scene 11 Primm

EXT  PRIMM NEVADA DAY — 
               
Convoys of buses and Humvees enter a large lot behind Buffalo Bills Resort. Lines of people are waiting at makeshift stations with bags and some carrying their pets in their arms , military personnel guiding them into the buses.
               
The highway is backed up for at least a mile. All lanes are heading westbound though very slowly. People are trying to get off the exits to take a break from the traffic. Authorities are trying to keep them moving.
               
 EXT FASHION OUTLET — 
               
Lines of people carrying small bags are waiting to fill a dozen or so transport helicopters.  Rescue personnel load hospital patients into other awaiting choppers.
               
 EXT BUFFALO BILLS — 
               
Mobil Patriot missile launchers roll past the crowd of evacuees. They take up position at the back of the lot.  From the east, C130 transports are swooping in and dropping off  M1A2 tanks. The tanks roll in the direction of the patriot battery's.
               
 INT MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS TENT — 
               
Two soldiers are watching a giant screen. On the screen we see Godzilla walking through the desert near the Interstate.
               
SOLDIER 1
Lets get a little closer. I want to see that things mug up close.
               
He starts moving a joystick and the image of Godzilla gets closer.
               
SOLDIER 2
I don't think thats such a good idea. Were just supposed to track him from a distance.
               
SOLDIER 1
Just a little closer.
               
He moves the stick some more and we get closer to Godzilla's face.
               
SOLDIER 1 (CONT'D)
Look at this thing.
               
 EXT NEVADA DESERT — 
               
Godzilla is trudging along. We see a small military drone buzzing around his face like a fly. it zooms in then pulls back. Annoyed Godzilla swipes his hand at the drone. It strikes it and the drone crashes to the ground.
               
 INT MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS TENT — 
               
On the screen we see Godzilla's face, then a blur movement, the screen statics for a brief second and goes black.
               
SOLDIER 2
Shit! I told ya to back off Jimmy. You pissed him off and he smashed the drone.
               
SOLDIER
Chill man. I got this.
(he looks behind him and calls out)
  Hey Sarge! Big G just knocked out drone three.
               
The Sargent behind him is watching another panel He's leaning over a soldier in a headset. He's sitting by a microphone and giving directions. The Sargent looks back to the soldier.
               
SARGENT
Then you two screw ups better get another bird airborne. We need all angles covered. These things are our eye in the sky.
               
SOLDIERS
Yes sir!
               
The second soldier smacks his partner in the back of the head.
               
SOLDIER 2
See. I told you. If I get in any trouble for this I'm gonna kick your ass.
               
SOLDIER 1
You wish.
( he rises from his chair)
 Come on. Lets go get another one up and away.
               
The two men walk away from their station.
               
INT PRESIDENTS MAKESHIFT OFFICE
               
The president is seated with two generals on either side of him. Tom is standing behind the president watching their presentation to him. Around the table are various cabinet members.The Colonel and an MP wait by the door.
               
GENERAL HAWTHORNE
He's currently 5 miles outside of Primm. We have 4 Patriot batteries armed and ready. If we set target we should be able to launch a safe offensive. The goal is to take the monster down. Now is our chance. He is free and clear of any possible collateral damage. Open desert is the perfect place to strike.
               
PRESIDENT
What if the missiles don't stop it.
               
GENERAL HAWTHORNE
Then at least we buy our men some time.
               
GENERAL CROSS
Mr. President. We still have a few hundred civilians in the evac zones. Were working as fast as we can to get the people out of there, but at the rate Godzilla is moving... he'll be at the first evac site in less than 10 minutes. He's almost caught up to the traffic on Interstate 15. General Hawthorne is correct sir. A Patriot launch is our best option right now.
               
GENERAL HAWTHORNE
Exactly. Why use them for defense when we have the perfect opportunity for a good offense. And maybe we can stop this thing once and for all.
               
The president hangs his head. He is clearly tired.
               
PRESIDENT
If you can show me that there are no civilians in his vicinity.
               
GENERAL HAWTHORNE
Here sir.
(he points to the images on a small monitor in front of the president)
 This is Godzilla's current position. here is The Interstate in the background. No cars, houses or even animals.
               
PRESIDENT
Then you may proceed with the operation General.
               
Looks to General Cross
               
PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
General. You get those ground troops working double on getting those people out of there.
               
GENERAL CROSS
Yes sir.
               
General Cross rises and joins the Colonel. They exit the room.
               
EXT PATRIOT MISSILE LAUNCHERS
               
Soldiers are standing by the control area, Some are sitting and entering coordinates into their keyboards. The screens fill with targeting points. Monitors show Godzilla approaching through the drone cameras. The missile batteries rise and adjust angles.
               
SOLDIER (AT CONTROL PANEL)
Target is acquired and locked in.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
Prepare to fire on my mark. 3,2,1 Fire!
               
With a wooshing sound the missiles fire up and launch from their tubes. They rocket down low towards Godzilla.
               
EXT NEVADA DESERT
               
Godzilla looks up and sees four fast moving rockets approaching in. His eyes squint and he lets out a grumble. The first missile grazes his arm and explodes. Godzilla lets out a loud roar of pain. The second missile strikes the ground at his feet in mid roar kicking up sand.
               
He ducks and the third missile flies over but the fourth is knicked by his rear dorsal fin. It explodes and the force throws Godzilla to the ground.
               
Four more missiles approach rapidly. Godzilla rolls to the right and two more explode into the ground at the spot he just was.
               
He rises quickly and swings his tail at the third missile. It explodes on his tail. Godzilla roars loudly in pain.
               
His head turns sharply and he lets out a blast of his radioactive breath as the fourth missile is just yards away from his face. It explodes the minute the mist touches it.
               
EXT PATRIOT CONTROL
               
One of the monitors statics and goes black as the drone is caught in the explosion. Another monitor is fuzzy and the picture keeps fading out.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER (BARKING
Get Comm on line. tell them we need more drones up. We got one down and ones blipping out on us.
               
SOLDIER
Yes sir!
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
All units. Ease four degrees and fire again.
               
From the launchers, four more missiles erupt and streak across the desert floor.
               
The soldiers watch in the distance and see the four explosions, large smoke clouds billow into the sky. The last drone camera goes black.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Damn! We're blind. Can anybody get me a visual? Can someone confirm the monster is down?
               
COMM.SOLDIER
Negative sir. No signs of movement though. Control reports three more drones up and proceeding to target area.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
Roger that.
               
He peers into the distance. All that can be seen is the smoke cloud. He raises binoculars hanging from his neck and peers in. Still nothing but smoke.
               
COMM.SOLDIER
Still no movement sir. Birds are 6 minutes out.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
Men. I think we got him.
               
The men breathe a sigh of relief. Some clap lightly, others just watch the radar and monitors hoping for no sign of movement.
               
EXT INTERSTATE 15
               
Traffic is dense but moving very slowly. Some people staring through their vehicle windows,watching the missiles streak away across the desert. A cloud of dust and smoke rises in the distance where the missiles exploded.
               
INT SUV
               
Four young women are inside the SUV full of luggage, the driver is looking in the rearview mirror applying eye makeup.
               
DRIVER
Ughh. This traffic sucks. I cant believe its taken us all night to get this far.
               
PASSENGER
I know. I just want to get into town so we can get out of this car. I need to stretch.
               
PASSENGER IN BACK
I'm hungry. Hope we can get some breakfast at this next exit.
               
PASSENGER
If they let us off. This is ridiculous. They make the whole city evacuate into one road, then they dont let you get off.
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
I know. Right.
               
PASSENGER
Lose our vacation time sitting in traffic because of some psychotic dinosaur on the loose. What the hell is that all about anyway?
               
DRIVER
Damn bitches. Quit your whining.
(she looks up at a street sign, it states the exit is in a half mile)
 Look. Were almost there.
               
PASSENGER
Thank god. I really have to pee.
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
Oh I know. Been holding it for two hours now. I think my kidneys are gonna burst.
               
PASSENGER IN BACK
This is so just unbelievable.
               
The passenger looks back at the girl in the rear, she is staring at her notebook computer screen.
               
PASSENGER
I can't believe your still watching all that. Any word on the dinosaur?
               
PASSENGER IN BACK
Ummm. Yeah. Those rockets we saw flying by a few minutes ago were headed for him.
               
PASSENGER
Really? Is it that close to us?
               
PASSENGER IN BACK
A few miles away in the desert. Latest report thinks those missiles got him.
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
I certainly hope so.
               
DRIVER
Yeah. Me too. This is just a little to close...
               
The SUV shakes, as the girl is moving her eyeliner pencil, the sudden jarring makes her miss and draws a line on her face.
               
DRIVER (CONT'D)
Son of a bitch!
               
She looks into the mirror to see the streak on her face, her eyes see Godzilla in the background and heading their way. She drops her eyeliner.
               
DRIVER (CONT'D)
Oh my god.
               
She looks out the back window and sees Godzilla looming in the distance. The SUV shakes again
               
PASSENGER
What?!
               
DRIVER
We have to get out of here now!
               
She starts blaring the horn
               
PASSENGER
What the hells going on?
               
A crowd of panicked people go running past the SUV. The girl in the back looks out the back window and sees Godzilla approaching.
               
PASSENGER IN BACK
Oh my god, oh my god!
               
PASSENGER
(looks back and sees the monster too)
Oh shit! Lets get out of here.
               
She opens her door and starts to get out of the vehicle, suddenly a car comes racing down the breakdown lane, horn blaring. The car smashes into the door and the girl is flung over the hood. The girls in the SUV start screaming. The car loses control and smashes into the vehicle in front of them.
               
DRIVER
(screams)
 Tina!
               
The SUV bounces more as Godzilla's footsteps get closer. The girl in the back drops her notebook and jumps out of the vehicle into the growing crowd.
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
(sobbing wildly)
 What do we do?
               
Godzilla roars, the vehicle vibrates from the sound
               
The driver opens her door and looks to the girl in the back.
               
DRIVER
We run. Come on!
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
No.
(shaking her head back and forth wildly)
 No. We cant leave her.
               
The SUV shakes more. The footsteps grow louder. Car horns are blaring.
               
DRIVER
Theres nothing we can do. Come on. It's getting closer.
               
The girl is shaking with fear. Tears streaming down her face.
               
DRIVER (CONT'D)
Alexis! Come on!
               
SECOND GIRL IN BACK
No.
(shaking her head back and forth)
 No.
               
A car explodes behind them. The Suv is bouncing with every step Godzilla takes.
               
DRIVER
Fine! Stay here! I'm out of here.
               
She slams the door closed and is swept into the crowd. She leaves her friend behind, still crying in the backseat.
               
 EXT PATRIOT CONTROL — 
               
There is a faint noise in the background of a car horn. It progressively gets louder and more drawn out. The soldiers realize it is dozens of car horns.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
What the hell is going on?
               
He looks to his left, he can see the highway overpass and mobs of people running down the highway screaming. More horns blaring, car doors swinging open and people scrambling to get out. The command soldier looks down the road and sees it. Though still within a mile away, Godzilla is coming towards them. Radioactive mist spraying from his mouth onto the line of cars on the freeway. There are multiple explosions as the highway erupts in flames.
               
EXT BUFFALO BILLS CASINO
               
People have been watching where the missiles launched as the soldiers continue to load up the buses.  One soldier with a megaphone in hand has been overseeing the operation. He looks up and spots Godzilla approaching from the distance.
               
MEGAPHONE SOLDIER
Oh my god.
(he quickly lifts the megaphone to his mouth)
 Attention! All citizens please drop any belongings and board the closest transport as soon as possible. Repeat drop all belongings and get on board now! Godzilla is approaching.
               
People look over and see the silhouette of Godzilla approaching. Panic sets in. People start dropping bags and dashing for buses. Crowds cram the entrances as people scramble to get aboard. Soldiers try to ease the chaos and get people in.
               
The ground starts to shake as Godzilla's footsteps can be heard among the clamor of panicked people. Soldiers are trampled as people try to force themselves through the crowd and into buses.
               
Full buses start pulling away but cant move far. The streets in front of them are filled with crowds of panicked people, who are running down from the Interstate.
               
EXT PATRIOT CONTROL
               
The tanks in front of the missile batteries start crawling into position. Their turrets aiming towards Godzilla.
               
COMMAND SOLDIER
All units fire at will. Lay cover fire. Keep Godzilla away from the evacuees.
               
One by one the tanks erupt in gunfire. Godzilla is peppered with artillery shells. He lets out a cry and radioactive mist starts blasting from his mouth at the tanks.
               
Behind him the sound of jets approaching grows louder. Two F-18's draw close and unleash their missiles at the monster as they quickly fly over head. Godzilla turns his head quickly towards one of the escaping jets and lets out a blast. The jet disintegrates on contact. The other jet loops around and lets loose another barrage.
               
INT JET COCKPIT
               
The pilot watches as Godzilla dodges the missiles and leaps at his jet. He banks quickly and through his canopy we see the image of Godzilla's massive mouth, jaws clamping down inches from the plane.
               
PILOT
Whoa! That was close.
               
ON GODZILLA
               
The jet is still banking, the thrusters kick in, but too late. Godzilla emits a short blast that envelopes the plane and it explodes.
               
Below, the tanks continue their barrage. Godzilla sprays his mist again at the tanks. Turrets melt, screams are heard, some tanks explode.
               
The people start panicking and running in the other direction. Cars collide with the buses as the streets jam. Godzilla starts moving forward toward the casino.
               
INT PRESIDENTS MAKESHIFT OFFICE
               
All eyes are on the screens in the room. The drones broadcasting the horror of the melted tanks and Godzilla moving forward. The Patriot missile batteries next in his path. They move slowly aiming towards the approaching monster. A missile launches but before it strikes,Godzilla grabs it in mid flight and quickly tosses it to the side, it spirals out of control until it contacts the desert floor and explodes.
               
As the next one is leaving the launch tube, Godzilla blasts it with his breath. The batteries erupt in a massive fireball. One of the drone cameras blacks out.
               
GENERAL CROSS
We need to get more F-18's in the air!
               
PRESIDENT
Absolutely not!
               
The president slams his fist on the table.
               
General Cross stands to face him
               
GENERAL CROSS
Mr. President. Those people need cover. Godzilla is going to stomp right through that crowd if we dont distract him.
               
PRESIDENT
And how many more lives and planes do you want to lose General?! That monster took out 2 of them already in a matter of seconds. A whole tank division and 4 Patriot missile batteries gone in less than 10 minutes, and Godzilla??? Not even a scratch! I suggest we get these drones in the air and use them to distract Godzilla long enough to get those people a chance to get out of his way. Anybody disagree!?
               
The General sits back down. Not only is the President angry, he knows he's right. The rest of the cabinet hang there heads, no one says a word.
               
PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
Good. Since we all agree. Lets get this moving.
(looks to the door)
 Colonel.
               
COLONEL
Yes Mr. president.
               
PRESIDENT
Whats the status on Dr. Hammond or his colleagues?
               
COLONEL
They arrived on base at 0900 hours sir. They are in decontamination and having the medics check them out.
               
PRESIDENT
Very good. Please have him brought here when they are finished. Now if you gentleman will excuse me for a moment. I'm going to get a cup of coffee.
               
The president turns and exits the room, the colonel follows him out.