This Week, in a Prodigy Christmas special, Mercedes attempts to host the 'perfect' Xmas, Luke and Trinity continue to grow closer, and Justin investigates the meaning and purpose of the key...

FILE EIGHT – Ho, Ho, Who?
(Written by Vokal)

WIDE on a city street. Xmas decorations hang from wherever possible, and people bustle down the streets carrying presents and large bags. Trinity, wearing black leather and purple sunglasses with purple lenses and riding Luke's motorcycle, speeds down the street. She is smiling as she swerves to avoid traffic and people. She glances at the decorations as she passes.

TRINITY (Voiceover, VO)
Have you ever noticed how everyone seems happy around the holidays? Perfect strangers exchange friendly smiles, families come together to celebrate - or at least that's what I see on TV. Honestly, I just don't understand the whole Xmas thing. I mean, a baby, born in an animal's stable on a bed of hay, to a virgin, is the son of God and saved everyone from their sins? My logical mind can not comprehend it, let alone understand it. Yet how do so many seemingly intelligent people get sucked into what is so obviously a marketing ploy designed and executed to create money? I don't know. What I do know is that this is our first Xmas together as a group, Luke, Dina, Mercedes, Justin and I, and whatever it's significance, I am glad to be spending Xmas with the people who are and will always be my true family, the only people I have ever been able to give the title 'family' to.

WIDE on an apartment building in the city. Xmas decorations hang from windows, and a wreath decorates the front door. We see Luke's motorbike pull up at the front of the apartments, and Trinity gets off it, taking of her helmet, her long hair falling down her back. She takes a brown paper shopping bag off the back of the bike, and heads inside the apartment block.

Text On Screen:
New York, New York

CUT TO; Interior of the apartment. In the kitchen, Dina and Luke have their arms in large bowls, mixing something with their hands. Xmas carols play in the background. Dina and Luke seem frustrated that their attempts at cooking are failing. They also seem quite rushed.

DINA
Beat to a cream? Beat to a cream?

Luke is engrossed in his own cooking, and fails to reply to Dina. This only serves to aggravate her more.

DINA
Beat to a cream? Luke? Hello? What does this mean?

LUKE
How do I know? I have lived at The Centre just as long as you, and then in self-induced seclusion, remember?

Justin, sitting on the lounge near the kitchen and twisting the key from the file they stole from C-16 through his fingers, chuckles slightly at Dina and Luke. This irritates them, and Dina snaps at Justin.

DINA
You could help you know...

JUSTIN
Are you joking with me? I saw what happened at Thanksgiving...

DINA
Which, by the way, you also did not help out with...

JUSTIN
(in mock defence)
I was working...!

DINA
Working smirking!

LUKE
You were off playing hero on that Indonesian freighter and left us to face her wrath...

JUSTIN
Come on you guys... she's not that bad...

We hear the lock turn in the apartment door, and Justin springs to his feet, a terrified look on his face. He rushes over to the kitchen, and sticks his hand in the same bowl as Dina. Dina looks at him, amused.

JUSTIN
(frantic)
I gotta look busy...

Luke, Dina and Justin all seem overly fearful of whoever they believe is coming through the door. As Trinity glides gracefully into the room, a greeting smile on her face, they visibly relax, obviously relieved. Trinity looks at them questioningly.

LUKE
We thought you were her...

TRINITY
Who?

LUKE
The Xmas Nazi...

TRINITY
You been watching Roswell?

JUSTIN
Mercedes is worse than a Xmas Nazi, she's like, she's like...-

TRINITY
- how you are with your hero quests?

JUSTIN
How do you always turn stuff around on me like that?

TRINITY
So your sister wants a perfect Christmas, what's wrong with that?

DINA
Oh nothing really, 'cept you weren't here last year...

Luke nods toward the bag Trinity has.

LUKE
What's in the bag?

TRINITY
I thought you might need these.

Trinity unpacks several items from the bag. They are mainly 'quick-mixes', or 'instant-mixes', particularly 'Instant Turkey Stuffing - Just add water' and 'Rum-Balls the easy way'. The others smile gratefully at her. Justin seems particularly intrigued.

JUSTIN
Really? You used you empathic abilities to predict that we were having trouble preparing a Christmas feast, and so purchased several packets of imitation food-product that only requires water?

TRINITY
(incredulously)
No, I simply determined that a person who didn't even know what hotcakes were, a recluse and a man who is too obsessed with his quests to think about anything else, would have next-to-no clue about how to prepare a traditional Xmas meal.

DINA/LUKE/JUSTIN
(in unison)
Oh...

Dina takes a packet of Quick Mix and opens the box, pouring it into a clean bowl, and then pouring whatever was in her first bowl down the sink. It is a thick white goo.

DINA
So... updates?

TRINITY
Well, I checked out that place downtown you were talking about Luke, the one owned by what's his name with the thing on his whatever it's called...

LUKE
And?

TRINITY
And the stolen T-13 was trucked up north.. to Salt Lake City, about 6 years ago...

JUSTIN
So we know that C-16 wanted a hell of a lot of this stuff... but what for?

LUKE
My guess is that a hybrid chemical was used to counteract whatever chemicals they'd fed us over the years we were there...

JUSTIN
Well that's my guess too, but we need more than guesses, we need conclusive evidence...

DINA
And we need to know if that stuff is dangerous... or if whatever else they gave us was...

TRINITY
And soon, I know, but that's all I could get from an unemployed ex-port manager...(she turns to Justin) What about you with the key?

JUSTIN
Well, Mercie's empathic investigations only concluded what you thought - the key didn't belong to our mother, but it leads to valuable information of extreme importance to us and to C-16.

TRINITY
Where is Mercedes?

LUKE
She went to pick up a Christmas tree. She really does want the perfect Xmas.

TRINITY
So why did she leave you guys in charge of the cooking?

LUKE
Oh, we're not doing all the major cooking...

DINA
Besides, last year Mercie left Justin in charge of getting the Xmas tree, and we cooked, but then Justin made... somewhat of a mistake...

JUSTIN
(in his defence)
I followed the diagram exactly!

Trinity looks at them speculatively.

TRINITY
Diagram?

JUSTIN
(still in his defence)
The diameter was exact, and the height was well between the expressed guidelines...

DINA
He bought a plastic tree...

Trinity and Luke are watching the exchange with animated expressions on their faces, both having missed out on experiencing the actual event.

DINA
Rule number one, my genius friend - NEVER BUY A PLASTIC TREE!!

Suddenly, we hear a car horn, and a woman yelling up at the apartment building. Trinity walks over to the window and peers out.

CUT TO; Trinity's POINT OF VIEW outside the window. Mercedes has pulled up outside the apartment building in Justin's jeep, a rather large tree tied to it. She looks up at the window, shielding her eyes from the sunlight.

MERCIE
(yelling up at the window)
A little help here!

CUT TO; Trinity turns hurriedly back to the others, a near-fearful expression on her face.

TRINITY
It's Mercedes!

JUSTIN
(barking orders at Dina and Luke)
Quick, hide those boxes, clean that mess... she's here!

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; WIDE on the exterior of Centre 16. A light snow covers the ground.

Text On Screen:
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah

CUT TO; Interior. The main foyer. Miss Monroe enters carrying a large box. She comes to a security station before she enters the main foyer. She hands the box to a security guard, and places her hand on a screen. A green light moves down her hand, scanning it. This is obviously a new security system, and Miss Monroe looks annoyed. Mr Fallen walks past and spots her, waving slightly. Miss Monroe rolls her eyes. The security scan has stopped, and Miss Monroe is allowed through after a message appears on the screen that recognises her as 'Miss Monroe, Co-Director - Special Projects - Prodigy Wing' and approves her entrance. Mr Fallen has waited for the scan to stop and begins to walk with Miss Monroe as she heads into the main foyer.

MISS MONROE
Is that bloody scan really necessary? I mean, I come here everyday, everyone knows who I am...

MR FALLEN
Well, we must ensure that another incident does not occur...

MISS MONROE
Incident?

MR FALLEN
Such as the one that occurred just before my initiation as co-director of Special projects... Where one of the escaped prodigy subjects masqueraded as a certain Director of Centre 16, and managed to release several subjects being held...

MISS MONROE
'Allegedly' Mr Fallen, nothing was ever proven...

MR FALLEN
And a good thing too, or my title would lack the prefix 'co' and you would be... 'released' from your duties here at C-16.

Mr Fallen's tone when he said 'released' indicates something much worse, and Miss Monroe ignores this blatant scare-tactic, and smiles sweetly back at him.

MONROE
Yes... good thing...

Miss Monroe spots Johanesson talking with another younger man, seeming in his late thirties. The camera picks up on this man, closing in on his glove-covered hand. He is missing a thumb. We recognise him as Mr Lyle. Miss Monroe nods toward him and smiles attractively. Johanesson and him start to walk over.

MONROE
Who's the man with the missing appendage?

FALLEN
Mr Lyle. A Centre big-wig from Bluecove.

MONROE
(characteristically raising an eyebrow in suspicion)
What is he doing here?

FALLEN
Christmas shopping!

Mr Fallen smiles, obviously believing he has made quite an hilarious joke. The dry look on Monroe's face indicates otherwise. Fallen's smile fades somewhat.

FALLEN
You know, browsing the shelves for information, technology, personnel, anything to keep Bluecove ahead of the rest...

A playful smile tugs at the corners of Monroe's mouth, and she digs her hand into the box she carries, and pulls out a large bow for the top of Xmas presents, sticking it onto Mr Fallen's head. As Lyle and Johanesson walk over Miss Monroe walks past them and smiles.

MISS MONROE
(to Lyle, about Fallen)
Merry Christmas, take him away!

Miss Monroe keeps walking away toward her office. Johanesson seems a little annoyed, but Mr Lyle finds this amusing and smiles as he watches her walk down the hall. Johaneson introduces Fallen to Lyle.

JOHANESSON
Mr Fallen, I am honoured to introduce you to Mr Lyle...

Fallen sheepishly pulls the bow from his head, also looking at Miss Monroe quizzically, wondering why she suddenly developed, in his opinion, a weird sense of humour.

Lyle takes his eyes away from Miss Monroe's disappearing frame and looks at Fallen, shaking his hand in a polite greeting.

CUT TO; The Prodigies' apartment.

MUSICAL TRACK: 'Rockin' around the xmas tree' by Mary J Blige and Sheryl Crow (click here to listen)

The Xmas tree has been brought into the lounge room, and Dina and Mercedes are decorating it with decorations. Dina puts an ornament on the large tree, and then bends to pick up another one. As she does this and has her back turned, Mercie moves the ornament from it's original position and aligns it in another region of the tree, obviously deciding it looks better there. This process continues repeatedly. They are bouncing along to the fast beat of the music. Justin lies on the ground, the box of ornaments resting on his stomach. He seems preoccupied. Luke and Trinity sit on the lounge chair, Trinity resting on her knees, and try to untangle a mass of Xmas tree lights.

TRINITY (VO)
I often wonder what would have happened if we had of stayed at Centre 16. I wonder if the people who died as a result of us being free would have still been killed. 12 and 13, Dr Bernard, Mr Monroe, the doctors that Dec killed... So much death is attributed to our escape, that sometimes I just think that maybe it wasn't all worth it. But then there are times like today, when everything we do seems to have a purpose, whether it be decorating a Xmas tree, untangling lights or dreaming of secrets soon to be revealed. Everything just seems so right...

Trinity is staring at Justin twirling the key between his fingers. Suddenly, she has a VISION

A newspaper falls onto a smooth desk. The headline reads;

"Chemical containers stolen from port"

Mr Monroe smiles wickedly, as he pushes the paper into the bin beside his desk. Roschelle looks up at him, a frightened look on her face. Roschelle is in a busy bus station, she takes out a key from her pocket, a key identical to the one Justin twirls between his fingers, and looks at, gripping it hard. She looks up and around the bus station suspiciously, before slowly walking toward a locker.

Trinity gasps, and falls from her knees onto her backside, a light sweat covering her face. She seems short of breath. Luke looks at her concernedly, and moves over beside her. She leans into his chest. Mercedes, Dina and Justin rush over to her side.

TRINITY
I've seen something, I don't know what it means... but I think it may lead us to whatever lock that key fits...

CUT TO; Miss Monroe sits at her desk, wrapping a xmas present. The box she was carrying earlier sits on her desk, and she takes another xmas bow from it to decorate the top of the present. She looks up as JC walks into the office, closing the door behind him.

JC
(looking at the present being wrapped)
Gifts?

MISS MONROE
(smiling)
For my mom. I'm going to visit her tomorrow, just wanted to make sure she got something nice...

JC seems surprised

MISS MONROE
What?

JC
It's just that, well, from the way you talk about her I just, well, I always assumed that... that... she was dead...

MISS MONROE
No. No. She 's physically alive, yes. But emotionally... psychologically.. well, the mother I loved died years ago, when I was still a little girl.

JC
(quite confused)
Oh...

At that moment, Mr Fallen enters, opening the door without knocking.

MR FALLEN
(At the gift, sarcastically)
Oh, for me? You shouldn't have...

MISS MONROE
Quite the contrary, Mr Fallen. For xmas I am going to buy you a book, or an interactive CD-ROM. "The art of knocking"

She smiles a characteristic sarcastic smile at him. Mr Fallen seems unamused by this answer.

MR FALLEN
What are you doing, Miss Monroe?

MISS MONROE
High-level intellectual reasoning, Fallen. If I have a simple thought, I'll be sure to call you... (she winks sarcastically)

Again she smiles a characteristic sarcastic smile at him. And again Mr Fallen seems unamused by this answer.

MR FALLEN
Well, you're on rare form today, Monroe...

MISS MONROE
It's Christmas!

MR FALLEN
(sarcastic and unemotional)
Ho ho ho...

Past JC and Fallen and out the door, Miss Monroe sees Calvin and Roschelle talking secretively across the hall, which is really a large circular room with a hole in the middle, from which you could look down onto the offices on Level two. Both JC and Fallen turn slightly to follow Miss Monroe's gaze. They turn back and look at Monroe, suspicious looks on their faces, but none as suspicious as the one that now graced Monroe's.

MR FALLEN
Seems Santa's little helpers are really helping themselves...

Fallen looks serious, assuming he'd just used a profound analogy. Both JC and Miss Monroe stifle laughter at this attempt. Miss Monroe stands and walks out of her office, leaving Fallen and JC to follow with their gaze. Just as she exits the office, Mr Lyle rounds the corner. It seems as though he wants to speak with her. Miss Monroe sighs.

MR LYLE
Monroe, excellent, just the person I wanted to speak with...

MISS MONROE
I'm on a break...

Mr Lyle grunts his disapproval.

MR LYLE
Miss Monroe, how long have you been in employment by The Centre?

MISS MONROE
Too long...

MR LYLE
Then since when has there been 'breaks'

MISS MONROE
It was a joke. As in 'ha ha'

MR LYLE
You're young Monroe, your only fault...

MISS MONROE
(rolling her eyes)
Gee, thanks...

MR LYLE
But you're gutsy... The Centre needs people like you...

MISS MONROE
(in over-zealous agreement, obviously making fun of Lyle's speech)
Damn straight...

MR LYLE
I'd like you to consider an offer... to join me and my team at Bluecove...

Miss Monroe seems genuinely shocked and is unable to answer straight away

MR LYLE
No need to answer now.. I'll give you some time to think about...

Mr Lyle walks away, as Monroe stands shocked.

CUT TO; The prodigies' apartment. Bedroom. Trinity lies underneath a bed. Luke is asleep on the chair beside her. He stirs occasionally, moaning, as if in dream. Suddenly, Dina bursts the door open. She stops suddenly when she realises they are both asleep, and enters much more quietly, walking over to where Luke lies sleeping. She shakes him gently awake. He awakes with a start, slapping Dina's hand away. When he realises that it is just Dina, he visibly relaxes, and apologises. They whisper so as to not wake up Trinity.

LUKE
Sorry...

DINA
It's okay... Look, Justin and I are going to check out that bus station, Mercie is going to stay here...

LUKE
I'm going with you and Justin...

DINA
No, Justin doesn't want you to...

LUKE
(raising his voice)
I don't care what Justin wants!

Trinity stirs slightly, and Luke lowers his voice again.

LUKE
I'm going...

DINA
But you have to stay here and look after Trini. Her empathy is getting stronger, and it seems to be taking not only a physical toll on her, but an emotional one too. She needs you here Luke, you know that.

Luke sighs in resignation.

LUKE
Okay... but be careful.

Dina smiles as she walks out the door

DINA
Always...

CUT TO; The grounds of Centre 16. Miss Monroe sits underneath the ring-barked tree, clasping a long jacket closed around her. It is cold. She looks up at the large cement building, massive dark-tinted windows covering most of it. She grimaces slightly, obviously deep in thought. She has a FLASHBACK

Young Miss Monroe ~ 13 years old, stares out the window of her fathers office. We follow her point-of-view out the window, and to where the prodigy subjects and Roschelle are outside near the tree. They are ring-barking it. Young Miss Monroe grimaces slightly, a grimace that was to become a characteristic trait. We hear the door close, and Miss Monroe turns to see her mother walk in.

GRACE
(Unemotional, almost uncaring)
It's time to go

Miss Monroe turns to her mother, a sad, far away look on her face. Her mother stares back, eyes cold.

The soles of JC's shoes made crunching sounds on the frosty grass as he approached where Miss Monroe sat. He sits silently beside her.

MISS MONROE
(with a wry smile)
You didn't knock

JC
I don't when you're in your office, so...

He smiles sheepishly and Miss Monroe smiles back at him. She had grown to like the young man.

JC
I heard you were made an offer...

MISS MONROE
There are no secrets at The Centre...

JC
Bet Fallen's hoping you take it. Then he can change that brass nameplate on his door to just plain old 'director'.

MISS MONROE
I'd be surprised if he could spell it...

JC
You gonna take the job in Bluecove?

MISS MONROE
(thoughtfully)
I don't know, JC... (she pauses for a long moment) You doing anything for Xmas?

JC
Sitting in my cell watching shadows on the ceiling. Oops, did I say 'cell', I meant 'living space'. I'm beginning to understand how those prodigy subjects felt...

Miss Monroe has FLASHES

Very quick flashes of;
- Young Justin ~ 13 years old sitting on the edge of his bed
- Luke's pained expression, as in the DSA she watched in 'Kick'
- Justin mouthing the words 'help me' in the infirmary
- Mercedes sick in the infirmary as Miss Monroe walks past in SLO-MO
- The sad and terrified expression on Trinity's face when she was cornered in her apartment building in 'Origin'

MISS MONROE
I doubt it...

CUT TO; The Prodigies' apartment. Justin and Dina pack sports bags. Mercedes stands nearby nagging them.

MERCEDES
You will be home for the Xmas Eve dinner won't you?

JUSTIN
We'll try Mercie...

MERCEDES
Try and achieve my brother...

Justin turns away from Mercie to pack another item into his bag. He smiles, rolling his eyes to Dina at the same time.

MERCEDES
And don't think I didn't see that! I'm an Empath, Justin...

Justin cringes visibly at the sound of her voice. Dina laughs. Luke comes out of the bedroom, his hair slightly dishevelled from the unnatural way he had been sleeping. He has something wrapped in a black cloth. He walks in, locking eyes with Justin, and hands him the wrapped package. Justin carefully unwraps the package to reveal Luke's gun. He runs his fingers along the barrel. Dina watches with baited breathe, unsure of what Justin's reaction will be. As Justin holds the gun, we -

CUT TO; Trinity lies asleep under the bed. She stirs slightly, disturbed by a bad dream.

CUT TO; Luke watches Justin, no words are spoken between the two young men, and yet they seem to understand what each other means. Justin's look is one of reluctance to accept the weapon, but also grateful at the same time. Luke's is one of warning, and a past sadness he seems to always posses in the presence of his gun. Justin folds the cloth back over it, and places it in his bag. As he does this, we -

CUT TO; Trinity lies underneath the bed in the bedroom. She suddenly has a VISION

The same vision she had in 'Black, White and the Many Shades of Grey'

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.

Trinity awakes with a start. Her face covered in sweat, and her body trembling. She gets up, and walks to the window. From her POINT-OF-VIEW we see Dina and Justin climb into his jeep and drive away.

CUT TO; A darkened hall. We hear footsteps echo down a long corridor.

Text On Screen:
Prodigy Subjects' Living Quarters
Sub-Level 18
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah

Suddenly the lights turn on in succession down the corridor. We see Miss Monroe standing by a power switch. She stands in a corridor lined on either side by what look like small white cells with large, thick metal doors in which there is only a very tiny glass window.

The hall seems disused. Empty, and with many of the limited furnishings rusting, we assume the level has been abandoned. Miss Monroe stands still by the power switch for a long moment, obviously taking in the scenery. She then begins to walk slowly, almost in a trance, down the corridor, her hand brushing along the wall as she does so. She sees what looks like a transparent ghost - a vision - of herself run down the corridor with a huge smile on her face and carrying a large art book.

The vision's hair flows out behind her, as if in SLO-MO. Miss Monroe follows the footsteps of this apparition, until they reach a door to a cell with the numbers '06' painted on the front. The young Miss Monroe - Miss Monroe's vision - opens the large art book she is holding, revealing a painting of Young Justin and Young Miss Monroe at a carnival, and holds it up to the small glass window. She holds it up to the glass for several moments, a large smile on her face. Miss Monroe walks into her apparition, and places her hand against the glass.

Through the glass we see another ghost-like figure, this time of Young Justin. He sits on the edge of his bed, a greeting smile on his face. He stands and walks toward the door, as the apparition of Young Miss Monroe raises her hand to the glass too. When the Young Justin apparition reaches the door, he raises his hand, placing his palm against both the vision of young Miss Monroe and Miss Monroe's palm.

As he does so, we see bandages stretching up his arm. He seems suddenly sad, so does both the vision of young Miss Monroe and Miss Monroe. Suddenly, Miss Monroe's cell phone rings, and the apparitions disappear. It takes Miss Monroe several moments to answer her phone, as she remains staring into the small white 'living quarters'.

When finally she does answer the phone, she snaps at the person on the other end.

MISS MONROE
Yes?

We hear JC's voice come through as Miss Monroe traces the red letters on the door with her fingers.

JC (on phone/off screen)
Miss Monroe, your brother's here... you told me to let you know when he got in...?

MISS MONROE
(emotionless)
Thank-you, JC, I'll be right up...

Miss Monroe turns to stalk out of the corridor, but stops just near the power switch, takes one last look around, and then flicks the switch. The corridor once again falls into darkness.

CUT TO; Miss Monroe gets off the elevator to enter the main foyer of The Centre. JC meets her as the doors open.

MISS MONROE
Where is he?

JC
With Calvin...

Miss Monroe looks past JC to see a young man, who we will know as DAMON MONROE~ 23 years old and with the same black hair and blue eyes as Miss Monroe. He is wearing a navy uniform, and we assume he is in the service. Miss Monroe rolls her eyes and grimaces characteristically as she sees him talking to Calvin.

JC
What's wrong?

MISS MONROE
(as she begins to walk hastily over to where the two men are standing)
Can't let little bro' Damon get caught up in this never-ending black abyss that is The Centre

JC
Abyss' usually are never-ending...

MISS MONROE
Whatever...

Miss Monroe and JC have reached where Damon and Calvin are standing. Her cold grimace immediately transforms to an exaggerated smile as she looks at Calvin.

MISS MONROE
Catching up on old times?

DAMON
Hey Monroe, no, Mr Calvin here was just informing me of the fantastic offer you've made...

Miss Monroe turns toward her brother, real warmth shining through her usually cold gaze.

MISS MONROE
I couldn't even have a cigarette in this place without everyone knowing about it...

JC
Actually, Centre 16 is a No-Smoking facility

MISS MONROE/CALVIN/DAMON
Whatever...

Miss Monroe smiles at her brother and hugs him.

MISS MONROE
Hey little bro'...

DAMON
Hey sis'...

They part from their hug, both looking extremely happy to see each other.

MISS MONROE
So... how long can you stay?

DAMON
Few days... maybe longer...

MISS MONROE
(slightly sad)
We should go and see mom tomorrow...

DAMON
(slightly sad)
Yeah...

CUT TO; Night. Open highway - Justin's jeep. Dina drives, Justin sleeping with his head resting on his balled-up leather jacket against the car door. Dina glances over at him, and then turns her eyes back toward the road, sighing.

CUT TO; Prodigies' apartment. Luke sits on the sofa watching TV. All the lights are off, the glow from the TV illuminating parts of the lounge room. We hear the theme from 'Star Wars' blasting from the television. Trinity walks out from the bedroom, seemingly just having woken up, and looking quite dazed. Luke looks at her worriedly, and gets up from the sofa.

LUKE
Are you OK?

TRINITY
I'm not sure... something's happening to me... something... unnatural...

Trinity has walked over to the sofa where Luke now stands. He put his arms around her comfortingly, and pulls her down onto the sofa as he sits, so that she sits on his lap. She leans her head in against his chest, and he strokes her hair with his hand. His holds her hand in his other hand, gripping it tightly, as though he is afraid of letting it go in case he might lose her.

LUKE
(while stroking Trinity's hair)
Shh... it's okay... you'll be alright

Over Trinity's shoulder, we CLOSE IN on Luke's frightened, fearful expression...

CUT TO; Miss Monroe's bedroom. She lay asleep in her bed. Suddenly, the phone on the small table beside he rings. She stirs slightly, before waking completely. She rubs her eyes, and yawns as she picks up the phone.

MISS MONROE
Yes?
pause - we assume the person on the phone is asking a question
This is she...
pause - we assume the person on the phone is talking
I'll be right over...

Miss Monroe almost jumps from her bed, and throws a nightgown on...

CUT TO; WIDE on what looks like a hospital of some sorts. Miss Monroe's car pulls up out the front, and we see two figures get out of the car. CAMERA FOLLOWS the figures, CLOSING to reveal they are Miss Monroe and Damon. They walk past a sign at the entrance;

'Greenwalt Asylum'

CUT TO; Interior. Miss Monroe and Damon are led by a nurse into a small room with only a bed and a chest of drawers. Both these items of furniture have been tipped over, their contents strewn across the small area. In the corner of the room is a woman GRACE MONROE ~ 52 years old. Miss Monroe looks at her sadly, and Grace looks up at her daughter, a grimace not unlike the one Miss Monroe continually gives Mr fallen crosses her face.

GRACE
(suspiciously)
Who are you?

MISS MONROE
(gently)
Mom, it's me... your daughter... Damon's here too

GRACE
Damon? I know of no Damon. You're here to take the children aren't you?

Miss Monroe walks over to her mother and sits on the floor beside her, putting an arm around her. Grace seem confused at first, but she seems to be giving, recognising her daughter. Damon stands uncomfortably in the doorway, unsure of what to do...

MONROE
(gently)
Mom... there are no children here... it's just us...

Grace looks into her daughter's eyes, and seems to understand and recognise Monroe. She starts to cry, and Miss Monroe comforts her.

MISS MONROE
Shhh...

CUT TO; The hall outside Grace's room, some time later. Miss Monroe is looking through the small window in the door to where Grace lies asleep in her now tidied bed and room. She turns away from the window and toward the doctor who approaches her. Damon leans against the wall on the opposite side of the hall.

MISS MONROE
(to doctor)
What happened?

DOCTOR
We don't know... there seemed to be no stimuli for her erratic behaviour this time... But under the circumstances Miss Monroe, I don't think it would be wise for you to take her out for Xmas... she's just too uncertain at the moment.

Miss Monroe seems to be fighting back tears, and bites her bottom lip characteristically. She nods her agreement.

MISS MONROE
(softly, sadly)
Of course...

CUT TO; Sunrise, open road. Dina and Justin are in the jeep, Justin now driving. Dina is on the cell phone, we see her talking animatedly, to who we do not know. Justin has his eyes on the road, but seems tired. He shakes his head in an attempt to wake himself up. Dina finishes on the phone, and throws it down beside her.

DINA
Uno says he can't help.

JUSTIN
'Can't' or 'won't'?

DINA
Well that's easily determined...

Justin seems preoccupied

DINA
What's wrong?

JUSTIN
I have a very bad feeling about this...

DINA
What do you mean?

JUSTIN
It all seems to easy... We go to Philadelphia, then to the bus station, then to the locker and hey presta! All the answers we've ever searched for fall into our laps...

DINA
Hey presto...

JUSTIN
What?

DINA
It's 'hey presto', and J, don't worry about it... I mean, how would the L&R Team even know we know what we really shouldn't know?

JUSTIN
You're right... you're right... I'm being paranoid aren't I?

DINA
(with a smile)
It's beginning to become you're career...

CUT O; The C16 main lobby. Mr Fallen is at the security scan. He seems disinterested, until he overhears two people talking. The scan finishes and Fallen ducks sneakily around the guards to see Roschelle and Calvin talking secretively. Suddenly he becomes VERY interested.

CALVIN
(whispering secretively)
I just hope it's enough to prevent her becoming interested in your agenda in Philly...

ROSCHELLE
(whispering secretively, slightly angry)
What do you want me to say Calvin? Thank-you? Thank-you for distracting Monroe with an offer to leave the one place she really hates to become some creeps trumped-up secretary so that I can go and clean up yet another one of your past messes?

CALVIN
(whispering secretively)
Just say you'll do it...

ROSCHELLE
(whispering secretively)
But what about the kids...?

CALVIN
We both know it should have never been made... and when ordered destroyed... you should have destroyed it all...

ROSCHELLE
But why now?

CALVIN
Because now is when they'll need it the most...

Fallen looks away from the conversation as Calvin and Roschelle go their separate ways. He has a curious look on his face.

CUT TO; The prodigies' apartment. Trinity sits on the lounge, half dozing in the early morning. Mercedes and Luke enter with a large box. they think Trinity is still asleep and so be quiet so as not to disturb her. They start unpacking Xmas decorations. Trinity watches them.

TRINITY (VO)
When we were all children... at The Centre... we never really got to see each other except when we were doing Sims or being educated, but I felt closer to those 14 other kids than... well I never really had anything to compare 'close' with. I didn't remember anything before The Centre. The other children would talk about their parents, their schools... It was only after we escaped that I found out I was born at The Centre... Now I couldn't imagine life inside those walls again.

Luke spots Trini staring at them and smiles. He calls over to her, disturbing her from her thoughts.

LUKE
Hey Trini! Come look what we picked up from Midnight shopping last night!

Trinity smiles and gets up, stretching as she does so. She walks over to the box and picks through the stuff. Luke grins at her sheepishly, somewhat excited and exclaims;

LUKE
We didn't know what to get... what it was all for... so we just got everything...

MERCEDES
Yes, with these religious customs comes both joy... and confusion...

Mercie looks at the decorations with dismay.

TRINITY
(with a wry smile)
You should have just left it at the tree...

MERCEDES
Left what at the tree?

TRINITY
The decorations...

MERCEDES
What's wrong with them being here on the bench?

Trinity looks at Mercedes incredulously, and then looks to Luke for help. Luke shrugs his shoulders, and Trinity shakes her head, smiling.

CUT TO; Centre 16, Miss Monroe's office. Miss Monroe sits at her desk, staring at her bracelet with the sapphires on it, twirling it between her hands. JC sits at the chair opposite her, he is reading over some reports, relaying the info to Monroe, who doesn't seem to be paying any attention to him.

JC
(reading from the papers in front of him)
... accounting reported several unauthorized withdrawals from Centre Accounts last night, equalling a total of $5,000. Now, I tracked these withdrawals, and discovered that three were made at department stores in New York, and the other was at a travel agent... (noticing Monroe's vacant gaze) Miss Monroe? Hello?

Miss Monroe glances up from her bracelet, a vacant look on her face...

MONROE
Huh?

JC
What's wrong? I may have a lead to the subjects whereabouts and you...

MONROE
... are thinking about other things...

JC
Lyle's offer?

MONROE
(sarcastically)
And look who's suddenly become Nostradamus...

JC
(ignoring Monroe's remark)
You gonna take it? I mean, there's no reason for you stay...

MONROE
(still twisting the bracelet)
You're wrong JC, there are many...

At that moment, Fallen bursts through the door.

MONROE
Why, come in Fallen... (under her breath) I have got to get myself a lock...

FALLEN
Why now, Monroe, I believe I have information that may be of some use to you...

MONROE
Don't 'believe', 'know' Fallen or stop wasting my time.

Fallen looks toward JC suspiciously.

MONROE
Whatever you have to say to me, JC can hear. Not like he's Joe Criminal-Mastermind now, hey?

JC seems confused as to whether he should be offended or not.

FALLEN
I think Roschelle and Calvin are up to something. I heard them talking, and it would seem that Lyle's offer is no more than a mere ploy to distract you from whatever scheme they are developing or un-developing - I heard Roschelle say something about past mistakes.

Monroe looks at Fallen suspiciously

MONROE
Why are you telling me this?

FALLEN
I think it can lead us to the subjects, or at least lead us to something that may lead us to the subjects...

MONROE
No hidden agenda?

FALLEN
None concerning or involving you... I promise... But whatever it is is going down in Philadelphia, tonight, Roschelle left an hour ago.

JC
That's it! Last night an unauthorized withdrawal was made from The Centre's bank accounts, at a travel agent, on an economy class ticket to Philadelphia...

MONROE
Why not take the C16 jet?

FALLEN
Like I told you, this isn't official C16 business... this is something else...

Monroe almost jumps from her seat, and starts to head out the door, grabbing her jacket as she leaves. She turns to JC and Fallen as she enters the doorway

MONROE
You boys coming?

JC and Fallen follow her.

CUT TO; The prodigies' apartment. Xmas carols play in the background and Luke and Trinity bop along as they hang decorations. Trinity is hanging tinsel from the ceiling, and Luke is picking out decorations from the box to hang up. They continually dart looks at each other, but break eye contact very quickly. He pulls out some mistletoe, holds it up and looks at Trinity questioningly.

LUKE
Where does this go?

TRINITY
In the doorway

LUKE
Hmm... that'd be right, Mercie leaves us to do the grunt work again...

Luke nods and hangs the mistletoe in the doorway, as Trinity stops what she is doing and walks toward him. Luke has his arms in the air, putting up the mistletoe, as Trinity approaches him, placing her hands gently on his cheeks and kisses him. Luke moves back slightly, shocked, and stares at Trinty incredulously. He stammers as he speaks.

LUKE
Wha... wha..., I mean, umm...

Trinity smiles shyly

TRINITY
It's what you do, people under mistletoe, you kiss them

LUKE
(somewhat relieved)
Oh... so it is another one of the strange practices associated with this holiday festival? Kissing people under what is in all actuality, a plastic replica of a parasitic plant?

TRINITY
Yes

Trinity walks closer toward him, her face merely inches from his

LUKE
(swallowing hard at Trinity's closeness)
It seems that I am unfamiliar with this custom

TRINITY
Then it would seem that perhaps you need to practice

She moves in to kiss him again, and Luke nods at her suggestion

LUKE
Maybe

And they kiss passionately, until we hear a mechanical crashing sound from Luke's laptop, signalling the finishing of some task. Trinity and Luke break apart, and Luke races over to his laptop, his face falls immediately as he reads whatever is on the screen.

LUKE
Oh no...

CUT TO; WIDE on the Philadelphia skyline. FOCUS on Justin's jeep as it darts in and out of traffic on the freeway. In the jeep, Justin is driving and Dina is on the phone.

DINA
(into phone)
Are you sure? pause Right then turning to Justin Luke says that a C16 jet has just been deployed, and is currently en route to Philadelphia, will we abort?

JUSTIN
No frickin' way...

DINA
Luke says be careful...

Justin speeds up, darting in and out of the traffic, a determined look on his face...

CUT TO; Centre 9 airstrip, Philadelphia. A jet lands on the runway.

Text On Screen:
Centre 9
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CLOSE IN on Fallen, Miss Monroe and JC getting out of the jet. It is very noisy and we can not hear anything but the sound of the jet. A team of sweepers greet them, and Fallen and Monroe shake their hands.

CUT TO; A briefing room inside Centre 9.

Miss Monroe is up front, instructing what looks like several teams of sweepers. She is authoritative and direct, and seemingly continuing a set of orders.

MISS MONROE
... evidence gathered indicates the target is a locker at a bus station. Reliable sources further isolate the area to Philadelphia's west end, consequently narrowing our search area. You will sweep in teams of two - not three - thus allowing us to spread our resources over a wider distance. The contents of this locker may or may not be hazardous material, so it is advised that if you locate the target - do not approach it yourselves, but call to dispatch a cleaner team and stand guard.

Monroe glances over to Fallen, indicating it is his turn to speak. Fallen stands and takes his place out front as Monroe exits the room. We hear the beginning of Fallen's directions.

MR FALLEN
This operation has been specified a level three classification. Those who need to know about it, know, those who don't know about it, obviously don't need to know. Therefore all information will be withheld from ignorant parties...

Fallen's voice grows quieter as Monroe exits the room and we follow her. She leans against the wall for several moments and closes her eyes. She has a SERIES OF FLASHBACKS

Miss Monroe arranges the letters that she cut from the files in 'Kick' into the words 'MENTOR T13'

Miss Monroe asks Calvin what 'Mentor T13' is

Miss Monroe deciphers the prodigies' clue

END SERIES OF FLASHBACKS

She sighs and opens her eyes again. Fallen comes out of the door behind her and nods toward her.

MR FALLEN
There's a van out the front for us, you ready?

Miss Monroe nods, and follows Fallen as he walks down the corridor.

CUT TO; Dina and Justin pull up on the opposite side of the street to a bus station and climb out of the jeep. Justin reaches back into the car and takes out the gun Luke gave him, placing it in the inside pocket of his long leather coat. They walk toward the bus station.

CUT TO; The prodigies' apartment. Luke and Trinity sit opposite at the table, Luke drinking a can of coke in front of his laptop and Trinity twisting her hair around nervously. They keep throwing each other weird, uncomfortable looks. They both go to speak at the same time.

LUKE/TRINITY in unison
So?

They both laugh nervously.

LUKE
So...

TRINITY
So...

At that moment, Mercedes walks through the door and Trinity and Luke visibly relax, both sighing in relief.

LUKE
(A little too over-excited)
Mercedes!

Mercedes puts down her grocery bags and smiles.

MERCEDES
(suspiciously)
What's going on?

TRINITY
Nothing! Nothing's going on. What would be going on?

MERCEDES
Okay then... what's going on with Dina and Justin?

LUKE
(relieved the subject has changed)
The C16 jet was deployed to Philadelphia, it should have touched down about an hour ago.

MERCEDES
(worried)
And what time were J and Dina scheduled to arrive at the bus station?

LUKE
10 minutes ago...

MERCIE
Will our people be out of there in time?

LUKE
Let's hope so...

CUT TO; The bus station. Justin and Dina enter through the automatic doors, watchful, cautious expressions on their faces. They look around, until they spot the lockers from Trinity's vision.

Camera CLOSES IN on the lockers. On Dina and Justin, their faces reveal some relief. Suddenly, both stiffen in shock or fright, their faces plainly expressing their emotions. Camera follows their line of sight, RUSHING TOWARD Roschelle, who sits at one of the chairs, holding a key in her hand. Dina and Justin take in short breaths, panicked. Justin sweeps the room hurriedly with his eyes, checking for sweepers or other C16 personnel. The camera follows his line of sight, doing that merry-go-round camera thing that makes you dizzy.

When Justin feels safe enough, he begins to approach Roschelle, Dina follows him cautiously. As they draw nearer, they see that Roschelle has been crying. He sees the key she holds in her hand, and pulls his own out of his pocket. He sits in the chair beside her, rolling the key through his fingers. Dina maintains her distance, preferring instead to pace around the area, watching for sweepers. Justin and Roschelle begin to talk, neither making eye contact, instead just looking straight ahead.

JUSTIN
(quietly, to Roschelle, and about the key)
You left this for us... why?

ROSCHELLE
It was a mistake. I never should have...

JUSTIN
But you did. And now one question remains... will you stop us retrieving whatever is in that locker?

Roschelle looks at Justin for the first time since their conversation began. Her eyes are tearful, and it is difficult to determine what her answer may be...

CUT TO; The front of the bus station. A black unmarked van, typical of those used by The Centre, pulls up out front, directly across from Justin's jeep. Mr Fallen, Miss Monroe and two unknown sweepers step out. Miss Monroe looks up at the bus station.

MONROE
This is the last one on our list of 'To Dos', move out.

The sweepers, Fallen and Monroe enter the bus station.

CUT TO; The prodigies' apartment. Luke and Trinity still sit at the table, Mercedes is in the kitchen nearby cooking. An uncomfortable air hangs over Luke and Trinity, and Mercedes seems to notice this. She watches as they dart looks at one another, looking away whenever they made eye contact.

MERCEDES
I... um... forgot something... I need to run down to the shops and get it...

Luke and Trinity, oblivious to Mercies true intentions, mumble in reply. Mercedes exits the apartment, taking great care to slam the door loudly. She then opens it up again silently and peers in, watching Luke and Trinity.

TRINITY (VO)
It's funny, you know, how I can feel other peoples feelings, project feelings, and even anticipate feelings, but when it comes to expressing them... Well, a long silence usually ensues. Then follows my lame attempt at breaking the silence.

TRINITY (to Luke)
Um... eh... Luke, I got you a Christmas present...

Trinity pulls a wrapped present from underneath the table and hands it to Luke, who seems confused.

TRINITY
What's wrong?

LUKE
I was under the impression that the exchanging of gifts didn't occur until Christmas morning...

TRINITY
On occasion, people are allowed to give gifts early.

LUKE
Oh...

He takes the gift and unwraps it, revealing 'Star Wars' on DVD.

TRINITY
See, it's 'Star Wars' on DVD, so now you can watch it on your computer, and it has all extra stuff like behind-the-scenes and interviews.

Luke smiles his infectious smile, and things seem to have returned to normal.

LUKE
Thank-you Trini. But unfortunately I was not aware of the early-present-giving exception, and so yours isn't yet wrapped

TRINITY
There is also exceptions to giving people wrapped Xmas gifts

LUKE
Oh this 'leading-a-normal-life' thing is way to hard to grasp... even for me, and I'm a genius...

Trinity smiles at Luke, and he smiles back, before getting up and going into his bedroom. He emerges several moments later with an unmarked paper bag, and handing it to Trinity, kisses her lightly on the cheek.

LUKE
Merry Christmas...

From her watching spot at the door, Mercedes smiles, closing the door softly and walking away. Trinity pulls a case that jewellery comes in from the bag, and looks at Luke, a mixture of happiness, delight, surprise and shock on her face.

LUKE
Well I was going to get you the new Creed CD, but I had heard that it just didn't live up to 'Human Clay', so...

Trinity opens the box to reveal a silver ring and pendent, decorated by small silver flowers with tiny diamonds as their centres. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW) Trinity looks up at Luke, a smile spread across her face and tears almost welling in her eyes.

TRINITY
It's beautiful...

LUKE
They're 'forget-me-not' flowers, so that we'll always...

Trinity finishes his sentence

TRINITY
...remember each other...

Trinity stands up and walks over to Luke, who also stands. She looks into his eyes, her emotions clear. Luke takes her head in his hands, gently he touches his nose to hers, his hands still holding Trinity's head, as their lips draw closer.

LUKE
(Just above a whisper)
I could never forget you...

And they kiss (awww...:)

CUT TO; The bus station. Miss Monroe, Fallen and The Sweepers enter the bus station, weapons concealed, and search the area for Roschelle. They spot her on the seat, handcuffed to it. Monroe rushes over.

MONROE
What happened?

ROSCHELLE
The subjects, they're here...

Miss Monroe instinctively draws her gun, taking great care to keep it concealed.

MONROE
(to one of the sweepers)
Get her out of here (then to Fallen and the other sweeper) Let's go...

CUT TO; Justin pulls open the door to the locker. Inside is a canister. Justin opens the canister and cold air rushes out. Inside is a large test tube, containing a dark green fluid. He takes it out of the locker and places it in the pocket of his long leather jacket. Justin turns to Dina, who has her back to him, keeping watch on the bus station around them.

JUSTIN
We're good to go

DINA
And not a moment too soon, they're here!

Justin and Dina make their way to the doors, but find them guarded by Roschelle and the other sweeper. Justin turns toward a side door, Dina following him, and exits via that, darting in and out of buses. Miss Monroe sees him, and gives chase, the sweeper and Fallen following her. Justin and Dina make their way into an office block beside the bus station, Monroe following close behind. Frantically, they search for someplace to hide, but are unable to find anywhere, so hop in the elevator. Dina presses the button for the third floor. Miss Monroe enters the office building, sees that the elevator is active and wait to see what number it stops at. When she sees it stops at three, she rushes up the nearby stairs. Fallen and the other sweeper enter the office building, and then follow Monroe up the stairs.

CUT TO; On the third floor, Justin and Dina get off the elevator, and run down a corridor, checking all the doors but they are either locked or have people in the offices. Passers-by seem concerned at their haste.

CUT TO; Miss Monroe, Fallen and the sweeper run up the stairs.

CUT TO; Dina and Justin find a door that isn't locked, and that isn't full, and enter that office. Once inside, they realise they are trapped as there is nowhere to go. Dina tries to lock the door.

DINA
It won't lock!

CUT TO; Monroe, fallen and the sweeper exit the stairway, just in time to see the office door close behind Dina and Justin. Monroe smiles a wicked smile.

CUT TO; Inside the office, Dina and Justin barricade the door, as they hear the C16ers come down the corridor. They start to bang on the door, attempting to open it.

DINA
We're trapped...

Justin looks toward the window

CUT TO; The Sweeper kicks against the door, as does Fallen. Monroe looks at them like they're stupid.

MONROE
Screw that...

She draws her weapon and open fire on the door, almost blowing it to pieces.

CUT TO; Inside, Justin and Dina avoid Monroe's gunfire. Justin pull's Luke's gun from his pocket and shoots the window, glass shattering everywhere. Dina looks at him worriedly.

DINA
(understanding what it is J wants her to do)
No way...

JUSTIN
Any way!

Justin picks up Dina and throws her out of the window. She falls and lands in a large garbage bin. Just as Monroe and the others enter the office, Justin jumps out the window himself, landing next to Dina.

DINA
What is it with me and garbage?!?

Justin groans as he sits up, pulling a large piece of glass from his side, it's sharp edges trimmed with his blood.

DINA
C'mon J, get up!

Dian helps Justin to his feet, and they climb out of the garbage bin. As they run away, Monroe, Fallen and the sweeper shoot at them, Justin turning and shooting back occasionally as him and Dina navigate traffic.

CUT TO; Aerial of Centre 16. Night.

CUT TO; Interior. Miss Monroe has just passed the security scan when she is approached by an angry Mr Lyle.

LYLE
Monroe!

MONROE
Not now Lyle...

Miss Monroe continues walking, but Lyle's voice stops her a second time.

LYLE
Miss Monroe, The Centre will undoubtedly be rectifying the fallout of your adventures in Philadelphia earlier today for many years to come...

MONROE
Rectify away...

LYLE
Therefore consider my offer withdrawn. You will remain at Centre16 until you have completed your objective... or until your recklessness has surpassed your usefulness.

Mr Lyle walks past her, and Miss Monroe stands contemplating.

CUT TO; WIDE on the apartment block where the Prodigies are staying. A taxi pulls up out front, and two figures get out. CLOSE IN on the figures to reveal they are Dina and Justin.

CUT TO; Interior of the apartment. Mercedes opens the door for Dina and Justin, Justin clutching his side. Both Dina and Justin seem dejected. Luke and Trinity sit at the dinner table, a wondrous meal spreads out before them, seemingly in wait for Dina and Justin. Luke sees Justin's expression.

LUKE
What's wrong? Did you get it?

Justin reaches into his pocket, sadly shaking his head. He pulls from his pocket a smashed test tube, slight remnants of the dark green fluid remain. As he holds out the test tube, his hands seem to shake, and it seems as though he is about to start crying. Mercedes pulls him into her, hugging him. Dina walks past them, and flops onto the couch.

DINA
No Mentor T13, an injury, and we even lost the jeep. Merry Christmas...

TRINITY
'Tis the season...

Mercedes stops hugging Justin.

MERCEDES
C'mon, let's get you cleaned up, get that wound covered.

She leads him into the bathroom.

CUT TO; Miss Monroe's office. Miss Monroe enters her office, and walks straight over to her answering machine, the red light signalling she has a message. She presses the button to retrieve it.

DAMON (on answering machine)
Hey sis it's me, look, I know you're going to be busy and everything, and with mom not coming home anymore... You know I was just thinking that... well they need a few more men back at sea, so I thought that... I could... help out. So, look I'll pack while you're out, have a merry Christmas... and I'll see you soon, love you...

Miss Monroe seems sad, and walks over to retrieve some files from her drawer, and is about o exit the door when JC opens it.

JC
Hey, Monroe, heard how things went in Philly, bad luck... Just dropped by to let you know that Calvin's flown out to the ranch to be with his family... so...

MONROE
Was he mad?

JC (sarcastically)
That you went behind his back and compromised one of his secret missions? Nah...

Monroe smiles.

JC
Alright then... you know, I'll see you after the holiday break...

MONROE
Yeah JC, have a good one hey..

JC
(smiling weakly)
Yeah...

Monroe begins to walk away, then stops suddenly and turns back

MONROE
JC, do you want to come over for dinner?

JC seems surprised

JC
Uh... um... but...

MONROE (feeling embarrassed for asking)
Well, you know, you don't have to say yes... only if you want to.

JC
No no no I'd love to, it's just that, well, I don't think that The Centre will let me out, you know, I don't even have security clearance.

MONROE
Well, I have security clearance, and am already in the shit with The Centre right now anyway, so one more thing can't hurt now, can it?

JC
Then, then I'd love to...

Miss Monroe smiles.

CUT TO; The prodigies apartment. Justin sits on the kitchen bench as Mercie finishes putting a bandage on his wound. he smiles.

JUSTIN
C'mon, let's eat, I know how much you were looking forward to this Christmas thing...

Mercedes smiles at him, and they walk over to the table to join Luke and Trinity, as does Dina. They sit down and Justin carves the meat, Mercie dishes out potatoes. They all start to eat, smiling, laughing and having fun.

TRINITY (VO)
So things don't always turn out the way you want them to, but hey, that's just life. I know that even though we had just failed, and even with all that we have been through together both in and out of The Centre, I am glad I am with Luke, Justin, Dina and Mercie, my family. Because the one thing about being a prodigy, the one good thing that emerged from the tragedy and torment of Centre 16 was these guys and my feelings toward them.

Underneath the table, Luke and Trinity hold hands.

TRINITY (VO)
I have never had a biological family, but it has only been recently that I have realised that I do have a real family, the people I love and who love me back.

CUT TO; Miss Monroe's home. JC sits at the table, and Miss Monroe places a large ham on the table, followed by a platter of vegetables. JC takes the knife and tries to carve the ham, but isn't having much luck. Laughing, Monroe takes the knife from him and carves instead. JC laughs.

CUT TO; Back with the prodigies. It begins to snow and they all rush to the window, pressing their faces against the glass, smiling, happy.

Trinity looks beside her toward Luke, their faces only a few inches from each other, and smiles. Luke smiles back.

TRINITY (VO)
And while I may never fully understand why people believe in a God almighty, and why they celebrate such religious holidays, I will accept that it brings people together, gives them hope; gives them unity. And something that does all that and manages to involve a delicious feast, can't be all that bad.

CUT TO; Miss Monroe and JC pull a Xmas cracker, laughing as Miss Monroe gives JC the toy from inside, which is a little magnifying glass, and Monroe takes the paper crown and puts it on her head.

TRINITY (VO)
I guess that these things surprise you, just like people often do.

CUT TO; WIDE on prodigies' apartment building. We see people run out of the doors and onto the street. As the camera CLOSES we realise that they are the prodigies. Justin gathers snow from the ground, and makes a snowball, throwing at the back of Dina's head. Dina laughs and goes to go after him, but slips over, still laughing. Mercedes takes the opportunity to dump a load of snow on her head. Trinity throws a snowball at Justin, just before Luke runs past and sweeps her off her feet - literally, by picking her up, facing him, and almost holding her up to the sky. Trinity moves her hands from his shoulders and stretched them up into the falling snow, a smile spread across her face.

TRINITY (VO)
But I don't know. I don't know if it's my empathic side or if it's just plain paranoia. But I can't shake this feeling. This strange, ominous feeling that our family will never be together again...

Trinity's smile fades as an AERIAL SHOT pulls out, the snow falling on Trinity's face as Luke holds up to the sky, and the screen fades to black.

THE END

Next Week - Trinity is besieged by a mysterious illness...