THE JOURNEY

ROBERT BURNETT, a man 35 plus years of age, worn clothes, homeless type, opens his eyes; a blur is all he sees. As his eyes come into focus he sees only a light blue haze but nothing more. There are no windows, no doors, no walls, no ceiling, no floor but he is standing. He looks around, only emptiness. He looks beneath him, he is standing on nothing. He puts one foot in front of the other, then another step…

ROBERT

(whispering)

What the hell?

He continues walking; he begins to tremble with fear, and then stops.

His mind FLASHES back to a war scene, bullets bombs, terrorist all around him. He is in an Army uniform, fighting for his life. He looks at the death surrounding him. He looks at the blood on his hands, his blood. He shivers, he sees the terrorist attacking him. He closes his eyes…

ROBERT (CONT’D)

Ok. Ok. I’m not there. I’m not there. I’m here. I’m here. But where’s here?

A sliver of white light catches his eye. He looks at it, stares at it.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

What the...

He walks towards the light, it seems so far away, suddenly he is…

OUTSIDE – DAY

The light shines bright, blinding him. Shielding his eyes, they began to adjust to the change of environment. For several moments he lets his sight adjust to his surroundings, and then looks at what surrounds him.

There are no buildings, only people, adults and children, different races, men and women, all with a blank look on their face. A man approaches,

ROBERT

Excuse me...

The man continues on, ignoring him. Robert looks around and what he sees takes him by surprise.

Mountains in the distance seem to move, birds hover in mid-air, not moving, frozen in place. People are walking in a zombie-like state, not seeing, not aware that he exists, the landscape desolate.

He looks up; two big planets fill the sky, one blue with rings, the other a fire red. Daylight, but no sun.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

(quietly, to Himself)

I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore Toto.

He inventories himself, checking his pockets, he finds his wallet. He opens it and the picture of a beautiful woman, about 18 years of age is still there. He looks at her and smiles. He puts the wallet away, ensuring it is secure in his pocket. He is confused and dazed at the environment he finds himself in.

Two children, about 8 years of age, KELLY and MATT TYLER, approach him unseen,

KELLY

(quietly)

He doesn’t look like the others.

MATT

Maybe...

Robert startled by their presence, looks at them,

ROBERT

Who are you?

The children shocked, cling to each other scared, backing away from the stranger.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

It’s ok, it’s ok, I won’t hurt you. I won’t hurt you. Do you understand me?

The children nod, very scared. Robert sits on the ground so that he has to look up at them and makes no threatening move which would frighten them more.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

My name’s Robert, Robert Burnett. Who are you?

The girl seems to summon some courage, but still scared,

KELLY

My name’s Kelly... this is my brother Matt...

ROBERT

Kelly, Matt. Do you know where we are?

The children shake their head and their eyes filled with fear.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

It’s a little scary isn’t it?

The kids nod slightly.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

It’s ok, I’m not going to hurt you, I won’t hurt you. Promise.

MATT

(shaky voice)

You’re not scared?

ROBERT

I’m very scared.

KELLY

You don’t act like it...

ROBERT

Well... let’s just say I’ve had experience with being scared.

A sharp noise, strange and unearthly, last only a second, but the children leap into Roberts’ arms, terrified. He holds them close…

ROBERT (CONT’D)

It’s ok. It’s ok. I won’t let anything happen to you.

He looks around but can’t determine the source of the sound. People still like zombies walking, not seeing, not hearing, only silent. He gets off the ground, and holds the hands of the children.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

How long have you been here?

KELLY

We don’t know.

MATT

We went to bed last night and when we woke up...

ROBERT

You were here.

KELLY

How did you know?

ROBERT

Because that’s what happened to me. Last thing I remember I was laying down in my car...

MATT

You don’t have a home?

ROBERT

No... Not anymore.

KELLY

Why?

ROBERT

A very long story... right now... we need to find out where we’re at.

MATT

Maybe some aliens took us.

KELLY

That’s silly.

MATT

Is it?

Matt points to the sky, and Kelly looks at the two planets, like she had never seen them before.

KELLY

Maybe they did.

ROBERT

Well whoever took us, took a lot of people...

MATT

Why do they act like that?

ROBERT

I don’t know Matt. Which way did you come from?

Kelly and Matt look around, Matt points,

MATT

That way...Or maybe that way...

(points in different directions)

Robert looks around,

KELLY

Which way did you come from?

ROBERT

I don’t know. I was in a strange room, and then I was here.

MATT

Did you see a white light?

ROBERT

Yes. Did you?

The kids nod.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

Well at least we have that in common. But if I can talk to you, and you can talk to me, why can’t we talk to them?

The three look at the people still walking in a zombie state, unseeing, uncaring.

KELLY

I’m scared.

ROBERT

You’re parents must be worried sick...

MATT

We don’t have any parents.

Robert looks at Matt,

KELLY

Our parents died two years ago.

ROBERT

So where are you staying?

KELLY

In foster homes.

MATT

Some people are thinking of adopting Kelly, but not me...

KELLY

I won’t let anybody split us up, I told you that. We’re twins. Nobody is going to split us up.

ROBERT

You’re twins?

KELLY

Yeah.

ROBERT

How old are you?

MATT

Eight.

ROBERT

Well nobody is going to split you up, not while I’m around.

MATT

I’m hungry.

KELLY

So am I. Mrs. Henderson didn’t give us any dinner last night... said we were bad...

MATT

She always says we’re bad.

ROBERT

Mrs. Henderson?

KELLY

The people that take care of us.

ROBERT

Well, we need to do something about that. Come on; let’s see what we can find.

They walk as Robert looks observing the barren environment. A sliver of blue light catches his eye, he stops and looks at it; not sure what it is. It seems far off…

ROBERT (CONT’D)

Do you see it?

KELLY

Yeah, what is it?

ROBERT

I don’t know... but we’re going there.

MATT

Why?

ROBERT

Look around Matt, no buildings, no food, nothing, only lifeless people. That light might mean something... it might not.

KELLY

(scared)

What if it doesn’t? What if it separates us?

ROBERT

Nothing will happen to you, not if I can help it.

Robert holds their hands tight, takes a deep breath, then with commitment they begin to walk towards the blue light.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

Hang on tight kids.

The three move towards the light, which seem so far away, but suddenly they enter

A STREET FILLED WITH SHOPS – DAY

The street looks like it came out of the early 1900′s era. Robert looks up, the planets are still above. Matt and Kelly also look up.

KELLY

They’re still there.

Robert nods and examines this new place.

More zombie people occupy the streets. Some are picking fruit and breads out of produce stands, some are eating, and some are drinking what looks like wine, some beer.

The three move towards and stop at a food stand. The man next to it looks to be the proprietor. He is inanimate, a blank stare occupy his eyes.

Robert gets some bread and tastes it. He breaks off a chunk and gives the kids each a big piece, as they consume it quickly. Robert looks around but only silence fills the space. He gives them more bread and they eat slower this time.

SUDDENLY the noise, the same as heard earlier, pierces the air. He searches for the sound, but can’t determine the direction. Everyone else, like zombies, pay no heed. The kids scared, hold on to him tight.

KELLY

What is this place?

ROBERT

I wish I knew honey, I wish I knew.

Robert gathers a piece of bread for himself and eats. He watches, observes, looking at the proprietor still standing like a statue.

ROBERT

I don’t guess we need to pay him. Come on; let’s see if we can find some answers.

Holding their hands Robert takes the kids into a

GENERAL STORE

The store is filled with linens, clothes, and other type goods, including cans of food. People are taking items off the shelves, but all are in a zombie-like state. Some people leave with their merchandise, but no money changes hands. A clerk stocks shelves, oblivious to everything. Matt breaks away and runs to a counter, occupied by jars of candy. Robert and Kelly follow.

ROBERT

Don’t break away again Matt; I don’t want to lose you.

MATT

I’m sorry.

ROBERT

It’s ok. But we have to stay together.

KELLY

He’s always doing that, especially with candy.

Matt goes for a piece but Robert stops him.

ROBERT

Wait.

Robert takes a small piece and tastes it.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

It’s ok. Help yourself.

Matt and Kelly grab some candy. Again the same noise fills the air, lasting only a second. The kids jump but the zombies are still oblivious to everything.

KELLY

What is that noise?

ROBERT

I don’t know; nothing like I’ve ever heard before.

MATT

Where’s it coming from?

ROBERT

Good question.

They examine the contents of the store when an old man of about 80, HENRY GALLOWAY, enters and begins looking around. He sees Robert,

HENRY

Who are you?

ROBERT

I could ask you the same sir, but to be honest it’s a relief to see someone alive.

Henry looks at the zombie crowd,

HENRY

Yes young man, I know what you mean.

ROBERT

How long have you been here sir?

HENRY

I honestly don’t know. But it seems like a very long time.

The old man wheezes and begins to cough. Robert helps him to sit, the zombies paying no attention.

ROBERT

Are you alright sir?

HENRY

No. Cancer. I’m dying.

Robert is about to say something when Henry sees the kids.

HENRY (CONT’D)

Children... Are they with you?

ROBERT

Yes sir. This is Kelly and her twin brother Matt. My name is Robert Burnett...

The old man’s eyes light up briefly, but he stays silent.

HENRY

My name is Galloway, Henry Galloway. So how long have you been here... In purgatory?

ROBERT

Not long, neither have the kids, apparently just a few hours. Do you know where we are sir?

HENRY

I haven’t got a clue. I went to sleep and when I woke up, I was here. I just wish I knew where the hell here was... oh I’m sorry, my language.

KELLY

It’s ok, we’ve heard worse.

MATT

Yeah, Mr. Henderson can really yell f...

KELLY

Matt! I told you not to repeat it! It’s a bad word.

Robert and Henry smile. Henry gets up and almost bumps into someone,

ROBERT

They’re like zombies, dead.

KELLY

Maybe we’re dead.

Henry looks at her,

HENRY

No child, I thought the same thing, but now I don’t believe that...

MATT

So where are we?

HENRY

Like I said, I really don’t know, but I’ve been here long enough to form a few theories...

ROBERT

Theories sir?

HENRY

Stop with the sir bit, just call me Henry.

Robert nods.

ROBERT

Habit.

HENRY

Military?

ROBERT

U.S. Army Ranger.

HENRY

So you got out?

ROBERT

Not by choice.

Henry looks at him.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

So sir... Henry, your theories?

HENRY

We may be between life and death, but not normal life and death. You believe in the Bible son?

ROBERT

Yes sir.

HENRY

So do I… Now. There was a time I didn’t, but cancer changes everything. Anyway it speaks of a void, a waiting place for the soul if you will. When God determines if you go with Him, or to hell.

ROBERT

And you believe that is where we’re at?

HENRY

No.

ROBERT

No? But you just said...

HENRY

That’s normal death, but I don’t believe we’re dead. I think we’re still alive. I need something to drink.

Robert looks around and sees some beverages, he picks up two bottles and looks at them, one is Coke, the other Pepsi. He is confused.

ROBERT

What the hell?

He gives them to Henry.

HENRY

Do you think God would have Pepsi and Coke waiting for us if we were dead? I don’t.

KELLY

Matt thinks we were taken by aliens.

HENRY

Kelly, right?

(she nods)

That may very well be true. And then again maybe not.

ROBERT

You’re not making any sense Henry.

HENRY

I know. But I know we’re not dead. I don’t know how we got here, I don’t even know where here is, but I do believe this... I believe that we are part of the universe. That we have been swallowed by the universe.

ROBERT

The universe?

HENRY

The universe. At least that is what I’m calling it. I’m a physicist, have been for sixty years. I can tell you that there are mysteries in the universe that one cannot imagine. I believe we are in one of those mysteries. But I also like Matt’s idea that aliens are behind this. Well... not so much aliens as in E.T., but rather an intelligent force of some type. A force that may be as old as the universe itself.

ROBERT

That’s hard to swallow...

HENRY

Look around, then you come up with a better explanation.

ROBERT

What about all these people? They’re human.

HENRY

Yes they are. And there are many more out there in the street. But they all seem to be in a lifeless state of existence. I’ve been thinking about that as well, and have come to believe that we are on different planes of existence.

ROBERT

I don’t follow.

Henry looks around then grabs some clear material and lays two sheets on top of each other. He then takes a marker and marks the top sheet.

HENRY

This sheet is us. This is our plane of existence. Here we can move about and interact without hindrance.

He takes the top sheet off and marks the second sheet.

HENRY (CONT’D)

This sheet represents another plane of existence.

He puts the first sheet on top of the second. The mark on the second sheet is clearly visible.

HENRY (CONT’D)

We can see the second plane, but we can’t interact with it. I believe these people are

HENRY (CONT’D)

on the second plane, maybe even the third or fourth plane. We see them, they see us, but we can’t interact, not directly anyway.

ROBERT

But that one man almost ran into you a few moments ago. And we ate some bread a short time ago. If we can’t interact with the people how can we interact with inanimate objects?

HENRY

I don’t have the answers; I don’t even know the questions. But like I said, it’s only a theory. Do you have a better one?

KELLY

You mean these people can see us?

HENRY

Yes, yes I think they can, but they can’t talk to us and we can’t talk to them. I think we look the same to them as they look to us.

Robert looks at the people, the store.

ROBERT

So how do we get out of here? How do we get on their plane of existence?

HENRY

I don’t know. Maybe the same way we got here.

ROBERT

So you’re saying that whatever brought us here has to let us go?

HENRY

That is my belief.

(wheezes, coughs)

But I fear that for me it may be too late.

MATT

Are all these people trapped, like us?

HENRY

(recovering)

I don’t know Matt. Maybe, maybe not. I just don’t know.

Henry sits again.

ROBERT

Is there anything I can do?

HENRY

I wish, but no...

A noise, different this time, like somebody banged something. Robert alert,

ROBERT

You kids stay here.

KELLY

Don’t leave us!

ROBERT

I’ll be back...

Robert goes out the door to

THE STREET

He looks around, and then sees her, a young beautiful dirty blonde woman of about 27, dressed in pajamas, KARA WILSON. She is mad, throwing things at and getting no response from one of the zombies.

KARA

(to the zombie)

Answer me! Where the hell am I?!

ROBERT

Easy Miss...

She looks around and sees Robert,

KARA

Where the hell am I?

Robert stands easy as she holds a club, ready to use it.

ROBERT

Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

KARA

What’s that suppose to mean? Who the hell are you?

ROBERT

Someone you can talk to. You won’t get a response from any of them.

KARA

I hit one but nothing happened! He didn’t go down, nothing.

ROBERT

You actually hit him?

KARA

Yes! I said that didn’t I? I don’t like repeating myself. When I say something I expect you to hear it the first time!

ROBERT

Oh. Well that explains everything.

KARA

Explains what?

ROBERT

Nothing. You have a choice, you can stay out here, or you can come with me. But choose and choose now.

KARA

I don’t take orders, especially from...

(looks at his worn clothes)

Homeless people.

ROBERT

Suit yourself.

Robert turns and heads back for the store. She looks at him,

KARA

Wait!

Robert stops and looks at her.

KARA (CONT’D)

I’m sorry. I’m just scared, very scared.

ROBERT

Welcome to the club. Come on, I have to get back.

She approaches and walks beside him.

KARA

What happened to me... To us?

ROBERT

We were just discussing that.

KARA

We?

ROBERT

Yeah, we.

IN THE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER

Robert and Kara enter the shop as Kelly and Matt hold on to Henry. The kids run to Robert.

KELLY

Don’t ever do that again, promise.

ROBERT

I’ll try not to.

MATT

Who’s she?

ROBERT

I don’t know, why don’t we ask her.

Kara approaches the small group, looks at the kids then Henry.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

I think introductions are in order. My name is Robert Burnett, these two are Kelly and Matt, I don’t know their last names...

KELLY

It’s Tyler.

ROBERT

Tyler. Kelly and Matt Tyler. They’re twins. They’re also orphans. And this gentleman is Henry Galloway. And you are?

Kara looks at the group,

KARA

I’m Kara Wilson.

HENRY

Wilson… your father wouldn’t be Marvin Wilson would he?

KARA

You’ve heard of him?

HENRY

Yes. Yes I have. He’s very big in investments.

KARA

Yes he is.

Kelly and Matt look at her, she watches the kids then looks at herself, becomes aware of her appearance. She looks around for something to cover herself.

KARA (CONT’D)

I’m sorry, I must look like a whore...

Kelly and Matt look at each other, Robert smiles.

HENRY

Apparently what took us, took us at night. Were you in bed Miss Wilson?

KARA

Yes I was. I remember closing my eyes, then waking up in a strange place, no windows, doors, no floor...

HENRY

I fell asleep in these clothes as well. So that answers that. As far as modesty Miss Wilson, this is a shop full of clothes, why don’t you find something to wear.

Kara nods then looks around, zombie people. She looks at them, then some clothes. She makes a selection then takes them into a fitting room.

ROBERT

I wonder why she’s here.

HENRY

I don’t know. I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t have an answer for why any of us are here.

KELLY

She’s pretty.

Kara comes out dressed in Levis and shirt. She finds some tennis shoes and puts them on.

HENRY

Feel better?

KARA

I feel decent at least. What is this place?

Zombie people walk past her, she looks at them.

ROBERT

We don’t know, but we can’t stay here...

KARA

Why not? At least here it’s safe, isn’t it?

ROBERT

Maybe, but staying here doesn’t help us find a way out of here. Whatever here is.

KARA

I say we stay... it feels safe here, I think.

HENRY

Robert’s right, we need to start looking for a way out, a way to get home. We could stay here, and we might be safe...

(wheezes, coughs)

But we might not...

KARA

You don’t look so good Mr. Galloway.

HENRY

Advanced cancer. I’m afraid I don’t have much time left, but I think you also need my help.

Kara gives a questioning look.

ROBERT

He’s a physicist, if anybody can understand this he can. Ok, we know there’s food in here and on the street; I say we pack some supplies and try to find a way to get home. If that is even possible.

(to Kara)

You going or staying? Your choice.

Everyone looks at Kara.

KARA

(unsure, timid, scared)

Going. I’m not going to stay here by myself.

Robert nods and begins to move. Kara looks at the kids as Kelly smiles at her. Unsure, she gives a little smile back.