tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22251976961572231202024-03-13T17:57:25.168+00:00ScribblePitA pit of scribbles.Jomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06690748312898590632noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-15999697422898273032017-11-11T15:41:00.000+00:002017-11-11T15:41:00.084+00:00Scribblers: An Inspector Calls<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Steffan and
Elanor present ...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>The Inspector Calls</u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s the night before Christmas!</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And all through the Pit,</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The heroes are chatting,</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And so full of wit.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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BOILING
POINT</div>
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The
Christmas tree’s a bit wonky.</div>
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<br /></div>
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FINESSE</div>
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So’s your
face.</div>
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<br /></div>
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PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</div>
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So’s your
mam.</div>
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<br /></div>
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CHRONAL</div>
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No, she’s
right, it’s really not straight.</div>
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<br /></div>
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FINESSE</div>
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So’s –</div>
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<br /></div>
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CHRONAL</div>
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Stop!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The tree was all covered</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">With tinsel and wasp</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Despite Amity’s efforts,</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it hadn’t been lost.)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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AMALGAM</div>
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It’s just
not Christmas without the good old Christmas wasp.</div>
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<br /></div>
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AMITY</div>
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Apparently
not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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FAUST</div>
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Merry
Waspmas!</div>
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<br /></div>
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BOILING
POINT</div>
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I’d prefer
it if that didn’t catch on, actually.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The fairly lights twinkled</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In red, green and yellow.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The radio played Havana</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By Camila Cabello.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</div>
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I’ve got gin
here if anyone wants some.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
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Why’s it in
a My Little Pony bag?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</div>
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Because I’m
a grown-up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The stockings were hung</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By the fire alarm –</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In case of a fire,</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They’d come to no harm.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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REVERIE</div>
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I can’t wait
for presents.</div>
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<br /></div>
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SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I hope
people like mine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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FINESSE</div>
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As long as
it’s not a repeat of the year you became a cat to find “presents”, I think we’re
good.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 189.75pt;">
In my defence, everyone loved them.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 189.75pt;">
AMITY</div>
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Everyone did not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The phones were to hand,</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In case there was need</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For Weathervane’s updates</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To her Twitter feed.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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WEATHERVANE
(typing)</div>
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“Hyped for
Christmas – even though unsustainable food practices will currently end the
world.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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REVERIE</div>
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I’m not sure
I’ll keep following you if all your updates are going to be this bleak.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
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Um, okay
...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me think.</div>
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(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“At least
the world won’t be ended by zombies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hash – tag – for – now – at – least.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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REVERIE</div>
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I suppose
that’s better.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But outside the room</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They all heard a clatter</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So Shift and the Prof</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Went to check on the matter.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This had
better not be charity collectors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They do
important work, Shift! Probably.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I know, but
the only ones who ever come here are fundraisers for reformed supervillains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Could be
worse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But they’re
not reformed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just Admiral Zap’s
latest attempt to raise enough money for a big yellow van.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I hate
Admiral Zap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Is she the
one who zaps people?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
BOILING
POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you guess?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I hate
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was mean about my rats.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She also blew
up a bank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh,
yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose that was quite bad too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shift and Professor,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They opened the door,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And in walked a copper</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who’s noir to the core.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scribblers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Zimbardo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There’s a
murder mystery afoot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
That sounds
like fun! Can I do a video about it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone has killed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Spirit of Christmas</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh, cool,
and it’s our job to bring it back by having the best Christmas ever?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit of Christmas was a supervillain,
and she’s been actual murdered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Urgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, sorry for being insensitive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
.... so no
video ...?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The fact is,
she’s dead, and all of you have a motive for killing her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
That can’t
be right!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CHRISTMAS TREE PLANTATION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The plantation is aflame.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now that
these ridiculous trees are gone, people will be forced to engage with the True
Meaning of Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What the
FUCK is this?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ah, leader
of the Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold my work, and –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finesse punches her in the face.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What the
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t just punch me!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well, I just
did, so ...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finesse punches her again.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You’re meant
to use people’s powers against them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You don’t
have powers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finesse punches her again.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I am the True
Spirit of Christmas!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not one word
of that is true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finesse knocks her out.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You hated
her for killing all those trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you
MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE taken her life in return.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Did she?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I will sit
on that information for now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Odd choice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But you,
Reverie!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRENDY PUB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spirit of Christmas is drinking a
Christmassy cocktail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reverie enters.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What do you
want?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve been
getting abusive comments on my videos for the last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve just found out they were posted by you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You do not
observe the true meaning of Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Most of
those videos weren’t posted at Christmas!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Exactly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
BOILING
POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
That seems
like a very flimsy motive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A flotive,
if you will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ah, yes, Optiman.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only I call him that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And I don’t
approve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Faust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You met the Spirit of Christmas at the Dinas
Marathon, didn’t you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LAKESIDE ROAD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A marathon,
full of runners – some in fancy dress, most in running gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faust runs alongside the Spirit of Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’m going to
beat you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BEAT you, get it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the beat of a drum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we’re running.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What are you
talking about?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’m going to
run all the way to the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>RUN!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, running.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I can optimise
my body for whatever purpose I need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
won’t win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And that is
why you’re a suspect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But I DID
win!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everyone knows you can’t stand people who
use puns wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
... oh my
god those were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">puns.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Look, the
Spirit of Christmas was a supervillain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If she’s been killed, it was probably by another supervillain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh, really,
Amity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you’re saying it was nothing
to do with your encounter ...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DINAS IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Spirit of Christmas is running amok, with
an army of hired goons.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What do you
think you’re doing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Refugees
need to learn about the true spirit of Christmas if they’re going to stay in
this country!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh my God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just to
clarify, what is the true meaning of Christmas in your opinion?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, of course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh, that
guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Son of two immigrants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That one, yeah?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You heathen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ll take
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I was briefly a pagan
when I was 15.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Even I was a
pagan when I was 15.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Amity would
never kill over religious differences.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Or for any
other reason.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh, yes,
good point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have said that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Maybe you’re
right, Amalgam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you have a serious
motive too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BIG POSH CHURCH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A traditional nativity play, on a big
budget, with shepherds and kings, a full stable complete with barnyard animals.
Including a goat, and a dog, raven and octopus dressed up as a camel.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
JOSEPH
(clearly Amalgam – against his will)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There was no
room in the inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No room in any of these
places!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
MARY
(clearly the Spirit of Christmas in disguise)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What about
the place we passed on the way?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
JOSEPH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We’re better
off in this stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their trip advisor
reviews were awful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
GOAT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Meeeeeh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
KING DAVE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We have
brought gold for the little baby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHEPHERD</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dammit, King
Dave!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You said we could go first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bale of hay’s going to look like such a
shit present compared with yours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
KING STEVE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We have also
brought frankincense, a lovely resin, for the little baby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SHEPHERD</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
... oh,
actually, I think we’re good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
GOAT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Meh-meh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I was forced to perform that play for such a long time, touring the
country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
How long?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Six weeks, man and goat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
No court would convict.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
What the -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES THEY WOULD!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Amalgam killed the Spirit of Christmas, he
would go to prison.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
O na!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
And as for you, Professor ...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DINAS BANK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Spirit of Christmas is
wearing a variant on her normal costume – black and white pinstripe, with three
studded belts, a bunch of bracelets, a full pencil’s worth of eye-liner, and
the choppiest haircut of all time.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I am here to destroy capitalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please give me a hundred billion pounds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Oh no you don’t!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vines burst from the floor –</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wrapping themselves around the
Spirit of Christmas –</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Until she’s completely trapped.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
This is what you get for committing the worst crime of all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Robbing a bank isn’t the worst crime!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I’m talking about your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fashion</i>,
you emo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Look, I don’t hurt emos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
hurt <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">themselves</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Nonetheless, you are still a suspect in this investigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Except me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never met her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Ah, but you did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DINAS COUNCIL
CHAMBER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The council is in session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the back of the room, a number of local
journalists are assembled.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Two councillors are talking – HELEN
EVANS, for the Genuinely Socialist Party, and HOLLY BUSH, for the Social
Preservation Party.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
HELEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
We’ve put everything in the plan, but our thinking is, if we take the
hit and increase minimum wage in Dinas, we’ll attract a good workforce, and it’ll
put pressure on the government to increase their own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
HOLLY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
But Ms Evans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be
very expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And really, we ought to
be spending that money fighting same-sex marriage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
JOURNALIST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
What is WRONG with you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
That journalist was YOU, Chronal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
You can’t prove that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
You tore up her manifesto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve
got your fingerprints.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I’m sure lots of people who tear up manifestos have the same
fingerprints.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Afraid not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Damn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I didn’t even know she was the Spirit of
Christmas!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I don’t believe you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
knows the Spirit of Christmas uses Christmassy aliases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holly Bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ivy Tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mariah Carey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
So she CAN do puns properly. Or even at all. Are you sure that’s what
she was trying with me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
And now we move on to Shift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Wasn’t me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Or was it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LIVING ROOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Spirit of Christmas enters
her enormous posh living room, carrying a big sack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband, Humphrey, is busy with his
collection of pressed butterflies.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
This will be the best Christmas ever, Humphrey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
HUMPHREY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Oh, good news, my darling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
long as we observe the true meaning of the season, eh what?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christmas turkey!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She upends the sack –</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And out comes Shift.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
That’s quite rude.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Where’s my Christmas turkey?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
No harm done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that
it’s a risky time of year to transform into a turkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just enjoy it too much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Get out, Scribbler!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I wish
you an un-merry Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
That wasn’t really motive for murder, though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But later, the Spirit of
Christmas found that a file of hers had been stolen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you knew that her party intended to cut the
funding for accessible theatres, to allow tax cuts for the rich.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
No comment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Nice one, Shift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shift and Chronal high-five.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
And as for you, Weathervane ...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RED CARPET EVENT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Various actors meeting and
greeting the press and fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit
of Christmas is wearing a red-carpet-dress version of her costume.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suddenly, she spots Weathervane,
and marches over.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
You!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody is coming to see my
film thanks to your review.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Your film was awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made no
sense on any level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a BAD way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
It was about the true meaning of Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Wow, was it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t come
across at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
How dare you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO<br />
Maybe it wasn’t enough that you killed her career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you wanted to make sure she’d never
make a film again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
There’s a long list of people I’d kill first to stop bad films.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I’m a bit worried you’re actually considering that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
And you, Boiling Point.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FLASHBACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DINAS HIGH STREET.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boiling Point is cycling
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She arrives at a traffic jam, everyone
tooting their horns.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Turns out they’re being held up
by a crashed Santa sleigh.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Spirit of Christmas stands
victorious.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Behold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The god of
commercialisation, taken down by the true meaning of Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
What, a harpoon gun?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
It’s a metaphor for unconditional love, actually.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
It’s a metaphor for a harpoon gun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boiling Point becomes a monster
and attacks the Spirit of Christmas.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
You’re saying I killed her because she attacked a Santa?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
No, I’m saying your motive is that she was inconsiderate of other
drivers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Oh, okay, I can respect that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
I’m bored of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Me too. Anyway, I watch crime shows. It’s the husband.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Ooh! Solved. You’re welcome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
It’s not the husband. He’s been polishing their bank vault on the
Cayman Islands for the last fortnight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
...of course he has.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
REVERIE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
So, I hate to start asking for gory details, but is she
definitely dead? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Ooh, plot twist! Albeit derivative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
AMALGAM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Yes, that is a good point. How did she die?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Her body was found in a prison cell on Gaolhouse Rock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
BOILING POINT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
What, she died in prison?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
FAUST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
No, she wasn’t serving time, was she? I thought she was
on the loose?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
She was. But her body was found in a locked cell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
And she died of...?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Poisoned celery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
She – wait, what?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Poisoned celery. It wasn’t celery at all. It was...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hemlock!!!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone looks at
Finesse.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
This is tedious. Yes it was me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Oh my god!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
WEATHERVANE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Finesse!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
I’m in favour. I’ll call Lawyer Girl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Very well. If you’ll come with me, Finesse –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Oh, calm down, she’s not dead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
I saw that coming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
I assure you, she is deceased.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
FINESSE </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Oh, is she fuck. Her powers resurrect her three days
later. She’s literally fine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GAOLHOUSE ROCK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A secure cell. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS (middle
aged, unbearably posh, over-privileged) is laid out on a slab, dead.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OR IS SHE</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suddenly, she sits up, gasping.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A-HA! Bet
you didn’t see this coming, Scribbler! Now I’ll –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She pauses, and realises she’s in a prison
cell.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh, fuck
everything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCRIBBLE PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night (cont)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
This is not a criticism, but is that not a harsh way of
arresting someone?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
She burned the trees, Kayleigh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt right 451.3pt;">
Duw duw. She’s lucky she has a face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
ZIMBARDO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
Well, it’s not orthodox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m
happy the case has been solved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
bid you farewell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I heard him exclaim</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Ere he left out of sight,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Happy Christmas to all,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And to all a good night.”</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 177.0pt;">
THE END</div>
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<![endif]-->Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-64432224333668883032016-11-27T15:14:00.001+00:002016-11-27T15:41:43.949+00:00The Scribblers and the Christmas TreeSteffan and Elanor present ...<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Scribblers and the Christmas Tree</u></b><br />
<br />
1 INT. SCRIBBLE PIT. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The Scribblers are decorating the Pit. FAUST is going through the Scribblers’ Christmas cards, and putting them up. BOILING POINT is hanging up tinsel. WEATHERVANE is filling the room with distressingly gothic Christmas figurines. AMALGAM, including his various animal selves, is decorating the tree (which is big and impressive). CHRONAL is slowing the flow of time so that, whenever Goat starts destroying the tree, AMITY has time to step in and fix the problem. FINESSE has made a bunch of green chains of trees – like little people holding hands, but they’re little trees.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
There should be a law against putting poetry in Christmas cards.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
What’s wrong with a nice poem at Christmas?<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Nothing at all. But these are not nice poems. Listen to this:<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The time of year has come once more<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For tinsel, turkey, and plenty more<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Put on the Christmas songs.<br />
Merry Christmas everyone.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I can’t work out if we’re supposed to pronounce that ‘Christmas suns’ or ‘everywong’.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
It’s like I always say – you can’t write good poetry in English.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I’m not sure you can deduce that from a poem that refuses to engage with the rules of scansion or rhyming.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
And I’m not sure it’s a fair comment given that not everyone’s language was literally designed to break in order to facillitate Impossipoetry.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Anyway, don’t be mean. Look at the drawing on the front – that card’s obviously been sent by a child.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
It’s from the Mayor.<br />
<br />
BOING POINT<br />
... Can she do any form of art...?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh, good news everyone! The world’s no longer going to end because of ducks.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I knew we could trust them! Delightful creatures.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
What’s going to end the world now?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Absolutely nothing. The world’s finally safe.<br />
<br />
<i>All the Scribblers drop what they’re holding, and stare at Weathervane.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Only joking! It’s American politics.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
What a jape.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Um, Amalgam – you know the Christmas tree ...?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Don’t worry – we didn’t cut down a tree. It’s a gift from Professor Kayleigh. It’s still planted.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
No, that isn’t what I was going to say.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Where’s the tree gone?!<br />
<br />
<i>There is a tree-shaped space where the tree was.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Goat, did you eat our tree?<br />
<br />
GOAT<br />
Meeeeh.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
No, wait, hang on – I’m sensing hundreds of people feeling confused ...<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
2 EXT. DINAS CITY CENTRE. Day.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Scribblers’ Christmas tree is now in the centre of town, surrounded by BAFFLED ONLOOKERS. The SCRIBBLERS are approaching it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
I am. Incredibly annoyed.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Why would anyone steal our Christmas tree?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
For nefarious purposes?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Yes. It’s bound to be one of our many villains.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
What possible use would a villain have for our Christmas tree?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
We’ve got some very weird villains.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
I am Not Having villains kipdnapping trees now. Orphans is one thing, but trees?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Oh dear.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Alright. Let’s take it back. It’s a big tree, so we’ll need super-strength. Can someone make Boiling Point angry?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Why don’t we just carry it back between us?<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I don’t mind getting angry. Save you carrying it.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
That’s very kind of you, but ...<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Boiling Point is terrifying when she’s angry.<br />
<br />
<i>The Scribblers grab hold of the tree, ready to lift it –</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
3 EXT. BASE. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>- and they find themselves on a large field of soil, and in the distance, a large circular wall too high to climb. They’re next to an enormous rough brown tower, with long green vertical spikes emerging from it.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
What the –<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
It was a portkey!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I don’t know ...<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Where have we been teleported to?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
I don’t think we have. Look, this tower –<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
It’s not a tower.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
It’s a tree.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
It’s enormous.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
No it isn’t. It’s us. We’ve been shrunk.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
This is our tree.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Why would anyone want to shrink us?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
To make us easier to kill?<br />
<br />
<i>Something is flying above them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They look up –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It’s a simple wooden reindeer, looks like a cheap toy, but the size of a horse. Entirely made of wood, the only colouring that’s been added is a red nose. We can hear clockwork inside, allowing the reindeer to fly.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMALGAM<br />
So if we’re tiny, that thing’s probably really small.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Yes. Probably just three inches across.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Aw, it’s cute.<br />
<br />
<i>The reindeer shoots a dart at Faust.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Ow!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Optiman, are you okay?<br />
<br />
<i>FINESSE Don’t call him Optiman.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
It’s fine. Didn’t really hurt.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Guys, it’s really cute. Can we just leave it alone?<br />
<br />
<i>The reindeer shoots a hail of wooden darts.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Finesse holds a hand at Chronal –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Scribblers are all standing clear –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The darts hitting the ground harmlessly.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
Okay I know what you’re going to say. But it’s still really cute!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I’m not convinced his cuteness is high enough to get away with the weaponised splinters.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
‘Her.’<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Isn’t it supposed to be Rudolph?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
It’s a reindeer. With antlers, in winter. Only the females have antlers in winter.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Ooh, that’s right! I stand by the weaponised splinter thing, though.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
She is quite cute. Maybe we could -<br />
<br />
<i>The reindeer shoots Boiling Point –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who becomes a TERRIFYING ORANGE BEAR MONSTER –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And punches the reindeer out of the air –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Its horns come off –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And it lands on the ground.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh. Well. That was pretty great.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point takes the reindeer’s horns as a trophy.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Poor reindeer.<br />
<br />
<i>FINESSE That thing came from above.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They look up into the tree.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
We need to climb.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
4 EXT. TRUNK. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS are climbing the trunk. Faust is in the lead, having optimised his body for climbing. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
I thought I’d be frightened of climbing this high, but I’m surprisingly calm.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Yes. Surprisingly.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I’ve sent Raven on ahead to check for traps.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Have you found anything?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Mostly baubles and fairy lights.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Ow! Something just bit me.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Argh, me too.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Let me see ...<br />
<br />
<i>The muscles of Faust’s left arm ripple and tighten –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Allowing him to keep hold of the trunk with only one arm –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And swing from side to side, searching for the threat –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He sees a flash of blue light!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
I can’t see!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
It’s hitting me now –<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Can you sense its emotions?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
They’re faint – but yes. It’s happy. I think it’s playing.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
We can’t see it while we’re climbing –<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
It’s stinging me!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I’ll keep you calm.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Do we know whether you can climb as a monster, Boiling Point?<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I suspect I’d be too angry to climb. OW!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
We need to be able to see.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
No problem –<br />
<br />
<i>RAVEN flies out of the branches above –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And through Raven’s eyes, we see a BLUE FAIRY LIGHT – a tiny glowing blue fairy, flapping around, randomly zapping the Scribblers with little blue lasers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Raven flies for the blue fairy –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who turns to attack the bird –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMALGAM<br />
Chronal – can you help?<br />
<br />
<i>The fairy freezes in place –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Raven knocks it to the distant ground.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Good work, team. Christmas bonuses for all animals.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I’m an animal sometimes.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Debatable. But I’ll allow it.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
5 EXT. BRANCHES LEVEL 1. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS have managed to climb to a floor made of green pine needles.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Tomorrow, we are recruiting a telekinetic to this team, and I am going to fly everywhere for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
That’s the hardest part of the climbing done – we’ve got branches now.<br />
<br />
<i>An object flies through the air and lands at his feet –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It’s a Christmas present, all wrapped up with ribbon.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
I’m not sure you should open that.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Present!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Yay!<br />
<br />
<i>Raven flies in and steals it.</i><br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Oh. Sorry.<br />
<br />
<i>Raven drops it back in front of her.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Present!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Yay!<br />
<br />
<i>She opens it –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And a boxing glove on a spring jumps out!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity dodges.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Whoa!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Told you.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
That’s a terrible present.<br />
<br />
PATHETIC MAN (v/o)<br />
But these presents, Scribblers, shall be your last! For you now face... THE THREE KINGS!!!<br />
<br />
<i>Three PATHETIC MEN are standing on a branch above them, in what they clearly thought was a cool action pose. It is just sad. They are wearing some tacky king-themed costumes, complete with crown masks, tinsel cloaks, and a sack each with the word ‘Presents’ on.</i><br />
<br />
<i>One has misspelled the word ‘Presents’.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
I... am so embarrassed right now.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
I don’t know how to react.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
This is amazing!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
I mean, I know how they want me to react.<br />
<br />
KING ONE<br />
Behold, Scribblers! The spirit of Christmas!<br />
<br />
KING TWO<br />
Receive our gifts!<br />
<br />
KING THREE<br />
Take these!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
You are really over-milking this conceit.<br />
<br />
<i>But the Three Kings reach into their sacks –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And throw presents at the Scribblers!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A green one lands before Chronal –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And explodes! But he’s no longer standing there, and is some feet away instead.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Another lands in front of Faust, and a blade swings out –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But he becomes fast, and dodges.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>One sails towards Boiling Point –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who transforms –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And leaps on it like a furious dog, tearing at it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>There is a muffled explosion.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She is unharmed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
KING TWO<br />
Jesus Christ!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Mine’s just got socks in.<br />
<br />
KING ONE<br />
Well, brace yourselves, Scribblers, because – wait, what?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Yeah, mine’s just got a pen in it.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Animalgaman, you’re eating the wrapping paper.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Oh. Whoops.<br />
<br />
<i>Goat looks embarrassed, and drops it.</i><br />
<br />
KING ONE<br />
Actual presents? Why would you – Dave!<br />
<br />
<i>He whirls on King Three.</i><br />
<br />
KING ONE<br />
Did you put our actual presents in with the villain presents?!<br />
<br />
KING DAVE<br />
Look, I’m the only one who tidies the hallway, there were presents lying around, I put them in the sacks.<br />
<br />
KING ONE<br />
Well, that’s just great. I bought that pen for Nigel.<br />
<br />
KING NIGEL<br />
Did you?! I’m not being funny, Steve, but I got you a really nice new crown. And you just got me a pen?<br />
<br />
KING STEVE<br />
It’s not just a pen, Nige. There’s a dial on it that –<br />
<br />
<i>Weathervane twists a dial on the pen –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the pen becomes a SWORD.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
Woah!<br />
<br />
<i>AMITY That’s not fair! I want a weapon!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity holds up a hand –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And King Nigel passively hands over his sack of gifts.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity starts searching through them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
(muttering)<br />
None of these are shaped like a quarter staff.<br />
<br />
<i>FINESSE Amity, please stop searching through the potentially dangerous presents.</i><br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Look what I found!<br />
<br />
<i>Amalgam has taken King Dave’s sack from him, and Dog is now wearing a shiny crown.</i><br />
<br />
KING STEVE (sulkily)<br />
See? All shiny and nice and...<br />
<br />
<i>Amalgam continues searching through the sack.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMALGAM<br />
This one’s for a Stephen King?<br />
<br />
KING STEVE<br />
That’s for me!<br />
<br />
<i>King Steve snatches the gift –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And opens it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It’s a music box.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
KING STEVE<br />
Aw, Dave, it’s perfect! Just like the one I fell asleep to as a child.<br />
<br />
KING DAVE<br />
It’s enchanted too, so it should help with your insomnia.<br />
<br />
<i>Steve activates the music box –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Three Kings fall asleep.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Weird. Why isn’t the music affecting us?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Maybe it only affects kings.<br />
<br />
<i>Chronal is asleep.</i><br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Chronal, wake up. You’re not a king.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
6 EXT. BRANCHES LEVEL 2. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS have reached the second level of branches. Weathervane is examining her new sword.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Look, if you get a sword, I should get a quarterstaff.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I’m not stopping you.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
You don’t even care that much about the sword!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
It’s a Claymore.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I still care more about having a quarterstaff.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Ah, look! More of those fellows.<br />
<br />
<i>Up above, two more FAIRY LIGHTS have appeared – a YELLOW one and a GREEN one.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
They’ll be much easier to handle now that we’re not climbing.<br />
<br />
<i>Faust’s leg muscles ripple –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And he JUMPS as high as a human can physically jump –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And grabs the Green Fairy Light from the sky.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
Gotcha!<br />
<br />
<i>There’s a blinding green flash of light.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Well, I’m blind, but my hand is the optimal size and strength to stop this thing from escaping.<br />
<br />
<i>But Faust’s hand is shrinking –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Withering.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Faust! Your hand! It’s disgusting!<br />
<br />
<i>Faust’s suddenly struck by pain in his hand –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He opens it –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Green Fairy Light escapes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Okay, they have different powers. The blue ones sting, but the green ones can sap your energy.<br />
<br />
<i>She suddenly turns to face the Yellow Fairy Light.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Oh no you don’t –<br />
<br />
<i>Finesse, Amity, Faust and Boiling Point glow yellow –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And vanish, along with the Yellow Fairy Light.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
They’re gone! Oh no! Do you know what this means?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
They might be in danger?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Well, maybe. But think of the danger we’re in now!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Without some of our most powerful allies?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Well, yes, but also, we’ve lost our leader – and that means I’m in charge!<br />
<br />
<i>Amalgam and Weathervane look horrified.</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
7 EXT. BRANCHES UNKNOWN LEVEL. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>Another floor of branches. There are many large baubles here.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A yellow light shines –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And FINESSE, AMITY, FAUST and BOILING POINT materialise –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Along with a YELLOW FAIRY LIGHT.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point becomes a MONSTER –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who punches the Yellow Fairy Light into the distance.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
I suppose that’s one way of sorting it.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Where are we now?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Another bit of the tree?<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I was hoping for something more specific.<br />
<br />
<i>A dart hits him in the neck.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
I am so fed up of being spiked by things.<br />
<br />
<i>They look up –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And in the sky, they see a mechanical reindeer. Familiar, but made of metal. A red glowing LED bulb for a nose.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is ROBO RUDOLPH</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
I think it’s seen that Boiling Point has Vanilla Rudolph’s antlers.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point roars a bit.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Alright, team – time for us to work together. I name our team Anger Management.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
We all have powers based on emotion or control, so –<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
No – why do we need a team name?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Oh, because you just know Chronal will have coined a team name.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
8 EXT. BRANCHES LEVEL 3. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>CHRONAL, AMALGAM and WEATHERVANE are on a new level of branches. From now on, all levels we see will contain enormous baubles.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
Made it to the next level. Good work, Team Cockerel.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Team what?!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
You get cockerels on weathervanes. So it represents time and animals.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Animals!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
You see? It’s perfect.<br />
<br />
<i>A transparent bone-white spirit appears ahead of them. This is DOVE. Despite appearing frail and spectral, she speaks like a stressed middle manager.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
DOVE<br />
How did YOU get here?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
We climbed.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
Your name isn’t on my list.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
You don’t even have a list!<br />
<br />
<i>DOVE I beg your pardon? I have memorised the list.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Ah! Then how do you know our names aren’t on it?<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
There are only three names on my list.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Well, there’s only three of us.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
There are six of you, including your raven, goat and dog.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Oh, we’re all just one person.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
How did that dog climb up here anyway?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Oh, well obviously ...<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Actually, that doesn’t make any sense, does it?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Anyway, Amalgam is just one being, made of three mammals and a bird, and also an octopus, but Octopus is doing some Christmas shopping at the moment, so ...<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Everyone’s getting shells this year!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
So you can let us through.<br />
<br />
<i>DOVE I must ask your names.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh! Argh. Um ...<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Wendy ...<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
THAT DOESN’T COUNT, that’s not any of our names.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
I panicked.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Wait! I’m King Dave.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Ohhh, yes – and I’m King Steve.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
And I’m the other one.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
You don’t look much like a Nigel.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
My brother doesn’t look like a Merlin.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
You may pass.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Genius.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
9 EXT. UNKNOWN BRANCHES LEVEL. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>FINESSE, BOILING POINT, FAUST and AMITY are fighting ROBO RUDOLPH.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
This would be so much easier with a quarterstaff.<br />
<br />
<i>Faust jumps up –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And grabs onto Robo Rudolph’s antlers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Robo Rudolph shoots steel darts towards Finesse –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who’s pushed out of the way by Amity.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rudolph shakes off Faust –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who lands near Monster Boiling Point.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
We need to get Boiling Point up there somehow.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I know what to do. Amity – calm her down.<br />
<br />
<i>Amity reduces Boiling Point’s rage until she becomes human.</i><br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Oh, hi everyone!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I need to throw you at the reindeer.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
That’s a great sentence.<br />
<br />
<i>Faust’s arm muscles ripple –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He kneels down –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And lifts Boiling Point –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Throwing her like a caber.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
Okay, now make her angry!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
(fast)<br />
For the first four months we were a team I got paid 75% what Chronal did!<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point becomes furious –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Starts to turn into the monster –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Until she lands on Robo Rudolph –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And her weight causes both to fall from the sky –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Crash-landing on the ground.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Robo Rudolph is in pieces.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Monster Boiling Point takes its antlers for her collection.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>FINESSE Nice work everyone! We’ve earned ourselves a rest.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>All around them, multi-coloured lights appear.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Oh, for the love of –<br />
<br />
<i>The FAIRY LIGHTS attack!</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
10 EXT. BRANCHES LEVEL 4. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>CHRONAL, AMALGAM and WEATHERVANE continue to climb.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Hey, where’s Raven?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Searching for the others.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Let’s hope we don’t bump into a villain with a weakness to ravens, then.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Most villains have a weakness to ravens.<br />
<br />
<i>A WHINY MAN’s voice is heard ahead.</i><br />
<br />
WHINY MAN<br />
Scribblers! We meet again.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh, God, it’s you.<br />
<br />
<i>The whiny man is MANTA CLAUSE, a festive MRA.</i><br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
You tried to ruin Christmas last year!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Hang on. You were also human-sized last year. Why are you so small?<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
I ... tried to steal the Christmas tree.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Why on earth - ?<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
Because Finesse tied me to a chair and locked me in a cupboard. And forgot about me. It's been a week.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Well, she's had a lot on her mind.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh, hey – the nature of the end of the world just changed. If anyone’s curious.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
No no no! We were about to fight.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Hang on, Manta.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
I like to pronounce it MANta.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
It won’t cost us anything to check. How is the world going to end now, Weathervane?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
It’ll end because of a pineapple apocalypse.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
WHAT?!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Like a zombie apocalypse, but with pineapples.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE But I love pineapples!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
This must be a very sad time for you.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
I ... I just always assumed the world would end because of Social Justice Warriors.<br />
<br />
<i>Manta sits down to think sadly about pineapples.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The Scribblers get away.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Quick thinking, Weathervane! Everyone knows how much Manta loves pineapples.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
That was a very clever lie.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Yes it was.<br />
<br />
<i>Weathervane changes her sword into a pen.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She makes a note on her hand:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“RESEARCH WEAKNESSES OF PINEAPPLES”</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
11 EXT. UNKNOWN BRANCHES LEVEL. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>FINESSE, BOILING POINT, FAUST and AMITY are fighting FAIRY LIGHTS.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point is in monster form, swiping at the Fairy Lights, batting them out of the air playfully.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Faust is running, jumping, attacking individual Fairy Lights with precision.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity and Finesse are doing their best to manipulate the emotions and powers of the Fairy Lights.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
This is really difficult. <br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Teeny tiny emotions?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Yes! It’s like wearing thick gloves and trying to pick up an earring back. And they move so fast it’s difficult to concentrate on one –<br />
<br />
<i>She waves a hand as a blue one speeds at her –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It u-turns away, squeaking.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Vague blasts are a bit better. How about you?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Same problem. Except I can’t really vague-blast like you can. Although...<br />
<br />
<i>She ducks under a green one –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Holds up a hand at a yellow one –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And it teleports into a group of three blues –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And then teleports them all away.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Focusing on yellow isn’t so bad. Wait -<br />
<br />
<i>She spins around.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
New ones!<br />
<br />
<i>Red and purple Fairy Lights descend in a cloud.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
What can they do?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Also, I think Boiling Point is calming down. She’s just sort of... playing.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
The reds are venomous, and the purples can –<br />
<br />
<i>A force field slams into Faust, knocking him back.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He growls as his physique changes, becoming broad and low.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Create forcefields.<br />
<br />
<i>She waves a hand.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Seven Fairy Lights are trapped, and Faust punches them away.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point morphs human again.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Welcome back!<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Hello! Sorry, I didn’t maul anyone this time, did I?<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Not at all! Everything’s fine.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
This time?<br />
<br />
<i>A red Fairy Light dives down –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And stabs Boiling Point!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She screams –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And transforms into her monster form!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She launches herself after it, roaring –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Straight towards the edge of the branch!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
No!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I can’t get her in time - !<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Amity, focus me! Now!<br />
<br />
<i>Amity waves at Finesse –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Finesse looks up, determined –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- throws up a hand –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- all the yellow Fairy Lights suddenly zoom toward her –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point reaches the edge and leaps after her red one –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- into space!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She starts falling –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And a web of yellow light streaks out from the yellow Fairy Lights –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And all four Scribblers are teleported away, leaving the dancing swarm of Fairy Lights behind.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
12 EXT. BRANCHES LEVEL 5. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>ALL SCRIBBLERS appear in a twin blast of yellow light. Boiling Point is still raging, rolling around and clawing at her shoulder; Faust is still transformed into his solid, sturdy form. Weathervane hastily reactivates her sword. Finesse drops to her knees.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
May I say: ow.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Hooray! We’re back together!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Stop standing around, you idiots! Someone fix the monster!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
I can freeze her!<br />
<br />
<i>He does.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Over to Amity!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Yes, hang on... It’s a fairy simple venom, I can make her body dissipate it – there.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Finally.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Okay, do him next.<br />
<br />
<i>Amity pats Faust’s arm. He transforms back human, and blinks.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Gosh, sorry, that was very harsh. Well done.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point transforms back. Weathervane transforms the sword back into a pen.</i><br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Hi guys! Why does my shoulder hurt?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
You got bitten by a venomous Fairy Light, and I demand to know why I’ve had to say that sentence. What is happening. Why has anyone stolen our tree anyway.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Why does Boiling Point have two sets of antlers?<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I’m not entirely sure.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
We fought Robo Rudolph. You?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Oh, oh my god, we fought Manta Clause!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
What?!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I don’t think we can describe that as fighting. We left him crying about pineapples.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Also there was some sort of manager –<br />
<br />
DOVE (v/o)<br />
You are definitely not on my list!<br />
<br />
<i>DOVE appears! She rears above them, floaty and spectral and really pissed off.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
There she is!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Wait! Um... These are our guests!<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
What?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
What?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Well, we’re on the list, aren’t we? These are our guests.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
There is no guest list, King Dave!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
What?<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I’ve spent a lot of time as a monster today and I don’t know what is happening.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
No, he’s right, we decided as it’s Christmas that we’d invite our friends round –<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
Kings Dave, Steve and Nigel have no friends!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Probably because they don’t give out quarterstaffs.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
You lied!<br />
<br />
<i>She blazes, a silvery light emanating from her.</i><br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
You will be removed!<br />
<br />
<i>She holds up an arm –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Scribblers all relax and sit down –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And a metal dart hits Faust.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
Ha. Me again.<br />
<br />
<i>And MECHA RUDOLPH rises into view, covered in high-tech armour that flies, its nose a vivid red arc-reactor. Metal spikes bristle off its mighty antlers, ready to fire.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Cool, it’s regenerated again.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
It’s still so cute.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Wait, what’s happening? Why are you all sitting there?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Dunno. Just chilling.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
They are surrendering to the calm of the Dove. And frankly, you should be doing the same thing.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Oh, I see! Well, part of my brain is in the sea right now, so you can’t affect me like that.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
If you will not surrender in the name of peace and love, then I shall have to imprison you by force.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
That’s quite exciting, actually. I’ve been wondering how a ghost would fight.<br />
<br />
DOVE<br />
I am NOT A GHOST. Besides, I do not intend to fight. The Dove is a messenger.<br />
<br />
<i>The Dove starts to sing a haunting Christmas carol, mysteriously amplified throughout the tree –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And we zoom out –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Revealing the entire tree, still in the town centre.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The tree begins to quiver –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And we zoom back in –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Until we can see the various baubles.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They begin to open!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We’re now zoomed all the way back to the Scribblers –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who are starting to shake off the Dove’s influence, with Amalgam’s help.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
BOILING POINT<br />
They’re opening!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
This has been a long day. If they’re not full of sweets, I’ll be furious.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Hope one of them has a quarterstaff!<br />
<br />
<i>The baubles finally open fully –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Revealing a dozen HUMANS in each, wearing severe and intimidating uniforms.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
Goons. The baubles were full of goons.<br />
<br />
<i>Weathervane turns her pen into a sword.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Faust’s body ripples, making him strong and fast.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity holds her hands towards Boiling Point, increasing her rage –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Boiling Point becomes a monster.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
I’m ready to fight.<br />
(beat)<br />
Actually, I might have a lie down first.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Good idea. I’m pretty tired from climbing this tree.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point becomes human again.</i><br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Seems a bit silly to be so angry.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I’m going to optimise my body for the perfect nap.<br />
<br />
<i>The goons walk around the Scribblers, who happily allow themselves to be surrounded.</i><br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I’m sure you all know what you’re doing, but I don’t suppose you’ve fallen under the Dove’s control again, have you?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Oh, Amalgam. We don’t need the Dove to have a nice relaxing sit down.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
His name’s Animalgaman.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Finesse says I mustn’t call him that.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Oh, don’t worry about it. You call him whatever you like.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Alright, that confirms it.<br />
<br />
<i>Dog pounces on Dove from above –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Raven appears from beneath the branches –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Dove screams, sounding like a soprano hitting a high note.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Run!<br />
<br />
<i>The Scribblers fight their way past the goons –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point becoming a monster again –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And they run!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Oh, and he’s not called Animalgaman.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
13 EXT. BRANCHES - VARIOUS. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS run through the tree, climbing and fighting goons as they go.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>FAIRY LIGHTS start attacking as well.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>AMITY’s arms waving around as she affects the goons’ minds –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The goons in turn freezing in place, or turning on each other.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>WEATHERVANE making a beeline for armed goons –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Fighting them with her new sword –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Disarming them and moving on.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>FINESSE is focused on the Fairy Lights, using their powers against them, and against the goons.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>AMALGAM’s animal selves causing chaos –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>GOAT butting goons out of the way –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>RAVEN distracting them by flying in their faces –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>DOG growling and looking as fierce as possible (although its tail is wagging all the while).</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>BOILING POINT running as a human –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Occasionally becoming a monster when the number of goons is overwhelming –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Calming down afterwards to be able to climb and run more safely.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>FAUST changing his body from optimum fighter to optimum runner to optimum climber.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>CHRONAL micromanages the battle, slowing down enemies and speeding up Scribblers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
14 EXT. TOP OF THE TREE. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS have made it to the top at last. The top of the tree now contains an ivory castle shaped like a star.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
We’ve made it!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Who’s built a castle on our sodding Christmas tree?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Can we siege it?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Let’s do it!<br />
<br />
<i>A shadow appears over them – something is flying overhead.</i><br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
They’ve got a guard dog.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
A dog!<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Not literally. Something they’ve left to guard the castle.<br />
<br />
<i>The flying guardian comes closer.</i><br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Okay, Boiling Point, get ready. We know what’s coming.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Do we?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Flying guardian? Look, here it comes – and it’s MEGA RUDO- a giant wasp?!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Oh my God.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Why would there be a giant wasp?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Hooray!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
That’s in no way Christmassy!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Why is there always a horrible Christmas wasp?!?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I love the Christmas wasp!<br />
<br />
<i>The Christmas Wasp shrieks –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Curls its abdomen forward –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And its stinger, six feet long and as broad as a traffic cone, shoots at them.</i><br />
<i>The Scribblers scatter.</i><br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
I am ambivalent towards the Christmas Wasp.<br />
<br />
<i>The Christmas Wasp’s stinger grows back.</i><br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Let’s defeat the Christmas Wasp, before we get impaled.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I can only do incredibly basic emotions here. It doesn’t really have the capacity for complex.<br />
<br />
<i>The Christmas Wasp dives at them –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They scatter, but it catches Goat in its mandibles –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amalgam cries out –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Weathervane swings her sword –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Slicing off the mandibles.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Christmas Wasp backs off.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
This pen is great!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Thank you! That nearly got my goat.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Ha!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Okay, I am not pleased, though, with us maiming –<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
It’s growing back.<br />
<br />
<i>The mandibles have grown back.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Oh. Well. This is weird.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Maybe we should just punch it?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
It’s very big.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Maybe we should punch it with a very big fist?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Okay, Chronal, when it gets close enough, freeze it. Then we can –<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
There’s something weird on its back.<br />
<br />
<i>The Christmas Wasp dives at them again, stinger out –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Just as it’s about to hit Faust –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Chronal freezes it.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Caught!<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Look, up there! Behind its head! Some sort of box?<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Hang on.<br />
<br />
<i>He transforms all climby.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He climbs up onto the Christmas Wasp.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Goat also climbs up.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
It’s electrical.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
It’s a control device! See the wifi emitter?<br />
<br />
<i>Goat headbutts it.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
If we destroy it, will it be friendly?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
If we destroy it, you might be able to make it friendly.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
And we have a high castle wall to breach...<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
15 EXT. CASTLE GROUNDS. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>The castle grounds are deserted, except for some ROBOTIC TOY SOLDIERS. It is peaceful and lovely, with the high wall running around. But suddenly –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A buzzing gets louder and louder –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the CHRISTMAS WASP appears, rising above the wall!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>THE SCRIBBLERS are all on board!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMALGAM<br />
I love the Christmas Wasp!<br />
<br />
<i>Weathervane, Boiling Point and Faust jump into the courtyard –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Faust’s muscles rippling –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point becoming a monster –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Weathervane holding her sword.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
(calling)<br />
They’re robots! I can’t affect them.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I have a sword! I can.<br />
<br />
<i>The three Scribblers on the ground fight their way through the soldiers.</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
16 INT. THRONE ROOM. Day.<br />
<br />
<i>An enormous room, ceilings too high to see. The walls are a dark navy, decorated with glowing stars. 15 feet above the floor, the wall is bordered by a row of hundreds of small windows. Each one contains a FAIRY LIGHT, on guard. On the throne is the STAR QUEEN, her outfit half regal, half supervillain. She holds a long sceptre with a crystal star on the end. When she eventually speaks, her voice is incredibly deep. Next to the throne is MECHA RUDOLPH, a more complicated robot form.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The door is knocked down –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Revealing monster BOILING POINT looking embarrassed. FAUST and WEATHERVANE are with her.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
I don’t even think that door was locked.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point roars apologetically.</i><br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
You have breached my throne room. You think yourselves brave, but now you will die.<br />
<br />
<i>The remaining SCRIBBLERS arrive, still riding the CHRISTMAS WASP.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
I think you’ll find we’ve breached OUR throne room.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Yeah, if you build a castle on our tree, that means we own a castle.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Hang on – I know you.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
I am known to everyone. I am the darkness and the end of all things –<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Yeah, but you’re also the Angel of Undeath. You used to team up with the Flying Corpses.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Oh, I remember her! Wasn’t she called Fallen Angel?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
She was also Morning Star when she used to fight Lunarion. And I think once, she was called Lucy Fur.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
And now she’s Lucy Fir. Hehe.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
That joke doesn’t work out loud, Finesse.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Whatever. You understood it.<br />
<br />
<i>A flash of yellow light –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And MANTA CLAUSE is in the throne room.</i><br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
I’ve finally made it! Prepare yourselves Scribblers. I will have my revenge.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
You will not stage your battle here, mortal. You have made a terrible error in invading my Queendom.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
Queendom? God, does there have to be a female version of everything?<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
That is no way to speak to your ruler.<br />
<br />
MANTA CLAUSE<br />
I will die before I am ruled by a woman.<br />
<br />
<i>The Star Queen shrugs.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She pulls out a pistol –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And shoots Manta Clause dead.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
OH MY ACTUAL GOD!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
You just killed him!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
You actually proper killed him!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Though for the record, I’m kind of okay with this.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
He disrespected the Star Queen. His life was forfeit.<br />
<br />
<i>She holds her sceptre towards Manta’s corpse.</i><br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
But he can serve me yet.<br />
<br />
<i>A burst of white light stems from the sceptre –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Manta stands up.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>ZOMBIE MANTA shuffles towards the Scribblers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
STAR QUEEN<br />
Mecha Rudolph. Aim for the wasp.<br />
<br />
<i>Mecha Rudolph flies into the air, filling the room with the sound of Christmassy steampunk.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The wasp-riding Scripplers jump to the ground –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Christmas Wasp battles with Mecha Rudolph.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Zombie Manta approaches.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
He isn’t capable of any emotion except hunger.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Shall we get a Christmas dinner going, then?<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I think he only eats human brains now.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Chronal’s safe then.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Oi!<br />
(beat)<br />
Wait. Are you saying I’m not human, or that I don’t have brains?<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I made it deliberately ambiguous.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
I hate it when you’re all powered up and non-empathetic.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
He isn’t right now.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Okay! Let’s try and bring Manta Clause back! I’ll get the staff!<br />
<br />
<i>Zombie Manta lumbers at them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity runs after the Star Queen, followed by Amalgam and some animals.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Raven flies hopefully around Zombie Manta.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
No point – she can’t resurrect people, only reanimate –<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
But as heroes we have to try!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
It’s not even in her staff, Amity, it’s her own powers. That’s just for show –<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
WE HAVE TO TRY<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
A staff! Throw the staff!!<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point sits down –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- yawns –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- and morphs human again.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
BOILING POINT<br />
Hi guys – oh. Well. He doesn’t look good.<br />
<br />
<i>Zombie Manta reaches Faust, and tries to eat him.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Faust grows his arm long and strong.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He holds him off easily.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FAUST<br />
So, ethical question – can he be resurrected?<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Oh, could we save him?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
No.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
I mean, I know that’s not our powers. But is there someone else who could? Is there a Lady Lazarus anywhere about? A Jesus Christ Superman?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Those are really good!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
No. That’s no one’s powers. That’s a corpse.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I mean, ethically – should we save him even if we find one? He is a spectacularly sad man. I think this is kinder.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
So he’s definitely dead?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
That’s a corpse, yes.<br />
<br />
<i>Zombie Manta is pawing ineffectually at Faust’s arm.</i><br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
So... we could just... rot him?<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Rot him?! But he’s – I mean, look at him –<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
He’s trying to eat my face.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
And, er, Amalgam is trying to eat his.<br />
<br />
<i>Raven is now sitting on Zombie Manta’s shoulder.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It looks embarrassed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMALGAM<br />
(calling)<br />
Sorry!<br />
<br />
<i>Meanwhile, Amity and the Star Queen are circling one another. This would look more like a cool face-off of hero and villain, except Goat, Dog and Human Amalgam keep darting in at the Star Queen, trying to pull the staff away excitedly. She therefore has to keep yanking it away.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
I’m going to make you feel really contrite and hand over the cool staff.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
You cannot. Its crystal shields my mind from outside forces. I am space and stardust and death and life. I cannot be defeated by will you keep that bloody dog off my pissing staff.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Ha ha! Throw it! I’ll bring it back!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
(to Star Queen)<br />
Okay, but that’s not entirely true. I can still feel your emotions, and you’re really very entitled, you know. No one has ever said ‘no’ to you, have they?<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
Silence, child! I am power incarnate! I take what I want!<br />
<br />
<i>Goat charges in from the side –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Star Queen draws her gun again –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity grabs her wrist and punches her –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>As Amalgam grabs the staff and wrenches it out of her grip –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And hurls it away from them all!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But the Star Queen turns on Amity –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who ducks under the blast from her fingers –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Kicks her in the stomach –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Knocking her back.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Grab the staff!<br />
<br />
<i>Dog races after it –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Star Queen blasts at Amity again –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who rolls away –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rises –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Star Queen stops, and looks down.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Dog is sitting at her feet with the staff, wagging its tail.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
My love, you know you are my dearest love, but did you just - ?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM (mournfully)<br />
I’m so sorry. It’s been a very exciting thirty seconds.<br />
<br />
<i>Meanwhile, Weathervane is poking Zombie Manta with her sword.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Okay look, he is definitely dead. He’s not bleeding, even! And he didn’t say ‘ow’, and I just stabbed him.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
I know, but... this just feels so wrong. He was fine a minute ago!<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
No he wasn’t.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
He was alive a minute ago!<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
That’s more accurate.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
I just want to reiterate, for the benefit of giving this discussion full weight, that he is, in fact, still trying to eat my face.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Okay, you know what? Mecha Rudolf is trying to eat our wasp, Amity and Amalgam would probably like some help with the Star Queen –<br />
<br />
AMITY (calling)<br />
Well, I certainly would!<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
- and I want to take my tree and go home. Okay? So either you’re rotting him or I am.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Yes, alright. This is just a very off-beat Christmas.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Blame the weirdo who thinks she’s an angel, Chronal.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Is she any sort of angel?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
The hell she is. She’s Chloe Morgan from Butetown, Cardiff, who runs an aesthetic blog.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Why has she even done all this?<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Good question. Chronal, rot the undead meninist and let’s sort this out.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Stand back everyone – this is going to be deeply disgusting.<br />
<br />
<i>He waves his hands.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Zombie Manta quickly rots down in a time bubble.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Scribblers step back smartly.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
WEATHERVANE<br />
Wow, yes, that was gross.<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
There’s Manta on my boot.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Alright, Boiling Point? Please take out that very-cute-but-antagonistic Mecha Rudolph.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Oh, okay! Uh. I’m not that angry, though –<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
Manta Clause wrote a badly-spelled essay on why the wage gap is a myth.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
... I mean, that would normally do it, but he’s a puddle now, so...<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Wait, I’ve got this! The state paid for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral!<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point transforms and leaps after Mecha Rudolf –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Seizing her about the neck.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The servos inside whine –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And Mecha Rudolf shoots sideways –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Straight into the wall.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Boiling Point roars, and tears off its antlers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Mecha Rudolf goes still.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Good! Amity! One Christmas Wasp!<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
That is not the good news to me you think it is!<br />
<br />
<i>But she holds up a hand –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the Christmas Wasp flies in –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Straight at the Star Queen!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Star Queen tries to blast it –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But the Christmas Wasp body slams her –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Knocking her down to the ground.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amity grabs the staff –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But can’t quite wrestle it free.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Give... me... that... staff...<br />
<br />
<i>She plants her foot against the Star Queen’s face.</i><br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
Hey!!<br />
<br />
<i>Amity pulls –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the staff comes free!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Yes!!<br />
<br />
<i>She spins –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And smashes the crystal end on the floor.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Star Queen screams in rage, still trapped beneath the Christmas Wasp.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
STAR QUEEN<br />
It matters not! I am ice and fire and death incarnate!! Meet your doom, Scribblers!!<br />
<br />
<i>She fires a blast at Amity –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But it arcs away, and out of the hole where the door was.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
FINESSE<br />
Obviously not. Do the reading.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
I cannot be defeated. I am always one step ahead.<br />
<br />
<i>From her queen-villain robes, Star Queen reveals a bomb!</i><br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
Leave now. Or I detonate this bomb, taking out the entire city centre.<br />
<br />
<i>But Amity swings the crystal-less staff –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Knocking the bomb out of Star Queen’s hand.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
I’ve got a fucking quarterstaff.<br />
<br />
<i>The Scribblers all gather round. Boiling Point becomes human again, now wearing three pairs of antlers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
So... Why did you do all this?<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
Plans were put into motion so very long ago.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Shut up, Chloe. You were trying to take over Nepal in September.<br />
<br />
STAR QUEEN<br />
This tree was to be launched into the night sky. A shining star at Christmas. It would have transmitted a signal to the minds of every human on this planet, spreading discord and hate.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Hang on. Is this tree a spaceship?!<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Bad luck, Star Queen. That’s another Christmas saved by the Scribblers.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
I love spaceships!<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
It’s really more of a space-tree.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
Can we launch it?<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
Maybe on boxing day.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Well, let’s tie up the loose ends.<br />
<br />
<i>Boiling Point brings out a pair of Christmas handcuffs –</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And cuffs the Star Queen.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
CHRONAL<br />
I’m not sure I want to know why you have those.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Festive crime fighting!<br />
<br />
<i>WEATHERVANE Does anyone have a plan to grow us back to size?</i><br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Oh, simple. That’s the power of the Orange Fairy Lights.<br />
<br />
<i>Everything glows orange.</i><br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
17 INT. SCRIBBLE PIT. Night.<br />
<br />
<i>The SCRIBBLERS are sitting around in party hats, the Christmas tree back in place. The Christmas Wasp is on top. Amity is picking at the tree, holding a bucket in her other hand.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
AMITY<br />
Aaaaand … done. That’s the last of the goons.<br />
<br />
FINESSE<br />
Oh, it’s nice to have the tree back.<br />
<br />
AMALGAM<br />
And it’s a good thing it isn’t a sinister satellite spaceship anymore!<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Oh, isn’t it?<br />
<br />
FAUST<br />
No. Weathervane broke the mechanism with her new sword.<br />
(beat)<br />
And then Amity smashed it with her new quarterstaff.<br />
<br />
BOILING POINT<br />
Where is the sword, anyway?<br />
<br />
<i>Weathervane holds up a pen.</i><br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
I keep it like this. A pen’s more convenient than a sword.<br />
<br />
AMITY<br />
That expression doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.<br />
<br />
CHRONAL<br />
Well done, everyone. And can I say – it’s so lovely seeing you all this Christmas.<br />
<br />
HIPPO TIM<br />
God bless us. Every one.<br />
<br />
WEATHERVANE<br />
Who the fuck is Hippo Tim?<br />
<br />
THE ENDQuoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-83018031904172691652015-11-28T16:34:00.004+00:002015-11-28T16:42:26.784+00:00Scribblers: The Awful Man Who Tried To Ruin Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Awful Man Who Tried To Ruin Christmas</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-7e5041fe-4ec8-78b1-9287-ab27845d11df" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 INT. SCRIBBLE PIT. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>FINESSE and CHRONAL are playing Scribbler Kart on the Wii U. AMITY is trying her best to knit a scarf, but WRAITH keeps making the needles invisible. A RAVEN is sitting on Amity’s shoulder. WEATHERVANE is tweeting "Merry Christmas #banmushrooms #savetheworld" to her 2 billion followers. FAUST is reading an exciting romantic novel set during a socialist uprising. It is called "First Against The Wall", a rude double-meaning. SHIFT has transformed into a cat (she was originally a dog, but Weathervane felt uneasy). RECOOPERATE is watching Amity knit.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Woah, it's so cool you can just make scarves.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's easy - I could teach you!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nah, I reckon it's like ... your superpower.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Um. I do actually have superpowers.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, yeah. It's awesome we all have superpowers, eh?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shift - can you help me put up some tinsel?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shift becomes a human. Then, because it's Christmas, she grows reindeer antlers.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay - where do you want to ...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She sees Wraith's tinsel, which is a really ugly blue colour.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, that tinsel is really ugly, Wraith. Why not decorate the bin with it? On the inside.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's actually a trophy. I stole it from Manta Clause.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who's Manta Clause?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He's this Men's Rights Activist guy who keeps fighting us as different villains.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, he's had loads of supervillain names. He's been Y Chromosome, the Bloker, Sir Manattee ...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh my God, was he the Brotalitarian?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes! How do you know him?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He has a Tumblr.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think you get too much enjoyment from idiots on the internet.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look. When your superpower is that you can always see the end of the world coming, it's nice to remind yourself that there's a silver lining.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Suddenly, the heroes VANISH -</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 INT. A TUNNEL. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and appear in a tunnel! So random! Plot twist! One end is in darkness. The other is light.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh for fucking out loud. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What an inconvenient moment in all our lives.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Woah, have we been teleported?!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooh, I hate that. It makes time go all squidgey.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We'll use proper terminology if you don't mind, young man.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry. Timey-wimey.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Better.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But why are we in a tunnel? Shouldn't we be in some villain's lair? Ain't no style in a random tunnel, son.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I would have expected more in the way of spike pits and fire traps at least.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alright, time loss?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nearby persons of ill intent?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Light-based illusions?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Helpful nearby animal contacts to tell us where we are?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any good news?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooh, oh my god, yes! Mushrooms will no longer end the world.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hooray! I can eat risotto again.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What'll end it now?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eh, we're back to climate change again for a bit.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone should sort that, really. It's getting a bit bad, now.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We'll put it on the list, right after leaving this tunnel and </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">punching whoever put us here.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It'll be Manta Clause, though, won't it? Wraith stole his tinsel.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. And he usually attacks at Christmas. Because he's a big awkward.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be fair. If his name's Manta Clause, it's not like he can attack at any other time.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hang on. Which way are we going? Can we choose using an elaborate game?!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Actually, Wraith is going to check the dark end by throwing light at </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">it.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh really. Really. Wraith is, is he?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Finesse uses his powers to throw light at the dark end. It is a </i></span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">bricked up dead end.</i></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well played, snowflake.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>They walk towards the light end.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 INT. THE GROTTO. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The heroes enter a huge cave covered in cheap Christmas decorations.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh my God, this is the worst set decoration I've ever seen.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't think it's a set. I think someone lives here.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is the saddest thing I've ever heard.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd love to put a gig on here. All the acts would have to do a </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas-themed set.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Suddenly, a WHINY MAN's voice is heard.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scribblers! And guests. You may not know who I am, but -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You're Manta Clause.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- BUT I KNOW YOU.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah. And we know you.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too long, you so-called heroes have pushed your commie agenda on the </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">world, with your woman leader and anti-capitalist plots.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooh, you read my book?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guys, I can sense his emotions. And -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They're exactly what we expect?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah. Much less complicated than he thinks.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This isn't about revenge. This is about -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ethics in journalism?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is about PROVING that I am superior to you. You will take it in turns to face an enemy from your past.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Suddenly, Amity teleports away, leaving the raven behind -</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. INT. BATTLIN RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and appears in a wrestling ring decorated with fairy lights and tinsel.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, Amity, you will be facing … Blood Diamond!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And BLOOD DIAMOND (45, professional, cruel) appears. She’s wearing a costume made of several colourful wraps, her face covered.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blood Diamond?! You’ve never cared about revenge. What are you doing here?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOOD DIAMOND</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was kidnapped from my office. I have no idea what I’m doing here.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blood Diamond! I have positioned three snipers in your city. If you defeat Amity -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOOD DIAMOND</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not playing your game. Murder my workers, and I will murder you in return.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, no - you don’t understand. The snipers are aiming at the CEOs of the three rival companies which rank above yours. Beat Amity, and I order them to shoot.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOOD DIAMOND</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh. Well. You should have said.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Blood Diamond immediately launches herself at Amity -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- who dodges easily.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Blood Diamond swings around -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- aiming a punch at Amity’s head -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- but Amity ducks -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and holds up her hand.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Blood Diamond’s body language starts to loosen, as Amity calms her down.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOOD DIAMOND</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leave my mind alone, child.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come on mate. Chill out.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Blood Diamond starts to transform -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Her entire body becoming diamond-hard (and diamond-shiny).</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Amity tries controlling her -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But nothing works.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Out of Blood Diamond’s hand grows a diamond sword -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Which she swings wildly, brutally, in Amity’s direction -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Who avoids blow after blow.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooh, hang on.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Swing -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Dodge -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Swing -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Dodge.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What gives you your diamond form? Your power’s in your brain chemistry, isn’t it?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOOD DIAMOND</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stand still, scum.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So that means I can undo it -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Swing -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Dodge.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or better yet -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Swing - </i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Dodge.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overload it.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Amity holds up a hand -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Blood Diamond starts to grow, as random diamond formations appear and grow all over her body.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Blood Diamond tries to move -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But she’s too heavy.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She falls to the ground.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh. Okay. First round goes to Amity.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The ring has been reset. CHRONAL appears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chronal. You’re fast. But let’s see if you can outspeed … CAPTAIN FAST!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>CAPTAIN FAST (32, excitable, mischievous) appears. She’s in an entirely black costume with go-faster stripes down the sides.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, crikey.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAPTAIN FAST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi Chronal how are you! It’s so brilliant we get to have a rematch isn’t it? I nearly got you last time if it wasn’t for your friend making me feel confused do you remember?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Captain, we don't need to fight. We're being manipulated by -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAPTAIN FAST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh but imagine how much fun it will be to have a rematch are you ready?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Captain Fast is a blur -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- zipping all around the ring.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But we see Chronal's POV -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and Captain Fast seems to be running normally, with a huge grin on her face.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Chronal reaches out and grabs her -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and she punches him hard in the face.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OW!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAPTAIN FAST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got you! One point to me!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And she becomes a blur again.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I forgot how hard you punch. Will you stop?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAPTAIN FAST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here I come!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Captain Fast aims directly at Chronal -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Runs towards him at top speed -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And in a split-second, Chronal steps aside -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Captain Fast runs straight into the ropes -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And falls out of the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, come ON! Captain Fast is out of the ring. The fight goes to Chronal.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>FAUST is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faust! Today, you will be battling ... COOL BOX!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And COOL BOX appears. A posh loser wearing a posh suit and a snowflake-themed mask.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry, did you just say Cool Box?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COOL BOX</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A ha! Yes, that's right! You are facing... the mighty Cool Box!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, no, I'm sorry, I haven't heard of you. I'm just querying how terrible a name that is.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COOL BOX</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHAT?!?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He sends a blast of freezing ice stuff at Faust -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- who dodges it, giving himself amazing reflexes.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've been to open mic poetry evenings that had better word choices. Were you forced into it, or...?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COOL BOX</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cool Box chooses his own names!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He blasts Faust again -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- but again, Faust dodges.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, don't start talking in the bloody third person now. That's such an awful conceit. Like a teenage boy who's read too much of De Bellum Gallico and thinks a man so insecure about his receding hairline that he has to conquer half the continent is a template to be copied.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COOL BOX</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is nothing wrong with my hair!!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He blasts the ground in the arena and it freezes completely over. But Faust improves his balance and skates directly at Cool Box -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- who panics, stepping back onto the ice -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and Faust barrels into him, punching him hard. </i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Cool Box falls on the ice, and is knocked out.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probably look into some basic logic, like having skates on your suit if you're going to make an ice rink. Idiot.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Faust powers down.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh gosh, sorry, that was really mean. I wouldn't normally be that harsh.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fine. Faust wins.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7 INT. BATTLE RING. Day</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>FINESSE is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finesse! Today, you will be battling ... DAGGER MAN!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And DAGGER MAN appears. An optimistic villain who owns a knife.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No. Way.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAGGER MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And don't think you can use my powers against me, Finesse. The only powers I have are the finely-honed skills of an ordinary man. And there's nothing ordinary about those skills.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Finesse takes his knife away.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAGGER MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait, no! I wasn't ready. Give that back.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, no, obviously.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAGGER MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But ... I'm Dagger Man. Can't fight without a dagger.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dagger Man, you can barely fight WITH a dagger.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAGGER MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come on! This is my big comeback. Do you know how few villains were willing to fight you?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Finesse throws the dagger out of the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAGGER MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noooooo!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Finesse punches him in the head.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He goes down.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finesse wins.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>RECOOPERATE is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recooperate! Today, you will be battling ... ALIEN DAVE!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And ALIEN DAVE appears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whoa! Are you an actual alien?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I! I am... okay, well, no, if you must know. It's just my power to look like one.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whoa! Are you really called Dave?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">... it is literally the first time anyone has asked me that.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Really? I'm just really interested.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you?!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, mate! I've never met anyone who looks like an alien before. You must have been so cool in school.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, no, actually, the other boys made fun of -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you doing?! Stop chatting and bonding, you pair of pansies! Fight like men!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh my god, that's like... homophobic and sexist.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I suppose it is -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know what? That guy's a dick. Shall we just, like, not fight? Fuck him, we could just go to the pub.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALIEN DAVE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Really? No one's ever wanted to go to the pub with me before. I make people unnerved. It's my big eyes and green skin and weird proportions.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nah, that's cool. I'll buy you a pint -</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aargh! Fine! Recooperate wins by talking Alien Dave into the pub!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>SHIFT is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shift! Today, you will be battling ...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooh, can I guess?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">... HIPPO RACHEL!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do you hate fun? Hang on - Hippo Rachel? But she's a friend.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And HIPPO RACHEL appears. Half hippo, half Rachel.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HIPPO RACHEL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shift! I'm so sorry. I don't want to do this, but he's kidnapped my brother.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hippo Tim?! Oh no!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shift transforms into a bat -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flies up, up, up -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Becomes a fly -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And vanishes from sight.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hippo Rachel looks around her.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And suddenly, a HORSE IN A SANTA HAT appears, holding a young hippo boy.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Horse sounds.]</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HIPPO RACHEL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Santa Horse! You've saved Hippo Tim!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Horse sounds.]</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HIPPO RACHEL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I forfeit the fight.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shift becomes human.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I win!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shift is declared the winner by default.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>WEATHERVANE is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weathervane! Today, you will be battling ... GREGORY THOUGHT!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And GREGORY THOUGHT appears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good day, young lady person. Prepare to serve the whims of... Gregory Thought!!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, that introduction mechanism - that ellipsis-name-three exclamation marks thing - is it a thing all supervillains do, or just the ones who are sad mid-life crises wanting to imagine that anyone ever saw them as a threat?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What?! How jolly dare you!! I am a massive threat.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh god, please tell me that is not your nickname for your dick.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why, I have never bee so insulted! Look into my eyes!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, well, you know. No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look into - !</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop being unfair!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He runs towards her, to make her look into his eyes -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- Weathervane moves out of the way -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- but Gregory Thought can read minds, so he foresees her moving -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- but Gregory Thought is extremely unfit, so he misses her anyway.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Weathervane sticks out a leg, and trips him up.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look, I could literally just do this all day. Call it off. It's going to be embarrassing.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GREGORY THOUGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fine. I forfeit. But this is not the last you have heard from... Gregory Thou-!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seriously, let it go you amazingly sad man.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weathervane wins.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11 INT. BATTLE RING. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>WRAITH is teleported into the ring.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wraith! Today, you will be battling ... YUREI!!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And YUREI appears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait, what?!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good day, Gaijin.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the hell are you doing here! You're not supposed to fight me!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His teleportation device is quite rare, and very impressive. I wish to own it.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh lordy.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He vanishes. </i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She smiles -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- draws her sword -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>- and stabs it into the centre of the arena.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Wraith reappears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you doing?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The sword starts to glow.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Tracks of light appear from it, moving outwards like a spider's web. </i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yurei kneels beside it, pressing something on the hilt.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will not harm you, Gaijin. There is no need.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, lame, are you going to knock me out or something?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gaijin, please.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soz.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You would already be unconscious.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eh.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And the sword produces a cone of light!</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yurei steps inside.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you doing?!?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YUREI</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Acquiring my new teleportation device.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And she sinks into the floor of the arena, vanishing.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wraith wins because Yurei ran away.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, son, you don't even know.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 INT. GROTTO. Day.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>All heroes are teleported back into the grotto.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is that it, then?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, we won your stupid fights, whoever you are.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's Manta Clause.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You must win one final battle.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And suddenly the sky is full of WINGED ZOMBIES.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the HELL are those?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Flying Corpses. They're zombies that fly.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can't control them.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't want to panic anyone, but ... right now, the Flying Corpses </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">are going to end the world.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's always fucking zombies, isn't it? Or World War Two.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shift becomes a bear -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Wraith vanishes -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Faust becomes stronger and faster -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Chronal's head is moving superquickly from corpse to corpse -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And the Flying Corpses descend!</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>One of them bites Weathervane -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But Recooperate heals her -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Weathevane smacks the corpse in the face.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The bear is punching the corpses as they come -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>While raven is pecking at their eyes.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Faust is running fast, punching them brutally.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Finesse aims her hands at Chronal -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And uses his speed to freeze some corpses about to hit Amity -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Amity aims at Faust -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Calming him down -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>So he can abandon the defeated corpses at his feet -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And help Finesse with her corpses, which threaten to overwhelm her -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But they suddenly collapse, punched by an invisible Wraith.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Chronal faces the remaining corpses -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And uses his powers to speed up their decay -</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Until all zombies are defeated and harmless.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How are we for the end of the world?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to climate change!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hurrah! ... I mean, we should really do something about that.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shift becomes human, Faust calms down, and Wraith reappears.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN v/o</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You've ruined everything!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIFT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think you'll find we saved Christmas.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think it's the first time I've saved Christmas.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me too!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And me. Go newbies!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN (v/o)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But now, behold the true identity of the man who brought you here. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">For I am ...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Into the room appears a man dressed in a cheap Father Christmas </i></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>outfit.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHINY MAN</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MANta Clause!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have literally been saying that all along.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't like to nitpick, but it's still November.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WRAITH</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manta Clause starts earlier every year.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MANTA CLAUSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's MANta Clause, not Manta Clause.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You're literally the only one who spells it like that.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FINESSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alright, we're done here. Someone arrest him.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MANTA CLAUSE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never! I will fight you.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Manta prepares to fight.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But Amity holds up her hands.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm going to max out all your most Christmassy emotions.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Suddenly, Manta Clause's heart is filled with Christmas joy.</i></span></div>
<i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He is in prison now.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Merry Christmas everyone!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMITY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, don't do that.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just think it's nice to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAUST</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you doing it ironically?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECOOPERATE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEATHERVANE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then yeah, let's not do that.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE END</span></div>
<br />Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-38097715630561053032014-06-30T17:46:00.001+00:002014-06-30T17:46:58.314+00:00Pracicing skeleton plots 1: The Three Act Structure<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ladies and gentlemen, I present, for
your amusement and edification, the Three Act Structure:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
NB: I realise this makes no sense.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Act 1:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Scribblers are, as is their custom,
chilling in the Pit. Shift and Wraith are playing a game in the
training room in which Wraith goes into a room and hides, and Shift
has to find him, first as an animal with excellent hearing or sense
of smell, but increasingly as animals who rely on their vision.
Lyric is helping by constructing a series of exciting things for
Wraith to hide behind or in, all of which have strong scents or
natural sound mufflers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A sound of an elephant trumpeting calls
the other Scribblers into the room, and Shift morphs into human form
again. She announces that she can't find him, and anyway she has
better things to do. Amity and Finesse, who can both perceive that
Wraith is hiding behind Lyric (he is wearing one of Lyric's old
jackets to disguise the scent) look at each other, but before either
of them can put Shift out of her misery, Chronal comes in.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He looks dark and forbidding as he
stands suavely in the doorway. He wraps a bubble of unmoving time
around Amity and Finesse, sealing them completely from the outside
world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Act 2:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Inside the bubble of unmoving time,
Amity and Finesse talk. Amity informs Finesse that Chronal was of
completely sound mind when he did this, and wasn't even scared or
upset. If anything, he felt gleeful, excited, as before a game.
Finesse realises that this must because Chronal is the current Thumb
Master. She reminds Amity of the old custom of Thumb Master, long
since abandoned but, now she comes to think of it, abandoned on
Chronal's turn. The title means that at some point, whichever
Scribbler is Thumb Master must isolate one or two Scribblers from the
rest and work out how they would take them down if they needed to.
No notice or warning, just pick a quiet day. Finesse points out that
he has left it about three years, and Amity makes a quip about his
perception of time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They decide to escape. Amity says
everyone outside is moving really fast compared to them. She says
she thinks it's probably been weeks. This worries them a bit, but
then they realise Chronal has probably speeded the others up too.
Finesse reaches out and stops Chronal so that he is in line with time
in the bubble. Amity makes him feel profound remorse and a strong
desire to acquiesce, and he releases them from the bubble and slows
down the rest of the room to normal. Amity then gives him a profound
desire to unburden himself of all his secrets, and he tells them that
they are right, he is exercising his Thumb Master powers, but that he
didn't construct or even listen to the rest of the plan because he
knew they would do this. He says when he left them to plan, the last
he heard was Shift saying something about a de-powerer. Amity
compels him with an unwavering loyalty to their team, and he places
another time bubble around them so they can move around the room
without wasting any time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They find that the training room has
been turned into a crude prison, with old fashioned bars as well as a
more sophisticated electronic system. Finesse asks Chronal to age
the equipment to make it functionless and the metal rusty, but he
won't. She gives Amity a stern talking to about not playing the game
properly, and what would they do if it really came to this situation,
so Amity takes proper, if apologetic, control of Chronal's mind, and
he gets them out of the room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At that moment, a mechanism activated
by the door opening causes a de-powerer to activate, blasting all
three of them. Chronal, freed from Amity's control, runs away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Act 3:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As the two are deciding what to do,
they notice a woman leaning nonchalantly against the wall beyond
them. It is Eraser.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She starts a monologue about how lucky
she is to catch them under such circumstances but before she can get
beyond the mild early threats, Finesse fly-kicks her in the face and
she goes down, two teeth out and tongue swelling rapidly. Finesse
wraps a torn strip of her costume around her mouth tightly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A Comic Scene follows, in which Eraser
attempts to mime her threats.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They march her to the outside of the
building, then throw her out to the army who are obviously waiting
outside.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They discuss the plan (though not in
front of the audience, for reasons of Suspense), then walk boldly out
of the door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
AMITY: (To the army and officials
waiting outside) That feeling you have now, that faint apprehension,
that is the feeling of my self-restraint. This is a trial, and you
are very lucky that this is a trial because as you can see, a real
threat has emerged. Did you think we stupid enough to
walk through that door all at once? As leader, Finesse went first
and now we have a woman who will destroy the world and you have
depowered the only person who can stop her. Give me the re-power
that you have certainly brought with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
SOLDIER: Make us.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
FINESSE: Is that what you want? She's a softie, that one. But she doesn't know who has the device. If you
want her to, she can compel you all to take your most precious
possessions and lay them at her feet. But this is just a game. We
would rather not generate the bad press.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They person with the repowerer crumbles
and gives it up, and Finesse and Amity immediately re-power
themselves and de-power Eraser. Then they both do a shameless dance
of glee. Amity compels the other Scribblers to come towards them,
while Finesse blocks the use of all their powers. Chronal hands over
the thumb master token to Wraith, and everyone looks a bit grim
because really they should be able to take down two members of their
team with the other two.</div>
Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15278331358445242895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-10682814682394134452013-09-01T23:35:00.001+00:002013-09-01T23:35:44.231+00:00Scribblers: Bow Down Before Your Lord<u>Scribblers<br />
"Bow Down Before Your Lord"</u><br />
by Steffan Alun
<br />
<br />
<u>1. EXT. RIVERSIDE - Day 1. 1300</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>A beautiful summer's day, lush green grass everywhere, a large river, blue and lovely. A MAN and a WOMAN, in plain and simple clothes, are washing their own clothes in the river.</i>
<br />
<br />
MAN (in Egyptian; with subtitles)<br />
And you won't believe what he said next. He said I have a rubbish house!
<br />
<br />
WOMAN (in Egyptian; with subtitles)<br />
He can talk. His hasn't got any windows.
<br />
<br />
MAN<br />
I'm going to get him back, though. I'm going to spread a rumour.
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Oh, look, please not this again -
<br />
<br />
MAN<br />
I'm going to tell everyone he's died, so when they see him, they'll think he's been sent by, um, Osiris or something, and they'll be scared, and he won't have any friends.
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
I don't think that's very likely to work ...
<br />
<br />
MAN<br />
And then everyone will chase him with sticks and tell him to get back to the afterlife where he belongs.
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Look, I love you dearly, but whenever you come up with these plans, I -<br />
<i>(beat)</i><br />
Is it getting warmer?<br />
<i>(beat)</i><br />
Look!
<br />
<br />
<i>She stands.
<br /><br />
The river's water level falls -
<br /><br />
And falls -
<br /><br />
Until there's no water left. Just a bone-dry river bed.
<br /><br />
The man stands.</i>
<br />
<br />
MAN<br />
What's happening?
<br />
<br />
<i>Around them, the grass dies -
<br /><br />
Becoming yellow -
<br /><br />
Becoming dust in the breeze -
<br /><br />
Leaving only sand.</i>
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
This is the work of the gods.
<br />
<br />
<i>There's an almight CRASH -
<br /><br />
The air is heavy with sand -
<br /><br />
And as it clears, we see a 12-foot tall FIGURE -
<br /><br />
LORD PEGASUS.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS (in English)<br />
I am your god now. You will bow before your Lord Pegasus.
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Look, my love. One last battle.
<br />
<br />
MAN<br />
And I'd been so enjoying retirement.
<br />
<br />
<i>The man transforms into a HUMANOID VULTURE CREATURE and the woman's eyes glow orange.</i>
<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Alright, creature. Let's see what you've got.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>2. EXT. GAOLHOUSE ROCK - Day 2. 2000</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>As seen in <u>The Crater</u> et al. Dark, pouring with rain.
<br /><br />
Caption: 5,000 YEARS LATER</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>3. INT. PRISON CELL - Day 2. 2000</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>A small cell with symmetrical furniture. An identical set of bed, chair and desk on opposite sides, two televisions mounted on the walls. On the bed on the right side of the room sits FERMIA
(19, female, petite, jittery) reading a book.
<br /><br />
The door opens. A guard, LITHGOW (40s, male, handsome, threatening) escorts FACELESS (20s, male, a dark grey cloak and a featureless gold mask) into the cell.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Alright, Fermia. You've got a new roommate.
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Oh, erm, okay. I thought I wasn't meant to -
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Things change, alright? Best not moan, now, or I'll deactivate the partition.
<br />
<br />
<i>As he says this, Lithgow knocks an imaginary wall dividing the room in half -
<br /><br />
Reavealing that it's </i>not<i> imaginary - it's a force wall, which flashes blue when touched.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
This is Faceless. Say hello.
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
He-
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
He tried to steal the Mayor's car. Wanted to give me some work to do, didn't you? Mate?
<br />
<br />
<i>Lithgow pushes Faceless onto the bed on the left side of the room -
<br /><br />
Faceless trips and lands awkwardly -
<br /><br />
And clutches his leg as though in pain (but without making a sound).</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Let me know if there's any trouble. I'll try and find the time to come down. Night, darlings.
<br />
<br />
<i>He leaves -
<br /><br />
Slamming the door.
<br /><br />
Fermia watches Faceless apprehensively.
<br /><br />
Goes to speak -
<br /><br />
Stops.
<br /><br />
But then, seeing that his leg's still in pain, gives him a smile.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Sorry about him. Some of these Gaolhouse guards are worse than the inmates.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless looks over.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Not much of a talker? That's okay. Are you alright?
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless nods.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Good. Don't worry, I'll look after you. There's a group of us - there's me, the Jade Pawn, the Cluster Girls, Elderkite. They're nice. We've got Loan Shark on our side, so the big guys leave us
alone, mostly. Are you hungry?
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless shakes his head.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Good. Best not call a guard until Lithgow's shift is over. That's the guard who was just here, Lithgow. Don't let him know you need anything. He likes the power.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless raises a palm -
<br /><br />
Places it on the force wall, which glows blue.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
It doesn't switch off. Keeps us safe from each other, that's the idea. Chronal of the Scribblers campaigned for them. Stopped the violence. But now, if you get the wrong guards, they don't care
who gets put together. Old enemies. Sweet guys put with awful bullies. And, well - there's no privacy. You can't force people to look away, so a lot of us have to get changed under the covers.
Don't worry! I'll look away when you get changed.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless nods.
<br /><br />
Raises his hands to his mask -
<br /><br />
Pauses.
<br /><br />Removes it -
<br /><br />
Revealing that his face is severely deformed, not recognisable as a face.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Oh, I'm so sorry. I mean - sorry, I don't want to patronise you ...
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless shakes his head.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
It must be hard. But don't worry. I'll stand by you.<br />
<i>(beat)</i><br />
Thing is, I'm not meant to have a roommate. The medics said that I - Well, we might get separated. But whatever happens, I'll come and find you. You won't be alone.<br />
<i>(beat)</i><br />
Oh, before you hear it from anyone else, I didn't -
<br />
<br />
<i>The door slams open.
<br /><br />
Faceless turns his head.
<br /><br />
Lithgow is back. As he talks, Faceless gets his mask back on.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
It's good news, newbie. Police can't get any information on you. Looks like you're going to be here for a long time. Unless ... Hey! Here's a thought. I don't suppose you want to tell me who
you're working for?<br />
<i>(beat)</i><br />
Come on, son. You got past all those guards? You look like an idiot, but you've got resources.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lithgow throws a notebook at Faceless (whose mask is on now) -
<br /><br />
And a pen.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Tell me who you're working for. I get a feather in my cap, and you - you'll get to drink tonight. Must be thirsty by now. Tit for tat.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless looks at him -
<br /><br />
Takes the notepad and pen -
<br /><br />
Writes on it.
<br /><br />
Hands it to Lithgow.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Good man.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lithgow reads the notebook.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
You little worm.
<br />
<br />
<i>He throws the book at Faceless's face, hard.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
You kiss your mother with that mouth?
<br />
<br />
<i>He walks to the bed -
<br /><br />
Punches Faceless in the stomach.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
No!
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless curls up.
<br /><br />
Lithgow grabs Faceless's shoulder.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Leave him alone!
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Alright, newbie. Let's get ourselves a bit more privacy.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>4. INT. MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRIDOR - Day 2. 2020</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>As seen in <u>Escapes!</u>. LITHGOW leads FACELESS to a large, heavy door.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
Five minutes ought to do it. Then we'll see if you need -
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless slaps Lithgow.
<br /><br />
Lithgow kicks him in the knee -
<br /><br />
Faceless buckles.</i>
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
That's it, mate. Keep that coming. You've earned yourself ten minutes.
<br />
<br />
<i>He opens the door -</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>5. INT. MAXIMUM SECURITY CELL - Day 2. 2020</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>FACELESS is thrown into a pitch black room, the only light coming from the door.
<br /><br />
It slams shut, and all is darkness -
<br /><br />
But ten feet in the air, enormous eyes glow red.</i>
<br />
<br />
VOICE (OOV)<br />
You have entered the blasphemous prison. You will know pain, and you will return to the world of men with my message.
<br />
<br />
<i>The room glows golden, revealing LORD PEGASUS, sitting on an enormous throne. His left leg is chained to the throne. He holds his sceptre in his right hand.
<br /><br />
Faceless opens his robe -
<br /><br />
Revealing his bare chest.
<br /><br />
He tears at the skin -
<br /><br />
Which comes off like rubber -
<br /><br />
Revealing robotic innards, including a large television screen.
<br /><br />
He slides open a panel in the tech -
<br /><br />
Revealing a very old, expensive-looking bottle of wine.
<br /><br />
The screen activates -
<br /><br />
Revealing NIOBE.</i>
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
My Lord Pegasus. I present to you my servant - one of my own children.
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
You care for your Niobids. You are foolish to send one into my domain. You will pay for your insolence.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Oh, hang on, hang on. Um, that is, hang on my lord. This bottle of wine - it is one of four remaining bottles of this vintage in the world. Three hundred years old, it is estimated to be worth
four million Euros. Of course, I had to pay a lot more than that for it - you know what collectors are like.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless opens the bottle - gripping the cork tightly and pulling it out.</i>
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
I present this libation to my Lord Pegasus, lightning-bearer to Zeus himself.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless pours the wine directly onto the floor.
<br /><br />
Lord Pegasus snorts.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
You have earned my ear.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Right, yes, good-oh. My lord. Thing is, I'm here to ask a favour.
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
You push your luck as ever, Niobe of Lydia.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Of Lydia? Who told you that? No, never mind - here's what I ask. I have need of your sceptre.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lord Pegasus stands -
<br /><br />
And walks towards Faceless -
<br /><br />
Standing intimidatingly over him.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
You are foolish indeed. You knew I would kill your spawn.
<br />
<br />
<i>He lifts the sceptre -
<br /><br />
Pointing it at Faceless.</i>
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
No! Do listen, my lord. Just let me finish.
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
Your wine buys my attention. Nothing in this world will buy my sceptre.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
I will defeat Finity of the Scribblers.
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
Your speech grows tedious.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Hang on, not Finity - Finesse.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lord Pegasus straightens.
<br /><br />
Lowers the sceptre.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
Niobe, old friend. Kill her. Present her to me as a sacrifice.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lord Pegasus aims his sceptre at the ground in front of Faceless -
<br /><br />
And a lump of shiny MINERAL appears, the size of a cricket ball.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
Take this. It will go far. It is the metal from which my armour is formed. It will shield you from the woman who dared lay hands on her god.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless lifts the mineral -
<br /><br />
Places it inside his mechanism, where the bottle of wine had been.</i>
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
Take the sceptre. If you turn on me, you will die.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
I am loyal to you, my lord. You have chosen wisely.
<br />
<br />
<i>Faceless lifts the robe from his left arm -
<br /><br />
Tears the skin, revealing a hollow space underneath -
<br /><br />
Lifts the sceptre -
<br /><br />
Places it inside. It is so long that Faceless's left arm can no longer bend.</i>
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Now, do be gentle with him.
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS<br />
I will leave your kin unharmed.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Ah, no, that's the thing. We need to keep this arrangement secret. The guard will need to believe my darling's a common thief. So ...
<br />
<br />
LORD PEGASUS
I will damage the child.
<br />
<br />
NIOBE<br />
Thank you, precious.
<br />
<br />
<i>The screen fades to black.</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>6. INT. PRISON CELL - Day 2. 2045</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>FERMIA sitting on the bed.
<br /><br />
The door opens -
<br /><br />
FACELESS is thrown onto his bed by LITHGOW. Faceless's outfit is soaked with blood.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
What have you done to him?
<br />
<br />
LITHGOW<br />
I'd keep quiet, if I were you. Unless you want to test what happens when someone with your reputation tells tales.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lithgow grins.
<br /><br />
Closes the door.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Right, don't worry, we'll get you fixed up tomorrow. Uber Cleric owes Elderkite a favour from Christmas, we can -
<br />
<br />
<i>A six-foot wormhole appears next to Faceless's desk -
<br /><br />
And SUPERNOVA walks out -
<br /><br />
And the wormhole closes (the same effect as seen in <u>Supernova</u>).</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
Good job.
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
You can't do that! You can't teleport in here.
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
You'd be surprised what I can do. You were kind to my brother. Thank you.
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
That's alright.
<br />
<br />
<i>Supernova approaches Faceless -
<br /><br />
Opens his robe.</i>
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
Wait, you'll get us in trouble.
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
Us? You don't need to worry about us.
<br />
<br />
<i>She tears the skin from Faceless's chest -
<br /><br />
Retrieves the mineral.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
I won't be here, for starters.
<br />
<br />
<i>She tears the skin from Faceless's arm -
<br /><br />
Retrieves the sceptre.
<br /><br />
She opens a small wormhole -
<br /><br />
Drops the mineral and sceptre inside.
<br /><br />
Faceless's skin starts to grow back.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
And my brother here - well, he'll be just like new. A few bruises from his adventures with Lord Pegasus, but no sign of naughtiness. No, you don't need to worry about us. You need to worry about
yourself.
<br />
<br />
<i>Supernova walks towards Fermia -
<br /><br />
Hitting the force wall, which glows blue.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
What?
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
It's the -
<br />
<br />
<i>Supernova opens two wormholes, on either side of the wall -
<br /><br />
Walks through one -
<br /><br />
And out of the other.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
See, you're the only loose end here. The only one who knows what we've been doing.
<br />
<br />
FERMIA<br />
I won't tell anyone, I swear. Ask your brother, we're friends, we -
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
I'm really sorry. I really am.
<br />
<br />
<i>Supernova reveals a knife.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA<br />
But it has to look like suicide.
<br />
<br />
<u>THE END</u>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-22017499240057606952013-08-02T16:55:00.000+00:002013-08-02T16:55:10.519+00:00Cymru - the Apothecarists' Tale<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I wrote this because Iceduck gave me a challenge yesterday to write a 2000 word short story set in the Cymruverse about a misunderstanding between a shopkeeper and a customer, and told me I had until 3pm today. That translated into about five hours of time, in the end, because of Stuff. So it's shit. But I'm pleased at my speed, so I thought I'd put it here. Heads up: it's completely unedited.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
****** </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ooh, Eira! We've had that new conditioner in! Truth be
told you could do with some, girl; your hair looks fucking terrible at the
minute."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mine</i> looks
terrible?" Eira straightened, and stared in disbelief at her
eighty-year-old mother's thin, grey hair. "Good <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gods</i> woman, you barely even have any. And I shan't even start on
your skin."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Eira, bach, of course <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> look like porridge," Mari said, shaking her head. "I'm
old, that's the privilege I earned. You're only sixty."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You're an idiot," Eira said irritably,
straightening the baskets of hair soaps with unnecessary vigour. "And you
never had good hair anyway."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, that's true," Mari nodded reminiscently. She
lined up the medicine bags on the shelves swiftly, gnarled fingers dancing.
"Ooh, I looked a tit when I was younger. You got that from me. Shame. I
got asked out last night, mind."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I am, of course, fascinated by your love life,"
Eira said brusquely, scanning the shelves. "However, I must stress that my
fascination for why you haven't finished making the cough medicines is stronger."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Because I got asked out last night," Mari
repeated patiently. "Bloody addled you are, do keep up you little twat. I
was in the pub up on fifth -"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The Goat's Horn?" Eira asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The one with that foolish eighteen-year-old who short-changed you and
tried to steal your purse? You truly are an idiot. Give me that broom."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Having a drink, I was," Mari nodded happily,
passing over the broom. "And in comes Bedwyr Gefail, you know, the
blacksmith with the angry grandson with the stupid beard -"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes I know," Eira interrupted, exasperated.
"There's only oneBedwyr Gefail! And he's been here seventy five years! I
think I've just about spotted it by now."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"- and he comes up to me and he says 'Mari, I've been
wanting to ask for months. We must go dancing. Will you dance with me?'"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a pause. The soft, busy noise of the street
outside the shop filtered in. Eira sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"And you said?" she asked resignedly. Mari grinned
a triumphant grin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I said no!" she cackled. "'I'm eighty!' I
said! 'I couldn't even dance when I was young, I was a fucking menace dancing!'
I tried a bloody hornpipe one night and your father went home wearing my shoe
in his bloody ear! He looked proper sad, though, so I feel a bit of a bitch
now, truth be told."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good," said Eira primly. "Though he's
actually dodged an arrow. Now get behind the counter; I'm opening up."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, and I told your father that a few times and
all," Mari sniggered, ignoring Eira's vicious glare as she scurried back
to her seat. "I was always good at other types of dancing!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Great," Eira said evenly, moving to the door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Fucking, I mean -"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">got</i> it,
Mam!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doors opened to reveal a queue. That wasn't unusual -
the apothecary tended to be engulfed in an immediate rush first thing, since
people needed speedy cosmetics so as not to die socially in the event of
unexpected guests and speedy medicines so as not to die permanently in the
event of unexpected illness. Also, this queue was headed by Elidir Gwyn, who
was generally the first customer through the door to beg advice about at least
three different ailments he was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">certain </i>he'd
developed overnight and also which hair soaps to use. It was all reassuringly
normal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oddly, though, the bulk of that morning's queue seemed to be
a throng of people from the Etruscan district, holding delivery boxes and
looking politely wretched. Eira swore internally. That, she reflected,
suggested a Problem. They had a Thing. And she knew at least three of them, and
they barely spoke a word of Cymric, which was going to make sorting the Thing
difficult.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Eira!" Elidir said nervously. "Um. Sorry to
be a bother, but, um, I think I might have the plague."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Really?" Eira asked sternly. "And you
decided the best option was to leave home and spread it about? For goodness'
sake man, use some sense. Get in."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He squeaked something that might have been 'meep', and
scuttled in. Eira sniffed, glanced once more at the worried Etruscans, and
followed him in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Elidir!" Mari was saying brightly inside.
"Morning, bach. What fake illness do you have today, then?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Plague," Elidir said mournfully.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Plague," Mari said admiringly as Eira rounded the
counter. "Bugger me, boy, but you've had that a lot this Half, it seems.
You should be bloody immune by now. What symptoms?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nose and eyes like a tap!" Elidir moaned. The
Etruscans lined up patiently behind him, clutching their delivery boxes,
worried smiles in place. " And I've got this rash. It itches, it does,
Mari -"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, well, that's fleas, you daft bastard," Mari
said sagaciously. "Your Ffion has been bringing home cats again, and
you're allergic, man."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Really?" Elidir asked, in the voice of a man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">almost</i> relieved but afraid to take the
branch offered just in case. "But -"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good gods, man!" Eira snapped. "It's bloody
fleas! Take some fleabane, wash your sheets and get out!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Meep!" Elidir may have squeaked, and got out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well," Mari said conversationally. "You
bollocksed up that bit of customer relations. Yes, bechod, can we help you
all?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Er," said an Etruscan, eyeing Eira warily.
"Is no soap?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He held out his delivery box. Eira and Mari peered in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It contained a fairly unremarkable selection of items; deodorant,
tooth powder, two blocks of hair soap, a stoppered clay phial of conditioner
and three bags of selfheal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Buggered if I know what he's on about," Mari
muttered. "What about you?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Soap?" Eira asked, frowning. She pointed at the
hair soap. "That?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No," the man shook his head. Others had stepped
forward now, showing their own boxes. "Not... Should be soap?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Another kind of soap, maybe?" Eira asked
perplexed. "Check the orders, Mam, see if we forgot to include some."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Er..." The Etruscans huddled for a moment,
whispering swiftly; then the man stepped back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No missing from order," he said confidently.
"With order. Free soap."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eira gasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mari dropped the order forms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a short, shocked silence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Etruscans looked terrified.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Free?</i>"
Mari demanded, reeling. "What's he saying? What the pigging fuck is he
saying, Eira? He wants <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">free</i> things?!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Young man," Eira said, with all the stern gravity
she could muster. "We do not use the word 'free' in this shop."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Er..."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You have placed your order and it has been
fulfilled!" Eira continued, forbidding. "We do not add free things!
This is a shop! We only add free things if my mother here is attempting to take
you to bed!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Etruscans all looked at Mari in fascination.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"And even then, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
</i>do not approve!" Eira thundered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh my fucking days, she does not," Mari muttered.
"Still won't let me hear the end of that one."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But," the Etruscan said nervously, sweat
obviously beading on his forehead, "offer is free soap with order for us,
no? We are told - we were told we get free soap because we... are being
Etruscans?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You're being Etruscans?" Mari asked, one eyebrow
raised. "What, aren't you really? No offense, bach, but that's fucking
cultural appropriation right there. No soap for you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You are dim-witted," Eira told her irritably.
"He's saying they were told they'd get free soap because they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> Etruscan."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Really?" Mari asked skeptically. "I like
Etruscans as much as the next lot, but fuck me that does not make them unique
and special snowflakes entitled to my bloody soap."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Special offer?" the sweating Etruscan tried.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Do you know how long I spent on that pissing
soap?" Mari demanded. "Look at my hands! I'm making it with fucking
claws! I am not pissing it away just because you have a pretty accent!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Right, hang on," Eira said, folding her arms and
glaring down the Etruscans. They wilted slightly more. "Did you say you
were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">told</i> you'd get free soap for
being Etruscan?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Er..." said the man. Today was clearly not a good
day for him. "Yes?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Who told you? When?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Um..."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a pause as they all went back into their huddle.
Mari glowered. Eira tapped her foot. The man emerged from the huddle, looking
miserable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Is - was boy. Eight-een? With leather on him, like
Rider but not. Um. Hercna has seen him by forge. Was with us this
morning."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eira leaned forward. They leaned back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Was he... angry?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man gave her a look that fairly succinctly suggested
that, however angry the boy might have seemed, current comparisons were
rendering that a difficult assertion to stand by. A young woman, no more than
thirty, stepped forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Please?" she suggested. "He had stupid
beard."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They all sniggered. Eira drew herself up. They all stopped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I see</i>,"
she seethed. "So you turned down his grandfather for dancing and now he's
trying to give us a bad name."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Bedwyr's boy?!" Mari asked, indignant.
"Well, fuck me pink! Bedwyr already suffers with his toes, I was doing the
silly bastard a favour!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Give them some soap," Eira declared, grabbing a
shawl. Mari nearly spluttered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What?!</i>"
she yowled. "I spent fucking ages on that batch! I even put some of that
bloody lavendar in!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Give them a small sample each," Eira repeated.
"As a show of good faith. Tell them it won't happen again, and if that boy
comes to them again they can tan his hide if I haven't already, which is now a
distinct possibility. I'll be back in a bit."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What has the fucking world come to?" Mari asked
darkly, turning to haul up a block of soap as Eira headed for the door.
"Well? Don't just stand there you twats! Help me get this on the
counter!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sound of the whole throng of Etruscans running to help
echoed in Eira's ears as she left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The forge was a street above theirs, with the speediest
route to it being a flight of alley steps populated by pick-pockets and the odd
beggar. By the time she reached the street she was out of breath from the steps
and from smacking three teenagers upside the head with her shoe after they
aimed at her pockets, which although holding a certain catharsis, nonetheless
didn't help Eira's mood. So when she arrived at the forge and saw Bedwyr
sitting at a table to one side, carefully polishing a row of horse brasses and
unbothered by soap-seeking Etruscans, her temper rose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Right!" she snarled, marching in and slamming her
shoe down on the table in front of him for effect. He almost jumped higher than
the brasses. "Asking my mother to dance! Sending us Etruscans to ask for
free soap! Trying to give us a bad name! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Explain
yourself, Bedwyr Gefail!</i>"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I... what?" He looked up at her, wide-eyed and
lost, a brass clutched in his hand. "Eira? What are you - ?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If I wanted to spend a further five minutes repeating
myself rest assured I'd have started already," she thundered. "Why
have you done this! Because she turned you down? It was a mercy! Her dancing is
so bad she can clear entire taverns! It's probably law in Tregwylan that she
doesn't!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Hang on," Bedwyr said slowly. "She turned me
down because she can't dance?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Of course she did!" Eira snarled. "And I
don't care! Your grandson has spent the morning telling Etruscans we're going
to give them free soap! Focus on that bit!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh gods." Bedwyr looked horrified. "Right.
Well, how does three free sacks of oxides sound in compensation, for starters?
High quality, you know it will be."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sounded amazing. Her temper didn't quite agree yet,
though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Excellent!" she yelled. "What about your
grandson?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh, I will kill him, Eira bach, don't you worry."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Will you? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Will
you</i>? I want him dead!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh, it'll be no trouble, he'll make the forge burn hotter."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh, um, I realise that probably feels like a
satisfactory solution to you both," said a concerned voice behind Eira,
"but do you mind using less illegal fuels and I'll just arrest your
grandson?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They turned, and Eira's stomach lurched. A Rider was
standing by the door, probably attracted by the shouting, and weirdly, trying
to politely insert itself into the procedings. It was female, and exotically
dark, with honey-dark skin and black eyes. It was also deceptively small, but
Eira knew well that meant it would be fast and agile. And it wore a Tutor's
sash over an informal uniform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it was offering to sort out Bedwyr's bloody grandson.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"That sounds marvellous, Rider," Eira nodded.
"I'd consider it a particular favour if you could feed him to your young
Riders."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I wish people didn't keep saying that," the Rider
sighed morosely. "I just make dens with them and teach them what rowan
berries look like, you know. It's not remotely creepy."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You're wearing daggers imbued with the blood of your
enemies," Bedwyr said, fascinated. The Rider rolled its eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Whom I didn't then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eat</i>,"
it said. "And they were trying to kill me. Anyway. Where is your
grandson?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ruining my business," Eira snapped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"In the back," Bedwyr said. The Rider beamed at
them both, disconcertingly bright and cheerful, before moving to the back of
the shop. Eira sniffed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Creepy things," she muttered, ignoring Bedwyr's
disapproving glance. "Goodbye, Bedwyr. I shall remember you to our
Mam."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Will you?" He brightened. "Thank you. Um.
What activity should I ask her to, do you think?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good gods man, isn't it obvious?" Eira said.
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Drinking</i>. Always
drinking."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He wasn't so bad, Eira reflected as she made her way back
down. And three sacks of oxides meant they could make some excellent cosmetics
this month. All in all it had actually been a profitable morning, therefore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Mari would never forgive her for that soap.</div>
Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-50212338582299377272013-03-08T18:41:00.000+00:002013-09-01T23:39:01.508+00:00Scribblers: Supernova<u>Scribblers</u>
<br />
<u>"Supernova"</u>
<br />
by Steffan Alun
<br />
<br />
<u>1. INT. THE PIT - LIVING AREA - Day 1. 0900</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>LYRIC is having fun with A ROBOT!</i>
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Robot robot robot!
<br />
<br />
<i>CHRONAL enters, gorgeous beast.</i>
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
You finally managed to make a robot!
<br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
Yes he did!
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
Why did you give it Cloudburst's voice?
<br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
I am a robot.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
I am going to the shops to show off my new robot.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>2. INT. THE SHOPS - Day 1. 0930</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>LYRIC and ROBOT are having a lovely day. They both have ice creams.</i>
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
This is the best robot day ever.
<br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
I am a robot. Mm, this ice cream's lush.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
I tried making ice cream once. Tripped over my words and made a big splodge.
<br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
What's a splodge?
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Oh, robot. You have so much to learn about humans.
<br />
<br />
<i>A PERSON appears! She is dressed in a coooool crimson costume! Maybe it's a superhero?</i>
<br />
<br />
PERSON
<br />
Freeze.
<br />
<br />
<i>She holds out her hands!
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And Lyric is pulled to the ground! Almost as though gravity itself had increased lots! OMG!</i><br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
Oh no! A supervillain! Activating super robot powers.
<br />
<br />
<i>Dark clouds gather above -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>A lightning bolt strikes -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>But the person absorbs the energy, instead of being comically electrocuted!</i><br />
<br />
ROBOT
<br />
Robot is sad.
<br />
<br />
<i>The person holds out her hands again -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And robot is sucked towards her -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And she punches poor robot in the face!</i><br />
<br />
PERSON
<br />
I win round one. I'll be back later.
<br />
<br />
<i>And the person is gone! Wow! What a supervillain!</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>3. EXT. THE PARK - Day 2. 1000</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>AMITY and OVERLOAD are on the swings.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>CAPTION: "The following day ..."</i><br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
What if she wins next time?
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
Has Fountain Girl ever won?
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Yes, once! It was 1994.
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
I think you're probably safe, then.
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Okay. Your turn.
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
I've forgotten the rules.
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Oh, is this a game? I thought we were just talking!
<br />
<br />
<i>Suddenly, a PERSON appears! She is a supervillain! We met her before, remember?</i>
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Oh, hey, you were mean to my friend! And his robot!
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
Yeah! Robots have feelings too!
<br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
Do they?
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Uh, this one does.
<br />
<br />
<i>The supervillain holds up her hands, pointing towards Overload -</i>
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
No no no! Don't make me fight. Ms Glass says I mustn't.
<br />
<br />
<i>Overload is sucked towards the supervillain -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And then thrust away with incredible force!
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Crash! The see-saw will never be the same again.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Mate, I get that you're a villain and everything, but do you need to be such a bully about it?
<br />
<br />
<i>Amity frowns -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And the supervillain HOLLERS!
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And escapes!</i><br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Oh, cool, I won Round Two. I can't wait to tell Animalgaman.
<br />
<br />
OVERLOAD
<br />
Maybe he'd like to meet at some sort of medical facility that specialises in Overload's bones.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>4. INT. THE PIT - LIVING AREA - Day 3. 1200</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The furniture in the pit is arranged as an obstacle course - row of chairs, balanced pyrmids of tins, big tinsel webs.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>SHIFT on one end, WRAITH holding the stopwatch.</i><br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
Ready, steady ...
<br />
<br />
<i>A SUPERVILLAIN appears! Shift's face falls.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
Time for the semi-final.
<br />
<br />
<i>Wraith becomes invisible -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>But his light is drawn towards the supervillain -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And the room goes dark!
</i><br />
<br />
<i>There's lots of grunts and shouts and punchy sounds.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>The light returns, and Wraith has been taken out, and Shift is missing.</i><br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
Round three to me.
<br />
<br />
<i>A BAT flutters down from the ceiling and becomes SHIFT.</i>
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
No, hang on, that doesn't count. I didn't get a chance to do anything.
<br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
The finale is at midday tomorrow. I call on Chronal to face me at Battle Field. The terms of combat - his wife is to stay away.
<br />
<br />
<i>She disappears!</i>
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
Oh, lame, she broke the tinsel web.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>5. EXT. BATTLE FIELD - Day 4. 1200</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>CHRONAL is ready & extremely talented. AMITY, SHIFT, WRAITH, LYRIC and ROBOT are gathered to watch.</i>
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
She's late.
<br />
<br />
<i>The SUPERVILLAIN appears!</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
I am not late.
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
I have perfect timing!
<br />
<br />
SUPERVILLAIN
<br />
We'll see about that.
<br />
<br />
<i>The villain holds a hand towards a distant tree -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Which uproots - </i><br />
<br />
<i>And shoots towards Chronal.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
I can see why you didn't want Finesse here.
<br />
<br />
<i>Chronal freezes the tree in time.</i>
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
She'd be livid at that sort of behaviour. Replant it.
<br />
<br />
<i>The villain holds another hand towards Chronal!</i>
<br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
Argh!
<br />
<br />
<i>The tree shoots towards him -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Connects!
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Knocking Chronal to the ground!</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
What have you done to me?
<br />
<br />
<i>He runs towards the villain -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Speeding up as he does so -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>(Ooh, superspeed!)
</i><br />
<br />
<i>The villain holds up both hands -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And Chronal suddenly stops.</i><br />
<br />
VILLAIN
<br />
I am SUPERNOVA.
<br />
<br />
<i>Chronal fights the freeze, struggling to get closer.</i>
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA
<br />
You think time matters to me? I eat time for breakfast.
<br />
<br />
<i>Chronal is released -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>But he's exhausted -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And falls to the ground.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Amity steps forwards.</i><br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
I defeated her before.
<br />
<br />
<i>Supernova holds a hand towards Wraith -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Appears to suck darkness out of him -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And the darkness engulfs Amity.</i><br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA
<br />
It's me against Chronal. Time versus space. Alright. I will give you one free hit.
<br />
<br />
<i>She stands still, arms outstretched behind her.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Chronal stands -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Slowly -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And blasts her with, um, time blasts. Yeah.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>But they have no effect.</i><br />
<br />
CHRONAL
<br />
You're completely immune.
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA (suddenly cheerful)
<br />
Excellent. Well, that's all I needed you to check. I'll be heading off now.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
What?! You were using him for a check-up?
<br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA
<br />
Oh, no. Certainly not. There's a lot more to come from me.
<br />
<br />
<i>She grabs Chronal's wrist.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Chronal is too weakened to struggle.</i><br />
<br />
SUPERNOVA
<br />
It's been a real pleasure meeting you, Chronal. I look forward to the rest of our lives together.
<br />
(beat)
<br />
As nemeses.
<br />
<br />
<i>Behind Supernova, a six-foot wormhole opens.
</i><br />
<br />
<i>She steps inside -
</i><br />
<br />
<i>And it closes.</i><br />
<br />
<u>THE END</u>Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-72108976888659542032013-02-23T16:40:00.000+00:002013-02-23T16:40:39.551+00:00Scribblers: Escapes!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Scribblers:
Escapes!</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock Exercise Yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1708</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
An exercise yard, full of SUPERVILLAINS exercising
in orange jumpsuits with a colour-coded waist stripe. Most are wearing power
inhibitor collars, each with a glowing blue light. To one side the seven
RAINBOW WARRIORS are playing handball against the FROZEN EMPERORS, LONDON FOG
and GRANITE, a game that occasionally devolves into mindless fisticuffs until
the GUARDS separate them with pokey sticks. AWKWARD DISTANCE MAN is watching/getkting
in the way. DARK SUPER SKELETON, the HUMAN APPLE and ALIEN DAVE are muttering
dreams of revenge in a corner; in another, GUTTER PRESS is huddled, weeping and
ignored. Exercise equipment is being used by PRONOUN, PEGGINGTON, DARK HAND and
some RAINBOW SOLDIERS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
At the end of the yard, COOL BOX is sitting at a
chess board, glaring in an imperial-but-loser fashion at the pieces. MEDIUM
approaches and sits opposite him, watching him with a small, sharp smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX (disdainfully)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
- ? Oh. It's you. Still <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">looking</i>,
then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As he speaks, a small caption appears in the panel
beside him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Cool Box</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Production and manipulation of an ice-like
substance</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Yellow</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seeing.
A small but important distinction. Are you playing against yourself?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Medium</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: To see what is hidden.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Red</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOLBOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
course. No one in this hole could keep up with a privately-educated mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
white side will lose in twelve moves, or the black in either six or eight
depending on the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>white bishop. State
school, before you ask.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Coolbox glares. Medium shrugs dismissively.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do
you just make it your goal to spoiler things for everyone?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes.
If I'm bored. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
so - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He stops, as a silence suddenly envelops the yard.
A TALL, BROAD MAN, long face, long white hair and fevered, glassy eyes has
entered, trailed by two ALERT GUARDS. He looks around at the silent, watching
villains and smiles, his eyes blazing, before nodding to the guards. He leaves
again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a collective exhale, as people resume
their activities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX (fascinated)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who
on earth was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that?!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Want
some advice on surviving in here?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whatever
allegiances, whatever enemies you make while you're here, remember this, Ice <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Boy -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">name -</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stay
the hell away from Frenzy. As far as you can.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He shifts uncomfortably at her intensity. She
watches him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right.
Fine. Thanks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Information
is power. And you can pay me back right now. I hear you spent time with the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Scribblers recently?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOLBOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
that. Yes. I'd have beaten them, too, if it hadn't been for me being, um, two
people at <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
two pairs of eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She looks at him hard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
did you see?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>City Hall, Main Conference Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1708</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A large conference room, with plush velvet
curtains and long windows, a bit Victorian-era. In the middle is a long table and
lined with chairs. FINESSE, COMMISSIONER MORGAN, the new FIRST MINISTER (late
50s, thoughtful, learned), MR OSWALD and various other MPs and people of
importance are sitting around the table. There is a holo-display in the middle,
floating just high enough that they can see each other; currently, information
files on Sintaro and Niobe are displayed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FIRST
MINISTER</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
this is all the concrete evidence so far?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
sir. Although we have a fair amount of educated conjecture, based on prior experience <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>and the odd villainous monologue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FIRST
MINISTER</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
word, do they really do that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(with feeling)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MR
OSWALD (archly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Really?
That seems somewhat unlikely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(calmly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
many things do if you have no experience of them whatsoever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COMMISSIONER
MORGAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence
all. I have no patience for snark. Are any other Scribblers available today for
their <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>input?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pit Living Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1130
(Flashback)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
FINESSE, CHRONAL, AMITY, DOG, SHIFT and WRAITH are
chillin'. LYRIC enters, carrying GEORGE (a baby). Wraith looks up, and
vanishes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey
kids. So, Axiom has given me George to look after today -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse screams and runs out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>City Hall, Main Conference Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1708</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 2.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe
Wraith?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COMMISSIONER
MORGAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fair
enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock Security Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1714</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A room containing three SECURITY GUARDS and
several long banks of monitor screens showing every single room in the prison;
other screens show the power outputs of the prison, the status of the inhibitor
collars, the status of the communication link with the mainland, and so on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUARD
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nearly
quarter past. Better do the checks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She moves to the nearest screen, and activates the
sound. On it, we see a plain room with ARMED GUARDS around the edges, a BESPECTACLED
PSYCHIATRIST sitting in a chair and a HUGE, BESTIAL MAN shackled onto a
psychiatrist's couch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>BESPECTACLED
PSYCHIATRIST</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
what made you want to eat him, Cannibal? What were you thinking at the time?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL
(harsh grunts)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swings,
w'un it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>BESPECTACLED
PSYCHIATRIST</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He'd
been on the swings?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(grins)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Never
been on swings. Wanted to know what it felt like.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The next screen shows FRENZY being escorted back
to his cell; another shows a library, with TOXIC sitting at a desk idly
reading, ignoring various other VILLAINS behind her; another shows a secure
vault-like room, its bound occupant a huge, hulking shadow within, with the
words LORD PEGASUS - CONTAINMENT SECURE across the screen; and others. The
Guard nods, and glances at her colleagues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUARD
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
accounted for here, Lord Pegasus is still down, and Cannibal is disgusting. You
guys?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUARD
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah,
we're good. Hey, anyone see the rugby on the weekend?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
They chat on, and don't notice the screens in the
corner. Three suddenly cut out for a few seconds and then flicker back on,
showing looped footage from ten minutes ago; and at the end of the row a
progress bar appears below the words UPLOADING - PLEASE WAIT. It speedily
reaches 100%, and information starts flickering across the screen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock Exercise Yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1714</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 1. Medium suddenly looks up,
staring at the cameras intently, and then smiles slightly and returns to the
conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Called
the Monastery?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.
No idea what or where it is, though, bloody Finesse went and threw me back
together <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>in my cell before they
went there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Doesn't
matter. All I'd need is a map. But she was scared?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
- she sort of... froze for a second. Lyric and the weak Shift didn't.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look,
are we done? I have a chess game here that you've gone and spoilered for me -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We're
done. I lied, by the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She stands, and moves the black queen into check.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COOL
BOX</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?!
But how did - ?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
really have no more time to spare.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She leaves, her stride confident. Cool Box looks
sadly at his little game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE PIT - LIVING ROOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1715</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CHRONAL, AMITY, DOG, SHIFT and LYRIC are gathered
on the floor with GEORGE, surrounded by a small landscape of baby toys,
blankets and books. Currently George is in Shift's arms, looking as bemused as
a baby can while Chronal tries to take him from her. Lyric is muttering a new
toy into being. Amity is reading one of the books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
just don't see why a younger audience means you have to forgo proper stucture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
he can't read or speak yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
no excuse. It's just the word 'Look' on every page.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Except
the last one -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
refuse to accept the phrase 'Look in here!' as a plot resolution, Lyric.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
just don't like it because you can't ship any characters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
turn now?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No!
We agreed! Five-minute turns each with the adorable baby! And I know you know
it <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>hasn't been five minutes,
Time Boy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
he's so adorable! I want him now! Hey, can we keep him?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes!
Let's keep him!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
think Finesse and Wraith would leave the team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pit - The Pit - Communications Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1715</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A lived-in looking room full of computers and
communications devices and the like. It also contains tidy amounts of clutter,
a small forest of used mugs on the side and some squashy beanbags on the floor.
WRAITH is sitting on a spinny chair, idly trolling 4chan while drawing
character designs in a sketchpad. Occasionally, he mutters to himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
it's transphobic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> sexist,
snowflake. Have him boiled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A screen to his left lights up suddenly, and he
blinks and looks across. Gaolhouse Rock is depicted on it with the message
"WARNING - SIGNAL BLOCKED" flashing up -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
- which then vanishes. Wraith looks at it steadily
for a moment, then sighs as though hard done by and pushes his chair over to
it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
yes. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I'll </i>check it. It's like
everyone else is looking after a baby or something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He types at a keyboard, and a screen displays all
of the data for the prison. Wraith scans it, and then types again; lines of
code appear. He stares for a few seconds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hmm.
Most irregular.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 -
1715</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A long, open room filled with low bookshelves and
intermittent GUARDS patrolling the edges. VILLAINS are sitting at the tables in
the middle, reading or talking quietly about their greatest superhero defeats;
TOXIC (34, ruthless, coarse) is reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perfume</i>
alone but near to ALIEN DAVE (short, alien-looking, tool), GREGORY THOUGHT
(wannabe mad professor) and PRONOUN (Scottish, sly). At the far end of the room
lurks POINT 34 (60s, cruel, sadistic), aloofly looking over a bookshelf.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
MEDIUM enters. She doesn't look around but moves
straight to Point 34, her movements calm but swift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
evening. Point 34, I presume?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Point 34</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: None; use of a suit of robotised armour
that allows super strength, flight and energy blasts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Red</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>POINT
34 (sneering)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
right. And you are?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Medium smiles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
job offer. And you decide right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock Exercise Yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1708</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 1.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Suddenly, the lights die. Prisoners look up as the
back-up lights kick in -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And die too -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Followed by the small lights on the power
inhibitor collars. Coolbox yelps as he ices the board suddenly -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
London Fog stumbles into her gaseous form for a
second before resolidifying, looking surprised -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And they all turn, and look at the guards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>City Hall, Main Conference Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1716</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The holo-screens are displaying information on
T.O.R.Y. - currently, COMMISSIONER MORGAN is glaring at a copy of the Goon
Contract and berating it, the FIRST MINISTER listening attentively. MR OSWALD
occasionally shoots a sneer at FINESSE, who ignores him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COMMISSIONER
MORGAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
it means that he's legally covered. These contracts protect him against both
the brain-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>washing and the
addictive side-effects. I loathe them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FIRST
MINISTER</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.
Odd how many of them are turning to this as a career, though, isn't it? Body <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>modification, mental programming...
and I mean, as goons they are expected to kill, surely?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MR
OSWALD</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nothing
wrong with that. So are soldiers, and they're heroes! </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
spectacular non-sequitur aside - yes, sir. Unfortunately, we have a structure
in which <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>villainy pays and
heroism doesn't. My husband has graphs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FIRST
MINISTER</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ooh,
really? I love graphs! Can - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse's communicator sounds and she sighs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Excuse
me. Yes?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Er,
you know Gaolhouse Rock? And how it needs electricity to live? So all the
villains stay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Please
tell me -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
signal was disrupted and then it was fine, so I checked the code, and it's been
changed <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>but I don't have the
original to compare to see how, but then I hacked their feed and the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>security footage is being looped but there's
something weird about the power outputs. Does <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>that
mean it's dead?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
lordy. I'm on my way. You're needed, Commissioner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>COMMISSIONER
MORGAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Excellent.
Is there time for explanations?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the way, yeah. Sorry sir.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
They stand and leave; as they pass the door, the
phones of everyone in the room begin to ring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pit - Living Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 -
1716</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 7. Chronal is playing with
George, while Shift transforms her face into various animals to amuse him.
Lyric is sitting nearby, watching him in bemusement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
just didn't realise you love babies so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Or
that Finesse hates them so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
parenting is going to become a complicated endevor for us. We're hopeful she'll
like any <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>kids of ours by the time
they're about seven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
WRAITH enters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey
guys. I think Gaolhouse Rock has stopped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?!
It's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stopped</i>?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like
the song?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah.
I had to use my pro hacking skillz. Finesse<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>says
you have to come too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
can't. I have to look after George.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
do -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's
changed our records. Like, ours. Here in Da Pit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What?!?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT
(blankly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Put
the baby down and get up, you saddo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal blurs, and George is suddenly in Lyric's
arms, Chronal on his feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Trans-Jet
in 30 seconds. I'm getting the current inmate lists; let's hope those haven't
been <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>changed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He vanishes. Shift looks longingly at George.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can't
he come - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT (sort of).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TV Screen .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1724</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A shot of Gaolhouse Rock from above and to one
side, beamed live from a news helicopter. It looks mostly calm if unlit, but a
closer look shows a lot of people running through the few open courtyards, and
the occasional window suddenly lit up by a flash of light within.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>REPORTER
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Live
from Gaolhouse Rock! I'm Hyperbole Rees! It's only been a few minutes since
this<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">terrifying </i>scene on your screen, but already some minute but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">probably consequencial</i> things <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>have happened! The Trans-Jet arrived
thirty seconds ago and parked on the mainland away <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>from the prison! Some Scribblers have gone in - it
looked to this reporter like Finesse, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Amity,
Wraith and Capten Cymru! But this is unconfirmed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NEWSCASTER
IN STUDIO (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hyperbole,
can you tell us if anyone is dead yet?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
I can't, Dai, but if you'll allow me a moment of professional conjecture, I'd
say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loads</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
you have it, viewers. Loads may be dead. And so far, the police have not been <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>forthcoming about the current inmate roster
- IS THIS A CONSPIRACY? Brought to you live, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>from
Gaolhouse Rock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Entrance Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1725</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A starkly-decorated room, about thirty feet
square, including the reception desk (now broken and destroyed), multiple
security scanners and gates (now broken and destroyed) and various doors (now
sans hinges). VILLAINS are fighting each other pettily on their way to the
massive front doors, settling old grievances as they escape. DAGGER MAN enters
through a side door, weedy and harrassed and wearing a blue waist stripe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Dagger Man</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: None; occasional use of a set of robotic
arms which end in kitchen implements</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Blue</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He dodges the fighting villains and scuttles to
the door -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Which slams open to reveal CHRONAL, with FINESSE,
SHIFT, AMITY and WRAITH behind him, knocking Dagger Man squealing into the
OCTOGENARIANS, who promptly beat him about the head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: The Octogenarians</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: All four members have super speed and
strength</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Yellow</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
disaffected youth!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
today!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
dash.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay,
I've checked and - hang on, do you say 'dash' now?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Proudly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He zips away to punch LASER FACE on the other side
of the room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Saddo.
Guys, this isn't the full inmate list - there are definitely fewer names than
there <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>should be. And
unless there have been a lot of surprising bails that we haven't been told <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>about, all of the white ranked names
are gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
that means -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maximum
Security. Dammit. Right, I'll go there -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hur
hur. "Go."</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Deviant.
Solar is en route to help get the inhibitor collars powered up again, we just
need to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>hold everyone down until she
does. Also this is the exit they'll all come to, Chronal should <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>stay here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aw,
what? Okay, but you'd better not have fun without me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fine.
Shift, Wraith, pick a direction and move in; Amity, you're on containment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Really?
Yay! What?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
want these people down and out, understand? And if that means a prison full of <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>hysterically and debilitatingly
weeping villains, so be it. Fix them later.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY(sadly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
I suppose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She looks at ALLERGY LAD, running forwards -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He looks at her, screams and runs away. Amity
sighs sadly, and moves into the building.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Side Corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1725</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A long, narrow corridor with various doors. The
FROZEN EMPERORS are having a slappy hands fight as they keep getting stuck
along it, since it isn't wide enough for five abreast; GUTTER PRESS and AWKWARD
DISTANCE MAN are racing along in front, heading for the exit -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everyone
stop being rebasses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Enter WRAITH at the end of the corridor, looking
menacing. Gutter Press bursts into tears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Gutter Press</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Lying</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Blue</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUTTER
PRESS</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
you! Not you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He runs away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cool.
Hey, the rest of you should do that too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AWKWARD
DISTANCE MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
a chance, Scribbler!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Awkward Distance Man</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: To make himself and objects be at awkward
distances</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Green</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And suddenly, he's right in Wraith's face! Swings
a punch -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith ducks back -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Into the optimum punching range, unfortunately. He
staggers back -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Awkward Distance Man is too close again, swinging
another punch -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith moves forward instead to headbutt him -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Awkward Distance Man is suddenly slightly too far
back, Wraith's skull only grazing him. Wraith glares.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right,
Awkward Dick Stance Man -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AWKWARD
DISTANCE MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey,
it's - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith throws up a hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Awkward Distance Man's eyes become invisible!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AWKWARD
DISTANCE MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Argh!
I'm blind! What have you done?!?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith punches him in the face -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Kicks him in the stomach - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And drops him to the floor, out cold, and lying
uncomfortably close to Wraith. He looks up. The Frozen Emperors finally unstick
themselves and watch him, warily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: The Frozen Emperors</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Cryokinesis</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Orange</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
this is awkward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He blinks, and five Wraiths appear in the
corridor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lol.
Get it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 -
1726</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The library is in mild chaos; the GUARDS are now
either unconscious, severely injured or dead, lying about, while around six
villains have crowded in; ALIEN DAVE, GREGORY THOUGHT, PRONOUN, RINGTONE
(middle-aged, bad toupee, too camp to function), THE PIPE CLEANER (rangy, sad)
and WALL BOY (an anthropomorphic wall). They are attempting to tear the bars
from the windows to escape. At the table in the centre of the room sits TOXIC still;
the book is open in front of her, but she's watching the others' attempts
interestedly as she removes the now-inactive inhibitor collar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Alien Dave</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: "alien"- looking physiology.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Green</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Gregory Thought</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Mind control triggered through eye contact.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Yellow</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Pronoun</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: A shapeshifter able to utterly fool both
organisms and technology into believing whatever shape she is in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Red</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Wall Boy</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Physiology of a wall with hands and feet.
Can colour the surface of his wall at will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Blue</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
SHIFT enters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Villains!
Cease your villainy! This is a library!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>RINGTONE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh
fuck me no! A Scribbler!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WALL
BOY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let's
fight her!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Probably
the stupidest thing I ever heard. Interesting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
know, I really hope to never say this again -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She shifts into a Shire horse and kicks out -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wall Boy is suddenly on his flat wall-back,
kicking uselessly like a turtle -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Shift morphs human again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
I agree with Toxic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Pronoun transforms into Wraith -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Toxic puts down her book and stands,
sauntering casually forward, dropping the removed collar to the floor as she
goes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dude,
why are you attacking me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT
(brightly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
I hate you the most! Aren't you supposed to be downstairs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh
yeah. Laterz.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He leaves. Toxic reaches the group, and moves
confidently to stand between Shift and the other five, who have helped Wall Boy
up and are now tensing up, ready to fight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Toxic</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Biological production of liquid and gaseous
toxins and venoms via pores and glands, and barbed stingers in the wrists;
products range in strength, but capable of killing at full strength. Can also
produce antidotes to her own venoms. Immune to all known poisons. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Orange</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GREGORY
THOUGHT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
we can defeat you together, Scribbler! Just look into my eyes!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT
(sagely)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No,
because that is a ridiculous attempt to fight someone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GREGORY
THOUGHT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look
into - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shut
up everyone or I'll kill you all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a pause, as they become aware of the
green haze hanging around the villains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>ALIEN
DAVE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What </i>are you killing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us</i> for?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
are you on about? You're a bargaining chip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
PIPE CLEANER</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But...
we're villains too!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Huh.
I reckon you've mistaken heroism and villainy for teams, there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ah.
She's got you there. Um. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?
Clearly Scribblers were going to arrive. I'm not stupid. But also, love, your best
mate's <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>a psycho if you lot get
injured too bad, we all know it. So I'm threatening them, and that's <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>why you'll let me leave.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well
actually -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She shifts! Becoming a swallow and darting to her
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Morphs human -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Punches Toxic -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who staggers -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Gregory Thought cries out, staggering, the
haze solidifying around his head. Shift pauses, and Toxic laughs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
also making the antidote! Distract me too much -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift moves to attack again -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A spray of acid jets from Toxic's wrist -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift dodges, snakey -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
It heads for Wall Boy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift speeds to him as a bee -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And the spray hits a rhino, hissing but sliding
off the plated skin. It becomes a tiger and leaps -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And a barb slides out of Toxic's other wrist,
lashes at Shift's ribs -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who moves - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And it sweeps through her fur.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Main Corridor. Day 1 - 1726</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A long corridor with multiple passages and doors
leading off it. Inside is chaos - MONICA DEATH, CAPTAIN FAST and the DISSECTOR
are all fighting each other to get through a doorway, while the GRAVEDIGGER
runs past straight through a wall and away through another. Guards are lying
unconscious or dead about the place; the body of one is drying and shrivelling
in the hands of BLOOD GIRL, who is powering up with it. UGLY UGLY MAN knocks
over a RAINBOW WARRIOR, and gets promptly blasted away by another -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Enter AMITY.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Goodness.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No, </i>Blood Girl. Just no.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>BLOOD
GIRL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
shush. Do you know how much I've just absorbed, Scribbler?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Blood Girl</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Enhanced speed, strength, durability and
agility from blood absorption</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Orange</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She turns and rushes at Amity, all super-speedy
and ultra strong -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Amity sighs and holds up a hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Blood Girl stops dead in the hallway and just
screams. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And screams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The Rainbow Warriors stare in horror.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: The Rainbow Warriors</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: An ability each loosely based on their
colour; pyrokinesis, telekinesis, bioelectrogenesis, geokinesis, cryokinesis,
hydrokinesis and teleportation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Red</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>VIOLET
WARRIOR</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
hell did you do to her?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
know, it brings me absolutely no joy to do this sort of thing, so I'm going to
ask all of you <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>very nicely right now.
Please go back to your cells.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>ORANGE
WARRIOR</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No!
Oh, no. There are seven of us, and others! We can take you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He holds up a hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Violet Warrior teleports behind her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Amity rolls her eyes and flicks a hand
irritably.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As one, Orange, Yellow and Blue all burst into
tears, inconsolable, and the others sprint to their sides frantically.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right,
fine then. Throw your chance of happiness back in my face. It's only several
hours of <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>overtime fixing you all
later...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GREEN
WARRIOR (almost as hysterical as them)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh
god! It's okay guys, I swear! We'll get through this!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>INDIGO
WARRIOR (desperate)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It'll
be okay! It will!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Amity glares at them in their huddle for a moment
and then marches past them and a still-screaming Blood Girl. Monica Death and
Captain Fast flee at her approach. The Dissector moves meekly back into his
cell, and closes the door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY
(dark mutter)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Damn
villains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She brightens, and activates the comm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Game
time! Nine down, am I in the lead?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Entrance Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1729</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
VILLAINS are lying about, bruised and unconscious
and the like. CHRONAL is in the middle of fighting the OCTOGENARIANS, one of
whom has somehow managed to get hold of a handbag from somewhere and is
attempting to beat him with it, although his super speed is better than theirs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
respect! No respect for your elders!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
that hair! Long like a girl!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#3</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
my day he'd have been flensed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal punches the handbag one -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who falls back, dropping it -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Grabs the bag and fells Octogenarian #4 with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
you say all this; I really should point out, though, that in your day racism,
sexism and <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>homophobia were
actively encouraged moral viewpoints, which is far more rubbish -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#3</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Arrrgh!!
Back chat!!! I hate these disaffected youths!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
today!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
I don't think you even knew about transphobia -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Two of them rush him, approaching from either side
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
But he blurs and weaves through them, letting them
collide with each other and stagger back, stunned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also,
asthma was considered to be a mental condition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>OCTOGENARIAN
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is why this country is going to the dogs!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Suddenly he stands tall, eyes burning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That</i> is because Boris Johnson remains
alive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
They attack anew.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaolhouse
Rock - Psychiatric Wing Corridor #1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1729</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
An L-shaped corridor. The FROZEN EMPERORS are now
a mere two in number, covered in various injuries and sprinting at top speed
along the corridor, terrified; occasionally one throws a bolt of ice back behind
him which bounces harmlessly against the walls or floor. Heavy duty doors line
the corridor, most open, padded cells visible within. Laughter is audible
behind the Emperors, and as they get to the bend of the corridor, one looks around
the corner -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
- and screams. The corridor ends in blackness. He
stops, grabbing his friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>EMPEROR
#1 (hysterically)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's
gone!! All dark!! What do we do now?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>EMPEROR
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
must have... he must have made it invisible? Surely? It must... just be...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>EMPEROR
#1</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
can't take this! I can't take any more of - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice, singing mockingly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Poor
little buttercup...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Emperor #1 faints. Emperor #2 looks around wildly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>EMPEROR
#2</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where are you?!?!?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
WRAITH materialises over his shoulder, mouth by
his ear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here.
Lol.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Emperor #2 faints, and Wraith grins, dropping the
invisibility wall over the other half of the corridor -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And freezes, horrified. Guards and the odd
prisoner are dead in it, strewn about and mutilated, blood everywhere. Most
have had limbs torn off. 'Tis mingin'. At the end of it is a CROUCHING FIGURE in
a prisoner jumpsuit, a white waist stripe and deactivated power collar,
shoulders shaking slightly as though doing something with his arms, head bowed;
as everything becomes visible again he pauses, turning his head enough for us
to see the side of his face. His mouth is smeared with blood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Cannibal</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Bestial/enhanced physiology; aquirement of
knowledge and memories from consumption of flesh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: White</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith slams a hand to the comm in his ear, and
activates yellow alert.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fuck a Jesus.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ha,
Wraith, my boy. It's been a while, hasn't it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My
boy"? What, have you eaten a professor lately or something?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mmm.
My psychiatrist, as it goes. We were in session when the collar deactivated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He moves, rising to his feet and turning -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He's massive, at least seven feet tall and
slightly stooped, a bestial look to him; long hair, visible skin on his chest
covered in bristles, yellow eyes with large pupils, thin lips pulled back from
sharp, large teeth, all covered in blood, and he drops the half-eaten arm of a
guard to the floor as he grins at Wraith.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The comm activates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(on comm)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hello.
How are yours? Mine are telling me I need an ASBO -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Get
here right now. No messing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(on comm)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Situation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cannibal's
out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
he's clever now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT(ish).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>TV Screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1731</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 13. The prison now has a haze
over one side that may be smoke; the police have arrived in force on the
mainland, some boats being launched. The masonry of one tower has cracks
running through it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
they're telling me the DSA is now en route, although who can say if it's not
already too <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>late? Meanwhile the
inmate roster is still slow to be reported, with Commissioner Morgan <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>saying, and I quote, "Silence,
there's no time for questions. Get that god damned <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>microphone out of my face and let me do my job or you'll
be sitting on it for the next year." </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
sounds like a CONSPIRACY.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
this humble reporter's opinion, yes it does, Dai. Meanwhile it seems there's an
energy <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>field around the prison
there - no word yet on whether or not it's causing cancer, by the way<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- that's killing all electronics that get
near, meaning no police boats can approach to take out<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the terror...fying villains. But would the police be able
to handle them anyway, Dai?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
how deadly might these escaping inmates be, Hyperbole?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I've
not been told, but to answer your question, Dai, we don't know if they're
strong enough <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>to destroy all of Wales
and some bits of Devon or not. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well...
ah, I've just been told that Solar, sister of Scribbler leader Finesse has been
called in <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>to try to help with the energy
field, and to reactivate the inhibitor collars. The big question, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Hyperbole - is this a genuine
prison break?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's
definitely probably a prison break, Dai. The really big question is - who will
escape?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Underground Passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1732</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Long and dark passage, the only light shining
dimly in at either end from the levels above. Mostly it's quiet, but the
distant noise of the fighting is audible. PEOPLE are cowering or stumbling
through the near-pitch darkness, trying to feel their way out and attacking
each other if they find each other -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Except MEDIUM, walking confidently along, moving
nimbly between them all, pulling POINT 34 after her, clutching a large sealed
box.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - High Security Level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1738</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A wide corridor, lined with solid two-foot-thick
metal doors, most of which are still impregnably closed. Two have been torn
open, hanging off their hinges and twisted, the cells within ominously empty;
several more are dented outwards, as though the inmates are steadily breaking
them down from within, the sound of metal being struck ringing through the
corridor. The lights are out, so only the entrance end is lit, the far end
receeding into darkness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
FINESSE enters, walking slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(into her comm)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
fortunately, Blueprint designed the doors down here to auto lock when the power
cuts <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>out, so most of them are still
here right now. Only two open doors so far, no sign of either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
news! Hey, will Toxic die if I bite her with any venom?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
news!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
won't affect her. She's universally immune, pretty much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bad
news!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finesse,
Finesse! Cannibal has grown 52 IQ points and a <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>psychiatry
qualification. It's the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>worst
news ever, Finesse!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She reaches the first broken, open door and
freezes, horrified, staring at the name plate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh
god.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
know! I'm on my way to help him, but -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.
Not that. Lord Pegasus is out -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The shadows move! A MAN suddenly streaks forward,
unnaturally fast -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She turns, too slow -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And is slammed back into the wall by FRENZY with a
hand about her throat, the other pinning her wrist to the wall. His eyes look
glassy, as though he has a fever. Finesse clocks who it is -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And powers down, going utterly still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FRENZY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
Finesse. Of everyone it could have been, I was so hoping it would be you. Don't
you <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>want to fight me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He squeezes his hand, cutting off her breathing;
but she stays still, frozen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FRENZY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Heh.
Your willpower does you proud, of course. But I am literally killing you right
now. I <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>won't be stopping.
And then I'll go and kill everyone else. You won't fight me off?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
When she answers, the words are barely audible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I...
would be... worse...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FRENZY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ha!
Very noble! Really? You don't think you could at least aim at the right
targets? Because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>will kill them all</i>. Everyone. I like
it, you know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
His hand tightens again, and he laughs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FRENZY
(sing-song)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do
you know, I could stop any time I wanted. But I like it so much...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Behind him the shadows move again -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And out steps a figure at least twelve feet tall,
covered in armour with a stylised horse's head for a helmet, legs ending in
hooves and enormous wings on its back. It carries a sceptre. When it speaks its
voice is loud, but a whisper.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Lord Pegasus</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Human/equine physiology; organic armour
that shields him from manipulation; super strength, flight; ability to grant
Abrahamic 'miracles' through his sceptre</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: White</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LORD
PEGASUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
will burn this world that dared hold me in a prison of men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Frenzy laughs -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse's free hand clenches -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And is suddenly encased in blue energy, crackling
and glowing -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And she punches him hard across the face, hurling
him away from her and against the wall opposite as she falls, panting -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And he laughs, watching her, in sadistic
enjoyment, as she spins around to Lord Pegasus -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who has raised his sceptre, the end glowing -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And knocks him off his feet in a surge of blue
light. He roars, enraged, the sound almost masking the howl of pain from within
one of the cells, while Frenzy turns and walks away to the exit, whistling to
himself. Finesse ignores him, her eyes trained on Lord Pegasus; but her eyes
have become fevered, a very faint hint of a glimmer to them, like an echo of
the way cats' eyes glimmer under light at night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY
(on comm)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finesse?
What the hell has happened? Your brain chemistry's all over the place -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(urgent; strained)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Activate
Protocol 86. Frenzy is loose. I just engaged him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: Name: Frenzy</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Enhanced speed, strength, durability and
agility; production of a primer pheromone that induces an addiction to fighting
in the victim if they engage him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: White</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
In front of her, Lord Pegasus surges to his feet.<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">23.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - the Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1739</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
SHIFT and TOXIC still battling; Shift dodges an
attack, morphing back to mostly-human, her expression horrified and calculating
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">24.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - The Canteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1739</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
AMITY freezes in the middle of a throng of
VILLAINS, all of them suddenly screaming and fleeing her in terror as she
instinctively acts -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT. The Pit - Living Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1739</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
LYRIC and GEORGE are sitting on a play mat on the
floor; Lyric stops and slams a hand to the communicator to one side, jamming it
into his ear -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Side Corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1739</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CHRONAL on his way to Wraith drops into real time,
completely still; he blurs for a split second, then activates his comm,
forcibly calm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH (on comm)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Holy
Christ on wheels she's going to kill us all! And Cannibal is trying to eat me!
This is the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>worst of times!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(swiftly, steadily)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence.
Finesse, get out. I'm sending you home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frap
a donkey's inner -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
silence too. This is bad enough, you freak. Get off the comm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guys,
Finesse is compromised?! The god damned army have protocols for this! That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i>Protocol 86!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do
we activate it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don't. Anyone. Dare</i>. Finesse, get out
and go home. You're done for now -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
fighting Lord Pegasus! I can't go right now! And by the time I'm done the
addiction will <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>be full-blown, so
stop thinking like my husband and start thinking like a superhero and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">call <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>the
damned army!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
wanting to hijack the pity party but Cannibal is really trying to eat me now!
Need back-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>up!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(decisively)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right.
First person to call the army is fired. Wraith, I'm coming; everyone else,
finish what <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>you're doing and
get the hell down to Finesse. Lyric - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
my way. Natch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">27.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT(ish).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>TV Screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1736</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 18. Gaolhouse Rock now has
several floors being sporadically lit up from within in flashes of colour as
people fight inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
just in! Two more Scribblers have arrived - it looked to me like Wraith,
Chronal and<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shift, but
this is unconfirmed! Also, it may be that Finesse is dead!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
may be a NATIONAL TRAGEDY. Who's to blame?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There'll
be a long list the Government will want to examine, I'm sure, but the police,
the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>company that runs
Gaolhouse Rock, and of course, media pressure. No word yet on whether<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>or not the Scribblers will now disband
in grief if this event has indeed happened, but I for <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>one imagine there'll be some happy single ladies to
learn that Chronal is back on the market!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Below, a figure suddenly breaks out of a window
and streaks away through the air, flying fast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>MY
GOODNESS! MY GOODNESS, WE HAVE ANOTHER ESCAPEE! I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THAT <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>IS! HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT ANYONE TRULY
TERRIFYING, DAI, BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>VILLAINS
IN GAOLHOUSE ROCK COULD KILL US ALL!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
is SOBERINGLY TRUE, Hyperbole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Psychiatric Wing Observation Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1736</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The room is large, rectangular and open, and also
is full of rubble from broken walls and bits of ceiling, burn marks all along
it where the inmates fled. Upturned, broken furniture - sofas, mostly - are
dotted about. WRAITH enters and sprints to one; CANNIBAL enters just as he
reaches it and dives behind it, and grins bestially, stepping slowly into the
room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
Wraith, my boy. Hiding? This isn't Scribbler behaviour, is it? Though I suppose
you aren't <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>the strong one of the
group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He takes a long step forward, eyes fixed on the
sofa where Wraith's hair is still visible over the top.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
that I'm calling you weak, you understand. I daresay you're a very accomplished
fighter<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>against
other adversaries. Fighting with tricks of the light is very effective. Trouble
is -
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Suddenly, he shoots a hand out to the side and
grips something unseen -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Which fades into the form of Wraith, held by the
throat, as the fake projection of him vanishes from behind the sofa. Cannibal
grins, eyes fixed on him hungrily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
don't rely on sight to hunt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH
(choking)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eeeehhhh...
baps...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mmm.
I certainly hope so -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And something suddenly slams into Cannibal,
sending him sprawling across the room. Wraith drops to the floor, coughing, and
looks up -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CHRONAL is standing over Cannibal. How heroic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
free market isn't self-regulating!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a pause.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dude...
there was... literally no set-up... to that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL
(puzzled)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
I must admit, as correct as you are it was something of a non-sequitur.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never be stated enough</i> - wait,
what did you just say? Are you really clever now?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dude
I told you, he ate his psychiatrist.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL
(dreamily)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
tasted like veal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And he kicks out suddenly, knocking Chronal down -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Launches himself on all fours at Wraith -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who throws a hand up -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And light flares around Cannibal's face,
blindingly, dazzlingly bright. Cannibal yelps and snarls, jumping away, and
staggers to the door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>was a good trick, boy. Well
done! Sadly for you...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He turns to them again, grinning, his eyes unfocused
but facing them accurately.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
really don't need my eyes to hunt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - the Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1740</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
SHIFT dodges another acid spray from TOXIC -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Morphs into a red kite and swoops to her face -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Toxic throws up a hand and a green haze is emitted
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Shift swerves sideways, landing neatly out of
range. She morphs human.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
you know what? Screw this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And she morphs into an elephant, huge and stampy -
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SPINDLY,
SINISTER VOICE (oov)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
what have we here? Pretty, pretty...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Everyone turns, to see the old, spindly, creeping
form of DREADFUL GRETA. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Dreadful Greta</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Hypnotic suggestion; intrinsic knowledge of
alchemy to create 'potions'; can age and de-age as she hypnotises</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Orange</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DREADFUL
GRETA</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pretty
one, yes, we like the changing... won't you be a puppy dog, dearie?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift suddenly stiffens for a moment, and then
shudders, becoming an Alsatian, docile. Dreadful Greta laughs, becoming younger
as she crosses the room to Shift. Toxic grins, and sidles carefully to the
door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOXIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Greta,
love, she's all yours. Don't need me, do you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DREADFUL
GRETA</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No,
no, the poisonous one can go... we like animals. Maybe we can keep it? </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Toxic leaves. The other VILLAINS remain in an ill
huddle on the floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DREADFUL
GRETA</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
always wanted a tiger. It would have been so nice. Be a tiger for Greta,
dearie?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Obligingly, Shift becomes a tiger. Greta coos,
stroking her head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Maximum Security Level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1741</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Frenzy is gone. As are many of the walls; on
either side of the corridor chunks of wall have been torn through, leaving the
cells technically open, but the VILLAINS remain inside, terrified and cowering.
One is lit up in blue energy and is curled up on the floor of his cell, moaning
in pain. LORD PEGASUS and FINESSE are fighting, Finesse using any power at all
that comes her way, different energies crackling over her body; her fists are
surrounded permanently with a blue aura, and the very slight shine in her eyes
has become more obvious. She is also flying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She throws a blue energy blast at him, which he
blocks with his sceptre before charging at her, driving her into a surviving
wall -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Which crumbles under the impact, but green energy
envelops her, softening the blow; her skin becomes ink black suddenly (to an
accompanying scream from another cell) and she kicks him away, sending him
spinning down the corridor -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She dives after him, the blue glow increasing
around her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And flies at speed into his chest, actually
denting his chest plate where her fists struck -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He grabs her about the waist with one hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Smashes her into the floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT(ish).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>TV Screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1741</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 22. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
and sources are telling me, Dai, that the flying escapee we saw on our screens
some <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>moments ago was Mach 2000, an
orange-coded villain whose powers could, under the right<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>circumstances, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kill</i>, although no word yet on whether or not he has plans to poison
the<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>nearby town of Aberystwyth
which he feasibly could -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
An upper-storey window is suddenly punched out,
and GRANITE can just about be seen on the screen jumping from it, followed by a
dirty yellow haze of LONDON FOG. Granite lands unharmed, turns to the sea
metres away and jumps in. She does not resurface. The fog speeds away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>OH
MY GOODNESS! THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE! I believe that may have been the Living <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Statue to Zeus and Aether, but this
is unconfirmed! The police are attempting to chase, but <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>they just can't move as fast as Aether!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
real question, Hyperbole, is how many people are now likely to die?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
don't know for sure, Dai, but in my professional opinion, I'd say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loads.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The front door suddenly slams open and TOXIC
marches out confidently; as some police step forward along the causeway she
raises a hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And green vapour billows towards them, making them
all turn and run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AND
ANOTHER! GOSH! I THINK THAT'S TOXIC! YES, AND SHE'S ATTACKING THE POLICE - oh, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>with, uh, her vapour attack which... yes,
which is airborne, so, um, we'll be moving the<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>helicopter
now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hyperbole,
you are SO FEARLESS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (v/o) (gravely)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thank
you, Dai.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">32.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Maximum Security Level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1742</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The fight continues, FINESSE now bathed in light
and energy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
LORD PEGASUS manages to land a punch, sending her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>flying -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She rolls as she lands and looks up -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Taking a split second to wipe the blood from her
mouth -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And sees him hurtling towards her, aiming to crush
her under hoof -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She flies out at the last second -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Blasting his back with a blaze of fire -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He spins -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Slams her into the wall with the sceptre.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The wall shatters -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
But she kicks hard at the dent in his chestplate,
her leg enveloped in blue as she does -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He staggers back, snarling, the dent now much
deeper.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LORD
PEGASUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Madness,
Manipulator! You cannot control me! Do you truly think you can win?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
But she doesn't answer, hurling a bolt of
lightning at his chest -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Leaving tiny, hairline fractures around the dent -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Before flying in close -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A punch snapping his head to the side, the
energies flaring -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Neither hears the whimpering from the cells, as
the other VILLAINS look on in terror; but one of them is moaning continually,
almost as though they were in agony.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">33.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pit - Living Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 -
1742</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
LYRIC is muttering rapidly, a contraption
coalescing into being on the floor; it looks like a capsule, big enough to fit
a baby, containing complicated circuitry and stabilisers and with straps
forming from it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finally he stops -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Pulls out Ystradebol -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And swings as hard as he can at the capsule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The sword ricochets off -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Decapitates an indoor plant -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And embeds itself in the ceiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the plus side, that'll be the least of anyone's concerns right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Carefully, he picks up GEORGE -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Puts him in the capsule -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And closes it around him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
George goes happily to sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Lyric straps it onto his back -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Retrieves Ystradebol -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And leaves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">34.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Maximum Security Level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 1743</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Masonry and rubble abound, one cell now containing
four cowering VILLAINS together, one of them cloaked in his blue light and now
screaming in agony; all remaining walls have holes in, and the floor is pitted
and broken. LORD PEGASUS seems unaffected except for the huge dent in his
breastplate, cracks running from it; FINESSE is now glowing from head to toe
with green and blue light, her hair flowing and wild around her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She surges forward -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Lord Pegasus swings the sceptre -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
An energy beam narrowly missing her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
That transforms the wall behind into salt -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Finesse slams fists first into the dent again
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
This time cracking of a section of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Lord Pegasus howls with pain -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Hurls her away back-handed -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Smashing her into the top of a wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He raises his arm -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And she sends a jet stream of blue energy into the
hole in the breastplate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
It fills him, the seams of his armour glowing blue
as he screams -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Dropping to his knees -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The staff falling from his hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
But she doesn't stop -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He screams on and on, his body spasming, the glow
getting brighter, the sound layered over the villain in the cell who is also
screaming, his body shrivelling and aging -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Until finally Lord Pegasus falls silent, his body
being held up only by the energy Finesse is pouring into him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She stops -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And he falls to the ground, unmoving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>VILLAIN
(whispering)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scribbler...
please... you're killing him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse turns -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The energies snapping around her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And one of the villains shrinks back, pointing to
the screaming, shrivelly one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>VILLAIN
(desperate)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You're
using too much of his energy! Please! There are... there are other powers you
could <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>use? Please!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse watches him for a moment, seems to come to
a decision.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She turns -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And begins walking back up the corridor to the
exit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As she walks the light goes out around her,
leaving her dark, her face picked out in shadow -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Except her eyes, which gleam brightly, like a cat
in the dark.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Her voice doesn't sound like her anymore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
even one of you attempts to leave I will kill you all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She leaves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">35.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaolhouse Rock - Top Corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1744</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
AMITY is sprinting along the corridor at top
speed, throwing out a hand here and there, every villain she passes either
running away to hide or sitting down in a sudden malaise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guys,
okay, so, I don't want to worry anyone but, um, Finesse is now basically
terrifying and <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>also on the move, and
Shift's gone all weird too. Someone else please tell me they're doing<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>okay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH('s
voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's
a dystopia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thanks
Wraith.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Psychiatric Observation Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1744</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CANNIBAL lunges for WRAITH -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who leaps into the air to avoid him -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Caught by the hover shoes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Cannibal crashes into the wall behind him -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Knocking a hole and leaving himself slightly dazed
for a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finesse?
Comm still on?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a pause.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lord
Pegasus?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He's...
down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good.
Go home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
in control. I can stop all of them -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is no way you can convince me that isn't the addiction talking, little one,
please -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
well...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal quickly turns to Cannibal -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who plunges both hands into the hole in the wall
and pulls -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And hurls a huge chunk of masonry at them both.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal blurs -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And then he and Wraith are in the clear side of
the room, out of the way -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Cannibal is launching himself at them; he hits
Chronal and knocks him down, crouching over him, as Wraith scrambles back to
his feet behind him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CANNIBAL
(whispering)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
well. I assume Finesse has run into Frenzy, then? My, we are all in trouble,
aren't we?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
don't even know, sugar plum.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And he swings a pipe at Cannibal's head!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Which Chronal speeds up!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Cannibal is sent sprawling. Yay team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cannibal's
down. We're on our way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She's
going to kill us all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shut
up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">37.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - the Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day
1 - 1745</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
SHIFT is now a docile tiger, while DREADFUL GRETA
strokes her head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>DREADFUL
GRETA</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes,
yes! We like the tiger. Let's see you dearie. Let's see Greta's new pet. Show
us your<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>human, yes?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift morphs human -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And blinks, her human mind re-asserting -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And punches Greta with a gorilla arm, knocking her
clean out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She shakes her head recovering, and sees the
collar left behind by Toxic. Shift picks it up, and looks at it thoughtfully.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hmm.
Distasteful. Hello all, I've lost Toxic and Dreadful Greta's really disgusting,
but I have <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>an idea if Lyric can
be competent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey!
I'm well comp - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shush.
Finesse killed anyone yet?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Refectory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1
- 1745</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A large room full of broken dining furniture, an
entrance to a kitchen at the far end - a large group of villains (including
DARK HAND, the NINTH WIZARD, MONOCHROME MAN, and PATHOS) is gathered and are,
in a rare example of villainous co-operation, teaming up to pull the bars off
the windows and break through the glass. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is an explosion from one wall, and bricks
burst outwards, leaving a hole two metres above the ground. The villains yell
and duck, before turning to see the newcomer - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
FINESSE is floating in the air above them, her
body rendered entirely into black and white, energies swirling around her fists
and her eyes shining a bright, vivid blue, watching them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
I'm rather afraid she might, you see.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">39.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Minor
Corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1746</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A short, unused corridor, ending in a
high-security fire door with a dial on it like what you get on safes. MEDIUM
arrives, followed by POINT 34 with her crate, and approaches it; Medium takes
the dial and turns it confidently, the code clicking neatly into place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>POINT
34</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There's
something I don't understand, child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Much.
So much. But I expect you mean how I knew all this was happening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>POINT
34</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.
This is well-planned! And you aren't allowed visitors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
I can see.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She opens the door -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
To reveal SINTARO, impeccably dressed in his suit,
holding a cigar and smiling. Behind him a steampunk submarine is visible a few
metres away at the end of the short jetty, while in the distance the police
boats are floating vainly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SINTARO</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well
done. I had every confidence you'd work it out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Name: Mr Sintaro</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Temporal manipulation</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Red</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
didn't work it out. I saw.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He grins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SINTARO</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
course. And your aquaintance?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
will need her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SINTARO
(interestedly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Indeed?
How do you know?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MEDIUM</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
I can see.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">40.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaolhouse Rock - Open Cell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1
- 1748</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A small cell, spartan but equipped. The door is
wide open, but a MAN (40s, balding, introverted) sits calmly on the bed,
immobile, staring at nothing. Every now and again he shakes his head slightly,
then stills. He ignores the VILLAINS sprinting past outside, even when a small
group run past screaming, chased by a TIGER.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is movement at the door, and he looks up. A
SPECTRAL FIGURE, human-shaped but made of light, steps into the room. He stares
at it for a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You.
I've seen you before. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
never talked. Never said a word. And I won't, no matter how long they'll keep
me. There's <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>no need for...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I've
seen you before. It's Spooky, isn't it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The spectral figure solidifies and becomes human,
revealing Spooky (30s, harsh, Venezuelan).</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SPOOKY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ghostlight,
now; but that was a codename I used once. Also, stop rambling at me. I'm not <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>here to kill you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You're...
not?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GHOSTLIGHT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
are obtuse. But loyal. I am here to reward you. You're going to be taken to our <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>operation in Jersey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MAN
(hopefully; happy)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
am?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GHOSTLIGHT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
course. Latent always rewards loyalty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">41.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaolhouse
Rock - Upper Corridors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1750</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
AMITY is sprinting at top speed through the
corridors; every villain she passes bursts into hysterical tears and sinks to
the floor. RAVEN is flying above her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
am really going to be putting in a lot of psychiatric overtime tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Raven croaks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thanks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
go away. As much as I'm really enjoying having a dæmon, where I'm going you
will<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>definitely die -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She rounds the corner and slips suddenly, managing
to twist impressively so she lands safely on her side and skidding on a few
feet. The floor is covered in two inches of ice, as are the walls, and as she
looks up a TOAD-LIKE VILLAIN with mottled white and grey skin drops from the
ceiling towards her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She rolls easily away and flips into a crouch,
facing him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY
(through gritted teeth)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
do not have time for this!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOAD-LIKE
VILLAIN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
ha! But now you must fight -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC
('s voice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amity?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Enter LYRIC! Strapped to his back is a papoose of
his own invention, forming an egg-shaped capsule containing GEORGE, who is
sleeping peacefully. He is holding Ystradebol, and looks badass. (Lyric, that
is. Not George.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
can't risk George with Finesse!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nah,
but I can handle this tool. Go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Splendid!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
give this to Shift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He throws her a tiny piece of tech, all wires and
circuitry and clips. Amity catches it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
really hope this works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She leaves. Lyric grins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right
then - who the hell are you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>TOAD-LIKE
VILLAIN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Me?
Your doom, Scribbler! For I am - the Choad!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CAP: Name: The Choad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Power: Toad-like physiology giving a super-jump
and super strength; also low-level cryokinesis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Threat Level: Yellow</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Lyric freezes, and stares at him, agape.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
- ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
- </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
don't - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You're
called... the Choad?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
CHOAD</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
right, Scribbler!! Because, you know, I'm sort of toady, and also the ice
thing, so I<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>thought 'Chilly
Toad', and then I just put them together -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didn't check Urban Dictionary first?!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
CHOAD (Suddenly self-conscious)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Er...
no?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Lyric bursts out laughing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Doubles up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Choad looks sad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">42.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaolhouse Rock - Refectory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 1751</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The room is now far more thoroughly destroyed than
it was before even. Unconscious VILLAINS are lying everywhere, many bleeding
copiously or showing other signs of extensive trauma. DARK HAND, MONOCHROME
MAN, NINTH WIZARD and PATHOS are the only ones left standing by now, and are
doing their best to fight together, currently sheltering behind a shield thrown
up by the Ninth Wizard. FINESSE is in the air, attacking them with astonishing
ferocity - a huge pulse of black energy explodes against the shield, sending
huge cracks running down the remains of the walls and leaving a shallow impact
crater in the floor below the villains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
HAND (desperately)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is insane! What - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Another black energy pulse surges at them, and the
Ninth Wizard cries out as his force shield vanishes suddenly -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Monochrome Man screams as he tries to pull the
energy back into his body. Most is reabsorbed -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
But the remainder explodes around them -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Hurling them back across the floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse swoops after them -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Pathos' body glowing as Finesse uses it to pull
down lightning -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Which scythes towards the Ninth Wizard -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who manages to get a new force shield up just in
time -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The lightning arcing away. They are bleeding, and
broken, Pathos now unconscious. The Ninth Wizard stares at him, trembling under
the strain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MONOCHROME
MAN</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
can't keep... she's taking too much - !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NINTH
WIZARD (distantly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy is down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
HAND</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scribbler!
Scribbler <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">please</i>! You're <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">killing us -!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Get
back to your cells.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
HAND (screaming)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We can't!!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
I will contain you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The black energy builds again, Monochrome Man
screaming - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
It swirls and coalesces into a cloud, solid black,
blocking out all light with the sound of roaring wind -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse jerks suddenly as though seeing something
new, tensing -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And the cloud vanishes abruptly -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse dropping from the air -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
To land neatly in a three-point crouch, the colour
snapping back over her body, eyes still gleaming -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Dark Hand, Monochrome Man and the Ninth Wizard are
all gone. In their place are CHRONAL, AMITY, WRAITH and SHIFT. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a pause.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(gently)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Please,
little one. Power down. You've done it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's
true, you crazy loon. Solar's outside and has done something complicated I
chose not to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>understand. The power
is about to come back on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need to catch him.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She stands. They shift slightly, clearly fighting
the urge to assume battle stances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who?
Who do you - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frenzy.
I let... I let him out, he's gone, I -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
for us to -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No</i>! I'm already infected! I can shut off
his powers, don't you see? It won't matter if I do it! <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>I'm already - I can save -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She trails off, her gaze intense - she's swaying
slightly, sweating, her eyes gleaming and shining as she scrutinises them,
hands clenching and unclenching into fists.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(coldly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You'll
stop me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(quietly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guys
- !</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse blurs, and Amity cries out, crumpling to
the floor -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith turns abruptly invisible, reflexively -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift's eyes transform into a fly's, scanning for
Finesse -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal stands his ground, holding out an arm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(commandingly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No one move.</i> We are not fighting you,
Finesse -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look
out!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He ducks just in time -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As Finesse appears behind him, ready to attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift morphs into a fly -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And zips after her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Finesse drops Chronal's powers -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And winks invisible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift drops into dog form, sniffing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lame.
Those are mine, you loser.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Shift looks up abruptly, growling -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And yelps -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As her body morphs against her will -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And she becomes a tree -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Her roots punching easily through the already
ruptured floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No!
Two down! Loses!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal blurs - </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And appears by a reviving Amity's side, who is now
standing again, wincing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Man,
she hits hard -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And she strikes! Throwing out a hand -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a cry from Finesse -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who becomes visible again -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Falling -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal blurs -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And appears behind her -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Gripping her tightly and pinning her arms back,
holding her in a kneeling position.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Amity kneels in front of her, eyes closed -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Holding her hands to Finesse's temples. Tears are
falling down Finesse's face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE
(desperate)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Please!</i> Please, don't -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY
(quietly)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
so sorry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL
(strained)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wraith!
Quick!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Wraith approaches -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Pulling out the inhibitor collar left behind by
Toxic. It now has Lyric's piece of technology clipped to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
As he nears he presses a button on the side -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And the light on the collar comes on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dude,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i> are you doing to her?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Compassion.
You know how protective she is of us normally?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stop!!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh.
Baps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He puts the collar around her neck and snaps it
into place -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And Finesse convulses, screaming, held in place
only by Chronal -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Who pulls her firmly into his arms -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
And holds her until she goes limp. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is a silence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
never want to do that again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
agree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
really not arguing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
Shift is Tree Child now. What do?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Get
Lyric to make a depowerer, hit her with it. When Eraser did that she reverted
human <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Around them, the lights suddenly come back on
again as power is restored.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Chronal stands up, holding Finesse easily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
going home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He leaves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So...
reckon I can convince Shift to call herself Tree Child - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">43.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT (sort of).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TV Screen .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 2034</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
It is now night. HYPERBOLE REES (40s, tabloid
journalist, liar) is standing in front of Gaolhouse Rock, which is lit up with
searchlights. DSA agents are moving everywhere, with equipment being carried
in. Emergency vehicles abound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>...
and as you can see, both survivors and the bodies of the BRAVE GUARDS killed
today are <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>still being found and
removed. Parts of the prison are being condemned as unsafe, although <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>there are unconfirmed reports of a
bidding war between Blueprint HQ and the still-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>recovering
Arden Industries to rebuild it better, and who can say how harsh a contest that <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>will prove to be?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any
word yet on how many dangerous villains are now back at large, Hyperbole?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
yet, Dai, but in this humble reporter's estimation, I'd say squillions.
Although <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Commissioner Morgan
has put the figure at closer to 23. Given that Gaolhouse Rock holds <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>up to 230 lethal supervillains at any one time
though, Dai, we can all be grateful for the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>incredible
actions of the Scribblers today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DAI
(v/o)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any
Scribblers still on the scene, Hyperbole?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes
indeed, Dai - as far as we can tell, Amity of the Scribblers went to nobly huge
lengths to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>secure our safety today
by making the inmates catatonic, and is now heroically fixing them <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>all, although I'm sure many will
feel she should now leave them as they are. Also Shift and<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>possibly Wraith are here, though with
Wraith, who can say? It seems Finesse was indeed <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>injured earlier, although I'm sad to inform any hopeful
single ladies that she has survived, so <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>no
Chronal to play the scene!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Medical Bay - the Pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 -
2035</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A room with three padded walls and a glass viewing
wall has been constructed at one end of the medical bay, containing a
comfortable-looking but simple bed. FINESSE is curled into the foetal position
on it, cocooned in a quilt, still wearing the inhibitor collar; she is rocking
very slightly, shivering and sweating, her eyes still gleaming like a cat in
the dark. She looks exhausted. A screen outside the room is displaying her
vitals. CHRONAL is sitting in an armchair on the other side of the glass,
watching her, his gaze continually returning to the screen to check she's okay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do
you need more sedative?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
don't know. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
so sorry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
absolutely wasn't your fault. You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i>
that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
feel like...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
They watch each other for a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
miss you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
He leans forward, both hands on the glass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Listen.
Listen to me. You are going to get through this. You're going to be fine,
understand? <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>This is going to feel
horrible, but you're going to be fine. And I am not going anywhere until<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
if...</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
want to hit something, so badly. I want to just - I want to punch the walls or
something. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>What if I do? What
if I - ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
you even try and I will be in there and sedating you before you even start the
swing. I've <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>got you. Understand? I'm
here. We'll get through this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(beat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
love you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
love you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXT (sort of).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TV Screen .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 2036</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Continued from Scene 43.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>...
although, of course, we will ALL DIE if this is the case - ah, a Scribbler!
Shift! Shift, will you <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>talk to us?
Shift!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
SHIFT appears from off screen. She gives Hyperbole
a disdainful look.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm
certain you don't need me for your fanciful stories.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shift,
can you tell us what caused the breakout? How did this happen, and crucially,
why <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>should the taxpayer
complain about it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
the taxpayer is an idiot, I should think. Sorry. It's been a bad day. Um... we
still don't <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>know, but best guess is
that it was attacked from the outside to extract someone specific. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>We don't know who. Please go away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She leaves. Hyperbole turns triumphantly back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
there we have it, Dai! Carnage, so that a villain could free their crony, or
partner in <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>crime! So the
big question is -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">46.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe'S
Palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 - 2036</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
An Ancient Greek-style palace, all marble and
statues and the like. THE GREAT NIOBE (30s, vague, ruthless) is reclining on a
sofa, wearing a black chiton and multicoloured jewellery - around her are her
NIOBIDS, all identical and wearing black chitons too, serving her in various
ways. She is watching the news on a huge plasma TV screen across one wall. As
HYPERBOLE REES speaks, the list of escapees is scrolling past at the bottom of
the screen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HYPERBOLE
REES (on screen)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who
was the object of the operation? And why were they needed so badly?</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The names scroll past - London Fog, Toxic,
Granite, Frenzy, Point 34, Medium -</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Niobe smiles, and claps once. The TV goes blank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NIOBE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
darling, do you truly think no one will spot it? Silly, silly... oh what's his
name agai - <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Sintaro. Silly, silly
Sintaro.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She rises, and the Niobids hurry to follow her.
Some are carrying golden plates of grapes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NIOBE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well...
why not? I think it's time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She leaves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">47.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Niobe's Palace - corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1
- 2037</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
NIOBE striding down a corridor filled with marble
busts and tapestries, attended by NIOBIDS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
CUT TO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">48.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Niobe's Palace - Dungeon Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Day 1 - 2038</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A spartan room, adequately furnished with a bed
and a chair and nothing else, all white, but for the walls. Patterns and
pictures have been scratched into the walls; at one end are basic patterns,
shapes, stick figures, which evolve as the eye moves across the walls to
balloon figures like a child's drawing, which give way to more complex and sophisticated
creations until, on the other side of the door, a life-like rendering of Niobe
herself has been lovingly scratched into the paintwork. A female NIOBID,
identical to all the others, sits patiently on the chair, looking at nothing in
particular but with a far-away gaze to her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She blinks suddenly, apparently coming to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
There is the sound of a lock being turned. The
door opens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Enter NIOBE who moves to stand in front of the
seated Niobid, and beams at her. The Niobid looks up at her patiently.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>NIOBE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hello,
darling! Did you see? Were you watching? Silly man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The Niobid nods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NIOBID</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She'll
strengthen him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NIOBE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.
Though I shouldn't think unduly. Not if we counterstrike. I know how to cripple
him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
She beams at the Niobid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>NIOBE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
darling. Mummy has a job for you.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The End.</div>
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<![endif]-->Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-33171287339066258862012-12-15T17:49:00.002+00:002013-09-02T09:06:01.802+00:00Christmas Scribblers 2012<br />
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Steffan and Elanor Alun present ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A Christmassssy Scribblery Production ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Full of Fun and Joy and Holly and Mince Pies
for those who like them ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The happiest and most feel-good Christmas
special of all time ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Except Love Actually, obviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That film’s delightful.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes
it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hear you disagree with me,
you know.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Anyway, this is the SECOND most joyful and
lovely Christmas special of all time ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Scribblers:
Evil Men Making Everything Worse</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>TV
STUDIO</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A This Morning-style chat show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FINESSE, WRAITH, SHIFT, AMITY and LYRIC
sitting on a sofa that’s far too small for them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is covered in tinsel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awful theme music playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The five Scribblers exchanging looks of
disgust.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CAPTION: FIVE YEARS AGO</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What’s
with this budget intro, guys?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
quite like it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Are
you making it into a game?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
do YOU want to play?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Is
this live?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes
it is.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
if I maul his face off, they can’t edit it out?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Hang on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maul WHOSE face off?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Haven’t you seen this show?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The HOST appears – HENRY SMOOTHMAN, 50s,
fake-tanned, teeth-whitened acceptable face of racism and contempt for the
poor.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Hello, and welcome to Henry
Smoothman’s Christmas Brilliant Show, with me, Henry Smoothman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am your host, Henry Smoothman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we’ll be meeting a fresh new superhero
team – the Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s begin!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry Smoothman.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oh, THIS guy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t he in an advert?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">He’s in all the adverts.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Rumour has it he sleeps on all his
advert paycheques like a greedy dragon.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Smoothman sits on an armchair next to the
Scribblers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Hello, Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how you can afford to be here today
when the taxpayer would expect you to be out fighting crime or whatever it is
you supposedly do.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Well, as you KNOW, Henry Smoothman,
it was written into our contracts that we have to appear on your show because
of your political links.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I’ll let the audience make up their
own minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while they do, answer me
this, Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who watches the
watchmen?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">More watchmen.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Look, this is ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had to leave Professor Kayleigh in
charge of saving the world today, and that’s wasting valuable time she could be
spending growing a cure for your face.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">One scientist in charge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then why do you normally need a team?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">We still need a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re understaffed now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, it’s not just Professor
Kayleigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government found a
sidekick for her.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SINTARO’S
LAIR</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">SINTARO is facing PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SINTARO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
is the meaning of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was promised
Scribblers to fight!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s
me this week, bach.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SINTARO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">This is an outrage!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I demand Chronal be brought here for me to
humiliate him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">He is punched in the face by CAPTAIN CYMRU.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Super
Rugby Punch!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How
is it a super RUGBY punch?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
like rugby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay,
we’ve got three more bad guys to beat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
band practice?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Afte
a panad, obviously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>TV
STUDIO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Continued from Scene 1.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
tell me – is there a MISTER Finesse on the horizon?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">What do you mean, “on the
horizon”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chronal’s my boyfriend, you omni-moron.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me – is there a MISTER Shift on the horizon?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">There’s a massive tiger in your
near future, if that’s what you mean.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Good one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Ah, but –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I could give you kidney stones with
words, you know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oooooh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Anyway, I’ve got to say, so far,
all the bad guys you’ve apprehended have been British.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see you bringing in any Muslim
villains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like it’s one rule
for acceptable ethnicities, another rule entirely for the wrong kind of human.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Eh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not going to answer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Chronal says I mustn’t talk to
racists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says it’s contagious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CHRONAL arrives, sexier than ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Hey, guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not on the air any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve just told the press that Henry Smoothman
is in fact ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Chronal pulls at Smoothman’s face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">It doesn’t come off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Argh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My face!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">... is in fact HENRY SMOOTHMAN,
tax-evading adulterous borderline war criminal with a
recently-uncovered-by-sexy-leader-of-the-Scribblers-Chronal batch of secret sex
crimes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The allegations were true!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I proved them with TIME!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SPANISH
HOTEL ROOM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">SHIFT and THE AUDITOR are having a lovely
holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room is full of Christmas
gifts and cards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CAPTION: NOW</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We’ve
got a card from Gum-Boy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who’s
Gum-Boy?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tooth
Fairy’s sidekick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You saved him from
Soup-er-man once, remember?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds rubbish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway,
he’s asking if he can be your best man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the hell would I do that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He says he can make
lightsabers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s
not be too hasty here – let’s give this letter the consideration it so richly
deserves ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He’s
probably lying, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate Gum-Boy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The door to the room bursts open!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">GUTTER PRESS enters!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUTTER
PRESS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shift
and Auditor in secret love shock!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Secret?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shock?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Get
out of our room, Gutter Press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
creepy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUTTER
PRESS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gutter
Press with New Powers of Arrest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Continued on page 5.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THE
AUDITOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
are you talking about?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUTTER
PRESS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Page
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shift and Auditor under arrest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Since when can you arrest people?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">5<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CLOUD
PALACE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A palace carved from clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full of bags and shoes and Apple
chargers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is CLOUDBURST’S home,
obvs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LYRIC is here too, helping
Cloudburst decorate the Christmas tree.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
need more baubles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
not making you any more baubles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just need to say the word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
I’ve already made four hundred, and all but eight of them are missing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They’re
around here somewhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Exactly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want them all bursting through a
cloud floor and hitting me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wear
a helmet, then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I’m wearing
this amazing Björk-themed helmet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s
a joke that only works because the stage directions were vague, you know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah,
STEFF.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>STEFFAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stop
breaking the fourth wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some plot’s
about to happen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway,
I’ll make you some more tinsel if you like.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Two members of the THOUGHT POLICE push their
way through the surprisingly wet cloud walls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lyric
and Cloudburst – you’re under arrest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speech
Bubble.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">That’s what you call Lyric and
Cloudburst when you’re speaking to both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speech bubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, words and clouds, you see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s their ship name.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oh, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not doing ship names.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Um.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">If you’ve got any more, keep them
to yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Amity and Amalgam are Petting Zoo,
Shift and Auditor are Career Change, Professor Kayleigh and Captain Cymru are
National Flower, Finesse and Chronal are Perfect Timing and Wraith and Yūrei
are Spectral Vision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">So, anyway, you’re under arrest,
Lyric and Cloudburst.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>THOUGHT
POLICE #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Speech Bubble.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">6<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>RAVEN
SANCTUARY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">AMITY and AMALGAM are having a Lovely Day Out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look
at all the ravens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is amazing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
glad you like it, Animalgaman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
love it, AnimAmity-man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No,
only your name does that, remember?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The sky grows dark!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Dark Clouds form!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A bolt of lightning –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">And DARK CLOUDBURST appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an evil Cloudburst from another
dimension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dresses similarly, but
lots more emo, innit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
are under arrest!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
okay!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No,
hang on – why are we under arrest?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
um.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My boss just said I had to arrest you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
you just accepted the order without question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s a bit silly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That hurt my feelings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dogs
are allowed to be silly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
didn’t just accept without question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
asked lots of questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my boss
didn’t answer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>why are you here?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
said I could keep any money I found on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I found a thousand pounds!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Dark Cloudburst reveals £1,000 in Monopoly
money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is what you use in your universe, right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No,
not since Weird Lady stopped being Prime Minister.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FOLIAGE
STADIUM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Some sort of mad, chaotic sport is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even begin to describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t understand sports at the best of
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just let the announcer do
the hard work ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>ANNOUNCER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Welcome to the final in the Super
Rugby Roller Derby World Cup!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we
bring on St Kitts and Sao Tome to battle it out for the cup, first we welcome
the founders of the sport – Professor Kayleigh and Captain Cymru!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH arrives as her roller-derby
alter-ego, GOG COMPLEX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CAPTAIN CYMRU arrives
as his rugby alter-ego, BARRY.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stupid
question, but why is the World Cup so close to Christmas?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
chose by throwing a dart at a calendar, remember?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A roller-skating rugby REFEREE appears.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
na!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hang
on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not a real rugby ref!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not terrifying enough at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The referee unmaks – and he’s GREGORY THOUGHT!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look,
if a supervillain is going to ruin our day, you could at least send one who
isn’t crap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GREGORY
THOUGHT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence,
Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are both under arrest for
national crimes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You’re
such a liar, Gregory Thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprise
Rugby Tackle ‘im, Baz.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Captain Cymru tries a Surprise Rugby Tackle –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">But Gregory Thought is a mind-reader, and reads
his mind –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">But Gregory Thought is extremely unfit, so
Captain Cymru tackles him to the ground anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GREGORY
THOUGHT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve snapped my bits!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grow
up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Professor Kayleigh finds an arrest warrant in
Thought’s pocket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bugger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">8<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>DOCTOR
WHO EXHIBITION</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CHRONAL, FINESSE and WRAITH are wandering
around, looking at costumes and props off of TV’s Doctor Who.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chronal is filming it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is a Slitheen monster costume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so
realistic!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
are you filming it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
I can watch it back on telly and remember all this stuff!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
can just watch your Doctor Who DVDs for that, surely?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remorse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guys,
one of these aliens is called Bumfriends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
made that up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
I didn’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The costume is right
here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should definitely take a look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bumfriends
were only ever in the audios, Wraith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know too much about Doctor Who.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">One of the Slitheen costumes open up!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Revealing LOUDMOUTH (50s, female, ratty,
insiduous).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">You’re under arrest, leader and
former leader of the Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
always wanted to say that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a very awkward phrase to have always
wanted to say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah,
and I’m here too!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Good point!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You villains have to make Wraith feel
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise we have to do it
ourselves, and there’s not enough hours in the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shut
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just shut up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been arrested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to shut up now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
dear, that’s not how it works at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First we make fun of your rubbish face, which
looks like something you’d see in a kids’ social awareness book with the
caption “don’t bully anyone even if they look like this”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Then we mock your costume, which I
assume you made yourself using a school gym’s spare gym kit box.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Then we point out that we’re NOT
arrested, because we don’t know who you are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I’m Loudmouth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve battled you countless times!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Nah, we’d have remembered, I think.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I’m the journalist who framed
Wraith for murder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Wasn’t that Gutter Press?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">No, he was the one who told
everyone about his lottery win –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Wraith never won the lottery, did
he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I’d remember something like
that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oh, wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that’s why there’s so much money in my
account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought they’d just forgotten
to put the minus sign in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Anyway, if you’re a journalist, you
can’t arrest us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LOUDMOUTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Can’t I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you’ll find that things have changed
since my boss took over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">9<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SECRET
CHRISTMAS PRISON</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A large room, decorated for Christmas, but
certainly a prison.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">It is being ruled by PRISON MAN – a sinister
figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, okay, a figure in a mask
and a baggy hoodie that says “sinister” on it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bring
me Scribblers, my underlings!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">GUTTER PRESS, the THOUGHT POLICE, DARK
CLOUDBURST, GREGORY THOUGHT and LOUDMOUTH bring in their prisoners – FINESSE,
CHRONAL, WRAITH, SHIFT, LYRIC, AMITY, CLOUDBURST, AMALGAM, PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH
and CAPTAIN CYMRU.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where’s
the Auditor?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>GUTTER
PRESS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">He left his passport in the
hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to go back for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promised he’d come straight to the prison
when he’d found it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">This is the problem with hiring
journalists as police officers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">That’s not even the START of the
problem with that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Oh, yeah, I should warn you – my
husband’s a bit sensitive about blurring the lines between the press and
authority.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I find out the government’s involved as
well ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">My dear fellow – of COURSE the
government’s involved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work directly
for ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A secret door opens, and out walks MYSTERY
SMOOTH FIGURE, a mystery person wearing Iron Man-style armour with “SMOOTH” written
on it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MYSTERY
SMOOTH FIGURE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
arranged this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This MYSTERY FIGURE works for the
government.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve
worked out who it is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
will never learn the identity of this MYSTERY FIGURE.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
worked it out before he even turned up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah,
frankly, I thought he was YOU, since you’ve written “sinister” on yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
or SHE!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah,
but it’s a “he”, innit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know who it
is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
bet you’re all trying to work out the mystery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even
I know who it is, and I hardly know anything about the Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>DARK
CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is kind-of obvious, sir.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shut
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shut up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re working for ME, boy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey,
you’re here!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which
of you said that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hang
on – is that Dark Cloudburst?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
lame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time Dark Cloudburst turned
up, he broke into the Pit at four in the morning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">No, Wraith, that was Drunk
Cloudburst.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">And what you did to him was quite
horrible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">All that remains is for me to read
out the charge – which is that despite being a nationalised team, paid for by
the taxpayer –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Wasn’t this prison paid for by the
taxpayer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was paid for by the private funds of Hen- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>... of Mystery Smooth Figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, despite being a nationalised team,
blah blah blah, you have continuously promoted the sinister liberal agenda of
the EU.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Sorry – how exactly have we done
that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FRANCE!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">WRAITH, SHIFT, PROFESSOR KAYLEIGH and CAPTAIN
CYMRU on stage, accepting medals from La Batte.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LA
BATTE (in French, translated)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
so these fine friends of mine came to destory Venus Fly Trap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Best
villain ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You’re
only saying that because she liked your shoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
shoes are amazing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
helped!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hush,
bach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CAPTAIN
CYMRU</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
punched her four times!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PROFESSOR
KAYLEIGH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I’m sure that’s what took her
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me overloading her vine powers
and Shift becoming a bear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Bears are great.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LA
BATTE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">And so I present my lovely friends –
especially Captain Cymru, who shares our possibly-xenophobic mistrust of the
English – with these medals, and also vouchers for all my restaurants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Surely we have more vouchers than
we’ll ever need for that place now?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">La Batte likes giving
vouchers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best leave him to it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Baps di-ri.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">11<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>GERMANY!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">LYRIC, CLOUDBURST, AMITY and AMALGAM accept
medals from German superhero ERLÖSER (tall, beautiful, dressed in white).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>ERLÖSER
(in German, translated)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">And so we thank our inefficient
British friends for helping in our incredibly efficient defeat of the
villainous Rührung.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I hope they don’t mention what I did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I’m sure they’d understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goats get hungry all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not your fault Rührung was wearing
such temptingly delicious villain pants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Anyway, we couldn’t have saved the
day without you – that bit where Octopus and Raven had to press two buttons
simultaneously ... even Shift wouldn’t have been able to do that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Well, I don’t know – ever since
that business with Bestia –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Whoah, spoilers!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Do you think they’ll reward us with
German food?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">I hope so!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">The funny thing about German food
is that it all has German names.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>LYRIC </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">That’s because it’s German.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CLOUDBURST</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Exactly!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>ERLÖSER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">We also award you with a lot of
German food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be funny seeing you
try and pronounce the names.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">12<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>HUNGARY!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">FINESSE, CHRONAL, SHIFT, AMITY, WRAITH and
LYRIC accept a medal from SOME STRANGE CELEBRITIES.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>SOME
STRANGE CELEBRITY (in Hungarian, translated)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Congratulations,
Scribblers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have won the Eurovision
Song Contest!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look,
we only came here to stop Cannibal eating the UK’s entry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unsuccessfully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just
seemed like the only option we had left was to mime to their song.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which
was horrible, by the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">It was awful on purpose, you
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Britain doesn’t want
Eurovision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why we send you
terrible songs in the first place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">They only voted for us because we’re
famous superheroes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">And because Chronal is extremely
attractive to all nations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Plausible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SOME STRANGE CELEBRITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Please take your prize – a SHED!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">A SHED?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s going to look ridiculous outside our
building, especially –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Taxed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">13<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SECRET
CHRISTMAS PRISON</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Continued from scene 9.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMALGAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s
ridiculous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saving the world doesn’t
mean we’re promoting the EU.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although
for the record, that’s what I was doing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>PRISON
MAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
you admit it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should be impartial as
a government employee.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">That’s true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d hate me if I weren’t me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a massive hypocrite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, good luck finding a new
time-traveller for your team.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Okay, I’ve had enough of this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Finesse holds up a hand –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Towards Cloudburst –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Whose power causes a lightning bolt to strike
MYSTERY SMOOTH FIGURE’s suit of armour –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Shutting it down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC
(echo-y voice)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ystrydebol.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Lyric’s sword appears in his hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">He sticks it into the neck of the suit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Cracks open the head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
look at that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mystery Smooth Figure
is ACTUALLY ... Henry Sm-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WEIRD LADY?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WEIRD
LADY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
parrot is king of China.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then why did she call herself Mystery Smooth
Figure?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s
unclear why Weird Lady does anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she couldn’t have co-ordinated this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone’s used her former Prime Minister
status to their own ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think
that person is ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Chronal unmasks Prison Man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">It’s Henry Smoothman!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Henry
Smoothman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is in fact ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Chronal tugs at Henry Smoothman’s face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HENRY
SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ow,
my face!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">... Henry Smoothman, former
television present, puppet leader of the SPP, and a man absolutely nobody has
ever liked in any shape or form.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>AMITY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry Smoothman is disgraced, and we’ve got a
new prison which the taxpayer didn’t need to pay for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can use it to rehabilitate more criminals!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">Once it satisfies EU regulations,
obviously.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>HENRY
SMOOTHMAN</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="mso-ansi-language: #046B;">NOOOOOOOO!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="quz-BO" style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #046B;">THE END</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-87381120351643335462012-09-06T11:12:00.001+00:002012-09-06T11:12:50.762+00:00Super Skeleton: 1964<div class="title">
</div>
<div class="copy">
<strong>January</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #37<br />
<br />
Villain: Ladybird<br />
<br />
Jonathan tries to make Super Skeleton feel normal for a day - by
taking her out on a date, and calling her Mabel. They go to La Batte’s
restaurant, but things go awry when Ladybird threatens to set off a
doomsday device.<br />
<br />
<strong>February</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #38<br />
<br />
Villain: Loudmouth<br />
<br />
Someone starts a rumour that Mabel and Jonathan are together, and the
press descend on the house. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s sister Bella is in
danger from a new enemy.<br />
<br />
<strong>March</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #39<br />
<br />
Villain: Babel<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton must defeat a tough new enemy. Fortunately, Skull Boy
and La Batte offer their help. Unfortunately, Babel’s powers mean they
cannot understand each other’s speech.<br />
<br />
<strong>April</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #40<br />
<br />
Villains: Alien Dave and Demon Child<br />
<br />
Jonathan and Mabel grow closer - and the daughter of Satan-Man offers
Mabel a choice. She can restore her ability to become human - but only
if Bella Best had never been born. Part 1 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #41<br />
<br />
Villains: The Human Apple and Pip-Lad, Toxic, Ladybird, Demon Child<br />
<br />
In the toughest day of Super Skeleton’s life, she must take down old
enemies. Jonathan comforts her when she returns - and Demon Child
returns to remind her of the offer. Part 2 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>June</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #42<br />
<br />
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child<br />
<br />
When Ladybird attacks the local children’s library, Super Skeleton
makes it her mission to unmask her most mysterious enemy. In a raging
battle, she discovers that Ladybird is in fact Bella Best. As Super
Skeleton struggles to process this information, Demon Child materialises
a third time. Part 3 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>July</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #43<br />
<br />
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child<br />
<br />
Before a choice can be made, Ladybird reveals that her doomsday
device is set to go off again. In a race against time, Ladybird helps
Super Skeleton save the city - and Super Skeleton learns that Bella’s
actions have been guided by Demon Child all along. Super Skeleton and
Ladybird turn on Demon Child. Mabel loses her chance at humanity - but
gains a new superhero partner. Part 4 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>August</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #44<br />
<br />
Villain: Monica Death<br />
<br />
As Super Skeleton and Ladybird fight a new enemy, they must prevent
Jonathan from finding out that Ladybird is in fact his sister.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #1<br />
<br />
Villain: n/a<br />
<br />
Mabel and Bella challenge the Flaming Five to an assault course challenge.<br />
<br />
<strong>September</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #45<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
A race against time as the city skies fill with poison. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #2<br />
<br />
Villain: Clock Girl<br />
<br />
A race against time as Mabel and Bella battle a time-themed villain.<br />
<br />
<strong>October</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #46<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
As Super Skeleton fights Toxic, Ladybird prevents the poison from
spreading - but must be saved by her own brother. How will Jonathan
react to learning Ladybird’s identity? Part 2 of 2.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #3<br />
<br />
Villain: Captain Fast<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird are challenged to a race - with four lives at steak.<br />
<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #47<br />
<br />
Villain: Hippo Rachel<br />
<br />
Jonathan accompanies Super Skeleton and Ladybird on patrol, and becomes a bargaining chip in a deadly situation.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #4<br />
<br />
Villain: The Dissector<br />
<br />
Mabel and Bella babysit for La Batte.<br />
<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #48<br />
<br />
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought<br />
<br />
Facing incredible odds, Super Skeleton and Ladybird team up with the
Flaming Five. Gregory Thought discovers Ladybird’s identity by reading
her mind, and Jonathan is kidnapped. The Frozen Emperors move to
destroy the city. Part 1 of 2. The second part of this story appeared
in the title Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5, causing some controversy at
the time, as readers famously hated the art style in the latter comic.
However, this move boosted sales, temporarily saving the book from
cancellation.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5<br />
<br />
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought<br />
<br />
The Flaming Five put their plan into action - and huge responsibility
falls on Ladybird’s shoulders. She must put her worries for her
brother aside to take down the Frozen Emperors. Meanwhile, Super
Skeleton faces Gregory Thought alone, and rescuse Jonathan - who’s
injured, dying. Through the pain, he confesses his love for Mabel.
They kiss - and Jonathan dies.</div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-23491019106495742232012-09-06T11:11:00.000+00:002012-09-06T11:11:01.505+00:00Super Skeleton: 1963<div class="title">
</div>
<div class="copy">
<strong>January</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #25<br />
<br />
Villain: Alien Dave<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton faces an alien invasion - or is it a hoax?<br />
<br />
<strong>February</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #26<br />
<br />
Villains: The Human Apple and Pip-Lad<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton takes down an old foe with a new sidekick - and
temporarily gains one of her own; Gareth Moresby, a fifteen-year-old boy
who discovers a magic ring which transforms his head into a
diamond-hard skull. He fights as Skull Boy.<br />
<br />
<strong>March</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #27<br />
<br />
Villain: Laser Face<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton faces incredible odds, and is eventually helped by Skull Boy. Can she justify allowing him to fight crime?<br />
<br />
<strong>April</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #28<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Skull Boy saves Super Skeleton from her deadliest nemesis, proving himself and earning his role as Super Skeleton’s sidekick.<br />
<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #29<br />
<br />
Villain: The Pipe Cleaner<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton moves in with twins Bella and Jonathan Best.<br />
<br />
<strong>June</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #30<br />
<br />
Villain: Knife Stack<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Skull Boy save Jonathan from a deadly villain.<br />
<br />
<strong>July</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #31<br />
<br />
Villain: Beardy Baldwin<br />
<br />
Skull Boy is kidnapped by a mysterious enemy, while Super Skeleton
begins to develop feelings for her housemate Jonathan. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>August</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #32<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Beardy Baldwin’s secret is revealed, and Skull Boy is saved … but
he’s taken heavy damage. Super Skeleton decides she will continue
fighting crime alone. Part 2 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>September</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #33<br />
<br />
Villain: Jane the Giant Robot<br />
<br />
An old enemy returns, and Super Skeleton saves the day with some unexpected help from her housemate Bella Best.<br />
<br />
<strong>October</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #34<br />
<br />
Villain: Heartache<br />
<br />
A magical spell makes Jonathan fall in love with Super Skeleton - and
she must undo it. This comic is particularly valuable thanks to its
famous cover art.<br />
<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #35<br />
<br />
Villains: Alien Dave and Ladybird<br />
<br />
Alien Dave has a new crime partner - but who could she be?<br />
<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #36<br />
<br />
Villain: Lord Pegasus<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton and Toxic team up to save the day.</div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-29173894774528198542012-09-06T11:09:00.000+00:002012-09-06T11:10:00.142+00:00Super Skeleton: 1962<div class="title">
</div>
<div class="copy">
<strong>January</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #13<br />
<br />
Villain: The Spectral Fool<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton fights the ghost of the world’s least funny jester.<br />
<br />
<strong>February</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #14<br />
<br />
Villains: The Horrific Harpy, the Businessmen and the Kevin<br />
<br />
A gang of supervillains team up to take their revenge against Super Skeleton<br />
<br />
<strong>March</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #15<br />
<br />
Villain: Jane the Giant Robot<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton faces seemingly impossible odds. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>April</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #16<br />
<br />
Villain: Jane the Giant Robot<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton learns that seemingly impossible odds aren’t
necessarily impossible. However, when she returns home, she realises
she’s become Super Skeleton 99 times - if she ever transforms again,
she’ll be stuck as Super Skeleton permanently. Part 2 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #17<br />
<br />
Villain: The Kevin<br />
<br />
Mabel Thomas must save a swimming pool - without her powers. She must not allow people to learn that Super Skeleton is no more.<br />
<br />
<strong>June</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #18<br />
<br />
Villain: Olive Branch<br />
<br />
Mabel must fight without her powers - in a new skeleton-themed costume.<br />
<br />
<strong>July</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #19<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Mabel fights her deadliest nemesis - and is poisoned. Part 1 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>August</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #20<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Mabel faces an impossible choice - save seventeen children, or find
the antidote to her poisoning. She saves the children, and finds
herself dying. Part 2 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>September</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #21<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic and the Horrific Harpy<br />
<br />
While Toxic gloats over Super Skeleton’s death, a reformed Olive
Branch battles the Horrific Harpy for access to the antidote. Will she
make it in time? Part 3 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>October</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #22<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Olive Branch manages to cure Mabel - but Mabel has realised she
cannot escape her responsibilities. To defeat Toxic, she transforms
into Super Skeleton - this time, permanently. Part 4 of 4.<br />
<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #23<br />
<br />
Villain: The Human Apple and Peachy Dean<br />
<br />
Family issues abound as the Human Apple forces his brother to team up
with him, and Super Skeleton must reveal her identity to her father.<br />
<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #24<br />
<br />
Villain: The Horrible Fencer<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton faces a foe whose sword-fighting skills match her own.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton Christmas Special 1962<br />
<br />
Villain: Ugly Ugly Man<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton teams up with Beautiful Kate as one of Kate’s oldest enemies threatens the city’s water supply.</div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-40223491387362504272012-09-06T11:08:00.001+00:002012-09-06T11:08:43.946+00:00Super Skeleton: 1961<div class="title">
</div>
<div class="copy">
<strong>January</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #3<br />
<br />
Villain: The Horrific Harpy<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton’s lack of ears come in useful.<br />
<br />
<strong>March</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #4<br />
<br />
Villains: The Businessmen<br />
<br />
While Mabel’s father’s hat shop business comes under attack from
hostile takeover, Super Skeleton takes on a new group of supervillains.<br />
<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #5<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Mabel’s father is poisoned by Toxic - Super Skeleton must capture her to acquire an antidote. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>June</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #6<br />
<br />
Villains: Toxic and the Human Apple<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton faces her toughest battle yet. Part 2 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>July</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #7<br />
<br />
Villain: The Kevin<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton teams up with Friend Lass to save a local radio presenter.<br />
<br />
<strong>August</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #8<br />
<br />
Villain: The Human Apple<br />
<br />
The Human Apple discovers Super Skeleton’s secret identity, and kidnaps her father. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>September</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #9<br />
<br />
Villains: The Human Apple and Razor Blade<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton makes her way through the Human Apple’s deadly maze.<br />
<br />
<strong>October</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #10<br />
<br />
Villain: Gregory Thought<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton must fight a mind reader to save a famous pig.<br />
<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #11<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
Mabel faces odds so tough, she considers whether she can continue fighting crime. Part 1 of 2.<br />
<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #12<br />
<br />
Villain: Toxic<br />
<br />
A child is almost killed, and Mabel decides to continue fighting crime. Part 2 of 2.<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton Christmas Special 1961<br />
<br />
Villain: Mr Sintaro<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton teams up with the Scribblers.</div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-9095947123013207012012-09-06T11:07:00.003+00:002012-09-06T11:07:41.122+00:00Super Skeleton: 1960<strong></strong><div class="copy">
<strong>March</strong><br />
<br />
Ridiculous Adventures #15<br />
<br />
Villain: The Ninth Wizard<br />
<br />
Mabel Thomas’s father is kidnapped by the Ninth Wizard, and the
Forbidden Witch transforms her into Super Skeleton to save him. After
doing so, she asks the Forbidden Witch to keep her skeleton form to
fight crime. The Forbidden Witch agrees, allowing her to switch between
human and skeleton form, but this comes with a stipulation - if Mabel
transforms one hundred times, she will stay a skeleton permanently.<br />
<br />
<strong>September</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #1<br />
<br />
Villain: The Human Apple<br />
<br />
Mabel must become Super Skeleton to foil a bank robbery.<br />
<br />
<strong>November</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton #2<br />
<br />
Villains: The Princess and the Pauper<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton must try and stop two villains in 24 hours.<br />
<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
<br />
Super Skeleton Christmas Special 1960<br />
<br />
Villains: The Flying Corpses<br />
<br />
Super Skeleton must seek the unlikely help of the Princess to save the city on Christmas Eve.</div>
Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-51983713240147723092012-08-14T11:36:00.002+00:002012-08-14T11:36:50.518+00:00Scribblers: Unleashed<u>Scribblers<br />"Unleashed"</u><br />by Steffan Alun<br /><br /><u>1. EXT. GLACIER STADIUM - Day 7. 0900</u><br /><br />A small ice-themed stadium. Lots of stalls around selling food. A very small number of FANS around the place, all wearing red scarves. A single fan wearing a blue scarf.<br /><br />He approaches a MOTHER and TWO CHILDREN wearing red scarves.<br /><br />BLUE FAN<br />Excuse me. Have the blue fans gone in already?<br /><br />MOTHER<br />I think there’s just you, sorry love.<br /><br />BLUE FAN<br />I can’t be the only one supporting him!<br /><br />MOTHER<br />Who are you supporting, exactly?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>2. INT. GLACIER ARENA – Day 7. 0905</u><br /><br />COOL BOX is standing in an indoor arena, in a morning suit and ice-themed mask. The arena is surrounded by a seating area, and has two large closed entrances to the central arena itself.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />What a wonderful morning for a battle.<br /><br />Zoom out to reveal he’s talking to the BLUE RAINBOW SOLDIER (female, indifferent, proud). Also in the arena are FIFTY GOONS in generic outfits.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />Yes, great. Who are we fighting, did you say?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Only the Flaming Three! Oh, yes, Blue. Today, the flames will be frozen, and ice shall defeat fire.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />Right, yeah. Weren’t they the Flaming Five?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />McFireball went to join Scotland’s national team, and Ashes is dead at the moment.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />That’s good. Ashes is solid.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Oh, I think I’m more than a match for Ashes.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER (sarcastically)<br />Ha!<br />(beat)<br />Sorry.<br /><br />The FANS start entering, taking their seats around the arena.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Welcome, everyone! If you could just let me know when you’re all in.<br /><br />MOTHER<br />I think this is it, love.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Aw, really? Fine.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />You should’ve promoted it a bit more.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Yes, okay.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />Really, though. The poster didn’t even mention who was fighting. I bet these guys are only here because the Flaming Three put it on their website.<br /><br />Cool Box spots the BLUE FAN taking his seat.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />At least my brother made it. My sister couldn’t get the time off work.<br /><br />BLUE SOLDIER<br />It is an awkward time for people ...<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Yes, all right! Let’s just –<br /><br />The lights die down.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Heh. Here they come.<br /><br />A drum roll –<br /><br />The opposite entrance opens –<br /><br />And AMITY and LYRIC enter.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />What? Who are you?<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Sorry about this. Change of plans. We’re letting the Flaming Three off the hook.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Yeah. We’ve been meaning to get around to nabbing you, and this seems as good a time as any.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Who are you people?<br /><br />SHIFT and WRAITH enter.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Oh, that’s right. You never met, did you?<br /><br />WRAITH<br />We told them all about you. I think. Everything important, anyway.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Didn’t take long.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Yeah. We got your diadem, so ...<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />The diadem – you’re ...<br /><br />CHRONAL enters.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />I can’t believe you don’t remember us. We’re big trouble, you know.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Oh, I remember you. Leader of the Scribblers. This is the whole team.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Former leader.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Hang on. So that means –<br /><br />FINESSE enters.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />No no no! Not you! Blue, get them!<br /><br />And he runs for the door –<br /><br />Chronal lifts his hand –<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Don’t bother. You sort these guys out. I want to show him my party piece.<br /><br />And she becomes a WASP.<br /><br />Cool Box gets through the door –<br /><br />Which closes –<br /><br />The wasp reaches the door –<br /><br />Becomes a FLEA –<br /><br />Which slides through a tiny gap below the door.<br /><br />The Blue Soldier attacks Wraith –<br /><br />And freezes in place.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Couldn’t he afford more than one Rainbow Soldier?<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Yeah. They’re not pricy.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />And Cool Box is old money.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />So old it’s expired.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Good one.<br /><br />Amity suddenly turns –<br /><br />Facing GOON ONE holding a brick.<br /><br />Amity holds up her hand.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Hate yourself.<br /><br />GOON ONE<br />I don’t ...<br /><br />AMITY<br />We do not brick people, young goon.<br /><br />GOON ONE<br />I know. I just ... I don’t know why I do these things.<br /><br />He falls into a sitting position.<br /><br />And the remaining goons attack.<br /><br />We jump around the arena from fight to fight.<br /><br />GOON TWO, facing Lyric, reaches with his right hand for a truncheon on the left side of his belt.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Handcuffs.<br /><br />The goon’s hands are handcuffed together –<br /><br />He swings the truncheon towards Lyric –<br /><br />Pulling his left hand along –<br /><br />And falling comically to the side.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Blindfold.<br /><br />Reveal GOON THREE behind him, about to attack –<br /><br />Now blindfolded –<br /><br />Falls on top of Goon Two.<br /><br />GOON FOUR is facing Wraith.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Check out my invisible knife.<br /><br />GOON FOUR<br />What?<br /><br />Wraith mimes slashing horizontally at waist level.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />No more hands.<br /><br />GOON FOUR<br />Argh!<br /><br />He holds up his arms so that his hands would be at face level, but the hands are missing.<br /><br />Wraith hits Goon Four in the face with Goon Four’s invisible hands –<br /><br />Which become visible again.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Lol.<br /><br />FINESSE is facing GOON FIVE.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Tell me, Goon. Are you afraid of me?<br /><br />GOON FIVE<br />I can take you.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Wrong answer. Your employer’s scared of me. He had no idea I was coming, but he’s hired forty-nine goons with no powers. I think he wanted to be able to take me.<br /><br />GOON FIVE<br />Come on. Hit me. I dare you.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />No, no. That’s not how I work. You have powers, so I’m going to let you embarrass yourself by trying to beat me first –<br /><br />GOON FIVE<br />I don’t have powers.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh. Oh! You didn’t know?<br /><br />She grins menacingly.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Shall we discover them together?<br /><br />She holds out a hand –<br /><br />And SPIKES explode out of Goon Five’s body.<br /><br />Goon Five SCREAMS.<br /><br />Fifteen goons surround Chronal, including GOON SIX.<br /><br />GOON SIX<br />Even you aren’t fast enough to defeat us all.<br /><br />All fifteen of the goons are unconscious on the ground.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />I think I just beat my personal best.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>3. INT. STADIUM STAIRCASE – Day 7. 0910</u><br /><br />A narrow metal staircase. COOL BOX half-running, half-tripping towards the top.<br /><br />A SPANIEL chasing and barking.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Go away!<br /><br />He gets to the top –<br /><br />Enters a door –<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>4. INT. STADIUM OFFICE – Day 7. 0911</u><br /><br />A tiny office – just a desk, a swivel chair and some filing cabinets. On the desk is a large black device – a lash-up that looks like it’s made of bits of bicycle frame and wires. In the centre is an orange crystal, attached to the wires.<br /><br />COOL BOX falls in.<br /><br />The SPANIEL jumps towards him –<br /><br />And becomes SHIFT.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Fighting some superheroes to prove ice beats fire? Dream bigger, for God’s sake, Cool Box.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />You’ve ruined my plan.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />And you really need a new name.<br /><br />Cool Box spins suddenly –<br /><br />And blasts Shift with an ice beam.<br /><br />The beam fades.<br /><br />Shift is fine – but has grey rhino skin.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />I’ve been practicing this one. Rhinos are immune to your ice. Did you know that?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />No!<br /><br />He pulls up the sleeve of his jacket –<br /><br />And places his forearm on Shift’s face.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Oh, yes, that won’t help either.<br /><br />She hits him hard –<br /><br />And he’s down.<br /><br />Shift approaches the black device.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Brilliant, you brought the crystal. What have you done to it, you weirdo?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />The teleportation ... it needed refining ...<br /><br />SHIFT<br />You’re joking! Where did you end up?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />... Indonesia.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Funny. What does this wire do?<br /><br />She removes a wire from the left side of the device.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />You fool! That’s for sending me away!<br /><br />SHIFT<br />What about this one?<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Don’t touch anything else!<br /><br />Shift hands him a small switch.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Get off it.<br /><br />He dives for the device –<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Oh, if you’re escaping, I’m –<br /><br />Shift grabs hold of the device –<br /><br />As Cool Box grabs the other side –<br /><br />And presses a button.<br /><br />The crystal glows.<br /><br />They’re both engulfed by an orange light.<br /><br />The light fades.<br /><br />Shift and Cool Box are still in the office –<br /><br />But the device is missing.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Um. Coming with you?<br /><br />Cool Box faints.<br /><br />Ice spreads across his entire body, as in Cool Box Scene 13.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Useless.<br /><br />FINESSE and LYRIC enter.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Hello. Do you need any help saving the day?<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Ooh, look what you’ve done! That’s what I did to him.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />There’s a problem.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />You’re not Shift.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />You always knew her so well.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What have you done with her?<br /><br />SHIFT<br />The ice man’s crystal. It teleported us away. And it left us here.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Hang on. You’re Fauna.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />I’m afraid so.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />And that means –<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>5. EXT. HELIPAD – Day 7. 0915</u><br /><br />Top of a skyscraper. A small helicopter waiting.<br /><br />SHIFT and COOL BOX appear with a flash of orange. They’re holding the device.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Oh.<br />(sing-song)<br />I’ve got a helicopter.<br /><br />She becomes a GORILLA, but this is not the usual Shift-Gorilla. This is a larger, vicious, fanged variety.<br /><br />She knocks out Cool Box with a punch to the head.<br /><br />He ices over.<br /><br />The gorilla becomes Shift again.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />I am unleashed. I can finally walk upon the ground.<br /><br />She turns to the helicopter.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />But first I will fly.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>6. INT. THE PIT – Day 7. 1000</u><br /><br />FINESSE, CHRONAL and FAUNA are sitting on the sofas. COOL BOX is tied to a wooden chair, soaking wet.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Okay, guys. We’re fighting Bestia.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />I really don’t want to fight Bestia.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />She is evil.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />No, hang on – I don’t like the word evil. Nobody’s beyond redemption. There’s a good side to everyone.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />I am the good side.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Good point.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Okay, so she’s not a full human being. So we get you two reunited as soon as possible, and then we recover the glory that is Shift of the Scribblers.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />She won’t come willingly.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I’ll make her.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Remember that she knows you as well as Shift does.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh, yes – a very good and terrifying point.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />You have to stop him.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Him? Cool Box, if you’re not going to listen, you don’t get to talk.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />No, listen to me – I’m in constant battle to try and keep mys- to keep Cool Box good.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What an awful job you do.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Okay, fine, but right now, the other side of him is on the loose. He has no remorse, no empathy. Nothing to hold him back.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Yeah, that’s chilling, I’m sure, but I’m going to focus on taking down the EVIL SCRIBBLER if that’s alright by you.<br /><br />AMITY enters.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Okay, we’ve contacted everyone we can. Cool Box ... um, the other Cool Box was found by the police, so he’s in his cell. Apparently, he gave them no trouble at all.<br /><br />Cool Box looks disappointed.<br /><br />AMITY<br />No sign of Bestia, and I’m not picking her up. So I think we’re going to have to do something drastic.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Alright. Any ideas?<br /><br />AMITY<br />You’re not going to like it.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What is it?<br /><br />AMITY<br />No, really. You’re going to hate it. You’ll say no. Feel free to say no. If you really –<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Amity!<br /><br />AMITY<br />Oh, right. Well – have you heard of a man named Peter Copland?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>7. INT. LA BATTE’S – Day 7. 1015</u><br /><br />The restaurant is nearly empty – just LA BATTE himself cleaning glasses behind the bar.<br /><br />BESTIA swaggers in.<br /><br />LA BATTE<br />Ah, Shift! My goodness me, what an honour!<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Bring me the food.<br /><br />LA BATTE<br />Ah, but madame! I do not start serving until eleven. If you would like a drink while you wait ...<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I want the soup and the steak and ice cream and cake.<br /><br />LA BATTE<br />Well. For one of the Scribblers, I can make an exception, of course.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>8. EXT. THE SIDE-STOREYS – Day 7. 1200</u><br /><br />A large block of offices – orange bricks with faded green painted panels. Dirty windows, patches of grass overgrowing with weeds, a car park full of old, battered cars. FINESSE, LYRIC, FAUNA and COOL BOX standing outside.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />They call these the side-storeys. I used to – Shift used to go there.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What on earth for?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />These are the forgotten departments of governance. There are some social work groups here.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />This is the social work place? God, Shift said the place was run down.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />And they dare to say the public sector is efficient.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />One more comment like that, and I’m telling Chronal.<br /><br />Cool Box looks scared.<br /><br />FINESSE (to Lyric)<br />Chronal overheard him saying the trains were more reliable since they were privatised.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Ye gods. I’m surprised you still have your eyebrows, Boxy.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />He wouldn’t let me talk.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />He looked up charts.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Chronal’s Bestia must be terrifying.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Not everyone has a Bestia, you know.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />I have a Bestia.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />You have a Worstia. Well! Shall we meet our Mr Copland?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>9. INT. BARBARA’S ROOM – Day 7. 1205</u><br /><br />As seen in The Final Flight of Damien the Impossible, PETER COPLAND is at the bank of computers, gently adjusting switches and dials.<br /><br />FINESSE, LYRIC, FAUNA and COOL BOX enter.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Hello – Mr Copland?<br /><br />Copland turns around.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Oh, hello Miss Finesse –<br /><br />FINESSE<br />No, don’t do that.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Sorry. Ms Finesse?<br /><br />Finesse walks towards the computers.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Now, this is quite a thing ...<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Oh ho ho, hang on now – don’t get too close, if you don’t mind.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What’s this?<br /><br />She lifts a small sliding panel on the computer bank –<br /><br />Copland looks horrified –<br /><br />And Finesse reaches a hand inside –<br /><br />Removing a small ruby, like the one seen in The Crater.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh, I don’t like you having this.<br /><br />COPLAND (scared)<br />Put that back! Barbara needs it!<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Barbara?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />It’s what he calls his machine.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />And you called it Barbara? Rubbish name.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />It was the name of my wife, I’ll have you know.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh, dear me, Mr Copland – you haven’t built yourself a wife machine, have you? That never ends well.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Hang on – how do you know about the machine, Shi- Fauna?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Shift was involved in the testing process.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Yes. Turned the entire building into a giant lizard monster. Look, if you could just give me the gem now ...<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I remember that. She never said. How much stuff does Shift not bother reporting, exactly?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Trust me, my friend – I am wise. I know when not to bother you.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Maybe. But this isn’t right.<br /><br />She holds up the ruby.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />It channels people’s powers, right? You enter the machine, the ruby converts your abilities, the machine amplifies it. Which is ... how Dreamwave kept the population entranced during the Overload incident.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Yes, so you understand how vital it is that I get that gem back ...<br /><br />FINESSE<br />But it does more than that. It stores the powers. It keeps them.<br /><br />She closes her eyes –<br /><br />Lifts the ruby to her right eye –<br /><br />Inhales deeply.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />No, no, it doesn’t do anything like that.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I can feel them, you idiot. Oh, hello. You’ve been busy, haven’t you? Yep, there’s Shift, and there’s ... that must be Dreamwave. And, oh, there’s Wildfire ... Post-Man ... Lawyer Girl ... Toxic? Villains too, that’s not good. Urania, Peggington, Dark Hand, Dreadful Greta ...<br /><br />COPLAND<br />I didn’t know.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />He tells the truth.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I’m sure he does. You don’t know what you’re doing here, do you Copland?<br /><br />She opens her eyes.<br /><br />Holds her hand open flat, palm up, with the ruby in the middle.<br /><br />The sound of rushing air.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Empty now.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Barbara!<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Think of it as cleaning the hard drive before PC World find your dirty secrets.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />By “PC World”, she means us. And by “find your dirty secrets”, she means ...<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Give you such a ding about the ear.<br /><br />Finesse grins fondly at Fauna.<br /><br />Fauna smiles weakly.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Right. Move over, Copland – I’m getting my best friend back.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>9. EXT/INT. TRANS-JET – Day 7. 1210</u><br /><br />AMITY at the steering wheel, with WRAITH and CHRONAL present.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />What’s next on the List Of Dangerous Places Shift’s Allowed Into?<br /><br />AMITY<br />Don’t call it that. It should have a cool codename.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Metal Gear.<br /><br />AMITY<br />No, that’s what you called our last secret thing. Anyway, the only place left is Gaolhouse Rock, and I’ve sent them early warning to look out for Cool Box’s helicopter.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Then we can take a break for lunch!<br /><br />AMITY<br />No we can not. Now we’re waiting to hear back from Finesse.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Lunch. The first casualty of superhero missions.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>11. INT. BARBARA’S ROOM – Day 7. 1215</u><br /><br />Continued from Scene 9. Close-up on a green glass sphere in Finesse’s hand, the same size as the ruby. It wibbles as Lyric whispers softly to it.<br /><br />Lyric stops talking –<br /><br />And the sphere becomes stable.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Alright. This’ll be good for one use in Barbara, and it won’t do any creepy power stealing.<br /><br />She turns towards the computers –<br /><br />Lifts the small hatch –<br /><br />And inserts the sphere.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Alright, Fauna, you guard Copland.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />I beg your pardon?<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I’m not having you anywhere near me.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />I wouldn’t dream of interfering with the Scribblers!<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Yeah, but you’re weird. Remind me to tell you about the creepy wife mushroom story I read once.<br /><br />Finesse climbs into Barbara –<br /><br />Lyric straps her arms in –<br /><br />And her legs –<br /><br />And flips a switch.<br /><br />Sudden zoom out –<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>12. EXT. DINAS – Day 7. 1216</u><br /><br />An aerial view of the city.<br /><br />It fades to monochrome –<br /><br />And around the side-storeys, small lights appear in different colours –<br /><br />And then in a wider radius –<br /><br />Spreading outwards –<br /><br />Until the city’s covered in lights.<br /><br />One turquoise light glows stronger than the others –<br /><br />Sudden zoom towards it –<br /><br />Zooming in –<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>13. EXT. OUTSIDE LA BATTE’S – Day 7. 1216</u><br /><br />Monochrome shot of La Batte’s, its windows lit in turquoise.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>14. INT. BARBARA’S ROOM – Day 7. 1216</u><br /><br />Continued from Scene 11. Crash-zoom on Finesse’s face.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />She’s in La Batte’s.<br /><br />Lyric on the communicator.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Get to La Batte’s, guys. We’re on our way.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>15. EXT/INT. TRANS-JET – Day 7. 1217</u><br /><br />Continued from Scene 9.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Okay, we’re going to La Batte’s.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Yay!<br /><br />AMITY<br />Not to eat.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>16. INT. LA BATTE’S – Day 7. 1225</u><br /><br />BESTIA on a table by herself, surrounded by a mountain of food and a pile of empty plates. She’s currently dipping chips in ice-cream.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />We like this a lot. The food I’ve been denied. Maybe my wolf would like some.<br /><br />She transforms into a ferocious-looking WOLF with glowing red eyes.<br /><br />The wolf knocks some of the food aside with its snout –<br /><br />Hunting through the dishes –<br /><br />Finds a huge rump steak –<br /><br />And starts eating ravenously.<br /><br />It looks up.<br /><br />Long shot: AMITY and WRAITH have arrived.<br /><br />The wolf jumps –<br /><br />Over the table –<br /><br />Runs towards them –<br /><br />Jumps for Amity –<br /><br />And freezes in mid-air.<br /><br />CHRONAL fades into view.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />My, haven’t we gone soft? Shift would’ve seen right through that ploy.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Would we call that a ploy?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />I think it was rather ploy-esque, yes.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Okay, I’ll call Finesse. I don’t like this wolf.<br /><br />AMITY<br />It is not a good wolf.<br /><br />BANG! Chronal is hit from behind –<br /><br />The wolf becomes an enormous black HORSE, over twenty hands, with iron hooves –<br /><br />And gallops out of the restaurant.<br /><br />Chronal looks around.<br /><br />Behind him is LA BATTE.<br /><br />LA BATTE<br />She said you’d come. I know you are not the real Scribblers.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Hey, hang on, surely –<br /><br />La Batte shoots Amity with a dart.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Wh- La Batte! Honestly!<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Yeah, dude. We’re fo’ reals. She was the one being strange.<br /><br />La Batte kicks out –<br /><br />Winding Wraith –<br /><br />As Chronal aims his hands towards La Batte –<br /><br />Who super-jumps into the air –<br /><br />Avoiding Chronal’s time-blast.<br /><br />AMITY<br />I feel weird.<br /><br />Amity’s POV: the world out of focus and swaying.<br /><br />Amity’s POV: La Batte clinging to the ceiling.<br /><br />Amity tries to aim at La Batte –<br /><br />But is swaying too much from dizziness.<br /><br />La Batte lands behind Chronal –<br /><br />Chronal vanishes –<br /><br />La Batte ducks –<br /><br />Then hops –<br /><br />Then springs back towards the ceiling.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Good reflexes. Um, but we’re just going to leave.<br /><br />He’s kicked in the head by La Batte’s leg –<br /><br />Which freezes.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Gotcha.<br />(to Amity)<br />Are you alright?<br /><br />AMITY<br />Yeah. Chemicals affecting my mind? I’m totally on it.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Then I’m super-speeding away.<br /><br />He becomes a blur through the door.<br /><br />La Batte lands gracefully –<br /><br />And Amity grabs his hand.<br /><br />LA BATTE<br />Ahh ... Oh, what am I doing? I beg your forgiveness.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />Vouchers!<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>17. INT. BARBARA’S ROOM – Day 7. 1245</u><br /><br />LYRIC, FAUNA and COOL BOX present. FINESSE is now out of Barbara. COPLAND is examining the green sphere – it now looks as though it contains black smoke.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Your understanding of the ruby must be phenomenal.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Yes, I’m quite clever.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Getting a message from Chronal. He’s tracked Bestia down.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Isn’t that what I just did?<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Oh, sorry, you were in the machine when it happened – she got away.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />She would.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />And then La Batte attacked the others, and –<br /><br />FINESSE<br />The other what?<br /><br />LYRIC<br />The other Scribblers.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />What?!<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Anyway, Chronal found her.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />And where is she?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>18. EXT. THE MONASTERY – Day 7. 1246</u><br /><br />The Monastery, frozen in time. CHRONAL walking towards it. Speaking on communicator.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />She’s in the Monastery.<br />(beat)<br />She became an evil magpie.<br />(beat)<br />Because it had an evil face.<br />(beat)<br />Red eyes and sharp teeth and frowny eyebrows.<br />(beat)<br />I’m on my way – slowly, because I’m trying to keep the whole place frozen at once.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>19. INT. BARBARA’S ROOM – Day 7. 1247</u><br /><br />Continued from Scene 17.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Good boy. See you soon!<br /><br />She disconnects the communicator.<br /><br />Turns to Copland.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Now. I’m giving you the ruby back, because government property et cetera, but the second I’m done fixing my friend, I’m coming straight back here and finding out exactly who decided to copy people’s powers without permission.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />I don’t know ...<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I know you don’t know. But whoever signs your pay cheques, you’d better warn them. The Scribblers are coming. And they’re extremely annoyed.<br /><br />She turns –<br /><br />And marches out of the room.<br /><br />Lyric prods Cool Box –<br /><br />And they follow, with Fauna.<br /><br />Copland returns to Barbara.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />I’m so sorry. What did she do to you? I’ll make it all alright. I just can’t do it without the powers. Hold tight, dearest.<br /><br />He pulls a phone from his suit pocket – an old-fashioned black brick.<br /><br />He dials a number, eleven digits.<br /><br />COPLAND<br />Hello? Mr Oswald.<br />(beat)<br />It’s Peter Copland. I need a fresh copy of my powers.<br />(beat)<br />Yes, and – you might be in trouble.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>20. INT. MONASTERY – MAIN HALL – Day 7. 1250</u><br /><br />CHRONAL enters through the main doors.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />I should’ve guessed you’d be here to greet me.<br /><br />Reveal RHIAN waiting with her TEDDY BEAR.<br /><br />RHIAN<br />I am glad it is you.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Remind me to teach you apostrophes later.<br /><br />RHIAN<br />Did you get my last e-mail?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Yes, damn, sorry – meant to reply, but then Laser Face attacked the Pit. Anyway -<br /><br />RHIAN<br />You are going to say you need to find Shift, but Mirage is keeping her distracted.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />You worked out she’s in evil mode, then?<br /><br />RHIAN<br />Apex can feel her powers. She says they are incomplete.<br />(beat)<br />Teddy will not be able to help you this time. Please be careful, Chronal.<br /><br />Chronal gives her an absent-minded hug –<br /><br />Then heads deeper into the school.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>21. INT. MONASTERY – PASSAGEWAY – Day 7. 1251</u><br /><br />BESTIA and FINESSE are staring each other down. There are two stacks of chairs at the side.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />You were already here?<br />(beat)<br />Why won’t you talk to me?<br />(beat)<br />Because I know you too well. I can beat you.<br />(beat)<br />No. You’re not here, are you?<br /><br />Bestia punches Finesse –<br /><br />And her hand passes straight through her.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I cannot be fooled for long. Speaking of which – let’s have a word with the headmaster.<br /><br />She becomes a WASP –<br /><br />And flies out of the passageway.<br /><br />One stack of chair fades and becomes MIRAGE.<br /><br />The other transforms into HAUNTER.<br /><br />MIRAGE<br />Mind control, do you think?<br /><br />HAUNTER<br />If so, maybe Back-Up can restore the old Shift.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>22. INT. MONASTERY – HEADMASTER’S OFFICE – Day 7. 1255</u><br /><br />THE MONK is sitting at his desk.<br /><br />BESTIA enters.<br /><br />The Monk looks up lazily.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I know your secret.<br /><br />The Monk puts his pen down.<br /><br />Stands.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Did she ever tell you about me? Oh, you must know everything. I’m her instinct.<br /><br />Pause.<br /><br />The Monk opens a drawer.<br /><br />Removes a blank piece of card.<br /><br />Writes on it.<br /><br />Slides it over.<br /><br />Bestia lifts it.<br /><br />“SHIFT’S? OR FINESSE’S?”<br /><br />BESTIA<br />You disappoint me. Both. I know everything. How awful for you.<br /><br />The Monk retrieves another piece of card.<br /><br />Writes.<br /><br />Slides.<br /><br />Bestia lifts it.<br /><br />“TELL ME ABOUT THE TARTAROMACHY.”<br /><br />Bestia raises her eyebrows.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Oh, you’ve noticed, have you? The rest haven’t. They don’t listen to instinct.<br />(beat)<br />Niobe has taken the first shot. Sintaro is weakened. One of them ordered the attack on the Monastery. A statement – to prove they could. That was probably Sintaro. They’ll fight to the end now.<br /><br />Another card.<br /><br />Writes.<br /><br />Slides.<br /><br />Bestia lifts it.<br /><br />“WHOM DO YOU FAVOUR?”<br /><br />BESTIA<br />As if you don’t know.<br /><br />She grins.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I favour the winner.<br /><br />The Monk tilts his head.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I favour Niobe.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>23. INT. PRISON CELL – Day 7. 1300</u><br /><br />COOL BOX sitting in prison. A plate of food in front of him, which he is picking apart to tiny pieces with his hands.<br /><br />The door opens.<br /><br />FINESSE enters with the SECOND COOL BOX.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Alright, let’s see if this works.<br /><br />SECOND COOL BOX<br />No, you can’t, don’t make me go back –<br /><br />Finesse shoves the second Cool Box –<br /><br />Into the original Cool Box –<br /><br />And they’re both engulfed by an orange light.<br /><br />The light fades –<br /><br />And only one Cool Box remains.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Thank God for that.<br /><br />She activates her communicator.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Lyric, it’s Finesse. When they touch, they reunite. I’m on my way.<br /><br />COOL BOX<br />Scribbler! Now that I am restored, I challenge you to –<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Quiet. We have no time for you.<br /><br />Finesse leaves –<br /><br />Slamming the cell door shut.<br /><br />Cool Box looks sad.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>24. INT. MONASTERY - REFECTORY - Day 7. 1310</u><br /><br />BACK-UP and APEX have blocked off one of the two entrances.<br /><br />BESTIA enters through the other.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />The young are in my way. And the big bad wolf is coming.<br /><br />Besita starts transforming into the WOLF –<br /><br />BACK-UP holds up a hand –<br /><br />And Bestia freezes midtransformation. She is now PART-WOLF.<br /><br />BACK-UP<br />What the - I didn’t do that! Who did that?<br /><br />APEX<br />Who do you think?<br /><br />CHRONAL enters.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Right, stop! Back-Up, isn’t it? Don’t use your powers on my friend. Um, half my friend. My, um, entire friend needs her to live, you see.<br /><br />BACK-UP<br />Ooh, okay. I’m sorry! Should have thought this through.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Yes, well, there’s quite a list of things you lot should be thinking through. Mind-wiping criminals on the side?<br /><br />BACK-UP<br />That’s rehab!<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />That’s perverting the course of justice. Yuk, sorry, I hate it when superheroes use the word “justice”.<br /><br />APEX<br />Is she safe like that?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Bestia? For now. It’s taking it out of me, though. I hope my mates arrive soon.<br /><br />APEX<br />I can make it easier for you.<br /><br />Apex takes Chronal’s hand –<br /><br />There’s a flash of green –<br /><br />And Chronal jumps.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Wow, what was that?<br /><br />APEX<br />Just what I do – made it easier for you to use your powers.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />It’s like ... you’ve taken away the friction. Ooh, this is like super-strength! I’ve got the whole school frozen.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>24A. INT. MONASTERY - REFECTORY - Day 7. 1400</u><br /><br />CHRONAL, APEX and BACK-UP have been joined by MIRAGE, ZHOU, DEATH QUOTE and RHIAN. They’re sitting around a table chatting. The PART-WOLF BESTIA is still frozen in the background.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />... and then Wraith scared the living daylights out of him by pointing out that he could sneak up on him at any time.<br /><br />DEATH QUOTE<br />Ooh, that’s good.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />He can be proper sinister when he tries.<br /><br />BACK-UP<br />Can you tell us about the time you took down the Fishers Of Men in Newcastle?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />God, no. I hated the Fishers Of Men. Best not to encourage them by mentioning them ever. That’d just give them ideas above their station.<br /><br />APEX<br />Okay, tell us about the time Litter Bug teamed up with Dark Hand.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Haha! That was painful. Amity had just come back from holiday, and –<br /><br />FINESSE, LYRIC and FAUNA enter.<br /><br />Finesse spots Bestia.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh, brilliant. Good work – one hundred husband points.<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Couldn’t have done it without the kids.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />They can’t have husband points.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Alright, Fauna – touch yourself.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />It’s funny because there are teenagers here but Lyric is being filthy.<br /><br />She approaches Bestia –<br /><br />Reaches out her hand –<br /><br />And touches her.<br /><br />Nothing happens.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />That should have worked. Maybe she needs to be unfrozen?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Alright, but if she does any mauling, I’m refreezing her.<br /><br />Bestia moves –<br /><br />And turns her head slowly –<br /><br />To look at Finesse.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Oh, hello. You’d better not touch me.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I don’t need to touch you.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Fine, do what you like. Hey, the Monk’s looking well, isn’t he?<br /><br />Finesse frowns.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I had a good chat with him – he’s quite the talker when he’s scared.<br /><br />Mirage and Back-Up exchange a glance.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />He hides it well, but if there’s one thing I can always spot, it’s fear. Stay out of this. Old friend.<br /><br />She transforms –<br /><br />Becoming a monstrous HORSE with BEAR ARMS growing out of its sides.<br /><br />Fauna transforms into an albino SNAKE, elegant and pretty.<br /><br />The snake wraps around the horse’s hind leg –<br /><br />Which grows –<br /><br />Becoming an ELEPHANT’S LEG.<br /><br />The snake transforms again –<br /><br />Into a white MOUSE –<br /><br />Which climbs along the leg –<br /><br />Getting onto the horse’s back –<br /><br />Aiming for the head.<br /><br />A LUMP grows out of the horse’s back, ahead of the mouse – <br /><br />And transforms into BESTIA’S HEAD.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Hey, now, little mouse.<br /><br />The mouse transforms into FAUNA, now mounting the horse as though riding it.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />I’m touching her! Why isn’t this working?<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Well, while I’ve got your attention – there’s something I’m dying to ask you.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />We need to be one person. You can’t live like this.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />The Monk asked me something terribly intriguing. So, Fauna, dearest. Whom do you favour?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Are you resisting? But Cool Box was resisting, and he’s back in one piece.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />You don’t pay attention, do you? You have no idea what I’m talking about. Sintaro and Niobe. The war’s started. Whom do you favour?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />As if you don’t know.<br /><br />Bestia looks angry.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />I never know what you think.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />I favour the loser.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />My opposite?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />I favour Sintaro.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />You favour the weak?<br /><br />FAUNA<br />Of course I do. I can beat the weak.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />You are weak.<br /><br />FAUNA<br />I was never the weak one.<br /><br />Fauna transforms into a DOVE –<br /><br />And digs her talons into the horse’s back.<br /><br />The horse struggles –<br /><br />But the tiny dove has it trapped.<br /><br />The bear arms wither –<br /><br />As though the muscles are decaying.<br /><br />The horse loses weight rapidly.<br /><br />Bestia’s face becomes distorted.<br /><br />She looks to Finesse.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />She’s killing me.<br /><br />Finesse approaches the two.<br /><br />BESTIA<br />Save me.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I always will.<br /><br />Finesse places one hand on the horse –<br /><br />The other on the dove –<br /><br />And they simultaneously transform –<br /><br />Back into FAUNA and BESTIA, the latter in the former’s hands.<br /><br />As soon as the transformation ends, they’re engulfed in an orange light –<br /><br />And as the light fades, SHIFT remains.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>25. INT. THE PIT - Day 7. 1600</u><br /><br />CHRONAL, AMITY, LYRIC and WRAITH are playing Dinas Monopoly. FINESSE and SHIFT can be seen on the balcony.<br /><br />WRAITH<br />I love hotels so much, I’m going to put a hotel on my hotel.<br /><br />AMITY<br />You can’t do that!<br /><br />LYRIC<br />Anyway, how much do I owe you?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Um, seven hundred. More if you want a turn-down service.<br /><br />LYRIC<br />How much is the turn-down service?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />Four thousand. I’m trying to discourage it.<br /><br />Amity looks towards the balcony.<br /><br />AMITY<br />Are they alright, do you think?<br /><br />CHRONAL<br />They’ll be fine. It’s a best friend thing. Shift will feel guilty for a bit, but then she’ll save Finesse’s life next week and she’ll be back to normal.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>26. EXT. PIT BALCONY - Day 7. 1601</u><br /><br />FINESSE and SHIFT surveying the land.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Thank you for saving my life. Again.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />It’s not one-way, is it? Turns out you know all my secrets.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Really? I can’t really remember today. It’s like a dream. I can remember some images, but they don’t make sense.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Well, Bestia broke your silence. She said you know all about the Monk.<br /><br />Shift smiles.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />No. Bestia knows all about the Monk. That’s my subconscious. I can’t do anything about that, but I’m deliberately not poking. I respect your privacy. I know you respect mine.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Okay, you get four thousand best friend points, and you don’t get to feel guilty about Bestia.<br /><br />A nice moment. They could hug, but they don’t because they is like soldiers innit.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Anyway! I’ve got a loose end to tie up. Are you going to be alright?<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Yeah. The Auditor’s ordering Chinese tonight, so I’m taking the rest of the day off.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Don’t blame you. Enjoy!<br /><br />SHIFT<br />I’ll try, but I don’t feel that hungry. Any idea what that’s about?<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oh, we’ll probably need to apologise to La Batte at some point.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>27. INT. OSWALD’S OFFICE - Day 7. 1730</u><br /><br />A small office, with a window offering a view of a large, grey, anonymous city. Large desk covered in paperwork and an old-fashioned PC. Behind this is MR OSWALD (50s, cultured, sinister).<br /><br />FINESSE enters.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Mr Oswald. You’re not an easy man to find.<br /><br />OSWALD<br />I’ve been called elusive.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />No, I mean, this is the worst office ever isn’t it?<br /><br />Oswald looks angry.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />D’you know, it’s funny. Reception didn’t even know your name, Oswald.<br /><br />OSWALD (threatening)<br />You are talking to a Member of Parliament.<br /><br />Finesse steps towards him. When she talks, she’s equally threatening.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />You have set up an operation in my city, Oswald. I am the leader of the Scribblers. Don’t you DARE try and pull rank.<br /><br />She grabs the top piece of paper from his desk.<br /><br />Oswald tries to snatch it back –<br /><br />Misses.<br /><br />Finesse scans it.<br /><br />Replaces it.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Tell me exactly – exactly – what you think you’re doing funding Project Barbara.<br /><br />OSWALD<br />That machine has already saved countless lives.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Oswald, I don’t mind that you think I’m so busy I won’t notice you sneaking this thing into my home under my nose. But do not think I’m stupid. Your tiny constituency’s not seeing any benefit at all from that machine, is it?<br /><br />OSWALD<br />Are you threatening me, Finesse?<br /><br />FINESSE<br />Yes. I am absolutely and completely threatening you, Mr Oswald. You and the rest of your party. Watch your backs. The Scribblers are coming.<br /><br />OSWALD<br />We won’t stand for this.<br /><br />FINESSE<br />I’m sure you won’t. See you soon, Mr Oswald. Give my regards to the rest of the SPP.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><u>28. INT. AUDITOR’S FLAT – Night 7. 2000</u><br /><br />A neat flat, lots of books and DVDs. A table covered in empty takeaway boxes and empty wine bottles. SHIFT and THE AUDITOR in a serious conversation.<br /><br />AUDITOR<br />And it’s been happening ever since?<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Yes. I don’t know what to do.<br /><br />AUDITOR<br />Show me.<br /><br />Shift holds up her arm –<br /><br />Which transforms into a BEAR ARM –<br /><br />And splits into TWO BEAR ARMS.<br /><br />SHIFT<br />Do you think it’s permanent ...?<br /><br /><u>THE END</u><br />Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-84195442727013694662012-08-11T18:11:00.004+00:002012-08-14T11:37:54.098+00:00Scribblers: Lyric Makes A Thing<u>Scribblers
<br />"Lyric Makes A Thing"</u>
<br />
by Steffan Alun
<br />
<br />
<u>1. INT. THE PIT - Day. 0900</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>AMITY and SHIFT are reading aloud from scripts.</i>
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
I just don't understand how you could do this, Tony. It stands for everything you hate.
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
It is because I'm not Tony - I am EVIL TRANSFORMER MAN! Prepare to meet your doom, Lisa!
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Shift! Stop making up lines!
<br />
<br />
<i>LYRIC enters.</i>
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Guys, I made a thing! Look!
<br />
<br />
<i>He holds up a metallic face mask.</i>
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
Ooh, Lyric made a horrible sex toy.
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Ha! I mean, sorry Lyric. What did you make?
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
This device will revolutionise all our lives.
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
It IS a sex toy!
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Look!
<br />
<br />
<i>Lyric attackes the device to his face.
<br />
<br />Presses a switch.
<br />
<br />It hums gently.
<br />
<br />When Lyric speaks, his voice sounds robotic.</i>
<br />
<br />
LYRIC (robotic)
<br />
Hear my words.
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
You've made a voice changer thing! Um, yay?
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
My life feels pretty revolutionised right now.
<br />
<br />
<i>Lyric removes the device.</i>
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
No! You control it with your brain, and it speaks for you.
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
That's how my mouth works.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Yeah, but I was thinking we could make one each for Amalgam's animals, and then -
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
Amalgam can already talk.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
Yeah, but then his animals can talk, and ...
<br />
<br />
AMITY
<br />
He IS his animals. They're one being.
<br />
<br />
LYRIC
<br />
You're going to have to explain this again.
<br />
<br />
SHIFT
<br />
I'll get Chronal's diagrams.
<br />
<br />
<u>THE END</u>Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-33447514407837538712012-08-10T00:39:00.001+00:002012-08-10T00:39:43.879+00:00The Road to Doctor WhoThe BBC presents:<br />
"THE ROAD TO DOCTOR WHO"<br />
by Steffan Alun<br />
<br />
1. EXT. TV TOWERS - Day 1. 0800<br />
<br />
Establishing shot - an impossibly tall skyscraper reaches far into the<br />
red sky, beyond the green clouds.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
2. INT. PLOTS AND PLANS OFFICE - Day 1. 0800<br />
<br />
BEVERLY KNIGHT (50s, stern, six foot six) is at her desk, writing.<br />
Opposite her sits JEFF PAULSON (18, pimply, uncertain).<br />
<br />
Knight finishes writing and puts down her pen.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Talk to me Paulson. This had better be worth my time.<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
I done an idea, Ms Knight, and my friend Caitlin told me I should tell<br />
you about it.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Talk to me, Paulson!<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
Um, I am. Okay, I want to do a science fiction where there are two<br />
teachers and they travel in time.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
That sounds boring.<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
One is a sexy man one.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Okay.<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
And there will be a spaceship and that's how they travel.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Will there be aliens?<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
No, aliens are shit. There will be an old man inventor who invented<br />
the spaceship and he'll have an assistant like a magician.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
I like it. So, where do they travel?<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
They can go somewhere different every week, probably starting in<br />
dinosaur times and working their way forward through time, and it will<br />
be realistic as fuck.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Sounds expensive.<br />
<br />
PAULSON<br />
We can sell it to schools, though, and make money back, and we'll see<br />
if Terry Nation will let us use the Daleks for it.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Okay, but if he insists we use Davros, he can fuck right off.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
3. EXT. FILMING FIELD - Day 2. 1200<br />
<br />
The field is set up for exterior filming. A FILM CREW around the<br />
place including director HARRIET FEATHERS (30s, short, short-haired,<br />
short-tempered) and the actors JAMAICA JONES (20s, pretty, dirty<br />
laugh) and JACK THE MAN (30s, sexy as fuck, charismatic).<br />
<br />
FEATHERS<br />
Alright, we're still rolling.<br />
<br />
JAMAICA<br />
Mr Peters! Look over there! It is an alien civilisation.<br />
<br />
JACK<br />
There's no such thing, Miss Winters. It must be your imagination.<br />
<br />
JAMAICA<br />
I don't have an imagination, Mr Peters. At least, not one good enough<br />
to conjure up such images of majesty.<br />
<br />
Shot of some upturned yoghurt pots.<br />
<br />
JACK<br />
We could go and check it out.<br />
<br />
JAMAICA<br />
Oh, but I'm scared. What if we meet those cavemen again?<br />
<br />
JACK<br />
Doctor Who killed them all, remember?<br />
<br />
JAMAICA<br />
So he claims. But can we really trust him? I mean, who is he? Doctor Who who?<br />
<br />
FEATHERS<br />
And cut! Brilliant, guys, take a fag break.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
4. INT. BRITAIN'S TOY SHOP - Day 3. 0900<br />
<br />
The shop is packed with SHOPPERS, pushing and shoving and shouting.<br />
<br />
Owner FRANK SHOPSON (50s, quiet, dying) is talking on camera to<br />
journalist MIA FACE (40s, alert, played by Nick Briggs).<br />
<br />
SHOPSON<br />
It's these new Doctor Who toys. They've been flying off the shelf.<br />
The talking Zomboid was miles more popular than expected - they flew<br />
off the shelf - and the Trevor Baxendale books are flying off the<br />
shelves.<br />
<br />
MIA<br />
It sounds like this new television TV show has been great for business.<br />
<br />
SHOPSON<br />
Oh, it's been smashing and a half. I've been able to eat steak every<br />
day this week, and steak's not cheap here in the 60s.<br />
<br />
MIA<br />
What's your next idea for toys?<br />
<br />
SHOPSON<br />
I don't make them. But I think they should do a Doctor Who toy that<br />
turns into a Cyberman because that would be a good plot twist for<br />
children to do in their playing.<br />
<br />
MIA<br />
Sounds like you could be a writer for the good Doctor!<br />
<br />
SHOPSON<br />
Yes please.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
5. EXT/INT. WEMBLEY ARENA - Night 4. 2100<br />
<br />
The arena is packed with PEOPLE.<br />
<br />
WILLIAM "DOCTOR WHO" HARTNELL (50s, looks older than his years, wh-<br />
look, he's William Hartnell, alright? You know what he's like.<br />
Y'know. Like Richard Hurndall) walks onto the stage with a little mic<br />
attached to his cheek. The crowd goes wild.<br />
<br />
HARTNELL<br />
Who the man?<br />
<br />
Cheers.<br />
<br />
HARTNELL<br />
Alright, you little scallywags. Here is my announcement. I will be<br />
returning for two special stories in September the 6th. And then ...<br />
I will be stepping down as Doctor Who.<br />
<br />
Cheers of dismay.<br />
<br />
HARTNELL<br />
But don't worry, because the moment has been prepared for. I will be<br />
replaced by a new man, who will be every bit as good as me. And don't<br />
tell him he's too young! You'll get used to him.<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
6. INT. TARDIS - Day 5. 1200<br />
<br />
Footage from the show - WILLIAM HARTNELL travelling with BENJAMIN<br />
(sailor) and POLLYMIN (sailor).<br />
<br />
HARTNELL<br />
Oh, that Silurian shot me right in the heart.<br />
<br />
POLLYMIN<br />
Heart? How aren't you dead?<br />
<br />
HARTNELL<br />
Oh, well (a) I have two hearts and (b) I am dead.<br />
<br />
Hartnell dies -<br />
<br />
But transforms -<br />
<br />
Into MATT SMITH.<br />
<br />
SMITH<br />
Legs! I've still got legs! Legs are cool.<br />
<br />
BENJAMIN<br />
What on earth?<br />
<br />
SMITH<br />
No! WHO on GALLIFREY!<br />
<br />
On-screen Caption: THE END?Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-69037299541472023532012-08-02T12:34:00.000+00:002012-08-02T12:34:29.241+00:00Cymru - Epilogue<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><i>So I wrote this last year for obvious reasons, but it was only ever supposed to be for my own amusement. However, I have recently noticed that I am one post away from beating Jom in the post count so AH HA HA HA! Beaten! Yes!!!</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"> *******</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"But
sire -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"No,
Watkins."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"It's
most unbecoming!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I
don't care."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Not to
mention illegal!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Then
she'll say no," Gwilym said, rolling his eyes and trying to ignore the
nerves. He clutched the papers in his hand tighter. "So this is an
unnecessary level of worry from you, I think, and now I'd really like it if
you'd go and be a clerk somewhere else for a bit."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">There was a
pause, the sort which suggested that if Watkins had been anyone else they'd
have muttered something under their breath, but in Watkins' case meant a glare
of icy disapproval at nothing so much as the ether. It wasn't hard to work out
what he'd have been muttering, though. Watkins and Awen Did Not Get Along.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Watkins,"
Gwilym repeated patiently, not slowing his stride. "Do go away, there's a
good chap."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"If
you're so certain she'll say no anyway, my lord, then why even ask?"
Watkins said instead of going away. His voice had taken on a vaguely wheedling
tone as he tried for Reason. "What purpose does this serve? My concern is
for your reputation, and by extension -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes,
yes, Aberystwyth's," Gwilym said wearily, approaching the door. It didn't
help, of course, that the man was in many ways right, and there was no likely
good end to this. "You're a credit to your role, Watkins, and the people
rejoice in your concern. Please go and be concerned about something else, now.
This conversation is over."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">He used his
best Final Tone for the last sentence, and pointedly knocked on the door at the
same time, and one tactic or the other worked. Watkins seemed to deflate
slightly, and took on an edge of weary resignation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Very
well, sire," he said tonelessly, and disappeared into thin air with the
ease of long practice. Maybe he was a spy, Gwylim reflected. Many were the
times Awen had done that in reverse in his bedroom of an evening, invariably
when she wasn't actually supposed to be in Aberystwyth but was Spying. Maybe
Watkins actually worked for Awen these days. It would certainly explain his
increasing despair over the last six months; although, admittedly, so would
Gwilym's insistence on the implementation of progressive social policies <i>and</i> his insistence on inventing new
banking schemes over breakfast, so -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Come
in," Awen's voice called through the door, in a tone that suggested she
was fighting down a 'But this had better be important because there is already
a chimp in my office' addendum. Gwilym grinned, endured the spike of adrenaline
that seemed to make his heart try to crawl into his throat, and pushed open the
door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Somehow, he
always managed to forget the full extent of how beautiful she was between
seeing her. Even now, when there wasn't much of her face to see; she was
sitting at her desk motionlessly, her forehead leaning heavily on one hand,
leaving only the edge of one cheekbone and a closed eye visible before the
curtain of deep auburn hair claimed the rest, and she didn't look up.
Nonetheless, in Gwilym's head he saw a ray of sunlight illuminating her and
happy woodland creatures gambolling playfully about her -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Oh
cool, it's you," Dylan said irreverently, looking up from his seat before
the desk. Awen didn't even twitch, apparently trusting Dylan's opinion of the
trustworthiness of whoever had just entered her office. "Well, anyway,
then Saxon Man was all 'Hey, no woman tells us what to do, in spite of
evidence!' and then Breguswid was all 'No? Well, you're wrong!' and then got
all queenly in his face and that. And then -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You
had better be able to remember the actual wording of that conversation when you
write this up," Awen told the desk-top evenly. Gwilym smirked and quietly
took a seat next to Dylan, resting the papers on his knee. Dylan stared pointedly
at them, and waved a hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes,
yes," he said impatiently, transfixed upon the papers. "Anyway, then
Saxon Man was all schooled, and everyone was like 'Ooh, owned!' and then Saxon
Man stormed off home to get his mates on her. I threw a pebble at him.
Ha!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Fine,"
Awen said wearily. "I'll look forward to Breguswid's complaint. It's
become a fantastic Saxco-Celtic bonding exercise. How likely is this man to
start an uprising?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Not
very," Dylan sniffed. "'Cos he tried to rape a woman on the way home,
but unfortunately for him it turned out to be Aerona. He's dead now."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"He's <i>dead</i> now?" Awen looked up finally,
staring at Dylan, one eyebrow raised. "She actually <i>killed</i> him, not just - ?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well, no,
<i>she</i> didn't," Dylan grinned.
"But they're becoming creditably anti-rape. Probs because it's a crime
against women, and their women are stronger now, so they took over. I
lol'd."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"And
Aerona?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Oh,
she's fine," Dylan snorted proudly. "I think she was mostly just
astonished he tried. She broke his nose in three places! One punch!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Good,"
Awen smiled darkly. "Fine. Well done. Well, I want that report written up
tonight, and if you groan, Dylan, if you groan, if you roll your eyes or if
make any sort of remark beyond a polite 'Yes, Councillor,' I will demand it
within the hour <i>and</i> send you to clean
out Eifion's interrogation cells. Alone. Understand?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes,
Councillor," Dylan said politely. Awen nodded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Good
boy," she said, matter-of-factly. "Consider yourself peremptorily and
supercilliously dismissed."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I
do," Dylan said morosely, and left. Awen sighed, and looked at Gwilym.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">It was the
tiniest, tiniest moment, so small he would literally have missed it if he'd
blinked at the wrong moment; but he saw her soften as she registered him, saw the
bloom of warmth and <i>affection</i> in her
eyes, before the friendly professionalism reclaimed her manner. She smiled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,
there's keen you are," she said mildly. "I didn't think Aberystwyth
was coming until the day after tomorrow. Unless whoever made the diary got it
wildly wrong, in which case I shall fire them forthwith."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,
we weren't going to," Gwilym shrugged. "But, you know, Watkins needs
a regular change of scenary to keep him calm, or he starts chewing the
furniture and becomes a drain on the budget. My desk only has three legs now.
I've had to prop up my in-tray."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Really?"
Awen grinned. "You didn't think to prop up the desk instead?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Genius!"
Gwilym said brightly, and she laughed. Unobtrusively, her foot found his
beneath the desk. Neither acknowledged it. "Well, I shall rearrange the
room directly upon my return. I see you've finally learned to control Dylan, by
the way?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes,
well," Awen said darkly. "The trick with him is to actually follow
through on your threats. <i>Then</i> he
learns. And he has a unique hatred of cleaning out prisoner cells, so it only
took around fourteen incidents before he got the message. I don't think Madog
has ever been more gleeful."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I'll
bet." Gwilym grinned, and leaned forward to place the papers on the desk.
"I got you something, by the way."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Oh?"
The automatic interest in the Shiny New Things sprang forth in Awen's eyes, and
his desire to hold her intensified abruptly, as it always did. She plucked them
from the desk. "What is it?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Music!"
Gwilym beamed. "We had Important Greek Types come visiting, and they
brought a bard, so I thought I'd rob him of his culture and knowledge while I
had the chance. Any good to you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Sovereign,"
Awen said quietly. Her smile shone as she looked over the notes, her fingers clearly
itching for harp strings, and as she looked up at him he read her expression
and jumped in first.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"It's
only music," he shrugged casually. "And some of it's for funerals,
anyway, so it's less romantic than you might think."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Thank
you," Awen said calmly, and Gwilym resisted the urge to jump across the
desk and hug her. The number of 'I don't deserve you' moments hadn't dropped in
six months, but she'd become far better at getting a grip on herself from his
tacit rebukes when they happened. She regarded the music lovingly for a moment
more, and then put it to one side, linking her fingers beneath her chin and
looking at him seriously. "Well, then, Sovereign, how can I help
you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">There was a
pause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Help
me?" Gwilym asked blankly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"What
is it you want?" Awen said patiently. "Why have you come to see me?
What service or good can I provide you with that you need or desire?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Awen!"
Gwilym said, indignantly. "I love you and wanted to see you! And I
frequently come and see you with no reason in mind!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,
yes," Awen said reasonably. "But not this time. This music has been
tightly clutched for a while, your knock was nervous and you keep tapping your
fingers against the arm of the chair. There's something you've been wanting to
ask me since you stepped into this office. I'm trained to be able to tell, you
know. So what is it?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I love
you," Gwilym sighed, dreamily. Awen sniffed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You
love my training," she declared. "You unnatural freak. Well?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"It's
the Greek influence," Gwilym said, and suddenly the nerves sprang into
full force, making him twist his hands, his mouth dry. She wouldn't be happy,
Watkins was right. She wouldn't be happy, and couldn't agree anyway, and the
Council would be bloody furious, but bugger, she was watching him steadily with
<i>those eyes</i> and now he'd have to say,
but -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">And oh,
screw it. Out with it, Gwilym.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I want
to get married," he announced, heart hammering, and sat back for her
inevitable reaction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You
want to get what?" Awen asked blankly, one eyebrow raised. "Is this
some sinister foreign practice?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Which, come
to think of it, had been an inevitable <i>first</i>
reaction. But the second was definitely coming. Trouble was, having worked up
the courage to just throw himself off the social cliff only to find himself on
a ledge a foot below the edge, he was now going to have to summon the same
courage again. This was really Awen's department.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes!"
Gwilym grinned almost manically, stalling unashamedly. His heartbeat was causing
mild bruising to his rib cage, he was sure of it. "It involves three
babies and a pint of lamb's blood. No; it's what they do - well, actually in
most other cultures - to cement a relationship. Er... forever. It usually
affects legal status too -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"<i>Forever?</i>" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">There </span></i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">we
go. Awen stared at him, eyes wide. Well, she hadn't stabbed him yet, that was a
good sign. Gwilym plowed on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes!"
he said brightly, almost shaking with the force of his heartbeat. "And
then it makes children born legitimate, although that wouldn't apply to us, and
it gives the equivalent of consort status, although obviously that wouldn't
either. But I want to marry you, and I want you to be my wife, and I want to be
your husband."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"All
these new words," Awen said, fascinated. "Can we go back to the <i>forever </i>part?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I love
you," Gwilym said, firmly, and leaned forward to the desk himself.
Encouragingly, she didn't lean away. He caught one braid in his fist and held
it between them, the silver bead glinting in the lamp-light. "I <i>love</i> you, Awen, and we both know your
feelings. And I love you more every time I even think about you, much less
actually see you. And I want this to be permanent."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">She stared
at the bead for a moment, the wheels turning behind her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You're
the one who will want to leave," she said after a moment, looking back up again.
She sounded vaguely glazed. "You'd be trapping yourself. You do know
that?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"That's
your opinion," Gwilym said, rolling his eyes. Somehow, the comforting
familiarity of the lines was helping to calm him down again. "You know I
disagree."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"But..."
Awen stared at him, and then blinked. "Okay. Let's be logical. It couldn't
possibly be allowed."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes it
could," Gwilym said, folding his arms. "Because, you see, I've
thought it all through, and really it wouldn't change anything, because it's a
foreign custom that we'd adapt to fit. It just means they can't take you away
from me. Which they wouldn't have done anyway."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,
then, what's the point?" Awen asked, bewildered. "If it doesn't
change anything -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Because
it means something," Gwilym interrupted, and it seemed they were both
slightly taken aback by his sudden intensity. "Because <i>I love you.</i> Because it's a full ceremony
in which I get to declare, publically, how much you mean to me and how much I
want to spend the rest of my life with you, and since those aren't necessarily
the words we'd have to say it's the only public forum that you could do the
same in, Awen. It makes things official without actually making them <i>official</i>, you see? And I want it to be
official just how much I love you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">He sat back
slowly, and twiddled his thumbs. Awen watched him, her beautiful face
unreadable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"If you
want to, anyway," he shrugged casually, and she snorted. "It takes
two, like."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You're
a dangerous man, Sovereign," she said, shaking her head and pulling a clean
sheet of paper from a draw. "I do believe you could charm rain into
falling upwards and mountains into lying down. You have no idea how much of my
spare time is devoted to hoping you aren't an evil genius. You know you'll have
to convince the Full Council?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I'll
have to convince Rhydian and Gwenllian," Gwilym corrected. Suddenly his
heart was racing again, hope spiking inside him. He leaned forward. "They
can convince the others. Is that a yes? Will you marry me?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"We'll
see," Awen said, a dry half-smile pulling at her mouth for a moment.
"So, details? What happens in a... ?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Wedding,"
Gwilym provided excitedly. "Well! You dress up all posh, and get your
mates to, and they have special roles -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Such
as?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">She was <i>writing it down</i>, Gwilym realised, the
thrill of joy jolting him from head to toe. Good gods. He hadn't thought he'd
get nearly this far. His fingers had gone numb.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,
you're the bride," he enthused. "And you get attendants, usually
people who can help you get dressed and do make-up and not forget things, and
one of them is your bestest mate in charge of the others. And then I'm the
groom, and I get a best mate to boss the guests about -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Guests?"
Awen asked warily, and Gwilym beamed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I did
say public!" he said happily. "Although you have as many as you like.
Anyway, my best mate also has to provide the rings, or the rope to go around
the fire pit or whatever. You can have as many roles as you want, though. Normally
your parents play a role, but that'll be tricky for both of us. And then there's
a priest of your chosen religion and they join you together in the eyes of your
chosen deity, and then there's some sort of circular symbol like rings or
walking around a pit of fire holding a rope or some such, to symbolise your
lives together and that, and then they pronounce you married and people laugh
and are joyous and cry with happiness. And then you all go and have a party to
celebrate, during which you throw flowers at people, and if they catch them
they'll get married next because of, um, mystic forces, I think. Not sure. Oh,
and lots of cultures bake, like, special wedding bread. And loads try to ward
against evil spirits. You have to obey luck-based superstitions, although
you're a Rider, so you already do anyway."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">She really
did. He'd never seen anyone hate magpies quite as venomously as Awen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Okay,"
Awen said thoughtfully. She continued scribbling for a few moments - in
short-hand, Gwilym noted, so he had no idea what it said or whether she'd just
repeated the sentence 'You are an idiot' or not - and then paused, looking it
over. Gwilym twiddled his thumbs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Right,"
she said decisively, and pulled out a notebook, making new lists. "Well,
then. We'll need to design an appropriately religious ceremony of some kind,
and that's probably best done with some druids to avoid heresy - is Rhiannon
okay for a deity? I'm dedicated to her, so I think I'd need permission from her
anyway. Also the Great Shrine could make for a lovely venue. As long as that's
allowed. Or would you want Aberystwyth?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">He nearly - <i>nearly</i> - got up and danced. It was a
close thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Rhiannon
would be perfect," Gwilym said quietly around the sudden lump in his
throat, his grin threatening to swallow his face whole. There was a pricking
sensation in his eyes, too, but he was <i>not</i>
going to cry... "As would the Great Shrine, because the first wedding on
Cymric soil should definitely take place in the eighth wonder of the world,
and... I love you so much. Are you sure? You want to -?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Sovereign,"
Awen said flatly, not even looking up. "Of my greatest, dearest desires in
life, making you happy counts in the top three, maybe even the top two,
rivalled only by my love for my country, and if this peculiar foreign custom is
what you want, then it is what you shall have. To the tiniest detail.
Including, and I say this with the gravest of seriousness, if I have to set
baskets of burning onions amongst the guests to ensure sufficient weeping."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">In spite of
the emotion, he burst out laughing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Oh,
what have I unleashed upon the world?" Gwilym giggled. "A Rider
planning an event. With military precision. I don't think this was ever meant
to happen. This is going to be the best wedding ever."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"That's
the aim," Awen said unconcernedly. "Now, will hair beads be
acceptable? They're sort of circular. Although the fire sounds fun."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Hair
beads will be perfect," Gwilym said, his mind starting to move. "We
could have both! It's our wedding. Although the druids may not be happy with us
setting fire to the Great Shrine."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"The
pool in there is circular," Awen said thoughtfully. "And water is spiritually
significant to us anyway as well as fire, so that might work... we'll run it by
them. What do we wear? Any special garments required?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Usually,
your best clothes," Gwilym shrugged. "Although most cultures want the
bride in red for some reason. <span> </span>Or some
other colour."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Can't
I wear a uniform?" Awen shifted uneasily. "There are really formal ones.
High collars and everything."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"If you
want," Gwilym said gently, and leaned forward to catch her beads again.
"I want you to be happy with all of this too, you know. It's your wedding
day as much as it is mine."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"But
you want a wedding," Awen sighed. "I feel it should be a special occasion,
shouldn't it? A unique event. Everything should be different from normal. I
think that includes dressing up, doesn't it?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Only
if you want to," Gwilym repeated. "Really, Awen, turn up in a sack and
a tea cosy if you like. As long as you're there I'll be happy."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I own
some fine tea cosies," she grinned, and then tore off the top page of the
notebook, setting it to one side. "And you should see my fine collection
of vintage Wars-time butter sacks. Oh, I'll clearly leave that to the others.
What do I know about dressing myself? And on the subject of that, can I have
the whole Wing to attend my whims?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Of
course you can," Gwilym snorted. "They're perfect choices, one and
all, and they already come with people who are in charge of them. And it doesn't
have to be one," he added as she opened her mouth. "You can stick
with Adara and Llŷr. It'll all add to the military precision, anyway."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes it
will," Awen said smugly, scribbling again. "Fine. Who are you having?
How many do you get, anyway?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"As
many as I want, really," Gwilym mused. "A bestest mate, and then
people to boss the guests about. Probably Lorcan for my bestest mate, and then
I think I've run out of people I know, because Watkins isn't allowed or I'll
scream. And Mental Uncle Dara would cause chaos."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You
can have some of mine if you like," Awen said thoughtfully. "At least
one will need the job of keeping His Gracious Majesty away from the sharp
pointy things, anyway. Caradog could do that. Or you could ask Madog, maybe,
although in that case you'd probably also need Dylan."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"That's
a good idea," Gwilym marvelled. "He's far more likely to behave when
watched by Riders. I might stand Alaw near him, too, she's scary."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Awen
snorted, since she was afraid of nothing. Gwilym didn't. He was afraid of Alaw.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Right,"
she said, double-checking her shorthand. "You said... ah. Parents?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"We
could dispense with that." Gwilym shrugged. "They usually represent,
like, giving the kids to make a new family sort-of-thing, which wouldn't really
be appropriate for us anyway, because culturally we don't have concepts of
familial ownership in this country -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You'll
find I'm very much owned by mine," Awen murmured, amused, as though the
fact that she was basically a slave was a <i>hilarious</i>
oversight on his part. "But the very suggestion would get this vetoed by
every Rider in the country, since it would be treason. And I don't have parents
anyway. Rhydian probably comes closest, and I don't see him agreeing."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"No,"
Gwilym said, and shuddered. "It would have to be Mental Uncle Dara and
Aunt Clíodhna for me anyway. Let's pretend this part was never suggested."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Awen
smirked, because she was afraid of nothing. Gwilym didn't. He was afraid of
Clíodhna.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Fine,"
she said, starting a new list with business-like efficiency. "The party?
Does this mean a feast of some kind? Special decorations? Cake? Music?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"There
should be music throughout all of this," Gwilym said decisively. "And
all of -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">The door
swung open without so much as a knock, and extremely unusually and suspiciously,
without Awen jumping at all. Her expression merely switched to 'drier than
deserts'. Gwilym turned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Right,"
Rhydian said irritably, slamming the door shut and marching to the chair Dylan
had vacated. "This will be fun. Who'd like to start?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">There was a
pause, as everyone looked at Gwilym, except for Gwilym, who looked confused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Sorry,"
he said after a moment. "Do you already know - ?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"He's a
spy, Sovereign," Awen said mildly, still writing. "Of course he
knows. He probably knows your arguments too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes!"
Rhydian snapped. "Yes, I do! Do you realise how difficult you make my life
every time you do this, Sovereign?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Er..."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"He
means Lady Marged," Awen supplied serenely. Rhydian threw his hands into
the air.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Of
course I do!" he said, despairingly. "Which is mostly your fault,
Awen, so stop acting innocent and start apologising! Now!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Sorry,
Councillor."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"No
you're not!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I'm
really lost," Gwilym told anyone listening. "I wonder what Marged has
to do with this."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"She
keeps using us as a precedent," Awen said and looked up at last. "For
their relationship. Every time you escalate us she tries the same thing. But in
this case she can't, Councillor, because she doesn't know politically sensitive
information that we want to keep her quiet about. There's no permanence to you
two anyway."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"And
how do you propose I explain that to her?" Rhydian asked, his eyes
narrowed. "Given that she can't even know that there's something <i>to</i> know? Why do you both persist in complicating
an already extremely complicated situation?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Well,"
Gwilym offered, but was cut off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"And
you," Rhydian remarked narrowly, turning to him, "are pushing your
bloody luck, <i>Sovereign.</i> What's the
next plan? Ask for children and I will punch you myself."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Why is
everyone so obsessed with me breeding?" Gwilym asked wearily. "I just
want to marry her, Councillor."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"We'll
invite you if you like," Awen said cheerfully, making a new list. Rhydian
threw her a Look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You'd
damn well better," he said darkly. "And I'd better be in a front row
seat. Is Gwenllian coming?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Gwilym
blinked. Had it just been <i>approved?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Of
course she is," Awen said, sounding vaguely offended. "What do you
take me for? And she'll be sitting next to you. We'll have to invite the whole
Full Council anyway. They'll say no, otherwise, although I realise Eifion will regardless."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"He's
not coming," Gwilym said abruptly, and got two raised eyebrows, one from
each Rider. "I mean it. That man is coming nowhere near my wedding."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Sovereign,"
Awen said gently. "If we're inviting -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I
don't care."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Do you
realise what - ?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I <i>don't care</i>," Gwilym ground out, and
Rhydian fell silent, watching him with faint amazement. "I literally do
not care what extenuating circumstances or anything else you suggest to me. On
the day we get married, I am not having as a guest the man who tortured my wife
for all of her formative years, and then seized every opportunity to do so for
the rest of her life as well. <i>And enjoyed
it.</i>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Awen sighed,
and made a note. Rhydian rubbed his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"That
won't be fun to explain," he muttered. "I'll get Gwen to do it. She's
immune to him, because she doesn't care about his opinion. Give me three weeks,
both of you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"For
what?" Gwilym asked blankly, and Rhydian fixed him with the most
authoritarian look Gwilym had received since being eight. His hind-brain begged
to obey.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Before
you tell anyone," Rhydian ordered. "Or start actually arranging
anything, or getting excited, or anything else. That's how long I'll need to get
it approved, at the very earliest. Do not cross me on this."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"That
will give us ample time to pick tablecloths and a menu," Awen said
brightly. "And decide who has to sit next to Dylan. I think Maelon, since
he'd be angry anyway."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Can't
we tell the Wing?" Gwilym asked, disappointed. "I really wanted them
to know. I think Llio could be good for brainstorming. I don't want to
brainstorm with Watkins."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"You
can pick three of them," Rhydian said sternly. "And when I say three,
I mean whichever three will keep it to themselves, so if you tell that large
fellow I will smack you both upside the head and become your most vocal opponent,
understand?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Yes,
Councillor," Awen said obediently. "I shall tell Adara, Llŷr and
Llio."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Excellent
choices!" Gwilym said, perking up again. It was all going like a dream.
He'd been so sure Awen would deny him outright, and he'd expected a far longer
and more extended conversation with Rhydian before being given a firm 'no'
anyway. Really, he was going to have to find out which god it was that loved
him so much and include them in the wedding. "And we need to pick a colour
scheme. And I wonder if we can get lemons?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I'll
ask Hannibal," Awen said absently. "I think the first harvests have
been gathered in Celtiberia, so there's a chance. I like venison."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">She really
did, too. That had been an excellent discovery. Gwilym grinned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Venison
main course," he agreed. "I like green. Can there be green?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Of
course," Awen said, starting a new page. "Llio will murder you if you
only give her one colour to play with, mind. Can - ?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">She paused,
probably to wrap her head around the idea that she might have some say in her
own wedding day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I like
kingfishers," Awen offered cautiously. "Green, blue and orange?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Perfect!"
He <i>just</i> caught himself before he
clapped his hands like a six-year-old, although the look on Rhydian's face said
quite plainly that he nonetheless hadn't gotten away with it. "I mean...
yes. In a demure way. Where do we have the party, anyway?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Logically,
in the Grand Hall," Rhydian said pensively. "Although it's more of an
auditorium. You're going to need to invite a lot of people, though. I'm not
sure they'd all fit in the Dining Hall."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"The
Grand Hall could probably be converted temporarily," Awen mused. "We'll
ask carpenters. In three weeks' time," she added, rolling her eyes as
Rhydian pointedly crossed his arms. "In three weeks' time, and certainly
not before, or you'll tell us we can't do it. Does Gwenllian know yet, by the
way?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"No,"
Rhydian sighed, and stood. "But I'll tell her now, since I'll need her
help, you pair of bastards. I've also silenced your clerk by the way,
Sovereign."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Gwilym
brightened. "Permanently?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"No,"
Rhydian said. "Stop wishing death upon the man, it's un-Sovereignly. Councillor."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">He Saluted
to Awen and was gone. Gwilym threw his inhibitions away, and clapped his hands
excitedly to Awen's wry smirk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I
don't care!" he said happily. "I'm getting married! And I'm not
inviting Watkins anyway!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Thank
you," Awen told him, her voice odd, and he looked at her. She was watching
him steadily, her eyes dark. "For Eifion. Even though that will now be
fantastically awkward in every Council meeting for the rest of - well, his
life, anyway, since I'm a good eighty years younger. I -"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I love
you," Gwilym said gently, and took her hand this time. She held his
tightly. "And this is just about the only way I can stand between you
both, but I intend to do so. He's coming nowhere near this."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Thank
you," Awen repeated, and then smiled her easy smile. "Anyway.
Entertainment? So far we only have 'Lots of music' written down. Do you want
your dancing ninjas?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"Definitely!"
Gwilym declared, releasing her hand and playing with her beads instead. "They
do an excellent floor show, as long as no one gets too close. Ooh, can we have
games?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">"I'll
tell Aerona," Awen said.</span></div>Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-61262883940608050042012-07-26T11:50:00.000+00:002012-07-26T11:50:19.398+00:00First Mission<u>Scribblers</u>
<br />
<u>"First Mission"</u>
<br />
by Steffan Alun
<br />
<br />
<u>1. EXT. 46 BARBER ROAD - Day 1. 1200</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Establishing shot - a semi-detached house on a boring, Dursleyish street. The blinds are shut.</i>
<br />
<br />
<u>2. INT. NUMBER 46 LIVING ROOM - Day 1. 1200</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The living room is barely furnished - just an old sofa, a couple of wooden chairs, and a large wardrobe. Two costumed people in a tense discussion - sitting on the sofa is MOON ZEBRA (50s, male, chubby and tiresome), and pacing the floor is SPOOKY (30s, female, harsh, Venezuelan).</i>
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Look, she can't find out.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
There are not enough words for how much I want to kill you.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
But you have to help me! Come on, Spooky -
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Do not use my name!
<br />
<i>(beat)</i>
<br />
Wait. You didn't use my name in your diary?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
It was my diary ...
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
How many of our secrets are in this diary exactly?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I was the only one who read it ...
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Yes, I'm sure that'll be a great comfort when you're arrested by the Scribblers and then killed in your cell by Latent. Did you name Latent in the book?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
No!
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Good.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
No, wait, I only said that because I didn't want you to shout at me again.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky slaps him.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Now I slap you whenever you lie to me, do you understand?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I understand.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky slaps him again.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
You understand nothing.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
The Scribblers can't have it.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
You sound very certain of that.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
They'd be here by now. They wouldn't play a long game.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Then you'd better hope your girlfriend has it.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Oh, okay. She might do.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky slaps him.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
You have no girlfriend, Moon Zebra. Do not lie by omission.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
There's a girl I know on the internet ...
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>3. INT. MONASTERY - STOREROOM - Day 1. 0900</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>MIRAGE (Rupert), BACK-UP (Aadita), DEATH QUOTE (Mike), ZHOU, BETH and RHIAN in a meeting - Rhian has her TEDDY BEAR.
<br />
<br />Caption: THREE HOURS EARLIER</i>
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Alright, thanks to Zhou, we have the diary of one of Latent's hired help.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
Well done, Zhou. Beyond the call of duty.
<br />
<br />
ZHOU <i>(happily)</i>
<br />
I was a paper clip!
<br />
<br />
BETH
<br />
And you didn't even need my help!
<br />
<br />
ZHOU
<br />
I was a good paper clip.
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Yeah, but you were rubbish at banter.
<br />
<br />
ZHOU
<br />
True, paper clips are not renowned for their wit.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Today, we use what we've learned. We've got a location, we've got details of probable security, and we know what they're doing there.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
Oh, just one thing. This is a proper mission. Our first! So we all need nicknames.
<br />
<br />
BETH
<br />
Oh, I'm rubbish at coming up with them, Aadita! Can't you just call me "oi, you"?
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
I can come up with one for you, if you like ...
<br />
<br />
BETH
<br />
Um, yes, that'd be lovely.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
How about Apex?
<br />
<br />
BETH
<br />
I think I like Apex. Thank you!
<br />
<br />
ZHOU
<br />
I think I would like to be Haunter.
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
... is that after the Pokémon?
<br />
<br />
ZHOU
<br />
No! It is because I can become objects, but really, I am within those objects. Haunting them!
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
... is it after the Pokémon, though?
<br />
<br />
ZHOU
<br />
... yes.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Okay, we'll need to come up with a name for Rhian too.
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
She wants to be Koala.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Really?
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Yes - she, um, knew you'd be having this discussion and told me earlier.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
But a koala has nothing to do with her powers.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
To be fair, for all we know ...
<br />
<br />
BETH
<br />
Batman has nothing to do with bats!
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
That's not true! He saw a bat when his parents died and ... and ...
<br />
<br />
<i>Beth is giving him a look.</i>
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Okay, I'm shutting up.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Alright, so we've got three new superhero names - step up Apex, Haunter and Koala. From the moment we leave at lunchtime, we mustn't use any other names for each other. Mike - don't you use names at all, of course.
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Stop making fun of my disability!
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>4. INT. WARDROBE - Day 1. 1205</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>MIRAGE and APEX (Beth) are hiding in a wardrobe. Talking in whispers.</i>
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Alright, ready?
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Yes. Now's the time.
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Alright - I'm going to increase your powers.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>5. INT. NUMBER 46 LIVING ROOM - Day 1. 1205</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Continued from Scene 2.</i>
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I suppose my mum might've found it when she was cleaning.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Sorry, where exactly did you hide this diary?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Third drawer down in my bedroom, under my pants.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Why would your mother go through your underwear?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Sometimes she checks to make sure I haven't found any more magazines.
<br />
<br />
<i>The door slams open -
<br />
<br />- and LATENT enters.</i>
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
Start talking now and don't stop until I've told you to, and I'll be telling you to stop by smacking seven bells out of you, so until then you'd better be telling me everything.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Latent!
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
Do not waste my time saying anything other than a full explanation of how a grown man can be so incapable of sentience. Go.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I lost my diary! It was in my room, but it isn't there now, and I keep my room locked, so I don't know how anyone got in, unless they were invisible and got in at the same time as me or something, and now they have the diary, and it's got some secrets in it, but I don't think it's the Scribblers because ...
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
Okay, shut up, your voice displeases me. And Spooky? You came here as soon as you could?
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Flew in this morning. I've left the Broken Girl in charge of operations in Jersey. I got in touch with most of our inside agents on the way, but I'll have to wait until tonight to contact the SPP.
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
You've done well, and you will be rewarded. What's the plan of action, then?
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Like I say, I've got everyone keeping an eye open - the second we have any sign of where the diary's gone, we'll pounce. If it's alright by you, I've started the process of breaking Ernest Taylor out -
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
No. We aren't ready for Taylor.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Oh. Okay. I just thought it'd be the quickest way to retrieve the diary.
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
We've made ourselves known to the Scribblers - and they know Taylor's one of ours. No, what we need to do is cut off the limbs. Spooky, you'll be given a new identity - Moon Zebra, you'll be doing your time in prison. I'll bring in a telepath to work out exactly what's in that diary. In the meantime, destroy all evidence in this house.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Standard procedure?
<br />
<br />
LATENT
<br />
No. Preserve nothing. Just destroy it. Leave signs of destruction, but nothing that can be traced back. If the authorities think we've still got something of value, they'll never stop. And we can't afford suspicion right now. Get to it.
<br />
<br />
<i>Latent marches out.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Right, you do downstairs, I'll head up.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>6. EXT. 46 BARBER ROAD - Day 1. 1207</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>LATENT exits the house, leaving the front door open.
<br />
<br />Slowly, both Latent and the open door fade out of site -
<br />
<br />- replaced by a closed door.</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>7. INT. WARDROBE - Day 1. 1207</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Continued from Scene 4.</i>
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
That was amazing!
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Couldn't have done it without you.
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
They were totally fooled. I can't believe you've never created sound before.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
I don't think I can do it without you.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>8. INT. BEDROOM - Day 1. 1208</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The "bedroom" is full of filing cabinets, surrounding an old-fashioned double bed.
<br />
<br />The sound of a key turning in a lock -
<br />
<br />And Spooky enters.
<br />
<br />She opens the first drawer -
<br />
<br />And starts pulling out files -
<br />
<br />Stacking them in a neat pile.
<br />
<br />Behind her, DEATH QUOTE's head pokes from behind the door frame, close to the floor.
<br />
<br />And then he leaves.</i>
<br />
<br />
INTERCUT WITH:
<br />
<br />
<u>9. INT. BATHROOM - Day 1. 1209</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The bathroom is bare - no soap, toilet paper, products. DEATH QUOTE is hiding here.</i>
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE (whispering)
<br />
Stripy man.
<br />
<br />
<i>A SCREAM is heard from downstairs.
<br />
<br />Spooky's already running -</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>10. INT. KITCHEN - Day 1. 1210</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The kitchen, like the bedroom, is full of filing cabinets. MOON ZEBRA is on the floor, clutching his leg and crying.
<br />
<br />SPOOKY arrives, ready for combat.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Who did this?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I don't know - didn't see -
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Inivisble?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Yeah, must be.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
We'll see about that.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky fades out of sight, leaving a clear Spooky shape made of light.
<br />
<br />The light floats into the next room.</i>
<br />
<br />
<u>11. INT. BEDROOM - Day 1. 1211</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>DEATH QUOTE, BACK-UP and KOALA (Rhian) are going through the cabinets, photographing pages with digital cameras. The TEDDY BEAR is sitting on the bed.</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>12. INT. NUMBER 46 LIVING ROOM - Day 1. 1211</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The SPOOKY LIGHT floats into the living room.
<br />
<br />Spooky's POV: the room itself is almost white, as though the contrast has been turned right up. Human beings show up black - specifically, MIRAGE and APEX in the wardrobe.
<br />
<br />Spooky floats towards the wardrobe -
<br />
<br />And the doors burst open!</i>
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Surprise!
<br />
<br />
<i>Apex thrusts her good arm into the Spooky Light -
<br />
<br />Which becomes unbearably bright.</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>13. INT. KITCHEN - Day 1. 1212</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Continued from Scene 10.
<br />
<br />The light from the living room attracts Moon Zebra's attention.
<br />
<br />He gets up slowly -
<br />
<br />Flinching at the pain in his leg -
<br />
<br />Limping -
<br />
<br />And enters the living room.
<br />
<br />One of the cabinets transforms into HAUNTER (Zhou).</i>
<br />
<br />
<u>14. INT. NUMBER 46 LIVING ROOM - Day 1. 1212</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>SPOOKY is lying on her side, winded.
<br />
<br />MOON ZEBRA limps in.</i>
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Are you okay?
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
They overwhelmed me.
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
Who was it?
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
No idea. Powerful, though. They drove my powers out of control.
<br />
<br />
<i>She pushes herself up, determined.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
I've never met anyone who could do that. But I've heard of someone who could.
<br />
<br />
<i>She brings out a communicator.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Latent? This is Spooky. I think Finesse got hold of that diary.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>15. INT. BEDROOM - Day 1. 1213</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Continued from Scene 11.
<br />
<br />HAUNTER enters.</i>
<br />
<br />
HAUNTER
<br />
We've got the signal. Time to move.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
Good work, Haunter. I'll see you and Death Quote back at the base. I'll finish up with Koala.
<br />
<br />
<i>Koala reaches over to the bed -
<br />
<br />Grabs the teddy bear -
<br />
<br />And hands it to Death Quote.</i>
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Thanks. Come home safely!
<br />
<br />
<i>Koala smiles.</i>
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>16. INT. NUMBER 46 LIVING ROOM - Day 1. 1214</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>Continued from Scene 14.
<br />
<br />Spooky still on the communicator.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Right, we'll be vigilant. But send help as soon as possible. We've started destroying the files, but -
<br />
<i>(beat)</i>
<br />
Because you told us to!
<br />
<i>(beat)</i>
<br />
You were here right ... now. You weren't here right now?
<br />
<i>(beat)</i>
<br />
Right.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky hangs up.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Let's assume Shift is here too, then.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>17. INT. BEDROOM - Day 1. 1215</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>BACK-UP and KOALA still photographing documents.
<br />
<br />SPOOKY bursts in -
<br />
<br />Followed by a limping MOON ZEBRA.</i>
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Scribblers! Wait, what?
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
Stop right there, or I set my friend on you.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Okay. I've seen what you people can do.
<br />
<br />
<i>Spooky holds up her hands.</i>
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
Brilliant! But don't worry, we've got what we want. I'll be wiping your memories of the last twenty minutes. And I'm very thorough - there won't be a trace left. You'll be off the hook with Latent.
<br />
<br />
SPOOKY
<br />
Well played. I could use someone like you.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
That's very flattering, coming from you. On the other hand ...
<br />
<br />
<i>Back-Up crosses over to Moon Zebra.</i>
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
I've read about the things you've done. What happened to you?
<br />
<br />
MOON ZEBRA
<br />
I ... I didn't want to ...
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
No, you didn't. You never wanted to do those things, but that's what happens when you fall in with Latent. On the one hand, that's fine - she won't be keeping you around. On the other hand, these actions leave their marks.
<br />
<br />
<i>Moon Zebra isn't looking at her. He's crying silently.
<br />
<br />Back-Up approaches him, and whispers softly.</i>
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
I can take those marks away.
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
<u>18. INT. MONASTERY - STOREROOM - Day 1. 1700</u>
<br />
<br />
<i>The SIX STUDENTS back in their meeting - Koala has the TEDDY BEAR back.</i>
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Great work today, everyone. Really - I'm so proud of you guys.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
You did well too, leader.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Don't call me leader.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
I meant it sarcastically.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
That's alright, then.
<br />
<br />
DEATH QUOTE
<br />
Do we know how everything turned out?
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Oh, you won't believe this - I got a message from Finesse! When she heard what happened to Spooky, she said she knew immediately it must've been me.
<br />
<br />
HAUNTER
<br />
Is this a good thing? This was meant to be a secret mission.
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Finesse warns us to be careful, but she also said we did a great job. Spooky's escaped, and the cabinets are gone, but Moon Zebra's apparently the rehabilitation success of the decade.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
She wasn't angry that we wiped his mind of the valuable information he could've given?
<br />
<br />
APEX
<br />
Officially, yes. Unofficially ... well, she says at the end of her message that the whole point of being a superhero is to give everyone a chance. Latent ruined Moon Zebra's life. It would've taken years to fix him. Aadita fixed him in four seconds.
<br />
<br />
MIRAGE
<br />
Yes. I think I like that.
<br />
<br />
BACK-UP
<br />
It's been brilliant, everyone. Now, let's get back out there. I've got homework to do.Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-13580808393754414452012-05-06T11:49:00.002+00:002012-05-06T11:50:38.398+00:00Scribble Pic: HafazaGiven that she went down well, I thought I'd draw her. So here she is. It is Hafaza. Enjoy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7C2EuYpPeDWJJeEdQOPGfrRBCkTvJPA9wgfHkc0AjE-HDA0X9Z0u1EHVTssKzkmXPM8YW6Q-_EaR7UXi-mIV0FR0kLU-J3IskYvDRdkKKIUYUtWPJO6Ng1Qbxlxof3AUQDE9yVIP96nE/s1600/Hafaza.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7C2EuYpPeDWJJeEdQOPGfrRBCkTvJPA9wgfHkc0AjE-HDA0X9Z0u1EHVTssKzkmXPM8YW6Q-_EaR7UXi-mIV0FR0kLU-J3IskYvDRdkKKIUYUtWPJO6Ng1Qbxlxof3AUQDE9yVIP96nE/s320/Hafaza.png" /></a></div>Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-30140022518661145922012-05-01T13:30:00.001+00:002012-05-01T13:31:28.866+00:00Scribblers: The Monastery<div class="Titles" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Scribblers</span></u></div>
<div class="Titles" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">"The Monastery"</span></u></div>
<div class="Author" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">by Steffan Alun</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">1. EXT. THE MONASTERY - Day 6. 0900</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A large abbey, surrounded by a tall wall
on all sides. Tall trees are around the
wall - the building and the grounds cannot be seen from outside.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A concealed gate opens in the wall -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Revealing FINESSE, SHIFT, CHRONAL, LYRIC,
AMITY and WRAITH.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They walk towards the building.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is it, guys! The Monastery.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And this is private land?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Absolutely.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Typical.
We all realise the free market isn't really self-regulating, right?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Of course.
But the Monk's in charge of this place.
He's completely trustworthy.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Says you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
And I'm completely trustworthy too.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I don't like him.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, can we have a quick show of
hands? Who trusts the Monk?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I do.
I can read his body language.
He's one of the good guys.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I second that. I can see his emotions.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm tentative. I'm just not used to people keeping their
identities secret from Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Finesse says he's trustworthy. That's good enough for me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I think he's evil.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You think all strangers are evil.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Prove me wrong.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They reach the building, and are greeted
by THE MONK and REBECCA GLASS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Morning!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Darling!
Welcome back!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Becca, Monk - you've met the team before.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The Monk nods, and shakes their hands in
turn.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'll give you the tour, if you like. I'm afraid it's a bit busy at the moment -
it's a school day.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wait - this place is a school?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">2. INT. MONASTERY - MAIN HALL - Day 6. 0905</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Cosy but spacious hall. Large staircase in the middle, curling to the
left and right at the top. Fussy little
doors dotted asymmetrically around the ground floor. Various STUDENTS and odd STAFF MEMBERS
walking around.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">GLASS and the MONK lead the way, followed
by the SIX SCRIBBLERS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We have nearly fifty students here in all,
divided into six classes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Divided at random? Or do you have a mind-reading hat like in
Harry Potter?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Actually, we group them by powers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, fun!
Can we guess the different classes?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No.
I'll just tell you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I must say, Ms Glass, I'm going off you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'll grow on you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Like fungus?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We have a class for linguistics. Another for transformation. We have perception, manipulation, time and the
mind.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right.
One for each Scribbler, then.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Exactly.
The Scribblers' powers are renowned - and while the Scribblers
themselves may be considered the best in their fields, those power sets are
hardly unique. We can't risk these
children falling into the wrong hands.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That's the motive, then? Train them up here so the bad guys don't get
them?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Exactly.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, that sounds perfectly innocent ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Is the school safe, though? If you've got a building full of kids with
Scribbly powers, that's a gold mine for bad guys.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don't worry.
The school is kept entirely secret.
We work with Retcon - there is no way any villain gets hold of any
information on this place.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">3. INT. SECRET BASE - Day 6. 0910</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Small, dark and concrete. Covered in papers, like a war room. FIVE FIGURES looking down at files and papers
on a table.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The papers include, most prominently, full
maps and blueprints of the school, lists of names and photos of various staff
members and students, including the Monk and Glass.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">One figure is clearly in charge - this is
LATENT; 40s, snobbish, uptight, black costume with a red logo.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The other four figures are POINT 34 -
currently in a bottle green Iron Man-style suit, but really a woman in her 60s,
cruel and scatty - SPRINGER - 20s, male, lanky and quiet, in a light blue
costume - with GRANITE and LONDON FOG.
All four are now wearing red logos like Latent's on their costumes.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is the target, and it has to be today.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Today?
That'll cost you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You'll be able to retire on my payment.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Rules?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You'll be taking out the Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yeah.
'Cause we've never tried that.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">The whole building is bugged. I'll be guiding you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can't do nothing if Finesse is there.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Objective one, then - separate Finesse from
the others. Objective two, don't kill
any of them. Objective three, don't kill
or injure any of the children or staff.
Objective four, obey all my commands as you get them.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What about banter? I like banter. Can we banter?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You can banter.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We'll make sure we don't name you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Goodness me, no. You're about to take down the
Scribblers. I want my name all over
this.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">4. MONASTERY
- LINGUISTICS CLASS - Day 6. 0930</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">THE MONK leads LYRIC into a classroom with
TEN STUDENTS, including DEATH QUOTE (14, male, small, energetic) and DAN FISHER
(15, beautiful, reserved). The students
are all in awe of Lyric. At the front of
the class is their teacher, ABROS (30, male, neat, calm).</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good morning, headmaster. And it's an honour to meet you, Lyric.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is my class, then, yes?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That's right. All of my students can manipulate the world
with words. Just like you, sir.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric gives him an unimpressed look.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Then he spots a poster on the wall. It's the quick brown fox sentence with the
words colour-co-ordinated, with arrows and circles labelling various parts.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I like this, though! Who made this?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, I did.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lovely colours.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is Mike, Lyric. My star pupil.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric approaches Death Quote.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Can you show me your powers?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, I don't think I should.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Go on, Mike.
Just a taster.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What if I ...?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Come on.
We both know what you can do now.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">(quietly)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Handsome man.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ow!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He puts a hand to his back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That stings.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">When Mike arrived, he couldn't even describe
anyone without killing them. And now
look! The precision.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You describe people, and cause them
pain? Lovely.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dan is singing to himself. His voice is deep; the song mournful.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That feels better - is that you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">People heal when I sing.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You should meet Wraith. He must be your nemesis - his singing hurts
us all.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">5. MONASTRY
- PERCEPTION CLASS - Day 6. 0932</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">NINE STUDENTS, including RUPERT CAMPBELL
(15, cautious, posh), who's busily writing in a battered exercise book, and
LUCY (13, nervous), who's staring at Wraith along with the other remaining
students. Teacher APORIA (34, female,
chubby, uncertain) is talking to WRAITH.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So how do your powers work, exactly? Can you fool CCTV?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Finesse says I shouldn't tell people. I keep saying things to my girlfriend, and
she breaks into our building.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm assuming it's something to do with light
manipulation ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Stop talking. Where do you find the kids?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">The headmaster and Ms Glass deal with that
side of things. They have contacts in
other schools, and ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Whatever.
What can these kids do?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, Lucy here can make anything look like
it's made of wood ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Worst power ever.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lucy looks crushed.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who's got good ones?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Everyone's got good ones.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"> (beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, Rupert's our top pupil - we call him
Mirage.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She points at Rupert -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rupert looks up lazily -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And shuts his book.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Wraith approaches him.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello, Mirage. What can you do? Make an oasis in the desert?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Just stuff.
I'm not in the mood, if that's alright.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Come on, son - I'm a Scribbler. Surely I should be like a celebrity to you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sorry, yeah.
It's an honour to meet you.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(whispering)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Look, mate, I know you're here to shut this
place down. I don't blame you. I know all about this place, and I knew you
guys would come sooner or later.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well.
That's interesting.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">6. INT. MONASTERY - MANIPULATION CLASS - Day 6. 0933</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">REBECCA GLASS and FINESSE in a classroom
with EIGHT STUDENTS, including BETH (14, eager, precocious). All students in awe of Finesse.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I probably shouldn't say it, but I reckon
mine is the strongest class. These guys
have a huge variety of powers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can tell!
I've never been in the presence of so many exciting powers in one room.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The students look thrilled.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Honestly, it's like a box of expensive
chocolates when you've only ever had Quality Streets. My teammates aside, of course.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Miss?
Is it true you once defeated the Rainbow Soldiers single-handedly?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No - I defeated the Rainbow <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warriors</i> single-handedly. Although I could totally take the Rainbow
Soldiers on my own. What's your name?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm Beth, miss.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Pleasure to meet you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">7. INT. SECRET BASE -
Day 6. 0934</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Latent is now alone in her base, listening
to the conversation between Finesse and Beth on a speaker.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She turns, and we see she's on the phone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, interesting. Finesse supposedly trusts the school more
than any of them, but even she's not letting her guard down entirely.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, she trusts Glass entirely - they go back
a long way.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Must be the kids. Makes sense, but still.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, I'm certain. If she trusted the kid, she'd have said
something. See ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Latent picks up a folder from the desk -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It's marked: FINESSE</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Beth is her sister's name.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">8. INT. MONASTERY - TRANSFORMATION CLASS - Day 6.
0935</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT is with UMBRA (female, 50, severe,
colourful) and EIGHT STUDENTS, in awe, including ZHOU (14, open, wise) and
ZARITA (12, lazy).</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">UMBRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has anyone got any questions for Shift of
the Scribblers?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Several hands go up, including Zarita's
and Zhou's.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">UMBRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Zarita?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What kinds of animals can you become?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It's easy to forget all of them, but I like
my big animals - bear, tiger, that kind of thing. Small animals are handy for infiltration -
housefly, flea.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How long did it take you to master them all?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, I just absorb them, really. I can become any animal whose DNA I've
absorbed.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA<i> (sadly)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">UMBRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Zarita here has very similar powers to
yours, but she can't simply absorb the DNA.
She must study and understand each animal she becomes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, I have a friend like that. Spends a lot of time in his shed, reading
up. At least, I assume that's what he's
doing ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Do you keep your memories when you
transform?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, at first. The longer I'm transformed, the more I start
to lose myself.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I lost almost all of my memories the first
time I transformed.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What's your name?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Zhou Xizhang.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, Zhou, it can be hard at first. I had a friend who helped out a lot in the
early days. But the more you practise,
the better you get.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I have good friends.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Excellent!
Rely on them. It's handy to have
friends who know how you're feeling.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">9. INT. MONASTERY - MIND CLASS - Day 6. 0936</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">AMITY is sitting in the corner, eyes
closed. ERNEST TAYLOR (67, gentle,
tired) is standing nearby. Behind him
are NINE STUDENTS, looking over and pretending not to; they include AADITA (15,
dramatic, enthusiastic) and RUFUS (16, fat).</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Are you ready? The kids have been looking forward to your
visit.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I just need to get used to the noise. It's not easy being surrounded by
teenagers. It's like being in school
again.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUFUS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, is it the emotions?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
They're all over the place!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUFUS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can sense guilt. It's horrible.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right, yes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUFUS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We're here to practice our powers, and make
them better, and all it means is I hear it louder when people feel guilty. I really don't like it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Amity stands.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, that's it, isn't it? You get better at your power, and it just
makes it harder still in your everyday life.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How do you balance both? I struggle with it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm not sure that I do balance them, really.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And you can't shut it off?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, I can't - what's your name?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm Aadita.
They say I'm the top pupil in this class, but I can't sense people's emotions
at all.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We focus on all aspects of the mind in class
...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor checks his watch.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, now - if you don't mind, Amity,
we'd like you to speak with Aadita alone.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.
Why so?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We'd like our top pupils to learn something
from the Scribblers. Just pointers and
things. There's a room you can use
through here.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He opens a door in the back of the class.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Amity walks towards it.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.
One-on-one. Like an Oxford
seminar.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She enters the room -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Aadita follows.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor takes out his phone and starts
typing.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">10. INT. SECRET BASE - Day 6. 0938</span></u></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT receives a text.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She reaches her phone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Presses a button.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Close-up on the message: AMITY OUT OF
CLASS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">11. INT. MONASTERY - TIME CLASS - Day 6. 0938</span></u></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL in class with CONTRA (male, 32,
spiky, extremely camp) and three students - RHIAN (14, blank), who's carrying a
TEDDY BEAR, KELLY (16, wearing heavy make-up) and HAMISH (12, bullish).</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm meant to send you out to talk with our
top pupil now, but ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">HAMISH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She doesn't talk.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hamish!
Don't be rude.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">KELLY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I don't get why she's top pupil. She never does anything.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Maybe if you turned up to classes in the
right order, young lady ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL <i>(to Rhian)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So this is you, yes?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian looks up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Smiles.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wow, you're lucky. Took me a fortnight to get a smile.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL<i> (still to Rhian)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So I'm meant to talk to you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That's the idea. Pointers on becoming a superhero, that kind
of thing. Are you interested, Rhian?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian smiles at Contra.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, there we are then. If you're happy, Chronal ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, why not?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Contra nods towards a door in the back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Use my office. And don't eat the sweets.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">12. INT. MONASTERY - CONTRA'S OFFICE - Day 6. 0939</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A tiny, messy office - a computer covered
in stickers on a desk covered in papers and mugs. There are several enormous boxes of Haribo
sweets around the place. A posh computer
chair and a dodgy plastic school chair are the only other furniture.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL enters, followed by RHIAN and her
bear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Chronal sits in the plastic chair. He gives the sweets a longing look.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Nods Rhian to the computer chair.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian sits.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, you don't talk, but that's fine. I love the sound of my own -</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN <i>(confident, wise)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We do not have much time. I must know whom you trust.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hang on -</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">A friend of mine believes something will
happen today. The day the Scribblers
come. We will know whom we can trust,
and whom ... I believe there are enemies
in this school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right, okay.
I'll be honest with you, Rhian - that's why we're here. To find out what's what.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I must know whom you trust.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hey, I'm the trusting kind.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tell me - whom do you really trust? Whom would you trust with your life? Whom are you absolutely certain is on your
side?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Chronal laughs in confusion.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian looks serious and anxious.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Chronal calms down. Serious now.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Finesse.
Absolutely. Lyric and Wraith and
Amity. And Shift. Yes, all of them.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What of Ms Glass? What of the headmaster?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rebecca's an old friend. I basically trust her. Finesse trusts the Monk, and that's good
enough for me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Would that it were good enough for me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She grabs Chronal's hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">When she speaks, she sounds far more like
a lost child.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm so glad you're here.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Chronal stands.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Hugs Rhian.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Tell me everything that's worrying you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">13. INT. MONASTERY - REFECTORY - Day 6. 1005</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<u><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A relatively large room with long wooden
benches. Three ugly statues along one of
the walls - one of a king, one of a queen, one of a thief. FINESSE, LYRIC, SHIFT and AMITY sitting with
a sandwich and piece of fruit each. Only
a handful of STUDENTS in the background.
No staff. Wraith cutting up his
apple. Finesse eyeing up Lyric's banana.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It's a bit empty, isn't it?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My moody youth said most of the kids skip
fruit break.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Annoying.
Do you know how hard it is to get funding for these kinds of initiatives?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, that's private schools for you.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, yeah.
Chronal's not here. Anyone else
want to say it?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Look, if you want the banana, just take it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse takes the banana eagerly.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL and WRAITH arrive. Chronal is carrying Rhian's teddy bear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They sit.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, the free market isn't self-regulating.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We were just waiting for you to say that.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Really, though. Top pupil in my class is scared out of her
wits by this place. Won't even speak to
anyone. She insisted I take this bear to
keep me safe!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My boy Rupert thinks we're here to shut down
the school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Something's going on, and the kids know it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I don't know - I used to think there were
evil conspiracies at my school too.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yeah.
Although actually, our school was evil.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, fine.
Kids in boarding school getting paranoid, though. That's still not exactly news.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">14. INT. MONASTERY - STOREROOM. 1007</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A large, dark, dusty room, the walls full
of old sports equipment. A table in the
middle - brand-new and light - with six candles and a lot of papers on it. RUPERT, AADITA, BETH and ZHOU standing around
it.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Amity gave nothing away. She seems a delight. It's terrifying knowing it's all an act.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Are you sure, though? Finesse was so nice. She gave me great advice. Maybe they aren't here to shut the place
down?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">If not, we're missing something vital. But something's coming. Look at this.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He moves the papers on the table to reveal
a photograph.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita picks it up to examine it.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It's of MR TAYLOR in the refectory,
looking at the ugly statue of the queen.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That's where the microphone is.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He must know it's bugged.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, God.
Zhou, I'm so sorry.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Zhou avoids her gaze.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita puts a hand on his back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We trust no-one. If Taylor's in on it, any of them could
be. I still say, we trust no-one but the
Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The door opens -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">MIKE and RHIAN enter.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">MIKE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, so Chronal trusts the head and Ms
Glass.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You asked him, then, Rhian?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">MIKE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She did.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Fine, okay, she'll speak to him ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, hush.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wait.
Where's your bear, Rhian?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">15. INT. SECRET BASE - Day 6. 1009</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT on the phone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, Taylor, what's the latest?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You - what?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right.
Keep in touch.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She hangs up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Redials.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, team. New instruction. Chronal is currently in possession of a teddy
bear. Do not, under any circumstances,
allow that bear to be harmed. Stay away
from Chronal as best you can. If the
bear is given to anyone else, then you stay away from them instead. Do I make myself clear?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No.
No exceptions. This overrides
everything. You see someone carrying the
bear? Then as far as you're concerned,
that person is untouchable.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">16.
INT. MONASTERY - REFECTORY - Day
6. 1010</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Continued from Scene 13.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse receives a bingly-beepy message.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, what?
Someone's turned up at the pit.
One of us needs to get back.
Lyric, would you mind ...?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My turn, is it?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Take the Trans-Jet. You can be back within the hour.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">17. INT. MONASTERY – STOREROOM – Day 6. 1011</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Continued from Scene 14.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We need a plan. But first we need to know what's going on.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">MIKE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rhian doesn't think the Scribblers are here
to shut us down.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I agree.
Which means - hang on. Surely
that means someone else is coming today?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rupert - your mother's e-mail. Would it still make sense if someone else was
coming?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
Yes it would. Oh, crikey. Okay, Beth - whatever happens now, you stick
with Aadita.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can't skip class! Ms Glass will go mental.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let's not be childish here. You're the most powerful student in the
school. If someone else is coming,
there's a damned good chance they're coming for you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A school bell rings.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, everyone out.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Mike, Rhian and Zhou leave.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Beth looks to Aadita -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Who indicates that she should go ahead.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Beth leaves, leaving Rupert and Aadita
alone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What's wrong with you today?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Nothing.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You're being spiky, and not in the normal
Ruperty way. Are you alright?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rupert leans on the table.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Drops his head.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Claire phoned last night. She said a lot of things. Saying it was hard, me being here. She said - well, that's it, really. She's got to move on.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita walks to him.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Puts her hand on the back of his head.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm so sorry.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We'll sort this out. Hey.
Hey.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She pulls him upright.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Makes him look her in the eye.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rupert and Aadita can sort this out
later. Right now, Mirage and Back-Up
need to help their teammates save the school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rupert blinks hard.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Then smiles.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, Back-Up. Let's save the school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">18. EXT. THE PIT EXTERIOR – Day 6. 1040</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The TRANS-JET enters the building through
the hangar.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">19. INT. THE PIT – ENTRANCE – Day 6. 1045</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The entrance to the Pit is hi-tech but
cosy – a dark red wooden door with lots of security gubbins attached. LYRIC opens the door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">On the other side is INSIGHT (22, female,
muscular, perceptive).</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good morning, sir.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Call me Lyric.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s an honour. I’m Insight of Alternate Vertigo.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, right – one of your teammates helped
with the crater situation ...?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes!
That was Dreamwave. She’s my girlfriend
– she’ll be so pleased you know who she is.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She probably saved hundreds of lives. Um – would you like to come in?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">20. INT. PIT – LIVING AREA – Day 6. 1050</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC and INSIGHT are sitting on the sofas
with cups of tea – Insight sitting neatly, her back ramrod straight, Lyric
curled up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.
You’ve got something to say?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
Something happened last month – and it’s taken this long to get the
government to agree that I can meet you to talk about it ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, just pop round next time.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s not that simple. Our team depends on grants and regular
inspections – everything we do has to be by the book.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.
Send me a text, then, and I’ll just happen to be in your neighbourhood.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh! Thanks. But, really – we need to talk. My team was tipped off to a major operation
in the area – Cardiff, we’re from. Lots
of hired help moving in on a supposedly abandoned warehouse.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, so far so common.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">By the time my teammates got there, the
warehouse was nearly empty. But a few
filing cabinets were left – and in the process of being moved.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So you’re thinking these were – what,
offices?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No. I
think they were storing information. I
reckon the whole place was full of files.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">21. INT. SECRET BASE -
FILING ROOM - Day 6. 1051</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">An enormous room full of filing cabinets –
all crammed in, as though moved in a rush.
No way to access most of them.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT is among them, moving some of the
cabinets.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Gotcha.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She opens a drawer –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Removes a folder –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It reads: “SHIFT”</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">22. INT. PIT – LIVING AREA – Day 6. 1051</span></u></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Continued from Scene 20.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And – look, we managed to get hold of one of
the files. It’s really not good. It included a massive amount of intel on
Wraith.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What kind of thing are we talking?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Everything.
Absolutely everything. Name,
family, friends, medical history, his bloody shoe size. And a few pages on other Scribblers too.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bugger.
Okay, so we have to assume there are folders for everyone. Let’s assume worst-case scenario – full
details in all of them. Did you find out
who owned the warehouse?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">An illusionist called Latent.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Never heard of him.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Her.
And no, you haven’t. No-one has. But she’s managed to collect all this
information, to buy this warehouse, to amass enough money to hire an army and –
she sent us a very expensive assassin when we got hold of her files. We had to be moved for security purposes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right right right. So she’s invisible. And how did you find out about her?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">An anonymous tip-off. There’s a chip in her armour somewhere. Someone’s working against her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">23. INT. MONASTERY - REFECTORY - Day 6. 1055</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The room is now empty except for MR
TAYLOR, who’s standing by the ugly queen statue.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Latent.
I have news.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">INTERCUT WITH:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">24. INT. SECRET BASE – Day 6. 1055</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT standing above the table, which is
now covered in information on Wraith.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, give it to me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lyric’s left the building.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner – couldn’t
slip away. He’s gone back to the ... is
it called the Scribbler Pit?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Thank you, Taylor.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She grabs her phone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dials.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Phone to her ear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">INTERCUT WITH:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">25. EXT/INT. CARRIER – Day 6. 1055</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A small black flying vehicle in the sky,
door built into the back. POINT 34
driving, with GRANITE, LONDON FOG and SPRINGER in the back. All belted in apart from Granite, who’s walking
around.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Springer, I need one of you to head for the
Scribblers headquarters. Not you or
London Fog – we need you two at the school.
But if either of the others fancies a one-on-one fight with Lyric –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ll get someone on it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He hangs up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Latent needs someone to head for the
Pit. Lyric’s gone back there.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ooh, ooh, me! He has good banter.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’re a child. Yes, go.
We’re a stronger team without you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well screw you, lady!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Granite opens the door in the back –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The others hold on to their belts –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Granite jumps!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I hope she cracks her face.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oy!
Leave ‘er alone.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, let’s not fight. We’ve got a job to do.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog looks furious.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">26. EXT. THE MONASTERY - Day 6. 1200</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The black carrier landing in the grounds.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The doors open, and POINT 34, SPRINGER and
LONDON FOG exit.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Approaching the school.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The dinner bell rings in the distance.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">27. INT. MONASTERY - MAIN HALL - Day 6. 1202</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Many STUDENTS, including ZHOU, DEATH
QUOTE, DAN FISHER and RUFUS, gathered around – this is a lunchtime hang-out spot. Also present are FINESSE and GLASS, talking,
and AMITY, SHIFT, WRAITH, ABROS and APORIA.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Will you stick around for the afternoon?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Definitely.
I’m desperate to see the practical lessons.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wonderful!
The kids have been wired about performing for the Scribblers themselves.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, are the lessons held in the classrooms?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good grief, no, they’re not. As though we have the money to fix our
classes after every lesson.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Amity turns to face them.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Actually, I was wondering – where does this
place get its money? Do the parents pay
to train their kids or something?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No no.
We get by on donations and –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A BANG on the door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The four Scribblers alert.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Arrogance and nervousness.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">London Fog and ... someone I don’t
know. Rubber bones.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">BANG.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Just two, then?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">BANG.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can feel three people.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, someone with no powers then. Master of kung-fu I bet. Or – oh, I know, it’ll be some idiot with a
bow and arrow.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The doors come CRASHING down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Revealing POINT 34. SPRINGER and LONDON FOG some way behind.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh my gods.
That is beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We are here for the Scribblers. There is no need for anyone else to be
harmed.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ha!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yeah, sorry love. There’s just no way you can begin to take us.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You should know better, Foggy.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t call me that.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, in that case, someone else is getting
harmed.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She raises an arm –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shoots a BOLT –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which hits Rufus’s leg -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rufus SCREAMS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Collapses.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer – horrified.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Runs towards an interior door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Coward.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer SCREAMS –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Limps through the door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Wraith and Amity look at each other.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Chase Springer.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shift becomes a GORILLA –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dives for Point 34 –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Who flies!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Up –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Across –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Grabs Zhou.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ll be waiting.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aims down at the floor –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shoots.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Collapses through the weakened floor, Zhou
in her arms.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The gorilla becomes SHIFT again –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And heads for Rufus.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dan Fisher is singing.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Becca, what’s directly underneath us?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">The corridors. The kids’ training area. They’re enormous. You’ll never find her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Trust me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh.
Yes. Okay, but they’re built on
countless levels. They’re like a 3D maze.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse grins –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And dives down the hole.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shift looks at the hole.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Back to Rufus.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dramatic wound on his leg –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Healing – slowly, but surely.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shift jumps down the hole.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">28. INT. MONASTERY – CORRIDORS - Day 6. 1206</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dark, rocky corridors, twisting randomly, the
path splitting in all directions – including downwards and upwards. FINESSE walking purposefully.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A CHEETAH catches up –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Becomes SHIFT.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello!
Just thinking – should you really be down here? You’re really needed in the school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m heading for the known child maimer. Don’t worry about the school. Becca can handle it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">29. INT. MONASTERY - MAIN HALL - Day 6. 1207</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Continued from Scene 27.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog is sneaking towards a door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No you don’t.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Dialogue" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">When he speaks next,
it sounds as though four other voices speak at the same time.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Cage.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A cage materialises around London Fog.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, you don’t know me very well, mate.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog becomes SMOKE –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Slipping through the bars –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Becomes LONDON FOG again, clumsily,
tripping and falling.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ow!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">While you’re under my roof – mate – you won’t
be using those powers again.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, Jesus, another one. Can’t you people let me use my powers in
peace?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She lunges at Abros –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS (echoing)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Staff.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A staff materialises in his hands –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He swings –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog curls out of the way –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lands in front of him –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Drops to the ground –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Kicks his legs out.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Abros lands on the floor, hard.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The students PANICKING. Running!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Death Quote heads further into the school.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Aporia, get them all to safety. Ms Glass, if you could keep this trespasser
in check ...</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(echoing)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Helmet.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A metallic helmet appears on his head.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He swings the staff again.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">30.
INT. MONASTERY – TIME CLASS – Day
6. 1208</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN and HAMISH eating lunch together -
sandwiches.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">HAMISH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t you get bored of people asking you why
you don’t talk?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian looks up at him, then back to her
food.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">HAMISH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um.
Why don’t you talk?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It doesn’t make you cool, you know.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You need to get to the corridors. You’re the only one who can help her down
there.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian gets up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Appraoches Death Quote.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Finish my sandwiches. They are ham and cheese. I made them because I know they are your
favourite.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She leaves.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">But ...</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How did she know I’d be eating them?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">HAMISH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She just does stuff like that. So, how come she talks to you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">31.
INT. MONASTERY – CORRIDORS – Day 6. 1209</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34 running through the corridors,
carrying ZHOU.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">If you can fly, why do you run?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You have been kidnapped, boy. Know your place.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">VOICE (OOV)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Takes a lot of energy to fly. What does that suit run on, exactly?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 stops. Ahead of her, the source of the voice –
CHRONAL.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Impossible.
How did you get there so quickly?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, this wasn’t quick. Took ages.
But, y’know, time flies when you can slow it down. Want to find out if I can speed up my fist
enough to break your suit?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It would be my pleasure.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She raises an arm –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Freezes.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Sees the TEDDY BEAR in Chronal’s hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No.
Not you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aims downwards –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shoots the rock!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dust everywhere.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My eyes!
My beautiful sensitive eyes! And
my asthma!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">32.
INT. MONASTERY – GYM – Day 6. 1210</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">An old, unused gymnasium. Dusty and old-fashioned.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER runs in.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH and AMITY follow.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer runs for the opposite wall. Runs his fingers along it.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Dude.
What are you doing?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bad move following me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He backs away from the wall.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Runs for it –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Bounces off the wall like rubber –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lands on Wraith –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Who becomes invisible –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer being jostled by invisiWraith.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Amity holds up her hand –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Pfft.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Something the matter, mister?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, I don’t know. Just a general malaise.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How would you like to talk about it?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It’s as though her words make Springer
snap out of it –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He jumps –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lands –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And bounces towards Amity.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">32A. EXT. MONASTERY – Day 6. 1212</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Behind the Monastery, some distance away
from the building, is a woodland. A six-foot-round
hole among the trees, with a large steel trapdoor attached – currently open. A circular locking wheel attacked to the
door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL climbs out, coughing.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Closes the trapdoor.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Turns –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Turns –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Turns the wheel.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Gets up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Turns around.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN has arrived.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, hello!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I was sent here by my friend. I must enter the corridors.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rubbish idea. It’s full of villainy and heroism right now.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Are people in danger?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, yes.
One of the attackers kidnapped a pupil.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Whom?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I don’t know him – his name’s Zhou, I think?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian’s eyes widen.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You know him?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My friend trusts him.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Not you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">There are only two people in the world I
trust.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Me and your friend, yes?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I must enter the corridors. No-one can navigate them as well as I can.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Really?
Okay.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He bends down to look her in the eye.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Then you add one more to your trustworthy
list, okay? You trust Finesse. Absolutely and completely. With your life. You trust me?
Only a fool trusts me but mistrusts her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian holds his gaze.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I will do my best.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good.
I’ll get the door, then.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He turns back to the trapdoor.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">33. INT. MONASTERY – PASSAGEWAY - Day 6. 1214</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA is hiding in a closet, full of stationary,
a crack in the door letting in light.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She hears FOOTSTEPS outside.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Holds her breath.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The footsteps get louder.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Stop.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Someone is outside – blocking the light
from the crack.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The doors open!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It’s SHIFT!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello.
Is this where the cool kids hang out now?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How did you find me?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shift helps her out of the closet, and
they start walking towards an exit.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I tend to notice tiny sounds and movements. Sort-of a side-effect.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Can you teach me to do that?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m not doing your homework for you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The exit the passageway –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">34. INT. MONASTERY – REFECTORY - Day 6. 1215</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT and ZARITA enter the refectory.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">MR TAYLOR is already here. Speaking to the statue of the queen.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Latent.
Latent! Come on. We’ve got a problem. Point 34 says she’s lost contact with
you. Are you there? She says Granite’s on the way to the
Scribblers’ base, but it’ll take time, and we don’t want Lyric being warned-</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He turns around.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is an odd thing to be doing during an
attack.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She has my son.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Come again?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You heard everything? Yes, I’m in contact with the terrorist. But she kidnapped my son, you’ve got to help me
...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, I’m sorry, Mr Taylor.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She looks him up and down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can read body language. Side-effect of the whole power set thing.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(with contempt)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Do you even have a son?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor scowls. Vicious.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Blinks.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Zarita’s eyes become entirely black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She becomes a CAT, grotty like a stray –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shift becomes a GORILLA –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The cat scratches away –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor runs out of the room -</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The gorilla pins down the cat –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the cat becomes Zarita again –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the gorilla becomes Shift, restraining
Zarita.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">A cat?
A cat?! What sort of homework are
they setting you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Zarita becomes a BOA CONSTRICTOR –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Starts wrapping around Shift –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Who starts developing rhino skin.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, hell.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">35. INT. MONASTERY – CORRIDORS - Day 6. 1217</span></u></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE running through the corridors.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN arrives, walking in the other
direction.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You shouldn’t be here! There’s beautiful-but-deadly armour down
here! And a psychopath inside it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian reaches out her hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse looks at it, and frowns.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Takes her hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian tugs her towards a fork – heads left.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You know your way around?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian turns to look at her.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Nods.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lovely.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now my prey and I have a child each. That’s only fair.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">36.
INT. MONASTERY – GYM – Day 6. 1218</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER looks exhausted. His back is to the wall, his fingers feeling
the surface underneath.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">AMITY is staring him down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Tears form in Springer’s eyes.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer is tripped by nothing.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ll ... get ... you ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">His fingers press part of the wall –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which clicks –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Got it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A hidden door opens in the wall.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer heads in.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Amity runs after him.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">37. INT. MONASTERY - STOREROOM. 1219</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER enters – the kids’ secret hideout
from Scene 14. AMITY follows.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER <i>(whispering)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, stop.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Excuse me?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Is the other one in here?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH (OOV)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Baps.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer closes the door –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">With effort.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, bullet points. I was working undercover – just your basic
hired help, trying to dig up some dirt on Niobe.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’re telling us you’re not a criminal?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Deep cover.
Can’t prove it, but –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I believe you. Your emotions have been weird ever since you
arrived.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, great.
Anyway, a couple of months ago, I get headhunted. Someone new.
Latent.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right.
Who’s that?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That’s the thing. No-one has anything on her. I went through every channel. No footprints at all. So, now I’m curious, because she’s got some
huge operations. I play it safe, then
last month, I sent an anonymous tip-off to Alternate Vertigo.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Why those guys?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">They were obscure. They were at the time, anyway, before they
saved the Prime Minister from that robot bear thing. But Latent moved fast – no idea where the
leak was, but by the time the team turned up to her warehouse, she’d cleared
the place out.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Major player, then. Lots of
resources and probable spies.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">There’s nowhere she can’t get to. That’s why she’s attacked this place. Secret school even the Scribblers don’t know
about? Gingerbread house. And she times it for your visit, to prove she
can.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She’s got a mole inside the school, then?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, yes.
Ernest Taylor. Not just that,
though. This room here? It’s the only room she doesn’t know about. The only room in the whole school that isn’t
bugged.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It won’t be long before she knows about it,
though, right?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We need to keep up the act now. Just one last thing – you know the SPP?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Those guys.
Hate them.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SPRINGER</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">They’re hers. Just a heads-up.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Wraith becomes visible in shock.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Horrified.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">38. INT. MONASTERY - MAIN HALL - Day 6. 1221</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">ABROS and LONDON FOG are fighting
hand-to-hand. GLASS is still here,
concentrating on London Fog. Abros’s
staff has been snapped, discarded.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You fought better with the staff. So, what?
You can only use each word once?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS<i> (echoing)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shield.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A thick plastic shield, like a riot shield,
materialises in his hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Absros bashes London Fog –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Who grabs the top of the shield –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And starts pulling to get it away.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Or – no, hang on. Oh, this is too good. That shield!
You’re Defense Knight?</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, come on.
Banter with me. You were, though,
weren’t you? This is where you wound
up. Police checks can’t be much cop,
then.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m not a criminal.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, no?
Framed in the end, were you? Did
the tabloids apologise for their boo-boo?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">VOICE (OOV)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t say boo-boo.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The voice belongs to CHRONAL, who has
dramatically turned up again.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog turns –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">- very –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">- slowly –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">- around.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, is that true, though? You’re Defense Knight?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ABROS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I once went by that name, yes.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I liked you!
Kept winding Lyric up by saying we’d replace him with you.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hang on.
What’s she looking at?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog is staring at Chronal’s teddy
bear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, unfreeze.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog moves at regular speed.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Stays still.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Fancy a scrap, Foggy?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG<i> (quietly)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t call me that.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, you’re scared, aren’t you? Hey, Rebecca, keep an eye on her, will you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">39. INT. SECRET BASE - Day 6. 1223</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT surrounded by papers.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Her phone rings.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Taylor.
Speak to me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">INTERCUT WITH:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">39A. EXT. MONASTERY - Day 6. 1223</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">MR TAYLOR behind the building. Behind him – close, but distant enough for
privacy – STUDENTS are lined up like a fire drill. THE MONK, UMBRA and CONTRA are here as well.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Where the hell have you been?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Watch your tone, Taylor. I’ve been busy.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, well, there’s only a million things we
need to talk about. First off, your suit
of armour shot a child.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What?!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He’s fine, but-</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Which child?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">One of mine.
Rufus. Anyway, on top of that,
she’s taken a child hostage, and it’s only bloody Zhou Xizhang.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, lord almighty. I’ll get in touch with her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right, wait, though. One of the Scribblers caught me speaking to
you –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That’s fine.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That is not fine. My cover’s blown.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It makes me look dead clever, though. Sneaking my agent in under the Monk’s nose.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">They’re going to arrest me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’ll be fine.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, I had to set a student on the Scribbler –
one of Umbra’s girls – and Rebecca bloody Glass hasn’t taken her bloody hands
off London Fog since she first turned up.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Are you really this stupid? You need me to hold your hand through every
little thing? Taylor, take out Glass.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor clenches his teeth.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Fine.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He hangs up.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Blinks.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra’s eyes turn black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">40. INT. MONASTERY – REFECTORY - Day 6. 1225</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">ZARITA is unconscious. SHIFT is examining her head.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No wounds.
Good job, me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A crowd burst in – RUPERT, BETH, AADITA
and DEATH QUOTE.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They head for the queen’s statue.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rupert punches it –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Again –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Again –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And on the fourth time, the head snaps
off.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita pulls out some wires.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Beth pulls a pair of nail scissors from
her pocket.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Cuts through the wires.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Note to self. Get proper wire clippers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Nah, I like these. They’re makeshift.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, definitely broken?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Absolutely.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(looking over)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shift.
We need to speak to you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">41. INT. MONASTERY – REFECTORY - Day 6. 1228</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT and SHIFT are sitting facing each
other, with AADITA, BETH and DEATH QUOTE around the same table.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So you knew Taylor was a spy?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Only since this morning. But we’ve known the whole place is bugged for
a long time.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We have a secret base – the only room in the
school that’s not bugged.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We’ve been proper spies. We only talk in code in the rest of the
school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We thought there was something wrong with
the school itself. We thought you were
coming to shut us down.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We only started to work it all out today.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Thing is, there’s this secret. And it’s really very secret – and you’re
going to have to act like you don’t know it, or you’re going to lose her
forever.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lose who now, sorry?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Latent.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She’s this supervillain. We all know about her, but she’s mega-secret.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She has all sorts of information on this
school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">She’s attacking it to make it look like
there’s no connection between her and this place. But there is.
Because Latent is my mother.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is really secret. You can’t tell. They’ll take him away, and we need him.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I know more than she knows. I’ve hacked her e-mail. I know some of her hiding places. But she’s good. If she finds out the Scribblers know who I
am, she’ll vanish. Properly vanish.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s been insane here. The staff didn’t want the Scribblers to come,
because they know about Mirage’s mother. So you can’t tell anyone.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, yes, I understand. This is between me and my team.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Thank you so much.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">But speaking of my team, I’ve got to get
word to my teammate that a stupid rock woman’s on her way to beat him up.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Really?
We should send Beth.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, hush.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What’s your power?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I amplify other people’s powers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes – by a factor of a million.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s not that much.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Seriously.
Beth packs power. Actually, I
think she’d be better away from the school.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Here’s an idea. Beth. How’d you fancy heading to my headquarters?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Um, yes please!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good.
How do you feel about travelling on horseback?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">42. EXT. THE PIT EXTERIOR – Day 6. 1231</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE arrives at the Pit.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She begins to climb the wall.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">43. INT. PIT – LIVING AREA – Day 6. 1232</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC and INSIGHT are drinking their tea.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I had no idea it was so hard to keep a team
going on that level.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s totally worth it, but yeah, there’s so
much work to do. And the others are
terrible when it comes to paperwork – before I arrived on the scene, they had
these piles of-</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She sits up straight.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Puts her tea down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What is it?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A loud crash some distance away.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric’s on his feet –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Heading for the door –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Insight follows.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">44. INT. PIT – HANGAR – Day 6. 1233</span></u></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The Trans-Jet is parked in the hangar. The doors to the hangar are bent. GRANITE is standing in the middle of the
room.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC arrives.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT behind him.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Swordman!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, God, it’s you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How nice your face is looking. It’d be a shame if it got punched in the face
by a rock.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’re really bad at banter.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE (upset)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I like banter.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Jump in three seconds.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Granite grows a rock in her hand –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Throws it at Lyric’s legs –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric jumps –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The rock lands harmlessly behind him.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ystradebol.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric’s sword appears in his hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">New power, then?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ooh, you noticed!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Granite grows a new rock in each hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Walks towards Lyric.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Got the best training money can buy.</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shame you couldn’t afford to improve your
face.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shame you couldn’t afford to improve your
mam.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Seriously.
Very poor banter.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Granite hurls a rock –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which Lyric deflects with his sword.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That’s fine, though. Reminds me of life with Wraith.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Granite hurls her second rock.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shield.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A metal shield appears in his hand –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the rock bounces off.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let’s try a bigger one this time.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She puts her hands together –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And a larger rock grows between them.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I do like a big one.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">45. EXT. MONASTERY - Day 6. 1235</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">UMBRA is standing outside a back door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She walks towards it –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Bounces back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Walks towards it –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Bounces back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">As this continues, CONTRA approaches.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You alright, Umbra? You’re being a bit of a freak if you don’t
mind me saying so.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra turns.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Her eyes are black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That doesn’t look good.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra melts into her SHADOW –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which becomes solid black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The shadow punches Contra’s shadow in the
head –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Contra is thrown forwards.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ow!
Get off!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The shadow kicks Contra’s shadow in the
stomach –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Karate chops its neck –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And headbutts it.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Contra collapses.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">46. INT. MONASTERY – PASSAGEWAY - Day 6. 1236</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH and AMITY walking from one
direction.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They spot APORIA with LUCY coming from the
other.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Scribblers!
Have you seen Hamish?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We haven’t seen anyone.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Stop acting suspiciously, Wraith. No – one of the children?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
Can you help me find him?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
Let me just use my lost child radar.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t be difficult. I’ll use my lost child radar.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright.
Wraith – can you take Lucy to the playing fields out the back?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Um, I’m sorry I said you had a rubbish power earlier.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You said what?!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">47. INT. MONASTERY – MAIN HALL - Day 6. 1236</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT, AADITA and DEATH QUOTE enter from
within the school.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No-one here.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Should we see if we can find them? Maybe London Fog got away.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No way is she escaping you-know-who. Bet she’s just taken her to her office.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes!
Ha, bet Ms Glass is giving her a right telling-off.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">They hear a sound –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And look towards the door –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">UMBRA enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Miss!
Do you know where –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra melts into her SHADOW.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Run!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And she jumps into the hole!</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">48. INT. MONASTERY – MIND CLASS - Day 6. 1237</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Behind him, AMITY and APORIA follow.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, hello!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Have you seen a pupil in here?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No – lost, is he?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">APORIA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He must be hiding somewhere. They wouldn’t have hurt him.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, we’ll search the building. I’ll head west.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No!
Rule one – we don’t split up.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rule zero.
We split up, because we can take everything these guys can throw at us.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tell you what, though. If you happen to bump into Finesse, can you
give her this?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He hands Amity the teddy bear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And in the meantime, protect it with your
life.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Why?
What’s so important about the bear?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m not sure yet. What I do know, though, is that it’s a little
girl’s teddy bear. And she trusted me
with it. So under no circumstances do
you allow that bear to be harmed.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">49. INT. MONASTERY – PASSAGEWAY - Day 6. 1238</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH and LUCY making their way towards
the exit. An open door to the right.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The door opens –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">It’s MR TAYLOR.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Wraith and Lucy vanish.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Wraith’s POV: running towards the open door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">50. INT. MONASTERY – SWIMMING POOL - Day 6. 1238</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The room is pitch black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH and LUCY enter.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A SPLASH is heard.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lame lame lame.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The light is switched on. A small swimming pool is revealed, stacks of
wooden chairs surrounding it. There is a
Wraith-shaped gap in the water.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">One stack of wooden chairs collapses –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Landing in the water.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Then another –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And another –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What are you doing?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LUCY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We’re hiding, aren’t we?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
Taylor’s a bad guy.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LUCY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He must’ve turned on the lights. He’ll be in any second.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m invisible.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LUCY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No good being invisible in the water.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She jumps in –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the door opens.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR walks in.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Looks in the swimming pool.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Full of wooden chairs.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WOODEN WRAITH and WOODEN LUCY blending in.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Taylor leaves.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Good power.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">51. INT. MONASTERY – CORRIDORS - Day 6. 1240</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT, DEATH QUOTE and AADITA running
down corridors – UMBRA’S SHADOW chasing them.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Does anyone know where we’re going?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Er, I thought we’d just try to lose her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We won’t.
She doesn’t tire in her shadow form.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Shadow form” sounds cool.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rupert smiles.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I could try injuring her.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Do you know if you can affect shadows?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Doubt it.
But she’s not really a shadow.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t try.
Maybe you’ll kill her. Give me
some space.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He stops running.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The others keep going.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra’s shadow catches up –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Rupert becomes FOUR RUPERTS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra’s shadow swings for the first shadow
–</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">No effect.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">MS GLASS appears.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra attacks her
shadow.</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, not afraid of the deputy. Let’s see if I can’t scare you a bit.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The SIX SCRIBBLERS appear, along with THE
MONK and various STAFF MEMBERS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Umbra’s shadow attacks their shadows in
turn.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita and Death Quote watch from a safe
distance.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m losing count of his illusions. There must be at least twenty.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita doesn’t answer.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She watches Rupert, who’s safely behind
the illusions.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, okay.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I heard what happened between him and his
girlfriend.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t describe her! You’ve probably given her a dead arm or
something.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Good.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You know there was someone else, right?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">What?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He’s pretending it doesn’t hurt, because he’s
him. But she’s been with her new
boyfriend for a while now – and yes, I’ve labelled him too. And I’ll do it again. Scummy man.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Do you think he’s alright?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No way.
He’s losing everything today.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AADITA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">His girlfriend and his mother. He’s going to need us more than ever.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Just ... don’t move in yet. You’ll have time.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Aadita watches Rupert.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Bites her lip.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">51A. INT. MONASTERY – TIME CLASS - Day 6. 1243</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">MR TAYLOR enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Moves around the class, fast.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Checking under every desk.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Under the fourth –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">HAMISH.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Gotcha.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">52. INT. MONASTERY – HEADMASTER’S OFFICE - Day 6. 1246</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A large, comfortable office with an
impressive desk and large, comfortable chair for the head. GLASS and LONDON FOG are sitting on wooden
chairs on the other side of the desk.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">If my employer doesn’t pay me because you
wouldn’t let me off the lead, you’ll owe me big time.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">How many times have you fought the
Scribblers, did you say?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Four times!
Nearly defeated Amity once.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Four times.
And they never once killed you for being annoying?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The door opens –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And HAMISH enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hamish?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">His eyes are black.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Glass jumps to her feet.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, bugger, not Taylor.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Hamish burps.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Glass turns to look at London Fog.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Disgusting power.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LATENT’s voice in London Fog’s ear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That boy makes people see into the
past. Right now, Glass is looking at you
five minutes ago. Get out, Fog. Do your job.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">London Fog grins –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And walks slowly for the door.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She leaves with Hamish.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Glass is still staring at the spot where
London Fog was previously.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, God, I’m getting a repeat of your ramblings. You’d better not be speaking right now.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">53. INT. MONASTERY – MAIN HALL - Day 6. 1248</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG walks into the centre of the
room.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Becomes GAS –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which spreads –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And spreads –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Through all the doors into the school.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">53A. INT. MONASTERY – PASSAGEWAY - Day 6. 1248</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR walking along on the phone to
LATENT.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT (OOV)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’ve got five minutes, Taylor, before
London Fog’s gas knocks everyone out.
Make sure she doesn’t kill anyone.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m on it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT (OOV)</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Glass is out of the way. Where’s Finesse?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, Finesse won’t be a problem.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">54. INT. MONASTERY – CAVERN - Day 6. 1248</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A large underground rocky chamber,
connected to the corridors.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34 runs in with ZHOU, and throws him
to the side.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You will lose.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t threaten me. It’s embarrassing.</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">RHIAN leads FINESSE into the room.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ah, there’s nice. Thanks, Rhian.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Rhian smiles.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Runs to Zhou.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Grabs his hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">ZHOU</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello.
Nice to see a friendly face.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, pretty armour –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, I’m far more than just pretty armour.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shut up.
I was talking to the armour.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, tell me.
What’s the logic here? You can’t
beat me. We’re a quarter of a mile below the
school. You have two children’s powers
to use. Children’s. And you’re expecting to beat me?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I will absolutely beat you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 raises her arm –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shoots a bolt –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE<i> (echoing)</i></span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Shield.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Abros’s shield materialises in her hand -</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The bolt bounces harmlessly away.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">But you’ve seriously underestimated me if
you think I’ve only got two powers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She vanishes.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I can still see you. Heat-seeking vision.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse appears behind her –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And punches the back of her head with an
enormous CLANG.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Aargh!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That was an illusion, not invisibility. Oh, the toys I have.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 swings around –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And slows down –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Finesse punches with incredible speed –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dents Point 34’s chest.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Chronal was right. Armoured lady.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 flinches and howls.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Your friends are down here, Rhian. Thank them for me.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(echoing)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wood.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 looks down at her leg to see it
covered in wood.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let’s see how you burn.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 presses a button on her suit –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the wooden leg comes off, revealing
her human leg –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And the wood turns back into metal.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yeah, that wasn’t a real spell.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She kickes her in the ankle –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 trips.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’d get out of that suit now. if you’re still wearing it in five seconds’
time, it’ll be the last thing you ever wear.
Because an old friend of mine lives in this school now.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">55. INT. MONASTERY – HEADMASTER’S OFFICE - Day 6. 1251</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">GLASS is swinging at nothing.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Get back here, Fog.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The door opens –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And KYLE enters.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">KYLE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Becky!</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ooh, hang on. Who’s doing that?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A purple spark appears from Kyle’s head –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">56. INT. MONASTERY – CAVERN - Day 6. 1251</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Continued from Scene 54.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 has now taken off her suit. She’s wearing a tight black outfit
underneath.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A purple spark hits the suit –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which fizzes and sparks.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Dead now.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, you think you’re so clever. But this was always a distraction. Without you, my teammates will have brought
down your friends. While you’ve been
amusing yourself with your toy box, the Scribblers have been disgraced.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now, now.
Apparently, there’s something you haven’t realised. My team mates are perfectly capable of saving
the day without me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">57. INT. MONASTERY – CORRIDORS - Day 6. 1252</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">TEN RUPERTS running circles around SHADOW
UMBRA. DEATH QUOTE and AADITA behind
them.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shadow Umbra becomes UMBRA again –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Revealing REBECCA GLASS standing behind
her.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">AMITY steps forward –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Holds out a hand –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And Umbra’s eyes return to normal.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">RUPERT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You can undo it!</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">As it turns out.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Behind her, KYLE is looking after
unpossessed ZARITA and HAMISH.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">58. EXT. MONASTERY – Day 6. 1253</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR on the phone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I need to leave. Your soldiers have failed. I – what?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH and CONTRA appear, holding an arm
each of Taylor’s.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CONTRA</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’ve been such a knob, Ernest.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">58A. INT. PASSAGEWAY – Day 6. 1253</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The passageway is full of GAS.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL enters –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Freezes the gas in place.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, Foggy. I know the rules. You remain gas for half an hour, you’re gas
forever. Let’s say you turn back now,
and I don’t speed up that process.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Beat.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The gas becomes LONDON FOG.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LONDON FOG</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I hate you most of all.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That’s nice.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">59. INT. PIT – HANGAR – Day 6. 1254</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC with sword and shield fighting
GRANITE, now bigger and rockier than ever.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Darts.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Darts materialise in mid-air –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And shoot towards Granite –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Bouncing off.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Lyric drops his sword.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hammer.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A sledgehammer materialises in his hand –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which he swings –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">CRUNCHING against Granite’s side.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, stop!
My sides are splitting.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’re so sad. Anvil.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">An ANVIL materialises above Granite –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Falls –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Landing on her head, hard.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Drops to the ground.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That hurt.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She puts her hands together –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Starts growing a boulder –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which gets bigger –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And bigger –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">INSIGHT opens the door –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT and BETH run through.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT becomes a RHINO –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Tackles Granite –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Beth holds her hand towards Lyric –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">VICTORY.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">And everyone fades away.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">60. EXT. MONASTERY - Day 6. 1300</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Out in front of the
school. The SIX SCRIBBLERS have gathered
POINT 34 – holding her suit, SPRINGER, GRANITE, LONDON FOG and MR TAYLOR. THE MONK, REBECCA GLASS, KYLE are present, as
are AADITA, BETH, DEATH QUOTE, RHIAN – who has her BEAR back, RUPERT and ZHOU. An armoured police van is present with TWO OFFICERS
standing ready</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, you’ve all done remarkably poorly, villainous
ones. Two out of ten.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GRANITE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You win some you lose some.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’ll all get what’s coming to you. All of you.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">She smiles subtly at Springer.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">TAYLOR</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes we will.
We’ve got Latent on our side. You’ve
put yourselves in opposition to her.
That is a dangerous place to be.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Grow up, Taylor. Do you know how hard it is to find a new
teacher when term’s already started?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, and Point 34. If you ever fancy a rematch, I’d be well up
for it. You know. If you design some good armour at some point.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Point 34 prods an arm –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which drops off.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You’re so smug, aren’t you?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Suddenly, she raises the arm –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Shoots a bolt –</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Which hits the Monk in the heart.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The Monk looks down.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A hole in his chest.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Blood spreading.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">He falls to his knees.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">KYLE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No – not him –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Something for you to remember me by.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">BETH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Dan, we need Dan, he can –</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, Beth.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEATH QUOTE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">He can fix anyone. He can heal him ...</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Thing is, right. The Monk.
I met him a month ago, and he was in a far worse state than this. A whole school dedicated to training
superheroes? That’s nothing compared
with personal tuition from me.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The Monk stands.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The hole heals.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, whatever your boss thinks she knows
about this place. Make sure she knows
this. The headmaster has been trained by
Finesse of the Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The Monk approaches Point 34.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Close – eye to eye.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Reveals a knife from his robes.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Cuts off his hand.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And now he is immortal.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The hand grows back.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">61. EXT/INT. POLICE VAN - Day 6. 1310</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">POINT 34, SPRINGER, GRANITE, LONDON FOG
and MR TAYLOR in the back. A voice in
Springer’s ear.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t you worry. You won’t spend long in there. I’ve got the SPP working on this. Odds are you’ll be out within the month.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Springer smiles sadly.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">But tell Point 34 for me. She disobeyed me. Twice.
I specifically told her not to harm the staff or pupils. I’ll see to it that she rots in prison for
the rest of her days.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">62. INT. PIT – LIVING AREA – Night 6. 1900</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The SIX SCRIBBLERS chillin’ in da Pit.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">That was a good day. Enjoyed that a lot.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">AMITY</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes.
But now we have a problem. Latent
managed to get to a school so secret even we didn’t know about it until last
month. And she’s in control of the SPP.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">... Serebii’s Pokémon Page?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, hang on – the SPP? The Social Preservation Party?</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rubberman said Latent owns them.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">FINESSE</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Then that’s a major problem. There are hundreds of members of that
party. Maybe over a thousand.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And three of them are MPs.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">CHRONAL</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay.
Well, now we know. We’re one step
ahead. That’s a chink in her armour.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LYRIC</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And we’ve got the information from
Insight. That’s chink two.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">WRAITH</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t say chink, it’s racist.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHIFT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">And Rupert’s her son. Hence her link to the school. Presumably, she wants him trained up to join
her business.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Mix">
<span lang="EN-GB">CUT TO:</span></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="ScenePit">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">63. INT. MONASTERY – HEADMASTER’S OFFICE – Night 6. 1910</span></u></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">THE MONK and REBECCA GLASS addressing
someone.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">Okay, what the hell was today all
about? We’re trying to keep it all
together here, and the day the Scribblers arrive, you mess everything up.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Directions">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Their guest is revealed – LATENT.</span></i></div>
<div class="Directions">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You should be thanking me. I did you a favour.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">You will explain yourself.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wouldn’t attack my own operation, would
I? I’ve thrown them off the scent.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We are not your operation.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">My dear Ms Glass. I’m afraid you are. Without me, you’d have no funding. This whole place is me. Make no mistake, though. You are Plan A. I have plans B to K ready to take your place.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">GLASS</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">We’ve made ourselves perfectly clear. We’ve accepted your son. That’s the deal.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Character">
<span lang="EN-GB">LATENT</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">No.
That isn’t the deal. The deal is,
I paid for this place, you do what I want.
Don’t worry – I’m hands-off now.
But understand this.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is a war coming. A battle of the underworld. Niobe has taken her first shot. Sintaro is regrouping.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ve survived as long as I have because I’ve
stayed off the radar. Now, I don’t have
that luxury. This war will be won by
notoriety. I needed to make myself known
to the Scribblers.</span></div>
<div class="Character">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">(beat)</span></i></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<span lang="EN-GB">The war will begin soon. And with this school, I intend to win it.</span></div>
<div class="Dialogue">
<br /></div>
<div class="Titles" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">THE END</span></u></div>Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-251383516579239162012-04-22T13:32:00.002+00:002012-05-01T12:43:26.950+00:00Scribblers: Casus Belli part two<span style="font-weight:bold;">Scribblers: Casus Belli<br /><br />Issue the Second</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. INT. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - DISUSED STORAGE ROOM. Day 1 - 1052</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Room full of boxes and large broken shiz like beds a ballu. No windows, one door, one extractor fan in the corner. FINESSE is crouched between pile o' stuff and the wall at one end, holding the important cannister in one hand; the five NIOBIDS are spreading out throughout the room, destroying everything they get to to try and find her. Holo-NIOBE stands by the door, fanning herself idly and humming, apparently quite at ease.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />You really would favour me, you know. Sort of. For the underlying aim. And I don't just say that because of your history with dear Sintaro-san, either.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">GAS NIOBID is gaseous; she drifts closer to Finesse's hiding place. Three metres to the right FIRE NIOBID is prowling, coming slowly closer. Finesse grits her teeth, tips her head back against the pile behind her and closes her eyes, apparently concentrating hard.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />My way is better. Trouble is, he does have better contacts. Mostly because he gives people money and then blackmails them, it's very efficient, I must say. I just find all that so dull.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">STRONG NIOBID seizes a filing cabinet and tears it in half; Finesse frowns, concentrating, and TELEPATH NIOBID suddenly pauses, and looks around to her hiding place.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />But it's very inconvenient. It means it's almost impossible for anyone else's business interests.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Telepath Niobid starts walking towards Finesse; the others, seeing him, follow suit; Finesse grips the cannister so hard her knuckles turn white -<br /><br />Niobe smiles, and moves forward herself -</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />You can't establish competition -<br /><br /> CHRONAL (oov)<br />Yes, it's almost like the free market isn't self-regulating, isn't it?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And CHRONAL arrives! The Niobids spin about to attack him -<br /><br />He blurs -<br /><br />And Telepath Niobid crumbles to the floor, unconscious. Finesse grins. Gas Niobid swoops in to Chronal -<br /><br />He blurs again, scooping up some old blinds and stopping by the extractor fan; he whirls his arms -<br /><br />They blur into a windmill -<br /><br />And Gas Niobid is sucked towards the extractor fan. Niobe looks alarmed. VIBRO-NIOBID sends a shockwave through the floor to Chronal -<br /><br />Fire Niobid throws out an arm, and a plume of fire leaps for Chronal -<br /><br />Finesse stands -<br /><br />The fire is deflected back to Fire Niobid. Gas Niobid vanishes through the fan. Chronal blurs entirely -<br /><br />And the floor shockwave stops. Strong Niobid begins charging; Finesse extends a hand -<br /><br />Shockwaves hit both Fire Niobid and Strong Niobid, knocking them down. Chronal blurs once more -<br /><br />And all remaining Niobids are left unconscious and bound on the floor, Niobe pouting irritably at them. Chronal unblurs, and turns to her. Finesse grins.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />When I find you instead of your hologram, you are going be <span style="font-style:italic;">extremely arrested</span>.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />What? I don't follow.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Because </span>you just tried to kill my wife, you psychopath!<br /><br /> NIOBE (indignantly)<br />I did not! <br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Wait, which one's your wife again?<br /><br /> FINESSE (reproachfully)<br />Me.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh are you? Yes I did, then. Ah well. This round to you, Scribblers. Bye!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The hologram blinks out. Finesse and Chronal turn to each other -<br /><br />And hug each other hard, clinging on.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Thank you.<br /><br /> CHRONAL (proudly)<br />I ran all the way! Knackered now.<br /><br /> FINESSE (grinning)<br />I guessed. Serious husband points, that gets you.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Lemon cake and Doctor Who tonight, I think.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Yay! In that case, I think I might wake them up again and do it again.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yeah? In exchange for...?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Wine!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Good shout. I'm getting so drunk tonight. Doctor Who drinking game?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Oh my god yes!!! We're <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>cool, aren't we?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Oh, we're <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>cool.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />I knew it.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC - COMPUTER LAB. Day 1 - 1110</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">SHIFT, DOG, GOAT, OCTOPUS, AMITY, WRAITH, LYRIC, CHRONAL and FINESSE are sitting in a loose circle of sofas,pulled together in the middle of the computer lab (apart from Octopus, who is in its tank). A large screen against the wall shows the sealed lab below, where AMALGAM and KAYLEIGH are in hazmat suits, working around either the frozen GOON BOY or the small sample of serum provided by BLOCK. An open comm link lets them all talk between each other.<br /><br />Most are clutching tea or hot chocolate. Finesse and Chronal are curled up together contentedly; Dog has crawled onto the sofa next to Amity, and is slowly creeping closer, in the way of dogs.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />So, basically, two rich business-people want to do business using people as a commodity, and as part of their business competition, melted three hundred people, killed dozens more and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of property damage, also putting many small sole traders out of business in the process.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />That would appear to be the case, yes.<br /><br /> SHIFT (thoughtfully)<br />And Niobids have super powers now.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />But on the plus side, Doctor Who drinking game tonight!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Epic.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />But that's just - that's so <span style="font-style:italic;">annoying</span>! The business people, that is. Obviously the Doctor Who drinking game is a splendid idea.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog wags its tail, and sneaks closer to her. Goat, unnoticed, places a fork at her feet.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Yes. It's like - I've contacted the government to tell them about the virus. Dinas Central has put everyone from the Paul Ball Mall into quarantine, in case any of the others were also sickly types.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hang on, how is that like Doctor Who drinking -?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Yes!<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />What?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Exactly!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That's what I like about you, Shift. You're bloody insane, and use it to make Wraith feel unbalanced.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH('s voice)<br />Which we can all agree is a good thing.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ehhhhhhh...<br /><br /> FINESSE (to Shift)<br />Well done. Any ideas for our next move, other than trying to make a cure/antidote?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Well... we need a cure/antidote.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Thanks.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Something is a minor worry, though.<br /><br /> WRAITH (sympathetically)<br />Is it... it's... Lyric's face, isn't it.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />It is in fact your hair.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ehhhhhhh...<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />And there's another worrying thing. Now, I think this business of Sintaro's -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />The one where he mutilates and sells people as a commodity?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />That very one. I think we probably won't have to worry about that. He has other plants in other places, and he probably has more shipments planned -<br /><br /> CHRONAL (disgustedly)<br />Oh, he'll definitely try to move them. Definitely.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Finesse closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. Dog whines, slightly uncertain.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Dog voice.<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Sorry. I meant to say - I've never met this Sintaro fellow, but surely if he's been sabotaged once in a day he won't try again within hours? Those would be the staggeringly stupid actions of a lunatic.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />You've never met him, you say?<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Ah.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Guy's a rebass.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />It all comes down to what contracts he might have. Because if he's got an important one, I can totally just see him risking it anyway.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Well, I don't think so. Like Finesse told Block, he cannot afford any more bad publicity for his terrible business. And it'll probably have lowered his faith in his security elsewhere; the Dinas branch of TORY is the highest security one, according to my ratty friends.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes, and if I've learned anything in this job it's that we should always listen to rats.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog makes a curious whiney-bark, echoed by goat, who bleats. After a few seconds it becomes clear that they're trying to laugh. Wraith casts a terrified look at Dog.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />But anyway, the really worrying part is that those Niobids had powers. That's never happened before.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yes, I agree. Okay. We have to find Niobe, because Sintaro is, lest we forget, a moron. Chronal, get hacking. What are the various denizens of the underworld actually saying about all of this? Any word on Sintaro's plans? While you're at it, find out if they know about Niobe yet. <br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Okay! <br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Although for god's sake don't tell them yourself.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />That's an even better idea!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />And find out every building attached to Niobe.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Better still!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He blurs, and vanishes. Finesse falls over, sighs, and pushes herself back up again. Lyric snorts.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />As fast as he earns those husband points, eh?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />And I'm going to see if I can find out where her lab is. <br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yeah?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />It can't be anywhere we know she owns, you see. She comes across as a big flaky, but she's clever. The Supervillain Clause means anywhere attached to her can be searched at any time with due suspicion, and this altered serum of hers is too important to allow into the wrong hands.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />If by 'the wrong hands' you here mean 'the Law'.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Correct. Also other villains.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Okay. Scientists? What are we looking at?<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Ooh, me! Well; still no evidence of a virus having developed, but we'll keep monitoring. But the serum itself may not be as bad as I thought, actually.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Really?<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />It causes a random effect on the genes, but we think the serum itself isn't random. If that makes sense.<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />I'll test a tissue-sample in a bit - with Amity's help, if you wouldn't mind?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog looks imploringly up at Amity, who beams.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Of course!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog wags its tail, and creeps an inch closer.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Excellent! Er - yes. Well, it's all to do with how specific it is in the first place-<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Come and join in, Finesse! We're dressed like an Eighties punk-rock band called the Hazmats while working with a volatile substance and a time-frozen mutate, it's great.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />She has a point. That sounds brilliant. <br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yes it does. Fine. Go, Shift. Come, Amity. Silence, Lyric.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Finesse and Amity leave; Shift becomes a robin and leaves via the window. Lyric sits back contentedly, speaks a sketch-pad into being, and begins sketching. Wraith watches Dog doubtfully, who looks mournful.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />So... you know your action-name, Lyric - ?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Stop.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. EXT. DOWNTOWN DINAS - WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. Day 1 - 1114</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />A run-down, industrial area, all warehouses and lorries and grey, although young trees have been planted at intervals along the road sides to bring joy. A solar farm basks to one side. Behind one warehouse is an open, dry drainpipe, waiting for renovation.<br /><br />A ROBIN flies down to it, lands, and pecks at a worm for a moment before remembering itself. It transforms into a RAT, and scurries down the pipe.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC - COMPUTER LAB. Day 1 - 1115</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">WRAITH and LYRIC are still sitting in their sofa circle with GOAT, DOG and OCTOPUS. LYRIC is sketching wearily. WRAITH is looking around.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />So, he said the other one is on the roof.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />He's standing right there.<br /><br /> WRAITH (looking around)<br />What? Where?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />The animals, you special, special boy.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Oh yeah. So what do you think it is?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Why don't you ask him?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Son. Can't go asking what people's animals are. They don't stop talking about them.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Are you thinking of <span style="font-style:italic;">pets?</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />What's the difference?<br /><br /> AMITY('s voice)<br />Well, pets are animals you keep, while his are like, um, arms. Stop talking about him.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog wags its tail.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Soz.<br /><br /> FINESSE('s voice)<br />This is why we don't take you out to socialise, Wraith.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Lol.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />I'm bored. Is there anything for us to do?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hey! Don't volunteer me, you nagger!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />I ask with particular reference to making Wraith do something.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />CHRONAL arrives in a blur, making Dog jump. He goes straight to the screen.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Bad news! We need to do something!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Heh.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Baps.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />No word at all from Sintaro, except to say that he regrets he will not be able to fulfil a contract intended for noon today to a man whom I believe to be more criminally insane than anyone we've ever faced before because he genuinely calls himself Mr Stinkwealthy.<br /><br /> FINESSE('s voice)<br />He -<span style="font-style:italic;"> what?</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That may just be the world's worst name.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />He wants to conquer the Caymen Islands for the banks, and had ordered a shipment of powered goons for delivery at noon.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />That's in forty four minutes and seventeen seconds. But Niobe! She recently had important dinners with various underworld types who will only say they talked 'business' at her Cardiff mansion. I think she's there. Can I go and arrest her, Finesse?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Do ever so want.<br /><br /> FINESSE('s voice)<br />Alright. If she's there. All three of you, take the Trans-Jet and go - Shift can catch up. Invite anyone Cardiff-based to join in. Breathing apparatus, Lyric; I'm taking no chances with a potential infectious mutating disease.<br /><br /> LYRIC <br />Will do.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Byes.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They blur and vanish.<br /><br />Dog looks sad.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />5. INT. SEWER SYSTEM. Day 1 - 1117</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">RAT!SHIFT is scurrying along a walkway over a sewage flow. Ahead, a FAT GREY RAT with long, drooping whiskers like a handlebar moustache is surrounded by a ring of others; CLEVER RAT with a scar running down her face from ear to nose, another across her leg, and OTHER RAT#1 and #2, who, in spite of being rats, seem to look doubtful. Shift approaches.</span><br /><br /> FAT GREY RAT<br />I mean it! And then when I tells 'em to bugger off, they goes and shoves me in the river! Nearly drowned!<br /><br /> CLEVER RAT<br />But... you're a rat, Sqeyke. You can swim.<br /><br /> FAT GREY RAT WHO IT TURNS OUT IS CALLED SQEYKE<br />They wun't to know that!<br /><br /> CLEVER RAT<br />They're water rats, Sqeyke. Of course they knew.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />But I'm a tunnel rat! Born and bred. They dun't know I can swim. <br /><br /> OTHER RAT#1<br />He's got a point. Them water rats, they've been gettin' right up 'emselves, thinking they're all that.<br /><br /> OTHER RAT#2<br />That's true. One pinched my chips the other day. <br /><br /> CLEVER RAT<br />That was a pigeon.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />What's the difference, though, eh? Am I right?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />No.<br /><br /> OTHER RAT#1<br />Shit! It's Un-Rat!<br /><br /> OTHER RAT#2<br />She can be Un-Cat!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The rats turn, and a few scatter, leaving only Sqeyke, the Clever Rat and Shift.</span><br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Hey! I was just getting somewhere!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />You're a moron, Sqeyke.<br /><br /> CLEVER RAT<br />Finally. He doesn't listen when I tell him.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Urgh. All I need, that is. Both of you. This here's ShiftRat, Chrrrp. She's important.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I'm flattered.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />Why important?<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Brings chocolate for information. And sometimes tells us of Extermination so we can get out, like.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />Ooh. I'm sold. <br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Problems though, ShiftRat. Them water rats are after a war. No one listens, though. You in season?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I have no problems with becoming ShiftCat. I'm looking for somewhere, and I reckon you'll know where it is.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />What is it?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />A lab. You know; lots of dead whiters, lots of chemicals. But this might be something else - what?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Sqeyke and Chrrrp have gone very still, staring at her, wide eyed. Neither speaks for a moment.</span><br /><br /> CHRRRP (quietly)<br />Blackhall.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />It's true, then? We thought it was just rumours.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />What's - ?<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Hang on. What's it worth?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Potentially eight Mars bars.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Bloody hell!<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />West, by the Barriers. Then go up Midtown. Blackhall. We heard the rumours long ago. Rats went there and started disappearing, and then we got the smell.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />They were dying there?<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />More than that. Something else, we could smell it. Spuq went in the end -<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Territory war he thought, see, so -<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />Idiot. He was fast, though, and he made it out; he only lived for a few minutes then, though. He was babbling. He said it was whiters had changed. They were huge, and became wrong shapes. He said they brought frosts.<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Frosts! Down here! Said their claws and fangs were too big. And he said they died and went runny, like they'd been long dead.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />So then Reee went to eat them, because, you know, a meal's a meal - <br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Never saw her again either. So everyone's been avoiding it. Bad feeling in these tunnels, ShiftRat.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />I thought it was new Extermination.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Possibly. It's spreading to humans.<br /><br /> CHRRRP<br />Oh, good. It might get solved, then.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Can you take me to the closest exit?<br /><br /> SQEYKE<br />Only for an extra Twix. Plus the Mars.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />You're a moron, Sqeyke.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC - LAB. Day 1 - 1119</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE, AMITY, AMALGAM and KAYLEIGH are standing about a lab bench in Hazmats, GOON BOY still frozen behind them. A screen shows them all what a microscope is seeing. Amalgam is carefully adjusting the focus, while Kayleigh readies a pippette; Amity is concentrating on the sample below the microscope. Finesse is scrolling through digital notes.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I see what you mean by it being specific.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I don't.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Well -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />You're going to have to explain it really very slowly, I'm afraid.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Ooh, okay! Well - DNA is made of genes, and genes produce proteins. Protein markers. Different ones. Now, the XGH makes new genes and inserts them - or, well, it makes the body make new genes by - well, anyway - you get new genes. Except, in the form of this serum the 'effects' are temporary. After a few days those proteins remove the new genes, which dissolve harmlessly into the body.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Mostly harmlessly.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Yes, oddly enough this would produce side-effects after a while.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />It means the added genes have very distinctive protein markers, though. Which the real serum can isolate and remove. So, hypothetically, we could make a counter-serum that would sort of cancel out the first.<br /><br /> AMITY (enthused)<br />Ooh, so you can cure it?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Er... well... no. Not yet, certainly. Apart from anything else, we don't know if the mutating genes have protein markers that would be recognised by the serum, so this may all be academic. But it's a start!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes it is! A very clever start!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />So we need to examine the protein markers.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Correct!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />We'll need you for that for speed, Amity.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />And then Amalgam may need to calm down for a second.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hoor - oh. Sorry.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amity giggles.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7. EXT. NIOBE'S MANSION. Day 1 - 1142</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cardiff is very visible in the not-so-distant-distance, with an ancient Greek mansion on the other side of manicured and elaborate gardens. Currently, the gardens contain around fifty Niobids, with more pouring out of the mansion courtyard. LYRIC, WRAITH and CHRONAL are present, along with HAFAZA (dry, honest, moral), a hero with a costume based around Arabian trousers, long boots and a niqab, and WILDFIRE (20s, drearily revolutionary, bit of an idiot), with the glowy orange skin and armour from that one that Iceduck did ages ago with the medical exam, remember that one? That was a good one.<br /><br />They are fightings. Fighty fighty. Wraith is invisible.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH (oov)<br />They can't see invisi-me.<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />That information was superfluously obvious, Wraith.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Three Niobids leap at her. She blasts them away with forcefields.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH (oov)<br />Hey!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />No, she's right.<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />Why don't they speak?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chronal zips past in super speed.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />They -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(he punches one)</span><br /><br />- aren't -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(kicks another)</span><br /><br />- actually -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(knocks one out)</span><br /><br />- really -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(scatters four like dominoes)</span><br /><br />- sentient.<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />How can they not be - ?<br /><br /> CHRONAL (pausing)<br />No idea. But Finesse said they don't have sentient minds.<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />But... Wraith talks, and he doesn't -<br /><br /> WRAITH (oov)<br />Hey!<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />You have to hear it or you won't get better.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />I don't think there was ever a chance of him getting better.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is an electric crackle, and HOLO-NIOBE appears in the middle of them. They fight on, ignoring her.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Hello Scribblers. Why are you here?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />To arrest you. Where are you?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Hmm? Oh, god, sorry, not here - I never actually stay in places I could be traced to. Wait, you aren't Scribblers.<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />I'm here on community service.<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />I'm not.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh goodness! You brought a Persian.<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />What - ? My family are <span style="font-style:italic;">Iraqi</span>, you damn racist. And we call it <span style="font-style:italic;">Iran</span>, not Persia.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, I don't know. It's all so difficult telling these days, isn't it? Things were simpler in my time.<br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />Yeah? Turkish, aren't you?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Holo-Niobe rounds on her, indignation pouring out of every pore.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />How dare you! I'm <span style="font-style:italic;">Greek</span>, you jumped up Mesopotamian! Kill them, Niobids!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She winks out. The battle continues.</span><br /><br /> HAFAZA<br />Heh. Owned.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />I'd high five you if I weren't fighting.<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />You know, this is <span style="font-style:italic;">exactly </span>the sort of behaviour that wouldn't happen if the government would put tighter controls onto the finances of the rich. <br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Do you think so?<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />It's very entitled, you see that?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />In fairness, so is burning down a housing estate.<br /><br /> WILDFIRE<br />... That hurts.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC - COMPUTER LAB. Day 1 - 1148</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE, KAYLEIGH, AMITY and AMALGAM are back in normal uniform plus lab coats and clustered around a large computer screen, looking excited.DOG keeps jumping up and down absently, while GOAT is chewing paper. OCTOPUS is slowly weaving its legs into something resembling a DNA strand in its tank. On the lab monitoring screen, GOON BOY remains frozen in the lab below.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes! We were right! Those are very distinct markers, you see that?<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Well, I think we should have tea to celebrate.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hooray! And then maybe the others will come home!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />What?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Oh. Er... nothing.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />How much will this actually help, though? Practically speaking, now. We know that the mutations can be removed, hypothetically without damaging the native DNA; but how do we manufacture a cure?<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Oddly enough, that's going to be harder. We could reverse-engineer something from the serum sample, technically, but that would take weeks. We need the actual data of how the serum itself was created, all the data on how to make it specific, on how she changed it... all that.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />We'll need her lab, then. I'll go and see if I can get hold of Shift yet. <br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Good plan! I'm going to make celebratory tea! <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They leave. Dog looks sad. Amity looks curiously at Amalgam.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Is it... the dog part of you? You like having people around?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes. Er... well, sort of. Not just people, as such. More like... pack.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Pack? Really? How lovely! We only met you today. Apart from Shift.<br /><br /> AMALGAM (slightly oddly, fiddling with the microscope)<br />Yes. But most people I meet take longer than an hour to get used to the animals. And no one else has ever instantly accepted that we're all one person before.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He looks at her seriously.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM (quietly)<br />And I've never met anyone like you before, Amity.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is a pause.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />I - it's not just me. Finesse -<br /><br /> AMALGAM (earnestly)<br />Is doing remarkably well given that her inherent understanding of my condition is no better than a random off the street. She can feel my powers, and she can feel the same powers in Dog, Goat and Octopus, so she knows objectively that there's a link. But she's still having to stop herself from looking at the animals, and stroking Dog, and feeding Goat. I mean, I really don't at all hold it against her, or the others. Like I say, they've all just... instantly socially accepted me, and it does take a little while to adjust to the details. They're brilliant. It's why I'm sort of thinking of them as pack already after about an hour of exposure.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Even Wraith? Because, you know, we try not to let him socialise with new people too much anyway -<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Ha! Yes. Even Wraith. He's brilliant too.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is another pause, and Dog comes and leans its head against Amity's leg. She puts a hand to it automatically, watching him. He smiles.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />But you are the first person to ever completely and utterly accept me. Right down to understanding the personality traits that spill over, which can be admittedly difficult even for people who have known me for a long time to handle what with them being eccentric and strange and not always entirely appropriate. Like, er, the fact that I'm currently licking your hand. I'm so sorry.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amity laughs as Dog steps away, slightly abashed.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />It's totally fine. Shift does that sometimes. And - you know that your mind is amazing, yes? It really is. It's so... <span style="font-style:italic;">comfortable </span>to feel. And weirdly familiar, probably from all the stuff we have in common. I keep feeling like I could just throw out a random three things about myself, like... I'm vegetarian, I'm left-handed, I grew up on a council estate; and you'll say -<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hey, me too! <br /><br /> AMITY<br />Exactly!<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Wait, you meant that, didn't you? Are you <span style="font-style:italic;">actually </span>a left-handed vegetarian from a council estate?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh my god! Okay, well the new game is clearly to find something we don't have in common.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Ooh, okay; well, I call myself Amalgam because my real code name is too silly to be taken seriously in the scientific community.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Really?! What is it?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Amalgaman.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Ha! That's brilliant! Finesse would hate it.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes, I get that impression.<br /><br /> AMITY (enthusiastically)<br />Ooh, although you know what you <span style="font-style:italic;">could </span>call yourself?<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Animalgaman!<br /><br /> AMALGAM (thrilled)<br />Oh, wow, that's <span style="font-style:italic;">brilliant!</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yeah it is!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Amazing!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They beam at each other for a moment -<br /><br />Very deliberately, Amity reaches out and strokes Dog's head, who leans into the touch; she and Amalgam look at each other -<br /><br />Enter Finesse, the cock-blocker.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Okay, I've called Shift. We think we've found the lab; it's a bit difficult to tell timings from rats because when they say 'long ago when I was young' they generally mean 'last year' -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amity and Dog separate. Amalgam busies himself looking at the notes.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />- but, they've reported what sounds like a lot of lab rats being loosed into the sewers with the same symptoms of random powers followed by melting.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />She did this to <span style="font-style:italic;">rats?!</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />She did it to humans. I doubt she found rats much of a stretch.<br /><br /> AMALGAM (morosely)<br />That's true. And rats are so clever.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />What a horrible person.<br /><br /> FINESSE (reproachful)<br />You know, she did try to kill <span style="font-style:italic;">me </span>today.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Well, I was including that in my reasoning.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />And you're <span style="font-style:italic;">much </span>cleverer than a rat.<br /><br /> FINESSE (mock smugly)<br />Yes I am, my friend. Amity, saddle up. We've a dangerous lab to break into.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9. INT. THE TRANS-JET. Day 1 - 1201</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE, CHRONAL, LYRIC, WRAITH, AMITY and SHIFT are all present, Finesse flying the jet. Wraith is doodling bits of Amity's arm invisible; she is staring out of the window, lost in thought.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />So Hafaza and Wildfire are handling the police liaison stuff, because Hafaza's good at politics and Wildfire wants the extra hour on her timesheet. There wasn't anything there, though. And I still don't know how the Niobids now have powers.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Well, we've never known how she makes them in the first place. I don't think I've ever actually met Niobe in person, which makes her the cleverest villain I personally have ever faced - she's completely unknown to me. All I have to go on is a character from Classical mythology.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Hafaza owned her with Classical geography earlier.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Really? Did she call her Turkish?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Yeah.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Heh.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />So what's the plan, Batman?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Don't call me Batman.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />You're <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>sensitive to that...<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />When we arrive we're going to split up, okay?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - ENTRANCE CORRIDOR. Day 1 - 1203</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">SCRIBBLERS arriving, creeping down the corridor.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (v/o)<br />Firstly, make sure you all remember that this is likely where the unstable serum comes from. She may well have more. There's always a chance she might have weaponised it in some way. And we don't think our own power genes will do much more than simply slowing the mutations down<span style="font-style:italic;"> if we're lucky</span>. So be careful.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - LONG CORRIDOR. Day 1 - 1204</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">AMITY and LYRIC are moving down a long corridor sporting busts and paintings galore of either Classical scenes or Niobe herself.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (v/o)<br />Primarily, we're looking for the information on the serum; the most likely place will be the labs. Amity and Lyric, you're checking the west wings.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - STAIRCASE LEADING DOWN. Day 1 - 1204</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">WRAITH and SHIFT are descending down a flight of unremarkable stone steps, into a darker area. Wraith is turning invisible. Shift is a bat.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (v/o)<br />Wraith and Shift, you're the best at stealth. You're looking underground. Shift, be careful of any mutated lab rabs if you're in animal form.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - ATRIUM. Day 1 - 1204</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />FINESSE and CHRONAL are moving through the atrium at double speed.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (v/o)<br />Chronal and I will check the rest, because we'll be able to cover more ground. Keep your comms open at all times. And if you find the information, send it straight back to Kayleigh and Amalgam. Good luck.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - WAR ROOM. Day 1 - 1208</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A large room, decked out a bit like an old-fashioned library in wood with books all around the walls. A long oval table sits in the centre, with holo-emitters on it and a small panel of buttons at one end. A Greek-style chaise lounge, comfy-looking, has been placed before it.<br /><br />SHIFT and WRAITH, invisible and a bee irrespectively, enter. Shift flies to the table, lands on the buttons, waits for a second and then transforms human again. She hops down to the floor and looks around.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />What a curious mix of decorative styles.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wraith becomes visible, and crosses to her.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Looks lame. Has your magic bee-sense told you this is important?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Well, if you mean that the ring of iron oxide around my bee abdomen that allows bees to navigate but also picks up on electromagnetism has alerted me to the presence of very strong electric currents in this room presumably controlled by these buttons - yes.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Awesome.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He examines the buttons for a moment, then presses one. At once, the hologram in the middle of the table springs to life. Files of information haver there, waiting to be read. Shift peers at them closely.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Whoa. Have we found it already?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I don't think so.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Damn. I wanted to beat Lyric.<br /><br /> SHIFT (slowly)<br />I think... we may have found something quite important, though. Open this file?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Yeah. Sec.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He presses a few buttons, and the file opens. Shift reads.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Oh dear.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - DINING HALL. Day 1 - 1209</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and CHRONAL are moving through the deserted dining hall. The comm sounds.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Hello?<br /><br /> SHIFT ('s voice)<br />Hello! How are you?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I'm okay, how are you?<br /><br /> SHIFT ('s voice)<br />I'm fine!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Oh good!<br /><br /> SHIFT ('s voice)<br />So, you know when she said if you knew the details you'd prefer her to Sintaro?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yes?<br /><br /> SHIFT ('s voice)<br />I've just found out why. She's been spying on him.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - WAR ROOM. Day 1 - 1209</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">SHIFT is avidly reading the holo-file. WRAITH is prowling the rest of the room.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Sintaro's goons are the complete package. He doesn't just power them up - he gets Dischord to actually brain-wash them. They're made to be completely loyal to whoever hires them, with their only higher priority being loyalty to Sintaro himself. Then at the end of the contract the serum wears off and the loyalty to the client is taken away.<br /><br /> LYRIC ('s voice)<br />But not the loyalty to Sintaro?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />No. But there's more. Firstly, it means their mental states are a complete mess from all the meddling, so they start developing actual mental illnesses after a while, like schizophrenia; but, there's also the serum itself. It's addictive. Which means he can eventually get away with paying them less and less, because they just want their fix.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is a pause.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE ('s voice)<br />Wow. There are days where I forget just how textbook evil he is.<br /><br /> AMITY ('s voice)<br />So he <span style="font-style:italic;">actually </span>- ?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Er, Shift?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shift looks up, winking invisible just as NIOBIDS spill around the doorframe and run in, powered up and ready; one extends a hand and a bolt of energy blasts the spot Shift was just standing in, but it passes harmlessly through. The Niobids move cautiously into the room -<br /><br />A gorilla lands on the lead Niobid, flattening her.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH (oov)<br />Solve our maze, rebasses.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Fighting and that.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - LABS. Day 1 - 1210</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Labs, very expensive and swish, with many workstations and computers and the like. There is a vid-screen beside the computers, and a glass cabinet containing dozens of phials in the centre. AMITY and LYRIC enter, looking cool and suave.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Lab get! Awesome. For a given value of.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes, I suspect "wildly depressing" is going to be the correct description. Is that the serum in there?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She points to the cabinet. They back smartly away from it.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Could be. Let's not find out.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They move to the computer, and Lyric removes his comm link. A USB slides out of the end, which he inserts into the first computer. At once, the computer springs to life. Information slides past on the screen, too fast to read. Amity frowns suddenly, and turns to look at the door.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Looks like it could be it -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Lyric!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She tackles him aside -<br /><br />Fire roars over their heads as they land. Lyric rolls smoothly to his feet, sword in hand; Amity looks up, part-fascinated, part-horrified.<br /><br />Niobids move in.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />My god; they're so basic. I think the only things I could do to disrupt them would be hard enough to kill them -<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Punch them then?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A Niobid shoots out an arm that becomes a sword; Lyric parries -<br /><br />Amity rolls to her feet and ducks the hammer-like fist of a grey Niobid, letting him take out the Niobid beside him; punches another in the face -<br /><br />Lyric kicks out -<br /><br />Etc.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />18. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - THRONE ROOM. Day 1 - 1210</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Huge room, vaulted ceiling, all white marble and Doric architecture. Small fountains line the walls. At the far end stands an enormous throne, inlaid with marble.<br /><br />FINESSE and CHRONAL enter, walking cautiously into the room.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (quietly)<br />She's got a hell of a god complex going on, hasn't she?<br /><br /> CHRONAL (quietly)<br />Yes, but I want that chair.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Throne.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Yes. I think it'll look amazing around our dining table.<br /><br /> FINESSE (grinning)<br />Really? Complete with -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She freezes, and looks to the end of the hall.</span><br /><br />Well, well. I was right.<br /><br /> NIOBE (oov) <br />Oh, yes, darling.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">NIOBE appears from around the throne, around thirty Niobids appearing also and moving to the sides of the hall. Chronal watches them warily, ready to change time. Finesse moves forward. Niobe sits in the throne, unconcerned.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />And it is a wrench, you know. You now knowing. I mean, we both know you'd guessed, but that's not the same as <span style="font-style:italic;">knowing</span>, is it? Ah well.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />What are you knowing?<br /><br /> FINESSE (not taking her eyes off Niobe)<br />She creates the Niobids out of her own tears. And chooses how much life to give them at the moment of creation. They're linked to her, then, psionically. <br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Can you break the link?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Not without killing them.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />How do you give them the powers, though? Those don't come from you.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Sorry, what powers - ? Oh, yes! Oh, well, the serum. If they're mixed with it while they're still tears, they take on the powers. All very simple, really. But!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She stands; Finesse tenses, ready.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />But, really, this has gone on long enough. Dispose of them, Niobids.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chronal blurs and is off as the Niobids advance; one streaks towards Finesse -<br /><br />She blurs and parries him, leaving him crumpled as she spins to the next, scattering the oncoming blast of ice with an arm -<br /><br />She turns -<br /><br />And cries out, not fast enough as a pulse hits her, knocking her down. A male Niobid stands behind her. The remaining Niobids all move to Chronal. Niobe smiles, and advances on Finesse.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Yes, this one's my favourite! He affects the equilibrium, I think. You can't stand, can't use your powers, can barely see or hear or think... so much fun! And very good for dealing with you. You're very dangerous. Dear Sintaro-san never gets that, does he?<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Chronal zips about; the Niobids are falling before him. Finesse's arm twitches, jerking slightly towards her head.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE (to Equilibriobid)<br />Well done, baby! Him too, now.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chronal cries out from the other side of the room, and falls; Finesse's arm jerks higher, unnoticed by Niobe, touching her ear.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />You were wrong about one thing though, darling. My Niobids... they aren't alive. You can't kill what isn't alive. Do you see now? Why my way is better? Silly Sintaro, he takes real people and does all sorts of things to them - well, you're a hero, you must hate it. But I supply my Niobids to my clients. They aren't people. They can't think, or speak; they can't ever develop. They're not alive. They're robots made of flesh, you see?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She kneels beside Finesse,stroking her hair casually.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Do you favour me now?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />19. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET LAIR - LABS. Day 1 - 1212</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Back in the labs. AMITY and LYRIC are still fighting; the labs by now are looking distinctly worse for wear, with most of the benches overturned and broken. One or two Niobids are down; but they're fast overwhelming Amity and Lyric. One throws fire at Lyric, who ducks.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />And you definitely can't knock them out?!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He throws himself aside as HAMMERHAND NIOBID swings again, knocking a hole in the wall.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Not safely! And even if I tried -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">An ICY NIOBID blasts at them and they scatter, Lyric against the computers, Amity against the glass cabinet.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />It'll take so much power, I don't know if I can - !<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Hammerhand Niobid swings wildly -<br /><br />A Niobid renders down into sand and blasts at Lyric, who just shouts a shield up in time -<br /><br />Hammerhand hits the glass cabinet which instantly shatters -<br /><br />Amity starts to roll away, too slow -<br /><br />The glass rains down -<br /><br />His hand slams into the phials of serum inside -<br /><br />Which fall too -<br /><br />Lyric starts to shout, one hand outstretched, desperate -<br /><br />The shield forms above her -<br /><br />Too late. Glass and serum hit her, slicing her arms and ribs. Her momentum carries her away; Hammerhand follows -<br /><br />Raises both fists -<br /><br />And is sliced in half by Lyric, standing behind him.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Amity - !<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Niobids attack and he fights, desperately trying to keep them from her. She rolls onto her stomach, forehead on the floor.</span><br /><br /> AMITY (strangled)<br />I... we have... to -<br /><br /> LYRIC (frantic)<br />Don't you dare! Don't you dare die! Use your powers, hold it, get it -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Three Niobids rear simultaneously; the one with sword arms thrusts forward -<br /><br />Ystradebol slices through both, cutting the swords off -<br /><br />A tentacled Niobid catches them -<br /><br />Icy Niobid blasts forward, to be decapitated by Lyric -<br /><br />And tentacled Niobid drives both swords into Lyric, one impaling his shoulder, one through his thigh. He yells and falls -<br /><br />A Niobid hits him with an energy blast, and he lands unconscious.</span><br /><br /> AMITY (whispering)<br />No.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The comm crackles into life suddenly, as the Niobids all near.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE ('s voice, on comm)<br />... supply my Niobids to my clients. They aren't people. They can't think, or speak; they can't ever develop. They're not alive. They're robots made of flesh, you see?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And Amity pushes up on her arms, the fury in her eyes.</span><br /><br /> AMITY (hissing)<br />I see.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She lashes out, mentally, the psionic shockwave filling the room -<br /><br />And the Niobids all drop simultaneously, inanimate.<br /><br />She grits her teeth, and drags herself hand over hand to the computer, still with Lyric's communicator in it -<br /><br />Reaches up, and presses a button on the side. <br /><br />The word 'Sending' appears on the vid-screen; after a few moments, AMALGAM's face appears on it.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />This is it! Well done! We're looking through it - Kayleigh's sounding excited at the computer next to me, anyway - Amity?<br /><br /> AMITY (strangled)<br />I'm here.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Are you - ? What's - ?<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Oh god.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />20. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - WAR ROOM. Day 1 - 1213</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">WRAITH and SHIFT are just finishing off their Niobids, Shift transforming back from a Shire horse.</span> <br /><br /> WRAITH<br />They failed to solve our maze.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Indeed. Also - wait, my comm is flashing.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Well aren't we special, snowflake.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />No, it's a distress beacon! It's Finesse! We have to get up there.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Run, go, abort...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They run.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - LABS. Day 1 - 1213</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">AMITY is lying on the floor before the vid-screen, watching AMALGAM's face on it, unfocused. Blood is pouring from the cuts over her arms and torso. LYRIC is still unconscious to one side. Amalgam is openly crying.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />I can... feel it... spreading. In me. It's... cold.<br /><br /> AMALGAM (desperately)<br />Can't you stop it? You can feel chemicals -<br /><br /> AMITY <br />Too hard... anyway. But... I can't... focus my powers... anymore. I -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She closes her eyes for a moment, and opens them again, glassy.</span><br /><br /> AMITY (whispering)<br />S'going to hurt... so much, isn't it?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />We're making the cure. Right now, you know that? Kayleigh's running the data through the simulation. Can't you hold it off until - ?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He breaks off. There's silence. Amalgam watches her, agonised.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM (quietly)<br />I'm coming, you know. I'm nearly there. I don't want you to face this alone.<br /><br /> AMITY (smiling painfully)<br />Good. Thank... you. Which...?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />The last of me for you to meet, actually. I sort of followed you all earlier, I was only outside.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />You know, I just changed my desk plate to 'Animalgaman'.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She starts to laugh, crying simultaneously, and stops, eyes closed and breathing hard. In the vid-screen, DOG and GOAT appear.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />I'm so glad I met you, Amity. I'm <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>glad. You feel like family. I mean, I tend to feel that more quickly than other people anyway because I'm part dog, but - you play games, and you're moral, and <span style="font-style:italic;">good</span>, and clever, and... a fantastic dancer.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She half-laughs again.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />And you like everything I like. And you don't mind my animals. And you described them earlier as being like arms for me, and... I've never, <span style="font-style:italic;">ever</span> felt that - that <span style="font-style:italic;">accepted</span>, that <span style="font-style:italic;">understood</span>.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />I'm here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A RAVEN flies into the room, an extremely modified waistcoat like those worn by Dog and Goat and Amalgam around it. It flies straight to Amity and lands in front of her, settling down as though nesting. She moves a hand to it, weakly, unable to even stroke it.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />I'm here.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Thank... you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She breathes rapidly for a few seconds, and smiles.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />He'll think... it's... his fault. Tell him it's... not?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Raven nods, cawing once.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Tell them all... I loved them. And... I really wanted to... get to... know... you more...<br /><br /> AMALGAM (whispers)<br />You did.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Bye... Animalgaman...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He laughs through the tears as she pushes a hand out with the last of her strength towards Lyric, concentrating - <br /><br />He stirs, gasping awake as the pain hits him, crying out - <br /><br />And meets her eyes just before she falls unconscious, her skin starting to develop a sheen, the blood from her wounds becoming darker. <br /><br />Raven croaks loudly, pushing at her limp arm with its beak.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - THRONE ROOM. Day 1 - 1215</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and CHRONAL are still down, EQUILIBRIOBID standing mutely between them. The unconquered NIOBIDS are standing patiently around the walls. NIOBE is humming to herself, plaiting bits of Finesse's hair.<br /><br />Suddenly, she notices Finesse's hand. Touching the communicator in her ear. Niobe's hand darts forward; pulls it out -<br /><br />And her eyes narrow as she sees the flashing light of the distress beacon.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, now, darling, that's completely unfair. Now you're going to be problematic, aren't you?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Huffily, she gets to her feet, and stamps over to the throne, pulling something out from under one arm of it.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I would like to point out that this is your fault, you know. Your powers are far too useful. When your friends arrive, if they overwhelm my baby there - well. I can't have you loose. You're much too dangerous. I'm just going to have to keep you down.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And she turns, holding a small gun not unlike a tranquilizer gun; as she starts back toward Finesse a Niobid approaches, and hands her a phial. She clicks it into the gun.<br /><br />Chronal grits his teeth, and somehow drags himself up to his elbows.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />And anyway, I'm going to have my hands full with Sintaro in the coming weeks. You'll be an annoyance. Especially now you know about this place. Bye!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She levels the gun at Finesse -<br /><br />Chronal lurches to one knee -<br /><br />A RHINO charges in! The Niobids close in -<br /><br />Two fall to the pipe of INVISI-WRAITH -<br /><br />Niobe rolls her eyes -<br /><br />And pulls the trigger, shooting her through the right shoulder.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">NO!!!<br /><br />He leaps drunkenly to Finesse's side, freezing her -<br /><br />And collapses over her, all his concentration taken up by it.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE <br />What? Which one were you - ? Oh the husband. Hmm. Ah well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She looks up to where another Niobid is falling from an invisible blow, and then freezes, looking at Shift. The rhino has now become gorilla-shaped, but retaining the rhino-skin, meaning projectiles and elemental attacks of the Niobids simply bounce off.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE (fascinated)<br />Oh, goodness.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - LABS. Day 1 - 1216</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The broken lab, smashed up; fallen NIOBIDS are still on the floor. RAVEN is perched, head bowed and dejected, on AMITY's shoulder; by now her skin is slowly turning blue in patches, her fingernails lengthening into claws. AMALGAM is still on the vid-screen, his head in his hands.<br /><br />LYRIC is dragging himself to the screen with his good arm and leg. He reaches Amity, and takes her pulse.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC (voice hoarse with pain)<br />Have you - have you got the cure?<br /><br /> AMALGAM (dully)<br />Yes. Theoretically. But there's no time to synthesise it even to get it to Goon Boy, we certainly couldn't -<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Describe it.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />What?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Describe it to me, right now. In - in detail, I need to know how it works, what it - what it feels like synesthetically, I need to know what goes into it and its chemical structure and... everything.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />I can't.<br /><br /> LYRIC (desperately)<br />Why the hell not?!<br /><br /> AMALGAM (hopelessly)<br />Because! I can't decribe a synesthetic feeling to you! Those are different for people, and I don't know the nuances of what you need describing, I - <br /><br /> KAYLEIGH (oov)<br />But I do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She appears on the vid-screen, tea in hand, print-out in the other.</span><br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Because I remember having your powers. You'l need to make it straight into her bloodstream, if that makes sense. Ready?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Painfully, leaning against the computers, he pulls Amity into his arms, Raven hopping frantically around them.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Captain Ready.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">24. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - THRONE ROOM. Day 1 - 1217</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">CHRONAL is still lying beside FINESSE, her frozen in time. The remaining NIOBIDS are fighting WRAITH and SHIFT, who is adopting multiple characteristics at once, fighting the good fight. NIOBE is watching her carefully.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE (to herself)<br />Interesting... very interesting...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">GAS NIOBID from earlier, remember her? Surrounds Wraith, his outline becoming visible.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE <br />Although... hmm? Oh, no. Remove him. Just... leave her for a while. I wish to see what she can do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Gas Niobid whirls, choking Wraith; as he staggers, a LARGE NIOBID throws out a hand to him, and marble errupts from the ground, forming over Wraith's body and encasing him like a sculpture.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Baps.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Hmm? Sorry, was that supposed to be speech?<br /><br /> WRAITH (morosely)<br />No. I'm a mess. I'm a sculpture and I haven't done anything with my life.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh dear. Well, chin up! I'll kill you soon.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />You are a <span style="font-style:italic;">bad </span>motivational speaker.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shift fights on, surrounded by Niobids.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - LABS. Day 1 - 1220</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">LYRIC is holding an unconscious AMITY in his arms still, leaning against the computers. Her skin seems to be slowly fading back to normal colour, but she is still covered in sweat, and trembling faintly. Bandages are appearing rapidly, covering her arms and torso. RAVEN is perched on her knee, watching her intently. On the vid-screen, AMALGAM and KAYLEIGH are watching, looking somewhat harrowed and holding specs and print-outs between them.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">- gauze, bandage, fibre.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The bandages finish appearing, and he sighs in relief, leaning back with eyes closed for a moment.</span><br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />That's it?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That's it. Now we... hope.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />It looks promising. Her skin colouration is normalising.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />God, I hope this works.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Meanwhile, this might be a bad time to tell you, but... er, all of the distress beacons have been activated.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Oh, <span style="font-style:italic;">frap </span>a dog's -<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Don't finish that, bach.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />And you're losing blood. Can you heal yourself? You need -<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />No time. I need to get to them.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />But - !<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />No <span style="font-style:italic;">time</span>.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />He starts muttering, metal forming over his leg. It appears in lines, at first running along the bones -<br /><br />Then more appear, criss-crossing the muscles and forming a perfectly-contoured cage over the leg, a rounded hinge either side of the knee as it spreads up over his thigh -<br /><br />Then wires, delicate and elegant, spreading out as plates start to form over the cage, encasing it all -<br /><br />It forms a seal around the blade protruding either side of his thigh -<br /><br />And finally the whole thing hums to life, a mecha leg.<br /><br />Grimacing in pain,Lyric stands. The mecha takes his weight.</span><br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />That is <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>cool.<br /><br /> LYRIC (strained)<br />I need to go. Look after her.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He turns to the door, muttering, more metal starting to appear over his injured shoulder. Raven stays with Amity.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Wait.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lyric turns; Amalgam sighs.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Keep you comm active. I think there's something else I can tell you.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - THRONE ROOM. Day 1 - 1222</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and CHRONAL are still as they were, all frozen and collapsy respectively. WRAITH is looking bored as a statue. NIOBE is slowly walking around SHIFT, where she's fighting wave after wave of NIOBIDS. Currently, she is part tiger, part shire, her skin like a rhino and teeth now fangs. </span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Incredible. Like a monster.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hey! Don't call her a monster, you hypocrite!<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Hmm? I don't follow.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />You've murdered people!<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Have I? Oh yes, so I have. Well, it's a word that means something very different to me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shift launches at a Niobid, claws knocking her back; as they go down she kicks out with her hind shire legs and knocks another back. As she bites the Niobid below her another two rear up behind -<br /><br />She kicks again, hitting one; the other dodges and lunges in -<br /><br />And she grows a scorpion tail, the barb sinking instantly into the Niobid's side and felling her.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Incredible.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - LONG CORRIDOR. Day 1 - 1223</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">LYRIC is moving down the corridor steadily, Ystradebol in hand, still muttering. Metal is continuing to form around his body, faster now; it lines his other leg, his torso, both arms, his neck and head, the circuitry beginning to span the framework. <br /><br />Piece by piece, the coverings coalesce in the air.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28. INT. NIOBE'S SECRET PALACE - THRONE ROOM. Day 1 - 1224</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE is still frozen, CHRONAL is still collapsed over her, EQUILIBRIOBID still standing blankly to one side of them, watching SHIFT. WRAITH is still part-statue. <br /><br />Over twenty Niobids lie on the floor, inanimate. SHIFT is in the middle of them, fighting off fresh waves of NIOBIDS; she is changing rapidly from one form to the next, but is clearly approaching exhaustion, her desperation starting to lose her logic through each form. NIOBE is watching her covetously, with two SERVING NIOBIDS standing behind her, mutely holding trays. One tray carries phials of serum; the other an ancient Greek serving bowl, filled with tears.<br /><br />Periodically, Niobe dips her hand into the tears, the liquid rolling straight into her palm against gravity, and adds a drop or two of serum. A new Niobid forms from it, and moves straight to fight Shift.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Fascinating...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A Niobid blasts fire at Shift, who becomes a sort of tiger-rhino, snarling, the flames deflected off her hide and burning three other Niobids. One blasts a forcefield at her -<br /><br />It knocks her backward, as though in a high wind -<br /><br />She becomes an anaconda, retaining her forelegs with the claws, which dig in, holding her in place -<br /><br />Her tail lashes around, crippling the Niobid. Others rush in -</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I've seen enough, baby. Stop her now.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Equilibriobid cocks his head -<br /><br />And Shift roars as she falls, changing back to human form -<br /><br />The STATUE NIOBID steps forward -<br /><br />And the marble erupts from below her, catching and encasing her and bearing her upwards until she is held before Niobe, panting and trying to get her human mind back in order.<br /><br />Niobe beams at her.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Now you are fascinating! I always thought you could just be animals! I had no idea you were also a monster!<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Stop calling her that, you gippo!<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, hush. I told you; where I'm from, it means something else.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She reaches forward and strokes Shift's face, lovingly; Shift flinches, blinking.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I really think you should be with me, you know.<br /><br /> SHIFT (struggling)<br />... What?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, think! I'm a goddess, darling! And you... are a Chimaera. Here I've been, all alone in this... new world, strange and full of our designs but none of our people! Olympos is gone. They are all gone.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Her face is hard; and just for a moment, she looks old. Far older than she should.<br /><br />And then it's gone, her beaming smile back.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Still, though, money and luxury are the same. But! Here you are! A Chimaera. Was your father a demon, by any chance?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ooh, she went <span style="font-style:italic;">there</span>.<br /><br /> SHIFT (with difficulty; teeth gritted)<br />No... nor a... serpent...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Niobe laughs, delightedly.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />You know how this works! Don't you see, darling?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She strokes Shift's hair.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />We belong to the same world, you and I. The last ones, the only ones left. Join me. Come to me. There's nothing I can't give you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shift looks up, eyes burning.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Except a life, you indolent freak.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Lol!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">For just a second, Niobe is frozen, face unreadable -<br /><br />And then she steps back, lowering her hand, her smile cold and terrible.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Silly, silly Chimaera. You always were a race that didn't understand what it had. Keep her still, baby.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Equilibriobid nods and Shift shudders, head drooping as his power hits her. Niobe sighs petulantly, irritably, and walks back to the throne, followed by her serving Niobids. The attack Niobids move back to the sides of the room, standing to attention.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, so what do I <span style="font-style:italic;">do </span>with you all now? Now you've forced my hand. I hate that.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />You should let us go?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, sorry, did I leave you to speak? Gosh. You're the annoying one, too.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hey!<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Can you silence him for me too, baby? I don't particularly want you all dead, you know. Although goodness knows it'll be useful for at least one of you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She gives Finesse a sour look where she lies, still prone, the bullet wound in her shoulder not yet bleeding even. Wraith yelps as he's hit by Equilibriobid, and falls quiet.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Apart from anything else, you're government agents. It's going to be such a headache. Oh, but I suppose I <span style="font-style:italic;">have </span>to, don't I? You all know far too much now. Very irritating.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is silence in the room as Niobe surveys them all, irritably -<br /><br />And suddenly, in the distance, there is a faint clunking sound, a regular sound of metal on stone. Niobe frowns.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />What an annoying sound. Well, anyway, I think -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The sound gets louder, coming closer; the rhythm changes suddenly, as though it's moving at double speed, or something else is now clunking too. Niobe narrows her eyes, watching the door.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Let him speak, baby. Scribble Child? What is that?<br /><br /> WRAITH (groggily)<br />What's... what?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />That noise! It's so annoying! What did you do?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />I don't... know...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And the sound echoes through the throne room, loud, the even rhythm of footsteps -</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Hang on - how many of you are there, again?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And the huge door of the throne room slams back -<br /><br />The attack Niobids all jerk to attention, Niobe standing -<br /><br />And in comes LYRIC. He is covered in armour, silver with blue lights here and there, glowing at hinges and power points; Ystradebol gleams in his hand, the blade giving off a faint blue tinge. Every step rings throughout the hall. He moves forward, not even slowing down.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE (impressed)<br />Well, well! A hero! Were any of your family members gods?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lyric doesn't answer. He keeps walking, past the others, past the Niobids, steadily moving for Niobe.</span> <br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Well, it's rude to just totally ignore me, you know. Although I expect the answer is 'no'. Which one are you again?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And he keeps moving for her, completely covered in the armour, sword glowing brighter. The attack Niobids begin to move in again, moving steadily for him, none attacking yet. Niobe looks annoyed.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I'm going to kill you all, you know. You're just ruining things. But I want you to know that you've forced my hand. I didn't want this. My only argument was with Sintaro.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He keeps coming, unwavering, about ten metres from her.The Niobids close in.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Really? You're not even going to do the dreary hero speech about the - wait.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She freezes, staring at him.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />What are you muttering under your breath?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And he raises his free hand -<br /><br />Built into the armour is what looks like a repulsor unit in his palm, the final components added as we watch.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Something meant to help humankind.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And he activates it as the Niobids reach him -<br /><br />And it kills them all, dropping them immediately, their bodies rendering down into tears. Niobe shrieks as the psionic link between them is severed -<br /><br />The Scribblers jerk awake as Equilibriobid vanishes -<br /><br />The serving Niobids drop -<br /><br />And Niobe lunges for the serum phials, gripping them before they hit the floor. </span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />No!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Yes.<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />How <span style="font-style:italic;">could </span>you?! I don't even know which one you are!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Then that's your mistake. And you're under arrest.<br /><br /> NIOBE (laughing bitterly)<br />Oh, no.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She leaps up, the tears rolling down her cheeks, grinning at him.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />No, I think not.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She pours a phial into her palm; her tears fly towards it as though attracted -<br /><br />The Niobid springs forth, fully formed, and wraps her arms around Niobe -<br /><br />Lyric raises the psionic repulsor -<br /><br />Too late. There is a bright light that envelops them, and them Niobe is gone, teleported away.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Oh, <span style="font-style:italic;">dock </span>a monkey's giblets.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />That's gross, dude.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">29. INT. THE PIT - MEDICAL BAY. Day 1 - 1830</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The room is a cosy medical ward, very modern medical equipment and that everywhere with comfy hospital beds and the walls painted a cheerful yellow. FINESSE is sitting on the edge of one bed, rotating her shoulder carefully and inspecting the bullet-scar, while CHRONAL stands anxiously beside her. LYRIC is sitting on the edge of the next bed facing her, and examining his own healed shoulder and thigh scars. KAYLEIGH is looking at the notes of both of them. At one end of the room, AMITY is sleeping in one bed, various banks of monitoring equipment beeping away. DOG is curled up at the end of the bed, with RAVEN on the head board. There is a small pile of teaspoons on the bedside table. AMALGAM is checking her vitals.</span><br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Well, this all looks fine. As we thought, there's no trace of terrible mutating serum in you, Finesse, so Chronal apparently froze you before the bullet could crack open and infect you.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Twice in one day. What a lot of husband points.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Yay! Enough for super lemon cake in the Doctor Who drinking game?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Definitely. And thanks, Lyric.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Got to say... I've done a pretty bitchin' job on us.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />No pain?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />None.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Nah.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Then you can both go.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Cool. But first...<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She gets up and moves straight to Amity. Dog wags its tail. Finesse examines Amity's scans and read-outs for a moment, and looks at Amalgam.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />We're going to need to go and do the debrief as soon as possible, and contact the government... and so on. I need someone here, though. Can you keep monitoring her?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Of course!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Thank you. Let's go, gang.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />30. INT. THE PIT - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE MED-BAY. Day 1 - 1831</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE, CHRONAL, LYRIC and KAYLEIGH all file out into the corridor. As the door closes, Kayleigh gives Finesse an odd look.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Are there complications, then? Did I do it wrong?<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />No. It's worked perfectly.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />She's completely fine.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />So why did you - ?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Guys. You really need to learn animal behaviour better.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Ooh, ooh, I know! The teaspoons, and the foil earlier and stuff!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />He's part raven. They present shiny things when trying to attract a mate.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">31. INT. DARKENED, SINISTER OFFICE. Day 1 - 2015</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">An extremely plush, swish office, the walls adorned with Japanese screens and potted acer trees, the furniture all aligned according to feng shui principles. Behind the desk is a large winged swivelling armchair, currently turned to look out of the window over downtown Dinas. In front of the desk stands DISCHORD, looking serious.</span><br /><br /> DISCHORD<br />... and they've seized three branches of TORY, and are talking about slavery investigations; the contracts are covering us for the moment, but we'll see how that pans out. Block has been arrested, obviously, but he won't speak.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He hesitates; at no sign of life from the chair, he carries on.</span><br /><br /> DISHCORD<br />We've lost four contracts with various clients -<br /><br /> SINISTER VOICE FROM THE CHAIR<br />As I suspected. It was her aim from the start.<br /><br /> DISCHORD<br />Yes, sir.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />There's no sign of her. As far as we cal tell, she went underground today after a run-in with the Scribblers.<br /><br /> SINISTER VOICE FROM THE CHAIR (bitter disgust)<br />Naturally. Well. It seems I owe them a fruit basket, at least. Although I note they weren't competent enough to actually arrest her.<br /><br /> DISCHORD<br />No.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />She hasn't quite won then, really, has she, sir?<br /><br /> SINISTER VOICE FROM THE CHAIR<br />Won? She hasn't won at all, Dischord. This wasn't even a battle.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The chair turns -<br /><br />Revealing MR SINTARO! (40s, Japanese, megalomaniac) (Yes, it was obviously him.) He leans forward and props his elbows on the desk, fingers steepled.</span><br /><br /> MR SINTARO<br />This was a declaration of war.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">END.<br /><br />Coming soon: Tartaromachy.</span>Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-4867360256721965022012-03-08T17:17:00.004+00:002012-05-01T12:43:48.879+00:00Scribblers: Casus Belli part one<span style="font-weight:bold;">Scribblers: Casus Belli<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Issue the First</span><br /><br />1. INT. T.O.R.Y., DINAS BRANCH. Day 1 - 0900</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A plush office, very flash, all floor-to ceiling windows; outside we can see a compound that looks a bit like a sort of army base-cum-prison, with a troop of identically dressed men combat training in the courtyard. Inside, though, since that's where I said we were in my instructions, stands BLOCK (pretty, self-important, designer-cool costume), facing a large plasma screen. The face of RINGTONE (late 40s, toupee, tediously extravagant) is upon it. They are conversing, as you do.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />So that's four hundred ready for shipment, sir. We're just powering them up now, and they'll be deployed to you in half an hour from now.<br /><br /> RINGTONE<br />Excellent!! Yes!! It's an important day, you know. And you say they'll be loyal??<br /><br /> BLOCK (slightly smug)<br />Unswervingly, for the duration of the contract. We're very thorough.<br /><br /> RINGTONE<br />Oh good good, fuck me yes!! I look forward to it, Mr Block. See them in half!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The screen goes blank, and Block turns on his heel, attempting a dramatic and cool sweep from the room.<br /><br />He fails, and just looks a bit like a tit.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. INT. T.O.R.Y., DINAS BRANCH. Day 1 - 0902</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A long white-and-chrome room, with long medical stations running down its length including hundreds of individual examination tables with robotised syringe-wielding machines hovering above them. Most of the tables are currently occupied by muscly types in cheesy uniforms with a picture of a phone and the letter R on them. A large electronic control panel stands against one wall. BLOCK enters and moves over to DISCHORD (disdainful, sadistic), who on seeing him turns and strides to the doors.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />That's it, we're just - hey, where are you going?<br /><br /> DISCHORD<br />Home. I finished them, I don't need to be here.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />But - hey! We're supposed to <span style="font-style:italic;">both </span>get them loaded up! You can't just - !<br /><br /> DISCHORD <br />Oh, <span style="font-style:italic;">shut up</span>, Block.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He pulls open the door.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (shouty)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">No!</span> I'm not doing all the work again! Stop <span style="font-style:italic;">ignoring </span>me! Stop - !<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dischord gives him a look of pure condescension, and leaves. Block looks pouty and sulky.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (muttering)<br />Can't <span style="font-style:italic;">believe </span>he's done it again...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He turns to the control panel, and sniffs.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (still muttering)<br />That's the last time... He won't get away with it again... I'll show him... Commencing empowerment...<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />The lights dim, except for over the costumed fellows on the tables.The tannoy flickers to life, and a robo-voice speaks.</span><br /><br /> COMPUTER<br />Empowerment Programme commencing. Please lie still.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The machines with the syringes in move and lower over the chest of each goon, and inject them smoothly and swiftly before lifting up and away and becoming inanimate once again. Block sniffs again as the goons all shift uncomfortably, some grunting in pain, and picks up the microphone to the tannoy himself.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (importantly)<br />Alright, you goons. You have ten minutes to get into the transports in the yard, and then -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He is cut off by a scream from the far end of the hall; as he pauses, the other goons all start screaming too, suddenly bucking and writhing on the tables. Block looks alarmed.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Er... there may be some side-effects if you aren't... aren't used to the serum -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Machinery starts crashing as the thrashing goons knock it down; at the far end of the hall a few have started sounding less like they're screaming and more like roaring, more primal. At this end two start sprouting horns and barbs over their limbs, nails becoming claws; another flings out an arm and breaks a table in two. Block backs away a few steps, clutching the microphone.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Er... everyone... everyone, stay -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />A goon in the middle climbs to his feet on lizardy legs, his face contorted with fangs, and breathes a stream of fire clean across the room to the wall, where it melts a hole. Another stands with a misshapen, clay-like body and roars; in the corner, four or five start fighting each other, one melting the others by touch and another seizing and ripping them apart.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (whispered)<br />Please stay calm.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And finally, they all finish transforming; most no longer look human, some with rocky or scaly skin, some with skin that looks diseased; some have fangs or claws, and some have mutated eyes; some are already covered in blood, and some blatantly have powers that they aren't themselves immune to, meaning their own limbs and skin are being corroded as they stand; and as one, they look to the ceiling and howl, a long, unending sound.<br /><br />Block throws the microphone down and sprints for the nearest empty exam table, where a full phial of the serum injected into the others is waiting; he grabs it -<br /><br />And the howling stops.He turns.<br /><br />They're all looking at him.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. INT. THE PIT. Day 1 - 0930</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Scribblers are chillin' in Da Pit although in a break from the norm this is not happening in the first scene, because I am a writer of variety and professionalism. The Scribblers are sitting around in the living room - CHRONAL is playing the Minute Waltz in an actual minute on the piano, as he so often does, while LYRIC is sketching idly by just speaking the pencil lines into being on the page. AMITY and FINESSE are building a house of cards with Uno cards, following a complicated system of rules for which colours go where. SHIFT is huddled under a quilt on the sofa, unseen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">WRAITH enters. Finesse looks up. On seeing each other they freeze and stare at each other for a moment, like weird wild animals, before Finesse sniffs disdainfully and goes back to her cards.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Oh god, it's <span style="font-style:italic;">you </span>again.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Yeah, well, I have a theory. You like to be disappointed really, which is why you keep me around.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Surely that's why she keeps - ?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hey, I know where that mean comment is going!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Heh.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Amity, confirm that what Wraith said is untrue.<br /><br /> AMITY (absently)<br />Hmm? Oh, yes - she doesn't crave disappointment.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ehhhhh...<br /><br /> AMITY<br />She loves you really.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ah ha!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />God damn it, Amity.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />No, too late. I am your favourite member of this team, even beating Chronal.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That's because he's disapp-<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hey!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Now, you know that's not true.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Excellent.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />My favourite is Shift.<br /><br /> SHIFT (muffled)<br />In your faces.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Awwwwwww.<br /><br /> FINESSE (mock-sternly)<br />Don't whine. This is why.<br /><br /> CHRONAL (slightly mopey)<br />Yeah, I suppose...<br /><br /> WRAITH <br />So Shift, you know your action-name?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is a pause.<br /><br />Shift emerges.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />My <span style="font-style:italic;">what</span>?<br /><br /> WRAITH (mock-sincerely)<br />So, I think you need a new action-name, because -<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I suspect I'm going to be offended by this.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes, I think this is a premise you're going to struggle to save, Wraith.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Plus, her <span style="font-style:italic;">what </span>name?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />No no, that part I approve of.<br /><br /> WRAITH (in the fake tones of an idiot trying gently explain an erroneous fact)<br />No, because you need a new action-name, right, because 'Shift' is... it's a bit... keyboard, you know? Might as well be "Windows key", or "capslock".<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />For the record, you haven't saved it yet.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Plus... you know... when Finesse shouts your name, I think she's telling me to move.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Oh, good.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Silver linings.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />I'm going to regret asking this, but... what's your new suggestion?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Well, you see... you can fly, can't you? And see in the dark? And you really like light. You're always turning lights on at night.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Er...<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />So I just thought: Moth Child.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chronal bursts out laughing. Amity grins at him.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE and LYRIC and SHIFT (together)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Moth Child?!?</span><br /><br /> AMITY (sincere tone)<br />Yes, and the best thing about that is, it's not at all a really stupid name.<br /><br /> CHRONAL (breathlessly)<br />I love it!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />And you are forbidden from having it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The front doorbell rings, sounding like the 60s Iron Man theme tune.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Wraith, your penance is answering that.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />All this, just for a suggestion...<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />A truly disquieting suggestion. And you never did save that premise before offending me. Begone.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Ehhhhhh...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He goes.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That's telling <span style="font-style:italic;">him</span>.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Suddenly, the TARDIS sound happens. The police phone! Lyric gets up.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Don't even pretend, guys. I'll get it.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Good - o.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He goes to the police comm.<br /></span><br /> SHIFT<br />You know, I think I might become Moth Child.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Do it!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Don't.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Well, as the one with the deciding vote, I - <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She stops, and suddenly leaps to her feet.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Something's wrong with Wraith -<br /><br /> LYRIC (from the vid screen)<br />Guys, over here, quick! There's an emergency!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Chronal, get Wraith. Everyone else...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They hurry to the vid-screen, Shift morphing into a robin to fly the distance faster. COMMISSIONER MORGAN (50s, stern, alignment: lawful-good) is looking even sterner that usual, while panicked-looking people in police uniforms race around behind her like headless chickeny types. </span><br /><br /> COMMISSIONER MORGAN<br />Silence. There's no time for pleasantries.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I hadn't -<br /><br /> COMMISSIONER MORGAN<br />Nor corrections. Seven minutes ago, a wave of what the public, press and police are somewhat hysterically calling 'mutates' attacked the Paul Ball Mall in downtown Dinas. We don't know where they came from, but they're wearing this costume.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A photo of a man with muscles on his muscles, Image comics-style, half an arm, a series of fang-laden mouths running down his chest and stomach and sort-of melty skin appears on screen. The Scribblers recoil, and react simultaneously.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Jesus <span style="font-style:italic;">god</span>!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Argh!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Oooohh, that's not nice...<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />That is right 'angin', like.<br /><br /> COMISSIONER MORGAN<br />We also have no time for horrified reactions. Know the uniform?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Well, as far as I can tell under the - skin... slime, it looks like Ringtone's.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh, surely not? He's a closetted mid-life crisis, not... this.<br /><br /> COMMISSIONER MORGAN<br />His name is a start. We can question him now under the Supervillain Clause, and he might give us leads. Meanwhile we need you all downtown.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />How many of them are there, and what powers do - ?<br /><br /> CHRONAL (v/o)<br />Guys, quick!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They turn. Chronal and Wraith are entering the room, sagging slightly under the weight of BLOCK. He's in a bad way -most of his chest and one arm are covered in a bad burn, but the skin looks slightly frozen over it. Claw and talon marks cover most of him, meaning any part not covered by his extremely ripped designer-cool costume is all blood and that. He's unconscious. There's a lump on his skull,with a trickle of blood coming from it making its way down the side of his face.<br /><br />Amity sprints to his side. The others also approach, except Shift, who stays to be briefed by Commissioner Morgan.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />What the - ?<br /><br /> AMITY (authoritatively)<br />Lie him down, I need to see him.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Well, it seems Block here came calling, and then Wraith opened the door, and then Wraith panicked and brained him with a pipe, and now he's unconscious.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Player got all nemesis-y in my face and that.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />He said "Help me, they're after me." Or tried to.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />They get Block onto the sofa.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Please tell me you didn't do the rest.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Of course not! I don't have <span style="font-style:italic;">fire powers</span>. I'm not <span style="font-style:italic;">Fire Child.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />He came like that?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />We should send him back to seller. Amity?<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Well, he's suffering from enormous mental trauma and is now also concussed, but I think I can bring him round for a moment or two. I doubt we'll get much sense out of him, though. And he needs a hospital fast - specifically a burns ward.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Let's listen to whatever he wants first.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Really? He's your nemesis! You want to give him any of your time?<br /><br /> FINESSE (pained)<br />No, I'm <span style="font-style:italic;">his</span> nemesis. There is a distinct difference. <br /><br /> LYRIC<br />And that's telling <span style="font-style:italic;">him.</span><br />(beat)<br />Or would be if he weren't unconscious.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Also, mutates attack and a villain arrives looking mauled. Hang on... I think...<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Mutates?<br /><br /> AMITY<br />There!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Nothing happens for a second, and then Block awakens, his eyes glassy and unfocused; he whimpers, writhing slightly in obvious pain. Finesse crouches next to him.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Alright, what did you do, you absolute tool?<br /><br /> AMITY (in token mild reproach)<br />Finesse. We don't know he did anything yet.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />He's a known criminal.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes, I know. I just had to say it to clear my conscience. Carry on.<br /><br /> BLOCK (hoarse whisper)<br />He's... they're... please...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He grabs Finesse, who doesn't fight him off but gives him the most displeased look she can muster.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Please... it went wrong, something... something...<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Tell me what and stop wasting my time.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh, he can't. He's very unfocused; he's not even sure if you're real.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Tool.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />It changed... it shouldn't have... the serum -<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />What?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She freezes, staring at him; looks at the vid-screen; looks back at him.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />XGH? Is it XGH, you absolute sodding moron?<br /><br /> BLOCK <br />It shouldn't have done that... it was safe...<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Finesse closes her eyes. Amity lays a hand on her arm.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (evenly)<br />Knock him out again before I do.<br /><br /> AMITY (doing so)<br />Er... right. Well, that wasn't the answer you wanted.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shift arrives.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Is that what Pricktaro used on the nemeses?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Yes. On a scale of one to ten, how bad is this?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I don't have <span style="font-style:italic;">words</span>. It's supposed to be practically impossible to get hold of, so if he's found a way to - how many mutates, Shift?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Mutates?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Ah, bad news. A few hundred. <br /><br /> AMITY<br />A few <span style="font-style:italic;">hundred</span>?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />So he can manufacture XGH for hundreds, now. He can synthesise it, albeit apparently badly. That is <span style="font-style:italic;">already </span>terrible. But it's made mutates.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />I think I was out of the room when the mutates were -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Is there a cure, though? I mean -<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />It changes genetics, doesn't it? That's not the sort of thing you can just cure.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />No, it's not. And this looks like, just... random mutation.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Well... Kayleigh can help... and I have a friend I went to university with who does bioinformatics.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Bio-what?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />It's a bit complicated. But relevantly he was heavily involved with mapping out super-genes, and then creating inhibitor technology. It's made amazing strides towards curing genetic disorders, though. They're in the final trial stages for curing Huntingtons at the moment.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Really? You have a friend who cured Huntingtons?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />And inhibitor tech?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />And might explain the mutates?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Yes to all three. Among other things. The inhibitor was to help contain criminals - he worked on a psychic disruptor for similar reasons, but then realised just how badly that technology could be abused when all he wanted was to help humanity, and so burned the research for noble reasons.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />... Wow.<br /><br /> SHIFT (thoughtfully)<br />He once told me, though, that in an alternate universe he'd probably want to be a starship captain or a time traveller.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />...<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Anyway. The estimate is around three hundred mutates, and a full range of powers. And they seem to be very rampagey and unreasonable and attempting much property damage and death. The police have managed to get a cordon around it, but they can't contain them, and they've no idea how many civilians are still in there.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Then we've no time for this tool. Stretcher please, Lyric. Amity, get him to a hospital. We'll call Kayleigh and Shift's noble scientist friend on the way, so the second Block is in someone else's hands go and liaise with them, make sure they're up to date. We'll try and catch one of these mutates alive for them to examine.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Will I be any use to them? I'm no scientist.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />You can read body chemistry better than a machine. Of course you will. Let's go.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They all get up and file out, carrying Block on Lyric's freshly made stretcher toward the Trans-Jet bay. Chronal and Wraith hang back as the others go through.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />So... you were out of the room for longer than I was. Why aren't you asking what's going on with these mutates?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />What, you mean, I haven't been told yet?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />What?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Dude, I never know what's going on.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Oh yeah.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. EXT. PAUL BALL MALL. Day 1 - 0934</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Big, sprawling mall, big like Cribbs Causeway, sort of thing. The Trans-Jet flies overhead.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. INT. PAUL BALL MALL - FLOOR 3. Day 1 - 0934</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Modern mall interior, all swish chrome and soft brown-and-beige colour scheme and artfully-positioned escalators. Walkways overlook the floors below, where there is a fountain, and the floors above, where a glass dome forms the ceiling. Shops about. Normally prettiness abounds.<br /><br />Currently, mentalness abounds. Mutates are everywhere, destroying everything. A pair of teenagers are sheltering beneath a back-to-back pair of benches, as a mutate with three-and-a-half arms covered in bristle rips up the floor plan and swings it violently towards the benches; the teenagers scream -<br /><br />And a Rhino gallops in from the side, charging the mutate clean out of the way.WRAITH appears out of nowhere, and sidles up to the bench.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hey. Uh... I'm Wraith.<br /><br /> TEEN#1<br />Oh my god, was... was that a rhino?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Yeah, no, that's my friend Shift. She's like that some times.<br /><br /> TEEN#2<br />You're the Scribblers! You'll save us!<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Um, that's the plan. So, I'm going to turn you invisible now, and we're going to get out, agreed?<br /><br /> TEEN#1<br />Definitely...<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Yeah. Good. Go.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They all become invisible. The eye of the beholder draws away to a few metres away, where the mutate is swiping at a rapidly-transforming SHIFT, who keeps changing between small-and-mobile and large-and-punchy animals to avoid/punch him.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6. INT. PAUL BALL MALL - FLOOR 1. Day 1 - 0935</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and LYRIC are fighting mutates through ninja techniques and occasionally shouting fire extinguishers, nets and the like into being. CHRONAL knocks out a scaly mutate beside the fountain, and approaches a gaggle of ADORABLE CHILDREN crouched in a ruined shop doorway.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hey -<br /><br /> ADORABLE CHILDREN<br />Argh!!!!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />No no, it's okay, they can't get you, look -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He freezes time.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL (beaming)<br />There, you see - ?<br /><br /> ADORABLE CHILDREN<br />Argh!!!!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Oh. Er... it's okay! I am a Scribbler, and I shall now save you! From the mutates I still don't understand!<br /><br /> ADORABLE CHILDREN<br />Argh!!!!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hmm. This is a lot harder than comics would have you believe.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Meanwhile in Real Time, Finesse and Lyric are fighting three angry mutates. One breathes fire at them.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Shield!<br /><br />A shimmering in the air indicates the shield, which deflects the fire.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Cheers! But there are hundreds of - <span style="font-style:italic;">darts!</span> - them, think we can keep this up?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Well, they - <span style="font-style:italic;">chains!</span> - aren't clever, so I reckon so. They - <span style="font-style:italic;">shield! </span>- don't have a sense of reason, or strategy.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Like Wraith?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Ha!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A mutate rears to the left, and she directs his energy blast clean into the flamey one, knocking him out.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Awesome. Let's take that one home.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chains, gag, hood. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They appear on the now-prone flamey one.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Hate to ask, but why can't you do that to all of them?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Well - <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She leaps onto the fountain plinth and spreads her hands; the energy bolts tear out of the mutate in question, and deck the twenty nearest that were approaching. Lyric hastily binds them all; but as he does, the mutate seems to overload, and collapses with a gurgled yell.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Dammit. That's why. They're still mutating, Lyric.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />What?!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I know. Whatever that bloody serum did, it's still doing it. Their powers keep changing.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />I'll tell Amity. The scientists will need to know.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />7. EXT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC OFFICES. Day 1 - 0938</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Big, sleek, glass-fronted building, with a multi-coloured sign over a set of doors. There is an intercom thingy. AMITY is also there, talking on the comm.<br /></span><br /> AMITY<br />They're <span style="font-style:italic;">still </span>mutating?<br /><br /> LYRIC('s voice)<br />Yeah. 'Tis mingin' beyond, like. We've got you one, though, so you'll be able to experiment soon. In, you know, a totally humane way.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I really love it when we remember that part. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She reaches the intercom and presses the button.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Anyway, I'm here, and Kayleigh's en route. I'd better go and meet this scientist of Shift's.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />The intercom crackles into life, sounding static-y for a second.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Ah, yes, the one you clearly fanc -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Shut up, Lyric...<br /><br /> INTERCOM VOICE<br />Er... sorry? I'm not Lyric.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />What? Oh god, no, I didn't mean - Hello! I'm Amity! I'm here to meet a Professor Amalgam?<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Oh good! I <span style="font-style:italic;">am </span>that one.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Excellent!<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />I think so too! I'm coming out to let you in now, don't worry. Sorry, we used to be able to buzz people in, but - <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A DOG appears inside the building, visible through the glass, wearing a waistcoat. It trots happily to the doors. Amity grins at it, and then blinks.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />- after I invented the terrible psychic disruption technology that could have so harmed humanity and had to burn it we've been stronger on security. And, er, sometimes I can be a bit... territorial, anyway, because... oh...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The dog jumps up at the glass for a second, pawing at the keypad beside the door, before pausing and looking mournfully at Amity. She stares at it, mesmerised.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Oh dear. Wrong one. Sorry, let me try again.<br /><br /> AMITY (in wonder)<br />I'm very sorry if this is a sensitive question, but... are you this dog?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Inside the building a GOAT appears, also in a waistcoat.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Didn't I - ? Damn. In fact, I... am, in a manner of speaking. Partly. Well -<br /><br /> AMITY (delightedly)<br />Oh my god, are you this goat, too?<br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />The goat? Shit, did I send the goat? Wait, let me use the mirror this time...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is a pause, during which Amity beams happily at the faintly awkward-looking dog and goat, while the dog looks back at her, slowly wagging its tail.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM('s voice)<br />Oh, bugger. Of course. I'm still using the intercom, which means the human mouth is still here. Sorry. I'm on my way...<br /><br /> AMITY (cheerfully)<br />Thank you!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She crouches down to the dog and goat. The dog wags its tail harder and takes a small step forward before apparently remembering itself, and looking slightly embarrassed.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Your mind is amazing, you know! I can feel it from both parts of you. Same mind, two - <span style="font-style:italic;">three </span>- bodies. But different instincts live in your different heads, don't they? I've never felt anything like it. Oh, sorry - can you still hear me through the glass?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The goat nods, and makes a series of strange bleats, as though trying to talk. Amity giggles.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Sorry. That was your goat mouth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A HUMAN appears at the door, and she stands.It is AMALGAM (eccentric, witty, playful), wearing a costume including a matching waistcoat and a Victorian frock-coat and hunting boots combination. This one is a white frock-coat, for working in the lab. He opens the door, and shakes her hand.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hello! Again. Sorry - I meant to say, I actually have five bodies, but one's on the roof and the other is in my tank. I feel I should stress that I'm not normally this bad.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Bad?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Mixing myself up like some benzadrine loon. I've just been working quite hard this morning...<br /><br /> AMITY<br />That's okay! I'm extremely clumsy too! And that's just with one body to pilot. It probably borders on farcical that one of my favourite hobbies is dancing, therefore.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dog actually jumps into the air in its excitement and barks before suddenly fleeing to the lab. Amalgam looks at her, apparently delighted.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />You dance? Me too! <br /><br /> AMITY<br />Really? Hooray! Ooh, what types -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Her communicator beeps, and she sighs.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes?<br /><br /> FINESSE('s voice)<br />We have a serious problem.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8. INT. PAUL BALL MALL - FLOOR 1. Day 1 - 0940</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and SHIFT are fighting MANY MUTATES around CHRONAL, who is kneeling over the BOUND MUTATE from earlier, keeping him frozen. LYRIC is fighting a few metres away.WRAITH may also be there, but if so he's invisible, and besides, no one cares.<br /></span><br /> FINESSE<br />The transformations aren't just ongoing - they're definitely random!<br /><br /> AMITY('s voice)<br />Really? What does - ?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />They're incomplete! One'll get the gene to throw fire, but won't be fire-proof!<br /><br /> SHIFT (mildly)<br />It's true. It's really disgusting.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />And I don't know how much - shit...<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />A mutate rears up in front of her, his flesh glistening and red, and throws his hands towards her; liquid shoots out of them that Finesse deflects to either side where it scorches the floor and fountain -<br /><br />And the mutate screams, suddenly clawing at his own body wildly, his fingers digging in and tearing without blood - <br /><br />His flesh bubbles, moving like molten wax - <br /><br />And it runs off his skeleton, leaving him to melt to the floor until the screaming finally stops.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Scribblers stare at the puddle in shock for a moment, until a sound like thunder jerks them back to attention, and they look up numbly. The mutates are hurling themselves against an invisible dome around them.</span><br /><br /> AMITY('s voice)<br />Guys? Guys, what happened? Can anyone hear me?<br /><br /> FINESSE (without emotion)<br />One just melted in front of us. Their DNA is coming apart. Tell Amalgam.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Well, that was displeasingly horrific.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />What's protecting us?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Me. The one at the back. It's already slipping away, though.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is another pause.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL (voice low)<br />Are any of them going to survive this?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />No.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Will it be that painful?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Yes.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They watch for a second more as the dome slowly disintegrates around them, one mutate glowing like a candle and screaming, another rapidly deforming.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC (quietly)<br />Okay then.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The dome vanishes, and the mutates rush in.</span><br /><br /> LYRIC<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ystradebol.<br /><br />The Scribblers attack.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC LAB. Day 1 - 0952</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">AMITY is standing at a work bench, staring blankly through illustrated notes on a holo-screen. AMALGAM comes in with a tray bearing a teapot and two tea cups. One has a small piece of foil next to it.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM (gently)<br />Any better?<br /><br /> AMITY (sadly)<br />Okay. Well, they're all incredibly traumatised, but they've pushed it aside to focus on being totally livid instead. <br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Especially Finesse and Lyric, but they're sort of like that anyway.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />I meant you. I know a bit about psionic bonding.<br /><br /> AMITY (smiling)<br />Yeah. I'll be fine. Tragically we've all seen worse. Although this is the first time we've had to do the put-out-of-misery thing on this kind of scale.<br /><br /> AMALGAM (glumly)<br />Yes. Well, they were right to do it. I suspect the pain levels for the goons were comparable to radiation poisoning.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh no! Like the tenth Doctor?<br /><br /> AMALGAM (brightening)<br />Yes! Wasn't that a <span style="font-style:italic;">brilliant </span>episode?!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I know!! And everyone was so good in it, and it was just the <span style="font-style:italic;">perfect </span>start for Matt Smith!!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Who, by the way, is <span style="font-style:italic;">excellent</span>!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Yes he is!<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Oh. Off-topic. Sorry. Um... the XGH. What the hell is going on?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Oh yes. Well, it's impossible to say for certain given that I don't have a sample or a patient, but... XGH works by creating the right mutations in the DNA to produce a super power. In the case of those fellows calling themselves your nemeses it seems to have been straightforward, relatively speaking. They've never changed have they? <br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Powers, that is. I assume they change clothes.<br /><br /> AMITY (giggling)<br />Yes, me too, and one might argue in any case that it would be an irrelevant question.<br /><br /> AMALGAM (grinning)<br />It would be <span style="font-style:italic;">fairly </span>irrelevant, yes.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />No. Their powers have always been stable. Deliberately engineered, too.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Here... the XGH caused random mutations. For safe superpowers you need several mutated genes, not just one - like Finesse said -<br /><br /> AMITY <br />You need to be fire-proof if you can throw fire.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Pretty much. The problem is the nature of DNA, though. Mutations occur essentially when the DNA chain splits in half, and replicates wrongly. It sounds like it was split too many times, too fast for these people. It couldn't keep fixing. They literally fell apart.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Right.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She looks up at the holographic DNA chain splitting.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Gosh. I'm very cross now, you know.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes, me too. Genetic science is meant to <span style="font-style:italic;">help </span>humankind, not destroy it!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I agree! Let's have tea.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Ooh, lets. The milk's in the tank.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He puts the cup, with its piece of foil, in front of her. Amity turns, and takes the carton of milk from the octopus tentacle that holds it out to her.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM (musing)<br />Hmm. I wonder how tea-based superpowers would work?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amity stops dead, and looks up at him.</span><br /><br /> AMITY (not daring to hope)<br />... Did you just ask me a hypothetical question...?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10. INT. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - BLOCK'S ROOM, SECURE WING. Day 1 - 1005.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A private hospital room with two doors, one leading out to the main hospital corridor, the other to the storage rooms. The room contains one bed, a sod-load of medical equipment beeping away and a chair containing a SECURITY GUARD (40s, humourless, kind). His name is Norman. Hello, Norman. BLOCK is in the bed, heavily bandaged, unconscious and handcuffed to the bedrails. A DOCTOR (30s, tall, very long dreadlocks) is talking quietly to the security guard, holding Block's notes. Her name is Dr Osoba. Hello, Dr Osoba.</span><br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />It's actually not as bad as it looks. We've cleaned the burns, but either he was very lucky or very good with his powers - he managed to get them frozen almost immediately after getting them, so it's saved the flesh and most of the skin. Hopefully he won't even need a skin graft.<br /><br /> NORMAN<br />Looks like agony, mind.<br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />That's more of an issue. We've got him on Orimorph at the moment, which hopefully will help, but until he wakes up we won't know if we need to increase the dose or not. And he's in shock.<br /><br /> NORMAN<br />Not too surprised. I hear it's been carnage downtown.<br /><br /> DR OSOBA (heavily)<br />Yes. We've got 56 patients either here or en route to us, and more were -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She stops as Block suddenly whimpers and then screams, rushing to his side and scanning the monitors efficiently.</span><br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />Mr Block, my name is Dr Osoba, and you're in Dinas Central. Can you - ?<br /><br /> BLOCK (hoarsely)<br />The - where is it? I had - I had it -<br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />Your possessions are here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She indicates a tray beside the bed, containing a cracked pocket mirror, a crumpled packet of polos and a small cannister; Block goes to throw a hand towards it, but is halted by the handcuffs.He stares down at them.</span><br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />Also you're under arrest, but try not to worry about that right now.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />But... I can't be.<br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />You really are. Try not to worry.<br /><br /> NORMAN<br />A lot of people died today, mate. We're still getting the reports in -<br /><br /> BLOCK (urgently)<br />What time is it? Quick! How long was I out?<br /><br /> DR OSOBA<br />Just gone ten, I believe, so not long. About half an hour.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Finesse. I need to see Finesse of the Scribblers.<br /><br /> NORMAN<br />She's just been cleaning up your mess, mate. I doubt she'll want to see you -<br /><br /> BLOCK (almost screaming)<br />It <span style="font-style:italic;">doesn't matter!</span> We're all going to die if she doesn't! She'll understand that! Please, <span style="font-style:italic;">please </span>you have to get her here!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Norman stands, alarmed, and hurries out to call his superiors.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (still mentals)<br />We'll <span style="font-style:italic;">die</span>! We're all going to die!! She has to come, she -<br /><br /> DR OSOBA (calmly)<br />Do you want any more morphine?<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br /> BLOCK (meekly)<br />... yes, please.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC. Day 1 - 1015</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />In the lab, AMITY and AMALGAM are dancing the lindy hop to music. OCTOPUS is doing very similar movements in its tank. The buzzer goes for the front door and they both stop, guiltily. Octopus keeps going.<br /></span><br /> AMITY<br />Oh. Er, that'll probably be the rest of the team.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Oh yeah. I'll be back in a jiffy!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">DOG runs out.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />That was Dog.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />I'll be back in a jiffy!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He runs out. Amity grins to herself, and goes about making more tea and two hot chocolates.<br /><br />After a moment, the SCRIBBLERS PLUS KAYLEIGH file in, carrying MUTATE MAN on a stretcher. CHRONAL is carrying a glowy device. Amity stops and hugs LYRIC; Amalgam is talking to SHIFT, apparently trying very hard not to bounce up and down. Dog is running excitedly around the lab. Octopus continues to lindy hop. FINESSE watches Dog in apparent fascination.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Amity, look! People! And Shift, whom I already know!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />This is why we're friends, you see. He doesn't see me as 'people'.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />It's so exciting!<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Would we class 'outbreak of mutates' as exciting?<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />It was pretty boss. Well, except for the end.<br /><br /> LYRIC (wry)<br />Yeah. You can tell you've being doing a job too long when this sort of thing is just a 'bad day at work'.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amity smiles sadly, but doesn't push it.<br /></span><br /> AMITY<br />I prescribe tea for all.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />No! I've suffered enough!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I made you and Finesse hot chocolate!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Hooray!<br /><br /> FINESSE (fascinated)<br />So... one mind, four bodies?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes! Well... five, actually. The other is on the roof.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Wow.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Her communicator beeps)</span><br /><br />Urgh. Hang on.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She leaves. Lyric and Shift have placed Mutate Man on a table, and Chronal is attaching the glowy device to his chest.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />I vote we call him Goon Boy.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I vote no. He's already dying. He doesn't need the additional pain of being named by you.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Hey! What's wrong with Moth Child?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />So once Chronal lets him go... is he going to die?<br /><br /> AMALGAM (peering at Goon Boy intently)<br />If we can't find a cure. What's the device?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />My latest toy! I invented it after Time Wang. This is a Freeze Frame!<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Good name.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Thank you. What I do is, look, I freeze something - in this case Goon Boy - in time -<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Oh dear. That seems to be sticking.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Because it's <span style="font-style:italic;">boss</span>.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />- and <span style="font-style:italic;">then</span>, right, then, I calibrate the Freeze Frame, and it holds the time bubble stable for me! So I don't have to!<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Wow! That's so clever!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />That's amazing!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />I know! I'm <span style="font-style:italic;">so </span>clever. Honestly. You've no idea.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Yes, you really are. So how are we curing Goon Boy?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Awww. You ruined my narcissism.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Finesse enters.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Hey guys. Block's woken up and is demanding to see me, apparently, or else, and I quote, "We'll all die." Tool.<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Eh, don't bother. That doesn't sound serious.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />You just don't like anyone on that team because your nemesis is a crazy who wants to psycho-marry you.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Gosh, really? That sounds frightful.<br /><br /> WRAITH (morosely)<br />Mine's a sociopath who knows my life and keeps plaigiarising my artwork.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Mine's a tool. Anyway, I'd better go. We still need to interview him anyway. Laters.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She leaves. Amalgam and Kayleigh start setting up equipment, as Chronal fiddles with the Freeze Frame.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM (to Amity)<br />So what's your nemesis like?<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh, you know. A sadistic and malicious telepath who forced at least one of the others into becoming what they are.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Mine is Metal Man. He didn't know they weren't going for ironic nicknames until they'd handed their forms in.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Everyone laughs at Metal Man.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12. INT. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - BLOCK'S ROOM, SECURE WING. Day 1 - 1032</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE is sitting in the chair beside BLOCK's bed, looking bored and disgruntled, reading a crappy hospital-waiting-room magazine with 'The 100 Hottest Superheroes of the Year!!!' splashed across the front.Block is just stirring; slowly, he turns his head and tries to focus on her.<br /></span><br /> FINESSE<br />Huh. Chronal at number one again. No surprise there.<br /><br /> BLOCK (groggily)<br />Nng... Finesse...?<br /><br /> FINESSE (not looking up)<br />Oh, you aren't listed. This list is exclusively for people who aren't total losers.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Ugh. This is you people through and through, isn't it?<br /><br /> FINESSE (bored)<br />I am, of course, desperate for your clarification of that statement.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />You people, people with powers. Always. The arrogance.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />My irony meter just exploded.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />I'm serious! <br /><br /> FINESSE<br />So am I, moron. You just played God with the genetics of three hundred people <span style="font-style:italic;">and melted them.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />That - it shouldn't have - that wasn't our fault! It couldn't be! And that's not the point! It's the <span style="font-style:italic;">entitlement</span>, listen to you! You get these powers naturally, just gifted them, and you don't appreciate them.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Ah.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She puts down the magazine, sits up and leans forward over his bed, resting her forearms on the bed frame, watching her intently.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />That's Medium I hear, yes?<br /><br /> BLOCK (defiantly)<br />She's right, though.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Of course she's not, you halfwit, try <span style="font-style:italic;">actually thinking about it</span>. When Amity was thirteen years old her powers began to activate. An empath. At thirteen. And they don't kick in all at once like I imagine yours did, did you know that? It happens slowly. You get symptoms first - hints of what your power will be, and you haven't a prayer of being able to control it at that stage. So do you know what she went through?<br /><br /> BLOCK (sulkily)<br />No.<br /><br /> FINESSE (quietly)<br />At thirteen years old, when she was starting to develop as a human being, at the most formative and emotionally intense stage of her life, she realised she was able to influence other people's decisions. If she wanted something, she just... pushed a bit of seratonin here and there when she suggested it. Or lowered a dopemine level or two, so they couldn't link a bad experience with what she was asking, and so wouldn't think to object. She didn't know that was precisely what she was doing, of course - but she did. Can you imagine that, for a moment? At thirteen, at her most emotionally insecure, she could completely rob people of their humanity and choice to please herself; make people go out with her, break up friendships and relationships, force new ones, make teachers do what she wanted... the list goes on. Which meant, as time went by, that the people she came into contact with started to develop mental illnesses. Bi-polar was the big one. And she came to realise what she was doing. So, at fifteen, now with more powers at her command and a better understanding of how they worked, and full of a brand new set of good intentions - do you know what she did?<br /><br /> BLOCK (still sulking like a bitch)<br />Became a hero?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />I think that was the basic idea. More specifically, she decided to use her powers for good. So can you guess what she did? She tried to make people happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Block stares at her blankly.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />I don't get it.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Nor did she at first. But the fact is, you earn happiness for yourself. That's how it has to be. You can't force it on someone unnaturally, or they can't learn and develop. Both the mind and the brain make links, emotional and physical, where they programme themselves to respond to specific input. She had a friend, a good friend. She wanted him to be happy. And his brain learned that "normal" was to make seratonin <span style="font-style:italic;">all the time</span>. His mind learned that everything in the world, every input, would make him happy - to this day, he has the emotional intelligence of a fifteen-year-old, because he could never learn the basic lessons the rest of us do. If you get burned, you don't touch fire again. He couldn't get that. And when he eventually did, it nearly drove him insane. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is silence for a few seconds as they both watch each other.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK (really listening now)<br />So what happened?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />She realised how dangerous she was. How dangerous she could be. She came to the realisation that there are no easy answers, and her powers were a double-edged sword that she was going to have to learn to wield properly before she killed someone. So she decided that, firstly, if she wanted to help people in this world, she was going to learn how to do that as anyone else can, powers or not. A real hero. She became a medic.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />And then?<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Then she learned how brain chemistry works. Every nuance of it that we understand, before joining scientific teams across the country doing studies into the areas we <span style="font-style:italic;">don't</span> understand. She can confirm and deny things, see. By this point her powers had developed their psionic edge, so she could read an emotion as easily as you or I can see if someone is smiling or not. Humanity's knowledge of mental illness, emotion and several areas of psychology advanced phenomenally in that time, because of her, and all along she drank in every bit of information she could get, to make herself safer to everyone around her. And then, once she'd done that, she went back and cured everyone she'd ever given bi-polar disorder. And <span style="font-style:italic;">then </span>- and only then - did she become a superhero.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is another pause as they look at each other again. A bird sings cheerfully outside the window.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />That is a truncated version of the story of just one of my team members. She struggles every day - <span style="font-style:italic;">every single bloody day</span> - with the knowledge of what she could so easily be. So do we all. And you think we <span style="font-style:italic;">don't appreciate our powers?</span> You think they're just a <span style="font-style:italic;">gift</span>? <br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Well, here's what I think. I think you, and Medium, and Dischord, and all of the rest of you, are a sad little group of tiny, pathetic people who never amounted to anything or achieved anything for a single day in your entire god damned lives.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Hey!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />You dreamed big, but totally lacked the grit, determination or <span style="font-style:italic;">effort </span>to ever actually achieve. You wanted fame and power for their own sakes. You wanted to be big, but not if it involved actually putting in any hard work. You were, and remain, a pack of losers with pretentions to grandeur, as long as working for it means just doing whatever you want. And so you talked yourselves into believing that it's because the world is so <span style="font-style:italic;">unfair</span>. Life would be so much simpler with powers! Powers are so <span style="font-style:italic;">cool</span>! How come you don't get to have powers? That's the only reason you aren't succeeding... because all those powered-up people are instead!<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />That's not - !<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />And so, along comes a supervillain with a special formula, and offers you everything you ever wanted. Money, fame, the chance to be defined by someone of reknown - and, best of all, that set of superpowers you always wanted! At last! And here you are, believing you've hit the big time. Let me ask you this, Block - you've got those powers now, but what have you actually achieved with them?<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />What? Well... I -<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Because it seems to me that for all those shiny new powers and the designer-cool costume, and the team of villains you're such an important part of; you haven't actually done anything. And if I were to give up superheroism tomorrow, you'd be out. Sintaro wouldn't need you anymore. You're only making up numbers. For all the world, you matter so little that you might as well not exist.<br /><br /> BLOCK (small voice)<br />That hurts.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Good. Now what the hell do you want, you tool? I haven't got all day.<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13. INT. THE SWINGING BLUE GENES PLC LAB. Day 1 - 1045</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">WRAITH is sitting cross-legged in the corner, locked in a staring contest with GOAT. CHRONAL is still calibrating the Freeze Frame, watched by an interested-looking LYRIC, while AMALGAM and KAYLEIGH take tissue samples and the like, moving about between microscopes and scanners and spectrometres and such. AMITY and SHIFT are sitting to one side, drinking tea and talking quietly.</span><br /><br /> SHIFT<br />So you like him, hmm?<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh god, is it that obvious?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Ah, well, it is clear as bells to one such as me. Who can read body language.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Of course! Hey, so does he - ?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />No idea. He has five bodies, and they all use different body languages that spill over into each other. Beyond broad emotions like "happy", "vulnerable" and "please play", I've never been able to read him that well. <br /><br /> AMITY<br />Damn.<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Stop being inept. You're an empath. Surely you know?<br /><br /> AMITY (sighs)<br />No. Same problem. I've never seen a mind like it. I think with practice I could learn it, but...<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />But you like him, hmm?<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh my god, he's totally awesome! He's so... awesome! He dances! And when he stops, his octopus keeps going!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They look at the tank, where OCTOPUS is indeed still going.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />And look at his costume! And the waistcoats! And he's perfectly willing to discuss hypothetical situations about nonsense! And, right, I'm not holding out hope, but I think he might be amenable to games -<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />He is.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh my god!!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Yes, now I come to think of it, I have no idea why I never introduced you before. He also plays musical instruments.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Really, now, this is getting silly. He can't be real.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />Oh my god, what if he's not real?<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Stop being crazy, you loon. Of course he is. I know him, and I'm very sane.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Well, now I definitely think he's fake.<br /><br /> SHIFT (brightly and nonsensically)<br />Yes!<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH (urgently)<br />Hey - oh, shit - Amalgam!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Everyone looks over except Wraith, who continues attempting to out-stare Goat. Amalgam hurries over to Kayleigh, where she hastily steps aside from the microscope and all but forces his head onto it.</span><br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Tell me that's not - <br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Oh no.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Shit! <br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Also ouch.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />We've no time for me to be sorry! Where are the decontamination showers?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Over there. Quick! Everyone in! I'll seal the lab!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Everyone stands immediately except Wraith, who only moves when headbutted by Goat.</span><br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh goodness. Heroic and brave, too.<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />There. The Freeze Frame is in place. What's going on?<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Has Goon Boy been frozen all that time?<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Yes?<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Then if we're quick we'll be fine. Go go go!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They race to the decontamination showers, and leap into cubicles as Amalgam sprints around the lab, gloved up and wielding tongs, throwing slides and samples into the incinerator.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><br />14. INT. THE DECONTAMINATION ROOM. Day 1 - 1047</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A row of airlocked cubicles are currently in use by a SCRIBBLER each - DOG and GOAT are sitting patiently waiting for AMALGAM in the end one.The Scribblers continue to shout to each other.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Now my hair is wet and may swell to twice its volume. I demand to know why I've had to do this.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Well, Goon Boy had a cold.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />A <span style="font-style:italic;">cold</span>? You've made me run into a shower with no conditioner for a <span style="font-style:italic;">cold</span>?<br /><br /> LYRIC<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Conditioner.</span><br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />Argh!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />Oh, sorry, I thought Wraith was in that one. <span style="font-style:italic;">Conditioner.</span><br /><br /> WRAITH<br />Argh!<br /><br /> LYRIC<br />There we go.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />So what's the problem with him having a cold? Other than it meaning he is really not having a good day.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />It's a virus!<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />I knew that.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />I'm still not -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amalgam arrives, and leaps into the cubicle with Dog and Goat, slamming the door behind him. There are some comical squashed sounds and a truncated bleat before the water starts.</span><br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Okay! We should be alright, but we're going to have to suit up before we go back in.<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Er... why's a cold so bad, though? So far we've covered that it's a virus, but I'm not understanding the relevance yet.<br /><br /> KAYLEIGH<br />Viri replicate by splitting DNA and replacing strands with their own. Sort of. Bits of strands. Ish.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />It's why they don't really count as alive, you see, and that's why it's very difficult to kill them, so antibiotics have to just nuke all cells, and that's why they aren't good for you. Although we've been doing work with a type of gene therapy here in the case of really bad viri -<br /><br /> SHIFT<br />Ah, your octopus is making you fixate, old friend. We were in the middle of exposition.<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Oops. Oh yes! The cold! Well, do you see? If it absorbs mutating DNA, and then the virus spreads -<br /><br /> AMITY<br />Oh my god!<br /><br /> CHRONAL<br />I don't want that!<br /><br /> AMALGAM<br />Yes. The mutations could become viral. A virus that mutates people.<br /><br /> WRAITH<br />... how good is this shower, did you say?<br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - BLOCK'S ROOM, SECURE WING. Day 1 - 1048</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FINESSE and BLOCK, back in the hospital room.Block is still handcuffed to the bed, Finesse sitting and watching him, arms crossed. All samey samey.</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />It wasn't us.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />That strikes me as unlikely.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />If it was us I wouldn't have been there to get burned, would I?!<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />You're not that bright.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />But - !<br /><br /> FINESSE<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Convince me.</span> Come on. Tell me what you think happened. Evidence would be useful. And explain why we're all apparently going to die.<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Finesse, I swear, there wasn't any <span style="font-style:italic;">need </span>for us to do it intentionally! They were goons! We were shipping them out to Ringtone.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />She stares at him.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Were you now?<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />It's one of the businesses, I - anyway, the point is, we give them minor but effective superpowers for the job, we hire them out. And it works! And we're good at it! Maybe if one or two had gone then I'd say it was us who mis-calibrated, but - all of them? And this badly? The serum was altered. Someone tampered with it, I'm telling you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Finesse stares into the middle distance, thinking hard.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE (faintly) <br />But <span style="font-style:italic;">why?</span> A diversion? No reports so far of anything else amiss in Dinas, but it's early days... No clear victims, so mindless violence? The thrill of having done it?<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />I've got a sample. Of the serum.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />What? Where?<br /><br /> BLOCK<br />In the tray. In the cannister. It's how I got burned.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />I know I'm not that bright, you know. Not compared to most. But I did know this was important, Finesse.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She stands, and moves around to the tray, where she takes the cannister.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Possibly more than you know. You've just described a very lucrative business, haven't you? Goon production. That must be a money earner and a half.<br /><br /> BLOCK (uneasily)<br />Yes. Although I won't tell you -<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />The more I think about it, you see, the more I think this was an attack on you people. Sintaro, the business - a 'shipment' with another villain's name on goes publically AWOL and leads to said villain's arrest? That's the worst business reputation in the world. And now you can't trust your own production until you've flushed it all of every possible trace of corruption, so you can't fulfil any other contracts to set things right... I think Mr Sintaro has a rival.<br /><br /> VILLAINOUS VOICE FROM THE SHADOWS<br />Oh, very <span style="font-style:italic;">good</span>, darling.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Finesse spins around, as enter VILLAIN and FIVE HENCHPEOPLE -</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">You?</span> But how - ?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She freezes, and then rounds on a terrified Block.</span><br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Stop blocking me, you <span style="font-style:italic;">fucking idiot!</span><br /><br /> BLOCK<br />Oh. Sorry. <br /><br /> VILLAIN<br />Yes, I was going to say I was surprised we caught you unawares, Finesse. He's quite foolish, though.<br /><br /> FINESSE (quietly)<br />Yes he is.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />So tell me, Great Niobe. Am I right?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Niobe laughes, and fans herself with a black fan. The Niobids around her start to fan out, dressed in black chitons; warily, Finesse edges towards the second door.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh yes, top marks! The irony is, if you had all the facts, you'd probably thank me. Well, not <span style="font-style:italic;">thank </span>me as such. Agree. Well, not <span style="font-style:italic;">agree</span>. But you'd favour me for the underlying principle.<br /><br /> BLOCK (terrified)<br />Are you here to kill me?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />What? Sorry, which one are you again - ? Oh, oh no. Not now. It was that serum sample we wanted. Although it is a shame a Scribbler has it. That does complicate things.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />Block, please could you actually <span style="font-style:italic;">block the sodding telepath yourself now</span>?<br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Oh, if you do, I will <span style="font-style:italic;">then </span>kill you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Block whimpers. Niobe smiles.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I identified the flaw in your powers a while ago, Finesse. You have total, inescapable control over others, don't you? But only as long as you're focusing on them. Two at once, and with just a touch of effort they can start to pull away and resist. Three, and they might even have a chance of fighting you off completely if they were strong enough. But five? Try all of them at once, and you're reduced to the equivalent of gentle shoving to try to knock someone over. And when one is a telepath? You can't take the risk of <span style="font-style:italic;">not </span>focusing on that one.<br /><br /> FINESSE<br />For the record, Block, if I get out of this I am going to line my team up specially just to punch you in the burn.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">She reaches the door and grips the handle behind her; Niobe sighs.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Naturally; don't touch that. In addition to my telepath, we have here a pyrokinetic, a terrakinetic, one Niobid that can render herself into smog and one Niobid with super strength. Mostly because I like super strength. Gives fabulous muscles. Oh, and I am right about you, aren't I?<br /><br /> FINESSE (evenly)<br />Oh yes.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(She grins)</span><br /><br />But you've really underestimated my speed with two.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It happens very fast - Gas Niobid has time to make a surprised noise before she explodes into a thick smog, surrounding the heads of the others - Telepathic Niobid takes a slight step forward and then halts, clutching his head again - they choke and gasp for air for a second, except for Niobe, who simply folds her arms and looks irritable -<br /><br />And then Gas Niobid solidifies again, and Finesse is gone.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Go.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And they're off, racing for the door.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16. INT. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - BACK CORRIDOR. Day 1 - 1052</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Long twisting corridor, several right-angled corners, with various store rooms leading off it. FINESSE tears through the door and sprints. Just metres behind her the NIOBIDS enter, GAS NIOBID becoming gas and surging forward -<br /><br />FIRE NIOBID hurls a bolt of fire at her as FINESSE reaches a corner -<br /><br />She dives around the corner, the fire splashing harmlessly against the wall where it scorches, but doesn't catch. Finesse throws a hand back - <br /><br />And brings Gas Niobid abruptly crashing back down to the floor in solid form, causing VIBRO NIOBID to trip over her. They climb back up and keep coming, the others in front of them; they race around the corner -<br /><br />STRONG NIOBID casually rips a door out of its frame as they sprint past, and prepares to throw it -<br /><br />Finesse glances back -<br /><br />Mid-throw he yells and drops the door, strength gone. Gas Niobid becomes airborne again, and sweeps forward -<br /><br />Fire Niobid throws another bolt -<br /><br />The flame sweeps upward and ignites Gas Niobid, who drops solid again with a shriek, extinguished.<br /><br />Finesse sprints around the next corner; the Niobids speeding up -<br /><br />They round the corner - <br /><br />The corridor ends at a single door, with no sign of Finesse.</span><br /><br />CUT TO:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />17. INT. DINAS CENTRAL HOSPITAL - DISUSED STORAGE ROOM. Day 1 - 1052</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Piles of hospital supplies are everywhere, boxes, broken beds waiting to be fixed, broken bedside cabinets. The NIOBIDS enter, looking around warily. GAS NIOBID becomes gaseous again, and starts to dissipate. NIOBE strolls leisurely in.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />I will let you live, you know. I'm not unreasonable. I just want that sample.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />I mean that. It would cause ever such a fuss if I killed a government agent. I mean, you know, I will if I must, but I'd really rather avoid it.<br /><br />(beat)<br /><br />And I assume you would.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">FIRE NIOBID melts an old filing cabinet. Niobe sighs.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />Then let me explain, darling. You cannot get out of this room. If you let go of my telepath, even for a fraction of a moment, he will know where you are. We will find you in minutes at most. If you try to attack, my pyrokinetic would start a fire, which is the last thing we want in a hospital, I'm sure. And my terrakinetic starting an earthquake wouldn't be much better. Super strength is quite useless to you -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">STRONG NIOBID punches an old bed. It crumbles like paper.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />- although rather useful to me. And the smog wouldn't incapacitate us quickly enough. And, crucially, darling - the telepath wouldn't work, would it? My darling Niobids - they don't have minds like you or I, do they? They can't be disrupted. And as you've no doubt spotted by now, <span style="font-style:italic;">I </span>am not actually here. Holograms are so wonderful.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">VIBRO-NIOBID reaches out and touches a box. It explodes.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE<br />So really; what are you going to do?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cut to FINESSE, crouched behind a pile of broken stuff at the far end of the room, the cannister in one hand, staring evenly at the wall in front of her.</span><br /><br /> NIOBE('s voice)<br />What are you going to do?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">END OF THE SHOW.<br /></span>Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-62422704213859848022012-01-11T13:56:00.002+00:002012-01-11T14:02:29.146+00:00Scribblers - moody group shot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0efELM3Bvuvj1T4FZBT76Xja6GTd9vwJMDMZ5CnqPEdV6xWXnrIsi8-PzQeUtEYnGc-b4KZlqKv8PhJ8tVYt15JBuznw9LzNlxfI_6h9mw9a_QGaPVOJ2NFOR6LHIsGqGpoB3LU70NO0/s1600/Group+shot+-+Scribblers+%2528moody+building%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0efELM3Bvuvj1T4FZBT76Xja6GTd9vwJMDMZ5CnqPEdV6xWXnrIsi8-PzQeUtEYnGc-b4KZlqKv8PhJ8tVYt15JBuznw9LzNlxfI_6h9mw9a_QGaPVOJ2NFOR6LHIsGqGpoB3LU70NO0/s320/Group+shot+-+Scribblers+%2528moody+building%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696374465940842722" /></a><br />I actually drew this to be the group profile picture, but I can't upload it for some reason. Ah well. I'll keep trying. Both the sky and wall were not drawn by me, but pinched from the Internetz and added in after, because I'm a professional, don't you know.Quoth the Ravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674731306159162212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2225197696157223120.post-8873470189477153362012-01-09T00:28:00.000+00:002012-01-09T00:29:01.459+00:00A Cocktail in Two Parts<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span>There were only two customers in The Haddock and Bum. They’d worked up an astonishing tab. The barmaid, a wiry insect thing named Wendy, had never been worked so hard by so few. Not even those alcoholic Siamese twins’ joint stag weekend. She’d been instructed to uncover esoteric spirits from the bowels of the pub.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">Currently, the tiny panda one was surveying the optics.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Hurry up, love,” shouted the frightful one from their table. “It’s been your turn for months.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It’s been six minutes!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It’s a turn of phrase.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It is not.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">The tiny panda one turned to Wendy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“What’s the purple one called?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“That’s grape Jexta,” replied the barmaid. “Gives you a four-second hallucination every half hour until you drink the lime Jexta.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">The frightful one piped up. “That sounds lovely! Get that one.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">The tiny panda one didn’t reply. He shook his head slowly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“How about the orange one?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Which orange one?” asked Wendy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Both.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“This one’s Groovum,” she explained, indicating the tallest of the two bottles. “Cancels out your hangover, but you’ll be blind in one eye for half a day.” She indicated the smaller, rectangular bottle. “And this is Eduzornum. Not too strong, and the flavour’s randomised.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Yes, alright,” sighed the tiny panda one. “Two shots of each, please.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span>“Great decision, Panda!” cried the frightful one, whose ugly ugly hat fell off as she applauded. “No hangover – we can drive out early tomorrow, get a head start in that race.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“You will not<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>be driving blind in one eye!” cried Panda, sounding genuinely panicked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Keep your hair on,” giggled the frightful one. “Wendy, love – any drinks that make you grow an extra eye?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“None,” said Wendy, placing four shots on the bar. “Although we might have an ale that gives each eye individual depth perception ...”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Do not encourage her,” hissed Panda. “Shots on the tab again, please. And can you bring them to the table? My paws are getting terribly sticky.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">Once Panda and the shots were safely on the table, Wendy sat down in a carefully-selected seat, wanting to keep an eye on her strange customers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">The frightful one had produced two new, larger shot glasses from somewhere. From the ugly ugly hat? She poured Panda’s shots into them. There came a soft whistling sound as the drinks mixed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“What’s this one called, chuck?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It doesn’t have a name.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">The frightful one frowned.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It’s untitled, Iris.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“There’s ambitious you are,” she snapped. “You invent a cocktail, but no, let’s not give it a name. You could be famous, Panda.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“It’s not a cocktail. It’s two distressing shots that seem to be curdling.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">Iris leaned back in her seat and narrowed her eyes, assessing the glasses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Best drink ‘em quick then.” She finished one of the drinks in one. “Anyway, Panda – I’m still waiting for that name. It’s incredibly tasty. You don’t want your name on it?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">Panda was quiet for a moment. After a while, he muttered, “Prude With Violin.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“You’re terrible with names, chuck, I’ll give you that.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">Panda took a sip of the drink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“You liar, Iris! You said this was incredibly tasty.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB">“Is that what I said?” Iris wobbled up. “Anyway – my round!”</span></div>Steffanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577969264084077780noreply@blogger.com1