10 years later

 10 YEARS LATER — 
               
EXT. NORTH VEGAS ANIMAL CLINIC
               
A stunning japanese woman exits the building with another young man beside her. she is holding keys in her hand and walking towards one of the few cars left in the lot. she turns to the other man who is locking the door.
               
MIKI
Goodnight Stephen. I'll see you in the morning
               
STEPHEN
Good night Miki
               
O.S.
Dr. Ogata! Dr. Ogata!
               
Miki turns to see two young boys running towards her. one is carrying a large cardboard box and appears to be struggling with it. They reach her and are panting trying to catch their breath.
               
MIKI
Easy boys. what have you brought me now?
               
BOY WITH BOX
This is the best one yet.
               
OTHER BOY
Yeah wait till you see this one. Show her Jose.
               
The boy Jose puts down the box and starts to open the top. Miki leans over to peer inside. inside she sees a brown smooth caterpillar with blue eyes, it is about 2 feet long. It squirms in the box and raises its head slightly, what appears to be the mouth opens and a white web like substance starts to spray. Startled, Miki jumps back a bit.Jose closes the top of the box.
               
MIKI
This is incredible! Where did you boys find this?
               
OTHER BOY
we were fishing down by the lake and saw it moving through the leaves. We thought it was a lizard at first.
               
JOSE
It wasn't moving very fast so I ran and got a box from the bait shop.
               
a shrill noise emits from the box. Stephen moves over towards Miki and the boys.
               
JOSE (CONT'D)
I dont think he likes it in there.
               
STEPHEN
What have you got there boys?
               
OTHER BOY
a huge caterpillar
               
MIKI
You have to see this Stephen. This could be our most unique specimen yet. Open the box and let Dr. Martin have a look.
               
Jose opens the box and Stephen peers inside, the white silk from the caterpillar shoots out catching Stephen on the side of his face. He steps back brushing it off wildly.Jose quickly closes the box again, the faint cry still emits from inside
               
STEPHEN
Yuk. What is that?
               
MIKI
It appears to be a defense mechanism of some sort. Lets get it inside and get a closer look.
               
Carl goes to reach for the box.
               
OTHER BOY
Hey! dont we get a reward for this one too?
               
MIKI
(smiling)
 Of course boys.
(looks at Stephen)
 Stephen. Pay the boys.
               
STEPHEN
Why do I always get stuck picking up the tab with you?
               
Stephen reaches for his wallet and hands the boys each a $10 bill. He starts to reach for the box from Jose.
               
OTHER BOY
Thats it?? we got fifty for the turtle.This ones much better than that.
               
STEPHEN
You kids are tough negotiators.
(looks at Miki)
 Can you believe these little extortionists?
               
MIKI
(smiling)
 They're right though.
               
Stephen reaches in his wallet and pulls out a $100 bill handing it to the boy.
               
STEPHEN
Is this better?
               
OTHER BOY
Yeah! Thats much better. Give him the box Jose.
               
Jose hands the box to Stephen.
               
JOSE
Gracias Senor Martin
               
The boys start to run away
               
STEPHEN
Hey ! What about the other twenty I gave you?
               
OTHER BOY
(looking over his shoulder)
 Delivery fee.
               
STEPHEN
(turns towards Miki)
 Can you believe them.
               
MIKI
(laughing)
 they're going to be great businessmen some day.
               
STEPHEN
Yeah. On my dime though.
               
MIKI
I think it will be worth it. Lets get our new pet inside.
               
STEPHEN
Easy for you to say. It's not coming out of your pocket.
               
Miki unlocks the front door and they enter the building.
               
INT. CLINIC
               
we are inside the clinic, around us we see tables with test equipment. Along the far wall are rows of cages and aquarium tanks. Miki and Stephen enter the room. She walks over to a large tank that is empty.
               
MIKI
I think this one should be big enough.
               
Stephen carries the box to the tank. Miki opens the caged lid. Stephen starts to open the box and tilts it, the caterpillar wiggles out and drops into the tank. Miki quickly closes the lid and they both peer into the tank. The caterpillar moves around and tries to climb up the sides to no avail.
               
MIKI (CONT'D)
This is simply amazing.
               
STEPHEN
I've never seen such a big caterpillar before.
               
MIKI
we've never seen anything like half our collection before. It's like an all new species. I'll run some tests on this one and see if it classifies as another mutation.
               
Next to the tank they are peering in, we see through another tank. Inside we see a large turtle on a rock. Its almost as big as the rock, with large double sized feet and long claws, the most unique feature are two long tusk like teeth protruding from its bottom jaw.
               
Miki walks over to a table and picks up a small Geiger counter. She sweeps the probe above the tank containing the caterpillar, the needle moves slightly.
               
MIKI (CONT'D)
There is a small trace of radioactivity coming from this one too.
               
She looks at Stephen with a puzzled look on her face.
               
MIKI (CONT'D)
What were they doing in that lab?
               
STEPHEN
Beats me. After the accident the government came in and sealed that area off tighter than Fort Knox. All we know is that they were doing some sort of genetic testing out there and one day the place just blew up. Dont know why they had radioactive waste out there either, but that site's been sealed off for the past ten years.
               
MIKI
Well whatever they were doing, it's definitely having an effect on the surrounding wildlife.
               
Miki places the geiger counter on the table and slips on her lab coat that was hanging nearby.
               
MIKI (CONT'D)
I'm so glad you called me here Stephen. Of all my years studying biology this has got to be the greatest discovery I've ever seen. These creatures , even though they are mutations, could turn the scientific world upside down.
               
STEPHEN
Well. You were the best lab partner I ever had in college. When Mikey and Jose first brought that toad to me, I knew it was more than I wanted to be involved with. You were the first person that came to mind.
               
MIKI
(smiling)
 I appreciate that. But you could have studied these yourself and gotten all the credit.
               
STEPHEN
Not my specialty. I'm just a simple vet living in the desert and taking care of horses and cattle.
(chuckles)
 I'll leave the deep scientific stuff for the experts.
               
MIKI
I wouldn't say I'm an expert.
               
STEPHEN
You're brilliant. Graduated at the top of our class. And this..
(points to the caterpillar in the tank, that is still trying to climb the glass walls)
 Is your big break and what will make you famous. Soon the whole world will know who Doctor Miki Ogata is.
               
Miki blushes and smiles
               
MIKI
Thank you Stephen. You have been a great friend. And dont think I'm taking all the glory for this. Your name will be right next to mine.
               
STEPHEN
I prefer to stay low key and off the radar. But I will give you all the support you need.
(pauses)
 Just not tonight. I have to meet Faith for dinner and now I'm running late.
               
MIKI
Well go on then. Dont keep the fiance waiting. I'll close up when i'm through here.
               
Stephen starts to exit the room, looks back at Miki
               
STEPHEN
Dont stay up too late. I dont want to find you still here in the morning again.
               
MIKI (WAVING HIM OFF)
Go on. I'm a big girl.
               
STEPHEN
Yes you are. Goodnight.
               
The door closes and Miki picks up a large magnifying glass and starts inspecting her new specimen.