The Shadow Left Behind Part II
The Shadow Left Behind
Part II
EXT. BRUCE STERLING'S OFFICE - LATER
Bruce pokes at the PC on his desk. Sergeant enters the room. He takes the chair
in front of Bruce's desk. Bruce turns away from his PC and lights up a cigar.
BRUCE STERLING
We have our target.
SERGEANT
We're not ready yet.
BRUCE STERLING
We've got three months.
SERGEANT
That's going to be tight.
BRUCE STERLING
I'm not worried Sergeant. I trust your skills.
Bruce closes the laptop and pushes it to the Sergeant.
BRUCE STERLING
This contains all the available data on our target.
There's an anonymous website on the web that'
updated daily with his movements.
SERGEANT
He must be pretty important to warrant
our H-bomb.
BRUCE STERLING
You are familiar with the movement in
Quebec towards sovereignty?
SERGEANT
Yes.
BRUCE STERLING
Are you also familiar with the gold deposits
that were discovered in Quebec province two
years ago?
SERGEANT
I heard a little bit about it. They're up in the
northern part of the province.
BRUCE STERLING
That's correct and they're vast. Vast and rich.
SERGEANT
So?
BRUCE STERLING
So they were discovered on Quebec owned land
by Quebec officials. Prime Minister Raymond
Beausoliel now has the resources to bring Quebec
to sovereignty.
SERGEANT
So?
BRUCE STERLING
So Sergeant if he continues to gain the support
of the Quebec nationals as he has been doing
for the past five years he will succeed in his bid
to separate from Canada. The United States
Government isn't happy with that fact, but we are
willing to live with it.
SERGEANT
So then what's the problem.
BRUCE STERLING
Mr. Beausoliel has been mining those gold deposits
at break neck speed. Shortly after Quebec gains
independence he intends to dump all of that gold on to
the market to finance his new country. Do you have any
idea what that will do to the economy of our nation?
SERGEANT
How much gold are we talking about?
BRUCE STERLING
Current estimates put it about seventy five percent
of current US. stocks.
SERGEANT
Whoa! That's a lot of gold.
BRUCE STERLING
Our government has repeatedly tried to reason with
Mr. Beausoliel on these matters, but he is stubborn.
SERGEANT
So he's the target.
BRUCE STERLING
If we allow him to dump all of this gold on the
market we are talking about a major economic
incident. Our computer models suggest a stock
crash followed by hyper inflation massive
unemployment and a world wide depression that
will last ten years. I don't know about you Sergeant,
but I don't want to go through the early nineties again.
SERGEANT
Canada is an ally.
BRUCE STERLING
Canada agrees with the problem. Unofficially
of course.
SERGEANT
Everyone wants the job done, but no one
wants to do it.
BRUCE STERLING
Everyone wants the job done, but no one
wants to get caught. That's why our H-bomb
is perfect. He has no past, no ties, no records,
nothing. He's a ghost.
Bruce sits back and stares at the Sergeant deep in thought.
BRUCE STERLING
This mission is being redesignated as operation
"Beautiful Son". You have your target Sergeant.
Train your weapon on him and do not miss.
The Sergeant stands.
SERGEANT
Yes, sir.
The Sergeant leaves. Bruce watches him go through a cloud of cigar smoke.
INT. THE VAST DARK ROOM
Henry is laid out on a hospital bed in the middle of the room. An IV drips into
his arm. He is now dressed in a hospital gown although he still wears his reflector
shades.
A man dressed in a long black cloak stands next to Henry's hospital bed. The hood
of the cloak is thrown over the man's face so we can not see who is there. The man
carries a weed whacker over one shoulder.
The tall dark man draws back the hood. A good looking, graying, older man is revealed.
This new gentleman speaks with an English accent.
GENTLEMAN
You know I just can't figure out how you did it.
Henry looks confused.
BIGGS
Who are you?
GENTLEMAN
Oh! Pardon me I am being rude.
I'm death.
BIGGS
Excuse me?
DEATH
You know mate. Death. Morte.
The Grim Reaper.
BIGGS
You have an English accent.
DEATH
That's because I'm a civilized
force of nature. Mind if I smoke?
Henry Shrugs. The Grim Reaper places his weed wacker on the bed. Henry points at it.
BIGGS
What's that?
DEATH
Oh that? I traded in me sickle.
This here is the Eager Beaver 2000.
I've got insane deadlines to keep these
days. A sickle just weren't cutting it
anymore, so to speak.
Death takes a thoughtful an enjoyable drag off of his cigar.
DEATH
Ahhhhhhh. Tobacco. Death's best
friend... Now they want me to start
processing canines! Some bloody
bureaucrat decided all dogs should
go to heaven.
BIGGS
Dogs go to heaven?
DEATH
That's what I said. So old St. Peter
gets his hand bit while petting a Rotweiller
and now there's hell to pay. And of
course whose supposed to do all of
the work?
BIGGS
You.
DEATH
Bloody right.
BIGGS
Am I dead?
Death takes another thoughtful drag off of his cigar.
DEATH
No your aren't and that's what
I find somewhat confusing. As
near as I can tell you were scheduled
to go a full year ago. It took me this
long to track you down.
BIGGS
Are you going to take me now?
DEATH
Nah. That wouldn't be very sportin'
would it. Besides I gots to figure
out how you got by me.
BIGGS
How did I die?
DEATH
You mean almost died. Hmmmmm.
Death places a finger on a his chin and turns to thought. A chicken pecks at the end
of Henry's bed.
DEATH
I don't quite remember. That was
a couple hundred million souls ago.
It had something to do with chickens
though. Maybe it was salmanilla.
Another friend of mine.
Death guffaws out loud and slaps Henry's arm. Henry smiles sheepishly.
DEATH
I like you Henry. Most humans
run off like scared rabbits when
the see me coming, but you aren't
opposed to a little civil and intellectual
conversation.
BIGGS
No, sir.
Death leans forward and whispers conspiratorially into Henry's ear.
DEATH
Then let me give you a little
advice mate. Trust your instincts.
Trust your intuition.
BIGGS
Excuse me?
DEATH
It's a very powerful trait you humans
have. Go with it, because it is my
observation that things may not be
what they seem...
Death is gone and Henry is left looking puzzled.
INT. A KITCHEN - MORNING
Henry is in his civilian aspect fixing an egg sandwich. He picks up a newspaper
and the sandwich and heads towards the family room.
He passes the door to the dining room. A noose swings to and fro from the ceiling
of the dining room.
Henry stops. Looks up. He takes a few steps back. The noose is gone. Henry turns
back to the family room.
Death stands there smiling with the weed whacker on his arm. Henry screams.
SHEILA
Henry! What's wrong.
Henry turns back to the dining room. Sheila is standing where the noose was swinging.
BIGGS
I saw death!
Henry turns back to the family room. Death is gone. Sheila strides over to Henry and
grabs him. She hugs him close. Henry is dumbfounded and confused.
SHEILA
You're starting to scare me Henry.
Henry hesitantly returns Sheila's hug.
BIGGS
I don't know what's wrong with
me Sheila. I keep having these
bizarre dreams. Sometimes I'm
not sure what's real.
Sheila reaches up and pulls Henry's lips to hers.
SHEILA
I'm real Henry.
Fade out on the kiss.
INT. THE VAST ROOM
Henry stands at attention. The Sergeant stands a foot in front of him at parade rest.
SERGEANT
Command is please with your progress
to date soldier. It's time to begin
phase two training. Are you ready?
BIGGS
Yes, sir.
The Sergeant turns and backs up a few steps. A stoutly build dark soldier stands at
attention a few paces off of Biggs. The man is dressed in a black tank top, jungle
fatigues, black combat boots and reflector shades.
Sergeant turns and faces the two men.
SERGEANT
This is Corporal Moon.
Sheila appears at the Sergeant's side.
SERGEANT
You already know Corp. Hazzard.
Due to the nature of Shadow Ops
there are many instances where
we are unable to carry weapons. If
our mission involves the elimination
of a hard target then we need other
tools to complete the mission objectives.
BIGGS
Yes, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
The training you are about to receive
has been distilled from the entire
encyclopedia of martial arts. These
techniques were designed with only
one objective in mind and that is?
BIGGS
The elimination of the hard target
and the completion of mission.
SERGEANT
The quick and most efficient elimination
of the hard target. You will be trained
on how to resolve multiple complications
all without a weapon. Corp. Hazzard?
Corp. Hazzard and the other soldier face off.
SERGEANT
Corp. Hazzard will demonstrate that
these techniques are founded on
skill not size. Corporal?
Moon furiously attacks. Sheila stops him with a front kick. Moon doubles over. She
slams both ears with cupped hands. Moon grabs his ears in pain and falls to his knees.
Corp. Hazzard casually walks to his side and drop kicks him in the ribs.
Corp. Hazzard smiles and walks back to the Sergeant's side.
SERGEANT
Skill, speed, and the proper application
of pain. Moon! Recover.
The looks of pain drain from Moon's face and he returns to his former position.
SERGEANT
Let's see what you can do Soldier.
Moon! Fighting stance!
Moon adopts a fighting stance.
SERGEANT
Soldier! Face your opponent!
Henry spins to face Moon. He remains at attention. Sergeant nods at Moon. Moon
launches a ferocious side kick into Henry's midsection. Henry flies off screen.
Sergeant shakes his head in disgust.
Sergeant walks over to Henry who is lying on his back at attention. He does not
seem to be in any pain. Sergeant looks down on Henry.
SERGEANT
Does the concept of blocking have any meaning for you, Soldier?
BIGGS
No, Sergeant.
The Sergeant shakes his head in disgust again.
SERGEANT
Get up.
Biggs does as he is told.
SERGEANT
Stand over there!
Biggs moves to a vantage point where he can watch the Sergeant.
SERGEANT
Moon! Fighting stance!
Moon does as he is bid.
SERGEANT
Now this is a block. Same attack. Go!
Moon launches the sidekick. Sergeant deftly blocks the kick, steps behind it and
sweeps Moon's base leg. Moon goes down to his stomach.
Sergeant pounces onto Moon's back. He grabs a handful of Moon's hair and his chin.
Sergeant yanks. There is a CRACK as Moon's neck is snapped.
Biggs looks horrified. Sergeant stands.
SERGEANT
A block and a counter!
BIGGS
You killed him, Sergeant.
SERGEANT
I did not give Corp. Moon permission to die, Soldier! Moon! Recover!
Moon props himself up to all fours. He slowly rotates his head back to normal position.
He stands back to attention and faces Sergeant.
SERGEANT
Again! Different attack!
Moon attacks Sergeant with a jab and a reverse punch. Sergeant is a flurry of destruction.
Moon lies prone on the floor.
SERGEANT
A block and multiple counters! Again! Different attack.
Moon recovers to fighting stance. He launches himself at Sergeant to grab the man's throat.
Sergeant lets him grab, yanks down an elbow, reaches around to Moon's chin and yanks. There's
another CRACK. Moon collapses.
SERGEANT
No block and a fatal counter. Again!
Different attack.
Moon fires off a flurry of punches. Sergeant deftly blocks them all and sneaks a blow to Moon's
throat. Moon grabs his throat in shock. Sergeant snaps out a front kick to Moon's groin. Moon
doubles over. Sergeant throws an elbow to the back Moon's head. He goes down.
SERGEANT
Many blocks and a fatal counter.
Sergeant leaves Moon on the ground and stands off to one side.
SERGEANT
Moon! Recover. Now you try it soldier.
Henry faces off with Moon.
SERGEANT
Hit him with the same attack you gave him before.
Moon nods. He attacks Biggs. Biggs does the exact same defense that the Sergeant did.
Sergeant smiles
SERGEANT
Very good soldier. Very good...
INT. COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON
Dr. Peoples monitors various PCs throughout the room. He occasionally pecks notes into a
laptop he is carrying. His watch BEEPS at him. He looks at his wrist. His expression
changes to one of shock.
DR. PEOPLES
Oh damn! I'm late.
EXT. A HIGH SCHOOL - SAME
A lone student waits at the driveway that leads up to the high school. Dr. Peoples stops
his car in front of the tall young man. Victor Peoples is obviously perturbed. He gets into
Dr. Peoples car with serious attitude.
DR. PEOPLES
Hi, Son. Sorry I'm late.
Victor
You're always late dad.
Dr. Peoples pulls out of the driveway.
EXT. TRAVELING - CAR - SAME
There is obvious tension in the vehicle.
DR. PEOPLES
So how did school go today?
Victor
O.K.
DR. PEOPLES
How's your biology class coming?
Victor
O.K.
DR. PEOPLES
How's gym coming? Is Clarence Richter
still giving you a hard time?
Victor
No.
An uneasy silence returns for a few moments. Dr. Peoples is trying to communicate with
his teenage son, but is unsure.
DR. PEOPLES
Your biology teacher, Mr. Andrews, wants me
to meet with him sometime soon.
Victor
Mr. Andrews is a pain in the butt.
DR. PEOPLES
Victor! He just wants to see that you
get a good education.
Victor
He's a pain in the butt.
Dr. Peoples frowns. Silence...
DR. PEOPLES
I've got good news.
DR. PEOPLES
My boss gave me a huge bonus. I put it
all in savings bonds. It's almost enough
to pay for your entire education. Isn't
that great?
Victor
What if I don't want to go to college.
Dr. Peoples registers shock for a moment and then frowns. He looks at his son.
DR. PEOPLES
You're going to college.
Victor shrugs and turns away from his father. The two drive on in silence.
INT. THE VAST ROOM - LATER
We watch from a bit of a distance as the Sergeant demonstrates some more techniques
to Henry. Henry follows suit and executes the techniques against Moon.
The Sergeant motions them to stop. Henry snaps to attention. The Sergeant, Moon, and
Corp. Hazzard disappear into the gloom.
There are a pair of teenage legs evident in the shadows, but none of the soldiers
sees them.
After Sergeant and company are gone Tara steps out of the shadows.
BIGGS
Tara!
Henry is obviously happy to see the young girl.
TARA
Hi.
BIGGS
I'm glad you came back to visit.
TARA
I saw you guys doing karate.
BIGGS
That was phase two training. It is
necessary for completion of mission
objectives.
Tara smiles.
TARA
Oh... It looked pretty cool.
That big guy looks pretty good.
BIGGS
That's my Sergeant.
TARA
Maybe you guys can train me.
That will keep the boys from
getting fresh. Billy Ricks especially.
BIGGS
Has he assaulted you?
TARA
Just with a water pistol. He and
his friends think it's funny to hunt
the girls after school and surprise
them with a face full of water.
BIGGS
You could front kick them to the groin.
TARA
I think I'd just like to learn to
take their water pistols away and
turn them on them.
BIGGS
I can ask the Sergeant if you like.
TARA
No. You better not. I'm not supposed
to be here.
BIGGS
You're not?
TARA
I came in the back door remember?
Henry looks confused and then shrugs.
BIGGS
I like your company. Although the
Sergeant and my unit members are very
proficient at training they don't have
much of a sense of... ah...
Henry searches for the words. Tara smiles.
TARA
Fun?
BIGGS
Yes. That's it.
TARA
What do you do for fun, Henry? All
I ever see you doing is training for
mission objectives whatever they are.
BIGGS
Why I... stand at attention mostly.
TARA
That doesn't sound like much fun to me.
BIGGS
It's not really. What do you do for fun?
TARA
I play soccer and-
BIGGS
What are the mission objectives of soccer?
TARA
To get the ball in the net.
BIGGS
Does this require the elimination of
hard targets?
TARA
No it requires passing.
BIGGS
Passing? I have not been demonstrated
this technique yet. Perhaps you can show
it to me.
TARA
O.K.
Tara walks back a few feet from Henry. She turns with a soccer ball in her hands. She
places the ball on the ground and kicks it to Henry. It sails by Henry.
TARA
Henry. You're supposed to stop it
with your foot.
BIGGS
Affirmative.
Tara smiles. She has another soccer ball at her feet. She kicks it to Henry.
Henry stomps the top of the ball. He follows this up with a bottom fist and an elbow strike.
TARA
Henry!
Henry turns to Tara.
TARA
You're supposed to stop it not kill it.
BIGGS
Oh.
Henry stands. Tara returns to stand in front of him.
TARA
You don't get out much do you?
BIGGS
Not at this point in my training. I
liked passing. What else do you do
for fun?
TARA
Oh, hang out, listen to music, you know.
BIGGS
Music!? Like the blues?
TARA
More like alternative. You know,
Smashing Pumpkins, Bush, Beck. I
don't know much about the blues.
BIGGS
I like the blues.
TARA
I'm not even sure I know what they
sound like.
BIGGS
They sound like this.
A microphone appears before Henry. Lights come up behind him. A four piece bands
stands ready under the lights. There is a drummer, a guitarist, a bassist and a
lady saxophone player. None of these people wear reflector shades.
Tara smiles as the band starts up "Born Under a Bad Sign".
Henry sings the lead vocals to the songs conclusion. When the song is done Tara applauds.
The band members freeze.
TARA
That was great! You're really good.
BIGGS
Thank you.
Tara walks over to stand in front of the band. All of the band members are frozen like automatons.
TARA
Are these your friends.
Henry turns to look over the band behind him. He joins Tara's side.
BIGGS
I'm not sure.
TARA
What are their names?
Henry looks disturbed.
BIGGS
I have no names.
(violent, disturbed)
I have no names!
Tara grabs Henry's arm to quiet him. A disturbed Henry looks down at her.
TARA
It's all right Henry. I'm a space
shot too. I forget stuff. Yesterday
I forgot to go to a math test.
Henry's pain drains from his face. Eventually it is replaced with a smile.
BIGGS
Forgot?
Tara smiles.
TARA
Well, actually I forgot to study.
BIGGS
And the math test follows.
TARA
Yeah, well kind of.
As if from off in the distance Tara's name is called.
VOICE (V.O.)
Tara!
TARA
Whoops. I gotta go. See you later.
BIGGS
You will come back?
TARA
Of course. How else are you going to
learn how to pass?
Tara leaves with a smile.
INT. HARRY'S OFFICE AT WORK - AFTERNOON
Henry absent mindedly pecks at the computer in front of him. His boss enters the room.
JACK
How's it going there Henry!
Henry turns to his boss and smiles.
BIGGS
O.K. Although I think you really ought
to be paying the computer he's the one
that does all of the work.
Jack laughs and slaps Henry on the back
JACK
Welcome to the twenty first century. Here.
Jack hands Henry a small gift wrapped package.
JACK
I got you a little something as a sign of
my appreciation. It's no big deal. I just
wanted you to know I thought you were doing
a good job.
BIGGS
Thanks Jack.
VOICE(V.O.)
Hey Jack! Phone!
JACK
Whoops! Gotta go. Talk to you later.
Jack rushes out of the room.
Henry unwraps a pair of reflector sunglasses. They are the exact same ones he wears
in the dark room.
INT. COMPUTER LAB - SAME
The Sergeant is eating a cookie and reading off of the laptop Bruce gave him.
There is the sound of an electronic door lock. Dr. Peoples enters the room. He puts
the badge to a card reader in one pocket.
SERGEANT
Hey Doc.
The Doctor is obviously distracted. He marches over to a computer that displays
statistics on something.
DR. PEOPLES
Sergeant.
SERGEANT
What's wrong? You always ask me how training went.
DR. PEOPLES
I have a teen age son.
SERGEANT
Oh... Say no more.
DR. PEOPLES
How did training go?
SERGEANT
Fine. Mr. Sterling told you we have a
target date now?
DR. PEOPLES
We'll be ready.
SERGEANT
Good. I'll be right back. I've got to
hit the head.
Dr. Peoples does not reply as he stares at the stats on the screen before him. The Sergeant
exits. Dr. Peoples expression changes to one of concern.
DR. PEOPLES
What the hell?
Dr. Peoples makes his way over to another PC on the other side of where the Sergeant was sitting.
He glances at the open notebook PC as he walks by. He stops. He stares.
INSERT - THE SCREEN OF THE PC, a picture of Raymond Beausoliel.
Dr. Peoples moves closer to the PC and begins to read the screen. He looks around and finds a
diskette. He pops it in the PC and does a copy.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Sheila leans against the counter of the kitchen. She peruses a magazine and munches on a bagel.
Henry quietly rounds a corner. Sheila does not notice him. Henry studies her for a few seconds.
BIGGS
Corporal Hazzard?
Sheila slowly looks up from her magazine.
SHEILA
Henry. I haven't been in the army
for ten years and my maiden name was
Kraus You're starting to piss me off
with this name thing.
Henry is taken aback. Sheila is obviously pissed.
BIGGS
I'm sorry I had this dream...
SHEILA
Was I Corporal Hazzard?
BIGGS
Yes.
Sheila's anger turns to a smile. She saunters up to Henry with a swish.
SHEILA
All right then you're forgiven.
Sheila surrounds Henry's neck with her arms and pulls him in for a kiss.
BIGGS
You were in the army?
SHEILA
How many stories have I told you
about Fort Bragg?
BIGGS
I don't know.
SHIELA
Henry I swear you are such a space shot.
Sheila pecks him on the cheek and returns to her bagel and magazine. Henry watches
her and is obviously still confused.
Click here for
PART III of "The Shadow Left Behind"