The Means to Travel: A U.S. History Screen Play Assignment (Scenes 7-8)

SCENE 7

The trio is dropped into a large mud puddle. Rain is pouring, their clothes soaked through in a matter of seconds.

They quickly get up, standing. DAKOTA's eyes light up for a moment.

DAKOTA:

Fred!

His excitement is sudden and he picks up a muddy rat. One that isn't even the one he had from the Battle of the Marne.

CARMON groans, but she won't correct him. If it brings his mood up, then it doesn't matter.

The group wander through the trees, rain drenching them.

KHAILEN:

(Muttering)

It's freezing

They continue to walk through until they find themselves in a break in the trees. The blue screen flashes again with the same message. Quest Completed. Completed the next. All three of them show vast signs of exhaustion and sorrow. They are now desperate to get home.

As they look up, they see a rugged terrain, the rain turning everything to mush. Americans are fighting on one side, Germans on the other. The blue screen pops up again.

This is the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The date is October 8th, 1918. This battle started on September 26th. It will not end until November 11th.

This is the largest American battle fought in the World War.

The group stays for a moment, just watching the battle. Everything is in ruins . . .

CARMON seems tense, her shoulders tight.

CARMON:

I had no idea that Germans were . . .

DAKOTA:

This bad? Yeah. Neither did I.

KHAILEN:

(Turning to face them)

Stop. None of this is either of our faults. This isn't our world . . . It just sucks that this is what humans do.

CARMON:

(Her arms raising)

How could someone want so much control over the world?!

KHAILEN:

(Shaking her head)

You can't do anything about it. It's just how it is.

The trio look back out at the field. At the war that's raging. Then in another bright flash, they are falling again.

**End SCENE 7**

SCENE 8

The group is dropped yet again onto a hard floor. People are sitting around in large rows.

The blue screen informs them of what is going on, as they cannot hear nor be seen.

This is the meeting for the Treaty of Versailles. The year is 1919. This Treaty has ended the war.

Germany was forced to take full responsibility for the war.

The group looks around, the camera panning out around them.

The war imposed rough financial, territorial and military penalties on Germany. This Treaty also established the League of Nations.

The war is over.

The screen fades to black. This time, they aren't tugged away and dropped into a random location. They are gently pushed into an open room where music is being played. Women dressed in loose, short dresses and bob cuts are dancing with cigarettes or bottles of alcohol in their hands. Men are also in the room

The group watches them for a moment. The blue screen appears again.

It is currently the 1920's. Young women, often called Flappers, are dancing and smoking. They are often labeled as rebellious.

The group separates, wandering around the room. Jazz music is playing in the background.

CARMON:

(In awe)

Wow . . .

DAKOTA:

This is amazing . . .

KHAILEN is standing off to the side, tapping her foot to the music. Suddenly, DAKOTA finds himself tangled in a Flapper's arms and being taken away to dance.

The moment is peaceful. A nice form of relaxation for the trio after the harsh endeavors they just witnessed. It was different than what they had at home in their universe.

KHAILEN found herself able to crack a small smile at watching her Lieutenant and Sargent relax and have a moment to themselves. For the first time in a long time, they could be relieved of harsh lifestyles and placed into this one.

It was new. However, after about an hour or two of being in this setting, the room slowly faded to black and the group was being transported again.

**End SCENE 8**