by Robb House
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. CAVE - NIGHT.
CU on the cave wall displaying pictographs. Fire light and
shadows flicker on the wall as the camera FADES from one
drawing to another, and another.
TITLE OVER - "1000 B.C."
The camera slowly pulls back to reveal an OLD WOMAN in Native
American garb standing in front of a glowing sphere. She is
flanked by two YOUNG WOMEN who are similarly dressed.
The Old Woman appears feeble and weak as she places her hands
on the sphere. Her eyes take on the same glow as the orb.
Before her, a portal of GLOWING ENERGY appears.
The two Young Women approach the portal.
OLD WOMAN
(subtitled from ancient
native tongue)
Oh, Great Ones. I, Shamanka Hazari,
have been your faithful servant for
many moons, but my time is at an
end. Choose my successor so that I
may cross over and join with you.
A BURST of energy shoots from the portal hitting both Young
Women. They fall to the ground, writhing in pain. The burst
stops, both Young Women remain on the ground, motionless.
Young Woman #1 rises. She walks to stand beside the Old
Woman.
HAZARI
(to Young Woman #1)
You are Shamanka now. Guide our
people well.
Young Woman #1 nods to her. Hazari turns and slowly walks to
the portal. She passes through in.
Young Woman #1 moves to take the old woman's place at the
sphere. Her hands clasp either side of the glowing orb.
CU on her face. Her eyes are closed. She takes a sharp
breath. She opens her eyes. They glow with the same light of
the sphere.
CU on the glowing sphere.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - PRESENT DAY - UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY.
CU of the glowing sphere. It strobes between brilliant white
and almost blinding as it sits atop its stone pillar. The
blare of alarms echo off the cave walls.
The camera slowly pulls back, PANNING to the left as it does
so, to reveal that the left side of the cave is now a high
tech, state-of-the-art command facility complete with
computer terminals and view screens.
TITLE OVER - "Present Day"
Over the intercom, the clatter of swords and groans
associated with battle can be heard.
KAT (40ish, attractive, long blond hair), FRANK MCGANN (late
40s, chiseled features) and LON TRAVERS (early 30s, lean,
British), all dressed in black commando gear, frantically
adjust controls in the command area.
One of the terminals shorts out and violently emits SPARKS.
Kat quickly turns toward the unit and extends her hand.
KAT
Extinguish!
ORANGE ENERGY leaps from her fingertips and hits the unit.
The sparks suddenly stop and the unit goes dead.
LON
I can't close it down! The
computer's not responding!
Frank looks to Lon with an annoyed expression. The team
continues to frantically work controls as over the intercom,
the battle continues.
Kat looks over at the glowing sphere then glances at Lon and
Frank. Once again, she looks to the sphere then back to
Frank, her gaze lingering briefly.
Her decision made, she turns to the glowing orb and hurriedly
moves toward it.
With a look of determination on her face, she reaches out
with both hands, about to cup the sphere.
Suddenly, Frank GRABS her from behind by the arms.
FRANK
What the Hell do you think you're
doing?!
He whips her around to face him, pulling her in close. Frank
gazes into Kat's eyes. His stern expression changes to one of
love and concern.
FRANK (CONT'D)
The orb's too powerful, Kat. You
know you can't control it! It'll
kill you!
KAT
We're about three minutes away from
an apocalypse here! If that horde
gets through, none of us will be
around for long! This is the only
chance we've got!
VI
(filtered; over intercom)
(grunt)
We could use some help here, Lon!
Lon looks down at his computer screen. The screen displays a
large wavy line running vertically down the middle. On the
left side of the line are ten dots, eight red, two blue. The
right side of the screen is full of hundreds of red dots
moving toward the line.
LON
(to Frank)
Frank! They're coming!
Frank holds Kat tightly as they stare into each other's eyes
for a moment.
KAT
(to Frank)
Sorry.
Suddenly, ORANGE SPARKS erupt between them. Frank FLIES
backward with a sudden jerk, hitting the cave's stone wall.
Stunned by the blow, he falls to the floor.
Kat puts her hands up.
KAT (CONT'D)
Solid.
A circle of translucent ORANGE ENERGY momentarily surrounds
Kat and the sphere, creating in invisible wall.
Kat puts her hands on either side of the crystal ball. As she
makes contact, she gasp and inhales sharply as the power of
the globe hits her. Her eyes turn completely white taking on
the same bright glow as the sphere.
On the stone floor, Frank shakes his head. Dazed, he looks up
to Kat.
TAMSIN
(filtered; over intercom)
It's working! The breach is
closing!
Kat pants, obviously strained. Her face contorts in pain.
Frank leaps up and runs to aid Kat. He hits her invisible
barrier causing him to again fall to the ground. Frank
quickly stands and beats on the transparent wall, looking as
if he is hitting thin air.
The line on Lon's screen begins to shrink. As it does, the
dots on the right side of the screen signifying the horde
disappear.
At the globe, Kat writhes in agony.
The line on Lon's screen disappears altogether, leaving only
the two blue dots representing Tamsin and Vi.
The crystal ball goes dark. The alarms stop. The intercom
cuts out. Kat falls to the ground limp, looking a bit singed.
Frank falls forward as the invisible barrier collapses. He
runs to Kat's side, joined seconds later by Lon. Frank, goes
down on his knees, scoops Kat up, and cradles her in his
arms. He slaps her face gently but urgently.
FRANK
Oh, come on. Don't do this. Don't
do this to me, baby.
Kat's eyes flicker. She opens them but seems to be having a
hard time focusing. She looks at Frank.
KAT
(weakly)
Did we do it?
Frank smiles softly at her.
FRANK
You did it. It was all you, sugar.
She smiles weakly at him and reaches up to touch his face.
Her eyes go out of focus and roll upward as they close. Her
hand drops. She gives one last exhale and again goes limp.
FRANK (CONT'D)
No!
Frank frantically lays her down, feels for a pulse, and
starts CPR.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Come on!
He continues CPR for several seconds, stopping to check for
life signs every few pumps. Lon leans in to Frank, placing
his hand on his shoulder.
LON
(in a matter-of-fact tone)
Stop. She's gone.
Frank stops and turns to Lon. His eyes narrow, his expression
hardens.
Suddenly, Frank rears back and PUNCHES Lon squarely in the
left eye. Lon hits the floor.
Frank pays no attention to Lon and returns to performing CPR.
His movements get more forceful and violent as more time
passes. Finally, his actions slow and then cease.
Frank sits, panting for a few seconds on the verge of tears,
staring down at Kat's motionless body.
He then stands. A tear in the corner of his eye. His
expression once again hardens. His jaw set. He walks toward
the camera, staring straight ahead, as Lon sits up and rubs
his face. Kat's lifeless body on the cave floor to Lon's
left.
FRANK
(voice wavering)
Some days I really hate this God
damn job.
Frank walks out of frame. Lon turns to look in Frank's
direction, hand still at face, as we:
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
ACT I
FADE IN:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE - CITY LIMITS - DAY.
The camera fades in on a big sign which reads "Welcome to
Heaven's Gate" in big sprawling letters with a picture of
what looks like a happy 1950's family. Below the picture is
the slogan "A Nice Place to Live!"
PAN down to a beat-up car with two trunks tied to the roof as
it enters the town limits. In the background, "Semi-Charmed
Life" by Third Eye Blind plays over the car's radio.
INT. TYLER'S CAR - DAY.
MIKE CZAJAK is driving. He is mid 20s, blond, handsome, very
"Abercrombie & Fitch". In the passenger seat is TYLER MCGANN.
He is also mid 20s, but dark haired, a little less attractive
than Mike, and rather less cool looking. The back seat of the
car is completely packed with boxes.
MIKE
Dude! I can't believe our freakin'
apartment's not ready! I guess
picking up a phone and calling us
before we drove three hours was too
strenuous for that fat bastard who
calls himself our landlord. Jeez!
(beat)
You sure your uncle won't mind us
crashing at his place?
TYLER
Well... I haven't talked to him in
a while, but Uncle Frank's pretty
cool. I'm sure he won't mind.
MIKE
Cool, huh?
Mike gives Tyler an unsure look.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Isn't this the same guy who was big
time military?
TYLER
(in a reassuring tone)
Yeah, but not the regular kind.
Special Ops. Top-secret stuff
mostly, you know, undercover.
Mike looks to Tyler with a gleam in his eye.
MIKE
Undercover, eh? Sounds sexy. Is he
sexy? I'll bet he's sexy.
TYLER
Ew! Dude! That's my uncle!
Mike's expression changes to a smirk. Unable to hold it in
any longer, he starts laughing. Tyler realizes that Mike is
pulling his leg and gives him an annoyed look.
MIKE
(laughing)
Dude, You're so easy.
TYLER
(jokingly)
And you're dick.
Mike shrugs.
MIKE
It's been said.
Tyler gives Mike a playful, but hard, punch in the arm as
they both laugh.
TYLER
(jokingly)
You just keep your pretty-boy mitts
off my relatives!
Mike gives Tyler a wink.
MIKE
Jealous?
TYLER
(sounding annoyed)
Stop.
Mike laughs even harder.
TYLER (CONT'D)
(sarcastically)
Ha, ha, ha.
Mike continues to laugh. Tyler gives a genuine chuckle in
spite of himself. Mike's laughter dies down and then...
MIKE
So seriously... What's his story? I
mean, how does a guy go from being
all "Double O 7" to running a
greasy spoon in the middle of
podunk nowhere?
TYLER
(shrugs)
You got me. He doesn't really talk
about it. Just says that he was
ready for the "quiet life".
(beat)
And what do you mean "podunk"?!
We're moving here, remember?
(pointing up)
Trunks. On car. As we speak.
MIKE
(chuckle)
Like I could forget. It's only all
you've been talking about for the
last three weeks.
(imitating Tyler)
"Oh, Mike! MacroWare! My dream
job."
Tyler gives Mike an annoyed yet slightly amused look.
MIKE (CONT'D)
But look around and face the facts,
amigo. Compared to 'Frisco, this
town's more boring than the
Christopher Walken flick that
shares its name.
Tyler huffs.
TYLER
Why are you being such a downer?
Aren't you at least excited about
starting grad school?
MIKE
(with a non-commital
shrug)
Sure. I can't wait to finish my
degree...
(melodramatically)
...join some big graphic design
firm, rake in the big bucks, marry
a doctor who models underwear on
the side...
(turning to Tyler;
with a smirk)
Still doesn't mean I'm creaming my
jeans about moving to "Mayberry"
like you are, Mr. Geek Squad.
TYLER
(smirking)
Ok. You're so smart, then riddle me
this Batman-
Mike gives a pained look.
TYLER (CONT'D)
If Heaven's Gate is as humdrum as
you say, why would a multi
billionaire like Jon Bates build
his corporate headquarters here?
Mike squints his eyes and looks over to Tyler.
MIKE
That's an easy one.
(beat)
Jon Bates is a wacko.
TYLER
(slightly annoyed)
Just because the man is a little
eccentric...
MIKE
Eccentric?! Hell! Didn't you read
last months "People"? His living
room is a scaled replica of the
Enterprise bridge!
(beat)
Which you think is cool.
Mike cocks his eyebrow and looks to Tyler. Tyler grins and
gives a sheepish shrug. They both laugh.
MIKE (CONT'D)
So, is being a big nerd like a
requirement to work for Mister
Crazy Pants?
More chuckling.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Or as I like to call him, Mister
SEXY Pants.
TYLER
Stop.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
Tyler's car drives on.
MIKE (V.O.)
There were pictures with the
article, dude. The man is studly.
TYLER (V.O.)
Stop!
Mike cackles with laughter as the music from the radio
swells.
Tyler's car drives past CORRINE DUBOIS (late 30s, beautiful,
classy) standing on the side of the road as she assess the
flat tire on her shiny BMW. She is dressed in a nice business
suit and heels.
Tyler's car hits a puddle which splashes all over her. She
stands there in shock for a second, completely splattered in
mud as Tyler's car continues on its way.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRANK'S DINER - A FEW MOMENTS LATER.
TYLER (V.O.)
I think this is it. Turn in here.
Tyler's car drives past and turns the corner.
PAN right to Frank's Diner. We see a simple sign over the
door and a sandwich board outside that has the daily specials
written on it.
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - A FEW MOMENTS LATER.
The camera PANS around to give us the lay of the land. The
diner is small and a little grubby. There are booths against
the walls and a few tables in the center. There are also a
few stools at the counter. Not a customer to be found. The
camera comes to rest on the door.
A bell over the door CHIMES lightly as Tyler comes through
followed by Mike. Tyler does a quick scan for his uncle and
then motions to Mike to have a seat at a booth.
They sit down opposite each other. They sit for a moment then
both look around at the empty diner.
MIKE
Did we miss the closed sign?
Tyler is about to speak when a waitress enters from the
kitchen. This is VI CLARK. She is 20, red haired, and
attractive with a perky disposition. She is wearing jeans and
a t-shirt but has an apron around her waist. Tyler and Mike
look at her as she approaches their table.
VI
Hi! I'm Vi. Can I help you guys?
TYLER
Hi, I'm looking for Frank McGann.
(beat)
I'm his nephew, Tyler.
Vi stares at him for a second. Her eyes go wide and she
smiles broadly.
VI
Oh my God!
She excitedly sits down next to Tyler in the booth.
Surprised, Tyler quickly scoots over to make room for her.
Mike chuckles.
VI (CONT'D)
(rapidly)
His nephew!?! Wow! I didn't know
Frank had a nephew. Hard to imagine
Frank with family at all. But he
doesn't talk much about himself and
I have only been here a month. I'm
starting at the university next
week. I know, I should be in my
third year, but I took some time
off, hung out with friends,
traveled the world.
Mike fights to keep himself from laughing as Tyler glances
from Vi to him with an uncertain look.
VI (CONT'D)
Anyway, I'm so excited about
college but I totally don't know
what I want to major in yet. Maybe
Poli-Sci, maybe Computer Science.
But it's my first term so I have
plenty of time to decide. Right?
So, are you both Frank's nephews?
Vi abruptly stops talking and looks at Tyler, who is not sure
how to take her.
TYLER
Um... No. This is Michael Czajak.
He's a friend.
Vi reaches a hand across the table toward Mike. Still quite
amused, he takes it and politely shakes it, giving her a
broad smile.
MIKE
Hi.
VI
Hi Michael!
MIKE
Mike.
Vi nods and turns her attention back to Tyler.
VI
So! What brings you guys to this
exciting place? Just visiting your
uncle? How long are you staying?
TYLER
Um.. We're moving here from San
Francisco...
MIKE
...but our place won't be ready for
few days.
TYLER
(timidly)
We thought maybe we could stay
here.
VI
Oh.
Beat, then something clicks in Vi's head. She gives them a
knowing look.
VI (CONT'D)
Oh! San Francisco! I didn't realize
you guys were "together". How
sweet! Does Frank know? Not that it
matters.
He's totally cool with stuff like
that even though he was in the
military and they have that whole
"Don't ask, don't tell" thing, but
you're such a cute couple, I'm sure
he won't care as long as you're
happy.
Tyler gives Vi a confused look.
TYLER
What?
Tyler looks to Mike who is struggling to control his
laughter. Mike can't help himself, gives Tyler a fake
seductive wink and blows an air kiss at him. The meaning of
Vi's words become clear to Tyler. His eyes go wide and he
turns to her, flustered.
TYLER (CONT'D)
(to Vi)
Oh! No! No. We're not... well he
is... but I'm not... We're just...
Where is Uncle Frank?
Just then, the door opens and in stomps Corrine covered in
mud and limping on one heel. She is talking loudly on her
cell phone, wearing a bluetooth earpiece. Tyler, Mike, and Vi
look up.
CORRINE
(annoyed; on phone)
I'm sorry, Mitch. You're going to
have to handle it yourself. I'm not
going to make the meeting.
(sigh)
I've got a flat and some idiot
drove his car through a puddle and
ruined my suit.
(beat)
You'll do fine. My notes are
somewhere on my desk.
Corrine sits down on a bar stool, setting her purse on the
counter. She grabs a handful of napkins from the dispenser
and begins wiping herself off.
CORRINE (CONT'D)
(beat)
No, I can't be more specific. My
office has been a complete mess
since Janice up and quit last week.
(beat)
Oh, I don't know.
Her mom died or something. She
couldn't have given me two weeks
notice? I mean, it's not like her
mom wouldn't still be dead if she
gave me time to find a decent
replacement. Oh, hang on a second.
Corrine pauses and looks around.
CORRINE (CONT'D)
(shouting out to no one in
particular)
Can I get some service over here!
Back at Tyler and Mike's booth, Vi jumps up.
VI
(motioning to Corrine)
I'd better get that.
Vi gives the boys a quick smile and turns toward Corrine.
CU of Corrine, Vi can be seen in the BG over Corrine's right
shoulder as she approaches from behind.
CORRINE
Today would be nice!!
Over Corrine's shoulder, we see Vi wince, turn quickly back
around, and tiptoe back to the boys' table.
Vi slides back down into the booth beside Tyler as Corrine
continues to talk on her phone.
VI
(timidly)
I'm just going to give her another
minute.
(beat; back to her perky,
energetic self)
So, you guys are looking to stay
here for a few days? Frank's got
plenty of room upstairs, but you'll
have to share 'cause I've got the
only other bedroom that's not full
of stuff.
Mike perks up.
MIKE
So you and Mr. McGann "live
together?"
VI
Yeah, but Ewww! We're not having
sex, if that's what you're
insinuating. I mean, he's cute and
all but... He's more like... like
an Uncle.
Vi jumps, startling Tyler.
VI (CONT'D)
(turning to Tyler)
Oh! That would make us cousins!
Vi laughs. Tyler chuckles politely but is obviously glad that
is not the case. Mike also laughs, enjoying watching Tyler
squirm.
VI (CONT'D)
How long have you two known each
other?
Mike turns on the charm, displaying his trademark smile. He
clearly finds Vi very entertaining, Tyler not so much.
MIKE
Since we were wee lads. First day
of kindergarten, he asks to borrow
my paste because Kenny Goozeman ate
his, and the rest, as they say, is
history. Been best friends ever
since.
TYLER
Except for those three years you
lived in Sunnydale. It was like you
fell off the face of the Earth. You
couldn't pick up a phone?
Vi's ears prick up at the name.
VI
Sunnydale?
MIKE
Yeah, strange town. No surprise
some nut job blew it up.
Vi smiles but looks a bit nervous. Mike and Tyler don't seem
to notice.
TYLER
I'll say.
(to Vi)
This one
(motions to Mike)
left home a regular guy and came
back a gay Goth devil worshipper.
MIKE
(to Vi)
Wiccan actually.
(to Tyler)
And hey! That was all just a phase.
Kid's stuff.
Tyler cocks his eyebrow and gives Mike a stern look. There's
a beat and then Mike breaks out in a big grin.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Ok. But at least the pentagrams and
black nail polish are of the past.
Mike and Tyler laugh loudly. This startles Vi back to
reality. She joins the laughter albeit a bit too loudly.
At the counter Corrine has finished her call and turns her
phone off. Vi's sudden burst of laughter catches her
attention. She looks toward her, noticing Vi's apron as she
is sitting at the booth with the boys.
CORRINE
(annoyed, to Vi)
Excuse me! Do you work here?
Vi opens her mouth, but Corrine cuts her off.
CORRINE (CONT'D)
(standing)
You know what?
(looking around at the
diner)
Forget it. I'm already having a bad
day. Why risk adding "salmonella
victim" to the list?
Annoyed, Corrine stomps across the floor toward the door,
leaving her purse on the counter.
The gang watches her. Mike really gets a good look at
Corrine's disheveled appearance as she grabs the door handle.
MIKE
(a bit too loudly)
Whew!
Corrine freezes and turns to them, shooting the group a "Go
to Hell" look. Mike's eyes grow wide.
The three shrink back as Corrine gives a frustrated growl.
She flings open the door and storms out, the CHIME sounding
loudly as she exits.
FRANK (O.S.)
What the Hell! Vi!
OVER THE SHOULDER shot of Frank as he enters from the kitchen
door.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Are you scaring off the customers
again?
Frank's POV as he spots Vi at the booth quickly jumping up.
He approaches, Mike is facing him, Tyler facing away.
VI
I'm sorry, boss. I was just...
FRANK
(cutting her off)
Flirting.
Frank stops in front of the table, Tyler on his right, Mike
on his left. Frank is turned to the right, still looking
sternly at Vi as he talks to the boys.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Sorry boys, but little Miss
Sunshine here has gotta get back to
-
TYLER
Hey, Uncle Frank!
MEDIUM SHOT of Frank as he turns from Vi to face Tyler, his
face now clearly seen. As he recognizes Tyler, his stern
expression softens.
Frank gives Vi a quick nervous glance which causes her to
break out in a broad smile.
FRANK
(with a nervous smile)
Hey, kiddo.
Tyler jumps up and hugs Frank. Frank smiles and hugs him
back.
As they hug, CU on Frank's face. His smile turns to a look of
concern as we:
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF ACT I
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.