There are students milling about, transferring from one class to another. Maria and Kyle are talking by his locker.

Liz joins them.

Maria and Kyle immediately shake their heads "no", very emphatically.

The bell rings and they all head for their next class; Kyle goes in the opposite direction and Maria and Liz walk together.

Cut to:

Alex's bedroom is filled with computer and electronic equipment, as well as bookshelves filled with books, manuals, and magazines on a variety of subjects. Alex is at his computer. There is a copy of the picture Michael drew of the Desert Man on his desk. On his monitor's screen are thumbnail pictures of men. Most are in military uniforms, but some are not. They all have dark hair, and dark eyes. The pictures have an old look to them, based on style of dress and hair, like they are from the 1940s. He appears to be comparing the sketch to the pictures on the screen.

Cut to:

Michael is riding a motorcycle down the highway. It's a bit of a junker, but runs.

Michael, you seem to have a good rapport with River Dog. See if you can find out if Nasedo ever mentioned shapeshifting to him.

Cut to:

Isabel and Maria are sitting cross-legged on her bed. The sketch Michael drew of the Desert Man is on the bed between them. Isabel's hand hovers over it then she moves her hand to her face and nervously brushes aside a lock of hair. Maria picks up the sketch. They are talking, but we do not hear their conversation.

Max, Michael, Isabel, Liz, Maria, and Alex are all sitting at desks, clustered close together, brainstorming on what to do.

FLASHBACK TO PRESENT

Max and Liz have laid out a blanket which they are kneeling on. There is a lantern beside them and the orb between them on the blanket.

They stare at the orb; nothing happens.

Cut to:

River Dog's living room has the basic amenities: couch, arm chair, coffee table, TV and VCR on a stand, floor lamp, etc. and one item that gives the room a more personal, welcoming feel - a handmade rug. Michael is seated on the couch. River Dog is across from him in a well-used arm chair.

Michael writes down the statistics River Dog is giving him.

Michael quickly sketches as River Dog speaks.

Cut to:

They are still sitting as before. We join them in mid-conversation.

Maria nods knowingly, then a thought comes to her.

Cut to:

Michael is showing River Dog his rough sketch.

River Dog nods in understanding.

Cut to:

Alex's computer monitor shows that he was looking at marriage licenses. The white pages are open on his desk. He is on the phone.

There's a click, signaling a hang-up.

Cut to:

Same positions as before. Night has fallen. The orb is still inactive.

Still nothing.

Max closes his eyes and concentrates. Nothing happens. Suddenly the silence is disturbed by the sound of gravel falling near the collapsed tower. They both jump with a start, then look around trying to find the source of the sound. They both smile at their embarrassment and relief when they realize it's just a small lizard.

As they breathe a sigh of relief a rattlesnake springs out from its hiding place in the tower, grabs the lizard, then slithers back into its hiding place. The sudden appearance of the snake causes them both to gasp and jump again, only this time Max's reflexes cause the orb to fly out of his hands into the air. They both catch it at the same time. As they do, a beam shoots up to the sky displaying the Whirlwind Galaxy symbol. They are both startled by this and drop the orb. The signal goes out. Both look at the orb with amazement.

Cut to:

Michael closes his sketch pad, as if preparing to leave, but he doesn't get up from the couch. He seems to have something else on his mind that he's not sure how to bring up.

Cut to:

He is pulling some equipment out of his closet, piling the assortment on his bed.

FLASHBACK - INT. WEST ROSWELL EMPTY CLASSROOM - NOON

Continuation of classroom meeting.

FLASHBACK TO PRESENT

Alex looks through some stencils. Chooses one of a flying saucer.

Cut to:

Same positions as before.

Max does, but nothing happens. He puts the orb down.

Liz picks it up, tosses it, and catches it. Nothing.

She closes her eyes and concentrates. Still nothing. Max reaches out to take the orb and when he touches it the beam turns on.

Max smiles, liking that thought. They continue to hold the orb together, watching the Whirlwind Galaxy symbol displayed in the sky.

Cut to:

We are in a dark enclosed space. The only light is provided by the Whirlwind Galaxy symbol being beamed from an orb, which makes it difficult to see where we are. It appears as if it might be a storage vault.

Cut to:

Michael heads for the door.

Cut to:

Same scene as before.

Isabel nods, places her hand on the Desert Man picture, then hesitates.

Maria can see she's still a little nervous so she takes Isabel's free hand in hers. Isabel smiles, takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes.

Cut to:

Alex exits out the patio door into the backyard carrying some of the equipment he was taking out of closet earlier. He glances up and sees the Whirlwind Galaxy symbol in the sky. As he puts down the projector he's carrying we hear a motorcycle approach and stop nearby. Alex turns his head towards the gate and the sound. Michael comes through the gate and walks towards Alex.

Alex gestures with his hand as if to say "with your powers?"

Cut to:

Isabel's eyes are closed and she is touching the drawing of the Desert Man. She jumps with a start as she opens her eyes and comes out of the dreamwalk.

Isabel is momentarily overwhelmed by Maria's barrage of questions, then composes herself to answer each in succession.

Cut to:

Michael and Alex are busy with the equipment: plugging things in, positioning the projector, etc. They talk as they work.

Cut to:

Isabel is over by her dresser, rearranging the items on top--busy work to try to clear her mind. Maria is still seated on the bed, watching her. Isabel looks like she wants to ask Maria something, but is hesitant. Finally she speaks up.

Cut to:

Alex and Michael are working on the finishing touches.

Michael looks back at Alex; we can see the distress in his eyes. He's finding it hard to formulate words to express himself. Finally he speaks.

Alex nods. They have finished setting up the equipment.

Michael flips the switch. An impressive light show begins with interweaving "flying saucers".

Cut to:

Max and Liz are still alone, holding the orb together, watching the beam in the sky. Liz switches her gaze to Max who is looking intently at the beam. The hope that this will work is written all over his face.

Max turns away from the beam to look at Liz. He smiles.

The camera pulls back and we see the signal in the sky as well as Max and Liz holding the orb. As the camera pulls back a little more we realize we are watching this scene through high powered binoculars. We do not see who is holding them.

Cut to commercial:

Return to Act I

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