FADE IN:
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - DAY
A bright clear day in San Francisco. The year is 1996. From OFFSCREEN, the sound of a vortex opening is heard. The SLIDERS-Quinn, Wade, Rembrandt and, Arturo, emerge from around the corner, each rubbing their sore spots.
ARTURO
Agh! Mr. Brown, how many times must you knee me in the back?
REMBRANDT
Hey, what are you blaming me for? It's not my fault the cement is harder than wood
QUINN
Don't complain, guys. Next time it could be spikes
As the sliders keep walking, they notice a rolling peal of thunder. The scene grows dark as black clouds quickly roll in overhead.
WADE
Maybe we should go inside, guys. It looks like it's going to rain
In the next few seconds, the sky begins to darken some more. People hustle off the streets as if their lives depended on it. The sliders stand there and watch.
REMBRANDT
Man, I've never seen people so afraid of rain before. This reminds me of the time Maurice Fish tried to follow my lead and go solo by performing at a comedy club. Man, the place was empty faster than you could say Cryin' Man
ARTURO
Yes, well perhaps it would be suitable to follow their lead and go indoors. Whatever is going on can't be good
At this moment, Rembrandt feels a drop of the rain on him. He winces as if it were painful.
REMBRANDT
Ah! This rain stings like a bugger!
Quinn feels a drop of the rain in the palm of his hand. He also does not enjoy the feel of it.
QUINN
Acid rain, guys
Wade notices the sliders usual hotel-The Dominion Hotel up the street ahead. She points in the said direction.
WADE
Quick! There's The Dominion right up ahead
REMBRANDT
Man, and me without my asbestos umbrella
The sliders put their coats over their heads as they run down the street and into the doors of the Dominion Hotel.
INT. DOMINION LOBBY - DAY
REMBRANDT
Man, if we had stayed out there any longer, we would have dissolved to nothing but bones
ARTURO
On the contrary, Mr. Brown. Even a moderately strong acidic solution will easily dissolve the human bone
REMBRANDT
Well that's a relief
The sliders' clothes are sizzling and smoking. They each rip off their coats and throw them in the garbage can. It's at this point, the sliders are able to look around. The Dominion looks normal and usual, but very empty. The clerk at the front desk- GOMEZ CALHOUN, is the first to notice them.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Are you folks alright? Didn't you hear the weather report?
REMBRANDT
Uh, we're from out of town. Just arrived
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Well welcome to San Francisco. First things first: never go out without checking the weather. Especially during the rainy season
In the next instance, a group of HOTEL GUESTS come barging down the stairs with their luggages. They wear heavy raincoats and begin to pop open their umbrellas as they head for the front door.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Uh, you folks probably shouldn't be heading outside in the rain
HOTEL GUEST
I'd rather be staked out in a typhoon in my birthday suit than spend another second in this madhouse!
The guests run out. Gomez turns his attention back to the sliders.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Ah well, would you folks like a room?
ARTURO
Yes, my good sir. One large room. Four beds please
Arturo begins taking out cash dollar bills out of his jacket as the other sliders are still processing what just happened with the fleeing guests.
WADE
So what was that all about? They said they would rather be 'staked out in a typhoon' naked then stay here?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Oh uh. Here at the Dominion we offer a very unique vacation experience. Not many people can handle this much pampering and relaxation
QUINN
You're telling us people will run into an acid rain storm because they can't handle the service being so good?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Anyways, all the rooms are stocked with all of the latest amenities. We have some acid-proof rain jackets, a decontamination shower stall, an emergency eye-wash and a handpicked selection of assorted complimentary burn ointments. If there are any questions, feel free to ring the front desk
The sliders are skeptical but brush it off. Arturo hands Gomez the money for the room.
ARTURO
Yes, well I'm sure this will be fine. Thank you
Gomez hands Arturo their room key. The sliders go up the stairs and head to their room.
INT. SLIDERS ROOM - EVENING
REMBRANDT
How much longer till the next window, Q-Ball?
Quinn takes the timer out of his jacket pocket and looks at the readout.
QUINN
About twelve hours
WADE
Well at least we got a roof over our heads
QUINN
Better order a wake-up call for the morning
REMBRANDT
Ah, it's too early to crash. How about we go down for a drink?
ARTURO
Lead on, Mr. Brown
WADE
Ah, I'm feeling kind of tired, guys. Think I'll stay in
REMBRANDT
You alright, girl?
WADE
Yeah, just don't feel like drinking right now
QUINN
We'll be down in the bar if you need us
The men head out of the room, leaving Wade alone. She decides to plop down in one of the chairs and turns on the TV. First we hear a weatherman speaking.
NEWS BROADCASTER (O.S)
And the weekend weather forecast is wet and wicked, with no end in sight. From Encino we have a report of a woman caught out in the sudden squall, completely skeletonized in under a minute. Film at eleven.
CUT TO:
INT. LAMPLIGHTER PUB - NIGHT
Quinn and Rembrandt sit at the bar drinking beers. An extra beer sits in the third empty spot beside them. Arturo walks back over to them from the newspaper stand nearby in the bar. He is reading from a paper he has in his hand.
ARTURO
So apparently on this world, the Edsel automobile made by the Ford Motor Company-on our world, it was a spectacular failure, but on this world, it became the number one selling car of all time. Suffice to say, it's product line is still rampant today. However, the problem with these cars is they would end up producing more emissions
REMBRANDT
What does this have to do with acid rain?
QUINN
Heavy emissions release sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases into the air. These gases help produce acid rain
ARTURO
Right you are, Mr. Mallory. And it appears that on this world, the majority of the Ford Motor Company branches are here in California and most importantly, San Francisco. That explains the heavy amounts of acid rain only happening around here. They say that Canada banned the usage of the car back in 1989, when they realised it was causing too much emissions into the air
REMBRANDT
So why don't they ban the car here?
ARTURO
Because it is such a big seller for the Ford Motor Company! Do you not keep up with the news?
QUINN
So because of the high amounts of car emissions, I would assume this world is also facing a bigger global warming crisis
ARTURO
Yes. It appears that on this world, the average monthly temperatures in San Francisco are at an all time high compared to our world. The average high temperature in January of this year was at 69.0 degrees Fahrenheit compared to our own which was at 56.3 degrees last year
REMBRANDT
Man, can't imagine what it must be like in the summer then
ARTURO
According to this, the average high temperature in San Francisco last year during the month of July was at 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit
REMBRANDT
Man, everyone must live in the water then. The sun would melt you to death
ARTURO
And astonishingly high temperatures are not the only problem. It appears that since all of the glaciers in the arctic having previously melted away, the sea levels have risen an exceedingly high amount of 18 inches since 1880. Most of that happening in the last few decades
REMBRANDT
Man, acid rain, then underwater atlantis. This just keeps getting better and better
QUINN
And I suppose the president isn't doing much about the climate change effects here either
ARTURO
Last week, President Ross Perot is quoted as saying that climate change is a hoax implanted by the Republicans as an attempt to get George H. W. Bush back into office
REMBRANDT
Some things are the same on every world
CUT TO:
INT. SLIDERS ROOM - NIGHT
Karloff's Frankenstein is playing on the TV. Wade sits in the chair watching it. Suddenly, the TV switches OFF by itself. Confused, Wade takes the remote and flips it back ON. She sets the remote back on the table. After a beat, the TV turns OFF again.
Wade reaches for the remote but it's gone. At this point, she turns around and sees a TRANSLUCENT OLD WOMAN standing in the room with the remote control in hand.
WADE
Hey, how did you get in here?
The old woman turns to leave with the TV remote still in her hand.
WADE
Hey, you can't take that. That's mine!
Wade hurries into the hall.
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
She looks around and sees the woman standing silently at the end of the hallway.
WADE
Who are you?
But as soon as Wade moves toward her, the woman runs around a corner.
WADE
Wait!
Wade follows. She darts around the corner and now sees the woman standing in front of the door to one of the rooms.
WADE
I'm not going to do anything. Look, I just want my remote back
The woman's mouth moves, as if she's speaking, but no sound comes out.
WADE
Excuse me?
The woman turns and walks through the closed door. Her body passes effortlessly through the solid door, but the remote control thunks into the wood and falls to the floor. Wade stares in amazement. She moves to the door and picks up the remote. She then tries twisting the knob. Locked. She looks up at the number on the door: 315.
CUT TO:
INT. LAMPLIGHTER PUB - NIGHT
Quinn, Rembrandt and Arturo are still there drinking. Wade enters and walks up to them.
WADE
Guys, I think something really strange is going on here
REMBRANDT
You're telling me. 9 dollars for a beer. What is this? Inflation world?
WADE
No guys, that's not what I'm talking about
QUINN
What's the matter, Wade?
WADE
There was someone in our room. This old woman. Only she wasn't really there. All of a sudden, she just appeared and she took the TV remote, and then she walked through a closed door right out of thin air
REMBRANDT
Wait a minute, are you trying to say you saw a ghost?
ARTURO
Hogwash! Ghosts are merely just figments of the imagination. It's likely Miss. Welles just fell asleep watching the television and had a vivid dream
WADE
It was there, professor! I know what I saw!
ARTURO
Miss. Welles, now we're all tired. You know as well as I do that ghosts don't exist. You probably just fell asleep and dreamt up the event
WADE
Professor, not everything can be explained with science, you know. The supernatural does exist, even on our world
At this moment there is a lightning strike as a MAN dressed all in black, enters the Dominion. The sliders see this through the open passageway between the Dominion and the Lamplighter.
STRANGER
(Growling)
I have a few more trucks in the cab
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Welcome to the Dominion. Would you like a room?
STRANGER
I said I have a few more trunks in the cab
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Oh sir, we don't-
The stranger cuts him off with a yell.
STRANGER
I SAID I HAVE A FEW MORE TRUNKS IN THE CAB!
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Oh, okay…
A submissive Gomez comes out from behind the counter and goes outside. But not before putting on one of the acid-proof jackets on his way out.
REMBRANDT
Man, this is the second weirdest hotel I've ever stayed in
QUINN
You could call that the first
CUT TO:
INT. SLIDERS BATHROOM - NIGHT
Remmy is in the bathroom shaving, as he quietly hums "Tears in My Fro" to himself. Hot water is running from the sink as the mirror steams up. He freezes as he notices letters being drawn in the steamed up mirror reading "Help us". But no one wrote this!
CUT TO:
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
Quinn exits the Sliders' suite and walks down the hall carrying an ice bucket. As he heads toward the ice machine, he hears a noise behind himself. He turns to see the stranger from the lobby loitering in the hallway near the Sliders' room. Quinn watches curiously as he gets down on his hands and knees and begins vacuuming the carpet around the Sliders' room with a high-tech "dustbuster."
Quinn takes a step towards him and the Stranger notices him. He jumps to his feet and hurries off down the hall, and ducks into another room. Quinn shrugs and continues towards the ice machine.
As he gets there, he flips open the lid and scoops out a bucket full of ice. As he scrapes away the ice, he sees his own face staring back at him. Shocked, Quinn spills the ice as he slowly backs away from the machine.
CUT TO:
INT. SLIDERS ROOM - NIGHT
Wade and the professor sit in chairs, still invested in that argument from before.
WADE
Professor, I know what I saw
ARTURO
Now I have had enough of entertaining this superstitious bubkes for this evening, Miss. Welles
He picks up a book resting on the table beside him, and opens it up. Next to the book on the table, sits the timer.
ARTURO
You obviously had a very vivid dream and may I remind you that you are not a child
WADE
You just think I'm making this up, do you?
Arturo sighs and puts his book back down.
ARTURO
Miss. Welles-
At this moment, Remmy and Quinn come bursting into the room from their respective places.
REMBRANDT
Alright, there's something officially wrong with this hotel
QUINN
There's something really strange going on here, guys..
ARTURO
Augh! Enough of this superstitious foolishness!
REMBRANDT
There was something in the bathroom with me. It wrote help us on the mirror
QUINN
I could swear to god there was a head in the ice machine. Only it wasn't just a head...it was...me
REMBRANDT
I'm telling you, this place is haunted
Wade gives the professor a knowing look as he sighs and gets up from his chair.
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
The sliders come back to the ice machine.
QUINN
Trust me, guys. I'm not lying. It was in there
WADE
Well I believe you
ARTURO
Mr. Mallory, you are a man of science. How could you possibly involve yourself with something so foolish and juvenile?
QUINN
Professor, I'm telling you. There was a kid in there and it looked just like me. You don't believe me, take a look for yourself
Arturo sighs as he opens up the ice machine. There is nothing but cubes inside.
ARTURO
Just as I thought. Hogwash!
Arturo leads the charge heading back to the room.
QUINN
Professor, I know it doesn't make much sense but I know a disembodied head when I see one
ARTURO
Look, will you three grow up?! Now we are all tired and it has been a very long day. There is nothing wrong with this hotel. It's the same on every world we stay in!
After the sliders are out of sight, the strange man from the lobby steps around the corner. He was obviously eavesdropping. He moves to the ice machine and checks it out. There are some ice cubes still on the floor from when Quinn spilt the ice. Using a set of tongs, he begins picking up the melting ice cubes from the floor and dropping them into a thermos.
INT. SLIDERS ROOM - NIGHT
The timer which sits on the table, mysteriously levitates in thin air and moves out of the frame.
In the next moment, the sliders re enter the room, still having a go at it with the same conversation.
REMBRANDT
Well I certainly didn't have a nightmare while I was shaving!
ARTURO
Alright, let's think this through logically now. Those words could have been written on the mirror anytime. Perhaps the steam was only making them visible again. And the head could be explained as perhaps Mr. Mallory's double was murdered in the hotel and his head was put into the ice machine. Or perhaps his double was simply playing hide and seek and Mr. Mallory only simply failed to see his body
QUINN
Professor, no human could fit inside that ice machine
ARTURO
All I'm saying is let's think these things through rationally before we go making judgeless calls
QUINN
Come on guys. Let's just get some sleep. We got an early slide in the morning
Wade moves over to the side table where the timer once was. She is able to now notice that it's no longer there.
WADE
Quinn-where's the timer?
He goes over to the table where Wade is.
QUINN
Okay, who took it?
ARTURO
No. It was you who had it last. You put it down there before you went to go get the ice
Quinn, along with the others, begin to hunt around for the timer.
QUINN
Okay guys, stay calm. There's probably a logical explanation for all of this
WADE
Maybe it has something to do with the old woman that was in here earlier
ARTURO
(sighs)
Miss. Welles. There is no way that a ghost stole the timer
REMBRANDT
You know, while we were heading back from the ice machine, I noticed that strange guy from the lobby was snooping around outside
QUINN
Alright. You guys go check him out. I'll go and talk to Calhoun and see if he knows anything
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
The sliders stand outside of a room on the second floor.
Arturo knocks on the door. We hear crashing and scrambling inside, and the door opens a crack. The Stranger peers out.
STRANGER
Yeah?
From the darkness behind the stranger, we can see weird flashes of light and hear various electronic BLEEPS and CHIRPS.
ARTURO
Yes, my good man. We have recently lost something of value to us and were wondering if you could spare a minute of your time
STRANGER
I'm busy
WADE
What were you doing snooping around outside our room for?
STRANGER
Leave me alone
REMBRANDT
Hey, what have you got in there?
INT. STRANGER'S ROOM - NIGHT
The Stranger tries to shut the door, but Remmy pushes it open. As the Sliders brush past the Stranger into the room, we see it is filled with stacks of electronic equipment: scanners and oscilloscopes, cables twist around the room to form a jerry- rigged lab. The Sliders look around in amazement.
STRANGER
You can't just bust in here
ARTURO
Sir, we only would like a minute of your time. Now we seem to have lost a tiny remote control device that may bear a resemblance to a cellular telephone. Since you appear to have an interest in electronics, we were wondering if you may have seen it?
It's at this point that we finally get a clear look at the ominous Stranger that's been lurking throughout the hotel.
STRANGER
What would I be doing in your room?
WADE
Wow, look at all this equipment...
STRANGER
I'm doing meteorological experiments. Analyzing weather patterns and atmospheric contamination. That's all
Rembrandt picks up the high-tech "dustbuster" he saw the stranger using earlier outside the Sliders' suite.
REMBRANDT
You're telling us you study the weather by sucking up dust bunnies?
The stranger snatches the dust buster away from Remmy.
STRANGER
I was collecting water and particulate samples tracked into the hotel on people's shoes, if it's any of your business.
Wade picks up the stranger's wallet that is lying on the table. She flips it open.
WADE
John Smith. Graduate student at Caltech
He snatches back the wallet from Wade.
SMITH
My mother named me after the Greek god of intellectual pursuits.
ARTURO
Ah yes, well I believe we should be going now to allow Mr. Smith to get back to his work. Have a goodnight
SMITH
Hm? Yes. Goodnight
The sliders exit the hotel room.
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
REMBRANDT
Yeah I don't know about you guys but I'm getting strange vibes from that guy
ARTURO
I would agree. We haven't seen anyone else here since we showed up
WADE
Well come on, guys. We've got nine hours to find the timer or else we're stuck here
ARTURO
Yes, I believe we should start searching
INT. DOMINION LOBBY - NIGHT
Quinn rings the bell on the front desk and Gomez Calhoun appears behind it.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
You need any help with something, sir?
QUINN
Yeah. We seem to have lost something. You haven't happened to have seen a device, it's about this big
(He gestures with his hands)
And looks a bit like a cell phone
GOMEZ CALHOUN
No, I haven't seen anything like that. How about we check the Lost and Found
QUINN
We believe it might have been taken from our room. You haven't seen anyone go in there since we arrived, have you? Like a maid maybe?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
I make up the rooms myself. I haven't been in there since you checked in
QUINN
Alright well thanks for the help anyways
Quinn turns to leave.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
I'll keep an eye out for it and I'll tell you if I see anything
He heads upstairs where he runs into Wade in the hallway.
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
WADE
Quinn?
QUINN
You guys find the timer yet?
WADE
Not yet
They walk along the corridor. As they talk, they look under plants, behind paintings, test doors, etc.
QUINN
There's something real strange going on here, Wade
WADE
You're telling me. Tell that to Mr. Science is The Only Fact
QUINN
(chuckles)
Come on you two. Do you have to get into a debate on every world?
WADE
I think he's scared. He's too afraid to accept the fact that there might be more to truth outside of things that can be explained with facts and logic
QUINN
Well when you've been in the game as long as he has, that's bound to happen
CUT TO:
INT. LAMPLIGHTER PUB - NIGHT
In the dark, Rembrandt and Arturo search for the timer.
REMBRANDT
I don't get it. You think we might have dropped it outside?
ARTURO
Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Brown. We had it with us when we checked into the room. I am certain of it
REMBRANDT
Yeah well objects don't just up and disappear, professor
Remmy looks under the bar, behind the booze bottles.
ARTURO
What are you looking for?
REMBRANDT
There's a flashlight behind here on every world
ARTURO
Why do you know that?
Remmy finds the flashlight and flicks it on.
REMBRANDT
Got it
He lays the flashlight around the room, catching just a fleeting glimpse of a shadowed figure, then it's gone.
REMBRANDT
Q-Ball? That you?
Behind them, a storage room door slowly creaks open, as if someone had darted through it.
REMBRANDT
Yoo Hoo, anybody there?
Rembrandt approaches the door and slowly moves through it.
INT. CELLAR - NIGHT
ARTURO
Mr. Brown, I believe this is not a very bright idea here
REMBRANDT
I thought you weren't scared, Professor
ARTURO
I am most certainly not! I resent you for having that thought! I am merely stating that this is not a place that will allow trespassers!
Rembrandt and Arturo creep down the stairs, spraying the flashlight beam around the dark, cobweb-draped wine cellar.
REMBRANDT
Yoo Hoo, anybody down here?
ARTURO
Mr. Mallory! Wade!
Behind them, the door slowly slams shut on itself.
ARTURO
Damn!
Remmy tries banging on the door.
REMBRANDT
Come on, man! You got to let us out of here!
He stops pounding as the flashlight blinks out. They both hear the sounds of rats scurrying around.
REMBRANDT
Professor, there's something I got to tell you. I'm terrified of rats!
CUT TO:
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
Quinn and Wade stand outside of room 315. They are illuminated by flashes of lightning crackling through the door crack.
WADE
This is the room I saw the old woman go into
Quinn tries to twist the knob. It's locked.
QUINN
Alright, you stay here. I'll go to the front desk and see if I can get a key here
WADE
Good plan
Quinn goes off. At this moment, the hallway is illuminated by another flash of lightning. Wade turns and sees the woman again standing in the hallway.
WADE
(Calls softly)
Quinn!
(sighs; to the woman)
What do you want from us?
The woman tries to speak but as before, her lips move but no sound comes out.
WADE
I can't hear you. Where did you come from?
The woman turns and points to room 315. There is now a key hanging from the door.
WADE
Quinn!
No answer. The woman has now vanished. Wade goes and steps into the room and disappears.
The Stranger peers around the corner. He's been watching Wade. He holds up a Geiger counter-like device and moves toward room 315. The device starts going crazy, chattering louder and faster as he approaches the room. He peers in and sees something that terrifies him. He drops his device and flees.
In the next second, Wade, seeming a bit disoriented, steps out of the room.
Quinn comes back upstairs.
QUINN
I couldn't find us a key but I got us some light
WADE
Quinn, the woman came back. She opened the door and-
QUINN
Wade! Wade, where are you?
WADE
I'm right here
Quinn looks around curiously. He can't see or hear Wade. He tries the door to room 315, which is locked again. He tries banging on it.
QUINN
Wade! Wade, are you in there?
WADE
Quinn, I'm right here!
She tries to grab onto Quinn's arm but she passes through things. She begins to realize the predicament that she's in.
WADE
Oh god, Quinn. You think Gillian's around on this world?
Quinn heads off searching. The woman appears in front of Wade again.
WOMAN
Why hello there, Sweetie Pie
WADE
Wait, my friend can't see me. You can?
WOMAN
Yeah, tis be like that. They can't, love. Sometimes they can. For like a split second in a mirror or out of the corner of their eye but they usually figure it was nothing. Like they were just hopped up on sugar, you know?
Wade reaches out and touches the woman on the shoulder.
WADE
You're really there
WOMAN
Why sure, sugar. You're on my side now, honey
WADE
Are we on the Astral Plane?
WOMAN
I don't know, sweet cakes. It's pretty boring whatever it is. You're the first person who could see me so I brought you over. Be nice to have a nice lady friend around. The others are so nasty
WADE
Wait, there are others?
CUT TO:
INT. CELLAR - NIGHT
Arturo and Remmy creep around in the darkness, moving carefully through the racks of wine and stacks of storage boxes. The rats scurry around them.
REMBRANDT
Okay rats. Just keep your distance. The Cryin' Man's not interested in being anyone's meal tonight
The two of them move slowly along, looking for a way out of there. Remmy holds up the flashlight like he would a baseball bat. Suddenly, a hand reaches in and grabs him by the shoulder- it's Quinn.
QUINN
Remmy, it's me
REMBRANDT
Yeah, it's about time, man. We've been yelling for ages
ARTURO
Where's Miss. Welles?
QUINN
I don't know. I thought she came back looking for you guys
ARTURO
What do you mean you don't know?
REMBRANDT
Well come on guys, let's get out of here
INT. DOMINION LOBBY - NIGHT
Quinn, Rembrandt and Arturo enter from the Lamplighter Pub entrance. Gomez is behind the front desk as usual, listening to the sliders talk.
QUINN
She disappeared on me. I came down trying to find a key to room 315 and when I went back upstairs, she was gone
REMBRANDT
Wait a minute. 315 is the only room without a spare key behind the desk. I thought that Smith guy was the only one staying here
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Oh, he is
REMBRANDT
Then who's got that key?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Uh, I don't know. You know, I'm sure we can get you a discount on your bill
ARTURO
Mr. Calhoun. Now our friend here is missing and someone has stolen something that belongs to us. Now you better tell us right now what is going on here
GOMEZ CALHOUN
What do you mean?
REMBRANDT
You're telling me it's normal for a head to be in the ice machine and to be locked down in some crazy rat cellar, man?!
QUINN
Look, you can trust us. We just want to know what happened to our friend
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Alright, hate to break it to you folks. It's not the off season. Well I guess you could say that every season is the off season... The hotel is haunted
ARTURO
None of this nonsense. Now what is actually going on here?
A chair slides across the floor and hits Quinn in the back of the legs. He drops into the chair, astounded before he quickly stands himself up again.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
It's haunted. You know, "Boo!", bumps in the night. Blood curdling screams. The whole nine yards. Everything
Spare keys fly out from behind the desk and Gomez catches them in an instant.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Sadly, disembodied heads in the ice machine don't exactly earn you a five star rating
REMBRANDT
So why on earth do you stay?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
I can't leave
QUINN
Why not?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
My mother and I ran this place together. We used to at least
ARTURO
Ah, your ever present mother. What happened?
CUT TO:
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
The sliders and Gomez stand outside of room 315. He takes a pass key and unlocks the door.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
This was the last place I saw her
INT. ROOM 315 - NIGHT
Gomez leads the sliders into the room. There is a large red swirling vortex in the middle of it. Except it's largely unstable and crackling with electrical discharges.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Two years ago, that thing just appeared here. Mommy must have gotten too close to it. I talked to the police, scientists, psychics. The Air Force took over the hotel for almost a year until even they got bored and gave up. I'm supposed to call them if anything happens
REMBRANDT
(To Quinn and Arturo)
Wait a minute, I thought you said our window wasn't supposed to open for another four hours?
ARTURO
That's not our window
REMBRANDT
You know what this is?
QUINN
It's a portal to another dimension. It must be stuck open somehow
REMBRANDT
You think Wade might have gone in there?
Arturo sees the device that the stranger dropped in here. He picks it up and takes it over to Quinn.
ARTURO
Mr. Mallory, look at this
CUT TO:
INT. SMITH'S ROOM - NIGHT
The door crashes open and the Sliders and Gomez rush in. All of Smith's equipment is up and running . Everything is flashing, beeping and humming like crazy. Smith looks up from one of his machines.
SMITH
So much for the 'Do Not Disturb' sign
QUINN
Where's our friend?
SMITH
I don't know what you're talking about
Arturo flips the device he found in room 315. Smith snatches it away from him.
SMITH
Who gave you a right to touch that?!
REMBRANDT
I thought you were conducting weather experiments in here
ARTURO
Yes, and since when do you conduct the weather with an EM Emissions scanner, Mr. Smith?
SMITH
For lighting and uh...atmospheric changes
GOMEZ CALHOUN
You better tell me right now what you're doing here and what you know about my mother
SMITH
Okay, okay! I'll tell you the truth...I hunt ghosts
ARTURO
Ha! Like you expect us to believe that. Now what are you really doing here?
SMITH
I have a theory that phenomena that are often attributed to the supernatural are actually a result of fluctuations in space time. What people see as ghosts are actually visitors from alternate quantum realities
QUINN
Solid theory
SMITH
I believe the disturbance in room 315 is actually a doorway into an alternate reality. I was trying to get some readings from it when I saw your friend fall in
REMBRANDT
And you didn't think to tell us about it, man?
SMITH
I was going to get around to it
QUINN
Here's the deal. We'll help you prove your theory but you're going to help us in return
ARTURO
Now, are all of these devices in proper working order?
SMITH
I put together most of these detectors in my garage. Here, these signals will help operate things
ARTURO
God help us...
Quinn hovers over a computer keyboard while Smith and Arturo double check the equipment. The others stand by and watch.
REMBRANDT
Wait a minute, man. You were saying you built a nuclear reactor in your garage?
SMITH
It was only a little one. I had no other choice after Caltech cut off my funding. They wouldn't even let me use their equipment anymore!
REMBRANDT
Yes. I might be able to understand why...
QUINN
Okay, all systems look nominal
REMBRANDT
Could you repeat that in english, man?
QUINN
Each earth has its own quantum signature. We should be able to adjust this equipment to amplify the quantum signal from that vortex upstairs
REMBRANDT
Quantum this. Quantum that. Now are we sure you know what you're doing and you're not just adding smart words to things?
ARTURO
More power, Mr. Mallory!
Quinn manipulates the small computer. He cranks up the power and in the middle of the room, Wade appears with the woman-Calhoun's mother, next to doubles of Arturo, Rembrandt and Quinn.
The doubles are an interesting scenario. Alt-Arturo is a fry cook rapper who wears gold chains around his neck. Alt-Rembrandt is dressed very Arturo and formal like. Alt-Quinn is a punk British rock star. His hair is shorter and he's wearing a leather jacket and a nose ring. Alt-Quinn also has the timer in his hand.
WADE
Quinn?!
QUINN
Wade, thank god. Are you alright?
WADE
Yeah, I'm fine
REMBRANDT
Who the devil are they?
SMITH
It worked!
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Mommy!
Gomez runs to go hug his mother but he passes right through her.
QUINN
They're not really here. The equipment's just making them visible to us
REMBRANDT 2
That is quite correct. You seem a bit more sagacious than our own Mr. Mallory
QUINN 2
Sod off you brainy twit!
REMBRANDT 2
Allow me to introduce my travelling companions. This is Quinn 'Howling Man' Mallory. A 'singer' of some sort I'm told
QUINN 2
(sings)
Get us the hell outta hereee!
ARTURO
God help us...
REMBRANDT 2
And this is Mr. Maximillian Arturo. Fry cook
ARTURO 2
Yo yo yo, it's called rapper, you blistering idiot! Get with the rhymes!
QUINN
(To Alt-Remmy)
So you're responsible for opening the vortex in the other room?
REMBRANDT 2
Yes, I was trying to build an anti-gravity device, but things went a bit awry. The resulting quantum disturbance sucked us into this ephemeral state
SMITH
This is fantastic!
GOMEZ CALHOUN
You mean to tell us who've been here the whole time? I mean I knew about the disturbances but I never knew there were people there
ARTURO 2
Yo, giz man, we've been trying to get someone to help us for like the last two years
ARTURO
You blistering idiot! You mean this is how you conduct yourself on a day to day basis?
ARTURO 2
Someone drop a beat! My rhymes are flowing across the skies, and the help is coming through the whys
ARTURO
I cannot begin to believe that we even share a common genetic structure!
QUINN
Take it easy, professor. We all have our fair share of bad doubles
REMBRANDT 2
Unfortunately, our attempts to communicate were widely missconstrued as some kind of horror show
QUINN 2
(Snorting with laughter)
Real horror show!
(To Remmy)
How'd you like the cellar, mate? Make any new friends?
ARTURO 2
Miss. Wade here was the first person to really see us
SMITH
But how could that be?
QUINN
Your equipment operates on a unique frequency similar to that of the TV's in this hotel. Wade turning on the TV must have tuned her in to them
REMBRANDT 2
My thoughts precisely
ARTURO
Miss. Welles, now do you believe me that there is no such thing as ghosts?
WADE
Professor, you're just happy that as usual you get your neat little science wrap up. One day I'll prove that ghosts are real to you
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Mommy, I've missed you so much!
CALHOUN'S MOTHER
Ah, hush now, child. Quit your tears now. You know wherever I'm going, I'll probably be having a grand old time. Now don't you worry about me, sweet cheeks. Wade told me that Quinn and the professor can get us out of here
QUINN 2
He bloody well better! We've got your little timer, see? And brainiac here says if you don't get it back before these numbers run down, you'll be right up it! Yeah baby!
REMBRANDT 2
Sorry. Who knew he was paying attention?
Suddenly, Wade along with Calhoun's mother and the ghost-sliders start to glitch out.
REMBRANDT
What's happening?
One of Smith's machines starts to beep alarmingly. He checks the readouts.
SMITH
The quantum frequency is oscillating!
QUINN
Wade's extra mass must be destabilizing the vortex
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Mommy!
SMITH
We're losing them. I don't have enough power!
WADE
(Breaking up)
Quinn...The vortex...Frankenstein...power
Wade, Calhoun's mother and the ghost sliders vanish.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Where are they?
Quinn checks the computer.
QUINN
Still here. Caught in a transient state between their world and this one
SMITH
Not for long. The stability is increasing. Another hour, maybe less, and the vortex could collapse completely
REMBRANDT
Aw man. Can't anyone say something that a normal man could understand?
ARTURO
If the exotic matter holding the vortex opens collapses...they'll be ripped apart like sliced bread
REMBRANDT
Oh man...
QUINN
Come on. We don't have time to dwell about it. Let's go!
The sliders, Gomez and the stranger run down the hall and up the level to room 315. Smith carries his device with him.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
My mommy's in there! You have to get her out!
ARTURO
Mr. Calhoun. We are using every tool at our disposal to rescue your mother and Miss. Welles!
SMITH
We need more data. I have to get closer to the vortex to get some neutrino flux readings!
REMBRANDT
Yeah well that shouldn't be too much of a problem
They see that the vortex has overgrown and is now in part of the hallway.
ARTURO
Mr. Smith. You said the vortex was collapsing!
SMITH
Uh...
Smith goes back to tinkering with his device.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
What's happening?
QUINN
I don't know. Maybe it's generating more energy to compensate for Wade's extra mass
REMBRANDT
Yeah well you better do something before it swallows up the whole planet with us inside!
QUINN
(To Smith)
If we can tune your detector to the same quantum frequency as the vortex, we might be able to stabilize it
SMITH
You want to stop that, with this?
(He holds up his device)
This thing runs on four double-A batteries!
ARTURO
Mr. Mallory's theory is quite solid. We're just going to need a little more power
REMBRANDT
Hey, what about what Wade was mentioning. She said something about Frankenstein?
QUINN
Frankenstein...power...I've got it!
Quinn runs off, grabbing one of the acid-proof rain jackets on his way out.
REMBRANDT
Hey, Q-Ball! Wait up!
ARTURO
Mr. Mallory!
EXT. HOTEL ROOF - NIGHT
In the pouring rain, Quinn, dressed in the rain coat, stands on top of the hotel roof. He attaches a heavy electrical cable to a small TV antenna.
INT. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
Quinn comes running back through the hallway, joining up with the others. He runs an electrical cable with him and he hooks it up to the EM detector.
SMITH
This is never going to work
QUINN
I've adjusted your EM detector to remit a pulse to match their quantum signatures. If the system, checks out, we should be good
ARTURO
Well done, my boy
QUINN
Alright, I've adjusted the resonance to simulate freezing temperatures which would be able to match the right frequency for when my double was in the ice machine. One jolt should be enough to reopen the vortex and knock them all loose
SMITH
I can't believe we're listening to some college kid tell us what's what! You know, if you're wrong, you can destroy the vortex completely!
QUINN
Look, this is our only shot. If we don't do something now, where are we ever going to get another chance?
SMITH
Gomez, you got to do something to stop him. If he's even a single calculation wrong, he'll rip your mother into neutrons
ARTURO
Mr. Smith. I understand it is a great risk, but Mr. Mallory is quite knowledgeable on the scientific endeavours. Without this, they will be gone forever
SMITH
This is the only thing that proves I was right! They pulled my funding, my academic credentials. My career-down the toilet. Flushed. Who do you think Caltech's going to be calling to study this thing? Huh? That's right, me! I created this thing! It's my work!
Just as Smith makes a grab for his device, lightning strikes the TV antenna on the roof and the electrical cable is now lost in the ever growing vortex, cutting it off from our sliders. Quinn frantically checks the device.
QUINN
Okay, it's still set to the right frequency
SMITH
I'm telling you, you can't do this!
REMBRANDT
The power's gone. What the devil are we going to do now?
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Come on! Do something! My mother's in there!
QUINN
I'll be right back
ARTURO
No, Mr. Mallory! This is crazy!
QUINN
I'll be okay
Quinn takes the device with him as he leaps forward into the vortex.
CUT TO:
INT. DOMINION GHOST-HALLWAY - NIGHT
The ghost version of the hallway has a strange and distorted look to it. Wade stands there with the doubles and Gomez's mother. She brightens up upon seeing Quinn come through the vortex.
WADE
Quinn!
Quinn runs over to her and the two embrace.
QUINN
I'm going to get you out of here, okay?
(He turns to the others)
All of you guys
Quinn spots the electrical power cable. He quickly grabs it and attaches it to Smith's device. Just as this happens, another bolt of electricity goes off, opening a classic sliders vortex at the end of the hallway.
QUINN
(To the doubles)
That portal leads to your world! Go! Go!
REMBRANDT 2
Thank you, sir! Good luck!
Rembrandt 2 jumps into the vortex.
ARTURO 2
(Rapping)
My raps are flowing across the skies and the vortex is swirling across my eyes! I can't make goodbyes and this is kind of weird but all we are left is to say is why!
Arturo 2 jumps in through the vortex after.
WADE
(Chuckles)
I wish we could hear our professor rap
QUINN
Trust me, he's never going to be able to live this one down
Alt Quinn tosses the timer back to Quinn.
QUINN 2
Here you go, mate! Cheers!
Quinn 2 jumps into the vortex as well.
Quinn, Wade and Calhoun's mother continue to stand there as the distortion grows stronger and contorts the three individuals.
CUT TO:
INTO. DOMINION HALLWAY - NIGHT
Arturo, Rembrandt, Gomez and Smith continue to stand there, watching in anticipation when suddenly, the vortex disappears! They stand there, stunned silent in a mixture of shock and fear.
ARTURO
Oh my god...
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Mommy!
Then suddenly, Quinn, Wade and Calhoun's mother appear from behind a chair.
QUINN
Sorry about the mess
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Mommy!
Gomez rushes forward and wraps his arms around his mother. She is now solid.
CALHOUN'S MOTHER
Hush now, darling. You're a grown man. You're embarrassing yourself
SMITH
All of my work! It's ruined! You're gonna pay for this, man! How am I going to explain this to Caltech now? Huh?
Quinn hands Smith his device back.
QUINN
All of the data should be stored in there. That might help get them talking
SMITH
Yes!
Smith cradles his device like a baby in his arms. He doesn't bother waving goodbye to the others as he runs off. Gomez and his mother step up to the sliders.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
You know, I can't thank you enough. Needless to say, all of your rooms will be compensated for as long as you would like to stay
Quinn checks the timer. It's about time to slide.
QUINN
Thanks for the offer but it's just about time for us to slide
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Slide?
ARTURO
Yes, well thank you for all of your help. And Mrs. Calhoun, it was a pleasure to meet you, madam
CALHOUN'S MOTHER
You tell me, sugar plump. It was just nice to see my Gomez finally leave that frumpy old desk!
WADE
You certainly promised us a unique vacation experience
QUINN
Alright guys. 3...2...
Quinn activates the timer and the portal opens up.
REMBRANDT
Hope this finally gets business opening up!
Rembrandt goes and jumps into the vortex.
WADE
(To Calhoun's mother)
It was nice meeting you!
Wade heads forward and jumps into the vortex after Rembrandt.
ARTURO
Yes, I wish you two good luck. Goodbye now
Arturo jumps in after.
QUINN
Just make sure to take care of heads in ice machines!
At last, Quinn makes it out as well.
The vortex closes up with our sliders now gone. Gomez and his mother stare in wonder.
FADE OUT: