(Name of Project) by (Name of First Writer)

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FADE IN: EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - DAY INSERT TITLE: Himalayan Mountains 1893. Even with the sun in a high noon position, the lone man is barely visible thru the fierce blizzard. He stumbles, rights himself and trudges on thru the deep snow and whipping winds. The imprints from his snow shoes are erased almost as soon as theyre made on the barren mountain ridge. He stops a moment, digs into his pocket, then lowers the thick woolen scarf from his eyes. He has trouble focusing on the small compass even though its only inches from his wind chaffed face. Confident with his bearing, he re-covers his eyes and continues over the ridge toward a distant rocky outcropping. Up ahead he begins to make out a misshapen dark object nestled between the indigenous stone. His gait is very sluggish, the bone chilling cold has taken its toll. As time passes the storm subsides just as quickly as it began, but the mans pace is even slower. He takes a step, pauses, then gathers his strength and repeats. With the storm finished he can finally hear how haggard his own breathing is. Both mentally and physically depleted, the lone man finally succumbs and collapses. His lightly wrapped head slams onto the stone of a long winding staircase which leads to the ancient Himis monastery. FADE OUT FADE IN: INT. MONASTERY PRAYER HALL - CONTINUOUS A large earthen fireplace crackles as the heat wafts over the lone middle aged man who now lays sleeping on a simple reed bed. The thin blanket is pulled back far enough to reveal that the strangers wet clothes have been removed. They lay dry and folded on a small table by his side. Quietly meditating in the dark next to the man is a young bald monk, dressed in a simple Dhonka robe. He sits on a beautiful hand sewn mat.

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NIKOLAI KOTOVICH slowly opens his eyes and swallows hard. His eyes adjust to the dark and he takes in his surroundings. The young monk takes notice, reaches to a bucket and scoops water into a small wooden bowl. He bows his head and offers the cool drink. Nikolai sits up halfway and accepts the water. His words are a whisper... NIKOLAI How long have I... The young monk stands and walks off into the darkness. Moments later an elder Asian monk returns and takes the place of the younger man. As he sits, his frail bones relax and his kind brown eyes patiently watch. The monk begins, his words chosen purposefully but delivered softly. ELDER MONK You have traveled far? NIKOLAI Very. ELDER MONK You have not arrived here by accident. NIKOLAI No. ELDER MONK Then it is by providence. NIKOLAI Im searching for something... scrolls. ELDER MONK We have many. NIKOLAI ...very special scrolls. ELDER MONK We have many. NIKOLAI Ive heard stories, a legend about a Tibetan temple that houses the writings of Saint Issa. (MORE)

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NIKOLAI(cont'd) Specifically, they concern missing years.

The elder pauses... ELDER MONK What you seek... very few obtain. NIKOLAI Are the scrolls here? The monk offers a subtle warning. ELDER MONK With great wisdom, comes great sacrifice. NIKOLAI I have gold. ELDER MONK It is not a question of material objects. Rather, to achieve true enlightenment one must relinquish himself in spirit and devote himself eternally to the way. The way... only exists within these walls. Nikolai is confused and considers this. NIKOLAI What are you saying? The elder looks on peacefully at Nikolai. ELDER MONK We can not stop one from pursuing the greater knowledge, it is given freely, but it must not pass from this sanctuary. The gravity of the moment is starting to sink in. NIKOLAI Are you saying I have to stay here... if I read the scrolls? Out of the darkness a multitude of both young and old faces are revealed by the light of the fire as monks silently step out of the shadows. Nikolai can see that many of the solemn faces are in fact not Asian as he had thought.

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ELDER MONK That is the cost. NIKOLAI But I want to be able to share the scrolls with my family, the world. The elder spreads out a robed arm, indicating the diverse range of men behind him. ELDER MONK ...as many have before you. NIKOLAI If you have them, they need to be shared. ELDER MONK They shall be revealed in time, when the day of mans reign has transpired. Impatience begins to creep thru Nikolais voice. NIKOLAI So you have the scrolls? Theyre here? The monk slightly bows his head. ELDER MONK We shepherd the greatest truth. The group of silent monks also bow their heads. Nikolai sits back, his pulse racing as realization overcomes him. He quietly digests both the words and the faces of all the men that have sacrificed before him. Somewhere in the distance, outside of his warm surroundings a bell begins to toll. Its echoes finally fade thru the snow covered valley below. NIKOLAI I want to know. The elder slowly lifts his head, then looks to the young monk. The young man disappears as before into the darkness. He returns moments later with a flat wooden box wrapped in a yellow piece of silk fabric. He sets it down in front of the elder.

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Nikolais eyes widen in astonishment as his destiny unfolds in front of him. The elder removes the silk wrap, revealing the exquisitely detailed exterior of the dark case. He begins reading the small words carved into the box, his voice crackling almost as much as the fire. ELDER MONK When virtue declines and vice predominates, I incarnate as an avatar. In visible form I appear from age to age to protect the virtuous and destroy evildoing in order to reestablish righteousness. He looks to Nikolai... ELDER MONK These are the spoken words of Issa. He opens the box and reveals page upon page of ancient parchment. He gingerly removes the first piece and pauses, again looking to Nikolai... ELDER MONK These... are the true written words of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The elder begins to read.