Trees filter carbon dioxide out of the
atmosphere, not into it. Other plants
help, but trees do the most.
JEREMY
I thought that plankton and oceanic
absorption filtered out most of the
carbon dioxide.
TARA
Well, the ocean does act as a sink for
carbon dioxide...
JEREMY
I'm just messing with you, Tara.
Tara's eyes shift. Something triggers in her brain. She looks at Jeremy with a sudden flare of contempt.
TARA
You're mocking me!
JEREMY
Come on Tara, I was just having a little
fun. Without you guys, there would be a
billion less trees in the world.
TARA
Don't patronize me. Do you realize that
carbon dioxide now constitutes nearly two
percent of our present atmosphere? It's
supposed to be less than one.
JEREMY
Listen Tara, the INRC's great, we all
know that, but everyone in the world is
sick of hearing about them. I realize
you're a first year member and all, but
give it a rest, already.
Tara looks over at Alec who is still scowling at her.
TARA
You're right, Jeremy. Thank you for being
so honest.
Tara leans in and kisses Jeremy.
Jeremy glances over at Alec.
Alec glances back, obviously impressed.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN to darkened living room. The party's over.
Alec is standing in his open bathrobe.
Kristin is cleaning up.
She notices a cigarette burn on the leaf of a potted spider plant. She grimaces at the burn before tearing the leaf from the plant.
She shuffles over to Alec. Kisses him softly on the lips. Runs her finger down his chest.
She slips the leaf inside the front of his briefs, then stumbles into the bedroom.
ALEC
I'll be there in a minute. I need to
check my email real quick.
KRISTIN
Okay. But if I'm asleep when you get in
bed, tough luck.
ALEC
Understood.
EXT. BACK PORCH - ALEC'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Alec sits down at the computer.
A distant light catches the corner of his eye. It is far out in the cornfield.
The light descends into the field and disappears from sight.
Alec pulls on a pair of shoes and heads toward it.
EXT. CORNFIELD - NIGHT
Alec arrives at Piren's scoutship.
Something RUSTLES nearby.
A open cocoon is visible on the ship's hull.
A small doorway suddenly opens.
Alec peers inside before stepping
