Second Draft- script Eric Jones The Games we Play (all action takes place inside the SC1 space station) 2085. Entrance docks The room is deserted, isolated. Thin rivulets of rust line the floors, walls and ceiling. A thin layer of dust covers the floor, disturbed only by a breeze which blows through the hall. On one wall is a yellow, faded poster, which reads: `explore the stars, with Stellar Corp!'. The lights above flicker randomly, which creates a strobe-light effect on the shadows that criss-cross against the drab grey walls. A single exit from the room leads out into a hallway. The exit is large- a giant arch with lights that line its edge, now in dissuse. A scrap of paper wafts by. 2085. Hallway The scrap of paper floats down the hallway. It does loops in the air as it drifts along. It occasionally buffets up on drafts of air. 2085. T-junction The paper reaches a t-junction in the hall. The paper comes in from the stem of the junction. It circles around, being pushed by winds that come from all three halls. It twists and turns, and rises to the ceiling. The paper flies around the ceiling, and finds a hole in the ceiling, and passes through it. 2085. Tunnel The paper flies up through the small hole, formerly a passageway for moving objects from one level of the station to another. It does not look like it was originally planned to be here, the edges look like they were cut off with some kind of blowtorch. 2085. End of tunnel The paper rises up through the hole, and wafts up in the air for a few moments, before floating gently down to the ground. 2085. Gambling Hall The room stretches out for a great distance, almost the size of a football field. The room is in a state of decay. Tall stone pillars line the walls of the room, their surfaces chipped and cracked. Piles of wood litter the room, in ordered, straight lines. The walls are devoid of any posters or wall hangings, but the drab red walls are more vibrant in some square areas, the hint of what used to be. The flickering lights in the room are situated above sets of slowly rotating fans, which causes the strobe-light effect to be increased. Cards are being shuffled somewhere. The top of a table, rotting with age, barely able to stand up on it's legs, which sway jaggedly. A wrinkled hand places a card face up on the table - the queen of spades. The hand retracts, and cards are shuffled again. The hand appears once more, and the ace of hearts is placed on the table. A man grunts. REMLAS (85), is a withered man with wispy white hair, and piercing silver eyes. He wears a one-piece brown robe, which is far too large for his thin, gaunt features. He sits in a chair that is set up beside the table. He blows air into his hollow cheeks, appearing to be in thought. He affords a thin, weak smile. Remlas (distantly) That was me once. Remlas peers at the Ace of Hearts, and squints his eyes. He tilts his head, looking up. He seems to try to remember something. 2036. Entrance Docks Multi-hued lights of green and blue shine down from the ceiling, reflecting off of the bright, shiny garbs of people just getting off of the latest space ship. They mill into the docks, some old, some young, some in fancy, extravagant clothing, and others in near-rags. A rotating logo, depicting a 3-d space shuttle, and the revolving words, `Stellar Corp.' hangs in the middle of the room, it's outlining matching the colors of the lights above. Blinking neon signs point towards the far end of the room, where a set of large, open gates stand. Announcer Greetings, and welcome to the *only* gateway to the stars, SC1! The next star-hopper will be leaving in a week, so we hope you enjoy your stay here, and wish you well on your journey to the beyond! The crowds ignore the announcer, moving as one giant mob towards the gateway. A young man holding a baby girl cries with joy, being pushed along with the rest of the people. People in the mob jostle about, but are a calm, peaceful group, so far. They reach the gates. Men in blue and green uniforms try to slow down the tide of people. They call out about passports. They attempt to regulate the crowd, but give up as the people force their way past. Announcer And remember, you'll be the first to go out into the deep beyond, so you don't want to be caugh unprepared! Don't forget to check out all the convenient Stellar Corp. Stores aboard this station! 2036. Hallway, niche. YOUNG REMLAS (36), with the same piercing eyes, and thick, unruly black hair, wearing a loose, multi-colored robe, watches the people from a small portal leading off from the main hallway. The people run by, unaware of him, too happy at their surroundings to notice, or care. The officers have managed to gain control at the gate. They look over papers, and then let the people past. Remlas watches on, grinning with hungry intent. He turns, and walks into the portal, a door closing behind him. 2036. Service Hallway, main floor. Remlas walks down the hallway with a purposeful stride. He walks past more officers, who all move quickly to get out of his way, some make bowing gestures as well. Remlas ignores all this, and finds a set of stairs. He quickly marches up them. 2036. Service Hallway, floor `2'. Remlas reaches the top of the stairs, and takes a quick turn to the right, a few paces down this hall, and he turns to walk through an open hatchway. 2036. Gambling Hall, employee entrance. Remlas looks out over the gambling hall, and ambles down a set of stairs. The hall is in pristine condition. The pillars are solid, and have designs inlaid in gold spiralling up them. The walls are a flamboyant shade of red, even bolder with the tinted lights shining from above. The fans hanging below the lights are rotating at a fast rate, keeping the hall cool despite the mass of people in it. The place is jam-packed with people, placing their bets down on tables, praying, and frantically digging through their pockets for more change. Coins pass hands both ways across the table, people reacting with joyous leaping, or unbelieving stares, and wailing. Remlas looks over all this, and smiles. Remlas (to himself) Now this is progress. 2036. Gambling Hall. Remlas saunters across the hall, to an empty table, which has his name emblazed on it. People mill about the table. They stare at Remlas, and look around at the surrounding tables. He sits down at the table, flicking a switch, which causes a light to turn on. Some of the crowd of people rushes forward, and take seats. Remlas pulls out a deck of cards from a well-worn box, and begins to shuffle them. He deals three cards to everyone at the table. A game ensues. People move their chips over onto different numbers on a board which lies on the table. Another round of cards is dealt to those that want it. Cards go back and forth along the table. Chips are moved from one side of the table to the other, most of the time in Remlas' favour. More cards are dealt, more chips exchange hands. Remlas places a card face up, a two, beside his cards. He flips his remaining cards over: an eight, a five, and a six. Remlas (neutrally) Dealer shows twenty-one. Game goes to the dealer. Remlas pulls over all the remaining chips, and stores them in a pouch. Some people in the game throw their cards down in disgust, and storm off. Others just shrug, and find another table. Remlas reaches forward, and flicks the switch beside him down, shutting off the lights at the table. One man, MARK (24), a scraggly, pale-thin man wearing some black, shiny clothing that is just begging to tatter, stays behind. His hands are shaking, and he stares pleadingly at Remlas. Mark C'mon man, just one more game... It's the only one I know.. Mark shuffles over to Remlas' side of the table, a half-smile on his face. Remlas stands up quickly, and pushes Mark aside. He walks away. Mark rushes after him, and tugs on the sleeves of Remlas' robes, trying to pull him back. His smile has dissapeared, and he has a look of abject fear on his face. Mark I need to play man! I'll never get off here with what I have!! Remlas turns, and gives Mark a look of disdain. Remlas That is not my concern. Remlas whips back around, pulling himself free of Mark's grip. Remlas fades into the crowd, while two large, burly men approach Mark. Remlas is grinning. A dealer at a table nearby lays down a card. 2085. Gambling Hall Remlas lays down a card on the table absently, and shakes himself out of his reverie. Remlas Pathetic fools. Remlas continues to deal cards to himself. The king of diamons, nine of spades, and the joker all get placed down beside each other, beside the other two cards. He peers at the joker curiously. He twists his head from side to side to look at it from different angles. He looks at his deck, and shuffles through it, looking at each card. He picks up the joker, flips it around his fingers. He shrugs and tosses it behind him. He raises his head, and snorts. Remlas The real jokers were those customers. Remlas begins to re-shuffle the cards, but fidgets, and the cards spill onto the floor. Remlas sighs, and slowly picks up all the cards. Methodically, he organizes them into a pile on the table, and then leans back in his chair. He laughs hoarsely, and pats his table. Remlas Ah, my table, my throne! You've served me well over these years.. The table trembles under the pressure of his hands. It barely manages to stay up. Remlas Oh, the things you've seen, if you caught all those tricks I pulled, that is! Remlas breaks into another fit of laughter. The table still shakes, and the pile of cards spills down, spreading across the table. 2036. Gambling hall From the view of the table, Remlas gambles. He pulls cards out of his sleeves so quickly peoplpe don't notice, double-deals himself and gets away with it, and steals cards from the deck. All the while, he smiles, and doesn't show a hint of what he's doing. 2085. Gambling Hall Remlas' teeth, his wrinkled face, his shrivelled body. His eyes survey the room, a broad grin on his face. Remlas This was the start of it all.. The wealth I attained, it made me king! Remlas breaks into a coughing fit, but manages to get control of it. He grins again. Voice And you still are. Remlas starts, and looks about quickly. He squints his eyes tightly, and peers into the darkness. A MAN (45), with short brown hair, with a slightly tubby build, and wearing a cheap black suit, walks out of the shadows. He acknowledges Remlas with a short, curt nod, and lights a cigar. Man You were king, and you are still. King of your little hill.. The man gestures around the room. Man Grand isn't it? Holding dominion over this empty shell? Remlas wheels over, and falls to the floor. He shuffles back on his hands, and stares up. Remlas Who are you? How did you get here? The man strides forward, around the table. The man leans down, and reaches forward with a hand, a thin smile on his face. Man I'm a businessman, here on business. Remlas blinks. He doesn't accept the man's help, and struggles up to his feet. He uses one of the pillars for support. He turns around. The man waits patiently. He inhales on his cigar, and lets out a sigh. He looks around, and absently runs a finger over Remlas' table. Man Simply marvellous, what you've done to the place. I adore the decor. Remlas' fear is gone. He glares at the man, a scowl on his face. Remlas If you're here on business, state it. The man thumbs through Remlas' cards, which are scattered around the table. He looks up. Man So rude, Remlas. And I just got here. Aren't you going to offer me some entertainment first? A game of cards, perhaps? The man smiles. Remlas looks at him disdainfully. Remlas Unless your business is gambling, no. I have no time for young fools who wish to lose their money. The man smiles a little wider. Man But you did. Remlas raises a questioning eyebrow. He gives the man a careful stare. Gambling Hall. 2036. The face of Mark as he is dragged away by guards. A young woman cries, and holds onto her wailing child tightly. A child peeks around his back, pulling on his robes. The child shows him a few golden coins. Gambling Hall. 2085. Remlas watches the man cautiously. His mouth twitches. Remlas Perhaps I did, but that's long past. The man picks up the deck of cards, stacks it, and shuffles it deftly. The cards fly across his hands, between his fingers, and get re-stacked, neatly, on the table. Man Come now, surely you wouldn't actually prefer playing with yourself? You were never one for that. Remlas gasps, a hand to his mouth. His eyes close to slits as he stares at the man. Remlas And how is it that you know so much about me? The man shrugs, and pulls a barely-standing chair up to Remlas' table. He tests the chair by pushing down on it. It doesn't break, so he flops himself down. He finishes his cigar, and grinds it under his feet. Man You think you could just live here, and not be known? Remlas, the gambling king, who worked his way to ownership of Earth's first and last space station? Remlas closes his eyes, and shakes his head. He opens his eyes, and stares at the man intently. The man gets up, walks around. He raps his hand against the wall of the station. Man Oh yeah, thoroughly useless to have beasts like this these days. Oh, but don't worry, we still have gambling halls like this. The man turns around. He raises his arms above his head, and shrugs. Man But I'm sure you don't want to hear of it. No interest to a busy guy like you. The man rotates on one foot to face the door. He makes a few dramatic steps, then glances over his shoulder. Remlas sits at the table. Man Now that's more like it. The man turns back around, and seats himself down at the table. Remlas makes no comment, and deals out some cards. Gambling Hall. 2085. Remlas and the man sit at the table. They play a game of cards. Coins are stacked on both sides of the table, the larger pile belonging to the man. Remlas clings to his cards. The man is slouched in his chair, another cigar jammed in his mouth. He smiles, and lays down his cards. Man A flush, my friend. Just like your face. Remlas sneers, and puts down his own cards. He has a three of a kind. The man pulls more coins over to his pile. He whistles some toneless song. Remlas throws his hands up, and moves to get up. Remlas It's been embarrassing, but I'm afraid our meeting has come to an end. The man's shoulders sag a bit, and he pouts. He makes a motion with his hands, beckons Remlas back. Man Come on! Just one more game? You can deal... Remlas looks down at the cards, his fingers twitch slightly. He considers for a few moments, then sits down. He reaches for the cards, and begins to shuffle them. The man looks on with interest. Man Hundreds of years, and we're still playing the same games. Amazing don't you think, with all the advancements we've made everywhere else? Remlas grunts. Remlas I never studied history. The man nods sagely, barely able to hold a smile from his face. Man (very matter of fact) Though I suppose it's not completely true. Methods got better, technology sure helped that. Invisible cards, holograms, the works. A lot happened after we spread ourselves to the stars. Remlas ignores him, and deals out the cards. Remlas Seven card poker, two draws of two, no wild. Remlas lays down more cards, alternating between the man and himself. The man picks up his cards, and studies them. Man (conversationally) Yep, a lot of things happened around that time. People were so happy to finally get off Earth, away from all the filth. But every other place turned out the same. Remlas raises and eyebrow, and pushes forward a single coin. The man follows suit. Remlas looks between his cards and the man. He pushes more coins into the middle of the table. Remlas I raise by ten. The man tosses ten coins onto the middle of the table. He picks up five more, adding them to the pile. Remlas follows suit. Man I call. Entrance Docks. 2085. The man and Remlas stand face-to-face, a window in the wall showing a small vessel docked in a hanging bay. Remlas is aglow, while the man looks dissapointed. Remlas It was a good game, but these old bones won once more! It was a pleasure; come back with your money any time. The man frowns, and waves his hand. Man It's your game sier, and you won it. I'm afraid I won't be back; I have business to take care of, elsewhere... Remlas is about to reply, but the man cuts him short, turning around and walking through a hatchway. Remlas waves, performing a small, feeble skip as the door closes. Remlas Other business indeed. I wonder what he really does. Remlas pulls out a card from his sleeves, hides it again, and pulls out another one. The motion is quick, barely seen. He holds up the card truimphantly. Remlas Improved technologies? Obviously not improved enough! Remlas grins ear to ear, and kisses the card. He holds up a small bag, which jingles as he shakes it. He stuffs it into a pocket, and heads through the gateway, back into the station. Int. Man's spaceship. 2085. The interior of the ship is a technological cornucopia. Lights and projection screens are all over the walls, save for a large view screen to the front of the ship. The man is slumped in a cushioned chair in front of the view screen, one hand on his forehead. He shakes his head back and forth. He pushes a few buttons, and lays down in the seat as the stars in the view screen begin to blur. A small screen beside him flashes log #63: failed'. Int. Space station, Gambling Hall. 2085. The piece of paper beside the vent is blown up into the air. It floats around, does some loops, and lands near the stairwell to the service hall, face up. It reads: "subject: human male problem: typical method of redemption: a second chance" The paper gets pushed by another gust of wind. It drifts up the stairs, out of sight. The fans continue to circle overhead, a little more slowly. Shadows are cast everywhere. The silence is disturbed by humming, and the sound of cards shuffling. The joker is visible, and swirls out of view as the camera pulls away from the scene.