1 “ExTer: TALES OF ALIENS”

by

Ruben A.M. Austria

(Copyrighted)

Introduction:

FADE IN:

EXTERNAL – SOMEWHERE IN OUTER SPACE - MONTAGE

At a distance, on one of the planets next to Earth, we see undoubtedly, a flying saucer, hovering near. Approaching it, then entering to find out who's in there and what's going on. Inside the spaceship is circular, around two hundred square meters around and bright. The source of light cannot be seen and the ceiling is a glass dome around twelve feet high. The edge of the dome meets the wall at ten feet high. Half of the walls around are all covered by twenty-inch flat-screen monitors, down to four feet from the floor. On one side, a large monitor just like a home cinema TV set. At the base of the monitors are various control panels with specific uses, extending about two feet, perpendicular to the base of the lowest monitors, six inches below. The chairs for the control panels crew are on a single pole on concealed runners on the floor, that move sideways, and backward if another seated crew wants to go over to another side of a fellow crew. Controls for these chairs' movements are located beneath the chairs' arms. We look now behind, where the blank semi-circle of walls are. The walls are covered by panels ten feet high and four feet wide. Observing the panels, alternately, each slide opens fast to one side… we see figures nearing the open panels… they look and walk like a human! They are wearing skin-tight stretchable collarless suits. Light blue for male and yellow-gold for female. Their boots are like knee-high socks. The features of both sexes are like humans except for their bodies, which is proportionate in vital statistics. We move in for a closer look. Their heights vary from a short four feet, six feet and eight feet tall!

The hairs on their human-like head are covered by black horse-like fur, that doesn't seem to grow long. Their skin is like human and their complexion is light brown. The female specie has unmistakably feminine features. Aliens' eyes are like those of an eagle, with not so prominent human-like nose. Their mouths are small like a baby's mouth. Hands are like smooth gloves, no nails. The general configuration of their body build is proportionate to their height.

When they start communicating with one another, we do not hear anything. (SUPERIMPOSE - Their voice is of the same decibel as that of a dog whistle!)

They now proceed to their workstations. When they switch on the monitors the entire room dims and the control panels emit a built-in soothing light.

When we focus our eyes on the monitors, more than a hundred of them, it is a wonder to see different television broadcasts of all channels of the world.

The aliens that do not take a seat, move around to check each and every monitor. Some stop and concentrate on a monitor that shows a program that interests him/her.

SUPERIMPOSE:

The dialogue of the aliens is now converted to the language of the world.

TALL ALIEN 1 (TA-1) male:

Look at this one! There it goes again! Why are the earth people doing these kinds of things!?!

MEDIUM ALIEN 1 (MA-1) male:

What is it? Are they those whom we see walking on earth? Or those that we just see on the screen?

TA-1 directs one of the crew to display the program on the large monitor. It seems to interest everyone and focuses their attention on the large screen.

TA-1:

Why do they take the ball from each other? Why does one of the other three men sometimes take the ball and give it to the other group?

We focus on the TV screen and see that they are viewing a basketball game. With their surprised looks, it shows that they do not understand the game.

MA-1:

We never had those kinds of conflicts in ExTer. Human beings are so selfish!

SMALL ALIEN 1 (SA-1) male:

Maybe that's the reason they do not improve on technology like us.

TA-1:

But what makes me wonder is, after they do all that, and are done, no one gets to keep the ball!

SA-1:

(to panel control crew)

Are you done with deciphering their languages and writings?

SA-2 (female):

Not yet. They have so many languages. Wonders me how they could communicate with it.

MA-2:

Our satellites near the earth are detecting several more languages on the surface of earth! Many are not used in their broadcasts!

SA-1:

Decipher and translate only those they use on broadcasts. We have to understand at once what they say and write.

SA-1 looks up outside the dome. With hands at the back, he recalls how they were, and are, in their own planet, ExTer.

EXT. – ALIENS' PLANET EXTER – DAY – MONTAGE

VOICE OVER NARRATION: (necessary to understand the story)

The aliens' planet ExTer is similar to earth. The big difference is they have not abused nature. They have no extinct animals or plants. They leave the living things to evolve. Their technology is far more advanced than those of earth. Though the aliens look and act like humans, their brains, emotions, and needs are different in many ways. Probably as a result of their advanced technology that made them evolve to almost perfect beings. Their main concern is survival. They openly accept death for those who are old. Unlike men, they never considered maintaining youth and extending life. They only care to pass knowledge to their successors for further improvement. Sex for them is for procreation and not for lust, just like animals. Their government is their kind assigned to make sure that the entire population is well nourished and with exceptional health. Also, no problem with education because everything is provided for once their children reach school age. They do not use money or a credit card because it has no use. They have anything needed to live and survive. The work they do is for the entire population of their planet, in return, results of their work are distributed evenly to all of them. With this, there is no greed, therefore, no envy. Therefore again, no need to be rich! Because of this full satisfaction, and for that reason, they do not need entertainment!

We are taken to a tour of their planet ExTer. Their entire population is dedicated to working. Their streets have two way moving lanes with handlebars, the middle section having seats. Everyone does not have anything to carry, all they have are some sort of belt-bag containers. There is no commerce on the street level of the buildings. A lane of the sidewalks also moves at the pace of an escalator.

We now listen on to one of their talks. . .

ALIEN 1(male):

(to another)

We are improving again on the speed of our spacecraft. We could visit more live planets in a shorter time.

ALIEN 2(female):

In our section, we have developed a more compact pill that expands in the stomach. It will be able to nourish us for a whole day.

ALIEN 1:

Will the government give that on our next month's supply?

ALIEN 2:

For us adults, yes. The school will provide for the children's version of the pill.