Screen story & screenplay by

Jim V. Hart

Based on "Crisis in the Hot Zone"

by Richard Preston

"You might call AIDS the revenge of

the rain forest..."

Richard Preston

"These diseases are true emergers.

Humans have truly stumbled into

these occult agents."

Dr. Karl Johnson

"We've got company!"

Han Solo

BLACKSCREEN:

LEGEND: IN 1976, OUTBREAKS OF LETHAL HEMORRHAGIC

FEVER CAUSED BY THE DEADLY EBOLA VIRUS

OCCURRED AMONG HUMANS IN ZAIRE, AFRICA.

318 CASES RESULTED IN 290 DEATHS --

91% FATALITIES

A SIMULTANEOUS OUTBREAK IN SUDAN, 800 KM

THROUGH THE JUNGLE REPORTED 250 CASES

RESULTING IN 150 DEATHS --

53% FATALITIES

EBOLA IS CALLED A "SLATE WIPER" FOR HUMANS.

THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE. ONCE INFECTED,

THE VIRUS KILLS ITS HOST IN 7 DAYS...

FIRST COME THE HEADACHES...

BLACKSCREEN: PRESENTATION TITLES

FADE IN:

AERIAL POV - LANDSCAPE - LIVING ORGANISM

Rivers, teeming with microscopic life thread like

spaghetti through a geography of living cells. Invaders.

Territory is overrun. The view is like an aerial recon

photo of an alien land -- at war.

SUPER: CATEGORY - FILOVIRUS

STRAIN - EBOLA ZAIRE (Z)

FATALITY - 88% KILL RATIO

SURVIVORS - 12% IMMUNE ANTIBODY

CURE NONE - NONE

MATCH DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AERIAL POV - LANDSCAPE - AFRICAN TERRAIN - DAWN

Rivers, gleaming in the sun, thread like spaghetti through

a geography of jungle terrain, perfectly matching the

patterns of the virus landscape.

SUPER: ZAIRE, AFRICA - EBOLA RIVER REGION - SEPT. - 1976

A Fokker light air transport descends into view.

THE JUNGLE - LOOKING UP - CONTINUING ACTION

As the transport busses overhead, AFRICAN GREEN MONKEYS,

hundreds of them, frolic and chatter in the trees.

A BIG MALE watches inquisitive. The plane's SHADOW passes

over him. The Male opens its mouth frighteningly wide; a

"threat display." Four HUGE FANGS flash at the intruder.

FLYING POV - CONTINUING ACTION

Twenty five feet above the Ebola River.

EXT. REMOTE AIRSTRIP - AT THE RIVER'S EDGE - DAWN

The Transport touches down and stops on the empty field.

THE TRANSPORT - CARGO DOORS OPEN

A Land Rover emerges. Then another. "WORLD HEALTH

ORGANIZATION" emblems on the side panels. We see a SIX

PERSON MULTINATIONAL EPIDEMIC TEAM inside.

Hermetically sealed hospital isolator stretchers with its

own air supply sticks out the back of each. A casualty

inside can't infect the world outside.

CUT TO:

INT. CARGO HOLD - POV THROUGH DOORS

We see the Rovers speeding into the bush. Cargo doors

close. Engines rev.

OUTSIDE - THE TRANSPORT TAXIS

Picking up speed.

HIGH ANGLE - THE TREETOPS - CONTINUING ACTION

The plane BARELY CLEARS the trees sending Green Monkeys

scattering in all directions. Their angry cries echo;

"KRA KRA KRA!!!"

END MAIN TITLES

CUT TO:

A GREEN MONKEY - ROASTING ON A STICK

THE VIEW SHIFTS TO REVEAL:

EXT. EBOLA RIVER - FERRY CROSSING - MORNING

A handful of ZAIREAN POLICE guard the primitive landing.

REFUGEE VILLAGERS camp along the banks in the b.g.

One POLICEMAN passes out half-cooked monkey.

The POLICE CAPTAIN chews on a bloody haunch, licking his

fingers. The Ferry Bell RINGS O.S.

Now a jeep HORN HONKS O.S. approaching --

THEIR POV - THE EBOLA RIVER

The primitive Ferry parts the mist. Four wooden canoes

held together by a plank deck. FERRYMEN buck the current

with long poles.

KARL JOHNSON EMERGES from the mist. He stands on the hood

of the lead Rover WEARING A FULL FACE RESPIRATOR. A

creature from another planet.

WITH THE FERRY - APPROACHING

CHUCK REESE (22) honks at the wheel. He wears a full

respirator. All the team members wear respirators.

REESE

(in French)

Do not shoot. Do not shoot.

American Doctor! Doctor!

JOHNSON - CLOSER

He raises his respirator staring right into the guns -- At

30, he's already a legendary field virologist.

He surveys the scene like a military general as the Ferry

lands.

JOHNSON

(in French)

Johnson. Center for Disease Control.

U.S.A. -- We're headed to the

Yambuku Mission.

He points to his armband; CDC shield -- U.S. flag.

Police respond yelling threats at the frightened Ferrymen

and banging their weapons on the Rovers.

REESE - INSIDE THE ROVER

He is about to soil his trousers. The two Norwegian Team

members whisper in their language.

REESE

Jesus Christ, these people should be

quarantined. This outbreak is outta

control --

THEIR POV - THE FRIGHTENED VILLAGERS

Meager belongings, hungry children, terrified.

TO JOHNSON

JOHNSON

(in French)

How far to Yambuku?

Silence. The Police Captain approaches menacingly.

CAPTAIN

(in French)

You don't want to go there, Doctor.

There is nothing but death there.

People are dying all along the

river --

SISTER GENEVIEVE, a Belgian Catholic Nurse, approaches

from the Refugee camp. 40's, haggard, suffering

dehydration. She pushes past the Police, unafraid.

SISTER GENEVIEVE

(in French)

Etes-vous Doctor Johnson?

(in English)

-- I am Sister Genevieve from the

Yambuku Mission --

Johnson offers a bottle of Perrier -- Sister chugs it.

SISTER GENEVIEVE

Bless you, Doctor --

JOHNSON

Save the blessings, Sister --

He signals to Reese.

JOHNSON

Reese, get the Sister some salt

tablets and a shot of B12. She's

dehydrating.

Petrified, Reese breaks out the medical kit from the

Rover. A Policeman tracks his every move at gunpoint.

He is so nervous he fumbles the salt tablets and vitamins

dropping them. Sister politely pushes the guns aside and

helps him pick them up.

Johnson watches her. He's impressed by her courage.

JOHNSON

Tell our hosts I need blood samples

-- Sister, tissue samples -- before

this bug burns itself out. I have

to get to Yambuku. If I can find

one survivor, then We, not God, can

maybe cure this thing.

The Captain separates them. He sticks his gun in

Johnson's crotch. He understands English perfectly --

CAPTAIN

(in English)

Do not be coming back this way,

Doctor. Quarantine --

(pointing to the

jungle)

We will shoot you if you try.

Johnson tosses packs of cigarettes to the Police defiantly

and climbs back in the Rover.

THE ROVER - REESE CLIMBS IN

REESE

You are certifiable, Dr. --

Suddenly, Sister Genevieve straightens her habit and jumps

in.

SISTER GENEVIEVE

I shall guide you to Yambuku,

Doctor.

Johnson starts to protest. He sees her conviction.

JOHNSON

Bless You, Sister.

THE VIEW CLIMBS as the Rover speeds off the landing and

disappears into the bush.

CUT TO:

TIGHT ON - OLD BANTU ELDER

Sitting vigil crouched outside a hut. Eyes fixed --

unwavering. WE HEAR: Horrible sounds of suffering

inside.

THE VIEW SHIFTS TO REVEAL:

EXT. BANTU VILLAGE - DAY

Huts burn and smolder. Termite ant hills tower over some

of the remains. A handful of BANTU watch the old Elder.

The Women wails a death chant.

A HAND reaches out the doorway to bowls of food and water.

Suddenly, it clenches in agony. Blood hemorrhages through

pulpy skin. The hand flops to the dirt.

The Elder rises in silence. Torch in hand, he chants a

prayer and torches the hut.

A BANTU WOMAN screams rushing towards her flaming home.

OTHER WOMEN pull her back.

The Elder picks up his medicine bundle and leads the

survivors of his Village into the Bush.

FLAMES OBSCURE THE VIEW TO:

THE ROVERS - MOVING THROUGH VILLAGE - LATER

Johnson signals to go slower. Reese is riveted to his

window. Burned devastation everywhere. Sister prays.

THEIR POV - CHARRED BODIES

Smoldering in the ruins. Reese is sickened.

REESE

My God, what happened here?

JOHNSON

The Bantu. They've gone back to

their ancient ways of dealing with

plague and malaria. You put the

sick person in a hut. You put food

and water in the door. If the

person walks out one day -- or

crawls out, that's fine. If they

don't... you burn the hut... No more

disease --

FOLLOW THE SECOND ROVER - CONTINUING ACTION

Two Team Members crank photographs.

EXT. A HUT - CONSUMED IN FLAMES

The Rovers stop nearby. Sister Genevieve, exhausted,

rests her head on the seat.

Johnson climbs out surveying the sight. This is his war.

JOHNSON

This whole zone is hot. Reese.

He kicks at the hut's burning embers.

JOHNSON

Whatever this bug is, Ebola is not a

place we're gonna forget anytime

soon --

He turns to: REESE, who is frantically removing his gear

from the lead Rover. He shoots Karl a frightened glance.

REESE

I'm not going upcountry, Doc. I'm

taking my team out -- We'll base at

the hospital in Kinshasa --

Reese passes Johnson heading for the other Rover. The

Team reacts confused as he plops his gear inside.

JOHNSON

You're a good doctor. They need

your services too. Couple of things

you might consider --

Reese doesn't want to hear it.

JOHNSON

Maybe we've already been exposed.

As Karl speaks, he ties off his own arm, thumps a vein and

draws his own blood.

JOHNSON

Test all our blood when you get

back. Take some samples from Sister

Genevieve: here too --

SISTER'S POV - INSIDE ROVER

Sweat beads on her forehead under her habit. Her vision

BLURS for a millisecond then corrects itself. She watches

Johnson confront Reese without ever raising his voice.

JOHNSON

Maybe this bug can spread through

the air. Maybe it's the Andromeda

Strain --

Johnson tosses the blood vial --

TO REESE

He stares at the blood vial like death itself.

ON JOHNSON - FRAMED BY THE DECIMATION

JOHNSON

If it is Andromeda, then you won't

be safe anywhere in the world.

The Team audibly reacts in French and Norwegian. Winds

kick up smoke swirling around Johnson.

JOHNSON

You might as well be here at the

epicenter trying to stop it.

SMOKE WIPES THE FRAME TO:

EXT. YAMBUKU ROAD - HIGH ANGLE - LOOKING DOWN - LATER

The lone Rover travels slowly along the rough road. In

the f.g., GREEN MONKEYS FOLLOW, jumping from limb to

branch, escorting Johnson deeper into the jungle.

SISTER GENEVIEVE (V.O.)

The infection hit the hospital like

a -- like a bomb --

THE ROVER - INSIDE

JOHNSON

Who was the index case? The first

patient to "show"?

SISTER GENEVIEVE

A Schoolteacher. We treated him for

malaria -- Two days later, he died

-- horribly. Every child at the

school came to the hospital.

Families -- pregnant women. All

broke with fever.

Johnson traces the spread in his mind, sorting, seeking --

JOHNSON

But where did the teacher get the

bug? Rodent bites? -- Feces?

Mosquitoes? Monkeys maybe?

Sister Genevieve shakes her head bewildered. Who knows?

JOHNSON

How did it spread so quickly? What

did you give the patients?

SISTER GENEVIEVE

Injections. Chloroquine and

vitamins. These people do not

believe they have been "doctored"

unless we give them a shot...

She hesitates, almost confessing.

SISTER GENEVIEVE

We only used five syringes a day to

treat everyone --

JOHNSON

(grim diagnosis)

Then the infection could've been

passed through the needles --

SISTER GENEVIEVE

God forgive us... Some became

irrational -- hostile -- and

escaped! Hundreds became violently

ill and died in one week --

Silence. Johnson realizes he's facing nature's revenge.

JOHNSON

Seven days. No time for an "immune

response." By the time the

patient's immune system throws

antibodies to fight the damn thing

-- it's too late...

She breaks down, sobbing. Johnson stops the Rover.

JOHNSON

You did what you could, Sister.

He takes her hands in his, firmly but gently. He's

wearing surgical gloves.

THEIR POV - THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

The Yambuku Mission. An imposing old chapel and a ring of

cinderblock buildings. The Belgian flag hangs at half-

mast in the center. No life anywhere --

Suddenly, a FOUR FOOT TALL MALE GREEN MONKEY drops on the

hood from the trees with full force -- screeching at them.

Sister screams with fright. Johnson jumps so much he

bumps his head on the ceiling.

OUTSIDE - GREEN MONKEYS

Swarm the Rover on a food search, screeching "KRA, KRA."

INSIDE - CONTINUING ACTION

One Monkey lands on the door latch. It's weight pulls the

Sister's door open. She cries out.

JOHNSON FALLS across her closing it tight.

OUTSIDE - THE BIG MALE

Flashes his fangs and hurls his feces, splattering against

the windshield. Then he is gone.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOSPITAL COMPOUND - DAY - GLIDING VIEWS

Open air porches are lined with empty beds. Silence.

Only the chattering of the monkeys in the trees.

JOHNSON - APPROACHING FROM THE ROVER

He now wears a Tyvek protective suit, boots and full face

respirator. He carries a field kit and a small ice chest.

HIS POV - THE HOSPITAL

Flies buzz swarming out the windows and doors.

INT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUING ACTION

Johnson opens the door. Light spills in. Flies swarm.

Their buzzing sounds like chainsaws.

HIS POV - THE WARD

A silhouette of tangled bodies. The mud walls are

splattered with blood -- as if a bomb did go off.

JOHNSON

Don't come in here, Sister.

OUTSIDE - SISTER GENEVIEVE

Sinks slowly to her knees, frozen like a statue, praying.

RESUME: HOSPITAL - FOLLOW JOHNSON

Down the rows of 120 beds, inspecting the few remaining

bodies, each with evidence of massive hemorrhaging from

every orifice.

JOHNSON - CLOSER

He stops at one bed, carefully checking a YOUNG MAN for

signs of life. He feels for a pulse --

His glove fingers sink into the man's flesh like pudding.

Johnson reels back -- reviled. His breath labored.

TIGHT ON - JOHNSON'S GLOVED HAND

Taking a nose swab blood sample. Another swab inside the

Man's mouth -- and ears. With tweezers, he pinches out

samples of skin tissues.

WE FOLLOW bloody swaps and skin tissues into plastic

vials. Johnson tags and places each in the ice chest.

IN THE ICE CHEST - TIGHT ON THE TAG

Numbers: 001, etc., then, "Yambuku blood and epidermal

tissue slices - Ebola, Zaire."

EXT. HOSPITAL - SUNDOWN

Johnson exits, exhausted, solemn. Sister Genevieve is

still bent in prayer, motionless; wearing her respirator.

JOHNSON

No survivors. I've never seen a bug

kill like this one, Sister.

Fried by his experience, he surveys the jungle. Surreal

in the golden light. He's completely spaced.

JOHNSON

There must be members of some lost

tribe out there who've built up

immunities to this killer over the

years -- Their blood could have

powerful antibodies passed down

through the generations... strong

enough to save some lives --

(silence, he reaches

her)

Sister --

HIS POV - SISTER GENEVIEVE

Slowly raises her bowed head. Blood oozes from her

respirator. Her faceplate is splattered with it.

She collapses before he can catch her. Johnson cradles

her removing the respirator. He's horrified.

JOHNSON

You spiked the damn fever -- We'll

get you to Kinshasa.

Blood traces from her tearducts -- her nose and ears.

JOHNSON

Oh my god -- hold on -- hold on --

He pulls a syringe from his pocket -- thumps up a vein and

begins to shoot her full of antibiotics. She reflexes

away from the needle -- internal hemorrhages rock her --

Johnson jerks back. The SYRINGE PIERCES the glove on his

left hand. He stares at it in horror. He yanks it out

sucking his hand and spitting -- like a snake bite.

SISTER GENEVIEVE

First... come... the... headaches --

She spasms suddenly -- coughing up black fluid --

THE VIEW ROCKETS UP UP INTO THE TREES --

Monkeys cry everywhere. "KRA! KRA!" We rocket right

into the face of the BIG GREEN MALE. Deep brown cloudy

eyes staring at us transfixed. Blood -- building in a

crimson wave -- emerges from it's nose.

CUT TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - MORNING

A modest colonial sits atop a hill at the foot of the

Appalachians. Leaves glow in bright autumn colors.

SUPER: FREDERICK, MD - WED., OCT. 4, 1989 0800 HRS.

JAXX (V.O.)

Jason -- you'll be late for school.

INT. JAXX KITCHEN - CONTINUING ACTION

THE FREEZER DOOR CLOSES REVEALING: COL. NANCY JAXX; a

rather beautiful woman in her mid 30's. "Supermom" and

"ultrawife" in Army uniform with Colonel's bars taking her

usual stab at breakfast; throwing 4 waffles in the

microwave -- cracking two eggs in a skillet -- She opens a

cabinet, gets mugs, dumps in instant coffee -- suddenly --

A MONKEY LIKE CREATURE HANGS DOWN RIGHT IN HER FACE --

JAXX

(pushes it away,

annoyed)

Jason! Come feed Gumby or he's

going in your omelette!

No response. The Kinkajoo wraps its prehensile tail

around her neck.

INT. MENAGERIE ROOM - MORNING

Jaxx piggybacks the Kinkajoo and a cup of coffee through

the converted sunporch. It's filled with ANIMALS.

FOLLOW JAXX BY THE ANIMALS

Two fish tanks, a fish pond, exotic Parrots, Bright Red

Eclectus, Cockatoos -- and four Yellow naped Amazons. One

sings an opera aria. One wolf whistles as Jaxx passes.

JAXX

(ritual)

Thanks boys. Eat your heart out

girls --

She steps over an old bulldog in the doorway. The dog,

MAGGIE, flatulates in her sleep. Jaxx fans the air.

JAXX

Oh -- Maggie -- please --

A loose scarlet Parrot walking behind Jaxx pecks Maggie's

stumpy tail instantly rousing the old dog to a barking

frenzy. The Aviary adds squawks and screeches.

JAXX'S POV - JASON'S BASEMENT BEDROOM

She opens the door on her 13 year old son, JASON; his

lanky frame all over the bed, sleeping with his Walkman.

JAXX

Jason? Wakey wakey --

She tosses the Kinkajoo through the air and closes the

door, blocking the view. WE HEAR: Jason yell.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOUSE - REARVIEW - CONTINUING ACTION

Jaxx heads for the converted garage passing a red Toyota

pickup parked in the drive. The magnetic sign on the door

panel reads: "JAXX VETERINARY CLINIC."

INT. GARAGE VET CLINIC - CONTINUING ACTION

As Jaxx enters, BLACKHAWK, their big black hunting Bouvier

bounds over to greet her.

6'3" GERRY JAXX is dipping his "boarders" in a tickbath.

His haircut still military sharp. Now a civilian, his

years in the army reflect in his physical fitness.

JAXX

Ready for your fix -- ?

Nancy offers him a cup of coffee --

GERRY

Ah, Nance. The life of a country

veterinarian is sheer bliss.

He's lying. His hands are elbow deep in doggie-bath.

NANCY

Aw -- You miss the Army that much?

Why not Re-enlist?

GERRY

Never. Then I would have to call

you, "Colonel" --

He embraces her caressing her buns. She caresses his

back. Somebody clears their throat O.S.

AT THE GLASS SLIDING DOOR

Their daughter -- Twelve year old JAMIE -- bounces in her

sweat clothes. She wears braces and never stops. Never.

JAMIE

(through glass doors)

There are children present. I mean

-- "Hello"?

TO MOM AND DAD

Breaking their clinch, "caught."

GERRY

Morning, Princess.

JAXX

Go eat your breakfast -- or we'll be

late for school --

OUTSIDE - JAMIE

She makes a face; a complete rebel.

JAMIE

In a minute -- watch me!

She poises by a tree, as if beginning a floor exercise.

Suddenly, the Kinkajoo leaps from a low branch landing on

Jamie's head. She jumps with a shriek.

MOM AND DAD react, laughing. Nothing dangerous here.

JAMIE - CLOSER

The Kinkajoo clings to her hair.

JAMIE

C'mon, Gumby. Let's show'em.

She sets the creature down beside her, preps and throws a

standing back flip with an Olympic finish.

The Kinkajoo does a flip too.

INSIDE CLINIC - THE JAXX'S

Gerry applauds. Jaxx indicates "time for school." JASON

wanders in, zombied. He holds up seared waffles.

JASON

Breakfast is burned... again.

Jamie walks in on her hands.

JAMIE

Still eating with your hands,

butthead?

JASON

Can she talk to me that way, Mom?

JAXX

Let's try not to kill each other

before Thanksgiving, okay?

JASON

After Thanksgiving, she's toast.

(Jamie swats him)

Mom, I need money for lunch --

JAMIE

I got a meet Friday, Mom. You're

coming aren't cha -- ?

Before Jaxx can answer, Jamie literally throws aerials out

of the clinic.

GERRY

Please -- no acrobatics in the --

Jamie pays no attention. Gerry looks at Jaxx dismayed.

GERRY

She gets her stubbornness from you,

Mrs. Jaxx.

JAXX

I think you mean independence.

She's your daughter --

Jaxx exits by a starving Jason. Blackhawk jumps up

snatching the burned waffle from his hand.

CUT TO:

EXT. DAY CARE CENTER - REARVIEW - RESTON, VA. - MORNING

CHILDREN play in a sandbox. A LITTLE BOY spoons up some

sand and eats it. Yukk. He spites it all over the GIRL

next to him. Two more KIDS drink juice from the same cup.

IN THE F.G. - A CRATE IS CARRIED INTO VIEW

In red letters: "PACIFIC PRIMATES - MANILA, PHILIPPINES."

Green Monkeys peer out from partition openings at the

children. Sniffing. A new scent in this new land. Some

monkeys flash their fangs. Others chatter.

CUT TO:

MONKEY POV - THE KIDS

Kids stare back at the monkeys with giggles and delight.

The WOMEN SUPERVISOR pulls two FIGHTING CHILDREN apart.

The GIRL bites the BOY on the hand -- drawing blood.

EXT. MONKEY HOUSE - CONTINUING ACTION

An alley separates the Day Care Center from a windowless

building. MONKEY HANDLERS unload crates from a truck.

The logo on the cargo doors read: SYNERGY RESEARCH LABS.

The handlers carry the Monkey crates into the rear of the

building. TINY WHIPPERT, the strawboss, wears overalls,

plaid hunting shirt, ball cap, pony tail, a deer skinning

knife and weighs about 350.

DEKE, a biker type and LOC, a Vietnamese who speaks no

English, help Tiny transfer the monkey crates from the

truck one at a time. They wear no masks -- just gloves.

All are expert monkey handlers.

TINY

I love the part when Bruce Willis

grins like he just got a little you

know. He hits that detonator and

yells "adios mother fuckaouch!"

He dumps his end of the crate wringing his hand in pain.

TINY

Ow -- little cocksucker bit the shit

-- outta me --

DEKE

You're probably the little shit's

first meal since it left Africa.

Tiny shucks his glove and sucks his bloody finger.

DEKE

Got two hundred more to go, Tiny.

You need more fingers.

Tiny shoots him the "bloody" finger.

CRANE UP TO: A STRIP MALL, BURGER KING, DAY CARE CENTER,

HOMES. The Monkey house is right in the middle of

suburbia. Twenty-five miles from Washington D.C.

SUPER: SYNERGY RESEARCH LABS - ANIMAL QUARANTINE UNIT,

RESTON VIRGINIA - WED., OCT. 4, 1989 0800 HRS.

CUT TO:

EXT. FT. DETRICK, MD - AERIAL VIEW - DAY

The base spreads at the eastern slope of the Appalachian

Mountains. WE PASS OVER by an array of 90 foot radio

dishes. This is a major defense communications center.

SUPER: FT. DETRICK, MD - NOV. 16, 0900 HRS.

WE DESCEND TO: A THREE STORY CONCRETE BUNKER BUILDING

Vent stacks on the roof aim up at us like deck guns.

THE BUILDING - GROUND LEVEL - HOLD ON A SIGN:

U.S.A.M.R.I.I.D.

UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH

INSTITUTE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Insiders call it "RIID" for short.

CUT TO:

INT. USAMRIID BLDG. - REAR ENTRANCE SECURITY STATION

TIGHT ON USAMRIID SHIELD: Twin serpents entwine around a

flaming sword. The slogan; "Research for the Soldier."

TILT DOWN TO: A SECURITY MONITOR

Jaxx enters waving to the camera.

WIDEN TO: A SECURITY GUARD sits vigil over a bank of

monitors with exterior views of the entire facility;

containment labs, corridors, monkey cages...

ON ONE MONITOR

A figure in a shiny space suit peers into a microscope.

INT. CORRIDOR MAZE - CONTINUING ACTION

We follow Jaxx through the institutional halls. At closed

double doors, she uses her security card on a necklace

from inside her uniform blouse and swipes it across a

black magnetic sensor on the wall.

INSERT: SECURITY MONITOR - BUILDING ENTRANCE

DISPLAY: JAXX, NANCY DEAN; VIROLOGY BL4. ACCESS O.K.

RESUME: CORRIDOR

Doors spring open. Jaxx enters. A sign overhead reads:

INFECTIOUS AREA - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

CUT TO:

INT. USAMRIID PRIMATE HOUSE - CONTINUING ACTION

Jaxx passes by individual containment rooms with several

species of Monkeys in cages. The place is spotless. Easy

listening ROCK MUSIC plays over the PA.

AT A WINDOW PARTITION - CONTINUING ACTION

Jaxx stops to watch two young WOMEN; PFC, GODWIN (17) and

SGT. KLAGES (18) wearing masks, Plexiglas visors and

gloves as they vaccinate a big African Green Monkey.

INSIDE LAV ROOM - CONTINUING ACTION

Jaxx enters wearing a visor mask, visor and gloves.

Godwin is singing softly to the monkey.

KLAGES

Colonel, Jaxx --

JAXX

(putting them at

ease)

Good morning, Ladies -- How's "Super

Monk."

KLAGES

Super Monk is immune to Simian

Hemorrhagic and he just threw off

another heavy Lassa fever challenge.

Strong antibody response. He's the

healthiest primate in captivity.

Super Monk scarfs down monkey biscuits, ravenous.

CUT TO:

INT. JAXX'S OFFICE - USAMRIID - DAY

A MOUSE CAGE; made of popsicle sticks. Inside are three

white mice made of pipecleaners. Each wears a tinfoil gas

mask. A fading card on the side in a child's hand reads:

"BE NICE TO MICE, K MOMMY - LOVE JAMIE"

A family photo sits on the cluttered desk next to it.

Jaxx poses with Jamie holding a Gymnastics trophy.

The phone RINGS... Again... Again. JAXX HURRIES by the

glass partition, enters and answers.

JAXX

Jaxx --

INTERCUT: INTERIOR MONKEY HOUSE TREATING ROOM - DAY

The Fifty-year old Man on the phone looks worried.

GIRARD

(on phone)

Stan Girard -- remember? Synergy,

right. I'm chief research Vet.

We've got a little problem at one of

our quarantine units not too far

from you --

TO JAXX - USAMRIID

JAXX

(on phone, taking

notes)

Five hundred Greens and Macaques --

shipped from Philippines six weeks

ago -- Simian Hemorrhagic fever?

TO GIRARD - MONKEY HOUSE

He examines a dissected monkey on a "bleed table" with

gloves, his mask down around his neck.

GIRARD

(on phone)

Necropsies on the fatalities show

enlarged spleens -- some

petechiae --

TO JAXX - USAMRIID

JAXX

(on phone)

Classic symptoms for SHF. What's

the body count?

(a pause, eerie

feeling)

Seventy in the last week?

CUT TO:

INT. MONKEY HOUSE - ROOM F

Narrow. Windowless. Lined with 100 wall mounted

stainless steel cages. Live monkeys stare listless.

Ghost-like.

ON A CAGE - DEKE OPENS THE DOOR

A Monkey tumbles into his net. Dead.

TO TINY: hosing down the blood on the floor kicking up an

aerosol mist.

GIRARD (V.O.) (PHONE)

We lost twenty-seven more this

morning. So far just one room is

infected --

FOLLOW THE MIST: Swirling up past monkey cages to

ventilators in the ceiling --

TO THE TREATMENT ROOM - CONTINUING ACTION

The fine mist rolls from a ceiling vent DOWN TO: GIRARD

GIRARD

(on phone)

But, well, Management doesn't want

to lose the whole population --

We've got over a quarter million

dollars in these monkeys --

INT. JAXX'S OFFICE - SAME TIME

JAXX

(on phone)

I'd keep that room isolated. We

know SHF isn't lethal to people,

just monkeys -- Make sure your

handlers use normal contagion

precautions. Yeah, get some "B&T"

samples up to us today we'll get on

it. Right --

She hangs up tentatively, then hurries out. PUSH IN ON:

The pipecleaner mice wearing gas masks.

DISSOLVE TO:

MICROSCOPIC VIEW - MONKEY TISSUE

A carpet of living cells takes on a spider web look.

JAXX (O.S.)

Liver cells. Monkey sample #053 --

What do you think?

INT. HOT SUITE (BL3) - NIGHT - CONTINUING ACTION

Jaxx adjusts the view wearing gloves and surgical masks

for Biosafety Level 3 lab.

PETER JAHRLING turns the glass flask containing the cell

culture under the microscope. Late 30's, garrulous, black

heavy glasses; the quintessential lab scientist.

PETER

Looks like Simian to me. The

infected cells have a definite

spider web look.

He studies the magnified image on a video monitor attached

to the microscope.

PETER

What's another bug in this house

anyway -- ?

He points through a glass partition to two industrial

sized refrigerators, both with computer locks. The RED

TREFOIL symbol for "biological hazard" marks the doors

like skull and crossbones.

PETER

We got enough BL4 viruses and

bacteria in there to make AIDS look

like a runny nose.

JAXX

Hey, there's a happy thought. I try

not to think about it.

(checking scope

again)

Let's be sure about this bug. Run

some antigens --

THE LAB BENCH - CLOSER - PLASTIC VIALS

Jaxx removes one labeled "ANTIBODY SERUM - SIMIAN HF."

She draws a drop of the liquid in a pipette -- then

inserts it into the flask.

Peter flicks on the ultraviolet scope light.

PETER

Go for the gold.

VIDEO MICROSCOPE VIEW - MONKEY TISSUE

Cells glow in the ultraviolet. Suddenly, the dark antigen

solution clouds the view. Antibodies surround infected

cells glowing bright fluorescent golden orange.

Jaxx studies the scope as Peter refers to a chart.

THE CHART - CLOSER - "FLUORESCENT ANTIGEN COLOR CHART"

He scans down bar graphs of fluorescent colors to a GOLDEN

ORANGE BAR labeled: "Simian Hemorrhagic Fever."

PETER

Bingo. Positive for SHF. Good news

for us -- bad news for the monkeys.

Jaxx peers into the microscope.

JAXX

Hey -- there's something flaky going

on in this flask --

MICROSCOPE VIEW - MONKEY TISSUE MAJOR MUSIC CUE

Blackholes grow in the carpet of glowing cells as if eaten

by moths. Dead and dying cells float away --

TO JAXX AND PETER

JAXX

That's not like any SHF I've ever

seen. Something is blowing those

cells away. They're off the

plastic.

She doesn't like it. She pulls Peter to the scope.

PETER

Aw, just some crud in the scope.

Pseudomonas bacterium maybe. Really

annoying. Wipes out everything.

You have to start over. The little

suckers smell like Welches grape

juice --

He takes the flask, opens it and sniffs it --

JAXX

Yeah and a virus kills with no odor

-- So what've you got?

Peter continues to sniff. A look of consternation. He

suddenly caps it, getting the creeps.

PETER

Nothing... No... smell.

JAXX

Okay, okay -- so we've got an

"unknown" here, Pete --

Jaxx flares concern. They both stare at the flask.

JAXX

Let's do it by the numbers. How

long will it take you to culture

another isolate and get it on the

big scope so we can see what the

damn thing is?

PETER

(starts to sweat)

I'll need more monkey samples. Ten,

twelve hours maybe. First thing in

the A.M.

JAXX

(heading for door)

Call your wife. Tell her we're

shacking up together. I'm going to

pump C.J. to get us some of those

monkeys --

PETER

You know -- Karl Johnson could tell

just by looking if this crud was

Lassa, Marburg, Ebola, Anthrax --

Peter sets the flask down gingerly. Jaxx lingers.

JAXX

I was a green recruit my first year

here at RIID when Johnson "retired."

I don't think he ever even knew who

I was. How come you mention his

name around here, everyone crawls in

a hole?

PETER

(matter of fact)

Karl thinks the world's got a gun to

its head and there's not a damn

thing anyone can do to keep us from

pulling the trigger.

(a beat of respect)

That scares people in high places...

He's the best bug man there is. Why

don't you ask him?

Jaxx flusters.

JAXX

Yeah, well, okay -- but he's not

here -- We are.

Jaxx exits slamming the door. The warning sign reads:

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 3 - CONTAINMENT

TO PETE

He ponders the flask for a moment. He pulls on his

surgical mask, pours the milky fluid from it into a

test tube, places the tube in a centrifuge and turns it

on.

CLOSER - THE CENTRIFUGE

Whirls to a blur.

DISSOLVE TO:

A PHOTO OF KARL JOHNSON

Staring right at us outside the Yambuku Mission. 1976.

His Field Team and 2 Nuns flank him. One of them is

Sister Genevieve, alive. With Village Children. Smiles

of hope.

CUT TO:

INT. JAXX'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Jaxx is transfixed on the photograph. Thick files fill

her desk. She flips through more photos -- there it is.

A PHOTO OF FIVE YOUNG MEN AND ONE YOUNG WOMEN

Stand in front of a Huey Helicopter all wearing inflated

orange spacesuits with clear bubble helmets. They flank

Karl Johnson beside a biomedical isolator litter. The

caption reads:

ARMY AEROMEDICAL BIOCONTAINMENT ISOLATOR

EVACUATION TEAM - USAMRIID - FT. DETRICK MD.

PUSH IN ON: the young woman -- PFC Nancy Jaxx, age 22.

TILT UP TO: JAXX

She calls up a data base.

ENTRY: SEARCH FOR> JOHNSON, KARL M.

REPLY: LAST RECORDED CONTACT

BOX 11, RT. 3, GALLATIN MONTANA

FAX: 406-586-5409

Jaxx hesitates. She types a message quickly into the

computer.

ENTRY: TO: KARL JOHNSON

FROM: LTC NANCY JAXX - USAMRIID

OUTBREAK IN LOCAL PRIMATE POPULATION

CAUSE: UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME

PLEASE CONTACT ME AT EARLIEST CONVENIENCE

REPLY: FAXING NOW

CUT TO:

INT. BL3 LAB - LATER THAT NIGHT

Peter works in the b.g. WE MOVE IN ON THE TEST TUBE TO A

MICROSCOPIC VIEW: The geography of cells are at war.

CUT TO:

A SHINY GYMNASTICS MEDAL is displayed in a place setting

on the counter.

JAXX ENTERS lugging files. Blackhawk is there to greet

her with licks and whines.

JAXX

Hey, big guy. You hungry? So am I.

She melts seeing the medal. There's a note. She reads:

GERRY'S VOICE (V.O.)

Your amazing daughter took second.

Your amazing son washed the dishes.

And your amazing husband put your

dinner in the microwave. Check the

machine --

Nancy chuckles. While the machine rewinds, she opens a

cabinet and pulls down a can of dog food. The electric

can opener doesn't work.

PETER (V.O.) (PHONE MACHINE)

Nance, Girard just called. Seven

more monkeys kicked. They've got

them on ice. Meet C.J. there at

0800. This guy Girard sounds

spooked.

She rifles the drawer. No opener. She uses a beer opener

punching around the edge. The lid bends in --

Her hand slips into the can -- slicing on the jagged edge.

She holds her fist in pain checking the damage. Nothing.

Then blood leeches from the clean cut on her right hand.

INT. JAXX BATHROOM - NIGHT

Jaxx twines a wide Band-aid over her wound and closes the

medicine cabinet. She jumps with fright at THE FACE

leering right behind her --

JAXX

Jamie -- oh -- hon --

Jamie is half asleep -- still in her gym suit.

JAMIE

(drowsy)

I didn't get first, Mom --

INT. JAMIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Mother and daughter enter arms around each other.

JAXX

We're proud of you even if you don't

win. I'm just sorry I had to miss

your big moment --

Jamie falls into bed. Jaxx pulls off her warmups by the

pant legs. Then the jacket. She drifts off. Jaxx kisses

Jamie goodnight.

SHARP CUT TO:

INT. MONKEY HOUSE - NIGHT

The CAMERA ROCKETS along the cages right up to the last

monkey. Death stare. A single stream of blood trickles

from it's nose.

CUT TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING

Kids head for school in packs. CRANE DOWN TO:

JAXX'S CAR - CONTINUING ACTION

Jason and Jamie exit heading for school. Jaxx takes her

daughter's hand. Jamie squeezes back.

JAMIE

(ritual)

"be nice to mice," Mom. Promise.

Remember, "all animals --

JAXX

"All animals are our brothers and

sisters."

(polite parental

tolerance)

I know -- I know, Princess. Do

good, you two -- Love you!

Jaxx watches them head for school. It's a Mom's life.

CUT TO:

EXT. RESTON ALLEYWAY - MORNING (JAXX POV)

Kids romp in the play-yard at the day care center.

SUPER: RESTON, VA. - WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17 - 0830 HRS.

Jaxx's car is parked behind the station down the alley.

She watches the kids from the payphone.

JAXX

(on phone)

Any results yet?

INTERCUT: PETER IN BL3 LAB

He's dragging from no sleep. He spins another test tube

in the centrifuge.

PETER

(on phone)

We've got zip and I'm about out of

monkey parts.

RESUME: JAXX

JAXX

(on phone)

We're working on it.

HER POV - THE DAY CARE CENTER

Kids eat mud-pies. PAN TO: The funky rear door to the

monkey house. Empty monkey crates are stacked in back.

JAXX

(on phone)

Any messages? I was expecting a

fax --

PETER (V.O.) (PHONE)

Nada. Guess nobody loves you.

JAXX

(on phone)

Thanks, Pete. I needed that.

HER POV - COL. C.J. PETERS

Heading up the alley her way. He's pissed. Forty.

Thinning hair. Bulging middle in his Army uniform.

Deputy Commander of "RIID." Brilliant virologist with a

grim sense of humor.

JAXX

Where's your happy face, C.J.?

C.J.

(sardonic grin)

Girard's not going to let us in.

He's afraid our army uniforms will

"upset his staff." Mercy --

JAXX

I don't like this, C.J. Day-care

center -- little kids --

C.J.

Just worry about the monkeys.

Girard said Management's already on

him about calling in the Army. Tell

you one thing, whatever's going on

in there, he's scared. They're

bringing the samples here.

JAXX

Oh, free home delivery. Nice.

CUT TO:

THEIR POV - A LIME GREEN VAN

Heads up the alley and stops beside them. TINY WHIPPERT

leans from the cab. Big toothy grin.

TINY

Hi. How you, M'am? Uh, General

M'am -- ?

Jaxx smiles putting the nervous Tiny at ease.

JAXX

Col. Jaxx and this is Col. Peters

Deputy Commander at RIID.

Tiny shyly lumbers out revealing Deer Rifles in a rack

behind his seat. He ambles to the back, nursing coffee

talking a bluestreak.

TINY

We got dead "cynos" ever day. Y'all

think y'all can find out what's

killin'em, huh?

INSIDE THE VAN - DARKNESS

Tiny opens