24: End of an Era?
Episode 1.02: "Day 1: 7:00am – 8:00am"
By
Chris Wright
Based on the television series 24
24: End of an Era – Day 1: 7:00am - 8:00am
JACK (V/O)
"Previously on 24…"
For the previous episode, go to http/24endofanera. OUT.
Day 1: 7:00am – 8:00am
JACK BAUER (V/O)
"The following takes place between 7:00am and 8:00am…"
FADE TO.
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES BRANCH – 7:01am
In the space of a minute since Chloe's find, CTU has gone from being quietly busy to all out organized chaos. Tony is on the phone to secret service, telling them to step up patrols around the President's apartment, Ryan is on to division getting them up to speed on what they have. Chloe and Edgar are still typing frantically, trying to find out the origin of the supposed attack, while Jack paces back and forth behind them, nervously.
JACK
"What have we got Chloe, where's the attack?"
CHLOE
"I'm going as fast as I can, Jack. It was only by chance I found out it was actually happening."
JACK
"Just hurry, concentrate on the high probability targets we've already identified."
EDGAR
"We've been analyzing them since midnight, Jack. If there had been an attack then we'd have known about it. Maybe we should concentrate on other less probably targets first."
JACK (angrily)
"Don't tell me how to do my job Edgar, it's protocol to follow up on the highest probability targets first, and you know that!"
EDGAR
"Ok, fine. You don't need to be so hostile about it. We have feelings you know."
Chloe fires an exasperated glance at Edgar, and then gets back to work. Tony has been watching this exchange with interest.
TONY
"So there's nothing for you to report?"
"You're sure of that?"
"OK, keep me informed of any developments"
He puts down the phone and walks over to Jack. Touching his arm on the way past and walking over out of earshot of Ryan.
TONY (barely above a whisper)
"Is there a problem here, Jack?"
JACK (exasperated)
"What?"
TONY
"Well I just watched you stop short of firing Edgar for raising a valid point."
Jack looks at the floor, trying to avoid Tony's eyes.
TONY
"What's happening, Jack? You've been like this since you got here this morning."
Jack pauses, thinking what to say. Tony continues staring at Jack, but his gaze is broken by the arrival into CTU of Michelle Dessler-Almeida. Jack looks up and follows Tony's stare. He sees Michelle checking in with security, passing through and then seeing Tony, a smile spreading across her face.
JACK
"Go to her Tony. I'll be fine."
Tony looks at Jack, a little defeated at Jack's escape.
TONY
"OK, Jack. But this isn't going to go away. You know you can talk to me."
JACK
"I know Tony, thank you."
Tony walks away to greet Michelle, shaking her hand, lingering a little. Tony always finds it hard to keep their business and personal, indeed marital lives separate.
TONY
"Good to have you back in, Michelle. How was New York?"
MICHELLE
"They're doing fine. A little behind on some of our protocols but in a few weeks their branch should be fully operational."
She glances over at Jack.
MICHELLE (CONT.)
"What was that about with Jack?"
Tony looks back, and speaks while looking at him.
TONY
"I don't know. Something's up."
The clock appears at the bottom of the screen showing 7:13:04 and counting up as the screen splits. One half showing Tony and Michelle watching Jack, the other half showing Cassel and his men forcing Dr Phillips down a corridor.
INT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 7:13am
Dr Phillips walks briskly down identical prefab corridors, past doors with unpronounceable names on. They reach the door with a sign reading Dr Phillips, and they enter.
INT. DR PHILLIPS OFFICE
Phillips walks over to a large box, opening it awkwardly, showing its weight. The inside looks just like a freezer, with row upon row of marked test tubes and beakers containing unknown substances.
CASSEL
"So which ones the virus, doctor?"
PHILLIPS
"It's none of these; these are all just bases and weak acids for use in experiments. The E511 is locked away."
Phillips lowers himself to the floor, squatting awkwardly. He pulls back a flap to reveal a small key pad with the numbers 1 to 6 and the letters a-to-c on it. He looks up at the 3 men watching him.
PHILLIPS
"No peeking while I put the code in now!"
The 3 men fail to see the humour in the situation and keep with their cold, hard stares. Phillips turns back to the keypad, shaking his head. He quickly taps in a 6 character code and waits for a second, but one red light from a row of 3 comes on just above the keypad. He turns and smiles nervously at the men and retries the code, slowly this time. Again, the same thing happens, and a second red light blinks on. He stares at the keypad in disbelief, feeling a cold barrel of metal pressed against his forehead.
CASSEL
"You better not be fg with us, Doctor Phillips. By
the looks of that keypad you only have one more chance to get it
right. Are you going to get it right?"
PHILLIPS
"B-b-but this is the code I always use, it should work. I don't know what's gone wrong, honestly"
Cassel readies his gun and pushes it against Phillips temple.
PHILLIPS (CONT.)
"P-p-please. I'm not trying to screw you. I don't care if you take the virus; it was meant to be destroyed later anyway. Please, just let me try one more code. The professor must have changed my codes. Please."
Cassel moves his head to one side a little, and holsters his weapon. Phillips turns back to the keypad and takes a deep breath. He enters the standard code for all lab security and waits, holding his breath. The red lights disappear and a hissing sound is heard. Phillips exhales, and pulls open the bottom part of the refrigerator. He pulls out a large vial of a purple, slightly viscous liquid, contained in a small black box. He hands it to Cassel.
PHILLIPS (CONT.)
"E511. In all its glory"
Cassel hands the vial to one of the men, who look over it intently. He begins to take it out of the box for a closer look but Phillips stops him.
PHILLIPS (CONT.)
"No! Don't take it out of there!"
The men turn, puzzled looks on their faces.
PHILLIPS (CONT.)
"That box keeps the virus at its optimum temperature and pressure. You take it out of there and you'll be lucky if it survives the hour."
CASSEL
"Thank you, Doctor Phillips. You have been very helpful."
The man with the virus hands it back to Cassel who deposits it inside his suit jacket. He then pulls his gun and points it directly at Phillips forehead.
PHILLIPS
"NO! Don't kill me! I want to make a deal."
CASSEL
"You're in no position to make a deal, Doctor Phillips. You have served your purpose, now you will die a quick and painless death. Goodbye, Doctor."
PHILLIPS
"I want to see this virus field tested."
Cassel stops aiming at Phillips. The 3 men look at each other in amazement, wondering what Phillips means by that.
PHILLIPS (CONT.)
"I assume you're actually going to use that
virus. I want to see it in use. I have developed this from scrath
under opposition from everyone in this place, and then I get told it
is to be destroyed. How do you think that makes me feel? You guys
are going to give me my perfect opportunity to test this virus, and
any modifications you need done, I can do that."
Phillips knows he has used his last chance. He nervously looks between the 3 men, who stare back at him unerringly. One of the men turns to Cassel.
TERRORIST 1
"Boss, we can't take him with us. You know he won't approve."
Cassel turns to the man.
CASSEL
"I appreciate what you're saying, my friend…"
Cassel turns back to Phillips, holstering his gun.
CASSEL (CONT.)
"But he comes with us."
Cassel turns and walks towards the door of the office.
CASSEL ( CONT.)
"Do what you have to do in the other rooms and then meet me back here. We don't have much time. Hurry."
The 2 men leave the room. Leaving Cassel staring at a terrified Phillips.
PHILLIPS
"What are you going to do with the rest of the hostages?"
Cassel smirks arrogantly.
CASSEL
"Oh you don't need to worry about them any more. You'll be long gone before anything happens."
FADE TO.
CLOCK COUNTS FROM
7:34:23
7:34:24
7:34:25
7:34:26
FADE OUT.
INT. SMALL HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN LA – 7:37am
The scene begins showing a man, woman and child around a small wooden table. They appear to be a family from the likenesses between the adults and the child. They eat quietly from the box the food came in. Plates and cutlery are piled high in the sink and the house has an all round dirty feel to it. The woman looks wistfully at her husband.
MAGGIE WEST
"How's the food, darling?"
GEORGE WEST
"It's alright."
The child looks up at her father, then looks back down into her breakfast. Maggie stays staring at her husband, close to tears.
MAGGIE WEST
"You could at least look at me, George"
GEORGE WEST
"Not in front of Rachel, Maggie"
RACHEL WEST
"I don't think I'm hungry anymore, Mommy."
Maggie looks sadly at the girl, but then nods.
MAGGIE WEST
"That's OK, hun. Go on,"
Rachel leaves the table and wanders away up the stairs to her own room. She runs to her bed and puts the pillow over her head, trying to block out the inevitable row.
MAGGIE WEST
"I wish you wouldn't do that, George."
GEORGE WEST
"Do what?"
MAGGIE WEST
"What you just did there. Using Rachel. This is between us, the troubles between us, we can sort it without ruining her life."
GEORGE WEST
"Maggie, I try and provide for u two, but I haven't had a proper job in months. I try so hard."
MAGGIE WEST
"I know Hunny, I know. But if we don't get money coming in soon, we'll lose this place, and everything we own."
GEORGE WEST
"I know baby, but there's something Brady's setting me up with. It's the opportunity we've been looking for, trust me."
MAGGIE WEST
"I hope you're right."
The phone rings in the other room. George gets up to go and answer it.
GEORGE WEST
"I am baby, just trust me."
George takes the phone to outwith earshot of his wife.
GEORGE WEST
"Hello?"
"Yeh, of course I can still do it."
"OK, I'll be there."
George puts down the phone, and jumps as Maggie sneaks up behind him.
MAGGIE WEST
"Was that Brady?"
GEORGE WEST
"Emmm…yeh…I have to meet him just before 10."
MAGGIE WEST
"Where?"
GEORGE WEST
"You ask a lot of questions! Don't worry, it's under control."
Maggie watches George disappear upstairs, worrying about what's happening with him and Brady.
CUT TO.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE OF OMNI HOTEL, LOS ANGELES – 7:43am
The scene opens with Mike Novick going over President Palmer's planned responses for the conference later today with his staff. He finishes up and the staff begin to leave the room, as more and more people leave, Mike notices the Secretary of Homeland Security sitting at the back. He gets up and walks briskly towards Mike.
MIKE
"Good morning, Mr Secretary. I wasn't expecting you here. Is there something I can help you with?"
Byrne waits anxiously for the last staff to leave the room before continuing. Mike puts it down to his nervous nature, but prompts him anyway.
MIKE (CONT.)
"Mr Secretary?"
BYRNE
"I'm sorry, Mike. Yes there was something. I just wanted to raise a few concerns about President Palmer."
Mike frowns a little at this, but hears Byrne out.
MIKE
"Go on."
BYRNE
"I visited him about an hour ago and he really didn't seem in the best of health. I think this is still too early for him to be coming back after the attempt on his life. He's exhausted Mike."
MIKE
"Stephen, we're all worried about him, but this is what he wants to do. You know how stubborn David can be sometimes, especially with Presidential matters. It hurt him that he couldn't lead the country while he was incapacitated."
BYRNE (cheekily)
"Mike, with all due respect, I was there too."
MIKE
"I know Mr Secretary. But I don't see what your point in all this is. There is a televised conference in a few hours that is critical to the outcome of next month's presidential election."
BYRNE
"That is exactly my point Mike. David is in no fit state to take part in that conference. I think Vice President Prescott should take this place, at least this time, until David gets his strength back."
Mike stays silent for a second. He then chuckles a little
MIKE
"Volunteering the Vice President for important debates? President Palmer will be impressed."
BYRNE (hostile)
"What's that supposed to mean?"
MIKE (defensive)
"Nothing Stephen, it was a joke. Everybody knows you and Jim don't exactly have identical policy views."
Stephen is silent, his small face getting redder as the conversation went on.
MIKE
"I understand your concerns, Stephen, but the President simply will not. He'll be on that podium speaking to his country by noon."
BYRNE
"Of course Mike. I'm sorry to have bothered you."
MIKE
"No problem Stephen, I'm glad you've brought it to my attention. See you at the conference"
Byrne turns to leave, Mike moves back over to his desk, resuming his analysis of the questions Palmer will be posed later today. A pretty young woman walks, almost bouncing, through the suits accompanied by Lynne Kresge. The pair walk up to the President's office and smile at Aaron, still guarding the door, loyally.
LYNNE KRESGE
"Morning, Aaron. Is the President still resting?"
AARON PIERCE
"Well he's meant to be, but he's been pacing that carpet in there for almost a half hour now, I don't think he's been getting much rest. But he'll be glad to see you, Nicole."
Aaron turns to the young woman with Lynne and smiles. It's Palmer's daughter Nicole, come to play a surprise visit to her father, to lend her support. Aaron moves aside to let Lynne in to the room.
LYNNE KRESGE
"Mr President, there's someone here who insisted on seeing you."
David turns to see Nicole bounce in through the door. Bounding up to him, she throws her arms around his neck in a huge embrace. The smile on Palmer's face almost splits his face. Lynne smiles to herself and walks out of the office, closing the door behind her.
LYNNE KRESGE
"About time he had some good news. Thanks, Aaron."
Aaron nods respectfully at Lynne and moves back across the door.
CUT TO.
INT. DR PHILLIPS OFFICE, MONOCHRON LABORATORIES – 7:50am
The 2 men re-enter the office, motioning to Cassel that their job is done. Cassel nods.
CASSEL
"Get up, Dr Phillips. We don't have much time left."
Phillips protests as he is lifted by the two men and dragged towards the door.
PHILLIPS
"Why? Why don't we have much time?"
The men do not answer and continue to push Phillips towards the door.
INT. MONOCHRON LABORATORIES
The 4 men walk quickly back towards the main lab.
PHILLIPS
"What have you done? Why are we in such a hurry?"
Still no-one says anything. Phillips looks up to see they are approaching the main lab, and the hostages see them coming, most open-mouthed to see Phillips still alive. Cassel moves ahead to talk to the other 4 men. We don't see what they are saying but the 4 men nod at Cassel and move towards the exit. Cassel follows, then the 2 men push Phillips towards the door too. They pass Cassel who stops to address the hostages.
CASSEL
"We got what we came here for so we're going to leave you all here. As promised, we won't kill any more of you. However, a fire has been started in your generator room so in the next few minutes, you will lose power; and I think everyone knows that once you lose power, your electronic doors will not operate, you will become trapped in here."
Cassel surveys the shocked faces around the room and smiles at his work.
CASSEL (CONT.)
"I wish you all good luck in escaping."
Cassel turns and moves toward the exit, leading the 6 men and Phillips out. They leave behind mass panic as the hostages scream and try and break free of their restraints.
SPLIT SCREEN
The screen then splits to show the men leaving the building and getting into the van still parked there; the hostages in complete panic; Palmer laughing and catching up with Nicole; CTU trying to find out information on the attack; George West packing a small bag in his room; and Jack in his office with Tony looking apprehensively towards him. The screen then moves back to one scene. We see a close-up of Jack, watching the phone on his desk. This is held for around 10 seconds, before the phone rings. Jack picks it up immediately.
JACK
"This is Bauer"
VOICE (scrambled to avoid detection)
"Is it done?"
JACK (angrily)
"Yes, it's written and is ready to be passed to the Director."
VOICE
"Very good, Mr Bauer."
JACK
"Now call off your people."
VOICE
"You think that's all we wanted, Mr Bauer? No, we have plenty more plans for you and your daughter."
JACK (furious)
"If you hurt her, I swear to God I'll kill you"
VOICE
"We're not going to hurt her yet, we're only watching her. As long as you remain co-operative. We'll be in touch."
The phone clicks and the line goes dead. Jack puts the phone down and stares into space.
FADE TO: CLOCK
7:59:57
7:59:58
7:59:59
8:00:00
Characters : Actors/Actresses (in order of appearance)
Jack Bauer – Kiefer Sutherland
Chloe O'Brian – Mary Lynn Rajskub
Edgar Stiles – Louis Lombardi
Ryan Chapelle – Paul Schulze
Tony Almeida – Carlos Bernard
Michelle Dessler – Reiko Aylesworth
Kevin Cassel – Paul Bettany
Mike Novick – Jude Ciccolella
Secretary of Homeland Security Stephen Byrne – Tom Wilkinson (TBC)
Nicole Palmer - Megalyn Echikunwoke
Lynne Kresge – Michelle Forbes
Agent Aaron Pierce – Glenn Morshower
President David Palmer – Dennis Haysbert