Monarch Extinction

by womenwithwheels

Modern day woman with a secret bigger than life. She was the chosen one to have a miraculous child. How would her child be raised? What message would he bring to this world? Would this story end differently?

Monarch Extinction Page 16 of 16

INT. HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT

EVE (OC)
(Entering ER
clasping hand of
her son)
Hurry, there's no time! He's hurt!
Help my son!

CONNIE (OC)
(moving quickly
with the gurney)
Help him - you've got to Help him!
Where is the doctor?!

EMTS RUSH THE GURNEY INTO THE ER AND THE HEAD NURSE POINTS
DOWN THE HALL

GABE (VO)
James was losing his hold on
reality. His eyes were rolling
into his head. Only the whites
could be seen. His chest was
beginning to convulse. We all
watched to see if the miracle of
modern medicine could bring him
back to us. Could this be the end?

INSIDE THE ER SURGICAL ROOM

Nurses and residents run into the room. There is mass
confusion as the young man is prepared for emergency
surgery. The on-call surgeon enters the room and prepares
by putting on surgical gloves, mask and gown. The
anesthesiast gives him the details on the patient's vitals.
The doctor barks out orders to the attending nurses. Over
his mask, he looks at the residents and nurses with a calm,
but non-commital eyes.

2.

ER DR. (OC)
(With commanding
presence)
Let's get his chest open and see
what we've got. I need a rib
cracker too. You - tell the
family to go to the waiting room!

One of the nurses leaves to usher the family, who is waiting
outside the door watching, down the hall.

GABE (VO)
(Tired and drained)
It was a long night. We sat,
walked, and little was said as we
were there. After two hours, we
were told that James had been
moved upstairs to the Operating
Room. Our nerves were strung out
with coffee - little was known
about his comdition.

We moved upstairs to continue our
watch. The nurses were very
solemn - checking on us every 30
minutes or so. They offered us
more coffee - but little else.

No information was available, the
doctor was doing everything he
could. They had brought in a
cardiac specialist. And they would
drift away on their rubber sole
shoes, like ghosts with a squeak
when they walked.

We had nothing else to do, but to
wait.

INT. 1975 INSIDE GROCERY STORE - DAY

JAMES
(Whining)
Mom, can I have that cereal I
like?

Scene opens with younger Eve walking down the aisles of
grocery store with 7 year old James by her side. She is
carefully looking at canned goods, cross checking a grocery
list. James walks quietly next to her. Both are dressed in
clothes of the period.

Eve reaches into her suede fringe bag and pulls out some
coupons, which she fumbles with as she compares the prices
on the shelves.

EVE (WALKING)
(traveling down
store aisle)
James, you know some day we'll
walk through this store and buy
anything we want and not have to
worry about every little penny.

Eve and James turn the corner and continue their shopping.
Overhead are typical grocery store sounds, sale of pork
chops $.65 cents per pound. Clean up on aisle 2, muzak plays
Barry Manilow in background. Other mothers walk by with mid
70's clothes and small children in tow.

Eve and James have moved to the check out line. Eve has
taken out her wallet while pulling out food stamps, James
stands there trying to ignore her - embarrassed by the
transaction that is about to take place.

Eve puts all of the groceries on the belt.

The check out girl, with her hair cut and perfectly sprayed
like Farrah Faucet chews on her gum, snapping it when she
chews. She gives the pair a snide look as she starts to ring
up the groceries.

3.

EVE
(to the clerk)
Can you give me a subtotal? I need
to make sure I have enough money.

The clerk gives her a nasty look, stops punching up items.
There are obviously several items left on the belt - A box
of Frosted Flakes, some personal products for Eve, soap, and
milk. The clerk gives her a blank look as the register shows
$19.35.

EVE
(flustered,
frustrated)
OK, here are my coupons, can you
take them off?

OK, then... I have $15.00 in food
stamps, that should cover it. Go
ahead and ring up the rest.

The clerk continues and rings up the rest of the items with
a rude shrug. The total comes to $22.00. Eve has just enough
money, after searching her purse, pockets and back to her
purse again to pay the clerk in change.

The clerk makes no effort to bag the groceries. A line had
formed behind them. James is trying to make himself
dissappear - but turns to the clerk at the last minute.

JAMES
(sweetly, to the
clerk)
Thank you for your help today.
Have a nice day - Peace!

EVE
(tugging at James
while bagging her
groceries)
Come on - let's go!

4.

EXT. PARKING LOT OF GROCERY STORE - DAY

Mary and James come out of the grocery store. They are
pushing their cart into the parking lot. The lot is filled
with early and mid-70's model cars. They approach a VW
Beetle, beat-up and bruised. Mary uses her keys to open the
trunk and the two put the groceries into the front. They are
chummy and work well together. No words are needed. James
passes the sacks to Mary and she places them into the car.
Then she shuts the trunk, opens the side door for James - he
jumps in. She rolls the grocery cart to the cart parking
area, and walks to the car. Opens the drivers' side by
putting her hand through the window and popping the door
open from the inside and gets in. Starts the car and music
begins to play. A rock and roll station blasts loudly -
cutting off the sound of the engine starting. The engine
grinds into reverse, but the bug doesn't move.

With frustration, she hits the steering wheel. James looks
at her sympathetically. He remains quiet as the music plays.
She tries again - pumps the gas - it grinds and groans- a
quick glance at the gas guage - it's on E.

EVE
(says outloud to
no one)
Damn! Why do these things always
happen to me?

JAMES
(to his mom)
Mom, are you all right?

5.

EVE
(quietly, while
trying the car
again - it starts)
Yes, honey. I'm sorry. I'm angry
at the world right now. I can't
find a decent job, the car never
works right. And, on top of all of
that - I'm getting hot flashes
every hour! Other than that - I'm
fine. (sarcastically)

Eve jolts the car out of the parking space in a jerking
manner - engine revving so it won't stop. She drives out of
the shopping center parking lot and out to the street. Music
changes to Creedence Clearwater - Black Moon Rising.

INT. FAMILY HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Eve carries the groceries to the kitchen. The kitchen is
small, decorated in weary pink and white appliances. She
puts up the milk and the other refrigerator items first.
Magnets hold art work on the door - Finger painting pictures
with rainbows with birds along side of hand prints with
curling yellow edges. Peace signs and anti-war slogans are
intermingled with the tangle of magnets and art.

EXT. SMALL SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE - DALLAS TX - DAY

Eve and James take groceries out of car and carry them into
house. Screen door swings and slams after them. The
neighborhood is wood homes, window frame air-conditioners
can be heard purring in the background. Crickets/cicadas are
chirping. The grass in the front of the house is long - the
garden, once nicely groomed - is now overgrown and brown. It
is summertime in Texas.

The sound of splashing and childrens' screams can be heard
in the background.

After a second trip from the car, James turns to tune his

6.

ears in the direction of the childrens' screams and
laughter. The sound of water splashing is loud, followed by
more laughter.

JAMES
(to his mom, with
a pleading voice)
Mom, can I go play at Simon's?
They're in the pool. Mom - can I
go swimming? Huh? Huh?

EVE
(straining with
several bags at
once under her
arms and in her
hands)
James, is your room picked up?
Have you done your chores? Did you
feed the dog?

James looks at her with big eyes, begging, but doesn't
directly answer her questions. She nods and he runs into the
house to change his clothes and grab a towel. Before she's
fully in the house he's rushing out again, ready to go
swimming. The door slams for the last time as Eve enters
with the last of the groceries.

INT. HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY

Eve moves into the living room. A shelf system using milk
cartons and boards is filled with books - Betty Friedan,
"Our Bodies, Ourselves", Psychology, Freud, Spiritual
materials.

A stereo system is in the middle of the center - a
turntable, 8 track player, receiver and two huge speakers on
the floor. Plants hanging in macrame hangers dangle from the
ceiling. An oil picture of the sunset is propped up on top
of the shelves along with many pictures of James.

Eve pulls out an LP from a selection lined up on one of the
shelves. Carole King's Tapestry starts to play. "My Life has

7.

been a Tapestry... "

Eve hums and moves from the stereo over to the coffee table
and couch. She picks up some envelopes that are stacked on
the table, sifts through them with a disgusted look on her
face. It is obviously a collection of mail.

Finally, she pulls one envelope out of the stack. She looks
at it carefully.

P.O.V. Eve studying front of envelope - it is addressed to
her in a fine old style handwriting (caligraphy). No return
address. She turns the envelope over to look at the back - a
red wax seal is placed on the back.

With surprise and curiosity, Eve studies the envelope, turns
the light on next to the couch and sits down.

She opens the envelope slowly and deliberately. Her hands
are shaking.

EVE (VIEW OF EVE AND LETTER)
(reading the
letter to herself)
Dear Eve,

I have attempted to start this
letter to you many, many times.

It is difficult to put this into
words. However, it is imperative
that I meet with you to give you
this message.

I know that things haven't been
good between us lately, but this
is different. Please contact me
as soon as you read this. You
have my address and phone number.

Truly,

Gabriel

8.

Eve turns the letter over. Nothing is written on the back.
She is obviously dumbfounded. She picks up the envelope and
looks at it again closely. No post mark - the stamp is
unusual - not like any she has seen before.

She places the letter and envelope down on the table and
stares off into space.

EVE (VO)
(speaking to
herself)
Man, I must have done some serious
drugs in my life! Or this is a
really bad practical joke. Why
would he send something like this
after I haven't talked to him in
over 10 years?

Eve gets up from the couch and goes into the kitchen to
start dinner. The note left behind, she listens to music
while preparing food.

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - EXAMINATION ROOM - 1975 (EARLIER THAT SAME DAY) - DAY

Eve is dressing (NOTE: SHE PUTS ON THE SAME CLOTHES SEEN IN
EARLIER SHOT IN GROCERY STORE) after being examined by the
Dr. The nurse is clearing away the speculum, blood samples,
urine samples, etc. Marking them and then she leaves the
room. the Dr. is writing notes in a chart. Eve continues to
get dressed and is now sitting on the edge of the
examination table.

9.

WISEMAN (TURNED AWAY FROM EVE)
(washing his hands)
Eve, I think the exam confirms
your suspicions. The hot flashes,
not having a period in six months,
and your mood changes - they all
appear to me to mean one thing.

You've entered "that time of
life". You are now officially
menopausal. Are you OK with that?
I mean, you won't have any more
children. How do you feel?

EVE
(stunned, quietly
reflecting, voice
low)
well.. Dr. Wiseman - I can only
say I guessed I was menopausal. I
just wanted it confirmed. How do I
feel? How DO I feel? I'm not sure.
Relieved? Sad? Depressed? Grief?
I'm not sure... Well, there's one
thing for sure - I won't have to
waste more money buying tampons!
(small laugh/snort)

(More sober)

Doc - how am I supposed to feel? I
haven't slept with a man since
after Gabe and I divorced three
years ago. I'm not seeing anyone
and don't see anyone in the near
future. I guess, I'm just going to
be an old woman, raising a son on
her own. Well, at least it's only
one child. I don't think I could
handle raising more than one by
myself. I really don't know how
other women do it! I see them with
three and four children in tow at
the grocery store - but I couldn't
do it. I suppose I'm grateful for
what I have. (Shrugs her shoulders
and exhales a deep breath)

WISEMAN
Eve, I've known you a long time. I
know that you have done a terrific
job raising James on your own. I
know you're under a lot of stress
right now looking for a job.

This news may take awhile to soak
in. Most women go through a
grieving period when they learn
that they have reached menopause.
I wouldn't be surprised if you did
too. Just try and keep yourself
busy. James needs you and you can
direct your attention to new and
different projects.

Hopefully, a job will come your
way soon. That will help. I'm
going to write you a prescription
for something to help you through
this. It's just a mild hormone so
that your body will not just stop
functioning. Take it each morning.
And, if you have any problems
sleeping, or with emotions- call
me and Susan will make an
appointment for you. OK?

Just think of this as a new
beginning. That might help.

Dr. Wiseman gets up and gives Eve a quick rub on her
shoulder. She nods her head and takes the prescription. She
leaves the table and walks out of the room.

INT. FAMILY HOUSE - JAMES' BEDROOM - NIGHT

The room is dimmed - lighted only by a small bedside lamp.
James is in bed - reading MAD magazine. He folds the back
page over to make the page connect.

10.

Eve enters the room. She looks around. It's picked up - no
clothes on the floor - but a pile of stuff is in the corner.
Posters of Rock musicians are on the wall.

Eve shakes her head and walks to the bed. She sits next to
James. He shows her the magazine. She studies it for a
minute and shakes her head again, then chuckles a little -
more to herself.

She rubs his face with love and adoration. She adores her
only child. They are cocooned in the world together. Single
parent mom and son. Making it together the best they can.

Eve just sits quietly next to her son. He has a bedside
radio playing - Dr. Demento is heard coming over the
airwaves. They both listen and laugh.

She kisses him goodnight and quietly leaves the room.

INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Eve goes to the stereo. She puts on an album - Elton John's
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Requime for a Friend begins to
fill the air. She moves to the couch and sits, while in a
trance. She stares off into space.

EVE (OC)
(speaking to
herself)
Man, what a day. Too much to think
about. First, I get the news from
the doc that I won't have anymore
kids - that's a mind - blower.

Then, a letter from Gabe. I just
can't imagine what's his bag. I'm
not sure I'm ready to bring up
that stuff again...

Too much to handle... Too much..

11.

She is contemplating the recent events of her life: The
menopause, not having a job, shortage of money, the strange
letter; She is staring off into the void. A quiet peace is
present.

She can see out the large picture window. The moon is high
in the sky. Lightening bugs spark their lights in the
bushes.

As Eve sits alone thinking, she feels a breeze blow over
her. The air was still, but the color of her peasant shirt
ruffles. She smoothes it with one hand and resumes her
meditative position. The she feels like someone is standing
behind her.

The hairs are raised on her arms and neck. She reaches to
rub her arms and to calm herself down.

A shiver goes through her. She turns to look around the
room. A glowing light brightens her face as she turns. A
look of amazement and awe is seen in her eyes. She is
covered with a golden warm light.

Her mouth opens to speak - but no words come out.

INT. P.O.V. - LIGHT SOURCE - NIGHT

ANGEL (OC)
(resonant tone)
I am here to tell you about the
messiah.

(Long pause)

You, Eve will be the bearer of the
Messiah. A short time will pass
and you will bring forth a babe.
All of God's love and protection
will be with you in this time. You
will want for nothing.

Do not worry, this is a great
miracle which will be bestowed
upon you. To be the chosen one
for this noble role is by far the
greatest inspiration which will be
given to humankind, as we know it.
(MORE)

12.

ANGEL (cont'd)

DO not fear. Just wait and watch.
It is time for a new way. And you,
Eve, are at it's origin.

Peace be with you!

The light moves off of Eve's face and gradually dimishes
from the room.

INT. HOUSE - EVE'S BEDROOM - DAY

Light slowly creaps up the bed and begins to shine on Eve's
tilted head. She is sound asleep. However, with the growing
strength of the sunlight through the window, she begins to
awaken. She slowly opens her eyes and looks around the room.

EVE (OC)
(outloud, but
speaking to
herself)
Is it morning already? I felt
like I barely slept at all. I'd
better hurry up and see what James
is doing. Wow what a dream I had
last night. That must have been
what kept me from sleeping!

Good grief!

KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR

JAMES (OC)
(enthusiastic
young voice)
I'll get it mom!

James runs to the door from the kitchen. Milk still drips
from his mouth from the cereal he's been eating. He opens
the door wide.

13.

GABE
(stiffly standing
at the door)
Hello son, how are you?

JAMES
(backing away from
Gabe)
Hi....(stutters, hesitantly) dad..
what are you doing here?

GABE
Can I come in?

JAMES
(shouting towards
the back of house)
Mom!?!

EVE
(sleepy reply)
James, who is it honey?

JAMES
(Shouting his
reply)
It's Gabe, mom!

EVE
(Fumbling to put
on clothes)
Let him in, James. I'll be out in
a second.

While Eve trips and rips through her closet to find some
clothes, James points to the couch for Gabe to sit down.
Gabe moves slowly and formally to take a straight backed
position on the old worn couch.

EVE
(entering living
room)
Hello, Gabe. What are you doing
here? James - go to the kitchen
and finish your cereal.

14.

GABE
Did you get my message-letter I
sent you?

EVE
(still standing at
the living room
entrance)
James - go into the kitchen - OK
baby?

Yes, I got your note. You didn't
say much. What is this all about?
It's been so long since I've heard
from you. If this is about money
you want to borrow - you've come
to the wrong place.

GABE
(quietly and
almost mumbling)
No, I know it's been a long time.
And it's strange to come here too.
I needed to talk to you about
something and I couldn't put it
into the letter. Will you listen
to me calmly and let me finish
before interrupting me? (pauses,
clears his throat and looks at
Eve)

EVE
(checking him out
with scrutiny)
Gabe, whatever you have to say -
it better be good. I have half a
mind not to let you into this
house, expecially after how you
treated me, uh us, in the past.
What is it?

15.

GABE
(starting slowly)
Eve, something really strange
happened to me the other day. It
also involved you. I think you'll
want to hear this....

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

GABE (LOUDLY)
(yelling at the
top of his lungs)
Eve - you never were there for me.
All this time and I worked hard
for you and the boy... I wanted
something better for us. But now I
can tell it's over!

EVE (SCREAMING)
(runs at Gabe)
What! I wsa never there! You have
a lot of nerve telling me that...
You - you're on the road three
weeks out of every month. You
leave me here alone to take care
of everything. Go! I don't want to
see you again!

Gabe reaches his truck - a semi cab without the rig. He
opens the cab door and throws loose clothes into the cab.

GABE
(out of breath)
I've never done anything to hurt
you. But if it's gonna be this way
every time I come home - you won't
see me - ever!

EVE
(Feet firmly
planted)
You run - Gabe. I can take care of
everything, I always have and I
can from now on. I don't need
you, or your on and off
relationship. Don't worry about
us, we will take care of
ourselves!

JAMES
(crying building
into a wail)
Mom, dad - don't fight! Don't
fight! I'm sorry, please don't go!
I will be good.

Gabe stops from jumping into his truck to look over at the
small boy. He takes a couple steps towards the house - but
is stopped by Eve who is blocking the way. Instead he just
turns, gets into his truck, starts the engine loudly and
screeches off. Dust flys like smoke from the tires and
leaves a cloud behind him.

Eve turns to her son and picks him up and rocks him in her
arms to comfort him. Gradually the boy's crying begins to
cease. He clings to her tightly as she holds him.

EVE
(soothingly)
It's gonna be fine baby. We can
make it together. You'll see, we
are strong and we can make a good
life for ourselves. I promise you
- I will always be good to you and
I will never leave you. I love you
sweetheart.

Mother and son enter the house, the screen door slams - as
if a final note of certainty. They will start a new life
together.

INT. JAMES BEDROOM - NIGHT

Eve and James sit on his bed. The small bed side light casts
a dim but comforting light over them. Eve holds a book in
her hand and her arm is around James at the same time.

EVE
(reading the book)
And the Cat in the Hat jumped
on the mat
He sat on the bat
(MORE)

16.

EVE (cont'd)
And made a ....

JAMES
(looking up at his
mom)
Mom, why are you mad at dad?

EVE
James, it's hard to explain. I'm
mad at him because he's gone all
the time and leaves us alone.

I'm mad because when he's home, he
doesn't care about us.

I'm mad because.... well - there's
so many reasons.

James looks down and nods.

EVE
(puts her hand on
his chin and
lifts his face
towards her)
But, honey - you need to know that
I'm not mad at you. I love you.
And, you need to know that you
aren't the reason why your dad and
I can't stay together. OK? Do you
understand that?

James nods again and Eve gives him a big hug.

EXT. VIEW FROM INSIDE TRUCK - ROAD PASSING BY - NIGHT

Gabe is driving along a deserted highway. Music is tuned
into a crackling country station. There are no other
vehicles in front or behind him.

GABE
(singing to the
radio)
Old Hank Williams Song (to be
determined)

RA
(long drawling
voice)
Folks, that was a classic, (fill
in song). This is the late night
show on KKKO - Pueblo's best
country music. It's time for me
to take a break for our sponsors,
stay with us and I"ll be back with
more country hits in just a
minute.

A shaft of light gradually increases to fill the truck cab -
specifically on Gabe. At first he lifts his hand to block
the light - but realizing that it is not coming from a
vehicle on the road - he is confused.

He pulls the truck over to the side of the road.

ANGEL
(voice comes over
the radio)
Gabe, you have been chosen to be a
part of a great plan, you will be
the man who will raise the
Messiah. You are the only one to
fulfill this essential role.

GABE
(obviously
disoriented)
Who? What? Who are you? Where are
you?

ANGEL
I am here to tell you about the
messiah.

(Long pause)

Eve will be the bearer of the
Messiah. A short time will pass
and she will bring forth a babe.
All of God's love and protection
(MORE)

17.

ANGEL (cont'd)
will be with her in this time.
However, she will need your
assistance during this time. You
are to return to her and stay with
her and the child. It is your gift
to God that you uphold this
request. For your efforts, you
will be rewarded richly.

Do not worry, this is a great
miracle which will be bestowed
upon you. To be the chosen one
for this noble role is by far the
greatest inspiration which will be
given to humankind, as we know it.

DO not fear. Just wait and watch.
It is time for a new way. And you,
Gabe, will be there for it's
origin.

Peace be with you!

Gabe sits quietly as the light moves off gradually -
dimming. He soon is in darkness - lit only by the lights of
the truck's dash.

He appears to be in a daze. Soon the radio station cracks
and static to heard and the announcer comes back on.

RA
(drawling voice)
Thanks for staying up with us
tonight folks. Next we'll listen
to one of my favorites, Ms. Patsy
Cline.

Gabe reaches over and snaps the station off. He is moving
slowly - as a man in shock. Silence follows.

18.

INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

GABE
(elbows on his
knees - gesturing
with hands)
You see, all of this happened so
quickly. I just felt this light
shine on me. I was in the middle
of no where. I didn't have time to
ask any questions. I don't know
what to think, what to do. So I
sent you that note and I came to
tell you - you don't have to
believe me. It was just so freaky.
I'm still freaked out.

EVE
(sitting down as
the story is told
by Gabe)
That is the freakiest story I'm
heard. Except, I've heard it too.
I didn't know what to think about
it - in fact, I thought it was a
dream.