2197 A.D.
"Pilot"
by
Marina Alburger
One Hour Drama
Marina Alburger
6760 W. 86th Pl #5
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(408) 205- 5544
[email protected]
2197 A.D.
Pilot
By Marina Alburger
TEASER
FADE IN:
1
EXT. NEW LA CITY HALL STEPS - DAY
1
GREEN SMOG fills the air. It’s dusky and dirty, foreign yet
familiar. The landscape is barren, alien, dotted with nothing
but stark, deteriorating buildings. There are no trees. No
animals. No life. Just people.
Crowds of People and Reporters dressed in futuristic rubbery
clothing stand on the steps below a stage. Politicians are
seated on the stage beside a podium whereJOHN SMITH (50s) delivers a rousing speech. Attractive, but
not because of his looks, he knows how to put others at ease.
Unassuming, he holds himself with the stature and confidence
of a practiced politician but exudes power in a reassuring,
non-threatening way.
JOHN
One hundred years since the war.
One hundred years of pain. One
hundred years of suffering. One
hundred years of oppression. I say
no more. No more!
The crowd cheers. The politicians clap.
ANGLE ON AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
hidden beneath a politician’s chair. Its timer is counting
down from one minute.
ON JOHN
As he continues unaware.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Two hundred and forty years ago, a
man stood in front of the Lincoln
memorial and said he had a dream.
I, too, have a dream. That one day
Norms and Defects alike will lay
down our hatred for each other and
work together in harmony.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
2.
More cheering. The timer continues to count down. Thirty...
twenty-nine...
A BODYGUARD standing behind the platform notices the timer’s
lights. Moves in to investigate it.
JOHN (CONT’D)
The time has come, my friends, to
realize that dream. The time has
come for us to take a stand. The
time has come to demand equality.
The Bodyguard’s eyes widen as he realizes it’s a bomb. He
pulls the device from under the chair and runs. John
continues, not noticing. Fifteen... fourteen...
JOHN (CONT’D)
The time has come for a revolution!
It is morning again in America!
Two... one... The Bodyguard wraps his body around the bomb,
braces for the explosionIt doesn’t come. The Bodyguard looks down at the timer. It
reads zero. He breathes a sigh of relief.
JOHN (CONT’D)
And we will never be in darkness
again!
The crowd roars. John Smith raises arms in a victory pose.
TITLE CARD: 2197 A.D.
WIPE TO:
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
3.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
2
EXT. THE GETTY CENTER - NIGHT
2
The famed museum is just visible through the green smog.
3
INT. THE GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S APARTMENT - SAME
3
Famous works of art hang on the walls. One is Botticelli’s
Venus and Mars. It is in the process of being restored, but a
different woman’s face has been painted over the original.
Ladders, easels, and paint cans clutter the floor.
A frozen life-size 3-D holo-projection of John Smith, arms in
the victory pose, stands amid the mess.
PHILIP SPADE (40s) studies it. Tough, handsome, rugged in an
Indiana Jones way, Philip keeps his best company with a
bottle of gin. He fears losing control, and is in a constant
struggle to keep it. He’s a NORM.
PHILIP (V.O.)
Twenty years in the detective
business, I’ve learned never to
trust a politician.
GENESSEE
Philip Spade?
Philip startles at the voice, turns, whips out his revolver
and aims it at GENESSEE MALONE (30s) a gorgeous femme fatale. She’s an
Amazon, almost alien, goddess that could just as easily kiss
you as stab you.
PHILIP (V.O.)
Or a beautiful woman.
Genessee puts up her hands.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
How did you get in?
GENESSEE
I heard you back here. There was no
one in your front office.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
4.
ZANE LAKE (20s) enters. A well-meaning, clumsy, persistent,
boy of a man, he wears his emotions like a noose. A DEFECT,
he’s adorable, lovable - in the little brother way. He
idolizes and emulates Philip, but can’t pull it off.
ZANE
A beautiful woman like this can’t
mean us harm, boss.
PHILIP
Beautiful women like this always
mean us harm. I should fire you and
hire a monkey.
ZANE
Can I name it Bob?
Philip rolls his eyes.
PHILIP
She somehow managed to get past our
security system.
GENESSEE
Security system? I didn’t see oneZANE
I forgot to turn it on.
PHILIP
Go get yerself a banana.
(to Genessee)
You have thirty seconds to tell me
who you are and what you want.
GENESSEE
Genessee Malone. I’m with John
Smith’s campaign for President.
She flashes him her identification card.
PHILIP (V.O.)
Great. A politician and a beautiful
woman all in one.
ZANE
John Smith, he’s (my hero)-PHILIP
(over)
You want me to find out who planted
the bomb.
He lowers the gun, intrigued.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
5.
GENESSEE
Who told you about the bomb?
PHILIP
Lucky guess.
Oh really?
GENESSEE
PHILIP
You can see the security guard run
off with something in the
background.
GENESSEE
This is the latest in a string of
attempts on John’s life. And the
sign on your front door does say
detective.
ZANE
C’mon Phil, please? He’s the first-PHILIP
(over)
Defect with a chance at winning
since Bill Bright. I know.
GENESSEE
You know what that means.
PHILIP
I’m retired from politics.
GENESSEE
John’ll pay you. Big. Come by his
office downtown tomorrow.
She hands Philip her card.
PHILIP (V.O.)
It wasn’t the first time a woman
involved me in politics. Back then
I was naive enough to let her.
He considers her card.
TIME FLASH TO:
4
EXT. NEW LOS ANGELES STREET - DAY
OVERLAY: 2177 - twenty years before.
4
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
6.
The same GREEN SMOG blankets the sky.
A SERIES OF SHOTS- Billboards and buildings from our time
remain, a little worse for the wear - Grauman’s Chinese
Theatre, the Roosevelt Hotel, even the Walk of Fame peeks out
from under the grime.
PHILIP (V.O.)
One hundred years after the war,
and we’re still sucking down rotten
eggs in the Low-lies. Everything
died. Except us.
Dirty, poor DEFECTS crowd the street as Urchins pick pockets.
It’s the Wild West on Hollywood Boulevard.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
In the Low-lies-- Los Angeles, San
Francisco, New York, New Orleansanywhere below two thousand feet
elevation-- our food comes in cans,
trucked in from the Norm regions.
SOFIA BRIGHT (20s) buys cans of food from a shabby store
owner. Gorgeous, mouthy, she gives lip as good as she takes
it. She’s vivacious and spunky, lives for challenge, hunts
for excitement-- and with it, danger. She’s a DEFECT.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Meat is a luxury no one affords.
Animals, any that survived, are
sacred. Even more than humans.
See the store owner’s SHOTGUN resting against the counter.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
A genetic mutation allowed some to
breathe the polluted air. Defects-the scourge of the Earth.
A Burly man eyes Sofia. Seeing him, she clutches her purse
and purchases closer and hurries away.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Wealthy Norms-- people who lack the
Sulfur gene-- headed for higher
ground where the air was still
pure. The rest of us adapted. Or
died.
She passes a Man, wearing an oxygen mask, as he gets into a
vehicle that looks like a cross between a futuristic car and
a space craft. He starts it up, and TAKES FLIGHT (literally).
It disappears into the dense green haze.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
7.
Our of nowhere, Burly snatches Sofia’s purse and disappears
through the crowd. Aluminum cans pelt the sidewalk as Sofia
drops her purchases and takes off after him.
SOFIA
Out of my way! Move!
A uniformed Police Officer, a Fect, looks up apathetically
from his coffee as Sofia and Burly dash by. He makes no move
to follow.
Burly turns a corner.
5
EXT. ORANGE STREET - DAY
5
Sofia barrels around the corner at full speed into YOUNG PHILIP (20s) - our hero at twenty years old. Sweet,
boyish, he lacks the cynical veneer of his older self. Young
Philip wears an unobtrusive oxygen mask to filter out the
street air. He appears to be with an older Couple.
Philip and Sofia crumple to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
Philip pulls himself up, angrily watches the couple hurry
away. The Burly man is long gone.
SOFIA
(not looking at Philip)
Watch it, sock sucker!
YOUNG PHILIP
(not looking at Sofia)
I was about to make a pull,
lady! You just cost me a
meal.
They see each other. Attraction. He offers his hand to help
her up.
YOUNG PHILIP
Philip Spade. You okay?
She ignores his hand, gets up herself.
SOFIA
Sofia. Sorry for calling you a sock
sucker.
She walks in the direction the man ran, looking for him.
Philip follows.
YOUNG PHILIP
He lift your purse?
SOFIA
How’d you know?
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
8.
YOUNG PHILIP
Purple’s not his color.
Good eyes.
SOFIA
YOUNG PHILIP
Makes up for bad lungs.
SOFIA
How bout a deal, Spade? You get me
my purse back, I’ll get you that
meal.
YOUNG PHILIP
Sounds fair.
Sofia and Philip turn the corner. Philip meanders down the
street.
SOFIA
I want my purse back today.
YOUNG PHILIP
From a boyfriend?
SOFIA
It was my mother’s.
YOUNG PHILIP
Sentimental.
SOFIA
He’s getting away. Can we maybe
run?
He gestures toward a storefront.
YOUNG PHILIP
While you’re doing the hundred yard
dash to nowhere, I’ll be in there
getting your purse back.
SOFIA
How do you know he’s in there?
Philip points to fresh footprints in the thick dust. She
frowns over a smile.
SOFIA (CONT’D)
Well, sure. If you were going for
the obvious.
He smirks.
7/7/2009
6
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
INT. LOS ANGELES STORE - MOMENTS LATER
9.
6
Philip and Sofia enter the store. Sofia looks around, doesn’t
see the guy. She’s about to open her mouth, Philip puts a
finger to her lips. He leads her behind the cash register.
YOUNG PHILIP
(sotto)
Stay here.
Philip tiptoes out of sight. Sofia watches, tense.
Burly dashes down an aisle for the door. Philip is on his
heels and tackles him to the ground.
Sofia grabs her purse and kicks the man in the groin.
SOFIA
That’s mine!
Burly curls into the fetal position.
YOUNG PHILIP
Remind me never to get on your bad
side.
Sofia pulls a bill from her purse, hands it to Young Philip.
YOUNG PHILIP (CONT’D)
(not taking bill)
You said dinner.
SOFIA
This will buy you two.
YOUNG PHILIP
No deal without you.
SOFIA
Highway robbery. Remember what
happened to the last guy who mugged
me?
She gestures to Burly, still on the ground grasping his groin
and moaning.
YOUNG PHILIP
Luckily, I have balls of steel.
He smiles at her. She can’t help but return it.
7/7/2009
7
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
10.
INT. JOHN'S HEADQUARTERS - JOHN’S OFFICE - 2200
Philip, wearing his oxygen mask, and Zane enter.
PHILIP (V.O.)
My balls of steel corroded just
like everything else in this damn
air. Still, something about John
Smith intrigued me. Despite my
better sense, I found myself at his
office.
A basket of fresh fruit sits on John’s desk. Zane’s jaw
drops.
ZANE
Is that... real?
PHILIP
The fruit? Yes.
Zane pockets an apple, then an orange. The door opens. John
and Genessee enter.
JOHN
Please help yourself to the fruit.
Zane looks up, caught. Then helps himself to a banana. He
examines the banana, then takes a bite, peel and all.
Genessee smirks, takes the banana from Zane and removes the
peel.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Philip Spade, pleasure to meet you.
I’m John Smith.
He extends his hand to Philip. Zane takes it.
ZANE
(mouth full of banana)
You’re a real hero.
JOHN
I haven’t done anything yet.
ZANE
Life’s gonna be so much better when
you’re in charge.
JOHN
I’m down ten points in the polls.
ZANE
You’ll win. You have to.
7
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
11.
JOHN
I appreciate your confidence...
Zane.
Zane.
ZANE
JOHN
GENESSEE
We all have confidence in you,
John. That’s why we’re here.
PHILIP
Not all of us.
ZANE
Come on, Phil.
JOHN
No, I appreciate a critic.
PHILIP
Not a critic. I just know better.
TIME FLASH TO:
8
INT. BILL’S HEADQUARTERS - BILL’S OFFICE - 2177
We see a sign “Bill Bright for President of the Reformed
States of America. Change you can count on!”
It’s a strikingly similar office to John’s. A nervous Young
Philip sits with Sofia, his hand in hers.
SOFIA
Don’t worry. Dad will love you.
BILL BRIGHT (40s) enters. Youthful, exuberant, he could
almost make you forget he’s a politician. Almost.
Young Philip stands, offers Bill his hand.
BILL
Ah. Good to meet you.
He takes Young Philip’s hand, shakes it.
YOUNG PHILIP
Mister Bright.
BILL
Please call me Bill.
8
7/7/2009
Bill.
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
12.
YOUNG PHILIP
BILL
You have quite a story, Philip. A
Norm living down here-- can’t even
breathe without that mask and yet
you stay.
YOUNG PHILIP
Got no place else to go.
BILL
Can’t go to Denver?
YOUNG PHILIP
I’m just as bad as a Defect to the
Norms there. No offense.
BILL
That’ll change when I’m President.
YOUNG PHILIP
I hope a lot of things will change.
BILL
I’d like to offer you a job on my
staff. It’ll do a lot for us to
have a Norm on our side.
YOUNG PHILIP
That’s lectic! I mean, thank you.
How much do you pay?
Bill smiles.
TIME FLASH TO:
9
INT. JOHN’S HEADQUARTERS - JOHN’S OFFICE - DAY
With Genessee, John, Zane, and Philip as we left them.
JOHN
This makes you the second Norm on
my staff. Might be a record.
PHILIP
I’m not looking to be the dog or
the pony in your show.
ZANE
Who’s the other Norm?
9
7/7/2009
Pilot
Me.
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
13.
GENESSEE
PHILIP
What interest do you have in
equality for Fects?
GENESSEE
I can only be free if you are free.
PHILIP
Every man for himself works for me.
I’m here for the money.
GENESSEE
You’ll get your money.
JOHN
I can hardly blame you for shying
away from the limelight.
He gives Philip a sympathetic look.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Whatever happened to Bill anyway?
Philip’s reaction.
PHILIP
(rising)
Come on, Zane.
GENESSEE
You can’t just leave!
JOHN
Mister Spade-- Philip-- I
apologize. More than just my life
is in danger. And I will pay you.
PHILIP
In advance.
Half now.
JOHN
Genessee digs out some money, puts it in Philip’s pocket.
PHILIP
If I so much as see a picture of me
next to you in the paper-JOHN
It’ll be confidential. I promise.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
14.
Zane looks hopefully at Philip.
PHILIP
Your promise is worth little to me.
The fact that you value your life
is worth more. You still got the
bomb?
JOHN
Genessee will show you.
Genessee puts on her oxygen mask, gestures for the men to
follow her.
10
INT. JOHN'S HEADQUARTERS - CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
10
Philip, Genessee, and Zane walk past a flurry of people and
activity. Philip notices Genessee’s mask.
PHILIP
Is your mask on? The indicator
lightGENESSEE
Burned out. I need a new one.
ZANE
I’ll fix it for you.
Philip and Genessee receive some dirty looks from the
campaign staffers.
PHILIP
I already have fans. Think they’ll
want an autograph?
GENESSEE
Maybe after you save John’s life.
Until then, ignore them.
Philip returns a glare to a passing Staffer.
TIME FLASH TO:
11
INT. RESTAURANT - 2177
11
Sofia sits across the table from Young Philip, who is wearing
his mask. Other PATRONS shoot them dirty looks.
SOFIA
Ignore them.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
15.
PATRON
What’s a matter, Sofia? Your own
kind not good enough?
SOFIA
I don’t discriminate based on
ability to breathe.
PATRON
Get yerself a real man, not this
sock mouth!
SOFIA
He’s more of a man than you! And
he’s amazing in bed.
The Patron skulks off. She smiles at Philip who laughs.
YOUNG PHILIP
I love you.
SOFIA
My boasting about your love-making
skills gets you going, huh?
YOUNG PHILIP
You know what I mean.
SOFIA
‘Fraid I don’t.
She removes his oxygen filter. Kisses him hotly. Puts the
filter back in.
Marry me.
YOUNG PHILIP
SOFIA
God, if I said yes to every
marriage proposalHe pulls out a ring.
SOFIA (CONT’D)
You’re serious.
Marry me.
Yes. Yes!
YOUNG PHILIP
SOFIA
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
16.
She kisses him deliriously on his masked mouth. He pulls it
off, then kisses her again.
TIME FLASH TO:
12
INT. JOHN'S HEADQUARTERS - ROOM - DAY
12
Genessee, Philip, and Zane enter. The bomb sits on a table
next to a stack of opened letters.
GENESSEE
John asked me to help.
ZANE
This the bomb?
He pulls out a screwdriver and starts to disassemble it. He
removes the shell and reveals a maze of wires. Genessee looks
to Philip, alarmed.
GENESSEE
Should he be touching that thing?
PHILIP
You worried he’s going to blow your
pretty face off?
GENESSEE
Aren’t you?
ZANE
Guys, I’m trying to concentrate.
Zane studies the bomb then detaches a few of the plastic
coated wires. Genessee cringes and inhales sharply. Philip
glares at her.
GENESSEE
Just, uh.. Just be careful.
ZANE
Aha. What I thought. The detonation
wires corroded because of the
sulfur in the air. See, if I just
cut off the corroded parts and reattach itGENESSEE
Wait! Don’t!
She dives for cover.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
ZANE
I removed the detonator first
thing. Sheesh lady, I’m not
suicidal.
GENESSEE
Sorry. I just- uhZANE
It’s gonna take me awhile to pull
this baby apart.
Zane gets to work.
PHILIP
(aside)
Zane’s a bit of a savant when it
comes to wiring and circuitry.
Handy.
GENESSEE
PHILIP
Why I keep him around.
(re: the letters)
Death threats?
GENESSEE
All the credible ones that mention
a bomb from this week.
PHILIP
A lot of people want him dead.
ZANE
Why do you Norms hate us so much?
GENESSEE
Not all of us.
PHILIP
But most. And it’s not about hate.
It’s about power.
GENESSEE
Interesting perspective.
PHILIP
Do you think things would be any
different if the Fects were in
control?
GENESSEE
I’m counting on it.
17.
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Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
18.
PHILIP
Race, religion, genetic mutationif history has taught us one thing,
it’s that humans will always find a
reason to fear each other.
GENESSEE
Cynical for a Norm who lives among
Defects.
PHILIP
I’m an equal opportunity hater.
GENESSEE
So why do you live here?
PHILIP
Why do you?
GENESSEE
I asked first.
PHILIP
Because the Fects leave me alone.
Usually.
Philip picks up a yellowed letter, reading it.
FLASH MATCH CUT:
13
INT. BILL’S HEADQUARTERS - BILL’S OFFICE - DAY
13
Young Philip reads a yellowed letter. Sofia looks on,
distraught. Bill is listening on the phone in the background.
SOFIA
Don’t read it.
YOUNG PHILIP
I can’t help it.
Young Philip reacts to something he read, hands the letter to
Bill. Bill reads it, reacts, concerned.
SOFIA
What? What did they say?
BILL
(into phone)
Jack, I have a letter here you’ll
want to take a look at.
(beat)
No, Sofia.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
19.
Sofia snatches the letter from Bill. Reads it. Face ashen.
BILL (CONT’D)
I’ll call you back.
He hangs up.
SOFIA
Why would they want to kill me?
She knows the answer as she says this: Philip.
YOUNG PHILIP
Nothing is gonna happen to you. I’m
going away.
SOFIA
The hell you are! I’m not going to
let the Fect Decency League
frighten me. I’ll show them decent!
BILL
We’ll double your security until
the election is over.
YOUNG PHILIP
I’m not worth dying for.
SOFIA
I’m not going to die.
Famous last words. But she’s confident.
TIME FLASH TO:
14
INT. JOHN'S HEADQUARTERS - MAIL ROOM - DAY
14
Genessee and Philip read through the letters. Zane finishes
disassembling the bomb.
ZANE
This bomb came from Denver.
GENESSEE
How do you know?
ZANE
This has got to be the most
sophisticated circuit board I’ve
ever seen. More advanced than
anything you’ll find down here.
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Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
20.
PHILIP
It fits. The person who made this
bomb didn’t know the wires would
corrode. They’ve probably never set
foot in Defect territory.
GENESSEE
So the culprit is a Norm.
PHILIP
That’s my hunch, anyway. I’ll do
some leg work and we can set out in
the morning.
GENESSEE
Set out- to Denver? You don’t
actually expect us to go there.
PHILIP
(flippant)
Rule number forty seven in my
detective handbook. Run down all
leads.
GENESSEE
Not this one. It’s too dangerous.
PHILIP
Sweetheart, you can stay home if
you’re too afraid.
GENESSEE
The hell I will.
ZANE
Maybe she’s right, boss. I’ll get
sent to the camps.
PHILIP
If we get caught, sure you will.
GENESSEE
So what’s your plan?
PHILIP
That’s easy. Don’t get caught.
Genessee and Zane share an apprehensive look.
FADE OUT.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
21.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
15
INT. SOFIA'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - 2177
15
Philip sketches a charcoal drawing of Sofia. Sofia comes up
behind him, dressed to go out.
That me?
Yeah.
SOFIA
PHILIP
SOFIA
Not quite. I have bigger boobs.
He smiles. Sofia turns, kisses him, then wipes the lipstick
from his lips.
SOFIA (CONT’D)
Red’s not your color.
YOUNG PHILIP
No arguments here.
He moves to kiss her again. She puts a finger to his lips.
SOFIA
Hold that thought. I’m late. Dress
fitting.
YOUNG PHILIP
Let them wait!
SOFIA
I think I’ll let you wait instead.
She exits with a flirtatious, sassy smile.
TIME FLASH TO:
16
EXT. GETTY CENTER CAR PAD - DAY
16
Philip, Zane, and Genessee walk toward his old and junky car.
GENESSEE
I have to be back for John’s speech
tomorrow... you drive that thing?
7/7/2009
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"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
22.
PHILIP
She’s a beauty, isn’t she. Keys?
Zane fumbles for them. Drops them.
GENESSEE
More like a firey death trap. No
way this car makes it to Denver in
one piece.
PHILIP
She’ll do fine. I was able to track
down a few places that deal in the
circuitry board we’re looking for.
ZANE
They’ll have records of who bought
it?
PHILIP
If we’re lucky.
Zane picks up the keys, hands them to Philip. His hands are
shaking violently. He drops the keys again.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
You don’t have to come. It’s
probably too dangerous for a Fect.
Genessee picks up the keys this time.
ZANE
(bravado)
I live for danger.
She hands them to Philip then they both climb in the car.
PHILIP
It’s your funeral, kid. Get in.
Zane does. Philip starts the car and lifts off.
ANGLE ON PHILIP’S CAR
It’s a Ford Falcon. His license plate reads "MLTESE.” It
zooms away.
17
EXT. MALTESE FALCON - LATER
Philip’s car zooms atop the mountains and comes to a hover
above an immaculate city.
17
7/7/2009
18
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
23.
INT. MALTESE FALCON - SAME
Philip sits in the driver seat with Zane beside him and
Genessee in back. Philip punches a button on the console.
PHILIP
(holding down a button)
This is oh-nine one five, the
Maltese Falcon requesting
permission to land, over.
CONTROLLER
(filtered)
Roger, Falcon, this is Denver Air
Control. What is your purpose?
PHILIP
(holding down button)
Work.
CONTROLLER
(filtered)
Please transmit your permits now.
PHILIP
(holding down button)
Roger. Commencing transmission.
Philip presses a few buttons.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
(to Genessee)
See those bags, next to you? Pass
them forward. Time to change.
Genessee hands some clothing forward.
ZANE
Why can’t we wear what we have on?
PHILIP
Rubber suits scream Fect. The Norms
still wear cotton.
GENESSEE
You expect me to change in here?
With you?
PHILIP
Don’t get excited. We don’t have
time for vanity.
They start changing.
18
7/7/2009
Pilot
Silk?
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
24.
GENESSEE
PHILIP
Wouldn’t last the day in Los
Angeles.
ZANE
This is taking awhile. Maybe
they’re not going for it. Hey, we
shouldZane starts to turn around.
GENESSEE
Eyes forward.
Zane turns back around, abashed.
PHILIP
They’ll go for it.
GENESSEE
And if they don’t?
They will.
PHILIP
ZANE
We’re going to the reclamation
camps, aren’t we?
CONTROLLER
(filtered)
Falcon, this is Denver Air Control.
You are cleared for landing.
PHILIP
Alright. Let’s take her in.
Philip turns the wheel.
19
EXT. DENVER STREET - AFTERNOON
19
Philip lands his car in a public space away from the crowds.
PHILIP (V.O.)
Denver. The capital of the Reformed
States of America. The only place
worse than Hell for Defects and
their supporters.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
25.
A stunning Utopia surrounds them. The air is crystal clear.
Trees - real live trees - dot the city. Golden fountains
spout water. Well-dressed Norms relax in the park, while
squirrels hunt for nuts and birds chirp. There are animals
here.
20
EXT. DENVER STREET - MOMENTS LATER
20
Philip, Genessee, and Zane emerge from the car. They are now
changed into their Norm attire.
PHILIP (V.O.)
Don’t let the shiny mask this city
wears fool you. Underneath the
gleam lies the stench of
corruption.
ZANE
What is that godawful smell?
Fresh air.
PHILIP
He gives Zane a look of warning.
GENESSEE
Everything is so vivid. The sky,
the trees. That’s real green.
PHILIP
Part of the oxygen farms.
He sneezes.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
The pollen count. Another reason I
prefer Los Angeles.
Zane stops in awe.
ZANE
What is that?
It’s the stuff of legends, like seeing a unicorn or a threeheaded monkey. It’s a-
Dog.
GENESSEE
(with wonder)
Reveal a 150 pound GERMAN SHEPARD, and his owner playing
fetch. The dog catches the ball and drops it in front of
Zane. It BARKS. Zane shrieks.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
26.
ZANE
What do I do?
PHILIP
(sotto)
Pick up the ball and throw it.
Zane tentatively goes for the ball. The dog prances and
barks, excited, then snatches the ball from Zane’s hands.
Zane is terrified, and drawing attention to himself. The
dog’s Owner eyes them suspiciously.
The dog drops the ball again. Philip throws it. The dog
chases it.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
There you go boy.
(to the Dog’s owner)
Sorry about my friend. He’s just a
little slow.
The owner turns away. Philip glares at Zane.
GENESSEE
We should split up to question the
store owners. Cover more ground.
ZANE
No way anyone’s helping out a Fect.
PHILIP
You look just like us. No one is
gonna know the difference.
GENESSEE
Would you guys stop talking about
Fects? We’ve drawn enough(attention)
POLICE OFFICER (O.S.)
(over)
Stop right there.
Genessee, Zane, and Philip freeze. Zane blanches. The POLICE
OFFICER passes them and stops a pair of People ahead of them.
POLICE OFFICER (CONT’D)
Mister and Misses Anderson, you are
hereby accused of possessing
defective DNA, rabble-rousing, and
disturbing the peace of Denver. You
are so exiled from the city of New
Denver upon pain of death. Take
them away.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
27.
Other officers descend upon the couple, shove them into a
car, and take them away. A Crowd has gathered to watch.
POLICE OFFICER (CONT’D)
Nothing more to see here folks.
The crowd disperses. The Officer leaves. Zane breathes
deeply.
ZANE
That was close.
They split up in separate directions.
21
EXT. DENVER STREET - LATER
Genessee, Zane, and Philip meet back up.
GENESSEE
Here’s my list. Couldn’t get any
names, but I have the receipts. Had
to bribe the guy.
PHILIP
I thought you would. None from me.
ZANE
I got a name and address. Right
here in Denver. Mister P. Rake.
PHILIP
Alright. Let’s go.
They head off.
EXT. RAKE’S HOUSE - LATER
Philip bangs on the door. Zane peers through windows.
Genessee looks around gate to the backyard.
PHILIP
Mister Rake, open up!
He bangs on the door some more. No answer.
ZANE
No one inside. Must not be home.
PHILIP
Car is in the driveway.
21
7/7/2009
Guys...
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
28.
GENESSEE (O.C.)
She points to the gate. The latch is undone.
Philip peers through the windows.
ANGLE THROUGH THE WINDOW
Blood pools on the hardwood floor.
RESUME SCENE
Philip kicks the front door down. Alarms sound. They rush
inside.
INT. RAKE’S HOUSE - SAME
A Man lies dead in the pool of blood. Philip feels for a
pulse.
PHILIP
He’s cold. Been dead for awhile.
GENESSEE
(re: Alarms)
We should get out of here.
They head for the front door. A police vessel lands and
POLICEMEN emerge and draw their weapons.
POLICEMAN
Hold it right there!
Genessee, Zane, and Philip put their hands up.
22
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - LANSBURY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Philip, in handcuffs, is dragged in by the police to meet
with:
LANSBURY (70s), the President of the Reformed States of
America, is grandmotherly- if your grandmother was Fidel
Castro.
LANSBURY
Welcome to Denver, Mister Spade.
It’s been a long time.
22
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
29.
PHILIP
Where are Genessee and Zane?
LANSBURY
On their way back to New Los
Angeles. Consider it a personal
favor that I didn’t exile them to
the camps.
PHILIP
I don’t need any favors from you.
LANSBURY
I’m your ally.
PHILIP
I don’t deal in allies. Just
information. Are you aware someone
tried to kill John Smith?
LANSBURY
My security detail doubled when we
learned of the bomb.
PHILIP
It wasn’t made public knowledge.
How did you know?
LANSBURY
I have my sources.
PHILIP
Or you’re the one who planted it.
LANSBURY
Rest assured. When I plant a bomb
it goes off.
PHILIP
Comforting.
LANSBURY
I’m surprised you’re working in
politics again.
(beat)
She was a lovely girl.
Lansbury levels a measured look at Philip.
TIME FLASH TO:
7/7/2009
23
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
30.
EXT. MALTESE FALCON - NIGHT
23
Young Philip slowly flies close to the ground.
24
INT. MALTESE FALCON - SAME
24
Young Philip is fumbling with a vid phone device.
YOUNG PHILIP
Sofia! I haven’t been able to reach
you or any of your guards. I’m on
the route you would have taken to
the tailors. When you get this,
call me right away.
His worry lingers in the air as he hangs up. Suddenly his car
is engulfed in smoke.
25
EXT. LOS ANGELES HILLS - MOMENTS LATER
25
Young Philip emerges from his landed car and runs toward the
smoke, upset.
YOUNG PHILIP
Sofia! Sofia!!!!
REVEAL a car, crashed to the ground, afire.
If she was in the car, she’s surely dead. So is her security
team.
No!!!!!!!!
YOUNG PHILIP (CONT’D)
Young Philip falls to his knees in distress.
TIME FLASH TO:
26
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - LANSBURY’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Philip and Lansbury as we left them.
PHILIP
What do you want?
She tosses him a file.
Open it.
LANSBURY
26
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
31.
Philip opens it, reads.
TIME FLASH TO:
27
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
27
Young Philip and Bill, dressed for a funeral, walk toward a
car. They’re stopped by a POLICEMAN.
POLICEMAN
Mister Bright. Mister Spade. I’m
sorry to tell you thisBILL
You closed the investigation.
POLICEMAN
We’ve ruled it accidental. The
thrust engines failed.
He walks away.
BILL
Corrupt bastards.
YOUNG PHILIP
No way this was an accident.
Young Philip’s face is flushed.
TIME FLASH TO:
28
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - LANSBURY’S OFFICE - NIGHT
28
As we left Lansbury and Philip.
LANSBURY
You and I both know it was no
accident.
Philip reads on, incredulous.
TIME FLASH TO:
29
EXT. JUNK YARD - AFTERNOON
29
Young Philip arrives. He sees the charred remains of the car,
and is overcome with emotion. He opens the hood.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
32.
PHILIP
Thrust engines failed, huh? They
look just fine to me.
He removes a charred incendiary device.
A bomb?
PHILIP (CONT’D)
He considers it.
TIME FLASH TO:
30
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - LANSBURY’S OFFICE - NIGHT
30
Lansbury and Philip, as we left them.
LANSBURY
The bomb was planted by the Defect
Decency League.
PHILIP
Thank you President obvious. Tell
me something I didn’t know.
LANSBURY
Did you know John Smith was a
rising lieutenant in their army
twenty years ago?
Philip, angry, is teetering on the edge of losing control.
PHILIP
I don’t think I believe you.
LANSBURY
They’re funding his campaign.
You’re a detective. Follow the
money. It’s cliche for a reason.
(to the guard)
Show him out.
Philip stares daggers at Lansbury as he’s pulled from the
room. The guard sticks Philip with a syringe full of
something.
GO TO BLACK.
31
INT. BILL'S HEADQUARTERS - BILL’S OFFICE - DAY
Young Philip enters to find Bill packing up his office.
31
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
33.
YOUNG PHILIP
The police must have been paid off.
I found this on Sofia’s car.
He sets the car bomb remnants on the desk.
BILL
Another reason to drop out.
YOUNG PHILIP
You mean quit?
BILL
I’m the reason Sofia is dead. If I
hadn’t sought political officeYOUNG PHILIP
She’s dead because she was
murdered.
BILL
I can’t lose anyone else.
YOUNG PHILIP
Then help me find out who did this.
BILL
I don’t have any fight left in me,
kid. You find them.
On Young Philip, disappointed.
32
EXT. GETTY CENTER CAR PAD - DAY
32
Philip wakes up in his car. His Norm clothing has begun to
disintegrate. He sees the time. It’s almost noon.
Damnit!
PHILIP
He hurries to change.
33
INT. THE GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
33
See Botecelli’s Venus and Mars on an easel. We should now
recognize the face painted over Venus’s as Sofia’s.
Philip, now changed, enters to find Genessee and Zane passed
out on the floor.
PHILIP
Wake up! We need to get moving!
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
34.
Genessee sits up revealing that her clothes have also begun
disintegrating. Philip averts his eyes.
GENESSEE
Wha-? Where are we?
PHILIP
Uh...Your clothes?
Genessee looks down, realizes she’s half naked.
GENESSEE
I’ll change into something more
durable.
PHILIP
Hurry. It’s noon.
She covers herself and exits. Philip shakes Zane gently.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
Get up! We have to get downtown.
John’s speech.
He grabs his fedora and goes for the door.
34
EXT. PUBLIC SPEAKING VENUE - DAY
34
Philip with his oxygen mask, Genessee with hers, and Zane
arrive. There’s a giant Crowd. Banners are waving, People are
clapping and chanting. Philip scans the crowd.
ZANE
I thought we were going straight to
the reclamation camps.
GENESSEE
What happened to you? When they
separated us, I thought... I didn’t
know what to think.
PHILIP
Lansbury wanted to chat.
Lansbury?!
ZANE
GENESSEE
They took you to see the President?
Why? What did she say?
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
35.
PHILIP
Usual threats and hot air. Doesn’t
matter. We’re sticking close to
John from now on. So start looking.
John takes the stage and the crowd erupts. Genessee and Zane
scan with Philip.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
(to Genessee)
By the way, I’ll need access to
John’s financial records. His
contributions, expenses. All of it.
What for?
GENESSEE
PHILIP
Might turn up some leads.
ZANE
What am I looking for?
PHILIP
Anything out of the ordinary.
GENESSEE
Like someone wearing an oxygen
mask? Besides you and me, I mean.
Genessee points out a OXYGEN MASKED MAN wearing a hood who is
trying to look inconspicuous in the shadows. They lock eyes.
The man bolts. Philip chases him.
35
EXT. ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
Philip runs after the man, and pulls out his gun. Genessee
follows close behind.
PHILIP
Stop! Stop or I’ll shoot!
The person doesn’t stop. Philip hesitates to pull the
trigger, keeps running.
GENESSEE
What are you waiting for? Shoot
him!
No!
PHILIP
35
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
36.
GENESSEE
He’s getting away!
I got him!
ZANE (O.S.)
Reveal Zane in pursuit on the rooftop. He leaps toward the
suspicious person, but lands on Philip. The gun goes flying.
Genessee retrieves the gun, points it at the man.
Wait! No!
PHILIP
She pulls the trigger. It misfires soot all over her. The gun
recoils, striking her in the head. She collapses.
Philip runs to her side.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
Genessee! Genessee!
But she remains unconscious.
FADE OUT.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
37.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
36
EXT. ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
Genessee’s eyelids flutter open.
GENESSEE
Did I get him?
ZANE
You got yourself.
PHILIP
I told you not to fire the gun!
GENESSEE
I didn’t know it would backfire.
ZANE
It always does.
Philip offers her a hand, gets her up.
PHILIP
Are you okay?
GENESSEE
Just a bump.
(beat)
Some detective, carrying around a
gun that doesn’t work.
ZANE
Even I can’t fix it.
GENESSEE
What did you think you were going
to do, chuck it at him and hope you
knocked him out? You’d be better
off with a crossbow.
PHILIP
Doesn’t fit as neatly in the
holster.
GENESSEE
Why don’t you get a new one?
PHILIP
Call me a sentimentalist.
36
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
38.
GENESSEE
Sentiment means nothing if you’re
dead.
TIME FLASH TO:
37
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S OFFICE - DAY
37
Young Philip enters, looking like he hasn’t slept in days. He
hangs his fedora and trench coat on a hat rack, then takes a
seat at his desk. He opens a drawer and takes out the
charcoal drawing of Sofia. He replaces it in the drawer with
his gun, the same one we saw in the last scene.
PHILIP (V.O.)
The Getty Center became my own
fortress of solitude.
See Young Philip’s door. It reads “Spade Detective Agency” in
black bold lettering.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
I opened my detective agency as a
means to an end, but my allconsuming purpose was finding
Sofia’s killers.
Philip examines the explosive device under a jeweler’s loupe.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
It became my sole reason for
living.
With a pair of tweezers, Young Philip extracts a tiny hair
from the device. A clue! He studies it.
38
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - EVENING
Young Philip sits in his car.
PHILIP (V.O.)
One advantage to this world. The
Norms insist on keeping records of
everyone’s DNA. Just another way to
herd us like cattle.
A Man arrives.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
A few keystrokes and a couple hacks
later, I tracked down the owner of
that hair.
38
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
39.
Philip slinks down in his car as the man enters the building.
Philip gets out of his car to follow.
TIME FLASH TO:
39
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S OFFICE - LATER
39
Philip sits at his desk pouring over John’s financial
records. Genessee lies on the couch going over the yellowed
letters. Zane paces.
PHILIP (V.O.)
If what Lansbury said was true- if
John is involved with the men that
killed Sofia- I had to know.
GENESSEE
John’s contribution records telling
you anything useful?
Not yet.
PHILIP
GENESSEE
Maybe if you told me what you were
looking for I could help.
Philip considers her for a moment, thenZANE
(abruptly)
If John dies now, it’s on me. I
macked up and the guy got away.
PHILIP
Blaming yourself gets us nowhere.
We know that we’re looking for a
man. That’s new information.
GENESSEE
And that he’s a Norm.
PHILIP
Nope. He could have been wearing
the mask to fool us.
ZANE
Why would a Defect want to kill
John?
PHILIP
You ever hear of the Defect Decency
League?
7/7/2009
No.
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
40.
ZANE
GENESSEE
The anti-Norm hate group? They
don’t exist anymore.
PHILIP
Plenty of people still want to
crush the Norms for the oppression
they wrought on the Fects.
GENESSEE
You think the attempts on John have
something to with the Brights?
Philip regards her suspiciously.
PHILIP
There are too many coincidences. We
should check it out.
On Philip, enigmatic.
40
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
40
Philip, Genessee, and Zane emerge from the Falcon.
PHILIP
The DDL operated out of this
warehouse.
GENESSEE
What happened when you found them?
TIME FLASH TO:
41
INT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - REST ROOM - MOMENTS 41
LATER
The Man stands at a urinal taking a piss. Silently, Young
Philip goes for his neck, attempts to snap it, but fails. The
Man throws Young Philip against the wall.
The Man lunges for Young Philip, locks him in a strong hold.
He pulls a switchblade from his pocket and goes for Philip’s
throat.
Young Philip gets the upper-hand. With a grunt of fury, he
crushes the Man’s skull against the sink.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
41.
Porcelain shatters to the floor as the Man collapses in a
bloody pool.
Young Philip vomits.
42
INT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - LATER
42
The dead man’s legs stick out from the bathroom. Files and
papers are strewn everywhere. As Young Philip searches,
another Defect enters.
The Defect sees Philip, the ransacked warehouse, then the
dead man’s legs, and bolts out the door.
Young Philip takes off after him.
43
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
43
The Defect hops in his car and zooms away. Young Philip hops
in his car to follow.
44
EXT. NEW LA STREETS - NIGHT
44
Young Philip’s car chases the Defect’s car through the air.
The Defect’s car weaves in and out of traffic trying to lose
Philip. Young Philip stays on him, gaining ground.
Young Philip finally catches up, and nudges the Defect’s back
bumper, trying to get him to land. The Defect resists and
veers dangerously into a lane of oncoming traffic, barely
missing a vehicle.
Young Philip nudges the bumper again. This time the Defect
jerks the wheel hard to the left, fishtailing, losing
control. Young Philip turns hard left to follow, causing
another car to crash into his. Both Philip’s car and the
other car careen toward the ground. Philip ejects from his
car and parachutes to safety.
He looks toward the sky as the Defect’s car swerves into a
building and explodes.
The other car- the one Philip hit- lies in smolders as Philip
lands on the ground. Two bodies, a man and a woman, burn on
the ground.
A five year old boy, YOUNG ZANE, parachutes in next to
Philip, screaming.
TIME FLASH TO:
7/7/2009
45
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
42.
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
45
With Philip, Zane, and Genessee as we left them.
PHILIP (V.O.)
It’s amazing what a self-righteous
ass I was. My reckless pursuit of
Sofia’s killers cost Zane his
parents. My penance became raising
him.
They walk towards the door.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
What happened to the Fects? They
died.
A bullet strikes the brick wall in front of them. They dive
for cover. Philip goes for his gun. A dark boot enters the
frame next to him.
He looks up to see the oxygen masked man that they chased
away from John’s campaign event. He wears a hood and an
oxygen mask that obscures his face. He holds a gun.
MASKED MAN
(through a filter)
Don’t even think about it.
He punches Philip out.
46
INT. SMALL CONCRETE ROOM - NIGHT
46
Philip comes to, a bruise teasing his right eye. His oxygen
mask has been removed. He is bound and gagged in a chair.
Philip struggles with his bindings, and with considerable
effort manages to free himself.
He takes in the room. One door. No windows.
Philip drags his chair next to the door. Clanging keys sound
from behind the door. Philip lifts the chair and tenses at
the ready.
MASKED MAN (O.S.)
(through the door)
Put down the chair and step away
from the door.
Confused, Philip looks around for a surveillance camera.
There isn’t one. Seeing no other option, he lowers the chair
and steps back from the door. He pulls his car keys from his
pocket and laces them through his fingers like a weapon.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
43.
The Masked Man enters. Philip charges him with the keys, but
the man is ready. Philip drops his keys.
MASKED MAN (CONT’D)
Stop. We need to talk.
PHILIP
You should have thought of that
before you shot at me. Who are you?
He goes for the mask, the man fights back.
MASKED MAN
You don’t need to know that.
PHILIP
I decide what I need to know.
MASKED MAN
It’d be a shame for Zane to have to
die like his parents.
Philip lunges at the man and throws a concussive punch. The
man staggers. Philip runs out the open door. Angle on his
keys, still lying on the ground.
47
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
47
Philip emerges disoriented, maskless, gasping for breath.
FADE OUT.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
44.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
48
EXT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
48
Panicking, his hand over his mouth and nose, Philip runs.
49
INT. STRUCTURE - MOMENTS LATER
49
Philip enters, searching frantically for something he can use
to breathe through. There is nothing usable.
Philip finally pulls off his sock and breathes through it. He
coughs and chokes as he stumbles out battling suffocation.
50
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S OFFICE - LATER
50
Philip stumbles in to find Genessee waiting for him. He takes
a deep breathe and coughs.
Thank God!
GENESSEE
PHILIP
Where’s Zane?
GENESSEE
I thought he’d be with you.
PHILIP
I haven’t seen him since we were
getting shot at. How did you get
away?
GENESSEE
The guy barely paid any attention
to me. I ran. I thought you were
both dead.
PHILIP
Whoever he is, he didn’t want you.
He wanted me and Zane. He knows us.
How?
GENESSEE
PHILIP
I don’t know. We’re going back.
He pats his pockets as he heads for the door.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
45.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
I lost my keys.
GENESSEE
I’ll drive.
PHILIP
I’ll have John’s security team meet
us there.
They head out.
51
INT. DEFECT DECENCY LEAGUE WAREHOUSE - LATER
51
Philip and Genessee arrive with a Security team. Weapons
drawn, they search the Warehouse. It’s empty.
SECURITY MAN
Mister Spade, we’ve secured the
entire building. No one’s here.
GENESSEE
Maybe Zane got away too?
Philip retrieves a fedora from the corner of the room.
Zane’s.
PHILIP
Genessee’s face falls.
SECURITY MAN
If there’s nothing else, we have to
finish securing the convention hall
for John’s speech tomorrow.
PHILIP
Go. We’re fine.
SECURITY MAN
Alright boys, let’s head out.
The security team leaves. Genessee sits down, shell-shocked.
PHILIP
He’s going to be fine. Zane can
take care of himself.
Genessee gives him a look.
GENESSEE
No he can’t.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
46.
PHILIP
I’ll find him.
GENESSEE
This place is wiped clean.
PHILIP
I never said it would be easy. The
best thing for us to do is go home
and regroup. You should get some
rest.
GENESSEE
You’re right.
She heads for the door but starts shaking.
PHILIP
Are you going to be okay?
Yes.
(no)
GENESSEE
PHILIP
You can come stay on my couch.
GENESSEE
If you need the company.
They head for the door.
52
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S LIVING ROOM - LATER
52
Genessee pours some gin for herself and downs it. She pours
another and one for Philip. He sets his aside, uncomfortable,
as she sips her second glass and sits beside him on the
couch. The air is rife with sexual tension.
GENESSEE
Thank you for letting me stay.
PHILIP
(gruff)
Didn’t really have a choice.
She shivers. Philip begrudgingly moves closer to her.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
They really got to you, huh?
GENESSEE
No. I’m just worried about Zane.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
47.
PHILIP
Me too. He’s the only person I’ve
cared about since Sofia.
GENESSEE
She must have been really special.
PHILIP
She was the first person to ever
look at me and not see a Norm.
GENESSEE
That’s beautiful.
PHILIP
That’s her. The most genuine and
honest person I have ever met.
GENESSEE
I can’t imagine the pain you went
through in losing her.
PHILIP
Twenty years later it’s the same
damn thing.
GENESSEE
Things will get better. We have to
fight until they are.
PHILIP
That’s what she would have said.
He smiles at her. They’re close both emotionally and
physically. Genessee leans in to kiss Philip. Philip is
tempted, but pulls back, rises.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
I’m going to bed.
GENESSEE
Right. Bed.
PHILIP
Good night.
Philip heads for the door.
Night.
GENESSEE
Genessee rises and moves to the window. Philip looks back at
her, makes a move toward her, then shakes his head and walks
back to his room.
7/7/2009
53
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S LIVING ROOM - LATER
Philip enters to find Genessee awake.
PHILIP
You sleep okay?
No.
Me either.
GENESSEE
PHILIP
Awkward silence.
GENESSEE
Have you figured out how to find
Zane?
Not yet.
PHILIP
More silence.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
About last nightGo first.
GENESSEE
I’m sorry for-
PHILIP (CONT’D)
GENESSEE
I was apologizing for last night. I
was feeling vulnerablePHILIP
It won’t happen again.
Genessee winces.
GENESSEE
Right. I guess I’ll just go.
She goes to the exit.
PHILIP
Why did you hire me?
GENESSEE
To find out who’s behindPHILIP
(over)
Why did you hire me?
(MORE)
48.
53
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
PHILIP (CONT'D)
Of all the detectives you could
have hired. Did John ask for me?
GENESSEE
Bringing you on was my idea.
She turns to go.
PHILIP
You forgot this.
He tosses Genessee her oxygen mask.
GENESSEE
Right. Thanks. My head isn’t on
straight today.
PHILIP
You’re a Fect.
GENESSEE
What? No, I’m not.
PHILIP
I don’t care if you are,
sweetheart. I care why you’re lying
to me.
GENESSEE
Why would I lie?
PHILIP
(re: the mask)
The light works. I checked it.
GENESSEE
It’s a new mask. Got it yesterday.
PHILIP
You were with me all day yesterday.
GENESSEE
The day before that, I mean.
PHILIP
In Denver, President Lansbury told
me that she didn’t exile you to the
reclamation camps as a favor to me.
Why would she have sent you to the
camps if you were a Norm?
GENESSEE
She was mistaken.
49.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
50.
Philip takes a strand of hair off the pillow.
PHILIP
What would happen if I ran this
hair through the DNA database?
He goes to his desk and starts up his holo-computer.
GENESSEE
Fine. You win. I’m a Fect. I
thought if there were Norms on
John’s side it might help him win.
Does it really matter what I am?
PHILIP
Not what. Who. You’re a liar.
GENESSEE
And you’re a killer.
Philip reacts with surprise.
GENESSEE (CONT’D)
That’s right. I know you killed the
Fects that murdered Sofia. I know
you killed Zane’s parents.
PHILIP
That, my dear, I can live with.
Genessee leaves.
54
INT. GETTY CENTER - PHILIP’S OFFICE - LATER
54
Philip sits at his desk deep in thought.
PHILIP (V.O.)
But I couldn’t live with it.
He pages through John’s financial records.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
All roads led to the Defect Decency
League. If they were funding John’s
campaign, his financial records
would show it.
Line by line,
they coincide
bottom of the
check written
he crosses out names on the expense report as
with his payroll list. He gets toward the
expense report and stops on a line item. It’s a
to Nelson Robbins for $100,000.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
51.
He searches the payroll list. There’s no Nelson Robbins on
the list.
He turns to his holo-computer and punches the name Nelson
Robbins into a search engine. A Picture of Nelson appears
before him. He looks like he could be the same person as the
masked man that Philip encountered before.
A series of articles pop up on the holoscreen.
Philip clicks through them. He stops on a picture of Nelson
with John Smith. He clicks on another link. It sends him to a
web site for the United Defect Front. He scrolls through the
home page.
PHILIP (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Seeking retribution for the era of
Norm oppression, huh? Sounds
suspiciously like the Defect
Decency League.
Philip reads on.
55
EXT. DEFECT’S HOUSE - EVENING
55
Philip lies in wait, slouched down in the Falcon, as NELSON
ROBBINS returns home.
56
INT. DEFECT’S HOUSE - SAME
56
Philip has Nelson bound to a chair. Philip has attached
electrodes to Nelson. Philip pulls a level and electrocutes
Nelson.
NELSON
What do you want?!
PHILIP
Where’s Zane?
Who?
NELSON
PHILIP
Where is he?
Philip gives him some more juice.
DEFECT
I don’t know what you’re talking
about!
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
52.
PHILIP
Are you a member of the Defect
Decency League? Did you send the
bomb?
Nelson doesn’t answer. Philip pulls the level. Electricity
flows through Nelson’s body. He screams.
NELSON
The bomb wasn’t us. We don’t know
who sent it.
PHILIP
What did John pay you for? What’s
your connection?
He shoves the picture of Nelson and John in Nelson’s face.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
Why are you trying to kill him?
NELSON
Why would we try to kill him? He’s
ourPHILIP
He’s one of you? Answer me!
Philip gives Nelson one more taste of the electricity. Nelson
convulses then slumps over and froths from the mouth. Philip
pulls the electrodes off the man, and begins CPR.
PHILIP (CONT’D)
Come on, you bastard! I need you
alive!
After a series of heart compressions, Philip gives up. Nelson
is dead.
On Philip, reeling.
57
INT. CONVENTION HALL - NIGHT
57
Crowds of People wave banners and chant before a podium on a
stage. Philip arrives as John takes the stage.
JOHN
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
The crowd starts cheering his name: John Smith! John Smith!
Philip spots Genessee, weaves through the crowd toward her.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
53.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Thank you. Thank you so much. No
one imagined that we would be here
right now. We are ready to take
this country in a fundamentally new
direction. That’s what’s happening
right now in the R.S.A. Change is
happening.
The crowd chants: We want change! We want change!
Philip grabs Genessee by the arm and leads her out of ear
shot as John continues his speech.
GENESSEE
Did you find Zane?
PHILIP
No. I tracked down another member
of the Defect Decency League.
GENESSEE
Our masked friend?
PHILIP
No. But he had some interesting
things to say.
GENESSEE
Where is he now?
PHILIP
Dead. Not on purpose.
GENESSEE
That doesn’t make it better.
PHILIP
I’m being set up.
GENESSEE
Any idea for what?
PHILIP
No. But whoever the masked man is,
he knows way too much about me.
He’s in my head.
GENESSEE
Then get in his. If you were going
to try to kill John tonight, how
would you do it?
Philip scans the room.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
54.
PHILIP
I’d do it from there.
He points to an alcove just in time to see a Shadowy figure
move. It’s the Masked Man with a rifle.
Without thinking, Philip draws his gun and fires. It works.
He strikes the masked man square in the chest and he falls to
the ground, bleeding.
Genessee runs to the body, turns him over, removes his filter
mask.
It’s-Me.
GENESSEE
PHILIP
REVEAL that the Masked Man is Philip with graying hair.
FADE OUT.
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
55.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
58
INT. CITY ER - TRAUMA ROOM - NIGHT
58
AN EMT wheels OLDER PHILIP (formerly Masked Man) through.
Philip accompanies them. Nurses and a DOCTOR flock around
Older Philip.
EMT
Male, fifty-five. Gunshot wound to
the chest. He’s a Norm, people!
The Doctor examines Older Philip.
DOCTOR
Hook up the oxygen mask. Damnit,
the bullet is in five pieces! It’s
entered his kidneys. I need an
operation room.
A nurse puts the oxygen mask over Older Philip’s mouth. His
eyes open slightly.
PHILIP
He’s responsible for an attempt on
John Smith’s life. I need to
question him.
DOCTOR
You have two minutes.
He leaves.
PHILIP
(to Older Philip)
The wild goose chase. That was you?
Where’s Zane?
OLDER PHILIP
(with effort)
Must... stop... Smith. Failed.
John’s... assassinate Lansbury. Not
accident.
PHILIP
Lansbury’s not dead. Tell me where
Zane is!
OLDER PHILIP
You must... stop them. You must
keep him from... power.
*
7/7/2009
Pilot
"2197 A.D."
Marina Alburger
56.
Older Philip starts gasping for breath.
Fix this.
OLDER PHILIP (CONT’D)
Older Philip’s eyes roll back in his head. He collapses
against his pillow. His heart monitor emits a single long
tone. He’s dead.
A CHEER erupts from the other room. Philip walks toward the
noise.
59
INT. CITY ER - WAITING ROOM - SAME
59
Philip enters to find the Nurses, Doctors, and People in the
room celebrating (get it in dialogue). He sees a holo-news
cast on in the middle of the room. He turns up the volume.
NEWSCASTER
(hologram)
This is breaking news. President
Lansbury has died in a car crash.
We have no information on what
caused the crash. Eye witnesses
tell us they heard a loud explosion
then saw her car tumble from the
sky. This just hours after a failed
assassination attempt on the Defect
presidential candidate John Smith.
There is no indication that the two
are related...
On Philip, as the celebration around him continues. Oh shit.
FADE TO BLACK.