sib3x02
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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                                       TEASER

               FADE IN:

         1     INT. BAR - NIGHT                                         1

               We open on the sight of SYREN, close up on her face.

               She's standing on a small stage, and she's singing as ever -
               belting her heart out. The tune is an old Patsy Cline
               favourite.

                                   SYREN
                             (sings)
                         Crazy... I'm crazy for feelin' so
                         lonely... I'm crazy... crazy for
                         feelin' so blue...

               And slowly, we PAN OUT from where Syren clutches her mic,
               lost in the melody - and it becomes increasingly clear we're
               in a bar.

               However, it's not a quiet, cultured establishment befitting
               the song - it's a loud, rowdy watering hole full of REDNECKS,
               and Syren looks very out of place.

                                   SYREN (cont'd)
                             (sings)
                         I knew... you'd love me as long as
                         you wanted... then someday... you'd
                         leave me for somebody new...

               Seemingly oblivious at being drowned out by the patrons
               taking little notice of her, Syren continues singing, as we
               cut to:

               The bar top, as two large PITCHERS full of beer are plonked
               down on the surface by the burly BARTENDER, who waits for
               payment. 

               And we see TWIST squeezing and bustling her way through the
               rednecks crowding the bar, attempting to reach the drinks she
               ordered.

                                   TWIST
                             (loudly)
                         Comin' through!
                             (bumps into someone;
                              turns)
                         Watch it, Tex, prim'n'proper here!

               Finally, Twist reaches the bar, chucks down a few dollar
               notes, grabs the pitchers, and begins practically charging
               her way out of the crowd.

               Getting free, we track with Twist, seeing Syren in the
               background, as she carries the pitchers through numerous
               tables full of more rednecks - the place is choc full.

               And eventually, Twist reaches a corner table and herself
               plonks the pitchers down.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                             (sighs)
                         At last! This place is busier than
                         a Lost convention!

               Those at the table however - DIEGO, DANYAEL and JULIE, of
               course - take little notice of Twist, instead staring behind
               her.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         What? You guys just had a run in
                         with David Copperfield, or
                         somethin'?

               Julie points towards the stage, and Twist turns - rolling her
               eyes a little as she looks at Syren, realising what's got
               them captivated.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Wow, if it ain't Toots singing! Now
                         there's a first.
                             (beat)
                         And yes, that was sarcasm.

                                   DIEGO
                         Her voice is truly beautiful. No
                         matter how many times we hear her.

                                   TWIST
                             (looks at him sharply)
                         Did we forget that you're my bitch
                         now, Zorro?

               Diego smiles and Twist twinkles - a mutual look that Danyael
               doesn't miss, and he looks away.

                                   JULIE
                         I think the fact that Syren gives
                         the performance of her life even in
                         a hole like this proves singing is
                         her emotional outlet for everything
                         that's happened.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (nods)
                         Kinda like the only thing she truly
                         knows how to do.

                                   JULIE
                             (nods in agreement)
                         Or truly understands.

                                   TWIST
                         Well, hey, I hate to break-up
                         Psychoanalysts-R-Us here, but...
                             (beckons to the pitchers)
                         These beauties ain't gonna drink
                         themselves.

               Twist sits, knocking Diego to budge up, as she begins pouring
               the beer into everyone's tumblers.

               And we're back on Syren, as she warbles:

                                   SYREN
                         I'm crazy for tryin' and crazy for
                         cryin'; and I'm crazy for lovin'
                         you...

               Just as she begins reaching the climax of the song, at one of
               the tables before her, a REDNECK begins shouting angrily at
               one of the other guys sitting with him.

               Doesn't take long for both Redneck #1 and REDNECK #2 to be on
               their feet, shouting and almost blocking the music out
               entirely, pushing and shoving each other.

               Syren is oblivious - continues singing to the music as
               THWACK! Redneck #1 goes flying across the table, smacked by
               Redneck #2!

               And then, the whole table are on their feet and arguing,
               pushing, shoving - and like an aggressive cancer, starts
               spreading from table to table.

               It doesn't take our guys in their corner to notice this - all
               stand quickly.

                                   TWIST
                         Guys, you seeing this? Bar brawl!

                                   DIEGO
                             (nods)
                         Si. Dos hombres, una mujer.

                                   TWIST
                         Say what?!

                                   DIEGO
                             (looks at her)
                         Two men, one woman.
                             (beat; Twist shakes her
                              head)
                         Trouble.

                                   TWIST
                             (sighs)
                         Whatever! Let's just go play
                         sheriff and restore order before
                         Toots gets caught up in the
                         crossfire.

                                   JULIE
                         Could already be too late for that.

               Julie points towards where Syren continues singing, as the
               brawling inches closer and closer towards the stage, and her
               position.

               Quickly, Twist leading the way, the four rush into battle.

                                   SYREN
                             (eyes closed, fully into
                              it)
                         Crazy... for thinkin' that my love
                         could hold you... I'm crazy for
                         tryin, and crazy for cryin'; and
                         I'm crazy... for lovin'... you...

               And SMASH!

               Syren's eyes open and she gasps at the end of her song, as a
               bottle CRASHES into the wall next to her, glass splintering
               everywhere.

               And though she can't see anything, Syren can hear the loud
               commotion - she looks anxious and perplexed.

               She doesn't see Twist SUCKERPUNCH one of the Rednecks nearby,
               his body launching up onto the table, and CRASHING right
               through the wood.

               She doesn't see Diego KICK one of the Rednecks powerfully in
               the stomach, before launching him with all his might so he
               goes flying across the bar.

               Or Danyael trade PUNCHES with a third Redneck, before ducking
               as Julie grabs a broken table leg and SMACKS the guy round
               the face with it, spinning back as he hits the ground.

               It's complete chaos across the bar, people fighting, bottles
               and glasses flying everywhere.

               After ducking the swipe of a Redneck holding an empty bottle,
               Twist TWISTS his free arm with a crack, and SLAMS him hard up
               against a nearby wall.

               Turning, she sees Syren standing on the stage, unsure what to
               do.

                                   TWIST
                             (shouts)
                         Syren!

               The call is heard by Syren - who looks around a little
               frantically.

                                   SYREN
                             (calls)
                         Twist? Twist, is that you?

               Neither she nor Twist sees the Redneck the latter just
               slammed up the wall regroup, grab his bottle and prepare to
               throw it.

               As he launches it, Danyael notices as he grapples with
               another Redneck.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (shouts)
                         Twist! Lookout!

               Turning quickly, Twist sees the bottle and hits the deck as
               it flies on past her.

                                   SYREN
                         What's going o-

               CRACK!

               The bottle impacts Syren's head with a hard SMASH, instantly
               knocking her to the ground.

                                   TWIST
                         Syren!!!

               Getting up, Twist rushes toward the stage and as the Redneck
               behind begins to pursue with a sneer, he's grabbed by Diego -
               who impacts him hard with a HEADBUTT, knocking him out!

               Twist gets to the stage and sees Syren lying unconscious,
               sporting a nasty head wound from the glass.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         C'mon, lady, let's get you outta
                         Dodge!

               Grabbing her, Twist lifts Syren up and begins making for the
               door, whistling loudly for her team to take notice.

               Amidst fighting, Diego, Danyael and Julie notice - and Julie
               instantly rushes over to the girls.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (with a Redneck in a
                              headlock)
                         What, we leaving so soon? I was
                         just starting to have...
                             (slams Redneck's head off
                              a table)
                         ... fun!

               Diego grabs his arm and both he and Danyael run over towards
               the door, as Twist and Julie carry out the wounded Syren,
               blood pouring from her head.

               They exit, and off the sight of the bar brawl still in full
               swing, we...

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                    END OF TEASER
                                       ACT ONE

               FADE IN:

         2     INT. VAN - NIGHT                                         2

               We open on the sight of a deep CUT, now in the process of
               being stitched up, the vestiges of dried red blood still
               around it.

               Pull back and we see the cut is the one on Syren's forehead -
               she lies unconscious still, now in the back of the team's VAN
               - being attended by Julie, stitching her wound.

                                   JULIE
                         You're starting to make a habit out
                         of getting these...

               The back door of the van opens with a jolt, distracting Julie
               a little - she soon sees both Twist, and Danyael next to her,
               peering in.

                                   TWIST
                         How's our little victim doing? 

                                   DANYAEL
                         Yeah, is she okay? I mean, there
                         won't be any permanent damage, will
                         there?

                                   DIEGO
                         Relax, my friends.

               We now see Diego sitting in the driver's seat, reading a
               newspaper.

                                   DIEGO (cont'd)
                         She is strong. She will recover.

                                   JULIE
                             (nods)
                         Diego's right. She shouldn't be out
                         much longer, and once I've stitched
                         up her wound she'll be right in no
                         time.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (examines cut)
                         I don't know. That cut sure looks
                         deep.

                                   TWIST
                         The first cut is the deepest.
                             (off Julie and Danyael's
                              look)
                         C'mon, gotta love Cat Stevens.

                                   JULIE
                             (beat)
                         It looks worse than it is, trust
                         me. Syren will be fine.

               Danyael smiles a little, relieved. Twist, though, looks
               unimpressed.

                                   TWIST
                         I still don't see why she just
                         didn't hit the deck once she heard
                         the smashing, crashing and
                         punching.
                             (beat)
                         I thought blind people were
                         supposed to hear well.

               Before anyone can reply, we get sudden movement.

               Syren jolts awake, and bolts up startled, almost setting free
               the stitches applied to her wound. She gasps.

                                   JULIE
                             (calming her)
                         Easy, easy!

                                   SYREN
                             (gasping)
                         What's- where am- what happ-

                                   JULIE
                         Sssh, Syren. Syren, it's Julie.
                         Just relax. Just take it easy.

                                   SYREN
                             (looking around)
                         Where... where am I?...

                                   TWIST
                         Back in the van. So if you're after
                         a drink, you're outta luck.

                                   SYREN
                         Twist? Is... that you?

                                   TWIST
                         It's me, Toots.
                             (beat)
                         Now do as your doctor tells you,
                         and kick back. 

               Increasingly calmed, Syren lies back down as Julie helps her,
               starting again to apply her stitches.

                                   SYREN
                         What... happened to me?

                                   DANYAEL
                         What d'you remember?

                                   SYREN
                         I remember... singing...

               Twist looks at Danyael and raises her eyebrows as if to say:
               go figure.

                                   SYREN (cont'd)
                             (thinks)
                         Then shouting... and fighting...
                         and then nothing...

                                   JULIE
                         That tends to be the order of the
                         day when you come out the wrong end
                         of a good old-fashioned bar brawl.

                                   SYREN
                             (confused)
                         A... what?

               Julie glances at the others sympathetically, realising Syren
               has no context for what happened to her.

                                   TWIST
                         Bar brawls tend to be a direct
                         consequence of that combustible
                         combination. Men and pitchers of
                         super-strength alcohol.
                             (beat)
                         Kinda like good'n'evil. Oil and
                         water. Paris Hilton and Nicole
                         Richie.
                             (waits; sighs)
                         They don't mix...

               Giving up a little, Twist heads off and leaves Syren looking
               more puzzled than ever as Julie continues patching her up.

         3     INT. TRUCK STOP CAFE - NIGHT                             3

               A pretty soulless cafe forming part of a truck stop, quite
               dead at this time of night. A bored WAITRESS cleans tables in
               the background.

               By the window, Twist and Danyael both sit facing each other -
               Danyael having finished eating, but Twist is tucking into a
               plate of hot food.

                                   TWIST
                             (mouth full)
                         What is it about alcohol wanting to
                         make you eat at strange times of
                         the day? Ain't that weird to you?

                                   DANYAEL
                         I never really thought about it.

                                   TWIST
                         Maybe you should spend more time
                         pondering the mysteries of life
                         like me, young padawan.

               A beat, as Twist continues consuming her burger and fries
               quite ravenously.

                                   DANYAEL
                         You know, I've been thinking a
                         little about Syren.

                                   TWIST
                             (smirks)
                         Oh yeah, which part of her?

                                   DANYAEL
                             (ignores the comment)
                         Aren't you concerned that she
                         didn't seem to have any
                         understanding of what happened in
                         the bar? It was like the concept of
                         a bar fight was just... alien to
                         her.

               Before Twist can swallow her food and really respond, both
               she and Danyael observe Syren - awake and with a bandage over
               her cut - enter and approach.

                                   SYREN
                         Hi, guys. Are you eating?

                                   DANYAEL
                         We were. Now I'm just observing the
                         eating habits of the female of the
                         species.
                             (budges up)
                         Sit down. How are you feeling?

               Syren takes the seat next to Danyael with a little smile.

                                   SYREN
                         Better. Thank you. But also
                         troubled.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Troubled?

                                   SYREN
                             (nods)
                         I want to understand the meaning of
                         what happened in the bar.
                         Because right now... I feel like I
                         just don't know.

                                   TWIST
                             (swallows her food)
                         You were just in the wrong place at
                         the wrong time, toots, it's no
                         biggie.
                             (takes a swig of Coke)
                         Just next time: when you hear
                         glasses smashing, make the floor
                         your new home for a while.

                                   DANYAEL
                         I don't think that's what she
                         means, Twist.
                             (looks at Syren)
                         You want a rough guide on how to
                         survive in the modern world,
                         especially the parts of it we tend
                         to encounter.

                                   SYREN
                             (nods)
                         Yes. Yes, that's it. That's what I
                         want. What I need.

                                   TWIST
                             (unenthused)
                         Yeah, think I'll pass on this one.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (raises a hand)
                         I'll do it. And I know exactly
                         where to start!

               Getting up, Danyael prepares to make for the exit, beckoning
               Syren to follow.

               Twist, while chomping on a big bite of her burger, looks
               surprised.

                                   TWIST
                         What? You're going now?!

                                   DANYAEL
                             (nods)
                         It's only just after ten. And a
                         city like Chicago never sleeps.
                         That's what Syren is about to find
                         out!

               And with that, Danyael makes for the door as Syren glances
               back briefly at Twist with an excited look on her face -
               before following.

               Twist shakes her head a little - before tucking back into her
               burger, as we CUT TO:

         4     EXT. STREET. CHICAGO - NIGHT                             4

               Bright lights, big city. A flash of images show the richness
               of life within a hi-tech, bustling modern American city.

               -- A mass of people, locals and tourists, walking along.

               -- Hot-dog vendors and newspaper kiosks on street corners.

               -- Masses of traffic with irate CABBIES beeping their horns.

               -- Late night shopping, with department stores pumping out
               different kinds of music from inside.

               And we soon cut to the sight of both Danyael and Syren
               walking down one of the cluttered city streets, taking in the
               atmosphere.

               Syren is like a child, soaking everything she can sense and
               hear up with wonderment.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Chicago, Syren. The 'Windy City.'
                         One of the biggest places in
                         America, and certainly one of the
                         busiest.

                                   SYREN
                         The people here are so...
                             (shakes her head)
                         I never knew life could go so fast.

                                   DANYAEL
                         That's what twenty-first century
                         life is. Fast-paced. Uncertain.
                         Vicarious.
                             (beat)
                         And yes, I know words like
                         'vicarious.'
                             (beat)
                         The modern human being, and even
                         vampire, living in this era wants a
                         new experience every day. It's what
                         makes that life worth living,
                         enjoying to the maximum.

                                   SYREN
                         What kind of things do they do
                         every day? Humans? What experiences
                         do they have?

                                   DANYAEL
                             (thinks)
                         Well, I guess that depends on
                         whatever it is they love. What they
                         connect to.
                             (beat)
                         What do you love, Syren, most of
                         all?

                                   SYREN
                             (without hesitation)
                         Sing. I love to sing.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Then music is your connection. I
                         understand that all too well. I
                         used to be a DJ. Music was what I
                         did, it was part of me. Always will
                         be.
                             (beat)
                         People crave new music, new sounds.
                         It's something most humans love.
                         But there are many different kinds.

                                   SYREN
                         Like what?

               Danyael stops at that question - and smiles as he sees
               something up ahead.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Like this.

               Taking her hand, Danyael leads Syren into a theatre-like
               BUILDING off the sidewalk.

               And we then pan up to show a BILLBOARD advertising what's
               inside - a gig by a band called 'The Vibe' - playing tonight.

         5     INT. GIG - NIGHT                                         5

               A typical rock gig, the band in question churning out the
               sounds from the stage, whilst up to a thousand rockers dance
               and mosh all around.

               Towards the back, we find Syren - she stands oddly still
               amongst everyone else who is moving in some way, and she's
               studying the place and the people.

               Syren is picking up the vibe (no pun intended) of the
               atmosphere, and is clearly enjoying the experience
               increasingly.

               Next to her, we find Danyael strumming and imaginary guitar
               as he rocks along. As if sensing this, Syren turns to him and
               Danyael smiles - before strumming on.

               Turning back to the crowds, Syren begins bopping a little to
               the sounds, trying to get into it.

         6     EXT. STREET JAZZ CAFE - NIGHT                            6

               The sight of a smart jazz band made up of numerous old and
               young timers, standing and sitting outside a cafe, surrounded
               by an array of instruments.

               The sounds of Miles Davis' 'Autumn Leaves' wafts over the
               picturesque area, heard by the numerous tables full of
               cultured DINERS - and indeed Syren.

               She sits soaking up the music as Danyael snakes through the
               tables bearing two coffees, and sits at the table next to
               Syren.

                                   DANYAEL
                         So, what d'you think? A little
                         different from that last band, huh?

                                   SYREN
                         They play the instruments with
                         ease. The sound flows so naturally.
                             (beat)
                         I never understood it from this
                         perspective before.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (smiles; sips his coffee)
                         Now you know how we guys feel when
                         you play the piano!
                             (beat)
                         One word: awe. You'll come across
                         it again.

               Syren nods a little and continues listening, as she sips her
               coffee.

                                   DANYAEL (cont'd)
                         You see, there are different kinds
                         of music. Different rhythms,
                         different styles. And they connect
                         with the soul in different ways.
                         Some are mellow, relaxing.
                             (smiles a little)
                         And some really aren't!

                                   SYREN
                             (interested)
                         Like what?

               Danyael grins, before we cut to:

         7     INT. CLUB - NIGHT                                        7

               The complete parallel. An underground dance club, almost
               pitch black. 

               Flashing ambient lighting illuminates the array of young men
               and women dancing almost robotically to the pumping
               house/trance music churning loudly from the speaker systems.

               In fact, Danyael and Syren are largely the only two in the
               club who actually aren't dancing - it's clearly not the
               former's thing, and the latter doesn't know where to start.

               Though Syren is bopping a little like in the rock gig, but it
               looks really out of place here.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (shouts into her ear)
                         Music also connects to different
                         ages. Where we were last was geared
                         to an older generation. This? This
                         is for the young.

               Syren moves forward a little - seemingly studying a guy and
               girl dancing nearby close to each other, flirting with their
               body language.

               Danyael notices she's sensing this and approaches.

                                   DANYAEL (cont'd)
                             (shouts)
                         Melody can also appeal to the
                         senses of attraction. Places like
                         this can create a mood that fuels
                         lust.

                                   SYREN
                         And love? Can it fuel love?

                                   DANYAEL
                             (looks around)
                         I seriously doubt it!
                             (beat)
                         C'mon, let's get out of here. This
                         kind of music does not please my
                         inner goth. Or, indeed, my outer
                         one.

               Taking her arm, Danyael begins leading Syren towards the
               exit, as she looks back once more at the attracted guy and
               girl.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.