Zoela
By Cayla Lambert
Fade in:
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
We see a night sky lit aglow with several stars above a forest. All is quiet, until a massive beam of light shoots into the sky, nearly wiping out this forest.
As the camera inches towards the crater in the epicenter of the mysterious explosion, an African-American baby girl named ZOELA is wrapped in a blanket, lying right smack in the middle of the crater. She is still asleep, seemingly undisturbed by the explosion; otherwise she would be crying. This must be one powerful infant! A silhouette approaches her, as she slowly awakens and...!
CUT TO:
EXT. SIX FLAGS ENTRANCE GATE - DAY
Zoela, now a woman in her late teens or early 20s, is working at her summer job, donning the usual neon work uniform. Her boss has just caught her daydreaming, moments before the park opens.
SUPERVISOR
Zoela!
ZOELA
(attention caught)
Uhh, yeah?
SUPERVISOR
We're open. These tickets aren't gonna scan themselves.
ZOELA
You got it!
Zoela gives her supervisor and co-workers a thumbs-up. She faces towards the guests with great confidence, ready to start the day.
TITLE CARD: ZOELA!
ZOELA
Welcome! Have a nice day! Etc.
Lines of crowds await entering the park. Zoela scans all the tickets and passes of all the guests, consisting of different racial backgrounds, which include families, teenagers, and summer camp trips consisting of young children wearing the same T-shirts. As she greets the guests with a smile, we zoom into the parking lot close to the entrance, where a suspicious black car sits by the curb.
INT. BLACK SLICK CAR - DAY
Two masked HENCHMEN look out the window and then back at each other and nod as they step out to cause mayhem
Ext. SIX FLAGS ENTRANCE GATE - DAY
Zoela continues her job, scanning the park tickets, when the two henchmen cut in line, disrupting the guests. The men approach her.
ZOELA
Um, excuse me, but you two can't just cut in line.
The henchmen do not speak to her.
ZOELA
The line begins back there, sir.
Still no word from the henchmen. One of the guests, a White male, attempts to acknowledge the line-cutters.
GUEST
Yeah! You're holding up the line!
One of the henchmen turns his head exactly 180 degrees and gives the guests a cold, menacing stare. The guest cringes and a child cries. He turns his head back to Zoela.
HENCHIE #1
You are Zoela, right?
ZOELA
H-how do you know my name?
INT. NEARBY GIFT SHOP - DAY
A middle- to old-aged man, named GYALLOCH, browses the plush section, but suddenly senses that something is wrong. So he takes off his squid hat and rushes out.
EXT. SIX FLAGS ENTRANCE GATE - DAY
HENCHIES #1 & #2 approach Zoela.
HENCHIE #1
Come with us. Now.
ZOELA
I can't. I've got to work.
HENCHIE #2
Princess. Heir of the Lykata race.
ZOELA
Princess?
SUPERVISOR
Hey! No cutting in line--
HENCHIE #1
SURRENDER ZOELA!!
The strength of the yell leaves the crowd in a stunned silence. As he suddenly grabs Zoela by the hand, another figure bursts from nowhere! Gyalloch, who has rushed in from inside the park, is a wizard who has arrived to the rescue!
GYALLOCH
You said you have been searching for Zoela.
HENCHIE #1
Yes, we were. Step aside.
GYALLOCH
Well, sorry to interrupt, but I have some news for you. I saw her first.
Zoela, Henchies #1 & #2 are confused. How could this old man have seen her first?
ZOELA
What are you talking about? Who are you?
GYALLOCH
'Tis a long story, but you must trust me.
Gyalloch stands in front of Zoela in a protective fashion and prepares to confront the henchmen.
HENCHIE #2
We came all this way and we can't have you interfere with this. She's the heir to the uncanny superhuman talent that runs in her family!
ZOELA
Uncanny? Superhuman? If you think that's what I am, you're sadly mistaken! I'm completely ordinary!
GyALLOCH
(to the HENCHIES)
It's what she wants you to think. But it's because I might have met her before, and I made a promise a long time ago.
HENCHIE #1
Wanna bet, old man?
Henchie #1 and Gyalloch stare at each other intensely, but in a flash the old wizard takes Zoela by the hand and the two of them run off into the park, inciting a chase!
EXT. SIX FLAGS - CONTINUOUS
Gyalloch and Zoela run through the theme park, hoping to outrun the henchmen, who are already hot on their trail. The duo run past the rides and restaurants until they are spotted by a henchman at the carousel.
Zoela
I am in the middle of my shift. Could you explain to me what the hell is going on?! Why are we running?! Who are you?
Gyalloch stares at the henchman.
GYALLOCH
Watch this.
With a wave of his right arm, he air-pushes the henchman into the carousel, causing it to spin uncontrollably. The henchman tries to get off the careening carousel, running in the opposite direction of the ride. It spins so fast that it resembles a zoetrope. Zoela and Gyalloch continue running.
ZOELA
Stop dragging me around. I'll call security! You know? If you see something say something?
GYALLOCH
Until we are in the clear, I cannot explain why I am saving your life.
They run through the exit of a wooden roller coaster. They get on the train in a flash as the ride begins.
EXT. SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER - DAY
The train approaches the top of the hill.
ZOELA
Ok. I think we are safe now. Can we—
GYALLOCH
Oh, no, no, no, no. You are not safe anywhere. And you can't get off this ride.
ZOELA
If my bosses find out I could get in trouble! Or fired!
GYALLOCH
Perhaps you could've filed for accommodations for the dormant superpowers that I have come to ask you about?
Zoela starts glowing a powerful glow in response to her overwhelmed state.
ZOELA
This is ridiculous! I am not who you think I am!
GYALLOCH
Then why are you glowing?!
Zoela briefly notices her glow and then emits a powerful scream and makes the roller coaster train launch down the hill and through the tracks. The train loops around, back through the way they came.
ZOELA
This ride feels faster!
GYALLOCH
Woah!! See?! This! This is why I have come to find you before the henchmen could! This is amazing!
ZOELA
Look out!!
More henchmen jump onto the track as the train approaches the helix.
GYALLOCH
Wanna see something cool?
Gyalloch jumps out of his seat and stands on the train as if he is surfing.
ZOELA
Sir!!
Gyalloch battles each of the henchmen one by one, knocking them off the track, as the ride concludes. The train stops. The other riders applaud for Gyalloch's display. As Zoela looks at the rescuer, sparkles form around them.
GYALLOCH
Uh-oh.
Zoela and Gyalloch suddenly disappear from the roller coaster.
EXT. ARCTIC MOUNTAINS - DAY
Zoela and Gyalloch warp to a mountain range pretty close to the Arctic Circle.
GYALLOCH
Brrr! I guess coming out of retirement is more difficult than I thought.
He takes off his long jacket and puts it on Zoela for warmth.
ZOELA
Y-you came out of retirement?
They warp again.
EXT. REMOTE ISLAND BEACH - DAY
Zoela and Gyalloch now land at a remote Pacific island. She gives the jacket back to the wizard.
GYALLOCH
I have not used my powers in a long time. This must be one of the side effects.
ZOELA
And your powers are malfunctioning?
They warp out of there and back to...
EXT. SIX FLAGS ENTRANCE GATE - DAY
...the entrance gate where Zoela should be working.
ZOELA
Whew! Back to square one.
GYALLOCH
The henchmen should be gone.
SUPERVISOR
Zoela!
Zoela's supervisor now wants a word with her. She prepares to go, but turns around to see Gyalloch isn't there.
INT. SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE - DAY
Inside the supervisor's office, Zoela sits across from her, anxious to find out the fate of her summer job. Her supervisor carefully examines her now dirty uniform. The room fills with complete silence with the exception of a ticking clock, counting every passing second.
ZOELA
Before you could say something, it was not a dream. Everything happened so fast. He rescued me from some bad men who said I was a princess of a super-powery...something that I have no knowledge of.
Her supervisor lets out a big sigh. She begins to understand Zoela's situation.
SUPERVISOR
Your rescuer also claimed that he saw you first. And that he might need you for the next week.
ZOELA
I don't know what he meant by that. But somehow I think I am still being hunted.
SUPERVISOR
Since this is a serious matter that found you in the worst possible timing, I'll let you off with a little warning. With paid leave, of course. But next time, security can handle it.
ZOELA
Thank you for understanding. Am I dismissed?
SUPERVISOR
Yes. Whenever you are ready to work again, give us a call.
Zoela gets up from her chair and heads home.
INT. BUS - DAY
Zoela sits on the bus, heading home. As she listens to some music, she looks outside, pondering and contemplating the turn of events.
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
Zoela walks across the sidewalk and approaches a brownstone apartment that she calls home. She heads inside.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, HALLWAY - DAY
Exhausted, Zoela, having just made it home from a long day of work, is greeted by several young girls. This place is a girl's home, a foster home for the youngsters waiting to be adopted. Somehow Zoela made this place her permanent home. The head of the home, JADE, examines Zoela's rough appearance and dirty uniform.
ZOELA
Hi, y'all. I guess your big sis was nearly killed at work today.
JADE
Nearly killed?
ZOELA
Ms. Jade. Some men did try to attack me in the middle of my shift. A man rescued me. He was mysterious...
JADE
At least you didn't die.
ZOELA
(embarrassed)
Ms. Jade.
JADE
I know. My mom senses were tingling. Besides, your experience at work today must have happened for a reason.
ZOELA
What do you mean?
JADE
Since I took you in, you have had some kind of incredible abilities. That's how I knew you were extraordinary, whether you had superpowers or not.
ZOELA
That was why I was pursued.
JADE
There are going to be some people who might try to take that power for selfish reasons. If anyone or anything tries to provoke you to the point that you, shall we say, explode, we can always talk about it again.
ZOELA
Thanks, Ms. Jade. But I am okay with what I am, who I am, in the present. Ordinary.
JADE
Not everyone can be ordinary. You're a snowflake. We're all unique.
They all head upstairs as the camera pans to old family photos of a younger Zoela with the others posed like a school photo.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, BATHROOM - NIGHT
Zoela, now dressed in her pajamas, brushes her teeth until she hears an unusual clanging noise coming from outside the door.
ZOELA
Hello?
She opens the bathroom door to see a stray cat. The feline meows at her.
ZOELA
Wha-? A cat? But how did you get in here?
The cat meows at Zoela again and runs out the door.
ZOELA
Hey! Where are you going?
Zoela chases the cat out of the bathroom, downstairs into the hallway, and into the kitchen.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, KITCHEN - NIGHT
The chase concludes as Zoela loses track of the stray cat. Where the cat last went, Gyalloch is now sitting.
GYALLOCH
Zoela Lykata. Please take a seat. We need to talk.
Zoela sits down next to Gyalloch at the table.
ZOELA
You again. Where’s the cat?
GYALLOCH
You’re looking at him. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Master Gyalloch Fopps, at your service. If you are wondering about this cat, I transformed to and from it. I cast a shapeshifting spell on myself.
He transforms into a cat again, and then quickly turns back into his usual self.
ZOELA
Woah.
GYALLOCH
Pretty cool, huh? I’ve done it once on the personal trainer of
my ex-girlfriend, although there were… side effects.
CUT TO:
INT. GYM - DAY
A cutaway shows a gym where this PERSONAL TRAINER teaches a yoga class the basic stretches.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Bend left, then right, nose down on left knee...
He licks his left leg, while his yoga class watches in confusion and one member prepares to copy the licking.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Don't copy that part.
BACK TO:
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, KITCHEN - NIGHT
Zoela softly laughs at Gyalloch’s short description of his prank, but it suddenly dawns on her that they’ve met before.
ZOELA
Wait a minute. You’re that hobo from earlier today who dragged me halfway around the world while I was at work!
GYALLOCH
Nope. Not a hobo, child, but a wizard. And you should be thanking
me for saving your life earlier today. I have come out of retirement to assist you. Those men who pursued you had claimed that you are the heir to the power of the Lykatas, and the key to preventing this imminent supernova that will occur in seven
days.
ZOELA
I still think you are mistaking me for another wonder child who is
destined to fulfill a prophecy. AND I have not heard anything
about some supernova in our world.
GYALLOCH
Until today. But before you can dismiss me again, I want to let you know that I am telling the truth. Exactly one year ago, I saw a vision. Somewhere above a major city in this country, a towering structure shoots a beam up into the heavens, which falls back down, all part of a plot to wipe out everything and everyone in this world. I am unable to say where it will happen, but I know that we have seven days to avert this crisis. According to my vision, the supernova is similar to the destruction of the star that you and your mother escaped from at the last minute. The last time I saw a glimpse of the future, I failed to save my family in time, but now I've got another chance to make this right, to save more countless lives before the disaster can play out. After your mom died, I made a promise that when you were old enough, I would train you to restore your long-lost mystical patterns of combat that ran in your family.
ZOELA
This is a lot to take in, but I know I’ve been told when I was a
baby, my mom and I fell from the sky and she then stared into a beam
of light, like a moth. They never found the body. And then I was sent
to live with this nice nun that I’ve been calling “mom” for over 20
years.
GYALLOCH
And now you are beginning to understand all that I’ve been telling you. Your training begins tomorrow morning.
ZOELA gets up from the chair to give herself time to think about the predicament that she is dealing with. She turns around and prepares to say something else to GYALLOCH, but he vanishes again.
ZOELA
This man is always coming and going.
EXT. ZOELA’S HOUSETOP - NIGHT
GYALLOCH sits on the roof of ZOELA'S home as he meditates and watches the town under the night sky.
GyALLOCH
I know you can feel the incredible potential in you, Zoela. You just got to let it out.
CUT TO WHITE.
FADE IN FROM WHITE:
DREAM SEQUENCE - EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
ZOELA'S POV:
The night of that mysterious explosion. Baby Zoela looks up at the silhouette. A man, dressed in a long cape and a tuxedo, picks her up. The man's appearance closely resembles Gyalloch. Camera switches to a medium shot of the man holding baby Zoela. She wakes up to see him. Their eyes meet. A strong light from a helicopter beams down on them. The man spots the fire department arriving. He grabs his cape from the side and they twirl and teleport from the scene.
CUT TO:
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, BEDROOM - NIGHT
Zoela sleepily holds her blankets in the same way that the man in her dream twirled away with his cape. She awakens to realize that it was a dream. She tries to lay back down, but her thoughts are preventing her from going back to sleep. She gets up from her bed. She opens the top drawers of her dresser and pulls out a picture of her mother holding her as a baby. She lies back down on her bed and softly speaks to the picture.
ZOELA
Hi, Mom. I have so many questions on why you did what you did. They said you exploded so I couldn‘t be burdened with such a responsibility. At work, there were some men who were trying to hunt me for who I am. And then this guy, like, whisked me away to protect me.
(drifting back to sleep)
And he might have been there that night when I was baby.
Zoela resumes her slumber, then she suddenly opens her eyes in realization. A time-lapse of Zoela tossing and turning in her bed with her thoughts of Gyalloch’s alleged connection with her.
EXT. ZOELA’S HOME, FRONT DOOR - DAY
Gyalloch rings the doorbell button. His finger pushes it for a period of time, causing the buzzing sound to play out for several seconds. A teenage boy with poofy hair, named BARNEY, drives by on his scooter, delivering some groceries. He stops his scooter to see the commotion.
BARNEY
Sir? Sir? Sir? Sir?
As Barney repeats himself, Gyalloch ignores his surroundings as he continues pushing the doorbell.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, BEDROOM - DAY
As the buzzing from the doorbell continues, one of the girls, RACHEL, an elementary school-aged girl, jumps on Zoela’s bed, hoping to wake her up.
RACHEL
Zoela! Zoela! Get up!
Zoela awakens at the sight of her roommate and starts to hear the doorbell.
ZOELA
(sleepily)
Hey, Rachel.
RacHEL
There’s a man outside. I think he’s a wizard.
ZOELA
(dawning)
He‘s back. The training is today.
RACHEL
Training? For what?
Zoela thinks about how to tell her roommate about her predicament. She continues to think until she quickly comes up with a little white lie.
ZoeLA
(lying)
Um, the Special Olympics!
She beams a goofy smile.
RACHEL
Really?
ZOELA
Yeah! I don’t wanna keep my new personal trainer waiting! Gotta go!
She quickly bolts out the room and downstairs.
ZOELA
No, no, no, no, no...
EXT. ZOELA’S HOME, FRONT DOOR - DAY
Gyalloch continues to press the doorbell as the buzzing continues. He grows more impatient and annoyed as Barney continues to bug him.
BARNEY
Sir? Sir? Sir? Sir?
Gyalloch quickly and furiously turns around to face Barney, but relaxes his expression.
GYALLOCH
I am a bit busy today, kid. So if there’s anything important you wanna tell me, say it now.
They stare in silence.
BARNEY
Hi.
Barney gets on his scooter and rides away with a giggle.
Gyalloch shakes his head in disbelief.
Finally the door unlocks.
GYALLOCH
(relieved)
Finally.
Jade opens the door. Gyalloch exchanges a look with her.
JADE
Gyalloch. Long time no see.
GYALLOCH
I’ve come for the girl.
JADE
You mean Zoela?
GyALLOCH
I trust you were able to tell her where she came from?
JADE
Yup. But that was a while ago, when she was 12.
Gyalloch stares at Jade, showing his “love look.” He quickly shakes it off.
GYALLOCH
And how old is she now?
JADE
21.
GYALLOCH
Excuse me please.
He rushes inside to find Zoela.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, HALLWAY - DAY
Gyalloch heads through the hallway and suddenly sees Zoela walking in his direction, as she is now dressed in casual clothes and ready to go.
GYALLOCH
Zoela.
ZOELA
Well, let’s go, man.
She prepares to exit, but Gyalloch stands still.
GYALLOCH
There’s one thing left to do.
ZOELA
And what’s that?
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, OFFICE - DAY
Gyalloch signs and stamps some paperwork at Jade’s office.
GYALLOCH
As of now, the one named Zoela Lykata is now under my custody. You’re welcome!
Jade watches Gyalloch exit with flair in a mix of amazement and confusion.
JADE
O-okay.
INT. ZOELA’S HOME, HALLWAY - DAY
Zoela waits outside the office as Gyalloch appears in front of her suddenly.
GYALLOCH
Now we'll go.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY
Having left the home, Zoela and Gyalloch stroll down the street.
ZOELA
What the heck was that back there?!
GYALLOCH
Oh, that? I adopted you, of course.
ZOELA
What? Really?
GYALLOCH
Whenever you are ready, you can call me Dad.
ZOELA
Thanks, we've only just met yesterday.
GYALLOCH
That never stopped me. I discovered you as a baby. On the night your mother...
ZOELA
I already know. You were in my dream last night. I didn't want to believe it was you.
A beat. Then Gyalloch continues.
GYALLOCH
I wanted to swing by on your twelfth birthday, explain everything about where you came from, but your new mother lady Jade already did that.
ZOELA
But there's a thing that is supposed to happen in seven days…?
GYALLOCH
Six days now.
ZOELA
Six days?!
GYALLOCH
Yup. Yesterday I said we have seven days, but now, as of today, we have six days. Since a day has gone by since I explained everything, I now have six days to train you before the supernova.
ZOELA
And where is it supposed to start? The supernova, I mean.
GYALLOCH
Out west.
ZOELA
Where?
GYALLOCH
I don’t know yet. Only Jinxa knows.
ZOELA
Jinxa?
GYALLOCH
Yeah, Jinxa.
ZOELA
But she was a good friend of mine.
GYALLOCH
Friend...?
ZOELA
We did everything together. She was like a sister to me, but we had a little fight, and as far as I know I never saw her again. I couldn't even get behind why she got so mad.
GYALLOCH
Sorry to hear that, kid. Unfortunately, you might not have heard, but Jinxa is the one who is supposed to cause that supernova in six days. And she was the one who sent those bad men to try to capture you yesterday. I intervened of course.
ZOELA
Time out. Gyalloch? How are you plannin' to train me? My power only came out because I sensed a strong emotion, like fear of being in danger.
GYALLOCH
Exactly! It's our best option to stop that supernova.
ZOELA
That thing I experienced only lasted a short period of time.
GYALLOCH
Well, that's why we gotta hurry up and harness it to prevent the apocalypse when the time comes!