WARNING: This piece contains some acts of extreme violence.
Pyrrhic Victory
"Faith"
Written by River Kali
FIVE YEARS INTO THE FUTURE...
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Empty and desolate. Gunfire and explosions can be heard from
outside. A PRIEST in his mid-thirties walks in. Worry,
regret, and fear mar his dark, handsome features.
He goes to kneel at the statue of Jesus in the front of the
church. He gesticulates the cross over his body.
PRIEST
Forgive me, Lord, for it has been
over twenty years since my last
confession. I am here, not for
myself, but for my brother. I have
destroyed his soul, and many
others. It is because of this that
I ask that you make sure he gets
into Heaven. Amen.
He gesticulates the cross over his body once more, then
stands. He turns toward the back of the church, the turmoil
outside filling him with dread. He walks slowly towards the
exit as...
PRESENT
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Grave workers lower a casket into the ground. A large group
of mourners stand by, watching.
One in particular stands out. He's a young man of twenty-one
with dark good looks (Short dark hair and dark brown eyes,
with porcelain skin). Under normal circumstances, he's the
male Pollyana, but seeing as how he's at a funeral, he's
morose. His name is RAPHAEL SYKES.
After the casket is put in the ground, all the attendees give
Raphael their condolences, then break off and leave. Save
for the one standing next to him: TERRENCE EPSTEIN. He's the
same age as Raphael, but nowhere near as attractive. He's
gawky and geeky with shaggy black hair, brown eyes, and a
lanky body.
RAPHAEL
You don't have to stay with me,
Terrence.
TERRENCE
And you don't have to be alone. I
don't have anything else to do.
RAPHAEL
Thanks, but I kinda wanna be alone
right now, you know?
Terrence nods understandingly, then leaves. Raphael watches
the casket being covered with dirt. PRIEST CONNORS pats
Raphael on the back before he leaves. This is a different
priest from the one in the flash forward. This one's elderly
and balding. A few moments, then:
MAN'S VOICE
Oh man, I missed it.
Raphael recognizes the voice. He turns around to face the
Man. A look of shock overcomes him.
He's the priest from the first scene, but he doesn't look as
world weary and sullen as he does in the future. He looks
like an older, more intense and serious version of Raphael.
He goes by MICHAEL "MIKE" SYKES.
Raphael's shocked look turns to one of anger. He hurls
himself at Mike, pushing him in the chest. Mike stops the
assault by grabbing Raphael's arms.
The grave diggers stop what they're doing to check out the
drama unfolding before them.
MIKE
You haven't seen me for years and
this is your first reaction? I was
expecting happiness and joy. Or at
least "Hi."
Calmed down, Raphael pulls himself out of Mike's hands.
RAPHAEL
That's because you're stupid. What
are you doing here?
MIKE
Grandma dies and I don't show up
for the funeral? No way.
RAPHAEL
You didn't show up for Grandpa's
funeral.
MIKE
That's because I didn't like him.
RAPHAEL
That's not funny.
Seeing as how the fight's over, the grave diggers go back to
work.
MIKE
It wasn't supposed to be.
Raphael walks away from Mike.
RAPHAEL
I'm going home.
Following after him:
MIKE
How are you gonna afford the bills
on grandma's place? You don't have
a job and you're going to NYU full
time.
Raphael stops and spins to face him.
RAPHAEL
How do you know all that?
MIKE
Because I'm not stupid.
RAPHAEL
Why do you care? You got to see
the remnants of the funeral. Now
you can disappear for another
fifteen years.
MIKE
I know I haven't been around...
lately, but I'm here to make up for
it.
RAPHAEL
How?
MIKE
I want you to come live with me,
all expenses paid.
Mike smiles, thinking he's just done the greatest thing in
the world. Raphael just stares at him in disbelief.
RAPHAEL
You want to take me in? Why?
MIKE
You're my baby brother.
RAPHAEL
That didn't stop you from leaving
me before.
MIKE
How many times are you gonna throw
that in my face?
Raphael takes a moment to think.
RAPHAEL
Well, it's not like I can pay for
NYU all by myself and I really
don't wanna go without cable - you
do have cable, right?
(Mike nods)
So... okay.
MIKE
(smiling)
Okay.
They start walking.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
A black Lexus SUV speeds down the road.
INT. MIKE'S LEXUS SUV - DAY
Mike's driving. Raphael's riding shotgun. Raphael, being
inside such a cool vehicle, can't help but smile.
RAPHAEL
You sure do live far out.
(re: SUV)
Is this an LX-570?
MIKE
Yep.
RAPHAEL
Sure is a beauty. How much did you
pay for it?
MIKE
I don't remember.
RAPHAEL
You buy this sweet ride and you
don't remember how much you paid
for it? How is that even possible?
They come upon a large mansion with a large garage attached
to the side of it.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY
The garage door opens. Mike's Lexus pulls in. The door
closes. It's now pitch black.
CLICK!
And the lights are on. Mike and Raphael get out, with
Raphael looking around. He sees that this garage is not only
bigger than most people's houses, it's also kept up better
than them, too.
There's about a dozen cars in here and several motorcycles
(All top of the line: BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus, and
Hummer.), all in mint condition.
This majestic beauty leaves Raphael practically speechless.
All he can manage is:
RAPHAEL
So... what's the house look like?
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Overtly opulent in a guy way: Big screen TV, video game
consoles (They all look more advanced than anything that the
average consumer can afford), black leather lazy boys, etc.
Raphael walks in. He's even more awestruck by the
awesomeness of the living room, than he was by the garage.
Mike comes up behind him, smiling proudly.
RAPHAEL
Wow. Okay, first, you drive a
Lexus and everything else, but the
kitchen sink, and now you live in
the best mansion ever? What do you
do for a living?
MIKE
It's nothing you'd be interested
in.
RAPHAEL
(taking umbrage)
How do you know what I'd be
interested in? We haven't seen
each other in over a decade. The
last time you saw me I was in
single digits...
Raphael's voice drifts off as ALLEYLEAH enters. She's a
tall, caramel-colored goddess with long jet black hair down to her
waist. She's bitchy, but in a sexy way.
Raphael is quite taken by her beauty.
RAPHAEL
(to Alleyleah)
Hi, I'm Mike's brother, Raphael.
He extends his hand to shake hers. Alleyleah looks at Mike
to check the veracity of Raphael's statement. Mike nods.
They shake hands.
ALLEYLEAH
Alleyleah.
RAPHAEL
Are you Mike's girlfriend?
She laughs.
RAPHAEL
Oh, I'm sorry. His wife.
She laughs even harder.
RAPHAEL
Help me out here, Mike.
MIKE
She's a friend.
ALLEYLEAH
(to Mike)
Can we go somewhere to talk?
MIKE
Follow me.
They go off further in the house, leaving Raphael alone.
RAPHAEL
(calling out to them)
Oh no, don't worry about me, I'll
just take a tour on my own.
He smiles.
UPSTAIRS
Raphael comes up the staircase. The upstairs looks just as
nice as the downstairs. He opens the first door on the
right.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - MIKE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Raphael enters. The room has no decoration except for a flat
screen TV.
Raphael goes to the night stand. He picks up a picture
sitting on it. It's a picture of a little boy and a woman in
her thirties posing for the camera. They're wearing clothing
from the eighties. Raphael looks at the picture wistfully.
MIKE (O.S.)
Raphael?
Raphael starts. He puts the picture back where he got it.
RAPHAEL
Coming!
He exits.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Raphael runs down the stairs. He sees Mike and Alleyleah in
dress clothes.
RAPHAEL
Boy, don't you guys look fancy?
MIKE
What were you doing upstairs?
RAPHAEL
Just looking for a room for my
stuff.
MIKE
Next time, ask.
Raphael nods.
RAPHAEL
So where you guys headed?
MIKE
To a party.
Before Raphael can speak:
MIKE
No, you can't come. Stay in and do
your homework.
RAPHAEL
I'm not a kid.
MIKE
Close enough.
Mike and Alleyleah leave.
INT. DINING HALL - NIGHT
This is a black-tie event. People move around, drinking
champagne and admiring the odd, singular statues in the room.
A group of odd looking creatures in tuxes walk around
carrying trays of food and glasses of champagne. They have
eggplant colored flesh with veins popping out all over their
muscular bodies. They have human facial features.
There's an elderly man, wearing a black, plastic gown, having
a conversation with a group of other men his age. The
eccentrically dressed man goes by ALDERON.
Mike and Alleyleah walk through the room, apparently taking
in all the art. Mike has glasses on. He scans the room.
The glasses give him x-ray vision, allowing him to see
through people's clothes (Unfortunately for him, most of the
guests' bodies could use a lot of work) and more importantly,
through walls.
ALLEYLEAH
(to Mike)
You see it yet?
He shakes his head.
ALLEYLEAH
Try upstairs. Why didn't you tell
your brother the truth?
Mike looks up, his eyes scanning the entire ceiling.
MIKE
I did. I told him we were going to
a party.
ALLEYLEAH
You know what I mean.
MIKE
Because he doesn't need to know.
He looks down, his eyes moving over every piece of the floor.
He stops over by a corner on the other side of the room.
MIKE
Found it.
ALDERON (O.S.)
Alright, everyone, I'd like you all
outside for the fireworks.
Mike gives Alleyleah a "Damn" look. She rolls her eyes, and
with a wave of her hand, the power goes out. The place is
pitch black. Literally, a second later, the power is back
on, and Mike is no where to be found.
ALDERON
(to his guests)
Which one of you did that?
Murmurs from the crowd show that it was none of them.
ALDERON
Guess it really was just a power
outage, then. Let's go outside.
Everyone begins to file out. Alleyleah's the last to leave.
INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
Mike skulks in. This place looks more like Fort Knox than a
basement. There's a large safe in the wall all the way to
the end. Mike goes to it, looks at it with a disdainful
smile.
He pulls a spider-like metal gizmo out of his pocket and
places it on the safe. The gizmo begins spinning like crazy,
with electronic blips going off. The door to the safe flies
open, revealing a room filled with artifacts floating high in
the air.
Mike eyes each of them until he finds the one he's looking
for: A blue and gold sphere. It's the size of an orange.
He begins jogging in place and doesn't stop until he's worked
up a good sweat. He takes off his glasses, then strips off
his tux and protective armor that was underneath it.
He is now down to his boxers and it's a bit of an
understatement to say that he could moonlight as an underwear
model. He wears antistatic wrist and ankle straps.
INT. SAFE - NIGHT
He moves in with the stealth of a cat and grabs the sphere by
doing a triple somersault.
INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
He comes back out and quickly puts his clothes and glasses
back on.
INT. DINING HALL - NIGHT
The guests are back inside. Alleyleah anxiously looks around
the room for Mike... doesn't see him.
A few moments later and he's right behind her, but she
doesn't hear him. She smells something foul. She notices
the smell coming from behind her and turns to see what it is.
She sees it's Mike. They speak in hushed tones.
ALLEYLEAH
What'd you do, take a garbage
shower?
MIKE
I needed to work up a sweat.
ALLEYLEAH
The antistatic straps would've
prevented an electrostatic
discharge.
MIKE
It never hurts to have back up.
ALLEYLEAH
Did you get it?
He nods. She goes over to Alderon, who is talking with
another woman (Middle-aged with dark hair). She cuts right
in front of her. The lady gives her a dirty look (Alleyleah
has her back to her) and walks off.
ALLEYLEAH
Alderon, this was a lovely party,
but I really must be off.
ALDERON
Alright, it was good to see you. I
hope you can stay longer at my next
bash.
They kiss each other on the cheek, then Alleyleah goes back
to Mike. They leave.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Raphael sits in front of the big screen TV, bored. He
watches "The Colbert Report".
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - RAPHAEL'S BEDROOM - DAY
The room's furnishings include posters of Tim Morehouse and
Jason Rogers, and a huge bookcase that is overfilled.
A cross with Jesus hung from it hangs on one of the walls. A
bible sits on the night stand.
Raphael, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans that look like
they came from a flea market, grabs his backpack off the
desk. He hears the front door open and close. He runs
into...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
To see Mike, now wearing black leather pants and a long-
sleeved, black shirt, carrying a bag. Raphael looks at him,
suspicious.
RAPHAEL
Must've been some party last night.
You didn't come home, you're not
even wearing the same clothes.
MIKE
Oh, well, there was an after party
and it was less formal.
RAPHAEL
You're lying.
MIKE
I'm not. You're twenty-one, you
know what it's like to party all
night long.
He takes a good, long hard look at Raphael.
MIKE
On second thought, maybe you don't.
RAPHAEL
Are you a drug dealer?
MIKE
Am I a what?
RAPHAEL
It would make sense. The house,
the cars, Alleyleah. You ran away
when you were fifteen. I highly
doubt that you graduated from
college and got a high-paying job.
MIKE
I'm not a drug dealer and fuck you
for saying all that shit.
Awkward silence, then:
MIKE
Isn't it about time for you to be
getting to school?
RAPHAEL
I was just leaving.
Raphael leaves. Mike waits a few minutes, then goes by the
big screen TV. There's a tiny red dot right beside it. He
moves his palm over it. The wall slides back and Mike
enters...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LAB - DAY
Dark and cold. It's looks like a room where the F.B.I. or
C.I.A. would test their latest gadgets.
There's actually a table full of gadgets (They're all in a
case). Mike pulls the glasses and spider-like gizmo from last
night out of his bag and puts them in the case.
He moves over to a door by the wall on the far end of the
room. Opens it.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - WEAPONS ROOM - DAY
The room is full of protective armor and weapons. Mike takes
the sphere out of his pocket and places it on the first shelf
in the room. He also throws his bag in here, then leaves.
INT. NYU LECTURE HALL - DAY
The class is at medium capacity.
PROFESSOR HICKS (Slim, fifties, bad hair) stands at the front
of the class, mid-lecture.
Raphael sits in front with Terrence. He has a blank look on
his face. Terrence notices his friend's not all there. He
watches him, worried.
PROFESSOR HICKS (O.S.)
Honesty and intimacy. One can not
exist without the other. You can't
be close to someone you don't trust
and you don't trust someone you're
not close with, but here's the rub:
You can never truly know what's
inside someone's head, therefore,
you can never be completely sure if
they're being honest with you, so
how can you trust them and be
intimate with them?
He pauses for dramatic effect.
PROFESSOR HICKS (O.S.)
Faith. Faith in the person you're
with and believing that he or she
loves you enough to be honest with
you. I think that's all the time
we have for today. I'll see you
all on Thursday and I want your
papers on faith and its role in
today's society.
The students begin clearing out.
TERRENCE
(to Raphael)
You wanna go get something to eat?
Raphael doesn't answer. He's still off in his own little
world. Terrence nudges him.
RAPHAEL
What?
TERRENCE
I said you wanna go get something
to eat.
Raphael takes a while to respond with:
RAPHAEL
Yeah. Yeah, okay.
INT. LOMBARDI'S - DAY
Small, quaint pizza shop. Raphael and Terrence sit at a
table, enjoying a pie.
TERRENCE
So what was up with you in class
today?
RAPHAEL
What do you mean?
TERRENCE
Usually, you're asking all these
questions and taking notes, but
today, it doesn't even seem like
you were there. You didn't even
stare at Karen's boobs today.
They laugh.
TERRENCE
(nervously)
Is... are you still having trouble
with the whole nana situation?
RAPHAEL
Think I'm gonna be having trouble
with that for a while, but it's
actually something else that's
bothering me. The strangest thing
happened yesterday at my grandma's
funeral, after you left: My brother
showed up.
TERRENCE
I thought he ran away like a
gazillion years ago.
RAPHAEL
He did, but somehow, he heard about
the funeral, and he showed up.
TERRENCE
Did he say where he's been?
RAPHAEL
No, but get this: He lives in a
mansion just outside New York and
has like a car lot full of
expensive cars.
TERRENCE
What kind of job does he have and
where can I sign up?
RAPHAEL
He wouldn't tell me that.
TERRENCE
(joking)
Are you sure he's your brother?
Before Raphael can reply:
TERRENCE
(gasps)
Maybe he's Batman!
(off Raphael's look)
You're right, I'm being a total
fanboy.
RAPHAEL
I don't understand him. Obviously,
he wants me around - why else
would he ask me to move in with
him? And why shut me out?
TERRENCE
He asked you to move in with him?
Raphael nods.
TERRENCE
You know what to do then, don't
you?
RAPHAEL
What?
TERRENCE
Snoop through his place, duh!
RAPHAEL
See, I thought about that, but it
just feels wrong.
TERRENCE
You wanna know, don't you?
Raphael weighs his options, then:
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - MIKE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Raphael's going through Mike's stuff. He hasn't found
anything here or in any of the other rooms he's gone through.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mike, sweaty and dirty, walks in, wearing a track suit.
Raphael looks at him, trying not to show he suspects
something's amiss with his brother.
MIKE
How was school?
RAPHAEL
Fine. Where have you been?
MIKE
Running.
RAPHAEL
Oh.
Raphael doesn't believe him.
RAPHAEL
It's Tuesday. You didn't have to
go to work?
MIKE
It was a short work day.
Awkward silence.
MIKE
I know it seems like I don't care
and that I only invited you to live
with me out of guilt, but I've just
been really busy. But I'm free
tonight and I thought, once I get
myself pretty, we could go to a
bar.
RAPHAEL
I don't drink.
MIKE
Or a club.
RAPHAEL
I don't club.
MIKE
Or whatever, c'mon, man, I'm
tryin', here. Just tell me what
you like to do and we can do it.
INT. MANHATTAN FENCING CENTER - NIGHT
Large spacious room with hardwood floors and several large
windows on the back wall.
Raphael has all his fencing gear on: Mask, lamé (Jacket)
breeches, knee-length socks and gloves. Mike has everything
on, but his mask.
MIKE
I had no idea you fenced.
RAPHAEL
It comes in handy if you need to
lose weight.
MIKE
You were fat?
RAPHAEL
Only for like a few years.
Mike goes to put his mask on... hesitates.
MIKE
You don't have any pent up anger,
do ya?
RAPHAEL
(laughs)
No.
MIKE
Just checkin'.
He puts the mask on. They pick up their sabres.
RAPHAEL
Don't worry, I'll go easy on you.
MIKE
O...kay.
RAPHAEL
First, we salute each other.
They salute.
RAPHAEL
We can skip the stuff about Pistes
and on-guard lines, seeing as how
you're a beginner. Get in a
defensive position.
Mike does, then Raphael does.
RAPHAEL
Get ready... set... go!
They go at it. True to his word, Raphael goes easy on Mike,
just lunging at him, thrusting his saber a few times. Mike
easily deflects the blows.
Raphael ups the ante and to his surprise, Mike is able to
keep up, so he takes it up another notch. He runs, lunges,
and thrusts at Mike with expert precision and Mike continues
to hold his own. He even manages to drive Raphael back.
Not wanting to get his ass handed to him by an amateur,
especially an amateur that is Mike, Raphael goes as hard as
he can, driving Mike back against the wall. Thinking he has
the upper hand, Raphael thrusts.
RAPHAEL
Point!
Mike leaps up and pushes against the wall with his feet,
going into a somersault. He lands behind Raphael. Raphael
spins to attack, but before he can, Mike sweeps his legs out
from underneath him. Raphael lands on his ass. Mike jabs him
with his saber.
MIKE
Point.
Mike backs off to let Raphael up. Raphael stands, furious.
RAPHAEL
This isn't your first time fencing.
MIKE
I never said it was.
RAPHAEL
And that jump-flip thing that you
did - that's not a fencing move.
MIKE
Again, I never said it was.
RAPHAEL
Where'd you learn how to do all
that stuff?
MIKE
Again with the questions.
RAPHAEL
Everyone has questions. It would
be nice if you could answer some of
mine.
MIKE
I could use some dinner. How about
you?
Raphael sighs, frustrated, then:
RAPHAEL
Are you paying?
MIKE
Sure.
RAPHAEL
Okay.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
The room is as plain as it can be: Beige walls with no
decoration and hardwood floors. Raphael sits at a small
wooden table. Mike enters, carrying two plates. He sits one
in front of Raphael and the other by the chair he's gonna sit
in.
RAPHAEL
When you said you were paying, I
thought you meant we were going
out.
MIKE
I don't like eating out. You can
never be too sure of what they're
doin' to your food. Besides,
there's nothin' better than a home
cooked meal.
Mike takes his seat. Raphael looks down at his food:
Zucchini, brown rice, and dolma. Not exactly his favorites.
He looks at Mike.
RAPHAEL
Are you a vegetarian?
MIKE
Yeah.
RAPHAEL
Finally, an answer.
He puts his hands together in prayer position. He closes his
eyes.
RAPHAEL
Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy
gifts, which we are about to
receive from -
MIKE (O.S.)
(laughing)
What the hell are you doing?
Raphael opens his eyes, annoyed as much by Mike interrupting
him saying grace as he is by Mike's language.
RAPHAEL
I'm saying grace.
MIKE
What for?
RAPHAEL
Because that's what good Catholics
do.
MIKE
You don't believe in Santa Claus,
the tooth fairy, and the Easter
bunny anymore, do you?
RAPHAEL
No.
MIKE
Then why do you believe in him?
RAPHAEL
Why don't you?
He gets no answer.
RAPHAEL
Mom and Dad believed in God. And -
MIKE
Yeah, and look at where it got
them.
Incensed, Raphael stands, plate in hand.
RAPHAEL
I think I'd prefer to eat alone.
He leaves.
MIKE
(calling after him)
C'mon, don't be like that. I
didn't mean it like that.
Raphael doesn't come back. Mike's face dours. He starts
eating.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - RAPHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Raphael sits on his bed, trying to get into the food Mike
prepared. He psyches himself up... takes a bite... and he
spits it out in disgust. As far as he's concerned, that
stuff tastes worse than dog food. It was time to order
pizza.
LATER THAT NIGHT...
Raphael lies in bed, sound asleep. He hears a crashing
sound. He stirs slightly. He assumes it's nothing, then
goes back to sleep. Another crashing sound. He gets up to
investigate in his T-shirt and sweat pants.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Raphael arrives at the top of the staircase to see Mike, in
his boxers, doing battle with someone. He can't tell who it
is because the lights are off.
Raphael runs down the stairs. He goes to help, but before he
can, the person Mike's fighting throws Mike backwards, toward
Raphael, and good 'ol Raphael breaks his fall.
Mike's assailant breaks out a window and escapes through it.
Mike gets up, pissed. Raphael gets up, mouth ablazing.
RAPHAEL
Who was that? Were we being
robbed?
MIKE
I gotta go.
Mike starts to move. Raphael grabs his arm.
RAPHAEL
No, not without answering me. You
always -
Mike shoves him back, hard. He takes off. Raphael falls on
the floor.
Raphael gets up slowly. He's in a little bit of pain, more
from his brother's treatment of him than the actual shove. He
takes a look around. No Mike in sight, but there's a huge
hole in the wall by the big screen TV. He starts toward it,
then hears a motor start. He runs to...
EXT. MIKE'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
He sees Mike pulling out of the garage on a motorcycle,
tricked out with guns. Raphael's flabbergasted. He goes back
into...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Running at a breakneck speed.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - GARAGE - NIGHT
Raphael grabs a set of keys out of a large row of them
hanging on a wall. He gets into a ...
INT. BLACK BMW - NIGHT
Raphael hits a button on the garage door remote control
that's clipped onto the visor. The door flies open and he
zooms out.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
It's closed off. Five odd looking creatures come running
down. They're the same creatures who served champagne at
Alderon's party.
They see that the alley is closed off. They turn to run when
they're cornered by Mike on his chopper. He fires the guns
on his bike, but he only has enough ammo to kill two of them.
He keeps pulling the trigger, though, unaware he's running on
empty.
The creatures don't realize he's on empty, either, so they
run for cover. A moment passes, and then Mike realizes he's
out of bullets as do the creatures. He makes an irritated
noise, then jumps off the bike.
The three remaining creatures attack him, en masse.
MIKE
Throws one, then spins and kicks another, but the third one
grabs him from behind by the throat. He struggles to break
his grip... can't.
The other two creatures have recovered and move in for the
kill...
To the surprise of everyone, a black BMW shows up. That's
all Mike needs. He manages to throw the creature holding him
off and leaps at the other two.
RAPHAEL
Gets out of the car. His eyes widen once he gets a good look
at the creatures' gruesome features. He sees a pipe on the
ground. He picks it up and strikes one of the creatures
attacking Mike on the back.
That gets the creature's attention and makes him come after a
very frightened Raphael.
RAPHAEL
Uses the pipe as a sabre and even lands a few blows on the
creature, before it completely overpowers him. This happens
in the background as:
MIKE
Takes on the other two creatures. Their supernatural
strength is no match for his speed and precision. He manages
to kill one by snapping its neck with his foot.
He starts after the other creature, but out of the corner of
his eye, he sees his bro getting pommeled. He
backhandsprings over to the creature attacking Raphael and
kicks him in the groin (The creature has his back to him).
The creature drops to his knees.
RAPHAEL
Mike!
He tosses Mike the pipe. Mike bashes the creature's head in
until there's nothing left, but a purple stain on the street.
IN THE BACKGROUND
The other creature, seeing all of his comrades have fallen,
runs away. By the time Mike turns around to kill him, he's
long gone.
MIKE
Damn it!
Mike moves toward his motorcycle, with Raphael close behind.
RAPHAEL
Those things... they weren't human,
were they?
MIKE
Let's go home. And don't scratch
my BMW.
Raphael gets in front of him, blocking his path.
RAPHAEL
Hey, I just saved your ass. I
think I deserve an explanation.
MIKE
I believed I saved your ass. Let's
go home and I'll explain
everything.
RAPHAEL
There's nothing to explain. If I
hadn't came when I did, you clearly
would've gotten your ass kicked.
MIKE
I meant about all of the questions
you have.
RAPHAEL
Oh.
Beet red, Raphael sheepishly moves out of his way.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mike and Raphael sit in lazy boys directly across from each
other.
Mike is now dressed to kill. Literally. He's outfitted with
guns, wrist launchers (Knives attached to a projectile device
on his wrists), and grenades. He's wearing a black leather
body suit akin to the ones worn in the X-men films.
MIKE
You were right about me. I didn't
go to a good college, I didn't even
finish high school.
I'm not book smart like you. But I
am good at one thing, though:
Killing.
Raphael is appalled.
MIKE
I'm a hired gun. Sometimes, I do
other things, but mostly, I'm an
assassin.
RAPHAEL
I can't believe you. How can you
kill people for a living? Who are
you to play judge, jury, and
executioner?
MIKE
Your god does it. What gives him
the right?
RAPHAEL
He doesn't do that. He -
Raphael stops himself, knowing no amount of logical
explanations will bring Mike around to his way of thinking.
RAPHAEL
How can you kill innocent people?
MIKE
I don't kill anyone that's
innocent. I only take down people
who deserve it. And it's not just
people. Those things we were
fighting tonight - they're demons.
That's mostly who I go after.
RAPHAEL
Are all demons evil?
MIKE
No, but the ones who I kill are.
RAPHAEL
Why did they break in?
Mike doesn't say anything. He looks like he's searching for
the words to explain himself, then:
MIKE
The other night, when I went to
that party, I stole something from
a very powerful man - a wizard.
RAPHAEL
A wizard? You mean like Harry
Potter?
MIKE
(unsure)
Uh... yeah, I guess so.
RAPHAEL
What'd you steal?
MIKE
Something that doesn't belong to
him. An ancient artifact. The
very first gosir.
FLASH: The blue and gold sphere.
MIKE
There are other dimensions that
exist besides the one we live in.
Most people don't have access to
them because they don't have the
power to get to them and the ones
who do - like the wizard and
Alleyleah -
Raphael's mouth drops when he hears Alleyleah's name.
MIKE
Will be drained trying to access
them. And when I say "Drained", I
mean they'll die. The gosir takes
care of all of that. The real
owner of the gosir - another
wizard - hired me to find it for
him.
RAPHAEL
But how did the people you stole it
from know where to find you?
MIKE
(shrugs)
Gosir must've had some sort of
tracker on it.
RAPHAEL
And you didn't think to search for
a tracker before you brought it
back here?
MIKE
And since when are you an expert at
this stuff?
RAPHAEL
Sorry.
Raphael sits, mouth shut for a few moments, taking all this
in.
RAPHAEL
I thought once I got some answers
out of you, I'd feel better and
everything would make sense, but
now...
(nervous chuckle)
It would've been so much easier if
you were just a drug dealer. And I
have so much more questions.
MIKE
They'll have to wait. Alleyleah
will be here soon to help me. I
have to get the gosir back, so I
can get paid.
RAPHAEL
And return the gosir to its
rightful owner.
MIKE
Uh... yeah. That, too.
RAPHAEL
What is Alleyleah?
MIKE
She's human.
RAPHAEL
No, I meant is she a witch? If
wizards are real, then witches must
be, too, right?
MIKE
She is a witch, but she prefers to
be called a magical practitioner.
RAPHAEL
You're going to kill them? The
wizard and the demons?
MIKE
I have to. They know where we
live.
Raphael nods, understanding the necessity of the situation.
RAPHAEL
I can help.
MIKE
No, yo' ass is staying here.
RAPHAEL
I helped you earlier tonight.
MIKE
Yeah, against five demons. I'm
talkin' about a whole fortress full
of 'em.
RAPHAEL
All the more reason to let me help
you. You can't do it alone.
Mike starts to put the coup de grace in Raphael's plan to
help, but stops when he realizes what he's saying makes
sense. He goes through the hole in the wall.
Raphael's confused as to what he's doing. He follows him in.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LAB - NIGHT
He sees Mike in the weapons room. He goes over to him, but
doesn't go in.
RAPHAEL
What are you doing?
Mike comes out and hands Raphael a sword. Raphael smiles.
RAPHAEL
I guess this means I can come.
MIKE
You guess right.
They go back into...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
And find Alleyleah just entering. She sees Raphael with the
sword.
ALLEYLEAH
(to Mike)
I guess you decided to tell him.
MIKE
It was that or kill him.
It's clearly a joke, but Raphael, still a little wound up
from the night's events doesn't see it that way.
RAPHAEL
What?
MIKE
Relax, it's a joke. No one's
paying me to kill you. Yet.
RAPHAEL
I don't think all of these killing
jokes are funny.
MIKE
That's cause it's you being made
fun of.
ALLEYLEAH
(annoyed)
Can we go now?
EXT. ALDERON'S FORTRESS - NIGHT
It looks like an old castle.
Mike, Raphael, and Alleyleah are a good distance from the
house, hiding behind some bushes. Mike has his x-ray goggles
on, his eyes scanning over the entire fortress.
Raphael looks at the googles in awe.
RAPHAEL
Those things are cool. Can I have
a pair?
Mike ignores him.
ALLEYLEAH
(impatient)
Well?
A beat, then:
MIKE
It's best if we enter through the
East wing. It's the least guarded.
(to Alleyleah)
We'll take on Alderon's guards
while you take Alderon.
ALLEYLEAH
Okay.
(beat)
I'm gonna be getting a bigger cut
of the money, right?
MIKE
(annoyed)
Yeah.
ALLEYLEAH
Okay.
MIKE
After you kill Alderon, bring out
the gosir. Let's move.
INT. ALDERON'S FORTRESS - EAST WING - NIGHT
A window at the end of the hall pops out and floats in mid
air.
Two purple demons come over to see what's going on. They
each get a bullet in the throat for their trouble. The
window sits down on the floor.
Mike and Raphael come floating in, then Alleyleah.
MIKE
(whispering)
Good work, Alleyleah.
She smiles. The trio start walking, with Mike and Raphael,
sword drawn, going in front of Alleyleah.
A few moments pass and several demons rush them. Alleyleah
uses her power of telekinesis to fling them back, then runs
past them, leaving Mike and Raphael to handle them.
Mike draws two guns and fires down on his enemies, managing
to kill two, but the other two manage to avoid the gunfire.
They charge at Raphael. He swings his sword at them, making
them jump back. Mike pumps them full of bullets.
Mike and Raphael move past the slain demons, but one isn't
completely dead. He grabs Mike's leg, tripping him. Before
Mike can act, Raphael cuts off the demon's head.
Mike looks at Raphael, proud, until he sees how repulsed
Raphael is by what he just did. Concerned, Mike asks:
MIKE
You okay?
RAPHAEL
(shakes head)
I'm fine.
MIKE
(gets up)
Let's go find Alleyleah.
INT. ALDERON'S FORTRESS - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mike and Raphael arrive in time to see Alleyleah and Alderon
having a magical duel.
ALDERON
Throws a lightning bolt at
ALLEYLEAH
She uses her telekinesis to deflect it. It goes flying
toward
RAPHAEL
He ducks to avoid it, yelling:
RAPHAEL
Holy shit!
The lightning bolt puts a hole in the wall behind Mike and
Raphael.
Raphael's yell distracts Alderon.
ALLEYLEAH
Takes advantage of the distraction, hurling a yellow ball at
ALDERON
It hits him in the chest, knocking him on his ass.
MIKE
Fires a bullet at
ALDERON
But he uses telekinesis to fling the bullet back at Mike.
MIKE
Ducks, the bullet passing over his head. Before
ALDERON
Can refocus his attention on
ALLEYLEAH
She moves her arm at a diagonal angle.
ALDERON
Grabs his throat. A little blood trickles down his neck.
RAPHAEL
Wow.
(to Alleyleah)
Remind me to never get on your bad
side.
MIKE
(to Raphael)
Start looking for the gosir.
They begin ransacking the place. Alleyleah rolls her eyes.
ALLEYLEAH
Hello, guys, after that kick ass
display of magic I just did, I
think I can come up with a spell to
find the gosir.
Mike and Raphael look at each other, embarrassed that neither
of them thought to have Alleyleah use a spell to find the
gosir.
ALLEYLEAH
Return to Mike the ancient power
that he lost in his darkest hour.
In a flash of white light, the gosir appears in Mike's hands.
MIKE
(smiling)
This is -
He stops.
MIKE
I hear foot steps. We need to get
out of here.
Alleyleah thrusts out her palm. The wall she's facing breaks
off from the rest of the room and drops to the ground,
revealing the evening sky.
Alleyleah channels her telekinesis through her hands, using
it to float Mike and Raphael out through the new open space.
They land a good distance away, looking like two little dots
from Alleyleah's point of view. Next, Alleyleah floats
herself out the window. She lands by Mike and Raphael.
Mike pulls out a pack of grenades.
MIKE
(to Alleyleah)
You ready?
She nods. Mike throws the grenade pack in the air.
Alleyleah uses her telekinesis to spread the grenades around
Alderon's fortress evenly...
Then to pull the pins...
5...4...3...2...1!
BOOM!
The fortress is blown to smithereens.
INT. MIKE'S LEXUS SUV - NIGHT
Mike's driving, eyes on the road. Alleyleah rides shotgun,
arms crossed. Her face is expressionless. Raphael sits in
the back, pensive. They ride in silence... then:
RAPHAEL
That was... intense. And kinda
scary.
MIKE
You wanted to come.
RAPHAEL
I'm not complaining, I'm just
saying. At least all we have to do
now is get the gosir to its
rightful owner.
ALLEYLEAH
Rightful owner?
MIKE
Let's save that adventure for
tomorrow. I think we've done
enough work for tonight.
Alleyleah looks from Mike to Raphael. She's figured out
something.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mike walks down the stairs, dressed in designer jeans and a
black sweater. Raphael meets him at the bottom of the
stairs, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
RAPHAEL
Good morning.
Mike shows he disagrees by giving Raphael a dirty look. He
heads for...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
He opens the fridge and pulls out a jug of OJ. Pours himself
a glass. Raphael comes in.
RAPHAEL
So you're going to return the gosir
today?
MIKE
Yep.
He drinks some of his juice.
RAPHAEL
Can I come?
MIKE
No.
RAPHAEL
Why?
Mike looks at him. He's not getting where Raphael's coming
from.
MIKE
Why do you wanna go? I know what
I'm doing may seem cool and shit,
but it's not. It's very dangerous.
You're better off going to school
and getting your degree, so you can
take care of yourself. And don't
take that as me thinking of you as
a burden. I'm more than happy to
look after you, I just wanna make
sure you turn out right.
RAPHAEL
I'm twenty-one, not fifteen. I'm
pretty sure I've turned out how I'm
gonna turn out.
Mike smiles at his naiveté.
RAPHAEL
And I don't wanna help you, because
I think what you're doing is cool.
I think what you're doing is
important. You're helping people.
I wanna be a part of that.
Mike shifts uncomfortably. He forces a touched smile.
MIKE
You're still not coming.
He heads back into...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Goes for the coat closet. Raphael comes up behind him.
As Mike puts his jacket on:
RAPHAEL
I still have a lot of questions.
MIKE
I'm sure you do, but that doesn't
mean I'm gonna answer them.
He heads for the front door.
MIKE
You know too much as it is.
He leaves. Raphael looks around, bored. Another day spent
watching TV doesn't appeal to him. He pulls out his cell,
dials.
RAPHAEL
(smiling)
Hey, Terrence. I've got some big
news.
INT. ALLEYLEAH'S PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Everything in the living room is classic white, even the
bookshelf behind the couch that Alleyleah sits on while she
reads her newspaper.
The front door opens. It's Mike. He smiles at Alleyleah.
She doesn't smile back.
ALLEYLEAH
Here to give me my cut?
He walks toward her.
MIKE
No. Better. You know how I'm
supposed to give the gosir to
Locke?
(she nods)
Well, I was thinking that since I
had to do like five times the work
I was supposed to do, I should get
five times the pay.
ALLEYLEAH
Ha! Good luck with getting that.
Locke is never gonna pay you extra
for something that was your fault
to begin with.
He joins Alleyleah on the couch.
MIKE
I figured that, which is why I'm
not gonna give him the gosir.
(off Alleyleah's shocked
look)
This is the very first gosir we're
talking about. I could probably
get millions for it if I did an
open auction or put it on the black
market. That makes the five
hundred-grand Locke was gonna give
me look like chump change.
ALLEYLEAH
What are you gonna tell Locke when
he asks about the gosir?
MIKE
Got the perfect story, thanks to
Alderon.
ALLEYLEAH
This is crazy. You're asking for
trouble.
MIKE
So what else is new? Can you wait
just a little longer for your cut?
She nods.
ALLEYLEAH
So how's your brother taking to all
this?
MIKE
(groans)
Oh. Don't even get me started on
him. He wants to work with me.
ALLEYLEAH
I didn't mean that.
He looks at her, genuinely confused.
MIKE
Well, what do you mean?
ALLEYLEAH
You know what I mean. That
"rightful owner" business from last
night is what I mean.
MIKE
So I told him a little white lie,
so he can sleep at night. Why do
you care?
ALLEYLEAH
Because I keep getting put in the
middle of your lies, that's why I
care.
MIKE
(sighs)
Look, my brother's not like us. He
wouldn't take to the shit I do.
ALLEYLEAH
He's gonna find out sooner or
later.
MIKE
So all of a sudden you're a psyhic?
She laughs sarcastically.
MIKE
Don't worry about my brother. I'll
handle him. Anything else?
ALLEYLEAH
Just make sure you get me money.
MIKE
Right. Anything else besides that?
She shakes her head.
MIKE
Okay, I'm gonna go get something
cooking.
He smiles at her, then heads for the door.
EXT. GARRISON'S CONSULTING FIRM - DAY
It's a huge skyscraper of a building. "Garrison's
Consulting" is written in a large gold font in the middle of
the building.
Mike's SUV pulls into the parking lot.
INT. THEO'S OFFICE - DAY
A cute, black man in his early forties sits in a leather
reclining chair behind a large marble desk. His charisma is
palpable as he labors over some book on his desk. His name
is THEO GARRISON.
The book that requires so much concentration from him is... a
sodoku book.
The intercom on his desk buzzes.
THEO
Yes?
ASSISTANT (O.S.)
Mr. Garrison, Michael Sykes is here
to see you.
Theo smiles when he hears Mike's name.
THEO
Send him in.
A few moments pass, then Mike saunters in. He and Theo smile
at each other. Mike pulls up a seat across from Theo, who
can't stop smiling at him.
THEO
Haven't seen you in a while.
MIKE
I know. Heavy workload keepin' me
busy.
THEO
What brings you here?
MIKE
Heavy workload that's keepin' me
busy.
Mike chuckles. Theo becomes crestfallen when he hears that's
the reason Mike's there.
MIKE
Can you set up an auction for
tonight?
THEO
That's pretty short notice. You
better have something that's worth
it.
MIKE
I do. I have the very first gosir.
Theo tries to contain his astonishment, but can't.
THEO
How do you have the very first
gosir? It's not exactly something
someone would give up without a
fight.
MIKE
It's a long story, but I do have
it.
THEO
How big of a cut are you offering
me?
MIKE
Twenty percent.
THEO
Thirty.
MIKE
No way.
THEO
Hey, I'm setting up an auction for
you on short notice and the first
gosir is gonna make huge money, so
I think thirty is fair.
MIKE
You're right. The first gosir is
gonna make a huge amount of money
and if you don't wanna take twenty
for helping me, someone else will.
They have a bit of a staring contest, then Theo caves,
smiling.
THEO
Okay. I had to try. Twenty
percent it is. I'll call you once
everything's set up.
MIKE
Great. Just one thing: Make sure
the bidding starts at half-a
million.
THEO
That won't be a problem. It is the
first gosir, afterall.
Mike nods, then leaves. Theo, watches him as he goes, with a
look of discontent on his face.
INT. LOCKE'S CHAMBERS - DAY
It looks like a bomb shelter from the forties that hasn't
been maintained, except for the ruby encrusted throne that is
its center piece.
A preternaturally, old man occupies the throne. His facial
features make him look like he may have been a victim of
inbreeding. This is LOCKE.
Mike approaches him, flanked by two of Locke's bodyguards,
who look like Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
Locke smiles at Mike, then sends his bodyguards away with a
wave of his hand.
LOCKE
Where is it?
MIKE
There was a complication: I tried
to get the gosir from Alderon, but
there were so many booby traps... I
accidently set one off. Alderon
and his troops came running, and
there was a huge fight, and the
only way I could get out was to
blow the place up. I didn't even
get a chance to touch the gosir,
let alone steal it.
Incensed, Locke stands and gets in Mike's face.
LOCKE
You didn't even get a chance to
touch it? You come highly
recommended - "one of the best" is
what I believe one of your
references called you - and you
didn't even get a chance to touch
it? And then you blow it up? You
are pathetic.
Mike comes back at Locke, just as angry.
MIKE
Let's see you try and take out a
fortress full of Izzo demons and a
extremely powerful wizard, then
talk.
LOCKE
I don't have to try. I know I can
do it.
MIKE
Then what you'd need me for, if
you're so powerful?
LOCKE
Because Alderon was well loved. If
I had taken him on, it would've
been me versus practically the
entire magical community.
(more to himself than
Mike)
Though I wouldn't have been
surprised if someone else had
killed him if they knew he had the
first gosir.
(to Mike)
What are you still doing here?
Don't tell me you're still
expecting to get paid?
MIKE
No. I just wasn't sure if we were
done here.
LOCKE
We are.
Mike leaves.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mike returns, ready for a quick nap before tonight's events,
but he stops when he sees Raphael sitting on the couch with
Terrence (They're both looking at him - Raphael's glad to
see him, whereas Terrence looks at him the way a fan would
look at a celebrity).
Terrence goes over to Mike, Raphael close behind him, and
kneels at Mike's feet.
TERRENCE
You are my hero.
Mike looks at him like he's crazy. He turns to Raphael.
MIKE
Who the hell is this and what is he
doing in my house?
Terrence steps back, surprised by Mike's brusqueness.
Mike looks at Raphael, pissed.
MIKE
I wanna see you outside, right now.
Mike heads toward the back of the room. Raphael, knowing
he's in trouble, follows behind him.
EXT. MIKE'S BACK YARD - DAY
Mike and Raphael come out onto the large deck. There's also
an Olympic-sized swimming pool here, equipped with pool toys.
Mike spins on Raphael, still fuming.
MIKE
You told him!
RAPHAEL
Well, you never said I couldn't
tell anyone.
MIKE
If I didn't even want you to know,
why would I want a complete
stranger to?
Raphael turns red with embarrassment. He mumbles a:
RAPHAEL
Sorry.
Mike puts his hands over his face. One...two...three... He's
a little calmer. He uncovers his face.
MIKE
Have you told anyone else?
All Raphael, still feeling bad, manages to do is shake his
head.
MIKE
Good. Don't and tell your little
friend not to tell anyone, either.
RAPHAEL
Okay.
(beat)
Will you come meet him?
MIKE
No. He's your friend, not mine.
I've had a long day. All I wanna
do is relax.
RAPHAEL
So you got the gosir back to its
rightful owner?
MIKE
Yeah.
RAPHAEL
How much do I get?
MIKE
None.
RAPHAEL
What do you mean "none", I helped!
MIKE
Yeah, and I'm paying your tuition
and room and board.
RAPHAEL
God, you're a hardass.
They go back into...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Raphael goes over by Terrence, who's sitting on the couch.
Mike starts to go upstairs, then stops. He goes over by
Raphael and Terrence. Terrence sits there, frozen, afraid to
look up at his idol.
MIKE
(to Terrence)
I'm... uh... sorry about before...
He trails off, not knowing his name.
TERRENCE
(smiling)
Terrence. It's okay, I get it.
You don't like it that your
secret's out. I just want you to
know you don't ever have to worry
about me telling anyone. They can
torture me for forever and your
secret will still be safe with me.
MIKE
Thanks.
Mike goes upstairs.
TERRENCE
(to Raphael)
He's so cool.
RAPHAEL
He's not that cool.
TERRENCE
Yes, he is. You're so lucky to
have a superhero for a brother.
RAPHAEL
He's not a superhero.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - MIKE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mike comes in, collapses on his bed. As soon as he does, his
cell rings. He lets it go for a few rings, hoping the caller
will eventually give up, but after the third ring, he pulls
his cell out of his pocket. He answers it with a bit of an
attitude.
MIKE
Yeah?
He perks up once he realizes it's:
MIKE
Theo?
(beat)
That's great.
(beat)
530 Prescott lane. Okay, I will be
there. Thanks.
He hangs up, then falls back on his bed and closes his eyes.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LAB - NIGHT
Mike has body armor on. He has a gun strapped to each of his
ankles and he has wrist launchers on as well.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mike enters, wearing a tux. He sees a post-it on the coffee
table. He grabs it. It reads "Me and Terrence went to the
movies. We took the black BMW (Don't worry, I'll take good
care of it). Be back around 11. Raphael."
Mike smiles. One less problem for tonight.
INT. AUCTION HOUSE - NIGHT
Another black tie event. Humans and various demons fill
several rows of chairs. Alleyleah, dressed in a black
evening gown, and Mike, and Theo, in tuxes, stand off to the
side, watching.
MIKE
(to Theo)
You weren't kidding when you said
you got a great turnout. We
shouldn't have any trouble clearing
a million.
The AUCTIONEER (A squid-like demon, also in a tux) stands at
a podium, addressing the audience.
AUCTIONEER
I hope everyone's dinner was
splendid. Let's get down to the
real reason why we're here: The
very first gosir. The creme de la
creme of priceless artifacts.
He gestures toward a glass box to his right that contains the
priceless relic.
AUCTIONEER
Of course, we really can't place a
price on something this special...
but if we could, we'd start at five
hundred-grand, do I have five
hundred-grand?
A human male in the front row raises his hand.
AUCTIONEER
We have five-hundred, do I hear six
hundred?
An OLD CRONE in the back, wearing wolf skins, raises her
hand.
AUCTIONEER
Six-hundred, what about seven
hundred?
A demon covered in spikes (SPIKE DEMON) stands.
SPIKE DEMON
One-million dollars.
AUCTIONEER
One-million, two-million, anyone?
The Old Crone raises her hand again.
AUCTIONEER
Two-million -
SPIKE DEMON
(standing)
Five-million!
OLD CRONE
(standing)
Ten-million!
Mike, Theo, and Alleyleah look at each other, giddy as:
AUCTIONEER (O.S.)
Going once... twice... sold to -
VROOM!
A silver light speeds through the air and hits the Old Crone
square in the chest. She hits the floor, dead. Everyone
turns to look in the back of the room (The direction the
silver light came from). They see:
LOCKE
Wait just a goddamn minute. You're
selling something that belongs to
me.
He also has two dozen of his bodyguards with him. The
Auctioneer, feeling bold, decides to play hero.
AUCTIONEER
You can't just come in here,
killing -
VROOM!
Another silver light flies out and hits the Auctioneer in the
forehead. He's gone.
LOCKE
Anymore objections?
Everyone remains silent in their seats, not sure what's going
on.
MIKE
Oh, shit.
(to Theo - whispering)
How could you invite him?
THEO
How could I not? You said you
wanted to sell the thing and he is
a major player.
Theo senses something's amiss. He casts a suspicious eye on
Mike.
THEO
Why shouldn't I have invited him?
LOCKE (O.S.)
Allow me to answer that.
Locke has made his way up to the podium. He stares daggers
at Mike.
LOCKE
You see, Michael here stole the
very first gosir from me.
Everyone gasps in awe. Locke smiles proudly.
LOCKE
Yes, that's right. I own the very
first gosir.
Theo looks at Mike, pissed.
LOCKE
I'll be taking my gosir now.
He reaches for the gosir and bullets come flying at him. He
jumps back.
He looks at Mike, who has two guns trained on him.
MIKE
You know damn well that that wasn't
yours to begin with. You had me -
VROOM!
A silver light flies at Mike and he dodges it, expertly.
Locke keeps throwing silver lights at him, and Mike continues
to dodge them while:
MIKE
You tried to get me to steal the
very first Gosir from Alderon and
when I refused, you killed him.
Who else would've had the power to
destroy him and his entire
compound? Afterwards, I stole the
Gosir from you.
The CROWD gasps again, this time in disgust.
CROWD
He killed Alderon! Get him!
The Crowd moves in on Locke. He throws silver lights at
them, killing some, but it's not enough to keep the crowd at
bay. Seeing this, Locke's guards jump in the melee.
Mike works his way through the crowd and grabs the gosir. He
runs it over to Theo.
MIKE
Hide.
Theo runs down a hall.
MIKE
(to Alleyleah)
You ready?
ALLEYLEAH
For what?
MIKE
We gotta take out Locke.
The Crowd can barely hold its own against Locke and his
bodyguards.
ALLEYLEAH
No way. I told you, you were
playing with fire and now you're
about to get burned.
Mike looks at her, taken aback by Alleyleah's refusal to
help. His look of surprise changes to one of anger. He runs
off to join the battle.
MIKE
Opens fire on Locke's bodyguards with his guns. He manages
to kill three before he runs out of bullets. Several more
demons rush him.
MIKE
Drops kicks one, punches another, and flips over the other
two. They turn just in time to receive a kick in the face
from Mike. They go down.
TWO DEMONS
Get killed by a couple of Locke's bodyguards. The Spike
Demon comes up behind them, stabbing them in the back.
MIKE
Flips through the air. He lands and clotheslines one of
Locke's bodyguards, throws another.
BAM !
MIKE
Takes down several more of Locke's goons with a series of
impressive kicks. He sees
LOCKE
Frantically searching the area for the gosir. He starts to
go down the same hall Theo went down.
MIKE
Somersaults over to him, his feet connecting to Locke's chest
before he lands.
LOCKE
Goes flying into the podium. He gets up, teeth bared, to see
Mike running toward him.
VROOM!
LOCKE
Sends several silver lights Mike's way.
MIKE
Manages to dodge all but one of them. It catches him in the
shoulder, knocking him on his ass. He's unconscious.
LOCKE
Goes over to Mike, standing over him, ominously. He raises
his hand to strike the final blow...
ALLEYLEAH
She sees Mike out cold and about to buy the farm. It puts
the fear of God in her...
MIKE
Pops up (He was just playing possum)and shoots one of the
knives in his wrist launcher into Locke's gut.
LOCKE
Looks at Mike, shocked that this mere mortal was capable of
taking him down, then his body goes flying.
MIKE
Looks ahead, seeing Alleyleah behind where Locke was
standing, her arm outstretched. He smiles at her.
MIKE
I thought you weren't gonna help.
ALLEYLEAH
(shrugs)
I wasn't, but then I thought if you
died, I wouldn't get paid.
She smiles at him.
Mike gets up. He has a large cut on his shoulder that's
still bleeding. He takes a look around, checking out how the
battle's going: The last of Locke's bodyguards are being
killed by the auction attendees.
MIKE
Theo, you can come out now.
Theo comes running down the hall, the glass box in his hands.
THEO
(to Mike)
Did you really steal the Gosir from
Locke?
MIKE
No.
Theo breathes a sigh of relief.
ALLEYLEAH
He stole it from Alderon, because
Locke hired him to, then decided to
keep it and sell it himself,
because he felt he had worked too
hard for it to let it go for five
hundred-grand.
Mike shoots her a look.
ALLEYLEAH
That's what you get for lying all
the time.
Theo just stares at Mike in disbelief.
THEO
How could you do that to me? I
trusted you -
The Spike Demon comes over.
SPIKE DEMON
I don't mean to interrupt, but
seeing as how the highest bidder is
dead -
He points at the Old Crone's trampled, limp body.
SPIKE DEMON
I thought as runner up, I could
fulfill her duties for her.
Looks of excitement pass between Mike, Alleyleah, and Theo as
they realize the night can still be salvaged.
THEO
(smiles)
Sold!
He goes to shakes hands with the Spike Demon, but withdraws
his hand once he realizes that the demon's hands are covered
in spikes as well.
SPIKE DEMON
Do you take personal checks?
Theo shoots him a look.
SPIKE DEMON
Didn't think so. I have the cash
with me, I'll be right back.
THEO
And we'll be waiting.
The Spike Demon walks away.
MIKE
Five-million dollar payday...
better than what we started out
with.
He smiles.
THEO
Money-wise... but you've lost me.
I'll finish this deal, but that's
it.
Mike is genuinely shocked by how upset Theo is.
MIKE
All this over a little white lie?
THEO
It's more than a little white lie.
All the dead bodies prove that.
Not to mention the fact that you
put my ass and my reputation on the
line. What if things hadn't worked
out for us? What if we had died
because of your little white lie?
Mike has no response for that, so uncomfortable silence
befalls them.
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mike enters to find Raphael sitting on the couch, channel
surfing.
Raphael turns toward his brother. He becomes alarmed when he
sees a bandage on his shoulder.
RAPHAEL
You went on a mission.
Mike starts to lie, but stops himself. He simply nods.
RAPHAEL
Are you okay?
(Mike nods)
Why didn't you tell me? I would've
went with you.
MIKE
Which is why I didn't tell you.
He takes a seat on the couch beside Raphael. Raphael
scrunches up his nose once he gets a whiff of Mike.
RAPHAEL
You stink.
MIKE
That's what happens when you fight
the forces of evil: You get all
sweaty and stinky.
RAPHAEL
How much longer are you gonna keep
shutting me out?
MIKE
I guess they don't teach you how to
segue at NYU
RAPHAEL
Mike...
Mike gets up, heading for...
INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Raphael follows him in.
RAPHAEL
Mike -
MIKE
I made five-million today. Have a
glass of wine with me to celebrate.
He opens the fridge.
RAPHAEL
I already told you I don't drink.
Answer my question.
Mike pulls out a bottle of white wine and a bottle of cola.
He sits them on the kitchen island.
MIKE
I'm not shutting you out of my
life, just my job. I don't wanna
hear anymore about it. Understood?
Raphael nods, even though he's still not satisfied with the
answer he got.
MIKE
How about I have a glass of wine
and you have a cup of Coke?
Raphael smiles at Mike. Mike smiles back.
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