sib1x13
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. CHICAGO - BAR. NIGHT. 1
As the guitar intro of the 'Bartender' by hed(pe) starts to
play, we fade up to the inside of a typically busy Chicago
nightspot. A stage at the back of the high-ceilinged room
holds the band, and before them is a packed dancefloor.
As the band kick in to their song and the crowd starts
jumping, we pick up CHRIS, sitting quietly at the bar,
staring at shot glass full of Jack Daniels' in his hand. He
closes his eyes and knocks it back, placing the empty glass
down with a large cluster of others before him.
PHIL, the beefy and amicable bartender of this place, looks
back with a raised eyebrow at the sponge-like alcoholic
absorption of Chris.
CHRIS
Another, please.
PHIL
You sure, pal? I mean, damn, you've
drunk enough to kill a man by now
and you're still standing! I don't
want to tempt fate by giving you
any more!
CHRIS
(sternly)
I'm fine. And I'm still paying.
When I start slurring my words,
then you can kick me out of here.
Until then…
Chris taps his empty glass on the counter, and with a sigh
and a shrug he tops up the shot. Chris nods thanks and holds
the glass up again, staring into it as though looking for an
answer.
WOMAN (O.S.)
You know, for a thin guy, you sure
can pack 'em in!
Chris turns to his left.
A woman in her late twenties, BETTY, is sat a few stools
along the bar from Chris, an intrigued smile on her face as
she smokes a cigarette.
BETTY
Must be one hell of a woman, get
you all messed up like that. I hope
she was worth it.
CHRIS
Something like that.
Betty sidles over - Chris doesn't look like he wants company
but tries to be civil at least.
BETTY
What's your name then, handsome?
CHRIS
Chris.
BETTY
Betty Miller. Pleased to meet'cha.
So, what's your story?
CHRIS
My story?
Betty nods her head down at the heap of empty shot glasses,
and Chris manages a smile.
BETTY
I figure, a guy drinks that much,
he's got to have one heck of a
story to back it up.
CHRIS
I suppose you're right… Look,
Betty, was it?
BETTY
That's me.
CHRIS
I don't mean to be rude, but I'm
really not looking for company at
the moment, and whenever women
start talking to me in bars, it
never seems to end well, so I-
TWIST (O.S.)
Hey, bartender? Hit me with a
double.
Dressed all in black with a beanie and her yellow curls
spilling out from beneath it, and black camouflage paint
streaks beneath her eyes, she looks out of breath, as though
she's been running. Betty frowns, but Chris just sighs and
leans back in his chair, checking his watch.
CHRIS
Twenty-four hours, thirteen
minutes. I'd say you were slipping,
but this time I didn't want to be
found.
BETTY
Who's this?
TWIST
The only person he should be
talking to right now. Beat it, Mrs.
Robinson!
Twist flicks her fingers out at Betty, indicating that she
should leave. With a last look at Chris and a shrug, she gets
up, takes her drink and walks off screen.
Chris turns slowly back to Twist as the vampire knocks back
her shot gratefully, smacking her lips.
TWIST (cont'd)
Ah! Hit me with your rhythm stick!
(to Phil)
Two more, please. This could be a
long conversation.
Twist collects two more shots and settles down. Chris takes
in her new look with a raised eyebrow.
CHRIS
So why the outfit? Have you been
watching 'Alias' again?
TWIST
I'm in stealth mode, aren't I!
CHRIS
(beat)
Why are you here?
TWIST
Why are any of us here? What's life
all about?
(grins)
If you want me to sing old Monty
Python songs at you, I can. I still
have all your old videos.
CHRIS
(patiently)
Twist…
TWIST
Well! You go leaving me a 'Dear
Twist' letter and then split,
running off into the night with
your guilty conscience like you're
the fricken Crow or something! Come
on! Of course I was going to go
looking for you.
Almost lost your trail a few times,
too, you'll have to teach me how
you did all that.
CHRIS
Twist, I don't want any company.
I'm flattered that you came
looking, but I mean what I said. I…
I need some time to think about
things.
Twist takes one of her shots and shoves the other in front of
Chris. Chris throws a tired look up at her, but she taps the
top of his glass and nods at him.
TWIST
So start talking. I want to know
how you and Julie first met. I want
to know why you feel you've got to
give up on all our hard work, and I
want to know why in the name of
Almighty Barney The Dinosaur you
think you've got any right at all
to just ditch me and Danyael, go
disappearing into the night like
the Littlest damn Hobo, and expect
us to just be okay with that?
Twist is pretty pissed - this isn't lost on Chris, who nods
solemnly and knocks his shot back along with Twist.
CHRIS
Did you ever stop and think about
why you do what you do?
TWIST
Sometimes. We all do.
CHRIS
I haven't. Not for a long time.
Until tonight. And then all the
other times I've stopped to think
about it came back to me.
TWIST
This isn't going to turn into a
'I'm Spider-Man no more!' speech,
is it?
CHRIS
Okay then. Julie. Let's go back
twelve years. Chicago's Cook County
hospital, August 1992. I'd been
working there a few years on a
forged transfer from England, and
she was a fresh faced med student.
As Twist makes the Wayne's World style flashback sequence
motions, Chris continues.
CHRIS (cont'd)
And then, once upon a time in the
E.R, there was a girl…
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
2 EXT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – MORNING 2
Snow gently cascades down. An AMBULANCE comes skidding up to
the hospital entrance, sirens blaring.
3 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – RECEPTION 3
TWO PARAMEDICS burst through the doors, pushing a gurney, and
on the gurney is a stab victim. DR. SANCHEZ sees them and
walks and talks with the PARAMEDICS.
DR. SANCHEZ
What happened?
PARAMEDIC #1
Stab-victim. Gang-fight.
Sanchez checks the victims vitals – he's lost a lot of blood
but is stable for now.
DR. SANCHEZ
How long was he prone for?
PARAMEDIC #2
Ten minutes. Got the 911 soon as he
got stabbed. His girlfriend wanted
to ride in the ambulance, but…
DR. SANCHEZ
I know, Chicago Policy. Get him to
the E.R, stat.
The paramedics and Sanchez glide towards the E.R. Chris walks
past them, reading a chart and dressed in full doctor's garb
– white coat, stethoscope and scrubs. He walks to reception
and slots the chart into the trays on the desktop. SUE looks
up at him from her typing.
SUE
Tough day, huh?
Chris gives her a look, and Sue laughs.
SUE
I forgot, we're in Paradise City.
She hands Chris another file. He flicks through it.
CHRIS
If this is Paradise City, I'd hate
to see what Hell's like.
Both laugh, Sue a lot more than Chris.
SUE
So… any plans for later?
Chris looks up, and she flashes him a million-dollar smile.
He smirks, but shakes his head.
CHRIS
We talked about this.
SUE
Yeah…
(leans in)
… but maybe we can talk about it
again.
(beat)
Look, if it's the employee
relationship thing. I'm sure no one
would mind!
CHRIS
I wish it were that simple.
SUE
Oh, come on, Chris. It's not like
you'll turn into a monster if you
allow yourself one night of
happiness, is it?
CHRIS
Good point…
(beat)
… but I really can't.
SUE
(pouts)
Why not?
CHRIS
(without looking at her)
Because, my dear, in my world, the
work never ends.
Chris walks off, taking the chart and the file with him. Sue
looks after him, still pouting.
4 INT. HALLWAY – NEXT 4
Chris walks on, when with a BEEP, his pager goes off. He
takes a look - it reads 'EMG 245.'
With a concerned look, he picks up speed and hurtles down the
hallway.
5 EXT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – TWILIGHT 5
Two THUGS are banging on the hospital doors.
THUG #1
Hey, open up, man! Open up!
Chris and Sanchez walk out to meet them.
DR. SANCHEZ
Alright, alright… what's up, guys?
Without warning, Thug #1 HEADBUTTS Sanchez, who spirals to
the floor, blood gushing from his broken nose. Thug #1 storms
forward, but Chris gets in his way.
CHRIS
Cool it. Before I call the cops.
Thug #1 looks at Thug #2, and laughs. He turns back around,
all serious, and PUNCHES Chris hard in the face, but Chris
shakes the blow off.
Thug #2 KNEES him in the gut, and Chris doubles over in pain.
As he falls, both Thugs start laying into Chris with all
they've got.
6 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – RECEPTION 6
Sue hears the commotion and looks out to the front doors.
From this angle, we can see Sanchez lying on the ground,
clutching his nose, and Chris doubled up as the two Thugs
carry on kicking him.
Her face drops as she registers what's happening.
SUE
Hey! Somebody! Security! Help them!
People stop to watch, horrified, but no one goes to help, not
even Sue.
7 EXT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – DAY 7
The Thugs continue their assault, kicking the hell out of
Chris. He's bleeding from several parts of his body,
including a nasty cut by his mouth.
Thug #1 lifts up his boot and makes to stamp on Chris' head,
but with lightning speed Chris reaches up and grabs his boot.
With a heave, he throws it backward, sending Thug #1 flying
to the concrete.
Chris spins to his feet as Thug #1 hastily gets up. Thug #2
looks a little shaken by this, and Chris stares them down,
smirking.
CHRIS
Normally, it takes two to dance,
but here we have three.
Well, you know what they say…
(wipes blood from mouth)
Two's company – but three's a
crowd.
The thugs exchange a look, then they turn back to Chris, who
holds out his hands.
CHRIS (cont'd)
(grins)
How about it, boys? Shall we dance?
Thug #1 runs forward at Chris, who grabs his arm and spins
him round, sending him flying with a SMACK into the side of
the ambulance in the bay.
Thug #1 slumps to the ground, out cold as Chris and Thug #2
trade punches. After a few blows, Chris is coming out on top,
and grabs Thug #2 by the neck. With a sweep of his right
foot, Chris sends Thug #2 crashing spine-first to the ground.
Thug #2 quickly gets up, dazed, grabs Thug #1, and burns
rubber out of there like Speedy Gonzales.
Chris calmly dusts himself off and turns to face the crowd
inside, who stare at him for a spell, and quickly scarper.
All except Sue, who keeps staring.
8 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – ANOTHER HALLWAY 8
Chris walks along, tenderly pressing a finger to the cut on
his lip as Sue breaks from the desk and jogs up.
SUE
What was that?
CHRIS
Same old story, just two Boosters
looking to bully their way into my
E.R. and grab something for their
next fix.
SUE
Not that, I mean all that Bruce Lee
stuff you just pulled out there!
CHRIS
(beat)
Let's call that 'making a
difference.'
Chris walks around the corner towards a supply cabinet,
leaving Sue standing in the corridor.
9 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – STAFFROOM 9
Chris walks in, dabbing at his split lip with a roll of
bandage. He takes his scrub top off but doesn't notice that a
girl, APRIL, is sitting in the corner. She has orange hair,
blue eyes, and a great smile.
APRIL
Alright, a floor show!
Surprised, Chris turns to face her.
APRIL (cont'd)
Not that I object or anything, but
I'm kinda curious as to the nature
of this little strip tease of
yours… I mean, I trust that your
intentions are honourable, but just
in case…
CHRIS
(smirks)
Do you not understand the concept
of a staff room? There's a clue in
the name as to who's normally
supposed to be in here!
April smiles back – the kind of smile that always gets just
what it wants.
CHRIS (cont'd)
Why are you here, anyway?
(pulling a t-shirt on)
Shouldn't they be examining you?
APRIL
Probably, but you know Chicago.
Most people don't know their ass
from their elbow. And besides –
they cancelled it.
CHRIS
Why?
APRIL
Budget cuts.
Chris stares at her for a long spell before April cracks and
breaks into laughter. Chris joins in.
APRIL (cont'd)
I am so messing with you!
CHRIS
Yes, I'm afraid the laughter clued
me in on that.
April stands, walks over to Chris and wraps her arms round
his neck. He looks a little less comfortable.
CHRIS (cont'd)
So how are you feeling?
April kisses him, but he pulls away.
CHRIS (cont'd)
April, I asked you a question.
APRIL
(pouts; leans back)
Twenty twenty, doc.
She turns her back to Chris, who senses something is up.
CHRIS
April?
APRIL
(sighs)
I'm just fine. It's all of you
tight-ass doctors who are the
problem round this place!
April sits back down, staring at the window. Chris smiles,
obviously used to her behaviour by now, as he hangs his coat
inside his locker door.
CHRIS
Alright then, here, let me show you
a magic trick. At this present
moment, I'm a doctor, and on duty,
and apparently one of those 'tight
asses' as you so succinctly put it.
But when I close this door…
He pushes the locker closed, and it shuts with a 'click.'
CHRIS (cont'd)
I am magically transformed into…
dun dun daah! An off-duty doctor.
(checks watch)
For the next four hours, in fact.
So there's no need for false
pretences.
April grins, stands and walks back over to him. This time, he
takes her arms and wraps them round himself. They stare deep
into each other's eyes for a long beat, and she leans in to
kiss him, when:
JULIE (O.S.)
(entering staff room)
Okay, yeah, I'll see you in five,
Bernice, then we can- oh, sorry…
April and Chris look back towards the door.
Looking ten years younger than when we last saw her, JULIE is
dressed in the plain blue scrubs of a med student and looking
a little embarrassed to have interrupted things.
JULIE (cont'd)
Um, hi. Sorry, I didn't mean to-
APRIL
It's cool.
(pecks Chris on cheek)
I'll see you later, handsome.
(whispers; smirk)
And bring the white coat again…
Chris nods with a grin. They kiss again, and with a nod to
Julie, April leaves. Julie slams the door shut behind her and
folds her arms over her chest, seething.
JULIE
What the hell was that?
CHRIS
That, my dear Julie, was what I
like to call 'goodbye.' A very
pleasant one at that.
JULIE
She's a patient, Chris!
CHRIS
Not my patient.
JULIE
Is this a joke to you? Some kind of
a game? Fall for a terminal patient
and see if they'll fall for you
too?
CHRIS
Of course it-
(beat; realises what she
said)
… did you say 'terminal'?
Julie sighs - she thought he knew. Chris leans in.
CHRIS (cont'd)
Julie? What is it? Tell me!
JULIE
Chris, she has… she has cancer.
It's inoperable.
Chris reacts in horror.
JULIE (cont'd)
She doesn't have long left.
Without a word, Chris hurries to the door and races outside.
Julie lets him go, watching after him.
JULIE (cont'd)
I'm sorry…
10 EXT. GENERAL HOSPITAL. MORNING. 10
April is walking away, lighting a cigarette. Chris exits the
hospital in the background and jogs to catch up to her.
CHRIS
Hey! April!
She turns and sees him approach and waits, smiling.
APRIL
Couldn't wait to see me again?
CHRIS
Why didn't you tell me?
A long beat as April works out that he knows about her
condition. She sighs, looking everywhere but at him.
APRIL
I didn't want you to worry. I just
wanted to have a normal
relationship with someone for a
change, without being treated like
I was made of china or something…
you know? Didn't you ever get that?
CHRIS
April, I'm a doctor.
APRIL
Exactly.
She stares at him.
CHRIS
I could have helped.
APRIL
(angrily)
How? How could you help, Chris?
Explain to me, how you could help
me? You know, maybe the reason I
liked you is because you weren't a
doctor for me, did you ever think
of that? That I wanted to be around
you because you were the one thing
in my life that didn't remind me of
the fact that I'm going to die
soon? The only thing that's any
good right now?
Chris is lost for words as April finishes her cigarette and
flicks it away. There are tears in her eyes.
APRIL (cont'd)
Well, it's been swell Chris – but I
think we better end this.
(quietly)
Before I get hurt.
April storms off, and Chris can only watch her go.
11 INT. MOTEL ROOM – TWILIGHT 11
Chris sits in the middle of the room, holding a bottle of
Jack Daniels, sipping from it before suddenly hurling it
across the room, where it SMASHES on the wall.
Chris leans back, head in his hands, before a thought strikes
him, and he stands. A triumphant smile starts to spread
across his face.
12 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL – HOSPITAL WARD. 12
15 INSERT OVER - TWO MONTHS LATER 15
April, much paler and weaker looking, lies in a bed, with a
DOCTOR and NURSE either side of her. The heart monitor beeps
feebly, and the doctor sighs as he reads her chart.
DOCTOR
It's just a mater of time now. Damn
shame, too, pretty girl like that…
The doctor hands the chart to the nurse, who makes a note of
April's details, and draws the curtains round her bed as the
two of them leave her.
After a few moments, another shadow appears behind the
curtain, and Chris pulls them aside to step up to the bed. He
leans down to her and tenderly brushes some hair from her
face, and kisses her once on the forehead.
CHRIS
Don't worry. It'll all be better
soon, I promise.
Chris puts his hand forward and places it on her stomach.
His hand illuminates, and the entire room quickly starts to
fill with white energy. His hand begins to smoulder, but
Chris fights on through the pain.
An unholy HOWL starts to pick up, and wind starts to fly
across the room. Chris struggles to keep his balance.
The door opens and Julie walks in, staring down at some
files. She hears the strange noise straight away.
From behind the curtain round April's bed, there is a flare
of bright white light, which quickly dies down.
She races over to the bed and throws the curtains back. Chris
is stood over April, his hand over her stomach. She's no
different, and he looks on the verge of tears.
JULIE
What was that?
Startled, Chris turns round and tries to act innocent.
CHRIS
What was what? I... I didn't hear
anything.
Julie walks over to the bed and looks at first April, then
Chris. He's staring down at her, his face full of sadness.
Julie twigs that something screwy is going on around here.
JULIE
There was a bright white light, and
some kind of screaming wind… what
were you doing with April?
CHRIS
How come you're here this late?
JULIE
Don't change the subject, what did
you do?
CHRIS
(long beat)
Not enough…
Chris turns and starts to walk away, but Julie cuts him off.
She glares up at him, arms folded.
CHRIS (cont'd)
What are you accusing me of?
JULIE
I don't know, yet. What can I
accuse you of?
CHRIS
I don't have time for this.
JULIE
Well, you better make time! I don't
expect Hospital Policy is very keen
on whatever you just did to her.
CHRIS
Don't concern yourself with this.
It's beyond your comprehension.
JULIE
(indignant)
How about I take it up before the
Review Board?
Chris just shakes his head and walks away.
JULIE (cont'd)
(calls out)
Well then, I'll make it within my
comprehension!
Julie watches Chris leave, then turns back to April. She
looks no different, and with a glance at her chart, Julie
sees that April is still at Death's door.
She turns and glances back after Chris, but he's long gone.
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.