John Burhop - Rise of The Kek Screenplay

HAYES

The Jeremy Ash who was present when one

Alec Strickland disappeared without a

trace, then returned more than three

years later in possession of a device

capable of interstellar travel?

JEREMY

Alec is my brother's best friend. I don't

keep track of where he goes or what he

does.

HAYES

Speaking of your brother, I have an

article here that he published just last

week. It places you at the scene when Mr.

Strickland utilized the device to launch

himself toward the star 58 Eridani.

That's where the signal of 2018

originated.

JEREMY

It was a joke.

HAYES

Satellites tracked an object heading for

Eridani, at or near light speed, on the

exact date specified in your brother's

article.

JEREMY

What does any of this have to do with me?

HAYES

(reading from another file)

The Jeremy Ash who submitted a query to

Microcore's Propulsive Research and

Design Division, which contained an

equation that alludes to neutrino

convergence vectored along a stable

plane?

JEREMY

I had a theory. Big deal. Why would you

be spying on me and my computer anyway?

What's this all about?

HAYES

We're all very concerned, Mr. Ash. The

ability to capture a neutrino is beyond

any known science, let alone the ability

to redirect its path. We believe that you

are in possession of technical data that

could threaten the national security of

this country.

JEREMY

That's ridiculous.

HAYES

What do you know of the so-called Super

Spider?

JEREMY

Nothing. Am I under arrest or something?

Because if not, I'd like to go home now.

Hayes looks at the woman, who in turn, looks around at the others in the room.

Nods of approval all around.

WOMAN

No, you're not under arrest, Mr. Ash.

Quite the contrary, actually. How would

you like to join the Apollo Eighteen crew

for a lunar fly-by?

JEREMY

Excuse me?

WOMAN

We need to get a firsthand look at

Microcore's Aristarchus operation and we

want a civilian on the flight- an average

American, if you will. Based on your

simulator performance, you're the perfect

candidate for the mission.

JEREMY

Apollo Eighteen...to the moon. You've got

to be kidding me. Apollo Seventeen was

like fifty years ago.

WOMAN

I'm quite serious.

JEREMY

I'm confused. Weren't you just accusing

me of something?

WOMAN

We were just trying to find where your

loyalties lie. Your duties aboard the

spacecraft will be limited. Basically,

just sit back and enjoy the ride. You

will be required to complete a six week

training course.

JEREMY

I can't believe what I'm hearing.

HAYES

Believe it, Mr. Ash. This is a one time

offer. We need to know right now if

you'll accept your country's call to

service.

JEREMY

Since you put it that way, how can I

refuse?

HAYES

Then it's settled.

Everyone in the room begins gathering files and shutting down their laptops.

HAYES (CONT’D)

We'll be in touch. Good day, Mr. Ash.

Everyone but Jeremy leaves the room.

The Marine enters. He escorts Jeremy out.

INT. JEREMY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Jeremy and Tara are sitting on the living room couch.

TARA

I can't believe the government offered

you a trip to the moon because of a few

hours in an old simulator. There's

something you're not telling me.

JEREMY

I told you they want a civilian on the

flight. This is the opportunity of a

lifetime.

TARA

What you've told me is that these people

are spying on your computer. They

obviously can't be trusted.

JEREMY

It's the U.S. Government. Of course they

can't be trusted. But how could I refuse

the offer?

Jeremy moves into the kitchen.

He returns with a bottle of champagne and two wine glasses.

JEREMY (CONT’D)

Will you join me in a toast?

TARA

It's nearly midnight.

JEREMY

Just one glass.

TARA

Are you really proposing that we have one

glass of champagne and save the rest for

another time?

JEREMY

(filling the glasses)

We'll see what happens.

(raising his glass)

To the moon.

They tap their glasses together and promptly empty them.

Tara fills another round.

JEREMY (CONT’D)

Think about it. I'll be a national hero.

TARA

Why is the government so interested in

you all of a sudden? What's the big deal

about Microcore mining the moon, anyway?

They've been mining asteroids for years.

What's the difference?

JEREMY

Maybe there really is something else

going on.

TARA

Anything's possible.

Tara finishes her drink and then passes out in Jeremy's lap.

He carries her into her bedroom.

LATER

The living room is dark, empty.

The wall screen is BEEPING.

Jeremy comes out of his bedroom.

JEREMY

I'm coming. Screen activate. Answer call.

CECIL MILLIKAN, early forties, appears on the screen.

His face exudes power and confidence.

He's wearing a Microcore logo baseball cap.

A fat cigar pokes out of his shirt pocket.

JEREMY (CONT’D)

Can I help you?

CECIL

Mr. Jeremy Ash?

JEREMY

Yes.

CECIL

Please accept my apologies for the timing

of this call, but I was just informed of

your trip to Washington.

JEREMY

Whoever you are, please just tell me what

you want so I can go back to bed. I do

work for a living.

CECIL

You can quit your job, Mr. Ash. My name

is Cecil Millikan, President of

Microcore.

Jeremy's eyes light up as he recognizes the richest man in the world.

JEREMY

How can I help you, sir?

CECIL

I want you to come work for me and I

won't take no for an answer. I have a lot

more to offer you than the government.

JEREMY

What do you know about my trip to

Washington?

CECIL

I know many things. I'll upload the

details of my offer for you to view at

your convenience. Please contact me

directly after you've examined my

proposal. Good night, Mr. Ash.

Cecil nods before disconnecting.

Jeremy removes a printout from below the screen.

He sits down on the couch and starts to read it.

INT. JEREMY'S APARTMENT - DAWN

Jeremy is sitting on the living room couch, staring at the printout.

Tara comes up behind him.

TARA

Have you been up all night?

She grips the back of the couch. Leans down. Starts to read aloud from the printout.

TARA (CONT’D)

From the desk of C. Edward Millikan,

President, Microcore Space Systems

Management Corp. Subject: ARCUS LUNAR

LANDING SHELL. Having a little fantasy

are we?

JEREMY

Keep reading.

She sighs loudly before joining Jeremy on the couch.

She takes the printout, reads it completely, then hands it back to Jeremy.

She gets up and grabs her purse.

TARA

This is getting weird. I don't know what

you're involved in, I'm just glad it's

not the police or the FBI who are showing

such an interest in you.

JEREMY

Believe me, it's scarier than that.

Jeremy turns on the news.

FLORIDA NEWSCASTER

The search continues for fifteen year old

Billy Faylan who went missing yesterday

during a family camping trip in Northern

Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Faylan, along with