The Fifth Element

PRESIDENT

Your theory is interesting Father but I don't think we have time to go into it right now!

CORNELIUS

Time is of no importance, Mr. President. Only life is important.

PRESIDENT

(exasperated)

That's exactly what we are going to try and do: Protect the lives of some 200 billion of our fellow citizens! General? You may fire when ready.

INT. SPACESHIP

STAEDERT

(cold; to the Captain)

... Up front loading of a 120 ZZR missile. Marker lights on the objective.

EXT. OUTSIDE SPACESHIP

All of a sudden, outside the ship, the strange planet's activity ceases. A black crust immediately covers it.

INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

SCIENTIST

(consulting new data)

Its structure has just solidified on the surface, as if the object felt something. If that's the case, we are undoubtedly dealing with an intelligence.

CORNELIUS

The most terrible intelligence imaginable, Mr. President.

The President hesitates.

CAPTAIN

... The ship is in combat formation. The missile is loaded, General.

PRESIDENT

(uneasy)

Staedert? Give me a minute... I have a doubt.

STAEDERT

(cold)

I don't, Mr. President.

EXT. OUTSIDE SPACESHIP

The missile explodes from the ship and penetrates its target. The explosion is swallowed like a fizzy pill in a small glass of water. Nothing happens. And then the mass grows larger.

INT. CONTROL ROOM / PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

Staedert looks worried.

STAEDERT

Load a series of 740 missiles. Maximum shield protection.

CAPTAIN

Yes, Sir.

The President is growing ever more worried.

PRESIDENT

Staedert? What's going on? Did you destroy it?

STAEDERT

I'm about to, Mr. President.

EXT. SPACESHIP

A series of three missiles heads for the planet, which absorbs them all. And literally doubles in size.

SCIENTIST

The planet's diameter has greatly increased and it's moving toward the ship.

PRESIDENT

Staedert? Get out of there immediately! I don't want an incident, do you hear me, Staedert?

STAEDERT

(worried)

... What do we have that's bigger than 240?

CAPTAIN

Nothing, General.

PRESIDENT

Staedert, get out of there! That's an order!

A bead of sweat pearls Staedert's forehead. He is about to give an order when a gigantic flame emerges from the planet and literally swallows Staedert's spaceship.

STAEDERT

(eyes wide)

... Good God!

The flame fills the screen with a horrendous NOISE that... ..

INT. APARTMENT

... wakes up a man trying to escape from a nightmare. KORBEN DALLAS rubs his head. Thirty five years old, short hair, powerfully built, unquestionable charm, good looking in spite of the scars here and there. The alarm clock is still ringing, it shows the date as March 18, 2359. It in two in the morning. Ha grabs a cigarette, and stops to look for a light. He shuts oft the alarm. He hears a cat mewing in the hall. But it still rings. Korben takes a moment and then realizes it in the phone that is ringing.

KORBEN

(to the cat)

I'm coming.

He grabs the phone and crosses his tiny apartment (27 feet long by 6 feet wide) heading for the door, patting himself for a light. Behind him, the bed makes itself automatically.

KORBEN

(on the phone)

Yeah?

FINGER (V.O.)

Hey bud! Finger here.

He opens the door for the cat and starts to rummage through a drawer for a match. Out come a handful of war decorations, a hero's collection.

KORBEN

(to the cat)

Hi sweetie!

... A Medal of Honor Certificate to Major Dallas

FINGER (V.O.)

I love you too Major, but you haven't called me that since basic training.

KORBEN

I was talking to the cat.

FINGER (V.O.)

Oh, yeah, I forgot.You still prefer your cat to the real thing.

... A picture of Korben and his ex-wife on their wedding day.

KORBEN

At least, the cat comes back.

FINGER (V.O.)

(ironical)

You still pining for that two timing bitch. Forget her. There are a million women out there.

KORBEN

I don't want a million – I just want one. A perfect one.

FINGER (V.O.)

Don't exist bud.

... A picture of Korben and Finger in uniform next to a space fighter.

KORBEN

I just found a picture of you.

FINGER (V.O.)

How do I look?

KORBEN

Like shit.

Korben finds a box of matches with three matches. He strikes one. It does not light. Korben opens the fridge, bare, except for an empty can of "GEMINI" croquettes.

On the packet is an ad:

"WIN A DREAM TRIP FOR 2 TO FHLOSTON PARADISE."

FINGER (V.O.)

Must be an old picture... Listen, you gotta bring me your hack for the 6 month overhaul. A.S.A.P.

Korben heats up some brackish water.

KORBEN

(sighs)

I don't need one.

FINGER (V.O.)

You forgetting who sat next to you for a thousand missions. I know how you drive.

KORBEN

Finger! I'm driving a cab now, not a space fighter!!

FINGER (V.O.)

How many points you got left on your license?

KORBEN

(lying)

Uh... at least fifty.

FINGER (V.O.)

In your dreams! See you tonight!

Finger has hang up. Korben sighs and does the same. He gets the heated brackish water and sits down. The cat pounces on the table and meows for its food. Korben pours half the coffee in the cat's cup.

The cat meows. Korben taps his cup to the cat's saucer.

KORBEN

Cheers!

INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

The office is emptied, only a few army officers remain. An ancient manuscript, Billy's drawings, sits in front of the President. Cornelius turns page after page, illustrating his point.

CORNELIUS

(to the President)

We have forty-eight hours, the time it needs to adapt itself to our living conditions.

PRESIDENT

(worried)

And then?

CORNELIUS

And then it will be too late. The goal of evil is to wipe out life! All forms of life. For all eternity... Life upsets it.

The President appears upset himself by this image.

PRESIDENT

Is there anything that can stop it?

CORNELIUS

(knowing)

Yes... thank God...

EXT. SPACE

The Mondoshawan spaceship bursts through a star cluster and fills the screen.

INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

The manuscript is open on the President's desk... CLOSE ON:

Billy's rendering of the Mondoshawan.

CORNELIUS

(to the President)

The Mondoshawans don't belong to the Federated Territories, but they are peaceful... in their possession are the four elements of life. These elements when they are gathered around a fifth: The Supreme Being, ultimate warrior, created to protect life...

The SUPREME BEING is standing, as if frozen in armor. All we see is the bottom half of his body. Big metallic gloves hold the case engraved with the emblem of the three suns containing the four Sacred Stones.

CORNELIUS

... will produce what the ancients called the light of creation, the light of total goodness which is the only thing that can defeat EVIL.

The President points to the spot occupied by the 5th element.

PRESIDENT

But what happens if instead of this... Ultimate Warrior... it is EVIL who stands here?

CORNELIUS

White turns to black. Light to Dark. Life to Death. For all eternity.

The President's nerves quiver.

CAPTAIN

Sir, we have a Mondoshawan spaceship at the frontier requesting permission to enter our territory.

PRESIDENT

I guess I should make a decision...

CORNELIUS

They are the only ones who can help...

GENERAL

Sir... the Mondoshawan do not belong to the federation. We do not know their intention... I must recommend a full trinuclear assault...

PRESIDENT

(yells)

Did you see that... thing... swallow our battleship like a gum drop? You can't even tell me what it is! I ask you for options you give me bullshit. Give them permission to enter our territories with my warmest regards.

CORNELIUS

(relieved)

Thank you, Mr. President.

EXT. SPACE / INT. MONDOSHAWAN SHIP

The MONDOSHAWAN spaceship zips across the Federated Galaxy. But it is not alone: Two black warships seem to be dogging it.

INT. MONDOSHAWAN COCKPIT

The MONDOSHAWANS have spotted the spacecraft chasing them.

FIRST OFFICER

Two non-identified ships approaching.

CAPTAIN

Must be the welcoming committee.

INT. WARSHIP COCKPIT

A MANGALORE sits at the controls of the warship. His terrifying features tell us what sort of welcome they can expect. The pilot fires without warning.

EXT. SPACE / INT.MONDOSHAWAN SHIP

The huge ship is badly hit and immediately swerves oft course. Panic aboard the MONDOSHAWAN ship.

INT. MONDOSHAWAN SHIP

CAPTAIN

We've been hit! General alert!!!

Blast after blast hits the defenseless ship.