We Call them Dairyholds

By
Batmanismymuse
EXT. DECK OF CONTAINER SHIP - DAY
The container ship steams through light waves on a clear
day. The sky is blue, the ocean bluer. Two crew members,
ALLEN and SAM are walking together along the length of the
ship, inspecting the positions of containers and condition
of equipment.
SAM
Only two months, huh? You must have
been in a helluva rush to get on
board.
ALLEN
I suppose so. I have always loved
the ocean.
SAM
Yeah. Me too.
ALLEN
Have you been aboard these ships a
long period of time?
SAM
Oh yeah. Nearly twelve years now. I
started because I wanted to see the
world, even if I only saw the
coast. Then the kids came along,
and I had to do it for them. This
pays better than anything that kept
me at home with them. You got kids,
Allen?
ALLEN
Kids? Children? No, Sam, I have
none. I hope to reproduce some day,
before I am too old.
SAM
Youve got an interesting way of
talking.
ALLEN
I went to a private school.
SAM
Ah.
The two crew members continue their inspection, until at the
bow of the ship, they come across a container heavily
adorned with warnings and loud yellow and black paint. Allen
steps closer to the container, and touches the exterior.
2.
SAM
Dont touch that one.
ALLEN
Why?
SAM
The warnings dont do it for you?
Whatevers in there could be
radioactive, or a biohazard, I
dont know.
Allen inspects the documentation of the container and sees
it is headed for the United States.
ALLEN
Why is it here? Why not aerial
transport?
SAM
Lord knows. Maybe too fragile,
maybe too dangerous. Maybe this is
a less conspicuous way of moving it
from one place to another.
Allen traces his fingers along the metal, and lets go,
continuing to walk with Sam.
INT. GALLEY - EVENING.
Sam and Allen are sitting amongst a few other crew members,
LUKE and JULIE, eating and drinking.
LUKE
Thats one bonus they dont tell
you about when you climb on board
the first time.
Luke takes a sip of beer.
JULIE
The flavors of the world, baby.
LUKE
Thats right. Listen Allen, where
you from?
ALLEN
West Virginia.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
LUKE
West Virginia. There is no god damn
place in west virginia youll find
a Three Horse beer. Now, should
you, like us, find yourself sailing
out of Madagascar, youll get a
chance to taste it.
Luke opens a bottle for Allen and slides it to him. Allen
smells, takes a sip, and grimaces. Everyone around him
chuckles.
JULIE
Now thats a faux-pas, slick,.
LUKE
Did that really just happen? Did
that just happen? Oh come on now
son, I know you didnt just react
to this... Like that. This is a
nectar of the gods. This brings
people together! One touch, or
taste, of nature makes the whole
world kin.
ALLEN
I havent found a food on Earth
Ive liked.
JULIE
It shows, youre rake thin.
SAM
Hes tall though, hes got the
reach, thatll come in handy.
LUKE
Yeah, hell do fine, skinny ass and
beer dodging and all.
INT. CREW QUARTERS - NIGHT
Allen and Sam are getting their bunks in order. Sams is
heavily decorated, lived in. Allens is sterile, looking
brand new.
SAM
You worried about getting homesick?
ALLEN
What does that mean?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
SAM
Im not saying youre green or
nothing. Are you worried about
missing home, your loved ones?
ALLEN
Ive missed my loved ones for a
long time. My wife, I miss her.
SAM
Well, hang in there, the tripll go
by quick, and youll be home with
her in no time. Keep something to
remind her by.
ALLEN
Like what?
Sam reaches into her bunk and pulls out a book. She opens
the book to show Allen the bookmark. Its a dried buttercup,
pressed in plastic.
SAM
My oldest daughter and I went out
for the day before I set out. She
kept trying to pick me flowers, but
she was just grabbing weeds. She
was so concerned about not giving
me another dandelion, when she
found this little bugger, she was
so happy, and she nagged me to keep
it. I think its sweet, dont you?
Allen looks at the buttercup, smiles warmly and nearly tears
up.
ALLEN
I think it is very nice.
INT. CREWS QUARTERS - NIGHT
Alarms are blaring on the deck of the container ship,
flashing red is the only light the crew has. Sam, Julie, and
Luke are all scrambling out of their bunks, putting on
another layer of clothing lightning fast. Sam looks to
Allens bunk, and sees that hes gone.
LUKE
What the hell is going on?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
JULIE
Thats the alarm for security.
LUKE
Pirates?
SAM
We wouldve heard the captain
announce it on the speaker before
we got this.
LUKE
Well lets figure out what the hell
is going on.
The crew make their way out of their quarters, through the
galley.
JULIE
Im going to check in the
wheelhouse, see if everythings
alright.
LUKE
Alright. Sam? Outside?
SAM
Outside.
Sam and Luke move to the deck outdoors, to the sounds of
alarms and clanging metal.
SAM
Allen? Allen!
Luke and Sam sprint to the bow of the ship, and see Allen
punching and kicking at the containers surrounding the black
and yellow one with all the warnings. To Sam and Lukes
amazement, he is actually moving the containers by hand,
creating space near the doors of the yellow container.
SAM
Allen?
Allen opens the door, and an alien creature can be seen
inside. Frail, small, delicate. Allen runs in and begins to
cradle it gently. He pulls a bizzare plant from his pocket,
and dangles it before his alien child. He looks back to Luke
and Sam.
ALLEN
One touch of nature makes every
world kin.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
A white-blue beam of light punctures the container, and in a
flash Allen and the creature are gone.
THE END.