside. REIVA waves goodbye. CODETZ thumps him.
CODETZ
What'd I say?
(pause)
God, I love that woman.
EXT. BUS SHELTER. DAY
CODETZ and REIVA both sit in the bus shelter in the shade, waiting for
the next bus. It looks like they have been waiting a while.
CODETZ
Christ! Waiting for a bus in this
town is like waiting for a bird
to get to the point!
REIVA starts meditating, crossing his legs like a Zen monk. CODETZ
starts his own imaginary conversation.
CODETZ
What? What is it you want me to
know? What is it about your mate's
new handbag? My life is draining
out my ears here! What is it?
'Does my arse look big in this?'
Aye!
CODETZ SLAPS they air twice with his outstretched hand, blasting air
through his teeth.
CODETZ
Wrong! Ok, do you want truth or lies?
'Lies, please.' Right, it's fucking
microscopic. It could blot out the
Sun at twenty paces, but cosmically
speaking that is teeny. Ok?
'Thank you.' Aye, nae bother.
CODETZ looks over at REIVA, who is politely ignoring him, used to his
friend's eccentric rants.
CODETZ
(to Reiva)
I love chatting wi' you.
REIVA shrugs. There is a long pause, then CODETZ suddenly thrusts his
arm out into the air.
CODETZ
Fly, my Hawkmen!
The BUS finally pulls up.
INT. BUS. DAY
CODETZ slumps down in the chair as though he had the whole world on his
wide shoulders. A WOMAN pays for her ticket then turns to the other
passengers.
WOMAN
Jesus loves you.
She walks up to the stairs.
CODETZ
How do you know?
Some OLD BIDDY'S stare at him disapprovingly. CODETZ throws his
Cheshire cat grin at the old woman and they turn away sharply.
The two friends start to nod off as the bus moves off into the CITY.
All the streets, and people, and cars and shops seem to congeal into
one huge blur through the windows.
As CODETZ falls asleep, out of the passing streets an endless desert
emerges. Golden sand-dunes stretch for miles upon miles into eternity,
at the edge of which is the impenetrable glow of the Sun.
EXT. DESERT. DAY
Against the desert, scorched black ruins can be seen, cutting the sand
like rotten teeth.
A MAGI PROCESSION walks amongst the ruins. They all are wearing their
black hooded robes. They hold lit torches, and four carry a BODY which
lies prostrate on a wooden platform. Another four carry golden winged
discs.
They come to what looks like a large slab of sandstone, and they start
to pull it back to reveal a dark TOMB. They lower the dead body down
it, as they chant some ancient incantation. KARSUDAN watches as the
body descends.
As the body reaches the dusty floor of the tomb, its face is revealed.
It is UTU, or is it CODETZ? His white scar can be seen plainly on his
forehead. His face is ashen, deathly pale. KARSUDAN turns and nods to
the others.
The black robed Magi push the stone slab over the entrance, blocking
out the sun, and UTU's pale, lifeless features are consumed by the
darkness.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. SUPERMARKET. DAY
There is a dull thumping noise, as if from far away. A needle if light
cuts into the darkness. A SOUP CAN is picked out of a row, and light
floods through.
BOZ stands at the end of an aisle where the shelves are filled with row
upon row of soup cans. He wears white overalls and a white hat. He
looks confused.
He places a can carefully at the end of a row, and looks back on them
proudly, all stacked up.
OLD FACE, the Magi, wanders slowly up to him, looking around at the
cans. He spots something at the very top of the shelf, and smiles.
OLD FACE
Excuse me, son?
BOZ
Yes?
OLD FACE
Could you get that for me?
BOZ
Did you hear that?
OLD FACE
What, son?
BOZ
Never mind.
BOZ look at all the other cans. He points at them.
What's wrong with these?
OLD FACE
I want that one.
BOZ sighs and fetches a small stool. He stands up on it, and reaches up
to the top.
OLD FACE
Thank you, son. Oh, and could you
do us a favour?
BOZ
Yes?
OLD FACE
Could you tell us the difference
between Biological and Non-Biological.
BOZ
Well, biological means-actually no,
I don't have a clue. Look, all you
need to know is they're both shite.
Suddenly he spots SOMETHING come through the store's entrance. This
something wears a green G.I. helmet.
BOZ
Oh, shit.
OLD FACE
What, son?
BOZ gets down, and walks back down the aisle. Strong sunlight pours
through the spaces between the cans and food. Round the corner, he
confronts a surprised CODETZ.
BOZ
What the fuck are you doing here?
CODETZ
Shopping.
BOZ
You're supposed to be at the dole.
CODETZ
I'm en-route.
BOZ
En-route? Fucking en-route? Are
you pished?
CODETZ
Why does everyone keep asking that?
CODETZ looks him up and down.
That outfit's not very DeutscheBank,
is it?
BOZ
Will you stop with the German shit!
CODETZ
Aye, that'll happen when you end your
Gary Numan phase, i.e. never.
BOZ
Your job was to get yourself a job,
before I throw you the fuck out!
CODETZ
I just minced in for the fags, baby.
What's your excuse?
BOZ
I work here!
CODETZ
So?
An OLD LADY appears, with a trolley.
OLD LADY
Excuse me, young man?
BOZ
(to Codetz)
I don't want to see your khaki
arse in here again!
CODETZ
Yes, boss.
OLD LADY
Young man?
BOZ
What?
CODETZ walks quickly back round while BOZ is distracted and dodges down
one of the aisles. BOZ notices he is gone and after giving the old lady
directions goes back to his work.
CODETZ walks up to the back of the huge store, and wanders up to a door
marked ‘STAFF ONLY'. He opens it. Inside there is a staircase leading
upwards. He GRINS broadly at REIVA, who has been looking over the
spices.
CODETZ
Welcome to Fantasy Island.
BOZ is back at his cans, placing them carefully next to each other on
the shelves. His MANAGER wanders by, and looks over his shoulder. BOZ
does not like him.
MANAGER
Good work, Bosman. Keep it up.
BOZ
Yes, sir.
At that moment the shop-floor LOUDPSEAKER SQUEAKS, and comes to life
with a LOUD HUM. It gets everyone's attention.
An ethereal VOICE speaks.
VOICE (OFF.)
'This is the voice of the Mysterons.
We know you can hear us, Earthmen!'
Everyone in the store stares up at this echoing voice coming from
nowhere. BOZ frowns, holding his head.
BOZ
Oh, no.
The VOICE continues in its ‘MYSTERON' monotone.
VOICE (OFF.)
'Lemons are two for the price of one
in the fruit section…'
The OLD LADY stops her cart and stares up in amazement.
'…please make your way there now-w-w!'
BOZ notices her look of alarm.
BOZ
It's not really them.
VOICE (OFF.)
'We have a great deal on plastic
fridge magnets…'
OLD LADY
How do you know?
The VOICE tries to continue, but there is the sound of bumping, then a
struggle. CODETZ'S normal voice can be heard, complaining loudly.
CODETZ (OFF)
Hey, get off me! Fascists!
The loudspeaker lets off a loud buzzing SCREAM. All the CUSTOMERS put
their hands over their ears.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. CAR PARK. DAY
BOZ is pushed roughly out into the CAR PARK. He looks round at CODETZ
who is also standing there, looking innocent. BOZ is fuming and
protests.
BOZ
Hey, just because I live with
him doesn't mean I know him!
Two SECURITY GUARDS go back inside without a word. BOZ throws his hat
to the ground in frustration.
BOZ
Son of a-!
BOZ stands there with his arms on his hips and stares at CODETZ, who
shrugs. REIVA walks into view, looking up.
CODETZ
What?
BOZ picks up his white hat and chucks it at him.
EXT. WASTELAND. DAY
BOZ, CODETZ and REIVA are all walking through an area of wasteland
across a neglected and cracked road, which once serviced an old
industrial estate. They are in no particular hurry.
CODETZ
Youth Of Babylon's on live in
Glasgow this week?
BOZ
So?
CODETZ
So, we might get on TV.
BOZ
Fat chance.
INT. JOBCENTRE. DAY
CODETZ and BOZ sit at the very end of a long QUEUE of half-awake
JOBSEEKERS. Sunlight streams through the Venetian blinds, bathing the
whole room in a warm orange glow.
BOZ is glaring at CODETZ, who is suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
CODETZ
Can I have a little less of the
Widmarks, please? It was a piece-of
-shit job anyway!
BOZ
That job was paying your rent.
CODETZ
(camply)
Hey. Frankie says 'Relax'.
BOZ
Fuck off!
(sighs)
Anyway, all I could think of in there
was those cans were worth more than me.
CODETZ
Exactly. We're all just cannon fodder.
The JOBSEEKER'S ADVISOR calls out.
ADVISOR(OFF.)
Next!
CODETZ takes out his fag packet and thumps it against his helmet a
couple of time, then takes one out. He pulls the old cigarette from his
mouth.
CODETZ
This one's soggy.
ADVISOR(OFF.)
NEXT!
BOZ
I think that's you.
CODETZ collapses on the chair in front of the ADVISOR. He slouches,
staring at his feet. His female ADVISOR regards him with contempt.
CODETZ cannot sit still.
CODETZ
Where's ma Zloty's?
ADVISOR
It's 'No Smoking', Mr. Codetz.
CODETZ
S'OK. I've quit.
CODETZ takes his fag out and sticks it behind his ear.
ADVISOR
Have you had much luck with your
job search then, Mr. Codetz.
CODETZ
Aye. Look at me. (points to helmet)
I'm ‘Born To Win.'
The ADVISOR sighs heavily.
ADVISOR
Well, I'm afraid we don't have
very much evidence of that,
Mr. Codetz. You don't seem to have
been doing much of anything at all.
(pause)
Do you have any explanation for that?
CODETZ lies back in his chair. He looks outside.
ADVISOR
Well, I'm afraid, Mr. Codetz,
we'll have to stop your allowance.
CODETZ is not listening. He glances back at BOZ, who is falling asleep.
Suddenly there is a faint HISSING sound, like a snake in a huge hall.
CODETZ turns back. The ADVISOR glares at him fiercely. Her eyes turn
black, like a shark and the skin of her face pulls back to reveal a
horrible monstrous visage.
The MONSTER'S teeth are blood red, dripping with yellow pus bared from
its swollen gums.
Horrified, CODETZ leaps to his feet, turns on a penny and gets the hell
out of there, screaming.
He leaves the poor bemused ADVISOR still sitting upright in her chair,
as everyone else in the office stares at her.
EXT. STREET. DAY
CODETZ bursts out of the Jobcentre and legs it, followed by a sleepy
BOZ.
BOZ
(after Codetz)
What's the rush?
CODETZ rushes out into the street without looking back.
Mad bloody Polack!
Again, REIVA appears as if from nowhere.
(to Reiva)
Why are people with nothing to do
always in such a fucking hurry?
INT. SUBWAY. DAY
CODETZ stomps along looking frazzled. He replaces another one of his
soggy cigarettes, banging the packet off his helmet in agitation. BOZ
catches up.
BOZ
Hey!
CODETZ keeps walking.
Hey! What was all that about?
CODETZ
What?
BOZ
You look like you've seen a ghost.
CODETZ
Man, you are so fucking eighties Bowie!
You're dragging me down, ok? I don't
need the agitation!
BOZ
You're really starting to piss
me off!
CODETZ
And you're really starting to
grate on my tits, ya Hun!
BOZ looks like he might hit him, but decides against it.
BOZ
Fine! I won't chase after you
anymore!
CODETZ
Fine!
BOZ is about to head back. CODETZ suddenly stops in his tracks. At the
end of the tunnel three SKINHEADS are standing. All three have shaved
heads and they all have a tattoo of an eye-shaped hieroglyph on their
foreheads.
The three THIRD EYES instantly notice CODETZ and turn to face him.
BOZ
Oh, shite.
CODETZ says nothing. He just stares back, without moving.
Let's go round.
CODETZ'S hand bunches into a fist slowly, but his face shows nothing.
The Third Eyes watch him intently. BOZ turns and walks back up the
tunnel.
BOZ
Let's go.
CODETZ just stands there with his fist clenched, staring at the tiles
of the floor.
BOZ
Codetz?!
The three Third Eyes spread across the tunnel menacingly, waiting for
them to do something.
CODETZ seems to recognize one of the Third Eyes, a particularly large
one, with a smooth bald head, bright dark eyes and a frightening
grimace of a smile. His name is MELINE. MELINE gives CODETZ a 'come on'
gesture.
Suddenly CODETZ SCREAMS and launches himself down the corridor towards
MELINE. All three Third Eyes turn on their heels and flee back up the
subway tunnel.
BOZ
Oh, for Christ's sake!
CODETZ scampers down the tunnel after them, screaming and yelling as he
goes. The three men he is chasing run away as fast as they can.
INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM
CODETZ bursts through the platform entrance, but comes to a skidding
halt when he sees the whole platform is full of white-suited THIRD EYE
SKINHEADS, all with the same tattoo.
CODETZ
Oh, shite!
CODETZ scrambles back to his feet and runs back up the tunnel, as the
horde of SKINHEADS give chase.
Back up the tunnel BOZ sits by himself with his head in his hands. He
looks back down the subway tunnel only to see CODETZ rushing back.
BOZ
About bloody time!
CODETZ
Run!
BOZ stands up. He sees the huge crowd of white shirts and shaven heads
running after CODETZ.
BOZ
Great.
INT SUBWAY TURNSTILES. DAY
CODETZ and BOZ rush up, and jump over the turnstiles without paying. A
SECURITY GUARD is just about to protest, when the horde of THIRD EYE'S
comes over like a tidal wave.
SECURITY GUARD
Hey?
EXT. CITY STREET. DAY
BOZ and CODETZ exit into the sunlight and waste no time getting down
the street as their pursuers close in. They are already out of breath
but they keep on running. CODETZ seems to be enjoying himself.
He does not have time to hear the SCREECHING of BRAKES.
CODETZ smashes into the CAR WINDSCREEN, shattering it. He falls out of
view over the bonnet. BOZ freezes in shock.
An unexpected SPLASH!
The tarmac is suddenly like WATER as CODETZ hits it. It SUCKS him down.
CODETZ struggles desperately but it is no use. He sinks down into a
DEEP ABYSS.
BOZ
Codetz!
The DRIVER of the car gets out. It is the same DRIVER who CODETZ chased
away earlier.
DRIVER
Did I hit something?
CUT TO:
CODETZ falls through space, into nothingness, vanishing from sight.
FADE TO BLACK
CUT TO:
A CANDLE is lit in the darkness. Its soft glow illuminates a WOMANS'S
DARK EYES. It is JUSTINE.
INT. CHURCH. NIGHT
JUSTINE turns from the candle and makes the sign of the cross and bows
before the crucifix on the pulpit.
She kneels down, and starts praying, but hears a creaking sound behind
her. She looks round. CODETZ'S helmet is resting on one of the pews.
JUSTINE
Stanislev?
She gets up. As she does so CODETZ, or what looks like him, leaps up
and runs away.
JUSTINE
Stan?
Somebody in the pews tells her to ‘shh'.
INT. THIRD EYE STUDIO. BEDROOM. DAY
MELINE, 35, the hulking Third Eye CODETZ chased in the subway, walks
into a huge Spartan BEDROOM where everything is white. A SMALL MAN in a
white suit does not turn to greet him, but gestures him to speak.
ANTON
Well?
MELINE
We saw him in the tube. He was
with Bosman. We chased them down
the street, just for some fun.
See how long they would last.
(CONTINUED)
He was hit, he ran out into the
road and the car hit him.
He bounced off the windshield,
and then, nothing. Nothing hit
the ground.
ANTON ZELNICK, 35, the small, clean shaven man with a sharp cynical
expression, speaks without looking at his henchman. He has a distinct
German accent.
ANTON
You saw this?
MELINE
Plain as day.
ANTON
Who else?
MELINE
Bosman.
ANTON
Bring Mark to me.
MELINE
That won't be easy.
ANTON
You will find a way.
INT. ROAD. DAY
CODETZ sinks, reaching for the nothingness that surrounds him. The
shapes of ancient stone ARCHWAYS and RUINED BUILDINGS can be seen dimly
in the murk. He stretches his hand vainly towards the dim rays of light
above him.
EXT. STREET. DAY
Bright sunshine.
A normal street and yet there are no people, no cars, no sounds, except
a distant breeze. A HAND reaches out and grabs the KERB.
CODETZ pulls himself up, gasping for breath. He hauls himself up onto
the pavement and lies there trying to breathe. He vomits water onto the
paving stones.
Exhausted, he hardly moves. The sound of CRYING drifts on the wind
towards him. He tilts his head up and looks down the street. The road
stretches off into a distant MIST.
The sky and the city are a blur, the buildings a hazy featureless mass,
the sky above him a steady stream of white streaks against light blue.
The crying seems to grow louder. CODETZ sits up and drags himself to
his feet. He looks around him. What looks like an endless park or lawn
stretches out before him, as far as the eye can see, is edges lost in a
dense fog.
In the far distance he can almost make out what might be a glittering
merry-go-round, and the faint sound of harpsichord music.
The crying is growing louder however, and CODETZ steps cautiously along
the pavement, following the sound.
Walking along the roadside CODETZ sees a MAN kneeling by the pavement.
He hears a faint hiss on the wind. The man sits there with his head in
his hands, sobbing quietly.
The crying man wears a blue-grey RAF uniform. On the arm is a badge
with blue stars, red stripes and the number '303' written on it. CODETZ
kneels beside him, utterly amazed.
The RAF MAN sits up releasing his head from his hands. His tear-soaked
face turns to CODETZ. His brown hair is pulled back and tightly combed,
but is a little messed up from his sobbing. The man seems equally
amazed to see CODETZ. He points at his helmet.
RAF MAN
Amerykanski?
CODETZ shakes his head, and tries to smile, but the man is clearly
distraught. CODETZ does not know what to do. The RAF MAN sees ‘POLSKI'
written on his helmet. His face lights up a little.
RAF MAN
Polski?
CODETZ smiles too. The man tries to smile again but his face collapses,
and he pulls it back into his hands. He gestures to the huge field of
white crosses that stretches to the horizon in front of them.
RAF MAN
(in Polish)
They're all dead.
CODETZ turns his head. Set in rows are endless crucifix TOMBSTONES
stretching away to the vanishing point. Above each of them floats a
dark charred BODY, suspended in the mist. Their eyes are yellow,
staring.
The RAF MAN starts to talk quickly to the horror-stricken CODETZ. He
sounds increasingly distraught and terrified. He grabs hold of CODETZ
by the arms.
Suddenly, the sound of MARCHING BOOTS can be heard, hard against the
road. A line of marching SOLDIERS in long grey coats and black helmets
appear. They all carry rifles.
One of them turns to the RAF MAN and hisses. He shrieks in terror. He
tries to grip CODETZ again and starts pleading to him in Polish.
Two Soldiers stride up to the RAF MAN, grab him by the shoulders and
frog-march him away. CODETZ gets up and runs after them.
CODETZ
Hey!
CODETZ grabs hold of one of the Soldiers. It is MELINE. MELINE grins
at him.
CODETZ
You?
MELINE immediately swings the butt of his rifle, hitting CODETZ
squarely in the face, drawing blood. CODETZ falls to the ground
stunned.
The RAF MAN screams, as the two soldiers push him up against a wall.
More of them in their long coats and black helmets appear, all
brandishing their rifles.
The Soldiers level their rifles at the RAF MAN, who stares at CODETZ
helplessly. CODETZ looks up, the blood still streaming from his nose.
His eyes widen. He stretches out a hand towards the FIRING SQUAD.
CODETZ
No!
MELINE gives a swish of his cane and the line of rifles FIRE. The noise
echoes in CODETZ'S ears.
CODETZ stretches his arm out towards the dead body of the RAF MAN.
MELINE grins again at CODETZ as he fades way into the mist. CODETZ
almost chokes from the blood and the tears. He can still see the face
of the dead man on the ground. Lifeless eyes stare back.
EXT. CITY STREET. DAY
CODETZ looks up. He is lying, dazed and bruised in a side street, bin
bags all about. He is still surrounded by a thick mist.
Out of the mist comes a dark figure, the outline of a TALL MAN in a
helmet, sitting on a horse. The outline of the horse becomes a
silhouette of a rider. It is a MOUNTED POLICEMAN.
MOUNTED POLICEMAN
You okay, son?
CODETZ just stares up at him blinking. The POLICEMAN pauses. CODETZ is
barely conscious and his head is streaming blood.
POLICEMAN
I think you'd better come with me.
INT. POLICE STATION. DAY
BOZ is sitting on his own in small dimly lit room, an unlit fag
drooping from his mouth. He looks exhausted. He sits opposite two
POLICEMEN in uniform sitting behind a desk. One, THE CHIEF, 55, is
holding his head in his hands.
CHIEF
Look, I just want to understand
what happened.
BOZ
Me too!
2nd POLICEMAN
No smoking in here.
BOZ
I'm not smoking!
2nd POLICEMAN
There's no need to get hostile.
BOZ
I haven't begun to get fuckin'
hostile!
CHIEF
Mark, relax. Just, go through it
again, from the top. Please.
BOZ sighs, long and hard.
BOZ
We were running.
CHIEF
In the tube?
BOZ
Yes.
CHIEF
From the Third Eyes?
BOZ
Yes.
2nd POLICEMAN
Do you have any idea how
dangerous that is?
BOZ
Do you pay him?
CHIEF
Your not helping, Davey.
(to Boz)
Why were they chasing you?
BOZ
'Cos Codetz pissed them off, like
he always does.
CHIEF runs his hands through his thinning hair.
CHIEF
What then?
BOZ suddenly stops, as he tries to remember clearly.
BOZ
He ran out, without looking, straight
in the car's path…
CHIEF
Then what?
BOZ
Then he turned into a Datsun! How
the fuck should I know? I've already
been through this twice. You should
be out there looking!
CHIEF
Where do you suggest we start, Mark?
No answer. Suddenly, another PC sticks his head in.
PC
Chief? We just got a call.
CUT TO: BUSY CITY STREET
The MOUNTED POLICEMAN rides his horse at a fair rate along the city
street. CODETZ sits behind him, clutching his waist, only semi-
conscious of the people who look up at him inquiringly.
MOUNTED POLICEMAN
Hold on, son.
A CREATURE with dark eyes appears in the crowd and hisses at CODETZ.
This wakes him up and he hangs on for dear life. The POLICEMAN speaks
into his radio.
EXT. POLICE STATION. DAY
The CHIEF stands waiting outside the station. The MOUNTED POLICEMAN
canters up, still with CODETZ slumped behind him. The horse comes to a
stop just in front of the CHIEF.
MOUNTED POLICEMAN
Is this what you've been looking
for?
CODETZ slumps off the horse and hits the pavement with a crunching
THUD. CHIEF just stares at him, astounded.
MOUNTED POLICEMAN
You might at least have caught him.
INT. FLAT. DAY.
JUSTINE stands in the kitchen doorway, with her arms folded looking
extremely cross. Behind her, in the front room an OLD MAN sits, holding
a phone handset to his ear. JUSTINE is talking to her Irish MUM.
JUSTINE
I need the phone, mum.
MUM
Don't you have your own?
JUSTINE
The battery's gone.
MUM
Well you can't, Justine, it's
his turn.
JUSTINE turns to the old man.
JUSTINE
Do you know how much that costs?
MUM
It makes him happy.
Infuriated, JUSTINE walks back into the front room.
JUSTINE
I need the phone, Grandpa!
GRANDPA
Go away. I'm talking to
the savior.
JUSTINE
Why would Jesus be telling
you the time!
GRANDPA
‘Cos he loves me!
JUSTINE screams in frustration. She grabs the phone off of her GRANDPA.
He starts screaming.
MUM
Oh, stop causing such a fuss,
you two!
JUSTINE slams down the phone. It rings instantly. JUSTINE picks it up
with her GRANDPA still screaming.
JUSTINE
Yes!?
BOZ is on the end of the line.
BOZ(OFF.)
They've found him.
INT. POLICE STATION. DAY
Two CONSTABLES carry CODETZ into a cell, and lay him down on some
bedding on a bench. A DOCTOR, a thin, aging man with a soft face
attends to him. Chief looks on, worried.
At last the DOCTOR stands up, and shakes his head. He walks back to the
door.
CHIEF
Well?
DOCTOR
He was certainly hit by something.
But I don't think it was a car. There's
no bruising, no broken bones. Nothing.
CHIEF
What then?
DOCTOR
A blunt instrument of some sort. His
head-gear took the brunt of it.
CHIEF
I have witnesses that say he was
knocked over.
DOCTOR
I can't account for it. There was
something strange.
CHIEF waits for an answer.
DOCTOR
His clothes smelt like brine.
Like the sea.
CHIEF just looks even more confused.
CHIEF
What do you think?
DOCTOR
I'd like to take him into hospital.
CHIEF
You said he wasn't badly hurt.
DOCTOR
No, but he has a slight concussion.
I'd like him under observation.
CHIEF
So would I.
The DOCTOR looks back at CODETZ, thinking.
DOCTOR
Well, maybe it would be better if
he stayed put for now. Keep me informed?
CHIEF
Of course.
INT. OFFICE. POLICE STATION. DAY
The CHIEF is sniffing CODETZ'S camouflage jacket when one of his
OFFICER's walks in.
CHIEF
What?
OFFICER
Next of kin, sir.
INT.POLICE STATION. RECEPTION. NIGHT
UNCLE, 65, sits on a chair in the reception of the Police Station. He
is a worn out man with sad eyes. All his hair is now white including
his trimmed beard.
BOZ sits next to him, looking more agitated than usual.
CHIEF walks into the reception, holding his head. He looks exhausted.
CODETZ can still be heard, screaming in the background. CHIEF sticks
out his hand to welcome UNCLE.
BOZ comes rushing up when he sees the Chief.
BOZ
I want to see him!
CHIEF
Just hold on.
He turns to UNCLE.
Mr. Codetz.
UNCLE nods and gets up.
CODETZ(OFF.)
What have you done to us!
BOZ
What are you doing to him?
UNCLE intervenes.
UNCLE
Mark.
BOZ
I just want to know what's going on!
UNCLE
I know, Mark. Just go home. Please.
I'll call you if I need you.
BOZ scowls at the CHIEF, then turns reluctantly and walks back out the
door.
EXT. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
BOZ walks out to the street on his own. It is cold and he pulls his
overcoat tighter. Pulling out a cigarette he is about to light up when
he notices something is watching him from across the road.
SOMEONE is standing there in a long dark cloak, tall and broad, with
keen bright eyes that can be seen glowing in the street lamps. There is
just a glimpse of ginger hair from beneath his hood and he is gone.
BOZ stands and stares at the empty space, alone in the dark.
INT. CELL. DAY
CODETZ sits slumped on the bench, his head bowed, helmet almost
slipping off his head. A dull thumping sound penetrates the silence.
CODETZ'S eyes open.
He stands up, and walks over to the cell wall. He puts his ear up to
the wall, as if listening for the dull sound that is filling the space.
He puts his hand out. Underneath his fingers letters appear carved in
the stone.
CODETZ
What is this?
KARSUDAN(OFF.)
It is your name, Utu.
INT. TOMB. NIGHT
UTU is touching a large stone BAS-RELIEF which is covered in cuneiform
writings and carvings of men with wings and curled beards holding
staffs. Dust covers everything. KARSUDAN stands at the entrance to the
Tomb. Behind him stands RAE'YEVA, holding a fiery torch.
UTU
What is this place?
KARSUDAN
It is the house of dust. It is
a tomb.
UTU
Whose?
KARSUDAN
Yours.
UTU
Who are you?
KARSUDAN steps forwards into the light.
KARSUDAN
I am Karsudan, of the Chaldean
Magi. This is my son, Rae'yeva.
CONTINUED
We are the only descendants of
Enmenduranna, the last King before
the Great Flood. You're King, Utu.
The one you served for so long.
UTU looks shocked. He falls to his knees. Both KARSUDAN and RAE'YEVA
move towards him.
KARSUDAN
No, no, you must not defer to us.
KARSUDAN grasps his hand firmly.
You are a child of the Sun and the Sea.
You are the bringer of knowledge, the keeper of secrets, witness to the
abyss. You had lived many lives, and died many deaths.
UTU
Died? How can I have died?
KARSUDAN
Here we buried the last of the
Apkallu, the great sages, fated to
walk the worlds until the heavens
themselves fade. We thought you
might rest here in peace for eternity,
though you are a restless soul, and
now we must find another way to free you.
UTU
But I'm not from here.
KARSUDAN
We are all from the same place, Utu.
INT. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
UNCLE stares into space. CODETZ is still screaming, and kicking the
door.
UNCLE
What's wrong with our bairns?
CHIEF shakes his head. Just then the screaming STOPS. There is a still
silence for a second. The sound of running footsteps comes up the
hallway. A CONSTABLE comes in the door.
CONSTABLE
Sir! You need to see this.
INT. HALLWAY. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
The PC, CHIEF and UNCLE all bustle into the hallway. There is no
screaming. A CONSTABLE slides the porthole in the door. He leaves it
for CHIEF to look in. He looks utterly amazed. He grabs for the keys
and unlocks the door.
INT. CELL. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
CHIEF opens the door. All three look in. UNCLE'S eyes widen.
UNCLE
What the-?
INT. HALLWAY. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
Another CONSTABLE is at the door. He shows a WOMAN in, tall, dark,
smartly dressed, in her early forties. She is the Schoolteacher from
the museum, only older. Her name is Professor TINA CATHETER.
CONSTABLE
She's here, Chief.
CHIEF appears at the doorway to the cell, he walks up and shakes her
hand warmly.
CHIEF
Glad you could make it.
TINA
What's this all about?
CHIEF
I'll show you.
They all walk in. UNCLE is sitting next to the sleeping CODETZ.
UNCLE
Hello Tina.
She is too amazed to speak. She looks around at the cell walls,
astonished. They are covered with shallow marks, some kind of WRITING,
inscribed in the brittle concrete. Some of the marks are big, some
small, but they cover all four walls in an endless stream of letters.
TINA
He did all this in one night?
UNCLE
Apparently.
INT. CELL. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
UNCLE is standing next to TINA. She has stacked her books in a corner
and is peering at the cell walls through a magnifying glass.
TINA
Fascinating, isn't it?
TINA looks back at UNCLE.
You have a question?
UNCLE
What does it mean?
TINA
What?
UNCLE gestures to the wall in exasperation.
TINA
The writing?
UNCLE
Yes, the writing.
TINA
Well, I knew Stanislev was clever,
but this…?
UNCLE
He never did a lot with it.
TINA gestures to the walls.
TINA
You wouldn't call this a lot, no?
She lights an electric torch, and kneels down near the corner of the
cell, beckoning him to follow.
TINA
These indents are Cuneiform,
an ancient form of writing.
I found this part interesting.
She hands UNCLE the magnifying glass. UNCLE stares through it at the
strange letters.
UNCLE
What is it?
TINA
I think it says ‘…and the last
of the Seven Sages shall confront
the Gate of God'.
UNCLE
In Glasgow?
TINA
Yes. Why not? It's as good a place
as any. There were many tales of the
seven sages, in Ancient Greece, India,
the Middle East.
UNCLE
What do they have to do with my nephew?
TINA
I've no idea. But it's clear someone
does. Look, right there, the word
for ‘Gates of God' is ‘Babelini'.
Babylon.
CUT TO:
CODETZ sits hunched in a chair, his head bent and his helmet casting a
shadow across his eyes. TINA stares at him intently through her
glasses.
CHIEF stands at the door.
CHIEF
You'll be okay?
TINA
I'll be fine.
CHIEF closes the door, and just the two of them are left in the room.
TINA
Stanislev?
She moves up close to him and holds his head up in the light. CODETZ
does not look at her. His eyes glitter strangely under his helmet.
Tears streak his cheeks. His eyes are desperate. TINA looks distraught
at his state.
She leans forward and hugs him.
FADE TO BLACK
TINA(OFF.)
Stanislev? Where did you go?
FADE IN
CODETZ'S eyes turn to look at her. His voice seems distant.
CODETZ
I went to the temple.
TINA
What temple?
CODETZ
The temple beneath the Sea.
TINA
What did you see there?
CODETZ is silent.
TINA
It's alright. You can tell me.
CODETZ
I saw the world burn, and
thousands fall through the
abyss, through nothing, and the
sky blazed like the Sun.
The cell seems to get darker. A shadow passes across CODETZ. He can
almost hear a faint screaming, and the sounds of fire. His eyes gleam.
TINA
Why?
Suddenly he LUNGES violently towards her.
CODETZ
(screaming)
Because you fucked us before we
were born!
CUT TO BLACK
INT. HALLWAY. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
CODETZ can be heard screaming in the cell again. UNCLE and the CHIEF
are trying to ignore it. TINA is standing in the corner with her arms
crossed, distressed.
TINA
Is he always like this?
UNCLE
Yes.
TINA
He needs help, Gordon.
CHIEF
No kidding.
UNCLE moves closer to her.
UNCLE
We tried.
TINA
Tried what?
UNCLE
Counseling.
TINA
What happened?
UNCLE
The Doctor refused to see him
after the first session.
TINA
Did he say why?
UNCLE
No, but something scared him.
His hands were shaking.
TINA
This isn't the Omen, Gordon.
Someone needs to find out what's
wrong.
UNCLE
What do you suggest?
INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT
TINA has found a secluded spot on her own, an empty stairwell at the
end of a hallway. She has an open file on her lap, within which are a
CHILD'S DRAWINGS. Her mobile phone is ringing. A MAN answers with a
gruff, mature voice.
MAN(OFF.)
Hello?
TINA
Hello. Is that Doctor McGuinn?
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Yes.
TINA
You don't know me. My name is
Tina Catheter-
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
I'm rather busy, Ms. Catheter.
Can I ask what this is about?
TINA
Well, it's actually about an
ex-patient of yours.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
You understand I can't discuss
details of specific cases…
She interrupts.
TINA
Yes, I understand that. It's just
that we have him here at the Police
Station, and we're worried he might
have suffered a relapse.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
What was the name?
TINA
Codetz. Stanislev Codetz.
There is a pregnant pause. DOCTOR MCGUINN'S voice changes subtly,
almost a slight tremble.
TINA
Doctor?
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Yes, I'm here.
TINA
I know you can't give me many details
but…
It's his turn to interrupt.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
He's been back again, hasn't he?
TINA
I'm not sure what-
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
(interrupting)
He crossed over. For how long?
TINA
Three days.
Another long pause.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Have you noticed anything strange?
TINA
Such as?
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Silt under his fingernails?
TINA
No.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Did his clothes have an odour?
TINA
Yes.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
Like brine?
This time her voice trembles.
TINA
Yes.
DOCTOR MCGUINN
There isn't much I can tell you,
Ms. Catheter. All I can say is
keep a close eye on him.
TINA
What did you mean by 'crossed over'?
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
I think you understand me.
There's only so much a man in my
position can do.
TINA
I don't understand.
DOCTOR MCGUINN(OFF.)
I think you do. Like I said, keep
him close. You may learn a great deal. Goodnight, Ms Catheter, and good luck.
He hangs up before she can say another word. She sighs in frustration,
tapping the file on her lap. Some of the childish stick drawings fall
on the floor.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CLASSROOM. DAY.
TINA sits at the end of her desk. Her shoulders are hunched and she
looks depressed, running her hands through her hair.
She looks through a number of children's DRAWINGS. They are all in
charcoal and show a huge black mountain, the Ziggurat. The drawings are
etched crudely from different angles, with plumes of smoke rising from
them.
TINA
He draws these?
Opposite her sit two PEOPLE. One is UNCLE, looking a little younger,
with less grey. Next to him is a smaller, very anxious looking MOUSY
WOMAN.
MOUSY WOMAN
Yes.
TINA
Since his father died?
The MOUSY WOMAN nods.
TINA
He's a rather disturbed little boy,
isn't he, Mrs. Codetz?
She sifts through the drawings.
TINA
Does he have any imaginary friends?
TINA points to one of the drawings. It is of a black figure wielding
what looks like a sledgehammer.
TINA
The man with the hammer, perhaps?
UNCLE
We don't know.
MRS CODETZ
He talks to himself, sometimes.
TINA shakes her head and sighs slightly.
TINA
Anything else?
MRS CODETZ
He doesn't like sleeping.
TINA
In what way?
MRS CODETZ
He doesn't like it when the sun
goes down. It scares him.
TINA
Yes?
MRS CODETZ
It's because, the night sky, when
the stars are out…
She hesitates.
He says the stars burn him.
TINA stares down at the pictures again.
TINA
Where did he get his scar?
TINA touches her forehead. MRS. CODETZ shifts uncomfortably in her
chair, and her eyes sink.
MRS CODETZ
He was born with it.
EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND. DAY
UNCLE and MRS. CODETZ emerge from the school.
UNCLE
She was no help.
MRS CODETZ
She thinks it's me. I don't
blame her.
They walk along the playground. A distracted LITTLE BOY stands at the
school gate on his own, carrying a little sandwich case. He still wears
the blue cycling helmet.
MRS. CODETZ
(to the boy)
Come on, Stanislev.
INT. CLASSROOM. DAY
Through the glass of the classroom window TINA watches them go.
STANISLEV turns and for a moment, the two lock eyes. He is ushered into
a car, and the door is shut.
INT. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
TINA is suddenly aware someone is watching her. She turns around to see
UNCLE there, smiling. He holds a mug.
UNCLE
I brought you some tea.
She smiles, relieved.
INT. RECEPTION. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
UNCLE, CHIEF, and TINA are all in the hallway. TINA is gathering her
things, a little frantically as she is clearly upset. Both men watch
her, worried.
TINA
He's been through a great deal.
He needs constant supervision.
UNCLE
I'll do what I can.
TINA
I'll be going now. I'll be in touch.
CHIEF nods. She turns back to UNCLE.
I have one question. It's about
Stanislev's grandfather? The Pole.
Who was he?
UNCLE
He was a pilot in the war.
TINA
He was shot down, yes?
UNCLE
Yes. How did you know?
TINA
What happened to him?
UNCLE
We never found out. Why?
TINA
Somebody did.
She turns away, visibly upset.
TINA shakes CHIEF'S hand briskly and walks out. CHIEF is even more
confused, and he exchanges looks with UNCLE.
INT. POLICE STATION. CELL. NIGHT
UNCLE BURSTS into CODETZ'S cell. UNCLE reaches down to take off his
helmet. CODETZ stops him and stares up with wild eyes.
UNCLE
Where did you go, son?
Nothing.
UNCLE
What did you see?
No answer.
What did you see?!
Silence. CODETZ sighs softly.
CODETZ
Nothing.
UUNCLE hangs his head then starts to get up. CODETZ grabs his wrist and
pulls him back, close. His eyes shine.
CODETZ
(whispering)
Have you ever seen nothing, Uncle?
Nothing at all.
For a moment, something like fear passes across UNCLE'S wrinkled face.
INT. CAR. DAY
CODETZ sits in the back on his own. BOZ sits next to UNCLE, who is
driving. UNCLE is trying to reassert himself.
UNCLE
(to Codetz)
You've got a gift, son. It's time you did something with it. Instead of
wasting
away sitting on your arse all day.
(pause)
Are you listening?
CODETZ just stares out the window. He sees a very tall MAN standing on
the road, wearing a green hooded cloak.
UNCLE
You have opportunities I never had.
Your trouble is you don't know your
born. Have you nothing to say?
CODETZ
Can I borrow a fiver.
UNCLE
(to Boz)
I'll drop you off.
INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
At the back end of the bathroom is an old style white chrome bath with
lion's feet. The bath is full, but the water is dark. At one end a GI
army helmet is just above the surface, next to a floating rubber duck.
Somebody starts banging on the closed door.
BOZ(OFF.)
Get out of the bath!
The helmet starts to rise. A face appears wearing a heavy-duty gas
mask. CODETZ rips off the gas mask and turns to the door. A squashed
cigarette still hangs from his lips.
CODETZ
Piss off! I'm having a wank!
BOZ(OFF.)
No, your no'. You're trying to
breathe underwater again.
CODETZ
That's how I get my kicks, baby!
CUT TO: CODETZ in the bath.
CODETZ grumbles to himself and starts to disappear back underwater,
bubbling below the surface. As his nose vanishes he stops, his eyes fix
on something. They stare.
His head starts to rise up again, slowly, his eyes not moving. His head
stops with his chin just above the water.
AERGWULF is sitting on the toilet. The huge Viking just sits there as
though it were perfectly normal, his iron headed axe over his lap. He
regards CODETZ with cold contempt.
CODETZ can only stare back.
INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT
BOZ, standing in his bathrobe, is just about bang on the door when
CODETZ opens it suddenly. He stands there in his helmet and a towel
round his waste. He just stands there, his mouth a little open, in
shock.
BOZ
What?
CODETZ says nothing. He just walks back to his room at the end of the
corridor, next to a large poster of David Bowie in 'The Man Who Fell to
Earth'. Punk music starts blaring from CODETZ'S room. BOZ follows him.
BOZ
What's wrong? Your freaking me out!
CODETZ
Nothing. Keep it Zen.
BOZ
What-is-it?
CODETZ
It's all Bowie, man.
BOZ looks confused and goes back to his room. The music gets louder.
TANNA'S little head pops out and she wanders across the hall, clutching
her stuffed Lion. She pops her head in the toilet door.
INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
She stands transfixed. AERGWULF is still there, sitting on the bowl. He
looks down at the little girl, and maybe smiles just a little. TANNA
looks alarmed. She runs out again.
INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT
She runs back along the hall and into BOZ'S room.
TANNA
Daddy! Daddy!
BOZ(OFF.)
Yes?
TANNA
Big hairy man! Big hairy man on
the loo!
BOZ(OFF.)
Don't be silly, Tanna!
TANNA(OFF.)
I'm not being silly!
CODETZ pokes his head out. TANNA saw him too.
EXT. STREET. NIGHT
BOZ waves goodbye to his daughter as she gets in the car with CARLY. As
he turns to walk back into the high-rise building, he hears a distant
hissing sound coming from the darkness.
BOZ
Hello?
BOZ walks to the end of the street. It is empty, shrouded by a sudden
mist. The only light is the yellow glow of street-lamps. He hears
another echoing hiss.
At the end of the dark street, three points of yellow light, like eyes,
are staring at him. Suddenly afraid, BOZ turns back. Something LASHES
out at him, knocking him to the ground.
Touching his head he realises he is bleeding. He looks down at his
bloody hand. The hissing dies away.
INT. SHOPPING CENTRE. DAY
CARLY is out shopping with TANNA and JUSTINE. TANNA walks hand in hand
with her mother. JUSTINE walks in front, carrying a number of shopping
bags. TANNA hugs her Lion. She is aware that something is looking at
her. She looks scared. She tugs at her mother's sleeve.
TANNA
Mummy?
CARLY
Not now sweetheart.
(to Justine)
So what now?
JUSTINE
I don't know. It's like talking
to a brick wall. Everything's a
joke to him.
CARLY
Well, there was always more to
Codetz than met the eye.
JUSTINE
You can say that again.
CARLY goes up to an ice cream van and looks through her bag to get
money. Somebody bumps into TANNA and she drops her stuffed Lion.
She goes to pick it up, but someone else does that for her. It is
MELINE. He stares malevolently at the little girl, and holds out her
Lion. TANNA glares at him.
TANNA
You're naughty!
She reaches for her stuffed toy. CARLY and JUSTINE are still at the
van.
CARLY
(to Justine)
Anyway, after all this has finished
you might find you have more in common.
JUSTINE
Yeah, right. Like you and Boz.
CARLY
Well, there's ancient history, then
there's me and Mark. At least we got something special out of it-
When CARLY looks round her smile dies. TANNA is nowhere to be seen.
They search the crowded street frantically, helplessly.
CARLY
Tanna! Tanna!
She is gone.
INT. BROWN FORD. DAY
TANNA sits in the back of the car, squashed between two Third Eye foot-
soldiers. She stares up at one of them.
TANNA
Am I going on holiday?
No answer.
Is my mummy not coming?
EXT. STREET CORNER. DAY
The brown car rolls on down the street. A very large figure in a hood
watches it go bye. A knotted beard protrudes from its side. AERGWULF'S
dark eyes watch as the car turns the corner.
He looks down. A LITTLE BOY with an ice cream is gazing at him, open
mouthed. AERGWULF smiles, tousles the little boy's hair and vanishes
from the street.
INT. WAREHOUSE. NIGHT
The two burly Third Eye's who were in the car carry TANNA into the
warehouse. Inside stands MELINE with his arms crossed.
THIRD EYE #1
Here she is.
MELINE
Put her down in the corner.
THIRD EYE #1
Here?
MELINE
Yeah, here. It's safe.
THIRD EYE #1
But it's draughty.
MELINE ignores him.
THIRD EYE #2
What are we supposed to do all
night?
MELINE
Have a sing-song.
THIRD EYE #1
And what if the Polis show up?
MELINE
Be polite. I'll see you in
the morning, chums.
MELINE looks over at TANNA who is sitting primly on her own, with her
Lion. She glares defiantly back at him.
TANNA
You're all very naughty!
MELINE
Watch her. Close.
THIRD EYE #1
She's just a wee girl.
MELINE grins widely at him and walks out.
TANNA
I need the loo.
INT. FLAT. DAY. NIGHT
BOZ, his head bandaged, walks into his flat. He sees CARLY sitting on
the end of a bed. She is hysterical and crying uncontrollably. JUSTINE
is trying to comfort her.
BOZ
What is it?
CARLY'S MOTHER comes out with a drink for her. JUSTINE stands up when
she sees BOZ. She looks like she is about to break into tears.
BOZ
What's wrong?
JUSTINE
Mark…
CARLY'S MOTHER breaks in.
CARLY'S MOTHER
You! This is your fault! If you had
been a father this wouldn't have
happened! You and your mad mates!
CARLY
Mum, please.
CARLY'S MOTHER
You find my grand-daughter! You
find her! You hear me?
BOZ cannot believe what he is hearing.
EXT. STREET. DAY
BOZ staggers out into the street, alone. He wanders for a few paces
then collapses against a waste bin. He just sits there, not moving,
dumbstruck.
CODETZ appears on the street, walking with his usual casualness, until
he sees his friend sprawled on the pavement. He notices the bandage on
BOZ'S head.
CODETZ
What happened to you?
CODETZ can see the tears in his friend eyes.
BOZ
I've lost my wee girl.
CODETZ looks up. Justine is watching them from the window.
INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT
UNCLE is sitting on his own watching TV, a can of lager at his elbow.
The reality TV show 'YOUTH OF BABYLON' is on. As he watches he catches
sight of CODETZ in the background. He sits forward in his chair. BEN
SAMAYA is speaking.
BEN SAMAYA
..and here we have an unusual
phenomenon. A ghost, dressed
in an unusual manner, with an
outfit reminiscent of a G.I. in
the Korean War. Not a kilt to be
seen…
The ghostly apparition of CODETZ passes across the middle ground of the
TV shot, and then fades from view as it reaches the road. UNCLE stares.
The TELEPHONE goes off, making him jump. He reaches over and grabs it.
UNCLE
Hello?
TINA(OFF.)
Hi Gordon, it's me.
UNCLE
Yes?
TINA(OFF.)
I'm still at the cell, going
through the inscriptions.
It's something odd we've
uncovered.
UNCLE
What?
TINA
It's a whole life, or specifically
many lives. All told in stories on
the wall.
UNCLE
And?
TINA(OFF.)
Does the name 'Utu' mean
anything to you?
UNCLE takes his time.
UNCLE
Yes.
TINA(OFF.)
It's all over the walls. It's
certainly the most common word.
UNCLE
So what?
TINA(OFF.)
Utu is the ancient Sumerian word
for 'Sun', or Sun God.
UNCLE does not answer. He grips the receiver hard to his ear.
TINA(OFF.)
Gordon?
UNCLE
Yes?
TINA(OFF.)
Can I ask how you knew?
UNCLE
McGuinn told me.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR. NIGHT
The SUBWAY CAR pulls up to the platform and the CROWD'S pile out.
BOZ is left sitting by himself. His face is deathly pale and his black
eyeliner is smeared across his face leaving his eyes black and blue,
beneath his bandage. He just sits there staring into space, blank,
empty, hopeless.
At the other end of the car a TRAMP watches him. His old clothes are
matted, stained and wet. He pulls back his hood. It is OLD FACE of the
Magi.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS. DAY
BOZ walks through the rain soaked neon-streets alone. He just walks and
walks, past shop windows and other night-time stragglers, lost in a
world of his own.
He turns back to look down the street, as though he thought someone was
following. He stares at the darkness for a long moment, then he
disappears round the street corner.
CUT TO:
A NIGHTCLUB POSTER is pasted on a red brick wall, illuminated by pink
neon lights. On the poster it says:
KANDINSKY CLUB
EXT. KANDINSKY NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
There is a long queue at the nightclub. BOZ and CODETZ walk directly up
to the front. Two heavy looking BOUNCER'S bar the way.
BOZ
(to Codetz)
I need in there.
CODETZ
Why? That's the shittiest club
on the planet. Only poofs like
you go.
BOZ
Trust me.
CODETZ
Why?
BOZ
Just do it!
BOZ gestures at one of the Bouncers.
CODETZ
I'm not going anywhere near him.
He looks like Steve Reeves.
BOZ thumps him.
Right! Nae bother, Germanski.
I'm on it!
BOZ
Just keep it Zen.
CODETZ
Don't patronize me, fucker! I'm
Zen! I'm fucking Alain Delon
fucking Zen! Fucking Kraut!
BOZ
Just get on wi' it!
CODETZ mumbles obscenities to himself as he approaches the two
BOUNCERS.
BOUNCER #1
(to Codetz)
What the fuck are you supposed
to be?
CODETZ
I'm Sissy Spacek.
BOUNCER #1
Well, Sissy, its guests only.
CODETZ
(pointing at Boz)
'Are Friends Electric' here's a VIP.
BOUNCER #2
Is he fuck! He's banned fae Kandinsky.
CODETZ
Same difference.
BOUNCER #1
Well, your not getting in with
that thing?
CODETZ
(looking at Boz)
What thing?
BOUNCER #1
That helmet. You put the heid on
someone wi' that, their no getting up.
CODETZ
Is that so?
BOUNCER #1
Aye, that's so, so fuck off back
to the nuthouse ye came from!
CODETZ is not amused.
CODETZ
I'm no' nuts. I just look it!
BOZ walks up to the entrance. The BOUNCER stops him, putting his hand
on his chest.
BOUNCER #2
Whoa, there, Boy George.
BOZ
Take the hand off.
BOUNCER 2
Or what?
BOZ
Or I'll take it off at the arm.
BOUNCER 2
You know what, pretty boy,
I'd like to see you try.
CODETZ suddenly turns on BOUNCER #2, and RUGBY TACKLES him head first
through the nightclub door. The hapless BOUNCER is knocked unconscious.
The other backs off when he sees the look on BOZ'S face.
CODETZ
(to Bouncer #2)
What do you know? It worked.
(to the queue)
This must be the VIP entrance
after all.
(to Boz)
What you waiting for?
INT. KANDINSKY NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
BOZ strides into the darkened NIGHTCLUB. It has obviously seen better
days. In fact, it is hard to see anything at all, except glimpses of
faces looking out from the shadows.
Staring eyes are everywhere. Shards of light seem to erupt from the
black walls, blinding him.
There are shop-window MANNEQUINS standing everywhere in various states
of undress, and it is hard to tell the dummies from the DANCERS.
BOZ stays focused. At the back end of the main room a tall raven haired
young GOTH WOMAN notices him come in. She glances back at him with
contempt.
BOZ darts after her through the plastic crowds. As he walks over, she
grabs her coat and leaves out the fire exit. BOZ follows her.
He runs up and catches her by the arm. She struggles to get free,
speaking with a strong German accent.
EVA
Leave me alone, Bosman.
BOZ
Tanna's gone, Eva.
EVA glances guiltily at him.
EVA
Your hurting me.
BOZ
I'm serious!
EVA
I can't help you find your daughter,
Mark.
BOZ
Then help me find him.
INT. WAREHOUSE. NIGHT
TANNA is sleeping peacefully in a corner. The Third Eye THUGS guarding
her are playing cards.
There is a dull thumping sound, far off. The THUGS do not hear it, but
it wakes TANNA. Her eyes flutter and she sits upright. The Third Eyes
sigh when they see her.
THIRD EYE #1
What is it now?
TANNA
I need a bedtime story.
THIRD EYE #2
What?
TANNA
I can't sleep. It's too noisy.
THIRD EYE #1
It's not noisy.
In answer there is a distant thump, then another, much closer. TANNA
jumps when there is another, just outside the door.
The two THUGS stand up, confused. There is a pause. Then the warehouse
door FLIES off its hinges as AERGWULF erupts through it, swinging his
axe.
The Third Eyes have no time to react. The first is thrown aside like a
rag doll, the second turns on his heels and frantically scrambles away.
AERGWULF grunts at him, but lets him go. He stands in front of TANNA.
The little girl is not in the least scared.
TANNA
Hello.
AERGWULF bows down before the little girl, then he scoops TANNA into
his huge arms. The dazed THUGS can only watch as they leave through the
splintered doorway.
TANNA
(to Aergwulf)
Did you used to be a monkey?
EXT. STREET. NIGHT
Outside the street is deserted. AERGWULF walks away quickly with TANNA
wrapped in his great arms. As he does, HISSING fills the air.
AERGWULF turns to look. Something is moving in the murk behind the
streetlights. He moves quickly, but something is following them.
As he turns a corner a huge monolithic shape looms above the skyline.
It is the ZIGGURAT TEMPLE that UTU witnessed at the beginning.
The hissing grows louder behind them. They have nowhere else to go.
TANNA
Uh-oh.
AERGWULF starts to climb the stairs to the temple.
EXT. STREET. NIGHT
REIVA is out walking on his own, carrying his little cassette deck but
he is not playing any music.
He seems to be following something. It is the sound of a little girl
SCREAMING, though its sounds as if it came from some other world.
REIVA turns with it. Then another sound meets his ears. There is a low
hissing sound like a snake. REIVA stops, and as he does so something
knocks against his shoe and falls onto the road.
It is a large bronze MEDALLION shaped like a celestial Sun.
REIVA puts it in his pocket and walks off.
INT. CELL. POLICE STATION. NIGHT
TINA is back working away in the police cell.
Outside the cell window the sky is darkening, something is obscuring
the light from the streetlamps. A dull distant GROAN can be heard, as
though coming from behind the very walls of the cell. It sounds like
stones grinding.
A dull light glows between the blocks on the wall and behind the
writing that covers it. The CHANTING of the Magi can be heard again. A
shaft of bright light burns through the cuneiform letters.
As the sound dies TINA can hear a tiny tapping from behind the walls.
She steps closer and presses his ear to the stone.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TEMPLE. NIGHT
Behind the stone and through the cell wall is a long pillared hallway,
shrouded in night.
This seemingly endless hallway stretches into the distance. Great stone
bas-relief's cover the walls, of lions impaled by arrows and men with
long beards riding chariots. The hallway is guarded by two immense
stone WINGED BULLS.
A pattering of little feet echoes through the hallways. A little shadow
appears in a huge square archway, and the tiny figure of TANNA appears.
She pads along, apprehensive, but not too scared. She clutches her
stuffed Lion.
A low hiss drifts up the adjoining pillared hallways. TANNA stops in
her tracks. She stands still and the hissing gets louder. Something is
coming.
A large red shape suddenly darts out from the shadows, but before TANNA
even has time to react, a glint catches her eye as the blade of an axe
swings down in front of her, and buries itself in the dusty ground at
her feet.
Something bounces off the wall, and falls in a bloody heap before
TANNA'S surprised little face. The head of a THREE-EYED BEAST lies at
her feet, its skull cloven in two.
TANNA turns to see the looming form of AERGWULF. He is casually wiping
the beast's dark blood off his axe.
TANNA
Thank you.
The Viking holds out his massive hand to her. TANNA grabs his middle-
finger and they both walk on together through the Temple Hall.
TANNA
It's very big, isn't it?
EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT
It is raining hard on the street. Everything that is not street lights,
rain and car headlamps passes by unseen. Except for someone in an army
helmet, staggering along the pavement, struggling to stay on his feet.
CODETZ
(to himself)
Fuck off! Fuck off back
to where you came from!
I don't need you!
CODETZ grasps for breath, the rain dripping off his helmet. He holds a
black bottle in his hand.
He clutches his stomach, and collapses on the pavement, vomiting onto
the road.
Looking down he sees his vomit mix with the rain draining down the
sides of the road. It should flow away but it stays, like milk floating
in coffee.
It drifts, as though in a still pool. CODETZ looks on, fascinated.
There is a FACE in the pool where the road should be. It is staring at
him. It is the image of UTU.
CODETZ
I don't need you.
A WHITE ARM suddenly BURSTS out of the pool, clutching at CODETZ. He
cries out in alarm and falls back from the roadside, hitting his head
off the brick wall.
He is stunned and collapses in a heap on the pavement. The rain drains
off his helmet, drips hitting his cheek. Cars pass by on the road,
ignoring the still body on the pavement.
Someone drops change on the pavement in front of him.
DISSOLVE TO:
A wrinkled FACE appears in the rain. The rain means nothing to OLD
FACE. He raises a hand and slaps CODETZ across the cheek.
CODETZ still lies in the street, surrounded by three TRAMPS. None of
them seem to mind the rain. One of the others, a younger man, BAIRN,
with a shaved head and worried expression steps up. OLD FACE calms him.
BAIRN
Is he alive?
OLD FACE
Barely.
(to Codetz)
Son? Talk to me.
OLD FACE goes to slap CODETZ again. CODETZ grabs his arm, and his eyes
open wide, shining with cold light. All three TRAMPS stand back.
CODETZ
…mother of harlots and abominations
of the Earth.
The third tramp, JOE, crosses himself. CODETZ'S eyes close again and
his body goes limp. OLD FACE raises the helmet to reveal CODETZ'S white
scar.
OLD FACE
It's him.
(to Joe)
Let's get out the rain.
All three of the tramps carry CODETZ along the street. He starts
groaning, faintly aware that he is above the ground. OLD FACE is
nervous, looking from side to side. SHADOWS are moving all around them.
Both BAIRN and JOE look scared too.
BAIRN
They're following.
OLD FACE
We were just in time.
They quicken their step. The rain starts to beat down hard. The round a
corner where a number of other MEN stand on the street huddled round a
fire in a steel drum. The all look up, the flames lighting their faces.
OLD FACE
Put him down.
They lay CODETZ down under a canopy of old bits of wood and cardboard.
The rain still drips from his helmet and his eyes are closed. OLD FACE
reaches out.
OLD FACE
Whisky.
Someone hands him a small canister. OLD FACE puts it to the young man's
lips. CODETZ coughs and splutters. OLD FACE lays him down with his head
resting on the wall.
BAIRN
Is he the beast?
OLD FACE
Course he's not! He's just as
scared as we are.
There is a sudden SIGH on the air, like wind passing through a thicket.
All the tramps suddenly turn. SHAPES are emerging from the shadows of
the streets around them. Five or six MEN, all with shaved heads, walk
out into the dim light.
Some of the tramps back off, but OLD FACE stands firm. He holds a thick
stick in his hands and eyes the skinheads with disdain. MELINE'S steely
eyes watch from behind his foot soldiers.
OLD FACE
You'll not get him this time.
OLD FACE takes out a small golden Faravahar on a necklace round his
neck. He rubs it with his grubby forefinger.
BAIRN stands behind him, scared but unmoved. At that JOE and some of
the other tramps come back. They all form a circle around CODETZ.
A loud angry hissing fills the air then dissipates to an echo. MELINE'S
face fades back into the dark. CODETZ eyes flicker, focusing on a sheet
of plastic that flaps in the wind.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DESERT. DAY
A CURTAIN flutters in the wind. It has an image of a glorious Sun upon
its fabric. Behind it is the desert. Little dust-devils whip across the
dusty rocks.
CODETZ'S eyes open. He stares out the billowing doorway of a tent.
Outside is an endless desert with a clear blue sky. He stares at it,
unable to move. A silhouette of a MAN appears and pulls back the
curtain.
MAN
Utu? Are you awake?
INT. TENT. DAY
UTU sits in the corner of a hard bed, hunched up with his arms round
his legs. He looks dazed. One of the MAGI steps into the room holding a
basket of fruit. It is OLD FACE.
OLD FACE
I've brought you food.
He bows to UTU again and lays the bowl at his side.
UTU
I know you.
OLD FACE smiles a him.
OLD FACE
You should.
KARSUDAN enters.
KARSUDAN
You did well.
OLD FACE
It amazes me how much he
can endure.
CHANTING can be heard outside.
UTU
What is that?
EXT. DESERT. TWILIGHT
UTU and KARSUDAN both step out into the night air. Slivers of dying
sunlight move and ripple. They walk out into the desert.
Looking over the edge of the dunes, a huge black shape towers high
above them outlined by the browns and blues of far mountains. The MAGI
are chanting, kneeling towards it.
Its tall black spires stretch into the sky as though they were holding
it up. Above them the night seems to swirl and deepen in its
reflection. It blots out all the stars.
KARSUDAN
Here, take this. You will see.
KARSUDAN hands him a gold TELESCOPE. It is small but beautifully made.
It is clear he means it as a gift. UTU looks through it at the
building.
He stares at it through the glass as though stricken by some forgotten
memory. The dark temple stretches out, dominating the desert, yet it
seems like a dream.
KARSUDAN regards UTU thoughtfully.
KARSUDAN
You have seen this before?
UTU
Yes.
KARSUDAN
It is the temple of the platform
between Heaven and Earth. It is the
place that haunts your dreams. It is
there the Apkallu survived the flood.
He turns to UTU.
The first was of water. The second
will be of flame, and there will be no return. You have done all you can.
It is time for you to go.
UTU
Go where?
KARSUDAN
Home.
UTU
Home? What home?
KARSUDAN
In five thousand years nothing
has changed. You have many
enemies. Foes that wish to know
what you know.
UTU
I know nothing.
KARSUDAN
You know how to gain power. They will
kill for that. Because of this they will not let you to reach the temple.
Yet we must try, if you are to be free.
EXT. RUINS. DAY
KARSUDAN and UTU both reach the outer reaches of the Ziggurat on the
backs of camels. KARSUDAN is eyeing his charge with some amusement. UTU
is struggling with his.
KARSUDAN
You never forget how to
ride a Camel.
KARSUDAN laughs. The caravan rides on as the sun sets.
INT. TENT. NIGHT
OLD FACE enters with a vial of liquid carried in his hands. He looks
concerned. KARSUDAN is kneeling next to UTU.
OLD FACE kneels too and places the vial close to UTU, who is breathing
hard. His face is covered in sweat, and his eyes are closed. KARSUDAN
sighs heavily.
KARSUDAN
Every time he returns his strength
is diminished. It may be that all
that will be left is a shell. That
will not be worth returning. There
is only so much even a spirit such
as his can endure. All the pain
of five thousand years.
OLD FACE
The Gallu are many and we are few.
If they come we will not be able to
protect him.
KARSUDAN
We will pray that they do not. I
could not stand to bury him again.
Suddenly a huge roaring sound erupts from above them, like a huge
blaring horn releasing a sonic boom. KARSUDAN looks up at the Ziggurat.
A shaft of lightning hits one of the black pillars above the platform.
KARSUDAN
It has begun. We must go!
EXT. ZIGGURAT TEMPLE. NIGHT
The Magi caravan reaches the lower foundations of the great temple.
They are ruins, black and cracked as if scorched by some great fire.
The Magi are clearly frightened as are their animals.
UTU is only barely conscious. Voices are whispering to him, horrible
harsh hissing voices. He reaches up and screams.
At that moment one of the Magi rushes up to KARSUDAN.
MAGI
My Lord! The Gallu are coming!
Both KARSUDAN and OLD FACE bring UTU down of his camel and quickly move
him through the broken arch of the entrance to the lower Temple. Above
them the endless stairway of the Ziggurat reaches up to the clouds.
Lightning dances amongst its many black pillars. KARSUDAN calls to OLD
FACE. They can hear screaming behind them. The demons are attacking.
KARSUDAN
Quickly.
They lead the stricken UTU over to the bottom of the great stone
stairway. UTU is barely conscious. He glances up at the Ziggurat
through hazy eyes.
OLD FACE
Utu! Wake up.
UTU looks behind him and sees many black shapes approaching. KARSUDAN
turns to him.
KARSUDAN
Utu! You must go! What are our
lives worth if yours fade.
His urgent tone gets through to UTU, who nods and comes to some sort of
life. He shakes off OLD FACE and stands on his own beneath the
stairway. He looks up, suddenly determined.
The two Magi glances nervously back at the oncoming demon GALLU with
their jagged black armour and war-hammers.
KARSUDAN
Go!
All starts to fade in a hazy blur, and the noise dissipates till only a
dull throb remains in UTU'S ears.
UTU pauses, and looks up at the rim of the Temple. The sky churns like
black mud above it. It starts to fold in on itself like a black hole.
Another lightening strike splits open the darkening sky.
KARSUDAN looks up as the wind starts to become a gale.
EXT. ZIGGURAT STAIRWAY. NIGHT
UTU stands alone below the huge stone staircase into the sky. It seems
to never end.
He holds his breath and takes the first step.
EXT. STONE STAIRCASE. ZIGGURAT. NIGHT
He starts to climb the cracked stone stairs, but the BOOT that hits the
first step is not his.
As UTU'S foot hits the stone he is back in his khaki uniform, his
battered G.I. helmet and sunglasses. He is CODETZ once again.
CODETZ quickly loses his breath. He stops to look down. Already the
world below seems small and distant. KARSUDAN is lost in the sandstorm.
He continues to climb.
EXT. DESERT CAMP. DAY
As KARSUDAN turns back he is approached by his servant. He looks
terrified.
MAGI SERVANT
Ishkur is here!
KARSUDAN turns to OLD FACE. They nod and turn to face their enemy.
EXT. PLATFORM. ZIGGURAT. NIGHT
The world is silent up here. A shallow mist hovers just above the
platform. CODETZ can almost touch it.
The sun is falling behind the Ziggurat, a glowing orange surrounds its
huge sable pillars that stretch into the storm clouds.
CODETZ stands on its edge looking towards the great temple at the other
side. It almost seems like another world away.
CODETZ walks alone over the platform.
Someone is watching him. It is AERGWULF. The Viking follows CODETZ
closely from behind one of the huge black pillars. CODETZ enters the
temple WHICH only just illuminated by the distant twinkling of the
stars and moon.
AERGWULF follows CODETZ inside.
INT. TEMPLE. DAY
CODETZ'S footsteps echo. He stands in the centre of a large square
doorway. Inside is an antechamber, in the centre of which sits the
STATUE of a young woman, perhaps a GODDESS, on a marble throne. The
statue seems familiar to him.
CODETZ approaches the statue. Below the altar he notices TANNA'S
stuffed Lion.
He picks it up and looks up at the statue. A tear seems to glint on its
cheek. CODETZ turns and walks back out, holding the Lion.
He strides back onto the platform, clenching his teeth. The platform
starts to tremble, and a roaring sound fills the air. A single shaft of
lighting passes across the great columns.
The whole Temple starts to shake as though from an earthquake.
EXT. GLASGOW. CITY STREET. DAY
Back to the real world. Or is it? Down in the city the PEOPLE can hear
a loud roaring, like the sea in a storm, filling the air. They put
their hands over their ears.
EXT. ZIGGURAT PLATFORM. DAY
CODETZ stands at the edge of the Temple entrance. Outside GALLU are
lining up, facing each other. They are DEMONS of the likeness of the
HAMMER-MAN who attacked UTU in the desert.
They each have a yellow eye-shaped tattoo on their foreheads. They all
carry spears. They hiss, and smirk viciously when they see CODETZ
coming.
CODETZ grimaces. He holds TANNA'S stuffed Lion in his fist. As he steps
into the space between the two lines of hooded GALLU, two of them stand
forward and viciously stab him in the sides with their spears.
CODETZ screams. His scream is so loud it is heard below the Ziggurat,
by KARSUDAN and OLD FACE. They look up in alarm.
EXT. CITY STREETS. DAY
CODETZ'S scream is also heard in the Glasgow streets, reverberating as
if coming from all directions at once. JUSTINE, BOZ, and ANTON all
hear, and shudder.
INT. POLICE STATION. DAY
CHIEF and his OFFICERS also hear it.
CHIEF
What the hell is that?
EXT. TENEMENT CLOSE. DAY
UNCLE emerges when he hears the sound and looks up at the sky. The
scream reaches a crescendo. He puts his hands over his ears in pain.
INT. TEMPLE. DAY
TANNA and AERGWULF hear his scream.
For the first time TANNA looks terrified.
TANNA
Naughty!
She runs out of the safety of the Temple. AERGWULF rushes after her.
EXT. PLATFORM. DAY
CODETZ collapses to his feet, his face creased with pain. His hands
still clutch TANNA'S toy Lion for dear life. He gasps and gets to his
feet again, and staggers a few steps forward. The GALLU look
triumphant.
Two more GALLU stand forward and plunge their spears in his sides.
CODETZ screams again. The sudden sound is followed by an eerie silence.
EXT. CITY STREET. GLASGOW. DAY
CROWDS of PEOPLE are gathering, staring up into the sky.
All the people of Glasgow look up at the huge DARK ZIGGURAT that towers
above their city. It has appeared there almost as soon as CODETZ'S
screaming stopped.
As if out of nothing it looms amongst the low cloud, its great black
pillars penetrating the sky. Everyone is speechless except for BOZ.
BOZ
(shocked)
So that's where all the council
tax went.
His unlit cigarette drops from his lips.
EXT. TEMPLE PLATFORM. DAY
Before AERGWULF can stop her TANNA totters out onto the platform on her
own, just as the last row of GALLU try to finish CODETZ with their
spears. CODETZ looks up at the last of his enemies, just in time to see
a familiar grinning face beneath the hood. It is MELINE.
TANNA
Naughty!
TANNA runs towards him, ignoring the GALLU. AERGWULF runs out swinging
his axe, and knocks one demon to the floor with his arm.
But there is no need. The GALLU cower and shrink back in the presence
of the little girl. They hiss at her like beaten cats.
TANNA
You're all very naughty!
CODETZ crawls along the platform to escape MELINE and his hammer, but
he is staring at TANNA. Still in great pain he clutches for the Lion.
He lunges after it, and starts to slide over the edge. The platform
seems to revolve, the side of the Ziggurat becoming his new horizon. He
is terrified.
The Viking tries to reach him. TANNA screams at him.
TANNA
Naughty?!
CODETZ is shocked at the sight of TANNA and he slips and falls, back
into nothingness. AERGWULF can only grasp hopelessly at thin air.
TANNA
Naughty!
CODETZ falls out of sight.
EXT. STONE WALL-DAY
Clouds and thick swirls of mist entangle with cracked and jutting
masonry that is rotten and falling away.
CODETZ collides with one of the jutting outcrops of stone and smashes
into it. Shattered bricks fall down the empty shaft that seems to go on
forever.
Somehow CODETZ manages to hang on, his hands clawing at the sharp
bricks. He dangles there above the abyss, trying desperately to keep a
hold. He looks down at the falling masonry.
Something is coming up the wall. A MONSTER with yellow eyes and deathly
pale skin is climbing towards him. It hisses up at him, and more come
to join it.
Before long a whole HORDE of these creatures is scaling the wall,
making directly for him.
CODETZ starts to scream.
CODETZ
Help me! Help me!
CODETZ stretches out a hand to try to pull himself up. The sound of the
hissing is closing in.
Suddenly, an HAND comes down out of nowhere and grabs CODETZ firmly by
the wrist. It is REIVA.
REIVA hauls him onto the pavement. CODETZ clutches hold of his friend
for dear life, terrified.
REIVA reaches out with his hand just as the DEMONS reach out for
CODETZ. He places his hand down on the road, which is again just a
road. A DISTANT HOWL dies on the wind.
INT. THIRD EYE CULT. DAY
BOZ steps through the grating of an old fashioned lift. Outside is a
completely black, shiny hallway. Beyond it is a white room, with a
glass door that is part frosted.
He walks in to the WHITE HALL. It is completely white, giving an almost
blinding effect.
The only decoration in this Spartan hall is two Bauhaus-style silver
chairs, and red murals that have an old Soviet feel to them.
At the far end of the hall adjacent to the doorway, a line of Third
Eyes sit in chairs parallel to the white wall. All of them are wearing
white, white t-shirts, trousers and no shoes.
Each of them has a shaved head, and a black almond shape tattooed on
their foreheads. Their eyes are closed. They all stay completely still.
Footsteps echo. Another MAN is approaching. ANTON approaches BOZ with a
cold half-smile, which is part charm, part sneer.
ANTON
I knew you would be back.
INT. INNER SANCTUM. THIRD EYE CULT. NIGHT
Yellow light from streetlamps outside is flooding through the wide
windows. BOZ lies in a great white bed, under a thin white sheet. He is
gazing at the dark shape of the Ziggurat.
ANTON lies next to him, but gets up, putting a white dressing gown on.
He pours himself a drink. He gestures at the ghostly building that now
dominates the horizon.
ANTON
Beautiful, isn't it?
BOZ
It's frightening.
ANTON
It is a sign of things to come.
BOZ
What does that mean?
ANTON smirks at him.
ANTON
Where do you think he went?
BOZ
Who?
ANTON
Stanislev.
BOZ
I don't know. He just vanished.
ANTON
People don't just vanish.
BOZ
Codetz does.
ANTON
Why?
BOZ gets partly out of bed. He reaches for a cigarette.
BOZ
He sees things.
This sparks ANTON'S interest.
ANTON
Like what?
BOZ nods at the Ziggurat.
BOZ
Like that. He tried to tell me,
but I never listened.
ANTON
Maybe it's time you did.
Let me show you something.
INT. STUDY. NIGHT
They both emerge in a small, atmospherically lit study. There are many
rows of thick books on the shelves. ANTON points over towards something
in the corner.
A large carved BLOCK of very old sandstone has been propped up on its
side by two blocks of wood.
On the stone is carved the figure of a human-like monster with large
feathered wings, like a Griffin. Around it are strange indentations
that might be writing.
ANTON
Magnificent, isn't it?
BOZ
It's a big rock.
ANTON
I know you're no philistine, Mark.
BOZ
What is it then?
ANTON
My associates uncovered it,
hidden in the sand in the desert
near the Dead Sea.
ANTON turns a light on the block.
ANTON
It is the carved tombstone for
a messenger from the heavens, a
missionary from the stars. The
Babylonians called them Apkallu,
great sages from before the flood.
BOZ
Is this a bedtime story, Anton?
ANTON
There is a tale surrounding this
stone. It was said that during
the first crusade the Danish King
sent an expedition of his own to
the sands near the Sea of Galilee.
This expedition had a special purpose.
To find a High Priest of Zoroaster,
a descendant of the Magi of ancient
Persia, and the astronomers of Babylon.
CONTINUED
A man who could tell them where to
find the last of the Apkallu, the
one the Zoroastrians called the
everlasting spirit. The Magi were gathering in Palestine to await him.
The Crusaders believed this story,
and they believed that the wisdom
of this creature might help them
in their struggles against the Muslim infidel. But they were betrayed and the
Magi stole the Utu, with the
help of the Norsemen whom they
had enchanted. They tried to take
him back to their temple at ancient Bad- Tibira. They failed. Their caravan was waylaid by Gallu, demons, followers of
Nergal, Lord of the Underworld.
The Utu-Abzu was slain by Nergal's
Lieutenant, Ishkur, beneath the stairs
of the Temple. Then the Priests buried
Utu in a tomb called the House of Dust.
But his everlasting spirit cannot die
before the stars themselves fade, so ever since the Magi have awaited
his return.
BOZ thinks this over for a moment.
BOZ
So?
ANTON is irked at this and raises his voice.
ANTON
Mark, it was told that when he
was buried this 'Utu' had a deep
wound. Near the left temple of his
forehead. Here! It left a scar from
scalp to eyebrow.
He points to his forehead. BOZ'S eyes widen.
BOZ
That's impossible.
ANTON gestures towards the Ziggurat outside his window.
ANTON
Look outside the window and tell
me what is impossible!
BOZ looks out the window at the looming monolithic building that now
dominates the sky.
BOZ
What do you care?
ANTON
The Third Eye has its own crusade,
Think what he could teach us? The
men who followed the Apkallu became
Kings.
A look of realization dawns on BOZ'S face.
BOZ
So you went through me? Through
Tanna?
ANTON
The ends justified the means.
BOZ lashes out and catches his fist on ANTON'S chin. ANTON hits the
floor, blood gushes from his nose.
BOZ
Fuck you! You expect me to believe
this bullshit?!
ANTON
Believe your eyes.
BOZ goes to leave, when MELINE walks through the door with a face of
stone. Anton turns to him, angrily wiping blood off his sleeve.
ANTON
What?
INT. THIRD EYE HALL. NIGHT
ANTON stands before two Third Eyes.
The two who guarded TANNA stand to attention, their faces are scratched
and the second has a large cut on his cheek. They stand like they are
awaiting a military inspection.
MELINE stands nearby with his hammer, with a face like thunder. ANTON
is also incensed. Behind a wall in the corner BOZ sits with his head in
his hands.
ANTON
Who were they?
The Third Eyes look away from him. They mumble something.
MELINE
Speak up!
THUG #1
There was just one.
ANTON
Who?
THUG #2
We don't know. He was huge.
ANTON
Who?
THUG #1
Some big hairy bastard.
Instant glances flash between MELINE and ANTON.
He hit us before we could move.
He glances at MELINE.
The girl knew he was coming.
ANTON
A Menshevik?
Both Third Eye thugs shake their heads.
THUG #1
No. He had a ginger beard,
not a mask.
ANTON and MELINE nod at each other.
ANTON
Then there is someone else we
must deal with.
INT. TEMPLE. NIGHT
The interior of the Temple is dark, except for a few points of light
that illuminate the bas-reliefs on the walls, and the broken plaster,
dust and cobwebs.
TANNA walks into this room and looks around her. She does not seem
scared. In fact she seems to know where she is going, as though she has
been there before.
INT. BEDROOM. DAY
JUSTINE is sitting at CARLY'S side holding her friends hand. CARLY is
fast asleep. She notices a tear on her friend's cheek. She tracks it
with her lazy eyes, as it falls...
CUT TO:
INT. TEMPLE. NIGHT
…and HITS the hard cold surface of a polished tile on the floor of the
Temple.
TANNA turns instantly, and sees a STATUE, a carving of a woman sitting
in a marble throne. She looks like a GODDESS, with a thin CROWN of gold
with a Sun crest emblazoned in bronze on its front.
TANNA approaches the statuette timidly. As she gets closer she sees
another tear on its cheek, and she drops her Lion in order to catch it.
The STATUE suddenly OPENS ITS EYES and stares at TANNA. TANNA jumps a
little, but stays still and steady.
TANNA
Don't cry, Mummy.
The statue is indeed the image of her mother CARLY. CARLY stands up,
fully robed in a gold specked white dress. She seems taller, serene and
proud in these new surroundings.
She smiles warmly at her daughter.
CARLY
Hello, my angel.
She holds out her hand and TANNA takes it. CARLY kisses her daughter on
the forehead.
CARLY
Have you been safe here?
TANNA nods.
TANNA
Big hairy man helped.
With that AERGWULF emerges sheepishly from the shadows. He stands there
not knowing quite how to react. CARLY stands up to greet him.
CARLY
Thank you.
The huge Viking bows down low in front of her. TANNA tugs on her
mothers dress.
TANNA
Mummy, naughty was here.
INT. CARLY'S BEDROOM. DAY
JUSTINE looks round her at her friend's room. It is covered in
photographs. Glancing round she looks them over with a melancholy
smile.
She goes up to CARLY'S DRESSER MIRROR. It is mostly covered in photos,
of TANNA, herself and BOZ. They all seem happy and smiling. A small
space is left for the mirror.
CUT TO:
JUSTINE stares into the mirror, though she seems younger and has more
makeup on. She is putting mascara onto her eyelashes.
CARLY pokes her head through the door. She is also wearing a lot of
makeup and looks almost ten years younger. Both girls are wearing blue
mini-dresses that are cut a little above the knee.
CARLY looks excited. They are both on the way to a big night out.
CARLY
C'mon you. Hurry up!
JUSTINE
Almost finished.
CARLY
We'll be late.
JUSTINE
I'm almost done.
CARLY
He'll be there.
JUSTINE
Will he?
CARLY
Uhuh. And he might have a
friend with him.
JUSTINE tries not to look bothered.
JUSTINE
Is that so?
CARLY smiles at her friend suggestively. JUSTINE rolls her eyes. CARLY
squeals with glee and runs outside.
CARLY(OFF.)
I can't wait! C'mon, the night's
disappearing!
JUSTINE
Mad cow.
INT. KANDINSKY NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
What follows is a PHOTO-MONTAGE of JUSTINE and CARLY'S night out, set
to appropriate music.
The two girls travel through the neon-lit city streets in a haze of
excitement and alcohol. They dance and drink most of the night away.
However, there are also two YOUNG MEN at the KANDINSKY NIGHTCLUB.
BOZ and CODETZ enter dressed in very sharp dark-blue suits. CODETZ is
wearing no headgear, but has a shiny blue plaster placed on his
forehead scar. BOZ still has his black eyeliner on, but his hair is
dyed yellow.
The boys eye up CARLY and JUSTINE from a distance and their glances are
met eagerly.
REIVA is also there behind the two turntables wearing a white face mask
and a white shower cap.
Before long all four friends are dancing and drinking together,
smiling, having the time of their lives with all the future to look
forward to, held in each others eyes.
The moment is one of great joy as all four step out onto the dance-
floor together, laughing.
FREEZE FRAME
INT. CARLY'S BEDROOM. DAY
Pulling back, all that is left of the moment is a dog-eared photo on
CARLY'S white dresser. JUSTINE sits at CARLY'S side, with her head on
the bed. CARLY is fast asleep.
The music fades away, replaced by a still silence. The light fades
outside the bedroom window.
FADE TO BLACK
An immense WALL of FLAME is raging, pulsating, churning inferno like
rapids in a red river. An uncontrollable endless fire, it consumes
everything. Waves of flame erupt like gathering storm-clouds across a
charcoal sky.
Moving closer, a tiny black speck emerges from the endless flame. A MAN
sits cross-legged on a high PLINTH. It is CODETZ. He is sitting in the
lotus position with his head bowed.
He opens his eyes very slightly and looks down. Deathly pale THREE-EYED
MONSTERS are crawling up the marble column towards him.
They are far below, but hiss coldly as they clamber up. CODETZ places
the flat of his right hand on the palm of his left, and his eyes close
again. A dull thumping, like blood pumping, thuds hard in his ears. The
firestorm dies, and all is silent.
JUSTINE(OFF.)
Stanislev?
EXT. MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK.ROOF. DAY
The Sun is starting to fade behind a curtain of cloud.
On the flat gravel of the roof her footsteps ECHO, as though she were
stepping into a Cathedral.
On the edge of the roof sits CODETZ'S cross-legged silhouette against
the red sky, overlooking the sight of the Ziggurat.
CODETZ
How did you find me?
JUSTINE
Reiva.
CODETZ
He never listens.
JUSTINE
It's just as well. How long have
you been up here?
CODETZ does not move or look at her. He keeps his eyes outward. He
takes his time to answer.
CODETZ
I'm not sure.
JUSTINE
We were worried.
(long pause)
Why won't you talk to us?
CODETZ
About what?
JUSTINE
About what's happening?
CODETZ
What is happening?
CODETZ shuts his eyes again. Justine is getting impatient.
JUSTINE
Boz has gone back to the Third
Eyes.
CODETZ
I know.
JUSTINE
He thinks they can help him find
Tanna.
CODETZ
Maybe they can.
JUSTINE
I don't trust them. You have to
talk to him.
CODETZ
I don't have to do anything.
JUSTINE
He needs his friends, with Tanna
gone-
CODETZ
She's not gone.
JUSTINE
It's been days.
CODETZ
She's not gone. Trust me.
JUSTINE
You have to face reality.
CODETZ suddenly screams at her.
CODETZ
Fuck reality! Fuck it! I make
my own!
JUSTINE
(shocked)
Please yourself.
JUSTINE gets up and walks back to the door. She looks like she is going
to cry. She stops and turns, upset.
JUSTINE
How do you know?
There is no answer.
She walks away from him back to the exit. CODETZ speaks to her in a
strange, calm voice which she is unused to.
CODETZ(OFF.)
Justine.
She turns to look at him.
Let me show you.
JUSTINE turns to him. CODETZ is standing with an outstretched hand. She
hesitates then takes it. He pulls her carefully onto the edge of the
roof.
CODETZ
Don't be scared.
CODETZ grips her hand firmly. JUSTINE looks down. A great WALL OF WATER
is rushing up towards them. Before she even has time to scream they are
both engulfed in the torrent.
EXT. UNDERSEA TEMPLE. DAY
JUSTINE slips silently into the water, and is completely submerged. She
floats with her eyes closed. When she opens them all she can see around
her is a murky endless nothing.
She is sinking.
She now wears a long DRESS of pale white and gold, the train of which
seems to go on forever. Her long dark hair streams past her face.
When she looks up she sees the shape of a huge broken ARCH, made of
luminescent blue tiled bricks. This structure seems to reach
continuously upwards, marked by many pillars, a great WALL under the
ocean.
There is a MAN floating towards her from beneath the dark arch. It is
CODETZ, but not the CODETZ she knows. He is UTU again. His eyes are
glistening blue in the cold water.
UTU wears a long, white robe, similar to JUSTINE'S dress. The robe is
specked with glittering silver and stretches out below him like a long
fluttering tail.
The white scar on UTU'S forehead is clear to see. JUSTINE seems
frightened at this change. UTU holds out his hand to her again and she
takes it. He gestures up towards the surface.
Great ivory pillars reach up above them, connected to great paved
platforms that glitter in the dim light. The two of them are like tiny
white dots on this huge structure.
Blades of sunlight penetrate the water's surface and JUSTINE awestruck
gaze follows them.
Then she sees what UTU was pointing at.
THOUSANDS OF BODIES are falling through the water, perhaps millions.
All humanity through time is falling through the abyss. The bodies
drift slowly through the darkness like dead birds falling through a
dark blue sky.
Above the water, the surface is BURNING brightly as though the Sun
itself was consuming it.
INT. BEDROOM. DAY
When JUSTINE opens her eyes she is still sitting at CARLY'S bedside,
holding her sleeping friend's hand tightly. CARLY'S MOTHER looks down
at her, concerned.
CARLY'S MOTHER
Are you alright, dear?
Tears are streaming down JUSTINE'S cheeks.
INT. THIRD EYE CULT. MAIN HALL. DAY
CODETZ strides into the main hall. His shabby khaki fatigues and dirty
helmet contrasting sharply with the brilliant clean white of the Third
Eye HQ. He looks up.
CODETZ
What the fuck-?
Many shaven-headed Third Eyes in white suits sit in a row, next to the
perfect white wall. CODETZ stomps past and salutes them. They do not
move one inch.
CODETZ
At ease, Gents.
One Third Eye briefly squints at CODETZ. A VOICE cries out in German
over a loudspeaker.
VOICE
ACHTUNG!
The THIRD EYE instantly closes his eyes. CODETZ looks down at the end
of the hall. MELINE is standing there with his huge black sledgehammer.
He grins widely at CODETZ. CODETZ eyes him dispassionately.
CODETZ
Meline. I see Anton's still
feeding the animals.
MELINE
We're all animals, Stanislev.
CODETZ
Aye, and some of us are more
equal than others. Remember that,
Sinead.
CODETZ saunters past him.
Where are you, you great Teutonic
streak of pish!
ANTON(OFF.)
He doesn't want to see you.
CODETZ
I'll be the judge of that!
ANTON steps out the doorway behind him.
ANTON
We have outgrown you, Utu.
Yes, I know what you are. You
are a walking myth, a ghost.
CODETZ turns and violently grabs ANTON by the throat.
CODETZ
Does this feel like a ghost, fraulein?
MELINE grips his hammer.
Call Gort here off. Call him off!
ANTON nods at MELINE, as CODETZ tightens his grip.
CODETZ
You ever step on the tips of
my toes again, zdrajca, I'll show
you just how little you know.
ANTON is choking. CODETZ'S grip lifts him off his heels.
Now where's the little China girl?
ANTON
He left.
CODETZ
Where?
ANTON
I don't know.
CODETZ lets go. ANTON tries to regain his composure, but nods to MELINE
to back off. MELINE does so reluctantly. CODETZ turns and heads for the
exit, watching MELINE warily.
ANTON eyes CODETZ viciously, trying to hold in his anger. The grin has
gone from MELINE'S face. As CODETZ leaves he salutes the row of seated
Third Eyes again. ANTON shouts at him.
ANTON
This is not over, Codetz! It has not even begun!
CODETZ blows him a kiss, then slams the door shut.
EXT. STREET. DAY
CODETZ stomps up the street, furious. He sits down on the pavement and
tries to catch his breath, taking a new cigarette out.
As he looks around he sees a young BOY of maybe six. He has a shiny new
HAMMER in his hands and is smashing up the pavement with it, laughing.
CODETZ gazes at him, horrified.
Then he sees BOZ, who has collapsed next to the road. CODETZ walks up
and slaps him hard across the back of the head.
CODETZ
Where have you been you mad Hun!
This is no time to sit on your arse!
Your wee girls still out there,
and your stuck there in Stalin's
Factory shagging fraulein Baader-
Meinhof!
BOZ
You can talk. Where the fuck have
you been?
CODETZ
That's not the issue here!
BOZ
Show me your forehead!
CODETZ
What?
BOZ
Show me your forehead!
CODETZ reluctantly lifts up his helmet, revealing the cold scar that
reaches from his scalp to his eyebrow. He looks suddenly very self-
conscious.
CODETZ
Satisfied?
BOZ looks frightened. He sits on the roadside.
BOZ
We're fucked, aren't we?
CODETZ
We always were.
BOZ sits there, thinking. Then he stretches out and starts crawling
across the road. He stops and lies down in the middle of the road
lengthways. A car passes by him, but he does not flinch.
CODETZ
What are you doing?
CODETZ is hesitant to stand on the road. He moves to the edge.
BOZ
Leave me be!
CODETZ
Get up! We don't have time for
this shite!
BOZ
Where did she go?
CODETZ
What?
BOZ
Where did she go?
CODETZ
Get off the fucking road!
CODETZ finally plucks up the courage to make it to the middle of the
road. CODETZ grabs BOZ by the shirt lapels and starts to drag him back
across the road. BOZ struggles and screams.
CODETZ
Get a grip!
BOZ stretches out on the pavement, sobbing gently. CODETZ slumps down
next to him.
Just then the POLICE arrive. Someone calls out to them on a megaphone.
A blinding SEARCHLIGHT is turned on.
POLICE
Drop the gun!
CODETZ
What gun? Nobody's got a bloody
gun!
BOZ turns to look at the blinding lights. CHIEF and JUSTINE arrive in
his police car. The CHIEF runs out towards the cars but is blinded by
the lights too.
CHIEF
What's going on here? Turn off
those bloody lights!
POLICE
(to Codetz)
Drop the gun!
CODETZ
Are you mental! I don't have a
fucking gun! All I've got is…
He takes out the gold TELESCOPE that KARSUDAN gave UTU at the Ziggurat.
The Police lights GLINT on its lens. The reflection hits MELINE'S dark
eyes. CODETZ notices him instantly.
A SHOT rings out.
CODETZ'S limbs turn to jelly. He starts to fall to the ground, his
knees buckling.
BOZ, shocked, tries to reach him. JUSTINE SCREAMS and runs towards him.
The whole world seems to slow to CODETZ'S HEARTBEAT.
CODETZ hits the tarmac of the road. It slams against his helmet then
tips over as though the horizon itself was collapsing.
CODETZ reaches out and desperately grabs the air. Down below him is a
huge abyss, a dark ocean beneath the road. He clings on for dear life,
utterly terrified.
He looks down. JUSTINE is holding onto him frantically. She manages to
get a hand under him, and holds him off the surface of the road.
JUSTINE
No!
(to Chief)
Please help! He's bleeding.
Blood is leaking from CODETZ'S mouth. He whispers to her. He holds out
a bloodied hand to her cheek.
CODETZ
Let me go, Symphony.
JUSTINE
Help me!
BOZ looks paralyzed with fear. JUSTINE shakes her head, tears on her
cheeks. The effort of holding him is too much. Over the road, the CHIEF
looks horrified.
CHIEF
Who fired! Who fired!
MELINE, still grinning manically, turns away. He walks back into the
shadows again, throwing his weapon into a skip.
JUSTINE still clings to CODETZ as if both their lives depended on it.
CODETZ is bleeding badly. Even so, he speaks quietly and calmly to her.
The fear has gone from his eyes.
JUSTINE
I can't hold you.
CODETZ
Let me go. Please.
JUSTINE
Boz, help me.
BOZ crawls over and holds his arms under CODETZ, cradling him. CODETZ
is still a heavy burden for them both.
CODETZ
I'm so tired.
She looks into his eyes.
JUSTINE
You're not coming back?
CODETZ
Goodbye, Symphony.
JUSTINE realizes what she must do. She nods to BOZ, who looks
terrified, though he nods back his understanding. JUSTINE closes her
eyes tightly, and she and BOZ let go.
CODETZ slips as he would into still water, without a ripple, and sinks
out of sight.
JUSTINE just sits there on the road. She stares down at the blood on
her palms. BOZ and the CHIEF look on, helpless.
CHIEF
It's happened again.
A TEAR trickles down JUSTINE'S cheek, and falls down into the road. It
lands in WATER, setting of little ripples.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LAKE. DAY
A huge LAKE, or maybe an Ocean. The Sun is setting across the waves of
the sea as the tide goes out.
Great blades of sunlight penetrate the water's surface and out of them
come pillars of glowing ivory. They stretch up past swirling seabirds,
framed against a naked blue sky.
The huge ivory pillars disappear into great white clouds, which are
suffused with rays of a radiant divine light.
Behind the light stands the great platform of the Ziggurat. Above its
dark Temple is a shimmering Sun, a globe of light that consumes
everything.
At the edge of the platform is CODETZ, lying on his back, dazed and
only just awake.
EXT. ZIGGURAT PLATFORM. DAY
CODETZ gets up, slowly and painfully. The wind whistles past his ear.
There is a distant sound of a CROW squawking.
CODETZ looks up, and crow is still circling.
It circles, descending, and lands on the outstretched forearm of the
HAMMER-MAN. He fixes CODETZ with his black eyes. The YELLOW EYE on his
forehead seems to pulsate.
CODETZ tries to back away, and the HAMMER-MAN raises his hammer.
AERGWULF is watching from behind one of the pillars at the back of the
temple. He takes out his axe, and looks in the reflection on the blade
to see what is happening. Then he turns and runs up the side of the
platform.
CODETZ backs away as fast as he can. The wind whistles in around him,
and the HAMMER-MAN seems almost a blur as his hammer swirls and
connects with CODETZ'S helmet.
CODETZ is THROWN to the ground and groans, blood rushing down his face
from inside his helmet. He starts to choke, but the HAMMER-MAN is not
done.
He raises his hammer once again.
On the down stroke there is a loud CLANG. AERGWULF is there, holding
out his axe, blocking the blow. The HAMMER-MAN is furious and turns on
him. CODETZ tries his best to scrabble away as the two warriors turn to
fight each other.
As CODETZ reaches one of the pillars he notices TANNA standing behind
the opposite one, looking nervously at the battle. He crawls over to
her, holding his wounded face.
TANNA
Hello naughty.
AERGWULF is trying to hold his own, but the HAMMER-MAN is powerful even
by his standards and he begins to lose ground.
The HAMMER-MAN manages to get past his guard with a feint then he
lunges and SMASHES his hammer into AERGWULF'S stomach. The big Viking
falls to his knees. TANNA gasps at this, but CODETZ tries to hold her
back.
The HAMMER-MAN grins and strikes AERGWULF once again across the face.
The Viking collapses in a broken heap. His axe falls and clatters on
the platform.
TANNA
No!
TANNA runs out before CODETZ can stop her. The HAMMER-MAN turns and
sees her. CODETZ tries to get up, but he cannot stand.
TANNA confronts the HAMMER-MAN, deeply upset.
The HAMMER-MAN just grins, and the crow squawks at her. Little TANNA'S
eyes blaze with fury. The HAMMER-MAN lifts his arm. This time he smiles
with MELINE'S grin.
A powerful GUST OF WIND rises in the pillars of the temple, it whips
around them carrying dust and debris into the air, and then it passes
through the entrance and hits the HAMMER-MAN straight on.
TANNA
You're very naughty!
The HAMMER-MAN'S weapon is blown out of his hand and off the side of
the platform. He looks round in astonishment as-
-AERGWULF'S AXE is lifted by the wind and whirls through the air. Its
shining blade buries itself deep in the HAMMER-MAN'S chest.
The HAMMER-MAN looks dazed and then collapses to his knees. Black blood
starts to seep from his mouth.
TANNA runs towards AERGWULF. He smiles at her, before the Viking
collapses against one of the pillars, clutching his chest. He is
bleeding badly.
AERGWULF'S breathing is very labored. TANNA sits down next to him. The
Viking smiles at her and ruffles her hair one last time. TANNA throws
her arms round the Viking's neck.
CODETZ watches them from a distance. AERGWULF'S breathing stops. His
hand falls away from TANNA. TANNA hugs him tightly, tears in her little
eyes.
CODETZ steps up and grimly pulls AERGWULF'S battleaxe from the HAMMER-
MAN'S chest.
CODETZ grips the axe handle. The HAMMER-MAN is kneeling at the edge of
the platform, bleeding heavily. He is still alive.
The face of MELINE stares back at CODETZ with black eyes, grimacing
through the blood.
CODETZ raises the axe and takes it back to swing. MELINE'S voice is
harsh, mocking him.
MELINE
It never ends.
In a split second CODETZ sees the BLOODIED FACE of his DEAD GRANDFATHER
and the gunshots that killed him.
With a ROAR, he swings the blade, and the HAMMER-MAN'S head is cloven
from his body. It flies into the air over the edge of the temple, and
the decapitated body slumps in a limp heap.
TANNA watches. The sky above suddenly grows dark. Then out of the
gloom, six globes appear, six PLANETS of the Solar System all
conjoined. The planets circle CODETZ and TANNA.
TANNA
Naughty, brothers and sisters say
time to go home.
A great WAVE OF FLAME shoots up from behind the platform, and the
immense orange glow of the SUN rises before them, filling the air with
its heat and dazzling light.
TANNA and CODETZ watch it rise above them, unaffected by its heat and
light.
CODETZ stands below the star, looking up in awe. He reaches out a hand,
and touches the surface. FLAMES start to lick his fingers. They quickly
cover his entire body, though he feels no pain.
The flames soon cover CODETZ'S entire body, but he remains calm, gazing
down at TANNA with bitter-sweet sadness.
CODETZ'S burning body is released from the flame and bows down before
TANNA. What is left is the glorious form of UTU sketched out in shining
flames. UTU is clothed in flowing golden robes of fire.
Then, without warning great WINGS OF FLAME erupt from UTU'S back. It is
a glorious sight.
TANNA
Goodbye, naughty.
UTU regards TANNA silently and sadly. Then he dissipates and fades back
into the Sun and is gone forever. All that is left of CODETZ is now
ash. His burnt form is still recognisable as the shell of a man. What
that remains is his G.I. helmet, which seems untouched by the flames.
TANNA looks sad for an instant then a smile glimmers on her little
face. She holds her hand out and blows. CODETZ'S body of ash collapses,
and drifts away on the air, off into the sky.
CODETZ'S helmet falls to the ground and rolls, vanishing over the edge
of the platform.
Satisfied, TANNA turns to see KARSUDAN and OLD FACE standing at the top
of the stairs. She toddles up to them, holding her stuffed Lion.
When the two Magi see her they bow down very low, avoiding the little
girl's clear gaze.
TANNA
Hello.
KARSUDAN
We thought we had failed.
KARSUDAN keeps his eyes to the ground, only glancing at her. He seems
awe-struck. TANNA touches his forehead, and shakes her head.
TANNA
No. Naughty's gone home now. Don't
need to worry.
KARSUDAN
Thank you.
TANNA
That's OK.
KARSUDAN mumbles something, but TANNA is impatient.
I'm going home now too. Bye-bye.
TANNA turns on her heels, and toddles back towards the great stone
entrance to the Ziggurat Temple. Before she leaves she turns back one
last time.
TANNA
Don't be naughty!
She disappears in the darkness of the gate. KARSUDAN seems almost moved
to tears.
INT. THIRD EYE INNER SANCTUM. DAY
ANTON sits on a wicker chair sipping tea. He stares out at the Ziggurat
on the horizon, before glancing at his PET SNAKES in their plastic
tank.
MELINE walks in, frowning.
ANTON
Is it done?
MELINE nods but looks doubtful.
Well, is it or not?
MELINE
I'm not sure.
ANTON
How so?
MELINE
His woman was there.
ANTON
What does that matter?
MELINE
There was no body.
ANTON is furious for a second then calms himself.
ANTON
What did this woman look like?
MELINE
Tallish, brunette…
ANTON
No, I mean, how did she look?
MELINE
She was crying.
ANTON
Then we needn't worry.
ANTON takes another sip of his tea.
With the passing of Codetz, the
Mensheviks may move against us.
They must be. . .decapitated.
ANTON says this last word carefully. MELINE nods and leaves. ANTON'S
gaze turns back towards the Ziggurat.
EXT. STREET. DAY
REIVA is out on his own bombing walls with large red 'M's. He is just
finishing one off when he hears something behind him which puts him
instantly on guard.
He looks round to see CODETZ'S old G.I. Army Helmet lying on the
pavement. It rolls around in the wind. REIVA walks up to it cautiously.
Picking it up, he knows it is his friend's helmet, sweat stains, biro
graffiti and all.
From behind him there is a sudden HISSING noise.
On guard, REIVA adjusts his face mask and kneels low to the ground.
Something is moving close to him, something that scrapes the ground. He
notices a tiny pinprick of yellow, then three. Three thin eyes are
watching him.
REIVA'S eyes widen as the shape comes towards him at speed.
He has no time to escape. CODETZ'S helmet falls to the ground again and
rolls away.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL WARD. DAY
REIVA is lying in a hospital bed. His eyes are closed, and his head is
bandaged. His black beret is placed on the bedside table. A plastic
respirator covers his face. A heart monitor beeps.
BOZ(OFF.)
What attacked him?
JUSTINE(OFF.)
They don't know. Some large animal,
a dog maybe.
JUSTINE and BOZ stand just a little down at the end of the ward, near
reception. JUSTINE looks worried.
BOZ
He'll be ok, though?
JUSTINE
I don't know.
BOZ sits down in one of the chairs. He paws at his own bandage.
BOZ
Do you know where Codetz got
his scar?
JUSTINE
He said he was born with it.
Why?
BOZ
No reason. It's just strange we
all have head wounds. (pause)
How do you feel?
JUSTINE
I don't know. It's like there's
nothing to hold onto anymore,
like there's nothing left to
look forward to.
BOZ
I know the feeling. Anton seems
to think Codetz is a sort of God.
JUSTINE turns to him. She tries to smile.
JUSTINE
God help us if he is.
BOZ smiles thinly at this but it does not last.
BOZ
He said he saw Tanna. Do you
think that's possible?
JUSTINE
Anything's possible.
FADE TO BLACK.
Hard footsteps echo. Boots slam onto a polished floor.
INT. HOSPITAL WARD. NIGHT
CODETZ strides through the ward, looking very out of place in his
fatigues and helmet once again. No-one seems to notice him.
As he comes to the end of the ward, he sees REIVA propped up in his
bed. CODETZ sits down next to him. We cannot see his face in the dark.
He holds his friends hand tightly in his own, and places his free hand
in a shape like an M on REIVA'S chest
A dull distant THUDDING SOUND fills the air. The whole world seems to
BEAT to a single heartbeat.
Then REIVA'S eyes open.
INT. BEDROOM. DAY
JUSTINE still sits patiently at CARLY'S bedside. She notices a tear
glistening in the light on CARLY'S cheek. CARLY smiles strangely and
holds her hand up to it.
CARLY'S MOTHER is standing by the television.
CARLY'S MOTHER
Justine. Look.
BEN SAMAYA, the American TV Reporter of the 'Youth of Babylon' show is
talking from a helicopter above the Ziggurat.
BEN SAMAYA(V.O.)
We've been flying now for an hour
towards this thing, and we can't get
any nearer to it! It just stays at the same
distance from us, no matter what. It's a very creepy
feeling. (shots of Ziggurat)
However we have been able to get camera shots from the platform. We
have them coming through now. It looks like our G.I. ghost
out there…
JUSTINE kneels down in front of the screen, her hand covering her face.
It is CODETZ, hand in hand with TANNA.
INT. UNIVERSITY. STUDY. DAY
At the University, TINA is watching TV too. She is utterly astonished
at what she sees. She sits down, her eyes glued to the screen.
INT. LIVING ROOM. UNCLES HOUSE. DAY
UNCLE is watching too. He cannot believe what he is seeing.
UNCLE
My God.
INT. KITCHEN. DAY
BOZ is staring at the blurry images of his daughter and CODETZ on the
portable television in his kitchen. He sits on his own in near darkness
at the table. Tears are streaming down his pale face.
INT. THE THIRD EYE LOFT. DAY
On the temple platform stands CODETZ, hand in hand with the little form
of TANNA, blown up on a wide screen in the third eye hall. ANTON
emerges behind MELINE, looking almost ecstatic. MELINE is transfixed.
ANTON
It is the sign.
INT. BEDROOM. DAY
Tears are welling in JUSTINE'S eyes as she watches the dark shape of
CODETZ standing on the Ziggurat. She reaches out to the screen, trying
to touch him. CODETZ, in silhouette, stands with a CLENCHED FIST in the
air.
EXT. STREET. DAY
An angry CROWD has gathered in the street. The POLICE have arrived, and
are shoring up a number of people. One man rushes up and screams at
them, he holds a banner saying ‘How Many More.' Another behind him
holds one, partly obscured, which says ‘Police Brutality!'
CHIEF arrives in his car and grabs a megaphone from one of the PC's. A
shout of ‘murderer' goes out from the crowd.
CHIEF
You will all disperse! The incident
is being looked into!
(to PC)
I want support here now.
PC
Yes, sir.
CHIEF
And move your arse!
INT. THIRD EYE HALL. DAY
The white-clad THIRD EYES stand in row upon row, maybe fifty of them
all gathered before the altar. The Third Eye banners are unfurled on
either side as ANTON takes the stage. He regards his personal army in
silence.
At the back MELINE looks on, in his white shirt, red kilt and huge
black sledgehammer. At last, ANTON addresses his men in German.
ANTON
Our moment has come, my comrades.
We have seen the sign. The entire world
has seen it and there can be no denial.
CONTINUED
Now has come the time for the third eye to
see the way to a new dawn. Our generation demands that future, and we will build it for them. We will rebuild mankind from the dust of its decadence, we see the way to
the brightest of all possible worlds, we are the tools of destruction and the spark of rebirth. We will wash the Earth clean
of its afflictions. We will be the new flood!
The Third Eyes STAMP their approval with their black boots. MELINE
grins from ear to ear and grips his hammer.
INT. FLAT. NIGHT
REIVA stands on his own next to his small tape player. He pulls on his
beret and replaces his black facemask. His eyes seem to twinkle with a
sparkling blue light.
EXT. STREET. NIGHT
REIVA steps out his close door into the street.
A CAR pulls up next to him, a car with tinted windows. The car stops,
and one of the windows winds down, but no face appears. A VOICE speaks
in French.
VOICE
(in French)
What's the plan?
REIVA nods up, then over to his right side. His eyes gleam from behind
his black mask.
The car pulls away at speed.
EXT. STREET. DAY
A STREET CLEANER is out working when he sees the black car pass by. It
has a clear red 'M' in one of its windows. The STREETCLEANER glances at
it, then takes out a black face mask, puts it on.
INT. LAUNDRETTE. DAY
The STREETCLEANER appears outside the window of the launderette. Inside
a YOUNG MAN in overalls spots him as he puts his clothes in the
machine.
The STREETCLEANER holds his hand on the window in the 'M' shape, and
the YOUNG MAN takes a facemask out of his pocket and puts it on.
The two walk out into the street together, and are joined by other all
wearing black face masks.
EXT. STREET. NIGHT
REIVA stands at the head of his MENSHEVIK ARMY. He is no longer the
humble little man from before.
The Mensheviks march through the city framed against the sky. Down
below them, BOZ is on his mobile phone. JUSTINE can just be heard
talking frantically.
JUSTINE(OFF.)
He's not in his bed! We can't
find him anywhere!
BOZ
What? Calm down!
JUSTINE(OFF.)
There's no sign of him!
BOZ
That's impossible! You said
he was in a coma.
Just then the Mensheviks emerge, striding down the slope of the streets
past BOZ. BOZ looks on astonished as REIVA marches past him at the head
of his army.
JUSTINE is still screaming down the phone at him, but BOZ is staring at
REIVA. REIVA salutes him with his fist as he walks by.
BOZ
(to Justine)
It's all Bowie.
EXT. CITY STREET. DAY
TANNA jumps off the last step of the huge stone staircase of the
Ziggurat Temple. She stands and looks around her.
She walks out into the street and starts toddling along the pavement
past all the people, walking merrily along as though nothing has
happened.
She walks past amazed BYSTANDERS, who still seem shocked by what they
have seen. The great dark Ziggurat towers behind the little girl, but
she does not look back again.
Out of the crowd appears the shell-shocked face of CARLY, and her
mother. JUSTINE is close to her, helping her stand. CARLY looks very
pale, her eyes are dark, tear-stained.
They are about to help her into a car seat when CARLY'S face turns from
almost catatonic, to amazement, to utter joy as she sees her little
girl walking towards her.
JUSTINE and her mother both look equally amazed. CARLY runs to her
daughter, and wraps her arms tightly round her, tears welling in her
eyes.
She is followed without a sound by her mum, who runs up and wraps his
arms round both of them, trying her best not to cry. TANNA smiles
warmly.
All three walk hand in hand towards JUSTINE, who is also looking
shocked, grimy and teary. TANNA holds out her hand to JUSTINE, and
clears one of the tears from her cheek. JUSTINE takes it and kisses it.
TANNA
Naughty's gone home now. Don't
need to worry.
JUSTINE
I didn't know.
TANNA
Nobody knows.
TANNA turns to her mother.
Where's daddy?
EXT. STREET. DAY
It seems a perfectly normal day. People are going about their business.
They ignore the isolated pocket of angry protesters being contained by
the Police.
Then, even over the loud traffic, a new sound can be heard.
It is the sound of stamping boots on tarmac.
CHIEF
What the…?
Over the tip of the hill a number of SHAVEN-HEADED MEN in white shirts,
jeans and black boots are goose-stepping their way up to them.
Behind them is MELINE, wearing a red kilt, with his unlaced leather
boots and black sledgehammer across his shoulder.
CHIEF looks on at this, alarmed.
CHIEF
Davey, get your armour.
EXT. STREET. DAY
The Third Eyes line up in a uniform row, standing to attention with
their feet spread. The all hold sledgehammers at their feet. RIOT
POLICE lead by the CHIEF watch anxiously.
One of MELINE'S men hands a megaphone to him. MELINE walks forwards
from the lines of Third Eyes. He addresses the Police through the
loudspeaker.
MELINE
Listen to me! This generation
demands a future! The Third Eye
is here to deliver it to them!
MELINE then steps up and starts to SWING HIS HAMMER. Round and round
his head he swings it, like an Olympic hammer thrower.
Round and round his head he swings then he releases. The hammer FLIES
towards the formation of Riot Police with an almost unnatural speed.
CHIEF
Watch out!
The hammer SLAMS into the front line and somebody screams; the
sledgehammer spins out and clatters off onto the tarmac of the road,
bouncing around alarmingly. Two PC'S lie writhing on the floor.
DAVEY
I think they mean business, sir!
CHIEF
Oh, you think?! Get these men up!
(to the rest)
Form a line!
The remaining RIOT POLICE link their plastic shields into one massive
defensive line and start BANGING them loudly with their truncheons.
At the other side of the street, one of MELINE'S cohorts gives him a
new hammer, and MELINE grins down at the line of Police. CHIEF decides
to reply.
CHIEF
(through loudspeaker)
Disperse now and we will
take no action!
The THIRD EYES start to hit the road with the wooden handles of their
hammers. Louder and louder they SMASH them down.
MELINE suddenly lets loose a blood-churning SCREAM, loud enough to be
heard over everything. The other Third Eyes follow and scream and
holler themselves.
Then as this horrible sound reaches a crescendo, they CHARGE the Police
line with their hammers raised in the air.
The CHIEF watches them come and grimly stands his ground.
CUT TO BLACK
The sky seems to burn over the city. All the buildings are a dark
silhouette.
Then a SHAPE appears, small at first, but grows. A beret, upon which is
a red star, and a black face mask.
It is REIVA, and he marches at the head of the Menshevik brigade, many
people of all shapes, sizes and colours, all wearing the same black
face masks.
They all march behind their diminutive leader, whose single-minded gaze
never falters.
BOZ follows at the rear, and as he walks he sees an amazing sight.
CARLY is hand in hand with TANNA, and JUSTINE walks beside them,
smiling.
BOZ stops in his tracks. CARLY picks up TANNA and offers her to him.
BOZ just stands there dumbstruck.
TANNA
Hello, daddy.
BOZ looks close to tears and puts his arms round his daughter. JUSTINE
and CARLY just smile at him, trying not to cry again. BOZ holds his
daughter in his arms and kisses her on the cheek.
TANNA
You've been very naughty, daddy.
BOZ
I know. I'm sorry.
TANNA
That's OK.
TANNA looks over at REIVA who stand and turns, waiting.
Let me down, daddy.
BOZ does so, and TANNA toddles over to REIVA. She talks quietly to him.
TANNA
(to Reiva)
Thankyou.
REIVA bows to her reverently.
EXT. WASTELAND. DAY
The slopes of the industrial wasteland seem like a mountain range, and
from behind it emerges a giant. MELINE stands there, still brandishing
his hammer, bloodstained and STILL grinning like the maniac he is.
He holds a bashed POLICE HELMET in one hand, and throws it away
contemptuously.
From behind him the other Third Eye thugs emerge, all wielding hammers,
with their white shirts bloodied and stained.
They stand in triumph for a moment, looking around as though there are
none left to challenge them. MELINE looks over the city as though he
fancied himself a new God.
A lone SHAPE appears beneath them. It is of a tall, thin MAN, the only
one who seems to dare stand before these Third Eye Titans. It is BOZ.
BOZ
Meline!
MELINE'S horrible grimace deepens when he sees him.
MELINE
Bosman. Come and join us!
BOZ
Meline! Get off that midden!
MELINE laughs at him.
MELINE
Or what!
BOZ
Or I'll throw you off myself!
The Third Eyes all laugh at him.
MELINE
You and whose army?
MELINE'S grin dies on his bloodied face as, over the hill, comes the
little dark form of REIVA, followed closely by his Mensheviks, CARLY,
TANNA and JUSTINE.
This new army seems to stretch across the whole horizon. REIVA glares
at MELINE.
BOZ
His.
FADE TO BLACK
Handcuffs click into place, as MELINE is led away towards a Police Car.
He seems a much diminished figure.
EXT. CITY WASTELAND. DAY
CHIEF watches over the arrest, his left arm in a sling, cuts and
bruises on his ruddy face. The Menshevik Brigade is still there,
watching from a distance.
REIVA stands at their head. BOZ, JUSTINE, and CARLY, still carrying
TANNA, all stand next to their small friend.
CHIEF eyes them all nervously.
INT. POLICE CAR
MELINE is pushed in, and CHIEF gets in the front seat.
CHIEF turns on the radio. On it an announcer says:
RADIO ANNOUNCER
'Anton Olmert, the leader of a group
known as the Third Eye Cult hanged himself
in his own rooms, after a clash with Police in the city streets. It also thought that the Trotskyite Menshevik Brigade may have had a hand in his demise. Police are
proceeding with their enquiries'
CHIEF
Your wee escapade is at an end.
MELINE looks up. CARLY has raised her arm in a clenched fist. Silently,
she is followed by REIVA, JUSTINE, BOZ, and the others. The whole horde
on the hill holds a FIST IN THE AIR. MELINE grins once more.
MELINE
It never ends.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN
EXT. HILLTOP. DESERT. DAY
BOZ, CARLY and JUSTINE are walking up the side of a deserted hillside.
The ground is rocky, covered in sand and weeds. BOZ leads TANNA over
the rocks.
Behind them is REIVA, wearing CODETZ'S helmet. They walk hand in hand
towards JUSTINE, who turns and smiles. TANNA grabs her hand. JUSTINE
lifts her up over the rocks.
At the top of the hill REIVA turns towards the Sun, which is setting
behind the great Ziggurat that still dominates the horizon. He takes
off his black mask and taps on the helmet two times. He smiles.
When TANNA looks up she sees KARSUDAN and OLD FACE standing next to
her. They both smile too. TANNA holds out her hand and KARSUDAN clasps
it gently.
All the friends stand there, watching the sunlight disappear behind the
pillars of the great Temple, as the Sun starts its long path down to
sleep beneath the world.
THE END
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