THE FOLLOWING CONCEPT/CHARACTERS/EXTRACT ARE REGISTERED WITH THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA.


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COLD OPEN

FADE IN:

EXT. OPEN SKY - DAY

A DC-9 passenger jet is winging its way home, sun
glinting off the metal.

CUT TO:

INT. DC-9 - DAY

Only about forty of the hundred seats are occupied.
There are MEN, WOMEN, a few CHILDREN -- a real cross-
section of society. Some read, others doze.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT - SAME TIME

The CAPTAIN, FIRST OFFICER, and FLIGHT ENGINEER relax,
letting the autopilot do the work.

A female FLIGHT ATTENDANT enters with a tray of coffee.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Coffee for the flyboys!

Suddenly the plane bucks. Coffee cups topples.

FIRST OFFICER

(SCANNING CONTROLS)

What's happened?


FLIGHT ENGINEER

Not sure yet...

The Captain wrestles with the joystick.

CAPTAIN

Flaps aren't responding.

CUT TO:

EXT. DC-9 - SAME TIME

The plane is losing control, swaying in the air. The
elevator flaps on the T-shaped tail CREAK, not working
properly.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. DC-9

The passengers know something is wrong. One MALE
PASSENGER grabs FLIGHT ATTENDANT #2 by the elbow as she
passes.

MALE PASSENGER

What's going on?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT #2

I'm sure it's just turbulence --

The man starts to get out of his seat...

FLIGHT ATTENDANT #2

Please, sir, if you could just remain in

your seat.

CUT TO:

EXT. DC-9

The plane takes a sudden dive!

CUT TO:

INT. DC-9

Pandemonium -- passengers SCREAM. Attendants fall.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

The crew try desperately to level the plane. The
altimeter goes wild.

CUT TO:

INT. DC-9

A 10-year-old boy (RICKY) furiously rummages through
his traveling bag. He takes out an octagonal device
with a crystal embedded at the center. He wrestles the
device's X-shaped straps over his shoulders so that the
device is flat against his chest. Some passengers perk
up with hope upon seeing the device -- they know it
well.

Despite the fact that the plane is at a harsh angle,
plunging toward ground like a rocket, the boy manges to
brace himself in the aisle. The boy concentrates. The
crystal at the device's center GLOWS WHITE.

EXT. DC-9

The plane begins to right itself, but is still falling,
and is very near ground. Below is a vast field, rushing
at them at breakneck speed.

INT. DC-9

The boy's entire chest seems to be afire with the glow
that is emanating from the device on his chest. His
brow is beaded with sweat from the concentration. The
passengers are less panicky now though their faces still
register great fear.

CUT TO:

EXT. DC-9

The planes slows in its descent until --

It is literally hovering only two feet from the ground!

CUT TO:

INT. DC-9

The passengers are signing with relief as the boy slowly
opens his eyes. He glances outside and allows himself a
little smile. He stands at a different angle, arms out,
and concentrates again, though this time he only appears
to be meditating.

CUT TO:

EXT. DC-9 - DAY

The plane slowly descends on to its belly.

CUT TO:

INT. DC-9

The passengers applaud the boy. His mother hugs him.
Then the Captain approaches the lad, and shakes his
hand.

CAPTAIN

Thank goodness we had a Gravity Kid on
board!


END OF COLD OPEN