FILE SIX – Black, White And The Many Shades Of
Grey
(Written By Vokal)
WIDE on Centre 16 exterior.
CUT TO: Delivery bay, Centre 16. A narrow alley dotted with boxes and workmen loading and unloading cartons and boxes. It is early morning.
Text On Screen: Delivery Bay
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah
An unmarked truck pulls to a loading ramp. The driver steps out, and signals to some workmen to come over. They run over, and the driver slides up the door at the back. They peer into the back with quizzical looks on their faces.
CUT TO: Miss Monroe's office, Centre 16. Miss Monroe sits at her desk, a thoughtful expression on her face, her hair tied tightly back in her characteristic way. She stares at the contents of a red folder. The camera CLOSES IN to reveal she is actually staring at Justin's profile. She has a FLASHBACK.
YOUNG JUSTIN ~ 13 years old, sits on the edge of his bed in his living space, swinging his feet and staring at the ground. The sound of a sequence being entered on a keypad that we presume is the lock to Justin's living space is heard. The door creaks open, and YOUNG MISS MONROE ~ 13 years old, enters, carrying a large stuffed animal under her arm. Justin turns to her, surprised.
YOUNG JUSTIN
(in a whisper)
How do you keep getting in here?
YOUNG MISS MONROE
(in a whisper)
I'm invisible...
YOUNG JUSTIN
(in a whisper, puzzled)
I can see you...
YOUNG MISS MONROE
(in a whisper)
My father can't...
YOUNG JUSTIN
Where'd you get that?
He points to the large stuffed animal under her arm.
JC knocks at Miss Monroe's door, stirring her from her thoughts, he opens before waiting for her reply. She slams the folder closed, and glares up at him from her desk.
MISS MONROE
(angrily)
What?
JC
(mysteriously)
Something's arrived...
CUT TO; Delivery bay. Miss Monroe stands outside with Calvin, Roschelle and JC at the back of the van we have previously seen pull up. The door is up, and the four stare at the contents. Inside the van are a set of 'laughing clowns', the game prevalent at most carnivals. Each clown has been made to the likeness of Miss Monroe, Calvin, JC, Roschelle and Mr Fallen. Behind them is a life-size cardboard stand up of Johanesson, with a speech bubble extending from his mouth exclaiming 'Pick a prize', with his hand pointing to a wall behind him, lined with cards saying 'life' and 'death'. In the part of the 'laughing clowns' below the heads, in each section indicating scores, are photos of Dina, Justin, Luke, Mercedes and Trinity. Miss Monroe climbs up into the back of the truck for further inspection. She picks up one of the balls provided and pushes it down the mouth of the clown that resembles her. Mr Fallen arrives at the scene, and seeing the 'laughing clowns', grins in an odd manner.
MR FALLEN
What a circus...
MISS MONROE
(snapping back)
Well we're at The Centre aren't we?
Miss Monroe jumps down from the truck. Mr Fallen goes to help her down, but she brushes off his assistance.
CALVIN
(moving closer to the truck, and resting his elbows in it)
What does it mean?
MISS MONROE
That someone has a little too much time on their hands... Time that we are going
to take off them... (wicked grin)
As Miss Monroe stalks away, followed closely by the others, we CLOSE IN on the 'laughing clown' where Miss Monroe put the ball. It has landed in the section with Justin's photograph.
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…
Text On Screen: Green Bay, Wisconsin
CUT TO; Ordinary city street. It is morning. Mercedes, Justin and Luke
are at a hotdog vendor. Both Justin and Luke are enjoying their hotdogs, Luke
with smears of tomato sauce on his mouth. Mercedes however, seems reluctant to
eat. They seem to be continuing a conversation.
JUSTIN
(to Mercie, as he turns away from the vendor, and they begin to walk down the
street)
I'm telling you, it's not real dog.
MERCIE
Then why do they call it 'hotdog'?
LUKE
It's just one of those expressions, like 'donut'.
JUSTIN
How have you never had a hotdog before?
MERCIE
Too busy. It's your fault, all these quests.
At that moment, they pass a news stand. Justin glances at the headlines as he walks past. Suddenly, he comes to an abrupt halt. His hands begin to shake, and he drops his hotdog. Camera CLOSES IN as it hits the ground in SLO-MO. Luke and Mercie also stop, curious as to what changed Justin's mood so suddenly. Luke glances at the newspaper, and camera CLOSES IN on the text;
' C16 Serial killer claims fourth victim'
Luke stares at the paper, his eyes wide, before looking to Justin. They exchange a knowing look, laced with fear. Mercedes does not seem to understand.
MERCEDES
What?
CUT TO; Camping grounds. FOCUS on large black and red tent pitched under a tree.
CUT TO; Inside the tent. Luke, Trinity, Mercedes and Dina sit either sprawled on mattresses on the floor, or in camping chairs. Justin stands in front of them, the obvious leader, and reads aloud from the newspaper.
JUSTIN
'The serial killer dubbed the 'C16 Butcher', due to the presence of 16 units of
the letter 'c' carved into his victims chests, has struck down a fourth doctor
in Michigan over the weekend. Dr Joseph Scott, a retired neurosurgeon, was
murdered in his home on Saturday...'
TRINITY
I'm guessing the C16 part isn't one of those mysterious coincidences you see on
TV shows...
LUKE
Hardly...
DINA
So the killer is someone from Centre 16. Those bastards.
JUSTIN
In a way...
The others get a sense that the two men aren't telling them the whole truth
MERCEDES
What's going on Justin? Who's the C-16 butcher?
JUSTIN
He's one of us...
The others recoil in shock, except for Luke, who seems to already know this information.
TRINITY
Who?
LUKE
10
DINA
10?
JUSTIN
I know, you girls didn't do much with 10, but Luke and I were involved in
several... experiments with him...
DINA
What kind of experiments?
LUKE
Scientific experiments... to do with the brain...
MERCEDES
So I guess slicing and dicing abounded?
JUSTIN
(eyes downcast, obviously remembering)
Something like that...
Justin picks up the newspaper again, and studies it hard, and swallows hard before continuing, he seems to be fighting back horrible memories...
JUSTIN
There was this one experiment, a few months before the escape. They took 10 away
during one of our sessions. Justin closes his eyes and has a
FLASHBACK
Justin, Luke and another young man, who we assume is SUBJECT 10 ~ 20 years old, with sandy hair and steely grey eyes, sit at a long table in a simulation room. Roschelle sits at the head of the table, a pile of papers in front of her. Several doctors appear at the small window in the door. They look in, their gaze resting upon Subject 10. He looks back at them, his eyes fearful. The doctors walk in, and usher subject 10 away quietly. Roschelle looks on quizzically, but does not speak.
JUSTIN (VOICEOVER)
It was unusual for one of us to be drawn out during a session, but we never
questioned it. We just sat there, frozen.
Back to present time, Justin is still looking at the newspaper, not making eye contact with the others.
JUSTIN
We didn't see him again for a few days, but when we finally did, he just wasn't
the same.
TRINITY
What do you mean?
JUSTIN
He was... different
FLASHBACK
A simulation room, typically devoid of any furniture, but also lacking the table as previously. A long metal bar stretches from each wall, and Luke and Justin hang from it upside down by their legs. Their faces are red, and they have obviously been hanging in this way for some time. They are not supervised. The door opens, and Subject 10 is led in, his head wrapped in bandages, by the doctors who took him away. Roschelle also accompanies them.
ROSCHELLE
Do you think it is wise to allow the subject to partake in this experiment
whilst still recovering?
DOCTOR 1
The boy is fine
Roschelle nods, and motions for Subject 10 to climb onto the bar, and she walks out with the doctors, closing the door behind her. We hear the keypad being set to lock the door. Subject 10 looks toward Luke and Justin hanging from the bar, but does not join them. Instead, he sits cross-legged in front of them. The men look at each other for a moment, before Justin speaks.
JUSTIN
Are you alright?
SUBJECT 10
(almost spitting the words out)
You heard the doctor, I'm fine.
Another long moment passes, before Subject 10 speaks again, this time just above a whisper, and in a tone both flat and menacing at the same time
SUBJECT 10
When we get out of here, I'm going to kill the lot of them. Carve a 'c' into
their hearts for every year they've kept me here. I'm going to kill the lot of
them
His eyes look up toward Luke and Justin again, so filled with hate and rage they are barely recognisable. Camera CLOSES IN on his grey, steely gaze.
Justin turns the newspaper around, it's headline facing the others.
JUSTIN
And he is, he's killing them all
MERCEDES
And how is a maniac offing our enemies, a problem?
JUSTIN
He risks exposing Centre 16
MERCEDES
And I don't see how that is a problem. I've always wondered why we didn't just
blow the flute on everything that goes on there anyway...
DINA
The whistle...
MERCEDES
Huh?
DINA
Blow the whistle...
TRINITY
(in a half dazed expression, under the influence of her Empathic abilities)
By exposing The Centre, we expose ourselves. And it doesn't matter how many
people we've helped, and what amount of good we do, people won't accept us or
understand us. They will hate and fear us because we're different...
MERCEDES
We don't need them to accept us...
DINA
But we need them not to kill us... and what's to stop some other organization,
like the government, from picking up where The Centre left off, and exploiting
our gifts...
TRINITY
The world's not ready to know we exist... not yet
JUSTIN
That's why we have to stop him... and soon
CUT TO; Prodigy wing's main foyer. Miss Monroe gets off an elevator, she is annoyed, as usual. JC bumbles past her, carrying a large pile of newspapers, so high he can barely see where he's going. As he walks past her, Miss Monroe snatches a paper off the pile. JC spins around, and realising it is Miss Monroe, slightly recoils. She examines the newspaper in silence, and then replaces it to the pile. JC goes to walk off, but Miss Monroe summons him still in a commanding voice.
MISS MONROE
JC!
JC
Yes Miss Monroe?
MISS MONROE
Where are you taking that unusually large pile of newspapers?
JC
(seemingly nervous)
To Mr Fallen, ma'am...
MISS MONROE
(wicked grin)
I see he's taken my advice, and started lining the floor of his office...
JC smiles weakly, and goes to continue on. Once again, Miss Monroe's voice halts him
MISS MONROE
JC!
JC turns, his face laced with what looks like nervous terror
MISS MONROE
Why are you taking that unusually large pile of newspapers to Mr Fallen?
JC
(swallowing hard)
Mr Fallen has asked that I retrieve newspapers from across the country, so that
he can study them
MISS MONROE
(moving closer to JC, almost breathing down his throat)
Why?
JC
(nervous, swallowing)
To identify situations most likely to draw the escaped prodigies' attention
MISS MONROE
(understanding)
Like orphans, widows and any abused 'little guys' out there in big bad
capitalist America... (She glances at the newspapers, and then adds almost
cheerily) Good idea...
Miss Monroe takes the pile of newspapers off JC, and walks away with them. JC stands stunned in the foyer.
CUT TO; WIDE on camping grounds near a lake.
CUT TO; Luke and Justin pack bags out the front of their tent. Dina, Mercedes and Trinity sit on logs made into seats watching them.
TRINITY
(slightly wining)
But we were camping...
LUKE
I think, somehow, that this may be a little more important...
Trinity over-exaggerates a pout. Luke looks up at her and smiles.
LUKE
You girls will be just fine camping by yourselves.
DINA
We're not coming with you?
Justin turns from his bag and faces Dina. He looks thoughtful for a moment, before speaking.
JUSTIN
This is something we have to do alone.
He casts Luke a knowing look. Luke looks down to his bag, shoving in rope, and then pulling his gun from the bag and tucking it into the back of his jeans. Trinity watches him, and suddenly has a VISION
Luke points the gun at someone. We can not see their face. Luke is angry, his young face streaked with tears. He fires the gun.
At the sound of the gunshot, Trinity is shaken from her vision. The others look at her enquiringly, obviously realising she has had a vision.
JUSTIN
What is it?
TRINITY
(looking at Luke)
Nothing...
She turns her attention to both of them.
TRINITY
Just remember... no matter what he's done, 10 is still one of us. He's our
family, and what is happening isn't his fault. (bitterness fills her voice) And
it's not exactly like those doctors didn't get what they deserved.
Justin looks at Trinity, sensing that she is not telling him the whole truth, but nods his agreement anyway.
DINA
Where will we meet up with you?
JUSTIN
We'll meet back here, but if anything should go awry, you girls move on... we'll
find you...
He looks at them worriedly.
JUSTIN
I just think you will be safer here. There will be Sweeper teams all over
Michigan.
DINA
You guys flying in?
JUSTIN
Yeah, it'll be quicker. Once we get a feel for the scene, we should be able to
figure out who's next.
DINA
So... can we have the jeep?
Justin looks at from Dina to Trinity and then to Mercedes undecidedly. He answers warily.
JUSTIN
Okay...
Luke zips up his bag, and throws it over his shoulder. He smiles his goodbye to Trinity, they have obviously gotten very close. Trinity smiles weakly back at him. He nods toward Justin to hurry up. Justin hugs Mercedes.
MERCEDES
(to Justin while they're hugging)
Be careful...
JUSTIN
Bye...
DINA
I'll give you a ride into town...
Dina smiles happily as Justin hands her the keys to his jeep. The three leave, and Trinity and Mercedes watch them go.
CUT TO; Miss Monroe's office. Centre 16.
Text On Screen: Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah
Miss Monroe sits on the edge of her desk, sifting through the pile of newspapers. She yawns, obviously bored. She hops off her desk, and walks around to her chair. She flops back in it, and leans back, stretching, making herself comfortable. She lies back in it for a moment, closing her yes. She has a FLASHBACK
YOUNG MISS MONROE ~ 7 years old lies on a rug on the floor in her father's office. She is wearing a silver bracelet with small sapphire hearts around it, and lies clutching a teddy, half asleep. Miss Monroe's mother, who we will know as GRACE walks into the room. She walks over to the sleeping Miss Monroe, kneels down beside her and kisses her on the forehead.
GRACE
Wake up baby...
Miss Monroe rolls onto her back, and seeing her mother leaning over her, smiles.
MISS MONROE
(sleepily)
Mom...
Grace smiles. The doors open again and a woman with long brown hair and dark brown eyes walks in. We recognise her as the woman in the photo with Roschelle that Miss Monroe found in Roschelle's file in 1.03 - Kick. We will know her as RACHEL. She has an urgent expression on her face.
RACHEL
Grace, I need to speak with you...
Grace looks down on the half asleep Miss Monroe again, kissing her on the cheek.
GRACE
Sweet dreams baby girl. (turning to Rachel) I'm coming Rachel
Grace gets up slowly, turning again to look at her sleeping daughter, She smiles at her, and walks over to Rachel.
Miss Monroe awakes with a start, her chair tumbling forward as she sits straight. She reaches into her bottom draw quickly, removes the false bottom, and procures a metal box with a heavy lock. She pulls a necklace from her neck, and uses the key hanging on it to unlock the box. Once open, the camera CLOSES IN on the contents of the box. Inside it is the photograph of her father and Calvin that she took from her father's file in 1.03 Kick, a photograph of Young Miss Monroe ~ 7 years old and her mother, the silver bracelet with the sapphire hearts, and the photo of Roshelle and Rachel she took from Roschelle's file in 1.03 Kick. Miss Monroe sifts through the contents of the box, picking up the bracelet. She runs it through her fingers as she observes the picture of Rachel and Roschelle. She looks at it quizzically and whispers to herself.
MISS MONROE
Who are you, Rachel?
Suddenly, Mr fallen bursts through the doors, a wide smile on his face. Miss Monroe slams the box shut.
MR FALLEN
Afternoon, Miss Monroe.
MISS MONROE
Fallen, thanks for knocking.
Mr Fallen spies the pile of newspapers on Miss Monroe's desk, and walks over to them. He opens one up, making himself comfortable by sitting on the corner of her desk. Miss Monroe sits in annoyance.
MR FALLEN
(while lazily looking over the paper)
So, where's the carnival game?
MISS MONROE
I had it moved down to Storage on SL-9. We've almost got the whole floor housing
Prodigy-related items.
MR FALLEN
And you were going to tell me this when?
MISS MONROE
Never. In case you didn't understand the message behind our genius' little freak
show carnival game, I'll knock it out for you in black and white. Whoever gets
the subjects back, lives.
MR FALLEN
(seriously, looking Miss Monroe in the eyes)
Nothing is ever completely black and white.
Miss Monroe looks at him curiously and it seems that she about to say something, when Mr Fallen lays a newspaper in front of her. It is the same newspaper the prodigies had been reading early that day. Camera CLOSES IN on headline;
' C16 Serial killer claims fourth victim'
MR FALLEN
Not even the newspaper.
Miss Monroe looks up at Fallen, they look at each other, worried.
CUT TO; Late afternoon. WIDE on airstrip. Small plane takes off. FOCUS ON Justin's jeep, parked near airstrip. Dina sits on the front of the jeep, her hair blowing when the small plane flies above her. She waves.
CUT TO; Interior of plane. Justin and Luke sits at the controls, flying the aeroplane. They smile, and Luke waves out the window at Dina. Justin looks out the window, and as the camera CLOSES IN on his jeep, we see that he is looking at his jeep worriedly.
CUT TO; Airstrip. Dina hops off the front of the jeep, jumps into it, and drives away, doing a wheelie as she leaves, dust flying up behind the tyres.
CUT TO; WIDE on the camping grounds by the lake. FOCUS on the prodigies' tent. Outside the tent, Mercedes and Trinity sit around a burnt out fire. They look at each other, sighing. They are bored and seem uncomfortable around each other.
MERCEDES
So...
TRINITY
So...
MERCEDES
So...
They both sigh again.
MERCEDES
So... what did you see before?
TRINITY
Huh?
MERCEDES
You had a vision before.. what was it?
TRINITY
Oh... nothing. Nothing important...
MERCEDES
So, you have pretty strong visions hey? Luke says that sometimes you even get
scented visions...
TRINITY
Yeah...
MERCEDES
I wish they came with an instruction manual...
TRINITY
(laughing)
Yeah...
The two girls smile at each other. The ice between them has been broken.
CUT TO; Calvin's office. Roschelle, JC, Mr Fallen, Miss Monroe and Calvin sit in Calvin's office, Calvin behind his desk, reading the newspaper, and the others in 'guest' chairs, except for Mr Fallen, who is leaning against the wall, his arms folded. They seem to be carrying on a conversation.
CALVIN
One of the escaped Prodigy subjects?
MISS MONROE
We can't be sure, however based on the information we obtained from the police,
I'd have to go with 'yes'.
Calvin characteristically strokes his chin in thought.
MR FALLEN
The real question is 'which one?'
JC
And 'who's next?'
They all look at him questioningly, except for Roschelle, who seems lost in thought.
JC
Well, each victim has been in the employment of C-16, and each were doctors
assigned to Project Prodigy...
ROSCHELLE
(stirring from thought)
I know who's doing this, and I know who his next victim will be.
CUT TO; City street. Dina is at the hotdog vendor that Luke, Justin and Mercedes were at that morning. It is dusk, and the streets are emptying. The vendor hands Dina a hotdog, and she smiles her thanks, and begins walking down the street. She walks down the street, gazing at the wonders around her, peering through shop windows. The street lights are beginning to turn on, and Dina watches, fascinated, as they light up consecutively down the street. She smiles, eating her hotdog. Suddenly, a young African-American boy, approximately 8 years old and wearing a bright yellow jacket, who we will know as CASEY, runs past her, bumping her. Dina's hotdog falls to the ground.
DINA
(yelling as the kid runs away)
Hey!
As she stands staring down the street to where the kid disappeared, she seems thoughtful. She pulls the car keys from her pocket, and throws them up and down in her hand.
CUT TO; WIDE on an ordinary suburban street. FOCUS on house with a squad car parked out front, and an unmarked car we assume is the detective's. Police tape seals the front door and yard.
Text On Screen: Flint, Michigan
CUT TO; Interior of house. Two policemen sit on chairs in the kitchen, they are playing cards. Luke and Justin walk past them.
LUKE
(to the two policemen as they go to stand)
No need gentlemen, we know where the door is.
POLICEMAN 1
Orright, detectives. Remember, if you need anything, we'll be here.
POLICEMAN 2
(sighing, dejected)
All night...
Justin and Luke smile falsely at the two policemen and then lift the police tape to go out the front door. They hop into the unmarked car. Once inside, they sit for a moment in silence, before Justin speaks.
JUSTIN
We both know who he's going to go after next...
LUKE
Do you think he would?
JUSTIN
He's in pain Luke... he's hurting, he's hateful. He won't think of the danger...
LUKE
What do we do?
JUSTIN
Well, we have to stop him...
LUKE
But Justin...
JUSTIN
Luke... you know, above all others, that killing out of hate accomplishes
nothing. It won't stop the feelings of revenge he's having. It won't make the
pain go away.
A dark cloud seems to settle over Luke, and the eeriness returns to his persona, for just a second, he becomes unrecognisable, someone troubled... a killer.
LUKE
No, but it ensures you won't feel any more pain...
Justin looks at Luke, sympathy, friendship and perhaps even understanding lingers in his eyes. Justin opens a folder resting on the dashboard of the car. He opens it, to reveal a C-16 issued personnel photograph of Roschelle. He sighs, closes the folder, turns his gaze back toward the road, turns the key, and starts the car. It pulls away from the house.
CUT TO; Centre 16. Calvin's office. The C-16 team sit staring at Roschelle. They are continuing a conversation.
CALVIN
(to Roschelle)
I'm sorry, I wish I could do more, but we've already got three sweeper teams
deployed elsewhere, and I've sent Weston and the others to Wisconsin to follow
that lead on the escapees... I can probably have someone on you tomorrow...
ROSCHELLE
(softly)
Hey, I understand, Prodigy is more important, and besides, it's only one night
Calvin watches her carefully, tentatively, waiting for a response that never comes. He nods then, and replies gruffly.
CALVIN
Right then... you folks should think about heading home eh?
JC
This is my home
MISS MONROE
You live here?
JC
Yeah, got a lovely little apartment down on SL-11, bars, 12 inch metal doors,
the works.
Miss Monroe seems surprised to learn that JC is a prisoner of The Centre. She quickly hides her expression. Calvin stands, as do the others, obviously understanding that he wants them to leave. Calvin walks to the door, and holds it open as they leave. Once they are gone, he closes the door, turns his back to it, and strokes his chin in thought.
CUT TO; The corridor outside Calvin's office. Roschelle leans against the wall after she thinks that JC, Fallen and Miss Monroe have gone, closes her eyes and sighs. She has a FLASHBACK
The simulation room with the metal bar across it, as in Justin's flashback. Justin and Luke hang from the bar upside down, while Subject 10 sits cross-legged in front of them. He has bandages wrapped around his head. Roschelle peers through the small window in the door from outside the simulation lab. Subject 10 seems to sense being watched, and stands. He turns slowly and walks over to the door, his eyes level with the window Roschelle looks through. He moves close to the window, his breath forming patterns on the glass. He stares at her for a long time, his steely gaze penetrating her own. His eyes are filled with venomous hate. Roshchelle swallows hard, and turns away from the door. Subject 10's gaze follows her until she is out of sight.
Miss Monroe startles Roschelle by putting her hand on her shoulder. Roshelle almost jumps in fright.
ROSCHELLE
I thought you were heading home...
MISS MONROE
I am, I just had to talk to Calvin about one more thing... You should think
about going home yourself...
ROSCHELLE
(distractedly)
Yeah... Yeah
Roschelle walks away, and Miss Monroe goes to knock on Calvin's door.
CUT TO; Calvin's office. Calvin stands gazing out the large decorative windows in his office, overlooking the sweeping property of C-16. FOCUS in on the ring barked tree as in 1.01 Reunion. Miss Monroe knocks on the door. Calvin answers, without turning around.
CALVIN
Come in
Miss Monroe enters. She stands at the front of his desk, awaiting him to turn around. Calvin turns slowly, reflective.
CALVIN
What can I do for you now, Miss Monroe?
MISS MONROE
Who's Rachel?
CALVIN
Excuse me?
MISS MONROE
She knew my mother, and I guess that means she would have known you...
CALVIN
Oh yes, Rachel, why do you ask?
MISS MONROE
(thinly disguising her true intent with sarcasm)
Nostalgia
Calvin sighs.
CALVIN
(firmly, but not unkind, almost fatherly)
Miss Monroe, I have known you since you were a little girl. I was at your first
holy communion, hell I even taught you how to tie your shoe laces, and now I am
teaching you this; The Centre is a dangerous place. Now, I don't know why you
came back here, God knows you should have stayed in New York, but you're here
now, and that means you can't leave... not until you catch the Prodigies anyway.
So let me help you out... don't go digging around in the past. It won't
accomplish anything except danger and pain for the people involved. Besides,
Roschelle is going through a lot right now, what with a psycho killer after her
and all, so why not let sleeping beasts lie...
MISS MONROE
(suspiciously)
What has any of this got to do with Roschelle?
CALVIN
(realising his mistake)
Well, it involves us all, now doesn't it... Centre secrets and everything...
MISS MONROE
(pretending to believe him)
Right... I guess
Miss Monroe turns and walks away, but stops before leaving the office, and turns back to Calvin.
MISS MONROE
Oh and Calvin... thanks for the advice...
Calvin smiles, satisfied that he has convinced Monroe to stop searching for answers. Miss Monroe exits the office, closing the door behind her. She smiles a characteristic wicked smile before walking away.
CUT TO; A public park. Night. Dina pulls up in Justin's jeep. She steps out onto the grass, and walks over to the swings, where we see the young boy who ran into her before, and who we will know as CASEY, sitting on the swings. He seems sad. Dina walks over to him and sits on the swing beside him. She sits for a long moment in silence, before speaking. She is friendly toward him.
DINA
Wassup?
CASEY
(reluctant to speak)
Nuthin'
DINA
Okay...
They sit in silence for another long moment, before Casey speaks.
CASEY
My name is Casey. Do you have name?
DINA
I do now, it's Dina.
CASEY
Do you like your mom and dad, Dina?
DINA
I don't know my real mom and dad, but if I did, I'm sure I would like them.
Casey seems pleased that they have something in common, and like most young children, automatically develops an affinity with Dina, and begins to open up.
CASEY
I don't know my real mom or dad either. They died when I was still a little boy.
DINA
And you're not a little boy anymore?
Casey answers very matter-of-fact, and acts as though the fact is immediately obvious.
CASEY
No...
Dina is amused.
DINA
Oh... okay...
After another long pause, Casey adds sadly.
CASEY
Now I live with a foster family. But I don't like them.
DINA
Why not?
CASEY
Because. I want to live with Aunt Sue and Uncle Philip.
DINA
So why don't you?
CASEY
Aunt Sue says the government won't let me.
DINA
Oh... so now you have run away?
She eyes the over-stuffed backpack on the ground next to the swings.
CASEY
How did you know?
DINA
Let's just say I've had experience...
CASEY
I don't want to go back...
DINA
But Casey, you have to. Your foster parents are probably worried sick about
you...
CASEY
I'm going to live with Aunt Sue in Atlanta.
DINA
I'll yell you what... Let's make a deal... If you go home tonight, I promise I
will help you go and live with your Aunt in Atlanta.
CASEY
How could you help?
DINA
I'm a social worker...
CASEY
(sceptically)
You are?
She stands up, and pulls the car keys out of her pocket.
DINA
I will be... C'mon, I'll give you a ride...
CUT TO; WIDE on camping grounds. FOCUS on the Prodigies' tent. Trini sits trying to start a fire. Mercie enters with an armful of dry twigs.
MERCEDES
(about the firewood)
This is all I could find
TRINITY
(exasperated)
I can't even get this started... camping is harder than it seems...
MERCEDES
Well, it was your whacked in idea to camp...
TRINITY
It's 'whacked out', Mercedes.
MERCEDES
I know, so why did you suggest it?
Trinity sighs. She is still attempting to light a fire.
TRINITY
Don't you want to experience life? I mean, what was the point in breaking out,
if we were still going to deny ourselves freedom?
MERCEDES
I dunno, maybe so we could at least have a choice. Besides, I think it would be
wrong of us to not use our gifts to help people...
Trinity smiles.
TRINITY
'sall good, we were trained to multi-task, remember. We can save the world and
party hard.
Mercedes and Trinity both smile. Trinity still tries to light a fire, Mercedes watches on with a smile.
MERCEDES
I'm surprised they didn't teach us how to start a campfire.
TRINITY
(sarcastically)
Well, it's not exactly an outdoorsy type place is it? Besides, I missed the
father-daughter camping trip. (muttering) If only those boys hadn't taken the
damn matches...
Mercedes grins, understanding Trinity's frustration at not being able to do something.
MERCEDES
Dina back yet?
TRINITY
No, she rang, said she had a few things to do in town. Said something about an
orphan...
MERCEDES
She is getting way to much like my brother...
Trinity smiles, then suddenly a small flame appears where Trinity was trying to light the fire.
TRINITY
(screaming in excitement)
I did it! I did it! I made fire!
She jumps to her feet, and her and Mercedes jump around hugging and screaming with joy.
MERCEDES
Fire! She made Fire!
CUT TO; WIDE on a typical house in an isolated area. There seems to be no others houses nearby. It is situated in an open forest, the moon filtering through the trees. A Centre issue black sedan pulls out front. Miss Monroe steps out of the car, and sets the car alarm. Two large dogs bark madly as she approaches the door. Miss Monroe glances around the 'garden'. There are little, if any actual plants, and it seems to have been taken over by weeds. She reaches to press the doorbell, but it only makes a sickly sound, as though it no longer works. She goes instead to knock on the door, but it is opened by Roschelle, wearing her work clothes, but with her jacket removed, sleeves rolled up, shirt untucked etc... She seems nervous.
ROSCHELLE
What are you doing here?
MISS MONROE
Nice to see you too. Thought you might like some company, what with 10 out and
about and everything.
Miss Monroe lifts her jacket back, showing part of her gun, as if offering Roschelle protection. Roschelle sighs, and opens the door wider, motioning for Monroe to come inside. Roschelle's house is sparsely and not decoratively furnished. Miss Monroe looks around quizzically.
ROSCHELLE
(from the kitchen)
Can I get you a drink? Water? Juice? Coffee?
MISS MONROE
Have you got anything that burns?
ROSCHELLE
No
MISS MONROE
(raising her eyebrows)
Alright then, I guess I'll have juice.
Roschelle enters the lounge carrying two glasses of juice. She motions for Monroe to sit.
ROSCHELLE
Please, sit.
Miss Monroe takes a seat on an old sofa. She sits on the edge, and seems uncomfortable with the ensuing silence. Roschelle and her both drink in silence. Roschelle is the first to speak, sadly, reflectively, and acceptingly.
ROSCHELLE
I deserve it
MISS MONROE
(not quite sure she heard right, not understanding)
Sorry?
ROSCHELLE
I deserve to die...
MISS MONROE
It's like Calvin says... no-one deserves to die.
ROSCHELLE
That's right... neither did subject 10.
MISS MONROE
10's not dead, Roschelle. (She pats her gun) But he will be...
ROSCHELLE
You're wrong Monroe. 10 died three years ago in a Centre laboratory. He was
given a lethal injection. I gave it to him. I killed him.
MISS MONROE
But...
ROSCHELLE
The experiment... we... re-stimulated his brain, shocked it with a drug we were
testing, brought him back to life. He was only gone three minutes, but it... it
changed him forever. He was never the same...
MISS MONROE
(attempting to sound comforting, although she obviously agrees with Roschelle)
It's not your fault...
ROSCHELLE
(teary, voice breaking)
Yes it is... (she sniffles, and recomposes herself) But now I have to live with
that... or die for it...
MISS MONROE
I'm not going to let that happen..
CUT TO; Ordinary suburban street. Dina pulls up in Justin's jeep out the front of a typical suburban house. Casey and her both hop out of the jeep. Casey walks reluctantly behind Dina, as she approaches the front door and presses the buzzer. An African-American woman approximately 36 years old opens the door. We will know her as EDELLE MURPHY. She looks worried. When she sees Casey behind Dina, relief floods her face.
EDELLE
Oh thank God...
She looks to Dina, her eyes questioning.
DINA
(offering her hand to shake)
My name is Dina. I am a social worker, I found Casey in the park tonight.
EDELLE
Edelle Murphy... Is he... is he alright?
CASEY
I'm fine
EDELLE
Why do you keep doing this to us?
Casey looks dejected.
DINA
How about we go inside?
EDELLE
Of course... come in...
CUT TO; Inside the house. Dina and Casey are led into a nicely decorated lounge.
EDELLE
(to Casey)
How about you take this (his bag) up to your room?
Casey looks on, expressionless, and heads up a flight of stairs. Edelle turns her attention to Dina.
DINA
How long has he been doing this?
EDELLE
For about three months now, just after Sue and Phil Hart moved to Atlanta.
DINA
Is that his Aunt Sue?
EDELLE
No... No... she isn't really his Aunt. They were good friends of his parents,
before they died. Casey and Sue were close, saw each other almost every day. But
then Philip was offered a job in Atlanta and... They wanted to take Casey with
them... wanted to adopt him actually...
DINA
Why didn't they?
EDELLE
They're white. Casey needs to be with people of his own race, people who
understand him and his needs. That's the way the Government sees it anyway.
DINA
And how do you see it?
EDELLE
I just want what's best for Case. And I see that to be in Atlanta.
Dina looks thoughtful.
CUT TO; WIDE on camping grounds near lake. FOCUS on the Prodigies' tent. Trinity and Mercie are sleeping in sleeping bags. All is quiet except for the soft hum of insects in the still night. Suddenly, both the girls sit bolt upright in bed, their eyes wide in fear. Trinity's voice cuts into the night air as she looks at Mercedes, who seems to already know what she is about to say.
TRINITY
(in a hoarse whisper)
They're coming.
CUT TO; A group of kids sit around a campfire. Weston, Haley and Porter are seen walking up to them and showing them pictures of the Prodigy Subjects. One kid nods and points. The sweepers, with a satisfied look on their faces, head in the direction pointed out by the kid.
CUT TO; Roschelle's house. Monroe and Roschelle are still sitting in the lounge, in front of a lit fireplace, drinking juice. They are laughing at something, and it seems to be the tail end of a conversation. Miss Monroe, sensing that the conversation is now over, and feeling comfortable in Roschelle's presence, asks what she came to ask.
MISS MONROE
Who is Rachel?
The smile disintegrates from Roschelle's face.
ROSCHELLE
Why do you ask?
MISS MONROE
She knew my mother.
ROSCHELLE
(standing and walking over to a cabinet)
Maybe I do have something that burns...
Roschelle searches through the cupboards for something to drink.
MISS MONROE
(more forcefully)
Who is she, Roschelle?
Roschelle turns around, her eyes tearful.
ROSCHELLE
What do you want me to say?
MISS MONROE
The truth
ROSCHELLE
The truth? Do you want to hear that she was my sister? That I hadn't seen her
for four years, and then she died... Is that it?
MISS MONROE
I'm sorry...
ROSCHELLE
No you're not.
Miss Monroe moves over to comfort Roschelle, who is now crying.
ROSCHELLE
She was my sister. She moved away and became a nurse here at C-16 in 1978. Four
years later, there was... a fire.. her whole family... So that's why I'm here
now... Rachel couldn't finish her contract.
MISS MONROE
I didn't know...
ROSCHELLE
How could you...
Suddenly, a noise is heard outside, and the dogs start barking madly again. Miss Monroe seems concerned, Roschelle expectant. Miss Monroe stands, her hand resting on her gun. The lights go out, the fireplace illuminating Roschelle's fearful expression. Miss Monroe walks to the front door, and opens it slowly. There is no-one there. She closes it again, taking care to lock it. She turns to Roschelle.
MISS MONROE
How many doors do you have?
ROSCHELLE
Just the front one there and a back door.
Miss Monroe draws her gun, and walks slowly and quietly through the lounge and into the kitchen. She turns into a laundry, where she sees the back door. A curtain covers the glass window. Miss Monroe draws the curtain back, to reveal Subject 10's face peering through menacingly. Miss Monroe jumps back momentarily in fright, but then quickly reaches for the door handle, which is turning as Subject 10 attempts to make his way inside. Miss Monroe screams to Roschelle.
MISS MONROE
It won't lock!
Roschelle runs into the laundry, and is shocked still when she sees Subject 10 struggling with Monroe at the door. Roschelle doesn't move.
MISS MONROE
Roschelle!
Roschelle stares at 10, her face frozen in fear and sadness, perhaps even regret.
MISS MONROE
Roschelle!
Broken from her stillness, Roschelle pulls a washing machine from the wall, and tries to drag it in front of the door. Miss Monroe pushes the door closed, working against the force of 10 who is trying to push it open. Suddenly, a gunshot is heard, and the door becomes slack, indicating 10 is no longer pushing against it. Miss Monroe slams the door closed, and her and Roschelle move the washing machine in front of the door. Miss Monroe turns to Roschelle.
MISS MONROE
What was that? (the gunshot)
ROSCHELLE
Someone else is here...
CUT TO; Trinity and Mercie are hurriedly packing a few items in bags, including water, rope, jackets, and batteries. They both pick up torches and turns them on. Trinity pulls gloves on her hands, Mercie puts on a beanie. They zip up they're jackets, put their backpacks on and step slowly and quietly out of their tent. It seems to be very cold outside, as the girls cringe against the night air, their breath creating misty patterns in the darkness. They are absolutely silent and stand absolutely still. Suddenly, a noise is heard in the bushes surrounding the campsite. Trinity jumps into action, indicating with hand signals for Mercie to go left. Mercie crouches low to the ground and begins to move out to the left. Trinity waits a few seconds before following her. They make it to the forestry, the trees providing some cover. They stand once more, tall tress concealing them from the clearing where the campsite is. We see Haley and Weston enter the area, their weapons drawn. Mercie and Trinity breathe heavily, panicked in the trees. Haley goes inside the tent, and Weston feels the coals in the fire. Haley emerges from the tent.
HALEY
They've cleared off
WESTON
They haven't been gone that long, the fire's still warm...
Among the trees, Trinity moves away from Mercie, to conceal herself behind another tree. Mercie looks worried at first, but Trinity nods, indicating that it's alright. They look back to the campsite, but Weston and Haley aren't visible anymore. At that moment, Porter appears behind Mercie, his weapon fixed in the centre of her back. Mercie draws in a sharp breath, as Porter calls to the others.
PORTER
I've got one!
Trinity leaps out from behind the tree, and kicks the gun from Porters hand. He goes to swing a punch, but Trinity skilfully avoids all his attempts to hit her. They fight for a few minutes, Trinity displaying exceptional martial arts skills. As Trinity and Porter fight, Mercie takes a fallen tree branch and knocks Porter over the head with it, knocking him unconscious. Weston and Haley can be heard crashing through the forest, and Mercie and Trinity run deeper into the forest in an attempt to evade them. FAST SHOTS of Trinity and Mercie running through the forest, and Weston and Haley a short distance behind them, INTERCUT with FLASHBACKS To the girls escaping from Centre 16 through the desert. Suddenly, Trinity and Mercie enter a small clearing edged by the lake. They are trapped as Weston and Haley approach with weapons drawn.
CUT TO; WIDE on a city street. It is late at night, and few cars pass down the near-deserted roads. CLOSE IN on a sign out the front of a building that reads
'Green Bay Social Services'
A shadow darts past the sign, and a streetlight illuminates Dina, who is dressed in all black, resembling a burglar more than a genius. She looks around, and proceeds toward the building. She darts around the side of the building, and climbs up a garbage bin to reach a small window. She takes form her pocket a set of screwdrivers and other equipment, and takes out a flashlight, turns it on and puts it in her mouth as she goes to undo the latch on the window. However, the window just pushes open, and she does not need to unlock it. She expresses her surprise.
DINA
(muffled slightly by torch in her mouth)
Huh. Guess they're not too worried about security in these parts.
Dina slides herself in through the window, carefully landing on a desk below.
CUT TO; Inside the room, Dina is standing on top of a desk. The room is dimly lit, and Dina moves her head around in order to shine the flashlight around (which is still in her mouth).
DINA
This is too easy...
She spots a door, and, taking the small flashlight from her mouth, jumps off the desk towards it. Suddenly, a silent alarm goes off, indicated by a flashing red light on a panel on the wall. Dina sees this, and realises she has triggered an alarm.
DINA
...or maybe not.
CUT TO; A security office we assume is that to which the silent alarm is connected. A security guard sits lazily in his chair, watching football. We see a red light flashing on a board behind him.
CUT TO; The social services office. Dina runs over to a panel on the wall and pulls it open. Several wires of different colours are visible. Dina has a FLASHBACK
Dina and Luke are sitting on an old couch in a warehouse, watching a TV and eating chips. They are watching the movie 'Speed', the segment where the main character is trying to diffuse the bomb under the bus.
LUKE
It's never the red one...
DINA
Huh?
LUKE
The wire... it's never the red wire.
DINA
How so?
LUKE
I have done a study...
DINA
Of Hollywood movies...
LUKE
Yes, that concludes that 93% of the time, it is the blue wire you need to cut.
DINA
The blue wire?
LUKE
The blue wire. See, it's a tricky bastard, because you know, blue, nice colour,
the colour of the ocean, which I intend to visit some day. People almost always
assume RED, because you know, red, fire...
DINA
I'll keep that in mind...
LUKE
(Biting into a chip)
You do that...
Dina shakes her head, a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. She takes out a set of wire cutters, and goes to cut the blue wire, then changes her mind and cuts the red one. The alarm stops immediately, and Dina smiles. She goes over to a computer and turns it on.
CUT TO; A security office we assume is that to which the silent alarm is connected. There is an ad break in the football game, and the security guard turns back to the board for a moment. The red light has stopped flashing.
CUT TO; Roschelle's house. Roschelle is searching through her kitchen drawers frantically.
ROSCHELLE
I know it's in here somewhere
MISS MONROE
I always keep my 9mm handy. I can't believe you misplaced your weapon.
ROSCHELLE
It was in here. I put it in her when I came home...
CUT TO; Outside the house, in the open forest. Luke and Justin face off with Subject ten.
LUKE
(lowering his gun from the sky, where he had obviously let off a warning shot,
and aiming it at 10)
Give it up 10, we've got you surrounded.
Subject ten smiles, almost welcomingly to Luke.
SUBJECT TEN
You can not surround a person with two people...
LUKE
I know that. I just always wanted to say that... you know, like in the movies
(he puts on a real masculine voice) "We've got you surrounded"
Justin looks at Luke incredulously at Luke joking around and exchanging friendly banter with 10. Luke sees this look and looks back as if he doesn't understand what is the matter.
SUBJECT 10
You haven't changed much, 06, still bossing little seven around.
JUSTIN
It's Justin
SUBJECT TEN
Yeah and I'm Dec, but what's the dealio?
LUKE
Dealio?
SUBJECT TEN (DEC)
What are ya doin' 'ere? You gonna stop me?
JUSTIN
Uh, yeah.
Dec draws a gun from under his jacket.
DEC
Swiped this from our little lady doctor friend. Gonna do some damage if ya know
what I mean...
He rubs the gun to the side of his temple. He seems sad.
DEC
Too bad we had to meet up like this.
JUSTIN
We didn't have to...
Dec reverts to full sarcastic mode again.
DEC
Well, you guys never write, never call... 'cept now. Tell me my fellow torturees,
why this one? Why you gonna save this one?
JUSTIN
You risk exposing us all...
DEC
Yeah, but that's not why you're really here, now is it?
LUKE
I don't know what you're talking about.
DEC
Yes you do. Say... it's a little cold out here, wanna go inside?
Dec puts his hands in his pockets, and pulls out what looks like a detonator, a trigger for explosives. He pushes the button down with a maniacal grin, and the window nearby explodes. Luke and Justin duck, which gives Dec enough time to punch Justin out of the way, and knock Luke's gun out of his hand. Luke gets up and starts to fight Dec.
CUT TO; Inside the house, Roschelle and Monroe have been knocked aside by the blast. Monroe stands, and helps Roschelle to her feet. At that moment, Luke smashes through the window next to the one that exploded. He was obviously thrown through, and lands near-unconscious on the floor.
MONROE
What are you doing here?
LUKE
(grunting and groaning)
A little help here please.
Roschelle and Monroe help Luke up, and he dusts himself, pulling pieces of glass from his arms. Miss Monroe looks at this, and expresses what Luke was probably feeling.
MISS MONROE
Ow...
LUKE
(darting a look at Roschelle)
I've had worse...
Miss Monroe focuses her gun at Luke.
MISS MONROE
I can see Fallen's face right now. (putting on a man's voice) "How'd you catch
him, Monroe?" (back to her own) "Well, he just... dropped in"
LUKE
(seriously)
If you want to live, you'll point that somewhere else?
MISS MONROE
Is that a threat?
LUKE
No, that was me telling you to point it at Dec.
MONROE
Dec?
LUKE
Ten. He's outside now, probably laying more explosives and planning in his own
special maniacal way, the death of the not-so-good doctor here.
A gunshot goes off.
MONROE
(lowering her gun)
You alone?
LUKE
No, Justin's outside, we gotta move.
The three rush to the front door, and Monroe pulls it open, only to reveal Dec leaning against the doorframe. A maniacal smile plastered on his young face.
DEC
(raising his gun to point directly at Roschelle)
Honey, I'm home...
CUT TO; Dina finishes typing something on the computer and prints it out. She picks up the printout and walks over to a filing cabinet, opens it and places the papers inside. She smiles, and then, with a somewhat quizzical look on her face, exclaims
DINA
Too easy
CUT TO; Mercie and Trinity are trapped near the lake. Weston and Haley approach them carefully, joined by Porter, who emerges, panting, from the tress, blood streaming down his face from a gash on his head. trinity and Mercie look at each other knowingly, and then grip each others hands, and together they have a VISION.
A quick flash of Dina in the Social Services Office. Then, Mercie and Trinity jumping into the lake. The murky water transforms into a road, where Trinity and Mercie stand in the middle screaming.
Trinity and Mercie are physically moved by the vision, and the gasp for breath as it ends. The Sweepers continue to draw closer as Trinity and Mercedes look at each other once more, and, still holding hands, turn and jump into the cold lake in SLO-MO. The sweepers go to follow, but the water is too cold, and they jump back from the shock of it.
WESTON
They're never gonna make it... the water's too cold...
CUT TO; Under the water, Mercie and Trinity struggle to swim, but they do not let go of each others hand. Trinity's long hair floats around them, as she pushes with her arms through the water, almost dragging Mercie behind her.
CUT TO; Dina is sliding out of the window to the social services office. Just as she gets nearly out of the window, she receives a VISION from Mercie and Trini.
Mercie and Trinity jumping into the lake. The murky water transforms into a road, where Trinity and Mercie stand in the middle screaming.
Dina, shocked by the vision, falls out of the window, landing in the large industrial garbage bin below. She sits up, grime on her face, and pulls a wrapper that is stuck to her face off. She does not look happy.
CUT TO; Dec stands with his gun aimed at Roschelle. Monroe does not have time to raise her gun. She goes to, but Dec shakes his head at her, a warning look on his face.
DEC
Always good to see old friends again.... (he looks to Monroe) and new ones...
LUKE
Where's Justin?
DEC
He offended a man with a weapon. And he was supposed to be the smartest of us
all. Not too bright now, is he?
Dec's smile fades quickly, and he looks at Luke, losing his taunting, sarcastic tone.
DEC
You don't have to be a part of this, you know. You can walk away now, I won't
harm you, or this other skinny woman. (He motions to Monroe) I just want the
Doc.
LUKE
(swallowing hard)
I can't let you do that...
DEC
(regaining his previous taunting tone)
Why is that? I mean, what has she ever done to you? That didn't cause pain, I
mean?
Luke looks blankly ahead. We know he does not want to leave, but also does not want to stay.
DEC
I thought it'd be something like that. You been hangin' with 06 too long. Oh
well, if this is da way it has to be...
CUT TO; Dec finishes of a roll of duct tape, taping Luke and Monroe on chairs, back to back. Roschelle sits by herself, just with her feet and hands bound.
DEC
Duct tape. Brilliant, isn't it? Trust the good ol' Doc to have some lying around
this beat up ol' place.
Luke has a disgusted look on his face, and Dec walks over to him, his face just inches away from Luke's.
DEC
I figured it out.
LUKE
Yay you.
DEC
It's guilt, isn't it?
LUKE
You better 'splain man, cos this duct tape's cutting off the blood to my
brain...
DEC
You didn't do anything to help me.
A forlorn look crosses Luke's face, and we know Dec has hit the target.
DEC
See, I knew it. (he loses his taunting tone again) You guys were like... like
brothers to me, seven. How could you let them do that to me?
Tears form in Luke's eyes, and he barely whispers a reply
LUKE
We were... we couldn't have helped...
DEC
(regaining his taunting tone)
But it could have been you they took. You could have gone instead of me... But
they picked me. I guess I just wasn't smart enough... not like you and Justin.
So now you're here, all guilty-like, trying to stop me exacting my revenge, and
saving the life of a woman who has spent nearly half that life torturing you. I
see the logic, yeah.
MONROE
What, are you gonna talk us to death? A man with big talk has little action
pal...
DEC
Action? I'll give you action doll...
He pulls out a flick knife and walks over to Monroe. Luke attempts to distract him with more talk.
LUKE
But why now? Why wait this long to exact your revenge?
DEC
Well, you know what tomorrow is, don't you?
LUKE
(his eyes downcast)
November 26
DEC
Yep. The anniversary of our escape. And what a party it's gonna be...
At that moment, Justin walks through the door. Luke's gun in his hand.
JUSTIN
Looks like you got yourself a crasher...
DEC
You're s'posed to be dead?
JUSTIN
Is it my fault you're a lousy aim?
Justin aims the gun at Dec, who glances toward his own, which lay on a table too far for him to reach. Justin shakes his head, and Dec looks disgruntled.
CUT TO; The shore of the lake. Mercie and Trinity pull themselves up out of the water, cold, shivering and barely able to move. They look at each other, seemingly communicating without talking, and start limping into the surrounding forestry. The don't travel far when they reach a roadside, where Dina is waiting in Justin's jeep. Mercedes and Trinity have never seemed more glad to see her, and run up to her and hug her.
TRINITY
You got our message?
DINA
Loud, clear and (clutching her back as if it hurts) painful.
Mercedes and Trinity hug her again. Dina pulls them gently off her.
DINA
We gotta get you to a safe place to get warmed up...
CUT TO; Dec is tied up in duct tape, as is Miss Monroe and Roschelle still. Justin is finishing undoing Luke. Luke stands, and stretches.
LUKE
(about Dec) What are we gonna do with him?
JUSTIN
We can't leave him here. There'll be centre operatives crawling all over this
place. We can't let them take him back there.
Luke and Justin look at each other.
JUSTIN
You know what to do... (handing Luke his gun)
Luke goes over and takes his gun off Justin. He drags Dec to his feet, who is now sobbing.
DEC
Yous can't do this to me...
Luke pulls an unwilling Dec from the room, and outside. An eerie silence settles over those left in the room.
MISS MONROE
Thanks for the carnival game.
JUSTIN
It wasn't a gift. It was a message. And it was Luke's idea.
MISS MONROE
Well I got the message, but at the moment it's not centre
operatives I have to worry about killing me.
JUSTIN
I'm not going to hurt you...
MISS MONROE
And yet you'd kill one of your own?
Justin looks down, saddened, and then looks back to Miss Monroe.
JUSTIN
Do you remember our carnival?
Miss Monroe looks toward Roschelle, who looks back at her quizzically.
MISS MONROE
No.
Justin smiles sadly.
JUSTIN
I'll never forget.
He leaves the room, and we hear the front door close after him.
CUT TO; The Murphy's house. Dina and Edelle leave a room where Mercie and Trinity are lying sound asleep in bed.
DINA
How was Casey last night?
EDELLE
Not much better. Thank-you though, for all your help.
DINA
(glancing in to where Mercie and Trini are asleep)
Thank-you for all yours... And I think that Casey might be getting his wish to
live with aunt Sue in Atlanta.
Edelle looks at Dina quizzically.
DINA
Seems that the adoption was approved after all, just... 'misfiled'. You should
be getting the call soon.
EDELLE
You're not really a social worker, are you?
DINA
I am many things...
EDELLE
What you are is an angel...
Casey comes down the hall. He sees Dina and his eyes light up.
CASEY
What are you doing back here?
EDELLE
Dina came to tell us that you can go and live with your aunt Sue and Uncle
Phillip in Atlanta
CASEY
I can?
Dina nods, smiling happily as Casey hugs her.
CUT TO; Outside Roschelle's house, early morning. Centre operatives scour the area. Monroe and Roschelle stand back from all the commotion. Miss Monroe seems in deep reverie, but is in fact having a FLASHBACK, continuing on from the one she was having at the beginning of the episode.
YOUNG JUSTIN
Where'd you get that?
He points to the large stuffed animal under her arm.
YOUNG MISS MONROE
My mom took me to a carnival
YOUNG JUSTIN
What's a carnival?
YOUNG MISS MONROE
You've never been to a carnival?
YOUNG JUSTIN
If you tell me what it was, I'd be able to tell you if I've been.
YOUNG MISS MONROE
I'll show you...
She takes her backpack off her shoulder, and pulls out a set of crayons.
MISS MONROE
(hiding the fact that she uses crayons)
These are my little brothers, they're not mine...
She picks up a crayon, and then spreads out a sheet of large paper by throwing it in the air. As it settles, we see that Miss Monroe has drawn a carnival mural all over Justin's walls. There is a Ferris Wheel, 'Laughing Clowns', a haunted house etc.. and lots of people having fun. Much time has passed, and the two kids sit on the floor, Justin looking at the picture in wonder and amazement.
YOUNG JUSTIN
It looks incredible...
MISS MONROE
It is, and it is lot's of fun. We should go sometime, me and you...
Justin smiles.
JUSTIN
I was talking about the picture. You're very good.
MISS MONROE
I'm going to be an artist when I finish school
JUSTIN
What's an artist?
Young Miss Monroe smiles, and pushes Justin playfully.
An operative walks over to where Miss Monroe and Roschelle are standing, stirring Monroe from her flashback. Miss Monroe seems shocked to realise where she is, and Roschelle has been gazing at her curiously. The operative makes her presence known by grunting.
OPERATIVE
Excuse me, Miss Monroe, we are still unable to locate a body.
MISS MONROE
(distant)
Yes... very good...
ROSCHELLE
(to Monroe as the operative walks away)
Are you OK?
MISS MONROE
(distant)
Yes... I'm fine. (stirred from her thought further, completely conscious now)
I'm fine.
She walks away, leaving Roschelle staring at the space she was standing in.
CUT TO; Bus station. Justin and Luke sit on a bench, waiting for a bus. They are watching the sunrise, and seem to be each lost in their own thoughts.
LUKE
I couldn't do it.
JUSTIN
I didn't want you to.
LUKE
I know. You just wanted them to think so, so that they'd stop looking.
JUSTIN
Let's just hope he doesn't come back
LUKE
He won't. Not if his revenge has lessened his pain.
JUSTIN
Did it lessen yours?
Luke looks at Justin sadly for a long time, before shaking his head. He turns abruptly away then, and looks back out at the sunrise.
LUKE
So today's the day...
JUSTIN
Yeah...
LUKE
We gonna do anything special?
JUSTIN
I'm a bit tired... (turning to look at Luke and grinning)
LUKE
(grinning back)
Yeah...
They both look out at the sunrise, as a bus arrives, and the screen fades to black.
NEXT WEEK - 'The Last Night' - Miss Monroe and Justin are trapped in a high-security building, pursued by thugs with only one thing on their mind...