sib4x06
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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                                       TEASER

               FADE IN:

         1     EXT. BELARIUS RACE TRACK - DAY                                            1

               There's a BUZZ of excitement in the air and the murmurs of
               conversation and passionate cursing, as the large, bustling
               crowd fills the stands, overlooking a circular race track. 

               Brightly clothed jockeys SPUR their horses on, PELTING down
               passed the barriers.   

                                   ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
                             (filtered; rapid)
                         Last Shot surges to third, passes
                         Cobalt Stunner, now trailing
                         Tortuga at second, neck and neck
                         with...                               

               The announcer's voice trails off as we PUSH IN on a cosy
               couple in the front row of the stands, more wrapped up in
               themselves than the action on track.  

               PUSH CLOSER, to reveal the couple is LYRA and CHRIS. Chris'
               arm is around her as she nestles against him. An untouched
               hot dog sits on the seat beside Lyra.  

                                   LYRA
                             (confused)
                         But why is it even called a 'hot
                         dog'? And what actually is in
                         these...
                             (pauses; unsure)
                         "...wieners"?

                                   CHRIS
                             (shrugs)
                         I've still no idea why Americans
                         insist on calling porridge
                         'oatmeal.' I mean, what's the
                         bloody difference?
                             (beat)
                         As for the mystery of what
                         'wieners' are, I think that's one
                         best left unsolved.

                                   LYRA
                             (smiles)
                         You make a good point. 
                             (pauses; sighs
                              contentedly)
                         There's just something in the air
                         here, a mix of excitement, hope,
                         the horses. I love the horses. 

                                   CHRIS
                             (smiles)
                         I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. 

               Lyra shifts, resting her head on Chris' shoulder. 

                                   LYRA
                         I'm just happy we can have this
                         time alone together for once,
                         without having to worry whether the
                         others will suddenly burst in on
                         us. 
                             (pauses; hopeful)
                         You know, things have been pretty
                         quiet for a while now, maybe we
                         could...  

                                   CHRIS
                             (turns to her)
                         Lyra, I promised you we'd tell them
                         and I'm a man of my word. However,
                         I think the others need some time
                         to recharge before we just go ahead
                         and - 

               A disappointed Lyra straightens, quickly sitting up, taking
               her head off Chris' shoulder. 

                                   LYRA
                             (huffs)
                         Will it ever be the right time?  
                             (pauses; softer)
                         Are you... embarrassed to tell the
                         others about us? Is that it?

               Chris tenderly places his hand on her cheek.

                                   CHRIS
                         Never. 
                             (beat)
                         It's more about ensuring 
                         everyone's receptive to hear our
                         good news. Our relationship means
                         more than I can ever truly express,
                         without lapsing into terribly
                         saccharine territory,and as such,
                         I'd like to give it the respect and
                         attention it deserves, rather than
                         just randomly dropping it in over
                         breakfast conversation. 
                             (beat)
                         So do you think can hold on just a
                         little while longer?  

               Lyra manages a small smile. 

                                   LYRA
                         When you put it that way, I guess
                         so. 

                                   CHRIS
                             (smiles)
                         That's my girl.

               He squeezes Lyra's hand as they finally return their
               attention back to the race. Lyra cocks her head slightly to
               make out the announcer over everyone else in the stands. 

               ANGLE ON the brightly clothed jockeys as they energetically
               drive their horses on. 

               The horses GALLOP, almost to the finish. A tan thoroughbred,
               currently in last place, SURGES forward.

                                   ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
                             (filtered, excited)
                         What's this? Amarillo Rose in a
                         sudden burst of speed bypasses Hook
                         Me Up, then Cobalt Stunner, now
                         trailing Tortuga and coming up
                         level with Last Shot! It looks like
                         it's going to be a photo finish,
                         folks!

               FOCUS ON Lyra and Chris. The murmur and cursing around them
               fading out as everyone in the stands seems to hold their
               collective breaths in anticipation.

               ANGLE ON the tan thoroughbred, neck and neck with a dark
               chocolate brown horse as they near the finish line. 

               With a last BURST of speed the tan horse spurred on by its
               jockey crosses the line. 

                                   ANNOUNCER (V.O.) (cont'd)
                             (filtered; excited)
                         And Amarillo Rose is first across!
                         Last Shot just behind in second
                         place. Followed by Tortuga... 

               The announcer's voice is almost drowned out by the SHOUTS and
               CHEERS of those lucky enough to have backed the right horse.
               BACK ON a subdued Chris who scrunches a ticket in his hand.

                                   CHRIS
                             (sighs)
                         It's moments like this that remind
                         me why I don't gamble. Not with
                         money, at least. 

               SWITCH FOCUS to Lyra who in stark contrast to him, BEAMS. 

                                   LYRA
                             (excited)
                         I won! I won!

               She pulls Chris to his feet as she rises. Instinctively
               feeling for his face, before she KISSES him happily, with an
               almost giddy abandon. 

                                   CHRIS
                         That's wonderful.   

                                   LYRA
                         Amarillo Rose was such a long shot,
                         the bookies didn't even think she'd
                         come fourth. But I could just feel
                         she was going to win. 
                             (beat; awed realization)
                         That means this ticket in my hand
                         is worth a lot of money.

               She holds the ticket up and waves it proudly in Chris's face.

                                   CHRIS
                         After everything that's happened in
                         the last few weeks, you deserve
                         every dollar of it. 

                                   LYRA
                             (cocks her head; eager)
                         Chris, another race is about to
                         start! Can go I and place some more
                         bets? 

                                   CHRIS
                         Go right ahead. 

               Lyra, with a noticeable bounce in her step, bounds off to do
               so. And as Chris watches her with an amused grin, we: 

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                    END OF TEASER
                                       ACT ONE

               FADE IN:

         2     INT. THE LOST MARINER BAR - NIGHT                        2

               A noisy, packed bar. FOCUS ON a woman who carries a tray
               laden with food, a basket of fries, two burgers and a plate
               of nachos drizzled with cheese and sour cream. 

               With a sigh she makes her way through the hustle to reach a
               round table. 

                                   WOMAN
                             (disinterested)
                         Large basket of fries, two double
                         bacon burgers and a large nachos. 

               ARC around to show the gang currently sitting at the table.
               TWIST rubs her hands together in anticipation. DANYAEL sits
               next to her. Lyra sits in the next chair, then Chris and
               lastly VIVIAN. 

                                   TWIST
                             (snaps fingers)
                         Yo! Over here, girl.

               The woman places the food in front of her. 

                                   WOMAN
                             (flat)
                         Enjoy your meals.

                                   TWIST
                         Oh, I'm gonna. No idea what the
                         rest of these guys are having,
                         though.

               She disappears into the crowd as Twist eagerly tucks into one
               of the burgers. 

                                   VIVIAN
                             (sceptical)
                         You can't seriously eat all that. 

               Twist, her mouth stuffed full of burger gives her an annoyed
               look. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         She can. There was this one time in
                         Vegas, she ordered -

               At Twist's warning glare he COUGHS, focusing his attention on
               pouring some more beer from the jug in front of him.

                                   CHRIS
                             (smiles; to Lyra)
                         If we're not careful, Twist might
                         actually eat up your winnings.

               Lyra smiles back but Twist eyes him.

                                   TWIST
                         Was that a joke, you poor, unfunny
                         British man? Wait, no. It wasn't.
                         Even lame jokes have a punch line
                         somewhere.

                                   LYRA
                             (to Chris)
                         I said everything is on me tonight,
                         and I meant it. 

                                   TWIST
                             (grins)
                         Sweet. You should go gambling more
                         often. 

               Chris holds his half empty glass up. 

                                   CHRIS
                             (clear his throat)
                         I'd just like to make a toast.

                                   TWIST
                         Aww, Chief you're not getting all
                         sentimental are you?

               He gives her an impatient, "don't interrupt me" look. 

                                   CHRIS
                         For good fortune, notably Lyra's,
                         and an equally good team. Cheers. 

               He clinks his mug against the glass Lyra hesitantly holds up.
               Twist and Danyael follow suit clinking their glasses against
               Lyra's than each others. 

               Chris finally clinks his glass against Vivian's, that's
               gripped loosely in her hand. She blinks, surprised at the
               gesture. 

               Danyael gives her glass a toast as does Lyra, Chris guiding
               her hand. 

               Chris and Danyael give Twist a look. She rolls her eyes
               before quickly tapping glasses with Vivian, and we DISSOLVE
               TO:

         3     INT. MOTEL ROOM - MORNING                                3

               There's a slow PAN across a modest motel room along the pale
               yellow walls and grey carpeting, to stop at a bed. 

               Chris is sound asleep, facing away, before turning onto his
               other side as he comes round. 

               His hand reaches slowly forward but as it hits empty space
               beside him, he opens his eyes.  

                                   CHRIS
                         Lyra?

               He sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes as we CUT TO:

         4     INT. MOTEL - CHRIS' ROOM - LATER                         4

               Twist, Danyael and Vivian sit on the unmade bed in varying
               states of alertness as a dressed and fully awake Chris
               addresses them.

                                   TWIST
                             (yawns)
                         This is why you woke me from my
                         beauty sleep?

                                   DANYAEL
                         Yeah, Chris, you know how much of
                         it she needs.

               Twist PUNCHES Danyael in the arm, but he just chuckles.

                                   DANYAEL (cont'd)
                         Lyra's probably just spending
                         what's left of her winnings.

                                   CHRIS
                         It just doesn't seem like her. She
                         normally tells us where she's off
                         to.

                                   VIVIAN
                         I'm sure she's fine, Chris. It's
                         not like she can't hold her own in
                         a fight, is it?

                                   TWIST
                         Question - why is she here?

                                   CHRIS
                         This is a team meeting. Vivian's
                         part of the team, seems self
                         explanatory to me. 

               Vivian gives Twist a smug "there you go" look.

                                   TWIST
                             (to Vivian)
                         Yeah, well, it doesn't mean you get
                         to open your damn mouth in said
                         meeting. You're still way behind on
                         karma points to get that privilege.

                                   DANYAEL
                             (wearily) 
                         Twist, give it a rest already.

               Twist gives him a scandalized look that screams "you
               traitor."

                                   CHRIS
                         Enough. What if something's
                         happened to -

                                   TWIST
                         In case you haven't noticed, the
                         sun's up. So unless you want crispy
                         fried vampire, you're going to have
                         to look for her on your lonesome,
                         if you're that worried. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         Twist's right. If she doesn't
                         return by sunset, then we can go
                         out searching. 

                                   CHRIS
                             (sighs)
                         I suppose.

                                   TWIST
                         Can we go back to sleep now? You
                         know... nocturnal.

               Chris nods absently, the trio filing out of the room and
               leaving Chris to his thoughts as we CUT TO:

         5     INT. MOTEL - HALL - LATER                                5

               Danyael WHISTLES as he holds a six pack in hand. Twist peeks
               out from her door, watching him, before quickly marching over
               as he reaches his own room.   

                                   TWIST
                         What the hell were you thinking?

                                   DANYAEL
                             (confused)
                         It's cool they have a bar
                         downstairs?

                                   TWIST
                         Back in Chris' room this morning,
                         you took evil skank's side over
                         mine. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         Oh. 
                             (sighs)
                         I'm tired of you always arguing
                         with Vivian. That's all it was. 

                                   TWIST
                         Yeah, well, you don't have to be so
                         friendly. Stop making her feel
                         she's part of the team. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         But she is part of the team. 
                             (off Twist; quickly)
                         For now. You done?

                                   TWIST
                         No. Show some damn loyalty. Next
                         time, no matter what it's about,
                         you take my side. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         And what if I don't want to take
                         "sides"? I'm not going so far as to
                         say she's not the same person who
                         screwed you over, but Vivian has
                         helped us out. 

                                   TWIST
                             (frustrated)
                         What is it with you and Chris? Is
                         this some kind of male selective
                         amnesia? Remember what happened
                         last year when we let people from
                         our past tag along?

               Danyael steps back, stung. Twist winces, knowing she just
               pushed too far.  

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                             (apologetic)
                         Spook, I didn't -

               He opens the door to his room and SLAMS it shut behind him.
               Twist THWACKS herself on the forehead.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Me and my big mouth...

               She trudges back into her room as we CUT TO:

         6     INT. MOTEL - VIVIAN'S ROOM - NEXT                        6

               PAN ACROSS the spartan room, the sound of running water
               signalling Vivian's in the bathroom.

               She grimly inspects the wound on her upper left arm as she
               attempts to clean it. Gritting her teeth in pain as she dabs
               at it with a wet cloth. 

               The wound doesn't look any better, with the skin around the
               edges of the wound starting to look an angry red and purple.
               Yellow liquid exudes from the bite despite her fevered
               attempts to clean it.  

               Vivian stares at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her
               contemplation interrupted by:

               A loud insistent KNOCKING on her door.  

               With a despairing final look she efficiently wraps the wound
               with a strip of material, and rearranges her shirt with
               practised ease. 

               As Vivian leaves the bathroom, she pops two white tablets in
               her mouth. Washing them down with a shot of something dark,
               she grimaces as we CUT TO:

         7     INT. MOTEL - HALL - NEXT                                 7

               Danyael knocks on Vivian's door as he clasps his six pack of
               beer. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         Hey, Viv you in there?

               The door finally swings open, Vivian's hair now wrapped in a
               towel. 

                                   VIVIAN
                         Sorry 'bout the wait.
                             (indicates her head)
                         Shower.
                             (off Danyael; unsure)
                         You wanted something?

               He lifts his six pack up.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Thought you might like a drinking
                         buddy. 

                                   VIVIAN
                         Sure.
                             (spots something)
                         Your girlfriend won't mind?

               Vivian's POV reveals Twist watching them from her door,
               giving her the old evil eye. 

                                   DANYAEL
                             (pointedly)
                         Don't mind her. We're just friends. 

               Danyael gives Twist a significant look before he follows
               Vivian into her room. 

         8     INT. MOTEL - VIVIAN'S ROOM - NEXT                        8

               Danyael sits in a chair across from Vivian, on her bed. He
               cracks open a can of beer and takes a mouthful as Vivian
               knocks back something dark brown in a shot glass. 

               They sit in a companionable silence until:

                                   DANYAEL
                             (frustrated)
                         I just don't get her sometimes.  

               He pauses as a thought suddenly crosses his mind. He looks
               hopefully to Vivian. 

                                   DANYAEL (cont'd)
                             (curiously)
                         I was just wondering, from your
                         perspective, if I were to ask you
                         why -

                                   VIVIAN
                             (raises hand)
                         No. If we're going to "hang," I
                         don't do all that girly, emo,
                         'share your feelings' crap. So
                         whatever you were going to ask,
                         don't.  

                                   DANYAEL
                             (sheepish)
                         Alright, then. 

               He sits back in his chair. Vivian watches him for a beat,
               then rolls her eyes.

                                   VIVIAN
                         One question.

               Danyael grins as we CUT TO:

         9     EXT. BELARIUS RACE TRACK - BOOKIE'S CIRCLE - DAY         9

               There's the muted sound of many conversations all happening
               at once.
               Some bookies stand next to chalk boards declaring their odds
               for the upcoming races. Others busily take down the details
               of punters eager to bet. 

               FOCUS ON Lyra as she carefully makes her way through the
               chaos. 

               MONTAGE:

               A) A bald, overweight man, BOOKIE #1, stands next to a chalk
               board with his odds scrawled in blue chalk. Lyra talks to him
               excitedly before she hands him a bundle of notes. He hands
               her a ticket.

               B) Lyra is back in the stands. She smiles as the people
               around her CHEER and jump up from their seats in excitement.

               C) Lyra giving the ticket back to the bookie. He opens up a
               thick, metal box and begrudgingly counts out a wad of notes. 

               D) Lyra is now listening as another man with blonde hair,
               BOOKIE #2, reads off a white board scrawled with black
               marker. She counts out notes and hands it to him. 

               E) Lyra chats to a short, dark haired man, BOOKIE #3, as he
               writes the odds on a chalkboard for another race about to
               begin as we:

               END MONTAGE. 

                                                                CUT TO:

        10     INT. MOTEL - HALL - EVENING                             10

               Chris leads the way down the hall, Twist just behind him.
               Danyael hangs back with the trailing Vivian.  

                                   CHRIS
                         Alright, I'll take the local
                         botanical garden we passed on the
                         way here. She's got a thing for
                         gardens.

                                   TWIST
                         I call dibs on searching the
                         closest malls. 

                                   CHRIS
                         Fine. 
                             (back on topic)
                         Vivian, check the closest hotels
                         and bars, anywhere she might be
                         singing at. And Danyael, you can
                         take the Belarius race track.  

               Danyael nods, the team splitting up as we CUT TO:

        11     EXT. BELARIUS RACE TRACK - EVENING                      11

               Danyael walks through the race grounds, scanning the crowds
               hopefully for any signs of Lyra. 

                                   ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
                         Race three-twenty-one is about to
                         start, folks. All betting for this
                         race is now closed. 

               At this, people start making their way from the bookie's
               circle towards the stand seats. Danyael smiles as he spots
               Lyra amongst the group. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         Lyra!

               He runs up to her as she turns at his voice. 

                                   LYRA
                         Danyael? What are you doing here?

                                   DANYAEL
                         You didn't tell anyone where you
                         were going this morning. Chris was
                         worried something might have
                         happened. 

                                   LYRA
                         I didn't want to wake anyone. Is it
                         evening already?

                                   DANYAEL
                         Yeah. Why don't we go back to the
                         motel and get you something to eat?
                         You must be starving. 

                                   LYRA
                         I'm alright. Just tell Chris I'll
                         be back when the last race is
                         called at eight. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         You sure? I didn't know you were
                         really into horse racing or
                         gambling. 

               She holds up a black satchel bag. 

                                   LYRA
                         Look inside. 

               Danyael's eyes widen in shock as he peers in - it's stuffed
               full of CASH!

                                   LYRA (cont'd)
                         That's only for today's races.
                         That's more than I ever earned for
                         one day of singing! Imagine how
                         much I could win if I was able to
                         bet on all the races for this
                         entire week? I could earn enough to
                         keep us going all year!

                                   DANYAEL
                             (wary)
                         Look... why don't we just go back
                         to the motel and you can tell
                         everyone the good news. 

                                   LYRA
                             (shakes her head)
                         I need to do this. To help. You
                         have your contacts, and Chris has
                         his sources and magic. Even Vivian
                         has information to help in the
                         fight against Parker. 

                                   DANYAEL
                         You don't need to do this to prove
                         something. 

                                   LYRA
                         I know. But I want to do this. 

                                   DANYAEL
                             (sighs)
                         Alright. I'll tell Chris you'll be
                         back after eight.  

                                   LYRA
                             (smiles)
                         Thank you. 

               Stay with Danyael as he walks off. 

               As he passes the three now very unhappy bookies from before,
               SWITCH FOCUS on the huddled group. They watch Lyra intently
               for a beat before they STOMP off, and we CUT TO:

        12     INT. BELARIUS MANAGEMENT - NEXT                         12

               PAN ACROSS a well furnished office, past filing cabinets,
               framed black and white photographs of horses crossing the
               finish and fake potted plants to STOP at a polished desk. 

               A slight MAN sits here. He wears a dark blue suit, his dark
               hair slicked back.

                                   MAN
                         Believe me when I say we take all
                         our complaints very seriously. 

               REVERSE ANGLE to see the three bookies, who smile gratefully.

                                   MAN (cont'd)
                         Now if you'll excuse me, fellas,
                         I've got a business to run. 

               The three men respectfully nod before shuffling off. 

               STAY ON the man as he retrieves a very flashy, black cell
               phone from within his suit jacket. He quickly presses in
               someone's number with the practised ease of something from
               memory. 

               As he waits for the other person to answer, he plays with a
               sheet of paper on his desk. 

                                   MAN (cont'd)
                         It's Frascone. Look, I've got a
                         potential situation down at the
                         track. Tell the boys to keep an eye
                         on the person I'm sending through. 

               He removes the cell from his ear, presses a button, aims it
               at the sheet of paper in his hand and presses another button,
               a noticeable CLICK sounding. 

               Frascone presses the phone back to his ear. 

                                   FRASCONE
                         You got it?
                             (beat; off response)
                         Great. 

               We finally ANGLE ON the sheet of paper in his hand to reveal
               it's actually an enlarged surveillance still of Lyra, as we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                   END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.