Primal Tears (partial script) - PG13 Edition

NOTE: This is very long so you may want to copy it.

NOTE 2: Because of pasting problems, what you see here, is not the proper format for a screenplay. I hope you'll enjoy it despite of that. If you like this email me (woodstories@gmail.com) and I'll send you a partial version of the extended cut, or the Uncut version (only if you're over 18).

FADE IN

The first thing that we see, is a series of paintings and photographs going by in a slide-show as ominous music plays.

The photos and paintings all seem to have a patriarchal feeling to them, as they all depict men doing things that mostly only men do.

Such as:

Killing people in the name of God, clear-cutting forests, bombing the shit out of innocent civilians, and beating and killing women just because they're women.

As the slide-show goes on it becomes darker and more gruesome.

Needless to say the first images aren't pleasant.

EXT. STONEWELL UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT - BRIGHT AND SUNNY

SARAH CARRIGAN a twenty something year old, with long dark hair, a blue shirt and jeans, and holding some papers, is walking toward the gates of Stonewell University.

With her is her partner KEVIN SHEPARD, around the same age, with buzz-cut brown hair, wearing a checkered pattern flannel shirt and sporting a wide smile.

Also with them is Sarah's best friend FERN, an older woman in her forties, with long curly auburn hair, a lovely flowing shawl beneath multiple necklaces (with pendants depicting different goddess symbols), and arms covered in colorful bangles.

The three of them walk toward the outer gates.

FERN:

"You've done it honey."

Sarah smiles at Fern and then looks nervously at the papers she's holding which Kevin seems to notice, and so he gently takes her hand, inducing a smile from her.

KEVIN:

"I'm proud of you sweetie."

He kisses Sarah on the cheek, and Sarah returns the kiss on the lips as Fern skips through the open gates.

INT. OFFICE OF JOHN STENGERS - BRIGHT

A cozy looking office, with pictures of flowers on the wall. Sarah, Kevin and Fern are sitting at a desk, Sarah looking nervous, until a door opens to their left, and the head scientist JOHN STENGERS, a middle aged man with slick dark blond hair, handsome features, and wearing a fine looking brown suit, enters the room with a wide smile.

JOHN:

"Congratulations."

Everyone stands, and Sarah shakes John's hand.

JOHN:

"Sarah I cannot tell you how pleased I am that all your paperwork checked out. This is going to be an amazing experiment."

SARAH:

"Thank you Mr. Stengers. The way I see it, if this works I'll helping an endangered species, and I'll get the satisfaction of spitting at the conservative pricks who fired me for teaching evolution."

John gives Sarah a joyful hug, and Kevin and Fern smile (slight hint of jealousy on Fern's face) till John let's go of Sarah and walks over to his desk.

JOHN:

"Just sign these last few papers. Then you'll be ready for the procedure."

Sarah signs, Kevin and Fern clap, and John smiles.

JOHN:

"Ms. Carrigan are you ready to start growing a bonobo fetus?"

SARAH:

"I am."

Fern and Kevin high five Sarah.

The door opens again, and JEANETTE ORSINI a young woman with shoulder length blond hair, wearing banana shaped earrings and a lab coat, walks through the door and smiles at everyone.

JOHN:

"She's all set Jen."

JEANETTE:

"Shall we go do this then?"

Everyone looks at Sarah.

SARAH:

"Let's do it."

Kevin gives Sarah one last kiss before she exits the room after Jeanette.

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - HOMEY LIGHTING

Sarah, now wearing a patient's gown, is seated in a chair with her feet in stirrups looking nervous but excited as Jeanette takes a catheter, approaches her and sits down.

JEANETTE:

"Whenever you're ready."

Sarah gives Jeanette the thumbs up, takes a deep breath as the catheter is inserted, and looks around her at the pictures of bonobos that adorn the walls.

JEANETTE:

"If this goes according to plan, the bonobo egg and sperm will come together, and you'll be able to grow an actual bonobo in your womb."

Sarah looks nervous again, which Jeanette notices, and gives her a calming smile.

SARAH:

"If this is successful, it will be a huge help to the dwindling bonobo population."

Jeanette stands up, the catheter business completed.

JEANETTE:

"And if it doesn't work, at least you got to be part of scientific history."
Sarah sits up in the chair.

SARAH:

"I really hope it works."

Jeanette smiles at Sarah.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD LIVING ROOM - ROMANTIC CANDLELIGHT

Sarah and Kevin are dancing around their cozy living room, with some pleasant Latin music playing in the background, and a large number of candles lit.

Kevin twirls Sarah around, dips her, kisses her, then brings her back up.

KEVIN:

"I am so damn proud of you."

SARAH:

"Thank you honey. I feel proud of myself because I took control of my life for once."

KEVIN:

"I love you even if this fails. You know that right?"

SARAH:

"I know."

Kevin puts his hands to Sarah's stomach, and they are both silent and still for a few seconds.

SARAH:

"Honey it just happened this afternoon. I don't think you'll be able to feel anything quite yet."

They both laugh and continue dancing.

I/E. SARAH'S CAR - SUNNY

Sarah is now very pregnant indeed and pats her stomach as she pulls into the parking lot of Stonewell University, stops her car, gets out and walks towards the gates with a hopeful look about her.

SARAH: (O.S.)

"What?"

INT. OFFICE OF JOHN STENGERS - BRIGHT

John is sitting across from Sarah with a stern look on his face and Jeanette is standing off to the side holding a clipboard as Sarah closes her eyes and frowns while John and Jeanette wait for her to say something.

SARAH:

"So you're saying that the bonobo sperm mixed with the wrong egg?"

JOHN:

"As insane as it sounds, all of our test results confirm, that whatever is currently growing within you, is not a bonobo."

Sarah looks shocked and Jeanette steps up to Sarah, handing her the clipboard.

Sarah looks up.

JEANETTE:

"Sarah we both want you to know we're really sorry. We're prepared to pay for your abortion."

Sarah gets calmly to her feet, hands Jeanette the clipboard, and walks out.

EXT. STONEWELL UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT - CLOUDY

Sarah backs her car quickly out of its space and drives off.

I/E. SARAH'S CAR - CLOUDY

As Sarah drives away it starts to rain, but Sarah sets her jaw firmly as she stops the car at a red light and looks down at her stomach.

SARAH:

"I'm here. No matter what. Do you hear me? I'm always gonna be here to protect you.
(the light turns green, someone honks, but Sarah ignores them)
Do you hear me?
(pause, then Sarah smiles as the baby kicks)
Okay."

Sarah takes off.

INT. FERN'S HOUSE - WARM LIGHTING

Fern's house is a a single room cabin with a warm inviting feeling to it, with lovely pieces of colorful cloth draped over ever piece of furniture, figurines of world goddesses strewn about, and a large circular window above the table with a stained-glass image of a dragon.

Sarah is sitting beneath the dragon, with Fern in a chair by her side holding her hand and looking serious.

FERN:

"Are you absolutely sure about this hon?"

Sarah looks at Fern and nods.

Fern smiles in acceptance, and gets up from her chair.

She walks over to a small bookshelf, and starts searching, till she finds a book with a picture of a many armed goddess, which she pulls from the shelf and walks back to the table, flipping through it as she goes.

FERN:

"First things first. Gotta pick a good name."

SARAH:

"How about something from mythology. Cause this whole thing is all so strange."

Sarah strokes her chin till Fern stops flipping through the book.

SARAH:

"Do you have something?"

FERN:

"Artemis. She was an ancient goddess of wild animals and childbirth.
(Sarah looks skeptical and Fern raises a finger)
The scientific name for the herb sage, is genus artemisia. Some Native American tribes use it to create a sacred space for worshiping."

SARAH:

"Sage. I like that. I'll call the baby SAGE SHEPARD."

Fern stands up.

FERN:

"And artemisia can be the species name.
(Sarah looks at Fern in confusion)
You are creating a whole new species you know. We can call it homo artemisia."

Sarah looks shocked and a little horrified.

FERN:

"Are you completely sure beyond any doubt, that you want to go through with this?"

SARAH:

"Yes I'm sure beyond a doubt."

FERN:

"I think this whole thing is bat-shit crazy. But I also know that you'll be a wonderful mother."

Sarah stands up and the two women embrace.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD LIVING ROOM - DAY

Sarah is on the couch reading.

Suddenly she gasps in shock and she sits up quickly.

SARAH:

"Hey honey?"

Kevin comes in from the kitchen, sees Sarah looking nervous, drops the spoon and runs back into the kitchen to the wall phone.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD KITCHEN - MIDDAY

From the kitchen we can hear the sounds of Sarah going through labor, and her family, and midwife JO-ANN encouraging her.

JO-ANN: (O.S.)

"I think you can make it with one more push."

Suddenly there is a cheer.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD KITCHEN (A DIFFERENT DAY) - MORNING

A large crowd of friends and relatives have gathered in the Carrigan/Shepard kitchen to greet the new baby.

Sage looks like a cross between a human infant and an ape. Her feet resemble hands, her body is covered in a light coating of silky hair, she has a tiny button nose, and wrinkles on her face. Other than that, she more or less looks like a human girl with mocha colored skin.

Everyone is gathered around Sarah as she holds Sage.

An older woman with short grey hair wearing a sweater and holding a cup of tea, looks at Sarah with a smile, who smiles back, and kisses the woman on the cheek.

SARAH:

"Thank you Ma."

A three year old boy named CARVER, comes up next to Sarah. He has braces on his legs (due to having bilateral clubfoot) blond hair, green suspenders a bright curious smile, and he looks at Sage with amazement in his eyes.

Sarah smiles, kneels down so that Carver can look at Sage, whose eyes are closed.

Carver looks at Sarah with a questioning look in his eyes.

SARAH:

"She has a condition called Fletcher's Syndrome. But don't worry. She's gonna be just fine."

Sage opens her eyes slowly, and Sarah smiles as Carver and Sage look at each other and as Sage puts her foot in her mouth with relative ease, Carver smiles widely.

EXT. GRASSY FIELD (HOUSES IN DISTANCE) - BRIGHT AND SUNNY

TITLE: Six years later

Sage and Carver are tumbling through the grass laughing heartily.

Sage is wearing a purple tee-shirt and jeans. She has shoulder length light brown hair, and she is about the size of a four year old.

Carver is still wearing braces, but his blond hair has darkened a bit, and he is wearing it in a short ponytail.

Sage giggles as Carver tickles her tummy, then wriggles free, and despite Carver's efforts to get a hold of her again, Sage manages to hold him off.

They are both laughing now, and Sage wraps her little arms around Carver in a hug.

SAGE:

"Love."

Carver pats her head shyly, until Sage looks up at him with a wonderful smile, and he melts.

CARVER:

"I love you too."

EXT. COMING OUT OF FOREST INTO GRASSY FIELD - EVENING

Sage and Carver emerge from the forest  with their arms around each other laughing, and Sage looks up at Carver.

SAGE:

"I had fun."

CARVER:

"Me too.
(Carver looks at her with admiration)
You're really special Sage."

SAGE:

"Thank you."
(Carver gives Sage a squeeze)

Carver and Sage walk into a group of kids playing.

As Carver and Sage approach them, the kids all give Sage a quick look and then turn away, causing Sage to look sad, and Carver to look helpless.

In the center of the group of kids, is a little girl named HARMONY with long reddish hair, a fluffy yellow skirt, and a golden retriever named RUBY by her side. She continues to stare at Sage with distaste, causing Carver to look worried.

HARMONY:

"Hey dog girl."

The wrinkles at the edges of Sage's eyes suddenly seem to tighten and Carver grips Sage tightly to his side, giving Harmony a death glare. Sage hangs her head in shame and Harmony gives Carver a smug little smile.

HARMONY:

"Woof woof."

Sage starts making little squeaking noises, and when Harmony mocks her she wrenches herself from Carver's hold and runs off.

CARVER:

"Sage wait!"

Harmony looks pleased with herself and Carver looks furious.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD LIVING ROOM

Sarah and Kevin are sitting on the couch with their arms around Sage who is still squeaking.

SARAH:

"It's okay honey."

KEVIN:

"You bet it is. Do you know why?"

SAGE:

"Why?"

KEVIN:

"Because you are loved. If someone doesn't want to get to know you then that's their loss."

Sarah looks at her daughter apprehensively till she turns to her mother and Sarah smiles.

SAGE:

"I'm special."

SARAH:

"You sure are my little girl. You have a little condition. But a condition doesn't mean your any less of a person."

Sage smiles.

EXT. FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Title: Four years later

Sage and Carver are eating a picnic lunch.

Sage appears about as large as your average seven year old at this point, and she has started growing more hair on the edges of her cheeks. Her hair has also started to darken a little, and she has rather big muscles for a 10 year old.

Carver doesn't look much different (other than being older, and the fact that his blonde hair has grown longer) and still has the braces for his legs.

Carver (who is leaning on an elbow) reaches into the picnic basket, pulls out two orange slices and Sage smiles at him when he hands her one.

SAGE:

"Thank you."

She gently takes the other slice from Carver's hand and they smile shyly at each other for a few seconds till Carver sits up.

CARVER:

"Hey little girlfriend?"

Sage hides a giggle behind her hand.

SAGE:

"Yeah Carver?"

Carver places his hands gently on Sage's shoulders which she regards with a small sigh of contentment.

CARVER:

"I'm gonna try something. If you don't like it I'll stop."

SAGE:

"What are you gonna do?"

CARVER:

"Close your eyes."

SAGE:

"Do you have a surprise for me Carver?"

CARVER:

"Just close your eyes."

Sage does so and Carver leans towards her and his lips brush against hers causing Sage to give a little startled gasp and open her eyes causing Carver to pull back.

CARVER:

"Do you want me to stop?"

Sage places one of her long fingered hands on the back of Carver's head, closes her eyes and leans in to kiss Carver again. Carver leans back against the picnic cloth, pulling Sage with him and places a hand on her waist and she lays her body down against his. They continue to kiss, as they move onto their sides and then finally they stop and smile at each other.

CARVER:

"That was nice."

SAGE:

"I thought so too."

They run their fingers through each other's hair.

EXT. HILL OVERLOOKING PICNIC AREA - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Something is rustling in the bushes.

EXT. FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Carver gently and awkwardly runs his fingers through Sage's hair and she has her eyes closed and is smiling.

EXT. HILL OVERLOOKING PICNIC AREA - SUNNY W/ SHADE

We can now see the source of the rustling, a man named JOHNNY BLUECREEK , who has white hair a dirty beard and a grimy blue cap. He is also smoking a cigarette, and clutching a bottle.

He stumbles along the path towards the edge of the hill.

EXT. FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Sage is now running her fingers through Carver's hair

EXT. HILL OVERLOOKING PICNIC AREA - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Johnny Bluecreek arrives at the edge of the cliff where his eyes suddenly go wide.

BLUECREEK:

"Holy shit."

EXT. FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Sage and Carver are now sitting up smiling a little less shyly at each other.

SAGE:

"I want to do this again some day."

CARVER:

"That sounds okay to me."

Sage leans in and kisses Carver one last time, then gets to her feet and reaches out a hand to help Carver up.

BLUECREEK: (O.S.)

"Howdy there."

Carver almost collapses in shock and Sage turns quickly to see who spoke.

EXT. HILL OVERLOOKING PICNIC AREA - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Johnny Bluecreek is waving in a drunken manner from the top of the hill.

BLUECREEK:

"Hell no one will believe this.
(he reaches in his pockets)
Where's my damn camera?"

Bluecreek looks up.

EXT. FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

The picnic basket and cloth have been abandoned.

BLUECREEK: (O.S.)

"Hello?"

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD KITCHEN - SUNNY EXTERIOR

Sage and Carver are standing while Sage's parents and Fern sit at the table looking concerned.

KEVIN:

"Sounds like old Johnny Bluecreek."

Sarah looks at Sage nervously, and Sage looks down until Kevin stands up and walks over to the two kids.

KEVIN:

"Listen you guys. You're not in trouble.
(Sage smiles)
But you've got to be careful. You're probably safe, cause Johnny is a drunk and no one will believe him. But you never know."

Sage looks at her father with sad eyes and Carver looks confused.

SAGE:

"Okay daddy."

KEVIN:

"That's my girl."

Sage returns the hug, but continues to look sad.

Sarah and Fern watch Kevin and Sage hugging and Carver looks at the clock hanging above the stove which reads 5:00.

CARVER:

"I should go. I think dinner will be ready soon."

Sage lets go of her father, and turns to hug Carver who hugs her back looking a little embarrassed.

SAGE:

"Bye Carver."

Sarah Kevin and Fern all smile at the cute little sight till Sage lets Carver go, and he turns and walks out without another word. Fern stands up, walks over to Sage who is staring at the door and places her hands on Sage's shoulders.

FERN:

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Sarah looks a little upset as if she thinks Sage is still too young to have a boyfriend.

Sage looks up at Fern.

SAGE:

"Yeah."

Fern smiles and leans in to Sage to give her a kiss.

INT. SAGE'S BEDROOM - SOFT LIGHT

Sage's bedroom is painted spring green, she has pictures of puppies and kittens hung up all over and a large collection of stuffed animals.

Sarah is waiting on Sage's bed with its blue sheets till Sage comes in from the door to the left and Sarah smiles at her.

SARAH:

"You all set for bed pumpkin?"

Sage skips happily over and leaps onto the bed, where mother and daughter hug each other.

Sage let's go and looks up at her mother.

SAGE:

"Mommy?"

Sarah kisses the top of Sage's head.

SARAH:

"Yeah honey."

Sage frowns.

SAGE:

"That man today. He smelled weird."

Sarah gives her daughter a squeeze.

SARAH:

"He was drunk sweetie. That's probably what you smelled."

Sarah pulls back the covers and Sage continues talking as she crawls under them.

SAGE:

"I don't think that's it, cause sometimes daddy smells like that."

Sarah smooths the blanket on top of Sage.

SAGE:

"But this man was different. He smelled like a bad man."

Sarah looks nervous for a second, but quickly hides it behind a smile when Sage turns to her looking sad.

SAGE:

"Mommy? Why am I so different?"

Sarah lies down, propping herself up on her elbow.

SARAH:

"We're all a little different sweetie. Being different is what makes each person special.
Some people have light skin, some have dark. Some people like boys, some like girls. Some people even like both. Some people like spinach. Others hate it."

Sage giggles, and Sarah leans over to kiss her forehead.

SARAH:

"If everyone was the same it would be an awfully boring world."

Sage pulls the covers up to her chin.

SAGE:

"I guess."

Sarah smiles.

SARAH:

"But you know what? If we all had to be the same, then I hope we could all be like you."

Sage smiles.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE SAGE'S ROOM - DIMLY LIT

Sarah steps out into the hallway, stands there for a few seconds, then buries her face in her hand and cries silently.

INT. SAGE'S BEDROOM - DAWN

Title: Two years later

Sage's bedroom still looks basically the same, although she has whittled her collection of stuffed animals down to just three, and she now has a computer on a desk that the 10 year old sized girl is sitting at frowning in concentration.

Suddenly she gets up and exits the room.

SAGE: (O.S.)

"Why can't I find anything about Fletcher's syndrome?"

Pause as stillness fills the house.

SARAH: (O.S.)

"Because there is no such thing."

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD KITCHEN - BRIGHT

Sarah (who has cut her hair down to shoulder length) is standing and Sage sits at the kitchen table (Sarah has been making pancakes). Sage looks visibly hurt.

SAGE:

"So what am I? And don't say I'm special. I want the truth for once."

Sarah eyes the chair next to Sage.

SARAH:

"Can I sit down?"

Sage frowns, but gestures towards the chair nonetheless.

SARAH:

"Thank you."

Sarah sits down and reaches for Sage's hand, but Sage pulls her hand away.

SAGE:

"I don't want to hold hands. I want you to tell the truth."

Sarah takes a deep breath and Sage looks at her, the corners of her eyes tightening.

SAGE:

"What am I?"

Sarah takes another deep breath and starts to speak.

SARAH:

"First of all, I want you to understand one thing above all others. You are my daughter. Your daddy is your father because he loves you like a daddy should. But you have a different donor father."

Sage seems surprised.

SAGE:

"Who's my donor father."

Sarah clasps her hands together and Sage stares.

SARAH:

"Have you heard of bonobos? They're sort of like chimps but nicer."

Sage frowns.

SAGE:

"I've heard about them, but what does that have to do with my donor father?"

Sarah smiles.

SARAH:

"Actually it has everything to do with your donor. And let's not call him your father. Let's just call him your donor okay?"

Sage shrugs.

SARAH:

"Before you were born, I was a teacher at a school where the principle had some pretty ridged viewpoints. He didn't believe in evolution and he was mad that I insisted on teaching it. So he fired me."  

Sage frowns.

SAGE:

"That's not fair."

SARAH:

"You're right it's not fair to treat someone bad just because they believe something different from you. Anyway it kind of threw me into a funk for a little while. Then your aunt Fern told me about an experiment."  

Sage leans forward.

SARAH:

"Fern's friend John was trying to figure out if a bonobo baby could grow in a human mama."

Sage blinks in surprise.

SARAH:

"So I decided to volunteer for the test. I don't have to tell you, that something went wonderfully wrong."

Sage looks down at her lap, Sarah takes Sage's hand, and Sage looks up again.

SARAH:

"The reason that you're special honey (pause), is because your birth mother is a human."

She points to herself.

SARAH:

"And your donor, is a bonobo."

Sage blinks rapidly and Sarah looks at her daughter nervously.

SAGE:

"What's my donor's name?"

Sarah smiles.

SARAH:

"His name is Dexter."

Sage looks down at her lap.

SARAH:

"Do you understand?"

Just then they hear the front door open and Sage jumps up and runs into the -

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD LIVING ROOM - MORNING

Sage runs into her father's arms and Kevin smiles.

KEVIN:

"Hey tiger."

They embrace.

SAGE:

"Mommy told me the truth."

Kevin looks a little surprised and Sarah steps into the kitchen doorway looking sad.

SAGE:

"But don't worry. You'll always be my parents."

Kevin takes Sage's hand and leads her to Sarah, who gets to her knees, and hugs her daughter.

KEVIN:

"If you ever have any questions, we'll be happy to answer them. It makes me happy to know that you still want us to be your parents."

Kevin hugs Sage.

SARAH:

"I'm sorry we lied to you honey."

Sage takes one of Sarah hands with a smile, and Sarah looks relieved to see her daughter's acceptance.

SARAH:

"But the one thing we have never lied about, is that you are a very special little girl."

Sage giggles.

SARAH:

"But you have to promise us, that you won't tell anyone else about this."

Sage frowns.

SAGE:

"Why?"

Kevin gets down to his knees.

KEVIN:

"Cause some people are really mean. And some people might want to take you away."

Sage looks confused and Sarah looks upset with Kevin.

KEVIN:

"Because some people want to control things that they don't understand. So don't tell anyone, not even Carver. Promise?"

Sage makes a noise but Kevin cuts her off.

KEVIN:

"Promise?"

Sage looks upset but Sarah and Kevin look at her sternly.

SAGE:

"Okay."

Sarah and Kevin hug Sage.

FADE TO BLACK.

TITLE: ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER

INT. STONE CHAMBER - LIT BY A FEW CANDLES

The KRISTIAN KOMMAND, a religious fanatic group, are holding a secret meeting.

The Kommand is dressed in white with silver masks covering every part of their faces but their mouths, and they are gathered around a large circular table.

The KOMMAND LEADER speaks from the head of the table.

KOMMAND LEADER:

"Brethren. It has come to our attention, that the armies of Satan have brought down upon us (pause) an abomination."

The other Kommand members murmur amongst themselves.

KOMMAND LEADER:

"We here at the God fearing Kommand must take it upon ourselves (pause) to cast this devil out."

Murmurs of approval.

KOMMAND LEADER:

"Some of you live very close to this creature of Satan."

There are fearful murmurs.

KOMMAND LEADER:

"I want you to send the message (pause) that this being is not welcome among the armies of the Lord."

OVERLAPPING VOICES:

"Yes Sir. Right away."

The Kommand members all begin leaving the room.

INT. CARRIGAN/SHEPARD LIVING ROOM - NATURAL DAYLIGHT

Sarah, Kevin and Fern are all gathered around drinking tea, and looking through a scrapbook about Sage's life.

FERN:

"My goodness look how cute she was."

She points to a picture of Sage as a 4 year old clinging to Kevin's leg, and everyone
chuckles.

KEVIN:

"That's my little tiger."

Suddenly there's a knock at the door.

SARAH:

"I'll get it."

Sarah gets up and heads towards the door while Kevin and Fern continue to flip through
the scrapbook.

Sarah opens the door to find her old boss principal EZRA HIXTON standing there staring at her.

Sarah blinks.

SARAH:

"Principal Hixton?"

Kevin and Fern look up.

KEVIN:

"Hixton?"

Hixton twiddles his thumbs.

HIXTON:

"I'm not here to stay. Simply to give you a warning."

Kevin gets quickly to his feet.

KEVIN:

"How dare you come here and threaten us. Get the hell out of here."

Sarah holds up her hand for Kevin to be silent as Fern stands up in a more calm manner.
Sarah stares at Hixton who starts speaking sternly.

HIXTON:

"We at the Kristian Kommand strongly believe that there is no place for the creature you harbor to live amongst us."

The whole family is struck dumb, and Hixton gives a smug little smile.

HIXTON:

"And furthermore -"

Sarah slams the door in Hixton's face.

I/E. SARAH'S CAR - NIGHT W/ RAIN

Sarah, Kevin and Sage are all inside Sarah's car with a few bags crammed into the way-back.

Kevin is driving with an angry look on his face, Sarah is riding shotgun looking scared, and Sage is in the back looking confused and nervous.

She looks out the window at fields rushing quickly by, and a sign saying come 'Come visit the lovely Siskiyou Mountains,' then looks back towards her parents.

SAGE:

"Where are we going?"

Kevin reaches a hand into the backseat.

KEVIN:

"Take it."

Sage takes her father's hand and Kevin smiles slightly.

KEVIN:

"Sweetie you remember when I told you that there are really awful people in the world?"

Sage raises her eyebrow ridge.

SAGE:

"Yeah."

Kevin gives Sage's hand a squeeze.

KEVIN:

"Well some bad people have found out about you and now we need to get you somewhere safe."

Sage looks upset.

SAGE:

"How long do we have to be gone?"

Sarah twiddles her thumbs.

SARAH:

"Do you want the truth?"

Sage lets go of Kevin's hand.

SAGE:

"Yes."

SARAH:

"It could be a while."

Sage looks very upset at this news.

SAGE:

"But I -"

All of a sudden a police car drives out into the middle of the road and blocks Kevin's path, causing the whole family to yell in shock, Kevin to involuntarily swear,  slam on the brakes, and the car to come to a stop just in time.

Everyone breaths heavily and Sarah stares nervously.

The police car door opens, an OFFICER steps out and Kevin looks back at Sage.

KEVIN:

"Sage turn your head toward the window, and pretend to be sleeping."

Sage nods and turns her head just as the officer gets to Kevin's window.

Sarah looks terrified but Kevin calmly rolls the window down.

KEVIN:

"Is there a problem officer?"

The police officer leans over and although Kevin and Sarah smile at him, the officer remains quite as he looks towards the girl in the backseat.

Sarah suddenly looks nervous.

OFFICER:

"Is that the creature?"

Kevin slams his foot on the gas and the officer is hurled backwards into the mud as Kevin hightails it out of there.

EXT. MUDDY FIELD - NIGHT W/ RAIN

The officer grabs his gun from its holster and fires at the car's tires, causing one of them to go flat, and the car to swerve in the mud and careen toward a fence.

It crashes into the fence.

The officer holsters his weapon and starts walking towards the car.

I/E. SARAH'S CAR - NIGHT W/ RAIN

Everyone looks shaken and Sarah clutches her heart.

KEVIN:

"Okay that might have been stupid."

Sage looks out her window and sees a river on the other side of the fence.

Kevin and Sarah look behind them and can see the officer heading for them.

SARAH:

"How are we gonna get out of this?"

Kevin turns back to the front and frowns trying to think of something.

Sage looks at her parents, then at the river.

KEVIN:

"Okay what we've got to do is -"

Kevin is suddenly cut off by gunfire and he and Sarah duck.

KEVIN:

"Jesus Christ!"

Sarah turns to the backseat but Sage is gone.

SARAH:

"Kevin."

Kevin turns and like Sarah looks at Sage's empty seat with an expression of shock and fear.

Sarah closes her eyes as the tears come.

SARAH:

"Be safe."

EXT. RIVER - NIGHT W/ RAIN

Sage is being pushed along by the raging current  struggling to keep her head above water.

This continues for a bit with various shots indicating how long she's been in the water, until she is washed up on a muddy bank.

Sage crawls out of the water turns onto her back, and lies there breathing hard.

She squeezes her eyes closed, and the wrinkles around her eyes tighten.

EXT. SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

A brief shot of the Siskiyou Mountains where Sage washed up.

EXT. FOREST PATH - NIGHT

Sage is struggling up the hill, for although the rain has stopped, her wet clothes are making it hard to walk.

She walks up to the trunk of a redwood and puts her head against it.

Her back is covered with mud.

She suddenly straightens up and slaps her forehead,  removes her shirt and throws it aside, and repeats this with her pants.

She stands beneath the mighty redwood in her wet undergarments, and she shivers a little, although her body hair will help keep her warm.

Then suddenly she stops and looks up, then at her hands with their extra long fingers, and a smile breaks out on her face.

EXT. REDWOOD CANOPY - VERY EARLY DAWN

Sage (who has taken off her shoes) is leaping from tree to tree  swinging off the branches like Tarzan.

She does a somersault through the air and grabs a branch with her apelike feet.
She swings down so she's facing the ground, and plummets  towards the earth.

She then twists her body around so she's facing right side up again, and grabs onto the bark of the trunk like a girl version of Spiderman, causing her dissent to stop immediately.  

SAGE:

"Well that'll keep you warm."

Sage looks towards the barely rising sun and takes off again, disappearing into the forest.

EXT. CLEARING WITH CABIN - DAWN

Sage is hanging by one hand and one foot in a tree above the cabin.

She watches for a few seconds, then takes a deep breath, and lets herself drop twenty feet to the ground below  landing on a soft patch of moss and twigs.

She approaches the cabin, walks onto the front porch,  approaches the front door, and raises her hand to knock.

She knocks.

She waits.

No one answers.

She looks around one last time, and then steps inside.

INT. SAGE'S CABIN - DAWN

Sage hasn't bothered to turn any lights on, letting the natural sunlight pour in through the windows.

She looks around at the cabin, taking in the small gas stove and the round table that could easily fit her entire family.

She walks over to the table, sits  down in a chair, and hangs her head in silence.

EXT. SAGE'S CABIN - MIDDAY

Sage is sitting in a chair on the cabin porch looking out at all the beautiful elements of her new mountain home.

She looks sad.

Suddenly there is a loud chattering.

Sage looks to her left and sees a SQUIRREL perched on the deck rail, which continues to chatter at her. Sage rises from her chair and approaches the rail. The gutsy squirrel continues to rant away.

Sage closes her eyes and listens intently.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Are you a human?"

Sage keeps her eyes closed.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"You're not a squirrel are you?"

Sage takes a breath, and the squirrel gets into a defensive posture.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Bad squirrel. My porch. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine."

Sage gets fed up, opens her eyes and makes an angry squeaking noise at the squirrel.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Oh shut it."

The squirrel looks indignant, and pauses its squeaking for a second, while Sage stares at it. Then it starts again.

SQUIRREL:

"Who the heck do you think you are? Why I ought to bite you and give you a disease missy."

Sage squeaks a few things in return.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"My name is Sage. I'm not a squirrel, and this may be your porch, but it's my house."

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Your house huh? You don't look like you belong in a house. You ought to be out exploring the woods. Go far away from here and never come back."

Sage looks at the squirrel who is silent, and then out into the forest. She regards it nervously, then turns back to the squirrel and squeaks a response.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Do you really think I should?"

The squirrel runs to the end of the rail.

SQUIRREL:

"Yes. I don't know what you are, but you clearly are more wild than anything that belongs in this house."

Sage walks to the deck edge, and looks at the forest for another few seconds, then she squeaks at the squirrel.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"If I get cold or lonely can I come back?"

The squirrel snaps at her.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"You won't be lonely silly girl."

Sage puts her hands on her hips.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Okay smarty. How about cold?"

The squirrel pauses for a few seconds, and Sage looks triumphant.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Okay you got me you little twerp. You can come back if you're cold."

Sage smiles.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Thank you."

The squirrel flicks its tail and gives a final squeak.

Sage wags a finger at the squirrel.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Ah, ah, ah. Watch your language."

The squirrel runs off and disappears around the back of the house.

EXT. REDWOOD FOREST - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Sage is walking down a forest path (in normal person fashion this time). She sniffs the air around her, and her ears twitch. She seems aware of every little smell and sound.

She hears a bird twittering in a tree, and looks up at it. She closes her eyes and listens. After a few more tweets she starts tweeting back.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Hello bird. My name is Sage. I am exploring your pretty home. I hope you don't mind."

The bird flies down to a lower branch and continues to tweet.

BIRD: (SUBTITLE)

"I don't mind. Just be careful of nests when you climb trees."

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Oh don't worry I will be."

The bird flies away.

BIRD: (SUBTITLE)

"Thank you."

Sage waves after the bird.

INT. SAGE'S CABIN - DIMLY LIT

Sage stands at the door and takes a deep breath. The moonlight spills through the window.

Sage looks out the window at the beautiful moon. She looks for e few seconds, and then her lip starts to quiver, her eyes tighten and she starts to whimper.

SAGE:

"I just want to be home."

Suddenly there's a large gust of wind, and the door flies open. Sage stops her whimpering and looks at the door in surprise. Some leaves blow in with the wind.

Sage walks over to the door and closes it. She turns and starts to head towards the bedroom. Suddenly another gust blows open the door again. Sage glares and turns to push the door shut again.

She sticks her head out the door.

EXT. SAGE'S CABIN - MOONLIT NIGHT

The gust has calmed. Sage turns to go back inside.

Suddenly there's a squeaking from below and Sage turns around and spots the squirrel at her feet.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"What is it?"

The squirrel runs up the door frame, stopping at Sage's eye level.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Do you feel the wind?"

Sage looks confused.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Yeah. It keeps blowing the door open."

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"The wind is calling you. Start walking. If you go the wrong way, you will feel the wind moving against you."

Sage looks out at the forest.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Now?"

The squirrel jumps on Sage's shoulder and squeaks in her face.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"When the wind calls we answer kid. Now get going."

Sage opens her mouth to protest.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"March."

Sage starts to walk.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Okay okay. Don't get all squirrely."

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE - O.S)

"Hilarious. How long did it take you to come up with that one."

EXT. FOREST PATH - MOONLIT NIGHT

Sage walks along the path with the squirrel perched on her shoulder. She reaches the top of the hill.

A gust of wind blows leaves at her left shoulder.

The squirrel looks to the right.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Wind says you should go right."

So Sage turns and walks off the path into the dark of the forest.

EXT. FOREST - MOONLIT NIGHT

Sage walks through the forest with the squirrel on her shoulder. The forest makes creepy noises. Sage looks around nervously.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"Come on quickly."

Sage puts a finger up.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"I've been following the wind for two whole hours now. I have no idea where she's taking me."

The squirrel runs up to Sage's head.

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE)

"The harder it blows the closer you are to your destination."

Sage continues to walk forward. Suddenly a very large gust of wind hits her square in the back.

SAGE:

"Whoa!"

The squirrel runs down Sage's back and into her shirt.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Get out of there."

SQUIRREL: (SUBTITLE - O.S)

"I suggest you run."

Sage frowns and starts to run away from the wind.

She leaps over logs and swirling leaves.

She runs as fast as her fairly short legs can go.

She can see the edge of the forest, and runs towards it.

EXT. A ROCKY CLIFF (FOREST IN DISTANCE) - MOONLIT NIGHT

A perilous rocky cliff is right in Sage's path.

EXT. COMING OUT OF FOREST TOWARDS CLIFF - MOONLIT NIGHT

Sage keeps running from the wind, out of the forest straight towards the cliff.

The squirrel suddenly leaps off Sage.

SAGE: (SUBTITLE)

"Hey where are you going?"

The squirrel scurries off without another squeak.

Suddenly Sage is lifted off the ground and speeds through the air toward the cliff. She lets out a yelp of fright.

SAGE:

"What the? Help!"

EXT. OFF EDGE OF CLIFF - MOONLIT NIGHT

Sage goes over the cliff, but the powerful wind carries her through the air. She looks shocked. She floats through the air over the clouds, looking around her in amazement.

Suddenly a lovely rocky spire comes into view. Sage looks at it in wonder. It's thin and has what looks like a winding pathway ascending up it like a huge snake.

EXT. SNAKE TOWER - MOONLIT NIGHT

The wind sets Sage down at the top of the rocky tower. She takes a couple of deep breaths. Then she looks out over the edge. She sees water down below. She gulps when she realizes just how high she is. Sage turns away and hugs the rock. The muscles around her eyes start to tighten.

SAGE:

"Why me? Why did my mother have to bring me into this world?"

Sage looks up at the sky.

SAGE:

"Answer me! Why was I brought here? I'm just a freak! I'm just an abomination from a test-tube! Why? Why?"

During this rant, Sage has sunken to her knees and is hugging the rock in desperation.

SAGE:

"Why? Why?"

Suddenly everything becomes much brighter. Sage looks up at the sky again in confusion. A lovely rainbow has appeared in the sky right next to the rocky tower, and an ANGELIC
VOICE begins speaking.

ANGELIC VOICE:

"You are loved sweet child. Because you are a child of this earth just like all creatures."

Sage's eye-wrinkles soften a bit.

ANGELIC VOICE:

"Never forget that you have a destiny laid out before you child. You must find your calling."

Sage stands up.

ANGELIC VOICE:

"Listen to your heart. And to the sounds of mother nature. You will know it when you are ready."

Sage closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. A soft breeze blows her hair in the wind.

She looks upset and opens her eyes.

SAGE:

"But I don't know what my path is supposed to be?"

There is no answer for a few seconds, and Sage looks around in despair.

ANGELIC VOICE:

"Open your heart to all that your creator has to offer. Listen to all she tells you. Then you will find peace."

Sage looks down at the water below. She looks up at the sky. Suddenly she looks very determined and strong.

SAGE:

"I will find my true calling. And I will not rest until I have discovered it."

Sage closes her eyes and a little smile appears on her face.

SAGE:

"Thank you rainbow mountain."

And with that Sage leaps off the edge of the tower. She dives straight down, keeping her eyes shut the whole time.

EXT. THE WATER AT BASE OF SNAKE TOWER - BRIGHT AND SUNNY

14 year old Sage disappears into the water, and seconds later, 16 year old Sage is seen swimming through it.

The now 16 year old Sage still looks a bit small for her age, but she has become far more built. She swims very fast towards the shore.

EXT. SHORE AT BASE OF CLIFF - BRIGHT AND SUNNY

Sage climbs out of the water at the base of the cliff she was carried off of by the wind two years ago.

She would certainly win a prize for most buff 16 year old girl on the planet. She has long strong looking arms, her legs are still fairly short but her thighs are like tree trunks now, she has bulging abbes, and a series of scars that cover her body. Most of these scars are simple looking cuts, but the largest one runs from her left armpit to the bottom of her rib-cage.  

She is now wearing only a bra and shorts that she made from material she most likely found at the cabin. There are also pieces of nature attached to her attire as well. A belt made of tree bark, and held together with woven grass, holds many items. A small drinking flask, another pouch to hold food in, a beautiful wood carving shaped like two snakes intertwined, and a strand of worry stones held together with black woven thread.
Sage walks into the woods, and disappears from view.

EXT. REDWOOD CANOPY - SUNNY W/ SHADE

Sage moves with lightening speed and beautiful grace through the forest canopy. She seems to have learned the location of each branch, and knows exactly where to grab on. She even grabs a couple with her feet and swings upside down only to launch herself forward and grab the next branch with her hands.

Suddenly Sage stops to rest on a branch. She sniffs the air. She blinks and frowns.

SAGE:

"Humans."

She turns and heads off in a different direction, vanishing into the forest.

EXT. REDWOOD CANOPY - NIGHT

Sage swings through the trees. From somewhere off in the distance we can hear the sound of laughing and work.

Sage jumps onto a branch, then springs forward with her hands outstretched. She soars through the air, and just barely manages to grab the next branch with her long fingers.

The branch sags under her weight and she swings on it down to another branch.

Sage walks (on all fours) along the branch, stopping near the trunk. She peers around the other side of the tree.

Down below, we can see a group of 10 people sitting around campfire.

Sage stares at them in wonder.

All of a sudden all of them stand up, and pour water on the fire. Then we hear them saying their good nights to each other, and see them heading off to sleep.

Sage notices that one of the boys in the group is walking with a bit of a limp. He has strong looking biceps, long and lovely blond hair, and has interesting looking shoes on.

Gee wizz! Sage almost falls from the tree as she realizes who it is. She catches herself though. Then she gathers herself together, and disappears from our sight.

EXT. BASE OF REDWOOD - NIGHT

It now appears to be somewhere around midnight, and Carver who has grown into a handsome young man, is adjusting his sleeping bag.

He is just about to climb in it, when he hears someone calling his name in a whisper.

SAGE: (O.S.)

"Carver."

Carver looks around in confusion.

CARVER:

"Who's there?"

Sage whispers louder.

SAGE: (O.S.)

"Over here in the bushes."

Carver stands up and walks over to some bushes. He pulls them aside, and a look of shock washes over his face.

Sage smiles.

SAGE:

"Hello?"

Carver stares at her in shock for a few seconds. Then -

CARVER:

"Sa-"

Sage quickly reaches to cover his mouth, and puts a finger to her lips.

SAGE:

"Shhh."

Carver gently pulls Sage's hand away. He still looks shocked but is smiling now.

EXT. REDWOOD CLEARING - MORNING

Sage, Carver and the group of teens are sitting on logs in a circle.

All the kids are looking at Sage in wonder.

The group consists of Carver, Sage, KATHY, TANIKA, JO-JO, OTTER, CHIENE, MARK, TRACY, WILLOW, and VIRGO JANE.

Virgo Jane (more commonly known as V.J) has wavy orange hair, a nose piercing that looks like a purple fishhook, a headband made of reeds, earrings that look like green lightening bolts, her eye shadow is an earthy tone, and her lip gloss is a watery blue.  

She seems particularly amazed.

OTTER:

"So Carver said you had been living here for two years?"

Sage looks over at Otter. He has curly brown hair and a shy face. He quickly looks down.

Sage smiles, thinking it's sweet.

SAGE:

"Yeah that's right. I lived all alone with no one but nature around me."

The group all murmurs.

TRACY:

"You are so lucky."

Sage looks a bit confused. V.J notices this and steps in.

V.J:

"A lot of us come from unhappy homes or just wanted to get out of the city."

Sage turns to V.J.

SAGE:

"I've never actually seen a city."

V.J smiles.

V.J:

"Trust me. You're not missing much."

Carver stands up. Sage and the others look at him.

CARVER:

"Except her parents. I'm going into town to get some more supplies. I'll be back tonight.
They should be here tomorrow."

Sage reaches out and gives Carver's hand a squeeze.

SAGE:

"Thank you."

OVERLAPPING VOICES:

"Bye Carver."

Sage waves as Carver walks off. Then she turns back to the others.

SAGE:

"So what is this thing? Are you just camping?"

JO-JO:

"Well we are camping."

CHIENE:

"But it's more complex than that."

Sage looks confused.

V.J:

"We're an action group known as Tree Nation. The group was formed in protest of logging companies that want to cut down old growth forests like this one."

V.J grabs Sage's hand, and Sage looks at her shyly.

V.J:

"So we're gonna stay here until they give up. Also we need some help."

Sage smiles.

EXT. TREE NATION CIRCLE - AFTERNOON

Some members of Tree Nation (TN) are carrying large coils of rope, some have hooks, others have hammers and pieces of lumber.

We see some of them hammering the lumber together to make platforms, and others trying to lasso one of the lower branches with the ropes.

Sage looks amused by all of this. V.J comes up behind her.

V.J:

"So Sage. Carver said you were an amazing tree climber. We'd all love to see that."
Sage walks over to Tanika who is struggling futilely to get her rope up to a branch.

SAGE:

"Could I try?"

Tanika gives a shrug and hands Sage the rope. She then walks back to stand next to V.J
Sage looks up at the huge redwood. All the other present members of Tree Nation have
taken notice.

Carrying the rope with her, Sage calmly walks up to the trunk of the tree, and without pausing, starts climbing up it like Spiderman.

Everyone's mouths drop open at once when Sage makes it about 20 feet up into the tree in
15 seconds.

She stops when she comes to a branch and quickly wraps the rope around it a few times.

TRACY:

"Damn she's amazing."

Everyone looks stunned.

Sage turns and calls down to the group.

SAGE:

"Now what?"

V.J:

"Well now we need to start making a spiderweb that connects all the trees around this clearing. Then we'll pull the platforms into the trees to sleep on."

SAGE:

"Okay."

She smiles at them.

SAGE:

"Close your eyes for a second."

The group gives her a confused look.

SAGE:

"Just do it."

They do it, and we hear the sounds of trees rustling.

The group looks confused.

SAGE:

"Okay. You can open them."

Everyone opens their eyes and looks up. Sage isn't there anymore.

SAGE:

"Yoo-hoo."

The members of Tree Nation look towards the voice, and are amazed to see Sage, on the other side of the ring of trees.

WILLOW:

"Holy -"

V.J and the others look shocked when they see that Sage has already managed to tie the rope to a tree on the other side of the clearing.

CHIENE:

"How did you do that?"

Sage smiles.

EXT. TREE NATION CIRCLE - EVENING

Sage and all the Tree Nation members (Carver has returned) are sitting around a big roaring campfire. They have finished constructing the complex series of ropes and pulleys connecting the trees and the sleeping platforms to one another, and are sitting beneath it. They are laughing and telling stories.

KATHY:

"Seriously? Did you really live for two years on worms?"

SAGE:

"Well actually they were larva. But basically yes."

The group all shudders as one.

Sage looks thoughtful and reaches into her bra.

SAGE:

"Well what do you know? I still have a couple in here."

There are shouts of disgust and faces of revulsion from almost everyone in the group.

OTTER:

"Oh yuck! That's disgusting!"

TANIKA:

"Those things were in your bra all day?"

Sage holds her hand out towards Tanika. Tanika throws her hands up to shield herself.

TANIKA:

"No way. I'm not eating those."

Sage turns to Carver and offers him some. Carver looks at the icky wriggling larva and looks grossed out.

CARVER:

"Honey you know I love you. But I just can't put those things in my mouth."

V.J takes a breath, then takes the grubs from Sage's hand. Sage, Carver, and the rest of the Tree Nation group look on (many in horror) as V.J chews the grubs.

She swallows, and after looking a bit grossed out for a second, she licks her lips. Sage looks at her eagerly.

V.J:

"You know what? They aren't actually that bad."

The other members all look completely grossed out, but Sage smiles. V.J holds out her hand, and Sage reaches in to get more. Carver looks surprised.

V.J:

"I mean once you over the fact that the things are alive, they actually taste kind of sweet."

Sage smiles at V.J, who notices and gives her a smile in return.

EXT. TREE NATION WEB - STARRY NIGHT

Sage and Carver are lying in sleeping bags looking up at the stars.

SAGE:

"They're all so pretty."

Carver glances at her.

CARVER:

"They are."

Sage continues to look at the sky.

SAGE:

"Silly. You aren't even looking at them."

Carver kisses her gently on the cheek. Sage giggles softly and her eyes come down from the heavens.

CARVER:

"I see the stars whenever I look at your face little girlfriend."

Sage smiles and plants a kiss on Carver's lips. Carver kisses her back. They then wrap their arms around each other, and close their eyes.

EXT. TREE NATION WEB - DAWN

The members of Tree Nation are in various stages of waking up. Sage is stretching and Carver is already fishing through a small paper bag looking for breakfast.

Sage sees Carver looking for food, and smiles at her boyfriend's backside.

SAGE:

"You have a nice butt."

CARVER:

"And a good morning to you too."

Carver turns to Sage holding a piece of toast. Sage reaches out to take it.

SAGE:

"Thanks."

All of a sudden V.J and Tanika come zooming onto Sage and Carver's platform via zip-line.

V.J:

"Good morning."

EXT. TREE NATION CIRCLE - EARLY MORNING

Sarah, Kevin, and Fern are gathered near the fire-pit waiting for Sage. With them are John Stengers, and RICHARD MARTIN, a man in a smart business suit with silver hair and a handsome face.

Sarah looks up into the tree.

SARAH:

"Sage!"

EXT. TREE NATION WEB - EARLY MORNING

Sage suddenly goes stiff with excitement. She moves to the edge and peers over. She suddenly gets a huge smile.

EXT. TREE NATION CIRCLE - EARLY MORNING

Sage is being engulfed in her family's embraces.

SAGE:

"Mama, daddy, Fern."

Kevin has tears in his eyes.

KEVIN:

"Our little girl is back."

John and Richard stand respectfully off to the side.

FERN:

"My goodness look at you. You look wonderful hon."

Sage gives all her family a kiss one by one.

KEVIN:

"My my. You're getting quite a beard aren't you?"

Sage giggles. Sarah gives her daughter a final squeeze.

SARAH:

"You definitely got taller."

Sage smiles, then suddenly seems to notice John and Richard for the first time. She breaks away from her family and walks over to them. John smiles at her.

SAGE:

"Hello Mr. Stengers."

JOHN:

"Well Ms. Shepard I can safely say I never thought anyone would ever see you again."

Sage opens her arms to give John a hug. John accepts it and gives her a squeeze. Then
Sage turns to Richard.

SAGE:

"And who are you sir?"

Richard gives her a warm gentlemanly smile.

RICHARD:

"The name is Richard. Richard Martin. I'm a friend of John's. I also own lots of companies. I recently bought the company that brought you to us. But I wanted to meet you because I was fascinated by the idea of such a wonder of nature."

Sage holds out her hand. Richard shakes it politely.

SAGE:

"Well it's very nice to meet you Martin."

RICHARD:

"Oh please call me Richard."

Sage smiles.

SAGE:

"Okay."

Then Sage hugs Richard who looks rather surprised. He's at least three feet taller than her, and pats the top of her head with a smile.

All of a sudden the other Tree Nation members make it down to the ground via ropes. Sage runs over to Carver and hugs him.

FERN:

"And who are these lovely friends of yours Sage?"
Sage takes V.J's hand and walks her over to meet her family. The other members follow.

SAGE:

"Mom, Dad, Fern. This is Tree Nation. They're camping out in the forest until the loggers go away."

Sarah shakes V.J's hand and smiles.

SARAH:

"Well I'm very glad my daughter has found such wonderful friends."

Richard steps forward.

RICHARD:

"I think that's wonderful that you want to protect the forest. Is there anything I can do?"

V.J looks at Richard skeptically. Tanika notices this and speaks up.

TANIKA:

"Sorry but none of us really trust people like you."

Richard crosses his arms, but continues to smile.

V.J frowns.

Sarah turns to Sage.

SARAH:

"Honey do you want to come home with us?"

Sage looks at all her family. Then back at all her new Tree Nation friends. She can't decide. Kevin reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder.

KEVIN:

"Honey whatever you want we're there for you."

Sage looks back at her father. Kevin smiles warmly.

Suddenly Carver steps forward.

CARVER:

"May I be so bold as to make a suggestion?"

SARAH:

"What is it Carver?"

Carver puts his arm around Sage. Sage smiles shyly.

CARVER:

"Well Sage is gonna half to come out to the world one day right?"

Sarah looks upset, but Sage looks eager, and Richard steps forward.

RICHARD:

"I think that's a great idea."

Kevin turns to Richard.

KEVIN:

"Martin I'll thank you to let her parents make these kinds of choices."

Richard purses his lips, but steps back.

Sarah takes a deep breath and faces Sage.

SARAH:

"If you want to come out, we'll be there for you."

V.J steps towards Sage.

V.J:

"We can set up an operation to introduce Sage to the world."

CARVER:

"Excellent idea. We could call it 'Operation Debutante.'"

Sage looks eagerly at her parents.

SAGE:

"Mom? Dad? I really want this. Can I do it?"

Sarah and Kevin both take deep breaths, while everyone looks at them.

SARAH & KEVIN:

"Yes."



End of sample for now.