sib4x04
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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                                       TEASER

               FADE IN:

         1     EXT. UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - NIGHT                         1

               A university stands alone in the darkness, the moon casting a
               silvery glow over the campus as a few students move to and
               fro, generally drunk and giggling and ignoring the RAIN which
               falls softly on the scene.

               Slowly PUSH IN on a single block away from the main campus.

         2     INT. CAMPUS - DORM - NEXT                                2

               PAN ACROSS the messy floor of a typical student dorm and find
               ourselves traveling across piles of CLOTHES, take-out boxes
               and CD cases. "Dead Streets" by The Monotypes plays on a
               tinny stereo.

               The lights are dimly lit within the room as we PAN UP, but
               the window is open, showing the moon. Around on the various
               beds are four STUDENTS. All are in varying degrees of
               drunkenness from relatively sober to barely conscious.

               One male student, ADAM, checks his watch, blinking several
               times.

                                   ADAM
                         God, when she's gonna get here?

               Another student, a beefy man, GREG, looks at Adam.

                                   GREG
                         Maybe her class over-ran?

                                   ADAM
                             (shrugs)
                         Maybe. But she's normally so anally
                         retentive she can't wait to get
                         outta that lecture hall the second
                         the buzzer goes.

                                   GREG
                             (beat)
                         You do know what 'anally retentive'
                         actually means, right?

                                   ADAM
                         Ah, shut up, Mr. Psych Major.
                             (beat)
                         What major am I again?

               A third student, RICH, and the most drunk of the three men
               there, stands groggily to his feet and is about to grab
               another beer from the mini fridge when a KNOCK sounds against
               the door.

               The only woman there, SARAH, gets to her feet, sighing a
               little at the mess that's been made and the state her three
               friends are in and opens the door.

               Another woman, wearing deep robes like you'd expect from a
               state fair fortune-teller enters and smiles at Sarah, who
               closes the door behind her. 

               The woman, CLARISSA, sits down on the floor, moving crushed
               beer cans and textbooks out of the way as she reveals a
               handful of BOOKS in her hands and a BAG as well.

                                   RICH
                         What took you so long?

                                   CLARISSA
                             (dry)
                         Us people who don't have everything
                         paid for us by Daddy have to work
                         for a living. Mind you, work is a
                         new concept for you...

                                   ADAM
                         Come on, let's get started.
                         Someone'll be here soon.

                                   CLARISSA
                         Fine. What do you want doing again?

                                   SARAH
                         I wanted a love potion but then I
                         was watching 'Smallville,' and they
                         had this thing where it went all
                         wrong and...
                             (trails off)
                         I let them choose.

                                   GREG
                         We want a bit of good weather. It's
                         been raining for two weeks
                         straight, and if we can get
                         Professor Gugenmeiner to postpone
                         his midterm because of a
                         heatwave...

                                   CLARISSA
                             (nods)
                         Okay. I think there's one in that
                         book I got in the market.

               She scans one of the books before finding the spell she
               wants. 

                                   CLARISSA (cont'd)
                             (extends hand)
                         Chalk.

               The others quickly fuss around before producing a stick of
               blue chalk and handing it to her.

               She draws a design on the hard wood of the dorm floor, the
               others craning round to watch.

               When she's done, she's drawn the image of a woman, all
               flowing hair and curves, surrounded by storm clouds.

               Clarissa gets a small pewter bowl from her bag and pours in a
               black liquid before checking the book.

                                   CLARISSA (cont'd)
                         Everyone, hold hands.

               Everyone does so, but Rich seems reluctant to put his hands
               into Greg's. Greg rolls his eyes at him.

                                   GREG
                         Just hold my hand, dude.

                                   RICH
                             (cautious)
                         Uh, I just, uh...

                                   GREG
                         You're not my type.
                             (annoyed)
                         Get over it.

               Rich looks admonished when Greg grabs his hand angrily and
               doesn't let go. Clarissa is still checking the book for the
               correct ingredients but then rests the open book in her lap.

                                   CLARISSA
                             (reading from book)
                         Let the clouds draw in close
                         overhead...
                             (beat)
                         ... and let the rain cease to fall
                         over us all...

               The bowl starts to glow the same sky blueish colour as the
               chalk drawing. The drawing starts to GLOW as well.

               Clarissa removes her hands, glancing briefly down at the
               spellbook once more before pulling out two small vials of
               POTION. One is a GREEN colour and the other is a RED.

               She opens the red vial and prepares to pour it in.

                                   CLARISSA (cont'd)
                         Give us the weather that is desired
                         and make it last long...
                             (beat)
                         ... let the goddess give us the
                         magicks to help us...

               However, just as she's about to pour the delicate mixture
               into the bowl, Rich JERKS his hand away from Greg's and this
               knocks both of the vials into the bowl!

                                   GREG
                         Hey!

                                   CLARISSA
                         Ah! Rich, you dumbass!

               Clarissa grabs the vials, getting most of the ingredients
               back inside - the green vial is half-full while the red is
               almost exactly the same - just as a BOLT of the same
               turquoise blue magic EXPLODES outwards, sending everyone
               backwards!

               The dazed students recover, shaking their heads - as Clarissa
               hears FOOTSTEPS approaching.

                                   CLARISSA (cont'd)
                         Oh God, I think someone's coming!

               And with that, the five of them scramble to put the magickal
               equipment hidden - just as there's a KNOCK at the door.

               Greg, the least inebriated goes to answer the door, smoothing
               out his tee shirt as he opens the door.

         3     INT. CAMPUS - CORRIDOR - NEXT                            3

               Greg, his large frame blocking the view inside the room,
               looks down at the smaller smartly-dressed man, RANDY.

                                   RANDY
                         You guys alright in there?

                                   GREG
                         Yeah, yeah, we're fine. Just a
                         little...
                             (fake yawning)
                         ... tired from all the studying. I
                         got a pop quiz on Freud tomorrow.

                                   RANDY
                         Oh, okay...

                                                                CUT TO:

         4     EXT. U.S. AIRSPACE - SAME TIME                           4

               The bolt of blue magickal ENERGY speeds out of American
               airspace and bursts straight of the stratosphere, entering:

         5     EXT. SPACE - NEXT                                        5

               The blue bolt SAILS effortlessly through the clouds and we
               get a view of the perfect blue and green marble that is the
               Earth - before the magickal energy SMACKS straight into a
               WEATHER SATELLITE.

               The satellite shakes slightly for a beat, before it GLOWS
               with the turquoise coloured energy, it rippling over the
               satellite in WAVES.

               As electricity sparks from it, the same energy BURSTS from
               the satellite in waves.

               The coloured energy covers the satellite, reaching the outer
               dishes and panels and starting to radiate back down towards
               the Earth below.

               And as the waves speed and head towards Earth, we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                    END OF TEASER
                                       ACT ONE

               FADE IN:

         6     INT. HOTEL - LOUNGE - NEXT                               6

               MUSIC is playing - more specifically Sarah McLachlan's "Dirty
               Little Secret". PULL ACROSS the smiling, awed faces of the
               guests to the singer on stage.

               LYRA is singing, her voice sounding angelic in the relative
               quiet of the room.

               As she finishes, APPLAUSE breaks out and most of the people
               get to their feet with rapturous applause, Lyra BLUSHING
               politely as she makes her way down the stage and feeling the
               seats as she walks out.

         7     INT. HOTEL - LOBBY - NEXT                                7

               Lyra walks out of the lounge, seemingly trying to mentally
               regain her steps when:

                                   TWIST (O.S.)
                         Hey.

               Lyra turns and we see TWIST stood by the door, having heard
               her entire performance.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Managed to pay for our stay here,
                         then?

                                   LYRA
                         Twist, you scared me.
                             (beat)
                         The managers said they'd let us
                         stay here tonight if I did that
                         set, so... yes. What are you doing
                         here?

                                   TWIST
                             (sarcastic)
                         Yeah, 'cause the Midwest just
                         screams 'high quality rooms.' And
                         as to your second question, I just
                         figured I'd come see what you were
                         doing. Can't blame a girl for being
                         curious, right?

                                   LYRA
                         No, I suppose not.

               They start to walk along together, Lyra taking Twist's arm
               for support.

                                   TWIST
                         You know, we should probably get
                         you a MySpace or something.

                                   LYRA
                             (confused)
                         My... space?

               Twist chuckles as the girls cross the lobby, and we CUT TO:

         8     INT. HOTEL - ROOM - NEXT                                 8

               The room is letting some very mild light as the sole occupant
               stares into space. VIVIAN is laid on her single bed. A MUG of
               something is next to her, but it's long since gone cold.

               The TV is on, showing some insipid talk show where overweight
               Americans are moaning about their lives.

               Vivian has her sleeve rolled up, and is checking the BITE
               MARK on her upper arm - which looks even worse.

                                   TWIST (O.S.)
                         Hey, Chris, are you-

               Twist appears in the doorway and sees Vivian, who quickly
               covers her arm again.

                                   VIVIAN
                             (awkward)
                         Oh. Hey.

                                   TWIST
                             (cold)
                         Hi.

                                   VIVIAN
                         Looking for Chris?

                                   TWIST
                             (dry)
                         Hence my asking for him.

                                   VIVIAN
                         Why do you think he'd be here?

                                   TWIST
                         I guess I was hoping he'd be either
                         yelling at you or kicking your ass.
                         Either way, I sold tickets. There's
                         a bunch of people waiting outside.

               Vivian HUFFS as she rises from the bed, checking the mug.

                                   VIVIAN
                         I'm not going to pretend that any
                         of you guys like having me around,
                         Twist, but you don't need to keep
                         reminding me.

                                   TWIST
                         Maybe I just can't help but smile
                         every time I see the pouty, sad
                         puppy face you make.

               Twist leaves and Vivian flops down on the bed once more,
               staring at the talk-show whose title appears to be 'My Mother
               Is My Wife and My Sister Is Pregnant With My Brother's
               Child.'

               She turns it off after a beat, looking frustrated, forcing a
               CUT TO:

         9     INT. HOTEL – GARDENS - NEXT                              9

               CHRIS stands on a balcony, overlooking the gardens.

               A HAND drops onto his shoulder and he turns to see Lyra
               moving next to him, apparently feeling her away over to him.

                                   CHRIS
                         Oh, hello.

                                   LYRA
                             (smiles)
                         Hello, Chris.

               The two stand there in silence for a beat before:

                                   LYRA (cont'd)
                         I...

                                   TWIST (O.S.)
                         Hey!

               Chris and Lyra turn to see Twist running full pelt towards
               them. She pulls up, looking suspicious.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         What were you guys doing?

                                   LYRA
                         Chris was... telling me what the
                         gardens looked like.

                                   TWIST
                             (distracted)
                         Yeah, they're gorgeous. Come on,
                         you've gotta see this!

               Twist sprints away and Chris follows, holding Lyra by the
               hand as we CUT TO:

        10     INT. HOTEL – MAIN FOYER - NEXT                          10

               Twist stands in front of a large TELEVISION as it shows the
               breaking news.

               DANYAEL and even Vivian are with Twist, Lyra and Chris as the
               news plays.

                                   NEWS READER
                             (on TV)
                         Back now to our breaking news; a
                         series of freak weather accidents
                         has spread across the East coast of
                         the United States. There has been
                         no meteorological explanation of
                         this so far. In New York, a private
                         cruise liner was sunk by flash
                         floods...

               The TV now shows an image of debris sweeping into Brooklyn
               Harbour and then of a lifeboat with THREE PEOPLE inside,
               soaked to the skin and shivering.

                                   NEWS READER (cont'd)
                         According to preliminary reports,
                         there were only three survivors of
                         the liner wreckage which contained
                         over two hundred people. Two were
                         students of a New York high school,
                         returning home after a trip to
                         London. The third survivor was a
                         two year old girl who was saved by
                         the two surviving students.
                             (beat)
                         In Miami, temperatures have soared
                         to forty degrees Celsius, with
                         seven deaths already reported due
                         to heat stroke and severe
                         dehydration. And in Delaware, freak
                         blizzards have been occurring every
                         two hours, blocking off many
                         communities under several feet of
                         snow and ice.
                             (beat; listens)
                         We have just received an official
                         warning from the United States
                         Meteorological Offices. The spate
                         of unusual weather is set to spread
                         across the United States, although
                         where, when and how it will affect
                         us is unclear.

               Most of the guests are now watching as a map of the U.S.
               appears on screen. Most of the United States is coloured in
               grey, but with a distinctive band of purple across the
               Midwest of the country.

                                   NEWS READER (cont'd)
                         The bureau itself is currently in
                         the affected area. If you yourself
                         or any member of your family is
                         within the designated warning zone,
                         it is advised that you should
                         vacate the area. If you are unable
                         to do so, please stock up in case
                         one of the freak weather fronts
                         hits...

               The news reader continues as our focus comes back onto our
               team.

                                   TWIST
                         You see that? It's like fricken
                         'Deep Impact' out there. Blizzards
                         in Texas, heatwaves in Chicago...
                         and we are slap bang in the middle
                         of it.

               Danyael is over by the window, peering across the skies
               outside:

               The weather is absolutely fine, the sun disappearing over the
               crest of a hill, leaving the city in darkness for a moment
               before LIGHTS flicker on across the city.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Looks fine to me. A few dark clouds
                         and a little warm, but - 

               And at that moment, a huge BOLT of LIGHTNING flies across the
               sky and SLAMS straight into a building opposite!

               The guests and the team recoil before another BOLT flies
               across towards the populace.

               Chris snaps round to the team, taking Lyra by the hand.

                                   CHRIS
                         Let's go!

               The team race for the main doors and burst out onto the
               streets:

        11     EXT. CITY - STREETS - NEXT                              11

               More of the bolts of lightning are spearing towards the city
               and some to the humans below. One BOLT hits a MAN square in
               the chest.

               He SCREAMS and then EXPLODES in a flash fry as panicked
               civilians run from the freak lightning.

                                   CHRIS
                             (to team)
                         Let's -

                                   TWIST
                             (interrupting)
                         Split up, save lives, get manicure,
                         got it.

               And with that Twist and Danyael sprint off down the street.

                                   CHRIS
                         Lyra, you can exert some influence
                         on the weather, can't you?

                                   LYRA
                         I'll try, but... this isn't just
                         weather, Chris, it's - 

                                   CHRIS
                         Just see what you can do.

               Biting her lip, she nods and takes a few steps away, looking
               towards the heavens and closing her eyes.

                                   VIVIAN
                             (to Chris)
                         Is this normal for you guys?

               Chris doesn't reply; he just ignores her and races off down a
               side-street. Vivian is left standing alone in the street.

                                   VIVIAN (cont'd)
                         So... I'll just... stay here.

               Suddenly a BOLT almost strikes Vivian, forcing her to leap
               sideways to avoid getting hit.

                                   VIVIAN (cont'd)
                             (blinks; calls out)
                         Hey, wait for me!

               She sets off down the street as well as we TRACK OVER to
               Danyael and Twist who are sprinting towards a building which
               has been hit by the lightning and is ON FIRE.

                                   TWIST
                             (sighs)
                         Why fire?
                             (beat)
                         Spook, take the first floor.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Yes, ma'am.

               The two vamps head into the burning building while panicking
               survivors of the blaze mingle outside.

        12     INT. BUILDING - FIRST FLOOR - ROOM - NEXT               12

               Danyael BURSTS a door open to find a CHILD, about eight years
               old huddling under a bed. With one hand, Danyael FLIPS it
               over, revealing the BOY fully.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Come on, we've got to get you out
                         of here.

                                   BOY
                         Where's my Mom?

                                   DANYAEL
                         She's outside, she'll be fine -
                         come on!

               Danyael grabs the boy, hoisting him onto his shoulder before
               he hears a MEWL. He turns and sees a tabby CAT meowing
               despondently.

                                   BOY
                         Mr. Wong!

                                   DANYAEL
                         Mr what?

               The boy throws him a pleading look, and Danyael KICKS aside
               some burning wreckage and snatches the cat, which clings
               PAINFULLY to Danyael, before making his way out of the room.

        13     EXT. STREETS - NEXT                                     13

               A BOLT of LIGHTNING strikes a telephone wire, and the wire
               SNAPS as the whole post begins to come down.

               A PREGNANT WOMAN sees the falling post and tries to lumber to
               the side - but TRIPS and snags her foot in a drainage cover!

               She SCREAMS for her life as the pole comes down on her - but
               it stops seconds from smacking into her.

               The woman looks over to see Chris, hands stretched out in
               front of him and MUTTERING under his breath as TENDRILS of
               PURPLE-BLUE ENERGY stream from his hands and wrap themselves
               around the pole.

               The pole TWITCHES and then SLAMS into the abandoned building
               behind the woman, sending debris raining down.

               The woman's FOOT pops free, and she nods a silent thank-you
               to Chris before running for her life.

               TRACK OVER to see a CAFE get hit by the freakish LIGHTNING
               and it EXPLODES, its occupants diving out of the way to avoid
               the glass.

               However, the cafe begins to COLLAPSE and the customers SCREAM
               - but it stops. REVERSE ANGLE to see Lyra, her head snapping
               round at the noises.

               She dashes over, pushing past the occupants who got away.

               When she's close enough she lets out a low, bassy NOTE,
               reaching out with her hand to focus the energy.

               The building is still crumbling, but Lyra's managing to keep
               it upright as the last of its clients flood past her.

               When they're all clear, she releases the note - and the
               building COLLAPSES into a pile of debris.

               She lets out a breath, recovering, but an off-camera SCREAM
               grabs her attention, and she rushes towards it as we CUT TO:

        14     INT. BUILDING - HIGHER FLOORS - NEXT                    14

               Twist is in front of a door, hearing CRIES for help. She
               sizes up the door, takes a few steps back and tries to BARGE
               it open.

               She SMACKS painfully into the door with a YELP of pain - but
               the door doesn't budge.

                                   TWIST
                             (rubbing arm)
                         Son of a - 

               She takes a run to the door and KICKS it straight in, sending
               the wood FLYING.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Stupid door.

               Twist enters:

        15     INT. BUILDING - HIGHER FLOORS - ROOM - NEXT             15

               She sees what the cause of the noise is - it's a YOUNG MAN,
               trapped beneath a block of wood that's fallen from the floor
               above.

                                   TWIST
                         Alright, alright, hang on!

               She hurries over, grabbing the hunk of wood and HEAVING it
               off him with a grimace.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                             (straining)
                         Go, damn it! This is heavy!

                                   YOUNG MAN
                         My... my leg...

               She glances down - his leg is BROKEN, and he can't crawl away
               fast enough. Twist lets out a HUFF of annoyance as she shifts
               her grip on the wood.

                                   TWIST 
                         Why can't we ever have a day off?
                         You know, something that doesn't
                         involve...

               Twist gropes down with one hand, finds the man's leg and
               DRAGS him out of the way.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         ... running into burning buildings
                         and saving people...

               She lets the wood drop with a CRASH, stepping back and
               shaking her aching arms.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         ... instead of, maybe, getting to
                         see any of the bands I like, or a
                         movie in an actual theater...

                                   YOUNG MAN
                         Please... help...

                                   TWIST
                         Oh. Right.

               Twist scoops the man up and throws him over her shoulder,
               fireman style, before exiting the room:

        16     INT. BUILDING - HIGHER FLOORS - NEXT                    16

               She enters the corridor - as more burning debris CRASHES down
               through the ceiling, blocking off their exit!

                                   TWIST
                         But no, instead I have to risk my
                         neck to keep helping you people...

               She heads towards a WINDOW, KICKING the glass out and looking
               down onto the streets below.

               They're only a few floors up and could easily survive if
               needed. Twist turns to the Man.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         ... you know?

                                   YOUNG MAN
                         What?

                                   TWIST
                             (sighs)
                         Never mind.

               And with that, Twist LEAPS out of the window, the SCREAMING
               Man attached to her back.

        17     EXT. BUILDING - NEXT                                    17

               The building, still in FLAMES sails past as Twist, drops like
               a stone, and lands on a parked CAR.

               It CRUMPLES as she SLAMS into it, glass BURSTING from its
               windows. Twist and the Man are fine - but that hasn't stopped
               him YELLING!

               She clambers out of the wreckage of the car, handing the
               still-shouting man over to two passing civilians.

                                   TWIST
                         Here. He's a screamer.

               Twist examines her boots, which are covered in oil from the
               destroyed car's engine.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Aw, man...

               TRACK BACK to Vivian and Chris, who are helping civilians out
               of a crumbling building while Lyra holds it back with her
               voice.

               However, a MAN knocks into Lyra and she stumbles, dropping to
               her feet - and the building begins to COLLAPSE!

               Chris grabs the last civilian but Vivian seizes them both and
               THROWS them out of the distance of the building.

               Vivian DIVES just as the building crumbles into the street
               and rolls to Chris.

                                   CHRIS
                         Thanks.

                                   VIVIAN
                         Welcome.

               Lyra turns as a POLICE CAR speeds down the street - but a
               bolt of the lightning SMASHES into the car, causing it to
               flip over in the air – heading straight for the civilians!

               However as the group of survivors, frozen with fear, SCREAM
               for their lives and the police car SAILS towards them through
               the air – it STOPS, the occupants shocked but alive.

               The survivors on the ground look around the hovering car and
               see Lyra, her hands and arms outstretched as she HUMS, a low
               but clearly audible sound.

               She hums LOUDER and the car rises before moving over to the
               empty sidewalk where it DROPS down, the police officers
               inside – with minor cuts and bruises – scramble out along
               with everyone else.

               Back over at the burning building, Danyael and Twist are
               watching as the last of the residents escape as the flames
               begin to die down.

               Suddenly there's a CRACKLE and they both look up, along with
               Vivian, Chris and Lyra to see:

               The SKY.

               The dark clouds are pulsing with the same bright blue ENERGY
               as before, but the blue 'veins' of the clouds DISSOLVE away
               into nothing, still leaving the dark clouds above.

               The team has regrouped and look on at the freak clouds as
               they swarm above the entire horizon of the city.

               At that moment, Lyra SWOONS and nearly faints but Twist
               catches her.

                                   TWIST
                         Whoop! Taxi for Miss Morley...

                                   LYRA
                         My... my head. So much energy.... 

                                   CHRIS
                         I can feel it too. This isn't just
                         freak weather - there's something
                         mystical going on.

                                   LYRA
                         That's what I tried to tell you!

               Chris nods in apology, looking backup at the clouds as we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                   END OF ACT ONE
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