Journey to Paradise

EXT. SHACK - EVENING

The shadows of Zoe(18) and Clay(20) run past the damp grass into an abandoned shack.

INT. SHACK - EVENING

They weave their way through the darkness, searching for warmth and shelter from the rain.

ZOE

I haven’t been here in years.

CLAY

It’s really cool here. I never knew

that … Remind me what that stuff

outside is called?

ZOE

RAIN!

CLAY

Right. Rain. Man this language is

hard... I never knew rain could be

cold. It’s always hot where we’re

from.

ZOE

Yes. There is a lot of unique elements

here. I’ve grown quite fond of it over

the years.

CLAY

How did you find this place? It looks old.

ZOE

It wasn’t always old. My dad use to

use to bring me here when he was visiting

from base.

CLAY

No way! Commander Banks let you leave

and come all the way out here?

Zoe nods her head yes.

CLAY(CONT’D)

Wow. Didn’t know he had a wild side.

The two giggle a little before things get serious.

ZOE

I brought you here for a reason. My father

always told me this was a sacred place. A

place where his spirit dwells when he’s gone

... It’s been hard these past months, since

he’s transitioned over. But you’ve been

by my side every step of the way and I really

appreciate that.

CLAY

Oh, Zoe, it’s no problem at all! I care about

you a lot. Plus, your family has always

supported me and shown me love. I’m forever

grateful for you all.

ZOE

That’s great to hear...but, I brought you here

to reveal something. A secret I've been holding

in. It’s starting to kill me that you don’t know

and with you being my best friend. It’s not fair

that I continue to keep it.

CLAY

What’s going on?

ZOE

I... I hate it back home. I know I'm suppose to

step up soon and take over as queen but who am

I to rule? Especially without a king. Besides,

I don’t want to rule over our people. Their

monsters!

CLAY

Don’t say that! Our people are the

greatest warriors in the galaxy!

ZOE

If that's true, ten why do they harm

every creature that dare not look like them?

That talk a little weird or have strange

customs.

CLAY

Zoe, both of our fathers served our people to

protect the existence of us. They laid their

life's on the line!

ZOE

For what? Look at what we’ve become! We’re

the enemies Clay! Can’t you see that? We

haven’t been attacked for 500 years! And yet,

there is no peace within us. We have no

allies. Everyone is against us!

CLAY

Everyone is inferior to us!

ZOE

They are terrified of us!

CLAY

They just don’t understand us.

ZOE

Neither do I... How can you possibly sit

here and feel no sympathy for those who

know us? Didn’t you have a friend?

CLAY

Zoe, stop!

ZOE

And wasn’t that friend a little different

from you? Yet, he was so kind, supportive

and understanding of your situation.

CLAY

Zoe! I’m warning you!

ZOE

He trusted you Clay! Tim trusted you and

what did you do with that trust? You shot

him!

CLAY

Stop it! Stop! I didn’t want to!

ZOE

And yet you did! You’re a monster,

just like the rest of them.

CLAY

What choice did I have? My father was just like

yours! They were the commanders in charge and

what they said went. I loved Tim! I did, he was

the only boy that wasn’t afraid to play with me.

He was my best friend and it kills me that my dad

made me kill him... but I learned a lesson that

day.

ZOE

What was that?

CLAY

People that are different can’t be trusted!

He and his family were stealing from us.

ZOE

Do you know that for a fact or did your

daddy tell you that? Did you know that we

were seeking refuge and not Tim’s people?

They took US in, but our fathers lied. I

love my dad but I’ve always had mixed

emotions about his decisions. I saw Tim’s

people, they were thriving before we came!

We stole their land, flipped the script,

and blamed them for stealing when all they

were doing was carrying on with their normal

routines.

CLAY

Zoe... You lie! You’re a liar and how dare

you part your lips to say suck ratchet things

about our leaders!

ZOE

Now you see why I don’t want to rule over

our people? They're weak! When faced with

the truth, they play the blame game like

little kids run in the field... naturally!

I’m not about that! I’m about common sense,

Empathy, being rights and understanding

differences. That's the kind of people I

want to rule. Not that hellhole, you call

home.

CLAY

I never knew you felt this way, Zoe. It

hurts when you're betrayed by your own.

ZOE

Your one to talk... I actually brought you

here for two reasons. One, you now know.

The other…

CLAY

What? Your in love with me and this was

some kind of test to see the passion I have

for our people?

ZOE

I see you’ve talked to my mother. It’s a

good to know I can trust her to understand

the assignment.

CLAY

So, I pass. Zoe, the passion I have for

our people, compares not to the passion

I have for you. I’ve loved you for years,

spent hours with your father preparing

to be the king you need and hours with

my dad, perfecting keeping you under

protection. I’ve dedicated my life to

bettering yours. It just feels so good to

know it’s all paid off.

Clay has Zoe in his arms, caressing her face as he pours his heart out to her. He pulls her close for embrace but Zoe pushes back.

ZOE

I’m sorry Clay. Your work has been in

vain. You spent all the hours with those

who I love but not like. You ignored my mother’s

warnings of things I don’t like. Pushed aside

my grandmother’s feelings to gain the approval

of my uncle. Completely disrespected me, by

never listening to my cries for help. Yes

they were prepping you to be king, but

it wasn’t to be my king. It was to rule our

people... I brought you here to see which

side you’ve chosen. Who you really dedicated

your life to and that’s clear... I don’t blame

you though. It’s all you know.

CLAY

Zoe, don’t do this!

Zoe reveals the dagger she’s hidden in her sock. She holds it to her heart with cloudy eyes.

ZOE

I promised you back when we were kids…

FLASH BACK

INT.BEDROOM - DAY

Younger Zoe (6-8) and Younger Clay (9-10) sit on a royal bed as they watch the servant put on a puppet show. In their hands a midday snack.

SERVANT

And even though the princess was unhappy.

She did what she needed to do, to protect

her kingdom. She married the prince and

Ruled the land, just as she was told. The

end!

YOUNG ZOE

Wow, I don’t want to be that princess.

CLAY

Don’t worry. I’m training to be the man

of your dreams! We’ll be happily married.

YOUNGER ZOE

If you aren’t the man of my dreams, I won’t

marry you! I don’t wish to be in an unhappy

marriage. It wouldn't be good for either of

us.

YOUNGER CLAY

What if one of us loves the other? Then what?

YOUNGER ZOE

Hmm, ok! Let’s promise to never put each

other in an uncomfortable decision. You

don’t pressure me and I won’t pressure you.

If we make it a promise, then we’ll under-

stand we both agreed to whatever outcome.

YOUNGER CLAY

Okay. I promise.

YOUNGER ZOE

Me too!

SERVANT

Come on you two. We have to get Clay to

sword class and you to negotiations class.

The kids moan and whine as they head out of the room with the servant.

INT. SHACK -EVENING

A cloudy eyed Zoe holds the dagger to her heart.

ZOE

You promised me you wouldn’t pressure me.

And I promised you the same. I also made

a promise to myself that day, that I

would always control my destiny. I would

never settle for a life I hated like that

princess. And if death be my only option

of freedom, then so be it.

CLAY

Zoe please! This is killing me to see you

like this! I really do love you.

ZOE

If you truly love me. You’ll either stay

here with me or you’ll let me die here alone,

but if you dare think you’re going to turn

me in to authorities, I'll show you how serious

I am about my freedom.

The two stare into each others teary eyes and wait for a decision to be made. Clay gently grabs Zoe's hand and lowers it. She begins to cry as he holds her in his arm. He loosens his grip, kisses her forehead then slams her head against the wall. He puts the knife in his pocket and picks up her unconscious body, then carries her out of the shed.

INT. BALLROOM - DAY

Zoe opens her eyes as stringed instruments play and a crown is placed upon her head. She is dripped in jewels and vibrant ruby colored accessories that complement her beige gown. Anger peaking through her eyes, she glances to her left, where Clay sits. Clay is crowned with a smile until he glances back at Zoe.

ZOE

You will rue this day.

CUT TO BLACK

-END