Quitlove hatchet'd

As the titles pass we hear TANNER a radio DJ (20’s).

TANNER (V.O.)
So here we are, it’s been just over a year since our “beloved” world leader Phineas Quitlove took over in a public, shall we call it “hostile takeover”. Let’s not forget that before “His Eminence” took office, he was the leader of the most efficient task force of criminals the world had ever seen, and now this glorified hoodlum is no longer robbing trains but trying to make them run on time. We’ll touch on that after the break. The time is now 1:42pm. This is Tanner Collins.


INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - Day

There is a man at a desk behind a mountain of paperwork. His looks disheveled. This is PHINEAS QUITLOVE (30’s-40’s), World President. His assistant VALERIE, (20’s-30’s) enters carrying a small stack of papers.

VALERIE
I have some more paperwork for you sir.

QUITLOVE
It’s so nice to know I can rely on you to help alleviate my stress!

Valerie
It comes with the job sir.

QUITLOVE
How do you know what comes with the job? I’m the first one!


INT. RECEPTION HALLWAY – Day

We follow FOOTSTEPS down a hallway towards a reception desk. KRISTINE, Quitlove’s daughter (19) checks in with THE RECEPTIONIST (20’s).

KRISTINE
Can we move this along?

RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry miss, I’m trying to process it as quickly as I can but these things take time. He isn’t everyone’s favorite person at this point.


INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – Day

Quitlove sits head in hand as he half-heartedly signs various papers. In a huff he SNAPS his writing utensil in half then SWIPES a stack of papers off his desk making a mess. He takes a couple BREATHS to compose himself.

QUITLOVE
This is not what I was expecting.

VALERIE
All due respect sir, what were you expecting?

Quitlove shakes his head. He and Valerie exchange a look. Kristine SLAMS the door open and enters.

KRISTINE
We need to talk.

QUITLOVE
Honey, Daddy’s a little busy running the world right now. He doesn’t have the time to talk to his princess.

KRISTINE
Now!

QUITLOVE
Val?

He doesn’t need to make eye contact with her. She leaves without protest, closing the door behind her. Quitlove stands from behind his desk.

QUITLOVE
Sit.

KRISTINE
I’m not going to sit! You have to answer for what you’ve done!

Quitlove’s demeanor changes, he’s no longer the stressed out “suit”. He’s now the stern, stoic Father set on disciplining his young daughter.

QUITLOVE
Sit. Down.

She sits.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Regardless of what you might think, I’m not an evil monster. I’m not stealing or raping or selling drugs.

He picks up a stack of papers.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Hell! I’m trying to get this crap organized!

He SLAMS the stack of papers back onto the desk. Kristine chooses her words carefully.

KRISTINE
You overthrew every major power in the world dad. There was a system in place.

QUITLOVE
They system was broken! It was sick and needed to be purged! Do you have the medicine to fix it?

KRISTINE
Do you?

QUITLOVE
It would certainly appear so!

The room falls silent. Quitlove changes to a somber tone.

KRISTINE
What if you’re wrong?

QUITLOVE
I’m not wrong. I can’t be. I don’t have that kind of luxury.

As she fights back tears he gets down to her level.

QUITLOVE
We are at the dawn of a new age. One that will see me bring about an end to war, famine, all of it.

Valerie KNOCKS and enters with a head nod from Quitlove.

VALERIE
Sir, the research on the cure is done and we’re beginning prep on the final stage of testing. Just need you to sign here.

He signs. She exits.

KRISTINE
Research?

QUITLOVE
Ah yes, my team and I have been working for months now on a cancer cure. We may have found it.

KRISTINE
Cancer? But I thought that…

QUITLOVE
You’re young, there are a lot of things that you “think”.

KRISTINE
What about your old job?

QUITLOVE
My old job?

KRISTINE
Dad, you were a villain! A bad guy!

QUITLOVE
Who defines what a villain is my dear? Certainly not the villain himself.

KRISTINE
Are you trying to say there was some worldwide conspiracy against you?

QUITLOVE
The leaders that were, decided that they didn’t like my ideas. They were deemed too radical, too unattainable. So I made a support group of sorts, and we set out to show that our way

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
of thinking was not only attainable, it was necessary!

Kristine’s sees her father’s point of view for the first time.

KRISTINE
So now you’re going to make sure that everyone gets what they need? You’re going to end poverty, world hunger.

QUITLOVE
Exactly! You see! I’ve been misunderstood for so long. It’s time to spread the word. Go and tell everyone you can! Phineas Quitlove is going to change the world!

She jumps out of her chair, hugs her father and kisses him on the cheek.

KRISTINE
I love you daddy!

She exits. Valerie enters. Quitlove becomes more stoic again.

QUITLOVE
Make sure she doesn’t leave her room. In fact, double the guard. I don’t care if she sees they’re there.

VALERIE
Yes sir. Should we hold off on final testing til we know for sure that she’s secured in her quarters?

QUITLOVE
No. We will proceed as planned. I won’t let that little brat get in the way of years of planning.

VALERIE
I’ll give Englebert the green light.

QUITLOVE
Do that. Soon they will all curse they day they crossed me. Daddy is home.


A radio crackles to life as we fade to end credits. Tanner is back from his break.

TANNER (Panicked V.O.)
We’re back! It sounds like “His Majesty” is a fan of our program. The military censors are here I can hear them beating down doors. It’s only a matter of time before they get to me.

A door BURSTS open in the studio.

TANNER (Panicked V.O. CONT’D.)
Stay strong, and always remember…

The radio transmission ends in static.