The Rewilders Page 5
Rachel comes to a stop on her bike at Charlie's house. She observes the state of disrepair and the sticker on the door.
At the window beside the front door, she tries to peek in. She toes a few fragments of paper on the doorstep. Leaning over, it's his compensation award check, torn to pieces.
DISSOLVE TO LATER
Charlie saunters up to his house, stopping at the fence out front. He looks both ways. At the door, he tries the knob. It's locked. Discouraged, he sits down on the top step.
Then he notices an envelope sticking out of his mailbox.
CLOSE-UP - HIS HANDS OPENING THE ENVELOPE
It's a replacement check, and a note from Rachel. His hands unfold the note:
"Here's your substitute check,
Mr. Rath. Again, we're so very,
very sorry for the awful
inconvenience we have caused you.
Rachel Wallington."
RETURN TO Charlie, looking out to the street, sighing.
CHARLIE
These damned C.R.A.P. people.
Then he re-reads the note, and stares at something on it.
CLOSE-UP - THE NOTE, AND RACHEL'S NICE, FLOWING SIGNATURE
Things Going Wrong
INTERIOR - MACGILLVRAY HOUSE/LIVINGROOM - DAY
Harry flops down to the couch beside Evey, nearly causing her to slop tea from the cup she was holding.
EVEY
Oh!
HARRY
Sorry, honey. So, what's on?
CLOSE-UP - T.V. SCREEN, ANOTHER NEWS REPORT
ANNOUNCER (VOICE-OVER)
... concerns about introducing natural plants, alongside genetically modified plants, and problems as they cross pollinate -
RETURN TO the seniors, staring numbly ahead at the T.V.
EVEY
I don't want to think about asparagus that tastes like pineapple.
HARRY
Plants? I thought this "wilding" stuff was only for animals?
EVEY
"Re"wilding. No, apparently it's bugs and plants and everything.
HARRY
Oh, why don't they just let the blasted things die out in peace.
He aims the remote control and pushes a button.
CLOSE-UP - T.V. SCREEN, YET ANOTHER NEWS REPORT
NEWSCASTER (VOICE-OVER)
... rewilding could cause mutations and the re-appearance of huge mammals from bygone eras, or even dinosaurs! Could we get "reverse evolution"? With the story -
The video flips to a scene of a dino skeleton at a museum.
HARRY (VOICE-OVER)
Now that's the best news I've heard in ages! Think of all the steaks a Stegosaurus would give us?!
Reconsideration of Rewilding
INTERIOR - GOVERNMENT OFFICE/C.R.A.P. - DAY
Rachel is feeding a caged canary at the window when she reacts to something outside. From her POINT OF VIEW, at a Computer Shop across the street, vandals are spray painting graffiti:
"The solution to E-waste?
Stop building computers!"
She watches the storeowner chase the vandals off.
Back inside, Rachel looks away with a frown. Through the open door to Ally's office, she sees Wally, Roger and Yabby get ready for another video meeting with Proctor.
INTERIOR - OFFICE/ALLY GRUBERSTEIN
Rachel joins the boys. On the computer screen, first comes the emblem of the "Department of Re-Introduction", replaced by Proctor, smiling, twirling his moustache.
PROCTOR
Where's my Sweet Ally today?
RACHEL
Oh, the Professor is doing a B.B.C. interview, Minister.
PROCTOR
(filtered over T.V.)
Ah, yes, you and your team have become quite the celebrities. Well, there's plenty more work for you all to do! A quota to fill! The zoos are pumping out these creatures faster than you can re-introduce them, dearie.
RACHEL
Yes, Minister.
PROCTOR
By the way, were any of you scheduled for the U.K. Rewilding Conference in May?
RACHEL
I was, and looking forward -
PROCTOR
Didn't you hear? It's been moved to October.
RACHEL
Why?
PROCTOR
The one in May is for the Un-Rewilding folks now. The De-Re-Introduction folks.
RACHEL
Pardon? Minister?
Wally, Roger and Yabby frown and exchange glances.
PROCTOR
Well, you can't expect to have all the fun.
RACHEL
You have teams going around removing the animals we let loose?!
PROCTOR
(taken aback)
Wha... Well, no, your reinstatements are going all right, but not everyone's so efficient. Um, sometimes, there are goof ups, so to speak.
Rachel stiffens. She prepares to announce a decision.
RACHEL
Minister, I think we need to slow down the re-introduction program a bit.
CLOSE-UP - THE VIDEO, PROCTOR'S EYES WIDEN AND JAW DROPS
PROCTOR
Why, it's going so well? And don't you enjoy the renown from it all?
RETURN TO SCENE
RACHEL
My concern is solely conservation, Minister.
PROCTOR
Well, is it a raise you want? Ally talks about the terrific job you're doing, dearie.
RACHEL
Minister! Professor Gruberstein agrees! We need to take a break and let the ecosystems catch up to all the changes we've introduced.
All the guys, around Rachel, pat her on the shoulder.
PROCTOR
Well, I'll discuss it here with the other Ministers in-charge. I'll get back to you.
RACHEL
When, Minister? Tomorrow?
PROCTOR
What? No! Earth Day, of course. It's a holiday. Office closed.
RACHEL
How about -
PROCTOR
Then followed by Soy Day, followed by Wind Energy Day, followed by Save the Whales Day, followed by International Hemp Day, followed by, let's see, National Day for Radon Action, followed by Earth Night, World Day, Globe Day, Planet Day...
Rachel and the others exchange glances of incredulity.
PROCTOR
Hmm, and then I start vacation on the eighteenth...
RACHEL
Oh, never mind!
Proctor jerks his head back, taken aback by her remark.
PROCTOR
Wellll, but say hi to Ally for me, will you? That lovely gal needs a good man, and I'm just the one for her!
Rachel slumps as the video cuts out. Wally leans over with a National Geographic and shows them a page.
CLOSE-UP - A PHOTO OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CLEAR-CUT FOREST
RACHEL (VOICE-OVER)
Clear-cutting?
WALLY (VOICE-OVER)
No, it's not clear-cut!
RETURN TO SCENE
They're all crowded round her, looking at the magazine.
ROGER
They released giraffe and elephants and antelope, and it's the animals that clear-"ate" the place clean!
Rachel Bumps into Charles
INTERIOR - GOVERNMENT OFFICE/C.R.A.P. - DAY
Later, again peering out her window, Rachel notices Charles in a bread line, unshaven, unemployed, and bedraggled.
RACHEL
Ah... !
She grabs a jacket and rushes to the exit. Wally has to dodge her as she runs by. He, Roger and Yabby stroll to the window and from their POINT OF VIEW spot her crossing the road.
EXTERIOR - SOUP KITCHEN (SAME TIME)
Rachel tentatively approaches Charlie, who's about two-thirds along a line of about 50 people, mostly men, all in ragged overcoats and hole-filled shoes.
She's a few yards from him. He starts to turn his head.
MAN #1
There's one of 'em, right there!
; MAN #2
Yeah!
WOMAN #1
She one! What she doing here?!
RACHEL
No, I -
A few step out of line right up to Rachel, nose to nose. One of them rips the C.R.A.P. badge from her lapel.
MAN #3
(laughs derisively)
You want in line? Go to the end!
Rachel peers over their shoulders to where Charlie was.
WOMAN #2
My kids are hungry, cause of you!
MAN #4
She ain't the problem. Leave her alone.
MAN #1
G'wan. Get outta here!
WOMAN #3
Stop! Stop this now!
MAN #2
Gimme that warm coat, for my wife.
They grab at Rachel. She struggles to break free. There's cursing and shouting all around. Police whistles from OFF-SCREEN.
Rachel flops to the ground.
A fight breaks out, between two, three, four of the men.
A hand reaches in and grabs Rachel's arm.
It's Charlie! He pulls her free, but her glasses fly off.
The food line deteriorates into a mob, at first fighting each other, then attacking the soup tables up front.
A brick goes through a window. Whistling, green-uniformed Eco-Cops arrive on bikes. A green paddy wagon roars in.
The storytellers from the future resume their narration over the sad, violent scene.
GIRL (VOICE-OVER)
That's so sad, mother.
BOY (VOICE-OVER)
Charlie was hungry, and when Great Great Gramma tried to help, the other people stopped her!
Amidst the anarchy, Charlie drags Rachel to safety just around a corner. Then he retreats to the mob scene.
EXTERIOR - GOVERNMENT OFFICE/C.R.A.P. (SAME TIME)
Wally, Roger and Yabby fly out the door toward Rachel, across the street, now sitting on her haunches, crying.
Charlie arrives back to her first, though. He hands her glasses to her. Tears streak Rachel's pretty face.
From her POINT OF VIEW, Charlie is blurry. She pulls up her glasses to her eyes. He comes into focus, standing over her, staring down compassionately, concerned for her.
For a few seconds, the cacophony OFF-SCREEN fades, everything freezes, and they gaze into each other's eyes. But he doesn't remember her and she's too in shock to say anything.
CHARLIE
Miss? Are you... okay?
Just then, Wally, Roger and Yabby arrive to "save" Rachel.
RACHEL
Noooo!
Roger flails at Charlie and Yabby growls his most fierce, realistic tiger snarl.
Rachel resists, but Wally wrests her away from Charlie's arms, as Roger and Yabby chase him away.
RACHEL
Nooooooo!
DISSOLVE TO LATER
Wally, Roger and Yabby hover over Rachel, now sitting on the curb with a blanket around her.
Nearby, police sort things out, take written statements, and haul some of the scruffy men into the green paddy wagon.
WALLY
The poor bastard. Sorry, Rache.
ROGER
Yeah, we're so stupid.
Then Ally scurries across the street from the office.
ALLY
Rachel! Are you all right, dear!
(gives Rachel a big hug)
Oh, my poor baby! I hope they catch him!
WALLY
Aw, no, she was saved by that fellow, Rath, from the farm.
All together, they help Rachel to her feet.
ROGER
We just didn't recognize him.
ALLY
Oh, wasn't he the fellow... he was!
(figures it out)
Rachel! Have you fallen in love? Oh, you're so lucky. All I have chasing me is that dreadful Minister Proctor!
Everyone laughs, and Rachel gets more hugs from everyone.
More Things Going Wrong with the Rewilding
INTERIOR - UNDEFINED FUTURE RESIDENCE - NIGHT (TWILIGHT)
Back to the storytelling Mom and her kids, still laying in bed, their eyes wide as they listen to the story.
BOY
That's so miserable about Charlie, mother.
Mom uses the blanket to dab a tear from his sister's eye.
MOM
Yes, my dear little ones. You see, it wasn't good for the animals when Mankind had all the power to do whatever He wanted. But now that the people supporting the animals had all the power, lots of innocent people like Charlie got hurt.
INTERIOR - GOVERNMENT OFFICE/C.R.A.P. - DAY
The next day, Rachel is again at the window, cuddling a bunny in her arms, staring at the breadline across the street for Charlie. But he's nowhere to be seen.
BOY (VOICE-OVER)
But it wasn't Great Great Gramma's fault, was it?!
MOM (VOICE-OVER)
No, but she still felt very sad for Charlie, and she knew she had to do something about it, somehow.
Cadwraeth is Born
EXTERIOR - STREET CORNER (SAME TIME)
Charlie steps under an awning as a drizzling rain starts.
From his POINT OF VIEW, he sees long breadlines on every corner, and beggars, and peaceful protesters moved along by police on horseback, with guys trailing the horses picking up droppings, and rich government guys in big green SUVs.
He saunters across the street to a storefront, plastered with conservation signs and hectoring us all about waste.
There's a T.V. inside the window. Someone flips channels.
MONTAGE - CHANNELS FLIPPING ON TELEVISION
A) In a classroom somewhere, a stuffy teacher sternly lectures students about the sins of "mass-production farming", as scribbled on the chalkboard.
TEACHER (VOICE-OVER)
(filtered over T.V.)
See? Industrial farms gave us lots of food, but lots of mad cow -
ALL THE STUDENTS (VOICE-OVER)
And mad sheep, mad crow, mad pig -
TEACHER (VOICE-OVER)
And since we stopped these practices, soybean and palm oil production has saved us!
THIN GIRL STUDENT (VOICE-OVER)
(whispers to pal)
But I'm so hungry!
B) The channel changes. Now it's a news report.
ANNOUNCER (VOICE-OVER)
... closing down mines world-wide to prevent landscape destruction. There's no need for new minerals when we can all reuse, recycle, reduce, and recover!
C) The channel changes. Now it looks like a game show.
HAPPY COMMENTATOR (VOICE-OVER)
Who gets the award for the largest compost pile?! Why, it's Betty!
Charlie looks down with a scowl. He glances into the window next door. It's a survivalist army surplus shop, with hunting equipment, knives, and bows and arrows on display.
INTERIOR - ARMY SURPLUS STORE (LATER)
Charlie stands forlornly at the counter, strumming fingers.
STORE OWNER
See anything you like?
He checks out Charlie's worn coat and shoes. Charlie catches his suspicious look and flops his compensation check down on the counter. Then he starts pointing to and fro'.