FILE FIFTEEN– Where The Heart Is
(Story by Vokal, Screenplay by Jak and Vokal)

WIDE on Centre 16. Morning.

Text On Screen:
Centre 16
Salt Lake City, Utah

Just inside the building, at the security scanners, we see Mr Monroe enter with a briefcase in his hand and dressed professionally in a suit. He smiles politely at the secretary, who smiles back. Mr Fallen passes him.

MR FALLEN
Morning, Sir

MR MONROE
(nodding in greeting)
Good morning, Fallen

Miss Monroe stalks over to him.

MISS MONROE
We need to talk

MR MONROE
Well, you know sugar plum that I've been busy, what with just having gotten back and everything...

MISS MONROE
You're avoiding me...

MR MONROE
Maybe...

MISS MONROE
Daddy I've got questions...

MR MONROE
That will be answered in due time...

Miss Monroe, usually strong and direct, accepts this response from her father. It is clear that she feels powerless around him. He strolls past her and smiles. Miss Monroe looks contemplative.

INT - ROSCHELLE'S LAB

JC walks over to Roschelle's lab fridge, housing blood and DNA samples and other scientific equipment and takes out some jam. Roschelle is examining a sample on the computer. The calendar beside her reads 'April 2002'

ROSCHELLE
I don't know why he's returned, JC, but I do know it's probably best if we just stay out of the way for a while, and give Miss Monroe some space...

JC sits down again, in his usual casual posture, and takes a piece of now toasted bread off the top of a Bunsen Burner and spreads some jam on his toast.

JC
Well, if he's up to something I think we will need Miss Monroe's help...

ROSCHELLE
JC, he's her father...

JC
Which means there's a definite possibility that he's a vicious, cold-blooded...

At that moment Mr Monroe enters the lab, JC covers for himself by changing his tone from serious to cheery and takes another bit of toasted bread off the burner...

JC
Piece of toast?

Mr Monroe narrows his eyes at JC

MR MONROE
Doctor, how are the tests on Prodigy Subject 07 coming along?

ROSCHELLE
Sir, it appears that the subject has continued to function normally while he was on the outside without chemical therapy or any other biochemical alterations... This supports my theory that other than the Tarquin Insanity, there are no other major side-effects of the Chem-enhance program the subjects underwent.

MR MONROE
Good, and the reindoc?

ROSCHELLE
Flawless so far, Sir.

MR MONROE
(rubbing his hands through his hair)
Good, I'd like to step-up his involvement in locating the rogue subjects. I want you to expose him to some stimuli, let him get a feel for the subjects...

ROSCHELLE
(looking wary)
Sir, has that been authorized by Calvin?

MR MONROE
(harsh, firm)
I'm authorizing it...!

ROSCHELLE
Yes sir...

Mr Monroe leaves, JC and Roschelle exchange glances.

INT - PRODIGY APARTMENT

Justin sits at his computer, rubbing his hands through his hair wearily. He sighs. Trinity leans over his shoulder and studies the screen.

JUSTIN
There's just no way in, I'm sorry...

TRINITY
We've gotten in before, we've gotten out before...

JUSTIN
Which is probably why they stepped up security...

TRINITY
We can't just leave him there Justin...

JUSTIN
After reindoc, there's no way we can be certain Luke will want to leave

Trinity looks at Justin thoughtfully

TRINITY
I know. Believe me I know. But the last thing Luke would want is to be doing The Centre's bidding. Being their lapdog...

Mercedes appears behind them

MERCEDES
But if he won't leave...

Trinity looks at Mercedes knowingly, Mercie trails off...

JUSTIN
What are you saying?

TRINITY
You know what I'm saying...

EXT - AFTERNOON

Uno sits alone at a park bench. He has in his hands copies of 'The Red Files', looking at them intently. He looks up suddenly at the sound of children playing. We follow his gaze to two children across the road playing in the yard of a typical suburban house. An African American older girl and younger boy are playing ball. A beautiful but sad woman, Carla appears in the doorway, her elegant frame leaning against the door. She smiles as she watches her children play.

Carla
Come clean up! I've made cookies!

The children squeal in delight and run into the house. Carla lingers in the doorway, her sad eyes searching the horizon. She sees Uno and smiles politely, Uno smiles back, a hint of sadness lingering in his own smile. He closes Dina's file.

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…

EXT - COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Text on Screen:

Lachlan County,
Virginia

DINA (VO)
Are you serious?

INT - COFFEE SHOP - DAY

A home-style café. Several customers wait at the counter to order, while a few couples sit at the tables scattered around the room. We CLOSE IN on DINA and UNO, who sit at a table toward the back of the shop.

UNO
Do you think I'd joke about something like this?

Dina takes a shaky sip of the coffee in front of her.

DINA
(hushed)
You really found them?
(choked)
You found my family?

Uno nods, and smiles.

UNO
...Yeah.

DINA
How?

UNO
There was a lot of stuff to sift through... but I checked your Centre files again, and then tried to match the details to missing persons' cases. I had some help... but it paid off, Dee.

DINA
(staring into space, unbelieving)
I just... I kind of thought that it was never gonna happen. After everything that's happened…

UNO
The important thing is, that they want to meet you soon.

DINA
(excited)
I want to meet them! Where are they?

UNO
Dee, I have to tell you something. I - I've talked to your mother, and -

DINA
(interrupting)
- What's her name?

UNO
(annoyed at interruption)
What?

DINA
What's my mother's name?

UNO
(Sighs)
Her name is Carla. Look, I asked her if she wanted me to arrange a meeting. She said yes, but -

DINA
(interrupting)
She said yes! My Mom wants to meet me!

UNO
Listen to me, Dee! She said that she couldn't handle it if her daughter was to just turn up and get acquainted, only to turn tail and run off.

DINA
... What do you mean?

UNO
I think you have a big decision to make, Dina. You can stay with the team, or you can meet your family. But you can't do both.

DINA
What do you mean, I can't do both! You guys are my family too! I can't just abandon all of you...

UNO
Look at it from her point of view. She lost you twenty years ago. I don't think she likes the idea of meeting you - getting to know you - and then losing you again.

SHOT on DINA, looking worried, upset

CUT TO: WIDE on CENTRE 16 EXTERIOR

LUKE (VO)
Can you tell me how to get to the Prodigy Storage Room?

INT - HALLWAY - DAY

Luke is talking to a janitor, who leans against his mop. Luke stands straight and tall, the words "Prodigy Storage Room" taking on a strange tone, as if he's not quite sure what they mean.

JANITOR
Yeah, you take the elevator down two floors and it's the haunted house on your left.

The Janitor starts to walk away. Luke calls after him.

LUKE
(confused)
Haunted House?

JANITOR
(over his shoulder)
You'll know it when you see it, kiddo.

Luke stands still for a moment, puzzled. He shakes his head, then walks away.

INT - SUBLEVEL CORRIDOR - DAY

It may be day, but down here it's quite dim. The elevator doors open and Luke steps out, turning to his left. A sign on the double door reads "Prodigy Storage Room - Authorised Personnel Only". Luke fumbles in a pocket for a moment, before withdrawing a cardkey. He slides it through the cardreader beside the door carefully, and a green lights flashes as the red one disappears. Luke pushes the door inward, and steps into the Storage Room.

INT - PRODIGY WING TECH ROOM - DAY

JC sits at a desk, working on a partly-constructed computer. A beep tone sounds, and JC looks over at his laptop, which sits on another desk. Frowning, he pushes against the desk, sending his chair across the room toward the laptop with him in it. We see him read the screen, his eyes widening. He fumbles for a desk phone, dials an extension number. We HEAR the buzz tone as the phone rings.

JC
(to himself)
Come on, Come on...

INT - PRODIGY STORAGE ROOM - DAY

Luke enters cautiously and walks through the empty space to an area of the room full of boxes. He reaches for one.

INT - MISS MONROE'S OFFICE - DAY

Monroe sits at her desk, laptop sitting to one side, her phone ringing as she reads something from a file folder. She sighs and picks up the phone.

MONROE
Yes?

INTERCUT with JC in the TECH ROOM

JC
Miss Monroe? Your computer on?

MONROE
When is it not?

JC
There's a minimised bar flashing at the bottom of the screen. Click on it.

MONROE
Where is this going? I have things to do.

JC
Click on it!

MISS MONROE leans forward, grabs her mouse and clicks, a window that looks like a spreadsheet opens up on her screen.

JC
It's a log.

MONROE
I can see that. The reason for the fire alarm?

JC
That's the log for the card reader that opens the door into the Storage Room.

MONROE
The Prodigy Storage Room?

JC
Yep.

MONROE
(leaning forward, squinting at the screen)
And you're panicked because...

MONROE/JC
That's Luke's keycard.

PAUSE. Then...

MONROE
Damn! Get down there now.

MONROE slams down the phone.

INT - PRODIGY STORAGE ROOM - DAY

Luke singles out a box and moves it into a clear area, before picking up a crow bar and prying the lid open. He grunts with the effort, but finally it comes off. Luke kneels next to the open crate and is reaching in to pull something out when the door behind him opens sharply. He looks over his shoulder to see Miss Monroe and JC enter.

MONROE
What are you doing down here?

LUKE
I need to get a feeling for them, if I'm to find them.

MONROE
(wags her finger)
Oh, no you don't. Up you get. Go on.

Luke stands obediently.

MONROE
Report to Roschelle immediately.

LUKE
But -

MONROE
Do I look like I'm gonna wait here all day? Move it!

Luke turns and starts toward the door without delay.

MONROE
And don't come down here again without authorisation! That's an order, L- Seven.

Luke pauses at the doorway, turns back to face Monroe.

LUKE
Yes, Ma'am.

INT - PRODIGY APARTMENT - DAY

Uno's room, one so messy you'd hardly believe he's only been there a few days. He sits at his computer, but his cell phone starts ringing. He leans over the desk, starting avalanches of paper, fast-food wrappers and clothes as he searches for it. He finds it on the fourth ring, and presses "Yes" as he brings it to his ear.

UNO
Hello...
(Pause)
Oh, hey, Carla! How're you going?
(Long Pause)
Yeah, look; she's thinking about it -
(Pause)
I mean, she's thinking about it! It's a tough decision!
(Pause)
I know you want to meet her, but -
(Pause)
Look, call me if you want to set a place to meet. I'll talk to her. Yes, I will. Okay. Alright. Bye.
(Hangs up, begins to murmur to himself)
I should've known playing Prodigy-Family Reuniter wouldn't be as fun as I thought...

A KNOCK on his door.

UNO
Yeah?

Dina pushes the door open, pokes her head in.

UNO
Hey

DINA
Hey

UNO
What're you up to?

DINA
(shrugs)
Nothin' much. Justin and Trini are totally focused. Mercie's working on the car.

UNO
She loves that car.

DINA
Mmmm. So... who was that?

UNO
(playing dumb)
Huh?

DINA
On your cell.

UNO
Oh, that was, uh... it was - it was your Mom.

DINA
Why didn't you call me?

UNO
Stipulations.

DINA
Oh yeah, right. So what did she say?

UNO
She can't figure out why you're taking your sweet time, and she wanted me to talk you into going 'home'.

DINA
And what did you say?

UNO
I said I'd talk to you.

DINA
And?

UNO
I didn't promise anything. This is your decision, Dee.

DINA
(sadly)
I know.

UNO
So take all the time you need.

DINA
(nods)
I think I'll get out for a bit of air, okay?

UNO
Sure. See ya.

DINA
Yeah, see ya.

We see Uno's lingering look as Dina leaves the room.

LUKE
I just don't understand things anymore.

INT - ROSCHELLE'S LAB - DAY

Luke sits on a stool facing Roschelle, who leans back in a plastic armchair. A silver tape recorder stands on the table between them.

ROSCHELLE
What kind of things?

LUKE
Everyday, I walk around here and I see things I know I should know - things I'm sure I should comprehend. But I don't.

ROSCHELLE
Can you give me any specific examples?

LUKE
Well, just before I was down in a storage room, and I found things that reminded me... reminded me of my past...

Roschelle leans forward.

ROSCHELLE
And?

LUKE
(confused, inner turmoil evident)
I saw faces...

We see FLASHES of the other Prodigies: Justin, Trinity, Uno, Dina, Dec, Mercedes. They flick in rapid succession.

Luke shakes his head.

ROSCHELLE
Whose faces do you see?

FLASHES of the other Prodigies again. This time they settle on Dec, the "C16 Butcher" (FILE 1.06 - Black, White and the Many shades of Gray).

LUKE
A man... a man called Dec.

This time we are treated to Roschelle's own flashbacks of this episode.

FLASHBACK: 1.06 - Black, White and the many shades of Gray (BWatMSoG)

ROSCHELLE
I deserve it

MISS MONROE
(not quite sure she heard right, not understanding)
Sorry?

ROSCHELLE
I deserve to die...

A GUNSHOT sounds

MISS MONROE
What was that? (the gunshot)

ROSCHELLE
Someone else is here...

END FLASHBACK

Roschelle bows her head, closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. After a moment, she speaks again.

ROSCHELLE
What do you remember about Dec?

LUKE
He was subject Ten.
(pauses)
And he killed people. A lot of people...

Luke stops, takes a few long, deep breaths.

LUKE (cont)
I stopped him... I can't remember how, but I did.

In QUICK FLASHBACKS we see it was actually Justin and Luke who defeated Dec together.

LUKE (cont)
...Is this my purpose, Roschelle? To make up for them? To stop all of them from killing?

ROSCHELLE
(Unsure how to respond to this)
I'm not sure myself. It could be. You used to belong with them, you know; but now you belong here. You do understand that?

LUKE
(nods)
I'd do whatever I needed to to stop them, Roschelle. Everything. (he pauses) Anything.

A KNOCK at the door interrupts the conversation and we catch a glimpse of the relief on Roschelle's face.

ROSCHELLE
Come in!

CALVIN enters.

CALVIN
Is this a bad time?

ROSCHELLE
No, of course not.

CALVIN
(taking stock)
Alright then.
(turns to Luke)
Agent Seven, would you excuse us please?

Luke stands, and leaves the room without another word. Roschelle's eyes follow him to the door.

CALVIN
What was he doing here?

ROSCHELLE
Miss Monroe found him down in the Prodigy Storage Room. She was worried that he saw something that would bring back memories of his life on the outside. (shrugs) So she sent him to me.

CALVIN
And?

ROSCHELLE
Remember the time Ten was on the loose? Running around killing people?

CALVIN
(dryly)
How could I forget?

ROSCHELLE
That's what he remembered. He must have found the archived material from the day they came to my house...

Calvin clears his throat.

ROSCHELLE (cont)
He had memories of stopping Ten from hurting Monroe and I. He's come to the conclusion that it's his job to stop the other prodigies from hurting people.

CALVIN
If he believes that of one of his fellow escapees...

ROSCHELLE
He may well think they're all dangerous, and ready to kill.

CALVIN
What can I say? Every little bit helps.

ROSCHELLE
Then perhaps you should be congratulating Malcolm. He authorised me to expose Seven to stimuli that might bring back memories of his life outside.

CALVIN
(incredulous)
What?

ROSCHELLE
(dryly)
I didn't think he'd talked this out with you.

CALVIN
You went ahead without checking with me?

ROSCHELLE
I didn't do anything, I was going to talk to you about it. In the meantime, he got down there by himself.

CALVIN
Or someone told him where to go.

ROSCHELLE
(nodding)
My thoughts exactly.

CUT TO: Malcolm walking briskly through Prodigy Wing's main corridor. He pushes open the door to his office, only to see Calvin standing behind his desk, looking out over the desert. Calvin starts to talk without looking back at Malcolm.

CALVIN
You take long lunch breaks, Malcolm.

MALCOLM
What can I say? The lunch line was long today.

CALVIN
The lunch line, or the queue for seats at Orlandika's, in the city?

MALCOLM storms forward, furious, and plants his hands shoulder-width apart on his desk, leaning over it.

MALCOLM
You presume to follow me around, Calvin?

CALVIN
I wasn't aware I was presuming anything.

MALCOLM
I still hold power at this organization, Calvin. I don't like the insinuation that you're spying on me.

Calvin finally turns around to face Malcolm.

CALVIN
Who said anything about spying? You simply have the look of a man who is still savouring the taste of Gnocchi Pesto.

Malcolm shifts uncomfortably, we get the impression that Calvin is spot-on.

CALVIN (cont)
However, I didn't come here to discuss your eating habits.

MALCOLM
What did you come here for?

CALVIN
To tell you what you did this morning was ridiculously stupid.

MALCOLM
What I did this morning?

CALVIN
You gave authorization for Luke - Seven - to go down to the Storage Room.

MALCOLM
And?

CALVIN
He found his own way down there, and pried open a crate that contained archived material relating to an event that occurred last year.

MALCOLM
And?

CALVIN
My point is, Malcolm; you meddled in things that weren't your concern. And I give you fair warning, don't do it again.

Malcolm starts toward the door. Calvin turns to face him.

MALCOLM
Or else?

CALVIN
(turning to face Malcolm)
Or else what? I don't make threats, Malcolm, you should know that after all these years.

MALCOLM leaves the office.

CALVIN
(sighs)
Like father, like daughter.

EXT - PRODIGY APARTMENT - EVENING

TRINITY (VO)
We can't just give up!

INT - STUDY - EVENING

Justin sits in front of his computer, typing idly with one hand. Trinity paces like a caged lion behind him.

JUSTIN
Trini, we've exhausted every avenue. I think they've finally found every single way we've got in and out of there; and they've blocked them all off.
(begins to tick items off on his fingers)
They've reinforced fire doors, bolted hidden access hatches, double-barred air-conditioning vents, and -
(pauses)

TRINITY
And what?

Justin hands her a printoff.

TRINITY (cont)
They've started locking the front door?

Justin nods, trying to contain the mirth threatening to break lose.

JUSTIN
They've always had a night guard, but only recently have they started really securing the front.

TRINITY
It's hard to make a secret entrance when video cameras catch everything that sneezes within a mile radius of the front door.

JUSTIN
That is why we've always gone out the back.

TRINITY
Of course.

UNO interrupts from the doorway.

UNO
I can't believe this.

Trinity and Justin turn toward him.

JUSTIN/TRINITY
Believe what?

UNO
I'm listening to you two discuss how to get into a secure facility, correct?

TRINITY
Yeah.

UNO
And, for clarification, I am listening to two of the smartest people in the world, am I not?

JUSTIN
Get to the point, Uno.

UNO
What exactly do the people in this building do everyday? What do they want to do more than anything else?

TRINITY
(shrugs)
Catch us and drag us kicking and screaming back to C16 so they can exploit our genius for another twenty or thirty years?

UNO
Exactly.

JUSTIN
(realising what Uno means)
... Uno, it's beautiful!

Uno nods in agreement.

TRINITY
What?

UNO
Strategy 101. If the enemies' battleground is too well fortified, what do you do?

JUSTIN
You lure them into yours.

TRINITY
You mean, we leave a trail for them to follow, and lie in wait for them to track us down?

UNO
In layman's terms.

TRINITY
(rolling her eyes)
Thanks.

JUSTIN
I can't believe we didn't think of it before.

UNO
(dryly)
Neither can I.

JUSTIN
We should get right on this.

TRINITY
Start tomorrow.

At that, Dina walks into the room. She has a firm expression on her face.

CUT TO: INT - PRODIGY APARTMENT LOUNGE ROOM - EVENING

Dina stands in the centre of the room. Justin sits on a sofa, Mercedes beside him. Uno sits back-to-front on a wooden chair, his hands resting on the top of the back of the chair; while Trinity leans against the doorframe in the background, hands crossed over her chest.

There is a heavy feeling in the air, like something big has just been revealed.

MERCEDES
So, you're going?

DINA
(nods)
I... I just feel that this is a big chance, guys. To get to meet them after all this time...

JUSTIN
I understand. I'm sure we all do.

DINA
I would stay if I could.. but I have to do this, I have to know... what could have been...

MERCEDES
It's okay, we know.

The room lapses into silence again. Finally, Uno speaks up.

UNO
Well, at least we don't have to put up with your cooking anymore.

Dina tries to scowl at him, but she quickly dissolves into giggles. Then Mercedes starts, and soon they are all laughing - even Trinity has a smile on her face.

DINA
My cooking isn't that bad.

UNO
(wisecracking)
Yeah, but it wasn't exactly what you'd call gourmet.

DINA
I'd like to know what you live on whenever you're not with us.

UNO
(affecting a grand manner)
The only things men are supposed to live on, Dina - Oreos, Twinkies and Donuts.

A sadness settles after the laughter subsides.

TRINITY
So when are you going, Dina?

Everyone falls silent, waiting for her answer. Dina nods toward Uno.

DINA
Uno's set up a meet for me. Tomorrow lunchtime.

MERCEDES
(jumps up)
What! Tomorrow! No, you can't!

DINA
Why?

MERCEDES
Well... well, because - because... cause we haven't given you a...
(she pauses)
a going-away dinner - yeah, a going-away dinner!

DINA
(shrugs)
It's okay, Mercie.

MERCEDES
(desperate)
No, it's important! We have to have one!

Mercedes jumps up and heads toward the kitchen.

UNO
Where're you going?

MERCEDES
I'll start making something... it isn't too late...

DINA
Mercie, it's okay! Let's just order in!

Mercedes pokes her head into the lounge room from the kitchen.

MERCEDES
No! I have to do it properly!

Mercedes promptly disappears into the kitchen again. She picks up a pot and grips it tightly, leaning against a wall, she slides down it and starts to sob softly.

WIDE on CENTRE 16 - NIGHT

The lights of Centre 16 are bright against the darkness of the surrounding desert

INT - PRODIGY WING MAIN MEZZANINE - NIGHT

Miss Monroe walks across the open area toward the elevators. She presses the call button impatiently, and checks her watch. A voice speaks from behind.

JC
In a hurry?

Miss Monroe spins around in surprise, but calms when she sees who it is.

MONROE
I have plans.
(pause)
What are you doing running around at this time of the night?

JC
(indignant)
It's not like I have a bedtime or anything, you know.

The elevator arrives, the doors open. Monroe moves to walk in. JC grabs her arm to pull her back, holding up a piece of paper.

JC (cont)
I found something. Something big.

He trusts the paper into her hands. Monroe begins to skim-read as she talks.

MONROE
JC, I don't care if you found something that would cure cancer. I'm tired, I want to get home, I want to...
(she stops reading and looks up at JC)
Where did you get this?

JC
(Self-satisfied)
I helped myself to the archives and cross-referenced a few things with some interesting stuff I saw in the newspaper this evening.

MONROE
And...

JC
If the analysis is right... we've found them.

Miss Monroe pauses.

MONROE
Where's Fallen?

JC
Signed out of the building over five hours ago.

MONROE
(Dismissive)
Typical. What about everyone else?

JC
Everyone's gone. Calvin left at six o'clock, and Roschelle left at six-thirty with your father.

MONROE
With my father?

JC
They logged out one right after the other.

Miss Monroe pauses to think. After a few seconds, she tucks the paper under her arm, and presses the call button again. The doors open immediately, and she steps in.

MONROE
I'm going home, and you're going to bed. Get a good night's sleep. I'll be here early in the morning.

JC
How early?

The elevator doors start to close.

MONROE
Good night, JC!

The doors close. JC presses the button, but the doors don't open as the car descends. He bangs on the steel doors a few times before turning away

EXT - PRODIGY APARTMENT - DAWN

INT - PRODIGY APARTMENT LOUNGE ROOM - DAWN

The gray light seeps into the room around the edges of heavy curtains. The Prodigies lie asleep on the floor, entangled in blankets, pillows, bedspreads, and sleeping bags; while in the background we see the remains of the previous evenings' meal - the table is laden with dirty plates, empty soft-drink and wine bottles, as well as Chinese-food boxes. Justin and Mercie lie back-to-back, while Trinity lies in a sleeping bag near their feet. Uno lies sprawled beside her. The light patterns change, and we see Dina standing at the window, a blanket around her shoulders. She pulls the curtains apart a bit, and looks out apprehensively. Uno approaches silently behind her.

UNO
Are you okay?

Dina jumps at the sound of his voice.

DINA
Yeah.

UNO
Are you sure?

This question seems to have a double meaning. After a moment, Dina answers.

DINA
Yes.
(turns to face Uno)
I have to do this, Uno.

UNO
You don't have to do anything.

DINA
But if I don't, I'll always wonder. I can't think of anything worse than having the chance, and turning it down.

UNO
I know what you mean.

Dina looks up at Uno gratefully.

DINA
Have I thanked you? For doing all this for me?

UNO
You don't need to.

DINA
Well, thanks anyway...

She shrugs. Uno smiles.

Dina turns away, looking out the window again. Uno turns also, and they watch the sunrise together.

CUT TO: EXT - AIRPORT RENTAL GARAGE - EARLY MORNING

Text on Screen: Lachlan County Airstrip

Miss Monroe stands beside a black sedan. JC stumbles toward her, rubbing his eyes.

JC
(mumbling)
When you said early, you really meant early, didn't you?

JC gets into the car, and Miss Monroe turns; coming face to face with Luke, who has approached silently. He nods a greeting and moves to get into the car.

MONROE
No, you're in the van, with Weston.

Luke nods again, and walks toward the black van, where WESTON and HALEY are already waiting. He gets in the back. Miss Monroe nods to Weston, who starts the car and begins to pull out. Miss Monroe gets in the car with JC and speaks to PORTER, who sits behind the steering wheel

MONROE
Let's go!

Porter starts the car and follows the other car out of the garage.

EXT - QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD - DAY

Your 'typical' suburban neighbourhood - green lawns and nature strips, bright flowers, a few kids playing in the background. Uno and Dina sit in a car outside a house. Dina takes a deep breath.

DINA
Well, this is it.

UNO
I'll walk you to the door.

DINA
No, you don't have to do that.

UNO
Yes I do.

Neither of them move.

DINA
You're not gonna miss me, you know.

UNO
Yes we are.

DINA
Nah, Justin'll rope you all into one of his quests, and one day you'll say, "Hey, where's that girl who used to run the computers around here?" and someone'll say -

UNO
"Who, Dina"? I doubt it.

DINA
I don't.

UNO
Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm sure your friends Cade and Quain'll miss you too.

Dina smiles.

DINA
That's exactly what I need. An FBI TAC team turning up at my front door to tell me they miss chasing me for the murder of an evil bad-guy that I didn't commit.

UNO
Don't worry, we'll keep them off your back. You got your ID?

DINA
(pats her shoulder bag)
Yeah, right here. Imagine it, me with a full name.

UNO
It's what we all dream of.
(Pauses)
Enjoy it, Dee.

DINA
I will.

She takes another deep breath.

UNO
You better go.

They get out of the car, and as Uno walks around the car, Dina opens the back door and pulls out a carry-bag and a backpack, which she pulls onto her shoulder.

UNO
Ready?

DINA
As I'll ever be

Dina walks up the footpath, turning to smile at Uno, who waits by the car.

Dina steps forward and rings the doorbell.

A REVERSE SHOT on the look on Dina's face as the door opens.

An attractive middle-aged woman who looks a lot like Dina - CARLA - opens the door.

DINA
(incredulous)
Mom?

Carla steps forward and enfolds her daughter in a tight hug. Tears start running down Carla's face, and we see Dina's eyes also grow bright from forming tears. Finally, they let go of each other.

CARLA
Come on in... Dina.

Dina moves to walk in, but turns back hesitantly, only to see that Uno has disappeared. She looks down at the street, where a car drives away, and just then an arm emerges from the driver's side and waves goodbye. Smiling even as a tear begins to run down her face, Dina turns, and follows Carla into the house.

EXT - STREET CORNER - DAY

The black sedan and van pull up. We can see that they are just a few doors down from the Prodigies' Apartment. The three Sweepers; Luke, and Miss Monroe exit the vehicles, standing behind them. JC stays seated in the car. Weston and Luke pull out binoculars, focusing them on the Prodigy's windows. WE SEE from the BINOCULARS' Point of View.

LUKE
Curtains are drawn. Zero visibility.

Just then, the curtains are pulled apart by Trinity. She leans on the sill, looking out. She spots the black cars and her facial expression changes from calm and content to fear and horror almost instantly. She pulls the curtains closed immediately. Weston reports.

WESTON
We've been made!

MONROE
Dammit! Get up there, quick!

INT - PRODIGY APARTMENT LOUNGE ROOM - DAY

Outside it's day, but it's dark inside due to the drawn curtains.

TRINITY
They're here. Everyone in position?

As the others answer, she pulls a gun from the small of her back and slips off the safety.

JUSTIN
I'm ready here.

MERCEDES
Me too.

TRINITY
Right then.

She takes a position behind a sofa.

INT - BUILDING STAIRWELL

MONROE
Kick it in!

Weston and Porter do it, kicking in the light wooden door easily before pushing into the darkened apartment.

MONROE
Fan out - don't let them get away!

The Centre operatives spread out, but they don't count on the booby-traps. Weston and Haley fall over trip wires. Porter stops in time, but Justin springs from behind a curtain and grabs him, putting a gun to Porter's head and pulling him back toward the wall. Monroe turns, and so does Luke, who's also armed. Weston and Haley try to reach for their dropped guns, but they can't reach them.

JUSTIN
Guns down!

Miss Monroe and Luke hesitate

JUSTIN
Do it!

MONROE
You think I care about him? He's just a sweeper.

JUSTIN
He's a valuable Centre resource, like me - so guns down! Trini, hit the lights.

Trinity steps out from her hiding place, her own gun at the ready. Luke's eyes narrow as he watches her, it's obvious he's not thinking of her as the woman he loved such a short time ago. She flicks the light switch and the room lights up somewhat. Simultaneously, Mercie creeps forward from her spot and grabs Luke, knocking his gun away. Using extreme force, she pushes him against the wall to disorient him, before pulling him in front of herself as a human shield. Miss Monroe stands alone in the middle of the room.

JUSTIN
Into the bedroom, Monroe.

MONROE
(sarcastic)
You gonna make me?

Justin raises an eyebrow.

JUSTIN
You never know.

Monroe backs down, and starts moving toward the back room. Justin pushes Porter toward her, and gestures for the other Sweepers to get up and follow them. Trinity moves forward with her gun raised, making it clear they expect them to follow their orders.

JUSTIN
Go on, all of you.

MONROE
(about Luke)
What about him?

MERCEDES
Don't worry, we just need to have a little private chat. Where's your computer geek?

MONROE
In the car, shaking in his boots. Where's yours?

None of the Prodigies answer this question. Luke looks confused. Monroe and the sweepers are herded into the adjoining bedroom, and Trinity slams the door behind them. She locks the door from the outside, then places a chair under the knob to keep it in place.

TRINITY
That should be enough for now.
(She turns to Luke)
Sit down

He doesn't.

MERCEDES
Please, sit down. We need to talk.

Slowly, suspiciously, Luke sits down on the sofa.

LUKE
Talk about what? What would I be talking with you about?

TRINITY
(softening)
Luke, surely you remember? They couldn't have taken it from you, they couldn't've.

LUKE
Taken what?

TRINITY
Us. Luke -

LUKE
Don't call me that! I am Seven!

MERCEDES
Your name is Luke! You were with us... we're your friends!

LUKE
(shaking his head violently)
No. You're all killers. I saved Dr. Roschelle once - from one of you. It's my job.

JUSTIN
Luke -

LUKE
(Screaming)
SEVEN!

JUSTIN
Look, I helped you that night. We stopped Dec -

LUKE
How did you know -
(pause)
You were there too.

JUSTIN
Yes.

LUKE
You were trying to kill her too!

JUSTIN
No, I was working with you, don't you remember?

Luke shakes his head. Just then, Uno bursts in.

UNO
Town cars downstairs...!
(he catches sight of Luke, sighs)
Looks like I missed the fun part.

MERCEDES
It's hopeless, Uno. He doesn't remember us.

Trinity steps forward, raising her gun. Her eyes are dark and cold, seemingly devoid of feeling

TRINITY
There's only one thing left to do.

UNO
(surprised)
What?

TRINITY
We have to do this. Otherwise he'll track us all down, and take us all back there.

Luke looks up, surprised.

LUKE
I was right.

TRINITY
You were. But now you're wrong. Can't you remember? You always said you'd rather die than go back there

UNO
Trini, you can't kill him...

TRINITY
We have to.

Justin and Mercedes both look undecided, but both have their guns levelled at Luke. Uno walks in front of Trinity to block the shot. She changes her grip on the gun.

TRINITY
Move out of the way, Uno.

UNO
I won't let you do this. Tie him up, do whatever... but I won't let you kill him. You know you won't be able to live with yourself…

JUSTIN
We let Dec go, Trini -

TRINITY
Dec wasn't going to help the Centre destroy us all!

MERCEDES
(resigned)
Uno's right, Trini

TRINITY
What?

JUSTIN
We can't kill him.

TRINITY
He'll help them...

UNO
Then we just have to be more careful to avoid them. Go deeper underground. You know it just as I do, Trini. As we all do.

The room is full of tension, at an impasse. Suddenly, Trinity lowers her gun, her shoulders slump, as if she were tired. She leans toward Uno.

TRINITY
I'm sorry...

She buries her head in his shoulder as, behind them, Mercedes and Justin step forward, Justin tucks away his gun and pulls a coil of rope from over his shoulder and gives Luke an order.

JUSTIN
Hands behind your back.

CUT TO: BUILDING STAIRWELL

A straight shot - we see the door open on its fragile hinges, and Uno leads Trinity out, with Justin and Mercedes close behind. Just before the door closes behind them we see Luke sitting in a chair in the middle of the lounge room: gagged, bound hand and foot.

EXT - STREET - DAY

The Prodigies take the back exit and pile into Justin's jeep. Trinity leans heavily against Uno as they sit in the backseat.

JUSTIN
What about your car, Uno?

UNO
Leave it here - I don't need it for now.

MERCEDES
(from the front seat)
How was Dina?

UNO
She was great. She'll be fine.

Justin starts the car, pushes it into gear and takes off. They pass the Centre-hired cars, and JC, looking out the window, sees them pass. He sits back in his seat and sighs.

Mercedes gazes sadly out the window.

MERCEDES
(whispering)
And then there were three

THE END

NEXT WEEK ON PRODIGY: "FILE 1.16 - BIFF ROONEY"

Following the series of recent events, Biff Rooney, a Triumvirate representative, arrives at C16...