INDIANA JONES AND THE SONS OF DARKNESS

                                SCREENPLAY BY:

                                 JEFFREY BOAM



                                   STORY BY:

                                 GEORGE LUCAS





                             "INDY IV"


FROM THE PARAMOUNT LOGO

MATCH DISSOLVE TO:

A mound of sand which resembles the Paramount Logo's mountain
peak.  On the mound's summit, a CHILD'S BRONZE-SKINNED HAND sets
down a crudely fashioned toy ship.  

WIDE - A DESERT WASTELAND CAMP

3 BEDOUIN TEENAGERS are performing before a small audience made up
of BEDOUIN YOUNGSTERS: the first teenager, a boy, is imitating an
elephant; the second teenager, a girl, is pretending she is a
lion; and the third teenager, a boy again, is acting like a
donkey.  There is CLAPPING and LAUGHTER as the teens parade around
the waist high sand pile making SOUNDS akin to their particular
animal.  MAIN TITLES BEGIN.


EXT. NORTHWESTERN SHORE OF THE DEAD SEA - WIDE PANORAMA - DAY

Heat-rippled air is distorting far off figures: BEDOUIN SHEPHERDS
who steer their herd of rams leisurely along the rocky shore.

                                             DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. ROCKY SHORE - DAY

Set against the Judaean rust colored hills, THE SHEPHERDS, 3, keep
the herd moving steadily along.  The train of rams is kicking up a
veil of dust as their hooves CLACK intermittently on the loose
rocks and stones.     

AT THE REAR, shepherd #3, a bronze-skinned BEDOUIN BOY, uses his 
goad to urge an unruly ram back into the procession.  The BOY
grows impatient as the animal refuses to cooperate.
  
AT THE FRONT, shepherds #1 and #2, THE ELDERS, have themselves a
big laugh at the boy's expense.  

The resentful BOY whacks the RAM'S DERRIERE with his goad!  The
startled animal BLEATS NOISILY and takes off running.  THE ELDERS
SWEAR at the boy in ARABIC and order him to chase after the ram.


EXT. ARID WATERCOURSE/CANYON - ESTABLISHING SHOT - DAY

A HIGH VANTAGE POINT shows us the steep rocky cliffs which form a
U around the dry-bed watercourse.  The runaway ram has made the
mistake of entering what amounts to a dead end canyon.





EXT. CANYON - FURTHER IN

The runaway ram scampers past.  The BOY is not far behind, kicking
up sand and pebbles as he chases after the ram.


EXT. CANYON - DEAD END

The BOY comes shooting around a bend and finds the ram pacing back
and forth, cornered by the canyon's dead end.  

The BOY slowly approaches the jittery beast.  

Now the BOY is within pouncing distance; he gets ready to leap. 
He does -- at which point the tricky ram side-steps and 

THE BOY LANDS FACE FIRST IN THE DIRT!

The BOY spits out sand as he gets to his feet.  

Now the BOY grows uneasy at the sight of the ram charging up the
rear cliff face, taking the steep grade in leaps and bounds; then
the BOY is alarmed as the animal vanishes from sight behind the
jagged rocks high above.   


EXT. HIGH UP ON THE CLIFF - NARROW LEDGE - DAY

The BOY POPS UP from behind the ledge, out of breath.  Immediately
his eyes widen.  

The BOY works himself up onto the narrow ledge --

AND MARVELS AT THE BLACK OPENING TO A CAVERN.  

The BOY looks high and low but doesn't see the ram anywhere.  Now
come the ram's ECHOING BLEATS, deep within the darkness of the
cavern.  

The BOY, nervous, steps in closer to the opening -- the gaping
dark mouth doesn't look very inviting.  The BOY picks up a lose
stone and chucks it hard and deep into the shadowy maw.  

To the BOY'S amazement return the distant shattering SOUNDS of
pottery!


INT. JUST INSIDE THE CAVERN 

IT IS DARK.  The BOY fishes out his trusty Zippo lighter from a
leather shoulder pouch and flicks it to life.  The weak orange
light shallowly penetrates the dark.


INT. BACK WALL OF CAVERN - JUST AFTER

The BOY eases his way along, holding the Zippo like a torch.  The
flickering light shines on the ram ... it is squatting serenely on
the rear floor of the cavern.  The animal is strangely unfazed by
the BOY'S appearance.    

Now the Zippo's light shines on -- 

A COLLECTION OF DUSTY CLAY JARS.  All 12 of the jars are intact
except for one which is broken open.  

The stone the BOY fired into the cavern minutes ago lies among the
shattered pieces.  

The BOY crouches down to the smashed open jar and, captivated,
gently pulls out --  

A FOOT-LONG, CYLINDRICAL OBJECT.  THE ROLLED OBJECT IS SOFT TO THE
TOUCH, LIKE LEATHER.  (TITLES END)

                                             SHARPLY CUT TO:


EXT. A DESERT AIRSTRIP - DAY

As a tri propeller-driven Breda-Zappata ROARS IN and touches down
on the sunbaked tarmac -- the action is so sudden it makes us
jump!


EXT. THE DESERT AIRSTRIP - PARKED PLANE - JUST AFTER

A legend on the screen reads:

                           JORDAN - 1947          

The plane's door is pushed open wide -- and INDIANA JONES,
presentably dressed in a three-piece-suit, steps out into the
blazing sunlight and hurries down the universal stairs.  

INDY is greeted on the ground by MR. LOT, a clean-cut, Jordanian
government official.  They shake hands.  

                           MR. LOT
             Doctor Jones, welcome to Jordan.   

MR. LOT escorts INDY toward an OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT JEEP.  The
conversation is charged with childlike excitement and great
anticipation.

                           INDY
             The scrolls -- how many have been found?

                           MR. LOT
             After you are settled in at the --

                           INDY
             If it's all the same to you, Mr. Lot,
             I'd rather go straight to the sight. 

                           MR. LOT
                     (amused)
             Of course.

                                             CUT TO:


EXT. REAR OF DEAD END CANYON - THE EXCAVATION CAMP - DAY

INDY and MR. LOT move quickly through the encampment.  The famous
archaeologist is now fitted in hiking boots and workmen gloves;
naturally, they clash with his three-piece suit.  

A nearby GAS-POWERED GENERATOR, the awful NOISE it produces, makes
conversation futile.

BEDOUIN WORKMEN are busy with odd-jobs/tasks/chores.  The camp is
situated at the base of the rear cliff, below the cavern.  INDY
looks up.

A sturdy wooden platform, metal struts reinforcing it, is anchored
to the cliff face; it extends out from the natural rock ledge,
making access to the cavern much easier.  You get to the cavern
via a solid basket elevator operated by motorised winch.


EXT. THE CAVERN - ON THE WOODEN PLATFORM - JUST AFTER

THE BASKET ELEVATOR RISES UP INTO VIEW.  The generator's NOISE is
less intrusive up here.  Conversation, however, is difficult. 
INDY and MR. LOT climb out of the basket and step toward the
opening:
   
                           MR. LOT
             I must --
                           (louder)
             I MUST WARN YOU, DOCTOR -- THOUGH I'M
             SURE IT WON'T SURPRISE YOU -- WE'VE HAD
             OUR SHARE OF DEATH THREATS SINCE
             EXCAVATION STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO.

                           INDY
             WHO?

                           MR. LOT
             THEY CALL THEMSELVES "THE SONS OF
             LIGHT."

                           INDY
             YES ... I'VE HEARD OF THEM.  

HOLD on INDY'S face.  Thoughtful.


INT. DEEPER INTO THE CAVERN - NARROW PASSAGEWAY - JUST AFTER

A series of bulb fixtures, being fed by a SINGLE ELECTRICAL CABLE
anchored to the rock ceiling above, runs the full length of the
cavern and provides enough light for INDY and MR. LOT to navigate
the narrow passageway.  The generator's NOISE isn't so prevalent
this far in.

                           MR. LOT
             Fortunately the scrolls have been
             preserved by the region's extreme
             aridity.  
                           (MORE)

                           MR. LOT CONT.
             We've dated them using a new technique
             developed by Professor Willard Libby,
             University of Chicago: radiocarbon
             dating.  The scrolls date to
             approximately 200 B.C.  Almost two
             millennia ago, Doctor.


INT. REAR ALCOVE OF CAVERN - NOW A MAKESHIFT EXAMINATION ROOM 
- JUST AFTER

INDY and MR. LOT are standing behind a SCROLL SPECIALIST who is
seated at a simple work station.  INDY looks over the specialist's
shoulder.  The old jewish scholar is handling a PAPYRUS MANUSCRIPT
with almost superhuman patience and care.

INDY beams.

                           MR. LOT
             From preliminary transcribing, we know
             the scrolls include manuals of
             discipline, hymnbooks, Biblical
             commentaries, and apocalyptic writings.

INDY notes the ancient hand writing.

                           INDY
             Biblical Hebrew.  I'm afraid it's not
             one of my better known languages. 
             What's that passage he's transcribing? 

MR. LOT leans in and reads the ancient writing over the
specialist's shoulder.

                           MR. LOT
             Very interesting ... the Book of 
             Genesis ... 8:4 to be precise.  

                           INDY
                     (quoting; automatic)
             "And the Ark rested in the seventh
             month, on the seventeenth day of the
             month, upon the mountains of Ararat."   
             
                           MR. LOT
                     (impressed)
             You know your Bible, Doctor.

                           INDY
                     (wryly)
             Pushy father.


EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVERN - BACK ON THE WOODEN PLATFORM - DAY
                                  
INDY and LOT emerge from the cavern and shield their eyes from the
intense sunlight.  The generator's NOISE is prominent once again.




                           MR. LOT
                     (shouting)
             THE DEPARTMENT WILL SOON BEGIN
             EXCAVATING THE REMAINING CAVES IN THIS
             AREA.

                           INDY
             THAT'S GREAT!  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF
             GETTING ME ON ONE OF THE EXCAVATION
             TEAMS?  

As INDY is asking that a CREEPY BEDOUIN WORKER, eyeing the men out
the corner of his eye, sets down a load of coiled rope and then
surreptitiously draws a 

GLEAMING DAGGER FROM THE FOLDS OF HIS GARMENTS!

                           MR. LOT
             DOCTOR, WITH YOUR REPUTATION I'M CERTAIN
             THE DEPARTMENT WILL WELCOME --

Suddenly MR. LOT gasps!  He quickly falls away -- 

LOT'S FACE IS REPLACED BY THE CREEPY BEDOUIN'S SNARLING MUG.  THE
DAGGER CLUTCHED IN HIS HAND IS SMEARED WITH LOT'S BLOOD.  

INDY stumbles backwards.  CREEPY starts toward INDY menacingly,
the dagger up, its metal blade catching the sunlight.  INDY blinks
as the reflected sunlight stings his eyes.  INDY STEPS BACKWARD
off the wooden platform and onto the natural cliff ledge.   

NOW TWO MORE NASTY BEDOUINS DROP IN FROM THE CLIFF FACE ABOVE THE
CAVERN.  Call them SPOOKY and SCARY.  INDY puts out his hands as a
show of peace.  He speaks in ARABIC:

                           INDY (*subtitled*)
             I MEAN YOU NO HARM. 

SHHHINK!  SPOOKY and SCARY whip out daggers of their own!   

                           INDY (*subtitled*)
             NO HARM!  NO HARM!  
                     (grumbling)
             Not working!
                     (shouting)
             HEY!  SOMEBODY!  I GOT A BIG PROBLEM
             HERE!

DOWN IN THE CAMP, NO ONE CAN HEAR INDY OVER THE GENERATOR'S AWFUL
RACKET.  

BACK ON THE LEDGE, the dagger trio are advancing. 

INDY glances quickly over his shoulder.  He's not at all surprised
by what he sees: 

HE IS RUNNING OUT OF LEDGE.  IT'S JUST A FEW MORE STEPS TO THE
EDGE AND THEN IT'S A 30 FOOT DROP STRAIGHT DOWN!



INDY quickly takes inventory: he looks up -- no good -- sheer 
rocks above -- the basket elevator -- nope, too far away.  Uh-huh,
it appears our hero is trapped!  

INDY scowls!  

Then INDY spots a rope at his feet -- not a rope -- a black cable. 
IT'S A THICK ELECTRICAL CABLE.  The same one we saw anchored along
the ceiling inside the cavern --

WE DROP QUICKLY ALONG THE CABLE ... ALL THE WAY DOWN THE CLIFF
FACE TO SEE:

THAT THE CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE NOISY GENERATOR.  

Also: 

THE CABLE IS RUNNING IN BETWEEN SCARY'S FEET.
   
INDY snatches up the cable lightning fast and yanks hard on it. 
The cable snaps up -- 

OUCH!  SCARY cups his crotch, eyes rolling back in their sockets.
SCARY drops like a tone of bricks -- out cold.  One down.  Two to
go.

Suddenly SPOOKY belts out a BATTLE CRY and charges at INDY. 
SPOOKY tackles our surprised hero -- 

THEY BOTH LEAVE THE LEDGE AND SAIL OUT INTO SPACE!  WHILE IN MID-
AIR, OUR FAST THINKING HERO LOCKS HIS GLOVED HANDS AROUND THE
CABLE WHICH HE STILL HAS HOLD OF.  

At the same time SPOOKY locks his ARMS and LEGS around INDY like a
vicious monkey!   

FLASH SHOT -- INSIDE THE CAVERN -- as the men's combined weight on
the electrical cable yank it loose, popping the rivets one by one,
all along the cavern ceiling -- 

BACK OUTSIDE: INDY -- his clinging monkey with him -- is falling
fast on the lengthening cable. 

Suddenly the cable SNAPS TAUT and INDY is violently jerked to a
stop in mid-air.    

INDY smacks the cliff face hard, cringing grotesquely. 
Immediately INDY'S hands start to SLIP on the cable.  His weight
combined with that of the clinging attacker's is too much!  

INDY plants his BOOTS on the jagged rocks and that lessens the
strain.  He SNAKES an arm around the cable and that gives him the
needed leverage.

NOW WE SEE INDY IS SOME 30FT UP.  AND FAR BELOW --

IS THAT NOISY GENERATOR.

BACK TO INDY -- as SPOOKY, his arms and legs like vices, bounces
up and down, trying to pull INDY off the cable.  INDY tries to
shake the lunatic, as:

ON THE LEDGE ABOVE, CREEPY shouts down in HEBREW:

                           CREEPY (*subtitled*)
             SHALEM, HOLD TIGHT!

Shouting back --

                           SPOOKY (*subtitled*)
             CUT THE CABLE!  DO IT NOW -- WITH HASTE! 
             FOR I WILL GLADLY DIE FOR HE WHO IS
             GOOD!  

At which point SPOOKY looks straight into INDY'S eyes.  Our 
steel-nerved archaeologist is chilled to the bone.  

                           SPOOKY (*subtitled*)
                     (at the top of his lungs)
             PRAISE THE SONS OF LIGHT!  AND DAMN THE
             SONS OF DARKNESS TO ETERNAL SUFFERING!

With that SPOOKY does the unthinkable -- HE LETS GO!  

INDY, spooked, watches the man plunge silently to his death.  

SOUND: THUD!  INDY grimaces and looks away.

UP ABOVE, CREEPY IS NOW PREPARING TO CUT THE CABLE WITH HIS
DAGGER.

DOWN BELOW, INDY is suddenly struck with a bad feeling.  

INDY quickly secures HANDHOLDS in the rocks and releases the 
cable -- just in time!  

As, UP ABOVE, CREEPY is slicing through the electrical cable and
receives one hell of a SHOCK for his trouble!  

INSIDE THE CAVE, as the bulbs explode in their fixtures -- POP! 
POP!  POP!  The SCROLL SPECIALIST working here is startled out of
his seat. 

THE CUT CABLE SPITS SPARKS, WHOOSHING DOWN PAST OUR CLIFF HUGGING
HERO.    

THE GROUND BELOW, as the heavy cable pummels the generator's
housing, collecting like a string of falling spaghetti; then as
the cable plops into the dirt a tangled mess, the live end flip-
flopping like a snake set on fire.

BACK TO INDY, as he adjusts for a better grip -- and almost
plummets to his death when the ROCKS BENEATH HIS BOOTS break off
from too much weight!  

FALLING SHALE AND ROCK CHUNKS RAIN DOWN, CLUNKING ON THE
GENERATOR'S METAL HOUSING.  HEAR THAT: IT'S STILL RUNNING.

BACK TO CREEPY, on his feet now, feeling sluggish, his head
buzzing.  He shakes it off quickly and looks down over the ledge. 

CREEPY CURSES -- that hat wearing fool is still alive!  

CREEPY looks around desperately.  He spots the perfect thing and
shakes with demented glee.
    
JUMP AHEAD A BIT IN TIME -- AT THE EDGE, CREEPY sets down a

LARGE WATERTANK ON TIRES.    

CREEPY works the tank's over-sized tap so that it is in line with
INDY'S head below.  

CREEPY starts to vigorously prime the handpump.

Water belches out ... sputters ... now water gushes from the tap. 
The heavy flow cascades down the cliff face --

A STRANGE SOUND ... ?   INDY looks up --

AND WATER SPLASHES DOWN ALL OVER HIS FACE!  INDY coughs and gags.
Hangs on.

CREEPY jumps up and down, clapping his hands.

INDY is getting drenched.  The rocks which he clings to are
turning slick, very slippery.    

CREEPY is reaching for the hand pump again when 

                           A VOICE
                     (shouts in ARABIC)
             YOU!  WHAT'S GOING ON!

CREEPY whirls around.  The SCROLL SPECIALIST has just emerged from
the cavern.  But before he can say another word, there is a flash
of metal --

THEN THOOP!  THE SPECIALIST NOW HAS A DAGGER PROTRUDING FROM HIS
CHEST!  The old man falls back, dead.  CREEPY scurries over to the
body and reclaims his trusty dagger.

CREEPY, back at the watertank, is pumping again.  Water just
trickles from the tap.  CREEPY growls! 

A BOOT SLIPS -- SQUEAK!  INDY resets it.  Yup, the dripping-wet
adventurer is looking pretty hopeless right about now.   

ANOTHER STRANGE SOUND -- PITTER-PATTER -- SMALL OBJECTS ARE
FALLING ON INDY'S HAT!

SAND AND PEBBLES ARE THE OBJECTS!    

Shiver me timbers, CREEPY is struggling with the bulky 
watertank ... and by the looks of it, he's determined to push it
off the ledge!  The front legs (like those on a wheel-barrel) are
scraping off sand and pebbles from the ledge -- 

INDY risks it and looks up.  SAND MIXED WITH PEBBLES POURS DOWN
ALL OVER HIS FACE.  INDY spits -- YUCK!  PIT-TU!




IT HAPPENS: gravity pulls the teetering watertank off the ledge. 
The cast iron drum/support trailer falls fast toward INDY --

But it SLAMS into protruding rocks overhead and starts to break
apart --

WHOOSH!  The banged-up watertank flashes downward past INDY, just
missing him by a few feet!  

BELOW, the watertank impacts on the ground with a CRUNCH, just
missing the running generator by a few feet!  

ABOVE, CREEPY CURSES -- he can't seem to get a break!    

ABRUPTLY CUT TO: CREEPY as he snatches up a coiled rope from the
pile he unloaded earlier.

Now CREEPY is at an outcropping of rock, tying the rope off.  

Now CREEPY is back at the ledge, dropping the coiled rope over the
side.  

The rope DROPS IN -- a good ten feet off to the side -- out of
INDY's reach.  Our precariously situated archaeologist snaps a
look up and sees that his nightmare isn't over!

The dagger clamped between his teeth, CREEPY takes hold of the
rope and starts to scale down the cliffside.

CREEPY DROPS IN, just ten feet separating him from his prey.  

INDY sights a handhold and pulls himself up, expanding the
distance between himself and CREEPY even more.

INDY works his BOOT into a crevice -- but again his weight is too
much.  BIG CHUNKS OF ROCK BREAK FREE! 

Slabs of heavy limestone pummel the noisy generator --

AND SPLIT OPEN THE GAS DRUM!

Gasoline GURGLES out and splashes very close to the cut electrical
cable -- 

WHICH IS STILL SPITTING SPARKS!  

BACK TO CREEPY as he pushes off the cliff face, swings out on the
rope and, with his feet, braces for the impact.  He LANDS on the
cliff face with a grunt.  That did it.  CREEPY is now within arm's
reach.  INDY, defenceless, is situated up a bit and to the left.  

One hand on the rope -- the other clutching the dagger -- CREEPY
lashes out at INDY!  

The blade CLINKS on the rocks, slicing past INDY'S BOOT. 

Jerking away fast causes INDY to SLIP on the wet rocks.  But he 
quickly regains his footing -- PHEW!




DOWN BELOW, THE INEVITABLE HAPPENS: THE LIVE CABLE IGNITES THE
GASOLINE.  FLAMES RISE UP AND ENGULF THE GENERATOR.  

But what's this?  No explosion -- !   

CREEPY lashes out and misses again, but does catch INDY'S PANT
LEG.  A long tattered incision opens up; the pink flesh of INDY'S
shin peeks out.

THE REACTION ON INDY'S FACE IS PRICELESS!   

ON THE GROUND, the fire engulfed generator is, surprisingly, in
one piece still!  Another surprise now as the FRAME ADJUSTS
quickly -- 

AND REVEALS A ROW OF GASOLINE CANS SQUATTING CLOSE TO THE
CRACKLING BLAZE!

INDY, desperate, breaks off a chunk of limestone and fires it at
CREEPY!  The brick-size chunk HITS CREEPY IN THE FACE!  The zealot
is dazed just slightly -- and worse he didn't let go of the rope! 

INDY can't believe it.  He can't believe this either:

CREEPY is doing something desperate himself.  He is just about to
throw his dagger!  He has it by the tip -- he looks evil -- and
there goes his hand ... back ... back ... back 

KAH-BOOM!

At once, the men both look down and gasp at 

A HUGE ORANGE FIRE BALL SHOOTING UP TOWARD THEM!  

INDY hugs the cliff face for dear life --

AS THE FIRE BALL'S MUSHROOM OF DEATH ROARS UP TO FILL THE SCREEN. 
A TORTURED, HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEK CHILLS OUR SPINE -- EEEEEAAAAA! 

HIS BODY ALL ABLAZE -- CREEPY IS SEARED OFF THE ROPE AND PLUNGES
TO HIS DEATH.

The fire and smoke start to dissipate...

INDY materialises slowly -- he's alive!  But how can that be? 
INDY lets us in on how by patting himself down.  Of course, his
water-soaked clothes.  Fortuitous fire-proofing.

INDY lets out a big breath, happy to be alive.  He looks down at
CREEPY'S charred remains far below ...    

Well that's enough hanging around.  INDY reaches out to the singed
rope and grabs it easily.  He tests it's strength.  Feels secure
enough.  Slowly, INDY starts the climb up to safety.

                                             CUT TO:






EXT. DOWNTOWN AMMAN, JORDAN - DAY

A four star hotel rises from the street TEEMING with activity.


INT. ELEGANT LOBBY OF THE FOUR STAR HOTEL - DAY    
                               
INDY limps up to the front desk, his suit grime-soiled and torn,
his face mud caked.

                           INDY
             Doctor Henry Jones checking in.

The DESK MANAGER chokes back a shriek, startled by INDY'S foul
appearance. 

                           DESK MANAGER
             Allah be merciful -- have you had an
             accident, Doctor?  Do you require
             medical attention?

                           INDY
             No, no -- nothing a hot shower and a
             couple dozen aspirin won't cure.



INT. INDY'S HOTEL SUITE - DAY

INDY enters, stiff, wincing painfully at his sore joints and
muscles.


INT. SUITE BATHROOM - DAY

INDY stands bare-chested in front of the mirror.  He dabs at his
scraps and cuts with a wet face cloth.

                           INDY
             Getting (yelp) to old for this.

KNOCK!  KNOCK!


INT. HOTEL SUITE - AT THE ENTRANCE

INDY opens the door and reveals a:

                              BELLHOP
             Urgent telegram for you, Doctor Jones.

INDY takes the telegram.

                           INDY
                     (with worried frown)
             Thank you.

INDY shuts the door.  He opens the telegram and starts to read.  

INDY'S features start to weigh heavily with pathos.  Then as the
horrible news hits him, INDY goes numb.

The telegram falls from INDY'S limp fingers and lands face up on
the carpet.  

It reads:

             FROM: DR. GOODWIN, BOSTON MERCY HOSPITAL 

             DEAR MR. JONES,

             I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT
             COMPLICATIONS IN YOUR FATHER'S CONDITION
             HAS RESULTED IN HIS PASSING AWAY.  YOUR
             IMMEDIATE RETURN IS REQUESTED.  

                                             DISSOLVE TO:


A TOMBSTONE WHICH READS: 

                          HENRY JONES SR.
        BORN: SEPTEMBER 16, 1872  DIED: SEPTEMBER 16, 1947
                 BELOVED HUSBAND TO WIFE MARGARET
                   HONOURED FATHER TO SON HENRY

EPITAPH:             "WHOEVER BELIEVES MAY IN
                     HIM HAVE ETERNAL LIFE"  


EXT. A BOSTON CEMETERY - OVERCAST DAY

A legend appears:

                      BOSTON - ONE YEAR LATER     

Grey storm clouds loom overhead.  INDY is kneeling at his father's
grave, a muffin in his hand, set with a single candle.  INDY
lights the candle with a Zippo.

                           INDY
                     (sombrely)
             Happy birthday, dad.

INDY blows out the candle.   DISTANT THUNDER RUMBLES. 


EXT. BOSTON UNIVERSITY - OVERCAST DAY

The stately university is partially visible through the pouring
rain. 


INT. BOSTON UNIVERSITY - THE FACULTY LOUNGE - OVERCAST DAY

INDY lounges in a sofa chair, reading the day's newspaper.  
UP CLOSE ON THE HEADLINE: 

            TRUMAN DISCLOSES: SOVIETS HAVE THE BOMB!  

BILL HUMPHREY, a highbrow, thirtysomething professor, takes a seat
in the sofa chair across from INDY'S.  BILL has a hardcover book
in his hand.

                           BILL
             Good afternoon, Jones.

INDY lowers the newspaper.  Seeing BILL, INDY promptly raises the
paper again.

                           INDY
                     (from behind the paper)
             Same to you, Bill.

                           BILL
                     (perturbed) 
             Jones, please, I've asked you numerous
             times already to refrain from calling me
             Bill.  My Christian name is William.

                           INDY
             Sorry, William.  I keep forgetting.

BILL glances down at the hardcover book he brought.  The author's
photo on the back jacket is A SCHOLARLY SNAPSHOT OF INDY.

                           BILL                   
             I'm enjoying your book ... a bit too
             laymen for my palette, though.

INDY shifts uncomfortably.   BILL lights his pipe.  Then:

                           BILL
             You'll be thrilled to know: the
             University of Cincinnati is assembling
             an expedition team to explore King
             Nestor's palace in Greece.  My
             invitation to join came yesterday.

                           INDY
                     (rubbing it in)
             Got mine three weeks ago, William.

                           BILL
             Hmmm...appears then we'll both be
             partaking in what I'm sure will be a
             rewarding exploration.   

                           INDY
                     (lowers the newspaper)
             I'm not going.

BILL isn't surprised.

                           BILL
             This is a first, Jones.  Usually the
             very mention of the word "expedition"
             sends you home to pack.

                           INDY
             All of us can't be traipsing around the
             planet ... some of us have
             responsibilities ... schedules ... Minds
             to enrich.

                           BILL
                     (counterfeit sigh)
             My, my...I never thought I'd see the
             day.  You know, Jones, I've watched you
             fossilize over the last year.  It
             saddens me to think you've tossed in
             your pick.  But, as they say, out with
             the old and in with the new.

                           INDY
                     (standing)
             Excuse me, Bill.  I have to throw up.

INDY exits promptly.   BILL makes a "how rude" face.  He looks
down at INDY'S book.  

The cover reads: THE MODERN ARCHAEOLOGIST - DR. HENRY JONES, JR.

                           BILL'S VOICE
             The modern archaeologist indeed.

MATCH CUT TO:

THE SAME BOOK --


INT. A PUBLIC LIBRARY - DAY

A LIBRARIAN checks INDY'S BOOK in and places it aside.   

A PERSON, their arms loaded down with stacked books, walks up to
the check out desk ever-so-carefully, their face hidden from us
behind the stack of hardcovers.  He/she tries to unload the stack
but it topples over and SCATTERS books all over the check out
counter.  

The person, A BOY, is revealed.  He smiles sheepishly.     

                           LIBRARIAN
             Abner, be careful!  

                           ABNER
             Sorry, Ms. Rothhorn.

ABNER is about 11 years old, fit as a fiddle, with sharp eyes and
a tongue to match.   

Collecting the scattered books --

                           LIBRARIAN
             You're checking out all of these?

                           ABNER
             Give that lady a cigar!

The librarian shoots ABNER a harsh look.  She reads a few of the
book titles to herself --




                           LIBRARIAN
             "Time of Noah and The Ark", "The Genesis
             Flood",  "The Search For Noah's Ark".
                     (eyeing the boy strangely)
             Why on earth do you want all these books
             about Noah's Ark?

                           ABNER
                     (spiritedly)            
             I'm working on a big bible-class project
             -- for the contest.  It's gonna be
             great.  No -- fantastic.  Displays,
             photos, even a model of the ark.  What
             it looks like up there on top of Mount
             Ararat.  First prize is a trip to the
             holy land: Jerusalem.
                           (cocky)
             They might as well just gimme the prize
             now. 

                           LIBRARIAN
             Sounds a little ambitious to me.

                           ABNER
             Ms. Rothhorn, competition's fierce these
             days.  You gotta go all out.  You just
             gotta.


EXT. ABNER'S HOUSE - DAY

The sun is shining brightly ... but it was pouring rain a second
ago ... a switch in locations perhaps? 

ABNER rides up to the house on his bike.


INT. ABNER'S HOUSE - FRONT DOOR - JUST AFTER       

ABNER marches inside with his bulging backpack weighing him down.

                           ABNER
             Mom!  I'm home!  Mom!

Silence.


INT. ABNER'S TIDY BEDROOM UPSTAIRS - JUST AFTER

ABNER upends his backpack and dumps out the library books onto his
bed.  He starts to neatly arrange the books on his desk.  

A BRIEF LOOK AT ABNER'S ROOM: It's well organized.  Everything in
its place.  ABNER is no ordinary kid.    

ABNER, puzzled, holds up a familiar looking book.  IT'S INDY'S
BOOK.

                           ABNER
             Where'd this come from?


He glances briefly at the author's photo on the back jacket.  

                           ABNER
                     (shrugging it off)
             Mustta got mixed in.  

CUT: Now ABNER is at a work table.  He pours melted candle wax
over sections of a foot-long popsicle stick model of NOAH'S ARK. 
The ark is painted to look rotted.  Jagged holes in the bow and
stern add convincingly to the effect.  The wax hardens as it
cools, adding even greater detail to the model: a simulated layer
of ice.  ABNER is a crafty one.  

Squatting on another table is a nearly finished paper-mache MT.
ARARAT (just its snow-capped peak has been duplicated).  White
cotton simulates the snow-cap.  A real professional job.   

PUSH IN SLOWLY ON THE FAKE MT. ARARAT.

                                             CUT TO:


EXT. THE REAL MOUNT ARARAT, TURKEY - SUN UP       
 
A vast aerial view of the mountain as seen from the under belly of
an airplane.  The snow-capped peaks reach up and threaten to knock
us out of the sky.


EXT. THE SKY OVER MT. ARARAT

A RECONNAISSANCE PLANE banks sharply, letting us see the SOVIET
RED STAR insignia on its wing.


EXT. SNOW COVERED LOWLANDS, RUSSIA - OVERCAST

The lines of a MILITARY AIRFIELD AND OUTPOST are visible behind a
veil of blowing snow.

UP CLOSE on the outpost sign written in Russian.  Its translation
appears on the screen: HEADQUARTERS -- SOVIET AIR COMMAND. 
     

INT. SOVIET A.C. - MAIN OPERATIONS - OVERCAST

The spacious ops. room is brightly lit.  A DOZEN AIRMEN man their
individual radar screens and communication stations.  The RADIO
CHATTER is in RUSSIAN.


INT. THE COMMANDING OFFICER'S CHAMBER - OVERCAST

The name plate on the desk is in Russian.  Its translation appears
on the screen: CAPT. YUGI VLADIMIROV.

VLADIMIROV, built like a bull, sits at his desk, reviewing the
day's reports.   He is a career military man in his early forties. 
The many plaques, the framed photos of him with Soviet leaders
present and old, tell us that VLADIMIROV is an important man.  

There's a sharp rap on the chamber door. 

                           VLADIMIROV (*subtitled*)
                     (curtly)
             Enter!

A YOUNG LIEUTENANT steps in with an air of urgency about him.

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT (*subtitled*)
             Excuse the interruption, comrade
             Captain.  But a routine reconnaissance
             flight has picked up...

And now through the magic of motion pictures the men speak in
English (no Russian accents please).  

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT
             ...has found something I think you
             should see.

The officer places A LARGE AERIAL PHOTO in front of his superior.

                           VLADIMIROV 
                     (testily)
             What am I looking at?

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT 
             Ariel photo: Mount Ararat.

                            VLADIMIROV 
             Why are you wasting my time with this?

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT 
             Please, if you will --

He swings over a photo magnifier on a retractable arm.

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT CONT.
             The section here.

VLADIMIROV reluctantly gives in and adjusts the magnifier.  He
looks down through the glass at the photo.  The area which the
anxious officer pointed out is now magnified.

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT 
             Do you see it, comrade Captain?

LOOKING DOWN through the magnifier ourselves, we can make out a
RECTANGULAR MASS protruding up through the ice and snow.

                           VLADIMIROV 
                     (intrigued now)
             Yes...something there.

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT
             Rectangular -- not a protrusion of 
             rock ... but something else.




                           VLADIMIROV 
             Yes ... too geometrical for mother
             nature.  Strange.  What mountain is
             this?  

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT 
             Mount Ararat, comrade Captain.

                           VLADIMIROV 
                     (thoughtfully)
             Ararat.

VLADIMIROV seems elsewhere as he leans back in his chair.

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT 
             Does something trouble you, comrade
             Captain?

                           VLADIMIROV
                     (thinking aloud to himself)
             Can it be...

                           YOUNG LIEUTENANT
             Beg your pardon, comrade Captain?

                           VLADIMIROV  
                     (back on earth)  
             How many have seen this photo?