Prodigy

by Idiot Jed3

Three years after escaping from The Centre, the Prodigy subjects struggle to maintain their freedom while also attempting to uncover the truth about their identities and the mysterious organization that held them captive for so long.

17. 117 Betrayal

Last Week on Prodigy:

- Triumvirate member Biff Rooney arrived at C16

- Uno was overcome by the Tarquin Insanity

- The Prodigies broke into Gradoi to steal synthesised Cortozol to alleviate his symptoms

- Fallen moved into Monroe's office, as his was taken over by Rooney as he supervises their attempts.

FILE 1.17 – BETRAYAL

Story by Vokal and Jak

Screenplay by Jak

EXT – UNIVERSITY – AFTERNOON

A sign informs us that we're at           The University of Utah,

                                                            Ogden Campus

                                                            BioGenetics division

INT – LABRATORY – AFTERNOON

Justin leans over a microscope, while Mercie stands nearby, clipboard in hand.  After a moment, Justin straightens up and turns to Mercie.

JUSTIN

I can't believe it.

MERCEDES

What?

JUSTIN

Uno's practically beaten this thing.

MERCEDES

What are you talking about?  He's still going Superman all the time.

JUSTIN

His body is overproducing adrenalin… But it looks like it's natural.

MERCEDES

If it's natural, how could we have never noticed? I mean, when a guy smashes practically everything he touches, it's pretty hard not to.

JUSTIN

(musing)

Perhaps…

(takes another look into the microscope)

MERCEDES

Justin, I'm out here.

Justin looks up again, his head inclined to the side as he 'thinks aloud'.

JUSTIN

If Uno over-produces adrenalin naturally, it would have been a concern for The Centre.

The two exchange a look.

MERCEDES

You don't think… The T-13?  They managed to control it with T-13?

JUSTIN

(reaching for his cell phone)

I better let them know.

OPENING CREDITS

EXT – CENTRE 16 – AFTERNOON

Text On Screen:         Prodigy Wing

                                    Centre 16, Utah

FALLEN (VO)

Don't you ever knock?

INT – MISS MONROE'S OFFICE

Miss Monroe has just entered her office, only to find Fallen sitting at her desk.

MISS MONROE

This is my office!

FALLEN

Oh, yeah.

MISS MONROE

What are you still doing in here?

FALLEN

You know the deal, Monroe.  Rooney's acquisitioned my office for his use while he's here.

Miss Monroe wanders over to a stack of paper and plastic tubs and boxes and grimaces.

MISS MONROE

And what are these doing here?

FALLEN

(scoffs)

You don't think I'd leave all my files there, do you?  With the Big Man?

MISS MONROE

Why not, at least then they wouldn't be ruining my décor.

FALLEN

Yeah, but you know those Triumvirate types...

MISS MONROE

Actually, I don't.

FALLEN

Well, I do.  If you leave something behind, it's theirs to go through.  Hell, sitting in here it's theirs to go through.  I mean, if all this stuff was locked in a five-foot steel vault –

MISS MONROE

I get it, it'd be theirs to go through.  Why's it all so important?

FALLEN

The Prodigy files, Monroe.  Every clue, every lead we've followed.  If he saw it, saw what's happened…

MISS MONROE

You're right.

(She kicks the boxes lightly with the tip of her toe, and shrugs)

   I guess I can get used to the new décor.

EXT – FIVE STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK – AFTERNOON        

UNO

Yeah, okay Justin, I got it.  Okay.  Bye.

The Prodigies' digs are, as usual, not terribly pretty; but practical and unassuming.  We move toward the first storey window… and push through into the apartment.

INT – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON

TRINITY walks across the living room in fitted exercise gear, and seats herself in the middle of the sparsely furnished room.  She sits in the 'lotus' position: legs crossed, hands on her knees, eyes closed, sitting up straight.  Her hair is pulled into a fashionably messy knot at the crown of her head.

UNO appears in the doorway, munching enthusiastically on a large carrot.   He observes Trinity for a moment and is about to say something when she interrupts him.

TRINITY

Have you taken the Cortozol today?

UNO

You know I have.  Justin says I'm overproducing adrenalin.

TRINITY

I guess it makes sense… But you're still eating an awful lot.

UNO

It's only been a week and a half.  Maybe over time, this whacked-out body of mine will stop producing so much, and…

Trinity's eyes snap open.

TRINITY

That's it.

UNO

What's it?

Trinity sits quietly for a moment, working through this snap theory.  Uno gets impatient.

UNO

What is it?  Mr Carrot and I can't hang around all day for answers.

Trinity still isn't answering.  Uno begins to have a conversation with what's left of his carrot.

UNO

You see, Carr – can I call you Carr? – this is what I'm talking about.  She's a pretty girl, but when she gets an idea like this, she just all shuts off and doesn't do or say anything. Sometimes it –

TRINITY

(interrupts)

Stop talking to your carrot, Uno.  Here –

(She pats the floor next to her)

Sit down.

UNO

(incredulous)

Are you serious?

TRINITY

Deadly.  Lose the carrot.

Uno sets the carrot down on a coffee table before moving to join Trinity.

UNO

Sorry, man.  The lady calls.

TRINITY

Now, cross your legs, like this.

She gestures toward her own legs in demonstration.  Uno looks pained.

UNO

Trin, I'm just not configured that way, okay?

TRINITY

(stubborn)

Everyone is.  You just don't know it yet.  Try.

Uno attempts to fold his legs like Trinity's and finally achieves some semblance of the posture.

TRINITY

Okay, now, hands on your knees, sit up straight.

Uno tries to follow the instructions, but while Trinity achieves them quite naturally, Uno looks awkward.

TRINITY

Now, close your eyes.

CLOSE IN on Uno's eyes.  They flicker as he closes them.  He frowns, as if he's trying desperately to keep his eyes closed, but it's only seconds before they snap open again.

UNO

I can't!

Trinity is now sitting opposite him, looking like the epitome of peace.

TRINITY

Why not?

UNO

Because I just can't!  I can't do this – sit around, trying to be still…

Uno picks himself up off the floor and stalks into the kitchen.  Trinity sighs, gets up and follows.

TRINITY

Don't you see what I'm trying to do here?

UNO

Why don't you spell it out for me?

TRINITY

Your body is all hyped up.  The adrenalin is pumping, it wants to get moving, to do something.  Now, since the result of you doing anything recently seems to be splintered glass, broken plates and bent cutlery, why don't you try something that'll tell your body to slow down.  And then, maybe –

Trinity cuts herself off as Uno's legs seem to buckle.  She leaps forward to steady him and help him into a chair at the dinner table.

TRINITY

Maybe you won't have these swings.

UNO

(weakly)

'Swings'?

TRINITY

Don't play ignorant with me.  The sudden collapses.  One second you're full of beans, the next, you're snoring like a baby.  Or a log.  Which one is …?  Anyway… we have to do something.

UNO

And you think that mumbling "homm" will help?

TRINITY

Meditation should help calm you down.  Look, will you at least try it?

UNO

(sighs)

Yeah, okay.  I guess I can't keep going all 'Hulk'-ish on you guys all the time.

TRINITY

Don't worry, U.  We still love ya when you're angry.  Now, come on; let's try it again.

INT – FALLEN'S OFFICE – DAY

Biff Rooney stands at the window, overlooking the desert.  Fallen and Monroe enter.

BIFF ROONEY

Ah, Miss Monroe, Mr Fallen.  Happy to see you again so soon.

Miss Monroe notices that Fallen is unusually rigid, and his hands are clenched.

MISS MONROE

You too, Sir.  Are you enjoying your time here?

BIFF ROONEY

What can I say?  Calvin has taken it upon himself to show me the sights of Salt Lake City.

MISS MONROE

Ah.

BIFF ROONEY

I see you understand.  What about you, Mr Fallen?  Are you enjoying your time here?

FALLEN

Sir?

BIFF ROONEY

It would appear that you don't, the way you indulge your passion for racing across the countryside.

FALLEN

I travel only on Centre business, Sir.

BIFF ROONEY

Oh, yes.  And that business is?

FALLEN

To locate and retrieve the escaped Prodigy subjects, Sir.

Rooney nods, and turns back to look out over the desert.  Miss Monroe and Fallen exchange looks.

MISS MONROE

Sir, I was under the impression that you were aware of our position here.

BIFF ROONEY

I am, Miss Monroe.  But with the amount of success you've had, anyone might be forgiven for thinking that you're here simply to make your office look pretty.

MISS MONROE

Sir, I –

BIFF ROONEY

Take offence to that remark?  Why wouldn't you?

FALLEN

With all due respect, Sir, these are geniuses we're chasing.  They don't go into a room without knowing all the possible ways out.  They always have an objective – sometimes, it's just to avoid us.  They always have a plan.

BIFF ROONEY

And those are the reasons why you have not caught them yet?

FALLEN

Only a few of them, Sir.

BIFF ROONEY

(shaking his head)

It's beyond my understanding as to how the two of you managed to pass Review.

MISS MONROE

Sir –

BIFF ROONEY

Enough!  I came here to assess the situation, and I have done so to my satisfaction. I have made my decision.  Recapture the subjects within three months.

FALLEN

And if we don't manage to retrieve them within that time?

BIFF ROONEY

As Co-Directors of Special Projects, you will both be 'let go.'

MONROE

Sir?

BIFF ROONEY

You heard me, Miss Monroe.  Three months.

Monroe and Fallen go to leave, but Rooney unfolds the newspaper he has been holding and places it on the desk. We see the headline:

'FATHER AND YOUNG DAUGHTER DIE IN HORROR CAR SMASH'

Miss Monroe raises an eyebrow. Fallen swallows.

BIFF ROONEY

Did you hear about Ken Holland? Tragic really, his daughter being so young... (he shakes his head sadly)

MONROE

Holland? From accounts? He's dead?

BIFF ROONEY

Yes.

Fallen looks up from the paper horridly.

BIFF ROONEY

Its quite inconvenient, really. We'd detected some anomalies

in Centre 16 accounts, recently. Mr Holland hadn't been too forthcoming with answers. This could set the investigation back months...

He swallows deliberately and slowly, a somewhat maniacal glint in his eyes.

BIFF ROONEY

Although I'm sure we'll find that Mr Holland had been skimming money off accounts for quite some time...

Fallen and Monroe look at each other worriedly. The end of the conversation signaled, Monroe and Fallen leave. Rooney stands by the window again and looks out into the desert.

INT – PRODIGY WING ATRIUM – DAY

Miss Monroe and Fallen stand together in shadow, half-hidden by a pillar.

FALLEN

Are you kidding?

MISS MONROE

Do I look like I'm joking?  Fallen, you were the one who reminded me what 'let go' meant in this place. 

FALLEN

I'm starting to wish it just meant being out of a job.

MISS MONROE

Starting to? 

FALLEN

(shrugs)

It's never affected me before.

MISS MONROE

(under her breath)

Nice.

(Normally)

Look, if you can think of a better way in the next four hours, I'll go along.  But if not…

FALLEN

Okay, okay.  I'll think about it.

MISS MONROE

Think fast.  I don't know about you, but I do not want to be 'let go'.

INT – PRODIGY APARTMENT – NIGHT

Trinity and Uno stand side-by-side in the lounge room, going through a series of Tai-Chi moves.  Arms sweep to one side, then the other.  They reach to the sky, Uno only slightly behind Trinity, who has her eyes closed.  They hold their hands out to each side and lift one leg, touching to the toe to the knee of the other leg.

We hear a door open loudly.  Uno loses his balance and falls over, landing flat on his face.  Trinity opens one eye, and seeing Uno, stops the series to kneel at his side.

TRINITY

You okay?

UNO

Yeah.

Mercedes and Justin enter, both carrying numerous grocery bags.  They see Uno on the floor and move forward to help.  Uno waves them off.

UNO

I'm okay.

Uno picks himself up.

TRINITY

So, you guys find out anything new today?

In the background, Justin's cell rings.  He moves to answer it.  Mercedes starts talking to Trinity and Uno.

MERCEDES

Well, aside from what we told you earlier…

JUSTIN

(into cell phone)

Hello?

INTERCUT WITH

INT – MISS MONROE'S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

MONROE

Justin?

Justin moves into another room and lowers his voice almost to a whisper.

JUSTIN

Monroe?  How did you get this number?

MONROE

What, you don't think I'm smart enough to get a trace run by Pac-Bell?

JUSTIN

Of course not.  I'm just… surprised.

MONROE

Well, prepare to be more surprised.

JUSTIN

What do you mean?

MONROE

I need your help.

A yell comes from the other room.

MERCEDES

J, where's the Doritos and salsa?

Justin covers the mouthpiece of the phone.

JUSTIN

In the bag with the celery and cheese.

(back into the phone)

What do you need my help for?

MONROE

(sighs)

To get out of C16.

EXT – CENTRE 16 – EARLY MORNING

The imposing concrete building shimmers in the early desert sunlight.  Then, a separate shot of the ringbarked tree.  Fallen walks into shot, and bends down.  We CLOSE IN as Fallen runs his fingers over the grain of the dead tree.  REVERSE to see Fallen's thoughtful face.

INT – PRODIGY WING ATRIUM – DAY

JC

What do you mean, 'square one'?

MONROE

I mean, we're going back to the start.  We're going through the old case files.  We're going to find out where it all went wrong.

JC

Look Miss Monroe, that's not going to help.  Why don't we just activate Luke – I mean, Seven – again?

MONROE

He's… he's not stable enough. 

JC

Since when?  And when were you going to tell me?  Cause, you know, I'm sharing workspace with the guy.  Might be handy to know if he's about to fly off his rocker.

MONROE

No, it's not a rocker thing, JC.  It's just… well, he's remembering – his life before he returned… things like that.

JC

(eyes widening)

The other Prodigies?

MONROE

(sarcastic)

They were part of his life, weren't they?  Yes.  Particularly the younger girl, Trinity.

JC

(thoughtfully)

Let me run a sim through the computer and I'll get back to you on that. 

MONROE

Fantastic.

Monroe turns to leave.

JC

Should I get Roschelle in the loop on this?

With Monroe facing away from JC, he can't see her grimace, but we can.  We see her from JC's POV as she answers.

MONROE

No… I need her on something else.

JC

Right.

JC turns and leaves.  Monroe stands for a moment considering things, and is about to walk away when her father appears in front of her.

MALCOLM

Hello, Sweetie, how are things going?

MISS MONROE

What's with the saccharin?

MALCOLM

Pumpkin?

MISS MONROE

Days ago you were playing 'Distance yourself from your daughter'.  Now it's 'hey sweetie, how are things going'?  Make up your mind Daddy.  Until you do, let me do my job.

Monroe tries to push past Malcolm, but he grabs her arm, and from the expression on her face, we can see he has quite a grip.  With difficulty, Monroe shakes him off, and stalks away, heels clicking.  Malcolm looks after his daughter in surprise.

INT – ROSCHELLE'S LAB – DAY

ROSCHELLE

Could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you right.

MISS MONROE

I want you to give me your old case files on the Prodigies.

ROSCHELLE

Miss Monroe, you have all the files.

MISS MONROE

I know you, Roschelle.  I know how you work now, and I doubt it was any different back then.  You keep your own files.  I want to see them.

ROSCHELLE

(coldly)

They're not for you to see.

MISS MONROE

Wake up and smell the ultimatum, Roschelle.  Rooney's not just here to get the Prodigies back, he's determined to trim some of the fat.  And as much as I don't want to lose any of this team… I don't want to be trimmed myself.  To avoid that, I need your files. 

EXT – OGDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY – DAY

A large and impressive red brick building has a sign saying Ogden City Library outside.

INT – READING ROOM – DAY

Justin sits at a computer, scrolling through news items on microfiche.  He leans forward, and we CLOSE IN on the headline he's reading.

LOCAL WOMAN SURVIVES ACCIDENT (this headline relates to Miss Monroe's mother, Grace)

Engrossed in his reading, Justin doesn't notice Uno come up behind him.

UNO

What ya reading?

Justin flicks the microfiche further across and he turns to face Uno.

JUSTIN

Just catching up on the news.

Uno leans forward and picks up two other rolls and reads the labels.

UNO

The Salt Lake Herald?  These things are twenty years old, J.

(suspiciously)

What are you up to?

Justin turns back to the machine and rewinds the spool.

JUSTIN

Nothing. 

(looks over his shoulder at Uno)

Nothing at all.

UNO

You can't fool me, J.  I know what you look like when you're planning something, and you are definitely planning something.

Justin smiles to himself as he pulls the microfiche roll out of the viewer and hands to Uno.

JUSTIN

Return these, and we'll get going.

UNO

Yeah, it's nearly time to chant 'homm' again.

Justin laughs and walks away, but Uno takes a closer look at the microfiche cartridge and the smile fades from his face.  He begins to stagger toward a seat, but doesn't make it there and falls.

Justin turns to see him hit the floor, he runs back to Uno's side as a crowd gathers around him.

JUSTIN

Excuse me, excuse me!  Let me through!

Justin pushes through the crowd, and kneels at Uno's side.

JUSTIN

Uno!  Uno, can you hear me?

UNO

Hmmm?

JUSTIN

Can you move?

(whispers)

We should get out of here.

UNO

Mmm… okay. 

(grunts)

Urgh, help me up.

Justin pulls Uno to his feet and pulls Uno's arm over his shoulder, slipping into a rescue carry.  Spectators watch, some in awe, some in surprise, as they leave.

INT – PRODIGY APARTMENT – AFTERNOON

Trinity enters the lounge room and shuts the door quietly behind her.

TRINITY

(referring to Uno)

I gave him some more Cortozol.  He's sleeping now.

MERCEDES

We can't just keep doping him up like this, it can't be good for him.

JUSTIN

We've been doped up for a lot of our lives, Mercie.  A few weeks longer while we figure this out shouldn't do much harm.

TRINITY

Mercie's right, we need to come up with a permanent answer to this.  One that doesn't involve Uno using Cortozol every five minutes.

JUSTIN

How's the meditation going?

TRINITY

Good, but you know Uno.  He's an excitable guy.  It's not terribly easy for him.

JUSTIN

At the moment, it's the best chance we've got.

Mercedes leans back on the sofa and comes into contact with Uno's sweatshirt.

FLASH

A shadow Uno kees over, falls to the floor, clutches at his chest.  He lies sprawled on the lounge room floor, lifeless

TRINITY

Mercie? 

MERCEDES

(Still shocked by the vision)

Hmmm?

TRINITY

Are you okay?

MERCEDES

Yeah… yeah, I'm fine…

She gets up and wanders out of the room.  Trinity and Justin watch her leave, then share confused expressions.

JUSTIN

What was that about?

TRINITY

(spotting Uno's sweatshirt)

I think psychic-sister had a vision.

JUSTIN

She's been shutting herself off from it.

TRINITY

Sometimes defences can fail.

JUSTIN

(picking up Uno's shirt)

Could you duplicate the vision?

TRINITY

Maybe.  But why not ask her?

JUSTIN

Might be better if I knew what to expect.

TRINITY

J, she's your sister.  She's not gonna lie to you.  Go ask her.

JUSTIN

But, what if –

TRINITY

Go!

Trinity points her finger in the direction Mercedes went, and Justin gets up resignedly, before leaving the room.

Trinity looks over at the sweatshirt and reaches out toward it…

CUT TO: EXT – MISS MONROE'S HOUSE – NIGHT

MISS MONROE (VO)

Hello?

INT – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Miss Monroe wears a long silky bathrobe over pyjamas.  The lights are dimmed, but a bright reading lamp is beside her, along with numerous files and papers on the coffee and table and in her lap.  She holds a cordless phone to her ear.

This scene INTERCUT WITH

INT – JUSTIN'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Justin sits at his desk, also surrounded by papers, most of them lab reports.  He's speaking on a landline, rather than on his cell.

JUSTIN

Monroe, it's me.

MISS MONROE

So what's going on?

JUSTIN

Meet me at the Sunny Stone Motel, Layton.  Two nights from now, at 8pm.

MISS MONROE

And then what?

We CLOSE IN on Justin's hand, which holds a driver's license with Miss Monroe's picture on it.

JUSTIN

I have some papers for you.  A new identity.  The old you can disappear from the face of the earth.

Tears appear in Miss Monroe's eyes, and her voice cracks slightly.

MISS MONROE

How can I thank you?

JUSTIN

You don't need to.

MISS MONROE

Justin… Fallen…

JUSTIN

Fallen won't find you.  No one from the Centre will ever find you.

MISS MONROE

He's working on finding you.  The Triumvirate is leaning on us very hard… they've sent a rep down.  I'm… worried about you.

JUSTIN

Don't.  We can take care of ourselves.  Cover yourself until you leave.  Play along, work as if you still want to catch us.

(he grins)

That shouldn't be too hard.

MISS MONROE

(she smiles)

Yeah, I guess.

A tension-loaded pause between the two of them.  Then,

JUSTIN

Well, two days time.

MISS MONROE

The Sunny Stone Motel, Layton.  8pm.  I'll be there.

Justin hangs up, and so does Miss Monroe.

INT – KITCHEN – NIGHT

Uno hangs up the receiver of the extension he has been listening to Justin's conversation on and leans against the counter, arms crossed, deep in thought.

The kitchen scene turns to DAY, morning sun pouring through the windows.  The image of Uno dissolves, and Trinity walks into shot.  She is preparing breakfast, scrambling eggs, making toast, etc.  She places a plate down on the table.  Mercedes enters.

MERCEDES

That looks great!

TRINITY

Could you get Uno before you sit down?

Mercedes rolls her eyes, but leaves the room.  She passes Justin as he enters, sleepy-faced, hair tousled, in boxer shorts and a white singlet.

JUSTIN

Morning, Trin.

TRINITY

Morning.

She sets another plate of food on the table, right in front of Justin.  He looks down at the food, then up at Trinity.

JUSTIN

(jokingly)

I could marry ya.

Trinity turns back to the stove.

TRINITY

J, if you only wanted to marry me because you think I can cook, then you'd be sadly misled.  In fact, I think it would be the shortest marriage of all time.

JUSTIN

Why?

TRINITY

'Cause as soon as you found out the truth, we'd be divorced.

(clicks fingers)

Like that.

JUSTIN

(grinning)

Well, as long as we can live together platonically and you cook for me, I guess we'll make do.

TRINITY

(she points an egg flip at him)

As long as you keep doing the laundry, we'll be fine.

Mercedes enters the room, looking confused and holding a piece of paper.

MERCEDES

(uneasily)

Guys…

Trinity and Justin turn to Mercedes and instantly note her downcast face.

JUSTIN

What is it?

Mercedes hands the letter to him, and he reads it aloud.

JUSTIN

"I can't stay here, there's something I need to do.  I hope I'll see you again soon.  Stay safe, Uno."

Trinity snatches the letter from Justin to read it for herself, then begins moving her hands all over it.

MERCEDES

It's no good.  He must have worn gloves or something, there's no feeling, no emotion.

TRINITY

He wrote it in a hurry, that's obvious enough from the handwriting.

JUSTIN

No, his handwriting always looks like that.

TRINITY

(shaking her head in disgust)

Damn doctor-lawyer wannabes.

JUSTIN

Did he leave anything behind?

MERCEDES

I had a quick look around.  From what I can see, he took anything we might have remotely been able to use.

TRINITY

Damn it!  He can't afford to go off now, he still can't control himself well enough.

JUSTIN

Did he take the Cortozol?

MERCEDES

(nodding)

It's all gone.

TRINITY

So what are we going to do?

JUSTIN

(sighs)

Much as I hate to, I think we're going to have to leave him.  If there's nothing we can trace him with, and he wants to be alone… I think we're going to have to leave it.  He'll catch up with us soon enough.  He always does.

A final shot of Trinity, Justin and Mercedes in the kitchen, looking lost; the breakfast laying forgotten.

EXT – SUNNY STONE MOTEL – NIGHT

Text On Screen:         Sunny Stone Motel

                                    Layton, Utah

A seedy love motel.  The motel front features a bright, cheesy love heart in neon lights, surrounded by smaller lights that flicker on an off.  The name of the motel appears to be the Sunny ton Mote because some of the lights spelling out the name have blown, leaving the spaces dark.

Miss Monroe parks her car at the curb and walks up the short driveway to a window marked "Reception".  A fat, greasy man

ERP ~ MALE ~ MID 40s

Attends Miss Monroe's summoning bell.

ERP

(wolf-whistles under his breath)

Hello, lady.  I'm Erp Neilson, Proprietor of this motel.  What can I do fer ya tonight?

MISS MONROE

(in disgust)

You can tell me where I'd find a young guy, probably checked in under the name Justin.

ERP

(understandingly)

Ah, a working night, is it?  Well,

(he checks the hotel register)

you'd probably find the young fellow in Room 5.

MISS MONROE

Thanks.

She walks away.  Erp leans forward to watch her walk, but when she rounds the corner, he leans back in his chair and sighs.

INT – ROOM 5 – NIGHT

Silence and darkness.

We hear a heavy knock on the door.

MISS MONROE (OS)

(hissing)

Justin?  You in there?  Justin?

We CLOSE IN to see Miss Monroe's hand try the doorknob.  The door is unlocked and opens easily.  She steps inside, and flicks on the lights.

The motel is no better on the inside.  Miss Monroe's nose screws up as she surveys the grotty condition of the room.  We get the strong impression that this is not Monroe's type of motel.

Justin wanders out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on a guest towel.  He nods at Monroe.

JUSTIN

Monroe.

MONROE

Justin.

Justin inclines his head to gesture toward a small leather case on the bedside table.

JUSTIN

That's it.  It's all in there.

Monroe walks over, picks up the case and looks through it for a moment.

MONROE

How did you get all these made so fast?  Driver's license, Birth Certificate, Social Security card…

JUSTIN

(shrugs)

What can I say?  I don't like to reveal my sources.  But they're high quality.

MONROE

I can see that.

They stand facing each other awkwardly; again, the tension is almost tangible.

MONROE

Justin…?

JUSTIN

Mmm?

Almost without realising it, they have stepped closer to each other.

MONROE

Do you ever wonder…

JUSTIN

If things had been different…?

MONROE

If we'd be in this…

JUSTIN

…position.  Yeah, I do.

They now stand face to face, only inches separating them.

MONROE

And?

JUSTIN

Maybe… maybe we'd…

Bright lights SNAP on OUTSIDE, streaming through the windows and flimsy lace curtains.  Almost instantaneously, the door is kicked in and three Sweepers in SWAT-like gear storm in.  They grab Justin, push Monroe aside, and throw him face down on the bed and cuff his hands roughly behind his back.  They pull him to his feet and drag him outside as Monroe watches.  As he passes, his eyes meet hers, and we CLOSE IN on the both of them: JUSTIN's hurt, eyes, screaming betrayal; and Monroe's, which glimmer with blinked-back tears and sorrow.  Justin is led outside, and Monroe stands still for a moment in the hotel room.  We watch as her eyes regain their ordinary 'hard as stone' look.  Then she turns and exits the room.

EXT – MOTEL INNER COURT – NIGHT

Just outside the room, Justin is loaded into the standard black van.  Two of the Sweepers join him in the rear, adjusting his restraints to secure him to the car.  Miss Monroe gets in the passenger side, and the third Sweeper, still in his SWAT gear and mask, gets in the driver's seat, starts the van, and pulls out quickly, tyres screeching as he pulls out of the Motel and onto the road.

The van speeds away, and in the foreground with no chance of catching the van, Erp runs after it, yelling as loud as he can.

ERP

Get back here! Yer haven't paid yer bill!  Get back here!

INT/EXT – CENTRE VAN – NIGHT

MONROE

When we hit the highway, step on it.  We have a rendezvous with Fallen in an hour and a half.

SWEEPER #3 (DRIVER)

Yes, Miss Monroe.

We see various shots of the van travelling in the night, as well as individual shots of Miss Monroe sitting stoically in the passenger seat, and Justin leaning awkwardly against the interior of the van, studying the floor.

EXT – DESERT/RING-BARKED TREE – NIGHT

The van pulls up beside the tree. The Driver gets out and goes around the back to open the door.  Miss Monroe remains in the front, looking at the ring-barked tree. 

First, we only hear the disruption vaguely, but then we hear a gunshot ring out.  Monroe jumps out of the van, pulls her own gun, and walks around; only to end up nose to nose with Uno, dressed in the Sweeper's SWAT uniform.

UNO

Gun down, Miss Monroe.

Monroe lowers her gun.

UNO

Pass it here.  Finger and thumb only.

Uno holds out his hand, and Monroe hands it to him. 

UNO

(over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off Monroe)

J, you out of it all?

Justin jumps down from the back of the van, rubbing his wrists.

JUSTIN

Damn I hate handcuffs.

UNO

(nodding toward Monroe)

Put them on her and sit her in the back.

(to Monroe)

Wrists out, Monroe.

Slowly, Miss Monroe puts her wrists forward and Justin steps forward to handcuff her hands together.  He keeps his eyes downcast.

MISS MONROE

Well, this wasn't exactly how I was expecting it to end.

JUSTIN

It's still not over.

UNO

Looks like it never will be.

Justin leads Miss Monroe into the back of the van and sits her on the bench.  Uno hands him a gun.  Justin goes to turn away, but Uno puts a hand on his shoulder.

UNO

Watch her.

JUSTIN

(sarcastically)

No, I think I'll hand her the gun and let her capture us both.

UNO

(seriously)

You nearly let her.

Justin gives him a hard, almost dirty look, and gets in the back on the van with Monroe, leaving the doors open.  Uno turns and looks down at the two Sweepers lying unconscious on the sand.

UNO

I have plans for you boys.

CUT TO: EXT – RING-BARKED TREE – NIGHT

The two Sweepers have been stripped down to their underwear (singlets, briefs and boxers) and have been tied to each other, their arms encircling the tree.  Uno looks on with a hint of mirth, then turns as the sound of a car engine and the car headlight announce the arrival of Fallen.  Uno steps toward the open doors of the van and signals Justin.

UNO

Fallen. A, 75, Vector, C, H, 47.

Justin nods in acknowledgement.   

Fallen gets out of his car and closes the door behind him.  The van blocks his view of the ringbarked tree and the bound Sweepers.

FALLEN

Monroe?

(sharply)

Monroe! 

Fallen starts to walk around the van, on the other side we Justin and Uno moving into place to ambush him.

FALLEN

Where are yo –

Fallen comes nose to nose with Uno's gun, looks up into Uno's face, and groans.

FALLEN

Oh, not again.

UNO

(smiling grimly down at Fallen)

Yep, again.

CUT TO: EXT – RINGBARKED TREE – NIGHT

Joining the two Sweepers, Fallen has also been tied to the tree, wearing only his boxers and singlet.

Fallen scowls up at Justin as Uno finishes tying him to the tree.

FALLEN

You won't get away with this.

JUSTIN

We already have.

FALLEN

Don't you understand?  This is where you belong.

JUSTIN

No, this,

(gestures to the tree)

is where you belong.

FALLEN

People will die if you don't come back.

Uno pulls the rope tight, and Fallen winces.  Uno walks around to look Fallen in the face.

UNO

We were dying in there.  They experimented on us, tried to kill us in the most imaginative ways they could think of – or haven't you read the files?  'People will die if we don't come back'?  Fine.  Just as long as it's not us.

Uno walks away, and Justin turns to Monroe, now leaning against Fallen's car.  Her hands are still handcuffed behind her back.

MONROE

So that's it?

JUSTIN

(shakes his head)

I wish it hadn't come to this.

MONROE

(sighs)

So do I.

UNO (OS)

(calling from the van)

C'mon, J, we have to get going.

MONROE

(looking up at Justin)

I guess I'll see you around.

JUSTIN

Maybe.

Justin walks away and gets into the van.  Uno starts the engine and pulls the car away.

Fallen and Monroe watch as the pair drive off.  Finally…

FALLEN

(sarcastic)

Nice plan, Monroe.

MONROE

(shrugs)

Was worth a try.

FALLEN

You wouldn't happen to have a knife?

MONROE

You wouldn't happen to have a lockpick?

Both sigh, and lean back against the tree/car.

FALLEN

Well, at least it can't get much worse than this.

MONROE

Oh yes it can…

CUT TO: EXT – PRODIGY APARTMENT – DAWN

Uno and Justin pull up outside the apartment block in a small, dark hatchback, it looks like they've ditched the van on the way.

UNO

You know, Trin and Mercie are gonna be pissed.

JUSTIN

(sighs)

Do they really need to know?

UNO

(gives Justin a hard look)

No secrets, buddy.  If you don't tell them, I will.  It would definitely sound better coming from you.

Justin sighs again.

UNO

Anyways, I should go, you know me...

JUSTIN

Right. Yeah.

Justin gets out, and closes the door.

UNO

J, it'll be okay.

JUSTIN

You said it yourself.  They're gonna be pissed.

UNO

(shrugs)

It's life, J.  It always stinks.  Don't tell me you haven't figured that out.

Uno lapses into momentary seriousness and thoughtfulness.

UNO

Justin... I know you wanted to believe Monroe... And I know you try to see the good in people - but sometimes it's just not there, and you end up seeing something you only wish existed.

Justin pauses. He looks at Uno earnestly, his words impassioned.

JUSTIN

I'd rather die knowing I believed in something...

He looks and speaks pointedly to Uno.

JUSTIN

Then die empty...

UNO
(guardedly)
I'm not empty, Justin, I'm cautious. You can't trust anybody but yourself...

Justin begins moving back away from the car. He looks at Uno sadly, his words loaded with subtext.

JUSTIN

So at the end of the day... your alone.

He turns away and walks to the house. We see a single tear slip from Uno's eye.

UNO
(barely whispered)

Yeah...

Uno drives away, and Justin walks toward the front door of the building.

CUT TO: INT – PRODIGY APARTMENT – DAWN

Justin opens the door into the apartment only to be met by Mercedes and Trinity who sit side by side in kitchen chairs; both have crossed their arms over the chests.

TRINITY

Where did you get to last night?

MERCEDES

We were worried.

JUSTIN
I have to tell you something.

CUT TO: INT – LOUNGE ROOM – EARLY MORNING

Mercedes sits quietly on the sofa, while Trinity paces angrily.  Justin leans against a wall, looking defeated..

TRINITY
(exasperatedly)

And Uno knew what you were doing?

JUSTIN

Not until the last few days. He didn't know I had been in contact with her previously, though.

TRINITY

Why didn't you tell us?  We could have helped.  We're not damsels in distress.

JUSTIN

I was just going to give her ID, Trini.  Help her –

TRINITY

You leapt to her aid without looking, and you made me wait to help Luke. 

JUSTIN

I was trying to learn from my mistakes!

TRINITY

(heated)

You don't know her!  How could you –

MERCEDES

(softly)

Trini, it's okay.

TRINITY

It's not okay, Mercie.  He put himself and us in danger.

Mercedes remains calm and quiet, but we see that she is deeply hurt. After a long pause, she sighs and stands.

MERCEDES

They're sure to figure out that we're local - lets get moving.

Trinity looks at Mercie, then Justin defiantly; before storming from the room.  Mercedes remains seated, gazing at the floor.

Justin looks at Mercedes sadly, then sits down next to her on the couch, and puts and arm around her.

JUSTIN

Merce, I'm sorry.

MERCEDES

I can't believe you didn't tell us.

JUSTIN

I… Mercie, there's no excuse for keeping it from you.  I didn't think you'd approve.

MERCEDES

(stiffly)

Obviously, we don't.

JUSTIN

I don't know why I do it, I just… there's something there.  I was learning about them, about what they're doing.

MERCEDES

So I guess you won't be talking to her anymore?

JUSTIN

I guess not.

MERCEDES

And if you did?

JUSTIN

I'd tell you.

Mercedes leans into the curve of her brother's arm, and they sit quietly as we PULL AWAY.

NEXT WEEK ON PRODIGY…

FILE 1.18 – TORN

Luke is torn between his vague memories of Trinity, and his new life at Centre 16... As the danger of recapture looms imminent, Justin decides to disband the group...