Flesh and Blood
by
Minx Trinket
Disclaimer: Plagiarism? Me? I would never--LOOK OUT! PTERODACTYL! *zoom!*
Summary: ISA Agents Brady Black and Chloë Lane-Black-Lane meet Little Elvis and stumble onto one of Stefano's most secret, nefarious projects. Call it "Attack of the Clones--Salem Style!" Er...on second thought, don't.
Rating: PG-13
MUSIC:
Let's use Live's "Dam at Otter Creek" for the opening sequence. I've been wanting to use it for a while. (Thought it would be for Spike, but I do what the muse tells me.)
The song Chloë sings with the choir is "Let the River Run," by Carly Simon. Ever seen Working Girl? That's the one. Translation and arrangement (such as they are) are by yours truly. No, really!
The closing number is "Easy Terms" from the musical Blood Brothers, and anyone who's seen it knows it is possibly the SADDEST THING EVER. Therefore, I lurve it. The Minxy is Cruel.
BEGIN MOS
Music over: a threatening guitar riff.
FADE IN:
EXT. A LATE-MEDIEVAL CASTLE - SOMEWHERE IN ALBANIA - NIGHT
The stone behemoth is perched on a craggy hill above a large, still lake. As the camera PANS AROUND the building, we can see both its extent and disrepair. It looks abandoned, but as we circle closer, we notice DIM ORANGE LIGHTS in the windows here and there. We circle and circle, faster and faster, until
A BLACK HELICOPTER
whisper silent, sweeps ahead of us and comes to hover above the lake, so high the spinning blades don't even ripple the surface. A ROPE is dropped from the chopper down almost to the water.
A FIGURE IN BLACK emerges from the chopper and begins to slide down the rope, quickly followed by ANOTHER FIGURE in black. One after the other, they slip into the water like seals, barely making a splash.
The helicopter pulls up its line, banks, and flies away.
BENEATH THE WATER
The two people, in light scuba gear and drysuits, streak off toward the castle.
INT. CASTLE CATACOMBS - CONTINUOUS
Here, a bit of the lake laps into this dank, low-ceilinged dungeon.
The first swimmer surfaces and hauls himself to the shore. He turns as the second swimmer emerges, extends a hand, and helps his partner out of the water.
The second swimmer pulls off her mask and hood. It's CHLOË.
The first swimmer removes his. BRADY, of course.
They busy themselves stashing gear and checking arcane equipment, neither saying a word. Chloë pulls out a LAMINATED BLUEPRINT of what can only be the castle. She points: me, this way, you, that way. Brady nods and takes the map.
They share a hard, quick kiss before starting off in opposite directions.
INT. TOWER STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS
Chloë creeps quietly up the stairs, gun drawn, all vigilance.
INT. CATACOMBS - CONTINUOUS
Brady too is sneaking through the castle. Periodically, he consults the map, glances at the wall for confirmation, and turns a corner.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Chloë peeps around a corner and then darts back into the shadows as a pair of GUARDS carrying UZIS come down the hall. After they pass, Chloë slips into the hallway and heads in the opposite direction.
INT. DR. HALFREK'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A thin, ageing man with thick glasses and the general dustiness of a theoretical physicist shambles slowly around the sparsely furnished room, holding a stack of books. He starts as
THE DOORKNOB
rattles urgently.
He backs away from the door, the books sliding unnoticed from his hands, as
OUTSIDE
Chloë is trying to pick the lock. Finally, she gives up, stands, and KICKS the door open
MATCH CUT TO:
BRADY KICKS
a door open in the catacombs. He steps through the threshold and stops, eyes widening.
MATCH CUT TO:
DR. HALFREK'S FACE
as he stares in shock at Chloë, who enters the room briskly. She begins gathering papers and barking orders at him. He hurries to comply.
INT. THE CATACOMBS - CONTINUOUS
Off Brady, pull back in wide angle to reveal
INT. THE GENERATOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
An enormous warehouse of indescribable technology. It's clearly what Brady was looking for but clearly much larger than expected. He dashes into the room and starts planting CHARGES along the buttresses of the walls. He dashes past the camera, which tracks him from behind.
MATCH CUT TO:
CHLOË'S BACK
as she runs down the
INT. UPSTAIRS HALL - CONTINUOUS
with Dr. Halfrek in tow. As they reach the top of the stairs, FIVE GUARDS come surging up them and dive at Chloë.
Chloë shoves Halfrek back and launches into Michelle Yeoh mode, kicking and punching and taking guards out right and left.
INT. GENERATOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Brady sets the last charge and takes the DETONATOR out of his pocket. He pushes a few buttons. The readout displays a big, red, digital 2:00...1:59...1:58....
He takes off.
INT. CATACOMBS - CONTINUOUS
Brady is running for their point of entry. Chloë and Halfrek emerge from another corridor to meet him, and they all keep running toward the edge of the lake until
A PORTCULLIS
slams into the floor, cutting them off from their escape.
Brady points and runs to the left, and they follow him
UP A STAIRCASE
and
OUTSIDE
onto
EXT. PARAPETS - CONTINUOUS
They run along the top of the wall. Brady and Chloë each take one of Halfrek's hands, and they lead the terrified scientist in a mad run toward the ledge and they
LEAP
off the wall into the lake as
THE CASTLE EXPLODES
behind them, silhouetting them in a bright, orange fireball as they sail through the air and --
SMASH TO:
INT. AIRPLANE BATHROOM - DAY
as Brady SLAMS Chloë against the wall.
END MOS
Both are sweaty, rumpled, and breathing hard. Clearly postcoital. Brady rests his head on Chloë's shoulder, gasping for breath.
CHLOË
Ohmigod.
BRADY
Oh, yeah.
CHLOË
Brady, have you noticed that we
have the most amazing sex right
after one or both of us has nearly died?
BRADY
Possibly.
CHLOË
D'you think that's' some kind
of conditioned response to our
bizarre and traumatic adolescence?
BRADY
Probably.
CHLOË
There's something really wrong
with us.
BRADY
Definitely.
He smiles cheerfully and kisses her. As things get hot and it looks like they're going to start all over again, a CELL PHONE RINGS. Chloë breaks the kiss.
CHLOË
(bimbo voice)
Goodness, James! What is that noise?
BRADY
(Connery imitation)
Pardon me a moment, Dr. Juicybottom.
Chloë giggles and continues to nibble on Brady as he grabs a cell phone from somewhere O.S. and answers it.
BRADY
Yallo?
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
Agent Black. I understand the
usual congratulations are in order.
BRADY
(to phone)
Hi, Shane.
(to Chloë)
It's Shane.
CHLOË
(still nibbling)
Hi, Shane!
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
Am I interrupting something?
BRADY
What could you be interrupting?
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
With you two, I shudder to think.
I trust everything went smoothly?
BRADY
Well, to tell you the truth, these
airplane bathrooms are little tough
on the elbows, but we managed.
INT. SHANE'S NY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Shane looks with disgust at the receiver of the phone. We can hear Chloë's laughter at the other end.
SHANE
Agent Black? Once again, too
much information.
BRADY (O.S.)
(on phone)
Sorry, man.
SHANE
Regarding the case?
INT. AIRPLANE BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chloë is now trying to straighten their clothing. She's straining hard to keep her serious face on.
BRADY
The package is safe and sound
with our friends in Prague. And the
little problem it caused is now buried
under several hundred thousand tons
of granite. I would say we are A-OK.
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
Glad to hear it. Now, in return, I
have some information for you.
BRADY
Oh yeah? Lemmie guess. You're
sending us to China.
Chloë rolls her eyes.
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
No. I'm sending you to Salem.
BRADY
What?
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
There are three airplane tickets
waiting at LaGuardia for you, Chloë,
and Belle. You're booked on the 3 PM
flight into Salem tomorrow.
BRADY
What for?
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
For the holidays, Brady. With your
family. Just my way of saying thanks,
and Happy Christmas to all three of you.
BRADY
Shane, man, you rule!
(to Chloë)
Shane's giving us leave for Christmas
and sending us home.
CHLOË
(shouts to phone)
You rule, Shane!
SHANE (O.S.)
(on phone)
Mutual, I'm sure. Take care.
BRADY
You too. Merry Christmas.
He hangs up. Chloë gives her makeup one last check in the mirror and reaches for the door handle.
Brady grabs her wrist.
BRADY (CONT'D)
And where do you think you're going?
I'm not done with you yet.
He grabs her and starts kissing her neck.
CHLOË
(bimbo voice, sighing)
Oh, James!
They both laugh.
INT. THE BLACK PENTHOUSE - SALEM - CHRISTMAS EVE - DAY
Two laughing become ten laughing as we join the family celebrating the holidays. The apartment is decked out with tree and presents and sparkly things.
CRAIG, SAMI, and BELLE are sitting around a table, chatting. Brady, JOHN, and WILL (now 16 -- no SORAS here, please!) are around the TV, playing with a PLAYSTATION 3 (picture it, folks), making those competitive man noises. MARLENA and NANCY enter from the kitchen, bringing DISHES to the table. Chloë follows them, a WINE BOTTLE in each fist.
The mothers put their things on the table and go back to the kitchen. Chloë does not follow them. She hands the wine to Sami and looks over at the men on the couch.
John and Will are playing the game, and Brady is coaching Will on. John tries to play with one hand and cover Brady's mouth with the other. Chloë's smile as she watches them fades from delighted to melancholy.
Nancy comes up behind her.
NANCY
You okay, honey?
Chloë tears her eyes from the boys and glares at her mother. Nancy does a surprised take. It's been a long time since she's seen that look in Chloë's eyes.
CHLOË
(coldly)
I'm fine.
She walks away. Nancy looks from her to the boys, wheels turning in her head.
Chloë sits at the table next to Craig and puts her head on his shoulder. He ruffles her hair, and she sits up again.
Sami is still struggling with a wine bottle. Belle is trying to help, but isn't being particularly useful.
BELLE
All right, Chloë, so we're all dying
to know. How did you do it?
CHLOË
Do what?
BELLE
How'd you get Brady to agree to
sing on your next album?
BRADY
(from couch)
She tricked me!
CHLOË
Did not!
BRADY
Did too!
CHLOË
(to table)
Seven card stud. He thought I was
bluffing.
(louder, to include Brady)
I never bluff.
BRADY
You bluff all the time!
CHLOË
Not at poker.
BELLE
Brady, you didn't!
CHLOË
He did.
Brady joins them at the table, mock-glowering at Chloë.
BRADY
She had nothing showing. Nothing.
CHLOË
Straight to the ace in the hole.
I think he's learned his lesson,
haven't you sweetie?
BRADY
(grumbles)
Cheater.
BELLE
So what are you gonna make him
sing?
CHLOË
Oh, the mind reels. I still have a
few weeks to decide.
SAMI
So, wait, this is why you're going
to London? To record an album?
CHLOË
That's part of it, yeah. There's this
gothic church that's been turned
into a studio. I've been in it. It's
got the most amazing acoustics.
I'm so psyched to get in there. And
with the concert, it was perfect timing.
SAMI
Wait. Concert?
BELLE
Sami, where've you been, girl?
The rest of the crew joins them at the table as Nancy brings out a roast and Marlena appears with potatoes.
SAMI
Out of the loop, obviously. Chloë,
I'm sorry. I'm a terrible sister. In-law.
Step. I think. Are we actually related?
CHLOË
(joking)
I'm not sure. What's your name again?
BRADY
She's doing a benefit concert New
Year's Eve, for the Royal Pediatric
AIDS Foundation.
BELLE
She's singing with the Westminster
Abbey Boy's Choir.
SAMI
Wow!
(sotto voce; to Chloë)
That's wow, right?
CHLOË
Totally. These boys are incredible.
And I get to be a part of a 900-year-old
tradition. Not to mention, their soloist --
(to Brady)
have I played you the tape they sent me?
BRADY
Nuh-uh.
Wine is poured. Dishes are passed.
CHLOË
This kid. Unbelievable. I can't even
describe. Mark my words, he's
gonna be the next Charlotte
Church.
BRADY
I thought youwere the next
Charlotte Church.
JOHN
Has this wunderkind got a name
we should be looking out for?
CHLOË
Yes, the poor thing. Get this. His
parents named him "Elvis Crumb."
John sputters into his wine, and the rest of the Black/Brady clan drops jaws and forks. They shoot each other looks of astonishment.
CHLOË (CONT'D)
(off their looks)
What?
INT. BRADY'S OLD BEDROOM - NIGHT
Brady and Chloë are snuggled up in his little twin bed, subtly jockeying for space and covers.
CHLOË
So, is there in fact any woman
in Salem who hasn't been
in love with your father?
BRADY
Not that I'm aware of.
CHLOË
Words fail.
BRADY
That ol' Black magic again. We're
irresistible.
CHLOË
I seem to recall resisting you for
quite a long time. Years, in fact.
BRADY
But you came around in the end,
didn't you?
CHLOË
Point. Ow! Elbow.
BRADY
Huh?
CHLOË
Your elbow. My ribs. I need
those.
BRADY
Not all of them.
(more wrestling)
Ow! This is getting very, very
dangerous. Okay, there's only
one solution.
He drags Chloë on top of them. They settle, face to face.
BRADY (CONT'D)
There. Much better.
CHLOË
If I recall, the last time we tried to
sleep like this, both your legs fell
asleep and you limped for two days.
BRADY
Who said anything about
sleeping?
He kisses her, but she returns it with less than her usual enthusiasm.
BRADY (CONT'D)
Chlo'? What is it?
CHLOË
Nothing.
(off his look)
It's just...y'know. Family. Draining.
BRADY
Family. You mean Nancy.
(off her look)
If it makes you feel any better, she
read me the riot act too.
CHLOË
When? And for what?
BRADY
When I was washing dishes. She
wanted to know when I was going
to make an honest woman out of
you. Again.
He holds up his left hand. He's wearing his old wedding band.
BRADY (CONT'D)
I told her I was just waiting for you
to say yes.
Chloë scowls and sits up on the edge of the bed, her back to Brady.
BRADY (CONT'D)
But she seemed to think that you were
upset about something. Which, clearly,
you are.
(beat)
Did I --
CHLOË
Of course not.
BRADY
Okay. Well. I know better than to ask
if you wanna talk, 'cause if you did,
you'd be talking already. But, for the
record, I wanna listen.
Chloë smiles. She looks at him.
CHLOË
Where the heck did you come from?
Are you some sort of genetically
engineered superguy who's been
psychologically programmed to always
say the right thing?
BRADY
I told you. Black magic.
Chloë laughs.
BRADY (CONT'D)
Listen. You just give Nancy a good
hard ignoring. You know she means
well. She's probably just bucking
for grandchildren.
CHLOË
Yeah, well, tell her not to hold her
breath. Wait. On second thought,
tell her to hold her breath.
BRADY
Not for too long, though. Right?
Chloë looks away.
BRADY (CONT'D)
Chloë?
She stands and walks over to the window.
BRADY (CONT'D)
You do want to have kids, right? I
mean, not now, but eventually?
CHLOË
I don't know.
Brady sits up, startled.
BRADY
Wait a minute. We talked about this
a long time ago. You said three. I said
two. You said we keep going till there's
one of each and I agreed, remember?
CHLOË
I remember. It's just, lately, I've been
thinking...not.
BRADY
When did you change your mind?
CHLOË
(quietly)
About when I started carrying a gun.
(beat)
This life we're living....
(beat)
Brady, what would happen to them if
we died? If you died? I don't want
my children to grow up like I did.
No one should have to grow up like
me, like us. Without a mother, or...
(choking up)
...a father....
Brady comes up behind her. He touches her shoulder tentatively, just letting her know he's there. She takes his arm and wraps it around herself. He takes the cue and pulls her comfortingly close.
CHLOË
Why won't she just tell me?