SliTHER

S L I T H E R written by James Gunn September 10, 2004 FADE IN: INT. HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY CLOSEUP: A slender woman's hand writes on a chalkboard, in teacherly cursive. We PULL BACK to REVEAL STARLA GRANT, a stunningly beautiful Southern woman in her twenties, as she finishes writing out, "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" Starla glances at the classroom of high school students. She is a demure woman, somewhat awkward in her speaking, but she has the rapt attention of all the boys in the class. STARLA When Darwin said 'fittest,' he didn't necessarily mean the strongest or the most intelligent, or any one trait -- he merely meant those organisms most well-suited to their environment. The boys in the class look her up and down as she speaks. KYLIE STRUTEMYER, a pretty student, notices a BOY beside her drawing Starla, only without her clothes. She hits him. He CHUCKLES. STARLA We humans think we're more fit, more evolved, because we're smarter. But we're neophytes. We've been around two million years, give or take. The cockroach has been here for 350 million. You tell me who's the more successful species. A BOY raises his hand. STARLA Will. WILL How's all this go with how the Bible says there ain't no dinosaurs? Some of the kids LAUGH at the boy.Starla pauses, about to answer, when the BELL RINGS. STARLA We'll tackle that tomorrow... Everyone bring your boxing gloves. The kids start to leave. 2. EXT.