sib3x05
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING 1
Another hotel, another town, and as JULIE sips from a cup of
coffee, she grimaces - stone cold. With a sigh, she puts it
back down on the desk she's sitting at, her attention
returning to the laptop open before her.
The glow of its screen reflects off her glasses, which she
lifts to rub her tired eyes - seems she's been hard at work
for some time.
She glances over to the drawn curtains, and blinks in
surprise when she realises it's light outside - just how long
has she been at work?
She hears a sound from behind her, and turns to see SYREN
curled up asleep on the bed. Her knees are close to her chest
and her arms folded behind them, wrapped up like a child in a
blanket.
Julie grins as she turns back to her laptop.
JULIE
Yeah, point taken, Syren. Time to
stop for the night.
(beat)
Day.
(sighs)
Whatever.
She reaches forward and closes the laptop, taking off her
glasses and giving her eyes another rub. Stifling a yawn, she
gets to her feet and paces up and down, stretching out her
muscles and bones, when:
SYREN
(murmurs)
No... no, Yvette, we can't...
Julie frowns - who's 'Yvette'? As she watches, Syren seems to
grow more agitated, shifting restlessly on the bed.
SYREN (cont'd)
Police... they'll try to stop us...
always do...
JULIE
Syren?
Syren doesn't answer - she's still asleep, and Julie decides
to move in to listen more closely.
SYREN
Have to be strong...
Julie sits down next to Syren, gently laying a hand over her.
JULIE
Syren, honey, can you hear me? It's
Julie.
Syren clamps her eyes shut, shaking her head - whatever dream
she's having, it's a vivid one.
SYREN
Bit me... it bit me...
JULIE
Come on, Syren, it's okay. It's
just a dream.
SYREN
(louder)
It bit me! Daddy! Help me! Daddy!
JULIE
(concerned)
Syren, come on, try to wa-
SYREN
No!!
Syren suddenly sits bolt upright and SCREAMS!
Julie leaps back, hands to her ears, as Syren's SCREAM gets
louder and louder, RATTLING everything in the room!
JULIE
(shouting)
Syren, it's me! Hey! Syren!
But Syren's not listening - she starts shaking her head from
side to side, hands pressed to her head, still SCREAMING at
the top of her lungs!
Julie hears a loud CRACK and turns to the windows - just as
they EXPLODE out of their frames!
Julie ducks for cover as glass sprays back into the room,
Syren's screaming now starting to SHAKE everything more
violently, like an earth tremor just hit the hotel!
JULIE (cont'd)
(yelling)
Syren! Syren, stop! Stop!
Syren's voice starts to break, the intensity of her scream
finally starting to tell, and as the volume fades away, so
does the heavy RUMBLING that went with it.
As her scream dies away at last, Julie gingerly pokes her
head up to find Syren huddled up on the bed, hugging her
knees and SOBBING to herself.
Julie gets to her feet, wincing as she finds a few cuts from
wayward shards of glass and brushing more off her.
Through the now open windows, she can hears raised voices,
CAR ALARMS and other signals that Syren's scream was heard
for some distance.
Syren continues to cry, and Julie gently lays a hand on her
arm, trying to move into Syren's eyeline.
JULIE (cont'd)
Hey... Syren? Are you in there?
Syren blinks, tears rolling down her face.
SYREN
What... what happened? I don't... I
don't remember anything, I was
just... screaming...
JULIE
Yeah, I kind of noticed that.
Syren looks up and hears the alarms and noise outside,
frowning in confusion.
SYREN
What did I do? How did I-
JULIE
You let off one of your full force
Mariah Careys, that's what
happened.
SYREN
(blinks)
Mariah what?
JULIE
Never mind. Come on, let's get you
cleaned up. Something tells me
we're about to get evicted from
this place.
Julie helps Syren to her feet, leading her slowly towards the
bathroom before we cut to:
2 INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER 2
Julie is just finishing a conversation with a sour-faced
MAINTENANCE GUY as she pushes the door closed.
JULIE
Okay, well... thanks. And if you
find out what caused all that
noise, just try to give us some
warning next time!
Maintenance Guy scowls, sure there's something funny going on
here, but Julie keeps her smile in place as she closes and
locks the door.
As she heads to the bathroom, we see that the empty window
frames have been boarded up with makeshift planks.
3 INT. HOTEL ROOM - BATHROOM - NEXT 3
Julie steps into the bathroom to find Syren sitting in the
tub, cold water from the shower cascading onto her. Syren's
still fully clothed, and Julie quirks an eyebrow.
JULIE
Comfy?
SYREN
I was hot.
JULIE
Most people take their clothes off
before getting in the tub.
SYREN
Most people can't break windows
just by screaming.
Beat. Good point. Julie kneels down by the tub, reaching up
to shut the water off.
JULIE
So...
SYREN
What?
JULIE
This is where you try to tell me
what kind of a nightmare you were
having before you woke up.
SYREN
(looks away)
The same one.
JULIE
Same one as what?
SYREN
Same one I always have. Since
before Chris saved me. Flashes,
sounds... pictures, memories of
something, but... but I don't know
what. Or who.
JULIE
Do you think they're your memories?
Syren shrugs, leaning dejectedly against the wall.
JULIE (cont'd)
Well... I think I may have found
someone who can help.
Syren whips round, immediately intrigued.
SYREN
Who? Who?
JULIE
Let's just say I did a little
research, and I think I've found a
guy who can help you start finding
out what's up here...
She taps Syren on the forehead.
JULIE (cont'd)
... and help you figure out who you
are at last.
Syren beams - then jumps forward to HUG Julie! Julie manages
a grin as Syren squeezes tight, trying not to notice that
Syren's still dripping wet, and as she pats her on the back,
we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. VAN - EVENING 4
The gang's all here now - Julie drives with Syren up front,
while in the back are DANYAEL, TWIST and DIEGO. The van's
bouncing its way up a dirt road, heading into a range of
grassy hillsides.
DANYAEL
I still don't get why this guy
lives so damn far away.
JULIE
We're only about ten miles out of
the city, Danny. Believe me, I've
had to go further for people like
Senor Sueno.
TWIST
What's a 'demonologist,' anyway?
(off Julie's look)
Humour me.
JULIE
Senor Gilberto Sueno is one of the
world's leading experts on the
study of non-human organisms.
Basically, he's the go-to guy if
you need questions answering about
anything inhuman.
TWIST
Such as 'how can boy vampires get
turned on when, by rights, blood
shouldn't be flowing to their-'
DIEGO
(quickly)
What else can we expect from him?
JULIE
Going from the e-mails we've
exchanged, he's very interested in
Syren's case and has pledged a few
days of his time to see if he can
help restore her memories.
Syren turns and beams back into the van - she's clearly
bouncing off the walls with excitement about this.
TWIST
Okay, yeah, so we unlock the diva's
noggin and then she remembers who
she is. Yay you. But why do we have
to be here?
DANYAEL
(scolding)
Twist...
TWIST
What? No offence, but what are we
supposed to do while Syren gets the
anal probe in there?
SYREN
The what?
JULIE
(quickly)
Never mind.
(sharp; to Twist)
We're here because one of our team
members could be about to
experience something very
traumatic, and we should all be
here to help her through it.
TWIST
I ate a jalapeno and cajun chicken
pizza last week that put me through
a traumatic experience, and yet
somehow I can't recall everybody
rushing to my aid.
Much shaking of heads and rolling of eyes.
DIEGO
I do not see why you are
complaining, Twist. Don't you want
to see if this man can help Syren?
(beat)
Aren't you even a tiny bit curious
as to what happened to her? How she
ended up on that island?
Twist pouts - yes, she is curious, but she's trying not to
show it. Danyael nudges her.
DANYAEL
Besides, makes a change from
festivals burning down and freaky
dream monsters trying to kill us,
right?
Twist shrugs, conceding the point as we cut to:
5 EXT. SUENO'S HOME - NEXT 5
Parked up at the end of a long, gravel driveway, the van
stands before a large, modern-looking house. It's very
European in its architecture and design, with plenty of
curves and pale colours.
Twist stretches her back out, glancing up at the cloudy sky
as she looks round - the house sits in a dip in the many
hillsides, well off the beaten path.
TWIST
This guy likes his privacy, huh?
DANYAEL
(walking past)
He studies monsters for a living.
Do you think he'd advertise that?
TWIST
Well, yeah! Think of the cool
slogans he could use!
Danyael gives her a wry look as they join the others at the
house's main entrance.
JULIE
I'll do the talking. I set this up
a few days ago, but I'm the only
one Sueno's been in contact with.
TWIST
You could have 'Got Demons?'
(crickets)
That's just off the top of my head,
you understand...
Julie reaches forward and pushes the door buzzer. A soft
melody chimes out, and after several moments there's a BUZZ
from the small intercom by the door.
VOICE
(filtered)
Si?
Julie leans over and pushes the 'Reply' button.
JULIE
It's Dr. Julie Kingston, Senor
Sueno. I've brought my friend.
VOICE
Ah... bueno! Come in, come in.
There's a CLICK as the door unlocks, and Julie nods to Diego
to open it.
6 INT. SUENO'S HOME - FOYER - NEXT 6
Diego carefully steps inside, eyes scanning the interior
before him. It's spacious and minimalist in its design, not
much furniture and plenty of light colours.
He motions for the others to follow, keeping his senses sharp
as they fan out behind him. Twist wrinkles her nose.
TWIST
(disapproving)
Europeans. No sense of decor.
VOICE (O.S.)
(Spanish lilt)
Ah, Miss Kingston! Buenos noches.
The team turn to see a Hispanic man in his fifties start to
descend a staircase that curves down into the lobby - this is
SUENO. Grey-haired but still light on his feet, he's handsome
enough for you to wonder why he's such a recluse.
He crosses the foyer and extends a hand to Julie, and after
shaking it firmly he turns and grins at the others.
SUENO
So! This is them, eh?
JULIE
That's them.
DANYAEL
Hmm?
SUENO
Let's see, let's see...
He starts to pace up and down, inspecting the others as
though they were in an identity parade.
SUENO (cont'd)
Two vampires, one...
(peers at Diego)
... human, I think, only...
(shakes head)
Never mind.
He stops before Syren, who self-consciously plays with a
strand of her hair as he looks her up and down.
SUENO (cont'd)
And what do we have here?
SYREN
Hello. I'm Syren.
SUENO
(to Julie)
This is the one?
JULIE
That's her.
Julie steps forward and takes Syren's hand, guiding it into
Sueno's. He leans down and gently kisses her hand, and she
blushes.
SUENO
Julie did not tell me you were so
beautiful.
Twist COUGHS loudly, but Sueno doesn't react - he's just
realised that Syren is blind.
SUENO (cont'd)
Have your eyes always been this
way?
SYREN
As long as I can remember. Which
isn't that long.
Sueno nods, stroking his chin thoughtfully before he turns to
address the group.
SUENO
My apologies for making you all
travel so far to see me. I know
that Colorado is far from the
easiest place to get around in a
hurry.
JULIE
It's fine. Anything you can do to
help Syren will be worth the trip.
SUENO
So! This way. Let us get settled in
before we start.
He motions for them to go on ahead, steering them through an
archway and into the next room.
Julie passes a MIRROR mounted on the wall as she follows the
others - but as she looks at her reflection, she sees a FLASH
of something!
A haze of BLUE MIST seems to be hanging over Julie's head,
but when she looks up there's nothing there, and then back in
the mirror the mist is gone.
Confused, Julie looks around, trying to figure out what she
saw, but when Syren's voice calls her in from the next room
she follows into:
7 INT. SUENO'S HOME - LOUNGE - NEXT 7
Julie double takes at the room she walks into - a thick
assortment of plants and vegetation fill the entirety of one
side of the room, creating an almost jungle-like atmosphere.
The plants aren't ordinary flora and fauna, however - they're
all in a variety of outlandish colours and shapes, a bizarre
display unlike anything on this earth.
Julie looks round to find the others just as struck by the
unusual display, while Syren has her eyes closed, soaking up
the thick scents filling the air.
SUENO
I see you find my collection...
interesting.
DANYAEL
'Collection'?
SUENO
These are all plant forms that I
have either collected from various
hiding places around the world and
brought back here to study, or
cross-breeds between those species
and more... standard types.
Twist heads forward, sniffing from one large, red-petaled
flower.
TWIST
Smells like... ham.
SUENO
There's a little bit of everything
in there, I think.
He motions to a set of chairs, recliners and sofas, and the
team take their seats.
SUENO (cont'd)
I come here when I need to relax,
be away from my laboratories for a
while. Leave the scientific and
surround myself with nature.
TWIST
Yeah, 'cause nature is all about
the eight-foot tall, blue and white
stripey plants.
Sueno chuckles, and Julie shoots Twist a sharp look.
SYREN
Excuse me for asking...
SUENO
Yes?
SYREN
... but what exactly are you going
to do to help me?
DANYAEL
Actually, I have a question first,
if that's okay.
(off their looks)
It's a quick one.
SUENO
Go ahead.
DANYAEL
Just... you don't exactly strike me
as, you know... a recluse.
DIEGO
He means, your manner is not that
of a man who shies away from human
contact.
SUENO
(grins)
It's not through choice. The nature
of my work brings me into contact
with all manner of creatures, from
vampires to every sub-species of
half-human you can name... even
werewolves.
JULIE
I thought they'd pretty much all
died out?
SUENO
Oh, you'd be surprised. They can be
very good at hiding.
(to Danyael)
So, I stay hidden because my work
is much easier that way. No angry
locals or disapproving officials to
monitor me.
Danyael nods, satisfied, and Sueno turns back to Syren.
SUENO (cont'd)
I'll need to run some preliminary
tests first, just so I know how
your body works as a starting
point. After that, it's a matter of
taking the findings and going from
there. It all depends on what needs
to be done!
SYREN
Will it... will any of it hurt?
SUENO
I can't say.
Sueno notices Twist giving him a dark look, and adds:
SUENO (cont'd)
I won't put you through any
discomfort. You have my word.
He looks round the room, then nods and CLAPS his hands.
SUENO (cont'd)
So! Shall we get started?
He stands and offers his hand to Syren, then realises he
needs to gently take it himself, raising her to her feet.
SUENO (cont'd)
We will get started right away.
He starts to leave, leading Syren after him, and with some
exchanged glances the others start to get up.
SUENO (cont'd)
Oh, no... arrepentido, but we must
do these tests alone.
Diego narrows his eyes, and Julie steps up.
JULIE
I'm not sure that's-
SYREN
Julie... I'm alright.
She offers a hopeful smile, and Sueno nods.
SUENO
I understand your concerns, but I
prefer to do my work alone. Just
myself and the subject. I hope you
can understand.
Julie looks round the others - they don't like it, but they
back down this time.
JULIE
We understand.
SUENO
Good. I'll be back shortly with my
findings. Until then, can I get any
of you something to eat or drink?
Twist opens her mouth to reply, but Danyael answers first:
DANYAEL
We're fine, thanks.
Sueno nods and exits, leaving Twist to elbow Danyael sharply
in the ribs.
TWIST
And what if some of us had wanted
food? Who died and made you
spokesperson?
A beat. That didn't come out right. Twist curses inwardly.
TWIST (cont'd)
Danyael, I didn't-
DANYAEL
It's alright. Let's just... let's
just take a seat. Chill out.
He's the first to sit back down.
DANYAEL (cont'd)
God knows we've earned a night off.
The others don't look so sure, but as Danyael reaches into
his leather jacket and fishes out a packet of cigarettes,
he's settling down nicely as we cut to:
8 INT. SUENO'S HOME - LABORATORY - NEXT 8
Sueno unlocks and opens a heavy steel door, carefully leading
Syren through into a wide, darkened room.
SYREN
Where are we?
SUENO
My second home.
He reaches for a light switch and flicks it on, and as neon
strips click to life and flood the room with light, we get
our first look at the lab.
Several heavy CHAIRS stand at various points round the room,
bulky heaps of monitoring equipment piled up all around them.
A bank of computer terminals and printers stands against one
wall, with glass display cabinets full of neatly labelled
jars over them.
Sueno leads Syren to the nearest chair and helps her up into
it, Syren reclining back on what looks like an oversized
optician's chair.
She takes a few breaths as he starts switching various
machines on, to a chorus of HUMS and HISSES.
SUENO (cont'd)
What we shall do first is what I
call an 'anchor measurement.' I
have had much experience with
repressed memories and how to bring
them back to the surface of one's
subconscious.
He starts applying small electrode pads to Syren's neck and
forearms, watching a bank of screens as the steady BLIPS of a
heart rate monitor fades up.
SYREN
What's an 'anchor measurement'?
SUENO
I ask a subject to focus on their
earliest memory, the first and
strongest thing they can ever
remember. I use the data that gives
me about your brainwave patterns to
see where I need to look next,
using that initial memory as my
'anchor.'
He carefully pulls Syren's hair to one side, setting a few
more electrodes onto her scalp. Wires from these pads run
back into a bulky machine connected to a printer - an EEG.
SYREN
So all I need to do is think of the
first thing I can remember?
SUENO
That's right. Take your time,
relax, whatever you do to calm
yourself.
Syren takes a deep breath, settling back and closing her
eyes. She's silent for a beat, then:
SYREN
Can I hear some music?
SUENO
Of course. What would you like?
SYREN
Something peaceful. Classical. Slow
strings. A little sad.
Sueno nods, knowing just the thing - he heads for his bank of
computers and connects up an mp3 player on his desk to the
speakers, and within moments soft, lilting CLASSICAL MUSIC is
piping into the room.
SUENO
Better?
SYREN
(nods)
Yes.
SUENO
I always have plenty of music to
hand. It's a good way to fool the
everyday parts of my brain into
listening to it, so I can use the
rest to concentrate.
Sueno continues to speak, but his voice starts to FADE OUT as
we begin to PUSH IN on Syren.
The slow, mournful strings of the music start to be replaced
by another sound - waves, gently lapping at a shoreline.
Continue to PUSH IN on Syren, before we WHITE OUT to:
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