The Last Light

Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi

Length: 10-12 minutes

Opening Scene: The Last City

EXT. DESOLATE CITYSCAPE - NIGHT

The camera pans across a crumbling, futuristic city. Skyscrapers are dark and lifeless, their windows shattered. The streets are empty, littered with debris. The sky is a deep, ominous red, with no stars visible. A faint hum of wind echoes.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

"They said the stars would guide us. But when the last star faded, so did we."

A single beam of light shines from a tall tower in the distance. The camera zooms in on the tower, revealing a faint glow emanating from its peak.

Scene 2: The Tower

INT. TOWER CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

A young woman, LENA (mid-20s, determined but weary), sits at a control panel. The room is filled with outdated technology, flickering screens, and wires. A large window reveals the red sky outside. A small, glowing orb floats in the center of the room, pulsating faintly.

Lena types furiously on the keyboard, her face illuminated by the screens. She glances at the orb, which flickers weakly.

LENA

(whispering to herself)

"Come on... just a little longer."

A robotic voice, A.R.I.A. (calm, synthetic), speaks from the control panel.

A.R.I.A.

"Power reserves at 2%. Life support systems failing. Estimated time until total shutdown: 12 hours."

Lena slams her fist on the desk, frustrated.

LENA

(angrily)

"I know, A.R.I.A.! I’m trying!"

She takes a deep breath, calming herself, and looks out the window at the desolate city.

LENA

(softly)

"There has to be a way... I can’t be the last one."

Scene 3: The Memory

INT. TOWER CONTROL ROOM - FLASHBACK

The room is brighter, filled with activity. A group of scientists, including Lena, work diligently. The orb glows brightly. A man, DR. KAIRO (50s, fatherly), stands beside Lena, smiling.

DR. KAIRO

"We’re close, Lena. This orb—it’s the key. It can save us."

Lena looks at him, hopeful.

LENA

"But what if it’s not enough? What if we’re too late?"

Dr. Kairo places a hand on her shoulder.

DR. KAIRO

"Hope is never too late. As long as this light shines, humanity has a chance."

The memory fades, and Lena is back in the present, alone.

Scene 4: The Decision

INT. TOWER CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

Lena stares at the orb, her reflection faintly visible in its surface. She picks up a small, worn photograph of her and Dr. Kairo, smiling together. She clenches it tightly.

A.R.I.A.

"Power reserves at 1%. Life support systems critical."

Lena stands, her resolve hardening. She grabs a backpack and begins gathering supplies.

LENA

"A.R.I.A., I’m going out. I need to find another power source."

A.R.I.A.

"Warning: External conditions are hazardous. Probability of survival: 8%."

LENA

(smirking)

"Better than 0%."

Scene 5: The Journey

EXT. DESOLATE CITYSCAPE - NIGHT

Lena walks through the empty streets, her flashlight cutting through the darkness. The wind howls, and the red sky looms overhead. She passes abandoned cars, broken storefronts, and faded signs.

She reaches a massive, crumbling power plant. The entrance is blocked by debris. Lena climbs over it, determined.

Scene 6: The Sacrifice

INT. POWER PLANT - NIGHT

Inside, the plant is dark and eerie. Lena finds a generator, but it’s damaged. She works quickly, using tools from her backpack to repair it.

As she works, the ground begins to shake. The ceiling cracks, and debris falls. Lena narrowly avoids being crushed.

A.R.I.A. (over comms)

"Lena, the tower’s power is failing. You must return immediately."

LENA

(breathless)

"Just... a little more..."

The generator sparks to life, and the room lights up. Lena smiles, exhausted but triumphant.

Suddenly, the ceiling collapses. Lena is buried under rubble. The camera focuses on her hand, still gripping the photograph of her and Dr. Kairo, as it goes limp.

Scene 7: The Light

INT. TOWER CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

The orb flickers, then glows brightly. The tower’s beam of light grows stronger, piercing the red sky. The hum of power fills the room.

A.R.I.A.

"Power restored. Life support systems stable."

The camera pans out, showing the tower’s light shining across the city. In the distance, faint lights begin to appear in other buildings.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

"Hope is never too late. As long as the light shines, humanity has a chance."

Closing Scene: A New Dawn

EXT. DESOLATE CITYSCAPE - DAWN

The red sky begins to fade, replaced by a soft, golden light. The camera rises, showing the city bathed in sunlight. The tower’s beam of light merges with the rising sun.

FADE TO BLACK.

TEXT ON SCREEN:

"For those who keep the light alive."

---

THE END.