Chenalos presents

A 14 rivers play for the screen

Based upon Puella Magi Madoka Magica

The Magic of Hope

Episode 6: Mercy

mail Chenalos at yahoo dot com

twitter at ChenalosFiction

Teaser

Amani is getting her mug shot. She is in shackles and is stubbornly defiant. She is forcefully turned to get the profile by a female officer there is another officer in the room typing the dossier. She is sat down by the officer again, forcefully. Lemon enters the interrogation room.

COMPUTER COP

Hello, Lemon.

LEMON

Do you have the evidence

on the suspect?

COMPUTER COP

Not much but it should be

All in that bin.

The Computer cop points to a plastic Bin with a wallet and some keys and a cell phone in it along with four grief seeds.

LEMON

Well good, because it's going

Across town in half an hour.

Last car of the night.

COMPUTER COP

Like I said, take the bin.

Lemon gives Amani a quick look over.

LEMON

You do know you must confiscate

All personal belongings.

Computer cop taps the plastic bin with a pen without breaking focus.

LEMON (CTD)

All personal belongings.

Including Jewelry.

Amani suddenly realizes he is talking about her ring.

AMANI

Wait! Wait! No. No.

Not my ring! You can't take

My ring!

The female cop moves to Amani's hand.

FEMALE COP

Miss, all of your belongings

Will be returned to you at

A later time.

AMANI

You can't take it! I need it.

Amani struggles against the officer and tightens her grip.

FEMALE COP

Miss, this is just a formality.

You belongings will be returned.

Give up the ring.

AMANI

Stop! Stop! You can't.

The female cop picks up Amani and bends her over a table in a violent but controlled motion and shouts in an intimidating manner.

FEMALE COP

I am not dealing with this right

Now do you hear me? Open that

Hand. Open your hand! That's an

order!

AMANI

No! No!

Forcefully the female cop removes the ring Amani reaches for it helplessly. Her eyes horrify at the sight of her soul gem being placed in a little plastic baggie and dropped into the plastic bin. Amani is forcefully sat down.

FEMALE COP

Don't give me any more shit.

Not dealing with the atmosphere of the room Lemon shrugs off the events and takes the bin out of the room. Amani's eyes trace it all the way out.

COMPUTER COP

I'm done here take her to

interrogation.

Amani is brought to her feet and is led by the female cop down the hall. Amani looks everywhere to spot her soul gem. Police and walls give the atmosphere the impression of enclosure, oppression and helplessness. Out of the corner of her eye she spots the bin as it is whisked away out the door to a parking lot.

Interrogation room. Amani is alone and tries to calm herself when the door swings open. Hastor enters and sits across from her and allows the moment to breathe in silence. After the pause Amani calms herself enough to talk.

AMANI

Detective Hastor-

HASTOR

Seventeen hundred dollars.

AMANI

What?

HASTOR

I only buy American tires

And you forgot labor cost

And towing.

AMANI

Oh. Right.

HASTOR

Well, before we begin, is

There anything you want to

Say?

AMANI

Mercy, I'm going to die.

HASTOR

What?

AMANI

In less than 30 minutes I'll

Be dead and you're the only

One who can stop it.

HASTOR

How do you know my name?

Hastor leans on one hand and looks at her, with fingers tapping on the surface of the table.

AMANI

I can't die. Not now. I need your help.

Without you, I'm dead.

HASTOR

What to do? What to do?

Hastor smiles at the helpless girl.

TITLE

MERCY

Intro

Act 1

Hastor is still staring at Amani with no intention of doing anything, just waiting for her to talk.

AMANI

Don't you care I'm going to die?

Your only suspect?

HASTOR

I'm not worried at all. You see

Amani, I'm your only friend.

AMANI

What?

HASTOR

I told you. There are two agents:

One from the DHS the other from

The NSA. They are going to be

Very forceful about your

interrogation when they get here.

Not me. I want to talk you down

For your sake.

AMANI

Oh spare me the good cop bullshit.

HASTOR.

It's not bullshit.

AMANI

I don't have time.

HASTOR

…Because you're going to die?

AMANI

Yes. Exactly.

HASTOR

Then just like you said, I'm

The only one who can help you.

Tell me where the bomb is and

I'll do whatever I can.

AMANI

The bomb? Right. That's what

You want.

HASTOR

I told you I want the collar.

You tell me where the bomb is, I

Get my arrest. There's no way

Around that now, right? It's

Time to give up, Amani. You've

Run long enough.

AMANI

Oh, you have no idea.

HASTOR

Easy. So just make the deal

With me right here and I'll

Do whatever I can to make sure

You go to trial alive. You're

Not really in a position-

AMANI

Not in a position? Hastor…The

Bomb is on a timer. I'm the

Only one who knows where it is

And how to deactivate it. It

will detonate in three days

at dawn. Thousands might die.

With me dead, you'll be just as

guilty as I am.

Hastor re-adjusts anxiously.

HASTOR

How did you know that they took

My badge?

AMANI

Statistics.

Again, Hastor sensing the power dynamic has changed sits up to plan the next strategy.

HASTOR

You want me to really level

With you? OK, you got it.

You were right. I'm off force.

I'm your only chance, but I'm

Not a cop right now. The

Only way I can help you is

If you help me. Those agents

Are coming. Assure them that

You will cooperate with me and

Me alone and I've got a shot

At getting everyone out alive.

AMANI

Not if I'm dead.

HASTOR

We're getting to that. Strike a

deal with me let me set all the

terms and I will meander the both

of us out of this.

AMANI

I want Hope DelSoro to be with

Us.

HASTOR

What?

AMANI

The girl that was with me in

The museum. The one you were

Stalking. I want her to be

With me through this entire

Process.

HASTOR

Non Compos mentes.

AMANI

Quid pro quo.

HASTOR

Just say for a second I believe

You. You're going to die, the bomb

Is going to go off. How is it you

Are dying? Just so I know for sure.

A pause as Amani steels herself for the delivery.

AMANI

I've taken poison.

HASTOR

OK, go on.

AMANI

That's right. I'll be poisoned

To death very shortly.

HASTOR

Less than 30 minutes, according

To you. Listening.

AMANI

The first stage is paralysis.

My body will go completely limp

I will not respond to anything.

My breathing will stop and I'll

Enter a stasis.

HASTOR

When did you take this poison?

AMANI

A long time ago.

HASTOR

And you know for a fact it's

Going to kick in now.

AMANI

I just know it will happen soon.

HASTOR

Get your story straight.

AMANI

Paralyzed: the first stage. It lasts

For maybe ten minutes. Afterwards There

is no Second stage. No. I'm going

to be gone unless you help me.

You'll…You'll see for yourself.

HASTOR

What do I do to save you?

AMANI

The antidote for this poison is

In the ring that was taken from me.

Once my ring is back in my hand

The antidote will work naturally.

HASTOR

OK. So let me get your demands.

You want your ring and you want

Hope DelSoro to help you through

interrogation. Sounds a little

more reasonable than a prisoner

swap or say ten million dollars

in small unmarked bills. I'll

give you that.

AMANI

Hastor. You want the collar.

I'll give it all up to you if you

Follow my instructions.

Hastor stands suddenly.

HASTOR

Enough of wasted time.

AMANI

Don't go! This is your only

Chance to-

HASTOR

I think I've done enough to get

re-instated. Maybe it is best if

the NSA handles this one.

AMANI

No, Hastor, listen to me. You're

All in danger. I have to get to-

Hastor leaves the room and Amani's cool unsettles as she is alone. She looks into the one way mirror. On the other side Lemon looks on and Hastor enters the room.

LEMON

She's trying to play you.

HASTOR

No. I've got her. Just watch.

The agents?

LEMON

They know. They'll be here in

Less than an hour.

HASTOR

Shit. Everything is played so

Close to the vest. What's the

Situation with that ring?

LEMON

Should be headed over to

The locker in a few minutes.

HASTOR

The rookie's taking it over, right?

LEMON
Want me to call him, bring in the

Ring?

HASTOR

No. I got his number anyway.

LEMON
Oh.

HASTOR

I get everybody's number, Lemon.

LEMON

You never call me.

HASTOR

Some other time, OK?

LEMON

She made a big fuss when we

Took that ring away. I happened

To be there for that.

HASTOR

OK.

LEMON
Do you believe her?

HASTOR

About the poison? No. But

I'm sure she will throw some

Surprises at me if I let my

Guard down.

LEMON
What's your next move?

HASTOR

Tell you to get out of here.

LEMON

What?

HASTOR

You've helped me enough. If

Dixon or DeWitt know how much

You pitched in then we'll both

Be eggs in the frying pan.

LEMON

But like you said you've got her.

You made the arrest. You get the

Credit for it, everything. They

Have to reinstate you.

HASTOR

All I did was wound their pride

over and over. What helps me

hurts them and when this turns bad

I don't want you taking the heat.

LEMON

Hastor!

HASTOR

Lemon. Thanks for the help.

Now walk away.

Reluctantly Lemon leaves the room. Hastor re-directs attention to Amani who stares into the one-way mirror.

Lemon goes out to where the drivers are dispatched. Dispatcher and Rookie are here. Rookie is texting on a cell phone. Lemon rummages through Amani's bin and finds her ring. He examines it for a moment, curiously before putting it back in the bin.

LEMON

Evidence headed over?

DISPATCHER

Just about ready.

LEMON

What are we waiting on?

Dispatcher points at rookie.

DISPATCHER

Him.

Lemon angrily approaches rookie who never unlocks his focus on texting.

LEMON

Hey, Driver. You're late. That

Car was supposed to be headed over

Ten minutes ago.

ROOKIE
What's the rush?

LEMON

The rush is that evidence locker is

Going to close up in less than an hour.

ROOKIE

Oh, Morning shift can handle it.

LEMON

Morning shift?

ROOKIE

Even if I get it over there they

Won't log it until tomorrow anyway.

LEMON

Well, you've got a point there.

Incensed Lemon takes his phone away and turns it over to the dispatcher.

ROOKIE

Hey!

LEMON

Shut up.

ROOKIE

That's my phone!

LEMON

I don't want you texting while

Driving.

ROOKIE

Give me my fucking phone back you-

Driver approaches threateningly and Lemon shows his badge.

LEMON

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, Rookie,

How about a little respect?

ROOKIE

I'm just saying you can't-

LEMON

I'm just saying do your goddamn

Job. I mean for the love of

Christ take some pride in

Something you slacker piece of

Shit. Don't give him his phone

Back until the job's done.

Lemon leaves. Rookie flips him off behind his back then gets the keys from behind the dispatch desk.

ROOKIE
Fascist asshole.

Rookie heads out to the Van and stows the evidence bin. In the back the purple gem of Amani's ring is glowing. Rookie starts the car and drives away. As the car gets further and further the light in the ring dims more and more.

Back in the Police department Amani can feel the connection with her Soul Gem weakening. She panics a bit and struggles in the chains of the shackles. In the van the light in the ring fades away. Amani drops. Hastor enters the room from the partition and sets her back in the chair.

HASTOR

Amani! Snap out of it! Amani!

Ms. Stanton! Can you hear me?

Oh my god.

Hastor runs down the hall to the dispatch. She's on her phone calling the driver.

HASTOR (CTD)

Pick up. Pick up. Pick up!

Hastor runs into the dispatch area, looking out the window for the van. Hastor then turns and sees the ringing phone on the desk.

HASTOR

Shit!

Hastor runs out to see two officers coming in from a patrol.

B&W1

Hey, Hastor.

B&W2

Hastor? I thought you were

suspended.

HASTOR

I need your patrol car!

B&W1

What?

HASTOR

It's an Emergency! Give

Me the keys.

B&W1

OK. Here you go.

Hastor jumps in and hits the lights and the siren and gunning through traffic racing up behind the van heading across town. In the van Rookie checks his rear-view seeing the flashing blues he pulls to one side. He's surprised to see the unit pulling over ahead of him with a screeching halt. Hastor emerges and runs to the driver's side.

ROOKIE

Hey, Hastor, what are you

Doing here?

HASTOR

Open the van!

The van door is opened and Hastor finds the bin marked 'Stanton.' Looking inside Hastor finds the ring. Hastor runs back to the car and with the sirens still blaring she heads to the precinct.

At the station a black car pulls up and Lemon watches it.

LEMON

Oh, no.

Dixon and DeWitt emerge. Lemon comes out front to meet them.

DIXON

Where is Hastor?

LEMON

What do you mean?

DEWITT

Don't even tempt us with going

After you for obstruction.

DIXON

Where is Hastor?

LEMON

Last I checked, with the suspect.

Blaring, Hastor's patrol car pulls into the station. As Hastor emerges. The agents turn on her

DIXON

You!

DEWITT

We have put up with you long

Enough.

DIXON

At this point we might as well

Treat you like a national security

Threat.

Hastor looks distantly to Lemon as the agents close in, puts the ring onto the key-ring of the patrol car keys.

HASTOR

Lemon!

Hastor tosses the keys to Lemon.

HASTOR (CTD)

Get that ring to Amani Stanton

Right now!

The agents turn on Lemon.

DIXON

Officer, anything to do with her

is under our jurisdiction. Whatever

that is, give it to me.

DEWITT

You will cooperate with our

Investigation, detective.

HASTOR

Lemon!

Lemon looks at Hastor.

HASTOR (CTD)

Go!

Lemon turns and runs through the precinct, the athletic agents in pursuit and Hastor following behind. He dodges officers along the way to get to the interrogation room, finding Amani passed out. He throws the keys thoughtlessly on the table and they slide off and into Amani's lap.

LEMON

Ms. Stanton! Ms. Stanton!

Wake up!

Dixon and DeWitt burst into the room

DIXON

Welcome to your new living hell.

DEWITT

You are as done as that rat

Hastor.

Hastor enters.

HASTOR

Lemon! Is Stanton awake?

DIXON

What do you mean awake?

DEWITT
Shut up! Shut up!

DeWitt approaches Amani and tries to rouse her. She does not respond. Dixon turns and pins Hastor to the wall.

DIXON

What have you done to our

Suspect?

HASTOR

She did it to herself.

DIXON

In your custody.

HASTOR

I did everything I could to-

DIXON

DeWitt, get some officers

In here and have these two

Arrested.

LEMON

No, wait, at least let-

DEWITT

You are both under arrest!

This investigation is over.

You! Turn in your badge!

LEMON

Hastor?

HASTOR

I don't know. She's supposed to

snap out of it. She said so.

DIXON

No talking you piece of-

Amani suddenly gasps to life and wide eyed is hyperventilating in the seat. The moment calms as all eyes are on Amani.

HASTOR

Amani, meet agents Dixon and

DeWitt. They're from the NSA

And Department of Homeland

Security.

Amani nods and looks down at the glowing amethyst colored stone of the ring in her lap. She looks back up at the agents.

AMANI

I will only cooperate with officer

Hastor. If you want your bomb back

then Hastor must be leading the

investigation.

Dixon sneers at Hastor.

DIXON

You slimy little-

HASOTR

Yeah. Well. Slime is not a crime.

Let's get down to business.

ACT 2

School. Hope is barely keeping it together. She looks at Prudence's empty seat and images of the witch fills her head. She looks at the desk across where Amani sits and closing her eyes she remembers Amani's arrest. Hastor putting the handcuffed Amani in the back of his rental car. She was screaming at her, though her voice was muffled by the closed car window.

HASTOR

I won't be taking you in

And I can't legally ask you

Any questions without your

Parent's authorization.

HOPE

I don't have anything to say

To you.

HASTOR

There will be a time for you

To tell me what I want to know

and I think you will.

HOPE

There are things out there that

Only she can do, officer.

HASTOR

I'll contact your folks and

We'll see what can be arranged.

For now, I've called you a

Ride home. There it is.

A cab pulls up.

HOPE

Amani and I-

HASTOR

Believe me I'm going to want

To hear all of it. For now

Just be on your way.

Hope nods and enters the cab defeated. She looks at Amani and the two lock eyes for a moment. The image of Amani is locked in her memory as she opens her eyes. She doesn't notice Amity approaching.

AMITY

Hope.

HOPE

She's gone.

AMITY

What?

HOPE

Prudence is gone. That's what

You were going to ask, right?

AMITY

How is she gone?

HOPE

I asked her to come back and she

Wouldn't so she's gone now. Do

You feel better?

AMITY

She left me a message and I

Want to-

HOPE

Well you can't. Nobody can.

AMITY

Hope, I didn't mean to-

HOPE

How could you? Amity, How could

You? Do you know what it did to

Her? I'm going to the park just

To get away from you. You're

horrible!

Hope rises from her seat and leaves the school.

Park. Woods.

HOPE
I know you're out here somewhere.

I want to talk.

ARVESS

I'm here.

Arvess floats down and lands on a stone.

HOPE

You never told her. You never

Told any of them what the

Witches are.

ARVESS

I wasn't keeping it a secret.

We have bound ourselves to

Honesty. We will answer any

Question about being a puella

With absolute accuracy.

HOPE

What you're doing is wrong.

ARVESS

Is it? If you think so, just

Look around you. The puella

Making wishes for humans and

Fighting for their survival

Are part of what has built your

Species into this state. Cities,

Technology, more things than you

Know came about only because we

Have been pushing your species

Along.

HOPE

You can't take credit for

Everything we've done.

ARVESS

Even so you can't live in a system

Where you benefit greatly and not

Be respectful that this system

exists. Regardless of how it keeps

itself going.

HOPE

The puella have no chance to save

Themselves!

ARVESS

Of course not. All they can do is

Give up everything. We don't force

it on them. We are totally honest.

We give them the world they want.

Wouldn't you say we've been at least

more grateful Than your cruel

civilization?

HOPE

What? What have we done?

Suddenly images of cattle, cows, swine, chickens caged up and restrained in pens. Implements used to slaughter animals are sharply intercut with the desperate faces of cattle. Hope is shocked backwards and stumbles.

ARVESS

The animals you devour have

Feelings but because they cannot

Speak or build or make rules

You consume them without thought.

Your species refuses to understand

Them. We know what we do to

puella. But unlike you we are

willing to make Sacrifices. Give

up some of the Cleoneum's energy

for a wish to change the world.

The Cleoneum and its power are as

Much as responsible for this society

As it is for ours. Trust me when I

tell you that if it weren't for us

you'd all still be living in Jungles

and Caves.

HOPE

Arvess, Amani is the last one left?

ARVESS

For now.

HOPE

What's going to happen to her?

ARVESS

She intends to fight Walpurgisnacht

day after tomorrow.

HOPE

What does that mean?

ARVESS

She's going to be killed.

HOPE
What? No.

ARVESS

If she's right, and Walpurgisnacht

Will come then she most certainly

Doesn't have the energy to beat

It alone. She has gathered human

Implements that might accomplish

the task but in the process of using

them while in combat she will

Expend her soul gem. There is no

way out. Whether she is killed or

her karma inverts and she becomes

a witch Amani is going to die in

two days.

HOPE

Is there no way to save her?

ARVESS

Have you not listened to me? You.

You have the power to change

everything. Your wish can save her.

HOPE

But I'll become a witch.

ARVESS

You become a puella first. Born

From a blessing though you bring

A curse. You will be more

mighty than anyone. Your energy

Will power our civilization and

We will carry the memory of your

Life forever, as we have all puella.

If you choose to die for the sake

of the universe and live forever

in our debt and the memory of the

cleoneum's eternal resonance let me

know.

Arvess floats away. Hastor enters. Hope walks away.

HASTOR

Miss DelSoro.

HOPE

Leave me alone.

HASTOR

I've called your parents. Your

Father gave me permission to talk

To you and I want your help.

This is a confusing time for

All of us and we're asking you to

Cooperate.

HOPE

No. I keep telling people I can't

do anything.

HASTOR

Have you ever been to the Cunningham

Hotel?

HOPE

No!

HASTOR

There was a fire there. They found

The body of a girl. Your friend

Prudence is missing isn't she?

HOPE

No!

HASTOR

Your friend is dead. She's the one

Who died in that fire isn't she?

HOPE

No!

HASTOR

Ms. DelSoro-

HOPE

No! No! No! No!

She turns defiant at Hastor, deeply shaken.

HOPE

No. No. No.

Hastor stands opposite her but refuses to console her.

HASTOR

I'm sorry. I don't know how all

Of this fits together. The only

Chance I have is that girl Amani.

But she refuses to cooperate unless

You are assisting. Why is that?

HOPE

I don't know! She hates me! All

She ever does is scream at me.

She tells me to leave her alone to

Never interfere with her and now

She wants my help?

HASTOR

Will you help her?

HOPE

No!

HASTOR

Why not?

HOPE

Because I can't help. I'm not

Special. I can't do anything.

Prudence was strong. The other

Girls they knew what to do.

They're all gone now and only me

The helpless little girl is left

Over. Leave me alone, officer.

There's nothing for me to do.

HASTOR

Why was Prudence strong? Strong

Against what? You wanted to tell

Me last night. Now you have the

Chance. I don't understand half

The things that have gone on

Recently.

HOPE

She's a Puella.

HASTOR

What is a Puella?

HOPE
The saddest thing in the world.

She's cursed to fight her own

Kind until she is killed. There

Is no way to stop it. You think

I'm crazy.

HASTOR

I've seen too much to think

You're crazy at this point.

HOPE

Then you know I can't help. I

Don't want it to be this way.

She's at the end now for whatever

it is she's planning. But you are

stopping her. So right now if you

don't let her go people will be

in danger.

HASTOR

I was wrong. That's crazy.

HOPE

It is. I know it is. That's why

I can't do it anymore. I won't

Go with you. I'll have no part

Of this! Am I free to go, officer?

HASTOR

You're free to go.

(F1) Tales of Brave Ulysses by Cream begins to play. The first note is the resounding chord as Hope in slow motion turns to run off. Hastor acquiesces and returns to his car. Hope runs until she finds herself in front of the Cunningham hotel, looking into the burnt out window of the room where Prudence lay just the day before. She hangs her head in sadness then looks up with affirmation and walks away. From behind the glass of the partition Dixon and DeWitt are shown questioning Amani as Lemon observes. They appear to make grand threats and accusations but are getting nowhere. Hastor enters the partition doubtful. A girls feet are shown walking into the station. Back at the interrogation room Dixon and DeWitt point fingers and make threats. The girls feet walk down the hall she enters the interrogation partition Hastor reacts immediately. Dixon and DeWitt turn as Hope enters.

AMANI

Get out. Both of you.

DIXON

Excuse me?

AMANI

You wanted to hear me talk.

That's the person I'm going

To talk to.

DIXON

We'll be listening in.

AMANI

I know. Leave.

Dixon and DeWitt leave to the partition. Hope sits down across from Amani.

HOPE

Why are they doing this to you Amani?

AMANI

I have stolen some weapons to

Complete my tasks. They want

Them back.

HOPE

Why do you always follow me?

AMANI

I have to prevent you from making

A wish.

HOPE

Why?

AMANI

If you don't understand that by now

Then we have nothing to talk about.

HOPE

It's because of my ability, isn't it?

I'm going to become some kind of

Super witch aren't I? Something you

Can't beat.

AMANI

Don't be so dramatic.

HOPE

Amani, they're all dead now. We're

Alone in this. I watched Prudence

Die. Do you know what that feels like?

AMANI

Hope DelSoro, I have seen things a

Hundred times worse a hundred

times over. Again and again.

Hope looks in the one-sided mirror.

HOPE

They must think we're out of our minds.

AMANI

That doesn't matter. Where is

Their focus? They're watching me.

Where's my focus? I'm watching

You. You may think I hate you but

The truth is I'll do anything you ask.

HOPE

As long as I don't make a wish.

AMANI

Exactly.

Hope sits back in her seat and sterns herself.

HOPE

Amani, give the police what they

Want.

AMANI

What?

HOPE

I'm telling you to give up.

AMANI

Give up? The day after tomorrow-

HOPE

I don't care anymore. You've

Done enough haven't you? Aren't

You tired? Don't you want this

To end?

AMANI

You can't ask me to stop.

I'm not done! I've come too

Far. My wish Hasn't been granted yet!

HOPE

What did you wish for, Amani!?

You said it was what you wanted most

in the World. You said you didn't

regret it. But you can't even tell

me. So I can't trust you.

Hope gets up to walk away.

AMANI

Every day I tell myself today

I'll do it. This time I'll do it

At last. At the same time I tell

Myself if not today then tomorrow.

Today, tomorrow, sometime someday

I'll figure this all out. I don't

Know if I'm lying to myself anymore,

Hope DelSoro. I'm just completely

Lost in the night walking to the only

Light I can see. I can get so very,

Very close to it. Close enough to

Feel warm, but every time it vanishes.

There is, someday…a bright and

beautiful day, A new day It's not

yesterday, today or tomorrow. The

rain ends. The sun shines. There is

peace. If you could see that day you

would understand But I can't bring

you there because it's just some silly

wish from one stupid girl. But it's

all I have.

HOPE

I'm done, Amani. You're on your own.

AMANI

I'll do this. I'll take them to the

Bomb they want. I'll give them

Everything and all I ask for is that

We talk again, just like this.

HOPE

That's all, just talk?

AMANI

Yes.

HOPE

I'll tell them.

AMANI

They're listening. They already know.

I'm asking you. Please listen to me

once this is all done. Sit down and

talk to me and let me be honest.

Hope approaches the table to look Amani in the eyes.

HOPE

OK. I promise. Whatever you need

To say I'll listen.

AMANI

Thank you.

Hope exits to the partition. DeWitt and Dixon immediately re-enter and start screaming at Amani to give up the bomb's location. Hastor kills the audio from the interrogation room.

HASTOR

Why help us now?

HOPE

I knew I would come to you. I just

needed to see what happened to

Prudence first.

HASTOR

Can you tell me anything about

Her plan?

HOPE

You won't believe it.

HASTOR

I don't need to believe it. You

Need to say it.

HOPE

In two days Walpurgisnacht arrives.

HASTOR

What is Walpurgisnacht?

HOPE

All I know is that she will die.

HASTOR

Is that what you want?

Hope shakes her head.

HASTOR (CTD)

What do you think we should do?

HOPE

Whatever she wants to say, I'll

Listen. Will you let me talk to

Her after all this?

HASTOR

I will but do you trust her?

HOPE
She's screaming.

HASTOR

What?

HOPE

She's screaming, look.

Amani is shown screaming at the top of her lungs. Over Dixon and DeWitt. Hastor turns the mic back on. Above the barking agents Amani's voice rings clear.

AMANI

HASTOR! HASTOR! HASTOR!

Hastor leaves the partition and enters the interrogation room.

HASTOR
Please, please, everyone, calm

Down. Quiet. Quiet.

The agents step back nonchalantly.

AMANI

Hastor?

HASTOR

I'm listening.

AMANI

Bring a table and two chairs to

A warehouse 64-14a E106th street.

I'll give you your bomb and

I want to have one last

Conversation with Hope DelSoro.

HASTOR

How about I send a squad out to

Get it for us?

AMANI (Shaking her head)

You don't want to do that.

DIXON

We're taking charge from here.

We have an address. We get the

Bomb you get the arrest if that's

All you want.

HASTOR

Fair deal.

DeWITT

We'll be moving in a Humvee with

Military guard so look

professional.

Dixon and DeWitt leave. Amani cows her head, defeated.

HASTOR

Well, let's go.

ACT 3

Night.

Hastor folds up a table and tosses it in the back of a police SUV. He returns and under guard Amani is marched in shackles to the SUV and put into the back seat. Amani watches as Hastor takes out a ring full of keys. Vignette still frame of the key ring. Hastor puts the keys in her front coat pocket.

HASTOR

East 106th street? There is

Nothing out there. You

Wouldn't bring the bomb out

There unless you aren't

Planning to hurt anyone. Why

Not plant it in the city where

You could do some real damage?

AMANI

Where is Hope DelSoro?

HASTOR

Making a call to her family.

She'll be coming along after

Us. Lemon, the other officer

He'll take care of it.

AMANI

I won't cooperate without her.

HASTOR

I'm no longer concerned about your

Cooperation. I don't see you have

Any options left.

AMANI

How about your partner?

HASTOR

He'll be bringing her to the site.

Lemon's not my partner. He's

A friend who respects my methods.

He likes my technique.

AMANI

Is that all he likes?

HASTOR

If there is anything else he doesn't

Talk About it.

AMANI

You're not a good person, you know

That, detective Hastor?

HASTOR

All depends on how you define good.

I like to think of a good person

As someone who never gives up on

the goal they've set for themselves

No matter what the cost.

AMANI

Is that so?

HASTOR

Yeah. Wouldn't you say I'm a good

Person by that measure?

AMANI

Well, maybe, but by those standards

I assure you I'm the best person

you'll ever meet.

Amani rattles her chains and looks out the caged window. Hastor starts the car and drives off.

The car pulls up to the destination. It is a dimly lit warehouse construction site. Hastor pulls the car up to the shell of the construction. Walls on all side and a roof with a bare concrete floor. The Hum-vee has perimeter lights Sharply cutting the dark room. Some further LEDs shine showing the surreal sillouettes of the two agents and three soldiers who've come to identify the weapon and secure the area. Hastor parks the car and marches out Amani. A soldier approaches her. It is the first guard she saw from the airbase.

GUARD

I remember you. You broke my

Perimeter. You are so lucky

The cops got to you first.

Hastor steps between them.

HASTOR

Yes she is, soldier, so be

Reminded I have the situation

Under control.

GUARD

We're detaining your suspect.

HASTOR

How so?

The other soldiers erect a cage complete with Chain-link floor and ceiling. When completed Dixon steps forward, unlocks the door to the cage and opens. Obligingly, Amani walks in and the door is slammed shut behind her. She turns. The helplessness in her expression wrought in defeat has replaced her normal calm. Hastor sets up the table and chairs as requested and sits. The angry soldiers and agents wait impatiently for the payoff.

Hope and Lemon are driving along the same road. The car pulls into the Warehouse. Hope exits and sees caged Amani she runs over to her but stops short of the cage itself. DeWitt backs Hope away from the cage. Hastor rises.

DEWITT

Please step away from the suspect.

HASTOR

Have a seat here, miss.

Hope complies as Dixon opens the cage.

DIXON

This is everything you asked.

Show us the bomb.

Amani walks from the cage and across the bare concrete expanse of the warehouse. She looks back at Hope one last time but sees no reassurance from her. Amani reaches out her hand and in a magical flash of purple light the bomb appears, foreboding and enormous on the warehouse floor. DeWitt approaches smiling and looks over the bomb, then takes Amani by the arm.

DEWITT

That will be enough for you.

Let's go.

AMANI

Wait! I was promised-

DEWITT

Shut up.

HASTOR

Hang on, agent DeWitt.

DEWITT

Shut up.

HASTOR

I made a promise.

DEWITT

Well I took an oath. Go to Hell.

Hastor gets right into DeWitt's face.

HASTOR

You promised me an arrest. This

Is my arrest. I made a vow to

This suspect and I'm taking

Responsibility.

DEWITT

You're arrest is-

HASTOR

Why don't you go inspect your

Bomb? Make sure it's safe. I

Have to stay with my suspect and

Keep my ears open for whatever

she's going to say.

DeWitt grimaces angrily for a moment then shoves Amani into Hastor. Hastor walks Amani to the table as the agents inspect the bomb with one of the soldiers. Hope tries to look reassuringly into Amani's eyes.

HOPE

You did the right thing, Amani

It's all over for you now.

So you can rest.

AMANI

No, Hope. This means I have

To try something different.

HOPE

Why won't you just stop yourself?

AMANI

You won't let me. The very thought

Of you won't let me. Every night

You leave. Every morning you return.

I can't stop it any more than I can

Stop the dawn or the sunset. But I

Have to. I have to!

HOPE

What are you saying?

Amani extends her hands to the limit of the shackles and feebly reaches out her fingers.

AMANI

Take my hand, Hope.

With pity that melts into sympathy, Hope puts her hand in Amani's. Amani begins to whisper to her. Hastor is curious. The distracted Agents continue to inspect the bomb while the soldiers stand guard. Lemon sits on the hood of the car, keen on Hastor's next move. Trying to overhear Hastor approaches closer. Amani's hands tremble holding on to Hopes as she continues to whisper. Hastor takes one fateful step closer. Amani's eyes shoot to Hastor and in that instant she freezes time. Amani's Soul gem moves to her hand. It is heavily tainted but fully lit indicating a full charge. Everything is now in vignette and desaturated colors except for Hope and Amani. A tiny clock is heard ticking away fast.

AMANI (CTD)

Hope. There isn't much time.

Hope looks around, perplexed.

HOPE

Wait. Amani. What's going on?

AMANI

It's my soul gem. I'm freezing

Time but it won't last long.

Do you see the detective?

HOPE

What are you doing, Amani?

AMANI

In the front pocket of the

Detective is a ring of keys

I need it to get free. But If I

Make contact with her then I'll

be caught so you have to do it.

Amani's Soul Gem is now a quarter drained of light.

HOPE

Amani!

Hope pulls away. They begin to talk frantically to one another

AMANI

No, Hope! Don't let go! Please!

Listen to me! Listen! I have to

Fight Walpurgisnacht. It could

Destroy the city and kill hundreds!

HOPE

What?

AMANI

It's a curse! It's a giant witches

Curse. I'm the only one who can

Fight it. I have to save them.

I have to save the city!

HOPE

I can't just-

AMANI

I'm the only one left, Hope! No

One else can fight it! You have

To trust me now. All those

People will die if you don't!

HOPE

No. No.

AMANI

Hope. It's easy. Just reach into

That pocket. Get the keys. That's

All. I can do the rest.

HOPE

Uh-

AMANI

Just reach out, Hope. Get the key

For me. Go on. You've got it.

Hope timidly raises a hand and brings it to the pocket of the detective. Then Hope comes back.

HOPE

What are you trying to do here,

Amani? We can't-

AMANI

You need to work with me here!

HOPE

What?

AMANI

Do you want people to die?

HOPE

No.

AMANI

You know I save people, right?

HOPE

Yes.

AMANI
I am going to save those people

But I have to get out of here.

Get those keys! Now. Just do

it now. Don't even think.

Hope rises again, and gets her hand up to Hastor's pocket.

AMANI (CTD)

You're doing just fine. It's just

Down there. Don't worry. Don't be

Nervous. One…two-

She goes on two, pulling out the keys easily enough, though trembling and nervous.

AMANI (CTD)

That's it! You did it! Just don't

Think about the rest. Put the keys

In my hand. It's all you need to do.

You can do it, Hope. It's easy.

Hope now suddenly hesitates and realizes the gravity of what she is doing.

AMANI (CTD)

What are you doing? It's already

done! Hope! Listen to me! You

did it! Come on, just give me the

keys! I'll save everyone. I'll

defend the city. This is it.

You can trust me. I came here to

save you.

Amani is suddenly silent as though a secret has nearly escaped her without her. Hope grits her teeth and puts the keys in Amani's hand. Amani grips hopes hand and flips it over showing the soul gem is half drained.

AMANI (CTD)

OK, Hope. This next bit is going

to be scary. But you have to

trust me.

HOPE

What do you mean scary?

AMANI

Trust me!

HOPE

What are you doing, Amani?

Amani lets go of Hope's hand and in that moment she disappears. The world returns to normal and the shackles drop empty to the table where they slide off to the floor. The sound of bodies hitting the floor as Hope suddenly freezes up for the worst. A machine gun fires. Hope turns to see Amani brandishing one of the soldier's assault rifles.

AMANI

Everyone! Hands in the air!

You! Off the car and move

Over there!

She runs, putting her gun in Hastor's face.

AMANI (CTD)

Move it! Over there, with the

rest of them! Line up! All of

you! Keep those hands up!

Interlock your fingers above

Your heads. Right now. Stay put

Hope, put your hands down.

The agents, Lemon and Hastor comply. Everyone is put at a standstill by Amani's action. A light is trickling up the side of Amani's soul gem. It is recharging to its full status. While it does Amani just holds everyone steady. The gun in the agent's faces, Hope, shocked and stuck in her chair. Amani looking down the sites of her weapon. Extreme close ups Sergio Leone spaghetti western stuff. The soul gem fully recharges.

AMANI

OK, everyone.

DIXON

Listen, terrorist scum our-

Amani points her rifle at him and approaches.

AMANI

Stick out your tongue and bite it!

Do it right now. Teeth and tongue!

Dixon complies.

AMANI (CTD)

Hope! The soldiers have all been

knocked out. Go over and disarm

them. Toss everything but the

clothes on their backs.

HOPE

Amani…

AMANI

Do it Hope!

Hope reluctantly follows the order and moves to the first soldier tossing off a wireless and a sidearm. She moves to the next soldier.

AMANI

The rest of you, take off your

Shirts and empty your pants

Pockets. Then show me your

backs. Toss all weapons.

DeWitt takes this opportunity to make a reach for his pistol. Just as he draws Amani vanishes and re-appears behind DeWitt. She fires her rifle which she has tucked alongside of DeWitt's thigh. The bullet shims across his leg and DeWitt collapses cupping the wound in pain. Amani steps back and away, refocusing her gun on the others. Hope trembles.

AMANI(CTD)

That's a graze. It's the last

Wounding shot I will fire.

Shirts off to your bare chest.

Hastor can keep her bra. That's

it. Pockets empty. Hope, when

you're done, there should be a

first aid kit in the truck. Get it.

She points the gun at Lemon and gestures to DeWitt.

AMANI

You! He gets stripped to his

Undies once you're done. Toss

His ankle pistol too.

The officers and agents strip their shirts and empty their pockets, guns, phones, keys and wallets spill to the floor along with the shirts and jackets. Hope comes over with the first aid kit.

HOPE

Here, Amani.

Amani takes and tosses it to Lemon with one motion.

AMANI

Treat the wound. You other two,

Each take one of those soldiers

and drag them into the cage.

Stay in there when you're done.

Dixon walks to the soldier then suddenly bolts for the door. Amani appears right in front of him and bats his face with the butt of the rifle. Amani points the rifle at the agent and he gets his hands up before he complies to drag a soldier. The unconscious soldiers are dragged into the cage. Lemon finishes patching DeWitt. Amani addresses Lemon

AMANI (CTD)

Stand up and get in the cage.

As for you, red shank, drag

yourself there.

DeWitt limps inside and the last knocked out soldier is taken inside the cage with Lemon and Amani points her gun therein.

AMANI (CTD)

Hope, shut the cage door.

Hope does nothing.

AMANI (CTD)

Now, Hope.

Hope walks to the door and lays her hand on it.

HASTOR

If you lock that door you will

Be an accessory to an act of

Terrorism.

Amani moves to the cage and aims right at Hastor

AMANI

She is not an accessory. She

Is my hostage…Say it.

HASTOR

She's a hostage.

AMANI

Hostage, close the door and lock it.

Hope closes the door and shuts it locked. Amani throws down her gun in relief. The prisoners run at the cage and rattle at the bars, jolting Hope back. They are screaming at her. Hope is getting to her limit at this point. Amani puts her hand on Hope's shoulder. This stabilizes her but she is not calm.

AMANI

Throw your phone into that pile.

Then get back to the truck.

Hope discards her phone with the officer's belongings then retreats. Amani walks over to the bomb. The caged prisoners are helpless as she absorbs the bomb back into her Soul Gem and walks confidently to the Humvee. She picks up the Humvee keys from the ground and jumps inside the cab. She starts the engine. (F2) Bon Jovi's "Living on a prayer" comes on the stereo and the lyrics "She says we've got to hold on to what we got" ring out as the vehicle rolls away from the warehouse. Hope is a blank. Amani is now stoic.

HOPE

I…I don't even know.

AMANI

Yes. It was scary. I told you

It would be. It's over now.

HOPE

I want to get out Amani.

AMANI

I'm sorry. We can't now.

One more day is all. I promise.

This is going to be over.

HOPE

Where are we going?

AMANI

We have to ditch the Truck and walk

for a distance but it's dark and we

can go unnoticed to the safe house

if we use my timeouts.

HOPE

What safe house?

AMANI

Joy's place. I've paid her

Bills and I've sent out

Mails in her parents name.

I told the school she's at a

Family Funeral in France.

Alsace-Lorraine. She's

supposed to come back to town

in the morning, but the storm

is going to cancel her flight.

HOPE

What storm?

A peal of thunder is heard. Hope looks to see lightning in the distance. The two are silent once more.

AMANI

Thank you for trusting me.

HOPE

Well, it's what you said, right?

I think if only-If only they knew

You are trying to save this city.

You're a hero and you're doing what

Is best for everyone. If only they

Knew that about you.

Amani suddenly stops the truck and pulls out the key to focus herself

HOPE

Amani?

AMANI

When I was nine I went out into

The yard and found an ant hill.

Red fire ants and their terrible

Little stings. Those bastards

in their hill. I kicked it over.

The next day it was rebuilt.

I did the same thing for three

days and on the fourth day I

sprayed it with the hose to get

rid of it. They built it even

larger. This city is no

different. No matter what

Walpurgisnacht does it won't go

away. So what's the point in

that? I don't care about this

place.

HOPE

Then why do you do what you do,

Amani? What are you fighting for?

AMANI

The storm is about to hit. Let's

Go so we don't get caught in the rain.

Amani starts the car again and drives to town.

Joy's apartment.

The door opens and the two girls walk in with nightlights lit. There is hardly any light as outside wind is heard picking up and thunder is distant.

AMANI

We walked about four miles from

The truck, so I can tell you're

Tired. You can lie down.

HOPE

OK.

Hope sits on the couch for a moment before laying out. She sees the book on the floor. Hope opens it on the living room table, turning on the desk lamp and on the inside cover it is written 'To Joy, this book changed my life. It's a little out there but read it and you'll totally get me, you know? –Charity-' Hope shuts the book as Amani closes the drapes, turns off the light Hope was using and sits in a chair across the table.

AMANI

We have to keep the lights off.

No TV. No music. I'm unplugging

The wi-fi. You can read or draw.

No using the appliances or

Microwave. Not risking the smoke

Detectors going off. Stay quiet.

Wear slippers when you walk and

Don't speak too loudly. If you can

hear water in the building's pipes

then you can use the bathroom or

shower. The bathroom doesn't have

windows so you can use the lights

in there but switch them off before

you leave the room. Don't open any

of the drapes or walk too close to

the windows.

HOPE
Do you have what you need?

AMANI

Yes. I'm ready.

The two stare at one another as rain begins to pelt the side of the window.

HOPE

Show me how many Grief seeds you have.

Amani stares at Hope for a moment before she stands.

AMANI

It's late. You should sleep.

Joy's bed is-the bed is down the

Hall. Use any clothes you want.

Hope sets a grief seed on the table in front of Amani.

HOPE

Use this.

AMANI

Where did you get it?

HOPE

She was my best friend.

Shaken to her core Hope rises and leaves down the hall.

HOPE (CTD)

Good night.

AMANI

Sweet dreams.

Amani watches as the door closes behind Hope. As soon as the door is shut Amani rushes to the grief seed. She forms her soul gem of dark, murky purple and injects the seed. She doubles over in pain as the taint seeps out of the gem. Amani makes a fist and bites into the knuckles to stop herself from making a sound. When finally done Amani removes the seed, on the verge of tears when she hears Hope. Hope cries uncontrollably down the hall and Amani sits up and stares at the door longingly for a moment.

ARVESS

That was close.

Amani spins around to see the angel in chiaroscuro, darkened, silhouetted, foreboding staring at her across the table.

ARVESS (CTD)

You used so much of your energy

To escape from those people with

Badges. I thought for sure you'd

Never make it out. Once a soul

Gem starts to crack it can't be

Repaired, even with time magic

and you just barely caught it.

AMANI

Why are you here, Harvester?

ARVESS

This is the only place I can be.

A potential who will reap us more

Energy than ever before,

Walpurgisnacht on its way, the

Mysterious time puella with all

The secrets hidden inside of her.

Where else do I belong?

Arvess' Halo untethers from his head and opens into an inter-dimensional pit in front of Amani. Murky dark curses flow in an endless vortex within with foreboding terrible wails of grief.

ARVESS

You drained it. Throw it in.

Amani looks at the grief seed. The details have sunken in and before her very eyes the injector needle withdraws and all that remains is a carbon black sphere. With an ambivalent nod Amani holds the sphere over the void and drops it. The sphere does not drop but lingers as though in a vortex before rapidly spinning and being broken into pieces and sucked away into the abyss. Arvess' Halo returns to normal.

AMANI

You're done here.

ARVESS

Her suffering is in there now.

It no longer belongs to her or anyone.

Formless and assimilated to the

Void, indistinct. A single drop into

An ocean of the final tears of dying

eyes, mixed together a sea of sadness

That will never end.

AMANI

Enough.

ARVESS

You know it will be the same for you.

You will be sent into that place forever

and ever. That girl down the hall, I

will grant her wish. What you have just

done she will do to you.

AMANI

Leave me.

ARVESS

Then someday another puella will do it to her.

AMANI

(At the top of her lungs)

GET OUT!

The rain pelts, the wind blows and the thunder resounds. Hope sobs. Amani is enraged. Arvess' Halo opens again, this time with a shaft of light that floods the room.

ARVESS

Our entire society is in

Anticipation. We can't wait

To see what happens.

Personally, I'd rather find

Out how this all started.

We'll speak again once I've

Figured that out. Savor what

You have because your time is

Short. Actually, your time is

Always short, isn't it?

Arvess enters the Halo which collapses thereafter. Amani, head in hands regains her composure as outside the storm grows in ferocity and Hope weeps down the hall.

AMANI

Hope.

Credits