Invaders from Mars

INVADERS FROM MARS Screenplay by Dan O'Bannon & Don Jakoby SECOND DRAFT December 1984 FADE IN: A BOY in a BED ... tossing, turning ... a STORM outside ... He's ASLEEP and dreaming ... DISSOLVE TO: EXTERIOR - AIR FORCE BASE - NIGHT A large, forbidding military installation. Set back off the road with chainlink fences around it. Sign in front, illuminated by spotlights, reads: GROVE AIR FORCE BASE AIR DEFENSE COMMAND COLORADO In front is a GUARD STATION with two SENTRIES. An occasional jet test FIRING in the background. A car -- a small white FORD -- comes CAREENING up to the sentry box, doing a good 65 mph. The M.P.s snap to, made nervous by the car's approach. They flag it down. In the car are a CRAZED WOMAN and a FRIGHTENED BOY. M.P. (in through open car window) What's happening here, Ma'am? WOMAN We must see Colonel Wilson. The M.P. studies her. THE BOY (pleading) Yes.We have to see him.Call him. He talked at my school.He said we could come here any time we wanted. I have to tell him what's happening. THE WOMAN It's extremely important.I'm the nurse for the Tri-School District.It's a public health problem. M.P. (to Sentry in box) Go ahead. The Sentry picks up the base telephone. INTERIOR - COLONEL'S OFFICE - NIGHT COLONEL WILSON -- a handsome, sturdy looking man of middle age -- is standing in his office with an AIDE (SERGEANT RINALDI) -- both of them looking out the window at something we can't see.The PHONE RINGS. Sgt. Rinaldi picks it up. SGT.