Short screenplay from the Done Deal Christmas short contest, Dec 2008 "Red Alert" FADE IN: INT. WELL-LIT CORRIDOR - NIGHT Rapid FOOTSTEPS. We float along the corridor, just ahead of whoever's marching behind us. We turn a sharp left into another corridor and float towards a door marked, "C.I.C. - COMMAND INFORMATION CENTER." A MILITARY POLICEMAN opens the door for us, and we enter-- INT. COMMAND INFORMATION CENTER - NIGHT Control panels and displays borrowed from SG-1. SERGEANT PETE BOBBIN sits at his station, watching a radar scope. The door is opened by the MP outside, and LIEUTENANT HANK SPITZBURGER storms in, all spit and polish. SPITZBURGER Hell's going on, Sergeant? BOBBIN Defense chain lit up five minutes ago, sir. We have an inbound "X" range thirty miles, speed five hundred knots, heading right for us. Spitzburger peers over Bobbin's shoulder. On the radar scope, a contact FLASHES near the top of the screen. Little numbers indicate range, velocity. SPITZBURGER Have you communicated with the inbound? BOBBIN Inbound has refused parley. SPITZBURGER Have you nominated alert fighters? BOBBIN Two border interdiction F-18s are in the air, estimated time to intercept, three minutes. He'll be on top of us before they get to him. On the radar scope, the contact FLASH is much closer. SPITZBURGER We are going to Level One. Spitzburger takes a key on a chain from around his neck. Bobbin does the same. They insert their keys into opposite ends of a control panel. SPITZBURGER On my mark, three, two, one. On "one" they twist their keys at the same time. EXT. SNOWBOUND WILDERNESS - NIGHT A remote-controlled missile rack shakes off a covering of snow, rotates and lifts its nose up so its twin missiles point at the sky. INT. COMMAND INFORMATION CENTER - NIGHT BOBBIN We have missile lock. Spitzburger snatches up a microphone. SPITZBURGER (INTO MIKE) Unidentified aircraft you are in violation of military airspace and will be shot down if you continue on your present course. Respond please. They stare at a loudspeaker. It just HISSES. SPITZBURGER Unidentified aircraft this is your last chance. Respond please. More HISSING from the loudspeaker. BOBBIN Inbound will be over us in thirty seconds, sir. SPITZBURGER I authorize you to shoot. BOBBIN Shooting now. Bobbin flips up a protective cover and thumbs a red button. EXT. SNOWBOUND WILDERNESS - NIGHT The twin missiles blast from the launch rack and zip up into the sky. Seconds tick by... a section of the sky lights up briefly, like a fireworks display, then darkens again. INT. COMMAND INFORMATION CENTER - NIGHT The radar scope is clear. BOBBIN Inbound has been destroyed, sir. SPITZBURGER Inform Command Six that we have taken out an unidentified aircraft with extreme prejudice. Squirt them details and voice recordings. Maintain Level One alert for thirty minutes, then stand down if no further activity. BOBBIN Yes, sir. Spitzburger heads for the door. Before he exits, a telephone RINGS. Bobbin picks up the receiver. BOBBIN (INTO PHONE) C.I.C. go ahead. As he listens, Bobbin's frown deepens. SPITZBURGER What is it? BOBBIN Observation station reports falling debris, sir. SPITZBURGER Can they tell what type of aircraft? Bobbin listens some more, then hangs up. BOBBIN That's what's confusing them, sir. SPITZBURGER We'll send out a team in the morning-- BOBBIN Animal guts, sir. And... toys. Thousands and thousands of toys. Realization hits them. Spitzburger and Bobbin exchange horrified looks. EXT. SNOWBOUND WILDERNESS - NIGHT A blackened, smoking teddy bear with one eye hanging out lies on a field of white snow, surrounded by splotches of bright red blood, a tragic casualty. Tilt up at the dark sky. Faint sound of BELLS a-jingling. FADE OUT§