THE QUESTION

(Second draft)
Written by
Chris Anderson

INTERGALACTIC SPACE
A spiral galaxy, presumably ours, spins as the camera moves
into it.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Approximately 7 months ago, a
highly advanced race revealed
themselves to us. Armed only with
knowledge that surpasses us by
millions of years, they gave one
human the chance to ask just one
question. That person is known only
to them, and that person-- is me.
INT. CAFE - DAY
The cafe wall is full of postcards suggesting questions. Some
are long and unreadable, some are short and decorated. A
glimpse of one reads Where have our rainbows gone?.
The camera slowly tracks out from The Holder as he sits alone
in an empty cafe with a disconnected expression upon his
face. He tilts his head and stares into his coffee cup. He
sits with his duffle bag on his lap.
The waitress, an adorable girl-next-door type, approaches the
table looking slightly concerned.
WAITRESS
Sir, can I get you anything else?
The Holder doesnt react.
WAITRESS (CONTD)
Sir, are you okay?
The Holder lifts his head up just enough to make eye contact
and gives her a little forced smile and a nod of
acknowledgement.
EXT. CITY - DAY
The Holder is walking towards the camera through a city
street, carrying his bag.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Of course, the entire world changed
that day. Religious and scientific
institutions tried to come up with
the perfect question.
(MORE)

2.
THE HOLDER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Wars and terrorism seemingly ended
overnight-- nobody wanted to be the
one that killed the question
holder.
The Holder is stood looking up at a billboard that reads Ask
them why we are here?. An advert aimed directly at the
question holder from the MFO.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
People tried to get the holder to
come forward, but I couldnt-- not
even if I wanted to, it was against
their rules.
The Holder is again walking towards the camera as he comes to
a stop and looks up. As the camera moves around, we reveal he
is looking up at a huge rip in the fabric of space, slightly
obscured by a skyscraper.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Whatever I ask, it will only
satisfy a few. The masses will be
angry.
A group of students are carrying signs with suggestions and
chanting illegibly. One of them reads Just ask them
SOMETHING.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
The church is warm and comforting as The Holder walks down
the empty aisle.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Maybe I shouldnt ask anything.
The Holder is sat in the front row of the seating.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Is this just a test? Are they going
to judge us as an entire species
just based on my question alone?
The sound is like a heartbeat as The Holder puts his hands
over his face, clearly in distress. The Holder gets up and
quickly walks out of the church.

3.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
A boot comes into the frame as it snaps twigs that cover the
forest floor. The Holder, carrying his bag, is observant as
he walks through the woods.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
I know now. I know what I need to
do to save my mind from selfdestruction and rid myself of this
burden.
The Holder stops at a clearing.
THE HOLDER (V.O.)
Im ready to ask my question.
He drops his bag from his shoulder onto the floor and a
bright orb of light appears in front of him.
The camera tracks in towards his face
Why me?

THE HOLDER
CUT TO BLACK

AFTER THE CREDITS

SUPER: WHAT WOULD YOU ASK?