sib2x07
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT. 1
A quiet city centre, a few shops and businesses closed for
the night and an occasional car rolling by.
TITLE OVER - Seattle.
Pedestrians stroll along the sidewalk, minding their own
business - when a YOUNG WOMAN blasts out of an alleyway,
bowling two people over!
Ignoring their protests, the woman scrambles back to her feet
and keeps running, throwing a panicked glance over her
shoulder - and three MEN run out of the alley after her.
The woman GASPS and doubles her speed, turning into another
street to try and shake them.
The woman's running out of places to go - she's approaching
an elevator train bridge, and beyond that is a sheer
embankment leading down to a river.
She looks round - the men are still gaining - and with a
desperate CRY of fear she dives into another alleyway:
2 EXT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS. 2
The woman races to the end - but finds it blocked off by a
tall wire fence. She leaps up and starts to climb it, but
she's only made it a few feet up when she hears the men run
into the alley behind her.
She stops, turning slowly round to see them - the three men
fan out, covering all possible escape routes, as the lead
pursuer steps under a security light overhead to reveal
himself - short, dark hair, intense, burning eyes and a
broad, arrogant smirk.
PURSUER #1
If you were better at climbing,
we'd still be running. As it is, we
both know you've got no chance of
making it over that fence before we
get to you, so be a good girl and
come down.
He CRACKS his knuckles as he strides towards her, KATE's eyes
flicking left and right for some way out.
PURSUER #1 (cont'd)
Don't make me drag you down here
like an animal, Kate.
KATE
You've chased me like one, why
should this be any different?
PURSUER #1
(chuckles)
Oh, that's good. Sass me now, when
you're cut off and cornered. Yeah,
that really makes you look tough.
He steps closer, lowering his voice to sound almost casual -
friendly, even.
PURSUER #1 (cont'd)
I don't want to hurt you. I just
need you to give me what I want,
you know that.
He offers his hand out to her, and she looks cautiously down
at him.
PURSUER #1 (cont'd)
Come on, Kate. Come back home.
Kate looks back at his hand, and for a moment looks like
she's going to comply as she reaches out her hand...
KATE
(shouts)
Terso mi shin tugo!
ZAP! A bolt of blue ELECTRICITY streaks from her outstretched
hand, shocking the man and blowing him off his feet.
Kate uses the diversion to start clambering back up the fence
again, as the other two men go their fallen comrade.
They help him up, smoke rising from his clothes, but he
gestures angrily towards the escaping Kate.
PURSUER #1
Get her!!
They head for the fence, just as Kate drops to the other
side. They start climbing as she races up the other side of
the alleyway, into:
3 EXT. CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS. 3
Kate runs out onto a busier street, but there still aren't
many places she can go to for help. She scans the street
desperately.
KATE
Please! Somebody help me!
That gets a few glances - but the few people around look away
and hurry past, not wanting to get involved.
KATE (cont'd)
(scowls)
People...
She glances over her shoulder as she hears the shouts of the
men after her, and decides to race across the street.
She runs into the middle of the road - just as a set of huge
headlights fall on her!
Kate looks up - a cargo truck is SCREECHING towards her, its
horn BLARING as its driver stands on the brakes.
4 INT. TRUCK CABIN - NEXT. 4
The horrified DRIVER starts to turn the wheel to avoid Kate,
standing like a deer in his headlights, but there's nowhere
for her to go.
She disappears from view, and as the truck finally skids to a
stop with a HISS of air brakes, the driver throws open the
truck door and jumps down to the street.
5 EXT. CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS. 5
He runs round to the front of the truck as a few onlookers
head over, dropping to his knees to look underneath the
truck's wheels.
There's no sign of Kate, and with a confused expression he
stands back up, turning to the onlookers.
DRIVER
Did you see here? Did I hit her?
ONLOOKER #1
Hit who?
DRIVER
The girl! Young girl, long, dark
hair, ran right out in front of
me... Didn't anybody see her?
ONLOOKER #2
No, man, I heard you stopping but I
didn't see anybody in the road.
ONLOOKER #3
Well, I thought I saw someone,
but...
The driver looks back to the front of the cab, confused to
all heck.
He doesn't see the small black CAT dart out from underneath
the truck's cab, scampering across the street towards a
familiar black van waiting nearby.
The van's side door is open, and quick as a flash the cat
leaps up and into the van - just as JULIE steps into frame,
sliding the door closed. CHRIS joins her, ticking items off
on a checklist.
CHRIS
And I think that's everything,
we're just waiting for Twist and
Danyael now.
JULIE
Which seems to happen a lot.
Chris grins as the duo head for the front of the van.
JULIE (cont'd)
Have you noticed those two being a
little... off lately?
CHRIS
'Off' how?
JULIE
Hard to say, they just both seem a
little jumpy round each other since
last week. I'm thinking something
must have happened back when Twist
got herself brainwashed by that
Chad guy.
CHRIS
Whatever it is, I'm sure it's none
of our concern yet. If it starts
affecting our performance as a
team, then it becomes my problem.
JULIE
Oh, you're all heart, you know
that?
CHRIS
When you've been around Twist as
long as I have, you learn that if
she wants to talk about a problem,
she physically can't shut up about
it until it's sorted out. So far,
I've heard nothing, so I'm not
going to ask if she isn't going to
tell.
Chris opens the passenger side door for her, and she steps
into the van.
JULIE
But what if it does start affecting
the team?
CHRIS
If that happens... you'll have to
talk to her about it.
Julie starts to protest, but Chris is already heading round
to the driver's side, and with a shake of her head, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
6 INT. VAN - NIGHT. 6
Chris is flicking through a university prospectus as Julie
fiddles with the van's radio, trying to settle on a station
she likes.
CHRIS
(without looking up)
You're as bad as her for doing
that, you know.
JULIE
Doing what?
CHRIS
Not being able to find anything you
like on the radio. I've lost count
of the hours of potential airtime
I've missed through just hearing
the static of Twist cycling
endlessly through stations.
JULIE
I happen to have excellent taste in
music!
CHRIS
That's what she says.
JULIE
You wouldn't understand. You're too
old fashioned.
CHRIS
She says that as well.
Julie looks to Chris, who smirks, and as Julie starts to grin
back, the van's side door is dragged open as TWIST and
DANYAEL climb inside.
CHRIS (cont'd)
The wanderer returns. Are we ready
to go at last?
TWIST
Hai! I just needed to get some last
minute girl's stuff.
JULIE
Which means 'candy.'
Twist proudly holds up a handful of assorted sweets and candy
bars.
TWIST
When you're as sweet as me, your
sweet tooth is extra sweet!
CHRIS
Danyael? Everything alright?
Danyael nods, keeping his head down. Chris glances at Twist -
who is noticeably not looking at Danyael. Sensing that now's
not the time to ask what's wrong, Chris turns back round.
CHRIS (cont'd)
Right! Time we were on our way,
then. Next stop, Seattle
University.
Chris starts the van and pulls away, heading down the city
streets and handing Julie the prospectus.
JULIE
Which part am I looking for?
CHRIS
The Medieval Studies section.
Seattle University is one of the
largest independent educational
institutions in the US Northwest,
and has a library to match that.
JULIE
Why do you get that faraway look in
your eye whenever you say words
like 'medieval'?
TWIST
(icily)
He's looking forward to finally
being around people his own age.
Julie chuckles, but Chris is used to ignoring Twistisms like
that by now, concentrating on his driving.
CHRIS
I know a few people who are still
on the faculty staff, so getting in
is no problem. Finding what we're
looking for may be a little harder.
JULIE
Well, given that we don't know what
this book you're after is called,
who wrote it or when it was made...
I'm gonna have to go with a 'yes'
on that one.
TWIST
Shall I make my 'Wild Goose Chase
Alert' alarm sound now?
CHRIS
It may take us a while, but it'll
be worth it. We'll be able to crash
on campus, it's a good, upscale
place so we'll all be able to get
some rest afterwards.
Twist settles back, sitting down facing Danyael in the rear
of the van. He still hasn't looked up, focusing instead on a
book he's reading, and Twist studies him carefully.
She glances towards Chris and Julie, but they're deep in
their own conversation, so she looks back at Danyael. Biting
her lip, she cautiously reaches out with a boot and nudges
him. He looks up, and she tries a hopeful smile.
TWIST
Hey.
DANYAEL
Uh... hey.
TWIST
(beat)
So, whatcha readin'?
DANYAEL
Oh, you know... a book.
TWIST
Yeah, got that much already,
Captain State The Obvious! What's
it about?
DANYAEL
Not sure. Only just started it.
Twist waits for more, but Danyael falls silent again. Twist
gets the hint and looks away, leaving him to it - but now
it's Danyael's turn to look awkward.
He looks down at his book, but with a sigh tucks it back into
his jacket, leaning forward to address her.
DANYAEL (cont'd)
Look, Twist...
TWIST
Yeah?
DANYAEL
Are we... I mean, is everything
cool between us?
TWIST
Why wouldn't it be?
Danyael raises an eyebrow, and Twist lowers her eyes, shaking
her head.
TWIST (cont'd)
Sorry, Spook. It's just... I still
feel really bad about what happened
with Chad, you know. And I mean
besides the whole crowning you with
my bat thing.
DANYAEL
Bruises heal.
TWIST
Yeah, but people take longer.
She leans forward, closing the distance between them.
TWIST (cont'd)
What you said, I mean... I know you
told me you didn't mean it, but...
DANYAEL
But what?
TWIST
(beat)
Did you?
Danyael stares back at her for a long beat, then finally
opens his mouth to reply - just as the cat leaps up into his
lap!
Danyael SHOUTS in alarm and throws himself to the side, and
Chris briefly loses control of the van, startled.
CHRIS
What the bloody hell are you two
doing back there?
TWIST
It wasn't me! We've got a cat!
JULIE
A what?
TWIST
A cat! A big old black cat's in the
van with us!
Danyael and Twist start searching the rear of the van for the
cat. Chris and Julie swap glances before Chris pulls the van
over to the roadside.
DANYAEL
Where did it go?
TWIST
I don't know! You probably scared
it.
DANYAEL
I scared it? The damn thing
attacked me!
TWIST
No, it didn't! It just jumped onto
your leg, Dan, that's hardly what
I'd class as an 'attack.'
CHRIS
Stop moving around, both of you.
Twist and Danyael stay still, and Chris' keen eyes sweep the
inside of the van, before he points over to one of the raised
wheel arches.
CHRIS (cont'd)
It's hiding under there.
Twist carefully steps over, leaning down and peering under
the arch.
Sure enough, there's the cat, its green eyes glittering out
at Twist. She grins and reaches a hand out towards it.
TWIST
It's okay, little guy, come on
out... you're among friends here.
DANYAEL
(mutters)
Speak for yourself...
TWIST
(snaps)
Spook! Enough with the bad vibes,
cats can sense these things.
She turns back to the cat, which cautiously pads out into
view, sniffing at Twist's outstretched hand.
TWIST (cont'd)
They can always tell a cat person
when they smell 'em.
Twist scoops the cat up, settling back down and stroking it
as Danyael edges over to the other end of the van.
JULIE
Something wrong, Danyael?
DANYAEL
I don't like cats.
CHRIS
There's nothing-
DANYAEL
I really don't like cats.
Twist glares at him, hugging the cat protectively to her.
TWIST
Ssh! You'll frighten her!
DANYAEL
'Her'?
TWIST
Yeah, she's a 'she.'
(to Chris)
I'm keeping her.
CHRIS
Twist, we can't exactly go around
adopting every stray that comes our
way!
Twist throws a meaningful glance at Danyael, then Julie, and
with a sigh Chris backs down.
CHRIS (cont'd)
Just for a few days. Until we can
find her a proper home.
TWIST
Deal.
(to cat)
See? Everybody loves you already!
Danyael doesn't look too convinced as Chris starts the van up
again, and we cut to:
7 EXT. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS - NIGHT. 7
The van is parked up outside the main administration
building, a tall, neat square block with a clock tower
mounted on top.
8 INT. SEATTLE UNI - ADMIN BUILDING - NEXT. 8
Chris, Julie, Twist and Danyael stroll down a corridor inside
the cleanly-decorated building, led by a night porter. A grey
haired professor steps out of one of the offices, locking it
as the porter calls to him.
PORTER
Mr. Beardsley? These people are
here to see you, they said they
have an appointment.
BEARDSLEY
It's a little past closing time
now, Stan! Ask them to-
CHRIS
Hello, Geoff.
The professor looks round, squinting through his glasses at
Chris, before breaking into a broad smile.
BEARDSLEY
Christopher!
Beardsley steps over and laughs as he and Chris embrace
warmly, before Chris steps back to indicate the others.
CHRIS
Geoff, these are my colleagues
Julie Kingston, Danyael Norton and
Twist McFadden.
Julie steps forward and shakes Beardsley's hand, while
Danyael and twist just wave and nod - Twist's focus is
entirely on the cat in her arms.
JULIE
So how do you two know each other?
BEARDSLEY
Christopher was briefly a lecturer
here about ten years ago. Taught
Anatomy and Biology, plenty of fans
among the students and the faculty.
That is, until he upped and left
one day with nothing but a hastily
written letter of resignation.
Haven't seen him since.
(to Chris)
Which, I might add, means it's high
time for an explanation.
CHRIS
(nods)
All in due time, Geoff.
BEARDSLEY
(to Twist)
Ah, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you
to leave your little friend there
outside, Miss McFadden. We don't
allow pets in the main campus
buildings.
TWIST
Oh, Danyael won't hurt anyone. He's
fully house trained.
Beardsley grins, but motions towards the cat, and Twist
throws a pleading look to Chris.
CHRIS
Just go and wait in the van. We're
not doing any work tonight.
He tosses Twist the van's keys, and she heads back off
towards the entrance.
CHRIS (cont'd)
Danyael? Coming or staying?
Danyael throws a look back towards the departing Twist, then
turns back to Chris.
DANYAEL
Staying. If that's cool?
Chris nods, and as the porter heads off Beardsley leads the
group into another part of the building.
9 INT. UNI - ADMIN BUILDING - CORRIDOR - NEXT. 9
Julie walks alongside Chris and Beardsley, as Danyael hangs
back to study the various photos and displays on the walls.
JULIE
You never told me you taught
anywhere, Chris!
CHRIS
I've done a lot of things, Julie.
It gets a little hard to keep
track.
BEARDSLEY
I see your attitude hasn't changed
much.
CHRIS
Geoff here gave me a job a while
after I left Chicago. I'd spent a
few months up in Canada after...
Chris trails off and glances at Julie - and she remembers the
history there.
CHRIS (cont'd)
After what happened. I came back
down into civilisation, found
myself in Seattle and applied for a
temporary lecturer's post.
BEARDSLEY
He was here until the Spring of
1993, then poof! Vanished. You left
a lot of upset in your wake, you
know, among your students and the
faculty.
CHRIS
(beat)
Something came up.
BEARDSLEY
Yes, I seem to remember hearing you
say that a lot back then as well.
Chris's looks has darkened, so Beardsley decides to shift the
conversation away from troubling memories.
BEARDSLEY (cont'd)
So what can I help you with?
CHRIS
First thing is somewhere to stay
for a night. We're somewhat nomadic
these days, so we don't have an
actual bed to call our own for this
evening.
BEARDSLEY
(off Julie)
Oh, so I take it you two are...
CHRIS
What? Oh, no, no, Julie's just a
friend.
Chris misses Julie's face drop a little at that remark - but
Beardsley doesn't. With a cough, he carries on.
BEARDSLEY
Well, accommodation's no problem,
we've got a few spare rooms I can
put you and your friends up in the
Xavier Residence Hall.
JULIE
Does that have internet access,
just out of interest?
BEARDSLEY
Yes, full cable internet and an on
site computer lab. Are you two
planning on doing some research?
CHRIS
Hopefully, yes. We're trying to
track down a volume or two that I'm
led to believe is somewhere in your
campus library.
BEARDSLEY
Really? What about?
CHRIS
Er...
JULIE
It's a Medieval Studies thing.
Chris is helping Danyael there
write a paper on it.
BEARDSLEY
Ah, I see.
(to Danyael)
Interested in running your own
fiefdom, are you?
DANYAEL
(blank)
Uh... sure, sounds good.
Beardsley chuckles, and as he leads the trio on we cut to:
10 EXT. CAMPUS GROUNDS - NIGHT. 10
Twist is taking a stroll round the campus, cooing over the
cat in her arms.
She passes a few students as they exit a four-storey building
marked up as the 'Xavier Residence,' and she pauses to study
it, whistling appreciatively.
TWIST
(to cat)
Wish they had places this nice at
NYU, huh, kitty?
She looks down at the cat, which stares back up at her.
TWIST (cont'd)
You're gonna need a name. I can't
go about calling you 'cat' all day,
can I? How about... Gabriella?
The cat MEOWS, and Twist takes that as a 'yes.'
TWIST (cont'd)
That's settled, then. C'mon, Gabby,
let's get back to the van before
Chris...
She trails off, something catching her attention on the halls
of residence building.
A soft, orange GLOW starts to form around the front entrance,
hazy like mist, and as Twist stares the mystery glow makes
its way up through the building, ending on the roof before
fading away.
Twist is still staring in confusion up at the building when
she realises there's a young STUDENT standing next to her.
TWIST (cont'd)
(blinks)
Huh?
STUDENT
Uh, I was just asking if that was
your cat? She's a real sweetheart,
isn't she?
TWIST
(distracted)
Uh, yeah, whatever...
Twist strides past the student, lost in her own thoughts,
leaving the student looking a little put out as we cut to:
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