AGE OF MACHINE, PAGE 58 – 60

INT. WHITE HOUSE OVAL ROOM  ––  NIGHT

President Franklin sits at his desk in complete darkness. After a few seconds, we hear the remote humming of the emergency power generator of the White House. The lights in the Oval Room switch back on.

ZOOM IN on a bible on the desk, opened at Exodus 11:4-6. Franklin stares at it. Then he tries a couple of buttons on his intercom to check if it’s working again. A light on the intercom switches on. JEAN MALLONE (age 40, Franklin’s Personal Assistant) answers.

 

JEAN

Yes, Mr. President?

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

Jean, please get me my coat. And get the Beast ready.

 

JEAN

Sure Mr. President.

 

Franklin gets up from his desk and walks to the door. Jean, carrying his winter coat, and two security officers walk in. Franklin puts his coat on.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

I need to see Helen.

 

EXT. IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE  ––  NIGHT

A security officer opens the doors of the Beast (presidential state car) to let Franklin and Jean get in. They drive off, one escorting car in front and one behind. The streets around the White House area still completely in the dark.

 

INT. INSIDE THE BEAST  ––  NIGHT

Franklin looks outside. Jean checks her phone.

 

JEAN

Still no connection sir. This power outage has shut down everything.

 

EXT. IN FRONT OF DOHERTY’S HOUSE  ––  NIGHT

In the pitch dark they arrive at Helen Doherty’s house. A security officer opens the car door and helps Franklin step out. They walk to the front door of the house. The security officer knocks. The door is opened by Helen’s maid, who carries a flashlight. Franklin and Jean enter the hall that is dimly lit with candles.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

I know it’s very late. I’m sorry. I need to see Helen. Jean, please wait in the hall.

 

Franklin takes off his coat and hands it over to the maid. When he is halfway the hall, Helen comes out of her study.

 

HELEN DOHERTY

Thaddeus, please come in. It’s too cold here in the hall.

 

She leads him into the study, where a fireplace and several candles illuminate the room.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

Hi Helen. Sorry to disturb you this late. Couldn’t reach you on the phone.

 

HELEN DOHERTY

No problem at all. Please have a seat near the fireplace and warm yourself.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

Thanks.

He stares into the flames for a few moments.

Helen, you have a bible in the room?

 

HELEN DOHERTY

Sure. Let me see.

 

She walks to a large wooden bookcase and picks up the bible.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

Exodus 11:4-6. Please read it.

Short pause. Helen looks for the right page.

Something really bad is about to happen in the next days. I even heard rumors that all first-year army recruits in the US and China will die.

 

HELEN DOHERTY

Probably rumors coming from those anti-AI groups who call themselves neo-luddites. They organize mass demonstrations everywhere. Shouldn’t take them too seriously.

 

THADDEUS FRANKLIN

Dunno anymore. But I’m gonna give in to the NTI proposal, Helen. I want to give them a chance. I’ll join the next video conference. When is it scheduled?

 

HELEN DOHERTY

In fact, tomorrow morning 9 AM. If power outages are fixed.

 

INT. BOARD ROOM OF THE NTI  ––  DAY

At the NTI there is no power outage. The NTI participants sit and wait, looking at a clock on the wall. When the clock indicates 8.55, the big screen switches on and Abai’s face emulation appears.

 

ABAI

Brought power back on everywhere. We can start the conference in 5 minutes. Can you please inform all participants?