Trial of Ten Years

This is the first act of a screenplay I had been working on. It is about two girl and their journey to escape an odd society. The genre is mostly dystopian.

Trial of Ten Years

INT. EARTH - DAY

FADE IN

A TEENAGE GIRL and her BOYFRIEND run through a ruined city dodging bombs and collapsing buildings. The sound of SCREAMS and CRASHES are muffled. The only prominent sound is the sound of the girl PANTING. The scene is shot from her perspective; it is shaky and rough as she JUMPS and LEAPS. Her boyfriend is running behind her doing the same. Ahead, there is a spaceship that is about to take off. Its doors are starting to close.

The girl is around seventeen with blonde hair and panicked, brown eyes. The boy is nineteen.

They get closer to the ship when the camera jerks and the girl stumbles forward. The camera switches to the boy's POV and he sees the girl stumble. She is shot in the shoulder. He says something dulled out and distant, but the girl doesn't hear him--she keeps running from pure adrenaline.

The girl is just in time to make it into the ship. She rolls in just as the doors close. But the boy doesn't make it. The girl realizes too late that he didn't make it in. She's panting heavily and when she stands up, she doesn't see the boy. She jumps to the window and sees him standing at the bottom. He doesn't cry, but he is clearly upset. The girl BANGS on the window and yells for someone to open the door.

They both knows it's too late and the boy mouths, stay strong. The girl is still banging on the window and crying.

An attendant taps her shoulder and asks her to take a seat because the the ship is about to take off, but the girl pushes him away. Several guards rush in and try to subdue her, but she struggles and continues to yell at them to open the door.

The girl's cries are cut short as one of the guards injects a sedative into her neck. She falls limp.

FADE OUT

BEGINNING CREDITS

The scene fades out and cuts to a montage-ish scene similar to what is done in the beginning of James Bond films as the studio name and other things appear.

The scene starts with KAT and SAMMY falling through the Tides in slo-mo, their hair fanning out around them. They sink to the bottom, causing a puff of sand. The sea floor is littered with skulls and various weapons. Suddenly, the maw of an enormous shark comes into view, the view shot as if the camera is getting eaten, but far enough away to see Sammy and Kat getting sucked into the shark’s mouth. The camera follows quickly after.

The scene briefly fades to black, giving the sensation of entering the shark. The next scene takes place in the Woods, but it then cuts to the two falling from the sky, still limp. They are caught by a swarm of bees and dropped into some big vat honey. But only the honey and the girls are shown. They fall slow motion, similar to the effect of them falling in the water.

The next scene is shot in the Peaks. They fall very fast through the honey suddenly and the scene cuts to them lying sprawled in the snow. The camera pulls out to show they are on the very edge of a tall cliff. A gunshot goes off and the snow they are lying on blows up, sending them over the edge. Again, they fall slow motion, still limp. The camera switches to an aerial of the girls. They hit the bottom and sink through the snow like quicksand.

The next scene is shot in the Flats. The girls appear to be lying in an oasis, still unconscious. The camera swerves along the oasis and stops 180o later. As it turns, the oasis starts to fade out, showing it is just an illusion. The girls are simply lying in the desert sand. The camera turns another 180o to show them lying in a ruined temple. A booby trap gets triggered and they are snared in ropes. The camera swerves to an aerial view. It then pulls out until it is in space, showing Mars.

KAT (v.o.)

Remember, Sammy, that whatever happens, I chose you. I picked you from the fifteen that came in that day. Never forget that.

FADE IN

INT. DECK - DAY

KAT’S POV

A room is shown with FIFTEEN YOUNG CHILDREN. It is clear they are all afraid; they keep their heads down and refuse to meet anyone’s eyes. Kat’s eyes land on a girl in the back who seems nervous, but but also excited. Kat walks up to her and puts her hands on her knees to talk to the girl at the same height.

Kat’s face is still roundish, resembling a child. But one look into her eyes is enough to tell that she is incredibly witty and quick. Her black hair is still short; shoulder level. She is strongly built, but not bulky. More like a cat--thinner, but powerful. She is not very tall. About 5 ft.

KAT

Hi seven. I’m Kat. I’ll be your mentor, alright?

SEVEN nods shyly.

Seven is very cute-looking with lighter auburn hair in loose curls that fall to her midback. Her eyes are bright and youthful, a pretty green color. She is short, about 4 feet.

KAT

Alright. Let’s get started. I’ll show you around.

Seven grasps Kat’s hand and they walk into the sunlight.

INT. DECK - DAY

SEVEN

Whoa…

KAT

Welcome to the great and glorious Deck. Honestly, I have no idea why they call it that; it has nothing to do with a ship.

SEVEN(in awe and fear)

The mountains, they’re so pretty. And the ocean, it’s so wide. And desert and trees. We’re surrounded aren’t we?

KAT

Yeah. Four different terrains. Those are the Walls. They keep us in. Those are the boundaries. Never go into them. Those who go never come back. Ever.

SEVEN

Why?

KAT

Who knows? Maybe they get lost. Maybe something else.

SEVEN

This place is so weird. It’s so sad and empty. Except for those. The cabins. What do you use them for?

KAT

Those are our living quarters. Sky, Greenie, Sunny, and the School. The oldest, the sixteen year-olds run the school.

The cabins are long log cabins that are colored blue, green, and yellow respectively. They are simple.

SEVEN

I like the yellow one. It’s so happy looking. Which one do you like?

KAT

I like the blue one. It seems the most calming. Just so you know, the cabins are pretty much free for all. But most people form friend groups by age, so typically, the younger ones sleep in Sunny, the middle aged ones live in Greenie. Then the older ones live in Sky.

Kat pauses.

KAT(v.o.)

The older ones. The ones who are unlucky this year. And I have four years until--

FADE IN: PRESENT TIME

INT. DECK COURTYARD (PRESENT) - EVENING

SAMMY and Kat are sitting by a grove of trees doing their homework. Sammy is working on math homework, but Kat is spacing out. We find out that this is a flashback and a memory where Kat is reminiscing over when life was easy. Kat realizes Sammy is calling her name.

SAMMY

Kat. KAT! (waving arms) Katrina! I’m talking to you!

KAT

Huh? Oh, sorry. What’d you say?

SAMMY

Your flashbacks are getting worse, aren’t they? You space out more often.

Kat shrugs nonchalantly, but she looks worried.

SAMMY

Anyways, can you help me on forty three? I’m stuck. See, I got to where three times eighty-nine is--

KAT (sighing)

Doesn’t matter. We should get started. Let’s go.

SAMMY

But the sun hasn’t even set yet!

KAT

We still have to finish packing for the trip. You know, we might be out there for a while. For all we  know, it’s a one way trip.

They stand and pack their school supplies and start for THE CABINS. The cabins are run down a little since the flashback, but still in good condition.

SAMMY

Wow, one way trip, huh? Nice positive thinking. Truly, because we never know if we might go plummeting straight into the underworld. You could never be too sure.

KAT

“The Underworld”? Really?

SAMMY

Would you have preferred me to say Hell? One way trip to Hell? I don’t know, that sounds a little too dark for me. And Heaven just sounds impossible so--

KAT

You’re ranting again.

SAMMY

Sorry. I’m just nervous.

KAT

Me too. Whatever happens though, I love you.

SAMMY

Awww. But I’ll have to say I can’t return the feelings.

KAT(rolling her eyes)

Shut up. When we get back to the cabins, grab your stuff and I’ll meet you out here to eat a quick dinner and we’ll be out. I’ll bring the dinghy.

SAMMY (mocking a soldier)

Sure thing, boss. Will be out in a jiffy.

Kat and Sammy part ways, but Sammy stops and turns.

SAMMY

Wait, Kat. One last thing. Do you really think… we’ll be alright?

KAT(smiling)

We’ll be okay.

As Sammy walks away, Kat’s smile melts off and she looks worried. After a second, she turns and walks to cabin Sky.

CUT TO:

INT. SUNNY - SUNSET

Sammy is packing everything and double checking her supplies. Everyone else is asleep or dozing off. Sammy keeps the lights off and picks up a small WOODEN DOLL.

She rolls it over in her hands as if contemplating whether to bring it or not. She promptly places it in a little handbag/satchel and grabs her bags. As she steps away from her bunk, her FRIEND whispers her name.

FRIEND (sleepily)

Sammy, where you goin’?

Sammy pauses a moment before turning around.

SAMMY

Just sleeping over at my Mentor’s cabin. For school.

FRIEND

‘Kay, g’night.

Sammy walks out the door into the night. She heaves a breath and takes her wooden doll out again.

CUT TO:

EXT. CABIN - NIGHT

Kat and Sammy are sitting outside in the dark finishing up their dinner.

KAT

So here’s the plan. We start on the Tides then we go to the Peaks, then the Woods, then the Flats. We find whatever we can that may help us find the exit to this place. Remember, this might be a wild goose chase and we might very well die, but we might also very well get out of here alive. So what I’m guessing is that we’re going to have to find something that gives us a hint as to how to get out in each terrain. And Sammy, getting out of here is more important than anything else. So when you feel like giving up, remember there’s a better world out of here.(pausing) Well enough of my pep talk. Eat ‘till you’re stuffed. We need to save as much food as we can.

SAMMY (chewing)

Mmmhmm.

KAT

Ready?

SAMMY

Is it okay that I’m about to burst?

KAT

Okay, you probably took my advice too literally, but that’s okay. Remember, we still have to row.

SAMMY

Ughhh. You row. I’ll look for something that doesn’t look like water. Like a shark.

CUT TO:

Sammy and Kat are PULLING the dinghy toward the water. They get in and Kat grabs the oars.

KAT

You need to help me row until we reach past the waves.

SAMMY

But I’m literally going to lose it! All of it! I guess we’ll just get a lot of sushi.

KAT

Gross. Do me a favor and save the fishing for when we actually need it. Now row!

The two row out into the ocean. The moonlight outlines the two silhouettes in the bleak vastness of the menacing water.

CUT TO:

INT. TIDES - NIGHT

KAT

Sammy wake up. My turn to sleep. Just keep rowing normal speed and tell me if something happens.

SAMMY

Mmmmm. Three more minutes. (pauses) Wait, Kat. Where are we? Kat, what's going on?!

KAT

We’re on the Tides, idiot. Get your stuff together. Here. Start rowing.

SAMMY

Oh. What time is it?

KAT

Like nine. Keep rowing ‘till midnight. We’ll shift again then.

INT. DECK - MORNING (FLASHBACK)

Kat is on her bunk doing homework. The door to her cabin (Sky) opens and Seven walks in.

SEVEN

Hi Kat. Doing homework?

KAT

Yeah. What’s up?

SEVEN

One of the cabin kids said I need to choose a name before I’m eight. Is that true?

KAT

Yeah. I chose mine right away, but you can take until the last day to choose yours.

SEVEN

Is Kat your full name?

KAT

No. It’s short for Katrina.

SEVEN

Why did you choose such a sharp-sounding name?

KAT

I was number thirteen when I was shipped in so no one wanted to be my Mentor because it’s an unlucky number. So everyone kind of avoided me. That made me a quieter person--I would watch and learn and never be the one to speak up. And Katrina sounded fitting.

The two sit in awkward silence for a beat until Kat says:

KAT

You should go and try to make friends with the other kids. I have a lot of homework to do anyway.

SEVEN

Okay. Well I guess I’ll see you around tomorrow then.

Seven gets up to leave and is about to open the door when Kat calls her.

KAT

Seven, wait. I want you to remember what I’m going to tell you. No matter what happens--at school, in the cabins--I want you to remember I chose you. You, seven, are my chosen one. Okay?

SEVEN

Okay. I’ll remember that. Thanks.

The door shuts and Kat continues her homework.

CUT TO:

INT. TIDES - MORNING

The two have just finished their breakfast.

KAT

We both need to row until ten. That’s two hours.

SAMMY

Two hours?!

KAT

Yes. We need to go as far as we can.

SMASH CUT:

SAMMY

What time is it?

KAT

8:33

SAMMY

Still?

SMASH CUT:

SAMMY

Is it almost ten?

KAT

8:58

SAMMY

Seriously?!

SMASH CUT:

SAMMY

Let me guess, 9:35?

KAT

9:21

SAMMY

Ugh. You have got to be kidding.

SMASH CUT:

SAMMY

What time is it? Don’t tell me it’s 9:40-something.

KAT

Forty-five.

SAMMY

I swear your watch is off.

KAT

I swear, Samantha, it’s only fifteen minutes. Just be quiet.

Sammy’s scowl melts off as her focus travels behind Kat.

SAMMY

Kat, what is that?

KAT

What? (Turning around) Crap. That’s one hell of a storm. Quick, pull the oars in and stay low to the boat. Keep it steady. And whatever you do, don’t let the oars get loose.

The two strap down the equipment they can and huddle close to the base of the little boat.

SAMMY

Are we… going to make it out of this?

KAT

We’ll  live. (V.O.) In truth, I don’t think so. Pathetic. First day out and we’re going to die by storm.

The storm progresses with alarming speed and soon the sky is completely darkened by clouds. Rain starts to fall heavily and the boat starts to rock dangerously. The first wave hits and splashes water over the side of the dinghy.

SAMMY

Kat.

KAT

I know. Just hold on tight.

A bigger wave splashes over and Sammy loses her grip. She screams, but Kat catches her in time.

KAT

Come on, Sammy! Hold on tighter! I can’t catch you every time!

The storm gets stronger and the boat tips over a wave almost vertically. The rain becomes an outright downpour.

SAMMY

We’re not going to make it! Kat, we’re going to freaking die!

KAT

Shut up! Don’t think like that! This storm is going to end soon!

SAMMY

Kat! There is no way we’re getting--

She screams again as she slips once more. The boat threatens to capsize, but Kat manages to catch Sammy, though not without flying out the boat herself.

SMASH CUT:

INT. TIDES - DAY (UNDERWATER)

Kat struggles underwater as the water churns and froths around her. She manages to surface once, but is thrown underwater again as another wave hits. Her arms flail wildly as she attempts to gain leverage over the waves, but is unsuccessful and air bubbles begin to escape from her lips.

SMASH CUT:

Sammy frantically screams out Kat’s name as she struggles to remain on the boat. Water now drenches the boat and Sammy is nearly thrown off again. She manages to throw the end of a rope off the boat and ties the other end to herself. But while doing this, she slips and catches herself with one hand hanging onto the rim of the dinghy. The boat tilts, making it look like she’s hanging off a vertical boat.

SMASH CUT:

The rope trails in the water and Kat’s hand reaches to grasp it. She misses twice but catches the end on her third try. She too, ties the rope to her wrist and not too soon as the water throws her back again.

SMASH CUT:

Sammy pulls herself back up and starts to reel in the rope as she feels the tug of a weight. She gets three reels in when the boat nearly capsizes and the rope goes rocketing out. Grunting, she pulls herself back on the boat. She notices with a start that the rain is starting to let up. With a glance up, she sees the sun peeking through the clouds and the waves gradually start to rock less.

SMASH CUT:

Kat again attempts to climb her way back up, but she loses consciousness and her fingers go limp. Her body gets tossed around in the waves and the rest of the oxygen escapes her.

SMASH CUT:

The waves start to settle down and the sky gets lighter. Sammy screams Kat’s name once more and starts to reel in the rope. She keeps one hand on the edge of the boat and one hand reels in the rope. The waves settle down and the rain is reduced to a shower from a downpour. Sammy is finally able to let go of the edge of the boat and reels in the rest of the rope.

SAMMY

Come on, Kat. Please, please please. Tell me you did the smart thing.

Sammy pulls the rest of the rope in drags Kat out of the water.

SAMMY

Oh, thank God, Kat.

Sammy unties the rope from Kat’s wrist and lays her down on the boat. She checks for Kat’s pulse nervously.

SAMMY

Come on Kat, don’t die on me. Please Kat.

She detects a throb in Kat’s neck.

SAMMY(exhaling; relieved)

Oh my God. Kat, thank God.

She sighs and leans back against the side of the boat, panting. She closes her eyes to calm herself. She then rolls over with a groan to take a mug out of one of the bags and dump some of the water out from the small boat. After a minute, Kat coughs and spits water out. She sits up and starts to gag more. Sammy drops the mug into the boat and rushes to help Kat. She throws her arms around Kat, hugging her.

SAMMY

Holy crap, Kat. I’m so glad you’re alive.

KAT(after she finishes gagging)

Me, too. Thanks for the rope. I knew you weren’t a complete blockhead.

SAMMY

You know what, I’m just too happy you’re alive right now to be offended by your  sarcasm.

KAT

Did you lose anything?

SAMMY

No. Oars, bags, ropes--yup. I think miraculously we didn’t capsize so we have everything. I still don’t understand how we survived.

KAT

Sheer determination, Sammy. You’d be surprised how far determination can get you.

SAMMY

Yeah, well it got us this far. (pauses) By the way, what time is it?

KAT(checking her watch)

About midday.

SAMMY

Let’s eat. I have no energy now. Because, as you probably know, almost dying requires a lot of energy to avoid.

KAT(laughing)

Sammy, I marvel at how you can still be comical after what just happened.

Sammy shrugs, and Kat shakes her head.

KAT

What’s left? We can’t eat too much.

SAMMY(looking through the bag)

Crackers, canned beans, dried fruit, canned fish, nuts, honeycombs, honey--and that’s it.

KAT

Get the fish out. We need our protein.

The two eat in silence as the sun once again shines over the clouds--a big contrast to what the sky looked like ten minutes ago. The waters have returned to normal and the boat rocks peacefully over the water.

CUT TO:

INT. TIDES - NIGHT

SAMMY

Kat. Hey Kat, wake up.

KAT

What? My shift?

SAMMY

Shh. Don’t move too much. Look.

She points at a huge shadow in the water moving slowly beneath them. Then she points the the sky, where the stars shine brightly with no sign of clouds.

KAT

What the heck is that?

SAMMY

I don’t know. Some sort of animal? Maybe a blue whale? But it’s so big…

KAT

No. The shadow’s too big. Only thing that could be that huge is… holy s**t. That’s a Megalodon.

SAMMY

What? No way. Those are extinct.

KAT

Well, apparently not.

SAMMY

I'm sure that's just a blue whale.

KAT

Ha. I wish. Nothing is that big.

SAMMY

Okay. So you're the boss. What do we do?

KAT

Just stay low to the boat and don't move. Sharks don't usually attack humans unless they think we're prey or we're doing something to harm it.

SAMMY

And if it thinks we're prey?

KAT

Then try not to look the part.

SAMMY

How am I supposed to do that?!

KAT

Just don't.

SAMMY

So you're basically telling me you have no idea what you're doing.

KAT

Right.

The two remain crouched in the small boat dreading the worst. A small bump jolts the boat and the two girls exchange a nervous glance. The water lies quiet for a few moments; just enough time for them to believe that maybe they were safe. But it jolts again, this time moving the front up a few inches.

SAMMY

Kat, do something! I’m not going to sit here like a fat duck!

KAT

Sammy, shut up and quit freaking out. I know as much as you do about this. Remember, I have never been nearly eaten by a shark either. So--

Kat is cut off when the shark jerks up suddenly and the two are thrown entirely out of it. The boat is wrecked as the shark arches out of the water and swallows it. Sammy screams for Kat and flails around wildly. Kat finds her and tries to act calm, but she is visibly shaking.

SAMMY

What the heck are supposed to do? We’re in the middle of an ocean with a shark that ate our boat.

KAT

Don’t freak out, but we’re going to die here.

SAMMY

There has to be something. We’re not just… just…

Kat shakes her head sadly.

KAT

At least the shark’s gone.

SAMMY

That’s not comforting at all.

The two are bobbing in the water when they are suddenly yanked down from their ankles. They are immediately handcuffed and a bag is thrown over their head, though strangely, they can still breath in the bag as they get pulled further underwater. They struggle and scream to be let go, but to no avail. The shot is taken at first as an aerial view of the two girls as they get pulled under. Then the camera follows them, though not filming their assailants.

They are pulled into an air bubble protected city. It gleams and is teeming with life. The assailants are now shot. They are women--regular humans except they are garbed in green dresses that are made out of what looks like seaweed and scales and some sort of sea animal flesh. They both hold tridents and reel the girls in with the other hand.

Once inside the bubble, the women take the bags off the girls’ face and lead them down the main street. The town falls quiet to watch the procession and people come around houses to watch the newcomers.

Sammy is in a state of panic and is hyperventilating, but Kat keeps her calm and looks around, studying the faces and counting anything that seems off. When they round a particular corner, Kat stops cold, so her capturer has to pull her leash. A food stand was displaying a variety of food and one thing hanging from the display window was a human corpse roasted.

WOMAN 1(in thick accent)

Quickly. The queen awaits.

The group reaches a palace at the end of a street. A servant opens the door and the group in led in. The doors SLAM with a heavy THUD. The QUEEN is sitting on a throne. The throne is gallantly designed--it is made from a variety of scales and shells crafted skillfully and beautifully. She has a cold air around her, but she greets the prisoners with a kind smile. She is extremely pretty and wears a deep emerald dress. She whispers something to a servant who quickly scuttles away.

QUEEN

Please untie our guests. They deserve to have a proper welcome.

The two women give her a questioning glance, but do as she asks. They then bow and dismiss themselves.

QUEEN

I apologize for the sudden abduction, but you seemed to have been having a little trouble after that wretched monster ate your ship.

She pauses to study them, but then realizes that she must be making them uncomfortable, so she offers them to sit.

QUEEN

I have just ordered a servant to bring food, so please make yourselves comfortable until then. Is there anything in particular you would like to eat?

The two girls exchange a look.

KAT

No, nothing in particular ma’am. Thank you for your generosity, though. We appreciate it very much. We have come a dearly long way and it is a relief to be lodged somewhere safe.

QUEEN

It is my pleasure. Guests should always be treated with the utmost respect.

FADE IN:

Sammy snaps awake to find herself in a lavish room with two beds and a full bathroom and living room. Kat is pacing the room. She is wearing a dress like all the other women.

SAMMY

Kat? Why are you wearing that?

KAT(ANGRILY)

You’re not much better off than I am.

Sammy looks down and sees herself garbed in a similar dress.

SAMMY

Kat, is it just me, or do you not remember anything ever since that queen gave us that food?

KAT

Not just you. She drugged us. I should’ve known better. I should’ve known!

Kat punches the wall. The wall remains intact, but her knuckles are bleeding. She doesn’t notice.

KAT

I should’ve seen it, right from the start that this place is no haven. This is where we will die, Sam, this is where we will die. Let that sink in. Because I was too stupid to realize that… that…

She starts to break down, crying into her palms. She sinks onto her bed and sobs silently. Meanwhile, Sammy, taken aback by the sudden outburst, gets up to console her.

SAMMY

Whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s totally not your fault. There was no way to see that this was coming. Plus, I’m the one to blame anyway. I didn’t suspect a thing. But, uh, what happened?

KAT

The food had something to put us to sleep. Now we’re in this extravagant room wearing fancy kelp dresses only to find out that the door’s locked from the other side. Don’t you see the cruel irony of it? We’re treated like guests, but they abduct us, they drug us, and now they lock us up. (looking up) Don’t you get it?

The reality dawns on Sammy, but she tries her best not to look horrified. She instead smiles weakly.

SAMMY

We’ll be okay. We made it out of a storm, we made it out of a shark attack. We’ll make it out of this one.

KAT

But when will our luck run out? When will be miss and fall? When will we run out of options?

SAMMY

Then we’ll rely on our own wit to get out of whatever crap we’re in.

The two are interrupted when a little panel at the bottom of the door opens and a little tray slides in. On it are two plates of fried meat and some watered down red liquid. Sammy goes to pick it up.

SAMMY

Come on, Kat. Let’s eat while it’s still warm.

Kat joins Sammy in the living room. But just as Sammy is about to take a bite of the meat, Kat grabs it and looks at it suspiciously. She smells it and pokes at it. She then takes the red liquid and sniffs it. Her face pales and she puts the glass down with shaking hands.

KAT(weakly)

Don’t eat that.

SAMMY

What is it?

KAT

Human flesh and blood.

Upon hearing this, Sammy runs to the bathroom and retches.

SAMMY(coming back to the living room)

You can’t be serious.

KAT

Smell the red stuff.

Sammy does and gags.

QUEEN

It’s considered a delicacy here.

The two girls jump at the sudden sight of the queen.

QUEEN

I’m sorry if it is not to your taste. I can have something else brought in.

SAMMY

No, thank you. We will have this.

The queen nods and leaves, bolting the door. As soon as the lock clicks, Sammy takes the plates and flushes the contents down the toilet. She takes the blood and pours it down the drain. Once she is done, she pushes the tray back outside.

SAMMY

Oh, God, Kat. What are we going to do?

Author's Note

It is a rather long, but if you get a second, please comment and review! Thanks!