The Outpost

                            AN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
                                      BY
                              Eugenia Loli-Queru

                                August 6, 2009

            Licensed under the Creative Commons "Attribution" 3.0 License
                    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  
                                  THE OUTPOST
                  (estimated running time 3:50 to 4:30 minutes)
                                  

ACT 1

EXT. DESERT-LIKE SCENERY -- DAY

Wide shots of a desert with the heat distorting the picture. Nothing but the sound of scorching heat. Titles.

In one of the final title shots we see two people walking. Some slow piano notes are heard far and between.
Camera moves closer with each shot. They are sweating, as they carry one large suitcase and a backpack each.
The middle-aged woman wears a large sun hat and myopia glasses, while the teenage man wears a red baseball cap, and a half-moon necklace (clear shot).

The woman almost drops the luggage, she's too tired to continue.

   ERIC
Mom, let me get that for you.

   MOTHER
I'm fine, I just need a minute to catch my breath.

She removes a bottle of water from her backpack and starts drinking.

   ERIC
This is such a joke.

   MOTHER
What is?

   ERIC
Everything. The whole thing. And it's all your fault.
(starts walking)

   MOTHER
(catching up)
I only did whatever made sense for us Eric. We needed the money, college doesn't pay for itself.

   ERIC
(sarcastic)
Oh, so you did it for me? Thank you! Thank you for dragging me all the way out here, literally in the middle of nowhere, away from all of my friends.
If that's the price I have to pay for college, then I'd rather never go.

   MOTHER
And do what with your life? Work in the mine like your father?

   ERIC
(lowly)
I would have figured out of something.

   MOTHER
Oh, that's right. Illegal trading. Busted by patrols, blowing up with the cargo... At least here we're safe, Eric. The company pays well.

   ERIC
(stopping)
The company!
(disgusted snort, pointing south)
You mean the company that dropped us off ten miles off course?
Way to start our new life mom! We'd be lucky if they even come to pick us up when we're through with the damn project.

   MOTHER
Don't be ridiculous. Besides, think of the good work we'll be doing here. There are  millions of people back home who will eventually benefit from our reports.

   ERIC
Oh, well why didn't you say so? We are going to be heroes! Yay!
(angry)
I didn't ask to be a hero mom! I-want-my-life-back. I was just fine in New York!


ACT 2


Eric throws down his luggage, walks 30 ft away, sits down, and puts his cap front-back.
After some disapointment on the mother's face, she walks closer, sits down a few ft apart, a bit behind him.

   MOTHER
I know I should have asked you before signing us up for this, but I do believe it's for the best.
Things are not easy back home, you know that. Just putting food on the table has become near impossible.
(pause)
It's just two years. Two years, and we will have solved most of our life's problems.

   ERIC
(rolls eyes)

   MOTHER
Besides, this place ain't so bad. You'll have all the personal space you ever needed, and as much food as we want.

   ERIC
(holds and looks at his necklace)

   MOTHER
Plus, we're not totally cut off. We've got a satellite in orbit, so once a week you can message your friends.  And... we have each other.

   ERIC
I guess you're right. I'm sure I'll get used to it.
(removes the cap, looks up)
But the heat!

   MOTHER
I would be more worried about the giant earth worms that supposedly live here. (smiles)

Eric cracks a smile and gets up, puts his cap back, walks back and mounts his luggage again.
More wide desert shots from afar, showing the duo keep walking in the desert. Same piano music as in the tiles.


ACT 3


EXT. DESERT-LIKE SCENERY -- LATE AFTERNOON

Eric stops walking, and checks out his GPS electronic device, that's mounted on his left arm. Some electronic sounds are heard while he's pressing the touchscreen.

   MOTHER
(dehydrated, tired)
How much longer?

   ERIC
According to this, we are just two miles away from the outpost.

   MOTHER
(smiles)
We're nearly there, at last.

   ERIC
(containing anger, looking at the horizon)
Yes mom, we're close. So close.

Camera moves behind the duo and reveals the horizon in front of them. Two large moons are unveiled.

                                  CUT TO BLACK

TITLES
Wide angle picture of the two suitcases on the deserted ground placed upon each other the same way the two moons are placed in the previous shot.
Colors of the two suitcases similar to the two moons. Titles scroll next to the suitcases. Piano music.

                                  FADE TO BLACK
                                     THE END