Opening Credit Sequence:
Man running at night, being chased through fields and wooded areas, breathing heavily
At the end of the credit sequence he is hiding in a barn with flashlights being pointed at him
Cut to:
INT. TV NEWS BULLETIN - EVENING
SHANNON TEMPLEWOOD (ANCHORWOMAN): Here’s an interesting one Howard. A man in Idaho, reportedly ran from authorities for over an hour, claiming that he had just seen aliens. Jake Tomkins claimed that they changed shape from humans to alien creatures. He has been taken to hospital. Apparently they were green and reptilian and changed form numerous times.
HOWARD FELLOWES (ANCHORMAN): Well Shannon that can happen to you when you eat too many Pringles.
SHANNON TEMPLEWOOD: Well Mr Tomkins we wish you a speedy recovery.
INT. THE WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE - MORNING
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: Five feet eleven inches, dark hair with flecks of grey, 62 years old, relatively slim. Blue eyes
Hadrian Westwood the President of America for the last four years strides into the oval office.
Hank Williams (President Westwood’s campaign manager) Generally optimistic, Six foot two, dark hair, forty years old, Always wears a navy suit
HANK WILLIAMS: Have you seen the latest polls Mr President?
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: I sure have. I’ve given the matter some thought. We need a new tack.
HANK WILLIAMS: We’ve hired the best private investigators money can buy. We’ve dredged up everything we could find. We’ve thrown two of Callahan’s past affairs into the public domain. We’ve found every incompetent decision he’s ever made and thrown it back in his face. Still he’s leading in the polls.
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: As I said Hank. It’s time for a new tack
JACK HAGGERTY: Chief of staff, longest serving member of the President’s staff, 54 years old, always complied with his bosses wishes, six feet tall, bald
JACK HAGGERTY: Ok Mr President. What is your new plan of action?
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: Changelings
JACK HAGGERTY: What do you mean?
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: For years people, freaks if you will, have been maintaining that alien life forms, otherwise known as changelings exist. Previous Governments have tried to put a lid on it and play things down, whether there are videos on the internet that show these freaks or sightings of UFO’s. Previous Governments have tried to claim that they are just stunts, guys in costumes or genetic mutations of humans who represent one in a billion of the normal population. I say that we convince them that these alien life forms do exist. We convince them that there are far more of them in existence than was previously thought to be the case and we convince them that Governor Callahan is a changeling.
JACK HAGGERTY: Will that work?
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: We don’t have a choice. We have to make it work
HANK WILLIAMS: How? It’s easier said than done.
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: I have a plan, Hank. It’s simple and clever. I thought of it myself. It will work as long as it is executed properly. It’s all about creating a shock and spreading fear. As long as we do it properly, people will buy into it. I’m sure of that.”
I/E. CAMPAIGN RALLY DALLAS TEXAS - EVENING
Hadrian Westwood walks down a long hall with green painted walls partially lit by lamp lights.
At the end of the hall, on the right hand side is a doorway with two security men there. Behind him are two advisers and more security men. He passes through the door and climbs a platform. In front of the platform are about one hundred and eighty party members. The platform is located outside and there is drizzling rain. Behind the President are forty supporters, of different ages and backgrounds.
President Westwood stands in front of the microphone
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: My fellow Americans. I have been on this campaign trail for well over a year and in that time people have made many unsubstantiated accusations about me. They said I was too old but every second day I manage to run five miles. I’m fitter than any of my opponents will ever be. They said I was corrupt but not a shred of evidence has been found to support this. They said I was too eager to go to war with other countries. The previous President was accused of being too soft. I’d rather be tough against our enemies than weak. I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that this country of ours is in charge of its own destiny well into the future.It is with a great deal of conflict and a heavy heart that I am presenting this tape to you. I do so, only because it is in the interests of this great country of ours that I do and not for my own good.
With a gesture of his hand, a video start to play on the big screen behind him. It shows a younger Governor Callahan in a police interrogation room. There are two police officers present. One of the policemen is a young African American and the other is a middle-aged Caucasian with red hair and moustache.
DETECTIVE GILHOOLEY: Ok Mr Callahan, this is a routine check. As you are already aware, my name is Detective Gilhooley and this is Detective Givens. We asked you in here because we’ve had a number of far-out complaints. Two neighbours said they saw strange things happening at your house. Their complaints are pretty crazy but we have to check them out anyway for procedure. One of them said they saw a strange object in your back garden at 3am at night on the 19th of last month. They seemed to think that it was a UFO. Do you know what that could be?
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: A UFO? You ask me down here about a UFO in my back garden? Don’t you think that if I had a UFO in my back garden this would be the first place I would come if indeed I made it this far. The aliens would probably zap me before I made it to my front lawn. Please tell me that you have something better than that. Maybe I turn into a werewolf at night and go around gobbling people up.
DETECTIVE GILHOOLEY: Well, I did have another question. Another of your neighbours said that she could see you through the kitchen window, changing shape.
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: What? Did I turn into a big bird? A dinosaur?
DETECTIVE GILHOOLEY: Well, what she said exactly was a green alien creature, like nothing she had ever seen.
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: A green alien creature? Do I look like an alien creature. Really? How dumb are you? Don’t you have anything better to be doing, like catching actual criminals rather than listening to demented old ladies?
Mr Callahan lifts the glass of water in front of him and slams it down on the table.
DETECTIVE GILHOOLEY: Well, she said it was like nothing else she had ever seen. She did say it had arms, though she couldn’t make out the legs because it was through window.
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: Are you serious? Is there a camera rolling here? Am I on TV? This is what you waste taxpayers money doing? These don’t seem like routine questions to me.
DETECTIVE GIVENS: There’s no need to get upset, Mr Callahan
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: Do you know who my Father is? Do you want to spend the rest of your lives as bums on the street? Do you know what I can do to you with one little phone call?
Governor Callahan changes into an alien life form, with green skin, blue eyes and long fingernails. This transformation lasts three seconds before Callahan changes back to his original form.
GOVERNOR CALLAHAN: If you mess with me. I will destroy all of your lives. No one messes with the Callahan’s. No one. Now I want a copy of that tape. Nothing leaves this room. Nothing. If you want to stay in your homes, you’ll give me that tape.
After the tape stops it reverts to a still picture of the green creature. The images of Governor Callahan draw gasps of horror from the audience.
PRESIDENT WESTWOOD: The revelations don’t stop there fellow citizens. A few weeks later both of the police officers you see in this video were killed. You can draw your own conclusions. Whether or not Governor Callahan was involved in their deaths you still have to ask yourselves some serious questions as voters. Do you want this man, if you can call him a man, running our great nation? Governor Calahan isn’t one of us. He is one of them. For my part I believe action has to be taken. I have already initiated steps to set up an elite taskforce to investigate this matter and any others that may be out there. These are worrying times but we will cleanse this great nation of ours from all the evil that resides within it. We will prevail. God bless America.
INT. CHARLIE MORRISON’S HOME - EVENING
Later that evening Charlie Morrison is watching his favourite TV programme about a teenage special agent when it is interrupted by an ad break. The camera focuses on an army General with grey hair, a grey moustache and a dour complexion.
CHARLIE MORRISON: 18 years old, African American, Five Feet Nine inches, slim build, brown eyes, short haircut
GENERAL CONRAD: Good evening fellow patriots, my name is General Jeffrey S Conrad. As you may be aware following on from President Westwood’s revelations several weeks ago about changelings living amongst us, a special investigations unit has been set up. The initial findings of this investigation unit are worrying. It would appear that our President’s worst fears have been proved correct. These changelings have infiltrated society and form a substantial portion of our population. As a result of this, I have been charged with the objective of setting up a task force to weed out these changelings and bring them into custody where they will be dealt with appropriately. It will take time, but with the support of President Westwood no stone will be left unturned.I Have recruited an elite group of highly trained marines which I like to call Reapers. The President has given this elite force special powers to do whatever is necessary. If you are a changeling they will be coming for you. If you are not a changeling you are in safe hands. God bless America.
Half an hour later Charlie is sitting at the Dinner table with his Mother. The same advertisement appears on the television once more. Before it finishes Larissa turned off the TV.
LARISSA MORRISON: 43 years old, African American, Five feet five inches tall, relatively attractive, one stone overweight
CHARLIE: Mom, do you think that the changelings are dangerous?
LARISSA: I don’t think they even exist. Its Government propaganda to ensure that one side gets into power over the other. They can round up whoever they want without anyone interfering. Anyone who interferes will be called a changeling. That’s how it works.
CHARLIE: How do you think they identify one changeling from another?
LARISSA: I told you it’s a scam.
CHARLIE: But what about Governor Callahan?
LARISSA: It’s special effects. Camera tricks just like you see in the movies. Now eat your dinner. You should be concentrating on finding a job now that school is over. Did you have any luck today?
CHARLIE: I’m still searching. I don’t want to end up doing something I don’t like.
LARISSA: Honey, Nobody likes work. You just got to get through it, day after day and you’ll look forward to everything else.
INT. APARTMENT OF JT HACKENSACK - EVENING
Police Officer James T Hackensack arrives home to his wife Margaritte. He greets his wife with a kiss on her cheek. Their two young children are watching television in the sitting room.
JAMES T HACKENSACK - 38 YEARS OLD, DARK THINNNING HAIR, BLACK MOUSTACHE, LIGHT BLUE EYES, RED COMPLEXION, SIX FEET TWO INCHES TALL
MARGARITTE HACKENSACK - 36 YEARS OLD FIVE FEET SEVEN INCHES TALL, BLONDE CURLY HAIR, BROWN EYES. LEATHERY SKIN FROM TANNING AND SMOKING BUT ATTRACTIVE.
MARGARITTE HACKENSACK: The electricity bill came today James. How are we going to pay it?
JAMES T HACKENSACK: Don’t you worry, I have a feeling that in the not so distant future we won’t have to worry so much about electricity bills.
MARGARITTE HACKENSACK: What do you mean by that honey?
JAMES T HACKENSACK: We’ll get by until some luck comes our way.
MARGARITTE HACKENSACK: I wish I had your confidence.
The family are seated at the dinner table when the door is thrust open. Five tall men dressed all in black, with black robes and black masks entered.
LEAD REAPER: Where is the disc?
Each member of the Reaper Unit wear black robes, black trousers and black boots. All of them are taller than six foot five inches and are fit and powerful in appearance.
JAMES T HACKENSACK: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
LEAD REAPER: We have reason to believe that a disc has gone missing from the station. We know that you have it.
Charlie Morrison is listening in the hallway. He hears the commotion and hides while his neighbours are being taken away and the apartment searched
After the Hackensacks are taken away Charlie makes his way down to the woods by bicycle. He goes to a tree trunk and removes the disc from inside the tree trunk which is secured in a clear plastic bag. Charlie puts the disc in hie sports bag full of dirty clothes
EXT. OUTSIDE HERBIES RESTAURANT - EVENING
Jacob Standler leaves Herbie’s Restaurant in Billington after a satisfying meal. Approaching his car Jacob notices an African American teenager being assaulted by three white teenagers. The victim is pinned down against the rear of Jacob’s car.
JACOB: Excuse me, can I get to my car.
The protagonists stop and the victim runs away. His attackers run after him and Jacob is able to gain entry to his car. Jacob is frustrated that he didn’t do anything
As he drives down the main street Jacob can see the African American teenager running. He pulls over and opens the passenger door twenty yards in front of where the victim is.
The young teenager climbs into the car and closes the door. Jacob drives away.
CHARLIE MORRISON: Why did you walk away back there? Why didn’t you do something back there?. You’re an adult. They might listen to you.
JACOB: I guess I’m just a chicken shit.
The young boy seems bruised, battered and angry.
JACOB: Where do you live?
CHARLIE MORRISON: Please don’t take me home. My mother will be angry with me. At least for now. I visited a girl named Sylvia. She’s from a white neighbourhood and my mom would kill me if she found out I was responsible for this.
JACOB: You’re not responsible for it. Those guys were assholes. I hope she was worth it. What’s your name anyway?
CHARLIE MORRISON: Charlie Morrison. And you’re Jacob, right?
JACOB: How did you know?
CHARLIE MORRISON: Some of my friends put graffiti on the walls of your house numerous times and they kept going on about the fact that you never did anything about it. I wasn’t involved. Honestly.
JACOB: Would you like to get a coffee, Charlie? There’s a nice café on Dorset Avenue. It will kill time for you.
CHARLIE MORRISON: Oh alright
JACOB: Don’t overdo the enthusiasm. I know I’m boring. I just didn’t know how boring.
CHARLIE MORRISON: I’d rather be boring than an asshole like those guys back there.
Jacob pulls into a car park outside Annie’s café on Dorset Avenue. Both Jacob and Charlie sit down at a table and a waitress approaches.
INT. ANNIES CAFE - NIGHT
Beatrice: 32, Attractive, short blonde hair, five feet four inches tall, slim build.
CHARLIE MORRISON: He likes you, I can tell.
Jacob rapidly changes colour from white to beetroot red.
JACOB: Can I have a Cappucino?
CHARLIE MORRISON: I’ll have a hot chocolate with marshmallows
The waitress leaves
CHARLIE MORRISON: Why didn’t you just go for it Jacob
JACOB: It’s not my style (in a low voice)
CHARLIE MORRISON: Your style is to do nothing. If you don’t put yourself out there. You’ll end up being alone for the rest of your life. Leave it a few more years and no Lady will want you. Seize the day Jacob. Seize the day.
JACOB: What age are you again?
There is a brief pause in the conversation.
JACOB: Do you have friends Charlie?
CHARLIE MORRISON: I got some. No close friends though.
JACOB: Did you know those kids back there?
CHARLIE MORRISON: They’ve been picking on me for two years now. Not every day though. One of them, Derren Blanchflower says his Father works for General Conrad. He’s the guy that’s in charge of this unit that hunts changelings. He says he’s going to get his Father to lock myself and my mother up or anyone else who messes with him.
Beatrice arrives with the Cappuccino and Hot Chocolate.
Jacob tried smiling at her but it turned into a grimace.
CHARLIE MORRISON: I don’t think she likes you Jacob.
JACOB: What happened to, “seize the day?
CHARLIE MORRISON: Jacob, for a guy like you, ninety-nine times out of a hundred the girl may not be interested, but if you don’t try, you will never succeed that one time that she is interested. That’s what I’m talking about.
JACOB: What are you going to do about that shiner above your left eye?
CHARLIE MORRISON: I guess I’ll just have to tell her that I tripped and fell.
JACOB: Then you’re bound to be hit with twenty questions.
CHARLIE MORRISON: More like a thousand. One day, I will grow up to be an adult and I won’t have to deal with those questions.
JACOB: That’s what you think.
CHARLIE MORRISON: Yeah, I guess I’m screwed then aren’t I.
JACOB: You may as well drink up your hot chocolate and get it over with.
CHARLIE MORRISON: Well thanks for your useless advice old man. Maybe I should go over to the counter and try and smooth things over with Beatrice for you.
JACOB: No. I think that’ a lost cause