Script for Relapse

The LEM and command module are spinning through space as the scene
starts. The LEM will disconnect from the command module and will
start its decent to the moon. While this is happening text will
appear on the screen giving context about the mission as well as
dialog from Houston and the astronauts.
Houston:
Apollo 18 your trajectory is confirmed, you are go for
separation.
Dave:
Roger that Houston we’re going for separation

The LEM will disconnect from the command module and start its
decent to the moon.

Dave:
Separation confirmed Houston.
Houston:
Roger that,
Dave:
We’re going for a 180-degree turn for LEM decent

Outside shot of the ship as it rotates 180 degrees

Dave:
Can you confirm a correct orientation Houston?
Houston:
Roger that Apollo 18, correct orientation confirmed.
Dave:
Engaging auto pilot for first 90,000 ft of decent.
(To Al) How’s the altitude?
Al hits the dial in frustration as it stops working and locks up,
the dial then corrects itself and shows a decent fall of around
75,000ft
Al:
89,000 feet and descending at 300ft per second.
Houston:
Roger that Apollo 18 and trajectory looks good

The sun light moves a bit and causes a lens flare in the camera
illuminating the ship and the 2 astronauts

Dave:
Al… Can you just check the Gimbals? I think we may have a slight
clock wise rotation.
Al:
I’m reading 3 degrees but it’s fluctuating slightly, I think the
engines are trying to compensate for gimbal misalignment. I
wonder if one of the RCS thrusters is down.
Houston:
Can you confirm your altitude and trajectory? We are getting
some unusual readings down here.

Awkward silence as the ticking of the altimeter gets louder and

Al:
Oh no…
Dave:
Houston… those readings are correct

Ship starts to spin faster and light flashes through the windows and
into the ship.

Houston:
Repeat again Ap………
 Noise crackles
Dave:
Houston? Do you copy?

Noise crackles

Dave:
Houston? Do you copy?

Noise crackles
The ticking increases speed and the ships speed continues to spin.

Dave:
Ok… we’ve lost contact with Houston!!

Al:
I’m picking up some serious outside interference!

Dave:
The auto-pilot readings are all over the place. I’m going to take
over manual control.

Dave hits the switch and the auto pilot lights go off and then turn
back on. The two astronauts look at each other and try again. The
lights turn off and then on again.

Dave:
I’m not able to take control!! Any ideas Al?

Al:
We’re getting all sorts of power fluctuations. It’s almost like it’s
flying itself!! We could try a full system re-start. That should
enable us to get back control
 Dave:
A full system re-start?... the LEM was never designed to do that
mid-mission!!
Al:
I know that, but from where I’m sitting it’s all we can do.
Dave:
OK here goes…

Dave hits a switch and there is darkness and silence. A bright

Dave:
The computer is back up and I’ve got manual control.

Al:
All systems seem to be OK now…and that interference has stopped.

Al looks out of the window

AL:
I don’t recognise where we are. We must be a long way off course.

Dave:
We’re running low on fuel. I need to get us down on the surface as
soon as I can. There seems to be level area up ahead. I’ll try and
bring us down there. Read out the altitudes?

External shot of the LEM landing on the moon from a range of angles
intercut with footage from inside the lander.

Al:
 1000ft and descending at 30ft per second. Fuel at 10%

Al:
900ft falling and descending at 25ft per second. Fuel at 8%. We need
to slow down.
Dave:
Increasing thrust to 80% and changing orientation to 72 degrees
Al:
500ft and descending at 15ft per second. Fuel at 5%.
Dave:
Reducing thrust to 60% and changing orientation to 80 degrees.
Al:
200ft and descending at 10ft per second. Fuel at 3%
Dave:
Moving to final orientating and reducing thrust to 40%
Al:
100ft and descending at 8ft per second. Fuel at 2%.
Dave:
Ok Brace for Impact

An external shot of the landings from multiple angles showing quite

Dave:
Smoother than expected!! I wonder where we are though? We’re miles
from the landing site
Al:
Well, that’s enough excitement for one day. I’m going to try and
regain contact with NASA, my wife is probably freaking out right
now!
Dave:
Yeah *exhausted*

Dave looks out the window and sees a strange obelisk which is seen
in his Visor.
 Dave:
Al, I think you should have a look at this…
Al:
What is it?

Al walks over to have a look. Wide shot from under the LEM reveals
the obelisk.

Al:
Oh my god, what is it? Is it Russia?
Dave:
I’m not sure but it looks incredibly advanced. I don’t see any
markings, windows or any signs of wear and tear. I think we need to
have a closer look.
Al:
Wait, hang on Dave we don’t know what that is… lets at least regain
contact with NASA before we press on…
Dave:
OK, but I want to have a look at this thing anyway.
Al:
You go. I’ll stay here and try and regain contact
Dave:
Ok, but pressure up just in case

Dave climbs out of the LEM and his feet land slowly on the moon
surface below. He confidently walks towards the obelisk not looking
back at Al who is looking at him through the window. Shot of Dave
walking from the perspective of the Obelisk this will be intercut of
shots from Dave’s helmet.

Al:
Hang on Dave I’m coming

Al eventually leaves his spot by the window and climbs down the
ladder onto the lunar surface.
 Dave:
can you hear me…

Dave keeps walking towards the obelisk not even noticing Al’s call.
Dave puts his hand up to touch the obelisk.

Al:
Dave I repeat can you hear me

(This takes place to the buzzing sound from 2001 – A Space Odyssey)
You then see a close up of Dave’s hand reaching out and touching the
obelisk.
The camera then shows (to the anthem of 2001 – A Space Odyssey) that
Dave has turned into an ape wearing the tattered remains of the
space suit.

(If time) Al starts to climb the ladder and set up to take off. The
monkey will have parts of Dave’s space suit on but will only be
animated at 12 FPS. The monkey starts running over to the LEM
causing Al to panic even more. He manages to take off just in time.
The monkey sees a bone and throws it at the ship, it hits the ship
and it starts to crash as it crashes it explodes and while the
credits’ role the ship keeps exploding.