Chapter 3:

EXT. WOODSBORO STATE PENITENTIARY – NIGHT

The press is in full swing outside of the newly built, high-security penitentiary. News reporters speak into cameras for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

CUT TO:

INT. LIMOUSINE – NIGHT

REGINALD OSBORNE – middle aged, current mayor of Woodsboro. He sits next to the grinning, polished GOVERNOR TERRENCE – a young Kennedy look-alike. Sheriff Dewey Riley sits opposite them with his young Deputy RONNIE HICKS – older brother of the late JUDY HICKS.

MAYOR OSBORNE: It's important for you to make this appearance, Sheriff. Especially after the movie theater murders last night.

DEWEY: It's my pleasure. And Governor Terrence – it's a pleasure to meet you sir. And I wish you luck on the current election!

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: I appreciate it, Sheriff. Glad to meet one of my loyal supporters.

DEWEY: (rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably) Oh … er, I'm voting for the other guy.

Awkward pause.

DEWEY: But I promise, as long as you're governor, you'll have my full support. You can count on me, sir.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: (laughing) Anything I can do to change your mind, Son?

DEWEY: Well … is moving a new penitentiary to just outside my hometown really necessary?

MAYOR OSBORNE: Sheriff – we've been over this -.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: (interrupting) No, it's okay. Sheriff, you of all people should understand the need to take a hard stance on crime. You went through two massacres. And now, especially with last night's murder, we have to show Woodsboro, the State of California – heck, even the entire country – that we will not allow murderers to run amok. Not on my watch. Lawbreakers need to fear us again!

MAYOR OSBORNE: Well said.

DEWEY: But … what about the rumors that you're staffing the prison with a private army? I mean, mercenaries as prison guards?

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: The PANTHYR Task Force has successfully run many prisons in South America. The criminals down there fear them, and rightfully so. I hope to introduce you to Cyrus Bernat, their leader. He took down an entire drug cartel almost single-handedly. Yes, I think this is what the people of California – and especially Woodsboro – need right now.

DEWEY: This Cyrus fella – sounds you've hired Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Well – if he gets the job done. But can we count on your support, Sheriff?

MAYOR OSBORNE: (pleadingly) The people of Woodsboro need it …

DEWEY: (reluctantly) I'll support you governor. These PANTHYR guys are another story.

The car pulls up to a stop.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Looks like we're here.

EXT. WOODSBORO PENITENTIARY – NIGHT

The massive structure juts out into the night sky. A red ribbon is across it, with a podium. The media jabbers away, microphones and cameras ready as Governor Terrence and Mayor Osborne walk up to a podium. Behind them, Dewey stands at the ready with Deputy Hicks. The governor adjusts a microphone and begins addressing the media.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Good evening. Today marks a monumental day in Woodsboro. The opening of the new Woodsboro State Penitentiary, which we hope will shine as a beacon of security for the people of Woodsboro as well as a warning to all who would break the law!

REPORTER #1: Governor, Governor Terrance! What of those who would say this is a political ploy? Taking a strong stance on crime now to win reelection?

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: I say – they're wrong! If I fail in my bid for reelection, then at least this will be my legacy!

REPORTER #2: What about these PANTHYR militia men?

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: They are not militia men.

REPORTER #2: Mercenaries, more like. Can we trust them? There's some pretty unsavory reports -.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: As I said, they are not militia men. They are not mercenaries. They are a highly skilled task force. Each specially trained in firearms, hand-to-hand defense, as well as experts in technology and other related fields. They are the perfects security force to run this high security facility.

REPORTER #3: How secure is this prison?

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: The most state-of-the art facility. The prison cells are all wired into a computer mainframe. The cells can only be opened electronically and besides myself and the mayor, only the PANTHYR guards have the required encryption key to do so. And now – for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The mayor hands the governor a pair of scissors. With a snip, the ribbon is cut and the penitentiary is open for business. The governor smiles as he gestures for a select few media members to follow him in for a tour of the prison. Dewey glares at his deputy before following in the governor's and mayor's wake.

INT. WOODSBORO PENITENTIARY – NIGHT

The governor, mayor, Dewey, Deputy Hicks and a handful of reporters enter the lobby. Waiting for them are a trio of PANTHYR guards, at attention, feet set wide, shoulders back, heads up and arms behind their backs in true military form. The leader – CYRUS BERNAT – truly does remind one of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. Clothed in camouflaged pants, heavy combat boots and a thick, bullet-proof vest. He is bald and scarred, with an eyepatch.

CYRUS: Governor. Welcome to our humble penitentiary.

GOVERNER TERRANCE: Cyrus. A pleasure to see you again.

Cyrus gestures to the two other guards with him. A younger female with long red hair – beautiful, but battle-hardened all the same.

CYRUS: Angelique, my second-in-command.

Angelique inclines her head, but says nothing. Cyrus gestures to the middle-aged man next to him. His hair has some flecks of grey, but he wears thick-framed glasses. He seems to be too nerdy to be a member of a high-profile security force. Cyrus explains his presence as well.

CYRUS: And my tech expert – Ned Luddvitch.

In contrast to Angelique, Ned is overly friendly, but true to his appearance, awkward too.

NED: Governor Terrence, Mayor Osborne – it is a pleasure. (He practically falls over himself to shake their hands) And Sheriff Riley – allow me -.

CYRUS: Enough with the theatrics, Ned. Let's get this tour started.

CUT TO:

Cyrus leads them through the hallways into the holding cells. Complete with thick bulletproof glass.

CYRUS: Impenetrable. No force on earth can break it.

DEWEY: Even earthquakes?

CYRUS: I'm sorry – who are you again?

Cyrus grumbles and motions for them to follow. Ned grins apologetically at Dewey.

NED: Don't worry – he's like that with everyone.

DEWEY: (shrugging) I thought it was a good question.

CUT TO:

Cyrus leads them to a room.

CYRUS: Interrogation room.

Dewey looks around. Various knives, blades, thumbscrews -.

DEWEY: What are these for?

CYRUS: Pain is a great way to loosen the tongue.

DEWEY: (eyes wide) Torture? (turning to Terrence) Governor, you sanction torture?!

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Only on an approval basis. No torture is permitted unless it's a case of state or national security and only on my say-so. Right Cyrus?

Cyrus grunts.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: See?

They move on. Dewey lingers, staring at the torture devices laid out on a table and feeling queasy to his stomach.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON YARD – NIGHT

Cyrus leads the group outside. A yellow prison bus is approaching and nearly a dozen masked PANTHYR guards stand there, each holding rifles.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Ah, the first arrivals.

Dewey watches skeptically as the doors open. The PANTHYR guards shove the prisoners – who are all cuffed by the wrists and feet – out the door.

DEWEY: Isn't this all a little too ruthless?

CYRUS: Working in a small-time town, I'd understand why you'd say that. But you've never seen the inhumanity that man can inflict on other men.

DEWEY: Oh yes I have. But this -.

NED: (interrupts) I can sympathize, Sheriff. I really can.

Dewey turns to face spectacled guard.

DEWEY: With all due respect – Ned is it? I don't get the impression you're a "Justice at any cost" type of fella. Why are you with these guys?

NED: It's simple. I lost a daughter to a murderer. Cyrus' wife and kids were blown to bits in a terrorist attack in South America. And Angelique – her husband was burned to death by a cartel. You may disagree with our methods – but we really are here for justice and to ensure that the murderers and rapists and whatever else is out there never hurt anyone again.

CYRUS: Scum like that – they're right where they belong. In our hands.

Dewey nods, not completely buying it, but better understanding the rationale of the PANTHYR guards. He watches the prisoners exit the bus and be ushered into the facility through a side door. But he can't mistake the look of absolute fear on their eyes.

And then – one prisoner locks eyes with Dewey – JAMES.

The first time Dewey has seen him in two years. Unlike the other prisoners, James seems completely laid back even though he's in cuffs and entering the new facility. He sees Dewey and grins, nodding away.

Dewey feels completely unsettled.

INT. DEWEY'S POLICE CAR – NIGHT

Dewey is in the driver's seat, Deputy Hicks next to him, as they drive back to the Woodsboro PD headquarters.

DEPUTY HICKS: So – what'd you think Sheriff?

DEWEY: I think I made my feelings perfectly clear back there, don't you think?

DEPUTY HICKS: You sounded like this was a bad idea.

DEWEY: It is. I don't trust those PANTHYR guys as far as I can throw 'em.

DEPUTY HICKS: They sounded more than capable. And … I really related to their story.

DEWEY: How so?

DEPUTY HICKS: C'mon, Sheriff! I lost someone too! (Beat). My sister – Judy! Killed by Cotton Weary four years ago! That's why I went to the police academy! I don't want anyone else to lose a sister. Or a daughter, or anyone else.

DEWEY: A noble goal. Just … don't be too inspired by those guys … I don't like putting California's worst convicts in their hands …