MOTHERLAND "SAY THE WORDS" Written by Eliot Laurence June 18, BLUE REVISIONS JUNE 27, PINK FULL DRAFT JULY 3, YELLOW REVISIONS JULY 5, 2018 2018 2018 2018

TEASER AERIAL OVER MEGAMALL - MORNING - WINTER It’s snowing, the dead of winter. Following a lone YELLOW BALLOON in the sky, rolling and careening, whipped this way and that by the blizzard, but making its way down to a festooned with snow-capped bunting and other patriotic decor. It’s Independence Day down there, in February. This is not our America... INT. MEGAMALL - MORNING - WINTER So consumed are PEOPLE inside with eating corndogs, sipping cocoa, and waving little American flags, that they don’t notice the pale yellow BALLOON drifting down from high in the central atrium. There’s something odd about the way falling... too slowly— PEQOPLE are gathered in the central food court, with four levels of balconies overhead. They'’re in small groups... except this one GIRL - about 18, tan, sporty, glossy brown pony tail, the image of a happy young woman with her whole 1ife ahead of her, except there’s some dark shit going on behind the eyes, which are locked on the balloon-- continues to fall as the girl crosses the food court to be right underneath it. It stops ten feet above her head, hovering for an unnatural moment. She nods, almost imperceptibly, and the balloon resumes its descent. Also, the girl is whispering something to herself... At the last moment, the girl raises her hand as the balloon’s string slips between her fingers and for a moment she’s Jjust a girl holding a balloon, pretty normal-- —-until the balloon begins to swell grotesquely and pops with an unnaturally loud pop, an evil sound that ECHOES THROUGH THE MALL, somehow even stopping the patriotic musak. Balloon Girl begins to walk out, briskly---—- MUSAK RESUMES. People are momentarily dazed but soon everything’s back to normal until - SOMEONE JUMPS from an upper level, then another and another from the top floor, landing with sickening cracks. What’s more terrible is the lack of reaction from the onlookers... the casual curiosity.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 2. More people jump, and more. People on the lower levels begin to surge up escalators so they too can jump from the upper level, like it’s the thing to do, until everyone is doing it, until it’s raining bodies, making an obscene, writhing, screaming pile.. As bodies continue to fall, Balloon Girl leaves the mall-- BALLOON GIRL We are the Spree. OMITTED INT. CAR (MOVING) - MORNING - WINTER Balloon Girl speeds down the highway, headlights making cones in the swirling snow. She keeps looking in the rear view to see if she’s being followed. She punches the lighter. When it pops, she jams the thing in the center of her forehead. The glowing ring singes and flame consumes her, skin burning off like old paper, revealing new skin underneath, a WHOLE NEW GIRL UNDERNEATH - 18, freckly and plain, an all American dishwater blonde, much plainer than the Balloon Girl, but with the identical roughness behind the eyes.. AERIEL INTO TITLES - MORNING Pulling up over her speeding car, trailing smoke and ash, and higher up and up, until the storm is beneath us, until we make out an America we recognize in shape, but not in division as--— --the footage morphs smartly and subtly into an illuminated MAP, borders swirling with bunting and symbols both MILITARY and OCCULT, a map describing States we don’t recognize and a stripe dividing the country into east and west. The map ages before our eyes, becoming-- ——a moldering quilt made from scraps of flags flown at battles, dancing with animated scraps of ribbon and MEDALS, telling stories of wars and finally, of-- --a gallows on a lonely hill, and a young girl being led to her death, or so the puritans thought - but the girl begins to sing, calling a terrible storm, and in the swirling grey velvet clouds, written in red, white and black ribbon - MOTHERLAND. END OF TEASER

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 3. ACT ONE EXT. OVER NEW YORK CITY - MORNING We’re falling now, through clouds, with Manhattan rushing up to meet us in flashes. Marching band music warbles in the icy air... Oh Columbia, a parade, far below, inching up Broadway like a snake as grey winter clouds part on cue above the route. We’'re falling again-- OVER a rooftop, empty except for a huge, writhing army drab ——CLOSER now, it’s a sleeping bag, two bodies fumbling, hastily dressing, laughing then - ABIGAIL BELLWEATHER, 18, black, fine-featured, unquestionably alpha, unzips the bag and emerges, hair wild-- ~~gtill zipping her looking around for something on the ground - beat up binoculars. She grabs them and rushes to the ledge—- BINOCULAR POV -~ the tail end of an EQUESTRIAN REGIMENT followed by 40 OFFICER CADETS, all female, all splendid in dress navy-- ABIGAIL (to herself) me in a year. From the bag, a muffled voice-- MAN It’s cold. ABIGAIL Shhhhhh. He makes his way to standing, dresses quickly and shuffles over. He’'s good looking, early twenties. He wraps his arms around her, kissing her neck. MAN Can we say goodbye again? BINOCULAR POV-- the cadets are marching in perfect time. Abigail focuses on ONE GIRL, red-skinned, beads in black, plaited hair. Suddenly, without breaking stride, she looks right precisely at Abigail, from 20 stories down. The girl smiles. So does Abigail--

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 4. ABIGAIL Weaponized... He nuzzles closer, starts working on her neck. Abigail can’t help but smile... it starts to progress but she stops it—- MAN Come back to the bag. ABIGAIL I knew you had a military fetish, but wow... MAN You think that’s what this is? She turns, faces him, traces a finger down his brow, nose, looks right in his eyes. ABIGAIL Listen... Something subtle changes in her voice... more resonant. The effect on him is visible. She’s got him—- ABIGAIL (CONT'D) (gently) This is when you go to college, find a girl, get married, everything nice and good. This is when I go grind our great nations enemies into dust. She kisses him tenderly. He stands there dazed-- ABIGATL (CONT'D) Go. He complies, seemingly against his will-- ABIGAIL And don’t walk into traffic. Abigaill turns her attention back to the parade. OFF her smile—— EXT. CHIPPEWA CESSION - MORNING RAELLE COLLAR, 18, pale, fairly despondent, kicks beercans along a dry riverbed, her manner immediately conveying that she spends a lot of time alone, and prefers it.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 5. She cuts across a cracked asphalt road towards an odd arrangement of shipping container homes, enters the shabbiest by far, kicking open her kitchen door— INT. COLLAR HOMESTEAD - DAY 8 * to see MELBA, late 50’s, uptight in a floral shell, beer belly, sitting at the kitchen table reading a COMMERCIAL FREEZER CATALOG. Melba gets up-- MELBA Hey! Your daddy let me in. Melba hugs Raelle too hard-- MELBA (CONT'D) Did you have school? RAELLE Half day. Melba hands Raelle a foll-covered dish and three neatly folded TWENTIES. MELBA Little extra for you. I know you're off to Salem tomorrow, god bless. RAELLE Yes ma‘’am. Permanent government vacation ‘til old and grey, if I make it that long. MELBA I just want you to know we are grateful for what you do.. for the sacrifice you make. Truly-- Melba gets choked up. Raelle queasy—- RAELLE Thanks. MELBA I mean it. Thank you for your service. Raelle nods, forcing a smile-- RAELLE Come on through.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 5A. Raelle leads Melba through the den, past her father EDWIN, late 50’'s, lanky, asleep in front of soccer. Raelle holds open a rainbow printed sheet covering a low door. Melba walks through-- INT. RAELLE’S FIXING ROOM - DAY --to a small room with a quilt-covered cot and a folding chair. Every inch of wallspace is covered with POST CARDS, writing side out. As Melba removes her shirt and lies down on the cot, Raelle’s eyes fall on the cards... 9 *

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 6. bearing MILITARY POSTMARKS from every corner of the globe, all in the same careful hand, all addressed to Raelle from her loving mom who “misses her more than words can say.” Melba snaps Raelle out of it-- MELBA It got worse. ON Melba’s exposed side-body - an archipelago of angry RED BLISTERS. Raelle winces a little. RAELLE We’ll fix you up. Raelle grabs a bottle of RUM from under the chair, unscrews the 1id and closes her eyes—- RAELLE (CONT'D) For those who dwell in the earth. For those beyond the veil. For those we remember. Raelle splashes rum on the packed dirt floor. When it hits, it flares with HISSING BLUE FLAME. Raelle sits down and grips the back of Melba'’s neck—- RAELLE (CONT’D) With me now... They speak as one, merging voices causing ODD SONIC MELBA AND RAELLE Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you-- Raelle and Melba both SHUDDER at the same time. MELBA AND RAELLE (CONT’D) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ON Melba'’'s blisters fading away-- MELBA AND RAELLE (CONT’D) For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever.

10 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 7. ON a patch of belly visible between Raelle’s t-shirt and jeans - a cluster of red blisters bloom on white skin. INT. TALLY’S HOME, KITCHEN - DAY TALLY CRAVEN, 18, kind and curious, glowing red hair, a living exclamation point who knows too much, feels too much is watching the news-- ANNOUNCER (V.0.) ....cowardly attack on Independence Day.... we are on the scene right now. The Army has been set up for a perimeter--— Tally’s mom MAY, late 40’s, earthy, a wreck, is clanging pots and pans around, visibly unhinged, red-eyed-- Tally switches channels-- REPORTER (V.0.) .. .sixteen hundred people are dead today, the result of an unknown bomber who may have fled the scene. Tally switches again, looking for the top of the story. May's BANGING AROUND is ratcheting in hostility-- ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ...what happened today redefines ‘suicide bomb’ in a way that shocks me to the marrow. While they have not yet claimed responsibility, the ruthlessness has all the earmarks of the Spree. Not to mention the timing of the attack, on Independence Day, when sco many of our bravest are called up-- MAY You know what?! This is abusive. Turn that off-—- You can tell they’ve been fighting like this for weeks—-— TALLY Are we really gonna do this again? May throws the BEAUTIFUL FOOD she was cooking in the sink and runs water all over it--

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 8. MAY I give up. Cook your own goodbye dinner, since in such a hurry to get yourself killed-- TALLY Mom, I‘m sorry. I’ve given this so much careful thought. I want to help. I want to do something good. The world needs it, or haven’t you noticed?! MAY Oh I’'ve noticed alright-- TALLY Have you ever thought maybe I might want to get away from HERE?! And be around our own kind for a change? MAY I've given you a beautiful life-- TALLY Your kind of beautiful life not mine-— Tally starts to walk away. May tries a new approach—- MAY Will you imagine for two seconds what it was like for me to lose my sisters in the goriest ways you can imagine. FOUR beautiful, talented young women with their whole lives ahead of them... snuffed out—- TALLY Mom I can’t do this again-- MAY T spoke to the attorney. When the call comes, just don’'t say the words. That’s all we have to do right Tally storms away to her room with May still yelling—- MAY (CONT'D) Get back here! Tally! May starts to crack and we see how vulnerable she is--

11 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) MAY (CONT'D) You're smarter than this Tally! INT. TALLY'S BEDROOM -~ MOMENTS LATER Tally slams the door, leans her back against it-- MAY (0.S.) You're breaking my heart... OFF Tally, eyes brimming with tears-- BA. 11

12 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 9. INT. ABIGAIL'S APARTMENT - EVENING 12 The expansive apartment is furnished with IMPORTANT EARLY- AMERICAN FURNITURE. A fire ROARS in a large fireplace. A TV blares parade footage. from the kitchen-— —-where Abigail and her mother, MAJOR GENERAL PETRA BELLWEATHER, 55 and happy to be on furlough, are assembling mini WITCH’S LADDERS. PETRA What did you tell him, the poor thing? ABIGAIL I sent him on his way, with a little oomph... PETRA You better save some oomph for the Army. (then} Did you tell him I’11 be.. (cracking up) ...thinking of your face when I'm out there... on that battlefield-- Now they both crack up, then-- PETRA (CONT'D) I remember my last civilian... a Virginian. He wept. They all do honey. Wouldn’t you cry if you could never have you again. Petra takes her daughter by the shoulders, locks her up and down-- PETRA (CONT’D) You’re not gonna let me down, are you? ABIGAIL No ma’am. PETRA You’re not gonna let this family down either, correct? ABIGAIL No ma’am.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 9A. PETRA Because the first Bellweather to serve in this Army was a slave. She deserves better. ABIGAIL Yes PETRA You are her wildest dream, understood? Abigail nods as the NEWS ON TV switches from benign parade footage to a BREAKING STORY. Petra glances over on the way to the table with a big salad-- PETRA (CONT'D) Oh no... ABIGAIL (0.S.) What? ON TV aerial footage of ANOTHER MEGAMALL, already surrounded by helicopters, a substantial MILITARY PRESENCE and a TEMPORARY HOSPITAL in the parking lot. The banner at the bottom of the screen reads: Spree Attack Leaves Over 1300 Dead and Injured in Galveston. PETRA Another mall... the Spree.

13 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 10. Abigail rushes over, more excited than scared-- INT. RAELLE'S HOME - NIGHT Raelle’s dad Edwin is in his chair, watching the news. Raelle is on the floor, locking at old family pictures - had a mustache back then, and there’s a woman who must be Raelle’s mom, same pale blonde hair, same sadness. Edwin changes channels-— ON TV - another news program, two talking heads: the ANCHOR and the Secretary of Defense, MEREDITH TRINIUS, 40's horsey and solid. Graphics banner rolls across the bottom of the screen: Death toll rises to 1600 in Megamall massacre. Raelle’s more interested in the old photographs—- ANCHOR Madame Secretary, we understand survivors of both mall attacks are continuing to attempt suicide hours after being removed from the site. Even after treatment. Help us understand what’s going on in a way that a civilian might grasp. MEREDITH Malicious work like this is designed to attach itself to the affected, to be unleashed at some random or specific time. ANCHOR And when you say ‘the affected,”’ that means anyone in audible range of the balloon’s popping noise? MEREDITH That’s correct. The Spree are using sound here to carry and spread the curse—- Edwin turns off the TV, looks down at Raelle-- RAELLE How come you didn’t eat? EDWIN I don’t want that woman’s tainted The hell she got anyway? Raelle shrugs her shoulders—— 13

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 11. EDWIN (CONT’'D) Let me see. Raelle lifts her shirt - Melba’s angry RED BLISTERS cover her belly. Edwin peers closer with a disgusted look-- RAELLE Should be gone by next week. EDWIN Looks like a herpes pizza. With extra herpes. A long tense beat. looks at the clock. 11:54 PM-- EDWIN Any minute now huh? RAELLE Pretty much. Edwin retrieves a cigar box from his bedroom, opens it, hands Raelle an odd looking charm - a BIRDS FOOT grasping a tiny turquoise bead, tiny bow tied around it with dusty old ribbon. EDWIN That was your momma’s. And her momma’s before her. Going back and back, passed down through the generations. Supposed to wear it in combat. Keep you safe. Raelle is about to say something but stops herself, then—- EDWIN (CONT’D) Please wear it. RAELLE T will. EDWIN And come back. Edwin pulls her into a hug. He's gripped by emotion but trying not to be a blubbering mess-- RAELLE I will. EDWIN I can‘t lose you too.

14 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 12, He kisses her forehead and heads off to bed. Raelle puts the pictures of her mom away then sits in the center of the rug. She glances at a clock with dread in her heart -~ 11:56. INT. TALLY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Tally is packing when there’'s a knock-- TALLY Come in. The door opens. It’s May, much more subdued, in a cozy robe, holding a big steaming mug-- MAY I brought you some leek broth. TALLY Thanks Mom. Just like that, May gets frantic again, grabbing Tally by the shoulders-- MAY Please do not say the words—- Tally starts to walk May out-- MAY (CONT'D) If you say the words, they’ve got Tally pushes May out the door-- MAY (CONT’D) Tally! --and slams it. May starts banging-- MAY (CONT’D) (from the other side of the door) Do you know how hard I worked to get you and your sister out of the lottery of deathz! The doorknob twists wildly as May tries to get back in. Tally draws something on the knok with her pinky and the STOPS MOVING-- 14

15 16 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 13. May screams in frustration-- MAY (CONT'D) (desperate) Don't say the words! Tally draws another tiny symbol on the door with her pinky and screaming is SILENCED. Just then-- —--the clock strikes TWELVE and something flashes behind Tally. She spins around too see-— --the air in front of her spark and catch fire like old- fashioned fireworks, sending plumes of smoke swirling at the ceiling. Something overtakes Tally, the words speak TALLY I, Tally Craven, do solemnly pledge to protect and defend the United States of America against all enemies... From the flame blooms a thick curl of red, WEHITE and BLACK GROSGRAIN RIBBON, lustrous and silky, which begins to unfurl-- INT. ABIGAIL'S HOME - NIGHT 15 Abigail kneels before the same manifestation that visits Tally. Petra stands behind her, looking proud and serene. At the bottom of Abigail’s ribbon is a small GOLD ABIGAIL ...foreign or domestic. I will faithfully serve and obey the rules and articles for the government of the Army... INT. RAELLE'S HOME - NIGHT 16 Raelle watches the ribbon burn with TEARS IN HER EYES as she says the words-- RAELLE ...0f the United States, all secrets keep, all lawful commands willingly perform as dictated by the Salem Accord. When the ribbon’s gone, the medal falls into Raelle’s tentative palm, still hot. 8She considers it for a moment, red-eyed, then puts it on the coffee table.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 14. VERY CLOSE ON MEDAL - a laurel wreath surrounding a pentacle, lightning on one side and funnel clouds on the other with a tiny banner at the bottom - Raelle Collar, Pvt. lst Class. END OF ACT ONE

17 18 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 15. ACT TWO AERIAL OVER FORT SALEM - LATE DAY 17 * Night spreads over the sprawling, manicured acres of the base. It looks like a small town from above, with avenues radiating from a central point -~ a DENSELY WOODED area right below us. INT. AUDITORIUM, FORT SALEM - LATE DAY 18* RECRUITS stomp their boots louder than thunder. We observe Tally, Abigail and Raelle from above. seated in different parts of the audience. Tally and Abigail look so excited they're going to explode. Raelle locks resentful. All of the sudden, lights flood the stage as GENERAL SARAH ALDER - ageless, impossibly beautiful, uniform dripping with medals - takes center stage. Behind her, forming a close gemicircle, are her BIDDIES, SEVEN ANCIENT WOMEN, also in dress SARAH I am General Sarah Alder. Welcome to Fort Salem. A moment for the fallen today, who live in our hearts. (then) It is a solemn day. Much like the day, some three hundred and eleven years ago when I made a deal with the Massachusetts Bay Militia. My terms were simple, honor me, make a place for me and my kind and we will win your wars. That was before we were even America. (long pause for stomping) Since that day we’ve never been defeated in a military engagement, not once, from the Revolutionary War, right up to this solemn day. The soldiers STOMP LIKE THUNDER. General Alder raises her hand to quiet the crowd-- SARAH (CONT’D) The next nine months will hurt your feelings and your bodies, but they will also be exhilarating. You are the daughters of ancient lines. You are called to greatness. (MORE )

18A 19 20 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 16. SARAH (CONT'D) You have bravely pledged to serve and defend this great country. I assure you, dark days await us. We live in a time of ancient hatred and emerging threats. (pause) They are ruthless and savage, the Spree. We saw that again today. They speak of liberation, but it’s no kind of freedom I care to be a part of. We will need all of you to meet what’s coming. And we will meet it. With storm and fury. More epic stomping-—- SARAH Many of you have spent your whole lives out there. You are among your own kind now. Take comfort in it. Find strength in it. A blessing on all of you, a blessing on this place, this witch's place. ON Raelle exiting, looking like she’s going to puke. She—— EXT. AERIAL OVER FORT SALEM, WOODED WALKWAY - EVENING the general drift of WOMEN along a wooded path dense with ancient trees, finding herself eventually... EXT. CIRCE BARRACKS - SUNSET ...in front old brick building with decorative ivy, more Monticello than Army drab. She walks in-- INT. CIRCE BARRACKS, COMMON ROCM — SUNSET 30's, dry as a bone, matter of fact, addresses the CONFUSED MASS of recruits, standing around with duffles. ANACOSTIA Welcome to all-suites Circe Barracks, the finest on the base. I am Drill Sergeant Anacostia Quartermaine. My job is to keep you alive through basic so the Military High Council can determine if you go on to War College or not... 18A* 20%*

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 16A. That gets everyone’s attention. Now Anacostia moves in for the kill-- ANACOSTIA (CONT'’D) Starting this year, you will rise or fall as units.

21 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 17. Much grumbling from the assembled recruits-- ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) That means how anyone in your unit performs during basic, is how everyone in your unit performs during basic. Your job is to be effective soldiers, displaying at all times those most military of virtues; discipline and mutual respect, including the property of others. Suite numbers on the back of your medals. Go meet the rest of your units. Aren’t you excited? Go! The recruits stand around looking dazed-- ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) Now ladies. INT. SUITE - CIRCE BARRACKS - SUNSET Raelle walks in to find Tally and Abigail unpacking in a bare bones but elegant wood-paneled room. There’s one alcove bed and a set of bunks. Tally runs over—- TALLY You must be Raelle! RAELLE Hi. TALLY I'm Tally Craven and this is Abigail Bellweather. Sounds like we're going all the way together. ABIGATIL Onward to glory, soldiers. RAELLE Well, rah, rah, rah. Sounds like a poster. ABIGAIL I assure you, the sentiment is sincere. Abigail shakes Raelle’s hand, briskly--

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 17A. RAELLE Raelle Collar. Bellweather, huh... that name sounds familiar... ABIGAIL crawling with Bellweathers. Sensing tension, Tally jumps in regarding the bunk beds--

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 18. TATLY I'm good with upper or lower. Raelle shrugs and takes the lower bunk, removes a quilt from her bag and hangs it up as a curtain. Abigail notices-- ABIGAIL (re: quilt) No way is that gonna fly. RAELLE Cross that bridge I guess. girl has a narrow closet, just wide enough for three crisp, BLACK UNIFORMS and one pair of elegant, GLOVE-LEATHER COMBAT BOQTS. Tally and Abigail check out their uniforms in front of a mirror-- ABIGAIL I think they self-adjust... if you-- Abigail mimes a pregnant belly. Tally laughs, then thinks about it-- TALLY Really? ABIGAIL (to Raelle) Where you from? RAELLE Chippewa Cession, near Carolina. ABIGAIL Lookin’ pretty pale for Chippewa Cession. RAELLE My family was there before it was the Cession. Where you from? ABIGAIL New York and Annapolis. RAELLE How can you be from two places? ABIGAIL We summer in Maryland, by the water.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 18A. RAELLE We summer the same place we winter. Tally, catching another whiff of tension, jumps

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 19. TALLY Me too. I‘m from Norcal. Sacramento. RAELLE Sounds pretty. TALLY It is I guess... 1f you like sharing sourdough starter with your heirloom avocado growing neighbors, lots of ceramicists, weavers, midwives, no dudes, like ever, ever. No other witches except my mom. .. matrifocal compound really far from the city.. ABIGAIL Are you a virgin? Tally nods—- ABIGATIL, (CONT’D) I was kidding but, wow, okay. Let me see your mark. Tally the hair behind her ear. CLOSE ON an IRIDESCENT birthmark shaped like a south sea island, behind Tally‘s ear- ABIGAIL (CONT'D) It changes when you have sex the first time. Abigail lifts up her shirt -~ her mark is right by her belly button - a mauve-y patch, like an egret in flight-- ABIGAIL, (CONT'D) It gets better.. shinier.. The way it catches the light.. TALLY (to Raelle) Where'’s yours? RAELLE Literally an inch from my vagina so.. maybe when we get to know each other better. Everyone laughs—— TALLY But is it shiny?

22 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 20. Everyone laughs harder—- TIME JUMP TO: INT. SUITE, CIRCE BARRACKS - NIGHT 22 The girls are seated around a candle in the middle of the room. Tally holds a NAVY BLUE ROSE. As she speaks she plucks petals and throws them into the candle flame, where they puff into smoke—- TALLY My mom lost four sisters to combat. When she turned eighteen, they gave her a dispensation. The Army said our Line had become unduly depleted. She reopened the case to get one for me. And then I ruined her life by coming. Nice to meet you guys. I'1ll be here for the next 45 years! RAELLE Came when you didn’t have to. That's some heroic stuff. (ignoring Raelle) You did the right thing. This was the smallest draft in years. We need everybody. Tally passes Abigail the rose. TALLY Who have you lost? Abigail plucks petals too, and tosses them into the flame—— ABIGAIL Aunts, so many cousins, both grandmothers died in their 50’s, in combat in really terrible ways, one in the air when her salva ran out, the other rotting in a tent crawling with plague rats. (then) What about you, Raelle? Raelle takesg the rose from Abigail and holds the entire thing over the candle flame, where it bursts into a MASSIVE FLAME that scorches the ceiling—-

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 20A. RAELLE My mom died in a firefight in Liberia last year. On a beach. The sand turned to glass around her. Had to crack her out... (MORE )

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 21. RAELLE (CONT'D) what was left. All we got back were tags. When Raelle finishes speaking, the rose crumbles to black dust. ABIGAIL My mom was stationed in Greenville last spring. Rough tour. Something about this piece of information catches in Raelle’s ABIGAIL (CONT'D) She died an honorable death. RAELLE I think my mom was tired when she died. And scared. And used up. I think she wanted to come home. Tally grabs Raelle’s hand first, then Abigail, still feeling schooled and stung by Raelle’s retort. They speak as one-- UNIT For those who dwell in the earth. For those who gave their lives. For those, we remember. END OF ACT TWO

23 24 24B 24C 25 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 22. ACT THREE INT. SUITE - CIRCE BARRACKS -~ EARLY MORNING 23 % Tally’s eyes POP OPEN the next morning to the DEEP RINGING OF A BELL. Abigail is already dressing in the near dark, wan light barely pushing through a stained glass window - a pentagram in thick red, white and black glass. Raelle is still asleep, snoring lightly. Tally wakes her up, not the easiest task, then looks out the window-- SOLDIER rides side-saddle on a bike in front of the barracks as rainclouds water the lawns. AERTAL ~ HIGH OVER FORT SALEM - DAY 24 % We register tiny shapes making their way along a wooded path.. closer now, through layers of cloud and mist.. it’s a bunch of girls in uniform.. there’s Raelle... and Tally and Abigail-- Begin TRAINING MONTAGE - BELLS ring out over an aerial of the Base. 243 - Recruits spar in the gymnasium. Abigall is naturally 24B athletic, enthusiastic, focused. Tally tries so hard it looks like she’s gonna have an aneurism. Raelle is clumsy, lethargic, phoning it in, clearly not trying... - Recruits run in formation, carrying logs through 24cC ALTERNATING WEATHER -~ desert sun followed by blizzards. End TRAINING MONTAGE INT. CHORAL CHAMBER - DAY 25%* Raelle and Tally are SINGING ALONG with hundreds of other girls in a high ceilinged room that looks like a modernist church made from heavily re-enforced cement. It’s not hymns they‘re singing, more abstract.. more like cascading repetitions of tones, not music exactly but beautiful and eerie. In the center of the room - a wide, copper tureen in the shape of a Liberty Eagle, wings outspread, filled with a half inch of water. SENIOR OFFICERS monitor the surface of the water intently as it dances like a roiling sea, tiny waves crashing into each other violently. They make notations in books...

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 224, ..we gather that the motion of the water corresponds specific positions in the room, hinting at the vocal potency of the soldiers singing there.

26 27 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 23. When no one’s looking, Raelle takes the opportunity to ditch these thrilling proceedings, exiting through a side door— OVER FORT SALEM - DAY FOLLOWING someone from high above... a tiny figure walking down a bland service road... someone blonde, CLOSER NOW - it’s Raelle, kicking stones, locking as forlorn as she did when we met her. EXT. FORT SALEM, NEAR THE STORM FIELDS - DAY She walks down a long service road, with extreme weather on either side -~ a raging BLIZZARD on the left, a tropical TYPHOON on the right, both ending in clear lines at the boundary of the road. Raelle eventually stops behind a chain link fence to watch what’s going on. In the distance, at a TIDY ROW OF EIGHT TORNADOS rake the land in FORMATION, their touchpoints cutting deep, parallel trenches in the earth. Tiny against the maelstrom, a YOUNG OFFICER in fatigues squats nearby making quick, repetitive gestures with her hands. Raelle watches from the fence. On cue, the funnels CRISSCROSS in precise time, like a terrible dance, pace guickening, advancing steadily on four tall stacks of CEMENT SLABS, eventually consuming them under huge clouds with a TERRIBLE GRINDING, leaving no trace in their wake. Then-- GIRL'S VOICE Sounds like a freight train. Raelle spins around to see SCYLLA, 18, a willowy brunette, lovely, brittle trouble. Scylla joins her by the fence-- SCYLLA Who knew wind could cut rock? Wouldn’t mind learning to do that. RAELLE With my luck I’1l wind up a medic like my mom. Didn’t work out too well for her. Shouldn’t you be in training? Scylla smiles at Raelle. The chemistry is instant-- SCYLLA Shouldn‘t you? 26 27

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 24, RAELLE You're kinda good at being a reprobate. SCYLLA You have no idea. Suddenly, a VOICE BEHIND THEM-- OFFICER Medals? Raelle and Scylla spin around, freaking out - THREE OFFICERS are now behind them, looking smug-- OFFICER (CONT'D) Hand over your medals. Raelle and Scylla comply, fumblingly. The Officer makes a series of minute adjustments to the back of both medals, then hands them back. OFFICER (CONT’D) Where are you two supposed to be exactly? Raelle looks at her medal, amazed-- CLOSE ON MEDAL - a large red “D” has appeared over the face. RAELLE I was looking for the infirmary. SCYLLA Me too. Another OFFICER pipes in-- OFFICER 2 The Infirmary is right by the PX which is right next to Circe. That’s your barracks right? How did you get over here? The third OFFICER gets right in Raelle’s face-- OFFICER 3 You two have 7 minutes to find your Drill Sergeants to discuss your demerits. They already know. The Officer backs off from Raelle and walks off., The others do as well.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 24A. SCYLLA They were loads of fun.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 25. RAELLE I hear they do birthday parties. Scylla cracks up-- RAELLE (CONT'D) Walk you back? SCYLLA I'm Scylla. RAELLE Who else could you be? OFF Raelle’s tentative INT. CIRCE BARRACKS, COMMON ROCM - DAY Raelle walks in to find Anacostia waiting for her—- ANACOSTIA Medal? Raelle hands it over. Anacostia makes an adjustment on the back of the medal and the D disappears. Hands it back to ANACOSTIA (CONT’D) First week? RAELLE sorry. ANACOSTIA Are you? Do you know what happens to soldiers who shit the bed in bagic? War meat, Private. Front lines disposable war sausage in some of worst places on Earth. RAELLE Officers die Jjust as good as enlisted. ANACOSTIA Seems like you don’t want to be here. RAELLE I just lost my mom.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) ANACOSTIA I get it. And I get not wanting the same thing to happen to you. But you’re here, girl. And it’s not just you your bad behavior affects. (MORE) 25A.

29 30 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 26. ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) Makes me look bad, your unit takes a hit every time you do this kind of thing. They see everything. Anacostia grabs Raelle and walks her to a corner for privacy-- ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) Takes some advice... pretend you're not you for one minute and listen. You have a Bellweather in your Unit. I’'m gonna guess that Abigail is a lot. The gifted ones always are. RAELLE I got it. There’s more 4-stars in her line than any other. Ride it all the way to War College. ANACOSTIA You’ll live longer. Trust me on that. Anacostia hands her a bulky envelope--— ANACOSTIA (CONT‘D) This came for you today. Stop blowing it. Anacostia walks away. Raelle sits down and opens CLOSE ON CONTENTS - lots of old letters with military postmarks—— OMITTED EXT. MESS HALL - SUNSET Abigail and Tally are walking to mess, exhausted from a long day, when they pause outside to see a LOT OF GIRLS looking at a small piece of paper posted by the entrance. CLOSE ON PAPER, Abigail finds their unit in a hundred seventy fifth place, with an ‘A’ and ‘S’ next to their position. There’s a key on the side - ‘A’ means absenteeism. ‘S8’ means shirking duty-- TALLY Daily rankings?! want us to get too competitive or anything. 29 30

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 26A. ABIGAIL This isn’t going to go like this. Abigall storms into mess—-

31 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) INT. MESS HALL - SUNSET Abigail walks in to find Raelle seated alone-- ABIGAIL Where were you today? We were worried. RAELLE Didn’t feel good. ABIGATL Anything I can do? RAELLE Doubtful. Your mom ever tell you anything about Liberia? Last spring. Seem to remember my mom saying it was a mess. ABIGATIL They’re all a mess. She said Greenville was no different. RAELLE Interesting. We had training all day. None of this is elective. Your absence was noted. RAELLE Call the commander in chief. ABIGATL I know this is a lot. But it’s just the beginning. Tally approaches-- TATLY Guys, please. Let’s all take a breath-- ABIGAIL This is not a vacation. life and death out there. RAELLE You think I don’t know that?! 27. 31

There’s a people are Raelle wan ON TV, a s Switch to behind it. OFF Raelle looking sick and Tally looking more excited than Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 28. ABIGAIL Then act like it. supposed to have each other’s backs. I won'’t have you holding me back, or Tally for that matter-- TALLY There was another... commotion near one of the wall-mounted TV’'s - GASPING. Abigail, Tally and eventually even ders over. haken anchor at a desk—- ANCHOR ...another attack from the Spree, this time in the North Atlantic where all passengers on a commercial cruise liner have jumped to their deaths today. As with the mall attacks, the Spree have claimed responsibility-- footage of a cruise ship with a wake of bodies END OF ACT THREE

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 29. ACT FOUR 32 INT. TENT, FORT SALEM - DAWN 32% Abigail, Tally, Raelle and a DOZEN OTHER RECRUITS sit in folding chairs watching a presentation by Anacostia. ANACOSTIA ...preying on the ideologically weak, they say they want to dismantle the global military industrial complex, liberating the witches who are drafted to fight their nation’s wars. They call the system tyranny, slavery, but all this is a distraction from their true aim. Photos scroll by ~ a chubby suburban a handsome Nigerian teenager; an old french man, mixed with images of BIZARRE CARNAGE - a GLACIER cutting through downtown Vienna, a mudslide, studded with cars on the Mall in D.C. TATLLY How do we fight them.. if you can’t even tell who's one of them.. or what they believe on any given day.. how do you fight madness that jumps bodies.. indiscriminately...? ABIGAIL Like Alder said. With storm and fury. ANACOSTIA And this from last night. 3,400 people gone forever... NEW FOOTAGE of the EMPTY CRUISE SHIP, with the wake of bodies- ANACOSTIA (CONT’D) The Spree has no great leader, no field Army, no desire for wealth or land. They’'re composed of parallel hierarchies, clandestine cell systems designed to collapse under scrutiny. They will appear normal in every way, and maybe even are normal in many ways, except for being agents of The End. OFF Tally looking more scared than excited--

33 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 30. INT. BARRACKS, SUITE - SAME MORNING Raelle and Tally are hanging uniforms, getting suite ready for inspection. Abigail’s area is already immaculate-- RAELLE Why'd you come? If you didn’t have to. TALLY How could you ask that after this week? Malls, cruise ships, where does it end? RAELLE Maybe they have a point. TALLY Who? The Spree?! RARLLE Conscription is slavery by another name. TATLY Come on! You get to travel the world, do something great, protect the innocent. RAELLE None of that is real. It’'s a grind out there. That’s all it is. I plan to deploy early, get blown to bits, end of story. TATLLY It’s so much more than that. Like Alder said-- RAELLE Now you'’re gonna start quoting her-- TALLY I get that she’'s controversial-- RAELLE No witch in history has more blood on her hands-- Raelle removes the quilt curtain from her bunk and folds the quilt neatly-- 33

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 30A. TALLY you feel about her, part of what she said was agenda-less and true -~ that Fort Salem is a witch’s place. It’s the only place where it’s just us. How beautiful is that? I mean, bask in it for a moment—— RAELLE Are you literally made of sunshine and candy daffodils? And can I have some? Raelle hugs Tally-- TATLLY Anytime. Am I annoying?

33A 33B 33C 34 35 36 36A 36B Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 31. RAELLE Never. Almost never. Only when I'm awake—— Abigaill walks in, giving her bed a final once over-- ABIGAIL Weepy, weepy in here. Perk up soldiers. The future of the free world is in our hands. (looks them up and down} Goddess help. Anacostia commences inspecting. Begin TRATNING MONTAGE - Tally and LIZ CHAUSABLE back away from each other until they are 20 yards apart, way out of earshot, then stop. Tally’s partner WHISPERS a series of numbers - camera follows the sound to Tally’s ear. Tally jots down the numbers. Recruits run in formation through FLASH FLOOD conditions 33B carrying logs while vocalizing. An Officer blows a whistle, signaling the end of the exercise. Some recruits start to amble back towards barracks. BAbigail, Tally and Raelle, looking muddy and exhausted, find a dry patch of ground and-- OMITTED 33C End TRAINING MONTAGE OMITTED 34 OMITTED 35 OMITTED 36 OMITTED 36A EXT. FORT SALEM, TRAINING FIELD - TWILIGHT/NIGHT 36B* breathing hard-- TALLY How is it even possible that I got mud in my butt?

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 32. ABIGAIL My blisters have blisters. RAELLE I think I'm gonna puke. ABIGATIL Again. The Unit laughs wearily... ABIGAIL (CONT'D) (still getting her breath) Feels like there’s not enough air in the air. TALLY Is the ground spinning? RAELLE Technically, yes. More weary laughter from the Unit-- ABIGAIL I think that might have been a joke. RAELLE What, I‘'m funny. ABIGAIL Like a puppy funeral. Abigall gets up and starts to straighten out her trashed uniform, then gives up. She then helps Tally up-- TALLY We're gonna head back. Raelle sits up and catches sight of Scylla watching her from under a tree nearby-- RAELLE 1’11 be there in a few. Abigail and Tally stagger off. Once they're gone, Raelle makes her way over to the RAELLE (CONT'D) How come you get to skip out on all the fun?

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 33. SCYLLA I'm necro. We work with the dead. They keep us away from the general populace. RAELLE Lucky you. SCYLLA You look like you could use some fun. Come with me. RAELLE I'm all gross. SCYLLA No you're not. Raelle follows Scylla through the woods-- RAELLE Where are you taking me? SCYLLA Come on. Live a little... They happen upon a clearing where four trees for a canopy. Scylla removes some thick black rope from her bag. She begins to tie an end to her ankle—- SCYLLA (CONT'D) Tie the other end to yours. RAELLE I don't kno-- SCYLLA Shhh-- Raelle complies, smiling. Once the rope is secured, Scylla hands Raelle a tiny rectangle of glossy film-- RAELLE What’s this? SCYLLA Salva. Government issue. It’s how they do combat drops. Scylla places her rectangle on her neck. It bonds to her skin, then dissolves. Scylla’s eyes go SILVERY and her hair starts to drift and coil like it’s UNDERWATER.

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 33A. SCYLLA (CONT'D) Come on... have some fun.

37 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 34. Raelle places the rectangle on her neck. We're in her POV as the night gets wavy and strange. She looks up at the stars, which are too distinct now, too pulsing, too close, close enough to touch, and there’s Scylla who’s laughing so hard and has a corona of moonlight behind her head. Raelle starts laughing too. Raelle and Scylla float in the night sky, laughing, writhing, tethered by the ropes. It’s the first time we’ve seen Raelle truly happy thus far, until-- ANACOSTIA We’ll get into the contraband later.. Anacostia is standing there. Raelle and Scylla plummet to the ground. ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) ..we were looking everywhere for you. RAELLE Why? ANACOSTIA Situation. Somebody saw a balloon. Raelle and Scylla look at each other, then the sky, seriously spocked. ANACOSTIA (CONT'D) We need to get you both to the infirmary. Anacostia waits while Scylla and Raelle hurry to untie themselves—- OMITTED END OF ACT FOUR

38 INT. Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) ACT FIVE INFIRMARY - DAY A NURSE checks Raelle’s eyes with a light-- NURSE Where’d you get the Salva? Someone else had it. NURSE That someone we’re keeping you apart from during your stay here? RAELLE Maybe... NURSE Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? How many years you have to train to take a quarter of the dose you took? How deeply and aggressively stupid that was? RAFLLE I'm starting to get a sense of it now. NURSE I'm surprised you're not dead. We need to keep you for a few days. Don’t want you drifting off. Did you see the balloon? RAELLE No. NURSE There’s all kinds of extra security. Hear they’re ramping up training too. We need you well. 35. The nurse peeks under a bandage on Raelle’s side - her c¢lient’s ANGRY RED BLISTERS are still hanging out on her skin. NURSE (CONT'D) Nice work. You drew that mess off a civilian? 38 %

Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 35A. RAELLE Yes, ma’am. My mem showed me how. The nurse peers closer at the rash-- NURSE You might be a great medic someday. I'11l come check on you in a bit.

39 40 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 36. Raelle nods as she exits. She pulls out her MOM’S LETTERS from a bag and starts looking through them, scanning each page for something, getting drowsier as she Raelle looks up, out the window at a grand oak, leaves fluttering in the late summer breeze. Her eyes catch on a flicker of BRIGHTNESS, which gets lost again amid the leaves, then reappears, as if hiding bashfully. Raelle finally gets a clear eyeline - it looks like a Raelle snaps awake, stunned to see Anacostia standing at her bedside-- ANACOSTIA I tried to tell you. Why didn’t you listen to me? I’'m not sure you’re gonna make it. That’s above my paygrade, but for now I‘m gonna go tell your unit you've essentially doomed them-- INT. SUITE, BARRACKS - DAY We come in on the aftermath of Anacostia’s news-- TALLY Does that mean we’re through? ANACOSTIA Nearly. You may be able to correct your course, but I can’t promise anything. Abigail is silent, nuclear-- TALLY You okay? Abigail walks out-—- INT. ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING - DAY 40 * A visibly upset Abigail tries to collect herself. She approaches a SECRETARY’'S desk-~- ABIGAIL Hello, I'm here to see General Alder, if she has a few minutes. Abigail Bellweather is the name. The secretary stiffens with Abigail’s surname--

41 Yellow Rev. (07/05/18) 36A. SECRETARY Just a moment. It’s more than a moment and Abigail’s pacing reveals how nervous she is. Eventually the secretary collects Abigail and leads her down a hallway lined with stunning WAR PHOTOGRAPHY . INT. GEN SARAH ALDER’'S OFFICE - DAY 41 * The secretary shows Abigail into a grand office. Seated behind the desk is General Sarah Alder, looking at an old map. Sarah’s Biddies, seven wizened women in their perform mundane tasks around the office. Abigail stands awkwardly. Alder eventually looks up--