THE EVER-GREEN SCENE
Episode #1: (Series Pilot) "Pursuit"
written by
Bill Olson
Iconostar Productions Home Page
©1996 William David Sherman Olson
3nd Draft: February 15, 1996
___________________________________________________________
CAST
NAOMI -
NATHAN -
ERICA -
JOEL -
TRAX -
S.J. -
NIGEL CRANZ -
STARBRIGHT -
HI'KA, THE DRIVER -
VOICE -
PERSON -
ACT I
FADE IN:
1 INT. VEHICLE - NIGHT
TRAX, STARBRIGHT, and S.J. are in a small enclosed space,
like a car. it's very dark. HI'KA is driving.
TRAX
I really think Chicago is that-a-way,
man.
HI'KA
(Angry)
Lee-PAH chi-a-KOH
S.J.
You know I'll answer you only in
English.
HI'KA
(More angry)
Chi-PAH, gahn.
S.J. closes his eyes and shakes his head slowly with a
tense smile on his face.
STARBRIGHT
Sorry, Hi'ka, we have to practice this
language, Dig?
HI'KA
(Points)
City! City ahead.
TRAX
It ain't Chicago.
HI'KA
That where you getting out. You don't
like, take a but --
TRAX
You mean a BUS.
Hi'ka stares at Trax in a deadly manner.
TRAX
OK, I'll take a but.
2 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
We see the vehicle they are in: a space ship.
3 EXT. CITY - DAY
TITLE: "4 years later."
NAOMI is standing before a big CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS. She
is looking at the CAMERA, holding a MIC.
NAOMI
Dole-Buck Industries -- do they have
something to hide? Channel 10 News has
found evidence that Dole-Buck is
involved in a major conspiracy
involving Minnesota Health Care, the
state government, and aliens from
space.
The image FREEZES and becomes a KINESCOPE of a VIDEO
MONITOR. We BACK AWAY and see that we are now
4 INT. WTCM NEWS VIDEO EDITING SUITE - DAY
Naomi and her boss, NATHAN COLE are watching the unedited
footage we'd just seen.
NATHAN
You just lost your credibility, Naomi.
NAOMI
Why, because you don't believe in
aliens?
NATHAN
Even the aliens don't believe in
aliens. I interviewed them myself two
years ago.
NAOMI
Since when is denial truth?
NATHAN
Only when it's your denial, apparently.
NAOMI
That's a bunch of --
NATHAN
You denied Ma Bell would ever break up,
and when it did, you wouldn't even talk
about it.
NAOMI
Well see? Denial isn't truth.
NATHAN
I'm saying that you only accept denials
if they're your own.
NAOMI
So I'm wrong for being human.
NATHAN
Your a journalist, you can't afford to
be human.
NAOMI
Maybe that's why the world's going to
hell.
NATHAN
I looked through your notebook, Naomi,
you have nothing.
NAOMI
Perhaps my way is to start with faith.
NATHAN
You start by digging.
NAOMI
I've been doing that.
NATHAN
For six months -- and you have nothing
to show for it. (Beat) The story's
dead.
NAOMI
Awe, come on, Nathan --
NATHAN
I've given you six months, that's more
than most editors would give. The
story's dead, Naomi. I suggest you get
a life.
5 INT. MCTC STUIO - DAY
Naomi enters. GORDY is sitting on a desk writing notes on a
legal pad.
GORDY
Hi, Hon.
(He sees she's upset)
What's wrong?
NAOMI
Just another day at the office.
GORDY
Well, I'm almost finished with the
script on the Airports Commission.
NAOMI
(Pause, then:)
Gordy, I'd like to postpone that topic
for a couple weeks.
GORDY
(Frustrated)
You have another "fly-by Night" thing?
NAOMI
I think it's an important topic.
GORDY
So is this.
NAOMI
Please, Gordy, what's the point of
doing our own cable access show if we
can't exercise some freedom with it?
GORDY
(Puts down legal pad. He's
resistant here:)
OK, what is it?
NAOMI
Why do you always get like this?
GORDY
Because you always get on some last
minute crusade. Then, all of a sudden,
stories we've worked months on have to
take a back seat to something you
haven't properly researched. Like your
story of the governor pimping for
teenage prostitutes.
NAOMI
I learned a lesson, Gordy, all right?
GORDY
When you finally took my advice and
looked into it --
NAOMI
(overlapping on "advice")
That was NOT your advice --
GORDY
You didn't do it on you own.
NAOMI
Well you never mentioned it. All you
know how to do is gripe behind my back.
GORDY
You never listen.
NAOMI
You know, I'm the one who said
Minnesota experimented on retarded
children. You didn't want that one
aired, either.
GORDY
Naomi, you can't keep shooting blind,
hoping you'll hit your target.
NAOMI
So what? If I miss, it won't kill
anyone.
GORDY
Then what's your target this time?
NAOMI
Aliens, Gordy! I've discovered that
aliens are putting pornography on the
Internet so Congress will strike down
our freedom of speech!
Naomi rushes off angrily, leaving Gordy alone.
GORDY
(Sincerely, to himself)
Now that one I can believe.
DISSOLVE TO:
6 INT. STUDIO - DAY (LATER)
Naomi is on the phone.
TRAX
This is Trax.
NAOMI
This is Naomi Ever-Green. I'd like to
interview you on my news show.
TRAX
Groovy.
NAOMI
Great! Oh, and -- well, Trax, are you
really an alien?
TRAX
Of course I am.
Naomi obviously experiences a warm, happy feeling. She
looks out at Gordy, who's walking by in the hall outside
the lounge. As she sees him, she tries to remain guarded
about her joy.
FADE OUT.
ACT II
FADE IN:
7 INT. STUDIO - DAY
Naomi and ERICA are making notes while talking on separate
phones. Erica hangs up and adds to her notes. Then Naomi
hangs up.
NAOMI
What've you got?
ERICA
I know this guy who works in the State
Senate, and he says Dole-Buck
Industries has a whole section devoted
to aliens -- studying them or
something. They contracted with a
special security company to help
protect it. Most of the top managers of
the company don't even have access.
What've you found?
NAOMI
Not enough to satisfy Gordy. But I was
calling clinics and hospitals tying to
track down anything at all regarding
Dole-Buck. That's why I got interested
in the first place: I was doing a story
three months ago about HMO's, and
several doctors told how they were
fired or pressured to quit because of
Dole-Buck.
ERICA
How so?
NAOMI
Two doctors had refused to prescribe
Dole-Buck drugs, and a third was
pressured to quit after he began
speaking out against Dole-Buck. He said
it started when he got a letter from
their Apple Valley Medical Division,
and --
ERICA
Apple Valley? That's where this secret
section of the company is supposed to
be.
Naomi's phone RINGS and she answers it.
NAOMI
Naomi Ever-Green.
CRANZ
This is Nigel Cranz of Dole-Buck
Industries.
Naomi lets Erica listen in next to her ear.
NAOMI
Thank you for returning my call. I'd
like to set up an interview --
CRANZ
Your editor told me he's killed the
story.
NAOMI
So, you've been talking to him?
CRANZ
Naturally I called your work first. He
gave me this number.
NAOMI
Well, the story's not dead -- I just
switched to a different venue.
CRANZ
Yes, a cable access show. As I said,
the story's been killed.
NAOMI
I think you underestimate me, Mr.
Cranz.
CRANZ
No body watches cable access Miz Ever-
Green.
NAOMI
They'll watch if it's good. So how
about it, Mr. Cranz? The interview will
let you tell your side.
CRANZ
When my little girl hides the car keys,
I find it best to let her have her fun.
All turns out well in the end: My child
has her fun, and I get my keys, and my
daughter feels she has the best dad in
the world. Children need games, Miz
Ever-Green. Without them, the light in
their eyes goes out.
NAOMI
This is not a game, Mr. Cranz . . .
CRANZ
Good by.
NAOMI
(Rushing to get in one more
word.)
It's very serious!
DIAL TONE (!)
ERICA
What's life all about if we can't get
under the skin of someone like that?
Just tell me that -- what's it all
about?
Gordy enters.
GORDY
Hey, Naomi, were are my Airports
Commission notes?
NAOMI
(Under her breath to Erica)
Here it comes.
(To Gordy)
I took them.
GORDY
I need them back. Are you through with
them?
NAOMI
Actually, I'm gonna keep them until
after our next show.
GORDY
(Stunned)
So you can do your alien pornography
thing?
NAOMI
It's not alien pornography, it's a
corporate conspiracy involving aliens
and HMO's.
GORDY
In what way?
NAOMI
I don't know yet.
GORDY
You took my notes and you don't even
know what your conspiracy is?
NAOMI
We will if we put some time into it.
GORDY
We CAN put time into it. But there are
other things in the world besides
aliens.
NAOMI
Gordy, you never help me with anything.
You get too focused.
GORDY
That's just how I am.
NAOMI
Because you're so afraid you'll make a
mistake in one of your stories.
GORDY
And who suffers from your mistakes? I
do. And I'm sick and tired of it! Keep
my notes. Keep 'em till doomsday. Next
time, marry an alien.
He storms out.
ERICA
Good going, Naomi, you just screwed up
your marriage.
NAOMI
Thanks for your kind support.
ERICA
Well think about it: maybe you're the
one who's too focused.
NAOMI
SHUT UP!
Naomi leaves.
Joel comes in, worried by the yelling.
JOEL
What's happening, is everything all
right?
ERICA
(Pauses as the reality of how
she didn't help her friend,
Naomi, sinks in. She's very
depressed and ashamed when she
speaks:)
Yeah. Everything's fine.
Erica walks out slowly, her head hung down somewhat. She
walks past Trax.
JOEL
Hi, welcome to Minneapolis Community
Television.
TRAX
I have, yes.
(Trax thinks welcome means, "well, come.")
Joel is confused by Trax's response.
TRAX
I'm looking for Naomi Ever-Greek.
JOEL
Ever-Green. She "stepped out" for a
moment. I'm Joel McDonell, the
executive director, may I help you?
TRAX
Yeah, man, I'm Trax. Will she be gone
long?
JOEL
I'm sure she'll be right back. She's
working on her show, "Ever-Green
Scene." (Beat) Are you the same Trax
who's supposed to be an alien?
TRAX
Why, yes.
JOEL
Can you tell me something an alien
would know?
TRAX
(Thinking)
Let me see now: -- yeah, sure, man: If
a spaceship is gonna launch to a
certain orbit around Earth, the work
done in reaching the orbit is equal to
the force of the engines times the
distance through which the engines
fire, times the radius of the orbit
from the center of the Earth.
So, Force is F, distance is D, and
Radius is R. In other words, work done
equals FDR, which means that the work
your president Roosevelt did to get
your country out of the Depression
equals the force he exerted times the
distance in time through which he fired
up his New Deal, times the radius from
a healthy economy.
Joel is beguiled. He smiles and nods politely, then exits
the studio. As he walks out, he passes S.J, with whom he
exchanges a perfunctory greeting.
When Joel is gone, S.J. walks over to Trax and talks with
him quietly, confidentially, but sternly:
S.J.
I've told you, never joke about their
icons.
TRAX
But if we don't provide a stimulus, we
don't get a response. How can we study
if they have nothing to react to?
S.J.
They are always reacting. They react to
the things that would be there without
us. Remember, an anthropologist's
mission is to study -- are you
listening?
TRAX
YES!
8 INT. MCTV LOBBY - DAY (INSERT)
Joel is sitting at the front desk, drawing orbits. They are
not perfect, since most people are not good artists. He's
trying to figure out what Trax told him about WD=FDR.
The Erika enters.
JOEL
Hey, Erika, listen to this.
She comes over to him as he begins to describe the WD=FDR
equation.
9 INT. MCTV STUDIO - DAY (RETURN TO SCENE)
Trax and S.J. are continuing their previous discussion:
S.J.
Our mission is NOT to study how they
respond to us, but how they respond to
the normal things in their lives. We
must not manipulate the subject.
TRAX
I don't see the harm if, we're careful.
S.J.
I've read accounts of humans committing
murder because someone didn't pass the
salt at dinner.
TRAX
Well that's nuts.
S.J.
It seems nuts in an alien culture, but
what would happen at home if you didn't
where a bib on the holiday of Seaton?
TRAX
That's different.
S.J.
Are you sure? Maybe it's a conspiracy
by the government to compel us to buy
the expensive bibs they sell.
TRAX
No one ever told me that.
S.J.
Would they dare?
10 INT. LOBBY
Joel has just explained what Trax had told him. Erica looks
confused.
ERICA
So what you're saying is that Roosevelt
was in orbit around a healthy economy?
Joel tries to figure out if this is correct, or how it
relates. As he is stuck in thought, Naomi enters behind
Erica and walks toward the studio. Erica looks nervously at
her, then back at Joel. Both know that Erica must get the
courage to go up and apologize to Naomi.
11 INT. STUDIO
Naomi is shaking hands with S.J. and Trax.
NAOMI
Trax, S.J., it's nice to meet you, but
I'm afraid I won't be doing the show
after all.
TRAX
Why?
S.J.
Trax, it's none of our business.
TRAX
But S.J., it's an important show.
NAOMI
It IS important. I have evidence that
Dole-Buck Industries is exploiting both
aliens and humans.
S.J.
We're not aliens, Miz Ever-Green
NAOMI
Naomi. There are a number of people who
believe you are aliens.
S.J.
And I would never judge them negatively
for it.
TRAX
You'd judge ME negatively.
S.J.
I would correct you, Trax.
TRAX
It feels like judging.
NAOMI
(trying to stop the fighting.)
It's really of no consequence. My husb
[-and] -- ah, my partner on the "Ever-
Green Scene" has . . . well, quit, and
my boss at WTCM has stopped the story.
TRAX
(Quietly to S.J.)
But this has to be put on the air.
S.J.
(Quietly to Trax)
We are not social advocates. It's our
place to study her belief, not
encourage it.
(To Naomi)
I'm sorry, Naomi, we'll be going now.
NAOMI
Nigel Cranz will be happy.
S.J. and Trax were walking away, but on hearing "Niger
Cranz," S.J. stops and turns around. He seems startled, but
is trying to be cautious.
S.J.
Nigel Cranz?
NAOMI
He works for Dole-Buck Industries.
(Beat)
You know him?
S.J.
Why don't you have a show?
NAOMI
Well, it's a lot of work, and
S.J.
We might just be able to help.
TRAX
What changed your opinion?
S.J.
This is not the time for opinions, it's
the time for action.
FADE OUT.
ACT III
FADE IN:
12 INT. MCTV STUDIO - DAY
TITLE OVER: "Next Day."
Naomi is pacing around S.J. and Trax, who are standing.
S.J.
Once again, Naomi, the answer is no.
NAOMI
I don't believe you.
S.J.
I was born in Chicago. My parents are
from Brussels. I am not (Beat) an
alien.
S.J. is convincing, but we see the truth in Trax's eyes.
NAOMI
What can you tell me about Nigel Cranz?
S.J.
Nothing.
NAOMI
(Frustrated)
You recognized his name.
(Waits for reply. Nothing)
You told me this was the time for
action.
S.J.
You need to dig, Naomi. You need to
read and ask questions. I'll help you
do that.
NAOMI
I just ASKED a question.
We see Erica standing at the door watching, unseen by
Naomi.
S.J. (O.S.)
I have nothing but gossip fodder. You
have a completely new circumstance
to research.
When Joel comes up next to Erica, the conversation with
Naomi and S.J. FADES INTO B.G.
JOEL
(Speaks quietly to Erica)
Shouldn't you be in there?
ERICA
(Quiet as well)
I yelled at Naomi when Gordy walked out
on her yesterday.
JOEL
So apologize.
ERICA
I can't -- I mean, I was right, for
God's Sake.
JOEL
Well, then --
ERICA
I mean -- God, I didn't mean to hurt
her. (Beat) It was the wrong time to
say anything.
JOEL
So tell her you didn't mean to hurt
her. Bite your tongue on the rest of
it.
ERICA
(Loudly now)
I can't bite my tongue!
Naomi heard that and she, S.J., and Trax turn to look at
her, silently. Erica gives a last, angry look at Joel, then
walks off.
JOEL
(To the threesome)
PMS.
Joel exits.
TRAX
Does Joel get PMS often?
NAOMI
(Confused)
Huh?
From a loud speaker echoes a VOICE:
VOICE
(Filtered)
Naomi Ever-Green -- line three. Naomi,
line three.
Naomi picks up a phone.
NAOMI
Naomi.
NATHAN (V.O.)
(Filtered throughout scene)
What the hell is going on. Nigel Cranz
told me you're doing the story.
NAOMI
I thought he didn't care about a little
public access show.
NATHAN
(Overlapping)
You will kill that story and you'll
kill it now!
NAOMI
What I do at MCTV is none of your
business.
NATHAN
It's my business if it affects the
reputation of WTCM.
NAOMI
Well I'll sign a disclaimer.
NATHAN
Yeah, well -- yeah, y-you . . .
(The wind is no longer in his
sails.)
(Pause, then:)
I'll talk with Rudy about it. By.
NAOMI
By.
She hangs up the phone. Then Joel comes back.
JOEL
Hey, Naomi, did you tell people that
aliens will be doing "Ever-Green Host"?
NAOMI
Yeah, a couple people.
JOEL
Well the phones are ringing off the
hook. Keep up the good work.
Joel leaves.
S.J.
We're not aliens.
NAOMI
You want people to hear about Nigel
Cranz? Well this is the only way to
generate publicity. You've all been
recluses around the Twin Cities, but
word spreads, and people are
interested. No one watches cable access
TV. At least until now.
S.J.'s face is very stern. Naomi stares him down for a
moment, then turns to walk off (to the bathroom?). She's
startled by virtually running into Erica.
ERICA
Naomi, I . . . When -- you know, when I
get -- well . . . I mean -- that is to
say --
NAOMI
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO ME,
ERICA?
ERICA
Uh -- ah, w-w-well, ah, ah --
NAOMI
I thought not.
Naomi exits. Erica feels very alone right now, and we'd
like to give her a hug. Instead, we
FADE OUT.
ACT IV
FADE IN:
13 INT. MCTV STUDIO - DAY
Naomi is sitting, facing the CAMERA. In one hand she has a
pencil and the phone receiver. She puts the receiver to her
ear, then reaches with her other hand to take the pencil.
VOICE (O.S.)
Hello Miz Ever-Green
Naomi freezes. We all recognize this as the voice of Nigel
Cranz -- and it's not coming from the phone. WWithout
turning around, she says,
NAOMI
Nigel Cranz.
Naomi turn around and sees a large Hispanic man.
CRANZ
I must apologize for my rude comments
on the phone yesterday.
NAOMI
You weren't sorry when you thought we'd
get no viewers.
CRANZ
If you think you've suddenly come into
a position of power over me, let me try
casting a different light on this so we --
NAOMI
(Overlapping)
It's not the different light that
worries me, it's the different shadows.
CRANZ
Then let's avoid the shadows. I would
like to bring you and your camera crew
on a tour of Dole-Buck Industries. I'll
certainly grant you any interview you'd
like.
NAOMI
How about a tour of the secret Division
in Apple Valley?
CRANZ
Any secrets are those kept from our
competitors. Drug and chemical
development is a very aggressive
business. One patent can be worth
billions.
NAOMI
Billions of lives, or billions of
dollars?
CRANZ
If you're attempting to return my
earlier rudeness, I've already
apologized for that. Never the less,
I'm sure I've earned this.
NAOMI
As a matter of fact, Mr. Cranz, I
would like to interview you -- live on
TV. The show is tomorrow at 8:30 p.m.
CRANZ
I think I can make that.
NAOMI
I look forward to it.
Naomi and Cranz shake hands cordially, then Cranz leaves.
From behind a wall, door, curtain, or something, steps S.J.
NAOMI
S.J. Have you ever interviewed anyone
on live TV?
S.J. smiles as her plan dawns on him, then he leaves.
Naomi watches him go and sees Erica enter. Naomi looks at
her for a moment, then sits down again at the phone,
looking over notes. Behind her, Erica comes closer.
ERICA
Do you want me to help make phone
calls?
NAOMI
Whatever you want.
Erica cautiously comes over and sits next to Naomi and
takes some notes. She looks over them nervously.
ERICA
Was that man Nigel Cranz?
NAOMI
Yeah.
ERICA
He looks different than I visualized.
NAOMI
Me too.
ERICA
What did he say?
NAOMI
Just a bunch of bull. (Beat) But he
said he'd be on the show tomorrow.
ERICA
Live?
NAOMI
Yeah.
ERICA
(Suddenly excited, with a touch
of sexual innuendo)
We can do what we want to him.
After a moment, Naomi laughs: a joke between friends.
NAOMI
Only YOU would say something like that.
ERICA
So what've you got in mind?
NAOMI
S and M -- journalism style.
They both giggle, then smile at each other, holding a
compassionate eye contact that should make some of us cry.
14 INT. MCTV STUDIO - DAY
Title over: The next day.
The "Ever-Green Scene" set is up and the participants are
getting ready. Present are Naomi, Erica, Trax, Joel, and
Nigel Cranz. Noticeably absent is S.J.
TRAX
But I don't have any talent.
NAOMI
You don't have to have talent.
ERICA
You were gung-ho about it yesterday,
Trax.
TRAX
I thought it would be a recorded
interview, not live.
NAOMI
Don't worry, Trax, after all, nobody
watches Cable Access, right Mr. Cranz?
Mr. Cranz doesn't look too happy.
JOEL
Well, we'll have our largest audience
tonight. Both newspapers gave us front
page coverage, and most of the TV
stations mentioned us in their news
last night.
ERICA
Except for Channel Ten.
JOEL
It would've been nice if the news
coverage had been positive, but the
people can see through the mud-
slinging; Cable TV subscriptions have
jumped ten percent in two days just
because people want to see the aliens.
NAOMI
Isn't it almost air-time?
JOEL
(Looks at watch)
Sure enough. Since we don't have your
husband, I'll technical direct.
Erica gets behind a camera and Joel goes to the control
room.
NAOMI
Trax, Mr. Cranz, if you'll be seated,
please.
DISSOLVE TO:
15 INT. STUDIO - AFTER START OF SHOW
NAOMI
Tonight on "Ever-Green Scene," we
examine Dole-Buck Industries -- the
largest developer of chemicals and
drugs in Minnesota. Our investigations
have revealed they have been forcing
doctors in at least one HMO to give
patients prescriptions for Dole-Buck
drugs. At least two doctors claim to
have been fired for refusing.
We've also discovered that Dole-Buck
may have a secret facility in Apple
Valley devoted to the study of aliens.
CRANZ
(off mic)
That's ridiculous.
NAOMI
Joining me this evening is Nigel Cranz,
Director of Research and Development
for Dole-Buck Industries. I see you'd
like to address these allegations, Mr.
Cranz.
CRANZ
Thank you Miz Ever-Green.
NAOMI
If you'll be patient for just one
moment, Mr. Cranz, I've brought in a
special guest, more qualified than I,
to interview you.
CRANZ
(nods suspiciously)
All right.
NAOMI
This is S.J.
S.J. comes out. When Cranz sees him, he stands, angry and
frustrated.
S.J.
It's been a long time, Nigel.
Cranz tears off his lavaliere mic and storms off the set.
NAOMI
(To CAMERA)
It seems we'll be postponing our
interview.
16 EXT. WTCM - DAY - ESTABLISHING
17 INT. WTCM CONTROL ROOM - DAY
Naomi enters and sees her boss, Nathan Cole. He turns and
looks at her. A PERSON exiting the control room pauses
briefly at Naomi.
PERSON
Congratulations on your show last
night.
NAOMI
Thanks.
The Person exits. Then Nathan walks over to the door and
closes it.
NATHAN
You should know that Cranz has brought
a lawsuit against this station.
NAOMI
That's stupid, he can never win it.
NATHAN
Never the less --
NAOMI
He has no grounds for --
NATHAN
(Overlapping)
That's not the point! You're going on
the six o'clock new, and you're
apologizing to Cranz and Dole-Buck, and
if you pull anything like this again,
you'd better have another job lined-up.
Nathan exits. Naomi goes to a console and sits down. She is
sad and totally alone as we
FADE OUT.
THE END
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Odds and ends
NAOMI (O.S.)
So, your job is to inspire me.
S.J. (O.S.)
It seems to me I'm the ONLY one with
THAT particular job.
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NAOMI
In honor of my "Dearly Departed
Husband," that's Miz Ever-Green.
CRANZ
My condolences.
NAOMI
Not at all; my garden was in need of
fertilizer.
CRANZ
You buried him in your garden? Very
Macabre.