FADE IN: STILL PHOTOGRAPHS of slim, silver-haired ENZA ABRAHAMIAN, 40, in long dark dress, meeting with 1960's WORLD LEADERS.  

FADE TO:

EXT. TOWERING MOUNTAIN RANGE -- DAY 

The mountains have white crowns, snows blend with fast moving clouds and surreal skies.  Fore colors are all neutral shades. 

SUPERTITLE: "Biblical Land of Ararat In Central Asia .  Today."

EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE -- DAY 

Enza Abrahamian, 88, average-size figure wrapped in sackcloth dress with a shawl around her head and face, CLIP-CLOPS up a narrow path on a donkey.  She DISMOUNTS, gazes into a valley.

ENZA

To end the centuries of killing, I make this journey, perhaps my last.  

She WHIPS a sack over her shoulder, STUFFS a small package into the saddle, then SLAPS the donkey's ass. 

ENZA

Donkey, go home!  

The donkey SNORTS OUT a PROTESTING NOISE.  

They proceed in opposite directions, both with last looks of uncertainty.

SFX: DISTANT ECHOES LIKE HELICOPTER ROTORS

ENZA (looking up)

Maybe I am crazy, but if they won't make peace now, to hell with them all.

She climbs into a fog bank.

FADE TO:

EARTH FROM SPACE 

The west coast of America is visible at one end of the earth's arc, with Asia Minor at the extreme opposite end.  Then ... 

EXT. THE PENTAGON BUILDING , WASHINGTON D.C.(ESTABLISHING) -- DAY 

SFX: PAPERS SHUFFLING, RAPID STRIKING OF COMPUTER KEYS. 

INT. PENTAGON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAMBER (EXCOM) -- DAY

Grainy VIDEO FLICKERS of slim, silver-haired ENZA ABRAHAMIAN, 40, in negotiations with more Now-DECEASED WORLD LEADERS. 

SECRETARY RODMAN, 50, pointy head in a suit PUSHES papers with an official attitude, as blond female aide in uniform, MAJOR DICKEY, 35, POUNDS laptop keys.  STAFFERS study wall-size maps. RED AREAS mark global trouble spots.   

SUPERTITLE: "Pentagon Executive Committee Room (EXCOM) 2 PM" 

Rodman peers down his nose into a folder, but he is actually examining Dickey's attractive profile. 

SECRETARY RODMAN

You look tired, Dickey. 

DICKEY

Boss is back tomorrow, Mr. Secretary.   

SECRETARY RODMAN

That makes us both happy.            

(re: woman in video)

This is silly, Enza Abrahamian, she's pushing 90 now. 

DICKEY

She was negotiating another cease fire when she disappeared.  

Dickey's fingers FLY OVER laptop keys.  Rodman notices. 

SECRETARY RODMAN

But Azerstan?  I can't bring the President down for this. 

DICKEY

There is the whole case establishing our national interest.  

He sees her nod to a report, which he SNATCHES up, raises an eyebrow, smiles, then becomes worried, glancing at her.

EARTH FROM SPACE 

Barely noticeable, the shadow of

night approaches Asia Minor . 

Then, descend through clouds on Los Angeles , California area. 

INT. NURSING HOME HALLWAY -- MORNING

SUPERTITLE: "Sisters of Hollywood Nursing Home, 11 AM Pacific." 

It is high VISITING-HOUR ACTIVITY and HUBBUB with wheelchair-bound ELDERS, NURSING STAFF, and FAMILY MEMBERS SOCIALIZING.

SOFT FEMALE VOICE (Over the Speaker)

Code Blue, Room 601....  Room 601.  

A NURSE reacts to the announcement by calmly walking off but almost no one else notices. 

RESIDENT HANNAH, 70, leans toward SKIP, 28, who bears a strong resemblance, sporting a suede jacket with collar turned up. 

HANNAH

Wha-at!  What was that?  

SKIP

 (glancing at a clock)

Nothing.  Room 601!  A coronary! 

HANNAH

Well... no need for that.  Sounded like today's movie.

SKIP                     (mutters)

Same thing. 

HANNAH

Same thing, Ha, very funny.  

She HITS the TV remote.  It's the Surgery Channel.  

HANNAH

You ever watch surgery on TV? 

SKIP

I hate seeing all that stuff inside.  

HANNAH

I plan all my spare time around it.  Learning how to fix what's wrong.  I'll be a doctor in my next life.  

Skip smiles, seems to consider his mother like a fond memory.

SKIP

Oh, Ma, how I do love you.              (taking her hand)

Happy Mother's Day.  

She grasps his hand tighter.  He grasps hers tighter.  They both hold tight.  

We OVERHEAR in the background a HAND-SLAP, and a BOY CRY.  

WOMAN'S VOICE

I told you three times not to hit you sister.  Now stop your noise, I hardly touched you.  Let's go.

BOY

You go.  Fly off on your broom.

The frazzled-looking WOMAN with her BOY BREEZE by the doorway. 

SKIP          

(taps Hannah's hand)

I gotta finish this interview I'm doing, Ma.  I'll try to get back. 

HANNAH

Who cares, you hardly come around since the big new job, Fancy Pants.

INT. EXCOM CHAMBER -- SIDE OFFICE -- MORNING  

Rodman WHIPS OPEN a side office door, follows Dickey inside.  

DICKEY

Mr. Secretary, we don't have to --   

SECRETARY RODMAN                 (impatiently)

The Political-Military Plan stipulates no intervention.  Even if we prevent massive human suffering -- 

(yanks his specs off)

I don't know.  I can't believe she's the only key to a successful peace. 

DICKEY

She knows both sides.  One leader is a nephew.  She grew up with the other.  

The Secretary seems reluctant to pay more attention. 

DICKEY

She is the grandmother of General Riccio's wife. 

SECRETARY RODMAN

The President won't like these biological threats.  He thinks Azerstan's a side-show. 

DICKEY

It's not about the pol-mil plan, it's something else, isn't it? 

EARTH FROM SPACE 

A satellite rotates, camera shutters open and close. 

INT. LATE-MODEL MERCEDES -- MORNING 

NEIL RICCIO, 45 but looks 35, with an erect military bearing, approaches a YELLOW traffic light, caught between speeding through it, or braking hard.  He BRAKES. 

ROXY ABRAHAMIAN-RICCIO, 32, pregnant with sultry dark looks, LURCHES forward.  She makes annoyed faces and gestures while touching up makeup in the mirror.  ANA, 10, fidgets in back.

NEIL

I never saw anyone so confident on the outside, and insecure inside. 

ROXY

Look in a mirror, Herr Field Marshal.  

Neil checks Ana, bursting with desire to respond in spades. 

ROXY

Rommel is your hero, right? 

NEIL

Thank God, we're almost there. 

ROXY

Why not, Neil -- you get along so great with scumbag Yousuf. 

NEIL

I don't hate him. 

ROXY

I don't, either ... particularly.  He's a lot like you, sleazy.  

Neil shakes his head like it couldn't be true. 

NEIL

Whatever... just drop it, will you? 

ANA

Daddy, if the world --  

ROXY

You're both militant, both sleazy.  Just different ways.  

He massages his neck, smiles like Roxy doesn't know anything. 

NEIL

Me huh?  Who's a backstabbing lawyer? 

ROXY

I go by the book. 

NEIL

So do I. 

ROXY

I hate that secret book of yours.  

He nods as though saying, Likewise.  Then -- 

SUDDEN METAL SCRAY-YAY-PING as another CAR SIDESWIPES their Mercedes.  The car SQUEALS AWAY. 

Neil TEARS OFF after them. 

NEIL

He endangered the whole family!  He must be stopped! 

ROXY

It's not worth it!  

He CHASES the car, SCREECHING AROUND a sharp corner. 

ANA

                      (crying)

                  Noooo! 

NEIL

So, help me, Roxy!  Call the cops!  We're chasing a hit and run here!  

INT. ENZA'S KITCHEN -- WASHINGTON -- DAY 

Spectacular views include ocean, city, gardens, perched high.

A bottle of Ararat brandy PLUNKS down hard on the counter, but looming YOUSUF HASSAIN, 45, big hands, Mediterranean good-looks, continues RIFLING through cabinets for something. 

YOUSUF          

 ( Middle East accent)

Rachel, where is my Turkish brandy?   

           RACHEL        

   (off camera)

Enza threw it out.  

Yousuf CLOSES one final cabinet with a TH-WANG of disgust. 

Burly, blue-eyed ARAM , 60, strolls in with a kind smile, thick gray hair, empty rock glass in hand.

ARAM

Have this.  It's good.  

He pours out some of the Ararat brandy. 

YOUSUF

I won't drink that tea.  I had mine, but, predictably it was taken away.

ARAM

You go easy now.  It's Enza's house, whatever your feelings are.  Respect.  

Aram ends with a wag of his finger, and removes himself to...

THE PARLOR  

He sits next to RACHEL, 48, wavy black hair with lots of appealing gray.  At first sight her black clothing resembles a nun's, but then we see it is a Muslim woman's dress.  Aram CLICKS through TV channels until ...  

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT(On TV)

... in the meantime, Jeff, this War On Terror just drags on.  Max Kreiger reporting from Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia . 

RACHEL        

 (calling to the kitchen)

Yousuf, honey, don't eat the baklava in the fridge, it's bad. 

KITCHEN 

Yousuf QUITS devouring a pastry, GAGS as she speaks.  Then he REOPENS the liquor cabinet, considers other fine choices.

Aram returns to the kitchen, his thick chest sticking out.

ARAM

I checked that special family trust you suggested. 

YOUSUF

So, yes ... what?  

Yousuf opens a new bottle of aged Irish whiskey. 

RACHEL

(from the parlor)

Not another tax scheme, Aram !  The two of you are going to drag us into the deep vorig.  The 11 o'clock news! 

YOUSUF

The Jews know how, right?  Make a trust, establish residency abroad but don't live there?  No tax.

ARAM

We saw Roxy.  We don't like the idea. 

YOUSUF

Ba-ah, divorce lawyers don't know.  

Yousuf ends with an expression of, Who Cares, and shrugs. 

YOUSUF

Pay more taxes.  Not smart business.  

Aram 's eyes become hostile as he watches Yousuf in his expensive casual clothes, savoring the whiskey.

ARAM

Who knows business?  You -- living off a woman's family?  Or me? 

YOUSUF            

 (an egoistic grin)

Depends on what you call business.

ARAM

Always a beast.            

 (SHOUTS to Rachel)

Slimy things you sleep with, Rachel. 

YOUSUF

You are so full of hate.  I love it. 

RACHEL

Shut-up, you two!  

Rachel CHARGES in, stands between them, then puts pot-holders on.  Aram and Yousuf try to grind each other down with stares.

ARAM

Sorry.  The artist, the revolutionary, tries to wheedle things his way. 

YOUSUF

Agh -- you're crazy.

ARAM

Splitting things that way helps you. 

RACHEL       

 (opening the hot stove)

Enough!  We're not doing this today! 

YOUSUF

Helps everyone, you, Rachel, not me.

ARAM

You're married, benefits you.  That was not Enza's intent. 

YOUSUF

You want more because your wife died? 

RACHEL         

 (SLAMMING stove door)

Stop it!  It won't affect us, Yousuf.  

She SLAPS the mits on her hips, glares at each of them.

RACHEL

You always do whatever you want, Aram .  Leave Yousuf alone.

ARAM

He deserves it.

         (walking out)

The artist.  The revolutionary... 

YOUSUF

Rag peddler.  Fresno Jew.  

Rachel taps Yousuf on the chest, avoids pointing her finger.

ARAM

Jeee-ha-ad!  Yeee-hah!  Jeee--Ha-ad!  

She looks Yousuf into continued silence.

LIVING ROOM

ARAM

Of course, after Grigor and the Church get their share, there's nothing.  

Aram sits under a picture of Enza with a WORLD LEADER.

SATELLITE POV OF SPACE 

Closer shot of the rugged Asia Minor region, crossroads of Europe, Asia, Russia , and Africa, source of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers .  

EXT. TOWERING MOUNTAIN RANGE -- DAY 

An old RED CROSS helicopter FLIES straight into a low bright sun, long shadow trailing behind.  The motor SPUTTERS black exhaust streaks.

INT. HELICOPTER COCKPIT POV -- CONTINUOUS

A scruffy dark-skinned PILOT, 30, has spectacular mountain views SHAKING from WIND GUSTS and VIBRATING to ROTOR NOISE. 

PILOT(into microphone with accent)

Yes, it's a hell of a day to commit suicide!  But, I'll try to bring her out!  

The landscape is harsh, a semi-arid plateau region with one giant mountain behind, and a slightly lower peak approaching. 

EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE TRAIL -- AFTERNOON 

Enza TRUDGES up a steeper path.  She CALLS on her cell phone. 

ENZA

Yahmed...   

FADE TO: 

Brown discs LANDING on a metal surface, STRIKING with CLUNKS.

EXT. NARROW EARTHEN STREET -- DAY 

SUPERTITLE: 75 Years Before. 

SFX: DISTANT THUNDER.  RHYTHM OF DRUM BEATING. 

EXT. EARLY 1900'S KARMENIAN FARMHOUSE -- AFTERNOON 

Enza, 12, HURLS discs up on the metal roof of the house.  They CLUNK.  She wipes her hands over her long soiled dress. 

A stout TOWN CRIER with loose puffy pants and DRUM strapped to his chest BEATS down the street of squat mudbrick homes.  

CRIER

6 o'clock ...  All quiet .... 

ENZA continues PATTING clay-like material into the discs. 

EXT. KARMENIAN FARMHOUSE -- NIGHT 

Enza DRAGS BLOCKS of ice, PUSHES them into the house. 

INT. MAIN ROOM OF EARLY 1900'S

KARMENIAN HOME -- CONTINUOUS 

A huge fireplace CRACKLES up flames.  An iron stove glows. 

ONE SIDE OF THE ROOM  

Serious barrel-chested ALEXAN, 50, and thin UNCLE ABEY, 45, both dressed in vertical-striped baggy pants, black belt wraps, heavy shirts and white collars.  Alexan has piercing blue eyes, neat gray beard, Abey has a sharp pointed moustache, PLAYS PEPPY TUNE on the reed flute.  

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM  

Enza and mother NAOMI have thick black headbands, colorful shawls and embroidered belts.  Enza SNAPS beans, Naomi uses a HAND-CRANKING sewing machine.  Charlie, 16, LOADS a sling-shot rifle, wearing a brimless cloth hat with black band, red top, tassel in back.

Enza PLUNKS a disc into the stove.  It SIZZLES, FLAMES up. 

ENZA

Mama, why did you name me Enza? 

NAOMI

Like Noah means 'Rest' because he gave comfort from evil, you are our gift.  So it is your name.  

She kisses Enza on the cheek.  But Enza displays no affect. 

ENZA

Are we from Adam and Eve, or Noah?  

Alexan drifts over, puts an arm around Naomi, takes a fig. 

NAOMI

Adam and Eve's descendants died in the flood.  Except Noah.  

ALEXAN

God blessed Noah and his descendants. 

Abey PLAYS a FLOURISH on his flute. 

ALEXAN

(lofty voice)

God said, All the beasts of the earth I give you.  Be fruitful.  As a sign of my pact I make a bow of color for the clouds.  

ENZA

 (without energy)

Those are rainbows, I know that.  

CHARLIE

So God killed everyone, Muslims, Russians, everyone else? 

Charlie pretends to play his sling-rifle like it was a flute, LAUGHS. 

NAOMI

So what did God teach by the flood? 

ENZA

Everyone is bad?  

The adults smile. 

ENZA (CONT)

Everyone is bad, except us?

NAOMI

All were untruthful.  Telling the truth is the only way to know what is right in God's eyes, what God wants to have happen.  You see now? 

ENZA

Tell the truth, and everything will come out right, the way God wants.  And I will go to heaven with you, and Noah. 

ALEXAN

Yes, child.  Good, that is good.  

Charlie loses interest, makes SHOOTING SOUNDS with the rifle.

CHARLIE

Pa!  Pa!  Pa-a!  Pa-pa-pa-pa-ahh! 

INT. MAIN ROOM OF EARLY 1900'S KARMENIAN HOME -- NIGHT 

SFX: DRUM BEATING. DISTANT THUNDER. FINE RAIN. 

The Crier walks by.  

CRIER

Our Brave New Leaders are implementing reforms to benefit all subjects of the Empire!  For security of the Homeland, weapons must be turned in immediately!  Anyone found with weapons after tomorrow will be hanged for the benefit of all subjects....