INT. NEON CITY POLICE STATION - SAME EVENING
It’s a typical night in the city’s police station. People are being ushered around in an organized yet chaotic manner. The station is filled with police, some undesirable people, and other random citizens filling out reports. Sitting behind her desk, Marie is filling out paperwork. Next to her is OFFICER ALOYO. He’s trying to convince her to go back home.
ALOYO
Seriously, Briggs. Your fiance just died! What are you even doing here? Get home. Rest.
MARIE
You think I wouldn’t love to do that? When I’m at home, all I can think about is Kent. At least when I’m here I can take my mind off of him for a while.
ALOYO
I can appreciate that, really I can. I just don’t know that it’s the smartest thing to have you here while you’re... emotionally compromised.
Marie’s phone RINGS.
MARIE
Okay, Aloyo. I hear you. Let me wrap up some of this stuff and I’ll head home for the rest of the day. I won’t even call in tomorrow.
The phone RINGING seems obnoxious.
ALOYO
Thanks, Marie. We’re all just worried about you. You better answer that.
Aloyo leaves while Marie answers her phone.
MARIE
Hello?
It’s loud in the station and very hard for Marie to hear who’s on the other line.
MARIE (CONT’D)
What? What do you mean? That doesn’t make any sense. She strains to hear. Suddenly a horrified look crosses her face.
MARIE (CONT’D)
Yes. That was me on the news.
She stands now with a resolve that shows the inner strength of this woman who’s reaching the end of what is possibly the worst day of her entire life.
MARIE (CONT’D)
If this is some kind of prank I will find you and I will make you pay.
She SLAMS the phone down and grabs her jacket as she walks past Aloyo and a few others.
ALOYO
Briggs, what’s going on?
MARIE
I need you and possibly another unit to come with me.
ALOYO
Alright, but you still haven’t answered my question.
MARIE
I just got a tip on that beast who killed Kent and dragged that woman away.
ALOYO
What? Really? Where?
MARIE
Sinecorp tower. Let’s move.
INT. SUITE 12 - SLIGHTLY LATER
Crestfall is still slumped to the chair. Blood is dripping from a wound on her face. She’s only semi-conscious as she hears the door CREAK to life as it STRAINS to open. Doctor Waters enters, flanked by two fully armed GUARDS.
WATERS
Thank you gentlemen I can handle everything from here.
GUARD 1
I’m sorry, Doctor. We’re under strict orders to never leave the prisoner alone with anyone.
WATERS
And why is that? Do you think she might hurt me? Is that it?
GUARD 2
Uh, no ma’am. It’s nothing personal, we’re just under orders to stand here and make sure nothing goes wrong.
WATERS
Oh, so now you’re here to tell me how to do my job. Well if that’s the case then I’m sure you can tend to her wounds. I’ll alert Quitlove to your medical abilities. I’m sure he will be pleased.
Waters turns to leave. The guards panic.
GUARD 1
I’m sorry ma’am. I’m sure Mr. Quitlove wouldn’t have a problem with the way you do your job. We’ll be right outside.
WATERS
You boys irritate me. Maybe you should find a vending machine or something. Just be gone for a while.
GUARD 2
Yes ma’am. We’ll stay out of your hair.
They leave and the heavy door SEALS behind them. Waters runs over to Crestfall. She examines the wound on Crestfall’s face then proceeds to give a quick, cursory examination to ensure that Crestfall is okay. She pulls out a rolled up pouch and as she opens it and prepares its contents, she speaks to Crestfall.
WATERS
I was wrong. I can admit that. Bob tried to convince me and I wouldn’t listen. You were my greatest achievement and I let success go to my head.
She’s holding a syringe and mixing up some compounds in tiny jars. She works furiously fast as she’s explaining.
WATERS (CONT’D)
After you left, Bob was killed. It took his death for me to see exactly what it was we were dealing with. I’ve been trying to figure out how to bring The Facility and everyone involved down. You have given me my chance.
She takes Crestfall’s arm and inserts the syringe. As she pushes down on the plunger, Crestfall’s head snaps and her eyes come to life. She doesn’t scream.
CRESTFALL
What?
WATERS
Give it a second. You’re dazed.
CRESTFALL
What did you do to me?
WATERS
I woke you up. Did you really think I could have tested you as long as I did and NOT find a way to kick start your system? This concoction is going to simulate the effects of a full three course meal. The effects will last you the entire night. In a few moments, you will be stronger than you’ve ever been.
Crestfall smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF SUITE 12 - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
The two guards are standing outside of the door, jittery. They are uncomfortable with leaving Waters alone with Crestfall. It’s been too long and they’ve heard nothing.
GUARD 1
Alright. I’m going to let the doctor know that we need to be updated on what’s going on.
He walks over to the door. As he reaches for it, the door EXPLODES outward, knocking him unconscious. Crestfall stands there, wings stretched out. Waters is behind her. The second guard is on his radio.
GUARD 2
She’s out! Repeat: She’s out! Everyone get to Suite 12 now!
She punches him in the face and he’s out cold. Around the corner, a hand full of guards show up and OPEN FIRE. Crestfall turns around and shields Waters with her bulletproof wings.
WATERS
Get out of here! I’ve got a plan. Try to get Quitlove out in the open. We’re going to take him down.
Crestfall wordlessly acknowledges Waters. Crestfall turns to face the onslaught.
CRESTFALL
Hello, boys.
She lunges forward, flying down the hallway. The guards panic as their bullets fall harmlessly to the ground. Crestfall barrels past them. Her wings extended with such force, as she moves by them, the guards are knocked unconscious by their impact. Crestfall turns a corner at the end of the hallway. She’s met with more GUNFIRE.
Waters waits by the rubble of Suite 12’s door to ensure that Crestfall has cleared the way. She pulls out her cellphone.
CUT TO:
INT. GARBAZ’S APT.
It’s dark in his apartment. Garbaz believes that he sent Crestfall to her death. He’s sitting in a chair with a sealed bottle of whisky in hand. He just stares at it. The silence is interrupted by the sound of his phone RINGING. Garbaz is startled and drops the bottle. It SHATTERS. He clumsily answers the phone.
GARBAZ
Yes?
WATERS (O.S.)
It’s me. Our girl is okay.
GARBAZ
Our girl?
WATERS (O.S.)
You know who I’m talking about. She’s fine. She’s better than fine actually. We might be able to bring this whole thing down.
GARBAZ
Why should I believe you?
WATERS (O.S.)
There’s nothing I can say that will convince you to trust me. I just need you to do it. She’ll want you there. Besides, with your notes and my research we can stop everything Quitlove is doing through Sinecorp with The Facility.
GARBAZ
What about the police?
WATERS
I’ve already called the best person to handle this. Our girl is going to bring everything to a head. Meet me at the tower. Bring your notes.
He hangs up the phone.
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - SAME TIME
Quitlove is unhappy. He’s pacing back and forth. He’s alone in his office but he’s speaking like he has an audience.
QUITLOVE
How long have we been at this? How long? All I’ve been trying to do is genetically engineer a perfect human so that I can sell it to the highest bidder, make a boatload of cash, and retire to Tahiti with loads of hookers and cocaine! Is that too much? Now because of one stupid woman, all of my plans are down the crapper!
The intercom BUZZES.
THERESA (O.S.)
Sir, it sounds like you’re yelling. Is there a problem?
QUITLOVE
A problem? Yes, Theresa! There’s a big problem! I hinged my entire life plan on the shoulders of one easily manipulated little girl and she’s making it extremely difficult for me!
He throws random things around his office. This whatever a psychopath’s answer to a temper tantrum is. He’s pulling things off the walls and just overall making a mess.
THERESA (O.S.)
Sir, what would you like done about it?
Quitlove stands in the shambles of what was only a short time ago, his office. He catches his breath and composes himself.
QUITLOVE
Theresa, would you please send in The Brute.
THERESA (O.S.)
Yes, sir.
QUITLOVE
Thank you.
THERESA (O.S.)
One other thing sir.
QUITLOVE
What is it.
Her voice trembles. Her voice has never trembled before.
THERESA (O.S.)
Well, sir. It appears she may have broken out.
QUITLOVE
Ah. Well, let’s find out where in my tower she is and we’ll just send The Brute there.
THERESA (O.S.)
Very good, sir. I’ll handle this.
QUITLOVE
Yes, see that you do.
He calmly walks over to his overturned chair and picks it up, and throws it out of his multi stories high window.
INT. SINECORP TOWER HALLWAY - MEANWHILE
GUNSHOTS ring out through the entire building. None of the guards seem to understand that Crestfall is bulletproof. She also isn’t tiring. There’s a line of unconscious guards stretching back through the twisty caverns. If a person wanted to, they could follow the trail of pain back to her cell, but this is clearly in a different part of the building.
Crestfall makes her way through the crowd of guards. Quickly taking them all out. Equally as quickly, she becomes very bored. The hallway ends in a large corridor. There are no more guards. She stops and shakes herself off. She’s not tired, she’s just adjusting to the adrenalin rush.
Standing across from her with a vicious grin on his face is The Brute.
BRUTE
Brute.
CRESTFALL
Oh shut up already!
They charge at each other. Crestfall PUNCHES him in the face and he SLUMPS to the ground.
Crestfall continues running down the hallway on the opposite end. There’s a sign above the hallway that says “EXECUTIVE OFFICES”
The Brute GROANS and twitches.
CUT TO:
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE
Crestfall is a little shocked to see the entire office in tatters. The only thing that hasn’t been destroyed is his desk and the only thing on the desk is a syringe.
QUITLOVE
You remember Doctor Waters right? She came to see me recently with this concoction of hers. She said that when I inject myself with it, it will give me powers not unlike your own.
He picks up the syringe and looks at it. He tosses it out of the giant hole in the window that his chair left behind.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I think that we both know which side Waters likes to butter her toast.
Crestfall begins to lunge forward.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Ah! I wouldn’t do that. This is the part where I tell you exactly what’s going on. You see. I did know your father. He was a true genius. Maybe too much so. If he wouldn’t work for me then he wasn’t going to work for anyone. I have a lot of pull here in my ivory tower. I’ve been watching you for a long, long time.
He walks over to a hidden panel. It WOOSHES open. Inside are vials of blood with Jessica Crest’s name and ages attached.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Every blood draw you’ve ever had. I have them all right here. I’ve been studying your blood for a long long time.
He pulls out the most recent vial.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
This one should do.
He walks over to another panel. This one has the purple goo inside.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Oh, science. I’ve been tampering with this particular compound for a while. It started with your father. He found a way to unlock the potential for super powers within his own DNA structure. We could never figure out why it wouldn’t work on anyone else, but that seemed a moot point. It worked on your dad, it worked on you.
He snaps both vials into an injector.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
And now. It will work on me.
CRESTFALL
No!
Her reaction is just a tad too late. He’s already injected himself. Before her eyes his muscles ripple and grow. He turns into a beast that looks a lot like The Brute.
Crestfall can’t bring herself to do anything except look on in horror.
He lurches forward. His back ripples and he SCREAMS out in agony as two jet black wings jut out of his back. They look black and leathery, like a bat or a demon. He regains his composure and stands tall. He’s much bigger than he was. He shakes his wings and they make a heavy WOOSH sound. His laugh is DEEP.
Crestfall snaps back to reality. Looking out the window down below she can see red an blue lights in the streets below. She charges at Quitlove and tackles him through the window SHATTERING the glass.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKIES ABOVE NEON CITY
They fight.
In the air they keep pushing each other away then using their wings to bash each other. Despite the difference in size, they are fairly equally matched.
Quitlove lunges at her and tackles her to the rooftop of a nearby building. He sits atop her and begins to pummel her with his fists.
QUITLOVE
You’ve ruined everything you stupid girl! All you had to do was everything I told you! You could be a general! You could be a goddess!
He punches her in the face. He’s suddenly overcome with pain. He rolls onto his side. Crestfall stands, bloody but not out of the game.
CRESTFALL
What’s the matter Q.L.? Am I too much woman for you to handle?
He sneers and grabs her again, launching into the air. They struggle a bit and he’s struggling against the pain again. He’s becoming noticeably smaller. He swings away at her. She grabs him by the shoulders and does a nose dive straight towards the ground. The force of the fall knocks him out. Just before IMPACT she rotates herself around to take the brunt of the hit.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS OUTSIDE OF SINECORPS TOWER
The impact left a small indent in the streets below. Marie is there with Aloyo. Both are shocked to see the two people who were just fighting in the air, now climbing out of a hole in the ground.
Quitlove is dazed. He’s back to his normal size, he still has the black wings but they are almost comically small now. He tries to reason with the police.
QUITLOVE
Officers! Arrest this woman! She’s accosted me. Broke into my building, tore apart my office. It’s awful!
MARIE
Sir, I’m going to need you to calm down.
She slaps handcuffs on Quitlove and puts him in the cruiser.
QUITLOVE
What’s the meaning of all this?
MARIE
We got a tip that you’ve been up to some naughty things Mr. Quitlove. I might have a bone or two to pick with you myself.
Garbaz and Doctor Waters are helping Crestfall to her feet.
WATERS
How are the effects of the serum?
CRESTFALL
They started wearing off around the time he started screaming in pain. What happened there?
WATERS
The stuff that your father affectionately referred to as “The Goo” really only does work on your DNA. The only other subject it’s gotten close to working on is The Brute and I’m sure we’ll find he’s somehow related to you or some crazy clone, or something. Quitlove had the right idea mixing your blood with The Goo, I had hoped it would wear off. I’m glad to see it has.
CRESTFALL
So, the vile you gave him wasn’t a fake?
WATERS
No. Why? Didn’t he use it?
CRESTFALL
No, he tossed it out of the window. He had his own stash up in his office.
WATERS
Out the window? I’ll see if we can get a team to make sure it’s nothing.
Garbaz gives her a big hug.
GARBAZ
What’s next for you now Jessica?
CRESTFALL
Next? Now I stay here. Protect my city.
GARBAZ
That sounds like an amazing idea to me.
EXT. NEON CITY ROOFTOPS - NIGHT - WEEKS LATER
Crestfall sits perched atop a gargoyle. She’s in a new jumpsuit from The Facility. Her blood red wings pulled back as she surveys her city.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s warm tonight in Neon City. The skies are clear. Everything seems to be at peace.
In the distance, a woman SCREAMS.
CRESTFALL
Finally!
She jumps off of the gargoyle into the night.
FADE OUT.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
My assignment
MY TEACHER WANTED ME TO TALK ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH COMICS, HOW I GO ABOUT SETTING UP MY FIRST DRAFTS, AND WHERE I SEE MY THIRD ACT GOING. HE WANTED ME TO DO THIS IN 200 WORDS. I DID IT IN 389. IF HE DOCKS ME POINTS, I DON'T CARE. THIS IS MY (SOMEWHAT ABBREVIATED) VIEW ON THE MATTER.
I’m a student of comics. That’s not to say I’ve been studying books on comics for years or I’m taking classes or anything like that. I’m just a huge, huge fan. Comics serve as an outlet the way few other things can and after reading them for so many years, I’ve come to understand the basic structure of storytelling within. There’s a different way to tell a horror story versus a super hero story and different ways to tell a western over a pirate story. The list goes on and on but there’s a pervasive theme that works through comics; and that is the marriage of picture and words. Writing comics for me is like writing a movie, and not in that they both use scripts, moreso in the way that the writer puts his ideas to paper and the director/artist brings those words to life.
The difficult thing for me when writing a comic is looking at the story from an artistic perspective. Since I’m not a visual artist, I’m very open to the artist’s interpretation of my work. It’s the essence of collaboration that really appeals to me in this medium.
In coming up with my first draft, I often outline my story with bullet points. I try to cover at least one bullet point per page so I like to have a bare minimum of twenty-two bullets to work from. As it gets down to the page itself, I take layouts from stories I love and single issues that flow well and I try to mimic those in my scripts. When I don’t know how to layout a page in a visually stimulating way, I go for the basic six-panel layout (two across and three down) and I have every bit of faith that my artist can make it striking.
In my climactic ending, Crestfall (the heroine of my story) is faced with the man who caused her condition. He’s manipulated her mentally and physically. She’s positioned herself in such a way that now she has the upper hand. Her biggest fear is finding out how far she’s willing to go. If she kills him that will be a choice she has to live with. But can she live with herself knowing that this monster is still around? It’s a morality question to say the least.
I’m a student of comics. That’s not to say I’ve been studying books on comics for years or I’m taking classes or anything like that. I’m just a huge, huge fan. Comics serve as an outlet the way few other things can and after reading them for so many years, I’ve come to understand the basic structure of storytelling within. There’s a different way to tell a horror story versus a super hero story and different ways to tell a western over a pirate story. The list goes on and on but there’s a pervasive theme that works through comics; and that is the marriage of picture and words. Writing comics for me is like writing a movie, and not in that they both use scripts, moreso in the way that the writer puts his ideas to paper and the director/artist brings those words to life.
The difficult thing for me when writing a comic is looking at the story from an artistic perspective. Since I’m not a visual artist, I’m very open to the artist’s interpretation of my work. It’s the essence of collaboration that really appeals to me in this medium.
In coming up with my first draft, I often outline my story with bullet points. I try to cover at least one bullet point per page so I like to have a bare minimum of twenty-two bullets to work from. As it gets down to the page itself, I take layouts from stories I love and single issues that flow well and I try to mimic those in my scripts. When I don’t know how to layout a page in a visually stimulating way, I go for the basic six-panel layout (two across and three down) and I have every bit of faith that my artist can make it striking.
In my climactic ending, Crestfall (the heroine of my story) is faced with the man who caused her condition. He’s manipulated her mentally and physically. She’s positioned herself in such a way that now she has the upper hand. Her biggest fear is finding out how far she’s willing to go. If she kills him that will be a choice she has to live with. But can she live with herself knowing that this monster is still around? It’s a morality question to say the least.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Crestfall Beginning of Act 3
INT. NEWSROOM - NEWS BROADCAST - EARLY EVENING
STEPHANIE BROWN is a news anchor. As she goes over the details of the day, images of earlier events flash across the screen.
STEPHANIE
...and in tonight’s top story: A brawl broke out in downtown Neon City between, what sources say, looked like a giant and an angel. Eyewitness reports place the fight across various points throughout the city, ending pretty remarkably in Neon’s “Iridescent Park”.
CUT TO:
INT. MARIE’S APARTMENT
Marie sits on the couch, tears streaming down her face, she’s surrounded by friends and family as they watch the news. She can’t bring herself to look at the screen as Stephanie’s broadcast describes the worst day of her life.
STEPHANIE (V.O.)
While there were a number of injuries reported in the aftermath of the altercation, at least one fatality was confirmed. Doctor Kent Rosen was in the park with his fiancee when the fight was brought to their dinner. Dr. Rosen was one of the top surgeons in Neon City. He will be missed by the entire community and our thoughts are with his fiancee; Neon City Police Detective Marie Briggs.
As Stephanie speaks, Marie clutches a photo of her with Kent. She wipes away a tear and walks to another room.
MARIE
I’m going to go to work for a while. I need to clear my head.
CUT TO:
INT. GARBAZ’S APT.
Garbaz watches intently as the news story unfolds in front of him. Regret reads across his face.
STEPHANIE (V.O.)
One question on everyone’s mind tonight is: Who were these individuals? Joining me tonight in the newsroom is our Senior Crime Analyst: Eric Simms. Eric?
CUT TO:
INT. NEWSROOM
Sitting across from Stephanie is ERIC SIMMS. The format of the show switches to a more “talking heads” segment than a news story.
ERIC
Thank you Stephanie. Who are these people indeed? We have a “brute” of some kind and some sort of crestfallen angel. Both of whom seem to have a blatant disregard of everything from private property to public safety. We’re talking about a pair of murderers for Pete’s sake Stephanie!
STEPHANIE
Is it safe to say “a pair of murderers” Eric? It seems as if the giant was only interested in beating down the angel who, in turn, was playing mostly reactionary.
ERIC
In which case, she’s his accomplice at best! These looked like highly trained, well armed soldiers!
CUT TO:
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE
Quitlove sits at his desk staring at the large TV inserted into his wall. He grins from ear to ear as the debate continues on TV.
ERIC (V.O.)
What kind of sick individuals hype themselves up on drugs and smack each other around town for fun? For fun! How many people are going to have to die before we start to get concerned? Today it’s giants and angels, tomorrow what will it be? Demons and ogres? We need to find the source of these freaks and cut it off at the head. And another thing...
Quitlove CLICKS off the TV. He stretches his legs on his desk, immensely pleased with himself. Theresa enters from off screen and hands him a large cup of coffee.
QUITLOVE
Everything is going according to my master plan Theresa.
THERESA
Of course it is sir. Never doubted you at all.
QUITLOVE
No, you haven’t. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, my dear. Has our guest been fully prepped?
THERESA
Yes sir. Mr. Brute has seen to the safety and security of Ms. Crest. She’s safely tucked away in suite 12.
QUITLOVE
Ah yes... suite 12. Did we ever get the roaches removed?
THERESA
No, sir.
QUITLOVE
Even better.
THERESA
Sir.
Theresa turns to leave.
QUITLOVE
Please send in Doctor Waters.
THERESA
Of course.
QUITLOVE
One more thing. Find me all the personal information you can gather on our Mr. Eric Simms, will you? No one refers to my children as “freaks” without facing some dire consequences.
INT. QUITLOVE’S WAITING ROOM - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Doctor Waters is sitting on the pristine white couch in the hyper sanitized waiting room. White furniture and artwork pepper the white room and white shag carpet rests beneath her shoes. The only real splash of color is the red and black “Sinecorp” logo on the wall.
Doctor Waters looks as if she hasn’t slept in days. She’s disheveled and her hair is a frizzled mess. She’s staring into space until she’s startled by Theresa’s return. Theresa sits at her computer and CLICKS away at the keys. She looks over at Doctor Waters as almost an afterthought.
THERESA
He’s ready to see you now.
WATERS
If he’s busy I can always come back later.
THERESA
He’s always busy. It just so happens that right now, he’s busy with his meeting with you. If you don’t go in now you’ll just be wasting his time, and he doesn’t appreciate his time being wasted.
WATERS
Okay then.
She stands and adjusts her clothes. She catches her reflection in a mirror and mutters a CURSE. She regains her composure and enters his office.
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
As Doctor Waters enters, Quitlove rises to his feet to greet her. He grabs her hands in his and shakes them vigorously.
QUITLOVE
Doctor! I trust you’ve seen the news tonight?
WATERS
I have, sir. Congratulations.
QUITLOVE
When that bumbling Bob decided to throw a wrench in the fine machine that is my master plan, I thought for sure we’d lose everything. But you, my dear Doctor, have made sure that everything is flowing as we need it to. The success of Operation Crestfall rests on your shoulders, almost as much as it rests on mine. You should be incredibly proud.
WATERS
Yes, sir. I am, sir.
Quitlove catches a tone from Waters that suggest maybe she’s not incredibly proud.
QUITLOVE
Is everything alright, Doctor? You seem unhappy with our progress.
WATERS
Oh no, sir! Everything is fine. I’ve just been up for days refining the new formula. I want to make sure that everything is set for the next stage of trials.
QUITLOVE
Ah yes! The new formula.
WATERS
It’s just as you requested. Our original purple goo mixed with Crestfall’s own blood. My research suggests that after we’ve merged the two, we should be able to replicate the effects Crestfall herself experienced.
QUITLOVE
That, my dear doctor, is amazing news. Go take some time off and get some rest. Leave the serum here with me.
WATERS
Sir?
QUITLOVE
The serum. I know you have it. Leave the syringe here. I’ll see to it’s safe keeping.
WATERS
What are you planning on doing?
QUITLOVE
Planning? Doctor, you should know fairly well that I have quite a lot planned. If you need further proof, check out suite 12.
WATERS
Suite 12?
QUITLOVE
It’s one of our finer holding cells. You may leave now, Doctor.
WATERS
Yes, sir.
INT. SUITE 12 - EVENING
It’s pitch black. Everything is dark. Water is DRIPPING in the room. As Crestfall regains consciousness, light appears and we can see that she’s strapped to chair in a concrete cell. Roaches are crawling all over her body. Her clothes are torn and she is bloody and bruised from her fight with The Brute.
There is an IV stand next to Crestfall. It’s dripping into her arm. She’s startled as she awakes but she doesn’t have the strength to scream. She can barely move her head as a roach runs down her cheek. Her inner monologue is stilted and tired.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Okay. Again, ouch. Suck it up, Crest. Where are you. Okay. Gross. And apparantly, I can’t move. There’s some kind of drip in your arm. Okay. And your body is one massive bruise. I’m sure it’s nothing. No big deal for the big time super hero.
A rat runs across the floor.
CRESTFALL (V.O. CONT’D)
Okay. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die here. No biggie. Death I can handle. I’m at least going to bring someone down with me.
The cell door MOANS and CREAKS as it’s opened. Quitlove saunters in wearing a nice suit. He’s carrying a metal folding chair. Crestfall is aware of his entrance but can’t physically move her head to look at him. He sets the chair down in front of her. He fiddles with her IV drip and takes a seat.
QUITLOVE
Why, hello again Ms. Crest. Do you remember me?
Crestfall can’t respond. This irritates Quitlove a little.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I’ve adjusted your fluids. The least you could do is acknowledge the courtesy. You should have a small resurgence of strength soon. I know we’ve had our differences but there’s no call for being uncivil.
Crestfall COUGHS out a painful LAUGH.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I suppose you find this all very amusing.
When she speaks, it’s like a loud whisper.
CRESTFALL
Only a little.
QUITLOVE
What do you mean?
CRESTFALL
You can’t even face me yourself. You have this huge obsession with bringing me down and you can’t seem to even be in the same room with me unless I’m in a hospital or tied to a chair.
Quitlove leans forward and runs his hand down her cheek.
QUITLOVE
Bring you down? My dear, I want nothing more than to bring you up. I want you by my side. I need you here with me. Your genetic code holds the formula for a massive army, and you, sweet princess, will be their leader.
CRESTFALL
Why me?
QUITLOVE
Because of your sneaky father. That’s why. When he was removed from The Facility, he took with him just enough of his research to leave us running in circles. It was brought to my attention that he had been steadily injecting himself with samples. His intention with this was not to turn himself into a superior being, but to ensure that his future spawn would be protected.
CRESTFALL
Protected. Yeah. That worked out. Thanks Dad.
QUITLOVE
Intentions notwithstanding, you are here now. You’ve been humbled before my son, and now you can take your place at my side... daughter.
Her voice is definitely stronger.
CRESTFALL
Really? That’s your ploy? Take everything away from me then pretend that you want to create some kind of grotesque new family? A corporate magnate, a giant, and an angel? Quick, call Fox I’ve got an idea for a new show.
QUITLOVE
Trust me, my dear. I’m not being coy. I’m not messing around. Join me. My army is yours to lead. To command.
CRESTFALL
To create, you mean. You haven’t got an army. If you did, you wouldn’t have just sent Brute.
QUITLOVE
You are correct. I wanted you here at my side. Together we can show the world what it should be. I can rule it and you can police it.
CRESTFALL
Wow. Okay. Crazy much?
QUITLOVE
What is your final answer my dear. Choose your words carefully.
CRESTFALL
Choose my words carefully. Let’s see.
Quitlove leans close to her face. She has enough strength to hold her head up and look him in the eyes.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Well with an offer like that how could I ever say “no”?
Quitlove grins.
QUITLOVE
Fantastic, my dear! Let’s get started on changing the world!
CRESTFALL
Oh! I know how. How about: Hell. No.
The grin drops from Quitlove’s face.
QUITLOVE
What?
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry. Did I stutter “dad”? I’m not going to lead your apocalyptic army of doom. I’m not even going to play cheerleader for your football team. I can’t stress enough exactly how much against you I actually am.
QUITLOVE
I understand.
CRESTFALL
No, I don’t think you do. What I’m saying is...
Before she can finish, Quitlove lunges towards her and punches her in the face, knocking her out cold. He pinches her IV to a slow drip and hits an intercom on the wall.
QUITLOVE
Theresa? Clear my date book. We’ve hit a small snag.
He storms out of the cell.
STEPHANIE BROWN is a news anchor. As she goes over the details of the day, images of earlier events flash across the screen.
STEPHANIE
...and in tonight’s top story: A brawl broke out in downtown Neon City between, what sources say, looked like a giant and an angel. Eyewitness reports place the fight across various points throughout the city, ending pretty remarkably in Neon’s “Iridescent Park”.
CUT TO:
INT. MARIE’S APARTMENT
Marie sits on the couch, tears streaming down her face, she’s surrounded by friends and family as they watch the news. She can’t bring herself to look at the screen as Stephanie’s broadcast describes the worst day of her life.
STEPHANIE (V.O.)
While there were a number of injuries reported in the aftermath of the altercation, at least one fatality was confirmed. Doctor Kent Rosen was in the park with his fiancee when the fight was brought to their dinner. Dr. Rosen was one of the top surgeons in Neon City. He will be missed by the entire community and our thoughts are with his fiancee; Neon City Police Detective Marie Briggs.
As Stephanie speaks, Marie clutches a photo of her with Kent. She wipes away a tear and walks to another room.
MARIE
I’m going to go to work for a while. I need to clear my head.
CUT TO:
INT. GARBAZ’S APT.
Garbaz watches intently as the news story unfolds in front of him. Regret reads across his face.
STEPHANIE (V.O.)
One question on everyone’s mind tonight is: Who were these individuals? Joining me tonight in the newsroom is our Senior Crime Analyst: Eric Simms. Eric?
CUT TO:
INT. NEWSROOM
Sitting across from Stephanie is ERIC SIMMS. The format of the show switches to a more “talking heads” segment than a news story.
ERIC
Thank you Stephanie. Who are these people indeed? We have a “brute” of some kind and some sort of crestfallen angel. Both of whom seem to have a blatant disregard of everything from private property to public safety. We’re talking about a pair of murderers for Pete’s sake Stephanie!
STEPHANIE
Is it safe to say “a pair of murderers” Eric? It seems as if the giant was only interested in beating down the angel who, in turn, was playing mostly reactionary.
ERIC
In which case, she’s his accomplice at best! These looked like highly trained, well armed soldiers!
CUT TO:
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE
Quitlove sits at his desk staring at the large TV inserted into his wall. He grins from ear to ear as the debate continues on TV.
ERIC (V.O.)
What kind of sick individuals hype themselves up on drugs and smack each other around town for fun? For fun! How many people are going to have to die before we start to get concerned? Today it’s giants and angels, tomorrow what will it be? Demons and ogres? We need to find the source of these freaks and cut it off at the head. And another thing...
Quitlove CLICKS off the TV. He stretches his legs on his desk, immensely pleased with himself. Theresa enters from off screen and hands him a large cup of coffee.
QUITLOVE
Everything is going according to my master plan Theresa.
THERESA
Of course it is sir. Never doubted you at all.
QUITLOVE
No, you haven’t. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, my dear. Has our guest been fully prepped?
THERESA
Yes sir. Mr. Brute has seen to the safety and security of Ms. Crest. She’s safely tucked away in suite 12.
QUITLOVE
Ah yes... suite 12. Did we ever get the roaches removed?
THERESA
No, sir.
QUITLOVE
Even better.
THERESA
Sir.
Theresa turns to leave.
QUITLOVE
Please send in Doctor Waters.
THERESA
Of course.
QUITLOVE
One more thing. Find me all the personal information you can gather on our Mr. Eric Simms, will you? No one refers to my children as “freaks” without facing some dire consequences.
INT. QUITLOVE’S WAITING ROOM - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Doctor Waters is sitting on the pristine white couch in the hyper sanitized waiting room. White furniture and artwork pepper the white room and white shag carpet rests beneath her shoes. The only real splash of color is the red and black “Sinecorp” logo on the wall.
Doctor Waters looks as if she hasn’t slept in days. She’s disheveled and her hair is a frizzled mess. She’s staring into space until she’s startled by Theresa’s return. Theresa sits at her computer and CLICKS away at the keys. She looks over at Doctor Waters as almost an afterthought.
THERESA
He’s ready to see you now.
WATERS
If he’s busy I can always come back later.
THERESA
He’s always busy. It just so happens that right now, he’s busy with his meeting with you. If you don’t go in now you’ll just be wasting his time, and he doesn’t appreciate his time being wasted.
WATERS
Okay then.
She stands and adjusts her clothes. She catches her reflection in a mirror and mutters a CURSE. She regains her composure and enters his office.
INT. QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
As Doctor Waters enters, Quitlove rises to his feet to greet her. He grabs her hands in his and shakes them vigorously.
QUITLOVE
Doctor! I trust you’ve seen the news tonight?
WATERS
I have, sir. Congratulations.
QUITLOVE
When that bumbling Bob decided to throw a wrench in the fine machine that is my master plan, I thought for sure we’d lose everything. But you, my dear Doctor, have made sure that everything is flowing as we need it to. The success of Operation Crestfall rests on your shoulders, almost as much as it rests on mine. You should be incredibly proud.
WATERS
Yes, sir. I am, sir.
Quitlove catches a tone from Waters that suggest maybe she’s not incredibly proud.
QUITLOVE
Is everything alright, Doctor? You seem unhappy with our progress.
WATERS
Oh no, sir! Everything is fine. I’ve just been up for days refining the new formula. I want to make sure that everything is set for the next stage of trials.
QUITLOVE
Ah yes! The new formula.
WATERS
It’s just as you requested. Our original purple goo mixed with Crestfall’s own blood. My research suggests that after we’ve merged the two, we should be able to replicate the effects Crestfall herself experienced.
QUITLOVE
That, my dear doctor, is amazing news. Go take some time off and get some rest. Leave the serum here with me.
WATERS
Sir?
QUITLOVE
The serum. I know you have it. Leave the syringe here. I’ll see to it’s safe keeping.
WATERS
What are you planning on doing?
QUITLOVE
Planning? Doctor, you should know fairly well that I have quite a lot planned. If you need further proof, check out suite 12.
WATERS
Suite 12?
QUITLOVE
It’s one of our finer holding cells. You may leave now, Doctor.
WATERS
Yes, sir.
INT. SUITE 12 - EVENING
It’s pitch black. Everything is dark. Water is DRIPPING in the room. As Crestfall regains consciousness, light appears and we can see that she’s strapped to chair in a concrete cell. Roaches are crawling all over her body. Her clothes are torn and she is bloody and bruised from her fight with The Brute.
There is an IV stand next to Crestfall. It’s dripping into her arm. She’s startled as she awakes but she doesn’t have the strength to scream. She can barely move her head as a roach runs down her cheek. Her inner monologue is stilted and tired.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Okay. Again, ouch. Suck it up, Crest. Where are you. Okay. Gross. And apparantly, I can’t move. There’s some kind of drip in your arm. Okay. And your body is one massive bruise. I’m sure it’s nothing. No big deal for the big time super hero.
A rat runs across the floor.
CRESTFALL (V.O. CONT’D)
Okay. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die here. No biggie. Death I can handle. I’m at least going to bring someone down with me.
The cell door MOANS and CREAKS as it’s opened. Quitlove saunters in wearing a nice suit. He’s carrying a metal folding chair. Crestfall is aware of his entrance but can’t physically move her head to look at him. He sets the chair down in front of her. He fiddles with her IV drip and takes a seat.
QUITLOVE
Why, hello again Ms. Crest. Do you remember me?
Crestfall can’t respond. This irritates Quitlove a little.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I’ve adjusted your fluids. The least you could do is acknowledge the courtesy. You should have a small resurgence of strength soon. I know we’ve had our differences but there’s no call for being uncivil.
Crestfall COUGHS out a painful LAUGH.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I suppose you find this all very amusing.
When she speaks, it’s like a loud whisper.
CRESTFALL
Only a little.
QUITLOVE
What do you mean?
CRESTFALL
You can’t even face me yourself. You have this huge obsession with bringing me down and you can’t seem to even be in the same room with me unless I’m in a hospital or tied to a chair.
Quitlove leans forward and runs his hand down her cheek.
QUITLOVE
Bring you down? My dear, I want nothing more than to bring you up. I want you by my side. I need you here with me. Your genetic code holds the formula for a massive army, and you, sweet princess, will be their leader.
CRESTFALL
Why me?
QUITLOVE
Because of your sneaky father. That’s why. When he was removed from The Facility, he took with him just enough of his research to leave us running in circles. It was brought to my attention that he had been steadily injecting himself with samples. His intention with this was not to turn himself into a superior being, but to ensure that his future spawn would be protected.
CRESTFALL
Protected. Yeah. That worked out. Thanks Dad.
QUITLOVE
Intentions notwithstanding, you are here now. You’ve been humbled before my son, and now you can take your place at my side... daughter.
Her voice is definitely stronger.
CRESTFALL
Really? That’s your ploy? Take everything away from me then pretend that you want to create some kind of grotesque new family? A corporate magnate, a giant, and an angel? Quick, call Fox I’ve got an idea for a new show.
QUITLOVE
Trust me, my dear. I’m not being coy. I’m not messing around. Join me. My army is yours to lead. To command.
CRESTFALL
To create, you mean. You haven’t got an army. If you did, you wouldn’t have just sent Brute.
QUITLOVE
You are correct. I wanted you here at my side. Together we can show the world what it should be. I can rule it and you can police it.
CRESTFALL
Wow. Okay. Crazy much?
QUITLOVE
What is your final answer my dear. Choose your words carefully.
CRESTFALL
Choose my words carefully. Let’s see.
Quitlove leans close to her face. She has enough strength to hold her head up and look him in the eyes.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Well with an offer like that how could I ever say “no”?
Quitlove grins.
QUITLOVE
Fantastic, my dear! Let’s get started on changing the world!
CRESTFALL
Oh! I know how. How about: Hell. No.
The grin drops from Quitlove’s face.
QUITLOVE
What?
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry. Did I stutter “dad”? I’m not going to lead your apocalyptic army of doom. I’m not even going to play cheerleader for your football team. I can’t stress enough exactly how much against you I actually am.
QUITLOVE
I understand.
CRESTFALL
No, I don’t think you do. What I’m saying is...
Before she can finish, Quitlove lunges towards her and punches her in the face, knocking her out cold. He pinches her IV to a slow drip and hits an intercom on the wall.
QUITLOVE
Theresa? Clear my date book. We’ve hit a small snag.
He storms out of the cell.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Crestfall (end of act 2)
INT. GARBAZ’S TRAINING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Crestfall is punching a punching bag suspended from the ceiling. The intensity with which she does this shows that her determination is at its peak. We don’t see Garbaz on screen but his words are driving her.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
We cannot underestimate our enemy, Crestfall. We can’t simply assume that he’ll hear you’re coming and throw in the towel. We have to be prepared to fight. We have to be prepared to face a danger greater than anything we’ve faced yet. We have to be ready to die.
Crestfall punches the bag so hard that it FALLS to the ground.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
And by that, I mean that you have to be ready to die. In order to bring this man, Quitlove, to justice. You have to throw yourself to the wolves both proverbial, and actual. The threat of death looms over you and you must embrace it, or you must turn away now.
She stares at the bag on the ground. Sand spilling from its torn seams. Her gaze lingers on it for a moment.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
I know you’ve worked hard to get here. I know that you’ve suffered. I know that the pain you’ve put yourself through is more than you can imagine would ever be inflicted on you by another.
Crestfall looks at her hands. They are bloody from the force with which she hit the bag.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
You’d be mistaken. Alexander Quitlove will make every pain you’ve ever felt, seem like a stubbed toe. His perpetuation for evil can not be outshined. You must show him that your good, will kick his evil’s butt.
Crestfall stands up straight as she hears this. She becomes more stoic. She spreads her wings as a wave of inspiration crosses her demeanor.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
You have to show him that no longer will the good people of this city follow his rule of fear. No longer will we stick to the shadows and timidly fight from the sidelines. No longer will we allow his guns in our schools, his drugs on streets. No longer will we tolerate his whores on our corners and our money to line his pockets. It’s time for Alexander Quitlove to pay the piper.
INT. VAN - PARKED ACROSS FROM BANK - AFTERNOON
THOMAS and JERRY are sitting in the van. They’re clearly nervous. They are a part of RALEIGH GANG, one of the biggest gangs in Neon City.
JERRY
Look, Thomas, I’m just freaked out is all. I mean, what about those stories?
THOMAS
What stories, Jerry?
JERRY
You know the ones!
THOMAS
Are you talking about that supernatural so-and-so everyone’s been talking about?
JERRY
She ain’t no “so-and-so” Thomas, she’s an angel!
THOMAS
An angel, right.
JERRY
She is! Freddy saw her with his own eyes! Said they was roughing up some skirt in the alley a couple of days ago, and this angle swoops out of Heaven, knocks them all down in a blinding flash, and takes the girl with her up to the pearly gates!
THOMAS
Sounds like a load of garbage to me.
JERRY
Freddy might be a lot of things, but he ain’t no liar.
THOMAS
What’s that got to do with us anyway?
JERRY
Just got me thinking about the work and all is all, man. I mean it goes back to that whole thing of “if God is for us, who can be against us” kind of thing. If they have angels what do we have?
THOMAS
We have The Brute.
JERRY
The Brute? Isn’t that just a rumor?
THOMAS
You can believe that an angel came down from “on high” to rescue some dame in an alleyway, but you can’t believe that the boss concocted some formula to make a super strong dude?
JERRY
You might have a point there.
THOMAS
Stop freaking out about nothing and let’s get ready to do this.
They pull ski masks over there faces.
JERRY
When are the others showing up?
THOMAS
Most of the others are inside already. We burst in, start the commotion, and the others join us. We got the element of surprise and no one has to get hurt too bad.
They reach in the back seat and each grab a shotgun and a large gym bag.
JERRY
Let’s do this!
THOMAS
Raleigh Gang, represent!
They get out of the van.
EXT. SKIES ABOVE NEON CITY - AFTERNOON
Crestfall is flying above her city. Re-invigorated after the pep talk that she received from Garbaz. She darts in between buildings as she tests her speed.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Garbaz is right. I have to do this. I’m the only one who can. My parents were killed by this psycho and he’s been manipulating my entire life ever since. He wants me to be his little pawn. Yeah, that’ll happen.
She shoots through the air straight up and hovers over her city.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Am I ready to die though? Am I ready to put it all on the line? If I do have to die, will my sacrifice be in vain? Will anyone even notice?
Miles below, an alarm RINGS.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It doesn’t matter what I think now. Trouble’s going down and I can stop it.
She dives towards the sound of the alarm.
EXT. NEON CITY - BANK - AFTERNOON
Thomas and Jerry are outside the bank shooting towards the entrance. There are three other masked individuals carrying a limp fourth to the van. The alarm RINGS loudly. One of the masked gang members tries to start the van. It refuses.
JERRY
Oh man, oh man. What do we do Thomas? What do we do?
THOMAS
Just chill out Jerry. It’ll be fine.
They’re taking cover behind some parked cars and bullets are FIRED back from the bank.
JERRY
I didn’t think security guys had guns!
THOMAS
They don’t usually. The recon on this mission was Freddy’s job. Still believe that whole thing about “angels”?
JERRY
That two-timer! Next time I see him I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!
The shooting has halted.
THOMAS
Shut up for a second, Jerry. You hear that?
JERRY
I don’t hear nothing.
THOMAS
Exactly. They ain’t shooting anymore.
Thomas sticks his head in the van.
THOMAS (CONT’D)
Yo! What’s going on in there?
The van is empty. Thomas is panicking.
JERRY
You know that thing about angels Thomas?
THOMAS
Yeah, Jerry?
JERRY
I believe it.
Thomas steps out of the van to see Crestfall hovering above him. The other gang members neatly tied up and sitting on the corner. Jerry has wet himself.
CRESTFALL
Your friend will be fine. He’s been shot but it’s nothing serious. Time for you guys to turn yourselves in.
There’s a faint BOOM in the distance. Thomas smiles. Jerry freaks out. Jerry runs over and falls to his hands and knees in front of her.
JERRY
Tell God I’m sorry! I’m sorry for my wicked ways! I deserve His punishment!
BOOM
CRESTFALL
What are you talking about?
JERRY
My dear, Angel! Descended from above to dish out our punishment. Take me with you into the heavens so that I might be blessed!
BOOM
CRESTFALL
You’re crazy. Get over there! And you, what’s with the grin?
BOOM
THOMAS
Me? Oh, nothing. I would just like to introduce you to our big brother. Ms.
Angel-lady, meet The Brute.
The Brute’s arm smacks into Crestfall sending her flying through the wall of the bank.
INT. BANK OF NEON CITY
Crestfall flies through the front wall, lands on her back and skids to the counter. One of the GUARDS who’d been observing is now standing over her looking dumbfounded. A series of BOOMS can be heard as The Brute comes closer to the entrance of the bank.
ANOTHER GUARD opens fire on The Brute as he casually makes his way up the stairs into the building. The customers all flee in a loud mass leaving only the TELLERS behind the counter, the BANK MANAGER, the guards, and a roughed up Crestfall.
CRESTFALL
Okay, that hurt. A lot.
The Brute comes into the bank as Crestfall gets to her feet.
BRUTE
Brute hurt.
CRESTFALL
No, no I’m Crestfall. I think you have me confused with someone else.
BRUTE
Brute hurt!
CRESTFALL
Oh! You’re Brute, and you’ve come to hurt me?
BRUTE
Yes.
CRESTFALL
Yeah, that’s not going to work for me.
Brute runs towards her, faster than his size would allude to. He swings at her again with his giant arms. She flies through the ceiling.
The guards shoot at him. He walks over to one of the guards and rips the guard’s arms out of their sockets. He leaps through the new skylight he and Crestfall just created.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEON CITY - PARK
MARIE and KENT are strolling through the park with a picnic basket and blanket. Marie lays out the blanket while Kent pulls out a bottle of wine.
KENT
You know how much I love you, Marie.
MARIE
Oh, Kent. I do.
He hands her a glass of wine.
KENT
Well there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.
She places some sandwiches she’d made earlier out on the blanket.
MARIE
Ask me anything, my darling.
KENT
Marie, will you...
Crestfall lands on top of the sandwiches. The force of her landing leaves an IMPACT on the ground and the blanket is lost beneath her. Marie SCREAMS. Crestfall is bloody. She’s bruised and clearly has a couple of fractured bones.
CRESTFALL
Run.
Her voice is a whisper. Kent runs over to her.
KENT
I’m a doctor. Don’t move. You’ve just had a terrible accident.
CRESTFALL
Brute. Run. Run away.
MARIE
Kent? What is she saying. Baby, call the cops! Call an ambulance! Do Something!
KENT
Honey, I love you but I need you to shut the heck up for a minute.
He runs his hands down Crestfall’s neck to check for damages.
KENT (CONT’D)
Your spine seems to be in tact but we do need to get you to a hospital. Let me get my phone.
The Brute lands with a THUD next to Crestfall. His feet buried in the ground up to his ankles. He lets out and loud ROAR and swings at Kent’s head, removing it from his shoulders. Marie SCREAMS again and passes out.
BRUTE
Brute!
Crestfall pulls herself up slowly. She brushes herself off and shakes her head to try to quell the dazed feeling she has from being knocked across the city.
CRESTFALL
Okay. We get it. You’re Brute. You hurt people.
She stumbles to her knees, and somehow manages to stand again. She stretches her wings and finds her inner strength.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Well I’m Crestfall. I fight for the hurt. I fight for the tired. I fight for the victims of your violence.
Brute seems to be stuck in the ground. He can’t move forward. She slowly, deliberately moves towards him.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
You don’t get to smack people around anymore. None of your kind. Not you, not Doc Waters, not Quitlove.
At the sound of Quitlove’s name, Brute finds a renewed strength as well.
BRUTE
Dad!
Crestfall realizes what Brute means.
CRESTFALL
Are you serious? He’s your father?
Brute swings his arms at Crestfall again, she dodges easily. She punches him a few times and strikes him with her wings. He’s unaffected. As she moves around him, he stands there taking it.
BRUTE
Brute. Hurt.
He steps out of the ground that held his feet captive. He lunges at Crestfall, dazing her.
CRESTFALL
Oh, crap.
He SMACKS Crestfall on the head, knocking her out instantly.
BRUTE
Brute. Dad.
He grabs her leg and drags her behind him into the horizon.
Crestfall is punching a punching bag suspended from the ceiling. The intensity with which she does this shows that her determination is at its peak. We don’t see Garbaz on screen but his words are driving her.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
We cannot underestimate our enemy, Crestfall. We can’t simply assume that he’ll hear you’re coming and throw in the towel. We have to be prepared to fight. We have to be prepared to face a danger greater than anything we’ve faced yet. We have to be ready to die.
Crestfall punches the bag so hard that it FALLS to the ground.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
And by that, I mean that you have to be ready to die. In order to bring this man, Quitlove, to justice. You have to throw yourself to the wolves both proverbial, and actual. The threat of death looms over you and you must embrace it, or you must turn away now.
She stares at the bag on the ground. Sand spilling from its torn seams. Her gaze lingers on it for a moment.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
I know you’ve worked hard to get here. I know that you’ve suffered. I know that the pain you’ve put yourself through is more than you can imagine would ever be inflicted on you by another.
Crestfall looks at her hands. They are bloody from the force with which she hit the bag.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
You’d be mistaken. Alexander Quitlove will make every pain you’ve ever felt, seem like a stubbed toe. His perpetuation for evil can not be outshined. You must show him that your good, will kick his evil’s butt.
Crestfall stands up straight as she hears this. She becomes more stoic. She spreads her wings as a wave of inspiration crosses her demeanor.
GARBAZ (V.O.)
You have to show him that no longer will the good people of this city follow his rule of fear. No longer will we stick to the shadows and timidly fight from the sidelines. No longer will we allow his guns in our schools, his drugs on streets. No longer will we tolerate his whores on our corners and our money to line his pockets. It’s time for Alexander Quitlove to pay the piper.
INT. VAN - PARKED ACROSS FROM BANK - AFTERNOON
THOMAS and JERRY are sitting in the van. They’re clearly nervous. They are a part of RALEIGH GANG, one of the biggest gangs in Neon City.
JERRY
Look, Thomas, I’m just freaked out is all. I mean, what about those stories?
THOMAS
What stories, Jerry?
JERRY
You know the ones!
THOMAS
Are you talking about that supernatural so-and-so everyone’s been talking about?
JERRY
She ain’t no “so-and-so” Thomas, she’s an angel!
THOMAS
An angel, right.
JERRY
She is! Freddy saw her with his own eyes! Said they was roughing up some skirt in the alley a couple of days ago, and this angle swoops out of Heaven, knocks them all down in a blinding flash, and takes the girl with her up to the pearly gates!
THOMAS
Sounds like a load of garbage to me.
JERRY
Freddy might be a lot of things, but he ain’t no liar.
THOMAS
What’s that got to do with us anyway?
JERRY
Just got me thinking about the work and all is all, man. I mean it goes back to that whole thing of “if God is for us, who can be against us” kind of thing. If they have angels what do we have?
THOMAS
We have The Brute.
JERRY
The Brute? Isn’t that just a rumor?
THOMAS
You can believe that an angel came down from “on high” to rescue some dame in an alleyway, but you can’t believe that the boss concocted some formula to make a super strong dude?
JERRY
You might have a point there.
THOMAS
Stop freaking out about nothing and let’s get ready to do this.
They pull ski masks over there faces.
JERRY
When are the others showing up?
THOMAS
Most of the others are inside already. We burst in, start the commotion, and the others join us. We got the element of surprise and no one has to get hurt too bad.
They reach in the back seat and each grab a shotgun and a large gym bag.
JERRY
Let’s do this!
THOMAS
Raleigh Gang, represent!
They get out of the van.
EXT. SKIES ABOVE NEON CITY - AFTERNOON
Crestfall is flying above her city. Re-invigorated after the pep talk that she received from Garbaz. She darts in between buildings as she tests her speed.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Garbaz is right. I have to do this. I’m the only one who can. My parents were killed by this psycho and he’s been manipulating my entire life ever since. He wants me to be his little pawn. Yeah, that’ll happen.
She shoots through the air straight up and hovers over her city.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Am I ready to die though? Am I ready to put it all on the line? If I do have to die, will my sacrifice be in vain? Will anyone even notice?
Miles below, an alarm RINGS.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It doesn’t matter what I think now. Trouble’s going down and I can stop it.
She dives towards the sound of the alarm.
EXT. NEON CITY - BANK - AFTERNOON
Thomas and Jerry are outside the bank shooting towards the entrance. There are three other masked individuals carrying a limp fourth to the van. The alarm RINGS loudly. One of the masked gang members tries to start the van. It refuses.
JERRY
Oh man, oh man. What do we do Thomas? What do we do?
THOMAS
Just chill out Jerry. It’ll be fine.
They’re taking cover behind some parked cars and bullets are FIRED back from the bank.
JERRY
I didn’t think security guys had guns!
THOMAS
They don’t usually. The recon on this mission was Freddy’s job. Still believe that whole thing about “angels”?
JERRY
That two-timer! Next time I see him I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!
The shooting has halted.
THOMAS
Shut up for a second, Jerry. You hear that?
JERRY
I don’t hear nothing.
THOMAS
Exactly. They ain’t shooting anymore.
Thomas sticks his head in the van.
THOMAS (CONT’D)
Yo! What’s going on in there?
The van is empty. Thomas is panicking.
JERRY
You know that thing about angels Thomas?
THOMAS
Yeah, Jerry?
JERRY
I believe it.
Thomas steps out of the van to see Crestfall hovering above him. The other gang members neatly tied up and sitting on the corner. Jerry has wet himself.
CRESTFALL
Your friend will be fine. He’s been shot but it’s nothing serious. Time for you guys to turn yourselves in.
There’s a faint BOOM in the distance. Thomas smiles. Jerry freaks out. Jerry runs over and falls to his hands and knees in front of her.
JERRY
Tell God I’m sorry! I’m sorry for my wicked ways! I deserve His punishment!
BOOM
CRESTFALL
What are you talking about?
JERRY
My dear, Angel! Descended from above to dish out our punishment. Take me with you into the heavens so that I might be blessed!
BOOM
CRESTFALL
You’re crazy. Get over there! And you, what’s with the grin?
BOOM
THOMAS
Me? Oh, nothing. I would just like to introduce you to our big brother. Ms.
Angel-lady, meet The Brute.
The Brute’s arm smacks into Crestfall sending her flying through the wall of the bank.
INT. BANK OF NEON CITY
Crestfall flies through the front wall, lands on her back and skids to the counter. One of the GUARDS who’d been observing is now standing over her looking dumbfounded. A series of BOOMS can be heard as The Brute comes closer to the entrance of the bank.
ANOTHER GUARD opens fire on The Brute as he casually makes his way up the stairs into the building. The customers all flee in a loud mass leaving only the TELLERS behind the counter, the BANK MANAGER, the guards, and a roughed up Crestfall.
CRESTFALL
Okay, that hurt. A lot.
The Brute comes into the bank as Crestfall gets to her feet.
BRUTE
Brute hurt.
CRESTFALL
No, no I’m Crestfall. I think you have me confused with someone else.
BRUTE
Brute hurt!
CRESTFALL
Oh! You’re Brute, and you’ve come to hurt me?
BRUTE
Yes.
CRESTFALL
Yeah, that’s not going to work for me.
Brute runs towards her, faster than his size would allude to. He swings at her again with his giant arms. She flies through the ceiling.
The guards shoot at him. He walks over to one of the guards and rips the guard’s arms out of their sockets. He leaps through the new skylight he and Crestfall just created.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEON CITY - PARK
MARIE and KENT are strolling through the park with a picnic basket and blanket. Marie lays out the blanket while Kent pulls out a bottle of wine.
KENT
You know how much I love you, Marie.
MARIE
Oh, Kent. I do.
He hands her a glass of wine.
KENT
Well there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.
She places some sandwiches she’d made earlier out on the blanket.
MARIE
Ask me anything, my darling.
KENT
Marie, will you...
Crestfall lands on top of the sandwiches. The force of her landing leaves an IMPACT on the ground and the blanket is lost beneath her. Marie SCREAMS. Crestfall is bloody. She’s bruised and clearly has a couple of fractured bones.
CRESTFALL
Run.
Her voice is a whisper. Kent runs over to her.
KENT
I’m a doctor. Don’t move. You’ve just had a terrible accident.
CRESTFALL
Brute. Run. Run away.
MARIE
Kent? What is she saying. Baby, call the cops! Call an ambulance! Do Something!
KENT
Honey, I love you but I need you to shut the heck up for a minute.
He runs his hands down Crestfall’s neck to check for damages.
KENT (CONT’D)
Your spine seems to be in tact but we do need to get you to a hospital. Let me get my phone.
The Brute lands with a THUD next to Crestfall. His feet buried in the ground up to his ankles. He lets out and loud ROAR and swings at Kent’s head, removing it from his shoulders. Marie SCREAMS again and passes out.
BRUTE
Brute!
Crestfall pulls herself up slowly. She brushes herself off and shakes her head to try to quell the dazed feeling she has from being knocked across the city.
CRESTFALL
Okay. We get it. You’re Brute. You hurt people.
She stumbles to her knees, and somehow manages to stand again. She stretches her wings and finds her inner strength.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Well I’m Crestfall. I fight for the hurt. I fight for the tired. I fight for the victims of your violence.
Brute seems to be stuck in the ground. He can’t move forward. She slowly, deliberately moves towards him.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
You don’t get to smack people around anymore. None of your kind. Not you, not Doc Waters, not Quitlove.
At the sound of Quitlove’s name, Brute finds a renewed strength as well.
BRUTE
Dad!
Crestfall realizes what Brute means.
CRESTFALL
Are you serious? He’s your father?
Brute swings his arms at Crestfall again, she dodges easily. She punches him a few times and strikes him with her wings. He’s unaffected. As she moves around him, he stands there taking it.
BRUTE
Brute. Hurt.
He steps out of the ground that held his feet captive. He lunges at Crestfall, dazing her.
CRESTFALL
Oh, crap.
He SMACKS Crestfall on the head, knocking her out instantly.
BRUTE
Brute. Dad.
He grabs her leg and drags her behind him into the horizon.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
More Crestfall
EXT. NEON CITY ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
Crestfall is perched upon one of Neon City’s many adorning gargoyles. She finds these gargoyles convenient perches due to their frequency of placement. This is mirroring where we left at the beginning of the first act. We’re back to the exact moment we initially left her. The rain still pours down in buckets. THUNDER rolls in the distance.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
A lot has happened in these last two years. I thought my time in EOD would define who I was for the next few years. I never thought I’d be on some quest to avenge anyone, let alone myself or my parents.
She leaps in the air once again. Flying straight up. She may have tears in her eyes or the rain might just be smacking her cheeks. She stares straight up, unblinking.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
I can do this! How can I do this? It doesn’t make any sense. I’m supposed to be with my team, disarming bombs and making things safe for the other troops. Now I’m so far above them. Not figuratively. I have to get this figured out. If I can get answers for me then I can make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
She stops miles above the city. She hovers, overlooking the city scape. A plane flies right past her, she’s too far in her own mind to notice.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
No more time for second guessing. No more time to sit around moping and wondering “what if?” Now it’s time for action. I have to find the source and cut off it’s head.
She steels herself. A newfound surge of courage courses through her. Back down in the streets GUNFIRE is being exchanged. She hears and dive-bombs down into the streets.
CRESTFALL
Showtime.
EXT. NEON CITY - CORNER OF KONTOR BLVD. & SCHUR ST.- NIGHT
JOE is leader of The Kontor Kings, a local gang who are trying to stake a claim in this dirty corner of Neon City. He’s meeting with BRIAN, rival leader of the Schur Street Hellions, who are also trying to stake a claim. Each leader is backed by about five thugs who stand around and look menacing. They meet each other in the street.
JOE
Brian.
BRIAN
Joe.
JOE
We’ve got some things we need to work out. Some, let’s call them, boundary issues.
BRIAN
Yeah we do. You don’t seem to know where your boundaries are.
JOE
Excuse me? Are you trying to tell me my boys’ business?
BRIAN
Nope. I’m trying to tell you yours!
JOE
These streets are mine! You better back off.
Joe pulls out a gun. This is met with Brian pulling out a gun of his own. Each member of both gangs respond in kind, weapons drawn and at the ready.
BRIAN
Alright, bro. Let’s just chill out. We don’t want to do anything rash.
JOE
No we don’t. You need to tell your boys to back off my turf. These streets are claimed.
BRIAN
Maybe so, but maybe...
A GUNSHOT rings out before Brian can finish his thought. Brian and Joe drop to the ground. GUNFIRE is exchanged from either side. Bullets whip over their heads as they lay on the street both with their eyes closed. The shooting stops. They slowly get up and survey their surroundings. The gang members from both sides are all laying on the ground, unconscious. They stand back to back.
JOE
Yo, man. What happened? They get shot?
BRIAN
I don’t think so. They couldn’t have all been shot. It looks like they’re breathing.
JOE
What could have done this?
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
What or who?
They’re startled at the sound of her voice. Frantically, they’re searching from the safety of the street for any sign of the voice. One never leaving the other’s back.
BRIAN
What do you want?
JOE
Who are you?
Still in shadow, she taunts them.
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
Your boss. How can I find him?
JOE
Hey! I’m the boss here. These are my streets!
A garbage can flies over their heads and CRASHES behind them. They spin around to the source and fire their guns, emptying the magazines.
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
No. These streets are mine now. All of them. Tell your “friends” that crime is no longer a lucrative source of income in Neon City. A bomb’s about to blow up.
BRIAN
A bomb?
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
Figuratively.
JOE
Look, I don’t want any trouble. You’re looking for Quitlove.
BRIAN
Joe!
JOE
Alexander Quitlove! He runs Sinecorp. He’ll kill me if he finds out I told you. But if you think you can take him down. I say go for it.
BRIAN
We’re screwed! Everyone is screwed!
Crestfall steps out of the shadows behind them and SMACKS their heads together, knocking them out.
CRESTFALL
You are now.
She CLICKS off the video recording device she was carrying with her. She now has some evidence worth using against Quitlove.
INT. SINECORP - QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Quitlove sits at his desk in his big office. He’s working on stacks of paperwork. It’s raining outside and SIRENS can be heard wailing down the streets below his 34th floor window. His assistant JEREMY is there with him.
QUITLOVE
Running the world is tedious work Jeremy.
JEREMY
The world, sir?
QUITLOVE
Well, not “the world” per se, but Sinecorp as a whole.
JEREMY
Yes, sir.
QUITLOVE
The thing about villainous plans, Jeremy, is that you never quite know who to trust.
He walks over to Jeremy and throws his arm over Jeremy’s shoulder. Jeremy’s pants are wet.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
You seem nervous, son. Are you nervous?
JEREMY
Maybe a little, sir.
QUITLOVE
Well what on Earth for?
JEREMY
It’s my first day and you’ve told me quite a lot about your business plans for the future. I’m just intimidated I suppose.
QUITLOVE
Don’t be intimidated Jeremy!
A GUNSHOT. Jeremy’s lifeless body slumps to the floor.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I haven’t told you half of it.
The intercom BUZZES.
THERESA
Sir. I’m sorry for bothering you. I have The Facility on the line.
QUITLOVE
Perfect! Thank you, my dear.
THERESA
Shall I have a cleaning crew come up?
QUITLOVE
Why don’t you give me a little time with my new throw rug. I want to see how it goes with the rest of my office.
THERESA
Yes sir. One final thing, the girl you’re expecting should be on her way here shortly.
QUITLOVE
Ms. Crest? Already? She’s earlier than I expected! Good. Very good indeed.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - THE NEXT DAY
Garbaz and Crestfall sit and review the video footage of the fight from the night before. The audio is a little sketchy but it’s easy to make out the important things.
CRESTFALL
So, what do we do with this? We take it to the cops right? Some attorneys?
GARBAZ
We will do that. We will. But first we need to figure out which cops we can trust.
CRESTFALL
So where does that leave us? I can’t just sit here and wait for him to show his hand.
GARBAZ
Maybe you don’t have to. Maybe you can force it.
CRESTFALL
I don’t understand.
Garbaz gets up and opens the door into the dinning room. On the table is a lot of food. A veritable feast prepared for her.
GARBAZ
We take the fight to Quitlove. We stop playing defense. We stop fighting from the shadows. We take a proactive stance. We hit him where he lives and we sock him where it hurts. What do you think?
Crestfall grins.
INT. SINECORP - QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Quitlove is almost giddy. He’s pacing his office like a boy on Christmas Eve.
QUITLOVE
This is it. The last steps of my first phase. The culmination of my life’s work is coming to pass.
The doors open and his security team enter.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Welcome gentlemen. You’ve all been chosen to bear witness to history. Well, one of you will live it. The others will bear witness. If they survive. Gentlemen I need a volunteer.
Everyone raises their hand in a militaristic manner. No one more enthused than the next. Quitlove walks in front of them, inspecting them like a platoon leader would. He stops in front of MILES, very tall, muscular. Large and intimidating.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Miles hmm? Do you think you could be a Brute?
MILES
A Brute sir?
QUITLOVE
You heard me. Do you think that you could handle being a brute?
MILES
No, sir! If I’m going to be a Brute, I’m going to be the best Brute! I will be THE Brute sir!
QUITLOVE
Yes. I like you.
Quitlove walks over to the cylinder on the wall and attaches it to a large gun shaped syringe.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Yes, I like you quite a lot Brute. You’ll be my first soldier, if this trial run proves fruitful. Your brothers here will follow your lead shortly. By the way, this will hurt a lot.
Quitlove shoves the giant needle into Miles’s neck and squeezes the trigger. The purple goo moves into his veins. Miles SCREAMS in agony and is brought to his knees.
MILES
Dear God! It hurts!
The security team nervously back away from their comrade who’s writhing on the floor in agony.
QUITLOVE
Steel yourselves men! Nothing worth doing is easy! Pain and sacrifice pave the way to prosperity and wealth! This man on the floor in front of you is no one to pity! He’s to be admired! He’s to be emulated!
As he lies on the floor, Mile’s clothes rip as his muscles bulge through, blood pools beneath him as his skin can no longer contain his insides. His body has taken on an unnatural purple hue. He’s no longer screaming. Just growing.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Fascinating. Are you still with us Miles?
Miles no longer exists. There is only The Brute.
BRUTE
No. Miles. Only. Brute.
He rises to his feet. He towers over everyone. Standing at about 8 feet tall. He stands a grotesque figure in the otherwise pristine office.
QUITLOVE
Ah, yes. Brute. How do you feel Brute?
Brute doesn’t respond. He just stands there BREATHING HEAVILY.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Very good.
The security team is looking nervous.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Brute?
Brute looks at him inquisitively.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Kill.
The Brute lets out a blood curdling ROAR. He runs towards his former teammates. He tears off their limbs one by one. Tossing a few through the 34th floor window. Quitlove observes, LAUGHING. As Brute twists the head off the last of the security team, Quitlove walks over to him and attempts to put his arm around him.
BRUTE
Brute. Good?
QUITLOVE
Yes. Brute very good! Very good indeed.
Brute CHUCKLES an unholy chuckle.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
And call me “dad”!
BRUTE
Dad.
Quitlove hits the intercom button.
QUITLOVE
Theresa, I think we’re ready for some field testing.
THERESA (O.S.)
Very good, sir.
Crestfall is perched upon one of Neon City’s many adorning gargoyles. She finds these gargoyles convenient perches due to their frequency of placement. This is mirroring where we left at the beginning of the first act. We’re back to the exact moment we initially left her. The rain still pours down in buckets. THUNDER rolls in the distance.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
A lot has happened in these last two years. I thought my time in EOD would define who I was for the next few years. I never thought I’d be on some quest to avenge anyone, let alone myself or my parents.
She leaps in the air once again. Flying straight up. She may have tears in her eyes or the rain might just be smacking her cheeks. She stares straight up, unblinking.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
I can do this! How can I do this? It doesn’t make any sense. I’m supposed to be with my team, disarming bombs and making things safe for the other troops. Now I’m so far above them. Not figuratively. I have to get this figured out. If I can get answers for me then I can make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
She stops miles above the city. She hovers, overlooking the city scape. A plane flies right past her, she’s too far in her own mind to notice.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
No more time for second guessing. No more time to sit around moping and wondering “what if?” Now it’s time for action. I have to find the source and cut off it’s head.
She steels herself. A newfound surge of courage courses through her. Back down in the streets GUNFIRE is being exchanged. She hears and dive-bombs down into the streets.
CRESTFALL
Showtime.
EXT. NEON CITY - CORNER OF KONTOR BLVD. & SCHUR ST.- NIGHT
JOE is leader of The Kontor Kings, a local gang who are trying to stake a claim in this dirty corner of Neon City. He’s meeting with BRIAN, rival leader of the Schur Street Hellions, who are also trying to stake a claim. Each leader is backed by about five thugs who stand around and look menacing. They meet each other in the street.
JOE
Brian.
BRIAN
Joe.
JOE
We’ve got some things we need to work out. Some, let’s call them, boundary issues.
BRIAN
Yeah we do. You don’t seem to know where your boundaries are.
JOE
Excuse me? Are you trying to tell me my boys’ business?
BRIAN
Nope. I’m trying to tell you yours!
JOE
These streets are mine! You better back off.
Joe pulls out a gun. This is met with Brian pulling out a gun of his own. Each member of both gangs respond in kind, weapons drawn and at the ready.
BRIAN
Alright, bro. Let’s just chill out. We don’t want to do anything rash.
JOE
No we don’t. You need to tell your boys to back off my turf. These streets are claimed.
BRIAN
Maybe so, but maybe...
A GUNSHOT rings out before Brian can finish his thought. Brian and Joe drop to the ground. GUNFIRE is exchanged from either side. Bullets whip over their heads as they lay on the street both with their eyes closed. The shooting stops. They slowly get up and survey their surroundings. The gang members from both sides are all laying on the ground, unconscious. They stand back to back.
JOE
Yo, man. What happened? They get shot?
BRIAN
I don’t think so. They couldn’t have all been shot. It looks like they’re breathing.
JOE
What could have done this?
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
What or who?
They’re startled at the sound of her voice. Frantically, they’re searching from the safety of the street for any sign of the voice. One never leaving the other’s back.
BRIAN
What do you want?
JOE
Who are you?
Still in shadow, she taunts them.
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
Your boss. How can I find him?
JOE
Hey! I’m the boss here. These are my streets!
A garbage can flies over their heads and CRASHES behind them. They spin around to the source and fire their guns, emptying the magazines.
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
No. These streets are mine now. All of them. Tell your “friends” that crime is no longer a lucrative source of income in Neon City. A bomb’s about to blow up.
BRIAN
A bomb?
CRESTFALL (O.S.)
Figuratively.
JOE
Look, I don’t want any trouble. You’re looking for Quitlove.
BRIAN
Joe!
JOE
Alexander Quitlove! He runs Sinecorp. He’ll kill me if he finds out I told you. But if you think you can take him down. I say go for it.
BRIAN
We’re screwed! Everyone is screwed!
Crestfall steps out of the shadows behind them and SMACKS their heads together, knocking them out.
CRESTFALL
You are now.
She CLICKS off the video recording device she was carrying with her. She now has some evidence worth using against Quitlove.
INT. SINECORP - QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Quitlove sits at his desk in his big office. He’s working on stacks of paperwork. It’s raining outside and SIRENS can be heard wailing down the streets below his 34th floor window. His assistant JEREMY is there with him.
QUITLOVE
Running the world is tedious work Jeremy.
JEREMY
The world, sir?
QUITLOVE
Well, not “the world” per se, but Sinecorp as a whole.
JEREMY
Yes, sir.
QUITLOVE
The thing about villainous plans, Jeremy, is that you never quite know who to trust.
He walks over to Jeremy and throws his arm over Jeremy’s shoulder. Jeremy’s pants are wet.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
You seem nervous, son. Are you nervous?
JEREMY
Maybe a little, sir.
QUITLOVE
Well what on Earth for?
JEREMY
It’s my first day and you’ve told me quite a lot about your business plans for the future. I’m just intimidated I suppose.
QUITLOVE
Don’t be intimidated Jeremy!
A GUNSHOT. Jeremy’s lifeless body slumps to the floor.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I haven’t told you half of it.
The intercom BUZZES.
THERESA
Sir. I’m sorry for bothering you. I have The Facility on the line.
QUITLOVE
Perfect! Thank you, my dear.
THERESA
Shall I have a cleaning crew come up?
QUITLOVE
Why don’t you give me a little time with my new throw rug. I want to see how it goes with the rest of my office.
THERESA
Yes sir. One final thing, the girl you’re expecting should be on her way here shortly.
QUITLOVE
Ms. Crest? Already? She’s earlier than I expected! Good. Very good indeed.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - THE NEXT DAY
Garbaz and Crestfall sit and review the video footage of the fight from the night before. The audio is a little sketchy but it’s easy to make out the important things.
CRESTFALL
So, what do we do with this? We take it to the cops right? Some attorneys?
GARBAZ
We will do that. We will. But first we need to figure out which cops we can trust.
CRESTFALL
So where does that leave us? I can’t just sit here and wait for him to show his hand.
GARBAZ
Maybe you don’t have to. Maybe you can force it.
CRESTFALL
I don’t understand.
Garbaz gets up and opens the door into the dinning room. On the table is a lot of food. A veritable feast prepared for her.
GARBAZ
We take the fight to Quitlove. We stop playing defense. We stop fighting from the shadows. We take a proactive stance. We hit him where he lives and we sock him where it hurts. What do you think?
Crestfall grins.
INT. SINECORP - QUITLOVE’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Quitlove is almost giddy. He’s pacing his office like a boy on Christmas Eve.
QUITLOVE
This is it. The last steps of my first phase. The culmination of my life’s work is coming to pass.
The doors open and his security team enter.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Welcome gentlemen. You’ve all been chosen to bear witness to history. Well, one of you will live it. The others will bear witness. If they survive. Gentlemen I need a volunteer.
Everyone raises their hand in a militaristic manner. No one more enthused than the next. Quitlove walks in front of them, inspecting them like a platoon leader would. He stops in front of MILES, very tall, muscular. Large and intimidating.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Miles hmm? Do you think you could be a Brute?
MILES
A Brute sir?
QUITLOVE
You heard me. Do you think that you could handle being a brute?
MILES
No, sir! If I’m going to be a Brute, I’m going to be the best Brute! I will be THE Brute sir!
QUITLOVE
Yes. I like you.
Quitlove walks over to the cylinder on the wall and attaches it to a large gun shaped syringe.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Yes, I like you quite a lot Brute. You’ll be my first soldier, if this trial run proves fruitful. Your brothers here will follow your lead shortly. By the way, this will hurt a lot.
Quitlove shoves the giant needle into Miles’s neck and squeezes the trigger. The purple goo moves into his veins. Miles SCREAMS in agony and is brought to his knees.
MILES
Dear God! It hurts!
The security team nervously back away from their comrade who’s writhing on the floor in agony.
QUITLOVE
Steel yourselves men! Nothing worth doing is easy! Pain and sacrifice pave the way to prosperity and wealth! This man on the floor in front of you is no one to pity! He’s to be admired! He’s to be emulated!
As he lies on the floor, Mile’s clothes rip as his muscles bulge through, blood pools beneath him as his skin can no longer contain his insides. His body has taken on an unnatural purple hue. He’s no longer screaming. Just growing.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Fascinating. Are you still with us Miles?
Miles no longer exists. There is only The Brute.
BRUTE
No. Miles. Only. Brute.
He rises to his feet. He towers over everyone. Standing at about 8 feet tall. He stands a grotesque figure in the otherwise pristine office.
QUITLOVE
Ah, yes. Brute. How do you feel Brute?
Brute doesn’t respond. He just stands there BREATHING HEAVILY.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Very good.
The security team is looking nervous.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Brute?
Brute looks at him inquisitively.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
Kill.
The Brute lets out a blood curdling ROAR. He runs towards his former teammates. He tears off their limbs one by one. Tossing a few through the 34th floor window. Quitlove observes, LAUGHING. As Brute twists the head off the last of the security team, Quitlove walks over to him and attempts to put his arm around him.
BRUTE
Brute. Good?
QUITLOVE
Yes. Brute very good! Very good indeed.
Brute CHUCKLES an unholy chuckle.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
And call me “dad”!
BRUTE
Dad.
Quitlove hits the intercom button.
QUITLOVE
Theresa, I think we’re ready for some field testing.
THERESA (O.S.)
Very good, sir.
Descriptive Text
*So, for this assignment I was supposed to write 600 words on an object that is important to my story. I wracked my brain over what to use until it occurred to me to use the bomb that put Crestfall in this position in the first place.
It had to be written like "you see a table..." etc. the point of this assignment was to get us to think about writing scenes as opposed to just dialogue (or "dialog" as my teacher wrote it).*
At first glance, you don’t notice anything specifically out of place with the improvised explosive device. As you examine the device in your hands, the wind whips up a mixture of sand and dust that flakes on your goggles. You’ve been in the desert too long, but the war serves only as a backdrop to your major exploits. You’re here to diffuse this bomb.
Your heart thumps in your chest as you examine the case. It looks like a shoebox though it’s odd size denotes that it couldn’t be that. It’s just too narrow, and just too long. The weight is something you’ll never forget, like new hardcover novel by your favorite author. It would be re-assuring if it weren’t a death trap.
Carefully, you cut into the seal around the lid. You don’t allow the knife to penetrate the box itself, just the seal. The glue that holds the lid in place gives way with ease to the sharp intrusion of the blade.
Gently you pull back the lid. If the lid’s been booby-trapped this would be the easiest way to find out. It’d also be the messiest. Inside is a crude series of wires, a clay-like substance, a cell phone and a cylinder. Duct taped to the back of the cellphone is a transmitter with an LED timer counting down. It’s got ten minutes left. There’s a pair of wires moving from the cell phone to the clay, no, upon closer inspection you can see the two blasting caps imbedded in the clay. This is definitely C4. It’s rigged to blow as soon as the timer reaches zero. At least you’ve got some time to figure it all out.
There’s another pair of wires that go from the C4 to the cylinder, in which they disappear into seamlessly. This cylinder is unlike anything you’re seen before. It’s about a foot long with a diameter of about an inch and a half. On the top of the canister is a symbol, you’ve seen a symbol like this before but you can’t quite place it. Was it something your father used to have? Your mother maybe? It’s etched into the surface. Someone went to great lengths to try to cover up this symbol. It’s something you’ll need to look into later. There don’t appear to be any seams on the metallic piece except for a small window that goes down the length of the device. You need to figure out what you’re dealing with before diving in to disarm the bomb so you move in for a closer look.
Inside the cylinder is a purple liquid. It looks like it could be a type of coolant except for its consistency; it’s a little too thick. It’s less watery.
A loud crack rings across the desert followed by the faint aroma of gunpowder. This brings you back into the now. Bravo Company is out there, engaging a relentless enemy. You need to clear this road of bombs before your brothers and sisters come back this way.
You lean in with your wire cutters, your training notwithstanding, you feel trepidation. If you make a mistake, it’s not just your life on the line; it’s also everyone else’s. You follow the wires backwards, going from the cylinder, to the C4, back to the transmitter. Less than four minutes to go.
You hold two wires in your hand, and lean in close to inspect them. A wrong decision here can end in tragedy. You make your decision.
The phone rings. Everyone is startled. You’ve lost your focus for second, disoriented by the jarring sound of the phone. Dread crosses your face as you realize that the phone isn’t just powering the transmitter, it also serves as the kill switch. Time seems to slow as the LED flashes zero. The canister slides back a hidden compartment and the purple goo is sprayed on your face like a thick spray of mace. You take an instant to recognize that the goo smells like strawberries. The blast is fierce, or so you’d imagine. The impact from being at the epicenter knocks you out cold. This is only the beginning of your troubles.
It had to be written like "you see a table..." etc. the point of this assignment was to get us to think about writing scenes as opposed to just dialogue (or "dialog" as my teacher wrote it).*
At first glance, you don’t notice anything specifically out of place with the improvised explosive device. As you examine the device in your hands, the wind whips up a mixture of sand and dust that flakes on your goggles. You’ve been in the desert too long, but the war serves only as a backdrop to your major exploits. You’re here to diffuse this bomb.
Your heart thumps in your chest as you examine the case. It looks like a shoebox though it’s odd size denotes that it couldn’t be that. It’s just too narrow, and just too long. The weight is something you’ll never forget, like new hardcover novel by your favorite author. It would be re-assuring if it weren’t a death trap.
Carefully, you cut into the seal around the lid. You don’t allow the knife to penetrate the box itself, just the seal. The glue that holds the lid in place gives way with ease to the sharp intrusion of the blade.
Gently you pull back the lid. If the lid’s been booby-trapped this would be the easiest way to find out. It’d also be the messiest. Inside is a crude series of wires, a clay-like substance, a cell phone and a cylinder. Duct taped to the back of the cellphone is a transmitter with an LED timer counting down. It’s got ten minutes left. There’s a pair of wires moving from the cell phone to the clay, no, upon closer inspection you can see the two blasting caps imbedded in the clay. This is definitely C4. It’s rigged to blow as soon as the timer reaches zero. At least you’ve got some time to figure it all out.
There’s another pair of wires that go from the C4 to the cylinder, in which they disappear into seamlessly. This cylinder is unlike anything you’re seen before. It’s about a foot long with a diameter of about an inch and a half. On the top of the canister is a symbol, you’ve seen a symbol like this before but you can’t quite place it. Was it something your father used to have? Your mother maybe? It’s etched into the surface. Someone went to great lengths to try to cover up this symbol. It’s something you’ll need to look into later. There don’t appear to be any seams on the metallic piece except for a small window that goes down the length of the device. You need to figure out what you’re dealing with before diving in to disarm the bomb so you move in for a closer look.
Inside the cylinder is a purple liquid. It looks like it could be a type of coolant except for its consistency; it’s a little too thick. It’s less watery.
A loud crack rings across the desert followed by the faint aroma of gunpowder. This brings you back into the now. Bravo Company is out there, engaging a relentless enemy. You need to clear this road of bombs before your brothers and sisters come back this way.
You lean in with your wire cutters, your training notwithstanding, you feel trepidation. If you make a mistake, it’s not just your life on the line; it’s also everyone else’s. You follow the wires backwards, going from the cylinder, to the C4, back to the transmitter. Less than four minutes to go.
You hold two wires in your hand, and lean in close to inspect them. A wrong decision here can end in tragedy. You make your decision.
The phone rings. Everyone is startled. You’ve lost your focus for second, disoriented by the jarring sound of the phone. Dread crosses your face as you realize that the phone isn’t just powering the transmitter, it also serves as the kill switch. Time seems to slow as the LED flashes zero. The canister slides back a hidden compartment and the purple goo is sprayed on your face like a thick spray of mace. You take an instant to recognize that the goo smells like strawberries. The blast is fierce, or so you’d imagine. The impact from being at the epicenter knocks you out cold. This is only the beginning of your troubles.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Crestfall part 4-ish
EXT. NEON CITY - ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
CRESTFALL stands atop a gargoyle and surveys her city. She’s above most of the street lights and the stars are clearly visible. The city sprawls for miles in every direction.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Neon City. My city. I haven’t been here in years. The stillness of the night betrays the vibrant underbelly that I know exists just below the surface.
As she speaks we see glimpses of serene middle class city life. Fathers and mothers coming home from work, sitting down to a home cooked meal. College students studying the night away. College students partying the night away.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s there, the evil of the city. Hiding in the dark alleys and the shadows. It’s in the places most people are afraid to look.
In an alleyway we see a figure draped in shadow. The figure is wearing a trench coat and hat like something out of a 1950’s noir film. The figure backs slowly into the shadows and disappears.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s the feeling you get when you’re walking down the street at night by yourself. Suddenly you feel as though someone’s watching you. Like they’re right behind you but you can’t bring yourself to turn around and look. So you quicken your pace. You don’t look back to see if anyone’s there because seeing it would make it real.
As she’s speaking we see a MAN about 23 doing exactly what she’s describing.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
In Neon City, chances are someone is right behind you.
The man is walking briskly in a panic. He glances over his shoulder and sees a HOODED TEEN matching his pace and gaining on him slowly. The man darts down an alley.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEON CITY - ALLEY - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
The man is trying to catch his breath and is kneeling behind a dumpster. He pokes his head out from behind the dumpster to make sure the hooded teen has passed. He doesn’t notice the teen. The man closes his eyes and regains his composure. He stands up straight and turns to leave the alley.
The hooded teen is standing there with a menacing grin. He has a retractable baton in his hands and he slowly makes his way towards the man.
MAN
Please. I don’t want any trouble.
HOODED TEEN
Neither do I. I want your wallet, and I want you to scream a little.
The man nervously pulls his wallet from his pocket and throws it on the ground.
MAN
There. That’s everything I’ve got! Honestly. I can’t even make rent this month. Please don’t hurt me, man. Times are tough. I gotta work.
HOODED TEEN
How rude. You threw it on the ground? Man, I was only going to ding you up a bit. Now I’m thinking I need to break something to get your respect.
MAN
Please. Please don’t do this.
The man falls to his knees, tears streaming down his face. The hooded teen stands over him with the baton raised. The man braces for the hit. Nothing happens. The man is confused.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
If someone’s behind you. I’m the one who’s behind them.
* IF I CAN INTERRUPT MY SCRIPT FOR JUST A MINUTE. THAT LAST LINE BY CRESTFALL IS CORRECT IN SENTIMENT BUT NOT CONTENT. I NEED TO ADJUST IT BECAUSE I HATE IT. IF YOU CAN THINK OF SOMETHING BETTER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. - TIM *
The man looks up and sees the hooded teen on the ground. Crestfall stands over the teen with her wings spread. Lightning CRACKS across the new clouds in the sky.
Crestfall picks up the man’s wallet and hands it to him.
MAN
Thank you so much!
CRESTFALL
Next time, don’t run into alleys. Just go home.
MAN
Next time?
CRESTFALL
You know what I mean. Get out of here.
The man runs away. In the shadows a figure watches. Crestfall is unaware.
EXT. NEON CITY - SKYLINE - LATER
Crestfall flies slowly through the cloudy skies of Neon City. The neon lights add an eerie glow to the atmosphere.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
This city needs me. I hear its cries day and night. I’ve been back a couple of weeks now. Living on the streets among the rats and the homeless. Bob wanted me to uncover some kind of conspiracy but I don’t see anything more organized than a few gang attacks and some half hearted bank robberies. I’m starting to wonder if I maybe overreacted. I don’t know what that symbol was. Did I fall prey to some sick joke from a senile old man? Did I run away from my only chance at a normal life?
INT. PARKING GARAGE - SAME NIGHT
The parking garage is abandoned. No one uses it except a community of homeless people. Crestfall is accepted as one of them. She goes to a corner where she’s rigged some old blankets over a clothes line. Inside of her rig is a dirty mattress. She lays down and the mattress and folds her wings around herself to keep warm.
BILLY an elderly homeless man approaches her “room” from the outside and calls to her.
BILLY
Hey, superhero! We’ve got some extra cans. Saved you some! Gotta keep up your strength girl!
Crestfall begrudgingly exits her corner. When Billy sees her, he smiles like a proud father. Crestfall stretches her wings and appears to relax a little. This is her home and these people are her family.
She walks over to the center of the community where there’s a bonfire lit in an old barrel. There are four or five other homeless folks there eating various items out of various cans. Some use rusty forks, others just use their fingers.
Billy excitedly hands her a can. She hesitates before she takes it.
BILLY (CONT’D)
You’ve earned it, Superhero! Ever since you cleared that gang out of here, you’ve earned yourself first picks! And if you ain’t here for first picks then old Billy here is gonna make sure you at least get SOMETHING!
CRESTFALL
Thank you Billy. This means a lot.
She is exhausted and can barely stand. She slumps down on the ground in front of the fire.
BILLY
Come on, Superhero! You gotta eat! Gotta keep up your strength! You can’t get weak on us now.
She drops the can. She’s too wiped out to even stand. She can barely speak.
CRESTFALL
How did... you know.. about...
Billy bunches up an old blanket for her to use as a pillow and slides it under her head.
BILLY
Oh, he’s told us a lot about you. He’s the one who keeps bringing us food. He says we can share it as long as you always get some. But that’s not why I like to make sure. You work hard for us. You deserve it. You get some sleep though. You can eat in the morning.
CRESTFALL
Who?
She glances up and as her vision blurs she sees the man in the trench coat step out of the shadows.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - MORNING
Crestfall groggily awakes in a bed. Confused she looks around at the small apartment. The bed she’s on is folded out from the couch in the small living room. There are two doors that lead to other rooms. The kitchen is small and tucked away in the corner. Her recon stops when she sees the dinning room table.
On the table is a neatly made omelet with bacon and hash browns. A tall glass of orange juice sits next to it.
She scrambles over to the table and devours the food. As she does so, the door opens and a man of 70, CHARLES GARBAZ enters. He’s the man who has been draped in shadow, watching her for the past couple of weeks. He’s carrying a full grocery bag. They startle each other. She readies herself for a fight, he drops the bag.
CRESTFALL
Who are you? In fact, where am I?
He slowly bends down to pick up the groceries.
GARBAZ
My name is Charles Garbaz. I’m an old friend of your father’s. I’ve been keeping an eye on you for some time.
CRESTFALL
My father? Keeping an eye on me? Who the heck ISN’T watching me? I’ve got some mysterious corporate tool who’s supposedly been watching me since birth, I had all kinds of cameras on me in that place! Now I’ve got you saying that you’re watching me! What the hell is going on?
She glances around the room, the reality of her situation is dawning on her.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
How did I even get here? Are you kidnapping me? Why am I rambling?
He walks over to the table and offers her a seat.
GARBAZ
Here. Sit. I’m going to make some more food, then I’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - LATER
There’s a stack of plates in the sink. She’s been eating all morning. They sit together at the table as she eats more food.
CRESTFALL
So let me see if I understand this. You’re an old friend of my dad’s and you’ve been keeping tabs on me since my parents died. You knew about my accident but thought I didn’t make it until Bob called you and told you I was on my way... Who are you? How do you know all this?
GARBAZ
I wasn’t just friends with your father. We were co-workers. We worked for The Facility when it was first started by Alexander Quitlove’s father. Our team was your father, myself, and Robert. We were tasked by Quitlove to create a enhancement serum for soldiers. Something that would add to their strength, endurance, stamina what have you. And we were successful. We created a compound that, when injected, boosted the human potential tenfold. But this wasn’t enough for Quitlove. He wanted bulletproof soldiers. He wanted unstoppable Marines. He wanted indestructable troops and he wanted to make sure it never wore off. This didn’t sit well with your father. He told Quitlove that he was finished. No more experiments, no more research, no more nothing. His wife, your mother, was pregnant with you at the time and he had to put his family first. Your father walked out.
CRESTFALL
Well that’s a nice story. It doesn’t explain anything though.
GARBAZ
Listen to you! Jumping the gun. I haven’t had visitors in ages. Sometimes an old man just wants to tell his stories.
Crestfall is grinning at him.
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry.
GARBAZ
Good. Now shut up.
The playful banter sets Crestfall’s mind at ease.
GARBAZ (CONT’D)
Robert and I continued our research based off of your father’s notes. We made some shocking breakthroughs. We found a way to alter a human’s genetic code through a mixture of... I can’t remember what we mixed. Suffice it to say, the mixture was a success. On paper at least. When we tried to mash the compound up with human DNA strands in the lab, they would bond for a fleeting moment, then dissipate. We came to discover that your father had been using bits of his own genetic code as the base for the original compound. We took a sample of his DNA from The Facility’s files and our new enhancement mixture took like a charm. Bonded completely. It enhanced his genetic sample to scientifically amazing... I’m getting off topic.
CRESTFALL
So wait. You’re saying that you created the perfect super human but it only works with my dad’s blood?
GARBAZ
Essentially, yes.
CRESTFALL
How does this relate to me? I mean besides the obvious.
She flexes her wings for emphasis.
GARBAZ
Your parents death was no accident. It was retaliation for what Quitlove saw as a grave injustice on your father’s part. Alexander Quitlove could not stand for this dishonor and he paid to have your parents taken care of in a manner that seemed like an accident.
CRESTFALL
No...
GARBAZ
Once he received word that only your father’s DNA could bond to the serum, Alexander Quitlove’s father killed himself and left his empire to his son. This new Quitlove learned quickly that crime pays in large doses. He now runs the crime in this city from his ivory tower. When he learned that you survived the accident, he made sure that you were never far from his sight. He had me keep tabs on you.
CRESTFALL
So you’re the who sent the bomb?
GARBAZ
No! No no. The bomb was Quitlove’s own doing. My job was to keep tabs on you. When the explosion killed your team, I feared you were lost forever. With you gone, I had no reason left to work at The Facility. I retired and gathered my pension. I’ve been in mourning since. Until a month ago when I got a call in the middle of the night from Robert telling me that not only had you been found. But you had been the victim of our serum. He notified me of you expected arrival and I’ve been watching you ever since.
CRESTFALL
If you’ve been watching me ever since... Why have you only approached me now? Why have you been paying Billy and the others with canned food and only watching from a distance?
GARBAZ
I had to be sure.
CRESTFALL
Sure of what?
GARBAZ
Sure that you were still in charge of your own facilities. The last thing I need is to have Quitlove and flunkies burst in here. I’m going to take him down. But I’m going to need your help.
CRESTFALL
What can I do?
GARBAZ
We need evidence against him. We need a direct line to Quitlove. I need you to continue doing what you’re doing every night already. But I need you to get information from the thugs and bullies. We need to find something concrete in order to pin him to the wall.
EXT. NEON CITY - ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
CRESTFALL stands atop a gargoyle. Neon tubing runs down the sides of monumental skyscrapers throughout the city’s skyline. Crestfall is in her normal jumpsuit, her blood red wings folded back as she surveys her city.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s cold tonight in Neon City. The air is still. It’s going to rain soon.
It begins to rain. Crestfall leaps into the air and spreads her wings. She flies into the night sky.
CRESTFALL (V.O. CONT’D)
The drops on my wings are refreshing. But I know that the thugs in this town like the rain. They’ll be coming out of the shadows soon. Like roaches.
EXT. NEON CITY - ALLEY - NIGHT
A WOMAN shuffles her feet through puddles in the rain. She’s clearly nervous and questioning her decision to cut through the alley. She turns a corner and is met face to face with a wall. She’s startled.
WOMAN (TO HERSELF)
Now you’re jumping at walls. Just turn around and head back to the street.
She turns around and notices a small group of THUGS standing before her. Some of them hold baseball bats. They snicker amongst themselves. The THUG LEADER stands at their forefront, dressed in a tacky leather outfit.
THUG LEADER
You know, I was just talking to Lenny (he’s my best bud y’see) and I says to him, I says ‘Lenny, you know what I really want?’ And he says in his typical deadpan Lenny fashion, he says ‘Nope sure don’t’.
Tears are streaming down her face as thugs move in closer with each word spoken by the leader.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
They’re roaches, and I’m the exterminator.
THUG LEADER
So I explained it to Lenny. I says ‘What I really want is a new plaything.’ And baby,
I want to play with you!
The woman’s SCREAMS fade into the rainy night sky.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
My name is Crestfall.
The leader grabs the woman by the arm. He’s tapped on the shoulder.
CRESTFALL
Excuse me.
The leader turns around to see Crestfall standing behind him. Her wings spread ominously. The few thugs that aren’t already on the ground, knocked out by her, are huddled off to the side cowering in fear.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
I don’t think she feels like playing right now.
The leader pushes the woman to the ground.
THUG LEADER
What are you ladies waiting for? Get her!
As their leader barks out order, the thugs gather their bearing and attack Crestfall.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
This is my favorite part.
She makes quick work of them utilizing a specialized hand-to-hand combat technique. Part of the technique involves using her wings as a weapon, folding her wings back and thrusting them forward. She makes quick work of the remaining thugs as the leader watches. If he’s nervous he doesn’t show it. The woman is slumped on the ground in the alley, drenched by the rain.
Crestfall opens her wings again. She turns around and stares the leader in the eye.
CRESTFALL
Now you and I get to play.
CRESTFALL stands atop a gargoyle and surveys her city. She’s above most of the street lights and the stars are clearly visible. The city sprawls for miles in every direction.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
Neon City. My city. I haven’t been here in years. The stillness of the night betrays the vibrant underbelly that I know exists just below the surface.
As she speaks we see glimpses of serene middle class city life. Fathers and mothers coming home from work, sitting down to a home cooked meal. College students studying the night away. College students partying the night away.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s there, the evil of the city. Hiding in the dark alleys and the shadows. It’s in the places most people are afraid to look.
In an alleyway we see a figure draped in shadow. The figure is wearing a trench coat and hat like something out of a 1950’s noir film. The figure backs slowly into the shadows and disappears.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s the feeling you get when you’re walking down the street at night by yourself. Suddenly you feel as though someone’s watching you. Like they’re right behind you but you can’t bring yourself to turn around and look. So you quicken your pace. You don’t look back to see if anyone’s there because seeing it would make it real.
As she’s speaking we see a MAN about 23 doing exactly what she’s describing.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
In Neon City, chances are someone is right behind you.
The man is walking briskly in a panic. He glances over his shoulder and sees a HOODED TEEN matching his pace and gaining on him slowly. The man darts down an alley.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEON CITY - ALLEY - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
The man is trying to catch his breath and is kneeling behind a dumpster. He pokes his head out from behind the dumpster to make sure the hooded teen has passed. He doesn’t notice the teen. The man closes his eyes and regains his composure. He stands up straight and turns to leave the alley.
The hooded teen is standing there with a menacing grin. He has a retractable baton in his hands and he slowly makes his way towards the man.
MAN
Please. I don’t want any trouble.
HOODED TEEN
Neither do I. I want your wallet, and I want you to scream a little.
The man nervously pulls his wallet from his pocket and throws it on the ground.
MAN
There. That’s everything I’ve got! Honestly. I can’t even make rent this month. Please don’t hurt me, man. Times are tough. I gotta work.
HOODED TEEN
How rude. You threw it on the ground? Man, I was only going to ding you up a bit. Now I’m thinking I need to break something to get your respect.
MAN
Please. Please don’t do this.
The man falls to his knees, tears streaming down his face. The hooded teen stands over him with the baton raised. The man braces for the hit. Nothing happens. The man is confused.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
If someone’s behind you. I’m the one who’s behind them.
* IF I CAN INTERRUPT MY SCRIPT FOR JUST A MINUTE. THAT LAST LINE BY CRESTFALL IS CORRECT IN SENTIMENT BUT NOT CONTENT. I NEED TO ADJUST IT BECAUSE I HATE IT. IF YOU CAN THINK OF SOMETHING BETTER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. - TIM *
The man looks up and sees the hooded teen on the ground. Crestfall stands over the teen with her wings spread. Lightning CRACKS across the new clouds in the sky.
Crestfall picks up the man’s wallet and hands it to him.
MAN
Thank you so much!
CRESTFALL
Next time, don’t run into alleys. Just go home.
MAN
Next time?
CRESTFALL
You know what I mean. Get out of here.
The man runs away. In the shadows a figure watches. Crestfall is unaware.
EXT. NEON CITY - SKYLINE - LATER
Crestfall flies slowly through the cloudy skies of Neon City. The neon lights add an eerie glow to the atmosphere.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
This city needs me. I hear its cries day and night. I’ve been back a couple of weeks now. Living on the streets among the rats and the homeless. Bob wanted me to uncover some kind of conspiracy but I don’t see anything more organized than a few gang attacks and some half hearted bank robberies. I’m starting to wonder if I maybe overreacted. I don’t know what that symbol was. Did I fall prey to some sick joke from a senile old man? Did I run away from my only chance at a normal life?
INT. PARKING GARAGE - SAME NIGHT
The parking garage is abandoned. No one uses it except a community of homeless people. Crestfall is accepted as one of them. She goes to a corner where she’s rigged some old blankets over a clothes line. Inside of her rig is a dirty mattress. She lays down and the mattress and folds her wings around herself to keep warm.
BILLY an elderly homeless man approaches her “room” from the outside and calls to her.
BILLY
Hey, superhero! We’ve got some extra cans. Saved you some! Gotta keep up your strength girl!
Crestfall begrudgingly exits her corner. When Billy sees her, he smiles like a proud father. Crestfall stretches her wings and appears to relax a little. This is her home and these people are her family.
She walks over to the center of the community where there’s a bonfire lit in an old barrel. There are four or five other homeless folks there eating various items out of various cans. Some use rusty forks, others just use their fingers.
Billy excitedly hands her a can. She hesitates before she takes it.
BILLY (CONT’D)
You’ve earned it, Superhero! Ever since you cleared that gang out of here, you’ve earned yourself first picks! And if you ain’t here for first picks then old Billy here is gonna make sure you at least get SOMETHING!
CRESTFALL
Thank you Billy. This means a lot.
She is exhausted and can barely stand. She slumps down on the ground in front of the fire.
BILLY
Come on, Superhero! You gotta eat! Gotta keep up your strength! You can’t get weak on us now.
She drops the can. She’s too wiped out to even stand. She can barely speak.
CRESTFALL
How did... you know.. about...
Billy bunches up an old blanket for her to use as a pillow and slides it under her head.
BILLY
Oh, he’s told us a lot about you. He’s the one who keeps bringing us food. He says we can share it as long as you always get some. But that’s not why I like to make sure. You work hard for us. You deserve it. You get some sleep though. You can eat in the morning.
CRESTFALL
Who?
She glances up and as her vision blurs she sees the man in the trench coat step out of the shadows.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - MORNING
Crestfall groggily awakes in a bed. Confused she looks around at the small apartment. The bed she’s on is folded out from the couch in the small living room. There are two doors that lead to other rooms. The kitchen is small and tucked away in the corner. Her recon stops when she sees the dinning room table.
On the table is a neatly made omelet with bacon and hash browns. A tall glass of orange juice sits next to it.
She scrambles over to the table and devours the food. As she does so, the door opens and a man of 70, CHARLES GARBAZ enters. He’s the man who has been draped in shadow, watching her for the past couple of weeks. He’s carrying a full grocery bag. They startle each other. She readies herself for a fight, he drops the bag.
CRESTFALL
Who are you? In fact, where am I?
He slowly bends down to pick up the groceries.
GARBAZ
My name is Charles Garbaz. I’m an old friend of your father’s. I’ve been keeping an eye on you for some time.
CRESTFALL
My father? Keeping an eye on me? Who the heck ISN’T watching me? I’ve got some mysterious corporate tool who’s supposedly been watching me since birth, I had all kinds of cameras on me in that place! Now I’ve got you saying that you’re watching me! What the hell is going on?
She glances around the room, the reality of her situation is dawning on her.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
How did I even get here? Are you kidnapping me? Why am I rambling?
He walks over to the table and offers her a seat.
GARBAZ
Here. Sit. I’m going to make some more food, then I’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.
INT. GARBAZ’S APARTMENT - LATER
There’s a stack of plates in the sink. She’s been eating all morning. They sit together at the table as she eats more food.
CRESTFALL
So let me see if I understand this. You’re an old friend of my dad’s and you’ve been keeping tabs on me since my parents died. You knew about my accident but thought I didn’t make it until Bob called you and told you I was on my way... Who are you? How do you know all this?
GARBAZ
I wasn’t just friends with your father. We were co-workers. We worked for The Facility when it was first started by Alexander Quitlove’s father. Our team was your father, myself, and Robert. We were tasked by Quitlove to create a enhancement serum for soldiers. Something that would add to their strength, endurance, stamina what have you. And we were successful. We created a compound that, when injected, boosted the human potential tenfold. But this wasn’t enough for Quitlove. He wanted bulletproof soldiers. He wanted unstoppable Marines. He wanted indestructable troops and he wanted to make sure it never wore off. This didn’t sit well with your father. He told Quitlove that he was finished. No more experiments, no more research, no more nothing. His wife, your mother, was pregnant with you at the time and he had to put his family first. Your father walked out.
CRESTFALL
Well that’s a nice story. It doesn’t explain anything though.
GARBAZ
Listen to you! Jumping the gun. I haven’t had visitors in ages. Sometimes an old man just wants to tell his stories.
Crestfall is grinning at him.
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry.
GARBAZ
Good. Now shut up.
The playful banter sets Crestfall’s mind at ease.
GARBAZ (CONT’D)
Robert and I continued our research based off of your father’s notes. We made some shocking breakthroughs. We found a way to alter a human’s genetic code through a mixture of... I can’t remember what we mixed. Suffice it to say, the mixture was a success. On paper at least. When we tried to mash the compound up with human DNA strands in the lab, they would bond for a fleeting moment, then dissipate. We came to discover that your father had been using bits of his own genetic code as the base for the original compound. We took a sample of his DNA from The Facility’s files and our new enhancement mixture took like a charm. Bonded completely. It enhanced his genetic sample to scientifically amazing... I’m getting off topic.
CRESTFALL
So wait. You’re saying that you created the perfect super human but it only works with my dad’s blood?
GARBAZ
Essentially, yes.
CRESTFALL
How does this relate to me? I mean besides the obvious.
She flexes her wings for emphasis.
GARBAZ
Your parents death was no accident. It was retaliation for what Quitlove saw as a grave injustice on your father’s part. Alexander Quitlove could not stand for this dishonor and he paid to have your parents taken care of in a manner that seemed like an accident.
CRESTFALL
No...
GARBAZ
Once he received word that only your father’s DNA could bond to the serum, Alexander Quitlove’s father killed himself and left his empire to his son. This new Quitlove learned quickly that crime pays in large doses. He now runs the crime in this city from his ivory tower. When he learned that you survived the accident, he made sure that you were never far from his sight. He had me keep tabs on you.
CRESTFALL
So you’re the who sent the bomb?
GARBAZ
No! No no. The bomb was Quitlove’s own doing. My job was to keep tabs on you. When the explosion killed your team, I feared you were lost forever. With you gone, I had no reason left to work at The Facility. I retired and gathered my pension. I’ve been in mourning since. Until a month ago when I got a call in the middle of the night from Robert telling me that not only had you been found. But you had been the victim of our serum. He notified me of you expected arrival and I’ve been watching you ever since.
CRESTFALL
If you’ve been watching me ever since... Why have you only approached me now? Why have you been paying Billy and the others with canned food and only watching from a distance?
GARBAZ
I had to be sure.
CRESTFALL
Sure of what?
GARBAZ
Sure that you were still in charge of your own facilities. The last thing I need is to have Quitlove and flunkies burst in here. I’m going to take him down. But I’m going to need your help.
CRESTFALL
What can I do?
GARBAZ
We need evidence against him. We need a direct line to Quitlove. I need you to continue doing what you’re doing every night already. But I need you to get information from the thugs and bullies. We need to find something concrete in order to pin him to the wall.
EXT. NEON CITY - ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
CRESTFALL stands atop a gargoyle. Neon tubing runs down the sides of monumental skyscrapers throughout the city’s skyline. Crestfall is in her normal jumpsuit, her blood red wings folded back as she surveys her city.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
It’s cold tonight in Neon City. The air is still. It’s going to rain soon.
It begins to rain. Crestfall leaps into the air and spreads her wings. She flies into the night sky.
CRESTFALL (V.O. CONT’D)
The drops on my wings are refreshing. But I know that the thugs in this town like the rain. They’ll be coming out of the shadows soon. Like roaches.
EXT. NEON CITY - ALLEY - NIGHT
A WOMAN shuffles her feet through puddles in the rain. She’s clearly nervous and questioning her decision to cut through the alley. She turns a corner and is met face to face with a wall. She’s startled.
WOMAN (TO HERSELF)
Now you’re jumping at walls. Just turn around and head back to the street.
She turns around and notices a small group of THUGS standing before her. Some of them hold baseball bats. They snicker amongst themselves. The THUG LEADER stands at their forefront, dressed in a tacky leather outfit.
THUG LEADER
You know, I was just talking to Lenny (he’s my best bud y’see) and I says to him, I says ‘Lenny, you know what I really want?’ And he says in his typical deadpan Lenny fashion, he says ‘Nope sure don’t’.
Tears are streaming down her face as thugs move in closer with each word spoken by the leader.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
They’re roaches, and I’m the exterminator.
THUG LEADER
So I explained it to Lenny. I says ‘What I really want is a new plaything.’ And baby,
I want to play with you!
The woman’s SCREAMS fade into the rainy night sky.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
My name is Crestfall.
The leader grabs the woman by the arm. He’s tapped on the shoulder.
CRESTFALL
Excuse me.
The leader turns around to see Crestfall standing behind him. Her wings spread ominously. The few thugs that aren’t already on the ground, knocked out by her, are huddled off to the side cowering in fear.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
I don’t think she feels like playing right now.
The leader pushes the woman to the ground.
THUG LEADER
What are you ladies waiting for? Get her!
As their leader barks out order, the thugs gather their bearing and attack Crestfall.
CRESTFALL (V.O.)
This is my favorite part.
She makes quick work of them utilizing a specialized hand-to-hand combat technique. Part of the technique involves using her wings as a weapon, folding her wings back and thrusting them forward. She makes quick work of the remaining thugs as the leader watches. If he’s nervous he doesn’t show it. The woman is slumped on the ground in the alley, drenched by the rain.
Crestfall opens her wings again. She turns around and stares the leader in the eye.
CRESTFALL
Now you and I get to play.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Crestfall Week 3 Post
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WARDROBE ROOM - THE NEXT DAY
Crestfall enters the room clearly labeled “WARDROBE”. Inside the room people are testing new fabrics under various conditions. She notices as some fabrics are shot at and do not register the bullets, others drenched in napalm and never burn, others cannot even be cut.
She’s led to a corner of the room filled with nondescript suits and dresses. Standing by these clothes is GRETA. Greta has been in the Wardrobe Room for many years and her age is beginning to show. She’s absorbed in her clipboard as Crestfall approaches.
CRESTFALL
Uh... hi. I was told to come find a woman named “Greta”.
Greta SHUSHES her.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Okay then. I’ll just wait over here then.
She crosses the room to an empty seat. She sits and looks around the room. More fabric tests are being conducted. She notices the symbol again in various places around the room. She’s still a little uncomfortable and doesn’t quite know how to process it.
GRETA
Jessica Crest.
Greta walks over with her clipboard and Crestfall notices the similarities between that and Waters’s own clipboard.
CRESTFALL
Yes ma’am. Are you Greta?
GRETA
What I am, is a a very busy woman with a lot of important things to do. I have better ways to spend my time than giving test subjects some dress up clothes.
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry. I don’t understand.
Greta hands Crestfall a piece of paper from the clipboard.
GRETA
This is an order my people received last night from your department. It clearly states that we’re to provide you with at least one outfit for you to wear to “relax in” or some such nonsense.
CRESTFALL
I really had no idea.
GRETA
What you have, is no respect for people that have worked hard to get here.
CRESTFALL
Okay, that was uncalled for. You don’t even...
Greta cuts her off.
GRETA
I’ve wasted enough time with you today. Follow me.
Greta leads her back to the corner with the suits. She hands Crestfall a bundle. Crestfall opens it and examines the clothes as Greta describes them.
GRETA (CONT’D)
We didn’t do anything flashy. You have a standard outfit so you can lounge around. We reenforced it so your wings won’t tear it to shreds and there’s easy access to slip in and out comfortably. Also we were bored so you also have some of the latest in the tweaks that we’ve been working on. Any part of you that’s covered with these will protect you from bullets, fire, yadda yadda. Now get out of my lab.
Greta walks away.
CRESTFALL
Uh... thanks?
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - LATER
Crestfall doesn’t talk to Waters or Bob. She just goes through the motions. In a montage we see her flying with the turbine on, then the turbine off. They throw new obstacles at her that she escapes with ease.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - DURING MONTAGE
Crestfall is doing hand to hand combat, she utilizes her wings in ground fighting for disarming her oponents, she also uses escrima sticks as her weapon of choice. The montage highlights her dedication to learning her fighting techniques and also shows that she’s no longer talking to any of the people involved with her training.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - AFTER MONTAGE
Crestfall dusts herself off. Two of the attending ORDERLIES walk off by themselves. Unbeknownst to them, Crestfall hears their conversation.
ORDERLY 1
Do you think she’s onto it?
ORDERLY 2
Onto what?
ORDERLY 1
You know... “IT”?
ORDERLY 2
Look man, all I know is that we take her from one place to another and at the end of every couple of weeks, I get a paycheck.
ORDERLY 1
Yeah, but sooner or later she’s going to find out the truth about...
Orderly 2 notices the Crestfall appears to be listening even though she’s too far to hear them.
ORDERLY 2
Dude, shut up. She’s like a superhero or something. What if she can hear us?
ORDERLY 1
Don’t be an idiot. She suspects something for sure. But she can’t hear us. Can she?
Crestfall leaves.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EVENING
Crestfall is wearing her new outfit. A grey hoodie and grey sweatpants. She looks comfortable and almost relaxed for the first time in a long time. For tonight, she’s let her uncertainty go by the wayside.
There’s a KNOCK on the door and a manilla envelope is pushed beneath the door’s frame. Crestfall opens the door but the hallway is empty. She sits on her bed and opens the envelope. Inside is a single piece of paper that reads “TOMORROW. MIDNIGHT. ATRUIM.”
Crestfall burns the paper and envelope with a lighter and throws it in the garbage can. She lays back down on her bed.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - THE NEXT MORNING
The doors to the turbine room open and Crestfall enters. Buzz saws, electrical rods and plumes of fire spit out from all angles.
BOB (OVER INTERCOM)
Okay C.F. We’re going to throw everything and more at you today. So, whenever you’re ready.
She stands there unmoving.
BOB (OVER INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
C.F. We’re on a schedule. Let’s go.
Crestfall says nothing and walks out into the hallway.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - HALLWAYS OUTSIDE THE BOOM ROOM - IMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Doctor Waters comes storming into the hallway extremely angry. Crestfall seems unaffected by anything. She isn’t angry or irritated.
WATERS
What on Earth is wrong with you?
CRESTFALL
Nothing.
WATERS
We have tests to run!
CRESTFALL
I don’t think so.
WATERS
You don’t get to call the shots here sister. I do!
CRESTFALL
I’m not going to go in there and do that stuff today.
WATERS
What makes today so special?
CRESTFALL
Maybe it isn’t! Maybe I don’t want to play guinea pig any more.
Bob enters the hallway.
BOB
Alright. Let’s skip this stuff for today. We’ve been ahead of schedule for weeks. It’s not going to kill us to take an unscheduled day off. Why don’t you go to your quarters C.F. We’ll get everything ironed out on this end and see if we can’t streamline it a bit instead of just throwing everything at you at once.
Crestfall doesn’t speak. She just leaves.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
Crestfall is just sitting on her bed. There’s a quick KNOCK and the door opens. It’s Bob. He has never come to visit her before and based on their conversation it’s clear that they have never really had a personal conversation before.
BOB
Hey, C.F.
CRESTFALL
Bob.
BOB
What happened in there today?
CRESTFALL
I looked up and decided I wasn’t going to do it anymore. I’m done with these tests. I want out.
BOB
I understand that all too well. You haven’t really had a day off since we started this whole thing. You’re stressed and you need a break. No one understands that more than me. Maybe you’ll feel better tonight.
As he says “tonight” Crestfall becomes nervous.
CRESTFALL
Tonight? Why is tonight special?
BOB
Oh, you never know what might happen... after midnight.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE ATRIUM - LATER
The sun is setting as Crestfall walks through The Atruim. It’s a vast open air area with a class ceiling that seems to stretch into infinity. There are tall, beautiful trees from all over the world. Exotic flowers pepper the woodchipped path as she walks through.
She stumbles across a giant waterfall the tumbles into a large pond located right in the middle of The Atrium.
Waters walks up behind her.
CRESTFALL
I’ve never really walked around here.
WATERS
It’s very lovely. I often come down to the waterfall when I need some “me time”. It soothes me.
CRESTFALL
I can see how.
They stand for a silent moment. Watching the water.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Sorry about... before.
WATERS
Well, I may have been a tad out of line myself.
Silence.
WATERS (CONT’D)
You feeling up for weapons training?
CRESTFALL
Always.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - EARLY EVENING
Crestfall has used the escrima sticks earlier in the montage and she’s very comfortable with them. But tonight in the training room something “clicks” inside her and she uses them like a master painter who’s creating something beautiful.
Waters watches in awe as she realizes that her test subject might reach a higher potential than anyone ever thought possible.
Crestfall ends her exercise by demolishing a training dummy. Waters approaches her.
WATERS
Crestfall, that was simply astounding! How do you feel?
CRESTFALL
Hungry. Very hungry.
WATERS
You must have burned through all of your reserve energy. We thought this might be the case and it was the focus of our planned study today.
CRESTFALL
What do you mean?
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CAFETERIA - LATER
Crestfall has a large amount of food and scarfs it down.
WATERS
It seems your biggest weakness is your own body. The more energy you exert, the more you wear yourself down. It’s just like any quote, unquote “normal person” only for you it’s on a grander scale. If you don’t eat, you won’t have the energy to do anything at all. But after you’ve eaten your fill, you could be potentially be at the peak of your strength.
Crestfall BURPS then EXCUSES herself.
WATERS (CONT’D)
Charming.
Waters grins.
WATERS (CONT’D)
I’m off to bed. We’ll continue this discussion in the morning. Good night Crestfall.
Crestfall watches her leave and gets a small tear in her eye.
CRESTFALL (WHISPERS)
Goodbye.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE ATRIUM - MIDNIGHT
Crestfall enters The Atrium wearing her sweats over her jumpsuit. She has her escrima sticks attached to her belt. The Atrium is dark but she can see just fine. She makes her way to the waterfall in the center. She’s looking for a sign of what to do next.
CRESTFALL (WHISPERS)
Waters? Doc, are you here?
Bob steps out of the shadows.
BOB
You don’t have to whisper. I locked the doors behind you. It’s just you and me in here.
CRESTFALL
Where’s Waters? I thought she’d be here.
BOB
Waters? You can’t trust her. She’s deeper in this than any of us. She’s virtually his right hand man!
CRESTFALL
Who’s?
BOB
Quitlove. Alexander Quitlove.
CRESTFALL
I’ve heard that name before...
BOB
He’s the president, C.E.O., Evil Overlord, whatever you want to call it of Sinecorp. He’s the reason you’re here.
CRESTFALL
He’s the guy in the hospital that gave me the card?
BOB
Yeah, that was him too. But he’s the guy who’s responsible for your new limbs and abilities.
CRESTFALL
What? Why me?
BOB
I just do the work kid. You’re going to have to find that out for yourself. Be careful though, he’s a tough nut to crack. I’ve been boosting your training to try to test your limits so you might be ready to seek him out.
CRESTFALL
What do I do?
Bob is becoming nervous. He is speaker faster and is stumbling over his words.
BOB
Go home. Back to Neon City. That’s where Sinecorp H.Q. is. You can’t just burst in the door though. Uncover his ties to crime in the city.
CRESTFALL
Crime in the city? What?
BOB
He’s the crime lord in Neon! Prove it! Find the evidence. If you can bring him down, you should be able to get answers! Now go!
CRESTFALL
Go where?
BOB
Up! Through the ceiling. I’ve shut down the security grid. Burst out and head east. Head east til you get to Neon.
CRESTFALL
What do I do when I get there?
BOB
Whatever you can! Now go!
Crestfall leaps in the air and flies through the glass ceiling. She heads east.
BOB (CONT’D)
Good luck C.F.
The man from the hospital appears behind Bob still crowded in shadow. This man is QUITLOVE.
QUITLOVE
Yes, I expect she’ll need a little “luck”.
Surprised, Bob turns around to face his employer. There’s a BANG from a gun and Bob falls to the ground dead.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I wasn’t expecting her to be ready quite so soon. This should prove to be very interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Crestfall enters the room clearly labeled “WARDROBE”. Inside the room people are testing new fabrics under various conditions. She notices as some fabrics are shot at and do not register the bullets, others drenched in napalm and never burn, others cannot even be cut.
She’s led to a corner of the room filled with nondescript suits and dresses. Standing by these clothes is GRETA. Greta has been in the Wardrobe Room for many years and her age is beginning to show. She’s absorbed in her clipboard as Crestfall approaches.
CRESTFALL
Uh... hi. I was told to come find a woman named “Greta”.
Greta SHUSHES her.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Okay then. I’ll just wait over here then.
She crosses the room to an empty seat. She sits and looks around the room. More fabric tests are being conducted. She notices the symbol again in various places around the room. She’s still a little uncomfortable and doesn’t quite know how to process it.
GRETA
Jessica Crest.
Greta walks over with her clipboard and Crestfall notices the similarities between that and Waters’s own clipboard.
CRESTFALL
Yes ma’am. Are you Greta?
GRETA
What I am, is a a very busy woman with a lot of important things to do. I have better ways to spend my time than giving test subjects some dress up clothes.
CRESTFALL
I’m sorry. I don’t understand.
Greta hands Crestfall a piece of paper from the clipboard.
GRETA
This is an order my people received last night from your department. It clearly states that we’re to provide you with at least one outfit for you to wear to “relax in” or some such nonsense.
CRESTFALL
I really had no idea.
GRETA
What you have, is no respect for people that have worked hard to get here.
CRESTFALL
Okay, that was uncalled for. You don’t even...
Greta cuts her off.
GRETA
I’ve wasted enough time with you today. Follow me.
Greta leads her back to the corner with the suits. She hands Crestfall a bundle. Crestfall opens it and examines the clothes as Greta describes them.
GRETA (CONT’D)
We didn’t do anything flashy. You have a standard outfit so you can lounge around. We reenforced it so your wings won’t tear it to shreds and there’s easy access to slip in and out comfortably. Also we were bored so you also have some of the latest in the tweaks that we’ve been working on. Any part of you that’s covered with these will protect you from bullets, fire, yadda yadda. Now get out of my lab.
Greta walks away.
CRESTFALL
Uh... thanks?
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - LATER
Crestfall doesn’t talk to Waters or Bob. She just goes through the motions. In a montage we see her flying with the turbine on, then the turbine off. They throw new obstacles at her that she escapes with ease.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - DURING MONTAGE
Crestfall is doing hand to hand combat, she utilizes her wings in ground fighting for disarming her oponents, she also uses escrima sticks as her weapon of choice. The montage highlights her dedication to learning her fighting techniques and also shows that she’s no longer talking to any of the people involved with her training.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - AFTER MONTAGE
Crestfall dusts herself off. Two of the attending ORDERLIES walk off by themselves. Unbeknownst to them, Crestfall hears their conversation.
ORDERLY 1
Do you think she’s onto it?
ORDERLY 2
Onto what?
ORDERLY 1
You know... “IT”?
ORDERLY 2
Look man, all I know is that we take her from one place to another and at the end of every couple of weeks, I get a paycheck.
ORDERLY 1
Yeah, but sooner or later she’s going to find out the truth about...
Orderly 2 notices the Crestfall appears to be listening even though she’s too far to hear them.
ORDERLY 2
Dude, shut up. She’s like a superhero or something. What if she can hear us?
ORDERLY 1
Don’t be an idiot. She suspects something for sure. But she can’t hear us. Can she?
Crestfall leaves.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EVENING
Crestfall is wearing her new outfit. A grey hoodie and grey sweatpants. She looks comfortable and almost relaxed for the first time in a long time. For tonight, she’s let her uncertainty go by the wayside.
There’s a KNOCK on the door and a manilla envelope is pushed beneath the door’s frame. Crestfall opens the door but the hallway is empty. She sits on her bed and opens the envelope. Inside is a single piece of paper that reads “TOMORROW. MIDNIGHT. ATRUIM.”
Crestfall burns the paper and envelope with a lighter and throws it in the garbage can. She lays back down on her bed.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - THE NEXT MORNING
The doors to the turbine room open and Crestfall enters. Buzz saws, electrical rods and plumes of fire spit out from all angles.
BOB (OVER INTERCOM)
Okay C.F. We’re going to throw everything and more at you today. So, whenever you’re ready.
She stands there unmoving.
BOB (OVER INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
C.F. We’re on a schedule. Let’s go.
Crestfall says nothing and walks out into the hallway.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - HALLWAYS OUTSIDE THE BOOM ROOM - IMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Doctor Waters comes storming into the hallway extremely angry. Crestfall seems unaffected by anything. She isn’t angry or irritated.
WATERS
What on Earth is wrong with you?
CRESTFALL
Nothing.
WATERS
We have tests to run!
CRESTFALL
I don’t think so.
WATERS
You don’t get to call the shots here sister. I do!
CRESTFALL
I’m not going to go in there and do that stuff today.
WATERS
What makes today so special?
CRESTFALL
Maybe it isn’t! Maybe I don’t want to play guinea pig any more.
Bob enters the hallway.
BOB
Alright. Let’s skip this stuff for today. We’ve been ahead of schedule for weeks. It’s not going to kill us to take an unscheduled day off. Why don’t you go to your quarters C.F. We’ll get everything ironed out on this end and see if we can’t streamline it a bit instead of just throwing everything at you at once.
Crestfall doesn’t speak. She just leaves.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
Crestfall is just sitting on her bed. There’s a quick KNOCK and the door opens. It’s Bob. He has never come to visit her before and based on their conversation it’s clear that they have never really had a personal conversation before.
BOB
Hey, C.F.
CRESTFALL
Bob.
BOB
What happened in there today?
CRESTFALL
I looked up and decided I wasn’t going to do it anymore. I’m done with these tests. I want out.
BOB
I understand that all too well. You haven’t really had a day off since we started this whole thing. You’re stressed and you need a break. No one understands that more than me. Maybe you’ll feel better tonight.
As he says “tonight” Crestfall becomes nervous.
CRESTFALL
Tonight? Why is tonight special?
BOB
Oh, you never know what might happen... after midnight.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE ATRIUM - LATER
The sun is setting as Crestfall walks through The Atruim. It’s a vast open air area with a class ceiling that seems to stretch into infinity. There are tall, beautiful trees from all over the world. Exotic flowers pepper the woodchipped path as she walks through.
She stumbles across a giant waterfall the tumbles into a large pond located right in the middle of The Atrium.
Waters walks up behind her.
CRESTFALL
I’ve never really walked around here.
WATERS
It’s very lovely. I often come down to the waterfall when I need some “me time”. It soothes me.
CRESTFALL
I can see how.
They stand for a silent moment. Watching the water.
CRESTFALL (CONT’D)
Sorry about... before.
WATERS
Well, I may have been a tad out of line myself.
Silence.
WATERS (CONT’D)
You feeling up for weapons training?
CRESTFALL
Always.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - WEAPONS ROOM - EARLY EVENING
Crestfall has used the escrima sticks earlier in the montage and she’s very comfortable with them. But tonight in the training room something “clicks” inside her and she uses them like a master painter who’s creating something beautiful.
Waters watches in awe as she realizes that her test subject might reach a higher potential than anyone ever thought possible.
Crestfall ends her exercise by demolishing a training dummy. Waters approaches her.
WATERS
Crestfall, that was simply astounding! How do you feel?
CRESTFALL
Hungry. Very hungry.
WATERS
You must have burned through all of your reserve energy. We thought this might be the case and it was the focus of our planned study today.
CRESTFALL
What do you mean?
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CAFETERIA - LATER
Crestfall has a large amount of food and scarfs it down.
WATERS
It seems your biggest weakness is your own body. The more energy you exert, the more you wear yourself down. It’s just like any quote, unquote “normal person” only for you it’s on a grander scale. If you don’t eat, you won’t have the energy to do anything at all. But after you’ve eaten your fill, you could be potentially be at the peak of your strength.
Crestfall BURPS then EXCUSES herself.
WATERS (CONT’D)
Charming.
Waters grins.
WATERS (CONT’D)
I’m off to bed. We’ll continue this discussion in the morning. Good night Crestfall.
Crestfall watches her leave and gets a small tear in her eye.
CRESTFALL (WHISPERS)
Goodbye.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE ATRIUM - MIDNIGHT
Crestfall enters The Atrium wearing her sweats over her jumpsuit. She has her escrima sticks attached to her belt. The Atrium is dark but she can see just fine. She makes her way to the waterfall in the center. She’s looking for a sign of what to do next.
CRESTFALL (WHISPERS)
Waters? Doc, are you here?
Bob steps out of the shadows.
BOB
You don’t have to whisper. I locked the doors behind you. It’s just you and me in here.
CRESTFALL
Where’s Waters? I thought she’d be here.
BOB
Waters? You can’t trust her. She’s deeper in this than any of us. She’s virtually his right hand man!
CRESTFALL
Who’s?
BOB
Quitlove. Alexander Quitlove.
CRESTFALL
I’ve heard that name before...
BOB
He’s the president, C.E.O., Evil Overlord, whatever you want to call it of Sinecorp. He’s the reason you’re here.
CRESTFALL
He’s the guy in the hospital that gave me the card?
BOB
Yeah, that was him too. But he’s the guy who’s responsible for your new limbs and abilities.
CRESTFALL
What? Why me?
BOB
I just do the work kid. You’re going to have to find that out for yourself. Be careful though, he’s a tough nut to crack. I’ve been boosting your training to try to test your limits so you might be ready to seek him out.
CRESTFALL
What do I do?
Bob is becoming nervous. He is speaker faster and is stumbling over his words.
BOB
Go home. Back to Neon City. That’s where Sinecorp H.Q. is. You can’t just burst in the door though. Uncover his ties to crime in the city.
CRESTFALL
Crime in the city? What?
BOB
He’s the crime lord in Neon! Prove it! Find the evidence. If you can bring him down, you should be able to get answers! Now go!
CRESTFALL
Go where?
BOB
Up! Through the ceiling. I’ve shut down the security grid. Burst out and head east. Head east til you get to Neon.
CRESTFALL
What do I do when I get there?
BOB
Whatever you can! Now go!
Crestfall leaps in the air and flies through the glass ceiling. She heads east.
BOB (CONT’D)
Good luck C.F.
The man from the hospital appears behind Bob still crowded in shadow. This man is QUITLOVE.
QUITLOVE
Yes, I expect she’ll need a little “luck”.
Surprised, Bob turns around to face his employer. There’s a BANG from a gun and Bob falls to the ground dead.
QUITLOVE (CONT’D)
I wasn’t expecting her to be ready quite so soon. This should prove to be very interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Crestfall Week 2 post
INT. “THE FACILITY” - DAY - DAYS LATER
JESSICA enters The Facility accompanied by DOCTOR WATERS (a young female doctor around 35). The Facility is almost hospital like in it’s whiteness. The walls are covered with wires and various monitors. The technology is more advanced than most places. Clearly there are great scientific minds at work in this place.
Jessica is wearing jeans and hoodie with some patches cut out of the back to accommodate her wings. She’s a little uncertain of her surroundings.
WATERS
We’re so happy you decided to join us Ms. Crest! It was definitely unfortunate, the circumstances that surrounded your condition. Some of us were afraid that you might back out of our offer!
JESSICA
Thanks, Doctor Waters. I really don’t know what else I could have done. The Army doesn’t want me back and I’m pretty sure Starbucks would frown on these.
She flexes her wings and stretches them out. She knocks over a tray with some equipment on it.
JESSICA (CONT’D)
Oops! Sorry!
WATERS
Don’t worry about it. Here at The Facility we’re used to all manners of mishaps. You’ll fit right in.
JESSICA
Thanks. I think. So what is it you all actually do here?
They leave the entrance and walk down the main hallway. As they speak they pass all kinds of experiments and technological tests. No living creatures are being manipulated.
WATERS
I’m so glad you asked! I rarely get to gloat. Here at The Facility, we are tasked with “the advancement of science”. Essentially that means that we have an unlimited budget and almost no restrictions on what to study.
JESSICA
Almost?
WATERS
We’re not allowed to test on people. Not without their express written and verbal permission on forms in triplicate which I’m sure you’re aware of.
Jessica rubs her wrist.
JESSICA
Yeah, I think I remember a thing or two about that.
Doctor Waters laughs.
WATERS
You’d be surprised at some of the things that have come out of The Facility.
They walk down a hallway marked “Hall of Fame”. Along the walls are pictures of The Facility’s greatest achievements. Some of which are mentioned by Doctor Waters.
WATERS (CONT’D)
Microwave ovens, Velcro, anti-lock breaks, aglets...
JESSICA
What’s an aglet?
WATERS
The plastic thing on the end of shoelaces.
JESSICA
So you guys have been around for a while huh?
WATERS
Longer than anyone would care to admit I think. Let me show you where you’ll be spending a bulk of your time.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Waters and Jessica enter a control room filled with panels and monitors. The room is black in a stark contrast to the white of the rest of The Facility. There is a large window that fills the far wall. It’s entirely black. BOB (about 43) sits at one of the monitors staring intently.
WATERS
This is Doctor Roberto Sinclair. He’s in charge of The Boom Room.
BOB
Everyone just calls me Bob.
He gets up. Jessica reaches out to shake his hand. He heads straight to her wings, running his hands up and down them. Jessica is not entirely comfortable with this.
WATERS
Don’t mind Bob, he’s been obsessed with self propulsion since he’s learned of your condition.
JESSICA
Ow! Watch it Bob! Those are attached.
BOB
Sorry!
JESSICA (TO WATERS)
Why is this place called The Boom Room?
BOB
I thought you’d never ask!
He runs over to the corner and stands excitedly by a series of switches.
WATERS
I told you, we never get to gloat!
He flips the switch and the lights turn on in the window. There’s a giant turbine engine in a room shaped like a tube. It’s big enough to fit a small jet inside.
Bob giggles as he throws a second switch. A loud BOOM ricochets through the room and the turbine begins to spin. As it spins faster and faster it sends out a huge blast of air. Small flags line the sides of the tube in the room around the diameter to indicate the intensity of the wind.
JESSICA
How do I get in there?
WATERS
Oh no! No no no. You can’t go in there dressed like that, the force alone could tear every piece of fabric to shreds. Besides, we’ll have to test out your skin to see if you’ll be able to withstand the blasts yourself!
JESSICA
Well if I can’t wear this, then what am I supposed to wear?
WATERS
Let me show to your room.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - JESSICA’S ROOM - DAY - SLIGHTLY LATER
They walk into a freshly painted blue room. It looks a bit like a military barracks room. There’s a twin size bed neatly made. A closed closet. A desk with a computer, and a tv in the corner.
WATERS
This is where you’ll be living! It’s not much but it’s all yours. I know it looks all Army-ish and stuff, but don’t worry! You won’t have any inspections or guidelines or anything. You can keep this room anyway you like, paint it any way you want.
Jessica sits on the bed to try it out.
WATERS (CONT’D)
You can even listen to music as obnoxiously loud as you please, the walls are sound proofed!
Jessica wanders over to the closet.
JESSICA
Did you guys supply me with an entire wardrobe too?
WATERS
Ah! The piece de resistance.
Jessica opens the closet door. Hanging inside is a state of the art suit it’s a grey/silver color and it appears as if it could be form fitting. The back of the suit has been altered to account for her wings.
JESSICA
This is amazing! It’s like something out of a cartoon or a comic book or something! Do I get a special “code name” or something?
WATERS
That’s something we wanted to talk to you about actually. Every project needs a title and we wanted to confer with you before we called it something you didn’t approve of. Did you have something in mind?
JESSICA
Crestfall. Call me Crestfall.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - DAY - MONTHS LATER
CRESTFALL puts on her suit. The entire thing fits like a glove. Her room is painted purple and is covered in poster prints from artists like Monet and Dali.
An intercom BUZZES. Crestfall hits a button
CRESTFALL
What’s up doc?
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
That gets funnier every time I hear it. Are you coming down?
CRESTFALL
Just putting on my Sunday best. I’ll be down in a bit.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
Alright. We’ve got some new stuff lined up for you today. You’ve got the basics down, now we’re going to try some obstacles.
CRESTFALL
I bet Bob is ecstatic.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
No comment.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY - LATER
Bob and Doctor Waters are conferring with a group of scientists in the control room.
BOB
She should be arriving any minute now.
WATERS
Alright, I’ll let Quitlove know so he can start his observations.
BOB
Do you think it’s weird that our boss is so interested in Crestfall?
WATERS
I know that he pays me and lets me play with all the cool toys.
BOB
Yeah, but it’s almost like he knew exactly where to find this girl and exactly what was wrong with her. Not only that, he happens to have a facility uniquely suited to train her in using her powers? Isn’t that a little convenient?
There’s a BEEP in the room signifying that Crestfall arrived at the tube.
WATERS
She’s here.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - INSIDE THE TUBE - DAY
Crestfall walks in. The door seals shut behind her.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
Okay we’re going to start off the way we usually do.
The BOOM goes off, signifying the start of the turbine. She braces herself against the blast of the wind. As it intensifies She is lifted off of the ground.
She’s gliding against the wind. She’s done this several times before. She’s flipping through the air and flying laps around the length of the tube.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Very good Crestfall. You’ve really gotten the hang of the basic maneuvers we worked on. Let’s see what you can do with these new surprises.
Small vents open up on the side of the walls. As she flies through her laps different poles and obstacles come jutting out at her. She dodges the obstacles fairly easily.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Very good. Let’s try the next phase.
She flies around the next pole. As she does, another arm flips out. It has an electrical node on the end. It flips out and tags her wing. The shock drops her to the ground. The continual blast from the turbine sweeps her from the floor and slams her back against the wall.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Crap! Shut it down! Shut it down!
The turbine shuts down with a THUD. She lays on the floor dazed. The door opens and two orderlies run in to help her.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY
Waters throws her clipboard down.
WATERS
What on Earth did you think you were doing, Bob?
BOB
I’m pushing your little pet to her limits! What are you doing?
WATERS
I’m doing my best to not hurt her!
BOB
Well look at your little project now!
He points to a monitor.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - INSIDE THE TUBE - DAY
The orderlies help Crestfall to her feet. She pushes them away. She crouches down and launches herself into the air. She flies under her own power. Weaving around the poles.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY
BOB
You see? She’s never...
WATERS
She’s never flown under her own power before. Get Quitlove on the phone. Now. He needs to hear about this.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EVENING
She is laying on her bed, wrapped in a towel. Doctor Waters enters carrying her clipboard.
WATERS
What you did today was remarkable. I’m so proud of your progress. Why are you wearing a towel?
CRESTFALL
I don’t have any other clothes. Everything I wear gets shredded by the wings. I’d love to be able to wear some normal clothes on my down time.
WATERS
I’ll see what I can do. I just wanted you to know that I’m proud of you.
Crestfall glances at Doctor Waters’s clipboard. Engraved on it is a symbol.
CRESTFALL
I’ve seen that symbol before. Where have I seen it?
She flashes back to her time in the middle east. She remembers the canister with the purple goo. On the canister she saw a faded symbol. It matches the symbol on the clipboard. Underneath the clipboard’s symbol it reads “SINECORP”
WATERS
I’m not sure you know what you’re saying. You hit the wall pretty hard. Why don’t you get some rest and I’ll get to work on some clothes for you. We’re also working on a harness to hold your wings down so you might be able to take the weekend off for once.
CRESTFALL
Yeah, I think I need you to leave for a while. I have some stuff to think about. That symbol...
WATERS
It’s the symbol of The Facility and our parent company. You’ve seen the symbol a thousand times.
CRESTFALL
Why haven’t I noticed it until now?
WATERS
I really can’t say. Get some sleep.
Crestfall Cries.
JESSICA enters The Facility accompanied by DOCTOR WATERS (a young female doctor around 35). The Facility is almost hospital like in it’s whiteness. The walls are covered with wires and various monitors. The technology is more advanced than most places. Clearly there are great scientific minds at work in this place.
Jessica is wearing jeans and hoodie with some patches cut out of the back to accommodate her wings. She’s a little uncertain of her surroundings.
WATERS
We’re so happy you decided to join us Ms. Crest! It was definitely unfortunate, the circumstances that surrounded your condition. Some of us were afraid that you might back out of our offer!
JESSICA
Thanks, Doctor Waters. I really don’t know what else I could have done. The Army doesn’t want me back and I’m pretty sure Starbucks would frown on these.
She flexes her wings and stretches them out. She knocks over a tray with some equipment on it.
JESSICA (CONT’D)
Oops! Sorry!
WATERS
Don’t worry about it. Here at The Facility we’re used to all manners of mishaps. You’ll fit right in.
JESSICA
Thanks. I think. So what is it you all actually do here?
They leave the entrance and walk down the main hallway. As they speak they pass all kinds of experiments and technological tests. No living creatures are being manipulated.
WATERS
I’m so glad you asked! I rarely get to gloat. Here at The Facility, we are tasked with “the advancement of science”. Essentially that means that we have an unlimited budget and almost no restrictions on what to study.
JESSICA
Almost?
WATERS
We’re not allowed to test on people. Not without their express written and verbal permission on forms in triplicate which I’m sure you’re aware of.
Jessica rubs her wrist.
JESSICA
Yeah, I think I remember a thing or two about that.
Doctor Waters laughs.
WATERS
You’d be surprised at some of the things that have come out of The Facility.
They walk down a hallway marked “Hall of Fame”. Along the walls are pictures of The Facility’s greatest achievements. Some of which are mentioned by Doctor Waters.
WATERS (CONT’D)
Microwave ovens, Velcro, anti-lock breaks, aglets...
JESSICA
What’s an aglet?
WATERS
The plastic thing on the end of shoelaces.
JESSICA
So you guys have been around for a while huh?
WATERS
Longer than anyone would care to admit I think. Let me show you where you’ll be spending a bulk of your time.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Waters and Jessica enter a control room filled with panels and monitors. The room is black in a stark contrast to the white of the rest of The Facility. There is a large window that fills the far wall. It’s entirely black. BOB (about 43) sits at one of the monitors staring intently.
WATERS
This is Doctor Roberto Sinclair. He’s in charge of The Boom Room.
BOB
Everyone just calls me Bob.
He gets up. Jessica reaches out to shake his hand. He heads straight to her wings, running his hands up and down them. Jessica is not entirely comfortable with this.
WATERS
Don’t mind Bob, he’s been obsessed with self propulsion since he’s learned of your condition.
JESSICA
Ow! Watch it Bob! Those are attached.
BOB
Sorry!
JESSICA (TO WATERS)
Why is this place called The Boom Room?
BOB
I thought you’d never ask!
He runs over to the corner and stands excitedly by a series of switches.
WATERS
I told you, we never get to gloat!
He flips the switch and the lights turn on in the window. There’s a giant turbine engine in a room shaped like a tube. It’s big enough to fit a small jet inside.
Bob giggles as he throws a second switch. A loud BOOM ricochets through the room and the turbine begins to spin. As it spins faster and faster it sends out a huge blast of air. Small flags line the sides of the tube in the room around the diameter to indicate the intensity of the wind.
JESSICA
How do I get in there?
WATERS
Oh no! No no no. You can’t go in there dressed like that, the force alone could tear every piece of fabric to shreds. Besides, we’ll have to test out your skin to see if you’ll be able to withstand the blasts yourself!
JESSICA
Well if I can’t wear this, then what am I supposed to wear?
WATERS
Let me show to your room.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - JESSICA’S ROOM - DAY - SLIGHTLY LATER
They walk into a freshly painted blue room. It looks a bit like a military barracks room. There’s a twin size bed neatly made. A closed closet. A desk with a computer, and a tv in the corner.
WATERS
This is where you’ll be living! It’s not much but it’s all yours. I know it looks all Army-ish and stuff, but don’t worry! You won’t have any inspections or guidelines or anything. You can keep this room anyway you like, paint it any way you want.
Jessica sits on the bed to try it out.
WATERS (CONT’D)
You can even listen to music as obnoxiously loud as you please, the walls are sound proofed!
Jessica wanders over to the closet.
JESSICA
Did you guys supply me with an entire wardrobe too?
WATERS
Ah! The piece de resistance.
Jessica opens the closet door. Hanging inside is a state of the art suit it’s a grey/silver color and it appears as if it could be form fitting. The back of the suit has been altered to account for her wings.
JESSICA
This is amazing! It’s like something out of a cartoon or a comic book or something! Do I get a special “code name” or something?
WATERS
That’s something we wanted to talk to you about actually. Every project needs a title and we wanted to confer with you before we called it something you didn’t approve of. Did you have something in mind?
JESSICA
Crestfall. Call me Crestfall.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - DAY - MONTHS LATER
CRESTFALL puts on her suit. The entire thing fits like a glove. Her room is painted purple and is covered in poster prints from artists like Monet and Dali.
An intercom BUZZES. Crestfall hits a button
CRESTFALL
What’s up doc?
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
That gets funnier every time I hear it. Are you coming down?
CRESTFALL
Just putting on my Sunday best. I’ll be down in a bit.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
Alright. We’ve got some new stuff lined up for you today. You’ve got the basics down, now we’re going to try some obstacles.
CRESTFALL
I bet Bob is ecstatic.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
No comment.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY - LATER
Bob and Doctor Waters are conferring with a group of scientists in the control room.
BOB
She should be arriving any minute now.
WATERS
Alright, I’ll let Quitlove know so he can start his observations.
BOB
Do you think it’s weird that our boss is so interested in Crestfall?
WATERS
I know that he pays me and lets me play with all the cool toys.
BOB
Yeah, but it’s almost like he knew exactly where to find this girl and exactly what was wrong with her. Not only that, he happens to have a facility uniquely suited to train her in using her powers? Isn’t that a little convenient?
There’s a BEEP in the room signifying that Crestfall arrived at the tube.
WATERS
She’s here.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - INSIDE THE TUBE - DAY
Crestfall walks in. The door seals shut behind her.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM)
Okay we’re going to start off the way we usually do.
The BOOM goes off, signifying the start of the turbine. She braces herself against the blast of the wind. As it intensifies She is lifted off of the ground.
She’s gliding against the wind. She’s done this several times before. She’s flipping through the air and flying laps around the length of the tube.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Very good Crestfall. You’ve really gotten the hang of the basic maneuvers we worked on. Let’s see what you can do with these new surprises.
Small vents open up on the side of the walls. As she flies through her laps different poles and obstacles come jutting out at her. She dodges the obstacles fairly easily.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Very good. Let’s try the next phase.
She flies around the next pole. As she does, another arm flips out. It has an electrical node on the end. It flips out and tags her wing. The shock drops her to the ground. The continual blast from the turbine sweeps her from the floor and slams her back against the wall.
WATERS (OVER THE INTERCOM) (CONT’D)
Crap! Shut it down! Shut it down!
The turbine shuts down with a THUD. She lays on the floor dazed. The door opens and two orderlies run in to help her.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY
Waters throws her clipboard down.
WATERS
What on Earth did you think you were doing, Bob?
BOB
I’m pushing your little pet to her limits! What are you doing?
WATERS
I’m doing my best to not hurt her!
BOB
Well look at your little project now!
He points to a monitor.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - INSIDE THE TUBE - DAY
The orderlies help Crestfall to her feet. She pushes them away. She crouches down and launches herself into the air. She flies under her own power. Weaving around the poles.
(CUT TO)
INT. “THE FACILITY” - THE BOOM ROOM - DAY
BOB
You see? She’s never...
WATERS
She’s never flown under her own power before. Get Quitlove on the phone. Now. He needs to hear about this.
INT. “THE FACILITY” - CRESTFALL’S ROOM - EVENING
She is laying on her bed, wrapped in a towel. Doctor Waters enters carrying her clipboard.
WATERS
What you did today was remarkable. I’m so proud of your progress. Why are you wearing a towel?
CRESTFALL
I don’t have any other clothes. Everything I wear gets shredded by the wings. I’d love to be able to wear some normal clothes on my down time.
WATERS
I’ll see what I can do. I just wanted you to know that I’m proud of you.
Crestfall glances at Doctor Waters’s clipboard. Engraved on it is a symbol.
CRESTFALL
I’ve seen that symbol before. Where have I seen it?
She flashes back to her time in the middle east. She remembers the canister with the purple goo. On the canister she saw a faded symbol. It matches the symbol on the clipboard. Underneath the clipboard’s symbol it reads “SINECORP”
WATERS
I’m not sure you know what you’re saying. You hit the wall pretty hard. Why don’t you get some rest and I’ll get to work on some clothes for you. We’re also working on a harness to hold your wings down so you might be able to take the weekend off for once.
CRESTFALL
Yeah, I think I need you to leave for a while. I have some stuff to think about. That symbol...
WATERS
It’s the symbol of The Facility and our parent company. You’ve seen the symbol a thousand times.
CRESTFALL
Why haven’t I noticed it until now?
WATERS
I really can’t say. Get some sleep.
Crestfall Cries.
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