INT. DEEP INSIDE CAVE - DAY
They retire to a quiet corner of the cave with their own little fire, away from the bustle of those who are getting ready to move out and the rest who are helping them.
JOSHUA
Our people have had a long and distinguished existence on this world. This harsh life we now know is a recent development. The stories that you have heard but not wanted to listen to are all true, although somewhat exaggerated. Not long ago there was a great and terrible war, brought by those foreign to this world, that came down from the skies and wreaked havoc, death and destruction on our forebears. Their weapons basically wiped out the race - until yesterday we thought this tiny group all that was left - and did irreparable damage to our planet. The water supply was poisoned with some very concentrated toxins, to create the bizarre acidic walls of water you see rage below us intermittently. Before that the water flowed in an endless stream; calm to the touch and sweet to the taste.
Teone GASPS in surprise, unable to imagine being able to immerse herself in water.
JOSHUA
(continuing)
The races from other worlds didn’t stop there. They assaulted the surface of our world from the skies, pounding us with bombs and weapons we had never known before. Some where impossible to detect, but they did terrible things to the animal communities; altering and mutating them into the raging behemoths you see today. Almost entirely everyone was killed, and the great-grandparents of this small group you have known all your life finally gathered together at the top of this canyon. The canyon had been quickly worn away by what was then a constant torrent of acidic water.
Eventually the torrent slowed to the occasional floods you know today; by then the full effects of the animal mutations had taken hold and even more people were lost. The survivors fled down into the relative safety of this canyon. They tried to hold on to as much knowledge of the times gone past as they could. That they instilled into the parents of our current Elders, who now try to pass it on to us.
TEONE
(bursting with questions)
Why did these other races attack us? Why did they want to kill us? Where did they come from? What do you mean ‘from the skies’? Why couldn’t we defend ourselves??
She stopped when a warning glance from Joshua causes George to raise his palm, facing her.
JOSHUA
I cannot answer all those questions now, there is too much. But I will say this: our people were strong and illustrious. They held great knowledge, wisdom and power. Our world was rich with resources and treasures, and our people dwelt in peace, harmony and perfect co-existence with the plant and animal life. The other races wanted to get some of what we had for themselves, but we would not give it to them. Fighting was unknown to our people; for so long they had thrived in cooperationg and agreement with each other that there was no need for weapons or defenses. They refused to give in to the irrational demands of the outsiders, giving good and solid reasons. They thought that was the end of it. Being completely defenseless and unprepared, our planet was basically destroyed.
Teone sits completely still, mouth open, stunned at these revelations.
GEORGE
(quietly)
When I was a young boy, my great-grandfather was still alive. He used to tell me every day what life was like before the wars, what he used to do, how he used to look, how things used to be. For all my life I have carried the knowledge that our people were once great and strong, and that this world was once plentiful and beautiful. That is why I spend most of my time inside this cave; I cannot bear to see the devastation and destruction.
TEONE
(fiercely)
What is my job going to be in this cause of ours?
There is a pause as both George and Joshua are too overcome with memoris to speak.
JOSHUA
You are going to help prepare those from the other community defend themselves against the raging beasts on the surface, and to help lead the expedition to the ground surface.
GEORGE
This will be difficult and dangerous, and take much tedious preparation. Once you set out at least some of you will die.
Joshua and George exchange glances over Teone’s head.
TEONE
Well, now that I know all this I will surely perish if I don’t do something about it. I promise to learn quickly and do my best.
JOSHUA
Good. Then you are ready. Go now with George and the others from yesterday to begin your training. I must consult again with The Elders.
INT.CAVE - DAY
Teone follows George to where Sally and the twins are sitting together, waiting. George puts them to fashioning tools and making weapons, while she sits for long periods and studies the history and customs of her people.
TEONE
This is boring! Why do I have to learn this?! Let’s just get out and get to work.
GEORGE
You are going to be interacting with strangers as a leader and must know WELL the rules of association.
FADE OUT
FADE IN: INT.CAVE - DAY
Preparations have been underway for days. Teone is beginning to look somewhat weary from all the mental effort and lack of activity.
GEORGE
Quickly! Keep working. There isn’t much time. It was very important in the times before, that people interacted correctly. It was one of the signifiers of how great our people were.
TEONE
But it’s so stiff and formal! How is this going to help me when we are on the ground surface and I am helpig battle a charging beast or other dangers?
GEORGE
That is why you must learn it so well. As a leader, it has to be instinctive and automatic. Even in those times you must respond correctly to the strangers.
TEONE
(pointing)
But what about them?? Why don’t they have to learn any of this??
GEORGE
Enough questions. Back to studying or Joshua will want to know why you have fallen behind.
Teone runs down, once again, all the reponses that were expected of one in any eventuality. Just when she thought she might burst from the boredom of inacivity it was time to gather up the new items they had prepared and go down into the canyon to meet with the other explorers.
FADE OUT
