This video was created based on a combined script written by Jennifer Warren and Austin Alleman. Austin edited the movie and all members of this website helped created and act out the characters in the film. This video is a spin off on Cory Doctorow’s Homeland. We thought it would be interesting to include both a physical and electronic form of surveillance in the video since this website attempts to determine which, if either, is acceptable to act on.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDFlWGBKKqE&feature=youtu.be
[Fade in on Marcus and Ange out in the storm, John calling out to them from the hexayurt.]
JOHN (jovially)
Look at what the storm blew in. Let’s get you cleaned up. Shoes first, thanks.
[action on-screen; Ange and Marcus enter the hexayurt]
Can I get you two something to wear? We can beat the dust out of your clothes once the wind dies down.
[Marcus hesitates, his thoughts turning to the USB stick in his pocket.]
ANGE
That’d be so awesome. Thank you.
[Marcus relents wordlessly.]
JOHN
Come on and meet the rest.
[Fades to black.]
[Fades in. Marcus and Ange outside the hexayurt, reflecting on the chance meeting with the EFF founders. They converse face to face .]
MARCUS
Unbelievable! Who would’ve thought that we’d run into the founders of the Electronic Frontier Foundation at Burning Man, of all places!? I guess if there’s anywhere those guys could relax free of prying eyes, it would definitely be here…
ANGE
Yeah, they’re probably glad to get the break. And not just from surveillance, but all the legal action. Violations of privacy committed by the government mount by the day. Even if the EFF could put up a good fight against tenuous infractions, like the gait-detectors back in school, there’d just be too many.
MARCUS
Do you suppose they ever feel that they’re in any danger? I mean, my friends and I just got picked up at random from the bridge bombing in San Francisco. Those guys would have to have pretty big targets on their backs.
ANGE
Yeah, but I seriously doubt whether they’re in any danger here and now. Plus, the EFF is one of the most prominent advocacy organizations in the country. The government wouldn’t dare.
MARCUS
Hm.
(Sometime later.. Sitting near the fire.)
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:
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.
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 and is startled. 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.
(Ange and Marcus run through the windstorm to 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. Fade into black.)
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 water boarding 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?
(Fade into black. 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 of the hexayurt, Ange and Marcus. Carrie follows them and John is left behind, captured.).
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! We have to help him!
(Marcus and Ange look towards the sky)
MARCUS:
No, it’s our life or his. We have to keep on or they’ll catch us all. 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 scared… still frame)
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.