Rachel Skinner - Week 2 Milestone

-script for opening scene beneath cut-

OPENING. NIGHT. UNKNOWN WOODS.

A shadowy form watches two unknown figures from its place perched on the branch of a tree. The two people have flashlights and appear to be looking for something. When one figure flashes the light over where the shadowy form was sitting, it disappears. The light overtakes the camera and transitions into the next scene.

VOICEOVER, JERSEY SPEAKING.

An age of discovery is upon us. They all search and consume with a zealous thirst for knowledge far and wide, sometimes looking for glory, sometimes acting from mere curiosity, almost always with thoughtless blundering. They're creating and grow faster than I've ever seen them before, and I wonder what that means for us.

UNDERWATER, LOOKING UP.

A fishing boat can be seen with someone sitting inside. After a few seconds of peace, a large snake shape quickly slithers underneath it. The scene fades to black.

JERSEY.

Over the centuries we've all had a few close calls, my fellow cryptids and I. Staying anonymous has always been our best bet for survival in this dangerous world. Some of us were not so lucky; they were found and hunted to extinction. They got snatched up and fell into legend, before they even knew what was happening.

CITYSCAPE, CAMERA TURNED UPWARD SLIGHTLY.

People can be seen passing by, just going about their lives. On a building's rooftop JERSEY's silhouette can be seen, observing them. A man is passing through the camera's view going about his business when he stops, a confused and suspicious expression on his face. He turns in the direction of Jersey's silhouette, but she has already disappeared. He turns back, shrugs, and moves on. Fade to black.

JERSEY.

Despite the danger, I still get curious and tempt fate every once in a while. After all, what's the point of living if there's no risk? With any luck, we'll be ok.

TROPHY ROOM, FULL OF TAXIDERMIED ANIMALS.

BENJAMIN sits in his chair, looking bored with a glass of wine. He looks around at all his accomplishments but it's seemingly not enough anymore. He notices a headline in the newspaper talking about another cryptid sighting. He gets a contemplative smirk on his face, appearing to have an idea.

NONDESCRIPT ROOM.

Thread and countless articles and pictures cover the walls of a dark room. People in the background are hunched over papers or looking at maps. AMINAH is seen standing in the foreground looking nervous. She appears to be listening to someone. A person just offscreen hands her a paper, which she takes and reads. The hand gestures as if the figure is talking, but no one can hear. After reading the paper she closes her eyes and sighs, pulling it to her chest. She's been chosen for her first solo assignment.

INSIDE BENJAMIN'S GUN ROOM, LIT BY FIREPLACE.

Benjamin is preparing a trip, packing all his equipment and travel gear while also studying maps. He's preparing for a long journey.

DOCKING STATION, DAY.

Aminah also prepares to voyage by ship to the United States. She checks her ticket one last time before hauling her luggage to the ramp that will take her aboard the ship.

FOREST, US, SUNSET.

Jersey crouches on a branch, eyes shining bright in the moonlight. She takes off into the air, flying high to investigate what sounds like conversation in the distance. She lands in a tree, out of sight of the two people she sees apparently surveying a what's going to be a new construction site. She can't do much but stare at the impending future.

In the time that this intro has begun, two weeks have passed. Aminah is headed out to her assignment and Benjamin has already started the hunt.

END SCENE

SEVERAL WEEKS LATER

FOREST, US, NIGHT.

Jersey is flying high in the night sky. She appears to find her destination and lands in an apparently empty clearing. As she dusts herself off and looks around, shadowy figures appear behind her. Jersey turns around, startled. But her surprise quickly evaporates as she appears to recognize who it is. Two fellow cryptids stand tall and proud.

JERSEY

So? Any news?

FIGURE 1

Still the same. One by one our friends have been disappearing without a trace. No explanation, no evidence, just gone.

Jersey looks disturbed.

JERSEY

That's it? No sign at all to where they might be going? They just... vanish?

FIGURE 2

Yes. It's an epidemic. Soon we'll all go the way of the dodo; it was only a matter of time.

As the figure speaks, Jersey turns away, contemplative. When the figure finishes, she turns back, hitting her hand with her fist.

JERSEY

No, we can't just give up! I'll... I'll find out where they're all going! I'll not let this be our last year of peace.

FIGURE 1

Don't put yourself in any more danger than necessary, Jersebelle. This is just how it is; keep yourself alive as long as possible, that's all we can do.

Jersey squares her shoulders, scared but resolved.

JERSEY

I have to try. Stay safe you two!

With that, she jumps up, flying again. She's going to where the last cryptid that disappeared to was last seen.

SAME FOREST, CLEARING.

Meanwhile, Aminah has arrived to the US, and is taking extensive notes of her sparse findings inside her tent. Jersey's silhouette can be seen flying overhead. As Jersey zips by she grazes the top of a tree, making a sudden rustling noise. Aminah, hearing it, pokes her head out to take a look around, then back in when she finds nothing.

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