1.  EXT. ELLIS BAY - NIGHT

              (title)

              ELLIS BAY MINING COMMUNITY  LATITUDE 70 DEGREES- 1918

              A blanket of dirty snow covers a group of small CABINS.  One
              larger BUILDING sits at the base of a hill nearby.

              A distraught MOTHER, 20ish, cradles a wailing BABY. Beside
              them, PETER MCMANUS, 9, puts on a brave face.  They stand
              alone at steps to their Cabin.

              Torches and oil lamps illuminate the TOWNSPEOPLE gathered to
              witness Four MINERS draw straws.  Handkerchiefs or rags cover
              the mouths of most of the Citizens.

              The MINE BOSS, older, wise, holds out his fist.  The Miners
              choose.

              The Boss's WIFE observes in the Crowd.  She possesses a
              similar patient intelligence.

              The LOSER, skinny and unkempt, picks the short straw.
              Disbelief then panic overwhelms him.  The firm glares from
              the others keeps him in check.

              The Loser, resigned to his fate, approaches the Cabin.  He
              pauses at the steps and leers at the Mother. He slides his
              shiny knife from its scabbard.

              Peter steps between them, sensing his ill intent.  The Loser
              scoffs at the Boy.

              The Loser steels himself, then cinches a dirty rag tight
              around his mouth and nose.  He climbs the steps.

              Peter pats the Baby's head.

                                  PETER
                        Hey there Pauline, you gonna' be
                        a little fuss-budget all night?

              Peter looks up to his Mother.

                                  PETER
                        I love you Mum.

              Peter creeps up the stairs.

              The Loser steps through the open doorway.

              Peter follows and remains in the threshold, watching.
 

              2.  INT. CABIN - NIGHT

              The one roomed shack has been turned upside down.  Peter's
              FATHER, 32, lies strapped, wrists and ankles, to the family
              bed.  He's motionless.

              The Loser hesitates, then stalks closer.  The Father's eyes
              are open, glazed and unseeing.  Bloody drool oozes from his
              nose, ears and mouth.

              The Loser slices the ankle strap and backs away.  The Father
              remains still.

              The Loser, more confident now, steps forward again.  He leans
              across to cut the far wrist strap.

              The cloth slips from his face.

                                  LOSER
                        Sweet Jesus!

              The Loser quickly cuts the strap.  The Father's eyes pop
              open.  He lurches up, limbs flailing, held in place by the
              two remaing bindings.  He's possessed, laughing, coughing,
              choking.

              The horrified Loser backs away.

              With his last violent gasp, the Father collapses, dead.
              Blood and mucus spatter the Loser.

              The Loser wipes his wrist across his mouth.  Blood!  He wipes
              faster, harder, determined to remove the last trace.

              Tears fill Peter's eyes but he doesn't flinch.

              The Loser goes to work, cutting the remaining bindings.  He
              wraps the Body in the bedsheet and pulls.  The shrouded head
              hits the floor.  The Loser drags the draped body across the
              Cabin.

              The Loser pushes past Peter and through the door.  The sheet
              slides, revealing the glazed stare of his Father.

              Peter gasps.

              3.  EXT. ELLIS BAY - NIGHT

              The Loser pulls the Corpse out onto the porch.  The Crowd is
              shaken.  Some cry, others cross themselves.

              Peter runs to comfort his distraught Mother.
 
              The Boss's Wife steps toward the grieving Woman and wraps
              comforting arms around the Family.

              The Boss nods to one of the Miners.  He steps forward and
              heaves a burning torch into the Cabin.  It bursts into flames.

              Another Miner grabs the other end of the shroud.  Together
              with the Loser they struggle to carry their load down the
              muddy street.

              Townspeople file in behind them.  Peter and his Mother, along
              with the Boss's Wife, trail in the macabre procession.

              A freshly dug GRAVE, chipped from the frozen earth, awaits.
              Urgency, then panic overwhelm the Loser and his Companion.
              They burst into an awkward run, bumping the Corpse on the
              ground between them.

              They heave the Body into the Grave.  The Crowd presses
              forward.

              Other Miners scurry to shovel rocks and muck on the Body.

              Peter and his Mother step closer.  The Crowd separates for
              them.  Mother and Son watch the Men finish their work.  Their
              Cabin burns in the background.

              END TEASER
 
 

              ACT ONE

              4.  INT. MCMANUS LIVING ROOM - DAY

              Peter McManus, 90, spry and crusty, sits defiant, gesturing
              with his cane.   His Sister Pauline, 81, sips tea beside him.

              Across from the couple, DR. BETH ARMSTRONG, 30ish, pleads her
              case.  She's intense, sincere.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus, if only you would
                        take the time...

                                  PETER
                        Precious little of that left for
                        me.

                                  PAULINE
                        Peter, the Doctor is asking for
                        our help!

              Three headstrong people.  Pauline is exasperated.

                                  BETH
                        I have spent close to three years
                        preparing for this, Mr. McManus.
                        Isolating the Spanish Flu virus
                        may help us develop a vacine
                        against a future epidemic.  Surely
                        you see the benefit in that!

                                  PETER
                        Diggin' up the past won't do me a
                        bit of good, Doctor.  Those
                        memories are best left where they
                        lie.

                                  PAULINE
                        You're a stubborn old fool, my
                        dear brother.

                                  PETER
                        I got my reasons.

              Peter will not budge.

                                  CONTROL VOICE
                        Love unfulfilled, dreams forsaken,
                        wrongs not righted.  These are the
                        regrets we carry to our graves.
                        If only we could find a way to
                        undo the past, before we die.

              Pauline stands to escort Beth out.

                                  PAULINE
                        I'm sorry Doctor Armstrong.  I
                        just don't know what to do.

              Beth remains seated.

                                  BETH
                        Mister McManus, I have begun legal
                        steps.

                                  PETER
                        I won't be tricked!

                                  BETH
                               (standing)
                        I'm afraid you leave me no choice
                        Sir...
                               (walking away)
                        You will be hearing from the
                        government lawyers this afternoon.

                                  PETER
                        Doctor.

              The Women turn.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus?

              Beth hangs.

                                  BETH
                        Sir?

                                  PETER
                        I wanna' go with you.

                                  PAULINE
                        Peter!

              Peter smiles like the Cheshire Cat.

                                  PAULINE
                        How could you possibly manage such
                        a trip?

                                  PETER
                        Pauline, shut up!  Doctor
                        Armstrong, I know you're gonna'
                        get me declared unfit, mentally.
                        But until that happens, there's
                        not a hope in hell you'll touch my
                        Father's grave!

              Their eyes lock.

                                  PETER
                               (continuing)
                        Your little science project'll be
                        on hold for another year.  But, if
                        you wanna' take me along...

                                  BETH
                        You're on.

                                  PETER
                        I'll want that in writing.

              Pauline gasps.

                                  PETER
                        In triplicate.

                                  PAULINE
                        You old coot!

                                  PETER
                        Fuss-budget!

              5.  INT. SMALL MILITARY PLANE - DAY

              Beth and Peter sit together.  DR. MURRAY PENN, 30ish,
              handsome and intelligent, is taking a blood pressure cuff
              from Peter's arm.  Peter is irked.  Murray writes on a clip
              board.  EIGHT TECHNICIANS and TWO NURSES complete a check of
              the Expedition equipment stacked throughout the plane.

                                  BETH
                        You agreed.  Didn't he Murray?

                                  MURRAY
                        He certainly did Beth.  In
                        triplicate as I recall.

                                  PETER
                        Wise ass.  I didn't agree to be
                        poked and prodded like a stuffed
                        pig.

                                  MURRAY
                               (laughing)
                        I'll see if I can dig up some
                        sandwiches.

              Murray steps into the aisle.

                                  PETER
                        And a cocktail!

              Murray passes by HEAD NURSE, CONNIE.  They flirt.  Peter
              looks at Beth and raises an eyebrow.  Beth will not bite.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus, I know you're
                        nervous...

                                  PETER
                        I'm not!

                                  BETH
                        When we get to Ellis Bay, I'll
                        need your absolute cooperation.

              Peter peers out the window.

                                  PETER
                        Eighty years, Doctor.  I've waited
                        a lifetime to come back...funny,
                        I'd forgotten.

                                  BETH
                        What?

                                  PETER
                        No trees.  You kinda' take 'em for
                        granted.

              Peter's POV of Arctic Islands.

                                  BETH
                        In 1918 the Spanish Flu killed 40
                        million souls in a little less
                        than a year.  This, I don't take
                        for granted.  People twenty to
                        forty, in their prime.  Many more
                        than perished in all of World War
                        One.

              Murray returns with sandwiches and coffees.

                                  PETER
                        Where's the booze?

                                  MURRAY
                        Try this.  It's pastrami I think.

              Peter grimaces.

                                  MURRAY
                        It's on rye.

              Peter fishes a hip flask from his pocket and unscrews the
              cap.

                                  PETER
                        Fact is...

              He takes a swig.

                                  PETER
                               (continued)
                        ...you need me.

                                  BETH
                               (steamed)
                        You!

              Murray grabs for the flask.  Peter's quick, he hides it
              behind his back.

                                  MURRAY
                        I will get this done, with or
                        without you.

              The I will get this done doesn't go over well with Beth.
              It's her show too!

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus, our work is of
                        extreme importance.

                                  MURRAY
                               (backpedaling)
                        But we'd like your support.

                                  BETH
                        If the virus is to be found, it'll
                        be interred in your Father's
                        remains, buried in the perma
                        frost.  We want to take samples
                        and isolate what maybe left.

                                  PETER
                        Pauline and me, we're your only
                        links.  That makes us pretty damn
                        important.

                                  BETH
                        It's true.  That's why we've been
                        doing so many tests.  You're our
                        control subjects.

                                  MURRAY
                        We hope to compare genetics.
                        There must be a reason why you and
                        your sister survived and your
                        parents didn't.

              Peter peers out the window again.

                                  PETER
                        I ask myself that every day of my
                        life.

              6.  EXT. ELLIS BAY - DAY

              The Community sits in ruins.  The large BUILDING is still
              partially standing.  Huge timbers rest across the mouth of
              the Mine.   Only boards, rotting or burned, lie scattered on
              the barren rocky ground where the Cabins once stood.

              The Expedition equipment lies in crates and packs.  Included
              are small generators, cans of gas, propane tanks and
              scaffolding.

              The GRAVE SITE. Several small MOUNDS of rock lie in a row.
              A larger MOUND is centered behind.  A few have the remnants
              of wooden crosses.

              The entire COMPANY is gathered.  Beth steps forward.  All
              chatter stops.  They bow their heads.  Peter leans on his
              cane.

                                  BETH
                        Lord, bless our departed brothers
                        and sisters buried here before us.
                        Please speed us through our work
                        in the days ahead, and know that
                        the knowledge we hope to discover
                        here, will be used for the good of
                        all mankind. Amen.

              The COMPANY says their Amens.

              Murray directs the Technicians to set up.

                                  PETER
                        They seem so small now.

              Beth moves closer to Peter.  He crouches and picks up some
              stones.

                                  PETER
                        My Father, he was the first...
                               (points to the large
                                mound)
                        My Mum, got sick, then seemed to
                        recover.  A few weeks went by, a
                        headache she said.  She sat down
                        on the bed.  Forty minutes
                        later...They were dyin' so quick.
                        They scraped out this big pit.

                                  BETH
                        The mining company records
                        indicate that twenty seven people
                        died that February and March.  In
                        fact, some of the earliest victims
                        from the Spanish flu are probably
                        in these graves.

                                  PETER
                        Most of the parents.  The worst,
                        they called it the Jolly Rants.
                        They were demented, violent.

                                  BETH
                        Perhaps the virus spread to the
                        brain as well as the lungs.

                                  PETER
                        Sixteen orphaned kids.  Three
                        mothers, was all that was left.
                        Together with the older folks,
                        they cared for us.

                                  BETH
                        Strange.  The people you'd think
                        were the strongest.

                                  PETER
                        The company steamer came for us at
                        the thaw.  The mine was never
                        worked again.

                                  BETH
                        And you ended up in Seattle.

                                  PETER
                        Yeah, via New York.  My Aunt moved
                        us there that summer.
                                  (more)

                                  PETER (cont'd)
                        She was spooked.  People were
                        dropping like flies everywhere.
                        She wanted to just get away.
                        Somewhere safe.  Didn't matter
                        where we went by then.

              Murray comes over with JOSEPH, a Technician.

                                  MURRAY
                        Welcome to the land of the
                        midnight sun.

                                  JOSEPH
                               (pointing)
                        Your tent, sir.  Being set up.

              Techs are putting up Sleeping Tents several meters away.

                                  JOSEPH
                               (continuing)
                        Your bags will be inside.  Please
                        feel free to move in when you want.

                                  MURRAY
                        Beth, we're ready to get goin'
                        here.

                                  PETER
                        If you don't mind, I'm gonna' take
                        a little walk.

              Peter takes a few steps and turns.  Murray and Beth are
              already on the move.

                                  PETER
                        How can you be sure, Doctor?

              They turn.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus?

                                  PETER
                        You and your crack team.  How can
                        you be sure that whatever's buried
                        with 'em won't get out again.

                                  MURRAY
                        We know what we're doing.

              Peter ambles past Cabin remains.  The breeze blows an
              unhinged sign against the shell of the Large building.  Just
              legible beneath peeling paint - ELLIS BAY COAL COMPANY.
              Nailed below, another sign - SCHOOL.

              At the corner of the building Peter peers up. The top of the
              hill.  He looks behind him.  Technicians are erecting a large
              tent over the Grave Site.

              Peter taps his cane against the hill, estimating.  He takes
              a step up.  Rock slip beneath his feet.

              He steps back down.

              7.  INT. MESS TENT - DAY

              Technicians and the Nurses are having lunch.  Peter is alone.
              Beth comes over with her tray.

                                  BETH
                        May I sit with you?

              Peter nods.

                                  BETH
                        Not hungry?

                                  PETER
                        Kinda' like Air Tundra.

                                  BETH
                        It's hot.

              Murray is talking on his SAT PHONE as he approaches.

                                  MURRAY
                        Beth.  We're gonna' be on our own
                        for a day or so.  Phil says
                        there's a storm down his way.  He
                        doesn't want his planes flying
                        unless we have an emergency.

                                  BETH
                        Are we O.K.?

                                  MURRAY
                        Definitely.  We can manage for
                        more than a few days without his
                        help.  We're inside mostly.  We're
                        fine.

              Murray resumes his phone conversation as he leaves.

                                  PETER
                        Cell phones up here?

                                  BETH
                        Satellite phones, courtesy of the
                        US Army.  You can talk to anyone
                        on the planet.  Perfect reception.
                        You'll be able to have one of your
                        own before long.

                                  PETER
                        I call 'em phonies.  You know,
                        like the people who use 'em.

              Beth sighs.  She's half amused, half frustrated.  She takes
              a new tact.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus.  I haven't really
                        thanked you for this.  We kind of
                        got off to a rough start.  I'm
                        glad you're with us.

                                  PETER
                        No thanks needed.

                                  BETH
                        I couldn't believe our luck when
                        we found...

                                  PETER
                        Doctor...
                               (gets her attention)
                        I'm not doin' this for you.

              8.  INT. PETER'S TENT - DAY

              Peter closes his suitcase.  He sits on the cot.  He remembers.

              9.  INT. BOSS'S CABIN - NIGHT -1918

              Everyone is asleep.  Peter is laying with his Mother on a
              small bed in one corner.  Across the room lie the Boss and
              his Wife in their bed.  Pauline is bundled in blankets in an
              apple box by the coal stove.

              A shadow crosses the window by the front door.

              10.  EXT. CABIN - NIGHT

              The Loser pads to the door.  Behind him is the smoldering
              ruin of Peter's Cabin.  His eyes dart, determined.  He wipes
              bloody drool from his mouth and face.

              He twists the door knob, knife at the ready.

              11.  INT. BOSS'S CABIN - NIGHT

              The Loser slips inside, closing the door behind him.  He
              grins, barely able to suppress a demonic chuckle.  He
              searches out the Mother.

              The Loser creeps closer, the blade glinting.

              The Loser stands above them, staring.  Peter wakes, startled.
              The Loser hurls the Boy to the floor.

              The Loser grunts with joy as he jumps on top of the Mother.
              He pins her arms to the bed with his knees.  She kicks
              furiously to resist.

              He brings up the knife, laughing like a banshee.

              BANG. The Loser falls to the floor revealing the Boss. He
              holds a frying pan in his hand.

              Peter runs to hug his sobbing Mother.
 
 

              ACT TWO

              12.  INT. SCRUB ROOM TENT - DAY

              Spray from multiple shower heads encircle Connie in the DECON
              SHOWER.  Even through her CHEMTURION (CONTAMINATION SUIT) her
              figure is stunning.

              Peter appreciates the sight.

                                  MURRAY
                               (in his ear)
                        You wish, old man.

              Murray slides the Helmet over Peter's head.  Joseph connects
              the oxygen supply on Peter's Suit.

                                  JOSEPH
                        How's that?

              Peter gives the thumbs up.

                                  JOSEPH
                        Just talk normally sir.  We'll
                        hear you.

              Peter gives another thumbs up.  Then he waves both hands.
              Something's wrong.  Two thumbs down.  He twists, searching.

                                  MURRAY
                        What's up?

                                  PETER
                               (yelling)
                        My cane.
                               (normally)
                        Where the hell's my cane!

              Joseph retrieves it.

                                  MURRAY
                        Let's go.

              The three Men move to the SHOWER AREA.

                                  MURRAY
                        Step in here.

              Peter stands in the stall.

                                  JOSEPH
                        Chlorine component.  For
                        decontamination, Sir.  It'll kill
                        any bug out there.

              Murray pulls the handle.

              Peter turns in the spray.

              13.  INT. AUTOPSY TENT - DAY

              The three Men enter through the plastic doors.  Everyone in
              the Tent is wearing a Chemturion.

              Rock and earth are piled behind the two exposed Graves.  A
              Technician hauls propane tanks away.

              The pit containing GRAVE TWO is double sized to accommodate
              scaffolding that disappears below the ground.

              GRAVE ONE, where Peter's Father lies, is triple sized with
              scaffold on both sides.  Medical instruments, carts and
              lights surround the open Graves.

              Beth and Connie talk at Grave One.

                                  MURRAY
                        Wait here.

              Murray walks over to them.  They talk, look over at Peter,
              then resumes talking.

              Beth comes over to Peter.

              Murray steps onto the scaffold and disappears into the Grave.
              Connie follows.

                                  BETH
                        Good morning Mr. McManus.  Slept
                        well I hope?

                                  PETER
                        You could've woken me.

                                  BETH
                        We're just starting now.

                                  PETER
                        My Father?

                                  BETH
                        We wanted to perfect a method on
                        the other victim first.

                                  PETER
                               (to himself)
                        The Loser.

                                  BETH
                        Pardon?

                                  PETER
                        They called him the Loser.

                                  BETH
                        Well, we've recovered some
                        excellent samples from him.

              They turn toward the Grave.  Joseph is handling BIO HAZARD-
              HUMAN REMAINS Coolers.  He passes them down to Connie.

                                  PETER
                        You got the virus?

                                  BETH
                               (shakes her head no)
                        Microscopic entities.  We won't
                        know what we have until we examine
                        the samples back in Maryland.
                        I'll be spending the better part
                        of the next year at the USAAMRID,
                        working with the remains.  If all
                        goes the way I hope.

              Beth faces Peter.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus.  The autopsy...

                                  PETER
                               (turning)
                        I know what you're thinkin'
                        Doctor.  For forty two years I was
                        a cop.  I was a there, at Iwo
                        Jima.  You don't have to worry
                        'bout me.

              14.  INT. GRAVE ONE - DAY

              Beth and Peter approach the Grave.  Murray, Joseph, Connie
              and the other Nurse stand on the platform, their heads
              bobbing above ground level.  Joseph and Connie are at one end.

              Murray is next to Connie.  They joke.  Connie touches his
              shoulder.

              Peter steps closer.  The BODY is revealed, covered in muslin
              strips.

              The Body lies on the ground it was buried on, four feet below
              the surface.  A kind of earthen table around which the
              scaffold is built.  The Scientists operate in a comfortable
              standing position.

              Another Technician videotapes from ground level.

              Joseph adjusts the microphone suspended above the proceeding.
              He turns in on.  The Nurse preps the Autopsy Tools spread out
              on a table beside Murray.  She uncovers the Stryker saw.

              Beth leads Peter to a stairway on the other side of the
              Grave.  They descend and situate themselves opposite Murray.

                                  MURRAY
                        You OK with this?

              Peter nods.

                                  BETH
                        Mr. McManus has assured me that we
                        needn't worry about him.

              Peter studies the Body.  The muslin doesn't quite cover its
              hand and wrist.  Chaffing scars encircle the arm.  The flesh
              is sallow, shrunken and dark, but well preserved.

                                  MURRAY
                        We have fully exposed the corpse
                        to enable an autopsy and vital
                        organ retrieval.  Connie has
                        applied hot water soaked strips of
                        muslin to thaw the body.

                                  BETH
                        Ready?

              Peter leans with both hands on his cane.

                                  PETER
                        Let's get this over with.

              Joseph and Connie alternate, peeling away the muslin.  As
              each strip is removed, more of the shape of the head and face
              are discerned.

              Peter has a SERIES OF FLASHBACK IMAGES of his Father INTERCUT
              with the removal of the strips.

              -FLASHBACK Scene 24.  His Father shaving

              -FLASHBACK Scene 2.  His Father raving on his deathbed

              -FLASHBACK Scene 27.  His Father hugging Peter.

              Joseph pulls the last strip away.

              Peter is stunned.  He sees the wizened face of his long dead
              Father.
 
              15.  INT. SCRUB ROOM TENT - DAY

              Peter struggles to remove his Helmet.  He throws the Helmet
              on the floor sucking in long gasps of fresh air.

              16.  EXT. ELLIS BAY - DAY

              Peter stares up at the top of the hill.  He's haunted by his
              ghosts.

              Beth, helmet off, moves toward him.  She puts a hand on his
              shoulder.  Peter twists away.

              17.  INT. AUTOPSY TENT - DAY

              Peter marches toward the Grave.  Technicians are stunned.  He
              has no Helmet!

              Joseph makes a dash from within the Grave to ground level.

              JOSEPH TEARS A HOLE IN THE WRIST OF HIS GLOVE on a corner of
              the scaffold. HE DOES NOT NOTICE.

              Beth and Joseph converge on Peter.

                                  BETH
                        Where's your helmet!

              Peter shoves against Joseph.  Another Tech runs forward with
              the Helmet.

                                  BETH
                        You're seriously compromising this
                        site.  I want you to put it on now!

                                  PETER
                        It didn't kill me then.  It won't
                        kill me now.

                                  BETH
                         Put it on!

              Peter grabs the Helmet and lifts it over his head.  Joseph
              helps.  WE SEE the small hole in Joseph's glove.

              18.  INT. GRAVE ONE - DAY

              The Corpse's head is covered.  Murray prepares to autopsy.
              Beth looks directly at Peter. She nods to Connie who switches
              on the microphone.  She nods at the Tech videotaping above.
              He waves "rolling".

                                  BETH
                        Our subject is a Caucasian male,
                        about thirty years of age.

                                  PETER
                        Thirty two.

                                  BETH
                        Thirty two.  He has been buried
                        for eighty years, beneath the
                        tundra.  The cadaver is shrunken
                        and discoloured due to dehydration.

                                  MURRAY
                        Freeze dried.

              Murray tries to move one of the arms.  It's rigid.

                                  BETH
                        The joints are rigid.  There
                        appears to be no signs of trauma
                        to the exterior of the body...

                                  PETER
                        He was tied up.

                                  BETH
                               (looking closer)
                        ...other than scaring on both
                        wrists and ankles.  Dr. Penn will
                        now access the thoraxal cavity.

              Murray takes the saw and tests the motor.  Peter is
              unflappable.  Murray bears down.

              THE ACTUAL AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED OFF CAMERA.

              Four cuts.  Crunch.  He takes out the ribs in one slab.

                                  BETH
                        Ah. The internal organs, while
                        somewhat shrunken are
                        distinguishable and intact.

              The Nurse hands Murray a scalpel.

                                  BETH
                        Dr. Penn's making incisions to
                        separate trachea.
                                  (more)

                                  BETH (cont'd)
                        Now, the plural lining from the
                        lungs.  There, the right lung is
                        free.  Now, the left.  He is now
                        extracting the...

              Murray reaches in with both hands.

                                  MURRAY
                               (looks up)
                        Beth, do you see?

              Beth leans closer.  Murray holds the lung above the Body.
              GREENISH FLESH, almost like marbleized fat, covers the organ.
              Tiny drops of viscous green fall away.

                                  BETH
                        What is it?

                                  MURRAY
                        I'm not sure.  Greenish, fat of
                        some sort, scattered throughout
                        the lung.

                                  BETH
                        Mould.  Perhaps the decaying
                        process because of the thawing.

                                  MURRAY
                        Joseph.

              Joseph holds out his hands to receive the lung.  He carefully
              places it in the Human Remains Cooler.

              Oozing green flesh DRIPS into the hole in Joseph's glove.

              Peter makes his way toward the Cooler.

                                  MURRAY
                        The left lung's the same.

              POV of the lung sitting on top of crushed ice.  Peter is
              stunned.

              Joseph takes the other lung from Murray.  He places it in the
              Cooler.  He closes the lid, snapping Peter out of his revery.

                                  MURRAY
                        I'll have a closer look at those.

              The I'll does not make it past Beth.

              Joseph lifts the Cooler off the table.  He places it on the
              ground at eye height.

                                  BETH
                        The liver is next.

              Joseph grabs another container off the floor beside him.  He
              places it on the table and opens the lid.

              Joseph flicks his head.

                                  BETH
                        We make an incision along...

              Joseph shudders.

                                  JOSEPH
                        I don't feel...good.

              Joseph leans against the scaffold.

                                  BETH
                        What is it?

                                  MURRAY
                        Joseph?

                                  JOSEPH
                        Just a bit...

              Joseph sits down hard on another Cooler.  Beth kneels beside
              him.  His breathing is erratic.  The glass faceplate of his
              Helmet is misting up.

                                  JOSEPH
                        Dizzy.

                                  BETH
                        Can you get up?

              Beth helps him to his feet.  The Video Tech pans his camera
              toward them.  Peter steps away to give them room.

              Beth struggles to hold him up.  Murray steps past Connie and
              grabs Joseph.

              Simultaneously, Beth and Murray see the hole in Joseph's
              Glove.  Joseph senses their shock.

              He lifts the glove and looks.  He sees the rip.  Joseph
              collapses.

              Peter sees the hole.

                                  PETER
                        Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
 
 

              ACT THREE

              EXT. ELLIS BAY - NIGHT -1918

              Young Peter closes the outhouse door.  Oil lamp in hand he
              moves to a pile of coal beside the Cabin.  He places lumps
              into a metal bucket.  He's off to the house.

              A SHOOTING STAR streaks across the sky, lighting up the small
              Community.  Peter drops the bucket in surprise.  Peter hears
              the muffled thud and sees a flash in the distance.

                                  PETER
                        Holy cow!

              Peter looks at the Cabins.  No one comes out.  He's the only
              witness!

              Peter hurries to gather the coal back into the bucket.  He
              scrambles into the Cabin.

              20.  INT. CABIN - NIGHT

              Peter lugs the bucket to the small standing furnace in the
              corner.  His Father is shaving in a bowl on top of the stove.
              Peter opens the door and throws in a lump of coal.

              His Mother is sitting on the wood frame bed feeding his
              fussing Baby Sister, Pauline.

                                  FATHER
                        Thanks boy.

                                  PETER
                        Dad, you should'a seen it.  A
                        shooting star!

              His Father looks at his Mother, a twinkle in his eye.

                                   FATHER
                        Did you make a wish then?  For
                        luck.

                                  PETER
                        Gee, I...

                                  FATHER
                        Hey boy, get me that towel.

              Peter grabs a towel from the bedpost and tosses it to his
              Father.

              He hurries over to his Mother.

                                  PETER
                        Mum, it was beautiful, really!
                               (likes his Dad's idea)
                        Yeah, it's my lucky star!

              The Baby is crying now.  Peter strokes his Sister's head.

                                  PETER
                        It can be yours too, baby girl.
                        You just gotta' stop being a
                        little fuss-budget.

              Pauline starts to coo.  Peter's Mother ruffles his hair.

                                  MOTHER
                        Go you, get washed up for school.
                        You've not much time.

                                                       DISSOLVE TO:

              21.  INT. AUTOPSY TENT - DAY

              Peter sweating, his breathing is more laboured.

              Murray and Beth crouch next to Peter who is sitting on his
              cot.

              Joseph lies unconscious in his Chem Suit.  He struggles to
              breath, spittle gathering in the corners of his mouth.

              Connie is attending.  She looks at Beth, Murray and Peter and
              shakes her head.

                                  PETER
                        I've seen this before.
 
                                  MURRAY
                        Beth, he has all the signs.  The
                        protocol...

                                  BETH
                        No.  We have to move him off
                        island.

              They stand and take the discussion a few meters away.  Peter
              watches, listens.

                                  BETH
                        He's deteriorating, we can't help
                        him here...Look Murray...

                                  MURRAY
                        Isolated.  Forty eight hours.  You
                        know the protocol.
 
 
 

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