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. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - MORNING
Tight shot on a computer screen which is showing the portal
simulation which pinpoints MacroWare as the center of the
anomalies.
LON (V.O.)
As you can see, all of these
portals would seem to have been
activated from one central
location. MacroWare.
The camera pulls back to reveal FRANK, LON, TAMSIN, VI, MIKE,
TYLER, and CORRINE all standing around the monitor. Corrine
wears a concerned expression. Tyler's facial cuts from the
last episode are still quite visible but are healing.
The simulation finishes running. Lon flicks a switch and the
screen changes to show computer code.
LON (CONT'D)
(to Corrine)
The analysis of yours and Chad's
"special project" code proves this
conclusively.
(indicating the screen)
Highlighted are the lines deemed
"suspect" by the computer.
Tyler quickly scans the screen.
TYLER
I don't see anything wrong.
CORRINE
There's not. I checked it myself.
LON
I didn't say "wrong", I said
suspect.
(beat; pointing to a line
of code)
Here.
(indicating another line)
And here. Spacial coordinates for
two of the portal anomalies.
TAMSIN
Perhaps it's just a coincidence.
LON
(shaking his head)
The same numbers, in the same
order? The probability of that
happening is approximately one
million-two-hundred-twenty-six
thousand to one against.
TYLER
Thanks, Threepio.
Not understanding Tyler's meaning, Lon furrows his brow.
LON
(unsure)
Um... It's on the screen.
(to the gang)
Anyway. We still don't know who
we're up against or what they're
planning, but it does give us a
direction in which to look.
Everyone takes this in for a beat.
LON (CONT'D)
And if this has anything to do with
Tyler's recent demonic encounter,
which I suspect it does, we also
have a due date- the 17th.
TYLER
The day MacroWare's new OS goes
into beta testing.
FRANK
If only we could get our hands on
some more of that code.
Everyone looks to Corrine. Corrine looks uncomfortable.
CORRINE
Only Jon has access to the entire
source code--
VI
(excitedly)
Then he's our guy! He's our... "big
bad!"
CORRINE
(firmly)
I've worked with that man for eight
years. He wouldn't hurt a fly!
Frank puts his hands up, trying to calm Corrine.
FRANK
We're not accusing anyone yet,
Corrine.
Lon gives Frank a questioning glace. Frank shrugs. Vi,
Tamsin, and Lon continue to look suspiciously at Corrine.
A RED LIGHT comes on and a BEEPING is issued from one of the
terminals. All look toward the light.
TAMSIN
Someone's in the diner.
FRANK
(to Lon)
Didn't you flip the sign?
Lon nods, looking offended at the accusation.
FRANK (CONT'D)
I'll check it out.
Anxious to leave the current situation, Corrine grabs a
surprised-looking Tyler by the arm and steps up.
CORRINE
We'll go with you.
Frank squints his eyes at her and then nods. They turn to
leave. Frank turns back and points toward a large machine
connected to the computer.
FRANK
(to Lon)
You better get that stowed. Just in
case.
Frank, Corrine, and Tyler exit. Lon looks to Mike, Vi, and
Tamsin.
LON
I may be in need of some
assistance. This is rather... um...
bulky.
Mike throws his arm over Lon's shoulder.
MIKE
What our little buddy here is
trying to say is that he's too weak
to pick up the heavy machine by
himself.
(beat)
Don't worry, dude. Big, strong Mike
will help you out.
Mike then proceeds to flex and pose like a bodybuilder.
Tamsin and Vi chuckle. Lon rolls his eyes as we:
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - MOMENTS LATER
The "closed" sign adorns the door. The diner appears to be
empty. Frank, Corrine, and Tyler enter from the kitchen. They
look around.
TYLER
No one's here.
Frank furrows his brow. FOOTFALLS are heard coming down the
stairs from the upstairs apartment. The group turns toward
the sound.
BILLIE JACKSON enters. Seeing the three, she pauses for a
moment, an unsure look on her face. She straightens her back
and walks toward the group. Frank perks up at her presence.
BILLIE
Frank.
FRANK
(awkwardly)
Hey, Bill. I didn't expect to see
you again... so soon after... you
know.
BILLIE
Yeah. I didn't like how we left
things. Can we talk?
Corrine narrows her eyes at Billie.
CORRINE
I'm sorry. I don't know you. And I
don't mean to interrupt what I
assume to be a touching reunion...
(sternly)
...but we're kind of in the middle
of something.
Billie cocks an amused eyebrow at Corrine.
BILLIE
(coolly)
Well, don't let me interrupt.
There's a pause as the two ladies size each other up. Frank
looks from one to the other. The two women continue to
eyeball each other as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - MOMENTS LATER
Mike and Lon are hoisting the heavy piece of machinery
through the door. Mike looks to be having as much trouble
lifting the object as Lon.
MIKE
(strained)
What the hell is this gizmo anyway?
LON
A Whedonium Extrapolator. It's
extremely... umf...
Lon huffs with strain.
MIKE
Heavy?
LON
(straining)
I was going to say... good with
computing... three-dimension
spacial coordinates. But heavy...
The two men set the machine down. They both take a deep
breath.
LON (CONT'D)
...is a fairly accurate
description.
MIKE
So why keep it in here where we
have to risk damaging our manly
bits every time we want to use it?
LON
It contains several hard-to-come-by
mystical parts. If they were to get
damaged or stolen, they'd be next
to impossible to replace.
Mike nods.
MIKE
We're too cheap to spring for a
cart? A dolly? Something with
wheels?
Lon ponders this as if the thought never occurred to him.
LON
What an excellent idea.
Mike looks annoyed as we:
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
Tyler and Corrine wear serious expressions. Corrine continues
to look uncertainly at Billie who is standing a few feet away
talking to Frank. Billie pays her no attention.
BILLIE
I'm sorry, Frank. About your
friend, my involvement. Everything.
She places her hand warmly on his arm. He smiles softly.
FRANK
What about the New Initiative?
BILLIE
(shrugging)
Told 'em where they could shove it.
Besides, I got it pretty cushy at
Groom Lake. Why would I wanna give
that up?
They smile at each other. Suddenly, there is the rumble of an
EXPLOSION from below! The four exchange looks and in unison
run into the kitchen.
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The four run to the base door as smoke rushes up from the
secret entrance. The freezer slides back into place with a
SLAM, blocking the stairs which lead down to Command Central.
Frank and the gang share panicked looks as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - CONTINUOUS
Smoke rushes in through the door as the echo of the explosion
dies down. Lon and Mike look quickly at each other. They run
for the door. Seconds before they get there, the massive door
SLAMS shut in front of them, it's giant bolt's lock into
place. The two men look urgently at each other. The lights
flicker and then go out as we:
BLACKOUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
INT. FRANK'S DINER - KITCHEN - MORNING
Frank and Billie push on the freezer, trying to get it to
move. It's not budging. Tyler and Corrine add their help.
With the addition of Corrine's Slayer strength, it starts to
shift, slowly.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS
Blackness. The sound of coughing can be heard as the
EMERGENCY LIGHTS cut on. The air is thick with smoke as Vi
and Tamsin pull themselves off the floor.
TAMSIN
Are you alright?
VI
Yeah.
TAMSIN
Of course, you're alright! You're a
bloody Slayer! Am I alright?!
Tamsin pats herself down.
TAMSIN (CONT'D)
Yes. I'm alright.
(beat)
Lon. What happened?
Vi and Tamsin look around. No answer.
TAMSIN (CONT'D)
Lon!
Vi and Tamsin run from the room as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - CONTINUOUS
Darkness. The emergency lights cut on to reveal Mike and Lon
standing exactly as they were, both wearing the same worried
expression as earlier.
MIKE
(nervously)
What happened?!
LON
Some sort of explosion, I assume.
Emergency protocols would seem to
be in place.
MIKE
(nervously)
Meaning?
LON
Meaning a base-wide lockdown, to
begin with.
MIKE
Is there an emergency over-ride
switch on the door?
LON
I mentioned the need for one to
Frank when I first arrived here, so
you can guess the answer to that
question.
MIKE
(huffs)
That's a big "no" then.
Lon lightly smirks. Mike looks around the dimly lit room. He
is genuinely shaken.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Great. So what do we do now?
(looking around)
I guess I could try to "magic" us
out of here.
Lon shakes his head.
LON
No good. The vault's enchanted. A
magic dampener of sorts. It's the
only way to keep some of these
mystical artifacts in here.
MIKE
(annoyed)
So, we just wait for someone to
come and get us out?
(quietly)
Assuming there's anyone left out
there.
Lon and Mike exchange another worried look.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(with a nervous laugh)
You know, if this were a movie,
right now one of us would be
warning the other about having a
limited air supply.
Lon gives a guilty look and turns away.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Oh! Come on!
LON
Another thing I warned Frank about!
When we get out of here, I plan on
giving that man a stern tongue
lashing.
Despite the situation, Mike gives a nervous chuckle as he
presumably imagines that interaction. Suddenly, there is the
CRACKLE of static from the intercom by the door.
TAMSIN
(filtered; over intercom)
Lon?! Mike?! Are you in there?!
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Tamsin is standing at the intercom unit outside the vault
door. Vi stands just behind her.
LON
(filtered; over intercom)
We're here. Are you alright?
TAMSIN
Yes. But we're locked in and all
the controls are nonresponsive. The
command over-ride is engaged.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - CONTINUOUS
VI
(filtered; over intercom)
Mike?! Are you okay?
MIKE
(Firmly)
Fine. But I need to get out of
here. Now.
LON
(offended)
I know I'm not always the best of
company, but it's hardly worth--
Lon squints his eyes, studying Mike who is clearly agitated,
his fist clenched, forehead sweating. An amused smile
flickers across Lon's face.
LON (CONT'D)
You're claustrophobic!
An annoyed look crosses Mike's face.
MIKE
(reluctantly)
I have a problem... with enclosed
spaces. Yes.
Lon begins to laugh. Mike face goes from annoyed to mad.
Seeing this Lon quits laughing.
LON
I sorry. It's just, you seem so--
Mike continues to eye Lon. This is clearly a closed topic.
LON (CONT'D)
Right.
(into the intercom)
We've got about forty-five minutes
of useful air...
(beat)
... if we conserve our oxygen. See
if you can find a way to get us out
here.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Tamsin and Vi exchange a worried look.
TAMSIN
(into intercom)
We'll get you out. Promise.
The two women exchange one more look and exit out of frame.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - CONTINUOUS
Unused to doing such things, Lon gives Mike the best
comforting pat on the back he can muster. Mike tries to smile
in return, but the expression on his face looks more like a
grimace.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS
As Tamsin and Vi enter the lab, a loud banging can be heard
from the door leading to the stairs that go up into the
diner. They hurriedly make their way to the intercom panel
beside the door. Vi presses the button.
VI
Frank?!
FRANK
(filtered; over intercom)
Vi! Status report!
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Frank, Billie, Corrine, and Tyler all stand gathered around
the intercom.
TAMSIN
(filtered; over intercom)
Computer's down, full base
lockdown, running on emergency
power.
FRANK
What was that explosion?
TAMSIN
(filtered; over intercom)
We're not sure yet. Things are a
bit jumbled.
FRANK
Where's Lon?
VI
(filtered; over intercom)
He and Mike are trapped in the
vault.
An annoyed look crosses Frank's face.
FRANK
(to Billie)
I'm going to hear about that damn
emergency override switch again.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS
TAMSIN
(into the intercom;
concerned)
Frank. They've got less than an
hour of air.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Frank's brow furrows as worried looks cross Tyler, Corrine,
and Billie's faces.
FRANK
(firmly; into the
intercom)
We need to get this door open.
We'll push from this side and you--
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS
Vi perks up.
VI
(into intercom)
Frank! I think I know an easier
way.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
VI
(filtered; over intercom)
Go up stairs and look in my closet.
A curious look crosses Frank's face as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - THE VAULT - CONTINUOUS
Mike is pacing back and forth. Lon has taken off his suit
jacket, loosed his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He sits on
a stack of crates against the wall.
LON
You'll conserve more oxygen if
you're still.
Mike turns to look at Lon.
MIKE
(aggitated)
I can't be still! I've got to do
something. It feels like the walls
are closing in.
LON
Claustrophobia is purely a
psychological condition. You can
control it.
MIKE
(sarcastically)
Oh! Well, thanks! I didn't realize!
I feel much better now!
LON
I didn't mean...
(huffs)
Fine. I have every confidence that
the others are working on a way to
get us out of here, but if you feel
you must waste air, perhaps you can
find something over there...
(indicating a stack of
boxes)
...to construct a lever with. Maybe
we can pry the door open. At least
enough to get some air in.
Mike looks questioningly at Lon.
LON (CONT'D)
You are familiar with the
principles of a lever, aren't you?
It's a basic tool.
MIKE
(annoyed)
You're a basic tool. Of course I
know what a lever is!
I was just wondering who died and
left you in charge.
LON
(standing; also annoyed)
I was merely suggesting you do
something constructive while using
up our precious oxygen!
Mike and Lon glare at each other as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - LATER
Vi and Tamsin are standing at the intercom.
FRANK
(filtered; over intercom)
You sure this is going to work?
VI
It did before.
FRANK
(filtered; over intercom)
Okay. Step back.
Tamsin and Vi move quickly away from the door. A loud BAM
sounds as something heave strikes the door from the other
side. Again, the BAM issues. A third time and the heavy door
FLIES OFF ITS HINGES.
Standing in the doorway is Corrine holding Vi's TROLL GOD
HAMMER which the younger Slayer used previously to knock the
same door down.
Frank pushes past Corrine and rushes to Tamsin as Tyler and
Billie enter also.
Corrine hands the hammer to Vi, eager to be rid of it. Vi
turns to exit the room presumably heading to the vault but
Frank stops her.
FRANK (CONT'D)
That's not going to work on the
vault door.
Vi turns around to face Frank.
FRANK (CONT'D)
The anti-magic mojo's too strong.
Vi slumps, looking dejected.
FRANK (CONT'D)
(to Tamsin)
You and Vi see if you can get the
main power back on.
TAMSIN
What about Lon and Mike? We've got
to get them out.
FRANK
We will, but we've got to get into
the computer to do it.
(turning to Corrine and
Tyler)
And luckily, we've got two top
notch experts right here.
Corrine and Tyler look at each other and then move quickly to
the large computer system.
Vi and Tamsin exit into the hallway as Billie takes a look at
the disheveled room. She moves to stand beside Frank.
BILLIE
(quietly)
What do you think caused this?
FRANK
(shaking his head)
I don't know. But whatever it was--
Frank's cell phone rings. Frank takes it out and answers it.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Hello?
(beat)
Oh. Hey, Tanya. This isn't really a
good time, I--
(beat)
No. I'm not--
A beat and then Frank moans, having apparently been hung up
on. He brings his phone down from his ear he hangs it up.
Billie look at him and cocks her eyebrow.
BILLIE
Tanya? Should I be jealous?
Frank is flustered for a beat.
FRANK
We had dinner. And a big
misunderstanding for desert.
He catches himself and looks over to Corrine and Tyler who
are listening in. Corrine wears an annoyed expression. She's
clearly got something to tell him. He and Billie move to join
them.
CORRINE
On quick inspection, there doesn't
seem to be much damage to the
hardware itself, but the computer
appears to be stuck in some kind of
diagnostic loop.
Frank frowns. Tyler steps up.
TYLER
Which prevents it from accepting
new commands, effectively locking
us out of the system.
Frank nods.
FRANK
What can we do?
CORRINE
There's a chance that if we reset
the system, everything will boot up
normally when it restarts.
Frank nods again. He looks to Billie who cocks her eyebrow at
him.
FRANK
(to Billie)
I know what I'm doing.
He turns back to Corrine.
FRANK (CONT'D)
(nodding)
Let's give it a shot.
Billie looks neutrally at Corrine as we:
CUT TO:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.