As Miss Monroe faces 'Review', Mercedes poses as an heiress to draw out an assassin and Luke and Trinity discover more about Mentor T13...
FILE FOUR – Survival
(Written by Vokal)
FLASHBACK – YOUNG MERCEDES ~ 5 years old lies in bed asleep. Her room is not very girlie, and there are posters of cars on the wall. We suddenly see a figure dash across the room, and come over to her bed. The figure puts their hand over her mouth. She wakes up with a start, and begins to try and scream, but her cries are muffled. YOUNG JUSTIN ~ 7 years old, walks into the room, after hearing the commotion. He sees the figure, and stares, frightened. The figure releases it's hold on Mercedes' mouth, and she begins to scream, terrified. Justin goes to run, but the figure garbs his wrist. He begins to call out
YOUNG JUSTIN
Mom! Mom! Help!
Justin drops to the ground. From his POINT-OF-VIEW we see a woman's feet enter the room. She is wearing a long nightgown that reaches the floor. She is Justin and Mercedes' mother.
JUSTIN AND MERCEDES' MOM
(desperate, frantic)
What are you doing? Let them go, let them go!
Still from Justin's POINT-OF-VIEW (from the ground), we see her struggle with the shadowy figure. The figure has YOUNG MERCEDES underneath his arm. She is still screaming. From Justin's POINT-OF-VIEW we see his mom fall suddenly and unnaturally to the ground, her back to him. He reaches for her, but he is pulled from behind. The figure picks him up and holds him tightly, despite his struggles. The figure steps over their mother and out the door. The kids cry out.
JUSTIN AND MERCEDES
Mom! Mom!
Mercedes wakes up, and her face is stained with tears. She sits up to see Justin sitting on a chair at the end of her bed. He also looks sad, and he is holding the letter from their mother, and the key, his hands trembling.
JUSTIN
She wouldn't have done it…
MERCEDES
(already knowing the answer)
Done what?
JUSTIN
Given us up for adoption… I mean, I remember being taken from our home… do you?
MERCEDES
Yes… but Uno said
JUSTIN
I know what Uno said… but she wouldn't have done it…
MERCEDES
I know she didn't, not in the end anyway, but the paperwork was all filled out,
she was going to…
JUSTIN
Then why didn't she?
MERCEDES
I don't know…
OPENING CREDITS
From 1982 – 1998, an insular, secretive agency known only as 'The Centre', carried out the most advanced program ever attempted by such an organization. The program, deemed 'Project Prodigy', involved the most talented and intelligent minds of this millennia; 15 children, raised from infancy in the sub-levels of Centre 16, Salt Lake City, Utah, whose collective intelligence exceeded even advanced computer systems. They were The Prodigies. Child Geniuses. A resource unlike any other. A living super-computer with the ability to think, feel and predict. For more than a decade these children fabricated some of the most highly developed systems and programs ever created by the human mind… until one night, The Prodigies ran away…
CUT TO; Centre 16, Prodigy Wing main foyer.
Text On Screen:
Prodigy Wing
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah
Miss Monroe walks in. She seems flustered, unusually not in control. She also seems a little nervous. JC greets her with a smile. She smiles back at him weakly, but powers ahead to her office. She passes Rhoda, whose desk is out side Miss Monroe's office. Rhoda looks up at Miss Monroe as she asks;
MISS MONROE
Is he in yet?
RHODA
Mr Johanesson is waiting in your office, yes.
Miss Monroe groans inwardly, and continues into her office reluctantly. She opens the door and is greeted by Mr Johanesson.
MISS MONROE
(smiling falsely)
Mr Johanesson, I'm glad to see you again
MR JOHANESSON
No you're not. Anyway, you obviously know why I'm here
MISS MONROE
Review
MR JOHANESSON
Yes, review.
(he looks at her disapprovingly)
It's been four months, Miss Monroe, and you are yet to make any progress in
reclaiming our lost property.
MISS MONROE
I assure you sir, much progress has been made…
MR JOHANESSON
(disbelieving)
Oh, I'm sure of it… However, I do have reason to believe you are following your
own agenda, Miss Monroe, and not acting in the best interests of this project,
and of The Centre. However, that will soon change.
MISS MONROE
Excuse me, sir?
MR JOHANESSON
I'm not passing judgement, I am simply just offering some incentive
MISS MONROE
Incentive?
MR JOHANESSON
Yes, incentive.
MISS MONROE
Which would be?
MR JOHANESSON
I am appointing my close, personal friend, Mr Fallen, as Co-director of Special
Projects.
MISS MONROE
(no longer hiding her irritation)
And this is incentive how?
MR JOHANESSON
Fallen can either work with you or against you in an attempt to track down the
escaped subjects; it's up to you. Though healthy competition never hurt anyone,
Miss Monroe…
MISS MONROE
But sir…
MR JOHANESSON
Do not argue with me, Miss Monroe, this project is a failure to The Centre, and
to The Triumvirate, and you know how the Centre deals with failures… For your
sake, and the sake of your L&R team, you will accept these new circumstances…
Your team, and this entire wing, is now officially on a 3 month review, at the
end of the review, we will determine who has made the most progress, you or Mr
Fallen, and that person will be kept on as the permanent Director of Special
Projects.
MISS MONROE
And what happens to the other person?
MR JOHANESSON
That person will be…. 'cut loose'
MISS MONROE
I see…
MR JOHANESSON
Fallen will arrive this afternoon, Miss Monroe, and I do not want to hear any
reports of you not cooperating, understand?
MISS MONROE
Perfectly
MR JOHANESSON
Thank-you, I'll see myself out…
Mr Johanesson leaves Miss Monroe's office. Miss Monroe sits at her desk, runs her fingers through her hair and sighs.
CUT TO; Hotel room. Luke, Dina, Mercedes and Trinity sit on the bed and on the floor, facing Justin, who is holding up a newspaper. Camera CLOSES IN on headline; 'Heiress receives death threats as father's funeral approaches', and the date of the paper; 'October 12'. He is smiling profusely.
JUSTIN
So, what do you think?
LUKE
It's… a… newspaper….
JUSTIN
(pointing to the headline)
'Heiress receives death threats as father's funeral approaches', it's just our
sort of thing
LUKE
(exasperated)
No Justin it's your sort of thing. We're in New York for a reason, this is not
it
JUSTIN
But she's in trouble…
LUKE
And so are we… Trinity sensed something urgent about this 'Mentor T13', and
Bernard said it was important for our survival. Now, for the last 2 months we
have been off on your do-good quests, but now it is time for us… We need to know
Justin…
JUSTIN
Luke, I'm not asking
LUKE
I know and that's what scares me… you're just expecting…
DINA
Would the both of you just stop it! There you are, just arguing with yourselves.
Have you ever stopped and thought about what we wanted?
(motioning to herself, Trini and Mercedes)
In case you haven't noticed, we're in this too…
LUKE
Dina, no-one's saying that, it just that…
DINA
It's just that you don't care. Luke, you're just after revenge, and Justin,
you're just after forgiveness… and let me tell you my chemically enhanced
friends, neither of you are going to get either if you keep fighting like this…
MERCEDES
She's right
JUSTIN
Mercie, I just can't turn my back on this…
MERCEDES
I know, so do you think it's any easier for Luke to turn his back on his quest?
LUKE
You know, it's sort of not a quest, you know, just a little insignificant search
for something integral to our survival, but whatever you want to call it…
TRINITY
I am sure that if we do not search for the answers to this whole 'Mentor T13'
thing than we'd be making a big mistake…
JUSTIN
You're just saying that because you and Luke are…
LUKE
(standing up and grabbing Justin by his shirt front)
I warn you not to finish that sentence, my friend…
MERCEDES
We can do both, okay? We can save the rich girl and find out more about
T13, all we have to do is work together… or apart actually, but that's not the
point. Justin; you, Dina and myself will do the heiress thing, and Luke; you and
Trini can find out all you can on T13. How's that sound?
Luke looks at Justin menacingly, and Justin glares back
JUSTIN AND LUKE
(in unison)
Fine
MERCEDES
Right then…
CUT TO; Miss Monroe's office, Centre 16. JC, Calvin and Roschelle sit in front of her desk. Miss Monroe stands behind it. They all look at her, JC seems frightened
JC
Review? Could it sound any creepier?
ROSCHELLE
Don't worry, JC, I've survived at least 5 reviews during my time at the centre.
CALVIN
Others haven't been that lucky… After the subjects escaped initially, Your
father and I were put under review…
(he realises his mistake as Miss Monroe raises an eyebrow)
Not that The Centre had anything to do with your fathers death…
MISS MONROE
If there's anything I've learnt during my four lovely months at Centre 16 it's
that The Centre is capable of anything…. We're also receiving a new man… Mr
Fallen
CALVIN
Fallen? I thought he was dead?
ROSCHELLE
He is
MISS MONROE
Obviously not anymore…
ROSCHELLE
No, he is, I performed the autopsy…
MISS MONROE AND JC
(in unison)
Ewww…
CALVIN
Could be Fallen Junior, he's about the same age as Miss Monroe…
MISS MONROE
Whoever… whatever… is joining the team; they're bound to be dangerous, and
sitting in Johanesson's lap, so we'll have to watch what we say, what we do… and
how we act
(she looks pointedly at Roschelle)
ROSCHELLE
What do you mean?
MISS MONROE
Well, anyone would think that you didn't want to reclaim the subjects
ROSCHELLE
I can't help what I feel…
MISS MONROE
But you can help how you act… no more slacking off, team, if I can put my
revenge on hold, you can put your feelings on hold, Roschelle. JC, you are going
to act like you actually want to work here, and Calvin, you are going to start
actually working. Johanesson is right, we haven't been trying to get these
mutants, but it's our necks on the line now, so we are going to have to. This is
bigger than our own agendas, this is about survival of the fittest, and at this
particular moment, we are not looking all that fit…
The three stare at her in disbelief, not quite sure if they should take her seriously
CUT TO; Justin, Mercedes and Dina are sitting on the balcony of the hotel room they are staying at, overlooking the New York skyline. It is around 2pm. Dina and Mercedes stare at Justin in disbelief.
DINA
That is not a plan; that is absurdity. Mercie, tell your so-called genius
brother that that is not a plan.
MERCEDES
That's not a plan. I could never pass as an heiress.
JUSTIN
Of course you could. The heiress Matika has never been photographed and this is
her first time in the USA, so there's no risk of anyone knowing that you're not
really her. Not even her half sister knows what she looks like, or her real name
in fact. You'll be fine.
MERCEDES
So let's get this not crooked…
DINA
Straight
MERCEDES
We're going to kidnap the real heiress, then you want me to pretend to be the
heiress, and you and Dina will pose as my bodyguards, we will skilfully use our
advanced intelligence to discover who the would-be assassin is and then we lay a
trap for them, drawing them out into the open and exposing their identity to
actual authorities.
JUSTIN
Yes
MERCEDES
It all sounds a small complicated to me
DINA
Little
MERCEDES
What?
DINA
It all sounds a little complicated…
MERCEDES
(to Justin)
See, Dina agrees with me
Dina sighs, exasperated
JUSTIN
We must have simmed this at least a million times, death threats I mean, we're
basically professionals. Besides, we're geniuses, how hard could it be.
Dina and Mercedes look at him sceptically
CUT TO; Centre 16, Miss Monroe's office. Miss Monroe is at her desk, writing on something. We hear the door open. She does not look up.
MISS MONROE
Unless you're incredibly gorgeous, and with the means to help me escape from
this hell they call a Utah fall, don't enter.
A gorgeous man about the same age as Miss Monroe enters the office
MISS MONROE
(slightly seductive)
Hello…
MR FALLEN
Hello I'm Mr Fallen, you're new partner…
MISS MONROE
(smiling wickedly)
Please, make yourself at home…
She motions to the chair on the other side of her desk
MISS MONROE
I am Miss Monroe…. (she shakes his hand) Glad to meet you
MR FALLEN
No you're not, you're probably cursing me on the inside, and secretly plotting
ways to remove me from The Centre
MISS MONROE
(sarcastically)
It's like we're the same person…
This, communication, between you and me, it's not going to happen often. I don't
talk to you, you don't talk to me, and whenever you see me, you'll dutifully
scuttle away and back under whatever white, high class rock you came from,
understand?
MR FALLEN
Well, they said you were tempestuous…
MISS MONROE
They lied, I'm a bitch… no wait… I am the bitch, isn't that what the
T-Shirt says? Never mind, all you have to remember is that I am in charge
around here, I make the orders, I break the orders and I am the orders.
Mr Fallen looks at her, surprised
MISS MONROE
I am glad we have an understanding…
At that moment, JC enters the office
JC
Miss Monroe, we've got another location (realising Mr Fallen is there)… another…
uh… um… prodigy lair, in Massachusetts
MISS MONROE
(angry)
Thank-you, JC
JC stands for a moment, as if awaiting further orders. Miss Monroe repeats herself, not happy.
MISS MONROE
(angry)
Thank-you, JC
JC still stands there, not saying anything…
MR FALLEN
I agree with the boy, we should really head out to that lair…
Miss Monroe glances at JC angrily
JC
(nervously)
I didn't say anything…
MISS MONROE
In the last two months alone, we have been to 43 of the so called 'prodigy
lairs' and it has accomplished nothing. What exactly gives you, Mr Fallen, the
credibility to tell me what I should and should not do?
MR FALLEN
If my inferences are correct, and these prodigies are in fact replicating the
actions of another escaped pretender, than they should leave clues at these
'lairs', clues regarding their next destination and such. It's like a
competition, a challenge so to speak, daring you to try and follow, a battle of
the brains.
MISS MONROE
(a bit taken aback)
And what makes you an expert?
MR FALLEN
I have extensively studied other such escapes and pursuits… let me guess, you
had me pegged as a rich, upper-class, white, college graduate who gets the job
just because his daddy used to know the spook who runs this place…?
MISS MONROE
(sarcastically)
Not at all…
(turning to JC)
Ready the bitch mobile, we're going to Massachusetts…
CUT TO; Trinity lies on her stomach on a bed, reading a book. Camera CLOSES IN on the title; 'Advanced Martial Arts'. Trinity is reading intently when Luke walks in. He walks past her slowly, watching her, and goes over to his desk. He continues watching her.
LUKE
Whatcha doin'?
TRINITY
Reading
Luke walks over to the bed and glances at her book
LUKE
'Advanced Martial Arts', what's that for? Do you have a sense that we're going
to run into trouble?
TRINITY
No, I just always wanted to learn it… And I was walking past the Library so I
thought, hey why not?
LUKE
Library?
TRINITY
You do not what a library is, don't you? You know, big building, lots of books,
musty smell and students in pastel clothes?
LUKE
(embarrassed)
Of course I know what a library is, I've just never, you know, been to one…
TRINITY
Sure have missed a lot of things haven't you?
LUKE
(watching Trinity in a slightly seductive manner, Trinity is unaware, as she
continues reading her book)
You have no idea…
Luke's gaze traces the curves of her body, finally resting on her lower back. She can obviously sense him watching her.
TRINITY
(suspiciously)
What are looking at?
LUKE
(embarrassed)
Your… uh… um… tattoo. Why'd you never get it removed?
TRINITY
(defensively)
Well you've still got yours haven't you?
LUKE
Yeah... I was just…
TRINITY
I really don't know, Luke, to be honest. I just don't think I'm ready to get rid
of it yet, you know, it's part of who I am…
LUKE
(glad he got himself out of a potential situation)
Yeah… me too…
CUT TO; New York airport. Dusk. A plane lands on the runway.
CUT TO; Security guards surround a young woman who we can not see properly. They walk her out of the airport, and toward a waiting Limo. A security guard taps on the window, and the driver winds it down. We see the security guard nod toward the driver, whose face we can not see. The young woman steps into the Limo, and it pulls away.
CUT TO; The back of the Limo. The heiress Martika sits alone in the large seats. She sits silently. Suddenly, the door opens, and Dina and Mercedes hop into the Limo.
MARTIKA
Who are you, what are you doing here?
The girls just smile at her
MARTIKA
You shouldn't be here…
Dina smiles wickedly and pulls out a roll of duct tape.
MARTIKA
(frightened)
Driver!
The glass separating the driver from the back is lowered, and the driver turns around; it is Justin. He smiles.
CUT TO; Balcony of the hotel room where the prodigies are staying. It is dusk. Lights are just being turned on in the city they are above. Justin, Dina and Mercedes walk out onto the balcony, where they have Martika taped to a chair. Dina smiles, as Martika looks frightened.
DINA
Don't worry girl we got you figured…
JUSTIN
You know, I thought she was going to talk right through that duct tape…
Mercedes walks over and goes to take the tape off her mouth.
JUSTIN
Now, if we take this off, you've got to promise not to scream this time… OK?
Martika nods and Mercedes rips the tape off.
MARTIKA
(screaming)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Mercedes jumps back in fright
MARTIKA
Do you know how many laws you just broke? And taping me to a chair; NOT COOL.
You have no idea what you've gotten yourselves into, my security team are going
to be on you like single mothers at a Bloomingdale's sale.
DINA
(sarcastic)
Yeah, just like they were when we nabbed you in the first place…
JUSTIN
We're here to help…
MARTIKA
Help? Help?
JUSTIN
We know that you've been receiving death threats, and we're here to make things
alright again…
MARTIKA
Things have never been alright… I have spent my whole life living in the Swedish
mountains while my father was off living his wonderful life in the US, then he
dies and I find out I have a half sister, and a half a trillion dollars that
people want to kill me for… Now I get kidnapped by obvious amateurs who tape me
to a chair on the balcony of their hotel…
DINA
We are not amateurs!
MARTIKA
Whatever…
MERCEDES
I don't know about you guys, but I'm about to off her myself…
Justin turns to Dina and Mercie, and nods for them to leave. They do. He walks over close to Martika and kneels in front of her so his eyes are level with hers.
JUSTIN
Look, I know what it's like to grow up without a family, to be somewhere you
don't want to be, and then for all that to change. Suddenly you're thrust into
this big, bad world that you don't understand. Other people have always done
everything for you, and suddenly you feel like it's just you, and there are
people after you, bad people who want to hurt you… believe me I know what it's
like…
Martika seems to understand, and relate to what Justin is saying.
JUSTIN
So just here me out okay? I have a plan… you don't have to be afraid any longer…
Martika nods in agreement, Justin smiles…
CUT TO; A warehouse. Miss Monroe, JC, Mr Fallen, Roschelle and Calvin are walking around and having a look. We presume this is the Prodigies' last lair.
MISS MONROE
(sarcastic)
Ooh look a warehouse, wait until my friends hear about this, none of them have
ever been to 44 empty warehouses in two months…
MR FALLEN
I'm surprised…
MISS MONROE
What? That I find the prospect of investigating yet another dead-end somewhat
monotonous…
MR FALLEN
No, that you have friends…
MISS MONROE
Quick. Not funny, but quick…
MR FALLEN
(smiling triumphantly)
Well, people have said that I have a certain comedic talent…
MISS MONROE
They lied…
CALVIN
I agree with Miss Monroe, we are wasting our time…
ROSCHELLE
Wait, I think I've found something…
They all rush over to where Roschelle is. She holds up a bag, inside it is a cardboard pop-up clue. The sequence is as follows;
A picture of a red apple in front of a blackboard, a cup of tea and a black cat.
MISS MONROE
What a gaudy, conspicuous, tacky clue. I thought our escapees had more brains
than that.
MR FALLEN
So what does it mean?
MISS MONROE
Well it obviously means… uh… um… apple-tea-cat, of course.
ROSCHELLE
I don't think so, but you are right about one thing
MISS MONROE
And what would that be?
ROSCHELLE
It is a conspicuous clue, they must think we are very stupid…
MR FALLEN
And are they wrong? They have left such a basic clue because they obviously
don't think you are capable of understanding more difficult ones, for example,
how many other clues have you actually decoded?
JC
Well… none actually… but we didn't know that they left clues at that time…
MR FALLEN
But did they know that you didn't know? This means something (the clue) and I
intend to find out what…
MISS MONROE
Don't you mean we?
MR FALLEN
No, I don't.
Mr Fallen walks out of the warehouse carrying the clue. Miss Monroe watches him angrily.
CUT TO; Carnival, night. Families fill the narrow passageways, clutching stuffed animals, ice-creams, cotton candy… Luke and Trinity come on screen. Luke has a sceptical look on his face. Trinity is smiling, enjoying the atmosphere.
LUKE
Just how hit-and-miss did you say these visions of yours were?
TRINITY
Trust me Luke, we're in the right place. We have to find somebody named Turner…
he has a bulldog tattoo on his right bicep, and he smells bad.
LUKE
What, you're having scented visions now?
TRINITY
They're getting stronger, yes.
The two approach a stand with laughing clowns. Children are attempting to put the ball in the clown mouth to win prizes. Luke studies the clowns closely. As he watches the heads turn continuously, he exclaims;
LUKE
I don't understand
TRINITY
There's, like, a motor down there…
LUKE
No, I understand how I just don't understand why
TRINITY
You win prizes…
LUKE
(fascinated)
Really?
He watches the clowns again
LUKE
It's really all just a matter of velocity and angles…
Trinity hands the vendor money, and the vendor hands her some balls. She gives them to Luke
TRINITY
Give it a try
Luke puts the balls in, and they all land in a high number area. The vendor looks on, amazed.
VENDOR
You can pick anything you like
Luke looks toward the board full of prizes behind the vendor. He points to a large purple teddy bear.
LUKE
I'll have the bear, thanks
He takes the bear and gives it to Trinity, who smiles her thanks. Luke turns back to the clowns…
LUKE
You know… they're rather creepy…
CUT TO; Dina sits on a bed in the hotel room. Justin and Martika come inside from the balcony. Martika is untied. Dina is shocked at this.
DINA
Jus, what are you doing?
JUSTIN
She's coming with us…
DINA
What?
JUSTIN
Martika is pretending to be bodyguards with us…
DINA
But she's not even a Pretender…
MARTIKA
Look, I don't know whassup with you guys, you seem to have a few… issues, but I
want to be involved with this…
JUSTIN
She won't get hurt, Dina…
DINA
It's not her I'm worried about…
MARTIKA
(saddened)
I don't have anywhere else to go…
Dina feels sorry for Martika. She sighs, showing her reluctant agreement with the situation. At that moment, Mercedes steps out of the bathroom. She is wearing an expensive gown, as if she was going to a high-class event – which she is.
DINA
(to Mercie)
Let's get your hair done, girl…
CUT TO; A limousine pulls up at the front of a fancy-looking hotel. Justin is the first to step out. He is wearing an all black suit. He turns and helps Mercedes out of the Limo, who is barely recognisable dressed in the expensive clothes she is wearing, and the extremely feminine nature of her outfit. As she steps out, cameras go off around her. Dina and Martika get out of the Limo next, also wearing all black. Justin walks up beside Mercie and whispers in her ear
JUSTIN
Here we go…
CUT TO; Debriefing room, Centre 16.
Text On Screen: Briefing Room
Prodigy Wing
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mr Fallen and Calvin are seated at a long conference table. Roschelle is up front, and JC sits besides her at his laptop, that is connected to a projector. Projected on a large white screen behind Roschelle is a photograph of Justin. She has in her hand a collection of folders – The Red Files.
ROSCHELLE
…Subject 06, with Pretender abilities and specialising in Strategy and Warfare.
Aged 7 years at procuration, 23 years at escape.
The photograph projected changes to a photo of Trinity
ROSCHELLE
And this is subject 03, one of the three Empaths we had in the Prodigy group,
however she was the only Genetic Empath…
MR FALLEN
I'm sorry, what does that mean?
ROSCHELLE
03 was born with the ability to absorb peoples feelings, emotions and
personalities when she comes into contact with some sort of related stimuli. Our
other Empaths are Induced Empaths, that is, we chemically induced their
empathetic abilities when they were young…
She turns back to the photo
ROSCHELLE
Subject 03 was procured shortly after birth, and was aged 16 at the time of the
escape…
Suddenly Miss Monroe bursts into the room; she is angry
MISS MONROE
Fallen! What do you think you're up to?
MR FALLEN
I'm sorry?
MISS MONROE
Nobody convenes a briefing but me…
MR FALLEN
(not really meaning it)
I'm sorry Miss Monroe, I just thought it would be a wise move if I were to
become familiar with the subjects I was actually trying to locate…
MISS MONROE
You thought wrong…
MR FALLEN
(harshly)
Miss Monroe, need I remind you that I too am director of this project, and I
will call my own shots. Now, I am not seeking your approval on this… Roschelle,
please continue with your presentation…
Miss Monroe stands slightly dumbfounded by Fallen's response. She had underestimated him… The photograph changes to that of Luke.
ROSCHELLE
Subject 07, specialising in Computer Systems Operations; this boys brain is like
a hard drive, and his fingers like a modem, so far there exists no computer
system he hasn't been able to crack. Combined with his pretender abilities,
these skills make him almost impossible to pursue…
MR FALLEN
Pretender?
ROSCHELLE
The ability to become anyone they want; literally stepping into the role of any
person…
MISS MONROE
Seems I only pretend to be in charge around here…
She gives Fallen a pointed look
MR FALLEN
(to Roschelle)
Continue…
ROSCHELLE
Aged four at procuration, 20 years at escape…
CUT TO; A large classy room hosting a party. Trinity, disguised in her feminine attire as the heiress Martika, smiles and nods at a group of young men she is talking to. We see Justin, Dina and Martika standing close by.
JUSTIN
(to Martika)
What is this function for anyway?
MARTIKA
My father's company. Sort of like a welcoming, I guess…
DINA
Welcoming?
MARTIKA
Yes, I'm supposed to take over the company… but I don't know the first thing
about business…
JUSTIN
Have you told anyone that you don't know what to do?
MARTIKA
(sad)
Who do I tell? Dad never consulted me over his will, I mean, the guy came to
visit me like, three times a year….
A young woman walks over to Mercedes, and introduces herself…
GABRIELLE
Hi, Martika right? I'm Gabrielle…
Mercedes looks at her blankly
GABRIELLE
Your father's other daughter?
MERCEDES
Oh, Gabrielle, right… right…
Dina, Justin and Martika make their way over to Mercedes. The young men she was talking to have left.
JUSTIN
(to Mercie, about Gabrielle)
Is there a problem, ma'am?
MERCEDES
No… no, this is ah my half sister, Gabrielle…
Martika seems surprised, and watches Gabrielle curiously
JUSTIN
Pleased to meet you, I'm Justin, your sister's chief bodyguard
GABRIELLE
Half sister, we had different mothers
JUSTIN
Oh…
GABRIELLE
I suppose you'd be needing bodyguards, what with the death threats and all…
JUSTIN
Yes….
MERCEDES
Is your mother around? I would like to meet her…
GABRIELLE
No, my mother died last year, while daddy was in Sweden… with you
MERCEDES
Oh…
Somebody comes up behind Gabrielle and taps her on the shoulder, whispering in her ear.
GABRIELLE
Excuse me, but I have business to attend to… what with daddy's sudden death…
Gabrielle leaves
JUSTIN
(to Martika)
How did your father die?
MARTIKA
Plane crash… on his way over to Sweden… to visit me
MERCEDES
Oh…
CUT TO; Carnival. Night. Trinity and Luke seem to be enjoying themselves immensely at the carnival. Trinity is holding at least 3 large stuffed toys, and Luke carries an equal amount… They are laughing, smiling. Trinity attempts to put some cotton candy in her mouth, but is unable to because of all the toys she is carrying. Luke puts his down, and puts the cotton candy in Trinity's mouth for her. Their faces inches from each other, Luke gazes into Trinity's eyes. Trinity turns her head to the side, smiling, and suddenly sees a bulldog tattoo. She follows the arm it is on with her gaze, and the camera TILTS UP TO REVEAL
TURNER ~ Male ~ 60 years old
He is wearing torn, faded jeans and a military top. Trinity taps Luke, and he turns and also sees the tattoo
LUKE
Seems we have found our smelly friend…
TRINITY
But is he a friend…?
LUKE
Only on way to find out…
Luke walks over to the stall Turner sits behind. He smiles one of his brilliant smiles and asks
LUKE
Turner?
TURNER
Who's asking?
LUKE
(confused, looking around to see if anyone else is standing behind him)
Um… I am…
TURNER
What do you want kid?
LUKE
We need to talk to you about T13
A flash of recognition crosses Turners face when Luke mentions T13, he obviously knows what it is. He puts a sign on his stall saying 'back in five', and motions for Luke and Trinity to follow him into the small tent behind the stand.
TURNER
Better come out back…
Trinity looks at Luke, concerned, but he just shrugs and follows Turner, Trinity follows Luke.
CUT TO; Miss Monroe's office. Centre 16. Night. Miss Monroe sits at her desk, a notepad in front of her. She is writing on it. The page is as below;
Apple/Blackboard – School? Teacher?
Cup Of Tea – Tea? Cup?
Black Cat – Unlucky? Bad luck? Halloween?
She observes what she has written. Suddenly, a look of discovery crosses her face. She realises what the clue is. She makes changes to the page.
Apple/Blackboard – School? Teacher? MENTOR
Cup Of Tea – Tea? Cup? T
Black Cat – Unlucky? Bad luck? Halloween? 13
She looks at the page grimly, understanding what the clue was trying to tell her.
MISS MONROE
(whispering)
They know… they know about Mentor T13…
CUT TO; Calvin's office. Miss Monroe enters and throws down the pile of letters she tore from the files in the last episode on Calvin's desk. Calvin sits at his desk. He looks up at her, calmly and seemingly unfazed by the situation.
MISS MONROE
What is Mentor T13?
CALVIN
(playing dumb)
I don't know Miss Monroe, care to enlighten me?
MISS MONROE
Calvin…
CALVIN
What?
MISS MONROE
This is important…
CALVIN
(forcefully)
Miss Monroe, I do not think you understand just what is at stake here. We are on
Review and we have just been assigned a new member who, unlike most other idiots
at this centre, seems to know what he's doing. Do you get it? It is you or him,
not both of you will walk away from this, so I suggest you drop whatever
personal agendas you may be harbouring, and get on with the job…
MISS MONROE
Just what is going on here?
CALVIN
It's The Centre, what's not going on here. (he sighs, regaining his calm
exterior) Things work differently here than in your New York Centre Consultancy
Firm. Things are slightly more… high risk.
Miss Monroe narrows her eyes and stares daggers at his throat
CALVIN
(slightly smirking)
Survival of the fittest, Miss Monroe, survival of the fittest
MISS MONROE
(not really meaning it, threatening she will leave)
Then I want out…
CALVIN
No one leaves The Centre, Miss Monroe, not alive…
Miss Monroe looks down at him, her eyes fierce and determined
CALVIN
You're going to have to catch those subjects… preferably before the end of
Review… and while you're still able…
Miss Monroe glares at him once more, and then turns abruptly and stalks out of his office. After she has left, Calvin retrieves the pile of letters Miss Monroe had thrown on his desk. He shuffles them in his hands, and closes his eyes for a brief moment. He has a FLASHBACK;
YOUNG CALVIN ~ mid 40's, and YOUNG MR MONROE ~ 46 years old. They are in the hall, arguing, as in Trinity's vision in 1.03 – Kick.
MR MONROE
You know we can't do that Calvin, sooner or later someone is going to realise…
CALVIN
Think of the project, Malcolm, think of Prodigy.
MR MONROE
I am thinking of the project, we can't do anything that may jeopardise its
progress.
CALVIN
These kids need this… you know it
MR MONROE
Get rid of it
Calvin looks at him reluctantly
MR MONROE
(yelling)
Get rid of it!
Calvin stirs from his flashback, and characteristically strokes his chin in thought.
CUT TO; Convention hall where Dina, Mercie, Justin and Martika are. Justin and Martika sit alone at a table, lavishly decorated. Soft music plays in the background, courtesy of a string ensemble in the corner of the room. They are mid-discussion.
MARTIKA
So you never really knew your parents either?
JUSTIN
No, my father died when I was four, and I was… separated from my mom when I was
still a boy.
MARTIKA
I know what that's like. Not having someplace that you can call home, you know,
like even when the worst stuff happens, you can always go back there and feel
safe, and like you belong. People who love you. But I guess you guys are pretty
close.
(she motions to Dina and Mercie, who are across the room)
Justin has a quick FLASHBACK to the escape. He and Mercedes run hand in hand across the desert. Next, he remembers meeting Luke at the beginning of the year in a park; they embrace. He also experiences a FLASHBACK to all of them eating waffles and ice-cream at the waffle stand; (end of episode one).
JUSTIN
Yeah…
MARTIKA
Like family?
Justin smiles as he watches Dina and Mercedes across the room. Mercedes picks up a small finger-food from a tray brought to her by a waiter. A look of astonishment crosses her face as she marvels at the small wonder, and Dina laughs at her.
JUSTIN
Yeah… family
Suddenly, the sound of squealing tyres is heard, and then an explosion at the entrance to the hall. The glass windows shatter, and Justin pushes Martika to the ground. A small fire erupts, and Justin rushes to get a fire extinguisher. He puts out the flames. Amidst the rubble is a silver cylinder. Justin takes off his coat, revealing a gun and holster. Using his coat to protect his hands from the hot metal, he unscrews the cylinder. He pulls from it a rolled piece of paper. It is a note reading;
'GO HOME'
Martika moves up beside Justin and reads the note over his shoulder, she turns and walks quickly away. Dina and Mercedes then walk up beside him, and the three stare out over the small remaining flames licking at the burnt items and down the highway to where the culprits had escaped.
CUT TO; Small tent. Night. Luke, Trinity and Turner sit around a small card table in the middle of the tent. A dim light sits on it, casting mystical shadows on the coloured walls encasing them. All the stuffed toys Luke and Trinity have won also sit around them.
LUKE
We need to know about Mentor T13, about Centre 16…
Turner looks slightly confused.
TURNER
I don't know nothing about no Centre, but during 'Nam, we took T13 like it was
coffee.
TRINITY
'Nam?
TURNER
The Vietnam War… geez kid where you been, under a rock?
TRINITY
A bed, actually…
Turner looks at her confused, Luke is impatient.
LUKE
What is T13?
TURNER
A drug… a chemical actually, but we could administer it straight to our systems.
The government developed it - top secret of course during the cold war, in
preparation for chemical warfare.
LUKE
What did it do?
TURNER
I don't know no technical stuff, but basically the T13 would counteract any
chemicals used in chemical warfare…
TRINITY
So you were immune to chemical weapons?
TURNER
No, but after we were exposed they used to just hook the bloody T13 straight up
to us, and it would stop the weapons' effect.
LUKE
Sounds to me like some sort of chemical inhibitor, blocking the cell and enzyme
activity catalysed by the chemical weapons.
Turner looks at Luke dumbly
TURNER
Yeah, what he said…
LUKE
Do you know anything about Centre 16, or Mentor?
TURNER
Sorry kid, that's all I know…
CUT TO; Luke and Trinity talk beside Luke's motorbike, as he tightens straps to hold something down at the back.
LUKE
For all we know, T13 could be completely different to Mentor T13.
TRINITY
I don't think so. I mean, it makes perfect sense. We are all chemically enhanced
in some way. To increase brain capacity, induce empathetic abilities, sometimes
just to calm us down.
LUKE
But what would they use T13 for?
TRINITY
To inhibit the effects of a chemical they gave us… or all of them…
Luke sighs.
TRINITY
Okay, why don't you head back to the hotel and see what you can find on the net,
and I'll go to the public library…. Better still, you go to the library…
LUKE
You sure?
TRINITY
Yeah, it'd be good for ya…
He smiles a brilliant smile, and the two hop onto his motorbike. As they drive away, we see it loaded with the stuffed animals they won.
CUT TO; Expensive hotel room. Martika is hurriedly packing clothes into a suitcase. Justin walks in.
JUSTIN
What are you doing?
MARTIKA
What does it look like? I'm leaving.
JUSTIN
Leaving?
MARTIKA
Yes, I got the message loud and clear…
Justin grabs her wrists and stops her packing. He spins her around to face him.
JUSTIN
(forcefully, yet not unkind)
So you're just going to run? Give up?
MARTIKA
I'm surviving…
She turns to start packing again, but Justin stops her.
JUSTIN
We'll stop whoever's doing this, I promise.
He looks into her eyes.
MARTIKA
You're not going to get all Kevin Costner on me now are you?
JUSTIN
Who's Kevin Costner?
MARTIKA
(laughing)
You're not serious are you? I mean, I've lived my whole life in the Swedish
mountains and I know who he is.
Justin looks at her blankly
MARTIKA
(serious)
Oh… you are serious… He's the bodyguard
JUSTIN
A bodyguard?
MARTIKA
No, the bodyguard
Justin looks at like he doesn't understand. She smiles at his childlike innocence.
Suddenly, Gabrielle bursts into the room. She is crying.
Justin rushes over to her
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I tried to stop him…
JUSTIN
What's wrong…?
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry
JUSTIN
Just calm down, now tell me, what's the matter…
Martika has come over beside them.
GABRIELLE
It was me… I sent the death threats, I just wanted her to go away… but now he
has her…
JUSTIN
(panicked, realising that Mercie may be in danger)
Who has her, Gabrielle, who has her?
GABRIELLE
(calming slightly, through sobs)
Garth Radden. He's the director of the company. He helped me to organise
everything. I never wanted anything to happen to her… but Garth has taken her,
he doesn't want her to take over the company.
Justin sighs. This will be easy for him, seeing as he specialised in strategy and warfare back at the centre.
JUSTIN
It's alright. Radden doesn't have your sister.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean?
JUSTIN
We replaced Martika with one of our bodyguards.
(he motions to Martika beside him)
This is Martika.
Gabrielle looks confused.
JUSTIN
I'll explain on the way
MARTIKA
(as they leave)
Where are we going?
JUSTIN
Mercedes will show us the way
MARTIKA
I don't understand
JUSTIN
It's probably better that you don't…
CUT TO; Luke smashes a small window at the public library, lays his leather jacket over the glass, and slides himself through it. He lands with a 'thud' on the smooth floor. He stares in wonder at the rows of books he sees. He walks down each row, running his fingers along the spines of the books. He breathes in deeply, as if to inhale the books themselves. Continuing to run his fingers along the spines of books as he walks down the isles, he comes across a book entitled 'Karma Sutra'. He pulls it out, and opens it up. He begins reading, and his eyebrows shoot up in astonishment. He looks to each of his sides, to make sure no one is around, and then sits at a table and begins to read the book. J
CUT TO; Justin, Dina, Martika and Gabrielle enter an abandoned warehouse. Dina smiles in amusement.
DINA
Just how many abandoned warehouses are in the US? I don't know why you needed
Mercie to empath you her location… I could of guessed it!
As Gabrielle and Martika look on in confusion, Justin turns to Dina
JUSTIN
Shhh… Element of surprise, as in, they don't know we're coming…
A gunshot is heard, and they all jump to the ground. Justin rolls behind some fallen crates and begins to return fire. Dina takes a side position, and also returns fire.
Martika sees Mercedes tied up in an office toward the back of the building. She runs down, narrowly avoiding gunfire, and unties her. Both her and Mercedes stay low to the ground.
Justin glares cautiously to where he had been shooting, but he cannot see anybody. Suddenly, he feels the cold barrel of a gun resting on the back of his neck. He drops his gun, and raises his hands in the air.
Martika picks up the phone in the office and dials.
Suddenly, Gabrielle appears behind the man with the gun to Justin. She hits him over the head with a plank of wood. He falls to the ground unconscious.
Two men appear in front of the office with their weapons focused on Martika and Mercedes. Dina and Justin approach them from behind, and point the guns at them.
JUSTIN
Drop 'em, or I get nasty…
CUT TO; The three men are tied up with duct tape in the office. Dina, Mercedes and Justin are preparing to leave.
GABRIELLE
(to Martika)
I'm sorry… it's just that, well you know… Do you think you can forgive me?
Martika turns her head slightly away.
JUSTIN
(looking at Dina and Mercedes)
Family is the most important thing there is… it would be a shame to lose that…
Martika turns back to Gabrielle
MARTIKA
Maybe we should start again, I'm Martika… your sister
GABRIELLE
I'm Gabrielle, hello sister.
The two girls embrace, and police sirens are heard as Justin goes to move away.
MARTIKA
(to Justin)
Where are you going?
JUSTIN
We can't be here when the police arrive…
Martika looks searchingly into his eyes.
MARTIKA
Who are you?
JUSTIN
(slightly sad)
I'm Justin…
MARTIKA
You're Justin…
She leans in and hugs him
MARTIKA
Thank-you, Justin
She smiles at Dina and Mercedes
MARTIKA
And thank-you two as well… Must've been terrifying being kidnapped
MERCEDES
Don't worry, happens all the time…
Martika looks at her, confused. Dina, Mercedes and Justin leave, as Martika looks on, sad, but happy she has a new family. Justin turns back as he walks away, and manages a small wave. Martika waves back, her eyes brimming with tears.
CUT TO; Balcony of apartment overlooking New York City. Dina, Mercedes, Justin and Trinity sit out and watch the sunrise. Luke enters.
JUSTIN
(to Luke)
Did you find anything?… Trinity's already filled us in on the other stuff…
LUKE
Yeah… just this newspaper article on a shipment of T13 that was stolen in the
eighties.
JUSTIN
Good… Good… We'll check that out tomorrow?
Luke seems confused.
LUKE
We?
JUSTIN
Yeah, we all will, as a family.
Luke smiles, as does everyone else, and they turn back to watch the sunrise. Luke takes a seat next to Trinity, and Justin watches his family, smiling, hopeful, and together. He stands and walks back into the hotel room. He picks up the phone and dials.
CUT TO; Miss Monroe lays in bed, awake and staring at the ceiling. She seems to be thinking. Her cell phone rings, and she reaches for it on her bedside table. She picks it up.
MISS MONROE
Hello?
JUSTIN
Monroe, How are you?
MISS MONROE
Who is this?
JUSTIN
An old friend…
MISS MONROE
You must have the wrong number, I don't have any friends…
JUSTIN
But you did once…
MISS MONROE
06?
JUSTIN
You used to call me Justin..
MISS MONROE
What do you want?
JUSTIN
To be left alone… why do you want to take us back there…?
MISS MONROE
How'd you get this number?
JUSTIN
I'm a genius remember…
MISS MONROE
Don't you have better things to do, like saving some widow, orphan or lost dog?
Justin chuckles.
JUSTIN
In some ways you're still the little girl I knew as a kid…
MISS MONROE
(sighing, and letting her guard down)
I'm sorry…
JUSTIN
What for?
MISS MONROE
For not helping you when you needed me to…
Justin and Monroe have a FLASHBACK to the infirmary, as in 1.01 – Reunion
JUSTIN
I didn't think you had recognised me, we hadn't seen each other for 10 years,
and then you turn up in the infirmary…
MISS MONROE
Roschelle didn't know I knew you… She started at the centre when I was sent away
to boarding school… I couldn't let her find out… Do the others know... the
other... subjects?
JUSTIN
No. They don't.
FLASHBACK to Justin's living space at Centre 16. YOUNG JUSTIN ~ 13 years old, sits on his bed, his door is open and Mr Monroe and Calvin are in the hall looking at some medical charts. YOUNG MISS MONROE ~ 13 years old sneaks into his living space.
YOUNG JUSTIN
(startled)
Who are you?
YOUNG MISS MONROE
I am Miss Monroe, what's your name?
YOUNG JUSTIN
I don't have a name
MISS MONROE
That's silly, everybody has a name... What do your mom and dad call you?
YOUNG JUSTIN
I don't have a mom or dad... I used to... I think...
YOUNG MISS MONROE
Then what did they call you?
YOUNG JUSTIN
(eyes downcast)
I don't remember...
YOUNG MISS MONROE
Then I will call you Justin...
YOUNG JUSTIN
Justin?
YOUNG MISS
MONROE
Don't you like it?
YOUNG JUSTIN
No, it's just... (smiling) It's nice...
MISS MONROE
I'm not the same person I was when we were thirteen…
JUSTIN
Neither of us are… but why? Why do you want to bring me back?
MISS MONROE
I have to… for survival
JUSTIN
None of us are going back there…
MISS MONROE
(defiantly, and with a grin)
I'll get you…
JUSTIN
(smiling)
Then let the chase begin…
Justin hangs up the phone, and looks out to the nearly completed sunrise, contemplating.
Miss Monroe listens for a few seconds to the dial tone, before putting her cell phone away and walking to the window. She pulls back the heavy curtains and stares out over the horizon, and at the rising sun. She sighs
THE END
NEXT WEEK: Remembered Love - Uno seeks Mercie's help, and secrets are revealed after a young woman is kidnapped...