The room is entirely bare. We are unable to determine how big the room is due to the lack of light. It might go on forever or only a few feet.
The man is of medium build and dressed in the military garb of an enlisted man. Reflector shades conceal his eyes.
AURAL ARTIFACTS dance about the edge of our hearing. A woman laughs. The tires of a car screech. Glasses clink. There is applause. There are sounds that are unidentifiable and possibly artificially produced.
A feather floats before the mans face and falls to the ground. He seems unaware of it.
EXT. A BACK ROAD - LATE MORNING
The same man dressed in civilian clothes drives down this deserted road.
INT. A LARGE DARK ROOM
We pull in closer to the man. We hear the sounds of chickens clucking.
EXT. CHICKEN COOPS - LATE MORNING
A large produce truck is being loaded with chickens. A worker chases a chicken that has gotten loose. The doors are closed to the truck. The truck pulls away from the coops and starts down the road.
INT. THE LARGE DARK ROOM
We begin to circle the soldier.
EXT. A BACK ROAD - LATE MORNING
The man from the dark room is driving towards a very sharp turn.
EXT. FURTHER ON DOWN THE SAME ROAD
The produce truck is headed for the same turn in the opposite direction.
INT. THE LARGE DARK ROOM
The man sits at a small table with a beautiful young blonde woman (we will find out later her name is Sheila). They share a bottle of wine over candlelight and modest fare.
INT. THE LARGE DARK ROOM
The man is gone. The beautiful young blonde woman stands in the center of the room in a wedding dress. She is radiant and smiling. The perfect bride.
INT. THE LARGE DARK ROOM
We are behind the soldier still circling him. There is the sound of SCREECHING WHEELS and a CAR ACCIDENT.
EXT. BACK ROAD
We look over the hood of the soldiers car through a sheet of flame. The soldier is slumped against the steering wheel, his head and face are covered in blood. No airbag is apparent.
INT. A HOSPITAL ROOM
A dark bearded gentleman in his early forties holds up a hypodermic needle. He fills our field of vision. We will find out later that he is DR. WILLIAM PEOPLES.
Dr. Peoples squirts some liquid from the needle and turns towards us. He reaches.
DR. PEOPLES I'm sorry son, but this one has to go in under the eyeball.
EXT. CABLE COMPANY PARKING LOT - EARLY MORNING
This office building is kept busy with customers and employees. The soldier enters dressed in civilian garb.
INT. OFFICE A business man in his late forties sits behind a littered desk. He looks up and smiles. A name plate sits on the desk. It reads "JACK WARNER". Jack looks up.
INT. THE LARGE DARK ROOM We have come 270 degrees around the soldier. Exactly opposite us stands a newcomer. He stands around six feet tall, is dark and has a large frame. The SERGEANT also wears reflector shades.
SERGEANT Are you with us Biggs! Biggs seems dazed. He is slow to respond.
BIGGS Yes. SERGEANT Yes, what! Biggs is confused.
BIGGS
I.. I don't know.
SERGEANT
You don't know! You don't know!
Yes Sergeant! Say it!
BIGGS
Yes Sergeant.
SERGEANT
You don't know much do you soldier!
BIGGS
No Sergeant.
SERGEANT
That's why you're here soldier. You don't
know enough. You don't even know how to
complete your mission. What is the most
important thing soldier!
BIGGS
I don't know, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
The most important thing is to complete
your mission! But you forgot that and
look what happened!
The Sergeant points in front of and past Private Biggs face. The floor under
Biggs seems to turn him around so he is now facing right.
A cement wall has appeared out of no where. Four armed Hispanic men in
uniforms lead three bound Americans to the wall. The Hispanics are rough
with the Americans. They kick the knees out from under them and then force
the men into a kneeling position.
The Hispanic that appears to be in charge walks down the line and shoots each
soldier in the back of the head.
The floor returns Biggs back to his prior position.
SERGEANT
That was your fault Biggs! Those men
died because you failed to complete your
mission! Those were your friends and you
let them down! Do you understand me Biggs.
BIGGS
Yes, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
And do you know what the penalty for this
rievous error on your part is!
BIGGS
No Sergeant.
The Sergeant snaps his fingers. Biggs is now standing on a stool. A noose is around
is neck. The rope disappears into the dark above. Biggs realizes his hands are tied
ehind his back. He only seems dimly aware of what is going on.
A soldier stands nearby ready to play a snare drum. Another soldier stands next to
iggs and the stool. Sergeant nods. The soldier plays the drum.
Sergeant lifts his hand and holds it up.
BIGGS
But....
Sergeant drops his hand. The soldier kicks the stool out from under Biggs. Biggs drops.
INT. A SMALL BEDROOM
Biggs starts awake with a scream. Terror and confusion is written across his face.
A beautiful young blonde woman runs into the room. She looks upset.
WOMAN
Henry are you all right!
Henry looks up at the woman he is confused.
BIGGS
Who are you?
The woman looks angry and pushes Henry back over onto the bed.
WOMAN
I'm your wife Sheila and you better not ever ask me that question again Henry Biggs!
Sheila jumps on the bed and straddles Henry. She places a concerned hand on his forehead.
SHEILA
Do you have the flu.
BIGGS
I had a terrible dream. I got hung.
SHEILA
Yuk! That's awful. I told you not to
eat so late last night.
Henry rubs his eyes. He still looks confused.
SHEILA
Poor baby. Do you want to call in sick?
BIGGS
Call in sick?
SHEILA
To your job silly. Remember? The one
at the cable company.
BIGGS
The cable company?
SHEILA
I can still catch Roger at home.
BIGGS
Roger?
SHEILA
The guy you car pool with? That
must have been some dream.
BIGGS
It was terrible... I'll get up. I have
to complete my mission.
Sheila gives Henry a funny look. Henry sits up.
SHEILA
Are you sure you don't want to stay
home?
BIGGS
Yeah. I'm all right.
Sheila gives Henry another concerned look. She leans forward and gives him a delicate kiss.
SHEILA
I love you Henry Biggs.
BIGGS
I love you too... Sheila.
EXT. CABLE COMPANY PARKING LOT - EARLY MORNING
Roger and Henry park their car in front of the cable company office building. They make
their way inside.
INT. OFFICE
A confused Henry enters a disheveled office. A business man in his late forties sits behind
a littered desk. A PC sits in one corner. A name plate sits on the desk. It reads
"JACK WARNER". Jack looks up.
JACK
Henry! How you doing? You
ready to start your training today?
BIGGS
Training?
JACK
Now don't pull that on me. You're
the one that wanted a change.
BIGGS
Change.
JACK
Look it's a self paced program,
computer based. There's nothing
to it. You'll be through it in a week.
BIGGS
A week.
JACK
You all right Henry? You seem kind
of... different.
BIGGS
I had this really terrible dream. My
brain feels like mush.
Jack throws back his head and laughs.
JACK
Sounds like a typical Monday morning
to me Henry! No you go back out to my
secretary and she'll set you up with the
training program. If you have any problems
she'll take care of you. O.K.?
BIGGS
Yes, Sergeant.
Jack gives him a funny look?
JACK
Just Jack will do.
BIGGS
Yes... Jack.
INT. A WELL APPOINTED OFFICE - NOONISH
BRUCE STERLING, a well dressed man in his late fifties sits behind an immaculate
and expensive looking desk. He pecks away at a computer.
The door to the office bursts open. A dark bearded gentleman in his early forties
rushes into the room. DR. WILLIAM PEOPLES wears dress slacks, a shirt and tie.
An attractive secretary follows him in. She looks perturbed.
DR. PEOPLES
I have wonderful news!
Bruce looks at his secretary.
BRUCE STERLING
It's all right Susan.
The secretary shoots an evil look at Dr. Peoples back as he approaches Bruce's desk.
Susan exits and closes the door behind her.
DR. PEOPLES
The implant took! He came out of it!
BRUCE STERLING
Step one.
DR. PEOPLES
One mighty step! He was written off and
now he's out of it.
BRUCE STERLING
I always felt your theories were sound. How
long until training begins.
DR. PEOPLES
Immediately, although I don't understand all
of the parameters you've chosen.
BRUCE STERLING
Don't concern yourself with them Doctor. Just
make sure my people have what they need to
do their training.
DR. PEOPLES
I don't like working in the dark, Bruce.
BRUCE STERLING
But you do like being funded.
Dr. Peoples frowns.
DR. PEOPLES
You don't have to threaten me Bruce. I just don't
want anyone getting hurt. This is radical stuff we're doing.
It's totally new. In some senses we're stumbling
around in the dark.
BRUCE STERLING
Everyone involved in this project is a professional
Doctor. I trust theirs and your judgment.
DR. PEOPLES
Very well. I've got to go document my results.
The Doctor spins on an excited heel and exits the room. Bruce smiles as he leaves. Bruce
picks up the phone, dials, and waits a few seconds.
BRUCE STERLING
This is Sterling. It looks like project H-bomb is a
go. It's early, but I'm confidant we'll be on schedule.
Right. I'll keep you updated.
Bruce hangs up the phone and lights a cigar with an even broader smile.
INT. THE VAST DARK ROOM
Henry stands alone and at attention. There is a CLUCKING NOISE. Henry
is oblivious to the chicken that walks about his feet.
The Sergeant appears from the gloom and stands in front of Henry. He stares
at Henry for a second.
A huge three dimensional rotating smiley face floats across the room behind
the men. The Sergeant obviously sees it and frowns.
SERGEANT
Are you ready to begin training soldier?
BIGGS
Yes Sergeant.
Sergeant closes the distance to Henry and gets in his face.
SERGEANT
I'm glad one of us is, because I don't know
how I'm supposed to work with such pitiful
material.
Sergeant because to circle Biggs as he speaks.
SERGEANT
They told me you would be a challenge. A
challenge! Impossibility is more like it! Are
you an impossibility soldier!
BIGGS
No Sergeant.
SERGEANT
What is the most important thing for you
to do soldier!
BIGGS
Complete my mission Sergeant.
Sergeant smiles and nods his head.
SERGEANT
Shadow ops ALWAYS completes it's
mission soldier and this unit, my unit,
has never failed a mission.
BIGGS
No Sergeant.
SERGEANT
You have been transferred into my unit
because you possess certain characteristics
and abilities which make you perfect for an
upcoming mission. What is the most important
mission parameter soldier?
BIGGS
To complete the mission Sergeant.
SERGEANT
And what unit do you now serve soldier?
BIGGS
Shadow ops, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
And do you know what types of missions
shadow ops performs, soldier?
BIGGS
No Sergeant.
SERGEANT
We execute the directives of military
intelligence against hard targets. We
are frequently designated to penetrate deep
behind enemy lines, infiltrate enemy command
and control and destroy or disrupt said command and
control. Do you understand soldier?
BIGGS
Yes Sergeant.
SERGEANT
Maybe there is hope for you soldier.
Maybe there is hope. Your training
will be comprised of three phases. Phase
one! You will be indoctrinated with technical
specifications and standard protocol via MRI
synaptic implantation.
Henry looks a bit confused at this news.
SERGEANT
Phase two! You will be trained at this facility
in hand to hand close combat. And finally phase
three! You will begin field training and exercises.
Do you understand soldier!?
BIGGS
Yes Sergeant.
SERGEANT
And through all of this training what is
the most important thing you must remember!?
BIGGS
To complete my mission, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
Very good soldier.
The Sergeant stands apart from Henry. Sheila appears from out of the gloom. She carries a
notebook computer. Henry does not recognize her. Sheila hands Sergeant the computer.
SERGEANT
This is Corporal Hazzard. She will be
assisting you in your training. Unlike you
Corporal Hazzard has never failed a mission.
You will follow her instructions explicitly.
Do you understand soldier!?
BIGGS
Yes Sergeant.
The Sergeant opens up the computer and punches a few keys.
SERGEANT
We will begin phase one training... Now!
The outer perimeter of the dark room becomes filled with the images of technical specifications,
field manuals, weapons diagrams, political scenarios and so on.
EXT. A NONDESCRIPT MODERN BUILDING - AFTERNOON
A limo pulls up to this building. An officious looking woman in her early sixties exits the
vehicle. She is escorted by two hard looking men in suits.
INT. BRUCE STERLING'S OFFICE
Bruce's secretary leads AMBASSADOR MADELINE WHITAM into the room. She is followed
by one of her male attendants who is carrying a notebook computer. Bruce stands with a
smile and rounds the desk to shake the Ambassador's hand. The secretary exits.
BRUCE STERLING
Ambassador! This is an honor.
AMBASSADOR
Mr. Sterling. This is my secretary Victor Renoir.
The two men shake hands.
AMBASSADOR
That will be all Victor.
Victor hands the ambassador the computer and leaves the room. Bruce motions to an
overstuffed chair in front of his desk and returns to his seat. The ambassador places the
computer in the center of Bruce's desk and sits.
AMBASSADOR
I have to be honest Mr. Sterling, I'm not
comfortable with being here.
BRUCE STERLING
That is understandable, Ambassador. These
are grave issues that need to be resolved.
AMBASSADOR
I'm mostly concerned about security Mr. Sterling.
I don't really care to be identified with you.
BRUCE STERLING
This building is secure, Ambassador. Everyone in
it with the exception of a few technicians works for the NSA.
AMBASSADOR
The building is in the center of a university.
BRUCE STERLING
Perfect cover.
AMBASSADOR
I hope you're right. At any rate I'm told you
have a tool that can resolve.. our problem.
BRUCE STERLING
It's a prototype and still being developed, but
we are confidant it will execute properly.
AMBASSADOR
I want you to understand Mr. Sterling there is
absolutely no room for error here. We risk an
international incident of biblical proportions
if there are any... aberrations.
BRUCE STERLING
There will be no aberrations, Ambassador. I
assume you have authority from the president
for this operation?
The ambassador frowns.
AMBASSADOR
Mr. Sterling, why do you ask me a question
for which you KNOW there will be no answer?
BRUCE STERLING
I just want to make sure that a mission of this
nature has the highest authority.
AMBASSADOR
The only authority you need to be concerned
with is that of your superiors and they have
directed you to cooperate with me. Is that understood?
Bruce shifts uncomfortably.
BRUCE STERLING
Yes, mam.
AMBASSADOR
Everything you need on the target is on that
notebook. After the information has been assimilated
I suggest you destroy that computer.
The Ambassador rises and Bruce follows suit.
AMBASSADOR
This will be our first and last contact. I expect
no further communication from you or your
operatives. Is that clear?
BRUCE STERLING
Yes Ambassador.
The Ambassador turns to go and then turns back to Bruce.
AMBASSADOR
I want you to understand Mr. Sterling that I
find this... operation entirely distasteful.
Raymond Beausoliel has been a friend of mine
for fifteen years.
BRUCE STERLING
I understand Ambassador.
The Ambassador looks Bruce up and down.
AMBASSADOR
I seriously doubt you do Mr. Sterling. Good day.
The Ambassador exits as an impassive Bruce looks on. Bruce returns to his seat and
pulls the notebook computer closer. He opens it and lights a cigar.
INT. A SMALL OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Henry sits in front of a desktop computer. He is dressed in civilian clothes and stares
intently at a computer screen. He pecks at keys and talks to himself.
BIGGS
Yes... No... Yes... Nine...
INT. A COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON
DR. Peoples stands in front of a bank of high power computers. He occasionally
pokes a keyboard. The Sergeant walks up behind him.
SERGEANT
We about ready Doc?
DR. PEOPLES
In a few moments. I'm setting up the
link to the NSF's super computer network now.
SERGEANT
I'm gonna go take a leak and get some coffee. Have
someone come get me when you're ready.
DR. PEOPLES
Will do.
Bruce Sterling enters the room as the Sergeant leaves.
BRUCE STERLING
Sergeant.
SERGEANT
Mr. Sterling.
Bruce stops at the Doctor's side and peers over his shoulder.
BRUCE STERLING
How are we doing? Are we ready for phase
two yet?
DR. PEOPLES
Just about. We've set up all of the Estims and
locked him down. I'm still getting aural and
some visual artifacts.
BRUCE STERLING
Where are they coming from?
DR. PEOPLES
Probably old memories. Bits and pieces of
stray thought. I warned you of this kind of thing.
BRUCE STERLING
I thought you'd like to know we got that second
round of funding.
DR. PEOPLES
Great! Obviously you've done a good
job selling our work.
BRUCE STERLING
And you've done a good job making the
impossible happen. Here-
Bruce hands a confused Dr. Peoples and envelope.
DR. PEOPLES
What's this?
The Doctor begins to open the envelope.
BRUCE STERLING
A bonus.
Dr. Peoples' eyes go wide when he sees the check.
BRUCE STERLING
You won't have to worry about your
son's education.
DR. PEOPLES
Bruce! I'm overwhelmed! Thank you!
BRUCE STERLING
Just keep up the good work Doctor.
INT. THE VAST DARK ROOM
Henry stands at attention in the vast dark room. The strange sounds of this place
flit about the edges of our hearing.
We pull back from Henry. A young blonde girl in her teens stands in front of Henry
and looks up at him. She is dressed casually but she too wears sunglasses.
YOUNG GIRL
Hello.
Henry looks down at the girl with his typically impassive stare.
BIGGS
Hello.
YOUNG GIRL
What are you doing?
BIGGS
Waiting.
YOUNG GIRL
Waiting for what?
BIGGS
To begin my training.
YOUNG GIRL
What kind of training?
BIGGS
Phase two training.
YOUNG GIRL
Oh.
The young girl looks around. She points at Henry's feet.
YOUNG GIRL
Is that your cat?
Henry looks down at this feet. A medium sized cat is brushing up against his legs. For the
first time Henry smiles and picks up the cat. He begins to pet the cat.
BIGGS
Yes.
YOUNG GIRL
She's pretty. What's her name?
Henry looks confused.
BIGGS
I don't know. I have no name.
YOUNG GIRL
It'll come to you. My name's Tara. What's yours?
BIGGS
Henry Biggs.
Tara holds out her hand and a hesitant Henry shakes it.
TARA
Nice to meet you Henry Biggs.
BIGGS
How did you get in here?
Tara smiles a coy mischievous smile. She points behind Henry into the gloom.
TARA
Over there.
Henry follows her finger.
TARA
I found a backdoor.
Henry puts the cat down and it runs off. Henry resumes his stance.
TARA
Do you always stand like that?
BIGGS
Sometimes I stand like this.
Henry adopts the position of parade rest. Tara smiles.
TARA
Do you ever relax?
BIGGS
Not during training.
TARA
Oh.
Way off in the distance someone calls Tara's name.
VOICE (V.O.)
Tara!
TARA
Oooops! I've gotta go.
Tara turns and begins to go.
BIGGS
Tara!
Tara spins back towards Henry.
TARA
Yes?
BIGGS
Will you come visit me again?
TARA
Sure.
BIGGS
Thanks.
Tara disappears into the gloom.