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‘TERMINAL
by
Sacha Gervasi
Based on a story
by
Andrew Niccol
“ee
“Fig,
x3
SS
2/22/2001 FADE UP
ON A BLUR OF FACES
They gradually come into focus along with the noisy chatter
of a hundred different languages - from Swahili to waray-
Waray and Tajik to Cantonese.
‘The PASSENGERS pour into the bright fluorescent light of the
Arrivals Hall of a vast, anonymous International Terminal,
expressions grim from seemingly endless journeys across
seemingly endless Time Zones.
INT. INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL - OBSERVATION DECK. DAY.
A log jam of people in the immigration hall. A plastic-looking
Christmas tree in the corner, incongruous in the stark
surroundings.
At the far end of the vast hall, Senior Immigration Officer,
MERCER, and his younger assistant THURMAN, stand on an
observation platform, gazing out at the multi-colored sea of
humanity.
The older man leans across to his subordinate, offering him
the benefit of all his eighteen years of experience in the
Immigration and a oN Service -
When the aia e third world flush,
Thurman, all th comes pouring
through those doozs.o
@
‘Thurman nods. eS
INT. INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL - BET LINE. DAY.
Close on POLISHED LEATHER SHOES stepping calmly through the
doorway into the Arrivals Hall.
We move up an inexpensive but exquisitely maintained brown
suit, a crisp white shirt and a plain silk tie to find VIKTOR
NAVORSKI, 40s, bloodshot eyes filled with excitement.
Though pushed and shoved like everyone else Viktor remains
somehow unruffled, at peace almost, his eyes finding -
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
seen through a window up ahead, sunlight glistening
beautifully off the Hudson. MANHATTAN
stands proudly behind, framed perfectly, her incandescent
grandeur set against an immaculate azure sky.
vikter is exuberant. He moves toward it...
But his smile starts to fade as he realizes there's no water,
ne gigantic monument, no city...it's just an elaborate model
of New York.
GUARD
Please step back into the line, sir.
Viktor turns to see a pair of uniformed Inmigration GUARDS
supervising the line.
He smiles again, si aking the first Guard's hand. Viktor's
accent is of an indeterminable, though clearly European origin -
VIKTOR
Thank you for having me.
The bemused Guard shakes Viktor's hand, glancing at his
colleague -
I said step Saige the line, sir.
&
Viktor steps back, a li! lated.
As the line moves past rows (fo identical counters viktor
catches a glimpse of the dist. Sie area through several
sets of swinging double doors.
For a brief moment he makes out ‘GLectvet FAMILY holding up
a makeshift sign - "WELCOME HOME".
INT. INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL - LATER
VIKTOR reaches the front of the long line and hands his
passport tc an OFFICER.
OFFICER
Welcome to the United states, Mr.
Navorski. Business or pleasure?
The Officer runs Viktor's new passport through a scanning
machine, glances up again to see Viktor stili smiling back
at him.
