When I brought us here to this oasis - this promised land - we knew there would be hardships. Knew there would be sacrifices. But we also knew that we were creating for ourselves a world where we could be safe from the horrors of the forsaken lands beyond our borders.

  The crowd listens intently, hanging on Carnegie’s every word.

  He is an incredibly charismatic and persuasive speaker - his cultivated image and inspiring, confident delivery remind us of a TELEVISION EVANGELIST.

  CARNEGIE

  And I want you all to remember above all that it is not the water with which we have been blessed that is the true lifeblood of this town... but faith.

  This sends a MURMUR OF DISCONTENT through the crowd. Many don’t like where they suspect this may be going. Carnegie senses this and dials up his rhetoric - delivering it now with the fire-brand passion of an old-time baptist preacher.

  CARNEGIE

  It is our faith that sustains us, brothers and sisters! Hallelujah!

  21.

  The crowd is divided. Many return the “Hallelujah” with varying levels of conviction. Others are not convinced. But Carnegie continues unabated, selling it harder than ever.

  CARNEGIE

  And mark me, the ultimate

  validation of that faith is coming!

  The sacred Word of Our Lord that formed the world before and will reform it once again is coming to this town to bring it succor, bring it nourishment, bring it new life!

  For the Almighty Himself has spoken unto me and promised it!

  Carnegie is such an impassioned and inspiring speaker it’s almost impossible not to get caught up and swept away by his words. His apparently unshakable belief is infectious.

  CARNEGIE

  In the meantime, He has asked us all to be patient. To walk the hard road of the faithful just a little longer. And to do that, we must give just a little more.

  (beat)

  Water rations will be halved until further notice.

  This sends a much broader ripple of discontent through the crowd - this news has not been received well at all. Some still “keep the faith” but many more are perturbed by this.

  Carnegie motions for the crowd to settle down.

  CARNEGIE

  I understand your frustration. The road to salvation is a difficult one - but what lies at the end of that road is a greater glory, beyond anything you can imagine.

  A DISCONTENTED VILLAGER steps forward, pushing through the crowd and jabbing his finger angrily up at Carnegie.

  DISCONTENTED VILLAGER

  We’ve heard this all before! When are you going to-Carnegie’s goons quickly move in and efficiently SILENCE THE

  MAN, removing him from the crowd. Dissent is not tolerated here. Carnegie goes on speaking as if nothing had happened.

  22.

  CARNEGIE

  I know each and every one of you will understand the necessity of this action. It was faith that built this town - and faith that will sustain it even through the dark times that may lie ahead. But it is always darkest before dawn -

  and the new dawn is coming.

  (beat)

  May God go with you all.

  Carnegie steps back inside, leaving the crowd to talk among themselves, clearly mixed about what they have heard.

  As the assembled townsfolk disperse, FOUR MOTORCYCLES roar into town and pull up outside the Palladium.

  As the riders dismount, one detaches a CLOTH SATCHEL from his bike's cargo rack. The four riders head inside. They each have long, straggly hair and brutish expressions.

  We recognize them now as the BIKER BANDITS who killed the couple on the road under the freeway overpass.

  INT. PALLADIUM - SECOND FLOOR - DAY

  Carnegie emerges into the second-floor hallway from the balcony, mopping his brow. Exhausted and stressed from his grand theatrical display, and from its mixed reception.

  Redridge climbs the stairs to meet him.

  REDRIDGE

  One of the road crews just rolled into town.

  Carnegie looks at his cracked old wristwatch.

  CARNEGIE

  Of course they did, the bar’s open.

  Outlanders, always looking for answers at the bottom of a bottle.

  REDRIDGE

  Not these guys.

  (beat)

  These guys say they got something.

  That gets Carnegie’s attention.

  CARNEGIE

  Get them up here now.

  23.

  INT. PALLADIUM - MAIN LOBBY - DAY

  What was once a grand, gilded entrance foyer has, like the rest of the theater, been largely gutted. But it’s still impressive - a spacious bar area with a grand staircase leading up to a second floor, entrance to balcony seats, etc.

  FADED OLD THEATER POSTERS still hang from the walls.

  The place has been shabbily converted into a kind of SALOON.

  Old ripped-out theater seats arranged around tables. A FIREPLACE sputters dimly.

  A MANGY TABBY CAT walks across the straw-laden floor. A dozen or so CUSTOMERS in the place, a mixed, rough-looking bunch.

  Redridge emerges from an upstairs room and nods to a group of his MEN who are holding the bikers at the foot of the stairs.

  INT. PALLADIUM AUDITORIUM - CARNEGIE’S BOX

  Carnegie checks his reflection in a CRACKED HAND MIRROR, licks his palm and slicks his hair back. He adjusts his tie as Redridge’s men usher the bikers into his “office”.

  Carnegie wheels around and flashes a smile at them. Just as when he gave his balcony address, Carnegie is in performance mode - charismatic and slick like a campaigning politician.

  CARNEGIE

  Gentlemen! It’s truly a delight to see you again! I understand your latest excursion into the outland has been a profitable one?

  The bikers exchange looks. They understood maybe half the words in that sentence. The lead biker - named HOG - speaks.

  HOG

  We did good.

  CARNEGIE

  Well, let’s see, shall we?

  Hog tips the satchel’s contents out onto Carnegie’s desk.

  BOOKS. About a dozen different volumes of all shapes and sizes. Carnegie rifles excitedly through the collection.

  We see various titles as he sorts through them. Treasure Island. The Da Vinci Code. A volume of encyclopedia. The Diary of Anne Frank. Tuesdays with Morrie.

  In amongst the books are a few MAGAZINES. An old issue of OPRAH magazine. A torn copy of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED...

  24.

  ...And a NEWSWEEK. The cover graphic illustrates OPPOSING

  NUCLEAR ARSENALS over a world globe. On one side the STARS

  AND STRIPES, on the other flags indicating a SINO-ISLAMIC

  ALLIANCE. The headline reads: “IS THERE NO TURNING BACK?” CARNEGIE

  No. No. No. No. No.

  As Carnegie rejects each book with growing disappointment and frustration, it’s clear he’s looking for a specific volume.

  CARNEGIE

  It’s not here.

  HOG

  These ain’t worth nothin’?

  CARNEGIE

  When you bring me the book I asked you for, it’ll be worth something.

  The bikers exchange more looks. An unspoken conversation.

  HOG

  We been doin’ this a long time now.

  Had to make a whole lotta corpses to bring you all these books. You want us to keep at it, reckon it’s worth more than a few free glasses of that swill you call liquor.

  Carnegie’s guards bristle, ready for a confrontation.

  Carnegie just smiles, always ready to smooth things over.

  CARNEGIE

  Gentlemen, gentlemen. I urge you once again to take the long view here. When we find this book - and believe me, we will find it - we are going to build a new world. A world far greater, far more

  righteous than this one. And you and I are going to be perched right on top of it, looking down upon it, masters of all creation!

  As always, his carefully stage-managed rhetoric is delivered with the utmost conviction, every word dripping with passion and persuasion. He’s a master salesman, a true huckster.

  CARNEGIE

  And you know, I think you’re absolutely right.

  (MORE)

  25.

  CARNEGIE (cont'd)

  That is worth more than a few glasses of liquor. A whole lot more.

  He steps forward and looks Hog right in the eye. His gaze like a laser beam, utterly disarming.

  CARNEGIE

  The book I want is out there somewhere, just waiting to be found. Once there were millions of copies - you only need to find one!

  Find it and bring it here. And I promise you, you will be rewarded beyond anything you can imagine.

  It’s impossible not to be swayed by this guy. He’s just so full of fiery passion and infectious belief, you almost want to reach into your pocket and hand over your wallet.

  Hog snatches up his empty satchel.

  HOG

  This better not be bullshit.

  He turns and marches to the door, the other bikers following.

  The guards escort them out, only Redridge remains.

  Carnegie slumps back into his chair, frustrated, pissed off.

  REDRIDGE

  Might help if they knew just what they were looking for.

  CARNEGIE

  Not one of them can read. How would they even know when they found it?

  REDRIDGE

  So how’s about you just tell me?

  Carnegie and Redridge lock eyes. BEAT.

  REDRIDGE

  Two years now you been sending these crews into the outland.

  Burning up gas we can barely spare.

  For a goddamn book? What the hell kinda book can be worth all this?

  Carnegie ignores him. Stands, walks toward the door. Redridge sighs, gestures toward the books piled on Carnegie’s desk.

  26.

  REDRIDGE

  What about these?

  CARNEGIE

  Put them with the others.

  INT. PALLADIUM - MAIN LOBBY - DAY

  Redridge stands by the marble fireplace, tossing the books into the fire. The flames flicker and leap around the books as their pages blacken and are consumed by the fire.

  INT. ENGINEER WORKSHOP - DAY

  Eli watches as the engineer charges the battery with the gas generator, which chugs noisily.

  He licks his lips, dry as sand. Unscrews his canteen to take a drink, but it’s down to its last few drips.

  ELI

  What’s this place across the street? They got any water?

  ENGINEER

  We got our own underground spring here. Only fresh water in a hundred miles - if’s you can pay for it.

  Eli thinks a while longer. Then stands and stuffs his shotgun inside his pack, shoulders his gear and makes for the door.

  ELI

  I’ll be back.

  Eli stops in the doorway and turns back to the engineer.

  ELI

  If that battery ain’t here when I get back, I will use this gun on your kneecaps and I will put this building to the torch and I will watch it burn to the ground with you alive inside it. So help me God.

  And with that he turns and leaves. The engineer gulps. Not a hint in Eli’s voice that he didn’t mean every word.

  INT. PALLADIUM - CARNEGIE’S BEDROOM - DAY

  This old second-floor DRESSING ROOM has been converted into a bedroom, simply furnished.

  27.

  A WOMAN stands in front of an old DRESSING ROOM MIRROR, the bulbs around the frame burned-out and broken. She washes her face in murky water in an old PORCELAIN BOWL on the dresser.

  Her name is CLAUDIA. Early 30s, pretty. She gazes into the mirror as she dries her hands, but it’s so cracked and warped it’s near impossible to see a reflection.

  The door opens and Carnegie enters. He still looks steamed.

  Claudia doesn’t turn to look at him, keeps facing the mirror.

  CLAUDIA

  Is that you, honey?

  Carnegie says nothing. Just paces angrily up and down.

  Finally Claudia turns to face him.

  CLAUDIA

  Something wrong?

  CARNEGIE

  More books came in from the road today.

  CLAUDIA

  Oh? It’s been a while.

  CARNEGIE

  And it’ll be a while longer. Just another pile of useless junk. If we don’t find the right one soon - if I can’t give these people what they want to hear...

  Carnegie trails off, the thought too awful to contemplate.

  Claudia adopts a sympathetic expression, supportive.

  CLAUDIA

  You’ll find what you’re looking for. It’s out there somewhere. You just have to have faith.

  This seems to anger Carnegie. He wheels on her.

  CARNEGIE

  Faith? Is that what you think we’re missing around here?

  She detects the aggressive tone in his voice and goes quiet, head bowed. Carnegie moves toward her angrily.

  CARNEGIE

  My old man used to have faith. He had it in spades. My mother, too.

  (MORE)

  28.

  CARNEGIE (cont'd)

  You know where it got them? You know where it got me?

  He’s in her face now. Claudia avoids eye contact, submissive.

  CARNEGIE

  Faith is for the weak. It’s for them out there, the sheep. This world is what you can see and touch and taste. It’s what you make it.

  All these years with me, you still don’t have any grasp of that?

  What’s wrong with you, woman?

  He’s shouting now, and she’s trembling, afraid to speak.

  CLAUDIA

  I’m sorry.

  Carnegie realizes he’s frightened her. He softens.

  CARNEGIE

  No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Hey. You okay?

  He lifts her chin up, wipes away a tear.

  CARNEGIE

  You just get me all riled up with that kind of talk. It’s not what I need from you right now.

  (smiles)

  You know what I need right now?

  He puts his hands on her lustfully. It’s clear she’s not in the mood, but she halfheartedly responds anyway. More out of a sense of wifely duty than reciprocated passion.

  As they kiss, Carnegie pushes her excitedly against the wall and feverishly begins unbuckling his pants.

  INT. PALLADIUM - MAIN LOBBY - DAY

  The original customers have now been joined by the four bikers, who sit at their own table drinking a clear and pungent moonshine-type liquor from a shared jar.

  Eli enters. All eyes are on him immediately, regarding him with guarded interest as he pulls up a stool at the bar.

  The BARTENDER approaches, looks him up and down. Suspicious.

  BARTENDER

  Outlander? Let me see-

  29.

  Eli raises his hand as before. Holds it outstretched, steady.

  BARTENDER

  What’ll it be?

  Eli places the canteen on the bar.

  ELI

  Water.

  BARTENDER

  That’s the good stuff. Gotta eat into my own ration to sell it - so I don’t sell it cheap.

  Eli takes off his scarf and puts it on the bar. The bartender takes it and looks it over. Not particularly impressed.

  BARTENDER

  That’ll get you maybe half-way.

  The bartender spies Eli’s silver Saint Christopher pendant.

  BARTENDER

  What about that?

  Eli stuffs the pendant inside his shirt. No way that’s for sale. Instead, he reaches into his coat and produces the fur pelts he skinned from the dead cat, lays them out on the bar.

  ELI

  That’s the best I got.

  The bartender takes a pelt and examines it. The mangy cat leaps up onto the bar and approaches. Sniffs at the pelts with suspicion and HISSES at Eli.

  Eli shoos the cat off the bar with a wave of his hand. At the biker’s table Hog watches this, not happy about this.

  Satisfied with the pelts, the bartender gathers them up along with the scarf, then turns away toward the back room.

  BARTENDER

  Solara!

  A TEENAGE GIRL emerges from the back. No older than 16 or 17.

  Dressed in unflattering work clothes, face grimy, blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. But even through all this, it’s clear she is a strikingly beautiful young woman.

  The bartender takes Eli’s canteen and hands it to Solara along with a RATION CARD he keeps around his neck.

  30.

  BARTENDER

  Take this out back and get it filled.

  Solara takes the canteen, pausing for a moment to look Eli up and down. Unsure quite what to make of him, but intrigued.

  There’s something about him she can’t put her finger on...

  He doesn’t look back at her. She turns and exits.

  EXT. DESERT TOWN - MAIN STREET - CONTINUOUS

  Solara exits via the Palladium’s STAGE DOOR and walks across the busy street to where TWO OF CARNEGIE’S ARMED MEN stand guard around an ENCLOSURE OF CHAIN-LINK FENCE TOPPED WITH

  RAZOR WIRE. TOWNSFOLK wait in line with bowls and buckets.

  One of the guards recognizes Solara and lets her cut to the front of the line. He punches two holes in her ration card and lets her inside the chain-link enclosure.

  Inside is an OLD RUSTED SPIGOT attached to a pipe emerging from the earth. Solara cranks hard on the handle - it takes a few pulls before the water comes, and then only at a weak trickle; it will take a while to fill the canteen.

  INT. PALLADIUM - MAIN LOBBY - CONTINUOUS

  As Eli sits at the bar, a SHADOW comes into view and looms large over him. Hog is standing behind him, glaring, cutting a menacing figure in his armored cycle leathers.

  Solara senses trouble brewing and moves off, taking Eli’s canteen away into the back room.

  HOG

  That was my cat.

  Eli doesn’t turn. Just looks straight ahead. Impossible to read him behind those mirrored goggles. Utterly inscrutable.

  ELI

  Fine specimen.

  HOG

  I saw you push him off the bar.

  ELI

  I didn’t push him.

  HOG

  You raised your hand at him.