Five Thousand Years
By
Jim Grieco
Jim Grieco
[email protected]
www.jimgrieco.com
1
FADE IN:
EXT. AN ANCIENT ZIGGURAT TEMPLE – NIGHT
The huge stone edifice winds endlessly into the velvety
moonlit sky.
SUPER:
“MESOPOTAMIA - 2975 B.C.”
INT. THE TEMPLE CHAMBER - NIGHT
A blunt reed stylus etches out ancient cuneiform
pictographs onto a smooth, terracotta tablet.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
The first time mankind carved
words onto clay it was my hand
that steered the blade.
Slithering fragments fall away from the shiny surface as
AT-MEN-ANA, a thirty-three-year-old Sumerian scribe and
mystic adviser continues his meticulous work.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
Three thousand years before the
Romans constructed the Coliseum,
centuries before the towering
Pyramids of Egypt rose from the
hot sands of the Giza plateau...
My people, the Sumerians, were the
very first to preserve the past in
words.
With a delicate PUFF of breath from At-Men-Ana’s proud
lips, dust rises up from his completed work.
The royal temple guards approach.
CHIEF TEMPLE GUARD
At-Men-Ana of Kish. Bow your
head.
At-Men-Ana wisely averts his eyes.
2
CHIEF TEMPLE GUARD
The blessed King Zin-Suddu summons
you to his chamber.
The royal guard escorts At-Men-Ana down a long corridor
lined with ornate statuettes of the Mesopotamian
deities.
Flickering torchlight dances across the pious stone
figures as the king’s holy chamber draws near.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
I had reached a level of greatness
only few had achieved. I had become
the mystic advisor to our king.
They reach the entry to the king’s chamber.
At-Men-Ana removes his sandals as the royal guards open
the giant cedar door. KING ZIN-SUDDU sits aloft a
fantastic golden thrown.
His concubines fan him as they adorn his body with
perfume. His braided black beard and shadowy eye paint
give him a fearsome appearance of piety.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
At-Men-Ana, approach me.
At-Men-Ana advances and kneels before his sovereign.
AT-MEN-ANA
My will is to serve you, my lord.
The King turns to his concubines.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
Leave us.
The women scurry from the chamber.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
At-Men-Ana, I have summoned you
here because you possess vast
wisdom about a great many things.
3
AT-MEN-ANA
You honor me. How may I serve
you?
KING ZIN-SUDDU
I have been told that you know of
the ancient legend of the Edinu
paradise. Is this true?
AT-MEN-ANA
What I know of this place is only
myth my lord, passed down from the
great priests of old.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
Tell me of this myth, At-Men-Ana.
AT-MEN-ANA
Ages ago, before the great flood
cleansed the Earth...
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
EXT. THE GARDEN OF EDEN - DAY
A lush paradise of astonishing proportions stretches out
in a great valley. It lies between four meandering
rivers of pale blue.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
...In the desert land that now lay
south of Ur, there once existed a
wondrous site where four great
rivers, the Tigris, the Euphrates,
the Pishon, and the Gihon
converged. Between their banks
was a lush garden called the
paradise of Edinu.
A fantastic tree of immense dimension is rooted at the
center of a vast expanse of greenery.
4
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
It is said that a miraculous “Tree
of Knowledge” was at its center,
and its mystical roots nourished
the garden, and it was as if
heaven had touched the earth.
A man and woman emerge from the foliage and sit beneath
the shade of the great tree.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
The legend tells that a man and a
women entered the garden, and ate
from the tree.
The woman plucks a piece of fruit from one of the
spindly branches and takes a wholesome bite. She passes
the fruit to her male companion. He indulges himself.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
As they consumed its fruit, the
knowledge of the gods became known
to them. Their hearts filled with
pride, and their arrogance angered
the gods.
The sky grows dark.
A THUNDEROUS wind begins to blow.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
All powerful Anu, Lord of the
Heavens, darkened the sky and the
great God Enlil cast a powerful
sweeping wind, which overcame the
garden and it was laid to waste.
The violent wind rushes through the garden, carrying
away everything in its path.
All that remains is a blistering desert wasteland.
END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
5
BACK IN THE KING’S CHAMBER
KING ZIN-SUDDU
All was destroyed?
AT-MEN-ANA
So says the legend.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
What of the roots of this great
tree? Perhaps they still remain
buried beneath the desert sands?
AT-MEN-ANA
If the roots did remain, surely
they would have become one with
the earth by now.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
The legend claims this tree had
miraculous powers does it not?
Perhaps the roots still exist?
The knowledge held within them
would be a great asset to me.
An apprehensive look overtakes At-Men-Ana.
AT-MEN-ANA
My great and wise king, take heed,
for the moral of the Edinu legend
is that the knowledge of the gods
is beyond mortal man's
understanding.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
(outraged)
Am I a mortal man?!! I am the
holy king of Mesopotamia, endowed
with the sacred flame of piety
passed down from my ancestors! I
am a god on Earth!!
AT-MEN-ANA
Forgive me, my lord.
6
KING ZIN-SUDDU
(yelling)
You have slighted my holy name!
You must be punished for such
insolent words! Guards!
The guards enter.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
Take him from my chamber and
remove his tongue.
The guards drag At-Men-Ana toward the door.
AT-MEN-ANA
My lord and king, Please allow me
to use my wisdom to repay you for
my disgrace, in place of my
punishment!
King Zin-Suddu signals the guards to halt.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
What are you offering?
AT-MEN-ANA
I will find where the Edinu
paradise once stood... and
retrieve the roots from this tree
you seek.
The intrigued King ponders for a moment.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
At-Men-Ana of Kish... I will spare
you from chastisement, and in
exchange, you will go forth and
find me this great wonder.
He ponders again.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
To assure you do not fail, I will
take your wife as my concubine.
If you do not return in three
cycles of the moon, I will have
her buried alive.
7
At-Men-Ana’s heart swells with anxiety.
The king turns to his Royal Guards.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
Guards! Bring me At-Men-Ana’s
wife at once.
At-Men-Ana falls to his knees.
AT-MEN-ANA
Please, my great king, I beg you
not to involve her. She has cast
no slander upon you. Remove my
tounge as your punishment. I
deserve to be chastised!
KING ZIN-SUDDU
My decision is final. Do not ask
again, or I will have you both
buried alive before the sun rises.
The king turns to his guards.
KING ZIN-SUDDU
Take him from my presence!
At-Men-Ana weeps incessantly as the guards drag him out
into the hallway. King Zin-Suddu’s giant chamber door
slowly swings closed with a high-pitched CREAK.
It slams shut with a DEAFENING BOOM.
CUT TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE FRONT OF AT-MEN-ANA'S DWELLING - DAY
At-Men-Ana and a group of dirt-soiled men are loading up
a caravan of camels with supplies.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
And so, I prepared for my arduous
journey into the unknown.
8
One of the men arches down in front of At-Men-Ana's
camel. At-Men-Ana steps onto his back, climbing onto
his readied beast of burden.
AT-MEN-ANA (V.O.)
The king granted me ten Canaanite
slaves and a caravan of camels to
assist me on my quest...
EXT. THE KISH ROAD - DAY
At-Men-Ana and his slaves ride their camels down the
road leading out of the ancient mud brick city of Kish.
He looks back at the dusty streets one final time as his
caravan rides off toward the endless expanse ahead.
Fear and uncertainty fall upon the slaves' faces.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE MESOPOTAMIAN DESERT – LATE AFTERNOON
HIGH-PITCHED CLAMMERING of colliding copper RINGS OUT as
At-Men-Ana’s slaves hammer the final spike of his tent
into the earth.
The last rays of the afternoon sun slip beyond the
horizon as At-Men-Ana enters his shelter for the
evening.
INT. AT-MEN-ANA'S TENT - NIGHT
At-Men-Ana lies down and drifts off to sleep.
DREAM SEQUENCE:
EXT. THE MESOPOTAMIAN DESERT - DAY
At-Men-Ana's wife, NEM-NI-KA, is being dragged through
the desert by King Zin-Suddu's brutal temple guards.
They throw her to the ground next to a deep, open pit.
9
Her desperate pleas for clemency fall upon deaf ears.
The guards toss her into the abyss. She tumbles to the
bottom, only to find a slithering black viper awaiting
her.
She CRIES OUT with a horrifying SHRIEK. A coarse
SCRAPING echoes through the darkening pit as the temple
guards slide a huge granite slab over the opening above.
Her desperate scream falls silent as the gigantic slab
covers the last remaining section of the opening.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
BACK IN AT-MEN-ANA’S TENT - JUST AFTER DAWN
A startling CRY echoes from At-Men-Ana’s mouth.
He rises to his feet and exits his tent to find...
THE EMPTY ENCAMPMENT
All that remains of his caravan is a burned out fire pit
and some shards of broken pottery. At-Men-Ana is
surrounded by an empty, unforgiving desert.
CUT TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE MESOPOTAMIAN DESERT - MID-DAY
Alone on foot, At-Men-Ana struggles over an endless sea
of golden sand dunes. His exposed face is burned bright
red. Stopping short, he looks up to the heavens.
His chapped lips crack as he attempts to speak.
10
AT-MEN-ANA
(praying)
Great Enlil, I beg you to spare my
beloved Nem-Ni-Ka from King ZinSuddu's wrath. Show me a sign
that this cup shall pass by her.
Looking out into the desert, he searches for an
apparition to confirm his request. All his eyes can
find are silent waves of sand.
AT-MEN-ANA
(praying)
Enlil! Answer me!
A violent wind HOWLS.
AT-MEN-ANA
(praying)
Great Anu, Lord of the Heavens,
have I not served you with
humility all the days of my life?
I call upon your guidance.
He turns his gaze toward the heavens, awaiting a reply.
The yellow sun’s silent glare burns his leathery face.
Anu!
AT-MEN-ANA
Hear me!
There is still no reply. At-Men-Ana collapses face down
in the sand. Before taking his last breath, he raises
his head and takes one final look at the empty landscape.
A thin silhouette breaks through the light above.
A SERPENT looms over him, methodically drifting from
side to side. At-Men-Ana hasn't the strength to be
frightened.
He CRIES OUT in anguish, staring up at the foreboding
black viper.
AT-MEN-ANA
Strike me! End my suffering.
11
The serpent HISSES back at him, but fails to attack.
AT-MEN-ANA
I said strike! By the name of the
gods, I command you!
To At-Men-Ana's astonishment, the serpent answers him in
a DEVIOUS SLITHERING VOICE.
THE SERPENT
No gods command me, temple priest.
At-Men-Ana gazes up at the serpent, bewildered.
THE SERPENT
It is your ignorance that beguiles
you, At-Men-Ana, not the words
that you hear me speak.
The shadowy viper slithers towards him.
AT-MEN-ANA
(praying)
Lord Anu, king of all the gods,
deliver me from this creature.
THE SERPENT
Your gods will not answer At-MenAna. They have abandoned you...
Just like your Canaanite slaves.
Staring back at the serpent in awe, At-Men-Ana answers
in a desperate tone.
AT-MEN-ANA
How is it that you know of my
plight? Has Ereshkigal sent you
in her stead, to escort my soul to
her underworld kingdom?
THE SERPENT
I have not come to end your life.
I have come to renew it!
AT-MEN-ANA
I do not deserve life.
12
He raises his head toward the heavens.
AT-MEN-ANA
(praying)
Please... Blessed Anu, take me to
the eternal city of the afterlife.
THE SERPENT
You are a fool. There is no
eternal city. No afterlife awaits
mortal men... Only death. Your
gods have lied to you.
No!
AT-MEN-ANA
(crying)
You are an evil deceiver!
THE SERPENT
(subdued)
No, At-Men-Ana. Unlike your cruel
gods, I offer you the truth. I do
not lie to the likes of men. I
simply give them a choice.
AT-MEN-ANA
What choice?
THE SERPENT
The choice to save your wife, NemNi-Ka, from her perilous fate.
And the chance to live out a life
that mortal men only dream of.
The serpent’s dark eyes suddenly take on a fiery glow.
Their hypnotic magnetism holds At-Men-Ana hostage.
THE SERPENT
Behold...
Flicking its tail, the serpent brushes away a wisp of
sand from in front of At-Men-Ana’s face.
A huge cascade of earth falls away, revealing a deep
network of roots snaking through the ground below.
At-Men-Ana reaches out to touch them.
13
THE SERPENT
(seductively)
Yes... Lay your hands upon them.
Feel their limitless power.
He places his hands on the roots.
An unrelenting surge of energy races through his body.
His strength is completely rejuvenated.
He looks up. To his astonishment, the serpent has
transformed into an alluring female presence.
She has the proportions of a woman, but is anything but
human. Her frighteningly beautiful face is dangerously
alluring.
She stares down at him through a glowing set of
captivating scarlet eyes.
She is ERESHKIGAL, Queen of the Mesopotamian Underworld.
A boney crown of animal horns sits atop her long locks
of fiery red hair. Undulating waves from her flowing
black robe accentuate her feminine curves.
ERESHKIGAL
Rise and live, At-Men-Ana.
Struggling to his feet, his awestruck eyes expand.
AT-MEN-ANA
Can this be? Are you Ereshkigal?
She places her hand over his lips.
ERESHKIGAL
I am the bringer of balance.
AT-MEN-ANA
You are the bringer of evil!
ERESHKIGAL
Without evil, good could not
exist.
(MORE)
14
ERESHKIGAL (CONT'D)
You must open your mind and
attempt to understand the great
mystery of existence...
Mesmerized by Ereshkigal's spellbinding splendor, AtMen-Ana watches as she rises into the air.
ERESHKIGAL
The powers of light and shadow are
forever bound in an unending
battle that keeps the universe in
balance.
Levitating high above him, her scorching red eyes
widening with terrifying exuberance.
ERESHKIGAL
(hollering proudly)
I am the darkness that follows the
light! I am the winter that
precedes the spring! I am the
chaos that defines order! Without
me, the world could not exist!
AT-MEN-ANA
Can your dark magic save my wife?
She slowly descends to the ground.
ERESHKIGAL
First, you must become a servant
of the underworld.
AT-MEN-ANA
What fate awaits me if I agree?
ERESHKIGAL
You shall not see death for five
thousand years. During that time,
when the demons of the underworld
call upon you, you must obey.
He turns away.
15
AT-MEN-ANA
Let me alone. I will not become a
pawn of your wickedness.
ERESHKIGAL
You are willing to let your wife
and child be buried alive?
Confused, he spins back to face her.
Child?
AT-MEN-ANA
I have no child.
ERESHKIGAL
Your wife has been blessed with
fertility. Your unborn son
slumbers in her womb at this very
moment. Marvel at the future that
may come to pass if you join me.
With a wave of her hand, an image of the future appears
in the sand at their feet.
THE IMAGE
At-Men-Ana’s adult son sits upon the great throne of
Mesopotamia. Standing behind him, his mother Nem-Ni-Ka
is adorned in queenly robes.
ERESHKIGAL (V.O.)
If you follow my calling, your son
will become a great king. His
name shall live on for many
generations.
Gazing at the mystical vision, he’s entranced by the
royal imagery.
AT-MEN-ANA
He makes a handsome king.
worthy of the ages.
A king
She whispers in his ear as he watches.
16
ERESHKIGAL
Are you going to deny him this
great future...? Or is this the
fate you desire for your family?
Waving her hand a second time, the image of the future
transforms.
THE IMAGE
Nem-Ni-Ka is being held by two temple guards. A third
guard violently kicks her in the stomach.
She vomits blood. The guards continue to beat her.
At-Men-Ana turns away in horror.
Stop!
AT-MEN-ANA
I cannot bear to watch!
With a final wave, Ereshkigal sweeps the image into
oblivion.
ERESHKIGAL
You must answer my calling.
He turns back to her.
AT-MEN-ANA
If you will do all that you have
said, I will submit.
ERESHKIGAL
More than your mere word is needed
to consecrate our pact. Only a
blood oath can seal the dark
magic.
A crystal challis filled with glistening blue water
appears in Ereshkigal’s left hand.
ERESHKIGAL
This blend of miraculous water
comes from the four tributaries of
the paradise of Edinu.
She passes the challis to him.
17
A dagger appears in Ereshkigal’s empty hand. She slices
off a piece of root from the wall of the chasm below and
hands it over to At-Men-Ana.
ERESHKIGAL
Place the root into the challis.
He drops it in. Smoke rises from the rim.
Terrified, he hesitates.
ERESHKIGAL
Your time grows short. I will
wait no longer. Shall I save NemNi-Ka and your unborn son from
their horrific fate, or do you
wish them a slow and merciless
death?
He takes the cup. As he raises it toward his brittle
lips, Ereshkigal grabs his hand.
ERESHKIGAL
Wait! Your life force must mingle
with the waters, or you will
surely die. Pierce the center of
your palm and let a drop of blood
fall into the challis.
She hands him the dagger.
As he presses the steely blade to his palm, sweat pours
down his forehead.
Ereshkigal whispers in his ear, deviously circling him.
ERESHKIGAL
(seductively)
An astounding life of wondrous
power awaits you. Don’t be a
fool. Save your wife and son.
Upon her tempting words, he penetrates his palm.
As a drop of his blood drip into the challis, the
frightful brew takes on a haunting purple hue.
ERESHKIGAL
You must drink!
18
Raising the cup to his lips, he consumes the potion.
Ereshkigal belches out a SCREECHING LAUGH.
Her dooming CACKLE transforms into a distant ECHO as she
gradually dissolves into a cloud of red smoke.
A strange, dizzying fever overwhelms At-Men-Ana.
Falling to the ground, the sky violently spins above
him, churning away in a blurry haze of blue and white.
CUT TO BLACK.
SUPER:
“BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – PRESENT DAY”
FADE IN:
INT. A LEGAL MEETING ROOM - AFTERNOON
The elegant chamber’s cherry wood walls are lined with
an assortment of handsome, leather-bound books.
Three men and a woman are gathered around a large oak
conference table at the room’s center. Identical twin
brothers sit adjacent to each other.
Their exact genetic resemblance is obscured by their
contrasting accoutrements.
JASON CAIN’S neatly cropped, short-black hair rims his
clean-shaven face. His wool sweater and khaki pants
accentuate his well-ordered appearance. Peering through
a non-assuming pair of glasses, his presence is calming.
CAMERON CAIN’S slicked back hair reflects a dark sheen
from the beamy overhead lighting. His overly expensive
silver suit, meticulously trimmed facial hair, and
pointed eyebrows suggest his compulsive arrogance.
The brothers' eyes purposely avoid each other.
Their mother, VIRGINIA CAIN, an elderly woman with
graying red hair, leans on Jason's shoulder. She is
quietly weeping. Jason's strong embrace comforts her.
19
A sophisticated, WHITE-HAIRED ATTORNEY sits at the far
end of the table. He reads to the group from a
portfolio.
THE ATTORNEY
(reading aloud)
I, Christopher Cain, do hereby
make, publish and declare this to
be my last will and testament. I
formally bequeath all personal
property owned by me at the time
of my death to my wife, Virginia.
Virginia’s weeping grows louder.
THE ATTORNEY
(reading aloud)
She may divide it amongst the
family, with the exclusion of my
son, Cameron Cain.
A booming slam revererates off the table, perpetrated by
Cameron’s disapproving fist. The attorney snaps his head
up in condemnation. After a moment of uncomfortable
silence, he continues.
THE ATTORNEY
(reading aloud)
Virginia, my love for you goes
beyond any words I could possibly
put in this document.
Virginia completely breaks down, influencing Jason to
escort her out of the room.
Cameron and the attorney stare each other down.
CAMERON
So, is that it?
THE ATTORNEY
There is still an urgent matter
that concerns you, Mr. Cain.
CAMERON
Can't you just skip ahead?
20
Cameron’s eyes are drawn to his watch, influencing the
attorney to extends him a censorious glance.
Jason and Virginia re-enter the conference room.
THE ATTORNEY
(to Jason)
Shall I continue?
JASON
Please.
THE ATTORNEY
(reading to Jason)
To my beloved son, Jason. Your
compassion and understanding have
been the light of my life. A man
with such a kind heart deserves
only the best that life can offer.
A tear rolls down Jason’s face.
Cameron nervously taps his nail-bitten fingers on the
oak table. He glances down at his watch a second time.
THE ATTORNEY
To my son, Cameron.
He looks up in earnest.
THE ATTORNEY
I leave you with this final
thought: Your cold and uncaring
nature has brought me nothing but
heartache in the final years of my
life. You have alienated yourself
from the only thing in this world
that has any true worth. Your
family.
Cameron’s head wags in disapproval.
CAMERON
Are we finished now?
THE ATTORNEY
That is all from your father.
21
He jolts upright.
CAMERON
Your email clearly stated that
there was a substantial
inheritance left in my name!
He grimaces in frustration.
THE ATTORNEY
(to Cameron)
Mr. Cain, there is a substantial
inheritance in your name, just as
my email indicated.
CAMERON
I thought you said that was all?
THE ATTORNEY
I said that was all from your
father. There is a third party
involved, who has chosen to remain
anonymous.
Cameron’s intrigued is met by Jason’s suspicion.
The attorney turns to Virginia.
THE ATTORNEY
Mrs. Cain, the third party has
requested he meet with your sons
privately. Would you mind waiting
in my office for a short while?
No way!
absurd!
JASON
She stays!
This is
THE ATTORNEY
The third party has plainly stated
that he must meet with both you
and your brother alone. If you
refuse, you will forfeit your
inheritances.
CAMERON
Hey, hold on! I'm not forfeiting
anything here!
22
JASON
What do you mean forfeit our
inheritances? You just said that
my mother is the executor.
THE ATTORNEY
This inheritance is from the third
party, not from your father. I
suggest you stay and let him
explain this to you himself.
JASON
You mean he’s here?
CAMERON
(Pointing at his mother)
Just get her out of the room and
we can straighten this out!
JASON
I’ve had it! We’re leaving!
THE ATTORNEY
I am sorry to say Jason, but, you
need to stay for this.
VIRGINIA
(wiping her face dry)
It's okay, Jason. I don’t mind
waiting in the other room.
JASON
Are you sure?
VIRGINIA
It’s alright. I’ll be fine.
She gives Jason a hug and a kiss. Cameron’s icy eyes
pierce her soul. She looks away and exits.
THE ATTORNEY
Gentleman, please wait here.
Cameron sits back down, glancing at his watch yet again.
JASON
Why don't you just leave already!
23
His request is ignored as his brother winds his watch.
The Attorney enters and holds the door open.
A WRINKLY OLD MAN enters the room. His brown derby and
Victorian cutaway coat are products of a distant era.
The Attorney closes the door behind him, leaving the
three men alone together. The Old Man hobbles across
the room by use of his walking stick.
Standing at the head of the table, he removes his coat
and hat and clears his throat.
THE OLD MAN
Gentleman... We find ourselves
drawn together by an event for
which all people are eventually
destined.
He limps toward Jason.
THE OLD MAN
It patiently waits, carefully
counting the moments as our
inconsequential lives slip past
us.
Jason wipes a tear from his eye.
THE OLD MAN
(to Jason)
Do not grieve for your father. He
will find tranquility in his longawaited sleep!
The Old Man places his furrowed hand on Jason’s cheek.
THE OLD MAN
(whispering)
Death is but a glorious flight
away from this deceitful world.
Cameron jumps to his feet.
24
CAMERON
(frustrated)
I have neither the time nor the
patience for theatrics! Let’s get
down to business here!
THE OLD MAN
Au contraire, my young friend.
Time is the one thing we have in
unending abundance.
CAMERON
Well, I happen to have an
important meeting upcoming.
you just get to the point?
Can
THE OLD MAN
I assure you, the meeting you
currently attend will prove to be
the most important congregation of
your diminutive life.
Cameron sits back down.
He stares curiously at the strange old fellow.
THE OLD MAN (VETUS)
Allow me to introduce myself. My
name is Vetus Atmenani. You may
have heard of my company...
Atmenani Antiquities?
The intrigued brothers shake their heads no.
VETUS
I own a profitable, international
antique dealership. My company
currently owns an estimated two
hundred million dollars worth of
rare antique artifacts.
Cameron's eyebrows stretch upward.
VETUS
I see I suddenly have your
attention.
25
CAMERON
Now you’re talking my language.
VETUS
Oh yes. And regrettably, it is of
a dialect that men of your
demeanor inevitably misinterpret.
Cameron’s confounded face crunches.
Jason stands up.
JASON
Mr. Atmenani, what does any of
this have to do with us?
VETUS
Well, you see, like your father, I
too have reached the end of my
days. As it turns out, I have
decided to leave my fortune to my
family.
JASON
I still don’t see what that has to
do with us.
Vetus takes a deep breath before responding.
VETUS
It has everything to do with you.
You two young gentleman are my
grandchildren.
A devious smile overtakes Cameron. Jason’s lungs inflate.
JASON
How is that possible?
VETUS
Your mother was adopted, was she
not?
CAMERON
That's right. She never knew her
real parents.
26
VETUS
I'm sorry that I couldn’t be there
for her. I only hope you will
extend me the opportunity to
explain myself.
JASON
(angered)
You think after abandoning our
mother you can just crawl out from
under a rock and absolve yourself?
VETUS
I understand how
there is more to
you can possibly
you hear me out,
if you reject my
you feel, but
this story than
imagine. After
I will understand
proposal.
Consumed by eagerness, Cameron interrupts.
CAMERON
We’re not rejecting anything here,
sir. I’m sure you had a good
reason to...
Jason cuts him off.
JASON
Save us your bullshit, Cameron!
You can keep his money! I’m going
home!
Vetus frowns as Cameron happily grins.
CAMERON
Well, there you have it. He’s not
interested in your inheritance.
I, on the other hand, am
perfectly...
Raising his craggy voice, Vetus interrupts him.
27
VETUS
Don’t bother! The only way you
can be named as my heir, is if
both you and your brother agree to
meet with me at my New England
estate this weekend. My attorney
will arrange for your
transportation.
He puts on his hat and coat.
VETUS
Your presence is required this
Saturday evening at 9:00 p.m.
His walking stick bends under his weight as he hobbles
toward the door. He turns to Jason and Cameron before
exiting.
VETUS
I look forward to our meeting on
Saturday evening with great
anticipation. If you should
choose not to attend, then I bid
you both a fond farewell.
With a tip of his hat, he exits the room. As Jason
heads for the door, his covetous brother grabs his arm.
JASON
Keep your hands off me!
Jason!
CAMERON
Listen for a minute!
JASON
Drop dead.
CAMERON
You’ve got to come with me and
hear this guy out!
Jason pulls away and heads for the door.
CAMERON
We can give half the money to Mom!
28
Cameron’s suggestion freezes Jason in place. Following
a moment of consideration, he turns and stares
poignantly into his brother’s scheming eyes.
JASON
You would be willing to give half
of the inheritance to her?
CAMERON
I’m no fool, Jason. You heard
what the old man said. If you
don’t show up, we both lose out.
A portion of the inheritance is
better than none of it.
Cameron extends his hand.
CAMERON
What do you say?
Jason glances down at Cameron’s sweaty palm.
Cameron aggressively grabs his hand.
Jason reluctantly shakes it.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE ATMENANI ESTATE – NIGHT
An imposing red brick mansion dominates the landscape.
A stretch limo pulls into the enormous circular
driveway.
It slowly approaches the soaring, ivy-covered colonnade
out front, eventually stopping at the ornate entrance.
The driver gets out and opens the back door of the car.
Jason and Cameron emerge. The brothers stare up at the
gargantuan brick facade looming high above.
Haunting stone gargoyles peer down at them from their
lofty rooftop perches as their driver opens the colossal
front door.
29
INT. THE MANSION FOYER – NIGHT
The vast entrance hall is filled with an assortment of
priceless antique treasures.
-
A
A
A
A
A
granite statue of the Mesopotamian god Enlil
golden menorah from the second Jewish temple
frightening tile mosaic of the Roman god Orcus
flintlock rifle used in the American Revolution
top hat once worn by Abraham Lincoln
As Jason and Cameron enter, a finely dressed elderly
butler approaches.
FREDERICK
Hello, my fine young sirs. I am
Frederick, at your service.
FREDERICK extends them his hand. Jason and Cameron
successively shake it as they introduce themselves.
CAMERON
I’m Cameron Cain.
JASON
I'm Jason.
FREDERICK
Well, if you two gentleman would
be so kind as to have a seat I’ll
alert Mr. Atmenani of your
arrival.
The brothers sit themselves down.
CAMERON
(to Frederick)
Would you mind grabbing me a
whiskey sour when you get a
chance?
FREDERICK
Why certainly, sir.
Frederick twists his neck to Jason.
30
FREDERICK
And for you?
I’m fine...
JASON
Thanks anyway.
Bowing to the brothers, Frederick hurries up the huge,
maple staircase at the far end of the room. Cameron
continues to relish their highly wrought surroundings.
CAMERON
This place is totally posh.
JASON
Please don’t talk to me.
Cameron extends him a peeved look.
He lets it linger before turning away.
Hustling down the stairs, Frederick skillfully balances
Cameron’s whiskey sour.
Wow.
CAMERON
You’re fast, Jeeves.
He hands Cameron his drink with a censorious smirk.
FREDERICK
If you gentleman will follow me,
Mr. Atmenani will see you now.
The brothers follow Frederick up the long staircase.
As they reach the top, Frederick pauses at the entrance
to the study.
He THUMPS his fist on the door.
FREDERICK
Mr. Atmenani, shall I show your
guests in?
Here ends the first 30 pages of FIVE THOUSAND YEARS.
To request the complete spec script, contact Jim Grieco
at: [email protected]