Milo the Mantis Who Doesn’t Pray

Screenplay
By
Buddy Lewis & Troy Schmidt

Story
By
Max Lucado

Draft 3
4/20/06

Ext. Max's garden - DAY
long shot
Max sits on the bench.  His attention is on the garden, enjoying the sights.  He realizes the camera is on.  SOFT MUSIC PLAYS.  BIRDS CHIRP.
Max
Oh hi.  You know, I love to come out here and just enjoy God's beautiful creation, the trees, the sky, the plants.  It's a place where I feel close to God and where I pray.  
close up shot
Max (CONT'D)
Praying is so important.  It's our way of talking to God.  I'm sure you talk to those you love.  Talking to someone shows that you care about them and are interested in what they have to say.  That's what prayer is.  And that's why I come here.  The garden is beautiful and so peaceful and qu...
Hermie (o.S.)
Hey Big Daddy!
SOFT MUSIC SCRATCHES OUT.  Silence broken like nails on a chalk board.  Max winces and turns.
Close up hermie
Hermie with a rainbow wig on his head, giving Max the "thumbs up."
Close up max
MAX
Oh, hey.  Hi Hermie...Hermie?  What happened to you?  Bad hair day?
Close up hermie
HerMIE
No, I'm just trying to get people to notice me more.  Every time we have our chats you get all the attention because you're so huge and I'm so itty bitty. So I thought I'd make myself stick out a little more.
Close up max
MAX
Well you certainly "stick out."
Close up hermie
HERMIE
My point exactly.  But you know what would really help me stand out and get noticed? Maybe we could get those big shots who make these DVDs to change the title from Max Lucado's Hermie and Friends to Hermie's Max Lucado and Friends.
Close up max
At first that seems like a good idea to Max.
MAX
Oh yeah...HEY!  But your face is plastered all over the DVD cover!  
GRAPHIC: COVER OF DVD
It's an exaggerated mock up of the original Hermie cover with Hermie's face big and prominent.  Zoom into bottom right corner.  A small, pitiful little face of Max that reads "And some guy named Max."
Int. maX'S GARDEN - DAY
Close up Max
MaX
I don't know if a title change would get you more attention.  What's really important is that you always have God's attention. He notices everyone. The Bible says He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.
Close up hermie
Hermie removes the wig, rubbing his bald head.
HERMIE
And  Max… it's certainly getting easier for Him to count the hairs on your head!
Close up max
Rubbing his head.
MAX
I know what you mean.  Anyway, the point is...God is always paying attention to you.  So when you pray, you know he is listening.  
Close up hermie
HERMIE
Good thought...maybe I'll ask God about changing the name of this show.
Close up max
MAX
Sure...hey!  You know what, Hermie, you can ask God to change the name of the show and the answer may be "yes" or the answer may be (emphasize) "NO" or the answer may be that you have to "wait" for your prayer to be answered.  All you have to do is ask.
medium shot max
MaX (CONT'D)
(to camera)
God is always listening to us, no matter how big or small we are. And as Milo the Mantis discovered, God always hears us when we pray, but he doesn't always answer us at the time or in the way we would expect him to.  
Close up hermie
HERMIE
Let's try that out.  (puts his hands together and closes his eyes)  Dear God, I would like a giant raspberry and cabbage leaf swirled ice cream cone...(under breath) and my own TV show!
medium shot max
Max shakes his head.  Will he ever learn?
MAX
Hermie…!  (thinks about it)  Cabbage leaves on ice cream?  Bleh.
Ext. Milo's old snack shack - DAY
MUSIC:
CREDITS:  We begin with a wide shot of a small building with a sign above it that reads "Milo's Snack Shack" to one side of a clearing in the garden under a large tree, next to a pond with a beach.  The sky is clear and the sun is shining but as the credits roll dark clouds come onto the scene and block out the sun.   Dolly in to the shack as the wind picks up and blows the plants around the shack. (By coming in closer before the wind kicks up it gives us less environment to deal with in the wind.) Hermie's rainbow wig rolls by like a tumbleweed. The sign on the shack loosens as the wind increases and swings by a lone nail.
INT. miLO'S OLD SNACK SHACK - DAY
Dissolve to the pendulum of a clock (made of garden materials) swinging like the sign. Pan across the wall to reveal a row of pictures (head shots) with name plates. Each picture is framed exactly the same and the Mantis in them each wear a bow tie and striped chest like a classic soda jerk. The first one is a very old Mantis, Milo Sr. The second one looks like a little younger version of the first, Milo Jr. The third one looks like a little bit younger version of the other two, Milo III. Continue to pan to reveal MILO IV in person but framed exactly as his pictured predecessors. He's wearing a name tag that reads, "Milo IV". 
Milo, the praying mantis, is a tall, slender young wide-eyed bug with big ideas who hasn't had much success with the family business since taking it over from his father.  A little harried, his mind always racing, thinking, improving. He tends to ramble a bit as he thinks things through. Milo steps forward to hand Wormie a sandwich and we see a framed autographed photo of the Water Beetles. Hermie sits at the counter engrossed in a raspberry and cabbage leaf ice cream cone.  WORMIE sits at the counter as he gets his sandwich. 
MiLO
Here's your Bingo-Stringo-Wingo-Zingo sandwich Wormie. Named after my number one customers, the Water Beetles. At least they used to be my number one customers....Ever since "The Green Album" went platinum they're always on tour.
Wormie
You must do great business here.
Milo
Not really.  The Snack Shack needs repairs...
Milo’s picture falls on cue behind Milo.  CRASH!
MiLO (CONT'D)
...and I've really got to get more customers in here or I'll go out of business.  I keep trying to think...what can I do?
Milo begins pacing, thoughts coming to him.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Maybe we could have a big giveaway.  Or maybe the Water Beetles could put on a benefit concert. Or sign autographs.  Maybe we could freeze the pond and have ice skating!  No, no!  We could get the ants to do a re-enactment of the Battle of Ant Hill.  WAIT!  A dance show...Beach Blanket Bug Bash!  What do you think?
Wormie is speechless, pondering what to say.  
wormie
I don’t think the words “bug” and “bash” should ever go together.
milo
What do you think, Hermie?
Hermie licks away.
HerMIE
I think this raspberry and cabbage flavored ice cream is incredible.
Milo is determined, making a stand.
MILO
This snack shack has been in my family for generations.  It's been here forever and nothing is going to close this place down!
Suddenly BUZBY blows in through the door and slams into the wall of the shack.  He hangs for a second.
Buzby
There's a storm coming.  S-T-O-R-M.  Storm!
Then slides down the wall.
MILO
Okay, maybe there's one thing...
Wormie is concerned.  Hermie still licking.
WorMIE
Is it a bad one?
Buzby stands, in weather man form.  He pulls down a weather map with fronts, highs, lows, temps, all that stuff.
BuZBY
Looky here.  This high is pushing against this low.  It’s causing a temperature shift.  A BIG temperature shift.  It will effect these areas bringing high winds.  W-I-N-D-S.  Winds.  So the forecast for today is...
The wind picks up, loosening the roof from the building.
Buzby opens the door, steps out.
BuzBY (CONT'D)
Good Golly Miss Molly!  Buzby is Leaving the Building. B-U-IIIIIII...!" 
Before Buzby can finish, the wind grabs him, sending him off screen.
Milo and Wormie are concerned.  Hermie still licking.
MiLO
I've got to save what I can!
WorMIE
Milo, we need to get out of here!
Milo ducks down behind the counter.  We hear CRASHING as he sorts through his things.
MiLO
What should I take?  My Melon Masher?  No.  Dad's Donut Holer? No.  Grandpa's Griddle Greaser?  AH-HA!  That's it!
Milo pops up from behind the counter with an ice cream scooper.
MiLO (CONT'D)
This.
WorMIE
An ice cream scooper?
MILO
This is not just any ice cream scooper.  This was my great grandpa's super duper scooper.
The roof lifts up again, ready to take off any second.  CREAKING from the building.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Let's go!
HerMIE
Just a minute, I'm almost done.  What's this flavor called again?
The wind blows hard.  The building leans. Milo and Wormie duck.
MILO
Windstorm!
HERMIE
Windstorm.  I like that name.  It's bold and packs a punch.  Not too pretentious.  The flavors swirling around in my mouth...  
The building CREAKS.  It's loosening from the ground.
WorMIE
No Hermie!  It's a real windstorm!  Let's go.
MILO
Abandon shack!
Milo runs.  Wormie joins him.  Hermie...eats ice cream.  Then Wormie's hand reaches in and pulls Hermie off.  The ice cream scoop hangs in the air.  A BEAT.  Hermie runs back in and catches it back on his cone.
HerMIE
(to camera)
That was close.
INT. rock cave - momENTS LATER
Hermie, Wormie and Milo find shelter in a cave formed by a large rock as the wind kicks up. (These shots all look into the cave. Not into the clearing. We hear the winds and we can have shots where we see some plants blown about around the mouth of the cave.)
MILO
What do we do?
WORMIE
Hang onto something large!
Wormie and Milo look at each other and then grab onto Hermie. Hermie ignores them and gets ready to take another lick, but the cone flies out of his hand.  Now it hits home for Hermie.
HERMIE
Okay...now it’s getting serious!
The wind dies down.  
MILO
The wind is dying down!  I bet the Snack Shack is still there! 
Milo runs outside.
WoRMIE
Milo, wait!
Ext. miLO'S OLD SNACK SHACK - clOUDY
Milo runs outside and sees the Snack Shack, holding firm.  A look of joy across his face.
Suddenly a huge wind gust...the entire Snack Shack pulls out of the foundation and flies into the air.
Ext. SkY - cloUDY
The Snack Shack gets sucked into the sky ala Dorothy in Kansas.
Ext. MilO'S OLD SNACK SHACK - cloudy
Milo's face drops.  The winds die down.  Milo realizes the Snack Shack is gone.
MiLO
Now what am I going to do.  It's gone.  The Snack Shack that has been in my family for years.  Gone.
HerMIE
We're sorry, Milo.
WorMIE
Yeah, real sorry.
Milo is depressed for a second, then his Type A personality sets in.  Get to work!
MiLO
No time to be sorry.  There has to be a solution.  What am I going to do?  (snaps fingers)  Maybe I could find an old shoebox and set up shop in there.  Or, organize a search team to find the old building.  Or, I could sell insurance!
WorMIE
I know what you can do.
Milo runs and desperately puts his face against Wormie's.
MiLO
(panicky)
Yes?  Yes?  What is it?  Tell me!
WoRMIE
(small nasally voice)
You can talk to God.
MILO
Talk to God?
HerMIE
Sure.  You can pray.
MILO
Pray?
WorMIE
(rubbing his nose)
Tell God what happened.  He'll help you.  He loves to help.
MILO
Hmmm.  What's that going to cost?
HERMIE
Nothing.
MilO
How much time will it take?
HERMIE
As much as you want.
MILO
That sounds interesting, but there's one problem.  
(looks around, then quietly)
I don't know how to pray.
HERMIE
(loudly)
You don't know how to pray!  But you're a praying mantis!
MILO
Sh, sh, sh.  Yes.  I know.  I know.  But I never really understood what that "praying" part of my name was about.
HERMIE
You really don't know how to pray?
Milo shakes his head.
HerMIE (CONT'D)
It's easy.  All you have to do is talk to God.
SONG: I'll Pray, O-KAY
This is done like a classic Musical (think The Music Man). Milo sings, Hermie and Wormie enter and comment. Throughout the song things drop from the sky, but they go on as if nothing happened. They even incorporate what falls into the song.
MiLO
(singing)
I'll pray.  O-kay!  It's easy.  He's busy.  I'll talk in quite a tizzy.  Won't take much time.  Won't bother to rhyme.  I'll talk so fast, it'll be a blast.  So here I go, I'll pray...Dear God...
Milo takes a deep breath and begins to pray really fast. Hat and cane from "Stink Song" fall and Milo uses them as he goes into auctioneer mode.
MilO (CONT'D)
DearGodpleasehelpmewithmysituationandputtheshackbackwhereitwasanddrawlotsofcustomerstotheshacksoIdon'thavetocloseitupagain...Amen.
Hermie and Wormie exchange looks.
Hermie
What was that?
milo
God’s probably very busy and I didn’t want to take up too much of his time.
HerMIE
Milo.  You don't have to pray fast.  God isn't too busy for you.  Take your time.
Milo thinks.  Hermie's right.
MILO
(singing)
That's right.  He's smart.  He's quick.  I'll talk without any tricks.  I'll use big words, so I'll get heard.  I'll talk very grand, he'll give me a hand.  So here I go, I'll pray...Dear God...
MUSIC: Harpsichord
Milo poses like a Shakespearean actor.  A lamp falls and puts a spot on Milo. As he talks with King's English he gestures hugely as Hermie and Wormie duck to avoid his long flailing arms.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Thouest art a grandeth Lordeth of all the worldeth.  Pleaseth helpeth meith with allith my prayerseth.  Ameneth.
HerMIE
You don't have to use fancy words, Milo.  Just talk to God like you talk to us.  It’s like talking to a friend.
Milo thinks.  Hermie's right.
MilO
(singing)
Okay.  Oh dear.  I'll make it all quite clear.  I'll talk very slow.  So he will know.  I'll say it loud but I won't be proud.  So here I go, I'll pray...Dear God...
Milo poses as if talking to a foreigner who doesn't speak any English, exaggerated mouthing of words, hand motions, each word held a little too long. The megaphone from Stanley falls from the sky and Milo uses it.
MilO (CONT'D)
Dear Lord.  Can you help me with my Snack Shack?  I need it to be rebuilt.  Amen...
Hermie and Wormie are shaking their heads.
HerMIE
No no no Milo!!  He's not too busy for you that you have to talk fast.  Just because he's smarter than you, you don't have to use fancy words.  You don't even have to pray slow so he can understand you.  Just talk to him, like you would talk to me or Wormie.
Milo stops and thinks.  Music down slow.  
MiLO
(singing)
Slow it down.  Knees on the ground.  Say what I want to say.  All I have to do is pray.  I'll try.  Big sigh...
The bench from the cafeteria in Stanley falls. Milo SIGHS.  Milo kneels down and puts his elbows on the bench as he prays: hands folded, eyes closed, a sweet, humble prayer.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Dear Lord.  I hope you can hear me.  Please help me with the Snack Shack.  I don't know what to do.  I really need it back.  Thank you.  Amen.
SONG ENDS.  Milo opens one eye and looks around.  He's up on his feet.
MiLO (CONT'D)
It didn't work!
Hermie and Wormie look around.
HerMIE
What do you mean?
MILO
God didn't answer. There's no shack.  He didn't hear my prayer.
HerMIE
You can't always hear God and He doesn't always answer right away.  Sometimes His answer is YES.  Sometimes His answer is NO.  Sometimes, His answer is WAIT, It's not time yet.  But we know He's listening.  It's called faith.  
Wormie points to a rainbow in the sky.
WorMIE
Milo, see that rainbow out there? That's a sign of one of God's promises that he made to Noah, never to flood the earth again.  He keeps His promises and He promised to help us if we ask. And He'll help you.  Just wait and see.
MiLO
Oh man, He makes rainbows too!  Come on Wormie, someone who makes rainbows like that definitely wouldn't notice me. Let alone stop all His important stuff to listen to what I have to say.
wormIE
But you are one of His most important things Milo.
HerMIE
Right up there with veggie dip, fruit cake, and Windstorm ice cream.
Wormie gives Hermie a look.
HerMIE (CONT'D)
Well those are important too.
milo
I would like to think so, but me and my snack shack can’t be high on God's list.  It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little bugs don't amount to a hill of beans in this big ol' world.
HerMIE
Sure they do.  God cares for everyone.  And he sends you help all the time.  Maybe it's by seeing that rainbow and remembering his promises or the encouragement from friends like us.  God will answer your prayer some way.  You just have to pay attention.
Milo didn't hear that.  He is pacing, planning, scheming.  Hermie snaps his fingers. 
HerMIE (CONT'D)
Milo.  Pay attention.  Milo.
MiLO
That's it!  I need to get God's attention. Certainly a little bug like me is hard to see.  Now how can I get God to notice me?
WORMIE
No, Milo.  You're missing the point.  God is paying attention and He hears your prayer.  He doesn't always answer you right away.  But sometimes he might send a sign.
The Snack Shack sign plummets from the sky and lodges right in the ground, inches from Milo, who is lost in thought and misses it.  Hermie’s and Wormie’s jaws drop.  Speechless.
MILO
Hmmm...what could I do?
HERMIE
Milo!  Did you see that?  God sent you a sign!  Literally sent you a sign!
MiLO
(Lost in thought) What can I do to get God's attention so He'll send me some help?
Hermie and Wormie look to each other.  What can they do?
The bus drops from the sky with ANTONIO at the wheel. Antonio opens the doors.  He staggers out of the bus, looking all official with a clipboard. 
antONIO
Whew.  That was some storm.  How did I get here?  Doesn't matter.
(into management mode)
Okay everyone.  Don't panic!  I'm with the Bug Emergency Management Agency.  I heard there was some kind of problem here...
Antonio sees the empty foundation.
AnTONIO (CONT'D)
Jumpin’ Juniper Bugs, I had no idea. What happened?  Was it Big Bully Croaker?   Let me at him. Let me at him. I'll send in the ants until he cries 'Uncle!  That reminds me of the time we captured that big, green bully.  We had surrounded the mean ol' toad one day.  Had him cornered.  There's was only thing we could do...
BEGIN DISSOLVE into footage from Buzby when Antonio leaps in slow motion to wrangle Croaker.
BACK TO REALITY as Hermie shakes Antonio.
HerMIE
Antonio!  Antonio!  We know the story!  We even bought the book.
Hermie holds up the book.  "G.I. Ant by Antonio."  
ANTONIO
Here.  Let me sign that.
Antonio, by habit, takes the book and signs it, handing it back.  Hermie didn't expect that.
MiLO
That's it.  Signs!  We need to put signs up all over the garden.  God is everywhere, right, so we need to put signs up all over the garden to get God's attention...  Can you help me do that?
Antonio stands at attention.
ANTONIO
Well, I was sent here to help, so I'm on it.
Milo and Antonio are walking off, getting to work.
WorMIE
You don't need signs... Milo...wait...
MiLO (o.S.)
Now what should these signs say?
AnTONIO (o.S.)
How about...Milo Needs Help.
MiLO (o.S.)
Wow, you have such a way with words.
AnTONIO (o.S.)
I’ve written a book, you know.
Hermie slaps the side of his face.  Milo just doesn't get it.
Dissolve to:
Ext. Garden locations - DAY
MUSIC: "Bridge Over the River Kwai" military music. Antonio stands as a commander, directing the troops.
HAILEY and BAILEY cross the screen carrying small signs that read, "Milo needs help." Then Antonio and ART cross the screen carrying a really big sign that reads, "Milo really needs help!"
WEBSTER finishes spinning something in his web.  He steps aside and TA-DA!  A web spun sign that reads "Milo needs help!"  
SCHNEIDER nails a sign to a plant using his antennae.  He stops pounding and hears more POUNDING.  He looks behind him.  FLO is nailing a sign to his shell.  She realizes her mistake...smiles sheepishly and scoots off screen.  
The WATER BEETLES hold up their signs: Stringo- "Milo Needs Help", then the other three each hold up a sign that each reads "Yeah."  (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
Lucy acts like Monet, her sign on an easel.  She makes a stroke, steps back, another stroke, steps back.  A work of art.  Antonio steps in and looks at it.  He approves and turns it around.  It's a very plain sign that reads "Milo needs help!" Just like all the others.
FREDDIE jumps from plant to plant, putting up signs.  One, two, three, four, five.  He stops and takes a breath.  Antonio looks and shakes his head. Freddie looks back.  All five signs are upside down.  Disappointment.
MUSIC OUT:
Hermie walks up with his sign and hands it to Milo.
HerMIE
Here you go Milo.  I did it all myself.
Milo turns the sign around.  "Milo needs kelp."
MiLO
Milo needs...kelp? 
Buzby buzzes in, making the K into an H with a paint brush.
BuzBY
That's help...H-E-L-P.  Help.  Thank you very much.
Buzby out.
herMIE
Everybody's a critic around here.
Milo looks around.
MiLO
Are the signs in place?
Antonio snaps to attention and salutes.  Everything is ready.
ANTONIO
Yes, sir! Mission accomplished.
MiLO
Here we go.
Milo pulls out a megaphone and looks up to God.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Uh God!  Milo here.  Can you please just take a look down here for a moment!
All is quiet.  Waiting.  Bugs standing still, holding breath.
MilO (CONT'D)
God, I know you are busy but could you give me your attention, please.
Everyone holds their breath.  
MILO (CONT'D)
Hello?  Is this on?
He taps the megaphone.  Nothing.  Milo sits down.  Dejected.
MilO (CONT'D)
It didn't work.
Wormie puts a hand on Milo's shoulder.
WorMIE
Milo, God answers in many ways.  He is always listening to you.  He sends help in many different ways.  You just have to look around.
Milo looks around.
MILO
I still don't see my Snack Shack.
Just then, SKEETER lands, rolling and crashing.  He finally stops by his nose impaling one of the signs. He lifts his head up and reads the sign.
HeRMIE
Skeeter, what are you doing?
Skeeter
(pulling the sign off)
I was passing by and saw the signs, but couldn't read them from way up high.  Must be my eyes.
Skeeter's eyes roll every which way.
Milo stands.  Revelation!
MiLO
That's it.  Skeeter, you're brilliant!
SKEETER
I am?
HerMIE/Wormie
He is?
MiLO
I have another idea and I need your help.
Milo walks off with Skeeter.
milo
Do you think you can do it?
skeeter
I’m all ears!
Skeeter walks into a plant.
skeeter
Maybe I should be all eyes…
Hermie and Wormie don’t like where this is going.
WorMIE
Oh b...
HerMIE
No, no.  Wormie.  Allow me.  (clears throat)  Oh boy, Here we go again.
WORMIE
Well said.
Dissolve to:
Ext. gaRDEN LOCATIONS - DAY
Close Up of Skeeter's face as something is strapped over his shoulders with bands. Pull back to reveal a sandwich board that reads "Milo's Snack Shack is Down" on both sides.  Milo is putting the finishing touches on the sign that is over Skeeter's shoulders. 
MiLO
There.  All set.  Skeeter, time for take-off.  Go as high as you can.  Fly, Skeeter, fly like the wind!
Skeeter salutes.
SkeETER
I won't let you down, sir!  
Hermie and Wormie exchange looks, then shake their heads.  This won't be good.
Skeeter stretches, CRACKS his knuckles, then his neck (side to side) and he's off.  Right into a flower stem.  
SkEETER (CONT'D)
I'm alright. Just a little pre-flight jitters.
He picks himself up and he's off.  As he runs, Skeeter stumbles, regains composure, runs, gains speeds (sounds of a plane SPUTTERING), he struggles against the weight of the sign and then lift off!
Ext. SkY - DAY
Skeeter is in the air.  
SkeETER
I did it!  I'm flying!
Ext. GarDEN LOCATIONS - DAY
Milo, looking through binoculars, joins Hermie and Wormie.
MiLO
He's up, up and away!
Skeeter is high in the air.
SkeeTER
Wheeeee!  All right!
Milo turns to Hermie and Wormie.
MILO
Certainly God can read the sign now. It's too high in the sky for Him to miss it.  
(to Skeeter)
Skeeter, make a few loops above the clouds.
Skeeter tries the maneuver.
SKEETER
No problem, sir.
Antonio looks up and sees the sign.
ANTONIO
Look. Up in the sky.
Hailey and Bailey see it too.
Hailey
It's a bird!
BaILEY
It's a plane!
WORMIE
It's a disaster waiting to happen!
Skeeter tries to loop, but he drops down too fast and the signs swing upward and clap together on his head.
Milo is proud.  Hermie and Wormie looked worried.
Heremie 
Uh-oh.  This could be a problem.
MiLO
What a great show.  Certainly God is seeing this.
Skeeter tries to regain composure but makes the signs clap together again.  He begins to descend rapidly like a biplane circling downward with the signs sticking out like wings.  AIRPLANE DESCENT sound.
Milo looking through the binoculars.
MiLO (CONT'D)
Wow, these binoculars are great.
POV through binoculars as Skeeter flies right at him, mouth open, in mid scream.
MILO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I can see right into Skeeter's mouth.  Looks like he has a cavity.
Hermie and Wormie dive out of the way. Antonio knocks Milo to the ground.
ANTONIO
Incoming!
The signs get caught in a branch.  Skeeter falls forward, the straps stretching, slipping down over his body and wrapping around his ankles, breaking his fall.
Milo removes the binoculars and sees Skeeter is dangling just inches from him.  Skeeter smiles sheepishly.
SkeETER
Uh...mission accomplished, sir.  Did it work?
MiLO
Shhh.  I think I hear him.
Buzby and Antonio lean in, listening.
Lucy, Hailey and Bailey lean in, listening.
PAN the sky.
Hermie and Wormie look around, listening.  Milo leans into Hermie and Wormie.
MIlo (CONT'D)
Does God's voice sound like an angry bear growling from inside a large water balloon?
HerMIE
(embarrassed)
Uh...that was me.  My stomach makes that sound when it's hungry.
Milo slumps. 
MiLO
It didn't work. All that trouble and nothing. (He looks at the scooper in his hand) But I'm not going to give up.
(He starts pacing)
Focus, focus.  I've got to get God's attention. What to do?  Marching bands!  No, too annoying. Interpretive Dance?  No, too artsy.  I've got it!  A telethon!
Milo CLOSE UP to the camera, making his plea.  A graphic rolls under him.  “Milo Needs Help...Call 1-555-HELPMILO.”  SFX: Telephones ringing
MiLO
God, if you can help.  Please call.  Operators are standing by.
Telethon out.  Back to reality.
WorMIE
You don't have to do anything, Milo.  God heard your prayer.  Just because He didn't respond immediately, doesn't mean He didn't hear you.  He loves you.  He's always close to you.
Milo stops...that's it.  He rushes to Wormie shaking his hand.
MiLO
Close to me...that's it.  You're absolutely right, Wormie.  Thank you.  Meet me later by the raspberry bushes.  I'm going to get close to God.
Milo runs off.  Hermie and Wormie smile.
HerMIE
I think he's finally got it, Wormie.
Ext. Launching pad - DAY
(This is the Snack Shack area, sans Snack Shack now with a launching pad)
Close on Milo beaming.  A proud moment.  
Hermie and Wormie are smiling.
Then, Milo puts a space helmet on.
Wormie's mouth drops.  Hermie finds it interesting.
WorMIE
I don't think he got it, Hermie.
HerMIE
Nope, but it's going to be fun.  Come on, let's get a good seat.
Hermie drags Wormie to the bleachers (Hermie 7) where Buzby, Lucy, Hailey, Bailey and Skeeter sit. 
Milo walks in SLOW MOTION (ala The Right Stuff) waving to the crowd.  HEROIC MUSIC plays.
Milo has constructed a platform, by the raspberry bushes, with one post on each corner and four rubber bands attached to the top coming together in the center.  This slingshot is ready to launch someone.
Antonio steps out and salutes Milo who returns the gesture, saluting with the scoop in his hand.  Antonio motions to a microphone which Milo walks up to, addressing the crowd.
MiLO
(through microphone)
I'd like to thank everyone who helped build this launching pad.  Today is truly a great day, for today I will get close to God.  This is one small step for mantis.  One giant slingshot for mantis-kind.
The gallery APPLAUDS except Wormie who rolls his eyes, sensing problems.
Milo walks to the slingshot and sits in the makeshift seat.  He waves again to the crowd.
More APPLAUSE.  Wormie turns away.
WorMIE
I can't look.  This isn't going to work.
While Wormie hides his eyes, Hermie is wide-eyed.
Milo gives the thumbs up to Antonio who is standing by a lever.  Antonio begins the countdown.
With each number, CLOSE UPS of bugs in anticipation.
AntONIO
5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
HERMIE
(shouts out)
Good luck, Milo!  Have a safe landing!
Milo realizes something...
MiLO
Landing?  Wait a minute, I for...
ANTONIO
Zero!
Antonio pulls the lever, releasing the slingshot.  Milo rockets into the sky.
Ext. SkY - DAY
The G-force stretches Milo's face.
MiLO
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Ext. LaUNCHING PAD - DAY
Hermie turns to Wormie.
HerMIE
Do you think he'll get close to God?
WorMIE
Oh, I'm sure of it.
Ext. SkY - DAY
Milo breaks through a layer of clouds (like your view out an airplane window) and he keeps ascending. Closeup as Milo ascends to an apex, the earth stretched out below him (like the shot of Stanley falling from the tall tree in Hermie 6).  He relaxes, enjoying the moment.
MiLO
I did it!  I did it!  It's beautiful! 
We see a gorgeous cloud formation, sun peering through.
MiLO (CONT'D)
God, now about that snack shack.  I know you're kind of busy and I'm just a small little mantis, but I was hoping...
During Milo's hang time, suddenly storm clouds roll in.  Milo begins to descend, cutting off his speech.  He drops the scoop.  It falls...
MILO (CONT'D)
Uh-oh.
Milo descends rapidly.
Ext. LauNCHING PAD - DAY
The audience's looks of anticipation turn to fear.  Except Hermie, the engrossed eyewitness.
WorMIE
I can't look.
HerMIE
But you'll miss the best part!
Milo slams into a raspberry bush, knocking raspberries out the bottom.  Sounds of him falling and tumbling, ala Pinball from the original.  
MiLO
Ow.  Oh.  Ouch.  Oops.  Uh.  Yikes. 
Milo hits the bottom.  Dazed, raspberries all round.
The crowd is stunned, then erupts in WILD CHEERS.
Hermie and Wormie run up to Milo.
HerMIE 
Did it work?  Did you get close to God?  What did you see?
MiLO
I saw...I saw...
(realizes)
ANOTHER STORM'S COMING!
The cheering crowd shifts back to fear.
Crowd
A STORM!
Everyone runs for cover.
Buzby stands by his weather chart.
BuzBY
That's right.  A storm.  S-T-O-R-M.  A big storm.  Coming right in this direction.  High pressure.  High winds...
The winds blows Buzby off screen.  Antonio steps in, shaking his head.
AntONIO
Some bugs are just out of their minds.  M-I-N-D-S.  Miiinnndddsss!
The winds blows Antonio off screen, then the map.
Milo, Hermie and Wormie return to their rock cave and Milo and Wormie hold on to Hermie.
Lucy fights the wind.  She loses.
Hailey and Bailey tumble down the path.
Hailey/bailey
Wheeeeeeee!
The signs are blowing into the launching pad area.
The raspberries roll up to the launching pad.
HerMIE
Hold on!
The big sign blows up against one of the supports for the launching pad.  Then another.  Walls...?
The wind passes.  Calm.  The sandwich board sign falls into the pile of stuff.
The bugs pick themselves up, brush themselves off.
Milo walks up to the launching pad.  He's depressed.  Hermie and Wormie join him.
MiLO
Well, that's it.  I've done everything I can think of.  I just can't get God's attention.  All that work and what do I have?  A launching pad.  Some signs.  Some fruit. 
Now Hermie and Wormie and looking at all the pieces and parts that blew in...thinking and wondering.
hermie
A launching pad, some signs, and fruit?
wormie
A launching pad, some signs, and fruit?
As does Antonio, Lucy and Buzby.
antonio
Wait a minute.  That launching pad could be the store’s foundation.
buzby
Those signs...they could become walls.  W-A-L-L-S.  Walls.
lucy
And with all that fruit, Milo, you can open up the Snack Shack again!
Milo looks around, scratching his head.  Thinking.
MiLO
You’re right!  This IS everything I need to rebuild the Snack Shack.
The other bugs began to see it, too, talking and pointing excitedly.  
hermie
Well pinch my cheeks and call me a monkey’s uncle!  Milo, God did provide everything you needed!
Buzby pinches Hermie’s cheek.
hermie
Ow!
Buzby
You’re a monkey’s uncle.
hermie
It’s an expression!
wormie
You see, Milo, you didn’t need to hear God’s voice to know He was there.  He was working hard for you all along.  You just needed to have patience.
MILO
(relieved, humbled)
It wasn't what I expected, but it was exactly what I needed, when I needed it.
wormie	
God speaks in many ways, Milo.
hermie
Well I knew what God was doing all along.  I was just wondering when the rest of you were going to catch on.
Wormie looks at Hermie with an “oh really” look.  Hermie smiles and shrugs.
milo
You forgot one other thing God sent to help me.
hermie	
What’s that, Milo?
milo
He sent me friends.
Hermie and Wormie smile back to Milo, accepting the compliment.
antonio
Well, let’s not just stand around.  There’s work to be done here!
The other bugs begin to go to work excitedly.
bugs
Hey, give me a hand over here.  Grab this end.  I’ll help with the sign.  We could put a door right here.  Anyone seen Ty?
Milo smiles watching everyone help.  He's been heard.  He's been noticed.  A tear forms in his eye.
TIME LAPSE: (Bugs building the new Shack to completion... like Extreme Makeover).  From a pile of stuff to a finished new Snack Shack.
Ext. New snack shack - dAY
Lucy attaches the newly painted sandwich board which now reads...Milo's Snack Shack is Back!
Milo looks at the completed structure.
MilO
It's even better than before.
Hermie and Wormie stand on both sides of him, arms on his shoulders.  Milo is thankful for them.  
MiLO (CONT'D)
Oh, I almost forgot!
Then, Milo bows to his knees.
MilO (CONT'D)
Thank you, God for my new Snack Shack.  Thank you for hearing my prayer. I learned my lesson.  From now on I'll be a praying mantis.  Amen.
Prayer finished, Milo stands.  
HerMIE
Sounds great!  Let's celebrate!  Windstorm Ice Cream Cones for everyone!
Close-up of Hermie as he starts to take his first step, but forms swish by him, rushing into the Snack Shack. 
HerMIE (CONT'D)
Hey!  I didn't mean EVERYONE!
Milo walks up and looks inside.  SOUNDS OF CROWD.
MiLO
Wow!  A grand re-opening.  And look at the crowd.  Time to get to work.
Hailey and Bailey walk up with the ice cream scoop.
HailEY
Hey we found this ice cream scoop.  Does it mean anything to you?
Milo is awestruck as he takes it from them.  He looks up.
MILO
Thanks.
Milo runs inside to get to work. Once he’s gone...
god
You’re welcome, Milo.
Hermie stands in line, resigned to being the last one in line.  He SIGHS.  
HerMIE
I guess I'll have to "WAIT."
He looks at the new building.
HERMIE (CONT'D)
Say, this is a nice new building, God.  But, what did you do with the old snack shack?
GoD
Oh, I am putting that to good use.
Ext. GarDEN clearing - DAY
We see a LITTLE GIRL ANT (Hermie 6) praying.
Little girl ant
Dear God.  We need a place to live.  Can you help us?
A LITTLE BOY ANT (Hermie 6) walks up and overhears, shaking his head in disbelief.
Little boy ant
You've been praying that same prayer for months, Annette.  God doesn't hear you. You're just a little ant.
WHAM, the old snack shack lands on the ground.  Girl ant and boy ant are stunned.  Girl ant makes a funny "I told ya so" face and runs inside the house. Boy ant looks surprised, looks up to the sky.
LITTLE boy ANT (CONT'D)
Uh, do you have one with a pool?
LitTLE GIRL ANT
(from inside)
Adam!
LITTLE BOY ANT
Sorry.
Boy Ant runs into house.
Dissolve to:
Ext. MAX'S GARDEN - DAY
Medium shot max
Max on the bench.
MaX
Milo learned that God always hears you when you pray, but he doesn’t always answer you right away…and sometimes he doesn’t answer the way you want him to.  But God knows best.  Believing that God is working when you don’t see him working is called faith..
Close up hermie
Hermie crawls up without the wig.
HerMIE
Hey Max.
Close up max
MAX
Hermie, you got rid of the wig.  Good call.
Close up hermie
HERMIE
Hey, you noticed.  Yeah, I don't need a wig to draw attention.  I just need to have faith that God is always paying attention to me...and I can talk to Him any time.
Close up max
MAX
That's a great lesson to learn.
Close up hermie
HERMIE
Yep, in fact, I know God heard my prayers.  In fact, he's about to answer it in...3, 2, 1...
Close up hermie
MAX
What?  Huh?
medium shot max
TITLES COME UP: "Hermie's Max Lucado and Friends!"  MUSICAL STING!  Max confused, looking around.
herMIE (V.O.)
Hermie's Max Lucado and Friends!  What do you think, Max?
MAX
But...I...
HERMIE
Uh, Max.  Could you slide over?  You're hogging the whole bench.
Max SIGHS and slides over...until he's out of frame.
END CREDITS
Ext. GarDEN LOCATIONS - niGHT
During the end credits we see Hailey and Bailey kneeling in prayer before bedtime.  A light over their head.
Hailey
Dear God, thank you for this day.
Bailey
Thank you for Hailey.
HAILEY
Thank you for Bailey.
BAILEY
Thank you for mommy.
HAILEY
Thank you for daddy.
BAILEY
Thank you for all our family.
HAILEY
And all our friends.
BAILEY
Hermie.
HAILEY
Wormie.
BAILEY
Antonio.
HAILEY
Schneider.
BAILEY
Flo.
Lucy enters.
LuCY
Lights out, girls.
She turns off the lights.  GO TO BLACK.  VOICE OVER.
HAILEY
Webster.
BAILEY
Buzby.
HAILEY
Iggy.
BAILEY
Ziggy.
HAILEY
Freddie.
BAILEY
Stanley.
HAILEY
Skeeter.
BAILEY
Al Ant.
HAILEY
Art Ant.
BAILEY
Arnie Ant.
HAILEY
The Water Beetles.
BAILEY
Zingo.
HAILEY
Stringo.
BAILEY
Wingo.
HAILEY
Bingo.
BAILEY
Thank you for all the people in these credits.
HAILEY
The producers.
BAILEY
The writers.
HAILEY
The directors.
BAILEY
The sound guys.
HAILEY
The animators.
BAILEY
The modelers.
HAILEY
But only if they trim us down a little for the next show.
BAILEY
Yea. And the lighting people.
HAILEY
And especially the effects people, because effects are expensive.
BAILEY
The shadow people.  Whatever that is.  Sounds scary.
HAILEY
The coloring people.
BAILEY
The person that makes coffee every morning.
HAILEY
The person that answers the phone.
BAILEY
The janitors.
HAILEY
Is that everyone...Oh right!  And the actors.
BAILEY
Yeah, especially Melissa.  She's great.
HAILEY
We love her so much.
BAILEY
Um...who are we forgetting?
HAILEY
Don't forget the editors.
BAILEY
And all the beautiful, lovely, well behaved children that watch our videos.
HAILEY
Oh... and something else...
BAILEY
Oh!  The trees.
HAILEY
Grass.
BAILEY
Nuts.
HAILEY
Leaves.
BAILEY
Flowers.
HAILEY
Fruit.
BAILEY
Rocks.
HAILEY
Plants.
BAILEY
Moss.
HAILEY
Mushrooms.
BAILEY
And uh...is that it?
HAILEY
I think so.
BAILEY
OH!  Blueberries.
HAILEY
Raspberries.
BAILEY
Mulberries.
HAILEY
Strawberries.
BAILEY
Boysenberries.
HAILEY
AND GIRLS-enberries.
BAILEY
Naturally.
HAILEY
(YAWN) Oh...I'm "berry" tired.
BAILEY
Me too.
HAILEY
Good night, God.
BAILEY
See you in the morning.
FADE OUT:

Ext. Milo's new snack shack - DAY
TITLE: Buzby's Beach Blanket Bug Bash
MUSIC: 50s Beach sound
We are outside Milo’s Snack Shack on the beach by the pond.  Buzby addresses the camera while behind him we see Milo's new shack.  VARIOUS BUGS dance the twist while Milo serves ice cream.
BuzBY
All right, you ready to party, P-A-R-T-Y?  Party?  That's good. I'm ready to make your antennae twitch.  Let's get it started with our first dance craze...THE WORM! 
CROWD CHEERS as Wormie steps out and does a wavy, wiggling worm dance.  MUSIC picks up.
Wormie does the dance until we hear a SNAP.  His back.  Music OUT.  Pain across his face.  ANTS run out, pick him up and carry him out.
BuzBY (CONT'D)
That's not good.  It's gonna hurt, H-U-R-T, hurt in the morning.  Next up, Hailey and Bailey doing the The Ladybug Bump!
Hailey and Bailey step out from both sides of the screen.  CROWD CHEERS.  They begin to bump.  Softly, in rhythm.  Then Hailey hits Bailey a little hard.  Bailey scowls then bumps back harder.  Hailey steams then bumps back even harder.  Bailey steams and bumps back still even harder.  Then they both wind up and BUMP!  The explosion sends them flying back to where they started.
BUZBY (CONT'D)
That bump turned into a BANG, B-A-N-G!  Bang.  All right.  Our next dance.  Let's give it up for The Ants!
The Ants come out marching.
Ants
The ants go marching one-by-one, hoorah!  Hoorah!
Music shifts to RUMBA.
Ants (CONT'D)
The ants they go-a march-CHING!  The ants they go-a march-CHING!  The ants they go-a march-CHING!
The rumba line continues off stage until we hear a CRASH.
Antonio steps out, disgusted, hands on hip.
AntONIO
Soldiers!  That is not how you dance.  Well, maybe not in the 'modern' ant army.  Let the captain show you how it's done...old school!
Antonio does the robot, then moonwalks off in the same direction as the others.  He too CRASHES off screen.
BuZBY
Let's switch it up a bit.  How about big round of applause for Schneider and his amazing Snail of the Dance routine!
See Schneider's shell, but no Schneider.  From inside we hear CELTIC MUSIC and CLOMPING and STOMPING to a Lord of the Dance routine.  After a few beats, musical STING TA-DA and Schneider sticks his head out.  He's wearing an Irish Leprechaun hat.
Buzby hits the dance floor.
BUZBY (CONT'D)
Let me show you how it's done.  Hit  it!
DISCO MUSIC starts.  
Buzby does his John Travolta moves.  Then he spins on his stinger like a break dance, but the stinger drills into floor.  He's stuck.  He pulls and pulls until he pops a tile out.  He struts off the stage with a floor tile stuck to his butt.
BUZBY (CONT'D)
Heh-heh.  Shows over folks.
Hermie walks out.
HerMIE
Wait a minute.  What about me?  I'm going to show you all some fancy dance moves.  A little hand glide, an elbow spin, an Icey-Ice and finish it off with a Windmill.  It's called, break dancing.
Hermie falls into the hole created by Buzby's tile incident.  CRASH!
HerMIE (o.S.) (CONT'D)
I, uh, think I broke something.  A little help...someone...help!  H-E-L-P!  Help!
Milo enters and hands an ice cream cone into the hole.
HerMIE (o.s.)
Mmmm.  Tasty.  What took you so long?
SOUNDS OF SLUPRING as the show ends.
Titles: Buzby's Beach Blanket Bug Bash