FADE IN:
EXT. GREEN VALLEY -- AFTERNOON
Quiet. Peaceful. Serene.
The earth rumbles. Slow. Rolling. From one end of town to the other.
Windows rattle. Car alarms blare.
Then silence.
INT. MASON HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER
Twelve year-old CHELSEY MASON, too tall and gangly to be graceful, but showing signs of puberty, tears through the hall. Her excited grin reveals braces.
Down the stairs. Slips once.
Hovers a moment. Her eyes snap open in surprise. She falls.
Grabs the banister. Regains her footing. Hurries to the bottom.
Looks back at the stairs. At herself. Shakes her head.
Resumes her dash through the house.
CHELSEY
Did you feel that?
Into the--
LIVING ROOM
Elegant furniture saved for special occasions. Warm in earth tones with just the right touch of spot color to break the monotony.
A family portrait above the fireplace. A cushioned window seat beside the picture windows. Drapes pulled back to reveal bright flowers and a perfectly-manicured lawn outside.
Her mom, housewife MELANIE MASON, late-thirties, pretty even in faded jeans and a tee shirt, even-tempered, waters house plants.
CHELSEY
Was it an earthquake?
Into the--
KITCHEN
Bright. Sun streams through windows above the sink that look out onto the back yard. A windowed door with valances leads into a garden outside.
Cheery. Furnished in light, airy pastels. Country overtones in the accents and choice of kitchen linens.
Spotless. From the ceramic counter tops to the gleaming floor.
Her dad, middle-aged JOHN MASON, rugged, good-looking, sweaty, short-tempered drinks a glass of ice water. Looks out the window.
CHELSEY
Did you feel it, Daddy?
JOHN
Calm down, sweet potato.
Chelsey jumps up and down.
CHELSEY
Do you think we'll have another one?
Melanie enters. Leans against the door frame. Arms crossed. A smile plays at the corners of her mouth.
MELANIE
There could be aftershocks.
Chelsey's eyes widen. She claps her hands together.
CHELSEY
Aftershocks?
John sets his glass down. Grins.
CHELSEY
I'm going to call Robin.
Dashes out past Melanie, who moves out of her way.
CHELSEY (O.S.)
This is soooooo cool.
John sets his glass down. Hugs her.
JOHN
You just have to encourage her.
Melanie pulls away with a grimace. Waves a hand in front of her face.
MELANIE
Save the hug for after your shower.
John laughs. Pulls her into his arms.
JOHN
So, how about I shower right now?
Looks around conspiratorially.
MELANIE
Then fix burgers to barbeque?
John pretends indignance.
JOHN
While you're doing...what?
Melanie holds up one finger.
MELANIE
Dishes.
Second finger.
MELANIE
Laundry.
Third finger.
MELANIE
Dusting.
Fourth finger.
MELANIE
Unless you want to--
John releases her.
JOHN
Burgers it is.
An aftershock rumbles through the house. Windows rattle. John's glass crashes to the floor.
Melanie holds up her fourth finger again.
MELANIE
Clean up broken glass.
INT. MASON LIVING ROOM -- LATER
Doorbell rings.
Melanie enters wiping her hands on her jeans.
Doorbell rings again.
MELANIE
I'm coming. I'm coming.
Opens the front door.
Nobody.
Looks around. Nobody in sight.
Starts to shut door. Her gaze drops.
She freezes.
A vase of black roses sits on the doorstep.
Melanie's eyes widen. She takes a step back.
JOHN (O.S.)
Was that the door?
Melanie glances over her shoulder guiltily. Snatches the vase from the step.
A card falls off. Her name is neatly scripted on the envelope.
She swallows hard.
She grabs the envelope. Rips it open.
CARD
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WILDFIRE.
I'VE MISSED YOU.
Melanie gasps.
The vase slips from her hand. Crashes on the floor.
She drops the card. It bursts into flame. Turns to ash by the time it hits the floor.
JOHN (O.S.)
Mel? What happened?
John rushes into the room as Melanie sweeps the last bit of ash under the carpet.
Spots the broken vase. The crushes roses.
JOHN
What's that?
Melanie looks at him. At the flowers. At the open door.
MELANIE
I...I...
John stomps to the door. Outside. Looks around.
JOHN
Damn kids.
Back inside. Slams the door.
JOHN
You okay, hon?
Takes Melanie in his arms.
Melanie nods. Faraway look in her eyes. Laughs weakly.
MELANIE
It was just a childish prank.
John studies her for a minute, but she pulls free.
MELANIE
I'm okay.
Bends to pick up broken glass. Grins up at him.
MELANIE
Really.
John grins.
JOHN
If you're sure...
MELANIE
Go, silly. Make hamburgers. Practice the manly art of barbecuing.
John exits.
Melanie picks up each piece of glass. Avoids the roses.
Wisps of ash remain on the floor. She studies them intently. Avoids looking at the roses.
Clutches the glass in one hand until blood seeps through her fingers.
The roses burst into flame.
She watches them burn. Watches the flames leap. Then die.
Her jaw clenches. She reaches into the flames to pick up one rose. Flames lick at her hand.
She crushes the rose. Watches the remains burn in her palm.
MELANIE
Don't mess with me, Roger.
Watches the remaining roses turn to ash.
MELANIE
If you do, things might get ugly.
INT. MASON FAMILY ROOM -- NIGHT
Only light from the TV illuminates the room.
Melanie and John cuddle on the sofa. Watch the news. Kiss.
MATTHEW (O.S.)
Mom! Did you wash my band uniform?
Melanie draws back with a sigh.
MELANIE
Yes.
More kissing.
CHELSEY (O.S.)
Mom, I can't find my project.
Another sigh.
MELANIE
Living room table.
MATTHEW (O.S.)
Mom!
Melanie disentangles herself from John.
MELANIE
I'm going up there, or they're never going to sleep.
John holds onto her hand as she stands and moves around the sofa.
MELANIE
I'll be right back. I promise.
He releases her. She leaves.
He turns to watch the news.
TELEVISION
A seasoned WEATHERMAN points at the weather map decorated with highs and lows. Smiling sunshine images. Frowning rain images.
WEATHERMAN
Up here, around the Great Lakes, we're getting some warming thanks to that new volcano up in Canada.
Grins.
WEATHERMAN
Thanks, guys. We needed something to break the ice.
FAMILY ROOM
John leans forward. Elbows on knees.
JOHN
A volcano in...
Turns to yell out of the room.
JOHN
Mel, did you hear about that volcano in Canada?
Moment's silence.
MELANIE (O.S.)
What did you say?
JOHN
I said there's a volcano in Canada.
Turns back to the TV.
TELEVISION
Weatherman draws his new smoking volcano on the map.
Turns to the news desk, where three newscasters grin back at him.
WEATHERMAN
Back to you, Carl.
CARL BINGHAM, lead newscaster, smiles for the camera.
CARL
Speaking of the new volcano, researchers believe it's caused the water level in the Great Lakes, to drop by three inches.
FAMILY ROOM
Melanie leans over the back of the sofa. Wraps her arms around John from behind.
MELANIE
So, what's all this nonsense about...
Her jaw drops.
CARL (O.S.)
And, Canada isn't the only place with some shaking going on.
MELANIE
Oh, my god.
CARL (O.S.)
We had a little shaking of our own here today.
John turns to pull her down for a kiss.
JOHN
It's nothing to worry about. Canada's a long way from--
Melanie pulls away. Distracted.
MELANIE
Sh-h-h. I want to hear this.
She makes her way around the sofa. Her eyes never leave the TV.
CARL (O.S.)
A 3.0 earthquake woke up sleepy Green Valley this morning, followed by a 5.0 around noon.
Melanie drops onto the sofa. Swallows hard.
TELEVISION
Carl looks at his notes. Back at the camera.
CARL
But, that's tame compared to the rest of the world.
Inset photo of Italy.
CARL
Authorities in Italy announced today that the rash of earthquakes there has forced the Leaning Tower of Pisa to slant another inch.
FAMILY ROOM
John laughs.
JOHN
Is that possible?
MELANIE
Sh-h-h.
John gives her a look.
CARL (O.S.)
And, in the Swiss Alps, temperatures have risen another ten degrees since Tuesday.
TELEVISION
Inset of flash floods in Switzerland.
CARL
Melting snow has caused flash floods in the towns below.
MELANIE (O.S.)
How awful.
JOHN (O.S.)
Some nut's going to start with the end of the world doom and gloom soon.
FAMILY ROOM
Melanie's eyes remain glued to the TV.
MELANIE
How long has this been--
JOHN
You need to watch the news more, sweetie.
Scoots over to wrap an arm around her waist.
Melanie moves away from him.
MELANIE
When do I have time?
John snorts. Pushes himself up off the sofa.
JOHN
I'm going to bed.
Melanie remains transfixed by scenes of disaster on TV.
John stops behind the sofa.
JOHN
You hear me?
Melanie nods.
JOHN
I'll be waiting for you.
INT. CITY STREET -- NIGHT
Deserted. Silent.
Melanie runs down the center. Her footsteps the only sound in the darkness.
The skeletal remains of buildings loom over her. Burned out car hulks litter the street. Fires light up the darkness.
She looks over her shoulder. Drags in a deep breath. Runs faster.
The earth quakes and she stumbles. Regains her balance. Continues running.
The ground opens up in front of her. A burst of steam blocks her way.
Melanie shields her face. Darts to the right.
Another vent opens and she stumbles backwards. Teeters on the edge of a crevice filled with flowing lava.
She screams. Backpedals. Turns to find herself face to face with--
CHAOS, a tall man dressed in a black body suit and mask. On his chest, a starburst crystal emblem radiates energy.
CHAOS
I've missed you, Melanie.
Her eyes widen. She takes a step back.
MELANIE
You're supposed to be--
Melanie stumbles backwards. Falls into a freshly opened fissure.
Another earthquake. And the fissure closes to swallow her.
INT. MASON MASTER BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Melanie screams.
Sits up suddenly. Her eyes glow. She searches the darkness.
John sleeps soundly beside her.
FAMILY ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
Melanie looks out the window into the still night. Wrapped in a bathrobe. Glass of milk in hand.
MELANIE
He can't be alive.
Sip of milk.
MELANIE
I saw him die.
She looks down into her glass of milk. Her gaze grows distant. Bubbles churn at the bottom of the glass. Explode at the surface.
Steam rises from the boiling milk. Melanie takes another drink.
EXT. MASON'S FRONT PORCH -- MORNING (TWO WEEKS LATER)
Chelsey runs out the front door. Backpack on her back. Clutches her notebook in one hand. Sack lunch in the other.
CHELSEY
Bye, Mom! Love you!
School bus pulls up in front of house.
CHELSEY
(taunting)
You're going to miss the bus, Matt!
She dashes across the well-manicured lawn.
Up the bus steps at a run. She stops to speak with the driver, then darts to the back. Slips into a seat.
Doors close. It speeds away. Just as--
MATTHEW MASON, fourteen, nerdy, almost handsome, always late, staggers from the house. Slips into his backpack. Trips down the front steps.
Melanie appears. Hands him a lunch. Kisses his cheek.
He runs to the edge of the lawn.
MATT
Wait!
Watches bus disappear down the street.
Throws his lunch down. Stomps on it. Puts his fist halfway through a tree trunk.
INT. MELANIE'S CAR -- SHORT WHILE LATER
Matt sits hunched on the passenger side. Backpack in his lap. Expression dark.
Melanie glances at him. Back at the street.
MELANIE
You can't be sure of that.
Matt turns to look out the window. Shoves his backpack to the floor.
MATT
She's done it before.
Melanie glances over again. Sympathetic.
MELANIE
Why didn't you tell me?
Matt punches the glove box. It explodes with registration papers. Bobby pins. Loose change.
MATT
There's nothing you can do.
He crosses his arms. Slips down in his seat.
Melanie looks faintly worried.
MELANIE
You need to control that temper.
MATT
Yeah, yeah--
Melanie's expression grows grim. Hard.
MELANIE
I mean it.
Matt sobers.
MATT
Okay.
Car stops. Matt looks out the window at a group of kids standing in front of the school building.
Chelsey grins at him.
MATT
I hate this place.
MELANIE
Matt...
He opens the car door. Snatches his backpack.
MELANIE
Control your temper.
Door slams.
Melanie watches Matt shoulder his backpack. Push past Chelsey and her friends.
Chelsey taunts him.
Melanie's eyes narrow. Flash.
TRAFFIC GUARD (O.S.)
Excuse me, Miss.
Melanie jumps. The glow fades from her eyes.
The TRAFFIC GUARD, a grizzled old man with few front teeth, leans into the car.
TRAFFIC GUARD
You can't park here.
INT. GROCERY STORE -- DAY
Melanie pushes an empty shopping cart through the produce department. Squeezes tomatoes. Thumps a watermelon. Sighs.
The floor trembles gently.
She stops. Looks down. Excitement lights her eyes.
MELANIE
Roger?
Her breath quickens.
The rumble grows. The floor rolls with motion.
A can falls from the top of a display of green peas. Rolls across the floor.
A jar of mayonnaise falls off an end cap behind her. Shatters!
Melanie leaps away. Abandons her groceries.
Customers scream. Push. Shove. Stumble over one another as they rush for the door.
The lights flash. Then die.
Melanie walks slowly down a darkened aisle. Looks right. Then left.
The hum of freezer cases dies. The air conditioning fades.
Silence.
Melanie's eyes flash. The darkness around her lights up.
She takes a cautious step forward. Then another. Around a corner--
To find a lone figure outlined at the front of the store. Dressed in body armor. Eyes glow through helmet eyepieces.
She stops. Gasps.
The figure steps forward. Reaches out.
Becomes visible as--
A POLICE OFFICER, searching the store with a flashlight. Young. Nervous.
POLICE OFFICER
You okay, Miss?
Melanie blinks. Images of Chaos fade.
POLICE OFFICER
Anybody else back there?
He shines the beam behind her.
Her cell phone rings. She whips it out.
MELANIE
Hello?
She listens a moment. Her fingers tremble.
MELANIE
No.
(beat)
Yes, of course. I'll be right there.
INT. GREEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE -- LATER
Efficient. Professional. Bookcases flank the desk.
Awards and diplomas fill the wall behind LUCY PETERSON, professionally dressed, older principal.
Melanie sits opposite the desk. Her hands tighten around the arms of the chair.
LUCY
This sort of thing is highly unorthodox, Mrs. Mason.
The door bursts open. John enters. Flushed. Flustered.
JOHN
I came as soon as I heard. Is everyone okay?
Lucy studies him. No expression.
LUCY
Please, Mr. Mason...
She indicates the chair beside Melanie.
LUCY
Sit down.
John looks to Melanie.
JOHN
What's...
Back to Lucy. He drops into the chair.
JOHN
Going on?
Lucy leans forward. Elbows on her desk.
LUCY
There's been an accident, Mr. Mason.
Lucy's gaze hardens.
LUCY
And, until we figure out what happened, Chelsey and Matthew are suspended from school.
INT. MASON HOUSE -- NIGHT
Chelsey and Matthew crouch on the stairs. Dressed for bed.
LIVING ROOM
John paces. Throws his hands in the air.
JOHN
What's happening to our kids?
Melanie huddles on the sofa. Draws her legs up to her chin. Wraps her arms around them.
MELANIE
I don't know. I--
John whirls. Jaw clenched.
JOHN
Normal kids can't fly. Or pick up brick walls...
Turns to pace again.
JOHN
And, throw them on innocent kids.
MELANIE
Matt didn't--
John stops. Turns slowly. Face livid.
JOHN
It's that god damn temper of his.
Melanie swallows hard.
MELANIE
He didn't hurt anyone.
JOHN
He tried to.
MATT (O.S.)
I did not.
John looks out of the living room. Fists clench.
Melanie leaps to her feet. Rounds the sofa. John grabs her arm roughly.
She glares at him until he releases her. Then hurries out to the--
STAIRS
Takes the steps two at a time. Drops down between Chelsey and Matthew.
Tears slide down Chelsey's cheeks.
CHELSEY
Why's this happening?
Matthew's jaw clenches like his father's.
She wraps an arm around each of them. Chelsey buries her face against her mother's neck.
MELANIE
I'm sorry, baby.
Matthew pulls away. Stomps upstairs.
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- MORNING
Spacious. Large windows provide a panoramic view of Green Valley.
Bookcases filled with medical books flank the side walls.
Melanie and John sit in matching chairs. Opposite them, seated behind his expensive desk is DOCTOR PEARSON, white haired, by the book, traditional.
Dr. Pearson digs in the pocket of his white coat. Pulls out a pen.
DOCTOR PEARSON
Strangest thing I've ever seen.
Points at the Masons with the pen.
DOCTOR PEARSON
Could be all the preservatives in food nowadays. Back in my day--
John leans forward. Hands on the edge of the desk.
JOHN
Then why doesn't everybody have...
DOCTOR PEARSON
Super powers?
John sits back. Shakes his head.
Melanie reaches out to take his hand.
DOCTOR PEARSON
I think I have just the thing.
Scribbles a prescription.
DOCTOR PEARSON
Until we can isolate the cause of these powers and attempt to reverse--
Melanie leans forward. Hopeful.
MELANIE
You can reverse them?
DOCTOR PEARSON
We can try.
Doctor Pearson hands John the prescription.
DOCTOR PEARSON
We'll start the tests on Thursday. Until then, two of these twice a day should do the trick.
INT. MASON KITCHEN -- NIGHT
Cooking utensils lie scattered across the counter.
Melanie removes a roast from the oven. Shuts the oven door with one hip.
MATT (O.S.)
I'm not going to take some damn tranquilizers.
JOHN (O.S.)
As long as you live in my house--
CHELSEY (O.S.)
It's Mom's house, too.
JOHN (O.S.)
Who do you think brings home the money while your mom sits on her ass all day?
Melanie stops. Gasps. Looks like someone hit her.
JOHN (O.S.)
What the hell's holding up dinner?
Melanie's grip tightens on the roasting pan. She walks slowly from the kitchen. Expression controlled.
MELANIE (O.S.)
I suppose this roast cooked itself?
JOHN (O.S.)
Mel...
Thud! Crash!
JOHN (O.S.)
Owwwww!
Melanie runs into the kitchen. Swipes tears from her eyes.
On the stove, the lid clatters on top of a saucepan. Liquid boils over. Down the side. Onto the burner.
Sizzle! Crackle! Smolder...
Melanie leans against the wall. Just inside the kitchen door. Slides down to the floor and buries her face against her knees.
Sobs.
The smoldering liquid bubbles. Blackens. Catches fire.
Melanie's sobs stop abruptly. She looks up. Sniffs.
Flames leap from the burner! Smoke billows off the stove.
Melanie jumps to her feet.
MATT (O.S.)
Smells like something's--
The smoke alarm blares.
INT. MASON DINING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
John leaps from the table. Knocks over his chair.
JOHN
Fire!
He rushes just outside the room to a utility closet. Throws open the door. Digs through junk.
Tosses out a sleeping bag. Work boots. A guitar.
Retrieves a fire extinguisher.
INT. MASON KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
John rushes into the kitchen with the kids close behind him.
JOHN
Stay back. You'll get hurt.
Fire extinguisher ready.
JOHN
Mel?
Breaks the window with the butt end of the fire extinguisher.
Smoke clears from the kitchen.
Melanie turns from the stove. Smiles slightly
MELANIE
Why all the fuss over a little smoke?
INT. MASON MASTER BEDROOM -- LATER
In bed. John cuddles up to Melanie. Wraps his arms around her. Lays his head on her chest.
JOHN
I was so worried about you.
Melanie stiffens.
MELANIE
Even though I sit on my ass all day?
John looks up. Puppy dog eyes.
JOHN
You know I love you.
Melanie softens...a little.
John smiles. Leans up to kiss her.
JOHN
I was just...upset.
Melanie kisses him.
MELANIE
You're not upset now?
He pulls her down in bed beside him. Reaches beneath the covers.
JOHN
Right now, I'd have to say things are looking a lot better.
INT. MASON HOUSE -- MORNING
LIVING ROOM
Sunlight streams through the windows. Outside, people fill the front yard.
The doorbell rings.
KITCHEN
A young man peers through the windowed door.
A middle-aged woman looks through the kitchen window.
MASTER BEDROOM
Melanie stirs restlessly.
Chelsey slides around the corner. Into the room.
CHELSEY
Mom! Dad! There's trouble!
Melanie springs up.
MELANIE
What's wrong?
Shakes John. He moans. Pushes her away.
Matt peeks into the room.
MATT
Reporters. People. Everywhere.
Melanie shakes John more insistently.
John sits up. Bleary-eyed.
JOHN
People?
MATT
In our front yard.
John wakes instantly. Crawls from bed. Grabs his bathrobe and slips into it.
JOHN
We'll just see about that.
EXT. MASON HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER
Front door opens.
PEOPLE on the front lawn stir anxiously. Mutter amongst themselves.
John stands framed in the doorway. Expression dark. Looks across the people assembled.
Cameras flash. REPORTERS, young and old, male and female, shout questions at the same time.
A seasoned FEMALE TV REPORTER, provocative in a low-cut business suit, plows forward. Pushes people aside. Shoves the microphone in John's face.
FEMALE TV REPORTER
Mr. Mason, is it true your children have super powers?
Her CAMERAMAN barges up beside her. Camera rolls.
JOHN
Get out of here.
Camera focuses on John.
John covers the camera lens with his hand. Shoves the camera back at the cameraman. Knocks him on his butt.
JOHN
Get out of here! All of you--
Melanie appears. Dressed. Wraps an arm around John's shoulders.
MELANIE
Right now, we don't know any more than you do, and we need some time--
A young MALE REPORTER pulls free from the crowd. Shoves a micro tape recorder in Melanie's face.
MALE REPORTER
Does this resurgence of super powers has anything to do with what happened in Oakwood twenty years ago?
Melanie shakes her head quickly.
MELANIE
That's all we have to say.
Male Reporter steps closer. Grabs Melanie's arm.
John steps between them. Pushes the reporter back.
Punches him!
INT. LABORATORY -- SAME TIME
ROGER SMITH, darkly handsome, even in middle-age, well-dressed, charming, drums his fingers impatiently on a counter top.
Watches a portable TV further down the counter.
ROGER
She could do so much better than that Neanderthal husband.
LAURA BENSON, agelessly young, a natural beauty hidden beneath too much make-up, dressed in a snug red body suit, stands behind Roger, hands on hips.
LAURA
You're just sore cause she dumped you.
LOU SIMMONS, rugged face, wavy hair tinged with gray, tall and massive in a wrestling-type costume, squints at the TV.
LOU
Man, she's looking better than ever!
LAURA
I'm prettier than she ever was.
Both men look over their shoulders at her. Back at the TV.
LOU
You really think you can get her to help us, Boss?
Roger's eyes narrow. A smile spreads across her face.
ROGER
By the time I'm through, she'll be begging to join us.
EXT. MASON BACKYARD -- AFTERNOON
Large. Green. Relaxing.
Flowers border the house. Spread out along a path leading to a brick barbeque and patio.
Old trees overlook the house. A tire swing hangs down from the largest, gnarled tree in the yard.
John labors over the barbeque. Stirs the fire.
Melanie carries out a platter of hamburger patties. Sets it on the wall next to the barbeque.
Laughter. Indignant screams.
Chelsey tears from the house.
MATT (O.S.)
I'll get you for that!
Melanie and John look up.
MELANIE
What now?
John shrugs. Shakes his head.
JOHN
Kids.
Matt bolts from the house. Rips a chunk of cement from the patio.
JOHN
What do you think--
Hurls it at Chelsey, who turns to zap it with beams from her eyes.
She laughs.
He scowls. Continues running toward her.
Chelsey grabs the swing rope at a run. Leaps into the air. Swings high, then releases and rope. Soars into the air on her own.
MELANIE
Stop! Both of you!
Matt grabs the swing rope. Tugs on it angrily. His eyes flash. He tugs harder.
MELANIE
Matt, I said...
The tree crashes down. Smashes the barbeque. The patio.
MELANIE
Nooooo!
Melanie clenches her fists. Her eyes flash.
The back yard bursts into flames!
John's mouth drops open.
Chelsey lands. She and Matt stare at their mother in amazement.
MATT AND CHELSEY
Mom?
JOHN
Mel?
Melanie's hands drop to her sides. She stares at the flames in horror.
Whirls. Runs into the house.
INT. MASON MASTER BEDROOM -- LATER
John pounds on the Master Bath door. Dirt streaks his face. Soot covers his hands.
JOHN
You can't stay in there all night!
The door opens slowly. Melanie emerges. Eyes red. Cheeks stained with tears.
JOHN
What the hell did you think you were doing?
Melanie sniffles. Chews at her bottom lip.
JOHN
You could have burned our house down!
MELANIE
I couldn't help it. I just...I was so upset...
JOHN
God damn it, Melanie. You lied to me.
John paces across the room.
JOHN
You knew all along what's wrong with the kids.
Tears spill onto Melanie's cheeks.
MELANIE
I'm sorry. I just...I didn't think you'd understand.
JOHN
Maybe I don't. But, you could have trusted me.
Melanie wipes her eyes. Her expression hard.
MELANIE
Would you have loved me anyway?
John shrugs as he reaches down for his packed suitcase.
JOHN
I guess we'll never know.
MELANIE
Where are you going?
JOHN
I can' live a lie. I'll be at the Hyatt if you decide to be honest.
INT. MASON KITCHEN -- MORNING (ONE WEEK LATER)
Melanie sits hunched over the kitchen table in her bathrobe. Talking on the phone. Eyes red from crying.
MELANIE
I know, but--
(beat)
I've left so many messages.
(beat)
I understand he's busy. I just--
She looks at the receiver. Slams it down on the phone.
Looks up to find Matt staring at her from the living room door.
MATT
He still won't talk to you?
Melanie shrugs. Sniffles. Wipes tears away from her eyes.
MELANIE
Your father's a busy man.
MATT
Yeah...right.
Matt crosses to hand Melanie a box of tissues.
MATT
I thought you might need this.
Melanie takes the box from him. Looks at it a moment.
MELANIE
You need to get ready for school.
MATT
I'm ready.
He shrugs.
MATT
I hate school.
Turns to leave.
MATT
I wish the stupid school board hadn't let us go back.
Melanie bursts into tears. Rips a tissue from the box to blot her eyes.
Matt softens. Turns to throw his arms around her.
MATT
Don't cry, Mom. It'll be all right.
INT. JOHN'S OFFICE -- SAME TIME
John sits at a spacious executive desk, a roll of blueprints spread across the center.
A drafting table spreads out beneath the middle section of picture windows across the room. A panoramic view of Green Valley spreads out many stories below.
He drops his blue pencil onto the prints and rises to pace.
RITA (O.S.)
Avoiding her won't solve the problem.
John crosses to the model of a proposed shopping mall, set up in one corner, beneath another section of the picture windows.
He leans against the table it's on. Pretends to examine it.
JOHN
Nothing will solve the problems.
RITA (O.S.)
Are you so sure?
John turns with a sigh.
RITA SAVAGE, cute, perky, always positive, leans against the door frame leading into his office. A recent college grad, she's been with the company since her high school days, first part-time, now permanent.
JOHN
Rita...
RITA
You two have always have been happy, John.
JOHN
Maybe...
He turns away from her direct gaze.
JOHN
I was just fooling myself.
Wanders to look out the windows. Gaze across Green Valley.
RITA
How long have I known you?
She considers a moment.
RITA
Six years?
John watches people walk by below.
JOHN
Something like that.
Rita crosses the room to lay a hand on John's arm.
RITA
The two of you have always been happy.
John looks over his shoulder. She smiles.
RITA
Besides, you and Mel have argued before.
JOHN
Not like this.
Rita frowns.
RITA
What did she do that was so bad?
JOHN
She...she's...
John pulls free. Wanders back to his desk and drops into the chair.
JOHN
Like the kids.
Rita nods knowingly.
RITA
I saw the news.
John looks out the windows separating his office from the rest of the work area.
JOHN
I imagine everyone did.
Rita shrugs. Grins broadly.
RITA
Kinda cool, if you ask me.
JOHN
I didn't.
RITA
At least she didn't cheat on you.
Heads for the door.
RITA
She's quite a looker, you know.
John sits alone a moment. Reaches for the phone. Hesitates. Shakes his head.
JOHN
If she lied to me about this, what else hasn't she told me?
INT. ROGER'S HIDEOUT -- SAME TIME
Lou, dressed in jeans and a sports shirt, follows Roger, dressed in dress slacks and a button-down shirt, down a sterile-looking hallway.
Lined in metal that reflects narrow lights set into the ceiling.
LOU
What makes you think she'll join us?
ROGER
We'll make sure she has no other choice, my boy.
Doors slide open. They pass through.
INT. ROGER'S LABORATORY -- CONTINUOUS
Laura, dressed in short-shorts and a spaghetti strap top that does little to hide her assets, sits bent over a computer screen.
She glances over her shoulder as they enter and the doors snap shut behind them.
ROGER
Report?
Laura shakes her head slowly.
ROGER
Surely there's been some improvement?
Laura returns her attention to the reports zipping across the screen.
LAURA
Looks bad, Roger.
The floor trembles.
She pecks away on the keyboard. A new set of statistics appears.
LAURA
Things are worse all over the world.
A red warning light flashes on at the computer station next to her. The computer screen lights up with pictures of a steam vent bursting through the earth's crust outside town.
LAURA
It's happening much faster now.
Computer monitors flash on around the room, each filled with a news report from around the world.
One monitor displays a volcano erupting in the Swiss Alps. Flooding from melted snow in the village below.
Another monitor displays an enormous crack in the earth.
Another monitor displays a boiling lake.
Lou leans over to watch the boiling water.
LOU
Hey, Roger, that's that Great Lakes, man. My mom lives thirty miles from there.
Roger turns away. Clenches his fists.
LOU
What's going to happen when--
ROGER
I have a plan. The only ingredient missing is the power to fuel it.
He looks at a paused newscast featuring photos of Matt and Chelsey.
ROGER
And, I think I know exactly where we'll be getting the power we need.
EXT. GREEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL -- BASKETBALL COURT -- DAY
Behind the Boys' and Girls' Locker Rooms at the back of the school. Fresh blacktop. Half a dozen courts lined in white and yellow. Fresh white nets hang from freshly painted orange hoops.
Mr. Nelson's coed Physical Education class jogs onto the courts. Mixed ages. Seventh through ninth grades.
Girls line up on one side. Boys on the other.
Chelsey nudges her best friend ROBIN MEYERS, a year older than Chelsey, already blossoming into a pretty girl, developing in all the right spots. A bad influence, mean-spirited. Always ready to use those around her.
CHELSEY
Here comes zit face now.
She sticks her tongue out at Matt, last one out of the locker room. Last one to line up.
Coach BRIAN NELSON, macho, built like a god with looks to die for, jogs out to the courts. Tight shorts and a tank top accent his awesome physique. Fuel his dominating ego.
He twirls a basketball on one finger. Smiles at the girls' line. Shoots a disdainful look at Matt.
BRIAN
Get a move on, Mason.
Matt glares at him, but breaks into a reluctant jog to join the boys' line.
MATT
(under his breath)
Stupid ass.
Brian grabs the ball with both hands. Whirls on Matt.
BRIAN
What'd you say?
Matt looks up with a barely repressed smile.
MATT
I said Chelsey's got gas.
Both lines of students burst out laughing.
Matt grins, pleased with himself.
Until Chelsey burst into tears and runs to the Girls' Locker Room.
BRIAN
Very funny, Mason. Ten laps for that little piece of humor.
EXT. GREEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL -- TRACK -- LATER
Hardened dirt track, lined off into lanes with decaying white chalk.
Far from the basketball courts on the opposite side of a huge green soccer field.
Quiet. Empty.
Matt relaxes as his feet pound on the packed dirt. Smiles as he finishes his third lap.
He sniffs the air. His smile deepens.
He slows. Then wanders off the track. Sniffs again.
A girl screams. Matt whirls toward the school.
MATT
Chelsey!
He takes off toward the locker room.
Laura, dressed in super hero costume, steps in front of him. He stops dead in his tracks. His gaze flickers back and forth between her and the locker rooms.
MATT
Get out of my way.
LAURA
My, aren't you just the little hero?
Matt's eyes narrow.
MATT
Who are you?
Laura smiles beneath her half mask.
LAURA
They call me Venus, hon.
Matt frowns.
MATT
Venus?
Looks once more at the locker rooms, then focuses his entire attention on Laura.
He sniffs.
LAURA
Like my perfume, kiddo?
Matt nods. Smiles stupidly.
MATT
Yeah, it's...nice.
Venus laughs softly. Runs her hands through Matt's hair.
LAURA
Just come with me, and you can smell it all you like.
She leads him off the track. Toward the fence surrounding the school grounds.
A dark sedan sits at the side of the road on the other side of the fence.
The passenger door opens. Lou hops out. Opens the back door.
LAURA
You've got to get us out of here first, you moron.
Lou nods.
LOU
Oh, yeah.
Lou hurries to the fence. Grips the mesh wire with both hands. Grins broadly as electricity courses through his body. Blasts a hole in the fence.
LOU
How's that, Laura?
LAURA
It's Venus, Lou, and you're Dynamo. Remember?
Lou considers a moment. Shakes his head.
Laura pats his cheek.
LAURA
Must've been that short circuit in Albuquerque.
INT. MASON KITCHEN -- SAME TIME
Melanie sits at the kitchen table glaring at a birthday cake that has HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELANIE written on it. Three candles on top.
She dips her finger in the icing. Licks it off. Drops her head into her hands.
MELANIE
Some birthday.
The phone rings. Melanie ignores it.
It rings again. Her eyes flash.
Melanie leaps from the table. Flames erupt from her fingertips. Snake across the room to explode the phone.
She sweeps the cake off the table as she runs from the room.
It smashes onto the floor. The candles on the cake light. One at a time.
INT. JOHN'S OFFICE -- LATER
John sits at his desk. On the phone. Expression guarded. Eyes filled with concern.
JOHN
I understand.
(beat)
I'll find her, and we'll be right there.
INT. GREEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE -- LATER
Lucy sits behind her desk. Watches John, who paces anxiously.
Melanie stands across the room. Looks out the window. Across the school yard toward the track.
John stops suddenly. Pounds on Lucy's desk with one fist.
JOHN
They can't have just...just... disappeared.
Lucy looks intimidated. Then angry.
John whirls on Melanie. Points an accusing finger at her.
JOHN
This is all your fault.
Melanie looks up. Eyes red from crying.
MELANIE
My fault?
JOHN
If you'd been honest in the first place...
Melanie turns slowly. Fists clenched.
MELANIE
If the school hadn't singled our children out for--
LUCY
The school had no part in this, Mrs. Mason. In all our years--
MELANIE
I don't care about all your years. I just want my children back.
The door opens. Police Chief CHUCK WILKINS, gray-haired, veteran police officer, sticks his head in.
Lucy breathes a sigh of relief.
LUCY
Chief, come in.
Chuck enters. Sizes up Melanie and John.
CHUCK
These the parents?
Lucy nods quickly.
LUCY
Yes.
CHUCK
Sorry, folks, but we don't have much to go on here.
Melanie joins the others in front of the desk.
MELANIE
Surely somebody saw...something.
Chuck shakes his head. Runs one hand through his hair nervously.
CHUCK
No. And, there's no evidence to suggest foul play either. They both just...
(shrugs)
Vanished.
MELANIE
I want to see where it happened.
LUCY
Mrs. Mason, why don't you just go on home--
Melanie's eyes narrow.
MELANIE
I want to see where my children were before they disappeared.
INT. GIRL'S LOCKER ROOM -- LATER
Spacious. Tiled floor. Lined with a myriad of half lockers. A long bench runs down the middle. Showers fill one end of the room.
Melanie sits alone on the bench. Dejected. Eyes glazed over. A single tear spills onto her cheek.
She sniffs suddenly. Frowns.
MELANIE
I know that perfume.
Sniffs again. Shakes her head.
She starts to rise. Spots something crushed up against the wall further down.
MELANIE
No.
She hurries to the spot. Picks up a crushed rose. A black rose.
MELANIE
Roger.
CHUCK (O.S.)
Mrs. Mason? You okay in there?
Melanie looks at the crumpled rose. Her fingers close over it.
JOHN (O.S.)
Mel, you find anything?
Smoke drifts up through her fingertips.
MELANIE
Not a thing, hon.
She drops the rose. It bursts into flames. Hits the floor as a pile of ash.
MELANIE
Not a thing.
EXT. GREEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL -- TRACK -- LATER
John and Chuck watch Melanie walk another circle around the track. Her steps deliberate.
CHUCK
How many times is she going to do that?
John shrugs.
JOHN
I need to get back to work.
CHUCK
Go. I'll stay with--
JOHN
I want to know what she's up to.
Chuck glances at him sharply. Back at Melanie.
CHUCK
You know something I don't?
John crosses his arms. His eyes never leave Melanie.
ACROSS THE TRACK
Melanie slows. Stops. Sniffs.
Her eyes narrow.
MELANIE
Venus. There's no mistaking that stench you call perfume.
She looks around suspiciously. Her eyes fall on the fence.
She wanders over. Touches the mesh wire with her fingertips.
The wire has been neatly melted back into place.
MELANIE
Lou. So good to see you, too.
Her eyes narrow further.
MELANIE
Looks like it's old home week.
Her eyes flash.
MELANIE
But, why here? Why Green Valley?
Her eyes fall on a black rose lying on the ground on the other side of the fence.
MELANIE
And, what do they want with me? And my children?
EXT. APPLIANCE STORE -- AFTERNOON
John wanders down the sidewalk. Head down. Hands shoved deep in his pockets.
Multiple televisions in the store window spring to life with the early news.
John stops. His distant gaze focuses on the three large screen TV's in the front. He studies the images on screen with a frown.
MIDDLE TV
A tidal wave assaults the coast of Japan.
RIGHT TV
The Nile River lies dry. A huge crevice splits the riverbed.
LEFT TV
Rock slides bury Boulder, Colorado.
John takes a step back.
JOHN
What the hell's going on?
Shakes his head.
JOHN
And, what does Mel have to do with it?
INT. MASON MASTER BEDROOM -- NIGHT
A bedside lamp casts a warm glow over the bed. The remainder of the room lies in shadow.
Melanie leans against the headboard. Talks on the phone.
MELANIE
If you'd just let me explain.
(beat)
John, please.
(beat)
The lives of--
Click. Dial tone.
INT. MELANIE'S VAN -- MORNING
Dawn tinges the cloud-filled sky outside the van.
Light from the dash gauges illuminates Melanie's face as she drives hunched over the steering wheel. Her hands clutch the wheel in a death-grip.
She glances at the speedometer. Her speed creeps up to 80 mph.
She looks out to a road sign that reads--
OAKWOOD 300 MILES
EXT. OAKWOOD -- AFTERNOON
Melanie's van pulls past the OAKWOOD city limits sign. Slows.
The outskirts of the city are all but deserted. Devoid of traffic. Devoid of pedestrians.
People peek out from behind curtains as her van rolls past.
INT. MELANIE'S VAN -- CONTINUOUS
Melanie looks right. Looks left.
MELANIE
Creepy.
She accelerates a little.
MELANIE
I wonder what's going on here.
She reaches a four way stop. Stops. Looks both directions.
Sees a teenager in the distance, running down the street holding a TV.
Her frown deepens. She pulls forward.
Down the main street. Through the suburbs.
Tall buildings loom in the distance.
EXT. DOWNTOWN OAKWOOD -- LATER
Melanie drives through a section with a string of dead traffic lights.
Building lights off. No power visible anywhere.
Stores windows smashed. Vandals lurk in the shadows of alleys. The interiors of stores.
INT. MELANIE'S VAN -- CONTINUOUS
Melanie reaches over to lock her door.
MELANIE
This place is like a ghost town.
She switches on her radio. Scans through stations. Stops on several Oakwood stations. Static on each.
MELANIE
God, what happened here?
EXT. OAKWOOD -- CONTINUOUS
Melanie continues to drive slowly.
More smashed windows. Wreckage of several large buildings.
Abandoned cars. Some smashed and torn. Others simply left.
Here a gushing fire hydrant. There a blazing fire.
A gaping hole, as big as an entire city block, fills the center of downtown. Steam clouds rise from the center.
Melanie's van slows to a stop at a police barricade surrounding the hole. No sign of police anywhere.
She gets out. Leaves her door open.
Approaches the hole slowly. Cautiously. Shakes her head in disbelief.
MELANIE
(whisper)
It...can't be.
Melanie pushes her way past the barriers. To the edge of the hole.
Looks down. Sways a bit.
INSIDE HOLE
The pit extends down through the earth's crust.