INT. SHANE'S OFFICE - DAY
SHANE (O.S.)
You should both be very satisfied
after last night's performance.
Chloë and Brady squirm in Shane's chairs, not looking at each other.
Shane sits behind his desk, smiling proudly, seemingly unaware of the discomfort of his employees and the double entendres in his words.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Certainly, it was a bit messy, but
you got in, got the job done, and
got out, and that's the important thing.
Chloë chokes on her tea. Brady leaps in to cover.
BRADY
So the injection --
(cringes)
I mean, the transmitter that Chloë
planted is working?
SHANE
Perfectly. Congratulations, Agent
Lane, on a successful first
assignment. Though if I were you
I would consider making less
noise next time 'round.
Brady laughs and turns it into a cough.
CHLOË
(over the cough)
So, what's our next assignment?
SHANE
Something a bit more dangerous
this time....
Shane collects his paperwork. Chloë and Brady settle into their seats and sigh.
CHLOË AND BRADY
(sarcastic)
Oh, goody.
Shane raises an eyebrow at them. They glare at each other, then turn away to hide grins.
INT. PALATIAL ROOM - DAY
Pan along a series of floor-to-ceiling French doors, their curtains drawn back and letting blinding-bright sunlight into the room that throws furniture and occupants into sharp, dark relief. A MAN stands near the last window, looking out, back to us. We cannot even make out the color of his hair. He holds a crystal glass full of amber liquid, which throws rainbows around the room as he swirls the drink gently.
From the OPPOSITE ANGLE, two well-dressed FLUNKIES stand near an opulent Louis XIV writing desk. They squint at the shadow of her leader.
FLUNKY 1
We've confirmed that the agent
was Brady Black, sir.
Close on the man's glass. Swirl, swirl, swirl.
FLUNKY 1 (CONT'D)
As for the woman with him...
it may have been her.
Swirl, swirl, stop.
FLUNKY 2
The agents aren't certain, sir.
She was tall and dark haired
and wearing a silver dress. But
that could be any of a dozen of
the women at that party.
FLUNKY 1
(long beat)
Sir?
(beat)
What are your orders?
The man HURLS the glass against the window. It shatters.
EXT. FIFTH AVE. - MANHATTAN - DAY
A taxicab pulls up at the curb and is immediately mobbed by PHOTOGRAPHERS. There are, incidentally, more Asians in this group than might be expected statistically. That's because, after Chloë steps out of the cab, she is followed by --
SHANE (V.O.)
The Princess Aikiko.
-- a pretty, 18-year old Japanese girl. She and Chloë put an arm around each others' shoulders and smile for the cameras.
SHANE (CONT'D; V.O.)
Apparently, she's quite a fan of
yours, Agent Lane. Which is
convenient for us, as her upcoming
visit to New York would otherwise
present a security problem.
Chloë and Aikiko answer questions from the paparazzi MOS.
SHANE (CONT'D; V.O.)
As it is, we can set up a meeting
as a PR event, and you can act as
her bodyguard.
CHLOË (V.O.)
Why is she in New York?
SHANE (V.O.)
Ostensibly, she's here to tour
the universities. We suspect,
however, that like most girls her
age she's far more interested in
shopping.
Chloë and Aikiko are followed by reporters right up to the doors of BLOOMINGDALE'S.
CHLOË (V.O.)
Okay, but why so much security?
SHANE (V.O.)
Because we also suspect that Yios O
has some designs on her.
BRADY (V.O.)
Y'see, among other things, our
Big Bad Wolf has a few million
barrels of illegal Iraqi oil stashed
away somewhere, and he'd like the
Japanese government to buy it.
INT. BLOOMINGDALE'S - CONTINUOUS
Chloë and Aikiko enter, chatting and giggling, surrounded by obvious bodyguards. They pass Brady, who looks like a plain ol' customer in jeans and t-shirt, walking in the opposite direction. No eye contact is made, but after he passes, he adjusts the listening device in his ear.
SHANE (V.O.)
Threatening a member of a royal
family is fairly traditional practice
in these cases. Though Aikiko is
only a distant cousin of the Emperor,
and the Emperor is something of a
figurehead himself, she's a celebrity
in her own right in Japan. Enormously
popular, very public. There would
be an horrendous outcry if she were
to come to harm. The government
might agree to his terms simply
to cover it up.
Chloë and Aikiko lean over a counter full of fine jewelry. Aikiko points to certain items. Chloë feigns attention, but she can't help scanning the passersby suspiciously.
CHLOË (V.O.)
You think he's coming after her?
SHANE (V.O.)
Yes, thanks to information
retrieved from your last escapade.
BRADY (V.O.)
It wasn't so much an "escapade"
as a "broo-ha-ha."
CHLOË (V.O.)
Hm. I'd have to go with "Shenanigans" there.
SHANE (V.O.)
Can we please focus on the mission?
BRADY AND CHLOË (V.O.)
Sorry.
INT. MISSES DRESSES - BLOOMINGDALE'S - LATER
Chloë and Aikiko root through the racks, occasionally holding things up to each other. Bodyguards surround them, looking formidable and grouchy.
SHANE (V.O.)
With both of you in the same place at
the same time should be too much for
our villian to resist. He's bound to
make a move. At any rate, you, Chloë,
will be the princess' last line of defense.
Guarding you both will be her usual bodyguards.
Finally, Brady will lead a discreet undercover
team of ISA operatives at an
appropriate perimeter.
INT. SECURITY OFFICES - BLOOMINGDALE'S - CONTINUOUS
Brady enters the office and flashes his badge to one of the GUARDS. The guard stands and offers Brady a seat at the bank of SECURITY MONITORS. Brady sits heavily, with a tired sigh.
BRADY (V.O.)
What about communications?
SHANE (V.O.)
We will have Agent Lane "wired
for sound," as they say.
Brady finds Chloë on a monitor. PUSH IN on the image to Chloë, her jacket, and finally, her lapel, where a funky, gaudy PIN is pinned.
Suddenly, the pin is obscured by a fall of flowery fabric.
AIKIKO (O.S.)
What about this?
INT. MISSES DRESSES - CONTINUOUS
END MOS
Chloë looks doubtfully at the dress Aikiko has held up to her.
CHLOË
Y'think?
AIKIKO
Totally!
CHLOË
Isn't it a little...?
She gestures to her chest.
AIKIKO
Yes, but you're a little....
(same gesture)
I could never pull it off. I have no
(same gesture)
at all.
CHLOË
Oh, stop. I'd kill to be as thin
as you.
AIKIKO
Boys aren't into skinny. Only
fashion designers think I've
got a better body than you.
CHLOË
Which means you get all the
great clothes.
AIKIKO
I think that dress will be
amazing on you. You should
try it on.
CHLOË
All right. I will.
AIKIKO
Y'know something? I am
having the best time. I know
this was all just a publicity
stunt for you, but I'm so glad
you agreed to do it.
CHLOË
(genuine)
So am I. And I am having
a load of fun. I can't even
remember the last time
I had this much girl talk!
AIKIKO
'Cause you're always surrounded
by guys, right?
CHLOË
Yeah, but not in a good way.
Agents, managers, producers,
body guards --
AIKIKO
Russell Crowe.
CHLOË
Total fabrication! I met the
guy once, for like, two seconds,
and the tabloids say we're having
this raging affair.
AIKIKO
You aren't?
CHLOË
Nope.
AIKIKO
Darn!
CHLOË
Sorry to disappoint.
AIKIKO
(wheedling)
So...are you having a raging
affair with anybody?
IN THE SECURITY ROOM
Brady leans forward a little, listening intently.
IN THE MISSES DEPT.
Chloë ponders this. Finally --
CHLOË
No. There's nobody.
IN SECURITY
Brady's not sure whether to be relieved or insulted.
IN THE MISSES DEPT.
Chloë and Aikiko sigh.
CHLOË (CONT'D)
(brightly)
Dressing room?
AIKIKO
Let's.
INT. DRESSING ROOM - LATER
Chloë is slithering into the silk shift Aikiko picked out for her. She looks at herself in the mirror. It certainly does show off her (*ahem*) assets. She shakes her head.
AIKIKO (O.S.)
Well?
CHLOË
I dunno. It's a bit much. Or
maybe not enough, if you
know what I mean.
AIKIKO (O.S.)
Lemmie see!
Chloë leaves her room, leaving her jacket and pin-mike on a stool in the corner.
IN AIKIKO'S ROOM
The princess is struggling with the zipper on her dress. Chloë moves in to help her. They giggle as with much struggle they get the zipper up. Then --
BLACKOUT
The dressing room is thrust into darkness. Aikiko yelps. The emergency lights pop on, lighting the room with a dim red glow.
AIKIKO
What's --
CHLOË
Shh!
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
The bodyguards pull their weapons and look around. Nothing but reddish shadows. One moves out to scout the perimeter.
IN SECURITY
Brady shouts at the remaining guard. The monitors are blank.
BRADY
What the hell is going on?!
GUARD
I don't know, sir. Looks like
the whole building's gone dark.
Could be the whole grid.
Brady whips out a walkie-talkie.
BRADY
I need two agents to the fifth
floor now. Get me a status on
the princess and Chloë.
IN MISSES
Aikiko's guard walks cautiously around a group of mannequins. From behind him, TWO HANDS reach out and
SNAP
Then
SNAP
The same happens to the neck of the guard outside the dressing room. He crumbles without a sound.
IN AIKIKO'S ROOM
Chloë looks around and spots a VENTILATION PLATE in the ceiling above. She climbs onto the stool and tries to YANK the cover off, to no avail.
Then she hears FOOTSTEPS.
Swearing silently, she jumps off the stool, grabs Aikiko, and, putting a finger to her lips, positions the girl in the corner, half hidden behind the hook full of dresses. Then she positions herself inside the door, in fighting stance, fists raised.
STEP
STEP
STEP
Getting closer.
IN THE DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY
From our stalker's POV, he passes one empty room, then the next, then the next, peering through the open door into each room.
He passes the room Chloë was using, stops, sees her clothing in a heap on the floor. Then he looks at the next, closed door.
INSIDE THE ROOM
Chloë tenses as the footsteps stop.
The doorknob rattles.
The door BURSTS OPEN.
Chloë bares her teeth and is about to strike when she FREEZES.
Starting at his feet, we pan up his body to his gently smiling, all-too-familiar face.
PHILLIP
Hey, Chloë.
Beat.
She KICKS him in the face. He crumbles. She grabs Aikiko's wrist.
CHLOË
Come on!
Chloë starts running, drags her out of the room, through
MISSES
into
A STAIRWELL, where
Aikiko SCREAMS as they stumble across the body of a FEMALE ISA AGENT, lying across the stairs, her neck broken, her gun drawn but never fired.
Chloë jumps over the body, taking Aikiko with her, and starts running down the stairs.
CHLOË (CONT'D)
Brady!
IN SECURITY
Brady paces.
BRADY
Dammit, people, I said report!
Frustrated, he clips the walkie-talkie to his belt and runs out.
ON THE MAIN FLOOR
Panicking SHOPPERS are being herded out the door by SECURITY GUARDS. Brady fights his way upstream, joined by three OTHER AGENTS toward the
STAIRWELL
Where Chloë is still dragging the terrified princess and hollering.
CHLOË
Brady! Where the hell are you?!
AIKIKO
Wh...who are you talking to?
CHLOË
Oh, crap. The pin. The pin!
AIKIKO
Chloë --
CHLOË
Oh, God. We're alone. Oh God
oh God oh God oh God oh --
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS
Brady and the agents are rushing up.
BRADY
Chloë!
She hears him.
CHLOË
Brady!
She picks up even more speed, until
SMACK
Chloë and the princess run into the muddle of agents. She thrusts Aikiko into their arms.
CHLOË
Get her out of here!
BRADY
It's okay, we've --
CHLOË
No! We've got to run!
She takes off. The agents hustle a confused Aikiko away while Brady follows Chloë
DOWN THE STAIRS
and
OUT THE EMERGENCY EXIT
into
EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Where he finally catches up to her and grabs her around the waist, hauling her into the air.
BRADY
Chloë! Chloë! Agent Lane!
CHLOË
We've got to get away from here!
BRADY
What the hell is the matter with you?
He puts her back on her feet and shakes her.
CHLOË
You have to run. You can't let him --
BRADY
Can't let who?
CHLOË
(screams)
PHILLIP!
(beat; barely audible)
It was Phillip...
Brady looks at her for a long, incredulous beat.
He grabs the walkie-talkie.
BRADY
This is Brady Black to all
agents. I need this building
locked down. NOW.