Italicized Underlines are used for emphasis.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: You may reach the author by e-mail at: quantum_revival@hotmail.com
***
QUANTUM LEAP
THE MIRROR SHATTERED
SCREENPLAY: PART VII
***
Alia smiles softly.
ALIA
Hi, Sam.
(looks at Al)
So, this is Al?
(proffers her hand)
It's nice to finally meet you face
to face.
Al is hesitant. Alia grins, grabs his hand, and shakes it vigorously.
ALIA (cont'd)
You have no idea how wonderful it
is to see you two.
(to Sam)
I was beginning to wonder how long
it was going to take you to figure out that riddle. Considering what a
genius you are, I thought you'd have figured it out sooner.
SAM
Well, with my swiss-cheesed brain...
(gestures at Al)
He's the one who figured it out.
ALIA
(to Al, whose hand she is still grasping)
You sacrificed a lot to come here,
but I'm glad you did. Looks like Aldrin's plan was the one chosen.
SAM
Aldrin?
ALIA
(as though Sam should know)
Yeah! Aldrin!
Sam's features are puzzled. Al continues to stare at Alia.
ALIA (cont'd)
The Bartender?
AL
I thought his name was Albert, like
mine.
ALIA
Oh, that's only for Al's Place. Albert
is a better name for blending in with the natives.
SAM
So, you know him?
ALIA
Yes. After I Leaped out the last time
I saw you, I was taken to Al's Place. Aldrin passed on the Boss' invitation
to become an undercover agent. I agreed, so he sent me here to wait for
your arrival.
Al finally breaks his gaze and notices that Alia's hand still holds his. He carefully slips out of her grasp as he smiles. She returns the smile.
AL
So, ah, why didn't you just tell Sam
where to come? What's with the riddle?
ALIA
Many unsavory characters know of Cheyenne
Mountain, and where it was once located. After Earth's population moved
to the space stations due to the destruction of the ozone layer, they chose
not to remember Earth's destroyed geography. However, I'm sure that you
noticed that most of the earth's land masses are now emerged in water.
When the hole in the ozone layer ripped open, the global warming sky-rocketed,
melting any and all ice in existence on the planet. Only the Rockies and
other mountain ranges of the world are above sea level. Denver is completely
under water.
SAM
So, basically... if you had told me
the name of the mountain, anyone intercepting your messages would know
where to look. But by using the old geographic locations to pinpoint where
I need to go, only I and anyone from the past would be able to figure out
the riddle.
ALIA
Exactly.
AL
But why are we here?
(points to ground to emphasize)
What is so significant about this
place?
ALIA
This is where Project Armageddon will
be built 200 years from now.
AL
You guys called it Armageddon?
ALIA
Lothos wanted to bring about the destruction
of Earth, and he thought Armageddon was an appropriate name.
AL
(under his breath)
Looks like it worked.
SAM
(pointedly ignoring Al's comment)
Who is Lothos, anyway?
ALIA
He was--uh--will be--ah... He is a
man.
We see Johnny and Ruthie walk through the wall of the tunnel. They stand to the side, out of everyone's sight and listen.
SAM
But you said--
ALIA
He is a computer. The
man Lothos died is 2291. Bela, Satan's ambassador to Project
Armageddon, is a technological genius. Using powers given to him by his
master, Bela transferred Lothos' spirit into an android body fashioned
after Lothos' likeness. The body contains twice as much memory and power
than your Ziggy.
Sam's jaw drops, and Al shakes his head in disbelief. Alia continues, her voice becoming urgent.
ALIA (cont'd)
Android technology was developed from
your computer, Sam.
AL
Damn... damn, damn, damn!
Sam's eyes are wide as saucers as Alia's words sink in.
SAM
(almost whispering)
Alia...
ALIA
It's the only way, Sam.
SAM
You're asking me to give up my dreams,
my life.
ALIA
Which destiny would you prefer? Go
home and destroy a material thing and save the world, or keep Leaping and
allow this evil to reign? If Lothos dies and there is no android technology,
his spirit will be confined to hell for all eternity; he will be powerless
and will be unable to do anything about it. Bela is not powerful enough
or smart enough to bring the Project to life... and Satan's just a lazy
bastard. He never does anything for himself.
Al looks horrified and glances at Sam. Sam is quiet, contemplative.
AL
Sam, I think we oughtta do what she
says.
JOHNNY'S VOICE
(offscreen)
So do I.
Alia, Sam, and Al whirl on Johnny, who seems to have suddenly appeared. Ruthie is standing beside him, holding his hand tightly. Her face is pale and her eyes are wide with fear.
SAM
Johnny?
JOHNNY
You remember me?
SAM
Yeah... you're.. Tom's son.
(his eyes glisten with realization)
Tom's alive.
JOHNNY
Yeah, he's alive, thanks to you.
AL
Hi, Ruthie. How ya holdin' up?
RUTHIE
(still somewhat terrified; hesitant)
Just fine, Daddy, now that we've established
a lock on you.
Johnny looks toward Alia.
JOHNNY
And you are...?
ALIA
Alia.
RUTHIE
You're Alia? It's nice to meet you.
Daddy's told me a lot about you.
ALIA
(smiling as she glances quickly at
Al)
I'm flattered.
(looking back at Ruthie)
It's nice to meet you, as well.
JOHNNY
Uncle Sam, Ziggy's gettin' kinda worried.
She's picking up on some fluctuations in the past... and they're not for
the best.
Alia's face goes pale.
ALIA
It's Lothos. He must know Al left.
The past is vulnerable now; unguarded.
RUTHIE
We've got to get you two back here
ASAP. Sammy Jo's pretty close to figuring things out on the RP, but she's
running into some problems that Johnny has to help her with.
The handlink beeps, and Johnny looks at it. His face falls.
JOHNNY
Oh, god, no.
Ruthie looks at Johnny with concern.
RUTHIE
What's wrong, Johnny?
JOHNNY
I, uh...
(tears begin to form in his eyes)
I really don't know how to tell you.
AL
Johnny, you'd better tell us what's
going on.
JOHNNY
History has changed and...
(sighs deeply)
Gooshie died two years ago in a car
accident.
Ruthie gasps, and Johnny comforts her. Al lowers his shaking head, and Sam wipes a tear from his eye. Sam lays a hand on Al's shoulder. Al pulls him into a tearful embrace. A moment of silence follows as those from Project Quantum Leap mourn for the loss of their friend.
Alia stands silently to the side, observing with a somber face.
