“FLYTTER AND THE FIREBIRD”

By

Fred Ewing and Jack Lucero Fleck

4163 Culver StreetOakland, CA 94619

510-436-7682lucerofleck@gmail.com 1/22/2016

Copyright 2015

1.

OPENING SCENE—SOCCER FIELD, ALBERTA, CANADA – DAY

Non-animated long view of a well-worn grassy field on a sunny day. Sounds of children's voices, shouting, having fun. Looking closer we see several young boys playing soccer. Suddenly a car drives up to the edge of the field. A young teenage girl,PRAIRIE FIRE, jumps out of the car and shouts at the boys.

PRAIRIE FIREEAGLE! Mom's waiting in the car—Come on!

EAGLE FEATHER glances at her but keeps on playing. She shouts again.

PRAIRIE FIREEagle, get over here! Dad needs the car to go to work.

Eagle reluctantly stops playing, takes the ball and heads for the car. One of the other boys follows him.

OTHER BOYLeave the ball, OK?

EAGLECan't!

He gets in the back seat and sulks a bit as the car starts to move away. Prairie holds her book so he can see the picture she was looking at.

PRAIRIE FIREHey Eagle, look at this cool picture.

Eagle leans forward squinting at the photo, skeptically.

EAGLESo, what is it?

PRAIRIEIt's the Nazca bird. We're studying about people who lived in Peru long ago. . . and this was their sacred bird.

EAGLE

2.

Looks like a giant hummingbird to me.

PRAIRIEWell, it had magical powers and they made a ground sculpture of it.

She holds it up closer for him to see.

PRAIRIE (CONT'D)And today we learned a song about it. Want to hear it?

EAGLENo way!

He shrinks back into the seat as the car drives off into the distance, and we hear her sing.

(Music #1—Firebird Theme)

PRAIRIEFIREBIRDYOU'RE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU FLYYOU'RE HERE TO GUARD THE EARTH AND SKYWE'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.FIREBIRD. FIREBIRD.

FADE OUT

EXT. NAZCA PERU DESERT - DAY

Animation begins. The screen lights up abruptly with an image of the Nazca bird sculpture, as the FIREBIRD theme begins.

3.

Very slowly the image begins to change...we see theresolution of the image coming together and slowly rising into the air and finally taking on the shape and color of, and becoming. . . the Firebird. He flies off with loud, powerful, wing-flapping sounds. Then we are transported on to scenes of deforestation in the Amazon.

SUPERLegend has it that the Firebird returns in a time of crisis. The Firebird serves to warn all living creatures of great danger.

A VOICE FROM THE GROUND

Asombroso! Un pajaro gigante!

SUPERAmazing! A giant bird.

VOICE 2The Firebird has returned!

VOICE 3

4.

What does it mean?

VOICE 4It’s an omen!

The Firebird flies over snowcapped Andes and down to thesteamy jungle. He sees tractors making roads and cuttingtrees. (note that this scene would be extended to match the timing of the music)

He sees smoke and a fire, and he spots a colorful parrot being overcome with the smoke.

The Firebird swoops down and picks up the parrot in hisclaws.

(End music # 1)

PARROTSquawk! Help!

FIREBIRDDon’t worry about getting eaten, parrot. Just hold on and I’ll try to get us out of here.

PARROTMy name’s PETER. . . who are you?

FIREBIRDI’m the Firebird. I've got you, so now you're safe.

(suddenly he drops Peter)

Whoops!

Peter flies back up to the Firebird and grabs onto his back.

PETERGood thing I can fly! Let’s go!

They start to fly away together, but the smoke is so thick that even the Firebird starts to choke and lose his breath.

PETER

5.

Fly low to get below the smoke!

The Firebird swoops down below the burning trees, butbranches are falling all around.

FIREBIRDGreat idea! Now I can breathe, but we’re going to be roasted.

They see a river below them.

PETERDive into the river!

So they do, with their beaks just poking above the water to breathe. The fire rages over them, and fish are starting to nibble at their feet. Peter hops further up the Firebird’s back for safety.

PETER(shouting)

Kick those fish away before they eat us up!

The firebird slashes out with his long claws and the fish scatter. But an alligator notices the disturbance and slithers into the water. He glides towards the birds with his eyes just above the water as the fire starts to die down.

PETER(Spotting the alligator)

Let’s get out of here quick!

With a great burst of energy they leave the water just as the alligator's jaws snap, barely missing the Firebird's tail. They soar into the sky.

EXT. A BACKYARD IN ALBERTA, CANADA - DAY

We see a beautiful, iridescent male hummingbird hovering under an exotic flower taking nectar with its bill from inside the plant, then flying rapidly to another area and repeating the process.

A mother hummingbird is sitting on a nest in a backyard tree. New music begins as the mother bird moves off the nest. A small fuzzy baby bird looks up into her eyes.

6.

BABY BIRD Mama, when will I be able to fly?

(Music #2—Find Me Theme)

Mother bird feeds her two baby birds and then chases off other birds. (suggest credits to begin here with visuals of hummingbirds)

(End music 2)

SCENE 3 EXT. SAME BACK YARD - DAY

SUPER Six weeks later

The young birds are out of the nest, getting nectar and bugs. They are already territorial, chasing off other hummingbirds.

A beautiful male hummingbird shows off by doing spectacular dives and other stunts.

In the backyard MARTHA, a retired backyard bird watchers, is having lunch at a patio table with her grandson, Aaron (age 5). The hummingbirds have their nest in a nearby tree.

MARTHA (to Aaron)

You know, I think there’s a nest up there...(points to a branch of the tree)...and I think there’s at least one little hummingbird still in it.

She picks up an ipad and starts writing.

AARON (Looking at her ipad)

What are you doing?

MARTHA(still writing)

7.

I'm giving names to the birds so I can remember what to call them.

AARON(pointing to the nest)

So what's her name?

MARTHA I’m going to call that little guy up there in the nest... FLYTTER!

She writes and momma bird perks up and begins watching and listening carefully. Martha's husband, HAROLD, enters.

AARONGrandpa, grandma just named that baby hummingbird, Flytter.

HAROLD(rolling his eyes, and glancing at the ipad, he looks surprised.)

You just wrote ‘Flytter’, with a ‘y’ instead of an ‘i’.

Momma bird flies out of the nest and hovers close to Martha, unnoticed, but listening intently.

MARTHA(annoyed)

I know I did! That makes her unique. Flytter, with a ‘y’ instead of an ‘i’.

And I recently gave names to the two male birds that are chasing around here (pointing to one hovering bird) that one’s HENRY...and the really beautiful iridescent bird over

8.

there (pointing again)is...BEAUTY!

HAROLD (shaking his head)

Martha, I like birds too, but this is too much!

Harold walks off still shaking his head as Martha and Aaron look up at the nest.

MARTHA(proudly)

Flytter! Yes!

CUT TO NEST.

EXT. NEST IN SAME BACK YARD – DAY

AARON is in the back yard looking at the nest.

(Song #3--Flytter)

MOM (singing)

IT’S FLYTTER!OH YES, IT’S FLYTTER!NOT TWITTER,NOT TWITTER..BUT FLYTTER.

AARON

AND IT’S FLYTTER WITH A ‘Y’ AND NOT AN ‘I’...YES, IT’S FLYTTER WITH A ‘Y’ AND NOT AN ’I’.

AND SHE CAN FLY FASTER THAN ANY BIRD ALIVE.

Henry shakes his head as if to say, no, that's not true

MOM

AND SHE CAN...HOVER…FOR NECTAR DOWN BELOW AND UP ABOVE HER.

Henry nods his head in approval

9.

MARTHA

BUT SHE’S NOT PRETTY AS HER BROTHER. SHE DOESN'T HAVE HIS BRILLIANT HUE. BUT SHE’S DETERMINED AS HER MOTHER TO DO WHAT SHE MUST DO.

MOM, MARTHA AND AARON

SO…IT’S FLYTTER!OH YES...IT’S FLYTTER!NOT TWITTER…NOT TWITTER. BUT...FLYTTER!YES! …FLYTTER!FLYTTER!

(End song # 3)

After the song ends, the other hummingbirds leave.

FLYTTER Mom, what’s that big fence over there?

MOM That’s the border of the tar sands.

FLYTTER What's the tar sands?

MOM That’s where people dig up all the land and leave nothing but a gooey mess..

(thinking) We used to have a nest over there.

FLYTTERWhere's that?

MOMAt Lonely Rock—

(pointing)see that big rock sticking up?

(Flytter nods)

10.

There was an eagle’s nest up there, so we built our nest right below it. No other birds would bother us with that eagle there.

(Flytter smiles, approvingly)

FLYTTER Can I go back there to see our old nest?

MOM I’m afraid not. There’s no nectar there anymore. There aren’t even enough bugs to eat. It’s a hot, dead place now.

Flytter stares at Lonely Rock with a sad look as the scene fades.

EXT. TREE BRANCH - DAY

Two scraggly vultures, DRAC and SNAC, are sitting on a dead tree branch looking at the tar sands

DRAC Hey, Snac, look over there!

SNAC Yeah, Drac, looks like somethin's dyin.

DRAC Wanna help?

SNAC Nah, let's wait.

DRAC It is getting hotter.

SNAC Yeah. Nice!

(Song #4—It's Never Too Hot)

DRAC AND SNAC SINGING

11.

IT’S NEVER TOO HOT FOR US.IT'S NEVER TOO HOT FOR A TASTY LUNCH.THE SUN IS OUR FRIEND, IT'S OUR OVEN AND MORE…MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

WE'RE LOOKIN' OUT FOR OUR NEXT MEAL TO COME BY,IT COULD BE A RHINO, OR EVEN A FLY.WE'LL SIT HERE AND WAIT 'TIL WE GET FED,WE DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS…AS LONG AS IT'S DEAD!

THERE'S LOTS OF FOOD, AND EASY TO FIND,EVER TOO HOT?NAH, WE NEVER MIND.

WE JUST SIT STILL AND KEEP ALERT,HOPE IT GETS HOTTER, NEVER CAN HURT.

WE KNOW WE'RE BALD; NO HAIR ON OUR HEAD,BUT THAT MAKES IT EASY TO CLEAN UP BEFORE BED.THE HEAT KEEPS A' RISIN'; SOME FOLKS MAKE A FUSS.BUT IT'S NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, TOO HOT. . .

(Their eyes light up, and they point with their heads at what they were watching).

FOR US!

They fly off.

(End song #4)

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

12.

Peter and the Firebird are flying over the jungle. The Firebird soars gracefully, while Peter flaps his wings, vigorously to keep up.

PETER OK, big bird, I do owe you one for getting me out of that fire.

FIREBIRD (changing the subject)

Say, what's that big net doing hanging from the tree down there?

The Firebird swoops down to investigate.

PETER No! Don't go there! It's a trap!

But it's too late! As the Firebird flies by the net, he trips a thin wire, and the net closes in around him. At first he thrashes about. But soon he starts to tear at the rope, ripping it to shreds.

FIREBIRD Don't worry, Peter. This net isn't strong enough to hold me.

PETER Let's get out of here before whoever set that trap shows up.

They soar back into the sky.

FADE TO:

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Meanwhile, at the tar sands office, WINSLOW CRUD, CEO of Cruddy Oil, surveys the scene outside with satisfaction. He’s talking on the phone to Washington. We hear only half of the conversation. A big storm is going on outside while he is talking.

WINSLOW

13.

(to his secretary)

Get Senator Mealy in Washington on the line!

Phone beeps.

WINSLOW Hey, Harry, this is Winslow.

(in a blustery, bullying way)

How’s it goin’? (pause, listening). . .

Yeah, I’m wrapping up my visit here at the tar sands—oops, I mean oil sands--and I’m telling you, everything is perfect. These sands are just soaking in oil, and all we have to do is cut down the trees, scoop up the dirt, heat it all up, and squeeze the oil right out. It’s easy money.

(Pause while he listens)

What’s that? (pause, listening)

. . . No, no problem with the locals. We put ‘em to work for us, and they stop complaining. There’s always a few tree huggers who cry about the little birdies, but we just ignore them. I haven’t heard any birdies complaining---ha, ha , ha!

(sarcastic, sadistic laugh)

Yeah, I used to have a parrot… boy was he dumb. He'd just repeat whatever I’d tell him to say. Sort of like you, Harry. Ha, ha.

Switch to Mealy's office in Washington. His daughter, VICKI, a pretty, vivacious 20 year old, barges into his office.

14.

MEALY(covering phone)

Vicki, I'm busy right now...please wait outside.

She sits on the edge of his desk, ignoring his request.

MEALY(speaking into the phone)

Winslow, can you call me back in five minutes? I've got an emergency here.

He pauses, hangs up, and glares at Vicki.

MEALYSweetie, I'm glad to see you but sometimes you need to let me know you're in town.

VICKIDad, I just learned that you're planning to go to that conference in Rio...and I've never been there...and. . .

MEALYand...NO! This is not a vacation...and I don't want your crazy ideas about this conference interfering with my work. My job there is to save America from a lot of climate change freaks.

VICKIOh, Dad, you're so misinformed! You need me!

MEALYOUT! I'll see you for dinner later...now go!

Reluctantly she leaves the office. Mealy shakes his head as the phone rings and he sees Winslow's name.

MEALYWinslow, are you sure these tar sands are really OK?

15.

Scene shifts back to Winslow.

WINSLOW Yeah, I guess you’re right—we do leave a hell of a mess behind, but that’s the price of progress. We give people the oil they want, and they don’t really care to look where it comes from.

He pauses, rolls his eyes, taps his finger on the desk impatiently. He doesn't really want to listen to Senator Mealy.

WINSLOW (CONT'D)Look, Harry, I’ll be leaving here in a few days, and we’ll be on our way to Rio for that climate summit. You just have to give a good speech about how much we care about climate change and all that; I’m sure you’ll do just fine. We’ve done this before; we can do it again. Just make sure you don’t sign anything.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT

Darkness, then crashing thunder and lightning. The tree, where FLYTTER is sitting in her nest, is blowing and shaking. Rain is heavier and the wind is stronger than ever before. The tree is strong, but not strong enough for this new, more powerful storm.

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY

The sun is coming up in the aftermath of the storm. The tree has been knocked down and the nest is destroyed.

Flytter is alone on a branch of the fallen tree.

(Song #5—Find Me)

She sings.

16.

FLYTTER A LONG TIME AGO IN MY LITTLE NESTMY MOTHER CAME TO ME.SHE TOLD ME A LOVELY STORYOF WHAT MY LIFE WOULD BE.SHE SAID SOMEDAY WHEN I GREW UPI’D NEED TO FIND A MATE.SHE TOLD ME… ‘LOVE WOULD FIND MEIF ONLY I COULD WAIT’.

Music continues as Flytter flies from one perch to another, then sings again. . .

FLYTTER (CONT'D)FIND ME!WILL SOMEONE FIND ME?WILL SOMEONE KINDLY DISCOVER ME?WILL SOMEONE NOTICE THAT I’VE BEEN LONELY,THAT I’VE BEEN ONLY A PART OF ME?

SHATTERED!THE PIECES SCATTERED!WHAT MIGHT HAVE MATTEREDCAN NEVER BE!

FIND ME!WILL SOMEONE FIND ME?WILL SOMEONE LOVE MEAND COMFORT ME?THEN NEVER LEAVE MEAND WILL BELIEVE METHAT I NEED SOMEONETO FIND ME!

(End song #5)

Flytter soars to the top of the tallest tree.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. TAR SANDS - DAY

Scene shifts to men working at the tar sands. The storm has just ended and the crews are going back to work,

17.

driving massive trucks and operating huge mechanical shovels.

(Song #6—Tar Sands)

MEN WE WORK IN THE TAR SANDS FOR OUR PAY,BUT OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS ARE FAR AWAY.WE DREAM OF A TIME WHEN WE’LL ALL BE FREEOF THIS OIL DRIVEN LIFE THAT CONSUMES YOU AND ME.

WE NEED THIS JOB,WHERE ELSE CAN WE GO?WE KNOW THE LAND GETS TRASHEDSO THE OIL CAN FLOW.WE HAVE SOME DREAMS OF A LIFE THAT’S NEW,BUT WE DOUBT IF THEY’LL EVER COME TRUE.

WE WORK IN THE TAR SANDS FOR OUR PAY,AND OUR NEED FOR A JOB HAS MADE US STAY.BUT WE’LL LEAVE ONE DAYAND WHEN WE DO. . .WE’LL LIVE IN A BETTER WORLD FOR ME AND YOU!

(End song #6)CUT TO:

Scenes of destruction of trees and land surface by the tar sands mining. One of the men, a Canadian First Nation citizen, LEONARD, is obviously not pleased with the destruction, but it's his job. He is talking with one of his fellow workers.

LEONARD (taking off his safety helmet)

You know, when we started working here, they said the tar sands would bring prosperity to everyone.

(looking around)

18.

Now it looks to me like it’s just bringing destruction.

FRED (wiping his glasses)

But what can we do? My family was on welfare before I got this job. Now I have a new car and new clothes for the kids--no more hand me downs, eh?

LEONARD I guess you’re right, Fred. I like having a job, too, but what kind of world are we leaving for our kids?

(Looks off) My kids, Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather, hate all this because of what it's doing to all the plants and animals.

FRED Well, what can we do about it anyway? If we don’t do this, someone else will, eh?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BACK YARD - DAY

It is late afternoon/dusk. Flytter is alone, drenched from the storm, and without a nest. She is vulnerable, on a branch of a tree still standing. A cat is creeping quietly toward Flytter who is unaware. But Henry sees the cat and flies in front of her, distracting her from Flytter, and causing Flytter to see the danger she was in.

FLYTTER (looks at the cat and flies to a higher branch and says to herself)

That was close! I’ve got to find a new nest.

(She stares at the tar sands

19.

fence, and Lonely Rock in the distance)

What have I got to lose?. I’m going to find Mom’s old nest on Lonely Rock. Maybe I can be safe there.

She shakes her feathers and weakly starts to fly over the Tar Sands fence. Henry sees her and starts to follow.

The vultures also see Flytter fly past them.

HENRY (calling to Flytter)

Flytter --don’t go there!

She doesn’t hear him because she’s too far away. . . Henry follows Flytter to try to get her to come back.

EXT. TREEHOUSE - DAY

Eagle Feather and Prairie Fire are in their back yard treehouse tossing a soccer ball back and forth as they see Flytter, then Henry, fly past their tree and go into the tar sands.

PRAIRIE FIRE Eagle, did you see those hummingbirds fly across the tar sands fence?

(She calls toward the fence)

Hey birdies, please come back! That’s no place for a bird!

EAGLE FEATHER Won't do any good to call them.

PRAIRIE FIRE I sure hope they make it out.

EAGLE FEATHER Nothin' we can do about it.

PRAIRIE FIRE We could follow them and try to chase them out.

20.

EAGLE FEATHER You know what dad said--’Never go into the tar sands’.

PRAIRIE FIREOK, but I’m worried about those little birds.

EXT. TAR SANDS - NIGHT

(Music #7—Flytter in the Tar Sands)

In the tar sands, Henry searching for FLYTTER.

HENRY Flytter --where are you? Let’s go back!

He looks and looks, but can’t find her. He only sees oily tar sands.

HENRY (shouting)

Flytter, I can’t land anywhere here--I’ve got to go back.

Flytter hears Henry calling, but she is determined to go to Lonely Rock, so she ignores him. She finally lands on Lonely Rock, but doesn’t see her mom’s former nest, only a wet, cold, windswept rock, splattered with tar sands from the mining operations. There is one ledge that she flies under for protection. But there is a pool of oil there.

She tries to take off, but the oil is sticky and she can’t move. She calls out to Henry as we hear recorded gun shots to keep the birds away.

FLYTTER Henry, I’m over here.

But it’s too late. He’s far away and can’t hear her. Darkness settles in as Flytter tries to move, but can’t.

(End music #7)

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

21.

Later that night Eagle is in his bedroom. The moon shines through the window as Prairie enters his room.

PRAIRIE FIREEagle, I can’t sleep. I think we need to find those birds.

EAGLE FEATHER(whispering)

Shh. Do you want Mom and Dad to hear us? (Pauses, looking around) You don't really think we can find them, do you?

PRAIRIE FIREThe only place they could land is Lonely Rock. Let’s go see if they’re there,

EAGLE FEATHER (looking out of the window)

It's dark out there.

PRAIRIE FIRE(interrupting)

But there is a full moon. Where's your sense of adventure?

Eagle just picks up his soccer ball and turns away.

PRAIRIE FIRE And I do need you to come with me!

EAGLE FEATHER (drops the ball and turns around)

OK, this is crazy, but I'll do it for you. . .just be quiet!

They get flashlights and tiptoe out of the house.

EXT. TAR SANDS - NIGHT

The kids crawl under the fence where there is a creek bed and enter a dark foreboding terrain. They work their way to Lonely Rock but can’t see anything.

22.

PRAIRIE FIRE I don’t see them anywhere. Maybe they flew out.

We hear gunshots in the distance.

PRAIRIE FIREWhat's that?

EAGLE FEATHER Dad says those are the gunshots they play to scare birds away.

(He grabs her hand)

They give me the creeps. Let's get out of here.

PRAIRIE FIREWait. Let’s just look one more place.

(pointing) See that ledge up there? Maybe they’re under that.

She scrambles up the rock, getting lots of black tar all over her clothes and body. Finally she reaches the spot and shines her flashlight under the ledge. She sees Flytter huddled and struggling to get out of the oil.

PRAIRIE FIRE(motioning Eagle to come closer)

Here’s one of the hummingbirds!

Eagle scrambles up the rock to join her. He sees Flytter.

EAGLE FEATHERShe's still alive! He reaches under the ledge and pulls Flytter out, along with a handful of tar.

PRAIRIE FIREPoor little birdie. We’ll take you home with us.

EAGLE FEATHER

23.

That's great, but what's Dad gonna say?

PRAIRIE FIRE We can’t worry about that right now.

She takes Flytter from Eagle and wraps her in her shirt tail.

PRAIRIE FIRE Now. . .let’s go!

INT. CHILDREN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

They bring Flytter into the house. Prairie is holding her close to her body. They try to tiptoe around the house, but their mother, MINNIE, hears them.

MINNIE What are you kids doing up at this hour? Look at you! You look like you fell in a vat of chocolate!

EAGLE FEATHER (interrupting)

Maybe we did…

MINNIE (very annoyed)

You know you’re not allowed to go into those tar sands.

PRAIRIE FIREBut Mom, we had to rescue this hummingbird.

(shows Flytter to her Mom)

Now we have to clean her up and feed her.

MINNIE (looks at the bird, looks at the kids, and sighs)

Who knows if this bird can even survive with all that oil on her.

24.

EAGLE FEATHER Well. . .at least we can try.

MINNIE You’re father is going to throw a fit when he hears where you went, no matter who you had to rescue.

PRAIRIE FIRE We’ll take a long bath, and maybe he won’t find out.

MINNIE Good luck with that! And how are you going to explain this oily bird to him? And, where are you going to put her?

EAGLE FEATHER Oh, come on, Mom. Remember, we still have the cage where we kept our canary.

MINNIE Well, just get cleaned up and we’ll see what happens.

The kids put Flytter in the cage, brushing off as much oil as they can. The Find Me theme is played while Flytter is despondently sitting in the cage, still oily. Minnie looks at Flytter sympathetically as the kids walk away to their bedrooms.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KIDS HOUSE - DAY

The next morning. The kids, in spite of scrubbing as best they could, still have a lot of dark tar stains on their faces. They come into the breakfast area where their dad is sitting and staring directly at a small bird cage.

LEONARD What in tarnation is going on here--what's all that tar on your faces? And what’s this

25.

tar ball doing in that cage in our living room?

EAGLE FEATHER (whispering to Prairie)

See, I told you!

PRAIRIE FIRE (ignoring Eagle)

She’s a hummingbird! We rescued her last night, Papa. Now we have to clean her up.

LEONARD Since when did we go into the bird rescue business? What were you thinking?

EAGLE FEATHER But Papa, you always taught us to respect nature, and that we can’t survive if the birds can’t survive. We had to save this little bird.

MINNIE They’re right, Leonard. They were very brave to do what they did.

The kids look at each other with a hopeful expression; they move the cage from the floor to a table.

MINNIE In fact, I think it’s time you were brave and stopped working in that awful place. We can find another way to live.

Leonard sighs and is quiet while he thinks about this.

MINNIE (CONT'D)Our tribe is going to send one family to the world conference on climate change in Rio.

LEONARD(Still thinking)

26.

Yeah, it's about time someone spoke up for our treaty rights.

PRAIRIE FIREIf you quit working, Dad, we could be that family.

MINNIEAnd it's time to stop mining the tar sands and stop CO2!

LEONARDYeah, I know. Carbon dioxide's changing the climate. Yeah, yeah.

He shakes his head and walks away.

Meanwhile, the kids are carefully cleaning oil off of Flytter with a Q-tip. She is listening to the whole conversation with an attentive expression. She sees images on the kids’ computer of storms and climate chaos going on around the world.

REPORTER ON TVYesterday’s big storm set another wind record here. We lost a lot of trees last night. Some might call it climate change.

(He chuckles, and the sound fades.)

FLYTTER (talking to herself)

Climate change, CO2, big storms, tar sands--this is why the tree with my nest got blown down. I wonder what I can do to stop all this?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

(Music #8—Firebird Theme Reprise—not recorded)

27.

We see the Firebird flying over parts of the Amazon which are being destroyed by logging and fires. The Firebird theme is heard in voices coming from the jungle.

The Firebird lands in a clearing where Peter is waiting.

PETER Hey, big bird, you're quite a celebrity, no? Everybody thinks you saved my life!

FIREBIRD (smiling)

Like I said, that's why I'm here.

PETER Where did you come from anyway?

FIREBIRD I came from an ancient civilization in the Andes, but I only appear when I’m called by Mother Earth

PETER So, why did Mother Earth call you?

FIREBIRD Beats me! Something must be going wrong in the world.

PETER Well, anyone can see what’s wrong…it's getting hotter and the trees are disappearing.

FIREBIRD So, this must I be why I was reborn.

PETERSo what are you going to do about it?

FIREBIRD You got any ideas?

28.

PETER First, you'd better learn what the humans are up to.

FIREBIRD You think the humans are causing all the trouble with the weather?

PETER That's where my money is. I know a lot about humans, and I’ll be glad to help you find out.

FIREBIRD OK, Peter. . .let's see what we can do.

In a montage we see them flying over the Andes, over the Amazon, over the Caribbean—always looking at the scenes below.

(End Music #8)

INT. HOUSE - DAY

Flytter, now free of oil, is being nursed with a syringe by the kids at their home. Their kitty, MOUSIE, sits staring at the cage where Flytter is being kept.

PRAIRIE FIRESorry to keep you in this cage, birdie, but we can’t let Mousie get you.

A knock on the door.

PRAIRIE FIRE (calling)

Come in--it’s open.

In walks Martha.

MARTHA Hi kids.

PRAIRIE FIREOh, hello, Mrs. Anderson

29.

MARTHA I came over because I heard you rescued a hummingbird, eh?

EAGLE FEATHER Yep. She’s right here.

MARTHA We’ve had some missing hummingbirds ever since the storm, and I wanted to see if this was one I knew.

Eagle moves the cage closer to Martha. Flytter flies toward her.

MARTHA (takes a close look and exclaims)

Flytter…it’s you! I’m so happy to see you alive!

EAGLE FEATHERSo our birdie’s name is Flytter!

PRAIRIE FIREAnd she's getting better all the time. I just hope she gets completely well in case we go to the climate conference.

MARTHA What climate conference?

PRAIRIE FIRE It's a big meeting in a place called Rio. Mom says if papa would quit his job, the tribe would agree to send us all there.

MARTHA Oh, that sounds great. But for now, you just take care of poor little Flytter. I’ll come back in a few days to see how she’s doing.

30.

Martha smiles at the kids and walks to the door as they wave to her.

Flytter has been watching and listening, taking in every word.

EAGLE FEATHERPif, I don't know if I really want to go to this conference. I'll miss the soccer tournament.

PRAIRIE FIREYou're just afraid to fly.

EAGLE FEATHER Am not!

PRAIRIE FIREAre too!

EAGLE FEATHERWell, we're probably not going anyway.

They pick up Flytter’s cage and walk away.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BACK YARD - DAY

Birds are flying around Martha and Harold’s back yard, including Henry, Beauty, and other hummingbirds.

MARTHA (hanging a new bird feeder in a nearby tree)

Harold, you won’t believe it, but the kids down the street rescued Flytter from the Tar Sands, and they’re nursing her back to life.

HAROLD (looking at a magazine)

That's nice.

MARTHA

31.

Yup, she’ll be good as new in a day or two. I’ll stop by to check on her. It’s about time for the hummingbirds to migrate. But, I wonder if she’ll be strong enough to fly that far. The kids could keep her longer, but they may be going to this big climate conference. Looks like the whole world will be there.

HAROLD (still reading, absently)

Everybody but you and me, eh?

Harold just shakes his head and closes his magazine.

Nearby in the back yard, Henry and Beauty are flying, hovering, and getting nectar.

HENRY (to Beauty)

Did you hear that? Flytter’s alive!

BEAUTY Yeah, and she’s living right down the street.

HENRY Let’s follow Martha next time she visits to find out where she is.

BEAUTY (a bit arrogant)

Henry, slow down! I know you really like Flytter, but do you think you're good enough for her?

HENRY Oh, I'm sure she'll go for you, but I still think we should both go visit her.

BEAUTY Why not! Let’s go!

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They fly off together and the scene dissolves.

EXT. KIDS HOUSE - DAY

A few days later Martha knocks on Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather’s door, while, unbeknownst to her, Henry, Beauty and a few other birds follow right behind.

MARTHA Hello, is anyone home?

Both Eagle and Prairie come to the door.

EAGLE FEATHER Mrs. Anderson!...Did you come to see Flytter?

PRAIRIE FIRE(seeing the birds outside)

Or . . . did you bring a bunch of Flytter’s friends?

MARTHA (turning around and seeing the birds in surprise)

Well, it looks like I did! Are all of you here to visit Flytter, too?

The birds don’t answer, but they hover right outside the door.

MARTHA I do believe that’s exactly why they’re here.

(Turning to Eagle and Prairie)

Eagle, do you think Flytter is strong enough to fly yet?

EAGLE FEATHER I don’t know, but let’s open the cage and find out.

They bring the cage outside and open the door. Flytter sees her friends and jumps up, almost bumping her head on

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the top of the cage. She darts out at full hummingbird speed and joins the group.

FLYTTER Hey, everybody. It’s great to see you. And I’ve got some important news to share.

She starts to fly off with her friends, but she pauses. Then she turns around and goes back to Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather. She hovers right in front of them for a few seconds, and does a fancy figure 8 as a way of saying thanks, then she takes off with her friends.

MARTHA Goodbye, Flytter.

EAGLE FEATHERWe’ll miss you.

PRAIRIE FIREGood luck, and don’t go into those tar sands again!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEARBY PARK - DAY

CARL (a sandhill crane)

Hey Maggie, what's this I hear about Flytter coming back alive from the tar sands, and full of crazy new ideas?

MAGGIE (magpie)

Yes, it's true, Carl. She came back with her head all full of stories. She says something called CO2 is gonna get us.

GUS (Canada goose)

CO2—What's that?

MAGGIE

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I don't know, but Flytter says it's bad.

FRANK (Finch)

If she don't know what it is, how can she say. . . it's bad?

(Song #9—CO2)

Carl (singing)

THERE’S A LOT OF CHATTER ‘BOUT THAT CO2…

GUS DON’T KNOW THAT IT MATTERS TO ME OR YOU.

MAGGIE BUT FLYTTER KEEPS A’ TALKIN’ AS IF SHE KNEW…

ALL SAYS WE GOTTA DO SOMETHIN’ ‘BOUT THAT CO2.

CARL WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM?TELL ME WHAT’S NEW! WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED CO2?

GUS (TO FLYTTER)

YOU SHOULD ADMIT YOUDON’T HAVE A CLUE ‘BOUT THIS THING CALLED…CO2.

FRANK WE’RE NOT AFRAID OF SOMETHIN’ WE CAN’T SEE.WE’LL JUST GO HOVER TO THE TOP OF A TREE.DON’T KNOW IF YOU’RE WOND'RIN WHAT I’LL DO..BUT I’M GONNA DO NOTHIN’ ‘BOUT THAT CO2!

35.

Flytter listens to what the other birds are saying and flies in to perch among them.

FLYTTER (dialogue)

I do know what CO2 is…..it’s called… carbon dioxide!

CARL OK, so what!

FLYTTER Well, it’s the stuff that makes all the weird weather and ruins our lives!

POPI (a pelican, smugly)

So, what exactly is CO2..or Carbon dioxide?

FLYTTER (SINGING )

DON’T KNOW EXACTLY, BUT IT’S IN THE SKIES.MAYBE THE STUFF THAT ALWAYS BURNS YOUR EYES.IT’S TRAPPIN’ ALL THE HEAT SO IT CAN’T GET THROUGH…AND THAT’S WHY WE GOT TO WORRY‘BOUT THAT CO2!

POPI (dialogue)

Flytter, relax! I’ll tell you all about that Carmen Dioxide.

(SINGING) CARMEN DIOXIDE IS THE BIRD I LOVE.BUT SHE’S ALWAYS CHASIN’ AFTER SOME KINDA' BUG.WHAT’S THE USE OF WONDRIN’ WHAT SHE’LL DO…WHEN WE’VE GOTTA GET READY FOR THAT CO2.

Everyone laughs.

36.

FLYTTER (RESPONDS, SINGING, A BIT DEFENSIVELY)

YOU CAN HAVE FUN, BUT NOW I’M TELLIN’ YOULISTEN YOU BIRDS, ‘CAUSE WHAT I SAY IS TRUENATURE IS A’ COOKIN’ UP A GREAT BIG STEWSO WE BETTER DO SOMETHIN’ ‘BOUT THAT CO2.

Most of the birds are still laughing, but some are looking a bit worried.

MAGGIE (speaking)

You birds had better listen to Flytter. I think she’s on to something.

A few more female birds nod in agreement. They sing

FEMALE BIRDSCLIMATE’S CHANGIN’!WHAT CAN WE DO?COULD IT BE CAUSED BYCO2?

WE HAVE A PROBLEM IF THE FLOWERS DON'T BLOOM.SEEMS TO GET HOTTER EV’RY YEAR IN JUNE.MAKES ME KINDA’ WORRIED, HOW ‘BOUT YOU?‘CAUSE IT MIGHT BE SOMETHIN’ DUE TO CO2!

MALE BIRDSGOTTA FLY FURTHER FOR A BUG OR TWONOW THEY COME LATER, BUT WHAT CAN WE DO?IT’S A LOSIN’ BATTLE, BUT SO, WHAT’S NEW?SO IS ALL OF THIS TROUBLE CAUSED BY CO2?

POPI

37.

(dialogue) Flytter said that CO2 was carbon ‘die’ oxide!Can’t be good if it has the word DIE in it!

They all laugh again.

FEMALE BIRDS WE HEARD THAT CO2 IS A NEW BREED OF GIANT COOKOO.

(THEY SING) SO WE GOTTA GET MARRIED TO THAT CO2!

MALES WELL, WE GOTTA GET RID OF THAT CO2!

ALL YES, WE BETTER GET READY FOR THAT CO2!

They begin to disperse and stare back at Flytter.

ALL(CONT'D)SO, WHO’S GONNA DO SOMETHIN’ ‘BOUT THAT CO2?YES, WHO'S GONNA DO SOMETHIN’ ‘BOUT THAT CO2?

(End song #9)

FLYTTER (becoming serious and shouting at the others)

Look, don’t leave me; this is a big problem! Not just for us, but for the humans, too. They’re going to have a big meeting in a place called Rio in South America, and I think we should go there.

WALLY (warbler, turning back)

You don’t even know how far away this meeting is. And

38.

what can we do? The humans never listen to us. They think we're just saying 'tweet, tweet' and 'chirp, chirp' all the time.

The birds laugh and are about to leave and forget about the whole thing, when Flytter makes one last argument.

FLYTTER But the weather isn’t the only bad thing. What I heard is that there’s not going to be enough for us to eat very soon.

FRANK Did you say something about not eating?

CARL I think she said.. not enough to eat.

All the birds come back giving Flytter their attention.

FLYTTER And they say that more than half the birds will become extinct.

ALL Extinct? (gasp)-- Oh, my!

SALLY (seagull)

OK, let’s send Flytter to this Rio place to find out what’s going on.

FRANK Yeah, she can go and let us know what’s really happening! Yes, that’s it. Flytter, you go! (They push her to the front of the group.)

FLYTTER Look everybody, it’s in South America. You always migrate

39.

from here down to Central America every winter anyway. We just have to keep going until we get to Rio.

(She looks around hopefully)

Who’s with me?

Dead silence. A few birds shuffle uncomfortably, but no one steps forward. Realizing the immensity of her proposal, Flytter feels alone and overwhelmed.

(Song #10--Afraid)

FLYTTER (SINGING)

THEY’RE RIGHT!NOW I’M ALONE..IS THIS TOO MUCH?I'M SUCH A LITTLE BIRD.CAN I TAKE ON THE WORLD?DEFEAT MY DOUBTSAND OVERCOME MY FEARS?

BUT I DON’T WANT TO GO,FACE THIS ALONE,LEAVE MY HOME,BE ON MY OWN…

(Shouting)Let somebody else go!

She hovers, then flies toward the other birds, who turn their back to her. Then, sadly, she flies back to the fallen tree where her former nest was, while the music of FIND ME soars over her, as she tries to keep her composure. She finally pulls herself together and continues singing

FLYTTER (CONT'D)SO, WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER THIS?WHY SHOULD I TRY TO BE BRAVE?IS IT WISE, OR SIMPLY FOOLISH?IS THIS ANY WAY TO BEHAVE?

I LOVE THIS LIFE SO DEARLY,AND THIS LOVE MAKES ME SURE AND STRONG.SO I WILL NEVER SURRENDER,

40.

TO ME THAT WOULD BE WRONG.

She flies backward for a moment.

FLYTTER (CONT'D)AND I WON’T LET MY FEAR CONTROL ME,I WON’T KEEP IT ALL INSIDE.I MUST GO FORWARD, NOT BACKWARD,I MUST REACT AND DECIDE.

She bravely stands tall before the others and finishes the song.

FLYTTER (CONT'D)I WILL TAKE UP THIS CHALLENGE!I WILL MAKE THIS MY CRUSADE!I WILL BEGIN THIS JOURNEY…INSTEAD OF BEING..AFRAID!

The last strains of the song continue as several other birds, one by one, approach Flytter.

HENRY (spoken)

Don’t worry, Flytter, I’ll go with you.

Gus Goose and some, but not all, of the other hummingbirds chime in.

GUS AND OTHERSWe’ll go with you, too!

WINNIE (Older bird, singing)

WELL, IF ALL OF YOU KIDS ARE GOING, I’D BETTER GO, TOO.

ALL(SINGING)

WE WILL TAKE UP THIS CHALLENGE!WE WILL MAKE THIS OUR CRUSADE!WE WILL BEGIN THIS JOURNEY…

41.

INSTEAD OF BEING…AFRAID!

(End song #10)

THE SUN FADES AND THE SCENE DISSOLVES.

EXT. PARK - DAY

The next morning as all the birds are awakening and getting together to make the migration to Central America.

They are a fairly large group, all ready to head out. But some of the young birds are not convinced.

WALLY I don’t even want to migrate to Central America. I can't believe you guys are going to Rio.

(Song #11--Migration)

WALLY AND A SMALL GROUP OF YOUNG BIRDS

(SINGING)

WHY CAN’T WE JUST STAY HERE?THE WEATHER’S STILL GOOD,FLOWERS IN BLOOM,AND WE’RE GETTING THOSE LOOKSFROM THE OTHER YOUNG BIRDSWHO SEEM LIKE THEY'RE SINGING OUR TUNE.

SECOND GROUP OF YOUNG BIRDS

AND IT’S TOO FAR TO FLY JUST FOR DINNER,AND THE WEATHER MIGHT BE TOO HOT,AND DO WE KNOW HOW TO GET THERE?A ’GPS’...WE’RE NOT!

THIRD GROUP OF YOUNG BIRDS

42.

I THINK WE SHOULD BUILD A TREEHOUSEAND INVITE ALL THE BUGS FOR BRUNCH.YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT SHOW UP...OR WHO MIGHT STAY...FOR LUNCH!

They all laugh.

The older birds fly around them, urging them to follow as they sing.

OLDER BIRDS MIGRATION! MIGRATION!ONCE YOU START FLYING IT’S A GREAT SENSATION.MIGRATION! MIGRATION!IF WE DON'T GO WE’RE GONNA FACE STARVATION!

THIS MAY BE CRAZY,THIS MAY BE ROUGH,BUT WE’RE NOT LAZY,AND WE ARE TOUGH.

THIS IS THE SEASONTO FOLLOW OUR PLAN.WINTER’S THE REASON...LET’S GO WHILE WE CAN.

New musical theme interrupts and the younger birds sing

YOUNGER BIRDSWHERE ARE WE GOING...AND WHY?WHEN WILL WE GET THERE...HOW FAR MUST WE FLY?WILL WE BE LONELY UP THERE IN THE SKY?

OLDER BIRDS YES. BUT YOU MUST GO OR YOU DIE.

New musical theme continues as the birds soar off into the horizon, and the younger birds sing, joined by more birds

YOUNGER BIRDS AND OTHERS

43.

WHERE ARE WE GOING...AND WHY?WHEN WILL WE GET THERE...HOW FAR MUST WE FLY?WE MIGHT BE LONELY UP THERE IN THE SKY,BUT, WE MUST GO OR WE DIE.

All the birds unite in the air, and the older birds sing .

OLDER BIRDSMIGRATION! MIGRATION!NOW THAT WE’RE FLYING YOU WILL LOSE YOUR FEAR.MIGRATION! MIGRATION!THIS IS HOW WE DO IT ONCE A YEAR.

ALL BIRDS THIS MAY BE CRAZY,THIS MAY BE ROUGH,BUT WE’RE NOT LAZY,AND WE ARE TOUGH.

GOT TO GET GOIN’,NO TIME TO WAIT.WHEN IT STARTS SNOWIN’...BY THEN IT’S TOO LATE.

MIGRATION!MIGRATION!WHEN YOU’RE ON TRACKTHEN IT’S FUN TO ROAM.

MIGRATION!MIGRATION!GOTTA GET BACK TO OUR WINTER HOME.YES!GOTTA GET BACK TO OUR WINTER HOME!

(End song #11)

At the end of the song Beauty flies over to Flytter as the younger bird’s theme continues.

BEAUTY (taking a firm stand)

44.

Look, Flytter. I’d like to help, but our regular migration is hard enough. How are you going to find your way to this Rio place. Going down to Costa Rica is as far as I’m gonna go!

Beauty flies off leaving Flytter to ponder the dilemma.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT HOUSE - DAY

Leonard comes in the door and slams his lunchbox on the table really hard.

LEONARD Well, I did it! Today I quit! I hope we don’t regret this.

(Song #12—Tar Sands Reprise)

LEONARD (SINGS)

I WORKED IN THE TAR SANDS FOR MY PAY…BUT MY HEART AND MY MIND WERE FAR AWAY.I DREAMED OF A TIME WHEN WE’D ALL BE FREE. NOW THAT TIME IS HERE FOR BOTH YOU AND ME!

(End song #12)

Minnie gives him a big hug.

MINNIE Don’t worry, you did the right thing. Now, we’ll go to the climate conference. We can decide what to do when we get back.

LEONARD OK, let’s tell the kids. I'll bet they’ll be really excited.

DISSOLVES TO:

45.

EXT. MIGRATING BIRDS IN CANADA - NIGHT

We hear thunder, see lightning. Other flocks of birds join the group of migrating birds. The wind becomes stronger, the sky darker. The stars that were visible before begin to fade and disappear.

HENRY Look Flytter! There’s our first refuge! Just in time to land before the storm hits.

FLYTTER It looks inviting. People sure are funny the way they tear up the land in one place and make refuges in another.

They land in a tree just as the storm hits.

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY

Harry Mealy and Winslow Crud are in a discussion at Senator Mealy's office in Washington, D.C.

MEALY Winslow, have you heard about this Firebird? Seems it’s flying all around the Amazon. Lots of people in South America are taking it seriously; they say it’s a bad omen.

WINSLOW You mean that old myth about the Nazca lines? Give me a break. . .it’s like that flying saucer thing that people have talked about for years. It’s just like bigfoot, Harry--I’ll believe it when I see it. In fact, I'll even put up a reward if anyone can catch this so-called Firebird—what a joke!

(pause)

46.

Just make sure you have all those travel arrangements to Rio in order. . .we leave in a week and we’ve got to make sure nothing goes wrong—

MEALY You mean nothing gets done.

WINSLOW Yeah!

Meanwhile in the outer office, Mealy's aide, SHIRLEY, a young sharp African American, is talking on the phone to Vicki, the Senator's daughter.

SHIRLEYOK, Vicki. You've got your tickets and your passes. Just don't tell your dad! We'll see you in Rio!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MIGRATING BIRDS OVER KANSAS - DAY

The birds fly over a sign saying Welcome to Kansas.

FLYTTER (flying next to Henry)

We’ve been flying for a week now. How do you know we’re on the right course?

HENRY I just follow the line where the cornfields stop and the dirt begins. But this Kansas corn does look kind of scraggly this year.

Suddenly, the wind gets worse and the sky grows dark.

HENRY Head for cover everyone, here comes a twister!

The birds dive for the nearest ditch and hold on for dear life as the tornado blows past.

47.

CUT TO:

INT. KIDS HOME - DAY

Minnie is helping the kids with their homework..

PRAIRIE FIRE (rapidly)

Mom, who's going to take care of Mousie? Will they let me and Eagle Feather into the conference? Is it going to be a lot of long boring talks? Are we really going to make them stop mining the tar sands?

MINNIE Whoa, slow down Prairie Fire—too many questions! We're going to do what we can. No one knows what will happen. And don't worry about Mousie, Aunt Mona will take care of her.

PRAIRIE FIRE But what about Eagle? He doesn't even want to go.

MINNIE Eagle, is that true? Why not?

PRAIRIE FIREHe's afraid to fly!

EAGLE FEATHERAm not! I just don't want to miss the soccer tournament.

MINNIE But you'll have lots of chances to play soccer. And, we'll be going to the world's largest soccer stadium.

EAGLE FEATHER (eyes lighting up a bit)

48.

Can I bring my soccer ball along?

MINNIE (shrugs)

We'll see.CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, RIO - DAY

The chairperson of the conference is a Filipino delegate, Feliciano de la Paz. He's in the middle of a large meeting room with people rushing about on cell phones taking reservations.

FELICIANO (to an aide)

This is incredible! We've got people coming from all over the world, and they really want to see action this year. Look at this. . .

(showing a roster of attendees)

here's a family representing their tribe from Alberta, Canada.

AIDE Are we going to allow children into the conference?

FELICIANO It says the four of them are all delegates, so I guess we are.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MIGRATING BIRDS NEAR THE GULF - DAY

The birds are nearing the coast.

HENRY Hey, I think I smell salty air--we must be close to the Gulf!

ED EAGLE

49.

There it is!. We’re gonna make it to Costa Rica!

TEENY AND TINYCan we camp on the beach?

FLYTTER Go ahead, but just make sure you don’t land in any oil spills.

ED EAGLE I hate to say it folks, but it looks like a hurricane coming our way.

FLYTTER Come on everyone—no time to play; it's time to fly!

They all take off and fly as fast as they can.

TINY(a young bird flying with her mother)

Mama, I’m getting very hungry!

MOTHER BIRD I told you to stock up on loads of creepy crawly bugs last night!

TINYCouldn’t find any more! They all crept and crawled away.

TEENY (Another young bird)

I’m tired...can’t we perch for awhile?

MOTHER BIRD(looking down at the water below)

No place to perch now. . .And remember, don’t let your wings touch the water. . .

50.

TEENY AND TINY (imitating Mama)

... Or you’ll drown!

Gus goose comes up to the smaller birds.

GUS Come on you little guys! The storm is about to hit us.

TEENY I can’t go any faster...my wings don’t wanna' work.

GUS OK, you stay behind me and glide in my wake.

TEENY What's a wake?

GUS (annoyed)

Awake is what we need to be right now. Just stay close behind me.

WINNIE I wish we could all do that.

The wind starts to blow, and the rain falls. The birds get blown inland, way off course.

ED EAGLE There’s a big field over there...We’ll have to land and take our chances.

FLYTTER OK. . .(Calls to others) then let’s all go down.

They descend. They are cold, wet, disheveled and very tired and hungry. The area where they land is nearly bare, with only a few scraggly trees and little vegetation.

OLIVER OWL (looking over the area)

51.

What happened here? Looks like a fire destroyed everything.

WINNIE Maybe people made the fires to clear the land for houses or something.

TINY (desperate)

Now what are we going to do?

GUS We have no choice...we can’t go any farther. We have to rest and wait out this storm. Fluff up your feathers and adjust your therostat and you’ll make it.

TINY What's a therostat?

GUS(trying to be comforting)

Just watch the other hummingbirds and do what they do. They all puff up their feathers and close their eyes.

ALL THE YOUNG BIRDS (screaming together)

But there’s nothing to eat!

Music of "Where Are We Going" soars over the desolate situation.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FLYING OVER MOUNTAINS, JUNGLE, OCEAN - DAY

The Firebird and Peter continue traveling, making a big loop as shown on the map, now heading toward Costa Rica.

52.

FIREBIRD (to Peter, while flying)

Peter, you said you know a lot about people. What do you mean?

PETER Well, I got caught a few years ago by a guy who worked for an oil company. He's the one who named me Peter, though my name's really Pedro.

FIREBIRD How did he treat you?

PETER It wasn't bad, he fed me, and I learned a lot of interesting words about oil and gases...like CO2.

FIREBIRD What happened to him?

53.

PETEREventually, he got into trouble. He left such an oily mess that his company was ordered to go back to the states.

FIREBIRD So, what did you do then?

PETER When I heard he was leaving, I made my escape. The jungle is my home, and that's where I plan to stay, no?

FIREBIRD (skeptical)

So, what did you learn?

(Song #13--Gasses)

PETER (SINGING, VERY SURE OF HIMSELF)

THERE’S…HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN…THERE’S…HELIUM AND…(NOT SO SURE) TOXIGEN,AMMONIUM AND NITROGEN,THERE’S SULPHUR HEXAFLUORIGEN.

Very proud of himself.

PETER (CONT'D) THERE'S CARBON AND THERE'S PROPANEAND THERE'S KRYPTON AND THERE'S METHANE.AND THERE’S. . .ARGON AND THERE’S OZONE,AND THERE'S SOME THAT STILL ARE NOT KNOWN.

Out of breath..he looks to the Firebird for some reaction, but there isn’t one, so he continues

PETER (CONT'D) I LEARNED ALL THIS FROM TELEVISION,DVD’S AND (NOT SO SURE) LONG DIVISION,

54.

PEOPLE’S TALK AND PARROT’S SQUAWK,COMPUTERS AND A BIT OF ‘ROCK’.

I LISTENED TO THE NEWS REPORTS,AND SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COHORTSI GOT SOME OF IT FROM ALBERT GORE,SO NOW I’LL SING A LITTLE MORE.

FIREBIRD (rolls his eyes at Peter’s boastful performance)

OH, PLEASE DO.

PETER (CONT'D)(CONFIDENTLY)

THERE’S WATER VAPOR...CFC’S,THERE'S XEON, MAYBE BVD’S,CHLORINE AND TRISODIUM,NITROUS OXIDE AND PLUTONIUM.

SO IF YOU SEARCH FOR GREENER GRASSESJUST GO OUT AND TAKE SOME CLASSES.BUT DON’T FORGET WHAT I HAVE LEARNED…WE’VE GOT TOO MANY...GASSES!

(End song #13)

The Firebird just hangs his head as Peter applauds himself.

EXT. MIGRATING BIRDS - DAY

The migrating birds are nearing Costa Rica, but still lost.

HENRY It’s really hard to get back on track with all these new developments. I don’t

55.

recognize any of these landmarks .

GUS It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t that so many of our resting places aren’t there anymore. . .

OLIVER And the storms keep getting stronger!

FLYTTER And, what’s even worse, we don’t know where we are.

GUSSo, how are we going to make it to Rio?

(Song #14—The Chain is Broken)

VOICES SINGINGTHE CHAIN IS BROKEN,NO REFUGE,NO SHELTER ALONG THE WAY.JUST HUNGER, CONFUSION, EXHAUSTION...NO HELP...NO PLACE TO STAY.THE CHAIN IS BROKEN!THOUGH WE’VE DONE IT IN THE PAST,THE WAY THE WORLD IS CHANGING...WILL THIS JOURNEY BE OUR LAST?

As a counterpoint to the above, the young birds sing to the bigger birds.

KEEP ME NEAR YOUR BODY!KEEP ME IN YOUR SIGHT!KEEP ME CLOSE BESIDE YOUAS WE FLY THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT,LEAD US THROUGH THIS DARKNESS,GUIDE US TOWARD THE LIGHT.HELP US AS WE MAKE THIS FEARFUL FLIGHT.

56.

This musical theme is repeated, as more birds join in.Then the original voices come back.

WE NEED EACH REFUGE IN OUR CHAIN.WE NEED TO STOP SO WE CAN EAT.WE NEED TO STOP THE CLIMATE CHANGES.WE NEED TO STOP...THE HEAT!

(End song #14)

EXT. AIRPORT LOADING ZONE WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY

We see Drac and Snac gliding into a Washington, D.C. airport on their migration to South America. They rest there and see some containers with bags of chips on an airport loading zone.

DRAC Do you see what I see?

SNAC You don’t wanna go there, do you?

DRAC Why not? I just saw a rat go in there.

SNAC OK. . .I guess there’s nothing else around here to do.

Fade to the inside of a container in the cargo area of the plane. We see only the yellow eyes of Drac and Snac in the dark.

SNAC Now look what you got us into!

DRAC Well, at least it’s a free flight to somewhere, and the food service is good!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DESOLATE, BURNED OUT, LANDSCAPE. DAY.

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All the birds in the migration group are looking worried and depressed.

HENRY (suddenly jumps up and shouts)

Hey, look! It’s Beauty!

Beauty flies into the group, just as surprised as the rest of them.

BEAUTY What are you all doing here?

HENRY What do you think we're doing here? We're lost.

BEAUTY Yeah, it has been a rough migration. But how are you going to get to Rio if you can't even find Costa Rica?

FLYTTER So do you know where we are?

.BEAUTY

Sure, our wintering ground is just over those mountains.

FLYTTER Ok, we'll follow you.

The group follows Beauty over the mountain.

CUT TO:

EXT. WILDLIFE REFUGE IN COSTA RICA - DAY

A lush tropical refuge in Costa Rica with eco-tourists and nature guides.

Henry and Flytter land in a safe area. Flytter notices that Henry is a bit quiet.

FLYTTER Henry, are you alright?

HENRY

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I’m OK, Flytter, I just know I can’t match up to Beauty. I know when I’m beat.

FLYTTER Henry! Is that what you think? I know, Beauty is, well, beautiful. But he doesn’t mean anything to me compared to you! Remember when you tried to rescue me from the tar sands? Don’t worry Henry, you’re my hero.

HENRY You really mean it, Flytter?

Flytter does a little figure eight around Henry to show how much she loves him.

.FLYTTER

But Henry, we really should try to get Beauty to come with us. He's a great navigator. Do you think you can talk him into it?

HENRY (hesitantly)

I'll see what I can do.

They fly off together toward a tall tree.

DISSOLVE TO:

A MAP ON SCREEN

The map shows where the birds are now and how far they have to go. (3,500 miles! Costa Rica to Alberta is 3,300miles.) Costa Rica is halfway between Alberta and Rio.

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Zoom in on the 3500 miles still to go.

CUT TO:

EXT. COSTA RICA WILDLIFE REFUGE - DAY

The migrating birds are sleeping after their long journey.

FLYTTER (rouses everyone)

Come on! We’ve got to get going. The conference in Rio starts in one week, and were still days away!

FLYTTER (CONT'D)(to Henry)

How did you ever convince Beauty to come?

HENRY I just told him that you thought he was a great

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navigator, and you really wanted him to come.

FLYTTER That's great! Let's go!

They fly all day.

EXT. JUNGLE WITH MOUNTAINS AHEAD - DAY

ED (looking at the Andes in the distance)

Oliver and Gus, let's fly ahead to scout a way through the mountains.

The whole group continues flying and the terrain changes as they ascend into the Andes mountains. The air turns cold, and they shiver as they fly over snow.

Suddenly, from a distance, they see two falcons searching for prey.

FLYTTER Henry, what are those birds? They’re coming right toward us!

HENRY (fearful)

Those are falcons, our worst enemies. They’re very fast and have terrible claws. Dive with me!

As Flytter, Henry, Beauty, Teeny, Tiny, Winnie, and all the other birds in the migration scatter, the two falcons soar through the group, almost capturing one bird. The birds re-group, but the falcons turn and quickly fly back at them.

BEAUTY You guys get together and keep going.

TEENY (fearfully)

What are you going to do?

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BEAUTY I'm the brightest bird here; they'll see me for sure. He takes off in the direction of the falcons.

HENRY Beauty, wait. The falcons are faster than we are!

But Beauty is already too far away to hear.

The group reassembles and reluctantly moves in the other direction.

Beauty does some of his spectacular maneuvers and hovers to attract the falcon's attention.

The falcons eye their prey and start swooping in to attack. They make a couple of dives and miss, but Beauty is starting to get tired. Just as it seems there is no escape for him, the falcons suddenly stop and stare at something in fright and amazement. They immediately turn and frantically fly off in another direction. Beauty doesn't understand what just happened until he suddenly sees...the Firebird!

The Firebird theme is heard as he and Peter fly up to Beauty who rejoins the little flock. The Firebird indicates to them to follow him. Ed Eagle, Oliver Owl, and Gus Goose are flying with the Firebird. He flies ahead of them and soon dives toward a river valley that the other birds could not see from where they were in the sky.

EXT. LUSH VALLEY – DAY

The valley has trees, flowers in bloom, and water. It looks like a paradise to the hummingbirds.

They all land together. The birds all feast on the nectar. The Firebird and Peter rest.

FIREBIRD (to Flytter)

So, you're Flytter. Your friends tell me you're the leader of this group.

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FLYTTER Well, I did talk everyone here into going with me.

Teeny, Tiny, and Winnie are hovering and chime in enthusiastically.

TEENYYes, and we're going to Rio...

TINYto a people’s conference...

WINNIE to make them stop climate change.

FLYTTER Yes, we learned that a lot of people want to stop it, so we’re going to let them know the birds want to stop it, too!

FIREBIRD But what do we need to do to stop it?

PETER(chiming in)

I told you about all those gasses!

FLYTTER(surprised)

So you know about CO2?

PETER (bluffing)

Of course! (singing)

THERE'S CARBON AND DIOXIDE, AND EVEN SOME PEROXIDE.

FIREBIRD (gestures for Peter to shut up, then to all the birds)

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Maybe you’re the ones I’ve been looking for.

TEENY, TINY, WEENY (still hovering, looking proud and starting to sing)

YES, WE GOTTA DO SOMETHIN' 'BOUT THAT CO2.

FIREBIRD OK, but we also have to stop the destruction of the Amazon and all the world’s forests.

PETER(interrupting)

... Cause if we don’t stop it, none of us will have a place to live.

HENRY How about if we join forces?

FLYTTER Yeah! Why don't you come along with us?

FIREBIRD(hesitating)

...OK—why not! We'll join you!

TEENY, TINY, WEENYOK—let's go!

PETER (looking happy)

Look out you gasses—here we come! Squawk!

They fly off together.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OFFICE IN WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY

Winslow Crud and Senator Mealy are in the Senator’s office talking about their trip to Rio. Crud is looking at airline tickets.

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WINSLOW Damn! Why do we have a stopover in Lima? We don't have time to waste. They'd better have some good food on this plane. That's why we fly first class.

SEN. MEALY (self-importantly)

Yes, you'd think they don't even know who we are.

WINSLOW Well, I know who you are, Harry, and I won't forget it. It's very simple. I know where your bread and butter comes from.

(pats his wallet).

MEALY Easy for you to say, Winslow. Money is everything to you. But you know, I need votes to get re-elected.

WINSLOWHa! Money can always deliver votes, Mealy. Always has. Always will.

MEALY (sighing)

You're right, Winslow. Always has. Always will.

(but he has a slightly worried, skeptical look in his eyes.)

Just let me use the restroom before we go.

INT. MEN'S RESTROOM - DAY

He retreats to the men’s room…stares at himself in the mirror and says to himself—

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MEALYDamn, sometimes this job is just too much.

(Song #15--Regrets)

He sings.

MEALY I’VE HAD MY TIME OF LOVE AND LEISURE,I’VE TOSSED THE DICE AND WON THE BETS.I’VE LIVED MY LIFE FOR MY OWN PLEASURE,BUT NOW…I HAVE… REGRETS.

As he is singing he takes off his toupee, looks at himself in the mirror, fiddles with the toupee, puts it back on. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a couple of earrings, tries them on, and his expression lightens up, but he shakes his head.

MEALY (CONT'D)REGRETS, WHAT PAINFUL FEELINGS,THE GUILT SUBSIDES,BUT NEVER ENDS,HOW HARD TO CHANGE,UNDO DECISIONS,RESTORE THE PAST,AND MAKE AMENDS

The song is temporarily interrupted.

CUT TO:

EXT. CARGO HOLDING AREA AT DC AIRPORT – DAY

Zoom in on a large container, then see inside the container.

DRAC (all we see are the vultures eyes in a dark container)

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I've got a bad feeling about this.

SNAC Remember what you said. . .

(sarcastically imitating Drac)

’At least it's a free flight to somewhere, and the food service is good.'

CUT TO:(Song #15--Regrets--conclusion)

MEALY (CONT'D)WHY CAN’T I ACT. . .JUST TAKE SOME ACTION?I KNOW I NEED A BETTER PLAN.WHY CAN’T I FIND SOME SATISFACTION?WHY CAN’T I BE. . .AN HONEST MAN?

REGRETS, WHY WON’T YOU LEAVE ME.WHY CAN’T I CHANGE?ERASE MY DEBTS?I’D LIKE TO CHANGE. . .AT LEAST. . .A LITTLE,AND THEN I’D HAVE. . .NO. . .REGRETS!

(End song #15)

He smiles at himself, shakes his head in resignation, says to the mirror,

MEALY What a wimp!

He quickly combs his hair and leaves the restroom.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AIRPLANE PASSENGER AREA - DAY

INTERCOMWelcome to flight 350 to Lima, Peru

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Martha is standing in the aisle putting her carry-ons in the overhead compartment.

HAROLD I still don't know how you talked me into going on this wild goose chase.

Martha ignores him. She sees Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather, who is carrying his soccer ball, coming toward her down the aisle.

MARTHA Hi kids.

MINNIE (right behind the kids)

Hi, Mrs. Anderson, remember me? I’m the kid’s mother...Minnie. And you know my husband, Leonard.

LEONARD Hello Mrs. Anderson. The kids have told me a lot about you and your bird friends.

MARTHA It’s really nice to see you both. Yes, your kids rescued one of my favorite hummingbirds, Flytter. That was great! . . . Oh, and this is my husband, Harold.

Harold just nods to them.

HAROLD I hope when we get to the conference, we find more than just a lot of hot air.

LEONARD Me, too!

(Turning to Prairie and Eagle)

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OK, kids, time to get some sleep. We need to change planes in Lima in about six hours.

EXT. MIGRATION IN AMAZON RAINFOREST - DAY

As they near the end of the Amazon rainforest, Flytter and the Firebird see more signs of human impact on the forest. There are roads used by loggers, more cleared areas for farmers. They see palm oil plantations with long rows of planted trees that stretch for miles, replacing the former jungle. As the growing group of birds fly over a clearing they see a net with a number of captured birds trapped in it.

FIREBIRDFlytter, I’m going down to check this out. Those birds need to be freed.

FLYTTER I’ll go with you.

FIREBIRD(looking skeptical)

OK, but just be careful.

FIREBIRD Peter, we'll be right back.

As the Firebird swoops down, he tears open the net, and the birds fly free. But suddenly the Firebird finds himself trapped, along with Flytter, in an even bigger steel chain net. One of the poachers, packing a large revolver on his belt, exclaims

POACHER We got him! It’s that Firebird everyone’s talking about. Now we can collect that big reward!

The Firebird thrashes around the net, but can’t break free. The openings in the net are small enough that Flytter is able to slip right through. She flies at full speed to Peter and the large group of birds. She is followed by the other birds who had been trapped.

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FLYTTER(shouting)

Peter, everyone! Stop, we’ve got to go back to the Firebird. He freed these birds, but now he’s trapped.

They fly back to the clearing, but the net has been moved. Now the poachers have put the Firebird in a cage and have him in their camper trailer nearby.

PETER This isn’t going to be easy. We need help from the humans, no? Follow me.

CUT TO:

EXT. INDIGENOUS SETTLEMENT IN THE AMAZON - DAY

Flytter and a large group of birds follow Peter deeper into the jungle to a village of some indigenous people.

Peter flies to the people.

PETERPajaro de Fuego! Pajaro de Fuego!

SUPERFirebird! Firebird!

The people don’t speak Spanish and are scratching their heads, but one of the kids, Fajarin, understands.He jumps up, waves his arms, and shouts.

FAJARINHe says it’s the Firebird! Something must be wrong. Let’s follow him.

The adults, looking alarmed, rise to their feet.

FEMALE ADULT The Firebird--our sacred bird. Yes, we saw him pass over yesterday. Maybe he needs help.

EXT. POACHER'S CAMPER - NIGHT

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They follow Peter to the poacher’s camper. They look through a window and can see the Firebird in a cage.

MALE ADULT These poachers have the Firebird, they won’t give him up.

FEMALE ADULT TWOAnd they've got guns.

MALE ADULT TWOSo what can we do?

Peter flies in to action. He goes up to the camper door and pecks on it with his beak. A voice calls out, Who is it?

PETER (answering)

Pizza!

The door opens.

A GRUFF, BURLY VOICE

We didn’t order any pizza!

But Peter and all the birds see the open door. They fly into the vehicle, creating chaos--swooping and diving at the poachers, who hold up their hands to fend them off, leaving the cage unguarded.

Fajarin rushes in while all this distraction is going on and opens the cage. The Firebird flies out and all the birds follow.

The poachers run out to give chase, but it’s too late. All the birds are flying free. The indigenous people all cheer and celebrate.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AIRPLANE SEATING AREA - NIGHT

Winslow Crud and Senator Mealy are seated on the plane in the first class section. They are stopped in Lima and waiting for others to get on board. Leonard, Minnie, the

71.

kids, Martha & Harold all walk past them in first class on their way back to their coach seats. Leonard does a double take when he sees Winslow sleeping. Minnie notices and takes a glance, too.

Minnie and Leonard get settled.

LEONARD Guess what, I think I know that guy up in front. He was on a tour of the tar sands with some other executives just a few weeks ago--that’s Winslow Crud, head of Cruddy Oil. If he’s going to the conference, you can be sure he’s not on our side.

MINNIE That’s funny, because when I saw you stare at him, I thought you were staring at the guy next to him. You know who that is, don’t you?

LEONARD Not a clue, do you?

MINNIE Sure, I've seen him on TV … that’s Senator Harry Mealy. He’s the key vote from the U.S. delegation to the conference. If he’s here with that Winslow Crud, it looks like he’ll vote to keep mining the tar sands.

The buckle their seat belts and the plane takes off.

INT. SAME FLIGHT SOME TIME LATER - NIGHT

The plane is in flight; the seat belt sign has been turned off. Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather are whispering to each other.

PRAIRIE FIRE Did you hear what mom and dad said?

72.

EAGLE FEATHER I heard it. What do you want to do about it?

PRAIRIE FIRE Let's go check them out.

EAGLE FEATHER OK, but don’t let Mom and Dad know what we’re doing.

PRAIRIE FIRE (Turning to Minnie)

Mom, I’ve got to go to the bathroom.

MINNIE OK, but use the one in the back.

EAGLE FEATHER Mom, I need to go too.

MINNIE (suspiciously)

OK, just don’t bother any of the other passengers.

PRAIRIE FIRE & EAGLE FEATHER

Don't worry, we’ll be right back.

They make their way toward the bathroom in the back of the plane, but they creep up the other aisle toward the first class curtain. Then they sneak back to the aisle where Winslow and Mealy are seated, just beyond the curtain. Prairie Fire lifts the curtain to see Winslow and Mealy talking. She urges Eagle Feather to join her. They crouch down and slip under the curtain into the first class section. There is a space for serving food, and they duck into it. They can hear Mealy and Winslow from there.

WINSLOW (looking at his laptop)

OK, Harry, this speech looks good. I especially like the

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part where you say we are all committed to saving the planet--sounds like just what they want to hear. Of course the main thing is that you don’t agree to these proposals. Stop tar sands mining! Ha! And all this stuff about saving the Amazon jungle--forget it--just a bunch of trees, bugs and birds--where’s the money in that?

SEN. MEALY I don’t know, Winslow, I hear that they’ve filled the olympic stadium with people from all over the world. This could be a little touchy.

WINSLOW But those people don’t vote in your home state, and we’ve got enough money to keep you in office no matter what these tree-huggers say.

SEN. MEALY Well, you’ve always been right before, Winslow. No reason to change our tune now. And like you say, the birds don’t get to vote.

Suddenly, a young female flight attendant moves into the food preparation space and bumps into the kids.

ATTENDANTHey, what are you kids doing here?

PRAIRIE FIRE Just wanted to see what’s going on behind the curtain.

ATTENDANTWell, you're not supposed to be here.

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EAGLE FEATHER OK, we’ll go back to our seats now.

They stand up and walk back toward their seats.

Senator Mealy looks at Crud with a surprised and worried expression.

SEN. MEALY (now whispering)

Damn it, Winslow, I sure hope they didn’t hear any of what we were saying.

WINSLOW Don’t worry, Harry. Just a couple of kids. What can they do to us? Here, have another drink.

The kids arrive back at their seats.

MINNIE That took long enough. What funny business were you up to?

PRAIRIE FIRE Mom, we heard those two men talking--the senator and the tar sands guy.

MINNIE What!? I told you not to go past the curtain.

EAGLE FEATHER But don’t you want to know what they said?

MINNIE What do you think, Leonard?

LEONARD(emphatically)

Kids, you’re mother’s right! You shouldn't have gone up there.

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(He pauses and looks around to make sure no one else is listening and lowers his voice)

Now, what did they say? . . .

EXT. MIGRATION OVER GRASSLANDS BRAZIL - DAY

More and more birds from the jungle join Flytter and the Firebird's migration. Birds of all colors, stripes, sizes, and shapes join them, and their small group grows and becomes a mighty cloud of birds.

FIREBIRD (to Flytter)

We’re still a long way from Rio. When did you say we had to be there?

FLYTTER We have to be there in two days.

FIREBIRD I know you like to be independent, Flytter, but I think it’s time to offer help. Hop on my back, or we're not going to make it.

FLYTTER OK, but just for a little while.

FIREBIRD (shouting to the cloud of birds)

All you big birds, help out the hummers and little birds. Let them hop on. . . and it’s next stop, Rio!

(Singing to Flytter)

(Song #16—Stay Where You Are)

FLYTTER

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I'VE BEEN ON MY OWN SO LONG

FIREBIRDBUT NOW YOU'RE HERE WITH ME

FLYTTERTHIS IS ALL I ASK

BOTHTHIS IS ALL I NEED.SO, . . .STAY WHERE YOU ARE!

FLYTTERYOU ARE MY GUIDING STAR

FIREBIRDYOU SHINE THE WAY FOR ME

FLYTTERYOU KEEP ME COMPANY

BOTHYOU SHOW ME HOW TO SEE THE LIGHT

FLYTTERSTAY WHERE YOU AREI'LL BE YOUR SHINING STARI NEED YOU EV'RY DAYTO BE HERE COME WHAT MAY

BOTHTOGETHER WE WILL FIND A BETTER WAY

FLYTTERBUT SOMETIMES THINGS GO WRONGAND WE CAN LOSE OUR WAYIT'S SUCH A LONG, LONG CLIMBDAY AFTER DAY

BOTHSTAY WHERE YOU AREI'LL BE YOUR RISING STAR

FIREBIRDI'LL CARRY YOU WITH ME

FLYTTER

77.

THIS IS OUR DESTINY

BOTHSO WHEN THIS JOURNEY ENDSYOU'LL KNOW WE'LL STILL BE FRIENDSSO,. . .THERE'S NOTHING TO FEARI'LL BE RIGHT HERE!

(End Song #16)

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SCENES OF RIO - DAY

Music with a samba beat is heard as all the birds move in formation, weaving with the music, small birds perched on larger birds.

EXT. BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF RIO—THE BEACH, THE CROSS ON THE HILL, CROWDED FAVELAS

EXT. ZOOM TO OLYMPIC STADIUM

The soccer stadium is packed with 100,000 people. Lots of banners and cheering, chanting people. Call leaders have bullhorns.

CHANT 1A stable climate, yes we canLet’s adopt the climate plan!

CHANT 2CALL

What do we want?RESPONSE

Climate ActionCALL

When do we want it?RESPONSE

Now!

CHANT 3 Tar sands—NODirty oil—NO

(repeat in various languages)

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CHANT 4Save the birds, save the beesStop the cutting, save the trees

CHANT 5Leave the tar sandsUnder our lands

CHANT 6We know the solution--Stop carbon pollution

CHANT 7Stop the destructionStop the obstructionThe climate needs reconstruction.

We see Leonard, Minnie, the kids, Harold and Martha--all part of the Canadian contingent--under a big banner reading "Stop Tar Sands Mining" and another declaring "Respect Treaty Rights". They are chanting along with everyone, looking determined, looking hopeful. The conference delegates are seated on a stage and are about to make their report known to the crowd.

Everyone gets quiet as the head delegate of the conference appears at the podium and on the jumbotron.

FELICIANO(in halting tones)

Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to report that the vote on this climate plan is at a standstill. As you know this is a global problem and we must have complete unity to save our planet...However, two of our members, the United States of America and Canada, have still refused to sign the agreement.

The USA delegation of three--Senator Mealy, Winslow Crud, and Shirley, Mealy's aide, all look stone faced.

FELICIANO (CONT'D)

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And several other countries, including India and China, say they won't sign unless the U.S. does as well.

Those delegates shift uneasily in their seats, but with determined looks on their faces.

FELICIANO (CONT'D)So,... I'm afraid that we have failed. We must go home with no agreement.

The crowd groans and boos in protest and disapproval.

FELICIANO (CONT'D)The U.S. delegate would like to explain why he cannot sign the agreement.

Senator Mealy takes the stage, along with Winslow Crud and Shirley.

MEALY Citizens of the world, please believe me, no one cares more about all you people than the U.S. government. We understand and we share your concerns. I came to this conference with an open mind and ready to act.

Prairie Fire and Eagle Feather recognize him, and look at each other in dismay—

PRAIRIE FIREWhat a lie!

EAGLE FEATHER(this time he doesn't need any prodding from Prairie Fire)

Let's go!

They squirm away from their parents and run down the stadium steps toward the platform where the delegates are seated. Martha sees them take off and follows behind.

80.

HAROLD(yelling)

Martha, now what are you doing!

The kids’ parents are also looking at each other, knowing from the kids that Senator Mealy is lying.

LEONARD We know he had his mind made up before he got here!

MINNIE(turning around in dismay)

Where are the kids!?

Too late, they see them running toward the speakers' platform. Minnie restrains Leonard, who is about to run after them.

MINNIE It's too late to stop them. I wonder what they're up to now?

Meanwhile, in spite of the booing, the Senator continues.

MEALYBut, we can't support these demands to shut down the oil sands mining and to halt progress in the Amazon. We can't ignore the jobs that the oil industry provides. We can't ignore the expense it would require to switch to solar and wind power instead of oil. We can’t save every tree. And we can't even be sure that climate change is really caused by fossil fuels.

More booing, jeering, catcalls.

Just then. . .Flytter and the Firebird appear above the outdoor theater. At first they seem to be with just a few birds, i.e. the ones we've seen all the way from Canada, plus Peter. Then the massive cloud of birds appears over the stadium walls. The size of the flock is huge--hummingbirds, tropical birds, all sizes and shapes.

81.

The delegates begin to murmur at the spectacular array of birds.

They are all looking upward and they gasp as tens of thousands more birds slowly appear. All the while, Flytter is flying on the back of the Firebird making big swirling circles over the stadium.

SOMEONE SHOUTSIt's the Firebird! He's here to warn us and to make us change!

PEOPLE CHANT Firebird, Firebird!

The huge crowd begins to cheer/clap/dance. Except for the USA delegation, which is looking at the scene, shaking their heads in dismay. Even Winslow is aghast.

PRAIRIE FIREEagle! It's the Nazca Firebird. This is our chance!

While everyone is distracted by the birds, the kids dart through a very small opening in the security gate, too small for an adult. They run up to Feliciano, who is also staring at the birds in amazement.

PRAIRIE FIRE(to the delegate)

Senator Mealy is lying! We heard him on the plane say he wouldn't vote for any agreement.

Feliciano hesitates, still distracted by all the birds, and Prairie Fire picks up the microphone on the table in front of him.

PRAIRIE FIRESenator Mealy – tell the truth! You came here with your mind made up. We heard you on the plane on the way here. Mr. Crud told you not to sign anything and you agreed.

FELICIANO

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(turns to Mealy)Is this true?

SHIRLEYHarry, is this true?

(Harry doesn't respond.)

WINSLOW Get these kids off the stage.

Flytter hears Prairie Fire and recognizes her voice.

FLYTTER(yelling to the Firebird)

Those are my friends!

She darts away from the Firebird and heads toward the speaker’s platform.There's great commotion on the platform. Winslow Crud tries to grab the mic away from Prairie Fire, but she tosses it to Eagle Feather.

EAGLE FEATHER(taking the mic)

Senator Mealy, we heard you say on the plane that birds don't vote. But here they are! And they're voting for the climate plan!

The guards grab Eagle Feather, so he tosses the mic back to Prairie Fire. The guards grab her, and she spots Martha, who is whacking one of the guards with her handbag to make the guard let go of Prairie Fire. A bunch of opened bags of chips that we saw earlier in the container with Drac and Snac come flying out of her handbag, chips flying everywhere. Prairie Fire manages to toss the microphone to Martha. Martha looks at it like she doesn’t know what to do with it.

Just then Flytter arrives and startles everyone by doing a little figure 8 in front of Prairie Fire and then in front of Martha.

.MARTHA

Flytter! (Then, exclaiming into the mic, and

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pointing to Flytter who is hovering above her and is clearly visible on the jumbotron)

Everybody listen! This little hummingbird flew all the way here from Canada where these kids rescued her from the tar sands. She's here to tell us this tar sands mining and forest destruction has to stop!

The crowd roars its approval. Everyone is exuberant, raising their arms upward. The crowd is going wild!

Senator Mealy is standing holding his microphone, but is completely flustered and unable to speak.

.WINSLOW

(grabbing the mic from the confused Mealy)

Look, people, calm down! (He lets the crowd noise drop off slightly and continues)

These are birds. What do they know about the world's energy needs? Just ignore them and they'll go away. If any of these birds have anything to say, let them say it. . . now!

PETER (hearing Winslow and shouting to the Firebird)

So they think we don't know about CO2, no? I'll set them straight.

Peter flies to the microphone that Martha is still holding. He lands on her shoulder. She is startled, but doesn't shake him off. He grabs the mic with his claw and shrieks into it in parrot talk.

.

84.

PETER Carbon Dioxide. Methane. Sulfur Hexaflouride. Global Warming. Squaawwk.

Winslow tries to grab Peter, but Peter drops the mic and Martha catches it. Peter flies off to join the Firebird.

WINSLOW(suddenly recognizing Peter, exclaims loud enough for everyone to hear through the mic)

Oh, my god! It’s that parrot! And I taught him everything he knows!

MARTHA (chiming in)

So the birds don't know about CO2, eh? Looks like they know a lot more than you do!

WINSLOW Guards—get rid of these birds!

The guards don't know what to do as the sky is filled with birds.

WINSLOW (shouting and pointing to the Firebird)

That big one...he's the leader—shoot him, and that pesky parrot, too! Get rid of those two, and the others will fly away.

The guard hesitates, but takes out a rifle at the urging of Winslow. He fires into the air at the Firebird! He misses, and the birds retaliate by raining a shower of bird doo on Winslow and Mealy and the guard who shot at them.

Winslow, exasperated and dripping with bird poop, but not ready to give in, takes the gun from the guard and takes

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careful aim. Harold, who was following after Martha and is standing next to Winslow, reaches toward Winslow.

HAROLD (shouting)

I don't think you really want to do that.

WINSLOW Get out of my way!

(He pushes Harold aside.)

Just as he starts to fire, Harold grabs his arm throwing his aim off, so he misses. The guards grab Harold, and Winslow takes aim again through the high powered telescopic lens on his rifle.  He has the firebird in his sights.  He can't miss this time.  But just as he is about to pull the trigger, all he can see is a hummingbird hovering right in front of his lens. It's Henry, determined to block his aim. And Beauty, doing his swoops and dives, acting like a giant gnat that makes Winslow try to swat him away.

WINSLOWGet away from me you pests!

Winslow fires a number of shots wildly at the Firebird, who is hit and begins dropping to the ground. Flytter and Peter fly to him. He crashes onto the ground and, suddenly, there is stunned silence.

The kids rush to where the Firebird fell. Flytter is hovering above the Firebird, and lands on Eagle Feather’s cap. Prairie Fire lies down on the ground with the Firebird stroking his head and holding him. All are stunned and quiet. Peter also flies to him and is quiet.

PRAIRIE FIRE(crying to the Firebird)

Please don't die—we love you.

SOMEONE SCREAMS(pointing at Winslow)

That man killed the Firebird—our sacred bird!

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ANOTHER SHOUTING VOICE

You're a murderer!

Others join in the noisy rebuke, and the murmur grows into a loud growl of anger.

Mealy and Shirley are in full panic mode. Even Winslow starts to look for somewhere to run.

THE CROWD STARTS TO CHANT

Sign the agreement! Sign the agreement!

Suddenly Vicki runs to the front of the stage.

VICKIDad! You can sign the agreement right now—Please, it's the right thing to do!

SHIRLEY Senator, just sign the agreement, and let's get out of here.

Mealy looks at his daughter in surprise, looks at Shirley, and at the crowd and the birds all in slow motion. He gulps like he is swallowing a bitter pill, but then he shakes his head, shrugs, picks up the agreement, grabs a pen, and signs it. He tosses it, and its pages flutter like wings of the birds landing on the table in front of Feliciano. Then he, Winslow, and Shirley run off the platform back in full speed motion.

FELICIANO (grasping the paper in delight and raising it)

The U.S. has signed the agreement! This is what we need to stop the tar sands and save the forests.

(He looks at China, India and Canada.)

Now will you all sign?

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China and India nod enthusiastically. The Canadian delegate looks up at the birds, and all the people cheering and chanting. He sees Leonard and Minnie and other First Nations representatives and other Canadians. He takes a deep breath, shrugs his shoulders and nods in agreement.

FELICIANO Now we finally have unity and the world will be a better place.

The stadium erupts with cheers.

The Chinese and Indian delegates are busy signing the agreement. The Canadian delegate looks again at the Canadian demonstrators, including Martha and Harold, urging him to sign, and he signs as well.

FELICIANO (CONT'D) And it's all thanks to these brave birds, and these brave kids!

The crowd applauds, but is still shocked and subdued by concern for the Firebird.

SOMEONE SHOUTSBut what about the Firebird?

All eyes turn to the Firebird. Vicki runs over to his side. Slowly, the Firebird opens one eye and tries to speak.

FIREBIRD Did you think a bullet could kill my spirit?

The Firebird begins to flutter and stand up. His wing is injured but he stands bravely.

PETER (in parrot talk)

He's going to make it!

VICKI(shouting to the stage)

He's going to make it!

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MARTHA (holding the mic again and shouting)

He's going to make it! So let's celebrate!

The crowd explodes with an ecstatic roar and the celebration takes off. Vicki runs up to the stage and gives Martha a big hug. The birds fly in great swooping formations, the sunlight catching their feathers and making an iridescent light show.

Flytter hovers and smiles.

(Song #17—A Better Place)

From the distance a drum cadence begins and grows in volume followed by a brass band and a group of children singing until all are singing and the sound is overwhelming.

ALLWE’RE TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE,WE’RE TRYING TO PUT A SMILE ON EV’RY FACE,WE’RE HOPING THAT YOU WILL SEETHAT IF WE CAN ALL AGREE.WE’LL MAKE THIS A SAFER PLACE FOR YOU AND ME.

THERE’S SOMETHING WE MUST DOTO MAKE THIS ALL COME TRUE.TO MAKE THE WORLD A GREATER PLACEFOR ME AND YOU

THE TIME IS OVERDUETO LOWER CO2,WE NEED TO STOP THIS CLIMATE CHANGESO THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GONNA DO!

WE’RE GOING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE!WE KNOW WE CAN PUT A SMILE ON EV’RY FACE.WE’RE HOPING THAT YOU WILL SEE

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THAT IF WE CAN ALL AGREEWE’LL MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACEFOR YOU…AND ME!

(End song #17)

Drac and Snac, basking in the sun, observe the scene from one of the light poles overlooking the stadium.

DRAC AND SNAC(Singing)

IT’S NEVER TOO HOT FOR US!IT’S NEVER TOO HOT FOR A TASTY….

SNAC(interrupting the song)

Drac, do you see what I see?

People are streaming out of the stadium and the garbage cans are full.

DRACYeah!...It’s a sight for sore eyes!

SNAC It’s a picnic made in heaven!

DRAC It’s a day on the beach!

SNAC It’s a field of four leaf clovers!

BOTH It’s. . .Leftovers!

They swoop down toward the overflowing garbage cans as the remaining people leave the stadium.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AIRPLANE DAY

Aboard an airplane with Martha, Harold, Minnie, Leonard and kids on the way back home. Winslow is slumped in his seat, staring dejectedly at a magazine titled "Solar

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Power Today". Mealy, however, to his astonishment, is besieged by passengers shaking his hand and congratulating him on signing the agreement.

PASSENGER ONEThank you Senator—you're the greatest!

PASSENGER TWOCongratulations, Senator! You've got my backing!

As a politician, he is already making plans for his political future.

MEALY, (to Winslow)

You know, I think people back home might just like the way I signed that agreement.

WINSLOW(snarling)

Shut up Mealy, you've caused me enough trouble for one day.

Mealy just laughs. Then he spots the kids and their parents, and goes over to them.

MEALY You kids were right. I did have my mind made up not to sign any agreement. But all those birds and all those people convinced me I was wrong.

PRAIRIE FIREWe’re glad you changed your mind. My dad even gave up his job at the tar sands to come here.

MEALY (turning to Leonard)

Well, sir, you and your children are very brave.

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(Then he pauses, and says slowly and thoughtfully)

You know, I’m sure we can find you a job making wind turbines.

LEONARD Why thank you, Senator. I’m ready to go to work.

Just then Martha, who is sitting with Harold in the row behind, looks out the window and exclaims,

MARTHALook, there’s Flytter on the Firebird, right outside!

Everyone looks out to see the two flying with Peter and a group of birds.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH IN THE AIR OVER BRAZIL - DAY

Flytter is talking to the Firebird as they fly.

FIREBIRD You’ll be in Costa Rica very soon. Then in the spring you can go back home with your friends.

FLYTTER But where will you go? (music of Stay Where you Are starts, measure 30)

FIREBIRD I’m staying here in the Amazon with Peter. I want to see the cutting stopped and the forest protected. If that happens, my work here will be done for now.

FLYTTER I can’t thank you enough.

FIREBIRD

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No, I can’t thank you enough, Flytter.

They both laugh and keep on flying.

(Song #18—Stay Where You Are—reprise)

FLYTTER AND FIREBIRD

(Singing)SO WHEN THIS JOURNEY ENDS,WE KNOW WE'LL STILL BE FRIENDS. SO THERE'S NOTHING TO FEAR. I'LL BE RIGHT HERE.

(End song #18)

They fly off with Flytter snuggling onto the Firebird’s back.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BACKYARD IN CANADA, NEXT SPRING - DAY

It is the original backyard scene, and Flytter is in a similar tree sitting on a nest. A baby bird peeks out from under Flytter.

BABY BIRD Mama, do you think I’ll ever be able to fly?

Flytter responds emotionally, remembering asking her mother the same question.

FLYTTERI hope so! I really do!

She looks at Henry who is hovering nearby. Henry smiles and nods.

We see Martha and Harold coming out of their house with bird feeders. Several hummingbirds are chasing each other. The camera pans to the field where Eagle Feather is playing soccer with his friends, and Prairie Fire is reading the book about the Nazca Lines in the bleachers.

EXT. PERUVIAN DESERT - DAY

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Slowly this dissolves into the entire screen being filled with the Firebird flying into the desert and returning to the original ground sculpture that the film started with.

The screen zooms into the ground sculpture, and then zooms out in real life (non-animation) to show the picture in the book that Prairie was holding at the beginning. We hear the sounds of kids playing as Eagle chases a soccer ball across the grassy field.

Music and titles begin as we see all of the main characters one by one, or in groups, taking their bows with the musical themes associated with them, ending with Flytter and the Firebird.

(Music #19—Find Me theme)

The End