There are rumors of a wild party at this
locale, sir. I'll need to inspect the
premises for beautiful women.
Steve pushes politely past Alec into the house.
He pulls a bottle of JACK DANIELS from a paper sack in his hand, and then drops down on the couch. He takes a long drink from the bottle.
ALEC
I still can't believe you bought that
thing. Didn't anyone you that aircars
were banned from public roads in 2016?
STEVE
Let's see. They're loud, dangerous, and
illegal. Sounds perfect to me.
KRISTIN
I've got to hand it to you Steve, at
least you're consistent.
Steve lights a cigarette.
He slumps forward and begins sampling from the snack tray.
Alec moves into the kitchen.
ALEC
Hey Steve. Think fast.
Alec tosses a bottle of beer to Steve. It sails over the coffee table.
Kristin watches in horror.
Steve catches it smoothly before guzzling half of it down in one long gulp. He then belches loudly.
ALEC (CONT’D)
Another?
Kristin shoots Alec a glance.
Steve finishes the beer, then nods to Alec.
STEVE
Hit me.
Alec retrieves two more beers and a pours a glass of wine for Kristin.
He rejoins them in the living room.
STEVE (CONT’D)
So, ten million copies, huh? I still
can't believe it.
ALEC
Either can I. There's nothing like
turning an old research paper into a best
selling book in three days. Thank god for
eBooks. It definitely pays to be first.
KRISTIN
The alien signal totally dominated the
news. Talk about free publicity.
ALEC
Most of my book is about the history and
evolution of radio astronomy. Very little
of it actually covers the signal itself.
The government hasn't told us anything
about its content.
KRISTIN
Yeah. Tell the world that we've received
an intelligent, extraterrestrial signal
and then try to bury it.
ALEC
They claim to still be
(quoting with four fingers)
deciphering it.
STEVE
Our government at work. Hiding the truth
as usual.
ALEC
It's pretty weird that the signal was
transmitted on a secure government
frequency. I mean, how would they know?
STEVE
How would who know? Where did it come
