[Interior, Brooklyn Apartment]
It was a cool wednesday night in Brooklyn, following a dreary day of on and off rain that postponed Andy's scheduled run to 10 in the evening. Andy, an exceptionally handsome man had already consumed a good deal of water that day and after finishing a bowl of Raisin Nuts, and reading the New York Times, was eager to run over the Williamsburg Bridge, a hallmark in his marathon training, one that avoided traffic, and provided an amazing view of the city. Keeping his eyes glued to "Weather on the 1," combined with a hand out the window, the best meteorologist equipment he could find, he was certain that the storm had passed. What he didn't know was that the real storm was yet to come!
[Wide angle of the City of New York]
[Cut to Nasa Headcourters]
Dr. Cloudsby: This can't be right... (fumbles with the radar equipment) This can't be right at all. Proffesor, you have to see this!
Prof. Rainstrum: (looks over the data feverishly) Did you check it with the North East Conservatory?
Dr. Cloudsby: Of Course, but neither of us have seen a weather pattern of this magnitude. The High pressure coming in from the Rockies has collided with Hurricane Hannah heading northeast which appears to be in direct route with an Atlantic moving tsunami, which means the storm is going to hit...
(Both of their fingers pan across the computer and meet)
Prof. Rainstrum: The Williamsburg Bridge!
[cut to a fishing boat off the coast of Long Island]
Capt. Fred Waters: (gathers the crew) Hey boys, I know we've been at sea for 3 months and you haven't seen your family or friends in that time, but I wanted to congratulate you on the best year we've had yet! (Everyone toasts) We can go home with money in our pockets, beer in our stomachs, and plenty of crabs.
Mark: I think Tommy's already got that covered. (Everyone laughs) Hey Cap, is it just me or does the horizon line appear to be getting higher?
Capt. Waters: That's not the horizon line...it's... NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
[Cut to Brooklyn]
Andy: (talking to his roommates) I'll see you guys in a bit, looks like I'll be running after all. Hey remember to tell your friends to donate to Fred's Team for the marathon. You could be helping save a person with cancer. (Andy has always been a caring soul, and comments like that were common amongst his friends)
Friends: (mockingly) Don't drop the baton!
(In College, Andy dropped the baton on the final leg of the State finals to lose the heat. He's never lived it down)
[Pan shot, following Andy's feet]
[Wide shot, from the ground up at Andy's silhouette against the street lights at the base of the Williamsburg Bridge, the sky rumbling and a few sprinkles of rain]
Directors note: If the pure site of Andy's body in the glistening rain is too magnificent for the camera, then put a soft diffuser on the lens.
Andy: Aw well, a little rain never killed anybody (off in the distance a woman screams)
The rain is getting more intense and Andy sees people on bikes and runners hastily moving down the bridge. The sky is a milky red and the clouds seem to be circling above. In an apartment next to the bridge, a boy grips his teddy bear as he watches a newscaster explain the life ending severity of the storm. Andy has just passed over the bridge onto the Manhattan side and although his instincts tell him the weather is dangerously out of hand, his thoughts go out to the young children in Africa running fifteen miles at a time for a clean cup off water.
Andy: I can't let them down
Rain and hale pummel the bridge and it's hard to make out where the next step is. Andy is soaked to the bone as he gets nearer to the summit. There is a crash of thunder and lightning strikes the bridge several times. Andy can just make out the figure of a woman up ahead holding the railing
Woman: (crying out) Help me, help! Is there anybody there, my baby, I've lost my child.
Andy: (rushing up to her) stay calm... just stay calm, where was your child last.
Woman: I don't know, I can't see anything, she could be anywhere!!
Andy laces his shoes tight, maybe for the last time and runs past the woman. He hears the faint sound of a scream up ahead as a little girl desperately grips the side railing, ready to be thrown into the air. Andy runs over and grabs her
[Close up of girl]
Girl: Don't drop me, you can't let go!
[flashback to dropping the baton, with overlaying images in slow motion of African kids passing out from sun. Andy stumbles. It doesn't look like he's going to make it. Suddenly there is silence and the rain stops dead. The eye of the storm is overhead. (Amazing CG effects) Everything is quiet, when Andy hears a voice that he swears is coming from the sky.]
Directors note: If possible, the actor playing the voice, if not by the versatile Andy, should be played by Morgan Freedman, or James Earl Jones
Voice: (deep in tone) Andy, you must go on, you must keep fighting. This isn't just a marathon anymore, it's the"Human Race." I believe in you...
Andy could have sworn that he heard traces of his father in the voice, dying a week after andy graduated College in a tragic Bass fishing accident. As the voice fades away, the storm comes surging back worse then before, the bridge swaying from side to side.
Andy: I got you, I'm never letting go.
Andy holds on to the child and once reuniting the mother with the girl carries both of them on his back to safety just as the bridge collapsed behind them
[ fade out]
[Overlay text onto black background]
After running in more than 50 marathons Andy was asked to run the anchor position in the 500m at the Olympics where he broke the world record, giving all his endorsement money to various charities around the world.
He never let go of that baton.
"The Human Race"
Based on a true story
Directed by Steven Speildburg
music by John Williams and Tom Jones
The release date is pending.
"This combines some of the best movie genres ever (apocalyptic weather disaster movie, indie ode to New York City, dangerous ocean-based job thriller, somber Africa-based morality drama) in one fantastic romp. 4 stars. Don't forget the popcorn and make sure you go to the bathroom first - you won't want to miss a second!"
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