sib2x20
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. DINING AREA - THE ROSARY - NIGHT 1
Open on a piano, as a pair of perfectly manicured hands enter
view and begin playing the opening strains of 'Little Death
Orchestra.'
Pan up to show the player is SYREN, who is sitting at the
piano playing her heart out, eyes closed, her fingers dancing
up and down the piano keys like it's nothing.
Slowly, pan around and reveal that the dining area of the
Rosary club is full to bursting, with a multitude of both
HUMANS and HALF-DEMONS of all shapes and sizes.
All are either enraptured or drooling over Syren from where
they sit and stand, which Syren seems to detect as she turns
her head to the crowd.
She smiles a little, clearly forced, before turning back to
the piano. It's then her face drops to one of deep concern.
While playing the tune, which starts increasing in tempo,
Syren glances toward an AIR VENT directly above her position
to the left. Pan up and away from the piano and towards the
vent, leading into:
2 INT. AIR VENT - NEXT 2
Push into the slim, grey vent and the music from the piano
begins dying away, with repeated distant cries of PAIN.
Descending through the vent, the sounds increase. PUNCHING,
KICKING, the sound of someone painfully being beaten, mixed
with gruff LAUGHTER.
Finally, with the music almost entirely gone and the beating
loud, push towards the opposite end of the vent, approaching
the exit and into:
3 INT. CATACOMB CELL - NEXT 3
And pass through into an extremely dingy catacomb cell area,
adjoining an enclosed area of water leading through to the
wharf.
Two burly vampire TRAD thugs are beating the hell out of
someone, while a third Trad, named CREEK, is recording the
beating via camcorder.
As we pan into the Trads conducting the beating, we see
they're knocking seven colours out of a restrained TWIST, as
we cut to:
4 INT. DINING AREA - NEXT 4
Where the piano playing continues, Syren starting to reach
the crescendo in the music. And we cut back to:
5 INT. CATACOMB CELL - NEXT 5
Twist, as the punches rain down on her from the Trads,
desperately trying not to cry. Back to:
6 INT. DINING AREA - NEXT 6
Syren, who is fully invested in the powerful music as the
tune reaches its peak. Back to:
7 INT. CATACOMB CELL - NEXT 7
The faces of the Trads as they laugh and gleefully murmur
while inflicting maximum damage on Twist. Back to:
8 INT. DINING AREA - NEXT 8
The club as the diners are enraptured by the music as it
climaxes, Syren almost crying at the effect it has, plus the
situation she's in. Back to:
9 INT. CATACOMB CELL - NEXT 9
The cell as the beating continues relentlessly, Twist unable
to fight back, while the music slowly begins trailing away.
And focus in on Creek as he grins, while aiming the camcorder
at the sight. Push in on the camera lens, the sounds of the
beating still audible, before we cut to:
10 EXT. ENTRANCE - UNIVERSITY LIBRARY - MORNING 10
A HAND, as it knocks on the large, ornate double doors into
the university library complex, the next morning. There's a
tattoo on the back of the hand - a scorpion.
TITLE OVER: Pittsburgh
Once it knocks, the hand disappears as the unseen person
behind it walks away.
A moment later, the door is opened by DANYAEL. He looks
around, but sees no-one there, before his gaze falls to his
feet.
A recorded DVD in a case has been left on the step. Danyael
reaches down and picks it up.
DANYAEL
Hmm. Home delivery.
Danyael then notices something interesting on the DVD - a
label on the case gives a name it's addressed to. It reads
'Christopher Berkeley'
11 INT. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY - NEXT 11
In a corner of the old library, near certain electrical
sockets, Danyael is now setting up a creaky old University
badged DVD player with a small TV.
CHRIS looks at the DVD he's been sent, as he stands with
SANCTUS, waiting for the equipment to be set up.
JULIE stands in the background, applying a fresh bandage to
DIEGO'S wound, watching them.
CHRIS
What does this mean?
SANCTUS
Considering we were unable to
ascertain who delivered it, that
question is difficult to answer.
But I could hazard a guess.
CHRIS
(nods)
Trouble.
Chris looks at the large clock on the far right wall, sees
it's 10:30am.
CHRIS (cont'd)
And neither Twist or Syren have
checked in for almost the last
twelve hours.
(shakes his head; looks at
DVD)
I have a really bad feeling about
this.
Danyael finishes fixing a connection at the back of the TV
and grabs the remote.
DANYAEL
And... done. Up and running. Just
another of my hidden talents.
Chris steps forward and hands the DVD to Danyael, who twirls
it in his hands.
DANYAEL (cont'd)
So, uh, what d'you think is on
here? A movie? 'The Hunger' was
pretty cool.
CHRIS
We won't know until we find out.
(nods)
Play it.
A little nervously, Danyael places the DVD inside the player
and begins manipulating the remote.
Chris steps back next to Sanctus, and Julie soon joins his
side, the two exchanging a glance. Diego sits up on the table
to look.
As the screen flickers on, Danyael moves back next to them
and watches, worriedly.
With good reason, as after a moment of static, appears none
other than MANON. He is sitting behind the desk of the Rosary
office, and smiling very smugly.
MANON
'Allo, Christopher Berkeley.
The sight of the villain concerns everyone, and brings a
scowl of anger from Chris.
CHRIS
Manon.
MANON
It's been a while, hasn't it? A lot
longer for me, in fact. The places
I have been, time 'olds very little
meaning. Not like us humans. Always
running around trying to 'elp or
'inder each other. We are conscious
of time. How much 'as passed. How
much we 'ave left.
(laughs)
I suppose that's because some of us
don't 'ave all that much time. Take
your friends Twist and Syren, for
instance.
The mention of both of them further worries the team, all
glancing at one another aside from Chris, who remains fixed
on the screen.
MANON (cont'd)
You see, Christopher, my friend...
I 'ave them. And they are going to
stay with me and watch everything
unfold, as it will, unless you make
the right choice.
(beat)
Oui, choice. That's what it all
comes down to.
The choice whether to accept the
destiny this world 'as, or to try
and prevent the inevitable. So far,
you 'ave chosen to fight. But, now
you 'ave to accept that whatever
you do, 'owever you try... you
cannot win, Chris.
Sanctus glances at Chris next to him, who remains
emotionlessly transfixed on the screen.
MANON (cont'd)
(leans forward)
It's a simple choice, mon ami. You
give up the fight... or you watch
your beloved girls die.
Smiling smugly, Manon leans back in his chair as the camera
cuts to the digitally recorded footage of Twist being
savagely beaten.
Julie gasps at the sight, and Danyael looks horrified, while
Diego looks away and curses in his native tongue, Sanctus
frowning.
All watch the savage beating of Twist take place, the camera
zooming in closer towards Twist's face, showing the pain and
suffering she tried to hide.
It's Chris' face we focus on, though, slowly moving closer as
his expressionless look begins to give way to a cold fury,
off which we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
12 EXT. THE ROSARY - DAY 12
The sun shines brightly down on the Rosary club, glistening
off the wharf adjoining it.
13 INT. SYREN'S DRESSING ROOM - NEXT 13
A quite plain dressing room at the back of the club also
adopts some of that sunlight, casting through the windows
right onto Syren.
She sits near a mirror, staring towards the floor as the sun
casts onto her face. She doesn't look happy, clearly a
prisoner here herself.
The nearby door then opens and a TRAD vampire guard enters,
carrying a tray of decent food.
Syren turns her head toward him, and the Trad stops in his
tracks momentarily, eyeing her. It's obvious she creeps the
guy out a little!
Eventually, he places the tray on the table next to Syren,
and moves to leave the room.
SYREN
Wait.
There's a firmness to the word that makes the Trad stop and
turn back.
SYREN (cont'd)
I need to see Mr. Manon.
Off the Trad's slight look of suspicion, we cut to:
14 INT. WOLSLEY'S OFFICE - THE ROSARY 14
A glass of Cuban rum is toyed with by Manon as he holds it in
his hands, firmly entrenched in the leather chair behind his
old partner's desk.
VIVIAN stands loyally behind him, one hand draping the chair,
close to Manon's head. Her demeanour towards him is very
sexual. Manon, though, actually looks a little bored.
Now firmly on the other side of the desk is MARCUS WOLSLEY,
or what used to be him, now a subservient subject.
A series of complex-looking PLANS are now laid out on the
desk, which Wolsley is going over as he leans on the desk
with both hands.
WOLSLEY
According to these estimates, it
appears you were correct. Boston is
indeed the central node. My
resources should be satisfactory in
conducting the portals correctly,
at which point the effect you
wanted will-
He is interrupted when the door KNOCKS, and the Trad guards
enters.
TRAD
(to Manon)
My apologies, sir.
VIVIAN
I thought I said no disturbances?
TRAD
(still to Manon)
I'm sorry, but she insisted on
seeing you right away.
VIVIAN
Who?
SYREN (O.S.)
I did.
At that point, Syren appears at the door and upon seeing her,
Manon sits up at the desk with interest. Vivian sees this,
and quickly steps out from behind the desk.
VIVIAN
We're busy right now. Take the
little girl back to her little room
and lock her-
MANON
(interrupts)
Non.
Hearing this, Vivian turns in surprise to see Manon staring
at Syren with growing interest.
MANON (cont'd)
It would be discourteous to refuse
to 'ear what the young lady has to
say.
(beckons to Syren)
Please. Talk.
Vivian looks affronted by this, but says nothing as Syren
steps into the room and approaches the desk.
At first, she says nothing. It's as if she's trying to judge
her surroundings
MANON (cont'd)
Well?
SYREN
I would like to see my friend.
MANON
I'm sure you would.
(beat)
And you came all the way up 'ere to
ask this?
SYREN
I want nothing more.
MANON
Not even your freedom?
Syren doesn't answer - she knows he knows her answer. Manon
nods, smiles with curiosity, and takes a sip of the rum from
his glass.
MANON (cont'd)
Very well. May your wish be
granted.
VIVIAN
(steps forward)
Jacques-
Manon holds his hand up to Vivian and she stops. His eyes
never leave Syren.
MANON
I will allow you this request, on
one condition.
(beat)
You continue to sing for me.
Vivian looks incredulous at what he's saying as Syren
considers his words and nods. Manon smiles broadly at her
acceptance.
MANON (cont'd)
Tres bien.
(to the Trad)
You, see to it that Ms. Syren is
taken to her friend immediately.
Obediently, the Trad nods and waits as Syren turns and steps
out of the office, the Trad following. Manon watches her go,
clearly quite taken with her. Vivian sees this and clearly
dislikes it, as we cut back to:
15 INT. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY - DAY 15
Open on the sight of a very tense confrontation going on near
the door between Chris and Julie, both trying to get their
points across.
The exchange is observed from a distance by Diego, Sanctus
and Danyael.
DANYAEL
How much longer d'you think they're
gonna keep going at it like that?
DIEGO
They will do battle for as long as
they must, compadre.
DANYAEL
I don't think I've ever seen Julie
this angry. Man, I would not want
be her enemy right now.
SANCTUS
I'm sure her anger is justified.
(beat)
In fact, I know it is.
Danyael glances at Sanctus, detecting he's referring quite
possibly to something else.
Over by the door, we get right into the guts of the argument
underway between Chris and Julie.
CHRIS
I did what I thought was best! I
shouldn't have to stand here and
justify my decisions to-
JULIE
That's exactly what you should do!
We're supposed to be a team. We're
supposed to be fighting this battle
together. Yet you decide, with
barely any consultation with the
rest of us, to throw Syren in at
the deep end like this without her
having the benefit of any
experience!
CHRIS
She had Twist!
JULIE
And a hell of a lot of good that
did her! Did both of them!
Twist is now being beaten within an
inch of her life, and Syren may
already be dead for all we know!
CHRIS
Syren isn't dead.
JULIE
How can you be so sure?!
CHRIS
(calmly)
Because I believe in her.
Julie stops for a moment, looks at him.
JULIE
You've known her little more than a
week, Chris. You know barely any
more about that woman than the rest
of us.
(shakes her head)
When exactly did blind faith become
your new partner?
CHRIS
(eyes her)
I know what this is really about.
JULIE
(frowns)
What are you talking about?
CHRIS
This is about what you heard. Last
night. Me and Sanctus. What I said.
JULIE
I'm not interested.
CHRIS
You deserve an explanation for-
JULIE
(firm)
I told you. I don't want to hear
it.
The anger is now gone from Chris, replaced with guilt, but
the anger is still within Julie. A permanent frown marks her
face.
JULIE (cont'd)
Right now, I suggest we just figure
out a way to get our girls out
Manon's clutches before he makes
good on his threat. Alright?
With a shake of the head, Julie walks off past Chris, left on
his own with much to consider.
And we return to the other guys, still watching the fallout
from the row. Sanctus turns back to a nearby table scattered
with books. Danyael, somewhat fired up, heads over to him.
DANYAEL
So, quick question: when exactly do
we get our gear on and storm the
Rosary? 'Cause I'm getting itchy
for some, you know... derring-do.
SANCTUS
We don't.
The remark takes Danyael totally off guard, and Diego turns
with curiosity.
DANYAEL
What d'you mean, 'we don't'? What
kind of plan is that?
SANCTUS
The most logical one, given the
circumstances.
(beat)
Twist and Syren's capture
undoubtedly means that either
Marcus Wolsley is now in league
with Manon, or at the very least
Manon now has access to his power
base. Not even we can hope to
succeed against the combined forces
of both Manon and Wolsley.
DANYAEL
Hey, yesterday we all brought down
a twenty foot tall ancient
scorpion! Making it two for two, I
should add! What's a few vampires
and a bald Frenchman?
SANCTUS
Danyael. The answer is no. You
still don't have any idea of the
full extent of Manon's powers.
Sanctus tries to go back to his books, but Danyael sighs with
frustration.
DANYAEL
But we can't just sit back and let
Twist get beaten to-
SANCTUS
(cutting him off)
Until we are able to come up with a
way of fighting back without
resorting to a confrontation we
cannot win, I'm afraid 'sitting
back' is about as much as we can
do!
On that, Sanctus grabs several of the books, and heads off
elsewhere.
Releasing a grunt of frustration, Danyael turns on his heel
and storms off the opposite way.
All that's left is Diego, who has overheard the conversation,
and is clearly cooking up some kind of plan as we cut to:
16 INT. CATACOMB CELL - DAY 16
Twist is chained up by both her wrists against a cold and
rocky wall inside the catacomb cell, overlooking the water to
the wharf. She's now black and blue.
Down a set of old spiral stairs heading up into the club
comes the Trad guard, followed by Syren, one hand trailing
along the catacomb walls.
The Trad is approached by Creek, one of the three Trads on
guard down in the cell.
CREEK
(sees Syren)
Man, now that is what I call a
birthday present!
TRAD
Shame it ain't your birthday then,
Creek. This one's only on a flying
visit. Here to see your girl.
CREEK
Can we at least have a little fun
with her before we send her back
into polite society?
TRAD
Not a chance. The boss wants her
intact for tonight's performance.
(beat)
So, hands off, if you value them.
On that, the Trad turns and heads back up the spiral stairs.
Syren remains standing as Creek leers in close to her,
smelling her.
His two Trad associates sit watching smugly nearby. Creek
places his hands on Syren's shoulders and aims her at the
captive Twist.
CREEK
Go on then, girly, your playmate is
over there.
(smiles)
Enjoy yourself.
Creek laughs creepily, echoed by his fellow Trads, as Syren
walks over to where Twist is chained up.
She runs her hands over her - Twist's chin is resting on her
chest. She appears to be unconscious.
SYREN
(lifts Twist's head up)
Twist? Twist, can you hear me?
Lightly, Syren begins patting Twist's cheek and eventually,
Twist jolts slightly back into lucidity. As she speaks,
though, she's groggy and weak.
TWIST
Wha- what-
(sees Syren)
Oh, it's you. Hey, toots.
SYREN
Are you alright?
TWIST
Kind of a stupid question, given my
current position.
(beat; remembers)
And given the fact you're blind,
you don't really know my position.
Question valid.
SYREN
How badly have they hurt you?
TWIST
A few bumps and bruises, but
nothing I couldn't handle.
Seriously, this is nothing compared
to the shizzle that Scottish a-hole
put me through not so long ago.
(sees Creek leering at
them)
But I could do without that guy
existing. He's an easy Factor Ten
on the Personals Ad-o-Meter.
Syren seems to be checking Twist's wounds, touching her face
softly with her hands.
TWIST (cont'd)
What about you? I take it they
haven't gotten to work on you yet,
since you still have that whole
L'Oreal thing going on.
SYREN
It appears Manon has decided not to
hurt me, as long as I sing for him.
TWIST
'Sing'? That's what you've been
doing while I've been getting
seriously owned by the Three
Stooges over there?
(sighs)
Well, gee whizz, how unfortunate it
is that we're not all the next
Julie Andrews!
The bitter sarcasm is lost on Syren, who continues trying to
tend Twist's wounds. Seeing this, taking stock for a moment,
Twist looks guilty.
TWIST (cont'd)
You know, if I were you, I'd have
so kicked my ass by now.
SYREN
What d'you mean?
TWIST
Well, ever since I met you, I've
been nothing but a Grade A super
bitch. I'm starting to sound a lot
like Vivian, and that ain't good.
SYREN
I never thought you were a
superbitch, Twist.
(shrugs)
I always thought you were cool.
The word makes Twist chuckle, which instantly causes her to
suck in air with pain at all her aching muscles.
SYREN (cont'd)
I wish you were with me now. Up
there.
(shakes her head)
Until a few days ago, I was alone.
And now, all these people, all
these places, it's... it's so
overwhelming. I wish I could help
you, but I don't know how.
I just...I just don't know what I'm
supposed to do.
TWIST
(beat; sympathetic)
Well, I guess there's really only
one thing you can do right now.
Syren waits with anticipation for the answer.
TWIST (cont'd)
Sing.
The answer makes Syren's head drop slightly, and it's clear
Twist isn't sure she has it in her to get them out this mess,
as we cut to:
17 INT. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY - DAY 17
Over by a large table, Chris, Julie and Sanctus are debating
the next course of action.
CHRIS
So, right now, what are our
options?
SANCTUS
The one thing we cannot do is rush
in where angels fear to tread, and
try taking the Rosary.
CHRIS
Agreed.
JULIE
Why not?
The tension is palpable between Chris and Julie as Sanctus
speaks.
SANCTUS
We would be severely outnumbered,
it's too great a risk. As I've
already explained to Danyael.
He glances over nearby to where Danyael is sitting on a table
edge, within earshot, but sulking a little, unimpressed by
the debate.
JULIE
What if I told you I had a way of
evening the odds?
CHRIS
What do you mean?
JULIE
I mean you may not entirely have
forgotten, Chris, that I'm a little
more than the pretty doctor in the
corner who heals the sick and
offers relationship advice.
(beat)
I've come up with a plan.
Chris can't help but look a little sceptical, which Julie
doesn't appreciate. Sanctus is more open, however.
SANCTUS
Do tell.
JULIE
Well, simply, in the last few
hours, using Danny's laptop and the
aide of Neuro's hacking skills,
I've managed to trace certain of
Wolsley's funds. Turns out he's
just pumped a great deal of money
into some kind of shipping
operation he's running from one of
the numerous storehouses he owns in
an industrial park downtown. And
according to Neuro, CCTV footage
shows the place has been a hive of
activity in the last few hours with
Skorpione cult members.
(beat)
Anyone else getting some kind of
pattern here?
SANCTUS
You're thinking this storehouse may
be the key to Wolsley's resources?
JULIE
(nods)
And if we take it out, it deals a
blow big enough to Manon's
operation for us to try that rescue
mission that right now you think is
'too risky.'
SANCTUS
(nods, while thinking)
An attack of that kind would
undoubtedly spread Manon's forces
pretty wide. It could be the window
we'd need to effect a rescue.
CHRIS
It's still too risky.
Sanctus glances at a tensed-up Chris, as Julie looks at him
with frustration.
CHRIS (cont'd)
As I understand it, the scope of
power with Manon and Wolsley as
allies is dramatic. If we got hold
of a Harrier jet and launched a
missile into the Rosary, we'd still
probably only do minimal damage to
his forces.
(shakes his head)
The plan is unworkable.
JULIE
(sharp)
Do you have a better one?
The silence from Chris speaks volumes, and he sees even
Sanctus is wondering the same thing.
JULIE (cont'd)
(nods)
In that case, until you do, why not
let me and Sanctus get on with
trying to save our friends?
She turns away from Chris toward the table and begins talking
further about her plan to Sanctus, who after looking at Chris
slightly apologetically, joins her.
A little humiliated, Chris just stands with his head down,
thinking about the rebuke. He is watched by Danyael, who
looks a little sorry for him, but isn't ready to offer
support.
DIEGO (O.S.)
Disillusionment.
Danyael turns to see Diego is now standing beside him, his
wound pretty much entirely healed.
DIEGO (cont'd)
It can destroy the soul.
DANYAEL
(darkly)
Tell me about it.
DIEGO
While our 'team leaders' plan their
little operation, Twist and Syren
may be dying at Manon's brutal
hand.
(beat)
I don't think either of us are
prepared to wait any longer for a
pleasant conclusion.
DANYAEL
What are you saying, Diego?
DIEGO
I am saying, Danyael, simply this:
we have a club to storm. If you're
game.
Danyael glances over at the oblivious Chris, watching as
Julie and Sanctus earnestly discuss their plan. He then turns
back to Diego, fired up.
DANYAEL
(nods)
I'm game.
Diego grins and holds out his hand, and as Danyael shakes it,
we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.