Scene 3
SA-1:
Yes. We will appreciate it very much!
PICKUP DRIVER:
Well then, hop in! Two here in front and one at the rear!
Both MA ride in front and SA-1 at the back, having difficulty to get in.
MA-1:
(referring to SA-1)
It fits you there enough for your height to hold on to the handlebars. Just like home, huh?
SA-1 holds on to the rollbars, nods in agreement to MA-1. The truck carefully gets into the lane.
PICKUP DRIVER:
(glancing at MA-2 in the middle)
So, where might you guys be from? New around here?
MA-2:
(looks at MA-1)
Yes.
PICKUP DRIVER:
What's up?
Both aliens simultaneously look up at the truck's ceiling then look at each.
MA-2:
(pointing to the ceiling)
You mean this?
The pickup driver bursts into laughter for their innocent looks.
PICKUP DRIVER:
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA… you guys are something - you guys are funny!!!
At the back, SA-1 curiously looks at everything they pass, fields, farmhouses, animals and people. Shortly, the truck enters the busy area of L.A. The aliens alight. . .
SA-1:
(jumping out on the driver's side)
Thank you very much. Is there anything we must do for the ride?
The driver laughs again at the three surprised aliens.
PICKUP DRIVER:
HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA! You guys must be practicing your antics for an audition! You're good! I'm sure you three are gonna make it!!!
The driver speeds off still laughing and momentarily looking back at the aliens.
MA-2:
EARTH IS REALLY WEIRD. Why was the controller of that thing acting that way?
SA-1:
That's why we're here . . . to find out.
EXT. – STREETS OF L.A. – DAY
The three aliens go on their way. Realizing not knowing what direction to take, their wristwatches and a cell phone-like device are their means of communication with their spacecraft.
SA-1:
This is SA-1 can you hear me?
PANEL CREW (female):
Yes, and very clearly.
SA-1:
Can you send me a map of L.A. so we know the direction we would go?
PANEL CREW:
No problem.
A light flickers on SA-1's watch. They go to a large glass windowpane to project the map and adjust the size if needed. Their sharp eyes can see the map on the projection that looks like a simple beam to human eyes.
MA-1:
(pointing at the glass)
So, we're here (yellow dot) and this is Hollywood (red x mark). That's about one hour from here at the regular walking pace.
SA-1:
That's not too far. In an hour we have learned much when we get there.
While on the glass pane, some curious passers-by wonder why the three are sort of tracing a map on a blank glass.
Right after, they resume their walk.
MA-2:
It seems that human beings have more feelings or emotions than what we have.
MA-1:
How could that be when we are far more advanced in technology than they are?
SA-1:
You know, I researched our history and it says that our kind had the same kind of emotions about ten million years ago.
MA-2:
How come that was not taught to us in school?
MA-1:
Yeah – right.
SA-1:
Our ancestors actually did not want to put that to record in our history because it could again destroy our harmonious society. I found out in my research that there are still genes in our bodies that could trigger those kinds of emotions if sufficiently exposed to such kind of expressions.
MA-2:
Then you mean to say we are at risk here of having back those emotions?
SA-1:
No, we have pills with a suppressant for that gene.
MA-1:
That's a relief.
EXT. – FLASHBACK ALIEN'S PLANET EXTER – MONTAGE
VOICEOVER: (on montage)
Being one of three not-so-old elders in the spacecraft, SA-1 remembers in their history that there were those of their kind that refused genetic code alteration. Greed, love, and happiness were reduced to contentment. Anger and sadness were totally removed. Need for nourishment was calibrated according to the size of their kind. They were made to understand that these were being done to them to achieve peace, harmony, and understanding. In short, alien scientists manipulated the genes to generally control emotions to pre-determined levels. Those of them who refused manipulation, or whose bodies reject the genes, were considered "unviables". They slowly disappeared from their kind because no one wanted to marry them. An 'unviable' married to one with altered genes will produce unviable offspring. Many unviables, whose bodies rejected the gene, committed suicide because they could not attain the content of their kind. SA-1 knows the history but does not feel and understand emotions at the level of humankind.
EXT. – STREETS OF L.A.
The attention of SA-1 is again focused on their surroundings. A slight shake of his head and saying to his companions…
SA-1:
Could you imagine we are back in our past ten million years ago?
MA-1:
Did it say in your research that things and actions were like this during that time?
SA-1:
Almost, I would say. But we were then still advanced in many ways.
MA-2:
Maybe we could learn history now, huh?
MA-1:
Looks like it.
FROM THIS POINT – SERIES OF SHOTS
- the people, cars, and businesses
- people along the alleys
- people racing to get a cab
- playing basketball in common courts
- bars, restaurants, malls, grocers
- minor fistfights, police siren
- commercial plane overhead
- hawkers, hookers and nay Sayers
- snatcher running away from the victim
- the aliens approached by or approaching people
just a few hundred meters from Hollywood, we see MA-1 approach a person and…
MA-1:
We're almost at Hollywood, who do we see there about the NBA broadcasts?