INT. GUEST BEDROOM - EVENING

SOUND: a bed creaks a bit as a waking body stirs on it

SNAKE

(moans groggily)Where the hell am I? What the--?

SOUND: A gun cocks

OLIVIA

(stern yet calm} Don't move! Who the hell are you?

SNAKE
(cool, unaffected) Somehow I think I should be the one asking the questions.

OLIVIA

Answer me!

(Beat)

Now!

SNAKE

This is the first time you've pointed a gun at someone. Wouldn't be your first time firing it, though. It's not the same as shooting a target.

OLIVIA

I'll take my chances. Now, who the hell are you? Those tags you're wearing are bogus. Iroquois Pliskin doesn't exist with the Navy SEALs or any military database I checked...and I don't believe in ghosts.

SNAKE

I'm an old dog of war. Nothing less. Nothing more.

OLIVIA

Well, even dogs have names.

SNAKE

Snake.

OLIVIA

Now it's the same code name as the dead mercenary, huh? Cute.

SNAKE

I'm dead to the public? That doesn't surprise me.

OLIVIA

Are you trying to tell me that you're Solid Snake?

SNAKE

I've been called that.

OLIVIA

That's impossible! Everyone knows Snake died five years ago on the USS Discovery. Poor bastard couldn't even escape the thing after he sank it. And even if Snake was alive, he wouldn't be as old as you are.

SNAKE

So, are you going to shoot me, then?

OLIVIA

Don't think I won't.

SOUND: There's some commotion as snake suddenly moves to maneuver the gun away from Olivia

OLIVIA

Hey! What the--

SOUND: He disassembles it, and drops the pieces to the floor

Olivia

What did you just do?!

SNAKE

I saved me the bullet hole and you the therapy. Don't worry...it's not broken. Just disassembled.

OLIVIA

How did you...? Whoever you are, you're not just some ordinary soldier...

SNAKE

Now, it's time to get some of my questions answered. Where am I?

OLIVIA

You're in my home.

SNAKE

And how'd I get here?

OLIVIA

I brought you here. I found you in the woods area about three miles from here, out cold.

SNAKE

The woods?

OLIVIA

There was an explosion there about four hours ago and I just happened to be in the neighborhood. I don't suppose you had anything to do with that.

SNAKE

Not my fireworks but I was around when it happened. A little too close, perhaps. It must have knocked me out. It's the last thing I remember before waking up here.

OLIVIA

Well, you might have gotten yourself eaten had I left you there. There are bears in Canada, ya know.

SNAKE

Wait...you brought me back here by yourself? I must have guns that weigh more than you. And not to mention my other equipment...

OLIVIA

I manage.

SNAKE

Speaking of my equipment, where is it?

OLIVIA

It's right over there.

SNAKE

Well, as great as this has been, I need to get going.

SOUND: Snake walks across the room (floors are hardwood) and collects his equipment (Guns, holsters and other weapons and items)

SNAKE

(groans a bit in agony) Why is the room spinning?

OLIVIA

You don't look so good. I think you may have a slight concussion. Maybe you should sit back down before you--

SOUND: Olivia Quickly grabs Snake to steady him

OLIVIA

Fall. C'mon, I got you.

SOUND: Olivia walks him back to sit down on the bed

OLIVIA

You should take it easy.

SNAKE

I'm fine.

OLIVIA

Look, first thing tomorrow morning, you can do whatever you like but the wisest thing for you to do right now is stay here. You won't be good for anything like this.

SNAKE

I can't stay here. It might not be good for you if I do. If the wrong people find out you're helping me--

OLIVIA

It's safe here. There's no one for miles around and you'll only be here for a few hours.

SNAKE

(Grunts disapprovingly)

OLIVIA

This place barely shows up the map. It'll be like you were never here at all. Now, I need assurance that you're not going anywhere.

SNAKE

What?

OLIVIA

I'm going to need your equipment. I know it's the one thing you won't leave without.

SNAKE

(Grunts again)

SOUND: snake reluctantly gives her his equipment

OLIVIA

Thank you. It'll be a while before dinner's ready. There's some clothes in the drawers over there and a bathroom across the hall if you want to clean up.

SOUND: Olivia walks to the door

SNAKE

Why are you helping me?

SOUND: the footsteps stop

OLIVIa

(Beat)

Who knew the legendary mercenary asked so many questions.

SOUND: The door opens, Olivia walks out, and then it closes

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Music: 8mm - Give It up

Sound: Wine being poured into a wine glass.

SNAKE

Wine with a concussion?

OLIVIA

Slight concussion. I'm sure you'll live. Besides, I don't like to drink alone.

SOUND: Olivia walks to her side of the table, sits down in her chair which creeks a bit.

SNAKE

(Beat)

(a bit suspicious, interrogatively) So, do you always bring complete strangers into your house?

OLIVIA

(shocked, taken aback)Excuse me...?

SNAKE

You have to have a reason for doing this. I don't believe in people doing things out of the kindness of their heart without strings attached.

OLIVIA

Maybe you've been hanging out with the wrong people, then.

SNAKE

Picking up random, unconscious souls and bringing them into your home? So this is something you practice?

OLIVIA

I saw that you were hurt and I wanted to help you. Is that so strange?

SNAKE

You could have taken me to the hospital-

SOUND: Wine glass slams down on the table

OLIVIA

(angry and a bit loud but not yelling)Are you always this ungrateful?!

SNAKE

(beat)

(calmly, a bit apologetic)I just don't have a lot of reasons to trust people...

OLIVIA

(calmly) The truth is...I don't know why I brought you back here. It was impulse, perhaps. It didn't once cross my mind to take you to a hospital.

SNAKE

I hate hospitals anyway...

OLIVIA

(laughs a bit in amusement)You have one hell of a way of saying 'thank you'.

SNAKE

I've never been too great with words.

OLIVIA

Me either. Luckily in nursing, if you're good at it, you don't have to talk too much.

SNAKE

You're a nurse?

OLIVIA

I used to be. I haven't practiced in about five years since I moved here from Virginia, though.

SNAKE

You're a long way from home.

OLIVIA

I was born in Vancouver while my parents were on vacation there, actually. My mom and dad thought they had about two weeks before I'd come but I had other plans, apparently. I've always known I've had my accidental dual citizenship but I didn't even think about using it until five years ago when I decided I needed a change in scenery.

Snake

A change in scenery, huh? Got tired of living in civilization?

OLIVIA

(voice drops a bit) No, not exactly...

SNAKE

Well, You must have planned on never seeing another person again.

OLIVIA

(chuckles)It wasn't originally part of the plan but I do enjoy the seclusion this place gives me. No city noise or close neighbors. Becoming a recluse is the only way to go.

SNAKE

I lived holed up in Alaska for a few years. Seclusion can really take its toll on you.

OLIVIA

I use my time constructively if that's what you're worried about. I don't let being alone in this house get to me.

SNAKE

Alone? What about your husband...

(silence)

SOUND: A chair slides out from under the table

SNAKE

Olivia?

SOUND: Olivia calmly walks away and a door closes in the distance.

SNAKE

(grunts in slight frustration at himself for upsetting her) Damnit.

EXT. FRONT PORCH - NIGHT

SOUND: crickets and other night sounds. door closes and a few footsteps approach

OLIVIA

It's beautiful out here, isn't it? Sometimes I can hardly believe I get to call this my front yard.

SNAKE

Olivia, I--

OLIVIA

It's alright, Snake. How were you supposed to know I was a widow?

SNAKE

I saw the pictures of him in the living room. He was Marine.

OLIVIA

Yep. Lived and died as one.

SNAKE

Was he on the USS Discovery?

OLIVIA

No. He died a year before that.

(beat)

You know, I don't think I ever recovered from Evan's death. We had only been married for three years. It wasn't nearly enough time. We had barely even had our first argument.

SNAKE

It must be hard for you...

OLIVIA

It's been six years. It shouldn't be this hard anymore. I didn't even grieve for this long when my parents died.

SNAKE

There's no time limit on how much or how long you're allowed to miss someone once they're gone.

OLIVIA

You're not a stranger to loss, are you?

SNAKE

We've had a few run-ins.

OLIVIA

It's so strange to go back and remember the last thing you said to someone or the last thing they said to you. It doesn't ever feel like it was good enough to be last words. You always feel like you should have said something more dynamic than "Don't forget the ketchup" or "We can talk about it when I see you again." But, I guess half the purpose of missing someone is wishing you had said all the things you didn't.

(Beat)

(curious) What are you doing?

SNAKE

Looking for something...

OLIVIA

Hmm...I know that pat. That's a smoker's pat. Here.

SNAKE

Not my brand.

OLIVIA

Beggars can't be choosers.

SNAKE

You don't smoke.

OLIVIA

Not anymore. I smoked my last cigarette eight months ago. Life's too short to spend it looking for a light.

SNAKE

Good luck pack?

OLIVIA

No. I found these while I was cleaning up a little earlier. Didn't have the heart to throw them away for some reason. How'd you know I didn't smoke, though?

SNAKE

Your finger tips aren't stained from the nicotine. Classic sign of a smoker.

OLIVIA

You really are something, Snake. God help the woman brave enough to cheat on you.

SOUND: A lighter flickers a few times before finally lighting the cigarette. Snake takes a long drag

Olivia

Snake...have you ever loved someone?

SNAKE

No. (pause) Well, there was someone but...that was a long time ago.

OLIVIA

I can only hope that you didn't do something foolish like I did and give them the most important parts of yourself to take with them when they left.

SNAKE

No, nothing like that.

OLIVIA

Good.

SOUND: The mechanical hum of a security camera moving

SNAKE

In the grass over there. Is that...a security camera?

OLIVIA

Sure is. State of the art. They're all over the property. I can see everything that happens from the comfort of my computer chair.

SNAKE

Doesn't seem like you'd have much use for them out here.

OLIVIA

I don't. No one ever comes around here but, I can identify any raccoon and squirrel in this area if I ever need to.

Snake

Well, you can never be too cautious, I suppose...

OLIVIA

That...and, I was bored.

SNAKE

Bored?

OLIVIA

Yeah. I rigged them myself. I had to do something with my hands after I stopped smoking...and I've never been a knitting kind of girl.

SNAKE

Somehow, you didn't strike me as one.

SOUND: Wind begins to blow, picks up

OLIVIA

The temperature is dropping out here. Say, Snake...you wouldn't happen to know how to light a fire, would you?

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

SOUND: Fire crackling

OLIVIA

I can't believe I'm finally using my fireplace!

SNAKE

This is your first time using it?

OLIVIA

Yep. I'm afraid I'm not very domesticated.

SNAKE

What's that mean?

OLIVIA

Let's just say I can fix a washing machine better than I can use one.

(Beat)

You know, if you actually said half of what you thought about you probably wouldn't have time to ask all those questions.

SNAKE

What's that supposed to...(pauses) Not a whole lot of people have ever been interested in what I have to say.

OLIVIA

I am.

SNAKE

Well, it's not like I've lived a life I'm anxious to talk about either.

OLIVIA

Surely it hasn't been all bad. You did say earlier that there was someone you loved.

SNAKE

It was years ago...

OLIVIA

What was her name?

SNAKE

It's not important.

OLIVIA

Do you regret loving her?

SNAKE

I don't regret it. I just wish it could have been...different.

OLIVIA

Do you still love her?

(BEAT - Snake doesn't answer)

I'm sorry. That was incredibly intrusive. Even for me.

SNAKE

So, you're always this way?

OLIVIA

I'm afraid it's the only way I come. I found out in high school that there's not a whole lot of people want to be friends with someone they think will psychoanalyze them.

SNAKE

Sometimes you're better off without the problems having people in your life can create.

OLIVIA

Not a whole lot of friends on your end either, huh?

SNAKE

Not really.

OLIVIA

What about family?

SNAKE

There was a man that once called himself my father but...I've never considered him that.

OLIVIA

Big Boss...

SNAKE

You read Nastasha's book?

OLIVIA

No, but back in Virginia, I did get to audit the class they teach at university about the events of Shadow Moses. It was only for a few days, though. So...is that the plan? Be alone for the rest of your life?

SNAKE

Well, it was the plan.

OLIVIA

What happened?

SNAKE

I realized I couldn't get rid of Otacon.

OLIVIA

Otacon...? Wait...you mean Dr. Hal Emmerich, the engineer from the Shadow Moses incident.

SNAKE

Yeah. He's also the person I need to get in contact with soon. I think the Codec is busted from the explosion, though, and the batteries from my nanos has to be out by now.

OLIVIA

Codec?

SNAKE

Yeah. It's kind of like an advanced...walkie talkie.

OLIVIA

Does that mean it uses frequencies like one?

SNAKE

Yeah.

OLIVIA

If that's the case, I may be able to patch your Codec through my computer and recharge your nanomachines as well.

SNAKE

You can do that?

OLIVIA

I'm sure of it. I promise it's not as complicated as it sounds. It's just a matter of finding the common frequencies between my computer and your Codec.

SNAKE

(sarcastic) Sounds like a breeze.

OLIVIA

Don't worry, Snake. All you have to do is sit there and look handsome. I'll handle the rest.

INT. COMPUTER ROOM - NIGHT

SOUND: Fast and busy typing on a key board

OLIVIA

Almost got it...

SOUND: Typing slows and soon, the last button is hit with emphasis signifying the completion of her task

OLIVIA

That should do it! All you have to do now is punch in Otacon's frequency

SOUND: Snake punches in Six keys (141.12)

Female Computer voice 1

Establishing transmission. Please wait.

SNAKE

How'd you learn so much about computers?

OLIVIA

What else better is there to do out here than play around with electronics and learn to get into things I'm not supposed to?

SNAKE

You're a hacker as well?

OLIVIA

I'm not a very good one. But, I don't like the word 'hacker'. I like to think of myself as a 'digital security bypasser'.

FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE 1

Transmission established.

SOUND: flickering Static/white noise and then a chime of some kind

Otacon

(from computer)

Snake...is that you?

SNAKE

Yeah, it's me.

OTACON

Snake! Where in the hell have you been? I feared the worst had happened. Your Codec stopped functioning after that explosion.

SNAKE

Wouldn't have done you much good, anyway. I was out cold.

OTACON

I wouldn't have worried so much if you hadn't gone off my radar as well. The explosion must have kicked your nanos offline. You look like hell. Are you alright?

SNAKE

I'm fine. A little beat up but I'll live. I might have been a lot worse off had it not been for Olivia.

OTACON

Olivia?

OLIVIA

(to Otacon)

That's me.

OTACON

Oh! (laughs a little shyly/nervously) Sorry about that. I'm Otacon. It's nice to meet you, Olivia.

SNAKE

(To Otacon)

She's also the one responsible for doing...whatever she did to the Codec.

OLIVIA

(To Otacon)

What he means is finding the same frequency on the computer that the Codec uses from and patching it through.

OTACON

Letting the computer act as a monitor, transmitter and receiver. That's pretty impressive.

(To Snake)

Okay, we've got a whole new mess on our hands, Snake, and that explosion was just the beginning of it. I'll give you all the details in person.

SOUND: Fast typing

OTACON

Hmmm...looks like your nanos are charged and back online. I can be where you are in about an hour and a half. Is there a place to land the Kasatka?

SNAKE

Somehow, I don't think you're going to have too much trouble finding one. I can leave first thing tomorrow morning.

OTACON

What? Why tomorrow morning?

SNAKE

(pause) Nurse's orders.

OTACON

(Sighs)

(low, under his breath) You and your libido.

SNAKE

What?

OTACON

Uh, nothing...

SNAKE

Otacon, it isn't like that. She-

OTACON

Hey, you don't have to explain it to me. I get it.

OLIVIA

(snickers a bit in the background)

SNAKE

(Makes a noise of frustration/slight annoyance)

OTACON

Actually, that'll give me time to finish up what I'm doing here. Okay, first thing tomorrow morning. No later than that, Snake.

SNAKE

Got it.

SOUND: Static/white noise

FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE 1

End of transmission.

OLIVIA

(To Snake)

Nurse's orders, huh? Well, my next order is that you try and use this time to get a few hours of rest. It sounds like you're not going to have the opportunity once you get back.

SNAKE

You're probably right. Just...promise me something.

OLIVIA

Sure.

SNAKE

No surprises when I wake up this time.

OLIVIA

Alright, Snake. No surprises. I promise.

SOUND: Footsteps start across the hardwood and then suddenly stop.

SNAKE

(as if he's holding his head)Ugh...

OLIVIA

Snake? Are you alright?

SNAKE

Yeah...it's nothing. Just a little dizzy.

SOUND: Three more slow, steps and then a thud Of snake collapsing.

OLIVIA

Snake! Oh, God, Snake...please get up! (Improvise a few more moments of Olivia panicking and trying to get Snake to come to.)

(Fade out)

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAWN

(Fade in)

Garbage - "Medication"

SNAKE

(he awakens suddenly, startled by something from his sleep, breathing heavily)

Sound: the beep of a stereo cutting off, Music stops

OLIVIA

Hey, It's okay. It's just me.

SNAKE

It wasn't you that startled me.

OLIVIA

What did then? Did you have a nightmare?

SNAKE

(ignoring the question) What happened to me?

OLIVIA

You blacked out.

SNAKE

How long was I out for?

OLIVIA

Long enough for me to start to worry. Are you okay?

SNAKE

(to himself more than Olivia)I guess it's finally catching up with me...

OLIVIA

What is?

SNAKE

(beat)

Fate.

SOUND: faint sound of a helicopter approaching

OLIVIA

It sounds like a helicopter...

SNAKE

That's gotta be Otacon.

SOUND: Olivia and Snake walk outside and watch the helicopter land.

Snake

Here. (Hands her back her gun)

OLIVIA

My gun...you fixed it!

SNAKE

Like I said, it was never broken. (pause) Olivia...there's still something about you I don't get.

OLIVIA

And what's that?

SNAKE

Why didn't you shoot me when you had the chance? You weren't bluffing. The gun was loaded.

OLIVIA

You know, sometimes a simple 'thank you' will suffice.

SNAKE

Trust me, I'm grateful...but why didn't you? It's not like I gave you a real reason not to.

OLIVIA

I quickly realized you weren't the person the Internet and media had made you out to be. While I was holding that gun to you, you could have taken me out 100 different ways...even without your weapons. But you didn't. To me, that's certainly not the actions of a cold hearted, environmental terrorist.

SNAKE

Call me if you need anything. My frequency is--

OLIVIA

141.80. I copied your and Otacon's frequencies when your Codec was being fed through the computer. I'll be in touch.

SNAKE

Take care of yourself, Olivia.

SOUND: Snake leaves to go to the chopper and soon, it lifts off into the air and travels out of earshot

OLIVIA

You too, Snake.

INT. SECLUDED LOCATION

Sound: Codec rings 3 times. Snake answers it.

SNAKE

(sleepily) Otacon?

OTACON

When's the last time you talked to Olivia, Snake?

SNAKE

I don't know...a couple of days ago. Are you still in Los Angeles with Mei Ling?

OTACON

Yes...and I'm sorry to be calling you so late but...this was too important to tell you when I got back.

SNAKE

What's going on?

OTACON

I got an email early this morning from an unknown sender. There was a video attached...

SNAKE

Did something happen to Olivia?

(silence)

Send it to me.

OTACON

Snake, I don't--

SNAKE

(sternly) Now, Otacon!

SOUND: CODEC TRANSMISSION ENDS. A FEW SECONDS LATER, A CHIME SOUNDS.

Male Computer Voice 1

You have one new message.

SOUND: Snake punches a few keys on the key board. A window opens and there's a few seconds of static.

VIDEO

(Note: Olivia is bound to a chair by her hands. she's frightened but is hiding it well.)

SOUND: Ocelot's boot spurs slowly come into earshot. There's a fire from Olivia's fireplace crackling in the background.

Ocelot

I hope you're comfortable, sweetheart...but, if you tell me what I want to know, this doesn't have to take very long at all.

Olivia

Who the hell are you?!

Ocelot

Let's just say I'm a friend of a friend.

OLIVIA

I very seriously doubt we have any friends in common.

OCELOT

I beg to differ...and you seem to know where our mutual friend is.

OLIVIA

I don't know what you're talking about.

OCELOT

Where is he, Olivia? Where is Solid Snake!?

OLIVIA

I already told you, I don't know.

OCELOT

Olivia, do you know what some of the most dangerous household items are? Fireplace equipment. That heavy, iron poker you have could impale someone if used the wrong way...and that shovel, well, if left over an open fire too long, could probably brand someone's face like they were farm cattle. But maybe we shouldn't take my word for it.

OLIVIA

(attempts to stiff back a cry of pain until she hears her skin slightly start to sizzle from the heat of the shovel. She finally lets it out.)

SOUND: OLIVIA'S SHRIEKING COMES TO AN END WITH A HARD THUD FROM a hit TO THE SIDE OF HER HEAD TO TAKE ITS PLACE.

OCELOT

Surely Snake can't be worth all of this.

OLIVIA

(moans as she's coming back into consciousness)You wouldn't know what's like to be worth anything!

OCELOT

You lived a pretty normal life before all of this, Ms. Steele. What I'm trying to figure out is why you'd risk it all for someone like Solid Snake.

(Silence)

I'm going to find Snake either way, with or without your active cooperation. And when I do, I'm going to send a bullet from my revolver straight through him with your name on it.

OLIVIA

(seethingly, loud) Go to hell!!

SOUND: A revolver Departs from it's holster, is loaded, and fired.

OLIVIA

(cries out in intense pain) My leg!

OCELOT

You're a lot bolder than you look, Ms. Steele. I will give you that.

OLIVIA

(through clenched teeth) You...BASTARD!

OCELOT

You're not protecting him by not talking, you know.

OLIVIA

I'll take every bullet in that gun before I tell you anything.

OCELOT

That's more easily arrangeable than you might think.

OLIVIA

If you're going to kill me, could you at least untie me. I don't want to die like some POW.

OCELOt

That's a pretty tall order. I don't think I can do that.

OLIVIA

I saw the goons you brought with you and I know they're all surrounding the premises. I have no false realities about being a one woman army.

OCELOT

Hmm...(pause) fair enough, Ms. Steele.

SOUND: Olivia takes out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket and pats on the pack to take one out.

OCELOT

Smoking isn't good for you.

OLIVIA

Well, I imagine it's not much worst than being shot.

OCELOT

You think you're clever, don't you?

OLIVIA

I do what I can.

OCELOT

I don't like clever.

SOUND: His revolver cocks.

OCELOT

I'm tired of this game, Olivia, and I'm tired of wasting bullets on useless parts of your body. Being this close to your head, I'll make sure the next one counts for something. So, if you have anything to say to me, I suggest you say it now.

OLIVIA

You got a light?

SOUND: A split second of the gun going off is caught before the video becomes static again.

MALE COMPUTER VOICE 1

Would you like to replay this video?

SOUND: Snake punches a metal object

SNAKE

Damnit!

SOUND: His codec begins to ring. he silences it.

SNAKE

I'm sorry, Olivia...

SOUND: His codec rings. This time he lets it.

END