INDEPENDENCE DAY (Continue)

DAVID
Remember I told you that the
signal hidden within our satellite
signal is slowly recycling down to
extinction.

MARTY
Not really...

DAVID
That signal. It's a countdown.

MARTY
(confused)
A countdown to what?

DAVID
Think. It's like in chess. First
you strategically position your
pieces. Then, when the timing's
right. You strike.

David motions to the television.

BLITZER
...there are additional
unconfirmed sightings over Japan,
the Mediterranean, and China...

DAVID
They are positioning themselves
all over the world and using this
one signal to synchronize their
efforts. In approximately six
hours the signal will disappear
and the countdown will be over.

MARTY
Then what?

DAVID
Checkmate.

Marty takes a beat to digest. Then, grabbing the phone....

MARTY
I gotta call my brother, my
bookie, my lawyer... fuck my
lawyer...

David also grabs a phone. Suddenly the bank of monitors
synchronize into one enormous image across the entire video
wall; the President addressing the nation.

INT. PRESS ROOM, WHITE HOUSE - SAME

The President stands at the podium giving his address.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
My fellow Americans, a historic
and unprecedented event has taken
place. The question as to whether
or not we are alone in the
universe has been answered...

ANGLE - SIDE ENTRANCE TO PRESS ROOM

As Constance watches the President, she unconsciously mouths
the words of his speech, after all, she did write them. A
PRESS AIDE tugs on her sleeve. She tries to wave her off.

PRESS AIDE
He says he's your husband.

Her expression drops. She takes the phone from her.

CONSTANCE
What do you want?

DAVID
(filtered)
You have to leave the White House.

CONSTANCE
This is not the time or the place
to have this same old discussion.

INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES - SAME

DAVID
You don't understand. You have to
leave Washington.

INT. SIDE OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - DAY

Impatient, Constance tries to get off the phone.

CONSTANCE
In case you haven't noticed, we're
in a little bit of a crisis here.

DAVID
(filtered)
I've worked with embedded loading.
They're communicating with a
hidden signal. They're going to
attack...

CONSTANCE
You're being paranoid.

DAVID
(filtered)
It's not paranoia. The embedding
is very subtle. It's probably
been overlooked...

Constance hangs up. Her face betrays mixed emotions.

INT. COMPACT CABLE OFFICES - SAME

David stares at the phone, pissed. Something on T.V.
catches his attention. Through the snowy image he SEES...

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered)
...My staff and I are remaining
here at the White House while we
attempt to establish
communication...

Hanging up the phone, David sprints for the exit.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE (cont'd)
...so remain calm. If you are
compelled to leave these cities,
please do so in a safe and orderly
fashion.

SMASH CUT TO:

CABS SLAMMING TOGETHER - NEW YORK CITY STREETS

The rush to get away creeps slowly as cars jam the streets in
total grid-lock. David pedals his bike furiously through
traffic.

EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE - NEW YORK - DAY

The mass exodus has reached the bridge. Total congestion.
David fights his way through.

EXT. CLIFFSIDE, NEW JERSEY - LATER

The New York skyline behind him across the Hudson, David jumps
off his bike, and races towards a row of tract houses.

EXT. MOISHE'S TRACT HOUSE - SECONDS LATER

David BANGS on the door. It flies open. Moishe is holding a
hunting rifle, pointing it at David.

DAVID
Pops!

MOISHE
The television said they've
started with the looting already
Vultures.

DAVID
You still got the Olds?

MOISHE
You want to borrow the car? You
don't have a license.

DAVID
That's okay. You're driving.

CUT TO:

INT. JASMINE'S HOUSE - DAY

Steve, wearing his Marine flight officer uniform, shoves the
last of his things into his duffel bag. We notice there are
small figurines of dolphins everywhere. Jasmine hovers
nervously behind him.

JASMINE
You can't go. Call them back.

STEVE
Baby, you know how it is. I have
to report to El Toro right away.

JASMINE
You said you were on leave for the
Fourth.

STEVE
They cancelled it. Why are you
acting like this?

Jasmine grabs the blinds and yanks them away. We SEE the
alien craft through the window.

JASMINE
Why? That's why. That thing
scares the piss out of me.

EXT. DEBROW HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Dylan sits behind the wheel pretending to drive. Steve grabs
him, pulling him out. He reaches into his duffel, grabs a small
brown paper bag.

STEVE
Here. I got these for you. Be
careful with them.

Dylan opens the bag; fireworks. Jasmine walks over.

DYLAN
Cool.

Steve tosses his gear into the back, opens his door.

JASMINE
Wait. I have to tell you
something.

STEVE
What?

JASMINE
(loses her nerve)
Be careful.

STEVE
Look, after your shift tonight,
why don't you grab Dylan and come
stay with me on base.

JASMINE
Really? You don't mind?

STEVE
(smiling)
Naw. I'll just tell my other
girlfriends they can't come over
tonight.

Pissed, she hits him. He loves it.

JASMINE
You know, you're not as charming
as you think you are.

STEVE
Yes, I am.

JASMINE
Dick-weed!

STEVE
Butt-munch.

They kiss. Steve hops into his car and peels out. Jasmine
takes the bag from Dylan.

JASMINE
I'll take these.

DYLAN
Mommmmmm...

CUT TO:

EXT. JERSEY - HIGHWAY - LATER THAT DAY

A perfectly preserved '68 Olds drives cautiously down the
highway. Around him we see other cars packed to the gills as
they make their escape from New York.

INT. OLDS - SAME

Not the most confident driver, Moishe holds the steering wheel
close to his chest.

MOISHE
It's the White House, for crying
out loud. You can't just drive up
and ring the bell.

DAVID
Can't this thing go any faster?

MOISHE
You think they don't know what you
know? Believe me, they know. She
works for the President. They
know everything.

DAVID
They don't know this.

MOISHE
And you're going to educate them?
Tell me something, you're so smart
how come you spent eight years at
M.I.T. to become a cable
repairman?

DAVID
Dad...

MOISHE
All I'm saying is they've got
people who handle these things,
David. They want HBO, they'll
call you.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOUNGE, LOS ANGELES - LATE AFTERNOON

Mrs. Whitmore is at a house phone. Behind her we see several
news crews waiting for interviews.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
(filtered through phone)
I want you out of there.

MARGARET
You're staying there to keep
people calm. It's the right thing
to do. I'm not going to let them
criticize you for it.

INT. WHITMORE BEDROOM - WHITE HOUSE - SAME

The President sits on his bed, his daughter lays next to him,
watching T.V. The signal distortion is getting worse.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
Okay, fine but the second your
interviews are done, I have a
helicopter ready to take you to
Nellis Air Force...

MARGARET
(filtered)
How's the munchkin?

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
She's glued to the T.V., just like
the rest of the world. I love you
too. Here she is...

He hands Patty the phone as General Grey and Nimziki appear in
the doorway. The President walks over to them.

GENERAL GREY
More ships keep arriving, fifteen
in total so far.

NIMZIKI
This is crazy. We're loosing our
first strike capabilities!

GENERAL GREY
We're trying to communicate with
them on all frequencies but we're
getting nowhere. Atlantic Command
is working on a type of visual
communication.

PRESIDENT WHITMORE
What the hell are they up to?

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT

A long crowded highway of people trying to escape from Los
Angeles can be seen in the distance. The huge space craft
hovering behind them.

Miguel is on the roof of the trailer, adjusting the T.V.
antenna trying to get a picture. Suddenly the image clears
and we SEE a group of people in a crowded hallway.

REPORTER
(filtered)
...a local crop duster was
arrested today attempting to land
at Edwards Air Force Base...

On the T.V. we SEE Russell being escorted to a police car.
Mortified, Miguel can't believe what he's seeing.

RUSSELL
They've got to do something.
I was abducted by space aliens ten
years ago. They did all kinds of
experiments on me. They've been
studying us for years, learning
our weakness. We've go to do
something before they kill us all!

TROY (O.S.)

Just as Troy starts to climb up, Miguel changes the channel to
Mrs. Whitmore. Troy sits down next to Miguel.

MRS. WHITMORE
(filtered)
...we need to remain calm. As
more people decide to leave the
cities, safety is key...

MIGUEL
Troy, you remember Uncle Hector,
from Tucson?

TROY
He's got that SEGA Saturn CD, 64
bit, right?

MIGUEL
Yeah. What would you think if we
went there to live for a while?

TROY
That'd be cool!

Miguel thinks for a second, makes a decision.

MIGUEL
Pack up, we're going.

Miguel jumps down from the roof. Troy climbs down the ladder.

TROY
(yelling after him)
What about Dad?

ALICIA AND OLDER BOY

Kissing. It's getting hot. Alicia laughs, pushes him away.

OLDER BOY
This could be our last night on
Earth. You don't want to die a
virgin, do you?

ALICIA
What makes you think I'm a virgin?

The Older Boy is taken off guard. Before he can answer the
tarp they were hiding under is ripped away. Miguel stands
there.

MIGUEL
Come on, we're going.

ALICIA
I'm not going anywhere...

Miguel grabs her by the wrist and pulls her away.

EXT. FREEWAY - OUTSIDE WASHINGTON - NIGHT

We see the long highway leading to Washington, the space ship
hovering above it. One side of the freeway is packed solid,
the other completely empty, save for one car...

INT. MOISHE'S OLDS - NIGHT

Moishe looks to the other side of the freeway, jam packed. On
his side, they are the only car for miles.

MOISHE
The whole world is trying to get
out of Washington and we're the
only schmucks trying to get in.

As Moishe drives, David distracts him as he unpacks his
backpack unloading his laptop. He grabs a CD.

MOISHE (cont'd)
What the hell is that?

DAVID
This, pops, is every phone book in
America.

MOISHE
You think an important person like
Constance is going to be listed?

DAVID
She always keeps her portable
phone listed, for emergencies.
Sometimes it's just her first
initial, sometime her nickname...

David starts to look it up. Suddenly...

DOZENS OF CARS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THEM

In the attempt to get out, hundreds of cars have been re-
directed by the military to use the opposite side of the
highway.

MOISHE
Oh my God!

Moishe SWERVES violently to avoid collision, barely missing
the oncoming traffic. Dodging right to left, Moishe hangs on
for dear life.

A Military Office, assisting in diverting the cars turns just
in time to see the Olds whiz by.

David and Moishe are bounded around the inside of the car as
Moishe tries to veer through traffic.

Suddenly A TRUCK blocks off their only escape route.

Moishe turns HARD and drives up onto the right shoulder.

OVERHEAD ANGLE - OLDS AND TRAFFIC

The Olds is the only car in headed that direction. Using the
shoulder, swerving to miss barricades, they drives off an exit
ramp.

DAVID
Nice driving, pops!

Dangerously close to a heart attack, Moishe is, for once, at a
loss for words. Over their adrenaline pumped faces...

MALE VOICE (V.O.)
...put your hands together for
Sabrina!

CUT TO:

INT. STRIP CLUB - LOS ANGELES - NIGHT

A bikini-clad Sabrina twirls gracefully on the stage. As she
comes to a stop we reveal Sabrina is actually Jasmine. She
looks out into the audience and her expression DROPS.

REVERSE ANGLE - JASMINE'S POV - EMPTY CLUB

Five strippers and eight customers. All crowded near the
television watching the news.

ANGLE T.V. - ROOFTOP - LOS ANGELES

Helicopter footage of people gathered on the rooftops of
downtown Los Angeles holding up drawings of space aliens.

NEWSCASTERS
(filtered)
...from the "it could only happen
in California" file, hundreds of
UFO fanatics have gathered on the
rooftops of downtown Los Angeles,
welcoming the new arrivals...

INT. DRESSING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jasmine storms into the dressing room. Wiping off her makeup,
she sits down next to TIFFANY who watches the same report on a
small b&w.

JASMINE
I can't believe I even came in
tonight. What was I thinking?

TIFFANY
(re: T.V.)
Isn't this cool? And you thought
I was nuts. Oh, look, I brought
mine with me.

Tiffany holds up a drawing of a space alien.

JASMINE
You're not thinking of joining
those idiots?

TIFFANY
I'm going over there soon as I'm
off. Wanna come?

Jasmine turns to Tiffany, dead serious.

JASMINE
Tiffany, I don't want you to go up
there. Promise me you won't.
(Tiffany pouts)
Promise!

TIFFANY
I promise.

JASMINE
Okay. I'm gone. I'm outta town
for a while.

Her boss MARIO enters and walks over to his private office in
back. He opens the door and finds Dylan playing with his dog,
Boomer.

MARIO
What the hell's your kid doing
here?

Jasmine rushes past picking up Dylan and carrying him away as
she heads for the exit. Boomer follows.

JASMINE
You try to find a sitter today.

MARIO
Where do you think you're going?
You leave, you're fired.

JASMINE
(out the door)
Nice working with you, Mario.

CUT TO:

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT

The streets are nearly deserted. Millions of small lights on
the underbelly of the craft cast strange reflections on the
streets below. The Olds drives on its way towards the Capitol
building.

INT. OLDS - CONTINUOUS

David types frustratedly on his laptop.

MOISHE
Not listed, huh?

DAVID
I just haven't found it yet. I
tried C. Halbrook, Connie
Halbrook, Spunky Halbrook...

MOISHE
Spunky?

DAVID
College nickname.

MOISHE
You try Martin?

DAVID
She didn't take my name when we
were married.

Moishe shrugs. David gives it a shot. Finds it. The machine
BEEPS.

MOISHE
(sarcastic)
So what do I know?

CUT TO:

INT. LOCKER ROOM - EL TORO MARINE CORPS STATION - NIGHT

A crowded locker room. Steve enters.

MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Where the hell've you been?

STEVE
Ah, were you guys waiting for me?

Several Marines throws towels at Steve as he makes his way to
his locker. His best friend, JIMMY, sits next to him.

JIMMY
Can you believe it? This is
serious shit, Stevie. They've
recalled everyone!

As Steve sits he SEES some envelops stuck into the side of his
locker.

STEVE
Well, the mail's still working.

He flips through the envelops and FREEZES when he sees one
with the NASA insignia on it. Jimmy snatches it away from
him.

JIMMY
Junk mail. You don't want this.

Steve quickly snatches it back, right it open and reads. From
the disappointment on his face we can tell it's bad news.
Realizing, Jimmy puts a hand on Steve's shoulder.

JIMMY
I don't believe it. They make you
learn how to fly everything from
an Apache to a Harrier and still
they turn you down? What else do
they want you to learn?

STEVE
How to kiss ass.

Steve crumples at the letter and tosses it. Angrily he opens his
locker. Pasted on the locker door we see photos of Jasmine
next to the photos of the space shuttle, Apollo Missions, and a
NASA insignia bumper sticker.

As Steve stuffs his jacket into the locker, something falls
out. Before Steve can grab it, Jimmy snatches it up first.

JIMMY
(embarrassed)
Jasmine has this thing for
dolphins. I had them make it...

STEVE
I thought you said you were doing
to break it off.

Steve snatches it back, embarrassed.

JIMMY (cont'd)
Steve, listen to me, you're never
gonna get to fly the space shuttle
if you marry a stripper.

Steve knows he's right. He's torn.

CUT TO:

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT

The Olds stops near the White House. From here we can SEE
tanks and armed patrols. A small group of protesters have
gathered, upset about the military hardware. Signs: "Don't
provoke" "Violence begets Violence."

INT. ODS - CONTINUOUS

David adjusts a small portable satellite, connecting it to his
phon and laptop computer.

MOISHE
So, you want to ring the bell or
should I?

David flips open the phone, dials the number on the screen.

DAVID
Perfect, she's using it.

MOISHE
It's perfect the line is busy?

DAVID
Yes. I can use he signal to
triangulate her exact position in
the White House.

MOISHE
You can do that?

Shooting his father a look.

DAVID
(sarcastic)
All cable repairmen can.

INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Constance is just finishing a call on her cellular phone.

CONSTANCE
...Sally, take my cat with when
you leave. No I'm staying here at
the White House. Take care.

The moment she hangs up, it RINGS. Surprised, she answers.

CONSTANCE
What?

DAVID
(filtered)
Connie, don't hang up.

CONSTANCE
David? How'd you get this number?

DAVID
Walk to the window. Right in
front of you.

Constance looks up to the large glass windows. She walks over
to it, looking out.

CONSTANCE
What am I looking for?

CONSTANCE'S POV - STREET - OLDS - DAVID

Between two of the tanks outside, Constance can SEE David
standing on top of the Olds across the street. Moishe steps
out, waves. Constance is stunned.

CONSTANCE
(to herself)
How does he do that?

CUT TO:

INT. BRENNON TRAILER - NIGHT

Sulking, Alicia sits in back with he walkman on. Troy sleeps
while Miguel drives. Suddenly Miguel his the brakes, as
something comes SAILING DOWN FROM THE SKY.

We realize it's the B-WING PLANE landing on the stretch of
roadway directly in front of them.

EXT. ROADWAY - CONTINUOUS

The plane lands, skids into a turn. Russell jumps out, walks
over to the trailer. We can tell he's drunk again.

MIGUEL
They let you out?

RUSSELL
Just what the hell do you think
you're doing?

Miguel moves to meet Russell away from the trailer, not
wanting the others to hear.

MIGUEL
We're leaving, don't try and stop
us.

RUSSELL
You're not going anywhere. You
hear me? I'm still your father.

Miguel explodes, this has been building up for some time.

MIGUEL
No, you're not! You're just the man
who married my mother. You're
nothing to me!

Russell is momentarily silent, stunned. Recovering...

RUSSELL
Troy's still my son no matter how
you feel about me.

MIGUEL
For once in your life think about
what's best for Troy. Who has to
beg for money to buy him medicine
when you screw up? Who?

Suddenly we hear glass CRASHING. Both men spin to find Troy
standing behind them.

TROY
Stop it! I'm not a baby! I don't
need your stupid medicine. I
don't need anyone to take care of
me!

Miguel leans down to see the broken MEDICINE BOTTLE on the
floor. Miguel rushes over to him, furious.

MIGUEL
You know what this stuff costs?
Do you want to get sick again!?
Do you!?

Frustrated, Miguel shoves Troy aside and heads back into the
trailer. Wobbly from the drinking, Russell stands there
pathetically, watching.

EXT. ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE - NIGHT

A large group of press rush over toward FOUR APACHE
HELICOPTERS, each refitted with a large LIGHT BOARDS, as they
slowly lift off the ground. Cameras flash, reporters yell
questions to the Officers assigned to keep them at bay.

Several news organizations do stand up remotes. We TRACK past
them to the CNN crew.

CNN REPORTER
What you see behind me are four
Apache helicopters...

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - SAME

On the television plays the CNN broadcast. The reception is
intermittently disrupted.

CNN REPORTER
(filtered through T.V.)
...each has been refitted with
what Pentagon officially hope will
be our first step in communicating
with the alien craft...

We WIDEN to reveal a large contingent of military personnel
along with the President's chief advisors gathered around
several monitors, (the center monitors are momentarily blank).

Suddenly everyone snaps to attention as the President enters.

PRESIDENT
Where are we?

GENERAL GRAY
They're in the air.

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - SAME

Moishe inspects a photo of Constance with the President,
impressed he nods with approval.

MOISHE
(to himself)
Very nice.

Constance is looking at David's laptop displaying the
breakdown of the alien signal.

CONSTANCE
And when is the countdown supposed
to expire?

DAVID
(checking)
Fifty six minutes, forty five
seconds.

Constance runs her fingers through her hair, exasperated.
Moishe turns, listens.

CONSTANCE
What do you want me to do?

DAVID
I want you to leave with us.
Right now.

CONSTANCE
I can't leave. We have to tell
this to the President.

DAVID
He's not going to listen to me.

Surprised at his son, Moishe steps forward.

MOISHE
Sure he'll listen. Why wouldn't
he?

DAVID
Because last time I saw him I
punched him in the face.

MOISHE
You punched the President in the
face?

DAVID
He wasn't the President then.

CONSTANCE
David thought I was having an
affair, which I wasn't.

MOISHE
Punched the President? Oh my god.

APACHE HELICOPTERS

ZOOM by overhead. In the distance we see they are headed for
the enormous alien craft.

INT. HELICOPTER - PILOT - CONTINUOUS

The PILOT adjusts his radio.

PILOT
Echo one, we are closing in.

EXT. SKIES - CONTINUOUS

The choppers alter their formation, aligning themselves
alongside one another. As the helicopters near the craft, we
see how tiny they appear against the gargantuan space ship.

INT. HALLWAY - ELEVATORS - WHITE HOUSE - MINUTES LATER

The elevator doors open and Moishe steps out, overwhelmed and
impressed. Constance leads them down the hall. Moishe turns
to David, whispers.

MOISHE
If I had known I was going to meet
the President, I'd a worn a tie.
Look at me, I look like a
schlemiel.

INT. OVAL OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

The Office is empty as the trio walks in. Moishe can't
believe he's in there. He straightens himself up, combs his
hair.

CONSTANCE
Wait here. I'll be right back.

David sets up his laptop.

MOISHE
Not on his desk.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - NIGHT

The middle monitors are now on. They show the night vision
P.O.V. of the helicopters as they approach. On the side
monitors we SEE the various news broadcast of this event.

NEWSCASTER
(filtered)
...the helicopters are making
their final approach...

On the middle monitor, through the night vision camera on the
lead helicopter we SEE the side of the craft as the
helicopters near. Everyone in the room watches, tense.

Constance enters and kneels down next to the President,
whispering in his ear. The President gets up and follows
Constance. Chief of Staff Nimziki objects.

NIMZIKI
You're leaving now?

The President silences him with a look. As they exit.

CONSTANCE
I don't know how you put up with
him.

PRESIDENT
He used to run the NASA. He knows
where all the bones are buried.
Comes in handy.

CONSTANCE
I'll bet.

INT. OVAL OFFICE - SAME

The door flies open and Constance and the President enter.
The moment President Whitmore sees David, he freezes.

PRESIDENT
What the hell's he doing here?

Moishe, bursting, steps forward.

MOISHE
Moishe Martinsburg, Mr. President.

CONSTANCE
My ex-husband works in satellite
communications.

PRESIDENT
I don't have time for this...

With a BANG, David suddenly KNOCKS everything off the
President's desk and starts to draw on the ink blotter.

DAVID
It's about "Line o sight," Mr.
President...

David draws a circle representing Earth and a smaller circle
just away from it. The President reluctantly nears.

DAVID
...If you wanted t coordinate
with ships all over the world, you
couldn't send one signal to every
place at the same time. That's
called line of sight...

Drawing a line from the ship of either side of the Earth, we
SEE that you could not send a signal to the other side.

DAVID (cont'd)
...you'd need to relay your signal
using satellites...

David draws small satellites surrounding Earth.

DAVID (cont'd)
...to reach each ship. I have
found a signal hidden inside our
own satellite network.

Suddenly an aide, ALEX, appears in the doorway.

ALEX
Excuse me, Mr. President. They're
starting.

The President turns to the monitor in his office. We SEE the
helicopters turning on the light boards affixed to the front
of their cockpits. He turns back to David.

DAVID
Mr. President, they are using our
own satellites against us and the
clock is ticking.

EXT. HELICOPTERS - SAME - NIGHT

The large light panels TURN ON, multi-colored lights slowly
begins to flash in a repeating sequential patterns.

REVERE ANGLE - HELICOPTERS AND SPACE CRAFT

The helicopters are puny little specs next to this Goliath.
The light boards continues to FLASH but there is no reaction
from the ship.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - SECONDS LATER

Everyone is glued to the monitors as the President storms in.

PRESIDENT
General Grey, co-ordinate with
Atlantic Command. Tell them they
have twenty five minutes to get as
many people out of the cities as
they can.

GENERAL GREY
But Mr. President...

PRESIDENT
And get those helicopters away
from the ship. Call them back
immediately.

General Grey obeys, turning to an assistant who quickly grabs
a phone. Nimziki steps up to the President.

NIMZIKI
What the hell's going on?

PRESIDENT
We're leaving.

An AIDE motions to the monitors.

AIDE
They're responding.

The room goes silent, everyone turns to the monitors.

MONITOR - NEWS PROGRAM & NIGHT VISION VIDEO

On all screens we SEE the space ship as a long thin line of
WHITE LIGHT suddenly emits from the side of the craft,
illuminating the four Apache Helicopters.

EXT. APACHE HELICOPTERS - SAME

The light boards are overpowered by the bright light coming
from the space craft. Suddenly with a loud SCREECHING NOISE,
the white light spills out as the huge OPENING unfolds at the
side of the craft.

The four helicopters have to flight to hold their positions, as
something powerful emits from the schism in the ship.

Then like a gigantic bug-zapper, the four pesky little Apache
Helicopters are BLOWN OUT OF THE SKY, one by one. They leave
no time to retreat.

INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

Mrs. Whitmore packs her bag, as the horrifying image of the
destruction of the helicopter replays on the T.V.

SECRET SERVICEMAN
Mrs. Whitmore? The President has
ordered the evacuation. We have
to leave, now.

She slams her valise SHUT and quickly exits.

POLICE HELICOPTER

SOARS over us, headed directly for downtown Los Angeles.

EXT. ROOFTOP - SAME

The UFO true believers are still there, holding up their
signs. Making her way through several of them we see Tiffany.
She looks up to the spacecraft above.

TIFFANY
(awed)
It's beautiful.

She digs her drawing of an alien out of her purse as she
excitedly rushes up to the others. She holds it up to the
sky, proudly.

POLICE HELICOPTER

From out of nowhere the helicopter LIFTS up over the side of
the building, shining its spotlight down the believers
below.

POLICE (P.A.)
...we are evacuating the city.
Please leave the building at once.

The sign holders begin to "boo" the police, ignoring them.

EXT. CITY STREET - PASADENA THROUGHWAY - SAME

The freeway is packed on both sides, every car headed out of
town. There is no opposing traffic.

INT. JASMINE'S CAR - SAME

Dylan holds Boomers as Jasmine drives. The news plays over her
car radio.

RADIO VOICE
...authorities have called for a
complete evacuation of Los Angeles
County. People are advised to
avoid the highways whenever
possible.

JASMINE
Now he tells me.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - SAME

The President stops on his way to the Presidential helicopter
as an aide brings his daughter outside. The President ushers
her into the helicopter. He turns back and see a military
guard holding back Moishe and David.

PRESIDENT
They're okay. Let them on!

INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS

The President steps inside, turns to General Grey.

PRESIDENT
Is my wife in the air?

GENERAL GREY
She should be shortly.

David flips open his laptop which reads: 09:07. 09:96...

EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS

The Presidential helicopter lifts off as several other
helicopters wait behind, people filing into them.

EXT. ROOFTOPS - LOS ANGELES - SAME

The Police helicopter is still flashing their lights at the
UFO believers who refuse to budge. Suddenly the entire
rooftop is BATHED IN WHITE LIGHT. They all grow silent
staring up at the craft.

Above them another SCHISM has opened at the bottom of the
craft, the white light spilling out.

As though the heavens had opened, the UFO believers lift their
arms, waiting to be taken.

BELIEVERS
Take me! No, take me! Take me!

Slowly, this beam of light from the base of the ship
INTENSIFIES directly on the top of this building.

EXT. HELIPORT - SAME

Standing on this rooftop heliport directly across from the UFO
believers, the First Lady watches them, concerned.

SECRET SERVICEMAN
(yelling over helicopter)
Mrs. Whitmore!

Reluctantly, the First Lady turns and runs for the helicopter.
The door is shut and the helicopter takes off.

EXT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING - SAME

With a ROAR, the Presidential helicopter ZOOMS past, behind it
we see an enormous SCHISM opening beneath the space craft.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - SAME

Alex is helping people get onto the remaining helicopters.
Suddenly he is bathed in WHITE LIGHT. He looks up and sees
the SCHISM, its WHITE BEAM coming directly down upon the White
House.

EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - SAME

The pinnacle of this landmark is abruptly illuminated in WHITE
LIGHT. We PAN UP to the space craft above, the beam
intensifying from the SCHISM below the ship.

EXT. ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE - SAME

The Presidential helicopter lands. The President and his
group are ushered over to AIR FORCE ONE which stands only
hundred yard away.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

The door OPENS and the President and his advisors rush in.
David flops down into a seat, quickly flips open his laptop
which reads: 00:05, 00:04...

EXT. ROOFTOP - LOS ANGELES - SAME

As the light amplifies, the believers chant, louder and
louder. Suddenly the white light DISAPPEARS. The believers
are stunned. In a brief moment it is replaced with a BLAST.

A DESTRUCTION BEAM BLASTS down onto the rooftop, splintering
everything there, Police helicopter included, into a billion
tiny particles.

Tiffany is he epicenter, from here the WALL OF DESTRUCTION GROWS
outwardly, destroying everything in its path.

EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - SAME

Just as the BLAST HITS, the historic building is DECIMATED.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - SAME

Alex shuts the door on a helicopter. As he steps back the
white light VANISHES. He looks up as the BLAST replaces the
beam.

ANGLE - WHITE HOUSE

Just as one of the helicopters pass us, the White House
SPLINTERS BEFORE OUR EYES.

EXT. ANDREWS - RUNWAY - AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

Air Force One quickly taxis down the runway toward us.
Behind them in the distance we can SEE the DESTRUCTIVE beam
GROWING OUTWARDLY from the epicenter.

THE CAPITOL BUILDING

The WALL OF DESTRUCTION reaches the Capitol Building,
fragmenting into a trillion particles.

THE PENTAGON

Washed under the WALL OF DESTRUCTION, the Pentagon, too, is
blown to smithereens.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

Thick with tension. Everyone is white-knuckled, anxious for
take off as they taxi quicky down the runway.

EXT. ANDREWS - RUNWAY - AIR FORCE ONE

Air Force one, full throttle. It LIFTS OFF just in time to
miss the WALL OF DESTRUCTION as it rips apart the airport
behind them, dangerously close.

WIDE ANGLES - WASHINGTON, D.C.

We SEE the WAVE OF DESTRUCTION growing outwardly from the
epicenter, ENGULFING ALL OF WASHINGTON.

Air Force One is just barely making it out in time.

EXT. PASADENA FREEWAY - SAME

Jasmine's car is caught in traffic just outside the tunneled
underpass at the Griffith Park Mountains.

RADIO NEWSMAN
(filtered)
...My God. It's destroying
everything in its path.
Widening...

Suddenly the radio CUTS OUT. Jasmine turns around and SEES...

JASMINE'S POV - FREEWAY & DOWNTOWN

Far off the devastation of downtown can be seen. The WALL OF
DESTRUCTION growing towards us.

Reacting, Jasmine grabs Dylan and dashes out of the car.
Boomer follows. Every drivers who can, jumps out of their
cars, running in all directions.

Jasmine heads for the tunnel.

ANGLE - FREEWAY

The grid-locked cars have nowhere to run as the WALL OF
DESTRUCTION grows out from downtown. All the cars are WIPED
OUT in a row, sitting ducks.

ANGLE - OVERPASS - BRIDGES

Packed with cars. They're quickly demolished as the WALL OF
DESTRUCTION blasts by.

INT. TUNNEL - SAME

Jasmine turns back from the tunnel entrance.

JASMINE'S POV - WALL OF DESTRUCTION

Ever nearing, only moments away.

Jasmine spots an open MAINTENANCE ALCOVE deep within the
tunnel. She runs to it, puts Dylan inside and climbs in after
him.

Leaning back out, Jasmine looks for Boomer who stares at her,
wagging his tail.

JASMINE
Boomer, come. Come boy!

Boomer LEAPS inside and Jasmine ducks to the side of the WALL
OF DESTRUCTION hits the tunnel entrance, cars are JAMMED
TOGETHER, SMASHING into one another.

Suddenly the car ARE BLOWN CLEAR THROUGH THE TUNNEL like so
many toy Hot Wheel cars.

Inside the Maintenance alcove, Jasmine shields Dylan and
Boomer with her body.

EXT. MANHATTAN - WIDE ANGLE - SAME

From a distance we WATCH as all of Manhattan is consumed from
its center outwardly by the growing WALL OF DESTRUCTION.
Within seconds all of Manhattan is gone.

The WALL OF DESTRUCTION reaches its outer most edges and fades
away.

The SCHISM under the craft slowly CLOSES. The ship now hovers
over a completely wiped out Manhattan.

SLOW DISSOLVE:

INT. BRENNON TRAILER - PRE-DAWN

A hand adjusts the trailer radio.

RADIO
(filtered)
...reports are unclear as to the
extent of the devastation, but
from all accounts, Los Angeles,
Washington and New York have been
left in ruins...

Russell shoots a worried look over to Miguel. Suddenly Troy
moves up to the front on wobbly legs.

TROY
Guys, I don't feel so good.

RUSSELL
When was the last time you had
your medicine?

TROY
Four days... five?

Troy looks really sick. Miguel is shocked.

MIGUEL
But I gave you some this morning.

TROY
I didn't take it. I thought I
didn't need it anymore.

EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - SAME

The trailer, with Russell's Bi-wing in tow, pulls over. Troy
rushes out, vomiting on the side of the road. Miguel comes to
his aide. Russell steps out and walks to the curve in the
highway.

RUSSELL
Miguel? Come take a look at this.

Reluctantly Miguel leaves his brother's side.

POV - RUSSELL AND MIGUEL

Below an entire valley filled with campers, trailers and
busses. An instant refugee city, if you will, for as far as
the eye can see. Spectacular.

CUT TO:

INT. EL TORO - BRIEFING ROOM - MORNING

Thirty-five pilots are being briefed by their Commanding
Office, CAPTAIN WATSON who points to a fuzzy photograph of
the craft over Los Angeles.

WATSON
You will be the first wave in our
counter attack. Though
surveillance satellite
reconnaissance has been impaired,
we have a fix on our primary
target.

Steve and Jimmy sit next to each other near the back of the
room

STEVE
(whispered)
You won't exactly need radar to
find it.

Jimmy chuckles. Watson is annoyed.

WATSON
You want to add something to this
briefing, Lt. Hill?

Steve smiles confidently.

STEVE
Sorry, Sir. Just real anxious to
kick some alien ass.

Everyone chuckles, including Captain Watson.

EXT. EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION - MOMENTS LATER

Huge hangar doors open revealing an F/A-18 HORNET, one of the
U.S.A.F.'s elite.

TARMAC - OVERHEAD SHOT

Thirty F/A-18s await take off on the tarmac as Technicians and
Flight Crews race for position.

ENGINE BLAST

The heat waves momentarily obscure our view as the F/A-18s
take to the air.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

The President is deeply contemplative. Constance sits down
next to him. She knows what he's thinking.

CONSTANCE
You saved a lot of lives.

PRESIDENT
I could have evacuated the cities
hours ago.
(beat)
You know, when I flew in the Gulf
War everything is simple. We
knew what we had to do. It's not
simple anymore, Connie. A lot of
people died today. How many
didn't have to?

Constance realizes there's no comforting him. She supports
him silently by being there. General Grey comes over.

PRESIDENT
Any news on my wife?

GENERAL GREY
The helicopter never arrived at
Nellis and there's been no radio
contact.

The news rocks the President. They both know what that means.

GENERAL GREY (cont'd)
The fighters are in the air.

Whitmore nods and follows the General to the back of the
plane.

COMMAND CENTER - AIR FORCE ONE

Military Command has been set up on Air Force One, a kind of
flying NORAD. Military and technical crew are seated at the
controls. Nimziki is already there.

GENERAL GREY
All satellites, microwave and
ground communications with the
cities are gone. We believe we're
looking at a total loss.

Maintaining his composure, the President looks up at the many
tracking screens.

PRESIDENT
Where are they?

GENERAL GREY
(pointing)
ETA with target; four minutes.

EXT. BLUE SKIES - TACTICAL FIGHTERS - SAME

Five F/A-18 fighters move into frame. As we WIDEN we REVEAL a
total of 30 F/A-18s in attack formation, destination Los
Angeles.

INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME

Steve pulls a long cigar out of his breast pocket.

STEVE
(into radio)
Jimmy crack corn, do you have
victory dance?

INT. JIMMY'S FIGHTER - SAME

Jimmy pulls his cigar out. Examines it.

JIMMY
(into radio)
That is an affirmative. I have
victory dance. Mmmmmmm.

STEVE
(filtered)
Don't get premature on me, Jimmy.
We don't light up 'til the Fat
Lady sings.

JIMMY
I hear you.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - PASSENGER SECTION - SAME

Air sick, David holds a "barf bag" as Moishe talks.

MOISHE
It's Air Force One for crying out
loud. Still he gets sick?

DAVID
Moishe, please, don't talk.

Moishe pats his belly.

MOISHE
Look at me, like a rock. Good
weather, bad, doesn't matter.
(motions with his hands)
We can go up and down, back and
forth, side to side...

David can't take any more of this story and takes off running
for the bathroom.

MOISHE
What I say?

Constance comes over, sits next to Moishe.

CONSTANCE
He still gets air sick, huh? In
all of this I didn't get the
chance to thank you two.

MOISHE
Think nothing of it, Spanky.

Constance smiles, corrects him.

CONSTANCE
Spunky. He told you about that?

MOISHE
(nods)
All he could think about was
getting to you. There's still
love there I think.

CONSTANCE
(sadly)
Love was never our problem.

MOISHE
All you need is love. John
Lennon. Smart man. Shot in the
back, very sad.

EXT. SKIES - SAME

In the distance we can see the devastated Los Angeles, the
space craft still hovering above it. The Fighters zoom into
frame.

INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME

Steve looks down, becomes worried.

STEVE
I shouldn't have left her.

JIMMY
(filtered)
Don't worry, big guy. I'm sure
she got out of here before it
happened.

Steve nods absently.

STEVE
Let's lock and load.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

The center F/A-18 on the radar map begins to FLASH yellow,
just under its image. We SEE a video display of its FLIR
(forward-looking infrared) targeting system, locked on.

TECHNICIAN
Los Angeles attack squadron has
AMRAAM missiles locked on target.

TECHNICIAN #2
Washington and New York squadrons,
reporting lock on.

GENERAL GREY
Fire at will.

EXT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME

An Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) DROPS
down from the underbelly of the fighter, DARTING OFF.

Radar targeted, the missile BANKS hard, adjusting. We SEE it
is joined by FOURTEEN other missiles, all rocketing towards
their target.

EXT. ALIEN SHIP - SECONDS LATER

The missiles are headed straight for the alien ship.
Suddenly about a quarter mile before they reach it, they
EXPLODE, as though blown out of the sky.

When the smoke clears we see there has been zero damage.

INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME

STEVE
Damn it!

JIMMY
(filtered)
I didn't even see them fire!

STEVE
Command, Eagle One. Switching to
"sidewinders." We're moving in.

EXT. SKIES - SAME

In unison these amazing birds DIVE together, realigning
themselves into six groups of five, spreading out to attack
different areas of the ship.

STEVE'S GROUP

The first attack group, Steve's, are the first to near the
colossal alien craft. Simultaneously they drop their AIM-9
sidewinder missiles.

PACK OF AIM-9 SIDEWINDER MISSILES

They reach the same quarter-mile proximity and EXPLODE.

INT. STEVE'S FIGHTER - SAME

STEVE
They must have some kind of
protective shield surrounding
their hull. Pull up.

Most of the fighters do, but one is too late and SMASHES into
the ship's protective shield.

EXT. SKIES - SAME

Steve's squadron BANKS hard, skirting the edge of the ship's
protective shield.

As the fighters approach, the alien ship's enormous ATTACK BAY
doors OPEN. Suddenly DOZENS OF ALIEN ATTACKERS dart out
towards our fighters.

STEVE
(filtered)
Evasive maneuvers! Check Six!

Just moving away in time, our Fighters barely dodge the
oncoming enemy Attackers as they FIRE a HAILSTORM of FIREPOWER
(tracker bullet-like lasers) showering the sky.

As Steve's plane DIVES, an Attacker follows. Jimmy's plane
pulls up behind the attacker.

HEADS UP DISPLAY - HUD

Jimmy's HUD has the alien attacker in his sights.

JIMMY
(filtered)
Got you covered, Stevie.

Jimmy FIRES, another AIM-9 Sidewinder TAKES OFF.

ALIEN ATTACKER

The Sidewinder overtakes the attacker as Steve ROLLS AWAY out
of position. Five yards before the sidewinder can get to the
Attacker, it EXPLODES.

JIMMY
Shit! They've got shield too.

STEVE'S FIGHTER

Banks back around to get a shot. Just as he turns, three
American Fighters are BLOWN TO RIBBONS from Attacker tracer
fire.

The Attackers are in hot pursuit of Jimmy's fighter. The
Fighter flying next to Jimmy is DEMOLISHED.

STEVE
Jimmy, roll right. I'll cover.

Jimmy's fighter narrowly rolls away from the tracer fire as
Steve fires another Sidewinder, momentarily distracting the
Attacker.

Jimmy falls in line with Steve as the attackers turn on them.
Both fighters jerk downwards at a ninety degree angle at MACH
ONE. Narrowly missing the ground, they bank away. The
Attackers can't follow.

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - SAME

Fighter after fighter begin to disappear from the display
screens.

CONSTANCE
We're losing them.

PRESIDENT
Then get them out of there.

Suddenly one of the large radar display maps FIZZLES OUT.

TECHNICIAN
We've lost the satellite.

Before he can adjust, another monitor FIZZLES AWAY.

EXT. LOS ANGELES - SAME

One by one we SEE the fighters getting TAKEN OUT. Fireballs
litter the laser-tracer fire covered skies.

STEVE
Maybe we can out run them. Follow
my lead.

Jimmy and Steve bank away from the craft, hit the supercruise,
BOLTING AWAY at Mach 2.

Both Jimmy and Steve are held tight against their seats,
straining against the G-Force.

Two Attackers spot them and follow in hot pursuit.

Steve and Jimmy are flying at breakneck speeds, the attackers
slowly gaining on them.

STEVE
Jimmy, kick it! They're gaining.

JIMMY
We're already over Mach 2!

STEVE
So push it!

Readouts show the planes flying beyond measurement.

INT. JIMMY'S FIGHTER - SAME

As the planes accelerate, Jimmy fights to remain conscious.

JIMMY
Stevie... I can't...

STEVE
Jimmy, stay with me.

Jimmy slowly loses consciousness. His fighter slows, drifting
off to the right.

STEVE
JIMMY!

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