FADE IN:
INT CRAZY EDO'S ELECTRONICS SHOP - NIGHT
The back room of Crazy Edo's reveals the true nature of this "bargain filled"
electronics shop. Crates of unknown electronics from cut rate manufactures
are stacked against the fading cracked concrete walls. Beneath the peeling
paint we can see the faint outlines of store signs from a bygone era; dreams
from a consumer driven time. Nestled between stacks of equipment is a
single folding card table of indeterminate age. A Single cardboard box lies
open on the table, a small pile of white packing peanuts spilling out from it's
open side. Lying next to the box is a cyberspace deck made by a third rate
manufacturer, A HyrokiTec Label is half-affixed on the top of the deck, covering
up the brand name of the original manufacturer and the word "Refurbished."
Seated at the table is a rumpled Korean dressed in a cheap blue suit. This is
Edo, the proprietor. He is sweating profusely and drops of it are trickling from
his short buzzed hair. The boy standing across from Edo is a total contrast. He
fidgets constantly as if bored, shifting from one foot to the other or picking
imaginary lint from his designer nylon ski jacket. Before long he grabs the
folding metal chair in front of him and takes a seat.
JUNKIE
The deal's good man, I'm telling you!
EDO leans forward and wipes a hand across his brow. He grimaces at the
junkie and takes a breath.
EDO
It's not you I'm worried about. It's the amount.
You know the policy. I don't move large
quantities. It's bad business.
The junkie scoffs at Edo and seems about ready to stand up. He stops himself
and reaches into his jacket, pulling out a large wad of cash.
JUNKIE
I know Edo it's just that I'm going away for a
while man. I can't get back in time ya know?
Edo seems to think about this a moment. He strokes his chin then nods to the
Junkie.
EDO
Emergencies do come up I can understand
this.
Edo reaches behind him and pulls another box from the stack of boxes. He
seems like he is about to open the box then reconsiders.
EDO (CONT'D)
So I'm sure you can understand me doubling
my usual fee.
Before the junkie can say anything the back door bursts open, kicked in by
Needle who his carrying Diver over his shoulder. In his right hand he holds his
pistol which he levels at the Junkie.
NEEDLE
I have business with your associate.
The Junkie looks Needle over then looks slowly looks at Edo who is visibly
shaken. Needle turns the gun to Edo and fires at his knee, tearing it apart.
Needle again turns the gun on the junkie.
NEEDLE (CONT'D)
Your presence is not required.
The junkie beats a hasty retreat, leaving his money behind. Needles turns his
attention to Edo again who is now siting on the floor, his hands clutching the
gaping wound that had been his knee.
EDO
(pleading)
Look just take what you want I don't want any
trouble.
Needle looks around the room then back down at Edo.
NEEDLE
I am not a thief.
Needle picks up the box that Edo was about to open and turns to leave. AS he
exits he tosses a green bundle towards Edo. As it lands we can see that it is a
bundle of cash, at least twice as large as that which the junkie was holding.
CUT TO:
EXT CENTURY CITY - MOMENTS LATER
Century City is a burned out hulk. The blackened walls of the once bright
commercial shops grimly reflect the flickering light of the trash fires, each
surrounded by its enclave of feral urban youth. Needle's progression through
the crowd is visible by their furtive glances and the sudden death of
conversations. Diver is slung over Needle's shoulder, visibly vibrating is short
frequent spasms. Needle approaches the charred remains of a picnic table
and clears away the trash with a sweep of his hand. He gently places Diver on
the table. Quietly a crowd draws around him. Needle checks Diver over
carefully before pulling the green box out of a cargo pocket in his jacket lining
and placing it next to her on the table. He flips the box open to reveal row after
row of dozers, each loaded with a large canister of Munge. Members of the
crowd gasp visibly and the entire crowd begins to close in. Needle pulls his
pistol from his jacket and points it at the closest crowd member.
NEEDLE
I require space to save this girl.
Without seeming to Needle places his pistol back into his jacket and returns to
Diver. The crowd backs off but remains to watch the spectacle. Satisfied that
he will not be interrupted, Needle removes one of the dozers from the box and
places it to Diver's lips. Careful not to hurt Diver he tilts her head up slightly
and hits the dozer's applicator. A sharp hiss fills the air and Needle quickly
covers Diver's face, preventing any of the Munge from escaping. Diver's
spasms seem to increase momentarily and Needle grows visibly concerned.
Just as he leans over her the spasms cease and she gasps deeply. Needle's
concern increases and he begins to check her vital signs. A man walks out of
the surrounding crowd and approaches Needle. Needle notices him and turns
to glare at him, the anger clear on his usually stoic face. The man from the
crowd raises his hands in a peaceful gesture.
MAN
It's alright man; I've seen this before. I can
help.
Needle ponders for a second before nodding and slowly stepping out of the
way. The man approaches Diver and looks her over.
MAN
She's young. Your lucky.
He pulls a small vial out of his pocket and pulls the stopper from it. He pours a
small amount of black fluid onto his finger tips then rubs it on her lips. Needle
jumps forward to stop the man but he holds up a hand.
MAN
Relax man, it's won't kill her! It'll bring her out
of it.
Needle looks to Diver with concern, her breath is coming in short ragged
gasps but she is otherwise still. Needle turns back to the man.
NEEDLE
What is it?
The man shakes his head before answering.
MAN
I dunno man, I get it from my dealer. It brings
you back from the edge.
Needle pales visibly.
NEEDLE
You gave her something you don't even
understand?
Before the man can react Diver interrupts in a shaky and faint voice.
DIVER
He's was right Needle. I had some of my own
in my jacket.
She pushes herself upright and looks around.
DIVER (CONT'D)
Wherever the hell it is now.
She stands up and tightens the sheet around her, apparently none the worse
for wear. She spots the green box on the table and then looks around again.
DIVER
(yelling)
Alright! Show's over people!
The crowd begins to shuffle off grumbling amongst themselves. The man
remains behind.
DIVER
(to Needle)
It's time to jet samurai.
Needle nods and turns to the Man. He bows and picks up the green box from
the table. As he speaks he hands 6 of the dozers from the box to the man.
NEEDLE
I apologize for my behavior. Please take
these.
The man quickly pockets the dozers and smiles.
MAN
I appreciate it. I didn't do it for the drugs. I
could see how much she means to you. Take
care of her. Keep her out of trouble.
Before Needle can respond Diver grabs his arm and pulls him away.
DIVER
We gotta go to Santa Ana. I think I got
something you want.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT 5 FREEWAY - NIGHT
The 5 freeway spans 16 lanes and 3 levels as it stretches south through the
Socali Metroplex. Streams of red and white light move side by side, the lights
from the cars merging into rivers of light. Despite the late hour all levels and
lanes have heavy traffic. As the camera pushes in on the top level we see a
slick silver sports car weaving through the cars at high speed.
CUT TO:
INT SPORTS CAR
Needle is sitting behind the wheel of a top of the line Japanese import.
Overlaid on the windshield is complicated navigational information plotting, in
real time, the best route through the traffic at his current speed. As cars adjust
their course warnings are flashed on the windshield. Needle seems to be
ignoring it all, driving on instinct as he listens to Diver talk. Diver is now
dressed in ill fitting clothes that look as if they were made for a man twice her
size.
DIVER
Don't worry about it. You take me to this place
and I'll go get your precious box.
Needle turns his head to look Diver straight in the eye before replying.
NEEDLE
I will accompany you.
Diver shakes her head and sighs.
DIVER
You don't get it do you?
Needle stares at Diver for a moment as if he is struggling with what to say next.
Finally he nods once before returning his attention to the road.
NEEDLE
No. I don't.
CUT TO:
EXT SANTA ANA METRO ENTRANCE - AFTERNOON
Needle's car pulls up to the curb in front of the entrance to the METRORAIL
entrance (as seen in Episode 2). During the day the area is bustling with
activity as the local residents return home from their work day in the corporate
sector. Both doors open as Needle and Diver step out from either side of the
car. As Needle and Diver step onto the curb the car's doors slide closed
automatically and the car glides off apparently under its own volition.
NEEDLE
I will be here. Call for me should a situation
arise.
Diver smiles at Needle before turning for the door.
DIVER
Relax Needle! What could possible go wrong
here, in a public place?
Diver turns before Needle can reply and jogs through the door.
CUT TO:
INT SANTA ANA METRORAIL STATION -MOMENTS LATER
The interior is much as Diver remembers it from episode 2. What marks it as
different are numerous people milling about inside. A train must be arriving
soon. As Diver slowly descends the stairs leading to the platform she takes
notice of the type of people on the platform. Each of the men on the platform is
almost identical; each wearing conservative black suits and carrying identical
briefcases. Diver makes herself scarce immediately; this isn't the
neighborhood businessmen frequent and the platform is full of them. As she
hides behind a column near the stairs she surveys the scene again.
She spots a row of lockers directly behind four of these businessmen and a
look of concern crosses her face.
DIVER
Yeah. What could possible go wrong.
Diver looks left and right quickly then pulls a dozer from her pocket. She hits it
deeply then stashes it in a pocket quickly.
DIVER (SARCASTIC)
What the hell? It's only my life.
Diver springs into action running straight across the platform to the row of
lockers. As she begins to run every businessman in the station turns to look,
quickly dropping their briefcases and revealing the sub-machine guns they had
been hiding within. Diver continues to pick up speed as she runs, accelerating
to a blur before she collides with the men in front of the lockers. She doesn't
even stop, running up the bank of lockers and kicking off near the ceiling. Time
seems to slow as she twists in mid air, coming to land in position behind one
of the remaining men.
DIVER
Hi!
The man turns quickly bringing his weapon to bear but Diver is far too fast; She
snatches his weapon from him and kicks him away as if it were nothing. As
she pauses to note the positions of the other soldiers one of them calls out.
MERCENARY
You've got nowhere to go.
Diver looks left and right quickly, as she turns to look back at the mercenary he
continues, but Diver seems to focus on a point above his head. Hanging
above the mercenary is an exposed light bulb, suspended on a chain. It is
vibrating slightly; a train is coming.
MERCENARY
(reassuring, concillatory)
Why don't you just give us the box? No one's
going to get hurt here.
Diver smiles as we...
CUT TO:
EXT SANTA ANA METRO ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATER
Needle is standing outside watching the people go by as they walk past the
station entrance. Needle seems bored; he keeps turning toward the entrance
as if he is going to enter but ultimately ends up leaning against the door frame
with a look of surrender on his face. While Needle obviously wants to enter the
station, he is keeping to his word and remaining outside.
CUT TO:
INT SANTA ANA METRORAIL STATION -MOMENTS LATER
Diver is in the same position as before, the smile on her face spreading. The
mercenary begins to get a look of concern on his face. Diver obviously isn't
giving up but he can't figure out why. Just as he seems ready to fire his
weapon at Diver a loud roar fills the station; the train is definitely coming. The
mercenary looks up in surprise, totally unprepared for the train. As he does
Diver rolls to the side behind a column with the train tracks behind her. She
looks behind her for the train, the roar of the train as it moves through the
tunnel system is growing louder and from her right she can see a light down
the tunnel. She has a few seconds before the train arrives. Trying to buy time
Diver calls out to the mercenary.
DIVER
What makes you think I have the box anyway?
Before anyone can respond, Diver rolls to the right, as she rolls out from
between the columns she fires her weapon down the platform; there is a loud
hiss as a hail of darts flies from the weapon's barrel. As Diver comes out of
her roll behind another column she laughs loudly.
DIVER
You weren't kidding when you said no one
would get hurt.
As the train roars into the station behind her Diver realizes that it is not slowing
down. This is an express train! It will not stop here. She runs next to it towards
the end of the platform and the lockers she was trying for before. She jumps at
the train, running up it with her feet and using the added speed boost to launch
her towards the lockers. As she rolls to a stop and stands in front of the
lockers she quickly slams her thumb down on the lock plate of one of the
lockers. As it opens she grabs the box inside and kicks off again, running
down the center of the platform at top speed, the world around her blurring as
she moves impossibly fast. Blocking the way is the mercenary, his weapon
poised and ready. Time slows as he pulls the trigger and we can see the darts
begin to exit the barrel.
CUT TO:
EXT SANTA ANA METRO ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATER
Needle is still leaning against the door frame, oblivious to the danger below.
While he waits a stretch black limo glides down the street. Needle tracks it
with his eyes; as it passes the rear window lowers. Inside Needle can see the
woman who lead the assault on the hotel last night. His eyes narrow as she
passes. A smirk creeps across her face as the window raises again and the
limo continues down the street. Needle wastes no time, turning around and
heading through the doorway at a full run.
CUT TO:
INT SANTA ANA METRORAIL STATION - CONTINUOUS
The darts are flying towards Diver, time is moving slowly, we can see the
displacement of the air behind the darts as they streak towards Diver. She
twists to the side at the last moment as the darts streak past.
As time accelerates to normal we can see one of the darts strike one of the
mercenaries behind Diver. He goes down cold. Diver reaches the Mercenary
and with a quick motion of her hands snaps the wrist of his right hand. His
weapon clatters the ground and he clutches his wrist to his chest.
DIVER
But You were wrong.
Diver smiles grimly before continuing.
DIVER (CONT'D)
Someone is going to get hurt.
Diver pulls her hand back to slug the mercenary in the face. As she begins her
punch he faints dead away, Diver's punch lands instead on the concrete post
behind him, pulverizing the concrete and running cracks up the down the
column. Diver pulls her hand back in surprise then shrugs and runs up the
stairs. In the background we can see the shattered remains of the locker wall
and the barely moving bodies of the mercenaries hit with darts or Diver's kicks
and groaning in pain.
CUT TO:
EXT SANTA ANA METRO ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Needle is turning to walk through the doorway. As he reaches the door and
takes his first step across the threshold Diver comes pushing past Needle at
top speed.
DIVER (OUT OF BREATH)
Needle! Great. Perfect timing. Come on,
let's jet.
Diver pushes past Needle and moves to the curb looking for the car. Needle
seems perplexed and turns to look down the stair case before walking up to
Diver.
DIVER
So, we calling a cab or what? Where's the
car?
Needle reaches into his pocket and pulls his keychain out. He presses a
button on the keychain's fob and puts the keychain in his pocket.
NEEDLE (CURIOUS)
Any problems?
Diver stiffens, as if caught in the act of some petty crime and wheels around to
face Needle.
DIVER (INNOCENT)
Nope, no problems. Everything was just fine.
Why?
Needle's car pulls up as Diver is speaking. Needle opens the passenger side
door and motions for Diver for to sit. As Diver enters the car Needle responds.
NEEDLE
No reason.
Needle pulls a dart from Diver's sleeve, as he does several more fall to the
concrete. Diver looks down guiltily as Needle smiles and closes the door. As
he walks around to the driver side, the black limo pulls by again. Needle tracks
the limo as it passes, smiling and tossing off a jaunty salute before jumping
into the car and pulling away from the curb.
NEEDLE
I need to get a hold of Jack.
The car glides down the street.
DIVER (O.S.)
Jack? Who's that?
NEEDLE (O.S.)
He's a hacker I work with, lives out in Brea.
He's young. You'll like him.
DIVER (O.S.)
Wireheads. This day gets better and better.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. JACK'S ROOM - AFTERNOON
Jack's room is a dark, lit only by the light of his several computer displays
sitting, amidst discarded cans, dirty dishes, junk food wrappers and islands of
paper trash. Barely visible by the glow of it's own blinking lights is a box,
almost identical to the one Diver gave Needle connected to Jack's computer.
In the gloom can barely be seen posters, mostly views of the matrix and
advertisements for cyberspace hardware, pasted at odd angles across the
walls. Jack, his leather jacket with it's rotating holographic chaos symbol (as
seen briefly in episode 2), strewn across the back of his plastic desk chair, sits
poised over the keyboard of his computer, large headphones fitted over his
ears. Techno music, the feed in Jack's headphones, drown out all other noise.
Jack is suddenly illuminated by light as the door to his room opens. Framed in
the doorway is Jack's father, obviously speaking angrily but his words are
silenced by the music. He finally shakes his head and turns away, slamming
the door as we...
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM
Jacks father walks into this average suburban living room from the back
hallway and sits on the couch next to Jack's mother. The glow from the screen
casts both parents in a flickering grey light as they watch television, almost
totally absorbed by the experience.
FATHER
I swear mother, I've given up on that boy. All
those brains wasted on those mindless video
games.
As Jack's Father speaks he picks up the remote control and increases the
volume on the television. Several seconds go by before the mother responds,
having waited for a break in the programming.
MOTHER
I told you not to buy him that thing for his
birthday. Now all he does is sit in front of that
damned box.
Both parents fall silent as their show resumes and we slowly...
CUT TO:
EXT. JACK'S HOUSE
Jack's house is an average southern Californian suburban house with a
manicured lawn and the requisite minivan sitting in its driveway. In many ways
the neighborhood seems a throwback to a different, more optimistic time,
showing none of the signs of urban decay seen elsewhere in the sprawl, but in
the distance, on the horizon, the familiar megalithic buildings that form
downtown are visible. For all its charm this place is a part of the same dirty
world we've seen throughout the show. A black sedan, likely European, pulls
up to the curb alongside Jack's house and parks. Hobbes, dressed in black
leather down to his engineer's boots, steps out of the driver side of the car and
quickly straightens his jacket and brushes his shoulders clean. Slipping on a
pair of reflective shades he closes the door to the car and walks up the
driveway to the front door. He raises his hand as if to knock on the door.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S HOUSE
Jack's parents are in the same position as before, engrossed by their show on
the television. As they watch the front door crashes in, having been smashed
open by Hobbes who steps through the door with a wicked grin on his face.
HOBBES
(yelling)
Alright Johnny, or Jack, or whatever the fuck
your name is, it's payback time.
Neither parent immediately responds. Frustrated and a little confused,
Hobbes steps closer and pulls one of his automatics from its shoulder holster.
Quickly pointing the gun at Jack's Father he tries again.
HOBBES
(cocking weapon)
I said it's payback time mother fucker!
As their show cuts to a commercial both parents turn to look at Hobbes
quickly, each keeping one eye on their TV. The father is the first to speak,
pointing over his shoulder at the back hallway.
FATHER
He's back there.
Jack's Father turns back to the television, having said his peace. Hobbes
seems to blush slightly but says nothing as he turns for the hallway, still
obviously confused. As he walks away Jack's Mother calls out.
MOTHER
(calling to Hobbes)
And keep it down! My show is on!
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S ROOM
Jack, much like his parents, sits in almost exactly the same position as before,
his fingers flying over his keyboard and his face intent on the screen of his
primary display. Again techno music drowns out all other sounds. As we
watch Jack is suddenly illuminated by the light from his open door frame, the
door itself having burst open by Hobbes who stands framed in the doorway.
Jack notices none of this and continues to work, fingers flying across the
keyboard and his face only an inch or two away from his primary display.
Though we cannot hear it we can see that Hobbes is yelling something at Jack
who continues to be oblivious. Frustrated Hobbes points the automatic in his
hand at Jack's temple, barely touching the barrel to Jack's skin. Jack notices
immediately and drops his headphones to his shoulders as he raises his
arms in surrender. As the techno music lowers in volume to a tinny blare of
noise from the headphones we can finally hear the rest of the room and
Hobbes, who is in mid-sentence.
HOBBES
-- problem with this fucking family is that no
one listens!
Hobbes pulls the hammer of his gun back as he speaks. Jack flinches back.
JACK
(scared)
Whoa man! Put the gun down!
Jack is trembling visibly, obviously terrified but Hobbes is grinning from ear to
ear, lending a feral cast to his face.
HOBBES
'Put the gun down?' That's the best you can
do? How about, 'Gee Hobbes glad to see you
made it out alive' or...
Hobbes pushes the barrel against Jack's head again as he yells.
HOBBES
(yelling)
Maybe, 'Gee Hobbes sorry I SCREWED YOU
ON THAT LAST JOB!'
Hobbes back hands Jack with the gun, knocking Jack to the floor.
HOBBES
What did you think I wouldn't be coming
around to get even? You should of run as
soon as you found out Johnny; I'd have come
back from hell to settle this.
Hobbes aims the gun down at Jack as we...
CUT TO:
EXT. JACK'S HOUSE
Needle's sports car pulls up alongside Hobbes' sedan and comes to a stop.
The driver side window rolls down and Needle looks the sedan over, briefly we
see Diver, from the passenger side, look out Needle's window at the car.
DIVER
(from inside the car)
Nice ride. Your boy's?
As the window rolls up and Needle pulls forward to park we can hear his reply.
NEEDLE
(from inside the car)
No.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM
Jack's parents are still sitting at the couch watching TV as Needle, gun drawn
and at the ready, steps through the still open front door, Diver a few steps
behind and obviously tense. The father looks up and sees Needle and without
saying a word points at the back hallway as he turns back to his TV. Needle
and Diver turn to walk down the hallway.
DIVER
That was weird.
NEEDLE
(voice fading as he walks away)
Really? Where are your parents?
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S ROOM
Jack is sitting backwards on his chair, with his arms and head resting against
the back rest. Hobbes is seated on Jack's bed, leaning against the wall and
puffing on a joint.
HOBBES
(holding his hit in)
So you're telling me the whole thing was a
heist for you? I didn't buy it when I heard it
from Red.
As Hobbes speaks he passes the joint to Jack.
JACK
Yeah, I found the box I already have a few
weeks ago after the Cairo job.
Jack points back at the box hooked up to his computer as he hits the joint.
JACK
(Holding in hit)
So when that Mother One chick hit me up to
hack H-T so she could steal the second box I
knew I had to have it for myself.
Jack passes the joint back to Hobbes before finishing his story. Unnoticed by
either Jack or Hobbes, the secondary monitors on Jack's computer open
windows to various sites on the internet of their own accord. The lights on the
Box begin a flurry of activity and in one of the display a video feed of Coolige
appears, a grin slowly spreading across his face as he says something
unheard by everyone in the room. A quickly as they sprang to life the windows
on the secondary displays all close and all activity seems to resume it's
normal lethargic pace.
JACK
I didn't know she had her own game going.
When her thug took out Needle I knew it all
went south but it was too late to do anything.
Hobbes nods and is about to speak when Needle and Diver enter the room.
Needle levels his gun directly at Hobbes. Hobbes looks up at Needle and in
doing so reveals that he has had his pistol, previously hidden by his other arm,
aimed at Jack the whole time.
HOBBES
You and I both know I'll have this trigger
pulled long before you can take me out. So
why don't we play nice and introduce
ourselves?
Needle sizes Hobbes up quickly, a small smirk begins to creep across his
face.
JACK
(nervous)
Don't do it Needle, he's not kidding. This isn't
as copasetic as it looks.
Jack's words make Hobbes begin to chuckle lightly and he holsters his gun.
Sitting up he extends a hand to Needle.
HOBBES
So you're him huh? Man I heard you go down
that night. Right through the window. 3
Shots.
When Hobbes sees that Needle isn't going to shake his hand he drops it and
sits back down on the bed. Diver is looking around the room, a look of disgust
growing on her face.
HOBBES
(continued)
I'm Hobbes. You're boy here hired me to
steal the box from you once you'd gotten it out
of the apartment. Isn't that right Johnny? Oh,
I'm sorry, Jack.
Jack throws Hobbes a dirty look but Needle seems unphased. He shrugs, as
if to say, "that's the nature of children" and holsters his weapon.
NEEDLE
Then this concerns you as well.
As Needle reaches into his coat for the box Jack looks Diver over.
DIVER
(annoyed, bored)
As if wirehead.
Diver, exasperated with the whole situation, walks out into the hall.
DIVER
I left something in the car.
Jack looks back at Needle and is suddenly struck in awe at the sight of the Box
in Needle's hand. Pure greed oozes from his pores as he reaches for the box.
JACK
How in the hell?
Needle pulls the box away from Jack's outstretched hand quickly.
NEEDLE
First get me up to date. Tell me everything
Needle looks over at Hobbes on the bed who is simply smiling and watching
the spectacle unfold.
NEEDLE
(continued)
That you have told Mr. Hobbes here.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM
This is a reverse angle shot of the living room, we can for the first time see the
television itself. A television evangelist is preaching about the perils of the
beast and pointing to sophisticated computer technologies as a sure sign of
it's imminent arrival on earth. A faint haze can be seen in the flickering light of
the television as Diver approaches the couch, the silhouette of the parents
barely visible in the gloom. Something seems a bit off, as if both parents have
nodded off, their heads canted at odd angles. Diver approaches them quietly
as she gets near we can see that both parents have been shot and now lie
dead on the couch. Diver recoils in horror as the red dots from several laser
sights begin to wander across the room. Terrified, Diver backpedals into the
back hallway.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S ROOM
Needle is now seated on the desk and Hobbes, Jack and Needle are talking in
pleasant tones, as if they are friends, and yet an air of tension remains.
NEEDLE
If the first box is a code breaker as you say
then what do you suppose is the purpose of
this box?
Needle holds up the second box as Diver bursts into the room.
DIVER
(panicked)
We got trouble Needle, lots of trouble.
Hobbes stands up and draws his guns as Needle does the same.
HOBBES
Did you see them? How many?
Diver shakes her head, she didn't actually see them,
DIVER
But ma and pa cleaver have had it and the
living room crawled with little red lights.
Needle quickly closes the door and then turns to Jack.
NEEDLE
Is there a second way out?
A muffled thump carries through the door as Jack shakes his head. Hobbes
looks at Needle.
HOBBES
(reserved)
Concussion grenade?
NEEDLE
They'll be through the living room in a
moment.
Jack spins around and begins typing across the keyboard of his computer like
a man possessed.
JACK
(excited)
Can you keep em out of here? There may not
be another way out but that doesn't mean we
don't have a chance.
Diver turns to look at Jack and at the screen. The logo for a corporate security
firm fills the screen momentarily.
DIVER
What are you doing?
Jack doesn't turn or seem to acknowledge Diver at all, finally after a second or
two of typing he replies.
JACK
I'm telling the guys at Novastar that their top
client's R&D lab has just been breached by a
rival corporation.
DIVER
Why not just call the police?
Jack continues to type feverishly.
JACK
Response time.
When it becomes obvious that Jack isn't going to say any more Diver glances
at Needle who is standing on one side of the door.
NEEDLE
Police response time for Brea is 32 minutes.
Diver nods and is about to speak but an audible click comes from the other
side of the door. Needle motions for her and Jack to get down quickly and
turns back to the door but before he can get back into position the door is
blown off it's frame, flying across the room into the opposite wall. Hobbes
quickly spins around and begins firing through the door with both pistols. As
he empties both magazines he spins back out of the door frame. Needle, now
against the door frame again reaches into his coat and removes a small silver
ball which he quickly rolls down the hallway. In a moment a bright flash
illuminates the hallway and through it we can see at least a dozen gunmen,
in state of the art battle armor and gas masks. Diver, from behind the
computer desk rears back from the light, blinded by the flash-bang grenade.
She curses as she rubs her eyes.
DIVER
We are so screwed.
The roar of a helicopter screams overhead and the hallway is suddenly
illuminated in bright light. Hobbes and Needle continue to fire through the
door. As Needle slams another block of aluminum into his pistol he turns to
Diver.
NEEDLE
(mock glibness)
Novastar's response time on the other hand
is 45 seconds.
Thumps and explosions begin to fill the hallway and the gunmen, barely visible
in the smoke begin to withdraw. Needle and Hobbes, side by side, move
through the door frame down the hall, encouraging their retreat.
Diver moves to follow and Jack quickly undocks his deck from the desktop
computer and grabs his Box, intent on following.
CUT TO:
EXT. JACK'S HOUSE
What used to be Jack's living room is now a burned out hulk. The peace of this
suburban street has been completely shattered. Jack's house looks like a
bomb has struck it. The minivan burns merrily in the driveway and both
Hobbes' and Needle's cars are twisted wrecks blown clear across the street.
Soldiers, obviously so despite their attire in conservative business suits, are
busily handcuffing the surrendering gunmen and loading them into a dark
black van with no windows. As Hobbes, Needle, Diver and Jack walk out from
the back hallway into the wreck that was the living room Coolige steps forward
to meet them, a squad of soldiers at his back each pointing weapons at the
group.
COOLIGE
(mock delight)
How good it is to see you again Needle! And
yet you seem surprised... You weren't
expecting someone else were you?
A wicked smile, definitely of cruel intent, flashes across Coolige's face, turning
to look at Jack he continues.
COOLIGE
Jack... Mother was very disappointed to learn
of your betrayal, she had such high hopes for
you. Ah and Ms. Diver!
Coolige spins around to regard Diver.
COOLIGE
(continued)
I trust you've had time to reconsider my offer?
Regrettably I must inform you that it is too late,
the offer has expired. I longer require your
services.
Coolige steps back as the soldiers step in and begin to handcuff them all.
COOLIGE
(continued)
In fact I no longer require any of your services.
Coolige walks up to Needle and pulls the box from his coat. He then grabs the
other box from Jack's deck, which lies on the ground next to him. As Coolige
walks away, a box in either hand, he motions to the soldiers.
COOLIGE
(walking away)
Kill them all
FADE TO BLACK.