DARK STAR

DARK    STAR

                      A SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE

                             A Screenplay

                                  by

                    John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon

     OPEN ON BLACK SILENCE.

     The sound of electronic music rises, hollow, metallic.

     FADE IN on a long TRACKING SHOT through the universe.
     As the NARRATOR speaks we move through galaxies, nebulae,
     solar systems, moving from the infinite slowly down to
     a particular planetary system deep within a maze of
     suns.

                               NARRATOR
                               (over)
                   It is the mid 22nd Century. Mankind has
                   explored the boundaries of his own solar
                   system, and now he reaches out to the
                   endless interstellar distances of the
                   universe. He moves away from his own small
                   planetary system in huge hyperdrive star-
                   ships: computer-driven, self-supporting,
                   closed-system spacecraft that travel at
                   mind-staggering post-light velocities.
                   Man has begun to spread among the stars.
                   Enormous ships embark with generations of
                   colonists searching the depths of space
                   for new earths, now homes, new beginnings.
                   Far in advance of these colony ships goes
                   a new pioneer: the scouts, the pathfinders,
                   a special breed of man who has dedicated
                   his life to blazing the trail through
                   the most distant, unexplored galaxies,
                   opening up the farthest frontiers of space.
                   These are the men of the Advance Exploration
                   Corps. The task they face is one of unbe-
                   lievable isolation and loneliness. So far
                   from home that Earth is no longer even a
                   point of light in the sky, they must comb
                   the universe for those unstable planets
                   whose existence poses a threat to the
                   peaceful colonists that follow. They must
                   find these rogue planets--and destroy them.
                   Among these commandos are the men of
                   the scoutship Dark Star.

     We are now moving toward a planet. Floating in front of the
     planet is the SCOUTSHIP DARK STAR. As we move toward the ship,
     we begin to hear VOICES, crackling with static.

                               DOOLITTLE
                               (over - radio filter)
                   Ah, what'd you say, Pinback?

                               PINBACK
                               (over - great static)
                   Mafhkin oble groop...

                               DOOLITTLE
                               (over - filter)
                   Ah, what was that again, I still can't
                   hear you?

                               PINBACK
                               (over - filter)
                   I said I'm trying to reach Talby.
                   Something's wrong with the damn intercom.
                   I need a last-minute diameter approximation.

     CAMERA IS NOW FLOATING TOWARD THE OBSERVATION DOME on top
     of the ship. In the Dome sits TALBY. He is staring around,
     wide-eyed, at the planets and stars.

                               DOOLITTLE
                               (over - filter)
                   Talby, Talby, this is Doolittle. Do you
                   read me? Talby?

     WE MOVE IN CLOSE ON TALBY'S FACE. The shot stops and holds
     as he continues to stare, rapt.

                               DOOLITTLE
                               (cont'd - over - filter)
                   Talby, do you read me?

     There is a CRACKLE, and Doolittle's voice suddenly booms
     through, loud and clear:

                               DOOLITTLE
                               (cont'd)
                   TALBY!

                               TALBY
                               (snaps out of it)
                   Oh! Ah, yes, Doolittle. What is it?

     INTERIOR - CONTROL ROOM

     CLOSE SHOT of a digital clock, ticking down the seconds.

                               DOOLITTLE
                   I need a diameter approximation.

                               TALBY
                               (over)
                   Okay, Doolittle, I'll have it in a
                   minute.

     CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK along the length of the control
     room, revealing three men: BOILER, DOOLITTLE, and PINBACK.
     They are seated close together in cramped little chairs,
     surrounded by a maze of instrumentation, pressing buttons,
     making adjustments and corrections. There is one EMPTY CHAIR;
     the panel in front of it looks burned.

                               PINBACK
                   I need a GHF reading on the gravity correction.

                               DOOLITTLE
                   I'll check it.

                               BOILER
                   I have a reduced drive reading of seven
                   thousand.