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Description
TABULA
DANIEL HUNT
5 people board a plane to a metropolis in Antarctica that was built so that it's residents could to get a fresh start on their lives and leave their pasts behind them.

INT. Benitiz Int'l Airport, Santiago, Chile. 11 AM.
Many people stand in a line, waiting to board the plane. They are impatient, as they have been waiting a long time. The airport is hot. Many fans buzz in the background, yet those about to board the plane have packed lifetime's worth of thick coats and other snow apparel. One of those in line, a 5 year old girl, LACIE, wanders about the airport, almost out of eyesight of her watchful mother, ALENE.
ALENE:
Lacie, babe, come back. If you wander off too far, they'll never let you get on the plane.
LACIE:
So? We should get out of this line, Mom. It's cold in Antarctica. I don't wanna be cold, I like it here, it's hot, it's nice. It hot in San Diego!
ALENE:
Lacie, once you see Tabula, you're going to love it. I guarantee. You're going to forget all about San Diego.
LACIE:
I don't want to forget about San Diego! All my friends are over in San Diego! (tentative pause) And… Dad is in San Diego, too.
ALENE looks frustrated. She is obviously fed up with all this talk of her ex-husband.
ALENE:
(sternly) Now we're going to forget all about that man. In fact, we're never going to mention him again.
LACIE:
But he's my Dad!
ALENE:
Yeah, well, maybe soon, you'll have a new dad, a responsible dad. And a new school! And a dog, too! Aren't you excited!
LACIE:
Can… I please name the dog, Mom?
ALENE:
(laughs, relieved) Of course, babe. You can name him anything you want.
Cut away from LACIE and ALENE, cut to a new face, HAL. He is tall, alone, and has gone a few days without shaving. He is completely engrossed in his iPhone, tapping away like it is all that matters.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
Sir?
No response. HAL is still completely fixated.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
Sir? Excuse me?
HAL:
(Impatient) Yes, yes, what is it?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
I'm sorry, sir. Ticket please.
HAL:
Yeah, yeah, here.
HAL flashes the ticket. NEWARK-SANTIAGO-TABULA, it reads. The attendant takes the stub and gives it back. HAL swipes it away, clearly annoyed. He gets back to his iPhone.
Cut to over HAL's back so that his phone is revealed. It seems he's only playing solitaire.
Cut to HAL's face. He seems as engrossed as before, determination is apparent in his furrowed brow.
Cut away from HAL to two new characters, DARRYL and MAXINE. They are in their 50's, but they look weary and worn beyond their age.
DARRYL:
Are you sure this is the right thing? I mean… I know we've been over this plan for at least a thousand times, but-
MAXINE:
Yes, yes, yes already! We're going to go to Antarctica. We're going to forget about everything.
DARRYL:
I know, I know, just… maybe forgetting isn't the right thing.
MAXINE:
That's not what you said yesterday.
DARRYL:
That was in the moment!
MAXINE:
Was it in the moment enough to leave Cleveland and get on a plane to Santiago? There's no going back now, Darryl. At least, not with me there's not getting back.
DARRYL:
Maxine-
MAXINE:
Listen, hon, I know you're upset. We have a history in Cleveland. It was our home for, my god, 25, 30 years. But what's the point of going back now? You said it yourself. Every time you drove by the park on the way to work, you could see Benny going down the slide. You said it made you sick to your stomach, didn't you?
DARRYL:
You're right, you're absolutely right, I'm sorry. I don't ever wanna see that damn slide again. I just miss him so much!
MAXINE:
I do too, Darryl. That's why we need to get out of Ohio.
DARRYL:
What about Christy? What if she needs us?
MAXINE:
We've talked about this, Darryl. Christy is 24, she's got an apartment and a job and is completely sufficient. She can come to visit us, whenever she likes. And we can go to visit her. But not too much. And not too soon. I can't go back to Cleveland, not now.
DARRYL:
OK, honey. You're right. Benny is gone. All we can do is take the good memories, and… start over.
Cut away from DARRYL and MAXINE. Cut to two new characters, FINBAR and DESMOND. They are brothers, FINBAR being older and DESMOND being younger. They stand next to each other in line, carrying briefcases.
DESMOND:
Thank God we're finally here.
FINBAR:
And away from that god-awful woman.
DESMOND:
You said it.
FINBAR:
You ever wonder why?
DESMOND:
What do you mean, "why?" There are a lot of "why"s I have. Some for Dad, some for that… woman he associated himself with for so long. Like, "why isn't the firm ours, Dad? The one you promised us?"
FINBAR:
(laughs) Yeah, or, "did you know that when you signed your medical firm over to your 4th wife, you'd be ruining our entire medical careers in Ireland? Forcing us to move out of the country and start over in butt-ass nowhere?" God, I loved our father, I really did, but once I get past those pearly gates I'm kicking him square in the nuts.
DESMOND:
We could've had it. It would've been all ours. O'Shaughnessy Medical. You and me, seeing patients, filling out charts… and watching the money roll in.
FINBAR:
We only worked at O'Shaughnessy Medical since we were both what, 16?
DESMOND:
Now I'm 28. And you're 25. And we're both accomplished surgeons. I think it's time we just forgot about it, honestly. I'm mean, I'm still mad, mad as hell, but look! God closes a door, and…
DESMOND points to the train.
DESMOND:
…He opens a window.
FINBAR:
You're right…
DESMOND:
Of course I'm right. Think about it. Brand new city, out in the middle of nowhere. People flock to it, looking for new opportunities. Not many doctors or surgeons, not yet, at least. People get sick. Especially when they're traveling and getting used to unfamiliar climates. And guess who has years of experience as surgeons?
FINBAR:
We're the lucky ones, alright.
DESMOND:
Yeah, so, forget about Dad and his gold-digger wife, forget about O'Shaughnessy Medical. So what if the old bastard didn't give us squat in his will?
FINBAR:
First thing tomorrow, we're starting our own medical firm.
DESMOND:
Finbar and Desmond Medical.
FINBAR:
And once we strike it rich, we get back to Dublin, and retire at 40!
DESMOND:
That's the idea. We'll live like kings!
FINBAR:
No more worries. Ever. Oh, man, I can't wait.
Cut away from FINBAR and DESMOND. Cut to a family of FARHAD, the father, NABIHAH, the mother, and MOHAMMAD, the son. FARHAD and NABIHAH are dressed somewhat traditionally for the Muslim faith, whereas MOHAMMAD wears a t-shirt and shorts.
NABIHAH:
Is anyone going to eat their snacks? I brought some grapes if anyone wants any.
FARHAD:
Sure, pass some over to me.
NABIHAH:
Mohammad, you haven't eaten anything all day! Come on. Eat something, yes?
MO:
Sorry, mom, I'm not hungry. And call me "Mo." I'm tired of Mohammad.
FARHAD:
Son! We gave you that name because it is strong. That name is the same name of the prophet of or faith! Have you forgotten?
MO:
I'd like to have forgotten.
FARHAD:
Son! Enough of this! You were raised a proud Muslim! Your attitude is the exact kind of thing we are trying to escape by fleeing the United States!
NABIHAH:
You're putting gray hairs on your father, Mohammad!
MO:
Well, he shouldn't be stressing over me. If anything, he should be celebrating me. I don't talk to a god that doesn't exist.
FARHAD:
When I go to the afterlife before you, I will be praying for your revelation. In fact, I'm praying for you right now.
MO:
That's really funny, Dad. Funny coincidence, actually, because praying doesn't exist, and neither does the afterlife!!
FARHAD:
Do you have any idea what kind of fortitude it took to withstand the prejudice your mother and I received back in Burmingham?
MO:
Maybe if you took off that dub turban, people wouldn't have hated you.
FARHAD looks belligerent. He takes a deep breath in, and calms himself down.
FARHAD:
I am not mad, Mohammad. No. I am only more hopeful. The poison of the anti-Islam sentiment that permeates the South has obviously gotten to your brain. This is why we are leaving for Tabula. Open-minded people will welcome us. We will build mosques.
NABIHAH:
Yes, mosques side-by-side with churches and temples. Can't you see, Mohammad? You don't need to be ashamed of who you are anymore!
MO:
I am nothing like you. I'm nothing like anyone who goes to a church, or a temple, and especially not a mosque.
NABIHAH:
This is why your father and I pray.
Suddenly, THE CAPTAIN's voice comes over the intercom.
CAPTAIN:
Boarding will now begin.
Everyone gathers their bags, and begins to walk forwards into the plane.

INT. The plane to Tabula, 11:30 AM.
We see all the people that have just been introduced sit, and get comfortable, putting blankets on, getting iPods out. The monitors in front of each seat turn on. A small image of the city's founder, DAISUKE HAMADA, is juxtaposed against Tabula's flag. HAMADA is smiling with his hands at his hips, looking confident and hopeful. Through the airplane speakers, a pre-recorded speech is played.
HAMADA:
Hello, and welcome, new constituents of Tabula. My name is Daisuke Hamada. People ask me all the time, "why?" "Why, Daisuke? Why found a city in the middle of Antarctica? There is no money out there! No fun! No chance of success!" But I threw all that behind me. I left all the naysayers in the past I destroyed. When I founded Tabula, I became anew. And now that you've committed to moving here- so too can you. So welcome to Tabula. Welcome to your new beginning.

Description
TABULA
DANIEL HUNT
5 people board a plane to a metropolis in Antarctica that was built so that it's residents could to get a fresh start on their lives and leave their pasts behind them.

INT. Benitiz Int'l Airport, Santiago, Chile. 11 AM.
Many people stand in a line, waiting to board the plane. They are impatient, as they have been waiting a long time. The airport is hot. Many fans buzz in the background, yet those about to board the plane have packed lifetime's worth of thick coats and other snow apparel. One of those in line, a 5 year old girl, LACIE, wanders about the airport, almost out of eyesight of her watchful mother, ALENE.
ALENE:
Lacie, babe, come back. If you wander off too far, they'll never let you get on the plane.
LACIE:
So? We should get out of this line, Mom. It's cold in Antarctica. I don't wanna be cold, I like it here, it's hot, it's nice. It hot in San Diego!
ALENE:
Lacie, once you see Tabula, you're going to love it. I guarantee. You're going to forget all about San Diego.
LACIE:
I don't want to forget about San Diego! All my friends are over in San Diego! (tentative pause) And… Dad is in San Diego, too.
ALENE looks frustrated. She is obviously fed up with all this talk of her ex-husband.
ALENE:
(sternly) Now we're going to forget all about that man. In fact, we're never going to mention him again.
LACIE:
But he's my Dad!
ALENE:
Yeah, well, maybe soon, you'll have a new dad, a responsible dad. And a new school! And a dog, too! Aren't you excited!
LACIE:
Can… I please name the dog, Mom?
ALENE:
(laughs, relieved) Of course, babe. You can name him anything you want.
Cut away from LACIE and ALENE, cut to a new face, HAL. He is tall, alone, and has gone a few days without shaving. He is completely engrossed in his iPhone, tapping away like it is all that matters.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
Sir?
No response. HAL is still completely fixated.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
Sir? Excuse me?
HAL:
(Impatient) Yes, yes, what is it?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:
I'm sorry, sir. Ticket please.
HAL:
Yeah, yeah, here.
HAL flashes the ticket. NEWARK-SANTIAGO-TABULA, it reads. The attendant takes the stub and gives it back. HAL swipes it away, clearly annoyed. He gets back to his iPhone.
Cut to over HAL's back so that his phone is revealed. It seems he's only playing solitaire.
Cut to HAL's face. He seems as engrossed as before, determination is apparent in his furrowed brow.
Cut away from HAL to two new characters, DARRYL and MAXINE. They are in their 50's, but they look weary and worn beyond their age.
DARRYL:
Are you sure this is the right thing? I mean… I know we've been over this plan for at least a thousand times, but-
MAXINE:
Yes, yes, yes already! We're going to go to Antarctica. We're going to forget about everything.
DARRYL:
I know, I know, just… maybe forgetting isn't the right thing.
MAXINE:
That's not what you said yesterday.
DARRYL:
That was in the moment!
MAXINE:
Was it in the moment enough to leave Cleveland and get on a plane to Santiago? There's no going back now, Darryl. At least, not with me there's not getting back.
DARRYL:
Maxine-
MAXINE:
Listen, hon, I know you're upset. We have a history in Cleveland. It was our home for, my god, 25, 30 years. But what's the point of going back now? You said it yourself. Every time you drove by the park on the way to work, you could see Benny going down the slide. You said it made you sick to your stomach, didn't you?
DARRYL:
You're right, you're absolutely right, I'm sorry. I don't ever wanna see that damn slide again. I just miss him so much!
MAXINE:
I do too, Darryl. That's why we need to get out of Ohio.
DARRYL:
What about Christy? What if she needs us?
MAXINE:
We've talked about this, Darryl. Christy is 24, she's got an apartment and a job and is completely sufficient. She can come to visit us, whenever she likes. And we can go to visit her. But not too much. And not too soon. I can't go back to Cleveland, not now.
DARRYL:
OK, honey. You're right. Benny is gone. All we can do is take the good memories, and… start over.
Cut away from DARRYL and MAXINE. Cut to two new characters, FINBAR and DESMOND. They are brothers, FINBAR being older and DESMOND being younger. They stand next to each other in line, carrying briefcases.
DESMOND:
Thank God we're finally here.
FINBAR:
And away from that god-awful woman.
DESMOND:
You said it.
FINBAR:
You ever wonder why?
DESMOND:
What do you mean, "why?" There are a lot of "why"s I have. Some for Dad, some for that… woman he associated himself with for so long. Like, "why isn't the firm ours, Dad? The one you promised us?"
FINBAR:
(laughs) Yeah, or, "did you know that when you signed your medical firm over to your 4th wife, you'd be ruining our entire medical careers in Ireland? Forcing us to move out of the country and start over in butt-ass nowhere?" God, I loved our father, I really did, but once I get past those pearly gates I'm kicking him square in the nuts.
DESMOND:
We could've had it. It would've been all ours. O'Shaughnessy Medical. You and me, seeing patients, filling out charts… and watching the money roll in.
FINBAR:
We only worked at O'Shaughnessy Medical since we were both what, 16?
DESMOND:
Now I'm 28. And you're 25. And we're both accomplished surgeons. I think it's time we just forgot about it, honestly. I'm mean, I'm still mad, mad as hell, but look! God closes a door, and…
DESMOND points to the train.
DESMOND:
…He opens a window.
FINBAR:
You're right…
DESMOND:
Of course I'm right. Think about it. Brand new city, out in the middle of nowhere. People flock to it, looking for new opportunities. Not many doctors or surgeons, not yet, at least. People get sick. Especially when they're traveling and getting used to unfamiliar climates. And guess who has years of experience as surgeons?
FINBAR:
We're the lucky ones, alright.
DESMOND:
Yeah, so, forget about Dad and his gold-digger wife, forget about O'Shaughnessy Medical. So what if the old bastard didn't give us squat in his will?
FINBAR:
First thing tomorrow, we're starting our own medical firm.
DESMOND:
Finbar and Desmond Medical.
FINBAR:
And once we strike it rich, we get back to Dublin, and retire at 40!
DESMOND:
That's the idea. We'll live like kings!
FINBAR:
No more worries. Ever. Oh, man, I can't wait.
Cut away from FINBAR and DESMOND. Cut to a family of FARHAD, the father, NABIHAH, the mother, and MOHAMMAD, the son. FARHAD and NABIHAH are dressed somewhat traditionally for the Muslim faith, whereas MOHAMMAD wears a t-shirt and shorts.
NABIHAH:
Is anyone going to eat their snacks? I brought some grapes if anyone wants any.
FARHAD:
Sure, pass some over to me.
NABIHAH:
Mohammad, you haven't eaten anything all day! Come on. Eat something, yes?
MO:
Sorry, mom, I'm not hungry. And call me "Mo." I'm tired of Mohammad.
FARHAD:
Son! We gave you that name because it is strong. That name is the same name of the prophet of or faith! Have you forgotten?
MO:
I'd like to have forgotten.
FARHAD:
Son! Enough of this! You were raised a proud Muslim! Your attitude is the exact kind of thing we are trying to escape by fleeing the United States!
NABIHAH:
You're putting gray hairs on your father, Mohammad!
MO:
Well, he shouldn't be stressing over me. If anything, he should be celebrating me. I don't talk to a god that doesn't exist.
FARHAD:
When I go to the afterlife before you, I will be praying for your revelation. In fact, I'm praying for you right now.
MO:
That's really funny, Dad. Funny coincidence, actually, because praying doesn't exist, and neither does the afterlife!!
FARHAD:
Do you have any idea what kind of fortitude it took to withstand the prejudice your mother and I received back in Burmingham?
MO:
Maybe if you took off that dub turban, people wouldn't have hated you.
FARHAD looks belligerent. He takes a deep breath in, and calms himself down.
FARHAD:
I am not mad, Mohammad. No. I am only more hopeful. The poison of the anti-Islam sentiment that permeates the South has obviously gotten to your brain. This is why we are leaving for Tabula. Open-minded people will welcome us. We will build mosques.
NABIHAH:
Yes, mosques side-by-side with churches and temples. Can't you see, Mohammad? You don't need to be ashamed of who you are anymore!
MO:
I am nothing like you. I'm nothing like anyone who goes to a church, or a temple, and especially not a mosque.
NABIHAH:
This is why your father and I pray.
Suddenly, THE CAPTAIN's voice comes over the intercom.
CAPTAIN:
Boarding will now begin.
Everyone gathers their bags, and begins to walk forwards into the plane.

INT. The plane to Tabula, 11:30 AM.
We see all the people that have just been introduced sit, and get comfortable, putting blankets on, getting iPods out. The monitors in front of each seat turn on. A small image of the city's founder, DAISUKE HAMADA, is juxtaposed against Tabula's flag. HAMADA is smiling with his hands at his hips, looking confident and hopeful. Through the airplane speakers, a pre-recorded speech is played.
HAMADA:
Hello, and welcome, new constituents of Tabula. My name is Daisuke Hamada. People ask me all the time, "why?" "Why, Daisuke? Why found a city in the middle of Antarctica? There is no money out there! No fun! No chance of success!" But I threw all that behind me. I left all the naysayers in the past I destroyed. When I founded Tabula, I became anew. And now that you've committed to moving here- so too can you. So welcome to Tabula. Welcome to your new beginning.