Homeland Script

Script

Orange smoke flashes across the screen. Black human figures are running through the dust. People are screaming and running for help.

A man yells: “We have to get it back!”

Fade to white.

“5 minutes earlier” appears on the screen.

SETTING: Sitting on the playa in a crowd of people. Sunset. Watching the Temple burn.

MARCUS:

I’m so relieved that I might have a job when we get back to San Francisco. Looks like Burning Man ended up providing in more than one way.

ANGE:

 (Leans over and kisses Marcus on the cheek)

I’m so happy for you. This weekend has been so much fun and so relaxing. I wish the real world was like this.

MARCUS:

Seriously.

ANGE:

I’m just a little worried about—well about…you know.

MARCUS:

Yeah, yeah…don’t worry. It’ll be okay.

ANGE:

It’s just, it’s not fair that she can do so much evil and then expect us to cover her ass. What has she ever done for us?

MARCUS:

I know, but we owe it to Zeb. And Zeb and Masha are a team.

ANGE:

I guess. What do you think’s on there anyway? (She glances down to Marcus’s hand which is tightly gripped around the small USB stick)

MARCUS:

I don’t know. But whatever it is, I’d rather not know. If Masha’s involved it’s sure to be trouble.

(Marcus freezes. He sees something that terrifies him)

MARCUS:

Ange let’s get out of here!

ANGE:

But Marcus, the burning just started. What’s so important that we need to leave this beautiful setting?

MARCUS:

Ange, I’m serious, we need to leave. And NOW!

ANGE:
Alright, alright.

 (Pulls Ange up and they start hustling through the crowd towards the hexayurt they stayed at last night during the windstorm).

ANGE:

Marcus, where are we going? Slow down!

MARCUS:

Shhh, just come on (pulls her by the arm).

(They arrive at the hexayurt and Marcus pounds on the door. John, the older bearded man opens the door.)

JOHN:

Oh hello Marcus, Ange, how are you two doing?

MARCUS:

We’re fine. Can we come in? We need your help.

JOHN:

(Ushers them inside) Sure, sure, come on in. How is it that I can be of service to you?

MARCUS:

(Looks around the hexayurt and spots Wil Wheaton sitting at the table. He makes a quick judgment call and decides to tell John about the USB stick in Wil’s presence)

We’re in danger. I need someone I can trust.

JOHN:

Well, what is it?

MARCUS:

I need you to take this (hands the USB to John) and keep it safe.

JOHN:

What’s on this?

MARCUS:

To tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure, but I know that it is valuable. It must stay a secret until I tell you to release it, or you know I have been captured. It is for the good of the people.

JOHN:

You can count on me. Of course I will help you.

(Ange notices a smile lurk across Wil’s face, she nudges Marcus)

ANGE:

Wait, Marcus (she whispers).

(Ten seconds later there is a loud pounding on the door. Startled, John slips the USB stick into his back pocket and tries to compose himself as he opens the door)

CARRIE JOHNSTONE:

Why hello there, is Marcus here?

JOHN:

Yes, he is, come on in.

CARRIE:

Hello Marcus, I believe you have something I want.

(Terrified Marcus grabs Ange’s hand)

MARCUS:

I don’t know what you are talking about. What do you want from me?

CARRIE:

Oh, you know what I want. You have the secrets to our government on that silly little USB of yours. Now all you have to do is give it to me and you can go along with your pathetic little life.

MARCUS:

I don’t have a USB.

CARRIE:

Come on now Marcus, you don’t want to have to go through waterboarding again like last year do you?

(Marcus shuttered at the thought of Carrie ordering men to pour water over his upside down head)

MARCUS:

I told you, I don’t have it.

(Wil approaches the gathering at the doorway)

WIL:

Why don’t you tell her who does have it Marcus?

(Marcus looks at Ange with an apprehensive face)

A loud explosion goes off right outside the tent before anyone else can say a word. Smoke, orange playa dust, and sparks fill the air. The hexayurt catches on fire.

MARCUS:
RUN! (He yells to Ange).

(They escape out the bottom curtain of the hexayurt, grabbing John along with them. Marcus, Ange, and John make it out of the tent and begin running through the crowd. All of the sudden Ange looks back and notices Wil has caught up to them and he grabs John’s shirt. John falls down).

JOHN:

Help! (John screams)

ANGE:

(Pulls on Marcus’s arm) We have to help him!

MARCUS:

No! It’s our life or his! We have to keep going or they’ll catch all of us.

 (Tears stream down Ange’s face. The explosions get louder. Next thing they know a hovercraft swoops down and grabs Wil and John)

ANGE:

Look! They got John!

(Marcus and Ange look towards the sky)

MARCUS:

We have to get it back!

CARRIE:

(Appears from behind them) Good luck with that…We’ll see how well you do when you don’t have your little friends coming to your rescue.

(Marcus and Ange turn to face Carrie. They see she has captured Zeb and Masha)

MARCUS:

Zeb! Masha! I’m sorry!

(Ange lets out a cry as a man in desert clothing grabs her hands and twists them behind her back. People look on, helpless and scared. Disrupted from the peaceful burning of the temple)

CARRIE:

You’ll be even sorrier when you find out what was on that USB. Good thing is that was the only copy and I have it now. You made a mistake trusting John in front of Wil. He’s been part of the plan all along. But don’t you worry Marcus, you’ll pay for what you have done. You will pay.