Kevin Hohenberger

Atlas written by Kevin Hohenberger Insta: kevinhohenberger Logline: A young boy experiences wonder and horror on a flying airship. EXT. LANDING PAD - NIGHT A LARGE CROWD gathers on an empty platform. GUARDS, dressed head to toe in TEAL UNIFORMS, with RIFLES strapped to their back, force the crowd into a single file line. The crowd merges into a line, waiting impatiently. In the middle of the line is a SMALL GROUP OF MUSICIANS, dressed in FANCY TUXEDOUS. Each of them hold an INSTRUMENT CASE in their hand; all except CLAUDE NOSTINGTON, the group's VIOLINIST. He has young, JACK HALPO, carry his things for him. JACK How much longer, Claude? I wanna see it! Claude looks off into the distance, staring out at the dark clouds, lost in his own little world. Claude! JACK (CONT'D) Claude snaps out of his daydream. CLAUDE What do you want, Jack? JACK When am I gonna see it? MARLOW, the band's BASS PLAYER, pats Jack on the head. MARLOW Soon, Jacky, real soon. Just be patient. JACK You ever been on one, Marlow? MARLOW Sure, kid. Claude and I played plenty of shows in the sky. Ain't that right, Claude? Claude's still lost in his own little world, blocking out everything Marlow and Jack say. MARLOW (CONT'D) Eh he's just trying to get focused. VINCENT, the band's PIANIST, walks up to the group from outside the line. 2. VINCENT Hey fellas, let's go. I talked the guards into letting us on first. MARLOW That's what I like to hear. CLAUDE It's about time. Vincent leads the band to the front of the line. Jack lags behind, struggling to pull all of Claude's luggage. Jack TUGS and PULLS his way to the front as sweat drips from his head. Jealous ONLOOKERS in line LAUGH at the young boy as he fights for every inch to the front of the line. Jack finally reaches the front right when the ALARMS of the landing pad start RINGING. The ground begins to TREMBLE. Marlow looks over to Jack, whose eye are filled with giddy anticipation. MARLOW Hey, Jacky. Look up. Jack looks high in the sky. At first he only sees a sea of dark clouds. Nothing special. BUT THEN the clouds depart, a large wooden haul splits the sky in two as it lowers down onto the platform. Jack can soon make out the entire ship: a massive, wooden BARQUE the size of the TITANTIC, slowly descends. In place of the usual three flag-filled MASTS, the ship is being carried by GIGANTIC HOT AIR BALLOONS. JACK It's -- incredible. Marlow smiles, appreciating Jack's wonderment. MARLOW It sure is, Jacky. It sure is. The SHIP parks right in front of the line. A long wooden platform extends out of the side of the ship and out walks the ship's CONDUCTOR. CONDUCTOR All aboard! All aboard! Welcome to the greatest machine ever built by man. During your stay you will experience the heavens in the cozy confines of luxury! (MORE) 3. CONDUCTOR (CONT'D) Witness dazzling vistas and embrace soft, soothing music as we cruise through the clouds. Finally experience what it's like to be an angel, for tonight you are! Welcome to Atlas! The crowd erupts into cheers. Jack joins in on the clapping. Claude looks down at the boy and scoffs. CLAUDE Come on, kid. I got a martini waiting for me. The band walk up to the Conductor and pull out their TICKETS. Tickets. CONDUCTOR Vincent, Marlow, and the band's other member, FRANCIS, board first. CONDUCTOR (CONT'D) Thank you. Enjoy your flight. Claude and Jack approach the Conductor. Tickets. CONDUCTOR (CONT'D) Jack fumbles around his pockets, searching for Claude and his tickets but can't find them anywhere. Claude grows impatient. CLAUDE Hurry up, Jack. Jack searches faster. Finally he finds the tickets crumbled up in his back pocket. He nervously hands them over to the Conductor. The Conductor looks down at the boy in a condescending manner. He looks down at the tickets and inspects them closely. He takes a beat before he responds. CONDUCTOR Enjoy your flight. Jack lets out a sigh of relief. Claude and Jack walk up the platform and board the magnificent marvel that is ATLAS. EXT. ATLAS TOP FLOOR BALCONY - NIGHT A woman in a flowing PINK DRESS watches the crowd of people board the ship down below. The FULL MOON shines off her dress making it glow and giving her a blinding AURA. This is MIRA. 4. EXT. LANDING PAD - NIGHT As Jack climbs the platform a SHINING LIGHT strikes his eye. He looks up holding his hands above his eyes and makes out the figure of a lonely looking woman staring down at him. The two lock eyes. Jack smiles at her. Mira looks away. Jack drops his head and boards the Atlas. EXT. ATLAS TOP FLOOR BALCONY - NIGHT Mira looks up at the night sky. Staring out at the STARS. KONIG (O.S.) Watching the pigs arrive before they fly, are we? Out of the shadows steps, WERNER KONIG, the mastermind engineer behind the floating metropolis that is Atlas. MIRA They're people, Konig. KONIG Yes. Those ground dwellers are considered people, I suppose. Come now, my love, we don't have time to gaze at the sheep. It's time to dine with the lions. MIRA (emotionless) I can't wait. KONIG Why don't you smile a little more first, hun? Can't you smile for me, darling? Mira flashes a BIG, CHEESY, SMILE to him then quickly returns to her usual frown. Quickly, before Mira can even react, Konig rushes her and grabs Mira by the mouth, forcing her lips forward. KONIG (CONT'D) I said -- SMILE! Mira tearfully forces a smile and tries her best to make it seem genuine. KONIG (CONT'D) Good. Was that so hard? 5. Konig releases his grip. KONIG (CONT'D) Now, tonight is a very special night and I will not have your mood swings ruin it. A very important guest is here and we must impress him. Understand? Mira stares at the fat, little man. She wipes the tears from her eyes and straightens her stance. MIRA I understand. KONIG Good girl. Now go take some Sunshine and we'll get going. Mira nods and walks off to the bathroom. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Mira looks at herself in the mirror. A small amount of smeared makeup drips from her eyes. She wipes it off and redoes her mascara. She opens up her mirror cabinet and pulls out a BOTTLE labeled SUNSHINE and a PENCIL lying next to it. She plops one PILL out into her palm. She stares at the pill for a beat. She stares up at her reflection in the mirror then back down at the pill. She closes her palm and crushes the pill. She then turns on the faucet and wipes the residue off her hands. She closes up the bottle and turns it over. On the bottom of the bottle is the number: "27", written in pencil. Mira wipes off the "27" and writes "26" on the bottom, then places the bottle back into the cabinet. EXT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Mira hangs around Konig's shoulder as he leads a group of BUSINESSMEN down a hall filled with glass walls, providing an incredible view of the night skyline. At the head of the group is wealthy entrepreneur, LEROY CHESTERFIELD. KONIG Leroy, I'm telling you now is the time to buy. The profits are up ten percent and they only keep rising. (MORE) 6. KONIG (CONT'D) Work place efficiency is also at an all time high. I'm telling you, the Airship is the future. Konig drags on about stats and "the future" but Mira doesn't listen. She barely can keep her eyes open. Her only interest being the pale moon vibrantly glowing outside the windows. KONIG (CONT'D) -- and that's why there isn't any other ship like her. Isn't that right, dear? Mira snaps out of it, realizing Konig is speaking to her. MIRA Uhh -- yes -- that's right. Mira produces her fake smile for the businessmen and that's enough to keep the conversation going, though Konig gives her a sour glare. Approaching the group from down the hall is Claude and Jack. Mira looks ahead and catches Jack's gaze once again. The young boy is enamored by Mira's presence. This time she doesn't turn her gaze from him but the two continue to lock eyes as they pass one another. As Jack leaves her point of view Mira continues on ahead not looking back. As she reaches the end of the hall she allows herself a quick glance back down the hall to see that Jack is still looking at her. She allows herself a small half-smile to the boy. Jack smiles back. Then she turns the corner and vanishes. INT. BAR - NIGHT Claude and Jack sit up at the bar. A mechanical, silver colored, BARTENDER, approaches the two. BARTENDER (robotic) What will it be, gentlemen? CLAUDE I'll have a martini. Shaken not stirred. The kid will have a Coke. BARTENDER Coming right up. Jack takes a look around the crowded bar. It too is filled with large windows, showing off the starry night. 7. JACK This sure is something else. The robot bartender comes by with their drinks. Claude takes a refreshing sip of his martini. Suddenly it's as if a weight has been lifted from Claude's shoulders and he can finally relax now. CLAUDE There is something about floating through the heavens that awakens the soul of an artist. JACK This place inspires you too? CLAUDE I'd be sad if it didn't. Trust me, kid, you're in for a show tonight. We play our best music up here in the sky. JACK I can't wait. You guys play here a lot? CLAUDE A good amount. The people enjoy us, not sure if ol' Konig does though. JACK Who's that? CLAUDE The asshole that built this floating palace. Woah. JACK CLAUDE He's a blowhard. Gets in the way of musicians sometimes. But he knows to stay clear of me. JACK Really? Is he afraid of you, Claude? CLAUDE Heh maybe not me personally but my music? Oh yeah. That's something Konig can never get his greedy paws on. (MORE) 8. CLAUDE (CONT'D) Music is something you feel deep down in the pit of your soul and Konig don't have one. Only cares about the green not the art. He doesn't know how to handle someone who does it just for the love of it. STRANGER (O.S.) I couldn't agree more. Jack and Claude turn toward the end of the bar where an older gentlemen sits, twirling his glass of whiskey around. STRANGER (CONT'D) Music is expression. Music is freedom. It's love. None of these things does a man like Konig understand. CLAUDE You know him well? STRANGER As well as any other. I know his creation the best. For this place is my home now. As beautiful as the view may be I fear it might be tearing at my very essence a bit. Too mechanical. I long for the surface. CLAUDE Trust me pal, you ain't missing much down there. Nothing but dog eat dog. STRANGER Yes and that is where the best music comes from! From turmoil. From struggle. For music is the only remedy for such things. Truly there would be reason to go mad were it not for music. CLAUDE I'll drink to that, mister --? TCHAIKOVSKY Tchaikovsky. Pytor Tchaikovsky. Claude nearly spits out his drink when he hears the name. 9. CLAUDE I had no idea. I'm a huge fan. Jack has stopped listening to the conversation. His attention turned to Mira who stands at the edge of a railing on the top floor of the bar, again looking down on all the patrons below. Jack looks up at her, hoping she'll find his gaze yet again. Finally Mira notices the boy and the two lock eyes. She stares at him for a beat then points to a balcony outside. Jack gets up from his seat and walks toward the balcony. CLAUDE (CONT'D) I was just telling Jack that, wasn't I -- Jack? EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT Jack waits at the edge of the balcony looking out at the vast cloudscape before him. Mira approaches him from behind. MIRA This is your first time on an airship isn't it? Jack turns and is stunned by Mira's beauty so close up. He stands frozen unable to formulate words. Y-y-yes. JACK MIRA I remember my first time. I was about your age. So full of wonder. Wanting to see the heavens. To reach out and grab them with my hands. JACK Do y-y-you live here? MIRA Mmhmm. At the very top. JACK Woah. What's that like? Cold. MIRA Mira smiles but the joke goes over Jack's head. 10. JACK You don't have fire up there? Mira laughs. MIRA You're funny. Tell me why are you here? JACK I'm helping the band. The Four Stars. Mira stares at him then turns away, facing out toward the sky. JACK (CONT'D) I'm Jack, by the way. MIRA Hello Jack, I'm Mira. Jack blushes when he hears her say his name. He looks down at the ground. JACK Can I ask you a question -- Mira? MIRA Sure, Jack. JACK You look -- sad. Mira half smiles at him. The truth stinging. MIRA That's not a question, Jack. JACK Oh I -- I mean -- are you? MIRA You know -- you're the first person to ever ask me that. JACK What about your husband? Doesn't he ask? MIRA (scoffs) Konig wouldn't even care if I jumped off this ship. 11. JACK You're married to Konig? MIRA Yes. Why do you know him? JACK I've only heard stories. MIRA Oh. And what do these stories say? JACK I'd rather not say. MIRA Go ahead. I can keep a secret. JACK I heard all he cares about is money. MIRA Heh. True, Konig would sell his kids for food if he were starving. JACK Then why are you married to him? Mira looks over at Jack touched by the boy's naiveté. MIRA It's -- complicated. Everything is so -- complicated. JACK Music isn't. MIRA Is that so? JACK (passionate) Yeah. Music is simple. It's uh -it's expression. A feeling you get. When you hear good music you can feel it run through your body. Like -- like uh -Just then in the distance a LIGHTING BOLT strikes. JACK (CONT'D) Like a lighting bolt shooting through your body! (MORE) 12. JACK (CONT'D) You hear it and you feel it. Nothing complicated about it. MIRA That's a nice way of looking at it. I wish more things were like that. JACK Why can't they be? Claude comes out on the balcony. CLAUDE Hey Jack let's go. The show starts in twenty. JACK I'll be right there! (turns to Mira) You should come watch. They're really good. They'll make you feel something. Promise. MIRA That sounds nice, but I can't. Why not? JACK Mira looks up through the window into the bar to see Konig laughing it up with Leroy and the businessmen. MIRA I just can't. It was nice meeting you, Jack. Mira brushes past Jack and walks to the door. JACK Wait. Can I see you again? Mira stops. She turns her head away from the boy. A tear falls from her eye. She quickly wipes it away then turns to Jack. MIRA Here. Tonight. After the show. I'll be waiting. JACK (smiles big) I'll be there. Mira smirks and walks inside. 13. MIRA You better. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT Claude and the band tune their instruments up on stage. A small crowd fills the lounge. Jack waits eagerly for the show to begin behind the stage. INT. BAR (THIRD FLOOR) - NIGHT Konig talks with Leroy by the edge of the third story railing. The two exchange firm handshakes. Mira returns to Konig's side. LEROY You have yourself a deal, Werner. Chesterfield Industries just got in the flying business. KONIG You won't regret it, Leroy, I promise you that. Ah Mira! How good of you to rejoin us. MIRA Pardon my absence. I needed some fresh air. LEROY Of course, dear. Konig. Leroy winks at Konig then returns to his group of cronies. Konig waits for Leroy to get far enough away to get in Mira's face. KONIG (angered whisper) Where the hell were you? MIRA Getting some air. Bullshit. KONIG MIRA I wouldn't lie to you. Konig leans close to Mira and SNIFFS her. She smells as she always does, like the over priced perfume Konig forces her to wear. 14. KONIG You're on thin ice, Mira. I could replace you -(snaps his finger) -- like that. You should see what Edwards is doing with his robotics. Soon a man can pick the perfect mate with a click of a button. MIRA Doesn't that sound -- great. KONIG I think you need more Sunshine. Konig grabs Mira tightly by the arm and drags her toward the stairs. KONIG (CONT'D) (to Leroy) Leroy enjoy yourself. I have to return my wife to bed, she's been drinking. Leroy waves goodbye to the couple. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT The band's ready. The audience eagerly waits in the dim lit room. Claude pulls the microphone close to his lips. CLAUDE Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we are The Four Stars and we'll be your entertainment this evening. Boys. One, two, one, two, three. The band breaks out into explosive BEBOP JAZZ. The audience is loving it. Claude gets lost in his own little world, ripping into a lighting-quick violin solo. Jack can't help but move his feet. The atmosphere is electric. INT. KONIG'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Konig drags Mira by the hair into their apartment and throws her down on the ground. He loosens his belt and tears it from his pants. KONIG You've been acting up lately, Mira. I can't have that. It's time I teach you a lesson. 15. Mira tries to crawl away as Konig WHIPS her back with his belt. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT Jack twists and turns as Claude and the band give a hell of a show. The music has transported him, and all the other spectators, into a world of raw feeling and emotion. INT. KONIG'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Mira's back is beaten and bloodied now as Konig whips back and forth, back and forth. KONIG There! Are! Rules! And you will obey! Please! MIRA Mira turns on her back to face Konig. She reaches out a hand, hoping to calm the man. MIRA (CONT'D) Please, I'll be good. I promise. KONIG Give someone too many chances and they'll take advantage of you. Konig SLASHES the belt at Mira's face splitting her forehead open. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT Claude and the band finish their song, all sweating and panting after giving their all to their craft. CLAUDE Thank you, you've all been great. The audience gives the band a standing ovation. One more! AUDIENCE MEMBER The audience cheers louder. CLAUDE You asked for it. Boys? 16. The rest of the band nods with big grins. CLAUDE (CONT'D) One, two, three! INT. KONIG'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Konig bends over to catch his breath. He leans back on his white couch and wipes the sweat from his forehead. Mira slowly crawls away from him, trying to reach a GOLDEN VIOLIN displayed in the middle of the room. Konig stands up from the couch. He slowly moves towards Mira, unaware where she's headed to. KONIG You can't escape me, baby. Mira reaches the bottom of the display case and reaches up for the violin. Konig raises his belt and is ready to strike down. Mira turns just in time and SWINGS the violin, striking Konig across the jaw. The fat man falls back on his ass. Mira pushes herself up to her feet. She walks over to Konig, violin in hand. Mira raises the violin over Konig's head. He holds up his hand to block the blow, but Mira breaks right through it, the violin cracking the top of Konig's head. KONIG (CONT'D) Mira don't, please! You can't do this to me! I love you! MIRA You don't know what it means to love someone. Mira CRACKS the violin HARD over Konig's head, splitting his skull and killing the man. He slumps forward and falls face first on the marble floor. Mira keeps beating Konig's corpse until the golden violin is nothing more than shattered pieces of wood. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT Jack congratulates the band as they walk off stage leaving behind a cheering crowd. JACK That was amazing! Claude smiles at the boy and pats him on the head. 17. CLAUDE All came from the soul, Jacky boy. Claude hands his violin to Jack who then carefully puts it in it's case. INT. HALLWAY (OUTSIDE LOUNGE) - NIGHT Jack walks with the standing outside on her. Claude notices case from the boy's band back to their room when he sees Mira the balcony. Jack stops and stares at and walks up to Jack and takes the violin hand. CLAUDE You know she's dangerous right? JACK No she ain't. CLAUDE (scoffs) Go on, kid. I can carry my shit. Claude pats Jack on the head and walks off. Jack smiles at him then walks outside. EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT Mira, blood filling her pink dress and face, stares out at the night sky. A calm look runs across her face. Jack walks up to her. JACK You missed a hell of a show. So I hear. MIRA JACK Maybe next time. MIRA Maybe. Tell me, Jack. Do you think there's more than just this? Something more out there past the clouds? JACK I don't -- I don't know. Why? MIRA I hope so, Jack. I really do. 18. Mira? JACK Mira turns to Jack to reveal her bloody appearance. JACK (CONT'D) Mira! What happened? MIRA I'm free now, Jack. Finally free. JACK You need a doctor, Mira. You're bleeding. I'm fine. MIRA Jack turns toward the door. JACK I'll go get someone. Jack. MIRA Mira reaches out her hand and stops Jack. Mira pulls him close and kisses the boy on the forehead. MIRA (CONT'D) Thank you for caring. Jack stares into the woman's cold, dead eyes. JACK I'm gonna get help. Jack turns and runs to the door. Mira walks over to the railing and stands on top of it. Jack looks back and sees Mira. Mira no! JACK (CONT'D) Mira turns and faces Jack and smiles big. MIRA Goodbye, Jack. Mira extends out her hands and falls back. Jack rushes after her but he's too late. She's gone. Lost into the clouds with a big, bright smile across her face. FADE TO BLACK.