ACT ONE
ACT ONE EXT. ILLEÁ - CAROLINA PROVINCE - DAY
We find ourselves soaring over lush green fields where deer and wild horses roam. A CHYRON reads: Autumn.
AMERICA (V.O.) Long ago, this land was divided into many countries. The United States, Canada, Mexico... many others.
On the CHYRON, a year now fades up: Autumn, 2312.
We cross a wide, rushing RIVER...
EXT. ILLEÁ - CAROLINA PROVINCE - MILLVILLE - DAY
... to discover a small town. A mix of rich and poor, horse and buggies and bicycles coexist with ELECTRIC POD CARS.
AMERICA (V.O.) The history books say that in the late 21st Century, the nations of the East brought war against the nations of the West. Countless millions died...
We travel into...
EXT. MILLVILLE - WEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
... a WALLED ENCLAVE, where mansion after mansion boast sprawling lawns and abundant gardens. These mansions look like mansions of today -- except the roofs have perfectly integrated solar technology.
AMERICA (V.O.) Finally, to defeat the East, the countries of the West banded together to form one great country: Illeá.
We close in on...
EXT. WEALTHY HOME - DAY
... an elegant garden party. On the manicured lawn of an enormous CLASSICAL MANSION, uniformed SERVERS weave through a well-dressed crowd of wealthy Illeáns. In the background, we hear a beautiful SONG...
AMERICA (V.O.) With society in shambles, the new monarchy instituted a rigid caste system to make order out of chaos. There are eight castes. At the top are the Ones -- the Royal Family. At the bottom are the Eights, social outcasts and criminals. (beat) I am a Five, a member of the artist caste. And my name... is America.
Off to one side, FIND the source of the singing: AMERICA SINGER, 22, red hair flaming down her back. America has the voice of an angel, and the mien of a goddess. She stands with her sister, MAY, 20, who plays the violin while America sings. Their mother, MAGDA, accompanies on a grand piano.
May, while pretty, is no competition for America. And though Magda was once beautiful, time has taken a toll. America, May, and Magda’s clothes are a stark contrast to those of the wealthy ladies surrounding them -- the colors are duller, the fabric coarser, the style more homemade than high fashion.
In front of America, stands a CLUSTER OF WEALTHY LADIES, who eye an enormous TELE-SET in the corner of the garden. At the moment, the only thing on the screen is THE ROYAL EMBLEM.
WEALTHY LADY 1 (munching on a canapé) How long until the announcement? I’m too nervous to eat!
WEALTHY LADY 2 The Selection is just the most romantic way for the Prince to find a bride! (moons) Think of it! Every young woman in Illeá enters her name in a lottery, then one lucky girl from each province is chosen to move to the Palace and be courted by the Prince... Imagine having your name drawn, knowing it was random chance, or maybe even fate...
WEALTHY LADY 3 (amused) Sometimes I forget that you’re a Three, Meredith. It’s common knowledge among we Two’s that the so-called lottery is just to appease the lower castes. There’s nothing random about it.
WEALTHY LADY 4 Why do you think Hardy and Ashlyn are throwing this party? Because they’re confident that Jasmine will be the choice from the Carolina province.
The ladies all turn to look at JASMINE GRANTHAM, 19, beautiful in a fragile way. She stands across the party with her PARENTS, the hosts of the party.
WEALTHY LADY 1 Jasmine is the clear choice. Best family, best connections.
WEALTHY LADY 3 Best nose job.
FIND America, who rolls her eyes at a concerned-looking May as they finish a song. As the ladies continue to gossip...
AMERICA Let’s take a break. I can’t listen to them for another second.
MAGDA You girls go ahead. I don’t want to risk them docking our pay.
As Magda continues to play, America and May walk past a BUFFET replete with everything from a WHOLE PIG to a CAVIAR BAR. As May longingly eyes a CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY TREE...
MAY They’re not right, are they? I have just as good a chance of being selected as any girl in the province?
AMERICA Why do you even want to be in The Selection? It’s an antiquated tradition. And the Prince... he’s so stiff and smug.
America and May enter...
INT. WEALTHY HOME - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
... a bustling kitchen, where SERVERS load trays with elaborate food and drink for the guests outside.
MAY He’s the Prince. Someday, I’d be queen. People would adore me, just like they do Queen Amberly.
In one corner of the kitchen, the food laid out for the help is a stark contrast to that for the guests. As America takes a cloth from her pocket and wraps a meager sandwich for later, her eyes find a HANDSOME YOUNG MAN, a huge bag of ice on his shoulder, as he crosses the kitchen. His clothes are ragged, but his bearing is strong. As he exits --
AMERICA What about love, May?
MAY (rolls her eyes) Anyway, what do you know? You didn’t even enter The Selection. AMERICA Exactly. Because you can’t find true love by lottery.
As America slips the sandwich in her pocket --
SERVER You can’t take that. That food is for eating here.
MAY Don’t speak to my sister that way. You may be all dressed up, but you’re still a Six.
AMERICA May! (to the server) Please. It’s for my little brother. He’s ill.
The Server glares at May, then walks away.
AMERICA (CONT’D) That waiter can’t help that he was born to the servant caste!
MAY And I can’t help that I was born to the artist caste. One caste above him.
America pulls May outside --
EXT. WEALTHY HOME - CONTINUOUS
-- to a corner away from both the guests and the help.
AMERICA The caste you’re born into determines your trade, not your value as a person. How would you feel if you’d been born an Eight -- a social outcast? Not because you’re not smart. Not because you’re a bad person. Just because you had the bad luck to be born into the lowest of the low.
MAY All I know is, unless I get into The Selection, I’ll be stuck as a Five. Struggling forever.
As May heads off, the young man America was watching moments ago walks over, now carrying FIREWOOD. This young man is ASPEN LEGER, 25. A Six, Aspen is strong, smart, and bears the burden of supporting his entire family.
ASPEN Everything okay, miss?
AMERICA My sister and I don’t share the same view of the world.
ASPEN She’s young. She’ll learn. (beat) Your voice is magical.
AMERICA Thank you. Do you have a request?
ASPEN (smiles) I do, but I’ll save it for tonight.
They risk a quick look, one filled with love...
AMERICA Tonight, then.
Aspen walks away, leaving America beaming. Suddenly, the TELE-SET in the corner comes to life with the SOUND OF BLARING TRUMPETS. A murmur runs through the crowd. It’s time! “THE CAPITOL REPORT” fades up over the Royal Emblem. The guests gather around the Host family. America joins her mother and May. Within moments, the Royal Family appears on screen, seated in SLEEK THRONES: dignified KING CLARKSON, late 40’s; refined and beautiful QUEEN AMBERLY, 40’s; and PRINCE MAXON, 25, handsome, and regal.
As May clutches America’s hand, host GAVRIL FEDAYE walks onto the screen. Gavril is the Illeán Ryan Seacrest -- trim, bright-eyed, smooth-voiced.
GAVRIL (ON TV) Welcome to this special edition of The Capitol Report! As always, I am your host, Gavril Fedaye, and it is my privilege to introduce... your king! His Royal Highness, King Clarkson of Illeá.
The King rises; the party guests clap as if he can hear them.
KING CLARKSON (ON TV) Greetings, good citizens. Before we turn to The Selection, let us observe a moment of silence in honor of our Illeán troops, ensuring our safety across the nation and around the world.
The King bows his head. Everyone follows suit. A long beat. Then, as the King sits --
GAVRIL (ON TV) Thank you, Your Highness. (beat) What a thrill this is. Once a generation, every young lady in Illeá of marriageable age, regardless of caste, is invited to enter a lottery. One young lady from each of Illeá’s thirty-five provinces is chosen to come to the Palace and vie for the Prince’s hand. This is The Selection! (the crowd cheers, then) Every queen since 2135 has been chosen from among the common populace, including our beloved Queen Amberly!
The party guests clap and cheer for Queen Amberly, who waves.
GAVRIL (CONT’D) And now her son, Prince Maxon, is searching for his wife; for the girl who will, one day, be our queen. It’s so romantic, I can hardly stand it. Prince Maxon? A few words?
Gavril turns to Prince Maxon, who rises.
PRINCE MAXON (ON TV) Just this: Among the young women whose names we are about to hear... I feel confident that I will find a bride as exceptional as my mother.
The Prince sits. Gavril steps up once again. May smiles at America. This is it! At the center of the crowd, Jasmine stands confidently with her parents.
GAVRIL (ON TV) The following names were drawn at random earlier today. And now it is my pleasure to announce... our Selection candidates! From the Alberta Province... a Two. Miss Ana Crane!
A picture of a PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN appears on the screen.
GAVRIL (CONT’D) From the Brazilia Province... a Three. Miss Carmela del Rios.
Another picture appears...
GAVRIL (CONT’D) From the Canadia Province... a Two. Miss Fiona Castley!
And another picture...
GAVRIL (CONT’D) From the Carolina Province...
The crowd holds its collective breath. May’s grip on America’s hand tightens.
GAVRIL (CONT’D) ... a Five.
The crowd gasps collectively. A Five? Jasmine dissolves in tears. May’s eyes light up with hope.
GAVRIL (CONT’D) Miss America Singer!
America can’t believe her ears -- or her eyes. Her picture is on the tele-set screen. Gavril Fedaye just said her name.
AMERICA No!
As America looks around desperately for Aspen, one head turns her way... then another... then another, as the party guests recognize her from her picture on the tele-set. May stares at her, hurt.
MAY How could you?
AMERICA I didn’t. It’s... a mistake.
OFF America, stunned and horrified --
SMASH CUT TO: THE SELECTION FADE UP:
EXT. MILLVILLE - SINGER HOUSE - DAY
A furious America, with May and Magda in her wake, storms up to the Singer house, a small, two-story bungalow. Like the other houses on the street, the Singer home is half-cobbled together from recycled wood and siding. A small WINDMILL turns in the backyard. Rusting SOLAR PANELS adorn the roof.
This neighborhood of Fives and Sixes bears little resemblance to the Two side of town. Most homes have vegetable gardens, some have small livestock. There are many more bikes than cars -- and the few cars we see have been pieced together from found parts.
AMERICA Just admit it, Mother! You’re so desperate to caste-climb, you put my name in the lottery!
MAGDA I most certainly did not!
MAY How do we know you didn’t do it yourself?
America throws open the front door --
INT. SINGER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
-- and blows into the living room. She’s immediately TACKLED by GERAD SINGER, 8, nerdy-adorable, a bit sickly.
GERAD America’s gonna be a Princess!
America disentangles herself as May and Magda enter.
AMERICA Hush, Gerad. I’ll be no such thing.
A blend of old and new, the home has both a wood-burning stove and a generator. The downstairs has just two rooms -- a living area (where Gerad sleeps at night) and a kitchen.
America’s father, MYLAN, 40’s, enters. His right arm, the hand twisted and gnarled, hangs uselessly at his side.
AMERICA (CONT’D) Papa, I’m not going to the Palace --
MYLAN America --
AMERICA Mother knew how I felt. She never should have submitted my name --
MYLAN She didn’t. I did.
Everyone stares at Mylan, shocked. As America absorbs this punch to the gut, Magda turns to May.
MAGDA May, take your brother to the market. Use the rest of this month’s rations to get ingredients for a cake. The neighbors will want to celebrate.
GERAD Yes!
May gives America one last glare. As May and Gerad exit, America faces off with her father.
AMERICA Why?
MYLAN I have two daughters. I wanted our family to have two chances...
AMERICA (realizes) Girls who participate in The Selection get a stipend. You’re selling me.
This is killing Mylan. But he has no choice.
MYLAN How many winter nights have you kids gone to bed hungry?
MAGDA If your father were still able to work, things would be different --
AMERICA (to Mylan) You can’t play the violin anymore because of them! Because of what they did!
MYLAN A couple overzealous soldiers hurt me. Not the Royal family.
AMERICA They accused you of being a Rebel. They beat you for no reason.
MAGDA What happened to your father was awful. But it wasn’t the King’s fault. The monarchy protects us. Never forget that.
America appeals to her father --
AMERICA But I don’t believe in The Selection. It’s antiquated. It’s sexist. You taught me to hold on to my beliefs, no matter what.
MYLAN The world we live in... Sometimes, we have to make compromises.
MAGDA America, think. Even if you just make it to the final six girls, to The Elite, you’ll become a Two. We all will. You know how that would change our lives.
America needs her parents to understand this --
AMERICA I’m sorry -- but no. I’d do anything for you... for May and Gerad... But not this. Never this.
AS America heads up the stairs, leaving her stricken parents--
INT. SINGER HOUSE - AMERICA’S ROOM - NIGHT
The middle of the night. A sparsely furnished room, which America shares with May. As May sleeps soundly, FIND America wide-awake... waiting.
A beat, then America crawls out of bed. She pulls a JAR OF COINS out from a hiding place under her bed, then gingerly OPENS THE WINDOW. AS America CLIMBS OUT THE WINDOW --
EXT. SINGER HOUSE - NIGHT
America, the jar of coins in hand, shimmies down a LATTICE, drops to the ground. Under a WAXING MOON, America crosses the lush, overgrown backyard. She reaches an enormous RED PINE TREE, begins to CLIMB a makeshift ladder --
INT. TREE HOUSE - NIGHT
America emerges into a LARGE WOODEN TREE HOUSE. She looks around, finds Aspen, who waits for her in their secret love nest in the sky. America has been dying to tell him --
AMERICA Aspen, you have to believe me. I didn’t enter my name --
ASPEN I know --
AMERICA I would never --
Aspen takes America’s hand, pulls her up and into the Tree House, crushing her against him. They kiss, their passion all the more intense because it’s forbidden. After several moments, Aspen begins to pull away --
AMERICA (CONT’D) Don’t stop.
Aspen kisses her again. It’s as if they’re trying to devour each other. Finally, Aspen forces himself to push her away --
ASPEN America, we can’t.
They both know what he’s saying. They can’t have sex.
AMERICA (defiant) Why not?
ASPEN You know why not. Because we’re not married -- if we were caught, we’d both be put in jail. And because purity is a requirement for The Selection --
AMERICA I’m not going. I’m staying right here in Carolina. With you.
ASPEN America, I’m a Six. A servant --
AMERICA Those numbers don’t mean anything, Aspen. Not if we don’t let them.
ASPEN Moving into the Palace... meeting the Royal Family... becoming famous... Do you have any idea what it would mean for you? For your family? Even this town?
AMERICA I refuse to parade around in a bunch of ridiculous gowns, competing for some arrogant prince.
ASPEN (can’t help smiling) I feel sorry for the poor man when he crosses you.
AMERICA I’m not going to date Prince Maxon. How can I, when I’m going to marry you.
ASPEN You know that’s what I want.
America holds out the jar of coins.
AMERICA We promised each other. We stood under the moon, and we promised that when we save enough of these -- enough to pay the fine for marrying someone outside of one’s caste -- we’ll be wed. (beat) I love you, Aspen.
ASPEN And I love you.
America smiles, relieved that the matter is settled. Aspen pulls a COIN from his pocket, drops it in the jar.
ASPEN (CONT’D) Sing for me.
AMERICA I don’t want to sing. Not tonight.
Heat radiates from America. And from Aspen. She begins to undress.
ASPEN America...
As America’s nightdress falls to the floor, Aspen can’t take it anymore. He kisses America’s face, her neck, breath ragged, then--
ASPEN (CONT’D) There are other things we can do...
AS Aspen’s lips continue to travel the length of America’s body and he melts out of frame...
INT. SINGER HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
The next morning. America and May move around the Kitchen, preparing a meager morning meal as Gerad draws at the table. There’s tense silence between the sisters. May BANGS a POT --
AMERICA Go ahead, May. Yell, scream...
A beat. May bangs another pot, turns to America --
MAY They picked one Five in the whole country! You have the chance to get out of this town, out of this life, and you’re throwing it away.
As May turns away from America, the back door opens. Magda enters, arms loaded with bags.
GERAD Mama, what is all that?
MAGDA (beaming) I... I couldn’t believe it... The shopkeepers all knew who I was -- that I’m America’s mother. They kept giving me things --
GERAD (looking into a bag) Steak! And more sugar!
MAY The special treatment won’t last once they hear America’s refusing to go.
MAGDA Your sister will do the right thing. She always does. (then) And America’s not the only young person leaving town. I heard the Fletcher girl is marrying another Four from Orleans. And the son of that Six family, the Legers, joined the Army.
America freezes. Her heart stops.
AMERICA Which son?
MAGDA The oldest, I think. I don’t know his name...
OFF America, trying to hide her panic --
EXT. BAD NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
A depressing street lined with decaying, dilapidated houses. AS America makes her way past STRAY DOGS and STRAY CHILDREN --
EXT. ASPEN’S HOUSE - DAY
ON ASPEN’S BACK, shirtless, as he CHOPS WOOD behind the tiny house he shares with his mother and siblings.
AMERICA (O.S.) Tell me it’s not true.
Aspen turns to America, REVEALING a fresh BRAND on his chest. It’s the ROYAL EMBLEM, the symbol of the Illeán Army.
ASPEN I was going to tell you tonight. I leave for basic training on Friday.
AMERICA (stares, horrified) But soldiers aren’t allowed to have wives. Or even girlfriends --
ASPEN America --
AMERICA No. NO! NO!
She runs at him, beating at his chest.
ASPEN (holds her away) It’s for the best, America. I’ll earn enough to send money home... And when I get out in ten years, I’ll be a Two.
AMERICA (heartbroken and furious) You won’t get out. Soldiers die, Aspen. In the jungle... or on a glacier... There are battles going on all over the world. And what about the Rebels? Every day we hear about more uprisings --
ASPEN I know all that. But if we got married, you’d become a Six... and I realized I love you too much for that.
AMERICA So you’re going to get yourself killed?
Aspen just looks at her. If that’s what it takes, then yes.
AMERICA (CONT’D) I hate you for this.
ASPEN We could never hate each other. (then) I’ll think of you whenever I look at the moon. I hope sometimes you think of me too. But you have to let me go, America. It’s over.
OFF America, her life smashed into tiny pieces --
INT. SINGER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
ON MAGDA AND MYLAN, sitting nervously on their slightly tattered sofa, dressed in their Sunday best.
SYLVAN (O.S.) Will Lady America be home soon?
REVEAL SYLVAN SANTOS, 30’s, gay, wearing a perfectly tailored jacket adorned with the ROYAL EMBLEM, sitting opposite Magda and Mylan. Sylvan is a close advisor to the Queen and an expert in all things related to Royal etiquette.
MAGDA Any minute -- oh, here she is!
The front door opens. America enters. Sylvan stands --
SYLVAN Lady America. I’m Sylvan Santos, etiquette expert and Advisor to the Queen. The Royal Family has sent me to welcome you and to assist you as you prepare for your travels.
A beat. America’s dreams have been shattered, but she can still make her family’s come true. America CURTSIES.
AMERICA I’m very happy to meet you. (dying inside) When do we leave?
As Mylan and Magda look on, relieved, OFF America, her fate sealed --
END OF ACT ONE