24 : End of an Era?

Episode 1.01 : "Day 1 : 6:00am – 7:00am"

By

Chris Wright

Based on the television series 24

This doesn't take place at any particular time between the official seasons , but here are things as they stand right now.

Jack is director of field ops and Tony is acting director of CTU. Chloe and Edgar are senior analysts and Curtis is still involved in Field Ops. Michelle still works for CTU, and is married to Tony.

David Palmer is President of the United States, although is coming under pressure from a Republic rival Senator John Daniels in the upcoming Presidential Election.

JACK BAUER (V/O)

"The following takes place between 6:00am and 7:00am."

EXT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 6:00am

The opening scene shows the outside of a high-tech laboratory in the financial district of Los Angeles. The car park is barely half full, with not many people at work at this time in the morning. The silence is broken by the screeching of car tires as a large van pulls up outside the doors. 6 armed men, wearing overalls with their faces covered by ski-masks rush out, followed by a smartly dressed man in his early thirties, Kevin Cassel. Cassel walks casually up to the doors and enters the lab. The armed men remain outside, waiting for their order. He walks calmly up to the main desk.

INT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 6:01am

CASSEL

"I have an appointment with Dr Phillips, could you let me in to the labs please?"

The receptionist looks up from his desk with a puzzled look on his face

RECEPTIONIST

I'll have to check the logs, I was sure there were no appointments until at least this afternoon. Let me go and check.

The receptionist turns to check the logs. Cassel pulls out a silenced P7 from his jacket and shoots the receptionist once in the back. Moving around to the other side of the desk, he picks up a security keycard, and motions to his team to enter. The scene ends as the terrorists enter the secure areas of the lab.

INT. CTU LOS ANGELES BRANCH – 6:15am

The camera is pointed at the back of a man, looking down into the bullpen of CTU. It pans across, showing all the employees, notably Chloe and Edgar at work. The camera goes full circle and shows the front of the man we first Teri and Kim who he hasn't seen in almost a year. He turns and looks again at the resignation letter on his desk. Could he do it? Could he really leave CTU? He breaks out of his daydream as he hears a knock on his door. It's Tony Almeida.

TONY

"Hey Jack"

He sees the look on Jack's face and recoils a little.

TONY (cont.)

"You alright, Jack? You look like you've seen a ghost"

JACK

"I'm fine Tony"

He turns away from him, trying to get the thoughts out of his head.

JACK (cont.)

"What do you want?"

TONY

"Chappelle's almost here. We'll need to be on the floor in 30 minutes when he gets..."

Jack interrupts Tony angrily

JACK

"I know where I need to be Tony!"

There is a tense silence between the two men as they lock eyes, Jack breaks the stare first.

JACK (CONT.)

"Look Tony, I'm sorry, I'm just under a little pressure right now"

Tony is silent for a second as he continues to stare at Jack

TONY

"I'll see you on the floor"

He turns and leaves Jack's office

Jack sighs, whispering a quiet Damnit under his breath. He looks back out to the bullpen, watching Tony on the floor.

Both President Palmer and Senator Daniels will arrive in LA in the next few hours to attend a press conference, so CTU is busy making sure it goes without a hitch on their end.

CUT TO : CLOCK

CUT TO :

INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE OF OMNI HOTEL, LOS ANGELES – 6:21am

The camera shows a busy working atmosphere, full of men and women in expensive suits, rushing from room to room and from computer to computer, barely being able to hear anything over the din of working. The camera pans to the doorway of the most regal looking room to show a tall, strong figure standing motionless, watching the chaos caused by his floundering campaign. He breaks out of his trance and turns his back on the bullpen, closing the door quietly behind him. He picks up the small remote control from the couch, dimming the lights and closing the blinds to the chaos outside. Deflated, Palmer crashes down on to the couch, letting the stress of the situation leave his body. He closes his eyes for a second, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock, followed by the door opening.

LYNNE KRESGE

"Mr President? The Secretary of Homeland Security is here to see you"

Palmer slowly rises to his feet, letting out a deep sigh.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"Thank you Lynne, please send him in."

Lynne nods at Palmer and moves aside to let Stephen Byrne into the room. He is a small man of small build, his nervous nature and distinctive features earned him the nickname of "The Security Mouse" amongst some of the less supportive press reporters. He nervously walks into the office, making sure Lynne leaves and shuts the door behind her.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"You wanted to see me, Stephen?"

SECRETARY BYRNE

"Yes, Mr President…well…I was just wondering how things were going, this must be a stressful time for you."

Secretary Byrne shifts uncomfortably on his feet.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"Come on Stephen, I don't think you came here to exchange niceties."

Byrne looks to the ground, Palmer tries to lock eyes with him.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"Stephen, I was joking. Are you sure you're alright?"

SECRETARY BYRNE

"Yes, Mr President, I'm fine. The truth is, I was just wondering how Bill 442 was coming along."

Palmer looks up, surprised.

PRESIDENT PALMER
"I don't see why that would be any of your concern, Stephen."

Byrne looks up at Palmer, meeting his confused gaze

PRESIDENT PALMER

"I'm sorry but I cannot deal with these matters right now, I'm in the middle of a re-election campaign. Any of these concerns should go through the Vice President. I could contact him if you would…"

Palmer moves towards the phone, but Byrne jerks towards him

SECRETARY BYRNE

"Don't worry about it Mr President. I can deal with it myself, I won't need to go to Vice President Prescott"

Palmer sighs at Byrne's reaction

PRESIDENT PALMER
"Stephen…what is your aversion to Jim? You two have never seen eye to eye. Is there anything I should know?"

SECRETARY BYRNE

"No, Mr President, it's nothing like that. You know we just have our disagreements on matters of security from time to time. It won't affect this campaign, I promise."

Palmer eyes Byrne suspiciously, but lets up and smiles.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"Ok Stephen. You see that it doesn't! Although I think I'm doing a good enough job of that myself."

Byrne goes to say something to Palmer, but stops himself as he sees him looking wistfully at the large scar on his right hand. He almost feels the pain emanating from Palmer.

SECRETARY BYRNE

"I'll let you get some rest David, promise me you'll get some, ok? I'll let myself out"

Byrne leaves the office, leaving Palmer, still gazing at his hand, a gaze only broken by the quiet slam of the office door. He moves back to the deskphone and buzzes for his head agent.

PRESIDENT PALMER

"Aaron? Could you make sure no-one disturbs me in my office until further notice?"

AARON PIERCE

"Of course, Mr President"

Palmer thanks Aaron and hangs up. From the camera angle, we can see the figure of Aaron move in front of the door as Palmer moves back over to the couch, sitting down, lying back and closing his eyes. But despite his fatigue, he cannot get to sleep. He gets up groggily, taking the remote control and slowly plodding towards the south window. He opens the blinds and looks out over the Los Angeles skyline.

INT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 6:28am

The lab is a lot quieter than usual, only a few white coated scientists and technicians wander the floor. An official looking man in a suit scans the floor, searching for his target. He sees a small figure, almost crooked, hunched over a microscope, intently looking into it. He slowly approaches the man.

PROF. THOMSON

Phillips?

The small man jumps at the sound of his name, even more at the sound of the voice saying it, he turns slowly towards him

DR PHILLIPS

Yes Professor?

A small smile of arrogance spreads over Phillips face, knowing what Thomson is going to say and already knowing his own response to it.

PROF. THOMSON

"Please tell me you have destroyed the sample already."

DR PHILLIPS

"What sample, Professor? I don't think I have any idea what you're talking about."

The sense of arrogance grows around Phillips

PROF. THOMSON

"Listen Adam. That sample has been proved unsafe on many occasions and by many people with more experience and a lot more sense than you could ever hope to have."

He moves slowly towards Phillips, accentuating his sheer size in comparison. Phillips moves back a little, intimidated

PROF. THOMSON (CONT.)

"It is to be destroyed in the next 3 hours. No exceptions. Or you'll find yourself looking for another job."

Thomson walks briskly away from Phillips, angered by their exchange. Phillips follows him with his eyes, waiting until he is out of earshot. "Jerk" he whispers under his breath. He turns to see his colleague staring at him.

DR PHILLIPS

"What?" (pauses) "Oh, I get it, you along with everyone else thinks I should just abandon this project. This is revolutionary, it'll change lives. I'll wave to you on my way up." (another pause)

DR PALENS

(sighs) "We'll all wave to you when you're on your way out, Adam" (she walks away, shaking her head)

Phillips glares at her as she leaves, shakes his head then goes back to his microscope.

INT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 6:43am

Cassel and his men walk through the narrow identical corridors, eventually reaching the final secure checkpoint. Cassel calmly swipes his access card and door opens. The scientists inside look up in amazement as the 6 armed men rush in, yelling in incomprehensible voices. The stunned workers fall to the ground as the guns are pointed their way. There is only a few seconds panic until Cassel strolls in, yelling for everyone to be quiet. The camera pans around the lab, showing the frightened mix of old and young faces.

CASSEL

"If you remain calm and co-operate then everything will be fine and you will soon be at home alive and well. If you choose not to co-operate then we will be forced to take action. Is that clear?"

Everyone in the room manages a nod, Cassel smiles warmly

CASSEL (CONT.)

"Good, I can see we have some sensible people here today. We are here to collect the sample of E511 virus that is being developed here. Anyone who knows where that is, please speak now"

The camera scans across the room, showing no signs of compliance.

CASSEL (CONT.)

"No-one? Very well"

Cassel nods at one of his men who picks up the screaming Dr Palens, pointing a gun to her head.

PROF. THOMSON

"Stop! Wait!"

His voice shakes as Cassel turns and glares at him, his men pointing there guns

PROF. THOMSON

"You must have your information wrong, we don't develop that substance here. I've never even heard of that sample, and I run this place"

Cassel continues his stare, eventually breaking it to motion at his men to lower their guns. Thomson relaxes, but Cassel pulls his own gun and shoots perfectly at Thomson's head. The rest of the hostages scream, cry out and panic.

CASSEL

"QUIET! Does anybody else want to try and be a hero this morning?"

He looks over the room, scanning the terrified faces for any sign. He and his men wheel round as they hear someone standing up.

PHILLIPS

"Don't shoot! For the love of God, don't shoot!"

The guns remain trained on his forehead.

PHILLIPS (CONT.)

"Listen, I developed E511, I know where it is. I'm the one you want, just please don't kill any more people"

The rest of the hostages look at each other, in a mix of terror and disbelief. One of the men moves quickly towards Phillips, grabbing his arm and dragging him towards Cassel.

CASSEL

"Let's go. We don't have much time."

Cassel, Phillips and 2 of the armed guards move towards the private labs at the back of the main room, guns pointed at the scientist as they go. 2 of the remaining 4 gaurds move to the exits and start work on something, and the other 2 keep watch on the hostages.

CUT TO:

INT. CTU LOS ANGELES – 6:48am

Jack and Tony wait on the floor of CTU for the arrival of Ryan Chapelle from division. They wait in silence, not knowing what to say after their exchange in Jack's office. Chloe looks up from her station at the two men standing silent, emotionless.

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"Edgar, look. What do you think that's about?"

Edgar follows Chloe's stare to the middle of the floor. He looks back and shrugs.

EDGAR STYLES

"Jack's probably pissed Tony off again, they'll get over it, don't worry."

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"I hope you're right, Chapelle won't take kindly to this if it gets any worse."

Chloe goes back to monitoring the information on her station with her signature pout. Edgar watches her for a second, holding the gaze for a little too long before he checks himself and goes back to his own screen. He shakes his head a little.

Four official looking men walk into CTU, one of them being Ryan Chapelle. He walks briskly up to Tony and Jack, shaking their hands and looking around.

RYAN CHAPELLE

"I trust everything's been running smoothly around here lately?"

TONY ALMEIDA
"Go right for us, why don't you Ryan…"

Jack fires a look at Tony but decides against saying anything.

JACK BAUER

"We are monitoring all chatter in the build up to today's televised conference. So far there was been nothing of note, but we will increase our searches as time goes on. We have agents at major security points around the city and they have reported no trouble. Things seem to be going alright, Ryan."

RYAN CHAPELLE
"Well that makes a change…"

Ryan moves past Tony, who is stopped from commenting by a calm Jack, who fires another warning look at him. Tony bites his tongue and moves to go after Ryan and Jack. They move towards the vacant station but are stopped by a cry from Chloe.

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"Jack! I think you should come see this!"

Jack, Tony and Ryan rush towards Chloe's station, as she barks instructions at Edgar. The 3 men look at Chloe's screen, oblivious to what it shows. Chloe speaks a different language from most people.

JACK BAUER

"What is it Chloe? What have you found?"

CHLOE O'BRIAN
"I don't know if I've found anything yet, Jack. You told me to monitor the chatter coming in, and until about 5 minutes ago, there was nothing at all. That's unusual at the best of times, especially on a day like this. But a few minutes ago the chatter started spiking all over the place."

RYAN CHAPELLE

"So what are you saying, O'Brian?"

Chloe fires an angry glare at Chapelle.

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"I'm saying that there is going to be a terrorist attack sometime today."

The men stare dumbfounded at the screen, trying to make sense of what it was showing, and what Chloe was saying.

CHLOE O'BRIAN (CONT.)

"Hold on a second…oh my god…"

JACK BAUER

"What is it Chloe?"

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"The chatter seems to be converging to the same outcome…"

TONY ALMEIDA

"What outcome Chloe?"

CHLOE O'BRIAN

"That an attack on Los Angeles has already happened."

FADE TO : MONTAGE

MONTAGE shows Chloe and Edgar trying to decipher the chatter while Tony, Jack and Ryan oversee; Palmer looking solemnly out over the Los Angeles skyline; Phillips leading the guards and Cassel to the virus; and a selection of the hostages, scared to death.

FADE TO : CLOCK

6:59:57

6:59:58

6:59:59

7:00:00

NEXT WEEK ON 24 : END OF AN ERA

The virus is loose but Dr Phillip's agenda causes a few surprises, and the hostages aren't free yet…

Characters : Actors/Actresses (in order of appearance)

Jack Bauer – Kiefer Sutherland

Kevin Cassel – Daniel Craig

Chloe O'Brian – Mary Lynn Rajskub

Edgar Stiles – Louis Lombardi

Tony Almeida – Carlos Bernard

President David Palmer – Dennis Haysbert

Lynne Kresge – Michelle Forbes

Secretary of Homeland Security Stephen Byrne – Tom Wilkinson (TBC)

Agent Aaron Pierce – Glenn Morshower

Ryan Chapelle – Paul Schulze