Chuck
"Chuck Versus the Reboot"
By Estee
NOTE: This episode ends with Chapter 6. Any future episodes will be posted as new stories. If you got a note about new chapters it is because I actually did some rewrites in the TEASER and ACT I of this episode. The main addition is the scene below so if you're interested in checking out the rewrite, just keep reading. Sorry for any confusion this may cause you with your updates subscriptions, but I felt that I wanted to have the best version out there for you. Keep checking those subscriptions, though, because Chuck Versus the PDA is coming soon :)
TEASER
INT. PITCH BLACK ROOM
Heavy breathing fills the dark space then quick TIGHT SHOTS
of sweaty flesh, his and hers, cut into the blackness.
CLOSE ON: CHUCK's face, dripping with perspiration.
CHUCK
Do we have to do this in the dark?
CLOSER ON: SARAH's lips. She licks them.
SARAH
Yes. Focus.
She inhales then lunges forward with a sharp exhale. The
sound of skin hitting skin is followed immediately by a
grunt from Chuck then a thud as a body falls.
CHUCK
(winded, coughing)
I didn't know you played so rough.
SARAH
This isn't a game. Get me off.
CLOSE ON: Sarah's hands as they pin Chuck's wrists to the
ground. He twists his arms, but her grip is secure.
CHUCK
I can't do this. Not to you.
SARAH
Focus.
CHUCK
Okay. Okay. Ah! Okay.
Body parts fly; grunts and moans ring through the darkness.
Another clunk. A thud. Then silence.
CHUCK (CONT'D)
Oh, no. Sarah?
SARAH
(gurgled)
Lights.
The lights flick on to reveal a low-key combat studio.
Punching bags and sparring tools litter the background. In
the middle is a sparring area where Chuck has Sarah on the
floor, locked in a front knee strangle. He releases her.
CHUCK
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Chuck hops up to offer her a hand. Sarah takes the
opportunity to roundhouse him back into a horizontal
position. She stands over him with a smirk.
SARAH
Today's lesson?
CHUCK
Focus?
Sarah grins and nods. Chuck winces, but smiles up at her.
SARAH
Now, get up. We're already late.
EXT. WOODCOMB HOME - SUBURBS - DAY
A cozy cul-de-sac is home to cute little ranch-style homes.
CLOSER ON: A moving van parked in the driveway of a
three-bedroom with attached garage and perfectly manicured
lawn.
CHUCK and DEVON carry a couch from the van to the house.
INT. WOODCOMB HOME - SUBURBS - DAY
SARAH and ELLIE sit together on the hearth of a fireplace.
Unopened boxes and miscellaneous furniture are piled around
them, but they are focused on a photo album.
SARAH
You guys took Karate?
CLOSE ON: A photo in the album of a young Ellie and Chuck,
both dressed in karate uniforms. They both look happy.
BACK TO SCENE
ELLIE
I got all the way to green belt,
but Chuck asked for the cost of the
class in quarters.
Devon and Chuck come through a propped open front door.
Devon walks backward and with ease. Chuck huffs and puffs.
ELLIE (cont'd)
To this day, Street Fighter is as
close to martial arts as Chuck
Bartowski's ever ventured.
Chuck eavesdrops as he and Devon set down the couch. Chuck
wipes his brow then plops down on the couch.
SARAH
Probably a good thing.
Ellie laughs. Chuck meets eyes with Sarah to share an
amused, private smile.
DEVON
Well, guys, Ellie and I really
appreciate your help today.
Devon walks to Ellie, placing a hand on her shoulder. She
smiles up at him. Sarah gets up and walks over to Chuck,
taking a seat next to him on the couch.
SARAH
We were glad help.
CHUCK
I still can't believe Dad got you
guys a house.
ELLIE
I still can't believe he's gone.
Devon squeezes her shoulder.
DEVON
He'll be back, babe. He left a
phone number and forwarding address
this time. Nothing to worry about.
Ellie puts on a smile.
ELLIE
Oh! Chuck. I want to talk to you
about the apartment.
She hops up and grabs his hand, pulling him out of the room.
Devon and Sarah look at one another awkwardly.
DEVON
(hushed)
So, I've been meaning to ask. You
and Chuck are just under cover
or... really under the covers?
Sarah looks up at him and takes a deep breath.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Boxes lay around the floor and on the counters.
CHUCK
You're not going to offer me money
for the rent, are you?
ELLIE
No. Why? Do you need--
CHUCK
(amused)
Sis. What is it?
Ellie grins.
ELLIE
I think, now that you have the
apartment to yourself, you should
ask Sarah to move in with you.
CHUCK
Oh. Oh...
He smiles and is momentarily lost in a happy thought.
ELLIE
Look at you, you're so in love.
She goes over to him and grabs his shoulders.
ELLIE (cont'd)
And maybe if living together works
out, you two can be as happy as
Devon and I are, and then--
CHUCK
Ellie, don't you have a honeymoon
to unpack then re-pack for?
This sobers her. She takes a deep breath then smiles.
ELLIE
Think about the Sarah thing?
He nods. She grins then hugs him.
DISSOLVE TO
INT. CASEY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
In front of the TV, CASEY and Sarah sit on opposite ends of
the couch with Chuck in the middle.
CHUCK
I didn't know you guys were into
Must-See TV.
On the screen, GENERAL BECKMAN pops up. Casey and Sarah
stand up. Chuck gets the hint and struggles to his feet.
BECKMAN
Mr. Bartowski, welcome back. I hope
the week off was... rejuvenating.
CHUCK
Oh, well, yeah. I mostly spent it
helping Ellie and Awesome move so--
BECKMAN
Don't get too comfortable in your
new bachelor pad.
Chuck glances at Sarah who shrugs.
BECKMAN (cont'd)
Under the cover of "taking the next
step in your relationship," Agent
Walker will be moving into your
apartment to closely monitor your
new abilities so that we can fully
understand the capabilities and
boundaries of the new Intersect.
Casey raises his eye brows and smirks. Sarah's jaw drops a
little, but she recovers. Chuck peeks over at her.
BECKMAN
Agent Walker will also quit her
current cover job at Orange,
Orange. The Castle is no more.
Casey grumbles. Chuck looks a little sad.
BECKMAN
Colonel Casey, spy organizations,
legitimate and illegitimate, from
every country in the world would
kill for an agent like Mr.
Bartowski.
CHUCK
(mumbled)
Literally.
Casey elbows Chuck, hard.
BECKMAN
Be diligent.
CASEY
Yes, Ma'am.
The general nods and signs off. Chuck tilts his head.
CHUCK
Hey, did she call me "an agent?"
CASEY
No.
SARAH
Don't get ahead of yourself, Chuck.
I think she was just speaking in
general terms.
CHUCK
No pun intended. Hah-haa...
Chuck looks back and forth between them, but neither laugh.
Sarah heads for the door.
CHUCK (cont'd)
But, seriously, guys. I could be an
agent now, don'tcha think?
Casey laughs loudly and abruptly leaves the room. Chuck
turns to Sarah.
CHUCK (cont'd)
I know everything about everyone. I
know Kung-Fu. Kind of. I mean, who
knows what else I know, right?
SARAH
Which is why I'm moving in, Chuck.
To find out what else you know...
and can do. Now, if you'll excuse
me, I have to go pack.
They look at each other a moment. Chuck smiles.
CHUCK
You know, the General sorta stole
my thunder. I was already going to
ask you to move in.
Sarah looks down and smiles.
CHUCK (cont'd)
'Cause, seriously, who wouldn't
want to live with Super-Agent
Charles Carmichael?
SARAH
Super-Agent?
Sarah rolls her eyes.
SARAH (cont'd)
See you tomorrow, Chuck.
He grins and watches her leave the apartment.
DISSOLVE TO
INT. CHUCK'S BEDROOM - DAY
Chuck lies in bed asleep.
MORGAN (O.S.)
Hey? Chuck? You up, buddy?
Chuck rouses and rubs his eyes as Morgan makes his way into
the room through the Morgan Door.
CHUCK
Morgan? Shouldn't you be on a plane
to Hawaii by now? Living the
Hibachi Chef dream?
MORGAN
A bachelor pad with my best friend
obviously supersedes any
aforementioned dreams. This is
going to be amazing!
CHUCK
Okay, slow down, buddy. I...
Chuck sighs and steps up to Morgan.
CHUCK (cont'd)
I asked Sarah to move in with me.
Morgan inhales then exhales. He smiles.
MORGAN
I figured as much.
CHUCK
Then, why--
MORGAN
Dude, still five hours till
departure. Thought I'd stop by for
one last round of Call of Duty. You
know, for old time's sake.
Morgan heads down the hallway to Chuck's room.
INT. CHUCK'S BEDROOM - DAY
Chuck and Morgan enter. Chuck's look is puzzled.
CHUCK
So... what's Call of Duty?
MORGAN
What's... right, funny.
Morgan chuckles as he pulls the game out of Chuck's
collection and hands it to him. Chuck raises his eyebrows
and flips the game over to read the back cover. He shrugs.
CHUCK
Hm. Okay. Let's play.
Morgan turns the system on. Both guys sit down on the edge
of Chuck's bed. Morgan gets the game going as they chat.
CHUCK (cont'd)
So where's Anna?
Morgan sighs.
MORGAN
Love is a Battlefield, buddy.
Explosions from the game echo the point.
CHUCK
So, you had a fight?
MORGAN
Nah. I just heard that song on the
way over. Anna's actually going to
stay in town for a little while,
save some cash then fly out to meet
me. She may seem wild, but she's a
surprisingly practical woman.
Chuck smiles at Morgan. Morgan starts a game. Chuck fumbles
with the controller for a minute.
CHUCK
Which button for grenades?
MORGAN
(confused)
Right bumper. Same as always.
Chuck hits the right bumper and throws a grenade.
CHUCK
Cool. And... to reload?
Morgan tilts his head then stops playing the game. He puts
the controller down on Chuck's bed then stands up.
MORGAN
Alright, man, I get it.
Chuck doesn't.
MORGAN (cont'd)
It's time for me to defamiliarize
myself with the the childish things
that have been holding me back.
(he stands)
It's time... to move on.
Chuck sets his controller down and stands up, but has no
freaking clue what Morgan is talking about.
MORGAN (cont'd)
I'm going to miss you so much!
CHUCK
Ditto, buddy. Right back at you.
Morgan throws his arms around Chuck and squeezes tight.
Chuck hugs him back. After a second, Morgan steps back.
MORGAN
See ya, Chuck.
Morgan lingers a second, tears in his eyes, then he climbs
out of Chuck's window. Sadness shows on Chuck's face, but
then he gets distracted.
He pulls out a memory card from his game equipment and plugs
it into the front of the Xbox 360. He hits a few buttons and
arrows down until he finds a save file for Call of Duty.
CHUCK
Whoa. What is going on?
Chuck grabs his game collection and goes through them up to
his face one at a time, carefully analyzing each cover.
CHUCK (cont'd)
Yes... yes... yes...
He holds the Call of Duty box. He closes his eyes and then
opens them, looking at the box with deep concentration.
CHUCK (cont'd)
No! How do I not know this game?
Chuck hops on his computer and pulls up the browser. He
opens up his favorites and goes into a "Videogames"
subfolder where there are further subfolders for games like
Halo, Fable, Gears of War and... Call of Duty.
Chuck looks from his computer screen to the game in his hand
to the television where the game still runs.
CHUCK (cont'd)
What the... ?
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER